A Profoundly Heart-Wrenching Must Read | Review of ‘The First Time She Drowned’

By Cynthia Ayala

The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter Philomel Books — The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter
Philomel Books

Wrongfully institutionalized by her mother, Cassie has the chance to break free and start anew with as she checks herself out at 18 to start college. But there are secrets in her past that begin to float to the surface as they break through her barrier. A toxic mother who cares only about herself threatens to rewrite the past and pull Cassie back to the dark depths of her psyche. Cassie needs to break away from her mother, reclaim her life, and face the past head on.

Published March 15, 2016, by Philomel Books, The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter is an enthralling tale surrounding a toxic mother-daughter relationship and the hardships of mental illness.
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Cynthia Bujnicki22/12/201611/12/2016Leave a comment

Reading List

Weekly Reading List #68

By Cynthia Ayala

Man oh man, I’m leaving soon. It’s wild stuff going on here. I’m going to turn in my FINAL paper soon and let me tell you, I have done nothing but stress about it because it’s my final paper, my final ever paper. Talk about crazy stuff. I’m so close to the finish line, so close to the ending of school. God I’m relieved. Sometimes I feel like going to college just put my life on hold, it did, but without the knowledge I gained I wouldn’t be able to do the things I’ve always wanted.

Honestly, the only thing that has kept me sane is the out of class reading that I did for class because I’m not one of those people who drowns in school work. I can’t be that person, it’s too stressful and then I don’t feel like I’ve done my best.

Anyway, since school is wrapping up, check out this weekly reading list right here.
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Cynthia Bujnicki18/12/201621/11/2017Leave a comment

Book Reviews

The Duality of Being Reborn | Review of ‘The Wizard Returns’ (Dorothy Must Die 0.3)

By Cynthia Ayala

The Wizard Returns by Danielle Paige HarperCollins

It’s said that the Wizard left Oz in a hot air balloon. What the tales left out what that a storm knocked him off his course and into the poppy fields to sleep. Until he was woken with no memory of who he was. But when ignorance is bliss it also teaches the Wizard that being good is all about perception, and acting has always been his specialty. With the biggest danger to Oz being Dorothy Gale, the Wizard might be the key—or the final piece in Oz’s destruction.

Published March 3, 2015, by HarperCollins, The Wizard Returns by Danielle Paige is the third in her short story collection that expands her take on Oz in her Dorothy Must Die series.
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Book Reviews

A Perfect Look at Deceit | Review of ‘The Witch Must Burn (Dorothy Must Die 0.2)

By Cynthia Ayala

The Witch Must Burn by Danielle Paige HarperCollins

Dorothy has placed her claim on Oz, becoming the Wicked Witch. But don’t tell her that. Power-hungry and vicious, Dorothy, punishes everyone she pleases. Everyone except Glinda who seems to be the real puppet master here. Jellia is about to discover that the real Wicked Witch has always been there, hidden behind pink smiles and false kindness. A Witch who will sacrifice everything for power.

Published November 11, 2014, by HarperCollins, The Witch Must Burn by Danielle Paige is the second in her short story collection that expands her take on Oz in her Dorothy Must Die series.
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Book Reviews

A Richly Layered Prequel Novella | Review of ‘No Place Like Oz’ (Dorothy Must Die 0.1)

By Cynthia Ayala

No Place Like Oz by Danielle Paige HarperCollins

Dorothy Gale, while happy to be back with her family, is unhappy with her dreary life back in Kansas where she was been reduced to just another ordinary prairie girl. Dorothy wants nothing more than to be returned to the vibrant landscapes of Oz, to be a hero of the people, but more importantly, a celebrity. And when a pair of red shoes appear under her bed with a note from an old friend, Dorothy knows just how to get back to Oz, and this time she’ll stay there, no matter the cost.

Published November 12, 2013, by HarperCollins, No Place Like Oz by Danielle Paige is the first in her short story collection that expands her take on Oz in her Dorothy Must Die series. Continue reading “A Richly Layered Prequel Novella | Review of ‘No Place Like Oz’ (Dorothy Must Die 0.1)”

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Reading List

Weekly Reading List #67

By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there avid readers! I hope that everyone is having a wonderful week. School is inching towards the finish line and I’m so close I can taste the diploma. I just need to pass the classes and then I am all set to go. Man, it’s been wild. Anyway, mostly done with projects so I’ve got some time to breathe and read. Check out my reading list below.
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Cynthia Bujnicki11/12/201602/12/2016Leave a comment

Book Reviews

A Riveting Road-Trip Into Dystopia | Review of ‘After the Ending’ (The Ending #1)

By Cynthia Ayala

After the Ending by Lindsey Pogue
& Lindsey Fairleigh
L2 Books

A virus spread, taking the world by surprise. Many died, but those that didn’t either became insane, driven to madness, or became something more. For Dani and Zoe surviving doesn’t just mean living, it means finding each other and returning home. But the dangers out there are closer than they thought and finding each other might be impossible.

Published February 21, 2013, L2 Books After the Ending by Lindsey Pogue & Lindsey Fairleigh is a young adult post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel following friends separated by miles trying to find their way home through all the dangers around them.
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Book Reviews

A Forgettable Ending | Review of ‘Vengeance’ (Private #14)

By Cynthia Ayala

Vengeance by Kate Brian
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Despite the disaster that turned into Reed’s birthday party, she is adamant on rebuilding Billings, refusing to let her legacy become a pile of rubble. But someone is lurking in the shadows of Billings, adamant on ending her and Billings once and for all.

Published August 30, 2011, by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Vengeance is the final novel In Kate Brian‘s bestselling young adult Private series.

Looks like Brian ditched that witch coven things very quick. There for a book then gone. Was it a gimmick? Probably, but it did give the reader a little more insight into the world of Billings and the history of it too. Although the ending here, it felt a little bit like a let-down.
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Cynthia Bujnicki07/12/201601/12/2016Leave a comment

Book Reviews

Where Fantasy Meets Realism | Review of ‘The Marked Girl’ (The Marked Girl #1)

By Cynthia Ayala

The Marked Girl by Lindsey Klingele
HarperCollins

Cedric, the crowned prince of Caelum, has found himself in LA, a very long way from home via a magical portal. Bu the portal is locked on Earth and Liv, an aspiring filmmaker and foster girl who wants nothing more than to escape the endless system, may be his only help. But the pair of them are getting more than they bargained for.

Published June 7, 2016, by Harper Collins, The Marked Girl by Lindsey Klingele, is a young adult fantasy novel that brings magic into an otherwise plain world.
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