First Impression

The Last Murder at the End of the World

By Stuart Turton

Releasing May 21, 2024

First Impression: (4 / 5)

I’m a big fan of dystopian books, so this book seems intriguing. From the first few chapters, I can definitely feel a sense of mystery and uneasiness about this dystopian world and would love to learn more about it. Since many of the dystopian books I’ve read are young adult, I like that this book is more “grown up” and has a different feel to it. Emory especially seems like an interesting character I’d like to get to know better.

Sneak Peek: The Encanto’s Daughter

By Melissa de la Cruz

Releasing on March 5, 2024

First Impression: (5 / 5)

I had the opportunity to read the first 37 pages of The Encanto’s Daughter, which is scheduled to be released next March. I was initially drawn in by the beautiful cover and interesting description, but I’m even more interested in this book now that I’ve had the chance to read the first chapters. The action begins quickly, and then we are swept away into the fantasy world of Biringan. While MJ, the main character, is royalty from this world, she has been living as a normal person for as long as she can remember. This makes her very relatable, and readers can experience the newness of this world through her eyes. I would love to continue reading this book!

October 23, 2023 by danimae1981 eBook Fantasy Fiction First Impression Young Adult 0

Sneak Peek: These Deadly Prophecies

By Andrea Tang

First Impression: (5 / 5)

I had the opportunity to read the first few chapters of These Deadly Prophecies, which will be releasing in February 2024. A modern-day sorcerer has been murdered, and now his apprentice, Tabatha and youngest son, Callum are going to try to figure out who is responsible.

The premise of this book sounded interesting, and from what I’ve read so far, I think it’s a book I’d really enjoy reading. Written from Tabatha’s point of view, it almost feels like you’re a friend that she’s telling her story to. The sorcery and murder mystery aspects are interesting and make me want to keep reading. I want to find out who the murderer is!

October 11, 2023 by danimae1981 eBook Fiction First Impression Young Adult 0

Sneak Peek: One Last Breath

By Ginny Myers Sain

Coming March 5, 2024

First impression: (4 / 5)

I was able to read the first few chapters of One Last Breath. From what I read, the book seems to flow well and holds a sense of mystery. The story follows Tru, who has tried to learn everything she can about 2 girls from her small town that were murdered 20 years ago. She seems to have some kind bond with one of the girls, so there’s a spooky feeling to the story. So far there’s a lot of questions and I’d love to see where this book leads. I’m interested to find out about this double murder and also about what happened to Tru’s sister, Dani.

September 27, 2023 by danimae1981 eBook Fiction First Impression Young Adult 0

Sneak Peek: The Invocations

By Krystal Sutherland

Coming soon on January 30, 2024

First impression: (5 / 5)

I had the opportunity to read the first few chapters of The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland. From the first page of the Prologue I could tell I was going to really like this author’s style of writing, with beautifully detailed descriptions and an air of mystery. The book follows 3 young women, each who has a connection or interest in magic for their own reasons. Each of these characters seems to be in some sort of trouble, so I feel like it’s too soon to tell how much I’ll like these characters. Either way, it seems like some big things will be happening, and I’m interested to see where this story is heading.

September 14, 2023 by danimae1981 eBook Fantasy Fiction First Impression Young Adult 0

Sneak Peek: The Name Drop

By Susan Lee

Coming soon on September 12, 2023

First Impression: (5 / 5)

I had the opportunity to read the first few chapters of Susan Lee’s upcoming book, The Name Drop.

From what I’ve read so far, I think this is a book I would enjoy reading. The 2 main characters are very different from each other, but they also each have a realness to them that I like. So far the book flows well and felt like something I could easily get lost in for hours. I was honestly sad for the First Look to end – I would love to continue reading this story!

August 17, 2023 by danimae1981 eBook Fiction First Impression Young Adult 0

Sneak Peek: Check & Mate

By Ali Hazelwood

Coming soon on November 7, 2023

First Impression: (4 / 5)

I was able to preview the first few chapters of Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood. The book has a very obvious chess theme to it, though it doesn’t seem like you need much knowledge about the game to enjoy the book. Things are a bit mysterious in the beginning because we don’t know why Mallory, the main character, stopped playing chess a few years ago or what happened to her dad, but she has obviously had to make some big sacrifices to support her mom and sisters. From what I’ve read so far it seems like it could be an interesting story that I’d like to keep reading.

July 22, 2023 by danimae1981 Fiction First Impression Romance Young Adult 0

Sneak Peek: I Loved You in Another Life

By David Arnold

Coming soon on October 10, 2023

First Impression: (3 / 5)

Another sneak peek, this time of I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold. I was able to read the first several chapters. Unfortunately it turned out not being my cup of tea.

The writing in this book has a poetic feel to it, though the indirectness makes it feel a bit confusing. Evan’s chapters are in first person while Shosh’s are in third person which was a bit too jarring for my taste. Then there was a chapter about a couple in the past that appears to parallel the main story, but after several chapters the main characters haven’t even met yet. Overall it just had a depressing feel to it. I could see this book being one that some people might love, but it’s just not for me.

July 13, 2023 by danimae1981 eBook Fiction First Impression Young Adult 0

Sneak Peek: A Multitude of Dreams

By Mara Rutherford

Coming soon on August 29, 2023

First Impression: (4 / 5)

I had the chance to read the first three chapters of A Multitude of Dreams, which releases next month. This young adult fantasy has a post-apocalyptic feel since it takes place a few years after a deadly disease broke out.

So far I have found the two main characters likable. I especially like that, even though written in 3rd person, there is a different feel in the writing between the chapters for each character. I’ll admit to feeling a little overwhelmed at all the characters we meet in just the first two chapters, but I think I’ll be able to keep it all straight. I really like the premise behind this book and think I would enjoy reading it.

July 12, 2023 by danimae1981 eBook Fantasy Fiction First Impression Young Adult 0

Sneak Peek: Bittersweet in the Hollow

By Kate Pearsall

Coming soon on October 10, 2023

First Impression: (4 / 5)

I was able to read the first few chapters of the upcoming book, Bittersweet in the Hollow. I was sad to come to the end of the first look, because I would love to continue reading this book. It has a small-town fantasy feel, but it takes place in present-time so it feels very much like it could be taking place in the real modern world. There’s a distinct feel of mystery and unease that made me want to keep reading, with legends of a Moth Man and a child who mysteriously disappeared years ago.

So far I like the main character, Linden – she feels relatable, and her special ability to taste others’ feelings is portrayed well. She is experiencing amnesia about events that happened a year ago, and the flashes of memories she has already have me building my own theories as to what might have happened.

The writing of the book flows well and kept me engaged and interested in the story. I was able to breeze from page to page, not wanting to put it down until I reached as far as I could go. From what I’ve read so far, this book shows great potential, and I look forward to reading the complete story! I’ve already applied to be an advance reader through NetGalley, so fingers crossed that I get approved!