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Louise (64 KP) rated Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye in Books
Jul 2, 2018
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review*
This is a book that I have had on my TBR for quite sometime *sorry Netgalley* and I even made it one of the books to read for #beatthebacklist which I have now achieved *fist pumps the air*
This Middle-grade book is excellent for this time of year the illustrations and story are quite dark- there is an eerie tone set to this book and definitely a Halloween book – it’s not scary but it has witches and other spooky beings.
This book is action packed with loads of fun stuff to read about – Warren has to go on quests and solve mysteries to help him save his beloved hotel that Aunt Annaconda is trying to take over. Supposedly there is an All-seeing eye in this hotel but nobody knows what it is and where exactly to find it – but this all-seeing eye contains a treasure – a treasure so powerful that he can’t let his awful aunt get her hands on it.
This book has a lot going on in it and a varied amount of characters that it doesn’t leave the reader bored for a moment and there is a mystery that you are trying to unravel whilst reading. There are some meaner characters such as Aunt Annaconda and her sisters but then we have other ones that are there for the young heir and help him.
I loved the fact that this book had illustrations and that it complemented the story very well, they were very dark, gothic style and used a darker palette – I just wish at some point I can read the physical copy.
Overall this is a great middle-grade novel,it’s fast paced and intriguing with an eclectic range of characters and will be appreciated by children and adults of any age.
I rated this 4 out of 5 stars
This is a book that I have had on my TBR for quite sometime *sorry Netgalley* and I even made it one of the books to read for #beatthebacklist which I have now achieved *fist pumps the air*
This Middle-grade book is excellent for this time of year the illustrations and story are quite dark- there is an eerie tone set to this book and definitely a Halloween book – it’s not scary but it has witches and other spooky beings.
This book is action packed with loads of fun stuff to read about – Warren has to go on quests and solve mysteries to help him save his beloved hotel that Aunt Annaconda is trying to take over. Supposedly there is an All-seeing eye in this hotel but nobody knows what it is and where exactly to find it – but this all-seeing eye contains a treasure – a treasure so powerful that he can’t let his awful aunt get her hands on it.
This book has a lot going on in it and a varied amount of characters that it doesn’t leave the reader bored for a moment and there is a mystery that you are trying to unravel whilst reading. There are some meaner characters such as Aunt Annaconda and her sisters but then we have other ones that are there for the young heir and help him.
I loved the fact that this book had illustrations and that it complemented the story very well, they were very dark, gothic style and used a darker palette – I just wish at some point I can read the physical copy.
Overall this is a great middle-grade novel,it’s fast paced and intriguing with an eclectic range of characters and will be appreciated by children and adults of any age.
I rated this 4 out of 5 stars
Ali A (82 KP) rated How to heal a gryphon in Books
Oct 3, 2022
Usually, when one turns thirteen, you take an oath to be a guaritrice and use your powers to heal humans. But Giada doesn’t feel drawn to that path, instead, she knows her calling is to heal vulnerable animals, even if that goes against the hundred years of her family’s tradition.
When a group of witches takes her brother, Rocco, down into the magical underground city of Malavita in an attempt to get something they want, Giada is the only one who can rescue him. With the help of her best friend, Alessia and her new familiar, Sinistro, Giada must do everything she can to save her brother, or risk losing him forever.
This book was a quick and engaging read for me - I didn’t want to put it down. I loved Giada and her spunk and love for animals. Giada was who she was and she wasn’t going to change for anybody. I especially enjoyed her love for herself and her body. She would talk about her chubby tummy and how much she loved having it.
I feel like this book is perfect for middle grade readers as Meg Cannistra creates this magical world set in Italy, but it’s not overly complicated. There are all kinds of magical animals and beasts mixed with potions and practices. Not everything is laid out right in front of you, and Giada lets you know stuff as it goes along, which I feel like works well for this story.
I could easily see this becoming a series as we follow Giada in her studies and beyond. Plus, I would be interested in seeing this magical world outside of Italy too.
Overall, this is a cute and wonderful middle grade fantasy novel that I can see readers of all ages enjoying.
*Thank you Inkyard Press and BookishFirst for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
When a group of witches takes her brother, Rocco, down into the magical underground city of Malavita in an attempt to get something they want, Giada is the only one who can rescue him. With the help of her best friend, Alessia and her new familiar, Sinistro, Giada must do everything she can to save her brother, or risk losing him forever.
This book was a quick and engaging read for me - I didn’t want to put it down. I loved Giada and her spunk and love for animals. Giada was who she was and she wasn’t going to change for anybody. I especially enjoyed her love for herself and her body. She would talk about her chubby tummy and how much she loved having it.
I feel like this book is perfect for middle grade readers as Meg Cannistra creates this magical world set in Italy, but it’s not overly complicated. There are all kinds of magical animals and beasts mixed with potions and practices. Not everything is laid out right in front of you, and Giada lets you know stuff as it goes along, which I feel like works well for this story.
I could easily see this becoming a series as we follow Giada in her studies and beyond. Plus, I would be interested in seeing this magical world outside of Italy too.
Overall, this is a cute and wonderful middle grade fantasy novel that I can see readers of all ages enjoying.
*Thank you Inkyard Press and BookishFirst for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
TD
The Dragon Flyers Series: Books 1-3: The Dragon Flyers Collection
Book
A secret club. An evil foe. Three friends against incredible odds … All David wants is to be a...
middle grade middle grade fantasy fantasy mg fantasy
Cody and her friends love everything about codes and have formed their own club to learn how to use them. When Cody and Quinn observe strangers in the house of the neighbor recluse, they are curious. Then his house catches fire and they find a code. Where will it lead?
It leads to a book kids will love. The mystery is strong, and the codes help propel the story forward. There’s a code in almost every chapter the reader is invited to solve (the solution is at the back of the book). At the end, there is more information on codes that kids can use after they’ve finished reading the story. The characters are a little thin, but that’s something only adults will care about. The target middle grade audience will love this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-secret-of-skeleton-key-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It leads to a book kids will love. The mystery is strong, and the codes help propel the story forward. There’s a code in almost every chapter the reader is invited to solve (the solution is at the back of the book). At the end, there is more information on codes that kids can use after they’ve finished reading the story. The characters are a little thin, but that’s something only adults will care about. The target middle grade audience will love this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-secret-of-skeleton-key-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sophie Foster has never quite felt like she fit in with her family. Turns out, that's because she isn't human. When she meets Fitz, her entire life changes as she leaves the Forbidden Cities of the human world to join the Lost Cities of the Elves. But her presence stirs up trouble in the Lost Cities as two different hidden factions start fighting over her. Can she navigate this new world and figure out who to trust?
This set contains the first three books in the series in paperback. They are filled with twists, turns, and surprises as well as wonderful characters and a fantasy world I would love to go visit. If you enjoy Middle Grade fantasy, you need to read these books, and when you do, you'll devour these three books as quickly as you can.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-keeper-of-lost-cities.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This set contains the first three books in the series in paperback. They are filled with twists, turns, and surprises as well as wonderful characters and a fantasy world I would love to go visit. If you enjoy Middle Grade fantasy, you need to read these books, and when you do, you'll devour these three books as quickly as you can.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-keeper-of-lost-cities.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
When sorting books in the basement of the town library, Ricky Kidd stumbles on what he thinks might be a treasure map. Soon, the entire town is buzzing about it, and the race is on to find the treasure that the town miser hid before his death. Can Ricky and his friends find the treasure first? Is there even a treasure to find?
It’s been a while since I first read this series or revisited the characters, but I quickly fell back under their spell. The characters are absolutely wonderful with hints at hidden layers. The plot is strong with wonderful clues and twists before the end. And there are some great laughs and nice thoughtful moments along the way as well. The target middle grade audience will love it, and any mystery reader will enjoy it as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-race-for-park-street.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It’s been a while since I first read this series or revisited the characters, but I quickly fell back under their spell. The characters are absolutely wonderful with hints at hidden layers. The plot is strong with wonderful clues and twists before the end. And there are some great laughs and nice thoughtful moments along the way as well. The target middle grade audience will love it, and any mystery reader will enjoy it as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-race-for-park-street.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated When Dreams Come True in Books
Jun 18, 2018
When Dreams Come True by Rebecca Emin is the story of the awkward phase when children transition from being children to becoming teenagers. It is a middle-grade novel, written in first person, from the point of view of a thirteen-year-old girl named Charlie. Readers follow Charlie as she struggles with the changes she and her friends; Max, Toby, and Allie are going through.
This book is a fairly simple plot with not much happening but this did not in any way make the book boring. It was a quick read with characters who were relatable. I wish the plot line was more explained and fully developed. The writing struggled a bit with not having a uniquing voice and the dialogue was a bit unrealistic.
Other than the underdeveloped plot and unrealistic dialogue, When Dreams Come True was a good read.
I give this book 3/5 stars.
I received this book from Gingersnap books via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This book is a fairly simple plot with not much happening but this did not in any way make the book boring. It was a quick read with characters who were relatable. I wish the plot line was more explained and fully developed. The writing struggled a bit with not having a uniquing voice and the dialogue was a bit unrealistic.
Other than the underdeveloped plot and unrealistic dialogue, When Dreams Come True was a good read.
I give this book 3/5 stars.
I received this book from Gingersnap books via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2502 KP) rated The Missing Map of Pirate’s Haven in Books
Jun 20, 2018
Will the Accidental Detectives Find the Pirate Treasure?
Ricky, his brother Joel, and their friends are off to San Diego to help Lisa’s uncle paint his new house. When they arrive, they learn a local legend about a pirate who has buried his treasure in the area. It sounds crazy until Joel finds a couple of silver coins. Meanwhile, Lisa’s uncle is acting strangely. Can Ricky figure out everything that is going on?
I’ve read this book a couple of times now, although it’s been over a decade since the last time I read it, so pieces of the plot came back to me as I was reading. Even so, I was still blown away by how well plotted the book is, with all the clues needed in very plain sight. The characters are strong as well, and they provide some wonderful laughs along the way. The Christian elements is woven in seamlessly and never overwhelms this plot driven middle grade book.
I’ve read this book a couple of times now, although it’s been over a decade since the last time I read it, so pieces of the plot came back to me as I was reading. Even so, I was still blown away by how well plotted the book is, with all the clues needed in very plain sight. The characters are strong as well, and they provide some wonderful laughs along the way. The Christian elements is woven in seamlessly and never overwhelms this plot driven middle grade book.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated School for Psychics (School for Psychics, #1) in Books
Jul 10, 2018
I'm 19% finished with this book and I have to put it down. My life is too short to read books that I cannot get into.
I was really excited to read this book. The advertising was spectacular and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read a "Harry Potter with millenials." Unfortunately this book has fell so flat I'm having to DNF it. The characters seem to be extremely chiche & their descriptions were just awful. If this is supposed to be adult fiction you really don't need to have a description being "the hot" guy. I would expect more from any author.
The plot line seemed interesting enough but the writing has ruined any chance for me to enjoy it. It reads like a mix between young adult and middle grade fiction. This would be all fine and dandy if it wasn't being advertised as adult fiction.
All in all, I would not recommend this book.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
I was really excited to read this book. The advertising was spectacular and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read a "Harry Potter with millenials." Unfortunately this book has fell so flat I'm having to DNF it. The characters seem to be extremely chiche & their descriptions were just awful. If this is supposed to be adult fiction you really don't need to have a description being "the hot" guy. I would expect more from any author.
The plot line seemed interesting enough but the writing has ruined any chance for me to enjoy it. It reads like a mix between young adult and middle grade fiction. This would be all fine and dandy if it wasn't being advertised as adult fiction.
All in all, I would not recommend this book.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated The Wanderer in Books
Oct 7, 2018
Not A Lot Going On
This book is intended for middle grade readers, so I was expecting a simple story. It ended up being to simple. The author underestimates what the reader will follow and comprehen, and the story greatly suffers because of this. The characters were interesting, but I would have liked the writer to spend more time explaining the characters past and showing them develop new relationships. Cody and his dad particularly had a relationship that I would have liked to know more about.
I did enjoy the story style of change back and forth between Cody's and Sophie's journals. They both had unique views on the events happening around them, and Cody's point of view gave the reader some much needed insight on Sophie.
Overall this was a quick read, and it did have some strong points; however the story feels as if its missing something that keeps it from being anything special.
I did enjoy the story style of change back and forth between Cody's and Sophie's journals. They both had unique views on the events happening around them, and Cody's point of view gave the reader some much needed insight on Sophie.
Overall this was a quick read, and it did have some strong points; however the story feels as if its missing something that keeps it from being anything special.