Movie Review: Totally Killer

In October 1987, three girls were brutally murdered in high school - on the night of their 16th birthday. 

Years later, Jamie's grown up with the legend of that night. She goes to a concert with her friend. But her mom is murdered. 

As she's grieving, she urges her best friend to finish building her time machine (inspired by notes from her mother who was also in school at the time of the murders). In a freak accident, Jamie escapes the killer by starting the time machine and traveling back to 1987.

She's determined to stop the murders, believing that she can save her own mother.

My Thoughts: I'm not one for scary movies. and this wasn't scary. A little gory with the murders. It's funny to see Jamie travel back to the 80s. She's constantly surprised by the lack of rules and by the language used. I loved seeing the 80s fashion, the moments in school, and the references to Back to the Future. I loved how Jamie found her best friend's mom and became friends with her. And that ending! 

Give it a watch!  

Review: Rescue on the Oregon Trail

Ranger just wants to dog for bones in the yard and chase squirrels. But when he comes across a metal box that's certainly not a bone, something changes. Instantly he's transported back in the time. He's not sure what's happening to him or where Luke is - but a boy needs his helping finding his sister.

Ranger can do that. He sniffs her out. He assumes his job is done, but he remains in the 1850s. The grateful family invite him on their trip with them. Without Luke, Ranger isn't sure what to do. But he doesn't want to leave the only people he knows, so he follows them.

He helps them along the way, wondering how he's going to get back home.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of the computer game we played as kids. I checked for a picture - and this is one of the first ones that came up. As Babymouse would say - Typical.

This book had everything I remember from the game. Getting supplies, crossing the rivers, sickness, and making hard choices because of the weather and timing.  I really liked Sam and his family. I loved Ranger throughout the story. I love how he gets distracted by squirrels! I wanted to give him a giant hug. He was so brave and so helpful. I can't wait to see where he goes next. Lots of action and danger in this book, which made me turn the pages to see what happened next.

Cover Thoughts: Cute!

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: If you don't have this series for your public and school libraries - get it!

Blog Tour: Dragons Love Tacos 2

 ABOUT THE BOOK: 

Our dragons' favorite snack is in danger of going extinct in this laugh-out-loud, time-traveling sequel to the New York Times bestseller Dragons Love Tacos.

Listen, don't freak out, but I have some terrible news: There are no tacos left anywhere in the entire world! That's a huge problem because, as you know, dragons love tacos. We've got to do something! I know, let's fire up that time machine in the garage and go back in time, to before tacos went extinct. Then we can grab lots of tacos and bring them back with us. Just be sure you don't grab any tacos with spicy salsa. You remember what happened last time…

Check Out the Book Trailer:

https://www.facebook.com/penguinkidsbooks/videos/1657796170916443/

Where would you go if you could travel back in time? 
If I had to search for tacos, I would go back to Ancient Rome  

Dragons could use shields to save their tacos from being eaten by anyone else. Or they could pile their tacos high on the shields like a plate to bring them back to current times to plant taco trees.

Shield Facts: 
1. Were designed to protect against swords and spears
2. Shields were curved to protect your body better
3. You could knock someone over with your shield
4. You could kneel and use your shield for cover while fighting
5. You could use the shields together to build a wall so your enemy couldn't get through.


Make your Own Shield:

Instructions 

ADAM RUBIN BIO:

Adam Rubin is the New York Times best-selling author of a half dozen critically-acclaimed picture books including Secret Pizza Party and Robo-Sauce. He spent ten years working as a creative director in the advertising industry before leaving his day job to write full time. Adam has a keen interest in improv comedy, camping and magic tricks.

DANIEL SALMIERI BIO:

Daniel Salmieri has illustrated many fantastic picture books, including the New York Times bestseller Robo-Sauce. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, constantly drawing and painting images of ninja turtles, dinosaurs, and fighter jets (not in the same scene...), and graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

GIVEAWAY LEGAL COPY:

Enter for a chance to be one (1) grand prize winner and receive a set of Dragons Love Tacos and Dragons Love Tacos 2 (ARV: $17.99 each), or to be one (1) of five (5) second place winners to receive Dragons Love Tacos 2 (ARC: $17.99 each).

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on May 1, 2017 and 12:00 AM on May 29, 2017.  Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about June 2, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top Ten Tuesday: Freebie

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie week. Since I recently finished Wayfarer, it's inspired me to think of places in time I'd love to glimpse (you know, provided I could come back to my life here).

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

You can read my review of Wayfarer here.

Jane Austen's Regency England - I want to go to a ball
Renaissance Italy - to meet Michelangelo
Colonial America - I want to see the Revolution
Seneca Falls, Geneva - I want to attend the Women's Rights Convention
1920s in Paris - I want to attend a Salon of ideas
Medici Florence - just to see the wealth of their power and all the art created
Marie Antoinette's Paris (before the Revolution)
The Titanic (before it sank)
England during the Celtic period
Imperial Russia before the Revolution 

Where would you travel to?

Review: Wayfarer

* sequel to Passenger * 

Wayfarer picks up just as Passenger left off, dividing Etta and Nicholas. Etta wakes up alone in a strange house, scared. But she finds answers to questions she never knew she had, especially once she meets Julian - the long lost heir.

Nicholas and Sophia have no knowledge of Etta's whereabouts, but they race through time trying to undercover her timeline. They come to realize if they finds the astrolabe, they can search for Etta, so they widen their search. With the help of a new friend, they fight off all the people trying to kill them, but not without consequences

Will Etta and Nicholas find each other again? Will they solve the problem for the future or will their fight lead to the destruction of everything they know?

My Thoughts:I adore Alex Bracken books, so I was so happy to receive this one! I really enjoyed the ending of this duology. I love that it picked up right where Passengers left off. Alex Bracken knows how to write characters that draw me in. I would read anything with these characters. I love them so. I know they go through terrible moments, but I just needed everything to work out for them in the end...

I love that Etta meets Julian (and has to rely on him). They have great banter between them. I enjoyed her interactions with Henry and how that changed her way of thinking about her previous years. I enjoyed Sophia and how she took control over her destiny. I loved her moments with Li Min. I felt terrible for all the anguish that Nicholas and Etta went through. 

I loved the locations this book dragged the readers through, it made me think of all the places I'd love to travel to - provided I could get back home of course.

Love, romance, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, secrets, time travel, family - what's not to love about this book, it has it all! 

Cover Thoughts: Gorgeous and matches the first one well.
Source: ARC sent for review

Librarian Recommendations: A must have for libraries with Passengers! Everyone will want to know how this one ends. 

Upcoming Review: Passenger

 * First in a new series *

Etta Spencer is set to play her "soft launch" - a month before her debut as a violinist concert soloist. Everything is ready, except her instructor is missing.

On edge, Etta goes to locate her. She hears Alice arguing with her mother. They're discussing her; how she's not read for tonight. Etta feels heartsick.

But the show must go on. When she attempts to play, Etta hears terrible feedback. After fumbling her notes, she stops playing altogether. Embarrassed, she rushes off stage.

Another girls tries to help her, but in an instant everything changes. Etta's rushed through a wormhole, traveling through time.  She has no idea what just happened or how to make it back. The longer she stays in the past, the more secrets she uncovers.

With the help of a boy, she attempts to make sense of it all. At first she just wants her old life back, but the more time she spends with Nicholas, the more time she imagines at future with him.

My Thoughts: It took me a little while to get into this book, but once in, I was hooked. I didn't realize it was part of a series until the very ending. I really liked the snapshots in history. I liked learning more about the powerful families. I liked learning how Etta fit into that plan - and what she was going to do about it. I enjoyed the love story, even though it seems doomed from the start. The horrors of the book come from the villain - and the social issues of each time period. The villain is a terrible bully who looks down upon everyone and uses people to further his desires. I confess I can't wait to read about his downfall. I feel badly for Sophia and yet part of me roots for her. She's a complex character swept up in the need to succeed, the need to belong, and the need for praise. I'm looking forward to the next installment of this series. 

Cover Thoughts: Intriguing!
Source: ARC sent for review
Release Date: January 5th

Final Thoughts: If you're looking for a time-travel romance, stop looking. It's here. And it has lots of kissing - naturally.

Tween Tuesday Review: Cleopatra Queen of the Nile

* Book 3 in the Time Traveling Fashionista *

Louise loves vintage clothes, especially going back into the past and living the history. She's had two close calls on board the Titanic and at Versailles. Now, she travels back to the best time - Old Hollywood.

When Louise wakes up this time, she finds herself on the movie Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor. She has a job in the costume department and it's the perfect place for her. While searching for a belt, Louise finds a necklace.  As she slips it over her head, she realizes that it's an ancient necklace. She ends up going from the movie set to ancient Egypt.

While there, Louise is stunned to learn about Cleopatra: her intelligence, her confidence, and her crazy competitive family. Once again, Louise find herself in major trouble.

My Thoughts: Another fun book in this great series about fashion, history, and discovering yourself. I feel bad for Louise who is struggling to keep this secret from her BFF and still be close.  She hates keeping secrets, and sooner or later it's bound to blow up in her face.  I love how Louise went from Old Hollywood to the ancient world. I loved Cleopatra - how she had the strength to survive her cutthroat family. I love how her beauty was described - it's simply perfect. I can't wait to see where Louise travels next.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library

Review: Dark Mirror

 *1st in a trilogy*

By the early 1800's, magical has been outlawed among the upper echelons of society. For those adolescents who are caught performing magic, they're sent to a reform school. Often, with their lives ruined.

Lady Victoria wakes up one morning to find herself floating above her bed. She's confused, but hopes to continue her normal life. That changes in an instant at a party when her nephew falls off a cliff. He's still holding on to the side of the cliff but no one can reach him.

Knowing that it will cost her her future, Tory floats down the cliff and rescues him. After her daring rescue  ladies give her the direct cut. Her father sends her to Lackland Abbey in hopes of having her magic controlled.

There, Tory attempts to put her past behind her and attempt to get out as quickly as possible, until she discovers a secret society.  Magic is being taught underneath the schools; where the boys and girls come together.  During a raid of the magical classroom, Tory fees into an alley. The alley contains a magical mirror and before Tory knows it, she's  transported to the WWII era. The soldiers of Britain are under attack. Could Tory's magic and that of her school mates help save lives?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this combination of history and magic. I'm interested to see where the next book in the trilogy will lead. As much as I hated the Lackland Abbey, I enjoyed watching Tory learn and understand both her place at school and magic. I found her exchanges of wit with her roommate amusing. I loved the moments spent in the World War II era and how magic helped save the war. I really liked the addition of the historical note at the end of the book - perfect to use for schools.  The different time eras in this book enhanced the story. The writing descriptive, making this book hard to put down. Tory's adventure is full of magic, danger, action, and romance. 

Cover Thoughts: I'm really drawn to the mirror and the alternative clothing styles.
Source: my Library

Similar Reads:
For fans of historical magic: Bewitching Season and The Faerie Ring

My Time Travel Post...

Could Time Travel be possible in the future? Sheldon thinks so...

 
 Check out my post today on the YALSA blog THE HUB to read more!

Review: Ruby Red

For sixteen years, Gwen's always lived in the shadow of her cousin. Charlotte's the chosen one, the one in the family who will inherit the time-travel gene. The girl who will fulfill the prophecy.

Except, Gwen realizes that there's been an error. She's the one with the gene. She's the one who time-traveled. At first, she doesn't think anyone will believe her. She hasn't spent in life in lessons. She doesn't know about the past.

When her mother takes her to the society, she has to force them to listen to her. When Gwen time travels in front of them, they have no choice but to believe her. Gwen hopes that she's learn finally learn the family secrets that she's heard whispers about her whole life.

She's not prepared to travel back in time and fight for her life. Someone doesn't want the prophecy fulfilled. Gwen doesn't know who she can trust. Can she trust her time traveling partner, the handsome Gideon? She hopes she can figure everything out before the next attempt on her life.

My Thoughts: I liked this beginning of a new series. I liked Gwen's experiences with time travel before she told her mother. I adored her best friend Lesley and her research to help Gwen. I liked the snarky moments between Gwen and Gideon. I loved Aunt Maddy and admired Gwen's mom. I felt a little sorry for Charlotte, who's trained her whole life for....nothing. While I like unraveling the mystery with Gwen,  I wish a little more had been explained. I must read the next book Sapphire Blue out at the end of October to uncover more of the secrets behind the prophecy. 

Cover Thoughts: I love the paperback cover. The hardback cover didn't do anything for me.
Source: my Library

Fun Fact: I read this book for a post on Time Travel for The Hub. That post will be up later this week.

Tween Tuesday Review: Time Traveling Fashionista at the Palace of Marie Antoinette

* book 2 in the Time Traveling Fashionista series. Read my review for this first book*

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

Louise's father just lost his job. With money a concern, Louise won't be going to France with her classmates. She's bitterly disappointed. 

A vintage sale cheers her up some, even though it's hard not telling her best friend about the sale. It's been even harder not telling her best friend about her adventure aboard the Titanic. 

As Louise looks through clothes, she spies the most amazing dress. She's not supposed to try it on, but she ducks into a dressing room with it. Immediately she's transported to France - to the court of Marie Antoinette.

At first, she likes the parties and the elaborate gowns. Soon she comes to remember that something bad happens to the young Princess. Louise attempts to steer the Princess in a different path. Can she leave France before the revolution starts?

My Thoughts: I liked the time travel concept through vintage clothes. I like how Louise made it to France, just not the time she intended to go. I like meeting Marie Antoinette and seeing her world from an outsider's perspective. She had so much pressure on her and so little knowledge of the world. I love how each stop in history leaves a mark on Louise and how she'll never forget those moments. I loved the information Louise discovers about time travel and I'm so interested to see how that ties into the next book!

I can't wait to see the final copy of the book complete with color illustrations.

Cover Thoughts: Cute!
Source: Little Brown  
Pub Date: This book comes out Sept 18th 

Review: Time Riders

Three teens, all from different time periods, have the same man visit them asking them the same question: Do you want to die, or do you want to live a strange but helpful life?

Each choose to live.

They come together as Time Riders, a group of people who live days over and over again looking for any significant changes in the world. Liam, Maddy, Sal, and their robot, Bob, are responsible for watching the world on September 11, 2001. They're not allowed to do anything, as it will change the entire history of the world.

When they notice something amiss, Liam and Sal travel back in time for a reconnaissance mission. While their time is informative, they miss the window of opportunity to return. Stuck in the past, they need to learn everything they can to change the future and set the world back to normal. Back in the present day, Maddy is dealing with her own troubles. Liam and Sal's travels to the past changed their world, creating grave danger. Can the team set the world to rights?

My Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I'm not a huge lover of time travel. The changes in both time and perspective intensify the situations in TIME RIDERS, creating a fast-paced read you won't want to put down. This story provides lots of action, lots of danger, and lots of plot twists.

Cover Thoughts: I really like it, especially the wheels near the tittle and the dates popping up.

Source: reviewed for www.teensreadtoo.com