Akata Woman – book review

Akata Woman  Nsibidi Scripts #3 by Nnedi Okorafor Fantasy Africa Teen * * * * Stars (Great!)  Sunny continues to learn how to wield her juju, read mystical texts/scripts, and gather experience as a free-agent Leopard person. It’s not an identity she can reveal to her family who are “Lambs” (no magical powers to speak of). As she levels up she earns “chittim,” a sort of magical person currency that appears to fall out of … Read more

Cruel Prince – Read It and Rate It

The Cruel Prince Folk of the Air #1 by Holly Black Fantasy Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing) The female lead, Jude, has a craving for power. She is a human who was taken into the land of Faerie. The male lead, Cardan, a prince of Faerie, absolutely despises Jude; especially since she is human. They both hate each other until an unexpected event occurs, revealing their true thoughts of one … Read more

Wicked King – Read It and Rate It

The Wicked King Folk of the Air #2 by Holly Black Fantasy Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing) Trouble is brewing under the seas of Faerie. The queen of the undersea wants power, but Jude wants it more to keep Oak safe. Cardan, bonded to Jude, riles tension among them, but one that is not necessarily bad. Jude and Cardan must work together to save the people of land on Faerie. … Read more

Queen of Nothing – Read It and Rate It

The Queen of Nothing Folk of the Air #3 by Holly Black Fantasy Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A dark curse consumes Cardan, and Jude must rule over Faerie as the first mortal queen. While Jude must take the kingdom as top priority, she must also figure out what to do about the curse and Cardan. I loved how the book ended. For middle and high school teens.

Red, White, and Royal Blue – Read It and Rate It

Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston LGBTQ+ Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Alex is the son of the President of the United States. He goes to London for official business with his mother, the President. Upon arrival, he soon meets Henry, the Prince of Wales. Both do not get along at first. In fact, Alex does not like Henry at all. Henry and Alex get closer after some accidents, … Read more

Kingdom of the Wicked – Read It and Rate It

Kingdom of the Wicked Kingdom of the Wicked #1 by Kerri Maniscalco Fantasy Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) After Emilia’s twin sister’s brutal murder, she decides to indulge in some dark magic for revenge. As she is summoning a demon, an unexpected one comes out – a Prince of Hell. She must now work with this Prince of Hell to obtain revenge for her sister. I liked the tension between Wrath … Read more

Kingdom of the Cursed – Read It and Rate It

Kingdom of the Cursed Kingdom of the Wicked #2 by Kerri Maniscalco Fantasy Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Emilia becomes the Queen of the Wicked with only one vow – to avenge her sister’s death. That means even wedding the Prince of PRide, the king of demons. Emilia must overcome a series of tests and steps to avenge her sister. No matter the cost. The ending had me on such … Read more

Music for Tigers – book review

Music for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusman Realistic Fiction for tweens (grades 4-8) * * * Stars (Pretty good) Louisa is sent to stay with her uncle in Tasmania at a small camp in the Tarkine wilderness for her summer vacation while her biologist parents are off doing research. Louisa would have preferred to stay at home and prepare for her audition with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, but has to make do with a radical … Read more

Malice – book review

Malice Malice duology #1 by Heather Walter Fairytale retelling Fantasy LGBTQ+ Romance for adults/older teens * * * * Stars (Great!) Alyce, known as “Malice” the Dark Grace, is part Vila, and one of her ancestors is responsible for having cursed the princesses of the Queendom of Briar with death if they do not receive true love’s kiss by their 21st birthdays. Although she is extremely powerful and patrons regularly seek out her dark magic, … Read more

Entwined – Read It and Rate It

Entwined by Heather Dixon Fantasy Romance Supernatural Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A retelling of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” fairy tale, but with more romance and suspense. It is about twelve princesses who are trying to find a place to dance after their father, the king, tells them they’re not allowed to. They find their way into a magical garden and discover the mysterious man, “Keeper,” who lives there. … Read more