October 2018 – Page 6 – Jill's Book Blog

Sundays in Bed With… The Devil’s Thief (The Last Magician #2)

The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.

This Sunday I reading The Devil’s Thief (The Last Magician #2) by Lisa Maxwell.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this spellbinding sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Last Magician, Esta and Harte set off on a cross-country chase through time to steal back the elemental stones they need to save the future of magic.

Hunt the Stones.
Beware the Thief.
Avenge the Past.

Esta’s parents were murdered. Her life was stolen. And everything she knew about magic was a lie. She thought the Book of Mysteries held the key to freeing the Mageus from the Order’s grasp, but the danger within its pages was greater than she ever imagined.

Now the Book’s furious power lives inside Harte. If he can’t control it, it will rip apart the world to get its revenge, and it will use Esta to do it.

To bind the power, Esta and Harte must track down four elemental stones scattered across the continent. But the world outside the city is like nothing they expected. There are Mageus beyond the Brink not willing to live in the shadows—and the Order isn’t alone in its mission to crush them.

In St. Louis, the extravagant World’s Fair hides the first stone, but an old enemy is out for revenge and a new enemy is emerging. And back in New York, Viola and Jianyu must defeat a traitor in a city on the verge of chaos.

As past and future collide, time is running out to rewrite history—even for a time-traveling thief.

What book are you in bed with today?

Review: The Truth About Martians

Title: The Truth About Martians
Author: Melissa Savage
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Penguin Random House Canada
Source: Publisher
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A boy and his best friends set out to discover the aliens who crash-landed next to their Roswell, New Mexico, farm in this charming novel packed with adventure and heart, perfect for fans of Ali Benjamin’s The Thing About Jellyfish and Jennifer L. Holm’s The Fourteenth Goldfish.

Mylo never really believed in Martians, unless they had a starring role in one of his comic books. But then a flying saucer crash-lands next to his Roswell, New Mexico, ranch, and he starts to hear voices–like someone is asking for his help.

With his best friend Dibs and crush Gracie by his side, and his Cracker Jack superhero membership card, a slingshot, and a small American flag–for peace–in tow, Mylo sets out on an epic adventure to investigate the crash and find the Martians. But he and his friends end up discovering more about the universe than they ever could have imagined.

Review:

I really enjoyed this story!

At first, I didn’t realize it was about the famous Roswell spaceship. This is a cool way to teach kids history, though it is a fictional story. The historical elements of the story were great, especially the way that the kids rode horses around town.

This story was also an emotional rollercoaster. The main character lost his brother a year before, and he keeps revisiting his grave. He misses him tremendously. Though he’s excited about the alien discovery, he wishes his brother was there with him to experience it too.

This story was fast paced and exciting! I loved it!

Stacking the Shelves – October 6

This is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

I received these books from the Penguin Random House Canada Fall Preview:

Set for the Holidays with Anna Olson by Anna Olson
The Oyster Thief by Sonia Faruqi
Midnight Light: A Personal Journey to the North by Dave Bidini
The Winters by Lisa Gabriele
Boy Wonders: A Memoir by Cathal Kelly
Dreaming Sally: A True Story of First Love, Sudden Death and Long Shadows by James Fitzgerald

I also was approved for two books on NetGalley from Simon & Schuster Canada:

Slayer by Kiersten White
The Reckoning of Noah Shaw (The Shaw Confessions #2) by Michelle Hodkin

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Simon & Schuster Canada for these books!

What books did you get this week?

Review: Grim Lovelies

Title: Grim Lovelies
Author: Megan Shepherd
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence. That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is accused of the crime.

Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they’ve ever known…but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for.

From New York Times bestselling author Megan Shepherd, Grim Lovelies is an epic and glittering YA fantasy. Prepare to be spellbound by the world of Grim Lovelies, where secrets have been long buried, friends can become enemies, and everything—especially humanity—comes at a price.

Review:

I was drawn to this book because of the beautiful cover! I love the gold accents on it.

This was a good story. It has an unusual setting. It seems to be set in modern day Paris, however the witches and Royals are living in the past. They have old-fashioned, Victorian homes and customs. Some characters used cell phones, so I could tell that it is happening today. The two kinds of settings created a strange kind of dueling atmosphere in the story.

There was lots of tension in the story, especially at the end. The story was also fast paced. I read it in just a few hours, and I couldn’t put it down. I’m curious to see how the story continues.

First Lines Friday – October 5

This is a weekly meme hosted by Wandering Words, where you give the first few lines of a book to hook your readers before introducing the book.

Here are my first lines:

“If I’m not home in two months, I’m dead. Her mother’s warning haunted her as Enne Salta lugged her leather trunk down the bridge leading off the ship, filling her with an inescapable sense of dread.”

Do you recognize these first lines?

…

And the book is… Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody.

Goodreads synopsis:

Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets…and secrets hide in every shadow.

Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school—and her reputation—behind to follow her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted.

Frightened and alone, Enne has only one lead: the name Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected—he’s a street lord and a con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up a rapidly unraveling investment scam, so he doesn’t have time to investigate a woman leading a dangerous double life. Enne’s offer of compensation, however, could be the solution to all his problems.

Their search for clues leads them through glamorous casinos, illicit cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless Mafia donna. As Enne unearths an impossible secret about her past, Levi’s enemies catch up to them, ensnaring him in a vicious execution game where the players always lose. To save him, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city…

And she’ll need to play.

Have you read Ace of Shades? What did you think of it?

Review: Swallow’s Dance

Title: Swallow’s Dance
Author: Wendy Orr
Genre: Middle Grade
Publisher: Pajama Press
Source: Publisher
Release Date: October 1, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

I wonder if the first day of Learning is always like this – do the girls on the hill always feel the ground tremble under their feet? Leira is about to start her initiation as a priestess when her world is turned upside down. A violent earthquake leaves her home – and her family – in pieces. And the goddess hasn’t finished with the island yet.

With her family, Leira flees across the sea to Crete, expecting sanctuary. But a volcanic eruption throws the entire world into darkness. After the resulting tsunami, society descends into chaos; the status and privilege of being noble-born reduced to nothing. With her injured mother and elderly nurse, Leira has only the strength and resourcefulness within herself to find safety.

Review:

This is a great tale about Ancient Greece.

Leira loses almost everything when an earthquake hits her home. Her home is destroyed and her mother bangs her head, losing consciousness. She eventually wakes up but she can no longer speak. Leira and her nurse Nunu, along with her mother, are sent to Crete, where more tragedy strikes. Though Leira suffers devastating losses, she stays strong to help her nurse and her mother.

This is a very powerful story. It was quite emotional at times. I had tears in my eyes by the end, but I was pleased with the ending. This story has a traditional Greek form because it is written partly in verse. The sections in verse are particularly descriptive and lyrical. This reinforces the Greek atmosphere of the story.

This is a beautiful and powerful story. I loved it!

TBR Thursday – October 4

TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.

My pick this week is Obsidio (The Illuminae Files, #3) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Kady, Ezra, Hanna, and Nik narrowly escaped with their lives from the attacks on Heimdall station and now find themselves crammed with 2,000 refugees on the container ship, Mao. With the jump station destroyed and their resources scarce, the only option is to return to Kerenza—but who knows what they’ll find seven months after the invasion?

Meanwhile, Kady’s cousin, Asha, survived the initial BeiTech assault and has joined Kerenza’s ragtag underground resistance. When Rhys—an old flame from Asha’s past—reappears on Kerenza, the two find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict.

With time running out, a final battle will be waged on land and in space, heroes will fall, and hearts will be broken.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Review: Dawn and the Impossible Three (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #5)

Title: Dawn and the Impossible Three (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #5)
Author: Gale Galligan
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Graphix
Source: Library
Release Date: September 26, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Dawn Schafer is the newest member of The Baby-sitters Club. While she’s still adjusting to life in Stoneybrook after moving from sunny California, she’s eager to accept her first big job. But taking care of the three Barrett kids would be too much for anybaby-sitter. The house is always a mess, the kids are out of control, and Mrs. Barrett never does any of the things she promises. On top of all that, Dawn wants to fit in with the other members of the BSC, but she can’t figure out how to get along with Kristy. Was joining The Baby-sitters Club a mistake?

A graphic novel adaptation of the original story.

Review:

This fifth instalment in the Baby-Sitters Club series has a new illustrator! I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical about the change because I love Raina Telgemeier. I am very pleased with how Gale Galligan put her own spin on the girls.

In this story, the girls have to deal with changing friendships. Kristy will be moving into her new stepfather’s house, so she worries that her place in the club will be jeopardized. She also gets upset when Mary Anne and Dawn seem to be getting closer because their parents are dating. She is jealous of the possibility that they could become stepsisters.

Another important issue the girls have to face is how to address problems with adults. Dawn babysits for three difficult siblings, and she can see that she steps in many times when their mother should be there instead. The mother doesn’t even tell Dawn about one child’s allergies, which could have had dangerous consequences. Eventually, Dawn must figure out a way to solve this problem.

This is a great series! I can’t wait for the next Baby-Sitter’s Club graphic novel!

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – October 3

This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.

The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Five years ago, Evelyn and Philippa Hapwell cowered from air strikes in a London bomb shelter. But that night took a turn when the sisters were transported to another realm called the Woodlands. In a forest kingdom populated by creatures out of myth and legend, they found temporary refuge.

When they finally returned to London, nothing had changed at all—nothing, except themselves.

Now, Ev spends her days sneaking into the woods outside her boarding school, wishing for the Woodlands. Overcome with longing, she is desperate to return no matter what it takes.

Philippa, on the other hand, is determined to find a place in this world. She shields herself behind a flawless exterior and countless friends, and moves to America to escape the memory of what was.

But when Evelyn goes missing, Philippa must confront the depth of her sister’s despair and the painful truths they’ve been running from. As the weeks unfold, Philippa wonders if Ev truly did find a way home, or if the weight of their worlds pulled her under.

What books are you waiting on this week?

Review: Son of a Critch: A Childish Newfoundland Memoir

Title: Son of a Critch: A Newfoundland Memoir
Author: Mark Critch
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Publisher: Penguin Random House Canada
Source: Publisher
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A heartfelt and outrageously funny memoir about Newfoundland, family, and being the weirdest kid in school

What could be better than growing up in the 1980s? How about growing up in 1980s Newfoundland, which as Mark Critch will tell you, was more like the 1960s. Critch takes us to where it all began in this tremendously funny and warm look back on his formative years. A “recovering Catholic,” he recalls his many misadventures growing up on the outskirts of a small town. And when your radio-star dad is the talk of the town, and your mom can’t stop talking at all, life at home is always entertaining.

Best known as the “roving reporter” for CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Mark Critch has photo-bombed Justin Trudeau, interviewed Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle (while impersonating Alan Doyle), offered Pamela Anderson a million dollars to stop acting, and crashed White House briefings. But in this hilarious debut, we learn that Critch has been causing trouble his whole life. Son of a Critch will have you longing for life in Canada’s most unique province–even if you’ve never been there–and marvelling at how one person’s childhood could be so ridiculously funny.

Review:

My favourite comedians are all from Newfoundland: Jonny Harris, Rick Mercer, and, of course, Mark Critch. I was so excited to learn that Mark Critch had written a book, and I knew I had to read it!

Mark Critch is one of the funniest men on TV. The segment on his show, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, that I enjoyed the most was based on the news story of the boy who went up in a homemade hot air balloon a few years ago. The actual news story ended up being a hoax. Mark did a parody of this story, which was a baby in a grocery bag that blew into a tree. I still burst out laughing thinking about that sketch! I became a lifelong fan of Mark Critch. (Here’s the link to the clip on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE1CW7-bFv8)

If you love 22 Minutes, you will love Son of a Critch! This book was hilarious! Mark’s storytelling from the show was evident in this book. I learned some of the history of Newfoundland from his stories. I loved the stories and I could hear my own relatives from Bishop’s Falls, Newfoundland in this book.

I loved this book! I recommend it to anyone who needs a good laugh!

Goodreads Synopsis:

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Review:

What to read next:

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes

Lemons by Melissa Savage

Set for the Holidays with Anna Olson by Anna Olson

The Oyster Thief by Sonia Faruqi

Midnight Light: A Personal Journey to the North by Dave Bidini

The Winters by Lisa Gabriele

Boy Wonders: A Memoir by Cathal Kelly

Dreaming Sally: A True Story of First Love, Sudden Death and Long Shadows by James Fitzgerald

Slayer by Kiersten White

The Reckoning of Noah Shaw (The Shaw Confessions #2) by Michelle Hodkin

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Goodreads synopsis:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr

Nim’s Island (Nim #1) by Wendy Orr

Goodreads Synopsis:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Dawn and the Impossible Three (The Baby-Sitters Club #5) by Ann M. Martin

Kristy’s Big Day (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #6) by Gale Galligan

Goodreads Synopsis:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Canada by Mike Myers

Rick Mercer Report: The Book by Rick Mercer