Early Book Review: Reynard's Tale: A Story of Love and Mischief by Ben Hatke
Book Review: Fierce by Geoffroy Monde & Mathieu Burniat
Early Book Review: Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith, Gilles Roussel
Book Review: Becoming Crone (The Crone Wars) by Lydia M. Hawke
Audiobook Review: Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting by Roseanne A. Brown, Narrated by Soneela Nankani
Early Book Review: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Early Book Review: His Christmas Guardian by Cindy Dees
Audiobook Review: Relatively Normal Secrets by C.W. Allen, Narrated by Ivy Tara Blair
Book Review: Ruby Fever (Hidden Legacy) by Ilona Andrews
Ruby Fever is the last book in Catalina's story arc, and I am sad to see her personal story wrap up, even though it means we must be something from Arabella's point of view soon. I really enjoyed her part of the story and think that this book was a great addition to the larger story. I though the action, mystery, and hints about the future were all very well balanced. I was engaged in the story the whole read, and while I saw some of the twists coming, everything was so well done that it did not matter. It was great seeing Catalina come into her own, and get a better understanding of herself and what she could do. Fans of the series will love the read and be looking forward to what ever come next in this world.
Ruby Fever is a must read for fans of the series.
Book Review: The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian
Marian Hayes, the Duchess of Clare, just shot her husband. Of course, the evil, murderous man deserved what was coming to him, but now she must flee to the countryside. Unfortunately, the only person she can ask for help is the charismatic criminal who is blackmailing her—and who she may have left tied up a few hours before. A highwayman, con artist, and all-around cheerful villain, Rob Brooks is no stranger to the wrong side of the law or the right side of anybody’s bed. He never meant to fall for the woman whose secrets he promised to keep for the low price of five hundred pounds, but how could he resist someone who led him on a merry chase all over London, left him tied up in a seedy inn, and then arrived covered in her husband’s blood and in desperate need of his help? As they flee across the country—stopping to pick pockets, drink to excess, and rescue invalid cats—they discover more true joy and peace than either has felt in ages. But when the truth of Rob’s past catches up to him, they must decide if they are willing to reshape their lives in order to forge a future together.
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is a fun and highly engaging read. I love that even though all of the characters have their own trauma to deal with all of the major players are still genuinely good people, despite their less than legal actions, and are doing their best to prevent trauma to others. I also like how they Marian's daughter and all the emotions involved in the complicated pregnancy, birth, and aftermath are handled. Not everyone has the same experiences, and seeing something that falls outside the fairytale ideal felt right here, and might help some process their own feelings and experiences- and their expectations for themselves and others. Admitting, there were moments that I felt Rob was too perfect, but it really worked for his situation, past, and ideals so I was quickly able to move past it. This book was just good fun and a pleasure to read, with a nice dose of sexy times mixed it with the humor and adventure. I think just about everyone can enjoy this read.
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes was simply a joy to read. The book was well written and the characters made me smile no matter how badly things were going. Now I need to go back and read the first book in the series.
Early Book Review: Stick and Stone Explore and More by Beth Ferry
Book Review: Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
Book Review: Somewhere in the Bayou by Jerome Pumphrey, Jarrett Pumphrey
Somewhere in the Bayou is a stylistic picturebook about assumptions and how acting on those assumptions can end badly. The group of animals each make assumptions about the tail they see, and act on those assumptions without taking a moment to verify and problem solve together. I thought the art style fit the story very well and that the simple, solid artwork let readers focus even more on the expressive faces of the animals and overall story. I also liked that the final solution involved a kindness even though there is a bit of a dark twist in the end.
Early Book Review: Peach and the Isle of Monsters by Franco Aureliani, Agnes Garbowska
Early Book Review: Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, Teny Issakhanian
Wingbearer is a beautifully drawn and colored graphic novel with fantastic writing. I was engaged in the story from the very beginning, ad my only complaint is that now I have to try and wait patiently for the next installment. Zuli and the the characters that she meets on her journey are well written and complex, with very few good/evil absolutes. The world building, as revealed through the characters and their interactions, was very well done. I feel like I have a reasonable grasp of the important aspects of the world, and never felt like there was an info dump. It was reveals as things became important in a way that really made sense and felt natural. Although, I will admit that I saw the big reveal (not telling), or something very close to it coming on a couple levels. However, I think the way it was done was smart and will keep readers hooked and invested in continuing the series. I think this series will be a new favorite for a wide range of readers and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Wingbearer is a wonderful start to a new series. I look forward to reading what comes next.
Book Review: Igor by Francesca Dafne Vignaga
Early Book Review: Housecat Trouble by Mason Dickerson
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: Fowl by Shaun McMahon
Early Book Review: Tiger Honor by Yoon Ha Lee
Book Review: Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure by Jeff Jensen, George Schall
Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure, written by Jeff Jensen and illustrated by George Schall, is a graphic novel inspired by the true story of Kate Warne, America’s first female detective and her signature achievement--cracking a plot by Confederate radicals to kill Abraham Lincoln. America is at a crossroads. Secession is spreading. And the nation’s newly elected president is the target of a conspiracy to assassinate him and trigger a Civil War. The safety of Lincoln and his family—and the future of the American experiment—hinges on the success of a new kind of lawman, known by a word still novel in the culture of the time: detective. But there was only one who would prove to be up to the task—an individual whose extraordinary cleverness and resourcefulness would alter the course of history from deep within the shadows of domestic spycraft. Her name was Kate Warne. This is the story of America’s first female detective, a trailblazing working woman trying to make a living and do some good in a tumultuous, sexist age, and whose mysterious life and tall tale exploits are truly the stuff of legend.
Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure is a historical graphic novel that shares a bit of history many might not know. The truth of female detectives and what women went through in that time is something people do not always know, or think about if they know. I found the story of Kate and her found family to be fascinating, and while I know much of it was likely embellished or altered for a good story, the important truths are in there as well. I thought the artwork was extremely well done, capturing the period and emotions of the story with great effect. My biggest issue with the story is that I wanted more about Kate and her group after the adventure with the Lincolns, but before the scenes that framed the story here. I need more about what happened with each of her group, because I found myself just as concerned with the secondary characters as the main players. I think this will be a hot with many readers, and might start some into researching more about the female agents of Pinkerton.