Scarlet Princess by Elle Madison & Robin D. Mahle

November 11, 2021 By 2 Comments


Scarlet Princess by Elle Madison & Robin D. Mahle
The Lochlann Feuds, Book 1
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, New Adult
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Chamomile

A reckless princess. An enemy kingdom. A mistake that could cost her everything.

Rowan has always known her place in the world and exactly who she is: a princess of Lochlann. That is, until a series of missteps land her in the hands of her enemies. Now, she’s an outsider being forced to reconsider everything she thought she knew.

When her relationship with her captor takes an unexpected turn, she must figure out if centuries of animosity between their two lands is more than they can overcome, or if the Socairans might be able to accept her as one of their own.

If she’s not careful, her choices very well could bring war to the people she’s sworn to protect…

This unforgettable story is packed-full of witty banter, hilarious antics, swoony charm, and sarcastic insults!

This author team does an amazing job of bringing their characters to life, and making them feel real and unique! Not only the main characters (which I loved!) but also the side characters, a detail that makes this story even more amazing and unforgettable!

Princess Rowan is one of those fun characters who lives for mischief and is always getting herself into all manner of trouble, and I loved her brash and spunky attitude, and seeing her travel to a strange, and enemy, land. I also loved her cousin, Davin, who is easily like a twin to her and who is always there to bail her out only to dig headfirst into yet another of their crazy schemes!

Theodore is also a fun character, and between him and Evander, the story never saw a dull moment as Rowan stands toe-to-toe with some of the Clan Heirs and refuses to give anything but her best, and a load of sass while she’s at it!

While this book, and The Lochlann Feuds trilogy, can be read and understood without reading The Lochlann Treaty, also by Elle Madison & Robin D. Mahle , this one happens twenty years after the first, but this one does contain some spoilers as Rowan’s parents as well as some her other family are mentioned in the beginning of this one and it’s their story that is the focus of The Lochlann Treaty series.

This one takes a slightly cleaner approach, but is great for fans of ACOTAR, Shadow and Bone, and Blood Heir. Pairing fun fantasy elements with unforgettable characters, a steamy romance in the making, and epic world-building! This story hits all the high points and is woven together into a must read and unforgettable tale!

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Death at Little Mound by Eileen Charbonneau

November 11, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Death at Little Mound by Eileen Charbonneau
Linda Tassel Mysteries Book 1
Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Young archeology dig site supervisor Linda Tassel and assistant Tad Gist explore the artifacts of ancient people of Linda’s Eastern Cherokee homeland. But soon the body of a team member is found, ritually murdered.

A dam building mogul, Cherokee Nation activists, and the owner of a nearby gold panning attraction are suspects.

Linda and Tad uncover another layer — that of the Spanish conquistadors and the timeless greed for gold. Will they become two more victims?

Every speck of dirt must be accounted for in order to solve this mystery.

My favorite portions of this book were the ones that explored the history, traditions, and beliefs of the Cherokee tribe. The author went into detail on these topics as often as the plot allowed her to do so. I didn’t know much about Cherokee culture, so I was grateful for all of the knowledge she shared. It helped me to understand the main character’s perspective in life and gave logical reasons for why Linda made certain decisions.

The limited amount of character development was my only reason for giving this a three star rating. I liked the characters quite a bit, but I didn’t see much personal growth in them at all. My hope is that the later installments in this series will explore these issues in depth. There is certainly a lot of space to do so, and it would make me even more excited to read a sequel if I had reason to believe that the characters were evolving as a result of their earlier experiences.

Archaeology is a topic I’ve been interested in for years. I loved the scenes that described how meticulously Linda and all of the other workers were exploring the dig site and cataloguing everything they found. This is also something that happens to come in handy in a murder investigation, so combining these two things was an excellent idea.

I’d recommend Death at Little Mound to anyone who is interested in mysteries, archeology, or learning more about Cherokee culture.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Honour’s Rest by Judith Crow

November 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Honour’s Rest by Judith Crow
Publisher: Crowvus Choughs, Stempster House
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult (13 – 18 y.o.)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

“So, it’s – what – like magic?”

No, according to Pen’s uncle, the Rite is not magic at all. But, if it’s not magic, then how could Pen push the school bully into a pond while he was really studying alone in the library?
When Pen’s family realise he has the Rite, he is sent to live with his Uncle Napier, who can help him control his ability.

But Napier has other duties. He is the Rendelf, in charge of the Rite in the UK, and he has gathered many enemies over the years…
…enemies who would be delighted to use Pen against him.

What fun to read the kind of book you just don’t want to end. This is a story of a boy born with abilities he doesn’t even realize he has. A boy who has an uncle that can help him tame and hone his skills. There are many stories with this theme. I am saying “theme” not plot. This one has its own unique plot, and it is as magical as can be. This is also a book that has wonderful names and words. A boy named Pendragon (Pen, for short) living with a family called the “Shipperbottoms”. I could see the author has a sense of humor as well.

Judith Crow has created a story of what I call real characters. The kind of characters I could see in my mind. The kind of characters I cared about. It’s as if I was watching a stage play. The kind I hope will be in a long series.

This is easy and quick to read and a real attention grabber. I think all young adults and tweens would enjoy this story. I barely put it down myself. Honour’s Rest is Book 1 of a series titled “The Rite Way”. I hope Judith Crow is working on Book 2.

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Battle for the Throne by E. J. Willis

November 1, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Battle for the Throne by E. J. Willis
Tales From Falyncia Book One
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical, sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Chamomile

The sword quivers in Alaina’s hand. With one final stroke she can slay the gladiator, win back her freedom … and lose the trust of her people forever.

The Kingdom of Falyncia is caught in a war between a guardian spirit and a powerful demon. Alaina barely escapes with her life, yet she vows to one day claim the throne. When she finally returns home, the enemy has her in his grasp. Now she must choose between freedom and staying true to her people. If she fails to kill the gladiator, torture awaits. Can she find the courage to face it? Or will the demon triumph again?

A lost princess must face powerful foes and lurking demons if she ever hopes to reclaim her throne and free her kingdom in this fun YA fantasy!

While this story was a bit slow to start, things quickly picked up and it turned out to be a delightful read! Well written, and I loved the world-building and fantasy elements in this one. Aliana is rescued by a winged-wolf who turns out to be her guardian spirit of sorts, and must learn to fight the darkness that haunts both her past and future.

I really enjoyed seeing her journey, and look forward to the sequel in this duology! I loved the lore around the Wildlands and enjoyed getting to meet the various characters along the way! While the MC is 17 through most of this story, I can see younger teens or even adult readers enjoying this one as well.

There is the typical violence with the medieval theme and a war to be fought to win back her kingdom, plus the mention of demon like creatures who serve the evil king, but reads much like any other fantasy and is a good fit for the more traditional YA fantasy like seen in Narnia, Eragon, or Percy Jackson.

Overall a quick and fun read, and one that I’m sure many readers would enjoy!

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Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry

October 26, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
Publisher: Clarion Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, a friendship is born. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor?

With simple rhyming text, subtle messages of kindness and compassion, and Tom Lichtenheld’s signature charm, this delightful story about making and helping friends will enchant readers young and old because it’s never too early—or too late—to stick up for your friends.

Everyone needs at least one good friend!

Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that showed how Stick and Stone looked out for each other. Whether they were dealing with a bully or a thunderstorm, they always did their best to make sure their buddy was happy and safe. The fact that these moments were written in such plainspoken language only made them even better. There’s definitely something to be said for keeping things easy to understand for such a young audience.

It would have been helpful to have more plot development in this picture book. Even though it was written with toddlers and preschoolers in mind, I still think the author could have developed the storyline a little more deeply than she did. There were several opportunities to expand on points she made about what it means to be a good friend that would have made this an even better experience for small children as well as for the adults in their lives who read to them.

I loved seeing what this tale had to say about what it takes to be a good friend. No one is ever too young to start thinking about this concept, especially when it’s broken down to simple things that can be done at home with siblings or at daycare with other young children. The plot itself was pretty clear on the issue, but there was also plenty of room for discussion about why Stick and Stone were such good friends for little readers who might want to talk about it more.

Stick and Stone was a wholesome and heartwarming read.

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Friends to the End by C.L. Colyer

October 19, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Friends to the End by C.L. Colyer
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Twelve-year-old Zach is convinced he’ll never be happy without his best friend Jeremy by his side. But both of their lives changed with a bang five months ago, and as far as Zach’s concerned, it’s his fault Jeremy will never see his twelfth birthday.

When Zach moves with his family to a Chicago suburb, he quickly becomes friends with a group of thrill-seeking kids trying to find a disappearing haunted house. But Zach’s not worried. He doesn’t believe in ghosts, so he follows them into a wild, dangerous encounter that becomes a battle to decide what’s real and what’s not.

Dying with unfinished business is no laughing matter.

The spirits were well written and generally sympathetic characters. While there were a few frightening ones that I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to meet in a dark alley, I was pleased with the wide range of personalities and backstories they had in general. Getting to know characters like these and learning what might have kept them tied to earthly matters after their deaths is one of the things I enjoy the most about paranormal stories. It was utterly delightful to have so many opportunities to do so here.

I would have liked to see a little more attention paid to world building. For example, some ghosts in this world seem to be much more powerful than others. Certain beings also appeared to have some special abilities that aren’t commonly seen in this genre. As much as I liked the plot in general, all of these pieces of information never quite gelled into a coherent explanation of how the afterlife works in this universe. If it had, I would have happily chosen a full five-star rating.

The narrator had some poignant things to say about grief, friendship, and regret. These scenes did a wonderful job of rounding out Zach’s character and exposing the audience to portions of his personality that many preteens his age would probably keep to themselves in most other situations. Every time he revealed another fact about his past and the heavy grief he was trying so hard to hide from his new friends, I grew to like him even more than I already did.

Friends to the End was a heartwarming read for anyone who loves the paranormal side of the fantasy genre.

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On the Right Path (Book 2) by Brett Gunning & Stacy Padula

October 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment


On the Right Path by Brett Gunning & Stacy Padula
Book 2
Publisher: Briley & Baxter Publications
Genre: Contemporary, Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Jordan is at his second day of basketball camp with his brother Jayden and his sister Jasmine. Along with new basketball skills, the kids are learning life-lessons such as how to be unselfish. Just like the other On The Right Path books, this is sure to become a beloved story for parents and children alike.

NBA Coach Brett Gunning and award-winning author Stacy Padula have teamed up to create the On The Right Path (OTRP) book series. OTRP is also a non-profit organization created by Brett Gunning to guide youth basketball players on the right path to achieving their maximum potential through education, mentorship, and skill development. The core principles of OTRP are guidance, inspiration, and creativity. The book series focuses on six life-skill pillars: Loving Others, Being Unselfish, Staying Healthy & Strong, Showing Respect, Showing Forgiveness, and Having Fun.

Book Two of On the Right Path opens with Jordan at his second day of basketball camp with his brother Jayden, his sister Jasmine and their friend Shai. After Jordan’s shot is blocked by Chase, Coach Pete takes a moment to give another life skill to the team. He offers a quick lesson that basketball is a team sport. This life lesson is not only something to remember while playing sports but for all aspects of life. Coach Pete’s message is simply put, we should put the needs of others before our own.

This colorful inspiration for young readers gives vivid illustrations as well as examples of unselfish acts. The message is delivered in a relatable and brief story that is sure to make for quick reads. The life skill of being unselfish and looking for opportunities to make unselfish plays is not only for those that play sports but in life as well. This core principle can be used to help enforce kind behavior and it also offers a scripture at the end that supports the book’s message. This inspirational series will be of great value to households with young minds who are entering the skills development stage.

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A Different Pond by Bao Phi

October 14, 2021 By 1 Comment


A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event – a long-ago fishing trip. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi deliver a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son – and between cultures, old and new. As a young boy, Bao and his father awoke early, hours before his father’s long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao’s father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. Thi Bui’s striking, evocative art paired with Phi’s expertly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture books six starred reviews and numerous awards.

Fishing isn’t always just a fun hobby. Sometimes it’s the best way to hopefully feed a family!

Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that gently but realistically showed the reader what life was like for Bao’s family as low-income Vietnamese immigrants. His parents worked incredibly hard to keep their family fed and housed. What made them even more admirable were the subtle signs of the better lives they hoped their children would have in the years to come. The various ways these moments could be interpreted was one of the biggest reasons why I chose such a large age range for this picture book. Young children can understand the basic storyline, but older readers will have the opportunity to dig much more deeply into these characters’ lives.

I adore tales that present a moral dilemma or a complicated topic to their readers but then leave it up to the audience to think critically about it. There were plenty of opportunities here to get to know Bao’s family and the many struggles his parents faced in improving their English and finding jobs that would make it easier to financially support their children. The compassion the narrator showed for this family was quiet but unrelenting. I felt the author’s love for these characters shining through strongly, and it cemented my opinions on the issues he raised quickly.

The final page couldn’t have been written better. While I was expecting it due to everything Bao had shared about his childhood earlier, it was nice to have my educated guess reinforced. This scene made me want to crawl into the story and give him a big hug. He was such a brave and hardworking kid. Seeing how the author acknowledged that was satisfying.

A Different Pond was a beautiful read.

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Cole and the Giant Gingerbread House by Riya Aarini

October 11, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Cole and the Giant Gingerbread House by Riya Aarini
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Cole and Claudia are poor and homeless on Christmas Eve. Cole’s kindness toward another hungry child draws attention from Santa Claus, who gifts the siblings with a very special gingerbread house. Cole and the Giant Gingerbread House is an enchanting holiday tale about love, hope, and gratitude.

Every act of kindness matters.

I adored what this picture book had to say about helping others even if it’s difficult. Cole and his sister Claudia gave away something they desperately needed to two strangers who needed it even more in one of the earliest scenes. This was a hard decision for them to make, especially since these characters came from a poor family that didn’t have enough money to meet their needs.

As much as I enjoyed the rest of it, the ending felt a little abrupt to me. There were still some parts of the plot that hadn’t been tied up by the end of it. This was something I’d read to the little ones in my life for sure, but I’d also feel the need to explain a few things like why it was so important for Cole to follow the instructions he was given even though he didn’t understand them at first.

The fantasy elements of the plot were delightful. They truly captured the magic of Christmas, especially later on in the storyline after Cole and Claudia went home with empty bellies and sad hearts. That may not sound like a particularly festive way to spend the holidays, but take heart. Nobody knows what the future holds, and anything is possible during the most magical time of the year.

Cole and the Giant Gingerbread House was a heartwarming read.

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In a Jar by Deborah Marcero

October 1, 2021 By 1 Comment


In a Jar by Deborah Marcero
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Here’s a marvelous picture book, charmingly written and beautifully illustrated, about the power of memory and the magic of friendship.

Llewellyn, a little rabbit, is a collector. He gathers things in jars–ordinary things like buttercups, feathers, and heart-shaped stones. Then he meets another rabbit, Evelyn, and together they begin to collect extraordinary things–like rainbows, the sound of the ocean, and the wind just before snow falls. And, best of all, when they hold the jars and peer inside, they remember all the wonderful things they’ve seen and done. But one day, Evelyn has sad news: Her family is moving away. How can the two friends continue their magical collection–and their special friendship–from afar?

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One of my favorite parts of this picture book was seeing all of the things Llewellyn thought to collect. Some of them were spectacular like a sunset that was the color of a tart cherry syrup. Feathers and heart-shaped stones were among his more ordinary picks, although his enthusiasm for them was just as contagious. He somehow managed to find moments of beauty no matter where he was or what he was currently doing, and that made me smile.

This was such a gentle and life-affirming read. I appreciated the way the author provided a little bit of tension in the plot to keep everyone interested while also writing for such a tender age group. It was easy to relax and lose myself in the storyline. No matter what might happen to Llewellyn and Evelyn next, I couldn’t wait to find out how they reacted to it or what marvellous twists might still be ahead in their journey.

I adored the messages about friendship and staying in touch when a loved one moves far away. They were simple enough for a child to understand at first glance but contained plenty of thought-provoking content for adults as well. This is the sort of fantasy that can so easily seep into our world in all sorts of wonderfully realistic ways. No one here on Earth can literally capture a sunset in a jar, but we can all find creative ways to reach out to people we care about. It was delightful to compare the magic of human connection to the types of magic these characters used to fill their jars with all sorts of incredible moments.

In a Jar filled my heart with joy. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,
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