To Shape a Dragon’s Breath – book review

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose Fantasy * * * * Stars (Great!) Anequs, a fifteen-year-old indigenous girl, discovers a dragon’s egg on her people’s island, and brings it back to her village – as tradition dictates – where everyone gathers to dance and sing and tell stories to welcome the dragon within. When the egg hatches, the hatchling, Kasaqua, chooses Anequs to be her Nampeshiweisit (her person). Anequs’ brother who has lived … Read more

Lonely Castle in the Mirror – book review

Lonely Castle in the Mirror (manga series) by Mizuki Tsujimura & Tomo Taketomi Fantasy Manga Mystery * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kokoro and 6 other teens are chosen to visit a magical castle which they reach by traveling through mirrors. Ookami-sama (a girl in a wolf mask) greets them and explains that they have 1 year to find a key that will grant one of them their dearest wish. In the meantime, they can … Read more

Magician’s Daughter – book review

The Magician’s Daughter by H.G. Parry Fantasy * * * * Stars (Great!) Biddy (Bridget) was orphaned as an infant and raised by a mage on a magical island (Hy Brasil) that most people don’t believe exist. She’s seventeen now, and getting kind of antsy to leave her home and see what the rest of the world (ideally, London) is like. Rowan, the mage who took her in, keeps promising that he’ll take her there … Read more

Door in the Dark – book review

A Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen Fantasy * * * * Stars (Great!) Ren is a promising student of magic at Balmerick University, but she fails to attract the attention of any wealthy magical houses. On the way home for the holidays, Ren and 5 other students attempt to travel using the public waxway portal when somehow the magic goes wrong, wraps them all up, and casts them far away from their intended … Read more

Aru Shah and the Song of Death – Read It and Rate It

Aru Shah and the Song of Death Pandava Quintet, book #2 by Roshani Chokshi Adventure Fantasy Hindu Mythology Supernatural Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) “Aru Shah and the Song of Death” by Roshani Chokshi is the second book in the “Pandava Quintet”. The series continues to follow Aru Shah and the Pandavas. This time, Aru Shah is accused of stealing the god of love’s bow and arrow, which causes all sorts … Read more

Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes – Read It and Rate It

Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes Pandava Quintet, book #3 by Roshani Chokshi Adventure Fantasy Hindu Mythology Science Fiction Supernatural Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) “Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes” by Roshani Chokshi follows Aru and her friends as they continue their quest to stop the Sleeper, a villain threatening to destroy the world. This time, they must find the Tree of Wishes to gain a powerful wish … Read more

Aru Shah and the City of Gold – Read It and Rate It

Aru Shah and the City of Gold Pandava Quintet, book #4 by Roshani Chokshi Adventure Fantasy Hindu Mythology Romance Supernatural Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) In “Aru Shah and the City of Gold” by Roshani Chokshi, Aru, and the Pandavas continue their quest to stop the Sleeper from destroying the world. They travel to the City of Gold, where they have to go through a series of challenges that lead … Read more

Before the Coffee Gets Cold – Read It and Rate It

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi Fantasy Psychological Science Fiction Supernatural Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The café Funiculi Funicula allows its patrons to travel back in time. By sitting in a particular seat in the café, you follow the stories of “The Lovers, “Husband and Wife,” “The Sisters,” or “Mother and Child.” Whether they travel back to convince their husband or try to reconnect with their lover with … Read more

Invisible Life of Addie LaRue – Read It and Rate It

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab Fantasy Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Adeline “Addie” LaRue makes a deal with a god to live forever, but she is forgotten by everyon she meets. Here begins her 300-year journey from France to several continents, history, and art, despite never physically making a mark. In 2014 she meets a man in a bookstore who can remember her name. (Published for … Read more

Ranger’s Apprentice (series) – Read It and Rate It

Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan Adventure Fantasy Mystery Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This series follows the adventures of Will, an orphan who is chosen as an apprentice Ranger, one of the skilled archers, trackers, and warriors of the King of Araluen. Will strives to keep the Kingdom safe from intruders. This book is an exceptional start to a thrilling series with vivid imagery, compelling character development, and impressive storytelling. … Read more