fiction
Book Review: Messenger
Messenger by Lois Lowry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am completely in love with the entire Giver quartet so far, and this third book is no exception!
This book follows Matty, whom we met in Gathering Blue, and his journey of self-discovery as he finds a power/gift within himself that he never had before.
As in the other books, we are introduced to a community where everything seems peaceful and content, but there is a dark secret in this seemingly happy society and there is a mystery for Matty to solve. It’s never what I think it’s going to be! I’m always surprised at the mystery, and so impressed with the deep social themes that are addressed. Continue reading
Top 10 Books of 2015
Book Review: The Goddess Test
As part of my BookTube Made Me Read It list, I read “The Goddess Test” by Aimee Carter!
Thoughts on Tomes: https://youtu.be/RrQmIBS5t9A Continue reading
Book Review: The Slow Regard of Silent Things
The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is such a beautifully weird book! In this novella (part of the KingKiller Chronicles), we follow Auri through a week in the tunnels of the Underthing, as she sets her vast home to rights, fixes leaky pipes so that no one comes down to repair them, and scrounges for food and necessities. She explores the tunnels and passages of the Underthing, discovering new rooms and hallways, and even ventures on to the Top of Things.
This is not a book for everyone. It’s very strange. It doesn’t follow a regular plot or have conflict or character development. But its sweetness is in the glimpses of brightness and dark, the silly wisdom of a girl hiding from the world and embracing it at the same time. Auri’s little story is charming and haunting and wild! Continue reading
Book Review: Emlyn’s Moon
Emlyn’s Moon by Jenny Nimmo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is utterly enchanting! I liked that instead of being told from Gwyn’s POV, as the first book was, this one is told from Nia’s perspective. Nia comes from a large family, where she feels inadequate as the middle child. But when she is called upon to reunite a broken family, she has to search deep within herself for the strength and talent that she’s always possessed. Nia helps Emlyn search for his lost mother, and with Gwyn’s magical help, they encounter adventure and mystery beyond the world they know. Continue reading
Book Review: DragonSpell
DragonSpell by Donita K. Paul
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved this book so much! The magic and dragons and quests are just perfect, but the best parts are the spiritual themes and wisdom that run through the book. There is such a depth and beauty to the writing, and I was so pleased with the echoes of Christianity!
Kale is a young slave-girl who is mysteriously drawn to dragon’s eggs. She is sent on a quest to retrieve a valuable egg from an evil wizard, but her mission is not as straight-forward as it seems. Although she has help along the way, Kale is sometimes unsure whether she can trust her new friends, and tensions run high as the group learns to rely on one another in sticky situations. Continue reading
Book Review: Fell Farm Campers
Fell Farm Campers by Marjorie Lloyd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed reading this classic little story about four siblings who go camping in the fells (mountains).
Pat and Jan are the two brothers, and I liked how they can be tough, rough and tumble, but also very protective and gentle with their sisters, Hyacinth and Kay. The siblings make a great team, and they go hiking all over the mountains, making camp near a farmhouse, where the farmer and his wife give them their meals. Continue reading
Book Review: Twilight Tenth Anniversary/Life and Death Dual Edition
Twilight Tenth Anniversary/Life and Death Dual Edition by Stephenie Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have always loved the Twilight series, and I don’t care what anyone says! Meyer’s writing always draws me in and holds my attention and my heart, and this book was no exception.
The story is almost exactly Twilight again, just with all the genders swapped. Most of the dialogue is the same with a few changes, and almost the entire story is copy and pasted from Twilight. The ending is changed, however, and I found that very interesting! I prefer the ending of Twilight, but seeing this “what if?” ending was like a little adventure into the possibilities of the imagination. I liked it! Continue reading
Book Review: The War at Ellsmere
The War at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I adore this graphic novel! Juniper is a scholarship student who attends a fancy girls boarding school. She makes friends (and enemies) on her very first day, and has to hold her own in the new more competitive learning climate. But there is also a mysterious legend about the old forest and whatever monster or myth might be lurking in its dark shadows.
I’m growing to love Faith Erin Hicks work! Her stories are interesting and surprising, and the artwork is just so beautiful! Continue reading
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