Giveaway: Summer of Magic and Mazes

I'm so lucky!

Disney-Hyperion is partnering with me for this awesome giveaway! New books and new covers from Rick Riordan!

Featured Rick Riordan Titles

The Trials of Apollo (Book 3): The Burning Maze (in stores May 1^st)

The Kane Chronicles: Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual (in stores May 1^st)

The Kane Chronicles Trilogy (series re-design in stores now!)

 

The Burning Maze

The Trials of Apollo Book #3

 

The formerly glorious god Apollo, cast down to earth in punishment by Zeus, is now an awkward mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos. In order to regain his place on Mount Olympus, Lester must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. But he has to achieve this impossible task without having any godly powers and while being duty-bound to a confounding young daughter of Demeter named Meg. Thanks a lot, Dad.

 

Friends both familiar and new will emerge in The Burning Maze, Book Three of the New York Times #1 best-selling Trials of Apollo series, a twisty adventure featuring a hapless god who somehow still manages to think he's red-hot.

 

More about The Trials of Apollo series:

• An Olympian Comes to Earth: The protagonist is nothing less than Apollo himself! Well, actually, he’s a mortal sixteen-year-old trying to earn his way back into Zeus’s favor by restoring five oracles. How will he manage without his godly powers?

 

• A Godly POV: Apollo narrates the adventure; the disparity between his godly assumptions and his disappointing reality is hilarious.

 

• Favorite Demigods Are Back! All of the beloved characters from Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter will aid Apollo in his quest over the course of five books.

 

• New Demigods Are Introduced, including Apollo’s sidekick, a twelve-year-old girl named Meg who is secretive about her past—and is Apollo’s secret weapon.

 

• Viperous Villains will complicate matters for our heroes as they search for the ancient Oracles.

 

Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual

The Kane Chronicles Companion

Calling all young magicians of Egypt! If the blood of the pharaohs runs in your veins, you can't afford to be without this guide to Ancient Egyptian deities and creatures, and Carter and Sadie Kane's world of magic. Featuring fans’ favorite human, divine, and animal characters for the bestselling Kane Chronicles trilogy, Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual offers info about Egyptian mythology in laugh-out-loud entries with surprises throughout, including snarky comments from Sadie Kane and a dastardly plot by an old enemy.

 

More about Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual:

 

• Tie-in to Best-Selling Kane Chronicles Trilogy featuring fans' favorite human, divine, and animal characters.

 

• Offers Info About Egyptian Mythology in laugh-out-loud entries from favorite characters.

 

• Has Surprises Running Throughout, including snarky comments from Sadie Kane and a dastardly plot by an old enemy.

 

The Kane Chronicles Trilogy

The Red Pyramid #1 | The Throne of Fire #2 | The Serpent’s Shadow #3

Series first launched in 2011

New cover designs released April 3, 2018

 

Fans of Rick Riordan's Greek & Roman and Norse mythology adventures will love his funny and exciting take on Ancient Egypt in the Kane Chronicles trilogy, now with dynamic new cover artwork and Percy Jackson-Kane Chronicles crossover stories.

 

More about The Kane Chronicles series:

 

• Mysteries of Ancient Egypt: Egyptian mythology is more widely studied in school curriculum than ancient Greece. Both familiar and loaded with mystique, ancient Egypt is the perfect backdrop for Rick's imaginative brand of storytelling. Readers will leap at this real-world portal into the rich fantastical world of ancient myth.
• More of the Good Stuff: Rick combines all his fortes--witty, relatable heroes, gods & monsters, prophecies, curses, and non-stop action--in this best-selling hit 
  

Official Link + Social Media

Visit ReadRiordan.com 

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Confirmed Prizing

Summer of Magic and Mazes!

One (1) winner receives a “Summer of Magic and Mazes” beach tote plus seven Rick Riordan books!

• The Trials of Apollo series -- with an autographed copy of The Burning Maze!
• The Kane Chronicles trilogy – plus new companion book Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual!

 

Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Graphic Novel Review: All Summer Long

Bina's thirteen and going into 8th grade. Her BFF is leaving her for a whole month to go to soccer camp. Worse, he said they're too old for the summer index of fun. Bina's not sure what to do with her summer. She spends the first week binge watching a British TV show until her mom cuts off the internet and forces her to interact with the real world. She hardly hears from Austin. But luckily she has music to help occupy her time. She's learning a new song. Could this be the answer to her terrible summer?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this graphic novel. I liked how Bina branches out during her boring summer, how she found new interests, and how she made new friends. I liked the moments of her listening to music and how it made her feel. I liked her moments with Austin and how they weren't romantic but simply best friends. I loved the different friendships throughout the story.

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: This middle grade graphic novel is perfect for the collection and perfect for this year's summer reading theme.

Review: Rose Legacy

Anthea's an orphan living with her relatives, but not having a home. One day a letter arrives from a long-lost uncle asking for her to live with him. Her relatives are more than happy to send her away. Anthea journeys past the kingdom beyond the wall where she's shocked to discover her uncle secret has horses. Horses have been forbidden for centuries.

Not only does the farm have horses, but some people on the farm have a gift called The Way where they can communicate with horses.  Anthea hates the farm and isn't interested in the horses - at first. But she begins to feel more relaxed at the farm. Could she finally have found herself a home?

My Thoughts: I Loved this book. I felt heartbroken for Anthea has she tried to find her place in the world. I love that she found it. I loved the Way and how it worked. I wish I had that level of communication with my dog. Lots of action and lots of danger made this book a page turner. I loved Jilly and how sweet she was to her cousin. This book gave me all the feels! I loved the ending and I can't wait to see where this story goes next! 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Perfect for horse loving tweens, this book is a must have for school and public libraries.

Review: Stay Sweet

Molly Meade started her ice cream stand in 1944, during the war. At first it was something to help out her family and spread some joy. But it became bigger than that. She only employed girls. Now, in present day, Amelia can't believe it's her last summer at the ice cream stand. Nor can she believe that she's head girl.

But on her first day, she discovers Molly's body. There goes her perfect summer hanging out with her best friend, Cate and scooping ice cream.

Molly left her stand to her great nephew. More than anything Amelia wants to help him, but she's concerned about the changes he wants to make. Meade Creamery stands for more than just ice cream.

My Thoughts: Two concepts hooked me on this book: feminism and ice cream. I loved the dual timelines and how they came together. I loved learning about Molly's life in stages, through her diary. I really loved how the ice cream stand came to be - first with fun for her friends and then through business. I loved Amelia and her dedication to the creamery. I loved her determination, her brains, and how she wanted to make the summer magical for the other girls. I would have loved to work at the stand. I liked her relationship with Cate and how that worked out, even through the rocky moments. I felt badly for Grady and his relationship with his father. This book made me crave ice cream so badly! Stay Sweet is the perfect summer read!

Cover Thoughts: Love it.. I love the wrap around.
Source: Book sent for review
Fun Fact: The author is super sweet and fun!
Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries.

Picture Book Review: The Pink Umbrella

A sweet story about two adults falling in love. Adele doesn't like life when it rains, but someone shows her that the rain can also be magical.

Yup, it's a picture book for adults and it's Charming.

The illustrations are cute and the ending is sweet.

This one gave me all the feels.

Top Ten Tuesday: Covers

This week's topic is all about colorful covers. Here are some that caught my eye and I can't wait to read. I'm looking at Middle Grade covers today.

- meme from That Artsy Reader Girl

Review: Royals

* First in a new series *

Daisy's sister is getting married - to a Prince! Suddenly her world is turned upside down by the press hounding her. After one incident, her family decides to travel to Scotland to manage the damage. Daisy's not thrilled with giving up her summer, but she doesn't have much of a choice.

Across the pond, she meets the royal entourage, including her soon to be brother-in-law. Prince Sebastian thinks he's all that, plus a bag of chips. But Daisy isn't interested in him or sharing his spotlight. Too bad the press doesn't understand; they try making the younger siblings a match.

With press looking at her, Daisy needs a crash course in royal etiquette. Miles, a friend of Prince Sebastian, gets stuck with the job. Neither him nor Daisy enjoy each other's company, but for the moment, they are stuck with each other. The order comes from the Queen herself!

My Thoughts: Oh, I LOVED this book. I loved Daisy trying to muddle through all the rules and regulations. I loved her banter with everyone - her sass and her snark were amazing. I loved her parents - her talking when nervous mother and her former rock star father. They added even more humor to the story.

I loved how Daisy didn't take to the tradition but she did try for her sister.  

Sometimes like this:

When you're supposed to be more like:

Basically, this book is fantastic and I loved every moment of it. Except I want the second book like yesterday! It's the perfect summer read and perfect for those anxious for the upcoming royal wedding. Grab it - you won't be disappointed. 

Cover Thoughts: CUTE
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your public and high school libraries!