Losing the Field (The Field Party #4) by Abbi Glines

Losing the Field (The Field Party #4) - 3.5 Stars 

Synopsis

Tallulah Liddell had been defined by her appearance for as long as she could remember. Overweight and insecure, she preferred to fly under the radar, draw as little attention to herself so no one can hurt her. The only boy who did seem to ever notice her was her longtime crush, Nash Lee. But when he laughs at a joke aimed at Tallulah the summer before their senior year, Tallulah's love dissipates, and she becomes determined to lose weight, to no longer be an object of her classmates' - and especially Nash's - ridicule. Nash Lee has it all - he's the star running back of Lawton's football team, being scouted by division one colleges, and on track to have a carefree senior year. But when an accident leaves him with a permanent limp, all of Nash's present and future plans are destroyed, leaving him bitter, angry, and unrecognizable from the person he used to be. Facing a new school year with her new body, Tallulah is out to seek revenge on Nash's cruelty. All does not go according to plan, though, and Tallulah and Nash unexpectedly find themselves falling for each other. But with all the pain resting in each of their hearts, can their love survive?

Review

This was my least favourite of the books in this series so far. But I will be continuing on with book 5 when its released this year.

O.W.L.s Update -  This completed my Muggle Studies OWL.

Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins #1) by P. L. Travers

Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins #1) - 3 Stars

Synopsis

Discover the joy and wonder of Mary Poppins in the classic adventures!

The original best-loved classic about the world’s most famous nanny – Mary Poppins.

When the Banks family advertise for a nanny, Mary Poppins and her talking umbrella appear out of the sky, ready to take the children on extraordinary adventures.

Mary Poppins is strict but fair, and soon Michael and Jane are whisked off to a funfair inside a pavement picture and on many more outings with their wonderful new nanny!

Needless to say, when at last ‘the wind changes’ and she flies away, the children are devastated. But the magic of Mary Poppins will stay with the Banks family forever.

The original story of the world’s most famous nanny, Mary Poppins, is a timeless classic that has enchanted generations.

Review

This was my first time reading this classic tale. I have loved the original movie with Julie Andrews since I was young. So I went in hoping to love this classic unfortunately it was a miss for me. On this occasion I would say that the movie was better.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Transfiguration OWL (part 2). 

Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King #1) by Tricia Levenseller

Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King #1) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I've gotten what I came for.
Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map--the key to a legendary treasure trove--seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

In Daughter of the Pirate King, debut author Tricia Levenseller blends action, adventure, romance, and a little bit of magic into a thrilling YA pirate tale.

Review 

Pirates and Romance is a recipe for a great book and this certainly delivered everything that I could want or need.

Obsidio (The Illuminae Files #3) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Obsidio (The Illuminae Files #3) - 4.5 Stars

Synopsis

Kady, Ezra, Hanna, and Nik narrowly escaped with their lives from the attacks on Heimdall station and now find themselves crammed with 2,000 refugees on the container ship, Mao. With the jump station destroyed and their resources scarce, the only option is to return to Kerenza—but who knows what they'll find seven months after the invasion?

Meanwhile, Kady's cousin, Asha, survived the initial BeiTech assault and has joined Kerenza's ragtag underground resistance. When Rhys—an old flame from Asha's past—reappears on Kerenza, the two find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict.

With time running out, a final battle will be waged on land and in space, heroes will fall, and hearts will be broken. 

Review

I am so sad that this brilliant and amazing story has come to the end. This was a unique and amazing series. Would highly recommend to all. I would also highly recommend the audiobooks for this series as they have a full dramatic cast.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Arithmancy OWL.

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Pride - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Pride and Prejudice gets remixed in this smart, funny, gorgeous retelling of the classic, starring all characters of color, from Ibi Zoboi, National Book Award finalist and author of American Street.
Zuri Benitez has pride. Brooklyn pride, family pride, and pride in her Afro-Latino roots. But pride might not be enough to save her rapidly gentrifying neighborhood from becoming unrecognizable.

When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri wants nothing to do with their two teenage sons, even as her older sister, Janae, starts to fall for the charming Ainsley. She especially can’t stand the judgmental and arrogant Darius. Yet as Zuri and Darius are forced to find common ground, their initial dislike shifts into an unexpected understanding.

But with four wild sisters pulling her in different directions, cute boy Warren vying for her attention, and college applications hovering on the horizon, Zuri fights to find her place in Bushwick’s changing landscape, or lose it all.

In a timely update of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, critically acclaimed author Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant reimagining of this beloved classic.

Review

What an interesting take on the Pride and Prejudice story. I loved how the author remixed the story from Pemberly to the streets of Brooklyn.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Ancient Runes OWL.

Star Wars: Jedi Academy, Return of the Padawan (Jedi Academy #2) by Jeffrey Brown

Star Wars: Jedi Academy, Return of the Padawan - 4 Stars

Synopsis

I thought my second year at Jedi Academy would be a breeze, and it was...at first. I built an awesome robot, took a field trip to an ice planet, and avoided Gammy's alien cooking. But then things got all mixed-up!

Star pilot training was way harder than I expected, my best friends started ignoring me, and the class bullies are trying to lead me to the dark side--which actually looks fun. Just when I thought I had middle school all figured out...

Review

Not as good as book one, but this was still so much fun. I adore these series. I love that the author has put in moral lessons within this enjoyable graphic novel series.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Astronomy OWL.

Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland #2) by Lewis Carroll

Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There - 3 Stars

Synopsis

In 1865, English author CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON (1832-1898), aka Lewis Carroll, wrote a fantastical adventure story for the young daughters of a friend. The adventures of Alice-named for one of the little girls to whom the book was dedicated-who journeys down a rabbit hole and into a whimsical underworld realm instantly struck a chord with the British public, and then with readers around the world. In 1872, in reaction to the universal acclaim *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland* received, Dodgson published this sequel. Nothing is quite what it seems once Alice journeys through the looking-glass, and Dodgson's wit is infectious as he explores concepts of mirror imagery, time running backward, and strategies of chess-all wrapped up in the exploits of a spirited young girl who parries with the Red Queen, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and other unlikely characters. In many ways, this sequel has had an even greater impact on today's pop culture than the first book. 

Review

I was happy to back down the rabbit hole, but I did not love this as much as this 1st story. But story was still fun.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Potions OWL.