Review: The Hiddenseek

Title: The Hiddenseek
Author: Nate Cernosek
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 24, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

In this spine-chilling middle grade debut–perfect for fans of Small Spaces and the Goosebumps series–a brother and sister are transported to a cursed world based on the game hide-and-seek, where they are pursued by a shape-shifting witch, the game never ends, and the only way to get home is to win. 

“You hid. But you were not found. You thought you were playing a harmless game. You were wrong.” 

After Holly and Hector Thorn are left behind during a simple game of hide-and-seek, they find themselves transported to a gloomy, magical world seemingly trapped in time–the Hiddenseek. There, It, a witch with the ability to transform into a raven and a wolf, stalks children day and night, turning any she can lay hands on into statues, frozen forever in their final moments of terror. 

Together with the other lost children they encounter, Holly and Hector will have to unravel the mysterious origins of the Hiddenseek and find a way to put a stop to the curse once and for all, before they get stuck there forever . . . Because in this twisted game of hide-and-seek, they are playing for their lives.

Review:

The only thing worse than being found while playing hide and seek is not being found at all. When Holly was playing hide and seek with her brother, Hector, and his friends, she wasn’t found. She came out of her hiding spot and saw a man, named Oliver, who told her he must take her to a place called The Hiddenseek since she lost the game. Hector also wasn’t found, so he was sent to The Hiddenseek with Holly. Now, they’re in an even more dangerous game, being chased by It, a witch who can turn them to stone if she catches them. Holly and Hector have to win the game to save their lives.

Most kids play hide and seek, but usually the stakes are not as high as they are in The Hiddenseek. It’s not fun to not be found, because, though it could mean that you found a great hiding place, it could also mean that the other players forgot about you. Holly and Hector, along with the other kids they meet, were all tricked while playing hide and seek and not found. This was the ultimate worst ending to a game of hide and seek.

This was a spooky story. The kids were transported to a forest with a deep history. They had to figure out why they had been brought there before they could find their way home. I would have loved this spooky horror story when I was a kid!

The Hiddenseek is a creepy middle grade story!

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

What to read next:

Hush-A-Bye by Jody Lee Mott

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia

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

Review: From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash #1)

Title: From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash #1)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Blue Box Press
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 30, 2020
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A Maiden…

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

A Duty…

The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.

A Kingdom…

Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel.

Review:

Poppy was chosen at birth to be the Maiden, never to be looked at or spoken to, waiting for her Ascension when she would be blessed by the gods. The kingdom is protecting her, by keeping her isolated and abused. However, they don’t expect Poppy to fight back. When one of her personal guards is killed in front of her, Poppy is assigned a brand new guard named Hawke. Poppy and Hawke have already had a secret romantic encounter, which would ruin Poppy if anyone found out about her rebellion. Poppy has to deal with all of these issues while also opening up to new love.

I’ve seen this book everywhere for the last year, and I knew I would love it before I read it. This story didn’t disappoint. It was incredibly detailed, but didn’t feel tedious. It followed every moment of these important days of Poppy’s life.

I felt like there was going to be a twist at the end, but it still shocked me. It was actually similar to a twist that I have in the book I’m currently writing, so I just loved it. This story was worth all the hype!

From Blood and Ash is an exciting romantic fantasy!

What to read next:

Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Other books in the series:

  • A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
  • The Crown of Gilded Bones

Have you read From Blood and Ash? What did you think of it?

TBR Thursday – August 26

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 Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves #2) by Roshani Chokshi.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

They are each other’s fiercest love, greatest danger, and only hope. 

Séverin and his team members might have successfully thwarted the Fallen House, but victory came at a terrible cost — one that still haunts all of them. Desperate to make amends, Séverin pursues a dangerous lead to find a long lost artifact rumoured to grant its possessor the power of God.

Their hunt lures them far from Paris, and into the icy heart of Russia where crystalline ice animals stalk forgotten mansions, broken goddesses carry deadly secrets, and a string of unsolved murders makes the crew question whether an ancient myth is a myth after all.

As hidden secrets come to the light and the ghosts of the past catch up to them, the crew will discover new dimensions of themselves. But what they find out may lead them down paths they never imagined.

A tale of love and betrayal as the crew risks their lives for one last job.

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

Review: An Unkindness of Ravens

Title: An Unkindness of Ravens
Author: Dan Panosian, Marianna Ignazzi
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 8, 2021
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Acclaimed cartoonist Dan Panosian and rising star artist Marianna Ignazzi present a new supernatural mystery about a group of high schoolers steeped in witchcraft and the town they live in filled with long-hidden secrets and unchecked power.

WELCOME TO CRAB’S EYE. A SMALL TOWN WHERE MAGIC IS REAL AND GOSSIP CAN KILL.

Not all the witches burned during the Salem Witch Trials—and the ones that survived did so together, protecting the ancient secrets entrusted to them for generations. They call themselves the Ravens. Wilma is the new girl in school, and she plans to go completely unnoticed—except that she bears an eerie resemblance to the Raven member Waverly, who just went missing. The truth behind Waverly’s disappearance will put the entire coven in danger—and Wilma will have to rely on power she never knew she had if she wants to save her new friends!

Acclaimed cartoonist Dan Panosian (Slots) and rising star artist Marianna Ignazzi present a new supernatural mystery about a group of high schoolers steeped in witchcraft and the town they live in filled with long-hidden secrets and unchecked power. Collects An Unkindness of Ravens #1-5.

Review:

Wilma moves with her dad to his hometown of Crab’s Eye after he got a new job. Immediately, two different groups of students try to recruit Wilma to join them. One group is the popular kids who rule the school. The other group is known as the Ravens. Wilma looks exactly like Waverly, a member of the Ravens who just disappeared. Wilma has to choose which group she’s going to join, so she can learn more about her past and her new powers.

This was a creepy graphic novel. Right from the start, things seemed strange, since a missing girl looked exactly like Wilma. Then, the two groups of students tried to get Wilma to join them. The Ravens had some kind of supernatural powers, that I wish we saw more of in the story.

The ending of the story felt a little rushed. There was a lot that happened in a short amount of time. Since the title and cover show the Ravens, I would have loved to see more of them. The story mostly focused on what was happening to Wilma, which was interesting, but I think there is a lot more to know about the Ravens.

An Unkindness of Ravens is a great, creepy YA graphic novel.

Thank you BOOM! Studios for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Martian Ghost Centaur by Mat Heagerty

Specter Inspectors by Bowen McCurdy

Have you read An Unkindness of Ravens? What did you think of it?

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – August 25

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 As If on Cue by Marisa Kanter. The expected publication date is September 21, 2021.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A pair of fierce foes are forced to work together to save the arts at their school in this swoony YA enemies-to-lovers romance that fans of Jenny Han and Morgan Matson are sure to adore.

Lifelong rivals Natalie and Reid have never been on the same team. So when their school’s art budget faces cutbacks, of course Natalie finds herself up against her nemesis once more. She’s fighting to direct the school’s first ever student-written play, but for her small production to get funding, the school’s award-winning band will have to lose it. Reid’s band. And he’s got no intention of letting the show go on.

But when their rivalry turns into an all-out prank war that goes too far, Natalie and Reid have to face the music, resulting in the worst compromise: writing and directing a musical. Together. At least if they deliver a sold-out show, the school board will reconsider next year’s band and theater budget. Everyone could win.

Except Natalie and Reid.

Because after spending their entire lives in competition, they have absolutely no idea how to be co-anything. And they certainly don’t know how to deal with the feelings that are inexplicably, weirdly, definitely developing between them…

What books are you waiting on this week?

Happy Pub Day – August 24

Happy Pub Day to all of these new books!

Both Sides Now by Peyton Thomas

Where I Left Her by Amber Garza

Witch For Hire by Ted Naifeh

Hush-A-Bye by Jody Lee Mott

The Hiddenseek by Nate Cernosek

Devil in the Device by Lora Beth Johnson

Edie in Between by Laura Sibson

Burden Falls by Kat Ellis

Vampires, Hearts, and Other Dead Things by Margie Fuston

Eyes of the Forest by April Henry

Bad Witch Burning by Jessica Lewis

Beyond the Mapped Stars by Rosalyn Eves

What books are you most excited for this week?

Top Ten Tuesday – Books I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time

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 Books I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time. Here’s my list:

1. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

2. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

3. Shadowland by Meg Cabot

4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

5. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

6. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

7. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

8. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

9. City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

10. Vampires Never Get Old by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker (editors)

(All book covers from Goodreads)

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

Review: Witch For Hire

Title: Witch For Hire
Author: Ted Naifeh
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Amulet Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 24, 2021
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

When a series of high school pranks get out of hand, teen witch Faye Faulkner is the only one who can solve the case in this spooky YA graphic novel

Faye Faulker isn’t popular, and that’s just fine by her. She spends her lunches at the Loser Table with the other social rejects, aka her best friends, and brushes off the uninspired taunts from the cool kids. But when lonely freshman Cody finds her way to Faye’s corner of the cafeteria, it sets off a peculiar chain of events . . . To Cody’s surprise, these kids aren’t so bad; an overdramatic theater nerd, a handicapable girl in a wheelchair, an overweight boy, and Faye, who comes to school every day dressed like a witch. But it’s no costume, Fay really is a witch!

While high school can be hell for many reasons, this year the ante has been raised when a series of pranks swiftly go from mischievous to downright dangerous. From the lowliest debate team nerds to the prom queen, no one is safe, not even the teachers! When things start to really get out of hand, Cody owns up to Faye: in a moment of desperation, she signed up for an online challenge that promises to grant popularity to those who follow the website’s twisted demands.

Now Faye is faced with a choice: Reveal her witchy nature to Cody and help her or stand aside and keep her secret identity safe. Despite her misgivings, Faye takes on the case, but will her powers be strong enough to solve this mystery? And will people ever stop asking her if she puts newts’ eyes in her homemade baked goods? Witch for Hire is a gothic whodunnit about resilience, magic, and the power of friendship.

Review:

Faye Faulkner isn’t popular. She sits at the “loser” table and wears her witch’s hat. When Cody starts going to that school, her popular older sister sends her to the loser table, so Cody befriends Faye. Then a series of pranks begin happening, targeting students and teachers. The pranks take a dangerous turn, which makes Faye decide to figure out who or what is behind these pranks.

This story showed the dangers of cyber bullying. The students who were targeted by a social media account were told to do dangerous things at school. Some of the pranks became life threatening. This story had a magic side to it as well, but the bullying began with a social media account, which was realistic.

I liked that Faye was unapologetically herself. She was called names because of the witchy way she dressed, but she insisted on being herself and wearing her witch hat. It is so important to show a character in a teen book that doesn’t cave to peer pressure. With all of the cyber bullying that encouraged students to do dangerous pranks in this story, it was nice to see a strong, confident character.

Witch for Hire is a YA graphic novel with an important message.

Thank you Amulet Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Cheer Up!: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier

Have you read Witch For Hire? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – August 23

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 Witch For Hire by Ted Naifeh.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading Both Sides Now by Peyton Thomas.

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

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – August 22

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 7 weekly blogging memes:

How was your week? What did you guys read?