Ever The Night Road
“Do you know the story of the Night Road, Max?”
Pros: vivid imagery, adventure, first love, found family, new friendships
Cons, Trigger and Content Warnings: Violence, Blood depiction, Death of family members, loss, orphan
📣CAUTION - CONTAINS SPOILERS📣
Dagny Losh is an orphan who lost her family, including her sister Gretchen, in a tragic flood. This story reminds me of a Peter Pan type adventure mixed with self discovery. I loved the complicated world that Dagny and her new friends live in. Dagny has experienced so much loss that you can’t help but root for her as she searches for her sister and finds her alive. There are magical creatures, Intriguing good and bad characters and of course the adventure. I love that the main character is a girl who is not afraid of the world around her and chooses to take chances despite the dangers
This is a fantasy adventure novel of self discovery, coming of age and finding one's place in a world where answers do not come easy. I found the world complex and the characters likable. I was sad that Dag left to find Gretchen once again and left her love, Max behind. I wanted them to have a happy ever after. I was truly sad when the book ended. I hope that Dagny’s adventures are not over and we see her again. After all the Night Road connects all things.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Interested in hearing more about Ever The Night Road? Check out my interview with Mike Breen on my YouTube Channel.
Ready...Set...Frog
As a teacher, I am always looking for books that are relevant to either Social Emotional skills or other core curriculum concepts. This book fit perfectly in what I was teaching this week. Frog's friends keep interrupting his practice for an obstacle course contest he is looking forward to being in. As a kind friend, he helps each one, putting his own needs and wants aside. He is sad the night before the race because he thinks he has not practiced. His family helps him understand that he has been practicing by helping his friends. They also help him realize that it is also ok to say no sometimes and to put one's needs before others. I read this book to my students (Grade 3 - 8-9 yrs - 45 of them!) and used it to have them identify instances of figurative language. This book did have personification and hyperbole. They had to really listen for it which made it challenging for them. We also discussed why it is important to put one's needs before others and how to do it in a kind and caring way. Overall, this is a wonderful book and my students liked it as much as I did. They really liked the illustrations as well. Another book to add to your shelf to help kids understand that it is ok to put yourself first sometimes.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
WINTERSET HOLLOW
🌟 Dark Fantasy/Contemporary Fiction - Adult, 286 pages
💫 Violent Animals (Rabbit, Bear, Frog and Fox)
✨ Not part of a series
It’s Barley Day . . . and you’re invited to the hunt.
Pros: This book is written in such a descriptive way, you can't help but be immersed into the story from the very first page.
Cons, Trigger and Content Warnings: gore, violence, blood depiction, revenge, murder, death, talking violent animals, intimidation
📣 ☢ CAUTION - CONTAINS SPOILERS ☢ 📣
If you had the chance to meet your favorite author or your favorite characters, would you? This book reminded me of Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear...until it went horribly, horribly wrong. Nothing is as it seems. Looks are deceiving. No human is safe. The book opens with a group of friends taking a trip to Addington Isle to pay homage to their favorite author of the book Winterset Hollow. The group roams the island until they come to the Addington Estate. Then they notice a light is on. The animals in Addington's beloved Winterset Hollow are not fiction after all and are alive and living in the Addington manor.
“You know,” continued Finn, “like a gaggle of geese or a flock of sheep. What’s the word? A hazard of humans? A plague of people? An infection of folk? What is it?”
This line is just one indication that the animals on Addington Isle aren't there to entertain the human visitors that come to pay homage to Edward Addington. The first part of this book gives the reader a feeling of melancholy for cherished childhood stories. The story takes a violent turn when the Runny the Rabbit responds to the main character, Eamond's questions of what's next? with.. Run, Eamond, you run. The book takes a violent turn as the humans are hunted by the animals. I will leave the spoilers there. This is a brilliant book. Durham has a way with words, that even when the going gets VERY violent, you don’t want to put it down to see who makes it off the island alive.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
The Women
Book Review after a 24 hour reading marathon because I could not put this one down!
Kristin Hannah is one of my auto-buy authors and she did not disappoint with her new book. I wasn't sure it would be able to topple my love of Four Winds or The Nightingale but it did!
My dad was drafted to Vietnam in 1965 and he served in country from 1966-1967. He was awarded a Purple Heart during his tour in Vietnam and all I could think as I read The Women is that nurses like Frankie were there to take care of my father when he was wounded.
The research involved and the passion Kristin Hannah had in telling the story of the nurses who served in the Vietnam war was evident from the very first pages and was carried on throughout the book. I loved the character development throughout and felt Frankie's courage and pain through her experiences in Vietnam and when she returned from her 2nd tour. If you haven't read it yet... RUN to your bookshelf and get started.
I have to rate this one ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ (8/5 stars). Kristin Hannah outdid herself with this one!
They Both Die At The End
🌟 Teen and LGBTQ+ Fiction - Ages 14 and up, 416 pages
💫 Death Cast, Last Friends
✨ Part of Death-Cast (2 Books)
Pros: A new way to look at death and dying. LGBTQ+
Cons, Trigger and Content Warnings:
Animal death
Blood
Child death
Death
Drowning
Gang violence
Grief
Gun violence
Homophobia (minor)
Mental illness (minor)
Panic attacks (minor)
Suicide (past, parental)
Suicide ideation
📣CAUTION - MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS📣
I loved this book so much that I ordered a custom and signed edition from Fairyloot. I had been in a reading slump after ACOTAR and took a chance on a non fantasy fiction book. The book starts with Death Cast calling and giving Mateo the grim news that he will die within 24 hours. WHAT?!? Mateo is obsessed with reading the Death Cast news and socials and ultimately decides to use the app Last Friend to find someone to spend his last 24 hours with. This is where Rufus comes in. Mateo and Rufus become last friends and we are taking on an emotional roller coaster of their last 24 hours. The writing switches from each character's point of view and provides insight to other players along the way. The end left me SOBBING and wishing that it did not end in the end. They Both Die in the end is going to be in my top 10 of the year for sure. I give it✨✨✨✨✨.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
🌟 Fantasy - Ages 14 and up, 400 pages
💫 Witches and Demon Princes from Hell
✨ Book 1 of The Kingdom of the Wicked
"From the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series comes a new blockbuster series..
Two sisters. One brutal murder. A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself...And an intoxicating romance.'"(Amazon)
Pros: This book is full of twists, turns, magic, love of family, and some seduction. I love that the demon p##rinces (The Wicked) are named after sins (Wrath, Envy, Pride, Gluttony, Sloth, Greed). If you know Dante's Inferno, you will understand some of the references of Hell that are present throughout this book and the rest of the series.
Cons, Trigger and Content Warnings: gore, violence, blood depiction, self-harm, loss of a loved one, grief , murder, death, brief mention of unwanted touching, and compulsion (magical).
I loved this book and immediately went out to buy the last 2 in the series. The writing is clever and you quickly switch sides as the plot progresses. I give this one ✨✨✨✨✨ and wish there were more books in this series.
Kingdom of the Cursed
🌟 Dark Fantasy - Ages 14 and up, 464 pages
💫 Witches, demons, hellhounds, and more Demon Princes from Hell
✨ Book 2 of The Kingdom of the Wicked
"One sister. Two sinful princes. Infinite deception with a side of revenge . . . Welcome to Hell. (Amazon)"
Pros: This book is even better than Kingdom of the Wicked. It is full of even more twists, turns, magic, love of family (which then goes very wrong), mixed with LOTS of seduction and spice. Sin is a big one in this book. If you know Dante's Inferno, you will understand the references of Hell that are present throughout this book and the rest of the series. I love these references. Emilia has sold her soul to the Devil to become the Queen of the Wicked. As she begins to explore her new home in Hell, she discovers some Wicked truths, or are they truly the truth?
Cons, Trigger and Content Warnings: gore, violence, blood depiction, self-harm, revenge, murder, death, sex, lots of sex, and compulsion (magical).
📣CAUTION - MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS📣
I loved this book more than the first one. The writing is more descriptive than the first one and draws you into Emilia's adventures in Hell from page 1. This book has more jaw dropping revelations and scenes that you just can't get out of your head. You also can't help but fall in love with Emilia and Wrath and want them to be together despite the lies. Don't forget Nonna's warning that the Wicked can't be trusted. She should have also warned Emilia to NOT trust her own family. Nothing is what it seems. I give this one ✨✨✨✨✨. Honestly, it deserved more than 5 stars.
Kingdom of the Feared
🌟 Dark Fantasy - Ages 16 and up, 464 pages
💫 Pissed off Witches, demons, wolves, and more of our favorite Demon Princes from Hell
✨ Book 3 of The Kingdom of the Wicked Series
Pros: Emilia and Wrath
Cons, Trigger and Content Warnings: gore, violence, blood depiction, self-harm, revenge, murder, death, sex, lots of sex, more and more sex, and compulsion (magical).
📣CAUTION - MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS📣
Emilia and Wrath are back in the final installment of the Kingdom of the Wicked series. I will admit I was very sad to be starting this one after how much I loved Kingdom of the Cursed (by far THE BEST out of the 3 books) and I liked this one almost as much as Kingdom of the Wicked. Emilia and Wrath are tested again in this book. Vittoria and Emilia make up, which to me is unfortunate. I would have rather had Emilia really use her power to act like I expected the Queen of Hell to act. Wrath gets his wings back. Emilia loses her powers for love and then in return Wrath gives up some of his power as the Devil to return her powers to her. Sweet romance there. Maniscalco tries hard to tie up loose ends in this book but there are several parts where time feels disjointed and something got left out or taken out. I had to go back and reread more than once thinking that I had missed some pages. This was disappointing because I would have rather the details connecting chapters be added and have it be over 500 pages than jump ahead in time without warning. Even with that being said, I love this series and the characters. The bonus chapter from Envy’s point of view was a nice bonus and I can’t wait for his story to be released. I just can’t give this one 5 stars despite my love of the characters and the overall love of the series. I give this one ✨✨✨✨.
Lightlark
🌟 Fantasy - Ages 13 and up, 416 pages
💫 Magic, Curses, Betrayal
✨ Book 1 of The Lightlark Saga
Pros: No smut, major plot twist
Cons, Trigger and Content Warnings: violence, blood depiction, betrayal, murder, death
📣 ☢ CAUTION - CONTAINS SPOILERS 📣 ☢
Summary from Goodreads: "Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die.
Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial. To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray…even as love complicates everything."
I struggled to get past realm names at first but was quickly taken into the word of Lightlark and the Centennial. Isla is a ruler that is hiding a MAJOR secret that will betray her mid game. She is a likeable character who I wanted to throttle at points in the book but as she played the game you realize she is indeed playing in a way that makes her Isla. I really loved this book and the characters. I really wanted the Nightshade - Grim to turn out to be a good guy because his character is so NOT good. I wish that we were given more insight from the get go but as I kept reading, I was sad to see it end and furious about the turn of events. If you are looking for smut, this book does not have it, which sometimes is a nice change. It is truly a YA Fantasy fic piece with a nice cliff hanger. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Rating: ✨✨✨✨
Monstra Intra
hey Zombie lovers! Monstra Inter by C. Brit is a new take on the typical zombie book. The story is told from multiple POV's before the MC's stories begin to intertwine. This book was written in a way that you were hoping that the MC's would find a way to not be infected because they were so likeable. Bonus too is that there is an alternate ending!
Content warning: Violence; gore; implied physical and emotional abuse
The Way I Used To Be
🌟 YA Fiction - Ages 14+, 384 pages
💫 Female lead
"All these maybes swimming around my head make me think that “maybe” could just be another word for hope."
Pros: Protagonist comes forward
Cons, Trigger and Content Warnings: sexual assault, rape and substance abuse.
📣 ☢ CAUTION - CONTAINS SPOILERS ☢📣
*NOTE: I am an avid reader, a mom, and a teacher. I am not a professional psychologist or therapist. I have read Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak so I picked up this novel in hopes that this book would be written in a way that others who have experienced assault know that they are not alone and that their feelings and behaviors are the result of the trauma that they experienced. In return, it is equally important for those who have not experienced trauma such as assault to understand possible behaviors of those who have.
The main character, Eden, is sexually assaulted by her brother's best friend Kevin who is treated like family and has known her for years. We are led through Eden's feelings and change in character as she grapples to understand what has happened to her. Because she doesn't feel like she can tell anyone, she turns to alcohol and sex as a way to numb herself to the emotions she feels as an assault victim. The book is broken into her four years of high school and how her behavior changed each year. Eden eventually realizes that she is pushing away those who truly care about her and decides to tell her brother what happened after he is charged with assaulting another girl. There is no doubt that this book is gritty and raw. It was hard to get through in several parts. It is written in a way that the reader feels Eden's raw emotion throughout the entire book. I give it ✨ ✨✨✨✨
The Paper Magician
Definitely a 5/5 for me.
I don’t know about you but I am terrible at origami. I can make a crane but it definitely can’t fly and sometimes it can’t even sit on its own. I have always been in awe of people who can fold intricate animals and do it in short order. I do love a good fantasy novel too. The Paper Magician takes paper folding so much further and adds an element of magic to it.
My favorite quotes:
“I’m not letting some ginger tart take something that is rightfully mine.” And “A heart that’s known love is stronger than one that hasn’t, did you know that?”
⚠️CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️
Ceony Twill is the main character. She is a recent graduate of Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined. Rather than be assigned as an apprentice Smelter that she wants to be, she is sent to learn to be a Folder under Emery Thane. She is quickly caught up in the middle of a magician’s war of sorts between the good guys and the Excisioners who practice forbidden magic. I found this book to be whimsical and light despite the horrific events that lead Ceony to go save Thane and to get him back his heart. I loved the thought of trying to fight dark magic with animated paper. This book reminds us that there is power and magic in unexpected places. Loved it and can’t wait to get my hands on book #2
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