Moon and Coffee

books, travel, nursing, and all of life's in-betweens

Book Review: The Farm by Joanne Ramos

B | This is the sort of book that — if I was an ethics professor — I’d want my students to read. It will not only force you to examine your own beliefs on the immigration experience, parenthood, surrogacy, a surrogates rights, and wealth, but it will also anger you and make you uncomfortable. It is a reflection on our society, class, reproductive rights, parenthood, the American dream, and on the Filipino immigrant experience. The book is solid. However, Ramos’ execution could have been better.

Now, before I get into the rest of this review, please note that this is an #ownvoices review. I make this statement as a Filipino immigrant living in NYC with a Filipino mother who made the move here to the US before sending for me so I could have a better life here.

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Book Review: Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall

B+ | If there are two words I could use to describe this book, it is haunting and creepy. This book have me goosebumps in the best of ways. It had be on the edge of my seat the entire time not just because of the twists and turns we were forced upon while we walked with the characters on the road, but also because of all the horrors they encountered.

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Flash Review: The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates

B | I love horror. It is one of my favorite genres, but I haven’t read too many horror books to be quite honest with you. I picked this up on a whim when I went to Barnes and Nobles @ Union Square when they reopened. I was hoping it would help spark that desire to read, but I didn’t expect much else.

The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates was a pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed it. The book is creepy and I admit that my heart was pounding throughout the book. The protagonist is naive and frustrating at times. I shook my head a lot with her actions and decisions. But with how things are with people refusing to wear a mask despite the fact it’s for their own safety and that of others, her actions are 100% believable — even though they are idiotic actions. Still, it kept me on my toes until the very end. I actually did not expect what happened to have happened. I was thinking of something else completely. But I enjoyed the ending nevertheless.

In a way, this book reminds me of those good scary stories I used to hunt for when I was younger. For someone like me who hasn’t read too many horror novels, this felt a bit like a homecoming. I’m definitely going to check out Darcy Coates’ other books in the near future!

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Book Review: The Silence of Bones by June Hur

B+ | It is well-paced and a well-plotted mystery YA novel. The characters are compelling. The historical setting is wonderfully researched and it shows in the writing because Hur brought Joseon Korea to life through her characters and descriptions of the setting. Hur does a fantastic job with its plot as it explores loyalty and family.

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Book Review: Forest of a Thousand Lanterns (Rise of the Empress, #1) by Julie C. Dao

A-/B+ | This book is another perfect example of how villain origin stories should be done. While the worldbuilding is pretty damn cool, what really makes this book work for me are the characters themselves, specifically Xifeng. However, the pacing can be far too slow at times, making it a drag to read when it does. Still, I think that Dao comes out strong in this debut novel.

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Book Review: Seven Deadly Shadows by Courtney Alameda and Valynne E. Maetani

B- | Simply put? This book is a fun, immersive, and easy read. Kira is a believable teenage protagonist who struggles with school, bullies, and family drama along with the supernatural drama she’s entangled in. The plot is interesting, but predictable. There is romance, but it doesn’t overpower the plot or Kira’s struggles which I am absolutely thankful to see. Still, while I enjoyed this book, I don’t believe it reached its fullest potential which was disappointing. I would definitely give this book a shot, especially if you were once super into manga/anime, too.

Make sure to read about the giveway!

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Book Review: Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison

B | This is a solid thriller/mystery book that had me on the edge of my seat half the time. It’s a dark and twisting tale. It has elements of Gossip Girl tossed into the mix, although this is certainly more grown-up. From the very first page, this book refuses to let you go. It makes you go back and forth, making you question what is truth vs. lies.

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Flash Review: Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake

B+ | This is what I can an introductory book. It sets up the stage for the chaos, drama, and madness that is (hopefully) to come. We get to meet the three sister queens, Katherine, Mirabella, and Arsinoe. Long story short, they’re goddess appointed with abilities and need to kill each other for the crown.

Although this book started out really slow, once you get to the middle portion of the book, things pick up and become much more exciting. It’s well worth pushing through the first half of the book to get to the good stuff. I absolutely will be continuing with this series.

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Book Review: Beneath the Haunting Sea (Beneath the Haunting Sea #1) by Joanna Ruth Meyer

A-/B+ | If there’s one book I can hold up as the PERFECT example of how to do mythology, this is that book. The mythology within this gothic book is stunning. And the worldbuilding? chef kiss. You guys know how much I adore excellent worldbuilding. This rich mythology and worldbuilding are wrapped up nicely with a super exciting (but not so well-paced) plot and characters you want to strangle and hug. Unfortunately, this doesn’t get a perfect grade because of it’s pacing and unnatural, forced romance. Nonetheless, the ending was satisfying and well worth the less cool parts.

Minor spoilers below.

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