Firebolt by Adrienne Woods

(The Dragonian #1)
3 stars
R- 2 (but it looks like that will maybe go up in later books)
language

Definitely YA-- parents should know that there is discussion of sex, especially virginity, which at first is played for comic effect and later actually has bearing on the plot. Also language-- both crudity and profanity.

Good premise.  Is the execution great? No.  But... even being sensitive to various things from reading the negative reviews... it wasn't THAT bad.

Elena's obnoxious but she's a pretty normal teen.  I'm more annoyed by the adults who put her in that position so soon after everything she'd been through.  (And she needed to be older.... they all did.)

Also really wish more would have developed in this first book.... some of what's coming (please tell me it's going to happen with how glaringly obvious it seems) really could have happened in this one.  I wish the pacing had been better and the book a little longer so that it all fit in one volume rather than dragging it into a series.

So after writing that bit ^^ I went looking.... And ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!

There are FOUR more novels plus THREE novellas AND a spinoff series.

Oh heck no.

Sorry, ain't nobody got time for that.

As far as I can tell (after reading all the most spoiler-y reviews I could find) books 2 and 4 are filler.  Books 3 and 5.... stuff happens, but I seriously DO NOT see why there needed to be that many books.

It really could have just been 1.... maybe 2.

(Also, parents should know that there's a major rape scene in a later book.... sorry for any spoilers there.  It doesn't seem to actually have a point other than, I suppose, how else does one draw a storyline out for 4 books more than it needed to be)

In the end it appears that everything works out how you expect it to from how much hinting there is in book 1.... and I'm perfectly fine knowing that without reading all the insanity in between.

Rise of the Dungeon Master: Gary Gygax and the Creation of D&D by David Kushner

4 stars
graphic nonvel
R- 2
some language
received for review

First off, no, that's not a typo.  That's what I've decided to call nonfiction in the form of a graphic novel-- a graphic nonvel.

Second, many reviewers on GoodReads were disappointed (and apparently surprised) that this was not an in-depth biography of Gygax.  So just to clear things up, this is NOT an in-depth biography of Gygax.  It is, in fact, about the creation of D&D.

(Really, I thought that was evident from the title, but whatever.)

(Also, it's less than 150 pages... so you know it's not really "in-depth" anything.)

Anyway.

What this IS is a short interesting look at how D&D came to be.

The second person pov made it a little awkward to follow, I thought, but at the same time it's totally fitting.  So it works.  You just might have to pay more attention than you sometimes do.

(And by "you" I mean myself... because really.)

I was hoping to pass this one on to Boo and Mister (because at least one of them expressed some interest) but I'm not going to right at the moment because:
- Dripping condom picture.  EW. ew ew ew ew ew ew ew  Also ew.
- F word.  It's only once, but really, did we need it in there?  Sigh.
(Yes, I know they possibly hear it all and worse but a) they might not and b) there's a difference between things you hear out in the world and things your mom hands to you)

There are some other sensitive topics-- homosexuality, teens/college kids having sex, suicide-- but I could have probably dealt with having those conversations.  Or at least deal with them sooner.

I maybe could have even gotten past the F word. (or scribbled it out... hey, it's my copy)

But the picture.

Again-- EWWWW.

Overall, interesting and worth a look if you are interested in the topic.  Just be aware there may be a certain maturity level.

(Before anyone starts ranting about profanity being realistic, just don't.  I am well aware that there are people in the world who talk like that.  That doesn't mean I have to like it.  Personally I don't actually know people who talk like that, or if I do they have enough respect to not talk like that around me.)

Wide-Awake for Six Books Now

The Wide-Awake Princess series, by ED Baker

Once upon a time I reviewed a delightful book called The Wide-Awake Princess.

And then, apparently, I forgot to review ANY OF THE REST OF THE SERIES.

Which I'm going to blame on the fact that for pretty much all of them I had at least 1 child who was 2 or younger.

Technically I still do, but I'm coming nicely out of my blogging slump as she approaches her third birthday and for the first time EVER when I've had a child approaching their third birthday I have neither a younger child nor a pregnancy to contend with.

So.

I guess I'll review those now... ahem.  Assuming I can remember reading them.

Unlocking the Spell (Wide-Awake Princess #2)

4 stars

Not as good as the first, but still a solid showing.  And really you have to read it to find out what happened with various threads left loose in book 1.

The Bravest Princess (Wide-Awake Princess #3)

4 stars

Again with not as good as the first, but not bad.  Annie and Liam head off to help Snow White.  (You know, like you do.)

Princess in Disguise (Wide-Awake Princess #4)

4 stars again.... but....

Things are waning.  Still fun, but there's starting to be a level of "meh".

Princess Between Worlds (Wide-Awake Princess #5)

Apparently I only gave this one 3 stars.  

If you haven't read the Frog Princess books (all of them) you may want to do so before embarking on book 5.  The series (serieses?) come together in a fun way, but several reviewers kind of call this a filler book and while it's fun, I'm not sure they're wrong.

The Princess and the Pearl (Wide-Awake Princess #6)

3.5 stars

And finally the one I just read.  I actually think these last 2 are more fun in terms of story, but the writing is suffering for sure.  Not sure if it's a "it's this far into the series so we aren't going to bother editing anymore" or "must push out more in this series but don't have time/energy/whatever to do it properly" but yeah.... it's getting a little rough.  Younger fans aren't going to notice though.  (You should be aware that various characters are married by this point and one is pregnant.)  Also, if you ignored my note about reading the Frog Princess books 1) shame on you and 2) fix that now, because you really want to read those before this book.

Bring Me the Head of Ivy Pocket by Caleb Krisp

(Book the third)

5 stars
jf/yf

And we come to the end.

Which is sad, but it was a delightful and highly satisfying ending, so I'll take it.

This may well be my favorite of the three.

I don't even know what to say beyond that since I don't want to spoil a single delicious moment.

Just go read them already.

In order, though.

Don't start with this one.

Because wow would that be weird.

Somebody Stop Ivy Pocket by Caleb Krisp

(Book, the second)
5 stars
jf/yf

Oh my goodness.

Such goofiness.  Such bizarreness.

Such fun.

Maybe it's just because I was able to read this one all in a day, but it didn't drag in the same way the first one did.

There's still a level of "OH MY GOSH IT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE, GIRL" but it's not as bad in this one.

And there are some interesting twists and turns.

Now to see how everything plays out in book 3....

Here There Be Giants

to COLOR!

Dominion of Giants Coloring Book
by Eric Messinger

Similar to the coloring books I posted about a while ago, this one has cool stuff about color theory and has examples to look at.

Also the cool quotes and lines for notes on the backs of the coloring pages.

(I LOVE those things.)

These pictures are like awesome fantasy cover art or comic art.  It even tells you the title of each picture, which my OCD-ish brain really loves.

You can see pics on Eric Messinger's Facebook page.

Here's the cover to get you drooling....

Anyone But Ivy Pocket by Caleb Krisp

(Ivy Pocket #1)
4 stars
jf/yf
(received for review)

Holy bizarre, Batman.

(See, it only took a week for the review.... I think.  When did I talk about these?  Who knows.)

Wow... that was....

I don't really know.

Kind of Neil Gaiman-ish....  Kinda Roald Dahl-ish.

In all the best ways.

My only complaint (aside from the main character's complete inability to see what's going on right in front of her... it's part of her charm) is that it felt like it dragged.

Not a ton, you understand, but a bit.

At any rate, if you want a totally kooky read, you should really try this one.

The Dragon of the Month Club by Iain Reading

4 stars
jf/yf
received for review

The beginning of my "Month in which I will read ALL THE ARCs".

I'm rating them based on how many of my children the ARC is older than...

This one might actually not be older than anyone.  Shockingly.

Anyway.

A really fun concept with a beast of a cliff-hanger ending!

And so far there does not seem to be a sequel out there. :P

Four stars might be a bit of a rounding up, because it did have some editing/consistency issues, but it was an enjoyable (if sometimes predictable) adventure.

I should point out that Boo made off with this one when we got it (she was probably 10 or so) and devoured it.

She stole it again as soon as I finished it.

She loves it.

She's still mad there's no sequel yet.

Overall, lots of fun.

Volonians: Mysteries of the Vondercrat

by Christopher R Edwards Jr and Carlos O Hardy

2.5 stars
received for review (I think anyway.... a long time ago....)

Meh.

An interesting concept, though I agree with another reviewer that there was too much magic (seriously, opening doors? some things just shouldn't require a spell).  I didn't find many of the characters likable and there was far too much description in some areas (I don't need to know every character's height) and not nearly enough in others (316 pages and I still don't know what a "Guide" is).

Overall, I think this was an awesome early draft that unfortunately didn't get the attention needed from a good editor.

(This is my "something old".... after all I'm pretty sure it's been in my possession longer than at least one of my kids.)

The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston

3 stars
R-2 ish
received for review (forever ago)

Interesting characters, setting, and concept.... but the writing style was awkward. The first person pov worked fine (possibly a little wordy, but that was an interesting contrast to Morgana's inability to speak) but the third person just... didn't.  I was jarred out of the narrative over and over by the clunkiness.


There was a lot of drawing things out too-- the villain is going to kill everyone but let's spend a few days not trying to do anything about it.... just because.... no real reason.  Just for fun?  I don't know, but the last quarter or so felt like a lot of waiting for... I really don't know what.  The villain to just go away?  It seemed like there was a lot of "We'll have to do this soon" and then spending the next several days very much NOT DOING THIS.

Meh.

Anyway-- Alyson (over at Eat, Read, and Be Mommy) and I decided to read "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" because, well, the idea amused us.  This is my something blue.  It really is a gorgeous cover... if only the book had lived up to it.

Ghostly Echoes by William Ritter

5 stars
YF
(Parents of younger readers should be aware that there is a transvestite and a few mild swear words.)

Another thoroughly satisfying and entertaining installment!

I loved seeing more of Jenny's story and getting more character development there.

As always, Abigail's voice is marvelous.

I really do just love these books.

If you haven't tried them yet, start at the beginning certainly.  This is not a series to jump into in the middle.

Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains by Laurel Snyder

4 stars
JF

A milkmaid who simply can't follow the rules.  A prince who does.  A missing person... maybe.  A dog named Cat and a cow named Rosebud.

A town where the rules are EVERYTHING.

All in all this story was cute and sweet.  I found it an interesting combination of whimsy and silliness and yet surprising depth.

It didn't really go where I thought it was going.... and the ending was... odd.  And yet it all worked.

And not just worked, but worked beautifully.

The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster by Scott Wilbanks

received for review
4.5 stars
R- 2 ish

The information that accompanied this book has this to say about it: "The physics-bending charm of The Time Traveler's Wife meets the curious mischief of The Eyre Affair in this unconventional and utterly enchanting debut novel..."

And it's a great description.

This book was fun.  The fantasy element was interesting, the mystery satisfying, and the characters!  Oh, the characters.  A goofy cast of misfits that somehow cobble themselves into a family.

If nothing else, read it for the characters.

There were a few passages that seemed to be missing crucial details.... I'm hoping that either that's because I was reading an uncorrected ARC or I was more tired than I thought when reading.  Could also be a hint of "first novel" trouble, but overall this didn't read like a first novel.  (That's a compliment, I promise.)

There is (itty-bitty spoiler ahead, though really with how early I caught it, it can't be THAT much of a spoiler...) a somewhat subtle gay rights message, but it's not a hit-you-over-the-head-propaganda type and honestly even if you disagree with the choices of a gay lifestyle, I don't see how you would have anything but compassion for the character's implied backstory.  What a terrible burden to bear-- I say that largely because to that character it clearly was.

Anyway, I very much enjoyed this one and recommend it.  :)

The Sparks by Kyle Prue with GIVEAWAY

Book 1 of the Feud Trilogy

3.5 stars
YA?
R-1

Copy received for review

An interesting story, and fairly compelling read.  For the most part it kept me intrigued and I'd be interested in reading the other two.

Really, a solid 5 stars for concept, 4 for character development, 3 for execution and 3 for editing.

Also, probably only a 2 or 3 for tying in the "sparks" concept/title.  That didn't really come through.  I saw where he meant it to go, but it just wasn't fully developed.

Three families, feuding for forever, may actually have a common enemy for the first time since their ancestors were given the supernatural powers that makes each family what it is.

Yes, to some extent you see where it's going, but that's not always a terrible thing.

(The fact that one of the families has a raven as a symbol and the colors were black and purple amused me.  Go Baltimore!)

It definitely needed to be more concise.  There was an entire chapter with potential, but as far as I can tell it didn't actually have any point.  The story wouldn't have been any different without it.

That's where you need a good editor to say "Look, I know you'd rather cut out an organ than a chapter/scene/character/whatever, but the story will be the better for it.  I promise."

The writing isn't bad, but you can tell the author is young.  Is it better than what I wrote at 17, yes.  Does it suffer from some of the same issues my writing did at 17, also yes. ;)

All in all, it's a pretty solid debut.  And dang, to have a solid, published debut at 17? Whew!

If you'd like to win your very own copy, leave a comment below (PLEASE include an email address!) and I'll very scientifically have LuLu pick a winner March 7th. (US and Canada only)

If you'd rather skip the gamble and purchase the book yourself:

• DISCOUNT CODE: We have a special discount code for readers who want to purchase The Sparks. You can purchase the book from Kyle Prue’s store on his official website (linked). The code ‘BLOG25’ will get you 25% off an autographed copy! NOTE: This code will not work on purchases made on Amazon. 

The Runaway Princess by Kate Coombs

5 stars
JF

An absolutely delightful story about a princess who refuses to "behave" and instead decides to not only disrupt but win the competition to win her own hand. :)

From deciding to warn the witch to taking in a baby dragon... to being mistaken for the witch!  What a wild ride.

I love this tale of the disobedient Meg and her loyal friends.  

Naturally she saves the kingdom as well as herself.

Must read for anyone who loves turning the "damsel in distress" tales on their heads.

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman

5 stars
JF

This was a HUGE hit in my house.  Across the board.

Mister enjoyed it, Boo LOVED it, I found it hilarious.

When Dad leaves for milk and takes forever to come home, he needs a good story to explain the lengthy absence.  The result is part Hitchhiker's Guide and part... craziness, lol.  But fortunately, the milk. :)

Boo is THRILLED that it's the first book up when Great Reads for Girls resumes at our library in September.  (And since it features a dad, dads are invited.  Which works nicely with the whole "new baby" thing in our house.)

I think we probably need to own this one.  It's definitely that good.

HIGHLY recommended for ages 4-ish on up through great-great-grandparents.  If you're starting to think about Christmas book-giving, this one could work for almost anyone on your list. :)

The Seven Wonders {Series} by Peter Lerangis

*This is a Boo Review

Short Story (0.5): The Select
5 stars
Book 1: The Colossus Rises
5 stars
Book 2: Lost in Babylon
5 stars
Short Story (2.5): The Orphan
5 stars
Book 3: Tomb of Shadows
5 stars

[Copies of Tomb of Shadows and the 2 short stories received for review, others were checked out from the library.]

Jack, Ally, and Cass have to find the loculi- so that they can be cured.  The loculi are hidden in the seven wonders of the world-- either now or in the past.  The kids all have powers or talents: Ally can hack anything, Cass has a photographic memory... Jack's power hasn't quite been figured out yet.

Recommended

{Note from Mommy:  Boo is on a "I hate reviews" kick, so it was seriously like pulling teeth just to get that much out of her.  She DEVOURED all of the books, though, and took it as a personal affront that the rest of the planned books aren't out yet.}

How to Speak Dragonese by Cressida Cowell

3 stars
jf
How to Train Your Dragon, book 3

Okay, 3.5 stars.

But I'm getting really tired of all the scatological humor.

I get that kids find it funny.  Thing is, I don't.... and I didn't even find it funny as a kid.

This one features several references to "doing a poo", farting, and even has a character named Big-Boobied Bertha.  I'm not a fan.

Still enjoying the fun story, but I have a feeling the other isn't going to get better....

How to Be a Pirate by Cressida Cowell

4 stars
jf
Sequel to How to Train Your Dragon

Another fun installment in the memoirs of Hiccup.

Once again, I enjoyed the misadventures as Hiccup tries to prove himself... and maybe learns that being a Hero isn't always the same as being a leader.

Looking forward to reading more of these.

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

5 stars
jf

Okay, first off, I have never seen the movie, so I have no real opinion on a comparison between the two.

That said, I love the book.

It's cute and funny and fun and just all over really entertaining.

If you haven't read it yet, you are totally missing out.

I really need to read the rest of them.

Boo and Mister have both read it also, and seemed to enjoy it, though only Boo has read further books.