Book Review: Dragon and Thief

Dragon and Thief by Timothy Zahn

Dragon and Thief (Dragonback, #1)
by Timothy Zahn (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars

I was really surprised by this book! I was expecting your typical dragon story, but this is completely different from anything I’ve ever read about. It’s half dragon-fantasy, part science-fiction space wars, part murder mystery, with a smattering of corporate espionage.
The writing is fast-paced and perfectly crafted. Difficult to put down once you’ve started reading.

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Picture Book Review: When the Sakura Bloom

When the Sakura Bloom by Narisa Togo

When the Sakura Bloom
by Narisa Togo

5 out of 5 stars

People caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city stop to notice the cherry blossoms as the trees begin to bloom in the Spring. It’s time for the Sakura Festival. People have picnics under the trees. There are food stalls set up and lanterns are hung. Everyone enjoys the beautiful pink blossoms until the festival is over and the blossoms fall to the ground, making room for new green leaves.

This is such a beautiful book! The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous! I love the soft art style. Every page is so lovely that you could frame it and hang it on your wall.

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Picture Book Review: Through the Forest

Through the Forest by Yijing Li

Through the Forest
by Yijing Li

3.5 out of 5 stars
A young boy wanders through the forest with an entity called “Emptiness”. Together they find objects that remind the boy of his special memories, and he realizes that his memories will guide him through life. Knowing that his memories are part of who he is, the boy is no longer lost in the forest.

I loved the beautiful illustrations in this book! The art style is soft and whimsical and flowing. It makes you feel that you are floating in the misty world of this little boy’s mind.

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Journal Review: Map of You

Map of You by Sophie Williams

Map of You
by Sophie Williams

4 out of 5 stars

This book has guided journal prompts, personality quizzes, creative activities, and coloring pages. You can explore your emotions in a healthy way, learn to communicate, and set goals for your mental health.

This is such a cool book! It makes the mental health activities really fun, and all the pages are so attractive. I love the beautiful designs on each page. The bright colors and minimalist designs make it really special.

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Picture Book Review: Spider Who Lived in the Attic

The Spider Who Lived in the Attic by Jacqueline Regano

The Spider Who Lived in the Attic
by Jacqueline Regano, Pearly L. (Illustrator)

2 out of 5 stars

An artistic spider meets a butterfly, who encourages him to leave his dusty attic and share his art with the world.

The plot is adorable, and I liked the premise of this book. It does have positive messages about having the courage to share your gifts and talents with others.

However, the writing really needs an editor. There are multiple grammar, capitalization, and punctuation mistakes. I found it very odd that some of the story is told in rhyme, and other parts don’t rhyme at all. There is no apparent meter, and the parts that do rhyme are not good rhymes. It’s just very awkward.

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Book Review: Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, #4)
by Stephenie Meyer

4 out of 5 stars

There are so many weird things in this last book of the series. In some ways, it’s absolutely brilliant the way that all the crazy vampire/werewolf magical stuff comes together to bring a satisfactory resolution for each character. And in the moment as you’re reading it, it makes sense. But when you take a step back, it’s really just so weird and dumb. I still love it though!

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Book Review: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (The Twilight Saga, #3.5)
by Stephenie Meyer

3 out of 5 stars

It is definitely interesting to see this completely different perspective into the vampire world of Twilight. I like that it broadens the world-building and creates even more meaning behind the way the Cullens choose to live without killing humans. I think that Bella doesn’t quite realize just how unique the Cullens are in their morality. Seeing this other perspective of the way other vampires live is definitely eye-opening.

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Book Review: Eclipse

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, #3)
by Stephenie Meyer

4 out of 5 stars

I love all the extra backstories and world building that we get in this book. Just when you think you know everything about vampires and werewolves, we get Jasper’s backstory about the vampire wars in the south, and we get to hear the Quileute legends about how werewolves first came to be. I just love these imaginative and compelling stories within the main story!

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Book Review: Death at Dusbar College

Death at Dusbar College by Laura DiNovis Berry

Death at Dusbar College
by Laura DiNovis Berry (Goodreads Author), Lee Thompson (Illustrator)

3 out of 5 stars

Cristiano is visiting his aunt at the magical Dusbar College, where he hopes to learn more about magic. When the Grand Magician of the college dies, he leaves behind a riddle. Whoever solves the riddle will win the Grand Magician’s amazing sorcerer’s hat. Cristiano begins to investigate, looking for clues in the Grand Magician’s office.

I love how imaginative and funny this book is! The people and creatures in Dusbar College are so interesting and weird. The writing style is really funny and had me laughing!

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Book Review: Oceanarium

Oceanarium by Teagan White

Oceanarium
by Teagan White , Loveday Trinick

3 out of 5 stars

This book gives a lot of interesting information about the ocean and the animal that live there. There are sections all about whales, fish, reptiles, and every type of weird creature you can imagine!

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