Review: His Face is the Sun

 

* Book 1 in a trilogy *

Four people: a thief, a rebel, a Princess, and a priestess in training are all tied together because of a prophecy. Only they don't know it. 

The thief releases an evil that no one can stop.

The rebel helps ignite a revolution that will forever change her world

The Princess sees something terrible happening but doesn't stop it.

The priestess in training is trying to understand her new life, but she's also forced to understand the politics of the palace. 

Why are they important and what can they do together?

My Thoughts: This book is about discovering who these four characters are and why they are important. There are a lot of twist and turns, lots of action, and lots of danger. The four stories are woven together, similar to Game of Thrones. Luckily, I read this one and then the sequel (more on that soon). I love how the stories come together. There's so much to pour over in this book - and it just might made the reader look up Ancient Egyptian mythology.  The blend of history and fantasy couldn't have been better. This opening book is perfect for a crossover with adults! 

Cover Thoughts: Intriguing 

Source: Book sent for review (PLA panel)

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your public libraries.

On Your Radar: Change of Plans

 

It's been EONS since I've done one of these.

Title: Change of Plans

Author: Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Date Published: May 5, 20206

Why It Should be On Your Radar:

Summer romance

getting to know your family

mother/daughter relationship

restaurant chaos

off the grid

blended family

Friendship

Trust

Secrets

It's been 7 years since the last Sarah Dessen novel and it was everything I wanted it to be!

Verdict: 5 stars. Don't sleep on this one. And if you haven't read her before, go back and read her. Start with The Truth about Forever (it's my favorite)

* Source: ARC from PLA

Review: Escape Game

 

Season four of the family friendly reality TV show ended with a murder. No one won the prize that season. 

Six months later, season five is kicking off. The surprise contestant is the sister of the murdered girl - the one many believe killed Alicia. 

Now Audi, Carter, and Beck have been thrown together with Sierra to create a team. While they're good at escape rooms, they're not the fastest AND another team is targeting them. Plus, someone is dropping clues about Alicia's murder. The truth will come out, but only IF Sierra's team makes it to the finals. Can Team Helsing stay in the game long enough to collect answers?

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book: for the puzzles, the friendship, the twists and turns, and the drama of reality TV. I barely watch reality TV shows, but I love reading about them. I've never been to an escape room, but it's on my bucket list. I'm scared I wouldn't be good at it. Although I have co-built a couple rooms for my library. I loved the discussion about online personal vs. person in real life in terms of Carter and Kick-it Carter. I loved how Team Helsing bonded, but still had their moments. Everyone had secrets here. I can't wait to see what happens next after that wild ending. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source:  ARC sent for Review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public libraries

Marissa Meyer was on my PLA panel (more on that later)

Picture Book Review: The Apprenticeship of Andrew Wyeth

 

This book showcases the early years of Andrew Wyeth as he forms his painting style.

I confess, I didn't know much about Andrew Wyeth if anything. This was an interesting book and it did make me do a bit of research after reading it. I find it fascinating that his father was an illustrator. Several of his siblings were also painters. I do like it when picture books make me curious enough about the subject to do more research. I loved the illustrations in this book. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Titles

 This week's topic is book titles that describe me. This should be interesting....

Without explanation: 

Winging It

Change of Plans

Without a Clue

Thrown for a Loop

P.S. Are We Friends Now?

The Me I Used to Be

Wrong Friend

Gone Before Goodbye

The Last Page

Make Believe

Still into you

Middle Grade Review: Winging It

Luna's dad got a new job and their moving across the country to live with a grandmother she barely knows. She's not at all excited. She's not a nature girl - even though her mom was. But at a museum with her father, she spies the moth her mom named her after. Luna's never seen a luna moth. They only fly at night and they have a short life span. 

Her grandmother has a lot of rules. It's hard keeping up with them all. Their relationship is strained, but it's starting to improve.

Luna meets the neighbors. One of them helps her start a nature journal - just like her mother's. 

Will Luna start to fit in - with her grandmother? with nature? with new friends?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this graphic novel. I love how it felt like a diary with the calendar dates. I loved the nature part of this journal; it made me want to create my own. At the end of the book, it does tell you how to create your own. I felt badly for Luna as things were hard in the beginning but I love how she found herself. I love how she created relationships - especially the Nature Detectives. The camping trip was highly entertaining. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school or public library collection.

Board Books

Just a few new to me/the library board books:

I love this series. There's lots of vocabulary and things to talk about.

I love the soft illustrations. But careful, this book will make you want to make (and eat!)

Perfect for Women's History Month - this book celebrates women and lets young readers know they too can make a difference. Each spread becomes a mask, allowing readers to become that person - making it interactive. Each spread also has a mini biography. 

This is a book about colors and how it relates to Persuasion - really it's for grown-ups but it's fun to read! 

If your child likes cars, this is for you - a great transportation book. The illustrations are great and I love the foil on the illustrations.

A version of wheels on the bus in a barn setting with cute illustrations. I can't wait to read this one at storytimes.