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Thursday, June 08, 2017
When Graphic Novels Just Aren't Your Jam ...
1:00 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When Oona Lee, the clumsiest Sun Dancer on the planet, learns that the Five Worlds are in danger of extinction, she vows to save them. Her sister—last year's Chosen One—will know what to do. All Oona has to do is find her runaway offspring. Surely Jessa, a talented Sand Dancer, will be able to light all five beacons and save the worlds.
Then, war breaks out. Oona's journey is thwarted by the surprise attack. Helped by two unlikely allies, she gets back on course. Finding Jessa isn't easy; it may even be impossible. If Oona fails in that task, it just might be up to her and her new friends—a penniless street rat and a famous starball player—to play hero. Oona has never been able to control her sand—how can she possibly use it to save anyone? As the trio continue on their wild, dangerous adventure, they will all discover the hidden powers inside themselves. And maybe, just maybe, it will be enough to save the worlds they love.
Full disclosure: I've read exactly one graphic novel besides 5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior, so I'm hardly an expert on the genre. As expected, the story (written by brothers Mark and Alexis Siegel and illustrated by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun) is fast-paced and full of action. The pictures are colorful, eye-catching, and dreamlike. A lot is going on, both in text and artwork, some of which I followed easily, some of which I didn't. I'm still a little confused, truth be told. Still, The Sand Warrior made for a quick, exciting read that should appeal to kids who enjoy comic books. That kind of thing is not really for me, though, so I don't plan on picking up the next installment of 5 Worlds. I wouldn't hesitate, however, to hand The Sand Warrior to a reluctant reader who's yearning for a quick, empowering read with plenty of action and adventure to keep his eyes and imagination busy.
(Readalikes: Um, no clue. Comics/graphic novels really aren't my jam. Suggestions?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of 5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior from the generous folks at Random House Children's Books. Thank you!
Wednesday, June 07, 2017
Newest Regency Romance Another Warm, Witty Read by Eden (With a Giveaway!)
3:25 PM
(Image from Deseret Book)
(Note: Romancing Daphne is a companion novel to Courting Miss Lancaster and Seeking Persephone. Although this review will not contain spoilers for Romancing Daphne, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from the other two books. As always, I recommend reading series [however loosely connected the books may be] in order.)
Daphne Lancaster has always been known as the short, plain one. Next to her sisters—all of whom possess more beauty and grace than she—the 18-year-old tends to blend into the wallpaper. It's just as well. Daphne prefers the quiet order of her herb garden or the book room to any ballroom or theater. The only reason she is enduring a come-out at all is because her guardian—the formidable Duke of Kielder—is insisting upon it. No one expects Daphne's Season to be successful, least of all Daphne herself.
Everyone is shocked when Lord James Tilburn begins paying attention to the timid young woman. Although Daphne has loved him from afar since she was 12, she never dreamed he would ever notice someone so forgettable as herself. Despite her initial mistrust, Daphne finds herself blossoming under James' attentive eye. When she discovers the true purpose of Lord Tilburn's courting, however, Daphne will be shattered to her already fragile core.
Daphne never expected love to find her. Now that she's had a taste of it, she fears she can no longer live without it. Will shy Daphne ever find someone who will truly love her? Or is she destined to be alone forever?
Sarah M. Eden is a master at penning warm, witty novels full of earnest characters, sparkling repartee, and swoon-worthy romance. Romancing Daphne is no exception. Daphne is an undeniably empathetic heroine, a woman whose fears and insecurities make her extremely relatable. James is likable as well, although both of the lead characters are somewhat overshadowed by the more colorful personalities of The Duke of Kielder and young Artemis Lancaster. An engaging cast overall. Although I enjoy slow-building romance, the Romancing Daphne does feel overly long. I don't read much romance; when I do, I like it short and sweet. The story gets formulaic and predictable, too, but honestly, that's what I've come to expect from this genre. All in all then, I enjoyed Romancing Daphne. It's nothing original or mind-blowing, but it's a fun read, the kind of light snack I like to consume between heavier literary meals.
(Readalikes: Other Regency/Proper romances by Sarah M. Eden, Jennifer Moore, and Julianne Donaldson)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild violence
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Romancing Daphne from the generous folks at Covenant. Thank you!
--
Would you like more opinions on Romancing Daphne? Follow along on the book's blog tour:
*June 5th: http://mybookaday.
*June 6th: http://
*June 7th: http://rachellewrites.
*June 8th: http://lisaisabookworm.
*June 9th: http://
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Saturday, June 03, 2017
Third Maeve Kerrigan Mystery Twisty, Disturbing
9:48 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for The Last Girl, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Maeve Kerrigan mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
Philip Kennford, a London district attorney with a cutthroat reputation, lives a life of luxury. He, his pampered wife, and their twin daughters dwell in a mammoth house, wear designer clothes, and enjoy all the lavish trappings their vast wealth can purchase. Money, however, cannot buy happiness or close family ties. The Kennfords' dysfunction becomes all too apparent when Mrs. Kennford and one of her daughters are brutally stabbed to death in their home. Although Philip receives minor injuries, the other twin escapes unscathed. Robbery is suggested as a motive for the attacks but is quickly dismissed. Philip's cold reaction to the murders is curious. So is that of 15-year-old Lydia, the surviving twin. Did Philip kill his family? If so, why is Lydia alive when Philip's favorite child lies dead in a morgue? Something sinister is definitely going on here. But what?
It's up to DC Maeve Kerrigan and her partner, the odious DI Josh Derwent, to find out. As they investigate the killings, the duo uncovers a whole mess of lies and secrets slithering beneath the surface of the Kennfords' glittering lifestyle. In the midst of trying to solve this heinous case, Maeve must also deal with the ever-present mocking of her mostly male colleagues. Even worse, her beloved boss is making decisions she finds not just shocking but also unethical, even illegal. Can Maeve and Josh solve the puzzling Kennford case? What about their boss's under-the-table activities? Do they have the heart—let alone the guts—to stop him?
Although this series seems to get darker as it goes, I'm still a big Maeve Kerrigan fan. She's an admirable heroine—brave, compassionate, long-suffering, and funny. The Last Girl, the third Jane Casey mystery starring Maeve, is intriguing and compelling. It's also twisty; I did not see the (very disturbing ending) coming at all. These books are not for the faint of heart, but if you like gritty British/Irish crime novels, you'll definitely want to check out Maeve Kerrigan and other books by her creator.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Maeve Kerrigan series, including Left For Dead [novella]; The Burning; The Reckoning; The Stranger You Know; The Kill; After the Fire; and Let the Dead Speak. Also, Jane Casey mysteries are similar to those written by Tana French, Sharon Bolton, and Peter May)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, blood/gore, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, June 02, 2017
Book Spotlight: Winds of Change by Jean Holbrook Mathews (With a Giveaway!)
5:49 PM
Here goes with the novel's official plot summary:
The year is 1854, and change is in the air throughout India. Within the walls of her grand home in Calcutta, Sarah McCune anxiously awaits the future. After eighteen months at war, her husband, a sergeant in the Bengal Army of the East India Company, has made an extraordinary proposal: leave all the comforts of their life in Asia for an unknown future in America. As recent converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sarah and her husband are drawn to the promise of Zion. So, despite their fears regarding the dangerous voyage before them, they and their four children embark on a journey of faith that will test the limits of their conviction and define generations to come. This breathtaking saga, based on the historical journals of one Latter-day Saint family, invites readers to experience the sacrifices and perils of these early pioneers as they faithfully seek a land of promise
--
If you'd like to read more reviews of Winds of Change, follow along the book's blog tour:
*May 29th: http://mybookaday.
*May 30th: http://heidi-reads.
*May 31st: http://
*June 1st: http://ldsandlovinit.
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