Month: March 2018

BONUS REVIEW: Hamlet and Cheese by Megan McDonald

BONUS REVIEW: Hamlet and Cheese by Megan McDonald

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

For Spring Break, Stink’s friend, Sophie-of-the-Elves is going to Shakespeare camp at the college. They’ll learn about Shakespeare’s plays, practice Shakespearean insults, and even learn sword fighting. Stink can’t resist signing up for that! Even though he’s the only boy at camp, he’s determined to get the full Shakespeare experience.

The other downside to camp is Stink’s nemesis, Riley Rottenberger. She seems determined to have a Romeo-and-Juliet kissing moment with Stink before the end of camp. Thankfully, Judy and Sophie help him make an anti-smooching shield! Hopefully it will be enough against Riley.

Review

This is a fun addition to the Stink Moody series for kids transitioning to chapter books for the first time. When my son was in first and second grade, these were some of his favorite books.

The Shakespeare theme was fun. The book covers some of the basics of plays like Hamlet as well as information about how the theater worked in Shakespeare’s day. This could get kids interested in learning more about Shakespeare and his works.

I didn’t care for the kissing emphasis for this age group, but it worked out all right in the book. If kids are reading this with support, this might be a good way to introduce the idea of consent. I know it may seem like an over-reaction to a simple kids story, but no one should have to worry about someone kissing them when they don’t want to be kissed. I’ve worked at an elementary school; it does come up even with kids that young. In my opinion, it’s important to set a good standard for kids early on. I think our culture is bearing that out right now, too.

This is a fun series for younger elementary readers. Thanks to Netgalley and Candlewick Press for the chance to read an electronic review copy of the latest book in the series. The illustrations were not available on my review copy, but Peter H. Reynolds always does a fantastic job. His illustrations are a big part of the charm of the series.

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone

REVIEW: Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Hannah lives at the Elms, a turn-of-the-century (1900s) home that once belonged to the Berwind family. Her father is the caretaker, and they live in the old servant quarters of the mansion. A history buff, Hannah can’t imagine a better place to live.

Margaret Dunlap – Maggie – stayed with her aunt and uncle, the Berwinds, in 1905. They even commissioned a painting of Maggie by a new artist, Mary Cassatt. But the painting was stolen before it could be debuted. A servant was suspected of the theft, but neither he nor the painting were ever found.

At The Elms in Hannah’s time, they have a reproduction of the portrait. The mystery of the original’s disappearance is one of her favorite parts of the history of the house. If only she knew what really happened….

Hannah may get her chance to find out when she and Maggie swap places! Now Hannah is in 1905 trying to track down a missing painting and an art thief. And Maggie is in 2018 trying to figure out an unfamiliar world without anyone finding out what has happened.

Review

This was so fun! Hannah definitely got the better end of this swap. As a lover of history, and of Maggie’s story and The Elms, she is more prepared for her new surroundings. Poor Maggie isn’t ready for the social changes of our time – the language, the freedom for young women, the customs – much less the technology. Watching the girls negotiate their environments was a lot of fun.

This was less of a mystery than I expected. Discovering what happened to the painting played a smaller role than the bigger issues of (1) what to do with Hannah’s discoveries in 1905 and (2) how to get switched back to their own time. I would categorize this as historic fantasy moreso than mystery. This is an asset, though, because I think this will appeal to fans of historic fiction, fantasy, and mystery.

There’s a great girl-power piece to this that I wasn’t expecting but I adored. It took the overall story to a higher level for me than if they had not included it. There are recommended resources in the authors’ notes for readers who want to know more.

Thanks to Netgalley and Aladdin for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BOOK NEWS: March 13, 2018

BOOK NEWS: March 13, 2018

Posted on by Jaymie

If you are in the market for a new book or two, here are some of the new releases on my radar this week!

Books for Kids

   

Can I Be Your Dog? – A dog living in a box in an alley sends a persuasive letter to every home on Butternut Street asking if he can be their dog. I met the author/illustrator at a conference a couple years ago, and I really enjoy his work. This sounds delightful. I will have to read this one!
Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover – A nonfiction picture book about the Mars Rover, Curiosity. The illustrations for this look amazing. I can’t wait to see this one in person.
If the S in Moose Comes Loose – When two letters of MOOSE disappear, so does Moose. His best friend Cow tries to save the day. This sounds like just the right kind of quirky for me! This is another one I can’t want to check out in person.
Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles – Picture book biography of Joan Procter. I’m not a fan of reptiles myself, but this sounds like an awesome picture book biography – something I would have added to the school library when I was teaching.
Sheep 101 – When a boy tries to count sheep to go to sleep, Sheep 101 gets stuck in the fence. How will the boy get to sleep now? I can’t wait to read this one and find out what happens to Sheep 101!
The Two Mutch Sisters – A story of sisters and an opportunity to appreciate differences. The title of this caught my eye, and I’d love to read it to get the whole scoop.
Not-So-Lucky Lefty – I love this line of early readers starring Judy Moody and her friends. The chapters are short, the print is large and the pictures are in full color. In this particular story, Stick and Mr. Moody are celebrating Left Handers Day and Judy is feeling left out. Sounds adorable.
Pet + Cat The Camp Problem – An early reader starring Peg and Cat. I love this series with an emphasis on math. This particular book focuses on counting by fives and tens and on patterns.
Stink: Hamlet and Cheese – This is book 11 in the Stink Moody series of early chapter books. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow, so you’ll have to come back and see what the book is all about.
I’m Not Your Sweet Babboo! – A Peanuts comics collection
Monsters Beware! – The third and final book in the Chronicles of Claudette graphic novel series. I met the author/illustrator for this series several years ago at a conference and really liked him. I loved the first two books, so this is at the top of my wish list for the week.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Frank Einstein and the Space-Time Zipper – Book 6 in this fun science-fiction series by Jon Scieszka. This will be the final book in the series. My son loved these when he was younger. Great for the science-minded kids in your life.
Lights, Music, Code – Book 3 in the Girls Who Code series. This time the coding girls get to code the lights and music for the big dance, but one of them is distracted by an old friend.
Like Vanessa – Set in 1983, the main character wants to be just like the first black Miss America, Vanessa Williams. I think this book is going to be fantastic. I’m looking forward to trying this one out.
Olga: We’re Out of Here – Book 2 in this series that is set up like Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries starring an animal lover and kid scientist, Olga. I love that the format will feel familiar to kids who like other illustrated novels like this, while the content has a science spin.
Time Bomb – The one book for teens on my radar this week comes from the author of The Testing, Dividing Eden, and Need. This one is about seven kids trapped in a school after a bomb goes off. I have already requested this one from my local library.

Books for Adults

Death al Fresco – Book 3 in the Sally Solari mystery series about a woman helping run her family’s Italian restaurant.
Lethal in Old Lace – Book 5 in the Consignment Shop series.
Playing with Bonbon Fire – Book 2 in the Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series. I have book 1 in this chocoholic series on my wish list. Yum!
The Creativity Project – A collection of story starters and prompts from many authors and illustrators as well as the stories they wrote in response to the prompts. This would be a perfect book for elementary and middle school teachers to use with their students. I am eager to see this book in person. I have been hearing about it for ages, but I don’t have a great grasp on the layout or if the intended audience is kids or teachers or who. But some of my favorite people in children’s literature are a part of this, so it is on my wish list.
The Way of Abundance: A 60-Day Journey into a Deeply Meaningful Life – Many of my friends are HUGE Ann Voskamp fans and I know they scoop up anything and everything she produces. This particular book is a collection of online essays and pieces of Voskamp’s book The Broken Way to use as a devotional.
Wild Bread: Sourdough Reinvented – Glorious bread. This book looks beautiful. Chock full of recipes and pictures of beautiful breads, this is also on my wish list for this week.

REVIEW: More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

REVIEW: More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Emma is a coder. She’s only a junior in high school, but she’s already designed her own game and other people are playing it online. Once she gets it perfect, she will show it to her dad. As a game designer, he’ll “get” how huge this is. And his approval is everything to Emma. She won’t mention the troll who is sending hateful, harassing emails to her through the game, though. That’s just how it is for women in gaming. She has to show her dad she can handle the jerks on her own.

Rev hasn’t seen his father since he was removed from the home for abuse when he was seven. At first, he didn’t even talk to his foster family. The first day, he ran away and hid at the neighbor’s. That’s how he and Declan became best friends. Now Rev’s 18. He’s in his last year of high school. His foster parents adopted him. He has a real family now. So why does the letter from his biological father throw him into such a tailspin?

Emma and Rev are both dealing with family issues. Neither one feels like they can tell the people closest to them what they are going through. But maybe they can rely on each other.

Review

Brigid Kemmerer is the real deal! After I felt in love with Declan and Juliet’s story (Letters to the Lost) last year, I started to follow her on Twitter and I tried her fantasy series (The Elementals) and loved it. This is her latest book, and it takes place in the same world as Letters. And it is another triumph.

I feel this is a darker, edgier story than Letters. The harassment Emma experiences is no joke. And the abuse Rev and other characters have suffered is horrific. But these pieces are also compelling. I have loved Rev since he first appeared in Letters. I enjoyed learning more of his story. Overall, the horrors the characters are experiencing give other people a chance to show up for Rev and for Emma. The protectiveness some people show for these characters when they are at their most fragile reminded me of all the best moments of another 2017 favorite, A List of Cages. Both books are inspiring. Oh, that we would care for others so fiercely.

I adored this story. I didn’t want it to end. I wanted more moments with these characters after the story is resolved. More of just them and life and caring for one another. I don’t want to give anything away, but I’ll just say – Matthew. Oh, this character. I’d love to read more of his story some day.

I loved everything about this! From now on, if Brigid Kemmerer writes something, I’m reading it immediately. Check her books out – I highly recommend her work. (Language, trigger warning for abuse/harassment)

Many, many thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this fantastic book in exchange for an honest review. I honestly adored it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Bringing Maggie Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer

REVIEW: Bringing Maggie Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Meghan heads to Las Vegas to stay with her grandmother, Hazel, after a terrible car accident puts Meghan on leave from work. She has no idea that her mom, Diane, has also come to Vegas.

Being in close quarters together shows the strain in the relationship between the three women. Meghan adores her grandmother, and Diane is jealous. Diane grew up feeling smothered by Hazel’s over-protectiveness. Determined to not be like Hazel, Diane pushes Meghan to be independent and self-sufficient. While Meghan does develop those traits, she feels like she missed out on some nurturing and displays of love in her life.

The women might not have survived together for long with their hurts and hang-ups. But Meghan accidentally discovers her grandmother’s life-long secret. Hazel’s little sister, Maggie, disappeared when she was three. Hazel had been with her, stepped away from a moment, and Maggie had never been seen again.  Meghan, a cold case investigator, offers to look into the 70-year-old disappearance. The chances of finding Maggie alive after all this time are slim, but they have to try.

Review

This was a lovely, emotionally satisfying story. The 70-year-old cold case is what initially grabbed my attention, but the relationships between these women made the story for me. I loved the relationship between Hazel and Meghan. It was warm and mutual. They were devoted to one another. Diane was prickly and abrasive. But you could see why and feel empathy for how she came to see life the way she did. The faith pieces of the story worked most directly in the relationship with these three characters. The faith pieces were handled well overall. They felt natural when they came into the story and they were realistic. No easy answers or promises of an easy life if the non-believing character would just believe.

The cold case was fascinating. No huge surprises – the clues were laid out for the reader. But the solution was satisfying. The cold case also brought in the romantic part of the story. This was an enjoyable, moving story. I would recommend this highly and would read others by this author.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Switched by Jen Calonita

REVIEW: Switched by Jen Calonita

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Rumpelstiltskin was run off, but he’s not gone for good. Gilly’s sister, Anna, and a bunch of other kids have followed him, ready to do his bidding as he tries to take over Enchantasia. And while Gilly has school and her friends to distract her, she is desperate to get Anna back.

One of the exciting things at Fairy Tale Reform School (FTRS) this term is a new library and the librarians coming to run it – Prince Sebastian (Beast) and Princess Beauty. Of course, since this is Enchantasia, some of the books are magic – and some are dangerous.

Gilly is convinced that if she can find a book on Rumpelstiltskin in the library, it will tell her what she needs to know to defeat him and rescue her sister. She’s certain that her past adventures mean she can handle whatever a simple book could throw at her. But villain origin stories can be more dangerous than Gilly can imagine.

Review

I have enjoyed this world since book one, Flunked. It feels a little like the Ever After High series, but without an over-reliance on fairy tale puns. I enjoy Gilly and her group of friends. The addition of Beauty and the Beast’s daughter, AG, and her personal development in the story was my favorite part of the book. I have high hopes for her character in the continuation of the series.

I was disappointed in Gilly in this book, though. At the beginning of the series, she’s such a terrific, tough and determined character. This time, she’s completely consumed with the rift between her and her sister and with rescuing Anna. She loses all rational thought. She ignores her friends – and her own past experience – in favor of voices that tell her what she expects and wants to hear. And that robs her of some of the strength she has had in the past that made me enjoy the character so much.

I think fans of the series will be content with this new installment, but they may miss the more adventurous action and tone of some of the early books. There’s going to be a new series in this world called the Royal Academy Rebels. Book one, Misfits, will release in fall of 2018. I’m looking forward to seeing what that adds to the world of Enchantasia.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ♥♥♥

BOOK NEWS: March 6, 2018

BOOK NEWS: March 6, 2018

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the first week of March which means LOTS of new books to explore. Here are some of the ones I’m excited about for the week:

Books for Kids

Anybody’s Game: The Story of the First Girl to Play Little League Baseball – A picture book biography of a girl who pretended to be a boy to get around a rule that wouldn’t allow her to try out for Little League as herself. If I was still teaching, this is a book I definitely would have put into the library.
The Backup Bunny – We had a backup critter for my son’s favorite toy, so this title really grabbed my attention. I’m looking forward to reading this one.
A Busy Creature’s Day Eating – An alphabet book from Mo Willems about a critter who will eat just about anything
I Am Enough – A book with the important message of loving who you are
Part-Time Mermaid – Girl by day, mermaid by night.  I had Part-Time Princess when I was teaching, and it was a fun and popular story.
The Petes Go Marching – The Ants Go Marching song, with a Pete the Cat twist
Selfie Sebastien – A handsome fox goes on a quest for the perfect selfie. This is just the sort of picture book I love. Can’t wait to read this one.
Up in the Leaves: The True Story of the Central Park Treehouses – I have not heard about the treehouses in Central Park so I am eager to get my hands on this book to get the full scoop!
Nora and the Growing Tree AND Violet and the Buzzing Bees – Two books starring the characters from the Owlegories videos.
The Super Awful Superheroes of Classroom 13 – Book 4 in this wacky early chapter book about a group of school kids who get superpowers when they are zapped with purple lightning
The Super Life as Ben Braver – Book one in a new early chapter book series about an average kid who hears a call for help and tries to save the day. I’m curious to see this one in person. The art work sounds great.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

2 Fuzzy 2 Furious – Book 2 in the Squirrel Girl series by the fabulous Shannon Hale. I have not read the first book, yet, but I have bumped it into my TBR stack for this month.
The Night Diary – In 1947, when India is divided into India and Pakistan, a half-Muslim, half-Hindu girl tries to figure out where she fits in. Told in letters. This has been getting a lot of positive press lately. Great for fans of historical fiction.
The Science of Unbreakable Things – A girl hopes to use the scientific method and prize money from a contest to help her mother who is suffering from depression.
Stick Dog Crashes a Party – Book 8 in this fun series that might appeal to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Timmy Failure. I have enjoyed the previous books I have tried from this series.
Switched – Book 4 in the Fairy Tale Reform School series. You can read my review of book three here. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow, so come back and check that out.
Wizard for Hire – When his parents are kidnapped, Ozzy calls a wizard for hire to help. This sounds (and looks) fantastic! This is at the top of my list for the week.
Wizardmatch – A girl must compete with her family members to see who will gain her grandfather’s title (Prime Wizard), castle and powers. This looks terrific, too. I’m adding this one to my list as well.
What Is the World Cup?
What Was the Titanic?
The Case for Jamie – Book 3 in the Charlotte Holmes series. In this book, Jamie and Charlotte are on the outs after the events of book 2, but someone is pushing them back into eachother’s orbits. But for what purpose? Here is my review for book one.
In Search of Us – A girl who grows up thinking her father is dead starts to wonder if that is true and sets off to get the real story once and for all. This sounds like one I would enjoy.
More Than We Can Tell – A second book in the world of Letters to the Lost, this one focuses on Declan’s best friend Rev and a girl named Emma. I’m going to review this one on Thursday this week. I loved it!
Olivia Twist – A re-imagining of Oliver Twist. A girl, living on the streets, hides her identity, but when she is rescued, she struggles to reconcile her new, debutante life with her old life in the slums.
The Poet X – A frustrated teen pours her emotions into her poetry. This has been getting a lot of buzz lately, too. I’d love to read this one.
Teen Titans Vol 2: Rise of Aqualad – Sequel to Damian Knows Best focusing on the Teen Titans of DC Comics. I have had this in my Amazon cart for weeks. When I have the money, I plan to pick this one up! I can’t wait to read it.
What She Does Next Will Astound You – One of three books set in the world of the Doctor Who spin-off, Class. Students are obsessed with attempting the dares posted on a strange new website. But when kids start disappearing, one girl decides she is going to figure out what really is going on, no matter what. We haven’t tried Class yet, but this storyline sounds like something I would enjoy.

Books for Adults

Dipped to Death – Book 3 in the Olive Grove Mystery series. I enjoyed the first book in this series, and I’d like to get caught up with the next two books starring a sleuth on her family’s olive plantation
The Escape Artist – A woman who is supposed to be dead is on the run and an Army conspiracy involving Harry Houdini is involved. This sounds convoluted – and awesome! Looking forward to this one.
Good Guys – The people working for the Foundation have magic at their disposal, but that’s okay because The Foundation are the good guys. Right? I have already requested this from the library. It looks like a mystery from the cover, but the fantasy angle really appeals to me. Looking forward to trying this one.
Marinating in Murder – Book 3 in the Dinner Club mystery series. The dinner club is helping one of their own who is suspected of murder in this book. This sounds like I series I would enjoy. I need to track down book one and get it on my list!
Who Moved My Goat Cheese? – First in the new Farm-to-Fork mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. I love checking out a new mystery series, so this is on my list for this week as well.
Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others – A new book by Barbara Brown Taylor explores things she learned through her journey of faith and her teaching of college students.
Raising Passionate Jesus Followers: The Power of Intentional Parenting – A resource for parents in any stage of rearing children/teens/young adults
Survive Like a Spy: Real CIA Operatives Reveal How They Stay Safe in a Dangerous World and How You Can Too – I think that title speaks for itself. Sounds like a fascinating book.

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: Early Readers and Transitional Chapter Books

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: Early Readers and Transitional Chapter Books

Posted on by Jaymie

I had the pleasure of serving on an award committee for the 2017 Cybil Awards recognizing great children’s and young adult literature. My committee focused on books for the kids who are just starting to read on their own – Early Readers/Easy Readers and Early/Transitional Chapter Books.

While the committee was working, I couldn’t review or post about the things I was reading. But now that the awards are posted, I wanted to highlight some of the treasures I read for the process, as well as a few personal favorites I had read last year before I was on the committee. If you work with children in lower elementary school (Kindergarten to 3rd grade, depending on reading level and interest) or if you have some kids that age in your life, check out these books for their reading enjoyment!

Early Readers/Easy Readers

Charlie & Mouse & Grumpy – This is book two in a picture book-shaped Early Reader series. This one is a sweet story about a couple of kids and their grandfather. I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of this book with limited word count and vocabulary. I would love to see a middle-elementary teacher read this one aloud and see what the students infer from the story.

 

 

My Kite Is Stuck! And Other Stories – This was surprisingly fun! There were some laugh-out-loud moments in this book that I wasn’t expecting. Give this to readers who enjoy Piggie and Gerald or Ballet Cat.

 

 

 

There’s a Pest in the Garden! – This was another one that had me laughing aloud. For this age group, I think funny books are the key to getting kids excited about reading on their own. This is another one that would work for Piggie and Gerald fans.

 

 

 

We Need More Nuts! – This was my favorite book in this category. It’s a counting book, but it’s so much more. Another hilarious book for this age group. I discovered there is a sequel, and I have it in my online cart so I can check it out.

 

 

 

King & Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code – This was the award winner for this category. It’s a fun, clever story – told by the dog, which always amuses me – about secret codes. I enjoyed this one and would recommend checking out the entire series!

 

 

 

Early Chapter Books/Transitional Chapter Books

Heartwood Hotel: A True Story – This was a sweet animal story that I thoroughly enjoyed last year. I may yet post a full review of the first two books in this series. They were terrific.

 

 

 

Heartwood Hotel: The Greatest Gift – This is book 2 in the series, and I enjoyed this book even more than I enjoyed the first.

 

 

 

Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows – I adored this story of a science-minded girl and her pet cat who discover fantasy creatures come to their home for medical care. I loved the combination of science and fantasy in one story. The illustrations are darling. I also love that this series stars an African-American girl in a story that has nothing to do with her race. When I was teaching, I would have put this entire series in the library!

 

 

Survivor Diaries: Overboard! – This reminded me a lot of the uber-popular I Survived series that appeals to middle to upper elementary students. This story is shorter, but the suspense and tension was still present. This would have been a hit with my students!

 

 

 

The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation – I am a huge Shannon Hale fan, and I was thrilled that a Princess in Black book made it into the mix for the early chapter book award. This is a fantastic series that I highly recommend. 

 

 

 

Wedgie & Gizmo – I was THRILLED when this book was chosen as the best of the year for early/transitional chapter books for the Cybils. I LOVED this funny book about an evil genius guinea pig and his nemesis (who has no clue), a Corgi. The animals tell their own stories which adds to the fun. The voice in this is outstanding! I can’t recommend this highly enough. There will be a sequel later this spring. I may post a full review of this book later this year, too.

REVIEW: Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

REVIEW: Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

As a child, Tess was a handful. She was curious and bright. She acted on instinct and impulse. And it nearly always got her into trouble.

Tess grew up with a religious and controlling mother. Tess wanted to do the right things and keep her mother happy. But eventually Tess’s choices left her shamed. She had to abandon her role as the oldest and instead let her twin sister pretend to fill that spot in the family. Tess would help Jeanne find a husband so their family would have a more secure place in society. She likely would have ended up serving her sister for the rest of her life.

As if that future wasn’t depressing enough, a few more of Tess’s choices instead leave her days away from a permanent trip to a convent. But Tess’s half sister, Seraphina (the half dragon) gives Tess an “out,” and Tess takes it. She hits the Road to find her own path.

Review

I have mixed feelings about this one. I loved Tess. I enjoyed all the parts of the story where she deals with her past and her choices and her future. I felt for her as she wrestled with her “evil nature” in light of her mother’s Puritanical faith. I loved the parts when other wise voices spoke into Tess’s pain and showed her there’s another way to look at her life. It was these parts that led to me giving this book the rating that I did.

On the other hand, this was not the book I was expecting. I thought there would be dragons – just look at that cover – and adventure. There were moments of action, yet the book as a whole was long and slow at times. I kept waiting to get to the adventure Tess was walking toward. But the point of the book is her evolution, her journey overcoming her past. It took almost half the book to realize the road trip WAS the story, not just a means to get to the story. The fantasy pieces felt disjointed as the character pieces would break into the story. It was like the book was uncertain about its own identity.

If you are looking for a dragon-focused adventure story – something like what the cover seems to promise – you may be disappointed. If you are looking for a character study or a hero’s journey sort of story, this might be a good fit for you. (Some mature content.)

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥