Above was a very odd, creepy bit of YA fantasy. At least I hope it was fantasy because did I mention it was odd and creepy? What are the differences between the beasts, the freaks, the homeless, and the mentally ill – and can they find SAFE/sanctuary/home – together? And can they get it back, or create it again (better? differently?) once SAFE is breached? Fascinating. Very, very fascinating plot, characters, prose.
When we started listening to Red Glove, it took a few chapters for me to remember what happened in White Cat and who all of the characters were. Once I settled into the story, I started wondering whether this was a trilogy or a longer series. It IS a trilogy and this might be the best “second book” ever – I sure liked it more than White Cat and now I’m really excited to read Black Heart. Poor Cassle. And what the heck is going to happen to his mother, because that’s one heck of a job she pulled on the Governor…
I put off reading Team Human for a long time because I am not a Justine Labalastier fan. I don’t hate her I just don’t love her and sometimes she makes me grumbly. But it was on the shelf and I wasn’t finding anything else that I thought I could focus on so… Team Human it was.
And it was fantastic.
I loved it. I loved every character. I loved the relationships between the characters. I was tempted to start right back over at the beginning and read again. I hope there’s a sequel. I want to know more about Kit and Mel. I want to know more about Kit’s mom. And how he came to be on that doorstep. (So I want a sequel and a prequel? Or something?) What happens to Toby and the soccer player? Anna and her mom? Francis and Cathy?
Let’s see them all go to college … well not some of the moms. But you know what I mean.
A few weeks ago, Sassymonkey asked me if I’d read (heard of) the Sally Sin books. I hadn’t but they looked interesting, so I reserved them. TW read the second book and then realized that the other book actually contained two separate books under one cover. Cool – I took book 2 back and picked up Spy Mom a couple of days ago, and could not put it down. Totally fun. I love Sally Sin. I mean Lucy. I hope to goodness that there’s another book coming because I really need another book.
Spy Mom: The Adventures of Sally Sin Read More »
Oops. I read Ten Girls to Watch ages ago and forgot to blog it – crazy since I liked the book so much. What’s not to like except that it reminds me that I don’t have nearly enough time to reach out to awesome women and hear their stories and talk about what they’ve learned about life. I should find time to do that more often.
Ten Girls to Watch Read More »
I was more amused by The Cheshire Cheese Cat than I expected to be. An animal story done well is a wonderful thing – and not as easy to find as you might think, considering the overwhelming number of animal stories published for kids every year. But, it was the appearance/mentions of Wilkie Collins that did it. And, the role Dickens played in the story. Brilliant way to, softly, introduce Victorian authors to middle grade (or younger!) readers. (As a bonus, Skilly reminded me of the Fake Cat and her love of cheese – how could I not love this book?)
The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale Read More »
We’ve been listening for Icefall for months. It started a little slow for me but by the end of the first disk, I was hooked. I loved Solveig and Hake. And Alric. And Munnin. I loved the storytelling, too. And I hope there really will be a sequel. I’d like to find out what happens with Solveig and Hake next.
Tuesdays at the Castle is a book I’ve probably checked out three times and never managed to read – once it was lost for the entire check out time in Elly’s room. I don’t know why I kept putting off reading it, I loved the castle and the children – particularly Celia, obviously.
Two Cybils — Middle Grade SciFi & Fantasy Read More »
I love these books. I really do. But, once again, I wish I had read them all close together – there are bits and pieces of Shadow of the Wind and The Angel’s Game that are muddled and only became more muddled as I read Prisoner of Heaven. I own Shadow of the Wind in print… I’m thinking about buying the second and third for Kindle and then sitting down and re-reading all three, back to back to back.
The Prisoner of Heaven Read More »
My mom sent me the link to How to Hepburn when it’s price was reduced on Kindle. I didn’t buy it but I did immediately reserve it because I am a Katharine Hepburn fan. Possibly because I am kind of like her, lol. Don’t wallow, just get on with it. Marriage – bah. Etc. etc. etc. Err the Spencer Tracy thing… not so much. But, I’m not judging her. We all have our fucked up baggage to deal with. Also, it kind of worked well for her (see that no marriage thing…)
Fun book. I liked it a lot. There’s nothing new in here, nothing surprising if you know anything about Katharine Hepburn – still, I almost wish I’d bought it after all.
Code Name Verity didn’t really feel like YA. In fact, I suspect the average YA reading kid won’t like it. It’s not about teens and while the main characters were young women, they weren’t that young. It’s deep. It’s complex. And as you read, you know this is not going to end well. And it doesn’t. Except that it does because war is hell and sometimes you have to face your fears and do what it is you fear you would never be able to do. I hated that part but it was right. It was what made the story really worth reading.
I really liked both Queenie (aka Julie) and Maddie. I liked them a lot. I liked them all the way til the end and I still like them. Those are women you want on your team – and as friends.