(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Even though there are maps tacked up all over his bedroom walls, Sebastian is not the kind of boy who longs for adventure.  He's certainly not the type who goes looking for it.  In fact, he prefers his life just the way it is—safe, predictable, and logical.  So, why does a cryptic sign posted in a dingy alley make him so darn curious?  What is it about The Explorers Society that keeps tugging at his underactive imagination?  

Most illogically, it's a pig in a tiny hat who grants Sebastian entrance into the mysterious society's headquarters.  What he finds inside are people and stories so mind-boggling he can hardly believe they're real.  The Explorers Society is a fun place to hang out, especially since Sebastian's not required to do any adventuring for himself.  

When 11-year-old Evie Drake appears on the Society's doorstep, however, everything changes.  Suddenly, Sebastian finds himself in the middle of a grand adventure complete with a missing explorer, a puzzling mystery, and two sinister bad guys hot on his trail.  Sebastian wants to help Evie find her missing grandfather—he really does—but he's no Indiana Jones.  How can he solve the mystery, rescue Mr. Drake, and keep himself and Evie safe from goons with guns?  It's impossible.  Especially for a risk-averse, panic-attack prone boy like Sebastian.  He's no hero.  Or is he?

The Door in the Alley, the first book in a new series by Adrienne Kress, is a fun-filled, action-packed adventure perfect for armchair explorers.  Featuring a quirky, conversational narrator, it's an upbeat tale with plenty of twists, turns, and surprises.  Sebastian and Evie make a likeable team—it's easy to root for them as they work together to save the only family member Evie has left.  The Door in the Alley is an easy, exciting read that middle graders will surely eat right up.  Personally, I can't wait to see what happens next to this dynamic duo.  

(Readalikes:  Reminds me of York by Laura Ruby; also of books by Lemony Snicket, Psuedonymous Bosch, and Chris Grabenstein)

Grade:

 

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

 

for violence and scenes of peril

To the FTC, with love:  I received an ARC of The Door in the Alley from the generous folks at Random House Kids.  Thank you! 

-- 

Want more opinions about The Door in the Alley?  Of course you do!  Follow along on the book's two-month long tour:

 

 

 

(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!

 

(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:

Want a chance to win your own copy of Romancing Daphne plus a $25 Amazon gift card?  Fill out the Rafflecopter below:

 

(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