My Book Reviews

Category: Books

This category contains any posts in references to books I have read, reviewed or want to read.

Trapped in Room 217 by Thomas Kingsley Troupe

Trapped in Room 217 by Thomas Kingsley Troupe
Expected Release: September 1st 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Jolly Fish Press
Source: NetGalley

Trapped in Room 217 Synopsis:

Jayla Walters isn’t sure what to expect when her father’s job uproots her and her brother, Dion, to Estes Park, Colorado. But right away, something doesn’t seem right with their hotel. Jayla soon discovers that their home for the week, room 217 of the Stanley Hotel, is the most haunted place in all of Colorado. Barely asleep the first night, Jayla watches a ghostly woman walk toward her bed. And the ghost visits her room every night. What does the ghost want? And what happens when Jayla and Dion get in her way?

Every state has its own spine-tingling stories of ghosts and mysterious haunting grounded in its regional history. The Haunted States of America series uses real-life ghost lore as jumping off points to new, chilling tales. But beware: sometimes real life is stranger than fiction.

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley, North Star Editions and Jolly Fish Press for providing me a copy of “Trapped in Room 217″ by Thomas Kingsley Troupe in exchange for my review. This book is interesting primarily because it is based on real events.

Jayla and Dion are likable characters and they come off as an interesting detective duo. They both have distinctive personalities, where Jayla is the impulsive girl lunging into danger, while Dion is the smart, cautious one. Personally, I liked Dion more than Jayla because he seemed smarter than his elder sister most of the time. However, my favorite character was Reuben. This man is so kind and friendly, and has a lot of fun trivia about the hotel. If I even went to a hotel to garner historical facts on it, I would love to interact with someone like him. Probably the only character I didn’t have much regard for was the father. He didn’t seem to be too interested in what his kids were involved in.

The story is short and fast paced. As this book is targeted for a younger audience, I didn’t expect to get shocked by the events taking place. However, I did get shocked towards the end on how Elizabeth reacts, and was wondering what would happen next. It’s a shame that the book was short as I would have loved to read about some of the other ghosts residing there. I also enjoyed the fact that the author indirectly credits Stephen King in the book. The tour guide in one scene mentions a horror book that was inspired by an author’s stay at the hotel. After researching, I found that Stephen King stayed at the Stanley and it inspired him to write “The Shining”!

Thomas Kingsley Troupe has done a nice job of blending facts with fiction. I am keen on checking out other books in the “Haunted States in America” series. I can’t comment much on the illustrations by Maggie Ivy, as the advanced copy didn’t have the illustrations in place. In fact, I wish this copy contained the illustrations as well. It would have been fun to see the reactions of the characters through the illustrations.

Overall, “Trapped in Room 217” is a quick, fun and easy read if you are in the mood for something spooky. Even though it is for a younger audience, I feel that people of any age group would enjoy this book. I rate the book 4/5 stars.

May 15, 2018
Daisy, Bold & Beautiful by Ellie G. Collins

Daisy, Bold & Beautiful by Ellie G. Collins
Release: April 1st 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Fresh Ink Group
Source: NetGalley

Daisy, Bold & Beautiful Synopsis:

D.J. and her dad moved far from the small town and only home she ever knew. Now she’s starting middle school in the city with kids she’s never met. She tries to make friends, but they all appear to be slaves to screen time. D.J. just likes to garden, nurturing plants, watching them grow and thrive. It seems she’ll never find a way to fit in, but then she awakens in a gorgeous garden where she meets Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She must be dreaming; her new friend can’t possibly be real—and what could she know about getting along with gamers? D.J. really needs some ideas, or she might never find her own place in a complicated world.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkZ5j9QeN7U[/embedyt]

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Fresh Ink Group for providing me a copy of “Daisy, Bold & Beautiful” by Ellie Collins in exchange for my review. I really wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did! “Daisy” was a sweet and charming book to read!

It’s always tough being the new kid in school, and the author has written DJ’s story in a very positive manner. She shows DJ’s vulnerable side by highlighting how she tries to adjust making friends than being socially awkward. I actually enjoyed the fantasy element where DJ meets Persephone for help. I’m sure the pure history buffs of Greek mythology might roll their eyes on how Hades is mentioned, but it was hilarious thinking of the Greed Gods as teenagers. My favorite character in the story is May. This girl is so upbeat and positive in life that she would make anyone comfortable to be her friend. I also liked Lexi’s trivia knowledge randomly mentioned. I was expecting someone like Payton to be more negative and hostile towards DJ. It would have been interesting to see a negative character in the book and see how DJ deals with her.

Ellie Collins has wonderful job in writing this novel! Wait a minute, the author is just a teenager? Holy cow, that is amazing! When I was reading this book, I thought it was written by a 20 or 30 year old professional! I can definitely see Ellie Collins going a long way, and cannot wait to read her future releases! Her style of writing is so smooth and simple, and the plot is easy to understand and follow. I would love to see her try another genre such as a more mature young adult theme.

The primary reason I didn’t give this a 5 star rating was because of the cover. Firstly, who is that supposed to be in the cover? I suspect it is Persephone as she looks mature based on her stature. Why didn’t they just put an illustration of DJ with her friends, as she is the main protagonist? Secondly, if it is Persephone’s garden, it is supposed to look lush and vibrant. Instead the cover looks dull, and so does the character. It’s such a shame because the cover doesn’t do justice to the lovely story. Had I not received this for a review, I don’t think I would have picked it up based on the cover. It makes the book seem like this is a book for preschoolers.

Overall, this is a sweet and light-hearted middle grade book to read and I rate it 4/5 stars.

May 13, 2018
Ghoulia (Book 1) by Barbara Cantini

Ghoulia (Book 1) by Barbara Cantini
Expected Release: August 28th 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Amulet Books
Source: NetGalley

Ghoulia Synopsis:

Ghoulia lives in Crumbling Manor with her Auntie Departed and spends most of her time playing with Tragedy, her beloved albino greyhound. But things aren’t as easy as they seem for this little zombie girl—all she wants is a real friend. She tries to venture past the manor’s walls, but she can’t hide her pale green skin or the deep purple circles under her eyes. The other children will be afraid of her, and no one will want to be her friend. But when Halloween rolls around, Ghoulia hatches a brilliant plan. All the other, ordinary children will be dressed up like monsters, so Ghoulia can go out into the town and be entirely herself. In the end, all the kids realize that Ghoulia is (almost) just like them and learn that friendship can come in many forms.

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Amulet Books for providing me a copy of “Ghoulia (Book 1)” by Barbara Cantini in exchange for my review. This was such a cute book especially if you are in the mood for Halloween!

The characters are unique and charming and add a lot of humor in their eccentric ways. I chucked when Auntie Departed stitched Shadow’s tail with an orange thread, and when Tragedy was giving Ghoulia a makeover. Speaking of Tragedy, this dog is simply adorable and reminded me a lot of Sparky from the movie “Frankenweenie”. The way that Ghoulia interacts with the neighborhood children is adorable. I loved the slow zoom out that is done when the children realize who Ghoulia really is. The story gives a positive message about acceptance and seeing the good in others, no matter how different they are. However, if something like this were to realistically happen, I don’t think the reaction would be so positive. But, as a children’s book it is sweet and endearing and teaches valuable lessons.

The illustrations are simply stunning! The colors are vibrant and the characters stand out well. Barbara Cantini has done an amazing job in designing this book. Even though the characters are supposed to be morbid and eerie, she makes them come off as charming and lively. There is a lovely mix of bright colors for the pumpkins and the autumn leaves contrasting to the spooky mansion. The author has also some quirky aspects to the pages that makes the reader stop and admire. For instance, I enjoyed how Ghoulia points to various portraits in her house and shows off her family relatives. There are also some cute activity pages in the end for the younger readers to enjoy. Moreover, there are also some simple recipes for Halloween lovers to try out. I am eager to pick out books from her “Ivy Pocket” series as it has received some good reviews.

Overall, this book is a wonderful start to the “Ghoulia” series and I cannot wait for the next one to release! There is a cover preview of the next book “Ghoulia and the Mysterious Visitor” in the end, and it looks intriguing! I have a feeling that this would be a big success in the US, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it became an animated series.

May 13, 2018
Beyond the Green by Sharlee Mullins Glenn

Beyond the Green by Sharlee Mullins Glenn
Expected Release: October 2nd 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Source: NetGalley

Beyond the Green Synopsis:

In this semi-autographical tearjerker set in 1979, Britta has just found out that her foster sister, Dori, is going back to live with her birth mother on the Uintah-Ouray Indian Reservation in Utah. But Britta isn’t going to give up her little sister easily.

Eleven-year-old Britta’s big Mormon family took in little Dori–a member of the Ute tribe–as a baby. Now, four years later, Dori’s birth mother, Irene, is ready to take Dori back. Blunt and feisty, Britta is filled with anger. How can Irene claim Dori when she’s been gone all this time? Britta will stop at nothing to keep her sister, even if it means running away or failing to see beyond her prejudices.

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Charlesbridge Publishing for providing me a copy of “Beyond the Green” by Sharlee Mullins Glenn in exchange for my review. I loved reading this book and finished it in one sitting.

“Beyond the Green” is one of those books that made me reflect and appreciate life after reading it. There are so many wonderful aspects about this novel. Firstly, the author has written this story in a very smooth yet powerful manner. The plot is on a very powerful subject of battling for a child’s affection. However, even though the plot is about Dori, there are also additional subplots that made this an interesting read. These include learning new cultures, making new friendships, and being selfless. Frankly, there are so many scenes that will be etched in my mind for a long time. The scenes that particularly stand out for me are when the family all gaze upon the stars together, when their Mama has the feud with Irene, and how Dori reacts when she is told to live with Irene.

Secondly, the characters are complex and realistic and I felt sympathetic to each one of them at a certain point. It’s so hard to pick out a favorite. I loved Britta’s determination, Cally’s support, Dori’s cuteness, Red Hawk’s history, and Grandpa’s wisdom to name a few. The characters make mistakes and are annoying at times, but they also learn from it and move on. Furthermore, this middle grade novels highlights some harsh realities, but also shows how to overcome them. Some of these include Britta saving Cally’s life from the snakebite, and how she avoids catching a ride with a creepy stranger on the highway. Moreover, I loved reading about the traditions and cultures of the Mormons and Indians. After reading this book, I went online to see the Indian Powwow dance, and it was fascinating!

Thirdly, I just loved the author’s style of writing. I am now a fan of Sharlee Mullins Glenn, and would love to read her future works! She makes the story simple and down to Earth, but cleverly includes beautiful metaphors and phases that made me ponder. One of my favorite quotes from book is:

“We were an accordion family now, I guessed. Stretchy and squishy. Expandable and compressible. We’d all be coming and going, going and coming from here on out. But we’d all keep coming back, because this was home and because we were a family. We were all connected, no matter what. Nothing could change that”.

Overall, I cherished reading “Beyond the Green” and would love to see a sequel made to see them grown up. I urge all readers to pick up and read this book and give it 5/5 stars!

May 11, 2018
The Camera Lies by A.B. Morgan

The Camera Lies by A.B. Morgan
Release: February 3rd 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Source: NetGalley

The Camera Lies Synopsis:

Konrad Neale is a television presenter. His waning career has been given a new lease of life since he took on a series of hard-hitting documentaries that investigate miscarriages of justice.

Matthew Hawley has been convicted of the brutal murder of his wealthy attractive wife Helena. However, he has no memory of the events and insists he is not responsible for willingly killing her.

When Konrad interviews Matthew in prison, he explores the details of the murder and the possible motives behind it. But all is not as it seems.

Did Matthew murder his wife?

Soon the search is on to identify who else might be involved in the murder of Helena and Konrad is about to learn that sometimes the camera lies.

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for providing me a copy of “The Camera Lies” by AB Morgan in exchange for my review. I found this book to be a mixed bag. There are some part of the books that are gripping, but other parts that could have been better.

Let’s start with the plot. The plot held my interest from the first page. I found Matthew’s story to be fascinating and couldn’t wait to dig into it! However, once immersed in the novel, the story shifted from Matthew and it became all about Konrad. In fact, the focus of the characters, the suspects and the plot shifted with various twists and turns. This made the book fun to read as I really didn’t know what was going to happen next. However, there was also a downside to it. I felt that the way the plot unfolds and the moment of revelation was very disappointing. The author does fine job in building up the suspense and mystery, but fails to build any drama or flair during the moment of revelation. I was expecting a more dramatic moment when Konrad encounters the villain face to face.

Now to the characters. To be honest, I found Matthew and Helena’s story more intriguing than Konrad’s. I didn’t care for Konrad as I felt he was a womanizer, a coward and somewhat dimwitted. In a lot of scenes, it is either Eliza or Annette who motivate him to proactively move on with his life. I didn’t care much for Lorna either and found Matthew and Lorna’s relationship boring. The only characters I really enjoyed reading about were Matthew, Annette, and Eliza. Oh, and of course, George was a complete delight!

I think the author had a lot of wonderful concept with ingenious plot twists for the book. After finishing this book, I really could not think of any plot holes. The author did a wonderful job in covering all the tracks and loose ends. There are quite a lot of moments that shocked me and I couldn’t believe it came out of the blue! However, I would have enjoyed this book if her style of writing had been more dramatic. Furthermore, I am not really a fan of erotica. I wouldn’t have really picked up this book had I known that it contained a lot of erotic scenes embedded in the plot.

Overall, “The Camera Lies” is a good suspense novel which has a significant amount of gore and erotica in it. I thought it was a good read, but not anything memorable. I am interested to pick up AB Morgan’s previous novels to see if they are better.

May 11, 2018
Whisper (Whisper #1) by Lynette Noni

Whisper (Whisper #1) by Lynette Noni
Release: May 1st 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Pantera Press
Source: NetGalley

Whisper Synopsis:

“Lengard is a secret government facility for extraordinary people,” they told me.

I believed them. That was my mistake.

There isn’t anyone else in the world like me.

I’m different. I’m a monster.

For two years, six months, fourteen days, eleven hours and sixteen minutes, Subject Six-Eight-Four — ‘Jane Doe’ — has been locked away and experimented on, without uttering a single word.

As Jane’s resolve begins to crack under the influence of her new — and unexpectedly kind — evaluator, she uncovers the truth about Lengard’s mysterious ‘program’, discovering that her own secret is at the heart of a sinister plot … and one wrong move, one wrong word, could change the world.

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Pantera Press for providing me a copy of “Whisper” by Lynette Noni in exchange for my review. This is such an amazing book to read!

“Whisper” is written from a first person perspective of Jane Doe, which I liked as it made me feel closely connected to her. Even though she doesn’t speak much, I was immersed in JD and her thoughts and could easily relate to her. Furthermore, I loved how complex Jane Doe is as we progress with her in the story. She is vulnerable, frustrated, confused, and scared, but yet determined and hopeful considering whatever she has been through. The reader can slowly see her becoming confident and in control once she learns more about what’s going on. In fact, all the supporting characters have their own unique personality that make them likable in some way. I loved Cam and Kael in particular because of their friendliness and honesty towards JD. I adored Enzo as well for how he supports JD throughout her battles.

The author has written the story in simple but gripping manner. Initially, I didn’t know how the story would turn out with Jane Doe being a prisoner in Lengard. As the story develops, there are so many twists and turns that made me wonder what will happen next! Without giving much away, the incidents that take place in the Market in Sydney, at the zoo and when JD sees Dinger are some of my favorite moments. Not just in terms of the plot, but the characters also shocked me as well. Sometimes I would image a character reacting a certain way, only to find that they behaved exactly the opposite. Even now, after reading this book, I am not sure whether I should love Ward or hate him!

Another aspect I particularly loved is that it focuses mainly on JD, without turning it into a love story between her and her love interest. While I would have enjoyed seeing more romance between JD and the men to come into her life, I liked that it primarily concentrated only on JD finding herself. I also enjoyed the fact that there is some closure in the end, but still so many questions that makes me want to pick out the next book in the series!

This book just has everything in it for a great read! Mystery, suspense, science fiction, supernatural, romance, friendship rooted on an unforgettable plot surrounded by wonderful characters! Lynette Noni has created a masterpiece with this novel and I can’t wait for the sequel to release!

May 8, 2018
The Boy from Earth by Darrell Pitt

The Boy from Earth by Darrell Pitt
Release: February 26th 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Text Publishing
Source: NetGalley

The Boy from Earth Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old Bobby Baxter’s not the bravest kid on Earth. His list of things that scare him is up to number 689, and includes lightning, crowds, spiders, alien abductions, crocodiles, falling from great heights, falling from small heights and eggs.

So when he learns that he’s the first Earthling ever chosen to attend the Galactic Space Academy, light years away from home, he’s terrified—and that’s before he discovers that someone at the academy wants the boy from Earth gone.

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Text Publishing for providing me a copy of “The Boy from Earth” by Darrell Pitt in exchange for my review.

This was such a fun book to read. The story reminded me of one of a Star Trek episodes that you cannot stop watching once you start. This fast paced roller-coaster keeps you on your toes from the first page. Being a space adventure, I initially felt that the description of the setting and the plot would be hard to follow. However, the story is told in a very simple manner for younger readers to enjoy, and the plot is also interesting for adults to appreciate. There are so many things happening in this story, from secret adversaries, diabolical schemes to children saving the world. This is all blended with good character development where the hero learns about friendship and confidence with a dash of humor. The gadgets mentioned are also innovative, and I wish I had access to the Immersive Learning System to learn all the languages easily.

The characters are unique and charming in their own manner. I liked Bobby as the main character. Even though he is scared of everything, it was inspiring to see him gradually gain confidence. My favorite character was Gooba. He is so bubbly and profound that I wanted to give him a big hug whenever he made an appearance. My least favorite character was Talia, only because of her boring personality and taking everything being said in a literal sense. Zim-Zam were fun, but they didn’t have much visibility in the story. The dialogues are sharp and funny. Each character has a distinct personality and invoked their own unique humor into the story. Even the instructors in the Academy were interesting. I especially liked Instructor Balatron and his scare tactics, and Instructor Oolite for those interesting classes with the ILS. I wish we had these kind of classes growing up.

Darrell Pitt’s style of writing is delightful and smooth to read. He sticks to the point and brings the adventure to life in the story. He doesn’t drag on with too many details, and keeps the pacing consistent. James Hart has also done a very nice job on the illustrations. The illustrations are cute and comical, but have quite a few details that make it stand out.

Overall, “The Boy from Earth” is worth reading. I feel that we have not seen the last of Bobby Baxter and there is a sequel in the works. I rate this book 4/5 stars!

May 6, 2018
My Life in Smiley (Book 1 in Smiley series): It’s All Good by Anne Kalicky

My Life in Smiley (Book 1 in Smiley series): It’s All Good by Anne Kalicky
Release: April 3rd 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Source: NetGalley

My Life in Smiley Synopsis:

Follow the middle school misadventures of Max, as recorded in his hilarious Diary of a Wimpy Kid–style journal that is unconventionally illustrated with the internationally recognized emoticons of the SmileyWorld brand.

Warning: Do not read before 2126! My Life in Smiley: It’s All Good is meant strictly for people of the future, chronicling the life and times of Max, an average eleven-year-old. Annoying siblings, stage fright, love at first sight—can you believe what kids in the 21st century had to deal with? Follow his illustrated diary as has embarks on a great journey—the first year of middle school in France. Max’s journal entries, humorous drawings, and colorful smileys recount his adventures in making new friends, dealing with bullies, and surviving a ruthless P.E. teacher. Along the way, Max starts to figure out how to interact with his peers, and he realizes that at the end of the day, no matter what life throws at him, it’s all good!

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me a copy of “My Life in Smiley (Book 1 in Smiley series): It’s All Good” by Anne Kalicky in exchange for my review. This is a book similar to the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series where it covers the adventures of an average boy over the period of one year in middle grade. However, I felt this book did not have the same charm or humor that the Wimpy Kid series has.

Here are the reasons that brought down my rating for this book. Firstly, there are some scenes where I felt that the humor is lost in translation. There’s a scene where Max and his English pen pal Conrad share jokes on how they imitate each other’s accents. According to Max, Conrad asks “Where is the Cantine?” with an English accent. Okay, so what? I didn’t understand what was funny. There’s another scene where Max’s dad wants to practice his English on Conrad and asks him “Where is the fromaidge”. What’s that? Perhaps the author should have made a few edits on the jokes for English language readers to enjoy.

Furthermore, there were some scenes that I just couldn’t connect to. For instance, Max’s mom sends him a text message to come for dinner, even though they are in the same house. Is this a new age trend that people follow by texting their children while staying under the same roof? Then there were other scenes that were just repetitious and annoying. Ironically, Max doesn’t even realize how annoying HE is when repeatedly describes how annoying his sister Marion is.

However, the main important reason why I didn’t enjoy this book was due to the illustrations. I felt most of the illustrations were mediocre and done in a hurry. The illustrations in the Wimpy Kid series are very neat, with bold outlines that are consistent and strike the reader. The illustrations in this book were squiggly, scratchy, and had a lot of rough shading that looked very haphazard. Perhaps it was to done to show that it is a journal of an actual 11 year old, but I didn’t enjoy it. The author over uses smileys at times and I started skipping them entirely in an attempt to finish the book.

The only reason I am giving this an average rating is because parts of the book were fun to read. I enjoyed the scenes where Max decides to get coupons as Christmas gifts for his family, and when he sings for the retirement home. In addition to that, I also liked Lisa’s character a lot! I laughed out loud when she obsesses over ‘Ben Didji” and loves receiving appendages as gifts for her birthday. Maybe this book would have been more fun if Lisa was the main character.

Overall, I didn’t enjoy this book as I thought I would and give it 2.5 out of 5 stars.

May 3, 2018
Ludlow Lost (Osgoode Odyssey #1) by Kate Robinson Dunne

Ludlow Lost (Osgoode Odyssey #1) by Kate Robinson Dunne
Release: October 10th 2017
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Two Pigeons Press
Source: NetGalley

Ludlow Lost Synopsis:

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably never had the bad fortune to be kidnapped and held captive by creatures human beings don’t believe in.

Ludlow Osgoode has not been as lucky as you.

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Two Pigeons Press for providing me a copy of “Ludlow Lost (Osgoode Odyssey #1)” by Kate Robinson Dunne in exchange for my review. I had mixed feelings about “Ludlow Lost”. There are some aspects of it that I really enjoyed and some aspects that made me disappointed in reading it.

Let’s start with the negative aspects. There are a few reasons why I gave this book only a three star rating. Firstly, the book gets a little monotonous towards the middle when Ludlow, Raghnall and Harry are lost at sea. Nothing really happens for a while, except for Ludlow meeting strange mythological creatures along the way. Furthermore, the author initiates about some really interesting subplots but it never materializes in the story. For example, what is the weejy weejy bird and why did it appear at times? Perhaps the author will explain all this in book two, but it still made me frustrated in not knowing.

Secondly, I did not find any of the characters to be engrossing. Most of the characters only reveal a bit about themselves, and as it is a short book, it’s hard to get invested in them. Also, I felt like Ludlow was boring and Harry was very annoying. The mermaid and Storey were somewhat interesting, but were hardly present in the book to be memorable. The only character I felt was complex and interesting was Raghnall. In fact, I would have loved it if this trilogy was about Raghnall’s life instead of Ludlow. It would have been so exciting to read about how Raghnall gets trapped in Morag’s clutches and becomes a goblin. Speaking of Morag, I didn’t find the villain to be someone who was scary, and at times she was comical.

Now to talk about the positive aspects. I loved the author’s style of writing. She has written this book in a very matter of fact way but with a whimsical touch. She has the perfect style for writing children’s stories and I would definitely love to read her future books. The author has also included some cute illustrations that add well to the chapters.

I also loved the concept of the book. True, it didn’t turn out the way I had expected, but it’s still a charming plot. It reminds me a lot of “Alice in Wonderland”, or the movie “Spirited Away”. Moreover, I really liked the way the book ended. It had a very surreal effect that made me want to look forward to book two coming in 2019. Overall, I liked “Ludlow Lost” but I felt that it could have been so much better! I am looking forward to reading book two when it releases.

May 3, 2018
The Orphan Band of Springdale by Anne Nesbet

The Orphan Band of Springdale by
Release: April 10th 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: NetGalley

Orphan Band of Springdale Synopsis:

With the United States on the verge of World War II, eleven-year-old Gusta is sent from New York City to Maine, where she discovers small-town prejudices — and a huge family secret.

It’s 1941, and tensions are rising in the United States as the Second World War rages in Europe. Eleven-year-old Gusta’s life, like the world around her, is about to change. Her father, a foreign-born labor organizer, has had to flee the country, and Gusta has been sent to live in an orphanage run by her grandmother. Nearsighted, snaggletoothed Gusta arrives in Springdale, Maine, lugging her one precious possession: a beloved old French horn, her sole memento of her father. But in a family that’s long on troubles and short on money, how can a girl hang on to something so valuable and yet so useless when Gusta’s mill-worker uncle needs surgery to fix his mangled hand, with no union to help him pay?

Inspired by her mother’s fanciful stories, Gusta secretly hopes to find the coin-like “Wish” that her sea-captain grandfather supposedly left hidden somewhere. Meanwhile, even as Gusta gets to know the rambunctious orphans at the home, she feels like an outsider at her new school — and finds herself facing patriotism turned to prejudice, alien registration drives, and a family secret likely to turn the small town upside down.

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for providing me a copy of “The Orphan Band of Springdale” by Anne Nesbet in exchange for my review. I loved reading this story from the get-go! Omg, is there anything this book didn’t have? Magic coins? Check. Carrier pigeons taking photographs? Check. Family secrets, scandal and intrigue? Check, check and check!

Okay, don’t get fooled from my previous remark thinking that this is some kooky story of pigeons taking photographs of magic coins. The story is actually very heart-warming and fast paced with wonderful characters. Firstly, my heart went out to Gusta as her father leaves her in the bus to Springdale. Since her arrival in Maine, Gusta adapts many changes like getting used to a new town and a new family. She also overcomes obstacles of being teased in school and getting into a feud with a prominent figure.

In addition to the main character, the supporting characters are extremely charming and each one of them have a trait that you can root for (except the villain). In fact, I pictured the cast of Little House on the Prairie to the characters in this story. This is how I pictured the cast in my mind:
• Gusta is Mary Ingalls
• Josie is Laura Ingalls (an older version with the same personality)
• Georges is Albert
• Molly is Nellie (well, a brainier version of her)
• Miss Hatch is Miss Beadle
• and Mr. Kendall is the male evil version of Mrs. Olsen.

Furthermore, the author sets the story line during the time of World War II, but doesn’t get too preachy on the history facts. There are some references to the Nazis, and even a shout out to Amelia Earhart. Significantly, the pacing was good, and the story lines remained fresh without a dull moment. Moreover, the story not only has a consistent theme, but a lot of quirky subplots to it. My favorite part was when Gusta tries on her new glasses and sees the world as brand new. I also loved her scenes with Josie and how they support each other during the tough times.

So why did I give it only 4 out of 5 stars? Honestly, it is all because of that dastardly Mr. Kendall! In general, this man is so despicable, he makes Nelly Olsen look like sweet Snow White. After the way he horribly treats Gusta and her family, I was so furious that nothing unfortunate happened to him. Undoubtedly, it made me angry and feel like bad people do get away with everything sometimes. I would have given it 5/5 stars if there had been repercussions on Mr. Kendall to make him a better person.

Overall, this is a charming book that I encourage you to read (if you haven’t done so already).

May 1, 2018