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What's your favorite book?

At the moment, I really like A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. In all honesty, I just really like Victoria Schwab.

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Book Recommendations

This is going to be a bit different than normal. This is not so much reviews, but books that I think other people might enjoy. A lot of the books will be under the cut because I think it’ll be too long. So enjoy either way!

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi is a fantasy story about a girl named Zelie Adebola who remembers Orisha before the magic disappeared and a ruthless king took over. I actually fell in love with this book. It took me like three days to devour this book. I love mythology. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love mythology. This one is so complex in a way that I wanted to read more about the story. There were so many questions I had and so little time to get them all answered. The ending made it more exciting because now I know that Adeyemi is going to write a sequel soon. Highly recommend this book if you want to read a good world building fantasy story that doesn’t want to rip out your hair.

Sadie by Courtney Summers is a young adult mystery novel about a girl named Sadie who travels across the country to enact her revenge on her sister’s death. This story is a rollercoaster that doesn’t really have an ending. It’s a strange story to read because the story is written in podcast form, while at the same time getting inside Sadie’s head. I feel like there should be a podcast I need to listen to in order to read this book. It’s a really unique story and it’s sort of trippy in a way. It makes you continuously guess about what is going to happen next. Will Sadie get the revenge she wants? What happens to the people she met on her journey? Is Sadie even alive? We don’t know! And that’s the exciting point of it. Usually mystery novels bore me and they’re somewhat predictable. This one, I feel, gives a new sense to what mystery is supposed to be about. Highly recommend to all you mystery nerds out there. I think you’ll like it.

Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is a young adult contemporary novel about the first son of the United States, Alex, and HRH, Henry, and the unlikely friendship (and possible romance) between the two who used to dislike one another. Again, devoured this book in like two days. It’s soft and precious. Yeah, there are conflicts in the novel, but what book doesn’t? What I like about this is that it represents not only represents the queer community, but it also represents (somewhat) the Latino community. I can see myself in Alex. He’s a young bisexual Latino, which I identify with but as a Latina. It’s good representation and it’s refreshing to read a story that doesn’t end with an unsatisfactory feeling of the novel being finished. It leaves you wanting more and scouring the internet for fanfictions of a potential ending between Alex and Henry. It’s soft and it warms the heart in some way. It’s a good queer book and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read this book during the summer. It does have politics, unfortunately, but it’s not where it’ll make you scream constantly. It’s also not in your face, so that’s a plus. Go read the book and let the romance of these two wash over you like a spring shower.

The Bone Witch by Rin Chepeco is a dark fantasy story about a girl named Tea who discovers that she can make the dead rise and become alive, so long as she’s tethered to the undead. A great fantasy story. This is a book that I didn’t know I wanted and was completely stunned by what was delivered to me. In all honesty, I picked this book up because I love the color purple and saw ‘bone witch’ and was like sold. If you like the creepy shit like death or a creative world building, I highly suggest this book. Be warned, it does go a bit slow and it’ll make you dislike some of the characters. They are young in this story. They go through - and this is a shock to some readers - character development. That’s why there’s three books in this series. I like the world development throughout the series and the rules that is placed in the world. I may not happily agree with what the rules are, but it’s nice to read a story where there are rules to what magic can and cannot do. I think the one thing I do love about this story is the conspiracy behind the myths that they created. I do like the back and forth of the present day Tea to the past Tea and the growth that she had to go through. It’s not a cop out and it doesn’t feel like it’s being rushed. The book is taking it’s time, and that is what I absolutely love about it. The story will start off slow, but then it’ll make you wish you should’ve taken your time with it.

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes is a fantasy novel about a retelling of Mayan mythology. This one is actually pretty creative. Not the most creative description, but that’s basically what it is. It’s a story about a boy named Zane who discovers that he’s a descendant from a Mayan god. I notice that there are a couple of Mayan books making it’s resurgence, but I think this one is a good place it start. It reminds me a little of the Percy Jackson series, but with Mayan gods and heroes. There is no camp that I know of, but it’s a good book to start if you know next to nothing about Mayan mythology. Like most books that introduces an unknown subject, it guides you to what you really need to know in order to understand the story completely. You may have to Google a little bit (I know I did), but going into this feels like I’m stepping into a completely new culture. It’s a culture that should have been mine growing up as a Latina, but it’s a culture that I want to know more about. Like I said, Mayan mythologies are making a resurgence in the book world and I think this is the first step. I love the way Cervantes creates his own narrative in the Mayan culture and I can’t wait to read the next book in the story. Believe me, it’s going to be a book that you won’t expect at all. Give it a read and embrace the culture that is being told to you. It’ll be worth it.

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Review: A Thousand Beginnings and Endings by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman is an anthology retelling of East and South Asian mythology through various female voices. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ 1/2

The description of this is a little short, but that’s because, like I said, it’s an anthropology. Anthology means that there are several stories inside this small one.  This is definitely one of the better YA short story collections I have read. As with all anthologies, some stories are much stronger than others, but I enjoyed far more than I disliked. Plus, it was just so great to see the exploration of mythologies we don’t often see in the mainstream. And, honestly, it's just so refreshing to see fantasy stories outside of the vaguely-Medieval Euro-centric books we've come to expect. There's a whole world of fascinating history and culture out there - it's time to explore it! My average rating over the fifteen stories was 3.7. Now I will rate each one and discuss my thoughts on them. This is going to be a long one so buckle up!

Forbidden Fruit by Roshani Chokshi - 5 stars

The collection gets off to a bang with this gorgeous Filipino fairy tale and love story. I didn't love Chokshi's first novel The Star-Touched Queen, but I have to say that her flowery, poetic writing works MUCH better in a short story. It's lush and vivid, raising goosebumps along my arms at its end. A goddess falls in love with a human man - oh, what could possibly go wrong?

Olivia’s Table by Alyssa Wong - 4 stars

This was a little strange, but in the best possible way. Wong takes on the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in her story. A young girl who has lost her beloved mother makes it her duty to feed crowds of ghosts. It's a tale about grief, told in sweet, subtle interactions. There is something so wonderful and sad about this uniting of the living and the dead through food.

Steel Skin by Lori M. Lee - 3.5 stars

If I was rating the ending alone, this would probably get five stars. It's a science-fiction story with androids, but also about grief and the loss of a loved one. There's the familial aspect: the narrator's relationship with her father hasn't been the same since her mother died; and also a mystery aspect: she teams up with a friend to uncover the truth behind the androids that were recalled. For the most part, I glided through the story, kinda enjoying it but not really loving it like the previous two. And then the ending happened. Perfection.

Still Star-Crossed by Sona Charaipotra - 2 stars

It's a shame about this one because it took some interesting steps but stopped very abruptly and strangely. I turned the page and was shocked to discover that it was over! It's a Punjabi folktale retelling and the author's explanation for the story was really interesting, but I didn’t think her intentions came across at all. The main guy was pretty creepy, too.

The Counting of Vermillion Beads by Aliette De Bodard - 4 stars

Like a lot of these stories, this one was quite weird. Though I found myself really liking it. I also found myself doing some reading into the Vietnamese story of Tam and Cam, which starts like something of a Cinderella tale, in which a jealous sister envies the other's beauty and it leads to tragedy. Here, Bodard rewrites it with a more positive spin, showing the power of sibling love above all else.

The Land of the Morning Calm by E. C. Myers - 5 stars

Aww. This was one seriously emotional, beautiful story about loss and gaming. As gaming is such an important part of Korean culture, it was great to see it explored here. And while I usually find video game-centred stories too light and silly, Myers did a fantastic job of showing how a game can be really important for someone. It can be a much-needed escape, a creativity outlet, or a doorway to an unending universe. I liked this story so much because it took something I don't usually love and did something new and deeply moving with it.

The Smile by Aisha Saeed - 4 stars

Well, I always like a good feminist fairytale! And I LOVE what Saeed did with this one. She takes a tragic love story and rewrites it to give a king's courtesan choice, freedom and agency. It's a gorgeously-written South Asian addition, and somehow both happy and sad. Happy, because it is about a woman finally getting to make her own choices and understanding what love really is. But sad, because much must be given up for the sake of freedom.

Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers by Preeti Chhibber - 3 stars

This was okay. I enjoyed the alternating between Hindu myths and a modern-day celebration of Navaratri, a holiday I had never heard of before. But, though educational, I didn't feel as much of a spark with this one as I did with the others. It was light, but fairly bland. It seemed a little too long, too.

Nothing into All by Renée Ahdieh - 4 stars

I really enjoyed this one! It's a retelling of the Korean folktale Goblin Treasure and I loved what the author did with it. A girl makes a trade for goblin magic so she can achieve her dream of going away to music school, but her brother becomes angry that she isn't using the magic to make gold that could benefit the family. It's a tale about siblings, forgiveness, the decisions we make and how bad actions can be hiding a good person.

Spear Carrier by Rahul Kanakia - 2 stars

Too long and emotionless for my tastes. I felt like this story was droning on and on in parts, and I neither learned something new from it, nor experienced an emotional response to it. The protagonist goes on and on about wanting to be a hero, and about life and death, and I just took so little away from reading it.

Code of Honor by Melissa de la Cruz - 2 stars

There was a definite slip right around this later middle part of the book. My two least favourite stories were lumped together here. Melissa de la Cruz's work seemed to be a companion to her Blue Bloods series, which I have not read and don't particularly have any interest in. This story was about Filipino aswangs - vampire witches - and contained a lot of gore and gruesomeness, but not a lot of emotion. A potentially interesting concept that left me feeling cold.

Bullet, Butterfly by Elsie Chapman - 4 stars

Gorgeous. Chapman retells the Chinese tale of the Butterfly Lovers - a "tragic tale of two young lovers kept apart by familial duty". Set during a war, this reimagining sees a boy posing as a girl and falling in love with another girl called Zhu. The author breathes new life into a very old concept - that of forbidden love and being torn between duty and what your heart truly wants. Beautifully-written with a touching ending.

Daughter of the Sun by Shveta Thakrar - 4 stars

Inspired by two stories from The Mahabharata, this is a powerful feminist tale about sticking to your guns and putting your true passion first. Always. I loved reading about the two stories this was based on - about “Savitri and Satyavan” and “Ganga and Shantanu”. The theme of a smart woman cleverly tricking a god or demon or jinni seems to come up a lot in South Asian folktales and I must confess: I like it.

The Crimson Cloak by Cindy Pon - 5 stars

Oh, I loved this! I'm not sure why but I sometimes love it when the narrator speaks directly to the reader with a conspiratorial wink (You can never out wait a goddess, Dear Reader. I have all the time in the world.). In this, Pon retells “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl”, which is itself a wonderful folktale, but here becomes even more so. It's very romantic, definitely a love story, but it's a good one. The author gives a voice to the mostly silent weaver girl in this version, allowing her to tell the story from her perspective. 

Eyes like Candlelight by Julie Kagawa - 4 stars

I wonder if this story has anything to do with Kagawa's upcoming novel Shadow of The Fox because it is also about foxes (well, kitsunes, to be precise). Takeo, the protagonist in this story, is an extremely likable hero and we get pulled along for an adventure with one of Japan's most loved mythical creatures: kitsunes. Typically, human/fox shapeshifters. It's also a little creepy, too. Kagawa captures the eerie small-town setting perfectly and, let's not lie, there's something deeply unsettling about never knowing whether a human is really a human or something else.

Overall, this was a stunning anthology. I would really love to see more fantasy short story collections exploring mythologies around the world with own voices authors. If you like fantasy and you like short stories, I highly recommend these.

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is a young adult science fiction novel about two lovers who are on separate ships must fight for their lives when their AI not only goes rouge, but an enemy ship is following them and a deadly virus breaks loose on the ship. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★

Like other books I have read, I went into this blind. I knew nothing about the story, I didn’t know much about the plot. All I knew was that a lot of people were talking about it and raved about the book, and I can see why. It’s suspenseful, it’s nerve-wracking, it makes you root for the characters to survive. 

I was a bit nervous going into this due to the mixed media format that is has - there are interviews, chat messages, transcriptions of video, and the thought process of AIDAN, the AI on the ship. I was worried that I wouldn't like it, it would be too confusing, that I wouldn't connect with the characters - but I was so wrong. This is a really fun read (and I loved the briefing notes added by the Illuminae group) and the style actually made it a bit creepier for me. Near the end, I couldn't put the the book down. There were so many moments where I just stopped and thought, "holllly crap" and I love that feeling. I became invested in Kady and Ezra and I love the banter between them. I was also surprised by how human they made AIDAN and how you almost start to... like him. When AIDAN talks about himself, he talks about his "skin" and "spine" which was a really interesting thing. I hope we get to see more of him in the future books. However, as much as I enjoyed the style and story overall, I really didn't become invested until about a quarter of the way into the book. Which, really, isn't that bad since we have to get set up for the situation and be introduced to everyone. I also struggled a bit with some of the terminology and science - I don't read sci-fi often, so some of it was lost on me since it's written in a way that the author assumes we know science. Another thing was there was an extreme lack of world building, and I almost lost interest towards the middle. The universe Kaufman and Kristoff created was wonderful - I wanted to know more about it, but sadly, it was never elaborated on to the degree I wished. I do feel I had trouble connecting with characters other than the three main ones—just wait until you meet the glorious Aidan! It’s not that they are not present enough—though that is arguably true—; it’s that to me they were only names on paper. I barely knew anything about them, so how could I possibly get attached? Many died and I didn’t bat an eye.

All in all, it’s a fantastic book. Yeah, the formatting is a bit strange and it reminds me more of someone using a tablet instead of an actual book to read this, but it’s still a good book. It takes some getting used to with the format of the book, but it’s really entertaining after a couple of pages into the book. If you’re really into sci-fi, then I suggest picking this book up and having a blast with it.

Until next time.

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Review: Scythe by Neal Shursterman

Scythe by Neal Shusterman is a young adult fantasy story that has won a Printz honor award. It’s about two teenagers who are chosen to become future reapers. Here’s the catch: these two teenagers are chosen to become an apprentice by one scythe, which has never been done before. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ 1/2 

Scythe is one of those where you don’t know where the book will end up. How will the story end? Will it end in happily ever after? Bloodshed? Is it preparing itself for a sequel? I don't know. I'm sure it is because it did come out with a sequel, but the way the book was a little strange. Or maybe it's an ending I'm not used to. I think it’s because there were so many plot holes in the story that it made me question what the fuck was going on. It did seem a bit predictable and the way Shusterman tried to create these plot twists made it seem even stranger. However, it doesn’t mean that it’s a bad book. It’s still good, if you ignore the plot holes in the story. 

The morality inclines towards black-and-white. It tells us outright that killing is wrong and we should always feel unhappy when we do it. Scythe Goddard, the villain who revels in the act of gleaning (taking life), is the extreme of extremes. He's manipulative, indulges in worldly pleasures, stages mass murders for the thrill and so forth. What about those in between? What about people who have aggressive tenancies and gleaning is only way they get relief and can continue functioning as a law-abiding citizen? What about those numb inside and carry out their job properly, but don't empathize with their victims? The premise of Scythe brings up a lot of interesting philosophical questions, then simply slams the door on them. It's acceptable for middle-grade, but I've come to expect more from YA. The world-building is rather unclear, too. In this future, the Internet has developed into an almost God-like presence known as the Thundercloud. It knows all and sees all. But it's not interested in taking over the earth. Instead it acts like everyone's personal butler, helping you choose gifts, acting as an electronic parent for orphans and stuff. Scythes are not allowed to ask the Thundercloud questions related to their jobs and morality, but does that also mean they can't ask someone else to do it for them? And why can every fatal injury, including jumping from a building, be fixed except death by fire? These holes coincidentally correspond to the plot, by the way. A brilliant concept with a weak execution, Scythe has a great premise but was just far too dragged out to be completely enjoyable. As for the characters, I didn't connect with the characters at all and that really hurt the story as well. If I love characters, I can get past a bad or boring plot. But I didn't care about what happened to Citra and Rowan and I definitely do not like the romance that bloomed between them. It felt forced and I would have preferred if they had just remained friends and allies. The one thing I liked were the journal entries. I think this story would have been so much more interesting if it was about Curie and Faraday or simply told in journal entries. They were the things I looked forward to the most while reading and felt they gave a much more interesting insight to the world. Those entries, and the fact that I finished it, are the only thing saving this from a one star. Honorable Scythe Marie Curie, on the other hand is a total gem. I'm a sucker for strong, elegant and powerful female characters and she is all of those things and more.

It’s not a bad book. It could be written a little better, in my opinion. Maybe a little editing and maybe some note taking can help the book a little better. It just seems strange that there are so many questions left and I am unsure if it’s because it’s waiting for the sequel to be written and approved or if Shusterman accidentally forgot. If you like a sort of sci-fi dystopian novel that has to do with the question of life and death, then yeah this story is perfect for that. Otherwise, I would recommend reading something else.

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson is a Young Adult contemporary novel that won the 2015 Printz award. It’s about twin siblings who used to be close to one another, but are now tense and not on speaking terms. Through their perspectives through a different time line, the answer to that question will soon be revealed. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ 1/2

I picked this book up because I heard people raving about it and saying that it was a good book. People needed to read this book. It’s one of the best books in Young Adult literature. I hated this book. It was pretentious and boring and so frustrating to finish this book. The twins are annoying and use metaphors and similes that I was almost begging for them to stop. I wanted them to stop, but I decided to try to finish this book because I already invested about half this book, hoping that it’ll get better. It doesn’t. It just makes me hate the book even more. Eventually, about 80% done with the book, I had to stop. I couldn’t take anymore. And I’ll explain why through this review. It’ll be more of a rant about this book so be prepared.

While I appreciate that there are some good aspects to this book like the complex characters and the frank portrayal of teen sexuality in both a heterosexual girl and a homosexual guy, the style, the endless bloody metaphors and the way it became heavy on the romance... all of that just did nothing but irritate me. There was a brief moment early on when I thought I might be reading a magical realism novel because of some of the bizarre things that seemed to be happening. But, as the story unfolded, it turns out that these are actually just overly ambitious artistic metaphors that turn almost every single paragraph into a purple and downright weird mess. When I read the first few paint-splattered metaphors (hehe, that's a metaphor too!), I did my single raised eyebrow face, but it was when I'd read over a hundred pages of constant flowery prose that I started to feel like I'd overdosed on cotton candy. There also wasn't really a plot. Sometimes a plotless book can be fine. I like being able to simply sit in a character's head and experience their life. If it's well-written. But I was very bored with this book. Nothing happened. And the male protagonist came off as really annoying to me with his constant complaining and general immaturity. If there's nothing going on and the protagonist is unlikable. It's hard for me to be able to like that kind of book. There's nothing for me to connect with or enjoy.

I am the kind of person who forges strong emotional connections with characters; or at least I do if the book is working its magic. But I also find it really difficult to engage with characters - who would otherwise pull me in - when the prose is so nauseatingly bloated with metaphors. Like I said before in This Savage Song review, if the plot is boring or the story gets strange and makes me want to slam the book shut, I look towards the characters for help.  And it's a shame because there were moments when I came close to feeling for these characters. Noah tugged at my heart strings because of his passion for art and how he wasn't allowed to pursue it fully; Jude's feelings of guilt and grief felt like genuine pain. But I never got into their heads because I was too busy being drowned by the metaphorical prose. Also something that deeply annoyed me was the POV in general. You’d think that the author would split the perspectives because, it’s twins. There should be equal story telling. Nope. The author mainly focused on Jude and in all honesty, I did not are for Jude. I could have waded through Jude's story till the end, just for those rare, wonderful glimpses into Noah's life but... but... there is an incident that almost made me throw things. But I like my stuff and this shitty book isn't worth damaging personal items. Jude has literally ruined her brother's life by sabotaging his chances at art school ( not to mention making him think she was dating his crush) AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO FEEL SORRY FOR HER. After that, I immediately closed the book and noped my way out of that story.

If you’re into that weird prose and metaphorical bullshit, then I highly suggest I’ll Give You the Sun. If you’re not and believe that metaphors and weird flowery prose are not you’re thing, then I suggest you don’t read it. It’s frustrating and I don’t think I’ll pick this book up again even if someone paid me to.

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab is a fantasy young adult novel about a city that’s plagued with monsters, and the people that are trying to survive. A girl and a monster must  band together and try to solve the biggest mystery of all: who would want to kill Kate Harker, the daughter of the mob boss that runs Verity and who is trying to frame August Flynn, a Sunai that wants to live a human life? Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★

In all honesty, I did want to place this book under horror instead of Dreaded Nation. It’s hair raising and it’s terrifying. It’s filled with monsters that doesn’t care about who you are or what you do. They kill because they want to. I think one of the more terrifying things about these monsters are how they are created. There are the Corsai, born of non-lethal acts of violence; the Malchai, born of murders; and the Sunai, born of mass devastation. In all honesty, I think monsters being created from human violence is scarier than anything in this world. The only reason why I didn’t place This Savage Song under horror, however, is because I already read Dreaded Nation and This Savage Song was also considered a fantasy according to Goodreads, so I decided to place this in fantasy because it does have some fantasy elements, even though it’s more horror fantasy than anything.

One of the reasons why I love this book is the characters. If the plot is boring or the story gets a little sidetracked, I always go towards my characters in any story. If the characters are boring, then I stop. The characters in this story are fleshed out and seem almost real. August, the Sunai who wants to be more human than monster, is my favorite monster boy. He wants to do good and tried to do good, but his ass of a brother, Leo, makes it more difficult. I also like Leo in a small sense because he is an asshole, and then the ending made it a bit more difficult for me. When August transformed into his final form? Chills. Literal chills. August makes me feel sympathetic for him and honestly, it works. Kate, who is also one of the main characters and is human, is a great developed character. Yeah, she's a bad ass that doesn't take shit from people, but she also has a vulnerable side that gets developed over the course of the book. She's strong, stronger than most people give her credit for and I love that about her. Obviously there will be more character development in the next book, but I just really love how the characters are written in this story.

One of the more interesting things about this story is the fact that it’s considered fantasy. I don’t know why, but that intrigues me so much. Usually when you think of fantasy, it has to do with magic spells or these fantastic creatures that you know for a fact are fantasy. I wouldn’t call this science fiction either because nothing was made or created. I guess in some way it can be fantasy because, and this is coming from Dictionary.com, fantasy is imagination, especially when extravagant and unrestrained. It’s a strange novel to place this in because it changes the rules of what fantasy should be. Hardcore fantasy fans would think that this wouldn’t be fantasy, but I think it is. This Savage Song changed the rules of what fantasy could be and it answers questions about what violence could create. It’s an interesting take and I think it works. These monsters have their own rules on what they can and cannot do. It’s scary and haunting and it reveals exactly what the human race can make once all rules are thrown out the window and violence takes over.

A really good book and I highly recommend it to people that want to read about monsters. It’s a weird book to place in because it can either be fantasy or horror. In my opinion, why not both? Why not fantasy horror? Either way, a fantastic book about morality and creation. 

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver is an LGBTQ+ romance novel about a teenager that accidentally falls in love with a boy who doesn’t know their ultimate secret: that they’re nonbinary. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2

The summary isn’t really all that great, but it’s the best I could come up with. Anyway, this story. This fucking story, man. I’ve read my fair share of novels from the queer community and this is a story that I was not prepared for. It’s a story that sounds like something someone maybe has gone through. It’s actually one of my favorite queer books because the person gets their happily ever after instead of being slotted into the tragic queer character that I know everybody hates at the moment. Before I get into this review, I do have to say that I know nothing about nonbinary folk. I went into this story blind and I’m glad I did because this is incredibly heartwarming and something that everybody should read. Now, onto the review.

I love Ben. Ben has become my new favorite character. I kinda wanna just protect them from everything that is bad from the world. To start off, they come out to their parents right off the bat and it goes as you would expect; badly. They’re kicked out of the house and has to stay at their sister’s house, who they haven’t talked to in years. Already this is a story where the character knows who they are and is still trying to navigate their own gender identity along with their sexual identity. It’s a lot of research and sometimes you don’t have a grasp at it just yet. Ben is relatable because they know what their gender identity is, but is still trying to work out the kinks in this new identity they discovered. On another note, sometimes parents aren’t as understanding as television and movies make it out to be. [I’m looking at you, Love, Simon. Making me cry during that coming out scene.] I think that part is realistic. Sometimes people don’t have the support system like Ben has, and I am so proud of them. It’s fun to watch their progress from the beginning of the book to the end. It’s everything that I want and I’m glad that Ben got their happily ever after.

I have fallen in love with the other characters quickly. Some of them I felt like I had to tense a little bit because I don’t know who the villain in this story is. In many LGBTQ+ story, I felt that there had to be an antagonist in the story. In Simon vs. The Homo Sapien Agenda, the antagonist was Martin because he wanted to get with one of Simon’s friends. I do notice that a lot of the antagonist in Queer novels are always the peers. It’s never the adult in this story. With I Wish You All the Best, it was different. I think the only antagonist was the parents and Ben themselves. Ben was mostly antagonistic to themselves in all honesty. What I mean by this is they believe they don't deserve to be happy because they haven't figured out who they are yet. It's more a story of self discovery and identity than trying to force someone to be outed because they would benefit from it. [Looking at you GBF and Faking It.] What I also love about this novel is the slowburn between Ben and Nathan is the slowburn that I want in every story. It doesn’t start off right out of the gate. The author [who is also nonbinary btw] makes us, the readers, fall in love with these characters one by one so we can understand why Ben loves them so much. Through their eyes, we can connect. We slowly fall in love with Nathan just like Ben does. It’s not perfect, believe me, but it’s getting close to it. It’s a love story that takes time and allows for Ben to first love themselves before they can commit themselves to a serious relationship. And in all honesty, I wish all books, especially queer books, were like that.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that feels like they don’t know who they are or they are questioning their sexuality or gender. It’s a good story with a good narrative. I feel like many queer kids can relate to Ben in some way. Maybe not through gender, but in sexuality. Everyone deserves a happy ending. I think it’s time we place this book with Happy Queers.

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo is a slam poetry book that won a National Book Award. It’s about a girl who is trying to find her own voice and sexuality when her religious mother wants her to attend church and be a good Catholic girl. Review under the cut.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

In all honesty, I’m not a huge fan of poetry. I can never tell what tone I’m supposed to use or what voice is appropriate for poetry. I find it difficult to read, plus I spent most of my academic career studying poetry and I think I only had an appreciation outside of learning. Other than that, I don’t read poetry unless someone recommends it to me. This one, however, is a book that I’ve been seeing everywhere. Eventually I caved and bought it at the Festival of Books in LA. This was nothing that I was expecting. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I read the first page. We shall now continue on to the review!

I like the story’s structure. It’s not so much as poetry but slam poetry. I feel like with this story, it’s something that you have to read aloud. I can feel the anger, the sadness, the desperation of trying to be free. I have never grown up with parents that were extremely religious to the point where they will belittle you and blame that you’re a woman and therefore will sin. It’s an interesting concept and I wish this was explored a little more, but I get it. It’s telling the story in the present tense and I think we got as much from her childhood as we got. If anything, I think X writing out her thoughts through poetry is important to the story itself. I can’t see this book being written in any other way. It’s personal and it makes me feel like this story is supposed to be personal. If X wrote it like a journal entry, I don’t think it’ll have the same impact. Like I said, I can never really liked poetry because of my academic career, but I believe that this book can let kids who never liked poetry to begin with start reading it. There are countless books that are written like this, and I honestly believe that this one is written well. 

The characters in the book, I feel like, should have been developed more. I kept thinking that it’ll have a sequel, but I’m always disappointed when it’s not the case. I would love to know the backstory of Twin, of Aman, of her parents a little more, and maybe of herself. I think it is limited because it is written in first person and it’s poetry about a girl that is told that she can’t grow up until she does grow up. I think it’s fitting, especially since she is Dominican Republic and is raised catholic. I’m not too familiar of the D.R. culture (I am Mexican so I would assume D.R. is different than Mexican culture) but the mother in the book does have strong vibes that is similar to mothers of Latin culture. Machismo, as many have called it. It makes me feel repressed in the book, and few books have made me feel like that. The way that Acevedo wrote the characters made them feel real. I just wish they were developed a little more and I got to know them. Maybe that’s just me and maybe I’m wrong. Either way, it needs more development.

It’s a good book, I won’t lie. It’s a good book to help someone probably get into poetry. Poetry is difficult to understand and get in to. This one is simple and doesn’t try to use flowery words to get the point across. Obviously it uses metaphors and similes, but not to the point where it’s overbearing. It’s fantastic and I recommend it to anyone who feels lost and wants to show that who they really are inside.

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: Ghost Hunters Adventure Club and the Secret of the Grande Chateau by Dr. Cecil H. H. Mills

Ghost Hunters Adventure Club and the Secret of the Grande Chateau by Dr. Cecil H. H. Mills is a young adult mystery novel about three wannabe detectives who will solve the mystery of who killed Wallace P. Gross in The Grande Chateau. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ½

In all honesty, I didn’t know what to make of this book. It just came out and many people were recommending it, so I decided to see what the book was about. It actually reminds me of the Hardy Boys series a little bit. It’s very campy and a bit silly. It has a bit of a charm that I don’t really see in other mystery books. Whenever I try to read a mystery book, it always feels a bit corny. At least with this one, even though it does feel a little corny, it’s a good kind of corny. Not one that makes me shut the book and walk away. 

I think the whole campy feel makes it feel a bit natural. I like the supposed brothers (we’re not sure if they’re brothers or are adoptive. They never say and it’s one of the biggest mysteries of all.) and Trudi in this story. The writer made it seem like they wouldn’t be able to work out, but I disagree. I think they work well together. Trudi and Valentine help J.J. come back down to earth and focus on what needs to be done; Trudi and J.J. help Valentine to do things that can be considered out of his comfort zone; J.J. and Valentine give Trudi the adventure that she so desperately needs. The characters work well with one another. As for them solving mysteries… well, they mostly suck at it until they finally started taking it seriously. But that’s the point of a good mystery, I think. If the mystery is solved right away or in the first try, it’s boring. I think that’s why I actually like this book.

The one thing I didn’t really like about the book is how the author treated the book itself. It's obvious that he doesn't like children at all. He seems egotistical and only wrote this book so he could finally make something of himself. He did a good job, not gonna lie. I didn't like how he made an author's note in the middle of the book and added himself as a character. It kind of ruined the magic for me. Some people may like it, but I thought it was more of a cop out if anything. I don't like how he made himself a character in the book. Some authors, like Kurt Vonnegut, can make it work. This writer, however, did not. The other thing I didn't really like was the ending. It was surprising who the real killer is, but it doesn't seem realistic for the reason why she wanted to kill him. Wallace knows where the treasure is and decides to kill him? Unrealistic. I would've forced him to do the dirty work for me and not say anything and then kill him so he won't say anything. My opinion, obviously. It also seems like a cop out that Wallace gave all the answers in a manuscript. Not my favorite part of the story in all honesty.

All in all, it’s not a bad book. It does need some work, but I do hope that the rest of the series (if there is one) gets better later on. Maybe we will get a series, if the author wants to write it that is. But I do recommend reading it if you want something light and fun to read. It’s a perfect book for this quarantine weather.

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland is a historical horror novel that takes place after the civil war where the undead have risen up and taken over the United States. However, although many Negros have attended combat school to become Attendants for the well-to-do whites, not everything is as it seems. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★

In all honesty, I didn’t really know what to make of Dread Nation. I found it at the LA Festival of Books and thought ‘yeah, this looks interesting’ and never read it until this year. All I knew about it was that it had zombies in it. Annnnnd, that’s it. I believe EpicReads talks about the book and recommended it to many, plus the sequel is gonna come out soon, so I thought it would be a great time to read it.

My first thought of reading the book was intense. One, because zombies scare the shit out of me and I don’t like zombies. In the book, they’re actually called shamblers, but we’ll be calling them zombies because that’s exactly what they are. I think the one thing that did scare me is being locked up in some town that I know nothing about with a crazed pastor that believes that all colored folk are placed on this planet to serve the whites. What kind of Steven King bullshit is that? No thanks. That ain’t no utopia. In all honesty, this book left me with more questions than answers, but I guess the sequel will hopefully give me those answers. I think what made this book more horror than fantasy or sci-fi is the knowledge that you’re trapped. You’re in this dingy little town filled with racists idiots that will just as happily see you dead and, being colored, can’t do anything about it. It sucks. It’s terrifying. Especially considering the town next door is living the good life and - spoiler alert - they’re all white. The way Ireland created this type of fear in this book, the anger, the feeling of being trapped is just so good. It’s realistic and it terrifies me. 

The only thing I don’t like about this book, and the reason why I didn’t give this book a full five stars, is the fact that Jane thinks she’s too smart for her own good. Yeah, she’s educated and she knows that the things she’s doing is getting her into more trouble, but I feel like she needs to realize that her arrogance will, eventually, get her killed. I do like the fact that she acknowledges her arrogance and her dumbassery, so that's a nice change. Usually, people who are arrogant remain arrogant without thinking of the consequences. Another thing that sort of annoyed me Zaza was there were hardly any zombies in the novel. Sure, they were mentioned and we actually got to see them up close, but they're there for like five pages and that's it. Even the battle between the shamblers and the town was anticlimactic. It did leave the reader wanting more, but I do wish the zombies made more of an appearance. The real horror of the book was religious prosecution. It reminded me a little of The Mist by Stephen King because it also revealed monsters, but it focused more on how dangerous religion is.

All in all, it’s not a bad book. It certainly sent shivers down my spine. I like how it sets up for the next book, which I believe is coming out this year. I just wish there were more zombies. Or at least something to make it more suspenseful. Otherwise, a great book to read during the quarantine and I might buy the sequel if I get the chance. Highly recommend the book to those that do like zombie books or want to be scared a little bit. 

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz

The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz and illustrated by Hatem Aly follows three children who are either heretics or saints, depending on how one views their accomplishments. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 

I have read in other reviews that people liked it less as it went along. I felt the opposite way. The first 80 pages were interesting but a bit forced. A low-income girl, a mixed-race child, and a Jew have origin stories that highlight the concepts of diversity and tolerance. It felt a little preachy to me. Maybe diversity preachiness is what other readers like, and they lost interest when the book shifted into high gear. For me, the whole thing came alive when the three protagonists meet and start interacting. That's also the time when the Saint-Denis quest gets started and gives the book some direction.

I enjoyed how the story built upon itself in layers with several starts and stops and revisions. It is as much a story about the telling of stories as it is the story itself. It is also one of the few books which seriously but respectfully questions religious belief through character debate that parallels the events in the story. But, this is not didactic in the least. Gidwitz understands his young audience and fills the tale with plenty of gore, excitement and laughs such as a dragon with farts so toxic they will incinerate a knight in his armor, based on original writings from that period. His notes at the end are fascinating, particularly when you realize how little of this tale he created himself. The book is not without flaws, such as the various narrators having such similar Gidwitz-ian voices. And the explanation of the Nun's knowledge was curt and vague, which young readers may not be able to interpret or accept.

I enjoyed the characters and characterizations of historical personages, but most of all I loved the portrayal of the perils of tolerance in an intolerant age. Not only did it incorporate a great plot with extremely unique characters and just the right amount of period detail, it also had an unexpected section that blended seamlessly with the narrative, in which the Problem of Evil was literally solved by a drunken monk! It was extraordinary! And surprising. And subtle. It wasn't an enormous theological treatise with ten proofs and sixteen counter-arguments, but it was simple, clear, and compelling. In a YA novel about three misfit children and a resurrected dog! Most importantly, it is about three children divided by class, gender, race, and religion who find that in the search for the truth about God and the universe, perhaps friendship is the greatest marvel of all. And that in the middle of a story, we cannot see the bigger plan until we get to its very end.

I do have to comment that I did enjoy the illuminations - medieval illustrations - in the book. It felt authentic in a sense and entertaining! It reminded me when the monks were copying religious texts over and over again that they would get bored and start doodling. It makes it feel like I was reading an actual story from the middle ages about three kids who go on an adventure together. They’re not in your face. They’re just doodles to help pass the time by bored people who need some sort of entertainment. They’re not perfect doodles, but they do resemble some of the doodles that the monks drew when they were copying texts. 

In spite of its flaws, I encourage people to give this book a shot. I even suggest they give it 100 pages before throwing it at a wall. It's fun and interesting.

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez is a sweet, funny story about smart, witty, awkward middle schoolers trying to navigate friendships, the loss of family members, and expressing individuality--and also making sure the world isn't destroyed by holes in the multiverse. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Hernandez has created a book that is fun, accessible, and exciting like so many other middle grade stories, but the addition of it being own voices for the Cuban-American representation, as well as showing (from what I can tell from diabetic reviewers) a realistic depiction of someone with type 1 diabetes, makes it fresh and necessary for its modern audience. There is so much here about family, grief and loss, and of course, the idea of multiverses, that is sure to work for middle readers. Not to mention that every character in this book is complex but most especially our main two protagonists. There's a good amount of serious issues handled here, but I think it's really tempered by both the tone of the story, and also just the amount of wholesome goodness. There is so much support here - both in Sal and Gabi's families - and the love is overflowing. It's a good reminder that even though things might not always be great, you always have people you can count on. Sal is a frank boy in that he’s honest about his mental health (he has PTSD after a traumatic car accident and the death of his mother) as well as his own physical disability (he’s a Type I diabetic). Even though magic is all about misdirection, Sal never uses it dishonestly. In fact, he’s truthful when he says that he learned magic in order to cope with his traumas. He finds a way to scurry away from trouble thanks to this coping mechanism, but tends to create more trouble than he solves, as evidenced by his unusual ability to borrow things from alternate universes. Gabi is one of the most Lawful Good characters I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about, while still never betraying her intuition or impulses, even if it comes at a cost. Though Sal and Gabi are both impulsive, they’re a balanced duo in that they take turns being the stabilizing force until they’re convinced otherwise (they take turns sharing one brain cell).

They’re heavy questions to tackle, and when one thinks about the books that pose questions like these you’d think they’re more easily answered in a Contemporary book. But Hernandez manages to choreograph an intricate dance between the heavy and the light using grounded Science Fiction that deserves a standing ovation. The reader is immersed into a world full of Cubans in Miami, questioning gendered expectations and misogyny, all while having funny lines like: “You just give feero zucks what people think about you, don’t you?” (bless you, Yasmany). I highly recommend reading this book mainly because it’s fun and quirky and just so feel good. It’s different from other stories and honestly, it’s almost one of a kind.

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero

The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero displays a powerful message that hope is necessary and can be found in even the darkest times. The worst of humanity is outweighed by the very best of humanity -- from the innocence and playfulness of children, the kindness of neighbors, the bonds of friendship, the togetherness of family, to the limitless capacity of the heart to love. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2

The Holocaust is a difficult subject to write about, let alone when your target audience are children, but R. M. Romero managed to pull it off in this novel. The fantasy elements can be an enticing entry point into an important and emotionally challenging topic. However, don't let the fact that it's a children's book keep you from reading it. 

The Dollmaker of Krakow is a beautifully written, profound, and poignant story that will leave its imprint on a reader of any age. The historical detail within the book is interesting and accurate, and Romero cleverly weaves this together with fantasy to appeal to all type of readers. Rich with fairy-tale tropes, the book really tells two parallel stories: the fate of the Land of the Dolls, and the fate of Poland and its Jewish citizenry. Narration hops back and forth between the worlds, maintaining a straight up comparison that surely works for the intended age-group. The parallels are quite simple: A wicked witch creates a horde of fearsome, insatiable rats who overrun the Land of the Dolls -- terrorizing, abusing, and killing the doll population. Meanwhile, Hitler deploys the Nazis over Europe -- terrorizing, abusing and killing Jews.

The writing is simple but poetic, and encourages younger children to establish empathy with the victims. Through Karolina's perspective, you get to see the heartbreaking cruelty of the Nazi regime --and the crimes are told in a way that all ages could understand them. Polish folklore is incorporated into the story, adding insight on Polish culture, and on the historical context of the novel. One example is the Lakanica, the spirit of the meadow that would become the Auschwitz-Birkenau killing ground. The only thing you have to remember is that it’s slow-paced and not complex enough to expose you to new information about WWII, so it’s highly possible you read about what you already know, i.e. stars worn, concentration camps, cruelty towards Jews, disappearances, invasions, etc. I will admit there were parts I was hoping for more new, stimulating content. My favorite character in the book is undoubtedly Karolina. She is full of love, compassionate, and she will stop at nothing to help her friends. How fitting that in this tale -- a doll, normally taken as a mere copy of humanity, feels and exhibits more humaneness than actual humans who purport to decide who is a worthy human and who isn’t. As for the human characters, they are well-crafted, and feel very -- well, human. In the story, Jozef and his daughter, Rena, are among the groups persecuted in Krakow. Through them, Romero emphasizes the effects of the Holocaust on individuals who lived, breathed, and contributed to society before their persecution. This was very important as victims are often forgotten as people, and remembered as statistics instead. The dollmaker, Cyryl, despite his fears and advantages, chooses a difficult path -- showing that even one person can make a difference in the world by being brave enough to protect those he cares for.

It’s an interesting take on the nutcracker. I think that’s what drew me into the book in the first place besides the gorgeous artwork. The nutcracker is not a story I am familiar with, but I do remember watching movies about it growing up at Christmas. It’s a heartwarming story and it can put a new perspective on the historical aspect of World War II. I do recommend that children should read this, but only for those who can understand the grave impact the war had on the world and in history.

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson

All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson is about a girl named Imogene who was raised at the renaissance faire with her parents and younger brother. She wants to train to become a squire and she has the perfect task to test her bravery: middle school. She must battle evil dragons and face her greatest fear to become the knight she always wanted to be. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ½

I don’t really know what to make of this book. Sure, it’s a fun book to read and it’s entertaining, but that’s usually the part with the renaissance. When Imogene is in middle school, I kinda wanted to curl up in a small ball and stay far away from that section. Middle school is not a fun place at all. And everyone can agree. It’s brutal. There are a bunch of mean kids and, as John Mulhaney has stated, kids in middle school will make fun of people and they will be accurate about it. Everything else is about fitting in and staying with the popular crowd. In this book, Imogene makes friends with the popular crowd, but now she has to figure out what she needs to do. I can say this book is cringy because of the climax of the story, but I feel like that’s all kids. They do dumb stuff. i just wish Imogene would have told her parents what was going on instead of bottling it up. But, that’s teenagers. They never do.

The artwork in this graphic novel is actually pretty fun. Is it the best? It’s okay. But it’s probably for younger kids. They don’t care about detailed or realistic artwork. They care if the story is fun and entertaining. The artwork, I think, fits well with the story. It’s hectic. It’s crazy. It’s fun. And in all of that is artwork that is just simply unforgettable. Kids shouldn't have to look at detailed drawings in graphic novels or comic books. They should just be entertained by what they are reading. If that means that the drawings in All's Faire in Middle School is not as detailed as something from, let's say, Batman, then kids will probably get bored because the drawings are dark and detailed. At least with All's Faire, it has that bright colors and interesting characters.

It’s not the perfect book, in my opinion. I think it’s because this book was not geared towards me but for kids younger than me, but I can see how this book can be important. It teaches life lessons about the popular crowd and life in middle school. It’s hard to be kind sometimes when your a kid and it’s hard to think about others instead of yourself. I think this book illustrated exactly what a kid needs to understand so that they can grow up later in life thinking about those morals.

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima

Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima is a cute story about a unicorn named Kelp who is born deep in the ocean and discovers about his own identity. He then must come to a decision that will change his life. Review under the cut.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

It’s an adorable book about a unicorn who is born in the ocean. I wasn’t really sure where the story was going to take me, but I’m glad that it took me to a place that made me feel warm and fuzzy. What I like most about the book was that Kelp didn’t have to choose between friends or where he belonged. He wanted both and it worked out in the best possible way. The gently-told story about identity, belonging and acceptance unfolds easily and without any hint of preachiness. It’s a breath of fresh air and I’m glad that this kind of fantasy children’s book exists.

The illustrations are refreshingly light and playful. They may seem a bit simple, but I feel like they help tell the story quite well. I love the variety of colors that each page has. I also feel like the illustrations help make this book feel adorable and warm. It’s not overly detailed nor does it seem realistic, but it does make the book feel like something completely different. I especially love the ending where the rhino makes an appearance and claims that they are also a unicorn. That piece of illustration made me giggle a little bit. Otherwise, such an adorable illustration.

I highly recommend this book to every child that wants to read about unicorns, but also kids that feel like they don’t know where they belong in the world. Like I said, it’s heartwarming and it belongs in many homes and libraries, I think. It’s a perfect book to read for everyone, not just kids, that needs a book to remind them that they always have a place in the world.

Until next time.

[featheredglasspen]

Review: City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab is the first book of the series about a girl who almost drowns, but gains a new ghost friend and abilities to travel across the veil where other spirits are. Her parents start hosting a television show where they visit the most haunted places on earth, and their first stop is Edinburgh. Review under the cut.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ 1/2

This is not so much as a horror book, but it does have horror elements. I love Victoria Schwab. I will worship the ground she walks on and buy every book she writes without thinking about it. And this book was really great. I would definitely recommend this book to a kid that either likes horror or wants to get into horror. Ghost stories are entertaining in their own way. The problem with it, and I’ll get into it throughout the review, was that it was missing that ‘why?’ aspect. Otherwise, I think this is a good book to a start of a series.

The characters are actually pretty entertaining. I really liked Cassidy as a character and I adored and loved her close friendship with Jacob. Those two were a lot of fun to read about and I can’t help but wonder what will happen to them in the next installment. There was a little bit of foreboding at the end of the book so we’ll see what’s going to happen next. I should also mention that Jacob in this story is a ghost, which is really interesting in a sense. And then there’s Lara. I didn’t get warm with Lara but she’s not really a cordial character so I guess I wasn’t supposed to like her all that much. Cassidy’s parents were pretty kick-ass though and I loved the fact that they spoke about ghosts and were experts but didn’t even have a clue that their own daughter could actually see and talk to them. It’s an almost iconic irony and I was so there for it. 

The plot of the book was a bit predictable. Yes, it is a middle school book, but I didn’t really know that until I started reading it. In all honesty, it’s not a bad thing. Predictability can either make or break the book itself. If it’s done well, then predictability can work wonders and can make the reader feel satisfied. I feel like the kids that will read this book will feel satisfied with how the story ended. It’s not a young adult book where everything has to have some sort of lesson or the main character has to fail. It’s a fun ghost hunting story about a country I didn’t really know with characters that I kind of fell in love with. 

As for the ‘why?’ aspect, I feel as though we barely scratched the surface with this story and I was left wanting more in the way that it feels like something is missing. I also had a lot of questions left unanswered - but I do understand that this was not written for me. I am not a middle-grader. And I also realize there is a sequel, so maybe that will give me the more that I'm missing. The villain, I thought, wasn't very interesting, being a classic vengeful ghost, but there was a lot of ghost lore I liked such as everyone being trapped in their own Veil, the threads of life/death and the mirror trick. I just wished there was more with the villain character. 

This is not a perfect book, I will admit that, but it is an entertaining book about ghosts and ghost hunting. It’s not too much of a horror, but it does play into the horror genre, like I said before. This is a book I think kids will enjoy and will find entertaining. And really, that’s all that matters in the end.

Until next time.