The Light Fantastic

The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Rincewind, and the fact that he seems indestructible. This guy was last seen falling of the edge of the world, and yet, he still survives. Plus, he has the best travelling companion ever, Luggage. Yes, I know Twoflower is with him as well, but let's face it, Luggage beats Twoflower every time.

To Rincewind and the other wizards, he always seems like the person you should rely on only if there is no other option in the entire world, and yet, he is the only one that is actually capable of saving them. He is the ultimate underdog.

Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: HarperTorch
Publication Date: 1986

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The Day the Angels Fell

The Day the Angels Fell by Shawn Smucker
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book is just...um...a lot. There is so much going on. There is a lot of time jumping, which sometimes makes it hard to follow. I feel like I need to read the second book in order to determine how I really feel.

It seemed like one huge metaphor for the story of the garden of Eden and the choice between good and evil. Sometimes, looking at it from that perspective, I thought moments were great, other times it made me a little uncomfortable.

This is one of those books that I feel everyone has to decide on for themselves. Read the synopsis for the book and make your decision.

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

Author: Shawn Smucker
Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
Publication Date: 2014

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Mark of the Thief

Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was expecting something with the same tone as The False Prince series, but this is completely different. I like it when an author's writing is different for each book or series. When they all have the same tone, it makes them all blend together, forming one big blob of story.

There was a lot going on in this book, and I was confused about some of the characters and the customs that they were dealing with. I think I will have to read the other books in the series to get a full understanding of everything.

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date:

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City of Fallen Angels

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book gets two stars based on the fact that it was not something that I struggled to read, but it is not something that I plan on actually reading again. Just, why? Can dead characters just stay dead? For me, the story line was weird, and seemed to have nothing to do with the previous books. The first series was three books, this one would have been okay being the same length.

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's
Publication Date: April 5th 2011

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Pluto is Peeved

Pluto Is Peeved: An ex-planet searches for answers by Jacqueline Jules
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Coming from someone who took Pluto losing planetary status personally, I enjoyed this book. I also enjoyed the fact that this was not just some cute book for little kids, but also had astronomy facts. I will never be an astronomer, but it's still cool to know things.

Personally, I think this book is great for kids and anyone of the older generations that feels Pluto got the raw end of the deal.

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

Author: Jacqueline Jules
Publisher: Seagrass Press
Publication Date: June 5th 2018

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Lady Midnight

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After reading the previous series by Cassandra Clare, I have to admit, I had a hard time caring about the characters. It's hard to get used to new characters when you are in the same world as the old ones, and in a time line close enough that the old ones are still around. I did enjoy the little moments where they showed up, but it just left me wanting more.

I do like the fact that it brought up an interesting concept that wasn't really considered before. Of course, with the way this world works, there are rules that make it wrong, but personally, I'm all for it.

I also like the fact that the line between friend and foe was blurred. I'm not a fan of books where there is a clear distinction between good and bad. No one is pure good or pure evil. We are all a little of both, and this book shows that. It also shows just how much our choices can affect the lives of others, even long after we are gone.

All in all a good book, I just really miss the old characters from the previous two series.

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: March 8th 2016

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Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Um... can Mr. Lemoncello's library be a real place, and can I live there? That's really all I want in life. Oh, and for someone to tell me what the secret clue was that I missed. SOMEONE GIVE ME A HINT.

This book was highly enjoyable. Coming from someone who loves books and libraries, being one of the kids is basically my dream, except I wouldn't be trying to escape. This book is filled with little factoids on a number of topics, while still being a great read. It also mentions a bunch of other books, which just means my TBR pile grew, thanks Chris Grabenstein.

Author: Chris Grabenstein
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 2013

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Rosie's Glasses

Rosie's Glasses by Dave Whamond
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm not going to lie, I really struggle with straight up picture books. I thought I would give it a try, but I really need some words. This is a great starter book for kids to get them interested in reading. It's a cute story about seeing the world through different eyes, or, in Rosie's case, glasses. It is one of those books that really is best for those with little kids.

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

Author: Dave Whamond
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: September 4th 2018

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Welcome to 4B

Welcome to 4B by Brynn Kelly
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was really nothing memorable. It got better as it went on, but there was a little too much teenage angst for me. It also seemed unrealistic. Mila is in junior high/middle school, so how is she in one class all day? She should be changing classes and teachers for different subjects. How are these kids getting an education? It seems like the school is set up more like an elementary school, which makes no sense. Also, why is a student put into this class without a second thought from the principal? Shouldn't he try to figure out a solution instead of just dumping the kids in a class like sweeping the problem under a rug?

It's an easy, short read, but I'm still confused.

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

Author: Brynn Kelly
Publisher: West 44 Books
Publication Date: August 1st 2018

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Skink - No Surrender

Skink--No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have to start this by saying that I did not realize that this was the seventh book in the series when I read it. I am sure that I am missing a bunch of information that would have made this book more enjoyable.

As it stands, I had a hard time getting into this book and relating to the characters. I don't really have a lot to say about it. Maybe in time, I will read the rest of the series, and then will have a real opinion on this book, but for right now, I feel that I cannot give a thoughtful review of the seventh book a series when I have not read the first six.

Author: Carl Hiaasen
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 2014

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Mayhem's Children

Mayhem’s Children by Edward Aubry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to say, when Edward Aubry personally promises you that your favorite characters will be more involved in the next book, he delivers in a big way. Dorothy and Melody's side story was wonderful, and had me wondering what was real and what was part of a curse. I'll tell you what, a curse twist is the best twist. Especially when the reader doesn't know about it until a few chapters later. It makes you question everything the characters did before.

This book also made me question loyalties. We're a few books into the series now, but there are still secrets coming out. Characters I thought I knew well, are changing. With everything that goes on in this book, things are made even more difficult when you don't know if you should trust the people around you.

The main villain in this book is also great. Although, you kind of have to wonder who the real villain is. It may not be the obvious answer. All in all, I'm ready to see what the next book has in store.

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

Author: Edward Aubry
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Publication Date: December 19th 2017

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Child of Nod

Child of Nod by C.W. Snyder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an intense retelling of Alice in Wonderland. It leans more to the side of Grimm's fairy tales than Disney.

For me, the story was a little slow in the beginning. The concept was something I was not used to, so it wasn't something I could easily relate with. As the book went on, I was pulled in, and was completely shocked by the ending and ready to start the next book. Luckily, I have the next book, so no waiting is required.

If you want a nice retelling of an old classic with sunshine and rainbows, this book is not for you. If you like the old stories you grew up and are okay with a darker retelling that pulls the reader in, this book is a great choice.

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

Author: C.W. Snyder
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Publication Date: November 7th 2017

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Thief of Time

Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to say, the best part of this book for me was the fact that the horsemen of the apocalypse did not actually want to do there job, and that the chocolate was an effective weapon. People take note, the way to win a war is with chocolate.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I please introduce you to Ronnie, the fifth horseman who makes yogurt. Possibly the best character in the book. I feel like I can relate to him. His character would not have been so memorable if he had been with the other horsemen in the other books. Although, the others have changed by the time this book takes place. In fact, it looks like no one wants to do their job, even though the end might actually happen this time. You know, unlike the twenty or so times before.

This book also features Death's granddaughter, who has her own special way of doing things, and does not enjoy Death of Rats bugging her all the time. The fact that there is a character that is the death of rats really just makes me happy. Terry Pratchett had a way of creating characters that seemed utterly ridiculous, somehow wonderful.

The book is from the point of view of multiple characters, so the reader has to be paying attention to understand the full story. The story is so entertaining, that paying attention really shouldn't be a problem. I really wouldn't read this book until you have at least read the other books in the Death sub-series of the Discworld series. The background of many of the characters is laid out in the other books.

Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: HarperTorch
Publication Date: 2001

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Talking as Fast as I Can

Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls by Lauren Graham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this book because I love Lauren Graham and Gilmore Girls. Honestly, I think everyone likes Gilmore Girls, even if you won't admit it out loud. The tone of this book was exactly what you would expect from her, which made it an enjoyable read. The little behind-the-scenes secrets make me want to go back and watch scenes all over again to see if I can spot certain people.

I have to admit, after reading this book, I do believe that Lauren Graham and Lorelai Gilmore are secretly the same person.

Author: Lauren Graham
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: November 29th 2016

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The Fourteenth Goldfish

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Fourteenth Goldfish is a cute coming of age story. The story also brings up the point that just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. My only issue with the book is that the only character that really seemed to have any development was Ellie, the main character. The others were there playing supporting roles, but not doing a whole lot of growing.

I appreciate the fact that the grandfather, who was firmly set in his beliefs, was able to take a step back and see things from someone else's point of view. I feel like his character was left hanging, but, since there is another book, I am going to read that, and see what happens next.

Author: Jennifer L. Holm
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 26th 2014

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