Author: Angela

The Piano Lesson

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The Piano Lesson (The Century Cycle #4) by August Wilson (1990)

the piano lesson

Theatre | Drama | Historical Paranormal3.5 StarsBlurb:

“At the heart of the play stands the ornately carved upright piano which, as the Charles family’s prized, hard-won possession, has been gathering dust in the parlor of Berniece Charles’s Pittsburgh home. When Boy Willie, Berniece’s exuberant brother, bursts into her life with his dream of buying the same Mississippi land that his family had worked as slaves, he plans to sell their antique piano for the hard cash he needs to stake his future. But Berniece refuses to sell, clinging to the piano as a reminder of the history that is their family legacy. This dilemma is the real “piano lesson,” reminding us that blacks are often deprived both of the symbols of their past and of opportunity in the present.  Continue reading →

Deadly Sweet Lies

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Deadly Sweet Lies (The Dream War Saga #2) by Erica Cameron (2015)
-eARC Review-

deadly sweet lies

YA Fiction | Paranormal Fantasy3 StarsBlurb:

“Nadette Lawson knows when you’re lying.

Every night for the past two years, the Balasura have visited her dreams, enticing her to enter their world. And every night she’s seen through their lies. Now, they’re tired of playing in the shadows and they begin to stalk her in the waking world. It’s no longer just an invitation; if Nadette doesn’t join them, they’ll take her family. Forever. She needs help, and the haven she’s seeking may be just out of reach.  Continue reading →

The Birthday Party

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The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter (1957)

birthday party

Theatre | Absurdist | Black Comedy4.5 starsBlurb:

“Stanley Webber is visited in his boarding-house by two strangers, Goldberg and McCann. An innocent-seeming birthday party for Stanley turns into a nightmare.”
–Goodreads  Continue reading →

Animal Farm

~ Angela ~ 2 Comments

Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945)

animal farm

Fiction | Historical | Classic5 starsBlurb:

“Tired of their servitude to man, a group of farm animals revolt and establish their own society, only to be betrayed into worse servitude by their leaders, the pigs, whose slogan becomes: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” This 1945 satire addresses the socialist/communist philosophy of Stalin in the Soviet Union.”
–Goodreads  Continue reading →

Sing Sweet Nightingale

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Sing Sweet Nightingale (The Dream War Saga #1) by Erica Cameron (2014)
-NetGalley Review-

sing sweet nightingale

YA Fiction | Paranormal Fantasy3.5 StarsBlurb:

“Mariella Teagen hasn’t spoken a word in four years.
She pledged her voice to Orane, the man she loves—someone she only sees in her dreams. Each night, she escapes to Paradise, the world Orane created for her, and she sings for him. Mariella never believed she could stay in Paradise longer than a night, but two weeks before her eighteenth birthday, Orane hints that she may be able to stay forever.

Hudson Vincent made a pledge to never fight again.
Calease, the creature who created his dream world, swore that giving up violence would protect Hudson. But when his vow caused the death of Continue reading →

2015 Goodreads Choice Awards

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goodreads choice awards 2015

It’s December 1st and we have the final results of the Goodreads Choice Awards for the Best Books of 2015!

WINNERS!

DEBUT GOODREADS AUTHOR

Red Queen (Red Queen #1) – Victoria Aveyard

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YOUNG ADULT FICTION

All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven Continue reading →

The Hunger Games Trilogy

~ Angela ~ 2 Comments

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

mockingjay

*This post contains all 3 separate reviews for the series so scroll with caution*

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins (2008)

The Hunger Games

YA Fiction | Dystopian4.5 starsBlurb:

“Winning will make you famous.
Losing means certain death.

The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The ‘tributes’ are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.  Continue reading →

BRN #7: YA Fiction | why i love it so

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Banner_babbles rambles and nonsense_7.png

Young Adult (or simply YA) fiction has grown into something beyond a mere age-regulated genre. It has always held gems of literature but over the past few years in particular we have most certainly witnessed an explosive growth within and of this genre. I doubt anyone can pinpoint any one reason why but the greater point remains that it has.

YA encompasses every genre under the sun including fantasy, sci-fi, fiction, non-fiction, romance, paranormal, crime, mystery, history, thriller, and yeah every other genre that blooms on this here planet. While the protagonists remain in the teenage/young adult age range (hence the category title “Young Adult”) the themes transcend age and the messages strike intrigue and conflict within all.  Continue reading →

A Thousand Nights

~ Angela ~ 1 Comment

A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston (2015)

A Thousand Nights
YA Fiction | Historical Paranormal
4 Stars
Blurb:

“Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.

And so she is taken in her sister’s place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin’s court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time. But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong. Continue reading →