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samantha_randolph
"Tess Aubreyson has visions at night of what might happen in the future. While the dreams are often helpful for her and her fellow students at the Stranje House, they usually lead to death and despair, and she fears she will go mad like her mother before her. When her dreams reveal important information about the traitor, Lady Daneska, and Ghost, the leader of a group that supports Napoleon, she will do everything she can to save her friends and her love, Lord Ravencross." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=60468
"Moira Mitchell is ready to take the floor as a magician, following in her father's footsteps. However, her father has forbidden her against her wishes, so she snatches an invitation to join the famous Cirque American without him knowing. While at the Cirque, Moira discovers she has more than illusions and slights up her sleeve...she has real magic. As she learns more about her magic, she encounters danger, mystery, and romance." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=60494
"Tara knows what she wants from life: wealth, handsome men, and delicious liquor. Having been through three marriages, she's convinced love isn't in the cards for her, if it exists at all, until she meets a dashing surgeon, Cavin Lattimore. Cavin has everything she's looking for and more. As the two quickly fall for each other, Tara begins to suspect that not all is as it seems, not to mention mysterious messages threatening her are adding to her stress. Tara may have found all the happiness she wanted...or she may be in more danger of losing something precious to her than ever." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=60501
"Aspen Quick has an interesting power; he can reach into a person and take things from them, a memory, a feeling, a fear, even a freckle on their arm if he chooses. His whole family has certain abilities in exchange for protecting and fixing the Cliff, something they've been doing for generations. This summer, with Aspen's two best friends, Aspen will discover that what he does might make his life easier...but it might not be good." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=60580
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"Poppy, Azumi, Marcus, Dash, and Dylan are all summoned to the Shadow House, though each thinks they're there for a different reason. Poppy believes she's finding her long lost family, Azumi and Marcus both think they're going to a school, and Dash and Dylan think it's a movie set for their next gig. Once at the House, they discover something is deadly wrong. Ghosts haunt the house, mess with their heads, and make it impossible for them to leave..." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=60581
Coding is so new to me, but I love the idea of it. The Secret Coders series is a perfect introduction to coding and to a fun story. The graphic novel approach is excellent because it combines visual learning with storytelling, and I think young readers will find that combination very appealing.
What I love most about these books is that the main character, Hopper, is a young girl. Unfortunately, women still face obstacles in any sort of STEM or computer-related field, and young girls interested in either or both of those will love the focus on Hopper and her learning. It’s very encouraging, and her adventures in learning coding don’t feel forced. The author does a fantastic job of still giving Hopper a story beyond her education. She loves basketball, she argues with her mother, and she’s nervous making new friends at her new school.
The graphic novels have a self-learning component to them as well, allowing the reader to figure out a code before the answer is revealed. I tried a few of them myself, and it was really fun.
Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2016/09/reading-without-walls-blog-tour/
What I love most about these books is that the main character, Hopper, is a young girl. Unfortunately, women still face obstacles in any sort of STEM or computer-related field, and young girls interested in either or both of those will love the focus on Hopper and her learning. It’s very encouraging, and her adventures in learning coding don’t feel forced. The author does a fantastic job of still giving Hopper a story beyond her education. She loves basketball, she argues with her mother, and she’s nervous making new friends at her new school.
The graphic novels have a self-learning component to them as well, allowing the reader to figure out a code before the answer is revealed. I tried a few of them myself, and it was really fun.
Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2016/09/reading-without-walls-blog-tour/
Supergirl may have great powers, but she has no clue how to control them. Not to mention, she’s the new girl at a school for incredible superheroes who have skills beyond belief. When mysterious happenings occur at her school, she will have to find her confidence, trust her friends, and get ready to defend the planet she’s learning to love.
What I Loved:
The premise of this series is fantastic. Readers will love seeing some of their favorites as high-schoolers nervous about school projects and trying to fit in. Supergirl is extremely relatable. She knows she has amazing abilities, but she struggles to control them, and she misses her home and family dearly. Her determination grows beautifully, and the friendship between her and Batgirl is lovely.
What Left Me Wanting More:
While the action scenes are fantastic, there are several moments throughout the novel that get stale. The direction of the story seems to wander a bit, and it causes the pacing to lag. However, readers can definitely use that opportunity to pay attention to the secondary characters and guess who might be up to something.
The dialogue is also a little over the top at times. Granted, this is based on the comic world, which is known for dramatics, but some of Supergirl and Wonder Woman’s conversations feel unrealistic and stuff.
Final Verdict:
This is an excellent series for young hero lovers. The brilliant cast of female superheroes creates a positive, kick-butt atmosphere and offers a chance to get to know the heroes in their young days.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/20417-supergirl-at-super-hero-high
What I Loved:
The premise of this series is fantastic. Readers will love seeing some of their favorites as high-schoolers nervous about school projects and trying to fit in. Supergirl is extremely relatable. She knows she has amazing abilities, but she struggles to control them, and she misses her home and family dearly. Her determination grows beautifully, and the friendship between her and Batgirl is lovely.
What Left Me Wanting More:
While the action scenes are fantastic, there are several moments throughout the novel that get stale. The direction of the story seems to wander a bit, and it causes the pacing to lag. However, readers can definitely use that opportunity to pay attention to the secondary characters and guess who might be up to something.
The dialogue is also a little over the top at times. Granted, this is based on the comic world, which is known for dramatics, but some of Supergirl and Wonder Woman’s conversations feel unrealistic and stuff.
Final Verdict:
This is an excellent series for young hero lovers. The brilliant cast of female superheroes creates a positive, kick-butt atmosphere and offers a chance to get to know the heroes in their young days.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/20417-supergirl-at-super-hero-high
For a long time, Sefia has only had her aunt, Nin. Ever since her father was murdered, they have been on the run, and Nin teaches Sefia to live in the wilderness. When Nin is suddenly taken, Sefia is determined to save her, even if she has no idea where to start. With the help of a mystery object she learns is a book, a scarred boy with a dark past, and her fierce will, Sefia journeys to save her aunt, discover the secret of her family, and learn to read in a society that is illiterate.
Traci Chee’s THE READER is a mesmerizing fantasy about the power of words, stories, families, and friendships. Sefia is easily lovable, kind, and strong, and her story is anything but easy. She carries the grief of losing her family around with her and often feels that she could have prevented Nin being taken in the first place. Readers will see something of themselves in her as she discovers more about written words and the book she carries. Throughout the story, there are brief excerpts from the book she carries around, allowing you to really connect with what Sefia is experiencing.
Though romance is a small portion of the book, it demands to be discussed. Sefia and Archer have the sweetest slow-burn/friendship turned to love relationship I have ever read. There are some slow romances where you want to characters to kiss at every turn, and there are some, even more rare for me because I love kissing scenes, where you would happily revel in any scene with both of them, whether they’re just hunting for food or sitting silently, enjoying each other’s company. Sefia and Archer are both heartbreakingly vulnerable, and the way they learn to lean on each other is nearly tear-inducing.
A book about a book, a young woman learning to read while saving her remaining family, a boy whose hands are tough but heart is soft, and an endearing and existential pirate crew come together to make the fantastic experience that is THE READER.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19822-the-reader
Traci Chee’s THE READER is a mesmerizing fantasy about the power of words, stories, families, and friendships. Sefia is easily lovable, kind, and strong, and her story is anything but easy. She carries the grief of losing her family around with her and often feels that she could have prevented Nin being taken in the first place. Readers will see something of themselves in her as she discovers more about written words and the book she carries. Throughout the story, there are brief excerpts from the book she carries around, allowing you to really connect with what Sefia is experiencing.
Though romance is a small portion of the book, it demands to be discussed. Sefia and Archer have the sweetest slow-burn/friendship turned to love relationship I have ever read. There are some slow romances where you want to characters to kiss at every turn, and there are some, even more rare for me because I love kissing scenes, where you would happily revel in any scene with both of them, whether they’re just hunting for food or sitting silently, enjoying each other’s company. Sefia and Archer are both heartbreakingly vulnerable, and the way they learn to lean on each other is nearly tear-inducing.
A book about a book, a young woman learning to read while saving her remaining family, a boy whose hands are tough but heart is soft, and an endearing and existential pirate crew come together to make the fantastic experience that is THE READER.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19822-the-reader
Prior to starting Pasadena, people had been comparing it to Veronica Mars, and I absolutely agree. If you love the noir, dirty underbelly side to mystery shows, Pasadena is exactly what you need. The story opens with Maggie’s death which the authorities rule a suicide, but which her best friend, Jude, rules a murder. As Jude lines up the potential suspects behind the complex person that was her closest friend, she grapples with her own history of sexual assault and family conflict.
I love the characters in Pasadena. They are nuanced, and all have a potential motive for wanting Maggie gone. The cast is also beautifully diverse. Jude’s friend, Joey, is one of my favorite characters with his sweet, quiet charm and loyalty. However, Jude’s tough attitude and hard-hitting grief also makes her stand out as a phenomenally written character.
While I am blown away by the characters, the mystery plot fell a little flat for me. I thought the first third or so created a compelling case with a variety of sneaky suspects, but the build up slowed after a while, and the ending twist was a little disappointing.
This quick, engaging story takes readers to the dark side of a town called Pasadena where friendships might be as thick as blood but often lack honesty.
Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2016/09/blog-tour-pasadena-sherri-l-smith/
I love the characters in Pasadena. They are nuanced, and all have a potential motive for wanting Maggie gone. The cast is also beautifully diverse. Jude’s friend, Joey, is one of my favorite characters with his sweet, quiet charm and loyalty. However, Jude’s tough attitude and hard-hitting grief also makes her stand out as a phenomenally written character.
While I am blown away by the characters, the mystery plot fell a little flat for me. I thought the first third or so created a compelling case with a variety of sneaky suspects, but the build up slowed after a while, and the ending twist was a little disappointing.
This quick, engaging story takes readers to the dark side of a town called Pasadena where friendships might be as thick as blood but often lack honesty.
Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2016/09/blog-tour-pasadena-sherri-l-smith/
