Book review: Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

 Book description:

    Christopher is visiting his grandfather, when he sees magical creatures come down the hill. His grandfather is the guardian of one of the ways between the magical and non-magical realms. When a girl named Mal appears, Christopher must help save both their realms.

Book review:

    This book has a few similarities to Fablehaven by Brandon Mull which include: a elderly grandfather, a magically world where his grandfather tells him not to go, and their family is the guardians of that magical world. This book to be clear, is not trying to rip off Fablehaven and isn't a ripoff. This book would be good for someone who wants something like Fablehaven but different. I really liked this book and I am looking forward to the second book. I liked how each character is different and not one dimensional.

Book review: Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins

 Book description:

    The sun is rising on the 50th hunger games. Haymitch tries not to think too hard about his odds, and tries to make it through the day so he can be with the girl he loves. When his name is called, he is taken to the Capitol where he has to face twice as many tributes as usual.

Book review:

    No wonder Haymitch turns toward drinking. I probably would also, if I was in his place. People have been saying this feels too fanfictiony but you have to realize he had to have met these people at some point. At least some of the Victors also have to go to the Capitol every year anyways for the hunger games for mentoring and such as. This book has added so many more layers to the original trilogy.

Book review: All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall

Book description:

    After the glaciers melted, Nonie and her family stayed in an almost deserted New York City, and made a settlement at the American Museum of Natural History. Once the flood gates are breached, Nonie and her family have to flee AMNH. They are determined to find a new place that honors all that they saved.

Book review:

    I felt like this book meandered and was super slow. I did like the audiobook narrator for this book and that was one of the things I can say I liked from this book off the top of my head. I didn't like how this book basically every other chapter bounced between the world as it is and the world as it was. I would have liked it better if it started with all the world as it was and then went as it is and didn't keep switching it every other chapter.

Book review: James by Percival Everett

 Book description:

    When Jim hears that he is going to be sold to a man in New Orleans, he decides to escape to hide at Jackson Island and make a plan. Huck has faked his own death to escape his father. Together they travel the Mississippi River.

Book review:

    This book took a bit for me to get into. It was well written and in my opinion more memorable than The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I have to say it has been a few years since I read Huckleberry Finn and I read it when I was a junior in high school. I do like the more updated language that fits in with at the time and that is easy to read for 21st century English speakers. I also liked that most of the chapters weren't that long.

Book review: Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

 Book description:

    Emily is studying the inner workings of Wendell's kingdom. They are thrust into the intrigues of Faerie as they try to seize the throne from Wendell's stepmother. They must rid the kingdom of his stepmothers curse with Wendell's magic and Emily's knowledge of stories.

Book review:

    I was waiting for this book for a while and I feel kind of let down because I feel like it didn't live up to the first 2 books in the series. I feel like there was a lot of waiting and when something did happen it felt that it was rushed. I feel like once Wendell and Emily finally got together their charm and everything for each other was no longer there. I kinda got the vibes that this book and the series altogether got rushed to get written and published, and I don't know if it was because it is a kinda popular series or another reason for that.

Book review: Inferno's Heir by Tiffany Wang

 Book description:

    Teia abandoned her morals long ago, and her brother is about to be crowned king. Teia decides to infiltrate the rebellion, to ensure her safety. As she gets to the people in the rebellion, she begins to have doubts.

Book review:

    This is one of the books where I am looking forward to the sequel. I liked how Teia doesn't get selfless when she starts caring and she still decides to follow her own desires, even if it means reevaluating what she wants in the end. For the face of the rebellion, Kyra doesn't do a lot and isn't that inspiring to me. I came out wanting more from Alara because she was one of the more interesting characters. Jura is a great antagonist and I'm glad the author didn't need to write a redemption arc for him and let him be evil because that is who he is.