Author Archives: Ava T

Album Review – Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)

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Taylor Swift’s most recent release came out early July, a re-recording of her third album, first released in 2010. The re-recording contains 22 songs, the originals plus 6 that didn’t make the original album. Most of the songs contain minimal changes, but her matured voice sounds amazing with the songs she wrote during her early 20’s. Here are a few of my favorites.

Mine (Taylor’s Version) – The first track takes on a new meaning in the re-recorded version. “You are the best thing that’s ever been mine” could be in reference to the fact that she now owns this album again. This is definitely one of my favorite songs on the album.

Sparks Fly (Taylor’s Version) – One of my favorite songs from the original Speak Now, I was pleased to hear her richer, older voice, on a song that leaned more into the country genre in the original album.

Never Grow Up (Taylor’s Version) – Swift singing “Wish I’d never grown up” hits even harder, as she’s now in her 30’s. This song written by a girl just leaving her teenage years has always been one of her saddest songs in my opinion and the new version just has another level of tragedy in it. The end of childhood is rarely written about in songs but Swift did it perfectly.

Electric Touch (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault) [Featuring Fall Out Boy] – Upon first listen this was my favorite vault track. I was surprised to hear the beating drums on this album, but thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope this song gets the praise it deserves!

I Can See You (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault) – The night of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), there was an Eras Tour show where Swift unveiled a video for I Can See You. It’s a sneaky anthem to seeing high school crushes in hallways that easily gets stuck in your head.

Go give Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) a listen! What was your favorite song on it?

Book Review – The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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Avery Kylie Graham’s life gets flipped around when she unexpectedly inherits billions of dollars from Tobias Hawthorne and moves into the massive Hawthorne mansion. The only catch is she must stay in the home for a year to inherit the money. The Inheritance Games, a three book series, captured my attention from the first chapter and were impossible to put down. The cinematic descriptions of the house, the school Avery attends, and the places they vacation were absolutely gorgeous. But more importantly, the complex characters were each so unique and compelling.

When Avery first enters the Hawthorne Mansion she doesn’t realize what she’s going to have to endure to be able to take the money and live her life. Puzzles left by Tobias Hawthorne lie around every corner. I was on the edge of my seat each chapter, wondering what would happen next. Nothing about the plot was predictable at all. Usually, the second book in the series is inferior to the first, but I didn’t find it that way with this series. I was never bored reading The Inheritance Games.

The Hawthorne family was very messy, and Avery was just thrown into it. Besides the feuding aunts and the missing uncle, there are four sons who she becomes close with. There’s a sprinkling of romance with one of them, but it never overshadows the impeccable plot. Besides the family, Avery’s friends from her new private school are heavily involved. You may be thinking, with so many characters it might get confusing at times. But each character is so unique its impossible to lose your place.

I highly recommend checking out this series!

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

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Before reading Six of Crows, I had heard a lot of good things about it, but I’m not really a fan of the fantasy genre. Six of Crows surprised me greatly.

It’s the first book of the Six of Crows duology, its sequel being Crooked Kingdom. Both books are members of Leigh Bardugo’s incredible Grishaverse series. The Shadow and Bone trilogy were released beforehand, but aren’t necessary reading to understand Six of Crows.

This novel follows Kaz Brekker, a criminal mastermind living in Ketterdam. He’s made his way up the social chain from nothing and owns a large gambling hall in the city. Most importantly he’s the leader of the gang known as the Dregs. Kaz is asked to attempt to rescue a scientist from an extremely large and dangerous prison. He takes with him five members of the gang and their incredible adventure fills 462 pages of gorgeous writing, incredible plot, and some of my favorite characters ever.

As I previously mentioned, I wouldn’t call myself a fan of fantasy. I don’t know what drew me to Six of Crows but I’m so glad I read it. I’ve grown so attached to the main six characters and their deep emotions and painful backstories. All of the characters had their own unique backstories that just added so much to the story.

The chapters focus on individual characters. In other books I’ve read where it switches perspective, I’ve found myself disliking certain characters perspectives and zoning out when it was their chapters. However, Six of Crows kept me engaged the whole time.

I recommend Six of Crows to anyone looking for an incredible plot full of twist and turns. I already want to read it again.

-Ava T.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.