Month: May 2019

Review: The Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate

Title: The Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate
Author: Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, LeUyen Pham (illustrations)
Genre: Children’s
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 5, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Noseholes and elephants! A pet-eating monster interrupts a perfect playdate with Princess Sneezewort . . . but who is that new masked avenger?

Princess Magnolia and Princess Sneezewort have plans . . . mysterious plans, like a princess playdate! They dress-up slam! They karaoke jam! They playhouse romp and snack-time stomp! But then a shout from outside Princess Sneezewort’s castle interrupts their fun. It’s a monster trying to eat someone’s kitty! This is a job for the Princess in Black. Yet when the Princess in Black gets there, she finds only a masked stranger and no monster in sight . . . or is there? Action and humor abound in this ode to friendship that proves that when shape-shifting monsters intrude on your plans, two heroes are better than one.

Review:

The Princess in Black makes a new superhero friend in this story. The story begins after she has defeated a monster with the Goat Avenger. She has a play date with Princess Sneezewort, but it is interrupted by a monster in the park. Princess Sneezewort uses the list of steps she read in a magazine to transform into a hero, the Princess in Blankets. Together, the Princess in Black and the Princess in Blankets defeat the monster.

This is an adorable series! The story is funny and the pictures are beautiful. I love the vibrant colours of the characters and the setting.

Though these stories are short, the characters become more developed in each one. A couple of books ago, Princess Magnolia met Princess Sneezewort. In this book, Princess Sneezewort transformed into a hero just like the Princess in Black. I love the running joke that no one recognizes these heroes in their disguises, even though it still looks like them.

This is a great series for kids and their parents!

What to read next:

The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, LeUyen Pham (illustrator)

Have you read The Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate? What did you think of it?

First Lines Friday – May 10

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 you want to find Cherry-Tree Lane all you have to do is ask the Policeman at the crossroads. He will push his helmet slightly to one side, scratch his head thoughtfully, and then he will point his huge white-gloved finger and say: ‘First to your right, second to your left, sharp right again, and you’re there. Good-morning.'”

Do you recognize these first lines?

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And the book is… Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins #1) by P.L. Travers.

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Goodreads synopsis:

When Jane and Michael Banks draw up an advertisement for a nanny, Mary Poppins arrives on a gust of the East Wind and slides up the bannister, changing their lives forever.

Their wonderful new nanny is strict but fair, and full of surprises. Soon the Banks children are whisked off on the most exciting and magical adventures they have ever had. But Mary Poppins has only promised to stay until the wind changes…

Have you read Mary Poppins? What did you think of it?

Review: Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens

Title: Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens
Author: Tanya Boteju
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Perpetually awkward Nima Kumara-Clark is bored with her insular community of Bridgeton, in love with her straight girlfriend, and trying to move past her mother’s unexpected departure. After a bewildering encounter at a local festival, Nima finds herself suddenly immersed in the drag scene on the other side of town.

Macho drag kings, magical queens, new love interests, and surprising allies propel Nima both painfully and hilariously closer to a self she never knew she could be—one that can confidently express and accept love. But she’ll have to learn to accept lost love to get there. 

Review:

This was a great story about finding your identity.

The story was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the scenes where Nami learned about drag queens and kings. I had never heard of drag kings before reading this novel. At first, Nami was unsure of the drag show, but she ended up loving it. She also befriended a king and a queen.

Some of the story was upsetting. Nami’s mother left her and her father without warning. When her reason is finally revealed, I didn’t like it. I didn’t think it was a good enough reason, because she was essentially running away from her problems. Nami was dealing with her own problems, so it wasn’t fair for her to see her mom run away like that.

Nami had some embarrassing moments in the story, including vomiting in a hot tub. I felt so sympathetic for her in those moments, because they were humiliating. However, when something embarrassing happened or she made a mistake, she always got back up and kept going.

I loved this book. It’s a great story about finding your gender identity.

What to read next:

The Summer of Jordi Perez (And The Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding

Dumplin’ (Dumplin’ #1) by Julie Murphy

Have you read Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens? What did you think of it?

TBR Thursday – May 9

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 People Like Us by Dana Tele.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Kay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet, but the past is past, and she’s reinvented herself entirely. Now she’s a star soccer player whose group of gorgeous friends run their private school with effortless popularity and acerbic wit. But when a girl’s body is found in the lake, Kay’s carefully constructed life begins to topple. 

The dead girl has left Kay a computer-coded scavenger hunt, which, as it unravels, begins to implicate suspect after suspect, until Kay herself is in the crosshairs of a murder investigation. But if Kay’s finally backed into a corner, she’ll do what it takes to survive. Because at Bates Academy, the truth is something you make…not something that happened. 

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

Review: Nocturna (A Forgery of Magic #1)

Title: Nocturna (A Forgery of Magic #1)
Author: Maya Motayne
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Set in a Latinx-inspired world, a face-changing thief and a risk-taking prince must team up to defeat a powerful evil they accidentally unleashed.

To Finn Voy, magic is two things: a knife to hold under the chin of anyone who crosses her…and a disguise she shrugs on as easily as others pull on cloaks.

As a talented faceshifter, it’s been years since Finn has seen her own face, and that’s exactly how she likes it. But when Finn gets caught by a powerful mobster, she’s forced into an impossible mission: steal a legendary treasure from Castallan’s royal palace or be stripped of her magic forever.

After the murder of his older brother, Prince Alfehr is first in line for the Castallan throne. But Alfie can’t help but feel that he will never live up to his brother’s legacy. Riddled with grief, Alfie is obsessed with finding a way to bring his brother back, even if it means dabbling in forbidden magic.

But when Finn and Alfie’s fates collide, they accidentally unlock a terrible, ancient power—which, if not contained, will devour the world. And with Castallan’s fate in their hands, Alfie and Finn must race to vanquish what they have unleashed, even if it means facing the deepest darkness in their pasts.

Review:

This is the first book in an exciting new fantasy series.

The world in this novel is Latinx-inspired. I love the way that the culture was brought into the novel in the atmosphere and the language. There were Latinx-inspired words used for the magic spells in the world. I think there could have been even more Latin elements in the story, but hopefully that will come in the next book.

This story had an exciting heist-like plot, similar to Six of Crows. It was different from Six of Crows because it was only a group of two people on the quest. Because of that, it was a little easier to follow. It was a thrilling journey to read!

I loved this book! I’m excited to see what happens next! Also, Maya Motayne will be coming to the Toronto area on the weekend so I can’t wait to meet her!

What to read next:

Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1) by Leigh Bardugo

The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves #1) by Roshani Chokshi

Have you read Nocturna? What did you think of it?

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – May 8

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 Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. The release date is June 4, 2019.

Goodreads Synopsis:

All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power.

Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

What books are you waiting on this week?

Top 5 Wednesday – Mother Figures

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

This week’s prompt is Mother Figures. These are some memorable literary mother figures, either for their great skills or lack of skills… Here’s my list:

1. Molly Weasley (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)

https://www.pottermore.com/features/mrs-weasleys-defining-moments-from-boggarts-to-bellatrix

2. Margot Covey (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han)

https://to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before.fandom.com/wiki/Margot_Covey

3. Mrs. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/prideandprejudice/characters/mrs_bennet_person_page.shtml

4. Queen Clarisse (The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot)

https://d23.com/5-etiquette-rules-from-queen-clarisse-renaldi/

5. Queen Levana (The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer)

https://lunarchronicles.fandom.com/wiki/Levana_Blackburn

Who do you think are the most memorable mother figures in books?

Review: The Sea of Monsters: The Graphic Novel (Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Graphic Novels #2)

Title: The Sea of Monsters: The Graphic Novel (Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Graphic Novels #2)
Author: Rick Riordan, Robert Venditti
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventh grade has been surprisingly quiet for Percy Jackson. Not a single monster has set foot on his New York prep-school campus. But when an innocent game of dodgeball among Percy and his classmates turns into a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, things get…well, ugly. And the unexpected arrival of his friend Annabeth brings more bad news: the magical borders that protect Camp Half-Blood have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and unless a cure is found, the only safe haven for demigods will be destroyed. 

In the follow-up to the wildly popular The Lightning Thief, The Graphic Novel, Percy and his friends must journey into the Sea of Monsters to save their camp. But first, Percy will discover a stunning new secret about his family–one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon’s son is an honor or simply a cruel joke. 

Featuring a faithful adaptation by Robert Venditti, stunning artwork by Attila Futaki, and sumptuous colors by newcomer Tamas Gaspar, Rick Riordan’s blockbuster book comes to life in The Sea of Monsters, The Graphic Novel. 

Review:

This was a fun graphic novel!

I loved the original novel, The Sea of Monsters. It mirrors the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer. In the Odyssey, Odysseus faces many challenges on his way home from the Trojan war, including surviving encounters with the sorceress Circe and the cyclops Polyphemus. In this story, Percy goes on a quest with his friends to save his friend Grover and retrieve the Golden Fleece to save his camp. He also encounters Circe and Polyphemus on his journey.

This graphic novel was true to the novel. It has been a while since I read the novel, but this story was exactly the way I remembered it. The graphics were detailed as well. I loved seeing these characters come to life on the page.

I loved this graphic novel! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

What to read next:

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) by Rick Riordan

The Titan’s Curse: The Graphic Novel (Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Graphic Novels #3) by Rick Riordan, Robert Venditti

Have you read The Sea of Monsters: The Graphic Novel? What did you think of it?

Top Ten Tuesday – Characters That Remind Me of Myself

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 Characters That Remind Me of Myself. Here’s my list:

1. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling)

2. Lily Moscovitz (The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot)

3. Lena Kaligaris (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares)

4. Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen)

5. Bess Marvin (Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene)

6. Betty Cooper (Betty and Veronica by Adam Hughes)

7. Aria Montgomery (Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard)

8. Gertrude Yorkes (Runaways, Vol. 1: Find Your Way Home by Rainbow Rowell, Kris Anka)

9. Violet Beaudelaire (The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket)

10. Batgirl (Batgirl at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee)

(All photos taken from Goodreads)

Review: Mya’s Strategy to Save The World

Title: Mya’s Strategy to Save the World
Author: Tanya Lloyd Kyi
Genre: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Publisher: Penguin Random House Canada
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 30, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old Mya Parsons could save the world and organize her family, if only she had her own cell phone. A Dork Diaries for today’s socially conscious young readers.

Mya Parsons runs her school’s social justice club with her best friend, Cleo. Her lifelong desire is to work for the United Nations and change the world, and then bask in all the ensuing adulation. Her more immediate desire is to get a phone, preferably one like Cleo’s, with a leopard-print case to match. When her distracted dad and her long-distance mom (temporarily in Myanmar taking care of Mya’s grandmother) both say no, no way, and possibly never, Mya launches a campaign to prove herself reliable and deserving. She advertises her babysitting services, takes on more responsibility around the house, and attempts to supervise her sister’s skateboarding lessons. Her efforts leave her ego bruised and the kitchen slightly scorched. She’s no closer to touch-screen victory, let alone the Nobel Peace Prize she deserves. But all that changes after an accident leaves Mya to take charge–an experience which helps her realize how much she’s grown, with or without access to proper communications.

Review:

I really enjoyed this book! Mya has an easygoing, simple way of narrating, which made the story a quick read.

Mya is a great character. She has a good heart, but she also has flaws. Her dream is to work in the United Nations, so she spends a lot of her time researching social justice issues throughout the world. Her mother is in Myanmar during the story, so she has a close relation to things that are happening there. At the same time, Mya doesn’t always treat everyone fairly. She could be selfish at times, such as when she didn’t want to help her dad with chores when he was swamped with work. This balance of good qualities and flaws made her a realistic character.

I loved the way that Mya was very tuned into what was happening in the world. It is important for kids to know what problems people in different parts of the world are facing in their daily lives, and how it can affect themselves. For example, she found out that children have to mine cobalt in Africa, which is then used to make cell phones. That made her rethink her priorities.

I think Mya is a relatable character. This story was a lot of fun to read!

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

The Becket List: A Blackberry Farm Story by Adele Griffin, LeUyen Pham

Best Babysitters Ever by Caroline Cala

Have you read Mya’s Strategy to Save the World? What did you think of it?