Tag: fantasy

ARC, fantasy, three star book, ya

The Lost Coast ARC Review

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  • Title: The Lost Coast
  • Author: Amy Rose Capetta
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 352
  • Publisher: Candlewick
  • Genre: Fantasy, YA, LGBT
  • Rating: ★★★ .5

The spellbinding tale of six queer witches forging their own paths, shrouded in the mist, magic, and secrets of the ancient California redwoods.

Danny didn’t know what she was looking for when she and her mother spread out a map of the United States and Danny put her finger down on Tempest, California. What she finds are the Grays: a group of friends who throw around terms like queer and witch like they’re ordinary and everyday, though they feel like an earthquake to Danny. But Danny didn’t just find the Grays. They cast a spell that calls her halfway across the country, because she has something they need: she can bring back Imogen, the most powerful of the Grays, missing since the summer night she wandered into the woods alone. But before Danny can find Imogen, she finds a dead boy with a redwood branch through his heart. Something is very wrong amid the trees and fog of the Lost Coast, and whatever it is, it can kill. Lush, eerie, and imaginative, Amy Rose Capetta’s tale overflows with the perils and power of discovery — and what it means to find your home, yourself, and your way forward. 

– Goodreads

** Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

I wanted to love this book. I did. The premise sounded amazing. And part of the book was amazing. It just took too long to get there. 

I thought The Lost Coast was very… wordy? Like just so many words that it was hard to follow. It took me a while to really get into it. 

The last 40% was great. I couldn’t put it down. But getting through the first 60% was hard for me. And I so wish it wouldn’t have been. 

Now. What I loved most was the LGBTQIA+ rep. There were so many different sexualities represented. Also so many nationalities and body types! I think everyone can find a little of themselves in The Greys.

Until next time…

ARC, fantasy, Four Star Book, graphic novel, middle grade

Sea Sirens ARC Review

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  • Title: Sea Sirens
  • Author: Amy Chu and Janet K. Lee (Illustrator)
  • Book Form: Physical
  • Pages: 144
  • Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
  • Genre: MG, Graphic Novel, Fantasy
  • Rating: ★★★★

Dive into this middle-grade graphic novel about a Vietnamese American surfer girl and her talking cat who plunge into a fantasy world of oceanic marvels . . . and mayhem!

Trot, a Vietnamese American surfer girl, and Cap’n Bill, her cranky one-eyed cat, catch too big a wave and wipe out, sucked down into a magical underwater kingdom where an ancient deep-sea battle rages. The beautiful Sea Siren mermaids are under attack from the Serpent King and his slithery minions–and Trot and her feline become dangerously entangled in this war of tails and fins.

This graphic novel was inspired by The Sea Fairies, L. Frank Baum’s “underwater Wizard of Oz.” It weaves Vietnamese mythology, fantastical ocean creatures, and a deep-sea setting.

– Goodreads

Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers and Penguin Random House for a free copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was SO surprised to get this finished copy from Viking today! I saw I had something coming from Penguin Random House so I was like, ‘Oh, it’s Memento.’ Even though I’m so excited for Memento, I was pleasantly surprised! And a finished copy! What?!

I was so excited I dove right in to this California surfer girl’s story. The first thing I noticed on the cover was she was holding a one-eyed cat! You never get the story of why he has one eye, however, there are more books coming!

Trot is a surfer girl who goes to the beach every day after school to surf while her grandpa fishes. Her grandpa has Alzheimer’s, which I think is really good to show in a book for younger kids. I know a lot of kids have to go through having a loved one with this disease – I did. So it’s really nice to have that representation like, hey- you aren’t alone. It’s a pretty common thing these days.

I loved when Trot and Cap’n Bill – the one eyed cat – make it to the Siren Kingdom. The story was so cute and fun. I couldn’t put it down!

I loved the diversity of the characters. I loved the underwater experience. It definitely read as a middle grade novel, but honestly, sometimes we just need something light-hearted and fun. I will definitely be on the lookout for the further adventures of Trot and Cap’n Bill!

Until next time..

fantasy, Historical Fiction, three star book, ya

An Affair of Poisons Review

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  • Title: An Affair of Poisons
  • Author: Addie Thorley
  • Book Form: E-Book
  • Pages: 391
  • Publisher: Page Street Kids
  • Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, YA
  • Rating: ★★★.5


No one looks kindly on the killer of a king. 

After unwittingly helping her mother poison King Louis XIV, seventeen-year-old alchemist Mirabelle Monvoisin is forced to see her mother’s Shadow Society in a horrifying new light: they’re not heroes of the people, as they’ve always claimed to be, but murderers. Herself included. Mira tries to ease her guilt by brewing helpful curatives, but her hunger tonics and headache remedies cannot right past wrongs or save the dissenters her mother vows to purge.

Royal bastard Josse de Bourbon is more kitchen boy than fils de France. But when the Shadow Society assassinates the Sun King and half of the royal court, he must become the prince he was never meant to be in order to save his injured sisters and the petulant dauphin. Forced to hide in the sewers beneath the city, Josse’s hope of reclaiming Paris seems impossible―until his path collides with Mirabelle’s.

She’s a deadly poisoner. He’s a bastard prince. They are sworn enemies, yet they form a tenuous pact to unite the commoners and former nobility against the Shadow Society. But can a rebellion built on mistrust ever hope to succeed?

– Goodreads

I was so, so excited to read this book. The description was amazing. Then, only on page 1, was this quote:

Today I will kill a man.

– Mirabelle

So I’m like, hell yeah! I’m here for this girl who is so nonchalant about killing. But then, I just couldn’t get into it. I stopped and started this book multiple times throughout the month. It wasn’t that it was bad, it was just … slow.

The action was so slow to build. It took over half the book. But once the action hit, man it hit. Once they started making plans, acting them out, and creating potions for the right reasons, I was here for it! It just took a little too long to get to it.

I loved that it was set in Paris around the time of Versailles. I am in love with that time period in Paris. There was a little French here and there, but not near as much as Enchantee. I loved the premise of this book. A girl making potions for a society who gets caught up in things she doesn’t agree with, so she decides to make a change. Yes, please. It sounds amazing. I just think it took a little too long to get there.

Up until the end, I wasn’t invested in the characters. I didn’t care who lived or died. The last like, 25% though really changed my mind. But that’s a lot of book to get through before you start caring.

If you like old Paris, poisons, and political unrest, give this book a try. Maybe it will suck you in from the beginning. I hope it does, because the ending was great.

Until next time…

fantasy, Four Star Book, graphic novel, ya

Lumberjanes Vol 1 Review

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  • Title: Lumberjanes Vol 1: Beware the Kitten Holy
  • Author: Noelle Stevenson
  • Book Form: Ebook/Graphic Novel
  • Pages: 128
  • Publisher: BOOM! Box
  • Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, YA
  • Rating: ★★★★


At Miss Qiunzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s camp for hard-core lady-types, things are not what they seem. Three-eyed foxes. Secret caves. Anagrams. Luckily, Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are five rad, butt-kicking best pals determined to have an awesome summer together… And they’re not gonna let a magical quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! The mystery keeps getting bigger, and it all begins here.

-Goodreads

This graphic novel was adorable. I loved following the girls through their camping experience. Of course, they followed none of the rules. Stayed out late, snuck out, found boys. But not for the purpose you’re thinking. The boys were brainwashed and they had to save their camp!

I went to camp when I was a kid. Once. I did NOT have a great time like these girls did. All I remember is getting stung by a wasp and my bestfriend leaving me by myself because she got to go home because she had an ‘ear infection’. I still don’t believe her and I’m still salty she left me. haha!

If you’re into kick-butt girls who break all the rules in order to have a good time – and save the camp – I definitely recommend this book! It was so funny, and such a fast read. I’m thinking of adding Vol. 2 to my TBR this month! Maybe graphic novels are my thing. Who knows?

Until next time…

fantasy, Four Star Book, graphic novel, Horror, middle grade

The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York Review

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  • Title: The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York
  • Author: Kory Merritt
  • Book Form: Ebook
  • Pages: 128
  • Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
  • Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
  • Rating: ★★★★


Discover the horrible fate of Jonathan York as he sets out on his journey through a spooky forest with an alarming party of travelmates!

Jonathan York has led a boring life — a pointless degree from the community college, a lackluster job at the General Store, and never any desire for something more exciting. But when fate leaves him stranded in a sinister land, he finds himself seeking an adventure of his own. Along the way he encounters ghoulish thieves, ravenous swamp monsters, a dastardly ice cream conspiracy, and a necromancer bent on human sacrifice.

In this beautifully illustrated, four-color novel, Jonathan York’s life takes a decidedly spooky turn!

– goodreads

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not a huge graphic novel reader. Honestly, I read them when I think I won’t finish Book Battle criteria. They’re just not really my thing. But man, am I glad I picked this one up.

The art is amazing. It gives off a very creepy, Nightmare Before Christmas type vibe. That was exciting since that’s been my favorite movie since I was like, three.

The story was just as good as the art! Jonathan York gets lost in a swamp. He and three other people find shelter with an old man and woman, if they tell them a story. Jonathan doesn’t have a story worth telling, so he gets kicked out and ends up in a very story-worthy adventure.

I can see how this reads a middle grade. This is all about finding yourself, overcoming your fears, and not living life on the safe, boring side. I was enthralled with the book from the very first page and couldn’t put it down.

I would recommend this to anyone who has kids struggling with who they are, or even adults! Also, anyone who likes Nightmare Before Christmas-esque art will love this!

Until next time…

fantasy, Four Star Book, ya

Alanna: The First Adventure Review

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  • Title: Alanna: The First Adventure
  • Author: Tamora Pierce
  • Book Form: E-Book
  • Pages: 274
  • Publisher: Simon Pulse
  • Genre: YA, Fantasy
  • Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From now on I’m Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I’ll be a knight.

And so young Alanna of Trebond begins the journey to knighthood. Though a girl, Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys; her twin brother, Thom, yearns to learn the art of magic. So one day they decide to switch places: Thom heads for the convent to learn magic; Alanna, pretending to be a boy, is on her way to the castle of King Roald to begin her training as a page. 

But the road to knighthood is not an easy one. As Alanna masters the skills necessary for battle, she must also learn to control her heart and to discern her enemies from her allies.

Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna’s first adventure begins – one that will lead to the fulfillment of her dreams and the magical destiny that will make her a legend in her land.

– GOODREADS

This month the modmins of Words and Whimsy were tasked with recommending a book to one another. This book was recommended to me by Kahla. Tamora Pierce is her favorite author, and after reading this book, I can see why.

Tamora Pierce is like, one of the OGs of YA and I can really see where he influence lies is modern YA books.

I instantly fell in love with Alanna. She was strong, she was sassy, and she knew what she wanted. She was not going to let anything stop her from being a knight, even her gender.

This book follows the first few years of her training to be a knight. You get to see all her successes and struggles – even her entry to womanhood, which I thought was amazing.

I enjoyed all the side characters and wanted to know more about them. I loved seeing their journey growing up. I can’t wait to read book #2!

Thank you, Kahla, for recommending this to me!

Until next time…

fantasy, Five Star Book, Romance, ya

Daughter of the Pirate King Review

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  • Title: Daughter of the Pirate King
  • Author: Tricia Levenseller
  • Book Form: E-Book
  • Pages: 311
  • Publisher: Feiwel Friends
  • Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance
  • Rating: ★★★★★


There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

– Goodreads

So this is the second Tricia Levenseller book I’ve read. The first was Warrior of the Wild at the end of last month. You can see that review here.

Daughter of the Pirate King was just as good as Warrior of the Wild. Instead of being loosely based of Vikings, this adventure takes us into the life of pirates.

Tricia’s books are so easy to read. They are quick novels, but I feel so immersed in the story. I was so interested in Alosa’s life and backstory. And the interactions between her and Ridan had me DYING.

I loved that Alosa was the captain of her own ship and her first mate and main crew were all females. As my friend Kahla pointed out, Tricia does great at showcasing not only strong female leads, but physically powerful. I really love that. Being a strong female lead is usually about decision making, personality, those kinds of things. But I love that Tricia’s leading ladies can kick some serious ass.

I love all the sneaking around and hijinks Alosa gets herself into. The twist totally caught me by surprise. I was so invested in this story and cannot wait to get my hands on the next one!

Until next time..

fantasy, Four Star Book, Historical Fiction, ya

Enchantée Review

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  • Title: Enchantée
  • Author: Gita Trelease
  • Book Form: Ebook
  • Pages: 496
  • Publisher: Flatiron Books
  • Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, YA
  • Rating: ★★★★.5


Paris is a labryinth of twisted streets filled with beggars and thieves, revolutionaries and magicians. Camille Durbonne is one of them. She wishes she weren’t…
When smallpox kills her parents, Camille must find a way to provide for her younger sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on magic, Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille pursues a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Using dark magic forbidden by her mother, Camille transforms herself into a baroness and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for magic. As she struggles to reconcile her resentment of the rich with the allure of glamour and excess, Camille meets a handsome younge inventor, and begins to believe that love and liberty may both be possible.
But magic has its costs, and soon Camille loses control of her secrets. And when revolution erupts, Camille must choose—love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, reality of magic—before Paris burns.

– goodreads

Oh, Enchantée. I was enchanted to read you. Taylor Swift reference, anyone? No? Well then…

Enchantée placed me in pre-revolution France. I was there with Camille as she fought to get food for herself, her sister, and low-down brother. I was there when she realized she could go to court, or Versalies, and get more money for a better life. I was there through the trials and tribulations and I loved it! This book is SO immersive with all the wonderful descriptions that aren’t too flowerly or overdone. I love fantasy and I love historical fiction set in France, so this book was right up my alley.

There’s French sprinkled throughout the whole book, which I think is my favorite thing. Don’t know French? Have no fear! Gita is amazing at saying a French word or phrase in conversation, then turning it around in English so you don’t miss any part of the story. There’s also a handy-dandy glossary included! I took two years of French in high school and two semesters in college. Do I remember any of it? Non. I remember this – Non, je ne parle pas Francaise. This is the phrase I told my French teacher every time she would ask me a question. Madame Kelly would get SO mad, because you know what it means? No, I don’t speak French. 🙂

I was in love with every one of these characters. They were all so complex and just felt like they all had such rich backstories. I loved the way Camille grew and tried her best to do what was right. I love how Sophie tried to do what was best for her sister as well, even if maybe it wasn’t best for her. And the relationship between Camille and Lazare. Swoon!

There was so much feeling and emotion in the book! I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but sorrow is a big theme. Enchantée isn’t an inherently sad book, though. There is hope. There is love. There’s adventure and danger. Your heart will race at parts and swell at parts and cry at others. Its such a compelling book to read.

My only complaint with this book, and why I didn’t give it 5 stars, was because I felt like it took so long for me to read. The beginning was a little slow. I felt like I was reading and reading and getting nowhere. But man. At 50% did it pick up. And the last 10 chapters? You better not have anything planned because bay-bay, you will not put this book down!

And the best part? There will be a book 2! Gita is currently working on it! We learned that during our author chat with her over at Words & Whimsy today! If you want to learn more about her or the Enchantée world go check it out! Gita is so sweet and genuine. You can’t help but love her!

Please pick up this book and be transported to France. You will be so glad you did! And be on the lookout for her next book in 2020!

Until next time…

fantasy, Five Star Book, ya

The Queen’s Rising Review

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  • Title: The Queen’s Rising
  • Author: Rebecca Ross
  • Book Form: Ebook
  • Publisher: HarperTeen
  • Genre: Fantasy, YA
  • Rating: ★★★★★


When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

– Goodreads

This is the first five star book I have read since last month, and oh man. I could not put it down. I love YA Fantasy, but this book was special. There were twists and turns. So many things I didn’t see coming. I mean, if we’re being real, I normally don’t see things coming. BUT OH MAN.

I did a buddy read of this book over at Words & Whimsy in preparation for our author chat with Rebecca Ross! We loved this book and loved having her to chat with!

My favorite thing about this book was how integrated the passions were. The characters took the passions into account when making any kind of decisions. It was so cool how the kids at the school had a chosen passion and spent years just perfecting it. I would love to live in a society like that, where things like art are valued like they are in this book. Where they are revered as much as knowledge. It was really special to me.

I loved the two countries and how different they were. I could see myself living in both countries, adopting either of the customs. It was such an easy world to fall into and get enveloped in.

I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book. The world was rich. The characters grew and developed and surprised me.

The romance had me iffy though, I will say that. Cartier met Brienna when she was like, 7. Then as she grew older they fell for each other. Like, okay. Seven years may not be that bad. But when you meet her when she’s seven?! Like, hopefully you weren’t thinking about her romantically then, because ew. That’s really my only complaint about this book. When I thought about their ages I felt icky, so I just pretended they were much closer. 🙂

This is book 1 of 2. The Queen’s Resistance came out on March 5, 2019. I cannot wait to get my hands on it! I would most definitely recommend. Please pick this book up. You won’t regret it. Pinky promise.

Until next time…

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Shadow Queen Review

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  • Title: Shadow Queen
  • Author: C. J. Redwine
  • Book Form: Ebook
  • Pages: 416
  • Genre: Fantasy, YA, Retellings (Snow White)
  • Rating: ★★★★


Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.

– Goodreads

This book took me a bit to get through. It wasn’t the writing. It wasn’t the story. It wasn’t anything about the book.

I think it was me.

I was on Team Snow White this month. We won! YAY! But at first, I was not excited. Snow white is my least favorite fairy tale. And I think I just had a mental block of ‘I don’t want to read about this chick. I hate her.’ But really, this book was great! And C.J. Redwine is the sweetest! If you ever see her ask her about her worst wardrobe malfunction. You won’t be disappointed.

Now, for the review.

I loved how badass Snow White, er, Loralei was. She was amazing. She was a warrior through and through who could think on her feet and could always find a way out of sticky situations. She always put the good of her people and her kingdom before the good for herself, and that’s what makes a really great leader.

Kol was nice too. I liked how he and the Eldrans could turn into dragons and had a human heart and a dragon heart. That was a unique twist on the story and really caught my attention.

Irina was awful, as all villains are. But this book makes you think about her. It shows you backstory and things that happened to her. It makes you feel for her. Like CJ said in her chat, she was one decision away from being good or evil. You could really see that in this book and you kind of feel for her.

Overall, I gave this book a 4/5 star rating. I loved the battle at the end. I loved the action scenes, and the relationship that unfolded between Loralei and Kol. Places were slow moving for me, but again, that could have just been my mental block against Snow White.

This is a good, clean read for young readers who are maybe above their aged reading levels. Read it if you love Snow White. Read it if you love fantasy, action, and dragons. I’ll be reading the sequels.