This is a modern graphic retelling of Sleepy Hollow. Our characters are Vicky Van Tassel, and Isabella Crane, and Bryn. Isabella is new to town and her parents want her to make friends, but she doesn’t get the whole hype around Sleepy Hollow and its history. Vicky, being a real Van Tassel knows more about the history than she ever wanted to. She must live it day-to-day year-to-year, even though she just wants to be a normal girl. Bryn is a prankster, head of the water polo team, and a big sports jock.  Isabella gets the shock of her life when she finds out that the headless horseman is real and he’s actually been trying to flag somebody down for 200 years. He needs to tell the Van Tassels he is there to keep them safe both now and in the future. This was a whimsical fun look at Sleepy Hollow. It’s geared towards YA but I think it would be okay for middle grade and younger. There is a page where Isabella and Vicky R fell asleep in the same bed but they’re in their pajamas. Overall, this was a fun atmospheric read and it could possibly have a sequel after all it says “the end for now”. 

 

This is a little all over the place. It takes a minute to figure out what’s going on. Our main character is Chloe Love and she was in actress in a show called Ghost Reaper Girl. However, it turns out that she is also the perfect medium for ghosts, and all of them want in her body. It’s very rapey. There are constant comments about getting in her body and her lack of free well while not actually rape, it feels like rape. So that’s a little sick. However, as the story develops, one likes her more, and it’s not disliking the main character. It’s how everyone sees her as a sex object that gets annoying. She even sees herself as a sex object at times between looking like a child, but being 28 (which is mentioned frequently), it’s a little pedophilic. I do want to read the next one to see if it levels out any because nothing really happens to the character except they sign a contract to become an actual ghost reaper but I think I might want to see where this goes. I’m on the fence right now. 

 

Volume two gets so much more into the action of Chloe Love being a ghost reaper. She needs another friend or acquaintance and learns more about her powers and how ghost reaping is like a video game. The more things she completes the more points she earns the more things she can afford. While this volume is not as heavy as the first one, you still have very sexual characters that are sexualized for no reason. And I just don’t really find myself enjoying it. This is more to do with the sexualization of the characters and less to do with the action sequences.  There is actually a great story, but it is hidden under sexism and toxic masculinity. Therefore, I shall end this series with volume two. 

 

Kat van Tassel is the newest in a long ling of Katrina’s.  She is a legacy.  She is part of the town of Sleepy Hollow’s history.  That history is celebrated every year, and this year, Kat missed it.  She was engrossed in reading a book and missed the celebration of dusk a few days before Halloween.  Sleep Hallow and its legend is a very big deal in her town. The schools are devoted to it, every business has something akin to the legend, etc.  After missing the ceremony, Kat’s mom Trina begs her daughter not to go out after dark because: Beware the Headless Horseman. 

 

Kat joins her boyfriend as they try to raise the spirit of the original Katrina.  Kat has not desire to be there, but a good thing happens she meets Isadora Crow.  Isadora is new to town.  She is not into all the hype just like Kat.  The two hit it off and discover that it is okay to more than like a person. 

 

After that night Trina gives Kat the diary of the original Katrina.  The story starts alternating between the two timelines.  Both the reader and the characters see the similarities in Katrina’s and Kat’s realities.  And the story moves forward. 

 

I enjoyed this retelling.  The author did a great job of incorporating characters such as the original author Washington Irving, as well as Ichabod Crane, Mr. Toad, etc.  While the story is slow moving, it’s a slow burn romance with a little supernatural mixed in.  Parts of the story, mainly the big reveal was predictable, but fits well with the story.  There are certain characters I used to love in the original and now hate, but new characters have taken their place. 

 

This was a great spooky tale for all ages.  There is a scene where a tree bleeds on two girls, but that is as graphic as it gets.  It is ready made to be a Disney movie.  How the author incorporate the Headless horseman is unique and has me wanting more.  And more could be available.  The author steals a line from the Never-Ending Story twice: “But that’s another story”, so maybe there will be a sequel.  

 

So, if you are looking for something atmospheric, and just a tad spooky for your October reading, pick this up in print or audio.  It is well worth it.  And as they say in Sleep Hallow, Beware the Headless Horseman. 

 

Ropa’s business lost all credibility when she took time out to figure out what was happening to the kids that disappeared.   She solved her case but wrecked her reputation.  Now she must find some way to supplement her income to make sure her sister and grams have food and a warm place to stay.  She has a great opportunity to apprentice for a with a renowned magic user who is a bit eccentric.  But never having been to a magic school gets in her way when she fails the magic test.  So, no apprentice ship for her.  However, the magic man sees potential and decides he wants to work with Ropa.  But it will have to be as an intern.  That means no money.  Ugggghhhhh.  However, Ropa can not pass up the opportunity no matter how much she may want to. 

 

To help earn a little green she takes on a case at the Our Lady of Mysterious Aliments magical hospital.  Something has happened to a boy named Max Wu that is beyond all their knowledge of medicine and magic.  

 

While the main story is finding a cure for Max, this story has multiple story lines going just like the original books in the series.  As readers we get to learn about the Bank of Scotland and how it came to be, how it exists in this alternative society, and how magic is tied up with all of it.  We also meat a nice Canadian who just wants his family money out of the bank.  

 

Plus, we finally lean more about the library of the dead.  There is actually more about the Library of the Dead in this book then there ever was in book one.  And it is really interesting.  Really. 

 

I liked this book just like I did the first one.  I find even though it is not the best book I have ever read; I cannot stop thinking or talking about it.  I like how it mimics life where everything is happening at once.  Not use one story line from beginning to end.  The author does a great job of weaving and completing most of these story lines but leaving just enough to make you excited for the sequel. And that I am.  I need book 3 now.  But odds are I may have to reread books 1 and 2 before I start that a year from now. 

 

This book was lots of fun. Is it full of tropes? Oh yeah. Let’s list off the tropes real quick. They are fake dating, miscommunication, and it’s a romance novel so of course, happy ending with an old friend. The story revolves around Violet. She is the dud of a three-sister witch group. She’s the one without magic. Her sister is the soon to be the  Prima witch, and must witch bond because it’s required by law. Lincoln is an old friend who also happens to be the North American alpha. He is a wolf shifter. The other trope, I forgot to mention was something went wrong in the past. Right out of high school these two would’ve run away together. They hadn’t been together as boyfriend girlfriend, but it was working up to that and Lincoln never showed up. And now it’s 13 years later, both are on deadline for life altering things that are required by their magical and supernatural community and neither of them want it. Once again, this was fine. It’s everything you expect in a romance novel. I can’t wait to see some of the later books in the series especially the friend who is a succubus and the other friend who is a guardian angel. Bring it on. This was exactly what I want out of a witchy romance for the month of September 

 

This book is something else.  It is not an easy read or listen to, because just like life, multiple things are happening all at once.  Ropa is just 14.  She lives in the poorest part of Edinburgh, in a caravan with her sister and her grandmother.  Time is a bit hard to tell.  It fells almost like an alternative universe, but Scotland is different from the one we know exists. 

 

First off, ghosts are real, and they can ask for help, and there must be people there to offer it.  Ropa end up on a journey to find not only a few missing children, but what the heck happened to the children that disappeared then returned looking old.  But there are other stories taking place at the same time.  Stories like the library and how Ropa makes friends and realizes she has some magic.  It’s just kitchen magic, not anything she could ever go to school for (not that she could pay for that anyway).  

 

To be honest, I don’t quiet get the title as very little take place in or around the library and it’s just a plot device.  However, I did enjoy this book once I got into it.  It was nothing like I thought it would be based on title and over, but once I was into the story I was hooked.  And you HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION.  The slightest thing may mean something and if you miss it you are lost.  I listened to this on audiobook and had to keep rewinding.  It took me like 16 hours to listen to a 12 hour audiobook.  (I don’t know the actual times).  But here’s the thing.  I wanted to.  That is right, I wanted to go back and get every relevant story point I missed.  

 

Is this the best story I have ever read, no.  In fact, I don’t even rate it high.  I finished this a few weeks ago, and the story has just stuck like molasses.  It is still here and with me.  I started book two right away after my pallet cleanser.  I am now addicted to this world and fell sorrow I must wait for book 3.  

 

While I don’t love this book, I find it comforting in that it feels very life like.  Ropa has a life just like all of us.  You finally think you get ahead and something else comes up.  You must cover more than just one story in life.  There are tangents and there are curves that happen while the rest of life if still going on, and I think this author does a better job showing that then any other book I have ever read.  

 

So, once again, I liked this book, I didn’t love it.  But I live in this story.  This story stays on my mind.  And I want the next adventure.  I want to see this alternative Scotland and know more about it.  So while it may not “score” well in ratings, it is entirely worth the read.  Be sure to have the next one ready. 

 

This was one of my most anticipated reads this year.  I am happy to say I was not disappointed.  The three who survived last year are back. And we add a 4th that was unexpected.  Frendo is back as well.  In all honestly, that was expected.  Our main girl, Quinn has gone off to school, but everyone knows who she is, and she just wants to be left alone. The boys, both rich guy and farmers boy survived, but didn’t leave town.  One is trying to rebuild town, and the other is just trying to recover and prep for next time.  

 

These three have become a product of fake news.  There are people that believe them and believe what happened, but others who think they are the killers and they faked everything else.  And these people who don’t believe that the kids are the victims, they want their revenge.  They usual social media to heat each other up, and eventually let loose. 

 

What I like most about this book, is that it seems semi-plausible.  In our society we have seen what internet rumors about real places and events can do.  There are people who do not believe in the holocaust, our nation had a mass shotting in a pizza parlor because or “pizza-gate”, and there are still many who believe our government is running a secret underground child sex trafficking cabal.  So.. yeah, parts of this are plausible.  Loosely.  

 

This story was a ride.  It had it predictable moments.  And in the first book where everyone and anyone could die, there seems to be an invisible shield over some characters.  It seems like they should have dies but keep escaping.  So that is a bit annoying. 

 

Is this book as good as the last book.  No.  However, I wouldn’t expect it to be.  I enjoyed the ride, the further adventures.  Yes, I did have some eye roll moments at the predictability of somethings, but overall, I was happy with what I was given.  The author mentions briefly in his note at the end that maybe he should write a 3rd.  Could it be done?  Humm.  Yes.  And actually, I would love to see what the survivors do after that last scene on the last page.  Those are the adventures I want next.  Bring it on. 

 

Sally and Jack have married.  They honeymooned in Valentine town, and now it is time to get back to work.  Sally is having a hard time trying to find her way as queen.  She does not know what it means to be queen, she just knows, she is overwhelmed.  She runs away to find some peace for a small bit of time, thinking to maybe find some and ask for advice.  But at the glen of doors, she cannot bring herself to go through any.  She wanders away but finds a new door she has never seen before.  It is covered with vines and leaves, and she opens it but decides to not go forward.  Instead, she takes a nap.  Upon returning to Halloweentown, everyone is sleeping, including Jack.  There is no way to wake them.  Now Sally really must be in charge and grow into her position as queen as she tries to save her love and her town.  

 

This book was sweet.  I loved it as a sequel and would love to see it get a matching movie.  At first, I get a little annoyed at how Sally seems fragile when in the original move she is strong.  She finds her strength and does exactly what NBC fans want and love. The new characters are a great addition to those we already know, and the back story of Sally and her years before the Doctor are interesting and a bit sad, but also a point of empowerment for Sally.   I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator did a great job of sounding like Sally.  It was a tad bit too wispy when in the car, but at home or in the office it was a pleasant listening experience and has me wanted more adventures of Sally and Jack in Halloweentown and others places as well.  

 

This book is all over the place. That doesn’t make it bad it just makes it a little hard to follow. I am glad I did not have to wait a super long time between reading book one and book two because I would have been lost. Part of the thing that gets you lost is the time periods and the various dates.  There are also multiple storylines and they’re all going to come together. Quick reminder bitterroot is the formula or the medicine to charge to Jingou back in to a human. A jingou is a person so full of hate that they become a monster, usually white people and their hatred and aggression towards Black people. This book takes place in Harlem, and in Tulsa during the massacre, and in Georgia where race problems were rampant. However, in book 2 we are introduced to a new type of monster made of grief.  Just like the first book I do really like this book but don’t quite love it. The only reason I don’t love it if I’m still trying to figure out where the story is going. In the story a hole between heaven and hell (purgatory with a different name). A monster/demon full of evil has come through trying to wreak havoc. As far as I know there’s only one more book so we’ll see how it concludes and hopefully it wraps up with an understandable finish.