Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! There will be no Book News today for the holiday, and no review on Wednesday.
But Book News will post tomorrow because there are some awesome books releasing this week. See you tomorrow!
Reviews, Etc.
REVIEW: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Greenwillow Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
Cinzia is apprentice to a printer who gets on the wrong side of the ruling family with something she writes. Cinzia is able to escape arrest, but only with unexpected help from the mysterious Contessina Elena. Together they go looking for the proof needed to convince the Principessa that the magistrate – her brother – is up to no good.
Review
This was excellent! I loved the story and the girls. It’s an inspiring tale about the power of words, truth, friendship, and community. The artwork is gorgeous and pulls the story together so well. There are some author’s notes about the time and setting for this fictional city as well as information about the avvisi, the flyers Cinzia and her mestra printed.
This belongs in graphic novel collections in classrooms and homes and libraries. I think the “sweet spot” for this is 10 to 14 year olds, but it will also appeal to some younger and older readers. This would also be an excellent discussion group selection for upper elementary and middle school kids.
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*
*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding
REVIEW: My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
Cassie Greenberg desperately needs a place to live. She’s being evicted. And she doesn’t want charity from her best friend who is newly married and shouldn’t have to deal with a “houseguest.” And she’s found an option on Craigslist – but it seems too good to be true.
In the end, she decides she can’t be picky and moves in with the unusual Frederick J. Fitzwilliam. He says he sleeps all day and is out most nights, so they’ll hardly ever see each other. Cassie finds his oddly formal language and decorating choices quirky. But he likes her sketches, left at the bottoms of their notes to one another. Things start to smooth out as they settle into a routine. But when Cassie finds their fridge full of blood, it throws a serious wrench into their living situation.
Review
First of all, despite reading the premise for this book before requesting the ARC, I still was operating on the thought that this vampire business would be a big misunderstanding in the end. I was wrong in a big way.
Second, when my husband read the premise of this book, he immediately understood what would happen. And he thought it sounded so quirky and fun, he insisted on buying his own copy. So we both read it at the same time like we were in a husband/wife book club. It was adorable if I do say so myself.
The story here is fun! I liked Cassie and Frederick. They are fascinating on their own – him a centuries old vampire in modern day Chicago and her a young artist devoted to her vision while struggling to convince others of her work’s value. Together they are adorable. There’s tons of heat and chemistry between them, and there’s a half a chapter or so that was far too spicy to read at work on my lunch hour.
The book’s climax was fairly low stakes and pretty easily resolved, all things considered. It was a bit of a disappointment – I was expecting something with a bit more punch. If you are looking for a spicy paranormal romance that’s not too angsty and stressful, I’d suggest you give this a look. For me it was a fun and somewhat unexpected story. (Language, sex)
Rating: ♥♥♥½*
*♥♥♥½ = Good +
BOOK NEWS: December 19, 2023
It’s almost Christmas!! Here are some of the books releasing this week.
Books for Adults
Black Solstice (Graphic Novel) – Last winter solstice, every Black person developed a special power for just one day. And another winter solstice is just days away. This sounds AMAZING!
Loki: Journey Into Mystery – A prose novel adaptation of the graphic novel series.
Star Trek Lower Decks: U.S.S. Cerritos Crew Handbook – A guide to the USS Cerritos from Star Trek Lower Decks. Yes, please!
REVIEW: The Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles by Jake Gyllenhaal and Greta Caruso
Summary
Leo’s Uncle Mo is in town, and Leo’s mom has asked him to babysit. He’s not very fun. And he follows ALL the rules. And he’s even in town for a boring reason – a rubber band convention!
But Leo and Mo are magically whisked away to the Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles where Mo has the chance to learn to be a great uncle.
Review
The premise here is cute, although a bit harsh at times. Mo’s initial “failure” is that he has personal rules and plans to follow the rules Leo’s mom has set out. I’d hate to see a real aunt or uncle shamed for honoring a parent’s rules or expectations.
In the end, though, Mo discovers he doesn’t really KNOW Leo, and that *is* a big deal. And when he puts his new knowledge together with his own know how, the day is saved.
This has mixed reviews from me. I would be hesitant to gift this to someone or to read it to children because I don’t think the messaging is good all the way through, although it does have a couple of redeeming moments.
REVIEW: Never Wager with a Wallflower by Virginia Heath
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Griffin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
Galahad is in the market for a building where he can open a gaming hell. And he’s found the perfect opportunity in an ideal location. Except for the neighbors.
Galahad’s business opportunity is next door to an orphanage – the one where Venus teaches. The two of them have NEVER gotten along. But he needs to smooth things over between them if they are going to be “neighbors.”
But just as things start to get even cozier that just “smoothed over,” Vee finds out about Galahad’s real estate deal – and how it impacts the orphanage.
Review
This was a fun conclusion to this great series! I didn’t adore this as much as I did the two earlier books. At times this felt too introspective, with long passages of the characters thinking through their feelings and dilemmas. But I loved Galahad. He was a fascinating character and I loved his interactions with the boys from the orphanage.
This feels like a book newcomers could start with. There are several references to what came before, especially with how Vee and Gal initially met. But it’s not so much that it would keep a new reader from enjoying this without the full backstory. I personally enjoyed Never Fall for Your Fiancée and Never Rescue a Rogue even more than this one, so I’d definitely recommend new readers go back and check out the earlier books, too. Series fans should absolutely finish out the series and check out this final installment. (Sex)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥*
*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.
BOOK NEWS: December 12, 2023
Here are some of the books releasing this week.
Books for Kids
Hippos Remain Calm – A follow up to the classic Hippos Go Berserk.
Books for Adults
Death in the Dark Woods (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Monster Hunter Mystery series. Morgan is called in when a man is found dead in the same area where there have recently been sightings of a Bigfoot-type creature.
Housebroke (Trade Paperback) – A wealthy property developer and a homeless dog foster mom share a house while he flips it. This sounds so fun!
Disabling Leadership: A Practical Theology for the Broken Body of Christ (Nonfiction) – A colleague is part of the team who put this resource together for churches looking to grow in their theology and practice around disability and the Church.
REVIEW: The Recess Genius by Janet Sumner Johnson
Summary
Regina Grey is used to going unseen. School things are tricky. Her younger brother is a handful. Regina is happy to lose herself in her books.
But then she helps someone solve a problem at recess. And then someone else. And someone else. She’s really good at it – and everyone is noticing her.
But all of that noticing is getting in the way of Regina’s reading time. She has her own problem to fix!
Review
I have had this book on my wish list for months. It’s a fun story I think kids will enjoy.
Regina has an unusual gift – one that isn’t always celebrated in stories. Or in real life. I loved seeing her highlighted here. I also enjoyed her journey to discovering how good it feels to be seen and valued.
This would be a fun read aloud for a new school year!
Rating: ♥♥♥½*
*♥♥♥½ = Good +
REVIEW: Stalking Around the Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
After three consecutive Christmases with a murder, the town of Mistletoe is afraid their history will impact holiday tourism. So the mayor convinces the town and business owners to tighten their belts a little so they can invite a pricey ballet troupe to town to perform The Nutcracker.
But when the star dancer is found dead on a float during the town’s holiday parade, it seems Mistletoe’s efforts to distance themselves from their deadly past were in vain.
Review
This was a fun holiday adventure, and I think series fans – and newcomers – can enjoy it.
For the first half to two-thirds, I felt like the quaint town and holiday activities were seriously overshadowing the mystery. And I actually liked it – Mistletoe is so fun! And Holly’s family and friends are fantastic. But when I noticed the mystery bits felt like an intrusion on the holiday story, I realized things were a bit out of balance.
All of the fun holiday details will amuse readers as long as they aren’t too attached to digging into a mystery. I don’t feel like the primary case gives readers enough details to care about the victim or about finding a solution. The secondary mystery was a little more satisfying. I figured out a good portion of the things on my own, which always feels satisfying.
Series fans will want to see Evan and Holly move toward their wedding. And I don’t think this is too insider-y to keep newcomers from starting here. This will definitely put readers in a Christmas mood.
Rating: ♥♥♥½*
*♥♥♥½ = Good +
BOOK NEWS: December 5, 2023
Happy December! Here are some of the books releasing this week.
Books for Kids
Mercy Watson Is Missing! – Book 7 in the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series. Mercy Watson has gone missing and her whole community is trying to find her. These books – a follow up to the Mercy Watson series – are great fun. I can’t wait to read this one! I already have this on hold at the library.
Books for Adults
The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale (Trade Paperback) – When Dee’s life implodes, she heads to Dublin to participate in a writing program and find a new life. I am looking forward to reading this one!
The Fake Mate (Trade Paperback) – A paranormal romance about two wolf shifters fake dating? Yes, please.
Raiders of the Lost Heart (Trade Paperback) – Rival archaeologists head to Mexico for a dig where thieves are prowling around their dig site. This sounds fun!
A River of Golden Bones (Hardcover) – Book one in the Golden Court series. A secret twin must protect their sister and kingdom when an evil sorceress returns with a sleeping curse. This sounds fascinating!
The Second Chance Year (Trade Paperback) – After her life implodes (it’s a trend this week), a woman gets a do-over of the last year where she sees the red flags – and potential love interest – she missed the first time around. Fun!
Sniffing Out Murder (Trade Paperback) – First in a new series. A children’s book author – and her bloodhound – are murder suspects.
This Spells Love (Trade Paperback) – When a spell to forget her ex goes awry, Gemma has to convince her former best friend – who doesn’t remember her – to kiss her in order to set things right.