This was pretty out of genera for me, and the only other book I've read that was similar to this I ended up hating. But a friend recommended it to me and let me borrow a copy, so I was determined to give it a try.
I really enjoyed it! It wasn't my favorite, but the characters were endearing and entertaining. The writing was clean and easy to read. The plot was not the most entertaining, but I did enjoy it all around and can't wait for the second one!

This book was just so magical. That's the best word I can think of to describe it. It gave me warm fuzzy feelings. It is such a dear little middle grade standalone and I ate it up. (pun intended)
The plot wasn't quite as intricate as I like, but Natalie's prose makes up for that. There are so many quotables in this book. So many beautiful lines that flow like a river of chocolate in my mind. The characters are so precious (Jonahhhhh???!! I mean, JONAH?!?!?!) and relatable.
Overall, this book was just so dear and cute. For fans of Ordinary Magic, Ella Enchanted, and the Septimus Heap series. This book was just spindiddly!

This book was amazing. I absolutely loved every word of it. It was simple and complex at the same time. I loved the themes, so expertly woven in. I loved the characters, so wonderfully fun and unique in their own way. I loved Abby and her family, the whole dynamic of it. I loved her friends, and the king, and all the strong messages I got from this little book. The author has a strong voice, very believably a 12 year old's, and so FUN. Everything about this book was FUN. I loved Alexa and Becky especially.
Over all, this book left me smiling and warm and happy, snuggling my stuffed animal rabbit and grinning like a fool. I have been struck dumb by the incredible Ordinary Magic of this book, and I highly recommend it to middle age readers, or anyone who is a fan of Harry Potter and/or Septimus Heap.

5 things about 13 Reasons Why

1) gosh, this book was S A D. Like, I knew it was going to be but ... Ugh. I just want to cry. I nearly did. And I really don't cry easily over books. This book is most certainly not for the faint of heart.

2) I didn't like Hannah. I thought she was cruel to ruin the lives of all those people like that. Yes, they needed to know but ... I don't know. Just ... UGH. I mean, if I learned that I was responsible for someone taking their own life, I could never forgive myself. Ever. It would be with me for the few of my life. And, yes those people were terrible. But everyone deserves a second chance.

3) I loved Clay. Gosh, I loved him a lot. I just want to climb in and hug him to death.

4) I've never read a book like this before. It was beautifully written and uniquely formatted.

5) I did enjoy it (I think?) but it was very heavy and not for the faint of heart. It took me three days to read when it easily could have been one, but I needed process time. Also, be open in your perspectives when reading this. There many things you can take from this book.

I'd give it 3 1/2 stars, I think. But I went ahead and put four just because it was done so well. I get to meet the author this June at a workshop in Minnesota so I'm excited!

Ahhhhh I thought I reviewed this but I didn't? Oops. Ah well. Here it is now: 5 Things about Serafina and the Black Cloak

1) can I just say - GORGEOUS COVER GUYS. I mean, lookatit. LIKE OIDSHFIDSSDFOISDFHILADFADLJFHSA IT IS JUST PERFECTION. Ehem. Yeah, that's why I picked this book up.

2) it was very ... unexpected.
I'm not sure what, exactly, I thought this book was. But what I read was certainly not what I had expected at all. It was exciting and creepy and spooky and odd and just ... Unusual. Kind of like The Graveyard Book by Niel Gaiman.

3) the MC was really cool. Like, cat person? Waaaaat. And I really liked her a lot. And Braeden. And Gideon.

4) it was very well written. Like, I didn't see several twists coming at ALL and I usually do, but man. I just gasped and was like, DUDE WHAT and I figured out /right/ when I was supposed to and that was a breath of fresh air. Like, I don't have to wait for him to give me 10000 more clues about this before it comes out? WOOHOO!

5) mansions. That's all I have to say. Just...mansions.

<3

5 Things About The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict

1) It was extraordinary! Hehe. He.

2) If you didn't like the first series, then you won't like this. But if you, like me, loved the first series, then you'll probably really enjoy this. I loved reading about little Benedict. *squeals* it made my fangirl heart soooo happy.

3) It was a little slow, but it was okay. I still enjoyed it a lot. (Even though I checked it out three times at the library, since I kept passing the due date)

4) Nicholas is a G E N I U S. OHMYGOODNESS HE IS SO ADORABLE AND SMART AND JUST AHHHHHH. While he was a genius, though, he still had his share of flaws and he had some lessons he needed to learn. It was just so well done how it all came together. I understand him so much better now. AND I LOVE HIS NARCOLEPSY, OKAY?? It's such a great touch.

5) iT WAS JUST SO GOOD AND ALSDJFHSDJFSDFHDSHHFWDIHDWHHGWD YOU SHOULD GO READ IT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIKED THE FIRST SERIES

4 1/2 stars

5 Things About The Blackthorn Key

1) BEAUTIFUL COVER AHHHH

2) I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't what i read. I thought the key was like, a literal key and that gave me a totally different vision of the adventure that happens in this book, but I quickly understood it wasn't quite literal XP

3) THE FIRST PAGE IS MY MOST FAVORITE THING OF EVER, OKAY??? I was at the library and I opened it to that and I just died and that's why I checked out the book because I knew me and the MC were going to be best palls and I wanted to see what he went through in the rest of the book.

4) I love Tom and Christopher's friendship. They were just so cute and funny and I loved them both. Two knuckle head boys. *grins and sighs, shaking head*

5) I had some iffy-ness about the end. Like, what the big Thing was that everyone was after. I don't know. It just kind of gave me an odd feeling? That's the only reason this book didn't get five stars. The big Thing just didn't quite sit right with me. I'm not sure why.

Other than that last thing, everything about this book was great. It was sad. It was thrilling. It was breathtaking and heart breaking and mystical. I can't wait to read more from this author!

5 Things About Jackaby

1) AHHHHHH I LOVED IT I LOVED IT I LOVED IT

2) It was weird in a good way. Very strange. And the book happens in such little time, it's almost jarring.

3) Abigail is an interesting narrator. I didn't like her at first, and while she's certainly not my favorite character in The History of Ever, she did grow on me. By the end of the book, I liked her considerably more. I think the reason I didn't like her at first was because she seemed rather foolish at times. And like, as the MC I wanted her to smart, you know? But she is, in her own way. She's not very special, or remarkable, and I rather like that about her.

4) CHARLIEEEEEEEEEE

5) Jackaby you turd muffin


I want to just rant and squeal about this book for forever and ever. I just got the sequel and am so excited AHHHHHHH. I originally rated this four stars, but I think I'm upping it to five. It deserves it.