Book reviews for genres: Fantasy, Children's Fiction, Sci Fi, Mystery, Thrillers, and YA
Shetland Island #1 by Ann Cleeves
First published in 2006
Raven Black by Ann Cleeves is the first in the Shetland Island series and is what the Shetland TV series is based on, although I haven’t watch it yet. It also won the Duncan Lawrie Dagger award for best crime novel of the year in 2006. I listened to this book on audio and my review is based on my listening experience.
by Marie Letourneau
Published on: March 14, 2017
Argyle Fox by Marie Letourneau is a story of a young fox who wants to play outside on a windy day. Over and over and over again he tries to find different ways to play, but the wind keeps winning and Argyle’s playtime keeps getting interrupted and disturbed, forcing him to find ‘yet another’ way to play outside. He finally gets frustrated enough that decides to quit playing outside on windy days forever. However, with a gentle push from his mother he thinks up a way that he can play outside ‘with’ the wind.
by Susan Schaefer Bernardo
Published on: June 6, 2019
A picture book about such a famous artist deserves a book that is as perfectly illustrated as this one is. Each page is lush with details and style. With this book, children will not only enjoy learning about the history of Steinlen, what he created, and his love for cats, but they will also get a taste and feel for France. At the end of the book, there is additional biographical information on the artist.
Thanks to Inner Flower Child Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
The Map to Everywhere #1 by Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis
Published on: November 4, 2014
My nephew recommended this book. He liked it so much that he found my Fire tablet and proceeded to mark the entire series with 5 stars on GoodReads, even though I hadn’t read any of them yet. So, now that I’ve finished listening to it on audio, which was excellent, and with each character having his or her own voice. I am interviewing my nephew for his review.
Maisie Dobbs #6 by Jacqueline Winspear
Published on: April 1, 2010
In Among the Mad, Maisie Dobbs is out on a busy street with her employee on Christmas Eve when she witnesses a WWI veteran commit suicide. The next day a letter is received addressed to the Prime Minister indicating there will be more loss of life unless something is done to help these veterans; however, the letter goes on to mention Maisie by name. Scotland Yard’s Special Branch calls Maisie and the detective work begins.
The Forbidden Library #1 by Django Wexler
Published on: April 15, 2014
The Forbidden Library is about a girl named Alice who goes to live with her uncle Geryon, who then forbids her to enter a library, until of course, she does. Once that occurs, Alice’s world changes where she learns about magic, books, and the complexities of human (and not-human) motives.
Weapons and Wielders Book 1 by Andrew Rowe
Published on: February 8, 2019
This fantasy novel is a light-hearted read, so if you are a fan of fantasy and have just read a chain of several books that contain plots related to the prophesying of an end of the world collapse, then this book may just be for you as a change of pace type book. As a light-hearted read and there are a lot of jokes and quips within it to give you a feel-good feeling when you close the book each night.
The Bone Witch #1 by Rin Chupeco
Published on: March 7, 2017
Time away from this book helped me put it in its proper perspective.
Summary: When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she’s a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.
In her new home, Tea puts all her energy into becoming an asha-one who can wield elemental magic. But dark forces are approaching quickly, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to overcome her obstacles…and make a powerful choice.
by Ruth Ware
Published on: May 29, 2018
Audio Review: Upon turning on the audio version of The Death of Mrs. Westaway, the reader is immediately met with beautifully eerie music that sets the tone for the story perfectly. After which, a slowly unravelled story surrounding a girl, Hal, who receives a letter from a lawyer stating she has been left an inheritance begins. Even though Hal knows this cannot be correct, she goes to the funeral and to the home afterwards in hopes that the Will may leave her with just a little to pay off her debts. The longer she spends time with the family, the more she sees their estrangement from each other and the more questions raise up within her regarding the history of Trepassen estate.
A Theonite War Story by M.L. Wang
Published on: February 17, 2019
“It was a harrowing climb to the high school. Eight hundred twenty-one steps.”
To be honest, I delayed writing this review. I realize now what the issue was. The issue that I have been ignoring or dreading. The issue is the emotional trauma I felt after reading this book. Before I picked up the book, when I read others reviews there were several that mentioned that there are 2 climaxes in the book. But these climaxes are not both at the end. One occurs about 1/2 way in and the other occurs at 70-80% in. When I initially heard about the 2 climaxes I was like “Awesome. More greatness!” That, of course, was before I experienced the first climax first-hand. Before I experienced the emotional trauma. At that point, I put down the book down for a longer period than I thought I would and I wasn’t even sure I would ever pick it up again.
A Garden of Books 