Week in Review #43

This week I read some books!

68. Westfallen: The World at Midnight. Ann and Ben Brashares. 2026. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, MG speculative fiction, series book]
69. I Am A Good Dog (Dogtown #3) Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. 2026. 345 pages. [Source: Library] [animal fantasy, series book]

Century of Viewing #43

1950s

• 1956 World Without End. Four astronauts experience a bit of trouble and end up returning to Earth over five hundred years later. What they find are two groups of descendants of the human race--can they find a way to create a future in a future that is so disturbing? What is known is that the LADIES are all about these four astronauts.
• 1957 Plan 9 From Outer Space. This movie has an identity crisis. BUT it is a "cult classic". It has aliens. It has zombies. It has snippets of Bela Lugosi that may or may not be him starring as a vampire. There is an incompetent investigative team who can't solve the case no matter what they see with their eyes. Anyway, it was something.

1960s

• 1965 Frankenstein Meets the Spacemonster. IS it good? What do you think? Is it super fun and silly and ridiculous? YES. That being said, I didn't give it more than three stars. BUT it was enjoyable enough. My favorite line, "Remember, he's a robot and not a man, Karen." Martians have come (with a monster) in search of earth women....for reasons. They go to the beach (obviously) and pool parties (obviously) but an android having a bad day may just be the one to save the day....if he can stop melting down first.

ABCs of Viewing #3

A
B Beginning of the End (1957)
C
D
E Elf (2003)
F Frankenstein Meets the Spacemonster (1965) Flash Gordon (1980)
G The Greatest Show On Earth (1952)
H Home Alone (1990)
I It Came From Outer Space (1953)
J
K
L
M Mad Monster Party (1967) Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1944)
N
O
P Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957)
Q
R
S
T
U
V Monsier Verdoux (1947)
W World without End (1956)
X X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes (1963)
Y
Z



© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

69. I Am A Good Dog (Dogtown #3)

69. I Am A Good Dog (Dogtown #3) Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. 2026. 345 pages. [Source: Library] [animal fantasy, series book]

First sentence: I was built from random household items: rivets, routers, safety goggles, table legs, and a Christmas-tree light. When I was complete, a young girl flipped a switch, and I began to bark.

Premise/plot: Metal Head is the (dog) narrator of this third and (probably, probably) final Dogtown novel by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. He is a dog--a robot dog, but a dog--in search of a purpose. He has thoughts and opinions about who his forever person is, BUT, that doesn't mean that "his" "forever" person even notices him, likes him, or wants him. Metal Head and his friends (mostly dogs--dog-dogs and robot dogs--but also MOUSE and a few kittens) live in a shelter. The goal is adoption and forever homes. But that isn't always the reality.

My thoughts: I found this a sadder, less humorous book in the series. BUT it was well-written and had some good insights into what it is to live and to love. It has been a few years since I first read the first book where Metal Head is presumably a character. There was a robot dog that was a big part of the first book. And I believe his name was Metal Head. I thought there was an origin story for him in that book....that seems to contradict--for better or worse--his origin story here. I won't talk about it because spoilers are no fun. I mostly enjoyed this one.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

68. Westfallen: The World at Midnight

68. Westfallen: The World at Midnight. Ann and Ben Brashares. 2026. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, MG speculative fiction, series book]

First sentence: It's hard to know what you'll do when a gun is pointed at you. Before this I'd had the idea that I'd do a Jason Bourne-style, split-second swat-smack-grab of gun, point, and smirk. Now Leo Haber stood in the door to my kitchen....

Premise/plot: The THIRD BOOK IN A SERIES. You absolutely have to read the first two books if you want to read this one. Henry, Lukas and Frances (the 2023 timeline) are friends connected to Alice, Lawrence, and Artie (the 1944 timeline) via a magical radio (and well). In the first book, these six kids "destroyed" the timeline as we know it. Loose lips and all that. They spent a good bit of the first book, all of the second book, and all of the third book trying to fix their many, many mistakes--a process of trial and error. They will risk it all to make sure that the good guys win the second world war.

My thoughts: I reread the first two books. I hadn't remembered that I read the second book for the first time in January. I decided not to write a second review since I'd literally just read it at the start of the year. I enjoyed the series. The series has INTENSITY and a intriguing, fascinating premise. This is definitely a premise-driven novel. Or perhaps premise driven AND plot-driven story. I don't think the characterization is all the amazing. BUT THE NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS next kept me reading and rereading this series. I was ALL IN with this series. Committed to always giving it my all before a new book released.

This one does NOT have a cliff hanger ending...but the first two books definitely leave you wanting more, more, more.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #42

This week I read some books!

66. Xenocide. Orson Scott Card. 1991. 592 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, 3 stars]
67. Daughter of Egypt. Marie Benedict. 2026. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy] [adult historical fiction, dual narratives, 3 stars]

Century of Viewing #42

1940s

• 1944. Miracle of Morgan's Creek. This screwball comedy is set during the Second World War. Norval Jones has almost always been in love with Trudy. But that love is put to the ultimate test when Trudy attends a "wild" party with soldiers about to head off to war. She wakes up confused and dazed...and with the fuzziest of memories that she married a stranger--a soldier. She doesn't know his name or remember his face. BUT finding herself in the 'family way' she's in quite the predicament. Norval loves her through and through and wants to marry her. But many obstacles--many, many obstacles--get in the way. The first being is that she's technically married to someone else. (But who?????) Will they get their happy ending? This one features a surprise ending. I'm guessing most people haven't watched this one. So I don't feel right spoiling it. BUT let's just say it's a LARGE surprise.
• 1947. Monsieur Verdoux. Charlie Chaplin stars and directs (and composes) in this mystery-crime movie. He plays a villain. It is set in France in the 1930s. When life doesn't go as he expects, well, one man goes into business for himself....but....his business ventures are less than ethical. The movie poster might have been designed by someone who has NEVER seen the movie.

1950s

• 1952. The Greatest Show On Earth. This is a LONG movie. There is drama and romance. It also features a bajillion circus acts and lot of musical numbers. The action-drama mostly occurs towards the end of the movie. This one is good. It's just extremely very long.

1960s

• 1967. Mad Monster Party. Rankin/Bass a Halloween-y movie starring many monsters--Dracula, Mummy, Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein's monster and mate, Werewolf, etc. It is a LONG movie. It doesn't stay humorous and amusing for the full length of the movie. It IS a musical.

Alphabet Viewing #2

A
B Beginning of the End (1957)
C
D
E Elf (2003)
F
G The Greatest Show On Earth (1952)
H Home Alone (1990)
I It Came From Outer Space (1953)
J
K
L
M Mad Monster Party (1967) Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1944)
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V Monsier Verdoux (1947)
W
X X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes (1963)
Y
Z

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

67. Daughter of Egypt

 

 

67. Daughter of Egypt. Marie Benedict. 2026. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy] [adult historical fiction, dual narratives, 3 stars]

First sentence: The Saloon glows in the flicker of the candelabras and the low light of ornate wall sconces.

Premise/plot: Dual narratives. The first narrative is that of Lady Evelyn Herbert (daughter of Lord Carnarvon and friend of archeologist Howard Carter). It's set in the 1920s. Her father wants to find a pharaoh's tomb. Eve wants to find Hatshepsut's tomb. She was one of Egypt's female pharaohs and one that had been intentionally (allegedly) erased from history by those that followed her. Her narrative focuses mainly on her travels to and fro Egypt with her father and Howard Carter. Plus her love story. Though it's not much of a love story--that's not the focus of this one. The second narrative is that of Hatshepsut. The narratives are not equal. Equal time is not spent on both. And there are long pauses between narratives. Her narrative is essentially her 'life story' if you will but with a few twists and turns. I think this is the more hypothetical part of the novel perhaps since no one really knows about her life in super great detail since she was.... erased from history. There was no real resolution bringing these two stories together.

My thoughts: I found this an unsatisfying read. I thought it was duller than I expected it to be. I love watching history documentaries on Egypt (not to mention Stargate). I'm not uninterested in the subject. I'm not an expert enough on the subject to know if it was true or true enough to the times. I'll try to explain. Eve essentially takes the position that archaeologists have no business doing what they do...that the past should be left buried and questions go unanswered. Essentially going from I LOVE ARCHAEOLOGY and finding stuff is AWESOME, to we have no business being in Egypt. Only Egyptians should study Egypt--this is their past, their culture, their legacy. It is wrong for us as English folk to be doing all these digs. Perhaps this is a view that would have legitimately been held by some. Maybe. It just seemed the change of heart felt perhaps a little modern pushing. But I am not an expert in the 1920s archaeology world by any stretch or this time period in Egypt's history.

I know that fictional books take liberties with historical characters all the time.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

66. Xenocide

66. Xenocide. Orson Scott Card. 1991. 592 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, 3 stars]

First sentence: Today one of the brothers asked me: Is it a terrible prison, not to be able to move from the place where you're standing?

Xenocide is the sequel to Speaker for the Dead. (Speaker for the Dead is the sequel to Ender's Game. Ender's Game is my favorite, favorite book.) Xenocide is an intricately complex plot following the saga of characters (mainly) introduced in Speaker for the Dead. Speaker for the Dead concludes with the threat of the destruction of the planet of Lusitania. Which would mean the destruction of the pequeninos (piggies), the human colonists (including Andrew Wiggin, his wife, his stepchildren, etc.) and the Hive Queen (the Buggers). The Lusitania Fleet has been launched, and the order to destroy the planet using the M.D. Device (Little Doctor) has been given. If it wasn't for Jane, the life-force residing in the ansibles and computers, the impending doom would be absolutely, completely certain. As it is, it is only mostly certain that xenocide will occur once again. (Xenocide being genocide of an entire species. While the human colonists would lose their lives, the human race would go on in the other hundreds of worlds colonized. But xenocide is a very real threat to two alien species: the Hive Queen (and her workers, etc) and the Pequeninos.)

There are so very many characters to keep track of in Xenocide. As I mentioned, most were introduced in Speaker for the Dead. Andrew and Valentine. Andrew's wife, Novinha. Andrew's step-children: Miro, Ela, Quim, Olhado, Quaro, Grego. The piggies of utmost importance are Planter and Glass. (Not counting the fathertrees Human and Rooter, etc.) The Hive Queen of course. Jane, the character that pulls most of the book together. But there are three characters that are brand new to the story. Three people from the Chinese colony of Path: Han Fei-tzu, Han Qing-jao, and Si Wang-mu.

The plot is too intricate and complex to go into all the details. The book is all about life-and-death matters. The colonists are trying to figure out a way to kill the descolada before it destroys them. They hope that if they can destroy it, then perhaps they'll be saved as well. The Hive Queen is busy building star ships. She wants some for herself. But she's also building some for the Pequeninos. She doesn't want another alien species destroyed by human stupidity. But the humans know that while the Hive Queen may be intelligent enough to find a way to kill the descolada from tainting them and their DNA--the Piggies aren't nearly advanced enough to do so. (The descolada is essential for the Pequeninos to survive. It is linked to their DNA. It is how they procreate and continue on in the third life.)

Xenocide is an interesting novel. But one that doesn't stand on its own. It begins in the middle of things, and ends with no resolution. (Or very little resolution.) It's the middle book of a trilogy (in a way) and while it's important...crucial for the progression of the story...it isn't as satisfying in some ways as the others in the series.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #41

This week I read some books!


65. Westfallen. Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares. 2024. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [MG speculative fiction, MG science fiction, MG dystopia, TIME TRAVEL, alternate history]
70. Turtle with a Toolbox. Beth Ferry. Illustrated by Dudolf. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]
71. Cheeky Book of Bear Butts. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 36 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]
72. The Secret Life of Dog Toys. Kelly Dipucchio. Illustrated by Jennifer Harney. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars]
73. Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie. Matthew Cordell. 2026. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction biography for young readers, 3 stars]

Century of Viewing #41

1950s

• 1953 It Came From Outer Space Was it new and thrilling and exciting and original in 1953? Maybe. Maybe not. It is according to wikipedia the first 3D from Universal International. A couple is stargazing when a "meteor" lands (it's rarely a meteor) and they discover an alien spaceship. But first contact may or may not go well. It was okay. Obviously I didn't watch in 3D. And so no 'fantastic sights' leapt at me.
• 1957 Beginning of the End Giant LOCUSTS threaten Chicago in this 1950s sci-fi horror movie. Is it over the top ridiculous? YES. Did I enjoy every minute of it? YES.

1960s

• 1963 X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes A little too much for me--visually. (Pun intended). It had its lighter moments--when he first discovers his ability to see through at a dance party. (He's terrible at the twist). But this scientist drama is very much into the mad scientist playing god camp. He is the only cause of all his suffering. It has vibes of Invisible Man and 57 Seconds. BUT I'm not sure any lesson was learned at all.

1990s

• 1990 Home Alone My first time watching Home Alone. Would I normally watch a Christmas movie in September? Probably not. Well, depending on the year. Some years anything goes. But it is most likely leaving Roku (it's currently free) by the end of the month. I enjoyed this one SO much more than I thought I would. Favorite scene was Kevin in church. Probably.

2000s

• 2003 Elf  I liked it more than I thought I would. Buddy the Elf learns that his father is on the naughty list...so he goes to meet the man he's never met. His adventures are many.
  

Alphabet Challenge Week #1

A
B Beginning of the End (1957)
C
D
E Elf (2003)
F
G
H Home Alone (1990)
I It Came From Outer Space (1953)
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes (1963)
Y
Z

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

65. Westfallen (book #1)

65. Westfallen. Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares. 2024. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [MG speculative fiction, MG science fiction, MG dystopia, TIME TRAVEL, alternate history]

First sentence: Let me ask you this: What's the worst thing you've ever done? Really think about it. Well, multiply your thing by a billion and you don't even get close. Sorry to brag. It's just...your thing? It's the Cheeto-dust thumbprint you left on the basement sofa. It's an ant's toe you stepped on. And then you said, "Sorry!" and the ant went, "No worries, mate!" Because the ant's British, I don't know. 

My thoughts (preview): Ever been HOOKED on a premise????? It doesn't happen all that often, though it does happen. This is the case with Westfallen. The premise had me at HELLO. Reading the synopsis raised my expectations immeasurably, and it did NOT, I repeat did NOT disappoint. 

Premise/plot: Six kids working together (with the best intentions)--separated by time--manage to destroy life as we know it. Shocked I was able to sum up an entire book in one sentence? Me too. 

Henry, Lukas, and Frances were at one time best, best, best friends though in recent years they've grown apart--far apart. Alice, Lawrence, and Artie are friends as well. These six friends become connected by a radio.

Alice "saves" her brother's radio from the trash. It's broken and her brother, Robbie, is gone--presumably for the war. Her two friends, Lawrence and Artie, are near by and interested in seeing if they can fix the radio.

Henry is burying his gerbil, Zeus, when he discovers a long-buried radio. His (former) friends are there for the funeral. All are interested in this buried "treasure" of sorts. 

All six kids are SHOCKED when the radio works. The two sets of friends refer to themselves as "Mars" and "Jupiter." It takes time for them to realize that the new friends they've made aren't living in the same year. Henry, Lukas and Frances are in 2023....and Alice, Lawrence, and Artie are in 1944. Both are in the same house, same street, same city. 

Will innocent casual conversation lead to the unwinding of the universe?????

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS ONE. Mostly. I will say that the CLIFF HANGER ending was while not a huge surprise a bit disappointing. If the cliff hanger leads to a book two, then YES PLEASE. If it does NOT lead to a book two then readers everywhere have been robbed. 

I loved the premise. I loved the characters. I loved the plot. This is one I could easily see myself reading again and again and again.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews