All posts by Kasey

About Kasey

Reads things. Writes things. Fluent in sarcasm. Willful optimist. Cat companion, chocolate connoisseur, coffee drinker. There are some who call me Mom.

Monthly Wrap-Up: December 2017 and January 2018

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December 2017 and January 2018It’s hard to believe another year has come and nearly gone. We had some big changes around here– most notably, the amazing addition of Gabrielle as reviewer and contributor. She’s been amazing. If you haven’t stopped by her own blog, you should check it out.

We read and reviewed some great books this year. Gabrielle posted a list of some of our top favorites here, which you won’t want to miss, if you haven’t already browsed through it. If you’re still looking for books to spend a Christmas Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card on and need some suggestions on what books to fill the rest of your holiday break with, I recommend taking a look through our list!

You probably also noticed yesterday’s Top Ten list featuring some of our most anticipated reads coming out this year. Check them out if you haven’t already, and see if any of your favorite authors are on the list!

What We Read in December 2017 and January 2018

 

Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle calls retelling of Swan Lake perfect for fans of high fantasy in the vein of Tolkein and gives it 4 out of 5 stars.

The Illusionist’s Apprentice by Kristy Cambron

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle says: ” This book is chock-full of great characters, and will especially entice those who enjoyed The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill.”

Recipe for Hate by Warren Kinsella

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Boys at the center of the local punk scene are murdered, and evidence suggests a hate crime. The victim’s band members investigate to stop the killers before they strike again. The attitude and descriptions in this book totally reminded me of the movie SLC Punk.

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle highly recommends this blend of magical realism, alternate reality, and steampunk.

Not Now, Not Ever by Lily Anderson

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

A whole summer camp of the smartest kids compete for a college scholarship in this story inspired by The Importance of Being Earnest. Fans of Anderson’s debut will love the appearances of characters from The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You.

The Thing with Feathers by McCall Hoyle

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

A girl obsessed with Emily Dickinson and diagnosed with epilepsy goes to public school for the first time. Of course, the hottest boy notices her and seems genuine. Loved this gentle romance and representation of a character with epilepsy.

The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle says: “The plot was engrossing. I was continually mystified as it progressed, and was only able to say ‘Aha! So that’s explains it,’ at the very end.”

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

At its heart, Little & Lion is about a brother and sister looking to reconnect after his diagnosis with bipolar disorder. It’s also about her journey to accept him and herself as they are. Lots of heart, and a very diverse cast of characters.

History’s Mysteries by Kitson Jazynka

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Ever wondered why the Easter Island heads were erected? Explore this and lots of other unsolved mysteries with pictures and notes on new research. A pretty quick, fun read.

Life Just Got Real by Sadie Robertson with Cindy Coloma

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Readers looking for a clean reality show novel will want to put this one on their lists. If you liked Life in a Fishbowl by Len Vlahos or liked the concept but wanted a clean alternative, Life Just Got Real should be on your reading list.

 

A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue by J. A. Myhre

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

A young girl leaves her family and her African valley home to go to a boarding school. When rebels attack the school and take some of the girls hostage, Kiisa and her companions track the rebels to rescue them.

Beauty by Robin McKinley

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

One of my childhood favorites, and pretty much the standard by which I judge all re-imagined fairytales. The writing style is a little distant, but the rich characters make it work. If you’re a fan of fairytales retold, check out this book, along with Spindle’s End, McKinley’s re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty.

You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Twin sisters face the results of a genetic test to determine if they’ll have Huntington’s disease. One relies on her faith to get her through, the other seeks comfort in a forbidden relationship. Great characters, lots of emotion.

Ember Falls (Green Ember #2) by S. D. Smith

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I think my problem with this book is that I wanted it to be Watership Down, and it isn’t at all the same kind of book. I struggled with the descriptions (or lack of them) but it might be a good pick for fans of The Ruby Moon by Trish Priebe and Jerry Jenkins.

In the Hall of the Dragon King by Stephen Lawhead

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

An old favorite. This might be the first high fantasy novel I ever read as a teenager. It’s a bit dated– mostly in the way it’s written– but I still found myself enjoying the way the characters form an unexpected team to stop an evil necromancer.

The Phantom of the Fortress by Aaron M. Zook, Jr.

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Kids assist police to solve a murder mystery in Austria. This one wasn’t my cup of tea, but younger readers (maybe 4th or 5th grade?) might enjoy it.

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

A girl returns to her small Alaskan hometown after her best friend’s death, and finds the town mired in secrets and its people treating her like an outsider. Fast-paced, highly emotional.

Storm (Stone Braide Chronicles #3) by Bonnie Calhoun

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

The third book in Bonnie Calhoun’s broad-scale series is about a girl racing the clock to solve the mystery of a gift she possesses before it kills her.

Blue Moon Rising by Simon R. Green

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

This is one of those stories I’ve read almost a dozen times. The writing is not perfect, but the dialogue makes me laugh and the characters make me want to cheer for every victory. If you like fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, you need to check this one out.

What’s on your reading list for the new year?

Do you have a list of books you want to read this year? Are you setting a goal to read a certain number of books? Leave a comment and let us know what you most want to read next or what your reading goals are for this year.
We’ve already started our To Be Read list for next year! See what Gabrielle and I plan to review by visiting our 2018 Reading List. Have a recommendation for a book we don’t have on our list? Leave a comment! We are always looking for great books to add to our list.

Review: Reign the Earth by A. C. Gaughen

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,

Reign the Earth
A. C. Gaughen
Bloomsbury
Published on January 30, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Reign the Earth
Shalia is a proud daughter of the desert, but after years of devastating war with the adjoining kingdom, her people are desperate for peace. Willing to trade her freedom to ensure the safety of her family, Shalia becomes Queen of the Bonelands.

But she soon learns that her husband, Calix, is motivated only by his desire to exterminate the Elementae—mystical people who can control earth, wind, air, and fire. Even more unsettling are Shalia’s feelings for her husband’s brother, which unleash a power over the earth she never knew she possessed—a power that could get her killed. As rumors of a rebellion against Calix spread, Shalia must choose between the last chance for peace and her own future as an Elementae.

My Review
It might sound silly, but the first thing that struck me about this book is the fact that Shalia approached her arranged marriage with the attitude that she would try to fall in love with her husband and have a good life with him even though the match wasn’t driven by love. I liked that the story didn’t set up with the more typical approach where she’d be chafing under the arranged marriage and looking to escape it from the beginning.

Shalia and her family drew me into the story with their customs and love and loyalty to each other. One of my favorite characters was Shalia’s brother Kai with his hawk. I loved the way he both protected her and respected her.

I read Reign the Earth a few weeks past the birth of my daughter, so I haven’t been getting very much sleep—and when I do sleep, it’s usually just an hour or two at most. So when I say I found it hard to put this book down, and a couple of times even stayed up to keep on reading, that’s pretty serious! Already, I’m anxious for the sequel, even though I’m sure it won’t be out for a while.

If you liked The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi, you will probably like Reign the Earth with its clash of kingdoms, rich relationships and magical elements.

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Cultural Elements
Shalia describes herself and her people as having brown skin, and her husband’s people as having pale skin. One character briefly mentions she’s a lesbian.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between a man and woman. Sex is implied but not specifically described. One character tells Shalia she kissed a girl.

Spiritual Content
Calix and his brother and sister are said to literally be the three faces of their god. Shalia shares some of the customs of her family which have some spiritual origin. Her childhood friend, a priestess’s daughter, has traveled the world opening sacred sites so that powers can manifest in people across the world.

Violent Content
References and brief descriptions of torture. Battle scenes with some gore and fatality. An abusive relationship between a man and woman escalates from words to threats to physical violence.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

Review: Blue Moon Rising by Simon R. Green

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Blue Moon Rising (Forest Kingdom #1)
Simon R. Green
Ace
Published September 6, 2005 (originally published 1989)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Blue Moon Rising
Rupert didn’t especially want to be a prince. And he certainly never asked to be the second son of a royal line that really didn’t need a spare. So he was sent out to slay a dragon and prove himself-a quest straight out of legend. But he also discovered the kinds of things legends tend to leave out, as well as the usual demons, goblins, the dreaded Night Witch-and even worse terrors hidden in the shadows of Darkwood.

Rupert did find a fiery dragon-and a beautiful princess to rescue. But the dragon turned out to be a better friend than anyone back at the castle, and with the evil of Darkwood spreading, Rupert was going to need all the friends he could get.

My Review
Blue Moon Rising is another childhood favorite of mine, though I might have been in high school the first time I read it. Maybe ninth grade. Doesn’t matter.

Rupert’s character never fails to draw me into the story. What is it about a guy with all the odds stacked against him just trying to do the right thing? I’m so in. Plus, his wry sense of humor and the acidic humor of his steed the unicorn kept me laughing.

Some of the writing bothers me the more I read the book. There are some repetitive phrases and lots of hopping from one point-of-view to another without warning. So be warned about that if it’s going to bother you. But if you can manage to overlook those things, it’s a really fun fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I really like that about it.

While the story contains demons, there isn’t any spiritual component to battling them. They are essentially malformed monsters and not spiritual beings themselves.

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Cultural Elements
It’s a pretty straight-white cast. Some racial tensions exist between humans and a tribe of goblins Rupert befriends.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Brief kissing between a man and woman. Some references to sex, but no explicit details, nothing that happens on-scene.

Spiritual Content
The dragon talks about the difference between wild magic (which is the magic he senses and makes the demons strong) and human magic. Those forces seem to oppose one another.

The major villain in the story is the Demon Prince, whose appearance has caused demons to suddenly coordinate attacks. Rupert and his allies hope to find some magic strong enough to defeat the Demon Prince before he overtakes the Forest Kingdom.

Violent Content
Lots of battle scenes with some brief but gory descriptions of wounds.

Rupert encounters a witch who once kept herself beautiful using the blood of young girls. He also meets a warlock with quite a collection of animals in captivity. It’s clear the animals are miserable, but we don’t witness any harm come to them.

Drug Content
The High Warlock uses magical potions to cure wounds and transform into a younger-looking version of himself.

Review: Storm by Bonnie Calhoun

Book Review and Content, Dystopian or Post-Apocalyptic, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,

Storm (Stone Braide Chronicles #3)
Bonnie Calhoun
Fleming H. Revell Company
Published on November 1, 2016

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Storm
Selah has survived the forces of both man and nature to reunite her family. But her happiness is short-lived as they are forced into a barren world of volcanic ash that conceals the storm boiling beneath. The clock is ticking and Selah’s abilities are growing–along with the list of those out for her blood.

Selah feels unworthy of her status as a novarium and is tortured by the knowledge of lives lost to protect her. Her physical and mental abilities will tempt her to be reckless, but she must learn to wield such power responsibly. Time is running out as more lives are tragically cut short and the search for the Third Protocol takes Selah into lands that have fallen into legend. Can Selah follow the trail of ancient artifacts and finish the quest? Or have she and her companions pinned their hopes on nothing more than a fanciful story?

My Review
The hardest part about reading this book was that it starts off so quickly, with so many characters and so much going on that I found it hard to get oriented. There’s a lot of story-specific vocabulary which isn’t explained right away (or in some cases at all) and several of the characters had similar names, so I kept mixing them up and forgetting which was which. I would have really liked a character glossary or list of pertinent terms, maybe even a map of the geography and Selah’s route for better orientation.

Storm follows Selah’s urgent quest to complete a task or find an element called the Third Protocol. She doesn’t know much about it, only what she learns along the way as she meets different people who each have a puzzle piece directing her onward. One thing I wish had been clearer is the part of the story that relates to the collection of children’s stories her brother and sister love called the Stone Braide stories. Those turn out to be pretty significant in terms of leading Selah on her quest, but I didn’t feel like that element was well-integrated into the story. The book is mentioned several times, but always in passing and then suddenly it contains answers that dramatically alter the quest, but still only gets a momentary focus. It would have been cool to see that developed more and have chapters begin with quotes from the book or have various trials along the way make Selah’s siblings share bits from the stories.

Other than some of the confusing elements, I feel like the story moved quickly and had a lot of action. I’m guessing some of the terms would be more familiar to me if I remembered more from earlier books or read the whole series pretty quickly. If you like books with a broad cast of characters and larger stage with a dystopian feel, this series has a lot to offer. I’d recommend beginning with the first book and either keeping some notes or reading all three books within a short time.

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Cultural Elements
Some vague references to clans or tribes but few details in terms of culture or race.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Brief kisses between a young man and woman.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Battle scenes involving arrows, guns, lasers, and explosives. Some characters are fatally wounded in battle. Brief descriptions of injuries.

Drug Content
None.

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Review: Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , ,

Before I Let Go
Marieke Nijkamp
Sourcebooks Fire
Published on January 2, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Before I Let Go
Best friends Corey and Kyra were inseparable in their snow-covered town of Lost Creek, Alaska. When Corey moves away, she makes Kyra promise to stay strong during the long, dark winter, and wait for her return.

Just days before Corey is to return home to visit, Kyra dies. Corey is devastated―and confused. The entire Lost community speaks in hushed tones about the town’s lost daughter, saying her death was meant to be. And they push Corey away like she’s a stranger.

Corey knows something is wrong. With every hour, her suspicion grows. Lost is keeping secrets―chilling secrets. But piecing together the truth about what happened to her best friend may prove as difficult as lighting the sky in an Alaskan winter…

My Review
I feel like Nijkamp’s true strength in storytelling comes from her way of taking a single situation or moment and crafting a story that shows a 360 degree view of the relationships around that situation. In her debut novel, she did this with a school shooting and the view into all the relationships surrounding the shooter. In Before I Let Go, we circle the unexpected death of a young girl in a small, close-knit community which never accepted her. Events unravel in a way both suspenseful and almost magical.

Because of the elements of magical realism, I often had no idea where the story would go. It felt like anything was possible. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Kyra showed up somehow. The way the town which Corey called home until seven months earlier becomes more and more sinister and strange kept me eagerly turning pages. Sometimes a simple, seemingly harmless thing twisted into something sinister and cult-ish. I liked Corey’s character and the way the story juxtaposed her interest in stars with Kyra’s passion for stories.

Before I Let Go is a great pick for readers who liked Bone Gap by Laura Ruby or The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma.

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Cultural Elements
Corey is asexual and her best friend Kyra pansexual. Corey learns that two of the boys in town are gay and a couple. Kyra is bipolar.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used with moderate frequency.

Romance/Sexual Content
Two girls share a kiss. Corey sees two boys sleeping in the same bed.

Spiritual Content
Corey finds paintings which seem to predict the future. Others seem to have embraced the idea of the paintings being prophetic and have an almost ritualistic response to them. Some possibly magical things happen. Flowers appear in various places without any explanation, and a garden grows plants out of season.

Violent Content
A sudden fire nearly kills a girl. A man attacks a teen boy and a girl in the woods.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

Review: The Phantom of the Fortress by Aaron M. Zook, Jr.

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Middle Grade 8-12, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

The Phantom of the Fortress (Thunder and Lightning #3)
Aaron M. Zook, Jr.
Bold Vision Books
Published November 8, 2016

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About The Phantom of the Fortress
A psychologically disturbed Austrian, who believes he is the reincarnation of Mozart, will hold all of Salzburg, Austria under his spell unless Gabe, Alex, and Thunder and Lightning can unravel the clues, solve the mystery, and capture the master of deception. Along the way, tricks and traps become more complex as townspeople pay the price for each error made by the boys. Thunder and Lightning, along with a team of the boy’s friends, work to save the town, but a surprise twist puts the fare of Salzburg on the shoulders of Gabe. Will he crumple under the weight? Will he overcome the madman’s menace?

My Review
I liked the balance in the amount of dialogue and the way it’s used to communicate action to the reader. It made the book a much quicker read and kept scenes from getting bogged down with too many details. On the flip side, though, at times I felt like the description was a little thin. For instance, I had a hard time visualizing the actual size of the dogs and sometimes had a hard time with some of the unfamiliar settings.

You’ll want to limber up your suspension of disbelief before picking up this book. Early in the story Alex and Gabe receive permission from the police captain to work with their cousin on an open case pursuing a murderer. As the chase continues, at one point a bomb injures one boy. No one at the police department seems terribly concerned that perhaps the kids shouldn’t be exposed to this kind of danger. I found that a bit hard to believe.

The plot moves pretty quickly, with the Phantom always a step ahead. The fast-paced action kept things interesting, but I felt like I never really understood what was going on with the Phantom. What did he actually want? Money? Fame? Why was he so obsessed with Mozart? Though the setting tied the story together with facts about Mozart’s life, I didn’t feel like the Phantom himself really connected those dots. He thought he was Mozart perhaps reincarnated, but why? I also wanted him to have more of a character. I also felt like the repeated references to his “horrible birthmark” were insensitive and unkind. I get it that he’s the bad guy, but wanted a little more compassion from the good guys on that point.

Despite the farfetched plot, this story may appeal to readers who enjoy overseas settings with historical significance or tales about kid detectives.

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Cultural Elements
Gabe (15) and Alex (13) are Americans in Austria, where their father is stationed with the military. Their close friends, Pete and Jenna are Austrian. Gabe and Alex work with their cousin Willie, an Australian.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Gabe and Jenna discuss the status of their dating relationship, which has no real physical component. Gabe feels he’s too young to get serious with a girl, but Jenna’s feelings are strong and she wants a greater commitment from him.

Spiritual Content
In a few scenes one of the boys talks with an older mentor about prayer and depending on God to help solve problems. He asks the group to pray before beginning one part of their mission.

Violent Content
Gabe and Alex find a gravely injured man. A bomb destroys a train car and injures several passengers, including children. At one point it appears both dogs have been killed, possibly by gunshots. Burning oil injures several people. A wall closes in, nearly crushing two people.

Drug Content
None.