Early Book Review: The Long-Lost Secret Diary of the World's Worst Pirate (Long-Lost Secret Diary) by Tim Collins, Sarah Horne

The Long-Lost Secret Diary of the World's Worst Pirate is the second book in the Long-Lost Secret Diary series for children written by Tim Collins and illustrated by Sarah Horne. This illustrated chapter book is currently scheduled for release on September 19 2017. You do not need to read the entire series, or the books in order, to enjoy the stories.

Meet Thomas, a young man sailing with his parents aboard a merchant ship in the 18th century. He is prone to daydreaming about living an exciting life as a pirate on the high seas. When a pirate crew led by Captain Bartholomew Morgan takes over the ship, Thomas stows away and is accepted into their motley gang. However, life as a pirate proves far less romantic than what he was expecting. The hilarious Long Lost Secret Diary series put readers inside the heads of hapless figures from history struggling to carry out their roles and getting things horribly wrong. The accessible, irreverent stories will keep young readers laughing as they learn the importance of not being afraid to learn from one’s mistakes.

The Long-Lost Secret Diary of the World's Worst Pirate is a good combination of historical information, adventure, and humor that will keep young readers interested and entertained. Thomas, like most people, is certain that any life different than his own is more interesting and exciting. Danger and the less pleasant aspects of life do not always make an impact until they are felt or witnessed. This is certainly the case for Thomas, who initially has trouble acknowledging or even recognizing the significance of his mistakes or choices slowly comes to see that e can learn from them. The stories are sometimes exciting, sometimes silly, and always entertaining. I think the equally entertaining illustrations and humor will keep readers happily reading, and teach them a little something about history and responsibility along the way. 

Book Review: The Dragon Hunters (Dragon Brothers) by James Russell, Link Choi

The Dragon Hunters is the first illustrated chapter book in The Dragon Brother trilogy written by James Russell and illustrated by Link Choi. Living on an island means life is full of adventure for brothers Flynn and Paddy. So when a dragon swoops out of the sky and nabs their beloved dog, Coco, Flynn and Paddy know it's up to them to bring her home. That night, they pack their bags, make some terrible sandwiches, and set off on an epic adventure. 

The Dragon Hunters is a short and imaginative book in rhyme for young readers. The boys have an adventure to save their dog from a dragon, and do so with wit and humor. The illustrations are full of color, detail, and whimsy. As ab bonus for the technologically inclined young readers, the map in this book come alive with the use of your phone or tablet, once you download a free AR Reads app. If you do use the app, you can see and hear dragons fly, geysers gush, and get a glimpse of your favorite characters in action. A great incentive to get readers more interested in technology than print books to check it out.

Early Book Review: So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced) by Kerrelyn Sparks

So I Married a Sorcerer is the second book in The Embraced series by Kerrelyn Sparks. It is currently scheduled for release on August 29 2017. While those that have not read the first book in the series will be able to enjoy the adventure and romance fully, I think those that are reading the series in order will enjoy it more because of the recurring secondary characters and the larger story arc that carries across the books.

Growing up on the Isle of Moon, Brigitta knows nothing of her past, except that she is Embraced: born with powers that forced her into hiding. Everything changes when she learns she’s a princess, hidden away from her villainous half-brother who now rules the kingdom. But he knows about Brigitta, and he’ll do anything to get her back. Unless a certain roguish pirate has anything to say about it. Rupert is both an infamous pirate and a sorcerer with the power to harness the wind. He’s been waiting nineteen years for revenge, and he needs Brigitta to get it. What begins as a kidnapping of the fiery beauty turns into a fierce attraction. But can he win the captive princess’s heart? 

So I Married a Sorcerer is a fun and adventurous ride. I loved the characters, and who can resist a noble pirate, especially one with so much heart. I enjoyed Brigitta's spirit, gift, and intelligence. While there were moments when I wanted to kick the nun travelling with her, she seemed just as exacerbated as I was. I was highly entertained by Rupert's second in command, and the cabin boy on the ship. It really is the character development and interaction that makes Spark's work so engaging. I cared about the characters, found their banter amusing, and felt for them as they faced troubles and worries. Some if the twists and turns I saw coming, others came out of the blue and I was pleasantly surprised. I was thinking about the characters, including the secondary characters, well after I finished the book and moved onto the next on my list.

So I Married a Sorcerer is a good continuation to this series, and I fully plan on following the rest of the story. I am eager to see the rest of the sisters find love.

Early Book Review: Mighty Jack and the Goblin King by Ben Hatke

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King is the second book in the Mighty Jack series by Ben Hatke. This middle grade graphic novel is currently scheduled for release on September 5 2017. I would highly recommend reading this series in order, as you will have no idea how Maddy was stolen, how the garden grew, or what crazy adventures brought together Jack and Lilly.

Jack's little sister Maddy is gone, carried into another realm by an ogre. When Jack and Lilly follow Maddy’s captor through the portal, they are ready for anything, except what they find waiting for them in the floating crossroads between worlds. Even the power of their magic plants may not be enough to get them back to earth alive. Alone and injured, Jack and Lilly must each face their own monsters—as well as giants who grind the bones of human children to feed their “beast” and a fearsome goblin king in the sewers down below. But when Jack finds himself in a tough spot, help comes from the most unlikely person: the goblin king!

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King is a continuation of the first graphic novel, and carries over even an unexpected character. Maddy has been stolen by and ogre and Jack is willing to do anything to save her, anything. Together Jack and Lilly face huge obstacles, apart the face even bigger challenges. Crazy characters and situations keep the characters and readers guessing, and the story moving at a quick pace. I enjoyed the art style, as usual with Hatke, and the fun twists and turns the story took. The use of different creatures with characteristics that do not always fit expectations made the story engaging. I liked that Lilly continued to be more than expected, as did young Maddy. There is plenty of room for more adventures in this series, but was glad to see a satisfying conclusion to this two part adventure. I look forward to what ever Hatke offers readers next.

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King is another winner from Ben Hatke. He has been a favorite of mine for children's graphic novels for awhile now, and I was glad to see this one reinforce that feeling- especially since  remember being a little disappointed with the ending of the first instalment of Mighty Jack. Fans of adventure and graphic novels will want to explore this series, just read the volumes one right after another and you will find yourself quite satisfied.

Book Review: Falling Hard (Colorado High Country) by Pamela Clare

Falling Hard is the third Colorado High Country book by Pamela Clare. I have not read the previous books in the series, and while I can see where some of the characters must cross over from book to book, I was able to fully enjoy this read without having read the other books. 

Ellie Meeks promised her pilot husband that if anything happened to him, she would live her life to the fullest. Three years later, she is still alone, raising the twins he never met. She has no interest in dating or meeting men—until one snowy night when a stranger helps her get her sick kids safely home. That stranger turns out to be a former Army Ranger and a member of the elite Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team.  Jesse Moretti came to Colorado to get Iraq out of his head, using the adrenaline of extreme sports and high-risk mountain rescues to keep his mind off the past. But getting involved with Ellie might be the riskiest thing he’s ever done. It’s not just their explosive chemistry. There’s something about Ellie that gets inside him, opening him to feelings he’s tried hard to ignore. Ellie feels alive in Jesse’s arms and happier than she ever thought she’d feel again. But their relationship comes at a price for him, and soon Ellie sees that she must help Jesse fight the demons of his past to protect the love of a lifetime—and save the heart of a hero.

Falling Hard is a romance that deals with loss, risk, grief, and moving on. Ellie lost her husband before her twins were even born. She has struggled but thankfully has the support of family. She is smart, compassionate, and resilient. Jesse is still reeling from the loss and horror that he faced as an Army Ranger. Now working in a high risk job and volunteering on a rescue team he is doing everything he can to save others. Neither is looking for any kind of relationship, and yet after a chance meeting they cannot seem to stay away from each other. I enjoyed the slow growth of their relationship, and how Jesse is aware of his faults and emotional scars. I think the honest of both characters, and the struggles they have with emotions and connecting make to book poignant and relatable to readers. I loved that the act of moving on was not about forgetting, but in honoring those we've lost and living life as best we can.

Falling Hard is a solid romance, with complex characters and emotion. If you enjoy realistic characters and struggles combined with a slow-burn romance, then you are going to enjoy this read.

Early Book Review: Stinker by David Zeltser, Julia Patton

Stinker is a picturebook written by David Zeltser and illustrated by Julia Patton which is currently scheduled for release on September 1 2017.  Stinker is a puppy stuck in the pound. He's playful and loving and wants more than anything to be adopted. Unfortunately, little Stinker is always making big smells. As family after family return the ever-patient pooch back to the shelter, even he begins to lose hope. That is, until Stinker meets a snarky tomcat who can wriggle his way out of any situation. Together they stage a great escape in order to find just the right home, where Stinker will be loved in spite of his smells.

Stinker is a fun story about a dog with a serious flatulence problem. All he wants is a home and to be loved, but most people cannot get past the stink. I loved that the narrator of the little stinker's tale is a snarky cat who promises a happy ending. The cat tells about the failed adoption, and then Stinker's search outside the pound. I liked that the failed opportunities are told, not just the final solution, which is charming. This makes the story not just about accepting others despite faults and accepting yourself, but also about persistence and that failing is part of the process. This is an all around cute and engaging story that will bring on the giggles and perhaps teach a lesson or two along the way.

Book Review: Grimbeard: Tales of the Last Dwarf by Samwise Didier

Grimbeard: Tales of the Last Dwarf by Samwise Didier is a collection of six short stories featuring an elf hating dwarf. These bawdy and boisterous stories featuring all original artwork by legendary Blizzard Entertainment art director Samwise Didier, this tome follows Captain Grimbeard as he organizes underground fight clubs, boxes elven bounty hunters, ducks amorous giants, and most important—searches for a place to empty his beer-filled bladder. 

Grimbeard: Tales of the Last Dwarf is an entertaining read, but I will admit that I found the cover and artwork that can be found throughout the book better than the narrative. The adventures of Grimbeard were insane, in a fun and entertaining way, but his chatty style occasionally irritated me more than I expected it to. I liked the idea, come on who would not want to read about a dwarf pirate with a deep seated hatred of silly elves? The plot lines and illustrations lived up to my hopes completely, it was only the narrative style that distracted me and kept me from getting lost in the adventures.

Book Review: The Wizard's Dog by Eric Kahn Gale

The Wizard's Dog by Eric Kahn Gale is a children's fantasy that gives a fresh twist to Arthurian legends. Nosewise is spunky, curious, and just so happens to be a dog.  He cannot understand why his pack mates Merlin and Morgana spend all day practicing magic tricks. If it’s a trick they want, he’s the dog to ask! He can already Sit!, Stay!, and Roll Over! But there’s no way Nosewise is Stay!ing when his master and best friend, Merlin, is kidnapped. There’s nothing Nosewise won’t do to get Merlin back, even if it means facing the strange Fae people and their magic-eating worms, or tangling with the mysterious Sword in the Stone. But it may take more than sniffing out a spell to do it! Nosewise’s hilarious escapades and steadfast loyalty get him and his companions through King Arthur’s Dark Ages.

The Wizard's Dog is a grand magical adventure featuring some of my favorite classic characters, all from a dog's point of view. I loved Nosewise's character, and the illustrations and cover image of him just made him even more endearing. The danger, deception, and magic are well written, and engaging without being so dire that more sensitive readers will be turned off the book. I think the character development of Morgana and Arthur was very well done. The only thing that could have made it better was more depth for Merlin, but since he is such a iconic character I can let that go.

I have always been a fan of Arthurian legends, and The Wizard's Dog gives my favorite story a fun new twist. I absolutely loved the canine point of view and will be adding this to my school library's collect as soon as possible. I only wish I had opened this digital galley and read it much earlier! I hope to find the time to go back and read the author's other two books to see if they entertain me as much.

Early Book Review: Santa Please Bring Me a Gnome by An Swerts, Eline Lindenhuizen

Santa Please Bring Me a Gnome is a picturebook written by An Swerts and illustrated by Eline Lindenhuizen. It is currently scheduled for release on September 1 2017. This year Tess does not want toys, instead she wants a gnome. A real, living gnome to be her friend to take everywhere and share everything with. She gets everything ready for her new friend, including little furniture and bedding. When Christmas comes will she get her wish? 

Santa Please Bring Me a Gnome is a sweet and delightful picturebook. I loved the illustrations, they really brought Tess's plans and hopes to life, and I loved how helpful Tess's grandparents were through her endeavor to get ready for Santa to deliver her friend. I think the conclusion, with note from Santa and all, was a perfect answer and one that parents, caregivers, and children will enjoy on different levels. This might be a Christmas book, but I fully expect some will be requesting this book year round. 

Book Review: Antisocial by Heidi Cullinan

Antisocial by Heidi Cullinan is a wonderful contemporary romance that made me happy on multiple levels. Xander Fairchild can’t stand people in general and frat boys in particular, so when he’s forced to spend his summer working on his senior project with Skylar Stone, a silver-tongued Delta Sig with a trust fund who wants to make Xander over into a shiny new image, Xander is determined to resist. He came to idyllic, Japanese culture-soaked Benten College to hide and make manga, not to be transformed into a corporate clone in the eleventh hour.  Skylar’s life has been laid out for him since before he was born, but all it takes is one look at Xander’s artwork, and the veneer around him begins to crack. Xander himself does plenty of damage too. There’s something about the antisocial artist’s refusal to yield that forces Skylar to acknowledge how much his own orchestrated future is killing him slowly…as is the truth about his gray-spectrum sexuality, which he hasn’t dared to speak aloud, even to himself. Through a summer of art and friendship, Xander and Skylar learn more about each other, themselves, and their feelings for one another. But as their senior year begins, they must decide if they will part ways and return to the dull futures they had planned, or if they will take a risk and leap into a brightly colored future—together.

Antisocial is so much more than I expected. It is a romance, it is a coming of age story, and it is a wonderful study of the shades of the spectrum when it comes to sexual identity.Xander is an artist, and is as closed off and moody as any stereotype you might image. Skylar is a golden boy, being groomed for a life as a corporate lawyer. Each has their wounds and secrets. I loved the development of friendship between these two unlikely partners, and how the one that seemed the most in need of saving at the start was the one that offered the most encouragement and support through the entire story. I found the open communication between Xander and Skylar was so important, and something that happens too rarely in real life and romance novels alike. The inclusion of a friend group, and the struggles with parents and finances were important and valuable parts of the story- making it more real and engaging. My only sticking point was just how perfect their happy ending was, I think some of the parental resolution was left hanging. However, as this is my only issue with the book, I still want to highly recommend the read to anyone even vaguely interested.

Antisocial is a contemporary romance that explores the shades of sexual identity and the search most of us have for who we want to be, and what makes us happy. Every time I had to step away from reading I found myself eager to get back to the world of Xander and Skylar. I think this is a great read, and that young and new adults should read it particularly if they or anyone they care about is struggling with their own sexuality.