Trapped In Room 217

Trapped in Room 217 by Thomas Kingsley Troupe
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was a pretty intense book for a children's series. I appreciate the way the haunted areas were handled. It would have been really cheesy if there were ghosts floating around everywhere, but the voices and noises made it a more mature read. This book is perfect for kids that like scary stories.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Thomas Kingsley Troupe
Publisher: Jolly Fish Press
Publication Date: 01 Sep 2018

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Supergifted

Supergifted by Gordon Korman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

My rating on this is subject to change. I haven't fully figured out how I feel about this one.

I really like Ungifted, so I was excited to see a sequel. As mentioned above, I'm still not sure how I feel about it. The characters threw me with this book. I kept getting really frustrated with the way they were acting. Donovan is underappreciated by everyone, and the writing really shows that. I think I may have been a little too invested in Donovan's struggles.

Author: Gordon Korman
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: 2018

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Chilly Da Vinci

Chilly da Vinci by Jarrett Rutland
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book just didn't work for me. The illustrations were cute, and it was an interesting concept, but I just couldn't get into it. I can see kids that are into science and inventing liking this book.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Jarrett Rutland
Publisher: North South Books Inc.
Publication Date: 04 Dec 2018

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Not Afraid of the Fall

Not Afraid of the Fall by Kyle James
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Reading this book made me want to jump on a plane and go somewhere, but unlike Kyle and Ashley, I'm too much of a wuss to quit my job and fly across the ocean.

There were parts of the journey that I really enjoyed, but for me, their travels just had too much going on. I'm amazed that they were able to go for 114 days. I was exhausted just reading about it. For people that have always dreamed about backpacking through Europe, or have a strong gypsy heart, I would highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Kyle James
Publisher: Inkshares
Publication Date: July 2017

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The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I chose to read this book because of the increased popularity it has received. I wanted to know why it has such a following. After reading it, I have so say, I don't understand. It's an interesting story line, but it's not something that I would have thought would have so many people entranced.

I was constantly feeling uncomfortable with what was happening. It does make you wonder how a society like that could be formed.

The biggest problem for me was the constant changes between past and present. There wasn't anything there to help the reader quickly understand that they are now reading about a memory, and I had a hard time being sure of where and when I was.

Many people really like this book and the show that has been made off of it, but for me, my one time foray into this world was enough.

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The Music Box - Volume 1: Welcome to Pandorient

The Music Box - Volume 1: Welcome to Pandorient by Carbone
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Music Box is the first in a comic series about a world inside a music box Nola receives for her birthday. The story was interesting, but to me, there wasn't enough detail to keep me engaged. Nola spent a bunch of time in a magical fantasy world, but by the time she left, I felt that I didn't really know anything more about this place than I did before.

I understand that this is just the first story, and I'm sure the world will be described in more detail later, but the lack of detail made it hard to get into. The concept is cool, and the illustrations are amazing, I just want more backstory.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Carbone
Publisher: Europe Comics
Publication Date: January 2018

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Horton Halfpott: Or the Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor or the Loosening of Mlady Luggertuck's Corset

Horton Halfpott: Or the Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor or the Loosening of Mlady Luggertuck's Corset by Tom Angleberger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm pretty sure I bought this book because of the cover. The cover is cool, and it glows in the dark, which is just a bonus.

This book could lovingly be called a study in the absurd. The fact that it is so crazy makes it enjoyable. There is no way to guess what is going to happen next, because nothing follows any sort of logic. This book is an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone, even adults, because we all need a little absurdity every now and then.

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When Zombies Invade

When Zombies Invade by D.E. Daly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book turned the zombie story on its head. Not all zombies are dead, fire is good, frogs are bad. Plus, there are trains and witches. This book makes zombies age appropriate. They are still kind of gory, but the idea of brain eating hordes is calmed down to make it an enjoyable read for younger readers.

There is one big question on my mind, that I may never know the answer to. Are all of the adults blind? The story would not work with a bunch of adults involved, but I can't figure out how they are all so clueless as to what is going on. In a way, it does make sense. Things that can not be easily explained, like a train of zombies, would probably just be rationalized away by adults. Children are more willing to accept that things may not be what they seem.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: D.E. Daly
Publisher: West 44 Books
Publication Date: August 2018

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The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl follows Lucy, a math genius, as she struggles to take on the challenging world of middle school. Lucy's story, except for the math genius part, could be the story of any kid starting at a new school and trying to get through each day wondering if things will get better.

The only thing I wish had been different was the ending. Too much was left up in the air for my liking. I really just want to know what Lucy decided to do in January.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Stacy McAnulty
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: 2018

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