Books Where the Main Character Isn’t the Hero

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Every now and then I stumble across a book where the main character isn’t the “chosen one” or the hero of the story. While they’re certainty not side or background characters, or the villains, they aren’t the ones saving the day or solving the mystery. And honestly I love these books! If you’re looking for recommendations like these, check out these 5 novels where the main character isn’t the one saving the day!

1: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

This book follows Eleanor Fitts, a member of high society. Except, with the disappearance of her brother, her status is falling. Not to mention the dead are rising and are somehow involved in her brother’s disappearance. The heroes in this story are a group of three people who destroy the dead and keep them from rising. Eleanor contacts them in hopes of them helping find her brother.

2: Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone

Violeta and her brother, Arien, are sent to live on the Lakesegde estate with a monster. Except Arien is soon discovered by the monster to be able to help stop the darkness spreading throughout the lake and his family. Violeta is not the hero in this story, her brother is.

3: The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

Callum does not want to be a mage. He wants to live with his dad and have a normal life, but when he accidently tests his way into an underground academy training mages, he discovers that his best friend is the chosen one and must fight the dark mage intent on starting war.

4: The Magnus Chase series by Rick Riordan

Magnus Chase is dead. He died a horrible, but honorable death and now resides in a hotel where others who died noble deaths like him prepare for the end of the world. Except Magnus isn’t very good at fighting or being a hero; he’s the healer in this story.

5: Jackaby by William Ritter

Abigail Rook is new to New Fiddleham, New England. Spotting the first job she can, she ends up as an assistant to R.F. Jackaby, a sort of detective for the supernatural. Throughout the course of the four book series she and Jackaby solve supernatural mysteries with the help of a ghost and werewolf.

Those were five books where the main character is not the one saving the day or solving the mystery!

If you’ve read any of the books mentioned here, tell me about it! I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments.

See you around! Happy reading!

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Books Perfect for Spring Break

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Spring break is coming up for many students, and it’s the perfect time to relax and get some reading in! Whether you’re traveling and reading at the beach or by the pool, or just staying at home relaxing, these are the perfect fun and light hearted books to read!

I made a similar post to this last year, so if you’re looking for even more recommendations you can find those here.

Without further ado, these are 6 books perfect for spring break!

1: Heist Society by Ally Carter

Kat Bishop is a criminal, and so is her family. But she has a change of heart and swears off her life of crime, kissing the family goodbye. Until her friend Hale and cousin Gabrielle are back in her life, begging her to help them with a job. And this time her dad is in trouble. Kat has to assemble a crew and steal five paintings from a museum in order to keep her dad from being murdered by the man he stole the paintings from. This is such a fun, light hearted read about a crew of teenage thieves. And if you love Ocean’s 11, you’ll love this too!

2: Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

Simi is a mermaid who is in charge of helping those who die in the ocean make it to the afterlife. But when Simi saves the life of a boy who fell overboard a slave ship instead of letting him to die, she unknowingly puts all of the Mami Wata in danger and has to travel across the ocean with the boy to make amends.

3: Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

After her mother’s death, Lina is shipped off to Italy where her estranged father resigns. She’s never even met him before, but now is supposed to live with him for the next three months. But she has a mission: use her mother’s old journal to piece together who her actual father is and figure out what happened when her mother lived in Italy, and why she left.

4: Renegades by Marissa Meyer

If you have room in your bags to bring a book this big, it’s perfect for the beach! Nova and Adrian are on opposite sides of a slowly brewing war. Nova is an Anarchist intent on destroying the Renegades, and the best way to do so? Infiltrate it from the inside. It seems like fate for Nova to be placed as the rookie on Adrian’s team, the son of the two leaders of the Renegades.

5: Prince Charming/Royals by Rachel Hawkins

Daisy’s sister is engaged to the crown prince of Scotland. Daisy wants nothing to do with anything remotely royal, but with the upcoming wedding, she gets dragged along to Scotland. When rumors between Daisy and the prince’s younger brother spike, the queen will do anything to squash them. Enter Miles, the younger prince’s best friend, instructed to fake a relationship with Daisy. Now I’m sure we’ve all read enough books to know where the fake dating trope leads…

6: When you Get the Chance by Emma Lord

Millie is a musical obsessed teenager dreaming of making it big on Broadway. Against the odds, she makes it into Madison Precollege, a prestigious school she can go to for her senior year and undergraduate that will boost her into the world of musical theater. But when her dad vetoes the school, Millie pulls a reverse Mamma Mia and decides to hunt down her birth mother, hoping she can change her father’s mind, or at least want Millie to go to the school.

Those were six books I think are perfect to read over spring break!

If you’ve read any of the books mentioned here, tell me about it! I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments!

See you around! Happy reading!

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5 Times the Sequels Were Better Than the First Book

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I’m always so worried about sophomore books. The excitement I feel to continue the story versus the doubt that it’ll never be as good as the first book always makes me hesitate. But every now and then I read a sequel that is loads better than the first. It’s always the best feeling when the later books in a series are even better than the predecessor.

Without further ado, here are five times I found the sequel to be better than the first book!

1: The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I am a diehard Jennifer Lynn Barnes fan and have been since 2018. So, of course, it’s no surprise I loved the Inheritance Games. It wasn’t her usual murder mystery, but it was still fun nonetheless. I will confess, though, that I did find the ending a bit disappointing. I so excited when I read the sequel and the characters began back tracking. It balances the first book out perfectly. The Hawthorne Legacy is fast paced and makes readers question everything they learned in the first book, without making it feel like reading the first book was worthless.

2: The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson

The Vanishing Stair is the second book in the Truly Devious series, and easily the best one. I have never read a mystery book as satisfying as this one. I read it like three years ago, but I’m still obsessed with the riddle and the clues and the way the case concluded. I do think that I liked this book more than the first one because this book actually involved Stevie solving the Ellingham Affair, whereas the first book was her solving Hayes’ murder.

3: Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Another Jennifer Lynn Barnes book that was better than the first one, I absolutely loved this mystery. Although nothing will top the plot twist in the first Naturals books, I adored the way this book went about revealing who the murder was and how it was solved. It was much more complex than the first book. I also loved how readers get more of an insight into the character’s backstories too.

4: Archenemies by Marissa Meyer

I love Renegades. All of the discussions about good versus bad and the way the series gets readers to think about perspective and what makes someone a villain versus a hero is fantastic. However, I do think that the first book is a bit boring. It’s mostly just superhero fluff with a moral dilemma or two thrown in. Now I’m absolutely not complaining about that (because superhero fluff is not something to complain about) but I loved how as the series progressed we got to see a darker side to the Renegades and a more complex plot.

5: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

I really think that there is nothing better than a good ole’ fashioned heist. Genuinely. I eat them up. The Heist Society trilogy by Ally Carter features three different heists, and the second happens to be my favorite. The way the characters get conned is fantastic and I love how simple the execution of their heist was. Truly, such a wonderful book.

Those were the five books I thought were better than the first one!

If you’ve read any of the books mentioned here, tell me about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

See you around! Happy reading!

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The Most Suspenseful YA Novels

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I have never picked up a suspenseful novel on purpose. Truly, they stress me out so much I try my best to avoid them. I usually am good under pressure, but reading novels about characters in extremely intense and hopeless situations just makes me want to throw the book and run for the hills. Of course, that isn’t to say there are not exceptions to this feeling. These 5 novels, ranked from most suspenseful to least suspenseful, I enjoyed so, so, so much despite the suspense and stress!

1: As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

This is the final book in the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy, and there is not a doubt in my mind it is the most stressful one. Pip has gone to a whole new level of darkness and needs to get her way out of it.

2: Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

This book goes from 0 to 100 real quick. In the beginning, readers are recapped on some action and then basically told to sit tight. Nothing happens for a good 300 or so pages, but then the nonstop action begins. The climax of this book is ridiculously long and crazy stressful. It was so hopeless, but the characters still managed to achieve a relatively happy ending.

3: Bad Blood by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

This is the final book in the Naturals quartet, and easily the most stressful one. The murder mystery is unique because, this time, instead of doing the hunting, the characters are being hunted by the killers as they unknowingly walk right into their territory. Plus, the 2nd person POV we get of the killers does not help make this book less suspenseful. This is a perfect mystery book I cannot recommend enough!

4: Finale by Stephanie Garber

With the Fates freed and new betrayals revealed, Tella and Scarlett’s situation seemed especially dire. I truly never knew what was going to happen next in this book, but knew that it could not end happily. The ending, however, was a perfect ending for a perfectly suspenseful book.

5: Killing November by Adriana Mather

The most suspenseful aspect of this book was how in the dark the readers were kept. Along with the protagonist, the readers had to figure out what the mysterious and eerie boarding school really was and who was framing November for murder.

That concludes my favorite suspenseful young adult novels!

If you’ve read any of the books mentioned here, tell me about it! I’d love to here your thoughts in the comments!

See you around! Happy reading!

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5 More Gorgeous Book Covers

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Back in September, I made a post of my top 5 favorite book covers (you can find that post here) Well, I’m back with some more beautiful books covers. If you find the covers appealing, you should definitely check out the books!

Without further ado, here are 5 more beautiful books!

1: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

I love everything from the color scheme, Caraval symbol, and glitter on this cover. It is truly so, so gorgeous and the book itself is amazing!

2: Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles

I love how simple, but ominous this cover is. It makes readers wonder what is lurking behind the red curtains and draws readers in to answer that question.

3: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Normally I’m not a big sci-fi or dystopian fan, but this book pleasantly surprised me. I also don’t normally like science fiction covers, but I love this one! I like how bright it is and I think the silver compliments the blue really well, but it definitely looks like a science fiction book cover.

4: Lore by Alexandra Bracken

I ADORE this cover! The marble and gold look so well together. And I cannot say enough good things about this book! This cover is just so cool looking I can’t get enough of it.

5: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Unpopular opinion here: real people on covers are not nearly as bad as some people will make them out to be. And this is an example of that. I love how London is Audrey Rose’s dress and I think it’s really cool how she’s on the cover too. I really like how beautiful and gothic it is, I think it sets up the book really well.

This concludes 5 more gorgeous book covers!

If you’ve read any books mentioned here, tell me about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

See you around! Happy reading!

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Cutest YA Romance Books

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One of my favorite things to do is download an E-book from my library (Libby and Hoopla are great places to get free e-books and audio books btw!) and binge read them in one night. The best books to get are short and sweet YA romance or contemporary books. These are my 5 favorite ones I have read!

1: Let it Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle

Let It Snow follows three joint romances as a snow storm hits in a small town on Christmas Eve. Meetings at none other than Waffle House lead to three teenagers finding love in unexpected places. This is perfect for the holiday season!

2: Prince Charming (Royals) by Rachel Hawkins

Daisy’s sister is engaged to the crown prince of Scotland. Daisy wants nothing to do with anything remotely royal, but with the upcoming wedding, she gets dragged along to Scotland. When rumors between Daisy and the prince’s younger brother spike, the queen will do anything to squash them. Enter Miles, the younger prince’s best friend, instructed to fake a relationship with Daisy. Now I’m sure we’ve all read enough books to know where the fake dating trope leads…

3: If I Told You I Loved You I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

A classic series, this book is the start of the Gallagher Girls series. Cammie goes to a boarding school that trains the brightest and best young women into spies. Cammie is used to going unnoticed, but when a practice mission goes wrong and Cammie gets noticed by a boy, will she risk compromising the school for her first love?

4: Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

After her mother’s death, Lina is shipped off to Italy where her estranged father resigns. She’s never even met him before, but now is supposed to live with him for the next three months. But she has a mission: use her mother’s old journal to piece together who her actual father is and figure out what happened when her mother lived in Italy, and why she left.

5: Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

I know that just about every book blogger has recommended this book before, but there’s a good reason for it. Seriously. This book is so, so, so good. It’s witty, has fully developed characters, a non-insta-love romance, and enemies/rivals to lovers that is actually done really well. This book follows Peper and Jack as they go head to head in a twitter war for their restaurants brand. Of course, they did not realize that they’re also friends in real life and chatting with each other anonymously on an app Jack built.

That concludes the 5 cutest YA romance books!

If you have read any of the books mentioned here, tell me about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

See you around! Happy reading!

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November 2021 Reading Wrap Up

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This was an interesting month. It seemed like it went by in the blink of an eye, but looking back at the books I read in the beginning of the month, it feels like forever ago. It’s been stressful, not going to lie, what with college applications and the overall havoc of November, but I actually managed to read 10 books this month, which I am super happy with. I read so many great books this month and started a reread on one of my favorite series ever!

Without further ado, let’s get into this reading wrap up!

Twelve by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I have a tradition of rereading this novella every Halloween, and this year was no exception! I love seeing the characters five years after the end of the series, and the mystery is fantastic!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

I have mixed feelings about this book. It had some plot holes and the pacing was a bit wacky at some points, but I found it pretty enjoyable. I think I will plan on reading the rest of this series.

⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 3 out of 5.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

I read this for my AP Literature class and honestly I found it boring, but insightful as to life back then.

⭐⭐

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

This was another novella I read for my AP Literature class. I did not like this one at all, easily the worst book we’ve read all year. The writing was so dense and required much more concentration than normal. At the risk of sounding unintelligent, I did not understand what was going on until a classmate broke it down for me. I really, really did not enjoy this book.

⭐

Rating: 1 out of 5.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Maureen Johnson never disappoints. Filled with British boarding schools, Jack the Ripper, and ghosts out to murder people, this is easily her best book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Shadowlands by Kate Brian

I read this book about three years ago and, honestly, I completely forgot about it. I decided to reread it, and I definitely enjoyed it more the first time. Maybe my taste in books has changed, but I did not like this as much as I thought I was going to. It was filled with flat characters and plot holes, but the plot twist at the end was still fantastic!

⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

Like the name suggests, this was such a cute book! It was super clever and I loved the characters and the plot so much. It’s a perfect book to read if you’re looking for something light that you don’t have to think too much about. It’s also super funny! I actually laughed out loud a couple of times.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I read the Lunar Chronicles book series a while ago, but with the recent advertising for Marissa Meyer’s latest book, Gilded, I suddenly got really nostalgic about these book and needed to reread them ASAP! I honestly loved this book more than I did the first time I read it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Continuing my reread of the Lunar Chronicles, I did not like this book as much as Cinder (it’s probably my least favorite in the series) but I still found it to be a thoroughly entertaining read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Cress by Marissa Meyer

This was the last book I was able to get in this month, and I am glad I finished it out with probably the best book I read all month. I adore this book, from the new characters to the politics and everything in between. It’s wonderful.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

That concludes my November 2021 reading wrap up! I read and reread so many good books this month, and I cannot wait to see what I read in December.

If you have read any books mentioned here, tell me about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

See you around! Happy reading!

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If You Liked These Popular YA Books, Try These Underrated Ones

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The title is pretty straight forward here lol. If you’re looking for some less popular books that you might not have read yet giving off similar vibes, plots, or characters of your favorite popular young adult books, check these recommendations out! I hope you find something new here!

1: If you liked Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco, try Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Something Strange and Deadly is set in the late 1880s in America where Eleanor Fitts is bound by the rules of high society. She longs to find where her brother has disappeared too, but with a necromancer raising the dead and murdering young men, she’ll need the help of the cocky and closed off Daniel to stop the necromancer and find her brother. This book is set in the same time period of Stalking Jack the Ripper and the vibes, especially towards the end of the book, are very similar!

2: If you liked Sherlock Holmes by Author Conan Doyle, check out the Lockwood and Co. Series by Jonothan Stroud

I read Lockwood and Co. before I ever touched a Sherlock Holmes book. But after reading A Study in Scarlet, I couldn’t help but feel like Lockwood and Co. is Sherlock Holmes but with teenagers and ghosts. Lockwood and Co. is a five book long series about a company employing teenagers to exterminate ghosts. It’s filled with witty characters and intriguing mysteries, a must read for any mystery fan!

3: If you loved Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson, check out The Deceivers by Kristen Simmons

Truly Devious follows Stevie Bell as she tries to solve the cold case that happened at the Ellingham Academy back in 1932. The setting and characters of these two books are more similar than the plot, but The Deceivers follows Brynn as she gets accepted into Vale Hall, a school that teaches teenagers how to lie and con others in order to uncover corrupt politicians and other types of unpleasant people.

4: If you loved Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, try The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Both books have a diverse cast of characters and both are set in a fantasy world. The Gilded Wolves is a historical fantasy set in Paris. The characters have to pull off a heist in order to stop an ancient, corrupt house from rising to power, save their friend from dying, and to reclaim a stolen birthright.

5: If you liked the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter, try Killing November by Adriana Mather

Both of these books are set at a boarding school training covert operations. However, Killing November is much more sinister and more like Blackthorne, the male version of the Gallagher Academy. The students there are ruthless and the school enforces an eye for an eye policy. Killing November is a must read for anyone who loves boarding schools, morally gray characters, and teenage spies!

That concludes 5 underrated books you should read if you love these popular ones!

If you have read of the books mentioned here, tell me about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

See you around! Happy reading!

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The Sunshine Blogger Award

I was recently nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award by Rabhya from Rab’sBookishPlanet ! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!

Without further ado, let’s get into the tag!

Rules:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back their blog.
• Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.
• Nominate 11 new bloggers to recieve the award and write them 11 new questions.
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

Questions:

1: Describe yourself in three words.

Creative, organized, friendly

2: What inspired you to start blogging?

My mother! She kept telling me to start a blog, and eventually I did.

3: Music album that you jam 24/7?

Not so much an album, but Peter McPoland is on repreat 24/7!

4: Tea or coffee?

Coffee

5: Do you have any hidden talents?

I can do calligraphy and modern hand lettering.

6: What is your dream place to travel to?

I have always wanted to go to England!

7: A book that impacted your life?

All Fall Down by Ally Carter. This is the book that got me into reading way back in 8th grade. If I never read it, chances are I would not have discovered my love of reading or read any of the books that have shaped me into the person I am today.

8: What are you most grateful for today?

I am most grateful for my family. They are incredibly supportive of anything I do and believe in me as well.

9: Your favorite social media platform?

I love Pinterest. Lol, everything on there is just so aesthetically pleasing and I just love scrolling through it!

10: What would your dream room be like?

Definitely cozy! I would want my bed to have a dark green comforter and tons of fuzzy blankets and throw pillows. I would also want a lot of mix matched lamps and super soft and thick carpet.

11: Would you rather eat desserts or savory for the rest of your life?

I have a very sweet tooth, so definitely desserts!

Who I Nominate:

Reading Buffs

The Fictional Journal

Lost in Neverland

Ritz

Sunny Side Reviews

Hiding Between the Pages

Kira Jeanette

RMA YA Books

The Fictional Chronicles

No Reads Too Great

Frappes and Fiction

My Questions:

1. Favorite book?
2. Last TV show you binged?
3. Do you listen to podcasts? If so, what is your favorite one?
4. Sunrise or sunset?
5. Favorite season?
6. How tall are you?
7. Do you have any pets?
8. Do you have any auto buy authors?
9. What are you studying/ what do you want to be when you’re older?
10. What is your favorite kind of candy?
11. What is your most irrational fear?

That concludes this post! Once again, than you so much Rabhya for tagging me! I look forward to seeing everyone’s responses!

See you around! Happy reading!

5 Must Read Dual POV Books

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I love, love, love dual POV books! They change the flow of a book and I love seeing from multiple perspectives of characters. If you feel the same as me, check out these 5 books told from the perspectives of multiple characters!

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1: Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter

Maddie Manchester was the daughter of the White House’s head of security and Logan is the son of the president. They were both little kids when they first met and bound to become best friends. But when Maddie and her father suddenly up and move to the rural wilderness of Alaska, she is determined to remain best friends with Logan. Despite this determination, years go by and the two lose complete contact, until Logan, as punishment for ditching his security detail (again), is sent to go live with Maddie and her father. But trouble has followed Logan across America, and it doesn’t take long for Maddie and Logan to be stuck in the Alaskan wilderness with a Russian terrorist after them and a deadly storm brewing.

2: Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

Enne was raised as a proper lady in high society, but when her norm-defying mother goes missing with vague instructions on how Enne can find her, Enne must journey to the city of sin, New Reynes, in order to find her. But it’s not nearly as easy as expected as corrupt casinos and politicians come into play.

3: Sisters of the Snake by Sarena Nanua and Sasha Nanua

Princess Rani longs for a life free of the palace walls, while Ria, a girl stuck on the streets, thieving as means of survival, longs for a life of luxury. When one of Ria’s thefts goes wrong, the two girls run into each and are shocked to discover that despite their differences, they’re identical. As their lives begin to fall apart, the girls make a deal to switch places. Rani wants to save her people from an upcoming war guaranteeing thousands of casualties while Ria wants to save herself and her friends from conscription and find her origin.

4: Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathrine Purdy

Bone Crier’s Moon is about an organization of girls, descendant from gods. They’re in charge of ferrying dead souls and for their right of passage, they need perform ritual that ends with them murdering their soul mate. But when Ailesse performs her ritual, everything goes wrong, and if she doesn’t kill her soul mate in a year, they both die.

5: The Shadow Queen by CJ Redwine

The Shadow Queen is a Snow White retelling about a girl named Lorelai. She is the rightful queen but was cast from her castle when the evil queen murdered her father. When the queen hears news that Lorelai is planning to take back the kingdom, she sends a hunter from a neighboring kingdom to hunt her down and kill her. But that’s easier said than done.

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That concludes 5 must read dual POV books!

If you have read any of the books mentioned here, tell me about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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See around! Happy reading!

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