Book Review: Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Hello Everyone!

Today’s review is on Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend.

About the Book: 

A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world–but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination. 

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she’s blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks–and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It’s then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city’s most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart–an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests–or she’ll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate. 

AR Level: 5.6; AR points: 14.0

My Thoughts: 

The plot of Nevermoor was interesting, but it was also kind slow because the main focus was on explaining the magic system. And near the end the plot was kind of predictable. However, I did like the concept of Nevermoor and I am looking forward to finding out more about this magical place.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially Fenestra the cat – I loved her sarcastic but caring attitude towards Morrigan. Morrigan was also an interesting character, especially since most of her life had been filled with sorrow because everyone believed that she was cursed. Which is one thing I wish had been more detailed…why Morrigan was cursed. I know they go into some detail throughout the novel, but I also felt like there is still a lot that I don’t know about it. Jupiter North was also a great, quirky character and I feel like there is a whole book that can written about him.

I’m interested to see what happens in the next book, which is supposed to come out sometime this year. I gave Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow 3.5/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Book Review: Loving vs. Virginia

Hello Everyone!

Today’s review is on Loving vs. Virginia by Patricia Hruby Powell.

About the Book: 

From acclaimed author Patricia Hruby Powell comes the story of a landmark civil rights case, told in spare and gorgeous verse. In 1955, in Caroline County, Virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love. Their life together broke the law, but their determination would change it. Richard and Mildred Loving were at the heart of a Supreme Court case that legalized marriage between races, and a story of the devoted couple who faced discrimination, fought it, and won.

My Thoughts: 

I had seen Loving vs. Virginia mentioned on a few vlogs and even on Goodreads, but then I forgot about it for a few months. Then one day at work I was getting ready to do some shelving and I saw it sitting on a cart and I saw that it was written in free verse and I knew I had to pick it up!

I really enjoyed this book, in fact I read it a day! It was so beautiful! I have recently discovered that I really like books that are told in free verse and this was a good fictional account about the Lovings and their fight for their interracial marriage against the state of Virginia.

I enjoyed every moment of this book, and I felt like the illustrations did a good job of complimenting the poems within this book. I also really want to watch the movie Loving now which is also based on this couple who had to fight to be together. I gave Loving vs. Virginia 5/5 Stars for its unique format and how it drew me into the story from the very beginning.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Book Review: Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

Hello Everyone!

Today’s review is on Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao.

About the Book: 

An East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen legend about one peasant girl’s quest to become Empress–and the darkness she must unleash to achieve her destiny.

Eighteen-year-old Xifeng is beautiful. The stars say she is destined for greatness, that she is meant to be Empress of Feng Lu. But only if she embraces the darkness within her. Growing up as a peasant in a forgotten village on the edge of the map, Xifeng longs to fulfill the destiny promised to her by her cruel aunt, the witch Guma, who has read the cards and seen glimmers of Xifeng’s majestic future. But is the price of the throne too high?

Because in order to achieve greatness, she must spurn the young man who loves her and exploit the callous magic that runs through her veins–sorcery fueled by eating the hearts of the recently killed. For the god who has sent her on this journey will not be satisfied until his power is absolute.

My Thoughts: 

Even though Forest of a Thousand Lanterns started out slow, I ended up loving it. I think it as a great origin story of the evil queen and I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the sequel which is supposed to come out this fall. I also liked that it had East Asian influences and has some Asian folk tales included in  it.

I like getting to know Xifeng and her fight against the dark power she has inside of her. I loved her development through out the book and I can’t wait to see what she does next. I gave Forest of a Thousand Lanterns 4/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

 

 

Book Review: The Language of Thorns

Hello Everyone!

Today’s review is on The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo.

About the Book: 

Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid’s voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy’s bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.

My Thoughts: 

The Language of Thorns was an interesting collection of folk tales/ fairy tales set in the Grisha Universe. I enjoyed it and I liked how each one was a creepy take on some beloved fairy tales.

The only tale that I found confusing at the end was the Hansel and Gretel retelling…(SPOILER ALERT) but what exactly was the dad doing? Was he murdering and sexually assaulting the girls, or was he just a weird cannibal? I’m still wondering about this even though I read it over two months ago.

Despite being confused by that one thing I did enjoy this collection of creepy fairy tales and I can’t wait to read more of Leigh Bardugo’s works.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Book Review: The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily

Hello Everyone!

Today’s review is on The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creedle.

About the Book: 

When Lily Michaels-Ryan ditches her ADHD meds and lands in detention with Abelard, who has Asperger’s, she’s intrigued—Abelard seems thirty seconds behind, while she feels thirty seconds ahead. It doesn’t hurt that he’s brilliant and beautiful.

When Abelard posts a quote from The Letters of Abelard and Heloise online, their mutual affinity for ancient love letters connects them. The two fall for each other. Hard. But is it enough to bridge their differences in person?

This hilarious, heartbreaking story of human connection between two neurodivergent teens creates characters that will stay with you long after you finish reading.

My Thoughts: 

Book Review: Shadow and Bone

Hello Everyone!

Today’s review is on Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

About the Book: 

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

My Thoughts: 

Wow! I was a bit nervous when I first started reading Shadow and Bone because I know that some people didn’t like it. But I LOVED IT!!!

I loved the world-building, and even though there were a few scenes that didn’t really capture my attention, I loved how it was a little bit spooky mixed with political intrigue and fantasy.

The character’s were interesting  and I enjoyed watching Alina’s development over the course of the novel. I also liked the Darkling (who, even though he is young, I picture of like Rumplestiltskin from Once Upon A Time) and how his character changed over the course of the book. Mal was also a great addition and I am looking forward to seeing how he grows throughout the rest of the trilogy.

I loved Leigh Bardugo’s writing style and I am looking forward to reading more from her in the future. I gave Shadow and Bone 4/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Book Review: Click’d

Hello Everyone!

Today’s review is on Click’d by Tamara Ireland Stone.

About the Book: 

Allie Navarro can’t wait to show her best friends the app she built at CodeGirls summer camp. CLICK’D pairs users based on common interests and sends them on a fun (and occasionally rule-breaking) scavenger hunt to find each other. And it’s a hit. By the second day of school, everyone is talking about CLICK’D.

Watching her app go viral is amazing. Leaderboards are filling up! Everyone’s making new friends. And with all the data Allie is collecting, she has an even better shot at beating her archenemy, Nathan, at the upcoming youth coding competition. But when Allie discovers a glitch that threatens to expose everyone’s secrets, she has to figure out how to make things right, even if that means sharing the computer lab with Nathan. Can Allie fix her app, stop it from doing any more damage, and win back the friends it hurt-all before she steps on stage to present CLICK’D to the judges?

New York Times best-selling author Tamara Ireland Stone combines friendship, coding, and lots of popcorn in her fun and empowering middle-grade debut.

AR Level: 4.8 ; AR points: 8.0

My Thoughts: 

I really enjoyed Click’d! It was a great to read a middle-grade book about a girl who can code. It was also interesting to read how coding can be learned early, and even how there are kids who can do it at a young age.

Allie was a great character and I loved how she was both a computer geek and an athlete. I liked her character development through the events that take place in the novel (even if it all occurred in one week). I enjoyed how she also had to come to the realization that she needs help even from someone who she wants absolutely no help from. Nathan was also a cool character and I appreciate how he started out as a misunderstood character, but throughout the novel we find out that he is not as bad as he is first portrayed to be.

Another theme that was in Click’d, that I loved, was that of friendship, and trust within friendship. I also appreciated that it showed how cool coding can be and I am hoping that it will inspire others to discover coding, just like I (a 23 year old woman) had a desire to learn how to code. I am giving it 4.5/5 Stars because I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to seeing what else Tamara Ireland Stone has to offer next.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

 

January Wrap-up

1. The Beautiful Lost by Luanne Rice 

2.5/5 Stars.

2. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull 

3/5 Stars

3.  The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

4/5 Stars

4. The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur

3.5/5 Stars

5. Lumberjanes Issue 1 

4/5 Stars

6. Lumberjanes Issue 2 

4/5 Stars

7. Lumberjanes Issue 3 

4/5 Stars

8. Lumberjanes Issue 4 

4/5 Stars

9. Lumberjanes Issue 5 

4/5 Stars

10. Lumberjanes Issue 6

4/5 Stars

11. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World by Shannon and Dean Hale 

4/5 Stars.

12. Lumberjanes Issue 7

4/5 Stars

13. Lumberjanes Issue 8 

4/5 Stars

14. The Last Message Received by Emily Trunko 

4/5 Stars

15.  Love Amid the Ashes by Mesu Andrews 

4.5/5 Stars

16. Katie in Waiting by Erynn Mangum 

4/5 Stars

17. When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper 

5/5 Stars

18. True Feelings by Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre 

5/5 Stars.

19. The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen 

3/5 Stars

20. Sierra Jensen Volume 1 by Robin Jones Gunn

4/5 Stars.

21. Taking God at His Word by Kevin DeYoung

4/5 Stars

DNF’d : Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo 

I may or may not have a longer post explaining why I didn’t finish Wonder Woman: Warbringer…maybe.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L.C.