Mundie Moms

Monday, June 18, 2018

THIS TINY PERFECT WORLD by Lauren Gibaldi / Book Review #ThisTinyPerfectWorld


By: Lauren Gibaldi
Published by: Harper Teen
Released on: February 27th, 2018
Purchase from: The Publisher | Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 4 stars
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review

A contemporary “clean teen” coming-of-age story about a small-town girl who opens her eyes to life’s endless possibilities

When Penny wins a scholarship to a prestigious theater camp, she thinks it’s the start of a perfect summer. But when she arrives at camp, Penny is thrust into a world of competition and self-doubt. And as she meets new friends, including Chase, a talented young actor with big-city dreams, she begins to realize that her own dreams may be bigger than she ever imagined.


A clean teen, coming of age story about a girl who is trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Does she take the safe road that's been mapped out for her, or does take the chance on the exciting opportunity that has presented itself to her? I totally remember having those same mixed emotions when you hit that crossroad of what you want to do with your life. Do you follow the road you've always had mapped out in front of you, or take the road that has exciting opportunities? There are so many what ifs, but sometimes you just have to choose, and don't look back.

I really liked Penny. She's a character who was incredibly easy for me to relate to. Most relatable are the feelings and thoughts she has when she finds herself at the crossroads of needing to discover herself, and what she really wants to do in life. I felt like the choices she makes, and the things she contemplates were realistic ones. Had I been in her exact situation, I would done the same thing. I also liked that she doesn't just accept things for how they are now. I like that she takes the chance. 

I never wanted to go to theater camp, until now. The camp was the perfect addition to this story. It allowed Penny to not only have her safety net of those from her small town (her dad, long time best friend Faye and her boyfriend Logan), she also mets new friends, Sam and Chase. Camp definitely opens Penny's eyes, and expanded her own world views of what is out there for her. It also introduced her to what different people are like, and made her realize there are other possibilities for her than the small town life and taking over the family business.  

While there's a romance, I liked that the focus on the story is Penny and her choices. I admire her for not being influenced by her relationship with Logan, though she does have some tough choices to make. I liked Logan, and his support of Penny. I loved the father/daughter relationship in this book. Both Penny and her dad are very supportive of the choices they both make in this book. 

I was pleasantly surprised with all that Lauren included in her story. I really liked Penny's story arch, and her growth as a character. I wasn't excepting to relate to her the way I did. I also loved the unexpected surprises I didn't see coming. I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect read to kick off my summer reading. 

. @CassieClare Shares Snippet From THE RED SCROLLS OF MAGIC #Shadowhunters #TRSOM


Happy Mundane Monday Shadowhunters! Did you read the latest TSCOM snippet Cassie shared here? If you missed it, I've got is pasted below. Trust me, if you're a fan of Alec and Magnus, you don't want to miss reading it. Here's what Cassie shared:

Pride month snippet: Malec in Eldest Curses
A slow sweet song with a shivery beat began. Alec would not have thought the dance floor could become more crowded, but it happened. Dozens of masked Downworlders in formal wear who had previously been standing near the walls converged on the floor. Alec found himself standing awkwardly alone in the center of the room as couples twirled around him in unison. Crowns of thorns and towering multi-colored feathers blocked his vision. He looked around in alarm for an escape route.
           Instead he saw Magnus. Magnus all in silver and black, like the night sky. “May I have this dance, sir?”
           “I was coming to find you,” said Alec, a little breathless.
           “I saw you coming.” Magnus’s gorgeous lips curved beneath his shining mask. “We found each other.”
           He moved in close to Alec, one hand settling on his lower back, lacing their fingers together with the other, and kissed him. The glancing touch of his mouth was like a ray of light on water, illuminating and transforming. Alec moved instinctively closer, longing to be illuminated and transformed again, then remembered they had a mission. He should remain on task.
           “I met a Shadowhunter here called Helen Blackthorn,” he murmured against Magnus’s mouth. “She said—”
           Magnus kissed him again.
           “Something fascinating, I’m sure,” he said. “You haven’t answered my question.”
           “What question?”
           “May I have this dance?”
           “Of course,” said Alec. “I mean—I would love this dance. It’s only that I know we should work this out.”
           Magnus drew in a breath and nodded.
           “We will. Tell me.”
           He had been smiling before, but the smile had faded. Instead there was a certain burdened set to Magnus’s shoulders. Magnus felt guilty, Alec realized for the first time, with shattering dismay. Magnus felt as if he was spoiling Alec’s vacation when the truth was that there would be no holiday without Magnus, no shine of magic and no shocks of joy, no lights and no music.
           Alec reached up and touched the bright silvery mask Magnus wore. He could see his own face reflected in the mask as if it were a mirror, eyes wide and blue against the glittering carnival of the Venetian ballroom. He almost did not recognize himself, he looked so happy.
Then he pushed the mask up and he could see Magnus’s face. That was better.
           “Let’s dance first,” he said.
_______________________

Cassie also recently took to Tumblr to answer fan questions about TRSOM. Here, she talks about the cover. The image above is one she shared in talking about the cover, and why this one was chosen. I totally love this cover. I like that they didn't make this cover similar to the others in the Shadowhunters series. While I love those covers, I like that this one stands out a little bit. It makes it unique, and special in it's own way. Personally, not having human models on the cover also keeps Magnus and Alec's looks open for each reader's interruptions. 

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