T. Kingfisher's Minor Mage
Ursula Vernon's latest book under her T. Kingfisher name centers on a twelve year old boy, the titular minor mage, who has to go on a quest to find rain for his drought-stricken village. Because this is an Ursula Vernon story, he's accompanied by his familiar, a sarcastic armadillo. Tee hee. Like her Summer in Orcus, I think this is really fine for older kids/teens to read, but does have some grim/gross moments and creepy monsters. But it's also very funny, and full of adventures, and awesome. A-.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Monday, July 29, 2019
2019 book 89
Eva Rice's The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets
I saw this recommended recently, and was like, hm, that seems like it could be good, let's look it up, at which point I discovered that I'd bought it like seven years ago and never read it. Maybe it was fate?? Anyway, the story is set in the 1950s, a classic sort of coming of age novel about a young girl in a crumbling Medieval castle, her family, her new friends, romance, pop music, etc. (Comparisons to I Capture the Castle are fairly apt.) This is not a great work of literature or anything, but it was an engaging yet gentle sort of story. I did think the epilogue was a bit weak--either give it a whole chapter or leave it out entirely--but on the whole enjoyed this a lot. B+.
I saw this recommended recently, and was like, hm, that seems like it could be good, let's look it up, at which point I discovered that I'd bought it like seven years ago and never read it. Maybe it was fate?? Anyway, the story is set in the 1950s, a classic sort of coming of age novel about a young girl in a crumbling Medieval castle, her family, her new friends, romance, pop music, etc. (Comparisons to I Capture the Castle are fairly apt.) This is not a great work of literature or anything, but it was an engaging yet gentle sort of story. I did think the epilogue was a bit weak--either give it a whole chapter or leave it out entirely--but on the whole enjoyed this a lot. B+.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
2019 book 88
Ally Condie's Summerlost
I no longer remember why this was on my library hold list, but I am glad it was! It's about a twelve year old girl who, after her father and brother die in an accident, moves with her mother and other brother to her mother's hometown for the summer. And gets a job working at a local Shakespeare-themed festival with a boy on her street, as one does. This a really great novel about grief, friendship, family, and finding your people. A moving and engaging read. A/A-.
I no longer remember why this was on my library hold list, but I am glad it was! It's about a twelve year old girl who, after her father and brother die in an accident, moves with her mother and other brother to her mother's hometown for the summer. And gets a job working at a local Shakespeare-themed festival with a boy on her street, as one does. This a really great novel about grief, friendship, family, and finding your people. A moving and engaging read. A/A-.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
2019 book 87
Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone's This is How You Lose the Time War
This was a really fun read--it's about two time travelers working for opposing forces, meddling with time to try and bring their own group's version about, who start writing to each other and eventually fall for each other! What a great concept! I was not super into the narrative voice(s) for whatever reason, but thought the characters and settings were really interesting, and did definitely enjoy reading this. B+.
This was a really fun read--it's about two time travelers working for opposing forces, meddling with time to try and bring their own group's version about, who start writing to each other and eventually fall for each other! What a great concept! I was not super into the narrative voice(s) for whatever reason, but thought the characters and settings were really interesting, and did definitely enjoy reading this. B+.
Monday, July 15, 2019
2019 book 86
Casey McQuiston's Red, White, and Royal Blue
Y'all know YA romances are not really my jam, but this was sooooo cuuuuuute. Our protagonist is the First Son, son of the first woman president, who accidentally causes a bit of a scandal with an English prince--so now the two have to pretend to be bros to stave off the bad publicity for both countries. But will a romance cause even MORE scandal??? Their growing friendship (and MORE!) mostly worked for me, plus I liked that they were both in their 20s and not in high school, so I was more invested in their lives and in them working things out. Just a really nice and cathartic read. A-.
Y'all know YA romances are not really my jam, but this was sooooo cuuuuuute. Our protagonist is the First Son, son of the first woman president, who accidentally causes a bit of a scandal with an English prince--so now the two have to pretend to be bros to stave off the bad publicity for both countries. But will a romance cause even MORE scandal??? Their growing friendship (and MORE!) mostly worked for me, plus I liked that they were both in their 20s and not in high school, so I was more invested in their lives and in them working things out. Just a really nice and cathartic read. A-.
Sunday, July 14, 2019
2019 book 85
Jo Walton's Lent
I generally like Walton's books a lot, and was intrigued by descriptions of her latest, about a real historical priest guy in fifteenth century Florence, dealing with politics and whatnot, who discovers sometime about himself that changes everything. But the thing is, that twist doesn’t come until halfway through, so I had to read many, many pages of Catholic guys talking about Catholicism to get to that point (I almost abandoned this book more than once). The second half of the book was more interesting, and I thought the character work was really strong, but it too was steeped in Catholicism, and I just found it off-putting. The writing here is great, and Walton really brings Florence to life, I just think I’d have appreciated this more if I cared about Christianity and related philosophy. I’m Jewish, so I don't. B.
I generally like Walton's books a lot, and was intrigued by descriptions of her latest, about a real historical priest guy in fifteenth century Florence, dealing with politics and whatnot, who discovers sometime about himself that changes everything. But the thing is, that twist doesn’t come until halfway through, so I had to read many, many pages of Catholic guys talking about Catholicism to get to that point (I almost abandoned this book more than once). The second half of the book was more interesting, and I thought the character work was really strong, but it too was steeped in Catholicism, and I just found it off-putting. The writing here is great, and Walton really brings Florence to life, I just think I’d have appreciated this more if I cared about Christianity and related philosophy. I’m Jewish, so I don't. B.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
2019 book 84
Melina Marchetta's The Jellicoe Road
I am perpetually amazed at how Marchetta takes a story full of tragedy and angst and somehow makes it . . . uplifting. I mean, this book makes you feel the full gamut of human emotions! And the way she weaves the two plots together, peppering little clues throughout is kind of masterful. I don’t know why this story of two generations of teens resonates so much with me, but every time I read it, I love it more.
I am perpetually amazed at how Marchetta takes a story full of tragedy and angst and somehow makes it . . . uplifting. I mean, this book makes you feel the full gamut of human emotions! And the way she weaves the two plots together, peppering little clues throughout is kind of masterful. I don’t know why this story of two generations of teens resonates so much with me, but every time I read it, I love it more.
2019 book 83
T. Kingfisher's Swordheart
When the world is getting you down, it's time to retreat into a fantasy world by rereading an awesome and funny book with enchanted sword-men, lawyers, and a sensible heroine, all trying to outwit a bunch of scheming relatives and pitiless priests. Mayhem and adventures ensue! And lots and lots of pining. HEART EYESSSSSS. I love this book.
When the world is getting you down, it's time to retreat into a fantasy world by rereading an awesome and funny book with enchanted sword-men, lawyers, and a sensible heroine, all trying to outwit a bunch of scheming relatives and pitiless priests. Mayhem and adventures ensue! And lots and lots of pining. HEART EYESSSSSS. I love this book.
Sunday, July 07, 2019
2019 book 82
Robin Stevens' Murder Most Unladylike
Yes yes, I have read this book several times before, but we're discussing it for book club this month and I wanted the details to be fresh! This may seem like an odd pick for a book club, but one of my friends has a daughter who also loves this series and wanted to check it out, plus it’s nice to read something quick and fun in the summer, PLUS you can’t go wrong with a classic-style mystery set in a British boarding school! And even having read this several time before, I still got all caught up in the action and characters and setting. Just good stuff all around!
Yes yes, I have read this book several times before, but we're discussing it for book club this month and I wanted the details to be fresh! This may seem like an odd pick for a book club, but one of my friends has a daughter who also loves this series and wanted to check it out, plus it’s nice to read something quick and fun in the summer, PLUS you can’t go wrong with a classic-style mystery set in a British boarding school! And even having read this several time before, I still got all caught up in the action and characters and setting. Just good stuff all around!
Saturday, July 06, 2019
2019 book 81
Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Gods of Jade and Shadow
Moreno-Garcia writes consistently entertaining books, and I loved her latest one. Things start in a small town in Mexico in the 1920s, where a young girl, treated as a servant by her wealthy family, accidentally frees an imprisoned God of Death. Bound to him, she is soon accompanying him on a journey to find his missing parts—and take back his throne from the brother who betrayed him. But his brother has other plans. This plays with folklore and Mayan mythology and the 1920s setting in a really fun way; I loved the characters' journeys (metaphorical and otherwise) and thought the end was GREAT. Really a good read. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on July 23rd.
Moreno-Garcia writes consistently entertaining books, and I loved her latest one. Things start in a small town in Mexico in the 1920s, where a young girl, treated as a servant by her wealthy family, accidentally frees an imprisoned God of Death. Bound to him, she is soon accompanying him on a journey to find his missing parts—and take back his throne from the brother who betrayed him. But his brother has other plans. This plays with folklore and Mayan mythology and the 1920s setting in a really fun way; I loved the characters' journeys (metaphorical and otherwise) and thought the end was GREAT. Really a good read. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on July 23rd.
Thursday, July 04, 2019
2019 book 80
T. Kingfisher's Summer in Orcus
Sometimes I am like, argggggh, why aren’t there more books like Ursula Vernon's? With magic and adventure and sensible heroines and animal friends? And then I realize I can just reread a book by Vernon. She really is writing modern classics! This one plays with portal fantasies and fairy tales in a really satisfying way. There is also a were-house, very handy when you’re on a magical journey! So good.
Sometimes I am like, argggggh, why aren’t there more books like Ursula Vernon's? With magic and adventure and sensible heroines and animal friends? And then I realize I can just reread a book by Vernon. She really is writing modern classics! This one plays with portal fantasies and fairy tales in a really satisfying way. There is also a were-house, very handy when you’re on a magical journey! So good.
Monday, July 01, 2019
2019 book 79
Makiia Lucier's Song of the Abyss
The sequel to Lucier's Isle of Blood and Stone is just as entertaining as its predecessor, as little Reyna from the first book, now a teenager determined to become an explorer, deals with pirates and has many adventures and a little bit of romance and an awesome best friend (a girl who wants to be a doctor!). Once again, the plot was not too hard to ferret out, but it was still a super fun read with excellent pacing and great characters. I definitely look forward to whatever Lucier does next. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in August.
The sequel to Lucier's Isle of Blood and Stone is just as entertaining as its predecessor, as little Reyna from the first book, now a teenager determined to become an explorer, deals with pirates and has many adventures and a little bit of romance and an awesome best friend (a girl who wants to be a doctor!). Once again, the plot was not too hard to ferret out, but it was still a super fun read with excellent pacing and great characters. I definitely look forward to whatever Lucier does next. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in August.
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