Monthly Archives: February 2020

Inverloch Volume 1 by Sarah Ellerton

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Talvi

The art here is clean but greatly let down by an overly-simplistic plot that never really develops into something interesting. The characters are one-dimensional, relationships feel forced, and it’s not like we haven’t seen this generic plot and world setting … Continue reading →

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Oz: Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by Eric Shanower, Skottie Young, L. Frank Baum

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Talvi

I have to appreciate this wonderfully modern interpretation of the 1920s Oz series. With this volume, covering the 4th in the Oz books and considered the weakest in Baum’s iconic series, we have a very energetic but grounded Dorothy along … Continue reading →

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Sorcerer To The Crown by Zen Cho

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Talvi

I had a hard time getting into Sorcerer to the Crown. For me, I just didn’t like any of the characters and felt very frustrated by their decisions. In one way, Cho creates a very British milieu, with all the … Continue reading →

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Sera and the Royal Stars, Volume 1 by Jon Tsuei, Audrey Mok, Raul Angulo, Jim Campbell

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Talvi

Sera and the Royal Stars Volume 1 is a beautifully illustrated tale with a strong middle Eastern/Northern Africa atmosphere. In many ways, this does for ancient Middle Eastern cultures what Avatar did for Asian: provides a magical fantasy world using … Continue reading →

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Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Talvi

This is a nicely atmospheric novel featuring interesting and flawed characters and plenty of twists. The usual southern gothic touches are here: family secrets, mysterious woods, death and haunting, and plenty of mood. Although you would expect this to take … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, contemporary, urban fantasy, YA | Leave a comment

Bento for Beginners by Chika Ravitch

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Talvi

This book lives up to the title: the recipes are easy to create, using very ordinary and easily-obtainable ingredients, but also have good flavor and interest. The cover photo gives an accurate image of what you’re likely to be making … Continue reading →

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Camp Spirit by Axelle Lenoir

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Talvi

I enjoyed this graphic novel a lot – the characters were very quirky, had an authentic voice, and the milieu of the 1990s in Canada was evocatively captured. Yes, it does read very much like a Mary Sue for the … Continue reading →

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The Easy Superfoods Cookbook by Emily Cooper

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Talvi

As the title suggests, the emphasis on this cookbook is ‘easy’ – using the more common rather than rarer/exotic superfoods, in recipes with very few steps and ingredients, and using more common cooking utensils/machines rather than needing to buy a … Continue reading →

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And The Stars Go With You by Robin Brown

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Talvi

This is a book showcasing the fashions of Magnolia Pearl – a clothing/lifestyle store in Texas. In many ways, it is a promotional piece – you would enjoy the photography here as you would a book on any fashion designer … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, non fiction, nonfiction, Photography | Leave a comment

Mageborn The Hollow King by Jessica Thorne

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Talvi

How much you enjoy this will likely be equal to how much romance you want in your YA fantasy. If you want the plot to be completely subjugated to the romance, to the point where everything that is said or … Continue reading →

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