Review: King of Fools (The Shadow Game #2)

This sequel to Ace of Shades was fast paced and intense. There were many new characters as well as new subplots.

Title: King of Fools (The Shadow Game #2)
Author: Amanda Foody
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 30, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Indulge your vices in the City of Sin, where a sinister street war is brewing and fame is the deadliest killer of them all…

On the quest to find her missing mother, prim and proper Enne Salta became reluctant allies with Levi Glaisyer, the city’s most famous con man. Saving his life in the Shadow Game forced Enne to assume the identity of Seance, a mysterious underworld figure. Now, with the Chancellor of the Republic dead and bounties on both their heads, she and Levi must play a dangerous game of crime and politics…with the very fate of New Reynes at stake.

Thirsting for his freedom and the chance to build an empire, Levi enters an unlikely partnership with Vianca Augustine’s estranged son. Meanwhile, Enne remains trapped by the mafia donna’s binding oath, playing the roles of both darling lady and cunning street lord, unsure which side of herself reflects the truth.

As Enne and Levi walk a path of unimaginable wealth and opportunity, new relationships and deadly secrets could quickly lead them into ruin. And when unforeseen players enter the game, they must each make an impossible choice: To sacrifice everything they’ve earned in order to survive…

Or die as legends.

Review:

This sequel to Ace of Shades was fast paced and intense. There were many new characters as well as new subplots.

This story added a political scene to New Reynes, on top of the many gangs. It was another layer to the story, where the politicians were competing for their seat alongside the gang fights.

There were so many new characters and relationships that it was difficult to keep track of sometimes. Everyone seemed to think one way but act another, so you couldn’t really tell who was being honest. Each person also has a talent, which sometimes had to be kept a secret. It was a little confusing at times, but I had figured it out by the end.

The ending of the book dropped a bunch of bombshells. Even when I thought it was over, there were still more revelations to come. I’m curious to see what happens next.

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

What to read next:

Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody

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

Have you read King of Fools? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – April 29

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!

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 The Daughter’s Tale by Armando Lucas Correa.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading Mya’s Strategy to Save the World by Tanya Lloyd Kyi.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading Nocturna by Maya Motayne.

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

Review: Kristy’s Big Day (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #6)

It wasn’t until I started reading this book that I realized I’ve never read the original story. I knew that Kristy’s mother got remarried, but I didn’t know the story behind the wedding.

Title: Kristy’s Big Day (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #6)
Author: Gale Galligan, Ann M. Martin
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Graphic
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 28, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Kristy’s mom is getting married, and Kristy is going to be a bridesmaid! The only trouble is, fourteen kids are coming in town for the wedding. Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, Stacey, Dawn, and Mallory think they can handle it, but that’s before they spend a week changing diapers, stopping arguments, solving mix-ups, and planning activities. It’s the biggest job the BSC has ever had, but they’ll work together to make sure Kristy’s big day is a success!

Review:

It wasn’t until I started reading this book that I realized I’ve never read the original story. I knew that Kristy’s mother got remarried, but I didn’t know the story behind the wedding.

I was always fascinated with Watson’s house when I was a kid, so it was so cool to finally see it again in the images. His house has enough rooms for all 6 kids to have their own bedroom, even when they have to split their time between their other parents. There is also a ghost that lives in the attic, as well as multiple pets. This always seemed like a fun and huge house to live in!

One thing I love about this series is that it discusses real issues that kids have to deal with, while also maintaining their friend group. These include dealing with difficult siblings, medical issues, and moving to a new house. In this story, Kristy’s family is combining with her new stepfather’s family and she is moving to his new house which is across town. 

I loved this graphic novel! I’m excited to see the series continue.

What to read next:

Kristy’s Big Day (The Baby-Sitters Club #6) by Ann M. Martin

Best Babysitters Ever by Caroline Cala

Have you read Kristy’s Big Day? What did you think of it?

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – April 28

Here’s my weekly wrap-up!

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?

Sundays in Bed With… The Daughter’s Tale

This Sunday I’m reading The Daughter’s Tale by Armando Lucas Correa.

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’m reading The Daughter’s Tale by Armando Lucas Correa.

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the internationally bestselling author of The German Girl, an unforgettable family saga exploring a hidden piece of World War II history and the lengths a mother will go to protect her children—perfect for fans of Lilac Girls, We Were the Lucky Ones, and The Alice Network.

BERLIN, 1939. The dreams that Amanda Sternberg and her husband, Julius, had for their daughters are shattered when the Nazis descend on Berlin, burning down their beloved family bookshop and sending Julius to a concentration camp. Desperate to save her children, Amanda flees toward the south of France, where the widow of an old friend of her husband’s has agreed to take her in. Along the way, a refugee ship headed for Cuba offers another chance at escape and there, at the dock, Amanda is forced to make an impossible choice that will haunt her for the rest of her life. Once in Haute-Vienne, her brief respite is inter­rupted by the arrival of Nazi forces, and Amanda finds herself in a labor camp where she must once again make a heroic sacrifice.

NEW YORK, 2015. Eighty-year-old Elise Duval receives a call from a woman bearing messages from a time and country that she forced herself to forget. A French Catholic who arrived in New York after World War II, Elise is shocked to discover that the letters were from her mother, written in German during the war. Despite Elise’s best efforts to stave off her past, seven decades of secrets begin to unravel.

Based on true events, The Daughter’s Tale chronicles one of the most harrowing atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis during the war. Heart­breaking and immersive, it is a beautifully crafted family saga of love, survival, and redemption.

What book are you in bed with today?

Six for Sunday – 2019 Kid Lit Must Reads

This week’s prompt is 2019 Kid Lit Must Reads. These are the must read kid lit books that have been published so far in 2019.

This meme is hosted by Steph at A little but a lot. The weekly prompts for 2019 can be found here.

This week’s prompt is 2019 Kid Lit Must Reads. These are the must read kid lit books that have been published so far in 2019. Here’s my list:

1. The Revenge of Magic by James Riley

2. Best Babysitters Ever by Caroline Cala

3. Work It, Girl: Boss the Bestseller List Like J.K. Rowling by Caroline Moss

4. Megabat and Fancy Cat by Anna Humphrey

5. The Becket List: A Blackberry Farm Story by Adele Griffin

6. Narwhal’s Otter Friend (Narwhal and Jelly #4) by Ben Clanton

Did you write a #SixforSunday post? What was your list of 2019 Kid Lit Must Reads?

Review: Megabat and Fancy Cat (Megabat #2)

Title: Megabat and Fancy Cat
Author: Anna Humphrey, Kass Reich (illustrator)
Genre: Middle Grade
Publisher: Tundra Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 2, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A sweet and hilarious chapter book about a boy and a bat, two unlikely friends who bond over loneliness, jellyrolls and Darth Vader.

Daniel Misumi has just moved to a new house. It’s big and old and far away from his friends and his life before. AND it’s haunted . . . or is it?

Megabat was just napping on a papaya one day when he was stuffed in a box and shipped halfway across the world. Now he’s living in an old house far from home, feeling sorry for himself and accidentally scaring the people who live there.

Daniel realizes it’s not a ghost in his new house. It’s a bat. And he can talk. And he’s actually kind of cute.

Megabat realizes that not every human wants to whack him with a broom. This one shares his smooshfruit.

Add some buttermelon, juice boxes, a lightsaber and a common enemy and you’ve got a new friendship in the making!

This charming, funny story is brought to life by Kass Reich’s warm and adorable illustrations. There’s never been a bat this cute — readers will be rooting for Megabat and Daniel from page one!

Review:

This is the first book I’ve read with a bat as the main character! I don’t like bats, because we had one in our house years ago and it was very creepy. However, this Megabat is adorable!

I loved the way Megabat speaks. He sounded like a child. He uses the wrong verbs and pronouns, which was cute and innocent. He is dating a pigeon, called Birdgirl. The bird only coos, and doesn’t speak English. Megabat has a continuous feud going on with the squirrels in the yard, which he calls “puffer rats.” I loved the way he saw the world.

In this story, Megabat doesn’t like that Daniel has a new pet cat. He doesn’t like the attention that the cat receives, so he does a series of things to get the cat in trouble, but he only ends up getting himself or Daniel in trouble instead. Though he is a bat, this story could be relatable to kids if they get a new sibling or classmate who threatens their position. They would have to learn how to accept this new person rather than get rid of them, since we all have to deal with new people at some point in our lives.

This was a fun story! It would be great for kids or adults.

What to read next:

Megabat (Megabat #1) by Anna Humphrey, Kass Reich (illustrator)

Clara Humble and the Kitten Caboodle by Anna Humphrey, Lisa Cinar (illustrator)

Have you read Megabat and Fancy Cat? What did you think of it?

Stacking the Shelves – April 27

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 two of my preorders from Indigo:

Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali

Carmilla by Kim Turrisi

I received a book from Penguin Random House Canada:

Normal People by Sally Rooney

I was approved for a book from Simon and Schuster Canada:

Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith

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

What books did you get this week?

Review: Love From A to Z

Title: Love From A to Z
Author: S.K. Ali
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 30, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.

An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.

But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry.

When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.

Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.

Then her path crosses with Adam’s.

Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister.

Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.

Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.

Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…

Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting.

Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting. 

Review:

I knew this book would be amazing because I love S.K. Ali’s writing. It was so good that I couldn’t put it down!

I’ve read a lot of books lately with Muslim characters, and I love them. They really open my eyes to the Muslim experience. I grew up with a lot of Muslim friends, but I never witnessed anything like what happens in these stories.

Zayneb experiences Islamophobia from her teacher, but then is punished when she exposes it. She also experiences it when trying to swim in a pool. I can’t imagine why anyone would do these hurtful things to someone just because of their religion. One event that stood out to me was when she was on a plane and a white woman had her seat changed just because she didn’t want to sit beside Zayneb. The woman actually got bumped up to first class because that was the only other seat available! I couldn’t believe she was rewarded for the behaviour. Zayneb compared what she was doing, sketching on the plane and listening to music, to a white girl a few rows ahead who was doing the same thing. They were doing the same thing, yet Zayneb was called out for it because she wore a scarf on her head. It was heartbreaking to read about.

I loved the duality of Zayneb and Adam in the story. Zayneb was constantly criticized for her religion, on planes and in school because she was a woman wearing a hijab. Adam, on the other hand, was also a Muslim, but his outward appearance didn’t tell anyone that. His background was Chinese Scandinavian and he converted to Islam when he was eleven. Though they have very different experiences, they are brought together by writing in the same journal.

I loved this story! I highly recommend it!

What to read next:

Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali

The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan

Have you read Love From A to Z? What did you think of it?

First Lines Friday – April 26

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:

“I’ve been locked up for 264 days. I have nothing but a small notebook and a broken pen and the numbers in my head to keep me company. 1 window. 4 walls. 144 square feet of space. 26 letters in an alphabet I haven’t spoken in 264 days of isolation.”

Do you recognize these first lines?

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And the book is… Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) Tahereh Mafi.

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Goodreads synopsis:

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

You can check out my review for Shatter Me here.

Have you read Shatter Me? What did you think of it?