Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts

Friday, October 20, 2023

Book Review - The Swallowtail Legacy 2: Betrayal by the Book by Michael D. Beil

 

Betrayal By the Book by Michael D. Beil is about a young girl who tries to solve a murder. Twelve year old Lark is excited about the upcoming writer’s conference. For a week, Swallowtail Island hosts the Swallowtales Writers Conference that brings writers, publishers, agents, and fellow book lovers together for exclusive book related content.

Lark is ecstatic when she is assigned to be a page for her favorite author, Ann E. Keyhart. Lark  has devoured and re-read Ann’s book several times and Lark considers the book to be one of her favorites. Ann arrives on the island after agreeing at the last minute to do the conference. She brings her bubbly assistant, Didi, with her. However, Lark quickly learns what the saying means about never meeting your idols.

Lark tries to do her job as a page for Ann professionally but Lark can see why many people don’t like her. Ann is pushy, aggressive, and mean to everyone and always needs to get her way. Thus when Didi needs help finding a place on the island, Lark jumps at the chance to help Didi, while Ann gets ready to attend the conference. At least this way, Lark can get a small break from the author.

Didi takes Lark to a special place on the island where Didi decided she wanted to be a writer. The duo bond before Lark takes off to prepare for the conference. Later in the day, Lark is devastated to learn that Didi ends up dead. When the cause of her death is disclosed, Lark feels like something doesn’t add up.

Lark feels that someone else might have been the target instead. As Lark digs deeper into the case, a few things stand out to her, like Ann has tons of enemies and Didi’s computer vanishes from the hotel suite she was staying in. She also finds out that Didi had a glass bird that is very similar to the one Lark’s late mother had. Will Lark be able to figure out what happened to Didi?

This middle grade level book is the second in the series and can be read as a standalone. There is a wider mystery that connects the two books in the series, though. I found the book to be an entertaining read and it was fun trying to guess who was behind the murder and their motive. It was a bit predictable but I enjoyed reading along with Lark and her adventures.

However, the one thing I didn’t like was that the entire book had a lot of coincidences. For example, it just so happens the person that Lark was searching for was in the right area at the right time. Then Didi’s roommate, Suzy, just so happened to performing in the same location that Didi was. It would be fun if it happens once or so but, it was just too many coincidences for it to be realistic. If you liked the first book, then you would enjoy the next book in the series.

Monday, November 28, 2022

Book Review - The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

 


Out by the Yorkshire Moors, there lives a secret group of people that consume books for food. The book eaters can retain all of the book's content after eating it. Devon is a part of The Family, who are a long line of old and reclusive book eaters. Devon grew up eating stories about princesses and fairy tales while, her brother eats stories of action and glory. Devon learns the hard way that life isn't always so easy or comes with happy endings when her son is born with a gruesome hunger for human minds.

I was conflicting on liking and loving the novel. I thought the book had a lot of interesting parallels along with interesting topics such as love, loyalty, family, and what it means to be a monster. I thought the book told an interesting tale that was woven with unique world building experience. Be wary though, some readers might love this book so much they might consume it in one reading....

Monday, October 24, 2022

Book Review - The Brothers Flick: The Impossible Doors by Ryan Haddock + Giveaway

 

Weird things happen at the Strander House. You might open a closet and find an orge with a knight inside or you might slip on a puddle and end up in an underwater adventure. Time moves differently at the Strander House, you might walk into a closet or a room and end up missing a few days without even knowing it. However, for all these strange and supernatural occurrences, the Flick Brothers are here to help solve the mystery.

The graphic novel was a fun and entertaining read with some serious moments of lost and remembering loved ones intertwine. The characters were all well developed and fun. The book is broken down to a smaller easy to digest chapters but, they all contribute to the overarching story. I can't wait to see what other adventures the brothers get into.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

 

 

 

About The Book:

Title: THE BROTHERS FLICK: THE IMPOSSIBLE DOORS

Author: Ryan Haddock, Whitney Cogar,  Nick Wyche (Illustrations), David Stoll (Illustrations), Jim Campbell, Rebecca Taylor (Editor)

Pub. Date: October 11, 2022

Publisher: Wonderbound

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 208

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, B&NiBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Sherlock Holmes meets the Wayside School in this Middle Grade supernatural sleuthing graphic novel about the Flick brothers - four siblings searching for explanations to outbreaks of supernatural strangeness and otherworldly weirdness in their Edwardian-era hometown.    

A bump in the night? They're on the case! At Strander House, things are…weird. There’s an ogre wedged in the closet, and you have to be careful not to slip on the leak coming from the ocean in the attic. What’s possibly weirder than the fact that you can walk into the bathroom and end up in next Tuesday are the four brothers who investigate these strange supernatural occurrences…the Brothers Flick!

Leo, Desmond, Remy, and Cub seek to get to the bottom of every shadow you swear you saw move. If they happen to stumble upon answers to the mysterious disappearance of their own family along the way, all the better.   For fans of  Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate EventsGravity FallsWhispering Pines, the Hardy Boys, the Winterhouse series, the Greenglass House series, and the Wayside School series!

Reviews:

“… the metaphor of “impossible doors” leading toward unending universes, where even the smallest changes reverberate, provides a unique framework for themes of grief and healing.”   – Publishers Weekly

“…enjoyable.” – Kirkus

“… this graphic novel will attract mystery and adventure fans by the droves..."     -- Kirkus

“… a “Jonny Quest meets the Hardy Boys” vibe with a few modern twists…”  -- Kirkus

 

About Ryan Haddock:

Ryan Haddock has wanted to write books since he was six years old. Over the years, his career aspirations also included rock star, lawyer, rock star lawyer, and teacher, but writing books never left his heart. Thank goodness someone finally let him write a book.

Ryan resides with his wife and kids in a charmingly quaint city known for its ridiculously fast internet and a jingle about a train.

Hometown/State: Chattanooga, TN

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 


About Nick Wyche:

Nick Wyche lives in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains with his wonderful wife, Suzanne, overlooking the Tennessee River. He has been obsessed with comics and cartoons for over 4 decades and still can't believe he gets to draw professionally.
Hometown/State: Chattanooga, TN

Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

 




Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a finished copy of THE BROTHERS FLICK: THE IMPOSSIBLE DOORS, US Only.

Ends November 1st, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/26/2022

A Dream Within A Dream

Guest Post

9/27/2022

@allyluvsbooksalatte

IG Spotlight

9/28/2022

BookHounds YA

Guest Post/IG Post

9/29/2022

Lady Hawkeye

Guest Post/IG Post

9/30/2022

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

10/1/2022

amandainpa

Review/IG Post

Week Two:

10/2/2022

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Guest Post

10/3/2022

Mom with a Reading Problem

Review/IG Post

10/4/2022

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Review/IG Post

10/5/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review/IG Post

10/6/2022

@enjoyingbooksagain

Review/IG Post

10/7/2022

More Books Please blog

Review/IG Post

10/8/2022

@meetcuteromancebooks

Review/IG Post

Week Three:

10/9/2022

One More Exclamation

Review/IG Post

10/10/2022

Little Red Reads

Review

10/11/2022

RavenzReviewz

Review/IG Post

10/12/2022

Ya Books Central

Guest Post

10/13/2022

Two Chicks on Books

Guest Post

10/14/2022

GryffindorBookishNerd

Review/IG Post

10/15/2022

@ablueboxfullofbooks

IG Review

Week Four:

10/16/2022

@jaimerockstarbooktours

IG Spotlight

10/17/2022

@jacleomik33

IG Review

10/18/2022

@froggyreadteach

IG Review/Read Part of Book Out Loud

10/19/2022

The Bookwyrm's Den

Review/IG Post

10/20/2022

Two Points of Interest

Review/IG Post

10/21/2022

Nerdophiles

Review/IG Post

10/22/2022

hodophile_z

Review/IG Post

Week Five:

10/23/2022

pickagoodbook

Review/IG Post

10/24/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

10/25/2022

@thebookishfoxwitch

IG Review


Saturday, September 24, 2022

Book Review - The Last Book You'll Ever Read: Complete Series by Cullen Bunn + Giveaway

 

Olivia Kade wrote the book that could bring about the end of the world. She needs someone to protect her who hasn't read the book. Her book, Satyr, is being blamed for the violence and bloodshed all over the world. Olivia's own life is in danger when her readers are attacking her. However, she is still determine to do a book tour for her book.

I thought the graphic novel was gorgeously rendered but, it did have some adult themes. However, I felt that the graphic novel didn't really have much of a story and everything was being repeated several times. I also don't understand why Olivia was so persistent in spreading her book when her life was in danger and so many violent things were happening. The book was a collection of all eight comics but, nothing was answered and I was left with more questions. I felt that this entire book was rather pointless. 

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

 



About The Book:

Title: THE LAST BOOK YOU'LL EVER READ: The Complete Series

Author: Cullen Bunn, Vlad Popov, Leila Leiz (Illustrations), Adrian F. Wassel (Editor), AndWorld Design

Pub. Date: September 20, 2022

Publisher: Vault Comics

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 192

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, B&NiBooks, KoboTBD, Bookshop.org

A supernatural horror thriller for readers of Chuck Palahniuk (Lullaby and Haunted: A Novel),  Marisha Pessl,(Night Film), and Scarlett Thomas (The End of Mr. Y), The Last Book You’ll Ever Read tells the terrifying story of a woman who knows the horrific truth about the past – and future - of humankind, and, when captured in her book SATYR, it becomes the catalyst for worldwide, mind-numbing violence.

Read this book at your own peril.
Olivia Kade wrote the book that ended the world. Now she needs someone who won't read it.

Civilization is a lie. Hidden deep in our genes is the truth. And it is slowly clawing its way to the surface. Olivia Kade knows the truth, and she has become the prophet of the coming collapse. Her book, SATYR, is an international bestseller, and it is being blamed for acts of senseless violence and bloodshed all over the world. Olivia's own life is in danger from those who have read her work. Determined to conduct a book tour, she hires security professional Connor Wilson to act as her bodyguard. She only has one requirement: he cannot read her work.

John Carpenter’s In the Mouth of Madness meets Chuck Palahniuk’s Lullaby in this terrifyingly dangerous tale of the descent of humankind where reality and fantasy collide.

Collects the entire smash 8-issue series.


Reviews:

"I truly hope this terrific horror comic is in no way prescient or timely."  - Patton Oswalt

…perfectly disturbing and mysterious.” – The Beat

“It’s creepy stuff… you won’t want to miss it.”  - Kurt Busiek (Eisner Award and Harvey Award-winning comics writer of Astro City, The Avengers, Thor, Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and more)

 

About Cullen Bunn:

Cullen Bunn is a New York Times bestselling author and prolific writer of horror/supernatural comics series and graphic novels including THE SIXTH GUN, HARROW COUNTY, BONE PARISH, THE DAMNED, THE EMPTY MAN, THE GHOUL NEXT DOOR, BASILISK, SHADOWMAN, and many other titles including The Last Book You'll Ever Read for Vault Comics. He has fought for his life against mountain lions and performed on stage as the World’s Youngest Hypnotist.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon  | BookBub

 



About Leila Leiz:

Born and raised in France now living in Italy, Leila Leiz is a self-taught artist who worked for several years at European publishers including Soleil and Sergio Bonelli before fulfilling her lifelong dream of making the leap to American comics. Best known for her work on Paul Jenkins’ ALTERS for AfterShock and Horde with Marguerite Bennet, she has also worked on 451 Media’s NVRLND and was a contributor to AfterShock’s SHOCK anthology. She is working on M.O.M with Emila Clark (from Game of Thrones) and Marguerite Bennet for Image Comics and The Last Book You’ll Ever Read with Cullen Bunn for Vault Comics.

Leila has a HUGE Instagram following: 77,200 followers (!) and 9.2K Facebook followers

Website | Twitter | FacebookInstagram | TikTok | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a finished copy of THE LAST BOOK YOU'LL EVER READ, US Only.

Ends October 7th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/1/2022

Two Chicks on Books

Guest Post

9/2/2022

@jaimerockstarbooktours

IG Post

9/3/2022

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Guest Post

Week Two:

9/4/2022

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Review/IG Post

9/5/2022

@bookstagramofmin

Review/IG Post

9/6/2022

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

9/7/2022

@allyluvsbooksalatte

IG Post

9/8/2022

Brandi Danielle Davis

Excerpt/IG Post

9/9/2022

Sadie's Spotlight

Guest Post/IG Post

9/10/2022

BookHounds

Guest Post/IG Post

Week Three:

9/11/2022

@just_another_mother_with_books

IG Review

9/12/2022

Fire & Ice

Review/IG Post

9/13/2022

RavenzReviewz

Review/IG Post

9/14/2022

Lifestyle of Me

Review/IG Post

9/15/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

9/16/2022

Forthenovellovers

Review/IG Post

9/17/2022

@lexijava

Review/IG Post

Week Four:

9/18/2022

Lady Hawkeye

Guest Post/IG Post

9/19/2022

Laurenreads._

Review/IG Post

9/20/2022

GryffindorBookishNerd

Review/IG Post

9/21/2022

A Dream Within A Dream

Guest Post/IG Post

9/22/2022

@enjoyingbooksagain

IG Review

9/23/2022

The Real World According to Sam

Review/IG Post

9/24/2022

@thebookishfoxwitch

IG Review

Week Five:

9/25/2022

See Sadie Read

Review/IG Post

9/26/2022

Wanderingwitchreads

Tik Tok Review/IG Post

9/27/2022

Two Points of Interest

Review/IG Post

9/28/2022

Nerdophiles

Review/IG Post

9/29/2022

brittyoreads

Review/IG Post

9/30/2022

hodophile_z

Review/IG Post


Thursday, September 1, 2022

Book Review - Palace of the Drowned by Christine Mangan

 

In 1966, Frankie Croy decides to take a trip to Venice and stay in her friend's empty palazzo. She needed a break after her recent novel didn't garner as much as success and attention as her first novel. After a scathing review was published, and having a public breakdown, Frankie decides she needs a change of scenery.

In Venice, Frankie crosses path with Gilly. Gilly is a young admirer and is eager to become friends with Frankie. Gilly tries to insinuate herself in Frankie's exiled time in Venice. As Frankie spends more time with Gilly, she feels that Gilly is hiding something from her.

This entire novel was a complete waste of time. The author left a lot of questions unanswered but, answered a few random ones. I also don't understand why Frankie kept entertaining and spending time with Gilly when she was having her own reservations about the girl. Frankie mentioned that she felt uneasy around her but, yet she continue to spend time with her. I also didn't like how the author sprinkled Italian words without giving context to their meanings. I can't say I liked any of the characters and I am struggling to find a story/plot for this novel.

Saturday, August 6, 2022

Book Review - The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia by Emma Copley Eisenberg

 

On June 25, 1980 two young women were murdered in an isolated clearing in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The two women were outsiders who came to town for a festival known as the Rainbow Gathering. For thirteen years, the deaths of Vicki Duran and Nancy Santomero has gone unsolved. People believe it was the local people who committed the crime. In 1993, a local farmer was convicted but, he was released when Joseph Paul Franklin, a known serial killer and diagnosed schizophrenic, claimed responsibility for the murders. As time progressed, the truth  had become more elusive and  investigation stalled causing neighbors to turn against each other.

I love reading true crime novels even though this is a relatively new genre of books for me. However, this book was boring read. I am not even sure how this book was even considered a true crime novel as the author spent more time talking about herself and her experiences than anything else. Prior to beginning the book, she listed out a few facts about the case. I read more than half way through the book and yet, I learned nothing more about the case than what she listed in the introduction. However, I learned that the person who found the bodies went grocery shopping before he found the bodies and the author had a relationship with a local man. I think this book would have been better if the author focused on the case and any history regarding the community and kept her life story out of it.


Friday, July 22, 2022

Book Review - Nothing Is Little by Carmella Van Vleet + Giveaway

 

Felix is a eleven year old who is the smallest kid in school. He likes being the smallest child because he knows where he fits in. He has a growth hormone deficiency but, he doesn't let it bother him. He has been doing so well in his forensic science club that his friends call him "Shortlock Holmes".

When Felix learns that his biological dad was short, it opens up a hole in his life. He starts to wonder more about his father and who he was. He decides that he would use the skills he learned in forensic class to find his father.

I thought the book was a cute and heart warming book. The book was well written with developed characters. I felt for Felix when he was trying to find his father and he kept hitting dead end after dead end. I loved reading the quips and conversations between Felix and his family and his inner thoughts about Boo. I also liked reading the interesting facts about the forensics club and I wish I had something like that when I was in school. Lastly, I think the author did a great job with Felix and the way he dealt with his condition. It gave readers an understanding of the condition that they might not know about.

 **Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**


 

About The Book:

Title: NOTHING IS LITTLE

Author: Carmella Van Vleet

Pub. Date: July 19, 2022

Publisher: Holiday House

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 224

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, B&NiBooks, KoboTBD, Bookshop.org

The case of a missing father is hard to crack . . . even for Felix, a tiny kid with a huge heart and an eye for detail.

Eleven-year-old Felix likes being the smallest kid in school.
 
At least he knows where he fits in. Plus his nickname, “Short-lock Holmes,” is perfect for someone who’s killing it in forensic science club. To Felix, Growth Hormone Deficiency is no big deal.
 
And then Felix learns that his biological dad was short, too. This one, tiny, itty-bitty piece of information opens up a massive hole in his life. Felix must find his father. He only has a few small clues to work from, but as Sherlock Holmes said, “To a great mind, nothing is little.” 

The further Felix gets in his investigation, though, the more he starts to wonder: What if his dad doesn’t want to be found? And what if Felix’s family—his mom, his stepdad, the baby on the way—needs him right where he is?
 
Tender and uplifting, this warm novel from Christopher Award–winner Carmella Van Vleet celebrates little differences in us that can make a big impact.
 
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Reviews:

"A captivating, humorous, and heartfelt story of friendship, family, and crime-solving."—Kirkus Reviews

"A fresh and funny read that sells itself, and it demonstrates that there is more than one way to grow."—Booklist

"The story keeps a steady pace as it ­alternates between school and home, ­giving a firsthand account of what it's like to be young and faced with decisions that are difficult to navigate. ­Engaging and heartfelt, Van Vleet's title delivers big on the feels. Anyone who's ever been made to feel small will benefit from ­hearing ­Felix's story."—School Library Journal

"Nothing Is Little offers powerful proof that little things can matter in a great big way. What a beautiful book! The most huge-hearted and heartwarming story you'll read this year."—Claudia Mills, author of The Lost Language

"Smart, funny, and memorable. You can’t help but love Felix! He has big goals and a great big heart, and he’ll live large in your memory long after the final page is turned."—Margi Preus, Newbery Honor–winning author

 

 

About Carmella Van Vleet:

Carmella Van Vleet is a former kindergarten teacher and the author of numerous books for children, including To the Stars!, which was co-authored by astronaut Kathy Sullivan and named to the Amelia Bloomer list. Her debut children's novel, Eliza Bing Is (NOT) a Big, Fat Quitter, received the Christopher Award and was named to four state award master lists. Just like Eliza, Carmella loves tae kwon do—she has earned her black belt! She lives in Ohio and can be found online at carmellavanvleet.com

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 



Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of NOTHING IS LITTLE, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/11/2022

Log Cabin Library

Excerpt

7/11/2022

Yabookscentral

Excerpt

7/12/2022

BookHounds YA

Excerpt/IG Post

7/12/2022

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt/IG Post

7/13/2022

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt

7/13/2022

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt

7/14/2022

Lifestyle of Me

Review

7/14/2022

@jaimerockstarbooktours

IG Post

7/15/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review/IG Post

7/15/2022

Sadie's Spotlight

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

7/18/2022

hodophile_z

IG Review

7/18/2022

Books a Plenty Book Reviews

Review

7/19/2022

GryffindorBookishNerd

IG Review

7/19/2022

Little Red Reads

Review

7/20/2022

Write. Read. Live.

Review/IG Post

7/20/2022

@enjoyingbooksagain

IG Review

7/21/2022

One More Exclamation

Review/IG Post

7/21/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

7/22/2022

Two Points of Interest

Review

7/22/2022

Nerdophiles

Review