Genre: Retellings

Ramon and Julieta by Alana Albertson | ARC Review

Posted January 31, 2022 in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments
Ramon and Julieta by Alana Albertson | ARC Review

Every year I try and make it a priority to read several books by Latinx authors and/or books that feature Latinx characters, and I’m pleased that I got to kick off 2022 with Ramón and Julieta! Not only was I getting to dive into a diverse romance set in San Diego, but I was intrigued that it was a retelling as well! Add in a stunning cover and a focus on food and I was so excited to read this one! Beginning on Día de los Muertos, Ramón and Julieta follows romantic protagonists from two very different walks of life, […]


If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka | ARC Review

Posted April 6, 2020 in Books, Reviews / 2 Comments
If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka | ARC Review

There’s no denying what a stunning cover If I’m Being Honest has, and it’s what initially drew me to the novel despite my hesitation toward all things Shakespeare (I am personally not a fan of The Bard, and this is supposed to be a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew). I was surprised to find that despite it’s premise, I really enjoyed this story and found it a fast and fun contemporary that I read in just a few sittings. Right from the synopsis, readers are made aware that they are getting an unlikable- or at least difficult- protagonist. […]


Blanca Y Roja by Anna- Marie McLemore | Review

Posted January 14, 2019 in Books, Reviews / 2 Comments
Blanca Y Roja by Anna- Marie McLemore | Review

Anna-Marie McLemore is no doubt known as one of the best Latinx magical realism voice in YA literature. Her prose is always beautifully crafted, her stories otherworldly, and her writing able to take readers into different worlds with a turn of phrase or small action. Her debut The Weight of Feathers was beautifully crafted and reading it was a transcendent experience. Unfortunately, though there were many elements of Blanca & Roja that I liked, I didn’t find it as immersive as the prior work I read by the author. Blanca & Roja is a triple fairy tale retelling, pulling from […]


Roseblood by A.G. Howard | In Which My Phantom Obsession is Rekindled

Posted February 2, 2017 in Reviews / 13 Comments
Roseblood by A.G. Howard | In Which My Phantom Obsession is Rekindled

Full Disclaimer: I was hooked on this book from the moment I heard it was being released because I spent a pivotal portion of my pre-teen years obsessed with The Phantom of the Opera. The movie version with Emmy Rossum came out when I was in middle school and I was introduced to it by my choir teacher and my obsession was born (it wasn’t hard considering the protagonist’s name is CHRISTINE and then there was me, aspiring little alto, CRISTINA). A few years later my mom took me to see the live stage production in Las Vegas that was […]


An Unpopular Opinion on Winter by Marissa Meyer | Review

Posted December 21, 2015 in Books, Reviews / 30 Comments
An Unpopular Opinion on Winter by Marissa Meyer | Review

I am an outlier. A black sheep. The reader who seemed to have missed the memo that this was an amazing, flawless, work of utter perfection. So I’m going to start with a disclaimer: I love Marissa Meyer. I’ve met her twice. I think her skill at writing fairy tale retellings is magnificent. Her characters have depth and feel like my own friends. I coveted the release of Winter. I dragged myself to Barnes & Noble after an eleven hour work day to buy it in person to ensure that I received a copy that was in pristine condition. And […]


Book Buddies Review: Even in Paradise

Posted June 22, 2015 in Book Buddies Reviews, Reviews / 4 Comments
Book Buddies Review: Even in Paradise

Cristina & Lauren Read: Book Buddies is a discussion style review I participate in every other month with my friend Lauren who runs the blog Bookmarklit. We choose a themed book for the month, read it, and the have a discussion where we both discuss themes and aspects that really stood out to us.Book Buddy Reviews are posted during the last week of the month.You can see our review in a Q&A format with half posted here, and half on Lauren’s blog! 1)Did the Buchanans charm you? Do you think the author achieved the desired effect of making them a […]