Category Archives: By Genre

Unboxing: The Claires by C. L. Gaber

For the first time ever, I’m going to do an unboxing post! I kind of wish I’d thought to do this with my OwlCrate boxes when I got them before, but I didn’t, though maybe in the future, I’ll give that a go.

I received this box from Wunderkind PR near the end of March, and I feel really badly that I’m only now getting to post the unboxing. Between adjusting to online/distance learning with my older daughter and adjusting to staying at home 24/7 with a toddler, plus juggling work and blogging and sewing cotton masks with my family, it’s been a busy, hectic, and stressful month.

Which makes me even more grateful to have something fun and creative as a little breath of fresh air right now! So… on to the unboxing of The Claires by C. L. Gaber.

Unboxing The Claires

Here’s the box, and what it looked like inside when I opened it.

All the items inside the box were wrapped in purple tissue paper. I like the rich colors of the box and paper together. The book is kind of neutral, so the contrast of the strong colors and the book created a really cool look, I thought.

The first thing I opened is probably my favorite thing in the box. It’s a small “witches’ bottle”. The idea is that you write down your fears, put them in the bottle, cork it up and they disappear.

It’s a lovely idea, right? I think I need a bigger bottle? Is there a 2020 Super-Size option?? Haha.

The next thing in the box was a small Booklovers’ soy candle from Frostbeard Studio. It’s Old Forest scent, with rosewood, fig, dirt, and spices. I can definitely smell the rosewood. The candle smells really fresh and clean. And the outside of the jar has pictures of books on it! It’s super cute.

Then of course there’s the book. I’d been thinking a lot about books about sisters when I heard about this book, so I kind of had to check it out, even though paranormal and particularly psychic-type stories aren’t my usual go-to. I’m definitely into sister stories, though.

About The Claires by C. L. Gaber

Amazon | Goodreads

Four beautiful girls. Quadruplets. They are not identical.
But each is named Claire.
Claire V is Clairvoyant—clear seeing with visions of the future.
Claire S is Clairsentient—clear feeling as she embraces another’s pain.
Claire A is Clairaudient—clear hearing to tap into the spirit world.
Claire C is Claircognizant—clear knowing with 100% accuracy.

Born in 1911, they first died together in 1928 at age seventeen. Two months later, they were reborn. And reborn. THE CLAIRES only live to seventeen and then they’re violently murdered. Somewhere in the world, a woman finds out she’s pregnant with quads. The Claires return to a new family as they try to break a curse that guarantees they die young.

It’s current-day Los Angeles, and once again, their seventeenth birthday is looming. Can they save themselves, clean up the streets in the name of penance, and crash their own prom?

The Claires is the first novel spin-off of the best-selling Ascenders Book Saga.

Note: The Amazon link is an affiliate link.

Quiz: Do You Have a “Clair” Ability?

Another thing from the box was a quiz to see if you have a “Clair” ability. The quiz marks me as a possible “clairsentient”, or someone with off the charts empathy. So I’ll have to see whether I identify most with the sister with this particular ability as I read the book.

Altogether this was a really fun and creative box! It definitely made me feel like I have an inside view into the story world without having opened the book yet. I’m excited to read it and to get to know the sisters and see if they are able to break their curse.

Review: The Space Between Lost and Found by Sandy Stark-McGinnis

The Space Between Lost and Found
Sandy Stark-McGinnis
Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Published April 28, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About The Space Between Lost and Found

Cassie’s always looked up to her mom, a vivacious woman with big ideas and a mischievous smile. Together they planned to check off every item on a big-dream bucket list, no matter how far the adventure would take them. But then Mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and everything changed.

Now, Cassie tries to keep Mom happy, and to understand some of Dad’s restrictive new rules. She tries to focus on math lessons and struggles to come up with art ideas that used to just burst off her pen. When Mom’s memories started to fade, so did Cassie’s inspiration. And even worse, she’s accidentally pushed away Bailey, the one friend who could make it all okay.

After the worst Mom day yet, the day she forgets Cassie’s name, Cassie decides to take action. It’s time for one last adventure, even if it means lying and taking a big risk to get there. Sandy Stark-McGinnis, acclaimed author of Extraordinary Birds, explores big questions – the kind that don’t always have answers – in a powerful story about family, friendship, and the memories that will always be part of us.

My Review

This was such an emotional book for me.

My grandmother passed away after a battle with Lewy Body dimentia, which acts a little bit like Alzheimers. It happened so quickly that almost as soon as we realized something was wrong, it felt like we’d lost our connection to her, and her connection to us.

I know that it’s very different losing a grandparent compared to losing a parent, but I had so many of the thoughts and reactions to my grandmother’s illness that Cassie had to her mother’s. I remember that I kept expecting her to wake up and be herself again at any moment sometimes. I remember trying to come up with ways to help her reconstruct memories or watching for any spark of recognition in her face. I’m grateful that she wasn’t in physical pain, I truly am. But I couldn’t wish the crushing emotional pain of watching your loved one lose their memories on even my worst enemies. Even now I find it hard to talk about.

Anyway. All that to say that I found THE SPACE BETWEEN LOST AND FOUND to have deep echoes of my own grief at losing someone to dimentia. I loved Cassie and her grief and her struggle with its impact on her friendships and her creativity felt real and raw but not without hope.

There’s a strong message of community and of the strength of being able to lean on one another rather than becoming isolated. Cassie has a great support system, but it takes her some time to figure out how to connect with them in the midst of her grief.

All in all, I think fans of BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE or BE LIGHT LIKE A BIRD will enjoy this book for its emotional honesty and message of hope.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Major characters are white.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Some mildly scary descriptions– at one point Cassie’s mom dangles her feet off the edge of a canyon.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support the costs of running this blog. I received a free copy of THE SPACE BETWEEN LOST AND FOUND in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson

Ways to Make Sunshine
Renée Watson
Bloomsbury Children’s
Published April 28, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Ways to Make Sunshine

Ryan Hart loves to spend time with her friends, loves to invent recipies, and has a lot on her mind—school, self-image, and family. Her dad finally has a new job, but money is tight. That means changes like selling their second car and moving into a new (old) house. But Ryan is a girl who knows how to make sunshine out of setbacks. Because Ryan is all about trying to see the best. Even when things aren’t all she would wish for—her brother is infuriating, her parents don’t understand, when her recipies don’t turn out right, and when the unexpected occurs—she can find a way forward, with wit and plenty of sunshine.

My Review

Every book I’ve ever read by Renée Watson has made me fall in love with the story and the characters, and WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE was no different! I had so much fun reading about Ryan and her family.

The relationships between characters felt real and vivid. Ryan has to navigate changes in her friendships following her family’s move to a new house. Her relationship with her brother was great, too. I loved her whole family.

I think the best part of the story, for me, was the journey Ryan makes in coming to understand herself. At the beginning, she tries to embrace being a leader by doing her own thing and standing apart. But through facing challenges and obstacles, she begins to take charge in a different way– to bring others with her, whether it’s into an impromptu parade or in encouraging another performer to go on stage with her.

All in all, WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE is another triumph. I hope kids everywhere get to meet and fall in love with Ryan and her family too!

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12

Representation
Ryan and her family are black.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
References to attending church on Easter.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support the costs of running this blog. I received a free copy of WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa

Soul of the Sword (Shadow of the Fox #2)
Julie Kagawa
Harlequin Young Adult
Published June 25, 2019

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Soul of the Sword

One thousand years ago, a wish was made to the Harbinger of Change and a sword of rage and lightning was forged. Kamigoroshi. The Godslayer. It had one task: to seal away the powerful demon Hakaimono.

Now he has broken free.

Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has one task: to take her piece of the ancient and powerful scroll to the Steel Feather temple in order to prevent the summoning of the Harbinger of Change, the great Kami Dragon who will grant one wish to whomever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. But she has a new enemy now. The demon Hakaimono, who for centuries was trapped in a cursed sword, has escaped and possessed the boy she thought would protect her, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan.

Hakaimono has done the unthinkable and joined forces with the Master of Demons in order to break the curse of the sword and set himself free. To overthrow the empire and cover the land in darkness, they need one thing: the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. As the paths of Yumeko and the possessed Tatsumi cross once again, the entire empire will be thrown into chaos. 

My Review

I’m pretty sure that immediately after I finished the last few words of the last chapter of SHADOW OF THE FOX, I rushed to my copy of SOUL OF THE SWORD and started reading. I really needed to know what would happen to Yumeko and Tatsumi and their friends.

Some things took me completely by surprise. There’s one relationship that emerges that I totally did not expect and absolutely adored. Yumeko certainly doesn’t shy away from breaking the rules, which made some of her choices oddly satisfying? It was like she just looked at the situation and instead of doing what she’d been told she SHOULD do, she wasn’t afraid to ask what would help the most or what would be best for the people involved, regardless of what anyone else would think.

Through SOUL OF THE SWORD, Yumeko continues to be a loyal, compassionate girl, but she also begins to understand and explore her own power, which was an awesome thing to be part of as a reader. She begins the series as this quirky girl who finds her own magic fairly useless. Then she joins forces with powerful warriors and feels like the most powerless or useless person in a battle.

Even before she discovers how to use her magic in more powerful ways, she uses her character– her cleverness and compassion– to change the outcome of battles her team encounters. I love that about her. And when she adds magic to her strength of character, look out. She’s truly a force to be reckoned with, and I loved that, too!

I love this series, and definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a story to get lost in. Here are the reviews for the other books in the series:

Shadow of the Fox review

Night of the Dragon review (plus Q&A with Author Julie Kagawa!)

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Characters speak Japanese in this fantasy series inspired by Japanese folklore. Two characters are gay.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Some strong profanity and a few crude references used infrequently, mainly by one character.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between two boys.

Spiritual Content
The story is filled with spiritual creatures and traditions. Some characters worship divine beings called Kami. Other magical creatures can shapeshift or possess other magic. One character is a ghost who seeks to help Yumeko’s party. Yumeko has been raised by monks in a temple.

Demons respond to the evil blood magic and cause havoc in the human world. Tatsumi has a sword which contains the soul of a powerful demon. He hears the demon’s thoughts and knows that if he’s not vigilant, the demon can take possession of him.

Violent Content
Some gory battle violence and references to torture and abuse/neglect of a child.

Drug Content
Some characters drink sake. Yumeko gets drunk and regrets it the next day.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support the costs of running this blog.

Review: The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson

The Lucky Ones
Liz Lawson
Delacorte Press
Published April 7, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

About The Lucky Ones

May is a survivor. But she doesn’t feel like one. She feels angry. And lost. And alone. Eleven months after the school shooting that killed her twin brother, May still doesn’t know why she was the only one to walk out of the band room that day. No one gets what she went through–no one saw and heard what she did. No one can possibly understand how it feels to be her.

Zach lost his old life when his mother decided to defend the shooter. His girlfriend dumped him, his friends bailed, and now he spends his time hanging out with his little sister…and the one faithful friend who stuck around. His best friend is needy and demanding, but he won’t let Zach disappear into himself. Which is how Zach ends up at band practice that night. The same night May goes with her best friend to audition for a new band.

Which is how May meets Zach. And how Zach meets May. And how both might figure out that surviving could be an option after all.

My Review

At the beginning, I wasn’t totally sure I’d like May or Zach. He seemed so… wheedling? I don’t know if that’s really the right description. I found his awkwardness endearing, especially once he began trying to interact with May.

I liked a lot of things about May. She’s so obviously deeply wounded and prickly/angry as a result. I guess I just didn’t understand her choices at first. She was brave enough to vandalize property, but too scared to tell someone she was being harassed. I found that a little hard to reconcile at first.

Ultimately, as I got more and more drawn into the book and the healing process of both May and Zach, I couldn’t help rooting for them and hoping they’d find a happily-ever-after, or at least, have a breakthrough that opened the possibility of a happy ending.

THE LUCKY ONES is a journey through grief. Some parts hit hard, landing some pretty sharp punches straight to your heart. Other parts can’t help but inspire hope. I think that was my favorite part– that though the story gets dark as May revisits what happened, there’s hope.

Readers who enjoyed WILD AND CROOKED by Leah Thomas or GLASS GIRL by Laura Anderson Kurk should check out THE LUCKY ONES. (Content information below.)

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Lucy, May’s best friend is from Haiti and prefers female partners.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Lots of extreme profanity used frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Lots of feelings of attraction and brief kissing. References to making out.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to a school shooting during which May heard the shooter killing people.

Drug Content
Teen drinking and references to past drug use.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support the costs of running this blog. I received a free copy of THE LUCKY ONES in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

Shadow of the Fox (Shadow of the Fox #1)
Julie Kagawa
Harlequin Young Adult
Published October 2, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Shadow of the Fox

One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish—and the land of Iwagoto was plunged into an age of darkness and chaos.

Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. A new age is about to dawn.

Raised by monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple, Yumeko has trained all her life to hide her yokai nature. Half kitsune, half human, her skill with illusion is matched only by her penchant for mischief. Until the day her home is burned to the ground, her adoptive family is brutally slain and she is forced to flee for her life with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll.

There are many who would claim the dragon’s wish for their own. Kage Tatsumi, a mysterious samurai of the Shadow Clan, is one such hunter, under orders to retrieve the scroll…at any cost. Fate brings Kage and Yumeko together. With a promise to lead him to the scroll, an uneasy alliance is formed, offering Yumeko her best hope for survival. But he seeks what she has hidden away, and her deception could ultimately tear them both apart.

With an army of demons at her heels and the unlikeliest of allies at her side, Yumeko’s secrets are more than a matter of life or death. They are the key to the fate of the world itself.

My Review

In the opening chapter of this book, I remember thinking that it was super different from anything by Julie Kagawa that I’d ever read. It had this really serious, sort of mysterious feel, and I loved it but also missed her humor and sort of straightforward characters.

And then I read the next chapter and met Yumeko, and I was like YES! This is what I was looking for from this book. She’s mischievous and curious, but also deeply compassionate, especially where it comes to others in need. Right away I was hooked on her and her story.

And THEN I met Kage Tatsumi, the focused warrior who shouldn’t care for Yumeko, but of course inevitably does. And once they were in a scene together, I knew I’d be reading the entire SHADOW OF THE FOX series.

I knew almost nothing about Japanese legends and folklore before starting to read this book, so I really enjoyed learning some about it. I also loved where the characters spoke Japanese– I spent several weeks in Tokyo for work years ago, so I knew some of the words already. The glossary helped if it was something I didn’t know.

If you’re looking for a really immersive, fun story packed with adventure and a slow-simmer romance, I totally recommend this series. I devoured all three books almost back-to-back. I think fans of SPIN THE DAWN by Elizabeth Lim would really enjoy SHADOW OF THE FOX.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Characters speak Japanese in this fantasy series inspired by Japanese folklore.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Some strong profanity and a few crude references used infrequently, mainly by one character.

Romance/Sexual Content
A couple of veiled comments that go over Yumeko’s head.

Spiritual Content
The story is filled with spiritual creatures and traditions. Some characters worship divine beings called Kami. Other magical creatures can shapeshift or possess other magic. One character is a ghost who seeks to help Yumeko’s party. Yumeko has been raised by monks in a temple.

Demons respond to the evil blood magic and cause havoc in the human world. Tatsumi has a sword which contains the soul of a powerful demon. He hears the demon’s thoughts and knows that if he’s not vigilant, the demon can take possession of him.

Violent Content
Some gory battle violence and references to torture and abuse/neglect of a child and a servant.

Drug Content
Some characters drink sake. Yumeko gets drunk and regrets it the next day.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support the costs of running this blog.