Graphic Novel Review: Twins

 

Maureen and Francine are best friends - and twins. They do everything together. But when they start middle school, Francine starts pulling away. She doesn't want to be seen as twins; she wants to be her own individual. She starts going by Fran. Fran joins clubs and makes new friends. She also doesn't want to dress the same anymore. And she's going to run for Class President. 

Maureen's having a hard time adjusting to middle school. She's not in the same classes as her sister. It's stressing her out. Maureen's in Cadet Corps instead of gym. While she's used to being at the top of her class, she's not in tuned with the cadet drills. Her teacher suggests she try out for a leadership position and run for office for extra credit. After a major fight with her sister, Maureen signs up to run for Class President.

Now the twins are running against each other. Their parents want to support both of them and make sure they're running clean campaigns. But what happens when you know your opponent's secrets?

My Thoughts: I loved this graphic novel! I felt bad for both girls. Maureen didn't want anything to change and had a hard time with learning her twin did. Fran wanted to become her own person and not be in Maureen's shadow. While both of them hurt each other, I'm glad how things turned out. Confidence played a huge part of this book - and it's really hard to be confident in middle school when you're still learning and everything is changing so quickly. Both girls had great ideas on how to make their mark on the school and to make the school a better place. I loved the art work - the colors were bright and fun. I can't wait to read the next book to see what happens next!

Cover Thoughts: Fierce!

Source: My library

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

Review: American Royals

When America won the Revolutionary War, George Washington was happy to accept the crown. Now more than two hundred and fifty years later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne.

For the first time, the heir to the throne is female. HRH Beatrice has been training her whole life to take over the crown when the time is right. She's been instilled a sense of duty above all else. As a result, she hasn't had much of a childhood. Her happiness has always been ignored as duty reigns her world. But now, she's wanting more for herself.

Her siblings, twins, have much more freedom. But the press still hounds them; looking for drama wherever they can find it. Their romantic lives, their futures, and their friendships are all up for speculation. Everyone has an opinion about the royals - can the royals life up to their expectations.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - there's So Much Drama. Each of the royals have a romance - but they all struggle with finding their happily ever after. Life isn't a fairy tale. Pressure and duty surrounds the royals. They question their friendships, their relationships with their siblings, and their purpose in the world. Just when they might find their footing, their world shifts and everything off balance again. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives. I felt terrible for the royals because of their struggles and their lifestyle. I love reading about royals, but I wouldn't want to be one. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute, but would have enjoyed a more Kiera Cass novel cover
Source: ARC from BEA 2019
Library Recommendation: Grad this one for your public libraries.

Review: Lois Lane Fallout

From a military family, Lois Lane's moved schools several times - and not always because of her father's jobs. Sometimes Lois has problems fitting in after she opens her mouth. She vows her time in Metropolis is going to be different.

But then she overhears a conversation where a girl complains about bullies (the warheads) to the principal. Right away, Lois takes a stand and finds herself in the cross hairs.  More importantly, she also finds herself a job at a newspaper.

She starts investigate the warheads, who do everything in a pack and have the power to mess with people's minds. Lois needs to figure out how they video game they play gives them power. She's not about to go down without a fight, but the next mind they control could be Lois's.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book.

I liked Lois for her brains, her determination, her loyalty, and her ability to stand her ground. I liked watching her in action, trying to uncover the dirt for her story and to help her friend. I liked watching her navigate the waters of her new school and finding friends, especially those also on the newspaper.

I thought the video game/mind controlling aspect of the book was interesting (although it took me a while to understand the process.) I did like the video game within the video game - and how Lois worked with her friends, especially that friend. 

I wasn't a huge fan of Lois's father - he didn't seem to trust her at all. But neither did he want her in harm's way. It's possible that I will like him more in the next books.

Cover Thoughts: Cool
Source: ARC sent for review

Final Thoughts: Looking forward to more in this series!

Blog Tour: The Veil

Seven years ago, the Veil that separates us from what lies beyond was torn apart, and New Orleans was engulfed in a supernatural war. Now, those with paranormal powers have been confined in a walled community that humans call the District. Those who live there call it Devil’s Isle.

Claire Connolly is a good girl with a dangerous secret: she’s a Sensitive, a human endowed with magic that seeped through the Veil. Claire knows that revealing her skills would mean being confined to Devil’s Isle. Unfortunately, hiding her power has left her untrained and unfocused…

Liam Quinn knows from experience that magic makes monsters of the weak, and he has no time for a Sensitive with no control of her own strength. But when he sees Claire using her powers to save a human under attack — in full view of the French Quarter — Liam decides to bring her to Devil’s Isle and the teacher she needs—even though getting her out of his way isn’t the same as keeping her out of his head.

As more and more Sensitives fall prey to their magic, and unleash their hunger on the city, Claire and Liam must work together to save New Orleans, or else the city will burn…

Good to Know:

About this series: There will be at least three books in the series
Tips on Writing: Getting published requires a great story AND execution. Your writing needs to be polished–and practice definitely helps. So does editing. Lots and lots of editing.
Favorite Series: I love Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series, Kim Harrison’s Hollows series, and J.D. Robb’s In Death series
Chloe's Reading List: This year's books

Check out the Trailer:


Sounds good right? Then check out the giveaways:

The fun doesn’t stop here. Want more chances to win? You can also enter THE VEIL Grand Prize Giveaway, which runs July 27 through August 7 on Chloe’s web site.

What is the Grand Prize Giveaway prize?

Fleur de Lis Amulet Pendant Necklace from New Orleans jewelry designer Mignon Faget

$50 Amazon Gift Card

THE VEIL 5″x5″ cloth screenwipe

THE VEIL tote bag

THE VEIL bookmark, sticker, and pen

Chicagoland Vampires bookmark, sticker, pen, keychain, and lanyard

Mini Giveaway from This Blog: 

The packet will include:

• THE VEIL tote bag
• THE VEIL 5″x5″ cloth screenwipe
• THE VEIL bookmark, sticker, and pen
• SWAG items

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mysterious Saturday Review: All Fudged Up

Allie's Grandfather died, leaving her the family business - a hotel and fudge shop. She needs to overhaul the hotel, but the renovations come to halt when she finds a dead body in her utility closet.

The man's identified as an enemy of her grandfather's (they had a long running history of pranking each other), leaving Allie as a suspect.  Now the town's taking sides and Allie's working hard to get to hotel ready in time - but things have a way of popping up making it difficult for her.

Will she get the hotel up and running on time and solve a murder before this small knit community runs her out of town?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this debut cozy series. I loved the fudge making and the idea of "adult" fudge. I enjoyed meeting the meeting in the small town -where everyone knows you and everyone has an opinion. I liked exploring the hotel and seeing the secrets hidden away. I really liked Allie for her determination and strength. I liked Jen - she plans awesome parties. I loved the open house idea and how it all came together. The secondary characters were fun and quirky. I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: my Library
Book 2 comes out early September.

Review: Divided We Fall

Danny wanted to serve his country like his father who died fighting for freedom. One night after helping win a football game, Danny's National Guard Unit is called to Boise to help keep a protest under control.

Things get out of hand and Danny accidentally fires a shot. Soon others return fire and people start dying. What started out as a mob scene now turns into a disaster.

The country's divided. Half the people - including the President want the Idaho Guard punished. The Governor isn't about to give up those names - even under threats.

The Governor doesn't support the President's plan for federal ID cards, which would contain plenty of personal information - including a locator chip.  With the two of them at odds, the country and the state governments butt heads, creating a time of tension and probably war.

My Thoughts: A great military thriller that could happen in the near future - making it a terrifying and very interesting read.  I felt horrible for Danny - for being stuck between a rock and a hard place and how he had to attempt to keep his actions a secret. I liked that he had a support team, even though some of their motives were questionable. I wasn't crazy about most of his friends, but I did admire their loyalty. I had mixed feelings about JoBell. I hated her for most of the book, but every now and then she would surprise me.  A great premise but not a world I'd want to live in. I didn't realize this was the beginning of a trilogy when I started reading it and now after that cliff hanger, I need the next book! 

Cover Thoughts: Awesome
Source: ARC

Review: Cold Fury

Sara Jane comes from an Italian family full of secrets.It isn't until her parents and her brother goes missing after her grandparents die that she figures out the truth. Her family's part of the mob.

Her uncle and his wife wanted more of the family business. Sara Jane suspects her uncle of taking her family. Men are coming after her, wanting the family notebook. A notebook she never knew existed, but a notebook she must find if she wants to survive.

Now Sara Jane's gone into hiding to try to figure everything out. A handful of clues lead her to discover a world hidden right under everyone's nose. Determination and the Cold Fury that runs through her veins are the only things keeping her alive.

My Thoughts: It took me a couple chapters but then I was hooked! One of my favorite books is The Godfather. Sara Jane's story reeled me in and I'm so happy it's the first of a new series. I loved watching Sara Jane figure out the mysteries within her family. I loved watching her fight the bad guys and tame the guys in the mob. I liked her interactions with her two friends and their love for movies. Lots of action, lots of danger, and lots of fights make this debut heart pounding and almost impossible to put down. 

Cover Thoughts: Interesting
Source: Sent for review by the author

Other Teen Books about the Mob:
Son of the Mob
Mob Princess

Tween Tuesday Review: Infinity Ring

 * comes out August 28th *

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

Dak and Sara are best friends. Dak's a history geek and Sara loves anything science related. When they get the chance to break into Dak's parent's lab, they find a ring. The ring allows people to travel through time.

Sara realizes that the ring is broken. It takes her all day to fix the ring. When Dak's parents return, they're dumbfounded to learn the ring now works. After a quick test of the ring, they can't wait to use it to start fixing the breaks in history, the moments gone wrong that have changed the world.

Unfortunately, they are not the only ones with knowledge of the ring and SQ (the reason behind all the breaks in history) also desires the ring. Just as people are training Sara and Dak how to use the ring and fix the breaks, the SQ infiltrate the building. Sara and Dak have no choice but to use the ring, along with a language specialist. They end up in 1492, where a mutiny is about to take place aboard Columbus's ship. Can they fix the break? 

 My Thoughts: If you like the 39 Clues series - don't miss this book! It's got lots of action and danger! I like the nerdiness of both Dak and Sara. I'm loving how more and more books have smart characters who are proud of their brains. I like the dynamic between Dak and the language expert -they act like brothers and are quite amusing with their banter.


As a history buff, I love reading about histories and alternative histories. I find it fascinating to read how the course of history might have changed due to a mutiny abroad Columbus's ships. The perfect blend of danger, humor, history, nerdiness, and action made me devour this book. I know the tweens in my library will devour this book just as quickly as I did and will also be asking for more.

Cover Thoughts: Cool
Source: ARC from BEA
Up Next:  Divide and Conquer by Carrie Ryan comes out November 6th