Current Reads & Reviews: Battle of the Books

Hahn, Mary Downing. One for Sorrow: a Ghost Story. Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, 2017. ASIN: B01I4FPLE2

Summary: Against the ominous backdrop of the influenza epidemic of 1918, Annie, a new girl at school, is claimed as best friend by Elsie, a classmate who is a tattletale, a liar, and a thief. Soon Annie makes other friends and finds herself joining them in teasing and tormenting Elsie. Elsie dies from influenza, but then she returns to reclaim Annie's friendship and punish all the girls who bullied her. Young readers who revel in spooky stories will relish this chilling tale of a girl haunted by a vengeful ghost.

Analysis: While I enjoyed the story okay, and the story flowed nicely, I was never scared in the least. I was more annoyed by the ghost’s character than anything. Teaches a good moral regarding bullying though.

Current Reads & Reviews: Battle of the Books

Gläser Mechthild. The Book Jumper. Feiwel & Friends/Square Fish, 2018. ISBN: 1541406893 

Summary: Amy Lennox doesn't know quite what to expect when she and her mother pick up and leave Germany for Scotland, heading to her mother's childhood home of Lennox House on the island of Stormsay. Amy's grandmother, Lady Mairead, insists that Amy must read while she resides at Lennox House-but not in the usual way. It turns out that Amy is a book jumper, able to leap into a story and interact with the world inside. As thrilling as Amy's new power is, it also brings danger: someone is stealing from the books she visits, and that person may be after her life. Teaming up with fellow book jumper, Will, Amy vows to get to the bottom of the thefts-at whatever cost. 

Analysis: What a fun adventure story! Jumping into different book’s plots was delightful and so creative. I loved Amy and Will... Feels like there could be an opening to a sequel. Fingers crossed!

Current Reads & Reviews: Battle of the Books

Shields, Breeana. Poison’s Kiss. Random House USA Inc, 2018. ASIN: B01EE0FACO

Summary: Marinda has kissed dozens of boys. They all die afterward. It's a miserable life, but being a visha kanya, a poison maiden, is what she was created to do. Marinda serves the Raja by dispatching his enemies with only her lips as a weapon.

Until now, the men she was ordered to kiss have been strangers, enemies of the kingdom. Then she receives orders to kiss Deven, a boy she knows too well to be convinced he needs to die. She begins to question who she's really working for. And that is a thread that, once pulled, will unravel more than she can afford to lose.

Analysis: I loved this story! Once it grabbed me, I just couldn’t put it down... Marinda and her relationship with Mani and with Deven tore at my heartstrings. Intense at times, this story is a fun ride. On to the sequel.

Currents Reads & Reviews: Battle of the Books

Landers, Melissa. Starflight. Disney Pr, 2017. ISBN: 1484723244 

Summary: Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.

Analysis: I did not want to put it down! The banter and chemistry between Solara and Doran drew me in immediately. I fell for them both. I loved all the shipmates on the Banshee! Such a fun ride, intense at times, while laughing out loud at others. On to the sequel and conclusion to the story!

Current Reads & Reviews: Battle of the Books

Blake, Elly. Frostblood. Hodder & Stoughton, 2017. ISBN: 0316273252

Summary: Ruby is a Fireblood that has to hide her true self or face the consequences.But when her mother is killed trying to protect her, and rebel Frostbloods demand her help to overthrow their bloodthirsty king, she agrees to come out of hiding, desperate to have her revenge.

Analysis: The story reminded me a bit of the Red Queen series, though I am liking this story line much better. Ruby is a strong character you can't help but like. The characters are endearing and the romantic moments are sizzling. On to the sequel.