Isle of Stars

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Cat and Ann are about to be married. At least, they were engaged but the author never wrote the wedding, which has Kaylie Keaton, a Dreamtreader, upset. While wishing she could read more of their adventure, Kaylie suddenly finds herself aboard the Robert Bruce, with no idea how she got there or how to get home. The good news is, the wedding is not far away. The bad news, they are currently chasing a mad pirate who is in search of the Isle of Stars, an island filled with glowing gems said to be the last corner of Eden untouched by man. Not only is Kaylie now involved in a story she loves, but it might just cost her life as the danger mounts.

Author - Wayne Thomas Batson

Publisher - Spear Head Books

Age Group - 13 and up
 
Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Fights and skirmishes ensure between the pirates but no gory details. A man it tortured but the there are only screams. Kaylie is willing to risk her life to help her friends and save others. Forgiveness and willing to change is also a theme.

Personal Opinion - We returned to the Robert Bruce. Yay! This was short read but fun to see another enlightening adventure with these pirates on the high season. One interesting part was that is wasn't completely just a Isle Chronicles story but also a Dreamtreaders (another novel series by Batson) story too. In fact, the story was short enough and had both these characters in them that the book could be considered a 0.5 story in both books' series. Most of the story was from the view point of Kaylie, a  Dreamtreader, who somehow ended up with the crew on board their ship. It made for an interesting reading experience and the reader got to see characters from both series and a few quick walk-ons from other books (I didn't identify them all but I enjoy when authors write those cameos). While this was fun, I could see a couple negatives (experienced one of them) form this. One, I didn't get to see as much of Ann and Cat or their perspectives and thoughts as much as I wanted to (but the book ended making me think that there might possibly be another full length story someday so here's hoping [I know, the author finally writes another pirate story and, after finishing it, I'm asking for another. I guess I can't be satisfied]). Second, if the reader hadn't read the Dreamtreaders series before this, they might not appreciate it as much (maybe even lost). Still, it was a fun little adventure with an interesting and deep lesson inside it. Anyone who has read the The Isle Chronicles will want to read this and anyone who has read the Isle Chronicles and Dreamtreaders will really enjoy it.

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Other Reviews for this Author

The Berinfell Prophesies - Review
The Dark Sea Annals: Sword in the Stars and The Errant King - Review
Dreamtreaders: Search for the Shadow Key and War for the Waking World - Review
The Isle Chronicles: Isle of Swords - Review

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Quest for Truth: Unleash

"Claws Raised. Mouth Open.
It Was Coming for Her!"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - The adventure continues as Oliver, Tiffany, Mason, and Austin unravel the mystery surrounding their parents kidnapping and Ursprung. As they journey from planet to planet, more clues are found, more enemies are made and secrets are revealed. While struggling with all this, They also learn of an ancient truth of one who sacrificed himself to save the world and of those who still hold that truth. As thing get more dangerous and the come closer to their destination, their lives are in even more at risk then before. Can they stay out of the hands of the Ubel and Corsairs, save their parents, and discover the secret to eternal life?

Author - Brock Eastman

Publisher - P & R Publishing

Age Group - 14 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Lots of shoot outs as they fight to stay free and various enemies try to capture them. The kids lie at one point so those who took over their ship would not know what they had discovered about the mystery. The Wikks never leave each other behind and defend one another even when it could get them captured or in danger. Once they even put themselves on the line to save one of their enemies from death.

Personal Opinion - This was a nice edition to the story. The characters have grown, more determined and more capable of facing danger and always looking out for their friends, even when it might derail them from their journey. The is also a lot of action. That being said, this particular book felt like they were just running around from one spot to the next without much headway in the finding of Ursprung. *SPOILER* It was also not very believable when they shut the door in the face of a bad guy who had taken over their ship, held it shut until all the clues they had gathered were hidden and talking with each other on what to do with them, and then open the door and it was almost nonchalant as the bad guy walked in, found some fake clues they had hid and everything was find. This guy was supposed to be smart and devious and it barley phased him and he did very little to the kids who were obviously hiding something from him *END SPOILER*. So, there were believability issues and a lot of planet jumping. One thing that also just gets to me, and maybe this is just me, but, in stories where people convert who have never heard of Jesus in any way, convert on the spot with only a paragraph of explanation given to them, they just believe and it makes a difference to them, and the story they are given of his love and sacrifice is so general it isn't even specific on what happened. Those are not believable and even people who have believed in God for years find it difficult, challenging, and even face doubt. While this story gave me plenty to irritate me, I enjoy the adventure and think the idea of them finding the truth about eternal life intriguing also because I can see the hints dropped that the characters don't because I know the Bible and they don't. I look forward to reading the last two books and seeing how this wraps up.  

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ChristianBook, Publisher, Author,

Other Reviews for this Author - Quest for the Truth: Taken - Review
                                                    Quest for the Truth: Risk - Review
                                                    Sages of Darkness: Howlsage - Review

To read or comment on this and other reviews, stop by Bookworm

 

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Harry Potter Books 2-4

(I told Squirmy that Time Turner isn't real

but he is hoping it will give more time to read)



Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Harry Potter is continuing his schooling at Hogwarts and learning more about his past and facing more dangerous. In Chamber of Secrets, the school is being terrorized by a monster that is petrifying students and it is only a matter of time until someone is killed. In Prisoner of Azkaban, a notorious inmate escapes and is linked to Harry's past and it is taking everything Harry can do to survive the Dementors, guards of the prison looking for the escapee, around the school and control his anger when he learns the truth about this man. In Goblet of Fire, the Triwizard Tournament is underway and visitors from other wizarding schools come together to compete in these dangerous and deadly games, and someone has added Harry as a contestant! Fun magic, action and adventure, and friendship fill the pages of books 2-4 as things become progressively darker and more serious for Harry and his future.

Author - J. K. Rowling

Publisher - Scholastic

Age Group - 14 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Disobedience and rebellion is something of a staple of the series as well as fighting (and, most recently, hexing) with the bullies. In book 3, when Harry hears of someone who was involved in killing his parents, he want to kill them but comes to willingly giving them to the Dementors instead. In book 4, Hermione begins to black mail a reporter, handling the illegal actions of the woman herself instead of seeking assistance from an adult. The return of Voldemort is creepy. While they are disobedient and try to handle things themselves, they usually come to turning to a teacher they can trust and learn important lessons in the end. Lessons of friendship, justice instead of revenge, and standing up for what is right even when you might get hurt.

Personal Opinion - Harry, Ron, and Hermione are in more adventures and danger as usual. While the characters do make bad choices that never seem to get addressed in the series of them being right or wrong, there is a lot of good in them. Yet, there is definitely actions I would not condone or support. The characters are constantly coming face to face with evil and doing the right thing. Harry especially keeps putting his life on the line to save others. I think the series also shows well how kids think and feel. The characters are realistic and trying to solve puzzles, especially when they can't get teachers to tell them everything, is normal. Also, the main thing of this series is right vs. wrong and good vs. evil. I think the characters keep learning the deeper into the series the books go. Of course, right now the books are still fairly light hearted, making me laugh out loud and chuckle and a lot of charming magic. Yet, I've also moved on to the later books and they get darker, more serious. I think there is meaning in that. While I can see caution with these books and discussions on some of the actions the characters take that are never addressed, it is a good series that I think can teach a lot about good, friendship, and standing up for what is right.

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Awards - New York Times Bestseller
 
Other Reviews for this Author - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Review
                                                    Very Good Lives - Review

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Dreamtreaders: War for the Waking World

"Would you be willing

to fight

for your dreams?"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - The Rift between the Waking and Dream World is open. Dreams are coming real and devastation is sweeping the world. It is up to the Dreamtreaders to stop it. But, when the devastation seems to disappear and everyone is in some hallucinative state where they can't see what is true and Archer is up on charges for misusing his Dreamtreader gifts, repairing the damage might be harder than they thought. Yet, help is found, in some of the most unlikely sources.  

Author - Wayne Thomas Batson

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 14 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* The characters, more than just Archer, have to look back on the wrongs they have done, whether or not it was completely their fault, and take responsibility for those actions. Creativity abounds, even to the down right silly. Darkness and destruction is filling the world yet people don't see the danger and terror around them, blissfully ignorant of what their actions are doing to the real world.

Personal Opinion - A really great ending to the series. I even didn't mind 3-5 pages of resolution after the major battle (I usually like a few more pages of rap up after the major event at the end). I think the best part was the change of the characters. Archer didn't just get away with the wrong he did in the previous books but took responsibility for them and even Kara and Rigby ended up being complicated characters by struggling with greedy wants and hurts and yet not completely evil. Makes if more realistic and challenging in this way. Something I personally found while reading it was an allegory to life. The people only say the good they wanted to see, were unwilling to see that they was trouble and danger, it being covered up by a Veil. I think our would, and even ourselves, can be like that. We try to ignore the unseen costs of our actions and want to believe in what see only. The only trouble I had with this book was at the beginning. For some reason, I had trouble connecting the last thing from the previous book to the beginning of this one. I'm not really sure how to explain it. There wasn't anything wrong with it, I just seemed to be going "What's going on here?" It took a little while for it to come back together again. Anyway, a good ending to a thought provoking series (one of which I still need to read book 1. Read this series in order. That would be helpful).

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ChristianBook, Publisher,

Other Reviews for this Author - The Pirate Series: Isle of Swords
                                                    The Berinfell Prophesies: Books 1 and 2
                                                    The Dark Sea Annals: Sword in the Stars
                                                    The Dark Sea Annals: The Errant King
                                                    Dreamtreaders: Search for the Shadow Key

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through BookLook.

To read or comment on this and other reviews, stop by Bookworm

 

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Finding Unauthorized Faith in Harry Potter

"Devotions from the
Wizarding World"

Bookworm's Ranking - 3.5 Worms

About - There has been much controversy concerning Harry Potter and the Christian faith. Now, Nicole L. Rivera, explores how the series can speak and support Christian truths. Focusing on each book, excerpts and verses are combined to explore Harry and his friends more deeply to understand how these adventures reveal Christianity and faith, one chapter at a time.

Author - Nicole L. Rivera

Publisher - Hickey's Books

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - When I first heard of this book, I was interested. I have read devotionals in the past the centered on a popular book but Harry Potter was unique because of the controversy concerning the series. Also, upon seeing the movies and currently reading the series, I can see where more can be taken from the books than just a great story but something deeper. And the author worked really had on it. Unfortunately, I did not find it that engaging. Sometimes the message was really quick or quoted the Bible verse associated with it more than discussing it and connecting it. Early on, some of the chapter seemed like a stretch to connect Christian scripture and the series (but, I do think the early books set up for the deeper stuff so that shouldn't be unexpected). I think this book could've had more editing as well. While I liked the book being broken up into the Harry Potter books and covering the messages in each one, the chapters could have been much more impactful and insightful if condensed together. While covering one of the books, I believe two chapters covered love that were the same kind of love. This made it almost over kill and would have made the message better had those two chapters been combined. Several times, I also became confused on what the author was trying to say. As an example, the message it seemed like she was saying that was should separate ourselves from people who don't believe what we do, yet I couldn't help but think that Jesus said to go and make disciples of all people, which means we would have to be around others who disagree with us. Lastly, but this is personal taste, I wasn't fond of the version of Bible she was using. The language was too modern and I felt lost some of the message. In the end, I could see someone who really likes Harry Potter and is a Christian interested in this book but not someone who has issues with the series.

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the author.

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The Golden Braid

"The One Who Needs Rescuing
Isn't Always the One in the Tower."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3.5 Worms

Storyline - When a man asks her to marry him, Rapunzel's mother moves them out of their village and to Hagenheim. Yet, they are attacked on the road and rescued by a brave knight. As Rapunzel and Sir Gerek get to know one another and the truth about her past begins to be revealed, she starts to question everything her mother ever told her and sees a side of her she never expected. But, finding a life she wishes to live might be harder than she thought, especially when her mother is determined to keep her.

Author - Melanie Dickerson

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 16 and up
 
Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Lecherous men throughout the novel. Several fight scenes and some deaths. A crazy, controlling woman obsessed with keeping Rapunzel away from men so she doesn't make the same mistake. Rapunzel learns to trust others and is determined to do the right thing. Uses wit and determination to get herself out of trouble. Gerek uses honor and integrity to help others even at his own risk.

Personal Opinion - While this novel was well written, Rapunzel's realization that not all men are evil and just want to use her, and trying to find life and true love, I had a hard time liking this book. For the second part that I said I like, that not all men are evil and just want to use her, there were a lot of men, almost all besides the main characters, that looked at her or threatened her with attacking her. For trying to make a point about people being good, most did not have good intentions to her except the main guy. It seemed counterproductive. Also, Sir Gerek's annoyance and then its disappearance towards Rapunzel seemed to come out of no where which made it seem unnatural. There were parts of the story that also seemed not to flow well such as the castle being taken over or the mother suddenly waning the man who hurt her back. That whole part seemed out of place until I reached the end and saw it all come together. The mystery of Rapunzel's past is well done and interesting and good how it was brought up and done. *SPOILER* What I liked the most was that he fell in love and gave up wanting to be rich in order to be with the woman he loved. Also his making up with his brother was really nice *END SPOILER*. Those who really like Melanie Dickerson will like The Golden Braid, but there was too much in it that got on my nerves to completely enjoy despite the fact it was well written and a good story. 

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ChristianBook, Publisher,

Other Reviews for this Author - The Healers Apprentice - Review
                                                    The Merchant's Daughter - Review
                                                    The Fairest Beauty - Review

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through BookLook.

 

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How to Train Your Dragon: How to Fight a Dragon's Fury - Book 12

 

 (Hiccup and Toothless from the movies decided to fill in for Squirmy)

Bookworm's Ranking - 4.5 Worms

Storyline - The end is near. Doomsday of Yule is approaching and Hiccup is in trouble and Alvin is about to be crowned king. And the dragon Fury is preparing his army for battle. As the Vikings prepare for a king and war, Hiccup will have to not only get to Hero's End without getting killed, prove he is the king without any of the Lost Things, and be crowned king without getting killed by Alvin and his mother, but also figure out how to overcome Fury without destroying the dragons once and for all. And if that wasn't enough, there are a few more surprises waiting in this conclusion to the How to Train Your Dragon series.

Author - Cressida Cowell

Publisher - Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
 
Age Group - 13 and up
 
Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Several death and battle scenes, not really graphic but the deaths are sad. Hiccup is faithful and true to his quest and responsibilities. He tries to defend and help those he can and forgives those who ask for it.

Personal Opinion - Wow, what a great ending. It almost makes me want to go out and look for dragons. I don't think I will ever be the same after reading this series, and isn't that what great books do? They change you? Take you on a journey, or go on your journey with you in life, and change how you see and think of the world? That is what the end of How to Train Your Dragon is for me. Considering anew, just what I love about books, how I see my world and want to react to it. The end is sad yet hopeful, wanting to make the reader cry yet smile at times. Sometimes at the same time. It also leaves the reader with hope. While dragons aren't real, there is a message at the very end, one I wont share for spoilers, that makes you consider things differently and what you are doing and seeing in this world. If I have one issue with the story, it is the repetition of the same message or very close sentences several times throughout the book which make it longer than it needed to be and was a bit overkill. Yet, I almost hope to read the story again, keep it with me over the years, and hope it has changed me for the better.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher,

Other Reviews for this Author - How to Train Your Dragon - Books 1-7
                                                    How to Train Your Dragon - Book 8
                                                    How to Train Your Dragon - Books 9-11

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Golden

"'One Upon a Time'

is Timeless"
 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Rapunzel has lived her whole life peacefully with a witch who has loved her like a daughter, despite her ever bald head, the one thing she wish was different. But, when things get difficult in town, it is the witch they blame and they have to run with the help of the Tinker and his assistant, their only friends. That is when Rapunzel learns the truth of what the witch wishes of her, to help her free her real daughter who is imprisoned in a tower. As time begins to run out, Rapunzel will have to dig deep to find the truth of love and beauty before the witch's daughter with the long golden hair is trapped forever.

Author - Cameron Dokey

Publisher - Simon Pulse; an imprint of Simon and Schuster

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Some magic spells and curses. Needing to over come jealousy and own self concerns. Accepting who oneself is and helping others.

Personal Opinion - This is a unique way of retelling the fairy tale of Rapunzel. I think it did a good job of examining love, what it truly is outside of the whimsical way we think of it, and even beauty. It really did a fine job of challenging those ideas into something real. I would recommend it for that reason. Yet, I found the beginning long to finally get to the tower and then not enough time spent there to truly develop clearly and perfectly the ideas that were being brought out. I also didn't like the lie the two girls made and never cleared up. That is an issue. But, this was a fun retelling and has a great amount of potential and beginning talking points on love and beauty

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher,

Other Reviews for this Author - The Story Teller's Daughter - Review
                                                    Wild Orchid - Review

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Comics - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle - Volume 1 & 2, Issues 39-47

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - The turtles are living in New York and falling into one dangerous event after another. Mysteries from feudal Japan and scientific troubles fill their days, putting them and their friends Casey, April, Angel, and more in situations where they have to fight back. While each character deals with their own personal issues, they come together as a time to protect their home and each other.

Creators - Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz

Publisher - IDW Publishing

Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Bloody fights and some swearing. Reincarnation. Abusive father situation early in the series and conflict because of it continues to cause tension. World domination later in the comics. Staying true to family and what you believe in. Following a code and protecting friends.

Personal Opinion - The turtles are fighting crime against old and new enemies while making friends and discovering their past. A lot of things have changed in the story with this new publication yet nodes to and brings in elements of the original tales and parts to the TV shows and movies. It all blends together seamlessly and continues being a tale of family, right and wrong, and fighting for what you believe in. Each month, a continuation of their adventure is released so readers only have to go a short time before a new story is published (by the time this post will publish, I will have read at least one new comic in the series). The art work is great too. There is some content that I could do without, swearing for one, it is still a great story and not as bad as it could be. It is pretty violent and bloody so not for young readers. If you are a turtles fan, start picking this comic up at your local comic shop and enjoy a new phase of the story. (If you are picking up in the middle of this series, there are books with the past comics available for purchase that have about four comics to a book. I am using these to catch up so I have questions that I hope will be answered from where it began to where it is now. Example: the art has changed a little.)

Also, check out the Casey and April comics which is a brief side story for only a few months.

Video -

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A Wish Made of Glass

Releasing August 14, 2015

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Izzy's world is turned upside down, her once joyous life with her mother and evenings dancing with the mythical fey folk in the woods, is destroyed when her mother dies. Yet, her father brings back some of that happiness until he marries someone else. Determined not to share with her father with anyone else, Izzy deplores her stepmother and sister, even when a budding friendship with the woman's daughter. As tragedy continues to strike, she can find very little to be happy about and is alone. Can Izzy truly open her heart and trust someone else, especially the secret of her friendship with the fey, with someone else or will this be destroyed as well?

Author - Ashlee Willis

Publisher - Dewdrop Books

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Jealousy and vengeance is often on the mind of Izzy. Overcoming past hurt and regret is a battle within each person. Love for each other and finding happiness in other's joy is found.

Personal Opinion - After being a host for the cover reveal of this novella, I really looked forward to the release. Now, having read it, it is a magical retelling of Cinderella with a twist, SPOILER it is not from the view point of Cinderella but the stepsister END SPOILER. While dark and heartbreaking at times, this version explores the motivations behind the main characters, making the ones usually disliked sympathetic and human, not just evil and vindictive. The one thing I did not like about it was how much it was told to the reader. While it was in a first person point of view and revealed a lot of how this character felt and saw the situation, a lot of it was kinda straightforward. But, it had a beautiful message and an unusual, and interesting, take on a well known story which suggests a rethinking of how the reader understands the events and idea of unfairness while keeping to the original themes.

Buy - Amazon

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the author.

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How to Train Your Dragon Series: Books 9-11

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - The dragon Furious has returned leading the Dragon Rebellion with one goal in mind, destroy the humans, especially Hiccup. As the dragons attack, the Vikings strike back, knowing only one can survive. Mean while, Hiccup has to survive and accept that he is to be the next king of the Wilder West. Yet everything is falling apart. He is losing everything, his tribe, his friends, and his family. Alone, he needs to find a way to stop the dragon rebellion before one side or the other is defeated forever. It is up to Hiccup to save the dragon and Vikings, and stop the wrong man claiming the throne. The dragon rebellion has begun.

Author - Cressida Cowell

Publisher - Little, Brown and Company

Age Group - 13 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Honor and loyalty is tested and choices are made on how to treat one another. Friends are determined as well as how far they are willing to go for each other. How faithful one will be is tested. Death even comes to one.

Personal Opinion - If the summary is a bit dark for this usually tongue-in-cheek series, that's because that is the turn the books have taken. Hiccup struggles with his calling and protecting those he loves as well as achieving his goals. He is devastated by the idea of losing dragons forever and is determined to save both them and the Vikings but as Alvin and his mother work on making Alvin king, they are determined to destroy the beasts. Right and wrong will be determined and loyalty as well as friendship will be discovered. Sacrifices are made, lives lost, and stakes are falling. There is only one book left in the series and I can only see a bitter sweet or a depressing (filled with tears and sadness) ending based off what has been hinted at Old Hiccup's writings. Yet, I'm looking forward to its release this fall. But, also sad at it ending. Here is to a great, crazy, funny, charming, and fantastic series of dragons, adventures, and growing up while becoming a hero.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher,

Other Reviews for this Author - How to Train Your Dragon: Books 1-7 - Review
                                                   How to Train Your Dragon: How to Break a Dragon's Heart - Review

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I'm Happy for You (Sort of... Not Really)

"Finding Contentment
In a Culture of Comparison"

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms
 

About - We all compare ourselves to others, and usually not positively. In the end, we become jealous, depressed, and upset when someone else's life is going better than ours and worry about how others are judging us. This leads to an unfulfilling life and rotten relationships. In her book, Kay Wills Wyma relates her own experiences from comparison, finding contentment with where she is, and trusting God to leader her. While it is easy to fall back into comparison and we all still struggle with what we do and don't have, we are reminded that God has a special plan for us, that we are not better or worse than others, and to be happy for others when good things happen (even though it can be hard).

Author - Kay Wills Wyma

Publisher - WaterBrook Press

Age Group - 16 and up

Personal Opinion - This book is insightful to the constant comparison we do in various parts of our lives. While the author tended to focus on comparing herself and what kind of mother she is when examining how other mothers seem to be, I still understood with much of this book. I particularly enjoyed the ending chapters because they seemed to bring everything together and was a bit of "what to do about this" where a lot of the beginning chapters brought more of an awareness of how and where we tend to compare and how it affects us. I loved the idea of contentment (something I read about and its importance in a different book) and that it was discussed in this book beyond just not comparing ourselves with others. With the personal stories of the author and quotes by others concerning comparison and being yourself, this book really shines a light on the issues and troubles of measuring ourselves against others and how we need to appreciate and be genuinely happy for others while pursuing our own goals and not to look down on ourselves just because someone else is in a different place in their lives. Because things are not always what they seem.

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Blogging for Books.

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The Case of the Sin City Sister

"She's Not Your Average Nun.

And Now Sister Eve Divine's Risking it all,

Searching for a Missing Person in Las Vegas."

(Squirmy tired to disappear, like the sister in the book,

for the photo but I didn't have time for his antic so just took the picture.)

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3.5 Worms

 

Storyline - Sister Eve takes a sabbatical to figure out where she truly wants to be. After her last visit home and helping her father with a case, she is not sure where she is belongs or being tempted to leave the convent. While trying to make her decision, another case comes in; to find someone's great-grandfather who disappeared in the 1890s after coming out for mining opportunities. But another case is calling to Eve, her missing sister. When she can't contact her, she can't help but feel something is wrong and goes out to Vegas to find her. But as she digs deeper into her sister's life, Eve is beginning to wonder what her sister has gotten into. As people begin to get hurt and a strange man appears multiple times where Eve goes, she wonders if she will find her sister alive.

Author - Lynne Hinton

Publisher - Thomas Nelson
 
Age Group - 15 and up
 
Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Eve turns to God when things become difficult and to help her make decisions while doing everything she can to help others, even people she hardly knows. Even as things become dangerous, Eve and her friends wont turn back from finding the truth. Several Vegas women hint the Eve might be a woman on the job on the street. A couple lies. Eve wants to encourage a romance between two people yet one is already married. Law breaking. Eve suggest that her sister called out to her father so strongly with her mind that her dad heard it. 

Personal Opinion - While I liked the characters and I read this book in a week and sat, absorbing about 50 pages per time, I have a lot of issues with this story. Something I did like was the beginning and end of the book, giving the reader a look into the past with the case the father worked on while Eve was away. It was fun to really see what happened to that character. This could have been a fun story on its own but is barley touched, just opens and ends the book which is really about finding Eve's sister.  Also, Eve's naivety was not believable because of how she grew up. It seemed like a connection was trying to be made that because she was a nun she didn't know the ways of the world when that wouldn't have been true when he father was a cop and preferred to watch baseball instead of going to mass so she would have know more about society. It was also unbelievable that it took the characters so long to see come clues or come to determinations when they are supposed to be "so good at this." The author would also hold back information until she wanted to reveal it but it didn't make sense not to note it earlier. Example: we meet a woman who is being beaten up by her boyfriend yet the bruises Eve saw are not mentioned when the woman is initially described, yet it is supposed to be obvious even beneath her makeup, but mentioned in the next chapter when two of the main character decide to talk about it. There were a handful of times it seemed strange that Eve was okay with something, or didn't even notice, yet was a Benedictine nun, such as when she missed Sunday morning mass and it was never even mentioned, like she didn't even notice or care when that would not be part of a nun's life style or belief. What perhaps got to me the most though was the clarification. A character would make a comment and the author would clarify it in the sentence after like the comment couldn't be taken by itself or it might not be clear. Yet it was so I felt I was reading the same thing twice. Yet, for everything I disliked about the book, I read it fast and it was a fine read. Maybe a little read best read at the beach. Unfortunately, the problems this book had made what could have been a good book into an okay book. I might read another one of her later releases, but this book needed some small detailed editing to make it shine.

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through BookLook.

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I Could Chew on This

"And Other Poems by Dogs"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

 

About - Dogs release their voices in this collection of poems that describe their joy, sorrow, and fears as they see them. Humor fills the pages as the dogs recount being left alone, running free, and playing games. See the world through your dogs eyes and appreciate them new.

Author - Francesco Marciuliano

Publisher - Chronicle Books

Personal Opinion - This collection of poems from a dog's point of view on various topics is charming and, at times, laugh out loud funny. They really get at the heart of the dog's brain and thought processes. Some of the funniness also comes from the dog not fully comprehending what is going on in the poem while the reader does. Even those who are not fond of poems could find these enjoyable. The only thing I did not like about these poems were to ones concerning sex. People who love dogs will be able to identify and enjoy these poems.  

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The Looking Glass Wars - Book 1

(Picture from Goodreads)

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms
 

Storyline - Alyss is the princess of Wonderland until her family is destroyed by her own aunt, Redd, and she escapes into our world. Yet, no one believes her story. Then Alyss meets the one man who seemed to consider it true and then retells her tale incorrect, not even getting her name right. It seems the only way to survive is to forget. But Wonderland is deteriorating under Redd's control and the rebellious force is struggling to survive. When Alyss is finally found, will she have the strength to take back her throne after years of suppressing the memories?

Author - Frank Beddor

Publisher - Scholastic

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Lots of killing and blood spurting. Some characters search for revenge for what Redd has done. Alyss is determined to remember her true home but has trouble believing when everyone doubts her in our world. The characters are determined to save Wonderland and bring back White Imagination; staying faithful to their cause when things get tough.

Personal Opinion - While this book has an interesting take on the Alice in Wonderland story, I'm afraid I found it long and slow. Alyss's story is fun and the changes were creative from the story we know and the story that is presented here. The story is also heartfelt and makes one think what is right and wrong as it presents the White and Black Imagination that becomes a center of the struggle. Yet, I found the author spent a bit of time and description that wasn't needed and then on instances where I would have liked to see the events happen they were summarized. This made it long. The reader too was irritating sometimes so I can't tell if my dislike for the story was because it was read to me or the story itself. Anyone who really likes the original tale might enjoy this book the most.

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Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection: Beauty and the Beast

"A Prince by Day &
A Wolf by Night"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

 

Storyline - Prince Alexander has been cursed by a witch to become a beastly wolf at night because of his arrogant behavior. With only one year to find someone who loves him as a wolf, he finds himself drawn to the one girl who has always detested him, Cecelia. But when he begins to see her with new eyes as a wolf, love begins to grew in both of their hearts. Cecelia has been disappointed and embarrassed too much in life yet finally feels loved by a strange wolf. If only Prince Alexander, who is suddenly being kind to her, would leave her alone. Will Cecelia choose the wolf or the prince and her choice will affect the prince forever.

Author - Jenni James

Publisher - StoneHouse Ink

Age Group - 14 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* One man asks another if he did anything in appropriate with a maid when he was alone. The Prince got violent and strikes someone he is angry with. Someone becomes jealous and tries to kill the Prince and Cecelia. Cecelia is determined to help and see the good in others but feels foolish because others have betrayed her. Prince Alexander sees the wrong he once did and tries to be a better, more honorable man.

Personal Opinion - A charming, sweet, and enchanting read. From the first time we meet Cecelia, I totally got her spunky personality because I act like that. I just loved the interaction between her and the beast because the dialogue was so fun (it made me laugh at times) and sweet. Prince Alexander is a bit violent when he is angry at times but he learns that this can only get him in trouble. There were a couple of times I didn't buy the events in the story. SPOILER when Cecelia is told the prince made fun of her behind her back after she thought he changed, he visited and she was mad at first then just melted and kissed him END SPOILER. I think it made her a weak female character at times. besides a couple of spelling errors, there was one word that kept being used that didn't make sense which was "gel" where "girl" would have worked just fine. In fact, I had to go on the Oxford English Dictionary to discover it is a form of "girl." A bit confusing mixing modern language with old. Even with these errors scattered throughout, I think this was a great retelling which stuck to the original story and yet had a few unique qualities of its own to make it an enchanting read.

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Disney Frozen: The Cinestory

"Do You want to Build

a Snowman...?"

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Sisters Anna and Elsa have lived under the same roof but separated. Elsa hides away in her room and Anna doesn't understand why she's left her alone. What Anna doesn't know is that Elsa has powers to create snow and ice she can't control. When the king and queen, the girls' parents die, Elsa is to become queen. During the party, Elsa's powers are revealed and she runs away. Anna goes after her but it might be harder to convince her sister to come home than she thinks. With an array of characters assisting Anna, the two girls go on a discovery on what it means to truly love another.

Publisher - Joe Books Inc.; HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

Age Group - 10 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Elsa hides for most of her life and runs away when things go wrong. Anna is determined to help her sister, weather she wants it or not. Others are out to destroy Elsa because she is different and they are afraid of her.

Personal Opinion - This book was fun. I love the movie Frozen so, when I saw this book, I kept thinking about it and wanted to read it. Taking the cartoon and turning into a comic book was a fascinating idea and lets those who are older enjoy a tie-in book as well. Most of the pictures were nicely picked to include in the book and the adaption of most of the songs into speech was done well, keeping the original thoughts and feelings behind them in the new dialogue. It gave it a new insight into the characters and situations. Speaking of new insights, internal thoughts and fears where also conveyed in the comic book, letting readers read what Elsa and Anna might have been thinking at different events in the story.

Unfortunately, when it was night out in the story, some of the frames were too dark to really see much of the picture which made it irritating. There were a couple of changed I would have made personally. One, I would have tried to save space by adding dialogue to the same frame instead of the next one because the frames could take up a fourth of a page. There were also frames with no dialogue between spots when characters were talking which didn't seem necessary to me. Two, The beginning song with the ice harvesters didn't resemble the message at all but was just pointless conversation between the men. It took up too much space and I love that song so it was not a good beginning. Third, I would have liked to have seen some frames take up more space on the page, SPOILER like Elsa's ice palace at one point was contained in two to three frames and I would have liked to have seen it in one that took up half or two-thirds the page END SPOILER. It would have given a more dramatic effect.

Now, this adaption was good and fun, I had a hard time putting it down, I'm just thinking these changes would have made it better. Still, if you like Frozen, you would probably like this comic book of the movie where there are internal insights into the characters and lots of fun visuals from the movie.

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GIVEAWAY!

Because I enjoyed the comic version of Frozen, I'm giving away a paperback copy of Disney Princess Treasury, containing 800 pages of comic book stories of the a bunch of princesses we love (check out the Amazon page to learn more). Just enter using the Rafflecopter below.

P.S. If the winner would prefer the Frozen the Cinestory or the Pixar instead of the Disney Princess, making this alternative is welcome.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Dreamtreaders: Search for the Shadow Key

"Some Doors Should Never be Opened"

 

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms
 

Storyline - Archer is overwhelmed. More breaches are opening in the Dream than he can handle. While waiting for new Dreamtreaders to be chosen, Archer tries to stop those who are miss using the dream. But things are getting even worse. In the library, a door has happened and released creatures that are destroying the Dream faster and Rigby has terrible plans. As things get worse, Archer's family begins to fall apart and it a choice will have to be made; save the Dream or his family.

Author - Wayne Thomas Batson

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 12 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Archer struggles to hold to his convictions and duties to the Dream even though it might mean loosing his family forever. Rigby is more interested in accomplishing his goals than protecting the Dream yet he also claims that he is doing it to save his uncle so it is out of love. A school fight as well as a couple battles take place.

Personal Opinion - With an allegorical struggle between right and wrong and mysteries around every corner, Batson has created another fun, engaging fantasy novel. The messages and duties carried by the Dreamtreaders is something every person is called to and this novel gives it life with Archer's work in the Dream. Rigby's greed mixed with his desire to save someone he loves, gives the character a sympathetic feel even for all the evil and greed he enacts. The story struggles between Archer's family and his job as a Dreamtreader as he works between these two worlds. While the dream sequences were fun, I found them a bit confusing because of a lack of description. The real world didn't have that problem where I could imagine it clearly (not sure if this is because I can picture the real world easier because I live in it and could fill in the blanks or if it was just described more)  but I couldn't seem to form a picture of the Dream. Then again, I haven't read the first book yet (yes, that was stupid of me and no don't follow my example) but I want to. I look forward to book 1 and seeing what happens in book 3, how it all comes together and reveals its message in its story.

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Other Reviews for this Author - The Berinfell Prophesies - Review
                                               The Dark Sea Annals: Sword in the Stars and The Errant King - Review
                                               The Pirate Series: Isle of Swords - Review

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through BookLook.

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