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.