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337 reviews
The Gingerbread Queen by Carrie Anne Noble
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The Gingerbread Queen is a sweet indie story that contains a good witch, and a bad witch. The bad witch has a small role, as this is a continuation of the Grimm fairy tale in which the witch is burned in an oven. This is not so dark as the original, and it does a lovely job of building up the characters in the story. The story is set as the kids are in their late teens and their father has died. Noble does a good job of imagining the effects of such trauma on their character as well as the effects of such a tale on the townsfolk.
The story has wonderful prose & I underlined many beautiful sentences & thoughts. I’m not sure I’ve ever loved so many lines in a piece of fiction. There is some innocent romance, as well. It’s hard to not like the characters, except for Hansel. But then, who wouldn’t be scarred after being caged up by a witch for tomorrow night’s supper?
The duck has a much larger part than in the fairy tale, he adds much amusement as well as depth of story.
There is a character that reminisces about adultery. There is some lusty description, though it does not glorify adultery in any way.
“If she’d learned one thing over the years, it was this: sometimes one had no choice but to act bravely and hope for the impossible.”
“I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself, and have done so many times. But to ask for help is an act of courage, and to accept help is braver still.” Lukas
“The possession of such power rankled him far more than being reduced to eating spiders. He’d wieleded such magic once! Somehow, someday, he vowed with a dismal quack, he would be formidable again. He’d move more than spiders and storm clouds. Someday, he’d feast on the finest foods. He’d wear fine silk and soft leather, jeweled rings and gold pocket watches. His servants would bow and grovel and treat him like royalty. In his future mansion, feathers would be forbidden.” Ansgar- in duck form
“With all his being [Ansgar- in duck form] he willed the girl Gretel to come back to break the spell that bound him. The concentrated effort made his head hurt-and likely affected nothing else in the universe”
The story has wonderful prose & I underlined many beautiful sentences & thoughts. I’m not sure I’ve ever loved so many lines in a piece of fiction. There is some innocent romance, as well. It’s hard to not like the characters, except for Hansel. But then, who wouldn’t be scarred after being caged up by a witch for tomorrow night’s supper?
The duck has a much larger part than in the fairy tale, he adds much amusement as well as depth of story.
There is a character that reminisces about adultery. There is some lusty description, though it does not glorify adultery in any way.
“If she’d learned one thing over the years, it was this: sometimes one had no choice but to act bravely and hope for the impossible.”
“I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself, and have done so many times. But to ask for help is an act of courage, and to accept help is braver still.” Lukas
“The possession of such power rankled him far more than being reduced to eating spiders. He’d wieleded such magic once! Somehow, someday, he vowed with a dismal quack, he would be formidable again. He’d move more than spiders and storm clouds. Someday, he’d feast on the finest foods. He’d wear fine silk and soft leather, jeweled rings and gold pocket watches. His servants would bow and grovel and treat him like royalty. In his future mansion, feathers would be forbidden.” Ansgar- in duck form
“With all his being [Ansgar- in duck form] he willed the girl Gretel to come back to break the spell that bound him. The concentrated effort made his head hurt-and likely affected nothing else in the universe”
Mortal Queens by Victoria McCombs
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This was a unique and elegant rendition of fae. They live on islands in the night sky & their culture is focused on thimblerigging (yea, I did find that with a thesaurus) for more and more power.
Every year, a new young mortal is chosen to be queen. The latest choice is our protagonist, Thea. She wants to seek out the queens chosen in the past years, but can only find one. She is worshiped, she is adored, but she’s also questioning if it’s worth the price. Does she want to remain in luxury, like she’s never seen on earth, or return to her family. All she knows is that she wants to live.
Thea is not at all like me. Well, we are both mortal, but I’d buy my time in the palace, instead of diving into the games of intrigue that they fae are all about. Still, I couldn’t help rooting for her. She’s intelligent, determined, compassionate and loves her family, dearly. I look forward to Lethal Kings, to see if she ends up in the fae realm, or return the human realm, if she can.
Every year, a new young mortal is chosen to be queen. The latest choice is our protagonist, Thea. She wants to seek out the queens chosen in the past years, but can only find one. She is worshiped, she is adored, but she’s also questioning if it’s worth the price. Does she want to remain in luxury, like she’s never seen on earth, or return to her family. All she knows is that she wants to live.
Thea is not at all like me. Well, we are both mortal, but I’d buy my time in the palace, instead of diving into the games of intrigue that they fae are all about. Still, I couldn’t help rooting for her. She’s intelligent, determined, compassionate and loves her family, dearly. I look forward to Lethal Kings, to see if she ends up in the fae realm, or return the human realm, if she can.
Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle
slow-paced
5.0
Just like with the artwork, the author weaves beautiful visuals into her prose. This is an inspiring story about a girl who brought joy in wartime & to Abraham Lincoln and family just after his son’s death.
The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine is a whimsical story narrated by Emlyn, herself. She is in her late teens and a bit sarcastic and left me laughing out loud. She lost her sister at a young age, the sister unraveled before her eyes leaving people thinking she’s insane. The explanation for this is completely ludicrous, but when an author can make you believe in such a thing you have a wonderful tale.
Emlyn is part of a team. She is not what she’s expected to be. There’s a gryphon that can’t fly. A protector that is easily frightened. They are a hot mess, but it’s beautiful to see them still become a success and complete their missions. This is especially good considering there’s a universe at stake.
There are bonuses to writers & readers because there is a bit of magical library in this story.
There are also bonuses for Wizard of Oz fans.
The story has some interesting plot twists, and the epilogue promises that the sequel will have one, as well.
The characters are late teens, early twenties. They live on their own, without families. A boy comes over and hangs out, but it's all completely innocent. I'd feel comfortable letting teens of all ages read this book.
Emlyn is part of a team. She is not what she’s expected to be. There’s a gryphon that can’t fly. A protector that is easily frightened. They are a hot mess, but it’s beautiful to see them still become a success and complete their missions. This is especially good considering there’s a universe at stake.
There are bonuses to writers & readers because there is a bit of magical library in this story.
There are also bonuses for Wizard of Oz fans.
The story has some interesting plot twists, and the epilogue promises that the sequel will have one, as well.
The characters are late teens, early twenties. They live on their own, without families. A boy comes over and hangs out, but it's all completely innocent. I'd feel comfortable letting teens of all ages read this book.
Preacher on the Run by Jayna Baas
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This story is set in 1771. It's a story based on the regulators of North Carolina that stood up to an oppressive system, to heavy taxes being demanded by the Church of England. As a Baptist preacher, Robert Booth & his congregation considered taxes to the Church of England to be a forced tithe the was contrary to scripture.
To the local government, they were rebels, and a Baptist minister wasn't qualified to teach or hold meetings.
The author does a great job with the historical aspects of the book, as well as with the language. She makes you want to read it with a drawl. The story itself seems like a retelling of the Exodus, but without the plagues. We see a genuine faith in Booth and his congregants. We see God's' miracle working power, even without the Red Sea. We see the characters gain wisdom and understanding as they are forced to rely on God as the situation was completely out of their ability to control.
I look forward to reading the second book.
To the local government, they were rebels, and a Baptist minister wasn't qualified to teach or hold meetings.
The author does a great job with the historical aspects of the book, as well as with the language. She makes you want to read it with a drawl. The story itself seems like a retelling of the Exodus, but without the plagues. We see a genuine faith in Booth and his congregants. We see God's' miracle working power, even without the Red Sea. We see the characters gain wisdom and understanding as they are forced to rely on God as the situation was completely out of their ability to control.
I look forward to reading the second book.
When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This is a beautiful story with amazing illustrations. It tells the story of a Jewish immigrant that went through Ellis Island, by herself, at 13. I love that it begins with the foundation of Jessie teaching her grandma to read/write & Grandma teaching Jessie to sew. Those skills are essential to their journey to the America.
Arena by Karen Hancock
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Arena is a surprise out of the Christian world that often is wary of scifi. This story is allegory. Pilgrim’s Progress in space, except much different than you’d imagine, as it’s also a slow burn romance.
I think it’s fine for YA. There is some suggestion, but no sex & the main characters are committed to celibacy outside of marriage.
The Arena is on an alien planet and has layers of tests and trials. The God-figure speaks to us of fatherhood, forgiveness, provision, connection & guidance. The only way they survive is with obedience and trust, by willingly walking by faith not by sight.
Too often, I think that the church thinks Satan is responsible for broken teeth and flat tires. This book has a more realistic picture of an enemy that hates us because we belong to God, plots against us, plays dirty and at the end of the book violently.
I enjoyed its mystery, like God it’s unpredictable.
I think it’s fine for YA. There is some suggestion, but no sex & the main characters are committed to celibacy outside of marriage.
The Arena is on an alien planet and has layers of tests and trials. The God-figure speaks to us of fatherhood, forgiveness, provision, connection & guidance. The only way they survive is with obedience and trust, by willingly walking by faith not by sight.
Too often, I think that the church thinks Satan is responsible for broken teeth and flat tires. This book has a more realistic picture of an enemy that hates us because we belong to God, plots against us, plays dirty and at the end of the book violently.
I enjoyed its mystery, like God it’s unpredictable.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is an extremely well written story. It has delightful prose that makes it easy to imagine. It’s a story about an orphan girl who grew up in extreme lack, mostly being treated as a workhorse, but somehow she still has an uncanny ability to find joy. As most orphans do, Anne longs to have beauty and beautiful things and is adopted by Marilla who seems to want to brutally stab beauty in the heart with a sword of sensibility.
The book has far too much religion & no authentic Christianity. Marilla feeling guilty about loving Anne too much so she punishes the child by being more strict, that’s wretched. It’s also cringeworthy to hear the child so often called wicked, by herself and others.
She is really the star of the book, this Anne - girl. She lives life to the fullest, nothing keeps her down for very long; she is a joy, with a few serious faults which she does eventually overcome. She constantly loves and humbles herself to Marilla who’s always trying to kill Anne’s dreams. Anne may be one of the most delightful characters in all of literature, but I have too much experience with foster kids to find that at all believable. Abandoned, treated as a slave in her early childhood this girl’s got some deep soul wounds and yet they only thing she has to overcome is an overactive imagination. One doesn’t just mend their behavior in such circumstances.
What I really don’t like is talk of haunted woods and Anne calling herself cursed, in the sense that she’s unlucky. There’s also Josephine Barry taking them to have their fortunes read.
It may be a classic & well written, but that’s not enough for me.
It may be a classic & well written, but that’s not enough for me.
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It was fun to re-read this classic that tells of the creation of Narnia & some of its inhabitants. The creation chapter is a delight and laugh-out loud funny.
Rune by Victoria McCombs
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book blew me away & 1/3 of the way through I had to get out my journal & sit with Holy Spirit.
It’s a story about a girl that is taken to Asgard & told she’s a goddess. I saw us in the story. You, me all of us. When Moses told the people that God wanted them to go up the mountain, they were too afraid & told him to go alone. There is a part of that in each of us, even if only on a subconscious level. I saw in Rune that part of us that is afraid of God & wants to run. The doubts. Am I good enough? He’s a God & I’m not. Of course, in the book it’s ’they are gods & I am not.’ I don’t just see the question of if God is safe, in this, but also the question of if I’m worthy to be set apart.
This isn’t a story about the one true God, I have no idea if the writer intended for me to think all these things. So, don’t read this expecting Odin to be like God. This book is about the Norse gods that we know of as lore with limited powers & limited life spans. In this book, they’re kind of a bunch of jerks as they think it’s an honor to have people fight to the death for their own entertainment, so please don’t get God confused with gods.
You definitely want to root for the girl, & it’s a good ending. There are some fantastic characters in the story.
The writer does include fights to the death that are detailed, but not the death or the final blow. It is done tastefully, I didn’t find it to be gory. I don’t do gore or horrors or anything like that & still this book did not offend me.
This is my first book by this author and I received a free copy for an honest review.
It’s a story about a girl that is taken to Asgard & told she’s a goddess. I saw us in the story. You, me all of us. When Moses told the people that God wanted them to go up the mountain, they were too afraid & told him to go alone. There is a part of that in each of us, even if only on a subconscious level. I saw in Rune that part of us that is afraid of God & wants to run. The doubts. Am I good enough? He’s a God & I’m not. Of course, in the book it’s ’they are gods & I am not.’ I don’t just see the question of if God is safe, in this, but also the question of if I’m worthy to be set apart.
This isn’t a story about the one true God, I have no idea if the writer intended for me to think all these things. So, don’t read this expecting Odin to be like God. This book is about the Norse gods that we know of as lore with limited powers & limited life spans. In this book, they’re kind of a bunch of jerks as they think it’s an honor to have people fight to the death for their own entertainment, so please don’t get God confused with gods.
You definitely want to root for the girl, & it’s a good ending. There are some fantastic characters in the story.
The writer does include fights to the death that are detailed, but not the death or the final blow. It is done tastefully, I didn’t find it to be gory. I don’t do gore or horrors or anything like that & still this book did not offend me.
This is my first book by this author and I received a free copy for an honest review.