Good morning everyone. I am back with some Fall 2019 ARC reviews, a perfect way to kick off the week, right?!
Swipe Right for Murder by Derek Milman
RELEASES: August 6th 2019
RATING: 4.5 stars
REVIEW:
Set in New York, this fast-paced YA thriller follows seventeen year old Aidan, who becomes a target for a cyber-terrorist group when his hook up is found dead next time. Caught in a dangerous game of mistaken identity, Aidan falls deeper into the world of cyber crime, while being hunted by the FBI and a murderous cult. As the death toll rises, Aidan is forced into a kill or be killed situation, with everyone he cares about stuck in the crossfire.I loved Aidan's point of view in this novel, his character was easy to connect with and the writing was quick paced and engaging. His insecurities made him relatable, and as more of his back story is revealed, readers connect even more with the main character. Milman's writing style was enjoyable, with lots of action and suspense. With such serious topics discussed throughout, the humour added in was also appreciated and offered some comic relief for readers. The cyber-terrorist aspect was dangerous, murderous, and had strong elements that kept the reader guessing. I liked the technology aspects included as well. I found Milman wrote well in terms of the LGBTQ+ topics, and demonstrated the danger of hate being in today's society.
While I know this book may not be for everyone, I do strongly recommend it to fast paced YA novel fans. It was very enjoyable!
(Please note, there are discussions of homophobia (however, it is shown that it is wrong), terrorism, murders, mentions of suicides, teenage drinking and drug use in this novel.)
Review on Goodreads
A Match Made in Mehendi by Nandini Bajpai
RELEASES: September 10th 2019
RATING: 4.5 stars
REVIEW:
In this story, readers meet Simi, a sophomore in high school who is determined to stand out this school year. After teaming up with her best friend Noah and brother Navdeep, they create an online match making app for their high school. Despite Simi's desire to still pursue her artist dreams, she enjoys her newfound fame. But Simi soon must learn how to balance relationships, love, and family, if she is going to survive this year.I thought this novel had many aspects of a great contemporary novel. I loved the family ties and unique cultural parts. The humour and romance was amusing and will draw in teenage readers. The challenges Simi faced were realistic, and situations such as handling bullies, dates, and family struggles were relatable and it was enjoyable to root for Simi. I liked the other characters as well, and found Noah, Navdeep, and Saraj to be well rounded characters. The plot line at times could be a bit predictable, but overall, I really enjoyed this one!
Review on Goodreads
*Thank you to HBG Canada for providing both advanced copies in exchange for honest reviews*