Grammy bought kindergartener a .50 cent chapter book at the church book sale this morning and we’ve discovered his new favorite series and first chapter book! I think for 2018 I’ll switch my book goal from 50 to 100 but include all the chapter books or graphic novel volumes I read with kindergartener. 📚#raisingreaders

I found Bishops first series (the jewels) a bit overly complicated and off putting, but her more recent books show enormous growth as an author and world builder. I loved this book and her subtle character touches.

This is another fantasy series by a female author, with a female protagonist, I discovered in “romance” but, while there has been a developing character connection over the past 5 books (yes, five books, one relationship), trust there are no heaving bosoms, torn bodices, or sex depicted. This is just straight up great fantasy world building. That happens a lot to female scifi and fantasy authors: auto shelved in romance. I do read romance, no judgement, but it’s clear assumptions and BS plays a role. Sigh. Anyway. Complex and complicated but clear enough to draw direct parallels into modern society. This series is truly great. It is slow paced, which didn’t bother me because it is character driven, but I can see that some readers might get antsy. This is clever writing with intense themes about the dangers humans present to themselves. Perhaps we can take something away from the “savagery” of animals.

I *think* this was an allegory... that was also sort of a coming-of-age book for 30-something mid-career parents? It’s set in a completely fantasy driven world that exists outside our normal lives. It was also one of those instances where I wonder if every choice the author made had some deeper meaning, and I could spend hours analyzing each scene, or if it was somewhat random and simply tempts the reader to overthink it. Certainly there were some reoccurring themes. Either way it was both thoughtful and irreverent, and generally speaking an incredibly fun read. I finished in one day of travel: waiting for my flight, on the plane, and then couldn’t stop myself from finishing it in my cab to the hotel! Quick read. Will read more by him!

I loved this book. It's fantasy, scifi, coming-of-age, apocalypse, futurism, and so much more. It's funny, absurd, gut wrenching, painful, and familiar (as in, "i've felt that before"). Recommended.