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988 reviews by:
ashylibrarian
3.5/5 (audiobook)
I really like this book. It was a fun pirate book that carried a solid plot with developed, engaging characters. I have found myself really enjoying pirate stories this year, and Daughter of the Pirate King did not disappoint.
The characters felt well-developed and really made the story advance at a quick pace. Alosa is a witty and powerful character, making the story captivating from the beginning, and I found her crew so devoted and lovable from the beginning. Tricia Levenseller did a really nice job of drawing me in from the first couple of chapters.
I did not really care for the dialogue in the beginning because it seemed to be kind of forced in, but I later seemed to fall into the rhythm of it, and I found it to be quite engaging and representative of the characters. The other part I did not love was the romance between Alosa and Riden, and I think that was because it felt really predictable, thus making it feel forced.
I have to say, though, that I truly appreciate the female empowerment portrayed throughout this series. It brought a modern twist to the story and made for some of the humor within the plot. It is not often that you find a female-led pirate vessel, and Levenseller did a nice job of making this idea seem crazy to the male characters yet natural to the female characters and the reader.
Though this book was not 100% flawless, I really enjoyed the read. It was light, funny, and intense all in the right places.
I really like this book. It was a fun pirate book that carried a solid plot with developed, engaging characters. I have found myself really enjoying pirate stories this year, and Daughter of the Pirate King did not disappoint.
The characters felt well-developed and really made the story advance at a quick pace. Alosa is a witty and powerful character, making the story captivating from the beginning, and I found her crew so devoted and lovable from the beginning. Tricia Levenseller did a really nice job of drawing me in from the first couple of chapters.
I did not really care for the dialogue in the beginning because it seemed to be kind of forced in, but I later seemed to fall into the rhythm of it, and I found it to be quite engaging and representative of the characters. The other part I did not love was the romance between Alosa and Riden, and I think that was because it felt really predictable, thus making it feel forced.
I have to say, though, that I truly appreciate the female empowerment portrayed throughout this series. It brought a modern twist to the story and made for some of the humor within the plot. It is not often that you find a female-led pirate vessel, and Levenseller did a nice job of making this idea seem crazy to the male characters yet natural to the female characters and the reader.
Though this book was not 100% flawless, I really enjoyed the read. It was light, funny, and intense all in the right places.
Manners Mash-Up: A Goofy Guide to Good Behavior
Dan Santat, Joe Berger, Henry Cole, Le Uyen Pham, Kevin Sherry, Frank Morrison, Tao Nyeu, Lynn Munsinger, Sophie Blackall, Tedd Arnold, Judy Schachner, Adam Rex, Peter H. Reynolds, Bob Shea
2.5/5 (physical book)
This is a cute book, and I love the concept of a silly manners book for young readers, but the one main issue I had with it was that all of the "rules" were in the negative. Don't do this. Don't do that. I feel like it would be beneficial to insert at least some, if not all, positive behaviors.
This is a cute book, and I love the concept of a silly manners book for young readers, but the one main issue I had with it was that all of the "rules" were in the negative. Don't do this. Don't do that. I feel like it would be beneficial to insert at least some, if not all, positive behaviors.
3.5/5 (physical book)
Mo Willems does it again with a funny, engaging story that is supported by beautiful illustrations.
Mo Willems does it again with a funny, engaging story that is supported by beautiful illustrations.
3.5/5 (audiobook)
This duology was such fun! The beginning was a little difficult for me to get into, though I am not 100% sure why as it was quick-paced and moving, but after the first couple of chapters, I was sold. I really enjoyed the characters as they developed and became even more diverse throughout this story.
In my review of the first book, I said that I was not sold on the romance between Alosa and Riden, but after seeing how it develops in the second book, I changed my mind. The different ways in which Alosa and Riden fight each other and the attraction that is brewing between them really helps make their romance complex and intriguing. It is still extremely predictable, but I feel like the more it develops, the more I support it.
I also enjoyed the development of Alosa's siren side. Tricia Levenseller made this mythical character come to life through Alosa, and Levenseller shapes it into a beautiful monster. The battle Alosa has with her siren side is constantly developing and increasing, and, with the introduction of her mother, really kept me engaged in her story.
Overall, I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a fun, engaging read that pushes the "normal" gender boundaries while also engaging in a plotline of deception and theivery.
This duology was such fun! The beginning was a little difficult for me to get into, though I am not 100% sure why as it was quick-paced and moving, but after the first couple of chapters, I was sold. I really enjoyed the characters as they developed and became even more diverse throughout this story.
In my review of the first book, I said that I was not sold on the romance between Alosa and Riden, but after seeing how it develops in the second book, I changed my mind. The different ways in which Alosa and Riden fight each other and the attraction that is brewing between them really helps make their romance complex and intriguing. It is still extremely predictable, but I feel like the more it develops, the more I support it.
I also enjoyed the development of Alosa's siren side. Tricia Levenseller made this mythical character come to life through Alosa, and Levenseller shapes it into a beautiful monster. The battle Alosa has with her siren side is constantly developing and increasing, and, with the introduction of her mother, really kept me engaged in her story.
Overall, I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a fun, engaging read that pushes the "normal" gender boundaries while also engaging in a plotline of deception and theivery.
4/5 (physical book)
This is such a cute book about friendship! I absolutely love the illustrations with it. The coloring seems to be a perfect choice for the pictures. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a cute children's story that pushes the importance of friendship.
This is such a cute book about friendship! I absolutely love the illustrations with it. The coloring seems to be a perfect choice for the pictures. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a cute children's story that pushes the importance of friendship.
3.5/5 (physical book)
This is a fun interactive book that sends a good message about self worth. I really enjoy how the author matched the colors on the pages with the storyline. And the stained glass effect that the book gives off is a really fun interactive part for the kiddos.
This is a fun interactive book that sends a good message about self worth. I really enjoy how the author matched the colors on the pages with the storyline. And the stained glass effect that the book gives off is a really fun interactive part for the kiddos.
3.5/5 (physical book)
This was a really cute story about intentions. I love that they used a garden setting with critters, and with minimal text on the pages but elaborate illustrations, it is a perfect book for multiple age groups.
This was a really cute story about intentions. I love that they used a garden setting with critters, and with minimal text on the pages but elaborate illustrations, it is a perfect book for multiple age groups.
4/5 (audiobook)
Okay...so this book started off as a 2.5- or 3-star rating for me. I was not loving the audiobook, but I wanted to read on because I had heard so many good things about this book. After getting about 1/4 of the way through, though, I started to look beyond the basic plotline and really look deeper into the characters and their lives, and my rating changed to 4 stars. This was a good idea (facepalm - wow, duh, you are supposed to read past the basic plot when you read books...).
I started to fall in love with Eliza the more Monstrous Sea developed and became clear that the platform was more than just a creative outlet for her. Going into the book, I figured that the title referred to more than just the monsters that Eliza created in her comic, but I was not quite sure where it was going to go. I was pleasantly surprised to see the mental health representation of anxiety in a way that was not completely overwhelming but realistic and relatable in representation, at least for myself.
The diversity of family life is something to be noted in this book, as well. I appreciate the way that Francesca Zappia developed the families throughout the book for both Eliza and Wallace. The relationship between Eliza and her brothers, Church and Sully, was pretty complex, and I really enjoy the way the three siblings grew closer, developed, and matured toward the end of the novel. As for Wallace's family, I thought it was really interesting how Zappia waited until about the end quarter of the novel to announce what happened to his birth family, especially as it was sent through an email. This format really represented Wallace's character and the way his father's story was mirrored by Eliza's suicidal thoughts was extremely impactful.
I would highly recommend this story for anyone looking for an impactful, inspirational read. This was the first book in a long time that made me want to buy the physical copy and reread it again right away.
Okay...so this book started off as a 2.5- or 3-star rating for me. I was not loving the audiobook, but I wanted to read on because I had heard so many good things about this book. After getting about 1/4 of the way through, though, I started to look beyond the basic plotline and really look deeper into the characters and their lives, and my rating changed to 4 stars. This was a good idea (facepalm - wow, duh, you are supposed to read past the basic plot when you read books...).
I started to fall in love with Eliza the more Monstrous Sea developed and became clear that the platform was more than just a creative outlet for her. Going into the book, I figured that the title referred to more than just the monsters that Eliza created in her comic, but I was not quite sure where it was going to go. I was pleasantly surprised to see the mental health representation of anxiety in a way that was not completely overwhelming but realistic and relatable in representation, at least for myself.
The diversity of family life is something to be noted in this book, as well. I appreciate the way that Francesca Zappia developed the families throughout the book for both Eliza and Wallace. The relationship between Eliza and her brothers, Church and Sully, was pretty complex, and I really enjoy the way the three siblings grew closer, developed, and matured toward the end of the novel. As for Wallace's family, I thought it was really interesting how Zappia waited until about the end quarter of the novel to announce what happened to his birth family, especially as it was sent through an email. This format really represented Wallace's character and the way his father's story was mirrored by Eliza's suicidal thoughts was extremely impactful.
I would highly recommend this story for anyone looking for an impactful, inspirational read. This was the first book in a long time that made me want to buy the physical copy and reread it again right away.
3/5 (physical book)
I have to say that this book seemed to defy series odds in that I think it is much better than the first book in the series. In my review of The Hunger Games, I talked about my dislike for the writing style and how it was majorly distracting for me, taking away from the overall story. Though the writing was not perfect in this novel, it was much easier for me to look past.
Compared to the first book, Catching Fire was quick-paced, and I also think the plot was more developed with the insertion of the Quarter Quell Games and the rebellions. I remembered a few bits and pieces from my first read of this book quite a few years ago, but I still felt like I was engaged and interested throughout.
The ending, after the first 16 tributes died in the arena, seemed to be the strongest point of the novel because it was much more intense with the development of Katniss as the Mockingjay and the discovery of District 13. I felt like I was actually left questioning what was going to happen next.
As for the new characters, I was not 100% sold on most of the Tributes, at first, but I started to appreciate Finnick and Joannah the more the plot grew and the more we found out about the plan to defy the capitol.
I am continuing on with book three in hopes that the series just keeps improving. I am also looking forward to seeing what the new prequel has in store for us readers, as well.
I have to say that this book seemed to defy series odds in that I think it is much better than the first book in the series. In my review of The Hunger Games, I talked about my dislike for the writing style and how it was majorly distracting for me, taking away from the overall story. Though the writing was not perfect in this novel, it was much easier for me to look past.
Compared to the first book, Catching Fire was quick-paced, and I also think the plot was more developed with the insertion of the Quarter Quell Games and the rebellions. I remembered a few bits and pieces from my first read of this book quite a few years ago, but I still felt like I was engaged and interested throughout.
The ending, after the first 16 tributes died in the arena, seemed to be the strongest point of the novel because it was much more intense with the development of Katniss as the Mockingjay and the discovery of District 13. I felt like I was actually left questioning what was going to happen next.
As for the new characters, I was not 100% sold on most of the Tributes, at first, but I started to appreciate Finnick and Joannah the more the plot grew and the more we found out about the plan to defy the capitol.
I am continuing on with book three in hopes that the series just keeps improving. I am also looking forward to seeing what the new prequel has in store for us readers, as well.
2/5 (audiobook)
I did not love this book. There were a ton of plot points that could have been really interesting, but that was part of the reason I did not love it, there were a ton of plot points. I was a bit confused at first as to how the fantasy/mystical aspect was going to come into play, and even after I kind of figured it out toward the end, I was still confused as to the purpose of it. Yes, the indie kids create an important plotline, but I feel like the story with Mike, Mel, Henna, and Jared and the rest of the crew could have been successful without the supernatural aspect.
I do, though, enjoy how real the friendships felt between the kids. There is tension and love and conflict and confusion and all of the things that come along with high school friend groups.
I was kind of thrown off, toward the end of the book again, when it was implied initially that the power of the gods, the power of Jared, could "fix" and "cure" Mike from his anxiety and OCD or Mel from her eating disorder. As someone who related to the feelings Mike and Mel had regarding their mental illnesses, I was slightly offended by this idea. Though later straightened out in the story that Mike, and presumably Mel, want to discover themselves without the magic healing power of the gods, I still couldn't get past the notion of it.
Overall, this book was not a favorite of mine, and I probably won't recommend it much in the future.
I did not love this book. There were a ton of plot points that could have been really interesting, but that was part of the reason I did not love it, there were a ton of plot points. I was a bit confused at first as to how the fantasy/mystical aspect was going to come into play, and even after I kind of figured it out toward the end, I was still confused as to the purpose of it. Yes, the indie kids create an important plotline, but I feel like the story with Mike, Mel, Henna, and Jared and the rest of the crew could have been successful without the supernatural aspect.
I do, though, enjoy how real the friendships felt between the kids. There is tension and love and conflict and confusion and all of the things that come along with high school friend groups.
I was kind of thrown off, toward the end of the book again, when it was implied initially that the power of the gods, the power of Jared, could "fix" and "cure" Mike from his anxiety and OCD or Mel from her eating disorder. As someone who related to the feelings Mike and Mel had regarding their mental illnesses, I was slightly offended by this idea. Though later straightened out in the story that Mike, and presumably Mel, want to discover themselves without the magic healing power of the gods, I still couldn't get past the notion of it.
Overall, this book was not a favorite of mine, and I probably won't recommend it much in the future.