Jill's Book Blog

Review: Tales of the Spectacular Spectacles: Theodore and the Enchanted Bookstore

35103427

Title: Tales of the Spectacular Spectacles: Theodore and the Enchanted Bookstore
Author: K. Kibbee
Genre: Children’s
Publisher: BooksGoSocial
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: October 5, 2017
Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Living life as a bumbling breadbox with fur, was hardship enough for Theodore the Corgi, but when the young dog finds himself cold and alone in a frightening animal shelter, it’s clear that his struggles have only just begun.
Labeled “unadoptable,” by shelter staff, Theodore mires in the gloom until a kind-eyed stranger with a pocket full of handcrafted jerky and a quirky smile, rescues him with the intent of making Theodore the newest addition to his curious Bookstore. Though overwhelmed at first, Theodore soon finds both his new friend and the odd bookstore are welcoming hosts, despite the Corgi’s run of clumsy mishaps. And while Theodore’s formerly dull and lonely life fades to memory, a new, adventurous one blooms before him—for hidden amongst the dusty stacks of books and things at the Enchanted Bookstore, waits a peculiar little man with a set of the most magical, Spectacular Spectacles imaginable.

Review:

Corgis are my favourite dog breed. I had to read this book when I saw one on the cover!

Theodore is a very cute puppy. I felt so sorry for him when he was left at the shelter. His owner thought he was too clumsy so she didn’t like him anymore. But luckily he was adopted by Sam, who owns a bookstore.

The narration was third person. But sometimes it gave Theodore’s perspective. Theodore noticed some things that he probably wouldn’t have recognized. For example, he saw girls walking down the street and he knew they were selling girl guide cookies. There was no reason for him to know what they were when he could just see them from across the street. It would have been funnier if he had to guess what different things were. That kind of confusion can create humour in kid’s books.

The story ended very abruptly. The “enchanting” part had just begun, and then the story ended. I was disappointed that there wasn’t more enchantment in the story since it was promised in the title.

Review: Unraveling Oliver

Title: Unraveling Oliver
Author: Liz Nugent
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

“I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her.”

So begins Liz Nugent’s astonishing debut novel—a chilling, elegantly crafted, and psychologically astute exploration of the nature of evil.

Oliver Ryan, handsome, charismatic, and successful, has long been married to his devoted wife, Alice. Together they write and illustrate award-winning children’s books; their life together one of enviable privilege and ease—until, one evening after a delightful dinner, Oliver delivers a blow to Alice that renders her unconscious, and subsequently beats her into a coma.

In the aftermath of such an unthinkable event, as Alice hovers between life and death, the couple’s friends, neighbors, and acquaintances try to understand what could have driven Oliver to commit such a horrific act. As his story unfolds, layers are peeled away to reveal a life of shame, envy, deception, and masterful manipulation.

With its alternating points of view and deft prose, Unraveling Oliver is “a page-turning, one-sitting read from a brand new master of psychological suspense” (Sunday Independent) that details how an ordinary man can transform into a sociopath.

Review:

This is a very clever thriller.

The title is perfect for this book! Oliver’s story is unraveled through multiple perspectives. Many different people who have met and interacted with Oliver over his lifetime give accounts of the things that led to his attack on his wife. At first, these events seem unconnected and confusing. However, they are all threaded together by Oliver’s presence. Each person and their story weave together the person who Oliver has become.

The mystery slowly grew throughout the story. At the beginning, we have no idea why Oliver suddenly beat his wife. But as we learn more about Oliver, it becomes clear that he is unhinged. The ending connects all of the dots and proves Oliver’s guilt on multiple counts.

I often find multiple perspectives confusing. However, this was a great way to tell the story. Each perspective read like a police report, with all of the witnesses giving their accounts. Oliver also gave his point of view, though it didn’t help his case.

I loved this book. It’s a great thrilling mystery.

Review: Honey Moon: Not Your Valentine

Title: Honey Moon: Not Your Valentine
Author: Sofi Benitez
Genre: Children’s
Publisher: Rabbit Publishers
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: January 30, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A Sleepy Hollow Valentine’s Day dance with a boy! NO WAY, NO HOW is Honey Moon going to a scary sweetheart dance with that Noah kid. But, after being forced to dance together in PE class, word gets around that Honey likes Noah. Now, she has no choice but to stop Valentine’s Day in its tracks. Things never go as planned, and Honey winds up with the surprise of her Sleepy Hollow life.

Review:

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Here’s a Valentine’s themed review!

This is a great Valentine’s story. Honey Moon is hilarious and gets into lots of trouble. She doesn’t want to go to the dance with a boy, so she does everything she can to make them not like her. But this backfires on her. The dance at the end also provided a great twist. It wasn’t what Honey was expecting.

This story reminded me of when my class would celebrate Valentine’s Day when I was a kid. When picking out the cards for everyone, you had to make sure that the saying on the inside was appropriate. You wouldn’t want a boy in your class to get the wrong impression because you gave him a romantic Valentine. Honey takes that idea to the extreme by writing nasty things in the boys’ cards. That ends up backfiring on her because the boys like the gross things she wrote! Valentine’s Day is a fun holiday but it can also cause problems in the classroom.

I really liked this story. It gives a different perspective on a typical Valentine’s Day story, because Honey does everything she can to avoid getting a date to the dance.

Review: #Prettyboy Must Die

Title: #Prettyboy Must Die
Author: Kimberly Reid
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Macmillan
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A CIA prodigy’s cover is blown when he accidentally becomes an internet sensation in #Prettyboy Must Die, inspired by the #Alexfromtarget story.

When Peter Smith’s classmate snaps a picture of him during a late night run at the track, Peter thinks he might be in trouble. When she posts that photo–along with the caption, “See the Pretty Boy Run,”–Peter knows he’s in trouble. But when hostiles drop through the ceiling of his 6th period Chem Class, Peter’s pretty sure his trouble just became a national emergency.

Because he’s not really Peter Smith. He’s Jake Morrow, former foster-kid turned CIA operative. After a massive screw-up on his first mission, he’s on a pity assignment, a dozen hit lists and now, social media, apparently. As #Prettyboy, of all freaking things.

His cover’s blown, his school’s under siege, and if he screws up now, #Prettyboy will become #Deadboy faster than you can say, ‘fifteen minutes of fame.’ Trapped in a high school with rabid killers and rabid fans, he’ll need all his training and then some to save his job, his school and, oh yeah, his life.

Review:

I really enjoyed his story. It reminded me of the movie Agent Cody Banks, which was one of my favourites when I was a kid. It was also about a teenage secret agent.

I liked the beginning of the story. It throws us right into the action in the Ukraine. Then, the majority of the book is about a lockdown in Peter’s school. I wish there was some more background on how he became an agent. It would have also been nice to see him in more situations than just the one day at school.

Peter is a diverse character, but that isn’t obvious from the boy on the cover. When I started reading the book, Peter mentions that he is black. However, the boy on the cover doesn’t necessarily look black. Perhaps if his whole face was shown, it would have been more obvious, since only part of his face and hands show his skin.

This is a great book for fans of spy novels in a school setting.

Review: Glass Sword

Title: Glass Sword
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Purchased
Release Date: February 9, 2016
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different.

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

Review:

I enjoyed this book much more than Red Queen.

The characters were much more developed in this book, since we already know them from Red Queen. It was sometimes hard to know who to trust in this story, between the two princes, but it made the story more exciting.

The plot was very dramatic and unpredictable. It was a real journey, both literally and figuratively from beginning to end. Plus there was always the threat of Maven coming after them.

I think Victoria Aveyard’s writing is improving with each book. (She’s also hilarious on Twitter!) I look forward to reading the King’s Cage next!

You can check out my review for Red Queen here.

Review: S.T.A.G.S.

Title: S.T.A.G.S.
Author: M.A. Bennett
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Penguin Random House Canada
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: January 30, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Greer, a scholarship girl at a prestigious private school, St Aidan the Great School (known as STAGS), soon realizes that the school is full of snobs and spoilt rich brats, many of whom come from aristocratic families who have attended the institute throughout the centuries. She’s immediately ignored by her classmates. All the teachers are referred to as Friars (even the female ones), but the real driving force behind the school is a group of prefects known as the Medievals, whose leader, Henry de Warlencourt, Greer finds both strangely intriguing as well as attractive. The Medievals are all good-looking, clever and everyone wants to be among their circle of friends. Greer is therefore surprised when she receives an invitation from Henry to spend a long weekend with him and his friends at his family house in the Lake District, especially when she learns that two other “outsiders” have also been invited: Shafeen and Chanel. As the weekend unfolds, Greer comes to the chilling realization that she and two other “losers” were invited only because they were chosen to become prey in a mad game of manhunt.

Review:

I’ve wanted to read this book since it originally came out in the U.K. in the summer. It was definitely worth the hype.

From the beginning of the story, we know how it will end. Greer will somehow kill someone at her weekend away. The whole story was building up to this ending, which was already revealed. But we don’t know how it happens. It was very well done. I was excited to read the whole thing and find out what happened. And the ending didn’t disappoint.

Tradition is a major theme in this story. When I went to England, I loved that everything was very traditional. There are large families in the story who trace their origins back more than a thousand years. The school STAGS also has historical origins.

The death occurred well before the end of the story, so I was surprised that there was so much left to happen. I thought the story was finished when they showed the death, but it continues right to the last page. I really liked the ending.

After I started reading this story, I read that it might be made into a movie. That’s so exciting and I’d love to see this story on the big screen!

Review: Captain Canuck, Vol. 1

Title: Captain Canuck, Volume 1: Aleph
Author: Kalman Andrasofsky
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Chapterhouse Publishing
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Born of the true north and tested in war, Captain Canuck is thrust into battle at the head of the global crisis intervention agency called Equilibrium. He must find his way as warrior, leader, and ultimately, hero to save humanity from the machinations of Mr. Gold, Blue Fox, and the even more menacing forces that watch from the shadows. Collects issues #1-6.

Review:

Before getting this book, I had never heard of Captain Canuck. I was glad to find such a patriotic, Canadian super hero.

In general, the story was interesting. The villain created a kind of gold that invaded and controlled people. It was very hard to remove from a person, and creepy to read about. I also liked the Toronto references. One of the final issues in the volume was even set right in the heart of the city, in Nathan Phillips Square beside the famous TORONTO sign.

There were a few problems with the story. I wish there was more of an introduction to the story. I wasn’t familiar with the characters so I would have liked to get to know them before being thrown into the story. One of the characters was French, which was an awesome inclusion of another aspect of Canada. However, there was a part where she was speaking French and there was no translation. I know some French, but these French passages really slowed me down. It would be difficult for people who don’t speak French to read that part.

Overall, this was a pretty good graphic novel. It’s great for Canadian superhero fans.

Review: Redworld

Title: Redworld
Author: A.L. Collins
Genre: Middle Grade
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: February 1, 2018
Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Belle Song and her family are aliens on a new world. The Songs came to Mars to seek a new life, but living on the red planet isn’t easy. The land is rough. The people are strange. The weather is unpredictable, and water is always in short supply. However, adventure is never far away. Belle adapts to her new life on Mars, faces dangerous Water Raiders, explores wondrous ancient sites, and has other amazing adventures on Redworld. From the rich imagination of author A.L. Collins comes a fantastic sci-fi western story of growing up on the Martian plains.

Review:

This was a unique middle grade story about life on Mars.

While I was reading this story, I was reminded of the book The Martian. That’s the only book I’ve read that is set on another planet. However, in this story, Mars has already been colonized and humans have lived there for many years.

It was interesting to see the different alien races that also lived on Mars. The segregation between the aliens was a lot like race segregation in the real world. Belle’s friend, Ta’al is of the Nubian race. She has to go through separate entrances, and she is completely ignored by everyone else at school. Belle questions why this is, which demonstrates that she is an intelligent girl.

This book is separated into four parts. Each of these parts was originally published as a separate book. This is a little confusing at first, because the characters are reintroduced at the beginning of each part. My least favourite part was the first one. It was an introduction to the characters and setting, but I found it anticlimactic. The following parts had more solid storylines with lots of tension, so I enjoyed them more.

This book is great for kids who are interested in life in space.

Blog Tour: Wicked Charm

Title: Wicked Charm
Author: Amber Hart
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source: Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours
Release Date: January 30, 2018
Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Nothing good comes from living in the Devil’s swamp.

Willow Bell thinks moving to the Okefenokee area isn’t half bad, but nothing prepares her for what awaits in the shadows of the bog.

Girls are showing up dead in the swamp. And she could be next.

Everyone warns Willow to stay away from Beau Cadwell—the bad boy at the top of their suspect list as the serial killer tormenting the small town.

But beneath his wicked, depthless eyes, there’s something else that draws Willow to him.

When yet another girl he knew dies, though, Willow questions whether she can trust her instincts…or if they’re leading to her own death.

Review:

This was a very suspenseful story.

It is a great mystery. Girls who dated Beau go missing and are murdered near his home. It seems like Willow will be next. I didn’t guess who did it, but the solution makes sense if you look back on the story.

I didn’t feel a connection with Willow or Beau. I felt like they were only focused on the murders, and didn’t talk about anything else. Of course, the murders were concerning since Beau was a suspect, but I think they should have done some other things to build their relationship and develop their characters.

This was a great suspenseful story. If you’re looking for a creepy teen story, you should check this one out!

About the Author:

Ambert Hart.jpg Amber Hart resides on the Florida coastline with family and a plethora of animals she affectionately refers to as her urban farm. When unable to find a book, she can be found writing, daydreaming, or with her toes in the sand. She’s the author of several novels for teens and adults, including Wicked Charm, the Before & After series, and the Untamed
series. Rep’d by Stacey Donaghy of Donaghy Literary Group.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Tour Schedule:

Week 1:

February 5, 2018 – Pooled Ink – Review

February 5, 2018 – Book Lady’s Reviews – Review

February 6, 2018 – Treestand Book Reviews – Review

February 6, 2018 – What Is That Book About – Spotlight

February 6, 2018 – Confessions of a YA Reader – Review

February 7, 2018 – A Court of Coffee and Books – Review

February 7, 2018 – Cuzinlogic – Spotlight

February 7, 2018 – Read. Eat. Love. – Spotlight

February 8, 2018 – Adventures Thru Wonderland – Review

February 8, 2018 – Book Princess Reviews – Spotlight

February 8, 2018 – Jill Jemmett – Review

February 9, 2018 – Smada’s Book Smack – Review

February 9, 2018 – A Dream Within A Dream – Review

February 9, 2018 – Books and Ladders – Guest Post

Week 2:

February 12, 2018 – Writer’s Alley – Guest Post

February 12, 2018 – Becky on Books – Review

February 12, 2018 – Here’s to Happy Endings – Review

February 13, 2018 – Literary Meanderings – Spotlight

February 13, 2018 – Indie Wish List – Review

February 13, 2018 – My Book Addiction – Review

February 14, 2018 – Book-Keeping – Guest Post

February 14, 2018 – Book Reviews by a Little Bookworm – Review

February 14, 2018 – Chapters through life – Review

February 15, 2018 – Bibliobibuli YA – Guest Post

February 15, 2018 – Hauntedbybooks13 – Review

February 15, 2018 – Dana’s YA Bookpile – Review

February 16, 2018 – Books Direct – Review

February 16, 2018 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – Guest Post

February 16, 2018 – Dani Reviews Things – Review

Week 3:

February 19, 2018 – Meandbooks – Review

February 19, 2018 – Omg Books and More Books – Review

February 19, 2018 – Chapter by Chapter – Interview

February 20, 2018 – Lori’s little house of reviews – Review

February 20, 2018 – Biscotto’s Books – Review

February 21, 2018 – More Books Than Livros – Review

February 21, 2018 – Love Books Group – Review

February 22, 2018 – Darque Dreamer Reads – Review

February 22, 2018 – Makayla Sophia – Review

February 23, 2018 – eBook Nerd Reviews – Review

February 23, 2018 – Bookhounds YA – Guest Post

February 23, 2018 – Rants N Scribbles – Spotlight

Thank you to Chapter by Chapter for letting me participate in this blog tour.

Review: DC Super Hero Girls: Date with Disaster!

Title: DC Super Hero Girls: Date with Disaster!
Author: Shea Fontana
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Entertainment
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the highly successful multimedia pop culture property comes DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: DATE WITH DISASTER!, starring one of its most popular characters, Batgirl.

Catwoman is out alone on the prowl one night when KABOOM–an explosion at S.T.A.R. Labs rouses the other girls from their slumber. Star students Batgirl and Lois Lane both know the lab incident is fishy, and they meet later to share clues. But nothing could’ve prepared Batgirl for what they see next–Batgirl’s dad on a date!

Batgirl is grossed out until her friends convince her Dads get lonely, too. And with the school dance coming up and everyone pairing off–heck, even Principal Waller has a date with a guy named Deadshot–maybe it’ll be okay just this once. The girls place a personal ad for Commissioner Gordon while they delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the explosion, but they’re about to discover more than who is behind the attack on S.T.A.R. Labs. Could it be that posting an ad looking for dates for the commissioner is like advertising catnip for criminals?

DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: DATE WITH DISASTER! continues to develop the relationships forged in DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: FINALS CRISIS, HITS AND MYTHS, SUMMER OLYMPUS, PAST TIMES AT SUPER HERO HIGH and OUT OF THE BOTTLE. Written by Shea Fontana, this Batgirl-centric story is perfect for girls ages 6-12.

Review:

This is another great story about the DC Super Hero Girls!

One of the great things about this book is that it featured some non-superhero characters along with the Super Hero Girls. Lois Lane and Commissioner Gordon played an important part in this story. They don’t have super powers so they had to use their intelligence to help the Super Hero Girls.

I love how the Super Hero Girls are a younger version of their adult counterparts. My favourite is Harley Quinn, and she’s so funny in this story. When everyone gets the alert on their alarm to wake up and get to work, most of the girls get up, but Harley whacks her alarm with her mallet and goes back to sleep. She brings a lot of humour to this story.

I loved this book! It’s great DC Super Hero Girls fans of all ages.