Book Review - Turtle in Paradise: The Graphic Novel by Jennifer L. Holm

 

It's 1935, and eleven-year-old Turtle knows that life will never go as one expects it. She knows better than to expect a Hollywood ending. She knows that money and opportunity is scarce. When her mother gets a job as a housekeeper, Turtle is sent to live with her relatives in Florida. Florida is not what Turtle expected and before long, Turtle starts to come out of her shell.

The graphic novel was beautiful illustrated with bright vibrant colors. The story is sweet and heart breaking at time but, a cute read. Personally, I like graphic novels with humor so, I didn't really care for this story too much. I might be opened to reading other graphic novels by the author.

 

 

Book Review - Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson

 

Meg Whitaker is devastated when she learns that her father is selling the family's lobster-fishing business to her high school nemesis. Meg is determine to prove she should be the rightful owner of the family business. She had no interest in running a lobster boat or even getting on a boat due to her persistent seasickness. However, she doesn't want Oliver Ross to have her family business especially, since he ruined her dreams of a science scholarship and entry to an Ivy League school.

Oliver is ashamed of the kid he used to be. He was angry and sad that his father had walked on his family. He lashed out on Meg who was an innocent bystander in his path of fury. However, Oliver is desperate to own Whitaker's fishing business because it would provide for his family and give him opportunities he wouldn't have otherwise. He isn't going to walk away from the chance of a lifetime because Meg wants him to.

The book was an okay read. It was a predictable and moved a bit slowly for my liking. I felt like there was a lot of unnecessary details that just bogged  down the story. The author did hint to other at characters being the main stars for the next book in the series. However, I am not sure if I am vested enough to be interested in reading more books in this series.

**I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Bridge 108 by Anne Charnock + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the late twenty-first century, drought and wildfires ravage southern Europe causing residents to flee. When twelve-year-old Caleb and his mother make the journey north, he becomes separated from her and falls victim to human traffickers. He becomes enslaved in an enclave outside Manchester but, he uses the opportunity to improve his situation. Even when his situation looks dire, Caleb never loses hope.

Caleb meets another victim of trafficking and together they look for better opportunities. He hides in the woods and searches for a new place to call home. As Caleb searches for his path, he realizes he can't trust anyone because he might end up in a perilous situation. 

I enjoyed reading this novel as the writing flowed smoothly. The book grabbed my attention and kept it until the end. I enjoyed reading about Caleb and his adventures in finding a place to belong. I liked that the author included different points of view in the book but, I felt like some characters should have been included. I would have liked to have read about his friend in the enclave roof next door and her motivations. The book was fast-paced but, lacked a bit of world-building. The author mentioned a few things in passing but, I wanted to know more about the tech or the political landscape. I felt like this book would be a great introductory novel into an awesome series about a new "world".

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Print Length: 195 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1542006082
Publisher: 47North (February 18, 2020)
Publication Date: February 18, 2020
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07PLHGMQN

Praise for BRIDGE 108

“Readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories with hopeful messages will be gratified by this topical tale of human resourcefulness in the face of climate disaster.” —Publishers Weekly

A dystopian novel set in the climate-ravaged Europe of A Calculated Life. Told through multiple voices against the backdrop of a haunting and frighteningly believable future, Bridge 108 charts the passage of a young boy into adulthood amid oppressive circumstances that are increasingly relevant to our present day.

From the Arthur C. Clarke Award–winning author, a dystopian novel of oppression set in the climate-ravaged Europe of A Calculated Life, a finalist for the Kitschies award and Philip K. Dick Award.

Late in the twenty-first century, drought and wildfires prompt an exodus from southern Europe. When twelve-year-old Caleb is separated from his mother during their trek north, he soon falls prey to traffickers. Enslaved in an enclave outside Manchester, the resourceful and determined Caleb never loses hope of bettering himself.

After Caleb is befriended by a fellow victim of trafficking, another road opens. Hiding in the woodlands by day, guided by the stars at night, he begins a new journey—to escape to a better life, to meet someone he can trust, and to find his family. For Caleb, only one thing is certain: making his way in the world will be far more difficult than his mother imagined.

Told through multiple voices and set against the backdrop of a haunting and frighteningly believable future, Bridge 108 charts the passage of a young boy into adulthood amid oppressive circumstances that are increasingly relevant to our present day.

You can purchase Bridge 108 at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Anne Charnock

Anne Charnock's latest novel, DREAMS BEFORE THE START OF TIME, is the winner of the 2018 Arthur C. Clarke Award, and was shortlisted for the BSFA 2017 Best Novel Award. Her novella THE ENCLAVE has won the BSFA 2017 Best Short Fiction Award. This novella is written in the same world as her debut novel, A CALCULATED LIFE, which was a finalist for the 2013 Philip K. Dick and The Kitschies Golden Tentacle Awards.

SLEEPING EMBERS OF AN ORDINARY MIND, her second novel, was named by The Guardian as one of the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of 2015

Anne Charnock's journalism has appeared in New Scientist, The Guardian, Financial Times, International Herald Tribune and Geographical. She was educated at the University of East Anglia, where she studied Environmental Sciences, and at The Manchester School of Art, England where she gained a Masters in Fine Art.

As a foreign correspondent, she travelled widely in Africa, the Middle East and India and spent a year overlanding through Egypt, Sudan and Kenya.

        

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Book Review - House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

Photo Credit - Amazon

Annaleigh lives a privileged life at Highmoor with her sisters and her father and stepmother. She used to be one of twelve sisters but, one by one her four sisters' lives has been cut short. Each one of their deaths more tragic than the previous. There are whispers in the village that the family is cursed by the gods.

After a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh is convinced that there is something suspicious of her sister's deaths. The girls decide that they are done with mourning and decide to sneak out every night to attend balls and dance until dawn in their fancy silk gowns and shimmering slippers. Annaleigh is unsure if she stops them or joins them in their forbidden outings. She wonders who are they really dancing with as more darkness befall her family. Will Annaleigh be able to figure out who is behind her family's tragedies? 

I thought the novel was an engrossing and well-written read. I did find some parts to be a bit boring and the ending to be predictable. However, I did enjoy the world-building aspects of the novel and the different characters. At times, I felt that there was too much going on but, overall I did enjoy reading the book.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**