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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received an arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Sparrow
Author: Mary Cecilia Jackson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (bullying, homophobic comments, psychological/mental illness, abuse)
Publisher: TorTeen
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: There are two kinds of people on the planet. Hunters and prey
I thought I would be safe after my mother died. I thought I could stop searching for new places to hide. But you can’t escape what you are, what you’ve always been.
My name is Savannah Darcy Rose.
And I am still prey.
Though Savannah Rose―Sparrow to her friends and family―is a gifted ballerina, her real talent is keeping secrets. Schooled in silence by her long-dead mother, Sparrow has always believed that her lifelong creed―“I’m not the kind of girl who tells”―will make her just like everyone else: Normal. Happy. Safe. But in the aftermath of a brutal assault by her seemingly perfect boyfriend Tristan, Sparrow must finally find the courage to confront the ghosts of her past, or lose herself forever….
Review: Holy cow this book was a complete 180 from what I thought it was going to be! I thought this would be more boarding school ballet but this book was very grounded in very real and serious real-world issues. I loved the character development and I loved how the story flowed. It was almost like a ballet itself in how it was written.
However, I did think that the book was a bit slow and it did take a bit to get into.
Verdict: Add this to your online cart while you practice ballet in the safety of your own home.
Book: Sparrow
Author: Mary Cecilia Jackson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (bullying, homophobic comments, psychological/mental illness, abuse)
Publisher: TorTeen
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: There are two kinds of people on the planet. Hunters and prey
I thought I would be safe after my mother died. I thought I could stop searching for new places to hide. But you can’t escape what you are, what you’ve always been.
My name is Savannah Darcy Rose.
And I am still prey.
Though Savannah Rose―Sparrow to her friends and family―is a gifted ballerina, her real talent is keeping secrets. Schooled in silence by her long-dead mother, Sparrow has always believed that her lifelong creed―“I’m not the kind of girl who tells”―will make her just like everyone else: Normal. Happy. Safe. But in the aftermath of a brutal assault by her seemingly perfect boyfriend Tristan, Sparrow must finally find the courage to confront the ghosts of her past, or lose herself forever….
Review: Holy cow this book was a complete 180 from what I thought it was going to be! I thought this would be more boarding school ballet but this book was very grounded in very real and serious real-world issues. I loved the character development and I loved how the story flowed. It was almost like a ballet itself in how it was written.
However, I did think that the book was a bit slow and it did take a bit to get into.
Verdict: Add this to your online cart while you practice ballet in the safety of your own home.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own!
Book: A Girl Called Ari
Author: P.J. Sky
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 20, 2020
Genre: Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, slight gore, kidnapping)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 274
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a distant future… A world divided… A walled city in a devastated wasteland…
For Starla, a struggle for power becomes a struggle to survive when she finds herself on the wrong side of the wall. Lost in the wasteland, she faces warring factions, bloodthirsty creatures, and the endless burning sun. And then there’s Ari… who is she really? And can she trust this girl from the wasteland to lead her back to the city gates?
One thing’s for sure, Starla’s once privileged life will never be the same.
Review: I felt like this was a pretty good book! It was intriguing from start to finish and the setting was well developed. The writing was also well done and the book was overall really good.
However, I did feel like this book had two very different characters and, while very developed, were very opposites of each other. Reading it almost gave me whiplash lol. It was good, but it got irritating.
Verdict: It was good! Definitely recommend!
Book: A Girl Called Ari
Author: P.J. Sky
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 20, 2020
Genre: Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, slight gore, kidnapping)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 274
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a distant future… A world divided… A walled city in a devastated wasteland…
For Starla, a struggle for power becomes a struggle to survive when she finds herself on the wrong side of the wall. Lost in the wasteland, she faces warring factions, bloodthirsty creatures, and the endless burning sun. And then there’s Ari… who is she really? And can she trust this girl from the wasteland to lead her back to the city gates?
One thing’s for sure, Starla’s once privileged life will never be the same.
Review: I felt like this was a pretty good book! It was intriguing from start to finish and the setting was well developed. The writing was also well done and the book was overall really good.
However, I did feel like this book had two very different characters and, while very developed, were very opposites of each other. Reading it almost gave me whiplash lol. It was good, but it got irritating.
Verdict: It was good! Definitely recommend!
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Frozen Beauty
Author: Lexa Hillyer
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 16+ (murder, mental health, mysteries abound!)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Everyone in Devil’s Lake knows the three golden Malloy sisters—but one of them is keeping a secret that will turn their little world inside out….
No one knows exactly what happened to Kit in the woods that night—all they have are a constellation of facts: icy blue lips and fingers cold to the touch, a lacy bra, an abandoned pick-up truck with keys still in the ignition. Still, Tessa, even in her fog of grief, is certain that her sister’s killer wasn’t Boyd, the boy next door whom they’ve all loved in their own way. There are too many details that don’t add up, too many secrets still tucked away.
But no matter how fiercely she searches for answers, at the core of that complicated night is a truth that’s heartbreakingly simple.
Told in lush, haunting prose, Frozen Beauty is a story of the intoxicating power of first love, the deep bonds of sisterhood, and a shocking death that will forever change the living.
Review: I thought this story was haunting and eerie. The book did well to focus on the two remaining sisters and the aftermath of their sister’s death. The character development was well done, the setting was well written.
However, I do feel like the book was a bit weird in the dialogue area and in how the characters interacted with each other. I also felt like the book was too slow. It also felt like everyone had a whole ton of issues and it was a bit too much for me.
Verdict: It was a great book regardless! Definitely recommend.
Book: Frozen Beauty
Author: Lexa Hillyer
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 16+ (murder, mental health, mysteries abound!)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Everyone in Devil’s Lake knows the three golden Malloy sisters—but one of them is keeping a secret that will turn their little world inside out….
No one knows exactly what happened to Kit in the woods that night—all they have are a constellation of facts: icy blue lips and fingers cold to the touch, a lacy bra, an abandoned pick-up truck with keys still in the ignition. Still, Tessa, even in her fog of grief, is certain that her sister’s killer wasn’t Boyd, the boy next door whom they’ve all loved in their own way. There are too many details that don’t add up, too many secrets still tucked away.
But no matter how fiercely she searches for answers, at the core of that complicated night is a truth that’s heartbreakingly simple.
Told in lush, haunting prose, Frozen Beauty is a story of the intoxicating power of first love, the deep bonds of sisterhood, and a shocking death that will forever change the living.
Review: I thought this story was haunting and eerie. The book did well to focus on the two remaining sisters and the aftermath of their sister’s death. The character development was well done, the setting was well written.
However, I do feel like the book was a bit weird in the dialogue area and in how the characters interacted with each other. I also felt like the book was too slow. It also felt like everyone had a whole ton of issues and it was a bit too much for me.
Verdict: It was a great book regardless! Definitely recommend.
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Witches of Ash and Ruin
Author: E. Latimer
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: LGBT friendly! Bi main character!
Publication Date: March 3, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (murder, being outed, family issues, violence, some gore)
Publisher: Freeform
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Dayna Walsh is struggling to cope with her somatic OCD; the aftermath of being outed as bisexual in her conservative Irish town; and the return of her long-absent mother, who barely seems like a parent. But all that really matters to her is ascending and finally, finally becoming a full witch-plans that are complicated when another coven, rumored to have a sordid history with black magic, arrives in town with premonitions of death. Dayna immediately finds herself at odds with the bewitchingly frustrating Meiner King, the granddaughter of their coven leader.
And then a witch turns up murdered at a local sacred site, along with the blood symbol of the Butcher of Manchester-an infamous serial killer whose trail has long gone cold. The killer's motives are enmeshed in a complex web of witches and gods, and Dayna and Meiner soon find themselves at the center of it all. If they don't stop the Butcher, one of them will be next.
With razor-sharp prose and achingly real characters, E. Latimer crafts a sweeping, mesmerizing story of dark magic and brutal mythology set against a backdrop of contemporary Ireland that's impossible to put down.
Review: I really liked this book for the most part. The book did well to have excellent LGBT representation, and it was based on Celtic folklore. The setting was well detailed and the family dynamics were amazing!
However, there are 5 POVs and it was a lot to take in. The book was hard to get into and it was hard to connect with the characters. The book almost felt forced to tell a story.
Verdict: It was a good book, but not for me.
Book: Witches of Ash and Ruin
Author: E. Latimer
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: LGBT friendly! Bi main character!
Publication Date: March 3, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (murder, being outed, family issues, violence, some gore)
Publisher: Freeform
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Dayna Walsh is struggling to cope with her somatic OCD; the aftermath of being outed as bisexual in her conservative Irish town; and the return of her long-absent mother, who barely seems like a parent. But all that really matters to her is ascending and finally, finally becoming a full witch-plans that are complicated when another coven, rumored to have a sordid history with black magic, arrives in town with premonitions of death. Dayna immediately finds herself at odds with the bewitchingly frustrating Meiner King, the granddaughter of their coven leader.
And then a witch turns up murdered at a local sacred site, along with the blood symbol of the Butcher of Manchester-an infamous serial killer whose trail has long gone cold. The killer's motives are enmeshed in a complex web of witches and gods, and Dayna and Meiner soon find themselves at the center of it all. If they don't stop the Butcher, one of them will be next.
With razor-sharp prose and achingly real characters, E. Latimer crafts a sweeping, mesmerizing story of dark magic and brutal mythology set against a backdrop of contemporary Ireland that's impossible to put down.
Review: I really liked this book for the most part. The book did well to have excellent LGBT representation, and it was based on Celtic folklore. The setting was well detailed and the family dynamics were amazing!
However, there are 5 POVs and it was a lot to take in. The book was hard to get into and it was hard to connect with the characters. The book almost felt forced to tell a story.
Verdict: It was a good book, but not for me.
Disclaimer: I bought my own copy and received one from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Ember Queen
Author: Laura Sebastian
Book Series: Ash Princess
Diversity: m/m relationship, f/f relationship, asexual main character
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 4, 2020
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 512
Recommended Age: 16+ (Rape mention, Gore, Violence, and One Sex scene)
Synopsis: The thrilling conclusion to the series that began with the instant New York Times bestseller “made for fans of Victoria Aveyard and Sabaa Tahir” (Bustle), Ember Queen is an epic fantasy about a throne cruelly stolen and a girl who must fight to take it back for her people.
Princess Theodosia was a prisoner in her own country for a decade. Renamed the Ash Princess, she endured relentless abuse and ridicule from the Kaiser and his court. But though she wore a crown of ashes, there is fire in Theo’s blood. As the rightful heir to the Astrean crown, it runs in her veins. And if she learned nothing else from her mother, she learned that a Queen never cowers.
Now free, with a misfit army of rebels to back her, Theo must liberate her enslaved people and face a terrifying new enemy: the new Kaiserin. Imbued with a magic no one understands, the Kaiserin is determined to burn down anyone and everything in her way.
The Kaiserin’s strange power is growing stronger, and with Prinz Søren as her hostage, there is more at stake than ever. Theo must learn to embrace her own power if she has any hope of standing against the girl she once called her heart’s sister.
Review: I really enjoyed the ending to this trilogy! It was well developed, well built, and the book kept me on edge the entire time. I'm happy with Theo's development and I'm satisfied with the ending.
The only issue I had was that the very end scene was a bit chaotic. I had to reread it twice to understand it.
Verdict: I love this series!
Book: Ember Queen
Author: Laura Sebastian
Book Series: Ash Princess
Diversity: m/m relationship, f/f relationship, asexual main character
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 4, 2020
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 512
Recommended Age: 16+ (Rape mention, Gore, Violence, and One Sex scene)
Synopsis: The thrilling conclusion to the series that began with the instant New York Times bestseller “made for fans of Victoria Aveyard and Sabaa Tahir” (Bustle), Ember Queen is an epic fantasy about a throne cruelly stolen and a girl who must fight to take it back for her people.
Princess Theodosia was a prisoner in her own country for a decade. Renamed the Ash Princess, she endured relentless abuse and ridicule from the Kaiser and his court. But though she wore a crown of ashes, there is fire in Theo’s blood. As the rightful heir to the Astrean crown, it runs in her veins. And if she learned nothing else from her mother, she learned that a Queen never cowers.
Now free, with a misfit army of rebels to back her, Theo must liberate her enslaved people and face a terrifying new enemy: the new Kaiserin. Imbued with a magic no one understands, the Kaiserin is determined to burn down anyone and everything in her way.
The Kaiserin’s strange power is growing stronger, and with Prinz Søren as her hostage, there is more at stake than ever. Theo must learn to embrace her own power if she has any hope of standing against the girl she once called her heart’s sister.
Review: I really enjoyed the ending to this trilogy! It was well developed, well built, and the book kept me on edge the entire time. I'm happy with Theo's development and I'm satisfied with the ending.
The only issue I had was that the very end scene was a bit chaotic. I had to reread it twice to understand it.
Verdict: I love this series!
Disclaimer: I received this book from Parliament House. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Stolen #1
Rating: 4.5/5
Publication Date: January 22, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (mental illness, some scary moments, kidnapping, forced servitude)
Publisher: Parliament House
Pages: 258
Amazon Link
Synopsis: It’s difficult taking care of a delusional father by yourself. Sixteen-year-old Shaleigh Mallet would rather explore and photograph dilapidated buildings than cater to her father’s dark episodes. But when she’s kidnapped by a creature who carries her atop a flying bicycle into another world, she realizes this wasn’t the escape she wanted.
In a kingdom known as the Garden, where minotaurs pull carriages and parties are held in hot air balloons, Madam Cloom and her faerie servant, Teagan, rule over the land with incredible but terrifying magic. Shaleigh must prove that she is the reincarnation of a long-dead ruler, not because she believes it, but because it’s her only chance to survive. With the help of a trespassing faerie, a stoatling, and a living statue, Shaleigh hopes to outwit everyone. She aims to break the bonds of servitude and finally make her way home. What she doesn’t realize, however, is that she’s playing right into the hands of a far worse enemy...
Review: Holy cow this book was magical! The characters were so well written and I just loved Shaleigh. I really connected with them and the book just drug me in! The world building was fantastic, the plot was amazingly well done, and the writing was magnificent.
However, I did feel that there were some slow, pace breaking moments but they were few and far between. I feel like realistically someone would have stepped in to help Shaleigh with her father, especially since it was known, but it seemed like it feel into the realm of “the system failed”, which is sadly becoming a cliché in the YA community.
Verdict: Beautiful and unique. Definite must buy.
Book Series: Stolen #1
Rating: 4.5/5
Publication Date: January 22, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (mental illness, some scary moments, kidnapping, forced servitude)
Publisher: Parliament House
Pages: 258
Amazon Link
Synopsis: It’s difficult taking care of a delusional father by yourself. Sixteen-year-old Shaleigh Mallet would rather explore and photograph dilapidated buildings than cater to her father’s dark episodes. But when she’s kidnapped by a creature who carries her atop a flying bicycle into another world, she realizes this wasn’t the escape she wanted.
In a kingdom known as the Garden, where minotaurs pull carriages and parties are held in hot air balloons, Madam Cloom and her faerie servant, Teagan, rule over the land with incredible but terrifying magic. Shaleigh must prove that she is the reincarnation of a long-dead ruler, not because she believes it, but because it’s her only chance to survive. With the help of a trespassing faerie, a stoatling, and a living statue, Shaleigh hopes to outwit everyone. She aims to break the bonds of servitude and finally make her way home. What she doesn’t realize, however, is that she’s playing right into the hands of a far worse enemy...
Review: Holy cow this book was magical! The characters were so well written and I just loved Shaleigh. I really connected with them and the book just drug me in! The world building was fantastic, the plot was amazingly well done, and the writing was magnificent.
However, I did feel that there were some slow, pace breaking moments but they were few and far between. I feel like realistically someone would have stepped in to help Shaleigh with her father, especially since it was known, but it seemed like it feel into the realm of “the system failed”, which is sadly becoming a cliché in the YA community.
Verdict: Beautiful and unique. Definite must buy.
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Shadow Frost
Author: Coco Ma
Book Series: Shadow Frost Book 1
Rating: 1/5
Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, did not finish
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Pages: 400
Amazon Link
Synopsis: IN THE KINGDOM OF AXARIA, a darkness rises.
Some call it a monster, laying waste to the villagers and their homes.
Some say it is an invulnerable demon summoned from the deepest abysses of the Immortal Realm.
Many soldiers from the royal guard are sent out to hunt it down.
Not one has ever returned.
When Asterin Faelenhart, Princess of Axaria and heir to the throne, discovers that she may hold the key to defeating the mysterious demon terrorizing her kingdom, she vows not to rest until the beast is slain. With the help of her friends and the powers she wields — though has yet to fully understand — Asterin sets out to complete a single task. The task that countless, trained soldiers have failed.
To kill it.
But as they hunt for the demon, they unearth a plot to assassinate the Princess herself instead. Asterin and her companions begin to wonder how much of their lives have been lies, especially when they realize that the center of the web of deceit might very well be themselves. With no one else to turn to, they are forced to decide just how much they are willing to sacrifice to protect the only world they have ever known.
That is, of course… if the demon doesn’t get to them first.
Review: I had to DNF this book unfortunately. The book was really slow to get through and some of the scenes were just painful to read through. The writing wasn’t well done, it felt clunky and hard to follow, and the multiple POVs confused me. I was also confused by the world building overall.
Verdict: It wasn’t for me.
Book: Shadow Frost
Author: Coco Ma
Book Series: Shadow Frost Book 1
Rating: 1/5
Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, did not finish
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Pages: 400
Amazon Link
Synopsis: IN THE KINGDOM OF AXARIA, a darkness rises.
Some call it a monster, laying waste to the villagers and their homes.
Some say it is an invulnerable demon summoned from the deepest abysses of the Immortal Realm.
Many soldiers from the royal guard are sent out to hunt it down.
Not one has ever returned.
When Asterin Faelenhart, Princess of Axaria and heir to the throne, discovers that she may hold the key to defeating the mysterious demon terrorizing her kingdom, she vows not to rest until the beast is slain. With the help of her friends and the powers she wields — though has yet to fully understand — Asterin sets out to complete a single task. The task that countless, trained soldiers have failed.
To kill it.
But as they hunt for the demon, they unearth a plot to assassinate the Princess herself instead. Asterin and her companions begin to wonder how much of their lives have been lies, especially when they realize that the center of the web of deceit might very well be themselves. With no one else to turn to, they are forced to decide just how much they are willing to sacrifice to protect the only world they have ever known.
That is, of course… if the demon doesn’t get to them first.
Review: I had to DNF this book unfortunately. The book was really slow to get through and some of the scenes were just painful to read through. The writing wasn’t well done, it felt clunky and hard to follow, and the multiple POVs confused me. I was also confused by the world building overall.
Verdict: It wasn’t for me.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Legends of the Lost Causes
Author: Brad McLelland & Louis Slyvester
Book Series: Legends of the Lost Causes Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 20, 2018
Genre: MG Fantasy/Western
Recommended Age: 12+ (fire, some death, some scary moments)
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Pages: 336
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The first book in a new middle-grade fantasy action-adventure series set in the Old West.
A band of orphan avengers. A cursed stone. A horde of zombie outlaws. This is Keech Blackwood’s new life after Bad Whiskey Nelson descends upon the Home for Lost Causes and burns it to the ground.
With his home destroyed and his family lost, Keech will have to use the lessons he learned from Pa Abner to hunt down the powerful Char Stone. Luckily, he has the help of a ragtag team of orphans. Together, they’ll travel through treacherous forests, fight off the risen dead, and discover that they share mysterious bonds as they try to track down the legendary stone. Now, it’s a race against the clock, because if Bad Whiskey finds the stone first. . . . all is lost.
Review: OMG! OMG! Where was this book when I was younger?! I loved this little zombie book so so much! I love the equal parts zombie and equal parts western book and I thought it was a genuinely fun and enjoyable book. The book is creepy, but not too creepy for younger readers and the world building was done amazingly well.
My only issue is that I wish that the characters had been a bit more developed, but they were ok for a middle grade read.
Verdict: Definitely a book series to read!
Book: Legends of the Lost Causes
Author: Brad McLelland & Louis Slyvester
Book Series: Legends of the Lost Causes Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 20, 2018
Genre: MG Fantasy/Western
Recommended Age: 12+ (fire, some death, some scary moments)
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Pages: 336
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The first book in a new middle-grade fantasy action-adventure series set in the Old West.
A band of orphan avengers. A cursed stone. A horde of zombie outlaws. This is Keech Blackwood’s new life after Bad Whiskey Nelson descends upon the Home for Lost Causes and burns it to the ground.
With his home destroyed and his family lost, Keech will have to use the lessons he learned from Pa Abner to hunt down the powerful Char Stone. Luckily, he has the help of a ragtag team of orphans. Together, they’ll travel through treacherous forests, fight off the risen dead, and discover that they share mysterious bonds as they try to track down the legendary stone. Now, it’s a race against the clock, because if Bad Whiskey finds the stone first. . . . all is lost.
Review: OMG! OMG! Where was this book when I was younger?! I loved this little zombie book so so much! I love the equal parts zombie and equal parts western book and I thought it was a genuinely fun and enjoyable book. The book is creepy, but not too creepy for younger readers and the world building was done amazingly well.
My only issue is that I wish that the characters had been a bit more developed, but they were ok for a middle grade read.
Verdict: Definitely a book series to read!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The fang of Bonfire Crossing
Author: Brad McLelland & Louis Slyvester
Book Series: Legends of the Lost Causes Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Genre: MG Fantasy/Western
Recommended Age: 12+ (some death, some scary moments and monsters)
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Pages: 304
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Dark magic meets the Old West in this middle-grade adventure series.
Keech Blackwood and his band of fellow orphans demand justice for their fallen families. But the road to retribution is a long and hard-fought journey.
After defeating Bad Whiskey Nelson, the man who burned Keech’s home to the ground, the Lost Causes have a new mission: find Bonfire Crossing, the mysterious land that holds clues to the whereabouts of the all-powerful Char Stone. Along the way they’ll have to fend off a shapeshifting beast, a swarm of river monsters, and a fearsome desperado named Big Ben Loving who conjures tornadoes out of thin air. It’s an epic standoff between the Lost Causes and the outlaw Reverend Rose, a powerful sorcerer who would be unstoppable with the Stone in his possession.
With the world—and vengeance—hanging in the balance, the Lost Causes are ready for battle.
Review: The series continues and it does well! The writing continues to be amazing, the characters are much more well developed, and the world building continues to be amazing. There was also cultural sensitivity regarding Native Americans and slavery, which I appreciated. They felt like actual characters and not objects like how some books regard them.
My only issue is that sometimes the pacing would slow down, but the authors did great to keep me entertained and I’m sure a child won’t have a problem with this series.
Verdict: Definitely a book series to read!
Book: The fang of Bonfire Crossing
Author: Brad McLelland & Louis Slyvester
Book Series: Legends of the Lost Causes Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Genre: MG Fantasy/Western
Recommended Age: 12+ (some death, some scary moments and monsters)
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Pages: 304
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Dark magic meets the Old West in this middle-grade adventure series.
Keech Blackwood and his band of fellow orphans demand justice for their fallen families. But the road to retribution is a long and hard-fought journey.
After defeating Bad Whiskey Nelson, the man who burned Keech’s home to the ground, the Lost Causes have a new mission: find Bonfire Crossing, the mysterious land that holds clues to the whereabouts of the all-powerful Char Stone. Along the way they’ll have to fend off a shapeshifting beast, a swarm of river monsters, and a fearsome desperado named Big Ben Loving who conjures tornadoes out of thin air. It’s an epic standoff between the Lost Causes and the outlaw Reverend Rose, a powerful sorcerer who would be unstoppable with the Stone in his possession.
With the world—and vengeance—hanging in the balance, the Lost Causes are ready for battle.
Review: The series continues and it does well! The writing continues to be amazing, the characters are much more well developed, and the world building continues to be amazing. There was also cultural sensitivity regarding Native Americans and slavery, which I appreciated. They felt like actual characters and not objects like how some books regard them.
My only issue is that sometimes the pacing would slow down, but the authors did great to keep me entertained and I’m sure a child won’t have a problem with this series.
Verdict: Definitely a book series to read!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Key of Skeleton Peak
Author: Brad McLelland & Louis Slyvester
Book Series: Legends of the Lost Causes Book 3
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy/Western
Recommended Age: 12+ (some death, some scary moments and monsters)
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Pages: 464
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Dark magic meets the Old West in this third installment of the Legends of the Lost Causes, as a group of vigilante orphans go head-to-head against an outlaw sorcerer in pursuit of an ancient and powerful magical artifact!
Keech Blackwood and his fellow Lost Causes have won their share of battles, but the war against the ruthless sorcerer Reverend Rose still rages on.
This time, the Lost Causes face their most perilous trial yet: stopping Rose and his henchmen from retrieving an ancient, powerful object that would help return him to his full, frightening strength. As the vigilante orphans race to the dangerous depths of Skeleton Peak, the sight of the magical object, they’ll have to outmaneuver Rose’s most faithful—and menacing—ally: an inhuman creature spawned by darkness and shadow. But ever in pursuit of justice and vengeance for their fallen families, the Lost Causes won’t give up without a fight.
Review: I’m so sad this series is over. The book didn’t disappoint me in any way though. The book is written well and can be understood and used by children and adults alike. The characters were still developed well and the world building continued to be amazing.
My only issue is that sometimes the pacing would slow down still, but the plot never failed to keep me intrigued.
Verdict: Definitely a book series to read!
Book: The Key of Skeleton Peak
Author: Brad McLelland & Louis Slyvester
Book Series: Legends of the Lost Causes Book 3
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy/Western
Recommended Age: 12+ (some death, some scary moments and monsters)
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Pages: 464
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Dark magic meets the Old West in this third installment of the Legends of the Lost Causes, as a group of vigilante orphans go head-to-head against an outlaw sorcerer in pursuit of an ancient and powerful magical artifact!
Keech Blackwood and his fellow Lost Causes have won their share of battles, but the war against the ruthless sorcerer Reverend Rose still rages on.
This time, the Lost Causes face their most perilous trial yet: stopping Rose and his henchmen from retrieving an ancient, powerful object that would help return him to his full, frightening strength. As the vigilante orphans race to the dangerous depths of Skeleton Peak, the sight of the magical object, they’ll have to outmaneuver Rose’s most faithful—and menacing—ally: an inhuman creature spawned by darkness and shadow. But ever in pursuit of justice and vengeance for their fallen families, the Lost Causes won’t give up without a fight.
Review: I’m so sad this series is over. The book didn’t disappoint me in any way though. The book is written well and can be understood and used by children and adults alike. The characters were still developed well and the world building continued to be amazing.
My only issue is that sometimes the pacing would slow down still, but the plot never failed to keep me intrigued.
Verdict: Definitely a book series to read!