February 2019 – Page 6 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Lady Smoke (Ash Princess Trilogy #2)

Title: Lady Smoke (Ash Princess Trilogy #2)
Author: Laura Sebastian
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: February 5, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller that was “made for fans of Victoria Aveyard and Sabaa Tahir” ( Bustle ), Lady Smoke is an epic new fantasy about a throne cruelly stolen and a girl who must fight to take it back for her people.

The Kaiser murdered Theodosia’s mother, the Fire Queen, when Theo was only six. He took Theo’s country and kept her prisoner, crowning her Ash Princess–a pet to toy with and humiliate for ten long years. That era has ended. The Kaiser thought his prisoner weak and defenseless. He didn’t realize that a sharp mind is the deadliest weapon.

Theo no longer wears a crown of ashes. She has taken back her rightful title, and a hostage–Prinz Soren. But her people remain enslaved under the Kaiser’s rule, and now she is thousands of miles away from them and her throne.

To get them back, she will need an army. Only, securing an army means she must trust her aunt, the dreaded pirate Dragonsbane. And according to Dragonsbane, an army can only be produced if Theo takes a husband. Something an Astrean Queen has never done.

Theo knows that freedom comes at a price, but she is determined to find a way to save her country without losing herself.

Review:

I loved this book!

It started exactly where Ash Princess ended. The characters discussed some things that happened as a refresher of the last book. It was easy to get right back into the story.

This story explored some of the other countries in the world. Theo and her group have to get some help gathering armies to invade Astrea. I loved seeing how different these other countries were from the Kalovaxians.

Theo is a great character. She grows a lot in this story. She was so sheltered that she doesn’t understand a lot of things in the world, but she doesn’t show her lack of knowledge. She is still able to control her people and grow as a queen.

The ending of this book was so thrilling! I can’t wait to see what happens next!

First Lines Friday – February 8

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:

“My computer is winking at me knowingly when I sit down at my desk. I touch the keyboard, and a photo of Paul appears on my screen. It’s the one I took of him in Rome on our honeymoon, eyes full of love across a table in the Campo dei Fiori. I try to smile back at him but as I lean in, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the screen and stop.”

Do you recognize these first lines?

…

And the book is… The Child by Fiona Barton.

Goodreads synopsis:

As an old house is demolished in a gentrifying section of London, a workman discovers a tiny skeleton, buried for years. For journalist Kate Waters, it’s a story that deserves attention. She cobbles together a piece for her newspaper, but at a loss for answers, she can only pose a question: Who is the Building Site Baby?

As Kate investigates, she unearths connections to a crime that rocked the city decades earlier: A newborn baby was stolen from the maternity ward in a local hospital and was never found. Her heartbroken parents were left devastated by the loss.

But there is more to the story, and Kate is drawn—house by house—into the pasts of the people who once lived in this neighborhood that has given up its greatest mystery. And she soon finds herself the keeper of unexpected secrets that erupt in the lives of three women—and torn between what she can and cannot tell…

Have you read The Child? What did you think of it?

Review: The Girl Who Wasn’t There (Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Graphic Novels #4)

Title: The Girl Who Wasn’t There (Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Graphic Novels #4)
Author: Stefan Petrucha, Sho Murase
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Papercutz
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 1, 2006
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Nancy gets a call for help late one night from a girl she befriended over the phone when getting technical support to help fix her computer. When the line goes dead, Nancy is determined to get to the bottom of things. Soon, Nancy, her Dad, and friends George and Bess are on their way to India to find Kalpana, the girl who wasn’t there! It’s only a matter of time before Nancy is captured by Sahadev the crime lord and is being sacrificed to Kali! Ages 8 to 12.

Review:

This graphic novel had a silly premise. Nancy became friends with a telemarketer in India. When the girl, Kalpana, called Nancy, she discovered that she was a fan of Nancy Drew, so they kept chatting. However, one day Kalpana went missing. Coincidentally, Nancy’s father was going on a business trip to India. Nancy and her friends tagged along to search for her friend.

It was a little strange that Nancy would drop everything to go find a girl who she had only spoken with on the phone. She didn’t know the girl well, but she was willing to travel across the world to find her. It may make Nancy seem like a great friend, but it was also foolish because she had no idea who this girl could be.

Though I had problems with the plot, the graphics in the book were great. I love how there was a depth of field because certain parts of the images were in focus while others were blurry or out of focus. It made the images look real. There was also movement in the pictures by making them look blurry on the edges to show people or things moving.

Despite the silly premise, I think Nancy Drew fans would like this graphic novel.

TBR Thursday – February 7

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 The Belles (The Belles #1) by Dhonielle Clayton.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orléans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orléans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful.

But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favorite—the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orléans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land. But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie—that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined. And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision.

With the future of Orléans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide—save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles—or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever.

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

Review: Narwhal’s Otter Friend (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #4)

Title: Narwhal’s Otter Friend (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #4)
Author: Ben Clanton
Genre: Children’s
Publisher: Tundra Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 5, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Narwhal and Jelly . . . and Otty?! Exuberant Narwhal and skeptical Jelly test the waters of adding a new friend to their pod when they meet Otty the super-adventurous otter in the fourth book of this blockbuster early graphic novel series!

Dive into three new stories about the joy of adventure and the power of friendship! In the first story, Otty the otter makes her debut splash; while Narwhal greets her with immediate enthusiasm, Jelly’s not so sure about her…mostly because he worries she’ll take his place as Narwhal’s best friend. Readers will easily see why Narwhal’s so excited to meet Otty, a boisterous explorer who even has an aunt who’s a real live sea captain! But readers will also relate to Jelly’s uneasiness seeing his best friend making a new pal.

Jelly tries to work out his jealousy in story two, and in story three, the new trio say “Ahoy, adventure!” and discover they all have more in common than they thought . . . including a love of waffles! Jelly also takes over the “Super Waffle and Strawberry Sidekick” comic providing a sidekick’s-eye-view of defeating the dreaded dEVILed egg!

Review:

The Narhwal and Jelly books are so much fun! They’re a quick read, but very enjoyable.

In this story, Narwhal meets Otter the explorer. They become friends and plan an adventure together. However, Jelly feels left out. He is suspicious of Otter. He tries to find other friends to play with, but in the end he goes back to his best friend, Narwhal.

This book was full of puns. They were very funny. There was a birthday “shellabration” for a turtle. The famous snail explorer Captain Goodhart had the motto “Seas the day.” I couldn’t help but laugh at all of the puns.

I love this book! If you’re looking for a funny read, you should check this one out.

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – February 6

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 Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds. The release date is March 12, 2019.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Jack Ellison King. King of Almost.

He almost made valedictorian.

He almost made varsity.

He almost got the girl . . .

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, bonding until sunrise over their mutual love of Froot Loops and their favorite flicks, Jack knows he’s falling—hard. Soon she’s meeting his best friends, Jillian and Franny, and Kate wins them over as easily as she did Jack. Jack’s curse of almost is finally over.

But this love story is . . . complicated. It is an almost happily ever after. Because Kate dies. And their story should end there. Yet Kate’s death sends Jack back to the beginning, the moment they first meet, and Kate’s there again. Beautiful, radiant Kate. Healthy, happy, and charming as ever. Jack isn’t sure if he’s losing his mind. Still, if he has a chance to prevent Kate’s death, he’ll take it. Even if that means believing in time travel. However, Jack will learn that his actions are not without consequences. And when one choice turns deadly for someone else close to him, he has to figure out what he’s willing to do—and let go—to save the people he loves.

What books are you waiting on this week?

Top 5 Wednesday – Nostalgic Ships

This meme is hosted by Sam from Thoughts on Tomes. The Goodreads Group for Top 5 Wednesday can be found here.

This week’s prompt is Nostalgic Ships. These are the first fictional couples I loved when I was younger:

1. Suze and Jesse (The Mediator series by Meg Cabot)

2. Ron and Hermione (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)

3. Edward and Bella (Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer)

4. Ned and Nancy (Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene)

5. Reeve and Janie (The Face on the Milk Carton series by Caroline B. Cooney)

What were your most disappointing reads of 2018?

Review: Best Babysitters Ever (Best Babysitters Ever #1)

Title: Best Babysitters Ever (Best Babysitters Ever #1)
Author: Caroline Cala
Genre: Middle Grade
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 5, 2019
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A funny new middle grade series about three 12-year-old best friends who start a babysitting club in their small California town. Perfect for fans of series like Whatever After and the Dork Diaries.

Once upon a time, a girl named Kristy Thomas had a great idea: to form The Baby-Sitters Club with her best friends. And now twelve-year-old Malia Twiggs has had a great idea too. Technically, she had Kristy’s idea. (And technically, little kids seem gross and annoying, but a paycheck is a paycheck). After a little convincing, Malia and her friends Dot and Bree start a babysitting club to earn funds for an epic birthday bash. But babysitting definitely isn’t what they thought it would be.

Three friends. No parents. Unlimited snacks. And, okay, occasionally watching other people’s children. What could possibly go wrong?

Review:

This is a great book about friendship.

Malia gets the idea to create a babysitting club after reading Kristy’s Great Idea, which is the first book in the Baby-Sitters Club series. I loved that series when I was growing up! This is a great way to update the story for today’s young readers. Even though there are new graphic novel versions of the Baby-Sitters Club books, some of the things in the books are still dated. This story had modern characters, complete with cell phones!

The story was fast paced. There were a lot of similarities between the characters in this book and the ones from the Babysitters club. For instance, Bree has a large blended family, just like Kristy in the Babysitters club. Malia has an annoying older sister just like Claudia. However, some of the characters were kind of extreme and annoying. Bree was emotional and cried a lot. She was also obsessed with glitter and Taylor Swift. She seemed very over the top most of the time.

I’m curious to see what happens next in this series, and to see how much it will be like the Baby-Sitters Club.

Top Ten Tuesday – Upcoming Releases I’m On The Fence About

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is Upcoming Releases I’m On The Fence About. This is such a hard list to write because there are so many good books coming out! These are the ones that I don’t have ARCs of, and I’m not sure if I’ll be buying. Here’s my list:

1. Enchantée by Gita Release

2. The Antidote by Shelley Sakier

3. Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte

4. We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

5. Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña

6. Sherwood by Meagan Spooner

7. Internment by Samira Ahmed

8. Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan

9. With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

10. Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo

(All photos taken from Goodreads)

Review: Cadaver & Queen (Cadaver & Queen #1)

Title: Cadaver & Queen (Cadaver & Queen #1)
Author: Alisa Kwitney
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 27, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

When Lizzie Lavenza enrolled at Ingold as its first female medical student, she knew she wouldn’t have an easy time. From class demands to being an outsider among her male cohorts, she’ll have to go above and beyond to prove herself. So when she stumbles across what appears to be a faulty Bio-mechanical–one of the mechanized cadavers created to service the school–she jumps at the chance to fix it and get ahead in the program.

Only this Bio-mechanical isn’t like the others. Where they are usually empty-minded and perfectly obedient, this one seems to have thoughts, feelings… and self-awareness.

Soon Lizzie realizes that it is Victor Frankenstein–a former student who died under mysterious circumstances. Victor, it seems, still has a spark of human intelligence inside him, along with memories of things he discovered before his untimely death.. .and a suspicion that he was murdered to keep that information from getting out. Suddenly Lizzie finds herself intertwined in dark secrets and sabotage that put her life, and the lives of Victor and their friends, in danger. But Lizzie’s determined to succeed–even if that means fighting an enemy who threatens the entire British Empire.

Review:

This is a great adaptation of Frankenstein.

I haven’t read the original Frankenstein, but that didn’t affect my reading. This story used some of the characters from the original story and some of the same themes, but the story was different.

I loved Lizzie! She has to deal with a lot of discrimination, but she doesn’t give up. She is the only girl in medical school, and many people assume she is in the nursing program. She is also American at a British school. I really liked the way that she took chances and stood up for what she believed in.

The second book in this series comes out in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait to read it!

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Red Queen (Red Queen #1) by Victoria Aveyard

Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake

Goodreads synopsis:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

The Fake Heir (Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Graphic Novels #5) by Stefan Petrucha, Sho Murase

The Ocean Osyria (The Hardy Boys Graphic Novel #1) by Scott Lobdell, Lea Hernandez Seidman

Goodreads Synopsis:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #1) by Ben Clanton

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #2) by Ben Clanton

Goodreads Synopsis:

1. Suze and Jesse (The Mediator series by Meg Cabot)

2. Ron and Hermione (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)

3. Edward and Bella (Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer)

4. Ned and Nancy (Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene)

5. Reeve and Janie (The Face on the Milk Carton series by Caroline B. Cooney)

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Kristy’s Great Idea (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #1) by Raina Telgemeier, Ann M. Martin

1. Enchantée by Gita Release

2. The Antidote by Shelley Sakier

3. Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte

4. We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

5. Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña

6. Sherwood by Meagan Spooner

7. Internment by Samira Ahmed

8. Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan

9. With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

10. Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White