Book Review: Set on You by Amy Lea

Set on You by Amy Lea is a contemporary romance. Curvy fitness influencer Crystal Chen built her career shattering gym stereotypes and mostly ignoring the trolls. After her recent breakup, she has little stamina left for men, instead finding solace in the gym – her place of power and positivity. Enter firefighter Scott Ritchie, the smug new gym patron who routinely steals her favorite squat rack. Sparks fly as these ultra-competitive foes battle for gym domination. But after a series of escalating jabs, the last thing they expect is to run into each other at their grandparents' engagement party. In the lead up to their grandparents' wedding, Crystal discovers there’s a soft heart under Scott’s muscled exterior. Bonding over family, fitness, and cheesy pick-up lines, they just might have found her swolemate. But when a photo of them goes viral, savage internet trolls put their budding relationship to the ultimate test of strength.

Set on You is a read that does a great job about unpacking some of the self esteem and image issues that run rampant in some of our lives. I liked Crystal and her circle of friends, family, and clients. I thin the variety of approaches to liking and caring about yourself was very well done and will resonate with a variety of readers. I think the situation and aspects around social media and reactions of other people was on point, sadly. I enjoyed the journey with Crystal, and I think that many of us, including those that never got comfortable in the gym, can relate to many of her experiences and thoughts. I will say that as much as I understood and empathized with her I also had moments when I just wanted to shake her and give her some tough love- but I am also a person that tends to turn pain in to manic cleaning or side projects rather than cocooning. I also find Scott to be a little flat and maybe too close to perfect. Yes he had his own issues from the past, but I did not feel like I got as much growth and insight into him as Crystal- and the dual growth and change is something I really enjoy in a story. All of this is my personal preference, and nothing that is actually wrong with the book.. I van think of many people that would connect to this read more closely and deeply than I, and I have a few I will be recommending it to.

Set on You is an engaging and entertaining read. 

Audiobook Review: Magnetic North: Sea Voyage to Svalbard by Jenna Butler, Narrated by Marysia Bucholc

Magnetic North: Sea Voyage to Svalbard by Jenna Butler, narrated by Marysia Bucholc, takes readers (and listeners) along on a voyage from the endangered Canadian boreal forest to the environmentally threatened Svalbard archipelago off the coast of Norway.  Jenna Butler takes us on a sea voyage that connects continents and traces the impacts of climate change on northern lands. With a conservationist, female gaze, she questions explorer narratives and the mythic draw of the polar North. As a woman who cannot have children, she writes out the internal friction of travelling in Svalbard during the fertile height of the Arctic summer. Blending travelogue and poetic meditation on place, Jenna Butler draws readers to the beauty and power of threatened landscapes, asking why some stories in recorded history are privileged while others speak only from beneath the surface.

Magnetic North: Sea Voyage to Svalbard was a bit of a mixed bag for me, but that is on me for not fully reading the description of the title before requesting it from Netgalley. On one hand I really appreciated getting an account of places and experiences that are well outside me reach. Getting a better understanding of just what it is like at the top of the world, the the lives that those in the region live. The informational, travel, and human experience aspects of the  book were engaging and I feel enriched for having learned more. However, I am not typically one that goes in search of poetry, it is just not one of my preferred genres or mediums. I will say that I could appreciate the skill, meaning, and heart infused in the  work, but I just did not enjoy it the way that readers that really appreciate the form would. It was still an interesting read, and I can see it being a hit with its target audience, that's just not me. 

Book Review: The Godparent Trap by Rachel Van Dyken

The Godparent Trap by Rachel Van Dyken is a contemporary romance. Colby's living her best life: as a popular food blogger, she gets to fulfill her dreams of exploring the globe. But her world comes crashing down when a tragic accident leaves her co-guardian of her best friend's two adorable children. Not only does she need to put down roots—fast—but she'll be sharing custody with the one man she can't stand sharing a continent with, let alone a house. Accountant-extraordinaire Rip values rules and plans. But when he loses his sister and his best friend and becomes an insta-guardian all in one night, Rip sees his organized life imploding. What he really doesn't need is his sister's irresponsible, flighty—albeit kind and gorgeous—best friend making it worse. Rip doesn't trust Colby to take their new responsibilities seriously, while Colby can't believe Rip thinks children will thrive under his rigid control. Yet soon Rip and Colby discover they need each other more than they hate each other. Could it be possible that following their hearts is just what their new little family needs?

The Godparent Trap has some serious subjects throughout- mostly grief and coming to terms with loss and change. However, there is still some humor thanks to the secondary characters and the opposite's attract nature of the relationship between Colby and Rip. I was highly engaged in getting to know both characters and seeing them grow as people, caregivers, and a couple. I really enjoyed the interactions between Rip and Colby, and some secondary characters like Banks. There were moments that were hard to read, but that is more because of the topics at hand- like loss and the well being of children- than any lacking in the writing. I think the book was well written and the hard stuff was handled well including the use of content warnings for readers that might have difficulty with the subject matter. 

The Godparent Trap  is a solid romance with lots of feels and some laughs along the way. 

Book Review: Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare

Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare is a contemporary enemies to lovers romance with a magical twist. When Reggie Johnson answers a job ad in the paper, she’s astonished to find that she’s not applying to work at her favorite card game, Spellcraft: The Magicking. Instead, she’s applying to be an actual familiar for an actual witch. As in, real magic. The new job has a few perks - great room and board, excellent pay, and she's apprenticing to a powerful witch. Sure, the witch is a bit eccentric. And sure, there was that issue with the black cat Reggie would prefer to forget about. The biggest problem, however, is warlock Ben Magnus, her employer's nephew and the most arrogant, insufferable, maddening man to ever cast a spell. Reggie absolutely hates him. He's handsome, but he's also bossy and irritating and orders her around. Ben's butt might look great in a crystal ball vision, but that's as far as it goes. But when someone with a vendetta targets the household, she finds herself working with Ben to break a deadly curse. Apparently, when they're not fighting like cats and dogs, things get downright bewitching

Go Hex Yourself is an engaging and entertaining read. I like the world building and characters and think the balance of humor, mystery, and heat was well done. This book is not for readers that do not enjoy dirty talking or thinking, because there is plenty of that here- and frankly it fits the characters perfectly and I think it would have felt off personality wise if it was not there. I liked Ben's character the most, and I liked getting things from his perspective. The contrast of his emotion and concern for those he cares about against how everyone sees him, and how he sees himself, was very well written and I enjoyed getting a good look at his thoughts. I will say that Reggie sometimes irked me, but I liked how she generally stood up for herself. I will say that I guessed the big twist well before it was revealed, and honestly expected an extra one somewhere along the way with at least one set of secondary characters. That being said, if the author writes a follow up for a couple of the secondary characters, I would be ready for that. 

Go Hex Yourself is a fun and entertaining read. For those that are interested, the audio book is available and very well done.

Book Review: By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate

By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate is a contemporary romance. With a successful career as a romance editor, and an engagement to a man who checks off all ninety-nine boxes on her carefully curated list, Lanie's more than good. She's killing it. Then she’s given the opportunity of a lifetime: to work with world-renowned author and her biggest inspiration in love and life—the Noa Callaway. All Lanie has to do is cure Noa's writer's block and she'll get the promotion she's always dreamed of. Simple, right? But there's a reason no one has ever seen or spoken to the mysterious Noa Calloway. And that reason will rock Lanie’s world. It will call into question everything she thought she knew. When she finally tosses her ninety-nine expectations to the wind, Lanie may just discover that love By Any Other Name can still be as sweet.

By Any Other Name has a fun premise, and I liked a great deal of the set up and Lainie's character. I liked that she had a full background and significant character growth through out the story, even if I thought many of her decisions and reactions were less than ideal. I thought some of the secondary characters had great moments, but could have used more fleshing out. I would have liked more from Noah as well, sometimes it felt like he was more of a prop or plot device in the story moving things along than a character. Many of the big reveals, conflicts, and important moments were more than a little predicable beyond the 'this is a romance things will come together' way. I greatly enjoyed some moments, and had some smiles and sentimental moments along the way. However, while the book is also a bit of a celebration of romance I felt it got a little too corny for me on occasion. I am all for the awww moment, but Lainie's inner dialogue felt a bit much, and while I understand a romance book editor to often think about and dwell on the subject of her work, she could have diversified a bit. I did enjoy the read, and I think many readers will enjoy it more than me, but I just never connected with the story and characters. 

By Any Other Name is a solid contemporary romance, and I think fans of the author will enjoy it.

Book Review: Wings Over Water: The Vital Magic of North America’s Prairie Wetlands by Wetlands LLC

Wings Over Water: The Vital Magic of North America’s Prairie Wetlands by Wetlands LLC is a companion book to the internationally distributed IMAX film of the same name. Wings Over Water celebrates the prairie wetlands of North America and the birds that live and breed in this critical habitat. Covering 300,000 square miles stretching from Canada through Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, the prairie wetlands are one of Earth’s most important, yet little-known, ecosystems. More than half of all North American migratory waterfowl and 96 species of songbirds breed and nest there, and more than 60 percent of the continent’s ducks are hatched there. Wings Over Water immerses readers in this awe-inspiring, essential region, using more than 300 breathtaking photos and inspiring essays from some of North America’s foremost conservationists to shine a spotlight on these critical breeding grounds and the need to protect them.

Wings Over Water is a lovely collection of personal reflections, information, and photographs about the American wetlands and the birds that stop there in their yearly migrations. This would be a great coffee table book for those interested in the topic to flip through and enjoy, or to read before or after seeing the movie. I did enjoy the images, and think there is some valuable information and engaging thoughts shared here. I did like the information on the importance of the environment and conservation, but felt that hunting was a little to glorified here. Yes, hunting can help conservation efforts in specific circumstances, and can be beneficial to people and the environment alike when handled with respect and thoughtfulness, but I think this was a little to focused on the topic than I would have hoped for in a book full of stunning bird focused photography. 

Book Review: The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage, Volume 1, by Miraijin A and Kurikaramaru

The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage, Volume 1, written by Miraijin A and drawn by Kurikaramaru is a manga style graphic novel. Belamus was once a great sage with the power of reincarnation...but as all lives must pass, so did his. He reincarnated with his memories, but was suddenly abandoned as a newborn child! Luckily for him, he was adopted by the nearby goblin tribe, but this moment of kindness may mean more for both the Goblins and Belamus than either of them know!

The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage is a charming and well drawn story. I enjoyed the world and character building and thought everything moved at a good pace. I have read a few other reincarnation manga, and I thought that this did a good job with the trope. I liked the village and the collection of characters in it. The growing understanding in Belamus of the similarities of all intelligent creatures is pretty subtle, but the point bis likely to be more obvious as the story continues in future volumes. It was a fun and interesting read, which I enjoyed. I feel like there are many options as to where the story can go next and am interested to see which paths the plot takes us.

Book Review: Give up the Ghost (Phantoms) by Kelly Moran

Give up the Ghost is the second book in the Phantoms series by Kelly Moran. While you could get away without having read the first book before reading this one, the first book really does set this one up nicely.

Paranormal investigator Kerry Baker has seen it all. But nothing in her work with the Phantoms TV program prepares her for the most terrifying spirit of all—seeing her doppelganger. Rumored to be a foreshadowing of one's death, the specter shakes Kerry to the core, sending her into the arms of her best friend and fellow cast member for comfort. Except their contract with the show strictly forbids crossing that line, so not only is her life at risk, but so is her job. Paul Leake has been in love with Kerry for ages, yet unwilling to compromise their friendship. As their investigation in an isolated Arizona ghost town grows more intense, however, so does the chemistry between them. The mysterious hauntings and chronic on-set accidents at their location are wreaking havoc with the crew. With her life in danger and their careers on the line, giving into their attraction couldn't be a worse idea—and yet they can't bring themselves to stop. Even if it kills her.

As soon as I finished Ghost of a Promise I knew I wanted to see how things played out between Kerry and Paul in Give up the Ghost. The haunting and spooky aspects did not disappoint. I liked the setting and the various levels of angst from the ghosts, and how the team worked to handle all of it with the worry of the doppelganger looming. I would have liked to see some more resolution on a couple ghostly points, but it was nothing major or that ruined the read for me. I did enjoy the character development and growth as Paul and Kerry figure things out and deal with some of their issues.I did feel like there was significantly more sexy time in this book than in the last, but I could be wrong. I did like that Kerry and Paul had so much friendship and background with each other, so there was much less wondering what the other might be thinking, since they knew each other so well. As a whole I really enjoyed the read, but think it fell a little short of my expectations and this first book in the series. It is still worth the read, but it did not wow me like I had hoped it would.

Give up the Ghost is a good follow up to the first book, and a good book on its own. It just did not live up to my high hopes for it. 

Early Book Review: The Snowy Owl Scientist by Mark Wilson

The Snowy Owl Scientist by Mark Wilson is currently scheduled for release on April 19 2022. Are the snowy owls in trouble? Venture into the Alaskan arctic and the summer realm of these predator birds to find out. Discover the diverse species necessary to owl survival, how climate change is affecting the landscape of their nesting site of past millennia, and what it takes to do field research in this action-packed addition to the award-winning Scientists in the Field series.

It's July on Alaska's North Slope, and scientist Denver Holt is in Utqiagvik surveying nests. Denver has been coming here since 1992, and the snowy owls he studies have been coming here much longer: thousands of years. With its mix of coastal, low-elevation tundra and a rich presence of lemmings, the North Slope is the only area in Alaska where snowy owls regularly nest. How do snowy owls decide where they will nest? How do they manage to arrive at locations where food will be abundant? What drives the success of these delicate tundra ecosystems? These are the mysteries Denver is trying to solve to help ensure a bright future for these elegant hunters.

The Snowy Owl Scientist is a visually stunning book that is clearly a passion project from the author and the research team. The information, charts and graphs, and images are very well done and organized. The information is very detailed, and might be beyond younger readers, although the pictures might well keep them turning pages if their interest in the text wanes. I think this book would be better suited to middle grade and older readers, or high interest readers, rather than the slightly younger readers the initial formatting suggested to me. The book is well written, well organized, and I liked that resources, an index, and a glossary were included in the endpages. I thought the information was valuable, and it would make for a great book for use in a research project or for readers that want a first hand account of what researching animals can really be like. 

Early Book Review: The Modern Proper: Simple Dinners for Every Day by Holly Erickson; Natalie Mortimer

The Modern Proper: Simple Dinners for Every Day by Holly Erickson and Natalie Mortimer is currently scheduled for release on April 5 2022. For pretty much everyone, life gets busy—but you still want to cook up a good meal. Ideally a meal  that is accessible, efficient, and doesn’t sacrifice any of the delicious flavors you love. This book can expand your “go-to” list and help you become a more intuitive, creative cook. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, a busy parent or a workaholic, this book will arm you with tools, tricks, and shortcuts to get dinner on the table. Every ingredient is easy to find, plus you’ll find plenty of swaps and options throughout. Each of the 100 recipes (some all-time fan favorites and many brand-new) includes prep time, cook time, and quick-reference tags. Recipes include: Stuffed Chicken Breast with Mozzarella and Creamy Kale, Stir-Fried Pork Cutlets with Buttermilk Ranch, Sweet Cider Scallops with Wilted Spinach, Tofu Enchiladas with Red Sauce, and more. 

The Modern Proper is a well organized and comprehensive cookbook. I found that the descriptions, instructions, and suggestions were all well thought out and written. I like that the recipes leave plenty of room for home cooks to use the vegetables and ingredients that work best for their family. The recipes are pretty varied and do use mostly common, or at least readily available, ingredients for those that have good supermarkets accessible to them.  There were several recipes that I would love to try for an adult only meal. However, I have to admit that I found most of the meals a little to involved and fussy for my house, aside from special occasions. For those that love cooking and entertaining, or have the family interest in trying new foods, this would be a great cookbook. I enjoyed looking at the photographs, and gleaned a few tips and inspirations, but this is not a book that would be added to my personal library. I think there are people that love to cook like this, and I think they will love this book and have the time and resources to put the recipes inside to good use. 

Book Review: What the Fang? (Undead Ever After) by Stacey Kennedy

What the Fang? is the first book in the Undead Ever After series by Stacey Kennedy. Willa Farrington’s magic is broken. Shunned by her coven for failing to pass the Summer Solstice Rite, Willa escapes to the one place no witch belongs – Charleston, a city that belongs to vampires. Determined to embrace her new life, Willa opens Cauldron Boil Books, and unexpectedly finds some friends among the vampires. One terrible night Willa ends up on the wrong side of a pair of fangs. Thankfully, her captor’s plan is ruined when Killian Constantine, the drop-dead gorgeous Warden of Charleston, shows up to save her. But just when Willa thinks she’s safe, Killian demands to know why she – a witch – telepathically called him for help. Intent on finding answers, the two embark on a journey to unravel the mystery behind Willa’s attack and their unusual connection. As they get closer to the truth, the fiery passion between them ignites. Just as Willa starts to think that her entire existence is a lie, deadlier forces come out of the shadows. She will need to believe in her malfunctioning magic, trust bloodthirsty vampires, and cross her fingers that she and Killian make it out.

What the Fang? is a solid series starter. I was quickly invested in Willa's story, and like the way bits and pieces of her story were revealed. I did think the connection with Killian and some of the big reveals were a tad obvious, and a everyone seems to accept and process things way faster than I was quite prepared for, but the journey was still a great deal of fun. Killian was an interesting character, and I can see a great deal of potential with him, but I would have liked to have seen more of his thoughts and past straight from him rather than as he shared with Willa. I think some opportunities were missed there. I loved Willa's friends, and the reactions of some of the vampires to her in the book. I look forward to seeing more of them all in future installments of the series. I do have to admit that Ambrose was my absolute favorite character in the entire book. 

What the Fang? is a paranormal romance that nicely balances fun and danger. 

Book Review: Accidental Magic (Myrtlewood Mysteries) by Iris Beaglehole

Accidental Magic is the first book in the Myrtlewood Mysteries series by Iris Beaglehole. Life’s a struggle for Rosemary Thorn and her teen daughter, Athena. But their regular troubles are turned upside down after Granny Thorn’s mysterious death.  Despite her cousin's sinister maneuverings, Rosemary returns to Myrtlewood and the sprawling, dilapidated Thorn Manor. But there's more to the old house than meets the eye, as Rosemary and Athena soon find out — in a whirlwind of magic, adventure, mystical creatures and endless cups of tea. Life in Myrtlewood would be bliss if Rosemary could only clear her name in a certain murder investigation, solve the mystery and stay out of mortal peril – for at least a little while!  A small town with endless secrets, strange activities and a house with a mind of its own.

Accidental Magic left me satisfied with the ending, but with plenty of questions about where the series will go from here.  I thought that Rosemary and Athena had an interesting mother-daughter relationship, but I did like both characters. I thought that they balanced each other nicely and I was glad to get parts of the story from both of them. I liked the quirky nature of the town and its residents, although what do you expect from a magical town full of secrets. I am interested to see where some of the friendships and relationships might form and grow, and which might reveal even more secrets.  I was a little frustrated with the number of secrets and forgotten bits of information, even though it did fit with the story. I just felt like aspect of Rosemary and magic got used a little too often. However, I was interested in the mystery and magic of the story start to finish and plan on reading the second book to see what happens next and how Athena and Rosemary grow as characters.

Accidental Magic is an intriguing start to a new series and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes. 

Early Book Review: Peach and the Isle of Monsters by Franco Aureliani, Agnes Garbowska

Peach and the Isle of Monsters is a graphic novel written by Franco Aureliani and illustrated by Agnes Garbowska. It is currently scheduled for release on March 15 2022. Meet Peach. How did she get her name? What's her secret? What have the Monsters taken from her village? Seeking independence, and prove she's a warrior, Peach begins her quest to save her village from the Monsters from Monster Isle... and meets some interesting people along the way! 

Peach and the Isle of Monsters starts by answering all of the questions in the description and then quickly jumps into the adventure. I liked the art, and thought the color and style took a great deal of talent. I thought it ran very text heavy, particularly for an adventure graphic novel. It felt like the majority of the story was simplified and shuffled into the text bubbles without allowing the art to do its share of story telling. I could not get interested or invested in the story since it fell into the trap of telling rather than showing for the majority of the story. It was more than a little disjointed, and parts of it felt very rushed and like the author had no plan going into the story. I liked the art, and thought the story of a girl that thought she was underestimated and abandoned has some potential but it just did not shake out for me, although I think some middle grade readers that share some of those feelings might appreciate it much more. 

Early Book Review: The Atlas of Migrating Plants and Animals by Matt Sewell, Megan Lee

The Atlas of Migrating Plants and Animals by Matt Sewell and Megan Lee is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on March 8 2022. This informative collection featuring mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, and plants from all continents and nearly all oceans will teach young nature lovers about migration in its many forms. Grade-school children will discover how creatures navigate the planet when they encounter climate change, sun, chemicals, the Earth’s magnetic field, and the changing seasons in this illustrated reference book. Follow flocks of arctic terns on their annual 24,855-mile journey between the Earth’s poles. Join the monarch butterflies on their famous pilgrimage, upwards of 3,000 miles, from Canada to Mexico. Marvel at wildebeests, humpback whales, salmon, dragonflies, and more, as they travel around the globe and battle the Earth’s toughest conditions to survive.

The Atlas of Migrating Plants and Animals is an interesting and accessible read that covers the migration style of over sixty living creatures. I thought the text was easy to follow, written in a conversational tone with some humor and interesting facts to keeps readers engaged. Each of the creature profiles includes one or most watercolor style illustrations of the subject matter. I think I would have preferred photographs, as the quality of those illustrations seemed to vary through out the book with some being near perfect and others feeling a little childish to me. The maps that are included are well done and help give a scope of some of the distances covered, but I do not think there are enough maps to really call this an atlas. I liked the information shared and think the book had great potential and intent, but fell short of what I was expecting from the title.

The Atlas of Migrating Plants and Animals is a well written and interesting read that could be helpful in the classroom. However, it fell short of being a true atlas for me. 

Audiobook Review: Practical Happiness: Four Principles to Improve Your Life by Pamela Gail Johnson

Practical Happiness: Four Principles to Improve Your Life was written and narrated by Pamela Gail Johnson.  People think happiness is a singular feeling, but it isn't. The real way to feel happier is to expand your definition of happiness and manage your Happiness Zappers.  Pamela Gail Johnson, founder of the Society of Happy People, identified the four practical happiness principles that have helped thousands of people shift their mindsets so they naturally notice more happiness, whether it feels sparse, abundant, or somewhere in between. Pamela shares real stories from real people who put the four practical happiness principles into action. With thought-provoking workbook-style questions, you can immediately apply these principles to your life. You'll discover how happiness is unique to you and your circumstances; how to manage common experiences that zap your happiness; how happiness changes; and thirty-one types of happiness.

Practical Happiness is a well organized book with information and tools for finding and recognizing happiness that could be very helpful to readers. I recognized much of what was written as being true and useful, but mostly things I have heard before in other context and in some cases have been doing for years. Since I am not someone that normally seeks out or reads self help books I found it odd that most of what I was hearing n the audiobook were things that were familiar. However, I did find the descriptions of different types of happiness and it's zappers interesting and mostly new to me. I think many people will find the book helpful, and for me it was a good reminder to be more present and acknowledge the little moments and to allow myself to work through the happiness zappers rather than trying to simply ignore them until they are a bigger issue.  I think that Johnson did a decent job of narrating her book. I find that authors reading their own work do a good job, as they know where they want the emphasis on and what the flow of the text should be. That was true here, but sometimes the pauses were a bit too long- and I feel like she must be a great in person speaker but that does not always translate to a great audiobook reader. Sadly, the pauses and the very natural mouth noises made through out the book often distracted me and made me want to offer her a glass of water. Others might not notice it, but it is one of my irks in life so I found it hard to ignore. 

Practical Happiness is a good book for those looking to learn more about finding and appreciating happiness more. 

Book Review: Night Cry by Borja Gonzalez

Night Cry is a young adult graphic novel written and illustrated by Borja Gonzalez. When it comes to rituals, Teresa, who runs a bookstore specializing in magic and the occult, knows her fair share. But when she manages to summon Laura, an anime-loving demon, the ritual goes awry: Laura is there to grant her any wish, but Teresa doesn’t know what to ask for. And so the two are stuck with each other… Thus begins a strange cohabitation, while Laura decides to investigate a series of unexplained disappearances in town. Through the author’s captivating artwork and spirited dialogue, discover an offbeat and magical world close to our own, alternating between warmth and sweet melancholy.

Night Cry is a unique graphic novel. I liked the art style, I thought the use of color and the way the characters were drawn without facial features gave the book a very eerie vibe- and with the witch, ghost, and demon mentions that was on point. honestly the visuals were my favorite part of the story. There were little details and suggestions on every page that readers could interpret in many ways, coloring the storytelling. I liked the majority of the story, but have to admit that there were more than a few moments when I was really confused, and the story and my guesses about what was really going on and where the story might end up were disconnected. And, frankly the ending left me a bit baffled. I did enjoy the friendship development, and though I often hated the way Teresa treated Matilda, I thought some of it made sense for the personalities and twists that might have popped up in the story. 

Night Cry is an atmospheric and beautifully drawn graphic novel that is very much open to interpretation. 

Early Book Review: Housecat Trouble by Mason Dickerson

Housecat Trouble by Mason Dickerson is a children's graphic novel currently scheduled for release on February 22 2022. Buster has only one job: keep the house safe. Too bad he is a massive scaredy-cat. When his owner goes away and he suddenly finds his home filled with monsters, Buster has the biggest challenge he’s ever faced. Can he learn to be brave before his owner gets back? 

Housecat Trouble is a cute graphic novel. I liked the artwork and found t to be fun and bold. I think it will capture and keep the attention of middle grade readers. I will admit that from the cover and description I thought this would be for a younger audience, but is definitely for the middle grade crowd. Buster makes friends, faces his fears, and has an adventure. I like that the friends grow and learn too, the character growth is not limited to Buster. There are evil spirits, questish moments, sweet moments, and some silliness. It is an interesting and entertaining read. I liked that a page on drawing your own cat was included at the end of the book, that might further engage interested readers. 

Book Review: The Immortal (Rise of the Warlords) by Gena Showalter

The Immortal is the second book in the Rise of the Warlords series by Gena Showalter. I do recommend reading the series in order for an understanding of the world and larger story line. 

Halo Phaninon, assassin of gods, is as cold and merciless as a machine. For victory, he crosses any line. When tasked to kill twelve of mythology’s fiercest monsters in twenty-four hours, Halo eagerly accepts. Except, each morning he awakens to the same day, forced to relive new horrors. Only one other person retains their memory—the beauty who threatens his iron control. Ophelia the Flunk Out hates her disaster of a life. She’s the family disappointment, a harpy warrior without a kill and powerless—or is she? Nearly every night she’s doomed to repeat her own murder, but each morning she arises to spar with Halo, the ruthless warlord increasingly determined to save her and lure her to his bed. Halo’s insatiable desire for the stubborn Ophelia drives him wild, and he only craves more. If he remains in the time loop, they stay together. But if he escapes, they lose each other forever.

The Immortal started off good for me. I liked the introduction of Halo and Ophelia and the general set up of this story. I thought the individual issues that each of them have coming into the story were well handled and explored through the story. Similarly, the character and relationship development and growth was done well. I liked the creativity in using a time loop and Hercules's tasks, and the banter and several other aspects of the book really worked for me. However, I have to admit that there were several moments that I just got a little restless and eager to see things move forward quicker. Part of this is on me- like many others in these interesting times- I sometimes have trouble focusing on my reading. Was my trouble focusing on this read and staying engaged a pacing issue, a me issue, or as I suspect a combination of the two. It definitely might hit other readers differently, but for me it just did not meet the high expectations I have for this author. 

The Immortal is a good continuation of this story. 

Book Review: Who Lives near a Glacier? Alaska Animals in the Wild by Susi Gregg Fowler, Jim Fowler

Who Lives near a Glacier? Alaska Animals in the Wild is a children's book written by Susi Gregg Fowler and illustrated by Jim Fowler. Whether towering high above the water's surface, or spreading out as a massive ice field in an open plain, glaciers slowly shape the environments and ecosystems that they move through. And while the size, scale, and temperatures may seem extreme, there is a vibrant community of wildlife living in and around these massive flows of ice. Through poems paired with information about each animal, Who Lives near a Glacier? celebrates the creatures that thrive alongside the shifting landscape. From enormous whales swimming alongside ice walls rising out of the ocean, to the tiniest of ice worms that make their homes inside glaciers, readers will learn about a variety of local wildlife.

Who Lives near a Glacier? is a combination of rhyming poetry, nature paintings, and factoids. The illustrations are done like paintings, and pair nicely with the poetry and chosen facts. I thought they were well done, but I think I might have preferred actually photographs to the artwork when possible.  This is not to say they were not quality, but comes down to my personal preference. I was impressed with the wildlife chosen for inclusion, especially that plants were included.  Too often the less flashy plants and animals are ignored in favor of better known, cuter, or dramatic creatures. Here we get a look at a variety of far more expected and common animals. I like that the information of glacier formation is included as well. 

Who Lives near a Glacier? is a book that will appeal to interested readers, and could be useful in discussions about nature, climate, and Alaska with young readers.  

Book Review: Extinctions: Twilight of the Species by Jean-Baptiste De Panafieu, Alexandre Franc

Extinctions: Twilight of the Species is a nonfiction graphic novel written by Jean-Baptiste De Panafieu, with art by Alexandre Franc. Two journalists travel to an island in the Arctic Circle where scientists are searching for fossils of extinct animals. Like all journalists, they have a lot of questions: how is it possible for an entire species to completely disappear? Word has it that we’re in the midst of a sixth mass extinction, but what exactly does that mean? How did the first five happen? What is the scientific definition of an extinction? Alexandre Franc adeptly illustrates the narrative by Jean-Baptiste de Panafieu, a specialist in natural sciences and doctor of biological oceanology. Panafieu, who has already authored a number of popular science books, gives a clear explanation of what mass extinctions are, cleverly comparing past extinctions with the one we are witnessing now. The two authors present us with a clear, intelligent, and lighthearted perspective on a fascinating phenomenon.

Extinctions: Twilight of the Species is a very well organized and informative read. There is a great deal of information here, and there are times that it can be overwhelming and others that might trigger a bunch of side research sending you down internet rabbit holes. I thought the artwork, maps, and text were all well balanced and worked together nicely to tell the whole story and the importance it holds. This is not a light read, and can fell very science heavy to those that are not expecting it. Because of that, and the less than cheery subject matter, it is not a quick or light read. However, it was the information and factual aspects of the book I liked the most. The part that I was less than happy about was the fictional aspects, which I assume were included to make this a more engaging and personal read. I was not a fan of the main character from the onset, and the inclusion of a romantic subplot just did not work for me. I loved the science and facts, and I could see that a great deal of research and work went into creating this, but I felt like the personalities of the fictional aspect did more harm than good here. 

Extinctions: Twilight of the Species is a good resource to see the realities of climate change and extinctions in more detail and to better understand the topics.