Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses – book review

Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses by Kristen O’Neal Fiction Funny Supernatural * * * Stars (Pretty good) Priya has to take a medical leave of absence from college (pre-med, Stanford) when she is diagnosed with Lyme disease. On some days she can barely function due to pain and brain fog. While she is recuperating she meets new friends through her blog and they form a chronic illness support group. Priya is closest to Brigid (both … Read more

Captive Kingdom – Read It and Rate It

The Captive Kingdom Ascendance series, book #4 by Jennifer A. Nielsen Adventure Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) This book takes place before the epilogue of the third book. Jaron, Imogen, Tobias, Roden, and Amarinda are all sailing on an Avenian Pirate ship, loaded with weapons Carthya despearately needs. Before they reach safety, they are overtaken by a ship commanded by a ruthless captain. The captain is taking them to a land … Read more

Shadow Throne – Read It and Rate It

The Shadow Throne Ascendance series, book #3 by Jennifer A. Nielsen Adventure Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Jaron has survived the Avenian Pirates, but now he has to guide his kingdom through war. Against 3 kingdoms. And if thins couldn’t get more complicated, the love of his life, Imogen, has been kidnapped. So now Jaron must make the decision to rescue her, if he can. That means breaking into the … Read more

Theft of Sunlight – Read It and Rate It

The Theft of Sunlight Dauntless Path series, book #2 by Intisar Khanani Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “The Theft of Sunlight” is a gorgeous and riveting story set against a dark, lush world inspired by middle eastern fantasy. Khanani spins a tale of intrigue, captivating you in the deceivingly glittering palaces and ethereal beauty of Menaiya, all whilst a chilling secret lurks just beyond the next page. Amraeya ni Ansarim has … Read more

House in the Cerulean Sea – Read It and Rate It

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune Adventure Fantasy LGBTQ+ Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The story follows a 40-year-old man named Linus Baker, who works at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth evaluating the well-being of children kept in orphanages authorized by the government. One day Linus is tasked with a new highly classified assignment: to journey to Marsyas Island orphanage and supervise 6 mysterious and … Read more

Gender Queer – book review

Gender Queer: A Memoir  By Maia Kobabe LGBTQ+ Autobiography Graphic Novel Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!)  This is Maia Kobabe’s graphical memoir of eir (e uses e/em/eir pronouns) journey to self-discovery as a nonbinary, asexual person. It took some time for em to find the language to describe what e felt/was experiencing, and how to explain it to others (this book is part of that process), as well as a supportive community and … Read more

Klara and the Sun – book review

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro Science Fiction * * * *  Stars (Great!) Klara is an AF (Artificial Friend) who spends her days observing humans from the window of her shop and dreaming of the day when she will be purchased and matched with a child. Josie, who eventually chooses her, is a sickly, uplifted child whose illness often prevents her from enjoying normal things. Part of Klara’s job as Josie’s friend is … Read more

Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – book review

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder book #1 by Holly Jackson Mystery Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) Pippa Fitz-Amobi (Pip) decides to reopen a local murder/suicide case for her high school senior capstone project. Her teachers allow her to proceed with the warning that she is not to cross any ethical lines – something she does pretty much immediately when she reaches out to the alleged murderer’s brother Ravi to tell him … Read more

Ride On – book review

Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) No one is more curious about the newest rider (she’s really good!) at Edgewood Stables than Norrie. But when the new girl gives her a serious brush off, Norrie vows to SHUN her. Her friends Sam and Hazel go along with her, until new girl (Victoria) decides she wants to make amends. She apologizes and gradually shares some of … Read more

Hike to Home – book review

The Hike to Home by Jess Rinker Adventure Mystery Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Lin Moser is having the worst summer of her life. She’s used to traveling around the world with her famous parents (her dad renovates houses and her mom films him, and in their spare time they go on all kinds of adventures), and now she’s stuck in a tiny town in New Jersey with nothing interesting to do. … Read more