Monthly Archives: August 2017

Nyxia by Scott Reintgen

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Talvi

I did not go into Nyxia with any expectations. Sure, from the description, I could guess it would go either Ender’s Game or Hunger Games in Space. But Ender’s Game was dense and uncompromising; Hunger Games was a riff on … Continue reading →

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Prince in Disguise by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Talvi

Prince in Disguise is a fluffy, light, guilty pleasure kind of read. It felt like a watered down John Hughes movie – 16 Candles but with British royalty instead of high school royalty. You won’t believe any of it but … Continue reading →

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The Knowing by Sharon Cameron

Posted on August 19, 2017 by Talvi

It took awhile for me to get into the Knowing – I had a hard time figuring out where it fit into the timeline and I felt like I had forgotten some key point in the ending to The Forgetting. … Continue reading →

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Addicted to Americana by Charles Phoenix

Posted on August 19, 2017 by Talvi

I couldn’t help feeling that Charles Phoenix’s very personal love of nostalgia definitely comes from having grown up in Southern California, especially the inland areas that saw such a huge growth in the mid century. The area was heavily shaped … Continue reading →

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The Book of Lies by Teri Terry

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Talvi

Book of Lies feels very much like a concept that was turned into a story; there are many well-worn tropes, random faery/fae influences, and a story that tends to fall apart if you look too close. However, it is decently … Continue reading →

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Taproot by Keezy Young

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Talvi

Taproot is a gentle, inviting, and nicely told urban fantasy of a young man in love with gardening and the ghost in love with him. It draws you in immediately and it is a story you want to follow as … Continue reading →

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I Love My Wok by Nicola Graimes

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Talvi

I Love My Wok is a nicely laid out, easy to use cookbook for a wok. The recipes are cleanly presented, there are full size pictures for many of the meals, and a nice introduction with recommendations and tools in … Continue reading →

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Monstress Volume 2 by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Talvi

Where Monstress Volume 1 felt more of a cypher than a full tale, Volume 2 solidifies the story while never giving away too much of the lore. The art work, as always, is breathtaking; more than a pretty face, the … Continue reading →

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Age of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Talvi

Book two in the Legends of the First Empire continues exactly where the previous book left off and moves on with the plot without wasting time reiterating events. Personally I like this approach in book series where the author is … Continue reading →

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Anne of Green Gables by Mariah Marsden, Brenna Thummler

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Talvi

Anne of Green Gables was ripe for a contemporary graphic novel translation: the beloved story of a plucky young orphan growing up in Prince Edward Island in Canada is a beloved classic to many. Those watching the 2017 Netflex show … Continue reading →

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Zero Repeat Forever by G. S. Prendergast

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Talvi

I’ve seen some interesting comparisons for what you find in Zero Repeat Forever – from a “Canadian 5th Wave” to “Alien Warm Bodies.” And certainly, the plot does echo what is found in those stories: an alien invasion, a girl … Continue reading →

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Wicked Like A Wildfire by Lana Popovic

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Talvi

The appeal of Wicked Like a Wildfire will likely depend on your reading preferences – it is a technically solid YA book featuring a strong main protagonist. But it also suffers from the same issues that we find in so … Continue reading →

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Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Talvi

I’m gong to start by saying that this is one of my favorite books this year. I’ve seen quite a few references to the movie Pacific Rim and I can understand why: what Pacific Rim did for Japanese Godzilla movies, … Continue reading →

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Horizon Volume 1 by Brandon Thomas,

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Talvi

What Horizon Volume 1 wanted to be was a high stakes, high octane sci fi actioner. But something was lost in the application – a concept that was never fleshed out enough to be anything more than nebulous and disenfranchising. … Continue reading →

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Water Memory by Mathieu Reynès

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Talvi

Water Memory feels like a title in search of a good story. We have a girl whose age isn’t stated, in a sea town that isn’t identified, with folklore that isn’t culture-oriented, and a lot of clues/mystery that never seem … Continue reading →

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Raise Your Grade by Denise Gossage

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Talvi

Raise Your Grade is a very teen-friendly guide to help kids be more detail oriented in their study habits. The book is easy to follow and the points are well made throughout. The focus is on understanding how to revise … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, homeschooling, non fiction, nonfiction, parenting | Leave a comment

Generations by Flavia Biondi

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Talvi

Some books are just pitch perfect – a harmonious blend of nuanced characters and evocative storytelling coupled with emotive graphics. With Generations, Flavia Biondi has created a thoughtful story full of pathos and heart – a perfect ode that seamlessly … Continue reading →

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Snowfall by Joe Harris and Martin Morazzo

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Talvi

Snowfall feels like an homage to The Watchmen; not because it is an ensemble piece (it isn’t) but because we are given a cast of characters who are all very flawed and very unlikable. And like the Watchmen and its … Continue reading →

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The Little Red Wolf by Amélie Fléchais

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Talvi

This is one of the most enchanting children’s books I’ve come across in quite awhile. The illustrations are breathtaking and the story is a completely original and very unique take on Little Red Riding Hood. With each page, I kept … Continue reading →

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Antisocial by Heidi Cullinen

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Talvi

After about 20% into reading this title, I began to wonder if I was reading a fan fiction or a book that had not gone through professional editing. The language and technique are fine but this greatly suffers from a … Continue reading →

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