Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold

May 19, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold (Author and Illustrator), Skip Hinnant (Narrator)
Publisher: Scholastic Audio, Cartwheel Books; Illustrated edition
Genre: Contemporary, Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xerantheumum

Tedd Arnold’s hilarious HI! FLY GUY, originally published in 2005, is now available in paperback with foil on the cover!

Boy and fly meet and so begins a beautiful friendship. Er, and so begins a very funny friendship. Using hyperbole, puns, slapstick, and silly drawings, bestselling author/illustrator Tedd Arnold creates an easy reader that is full of fun.This book is a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book!

This cutie-patootie short story about a pet fly is unusual, clever and fun. This little audio book is filled with music, laugh tracks and sound effects. The narrator, Mr. Hinnant, has an expressive voice and does a convincing buzz and burp. I got a peek of the illustrations of the paperback version and they’re quirky and amusing.

I liked the basis of the theme – friendship contrary to grown-up norms. All the adults say flies are pests, not pets. Buzz, the boy and hero of the story, saw no reason why a fly couldn’t be a pet, especially since his fly was actually Smart! Amazing enough to be taken to a pet show competition to show his stuff kind of smart.

Fly Guy was clever because he understood that his friendship with Buzz was worth fighting for, so he did things only a fly can do to prove to the grownups how right Buzz was to call him his pet. It has a happy ending and Fly Guy has a new home.

I didn’t know what to expect when I chose this story but I am delighted to say that it’s humorous, silly and fun. I think the moral is that friendships should be based on who you are, not what you are. Fly Guy proved he was pet-worthy, even if he was a fly. Buzz gave him a chance, believed in him and the rest is history – a pet for Buzz, and friend for Fly Guy. What’s not to like?

Because this audio version of Hi! Fly Guy is chock full of music that underscores plot points, action and transition, sound effects that charm and entertain, and a narrator who really gets into character, I believe the audio version is probably a lot more fun than the print version – although I’d recommend looking at the pages of the paperback along with listening because the illustrations are cute and funny too.

All in all, I think kids will get a chuckle out of Buzz and his pet, Fly Guy. It’s whimsy at its best.

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

I’m Going to Start Here! by Raye Springfield

May 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment


I’m Going to Start Here! by Raye Springfield
Publisher: Stonebrook Publishing
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

After twenty-five years, I’m Going to Start Here! is the delightful response to the very popular Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Like that best-seller, this book appeals equally to the young, those in the middle and to the ones who do not accept that a number defines age. With humorous verse and vivid pictures, it encourages kids, and kids at heart, to step out and reach for the stars. I’m Going to Start Here! invites you on a journey that’s fun, upbeat and inspiring. And chances are you’ll discover that indeed you already have within all you need to succeed in life. Now, everyone, get ready, get started and Come Fly with Me on this great adventure.

I’ll walk across that stage and go out with a bang.
I’ve learned my lesson. I’m ready to spread my wings
I have the power to make this life a stupendously, beautiful thing.

Anything is possible with enough persistence and hard work.

One of the most important things one can do in life is decide who to surround themselves with and count on for emotional support. Ms. Springfield mentioned this topic more than once and gave her audience some age-appropriate tips on how to decide who would make a good confidant. The repetition of it was a great choice for these age groups, especially on the pages that had slightly different but complementary messages for older and younger kids. That isn’t an easy thing to accomplish, but there is definitely something to be said for writing a picture book for kids of all ages that also appeals to adults.

I also appreciated what the narrator had to say about failure, doubt, fear, and uncertainty. Everyone must deal with these things at some point in life. There are many good coping techniques out there to handle setbacks and disappointments, and the narrator shared a few of them. It was the positive attitude they encouraged their audience to cultivate that was most important, however.

It was delightful to see how the characters struck a balance between reaching for the stars and remembering where they came from. The lines that talked about reaching out to home and keeping in touch with the people who have always loved you made me smile. This was definitely something that is just as important for kids to hear as it is for adult readers.

While the narrator never mentioned self esteem specifically, they did have some important things to say about knowing one’s worth and learning to trust one’s gut when trying to make a decision. Yes, it’s good to ask for advice from trustworthy people, but there’s also something to be said for listening to one’s intuition as well.

I’m Going to Start Here! was a delightful read for people of all ages. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

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

Fancy Nancy: Apples Galore! By by Jane O’Connor

May 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Fancy Nancy: Apples Galore! By by Jane O’Connor (Author), Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator), Chloe Hennessee (Narrator)
(I Can Read Level 1)
Publisher: HarperCollins; HarperAudio
Genre: Contemporary, Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Fans of Fancy Nancy will delight in this festive fall adventure story from the beloved New York Times bestselling author-illustrator team Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser.

Join Fancy Nancy on the perfect fall field trip—to the apple orchard. Fall is an extra-fancy season. Even the trees wear fancy colors! Nancy is determined to find a perfect Gala apple for her dad—it’s his favorite kind, and even the name sounds fancy. But what if the perfect apple is just out of reach?

Fancy Nancy: Apples Galore! is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.

I decided to try this little book in the audio version and I’m glad I did. The only thing I missed was seeing the illustrations, but I could tell by the cover that they’re colorful, busy and active. Listening to the story was delightful and charming.

The audio publisher introduces and concludes the story with a chipper musical melody. Young Ms. Henessee’s narration was clear, adorable and easy to listen to. I thought it was really cool when I heard the tree branch sound effects. I didn’t expect that and it added to the level of interest and engagement.

Lionel’s antics reminds me of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, so it’s a wonderful way to teach kids about the consequences of practical jokes that aren’t funny at all. If a parent chooses to use the audio version of this short story, listen for the other sound effects. It took me listening three times in the process of writing this review to hear that the tree branch sounds aren’t the only ones that enhance this story.

I also liked how the story teaches new words by incorporating them naturally during the storytelling and adding “That is a fancy way of saying…” and they’re recapped at the end of the book under Fancy Nancy’s Fancy Words. My favorite is Orchard, a garden of trees. That’s the cutest description I’ve ever heard and I really liked it!

It wraps up with Lionel doing something goofy and the little heroine finding the perfect apple for her dad.

I wish they had audiobooks like this when my kids were little. I could do voices but I know I wouldn’t have been able to do the kind of cool sound effects I heard in Fancy Nancy: Apples Galore! It’s like a mini play and gives a child a well-rounded word experience. So, my recommendation is that parents do both – read the story and have their kids listen too. Since Ms. Hennessee’s voice is young, bright and energetic, I think kids will be able to relate and engage with the heroine’s apple adventure.

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

Night Walk by Sara O’Leary

May 17, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Night Walk by Sara O’Leary
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When a little girl can’t sleep one night, her dad asks if she’d like to go for a walk. They tiptoe through the silent house and step out into the dark.

It’s strange and exciting to be out so late. Walking down the street, the girl can see inside the lit-up windows of apartment buildings and houses where people’s lives are unfolding. Kids are having a pillow fight in one house, while a family has gathered for a festive meal in another. She and her dad reach the still-busy shopping area, walking past restaurants and enticing store windows, then stop for a tranquil moment in the park before returning home.

Sara O’Leary has captured a child’s nighttime wonder as she explores her neighborhood and comes to the comforting realization that she belongs. Ellie Arscott’s illustrations, luminous and rich in color, perfectly complement the story.

If falling asleep isn’t possible, it might be a good idea to get up and do something else for a while instead!

Some of my favorite sections were the ones that showed the main character’s reactions to the evening lives of the people in her neighborhood whom she normally saw under very different circumstances. For example, there was a local shop owner who often looked sad during the day when she sold snacks and other items to the community. What this woman’s life was like at night surprised both me and the protagonist. Children don’t always realize that people’s behavior can change in various parts of their lives, so it was lovely to see it explored here.

I did find the ending abrupt. An important part of the plot was never resolved by the final scene. While I can see an argument for the idea that readers were supposed to come up with our own ideas about how that played out, it still would have been helpful to have more direction there. This was something I’d expect to answer questions about if I were to read it to the little ones in my life.

There were some beautiful turns of phrases here that painted vivid images in my mind. For example, an early scene described the main character and her father walking past an “island of light” from a streetlamp and nearby house as they began their walk. These phrases were easy to understand but wonderfully poetic as well. I smiled every time I found a new one.

Night Walk was such a peaceful bedtime story.

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

Summer of L.U.C.K. by Laura Segal Stegman

May 11, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Summer of L.U.C.K. by Laura Segal Stegman
Publisher: Young Dragons/Lee Press
Genre: Middle Grade (8-12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

All Things Are Possible

Eleven-year-old stuttering Darby believes she’s supposed to be perfect, just like her mother demands. But summer away at camp promises temporary escape. There, she befriends twelve-year-old Justin, who hasn’t uttered a word since his dad died, and ten-year-old Naz, who is struggling to learn English.

When mysterious calliope music from a nearby warehouse grants the trio power to communicate without words, they sneak inside to find out why. After the abandoned building bursts into a full-sized carnival with magical rides, they’re greeted by the ghost of Leroy Usher, Carnival King, who can’t rest until his property brings joy to children once again. He asks for their help convincing his estranged sons and daughter to restore the carnival to its former glory before summer’s end. In return, Mr. Usher promises he’ll teach Darby, Justin, and Naz how to find their voices.

With each challenge they face, the kids’ confidence grows, and they learn they’re capable of accomplishing so much more than they ever imagined. But will it be enough to persuade the Usher siblings to bring the carnival back to life instead of selling the property for demolition?

Courage is all these kids need.

Speaking as someone who also has a stutter, I adored what the author did with Darby’s character development as this young girl dealt with her anxiety and shame about her disability. It reminded me so much of the coping skills I tried to master as a preteen, especially when it came to being teased and feeling shy about trying new things that involved using my voice. This was something I would have loved to read in middle school and will be recommending to other people I know who also stutter. There’s nothing like meeting a character who has the same medical condition and similar challenges.

It was confusing to me to constantly switch among the three main characters. I liked all three of them quite a bit, but I would have preferred to experience this tale from just one of their perspectives so that I could get to know that character better and not need to jump from him or her to the other two protagonists so often. There was a postscript that mentioned this was the beginning of a series, so I would have been excited to switch to a different narrator in this group of friends for the sequel if that had been an option. I’m saying this as someone who otherwise had a wonderful time reading this book and wanted to give it a much higher rating.

The world building was well done. I loved the little details that were included like what it felt to climb on top of one of the magical carousel horses or why Naz was so thrilled to try green jello for the first time. These small moments added up to a setting that felt as otherworldly as it did relatable. I was pleased with what they described, but I must admit to smiling when I realized that this won’t be the last time the audience is invited to visit Camp Inch and the carnival right next door to it. There is so much more to explore here!

Anyone who loved summer camp or wishes they could have attended one should check out Summer of L.U.C.K.

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

Unchosen by Katharyn Blair

May 4, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Unchosen by Katharyn Blair
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

For Charlotte Holloway, the world ended twice.

The first was when her childhood crush, Dean, fell in love—with her older sister.

The second was when the Crimson, a curse spread through eye contact, turned the majority of humanity into flesh-eating monsters.

Neither end of the world changed Charlotte. She’s still in the shadows of her siblings. Her popular older sister, Harlow, now commands forces of survivors. And her talented younger sister, Vanessa, is the Chosen One—who, legend has it, can end the curse.

When their settlement is raided by those seeking the Chosen One, Charlotte makes a reckless decision to save Vanessa: she takes her place as prisoner.

The word spreads across the seven seas—the Chosen One has been found.

But when Dean’s life is threatened and a resistance looms on the horizon, the lie keeping Charlotte alive begins to unravel. She’ll have to break free, forge new bonds, and choose her own destiny if she has any hope of saving her sisters, her love, and maybe even the world.

Because sometimes the end is just a new beginning.

How many times can the world end before it ends for good? Every time Charlotte Holloway thinks that she’s seen the worst, something worse happens. Now, she’s looking at the choice between saving her sisters and saving herself. Trouble is, none of them might make it through this alive.

Charlotte is a hot mess when all of this starts. She’s in love with her older sister’s boyfriend for starters. In addition, she feels like she’s forever in the shadow of her older sister, Harlow, a talented musician before the Crimson, and now a leader you don’t want to mess with. She also feels overshadowed by her younger sister, Vanessa, an adept gymnast and the Chosen One. As a middle child myself, I could fully relate to Char’s feelings regarding her sisters. Knowing what it’s like to be in her shoes (sort of), I was even happier as I watched her come into herself and fully grasp the person she was meant to be.

Harlow has a tendency as the older sister to be both overbearing and overprotective of her sisters. While this might be normal and natural, she kneecaps Char a bit with her rules and expectations. I think Char wouldn’t have taken so many risks if Harlow had given her more level footing to work from in the beginning. Vanessa isn’t given a whole lot of page time, which is a shame. She doesn’t get a chance to really develop as a character until near the end of the book.

The pirates were some of my favorite characters. Seth, of course, is the handsome, alpha captain, without many of the alpha hangups. Rielle, Lucia, and Thomas are his crew, each of which has their own endearing personalities. Rielle is sweet and funny and takes no time to warm up to you. Lucia is a bit gruffer, but you soon learn she’s a softie when she wants to be. Thomas was there to keep Rielle and Lucia from going off the rails, I think.

Probably the most interesting thing about this novel was the Crimson. It’s a deadly curse of sorts that’s spread via eye contact and, once you’ve caught it, you deteriorate into what’s basically a zombie. I thought that having it spread this way was a different sort of angle on the usual super flu or something similar. I also really adored the pirate angle. You have runners kidnapping those who haven’t been exposed and selling them off, and then the ones working against the runners to save their cargo. It made for some exciting reading.

Unchosen is a different sort of adventure story. One where the not-chosen takes on the role of the chosen in an attempt to save the true Chosen One. A true story of love, family, and determination against the odds.

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

Fern and Otto by Stephanie Graegin

April 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Fern and Otto – A Picture Book Story About Two Best Friends by Stephanie Graegin
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When best friends Fern, a bear, and Otto, a cat, go searching for an exciting story in the forest, they have different ideas about what that means. Fern thinks they should stop and watch a race between a tortoise and a hare, but Otto worries a tortoise is too slow to be exciting. Fern thinks the three brothers talking about how to build a house is incredibly interesting, but Otto isn’t convinced. Along the way, the two friends meet a little girl in red who is off to visit her grandmother (and a wolf headed the same way!); a cranky girl complaining that her porridge isn’t the right temperature; and many others. But it’s not until they run into a big scary witch that they both can agree that this is not the kind of excitement they had in mind. With irresistible illustrations and tons of charming details, this is a delightful fantasy adventure that proves the best adventures are the ones you share.

You never know what you’ll find in a magical forest!

I was delighted by the many references to classic fairy and folk tales in this picture book. Most of them would be easy for kids to figure out, but there were one or two that were slightly more challenging in a good way. It was nice that the narrator trusted readers to make those connections on our own. There were certainly enough clues to do so. While I would be prepared to share the answers with preschoolers who might need a little help with the trickier ones, this is something I think they’d take great pride in figuring out on their own as much as possible.

There was a scene involving a witch that I thought was a tad too scary for this age group. As much as I enjoyed the references in that scene, it was something I’d tone down or maybe even skip over if I were reading this to the little ones in my life. With that being said, this was a minor blip in something I otherwise enjoyed quite a bit. Every child is unique and some of them may not be phased by it at all.

Fern and Otto’s friendship made me smile. They were always so kind to each other even when they disagreed about what they should do next or whether a particular experience in the forest would be a good thing to include in the storybook they were writing together. I thought they were a great example of what it should look like when friends disagree on something they both have strong feelings about. They both did a good job of communicating how they felt and working together to find solutions for their disagreements.

Fern and Otto – A Picture Book Story About Two Best Friends was a delightful adventure that should be read by fantasy fans of all ages.

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

To the Moon and Back for You by Emilia Bechrakis Serhant

April 22, 2021 By Leave a Comment


To the Moon and Back for You by Emilia Bechrakis Serhant
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

I swam through the deepest ocean.
I climbed the tallest mountain.
Finding you was a journey.
And meeting you was my greatest joy.

In this picture book, illustrated by the #1 New York Times bestselling artist of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, families of different shapes, colors, and sizes must cross deserts, navigate rough seasons, and climb mountains–all to find their miracle babies. Emilia’s story reminds us that, despite the challenges and complications often thrown our way, hope will always prevail. To the Moon and Back for You combines a timeless feel with a timely subject, and is poised to become a modern classic for years to come.

Sometimes Mother’s Day is a celebration of a long and difficult journey.

There was so much love in this story. The main character waited a long time to become a parent, and her determination to finally be someone’s mom made me smile. There is definitely something to be said for showing moms who are as selfless and loving as this one. She was a good role model for young readers, and the depth of her feelings for her child were expressed well.

While I completely understood the metaphorical nature of the main character’s journey to parenthood, it was so abstract that the plot never really thickened into something most small children would appreciate. The audience saw the mother climbing a tall mountain and struggling to walk in hot, dusty desert, but the storyline never explained why these challenges were necessary in order for her to be able to find her baby. Everything was tilted so far in the favor of adult readers who can read between the lines that I’m not entirely sure how much this would appeal to the average small child unless the grownups in their lives explained some stuff in advance.

One of the beautiful things about this picture book was just how open-ended it was about how the main character eventually became a mother. Was her child conceived through fertility treatments? Did they adopt their baby? Is it possible the main character and her spouse signed up to be foster parents? Readers were free to come up with all sorts of explanations about how this baby came into her parents’ lives. The plot could have been interpreted to include any family planning option that currently exists which makes this useful for so many different types of families.

I’d recommend To the Moon and Back for You to any family who had a long or difficult journey when they decided they wanted to have a new baby.

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

Mae the Mayfly by Denise Brennan-Nelson

April 21, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Mae the Mayfly by Denise Brennan-Nelson
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When Mae the mayfly first hatches she learns she’ll have just a day to enjoy the world. But soon a hungry trout has her racing for cover! As she peeks from her hiding spot and notices some of nature’s most beautiful sights, she realizes she must live in the moment and experience everything the–sometimes scary–world has to offer. This tender story reminds us all–young and old–to be present and mindful in all we do.

She only has about one day to live, and she’s not about to waste a moment of it.

Our world is filled with beautiful moments. Luckily, Mae was the sort of mayfly who soon learned how to absorb all of the beauty around her as she enjoyed the short life she was born into. She had so many opportunities to marvel at things she never could have guessed existed when she was still in her egg. It was delightful to see her reaction to life on an ordinary spring day in the forest.

I struggled to understand how the section of this picture book about mindfulness tied into the plot. They were both thought provoking and worth reading, but it took me a while to think of any substantial ways in which they were connected. If I as an adult had trouble with it, I can only imagine how much harder it would be for a small child. It would have been really helpful to have more clues about where the author was going with this.

Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that showed how Mae responded to scary experiences. For example, there was a scene early on involving a hungry trout that wanted to eat her. That isn’t something most children’s books cover, so I was curious to discover how she’d handle it. Without giving away spoilers, I thought her response was perfect for this age group. She was frightened, but her coping mechanisms were excellent. The only thing better than her immediate response was how she handled her memories of that moment later on.

Mae the Mayfly was a gentle, caring introduction to sensitive topics like fear and the circle of life.

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

The Secret Runners by Matthew Reilly

April 16, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Secret Runners by Matthew Reilly
Publisher: Pan McMillan Australia
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, YA
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Gossip Girl meets Mad Max in this breakneck thriller where the line between rich and poor is the line between life and death. You can’t buy your way out of the end of the world in this edge-of-your-seat adventure from an internationally bestselling author.

Rich vs. Poor. Life vs. Death.

When Skye Rogers and her twin brother, Red, move to Manhattan, rumors of a coming global apocalypse are building. But the ultra-wealthy young elites at their prestigious school keep partying like there’s no tomorrow–while the city around them starts to fall apart.

Then Skye and Red are invited to join the Secret Runners, an exclusive group that has access to horrifying truths about the future. Can that insider information save them? Or is this the only time even one-percenters can’t buy their way to safety?

Skye and her twin brother Red have moved to Manhattan with their mother and step-father and are starting their junior year at the most exclusive school – The Monmouth School. Full of the richest and most elite children even in a city known for their wealth, Skye and Red still find the usual high school dramas everywhere. Cliques. Bullying. Home work and classes. Yet when Red, and then later Skye, are invited to join the most elite and secret club of them all, neither know just how dramatically it will change their lives.

I’ve had this book on my to-be-read pile for a long time. Matthew Reilly is one of my top favorite authors and I always love his work. So when I needed a change of pace and something a little lighter and more adventurous I was delighted to re-find this on my pile. Known for his massive (and slightly crazy) adventure and action sequences as well as his rocket-fast pace I loved how this was clearly the author flexing some of his considerable skill and stepping a shade or two outside his usual routine. While the last third or so of the book is absolutely lightning paced and full of adventure and thrills (and I actually squealed with laughter when the ever-present grappling hook made an appearance), the book as a whole is a delightful and refreshing change of pace with a steady character and society type of set up and not instant crazy action from the first page. I feel the author handled this really well and while definitely a step out of the norm for him I still absolutely loved this book.

In many ways this read a little to me like a YA book – but one of the best sorts, one that an adult can thoroughly and shamelessly enjoy. Skye is a teenage girl and Reilly didn’t shy from that but also didn’t wallow in it either. The angst of teenage years and high school cliques, the drama of boys and periods and bullying and social status is all present but they are there to support and aid the story – not to BE the story. I loved this balance and personally found it really well handled. I totally get this won’t be every reader’s cup of tea – particularly some men who want a Jack West Jr (or Scarecrow) style of action/military style of story which is Reilly’s staple. But for me, personally, I really enjoyed it and found the different style and plot was a delightful breath of fresh air.

My only quibble (and it’s a small one) was that for the first half or so of the book I didn’t feel the relationship between Red and Syke as siblings/twins was really used to its full potential. While clear the two loved and supported each other, they pretty much led divergent lives – Red fitting easily in with the cool kids and dating one of the “mean girls” and Skye on the outside fringes. I found it somewhat odd that Red happily went his own path with the elite crowd and didn’t think much of dating a mean girl who clearly didn’t like Skye at all. I found myself frequently hoping that Red would share more of his experiences with Skye and open his world to her a little more and found it puzzling when for much of it (with a few notable exceptions) this didn’t come to pass. Admittedly once Skye was let into that clique about half way through the book, this did come to pass, but I couldn’t help but feel there was a lost opportunity for Skye and Red to have shared more of those secrets earlier on in the book.

For the final third or so of the book everything comes to a head and man it was a thrilling rush to the end of the story. Many of the plots and sub-plots that had been so carefully woven and created in the first two thirds of the book all come crashing together and the true Reilly style came out to play. I read the final part of the book late into the night, simply unable to put it down. It exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to dive back in and re-read it and catch all those smaller tidbits you always miss on the first reading.

Exciting and adventurous, slightly futuristic but all too relevant and modern this is an exceptional story and an amazing read. Highly recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Other, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »