This was a miss for me. I think my biggest problem with it was it never felt like a romance when that's what I thought I was signing up for. I didn't This was a miss for me. I think my biggest problem with it was it never felt like a romance when that's what I thought I was signing up for. I didn't buy the characters or their motivations. I didn't care about them and they kind of just annoyed me. They didn't really even seem to like each other. It was all problems and conflict and then they decide to just... live apart for awhile. Which is fine but not what I was wanting to read.
The whole Christmas plot was sort of hackneyed and didn't really work for me. Maybe I'm just not a fan of Christmas books but I've read and loved others so I don't think that's it.
The audiobook narrators annoyed me too and I was actively avoiding listening.
*Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and Macmillan Audio for providing an early copy for review....more
This was super cute. It was definitely predictable, but I was in the sort of mood where a somewhat predictable love story was exactly what I wanted. IThis was super cute. It was definitely predictable, but I was in the sort of mood where a somewhat predictable love story was exactly what I wanted. I always love a childhood enemies to lovers story (especially when fake boyfriends are involved).
Liam and Matthew were great characters and their slow journey from intense dislike to appreciation to love was really well done and believable. The playful insults and constant attempts to one-up each other really sold the long-standing rivalry and also made it very clear how different their emotions were to when they were kids.
The cherry on top was the scene at the end where they reunite in their hometown and we get to see everyone's reactions to them being together. Those reactions were priceless and solidified my enjoyment of the story. The reveal / reactions at the end is the best part of childhood enemies to lovers books imo and it was really satisfyingly done here.
This was an excellent adventure! Farrah Noorzad is plucky and determined but also has some definite lessons to learn. Her best friend, the mysterious This was an excellent adventure! Farrah Noorzad is plucky and determined but also has some definite lessons to learn. Her best friend, the mysterious jinn boy, and her jinn brother make an excellent team that help balance her strengths and flaws. The world is wonderous and adventurous and full of magical surprises. The plot has surprising depth. I loved every second of listening to it and can't wait for the next one!
The audiobook is really well done. The characters have easily distinguishable and believable voices and the emotion comes through loud and clear.
*Thanks to Labyrinth Road for providing an early copy for review....more
I really enjoyed this. More than I thought I was going to at first.
It started out feeling almost childish in tone and content. The characters felt verI really enjoyed this. More than I thought I was going to at first.
It started out feeling almost childish in tone and content. The characters felt very young and immature. But then once the story gets going, Evie Mei first gets an infusion of hope and determination, overcomes a series of obstacles, then eventually learns that she can't always get what she wants and has to learn to let go. At that point it feels aimed at a much older reader than it did in the beginning.
There is a lot more gore and heavy themes than I was intially expecting, and a lot more exploring grief and letting go.
I was a little taken aback by the twist at the very end, and I'm not sure how I feel about the ending emotional tone of play nice now, get revenge later. It feels like it undermines a lot of the lessons learned along the way. I assume it's setting up another story but I'm not sure if I will read it or not.
Thanks to Feiwel and Friends for providing an early copy for review....more
I tried to read this with my kiddo (10) but he was completely uninterested in it. Funny enough it was the graphic novel section that turned him off. II tried to read this with my kiddo (10) but he was completely uninterested in it. Funny enough it was the graphic novel section that turned him off. If it had been structured as a nonfiction book from the beginning he would have enjoyed it more, I think.
It also didn't seem to quite know who its audience was or how to communicate effectively with them. There were a lot of what seemed like random facts about money that weren't fully explained and the graphic novel lessons didn't always make sense. The idea of it is good and an important topic for kids (and adults) but it didn't feel like it was executed well.
*Thanks to Helvetiq for providing an early copy for review....more
This was an interesting book about what different cultures have eaten and how they have gotten food throughout history, and how people have found enouThis was an interesting book about what different cultures have eaten and how they have gotten food throughout history, and how people have found enough to eat in difficult times. Like all the Orca books it is well researched and includes lots of photos to break up the text and add interest. Ultimately though the topic was of less interest to me than some of the other Orca books. My kiddo (10) didn't show any interest in it, even though he is usually into the Orca books topics.
*Thanks to Orca Books for providing an early copy for review....more
This was a cute found-family supernatural teen romance with heart. I really enjoyed all the characters: disbelieving and cautious Ellery, and warm andThis was a cute found-family supernatural teen romance with heart. I really enjoyed all the characters: disbelieving and cautious Ellery, and warm and excitable Knox, and weird and loveable and bouncy Charlie and calm and collected Zeta, but also the minor characters. Lorelai and especially the sullen Bram. I really enjoyed how he started coming around by the end. And the more sinister side characters as well. They were very well done and very satisfying to dislike.
The plot was a little simpler than I usually prefer in a fantasy, though it worked well for a romance. The setting of a 5-year-long endless winter was unique and I felt like it was used well. The characters were always cold, the farms were struggling to survive and had to build greenhouses, the town was slowly dying. It was a bleak and empty and cold and eerie setting that worked really well as a backdrop for a supernatural romance.
The last quarter felt weaker than the rest, and a lot of the confrontations were a little lackluster. I just wanted a bit more from it.
The audiobook was really well done and helped draw me into the story and keep me there. The narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life. They were pleasant to listen to and gave all the characters easily recognizable voices.
*Thanks to Margaret K. McElderry Books for providing an early copy for review....more
This is just creepy enough to feel like horror without going all-out. It still feels like McLemore's familiar magical realism but with the horror aspeThis is just creepy enough to feel like horror without going all-out. It still feels like McLemore's familiar magical realism but with the horror aspects dialed up. The atmosphere and writing and vibes are immaculate. The plot is a little confusing still, but it was an immersive read and I had trouble putting it down, even if I wasn't sure what was happening for the last quarter.
I LOVED the commentary throughout on what it means to be a perfect girl and what striving for that does to someone and how that was tied together in the end. Having Isla, an intersex girl, as POV character and Bas, a lesbian, as love interest, eternally perplexed by the other girls' - including her beloved sister's - drive for perfection really helped sell the themes.
The audiobook was well narrated and enhanced the reading experience.
*Thanks to Feiwel and Friends for providing an early copy for review. ...more
This is a gorgeously illustrated guide to dragons written in an encylopedia style that suits the subject matter (dragons) well. In addition to the manThis is a gorgeously illustrated guide to dragons written in an encylopedia style that suits the subject matter (dragons) well. In addition to the many facts and illustrations about dragons and their anatomy and lifestyles are many facts about the school for dragon riding and caring for a young dragon, as the frame story is that this is a textbook at said school. It is in some ways reminiscent of the Dragonology (and other -ologies) books and also Quidditch Through the Ages. It is written in the same dry, old-time-y style.
I found the text engaging and fascinating, the illustrations beautiful and intriguing, and the whole book excellently thought-out and put together. My dragon-obssessed kiddo enjoyed it thoroughly as well.
*Thanks to Frances Lincoln Children's Books for providing an early copy for review....more
One thing that I have accepted as true about Alexis Hall's writing in general, and the Something Fabulous series in particular, is that it will be at One thing that I have accepted as true about Alexis Hall's writing in general, and the Something Fabulous series in particular, is that it will be at turns thought-provoking, unconventional, hilarious, and moving. And very, very queer. This is an excellent example of that.
I was never sure about Belle when she was a side character in the others' stories, but I loved her here. She is harder and sharper than Bonny and I love how Alexis Hall treated her aromanticism. She has no problem engaging in plenty of enthusiastic sex with all manner of partners, but she has discovered in herself an inability to comprehend romantic love and has come to think of herself as broken because of it.
Sir Horley - Rufus - thinks of himself as just as broken and unloveable after a lifetime of mistreatment.
They don't seem, at first, as if they will work out together, but their marriage works surprisingly well and brings them both contentment. After many, many hijinks, shenanigans, and other misadventures, of course, because this is an Alexis Hall novel.
Their arrangement is rather unconventional, but they are no less happy because of it. In fact, it rather suits them both.
I laughed out loud while reading this, even though I was feeling particularly sick and miserable, which is why I picked it up in the first place. Not my usual snorts and chuckles, but the sort of wheezing helpless laughter that you can't stop. It has been quite I while since I laughed like that. It was a welcome release.
I am not sure if there will be more in this series, as all of the main characters have been granted their various happy-ever-afters, but I hope Alexis Hall will surprise me and write more because I dearly love all three books. Even if not, I know there will be plenty more of his books for me to devour in the future.
*Thanks to Montlake for providing an early copy for review....more
For a book with the tagline "Falling in love never burned so bright" I was severely underwhelmed and disappointed by this book.
This is not cozy. This For a book with the tagline "Falling in love never burned so bright" I was severely underwhelmed and disappointed by this book.
This is not cozy. This is boring. There is a distinct difference. In a cozy fantasy you still care about the characters and want them to succeed. Aila is incredibly annoying and whiny and judgemental. She holds grudges and has so much anxiety she's barely functioning. She doesn't feel 28. She feels about 15.
I mean, I have so much anxiety that I'm barely functioning. But she's not doing anything about it? And being judgemental and not like other girls is not quirky.
Also this is at least somewhat marketed as a sapphic love story but Aila spends at least half of the book lusting over a man but too terrified to talk to him. And it's a *stretch* to call someone your enemy when you disagreed over a group project once in college.
There is so much exposition that somehow never gets around to actually describing the interesting things - the magical creatures. It's a zoo for magical creatures and yet they're hardly described.
I tried reading this twice and put it down in irritation each time. It was making me actually angry and I really didn't want to force myself to hate read it.
The narrator was ok but didn't help with Aila's tendency to whine.
*Thanks to Orbit for providing an early copy for review. ...more
I really enjoyed this story. Peter is a very unconventional duke which I really liked. His passion for abolition and his determination to win guardianI really enjoyed this story. Peter is a very unconventional duke which I really liked. His passion for abolition and his determination to win guardianship of and take care of his half-siblings made me like him instantly. His bumbling charm and tendency to act without thinking helped cement him as a favorite.
Selena is cooler and a little harder to get to know. She is whipsmart and basically spends the novel ordering Peter about and then getting annoyed when he haplessly ruins her plans. It took a little longer for me to really get behind her, but she did eventually win me over.
I loved Georgianna. Talk about pulling the wool over the eyes of the ton! Lydia and Iris were also excellent characters and I hope we get spinoff novels for each of them because they would definitely be entertaining.
The children were adorable and definitely added to the story. I'm glad they were there, and would actually have preferred them to be more present in the middle section of the book instead of just the beginning and end.
The plot strains credulity at times but in a fun way. If you can suspend disbelief and let it take you for a ride then you'll enjoy it.
I enjoyed the audiobook narration for the most part, except Peter's dialogue, especially in the beginning, was delivered in an agonizingly slow exaggerated drawl. I know he's supposed to be from Louisiana, but still. Luckily the narrator did speed up and lighten up on the drawl in the second half of the book.
I definitely recommend this if you like your historical romance with a good dose of humor and a significant amount of social commentary and critique.
*Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and Dreamscape Media for providing an early copy for review....more
This is an eye-opening look at overconsumption and how it's affecting the planet. Like the many other Orca Think books we have read, it is a rather grThis is an eye-opening look at overconsumption and how it's affecting the planet. Like the many other Orca Think books we have read, it is a rather grim - though very, very necessary - read, although each chapter does end with a section about things kids are doing to mitigate the damage.
It is divided into four chapters, each focusing on a specific facet of overconsumption: Fast Fashion, Fast Food, Smartphones, and Gifts. Each chapter breaks the issues down and makes them easy to understand (and horrifying).
Kiddo (10), who is very concerned about climate change, listened raptly as we read each night and has clearly been thinking on the topics of concern in the days since we read it. It is written at a good level for him to understand and engage with. The Orca Think books in general are excellent for that age and introducing them to some of the grimmer things about our world that can be hard to talk about.
The text is clear and engaging and tries to balance some humor with the grimness and the last section of each chapter is more uplifting as it details things kids (and adults) are doing to help.
I would highly recommend this to kids age 10-14. They're the perfect age for a wake-up call.
*Thanks to Orca Book Publishers for providing an early copy for review....more
I enjoyed this a lot. Jax Calder is great at crafting characters you can't help but like and great banter. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time suspeI enjoyed this a lot. Jax Calder is great at crafting characters you can't help but like and great banter. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time suspending my disbelief and kept getting pulled out of the story through no fault of the story, but because I'm in the US. I kept trying to picture US conservative and liberal politicians in Toby and Harry's place and my brain kept emphatically noping out of that.
Despite the constant battle between immersion in the story and being pulled out of it, I really enjoyed it overall. Not quite as much as the Unlikely Heir, in large part because Callum and Oliver were funnier imo. Turns out I prefer bad-jokes-as-banter to political-arguments-as-banter.
It was also a little unsatisfying that we'll have to wait for the next book to wrap up the terrorist plotline. I felt like the ends were left a little too loose there for a convincing happy ending, although I did appreciate the rest of the ending and how everything else got wrapped up.
I also really enjoyed how Toby and Harry were forced to work together to survive in the wilderness and the way this made them appreciate each other (although the terrorists inexplicably showing back up to mess things up for them all those days later strained credulity.) I really love books where the characters end up in a secluded area with few (or no, in this case) people around and just live with each other and learn to coexist without all the pressures of the outside world.
I will definitely be reading the next book as soon as I can get my hands on it.
This was utterly delightful and I binged the audio in a day with a huge smile on my face the whole time. It definitely has Red White & Royal Blue vibeThis was utterly delightful and I binged the audio in a day with a huge smile on my face the whole time. It definitely has Red White & Royal Blue vibes, and since I loved that one, I was bound to love this one. But the twist of having the kingdoms be holidays with associated magic was so cool.
Coal and Hex are so endearing and they just sparkle whenever they're together. All the characters really jump off the page and feel so real and 3D and I loved the found family vibes. I loved the political intrigue side of it too. It was a perfect blend of romance and plot and Christmas meets Halloween goodness. Like the magical side effect when Hex curses? brilliant, adorable, delightful.
I desperately hope that Sara Raasch writes more books about these characters because I can't cope with having the story be over.
The narrator was incredible and really brought the characters to life. I was completely transported while I listened.
*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing an early copy for review....more
Kiddo (10) really enjoyed this book about how to use various tricks to help his neurodivergent brain with things it's not necessarily good at. Like reKiddo (10) really enjoyed this book about how to use various tricks to help his neurodivergent brain with things it's not necessarily good at. Like remembering things that he has to do and helping with self-esteem.
It's cute, with the gobblegarks and the working to earn coins and keys to the treasure. Maybe a little too cute for my tastes. I also wasn't really on board with the whole earning keys thing. It felt a little gimmicky to me. But my kiddo seemed to be into it so maybe it worked.
It's also a little shorter than I was expecting and some of the tricks and activities seemed a little too simple. I think the first chapter or two had the most useful tricks in them.
It does do a really good job of portraying what it's like to have a neurodivergent brain and reassuring that there's nothing wrong with that, it's just different.
*Thanks to Jessica Kingsley Publishers for providing an early copy for review....more
Yet another excellent encyclopedia from DK publishing, this one about transportation: cars, trains, ships, planes, and spacecraft.
The full-color illusYet another excellent encyclopedia from DK publishing, this one about transportation: cars, trains, ships, planes, and spacecraft.
The full-color illustrations are engaging and many have cross-sections showing the parts of the vehicle in question. There are many different kinds of vehicles represented here, from the invention of the vehicle to its most modern iteration.
Kiddo (10) loves these encyclopedias and was engrossed as he read it.
*Thanks to DK Children for providing an early copy for review....more
I really enjoyed this sweet coming-of-age sapphic romance. Vivi and Lan were great characters and I really was rooting for both of them. The scenes ofI really enjoyed this sweet coming-of-age sapphic romance. Vivi and Lan were great characters and I really was rooting for both of them. The scenes of them jaunting around Saigon with Lan teaching Vivi about her heritage and the delicious sounding street foods were some of my favorites.
There were some deeper moments for both of them as they dealt with their respective challenges. Lan thinks she must take care of her mother and food stall since her father died and give up on her own dreams; Vivi is sick of her mother lying to her about Vietnam and her history and she solves this by lying to her mother in turn.
I do think Vivi's story especially is wrapped up a little too easily. I would have preferred a little more of a meaty resolution between Vivi and her mom.
I really enjoyed how the author brought Saigon and its food and culture to life in this book.
The audiobook narrators were good, although their delivery sometimes felt a little flat. Overall though I really enjoyed listening to it and would recommend it.
*Thanks to Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks and Macmillan Young Listeners for providing an early copy for review....more
This is a beautiful book. The illustrations are done in a loose watercolor style with lots of warm yellows and cool blues. The text has a wonderful rhThis is a beautiful book. The illustrations are done in a loose watercolor style with lots of warm yellows and cool blues. The text has a wonderful rhythm to it and is pleasing to read aloud. The story is informative and soothing and piques curiosity about all the creatures who make the Sargassum home.
Thanks to Norton Young Readers for providing an early copy for review....more
This required a heck of a lot of suspension of disbelief, but if you can accomplish that, it was a cute and fun fast-paced read.
I really liked the chaThis required a heck of a lot of suspension of disbelief, but if you can accomplish that, it was a cute and fun fast-paced read.
I really liked the characters and I loved the Cove. It was such a warm and welcoming home for kids without homes. And even though it was located in a church-related building and run by a nun, the religious aspect wasn't really pushed. I appreciated that. Also that it welcomed a nonbinary kid who got kicked out by their parents with open arms, bending the gendered sleeping quarters rule for them.
The scenes with the Cove and the kids there were the best parts; luckily they took up quite a bit of the book.
The plot was unrealistic to the extreme, but a handful of kids running from international thugs made for a great story. It was sort of like if you combined the Boxcar Children with Mission Impossible. I don't know if the parts about digital security and codebreaking were accurate as that's not my area of expertise, but they seemed at least internally consistent and were believable enough to keep me immersed in the story. It would make a fantastic action movie.
The love story was sweet although too much time was spent telling me how the characters thought and felt for my taste. I prefer to be left to figure it out from context. But it's a YA book and so it falls into that trap of overexplaining feelings that many YA books fall into.
I also really liked that, no matter how determined Tan was to handle everything and keep everyone safe, especially his little sister, Sana played a huge role in the big showdown at the end. The kids from the Cove did as well. It very much kept to the theme of 'we're stronger together' which gave it a nice wholesome feel.
I also liked the San Francisco bay area setting. One, because it makes sense for a family so heavily into digital currency security and codebreaking, and two, because it's just familiar enough to me that I could really picture a lot of the scenes.
The audiobook was really well done and helped keep me immersed in the story. The character voices were easily distinguishable and made sense. The narration flowed smoothly and the pacing was good.
Although it was a little difficult to get into the story at first, and I really had to suspend my disbelief, I had a great time with this story and would definitely read more by this author.
*Thanks to Feiwel and Friends and Macmillan Young Listeners for providing an early copy for review....more
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