Book Review - The Doomsday Vault (Everwhen School of Time Travel) by Thomas Wheeler

 

The Doomsday Vault (Everwhen School of Time Travel) by Thomas Wheeler is about three young kids who get accepted into a highly acclaimed time travel school. In 1878, Bertie Wells did something unexpected. He accidentally created a black hole in his bedroom. The last thing he expected was for someone to step out of the black hole and know who he was.

Darla Marconi doesn’t speak or dress like anyone he knows. However, she has an offer for him that he cannot refuse. She invites Bertie to attend the College of Space Machines, Multiverses, and Other Odd Sciences (or COSMOS).

Bertie is excited but wary about attending, even though his father is against the idea of Bertie attending the school. Bertie decides to follow his heart and join the school, where he is transported to 2022 for his first day. At the new school, he meets new friends, Zoe Fuentes and Amelia da Vinci.

As the trio befriends each other and tries to make the most of their time together, they will need to stick together when something or someone threatens the timeline, just as the dean of the school has disappeared. Will they be able to save the timeline before it is too late?

I have been reading a lot more young adult or children’s novels focusing on fictional schools. I find the genre can be overdone, but sometimes it can be clever. I was a bit wary about reading a book about time travel because I find the whole idea confusing.

I thought the book was an okay read. I felt it took a bit of time before the book became interesting. I also felt that the book could have used more worldbuilding. I am curious what happens to the students when they graduate. Do they take the knowledge back to their time zone, or do they stay at the school? I felt like I had more questions than answers. The book did have some quirky humor that some readers might enjoy.

I also don’t like that the ending had a huge build-up and then faded to black for a happy ending. I feel like we were strung along without any real closure. The ending does leave the book open for a second book or series, but I am not sure I am invested enough to read more.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author. 

March 2026 Empties!

 

 

Wow, I can't believe it is already March! Although I am excited for the warm weather. It can't come fast enough. I have been keeping up with my goal of logging and posting my empties every month. Hopefully, I can keep it up until the end of the year. 

I love taking baths and have used Kneipp's products before. I have tried two new oils, and they both work very well. I tried the soft and silky, which had a pleasant almond rose scent. It left the skin feeling soft and silky. The joint and muscle one is great for achy muscles and tired joints.  It was relaxing to soak in it after a long day.

 I got this bath kit called "Mama Detox," but really, anyone can use it. I wish the name were a bit more inclusive, as it was a great set. It included salts, oils, a tab to purify the water, an electrolyte drink, a bath bomb, a loofah, and a few other things. It was a great way to unwind and relax. The only downside was that the kit cost $44 and was one-time use. It is nice for a once-in-a-while thing, but otherwise it is completely out of my price range for my weekly baths. 

I tried a lip mask by Florence by Mills, and it was interesting. It was a jelly-like consistency. It had a pleasant Jolly Rancher scent. It was hydrating, but unfortunately, it didn't have much staying power. It was more like a regular lip balm than an overnight mask.  

Hopefully, will see ya next month with more finished goodies. 

Book Review - Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet

 

 Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet is about three sisters, Meg, Jo, and Amy, uncovering the truth about their sister’s murder. When their sister, Beth March, was found dead in the woods near their home on New Year’s Day, they promised to find her murderer. However, there is no shortage of suspects. There is their neighbor, who has a crush on two of the sisters; Meg’s conniving best friend; Amy’s creepy and flirty mentor; and Beth’s first love.

As the sisters try to grieve and cope with their beloved sister’s death, they realize that each has a secret that could have led to Beth’s death. Jo has a huge following on social media and is an aspiring author. She has been facing writer’s block, and her publisher has been threatening to pull her book deal if she doesn’t come up with a viable story.

Amy dreams of studying art in Europe but can’t afford it. The only way she can is if she asks their Aunt March for money. Unfortunately, their aunt has already promised to give money to Beth and isn’t able to help Amy. Meg wouldn’t hurt her younger sister, but she does have a boyfriend who doesn’t always see eye to eye with Beth. He feels that Beth has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and is wasting it.

As everyone becomes a suspect, it’s hard to pin down a killer, especially since the family was thrown into the limelight by their father. He penned a controversial bestseller about his own daughters that caused a frenzy. Anyone could have killed Beth, and will the sisters be able to find the truth?

I was torn between really liking the novel and loving it. The novel started off strong with a whole heap of suspects. It was fun trying to figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed. The book is narrated by all four sisters and is told in both past and present tenses, except for Beth, who is told only in the past tense.

I like that the characters were interesting and well-written. However, I am not sure why the young women were so quick to believe the men in their lives, even with evidence that might prove they were lying. Even when they admitted they were lying, the sisters were quick to forgive them. It was annoying to me because they didn’t give each other that grace or other women in their lives the benefit of the doubt. I didn’t like that the sisters claimed they loved each other and were close, but believed strangers over their own sisters.

I have not read Little Women, nor am I familiar with the characters. I know that some fans of the original book might not like the retelling or how the characters are portrayed. As I am not familiar with the book, I read it as a completely different and new story. I think if you like murder mysteries, you might enjoy this book. It’s an engaging debut, and I would read more by the author.

Book Review - Afia in the Land of Wonders by Mia Araujo

 

In Afia in the Land of Wonders by Mia Araujo, sixteen-year-old Afia leaves her beloved twin and family to travel to a mysterious land in search of adventure. Afia has always felt out of place, as if she were only half a person because she has a twin sister, Aya. Unlike Afia, who is a daydreamer eager to explore life beyond their small village of Dafra, Aya is content to follow their family’s expectations.

Afia’s longing for adventure comes true when she crosses paths with a shape-shifter named Bakame. Bakame tells her about a magical place called Ijábù. Intrigued by the wonders he describes, Afia resolves not to let her parents dictate her destiny. Although afraid, she decides the risk is worth leaving everything she knows behind including her beloved sister.

She follows Bakame into the forbidden forest, a place rumored to swallow travelers whole, never to return. Along the way to Ijábù, Afia witnesses many mystical sights and senses something shadowy pursuing her. When she finally arrives, she meets the enchanting Queen, who is both beautiful and mysterious. At first, Ijábù seems to be everything Afia ever dreamed of but she soon discovers that not everything is as it seems, and her dreams may come at a terrible cost.

I found the book to be an interesting retelling of Alice in Wonderland. It includes many playful references to the original while adding its own unique spin. I especially enjoyed the illustrations, which were filled with gorgeous artwork, and I liked seeing how Afia grew and learned to follow her own voice. However, I didn’t enjoy the ending; it felt abrupt, and I was unclear about how much time had passed or whether Afia truly achieved what she wanted. While the book is geared toward middle-grade readers, I found some parts rather gruesome and possibly unsuitable for younger audiences. Overall, I would be open to reading more books by this author.

Book Review - Wake the Wild Creatures by Nova Ren Suma

 

Wake the Wild Creatures by Nova Ren Suma is about a young woman who lived with her mother off the grid her entire life and was forced to return to civilization. Until three years ago, Talia lived in the ruins of Neves, a once-beautiful and grand hotel that had been abandoned, with her mother, Pola, and a community of like-minded women in the Catskills Mountains area. Each woman had her own reason for coming to Neves. Some came to escape men; others were hiding from the law, but they all found safety, comfort, and connection when they arrived.

Neves is cloaked in a mysterious, magical mist that keeps intruders and anyone who isn’t welcome away. As their numbers grew, so did their complications. Someone had betrayed the community and called the police on Pola. The uniformed men descended on their sacred community and arrested her, calling her a murderer and a fugitive, which caused Talia to be taken away and left their community in shambles.

Talia is now sixteen and eager to return to her community. She currently lives with her mother’s sister, Rachele, and her family. Talia doesn’t like how the world revolves around ideals the women of Neves stood against. Talia is desperate to return to her home, but she is awaiting a signal from her mother. As Talia waits, she questions everything she knew about her past and is desperate to know whether she can ever return to the life she left behind.

I thought the book was an okay read. I think it was nicely written and easy to follow along at times but can be confusing when it would switch between past and present. The book is told from Talia’s perspective and alternates between the past and present. It was interesting to read about Talia’s past and how she was coping in the present. However, I felt the ending left me with more questions, such as what happened to the mother, why they waited so long to give her a signal, what would happen to Talia, her mother, and the others, and why the place is magical.

At times, the book was hard to read because I didn’t care for Talia. I felt like she was an unlikeable person and very self-centered. I also wondered what the point of the book was, because the ending felt very unresolved for me. Sometimes the book would focus heavily on her past, and I would be very interested in seeing what role it played in the present, but sometimes nothing came of it. The book was very boring at times, with almost no twists or turns, and even though it is billed as a mysterious thriller, it is not. I think it’s an okay read, but I wouldn’t read it again or be in a hurry to read another book by the author.