books – Page 7 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Power Posey

Title: Power Posey
Author: Avra Davidoff
Genre: Children’s, Picture Book
Publisher: Tellwell Talent
Source: Author
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: April 9, 2020
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Get ready to meet Power Posey, a remarkable young girl with an indomitable spirit who teaches children the power of resilience, positive thinking, and the strength that lies within. In this inspiring children’s book, readers join Posey on a transformative journey of self-discovery as she faces challenges head-on and triumphs with boundless determination.

As children accompany Power Posey on her adventures, they learn valuable life lessons about perseverance, self-belief, and the importance of strong body language. By adopting Power Posey’s confidence-boosting techniques, children discover they have the power to conquer their fears, embrace challenges, and achieve their goals.

This engaging and empowering picture book is perfect for children aged 3-8. It encourages young readers to embrace their inner strength, instilling in them a sense of self-confidence and resilience. With relatable situations and characters, Power Posey inspires children to approach life’s hurdles with courage, positivity, and a determination to succeed.

Get ready to stand tall, strike a pose, and embark on an uplifting journey alongside Power Posey. Unleash your inner strength, embrace challenges, and discover the incredible power that lies within you!

Review:

This is a great children’s book! When Posey feels nervous, she strikes a pose with her hands on her hips and chest held high, which gives her confidence. When she does her power pose, she knows she can do anything. This is such an important lesson for kids, but especially girls, who are often put down and told they are less than boys.

Power Posey is a powerful picture book!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com and Avra Davidoff for sending me a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Have you read Power Posey? What did you think of it?

Review: The Fairy Tale Fan Club: Legendary Letters Collected by C.C. Cecily

Title: The Fairy Tale Fan Club: Legendary Letters Collected by C.C. Cecily
Author: Richard Ayoade, David Roberts (illustrator)
Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Publisher: Walker Books US
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

What if you could send fan mail to your fairy tale idols? And what if they wrote back? “Happily ever after” takes on a new meaning in this book from actor-comedian-author Richard Ayoade and best-selling illustrator David Roberts.

It’s once upon a time . . . as only the irreverently witty Richard Ayoade can tell it. In this series of letters organized by C. C. Cecily, Senior Secretary of the Fairy Tale Fan Club, the fairest of them all (and a few bitter foes) correspond with curious—and opinionated—fans. So if you’ve ever wondered how a less-than-genius (and less-than-clothed) emperor fell for a certain con, how the Big Bad Wolf is handling meatless Mondays, or whether Rapunzel recommends going for the big chop, no need to look far, far away. Multihyphenate Richard Ayoade, author of The Book That No One Wanted to Read, hilariously imagines what questions modern children would have for characters such as Sleeping Beauty, Prince Charming, and Little Red Riding Hood—and what they might have to say in return. Complete with clever, spoof-gothic illustrations from David Roberts, this wry storybook may have even the Brothers Grimm cackling in their graves.

Review:

This book is a collection of fan letters written to fairy tale characters, as well as their responses. It answers questions about what happened to them after the “happily ever after” of their tale. There were letters from Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, and the Big Bad Wolf. These letters were quite funny. I liked seeing these characters tell their side of the classic fairy tale and what happened after the story was finished.

The Fairy Tale Fan Club is a fun book for all fans of fairy tales!

Thank you Walker Books US for sending me a copy of this book!

Have you read The Fairy Tale Fan Club? What did you think of it?

Review: Stone of Hope (Stones of Iona #4)

Title: Stone of Hope (Stones of Iona #4)
Author: Margaret Izard
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 13, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a twist of fate, Dominic DeVolt is shown archeologist Moira Joanna White’s beauty through the Eye of Ra. Trying to save his niece and nephew from evil Fae powers, he’s sucked into the past and dumped in the middle of her Egyptian archaeology dig.

Moira fears the attractive man who appears at her dig is partnering with her archnemesis. That is until the bold fighter distracts her with a kiss. His duty as uncle tugs her heart, but is he only after her precious artifacts?

He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She sees her future in his love.

Review:

This book was a fun adventure story with some spice. Even though there were some teenagers in this story who were some of the main characters, it is meant for an adult audience. It was fun to see the characters travel back in time to an Egyptian archaeological dig. This book is the fourth in the series Stones of Iona. It took a couple of chapters to figure out all the characters, because I haven’t read the first three books, but this one can be read as a stand-alone.

The Stone of Hope is a great romance and adventure story!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a digital copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, murder, kidnapping

Other books in the series:

Stone of Love (Stones of Iona #1)
Stone of Fear (Stones of Iona #2)
Stone of Lust (Stones of Iona #3)
Stone of Doubt (Stones of Iona #5)

Have you read Stone of Hope? What did you think of it?

Review: The Kiss Bet, Vol. 1

Title: The Kiss Bet, Vol. 1
Author: Ingrid Ochoa
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Romance
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this adorable coming-of-age comic for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Rainbow Rowell’s Pumpkinheads, Sara Lin has decided now is the time: she’s going to make her first kiss, something special and magical, happen.

It’s senior year and Sara Lin just turned eighteen. She’s got great friends, a cool dad (or so he thinks), and a whole lot ahead of her. The last thing she needs is to worry about having her first kiss.

But that’s all about to change because her good pal Patrick just challenged her to a bet that will either lead to love, heartbreak, or embarrassment…or maybe all three.

Sara Lin understands that her first kiss is a rite of passage, one that she takes very seriously, even if everyone around her doesn’t. She wants it to be special–true love’s kiss–and wants to fall for someone she really cares about, not just get it over with.

Along the way, as Sara explores her relationship options with three different boys…she discovers that life isn’t a fairytale and romance is inherently complex. It’s messy and complicated, but boy, it sure can be fun.

Review:

This graphic novel is so cute. I liked that all the characters had distinct appearances so I could tell them apart. This story had a kind of love square, instead of love triangle, between the boys who liked Sara and who she liked. The dynamics between the characters had some tension by the end of the story, so I’m excited to see what happens next!

The Kiss Bet, Vol. 1 is a great YA graphic novel!

Thank you Wattpad Books for sending me a copy of this book!

Have you read The Kiss Bet, Vol. 1? What did you think of it?

Review: Fable for the End of the World

Title: Fable for the End of the World
Author: Ava Reid
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, LGBTQ
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: BookSparks
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in this standalone dystopian romance about survival, sacrifice, and love that risks everything.

By encouraging massive accumulations of debt from its underclass, a single corporation, Caerus, controls all aspects of society.

Inesa lives with her brother in a half-sunken town where they scrape by running a taxidermy shop. Unbeknownst to Inesa, their cruel and indolent mother has accrued an enormous debt—enough to qualify one of her children for Caerus’s livestreamed assassination spectacle: the Lamb’s Gauntlet.

Melinoë is a Caerus assassin, trained to track and kill the sacrificial Lambs. The product of neural reconditioning and physiological alteration, she is a living weapon, known for her cold brutality and deadly beauty. She has never failed to assassinate one of her marks.

When Inesa learns that her mother has offered her as a sacrifice, at first she despairs—the Gauntlet is always a bloodbath for the impoverished debtors. But she’s had years of practice surviving in the apocalyptic wastes, and with the help of her hunter brother, she might stand a chance of staying alive.

For Melinoë, this is a game she can’t afford to lose. Despite her reputation for mercilessness, she is haunted by painful flashbacks. After her last Gauntlet, where she broke down on livestream, she desperately needs redemption.

As Mel pursues Inesa across the wasteland, both girls begin to question everything: Inesa wonders if there’s more to life than survival, while Mel wonders if she’s capable of more than killing.

And both wonder if, against all odds, they might be falling in love.

Review:

This book was such an intense and emotional story. There was tension between every character, mostly because they were fighting to survive. This dystopian world doesn’t seem that far from our future reality now, with the way things are changing. I wasn’t sure how the story would end because there were so many possible outcomes and most of them were tragic. I would love to revisit these characters in another book one day to see what happens next!

Fable for the End of the World is a thrilling dystopian read!

Thank you BookSparks for sending me a copy of this book as part of the Winter Reading Challenge!

Content warnings: death, animal death, suicide, fire, gun violence, knife violence

Have you read Fable for the End of the World? What did you think of it?

Review: Mit Out Sound

Title: Mit Out Sound
Author: Rick Lenz
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Chromodroid Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Would-be movie producer Emily Bennett didn’t believe the legend of a lost movie, starring James Dean and John Wayne. But when she meets two uncannily talented celebrity impersonators-Jimmy Riley and Tom “Duke” Manfredo, and stumbles upon the elusive film editor who stole the master negative of Showdown, it dispels her doubts, fills her with a courage she didn’t know she had, and she sets out to complete the movie.

But as Emily and her stars prepare for day one of shooting, they find themselves entangled in a complex love triangle with Oedipal undertones, mirroring their own past lives and off-screen dynamics. As doubts about their ruthless director, Solange Borugian, surface, Jimmy’s and Duke’s friendship is turned upside down, while Emily and her brother Ben, struggle with their own unresolved issues and are forced to confront their dying father.

On location in Arizona, amidst Apache holy grounds and the magic of day-for-night shooting, the lines between past and present blur and the flawed characters’ backstories intertwine into a tumultuous finale that exposes their hidden animosities, demons, and loves.

Review:

This book gives an interesting look at filmmaking in the 1970s. Emily had a lot of work to do to finish an old film starring John Wayne and James Dean with impersonators. There was a lot of personal trauma that connected the characters, and they had to figure out how to cope with it to finish the job. I think fans of John Wayne and James Dean will like this novel!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, murder, cancer, child abuse, car accident

Have you read Mit Out Sound? What did you think of it?

Review: Empire of Billions

Title: Empire of Billions
Author: E. Masson
Genre: Romance, Thriller
Publisher: Author E. Masson
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 13, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Amazon Best Seller. Book Lovers would truly enjoy reading this Novel.
A Must Read Novel Today.

Revenge may be a dish best-served cold.
But love can melt the hardest heart.

The Roberts family are super rich. But everyone knows that money can’t buy happiness.
And they should know. Losing their parents at a young age meant they had to rely on each other.

The four boys and their little sister had been taught that rules keep you safe. And what the brothers say goes. But what if the heart wants something else?

Elizabeth may be the youngest but now she’s all grown up. And her heart yearns for Henry Kinkaid — a man her brothers hate.

This just makes her more determined for their forbidden love to flourish. Only when she learns her lover’s dark secret does her heart threaten to shatter.

But how long can she keep Henry out of her life? Especially as she’s carrying a piece of him with her.

The Roberts brothers have strict relationships Keep emotions out of it.

But will the patter of tiny feet melt their materialistic hearts?
And will they bury old wounds before it’s too late?

Review:

This book is about multiple generations of a wealthy American family. They leave a trail of murders and trauma throughout their family tree. The story was exciting and intense. I would have liked to see more action and more description of the characters. This was a fast paced story that kept me intrigued until the end!

Empire of Billions is a great family saga thriller!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: death, death of parents, car accident, gun violence, domestic violence, murder

Have you read Empire of Billions? What did you think of it?

Review: Janie’s Hope (Southport #3)

Title: Janie’s Hope (Southport #3)
Author: S.R. Fabrico
Genre: Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: SRF Creations
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 11, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Award-Winning author of The Secrets We Conceal, Call Her Janie, and Keeping Janie.

Janie’s Hope is a powerful and heartwarming conclusion to the Southport Series, set in a charming small town where secrets run deep, and love can heal the deepest wounds. Janie, a strong neurodivergent heroine raised by a reclusive billionaire, is finally ready to step beyond her sheltered world and uncover the truths of her past. Following whispers of her late mother, she journeys to Southport, where her father’s warnings of hidden dangers only strengthen her resolve.

Her existence has been shaped by stories of her mother, Lizzie Levine, and the fleeting moments they shared in Southport. Eager to uncover her past, Janie is determined to follow in her mother’s footsteps, even as her father’s warnings of danger loom large.

Enter Noah, the sweet and adorkable cinnamon roll with hidden abs and quiet confidence, who falls for Janie almost immediately, captivated by her fiery spirit. But hidden truths linger in the shadows, including Janie’s secret identity, complicating their growing connection.

In this emotional journey of self-discovery and love, Janie’s Hope will sweep you away into a world where second chances and found family collide, proving that sometimes, the strongest bonds are forged in the most unexpected ways.

Janie’s Hope will sweep you into an emotional journey of self-discovery, romance, and the unexpected strength of a found family. S.R. Fabrico’s storytelling captivates with suspense, passion, and unforgettable moments, making this finale a must-read for fans of heartfelt romance and compelling mysteries.

Review:

This book is the finale to the Southport series. I haven’t read the first two books, but this one can be read as a stand-alone. However, there were some complicated relationships that happened in the first two books, so it might be helpful to read them first. This was a thrilling read. It was fast paced and difficult to put down. Everything came together very well in the end so I think it’s a great ending for a series!

Janie’s Hope is a great thriller!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: death, parental death (off page), kidnapping (off page), gun violence, cancer

Other books in the series:

Call Her Janie (Southport #1)
Keeping Janie (Southport #2)

Have you read Janie’s Hope? What did you think of it?

Review: (S)Kin

Title: (S)Kin
Author: Ibi Zoboi
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Poetry, Contemporary
Publisher: Versify
Source: BookSparks
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: February 11, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi comes her groundbreaking contemporary fantasy debut—a novel in verse based on Caribbean folklore—about the power of inherited magic and the price we must pay to live the life we yearn for.

Fifteen-year-old Marisol is the daughter of a soucouyant. Every new moon, she sheds her skin like the many women before her, shifting into a fireball witch who must fly into the night and slowly sip from the lives of others to sustain her own. But Brooklyn is no place for fireball witches with all its bright lights, shut windows, and bolt-locked doors.… While Marisol hoped they would leave their old traditions behind when they emigrated from the islands, she knows this will never happen while she remains ensnared by the one person who keeps her chained to her magical past—her mother.

Seventeen-year-old Genevieve is the daughter of a college professor and a newly minted older half sister of twins. Her worsening skin condition and the babies’ constant wailing keep her up at night, when she stares at the dark sky with a deep longing to inhale it all. She hopes to quench the hunger that gnaws at her, one that seems to reach for some memory of her estranged mother. When a new nanny arrives to help with the twins, a family secret connecting her to Marisol is revealed, and Gen begins to find answers to questions she hasn’t even thought to ask.

But the girls soon discover that the very skin keeping their flames locked beneath the surface may be more explosive to the relationships around them than any ancient magic.

Review:

This is a beautiful novel in verse. It follows two girls: Marisol and Genevieve. They were connected through their shared power, where on every new moon, they shed their skin and fly like a comet with the ability to hurt someone who has harmed them. I read most of this book in one sitting. It was fast paced and so hard to put down. It addressed racism, bullying, and slavery in an intense and engaging plot.

(S)Kin is a beautiful story!

Thank you BookSparks for providing a copy of this book as part of the Winter Reading Challenge.

Content warnings: bullying, racism

Have you read (S)Kin? What did you think of it?

Review: Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot

Title: Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot
Author: Isaac Rudansky
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Contemporary
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a world where fiction is forbidden and truth is a matter of life and death, one young boy must write a story to save humanity . . .

When his father is abducted by a mysterious figure, twelve-year-old Georgie Summers is thrown into the adventure of a lifetime. Georgie’s journey takes him to Scatterplot, a hidden realm where Scribes record human memories to safeguard the truth. But when the evil Flint Eldritch threatens to corrupt those memories and plunge the world into chaos, Georgie must team up with an unlikely group of friends to stop him. As the journey grows increasingly dangerous, Georgie realizes that only he holds the key to defeating Eldritch and saving not just his father . . . but every mind on Earth.

Will Georgie be able to wield the power of the Aetherquill to save his father and protect everyone he loves, or will Eldritch rewrite history itself? In Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot, author Isaac Rudansky spins an exhilarating tale of strength, determination, and the power of friendship to lift you from the depths of loneliness and despair.

Review:

This book is a great middle grade fantasy! The world of the scribes and Scatterplot had magic that centered around reading and writing. I think kids who love reading will love this world. The ending was really shocking, so I hope there will be a sequel to clear things up!

There’s a special Crack the Code Challenge, where readers are invited to figure out the secret code hidden within the book. When readers find the clue to decipher the alphabet chart in the front of the book, they can crack the code and send in the message for a chance to win weekly prizes! This challenge is only available on the limited first print run of hardcovers.

Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot is a fun and fast-paced middle grade fantasy!

Thank you Isaac Rudansky and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death of parent, missing parent, memory loss, fire, violence

Have you read Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot? What did you think of it?