Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Summary from Goodreads:

Morrigan Crow and her friends have survived their first year as proud scholars of the elite Wundrous Society, helped bring down the nefarious Ghastly Market and proven themselves loyal to Unit 919. Now Morrigan faces a new, exciting challenge: to master the mysterious Wretched Arts and control the power that threatens to consume her.

Review:

These books get a little better, a little smarter, and a little more developed with each installment. The world building and character development has grown leaps and bounds by this book 3. This book has also gotten a little darker, and you can’t help but pull parallels to the world pandemic that is currently taking place. How long ago did Townsend write this? I know it takes a long time to get books published…but, there is no way Covid hadn’t started yet, right? That would be kind of scary.

There are also some very clear stories Townsend drew inspiration from. I kept thinking back to the story of Wicked (book and musical), and the movie Zootopia. But, I loved both of those, so it didn’t really bother me. Also, the book gets a tad political, in a fantasy children’s book kind of way -where it’s clear who the bigots are and there are some top-notch HP level quotes like:

“We don’t ignore bigotry, Jack. That’s how cowardly bigots turn into brave bigots.” and “The thing about numpties, Mog, is that they can always find plenty of other numpties to believe their numpty nonsense. You know what they say: you're never more than six feet away from a numpty.”

I think my favorite parts though involved Morrigan’s lessons, called Ghostly Hours (possibly inspired by scenes with the pensive in HP). I was fascinated! I think maybe I was more interested in it than Morrigan, and that’s saying something because she was obsessed. The one thing I felt was a little lacking in this book were the side characters (aka: her friends). So much focus was on the world building and Morrigan becoming a Wondersmith. And again, I was totally fine with that. I was fascinated. Oh, and there was this one scene in a magical library! I couldn’t put the book down.

This book ends with quite the cliffhanger, and I have such a wait before book 4 comes out…I tried to wait a bit before diving into this one, but I couldn’t hold off that long. These books are just that good. I highly recommend them to any all middle grade fantasy fans. I give it a 9/10.

Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan

Summary from Goodreads:

New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan pays homage to Jules Verne in his exciting modern take on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Ana Dakkar is a freshman at Harding-Pencroft Academy, a five-year high school that graduates the best marine scientists, naval warriors, navigators, and underwater explorers in the world. Ana's parents died while on a scientific expedition two years ago, and the only family's she's got left is her older brother, Dev, also a student at HP. Ana's freshman year culminates with the class's weekend trial at sea, the details of which have been kept secret. She only hopes she has what it'll take to succeed. All her worries are blown out of the water when, on the bus ride to the ship, Ana and her schoolmates witness a terrible tragedy that will change the trajectory of their lives.

But wait, there's more. The professor accompanying them informs Ana that their rival school, Land Institute, and Harding-Pencroft have been fighting a cold war for a hundred and fifty years. Now that cold war has been turned up to a full broil, and the freshman are in danger of becoming fish food. In a race against deadly enemies, Ana will make amazing friends and astounding discoveries about her heritage as she puts her leadership skills to the test for the first time.

Review:

This is one of those situations where the summary doesn’t really summarize the book much at all….But, also, it kind of can’t, without giving HUGE things away. So, basically, writing my review is going to be interesting….Ana and her freshman class do witness something terrible in the very beginning of this book, that had me put this book down and go, “WOAH.” Riordan does not shy away from action and suspense in his books, but that was a MAJOR opening.

And then because it’s a Rick Riordan novel stuff goes a little fantasy/sci fi. I’m used to his books always involving mythological Gods and creatures and super powers of sorts, so it was a fun experience to get something different from him. Instead, there’s ships, submarines, giant octopi, dolphin friends, sci-fi weapons, crazy science, hidden islands, treasure, AI, and so much more!

I also have to admit that I never actually read (…or I guess completed) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I tried to read it when I was a teenager, and just did not get into it.  Maybe I need to re-try it? If it’s half as fun as this novel was, I am definitely missing out.

Then of course, there’s the diverse cast. The main character is an Indian girl (who addresses colonialism!) and one of her closest friends is autistic. It wouldn’t be a Rick Riordan novel without orphans, kid geniuses, kid warrior/athletes, and kid leaders. Ana is a bit of a chosen one, kind of, but in an almost acceptable way. It has more to do with science than anything else (it’s her blood/DNA that’s needed for things because of who her ancestor is. And that’s all I’m saying on the matter.


I also like that Rick Riordan wasn’t afraid to write about periods! Ana suffers from terrible cramps! And it’s not something just mentioned once and then forgotten about. It comes up multiple times. And I have to admit that I first found this odd because I’m not used to reading about it…Like it made me, a grown woman, a little uncomfortable. But, then I thought about it, and I loved it. Why shouldn’t we be used to reading about it? I think periods and cramps should be normalized, and kids should be able to talk about it. And I know the amount of people who read his books. Hopefully, this will play a part in helping Women’s Health issues become something we can all talk about and read about in a regular way (without feeling uncomfortable).

That all being said, I loved the diverse characters in this book. I loved the very suspenseful plot. Even for Riordan, this was next level. I found the ocean life and science fiction elements to everything fascinating! I loved the friendship stories too. I found this to be a really fun book, and I’m so glad I read it. I’m glad Riordan is still writing more, and I hope he continues to do so. I give this a 9/10.

Marshmallow and Jordan by Alina Chau

Summary from Goodreads:

Jordan’s days as star player for her school’s basketball team ended when an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. Now, she’s still the team captain, but her competition days seem to be behind her…until an encounter with a mysterious elephant, who she names Marshmallow, helps Jordan discover a brand new sport.

Will water polo be the way for Jordan to continue her athletic dreams–or will it just come between Jordan and her best friends on the basketball team? And with the big tournament right around the corner, what secret is Marshmallow hiding?

Review:

This book is so sweet. The artwork is what drew me into it. A smiling girl, holding an ice cream, being hugged by a white elephant? Sign me up! The setting is in Indonesia, which looks stunning. I love seeing different places in kids books, particularly graphic novels, where you really do get to see them. Everything is bright, colorful, and cheerful looking.

I also initially didn’t even realize the girl was in a wheel chair (on the cover). But, knowing the girl is still the captain of her basketball team after going through an accident that left her without use of her legs, makes you just love her all the more for her strength. You can’t help but cheer for her through everything she does. This is a story about friendship and strength. Jordan (named for Michael Jordan) finds Marshmallow right when she needs to. And Marshmallow helps Jordan find a sport she can still play: water polo!

The only part of the book I found a little hard to follow were the water polo match scenes. I don’t really know anything about the sport, and I’m not much of a sports person in general (so it could be that), but I got a bit lost in what was going on, and how the game was played. I almost wish the game was explained more? But maybe most people reading will know that?

I have to admit I had a few tears in my eyes during the friendship stuff. What happened between Jordan and her friends felt so believable and true to what might happen in real life. Friendships at  that age can be made and broken over the smallest things. I also loved the folktale elements to the story, and how everything connected: the family story, the friendship story, and the elephant story.

This was a beautiful graphic novel. The story was sweet and heart-warming. But, what makes it a standout is the artwork. You won’t be able to stop looking at it. I give it a 9/10.

The Traitor's Kiss by Erin Beaty

Summary from Goodreads:

An obstinate girl who will not be married. A soldier desperate to prove himself. A kingdom on the brink of war.

With a sharp tongue and an unruly temper, Sage Fowler is not what they’d call a lady―which is perfectly fine with her. Deemed unfit for marriage, Sage is apprenticed to a matchmaker and tasked with wrangling other young ladies to be married off for political alliances. She spies on the girls―and on the soldiers escorting them.

As the girls' military escort senses a political uprising, Sage is recruited by a handsome soldier to infiltrate the enemy ranks. The more she discovers as a spy, the less certain she becomes about whom to trust―and Sage becomes caught in a dangerous balancing act that will determine the fate of her kingdom.

Review:

It took me a long time to get to this book. I believe it’s been out for years, and the whole series is complete. Sadly, I seem to only have this book and book 3, and now need to get my hands on book 2! I have to be in the right mindset to read a romance as of late. And I guess there’s something off-putting for me about a book covered in roses, and a giant sword? I was surprised to learn that this was more of a spy novel than a fantasy romance! Who’d of thought that a book that dealt so much in match-making would actually be about spying?

While I can see some people maybe not liking this, I loved it. I guess I’m more interested in spy stories now. My tastes have changed a bit over the years, or maybe I’m just tired of reading the same story over and over. But, I can see someone sitting down, thinking this is a romance, based off the misleading, rose covered cover, and maybe being disappointed. I found it hard to put down. I wanted to see would happen next, and I’m glad it finally called to me when it did.

There were a couple of major plot twists  that I guessed. But, not as early as I care to admit! I like that the book kept me on my toes a little. There was a lot of action going on between the match-making. Between the marriage  drama, there were royal wars being waged, and political maneuvers of betrayal. And I liked how the two stories counter-balanced each other. I could see this being a fun Netflix drama.

Women working as spies isn’t a novel concept, but it is one I love to read about. I have’t read too many YA fantasies that delve into this topic, and it reminded me quite a bit of Mary E. Pearson’s Dance of Thieves, which I loved, and now have an itch to go re-read. Maybe, I will this winter? All in all,  this was a fun spy/fantasy/romance with splashes of match making, elements of war, and plenty of suspense. I read it very quickly. This book got me out of a bit of a reading slump. I give it an 8/10.

Flamer by Mike Curato

Summary from Goodreads:

Award-winning author and artist Mike Curato draws on his own experiences in Flamer, his debut graphic novel, telling a difficult story with humor, compassion, and love.

I know I’m not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys. They’re mean, and scary, and they’re always destroying something or saying something dumb or both.

I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel . . . unsafe.

It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes—but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.

Review:

This book is stunning. The artwork just called to me in a way only some graphic novel artwork does. When I learned that this author/artist is the same one who does the picture books, Little Elliot, it all weirdly clicked for me. I love those books too! I remember telling my friend at a library conference, after picking up Little Elliot, Big City, that this author was going to be HUGE. I just knew it. As a children’s librarian, you sometimes just know which books are going to make it and take off.

I’m so excited to see Curato branch out. This was powerful stuff. Some of it was hard for me to read. There were moments I had to take a breath and put the book down. It got dark. When you’re a kid and it’s not just one bad thing, but several in a row, and each feels like the end of the world….I know what it feels like. I’ve never been that kid alone at the chapel with a knife, but my heart ached for him. And I can see so many hearts aching for him and relating to him.

Not all of this is dark. Some of it is boating under the stars and camping. Some of it is inappropriate dick jokes and camping with friends. Some of it is guys growing up in the woods and figuring out who they are. But some of it is feeling all alone and not knowing how to move forward. And some of it is just learning to go one day at a time and seeing that things aren’t always as bad as they originally seem.

What really makes this book stand out is the art. Curato captures facial expressions and humor so well. It’s like he’s been doing this for years. It was like reading a real pro (like Jennifer L. Holm or Lincoln Peirce). And then there’s other pages, where you get these backdrops of the scenery, and it’s beautiful, like something from a fantasy graphic novel. And then comes in the fire metaphor adding a whole other layer. I keep going back to flip through the pages. That’s how visually appealing the whole thing is. It’ s not every day I’d want to return to such a story. 

This was a dark, yet at times humorous story about growing up. It’s not what I expected. It’s both powerful and beautiful. I can see this story helping a lot of people. The artwork is so impressive, I keep returning to it, wanting to look at it some more. I give it a 9/10.

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

Summary from Goodreads:

After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America's favorite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion.

Turns out being the only plus size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she doesn't expect? That she may just find inspiration-and love-in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn't fit, maybe it's time to design your own.

Review:

I don’t read a lot of Adult Fiction. And when I do, it isn’t typically Romance. However, I love Julie Murphy. She has yet to write anything I haven’t liked. And while I’m not a huge Cinderella fan, I do tend to like Project Runway-oriented shows and stories, so when I got this book for review, it called to me. I also love the cover. I love everything about a plus-size Cinderella. I wish there was a character like Cindy on a show like the Bachelor.

This all being said, I really enjoyed reading this. I needed something light and fluffy. This fit the bill. It reminded me a little of the YA series: The Selection, where I ended up liking more of the contestants than I thought I would. I didn’t hate Cindy’ s step mom or step sisters like you usually do in Cinderella retellings, and this was nice. There was a little more female empowerment and a little less slut-shaming than you tend to see in reality shows about finding Mr. Right.

I’m not sure all the “stolen” moments between the love interests were believable. Like they seemed to get away with quite a bit. With that many cameras and crew people around, would sneaking into hiding places so many times really have been possible? I’m not so sure. Also, there love was bit instant for my liking. I found Cindy way more interesting than Henry. I found Henry’s backstory and family interesting, but all of his time with Cindy seemed kind of generic. I get that a lot of it was on TV, but still…

There’s a lot of little fun details in this book. It was fun reading the behind the camera moments of things, like how the show set everything up -from the dates, to the make up. I liked reading about the crew and how they bet on the girls. The fashion tidbits were fun.  I guess all in all, this was just a fun, light read (though there is a lot of mention of Cindy losing her dad).

Was there anything that really made it stand out as Adult instead of YA? Not really (besides the age of the main character, who was just out of college). And okay, there’s some adult relationship stuff, but it’s not really present. It read very much like a YA book in that regard. I can see a lot of Murphy’s YA fans loving this. I give it a 7/10.

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Summary from Goodreads:

Wunder is gathering in Nevermoor ...

Morrigan Crow may have defeated her deadly curse, passed the dangerous trials and joined the mystical Wundrous Society, but her journey into Nevermoor and all its secrets has only just begun. And she is fast learning that not all magic is used for good.

Morrigan Crow has been invited to join the prestigious Wundrous Society, a place that promised her friendship, protection and belonging for life. She's hoping for an education full of wunder, imagination and discovery - but all the Society want to teach her is how evil Wundersmiths are. And someone is blackmailing Morrigan's unit, turning her last few loyal friends against her. Has Morrigan escaped from being the cursed child of Wintersea only to become the most hated figure in Nevermoor?

Worst of all, people have started to go missing. The fantastical city of Nevermoor, once a place of magic and safety, is now riddled with fear and suspicion…

Review:

I was surprised by how much I loved this book. I really enjoyed the first book, but I was putting off reading book 2 for some reason. I guess it’s often the case that sequels are typically weaker than their predecessors in the kid lit world of fantasy novels. I was pleasantly surprised though here. The world building continued to impress me. It didn’t end with book one. Now that the chosen few kids passed the trials, we really get to see what the kids learn in this crazy, magical world of secret abilities.

And oddly, this book 2 reminded me a lot of Chamber of Secrets. There was this same sense of prejudice and ostracizing going on. Morrigan, like Harry, has to prove herself over and over, in a world where it just seems like it would be so much easier for her to be evil. I found myself relating to Morrigan. Who hasn’t been judged for something they cannot control?

On top of that, this is a book where other strong friendships are formed. I loved watching Morrigan branch out a bit. Of course the school, the transportation, and the world were fascinating. But, behind it all, were the relationships. The families and the friendships were just so good. There’s also the overarching villain and supspenseful mystery that involved teachers, creatures, and eventually peers being kidnapped.

There’s mythological markets, secret passages, insane maps, rescue missions, blackmailing, bullying, dragons, propaganda, and Wunder. It’s hard to put this book down. I cannot wait to read the next installment. I already ordered it, so it’s just a matter of time at this point.

All in all, I highly recommend these books to fans of middle grade fantasy. I give this one a 9/10.

The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo

Summary from Goodreads:

From two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall comes a fantastical meditation on fate, love, and the power of words to spell the world.

We shall all, in the end, be led to where we belong. We shall all, in the end, find our way home.

In a time of war, a mysterious child appears at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing. Gentle Brother Edik finds the girl, Beatryce, curled in a stall, wracked with fever, coated in dirt and blood, and holding fast to the ear of Answelica the goat. As the monk nurses Beatryce to health, he uncovers her dangerous secret, one that imperils them all--for the king of the land seeks just such a girl, and Brother Edik, who penned the prophecy himself, knows why.

And so it is that a girl with a head full of stories--powerful tales-within-the-tale of queens and kings, mermaids and wolves--ventures into a dark wood in search of the castle of one who wishes her dead. But Beatryce knows that, should she lose her way, those who love her--a wild-eyed monk, a man who had once been king, a boy with a terrible sword, and a goat with a head as hard as stone--will never give up searching for her, and to know this is to know everything. With its timeless themes, unforgettable cast, and magical medieval setting, Kate DiCamillo's lyrical tale, paired with resonant black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall, is a true collaboration between masters.

Review:

At this point, Kate DiCamillo could write anything and I’d buy it for my library and most likely want to own it too. I loved this. There’s something so special about the characters DiCamillo writes. She can write believable children who dream about stories and mermaids. And she can write about laughing kings who have abandoned the throne for the woods. Then there’s monks who write prophecies who have soft spots for girls who aren’t supposed to know how to read. And you can’t help but love all of them! How does she do that?

At first, this book comes off as something light. You think it’s about monks who are afraid of a tenacious goat and a girl with amnesia. But, then it gets seriously dark. There are robbers who kill parents. And there are soldiers who kill children. And you learn that Beatryce can’t remember because she wants to not remember the terrible things of her past.

But, there is also a monk who risks everything to help a child. And an old king who risks coming back the life he despises to save the child. There’s humorous goat that protects the motley crew. There’s also the errand boy who learns to read. Beatrice learns the power of words and friendship. And I guess this story has a little bit of everything: lightness, darkness, adventure, humor, love, friendship, family, prophecy, and power.

There’s a moment when Beatryce tells the evil King in power a story about a mermaid and I can’t help but think about Scheherazade. There are certain classical elements to this story that also remind me of The Canterbury Tales and the kids book The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz; however, this book is all it’s own. I can see kids discussing this one for years to come. I give it 10/10.

As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson

Summary from Goodreads:

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES
The highly-anticipated finale to the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, the instant bestsellers that read like your favorite true crime podcast or show. By the end of this mystery series, you'll never think of good girls the same way again...

Pip is about to head to college, but she is still haunted by the way her last investigation ended. She’s used to online death threats in the wake of her viral true-crime podcast, but she can’t help noticing an anonymous person who keeps asking her: Who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears?

Soon the threats escalate and Pip realizes that someone is following her in real life. When she starts to find connections between her stalker and a local serial killer caught six years ago, she wonders if maybe the wrong man is behind bars.

Police refuse to act, so Pip has only one choice: find the suspect herself—or be the next victim. As the deadly game plays out, Pip discovers that everything in her small town is coming full circle . . .and if she doesn’t find the answers, this time she will be the one who disappears. . .

Review:

I DEVOURED this book. I’m so bummed that the series is over now….I think it’s over? The way that this author could connect 3 different cases together was insane. Also, the character growth was remarkable. Poor Pip had serious PTSD after book 2, and who could blame her? But, for the police to not take her seriously again after everything she was correct about before? I was so angry for her. I didn’t blame her for her feelings in this book.

However, this book takes on a whole new level of darkness that I was not expecting. The first half reads like the others in the series, where Pip solves a mystery (and rather quickly because this one involves her). But the second half of the book is about something else entirely, and I feel like I can’t exactly give away what it is here without a HUGE spoiler. Just know that this book is in a definite gray zone when it comes to a moralistic black and white, and I was here for it.

After Pip solves the mystery, that involved stalkers, kidnappings, trophies, and duct tape, the second half of the book is un-put-down-able. I literally told Nick at one point I’d be late for dinner. I couldn’t stop reading. Think about a high suspense morally ambiguous show on Netflix, multiply it times 20, and then add your favorite characters from this series. It was that good.

Again, I can’t really say too much here without giving anything way. Just know that it’s super high suspense and really good. I recommend these books to fans of Truly Devious and E. Lockhart and Courtney Summers. All in all, I give this one a 10/10.

Pax: Journey Home by Sarah Pennypacker

Summary from Goodreads:

From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes the long-awaited sequel to Pax; this is a gorgeously crafted, utterly compelling novel about chosen families and the healing power of love.

It’s been a year since Peter and his pet fox, Pax, have seen each other. Once inseparable, they now lead very different lives. Pax and his mate, Bristle, have welcomed a litter of kits they must protect in a dangerous world. Meanwhile Peter—newly orphaned after the war, wracked with guilt and loneliness—leaves his adopted home with Vola to join the Water Warriors, a group of people determined to heal the land from the scars of the war.

When one of Pax's kits falls desperately ill, he turns to the one human he knows he can trust. And no matter how hard Peter tries to harden his broken heart, love keeps finding a way in. Now both boy and fox find themselves on journeys toward home, healing—and each other, once again.

Review:

Both the first Pax book, and this sequel surprised me in pleasant ways. I’m not typically an animal book reader. But, I love these books. There’s something so clever about the way Pennypacker writes the point of view of Pax. If you’ve ever owned a dog, and thought they could just read your mind….it’s like that, but even more believable.

Anyway, it did take me a little longer to get into this book. It was somehow darker and more intense than Book 1. Peter had a lot to go through, and I found myself enjoying the fox chapters more, which are much briefer and more hopeful. Pax has no idea that the water is polluted. And he wouldn’t just leave his new family like Peter decides to do. I guess part of my initial problem was that I was angry with Peter and I wasn’t sure I wanted a second book where I was just going to be upset with the kid the whole time.

I’m glad I kept reading though. Of course I wasn’t upset with him the whole time. Of course, my heart ached for Peter and I wanted him to get through all of his grief and find help and friendships along the way. Then there’s the whole wanting him to reunite with his furry friend. The moment they see each other again for the first time was just magic. I pretty much clutched the library book to my chest and took a deep breath before I could keep reading.

Maybe this book has a deeper meaning for me now that I have a dog again. Maybe I connected to it so strongly because my community has terrible water, and this past year my husband and I had spent some money on a fancy water filter. Regardless, I found myself really connecting to this book and feeling sad when it was over -the true markings of a wonderful kids book. The few sweet illustrations by Jon Klassen are interwoven between the pages again. Writing this review now, after having read two more books since, I still feel drawn to this book. It’s just so heart-warming.

You cannot read this book without reading the first Pax book. And if you haven’t read Pax, what are you waiting for? I give this sequel a 9/10.

City of Illusion by Victoria Ying

Summary from Goodreads:

It's been a peaceful three months since Hannah Morgan and Ever Barnes saved their beloved Oskars, and activated the powers of their city's Megantic. Ever now lives with the Morgan family and the two children watch over and learn more about Oskar (the Megantic) every day.

But their conflict-free days come to an abrupt end when Mr. Morgan is captured while on a family trip to nearby Alexios, and the kids get into a spat with a group of street magicians who con Hannah out of her pocket money. Chifa and Tanan were never planning to make friends while performing their tricks, but when Hannah and Ever learn of their connection to Vash, they realize there's much more at stake than a few coins.

If Hannah and Ever want to find out what Vash is hiding and save both Oskars and Alexios before time runs out, they'll have to learn to trust Chifa and Tanan, and most importantly, find a way to work together.

Review:

This was a fun sequel to City of Secrets. But, you definitely need to read the first book for this one to make sense. It didn’t amaze me like book 1 did, but it was still a book I finished in one sitting, and I can see kids loving it and finishing it up just as quickly.

What makes this book (and its predecessor) stand out is the artwork. The art is just stunning. After a couple pages you forget you are reading a book. It’s like you are watching an exceptionally well done anime.  The art did not lose any of its magic here. It still has the same magical effect.

I didn’t learn to love the new kids/characters as much as the originals. But, maybe I wasn’t supposed to. I guess it’s hard to love characters originally working with the bad guy…I feel like this book in large part exists as a way to give the reader more info about the world/cities it all takes place in. We learn more about the machines/robots. We learn about the mythology behind everything. And we learn more about Hannah’s and Ever’s parents’ involvement in things. But, as I’m learning with all kids adventure graphic novels, not enough is learned! I want more.

I loved all the scenes that took place on the farm. It was fun to watch the city kids experience a more rural lifestyle (even though they were visiting another city). And it was interesting getting the same princess/mythology story in so many different ways (through the artwork, the ballet, and the people). It’s clear that the author has a lot of this story mapped out. And I cannot wait to see where everything goes. All in all, I give this one an 8/10.

Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke

Summary From Goodreads:

Samantha Knox put away her childish fantasies of archaeological adventure the day her father didn't return home from the Great War, retreating to the safety of the antique bookshop where she works. But when a mysterious package arrives with a damaged diary inside, Sam's peaceful life is obliterated. Ruthless men intent on reclaiming the diary are after Sam, setting her and her best friend, along with her childhood crush, on a high-stakes adventure that lands them in the green hills outside Dublin, Ireland. Here they discover an ancient order with a dark purpose - to perform an occult ritual that will raise the Specter Queen, the Celtic goddess of vengeance and death, to bring about a war unlike any the world has ever seen. To stop them, Sam must solve a deviously complex cipher - one that will lead her on a treasure hunt to discover the ancient relic at the heart of the ritual: a bowl carved from the tree of life. Will she find the bowl and stop the curse of the Specter Queen, or will the ancient order bring about the end of the world?

Indiana Jones gets a refresh with this female-driven mystery adventure, set in the 1920s, full of ciphers, ancient relics, and heart-stopping action - the first in a brand-new series!

Review:

This was my favorite YA books in a long time. I couldn’t put it down. A female driven Indiana Jones type story in the 1920s? I knew I was going to like it. But, it’s one of those books with little to no hype…I think maybe it’s because of the super lame cover? If it had a gorgeous girl in a flapper dress, or maybe 2 girls driving a car down the Irish countryside…..dressed to the nines….then more people might be talking about it.

Anyway, it starts with a sarcastic, intelligent main character, running a bookshop. From there, it’s  fancy parties,  secret ciphers, thieves, fires, international travels, romance, mystery, secret societies, evil creatures, kidnappings, close friendships, and plenty of banter in between. There is never a good place to pause your reading. Each chapter ends with you needing to know more. The book goes from one mystery to another.

Also, the setting is spectacular. From the Titanic-like boat ride to the Irish country estates, I felt like I was there. This book will make you want to travel and go on your own adventures. Then, there’s the characters. We have the reunited best friends who have some things to work through. There’s also the childhood crush storyline. There’s new crushes, new friends along the way, and of course learning to figure out who you can trust is always an issue.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I read it quickly. I was sucked into the fast paced plot. But, it was the adventurous setting and witty characters that kept my interest. I wish more people knew about this one. Truly, I blame it on the cover. I give it a 9/10.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Summary from Goodreads:

A cursed girl escapes death and finds herself in a magical world - but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks--and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It's then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart - an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests - or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.

Review:

This was a lot of fun. I needed a good adventure to read on my mini vacation. I got a little time off at the end of summer, and nothing like a little fantasy adventure to brighten one’s mood! This book has a little bit of everything that makes a good kids fantasy: magic, curses, giant cats, evil villains, crazy competitions, bullies, and fascinating characters. It also mostly takes place in a hotel that reminds me of the one from the Lemony Snicket books.

Morrigan’s family is almost worse than the Dursleys. And as the book goes on, you can’t help but hope for her to succeed above everything. The trials/competition had a bit of a Hunger Games feel to them, mixed with the Tri-Wizard tournament. I know this author read: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, The Magisterium books, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It also made me think a bit of the show, Gilmore Girls and an important moment with umbrellas. Clearly, Tonsend did her research.

However, this book is definitely its own story. I was fascinated by the world building. The societies, the mythology of Christmas, the hotel that changes as it gets to know you, the talking cat, the constant competitions, and shadows. I was interested in everything. I also was just as nervous as Morrigan about the trials and Jupiter not telling her everything.

I do have to say though that I wasn’t really surprised by much. I read a lot, so none of the twists shocked me. I kind of had the whole thing figured out from about a tenth of the way through. But, I wasn’t actually bothered by this because I was so impressed by everything else. The only time the predictability did bother me was towards the end, but I think this can right itself out in book 2? I want to read book 2 now. I’m glad this book was recommended to me by a couple of people.

All in all this was a lot of fun. I was impressed by the characters and the setting. The author definitely has read her fair share of children’s books and it shows. It was rather predictable, but I mostly wasn’t bothered by it. I give this one a 9/10.

Cici's Journal: Lost and Found by Joris Chamblain and Aurelie Neyret

Summary from Goodreads:

Everyone has secrets, but no one can hide them from Cici!

As a future writer, Cici knows what questions to ask and where to find the clues she needs to unlock peoples’ hearts. Yet even though Cici is great at helping others, for a long time now she has kept a dark and painful secret hidden inside herself.

Cici’s friends and mom all want to help her heal, but she keeps pushing them away. Can a treasure hunt, a mysterious mansion, and an epic beachside fight help her to open up at last?

Review:

I loved this. I didn’t know there would be a book 2, though I had hoped. I was surprised and thankful for this book when it came across my radar not that long ago. I remember being so charmed and in awe of the artwork of book 1. This book was the same.

However, where the first book was borderline fluffy and endearing, this one was a little bit deeper. Cici was a little older and more capable of understanding and handling her emotions. As much of this book was about solving a mystery (almost Nancy Drew style), the rest was about Cici coming to terms with her past and how she was feeling. There was this whole emotional element of this book I was not expecting, a past that involves trauma. At first, I was actually a little annoyed by this. It took me out of the story that I was so engrossed in. But, then, I loved it. It made me love Cici and the other characters that much more.

Besides the deeper story and stronger character arcs, there’s the stunning artwork I fell in love with from the beginning. It’s just gorgeous. Even my husband noted it while I was reading it. And it’s not every Children’s graphic novel that I read that he will comment on, but I think he might actually pick this one up at some point. It’s filled with the standard graphic novel panels, but also, journal entries, illustrations, and author’s notes because Cici want’s to be a writer. The layout is fun. But the art itself is just really good. It looks like the artist could design video games or Pixar movies.

One of the stories involves Cici and her mother going to a tourist destinations that’s literally a murder mystery mansion at sea! There’s also a mystery involving hidden notes and a scavenger hunt that begins in a bookbinder shop. I mean come on…This book is amazing. There’s little nods to book 1 and the zoo. There’s great messages of friendship. I love the family dynamic between Cici and her mother and everything they work through together. And when it ends, I just want more. I could have read 4 more of these books and kept going. I hope these keep going. I give this a 9/10.

Pumpkin by Julie Murphy

 

Summary from Goodreads:

Waylon Russell Brewer is a fat, openly gay boy stuck in the small West Texas town of Clover City. His plan is to bide his time until he can graduate, move to Austin with his twin sister, Clementine, and finally go Full Waylon, so that he can live his Julie-the-hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-music-Andrews truth.

So when Clementine deviates from their master plan right after Waylon gets dumped, he throws caution to the wind and creates an audition tape for his favorite TV drag show, Fiercest of Them All. What he doesn’t count on is the tape accidentally getting shared with the entire school. . . . As a result, Waylon is nominated for prom queen as a joke. Clem’s girlfriend, Hannah Perez, also receives a joke nomination for prom king.

Waylon and Hannah decide there’s only one thing to do: run—and leave high school with a bang. A very glittery bang. Along the way, Waylon discovers that there is a lot more to running for prom court than campaign posters and plastic crowns, especially when he has to spend so much time with the very cute and infuriating prom king nominee Tucker Watson.

Waylon will need to learn that the best plan for tomorrow is living for today . . . especially with the help of some fellow queens. . . .

Review:

I enjoyed reading this book. I usually fly through Julie Murphy novels, particularly the ones in this series. Her characters are just so relatable. And how can your heart not break for a kid who’s drag video accidentally gets seen by the whole school? And then he runs with it and goes for prom queen. I loved the premise. I loved Waylon. I related to everything he felt about being overweight too..

But, and there’s a “but” coming…I’m starting to feel like I’ve been reading the same story over and over again. I recently watched a very similar story on Netflix. And while a HUGE part of me is just mainly so excited that there is more representation out there, another part of me was hoping for a little bit of something new. Maybe I’m finally just getting past the point where I’m entertained by things that involve prom? Except I also just watched “He’s all That” and I was totally engrossed in it….I don’t know. I guess maybe I just wanted a little bit more from this author who I’ve come to totally respect and adore. I expected more.

I still did enjoy this book. I loved Waylon. I never fully loved any of the other characters (like I have in past Murphy novels). I never loved his twin or his crush that much. There were some things that baffled me that were never fully explained.  Why did their parents keep a certain secret? Why would Tucker keep a promise to an ex, and then pick prom night to make a big reveal to her (in front of everyone)?  And is it really believable that a teen would not have any plans yet made at this point?

I did love watching Waylon grow and come into himself as the book went on. I loved the support group seems and the projects the kids had to work on. It was more school work than you normally see in these books. I loved the drama, and the crushing. All in all, this was a quick fun read with drag moments, parties, dramatic prom reveals, and lots of things to cheer for. There wasn’t a lot of anything new, and there were some definite flaws. But, it was still fun to read. I give it an 8/10.

Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell

 

Summary from Goodreads:

In Carry On, Simon Snow and his friends realized that everything they thought they understood about the world might be wrong. And in Wayward Son, they wondered whether everything they understood about themselves might be wrong.

In Any Way the Wind Blows, Simon and Baz and Penelope and Agatha have to decide how to move forward.

For Simon, that means deciding whether he still wants to be part of the World of Mages -- and if he doesn't, what does that mean for his relationship with Baz? Meanwhile Baz is bouncing between two family crises and not finding any time to talk to anyone about his newfound vampire knowledge. Penelope would love to help, but she's smuggled an American Normal into London, and now she isn't sure what to do with him. And Agatha? Well, Agatha Wellbelove has had enough.

Any Way the Wind Blows takes the gang back to England, back to Watford, and back to their families for their longest and most emotionally wrenching adventure yet.

This book is a finale. It tells secrets and answers questions and lays ghosts to rest.

Carry On was conceived as a book about Chosen One stories; Any Way the Wind Blows is an ending about endings. About catharsis and closure, and how we choose to move on from the traumas and triumphs that try to define us.

Review:

This was the book I needed to get me out of my novel-reading slump. I guess I can count on Rainbow Rowell to do this. I read this giant 573 book in about a day. And it’s not because the plot was fast-paced…I definitely think this was her slowest plot to date (though it does pick up in the second half).

Weirdly, not a lot happened…It was more about the characters than it was about what was going on in the world. Did this bother me? Maybe for five seconds, when it looked like Simon was breaking up with Baz for no apparent reason that made any sense. It just felt like Rowell was almost just trying to come up with stuff to say? But, then, Simon realized what an idiot he was being, and everything worked itself out for me.

I feel like a lot of things happened in book 2 that did not really get addressed in this book 3, but that’s okay. What book 1 and book 2 were missing were all the romance scenes Simon and Baz deserved. And I can say this: book 3 finally gives us the romance. There was so much romance, I almost couldn’t handle it. All the slow, pent up, waiting Baz had to do finally, finally become worth it!

The story at Watford and with Penelope and and Shepard gets more interesting toward the end. And I enjoyed the plot with Agatha toward the end too. But, let’s face it,  I was mostly rushing through the pages, anxiously awaiting more time with Simon and Baz finally having a relationship together -one un-interrupted by Las Vegas vampire cults or other crazy adventures.

Rainbow Rowell knows how to write characters extraordinarily well. I feel like I know all of the characters of this book, like they are real people. I already felt this way. But after this third book, I feel this way even more. And then the other thing Rowell is a master of is romance. That one scene in the truck in book 2 was just a tiny prelude to the magical moments of this book.

To think this all started with Fangirl is just remarkable. I do feel like I have a couple of unanswered questions left at the end. Was that intentional? But, for the most part, I loved this ending. I loved the character development. I loved the chance to see the characters working on their own. I loved the romance. I loved going back to the school it all started in. I have this urge to go back and re-read everything starting with Fangirl. I might have to do that soon. I give this a 10/10.

Monster Friends by Kaeti Vandorn

Summary from Goodreads:

Two friends: one big, one little. One old, one young. One grumpy, one cheerful. Both: MONSTERS! From the author of Crabapple Trouble comes a sweet and fun-filled chapter-book graphic novel, with a charming cast of adorable monsters.

Reggie's plan is to spend the whole summer brooding over his latest adventure gone wrong. But his friendly and curious neighbor, Emily, won't let him sit alone and unhappy in his house forever! Despite their differences, these two monsters make the perfect pair of explorers. And with a map to make, a beach party to plan, and a sea monster to find, Reggie will have to learn to talk about his feelings and let new friends in!

With bright, gorgeous art by Kaeti Vandorn, Monster Friends features the cutest, fuzziest monsters you've ever seen.

Review:


As I said on Gooreads, I read this because of how adorable the cover was. The book was just as, if not more adorable. If you want something cute and fluffy to read about little monsters who go on adventures, pick this up. It will take about an hour to read the whole thing.

There was something both completely fresh and new about the fluffy monsters of this book, and something entirely familiar. It had the old school vibes of something classic like Frog and Toad. The two unlikely friends were meant to learn and grow with each other in a similar way to the classic pair: Frog and Toad. Yet, the seemingly random, and uniquely friendly monster characteristics were unlike anything I’ve really seen before in past kids books.

One character has these super skinny long legs that pop out as needed. The other looks like a giant floppy bunny/dog hybrid. There’s a giant tiger bus that carries monster kids around the forest (and reminds me of something from My Neighbor Totoro. And there’s also mythological monsters like sea serpents (who turn out to be not so mythological…)

The pages are bright, colorful, and whimsical. The facial expressions on the characters are easy to understand. There aren’t a lot of words, which makes this a good book for younger readers or even readers new to the graphic novel format. The story was mostly about friendship and coming to terms with a few things about themselves. Overall, it’s just a sweet, fluffy story. The plot wasn’t anything remarkable. But the cute pictures and sweet character traits will stick with you after you finish it. I give it an 8/10. 

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

Summary from Goodreads:

With her daughter to care for and her abuela to help support, high school senior Emoni Santiago has to make the tough decisions, and do what must be done. The one place she can let her responsibilities go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness.

Still, she knows she doesn’t have enough time for her school’s new culinary arts class, doesn’t have the money for the class’s trip to Spain—and shouldn’t still be dreaming of someday working in a real kitchen. But even with all the rules she has for her life—and all the rules everyone expects her to play by—once Emoni starts cooking, her only real choice is to let her talent break free.

Review:

I’m not going to lie; I read this book a couple weeks ago…Since then, I’ve mostly had my focus on 2 things: 1) my job ,which is in full throttle Summer Reading mode and 2) my brand new puppy, Patty (pictures to come!) I’ve been reading other books too, but they are all about Pembroke Welsh Corgis and dog training, and not anything I think people here would want to read reviews for…

I’ve been a little overwhelmed with the amount of people in my tourist town, the super fun programs at my library, and my adorable, new puppy. The whole not sleeping as much thing is not fun…and certainly gets in the way of a girl’s novel reading! However, I think Patty is extraordinarily smart, and either I’m getting more accustomed to not sleeping, or she’s getting better at things.

Either way, this book kind of blew me away. I’ve never super loved books about teen moms. I often think they sugar coat things. But, this book did not do that. Being a young mom in high school is rough, especially when the dad isn’t the best support system. Doubly so, when you have no parents of your mom or dad to help either. But despite, how realistic and tough this was, it as still charming and nice to read. I read it quickly, desperately hoping for Emoni to succeed.

I’m a sucker for anything to do with food. My husband and I love every single cooking show out there. So, reading a bout teen mom, master chef was just the best. I loved watching her come into her own, and learn from teachers who wanted her to succeed. There was a mixture of both a cultural divide between her and her teachers, but also so growing she had to do to learn from them. It was hard because she seemed to have it so much tougher than everyone else. But, this just made you route for her so much more.

I believe this is my second Acevedo novel, and I’m coming to appreciate her writing. It’s to the point, with a strong emphasis on character. Her characters are real people. And by the end, I genuinely cared for most of them, or at least felt like I knew them all. I’m so glad Emoni had the opportunity she did at the end. I remember putting the book down when I was done, and just sighing and being sad it was over. I give it a 9/10.


Here’s some totally unrelated Patty pictures (she's an 11 week tri-color corgi pup):

The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson

Summary from Goodreads:

After solving the case of Truly Devious, Stevie Bell investigates her first mystery outside of Ellingham Academy in this spine-chilling and hilarious stand-alone mystery from New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson.

Amateur sleuth Stevie Bell needs a good murder. After catching a killer at her high school, she’s back at home for a normal (that means boring) summer.

But then she gets a message from the owner of Sunny Pines, formerly known as Camp Wonder Falls—the site of the notorious unsolved case, the Box in the Woods Murders. Back in 1978, four camp counselors were killed in the woods outside of the town of Barlow Corners, their bodies left in a gruesome display. The new owner offers Stevie an invitation: Come to the camp and help him work on a true crime podcast about the case.

Stevie agrees, as long as she can bring along her friends from Ellingham Academy. Nothing sounds better than a summer spent together, investigating old murders.

But something evil still lurks in Barlow Corners. When Stevie opens the lid on this long-dormant case, she gets much more than she bargained for. The Box in the Woods will make room for more victims. This time, Stevie may not make it out alive.

Review:

I wasn’t sure what to expect here. I was 90% sure I’d love this. I pre-ordered it when I haven’t actually purchased a book (as compared to checking one out from the library) in months. What  would a non Truly Devious case look like for Stevie? Would it be as good? My husband actually started reading this before me! And he kind of put all my fears to rest. I refused to let him talk about it at all, during the half day head start he had. But, I could tell he was loving it.

Then I started it, and there went my whole day. I was planning on getting a lot more done yesterday…Nope. Yesterday was dedicated to reading. And it was such a pleasure. I had a frappuccino and an amazing book. What else does a girl need?

It was fun to watch Stevie work from scratch. Before, she had years of research behind her. For this case, she was starting fresh. Watching her brain tackle things was great. She’s kind of part Sherlock Holmes, part Monk, part Veronica Mars. Also, this cold case was fascinating! It was part I know What you Did Last Summer, part Blair Witch Project, part spy thriller.

There’s also the classic Maureen Johnson character writing. There’s so much wit and banter between the friends. I loved that Nate started writing again! Janelle was in charge of crafting at the summer camp. There’s tree house libraries, secret cookie jars, lost diaries, cliff jumping, breaking and entering, and secret messages. Oh, and if that’s not interesting enough, there’s a current day murder mixed in with the cold case murders from decades ago. I couldn’t put this book down. Is Maureen Johnson going to write more? I hope she’s going to write more. I’d read more about Stevie any day.

I give this a 10/10. I highly recommend this one and the other Truly Devious books to anyone who loves a good mystery.

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

Summary from Goodreads:

Evie Thomas doesn't believe in love anymore. Especially after the strangest thing occurs one otherwise ordinary afternoon: She witnesses a couple kiss and is overcome with a vision of how their romance began . . . and how it will end. After all, even the greatest love stories end with a broken heart, eventually.

As Evie tries to understand why this is happening, she finds herself at La Brea Dance studio, learning to waltz, fox-trot, and tango with a boy named X. X is everything that Evie is not: adventurous, passionate, daring. His philosophy is to say yes to everything--including entering a ballroom dance competition with a girl he's only just met.

Falling for X is definitely not what Evie had in mind. If her visions of heartbreak have taught her anything, it's that no one escapes love unscathed. But as she and X dance around and toward each other, Evie is forced to question all she thought she knew about life and love. In the end, is love worth the risk?

Review:

I always enjoy Nicola Yoon’s books. I had no idea a new one was coming out until the last minute, so it was a pleasant surprise! And then to learn it involved ballroom dancing…the ultimate treat for me! I love anything with dancing in it. I started reading this book thinking it wouldn’t be too hard to put down, when another book I pre-ordered came in…I was wrong. I was so involved with this book, I had to finish this before getting into anything else.

On the plus side, I read it super quickly so my pre-order book basically sat waiting for half a day….This book had the formula of a bunch of other books I’ve read and loved already. I reminded me a bit of Beastly by Alex Flinn and A Walk to Remember by Nicolas Sparks, but mixed with lots of ballroom dance practice and plenty of family and friendship drama too. It’s also a little similar to Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer, which came out last year. The main character, herself, even comments on the typical romance tropes because she’s read a lot of romances and is familiar with them. So, I think a lot of this intentional. Yoon does give everything a fresher, more diverse spin.

Sometimes too, I just want a fluffy romance, in a trope I’m somewhat familiar with. I want two people who don’t immediately get along, but who have chemistry, to fall in love through dancing. I want the girl who has dismissed love, to not give up. I want her strange (somewhat dark) new super power to teach her a lesson that’s not about how things end, but about enjoying what we have.

The one thing I did not love was the ending. I can’t exactly talk about it without spoiling it, so I won’t. Just know I thought it was unnecessary. I think Evie could have learned what she was meant to, and all the points could have been made without it going that route. I also felt like one element was unresolved. I kind of feel like someone played a massive prank on me at the end. All in all though, I give this an 8/10.

The Oddmire Book 1: Changeling by William Ritter

Summary on Goodreads:

Magic is fading from the Wild Wood. To renew it, goblins must perform an ancient ritual involving the rarest of their kind—a newborn changeling. But when the fateful night arrives to trade a human baby for a goblin one, something goes terribly wrong. After laying the changeling in a human infant’s crib, the goblin Kull is briefly distracted from his task. By the time he turns back, the changeling has already perfectly mimicked the human child. Too perfectly: Kull cannot tell them apart. Not knowing which to bring back, he leaves both babies behind.

Tinn and Cole are raised as human twins, neither knowing what secrets may be buried deep inside one of them. Then when they are twelve years old, a mysterious message arrives, calling the brothers to be heroes and protectors of magic. The boys must leave behind their sleepy town of Endsborough and risk their lives in the Wild Wood, crossing the perilous Oddmire swamp and journeying through the Deep Dark to reach the goblin horde and discover who they truly are. 


Review:

I’m not going to lie; this isn’t the typical book I’d pick up any more. It’s essentially a quest story for 12 year old boys. However, I LOVE William Ritter. I know this author can write a good mystery. I also know he can write humor and the supernatural really well. So, I wanted to see how he did a classical fantasy sounding middle grade book. I was not disappointed. I had trouble putting this story down.

William Ritter definitely knows how to write about supernatural creatures and folklore. Everything from goblins, changelings, and witches, to magic, etc. I also just loved the characters. I loved the boys’ mother. I loved that it wasn’t just a story about the boys saving magic. It was also a family story. Their human mother went on an adventure of her own to bring them back. Often the grownups get left behind. Not here.

And then there’s a witch story too, about saving the forest. She’s not the typical evil witch. There’s also a friendship story about a friend they make along the way. Honestly, this book has a little bit of everything. There’s plenty of little surprises along the way as well.

It’s a sweet story about family, friendship, and believing in yourself. I can easily see this becoming a movie. It reminded me a bit of Serafina and the Black Cloak. The forest in this book is almost as much of a character as it is in that one. There’s a darkness to things, but the wonderful characters constantly fighting for one another bring out so much light. I really enjoyed this. I giver it an 8/10.

A Good Week in Books (226)

I had this crazy realization that I haven’t made one of these posts in a long time! I did receive 5 books for review recently, so I figured it was time to make one. Thank you Hyperion for all of the great titles that came my way recently! Also, I purchased one book (a long time ago for pre-order) that I forgot to put in the picture! And I pretty much read it the day after it arrived on my doorstep. Review will come shortly. I guess I’ll mention that title here: The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson. I haven’t actually bought a book or pre-ordered one in a long time! That was definitely worth the money.

The new books:

Willa of Dark Hollow by Robert Beatty

Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder More

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

The Last Fallen Star by Grace Kim

Like Other Girls by Britta Lundin

The Quiet at the End of the World by Lauren James

Summary from Goodreads:

How far would you go to save those you love?

Lowrie and Shen are the youngest people on the planet after a virus caused global infertility. Closeted in a pocket of London and doted upon by a small, ageing community, the pair spend their days mudlarking for artefacts from history and looking for treasure in their once-opulent mansion.

Their idyllic life is torn apart when a secret is uncovered that threatens not only their family but humanity’s entire existence. Lowrie and Shen face an impossible choice: in the quiet at the end of the world, they must decide who to save and who to sacrifice . .

Review:

Okay, you can call me a fan now. Lauren James is a skilled master of the plot twist. I’ve been stuck in bed for the last couple of days with a GI related flare up. Thank goodness for books like this that can keep a girl occupied. It’s been this and season two of the Circle…Any way, this book had one plot twist after another. There was one point where I literally yelled out, “No way!” If I were any where but in my bed, I’d be embarrassed.

The book starts out like the movie Children of Men, and then it branches out into so many other directions. I find it hard to review/talk about without giving away things. So, I’m going to try to be vague here on purpose. Just know the book is part dystopia, part sci-fi, part Indiana Jones style adventure story, part romance, and part political thriller…..It jumps back and forth between the current day (which is actually way into the future when most of humankind is extinct), and the past when people are discovering they can’t have children anymore.

As you can imagine, technology has advanced, a lot. But, also some things have gone to hell. Like whole cities have gone to waste because there’s not enough people to populate them. Apps for raising electronic babies were created in the past (that is after all the mass kidnappings) and Lowrie and Shen are reading about it all while under the ultimate countdown clock to save what is left of the world. If you like a crazy, suspense driven plot, look no further!

Also, being the last two kids (aka: teens) has its downsides. It’s almost expected that they will fall in love. And they do. However, it’s a little complicated. Lowrie is bisexual and doesn’t exactly have the chance to be with anyone else of any other gender (all the other people are so much older). It’s definitely a uniquely diverse book.  Shen has a hearing impairment. I love that he speaks two languages (English and Chinese). There’s a character in the past that’s trans and another who’s pansexual.

And to top it all off, I was reading this at such a strange moment. I’m reading a book about the ending of humanity (due to a global pandemic), at the end  of a real life global pandemic. I literally just read an article about Covid and fertility, and how pregnant mothers should not be concerned about getting the vaccine minutes before starting this book. And it’s kind of eerie sometimes how relatable dystopias are to real life. But, this might have taken the cake. I got this book in Paris (in 2019), before everything all started, so the the author clearly wrote it years before Covid….but still. Sometimes fiction is a little too close to nonfiction. Not that the other stuff in here is happening….just, every now and then I’d put the book down and think about it.

I enjoyed the fast pace. I loved the plot twists. The concept was awesome, if at times a little too close to home. The characters were believable. The romance was good too. I give this a 9/10.

Pawcasso by Remy Lai

Summary from Goodreads:

Middle grade graphic novel. Pawcasso is a basket-toting dog who does his family's grocery shopping on his own. When 11-year-old Jo is mistaken as his owner by a group of kids, she goes along with the lie in the hopes of making new friends. Soon the town becomes divided over whether Pawcasso should be allowed to roam free, and Jo worries that her lies will be exposed—and endanger Pawcasso and her new friendships.

Review:

This was a sweet, light graphic novel with lots of cute doggie moments. I’m not going to lie; I picked this up because of the adorable dog holding a basket on the cover. I’m sure a lot of kids will do the same thing. The art in here was great. If it was a cartoon, I’d watch it. And I don’t watch a lot of cartoons. Everything was bright, colorful, and easy to flip through. I read this super quickly.

The story is about a kid who lies about having a special dog to make more friends. Who can’t relate to a kid who wants to make more friends? But, it also becomes one of those stories where you cringe with embarrassment because the lie she tells gets bigger and bigger and spins out of control. The dog gets her friends, then a free art class and books, then the dog becomes a local celebrity, and then more!

I like how involved the town gets in deciding things about dogs. I can see some people thinking this isn’t realistic, but for me, I related to this so much! The town I work in gets very involved like this, even about dogs (or dog parks). I’m not sure any decisions would ever happen so quickly….but, graphic novels go fast. Anyway, I liked the demonstration of civic engagement. I also liked how prominent books and art were here. There are book stores, ice cream shops, and art classes. This is definitely a book with a strong focus on community, the arts, and dogs. What’s not to like?

Some of the storyline with Pawcasso’s real family felt a little soap-opera-y to me. And I’m not sure I loved how it all went down with Jo and the friends group in the art class toward the end. But all in all, this was a sweet story about friendship, dogs, and community. I give it an 8/10.

Unpregnant by Jenni Hendriks and Ted Caplan

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Veronica Clarke never thought she would wish she’d failed a test until she finds herself holding a thick piece of plastic in her hands and staring at two solid pink lines. Even the most consistent use of condoms won’t prevent pregnancy when your boyfriend secretly pokes holes in them to keep you from going out-of-state for college.

Veronica needs an abortion, but the closest place she can legally get one is over nine hundred miles away—and Veronica doesn’t have a car. Too ashamed to ask her friends or family for help, Veronica turns to the one person she believes won’t judge her: Bailey Butler, Jefferson High’s own little black cloud of anger and snark—and Veronica’s ex-best friend. Once on the road, Veronica quickly remembers nothing with Bailey is ever simple and that means two days of stolen cars, shotguns, crazed ex-boyfriends, truck stop strippers with pro-life agendas, and a limo driver named Bob. But the pain and betrayal of their broken friendship can’t be outrun. When their fighting leads to a brutal moment of truth, Bailey abandons Veronica. Now Veronica must risk everything in order to repair the hurt she’s caused.

Review:

This was so much better than I thought it would be. I read it super quickly. I can see it being a movie, something to watch with my best friends and some wine. It deals with the topic of abortion. But, more than anything, this book is about control. Veronica’s boyfriend literally forced a pregnancy on her so she’d stay home and not go away to the Ivy League college she worked so hard to get into! Veronica’s parents forced her older sister to drop out of  her schooling/career path (aka; stop financially helping her) when she got pregnant, so she could be a mom.  And all along this crazy, coming of age journey/adventures, there are more characters trying to control Veronica and tell her what to do.

It’s not about if abortions are the right thing to do or not. It’s about who’s in control. Why should anyone but Veronica be allowed to decide when and how she gets pregnant? Why should her boyfriend be allowed to force this upon her? Why should her parents get to decide this for her? Why should a pro-life stripper be the one to tell her what to do? Or protestors? And why should she have to travel over 900 miles to take control of her own body?

I started reading this around the time things in Texas started popping up in the news about abortion laws. And it’s like I needed to read this book right now. There are a lot of books out there about teen moms. There’s  even books about teens giving up their babies for adoption. There’s not a lot out there that talks about this choice. And I like that the book centered on what this is: Veronica’s choice.

It’s also a friendship story. It’s about her re-connecting with Bailey, a friend she never should have fallen away from. Real friends are the ones who will drive over 900 miles for you and not judge you for making your own decisions about your own body. This is a serious book that deals with serious topics about sex, choice, abortion, family, coming out, and growing up. But, there’s also a light-heartedness to it, that makes it so enjoyable to read. There’s junk food, oversized elephant statues, strip clubs, limo rides, and so much more. I give this a 9/10.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Summary from Goodreads:

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship--the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

Review:

There are some authors that are amazing at writing plot, some that are amazing at writing worlds, some that are amazing at writing characters, and some that are amazing at writing feelings. Benjamin Alire Saenz perfectly captures what it feels like to be a teenager. This book didn’t have a lot of plot to it. It’s mostly about Ari growing up and learning about who he is, and why he is so angry.

Sometimes I can’t handle reading teen angst. Like the whole 5^th Harry Potter book was sort of painful for me. But other times, what I’m reading gives me goose bumps. It’s like the author can perfectly put to words years worth of emotions that I have felt and still can’t figure out how to articulate. And I’m so grateful for authors like this who can say everything I wish I could say. I love a good plot, and a beautiful setting as much as the next reader, but just wow, when a YA author gets it, they really get it: the universal language of anger mixed with hormones, mixed with confusion.

I also didn’t really fully even understand how much I loved this book until I finished it. Like, I read a book with not a lot of plot way too quickly! All of a sudden, it was over. I even went back and read the last couple pages over again. I had to re-read them and permanently paint the desert image in my brain, so I wouldn’t be able to forget. And then I felt sad. There’s no way that the next book I read will come close to competing with this.

There’s also something always magical for me about summer books. There’s something special about the months between school, when anything can happen. Friendships form, dogs are found, and freedom is found. There are certainly milestones in this book like learning to drive and working first jobs. And there’s serious moments too, like losing family members or getting hit by a car. But, the best parts are the moments of laughter between the friends. When Ari and Dante share books and go swimming together –the normal stuff.

Clearly, lots of people love this book. It’s covered in awards and accolades. I’m late to the party. I’m just sorry it took me so long to find it. I loved it. I’m sure I’ll read it again at some point too. I give it a 10/10.