Early Book Review: The Graveyard Gift by Fern Forgettable

The Graveyard Gift by Fern Forgettable the the first book in a children's fantasy series. It is currently scheduled for release on October 8 2024. A girl who knows how you die. Her banshee roommate who knows when it happens. And wishes that sometimes, maybe, come true. Rosemary Thorpe has always been a bit different. She has the uncanny and unfortunate ability to foresee people’s deaths, which tends to land her in hot water. Well, not actual hot water—where it lands her is a place between worlds called Fern’s School for Wayward Fae, where Rosemary learns that her powers come from being part fae. At Fern's School, Rosemary meets others who are part fae—including Trym, her banshee roommate whose screams can kill, and Essie, a djinn who grants wishes. But just as Rosemary settles in, a student vanishes in thin air. And it’s up to all the kids to use their curious gifts to find their missing friend.

The Graveyard Gift is a great start to a new series. I liked the character building for Rosemary and the group of students and teachers she meets once at the school. I thought her character was very well written and I think most readers will be able to relate, at least a little, with feeling other or like they are just a little different. I thought the mystery aspect about what is going on at the school and the missing student is well handled., There are a number of significant twists and turns that only serve to make the reader more invested in the eventual outcome. My only complaint is one that I often have with series, that the best twist happens at the very end- just when I felt like I had a handle on what might be going on. I look forward to following this series to see where it goes from here. 

Early Audiobook Review: The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead; Wendy Mass, Narrated by Christopher Gebauer; Jennifer Blom; Rob Dircks

The Lost Library is a middle grade book by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass is currently scheduled for release on August 29 2023. The audiobook is narrated by Christopher Gebauer, Jennifer Blom, and Rob Dircks. When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change. Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself. Told in turn by a ghost librarian named Al, an aging (but beautiful) cat named Mortimer, and Evan himself, The Lost Library is about owning your truth, choosing the life you want, and the power of a good book (and, of course, the librarian who gave it to you).

The Lost Library is a delightful listen, and I really appreciated that the three narrators of the story each literally had their own voice. It made the story come alive, and made it easier to remember who we are with if we need to pause in the middle of a chapter and come back later. I also enjoyed how interwoven the different parts of the story were, and how everything came together. The mystery of the library fire was very well done, but was not the only mystery in the book. While some of the mysteries I suspected the answers to before they were revealed, I thought everything was very engaging and that readers of all ages could connect with one or more of the characters in the story. 

The Lost Library is a well rounded and engaging read that I suspect will become a fast favorite for many. 

Book Review: Sweep of the Heart (Innkeeper Chronicles) by Ilona Andrews, Narrated by Nora Sofyan

Sweep of the Heart is the sixth installment of the Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews, and was originally released as a few novella series. The audiobook is narrated by Nora Sofyan. Life is busier than ever for Innkeeper, Dina DeMille and Sean Evans. But it’s about to get even more chaotic when Sean's werewolf mentor is kidnapped. To find him, they must host an intergalactic spouse-search for one of the most powerful rulers in the Galaxy. Dina is never one to back down from a challenge. That is, if she can manage her temperamental Red Cleaver chef; the consequences of her favorite Galactic ex-tyrant's dark history; the tangled politics of an interstellar nation, and oh, yes, keep the wedding candidates from a dozen alien species from killing each other. Not to mention the Costco lady. They say love is a battlefield; but Dina and Sean are determined to limit the casualties!

Sweep of the Heart is a must read (or listen) for fans of the series. There is plenty of action and danger, great growth and display of character for Dina and Sean as well as the secondary characters. I really enjoyed getting to see some visits from characters that I remember from the Edge series, and those that have made prior appearances in the Innkeeper world. I feel like I got a great deal out of this audiobook, but that readers that are new to the series would be very lost. There are some great summaries and catch up moments if readers mist a related book, but someone with no prior foray into this series would not fully appreciate the amount of information, humor, and winks to other books that fans and returning readers that will enjoy. I have to admit to laughing in my car as I was listening to this, and I was inspired to go back and download other books by the author that I had somehow missed.

Book Review: Bright Eyes (A Kunoichi Tale) by David Kudler

Bright Eyes is a Kunoichi Tale by David Kudler. The future of Japan hangs in the balance, and it's up to a girl who likes to climb to save the day. Two armies have descended on the Full Moon, and the war that has torn Japan apart for over a century threatens to destroy Lady Chiyome's school for young shrine maidens (and assassins). In this thrilling sequel to Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale, Risuko must face warlords, samurai, angry cooks, a monster in the hills, the truth about her father, a spy among the kunoichi, and a murderer. Someone kills a Takeda lieutenant, staging it to look like suicide. Can Risuko figure out who would do such thing? And can she keep it from happening again?

Bright Eyes is a book that I desperately wanted to read as soon as I saw it existed, and dreaded reading since it had been so long since I had read Risuko. which I remember loving but worried that I would not remember enough to follow this sequel or that it would not live up to my expectations. I should not have worried, or put of starting the book because of those worries for so long. I enjoyed this read just as much as Risuko, and honestly look forward to more. I thought the continued character development for the major characters was well done, and the mystery was handled very well. There were clues, red herrings, and interesting information about all the major players through out the book leaving readers wondering which were the really important bits for the mystery and which were there to help us understand the characters and situation even better. Even though I felt like it had been too long since I read the first book there were little hints about what had happened. Just enough to remind me, but not enough that would bore or bother readers reading the books back to back. In fact, I know there are a few novellas or short stories tied into this series , which I now need to go find and read as soon as possible. I really enjoyed the read and think it will be a hit with a wide range of readers. 

Bright Eyes is an engaging and entertaining read that delivers a rollercoaster of emotion. 

Book Review: Of Claws and Fangs: Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood by Faith Hunter

Of Claws and Fangs: Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood by Faith Hunter is a collection of shorter works featuring heroines Jane Yellowrock and Nell Ingram, as well as a host of other characters from the Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood series.  From a vampire-filled Halloween evening in New Orleans to the searing tale of how a certain were-leopard first got his spots, this collection has something for everyone, and each story is sure to put the super in supernatural. With eighteen stories in all, Of Claws and Fangs will enrich and entertain—it’s a must-have for Faith Hunter’s readers and all lovers of fantasy.

Of Claws and Fangs  is a collection of vignettes, short stories, and a novella all from the world of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood. Those that subscribe to the newsletter and follow Hunter online might have seen some of these stories previously, but most will be brand new to readers. I loved getting a look at some of the moments between the stories I have read and particularly moments from characters the generally do not get to have their thoughts shared. I loved that some of these stories tie the characters I felt I have come to know well, and those that always seem on the periphery, closer together in ways I never expected. This was a great collection and I think all fans of Hunter's work will enjoy it very much. 

Of Claws and Fangs is a must have for fans of Faith Hunter. For those that prefer to listen, the audiobook version is available, and extremely well done. 

Book Review: The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser

The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser is contemporary fiction. Thea Mottram is having a bad month. She’s been let go from her office job with no notice—and to make matters even worse, her husband of nearly twenty years has decided to leave her for one of her friends. Bewildered and completely lost, Thea doesn’t know what to do. But when she learns that a distant great uncle in Scotland has passed away, leaving her his home and a hefty antique book collection, she decides to leave Sussex for a few weeks. Escaping to a small coastal town where no one knows her seems to be exactly what she needs. Almost instantly, Thea becomes enamored with the quaint cottage, comforted by its cozy rooms and lovely but neglected garden. The locals in nearby Baldochrie are just as warm, quirky, and inviting. The only person she can’t seem to win over is bookshop owner Edward Maltravers, to whom she hopes to sell her uncle’s book collection. His gruff attitude—fueled by an infamous, long-standing feud with his brother, a local lord—tests Thea’s patience. But bickering with Edward proves oddly refreshing and exciting, leading Thea to develop feelings she hasn’t experienced in a long time. As she follows a thrilling yet terrifying impulse to stay in Scotland indefinitely, Thea realizes that her new life may quickly become just as complicated as the one she was running from.

The Bookshop of Second Chances is a story that I was not sure about in the beginning. I was not sure what category or sub category to label it is, and as I became invested in Thea's life it did really matter to me anymore. Thea had a rough month, getting fired for any reason is hard and then having a marriage split that includes friend and home division on top of it is horrific. I could understand the emotional and mental crisis Thea was going through- wondering what went wrong and what could possibly come next. I think that the fact that I am in the same age range as the main characters made it much easier to picture myself in their shoes, and empathize with the feelings that these kind of life changes bring on. I also liked that while there is romance there, and it certainly helped Thea move forward, it was not the key to what helped her see her worth and find her place. I liked reading alone as she made friends, and figured out how to move forward. I liked how she continued to try and make things better for those around her without compromising her own values or needs. When waves of trouble hit she dealt with it (got some good cries in because we all deserve that) and then pivoted and  adjusted. I am not sure that I could have been so calm and collected as Thea given the same circumstances, although her worries lined what perfectly with what I think I would have been thinking in her place. I will be thinking about these characters for a while now.

The Bookshop of Second Chances is a story that took a minute to grab me, but now after finishing it will not let go. 

Book Review: Unleashed (Jinxed) by Amy McCulloch

Unleashed is the sequel to Jinxed by Amy McCulloch. When Lacey Chu wakes up in a hospital room with no recollection of how she got there, she knows something is up. But with her customizable smart pet, Jinx, missing in action and Moncha, the company behind the invention of the robot pet, up to something seriously sinister, she’s got a lot of figuring out to do. Lacey must use all her engineering skills if she has a chance of stopping Moncha from carrying out their plans. But can she take on the biggest tech company in North America armed with only a level 1 robot beetle?

Unleashed is a thrilling sequel to Jinxed. It took me a little while to remember the details on the first book. But, the efforts of Lacey to remember exactly how she ended up in the hospital was an organic and well used tool to remind readers of what they read previously. I thought the mystery, technology, and conspiracy was all very well written and I spent most of the book trying to puzzle out who was going to be on the right side at the end of the book. As important as all that is to the story, we also get some great character development for Lacey and some of the other characters, and a few surprises along the way. I really enjoyed the read, and had to stop myself from shouting 'No' or other instructions to the characters more than once. My only disappointment is that this story is over, because I would love to know more about where everyone goes from here. 

Unleashed is exactly what I needed to conclude this duology. 

Book Review: Pawsitively Betrayed (A Witch of Edgehill Mystery) by Melissa Erin Jackson

 Pawsitively Betrayed is the fifth book in the Witch of Edgehill series by Melissa Erin Jackson. I highly recommend reading the series in order, as there is a larger storyline that is concluded in this instalment. 

The Here and Meow Festival has finally arrived! Amber Blackwood and her fellow festival committee members still have plenty to do before the celebration of all things feline begins. Even though Amber’s witchy past keeps interfering, she knows the show must go on. Edgehill’s livelihood depends on the festival’s success. When two incidents involving her malfunctioning products cause her to shutter the doors of her curiosity shop, The Quirky Whisker, only days before the busiest season of the year, Amber thinks things can’t get any worse. An investigation into the incidents reveals sabotage is to blame—sabotage that only could have been carried out by a fellow witch. Things just officially got worse. With Edgehill overrun by tourists, any unfamiliar face could be a member of the nefarious Penhallow witch family. Though her parents’ grimoires are hidden in a remote location overlaid with protective spells, Amber fears that won’t be enough to deter the desperate and cursed clan from trying to get their hands on a legendary time-travel spell. As the opening ceremony of the Here and Meow approaches, Amber contends with a nosy lawyer, mysterious government officials, and a charismatic superstar. Through it all, Amber senses the Penhallows have something planned—something big. With her new circle of close confidants by her side, Amber must find a way to thwart the Penhallow family’s scheme before it’s too late. If she can’t, the Here and Meow will be ruined, and Edgehill could be wiped off the map.

Pawsitively Betrayed is a quick moving and emotionally suspenseful read. I spent more than one scene wondering if everyone was who the others thought, and who was scheming beyond the expected. I liked that Amber, Willow, and the other major players were still growing and evolving as characters- because that is what people do, grown and change as they experience things. I thought the mystery and magic was really well done, and I spent a great deal of time trying to puzzle out everyone's motives, personality, and next move. There were a couple scenes that were hard for me to read, mostly because I did not want the bad things to happen, and they were written so well that I could picture them. I liked that friendships, romance, and family dynamics were a big part of the story but never took over from the mystery and larger story line. I am sad to see this series end, but I will be taking some time to read other books from the author.

Pawsitively Betrayed is a well written book, and a satisfying conclusion to the Edgehill series.

Audiobook Review: The Bright and Breaking Sea (Kit Brightling) by Chloe Neill, Narrated by Danielle Cohen

The Bright and Breaking Sea is the first book in the Kit Brightling series, written by Chloe Neill and narrated by Danielle Cohen.Kit Brightling, rescued as a foundling and raised in a home for talented girls, has worked hard to rise through the ranks of the Isles' Crown Command and become one of the few female captains in Queen Charlotte's fleet. Her ship is small, but she's fast—in part because of Kit's magical affinity to the sea. But the waters become perilous when the queen sends Kit on a special mission with a partner she never asked for. Rian Grant, Viscount Queenscliffe, may be a veteran of the Continental war, but Kit doesn't know him or his motives—and she's dealt with one too many members of the Beau Monde. But Kit has her orders, and the queen has commanded they journey to a dangerous pirate quay and rescue a spy who's been gathering intelligence on the exiled emperor of Gallia. Kit can lead her ship and clever crew on her own, but with the fate of queen and country at stake, Kit and Rian must learn to trust each other, or else the Isles will fall.

The Bright and Breaking Sea is a well written start to a series I look forward to continuing. Kit is a foundling that has worked hard and become a ship captain and trusted asset to the Queen. Her touch of magic and strong moral compass keep her on task and working hard but she is often underestimated for the very things that make her so successful. Grant is tired of war, and fighting, but would rather be thought of as Coronal than Viscount. When they are thrown together on a tough mission they discover that they might have more in common than they think. I found the information about the history, aspect of magic, and the major players to be well delivered through the entire story. While there are things I certainly want to know more about, I think that is more because of how interesting what we do know is, and my on internal curiosity, rather than missing pieces in the story. While their developing friendship, and the building of characters and setting, are a major part of this book the understanding of the dynamics of magic and the growing danger in the world around them is just as important. This book is more than the sum of its parts, and while there is a great deal going on it all fits together and builds to the promising start of what could be an epic series. Additionally, the inflections from Cohen as narrator really matched the story and helped me get lost in the world. 

The Bright and Breaking Sea is a wonderful start to a fantasy series with significant world and character building, as well as surprises, intrigue, and heart. 

Book Review: Zombies of the World: A Field Guide to the Undead by Ross Payton

Zombies of the World: A Field Guide to the Undead by Ross Payton is a humorous reference book. Zombies have plagued humanity's nightmares for centuries, but fortunately, the scientific community has created this detailed and completely serious guide to the undead which reveals the undead to be a valuable part of our ecosystem and the key to new discoveries in medicine and technology. Zombies of the World uses captivating illustrations to document how evolution has led to a wide variety of species. Few outside the scientific community even realize that creatures like the Egyptian Mummy (Mortifera mumia aegyptus) are actually zombies. Some species are even harmless to humans. The Dancing Zombie (Mortifera immortalis choreographicus) only seeks to thrill humans with elaborate dance routines. Discover how our history has been affected by the undead and what we can learn from “scientific” research. 

Zombies of the World is an interesting take on zombie lore. Written as a non fiction book it is the story of zombie evolution, classification, and explanation. I think the illustrations were very well done, and a perfect pairing to the text. I like that the history and science possibilities are heavily featured. The approach is rather like the mermaid mockumentory from a few years back, that might have some readers wondering if there is truth in the book rather than fiction. I also enjoyed the dry humor that is inherent in this style of writing, but it might fall flat for those looking for a more obvious humor. The descriptions of the zombie varieties were my favorite part of the book, and the section I think are the most universally appealing. I rather liked the approach, but think that it is best suited to serious zombie fans.

Book Review: Honeymoon Alone by Nicole Macaulay

Honeymoon Alone by Nicole Macaulay is a contemporary romance. When irrepressibly romantic Lucy Gray is ditched at said wedding by her date in front of her whole family, the promises of a psychic seem better than her pity-riddled reality. The psychic’s advice seems insightful: stop ignoring fate’s signs – fate will lead you to love. But when “fate” leads Lucy to London, she finds herself tangled in a web of lies. In a story about finding independence and taking chances, Lucy learns that leaving everything up to fate can be dangerous – and jeopardize her chances at happily ever after.

Honeymoon Alone is a story that caught my attention right at the begin. Lucy is sweet, reliable, and tired. Everyone expects her to do what they need and while they care about her they never seem to think about what she wants, only what they think is best for her. I could very much relate to her position and emotional state. She takes a chance, takes an impromptu trip, and comedy, romance, and a dash of danger are the result. I like that all of the conflicts and bumbles felt completely natural, and rather like things that would happen to me. I like how the characters were all well developed an d that the story does not frame Lucy as incomplete without romance, but that it would simple not be unwelcome. In much of the book romance takes a back seat to figuring out just what was going on and enjoying Lucy's discovery of London. For those looking for steam, there is none of that here- nothing more than some kisses- but the journey is very much worth the read.

Honeymoon Alone as much a story about Lucy finding herself and figuring out what she wants. I enjoyed the story and am glad I requested it from NetGalley. 

Early Book Review: On the Corner of Hope and Main (Blessings) by Beverly Jenkins

On the Corner of Hope and Main is the tenth book in the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins and it was just released released on March 3 2020. I have not read the previous books, so there was a good deal of catching up to do, but I think other newcomers can fully enjoy the book without the prior reads as well, although I am likely to go back and read the whole series from the start now.

Citizens of Henry Adams, Kansas, know there’s never a dull moment in their small town. Trent July has been the mayor of this historic town for the past four years, but now he’s ready to let someone else take up the mantle. Barrett Payne, a former Marine, decides he wants the job. But when a surprise candidate also enters the ring, the town has opinions on who would be the best candidate. And of course that’s not the only drama, as Malachi “Mal” July continues to make reparations for the damage he’s caused and to the people he’s betrayed, especially his lady love Bernadine. Is she finally ready to forgive him and let the past go? As the residents of Henry Adams have learned, life will throw obstacles their way, but it’s how they come together and rise above these challenges that keep the bonds of their close-knit community strong.

On the Corner of Hope and Main is a book I requested from Netgalley without even reading the description. I had seen so much from authors I follow on social media about what a wonderful person and writer the author is that I knew I was missing out. I did not even read the description before starting reading, and it took me a bit to get into the story- mainly because I have no idea of the genre or that it was book ten in a series when I started. However, the book does a wonderful job of sharing the needed history to understand characters, their relationships, and specific interactions. Readers get the viewpoints of so many characters that the story is that of the town, rather than a single person or family, and I really enjoy it. The character work was so well done that even when a character was doing something shady or underhanded, when they were making a decision that I could not agree with, I still understood how and why they got to that point. Each of the characters had such depth, and the machinations of those who want power or money were completely on point. I just got lost in the depth and layers of the stories, and feel like the characters faced such real problems that I think that everyone can relate to one or more of the characters as they all just try to get through the day and do the best they can for their families and town. Isn't that what we are all doing, even if we don't have a crazy hog or greedy oil company at our door.

On the Corner of Hope and Main is a wonderful book with solid characters and a ton of heart. My only disappointment is that it took me so long to pick up one of the books from this series. 

Early Book Review: Frederik Sandwich and the Mayor Who Lost Her Marbles (Frederick Sandwich) by Kevin John Scott

Frederik Sandwich and the Mayor Who Lost Her Marbles is the second book in the Frederick Sandwich series by Kevin John Scott. This middle grade novel is currently schedule for release on February 1 2019. I would recommend reading this series in order, because so much happened in the first book that I think newcomers would miss out on much of the set up and character building. 

The evil mayor of Frederik’s Hill is determined that no one will ruin her upcoming International Midsummer Festival. And town troublemakers Frederik and Pernille are trying to keep a low profile, but seem to have been the source of some pesky zombie rumors that are flooding the town and indeed threatening to do just that. Determined to turn the spotlight off them, Frederik plans to expose the mayor’s big secret—one she has kept hidden for years and involves a legion of valuable statues and an elephant stampede. But then the worst happens. Pernille goes missing and Frederik learns that her disappearance is a part of the mayor’s horrible plan to deport all foreigners from Frederik’s Hill. Now it’s up to him to stop the mayor before it’s too late.

Frederik Sandwich and the Mayor Who Lost Her Marbles is just as good as the first book in this series, which introduces our characters and the town they live in. I liked the continued growth of Frederik, and how he comes to better understand himself and those around him. The danger, mystery, and adventure is high throughout the story are Frederick and Pernille try to uncover the secrets of the town and how to stay safe while not endangering those that mean the most to them. I think the combination of Frederick trying to figure everything out, while deciding who he can trust and what the right thing to do is in a wide variety of situations was well balanced and had me reading well after I should have put the book aside. I think the characters were sympathetic and enjoyable to read about. I greatly enjoyed the twists and turns, and the conclusion. My only worry is that this felt rather like the end, with only a few bureaucratic loose ends to tie up at the end. I rather want more, but at the same time I worry that continuing would not stand up to the quality that the first two books have exhibited. 

Frederik Sandwich and the Mayor Who Lost Her Marbles is a fun, exciting, and engaging read that I fully enjoyed. I loved the characters and the mystery and mayhem that is such an essential part of the story.  

Early Book Review: Courting Darkness (His Fair Assassin) by Robin LaFever

Courting Darkness is the first book in a duology to follow up the His Fair Assassin series by Robin LaFever. It is currently scheduled for release on February 5 2019. I do recommend reading the initial trilogy before jumping in here, because understanding the characters and politics of the world will help readers understand and enjoy the story. Besides, assassin nuns- why wouldn't you want to read it all? 

When Sybella discovers there is another trained assassin from St. Mortain’s convent deep undercover in the French court, she must use every skill in her arsenal to navigate the deadly royal politics and find her sister in arms before her time—and that of the newly crowned queen—runs out. Sybella accompanies the Duchess to France, she expects trouble, but she isn’t expecting a deadly trap. Surrounded by enemies both known and unknown, Sybella searches for the undercover assassins from the convent of St. Mortain who were placed in the French court years ago. One of those assassins is Genevieve, who has been undercover for so many years, she no longer knows who she is or what she’s supposed to be fighting for. When she discovers a hidden prisoner who may be of importance, she takes matters into her own hands. As these two worlds collide, the fate of the Duchess, Brittany, and everything Sybella and Genevieve have come to love hangs in the balance.

Courting Darkness is a book about being yourself, finding your place, and dealing with intrigue and politics. Genevieve and Sybella have their own battles to fight, and some are more obvious and easier to face than others. Fan of the series will enjoy the continuation of the story, and how Sybella and Beast continue to grow and face the troubles that surround them. I found the character and world building to be very well paced and written. I thought the introduction of Genevieve and her story with the alternating narration between the two added some depth and complexity to the story. There is a lot going on; travel, plotting, and personal growth for all the major players. I look forward to seeing where this all is going and how it all comes together in the end. I really was not ready to put the book aside when I finished it, I desperately want to know what happens next. My only disappointment with the book is my personal desire not to let go of the characters and their story. I want it to continue and to know what dangers they will face next, and how they will find their way through ad hopefully find happiness.

Courting Darkness is another highly engaging read from LaFever. While it took me a bit to get lost into this world again, when I finished the book my only complaint was that the next book is not scheduled for release until 2019. I am impatient.

Book Review: More Than a Princess by E.D. Baker

More Than a Princess is the first book in a new series by E.D. Baker. Aislin of Eliasind is more than just a princess, she's half-fairy and half-pedrasi, with magical gifts from each side of her heritage! One day, as Aislin is venturing through the woods, she is alarmed to hear a band of humans coming through. How did they get past the guarded magical passageway that leads to her hidden kingdom? Mistaken for a human herself, Aislin is captured, and soon realizes she's in even bigger trouble. She is being used as a pawn to help the king of this nearby kingdom, Morrain, find a secret passageway to the warring land of Scarmander so that he can capture his enemies by surprise. Aislin must find a way to break free, while also minding the beautiful human princess and ladies-in-waiting she now shares a castle with, who are all too ready to point out her differences. Thankfully, Aislin's inner strength goes beyond her magical qualities. And with a few loyal friends by her side, she's ready to stand up for herself and her kingdom once and for all.

More Than a Princess is a good start to a new series, with a few secondary characters that I think I might have seen mentioned in previous series by Baker- but not many familiar locations or characters so new comers will not feel left out or lost. Aislin is a smart and independent princess that feels less than or other than the majority of her family because her skills are different than theirs. I like that she is willing to take risks to protect others, but at the same time does not blindly make dangerous choices without forethought. This book introduces a new cast of secondary characters that will be important in Aislin's journey as it continues through the series, and I think the most important are very well fleshed out and made complex and interesting in their own right. I am a little over the hints for a future romantic relationship. I think it is more important for the middle grade set to see valuable friendships work regardless of gender, and not go right for the love match every time a boy and girl work together for a common goal. It is well done here, subtle with a will they/ wont they kind of feel- but I just want them to be a team without that feeling like a couple. It might not go that route- but I get the feeling that it will here. I enjoyed the journey and I think there were some great twists in the story and some significant danger and secrets conquered. There is nothing in the book that I could point to that made me unhappy, Baker did exactly what I have come to expect with their middle grade fantasy, however I still felt rather meh about the whole thing. Maybe it is just because I read it shortly after finishing the latest entry in the Frog Princess series, but I did not love it as much as I had hoped.

More Than a Princess is a book that fans of Baker will want to pick up, as it follows the themes and feel of what I have seen from them thus far. It did not feel as fresh and new to me as some of the earlier books, but I think this was more because of how soon I read it after another of their books rather than because of anything lacking or wrong with the book itself. 

Book Review: A Friendly Town That's Almost Always by the Ocean (Secrets of Topsea) by Kir Fox, M. Shelley Coats, Rachel Sanson

A Friendly Town That's Almost Always by the Ocean is a middle grade novel written by Kir Fox, M. Shelley Coats. It was illustrated by Rachel Sanson. In Topsea the coves are bottomless and the pier has no end in sight. There's a high tide and a low tide and a vanishing tide. Dogs are a myth, but mermaids are totally real. And seaweed is the main ingredient in every meal-watch out, it might just start chewing you back!

New kid Davy definitely thinks Topsea is strange. His mom keeps saying they'll get used to life in their new town-it's just the way things are on the coast! But after his first day at Topsea School, Davy finds himself wondering: Why is his locker all the way at the bottom of the school swimming pool? Why can't anyone remember his name? (It's Davy!) And why does everyone act like all of this is normal?! Through newspaper articles, stories, surveys, notifications, and more, follow Davy and the rest of Ms. Grimalkin's fifth grade class through the weird world of Topsea. (Whatever you do, don't make eye contact with the rubber ducks.)

A Friendly Town That's Almost Always by the Ocean is a story that is not only about a very strange town, and the unusual activity in it. It is also about finding your interests and yourself. I like that Davy seems like a perfectly normal boy, just trying to deal with all the recent changes in his life and move forward. He needs to deal with the loss of his father, and moving to a new town- something that many will be able to relate to in one way or another. However, to make settling in a bit harder the town and school are more than a little odd. A school locker at the bottom of the swimming pool, creepy cats, odd classes, and dogs being a myth are only the start of the oddities. Normal problems like being heard when you are small and friends with bigger personalities, being believed when you like to exaggerate, and other friendship dynamics are all within the pages as well. The balance of mundane and ridiculous keep the story fun and forward moving while still getting to the heart of the matter with fitting in and friendships. The artwork adds an extra layer of fun and details to the story, engaging readers even further in the story. I think this will be a great read, and think it might appeal to struggling or reluctant readers as well as more advanced readers.

A Friendly Town That's Almost Always by the Ocean is a fun and quirky read. I enjoyed the odd little town and unique characters. I think I need to explore this series further.

Book Review: The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy by Martin Matthews

The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy by Martin Matthews is a young adult novel. 16-year-old albino Drake Stevenson lives a life alone in his world of video games and comic books, dreaming of one day saving a real princess. But fantasy becomes reality when his lawyer father suffers a heart attack, and the Stevensons are forced to move to flyover country in order to take up the family business: Stewardship of the oldest and largest cemetery in the state. There, among the weeping angels and willows of Centralia Cemetery, Drake meets Scarlet, an unusual girl who needs his help to find her killer. Complicated by his albinism, a mentally unstable sister bent on high school domination at any cost, and a jock with a deadly secret, Drake sets out to find the shattering truth about a murder no one will speak of, to help a girl no one can see.

The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy captured my attention right away, and kept me guessing through the entire book. Drake has a self effacing sense of humor. while dealing with his own issues and the family issues around him he keeps his feet fairly well grounded while still able to laugh at himself and wonder how things could be better. I liked the introduction of setting and characters, it was faced well and worked perfectly in the story. I did not care for some of the love triangle hints, thought it was unnecessary. Why couldn't he just be friends with Sasha or Scarlett, or both for that matter. Why would he pursue both, and why would Scarlett pursue Drake when she was in a happy relationship before all this began? I just do not understand the need for all relationships to include a romantic component when sometimes a good friend is much more important. Love triangle rant over, because that was really the only fault I could find with the book. I adored Drake's character, while sometimes he felt really young and I did not always agree with his decisions, I think he was a well built character. His parents and sister were important to the arch of the story, and the way Drake connected with others.The dichotomy of his sister's personality, the way everyone viewed her, and the way everyone viewed him was realistic and still hit me right in the feels, because doesn't everyone sometimes feel like they have gotten the short end of the stick socially, in the family, or in some other way.  I like how thorough and well planned that built up the family and personal dramas were. Even the secondary characters had plenty of family or personal information shared to make them dynamic and explain them. The mystery surrounding Scarlet, the car accident, and more had me at the edge of my seat and turning pages well past my bedtime. 

The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy is a well done young adult novel with complex characters, compelling mystery and coming of age drama, and a solid resolution. Although, I admit that I would love to see a follow up about our characters in five or ten years to see just how things end up in the long term. 

Book Review: Betting the Scot (The Highlanders of Balforss) by Jennifer Trethewey

Betting the Scot is the second book in The Highlanders of Balforss series by Jennifer Trethewey. I did read and enjoy the first book in this series, Tying the Scot, but think that each book can be enjoyed on its own. 

Declan Sinclair is a Highlander who believes his dreams never lie. When he spots Caya at a public house, he knows instantly she is the woman in his dreams—his future wife. Though her brother had promised never to gamble again, he engages Declan in a card game—and the prize is the lovely Caya.  Caya Pendarvis has no time for childish things like dreams or fairy-tales or love. She’s the sacrificial lamb on her way to the far north of Scotland to wed a wealthy merchant in exchange for settling her brother’s gambling debts.  Winning at cards is one of the many things Declan Sinclair does well. Unfortunately, the ability to court a woman—a talent he lacks—is the only skill he desperately needs to win Caya’s heart.

Betting the Scot is a multi layered romance that catches the attention, and keeps it through out the entire read. I liked the set up with Caya, and her brother. I also like that while Declan is far from poor, neither Declan or Caya are gentry, which is a nice change of pace in historical romance. So often the main players are Dukes, or other lords and ladies, so while Declan is related to the head of his clan he is not exactly royalty. I like that Declan is certain Caya is to be his wife, but is so lost and uncertain about how to go about making it happen. Caya is at a loss after her brother sells her, them gambles her away. She still loves him, and wants to help him, but knows that he has greed and weaknesses that are dangerous. I enjoyed getting Declan's side of the story for most of the book, and liked his honor and kindness, that is not always obvious to those around him. I will admit that I was annoyed with Caya for trusting her brother after all he had done, and for not fully confiding in Declan.I though Declan was a complex and sympathetic character, and I was rooting for him through the entire book. I found Caya to be a little less likable, she often annoyed me in her own way, but I never hated her. I think if she had trusted Declan more, and her brother less, I would have enjoyed the book even more. The danger was well done, and the drama crafted with a satisfying conclusion. I loved getting to see Peter in action again, after loving his character in the previous book, although those that did not already know him will still find this young secondary characters to be fabulous. I also liked getting a hint as to who might be next while not leaving so many open questions that I was frustrated. 

Betting the Scot is a well written historical romance with plenty of twists and turns. I enjoyed the characters and their depth, and my only complaint is that sometimes I feel like there might be one too many twists that could be replaced with conversation to ease communication issues rather than life or death danger turning the tide.

Book Review: Bob by Wendy Mass; Rebecca Stead

Bob is a middle grade novel by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead. It’s been five years since Livy and her family have visited Livy’s grandmother in Australia. Now that she’s back, Livy has the feeling she’s forgotten something really, really important about Gran’s house. It turns out she’s right.Bob, a short, greenish creature dressed in a chicken suit, didn’t forget Livy, or her promise. He’s been waiting five years for her to come back, hiding in a closet like she told him to. He can’t remember who—or what—he is, where he came from, or if he even has a family. But five years ago Livy promised she would help him find his way back home. Now it’s time to keep that promise. Clue by clue, Livy and Bob will unravel the mystery of where Bob comes from, and discover the kind of magic that lasts forever.

Bob is a wonderful look at childhood imagination, friendship, and folklore. Livy does not remember her first visit to her grandmother's house, since she was only five at the time she does not really worry about. When she makes a return trip she tries to remember, little things come back- but it is not until she comes face to face with a little guys non-zombie in her closet that she starts to work on the mystery. Together she and Bob work to fill in the blanks. I love that readers get an insight to Bob's thoughts, not just Livy's. I found the fairy tale nature of the mystery to be sweet, and now I need to do some reading and research to see if the story of Bob, and those like him, is based on a folktale I do not know or a fresh creation. I like that the book allows young readers to act like kids, for tweens to do things like truth and dare- but also let lose and dance and play with dolls. My only disappointment as that I was reading a pre publication galley, so I did not get the full impact of all the illustrations that will be included with the final copy. This is a wonderful book that I hope will find its way into personal, school, and public libraries.


Bob is a heartwarming story about friendship and folklore that stuck with me long after I finished the book. The characters were well written and the story left me with hope and a quiet joy.