Reviews, Etc.

REVIEW: What Is the Story of Captain Kirk? by M. D. Payne

REVIEW: What Is the Story of Captain Kirk? by M. D. Payne

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary and Review

This book tells the dual story of the creation of Star Trek, including the Original Series (TOS) show and movies, as well as telling the life story of main character, James T. Kirk.

This is a fun race through the highlights of a franchise with five decades of history. The book includes references to

  • the first pilot with Captain Pike
  • the movie plots of the 6 movies starring the original cast
  • descriptions of those main characters
  • a mention of the Animated Series
  • the series which followed TOS
  • the Kelvin timeline
  • some of the alien species.

As a Trek fan, this was a fun glimpse at a 50+ year phenomena. The focus stays on Kirk, so the famous Trek lore about Lucille Ball and MLK Jr. doesn’t get a mention.

There should be spoiler alerts throughout the book as the movie summaries especially are pretty revealing at times. I also felt like the publisher missed a HUGE opportunity by not including episode titles, even in footnotes or end notes, for any readers who wanted to dig deeper on something the book referenced.

Overall, this is a fun, high level look at James Kirk and the original Trek series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: The Amber Crown by Jacey Bedford

REVIEW: The Amber Crown by Jacey Bedford

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

The king is dead. Poison. And his relative has taken the throne and the crown.

Valdas is a king’s guard, on the run, looking for the truth. He’s the scapegoat for the new king, just like his men were.
Mirza is a witch and healer trying to take her place in her roving band.
And Lind? Lind is the king’s assassin.

But when Valdas is almost killed and Mirza must use her gifts to bring him back from near death, the two encounter the ghost of the murdered king. And he binds them to the quest for the truth.

Review

The writing here is enjoyable, and the characters and their situations were engaging. But the story was slow and drawn out for me. For example, the encounter with the king’s ghost didn’t happen for a quarter of the book. And while I usually don’t mind stories where you know the different characters are moving toward one another eventually, I was missing a driving story that pushed me forward to get to that place. The pace made the book too easy to set down and not pick up for awhile. And in the end, I didn’t finish it.

I think fans of longer, more intricate fantasy will find a lot here to enjoy. I did like several of the characters, and I found their situations interesting. The world building is well done, too. But I seem to be in a reading space where I need the author to get to the point. I need fast paced stories that grab me from page one rather than slow builds. There’s nothing wrong with a slow build for a story, but it’s not a great fit for me right now. (Language, sex, violence/gore, reference to sexual assault of a minor)

Rating: ♥♥♥* – did not finish

*♥♥♥ = Solid/fine

 

BOOK NEWS: March 15, 2022

BOOK NEWS: March 15, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Some fun new releases out this week – let’s take a look!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

 

Area 51 Interns: Alien Summer – Four kids spend their summer looking for aliens escaped from Area 51. I’ve requested this one from the library – sounds so fun!
Worser – An introverted word-lover finds his world turned upside down when his mom has a stroke and his aunt moves it. But he finds a sanctuary with some like-minded kids. Yes, please! This is already on pre-order.

Books for Adults

Citizen K-9 (Hardcover)- Book 3 in the excellent K Team series by David Rosenfelt. Laurie and the K Team take on cold cases for the Patterson PD – and their first is the case of two missing persons from Laurie’s 10th high school reunion ten years ago. I have already requested our library pick this one up – I can’t wait to read it!
Dating Dr. Dil (Trade Paperback) – A reimagined Taming of the Shrew starring a woman with her mother’s legacy on the line and a cardiologist who raises her hackles. This sounds fun!
The Do-Over (Trade Paperback) – The latest novel from Bethany Turner. Why is it you always run into your high school rival – who now looks amazing and has had every success imaginable – when your life has completely fallen apart?
Eve of Destruction (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new series. When members of a League of Assassins start falling, Jinx suspects an insider, so he needs an outsider to help him find the traitor. I’ve already got this pre-ordered!
The League of Gentlewomen Witches (Trade Paperback) – Sequel to the delightful and quirky The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. The future leader of the League of Gentlewomen Witches has to team up with a pirate to steal a powerful talisman. I am SO excited to read this! This is on my review list for this month.
Under Lock and Skeleton Key (Hardcover) – First in a new series. Tempest heads home to lick her wounds, hoping she can find something else to do so she doesn’t have to join her father’s business – Secret Staircase Construction. (They build secret rooms and sliding bookcases into their clients’ homes.) But when her former stage double is found dead inside a wall that was supposed to be sealed for more than 100 years, Tempest has to wonder if she was the intended victim. Eeek! That sounds so amazing! This one is also on my review list.

REVIEW: Off-Limits by Helen Yoon

REVIEW: Off-Limits by Helen Yoon

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary and Review

Dad takes a work break and his daughter slips in to his office to explore.

This is one of the most delightful picture books I have read in awhile!

First there’s the joy of office supplies. That alone caused me to buy the book after reading only the first few pages. Then there’s the art – the portrayal of the child’s glee and the way she plays with everything from tape to binder clips to post-its is fantastic!

And then there’s the surprise ending. Absolutely outstanding! Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park

REVIEW: So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park

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

Jessie was tired of being overlooked and taken advantage of at her New York firm, but she’s completely caught off guard when she’s laid off. The company says it’s because she doesn’t “show leadership,” even though she saved the day countless times over the years. But someone else always took the credit. So, now she’s moved back in with her parents in Nashville to try to figure out her next steps.

Already feeling a bit fragile, the last thing Jessie needs is to run into her middle school nemesis. Gorgeous and successful, Daniel is a Korean parent’s dream child. But as Jessie lets Daniel help her with some connections for launching her new business, things between them start to heat up. Should she even think about giving her heart to someone, though, who could be here today and gone tomorrow?

Review

I requested this book solely because of the author. I adored the last couple books I read by Suzanne Park including Loathe at First Sight and The Perfect Escape (YA).

Sadly, this one wasn’t as magical for me as those two books. There were a couple fun moments, but overall Jessie and Daniel didn’t click for me as a reader. The secondary characters didn’t grab me either. I couldn’t get a good rhythm with the story, and it was far too easy to set this down and not pick it back up. I don’t think it’s a “bad” story. It just felt flat for me. The story didn’t keep me engaged and flipping pages like the other two books I mentioned did.

If you are a Park fan, I’d definitely give this a go and see what you think. It’s a fairly light story, so it could make for a nice rainy/snowy day distraction.

(No Rating)

BOOK NEWS: March 8, 2022

BOOK NEWS: March 8, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

More new books out this week – some fun ones to add to my list!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Green Arrow: Stranded (Graphic Novel) – Teen Oliver Queen is alone and stranded on a desert island.
Those Kids from Fawn Creek – A new girl in a small town shakes things up at the middle school
Great or Nothing – A reimagined Little Women where each sister, including the late Beth, tells her own story.
One for All – A re-imagined Three Musketeers. After her father’s death, Tania goes to finishing school only to discover it is a secret training school for female Musketeers. This is on my review list!

Books for Adults

If You Ask Me (Trade Paperback) – When a sweet advice columnist discovers her husband’s cheating, she takes her frustration to her column in a brutally honest way that leads her to go viral. I’ve pre-ordered this one!
The Suite Spot (Trade Paperback) – When a single mom is fired for something she didn’t do, she takes the first opportunity she finds – helping a grouch build a hotel while she rebuilds her life.

REVIEW: Gina and the Big Secret by Judd Winick

REVIEW: Gina and the Big Secret by Judd Winick

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

In an effort to save the Nestor, Gina accidentally allowed the world to get “broken.” The Nestor changed Earth’s history. Now, Gina, Lisa, Hilo, and DJ are on a new Earth – where magic has ruled for 100,000 years.

But a new Earth means changes for Lisa and DJ’s family as well as oppression for humans. They NEED to change everything back. But the kids quickly discover they are up against numerous foes in their quest to set Earth right.

Review

This was so fun! Great characters in a new story with some laugh-out-loud moments, tons of action, and new adventures to come in book 9, Gina and the Last City on Earth (2023). I love how meaty these books are – so much for readers to enjoy, both visually and in the story itself.

Series fans will have a lot to love here with old friends and new. Newcomers will enjoy this more if they at least go back to book 7, Gina: The Girl Who Broke the World which launches this new story arc. But honestly, I think any reader would be better off starting at the very beginning with book 1. This whole series is such a delight to read! And this new arc builds on what happened before. You are really missing out if you haven’t read the previous books!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

No REVIEW Today

No REVIEW Today

Posted on by Jaymie

The book I was going to review today was a total bust for me, so I don’t have something new to post.

But in preparation for Friday’s review of Gina and the Big Secret, here’s a link to the first book in this new story arc for the delightful Hilo graphic novel series for kids, Gina: The Girl Who Broke the World.

 

BOOK NEWS: March 1, 2022

BOOK NEWS: March 1, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Tomorrow begins the month of March! There are, of course, tons of books releasing this week. Here are the ones that really grabbed my attention.

Books for Kids

Owl Diaries: Get Well, Eva – Book 19 in this darling series. When Eva’s wing is in a sling and she can’t write in her diary, her friends and family help out.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Anne of West Philly – A graphic novel adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, set in contemporary Philadelphia. I love the idea of a fresh take on a classic.
Drew LeClair Gets a Clue – When a cyberbully starts posting people’s secrets online, Drew uses her detective skills to try and track the bully – before they expose Drew’s own secret. I am a sucker for a middle grade detective.
Max & the Midknights: The Tower of Time – Book 3 in this delightful series. I can’t wait to see what happens now with Max’s twin! I already have this one on hold at the library.
The School for Whatnots – The summer after 5th grade, Max’s best friend, Josie, disappeared. So when he finds a note from her, Max is determined to find out the truth. This is my first March pre-order. Cannot wait to read this one!

Books for Adults

All the Queen’s Men (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates. In the midst of all that 2016 holds for the world, a death in the palace and missing painting have the Queen detecting again. I am giddy at the idea of this series. I have both books on my wish list with the library.
By Any Other Name (Trade Paperback) – A successful romance editor gets the chance to work with her biggest inspiration, but she’s in for a huge surprise. This is on my library list, too.
Hook, Line, and Sinker (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the It Happened One Summer series. It’s friends to lovers as best friends become roommates and then potentially more.
Mr. Wrong Number (Trade Paperback) – There are hints of You’ve Got Mail in this new book where a sexy text from a wrong number turns into something more. This is on my review list.

REVIEW: Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher

REVIEW: Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher

Posted on by Jaymie

[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

Weston is the outcast in the town of Enfield. In a small town, everyone knows your business. So everyone knows about his parents’ divorce, about the year he spent at the rival high school. And the things they don’t know, they make up with rumor and assumption. Everyone but his closest friends thinks he’s weird at best if not actually dangerous.

Anna is an unexpected bright spot in Weston’s life. While they are supposed to be practicing their big duet for marching band, they are finding in each other someone who, surprisingly, GETS them – his struggles after the divorce, her anxiety, his music, her writing.

But since everyone assumes the worst about Weston, Anna feels she has to hide and lie to be with him. But in a small town, no one keeps a secret for long.

Review

I have to be honest. The synopsis for this book did not grab me when I read it. But the author wrote my favorite book of 2021. So reading this one was a given. While I read, my feelings were mixed.

I loved Anna and Weston, both as individuals and together. And the author’s writing is top notch. But I just did not get this story. For so long, nothing was happening. Sure, they grew closer, they faced some roadblocks. But things just kept rolling along. I couldn’t figure out the point of it all.

I’ve described my ideal book a lot here. A big piece of my enjoyment is the puzzle or the quest – something to solve, something to overcome, something to rail against. This just isn’t that sort of book.

I have no idea how to rate this – I was engrossed in the characters and enjoyed the writing. On that alone, I would probably give this 4 stars. But I just couldn’t connect to the plot. And the ending did not help my enjoyment of the story. The whole reading experience was unsatisfying in the end.

Readers who love character-rich stories and don’t care about driving plots are likely a much better audience for this than I was. There’s a lot here to enjoy if you are excited about watching a relationship unfold over time with some fantastic descriptions – especially if you have a soft spot for band stories. (Language, sex, TW: Grief)

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥ = Good, solid, fine