Category Archives: Reviews

Oct14

Rebellion in Fairyland Mirrors Modern Values

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crystalpalaceII

The Crystal Palace II: Rebellion in Fairyland by Michele Hauser

Kidnapped! What would you do? Carry that idea into the kidnappers being ogres and trolls, and you’ve got an interesting problem that is the center of the second Crystal Palace book, Rebellion in Fairyland. Michelle Hauser brings modern conflicts and thinking to the medieval world of Fairyland. It’s a new take on what Fairy is all about.

An invitation arrives for the girls Karina, Katie and Nicole to return to Fairyland for the Prince’s third birthday party. But all goes terribly wrong when they find themselves at the center of a new controversy, a conflict between fairies and their servants the ogres and trolls.

Fairyland had seemed quite enchanting, until the realization that the ogres and trolls do all of the work and service for the fairies of the land. Karina, Katie and Nicole are kidnapped with the Fairy Princess Gianna, and drawn into the conflict. In order to be free, they must help solve the problem.

The ogres and trolls just want the same opportunities as the fairies. The kidnapping is a form of protest for the ogres. The girls have to try to remember their history and civics lessons to teach the medieval-thinking fairies a modern spin on how a society includes all people.

I found it interesting the way Hauser weaves modern problems into the Fairyland medieval setting. The girls become the heroes bringing enlightenment to this backwards society. Not only do they rely on themselves, but other friendly people they get to know, such as the ogres. Hauser has the King listen thoughtfully to their ideas. And of course, the new way of thinking and including the ogres and trolls as equals is the solution to the social problem. It is a great twist for a second book, reflecting our own society and world within the World of Fairy. It is good fantasy that helps teach a lesson. Great for any fifth graders studying the US constitution and the Civil War.

**** Four Star Rating. Available at Amazon.com.

Jul18

Not a Vampire, Not a Superhero, But A Kid That Saves the Day

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Chaderick Not a Vampire. Not a Zombie. Not a Superhero written by Lauren DW Luchsinger Fox

Chaderick is a typical nerdy kid. He reminds me of Encyclopedia Brown, if he lived in a town of superheroes. Chaderick, which doesn’t prefer Chad, is a not so average kid with not typical neighbors. He stands out since he’s one of the few people that isn’t a superhero, vampire, or zombie. Really, what could be left? The biggest lesson of all to learn, that being yourself can save the day.

Chaderick Not a Vampire. Not a Zombie. Not a Superhero. is by Lauren DW Luchsinger Fox. The book focuses on the problem of what to do when you don’t fit in. With his sidekick Hollanda, or Hole, Chaderick searches for the solutions to different mysteries in the town of Hero Town. Why did someone tie up the cafe owners and steal the mustard? Why was there a mysterious fire? Could there be evil afoot with a town full of superheroes? But of course, Chaderick isn’t the only one on the case. Pyroman, Super Dan, and if the local police are out to catch the culprits. But Chaderick wants to prove that you don’t have to be a superhero to save the day.

This is a great book for kids to build self-esteem and have trouble reading. The language is simple and direct for a middle reader. Chaderick is a misfit in a hero filled world. He’s very endearing to anyone that has felt like they don’t stand out in a crowd. The interplay between his friend Hole is masterful. It’s a sidekick relationship you can buy into. Plus, the plot leads to an ending that is satisfying, but with a fun twist. I only had trouble with Chaderick getting tricked into a box trap by the villain. I thought he’d been established as being smarter than falling for it.

Overall, Chaderick Not a Vampire. Not a Zombie. Not a Superhero. is a great read for those wanting a book of misfits in a world full of superheroes. Parents will love the direct humor that will help a lower reader. With lots of free summer time, this would be a great book to entertain during any family vacation.

**** Four Star Rating
Available at Barnes and Nobles and Amazon.com.

Jul2

What Happens When A Villain Turns Good

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Featured Indie Book and Author

Welcome! I am featuring an Indie Author that writes amazing Middle Grade/YA fiction. Author Laura Lond has written a book series with a balance of humor and a twist to the normal hero. Her protagonist is a villian.

I’ve reviewed her first book, My Sparkling Adventure, and have recently reviewed her second book, My Royal Pain Quest. Your blog tour begins with the book review of My Royal Pain Quest. Follow the links below to enjoy an interview with Laura Lond from last summer. Plus, the review for her first book is also linked. I hope you enjoy this fabulous Indie writer.

Characters usually have the problem of not drifting to the dark side. In the second book of the Lakeland Knight series, My Royal Pain Quest by Laura Lond, Lord Arkus has the opposite problem. He’s already a villian, and keeps drifting towards the light, goodness, and all those pesky hero traits. He’s tried his hardest not to be good. But after he is stuck with a sparkling, an inherently good creature, his deviant path of badness keeps leading him to be a hero.

My Royal Pain Quest by Laura Lond

In the first book, My Sparkling Misfortune. Jarvis, the now incognito sparkling, infleunces Arkus with goodly ways. At the end, his sword is used in evil misdeeds, and he is put into a coma state as punishment. The second book opens with Lord Arkus guarding his friend Jarvi, and trying to figure out how to restore him to normal. It’s a very big step to becoming a hero, a very unvillain-like thing to do.

The book takes you on a quest of hero feats, all to help restore Jarvi to normal. Along the way, Lord Arkus picks up a sidekick, a highway woman named Cassandra, that only helps for the right price. Lord Arkus treads down the path to heroism and becomes less of a villain as he completes each task.

The hero elements are there, like having mermen allies after Lord Arkus inadvertently saves a mermaid. He has to work with a previous enemy, Prince Kellemar, as a quest. And lastly, helps with a new group of critters to find a lost boy. The hodgepodge of completing them lends to the humor. Hero acts keep piling on Lord Arkus, and the inner rebellion against being a hero starts to wain.

Cassandra, the highway woman, is an fantastic character. She’s a woman that can kick serious butt with a sword. Prince Kellemar, from the previous book, plays a part in the quests, going through a transformation of his own. All the twists in opposites does keep the plot interesting.

I enjoyed the way the book continued the villain struggle for Arkus. It’s a unique twist in character inner struggles. However, there is a sense of seriousness that seems to lose the humor from the previous book. It does fall in line with the plot of trying to save the sparkling. I also thought the ending was a bit too fairy tale like. It lent to some humor, but I think there could have been more to Cassandra and Lord Arkus building their relationship.

In the end, the plot and characters are so strong, they pull you through the book. My Royal Pain Quest works as a sequel, and I am definitely ready for book 3. This can be a great start to your child’s summer reading list, or for any adult that enjoys a fun read.

***** Five Star Rating
My Royal Pain Quest is available at Amazon.com, Smashwords.com, and Barnes and Noble.

*Link to a Review of the first book, My Sparkling Misfortune.

*Link to an interview with author, Laura Lond.
To continue with your INDIEpendence Day Blog tour event, link back to the Indibles Writers Blog.

Apr26

A World Beyond Video Games

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The Dragon Box by Katie W. Stewart

If you love video games, The Dragon Box by Katie W. Stewart might be the next fantasy read for you. James is friends with the eccentric, but friendly old man next door, Mack. On one of the strange visits to see Mack, James is given a new video game. It has no screen or normal controls. But when he sits on his bed to give it a try, it takes him into a world beyond his dreams. Literally.

James is transported into a new world in which a dragon needs his help to save the kingdom from an evil witch. James is the unlikely hero, and has to figure a way to save the day. But he has to make some choices that help him realize, there is more to being a hero than being able to wield a sword. And the reset button might not work.

I was surprised on how much I enjoyed this story in the end. Stewart has a way of charmingly describing the action in a gentle, funny way. The relationship between Mack and James is a classic wizard and boy hero joy that has you smiling until the end. Between the video game twist and the world of fantasy brought to life, I was cheering for James to figure out the solution for each challenge he endured. This is a great read for any child that loves adventure, fantasy, and video games.

***** Five Star Rating
The Dragon Box is available as a Kindle edition at Amazon.com.

Apr13

Only The Shadow Knows-Teens Are People Too

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Rita Morse and the Sinister Shadow by Holly Hook

I recently read Rita Morse and the Sinister Shadow by Holly Hook. It was quite an interesting read with the main character being a female. This book gives young girls a chance to be whisked into a town controlled by shadow people. These shadow people feel that teens should be seen and not heard. So it is up to Rita and her two best friends to put an end to this madness.

This war on teens by A. Gist, the leader of the shadow people, was trying to get all teens put in their place. Yet, Rita Morse, a strong willed heroin, would not let that happen. She battled with her friends to defeat the evil A. Gist.

Rita Morse and the Sinister Shadow has a great ending with optimistic opportunity for a sequel. I would give this book 3 stars. It starts out with a bang and then has a few slow spots in the middle, but picks up at the end. My teenage daughter enjoyed reading this book along with me.

*** Star Rating
Available on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

Written by guest blogger,
Debbie Cogliandro

Apr11

Dolls Make the Best Travel Companions

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A recent epicture book has caught my attention. Emilio by Silvina de Vita is a charming story about an ignored doll. Thoughts of the “Velvetine Rabbit” came to mind as this little rag doll is ignored by his owner. You want him to be loved. He tries everything, with adorable pictures to illustrate his plight. Finally, he is packed in a dark suitcase and travels to places that even the Travel Gnome would be jealous of.

This ebook seems like a great fit for young children 2-6 years old. It is also available in Spanish. It’s a great way to get children excited about travel, esp. if a toy is their favorite travel companion. Plus, it can be used to teach that travel can be fun, and that a special travel toy companion can bring security to a worried child.

**** 4 star rating. Available in English and Spanish editions at Amazon.com.

Blog Link: http://piopiobooks.wordpress.com/

Jan28

Kids With Super Powers Rule

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Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson

What if you’re 12 years old with Super Powers? Which super power would you have? Pricilla Sumner doesn’t have a choice. She discovers the hard way that fire can shoot from her fingers. And the fun continues from there.

Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson is a book that combines a comic book heroine with a Spy Kids plot. Priscilla likes to hang out with her best friend, Tai, and talk about boys. But when she discovers a secret so intense it can fry her friends, literally, that’s when things get interesting.

Unlike some comic books, it seems more realistic. Ok, really. There’s a nice emotional connection that comes from the first person narrative of Priscilla. You feel you have the super powers with her. Suddenly, fire shooting from your fingers is a problem along with a possible first kiss with a boy.

Priscilla and her mother don’t get along well. Her mother is so busy with work, she seems to hardly know Priscilla exists. But as her powers grow, she realizes her mother is the key.

Noting clues, such as her father upset she appears on a local TV show and her mother gone for long periods of time, Priscilla starts to put together a bigger picture. Everything is revealed when she finds herself in mega trouble. And it will take trusting her mother, figuring how to use her powers, and relying on herself to save her family.

Though I’m not a big super hero fan, I enjoyed the realistic, narrative writing style. I started to get sucked in relating to the fact most teens try to wish they were something else. Along with the combination of teen and super hero problems, Nelson combines an adventurous plot.

Though I might have chosen different super powers, I found relating to Priscilla easy and fun. There are some older teen issues. Priscilla and her mother have a simliar talk about boys that most preteens should have. If you have a child that hasn’t had Family Life ed in school, you might want to look through to see if you want them to wait until they are a bit older. In the end, I was won over by the witty and super Priscilla. This an enjoyable first book to a super series.

Rated 4 Stars ****
Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.

*Read the interview with Sybil Nelson.

Dec29

Caterpillars Don’t Check Email-A Cutting Edge Epicture Book

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Caterpillars Don't Check Email by Calee M. Lee

Looking for a way to charm the little one over and over? Take a look into this new Epicture Book. Caterpillars Don’t Check Email captures the imagination. It propels you into the world of a caterpillar and a little girl, and what a caterpillar really wants.

A little girl and caterpillar meet. What do they want? Definitely not email, coffee, or a carrot. This picture book leads you to the realm of possibilities, and leaves you with a message you’ll want to share on your Iphone again and again.

The illustrations are photos of the girl and caterpillar on their adventure. The photos capture some classic moments as she tries to please the caterpillar. Attempt after attempt fail. After much trial and error, the girl discovers the final truth of what a caterpillar really wants. You’ll discover the secret too if you read this lovable tale of fascination with nature.

**** 4 Star Rating
Available on Amazon.com

Dec20

An Otherworldly Adventure for the Young at Heart

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Otherworld Tales: Irish the Demon Slayer by C.T. Markee

You’re an average kid hanging out with your friends. Then, weird things start to happen. Boulders try to run you over. The trees start to talk to you. Then, you’re cornered by a lady that seems like a witch from a fairy tale. Could it be real?

Otherworld Tales: Irish the Demon Slayer by Charles Markee starts out like any other day. Riding bikes on trails near their houses, a group of boys race their BMX bikes. Pete, nicknamed Irish, hears a warning voice before a boulder comes out of nowhere and almost kills them. Thinking it was an earthquake, the boys head home until they run into a strange old woman. She talks of Celtic legends as if they are real.

But when Irish’s sister, Kathy, goes missing, the prophecy from the old woman seems to come true. Irish must face the demon Abaddon and find his sister. Journeying into the Otherworld, Irish and his friends, Streak and Huff, soon discover a hidden world with the Queen of the Sidhe. They must overcome obstacles, warriors, and learn from each other to save the world from a terrible demon.

This is a great adventure for anyone who loves Celtic lore. From Ogham sticks to the Tuatha de Danann, Markee twists in Irish poetry appearing on a helpful Ogham stick to meeting the legendary Celtic warrior, Cuchulain. The legends mix into an adventure story packed full of fighting, suspense, and cheering for the good guy.

I really enjoyed the Celtic references in this book. It really made it fun. I think some of the explanations might have slowed the pace, and some of the kid character’s dialogue needed more variety in the slang. But overall, it’s a fun read for those that like a great adventure.

**** 4 Star rating
Available as ebook or paperback on Amazon.com. Also available as an ebook on Smashwords.com.

*Read an interview with Charles Markee.

Oct30

A Book for the Wereperson at Heart

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Year of the Werecurse-Werewhat? by Debi Faulkner

October is the month for spooky, creepy fiction. If you like that plus a touch of some ole’ fashion normal kid problems, this book is for you. Imagine moving to a new town. Your family just inherited a mansion and for some reason, the villagers are afraid of you. Welcome to the world of Jack Henry, your average geeky 11 year old, that loves comic books and a glance at beautiful girls from afar. His only problem was waiting for the new copy of a thriller comic book in the Gargoyle Knight series. You know, simple preteen problems, until he came to Whereville.

Now, something strange is going on with his family. His new house can’t stay in the same pattern for long, making it a clear adventure just to go to the bathroom. But more unravels when the full moon arrives. Can he keep his family safe from their own were curse? Will the villagers ever treat him normal? Or is that impossible with a family that is clearly cursed with an unusual ability? You be the judge in this new take on what it is to be “Were”.

If you love the Goosebumps series or books like it, you’ll enjoy this interesting way of looking at werepeople. Werewolves tend to be the most written about wereanimal. But what if there were more types? Peacocks? Sea Turtles? Sloths? It does create a bit of a family problem, especially since the curse seems to be affecting his parent’s ability to judge what is safe versus unsafe. The main character, Jack Henry, seems to be the only one aware of the problem until he finally convinces his sister being a werepeacock is a bit different. Of course, one can infer it’s part of the curse.

This book kept my attention until the end. And I did enjoy the conflict of the Science teacher and town bullies out to get the poor, Jack Henry. Miserable underdogs appeal to me.

If you like a story to get you into the Halloween mood and that could take you through the next few weeks, this is a book to start now. As many good horror fiction tales, it goes through a good portion of the school year, making it a great read all year long. A definitely enjoyable children’s horror fiction that turns Jack Henry into a were-Harry Potter hero.

**** Four Star Rating

Available in Amazon.com and Smashwords.com ebook editions.