This was an interesting dystopian take on politics and change. How as power shifts, so do the rules. A powerful look at conditioning and how technology can become a problem, where good intentions can go so wrong.
A really fun narration. I can't wait to read the next one. Fast paced and snappy humor.
Could of been shorter. But a good story.
Historically set in early 1800s, a good murder mystery and love story. This shows the class differences and also highlights the lack of rights of women.
Thoroughly enjoyed this read. Highlights mental health in regards to adoption trauma. And also looks at expectation and clouded judgment brought on by highly strung emotions.
I've loved reading this cozy mystery series and the 9th book didn't disappoint. A modern who dunnit, with an Asian spin.
A very inventive tale. A epistolary story , told through letters, based on the pangram The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. This story gets hard to read as the lipograms get worse and more letters are no longer allowed. But then, this is the point.
An easy, believable read about being the new guy, rugby and drinking.
What a wonderful book. So sad, but real. A great message in the reality of death of someone so young. I was an absolute blubbering mess at the end.
This was a tedious read. I didn't enjoy it.
A very believable story about teens dealing with bullies in secondary school. This highlights camera surveillance in schools and what turns into some intense cyber bullying.
Turns out I like fiction about cars. I really enjoyed this coming of age story and the rally driving.
This was boring.
This was really good. Kept me interested until the end. Different. I would of rated it higher, but I was annoyed with the the last page.
This was an okay book. There were a few moments I couldn't picture what was happening, it became a little too absurd for me in places.
These were enjoyable characters and story. A good pace. A good read.
A beautiful legend! Interwoven into the the story of the descendants of this east coast tribe makes it come alive and even more magical.
A medium paced book. It feels like it finishes abruptly. Even though it is part of a trilogy, I would like to still feel it's a complete read, but I feel dissatisfied.
After reading the first book, I'm now really invested in the story of each of the Pilgrim family. I enjoyed this more than the first because I've got to know each of the characters more and feel for them. I even shed a tear for Rebecca.
This was an interesting look at another way of living. A sad story.
This was boring. The author wasn't able to project a year 12 (16 year old) narrative. I felt, up until the last 30 pages, that I was reading about a group of 12 year olds. It was very primary, not teen.
Fast paced. It's horrible what terrible things people can do to each other, especially when it's one of your best friends. A very real story that could happen to anyone or someone you know.
This was a really different read for me. Set in the 90s, which were my teen years, there was a lot that I could relate to. Because of this I found it quite engaging. Dawe has a great narrative style, easy to read.
Interesting concept. Fast paced narration.
Wow! What a beautiful tale. This story is told in alternating chapters from Min the orca and Will the human's perspectives. Interlaced with The Mikado, it unfolds like a magical opera.
This was an interesting part of war history seldom discussed or written about. Pleased to have read such a positive point of view.
This poetry collection was a cool concept. I really enjoyed the journey it took me on.
There was only a few poems I enjoyed.
This was great! I especially enjoyed Little.
This wasn't for me, though it was well written.
I really enjoyed this. There was a lot of references that resonated for me.
You can feel their pain in these words.
Gorgeous!
Like every other Marvel, but better. I enjoyed this and will continue to read more.
I loved how this story was told through the diary of Egan. The end gave me goosebumps.
The story was okay. But I found the fonts and layout really hard to follow, which took the joy out of it for me.
I love the premise and want to read more.
This was a nicely told memoir. However it came across a little safe.
This is a quick retelling of the famous series. Easy to follow and enjoyable.
A really good introduction to the history of women's rights.
I didn't know what to expect. But this spoke my mind and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This was a lovely adaptation of a beautiful classic.
This has some really good coping strategies in it for anxiety. Beautifully done.
A really powerful story.
This was a really good book. Rules are meant to protect, not suppress and control.
This book was great and I really want to read the novels now. I like the role reversal to emphasize that prejudice will exist no matter who has the power and it still is an ugly thing.
This was okay. Fast paced, though not a lot of action it still whizzes through the story.
Beautiful art work. A sad story, an insight to the loneliness of youth.
Boring. Morals were pure, but characters weren't likeable enough, only because you don't really get to know them. Kinda left hanging. I didn't like the story.
A very well written book! What kinda of warrior do you need to be to have great mana? Believing, standing tall, fighting with your heart, passion and words. Not with your fists. These characters were so real and relatable.
This was good. This would be helpful for any teen going through this and any adult or friend who isn't, but would like to understand and support.
It's starting to gain some pace again. I would like to read the novels.
This has become an environmental story. I'm not feeling it.
New adventure, new threats. Interesting, I'm engaged with the new storyline.
Lots of new information in this one. Good read.
This was a snap shot of 3 girls lives. The story didn't do anything or go anywhere. The imagery is beautiful, the words are like a song, but still it didn't evoke anything for me.
A traitor or not a traitor? Great book.
This one was a little boring, but still moved the story along.
The characters are very likable in the core group. I'm still working out who really are the bad guys.
Good book. The story is unfolding. Still a lot to learn.
Fast paced enjoyable read. I really loved this book and can't wait to read the rest in the series.
Action packed and the truth comes to light.
Double crosses and the picture slowly unfolds within the central fast paced story.
The pace was great. And new information to keep you engaged in the story.
This was quite fast paced. I enjoyed it. Poor Simon.
The story is getting a bit more interesting. More has been revealed and I have no idea what is to come.
Nice introduction to the story and the characters.
A disappointing ending, but still kinda sweet.
I'm losing interest. The characters aren't drawing me in and I don't feel anything for them.
Very slow paced, but still interesting.
This was a little tedious. I like the concept of time travel and when writing, the ability to make sense where timelines converge. I will read on to see where it goes.
The story starts to amp up a bit in this one. It becomes intriguing. I want to know more.
This has potential to shape up into an interesting story, however I'm not feeling it yet.
This is such a good series. I'm emotionally attached to these characters. Cried again, and I am not a crier.
This was so good and so sad. I had a good cry when I finished.
Lots of adventures in this one. Good book.
The end of this book is sad and heavy. The words are beautifully eloquent.
Now I get the symbolism of the mice...vermin. When I realized this it made my heart sink. A very clever take on a true holocaust story. So sad.
Good read. The stonekeeper's are finding a better way than fear and war.
This was a very slow read. I didn't really get into it. I did really like the use of the Reo within the English sentences. Just like we do naturally as kiwis. However a non nz reader would be constantly needed Google translate to understand the text.
The story is intense and I want to know how it ends.
The war is changing and new alliances formed. Still great pace.
The team work together as they trust each other more. Trellis learns about the past. Good book.
Each little story is interesting, but the main storyline moves along in this one. Looking forward to more of this series.
It took me a bit to get in to, to work out the storyline. It is intriguing.
This was full of twists and turns. Fast paced. An enjoyable read.
I'm enjoying this series. I like the premise, it's easy to follow. Enough likable characters to root for and baddies to wish ill.
I found this a slow read as the English done in terrible sentence structure. However it was in keeping with the narration of a character who spoke it as their second language, so made perfect sense. It tells the story well, but I don't get why they are mice. Maybe I will understand this more once I've read the second book.
Beautiful story. I like the new character introduced, Leon. I'm interested to see where this series goes.
The story is amping up again. Love it.
This was a punchy story. I enjoyed it. It also gives you a little more insight to Odd's back story.
Not bad. The characters a very likable. There is humor mixed in with the horror.
This sets the scene very well and quickly. Good premise and pace.
A great introduction to the character and premise.
New alliances and a common goal push this story along.
A cute story about anxiety and over thinking everything. Telling someone what you're going through is important.
This opened my eyes to another time in history I only knew vaguely about. A really powerful story. Part true story, with the gaps filled with fictional realism. The power of this book is said most succinctly by Kiku on the last page, "The persecution of a marginalized group of people is never just one act of violence - it's a condemnation of generations to come who live with the ongoing consequences, we may suffer from these traumas, but we can also use them to help others and fight for justice in our own time".
This a beautifully told story. It covers some heavy topics, like eating disorders and self harming in a very relatable and sensitive way.
A sweet story that shows the importance of being vulnerable. About honesty and sharing the bad stuff too so your friends can support you. It's okay not to be okay.
This one deals with drug abuse and how it can destroy a family.
More relationships are developed. More grief and relationships exposed. So good.
Fast paced. Romeo and juliet story, but with bounty hunters sent to kill them, but take their baby alive. When Hazel talks about using the material as a bookmark, it broke my heart and made me cry.
What a great start to series. The characters are set. The pace is insane. I'm invested.
Really weird. Most of the stories just stopped abruptly. I know that is quite normal, but I personally like a resolution to each tale.
I didn't really get it.
A beautiful book about friendship and trust. Lelek's story is a bit of a sad one.
This is such an interesting perspective. It really makes you think. For some, I imagine, this could be quite provocative.
What an engaging and informative read.
This was easy to follow and a history I wasn't aware of, though many historical figures I knew. Very enlightening.
I'm not really into history, so I found this a bit boring. However I was surprised at how much was familiar. I'm pleased I knew a reasonable amount about the Taranaki Wars. And now I know more.
This was an odd book. It could've been ste in any far off place, but New Zealand worked well. I liked the mention of tapu and taonga. It was very fitting if a little absurd for Hicksville to be the keepers of this unpublished library of comics.
A lovely ending to the prophecy. The message of all living together is great for kids. Segregation breeds hatred.
This book focuses on Starflight and the Nightwing tribe. The moral of this story is summed up well when Starflight says to Fatespeaker, "I think being a good dragon is about the choices you make no matter where you are or who raised you".
Glory is so beautiful. The dragons in this book are stunning. I enjoyed watching one of the weaker characters become more empowered.
This book surprised me. It was great. It depicts a time when most of us question our faith, politics and our place in the world. This will resonate with all generations looking back at their adolescents.
A great installment following Tsunami's story.
This was a great story. Loved the characters and the concept.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this series. The characters are adorable and I want to see how they grow, especially Clay.
I really enjoyed this. I'm not a romance reader, however the romance mixed with the humor and the light fantasy is so much fun to read! The flying houses are great. The characters are funny, ridiculous, but still believable. This one in the series had a Get Smart vibe to it
This was an interesting murder mystery/romance/thriller. Original and I can't wait to read the second in the series and see where Lily Sparks takes the story.
I love this series. Light and fun. One page in particular made me laugh out loud and share with the family.
I didn't really enjoy this book. I didn't think it was a good representation of the Maori, it came across very patronizing. I didn't find any of the characters endearing.
Such a nice change from the more grisly stuff that is in abundance these days in the crime/mystery genre. A gentle copy mystery read and with it being short stories, easy to dip in and out of.
I love this series. The illustrations are beautiful, especially the choice of colours. It is a lovely take on the Greek Gods. Bringing together Hades and Persephone in a will they, won't they romance story. This is a great series for teens, illustrating how damaging and hurtful gossip can be.