Early Book Review: Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor by Ally Carter

Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor by Ally Carter is the first book in a middle grade series. It is currently scheduled for release on March 3 2020. 

April had absolutely no intention of becoming the only person who knows that Gabriel Winterborne, the missing-and-presumed-dead billionaire, is actually living in the basement of Winterborne House, sharpening his swords and looking for vengeance. Now it’s up to April to keep him alive. But there’s only so much a twelve-year-old girl can do, so April must turn to the other orphans for help. Together, they’ll have to unravel the riddle of a missing heir and a creepy legend, and find a secret key, before the only home they’ve ever known is lost to them forever. 

Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor is the first middle grade novel from this author- at least that I am aware of. I have read some of her young adult book which I enjoyed, and all the things I enjoyed in those books carried over nicely to this book. April is a plucky character, aware of her weaknesses and stubborn enough to keep moving forward. I enjoyed getting to know her and the other children, and found myself invested in their pasts and future welfare almost as soon as they were introduced. There are connections forged, quirky personalities, and interesting interactions that kept the story moving ahead and left no good spots to go cook dinner or do the things that needed doing in the real world. I am still intrigued by the characters and was left thinking about them after finishing the book and moving on to my next read. Even the adults have secrets and mysteries about them that need solving, some of which were left to drive us to read the next book. I  liked that the mystery of Gabriel was solved, and the bad guy brought to justice. I also liked that the question of who made it through the confrontation alive was answered- leaving no doubts who would be making return appearances in the series (although there is always room for surprises). I found the fact that the big questions of this book were answered- but the are still a great number of more mysteries and questions waiting for solutions- none that left this book feeling unfinished but just enough to make me eager to dive into the next. That is a hard balance to achieve and Carter hit the mark here.  I just realized I said nothing much about the plot- but I would hate to ruin any of the story for you, I enjoyed the ride too much to still that enjoyment for other readers even in the effort to encourage them to read the book. 

Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor has a good balance of adventure, mystery, and character development. I enjoyed the story and look forward to following this series.

Early Book Review: Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem by Jude Isabella

Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem by Jude Isabella is a nonfiction book for children that is currently scheduled for release on March 3 2020.  An unintended experiment in Yellowstone National Park, in which an ecosystem is devastated and then remarkably rehabilitated, provides crucial lessons about nature's intricate balancing act. In the 1800s, hunters were paid by the American government to eliminate threats to livestock on cattle ranches near Yellowstone National Park. They did such a good job that, by 1926, no gray wolf packs were left in the park. Over the following decades, virtually every other part of the park's ecosystem was affected by the loss of the wolves --- from the animals who were their prey, to the plants that were the food for that prey, to the streams that were sheltered by those plants --- and the landscape was in distress. So, starting in 1995, in an attempt to reverse course, the government reintroduced gray wolves to the park. Over time, animal populations stabilized, waterways were restored and a healthy ecosystem was recreated across the land. It's a striking transformation, and a fascinating tale of life's complicated interdependencies. Jude Isabella's thoroughly researched, expert-reviewed text and Kim Smith's beautiful nature art bring science to life in this captivating story of renewal. Readers will recognize just how complex an ecosystem is and learn about the surprising interconnectedness of its members. Biodiversity, ecosystems, the food chain, habitats, needs of living things and the importance of human stewardship of the environment are all covered through this real-life example, offering direct links to earth and life science curriculums. Food web infographics help reinforce the information. A glossary and index add to the book's usefulness.

Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem is a well researched and written book about the reestablishment of wolves at Yellowstone. I have seen a few documentaries on the subject, since my daughter has been obsessed with wolves for years. I had a general understanding of the subject, but that is not necessary to understand the book. The information is framed in narratives and written so that it is easily accessible and understood without talking down to readers or sounding condescending. The information was well paced, and the accompanying artwork added a great deal to my understanding and will be very useful for visual learners. I learned some information that was new to me, and was reminded of how small changes can have a large effect on the world. This is something that I think readers of all ages could learn and be reminded of on a regular basis. I was glad to see a glossary, resources, and an index in the endpapers. I think this book could be a good addition to public, school, and classroom libraries. 

Early Book Review: Just Draw Fineliner Art: Incredible Illustrations Crafted With Fineliner Pens by Liam Carver

Just Draw Fineliner Art: Incredible Illustrations Crafted With Fineliner Pens by Liam Carver presents a collection of more than 85 beautiful blackwork images by contemporary artists from around the world. It is currently scheduled for release on March 3 2020. Readers can browse the book for advice or inspiration. Each image is accompanied by a short introduction, information on the approaches, techniques and tools used, and useful tips. Learn about stippling and hatching to produce immensely detailed drawings. This is the perfect guide for artists and art lovers alike.

Just Draw Fineliner Art might just be a thinly veiled advertisement for their products at first, but it can also be a solid resource for inspiration and technique. I have never been more than an amatur artist, someone that doodles for fun and has had no formal art education past some advanced high school courses. I enjoyed looking at the art, reading a bit about the tools and techniques used to create them, and might just pull out some of my art supplies to test my muscle memory and skills to see how much I remember and can still pull off. I did find some of the 'tips' to be things I still remember from those high school classes, which are farther away that I might like to admit. Other tips and challenges offered by them were more unique and had my full attention. I did like the information about the artist and how they achieved the look in each piece. Like any other collection of images or other art there will always be favorites and pieces that speak to us less. That is the case here as well, but each piece does show skill that I could fully appreciate while some just had me staring at an individual piece for a good length of time. I do appreciate that at the end of the book the is the recommendation to explore different brands of pens, and information on a variety of tools and mediums that any artist might want to try in the effort to find what works best for them. There are also resources for further information and an index of artists, so you can see if the artist of your favorite piece in the book has more that you might want to give attention to as well. 

Early Book Review: Stars Before Bedtime: A Mindful Fall-Asleep Book by Jessamy Hibberd; Claire Grace

Stars Before Bedtime: A Mindful Fall-Asleep Book, written by Jessamy Hibberd and Claire Grace and illustrated by Hannah Tolson, is currently scheduled for release on March 3 2020. In this fast-paced world, relaxing and preparing for sleep can be difficult for children. This fact-filled book helps ease bedtime struggles with mindfulness, muscle relaxation, gentle yoga poses, visualization, and other exercises proven to help kids release stress and anxiety, clear their minds, get ready for bed, and fall asleep faster. With gentle, calming artwork and simple, melodic text, children explore the sky’s constellations and the mythical stories behind them as they get their minds and bodies ready for bed. Each exercise, called out by a moon symbol, is simple and easy to do. The pages are self-contained so you can start anywhere and complete as many, or as few, exercises as you like. Tips on mindfulness and extra resources for parents are included at the back of the book. Stargazers of all ages will love this journey through constellations.

Stars Before Bedtime: A Mindful Fall-Asleep Book is a interesting book, and a good tool for caregivers that are trying to encourage mindfulness at bedtime. I like that the pages include information about astronomy, particularly constellation, offering up facts and legends about the stars alongside yoga poses, breathing exercises, and other relaxation techniques. The illustrations were soothing, in calming blues and indistinct details. I did like that each page could be read independently, so a family could concentrate on one page, one exercise, a night or more. I also like the information at the back of the book for the adults. I think the book offers up exactly what it promises, and will please those that are looking for it. 

Early Book Review: Dark Hedges, Wizard Island, and Other Magical Places That Really Exist by L Rader Crandall

Dark Hedges, Wizard Island, and Other Magical Places That Really Exist by L Rader Crandall is currently scheduled for release on March 3 2020. From a lost city in the desert to a cave alight with thousands of glowworms, learn about some of the most unusual places on earth and the myths, legends, and history behind each of them! Looking at places like The Skeleton Coast in Namibia, Wizard Island in the United States, and The Fairy Tale Route in Germany, This book takes young readers on a journey around the world to real places that sound straight out of fantasy. Featuring both natural and man-made wonders, this travel book combines history and storytelling to explore the far reaches of the earth.

Dark Hedges, Wizard Island, and Other Magical Places That Really Exist takes stories from history and legends and connects them to the places they are about. The history of castles, sieges, and wizard origins are shared with the information about the location you can visit that is tied into these stories. Some of these stories I had heard before, but many were new to me. I thought the tone was conversational and matter of fact, making the text accessible and enjoyable to readers. I liked that the locations were from all around the world, and no culture or group of people were set apart as bad or other- which often happens in historic or legend based text. The photography was stunning, and I adored the detailed bibliography- citing sources and encouraging further reading in the process always makes me happy even if I know a good number of readers are likely to ignore this section. 

Early Book Review: Help Wanted, Must Love Books by Janet Sumner Johnson, Courtney Dawson

Help Wanted, Must Love Books, written by Janet Sumner Johnson and illustrated by Courtney Dawson, is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on March 2 2020. Shailey loves bedtime, especially reading with her dad. But her dad starts a new job, and it gets in the way of their bedtime routine. So Shailey takes action! She fires her dad, posts a Help Wanted sign, and starts interviews immediately. She is thrilled when her favorite characters from fairytales line up to apply. But Sleeping Beauty can't stay awake, the Gingerbread Man steals her book, and Snow White brings along her whole team. Shailey is running out of options. Is bedtime ruined forever?

Help Wanted, Must Love Books is a story that many parents and children can relate to. Routine band job changes for an adult in the house can throw everything else out of whack- like  how her father's new job affected Shailey's bedtime reading. I love how she interviewed characters from some of her bedtime stories to become her new reader, and how some of the auditions went terribly wrong. I thought the story and its execution was very imaginative and well done. The illustrations were wonderful, and added some great detail to the story on each page. I love the imagination the character has, and the way her father works hard to find a solution for the problem. Not every solution in real life will be this easy, but showing that it can happen might give young readers the hope and determination to find solutions for their own bedtime or family disappointments. The addition of resumes from the characters at the end of the book was a fun touch.  

Help Wanted, Must Love Books is an adorable picture book with plenty of references to storytimer favorites and lovely artwork. This might become a new bedtime favorite for some young readers. 

Early Book Review: Little Cloud: The Science of a Hurricane by Johanna Wagstaffe, Julie McLaughlin

Little Cloud: The Science of a Hurricane is a children's nonfiction book written by Johanna Wagstaffe and illustrated by Julie McLaughlin. It is currently scheduled for release on February 18 2020. Follow our little cloud on an adventure through the sky and learn the science behind how it transforms from a simple cumulus cloud to a full-blown hurricane. Children will enjoy finding new gems of information even after several reads, thanks to a whimsical and rich layout. The story is a comprehensive narrative about a weather system with lovely illustrations that combine storytelling with weather facts.

Little Cloud is an engaging nonfiction picturebook for a wide range of readers. I thought the story of the cloud traveling and changing as he grows is well told, and can capture the attention of younger readers that might not grasp the science information. I found that even though I thought I was well versed in hurricanes and the science, I still learned a few interesting facts about the monitoring of hurricanes.  I enjoyed the artwork, and thought that McLaughlin's illustrations were wonderful and helped to focus the attention on the story and the information included. I think this book will be a hit among weather loving kids, and could be a great teaching tool in homes or classrooms when storms are in the news.

Book Review: Raven's Moon (Raven Tales) by J.B. Dane

Raven's Moon is the first book in the Raven Tales series by J.B. Dane. Bram Farrell, private investigator, has starred in twenty bestselling novels by writer-and witch-Calista Amberson. Her fans love the tall, dark, and handsome PI who uses magical powers to vanquish supernatural bad guys. So, when Calista uses her magic to pull Bram from his fictional world into real-world, modern-day Detroit, she rocks both worlds. Now Bram must track down and destroy otherworld evil before it destroys him.Bram's investigation turns up a lot of suspicious characters: grouchy bar-owning trolls, a thirsty vampire godfather, a couple of murderous x-cage fighters, a suspicious minister-and the Devil himself. Things are getting dicey: Bram could use some help with this job-but whom can he trust? 

Raven's Moon is an urban fantasy that captured my attention because of the premise. Book character from a series similar to stories I enjoy dragged from his books into the 'real' world with similarities and differences from his former life. I liked the takes on creatures from legends, and the twists and turns the mystery and magical elements of the story took. I liked Bram's character, trying to figure out who and what he is in the real world, and where he stands. The complications of who has good intentions, and who is out for power or more nefarious things had me guessing throughout the entire story. Hints were dropped, and I found myself muddling along side Bram. Some of the twists I suspected, some I considered and rejected, only to have it all turn around on me. I think it was a combination of the knowledge of a wide variety of legendary creatures and Bram's own self awareness that really made me love this story. The world and character building were very well done. The humor of a dachshund shaped hellhound and other characters certainly mad the read even better for me though. 

Raven's Moon is a wonderful start to a series, and I will be reading the next book as soon as it is available, but for now I am going to get my hands on the prequels.

Early Book Review: How to Love Your Elf (Embraced by Magic) by Kerrelyn Sparks

How to Love Your Elf is the first book in the Embraced by Magic series by Kerrelyn Sparks, however I think it could also be counted as book four of the Embraced series for continuity's sake. I would recommend reading the previous four books for a better understanding of the character and world building that has already been done but think that newcomers could catch on to the story pretty quickly. 

Sorcha knew the mission was dangerous. Leaving the safe grounds of her brother’s kingdom and parlaying with the elves across their border . . . well, treachery seemed at least as likely as true peace. But to support her sister, Sorcha would brave far more than the underhanded ways of the elves. Or so she thought, before she was taken hostage. Of course, her captors didn’t count on her particular abilities—or on the help of the Woodsman, the mysterious thief who made his home in the forest. He saw the battle from the trees, saw the soldier attacking against incredible odds to save a comrade—and then saw the valiant fighter revealed as Princess Sorcha of Norveshka. He can’t tell if he wants to kidnap her or kiss her. But despite Sorcha’s stubbornness, his inconvenient honor, and a rebellion on the cusp of full war, something burns between them that neither can let go.

How to Love Your Elf took me a few pages to remember where the story of the sisters raised on the Isle of Moon left off. I did a quick check to make sure I had not missed any because it just felt like it had been so long since I had read the previous book from Sparks. Thankfully I was up to date and just had to jog my memory a bit. I really enjoyed both Sorcha and the Woodman character. They are both good people, with stubborn streaks a mile wide, and the need to help those around them. Exploring their insecurities, doubts, and attempts to protect each other, and their own hearts, was interesting and engaging to read. I liked getting to know more and more of their personalities and to see some of the characters from the earlier stories continue their tales or make cameos. I will admit that I find the individual character arcs to be much more important and interesting to me personally than the larger story about the circle of five and their nasty plans, but I am interested to see where that part of the story goes. I am also quite invested in reading the next book- because I have been waiting for Brody and Meave to have their time since this whole story began. 

How to Love Your Elf is a good story that is part of a larger whole. Although, the romance and many of the characters can be fully enjoyed and understood without reading the previous books. 

Early Book Review: Finding Him (Covet) by Rachel Van Dyken

Finding Him is the second book in the Covet series by Rachel Van Dyken and it currently scheduled for release on February 25 2020. . I think each book does stand fine on its own, however those that read the series in order will get more from the larger story arc than those reading them separately. 

Coming out of a coma was one hell of a wake-up call. While I was in the dark, my estranged twin brother, Bridge, had replaced me in the company I owned and swept up my fiancée in the takeover. With my ruthless reputation, can I blame them for falling in love? I have to look long and hard at where I’ve been and where I’m headed. Alone time? The universe has other plans. Our family’s secluded Vermont cabin comes with a gorgeous—if at first, unwelcoming—surprise. She’s renter Keaton Westbrook, a social media superstar struggling with her own private grief. As a winter storm bears down, we’ve found something to keep us warm—an intimacy neither of us expected and both of us need. After we say goodbye, what happens then? Keaton and I are longing to reconcile with our painful pasts. I can’t bear to do it without her. Is it too much to ask of fate to give us a second chance at life and love?

Finding Him is a contemporary romance with two emotionally wounded souls finding each other, and healing in the process. Julian is coming to terms with his own mistakes and trying to find a new normal after waking up from a coma and then losing his mother. Forced to take a vacation he is not thrilled to find someone else in the cabin where he expected to find solitude. Some entertaining conversation and attraction aside neither is really looking for intimacy, a relationship, or anything else. However, their wounded edges seem to fit together perfectly- and they find healing while dealing with their individual scars. While some of the trauma they face may seem a little over the top (comas, twins, and paparazzi) I think the individual characters and their pain is thought out and well written. The over the top nature just made the one on one conversations and realizations more poignant and meaningful to me as a reader. It was a great weekend read to escape the real world but still suffer from some serious feels.

Finding Him is a roller coaster ride of feels, and is worth the ride.