Review: Heart So Broken and Fierce

* Book 2 in the Cursebreakers Trilogy *

The curse is broken in Emberfall, but the royal troubles are not over. Rumors swirl that Prince Rhen has a half brother. No one knows his identity, but rumors swirl that he has magical abilities. Prince Rhen's determined to locate his half-brother and kill him. He can't have magic ruin the kingdom - again.

Grey's been hiding since they destroyed Lilith. He's keeping his secret, the kingdom, and his brother safe.

But forces beyond their control pull them together. Grey must decide his future - no only for himself but for his band of followers.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. The perspectives shifted from the first book, which took me by surprise. And it took me a few pages to get used to the idea, by then I was hooked and had to read immediately. I loved learning more about Grey. I loved his loyalty and his willingness to put the kingdom first. I admired him and his great big heart. I felt terrible for Lia Mara for her family situation, although I admired her strength and determination. I loved her moments with Grey and her sister. I loved seeing favorite characters. I loved the action and the plot twists that I didn't see coming. I can't wait to read what happens next!!!

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic and matches the first cover really well
Source: ARC from BEA 2019
Library Recommendation: This series is a must have series for your public libraries (as is the authors non-fantasy books).

Review: Call It What You Want To

When Maegan and Rob are forced to pair up for a school assignment, both of them wish they could back out. Both of them are social outcasts - Maegan because she was caught cheating on the SATs and Rob because his father's a criminal. Many people think he helped his father steal money - or at the very least he knew about it.

With nothing left to lose, they start talking. And it helps. But they both still have secrets, secrets that could ruin this delicate friendship.

My Thoughts: I love all her books, and this one was hard to put down. I loved seeing a relationship bloom between the cop's daughter and the criminal's son. I liked unraveling the family secrets. I loved how Maegan and her sister became close - how they broke down the walls of secrets. My heart broke for both Maegan and Rob and for all they were going through. I loved Owen. I'd love to see him in a future book as the main character. I really liked the big question of this book - the question about mistakes and doing some wrong for the right reasons. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your library. 

On Your Radar (20)

Title: A Curse So Dark and Lonely (Book 1)

Author:  Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher:  Bloomsbury

Publication Date: January 29

Why it Should be on Your Radar:

* Beauty and the Beast Retelling 
* Grey
* Fierce Heroine
* Banter
* The Curse
* Character with cerebral palsy
* Becoming a Princess
* Spreading Kindness 
* Learning how to throw a knife
* Family
* Friendship
*Survival
* Hope


* Highly recommended - give this to readers of Sarah J Maas a Court of Thorns and Roses
** The only bad part about this book is waiting until next year for more of the story.

BEA Recap in Photos

Last week was Book Expo America - or in other words, bookmania.

On Wednesday after arriving in New York, I attended two events.

Novl Tea at Little Brown.

And the SLJ Librarians' Dinner, which I don't have any pictures from, but it was lots of fun with CT Librarian friends and amazing authors. Also they signed books, meaning I didn't have to wait in line for them the next day.

Thursday and Friday were both packed full of authors, books, and bookish people. The pictures are not in any real order.

Ryan T. Higgins signing Bruce's Big Move. I love this picture book series. Santa Bruce comes out later this fall.

Jen Calonita signing Misfits, the spin-off series of Fairy Tale Reform School

Tony DiTerlizzi signing posters of The Broken Ornament, which comes out later this fall.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka signing Hey, Kiddo - his graphic novel memoir which is sad, but really really good. Also David Levithan, his editor, is there too.

The Queen with her corgis - just hanging out in the Scholastic Booth - promoting Spy Kids.

Shannon and Dean Hale signing Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare

Jordan Matter signing his Born to Dance book, I love these pictures. He confessed that the real book is even better because they had to change some things around.

Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulous signing I am Neil Armstrong.

Eoin Colfer signing Artemis Fowl (soon to be a movie)

Martina McBride signing a picture for her upcoming cookbook.

Jan Brett signing her newest book Snowy Nap. They handed out bags to match the cover of the book. So cute!

Mark Crilley drawing me a picture in his new drawing book

Brigid Kemmerer signing her upcoming book a Curse So Dark and Lonely

Spy School series stand.

Hanging out with Brad Meltzer again.

Also I met my #otspsecretsister that I'm gifting this time around!
Check us out on her Instagram page.

So there you have it, three days of fun in pictures.

Stay tuned for more about the books.

Review: More than We Can Tell

* companion book to Letters to the Lost *

Emma loses herself in the gaming world that she built, but keeps hidden from her parents. She's having a hard time dealing with her parent's constant fighting, her mother's disapproval, and her relationship with her best friend. On top of all that, an online troll threatens her one source of escapism. Luckily for her, she meets a boy unexpectedly and find herself able to open up to him.

Rev's father tortured him as a child. Now that he's turned 18, his father has contacted him. Rev doesn't know how to tell his adoptive parents. He doesn't know how to respond to his father. Rev believes there's a monster inside of him - just like his father. But he doesn't want to let it out. Talking with Emma helps - a great deal. But the two of them will have to confront their demons.

My Thoughts: I adored this book; I had a hard time putting it down. I loved the dual perspectives. I felt heartsick for both characters, but especially for Rev and what he endured during his childhood. I loved seeing Juliet and Declan again! I love how Emma and Rev find each other - and keep noticing each other until they become something significant to each other. I adored Texas. I loved Emma and her game building/coding skills, I like seeing STEAM in books. I enjoyed the moments between Matthew and Rev - even the tense moments and how they worked through them. This book gave me ALL the feels, but most of all it gave me hope. I can't wait to read what Brigid Kemmerer writes next!

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries - along with Letters to the Lost. 

Review: Letters to the Lost

Juliet and her mother exchanged letters while her mother was away photographing the news. Now, even though she died months ago, Juliet can't break the habit. She leaves the letters on her mother's grave. She's angry and curious when someone writes back to her.

Before long, she's started a correspondence with this person. She learns quickly that he lost someone too - and the guilt he feels weighs on him. Another connection, as Juliet feels guilty about her mother's death.

Juliet and Declan share their inner most feelings with each other, realizing that they are the same age. They don't share identities, but unbeknownst to them they do interact in real life. Their interactions with each other couldn't be more opposite than their conversations through letters. When the truth comes out, will their relationship fizzle?

My Thoughts: I couldn't stop reading this book! I loved the duel perspectives, the letters back and forth, and their interactions at school. I love how they both death with death and how they both felt guilty about their roles, but also how they helped each other overcome their grief. I felt terrible for both of them as their stories unfolded. I enjoyed Juliet's father. I loved Rev and his family. And Declan's boss at the graveyard -  I love how their relationship unfolded. I enjoyed Declan giving his classmates something different to see in him when they had already made up their minds about him because of his criminal record. I loved the photography aspect of it. And of course the hopeful ending and that slow burn.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable. I love it - understanding it better after reading the book.
Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: Perfect for school and public libraries!