book review

Book Review: Magic or Not?

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Magic or Not? by Edward Eager

Magic or Not? (Tales of Magic, #5)
by Edward Eager, N.M. Bodecker (Illustrator), Quentin Blake (Cover Illustrator)
4 out of 5 stars
I loved rereading this children’s classic! When twins Laura and James move to the country, they find an old wishing well, and begin to test the magic waters with their wishes. The wishes seem to come true, but in such regular, mundane ways that the children can’t be sure… was it magic or not? The eccentric Lydia comes blasting into their adventures, and their neighbor Kip joins in the fun.

The wishing well definitely appears to be influencing their adventures, but only when they wish something good for others, never when they wish for themselves. So the four friends attempt a quest of good deeds, with mixed results when the disgustingly spoiled rich kid, Gordy, begins to tag along and pester them. Can the children accept the strange directions that the wishing well sends them, or will they draw the line at including the nasty Gordy in their group?

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Classic Book Review: Eight Cousins

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Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

Eight Cousins (or The Aunt-Hill)
by Louisa May Alcott
5 out of 5 stars
After her father’s death Rose is listless and ill, until her new guardian, Uncle Alec, encourages her to try healthful food, sunshine, and exercise. Gradually, Rose begins to improve both in health and spirits, and soon she is able to join her cousins in their frolics and adventures. She has seven cousins, all boys, who gather around her with energetic fun. But Rose also has a great many meddlesome aunts, who object to Uncle Alec’s parenting style, saying that he will make her into a shameful tomboy instead of an elegant young lady. Ultimately, Rose has to decide which path is the best for her own happiness.

This book just gets sweeter every time I read it! What a comfort it is to reread old favorites! I always cry at the sad parts and cheer for Rose when she triumphs.

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Book Review: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

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Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Rats of NIMH, #1)
by Robert C. O’Brien
5 out of 5 stars
Mrs. Frisby’s son is sick in bed, and cannot be moved. But the farmer is coming to plow up the field where they live as soon as the frost has left the ground. Mrs. Frisby goes to the rats to ask for help, and discovers the secret past of the rats of NIMH.

I just love this book more and more every time I read it. It’s so interesting to find out about the rats and how they live and their past history. The whole world-building of the society of all the animals who live around the farm and in the woods is fascinating. I love stories about mice because they are so little. Who doesn’t love a good under-dog story?

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Graphic Novel Review: Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire

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Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House o... by Neil Gaiman

Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire
by Neil Gaiman (Author), Shane Oakley (Artist)
4 out of 5 stars

This graphic novel follows a writer who is struggling to write about “real life” in a tale of zombies, dreadful mysteries in damp dungeons, and evil pacts with the vile powers of darkness.

I loved the shadowy art style in this book! It’s so expressive and chaotic. It creates a definite mood for this eerie tale of nefarious deeds.

I am not a fan of horror stories, but this book is not really scary, and it made me laugh so much! It makes fun of typical horror tropes in such a clever way. The story jumps around a lot, but I think that is on purpose to create a disturbing atmosphere. I loved the plot twist at the end!

Classic Review: Persuasion

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Persuasion by Jane Austen

Persuasion
by Jane Austen
5 out of 5 stars
Anne Elliot meets Captain Wentworth again after breaking off their engagement eight years before. She is filled with doubt and anxiety, and wonders how she should behave and whether or not his feelings have changed. Captain Wentworth tries to ignore her without actually being rude, and flirts with other young ladies of their acquaintance. It is impossible to tell if he is trying to hide a broken heart or if he has truly left behind his old feelings for Anne, but a few little words and looks might tell the true story.

A perfect masterpiece! Every time I reread this book I love it more and more, and see more depth in the characters, and more humor in the sarcastic writing style.

There are so many sweet little moments between Anne and Captain Wentworth! A glance, a small gesture, a chance word; all these things create such a suspense and make the story exciting. It’s the little undercurrents of emotion behind everyday scenes that make this book so special. On the surface, the plot doesn’t have much going on; but we get such an intimate look into Anne’s heart, and so much depth from each of the supporting characters, that it shows that there is quite a lot happening under the surface.

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Manga Review: Silver Spoon Vol. 6-7

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Silver Spoon, Vol. 6 by Hiromu Arakawa

Silver Spoon, Vol. 6
by Hiromu Arakawa, Amanda Haley (Translator)
4 out of 5 stars

Hachiken enters his first horse riding competition with the school equestrian club. He is very nervous, but he tries to encourage his teammates. He is focused and determined to do well, but there are various distractions surrounding the competition. A rider from another school calls him out as her greatest rival with hilarious results. In the second half of this volume, Hachiken is helping to prepare for the big school festival and has a long list of responsibilities.

I loved this volume! I got really excited about the riding competition and was interested to see the scores of the different characters who competed. There are some really funny scenes, and interesting developments for Hachiken in his personal relationships with friends and family.

Silver Spoon, Vol. 7 by Hiromu Arakawa

Silver Spoon, Vol. 7
by Hiromu Arakawa, Amanda Haley (Translator)
4 out of 5 stars

Hachiken deals with the aftermath of the school festival, and goes on a first date with a girl he likes. He is forced to help with the birth of two baby calves while the rest of the school gets to watch the school’s big baseball game. He misses all the fun, but gains the confidence to keep searching for his dreams.

This manga just keeps getting more and more hilarious! I love that things go wrong for the characters, and they are disappointed and have to struggle through tough situations. It shows their strong personalities and the way they have to encourage each other through hard times.

Mystery Review: Peril at End House

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Peril at End House by Agatha Christie

Peril at End House (Hercule Poirot, #8)
by Agatha Christie
5 out of 5 stars

Hercule Poirot begins to investigate the murderous attempts on the life of Nick Buckley, a pretty young lady living at End House by the seaside. A heavy picture falls, the brakes in her car are cut, a bullet makes a hole in her hat, but she miraculously escapes death each time. All around her are family and friends with a possible motive to kill her, but only Hercule Poirot can unravel the clues to find the truth.

I loved this mystery! So many twists and turns in the plot. I had no idea until the very end who could possibly be the killer. I was completely fooled. Every clue comes together perfectly at the end. Each character is hiding a secret, and it was so interesting to gradually discover their backstories, and speculate about who is lying and who is telling the truth.

I adore Poirot and Hastings. They are such a great team, and I love their merry friendship. The dialogue between them is priceless! I really love the mysteries that are told from Hastings point of view. He’s such a great narrator and sidekick for Poirot.

Mystery Review: Cold-Blooded Myrtle

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Cold-Blooded Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Cold-Blooded Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery #3)
by Elizabeth C. Bunce (Goodreads Author)
5 out of 5 stars

Myrtle is preparing for Christmas, when the proprietor of a mercantile shop is murdered and the culprit rearranges the display window to predict the next murder. Myrtle has to investigate the cold-case of a young woman who disappeared from the local college years before, in order to solve the string of murders that are threatening to ruin everyone’s holiday.

I cannot describe how much I loved this third book in the Myrtle series!
One of the things that made me fall in love with this book is the incredible character development. I love how the main characters change their minds, discover new information, grow in their personalities and abilities, and suddenly realize that their relationships with other characters can be different.

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Picture Book Review: Dakota Crumb

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Dakota Crumb by Jamie Michalak

Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter
by Jamie Michalak (Goodreads Author), Kelly Murphy (Illustrator)
5 out of 5 stars

Little Dakota the mouse goes on a dangerous journey through the museum to search for the long-lost treasure. Along the way, she finds a beautiful painting (a postage stamp), a historic statue (an action figure toy), and at last the shining treasure. But what will she do with the amazing prizes she has gathered?

This is such a cute book! Dakota is full of courage and resourcefulness. I just love stories about little mice making their way through a big world. I love all her funny adventures in the museum! The story encourages using your imagination.

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