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Ahoy there me mateys! I loved mysteries as a kid like the Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown. But of course I loved the girl sleuths so much better. I avidly gobbled up Nancy Drew, Harriet the Spy, and Cam Jensen. I convinced the Ma to buy me a fingerprinting set. I tried to take prints off of various things in the house. I wanted to hide in the shadows and yet somehow know everyone's secrets. I wanted to be intelligent and brave and smart and save the day like the awesome girls in these books. I wasn't sure how I would overcome how shy and quiet and timid I was. But someday . . .
Of course I never did become a famous detective (or jockey or marine biologist for that matter) but I still hold fondness for those books where girls could do the things boys could and even better! So when Algonquin Young Readers offered me a copy of a new series featuring a plucky, young heroine solving crimes I got excited. It didn't hurt that I was temporarily but literally staying in "The Secret Room" when the offer came in. I felt so clandestine and excited.
Myrtle is worth being excited about. She is a great addition to the genre and I loved her. That said, this first of the series did have some flaws. The mystery elements were messy and how the case got "solved" wasn't that great. The bad guys were two-dimensional and obvious. Also the pace was off and the book could have used some trimming in the middle. And I didn't like that the governess was always around and helping Myrtle. I want the kids sneaking out on their own and solving crimes without grownup help like Nancy and Cam did. Plus Myrtle made some very silly mistakes.
However, I did enjoy the relationships and characters in this one. I loved Myrtle's dad, the Cook, the law clerk, and various other neighborhood characters. I loved the cat. I loved reading Myrtle's reactions and about all of her interests. I was rooting for Myrtle. I hope that Myrtle's awesomeness would help young readers miss the flaws in the writing and want to read more mysteries about the characters. As for me, I am not sure I would read the next in the series even if I adored Myrtle. Arrrr!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for me honest musings.
Of course I never did become a famous detective (or jockey or marine biologist for that matter) but I still hold fondness for those books where girls could do the things boys could and even better! So when Algonquin Young Readers offered me a copy of a new series featuring a plucky, young heroine solving crimes I got excited. It didn't hurt that I was temporarily but literally staying in "The Secret Room" when the offer came in. I felt so clandestine and excited.
Myrtle is worth being excited about. She is a great addition to the genre and I loved her. That said, this first of the series did have some flaws. The mystery elements were messy and how the case got "solved" wasn't that great. The bad guys were two-dimensional and obvious. Also the pace was off and the book could have used some trimming in the middle. And I didn't like that the governess was always around and helping Myrtle. I want the kids sneaking out on their own and solving crimes without grownup help like Nancy and Cam did. Plus Myrtle made some very silly mistakes.
However, I did enjoy the relationships and characters in this one. I loved Myrtle's dad, the Cook, the law clerk, and various other neighborhood characters. I loved the cat. I loved reading Myrtle's reactions and about all of her interests. I was rooting for Myrtle. I hope that Myrtle's awesomeness would help young readers miss the flaws in the writing and want to read more mysteries about the characters. As for me, I am not sure I would read the next in the series even if I adored Myrtle. Arrrr!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for me honest musings.
I was expecting this story to be emotionally devastating but instead it was a fascinating intellectual exercise. I expected my heart to be shredded and instead my mind was stretched. Apparently, George Washington (our evil first president) purchased teeth from people for his false dentures. This story starts with a quote, “‘By Cash pd Negroes for 9 Teeth on Acct of Dr. Lemoire’ –Lund Washington, Mount Vernon plantation, Account Book dated 1784.” This story explores what the secret lives of the teeth were. I loved this story and it sent me down a rabbit hole about the history behind Washington’s teeth. Check out this article to see a picture of Washington’s dentures and to learn more about the history of false teeth. This was fantastic and I still think it should have won the Hugo. Arrrr!
Ahoy there me mateys! I received this fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
P. Djèlí Clark has quickly become a must-read author for me. This book does not tell my story, background, or culture so I cannot speak to those elements of the novella. What I can say is that it was engrossing, heart-wrenching, and thought-provoking. Much like when I read Clark's story about Washington's teeth, this book led me down a rabbit hole about a fascinating part of African-American culture I knew nothing about. And of course it also led me down a rabbit hole about crappy aspects of American racism that I didn't know enough about either.
Like me foray into Paw Paw French, this book led me to learn about another American dialect the Creole language of the Gullah of South Carolina and the Geechee in Georgia. The history of this group of people is fascinating and I loved learning about how this African creole came to exist and the traditions the slaves managed to keep from their homelands despite attempts to squash their culture. The ring shouts of the title, the basket weaving, and the cuisine were so much fun to learn about. I also did not know that Africa has a rich rice growing culture and history.
I did read more about "the birth of a nation" movie and the history of the Klan but that rabbit hole made me angry, sad, and bitter so I won't get into it here. But man did the American history I learn white-wash things. Me film class only really discussed what the movie meant in terms of technology advances in filmmaking.
All the (awesome) history learning aside, the story is also fantastic with amazing characters, some excellent horror elements, and a hero to root for. I loved this book and will be reading it again. So highly recommended. Arrr!
P. Djèlí Clark has quickly become a must-read author for me. This book does not tell my story, background, or culture so I cannot speak to those elements of the novella. What I can say is that it was engrossing, heart-wrenching, and thought-provoking. Much like when I read Clark's story about Washington's teeth, this book led me down a rabbit hole about a fascinating part of African-American culture I knew nothing about. And of course it also led me down a rabbit hole about crappy aspects of American racism that I didn't know enough about either.
Like me foray into Paw Paw French, this book led me to learn about another American dialect the Creole language of the Gullah of South Carolina and the Geechee in Georgia. The history of this group of people is fascinating and I loved learning about how this African creole came to exist and the traditions the slaves managed to keep from their homelands despite attempts to squash their culture. The ring shouts of the title, the basket weaving, and the cuisine were so much fun to learn about. I also did not know that Africa has a rich rice growing culture and history.
I did read more about "the birth of a nation" movie and the history of the Klan but that rabbit hole made me angry, sad, and bitter so I won't get into it here. But man did the American history I learn white-wash things. Me film class only really discussed what the movie meant in terms of technology advances in filmmaking.
All the (awesome) history learning aside, the story is also fantastic with amazing characters, some excellent horror elements, and a hero to root for. I loved this book and will be reading it again. So highly recommended. Arrr!
Ahoy there me mateys! I received this fantasy eARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
Title: the midnight bargain
Author: C.L. Polk
Publisher: Erewhon Books
Publication Date: TODAY!! (hardback & e-book)
ISBN: 978-1645660071
Source: Edelweiss
The Midnight Bargain
This book is a lite Regency romance type book with magic. In it, Beatrice is about to have her “coming out” season but she really wants to be a mage. Magic – no women allowed. Women are supposed to be broodmares. And Beatrice’s marriage is supposed to save the family from financial ruin. Of course then ye have some insta-lust and Beatrice is tormented by having to choose. Marriage or mage?
This book was fluffy fun. I can’t say that the characters are particularly fleshed out. Or the world-building for that matter. Beatrice makes lots of silly choices and doesn’t use her brain. She is rather selfish. But there is an excellent female friendship in this one. I loved Harriet, Beatrice’s sister, and thought she shined when she appeared. Of course this deals with women’s rights and I am all for women power.
It was a fast read and I loved the spirit Nadi. The pacing was rough and the ending was a bit rushed and odd but I liked the epilogue. Not a bad read but not one I would likely read again. An enjoyable Saturday afternoon.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Erewhon!
Title: the midnight bargain
Author: C.L. Polk
Publisher: Erewhon Books
Publication Date: TODAY!! (hardback & e-book)
ISBN: 978-1645660071
Source: Edelweiss
The Midnight Bargain
This book is a lite Regency romance type book with magic. In it, Beatrice is about to have her “coming out” season but she really wants to be a mage. Magic – no women allowed. Women are supposed to be broodmares. And Beatrice’s marriage is supposed to save the family from financial ruin. Of course then ye have some insta-lust and Beatrice is tormented by having to choose. Marriage or mage?
This book was fluffy fun. I can’t say that the characters are particularly fleshed out. Or the world-building for that matter. Beatrice makes lots of silly choices and doesn’t use her brain. She is rather selfish. But there is an excellent female friendship in this one. I loved Harriet, Beatrice’s sister, and thought she shined when she appeared. Of course this deals with women’s rights and I am all for women power.
It was a fast read and I loved the spirit Nadi. The pacing was rough and the ending was a bit rushed and odd but I liked the epilogue. Not a bad read but not one I would likely read again. An enjoyable Saturday afternoon.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Erewhon!
Ahoy there me mateys! I absolutely loved, loved, loved this book. It was exactly perfect for me mood and the main character El made me laugh and I adored her. I also very much enjoyed the weird magic system and how classes work. The ending was perfect. I am not going to get into any details because I can't explain why it tickled every fancy satisfactorily. I am sorry I can't say more but it was almost perfect. I can't wait for the next book. Arrrr!
Ahoy there me mateys! I received this fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
I read this because mechanical dragon and Yoon Ha Lee. While I loved the dragon and the art magic, I didn't really find meself enthralled with the story itself. I am not sure why. The book was well-written but I didn't get the sense of magic that I received from his other works even when they made me noggin ache. I liked the main character Jebi but think I would have preferred a story that dealt more with the art magic and dragon determining what it wanted out of life and less with colonization and lust/angst of Jebi. I am glad I read it but wish the plot would have went into a different direction. Arrrr!
I read this because mechanical dragon and Yoon Ha Lee. While I loved the dragon and the art magic, I didn't really find meself enthralled with the story itself. I am not sure why. The book was well-written but I didn't get the sense of magic that I received from his other works even when they made me noggin ache. I liked the main character Jebi but think I would have preferred a story that dealt more with the art magic and dragon determining what it wanted out of life and less with colonization and lust/angst of Jebi. I am glad I read it but wish the plot would have went into a different direction. Arrrr!
Ahoy there me mateys! I received this sci-fi eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
I really enjoyed the first companion book in this series, ancestral night, and was looking forward to reading this. This book is set in the same universe as the previous novel but follows a different character. Dr. Jens works for an intergalactic hospital as a search and rescue specialist. Her life turns upside down when a ship with a distress call turns out to be an ancient generation ship from Earth where all the crew has been cryogenically frozen and an insane shipmind is in charge.
The positives of this book is that I loved the beginning and the setting. I loved the idea of the space hospital and how it functioned. I loved all the different species working together to save each other. I thought the rescue missions were an interesting concept. Dr. Jens was an overall cool character who happens to be in chronic pain.
Sadly, this book just didn't completely work for me. While I liked Dr. Jens, she spent too much of the book blaming herself for things out of her control. The elements I liked (frozen people, ship sabotage, Helen) turned out to not be the focus. The "conspiracy subplot" for me turned out to be a) lackluster and b) very predictable. I wanted more about the unfrozen people and Helen adjusting to the change of waking up far in the future. I wanted more search and rescue missions. And the ending and resolution was lame. I wanted answers and focus on other things.
Cool elements and ideas but ultimately rather disappointed me.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Saga Press!
I really enjoyed the first companion book in this series, ancestral night, and was looking forward to reading this. This book is set in the same universe as the previous novel but follows a different character. Dr. Jens works for an intergalactic hospital as a search and rescue specialist. Her life turns upside down when a ship with a distress call turns out to be an ancient generation ship from Earth where all the crew has been cryogenically frozen and an insane shipmind is in charge.
The positives of this book is that I loved the beginning and the setting. I loved the idea of the space hospital and how it functioned. I loved all the different species working together to save each other. I thought the rescue missions were an interesting concept. Dr. Jens was an overall cool character who happens to be in chronic pain.
Sadly, this book just didn't completely work for me. While I liked Dr. Jens, she spent too much of the book blaming herself for things out of her control. The elements I liked (frozen people, ship sabotage, Helen) turned out to not be the focus. The "conspiracy subplot" for me turned out to be a) lackluster and b) very predictable. I wanted more about the unfrozen people and Helen adjusting to the change of waking up far in the future. I wanted more search and rescue missions. And the ending and resolution was lame. I wanted answers and focus on other things.
Cool elements and ideas but ultimately rather disappointed me.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Saga Press!
Ahoy there me mateys! I learned about Ursula Vernon through her work under the pseudonym T. Kingfisher. I was surprised to find that she has a lot of work written for children published under her "real" name. As she says,
After reading two of her Kingfisher books, I then heard about this book from Matey Molly @ silverbuttonbooks. It features a 12 year-old girl (also named Molly) who wants to become the wicked witch of Castle Hangnail. I had been wondering what Vernon's writing was like and thought that this sounded like an excellent October / Halloween book. And it was!!
This book is whimsical and fantastic and wonderful. Castle Hangnail has seen better days. The minions of the castle need to fill the position of Master soon or the castle will be decommissioned and they will lose their home and jobs. Will they get a nasty Vampire or an Evil Sorceress perhaps? They are certainly not expecting Molly who is both young and seemingly too nice. Can she be wicked enough and complete the Tasks and officially become a Master?
Seriously the characters in this one are a pure delight. From the Cook who hates the letter 'Q' to the bats in the tower to the hypochondriac pet goldfish, I loved them all. And I also loved Molly. This story is a lovely one with a found family, a particular idea of what it means to be wicked, and a plot that keeps ye guessing through the very end. I was grinning like a maniac by the end and avidly wishing for more tales about Molly and Castle Hangnail's crew. This a story for all ages that certainly softened me crusty salty heart. I encourage everyone to read this book no matter yer age or the time of the year. Arrrr!
In order to never again have that horrific experience where I find myself running in slow motion across a library crying “Noooooooooo…!” as the well-meaning librarian hands a seven-year-old boy a copy of The One Book With The Torture Scene, I write for adults these days under the pen-name T. Kingfisher. It’s just easier for everybody, particularly for my nerves.
This does mean that some short stories previously published as Ursula Vernon will pop up in T. Kingfisher anthologies. It’s cool. I’m not plagiarizing me, I swear.
After reading two of her Kingfisher books, I then heard about this book from Matey Molly @ silverbuttonbooks. It features a 12 year-old girl (also named Molly) who wants to become the wicked witch of Castle Hangnail. I had been wondering what Vernon's writing was like and thought that this sounded like an excellent October / Halloween book. And it was!!
This book is whimsical and fantastic and wonderful. Castle Hangnail has seen better days. The minions of the castle need to fill the position of Master soon or the castle will be decommissioned and they will lose their home and jobs. Will they get a nasty Vampire or an Evil Sorceress perhaps? They are certainly not expecting Molly who is both young and seemingly too nice. Can she be wicked enough and complete the Tasks and officially become a Master?
Seriously the characters in this one are a pure delight. From the Cook who hates the letter 'Q' to the bats in the tower to the hypochondriac pet goldfish, I loved them all. And I also loved Molly. This story is a lovely one with a found family, a particular idea of what it means to be wicked, and a plot that keeps ye guessing through the very end. I was grinning like a maniac by the end and avidly wishing for more tales about Molly and Castle Hangnail's crew. This a story for all ages that certainly softened me crusty salty heart. I encourage everyone to read this book no matter yer age or the time of the year. Arrrr!
Ahoy there me mateys! Yesterday I gushed about castle hangnail and then immediately after finishing it, me hold for this book came in. Glee! Another book by an author I am adoring. The author's T. Kingfisher work is said to be for adults but much like minor mage, this would definitely work for the younger set.
I think the reason this book is said to be for adults is because of it's quirky nature and themes about grown-ups not doing their jobs and how being a hero isn't something anyone should wish for. The main character, Mona, is a rather normal girl with a seemingly small magic talent of working with bread. She just wants her regular life and is thrust into a situation she doesn't want. Mona can be naïve and silly. She can also be intelligent, loving, sensible, and tenacious. I rather adored her.
The side characters are not as fleshed out but are wonderful all the same. Who doesn't love Bob the unusual sourdough starter? Or ginger bread familiars? There is darkness to the tale but nothing I believe is too hard to handle. There is also humor to balance out the sadness in the tale. The only small hiccup for me is how the battle went but it was a minor issue. I really enjoyed this one and will continue to seek out this author's work no matter which name it is published under. Arrr!
I think the reason this book is said to be for adults is because of it's quirky nature and themes about grown-ups not doing their jobs and how being a hero isn't something anyone should wish for. The main character, Mona, is a rather normal girl with a seemingly small magic talent of working with bread. She just wants her regular life and is thrust into a situation she doesn't want. Mona can be naïve and silly. She can also be intelligent, loving, sensible, and tenacious. I rather adored her.
The side characters are not as fleshed out but are wonderful all the same. Who doesn't love Bob the unusual sourdough starter? Or ginger bread familiars? There is darkness to the tale but nothing I believe is too hard to handle. There is also humor to balance out the sadness in the tale. The only small hiccup for me is how the battle went but it was a minor issue. I really enjoyed this one and will continue to seek out this author's work no matter which name it is published under. Arrr!
Ahoy there me mateys! I found out about this author when I read her book keeping the castle: a tale of romance, riches, and real estate. It was a silly and wonderful take on pride and prejudice and had a beautiful cover. I wanted the second book in the series and was checking at a local library to get it. They didn't have that but they did have this tale which is a spoof mixing many fairy tales.
The story follows Alexandria who used to be an ordinary goose girl when she fed a crone a piece of bread and was granted gifts. The problem is that these "gifts" including beauty, her tears turning into diamonds, and gold dust falling from her hair whenever she combs it, have led to her being locked in a tower and being fought over by the rulers of two kingdoms. Alexandria longs to be regular goose girl again and is determined to escape from her tower and be in control of her own destiny.
I thought this was a quick, silly, light, and fun read. Some of the fairy tales I recognized were the goose girl, Rapunzel, Cinderella, wild swans, and diamonds and toads. This is both an ode to fairy tales and a commentary on them at the same time. It's nothing ground-breaking but it was a very enjoyable tale that I be glad I read. Arrr!
The story follows Alexandria who used to be an ordinary goose girl when she fed a crone a piece of bread and was granted gifts. The problem is that these "gifts" including beauty, her tears turning into diamonds, and gold dust falling from her hair whenever she combs it, have led to her being locked in a tower and being fought over by the rulers of two kingdoms. Alexandria longs to be regular goose girl again and is determined to escape from her tower and be in control of her own destiny.
I thought this was a quick, silly, light, and fun read. Some of the fairy tales I recognized were the goose girl, Rapunzel, Cinderella, wild swans, and diamonds and toads. This is both an ode to fairy tales and a commentary on them at the same time. It's nothing ground-breaking but it was a very enjoyable tale that I be glad I read. Arrr!