Scookie Reviews

 THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS by Chloe Gong 3 Stars Pub date:  17th November 2020 Verdict: A lot to love, but perhaps too much?  Warning, this book contains more gore than the usual YA read. This is the story of Romeo and Juliet, but if they were gangsters, and it's set in 1920’s Shanghai - and also there’s a monster on the loose. So many exciting things! There’s also a transgender character, LGBT slow burn romance, and an unapologetically fierce female lead. I was super excited to read this, but I wondered how all the pieces would come together. First off, I loved Juliet. She’s the right heiress for a gangster crown. She’s bold, brave, and leaves others trembling in her presence. I loved the layers in her character, especially with her concerns over how other's would perceive her time spent in American.  Roma on the other hand is averse to violence and struggles to earn his father’s respect. He's slightly more standard YA, but very likeable. When these star-crossed ...

 I did a thing! I finally built up the courage to make video reviews, and boy did it take courage.  Okay, I know it's not perfect. But if making videos is anything like writing, then I just need to keep at it!  I found it difficult to nail the informative bookish style that many reviewers adopt. I realised I'm much better at embracing my goofy side and having a bit of fun with it because 'Mouth Words' are not my forte. I'm a writer because I struggle to organise my thoughts. They run away with me, doused in my imagination, sprouting into fantastic things which I later realise need heavy editing if I want anyone else to understand me. A couple of edit later, and then I have a piece of writing. So this project is to help me improve my presenting skills. And it turns out it's a lot of fun too! I want to learn how to edit videos and feel more comfortable in my skin, all the while while talking about the things I love.  Did I mention the word 'learn'? I am ve...

SPIN THE DAWN by Elizabeth Lim 4 stars Verdict: Awesome, dull, then crazy! Maia is a talented tailor who dreams of working for the Emperor. When a male from her family is summoned to compete for the honour of imperial tailor, Maia poses as her brother to take his place.  Magic, adventure, and banter ensue.  This tale is spun from three parts, and my opinions varied throughout. It starts as Mulan meets Project Runway, and then suddenly becomes an adventure romance before ending on a cliff hanger. Let's break it down. Part one I absolutely adored. It was fast and fresh with all the right East-Asian fantasy vibes. Maia is a brave, loyal, and ambitious girl and her voice is compelling. The competition is fierce, mixed in-between a magical court drama with twists, stakes, and intriguing characters, oh my. Part 2 slowed the pace. Maia is sent on a fetch quest which sounded like the perfect opportunity to explore the world more. Instead, it became a romance. It kind of felt like a ba...