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.

Also, I am wildly disappointed that I didn’t hate any of these, because I felt like being snarky at the moment, but I can’t. HRMPH.

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James
Published by Walker Books on September 7th 2017
Pages: 290
Format:Paperback
Source:Purchased

Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never met, never even spoken to – someone who is light years away?

Romy Silvers is the only surviving crew-member of a spaceship travelling to a new planet, on a mission to establish a second home for humanity amongst the stars. Alone in space, she is the loneliest girl in the universe until she hears about a new ship which has launched from Earth – with a single passenger on board. A boy called J.

Their only communication with each other is via email – and due to the distance between them, their messages take months to transmit across space. And yet Romy finds herself falling in love.

But what does Romy really know about J? And what do the mysterious messages which have started arriving from Earth really mean?
Sometimes, there’s something worse than being alone . . .

Hi, book community. Quick question: Why are we sleeping on this book? Because guess what, it’s awesome. I mean, it didn’t quite break me out of my no-favorites slump, but it came the closest that anything has in awhile. I’ve read a lot of reviews that describe it as “unexpected”, and I agree wholly. It’s different than I assumed, but in a good way! U.S. people, it comes out here in July or some such nonsense, but you can always buy it from Book Depository like I did. Plus the cover is shiny.

Decided to give this book five full clocks because honestly, it isn’t the book’s fault that my brain is stupid. ?


Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
Published by Flatiron Books on September 5th 2017
Pages: 384
Format:ARC
Source:Traded

Frozen meets The Bloody Chamber in this feminist fantasy reimagining of the Snow White fairytale.

At sixteen, Mina's mother is dead, her magician father is vicious, and her silent heart has never beat with love for anyone—has never beat at all, in fact, but she’d always thought that fact normal. She never guessed that her father cut out her heart and replaced it with one of glass. When she moves to Whitespring Castle and sees its king for the first time, Mina forms a plan: win the king’s heart with her beauty, become queen, and finally know love. The only catch is that she’ll have to become a stepmother.

Fifteen-year-old Lynet looks just like her late mother, and one day she discovers why: a magician created her out of snow in the dead queen’s image, at her father’s order. But despite being the dead queen made flesh, Lynet would rather be like her fierce and regal stepmother, Mina. She gets her wish when her father makes Lynet queen of the southern territories, displacing Mina. Now Mina is starting to look at Lynet with something like hatred, and Lynet must decide what to do—and who to be—to win back the only mother she’s ever known…or else defeat her once and for all.

Entwining the stories of both Lynet and Mina in the past and present, Girls Made of Snow and Glass traces the relationship of two young women doomed to be rivals from the start. Only one can win all, while the other must lose everything—unless both can find a way to reshape themselves and their story.

This was good, probably one of the better retellings for me. I used to be afraid of retellings, and then I read some, but as it turned out, they don’t always work for me, so maybe I was right the first time. Oh, you didn’t come here to listen to my life story about retellings? FINE then. Erm, anyway, this one did work for me, is what I was trying to say. I think because it has a lot of its own unique elements and well-developed characters, it stands out. The pace was a bit slow at times, and sometimes I needed to know more of what was happening in the world than I got. But definitely more good than not in this one!


The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Published by Scholastic on April 1st 2013
Pages: 435
Format:Paperback
Source:Gift

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line.

Some riders live.Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn't given her much of a choice. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Listen up: before everyone grabs their pitchforks, I didn’t dislike this, okay? I liked it! I liked it much more at the end than the beginning, but that’s partially my fault. I tried to listen to the audiobook on the way home from Michigan. I hoped it would keep me awake. I was wrong. To be fair, neither did like, 20 coffees, so I don’t blame the book. Then, I started reading my paperback when I got home, and it might have taken me two weeks to finish. Again, not because it was bad (seriously people, stand down) but because it is kind of dense, especially in the beginning. I did love the characters a lot, the atmosphere was freaking incredible, and I like people fighting for things they want in life. I just don’t know if water horses are my jam? ?


Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
Published by Dutton Books for Young Readers on October 10th 2017
Pages: 286
Format:Hardcover
Source:Purchased

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate.

So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

In his long-awaited return, John Green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.

So, John Green’s back, and the internet has alllll the mixed feelings! Fun! But I’m going to talk about the book at this juncture. And not much, either, on account of “I do not have to”. I have generally liked his books, I don’t mind the supposed pretentiousness, or perhaps it would be better described as precociousness of his characters. I find it charming, as long as it’s done well. The big thing for me in this book was the mental health rep, and I think Green did a fabulous job here. The story is cute too, and I really enjoyed reading it. Sure, I didn’t get TFIOS-level feels or anything, but hey, not every book can give those. Overall, solid.

Have you read any of these books? Agree? Disagree? Have pitchforks out for real? I want to know!

Posted November 20, 2017 by Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight in Quasi-Review, Review / 14 Comments

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14 responses to “Inarticulate Book Musings (4)

  1. I have heard a lot of good things about The Loneliest Girl in the Universe, and I am going to be shallow, that cover is so beautiful. Your thoughts on JG’s new book are encouraging. I am a fan, and was a bit sad when I was seeing so many poor reviews, so this one is keeping me optimistic. Pitchforks, ha!

  2. *hides pitchfork under the bed* I MEAN, OF COURSE I DON’T MIND THAT YOU DIDN’T ADORE ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS EVER OF ALL THE EVERS, AKA, THE SCORPIO RACES. IT’S FINE, SHANNON. WE CAN STILL BE FRIENDS. *gets pitchfork back out* ????
    Juuust kidding. I’ll let you live. It’s not for everyone ahhahha. (Wow I’m being mature, can I get a cookie or something?)
    (No but really I AM JUST TEASING. <3 <3 ?)

    And also I loved Turtles!! It was really good and just ajfdskald I felt so much for Aza. Although I keep calling her Ava but I take no responsibility for that. I once misspelled my own name so I think I'm doing okay right now. And Girls Made Of Glass And Snow was SO GOOD!! And finally an original-ish retelling! I think more retellings should be diverse like this. Shake up the same-old we get. :')

  3. OH I love this way of reviewing books, it’s fun to read and has to be quick and fun to write just as well 🙂 I have NO idea why I am still sleeping on The Loneliest Girl, I SO want to read that one. I read Lauren James’ debut and really enjoyed it and this book cover needs a home on my bookshelves, that’s for sure. SO happy you enjoyed it 🙂
    I have read Turtles and enjoyed it a whole lot, even if there was basically no plot, it felt more…intense that Green’s previous books. I’m glad you liked it overall! 🙂

  4. Your review on The Scorpio Races me me laugh – the last line in particular. I actually loved that book with all my heart and soul. Maybe you should try reading it when you’re not so tired? Or maybe water horses really aren’t your jam. 🙂 lol

  5. The Loneliest Girl in the Universe- love that cover. And 5 stars? Nice! Think I’ll be adding that one. Plus the premise sounds interesting. And Scorpio Races I’ve always kinda wondered about, since- yeah- water horses? That could be really good maybe or really bad? But I’m intrigued.

    Okay Turtles. I like turtles. Never read John Green but saw one of the movies of his stuff- and a title like that I must admit makes me curious. And good mental health rep? Yeah I’m in. Glad it was good. 🙂

  6. Hey, I’ve never even read The Scorpio Races so you’re all good. lol I do plan to at some point. And I love John Green – and I like that he focused on mental health in his new one and that it’s #ownvoices. I still need to read it, but soon!!

    -Lauren

  7. I AGREE WITH ALL THE THINGS. And I’m glad you loved Loneliest Girl, BECAUSE IT WAS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED and I was excited for you to get to that part! And yeah, I didn’t even FINISH Scorpio Races. And I tried both the audiobook and the paperback so…..

  8. The Loneliest Girl in the Universe is high up there on my TBR and I honestly have no excuse for not reading, I’m in the UK and it#s been out forever! I need to read! Scorpio Races is a book I’ve had on my TBR for too long so your review is reminding me to give it ago. Good to know it’s a bit dense but probably gets better. And I was one of the people who preordered John Green’s latest. I’ve not read it yet and it looks good. I’d heard the mental health rep was good so I’ll read it for that… eventually.

  9. Ohhhh I’m glad to hear you enjoyed Loneliest girl because I got sent an unsolicited copy and hadn’t heard anything about it. I tried giving Scorpio Races a go but I wasn’t a fan? Glad to hear you enjoyed Turtles, seems like lots of people are. Lovely reviews Shannon!

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