middle grade
Book Review: Kitty Hawk #4
Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic (Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency, #4)
by Iain Reading (Goodreads Author)
by Iain Reading (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Kitty is traveling through Ireland, when she is asked to help with a family treasure hunt that has baffled experts for generations. Kitty and Andrew team up to unravel clues left by Bruce Ismay, a famous survivor of the Titanic disaster. Their search leads them to the home of his grandson, Thomas Ismay, and the mystery of a painting of the tragic Titanic shipwreck. But Thomas Ismay wants the treasure for himself, and will stop at nothing to prevent Kitty and Andrew from following the clues. He stalks them at every turn, causing trouble, and threatening to derail the entire treasure hunt. Continue reading
MG and YA Books I Want to ReRead
Book Review: The Door to the Lost
The Door to the Lost
by Jaleigh Johnson
by Jaleigh Johnson
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Rook and Drift are exiles, forced to live in hiding because they possess magic from another world. Rook has the ability to open doors that will transport her to any place she can imagine, but when she opens a doorway to a mysterious snowy forest, a creature comes bounding into her life that will change her forever. Unable to trust anyone, hunted down by a government that hates their other-worldly magic, Rook and Drift try desperately to control the unreliable magic buzzing around their city. The magic of the world is poisoned and twisted, and only Rook and her friends have a chance at controlling the magic before it destroys their city.
I devoured this book, and was utterly fascinated with every scene! The characters, the world-building, the beautiful magic, the masterful writing, the adventure, the mysteries… I loved it all!
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Book Review: Crown of Earth
Crown of Earth (The Shield, Sword, and Crown, #3)
by Hilari Bell (Goodreads Author), Drew Willis
by Hilari Bell (Goodreads Author), Drew Willis
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Prince Edoran races across the countryside to save his friend Weasel, who has been kidnapped by traitors to the crown. Joined by the fiery Arisa, Edoran faces cruel bandits, pirates, and mysterious priests, as they search for any trace of their friend Weasel. As he comes to terms with his own inadequacies, Edoran finds that the life of the common people, working for a daily meal, and living in a community all speak to his heart in a new way. In the midst of the political struggle for the magical Sword and Shield, Edoran and his friends discover the true nature of the magic bequeathed with those royal symbols.
I LOVE this ending!!! Such a good ending to the trilogy, and all those loose ends came together wonderfully. The big reveal is the true meaning of the Sword and Shield, and how they work together with the Crown. I was so surprised and happy and delighted with that plot twist! Continue reading
Book Review: Sword of Waters
Sword of Waters
by Hilari Bell (Goodreads Author), Drew Willis
by Hilari Bell (Goodreads Author), Drew Willis
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Arisa, Weasel, and Prince Edoran are searching for the missing fabled sword of King Regalis, and they uncover a secret plot involving a kidnapper, a silent assassin, and a fiery tavern keeper. Unable to trust anyone in the palace, the three friends unravel the mystery of the sword while keeping one step ahead of the traitors in their midst.
I am falling more and more in love with this series! The awkward and adorable friendship between Arisa, Weasel, and Prince Edoran makes me smile in every chapter! I especially like that they don’t always get along.
Book Review: Shield of Stars
Shield of Stars (The Shield, Sword, and Crown, #1)
by Hilari Bell
by Hilari Bell
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Weasel, a former pickpocket, is the trusted clerk of Justice Holis. When the Justice is arrested for treason against the king, Weasel must return to the underground community of criminals searching for the outlaw bandit, the Falcon, the only person who could help him break Justice Holis out of prison. With the help of Arisa, an escaped prisoner, Weasel finds a mysterious old shield, rumored to be the long-lost magical shield of the king. The two set out on an impossible quest, to find the Falcon, restore the shield to the rightful ruler of the land, and save Weasel’s master.
Weasel is an interesting character, and I loved that Arisa is mysterious and full of surprises. Their sturdy friendship felt real and tugged at my heart. They are both tough and smart, but in different ways.
Recent Reads: Classics, MG, Graphic, Mystery
Book Review: In the Hand of the Goddess
In the Hand of the Goddess (Song of the Lioness, #2)
by Tamora Pierce (Goodreads Author)
by Tamora Pierce (Goodreads Author)
2.5 out of 5 stars
Alanna is a teenage girl who pretends to be a boy so that she can train as a squire and learn to be a knight in the royal palace of Tortall. Only a few people know about Alanna’s true identity, among them, her dearest friends, Prince Jonathan, and George, the King of Thieves. In the midst of a war with a neighboring kingdom, Alanna starts out with a determination to focus on her knightly studies, but she gets distracted by the temptations of love. With the protection of a Goddess upon her, Alanna uses her magic to unmask a deadly enemy within the very walls of the palace.
I was disappointed in this book. So disappointed in Alanna. She makes very bad decisions,
Book Review: Gannon and Wyatt: Hawaii
Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Hawaii
by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet (Goodreads Author)
by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet (Goodreads Author)
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Another fantastic adventure with twin brothers Gannon and Wyatt, this time in beautiful Hawaii. The twins rescue a drowning man, who urges them to hide a secret map for him. The map may contain clues to the ancient burial place of Hawaii’s King Kamehameha the Great, and Gannon and Wyatt set out on a treasure hunt to find it with the help of their guide, Alana. A mysterious archaeologist is also searching for King Kamehameha’s tomb, and is determined to take the map from the twins. Gannon and Wyatt survive a mountainous blizzard, explore a jungle, trek around lava flows, and delve deep into the culture and history of Hawaii. Continue reading
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