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Review: Stoneheart by Charlie Fletcher

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Stone Heart by Charlie Fletcher

Stoneheart (Stoneheart Trilogy #1)
Charlie Fletcher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published May 1, 2007

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About Stoneheart

A city has many lives and layers. London has more than most. Not all the layers are underground, and not all the lives belong to the living.

Twelve-year-old George Chapman is about to find this out the hard way. When, in a tiny act of rebellion, George breaks the head from a stone dragon outside the Natural History Museum, he awakes an ancient power. This power has been dormant for centuries but the results are instant and terrifying: A stone Pterodactyl unpeels from the wall and starts chasing George. He runs for his life but it seems that no one can see what he’s running from. No one, except Edie, who is also trapped in this strange world.

And this is just the beginning as the statues of London awake
This is a story of statues coming to life; of a struggle between those with souls and those without; of how one boy who has been emotionally abandoned manages to find hope.

My Review

I listened to this story as an audiobook read by Jim Dale, and I really, really needed this book right now. I started listening to it because I couldn’t sleep, and I think Dale’s voice is particularly soothing.

At first, I kept having to listen to the same chapters over and over because I’d fall asleep. But once I got hooked on the story, I started finding time to listen to it during the day, even if it was just for ten minutes while I folded laundry or started making dinner.

I found George to be a really sympathetic character (totally reminded me of like, every downtrodden, nerdy hero from 90s kids’ movies) and Edie even more lovable. I wish there had been more clarity about her background, but I feel like she’s such a big character in the present action in the story that I almost didn’t have time to miss the backstory details.

Also, the Gunner. I mean. Has there ever been a STATUE that made such an amazing character? I want him on my team forever. I felt like there were other more minor characters– the Clocker and Dictionary for instance– that I also thought were just great.

STONEHEART is a bit of a weird book. It definitely takes some willing-suspension-of-disbelief, but I both needed and really enjoyed the escape from reality for a bit while I read this one.

I think fans of THE STORM KEEPER’S ISLAND would enjoy the clever and unique story world of STONEHEART.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 up.

Representation
Main characters are white and from the UK.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used a couple of times.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Statues come alive. Some monsters or people live under curses. A curse can only be broken by following a certain ritual.

Violent Content
Some situations of peril and frightening images, including reference to a man trying to stab a child, a man drowning a child, a monster who intends to eat a child.

Drug Content
The children hide out at a bar that’s closed.

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Review: Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa

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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.

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Review: Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

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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.

Review: Now a Major Motion Picture by Cory McCarthy

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Now a Major Motion Picture
Cory McCarthy
Sourcebooks Fire
Published April 3, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

About Now a Major Motion Picture

Fandom and first love collide for Iris on the film set for her grandmother’s famous high-fantasy trilogy.

Unlike the rest of the world, Iris doesn’t care about the famous high-fantasy Elementia books written by M. E. Thorne. So it’s just a little annoying that M. E. Thorne is her grandmother—and that Iris has to deal with the trilogy’s crazy fans.

When Iris gets dropped in Ireland for the movie adaptation, she sees her opportunity: if she can shut down production, the Elementia craze won’t grow any bigger, and she can finally have a normal life. Not even the rascally-cute actor Eamon O’Brien can get in her way.

But the crew’s passion is contagious, and as Iris begins to find herself in the very world she has avoided her whole life, she realizes that this movie might just be amazing…

My Review

Cory McCarthy is one of those authors who makes me want to read everything they write. So far I’ve read both YOU WERE HERE and NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE, and I can’t wait to read more.

Both books feature characters who are recovering from trauma and trying to understand elements of their pasts. I found them so easy to connect with, and even though they wrestle with intense topics, the rest of the cast brings humor, wisdom, and banter, making the books a lot of fun to read in addition to being really moving.

NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE has a little bit of a feminist vibe running through it, which I loved. The director of the movie is a young woman who’s very frank about the struggles women face in the arts industries. She encourages Iris with her own dreams, too. I loved her character. She felt so real and exactly like the kind of mentor I’d want to have and want to be.

Another theme that really resonated with me had to do with Iris’s family. She and her brother live with their dad, who refuses to talk about or read his mother’s books. As Iris wrestles with who her grandmother was to the community of fans, she begins to wonder about who she could have been as a grandmother, and why she wasn’t allowed to have that relationship.

I also loved the on-set scenes and descriptions of filming and all the behind-the-scenes stuff. I definitely think anyone who’s interested in the film industry would find this book fascinating. Fans of GEEKERELLA by Ashley Poston absolutely NEED to read this book.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
One minor character is a lesbian.

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

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl. At one point a boy and girl spend the night together. Iris discusses a girl’s crush on another girl with her.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Iris and her brother survived a kidnapping attempt that happened before the story begins. There are some references to that event, and it’s obvious that both are (understandably) still shaken.

Drug Content
Some characters drink alcohol. (I think they’re of age.)

Review: A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

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

A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2)
Sabaa Tahir
Razorbill
Published August 30, 2016

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

About A Torch Against the Night

Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.

But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.

Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.

My Review

Books that show graphic violence are always a struggle for me to read, and this one comes close to the edge for me. That said, I really enjoy the story and can’t stop rooting for the characters. I love the relationships between the major and minor characters so much. The cloaked woman who comes to Helene in the night. The leader of the desert tribe and her flirtatious brother.

I love the ways A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT surprised me. I feel like the story world got broader and deeper, and it made the story and the characters so much richer. I like that even though the story got bigger, it also continues to feel like that steady march toward an inevitable clash between good and evil.

Am I going to read the third book? Definitely. It’ll probably take me a little bit to get to it, because I’m worried I’ll read it and then be scrambling desperately for the fourth and final book, which won’t be out until possibly 2021. Long wait!

If you enjoy books like THE WRATH AND THE DAWN or GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS, add this series to your reading list. Also check out my review of book one in the series, AN EMBER IN THE ASHES.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Representation
Laia and her brother have bronze skin and dark eyes.

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

Romance/Sexual Content
References to sex. Kissing between boy and girl. She invites him to undress her in one scene and indicates that she wants to have sex with him.

Spiritual Content
Laia and Elias face opponents and allies which are mythical beings. Some try to destroy them while others seem to want to help them.

Violent Content
Battle violence and some gore. Some scenes include references to and brief descriptions of torture.

Drug Content
None.

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Review: Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor

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Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3)
Laini Taylor
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published April 8, 2014

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

About Dreams of Gods and Monsters

Two worlds are poised on the brink of a vicious war. By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera’s rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her.

When the brutal angel emperor brings his army to the human world, Karou and Akiva are finally reunited – not in love, but in a tentative alliance against their common enemy. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves.

But with even bigger threats on the horizon, are Karou and Akiva strong enough to stand among the gods and monsters?

The New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy comes to a stunning conclusion as – from the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond – humans, chimaera, and seraphim strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.

My Review

At last! The final book in the series. This is my second read-through, and there were so many moments in this one that I really looked forward to.

There were also some pretty dark things I had forgotten about. Karou experiences some trauma that’s pretty graphic. See the trigger warnings below.

I think what I love best about this series is what it says about the power of love to heal a breach caused by hate. The story shows how destructive hate can be, not only to between two groups that hate each other, but the way nursing the hate causes its own corruption, too.

While the earlier books in the series introduce the idea of the star-crossed love and the two groups at war, DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS focuses on the process of healing that must happen in order for the warfare to truly end.

And okay, all that is really awesome, and I’m totally a fan, but the characters make the series truly memorable. Karou and Akiva. Zuzana, Ziri, Leroz, Issa, and Brimstone. All completely unforgettable.

So yes. I loved all three of these books, and I would probably read them all for a third time at some point. It’s the kind of story with the kind of characters that you just want to revisit every so often. The kind of story that reminds you about the power of love and the fact that it takes courage and work for those good things to triumph over evil, but it can and does happen.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Representation
Most characters are chimaera or angels.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content – Trigger Warning
Kissing between boy and girl. References to sex and nudity.

One scene shows a character trying to rape another character. It’s graphic and intense. There are some references to other rapes, but those are not shown on scene.

Spiritual Content
Chimaera and angels each have myths about their origins involving the gods and goddesses they worship.

Some characters have magic, though the magic comes with a price, usually a toll in pain. Other characters have coins that represent wishes, in large or small denominations.

Violent Content – Trigger Warning
Some descriptions of battle or fighting and situations of peril. References to war. References to some grisly murders and mutilation of bodies. Some references to torture.

One scene shows a character trying to rape another character. It’s graphic and intense.

Drug Content
None.

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