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bugabusu's Reviews (248)
I couldn’t have been more pleased to learn that I received an ARC of The Prisoner in the Castle by Susan Elia MacNeal. I have so thoroughly enjoyed this series since my mother introduced it to me and it persists as a wonderful read. I had missed the latest in the series but MacNeal’s ability to include enough of Maggie Hope’s past make it easy for a reader to pick up the story. This collection has been fairly dark and heavy due to the topic it covers, World War Two in Europe through the eyes of a female SOE agent. The Prisoner in the Castle continues this theme and seems to be the darkest yet but with a glimmer of hope at the end (yes pun intended). While there is murder and mayhem there is also a touch of romance, family, and friendship. MacNeal continues to create a dark mystery set against a dark historical time such that even if I have guessed the who-done-it part I still enjoy the big reveal at the end and the prologue always wraps up the story nicely. If you enjoy a good historical fiction novel this one is a great read.
Luke and Lottie It's Halloween is an adorable, cute, fun book for very young children. Luke and Lottie prepare for Halloween and go trick or treating with their mom and dad. The story is simple yet entertaining about this special day in Luke and Lottie's life. The illustrations are amusing and colorful. A young child will enjoy spotting all the fun little hidden treasures in the drawings to include the hedgehog. The use of traditional Halloween colors of purple, yellow, and orange create a spooky scene but at a very child friendly level. A delightful Halloween picture book for all.
Aquicorn Cove by Katie O'Neill is my first true graphic novel. It made me have flash backs to my childhood. The color scheme of blues and pinks combined with the topic of the water was very powerful. The illustrations convey the intense story of a small coastal town affected by climate change, pollution, and changes in the world; not to mention the family's personal tragic stories. The strong female characters of Lana and Mae are inspiring. The tale of loss and destruction overcome by hope is thoroughly enjoyable. I hope one day I look in a tidal pool and find an aquicorn.
Girls' Home Spa Lab: All-Natural Recipes, Healthy Habits, and Feel-Good Activities to Make You Glow
The Girls' Home Spa Lab by Maya Pagan is the perfect book for any family with teenagers who like to pamper themselves, make recipes, or just smell and look good. The recipes are simple and the descriptions of what they do informative and the layouts colorful and attractive. I even tried out one of the recipes and can't wait to try out more. The sections of the book dedicated to self care are short but knowledgeable, perfect for the stereotypical short attention span of the teenager. These sections are just as important as the recipes, it gives suggestions on how to keep yourself healthy. Most importantly this book was fun and I will definitely be purchasing copies of this book for all the teenagers in my life.
Del Toro Moon by Darby Karchut was amazing. This current knight’s tale of Matt, his horse El Cid, and his family the Del Torros has it all: adventure, danger, romance, comedy, a beautiful setting, and complex characters. I was a little slow to warm up to the story but once it caught me I couldn't read it fast enough; I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Matt and his family have monsters in their backyard that they’re responsible for getting rid of and protecting the rest of society from. This is a heavy burden but one well carried. Del Toro Moon tells the tale of how the Del Torros got to Colorado and what they’ve been up to since, how they’ve handled the creatures and how their town has responded. The relationships between Matt and his family and horse and Perry are so well portrayed I felt as if I were actually there watching it all happen. I’m hoping there’s another story in this series so I can find out what happens to the Del Torros and their friends.
