Month: February 2021

Review: Pleasant Grove

Title: Pleasant Grove
Author: Jason Price
Genre: Middle Grade, Science Fiction
Publisher: Self-published
Source: Author
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 29, 2020
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Welcome to Pleasant Grove, a quiet small town where neighbor helps neighbor and doors are left unlocked at night-an unspoiled paradise with one peculiar feature: It’s enclosed by a glass dome.

No one can leave.
No one can enter.
No one can survive beyond the dome.

But then, a visitor arrives from the outside.

When 12-year-old Agnes Goodwin discovers a strange boy with no memory, she teams up with her best friends to unravel the mystery. Their extraordinary adventure will threaten everything they know…and everyone they love.

Review:

Twelve-year-old Agnes Goodwin lives in Pleasant Grove which is a town under a dome. Everything they need can be found in the dome. Their food is grown there and everyone works. Everyone knows each other and all the children go to school together. One day, Agnes sees a boy that she’s never seen before. This makes her start to wonder what is outside the dome. This strange boy must have come from somewhere else since she doesn’t know him. She brings her friends to investigate the dome, but what they discover threatens their town and life as they know it.

This was a thrilling science fiction story. It had a lot of similarities to the show Stranger Things and the Stephen King book Under the Dome. The people of Pleasant Grove had everything they needed in the dome, but there had to be something outside it. The story has a science fiction ending that made sense for the story.

This story is classified as a middle grade story, but the writing was more mature than writing for a middle grade reader. Just because the main character is of middle grade age, doesn’t mean the story has to be targeted to a middle grade reader. Some of the descriptive words were strange and unusual, such as “a family of strawberries” instead of a few or a handful of strawberries. The language could have been simpler and it would have made more sense.

This is a great story for fans of Stranger Things! This ebook will be free on Amazon from Feb. 22-26, so go check it out!

Thank you Jason Price for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Runaway Mix by Brenna Yovanoff

Whispering Pines by Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski

Have you read Pleasant Grove? What did you think of it?

TBR Thursday – February 11

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 Guest List by Lucy Foley.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

The bride ‧ The plus one ‧ The best man ‧ The wedding planner ‧ The bridesmaid ‧ The body 

On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed.

But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast.

And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?

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

Review: Sylvie

Title: Sylvie
Author: Sylvie Kantorovitz
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Memoir
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 9, 2021
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

In a wise and witty graphic memoir, a young artist finds her path apart from the expectations of those around her.

Sylvie lives in a school in France. Her father is the principal, and her home is an apartment at the end of a hallway of classrooms. As a young child, Sylvie and her brother explore this most unusual kingdom, full of small mysteries and quirky surprises. But in middle and high school, life grows more complicated. Sylvie becomes aware of her parents’ conflicts, the complexities of shifting friendships, and what it means to be the only Jewish family in town. She also begins to sense that her perceived “success” relies on the pursuit of math and science—even though she loves art. In a funny and perceptive graphic memoir, author-illustrator Sylvie Kantorovitz traces her first steps as an artist and teacher. The text captures her poignant questioning and her blossoming confidence, while the droll illustrations depict her making art as both a means of solace and self-expression. An affecting portrait of a unique childhood, Sylvie connects the ordinary moments of growing up to a life rich in hope and purpose.

Review:

Sylvie was born in Morocco and moved to France as a child when her dad got a job as a principal. They lived in the teacher’s school where he worked. Sylvie and her younger brother loved to explore the school. As she got older, Sylvie started to notice her parents arguing and became aware of being different, since they were the only Jewish family in the town. Sylvie was passionate about drawing, but her mom wanted her to have a more secure job, which forced her to study math and science even though she didn’t want to. This was a great coming of age memoir.

This graphic novel consisted of a variety of anecdotes from Sylvie’s life. There were moments with her friends and her siblings. Each chapter was like a snapshot of a moment in her life, which all added up to her childhood.

I loved the illustrations in this graphic novel. They looked like innocent drawings by a child, though they were more detailed than a child’s art. Since they had a childlike simplicity, it reinforced the theme of Sylvie’s childhood.

This is a beautiful graphic memoir!

Thank you Candlewick Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

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

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – February 10

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 Bridge of Souls (Cassidy Blake #3) by Victoria Schwab. The expected publication date is March 2, 2021.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Where there are ghosts, Cassidy Blake follows … unless it’s the other way around?

Cass thinks she might have this ghost-hunting thing down. After all, she and her ghost best friend, Jacob, have survived two haunted cities while travelling for her parents’ TV show.

But nothing can prepare Cass for New Orleans, which wears all of its hauntings on its sleeve. In a city of ghost tours and tombs, raucous music and all kinds of magic, Cass could get lost in all the colourful, grisly local legends. And the city’s biggest surprise is a foe Cass never expected to face: a servant of Death itself.

Cass takes on her most dangerous challenge yet… 

What books are you waiting on this week?

Review: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)

Title: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London’s Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa’s power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm’s length…everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world…and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Review:

1870: Tessa Gray travelled from New York to London to find her brother after the death of their aunt. She was greeted by two women who said they were sent to retrieve her. The women, called the Dark Sisters, kept Tessa locked up until she learned how to use her secret ability, which was to transform into any person. Just before Tessa is sent to marry the mysterious Magister, she is rescued by the Shadowhunters. With their help, Tessa has to find her brother and help save everyone from the Magister.

I love historical fiction and fantasy, so this story was the perfect combination. It was actually quite creepy at the beginning, when Tessa was learning how to use her power. The setting of Victorian London had a dark atmosphere, which added to the fantasy plot.

This was such a great story. I wish I had read it sooner. I can’t wait to read the next one!

What to read next:

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

Other books in the series:

  • Clockwork Prince
  • Clockwork Princess

Have you read Clockwork Angel? What did you think of it?

Top Ten Tuesday – Perfect Books for Valentine’s Day

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 a Valentine’s Freebie, so I made a list of Perfect Books for Valentine’s Day. Here’s my list:

1. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

2. Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

3. Well Met by Jen DeLuca

4. Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey

5. The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

6. Intercepted by Alexa Martin

7. Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao

8. The Meet-Cute Project by Rhiannon Richardson

9. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

10. The Roommate by Rosie Danan

(All book covers from Goodreads)

What’s your list of books on your Top Ten Tuesday?

Happy Pub Day – February 9

Happy Pub Day to all of these new books!

As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper

Sylvie by Sylvie Kantorovitz

The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa

The Electric Kingdom by David Arnold

City of the Uncommon Thief by Lynne Bertrand

A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett

Girl Haven by Lilah Sturges

Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce

Game Changer by Neal Shusterman

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

The Girl From Shadow Springs by Ellie Cypher

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

Stormbreak by Natalie C. Parker

A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

What books are you most excited for this week?

Review: Girl Haven

Title: Girl Haven
Author: Lilah Sturges, Meaghan Carter (illustrator)
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Oni Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 16, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

When seventh-grader Ash, his crush Eleanor, and their friends are transported to a girls-only imaginary world, Ash must come to terms with the fact that he may actually be a transgender girl. Full of wonder, humor, and heart, Girl Haven is the newest original story from the author of Lumberjanes.

Three years ago, Ash’s mom, Kristin, left home and never came back. Now, Ash lives in the house where Kristin grew up. All of her things are there. Her old room, her old clothes, and the shed, where she spent her childhood creating a fantasy world called Koretris.

Ash knows all about Koretris: how it’s a haven for girls, with no men or boys allowed, and filled with fanciful landscapes and creatures. When Ash’s friends decide to try going to Koretris, using one of Kristin’s spellbooks, Ash doesn’t think anything will happen. But the spell works, and Ash discovers that the world Kristin created is actually a real place, with real inhabitants and very real danger.

But if Koretris is real, why is Ash there? Everyone has always called Ash a boy. Ash uses he/him pronouns. Shouldn’t the spell have kept Ash out? And what does it mean if it let Ash in?

Review:

Seventh-grader Ash joins the Pride club at school. The club consists of friends Eleanor, Chloe, and Junebug. After the club meeting, Ash invites his new friends to his house to show them his mom’s art. His mom created a world called Koretris in her art and stories when she was a child. Koretris is a world filled with talking rabbits, where only girls exist. His mom disappeared years ago. Ash and his friends recite a spell from the spell book she created, which transports them to Koretris. Since boys aren’t allowed in Koretris, Ash questions whether he is meant to be a boy or a girl while also searching for his mom in this fantasy world.

This was a fun fantasy story. It’s a common storyline to be transported into a fantasy world, such as Narnia or Wonderland. I would have loved to go into the worlds of my favourite novels as a kid, so I think this story is relateable.

This story also explored what it means to be a boy or a girl. Ash had always felt more like a girl, but since everyone said that he was a boy, he figured he must be a boy. He really began to question it when he was transported to the world that was only meant for girls. This shows readers that it’s okay to question your feelings and figure out who you really are, not who others say you have to be.

I loved this middle grade graphic novel!

Thank you Oni Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Sheets by Brenna Thummler

Mooncakes by Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker

Have you read Girl Haven? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – February 8

This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!

What I just finished:

This weekend I finished Girl Haven by Lilah Sturges, Meaghan Carter (illustrator).

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce.

What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – February 7

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 9 weekly blogging memes:

How was your week? What did you guys read?