Book Pairings (2)

 

To be honest, I forgot about this idea until I read the tea books.

I have a couple fiction and nonfiction pairings for you today.

 

Tea Parties Around the World: After a quick introduction, this books travels the world (alphabetically) through some of the countries that enjoy tea. Each country has little tidbits about  history of tea and the way tea is served. There's a full menu for tea accompanied by recipes and gorgeous photographs. 

Teatime Around the World: a Picture book with just a few words on the page telling the story along with text sharing information about tea in different areas in the world. And it includes the author's Tea Story - which is fun.

Why the Pairing: It was fun learning different ways people drink tea around the globe and both books give you that information. Perfect for readers of different generations to read together. 

* these books inspired me to have my own tea parties and try out recipes I've been meaning to try. So, I decided that once a month I'm going to host a tea party (right now because of the pandemic it's just me and my husband). We drink from the fancy cups and eat delicious treats. 

Here's the latest tea photo:

Lore: This is a new action packed YA book based on Greek Mythology where the gods become mortal for seven days and the hunt begins. They can be killed by descendants of ancient bloodlines. And Lore has a score to settle - even though she escaped that world. Someone brings her back in...

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths: Stories of Greek Mythology.

Why the pairing: In the author's notes, Alexandra Bracken talks about using this book as research and inspiration. I wasn't familiar with this idea behind her book, but it seems that others are. Probably because they know more about Greek Mythology than I do... perhaps they read this book!

Golden Gate: This is the second book in the series where two of the five teenage spies are brought into the public eye. This presents a very large problem where they have to lie. But someone is always watching and putting pieces of a bigger puzzle together. Could their found family be in danger?

The Secret Life of Spies: This nonfiction book shares the secrets of 20 known spies across cultures and time period. Each spy has a page spread detailing their life.

Why the Pairing: Reading the fictional series, it's interesting then to read about real spies. You can see differences in operations, but also lots of similarities.  Plus, spies are so much fun to read about.

Review: Aru Shah and the End of Time

* First in a new series *

Aru doesn't have the easiest home life; her mother travels frequently. She does have a great imagination which she uses frequently. The kids at school don't appreciate her untruthfulness. They demand to see the cursed lamp. Aru's been told never to light it; it will bring destruction upon the world. But she doesn't believe it, until she lights the lamp.

Everyone around her freezes and a God is summoned. Except he's a disgraced God and therefore a pigeon. He takes Aru to meet her soul sister, one who can help her save the world. Together the three of them head off to see the Council of Guardians. But in the past, the heroes of the world have been 5 brothers. The council asks Aru and Mini to prove themselves as Pandava descendants.

Only then will they be allowed to journey to the Kingdom of Death, find the three keys, recover the weapons, and defeat the Sleeper. If they do this, they might have a chance at saving the world from the God of Destruction - but they have a limited amount of time to achieve their goals.

My Thoughts: This is the start of a four book series from Rick Riordan's new publishing line. And it's quite good. Lots of action, danger, and plot twists. I love Aru's imagination and how she uses in it in their quest. I love her interactions with Mini and how they go from strangers to sisters. I loved the pop-culture references and humor. I loved learning more about Hindu mythology. I enjoyed learning more about both girls' lives - how Mini was a little more prepared, but how they thought her brother would be the hero and how Aru wasn't prepared at all and her mother was super busy. I loved how they fought like sisters but came to understand each other. I love the twist where the Pandava descendants are girls instead of boys. I really liked how karma came into play here and the question about if people can change. I love too that first impressions aren't always accurate.  I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries.

Tween Tuesday Review: Loki's Wolves

* Book 1 in a Trilogy *

The Vikings predicted the end of the world, but they had a plan to combat evil. Now generations later, descendants of the gods find themselves at the start of the battle.

It doesn't matter that Matt's only thirteen, as Thor's descendant, he's responsible for saving the world. With the help of two once enemies, now friends, Matt must come up with a plan and execute it.

Unfortunately for the trio, nothing ever goes according to plan. One wrong move might bring the world closer to the end. 

My Thoughts:I adored the start of this trilogy! I enjoyed the Norse Mythology - which I don't know too much about. I enjoyed Matt and Fen becoming closer - not quite friends, but they seems to trust each other just enough. I like the moments between them. I like Laurie and how she's determined to help and not sit on the sidelines just because she's a girl and the boys feel they have to protect her. I feel bad for Fen and his life, but I love how he tries to protect his cousin. Lots of action, lots of danger, and lots of fighting. I'm eager to see where this trilogy turns next. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: Gifted

Review: Percy Jackson's Greek Gods

From the Book Itself:

A publisher in New York asked me to write down what I know about the Greek gods, and I was like, Can we do this anonymously? Because I don't need the Olympians mad at me again. But if it helps you to know your Greek gods, and survive an encounter with them if they ever show up in your face, then I guess writing all this down will be my good deed for the week.

My Thoughts: A witty look at the Greek Gods and Goddesses from a demi-god who interacts with them first hand. Readers of both mythology books and Percy Jackson books will love this one. Percy Jackson describes the history of the gods and also shares a few tales from their past. Pop culture references (American Idol, Jeopardy, Friends, and more) are sprinkled through the book. Plus the illustrations are great. Pick this one up for your library!

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: Sent for Review

Tween Tuesday Review: Pheme the Gossip

* Goddess Girls Book #10*

Pheme loves talking about people. She's even the source of Zeus' eyes and ears at the school. Sometimes she takes her job too seriously. She snoops in the fellow students' rooms, looking for safety issues - until she's caught red-handed by a spell.

As punishment, she agrees to go a whole day without gossiping. Every time she tries to spread the word about something, it comes out as gibberish. Normally, that would be embarrassing, but not a big deal.

But today, Pheme learns of a secret plot that might put the world at risk. Since she can't tell anyone about it, Pheme will have to save the day herself.

My Thoughts: Another fun addition to the series - I like how the series has branched out to include other girls. I loved learning more about Pheme and her need for gossip. While I think she learns a lesson in this book, I liked hearing her thoughts on why she has to gossip. I liked the lengths she was willing to go to share her knowledge of the situation. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Review: Crimson Frost

 **4th Book in the Mythos Academy series - contains SPOILERS from previous books**

Gwen's world is crumbling before her eyes.Her first official date with Logan is a complete disaster when his father shows up. Mr. Quinn is on the Protectorate Board. He wants to charge Gwen with willfully allowing Loki (God of Chaos) to escape.


Gwen's dumbfounded with this charge as she did everything in her power to stop the god from rising. Now the student body hates her and she's on trial for her life.


Gwen has a handful of friends, her Grandmother, and a few teachers who believe in her. The rest of the world hurls insults at her and makes her life completely miserable.


Can Gwen convince the Protectorate Board that she's not the person responsible?

My Thoughts: I ADORE this series for so many reasons: the hot romance, the awesome library, the action, the danger, and Gwen's ability to kick butt! I'm so addicted to it and I can't wait for the next book. In this installment of the series, I love how Gwen's friends and family surround her with love. They give her the strength she needs.  I love how the action unfolds, with more danger than ever before.  The action and the danger make this series one I devour. Beyond the action and danger, there's so much emotional torment in this novel.  I feel for Gwen as she goes through the roughest patch of her life.  As much as I hated the ending, I understood the reasoning behind it. It leaves me curious to uncover what will happen next.

Cover Thoughts: I love it! I especially love the bits of purple from her shirt to her eyes to her necklace that tie the cover together.
Source: Netgalley
Up Next: Midnight Frost - out at the end of July

Review: Dark Frost

 * third book in the series - read my review for Kiss of Frost *

When Gwen and her friends are visiting an exhibit for a homework exercise, they're attacked by Reapers. Gwen knows the Reapers are looking for the Helheim Dagger; she doesn't know they suspect the dagger to reside in the library.

As Nike's champion, Gwen's also been looking for the dagger. She needs to keep it out the enemy's hands. The dagger is the only thing keeping Loki locked in his prison. He's so close to escaping and sending the world into chaos.

Gwen's also looking out for Loki's champion - the girl who murdered her mother. Gwen seeks revenge upon her, but will her thirst for revenge blindside her from the truth? 

My Thoughts: I love this series - for the mystery, the mythology,  the ancient artifacts, the awesome library, and the relationships. It's hard to describe all my thoughts for this book.There's angst, death, loss, friendship drama, romance, and hot kisses. The danger, the action, and the romance were all amped up in this addition to the series. 


I love the characters in this series; Gwen, her grandmother, the librarian, Logan, and Daphne.  Gwen struggles with her relationships. I loved how the wolf came back. I loved the protectiveness and it's loyalty to Gwen. 


While I hated all that Gwen went through in this book, it makes me more eager to read the next installment. 

Cover Thoughts: I love it - I love how they included the necklace.
Source: my Library.

Tween Tuesday Review: Artemis the Loyal

*Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. *

Artemis thinks the Olympics are unfair. She's not the only girl unhappy about the competition rule that only allows boys to participate.  She knows she could win the archery competition.

Artemis figures she can help her twin brother Apollo - so he might have the best chance at winning. But after she humiliates him in public, he's not interested in hanging out with her.

Still she worries about him entering the final game at the Olympics - defeating  the Parnassus Python. She hopes that he won't become injured in the process. It doesn't help that she visits the snake herself and might have spoiled his chance at winning.

Defeated, Artemis and her goddess girl friends create a petition against the sexist rules of the Olympics.  Will the godboys embrace her ideas or will they laugh at her?

My Thoughts: I loved how the girls stood up for themselves and how they wanted to participate in the Olympics as well. I'm so addicted to this series. I love the friendship drama, the school drama, and the slight romance drama. I love the strong female characters who are the perfect mix of strength and girly.



Cover Thoughts: Fabulous!


Source: Inter-Library Loan

Review: Kiss of Frost

*2nd book in series - read my review for Touch of Frost*

Gwen's still reeling from the attack in the library. She knows that Jasmine's family wants revenge. They don't care about the details surrounding her death - they still blame Gwen.

Gwen can't be sure, but she thinks that the person who tried to run her over on the street by her grandmother's house and the person who shot an arrow at her in the library might be taking their revenge.

Gwen's not able to confide in her teacher, only her best friend. When the school takes part in a Winter Carnival celebration weekend at a ski resort, Gwen's forced to tag along.

At first she hopes that the weekend will be a welcome distraction. She even met a cute boy. But strange things keep happening to her. Is it a coincidence or is she being targeted?

My Thoughts: I loved this new edition to this mythology series. I love the library and the collection (although the librarian isn't the nicest). I love Gram and her baked goodies. They make me want to bake my own goodies and gobble hers up too! I loved the village and the winter setting. I loved the moments between Logan and Gwen - Swoon! I love the combat scenes, the action, and all the danger.

Cover Thoughts: Great! I love the sword and the snowflakes

Source: My Library

Up Next: Dark Frost - out June 1st. I can't WAIT to read this one! And I love how the cover ties in to the end of the 2nd book!

Review: Sweet Venom

Grace and her brother just moved to San Fransisco. Grace's interest in computer science earned her a scholarship to Alpha Academy - a private prep school. Grace has always known she was adopted, but never imaged she'd have a twin.

She meets Gretchen by chance - right in the middle of a monster take down. Gretchen isn't interested in Grace. Gretchen is interested in learning how the monsters are breaking the rules. Previously only one monster can escape their realm at a time. But that night in the club, there are two monsters.

When Grace arrives on her doorstep the following day, Gretchen reluctantly she agrees to give Grace lessons on monster killing. She also tells Grace the history of monsters. She doesn't talk about herself much - her foster families or living on the streets. Despite not being interesting in family bonding, she does tell Grace about Ursula - her missing mentor.

Gretchen wants to know why the monster realm is changing. She wants to fight monsters- not train her sister. Grace wants to learn how to defend herself against all the monsters seeking her out. When she discovers they have another sister, she knows that the the third sister is in grave danger. Can she convince Gretchen to help her save their unknown sister?

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book. I loved the darker tone, the monster fighting, the uniqueness of each sister, the snark, the fighting scenes, the lighter tones of romance and friendship, and each sister rediscovering who they are in light of each other. I didn't want to this book to end, especially after the cliff hanger! I can't wait for book two!!!

Cover Thoughts: LOVE the cover!!!!

Source: from the publisher

Review: Touch of Frost

Gwen's life has been turned upside down in the past few months. She's misused her gift (touching objects tells her secrets) - which saved a girl. Knowing the truth kept the girl save, but it also involved her mother in a deadly car accident.

Now, Gwen's attending the private Mythos Academy where the student are all deadly warriors -all them except her. She has her Gypsy power, but it's not much in comparison. Their powers are all about strength, deadly weapon training, magic, and descedants from mythical creatures. In short, Mythos Academy is the training ground for a deadly battle against good vs. evil.

Gwen doesn't believe in the hype. She doesn't believe the stories from lessons actually occurred.

She also doesn't have a single friend on campus.

When a girl dies during her shift at the library and an important and valuable actifact stolen, Gwen can't believe the lack on concern. The next day, life goes on as usual. Sure, everyone's talking about Jasmine - how mean and horrible she was or wondering who will take her spot in the running for the Homecoming Queen. Gwen didn't like Jasmine, but even Jasmine deserves come closer to her murder.

Gwen's determined to solve the reason for Jasmine's death.


My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved learning more about this world based deep in mythology. I loved watching Gwen uncover clues about her life and blossom. I loved watching her turn into a friend to Daphne. Their relationship evolved from the first chapter - as they traded insults and snarky banter to a friendship. I loved the library scenes (as usual). I loved the relationship between Gwen and her grandmother. I really loved the banter between Gwen and Logan! All in all, lots of laughs, danger, and mystery. I'm super excited for the next book coming out in a few months

Cover Thoughts: I LOVE this cover. I especially love the sword at the end of Frost. The cover is mysterious with a hint of danger

Source: my Library

Up Next: Kiss of Frost coming out November 29th

If You Like: Fairy Tales and Mythology books

If You Like… is a feature highlighting blogger recommendations for books, authors, TV shows, movies, and music based on the things you already know and love. This week’s post features recommendations based on fairy tale, folklore, and mythology originals as well as retellings.

Check them out!

Tween Tuesday Review: Throne of Fire

The second book of the Kane Chronicles picks up three months after The Red Pyramid ends. The siblings and their associates attempt to break into a museum to locate the first part of the Book of Ra.

Unfortunately, the museum and the scroll are both heavily protected by curses, magical guards, and a high tech alarm system. They create massive damage to the museum and just barely escape with their lives. However, they obtain the first piece to the Book of Ra. They need to find and recover the other two pieces within four days time.

Carter and Sadie will use the Book of Ra to awaken the long retired Egyptian God, in hopes that he can save the world from the Chaos threatening to overtake it. The Gods and magicians start taking sides and Ra could be the world’s only hope.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this read - much more than the first book in the series. I'm not sure why that is - maybe it took me a little bit to acclimate myself to the new series. Normally I hate it when the narrator "talks" to the readers - but in this case, I think it works. I loved the danger, the drama, the snarkiness of Sadie, the humor, and the non-stop danger. I'm so looking forward to the last one in the trilogy!

Cover Thoughts: I like it - I love the light

Source: reviewed for VOYA

Review: Persephone the Phony

Persephone likes to make her friends and her mother happy, but it's often at the expense of her own happiness. She isn't interested in going shopping, or knitting, or having a makeover. She just doesn't know how to tell her friends without them becoming upset. She does meet one godboy who understands, Hades.

Unfortunately, Hades has a bad rap. Neither her mother nor her friends approve of their new friendship. Suddenly, Persephone can't stand it anymore. She meets Hades in secret, in a gloomy cemetery. Will she stand up for her new friend so they can hang out in public or will she go back to making everyone but her happy?

My Thoughts: This is the second of the Goddess Girl series - from another girl's perspective. I like how the goddesses/gods are portrayed as tweens. The first two books portray one goddess finding her true self while dealing with everyday issues plus magic.
The Cover: Super cute!

Source: Loaned from Jessica at I READ TO RELAX

Review: Athena the Brain

Athena believes she's a mere mortal, until a message from her father Zeus commanding her to Mount Olympus Academy. She's excited at the chance to learn something more challenging than her current studies, but she's sad to leave her foster family behind.

When she arrives at the school, she realizes that she's behind in her education. She has no idea how to perform magic. She doesn't want to mess with mortals for entertainment. Athena doesn't want her father to consider her a failure.

When she realizes she's on the wrong side of friendship with Medusa, she's not sure what to do. But she's not about to let Medusa and her sisters ruin her chance. Luckily, she does make friends with Aphrodite, Athena, and Pandora. Will she make a stand against Medusa and find her place at the Academy?


My Thoughts: The start of a new series for tween girls is amazingly cute and seriously fun. I love the combo of brains and fun in making a well rounded goddess girl.

The Cover: Very Cute

Source: My friend Jessica from I READ TO RELAX loaned this to me.