Book Review: The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly by Rebecca K. S Ansari

Originally Written: 3.21.21

I love MG novels like this one. Seriously, I'm so impressed with this book. I figured out twists before they were revealed but the emotional impact they made just made my heart hurt for these characters and what they were dealing with in this book.

There needs to be more books like this and for sure, I will keep reading books by Ansari. I came to this one after reading The In-Between and it was worth it. Both books are awesome and I'll be getting copies for my library as soon as I can afford it.


Rating: 10 Stars


Looking Back: See the trend in the middle grade books I read? The ones I rave about and adore?

Yeah, I don't either. Pure happenstance or something, maybe.

Book Review: The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street by Lindsay Currie

Originally written: 3.21.21

I really liked Scritch Scratch so I went back to read this book, to see how the author and their stories have evolved. Overall it was okay but I felt it was almost uneven in places. Tessa and her focus made me a little frustrated, as did the unfolding of the mystery. However, I am still interested in reading Currie's upcoming release What Lives in the Woods. Actually, I'm fully expecting that one to rock and hope to read it as soon as it's available.
 

Rating: 6.5 Stars

 

Looking Back: I've kept up with Currie's books and own most of them. Here's hoping one of my kids likes scary stories.

Book Review: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

Originally written: 3.14.21

I was this close to thinking it was going to be tragic but the ending is beautiful and moving. I'll be adding this one to my collection as soon as I can find a copy. Stunning overall with a wonderful way of words and a perfect message of acceptance that any person could hope to find.


Rating: 10 Stars

Book Review: The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

 

Originally written: 2.28.21

2.5 rounded down because the book did not hold my interest the way I thought it would and maybe it was just me, but I felt like the book took ages to get to the end.

I'll still try reading her next book.


Looking back on this review, I barely remember this book. I think Loki was a character or something? Sorry, I never did manage to read something else from this author.


Rating: 2.5 Stars

Book Review: Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab

Originally written: 3.8.21
 

I read everything from Schwab. Just starting with that, front and center. My original review was just this:

There's going to be more, right? I mean, there has to be more books, the world needs more stories about the adventures of Cassidy Blake.

I'll just sit here patiently until there's news.


Considering the amount of time since and the number of other releases, I'm guessing that's a no on more books.

Then again, Schwab recently started a second series in connection with Shades of Magic world, so here's to MAYBE.

Rating: 10 Stars

I'm counting down the days to Schwab's Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. Hoping it's brilliant.

Hiatus

After years apparently mistakenly believing every time I wrote a review on Goodreads that it would publish it here, I've FINALLY returned to see that it's been nothing but crickets here for FIVE FRICKIN' YEARS.

Seriously, I've had 2 kids since the last time my reviews were published here. Like what the blimey? Here's hoping I put the effort in to update here and not get lazy and forget about it because I'll be honest, i have a history of doing that 😅  But the effort deserves some credit, at least in my head.

Book Review: Finding Neverland, Volume 18

Originally written: 2.4.21

After so much done to show Norman set on his path, the fact that it turns around with just a simple conversation is just a little too easy for me.

Still, it should be only two volumes left and with where the group is heading next, there is no way I'm abandoning the story now. I'm expecting some big WOW moments and maybe getting a little teary, MAYBE. After spending so long with these characters, I want fuzzy feelings mixed in with big fight scenes to finish this series up.


Rating: 6 Stars