Reviews, Etc.

REVIEW: Pup and Dragon: How to Catch an Elf by Alice Walstead and Paul Gill

REVIEW: Pup and Dragon: How to Catch an Elf by Alice Walstead and Paul Gill

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Dragon has never heard of Santa, and last year he hibernated through Christmas. But he’s all in on helping his best friend, Pup, catch a Christmas Elf.

Review

I am always on the hunt for some good early chapter books to recommend to parents and kids for those who are starting to read on their own. This is the first book in a new series, and it’s in a graphic novel format that I think kids will like.

This story is cute! The illustrations are fun and colorful. The scenarios are silly and zany. I think kids will enjoy these two friends and their wacky adventures in their quest to catch a Christmas elf.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Main Character Energy by Jamie Varon

REVIEW: Main Character Energy by Jamie Varon

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Poppy Banks has always wanted to be a writer. But life has not gone like she planned. It’s gotten so bad she’s ready to give in to her critical mother’s constant negativity and give up writing completely.

But Poppy’s mysterious aunt isn’t going to let her just quit. She leaves Poppy her exclusive writer’s retreat – at a villa in France. In order to inherit, Poppy has to live there for six months and write a novel.

Without hope for writing, Poppy is tempted to bide her time and sell the villa to dig herself out of the hole. But her aunt was the only one who ever seemed to believe in Poppy. And it would be ungrateful to not let her aunt’s plans unfold and just see how things might turn out.

Review

This was excellent! Early on I really connected with the writing of this novel – the way the author described and phrased things. I would mark pages with especially good passages. But before long I was captivated by Poppy – by her struggles, the family drama, the war within herself between confidence and fear. I didn’t want to put this down.

A lot of the conflict in the novel is internal for Poppy, so in some ways this was a little more introspective than you might expect from a “romance.” I liked it this way. While there are several moments of emotional conflict, for the most part this is light on tension and turmoil, which I loved. (Language, sex – TW: attempted sexual assault)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

BOOK NEWS: November 28, 2023

BOOK NEWS: November 28, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the books releasing this week.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Betting on You – A YA release from Lynn Painter. Two teens who are convinced they have nothing in common start betting on a budding relationship between their coworkers as well as fake dating to disrupt things with her mom’s new boyfriend. But when the two start moving toward more-than-friends status, a secret can destroy what is growing between them. Yes please!
Didn’t See That Coming – A YA release from Jesse Q. Sutanto. A girl gamer who hides behind a male persona online transfers to a school where her online best friend goes – but she doesn’t know who he is. I am looking forward to reading and reviewing this one soon!

Books for Adults

The Twelve Kittens of Christmas (LGBTQ+ Trade Paperback) – Killian is just being a nice guy when he tells a friend’s brother that he can sleep on his couch until he gets back on his feet. And it was a fluke that they rescued those two kittens, but as two kittens becomes more, the relationship between the two unexpected roommates might become more as well. This sounds adorable, so of course I put it on my Christmas list!
Road Queens (Trade Paperback) – When tragedy strikes, a group of bikers that were helping victims of domestic violence disbands. But several years later they reconnect when one is accused of murdering someone from their past. This sounds AMAZING! So it’s also on my Christmas list.

REVIEW: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein

REVIEW: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! If you are looking for gift ideas on this Black Friday, be sure to check out my Holiday Hint List of book recommendations.

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Game designer Luigi Lemoncello builds a fantastical public library in his home town and then invites a group of kids to take a early peek inside by spending a night in the library. But the lock-in turns into a game when the kids have a chance to solve the puzzle of how to escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.

Review

Outstanding! I have been a fan of this book – really, of the whole series – from the beginning. And this is a fantastic graphic novel adaptation of the first book in the Lemoncello’s Library series. It’s been too long since I read the original for me to be able to comment on what was trimmed out for length. But the story here hangs together brilliantly.

This would be a great introduction for kids who aren’t familiar with the prose novel or kids who think the novel looks intimidating. Graphic novel adaptations can be a great onramp for some kids before they try out the full book. I also think this is a fun option for kids (and teens and adults) who already love the original and want to explore a visual version of the story and characters. Do not miss this one! Highly recommend.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey

REVIEW: Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Avon in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Melody and Beat met as teens – her, awkward and self conscious and him, gorgeous with seemingly effortless ability to command a room. Their mothers were the Steel Birds – female rock legends. The teens were shooting interviews about their famous mothers – and the infamous breakup of Steel Birds. But there was a moment – a comradery born from their shared role as offspring of the famous duo. It might have turned into something if they had had more time.

Years later, Beat is crushed under the weight of a blackmailer’s scheme. And a producer offering him enough to make that go away – again – is too good to ignore. It doesn’t hurt that it gives him a chance to see Melody for the first time since they were teens. But when the producer suggests a reality stream of the two trying to convince their mothers to reunite, he’s about to walk away.

Melody is tired of the empty relationship she has with her mother. This streaming reality program is a chance to get her mother’s attention for once. Maybe Melody could finally be SEEN. And if it doesn’t work, the money could at least allow her the financial freedom to walk away from her mother for good.

Review

There’s a lot to love here. The storyline is just plain fun. Add to that the amazing main character – I was expecting Mel to be mousy but she never was. Reserved, maybe, but hilarious and sweet with a sassy streak. She was a delightful surprise. The heat between her and Beat crackled on the page. The moms brought some excellent additions to the story. And the friend group characters needed more page time. The whole cast is fantastic.

The “we’re getting the band back together” vibe of this was perfect for me too. I loved that premise and the parts of the story that explored the history of the band.

There was a line early in the book that set off a few alarm bells in my head that said this book might be much farther along the “spice” scale than I usually read. And that inkling was right on target. There’s some frank talk about sex with some details bordering perhaps on “kink” at least as I define it. If spicy romance is your jam, you should definitely check this one out. The story is excellent and the content definitely skews “spicy.” If that’s not your style, you might approach this one with caution. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: November 21, 2023

BOOK NEWS: November 21, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Thanksgiving Week! There’s just two books on my release calendar this week, but that only means you have some extra time to explore this year’s Holiday Hint List – or the Padlet that allows you to check out all of the covers. Enjoy!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Nightcrawlers (Graphic Novel) – When a kid at school believes his parents have been replaced by werewolves, the Nightcrawlers promise to look into the claim. The author of this one reached out and asked if I would consider adding this to Book News. I got a kick out of the premise with the mystery/fantasy mash up. I’ll be looking for this one at the bookstore to check it out in person. 
Ink Girls (Graphic Novel) – A printer’s apprentice goes into hiding when her master is arrested for speaking truth to power. This was fantastic! It’s on this year’s Holiday Hint List, and I’ll be posting a full review soon.

REVIEW: Mothman's Merry Cryptid Christmas by Andrew Shaffer

REVIEW: Mothman’s Merry Cryptid Christmas by Andrew Shaffer

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and 8th Circle Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Rudolph needs Christmas off one year, Santa asks Mothman to help lead the sleigh team. But Mothman has a reputation for being unlucky, and he doesn’t want to end up ruining Christmas.

Review

This is a hoot! I liked this far more than I even expected to. Our family has been on the “cryptid” journey for a few years now, so when I had the chance to review this, I just had to see what it was about. The story is simple and fun! I loved the artwork. (I need this Mothman on a t-shirt!)

There are some fun facts here about cryptids in general and about Mothman in particular in the backmatter. As soon as I finished reading this I started a list of folks who need this for Christmas. Don’t miss out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! by Donna Andrews

REVIEW: Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! by Donna Andrews

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

As a favor to both her blacksmithing mentor and another old friend, Meg is helping behind the scenes of a reality TV bladesmithing competition – a week before Christmas. But when Faulk, her mentor, is attacked before shooting starts, Meg agrees – reluctantly – to compete in his place.

But the production has issues. Someone is trying to sabotage the contestants. The producers seem more “green” than they’re letting on. One of the contestants seems to be harassing women around the set. And then someone is murdered.

Review

This was so fun! I have been feeling for awhile that I missed the whole blacksmithing angle that was a big part of the earlier books in the series. So I was thrilled to realized that even though this was a Christmas book, the emphasis would be on this bladesmithing competition. And it was exactly what I was missing. I’d love to see that part of Meg’s life get more attention in future books.

That said, there’s still some great Christmas elements in the book that make it a great read for the season. I also LOVED all of the crow elements in the book.

Honestly, the mystery was only okay for me. The solution felt random, and there wasn’t the usual debate for me between suspects as I read. Meg spends a good bit of time spinning the same elements over and over in her mind as she tries to puzzle things out, which felt redundant at times.

Despite that fact, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Series fans may have a mixed experience regarding the mystery, but I think the rest of the story is a solid delight. This is book 34 in the series. Book 35, Between a Flock and a Hard Place, will release in the summer of 2024.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: November 14, 2023

BOOK NEWS: November 14, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy almost-Thanksgiving! Here are some of the books releasing this week.

Books for Kids

Mothman’s Merry Cryptid Christmas – Mothman gets a special request for Christmas. This book is so fun! It’s on my 2023 Holiday Hint List this year. You can check out this year’s list as well as past ones here.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Punycorn (Graphic Novel) – The smallest unicorn in Carbuncle is the only one who can fight for the city when an ogre attacks. This was a hoot! I’ll post a review soon, but this one also made this year’s Holiday Hint List.
Above the Trenches (Graphic Novel) – Book 12 in the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous tales nonfiction graphic novel series. Read about the squadron of American fighter pilots in France’s Lafayette Escadrille.
Artifacts of an Ex – After getting dumped, a girl turns her break up box – and those of her peers – into art. This sounds fantastic!

Books for Adults

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord (Hardcover) – First in the new Lady Petra Inquires series.  After losing her fiancé, Lady Petra has declared that she will never marry. When she discovers an asylum where men are leaving their inconvenient wives and daughters, she decides to use her wealth and her access to do something about it. SO excited to read this one!
Mom Com (Trade Paperback) – Maddi is headed home after a very public breakdown, but instead of going to a place of comfort and safety, she’s sure it will be filled with her mother’s criticism and painful decisions about her late father’s beloved bakery. What she isn’t expecting is to run into her ex.

REVIEW: Punycorn by Andi Watson

REVIEW: Punycorn by Andi Watson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Clarion Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will release on Tuesday, November 14th.]

Summary

Punycorn lives in the land of Carbuncle which once vanquished evil and now enjoys peace. Punycorn trains like the other, majestic unicorns. But Punycorn is small and struggles at times.

Sir Ogre has received some magical “gauntlets” to help him defeat Carbuncle once and for all. He schedules his attack, but the unicorn fighting force is away on training maneuvers. Only Punycorn remains behind.

Punycorn is sent on a quest to assemble a Kinship of Heroes to help him save the day. But Sir Ogre has someone spying on Punycorn and trying to thwart his every move.

 

Review

What a fantastic adventure! I loved Punycorn and the Kinship. This is a great team, and I would definitely read more of their adventures. Good thing Punycorn and the Princess of Thieves is in the works!

For me this feels like a story in the vein of Max and the Midknights or Hilo – two graphic novel adventure series that I have adored! Fans of those series definitely should check this book out. There’s a classic quest setup here but with a quirky “party” which I thoroughly enjoyed. The artwork here is fantastic – something readers are going to want to pour over. Classroom teachers with students who love graphic novels do not want to miss this one! Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.