I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Canterbury Classics) for promotional purposes.
What a delightful read!
Going into this booI received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Canterbury Classics) for promotional purposes.
What a delightful read!
Going into this book, I didn’t have any set expectations regarding the storyline. I’ve never seen the movie (although I obviously know of it) and I’m only vaguely acquainted with Wicked (I haven’t seen or heard the musical, but have listened to the movie soundtrack and know of the movie’s storyline). However, as a kid I did read an adapted version of this book, so I remembered some of the plot.
The story is reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland (which is one of my all time favorite books). Both stories revolve around a girl who is lost in a fantasy world and meets all kinds of interesting folks along the way. It’s a simple plot line that works so well.
The cast of characters really made this an enjoyable read. The Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion were all so lovable! They were such good friends to Dorothy (and each other). Also of note were the china people (literally people made of china). They were only in the story briefly, but they were fascinating (they constantly broke and had to be mended).
The book also has cute illustrations throughout. They were whimsical and helped you picture the different people/creatures Dorothy met along the way.
This edition also included six “Little Wizard Stories of Oz.” They were all short and sweet and even included new characters like the Hungry Tiger, Ozma, and Jack Pumpkinhead.
Overall, I am so glad I read this book! It’s a classic for a reason and I know I would have loved it as a kid. ...more
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Inklore) for promotional purposes.
What an enthralling fantasy read!
Prior to reading thisI received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Inklore) for promotional purposes.
What an enthralling fantasy read!
Prior to reading this book, I read volume 1 of the comic and loved it. Because of that, I was very familiar with the start of the book and the characters. The novel spans way more time than the comic so most of the book was new to me.
Like with the comic, I liked Maxi and Riftan together. I enjoyed their dynamic and look forward to seeing how their relationship progresses in future volumes. There was more of Ruth, the sorcerer, in this, which I was happy to see. I love him; he’s such a fascinating character.
The world building was also well done. The novel goes way more in depth into their world and its workings than the comic does.
As for the plot, the second half of the book was not as engaging as the first half. This is likely due to having to set things up for the future, which is fairly common in fantasy series.
The book contains a map as well as a “Seven Kingdoms Handbook” at the end with more information about their world. These were both so helpful and I always love it when fantasy books include extras like these.
Overall, I really enjoyed this romantasy. If you liked the comic version, definitely read the novel!
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Inklore) for promotional purposes.
This was so so so good!
Prior to receiving this book, II received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Inklore) for promotional purposes.
This was so so so good!
Prior to receiving this book, I had never heard of this webcomic/webnovel series before. I’m so glad it was put on my radar because I’m kind of obsessed with it now. I can see why it’s a popular online series.
First off, the artwork is gorgeous. This is a full color graphic novel printed on thick pages. The colors are vibrant and the art style really made it feel like I’m right there with the characters. Reading the book often felt like watching an anime.
The storyline is fairly basic (arranged marriage trope), but I didn’t mind it. Sometimes simple is better.
As for the main characters, I loved Maxi and Riftan. They were such a cute couple. Riftan was so protective over Maxi and I loved how he showed her love and kindness. Maxi had a rough upbringing so Riftan was exactly what she needed. For supporting characters, I found Ruth (the sorcerer) fascinating. I’m eager to learn more about him.
Overall, I cannot wait to continue this series. I was also sent the novel version, so I will be reading that in the meantime. If you like romantasy and graphic novels, definitely check this one out!
I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
I am such a huge Disney Descendants fan (I’ve seen all the movies and have read all I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
I am such a huge Disney Descendants fan (I’ve seen all the movies and have read all the books in this series) and this book made me so excited for the new movie.
In this book we are introduced to Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts. I loved her. She is so different from the Villain Kids in the sense that she isn’t trying to be evil or wicked. She just wants to do her own thing and escape her mother’s tyrannical rule.
As for the supporting characters, I loved Chester and Ace. They were such good friends to Red and I was shocked at what happened to them at the end. As a huge Alice in Wonderland fan, I liked the inclusion of the Duchess, who is a character from the book, but never appears in any of the Disney movies.
I also enjoyed exploring Wonderland. It is very different from the Isle of the Lost. It’s basically a no-fun zone due to all the crazy rules.
Like the rest of the series, the book is fast paced and there is never a dull moment, making it a quick and easy read.
Overall, if you love the Disney Descendants franchise, you’re sure to love this one!
I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
What a fun fantasy story!
First off, this book is hilarious. It’s very satirical andI received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
What a fun fantasy story!
First off, this book is hilarious. It’s very satirical and pokes a lot of fun at own society. Parts of the story were reminiscent of the pandemic and how some political leaders and society handled it. I found it very clever. One of the funniest parts of the book was ogre speak, which was essentially really foul and rude language. Since this book is aimed towards a young adult audience any foul language is completely censored with asterisks, so you just have to use your imagination on what was censored.
As for the characters, they were all so fun. I loved Princess Maryan; she was a smart and savvy protagonist. The rest of the group (Sir Humphrey, Gunthar, Yang, and Cornelius) were also lovable. Other standouts were Maryan’s suitors who were all so ridiculous.
The story itself is a little silly but in a good way. I enjoyed joining Maryan and her friends on their quest to fulfill the prophecy.
Lastly, the book does include a map, which I always find so helpful in fantasy books. I liked being able to follow their journey across the land.
Overall, if you are looking for an entertaining fantasy story filled with adventure and humor, consider reading this book! ...more
I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
What a wonderful way to end the trilogy!
This book, like theI received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
What a wonderful way to end the trilogy!
This book, like the previous two, was fast paced and filled with romance, magic, and adventure. The story picks up where book 2 ended and from there becomes a real page turner. There was never a dull moment and grips you right from the start.
What I loved most about this book was the emphasis on love and loyalty. I love Tristan and Issylte’s relationship and how their love just kept getting stronger. I also liked how their friends and allies never hesitated to help them out. Lancelot, in particular, has been a standout character throughout all the books due to his friendship with Tristan.
As usual, the world building was amazing. It’s so vivid and enchanting! I absolutely loved this world and will miss reading about it.
The writing style was also impeccable. The author writes with such an ease. Often times fantasy books can be confusing, but not this series. The reader is guided through the story effortlessly.
Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion to an exciting trilogy. I highly recommend this book/series to fantasy lovers, especially those who like fantasy with a touch of fairy tales and/or medieval influence. You won’t be disappointed! ...more
I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher for promotional purposes.
I was so excited to read this because it is based on Filipino mytI received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher for promotional purposes.
I was so excited to read this because it is based on Filipino mythology. I’m Filipino and this is the first book I’ve seen that draws from Filipino mythology. It did not disappoint.
The incorporation of Filipino mythology and culture were wonderfully done. There’s no denying the Filipino influence. There are even mentions of various Filipino foods (like pancit and empanadas) and Filipino clothes (like Barong Tagalog and Maria Clara dresses). I just loved seeing all the Filipino representation! I’m so glad Melissa de la Cruz decided to use her heritage as inspiration.
I loved the supporting characters. MJ’s friend Nix was super cool and such a great friend to her. MJ’s love interest, Sir Lucas, was very dashing. It’s no surprise she fell for him.
As for the story, I found it to be exciting and intriguing. There’s mystery, adventure, politics, magic, and of course some romance. I was never bored and I couldn’t wait to see how it all ended. It definitely kept me guessing until the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and am curious to see what’s to come in the sequel (this is the first in a duet). If you’re a fan of Melissa de la Cruz’s books, you’ll like this one! ...more
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (DC Comics) for promotional purposes.
What an adorable graphic novel for kids!
I’ve read manyI received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (DC Comics) for promotional purposes.
What an adorable graphic novel for kids!
I’ve read many books in DC’s Graphic Novels for Young Adults line, but this was my first one from their Kids line. I thought this was just as good as the YA ones.
Going into the story, I didn’t have any particular expectations because I am not familiar with Amethyst and Gemworld. But after reading this, I’m thinking I should start looking into her and Gemworld because she’s pretty cool and Gemworld sounds like an amazing place.
I loved the characters. Amaya (Amethyst) was well developed. She was so sassy and mischievous at the beginning, but matured throughout the story. Her friends Autumn and Topaz were also memorable.
The artwork and style were so cute. It worked perfectly for a younger audience. The colors used to represent the different worlds and characters were stunning. In particular, the pastel purple used for House Amethyst was so pretty.
The only thing I didn’t love was how rushed the ending was. All of the problems were solved so fast. I would have liked to seen the ending stretched out more.
Overall, this was an enjoyable graphic novel that kids (and some adults) are sure to love! ...more
I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
I’ve been the biggest Narnia fan since I was kid. It was always my favorite fantasy I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
I’ve been the biggest Narnia fan since I was kid. It was always my favorite fantasy series growing up and I was utterly obsessed with it. I had read the author’s other novel, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, and loved it, so naturally I knew I had to read this one.
This was such a magical read!
This book perfectly encapsulates the wonder and excitement of falling in love with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. It reminded me of just how enchanting the world of Narnia is and gave me a huge wave of nostalgia.
The plot is simple: a young woman seeks to give her dying brother comfort helping him figure out the origin of his favorite book by talking with the author. The simplicity of the plot works so well. It allows the readers to really think about the stories being told and to draw their own conclusions about how Narnia came to be.
As for the characters, I loved both the main characters, especially George. He was so precious.
The writing style is fantastic. It’s easy to follow and flows so well which makes the book such a quick read.
Overall, this was such a heartwarming read (I almost cried while reading it, and that’s saying something because I have never cried while reading a book). If you are a fan of Narnia I highly recommend reading this magical book! ...more
I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
This is only the second Twisted Tale I’ve read (the other being Reflection, which coI received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
This is only the second Twisted Tale I’ve read (the other being Reflection, which coincidentally has a somewhat similar storyline) so I can’t rank it in comparison to the others.
This was such a fun read!
I love that the book focused on Meg instead of Hercules. Meg is one of my favorite Disney characters and is so underrated. This book not only gave Meg her own story, but also dove into her past and showed more of her relationship with Hercules that we didn’t see in the movie.
Other characters from the movie are also in the book including Phil, Pegasus, Zeus, and of course Hades. There are also plenty of new characters. I would have liked to have seen a little more of Hercules, but given that this is truly Meg’s story, his lack of presence was justified.
As for the story, I found it entertaining and full of adventure, while also still having a lot of heart.
Lastly, I loved that it is revealed (on page 252) that Meg’s last name is Egan. In case you didn’t know, Egan, is the last name of Meg’s voice actor (Susan Egan).
Overall, if you are a fan of the movie or Meg, I recommend this book! ...more
I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
What a fantastic follow up to the first book! I loved the firI received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
What a fantastic follow up to the first book! I loved the first one and was not disappointed by its sequel.
This book picks up where the first one left off and is full of nonstop action and adventure. It is just as faced paced as the previous book.
I really enjoyed seeing the characters grow and develop. Issylte has become quite the fierce lady. She has come a long way since the beginning of book one. I also loved seeing Tristan and Issylte’s relationship blossom. The first book was a lot of setup for them so I was happy to see the payoff. I was glad that their relationship wasn’t insta-love and that it took time for things to turn romantic and intimate.
One thing this book (and the series so far) does really well is foreshadowing events (i.e. through Issylte’s visions). I love the anticipation and it was so satisfying whenever a foreshadowed event came around.
Like the first book, the world building is amazing. In this book, we are shown even more cool locations and meet more amazing characters and creatures (like mermaids!).
Overall, this was a wonderful installment to the series and I am excited to find out what happens next! If you’re looking for a new fantasy series to read, definitely check this one out. ...more
I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
This book took me by surprise (in a good way)! It’s a retelling of the Tristan and IsI received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
This book took me by surprise (in a good way)! It’s a retelling of the Tristan and Issylte tale. I first became acquainted with this tale from another series and immediately became a fan of their story, so I was very excited to see it redone by another author. Not only is this book a Tristan and Issyle retelling, but it also weaves in Arthurian myth and has everything you want in a fairy tale: an evil stepmother, a princess in disguise, lots of magic, and a plethora of fantasy creatures.
I loved how fast paced the book was. There was never a dull moment. Sometimes fantasy books can take a while to get into the story, but this book dove right in. I was flipping through the pages just wanting to know what would happen next.
I was also impressed with how easy the book was to follow. The book does not have a map, glossary, or a list of characters that you sometimes see in fantasy books. I was able to understand everything that was happening and the world effortlessly.
Lastly, this book is written in dual POVs (Issylte and Tristan), which was the perfect choice. I loved knowing what both of them were thinking and the dual POVs helped illustrate their development well.
Overall, this was an amazing start to the trilogy. I cannot wait to read the next book. If you’re looking for an easy fantasy read, check this book out! ...more
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher for promotional purposes.
I was really impressed with this retelling! I know a lot of peoplI received a copy of this book for free from the publisher for promotional purposes.
I was really impressed with this retelling! I know a lot of people take issue with the Twisted Tales Disney series because it follows the movie too closely, so I was worried that this new Disney Prince series would be similar. Fortunately, this book does add a lot more to the movie. Prince Eric gets an entire backstory involving a curse which gives him so much more depth than he has in the movie. There are also a bunch of added scenes including a ton developing Eric and Ariel’s relationship. Their love story in the book is a lot less insta-lovey than it is in the movie.
I also loved that the book managed to solve common plot issues of the movie. For example, it explains why Ariel doesn’t write what she wants to say and why Ariel didn’t read her contract with Ursula.
This book is also inclusive without feeling forced. One character, Gabriella, is a lesbian, while another character, Sauer, uses they/them pronouns. Both Gabriella’s sexuality and Sauer’s pronouns are no big deal. It’s treated so normally that it actually took me a while to notice Sauer’s pronouns.
Lastly, let’s just take a minute to appreciate that gorgeous cover. It’s perfection.
Overall, I loved this retelling of The Little Mermaid! If you’re a fan of The Little Mermaid, I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. ...more
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Dutton Books) for promotional purposes.
Wow! What a book! This was a dark retelling/reimagI received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Dutton Books) for promotional purposes.
Wow! What a book! This was a dark retelling/reimagining of Peter Pan that managed to creep me out quite a bit. This book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but for me it worked.
I loved the dark take on Peter Pan. There is something inherently a little sinister about the original story and this book really delved into that. It made me rethink the classic story and want to rewatch the Disney movie.
The story moved at a good pace, with everything unraveling at the right time. There were a lot of twists and turns that kept me hooked and turning the pages. This book kept me guessing until the very end.
As for the characters, I liked the incorporation of the original Peter Pan characters. The main characters from Peter Pan (Peter, Wendy, John, Michael, Tinker Bell, and Captain Hook) are either characters in this book or mentioned/incorporated in some way. I also enjoyed the dynamic between the main character, Holly Darling, and her mom, Jane Darling (the daughter of Wendy). They had a very complex mother-daughter relationship that grew as the story went on.
Overall, if you love Peter Pan and want to explore a darker side to the classic tale, then read this book! ...more
I received an ARC of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I previously read one of the author’s other books, Eva EvergrI received an ARC of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I previously read one of the author’s other books, Eva Evergreen, Semi Magical Witch, and absolutely loved it. I was very excited to read this one since it acts as a prequel to the Eva Evergreen books. Unfortunately, I didn’t like this book as much as Eva Evergreen.
This is a Cinderella retelling and because of that, the book felt constrained plot wise. I didn’t feel as though the story benefitted from being a Cinderella retelling. If the book was just a regular middle grade fantasy without the Cinderella aspects, it still would have worked. I also felt that the book wasn’t as magical as Eva Evergreen. Eva Evergreen had a certain charm about it and I was hoping this book would too since it is set in the same universe.
Additionally, for a book with the word “dragons” in the title, it was light on the dragons. The book never seemed to fully explore the dragons and Alliana’s relationship with them. (Maybe this will come in a later book?)
Don’t get me wrong, I did like some things about the book. I enjoyed the supporting characters, especially Grandmother Mari and Nela. Each of them had such a special relationship and bond with Alliana that was heartwarming to see. I also liked the parts that did feature the dragons.
Overall, there were some things I liked about this and some things I had issues with. I hope there is a sequel to this book since there’s still more to explore with Alliana. If you are looking for a middle grade fantasy, I would say to give it a shot! ...more
I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
I give this book 4.5 stars which rounds up to 5.
This was another solid installment inI received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
I give this book 4.5 stars which rounds up to 5.
This was another solid installment in the series.
This installment had more backstory than the previous volumes which I felt slowed down the pace of the book a little. A good chunk took place in Mao’s past and we learned more about his early days.
Like the previous volume, this one unveiled even more about the story and the characters, including details on how Mao and Nanoka are connected. It is shaping up to be a very intriguing read!
Overall, I really enjoyed this volume and am looking forward to the upcoming volumes. So far, this series has been full of action and mystery, with things coming together at a steady pace. If you’re looking to read a new manga series, consider starting this one (just keep in mind that all the volumes are not yet available in English yet). ...more
I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
This volume was so good!
This installment was jam packed with action. So much happenedI received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
This volume was so good!
This installment was jam packed with action. So much happened and I enjoyed every page of it. There was a lot of world building that helped move the story along. I liked that more of the story was revealed in this volume. The first volume did not explain much and I was a little confused about the world. This volume provided some answers and got me hooked. I have to know what happens next.
This volume also made me love the main characters. Mao is so intriguing and mysterious. I’m excited to learn more about him and his past. Nanoka is turning out to be quite the heroine! Also, Mao’s assistant, Otoya, is so adorable.
Overall, I loved this volume and cannot wait to read volume 3!...more
I received copy of this book for free from the publisher (Algonquin Young Readers) for promotional purposes.
This was such a whimsical and enchanting rI received copy of this book for free from the publisher (Algonquin Young Readers) for promotional purposes.
This was such a whimsical and enchanting read! The story was full of magic and wonder. It’s not a surprise this book won a Newbery Medal. It reminded me of the fantasy books I read as child.
The characters were also a standout. I particularly liked the supporting characters of Glerk, the swamp monster, and Fyrian, the tiny dragon. They added a lot of heart to the story.
The best part of this book was the writing style. It was so beautifully written. The prose flowed so lyrically; it had a poetic quality to it that added to the magic of the story.
My one critique was that the book moved at a slow pace, especially in the beginning. It took a while for the story to take off.
My edition was the Gift Edition which included a full color map, chapter opening illustrations, and a bonus prequel story. As with all fantasy books, the map was very helpful and made the story easy to follow. The illustrations were cute and I enjoyed the prequel story that offered more insight into Xan, the witch.
Overall, this was a spellbinding middle grade fantasy! I recommend this book to both young readers and adults. ...more
I received a copy of this book for free as part of an Instagram book tour (Storygram Tours) I did to promote the book.
This was such a cute graphic novI received a copy of this book for free as part of an Instagram book tour (Storygram Tours) I did to promote the book.
This was such a cute graphic novel!
I’ve read Mooncakes, which is another graphic novel the author co-wrote, and loved it so I knew I needed to read this one.
The artwork was of course amazing. The art was very adorable and was appropriate for the middle grade audience of this book. Additionally, the font was super readable. It was one of the clearest and most legible fonts I’ve come across in a comic book or graphic novel. Fun fact: the font is actually the author’s handwriting that was turned into a font.
Sophie was a relatable character. I can see many kids relating to her struggles to learn magic and her feelings of failure.
I found the storyline to be very basic. I know this is middle grade, but the plot could have been more fleshed out. For example, the magic system between the witches and dragons could have been explored more. Also, the beginning of the book happened so fast. Sophie was on the train to her relatives super quickly with very little background information.
Overall, I recommend this book to readers of all ages who love magic, witches, or dragons. This book also makes a great gift because it is a gorgeous hardcover! ...more