The Bloodless Assassin by Celine Jeanjean

“It was always a pleasure to kill…”

…begins the book as it launches into a long and ominous description of an assassin, The Viper, and the nefarious activity he is on his way to perform. And then he thinks to himself, “Is it really too much to ask that the common dockworker experience a faint malaise in my presence? Obviously.” and I smiled because, suddenly, the Viper looked like someone I was really going to enjoy! 29602693

It turns out that The Viper is a lovable, sarcastic, pompous jerk of a man. “How can that be?” I asked myself. Those don’t go together and then (in the words of my three year old)…

Oh. My. Gossshhhh.

He’s Eeyore.

Not the sad, dopey, Disney donkey but the true A.A. Milne pompous ass right down to his sarcastic wit. Yes, it’s Eeyore as an assassin and he’s paired with a blackmailing, slip of a street girl. It might sound ridiculous but you need to trust me, the dialog between the two is not something you’re going to want to miss.

Would I recommend it? Yes. I ended the book laughing even as I was dismayed it was over.

This honest review was given in return for a free copy of the book from its author.

Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers

Sep16

I liked this book.

I liked this book because it’s got good words. Words like, enigma, ingenious and Whiraffe.

I liked this book because it’s clever. Once you get around “U” some of the seemingly unrelated short stories, aren’t.

I liked this book because it’s humor is a little dark. It’s terrible that the girl who lived in half a house on a cliff over the sea woke up on the wrong side of bed and fell in, but I laughed anyway.

But mostly I liked this book because sometimes the adults should get to read aloud an alphabet book they enjoy, even if the kids* don’t think it’s as humorous as they do.

Would I recommend it? Yes. Unless you only like to read your children books that are full of rainbows, unicorns, sunshine, small words and happy endings – if that’s the case you should definitely read it because you are missing out on a whole world of fantastic children’s literature!

*Jane (3) and Clara (5) didn’t get the humor but Ivy (8) did!

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Sep9

I fell in love with this book.

I had grand plans for a review that would talk about magic and fantasy and why you shouldn’t flinch from a book that includes either one. I was going to link to an awesome post (Thoughts on Pratchett) and it was going to be epic and amazing.

But then, instead of sitting down and writing all that, I spent my time telling people about it. Solicited and unsolicited, at family gatherings and in e-mails at foolish times of the night I told everyone the same thing.

There is magic in this book, but just the perfect amount. The amount that brings extra vividness to a story about family. It’s beautiful writing and you’ve got to read it.

And, really, that’s all that needs to be said.

Would I recommend it? Yes! (And then I’d recommend First Frost and The Sugar Queen and possibly the rest of her books. I’m not quite sure yet as I haven’t finished reading them all but I have a feeling they are going to be excellent!)

The Doctor’s Daughter by Vanessa Matthews

Sep3

It’s the 1920’s in Vienna, the women are breaking out of molds, the men aren’t ready for it and the psychologists are analyzing it all. This is truly, “A dark and fascinating historical tale.”

A cover both beautiful and perfect!

The characters were dark. Very dark. They were dark with anxiety, dark with evil and dark with sadness and loss. Many of them were hard to like, some of them I loved to hate and all of them were dark.

The plot was fascinating, dark people, dark desires and dark motives made for more than a few surprises.

The historical time was equally fascinating and frustrating. “He was not convinced that women, even well-educated ones like Marta, could cope with consequences and accountability.” – The doctor of The Doctor’s Daughter was not my favorite person.

My only wish is that it had been longer. The characters and their motives were complex but there were still times that I wished the author had filled in a little more of what was in her head. Those were times that the characters’ actions didn’t seem to quite add up to what I had been told about them. I’d find myself stepping back from the flow of the story as I internally debated the believability of their actions. But, given the richness of what was told, I feel certain that information was there. It was within a backstory or a side note hiding in her mind and just didn’t make it into print.

Would I recommend it? Have I mentioned that this book was dark? It made for a hard read. Not a bad read mind you, just hard. The main character suffers from anxiety and self harms as her way of coping – it’s not for everyone. But those who are up for it will get treated to a very rich snapshot of history.

This honest review was given in return for a free copy of the book from its author.

Runes by Ednah Walters

Aug12

I loved it.

It’s young adult. It’s fantasy. It’s a sappy love story. It’s full of bad-ass “people” and it stars a tenacious heroine.

Of course I loved it.

While it could be said that there is nothing super surprising or novel about this story line, Runes is well written with a good back story and solid characters.

Just because I’ve eaten and loved chocolate chip cookies my whole life doesn’t mean I don’t still want more tomorrow.

Would I recommend it? Young Adult fantasy lovers, grab your copy. Runes is free for downloading on Amazon! Just be careful, like chocolate chip cookies, it’s hard to stop after just one. And, since my cookie and YA fantasy willpower are about the same, I can tell you that book number two, Immortals, is also quite tasty!

The Slapstyx by Annabelle Franklin

Aug6

The Slapstyx was written for 8-10 year olds so, of course, I had to read it aloud with all my girls (ages 3, 5 and 8) to see what they would think.

I, as the adult, liked the set up of the book. The ocean is being harmed by super strong, super bad cleaning products and two sisters need to help stop it. That on it’s own could have been a bit much for young girls. BUT if the super cleaner is full of dark magic, the goblins are making the dirt and the dolphin spirits are getting hurt by the overfed plankton monsters. Well, that makes it a lot more approachable and fun!

The three year old, was interested in the mermaid type creatures (dolphinae) and that’s about it. She is three and there’s no pictures, what can you expect?

My five year old snuggled in very close during some of the goblin encounters but was always the first to want to hear what happened next.

The only reason she was the one begging the loudest is because the eight year old kept going to bed with my kindle to read ahead so she already knew what happened next, but she sat at attention to listen every night!

Would we recommend it? My eight year old girl says girls in her class would like it because it has mermaids in it and the boys would like it because of the goblins. All the girls agreed that the goblins were a little scary, though never scary enough to stop reading. But by far the best recommendation comes from my five year old. We had two chapters to go when she said, “Mom, can you finish the book tonight and then read it again?” a sentiment that was silently echoed by her older sister who took the book off to bed to re-read after we were done.

This honest review was given in return for a free copy of the book from its author.

Eli’s Coming by Darcia Helle

Jul22

The best aspect of this book was it’s compelling realism. The characters followed up plot twists with reasonably legitimate actions and…

OK.

Fine.

It’s possible that the Native American Tribe with the inherited powers that allow them to manipulate people’s energy isn’t totally normal. But it’s set up so well! And this is a supernatural suspense sort of book, so you’ve got to have something.

But in this book there is life beyond the supernatural suspense, you know, strangely like real life.

When the non-powered girl falls for the mysterious, handsome man (who, of course, has powers), yes she becomes involved in the plot line. She’s important to the story but the book does not revolve wholly around her and that was a refreshing bit of sensible writing!

Would I recommend it? If supernatural suspense is your thing, absolutely!

If you love a good suspenseful book and are willing to go along with some supernatural energy manipulating powers for the sake of the excellent characters, pick this book up!

If you hate “weird stuff” and prefer not to read while holding your breath and can’t stand a bit of bloody murder even when it’s really well written, then this one might not be for you.

As for me, I saw this was subtitled “Chasing The Night – Book 1” and there’s nothing I like better than a new series to follow!

This honest review was given in return for a free copy of the book from its author.

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

Jul16

When a family friend tried to tell me about the book he was reading but was laughing so hard I could understand nothing more than “squirrel” and “superhero” I thought I’d better investigate further. I gently removed the book from the hysterically laughing seven year old’s hands to check the title and author.

A new Kate DiCamillo?

Good thing I was on my way to the library!

As soon as the book was in my hands I started reading a few chapters to the girls each night before bed.

There were nights that instead of the kids settling down when I read to them they started giggling like maniacs and shouting, “Holy bagumba!” at each other. Incidentally, while that is certainly a positive reaction to a book it is a pretty poor set up for getting young girls to fall asleep.

There were nights that Ulysses the flying squirrel was melting Flora the cynics heart, weightier issues than sprinkle donuts (and poetry) were being discussed and the giggles were more subdued.

And every night left them asking for “Just one more chapter!”

Would I recommend it? The girls liked it. “Holy bagumba!” is a new phrase in our house and I, hater of childish vocabulary, was happy to have my tongue trip over words like obfuscate and malfeasance! It’s silly and it’s sweet and you should read it to your kids just so you don’t miss out on the fun yourself!

Fire Blessed by Crystin Goodwin

Jul2

Last fall I read UnBlessed by Crystin Goodwin and, while I recommend it. I refused to tell you about it.

I didn’t want to ruin the experience.

Now I have read the sequel, Fire Blessed, and I’m still not telling.

I can’t tell you how it was that the author took a story that sucked me in so completely, expanded it and made the next installment even better without spoiling it for you.

I can’t give away just how the characters, that I wished had more substance in the first book, are fleshed out in this one. (But now there are characters of such complexity that I can’t decide if I love them or hate them.)

I can’t hint at the scheming going on behind the scenes. If you haven’t read UnBlessed you must come to it at it’s proper time. (But oh the scheming!)

And I can’t possibly tell you exactly how it leaves you at the end. (But I’m ready for book three!)

What can I tell you?

I can tell you that I’d absolutely recommend that you read it for yourself!

Would I recommend it? Start with UnBlessed (or it just wouldn’t be right) and have this one at hand for as soon as you reach the last page!