Adventures in Polishland

Dare to Compare | Covergirl Out of the Blue vs Priti NYC Canterbury Bells

Posted on May 18, 2016April 13, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am continuing my nail polish comparison series with a look at two true blue polishes. Sometimes polishes look exactly the same in the bottle, but then end up being different once applied to the nails. I find that really interesting, and that is the case with the polishes I’m trying out today! This is my most challenging Dare to Compare yet, because I love both Covergirl Out of the Blue and Priti NYC Canterbury Bells. Let me share individual reviews of these polishes with you, and then share a side-by-side look.

First up is Out of the Blue from the Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant nail polish line. Out of the Blue is an amazing nail polish! The formula is excellent, and a one-coat formula. I did apply two coats in the photos above out of habit, but if you’re in a rush one coat will definitely suffice. I love that Out of the Blue is super fabulous and affordable. Covergirl polishes retail for around $5.49, plus you can shop during sales and use coupons for added savings!

Next up is Canterbury Bells from the boutique brand Priti NYC. Canterbury Bells also has an excellent formula, but two coats are definitely required with this one. I love how richly pigmented this polish is. There is just something about a true blue polish that I obsess over all the time. The only drawback with this polish for me is the $15 price tag, but you are supporting a small company that creates vegan nail polish right here in the USA!

Here is a look at Out of the Blue and Canterbury Bells side-by-side. I have Out of the Blue on my pinky and ring fingers and Canterbury Bells on my middle and pointer fingers. It is clear that these polishes are not exactly the same. Canterbury Bells is a bit darker than Out of the Blue. Of course, they are extremely similar, and there really isn’t a reason for me to own both of these polishes. As I type this post I am still deciding which polish to keep. I love them both for different reasons,but I think I’m going to hang onto Out of the Blue. That one coat formula is just calling out to me!

All in all, I’m glad I tested out these polishes side-by-side. I love both of these polishes and definitely recommend them to all of you. If you would like to splurge on a higher end polish, Canterbury Bells is a great one, and can be purchased online HERE. If you’re looking for a budget friendly polish, Out of the Blue is perfect for you! Let me know in the comments what your favorite true blue polish is, as I would love to know!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

Posted on May 17, 2016May 17, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

Published by HarperTeen on April 23, 2013

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 336

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★1/2

The Selection began with thirty-five girls.
Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon’s heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America’s chance to choose is about to slip away.

REVIEW

I picked up The Elite, the second book in The Selection series, right after finishing the first book. The story continues with America and Maxon on a date, just shortly after book one comes to a close. America is still struggling to decide whether she can fall in love with Maxon and one day become Queen, or whether she wants to be with Aspen after all.

At first I was really enjoying The Elite. The writing clearly matured, and the grammatical mistakes I noticed in The Selection were fixed. In addition, I was loving how the story was deepening. There are some really interesting twists and turns in this novel, and I enjoyed learning more about the politics of Illéa. Unfortunately, as the book continued I became more and more unhappy with the direction of the novel.

While I recognize that this series is heavy on the romance, it does bother me that the main plot of The Elite is the love triangle between America, Maxon, and Aspen. There is so much going on in this world, and yet all we get to focus on is America’s indecisiveness. I really enjoyed America’s character in The Selection, but in this book she became extremely unlikeable, and doesn’t act in accordance with her described qualities. For example, Cass tells us America is very stubborn. Yet America is very gullible, and believes what others tell her. She also can’t make a decision, so I’m not seeing this stubbornness executed in the story. Similarly, we are told America is intelligent, but America is constantly acting emotionally rash, and makes poor decisions without thinking. Her character just didn’t seem to be flushed out well.

Moreover, I did notice a few plot holes in The Elite, which greatly detracted from the quality of the novel for me. A small plot hole is when America and Kriss are talking in the gardens. Kriss makes a comment about how America and Maxon like to spend time in the garden, and America has no idea how Kriss would know that. America assumes Maxon told Kriss, but in the first book, America announces on the Report that she and Maxon spend dates in the garden. While this is a small continuity issue, it is a plot hole nonetheless.

The larger plot hole is one that I cannot discuss without spoiling part of the story. However, it is one that greatly affects the series as a whole. I spent a lot of time skimming through the book to see if I could find the answer to this otherwise gaping hole, and I even did an online search to hopefully solve the issue. No matter how much searching I did, it seems like I did find a huge plot hole, and that is really disappointing.

Overall, I felt very let down by The Elite. It started off really well, but then got progressively worse as I continued reading. I feel like this book focuses way too much on the love triangle, but what confuses me is that we could have a really great and solid story if the love triangle was resolved in book one. I also feel like the selection itself should have ended in the first book, so we could now focus more on the world and the politics in this dystopian society. I will still continue on with the series to see how the selection ends, but I was quite disappointed with this book.

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Dare to Compare | Sally Hansen Blue Me Away vs Milani Water Front vs Sally Hansen Dive Bar

Posted on May 16, 2016May 10, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have another nail polish comparison post, this time looking at three different polishes. As I mentioned in my last Dare to Compare, I own a ton of blue polishes, and many of them are similar in color. I had to laugh when I found three polishes in a light blue shade, all from the drugstore. I knew I had to see if these polishes are dupes, so let me share them with you!

First up is Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Blue Me Away!, a light blue creme polish. Blue Me Away! is one of the oldest polishes in my collection, but the formula is still excellent. I applied two coats to achieve opacity, and the polish still applied smoothly to my nails. Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear is one of my all-time favorite lines of nail polish, as it is super fabulous and affordable. Blue Me Away! is one I’ve gotten a lot of use out of over the years.

Next up is Milani Color Statement in Water Front, another blue creme polish. Water Front has a good formula, but it is a bit on the watery side so I found it a little messy during application. This is still a great choice of polish, though, so if you see it at the drugstore I do recommend it. Just be prepared to clean up the cuticles a bit!

Last but not least is Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Dive Bar. I’ve found that a lot of the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polishes have a match in one of the less expensive Xtreme Wear polishes. Dive Bar has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I absolutely love this polish! The Miracle Gel line comes with a large flat brush that makes application super easy, which I always appreciate.

Here is a look at all of the polishes side-by-side. From left to right are: Blue Me Away!, Water Front, and Dive Bar. Blue Me Away! is definitely the most pigmented of the three polishes, but Water Front and Dive Bar look exactly the same to me. I knew based on my swatches that I would destash Water Front, since it does have that watery formula and is a dupe of Dive Bar. I’ve decided to keep the other two polishes, since they are slightly different, and because Blue Me Away! is so used that I really can’t give it to anyone else.

All in all, I’m glad I tested all three of these polishes together. It’s always fun to find a dupe! Each of these polishes is worth purchasing, but my favorite is definitely Blue Me Away! due to its price and quality. You can find it at your local drugstore or online HERE for under $3.00. Definitely let me know in the comments what your favorite light blue nail polish is. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Ralph Lauren Tender Romance Fragrance Review

Posted on May 13, 2016May 10, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to review a perfume for all of you. I am not a big fragrance wearer, simply because I am sensitive to a lot of smells. I received a sample of Ralph Lauren’s new fragrance called Tender Romance from the website Influenster, and was a bit nervous to try it. Luckily, I ended up really enjoying this perfume, and I wanted to share more about it with all of you!

First things first, let’s talk about the fragrance itself. I think it’s really helpful to learn more directly from the brand, so here is a snippet of the brand messaging:

“Ralph Lauren presents a fragrance that evokes the feeling of falling in love for the first time, Tender Romance. A delicate caress of pure white magnolia and silky soft cashmere, this enchanting scent captures the story of an intimate, unforgettable moment.”

I received a mini bottle to review, and I do wish it had a spray top, but otherwise I love the packaging. While I typically stay away from floral scents, Tender Romance is surprisingly perfect for me! It doesn’t have an overpowering scent that some other perfumes have. Instead, it is light and fresh with a hint of sweetness. I’ve worn this perfume a few times now, and each time I wore it in a different way. First, I dabbed the tiniest amount on my wrists. It wore well for a couple hours, and then wore away completely. Then I got a bit more adventurous, and applied a good amount on my wrists and neck. Tender Romance has a decent throw, and the scent is quite strong for the first one-two hours of wear. I noticed that the scent lasts for another couple hours, but I definitely recommend reapplying after four hours or so.

All in all, I am really loving Tender Romance. I have no idea how Ralph Lauren created a gorgeous floral-based perfume that doesn’t aggravate someone, like me, with a sensitivity to floral scents. If you have trouble finding a perfume, I highly recommend checking out Tender Romance. This is a high end fragrance that begins at $76.00 at Macy’s HERE. Make sure to stop by your local store to see if you like it!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass

Posted on May 12, 2016May 12, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass

Published by HarperTeen on April 24, 2012

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian, Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 327

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★★

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

REVIEW

I debated whether or not I wanted to read The Selection by Kiera Cass for a couple years, and I finally decided to give it a try after finishing a book that took me three weeks to read. I needed some book candy. In other words, I wanted to read something that I knew wouldn’t be the best book out there, but would allow me to indulge in something sweet. The Selection definitely fits that description.

I’ve heard this book described as The Bachelor meets The Hunger Games, and I agree with that categorization. In this book we follow teenager America Singer. She lives in a country called Illéa, which is geographically located in North America, post the Fourth World War. America comes from a poor family, and receives the opportunity to enter a competition in which one girl from every province in Illéa will vie for the chance to marry the prince. Of course, America enters the competition at the suggestion of her mom and secret boyfriend, and the story unfolds from there.

I really loved how fast-paced and fun The Selection is. I read this book in a 24-hour period, and really enjoyed the storyline. While the book is extremely predictable and a bit derivative of The Hunger Games, I had a fun reading experience. I absolutely love reading about books where a competition is at the forefront. There is just something about a good game that really excites me, and The Selection is no exception.

Unfortunately, I do have a lot of troublesome thoughts about this book. I recognize that this is a dystopian world, and it is purposefully written to be a world in which we would not want to live. However, I worry that a lot of young girls will read this novel and not take that into account. For example, women are subordinate to men in Illéa, and are required to conform to certain standards of beauty at all times. Chastity is extremely valued, and it is against the law to have premarital sex. Even more troublesome is the fact that all romantic relationships in Illéa are heterosexual. There is never a mention of anything but a relationship between a man and a woman.

As an adult reading this book, I can see this is a fictional world. A younger reader might associate Illéa’s customs with a guide on how to act, especially since women in America today are still struggling for equality. I mean, it would be a ton of fun to live in a palace and have beautiful clothes and amazing food. Wouldn’t it be fun to marry a prince, even if that meant being his submissive wife? If this was an adult novel, I wouldn’t have these same hesitations, but in a book aimed towards young people, I think it might do more harm than good.

Moreover, the writing in The Selection was a bit lacking for me. There are a plethora of sentences that end in prepositions, and while I recognize that a teenager is the narrator, I wish such improper grammar was limited to dialogue if it truly had to be included. There are also comma rule issues, which I know is a small detail, but one that I expect to be perfected throughout the editing stages of every published novel.

Nevertheless, I did really enjoy the characters in this novel. America is a very likable protagonist, and I was rooting for her from page one. She does have that cliché personality where she is different from all the other girls, but I think that works in this book. I also love Prince Maxon. He is a bit of a mystery, but always goes above and beyond to be a kind and caring person. I would love to read from his perspective at some point in the short stories that accompany this book series.

Overall, The Selection is the book candy I was looking for, and I immediately am continuing on with this series. Perhaps I am taking the book a bit too seriously when I look below the surface and see what effect it could have on society, but I am interested in hearing your thoughts if you’ve read it as well. I do recommend it if you’re looking for a fun and fast-paced read, especially if you love a good competition story as much as I do. Make sure to stay tuned for my thoughts on the other books in this series very soon!

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Dare to Compare | Julep Claire vs Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Rhythm & Blue

Posted on May 11, 2016April 12, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! It’s time for another nail polish comparison post, and today I’m starting with the blue polishes in my collection. Blue is one of my most-owned nail polish shades, and I have a lot of comparisons to share with you. I’m kicking things off with one of my oldest nail polishes paired up against a newer shade. I got Julep Claire in one of my first Julep Maven boxes back in 2012. I’ve used this polish a lot over the years, so I’m excited to see if it compares with a limited edition from Sally Hansen Miracle Gel called Rhythm & Blue. Let me show you these polishes individually and then side-by-side!

First up is Julep Claire, a sky blue creme polish. Claire has a great formula that applies smoothly and is opaque in two coats. When I first subscribed to Julep, I absolutely loved the polishes. Once Julep changed the brush and polish formula, the quality definitely went downhill. However, my older polishes like Claire have held up well over the years. This is such a beautiful polish!

Next up is Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Rhythm & Blue. This is also a light blue creme polish that has a good formula and is opaque in two coats. I received Rhythm & Blue for review this past fall, so it’s definitely a newer polish. This was part of a limited edition collection, though, so it can’t be purchased again.

Here is a look at Claire and Rhythm & Blue side-by-side. I’m wearing Claire on my pinky and ring fingers and Rhythm & Blue on my middle and pointer fingers. It is clear that these polishes are not exact duplicates, but the shade is very, very similar. I would say that Rhythm & Blue contains a bit more blue pigmentation than Claire does. There is definitely no reason to own both of these polishes in my collection, so I’ve decided to destash Claire simply because the bottle is already half empty, and I prefer a richer pigmentation.

All in all, I’m glad I decided to test out these polishes side-by-side. I own so many light blues that these are just a couple of the bunch. Make sure to stay tuned to Adventures in Polishland for more nail polish comparisons as I continue to clean out my nail polish stash. Definitely let me know in the comments what your favorite sky blue nail polish is! I recommend both of the polishes shown here, and you can pick up Julep Claire online HERE.

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

Posted on May 10, 2016March 28, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

Published by Signet on October 17, 1975

Genres: Adult, Horror, Paranormal

Format: Paperback

Pages: 427

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★★

Something strange is going on in Jerusalem’s Lot … but no one dares to talk about it. By day, ‘Salem’s Lot is a typical modest New England town; but when the sun goes down, evil roams the earth. The devilishly sweet insistent laughter of a child can be heard echoing through the fields, and the presence of silent looming spirits can be felt lurking right outside your window. Stephen King brings his gruesome imagination to life in this tale of spine-tingling horror.

REVIEW

I continued on with my Stephen King project in March by reading ‘Salem’s Lot, his second published work. I went into this book blind, and I’m glad I did because there is a big build-up to the story. ‘Salem’s Lot opens with a man and a boy escaping to Mexico from a town in Maine called Jerusalem’s Lot. The reader knows they are both scared, and that they must return to the Lot in order to solve a problem. The book then rewinds to the start of the story when the man goes to Jersulam’s Lot for the first time since his childhood. This is a haunted house book that turns into a paranormal story, and one in which the writing is excellent.

Here’s the thing about my experience with ‘Salem’s Lot – it took me nearly three weeks to read the book, which is three times my normal pace. I had to force myself to continue on with the story, and at times I felt downright bored. That’s because King is creating a new world. Jerusalem’s Lot is a fictional town, and the true protagonist of this book. King writes in exceptional detail, describing characters in the setting in such a realistic way. So even though I didn’t like how slow the pace of this novel is, I can appreciate the work it took. I am really amazed at King’s ability to write such a developed novel so early on in his career.

In regards to the characters, I did struggle a bit in keeping up with the large cast featured in ‘Salem’s Lot. It became more difficult because so many of the characters have similar names, such as Mike, Mark, and Matt. Nonetheless, once I got into the story I was better able to keep track of everyone. If you have trouble with names, I would recommend keeping a character list nearby when you read, and simply jot down a quick note of each character’s role in the story.

Moreover, I was a bit disappointed that I never felt scared by this book. King is known for his horror novels, but I just was never creeped out or on the edge of my seat. I did find some of the real life scenes quite disturbing, but none of the paranormal elements got to me. Perhaps King is trying to make a point here, as I did sit back and wonder what was happening in my own town. Not including the paranormal elements, I’m sure people go through the same things that the characters in Jerusalem’s Lot do, and that is disturbing in and of itself. I’m interested to see if King’s next book The Shining will incite fear in me.

Overall, I’m glad I pushed through the slow pace of ‘Salem’s Lot. I did enjoy the story, and I think the book got better and better as I continued reading. The third-person narration was very well done, and I’m very impressed with King’s writing. If you are looking to get into King’s novels, I do not recommend starting here as it is a very long book. However, if you are familiar with his work, or really enjoy adult paranormal, this is a good book to read. I would love to hear your thoughts on ‘Salem’s Lot if you’ve read it, too!

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Valentina Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum Review + Coupon Code

Posted on May 9, 2016May 9, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a skincare review for all of you. I received the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum from the brand Valentina, and was so excited because I was in desperate need of a new serum. My skin had a bad reaction to another serum I tried, and I wanted to get it back in shape as soon as possible. Valentina came to my rescue, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on this product with you. Let me jump right into the review!

The Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum is formulated to support natural circulation for an all over youthful and revitalized complexion. There are five claims listed by the brand, which are:

Renews texture and tone
Deeply moisturizes
Minimizes fine lines
Increases elasticity
Brightens and corrects

This serum is also 98% natural, and is cruelty free. I also love that this product is made in the USA.

The serum comes in a pump container, and should be applied after cleansing in the evening. I could tell right away that this would be a moisturizing serum, as it is a bit creamier than most serums I’ve used. I noticed the serum has a very slight smell that reminds me of Necco wafers! It’s not a powerful smell at all, and dissipates after the serum dries. I’ve now used the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum for a few weeks, and I’m really happy with the results so far. My skin texture has definitely improved – the breakouts I was experiencing have cleared up almost completely. I also see some brightening and correcting going on, which is always good. I haven’t noticed a difference in my fine lines or skin elasticity yet, but I think that takes more than a few weeks of use. I will be sure to check in on my social media if I notice a change over time!

All in all, I am really enjoying the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum from Valentina! I definitely recommend this serum if you are looking for a natural option with moisturizing properties. You can buy this on Amazon HERE for $35.00. While this is a bit of a splurge, I definitely think it is worth the money for a 1.18oz bottle. Valentina is also offering a special coupon code for all of you! Enter the code ZWJM8XKG at checkout to save 20% off your purchase. This coupon expires on April 9, 2016, so shop now! You can also check out Valentina online HERE, and on Instagram and Facebook.

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Dare to Compare | Wet ‘n Wild Fergie Miami Spirit vs Julep Lena

Posted on May 6, 2016April 6, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today’s Dare to Compare post is one featuring two nail polishes that I’ve absolutely loved for years. I never thought that they would be so similar until I held the bottles next to each other! Wet ‘n Wild Fergie Miami Spirit and Julep Lena are both teal polishes, and I knew they weren’t exact duplicates because one of these dries to a matte finish while the other does not. Nonetheless, I wanted to swatch them side-by-side to see if it was really necessary to keep both in my collection. Let me review each polish for you, and then share the comparison results!

First up is Wet ‘n Wild Fergie in Miami Spirit. This is a teal polish with teal and silver shimmer that dries to a matte finish. I applied two coats to achieve opacity, and really like the result. This line of polishes comes with a wide, flat brush that I enjoy using. Miami Spirit is a fun and affordable polish!

Next up is Julep Lena, a teal polish with gold and green shimmer that dries to a glossy finish. Lena has an excellent formula that is opaque in two coats. I absolutely love this polish, and I even did a full wear test on the blog HERE a few years back. I’m so glad I rediscovered Lena, because I forgot how great is.

Here is a side-by-side look at Miami Spirit and Lena. I am wearing Miami Spirit on my pinky and ring fingers, and Lena on my middle and pointer fingers. I did apply a glossy top coat over Miami Spirit so I could really see how these polishes compare. The teal shade is almost identical, but I find that in person Miami Spirit has a much stronger shimmer effect than Lena. I prefer creme polishes, and so I’ve decided to keep Lena in my nail polish collection and destash Miami Spirit.

All in all, I’m so glad I tested out these polishes side-by-side, because I might not have discovered how similar they are otherwise. I highly recommend both of these polishes, and have worn them both many times over the years. There is just no reason for me to keep both of them, especially as I’m paring down my collection. I would love to know in the comments what your favorite teal polish is, or if you’ve tried either of these!

Book Review | Magonia (Magonia #1) by Maria Dahvana Headley

Posted on May 5, 2016May 5, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Magonia (Magonia #1) by Maria Dahvana Headley

Published by HarperCollins on April 28, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 309

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

Aza Ray is drowning in thin air.

Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live.

So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn’t think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.

Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who’s always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia.

Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—and as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war is coming. Magonia and Earth are on the cusp of a reckoning. And in Aza’s hands lies the fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie?

REVIEW

Magonia is one of those books that I kept hearing about, but had no idea of the plot before I picked it up at the library. The beautiful cover definitely sucked me in, and while perhaps I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, Magonia’s does an excellent job representing the story.

This book follows teenager Aza, who has been sick with a mysterious lung disease her entire life. She is about to celebrate her sixteenth birthday when doctors find a feather in her lungs. Before she can have her exploratory surgery, Aza dies en route to the hospital. Her family and best friend Jason are left behind to pick up the pieces, and Aza may not be dead after all.

This book is truly baffling to me, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Magonia is a very imaginative story written in a dual perspective between Aza and Jason. This format made the book a real page-turner, because I just had to find out what was going to happen next. There was never a time when I could predict the story, and I really appreciated that about Magonia.

The writing, however, was very difficult for me to adapt to reading. Headley has an almost stream of consciousness style, and there are some experimental aspects to the writing as well. Once I got into the flow of the story, I was able to follow along better, but I was still confused for the majority of the book. I found the world-building in this fantasy novel to be quite weak. I first thought the world would be revealed step-by-step, and in some ways it is. However, I never got a clear picture of the world, and struggled to keep up with what was happening.

Similarly, I think Magonia should come with a glossary! Headley uses a lot of vocabulary words that I’ve never heard before, and I had difficulty keeping up with the different creatures in her fantasy world, as well as the different places. I think a map would have also been extremely helpful to me as a reader.

My last thought on this book isn’t necessarily a critique, but something I wanted to mention because I think it would affect your decision on whether or not to pick up this book. I found Magonia to be quite preachy at times. It often discusses the environment, and how humans are polluting the Earth. I found this to be a bit too blatantly done, especially for a young adult novel. That being said, I did enjoy the discussion of what is good versus what is evil. I never knew which characters to trust, and there was never a ‘right’ answer.

Thus, Magonia was an okay read for me. While I did enjoy the interesting storyline and appreciated a unique fantasy world, I found the writing a bit confusing and the world-building lacking. This is the first book in a series, and I might continue on with the second book when it releases in October of 2016. The ending of Magonia does wrap up nicely, but there is definitely room for the story to continue, and I do have an interest in what happens next. I would recommend Magonia if you’re looking for a young adult fantasy unlike all the rest.

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