summerforever
Richmond Public Library
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Shadow and BoneShadow and Bone, eBookThe Grisha Trilogy, Book 1
by Bardugo, LeigheBook - 2012 | 1eBook, 2012. 1
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Added Feb 13, 2019
Strange the DreamerStrange the Dreamer, Book
by Taylor, LainiBook - 2017 | First editionBook, 2017. First edition
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Added Feb 09, 2019
The Dream ThievesThe Dream Thieves, Book
by Stiefvater, MaggieBook - 2013 | First editionBook, 2013. First edition
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Added Feb 06, 2019
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Added Jan 30, 2019
The Female of the SpeciesThe Female of the Species, Book
by McGinnis, MindyBook - 2016 | First editionBook, 2016. First edition
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Added Jan 26, 2019
Girls Made of Snow and GlassGirls Made of Snow and Glass, Book
by Bashardoust, MelissaBook - 2017 | First editionBook, 2017. First edition
summerforever's rating:
Added Jan 23, 2019
A Court of Thorns and RosesA Court of Thorns and Roses, Book
by Maas, Sarah J.Book - 2015 | First editionBook, 2015. First edition
Added Jan 19, 2019
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Added Jan 16, 2019
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Added Jan 11, 2019
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Added Jan 05, 2019
summerforever's rating:
Added Jan 02, 2019
Comment:
Nomi is way too hilarious. I found the writing style to be unique and the ending was indeed bittersweet. Here are some quotes I liked. Spoilers ahead!
"Nomi, he said, you just need to wake up to the fact that other people need to know where you're going. But there's nobody behind me, I told him. And he said, reassuringly, that someday there may be." (75)
"I wondered if it was possible to donate my body to science before I was actually dead. I wondered if a disease were to be named after me what the symptoms would be." (75)
"And then she burned her diary in this ceremony that indicated the end of her little-girl period and threw the ashes into the Rat River, a properly embittered woman." (96)
"I went into the bathroom, puked, passed out in my bed, and briefly died, until the sun rose once again reminding me of renewed hope and promise and other abiding things. I needed to find something large and dark to put in my window or I would slowly die of fatigue." (200)Nomi is way too hilarious. I found the writing style to be unique and the ending was indeed bittersweet. Here are some quotes I liked. Spoilers ahead!
"Nomi, he said, you just need to wake up to the fact that other people need to know where you're…
summerforever's rating:
Added Dec 30, 2018
Comment:
Here are some of my favorite quotes. Man, I really enjoyed this book. It felt like I was on an emotional, wild adventure.
Spoilers ahead!
1. “Because destroying a symbol can break the spirits of men as much as bloodshed.” (44) This was when Manon talked about the destroyed glass wall in Rifthold leftover from QoS.
2. “Yes, her cousin understood perhaps more than anyone else the power a single symbol could wield. How the loss or reclaiming of one could shatter or rally an army, a people.”
(128)
3. "The sunlight gilded the balcony as Asterin whispered, so softly that only Manon could hear, “Bring my body back to the cabin.”
Something in Manon’s chest broke--broke so violently that she wondered if it was possible for no one to have heard it.
And Manon understood in that moment that there were forces greater than obedience, discipline, and brutality. Understood that she had not been born soulless; she had not been born without a heart.
For there were both, begging her not to swing that blade.
Forgiveness shone in the faces of her Thirteen. Forgiveness and understanding and loyalty that was not blind obedience, but forged in pain and battle, in shared victory and defeat. Forged in hope for a better life--a better world.
At last, Manon found Asterin’s gaze, tears now rolling down her Second’s face. Not from fear or pain, but in farewell. A hundred years--and yet Manon wished she’d had more time." (163)
4. “... as that fist full of unimaginable power now opened toward his heart--
There was no force in any world that could keep her contained.” (322)
5. "Because I am going to marry you,” he promised her. “One day. I am going to marry you. I’ll be generous and let you pick when, even if it’s ten years from now. Or twenty. But one day, you are going to be my wife."
6. “Because she died. And even before she did, this world saw to it that she suffered, and was afraid, and alone. And even though no one will remember who she was, I do. I will never forget the color of her eyes, or the way she smiled. And I will never forgive them for taking it away.” (509)
7. “And then he said quietly, “I wanted to go to Perranth with you.”
Lorcan dropped the shield.” (537)
8. “Your mother told me to tell you that she loves you--very much. Those were her last words to me. “Tell my Elide I love her very much.”
For over ten years, Aelin had been the sole bearer of those final words. Ten years, through death and despair and war, Aelin had carried them across kingdoms.
And here, at the edge of the world, they had found each other again. Here at the edge of the world, just for a heartbeat, Elide felt the warm hand of her mother brush her shoulder.” (541)
9. “And tell Rowan,” Aelin said, fighting her own sob, “that I’m sorry I lied. But tell him it was all borrowed time anyway. Even before today, I knew it was all just borrowed time, but I still wish we’d had more of it.”...
“And tell him… tell him thank you--for walking that dark path with me back to the light.” (661)
10. “Time--she was grateful Elena had given her that stolen time.
Grateful she had met them all, that she had seen some small part of the world, had heard such lovely music, had danced and laughed and known true friendship. Grateful that she had found Rowan.
She was grateful.
So Aelin Galathynius dried her tears.
And did not fight when Maeve strapped that beautiful iron mask over her face.” (665)
11. “Aelin had never planned to see Terrasen again.
She had married Rowan knowing she would have months at best, days at the worst, with him. But she would give Terrasen a legal king. To hold her territory together.
She had made plans for all of them--and none for herself.” (676)
12. “I will find you.” (689)Here are some of my favorite quotes. Man, I really enjoyed this book. It felt like I was on an emotional, wild adventure.
Spoilers ahead!
1. “Because destroying a symbol can break the spirits of men as much as bloodshed.” (44) This was when Manon…
summerforever's rating:
Added Dec 15, 2018
Comment:
Here are my top 10 favorite quotes! Spoilers ahead.
1. “When you shatter the chains of this world and forge the next, remember that art is as vital as food to a kingdom. Without it, a kingdom is nothing, and will be forgotten by time. I have amassed enough money in my miserable life to not need any more--so you will understand me clearly when I say that wherever you set your throne, no matter how long it takes, I will come to you, and I will bring music and dancing.” -Florine
2. “Only slaughtering men like pigs, correct?”
“Their deaths equate to their behavior in life,” Manon replied with a kind of calm that made Elide wonder whether she should start running.”
3. “Then she sat down against the stone, tucking her feet beneath her, and rested her head against the smooth, cool rock.
“Hello, Sam,” she breathed onto the river breeze.
…
“I miss you,” she said. “Every day, I miss you. And I wonder what you would have made of all this. Made of me. I think--I think you would have been a wonderful king. I think they would have liked you more than me, actually.” Her throat tightened. “I never told you--how I felt. But I loved you, and I think a part of me might always love you. Maybe you were my mate, and I never knew it. Maybe I’ll spend the rest of my life wondering about that. Maybe I’ll see you again in the Afterworld, and then I’ll know for sure. But until then… until then I’ll miss you,
and I’ll wish you were here.”
4. "I never went back to the hunter. I didn’t know how to explain the brand. How to explain your grandmother, or apologize. I was afraid he’d treat me as your grandmother had. So I never went back.” Her mouth wobbled. “I’d fly overhead every few years, just… just to see.” She wiped at her face. “He never married. And even when he was an old man, I’d sometimes see him sitting on that front porch. As if he were waiting for someone.”
Something… something was cracking and aching in Manon’s chest, caving in on itself.” (504)
5. “They had walked out of darkness and pain and despair together. They were still walking out of it. So that smile… It struck him stupid every time he saw it and realized it was for him.
…
She said softly, “You make me want to live, Rowan. Not survive; not exist. live.”
6. “Chaol spread his arms wide as the darkness hit him, shattered him, obliterated him until there was nothing but light--burning blue light, warm and welcoming.
Aelin and Dorian had gotten away. It was enough.
When the pain came, he was not afraid.”
7. “They were infinite.
They were the beginning and the ending; they were eternity.
The king standing before them gaped as the shield of flame died out to reveal Aelin and Dorian, hand in hand, glowing like newborn gods as their magic entwined.
…
A wall of night knocked them back. But they could not be contained.
The darkness paused for breath.
They erupted.”
8. "It did not seem like a weakness to fight for those who could not defend themselves.” (597)
9. “Kaltain unleashed the last of her shadowfire, tipping her face to the ceiling, toward a sky she’d never see again.
She took out every wall and every column. As she brought it all crashing and crumbling around them, Kaltain smiled, and at last burned herself into ash on a phantom wind.”
10. “What was it like?” Manon asked quietly. “To love.”
For love was what it had been--what Asterin perhaps alone of all the Ironteeth witches had felt, had learned.
“It was like dying a little every day. It was like being alive, too. It was joy so complete it was pain. It destroyed me and unmade me and forged me. I hated it, because I knew I couldn't escape it, and knew it would forever change me. And that witchling... I loved her, too. I loved her in a way I cannot describe--other than to tell you that it was the most powerful thing I've ever felt, greater than rage, than lust, than magic." A soft smile. "I'm surprised you're not giving me the 'Obedience. Discipline. Brutality.' speech."
I really enjoyed QoS!!!Here are my top 10 favorite quotes! Spoilers ahead.
1. “When you shatter the chains of this world and forge the next, remember that art is as vital as food to a kingdom. Without it, a kingdom is nothing, and will be forgotten by time. I have amassed…
summerforever's rating:
Added Dec 02, 2018
Comment:
"And when she awoke before dawn, warm and safe and rested, Rowan was still holding her hand, clasped to his chest.
Something molten rushed through her, pouring over every crack and fracture still left gaping and open. Not to hurt or mar--but to weld.
To forge." - Celaena's pov
I love Rowan and Celaena's friendship. I'm not sure if they'll become a couple, but I can easily relate to whatever it is that's between them. They are there for each other. I am so glad that after Rowan proposed he and Celaena heal together, the second half of the book began. Part one of this novel is Heir of Ash, and the second is Heir of Fire. The last damn sentence of part one is something along the lines of, somewhere far and deep within her, an ember began to glow. And then boom, part two starts. And I really liked that. In contrast to Crown of Midnight, in which part two began after Nehemia died, the second half of Heir of Fire was preceded by two characters who made the vow to heal together.
"Somehow, even though her long life had been gone for ten years...
Somehow, that regret made her feel incredibly, heavily mortal." - Manon's pov
I was so pleased to read those sentences. Yes, Manon is ruthless. But we can see the human nature deep inside of her beginning to grow. And I think Maas has done some wonderful character development here with Manon. Because of Keelie, Petrah, the Crochan witch. I can't wait to see Manon, an immortal witch, struggle with human feelings.
"Because for a flicker, as those turquoise eyes met with his, there was none of that rage or triumph. Only a message to the queen that Aedion would never see. And there were no words to convey it--only the love and the hope and the pride. The sorrow at not knowing her as the woman she had become. The gift Aedion thought he was giving her in sparing Chaol's life."
- Chaol's pov
Aedion's act of saving Chaol was brave and beautiful. You should read his speech for yourself. This paragraph made me tear up. Because Aedion was in love with a person who he hadn't seen for ten years. And he sacrificed himself more for Celaena rather than Chaol. I think that's a really powerful decision and I wonder how Chaol will repay him. Also, as I read that, I was so scared that Aedion would die. Maas really knows how to raise the stakes.
"Then she looked at Dorian, whose eyes were indeed wide, his face bone-white. "I was not supposed to love you. But I did. I do. And there is so much I wish... I wish we could have done together, seen together."" - you know who it is
I really thought Sorscha and Dorian would escape together. I thought wrong.
"And then Dorian, still screaming, was scrambling through the blood toward it--toward her head, as if he could put it back.
As if he could piece her together." - Dorian's pov
So this is what Maas had in mind. Damn. This reminds me of when John F. Kennedy was assassinated and his wife, Jacky, had apparently scrambled to put his bloody brains together. Not because she truly believed she could put him back together like Lego blocks, but because there was so much shock in that moment that her brain likely told her there was something she could do to save him. That he wasn't just shot. That the wound wasn't fatal.
I feel so sad for Dorian.
"He looked at his friend, perhaps for the last time, and said what he had always known, from the moment they'd met, when he'd understood that the prince was his brother in soul. "I love you."" - Chaol's pov
Awww. Bromance. I have no clue when Dorian and Chaol will see each other again. And honestly, so much has changed between them and it's pretty crazy. Their bond is strong, stronger than the iron that suppresses Dorian.
"He did not mind dying.
Though he still wished he'd gotten a chance to see her--just once." - Aedion's pov
Ohhh man :( I really like Aedion and I hope he gets to meet Aelin."And when she awoke before dawn, warm and safe and rested, Rowan was still holding her hand, clasped to his chest.
Something molten rushed through her, pouring over every crack and fracture still left gaping and open. Not to hurt or mar--but to…
summerforever's rating:
Added Nov 17, 2018
Comment:
So much better than the first book. I was confused at the name for part two, which is The Queen's Arrow. But now I know. And the character relationships have grown much more complex, more than I thought Maas could have achieved. Indeed, she has listened to her readers and expanded her universe. Here are some quotes where she shows her skills (Spoilers!):
"Silently, she began to recite the names of her dead. And as the overseer raised his whip, she added her name to the end of that list and swung her ax into his gut."
So Rena Goldsmith died, and she was reciting the names of dead people right before she died. In this quote, it occurred in the chapter which was in the perspective of a miner. I thought that was pretty damn cool. We don't see a chapter in the miner's perspective again, but I liked it.
"The loss she felt, the stillness with which she watched him--it was all his fault. If the punishment for that was losing her, then he'd endure it." This was a good choice. I liked that Chaol walked away. Maas wrote Chaol very well in this book. Based on how the romance went in Throne of Glass, I lowkey expected Chaol to keep pursuing Celaena after Nehemia died, like the typical male love interest move. But he gave her some space, which is good. I think I'm a little against Cel and Chaol because I liked Celaena with Dorian better. Anyways, cheers to Maas for making Chaol a character who I could kind of appreciate.
"A missing person was better than a decapitated corpse. Celaena raised her eyes to the large oven grate." Yes. I am loving her assassin thoughts. She's so ruthless, so different from Cel in ToG.
"She brought her mouth to his ear, holding him upright with one hand and twisting the dagger with the other as she whispered, "But Nehemia was.""
Dude. Archer deserved to die. And those last words to end off this chapter and kill Archer off--as I was reading, I was like damn girl.
"But he could do this for her. Even if he never saw her again, even if she abandoned her duties as King's Champion and stayed with the Fae in Wendlyn forever--as long as he knew that she was safe, that no one could hurt her...He'd sell his soul again and again for that." Okay, I like that Chaol once again is giving her the space she needs. And yeah, they had so much love for each other. At this point, they love each other but aren't in love with each other. And having that friendly connection is something that I like to see, because I know in the next book Celaena (who I should now call Aelin) will have a new love interest. A new man to love and trust. The stuff between Chaol and Aelin is sad, but Chaol just has to move on. He doesn't have to forget her, but he has to move on with his love life.So much better than the first book. I was confused at the name for part two, which is The Queen's Arrow. But now I know. And the character relationships have grown much more complex, more than I thought Maas could have achieved. Indeed, she has…
summerforever's rating:
Added Nov 11, 2018
Comment:
(Spoilers)
"Are you saying that you don't want to be with me?"
"I'm saying that... that I'm going to leave in four years, and I don't know how this could possibly end well for either of us. I'm saying I don't want to think about the options.""
"Though she had no regrets about her choice, she felt something strangely like disappointment when he said, "As you wish."
"But I'd like to remain your friend."
He put his hands in his pockets. "Always.""
I always wondered why this book was so popular, and with the 7th installment's recent release, I decided to check Throne of Glass out. I heard that some people hated this while others enjoyed it. And people who disliked Throne of Glass still went on to read Crown of Midnight, saying that Maas had actually listened to her audience, took advice, and wrote something much better. So I hope that's true, since I wasn't amazed by Throne of Glass.(Spoilers)
"Are you saying that you don't want to be with me?"
"I'm saying that... that I'm going to leave in four years, and I don't know how this could possibly end well for either of us. I'm saying I don't want to think about the…
The Silent CornerThe Silent Corner, eBookIvy Elgin Trilogy, Book 1
by Koontz, DeaneBook - 2017eBook, 2017
summerforever's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2018
Comment:
Koontz's writing is so good! It felt like a slap to the face because there's no way I could've came up with his descriptions. Here are my favorite quotes. Sorry, but there is mature language and content. (Spoilers):
"...but sometimes Jane felt the need to brag about him, to confirm that he had existed and that his existence had made the world a better place." I feel you, Jane :(
""Why Hitler, why Stalin, why Emory Wayne Udell? I don't know. Demonic influence or just miswired brains? In the end, does it matter which? Maybe what matters is that some of us aren't broken by it all, that we can take it to the Emory Udells and the William Overtons and the Bertold Shennecks, take it to them and stop them before they can do everything they dream about."" I love the references to the Nazis and oppressive forces, because it relates so much to what is currently going on in the novel. Jane is just so darn cool and smart.
"...she imagined that in battle he'd be brutal without being cruel, dealing swift death without hesitation, for he knew there was a profound difference between killing and murder.
"The free kitchen, after-school programs, keeping porn out of libraries--all that needs done, but it's dealing with the aftermath, not with the causes. I'm in the mood to deal with a cause.""
I can't really describe how I understand this. Do I even understand this? Koontz wrote 'he knew there was a profound difference between killing and murder" (to describe Dougal) and then Dougal says 'it's dealing with the aftermath, not with the causes' and I see something going on between those two things. Killing could be compared with the aftermath, while murder with the causes. But I don't know how to put it into words, what Koontz is contrasting between those two pairs. And I think that shows either how dumb I am or how amazing Koontz is as an author.
"The house seemed to be submerged and under great pressure, as if it were a submarine exceeding the maximum depth for which it had been designed. The light came watery and gray through the windows, and the shadows appeared to undulate like kelp leaves stirred by lazy currents." This. This slapped me in the face. It was so easy to picture in my head and I could feel the suspense and tension.
"Something tore within Jane when she did what needed to be done, what he was asking her to do that he could not accomplish. If such a hateful thing could be an act of love, it was an act of love on her part, that she should release him from the hell of slavery, from being used to do the vicious work of men not fit to speak his name. In the instant between the motion and the act, she saw in his face the realization and relief that she would grant him what he wanted. At a terrible cost to herself, she shot him twice, and when he fell to the floor, she shot him a third time, to be certain beyond all doubt that the web spanning his brain and the weaver who crawled the web could not rule him even one moment longer." I loved the extended metaphor of the spider and the control mechanism. It's terrible that Jane was forced to kill her friend whom she had known for 7 years, and this event subsequently added to her character while breaking her apart.
"But whatever might be coming, she would meet the threat, for it had fallen to her, through no choice of her own, to fashion the millstones and hang them around the necks of the damned." What a damn good way to end the first part of the series. Jane Hawk is so badass and it makes sense her last name represents her. Although she feels like she's being watched all the time, she's the one who's watching her enemies.
I'm excited to see Hawk devour her prey in the next novel.Koontz's writing is so good! It felt like a slap to the face because there's no way I could've came up with his descriptions. Here are my favorite quotes. Sorry, but there is mature language and content. (Spoilers):
"...but sometimes Jane felt the…
King's CageKing's Cage, Book
by Aveyard, VictoriaBook - 2017 | First editionBook, 2017. First edition
summerforever's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2018
Comment:
Insane. So many things happened.
(Spoilers)
"He truly doesn't know what parts of his mind are his own and what parts were made by her." -Mare. At this part, I thought that there would be some part of Maven that would come back. That the "good" side of him would come through, but due to his mother's actions, that isn't possible.
""The rules of war are clear. Spies are to be dealt with swiftly."
"When you are sick, who do you blame?" I demand. "Your body or the disease?"
He glares down at me and I feel hollow. "You blame the cure that didn't work."" Dude. I really liked this part. It just adds to Maven's growth of maliciousness.
"Monsters are most dangerous when they're afraid." -Mare. More Maven character building. I liked that.
"Now I'm in a king's cage. But so is he. My chains are Silent Stone. His is the crown." -Mare. Daaamn, girl. This was a nice progression in the story, showing how Mare could get out of her current situation more easily than Maven's. Also, I really liked how in Glass Sword Mare was like I'm a sword made of glass and I feel myself beginning to shatter and that was a big part of Mare's character and the feel of the book. And here is similar, Mare's character was built and she's becoming more strong. And in both instances, the titles are referenced.
Thanks for reading.Insane. So many things happened.
(Spoilers)
"He truly doesn't know what parts of his mind are his own and what parts were made by her." -Mare. At this part, I thought that there would be some part of Maven that would come back. That the "good" side…
Six of CrowsSix of Crows, Book
by Bardugo, LeighBook - 2018 | First Square Fish editionBook, 2018. First Square Fish edition
summerforever's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2018
Glass SwordGlass Sword, Book
by Aveyard, VictoriaBook - 2016 | First editionBook, 2016. First edition
summerforever's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2018
Comment:
Emotional. One explosion after the other in this one. My favorite passages and quotes:
""And that's fine," he presses on before I can stop him. "You never saw me the way I see you, not even at home, before all this happened. I thought you might one day, but--" He shrugs his shoulders. "It's just not in you to love me."" - Kilorn. Dude, I can't imagine what he must've felt when he said that. He's been in love with Mare for years but she just doesn't feel the same way.
"It seemed like a dream back then, an impossibility. And it still is. It always will be. I do not love Kilorn, not the way he wants me to. I never will." -Mare. Damn, this girl is cold. I was hoping she and Kilorn would get together but oh well there's Cal, therefore the childhood friend will always be just a friend.
"He looks so disgusted I expect him to spit. "One day soon you're going to get lost," he breathes. "And I won't be there to lead you back."" -Kilorn. Yes, Kilorn, you throw that god damn shade. I love Kilorn for saying that. Mare is annoying sometimes.
"I need to be someone else, someone who doesn't rely on anything but her own strength. He makes it too easy to slip back into Mare, and forget the person I need to be.
Silence lingers, soft as the clouds of our breath in the cool air.
"If you die, I'll kill you."
He smiles sadly. "Likewise."" Ok. Mare annoyed me a lot with her shit about being self-dependent and all of that. But it was nice for Kilorn and Mare to share a friendly moment.
"But a lie is what they need to carry on, and if my deceit saves even one of them, it is worth the cost to my soul." -Mare. Okay, I thought this was nice of Mare to think. Good job to the lightning girl.
"I don't remember anything else until we're in the air. My face runs with tears but I can't wipe them away. I stare at my hands, painted in both colors of blood." - Mare. Yeah, I cried here. Shaaade :(
“Even the faces that haunt me, the faces of the dead, have disappeared. Funny, now that I’m dying, my ghosts decide to leave.
I wish they would come back. I wish I didn’t have to die alone.” - Mare. This has to be one of my favorite parts. I just think it's so sad for her to think that she's dying all alone. As much as I may not like Mare, I felt so bad for her in that part of the book.
"I cling to Cal, Kilorn, Shade, to saving all the newbloods I can, because I am afraid of waking up to emptiness, to a place where my friends and family are gone and I am nothing but a single bolt of lightning in the blackness of a lonely storm.
If I am a sword, I am a sword made of glass, and I feel myself beginning to shatter.” - Mare. I was dazed after reading that metaphor.Emotional. One explosion after the other in this one. My favorite passages and quotes:
""And that's fine," he presses on before I can stop him. "You never saw me the way I see you, not even at home, before all this happened. I thought you might…
Added Oct 29, 2018
summerforever's rating:
Added Oct 28, 2018
The Cruel PrinceThe Cruel Prince, Book
by Black, HollyBook - 2018 | First editionBook, 2018. First edition
summerforever's rating:
Added Oct 28, 2018
Comment:
The best book I have read in years.
The Hazel WoodThe Hazel Wood, BookA Novel
by Albert, MelissaBook - 2018 | First editionBook, 2018. First edition
summerforever's rating:
Added Oct 28, 2018
Land Mammals and Sea CreaturesLand Mammals and Sea Creatures, BookA Novel
by Neale, JenniferBook - 2018Book, 2018
summerforever's rating:
Added Oct 28, 2018
Comment:
I really liked that the setting was on the West Coast. The themes and motifs are wonderful.
Comment: