Reviews, Etc.

REVIEW: Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep

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

Summary


Gemma Ripley is still licking her wounds after her last encounter with the Morricones when she is thrown back into their company at the annual Trade Summit. All of the royal families are there – the Ripleys, the ogre morphs, the dragon morphs, and the Mortans led by Gemma’s biggest enemy, Maeven Morricone.

At first blush, the Summit is a way for Gemma to do some spying. Maybe she can finish what she started in Morta and find out what Maeven’s son, Milo, is up to. But before Gemma can do much more than scheme, Maeven throws a wrench into the Summit that could destabilize their whole continent – or even get Gemma killed.

Review


I blitzed through this in one sitting and it left me dazed – and eager to read it again.

Gemma is in excellent form here. She is growing into her role as a princess and a spy. And as people take her more seriously, she thrives. Things between Gemma and Leo heat up in this book – and I was here for it. The interplay between them tickled me. The author does a great job of building both the romance and the intricate political plot of the series.

There are so many great developments here from book 1, Capture the Crown. But Estep isn’t out of surprises. Two of my big questions from book 1 are still waiting for full reveals – and I love it. She is doing a masterful job of telling a full, compelling story while still keeping me guessing. I can’t wait for Book 3, Conquer the Kingdom, out next spring.

The books in this Gargoyle Queen series build on each other, so they really have to be read in order. While I also think it helps to have read the Crown of Shards series first (it’s so AMAZING!), I think readers could follow Gemma’s story without it. But Kill the Queen (♥♥♥♥♥)Protect the Prince (♥♥♥♥½), and Crush the King  really help develop the world here as well as context for Gemma’s story.

Whatever order you read these in, fans of romantic fantasy should absolutely check out this whole line of books! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

BOOK NEWS: May 3, 2022

Happy May! I don’t know about you, but April was jam packed for me, so I have high hopes for a more relaxing May. Here are some of the new books releasing this week that I am excited about.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


The Marvellers – A middle grade debut by the author of The Belles. The first magic user of her kind at the Arcanum Training Institute, Ella initially encounters mistrust before finding her people. But when a dangerous criminal escapes prison with help from someone like Ella, and then her favorite teacher disappears, Ella starts investigating things for herself. I have this on my library wishlist.
Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game – Fans of the fantastic Mr. Lemoncello series can now go back and read about a teen Luigi Lemoncello. This is on my library list as well.
The Agathas – Two young women use the collected works of Agatha Christie to help them solve the mystery of a missing girl in their own town. This is on my review list for later this month.

 

Books for Adults


Blame It on the Brontës (Trade Paperback) – Athena returns to her home town – and daily run-ins with her ex – in her quest to find a reclusive author (who is writing spicy retellings of classics) she is writing about in order to keep her job as an English Professor. This is waiting in my shopping cart right now.
Book Lovers (Trade Paperback) – This new novel by Emily Henry focuses on a cut-throat literary agent who goes on vacation determined to reinvent herself as the heroine of her own story. Instead she keeps running into an editor she knows – and loathes – from the city. Another for the library list!
By the Book (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Meant to Be series after If the Shoe Fits (which is still on my review list from last year). This series of fairy tale re-imaginings is right up my alley! A young woman feelings stuck in her publishing job decides to take charge of her own destiny by wrangling a delinquent author into completing his manuscript. But his beastly behavior is more of a challenge than she expected. *add to cart*
Claws for Suspicion (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the delightful Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series. When Kari’s ex comes to town with the news that their divorce was never finalized he tells her this means he is entitled to half of her lottery winnings – but he’d settle for the land where her beloved rescue sits. Sure she’s upset, but she would never resort to murder! But that’s not what the police think. You can read my review of this one here.
The Dachshund Wears Prada (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Dogs in the City romcom series. After a social media disaster, an influencer settles for a job as a dogsitter for a foul-tempered dachshund with an owner who is just as prickly. Yes, please!
Double Twist (Trade Paperback) – After accidentally marrying a drug kingpin, Mia is eager to get her life back on the straight and narrow. But then she and some new friends stumble across a body. Then, when a friend is suspected of murder, Mia decides to dust off the skills of her old life to clear their name. I have already pre-ordered this one.
The Homewreckers (Hardcover) – A young widow falls in love with a money pit of a house. To help her stay afloat after a series of disasters she agrees to star in a reality show where she ends up embroiled in a mystery. I am thrilled so many of the books on my list this week are already on order with my library. This is on my wishlist there, too.
The Murder of Mr. Wickham (Trade Paperback) – Jane Austen’s Mr. Wickham is murdered at a house party, and Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy team up to solve the mystery.  Another for the library list!
Tear Down the Throne (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the fabulous Gargoyle Queen series, a spin off from the Crown of Shards series. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week, so all I will say now is that the new book is just as fantastic as its predecessors.
The Wedding Season (Trade Paperback) – When Freya’s wedding – the first of 8 on her calendar for the year – is called off, she can’t imagine how she will survive watching happy couples all year while she feels devastated. So her friends devise a series of challenges for her to complete at the various weddings. Yet one more for the library list!
The Joy of Reading (Paperback – Professional Development) – When I was teaching, my go to resource for all things reading was Donalyn Miller. This is her latest book and I will be reviewing it soon. For now I’ll just say she never disappoints!

REVIEW: Harley Quinn: Reckoning by Rachael Allen

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

Summary


Between Harley’s own experiences of abuse and misogyny and what happens to her friend, Bernice, at a frat party, Harley’s decided she’s not going to take it any more.

Her retaliation against Bernice’s attacker catches some attention, and other girls come forward wanting to punish some of the more egregious examples of sexism and abuse on campus. Together they become The Reckoning.

But when members of The Reckoning are targeted, including Bernice, who has become something more than just a friend, Harley is desperate to find out what is happening to the people who have become like family to her and protect them.

Review


Harley is not a character in the DC Universe I’ve read a lot about. I have mostly a passing familiarity with her. But I have enjoyed this DC Icons series for years, so of course I picked up the latest addition.

The author does an amazing job with teasing out Harley’s darkness while still keeping her endearing. You are rooting for her – to triumph over her family and living situation, to get to pursue her dreams. But at the same time you cringe at revenge (real or imagined) taken too far. I found myself torn between the visceral desire to see the misogynists and abusers brought low and the line between right and wrong in the eyes of the law. There’s a lot said here about what it’s like for women in STEM for readers to consider as well.

All of the things I know about Harley from previous encounters – her brilliance, her fascination with the Joker, her own penchant for violence, her sexuality, her interest in psychology – are all tucked into this story. Again, the author does this in such a natural way while still telling her own story. It’s really well done. My only complaint is that I feel the timeline could have been more clear. The book starts in one place, then jumps back in time, and then jumps a couple more times. Hopefully this will be more clear in the final published version of the story.

I didn’t realize until the end that this is launching a trilogy of books. I have my fingers crossed about the next subject after a teaser in the book. I’m not sure if “trilogy” means they will all focus on Harley, or if it is more of a Sirens trilogy – but I’m here for it no matter what. HQ fans and DC fans should be sure to pick this one up. (Some language, reference to sexual assault/child abuse and neglect/emotional abuse, grief and loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Claws for Suspicion by Deborah Blake

[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. This book releases next week, on May 3, 2022.]

Summary


Just as Kari is reflecting on the journey that brought her to win the lottery and buy a pet rescue, her contentment is shattered by the arrival of her ex. Charlie has heard about Kari’s winnings and brings the unwelcome news that their divorce was never finalized. He believes that means he’s entitled to half. But he’s willing to settle for taking the rescue – and the land it sits on – for one of his development schemes.

When Charlie is killed, Kari’s relief that he can’t take her dream away from her is short lived when she becomes the primary murder suspect.

Review


I loved book one in the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series, Furbidden Fatality, and then somehow missed out on reading book 2, Doggone Deadly, before I heard about this third book. I had hoped to read 2 before 3, but my timing didn’t quite work out. But it didn’t matter. I was able to fall right back into the people and setting without issue – and I enjoyed this book in the series too!

The characters here are fun, both the humans and the animals, and the mystery was great. I puzzled out a lot of it for myself, but there was one piece that caught me so off guard I exclaimed out loud. I loved having both the satisfaction of solving the mystery AND an unexpected surprise at the same time.

Cozy fans should not miss this series! It has all the great hallmarks of the genre – a likable protagonist; a clever hook/setting; an enjoyable community around the main character; and solidly plotted, satisfying mysteries. While the plots of books 1 and 2 are mentioned, I don’t think newcomers will feel like they can’t track this story without going back to the beginning. But I do think if you start here you will enjoy it so much you will want to go back and pick up the previous two books!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

 

BOOK NEWS: April 26, 2022

It’s the final release week of April. Let’s see what books are on my watch list for this week.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


 

Breaking News (April 28) – When a fundraising scandal rocks their school, three students search for the truth. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
The Great Peach Experiment: The Peach Pit – Book 2 in the Great Peach Experiment series after When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie. The Peaches are back from their first adventure when their great aunt says she wants to gift them her historic mansion. But there are a few… conditions. I haven’t read the first book yet, but it is on my TBR pile. I hope to get to both of these soon.
Chasing After Knight – Four years ago, Alexa publicly betrayed her then best friend and crush Carson Knight. Now that Carson is a famous actor with a bad-boy image, Alexa’s best friend Lindsey is convinced that Alexa’s betrayal is the reason he has this image problem. So Alexa decides to try to make things right. I’ve already pre-ordered this one!
Harley Quinn: Reckoning – Part of the DC Icons series. Harleen’s internship at Gotham University leaves her disillusioned and seeking revenge on behalf of all the women in STEM who have faced harassment. Harleen soon falls into a vigilante girl gang called The Reckoning and starts to feel like she has found her people. Then someone in the gang is murdered. I already pre-ordered this one too.

Books for Adults


Double Shot Death (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Ground Rules Mystery series after Fresh Brewed Murder. Sage scores a spot for her coffee cart at a music festival. And then she stumbles across a body. I loved the first book so much, this is a must read for me. I have already asked my local library to pick this one up.
A Margin for Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 8 in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. At a library sale, Addie buys an old bookmobile to use as a traveling part of her store, but before she can take possession, a fatal crash occurs and the first editions that were part of the bookmobile go missing. This is a clever set up that makes me want to pick this one up. It’s on my library wishlist.
The Vanishing Type (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. When Nora is asked to help Deputy Andrews propose to his girlfriend Hester, she’s thrilled to help with a Little Women-themed proposal. But when someone mutilates all of the store’s copies of The Scarlet Letter where the character Hester Prynne is mentioned, Nora is worried someone has it out for the real life Hester. I have several of these books in my Kindle TBR, and I think I will be adding this one because the premise sounds so great!

REVIEW: Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf

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

Summary


It’s been one year since Najwa’s best friend, Trina, died at a Scrabble tournament. Trina was the undisputed Queen of the Tiles. Najwa’s been avoiding tournaments and gatherings over the last year. But she couldn’t miss this year’s tournament – on the anniversary of this loss that has consumed her for a year.

But as the tournament kicks off, things get weird, starting with an Instagram post – from Trina.

Dead girls don’t post social media updates, right?

 

Review


This is a good suspense novel, but the Scrabble angle didn’t click for me. I struggled to find a character I liked. And the ending didn’t feel satisfying.

I think “word nerds” and Scrabble fans will find more here to enjoy than I did. It’s a suspenseful story that can keep readers engaged until the end. Even with all that didn’t click for me, it definitely kept me turning pages!

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥ – Solid, fine

REVIEW: What Is My Calling? by William Klein and Daniel Steiner

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

Summary


The authors explore the concept of call and calling with regard to the Church in the following ways in this book:

  • Contemporary uses of the terms
  • Historical survey of uses of the terms and concepts
  • Biblical evidence for a concept of “calling,” including a review of the Old Testament, the Gospels and Acts, and the Epistles
  • Theological discussions of calling
  • Synthesis of information and conclusion

The book launches with a fantastic and engaging look at how “call” is used in contemporary circles and some of the drawbacks to how we use it. I resonated with this chapter a lot – it summarized some of my own questions and wrestling with the idea of calling. Tons of questions are asked, but few are answered directly in the chapter. And I enjoyed that. It left me to think about how *I* would answer the questions, and it made me want to press further into the book.

The subsequent chapters are logically laid out as the authors make their case for a course correction over how the Church, Christians, seminaries, etc., use the concept and language of calling.

Review


This straddles the line between popular resource and textbook fairly well, but if it leans one way it is to the academic side. This is its intention – a feature, not a bug. But while the case is made in a logical, academic fashion, it doesn’t feel like any particular part would bog readers or students down. I didn’t always know the historical figures and theologians mentioned. But I could hang with all of the Biblical examples and enough of the rest to follow the arguments being made. And even for an academic setting, I felt like the authors did a great job of making their case with just enough information or examples without “selling past the close” so to speak.

I work at a university with undergraduate and graduate ministry students, so I could see how this would be a fascinating text in a classroom. As I read, I often wondered what our faculty and students would do with the authors’ assertions and conclusions.

That said, while I was challenged and convinced to reconsider my own engagement with the concept of calling by the work spelled out in this book, I am doubtful that change in the larger Church/Seminary community would come quickly. I can see where individuals would feel attached to their identity and experience of call in such a way that changing their thinking would be complicated. The material here in this resource would be an excellent way to get that conversation started.

If asked, I would definitely recommend this for study purposes either in an academic institution or for individuals or church groups committed to digging deep into the material. I enjoyed the book both for the intellectual exercise as well as for the writing and the topic. And I could see picking up a print copy and reading through it again with highlighter in hand. (TW: reference to sexual abuse in the Church)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: April 19, 2022

It’s a small but mighty group of books on my radar this week. The three I don’t have ARCs for all ended up on my library wishlist. Let’s take a look!

Books for Teens/Young Adults


Flirting with Fate – When Ava misses being with her grandmother as she passes away because of a thunderstorm fender bender, she also misses the traditional family blessing. But it turns out, her grandmother gave the blessing – it just landed on the boy at the accident instead of Ava. Now shy and reserved Ava has to befriend the boy in order to set things right.
Queen of the Tiles – Najwa enters her first Scrabble tournament – the same tournament where her best friend died. But while the other competitors focus on trying to take the late Scrabble Queen’s throne, Trina’s Instagram account starts posting again with messages that Trina’s death might not have been as straightforward as everyone thinks. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!

Books for Adults


The Bookseller’s Promise – First in a new Amish Bookstore series. Jake promised his grandfather he would never sell the book. But the English woman, Yvonne, doesn’t plan to take no for an answer. Jake starts to read the book in question with Eva, one of his employees. Eva hopes the time together will help Jake see her as more than his employee. But Eva also senses Yvonne’s interest in Jake. This is a fascinating premise for a book centered on the Amish community, so I am curious about this one. It’s on my library wishlist.
Drop Dead Gorgeous – After an accident, Brittany finds herself in the Limbo Lounge between Heaven and Hell, waiting for her fate to be decided. But when her portal to Heaven opens, another woman, Edie, steals her spot. Brittany then has a second chance at life on Earth, but she has to do it from Edie’s body. What a fascinating premise. I’ll pick this one up just to see how things work out! It’s on my library wishlist, too.

REVIEW: This May End Badly by Samantha Markum

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

Summary


When Doe finds out her beloved Weston girls school is merging with their rival, Winfield boys school, after her senior year, she’s devastated. She’s convinced that when the school goes co-ed, the girls will lose far more than they gain. Doe is certain this is the worst idea ever, and she’s determined to do her part to see the merger fall through.

But Doe’s rivalry goes beyond the rival schools. She also has a personal rival at Winfield – Nathaniel Wellborn the Third. So, to escalate her feud with Three, she agrees to fake date his cousin. But Wells wants something from their arrangement besides watching his cousin go ballistic. So, they’ll fake date until Doe helps Wells get a family heirloom back from Three. It will just require some secrets and maybe some small, harmless lies.

But Doe’s lies start to compound until she’s at risk of losing everything at Weston that matters to her.

Review


Wow, this was great! There are a ton of laugh-out-loud moments, which I loved. But there are also some serious ones, too. Doe starts falling apart and alienating everyone who loves her. And it’s painful to watch. But when she has a cause outside herself to fight for, she is a force to be reckoned with. And I was cheering all the way to the end.

I loved the cast in this. Even the antagonistic characters have moments to shine. I might have liked a few more pages dedicated to the fall out at the end, but that would have made the story more about what happens at the end. And this is really about Doe – about her figuring out who she wants to be, about her learning to channel her anger, and about her relationships with all of the important people in her life.

Fans of coming-of-age stories with fantastic characters should not miss this. Come for the romance, humor, and prank war. Stay for a Moxie-ish “we’re not going to take it any more” climax that is a home run. (Language, TW: Sexual harassment/predator)

Rating:♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

[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


The Wisteria Society (pirates) and the League of Gentlewomen Witches have been at war for centuries. And when the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered and put on display, things heat up as both groups want the artifact for themselves.

But when Charlotte, the future leader of the League, and Alex, a pirate, disappear together while chasing down the amulet, the two societies will team up to be certain the two don’t corrupt one another.

Review


I loved this quirky world when I read book one in the Dangerous Damsels series, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. The mash up of historical fiction with fantasy elements like flying houses, magic, and then pirates was a lot of fun! That world is expanded a bit here as the pirates return in conflict with their witchy rivals. This unique set up really works for me.

The story took longer to gel for me in this book. While the worldbuilding propelled me forward, it took awhile for the characters to find a rhythm. By the end, I enjoyed Alex and Charlotte and the way their relationship grew and how it influenced their individual journeys. I just had to stick with the story for awhile until I found my footing with it.

Fans of quirky, magical tales as well as fans of the first book in the series should definitely pick this up and give it a try. I’m eager to see what the author does with this world next! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+