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Dead School
Dead School
Laura Gia West | 2019 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A quick, enjoyable, quirky read that does not fit into the usual slots for describing a book.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

Dead School by Laura Gia West was described by reviewer David Nora on Goodreads as "Harry Potter meets Beetlejuice". I would not agree completely with the description but it is close.

Tina Crocker hates Valentine's Day and school. She failed at life, love, and everything else she has tried except for playing her guitar. She decides to participate in the school's talent school, kills it, and dies on stage. She is transported to Dead School where she finds out just how much of a failure she has been. Can she pass Dead School or will she fail at this too?

Dead School is not a dark novel and many reviewers did not like the book because they expected it to be. Reading the description shows it is not. In her debut novel, West takes a different look at being dead. Her main character is a failure, sarcastic, flawed person in life and the hereafter but she is likeable.

Dead School is a quick, enjoyable, quirky read that does not fit into the usual slots for describing a book. Go into this with an open mind and just enjoy it.

I am looking forward to reading more from Laura Gia West.

Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/2/19.
  
7UP - Single by Boy In Space
7UP - Single by Boy In Space
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Boy in Space is the artist moniker of Robin Lundbäck, a youngster who hails from Alingäs, Sweden. Not too long ago, he released an emo-pop tune, entitled, “7UP”.

“‘7UP’ is very simply about how love isn’t easy. The lyrics portray this feeling in the context of your everyday neighborhood house party. Sometimes, we can get so caught-up with being in love that we let someone hurt us.” – Boy In Space

‘7UP’ is a heartbreaking tune which feels incredibly personal and has searching qualities that will see you looking inwards and feeling all existential.

The likable tune contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and warm instrumentation scented with an emo-pop fragrance.

“It’s the courage to depart the familiar to a destination unknown. The ‘Space’ is the intensity of youth. The cold sting of heartbreak. The suffocation of betrayal. The Fiery passion of young love.” – Boy In Space describing aspects of his stage name

The ‘In Space’ aspect of Boy In Space’s name isn’t as cosmic as it sounds. Instead, it’s about the state of being ‘in-between’. It’s about being neither at the start nor being anywhere towards the end of a life journey.

Also, it’s about recognizing those who haven’t found their glove-like fit in a conventional sense, and recognizing difference as special.

Boy In Space’s musical influences include Blink 182, A$AP Rocky, Khalid, Post Malone, LAUV, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gorillaz, Outkast, The 1975, and The Weeknd.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/boy-in-space-7up/
  
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A Dance of Cloaks (Shadowdance, #1)
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Hmmm ... I'm not really sure what to make of this one.

It is a fantasy novel, and so has your usual fantasy stereotypes of merchants, thieves (and assassins) and magical beings/clerics, with the main protagonists of this falling into the middle of those categories.

This is set primarily in and around one city, which has
 been suffering under a clandestine war between the various thieves' guilds and the wealthy merchants of it, and mainly follows Aaron Felhorn, who has been groomed from birth to be the heir to his father Thren - the leader of one such thieves guild. It doesn't focus solely on him , also including the daughter of one such wealthy merchant: if I'm honest, at one stage I thought it was going to turn into a Romeo and Juliet scenario (it didn't).

I also wasn't aware until I read the authors note at the very end that this was actually the second edition of an earlier story: a 'tidied up' and improved version, as it were. I also wasn't aware that this was also meant to be the back-story to a character previously introduced in another series (kinda like the Star Wars prequels in that respect!), so perhaps suffers from having to create a story to explain how the character becomes who he becomes - kinda like the Star Wars prequels had to explain how Darth Vader came to be!

Based on this novel alone, I'm not sure if I would have picked up any of the sequels, but with that knowledge in mind I may yet change my mind.
  
Careless Whiskers
Careless Whiskers
Miranda James | 2020 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder Takes the Stage
This spring, Athena College’s theater department is debuting a new play from a local playwright. Charlie Harris is looking forward to it since his daughter, Laura, is going to star in it, and her husband, Frank, is the director. While most of the cast and crew are college students, the college is bringing in a big name for Laura’s co-lead – Luke Lombardi. Unfortunately, he is arrogant, rude, and demanding. And those are his good qualities. Soon he is irritating many people in town. He is also the victim of some pranks, but when things turn deadly, Laura finds herself in the spotlight as a suspect. Charlie has sworn off sleuthing after a recent close call, but with Laura’s reputation and freedom on the line, he and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, begin searching for the real killer. Will they be able to clear Laura?

Fans are in for another great ride with this book. As if often the case, the murder takes place later in the book, but the time it put to good use introducing us to suspects, motives, and red herrings. I was never bored, and kept turning pages until Charlie figured everything out. All the characters we love are here, both two legged and four legged, and they are a delight as usual. The suspects are strong as well. I continue to enjoy watching how the police are portrayed in this series as smart and competent. This book will please Charlie and Diesel’s many fans and even earn them new ones.