Aru Shah and the End of Time Aru Shah series, book #1 by Roshani Chokshi Adventure Fantasy Hinduism Supernatural Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) One day three of her classmates show up at Aru’s doorstep to catch her lying. They don’t believe the “Diya of Bharata” in the museum is cursed, so they dare Aru to prove it. Overwhelmed, Aru lights the Diya with dire consequences, as she unwittingly frees the Sleeper, … Read more
Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor Winterborne Home, bk #1 by Ally Carter Adventure Mystery Supernatural Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Through numerous foster homes, and most o fthem terrible, April is waiting for one thing: the return of her mother. She was dropped off on the front doorstep of the fire station with a note stating her name, and a promise from her mother (who said she was returning). … Read more
Fairy Tale by Stephen King Adventure Fantasy * * * * Stars (Great!) Charlie Reade made a bargain with the universe to pay it back if his father stopped drinking and he finds an opportunity to make good on his word when he rescues his cantankerous neighbor after a fall. Mr. Bowditch is old and grumpy and cherishes his independence, but he reluctantly accepts Charlie’s assistance when that seems to be the only way he … Read more
Front Country by Sara St. Antoine Adventure Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ginny Shepard’s world comes squealing to a halt when her science teacher starts a unit on climate change. Unlike her classmates, Ginny can’t seem to stop thinking about all the animals going extinct and the planet dying. Her friends and family don’t understand why it’s hard for her to care about anything else. When Ginny starts ignoring her grades in … Read more
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher Adventure Fantasy Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) When Princess Marra learns that her older sister is trapped in an abusive relationship, she vows to find a way to release her from her torment. This involves a lengthy quest to acquire the tools and companions she needs to do so – a bone dog, a gravewitch, her own fairy godmother (who is actually much better at curses than … Read more
How to Get Away with Myrtle Myrtle Hardcastle series, book #2 by Elizabeth C. Bunce Adventure Mystery Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Myrtle Hardcastle is fuming. Though she solved the mystery of Redgraves, her father has sent her and Miss Judson packing off to the seashore for a “relaxing vacation,” or in Myrtle’s knowledge, to get her away from her Morbid Obsession with Death. Additionally, to further lengthen the … Read more
Cold-Blooded Myrtle Myrtle Hardcastle series, book #3 by Elizabeth C. Bunce Adventure Mystery Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Myrtle is back in her town for Christmas. However, when Myrtle is around somehow crime will be around also. Before she has to deal with another murder, Myrtle also has to deal with what is happening at home. Like how Miss Judson and her father are arguing and mad at each … Read more
Premeditated Myrtle Myrtle Hardcastle series, book #1 by Elizabeth C. Bunce Adventure Mystery Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Myrtle Hardcastle has grown up around crime. After all, her father is the town prosecutor and her mother was a doctor. However, when crime appears nextdoor, Myrtle’s father does not want her poking around. Elusively, Myrtle and her governess, Miss Judson, investigate the crime anyway. Miss Judson, though more of a … Read more
The Captive Kingdom Ascendance series, book #4 by Jennifer A. Nielsen Adventure Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) This book takes place before the epilogue of the third book. Jaron, Imogen, Tobias, Roden, and Amarinda are all sailing on an Avenian Pirate ship, loaded with weapons Carthya despearately needs. Before they reach safety, they are overtaken by a ship commanded by a ruthless captain. The captain is taking them to a land … Read more
The Shadow Throne Ascendance series, book #3 by Jennifer A. Nielsen Adventure Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Jaron has survived the Avenian Pirates, but now he has to guide his kingdom through war. Against 3 kingdoms. And if thins couldn’t get more complicated, the love of his life, Imogen, has been kidnapped. So now Jaron must make the decision to rescue her, if he can. That means breaking into the … Read more