I listened to the audio version of this and I cannot recommend that enough. Listening to the author read his own words about this beautiful, unique coming-of-age story about a boy raised in a graveyard was beyond moving and compelling. The end had me smiling through tears. I wanted to run to my kids schools and hug my babies, telling them to go explore and enjoy this great big world. I think my son (and especially my preschooler daughter) are still much too young for this book, but I look forward to sharing it with him when he is closer to 10 or 11.

This series is fun but this plot and the cast of characters got way too complicated for me. It might because I usually read my paperback fantasy novels right before bedtime when I’m tired, but this seemed overly complicated but oddly lacking in actual complexity. The plot was extremely confusing but the mystery was not tightly crafted. Still, very fun series - I’d pick up more by this author!

This book was the first of this series (#4) our kindergartener (well, a kindergartener for four more days) grabbed from the library this week; we finished reading it together tonight. Eyes wide and excited he told me “mom, I want to be able to read these books by myself by the end of summer!” He’s in love. We’re still on early readers for solo reading but seeing him inspired was seriously the best feeling. Reading is major part of my life and books have shaped me my entire life. I love seeing that fire in him 😍

I liked this. Art was lovely and the messages were good - but more than a bit overly simplified. More about global economic issues and labor unions than young female gamers, but a nice, 10,000 foot view of both.

I love these illustrations and as one member of my book club pointed out, they would be perfect to just hang on the wall (assuming 60s, retro, crazed vampires are your thing). The story however, was lacking. It was an interesting little tale, but told too little of it. This felt more like an art book than storytelling. That’s ok, but I wish the story went deeper into the world the author was creating.

I love love love this series. It’s surreal and can be hard to follow, but if you just let your mind follow their vision? Shit it’s good.

I mean, yay for celebrating intelligence and librarians? No outright violence here but I couldn’t get over the abduction thing (as mentioned in the blerb, no spoilers). Magically connected or not she was held against her will.