To intro a bit, these are the new version of “Books I’m Never Reviewing”. I kept feeling like the connotation was that I wasn’t fond of said books, when often, quite the opposite was true. Also, the name was clunky. The bottom line is this: These are considered legitimate reviews by absolutely no one. Why? I don’t feel like it, nor do I have to. But apparently, my ego dictates that I still think you care whether I liked them and/or I feel like shouting about them. And so, I shall.

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on March 17th 2015
Pages: 384
Format:Hardcover
Source:Purchased

Missouri, 1849: Samantha dreams of moving back to New York to be a professional musician—not an easy thing if you’re a girl, and harder still if you’re Chinese. But a tragic accident dashes any hopes of fulfilling her dream, and instead, leaves her fearing for her life. With the help of a runaway slave named Annamae, Samantha flees town for the unknown frontier. But life on the Oregon Trail is unsafe for two girls, so they disguise themselves as Sammy and Andy, two boys headed for the California gold rush. Sammy and Andy forge a powerful bond as they each search for a link to their past, and struggle to avoid any unwanted attention. But when they cross paths with a band of cowboys, the light-hearted troupe turn out to be unexpected allies. With the law closing in on them and new setbacks coming each day, the girls quickly learn that there are not many places to hide on the open trail.

This beautifully written debut is an exciting adventure and heart-wrenching survival tale. But above all else, it’s a story about perseverance and trust that will restore your faith in the power of friendship.

This book is written by Stacey Lee and involves The Oregon Trail. There wasn’t even a slight possibility I wouldn’t love it. Awesome characters, a great story, fabulous friendships, ship-worthy romances, it has it all.

I maybe wanted a tiny bit more out of the feels, but other than that, it was an absolute win and a book I would recommend to literally anyone and everyone.

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Returned by Kimberley Griffiths Little
Series: Forbidden #3
Published by HarperCollins on February 7th 2017
Pages: 384
Format:Hardcover
Source:Purchased

After tragedy strikes on the day they were to wed, Jayden must support Kadesh as he ascends the throne and becomes king of Sariba. But with the dark priestess Aliyah conspiring to control the crown, and the arrival of Horeb, Jayden’s former betrothed, Kadesh’s kingdom, as well as his status as king, is at stake.

Jayden knows that the time to be merciful has come and gone, and that some enemies can only be halted by death. Now she and Kadesh must prepare to fight not only for their love, but also for their kingdom.

Solid series end. Not as emotionally powerful as the first book, though I imagine nothing could be. Stronger than the second, though at times a little predictable. Still, wrapped up the series well, and the characters were amazing as always.  I liked that the author kept Jayden a strong, powerful, and influential woman while still making it believable within the confines of the society she was in. I also loved the role of family and friendship as pivotal to the story. As a whole, this is a strong series and definitely perfect for fans of historical fiction.

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Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on March 7th 2017
Pages: 416
Format:ARC
Source:ALAMW

What if you could spend one last day with someone you lost?

One day Carver Briggs had it all—three best friends, a supportive family, and a reputation as a talented writer at his high school, Nashville Academy for the Arts.

The next day he lost it all when he sent a simple text to his friend Mars, right before Mars, Eli, and Blake were killed in a car crash.

Now Carver can’t stop blaming himself for the accident, and he’s not the only one. Eli’s twin sister is trying to freeze him out of school with her death-ray stare. And Mars’s father, a powerful judge, is pressuring the district attorney to open a criminal investigation into Carver’s actions.

Luckily, Carver has some unexpected allies: Eli’s girlfriend, the only person to stand by him at school; Dr. Mendez, his new therapist; and Blake’s grandmother, who asks Carver to spend a Goodbye Day with her to share their memories and say a proper goodbye to his friend.

Soon the other families are asking for a Goodbye Day with Carver, but he’s unsure of their motives. Will they all be able to make peace with their losses, or will these Goodbye Days bring Carver one step closer to a complete breakdown or—even worse—prison?

Jeff Zentner owes me a lot of tissues. I loved this book even while I hated this book. It was so damn moving, and yet remained incredibly grounded and realistic. The characters were believable, their pain palpable. Showed incredible portrayals of loss and grief along with attempting to pick up the pieces of one’s life. Bonus points for fabulous and faithful portrayal of therapy.

Which is good because I cried so hard I probably need to add extra sessions or something.

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The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig
Series: The Girl from Everywhere #2
Published by Hot Key Books on March 9th 2017
Pages: 400
Format:Paperback
Source:Purchased

The breathtaking sequel to the acclaimed The Girl from Everywhere. Nix has escaped her past, but when the person she loves most is at risk, even the daughter of a time traveler may not be able to outrun her fate—no matter where she goes. Fans of Rae Carson, Alexandra Bracken, and Outlander will fall hard for Heidi Heilig’s sweeping fantasy.

Nix has spent her whole life journeying to places both real and imagined aboard her time-traveling father’s ship. And now it’s finally time for her to take the helm. Her father has given up his obsession to save her mother—and possibly erase Nix’s existence—and Nix’s future lies bright before her. Until she learns that she is destined to lose the one she loves. But her relationship with Kash—best friend, thief, charmer extraordinaire—is only just beginning. How can she bear to lose him? How can she bear to become as adrift and alone as her father?

Desperate to change her fate, Nix takes her crew to a mythical utopia to meet another Navigator who promises to teach her how to manipulate time. But everything in this utopia is constantly changing, and nothing is what it seems—not even her relationship with Kash. Nix must grapple with whether anyone can escape her destiny, her history, her choices. Heidi Heilig weaves fantasy, history, and romance together to tackle questions of free will, fate, and what it means to love another person. But at the center of this adventure are the extraordinary, multifaceted, and multicultural characters that leap off the page, and an intricate, recognizable world that has no bounds. The sequel—and conclusion—to the indie darling The Girl from Everywhere will be devoured by fans of Rachel Hartman and Maggie Stiefvater. Includes black-and-white maps.

I enjoyed this sequel, though not quite as much as its predecessor. Stakes seemed a little higher in the first book, but I did enjoy how I feel like we got to know the characters a lot more in the sequel. Still a fun adventure at sea, and a satisfying enough ending to the series. And I shipped the ship a lot, which is extra fun in a book about ship. Incidentally, I feel like the word “ship” has lost all meaning in my brain.

Also, this is how I imagined the ship when it traveled. You’re welcome for the constant The 100 references.

So, that’s all from me for now! Have you read any of these? Plan to? Started any of the series? We should of course discuss them!