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beyondevak's reviews
6047 reviews
Fractured Mind by Bianca Lee Ward
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
This read much like an intro to a NA series. The characters were dark and broody, which proved to be interesting. The amnesia hook was attractive, but it ended up not going in the direction I anticipated. The problematic or haunting areas of some of the characters definitely got my attention, however, it seems more will have to be uncovered in future books. I can imagine how some of it will play out. All in all, it was a pretty okay read.
The Sandy Lake Tragedy: Following in the Footsteps of the Ojibwe by Emily Faith Johnson
informative
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Quick Summary: A Native American history resource for children
My Review: The Sandy Lake Tragedy: Following in the Footsteps of the Ojibwe by Emily Faith Johnson is a 2025 non-fiction release.
In My Own Words: A tragic and haunting history of a beautiful and proud people
My Final Say: America's history of progress in the wave of Manifest Destiny was not as squeaky clean as many historians would have us believe. What happened to the Ojibwe, sadly, tells the truth about the aggressive push to have Native Americans cede their land to a country that proclaims "one nation." The Ojibwe, like so many other people, were wrongly evicted from all that they had ever known. This non-fiction book exposes the unfortunate events associated with their story. This is merely one of many.
I appreciated the book's content. I loved the memorial aspect and its expression of celebrating those who were lost, those who stood strong, and those who fought the good and peaceful, yet necessary fight.
The resilience and courage of the Ojibwe, especially in the face of the great injustices against them, should never be forgotten.
I hope more books like this one can uncover the hidden histories of America's people. There are more stories that need to be told.
Other: The layout of the book was nice. It was simple and easy to follow. The pictures helped to tell the story and provide a reference of sorts. The inclusion of the glossary, timeline, bibliography, and internet sites should prove helpful to young, inquiring minds.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Grades 3-6
Status: Educational
Level: Elementary
My Review: The Sandy Lake Tragedy: Following in the Footsteps of the Ojibwe by Emily Faith Johnson is a 2025 non-fiction release.
In My Own Words: A tragic and haunting history of a beautiful and proud people
My Final Say: America's history of progress in the wave of Manifest Destiny was not as squeaky clean as many historians would have us believe. What happened to the Ojibwe, sadly, tells the truth about the aggressive push to have Native Americans cede their land to a country that proclaims "one nation." The Ojibwe, like so many other people, were wrongly evicted from all that they had ever known. This non-fiction book exposes the unfortunate events associated with their story. This is merely one of many.
I appreciated the book's content. I loved the memorial aspect and its expression of celebrating those who were lost, those who stood strong, and those who fought the good and peaceful, yet necessary fight.
The resilience and courage of the Ojibwe, especially in the face of the great injustices against them, should never be forgotten.
I hope more books like this one can uncover the hidden histories of America's people. There are more stories that need to be told.
Other: The layout of the book was nice. It was simple and easy to follow. The pictures helped to tell the story and provide a reference of sorts. The inclusion of the glossary, timeline, bibliography, and internet sites should prove helpful to young, inquiring minds.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Grades 3-6
Status: Educational
Level: Elementary
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
4.5
Quick Summary: A secret romance
My Review: This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune is a 2024 release.
About the Book: "This summer they’ll keep their promise. This summer they won't give into temptation. This summer will be different."
In My Own Words: Lucy and Felix were in an impossible situation. After sharing some intensely passionate time together, they found out that they were connected by a person they both cared about a lot. Unfortunately, a promise had been made not to fall in love.
My Final Say: There was so much to love about this story. The found family, the best friends, the forbidden love, the personal growth, the letting love go in order for it to return stronger, the nod to PEI, and the inclusion of Anne of Green Gables - I adored it all.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💖
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
My Review: This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune is a 2024 release.
About the Book: "This summer they’ll keep their promise. This summer they won't give into temptation. This summer will be different."
In My Own Words: Lucy and Felix were in an impossible situation. After sharing some intensely passionate time together, they found out that they were connected by a person they both cared about a lot. Unfortunately, a promise had been made not to fall in love.
My Final Say: There was so much to love about this story. The found family, the best friends, the forbidden love, the personal growth, the letting love go in order for it to return stronger, the nod to PEI, and the inclusion of Anne of Green Gables - I adored it all.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💖
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
💖
Final Offer by Lauren Asher
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Quick Summary: A tragic mystery/thriller
My Review: How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin is book #1 in The Castle Knoll Files. It was released in 2024.
About the Book: "A dual narrative, feel good mystery in which a woman, Frances, spends a lifetime trying to prevent her murder as predicted by a fortune teller at a country fair when she was just 17. When she is in fact murdered nearly 60 years later, her great niece Annie must solve the crime to avenge her great aunt’s death,and in so doing uncovers the dark heart of the quaint English village of Castle Knoll, where she might just find herself in the path of the killer."
In My Own Words: Two murders steeped in mystery. The past and the present intertwined by tragedy. Manipulations and secrets.
My Final Say: I really enjoyed this novel. The temporal jumps between the past and the present kept things interesting. The secrets that were revealed were worth the drag to build up. The twist at the end was totally unexpected.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining
Tragic
Twisted
Unpredictable
Page-turner
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 🕸💬
#wishlistread
My Review: How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin is book #1 in The Castle Knoll Files. It was released in 2024.
About the Book: "A dual narrative, feel good mystery in which a woman, Frances, spends a lifetime trying to prevent her murder as predicted by a fortune teller at a country fair when she was just 17. When she is in fact murdered nearly 60 years later, her great niece Annie must solve the crime to avenge her great aunt’s death,and in so doing uncovers the dark heart of the quaint English village of Castle Knoll, where she might just find herself in the path of the killer."
In My Own Words: Two murders steeped in mystery. The past and the present intertwined by tragedy. Manipulations and secrets.
My Final Say: I really enjoyed this novel. The temporal jumps between the past and the present kept things interesting. The secrets that were revealed were worth the drag to build up. The twist at the end was totally unexpected.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining
Tragic
Twisted
Unpredictable
Page-turner
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 🕸💬
#wishlistread
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loved this one! It is definitely a read on repeat romance. It grabbed my heart and squeezed it tight, in the best way.