Graphic Novel Review: Fairy Tale Fixers

 

* First in a new series *

Just before Friday night at 5 pm, the phone rings. The investigator heads to the library where they are pulled into the story of Cinderella. The mouse can't sleep because people are always yelling at her. The investigator as an idea, everyone wants to marry a prince, right? But what happens when that's NOT the case?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this fairy tale where the investigator assumes all kinds of things to be true. And it's not true. The Prince is terrible. Cinderella doesn't want to marry him. She has her own dreams. I love how mouse and the investigator team up. I'm so looking forward to the next book (Sleeping Beauty) in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Hand This to: Readers who like Whatever After series and mixed up fairy tales

Library Recommendation: A highly recommended graphic novel for your school and public library collections.

Middle Grade Review: Isle of Ever

 

Days after her twelfth birthday, Everly "Benny" Benedict learns she's the heir to a fortune! But to collect the inheritance, she first has to play—and win—a game. Following clues that her ancestor left, Benny must locate a small island that vanished long ago, according to legend.

She has only two weeks to play the game and find the island. If she's successful, she'll break a two-hundred-year-old curse. If she fails, the fortune will be forfeited. And if she's not careful, she'll cross paths with someone else who is after the island's secrets, and who will stop at nothing to get them. Because, as it turns out, there's far more than a fortune at stake. - summary from publisher

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved how one letter changed Benny's life. I love how she experienced a new world - one with everything at her fingertips. I enjoyed watching her make friends and trying to figure out the clues. I loved exploring the town with them. I enjoyed the two timelines and the magic of everything. And that ending! I can't wait for book two to find out what happens next. 

Why I Read It: The Author but also puzzle books

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

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

Hand this book: to readers who like puzzles

** this is a middle grade book that reminds me of Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Inheritance Games

Romance Review: When in Rome

 

Rae Rose, the Princess of Pop, needs a break. She leaves for tour in a couple weeks. Her manager keeps pushing her; she has interviews lined up. But she really just needs a break. She's always been an Audrey Hepburn fan; she pulls up the nearest Rome. 

Rome as in Roman Holiday. When she arrives in the small town, her car dies. She accepts the help from a stranger until her car can be fixed. This small town turns out to be exactly what she needs to clear her mind and to get excited about singing again.

Here, the townspeople treat her like just a normal person. She's able to relax, let go, and take a long took at her life. 

My Thoughts: Noah's grumpy - she's sunshine and it just works. Amelia (Rae) is the biggest pop star on the planet - not unlike Taylor Swift. But she's not in charge of her life. She has people who want everything from her and she desperately needs a break. I love the small town of Rome. All the people in the town are charming. I love Noah and his sisters. I laughed a lot reading this one. I loved how everything turned out. I can't wait to read more about this charming town and the people it. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute but it doesn't make the book.

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fantastic romance novel - highly recommended for your romance section. 

5 Things: Flying Horse

 

I read this horse book for review. I love horses - never grew out of that phase.

Here are 5 reasons, I enjoyed this one

Bookstagram (3): The Family You Make

 

I'm such a fan of Jill Shalvis!

I'm always happy when she has a new book out. And this one was super good.

Although right after I read the gondola scene, I ended up going on a gondola ride. It was much scarier after having read the opening scene of the book. But luckily, there wasn't a snowstorm happening. 

What I loved about this book:

Found Family

The Cat

The Friendship

The Romance

The Neighbor

The Nosy Family

The Door

Family Drama

Rock Climbing

I love the fact that this is the start of a new series because I can't wait to visit again!

Mood Board:

Review: One of Us is Lying

 

Five high school students arrive in detention. One of them never leaves the room alive. He's also responsible for the school's gossip site - a site that's showcased a lot of student secrets. The other four have secrets that they didn't wanted posted. Could one of them have killed them to keep their secret safe?

My Thoughts: This is one of those books you read in one sitting because you HAVE to know what happened. It was really good. However, I wasn't a huge fan of the twist. I did enjoy getting to know the characters and their secrets. I'm curious about the next book. The tagline Breakfast Club meets Gossip Girl is spot on. And this would make a great Netflix movie.

Cover Thoughts: Good

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your YA collection.

Review: Secret Cookie Club

The four girls at summer camp don't get along until one night their counselor gets special permission for them to bake cookies together. They have so much fun making cookies and throughout the rest of the summer.

On the last day of camp, they're sad to leave one another. But they promise they will each mail off cookies to their new friends. Cookies that might make their troubles disappear...

My Thoughts: A sweet friendship story that's filled with drama and cookies. The book follows each other four girls as they each had trouble with friends, family, or school. A little note from a friend goes a long way. I loved how different the girls were from each other, but how they grew to become friends. I'm so looking forward to the next book in this series. And of course, I wanted to bake cookies and eat them after reading this one! 

Cover Thoughts:
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries

Debut Review: We Hunt the Flame

People lived because she killed.
People died because he lived.
Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways.

Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.

When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the king on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds—and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine. - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I've been wanting to read this book since Hafsah announced it! We've been social media friends for a long time and I was SO happy to see her book published. 

And of course, it's amazingly good. And it just became a NYT best seller! 

There's so much I love about this book. I love how the Hunter is a female and she takes care of her people. I love the newly formed friendships - even though they are tense at times. My heart broke for Nasir. So many pieces of the story are tropes and more I adore: assassins, enemies to lovers, feminism, banter and snark, high fantasy, magic, and fight scenes. I loved the plot twists and turns that I never saw coming. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Cover Thoughts:
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries

Review: Misfits

* First in a new spin-off series *

Devin never really fit in - and she's not interested in attending Royal Academy. But she doesn't have a choice. Devin can talk to animals and she wants to work with them instead of learning how to dance, finding herself a prince, or learn how to become a damsel in distress.

In fact, she's so far from the damsel in distress, she helped saved the day from harpies, but managed to make the headmistress angry. She received her first strike against her.

A lady is supposed to wait for a prince to save her, not save herself and others. Devin believes there's something seriously wrong at the Royal Academy.

Tests are happening, but they don't feel like tests. Devin finds herself in the middle of a fight she doesn't understand and can't win.

My Thoughts: I loved Devin - for her feminist ways, for her ability to save herself and others. I admired her strength and determination - even in a world that didn't make sense for her. I loved her ways with animals and how she befriended and helped them. I liked the moments with her roommates - from their horror at her priorities to how they stood with her. I loved her fashion sense - pockets and pants. Of course there are mentions of other fairy tales. I can't wait to see where this story goes next.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: ARC from BEA
Library Recommendation: Grab this series for your school and public library!

Top Ten Tuesday: Series Books

This week's topic is all about series books. I read a lot of series books; I always have. There's something comforting about seeing favorite characters again. Mostly when the topic of series books comes up, I talk about YA series. But this time around, I'm going to talk about romance series. Here are some that I'm interested in starting - some old and some new.

- meme from That Artsy Reader Girl

Older Titles

New and Upcoming Titles 

Review: Princess in Theory

* First in a new Series *

Naledi hasn't had an easy childhood - nothing in her life has been easy since her parents died leaving her in the foster care system. Now she's in grad school and working, just trying to hold her head above water. It hasn't been easy. So when she meets Jamal, she's surprised to find a connection with him.

But Jamal isn't who is says he is; he's a Prince in disguise. Those emails, Ledi's been getting have been true all along. She knows he's different than other people - he's never ridden the subway before and he seems out of touch with certain everyday things. But she never expected him to become a Prince. She certainly never expected that she would have a past with him. Can they get over their past and have a future together?

My Thoughts: I was so anxious  and excited for this book; it didn't disappoint. There are SO MANY reasons to love this book that I can't list them all. Seriously just go read it.

But here are a few reasons why I loved it: Ledi didn't have time for games; she was serious about her life and her work.  I loved her STEM observations and her love for science and nerdy items. I loved how she figured out her relationships with her co-workers. I admired her toughness and her determination.  She didn't take crap - from anyone and it was amazing. I loved how she learned about her past and used it to help out her future. I loved the moments between Ledi and Jamal, especially their banter. I really enjoyed Likotsi and her closeness/openness with the prince. I adored the ending. I can't wait for the next book in the series - out this summer!

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: Gifted from my #Otspsecretsister

Library Recommendation: A must have for all public libraries

Adult Review: Lost and Found Sisters

After bumping into a strange at the coffee shop, Quinn's stunned to discover that woman is her birth mother. She didn't know she was adopted. Nor did she know about her younger half sister.

Quinn lost her sister two years ago and she's still healing. To discover she has another sister makes her heart happy - even if her sister doesn't want her. Quinn takes time off from her job to visit her half sister and see where she lives.

Wildstone is a small town where gossip spreads faster than wildfire. But it's also sweet and charming. Quinn now owns a house and a cafe. Could she have found a second chance?

My Thoughts: I loved how Quinn met her younger sister and respected her wishes, but didn't give up either. I loved Tilly. Their moments together were amazing. Of course Cooper stole the book for me, as dogs tend to do. I loved Mick. I especially enjoyed the first two meetings with Quinn.But I love his big heart and how his hometown still held a part of his heart. This was a classic Jill Shalvis book - full of sweet moments, funny moments, and romantic moments. I loved it all and can't wait to return to Wildstone!

Cover Thoughts: Cute, but doesn't entirely match the book

Library Recommendations: As the start of a new series, grab this one for your public libraries!

Frostblood Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Frostblood (Book 1 in the Frostblood Saga)

By Elly Blake

Release: January 10, 2017

The Frost King will burn.

Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a Fireblood who has concealed her powers of heat and flame from the cruel Frostblood ruling class her entire life. But when her mother is killed trying to protect her, and rebel Frostbloods demand her help to overthrow their bloodthirsty king, she agrees to come out of hiding, desperate to have her revenge.

Despite her unpredictable abilities, Ruby trains with the rebels and the infuriating—yet irresistible—Arcus, who seems to think of her as nothing more than a weapon. But before they can take action, Ruby is captured and forced to compete in the king’s tournaments that pit Fireblood prisoners against Frostblood champions. Now she has only one chance to destroy the maniacal ruler who has taken everything from her—and from the icy young man she has come to love.

Vivid and compelling, Frostblood is the first in an exhilarating series about a world where flame and ice are mortal enemies . . . but together create a power that could change everything.

Sounds great right? Read the first chapter of Frostblood on TheNovl.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elly Blake loves fairy tales, old houses, and owls. After earning a degree in English literature, she held a series of seemingly random jobs, including project manager, customs clerk, graphic designer, and reporter for a local business magazine before finally landing on her current job as a library assistant. She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids, and a Siberian Husky mix that definitely shows frostblood tendencies.

Are you Frostblood or Fireblood? Take the quiz!

Official Site + Social Media

Visit the Official Site

Follow @elly_blake and @TheNovl on Twitter

Use hashtag #Frostblood

PRIZE PACKAGE
Where Flame And Ice Are Mortal Enemies: Pick a side!

One (1) winner from your site receives:

• a copy of Frostblood
• branded nail polish duo in shades of fire and frost

Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Little, Brown and Co.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mini Review: Case of the Missing Moonstone

Lady Ada Byron commands the household as the only person of rank, with her mother off visiting and her father dead. She's not thrilled about a new tutor. But when the new tutor brings along a student, she has somewhat of a change of heart.

When she meets Mary Godwin, she finds her first friend. Together, the girls even each other out. They start coming up with schemes - one of them is to start a detective agency, which they do.

Lady Ada is quite particular about which case they choose, but once she hears about the missing moonstone, she can't wait to solve it.

The Good:
Lady Ada and her inventions
Lady Ada ruling the house
Lady Ada and her interactions with Mary
The strength and determination of Lady Ada and Mary
Charles, the invisible boy who reads
Lady Ada discovering the truth about her tutor
Victorian Era
All the STEM in the book
The Ladies Detective Agency
Solving the case
The references to other elements in the story
The chase
That ending!

The Bad:
Nitpicking here, but historical impossible to happen with the difference in ages between the two.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for all Children's Collections

Final Thoughts: I'm looking forward to the second book in this series!

Rules of Summer

* Comes out in early June - Look for this one!*

Rory needs to get escape her mother and her mother's new boyfriend. She finds the perfect summer getaway -working for the employers of her aunt in the Hamptons. She's going to be their errand girl. As soon as she steps off the train, she realizes that she's been transported into another world.

A world where the staff and the family don't mix. She's been warned not to mix with the family and to stay out of their way. After her first night where she spills sauce on Isabel's dress, she believes it. But there's something about Isabel.

Isabel Rule isn't sure where she belongs. She spent a year in California and feels out of touch in the Hamptons. She hates the catty behavior, the gossip, and the obsession with money. Isabel starts hanging out with Mike, a boy from town.

She needs help sneaking out to see Mike and it looks like befriend Rory just might be the answer. Two girls from different worlds for a friendship over the summer that will forever change them.

My Thoughts: The perfect summer book and the start of a new series! It's a mix of Judy Blume's Summer Sisters and the Melissa de la Cruz's Au Pairs series. A fantastic novel about finding yourself and what you're made of. I loved the feel of this book, I devoured it. Both have a summer romance that changes them and puts their friendship in a whole new light.  I loved how the friendship grew between Isabel and Rory - how horrible it started, but little by little, they began to understand each other and appreciate the other.  Put this on your to-read list, you don't want to miss it!!

Cover Thoughts: Very Summery! Love the feel
Source: ARC from the publisher
Similar Read: The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland