Well it’s officially October and time for all things spooky and magical! I started my month off with a new book from Algonquin Young Readers, The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Jean Horwitz. As the cover art and title suggest, this is a fantasy book for young readers filled with magic and adventure with a storybook feel to it. It is a great pick if your kiddos want something to suit the season or for any kids who enjoy adventure stories. Additionally, this book features a strong female lead with strong female supporting characters. Definitely a plus in my book, as I feel that adventure stories still tend to lean toward male protagonists. But not in this book. This book is all about Lady Clementine, daughter to the Dark Lord Elithor and heir to Castle Brack, where hundreds of years of Dark Lords have ruled before her. But…what if Clementine doesn’t want to be a Dark Lord? What if she doesn’t want to be a Dark anything?
Tag Archives: Book Review
Book Review: The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels
This month I am thrilled to be a part of the Revell Reads blog tour for Erin Bartels’s newest release, The Words Between Us. I was drawn to this book right away by – you guessed it – the cover art! I have often admitted to not necessarily judging books by their covers but being drawn to books by their covers. I mean, that’s what cover art is supposed to do, right? The cover of this new novel is books – stacks of books upon stacks of books. We see the pages but never the covers or spines. I liked that. It made the cover intriguing. Between the cover art and the title, it was clear that books and writing play a big role in this story, and that is always a plus for me. There is also a grey feather loosely placed among the books, which I found out is attributed to a certain feathered character who ended up becoming a favorite of mine.
While the cover art drew my eye, the summary really made me want to read this book. It’s about a woman named Robin whose past catches up to her after she’s spent years running from it – from a disgraced, tainted family name. The story opens on the day of Robin’s father’s scheduled execution. Yes, execution. Robin was just fourteen when her father was accused of murder and her parents ended up behind bars. Years later, she runs a used bookstore (yay for second-hand books!). On execution day, a vintage book shows up sent by someone from her past. She begins receiving regular packages of old books. She knows right away who they’re from – Peter, the boy who changed everything for her, who ruined everything for her. But why is he contacting her after all these years?
New Scary Stories for Kids!
The humid summer weather is finally letting up here, bringing a welcome rush of cool air. There’s nothing quite like opening the windows and having that fresh, crisp air breeze through the house. Of course with the cooler weather comes back to school followed by all things Halloween. I was surprised to see Halloween décor hitting shelves in August, but now that we’re a couple of weeks from October, I don’t mind it so much. I really enjoyed the displays of scary stories I saw at the bookstore this week. There was something for everyone, from Stephen King’s newest release, The Institute, to middle grade scary stories and even Halloween and monster themed picture and board books for kiddos. Today I’ll be reviewing two new children’s picture books that have released just in time for scary story season.
Book Review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Well summer has flown by! I can’t believe it’s September, but I’m glad it is. Fall is my favorite season, and I was thrilled to see leaves changing as I took my dogs for their walks over the last week or so. I’m also enjoying the cooler nights and pumpkin decorations at the stores, and of course, I’m ready for all things magical and spooky when it comes to books! I’ve been re-reading the Harry Potter series as it’s been years since I’ve given them a read, and they are just as good as I remember them. I’m also looking forward to some new fall releases. But first, end of summer reading…
Book Review: The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Cover art is copyright of Gallery/ Scout Press
Happy August everyone! I can’t believe it’s already August, but I am pleased with the change in temperature here in the northeast. We’re still getting warm, sunny afternoons, but we woke up to a cool, crisp 60 degrees this morning, which felt amazing! Between the chilly air and September being a mere month away, I’m finding myself in the mood for fall – the colors, the refreshing cool down, pumpkins, and of course all things magical and spooky. Speaking of spooky, I have quite the creepy tale to talk about today, Ruth Ware’s upcoming release, The Turn of the Key.
Book Review: Milked by Lisa Doyle
Happy July, everyone! I hope everyone in America had a wonderful Fourth of July celebration with family and friends. I sure did…and saw some pretty fireworks too!
I’ve had a couple of very busy months. First June with a week long visit from my amazing niece and then July with work, life, and reading. I have a few book reviews lined up including the bestselling Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and Ruth Ware’s upcoming August release, The Turn of the Key. But today, I’d like to share my review of the debut novel from a new author who I personally hope to see more books from in the future.
Picture Book Reviews: Moon’s First Friends and Unicorn Day
Today, I’ll be sharing reviews of two new picture book releases from Sourcebooks. One is about the Apollo 11 mission and is a great way to introduce kids to science and space. The other is a whimsical story of inclusion and acceptance featuring unicorns and rhyming words.
Book Review: Living Lies by Natalie Walters
This weekend I dove into a new release by Natalie Walters, Living Lies. While largely a murder mystery, Living Lies also touches on many important subjects, including those who serve and have served our country. This book especially highlights those who have lost their lives due to their service, particularly post-service as a result of trauma. It was a most fitting book for Memorial Day weekend, and I couldn’t put it down.
Book Review: A Stranger on the Beach by Michele Campbell
Cover art is copyright of St. Martin’s Press
I love a good mystery. I especially love a good mystery with an unreliable narrator who keeps me guessing through the whole book. Sure, it can be fun to uncover clues alongside the likes of Hercule Poirot and read about how his mind works and connects the dots of a case. But there is also something so fun about reading two different first-person versions of events and trying to figure out which to believe, if either of them. That was the case with Michele Campbell’s newest psychological thriller, A Stranger on the Beach, which releases this summer.
Book Review: Ruby in the Sky by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo
Cover art is copyright of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
I love middle grade novels. Last year I did a post about why I love reading the young adult genre, and I think I may have to do a similar one about middle grade in the future. MG novels are the best! The characters are usually around 10 to 13 years old and still figuring out who they are, where they fit in, and what the world is all about (aren’t we all?!)
I recently received a new MG novel from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Ruby in the Sky by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo. To be honest, the title and the cover drew me in right away. Yes, I know, we’re not supposed to judge books by their covers. But, come on, look at it! Those beautifully blended winter blues and purples in the trees and reflecting off the snow…that gorgeous pink moon…the young girl dancing in the snow…and is that a dog? For a dog mom like myself, you just can’t beat a book with a dog on the cover. I was intrigued from the get-go.