Lumara by Melissa Landers Fantasy Supernatural Mystery * * * * Stars (Great!) Talia Morris has been wronged by Mystics before and when she learns that her boyfriend, Nathaniel IS one and hails from Lumara, a famous Mystic island enclave, she’s a lot of things. Shocked, distressed, furious… But she agrees to give his family a chance when he invites her to attend his cousin’s wedding on the island. Things seem to be going well … Read more
What the Hex? Witches of Brooklyn bk #2 by Sophie Escabasse Fantasy Graphic Novel Mystery Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Effie is miffed because her friend Berrit made a new friend over winter break and has been completely ignoring her. It’s hard to compete with Garance, who is cool and French and a great artist. Everyone else seems to like her a lot. These sorts of mundane concerns are distracting Effie from … Read more
Witches of Brooklyn Witches of Brooklyn bk #1 by Sophie Escabasse Fantasy Graphic Novel Supernatural * * * * Stars (Great!) Effie arrives at her elderly aunt’s house in Brooklyn in the middle of the night accompanied by a man from child/social services. Although Effie’s aunt Selimene is her only surviving relative, Selimene has received no prior notice of the situation and is not prepared to take her niece in. After a lot of yelling, … Read more
Not Sew Wicked Stepmom by Mo9Rang (original story by Iru) Fantasy Manga * * * Stars (Pretty good) Baekhap Lee used to design children’s clothing in her previous life. When she dies, she is reincarnated/transported into the body of Snow White’s evil stepmother (Abigail Freidkin). She finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage – something the body’s previous spirit cared about – to King Sabrian Freidkin – but Baekhap only cares about her stepdaughter, Blanche, … Read more
The Dark Lord’s Daughter by Patricia Wrede Fantasy Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kayla learns that she’s from another world and that she’s REALLY the daughter of the Dark Lord Xavriel of Zaradwin, and her given name is Xavrielina (lame). She and her adoptive family (mom & brother) are whisked (by magic) back to Zaradwin where Kayla is to become the new Dark Lady. Her mom gets EXTREMELY upset and protective and keeps … Read more
Camp So-and-So by Mary McCoy Fantasy Mystery * * * Stars (Pretty good) 25 girls end up at a weird summer camp where they are grouped into cabins of 5 and are forced to play out a series of stories for an audience of inhuman beings that take their entertainment from the experience (unbeknownst to the girls when they arrive). Cabin 1 has to compete in various normal camp activities (sports, arts & craft, entertainment), … Read more
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
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor Fantasy Mystery Romance * * * Stars (Pretty good) Jani and her sister Zosa are living on their own and trying to make ends meet when Jani learns that the Hotel Magnifique (a hotel that magically travels around to different locations) is in town and that they are picking up guests and hiring staff and entertainers. She hopes that she and Zosa can work as hotel employees, but when … Read more
A Venom Dark and Sweet sequel to A Magic Steeped in Poison Judy I. Lin Fantasy * * * Stars (Pretty good) In the previous installment, the Emperor had just passed and his daughter was poised to take the throne and select a new shennong-shi (brewer of teas infused with magic). Ning was in the running for that position. Then everything fell apart when the Emperor’s brother (the General) staged a coup to retake the … 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