103. A Darkening of Dragons

A Darkening of Dragons. (Songs of Magic #1) S.A. Patrick. 2018/2020/2022/2023. 400 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The screams of the children brought the villagers running. 

Premise/plot: A Darkening of Dragons is the first in a fantasy trilogy that is an adapted twist on the Piper of Hamelyn tale. Patch Brightwater, our hero soon to be on a quest, isn't your typical hero. In fact, he soon lands himself in prison. The prisoner next door is legendary, and, obviously not in a good way: the evil Piper of Hamelyn. He's wearing an iron mask to prevent him from mischief, doomed to repeat the last word he said before the mask was attached. Wren, a girl with big dreams, has been cursed and turned into a rat. Wren and Patch become great friends. When an opportunity for escape presents itself (this scene reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean), Patch and Wren make a run for it. Soon they are joined by Barver, a dracogriff (dragon/griffin). Thus begins their bigger adventures...

My thoughts: The world building in this fantasy novel is great. The characterization is there--it's substantive. I never thought I would get so attached to Wren and Barver. (But I did.) The quest doesn't begin on page one, there's lots of build-up. There were twists and turns along the way....and, of course, it ends on a cliffhanger. 

I can't wait to start the second book!

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

38. The Swifts

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels. Beth Lincoln. 2023. 352 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was a bright, well-dressed morning in early May and the Swifts were in the middle of a funeral. The House looked very fine. The lawns had been swept clean of leaves, the hedge maze had been trimmed, and the statues had been scrubbed behind the ears. The Family had spent the morning practicing their eulogies in front of a mirror, and now they walked in slow procession through the cemetery, faces professionally grim.

Premise/plot: The Swifts are something else. Shenanigan Swift, our narrator, has a LARGE, bizarre, odd, quirky, whimsical, one-of-a-kind family. And they're all coming--well the living ones--to a Reunion. Some may choose to partake in an actual treasure hunt--a Vile relation, literally named Vile Swift--hid treasure on the property way back when that has yet to be discovered. He lived up to his name. Supposedly, all Swifts lift up their names. But do they? Maybe. Maybe not. Shenanigan has spent much of her time mapping out the LARGE equally bizarre, quirky, one-of-a-kind house and looking for secret tunnels, secret rooms, secret hiding places, etc. She may not be the matriarch or the archivist, but, she's accumulating knowledge in her spare time--knowledge that may just prove useful once this family reunion turns deadly.

This whimsical mystery packed with dark humor is unique. There are dozens of characters--or suspects, or victims--and dozens of clues. There's plenty of twists and turns. 

My thoughts: I liked many things about this one. It was a little crazy--for better or worse. And by crazy I don't make an allusion to anything regarding mental health or well-being. I mean zany, topsy-turvy, out-there, bizarre, whimsical, quirky. It was a little OVER the top. So over the top that it goes right past "realistic fiction." Imagine if Roald Dahl ever wrote a family reunion with a treasure hunt. It isn't so much about in-depth characterization and believable story as it is just a roller coaster ride of whimsy. 

Erf. I personally am not a fan. I think giving them an actual name beyond "Erf" would go a long way. I can get--or try to get--why they would want to choose a new name for themself that wouldn't be the one on their birth certificate. But why Erf? And is Erf a new name? a nickname? an-in-between name? Is a better sounding name coming? I'm glad that Shenanigan makes a friend. But still...

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

33. Gold Rush Girl

Gold Rush Girl. Avi. 2020. 306 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Have you ever been struck by lightning? I have. I write not of the sparkling that bolts from the sky, but of gold, the yellow metal buried in the earth and the shatter-wit world of those who seek it. That world turned me topsy-turvy, so that I did things I never dreamed I would or could do.

Premise/plot: Victoria 'Tory' Blaisdell leaves her Rhode Island home with her father and younger brother, Jacob, to go to California to find gold. The book chronicles their many adventures and misadventures. Tory did not want to be left behind with her mother in the care of a bossy aunt. But she didn't quite count on how rough, dangerous, and appalling the situation would be when they arrived. The dad soon leaves to go to the diggings leaving fourteen-year-old, Tory, in charge of Jacob. She has to be his caretaker yet also the one who earns enough money day by day by day to survive. Tory soon learns that she can do just about anything she sets her mind to, but, it is easier to dress as a boy if you want to find work. She makes a few friends--including Sam and Thad--but as the months go by....the family faces the unthinkable.... one day she returns home to discover that Jacob is completely missing. Can she find her brother????

My thoughts: It was a quick read. It was well-paced and packed with adventure, danger, and mystery. I loved Tory's narrative. I loved that she was brave and spunky. She was inspired by Jane Eyre to "take hold" of her own destiny. She was a positive person who tried to hold onto hope despite her circumstances. She wasn't one to let life just happen to her.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

26. Falling Out of Time

Falling Out of Time. Margaret Peterson Haddix. 2023. [May] 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Zola's entire room began to glow--the sign that it was ready.

Premise/plot: Zola Keyser lives a picture-perfect life, albeit a lonely life. True almost ALL of the problems facing the world have been solved, which is fantastic, but her mom [Hannah Keyser] is the only human she has any actual contact with. But can she miss what she's never known? Maybe. Maybe not. This is just how the world works--all connections are made through VR goggles. But when Zola discovers a note written on paper [tattered old paper] in her Insta-Closet with a cryptic (or cryptic-ish) message*, her world begins to unravel. Soon one question becomes a dozen becomes a hundred becomes a thousand. Is anything in her wonderful life actually true? 

Puck does NOT live a picture-perfect life. In fact, his life is as un-perfect as it can get. It almost feels scripted to depict the absolute worst case scenario. If it wasn't for the kindness of strangers--acting in complete secrecy--he may not even be alive. But Puck can't help yearning for a better life. If only he could get more help, better help....

Falling Out of Time is a companion book [or sequel] to Running Out of Time. Jessie Keyser's story does enter into this one. Zola reads Jessie's story in an actual physical book-book. [This is her first time to read an actual paper book.] The two books connect in a believable way, in my opinion. While Running Out of Time has people [a community] idealizing the past and the past's ideals, this one features a community idealizing or romanticizing the future.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved the first book. Until reading this one, however, I really never connected the dots that it could parallel an escaping a cult story. In retrospect, it makes sense. Especially in terms of WHAT HAPPENS NEXT, what happens once you've "seen the light" and "made your escape." How do your rebuild your life? restructure your worldview? How do you make peace with the past and move forward? 

This book asks some good questions. What would it have been like for Jessie's family in the following years [decades]? Would they miss the old life? Would they fit in with the modern world? Would they always feel out of place?

But Zola's story is HER own story. It isn't just a re-do. I enjoyed meeting Puck, her first, non-related human contact. I loved how this story unfolded.

 *If you want to see things as they really are, come find me. And HELP us!

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

179. Futureland: Battle for the Park

Futureland: Battle for the Park. H.D. Hunter. 2022. [November] 320 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Look, you'd probably think I was the luckiest kid in the world...because I live on top of it. No, seriously. Literally. Well...more like above it, if I'm being precise--vocabulary word!

Premise/plot: Cam Walker, our protagonist, lives IN an amusement park, part time at least. Futureland is unlike any other amusement park. The year is 2048. And Futureland is a traveling amusement park. For the first time, however, it will be remain above Atlanta for an extended period of time. Cam's parents thinks its important--for once--that Cam attend a regular public school. He'll also be getting to know one of his grandmothers. Futureland is due to open very soon...after the novel opens...but not all is going smoothly. Some of the technology, well, it's glitching. And as Cam discovers, these glitches [or mishaps] aren't accidental but intentional. Can Cam figure out the mystery behind these bizarre and dangerous events??? Perhaps with a few real-life friends he can.

My thoughts: I read this in one sitting. It was packed with action and adventure. It's set in the future. And not just the future...but an amusement park celebrating THE FUTURE. It also had plenty of suspense and mystery. There's definitely something sinister going on...and the creepy vibes are front and center. 

I enjoyed this one so much. It kept me hooked into the now of reading the book. I wasn't questioning much about the plot or the characters or the relationships. Just had to keep turning pages.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

178. Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia

Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia. Brandon Sanderson. 2009. 299 pages. [Source: Library]
 

First sentence: So there I was, hanging upside down underneath a gigantic glass bird, speeding along at a hundred miles an hour above the ocean, in no danger whatsoever.

Premise/plot: This is the third book in the Alcatraz fantasy series. IN this one, Alcatraz and company arrive at last in the Free Kingdoms, in Nalhalla. Alcatraz wrestles with fame and ego in this one. Though raised in the Hushlands in a Librarian-controlled nation, he's FAMOUS in Nalhalla already, even starring in his own book series. (The book series being written by the Prince himself). Open up one of his books, and his theme music plays. You don't really get more famous than Alcatraz Smedry, of course, it's not really, truly HIM that is famous, more an idea of him. Also in this one, Bastille is put on trial. Will she be stripped of knighthood? How long will her punishment last? I should also not forget to mention that the LIBRARIANS want to come to peaceful terms and end the war at last. But Alcatraz and his friends suspect the WORST. But so many people want peace that they seem willing to give the Librarians the benefit of the doubt....

My thoughts: This one is an action-packed read full of fun and humor. I love this series. And I think I enjoyed this third book even more than the first two books. Folsom was a great new character to introduce--loved his talent, by the way. And it was nice to meet a librarian who wasn't evil for a change!!!

ETA: I reread this one in December 2022. I've reread the first three books in the series. I am enjoying the reread so much. The last time I read this book was 2016. It's been just long enough that there is so much that is 'new' to me. These books are holding up well, in my opinion.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

156. The Dark Prophecy

The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2) Rick Riordan. 2017. 414 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When our dragon declared war on Indiana, I knew it was going to be a bad day.

Premise/plot: The Dark Prophecy is the second book in the Trials of Apollo series by Rick Riordan. Apollo, the god, has been punished with mortality. He has lost all his powers and is semi-reliant on demi-gods (half-gods) for help. Apollo is joined on his semi-quest (no oracles means no official quests) by Leo and Calypso. (Characters we met in a previous series). These three are still trying to figure out which three emperors (well, Nero plus two others) are out to take over the world. 

My thoughts: I think my patience is wearing thin at this point. I don't remember disliking Lester/Apollo quite this much in the first book? Or maybe a little goes a long way? I don't know. It just seems so same-old, same-old, same-old and pointless. The quests always have a surface-level intensity that turns to nothing. Because no matter what, there's a small-ish victory at the end of each book--a brief pause of the action--and then the next book introduces a new "bigger" threat. It's never-ending.

Has anyone read all five books in the series? Does it improve?

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

118. Frances and the Monster

Frances and the Monster. Refe Tuma. 2022. [August] 352 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: August 29, 1939, was a Tuesday. Under normal circumstances, Frances had little reason to keep track of the days of the week. Or the months of the year, for that matter. Calendars were for marking dates and times, for meeting people and going places. Frances never went anywhere and rarely saw anyone. With no comings or goings to punctuate her existence, she lived in a peculiar flatness of time unique to those who never leave the house.

Premise/plot: Frances Stenzel has not left her house in years--not since a car accident left her scarred for life. The choice has been made by her parents, not Frances. She doesn't really remember a time "before." But as she is getting older, she believes she should be allowed more freedom and independence--including traveling with her parents to an international scientific symposium. (True, there is a world war going on...but....Frances doesn't see the danger in that. Current events have little to no effect on her day to day life--to say the least.) 

Essentially, the plot gets started once her parents leave...with a robot, Hobbes, in charge as her tutor. Frances rebels--again and again and again and again. And that rebellious I-know-better-than-anyone-else leads to some drama.

Her choices--for better or worse--unleash a MONSTER, a literal monster, on her home town. (Also some family secrets, but that is a secondary matter perhaps.) As Frances leaves the house (for essentially the first time in her recollection) she encounters the world....and the world encounters her. It will be quite an action-packed adventure. 

My thoughts: I loved the cover. I liked the premise. I do love the novel Frankenstein. The idea of a middle grade novel being inspired by Frankenstein, well, it intrigued me. The setting of World War II also initially intrigued me. However, I think the setting had very little to do with the novel. It could have been set any time, any place--almost. I wanted more of the times to influence the novel. (I would say the Great Depression has more of an impact than the war itself.) 

What I liked most was how Frances started forming relationships and attachments with others once she started leaving the house. True, these were partly formed by trauma and were certainly packed with drama, but, I still enjoyed seeing Frances world widen. 

This one has two or perhaps three twists in it. I saw the BIG twist coming from a mile away. I'm not sure a child would see it coming. Perhaps not. But I started seeing warning signs and guessed the big reveal way too early. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

110. I.Q.: Independence Hall (Book #1)

I.Q., Independence Hall (Book one in I.Q series). Roland Smith. 2008. 293 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: From a window across the street, Eben Lavi watched the couple and the two children leave their loft and climb into the back of a white limousine. It pulled away from teh curb and started down the street.

Premise/plot: I.Q. is an action packed spy thriller starring two kids. Angela (whose mom was a secret service agent) and Quest are step-siblings. Their parents have literally just gotten married. Together they are MATCH a newly formed (relatively newly formed?) musical group who have gone viral. Their honeymoon will take place (with kids) on the tour bus as they make their way to Philadelphia. The tour is coming and will be HUGE. The kids will be out of school--well, school, school. They will be homeschooling on the bus for the tour. And getting to know each other...and as it turns out...fighting to survive.

My thoughts: Mysteries. Secrets. Politics. Action. This one has a little bit of everything. And it all unfolds in a satisfying way. Not too fast. Not too slow. The pacing was just about right. It was just the kind of book I was needing. I was reading this at the same time as Map of Flames. Unfortunately, I think my impressions of Map of Flames suffered a bit because this one was so very good. Both are action-packed. This is an older title. I'm not even sure it's still in print? 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

109. The Forgotten Five #1: Map of Flames

Map of Flames (Forgotten Five #1) Lisa McMann. 2022. 384 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Birdie Golden's fingers were still stained with dirt from digging her father's grave. Tears smudged her cheeks.

Premise/plot: Map of Flames is a premise-driven, action-adventure driven super-hero MG novel. The premise sounds amazing. Eight super-villains hide in the ultimate tropical jungle hide-out. Their five children (between the eight) have never known the larger 'outside' world. Many (if not all) have superpowers just like their parents. Now the children are on their own without any of the parents. And some of them (soon all of them) are going to be going on their first mission ever...and leaving the only place they've ever lived.

My thoughts: The premise sounds all kinds of amazing. And perhaps for the majority of readers it holds up well to that premise. It is packed with action and adventure. Never a dull or slow moment. But. For me, an adult reader who loves character-driven novels that have some depth and substance and heart...this was just an almost for me. I kept reading because I wanted there to be a moment when it all fell into place and there was great reward...for me. Again, maybe the majority of readers think this book is absolutely awesome.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

105. The Son of Neptune

The Son of Neptune. Rick Riordan. 2011. 521 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The snake-haired ladies were starting to annoy Percy.

Premise/plot: Percy Jackson, who has lost his memory (mostly), is a demigod (son of Poseidon/Neptune) who is spending time at a Roman camp for half-bloods. He doesn't recall most of his time at Camp Halfblood (the Greek camp), but he does remember Annabeth. He knows that she is out there somewhere looking for him. But meanwhile, there are bad guys to fight, quests to fulfill, and new friends to make.

This one is narrated by Percy, Hazel, and Frank. Hazel and Frank's stories are revealed slowly but surely--as are the identities of their godly parents. This one continues to set up a new ultimate this-is-it-we-mean-it end-of-the-world scenario.

My thoughts: I liked getting to know Hazel and Frank (for the most part). And I am glad that Percy is "back" and that he has been "found." I like the idea that the Greeks and Romans have been hidden from each other for decades/centuries. I do like how this one ends with the Greeks and Romans getting ready to meet up as possible-possible-possible allies.

But knowing that this is book two in a five book series that is setting up yet another final-final-ultimate-super-ultimate battle, it is just wearisome. In my opinion. So much investment knowing that there isn't going to be much satisfaction until the last book. (And only then if Rick Riordan leaves the characters in peace.)

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

86. The Sea of Monsters

The Sea of Monsters. (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) Rick Riordan. 2006. 279 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: My nightmare started like this. I was standing on a deserted street in some little beach town. It was the middle of the night. A storm was blowing. Wind and rain ripped at the palm trees along the sidewalk. Pink and yellow stucco buildings lined the street, their windows boarded up. A block away, past a line of hibiscus bushes, the ocean churned. Florida, I thought.

Premise/plot: The Sea of Monsters is the sequel to The Lightning Thief. A year has passed since the events of the first [fantasy] novel. Percy will soon be returning to Camp Half-blood and rejoining his friends, frenemies, and perhaps actual enemies. He's been having troubling dreams the past few days--mainly concerning his friend Grover. He senses danger. He just doesn't know how grave the danger is...for all of them. The tree that [helps] protect the camp from monsters is dying; it has in fact been poisoned. To save the camp may require another quest, but, not everyone thinks the camp needs to be saved. (Could their be traitors at camp still???) 

Annabeth, Percy, and TYSON (a new character introduced) team up to save Grover...but their quest is UNofficial. They do not have permission to leave camp let alone permission to go on a quest for the golden fleece. Their quest will not take them all across the United States but down to Florida to THE SEA OF MONSTERS which is off the coast of Florida. They'll face monsters, monsters, and more monsters. But will their quest be successful?

My thoughts: I have so many memories of The Lightning Thief. Every chapter of the first novel is super familiar. But there was something delightful about reading this second novel. It has been so many years since I first read it (it would have been circa 2006), that it was like experiencing this fantasy-adventure-questing novel for the first time...again. That is rare (in my opinion.) 

I liked Tyson. I did. I missed Grover being an active part of their adventure, but I didn't blame Tyson for being a replacement of sorts. Grover is in the book, just, not an active part of the quest. He's the point of the quest. I thought there were some great character-building scenes in this one. I thought we got a chance to better get to know Annabeth. The siren sequence was quite something. Percy truly risked all--not only for Annabeth, but later for Grover and for Tyson.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

85. Escape

Escape. K.R. Alexander. 2022. 240 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Escape your troubles! Escape to adventure! It was the same tagline Cody had read a hundred times. But he still felt a thrill every time he read it. ESCAPE wasn't just a theme park. It was an Event. A Happening. It promised everything a kid could want, and more. Want to cast magical spells in cutting-edge VR? Done. Fly among dragons and dinosaurs on a real live hang glider? No problem. Eat all the junk food you can stomach and stay up until four in the morning? Go for it. ESCAPE was built to cater to dreams. Whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted it--the moment you stepped foot within the park's door, it was yours. And the best part? No. Adults. Allowed.

Premise/plot: A new theme park, ESCAPE, will be opening soon. And the tickets are quite exclusive--just a hundred tickets. Unless you are somebody who is SOMEBODY. The first seventy invites go to celebrities. But the last thirty tickets, well, anyone can enter the drawing. It will be completely random. But will Cody, our hero, be one of those thirty???? (Of course, or this would be a very, very, very short book). But will Cody want to escape from ESCAPE? 

My thoughts: I thought this was a good action-packed mystery-thriller. Cody and his new (celebrity) friends will have to work as a team if they hope to survive what is supposed to be the greatest week of their lives. The focus is on the many aspects of the theme park--all the attractions, all the themed sections. There's a good bit of characterization of those three characters--Cody, Inga, and Jayson. The other 90 plus kids not so much. But I wouldn't expect there to be. This is Hunger Games + Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

I liked it for the most part. It is definitely a premise-driven, plot-driven thriller. But I think it is entertaining.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

81. The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief. Rick Riordan. 2005. 377 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Look I didn't want to be a half-blood. If you're reading this because you think you might be one, my advice is: close this book right now. Believe whatever lie your mom or dad told you about your birth, and try to lead a normal life. Being a half-blood is dangerous. It's scary. Most of the time, it gets you killed in painful, nasty ways. If you're a normal kid, reading this because you think it's fiction, great. Read on. I envy you for being able to believe that none of this ever happened. But if you recognize yourself in these pages--if you feel something stirring inside--stop reading immediately. You might be one of us. And once you know that, it's only a matter of time before they sense it too, and they'll come for you. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Premise/plot: Percy Jackson, our hero, is about to be thrown into quite the adventure. It will be quite the fight for survival. Though he doesn't know it at the start, he's a half-blood. His mother is mortal and his father is a god, one of the big three gods, POSEIDON. And well, his very existence is upsetting the order of things. (You see, the big three had a pact that they would not have any more children with mortals. Things get messy when they did.) Soon after the novel opens, he finds himself at camp with others like himself--other halfbloods. He'll be making some great friends--like Grover and Annabeth. Camp may be interesting, but, not nearly as interesting as the quest he's soon given. Percy and his friends have quite an undertaking before them...an undertaking that may even take them to the underworld....and hopefully back again. 

My thoughts: I would have thought I'd have so many reviews of this up on my blog. I guess I haven't reread it nearly as much as I thought I had. That being said, it was so familiar. Each chapter was like an old friend. I have vivid memories of a handful of scenes (like the casino, for example). I also remembered *who* at camp was going to end up fulfilling a certain prophecy that the oracle gave Percy. So a few of the twists and turns and surprises were no longer twisty-turny. But that's a small sacrifice to make for revisiting with such good friends.

I don't think I've reread the others nearly as much. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

140. Daughter of the Deep

Daughter of the Deep. Rick Riordan. 2021. 354 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Here's the thing about life-shattering days. They start just like any other. You don't realize your world is about to explode into a million smoking pieces of awfulness until it's too late.

Premise/plot: Daughter of the Deep is Rick Riordan's newest book. It is a premise-driven what if novel. What if Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was more nonfiction than fiction, more true than false. What if his legacy was passed down through his descendants? His DNA--their DNA--holding keys to great staggering technological wonders and achievements. Ana Dakkar, our heroine, is Captain Nemo's descendant...and the fate of the world may depend on her survival and her ability to connect (and ultimately command) with the Nautilus. 

Harding-Pencroft Academy is at war with the Land Institute. Ana--and most of the characters of the book--are students and faculty of Harding-Pencroft Academy. But the setting is not on land, but on sea, the deep sea. Ana--and most of the characters--are freshmen at the academy. 

My thoughts: If an intriguing premise is ALL you need from a book, then this may prove quite entertaining. I will give it to Riordan that the premise--on paper--sounds fantastic. A premise with great potential for action, adventure, character growth, world building, etc. All the best action-adventure books have strong friendships at their core.

But. Does Daughter of the Deep deliver more than an interesting/intriguing premise? My opinion is NO. I think the book spends so much time on the premise and world building, that very little--if any--time is spent on developing RELATIONSHIPS or even characterization. I haven't decided if a) the characters are meant to be developed but just come across as boring or bland or indistinguishable or b) he was so busy writing descriptions and plotting action/battle scenes that he forgot that characters matter. The truth is if a reader fails to care about the characters, then it doesn't matter how many battle scenes there are: the book will be BORING and lifeless. More time and attention is spent on describing the Nautilus than there is developing characters like Ana.

So if I feel this strongly about the book, why did I keep reading???? Well, at first I thought it was just setting up the world and that if I could get past the first chunk of info-dumping, then it would "get good." Sure, the start might be slow, but somewhere along the way it would all click into place and then BOOM it would be worth it. All the world-building will have been time well spent, the big picture will be seen, and it will be satisfying. About hundred pages left to go, and I was like...I don't think this book is going to get better. I don't think it will prove ultimately satisfying. Then it was just stubbornness pure and simple. I'm not going to get that close to the end only to give up on a book. 

It didn't help that 98% of all reviews on Goodreads are WOW, I CAN'T BELIEVE WE HAVE A COVER NOW. I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

97. Dark Waters

Dark Waters (Small Spaces #3) Katherine Arden. 2021. [August] 198 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Spring is East Evansburg, and the rain poured down like someone had turned on a hose in the sky.

Premise/plot: Brian, Olivia, and Coco are friends who face DANGERS together--for better or worse. In this their third adventure, they are MAROONED on a haunted island in the middle of a lake facing off against a sea monster. Well, a monster that can hunt on sea or on land. The danger is real and the monster isn't the only threat...Olivia's dad was bitten by a snake during this sailing adventure, and they were never able to contact help before their boat...well...let's just say that the monster took a big bite out of their boat...

My thoughts: I mostly enjoyed spending more time with our heroes: Brian Battersby, Olivia Adler, and Coco Zintner. The three are joined by a classmate, Phil Dimmonds. Turns out these three aren't the only one who remember the terrifying adventures in the first book (like they originally thought).

I personally don't understand why these three children agreed to go on a sailing adventure together. Seriously. After the events of the first and second books, you would think they'd be aware of the dangers of such an adventure.

The book packs plenty of thrills and action sequences...and the ending is quite the cliffhanger.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

69. In the Red

In the Red. Christopher Swiedler. 2020. [March] 288 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: By Friday afternoon, after a week of careful thought, Michael Prasad had come up with just one theory for how he might make it to Monday morning without getting grounded for the rest of his life.

Premise/plot: In the Red is a middle grade science fiction novel set on Mars. Michael, the hero, has been forbidden to try (again) for his basic certification--being certified to go out on the surface of Mars in an environmental suit. Most pass by the age of ten--he's twelve. But he's experienced panic attacks in the past on test day--that were not pretty. Michael feels certain he's a big disappointment to his dad. If he can just get over his panic attacks then he could visit his father at work on the station. So many things he could do...if only his body didn't betray him.

Lilith, Michael's best, best, best friend, is so supportive of him. For better or worse--after another failed attempt--she suggests the two of them SNEAK out and go to the surface. What could go wrong????

If nothing went wrong, In the Red would be a short story that few would find super-compelling. Instead it is action packed and filled with danger. Action packed yet still character driven. Despite the jacket copy telling readers a LOT of what to expect, I recommend reading it knowing as little as possible.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED this one. If you like survivor stories, science fiction, coming of age, characters with depth that are relatable, adventure, action...this one has it all. It's so well paced too. I loved the narrator, Michael. I loved his relationships with his best friend, Lilith, and with his brother. (Though we see very little of Peter.)  

It is premise-driven, action-driven, and character-driven. It's hard to be all three--to excel at all three. It is easy to *try* not so easy to succeed. This is an excellent book.

Quotes:

"Well, whatever you do, don't give up, okay?" Peter said. "Don't let anyone convince you that you're some kind of freak."
"I am a freak," Michael mumbled.
"No," Peter said firmly. "You're not. I don't care how many panic attacks you have."
"Mom and Dad don't see it that way."
"Mom and Dad just want to protect you, because that's their job," Peter said. "But part of growing up is deciding when you don't need protection anymore."

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Max Tilt: 80 Days Or Die

Max Tilt: 80 Days or Die (Max Tilt #2) Peter Lerangis. 2018. 416 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: No one ever paid attention to the man with the drooping eye.

Premise/plot: Max Tilt: 80 Days or Die is the second book in a new series by Peter Lerangis. The plot has/had the potential to be great. Max is a descendant of French writer, Jules Verne. Verne’s legacy lives on...in a series of codes and puzzles. Max and Alex went on quite the quest in the first book. Max thought the solution to his biggest problem could be saved by money—lots of it. But it turns out that money can’t buy everything. Max is shocked by this—adult readers shouldn’t be. It turns out that the next quest will be a matter of life and death.

Verne’s mysterious letters indicate that by combining a series of fantastic near-impossible-to-find ingredients together that any and every sickness/illness can be cured. Death could be thwarted if and only if you possess this magical concoction.

Evelyn is his friend with a terminal illness. She only has a few months to live. This is enough to motivate him to do something he thought he’d never do again—risk his own life to trek the globe on an dangerous adventure. Mid-trip he learns that his mom’s cancer has returned. Max is stunned!!! He never expected that...after all it was the money he found that sent her to “the best doctors and best hospitals” that money could buy! Now it is more important than ever that the quest is successful. But it won’t be easy...bad guys come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and genders.

My thoughts: I found the second book to be obnoxious. Clearly both books ask readers to suspend disbelief. Clearly both are fantasy novels even though both are set in the “real world.” It isn’t the only middle grade novel where all adults are either absent, negligent, or evil.

The fact that the book trivializes serious real-life issues is what I find so annoying. It’s one thing to go on a quest to save the world from...demons, wizards, vampires, aliens, etc. It is quite another to go on a quest for a cure-all for EVERY disease or malady (gunshot wound or cancer). (Verne used it after a gunshot wound.) I found the book to be over the top ridiculous...and predictable.

Whether any child likes it or not...some diseases do prove terminal. Traveling the world on your own...placing a person’s wellbeing on your doing so...it’s just too much. Max doesn’t need to feel responsible for the lives of his friend and mom.
© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Max Tilt: Fire the Depths

Max Tilt: Fire the Depths (Max Tilt #1) Peter Lerangis. 2017. HarperCollins. 368 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Before the day he was abandoned, Max Tilt thought life was pretty much perfect.

Premise/plot: When Max’s mom gets sick, his parents leave him in the care of his older cousin, Alex, as they seek treatment out of town. The two (Max and Alex) soon discover that the parents have been horribly irresponsible. The electricity is turned off the second day, I think! The eviction notice has been served and is due to take effect within a week maybe two. Instead of contacting the parents (either Max or Alex’s), the two decide that by selling the contents of the home online and perhaps getting a part-time job they should be able to get the bills paid and stay in the home. One of the items they list brings trouble to their door! The item is an empty trunk that belonged to Jules Verne, THE Jules Verne. The two set out on a quest when they find a hidden text by Verne, the bad guys are never far behind. In fact, they end up keeping close company with the villains for most of the book. Can they best them by the end and get their hands on the lost manuscript?

My thoughts: I liked the premise of this one. Max and Alex are descendants of Jules Verne. They have inherited some of his things and discover a secret, hidden, mystery text. The descendants of Captain Nemo (or descendant) know about this mystery letter/manuscript and have been hunting for it. The two must battle it out in the book. Both claim that they want to save the world.

You have to suspend ALL your disbelief if you want to enjoy this one. It isn’t unusual for this sub genre. In fact it reminds me a bit of The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis. Two kids without much—if any—adult support set out to save the world. But it wasn’t the adventure quest that had me stumbling. It was the parents leaving Max in such a horrible position. How could they knowingly leave their son knowing that the electric bill is overdue?! Knowing that other utilities will soon follow?! Knowing that the family will be evicted in a few weeks?! It sounds like they are skipping town and abandoning Max. How could they not know about their unpaid bills?! How could they leave knowing?!

Perhaps they expected Alex to take Max home with her?!

I also wondered how the two made it to New York City since both had no money....

But the book did keep me reading. I have plans to read the second book in the series.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Hobbit

The Hobbit. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1937.  320 pages. [Source: Bought]

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.  

Premise/plot: Bilbo Baggins has an unexpected adventure in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. When this children's classic opens, Bilbo is decidedly not a burglar. But by the end of it, well, you may have to decide for yourself if he is or isn't... Regardless, Bilbo sets off with THIRTEEN dwarves on a get-rich-or-die-trying quest. They're off to face down a DRAGON, but the dragon won't be the only challenge they face. Will Bilbo return to his beloved shire wiser?!

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love, love, love this one. I do. I may even love it a tiny bit more than the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Maybe. It's a tricky thing really because in truth, I just LOVE hobbits. I love spending time with hobbits. I love Tolkien's insights about hobbits. One of the things I love about Tolkien is how quotable he is.

Quotes:

“Good Morning!” said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat. “What do you mean?” he said. “Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?” “All of them at once,” said Bilbo.

“What a lot of things you do use Good morning for!” said Gandalf. “Now you mean that you want to get rid of me, and that it won’t be good till I move off.”

He liked visitors, but he liked to know them before they arrived, and he preferred to ask them himself. He had a horrible thought that the cakes might run short, and then he—as the host: he knew his duty and stuck to it however painful—he might have to go without.

“Go back?” he thought. “No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!”

He was altogether alone. Soon he thought it was beginning to feel warm. “Is that a kind of a glow I seem to see coming right ahead down there?” he thought. It was. As he went forward it grew and grew, till there was no doubt about it. It was a red light steadily getting redder and redder. Also it was now undoubtedly hot in the tunnel. Wisps of vapour floated up and past him and he began to sweat. A sound, too, began to throb in his ears, a sort of bubbling like the noise of a large pot galloping on the fire, mixed with a rumble as of a gigantic tom-cat purring. This grew to the unmistakable gurgling noise of some vast animal snoring in its sleep down there in the red glow in front of him. It was at this point that Bilbo stopped. Going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did. The tremendous things that happened afterwards were as nothing compared to it. He fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait.

“You have nice manners for a thief and a liar,” said the dragon. “You seem familiar with my name, but I don’t seem to remember smelling you before. Who are you and where do you come from, may I ask?” “You may indeed! I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led. And through the air. I am he that walks unseen.” “So I can well believe,” said Smaug, “but that is hardly your usual name.” “I am the clue-finder, the web-cutter, the stinging fly. I was chosen for the lucky number.” “Lovely titles!” sneered the dragon. “But lucky numbers don’t always come off.” “I am he that buries his friends alive and drowns them and draws them alive again from the water. I came from the end of a bag, but no bag went over me.” “These don’t sound so creditable,” scoffed Smaug. “I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider,” went on Bilbo beginning to be pleased with his riddling. “That’s better!” said Smaug. “But don’t let your imagination run away with you!”

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews