Category Archives: By Age Range

Review: The Illusionist’s Apprentice by Kristy Cambron

Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, New Adult 18up, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , ,

The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy CambronThe Illusionist’s Apprentice
Kristy Cambron
HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Published on March 7th, 2017

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About The Illusionist’s Apprentice
Harry Houdini’s one-time apprentice holds fantastic secrets about the greatest illusionist in the world. But someone wants to claim them . . . or silence her before she can reveal them on her own.

Boston, 1926. Jenny “Wren” Lockhart is a bold eccentric—even for a female vaudevillian. As notorious for her inherited wealth and gentleman’s dress as she is for her unsavory upbringing in the back halls of a vaudeville theater, Wren lives in a world that challenges all manner of conventions.

In the months following Houdini’s death, Wren is drawn into a web of mystery surrounding a spiritualist by the name of Horace Stapleton, a man defamed by Houdini’s ardent debunking of fraudulent mystics in the years leading up to his death. But in a public illusion that goes terribly wrong, one man is dead and another stands charged with his murder. Though he’s known as one of her teacher’s greatest critics, Wren must decide to become the one thing she never wanted to be: Stapleton’s defender.

Forced to team up with the newly formed FBI, Wren races against time and an unknown enemy, all to prove the innocence of a hated man. In a world of illusion, of the vaudeville halls that showcase the flamboyant and the strange, Wren’s carefully constructed world threatens to collapse around her.

Layered with mystery, illusion, and the artistry of the Jazz Age’s bygone vaudeville era, The Illusionist’s Apprentice is a journey through love and loss and the underpinnings of faith on each life’s stage.

My Review
I immensely enjoyed Krisy Cambron’s book The Ringmaster’s Wife, so it was with great pleasure that I received a copy of The Illusionist’s Apprentice from Netgalley to review.

This book is a story of trust, healing, and renewal. We meet Wren Lockhart, former apprentice to the great Harry Houdini and illusionist extraordinaire in her own right–her best trick, however, happens to be the concealment of her feelings. We meet Agent Elliot Matthews, a jaded FBI man with a talent for finding out the truth–but can he find love? When their paths cross, get ready for sparks to ignite–and not all of them friendly.

Again, Cambron blew me away with the characters she created. Wren, Elliot, & Co. were all developed with extraordinary complexity. There was so much to each character, and so much depth in each of their interactions, that I couldn’t help but love this book. I also enjoyed seeing more of how Cambron developed the male characters in this book, as I didn’t get a good feel for that in the last.

The plot was much stronger in this one as well. The mystery was so intriguing, I couldn’t wait to see what happened next! It was a dangerous tightrope that these characters walked. Suspense around every corner, and secrets lying in wait in the shadows. When the dirty past of the characters is unearthed–along with a dead/not-dead/dead-again man, prepare for your heart to stop. These poor people have been through a lot, and it’s not over yet!

The story was set in 1920s America, full of Prohibition-era crimes, hired guns, and death-defying acts from the world of vaudeville. It was the perfect setting for all that happened. I loved reading about the culture at that time, and especially the historical figures nestled in the book like easter eggs. (Bonus points for the references to Sherlock Holmes and his author!)

Wrap-up: I loved The Illusionist’s Apprentice, and it fully deserves 5 out of 5 stars. While I had hoped to see more of Harry Houdini and his shows, I quickly fell in love with Wren and Elliot and the mystery they chased. This book is chock-full of great characters, and will especially entice those who enjoyed The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill.

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Cultural Elements
Most major characters appear white. One character is described as resembling a South Pacific Islander.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Light kissing.

Spiritual Content
Wren believes in God. A Bible verse is quoted. Mentions of faith and God. Mentions of seances, mediums, summoning the dead, etc.

Violent Content
Characters are attacked, abused–eventually leading to death–and they get into various scrapes–all semi-detailed.

Drug Content
One character is an alcoholic, which leads to abuse.

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

Review: Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson

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

Dark Breaks the Dawn
Sara B. Larson
Scholastic Press
Published May 30th, 2017

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Dark Breaks the Dawn

On her eighteenth birthday, Princess Evelayn of Eadrolan, the Light Kingdom, can finally access the full range of her magical powers. The light looks brighter, the air is sharper, and the energy she can draw when fighting feels almost limitless.

But while her mother, the queen, remains busy at the war front, in the Dark Kingdom of Dorjhalon, the corrupt king is plotting. King Bain wants control of both kingdoms, and his plan will fling Evelayn onto the throne much sooner than she expected.

In order to defeat Bain and his sons, Evelayn will quickly have to come into her ability to shapeshift, and rely on the alluring Lord Tanvir. But not everyone is what they seem, and the balance between the Light and Dark comes at a steep price.

My Review

This is the first retelling of Swan Lake that I have come across, and while it wasn’t quite what I was expecting, I still enjoyed it. The characters for the most part were enjoyable, and I liked how in this book the romance progressed steadily and seemed like a positive relationship. No painful love triangles and drama here! I wasn’t a fan of the scenes from Lorcan’s and Lothar’s POV. I think the author was trying to create sympathy for them, but I still didn’t like them a whole lot. And it just left me with a lot of unanswered questions.

The world-building definitely carries the book however. It was excellent, very well thought out with a unique magic system. One thing that threw me for a loop at first though was that this book is not about humans–it’s about Draiolon, a race of fae-like creatures who live centuries, and have skin and hair colors in a variety of shades–blue, green, white, gold, you name it. The Light Draiolon wield the powers of Summer–heat, fire, light, etc. The Dark Draiolon wield the powers of Winter– cold, shadowflame, darkness, etc. It took me an embarrassing long time to figure this stuff out. I finally caught on when I realized that the words “people,” “man,” and “woman” weren’t used because the book isn’t about humans. Instead, words like “Draiolon,” “male,” and “female” are used.

One thing that kinda bugged me about this book however was that the retelling aspect of the book didn’t come into play until the very end. Hopefully the sequel will explore more of the original story, although it seems like there is still a lot of questions to be answered for it to be just a duology. Dark Breaks the Dawn earns 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion, and is perfect for fans of high fantasy in the vein of Tolkien.


Recommended for Ages 15 up.

Cultural Elements
All of the characters are Draiolan, with there being two distinct races–the Light Draiolan, and the Dark Draiolan.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None that I can recall–possibly fantasy-style swearing.

Romance/Sexual Content
Heavy kissing/embracing, touching, attraction, lust, mention of producing an heir.

Spiritual Content
High-fantasy style magic and rituals.

Violent Content
Deaths, attacks, abuse, magical violence, etc–some graphic encounters. One especially heartbreaking death.

Drug Content
None that I can recall beyond drinking at feasts.

Monthly Wrap-Up: November 2017

Young Adult/Teen 12-18, ,

This year it has been easy to find things to be thankful for. Books, of course, and great author friends always make my list. Family and friends. Delicious snacks. You get the idea.

As we get into the holiday season, we’re not only preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus as our Christmas celebration, but also the birth of our own new family addition. This month family and friends gathered to celebrate with us and help us get ready for our new little bundle. I forgot how much stuff babies need, y’all. It’s a LOT of stuff. My husband teases me because whenever we get a new thing (not just now, but any new thing, any time) my first question is always, okay, but where are we going to put it? So we’ve had a lot of shuffling things around from place to place in our house during the last several months, which has left our furry friends a little disoriented.

In the midst of all of that, I’m mostly reading books I choose from my ridiculously long to-be-read stack and only accepting a few review requests since I’m afraid I’ll over-commit and end up letting authors down by not being able to fit in books I promised to read. I’m hoping by next spring I’ll be back to my usual frenzied, request-accepting self. We’ll see how things go.

For now, between Gabrielle and me, we were still able to share nine reviews this month. Here’s a bit about them in case you missed a few in all the holiday bustle.

November 2017 Reviews

Puritan Girl, Mohawk Girl by John Demos

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

The style of this book was more like creative nonfiction than a novel. It’s based on a true story about a girl who grows up adopted by a Mohawk family after she’s kidnapped from her Puritan settlement.

The Griffin of Darkwood by Becky Citra

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

A friend recommended this one to me. I liked how offbeat and unusual it was. If you’re looking for a middle grade fantasy set in the real world, this is a good one to check out.

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I had a hard time with this one. Loved some elements– some of the characters especially– but struggled with how dark it is. Lots of people rave about the series. It just isn’t for me, I guess.

Gemina (Illuminae Files #2) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Super. Fun. Read. I put this one off because I had so much fun reading Illuminae, the first book in the series, and worried this second couldn’t measure up. Yeah, no. I liked it a lot. It’s got some content, though, so see the notes in the review.

The Crystal Ribbon by Celeste Lim

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Another really unusual story. I loved that it’s got a historical basis but blends a bit of magic into the tale as well.

The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle’s reviews always make me want to read the books, and this one is no exception. This one gave her chills. You might need it on your Christmas list.

The Kiss of Deception (Remnant Chronicles #1) by Mary E. Pearson

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle recommends this one to readers 14 and up who love complex fantasy. Sounds like a win to me.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

This is another book I’d been meaning to read for quite a while. It wasn’t quite what I expected– has a lot of profanity– but I loved the genuineness of the characters and found it to be a really quick read.

What did you read this month?

So what about you? Read anything interesting this November? Have you read anything on my list? If so, what did you think? Anything on the list look particularly intriguing to you? Leave a comment telling me about it!

Review: Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

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

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Becky Albertalli
Balzer + Bray
Published on April 7, 2015

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

My Review

I’d heard a lot of buzz about this book and how great it is, which always makes me a little scared to read a book. I worry that I’ll be the weirdo who just doesn’t get the book or doesn’t like it. And while there were some things in this book that I struggled with (lots of swearing for instance) there were a lot of things I liked. Simon is the kind of narrator who draws you straight into the story.

I liked the email exchanges between him and Blue and loved the mystery of piecing together Blue’s real identity. The pressure of the whole blackmail situation definitely made the story more intense than if it were simply sort of a You’ve-Got-Mail-but-with-two-boys kind of story. Even with that complication, though, it’s still a pretty lighthearted story ultimately about first love and coming out.

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Cultural Elements
Simon is gay. He learns one classmate is bisexual. He meets another who is Jewish. One of his close friends is black.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used frequently throughout the book.

Romance/Sexual Content
Simon’s pretty frank about his personal life. One scene shows him lying in bed fantasizing about the mysterious Blue while he masturbates. (He only really states that his hand is “busy” but we get the idea.) Another scene shows him lying in bed with another boy kissing. He mentions that both of them have erections. (They’re still fully clothed.)

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
Simon’s friends take him to a bar to eat, and a college student mistakes him for an older boy and buys him several drinks, which Simon eagerly drinks. He shows up home very drunk. His parents punish him by grounding him and taking away his phone.

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

Review: The Journey by Alleece Balts

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, New Adult 18up, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,

The Journey (The Crowd #2)
Alleece Balts
Published on August 23, 2017

Amazon | Goodreads

About The Journey
At nineteen years old, Ella Parker is a star on the rise. With her vocal training at Juilliard underway, she’s more than prepared for a glittering performance career with the rock band Wicked Youth, and anticipating the prospect of becoming engaged to her billionaire boyfriend… Someday.

But when she collapses on stage during a summer concert and receives a chilling diagnosis, the promise of someday suddenly slips away.

Forced to confront her darkest fears, Ella must not only find the courage to go on after her once certain future has disappeared, but also to track down her runaway friend, Lucas, before time runs out.

My Review
The Journey feels like a much more mature story than its predecessor, The Crowd. Ella’s graduated from high school and both touring as a professional singer and attending Julliard. Her boyfriend, Jack, manages a large company but makes sure to slip away for time with Ella, especially when she needs him.

The story largely revolves around Ella’s relationships with Jack and her mom and her search for Lucas, who disappeared after a tragic incident which left police hunting for him. Ella struggles with her grief over her dad’s death as she faces her own health crises. She worries she’ll be putting her family and Jack in the same situation—forcing them to be crushed by grief if they lose her the way she was when her dad died.

The emotional journey is deep and it’s definitely what connected me to Ella. I liked the unexpected resolution and the way Ella grows and changes as a result of her trials. There were some fun side characters, too, like Archer, Ella’s chauffer and bodyguard.

If you like sweet romance stories with a strong musical theme, The Journey delivers both. I think you could read this one without having first read The Crowd, the first book in the series, but it’s worth checking out both, especially if, as I mentioned, you like sweet romance and music in your literature.

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Cultural Elements
All major characters appear white and straight.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. Some vague reference to Jack’s past, in which he had a lot of relationships.

Spiritual Content
Ella prays a few times for God’s guidance.

Violent Content
A fatal car accident occurs, and Ella hears a description of the injuries of one of its victims. Reference to a boy getting attacked by several others—no details of the event.

Drug Content
Vague/brief reference to Jack’s wild past, which includes some substance abuse.

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

 

Review: The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

Dystopian or Post-Apocalyptic, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,

The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles #1)
Mary E. Pearson
Henry Holt and Co.
Published on July 8th, 2014

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About The Kiss of Deception
A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor’s secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can’t abide. Like having to marry someone she’s never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love.

My Review

Part fantasy, part dystopian, The Kiss of Deception was very unique book with some incredible writing. This book had one of the most unique ways of using narration to build up tension that I have ever seen in a book. I won’t go into details, as I don’t want to spoil it, but this book is one surprise after another.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this one at first, but once I got past the first few chapters I was completely sucked in. I really liked Lia, and rooted for her as she worked on building herself a new life. While I can’t say I agree with all of her choices, the characterization was believable and I can understand where she was coming from.

The world-building, while interesting, at times just didn’t piece together very well. I had a hard time believing some aspects of it (especially when the prophecy becomes a part of the story–I would have preferred had the author left the story uncomplicated by “chosen one” tropes). My only other gripes are the insta-love and love triangle clichés that are featured in this story (though those are fairly mild compared to some other books I have read/heard of).

The Kiss of Deception is a fantastic read for teens who love complex fantasy. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars, and recommend it to readers 14 and up.

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Cultural Elements
Major characters are white. One group of people is described as barbaric in comparison to the others.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Some British-esque cursing.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing and caressing between a boy and girl. Also several scenes contain some sexual innuendo. Definitely sexual tension between characters, and one off-page scene could be interpreted as a sexual encounter. A woman is pregnant out of wedlock.

Spiritual Content
Mention of gods and goddesses. High-fantasy type religion and prophecy stuff, though not described in depth.

Violent Content
Strong violence in several scenes. Some disturbing (mostly emotionally, though graphic as well) deaths. Scars from abuse.

Drug Content
Characters drink wine.