Maya's Reviews

Because I had never read a novel by Paul Vidich before, I started reading this novel with no idea of what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the brilliant mystery within The Matchmaker: A Spy in Berlin ‘s pages that ended with an epic demonstration of a woman’s determination. ON SALE FEBRUARY 1, 2022 --- Thank you to Pegasus Crime for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an...

I would wish you all a happy new year in the show notes, but I physically cannot due to the passing of Betty White.  Rest in peace Betty. I found out right after editing this episode.  Such a Pretty Smile is a chill-inducing novel that examines the patriarchy and sexism through a terrifying tale of death and mystery. Oozing horror at every flip of the page, I could not put this electrify...

Happy Holidays, everyone! Merry Christmas if you celebrate! Enjoy the AD FREE episode, in the spirit of the holidays. Sorry about the construction... and the trains! Thrilling and adventurous, Meg Long’s debut novel is a solid sci-fi with compelling characters and obstacles set upon an icy planet that welcomes peril at every turn. ON SALE JANUARY 11, 2022 --- Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGa...

A beautifully written and magical tale, the first novel in The Vāyilian Threads series is a masterpiece full of adventure, danger, and high stakes. Unlike any fantasy novel I have read before, Beckoning of the Gate was a fantastically thrilling and compelling journey that left me yearning for more.  Thanks to everyone for being so patient with the delay in this episode. Rather than have a new...

How have we already made it to episode 30? I have no idea, but thank you so much for being here!  I hope everyone had an amazing and safe Thanksgiving with their family and stuffed their face with food. Today's episode is a review of Old Music for New People, a YA contemporary and coming-of-age story that features an amazing trans character and their horrible family.  Join me today while...

Taking its rightful spot as my favorite book this year (and maybe of all time), Winterset Hollow is an immaculate mixture of good, evil, darkness, and light that had me hooked from beginning to end. Twisted and unexpected, I could not put this novel down until I knew the outcome of the horrific events that took place in this wonderfully mysterious and suspenseful novel. --- !!!PLEASE SHARE ON YOUR...

I had the opportunity to interview Carly Heath, author of The Reckless Kind .  "Set in 1904, on an island just west of Norway, the novel follows a trio of queer teens—two boys and their best friend, Asta—who decide to defy the expectations of their rural Scandinavian village by leaving their families, living on their own, and challenging the town's patriarch in the region's annual winter hors...

Lies in Bone is a curiosity-inducing novel that examines the fragility of humanity and truth through the lens of a teen in the 80’s. Full of family secrets, lies, and discoveries, Natalie Symons' thrilling novel took me on an electrifying ride with its vulnerable and realistic characters. --- A huge thank you to Boyle & Dalton and Natalie Symons for providing me with a copy of this novel in ex...

I started reading Dark Clouds Over Montana for its intriguing plot but was severely disappointed. Although I tried to keep reading, I could not look past how the story was carried out and how boring the characters were. Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing (DNF=did not finish) the book because I couldn’t look past its faults. --- Thank you to Austin Macauley Publishers LLC for providing me with a copy...

Happy Halloween, everyone! The Cities in Dust series follows Halley Clarke as she tries to navigate a post-pandemic world; a world where—supposedly—no one else exists anymore.  This sci-fi adult/young adult series is one that keeps getting better.  Rather than waiting for a third novel in the series, I've decided to review the first two, As The World Falls Down and The Last Place on Eart...

I am beyond excited to share my review of Quicksilver by Dean Koontz with all of you lovely listeners!  From start to finish, Quicksilver is unpredictable. Full of lovable characters, constant peril, and a plethora of mystery, Koontz’s newest novel is dark, addictive, and thrilling. With every novel released, Dean Koontz proves that he is a master of storytelling. Quicksilver is the latest in...

And... I'm back everyone!  Thank you so much for your time and patience while I was on a break from the blog and podcast.  Episode 23 is a review of the fantastic YA contemporary romance novel, You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson.  Listen to hear my thoughts on Liz Lighty and Mack's relationship, the idea of running for prom queen for a scholarship, and finding yourself in...

Part 2 of my unofficial Marieke Nijkamp book review week?  Today I will be reviewing Nijkamp's upcoming novel, At The End of Everything, a story about troubled teens in a treatment center having to attempt to survive a mutation of the Black Plague. --- Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. // Content warnings:...

Surprise! Two episodes this week? Huh. This week is sort of a Marieke Nijkamp appreciation(?) week.  Today, I'll be reviewing This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp, but later this week I will be reviewing their upcoming novel, At The End Of Everything.  So, buckle up for this crazy ride and let's get into the review!  ---  // Content warning: death, mass shooting, sexual ass...

Recently I have had some of you amazing people fill out the Q&A form that I've been talking about!  I've never really discussed anything about me personally, only books.  So I've decided that for the 20th episode of Maya's Reviews: The Podcast, I would conduct a Q&A! Thank you so much to everyone who asked me questions, it is so very appreciated. --- View all of my links: https:/...

I am so beyond excited for this review today.  I didn't really know what to expect when I started to read The Origins of Iris by Beth Lewis.  But OMG this novel is a literal masterpiece and one of my favorite books.  I'll be gushing over this novel the entire episode, so just be prepared.  But for REAL, The Origins of Iris is a beyond unique and super important novel that deals...

I have been wanting to read The Last Namsara, the first in the Iskari series by Kristen Ciccarelli, for a long time.  It has been one of my highest anticipated reads, so I am so glad that it lived up to my expectations!  If you are a fan of the enemies to lovers trope, dragons, and high fantasy, then this one's for you! Make sure you check out Cait's Books, the blogger whose review convi...

I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of the first novel in the Crowns of Croswald series, 'The Crowns of Croswald' by D. E. Night!  I was totally sucked back into my childhood of reading Harry Potter and PJO.  Think those series but with a female MC and a plot that will leave you wanting to read more. --- Thank you so much to Stories Untold Press and NetGalley for providing me with a...

Woohoo! Look at us, at episode 16!  Welcome back everyone, I had the lovely opportunity to read Parting the Veil by Paulette Kennedy, an amazing author, and such a kind person.  Parting the Veil is an adult, gothic, historical romance, thriller, and one of my favorite novels.  It comes out November 1, 2021; make sure you pre-order now. --- Thank you so much to Lake Union Publishing, Amazon Publish...

The Silvertree series is one of my favorite mystery series, with a tinge of romance involved.  It is perfect for those looking for a fairly paced, romantic mystery that involves dark family secrets and dangerous antagonists.  Today, I am reviewing The Patient from Silvertree and The Scientist's Daughter. --- Thank you so much to Marian Dribus for providing me with copies of The Patient f...

It's an understatement to say that I was excited when I had the chance to have a conversation with Charles Wachter, an Emmy-winning television Executive Producer and the author of one of my favorite novels, The Twin Paradox.  I actually reviewed The Twin Paradox here on the pod and on my blog (links below), so I am so happy to be able to share with you this author chat today. Make sure that y...

I got into reading Dean Koontz novels when my mom gave me a bunch of her Dean Koontz novels from when she was a teenager.  Since then, my love for thrillers and suspense novels has skyrocketed.  I was so excited when I actually received an ARC of Elsewhere by Dean Koontz in the mail that fateful day on January 22, 2021.  I cannot tell you how fast I rushed to read the novel and revi...

I am so glad to have been able to read A Call for Brighter Days soon after I read the first novel in The Aeriel Chronicles, A Flight of Broken Wings .  So today, I am reviewing the fabulous sequel. --- Thank you so much to Nupur Chowdhury for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are taken from A Call for Brighter Days by Nupur Chowdhury. // Conte...

I first read A Corner of the Universe as a child for required reading.  However, recently, my friend Mackie and I decided to reread the novel and discuss it on the pod!  I was actually able to fix the audio and make Mackie's audio louder, so ignore the disclaimer at the beginning! // Content warning: suicide, implied mature content, ableism // --- Want to participate in my Q&A episod...

Sorry that this was not uploaded in time for my livestream, which crashed because of my slow internet anyways so you didn't really miss anything. Since the last episode was late, here's another one for today!  Nupur Chowdhury reached out to me about reviewing her series, the Aeriel Chronicles , and of course , I was ecstatic!  Before I review the second novel in the series, A Call for Br...