The Crown by Kiera Cass is actually better than I expected it to be. The end to the popular Selection series, The Crown contains resolution and hope for a better future for the kingdom. Eadlyn learns who she can and cannot trust and discovers some family secrets along the way. Some predictability, but a fun book nevertheless.
Thanks to NetGalley and Fog Ink Publishing for the arc of The War of Words by Amy Neftzger! This fantasy read contains a book that no one can read, words being transformed, people being confused, an interesting headmaster, an eccentric teacher and a talking gargoyle. The story begins with Kelsey fighting faceless shadows for the King. A fellow soldier, Eric, admires Kelsey and asks her questions to the point of annoying her. A book is mentioned that can win the war, according to legend. The only solid answer Kelsey can get about this book is from the “Sisters” who are all-wise. Kelsey also witnesses a cloaked man burning what she thinks looks like words. Other characters are introduced; Nicholas (a student), Newton (the talking gargoyle), Taro the headmaster and several others all come together to make this a fun, entertaining read. The War of Words is quickly paced and a fast read for fantasy lovers.
Poison Princess by Kresley Cole is the start of an amazing series. This book contains many genres, such as dystopian, supernatural, romance, adventure, mythology and fantasy. Poison Princess immediately intrigued me with the feeling of doom in the first chapter. I was pulled into the story because it is interesting in so many ways; the Louisiana culture and language and the fantastical and mythological pull around Evie. I love the Cajun vocabulary lessons and culture and I think I felt at home with it because I lived in Louisiana during an impressionable age while growing up. I lived in several areas of Louisiana between the ages of nine and twelve. The Cajun references made me smile and sometimes cringe because they were spot on.
The author changes the point of view from Evie to the kidnapper for the prologue and one other chapter. This strategic writing gives readers insight into the enemy’s world. Clever, Kresley Cole! There is a bit of swearing and sexual innuendo that I will warn students about, but I absolutely love this book with its dynamic characters and I plan on reading it again and finishing the Arcana Chronicles series as soon as possible.
Thanks to Jordan Mierek for the arc of her wonderful book, The Goat Children! This story is far different from her other books that I have read. Cogling and Treasure Darkly are full-on fantasy fiction, while The Goat Children is definitely a realistic fiction read. It contains a bit of fantasy also, but a very small amount and, even then, it leaves the reader wondering, real or not real?
The closest thing to dementia of a loved one that I had to deal with is when my mother suffered from cancer and she was given strong prescription drugs for the pain. She didn’t make sense or remember sometimes. This didn’t go on for years either, as dementia can. I really sympathize with anyone dealing with this tragic part of life. Dementia has to be one of the most difficult changes to see in a loved one.
Keziah gives up the most important parts of her life to help her grandmother, who she calls Oma. Keziah no longer lives with her immediate family, but with Oma. She moves away from her friends and now is not allowed to have a social life because she has to take care of her grandmother and she can barely attend school daily without the worry of Oma getting harmed. The few friends she does find, lose patience with her because she always has to say no when they ask her to hang out. Keziah loses the major parts of a teenager’s life. She also feels somewhat abandoned by her surrounding family members because they just expect her to take care of Oma with little or no support from anyone. Keziah has always been close to her Oma and struggles with how she is being treated by her used-to-be loving grandmother. Oma can be mean at times, such as not letting Keziah into the house when she accidentally forgets her key. Oma also says rude things to Keziah, so she constantly reminds herself of all the wonderful ways her grandmother helped her in the past. These wonderful moments are in snippets between chapters. These memories helped me to sympathize even more with Keziah and Oma. What a difficult struggle!
The Goat Children is a wonderful realistic fiction read and I look forward to reading more of Jordan Mierek’s work!
Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima is the beginning of a new series set in the same place as the Seven Realms series by the same author. Adrian is thirteen with healing powers that he wants to learn more about so he can help in a better way than he does at the present time. He discusses going away to a school with his father right before they are both attacked and his father is poisoned and dies. His older sister Hana has already been killed by the King of Arden. Now only Adrian, his mother and younger sister are all that’s left of their family.
Jenna works in the mines with her beau, Riley and a young girl named Maggi. That all changes once the King og Arden visits the mines and wants to teach a lesson to the workers and he ends up killing the people Jenna cares about and she runs and hides to protect her life.
Adrian goes with Taliesen to school to learn magic and healing and perfect his abilities. Four years later, Jenna poses as a boy and Adrian has become a killer and a healer and both are taking their revenge. Destin adds to the mix of characters as good and bad.
Flamecaster is a great book full of mystery and fantasy with very dynamic characters. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel!
Thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the arc of Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz! This story is set up in snippets of text, dialogue from letters, online conversations and journal format, which made it difficult to get into. I think that was because I received the arc on a download for my laptop. I think the actual physical book would be easier to become involved in. I struggled with reading it because of the text inconsistency breaking my concentration also. Once I got passed these issues, I found a good story underneath it all. My favorite character is Charlie; I think he’s wonderful. The book is about a complicated relationship that began online and becomes something more and my rating is actually 3.5 stars.
Broken Hearts, Fences and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn begins with Gemma and the explanation of how she came to be Teddy’s girlfriend, then his ex-girlfriend. To overcome her sadness over the breakup, Gemma gets a hair makeover, courtesy of her friend Sophie, and goes to stay with her father in the Hamptons. Gemma goes through a case of mistaken identity because of her hair change and the fact that she hasn’t seen some of these people in five years. She tries to tell them that she is Gemma, but they insist on calling her Sophie since she has her friend Sophie’s name written on her cup. The more I read, the more I enjoyed the story and characters and understood the struggle that Gemma was going through because of her guilt from causing the sabotage of her father’s relationship with another woman while her parents were separated and the frustration and concern of wanting to make things better. This book is thoroughly enjoyable with no swearing, clean romance and a bit of humor. The story doesn’t have complete resolution and will continue in the sequel, Revenge, Ice Cream and Other Things Best Served Cold.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl surprised me with all the different perspectives it contains. Silly, interesting characters made me laugh out loud several times, but this story is also empathetic and emotional. The unique characters bring the book to life. Earl is blunt and sometimes gross. Greg is entertaining and sometimes struck with verbal diarrhea. Touching, emotional, silly and strange run through this book and make it a must-not-miss read!
The Thought Spot 