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kailey_luminouslibro's reviews
3767 reviews
The Seven Tales of Trinket by Dan Craig, Shelley Moore Thomas
4.0
Trinket's father disappeared years ago, and now that Trinket is alone in the world, she has decided to retrace his steps and learn to be a storytelling bard like he was. Trinket begins to gather stories as she travels, in an effort to learn to storytelling. Everywhere she goes, she asks if anyone has heard of her father, but no one has seen him for years. She meets a seer who can tell the future, and a woman whose baby has been stolen by the selkies. Trinket faces off against an evil banshee and the fairy queen. She rides on a pooka to the land of the dead, and saves a noble hound from a ferocious wolf. Through all her adventures, she searches for some trace of her father, and discovers that she shares his storytelling talent.
I really loved Trinket's character! She is full of doubt and pain, but she continues on her journey trying to help people and gather their stories. She is recklessly brave at times, but it's only because she is so passionately determined to know the truth. She has a really big heart, and I loved how she can see the inner heart of others.
The adventure is really exciting and wild. Many of the stories are based on similar fairy tales from Celtic lore about selkies and the fae and banshees and pookas. But this story has its own twists as Trinket encounters these magical creatures.
There are some creepy scenes when Trinket goes to the land of dead and meets the banshee, but it wasn't too scary. For details about the scary scenes, you can check out the book on the Screen It First website. https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-seven-tales-of-trinket-1367188
I really loved Trinket's character! She is full of doubt and pain, but she continues on her journey trying to help people and gather their stories. She is recklessly brave at times, but it's only because she is so passionately determined to know the truth. She has a really big heart, and I loved how she can see the inner heart of others.
The adventure is really exciting and wild. Many of the stories are based on similar fairy tales from Celtic lore about selkies and the fae and banshees and pookas. But this story has its own twists as Trinket encounters these magical creatures.
There are some creepy scenes when Trinket goes to the land of dead and meets the banshee, but it wasn't too scary. For details about the scary scenes, you can check out the book on the Screen It First website. https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-seven-tales-of-trinket-1367188
The Secret History of Tom Trueheart by Ian Beck
4.0
Tom comes from a family of adventurers in the Land of Stories. He has six burly older brothers, all named Jack, and when they receive a commission from the Story Bureau, they follow their instructions and complete a daring adventure, awakening cursed maidens with a kiss, defeating giants up a beanstalk, or outwitting evil witches. But Tom is still too young to go on adventures like his brothers do. One day, the brothers all receive a new story commission and set off on new adventures, but they are each lost in the Land of Stories and they never return. Tom is assigned to find them and return them to their assigned stories. Tom begins to retrace their steps and finds that all their stories have been halted right in the middle, waiting for the hero to arrive and save the day. As Tom investigates, he must find the courage to go on his own adventure and save his brothers, so that his brothers can save the rest of the Land of Stories!
This was such a fun adventure! I loved Tom's character. He is very anxious about performing well in his adventure. He worries that he might not have the courage to continue, but when he is faced with a true crisis, he doesn't think about himself, and he doesn't worry about having courage. He just does what needs to be done. He discovers that true courage is not about posturing with big muscles; it's about caring for others.
I liked the world-building of the Land of Stories, since we get to see some well-known fairy tales like Snow White, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty, the Frog Prince, and Hansel and Gretel. Each of these stories have their own silly twist that makes for a really funny look into the "inner workings" of the stories. Rapunzel is getting very impatient waiting around up in her tower. Sleeping Beauty is not quite asleep all the time and whispers clues to Tom. The Frog Prince actually hates eating slimy flies. It was delightful to see these fairy tale characters "breaking character" to ask if the hero is on the way to finish their story.
Such a fun book, and it received a "Nothing Found" rating on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-secret-history-of-tom-trueheart-494645
This was such a fun adventure! I loved Tom's character. He is very anxious about performing well in his adventure. He worries that he might not have the courage to continue, but when he is faced with a true crisis, he doesn't think about himself, and he doesn't worry about having courage. He just does what needs to be done. He discovers that true courage is not about posturing with big muscles; it's about caring for others.
I liked the world-building of the Land of Stories, since we get to see some well-known fairy tales like Snow White, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty, the Frog Prince, and Hansel and Gretel. Each of these stories have their own silly twist that makes for a really funny look into the "inner workings" of the stories. Rapunzel is getting very impatient waiting around up in her tower. Sleeping Beauty is not quite asleep all the time and whispers clues to Tom. The Frog Prince actually hates eating slimy flies. It was delightful to see these fairy tale characters "breaking character" to ask if the hero is on the way to finish their story.
Such a fun book, and it received a "Nothing Found" rating on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-secret-history-of-tom-trueheart-494645
The Great Turkey Walk: A Graphic Novel Adaptation of the Classic Story of a Boy, His Dog and a Thousand Turkeys by Kathleen Karr
4.5
Simon wants to start his own business so he can get away from his bullying aunt and uncle. He asks his schoolteacher to invest in the business; they will buy 1,000 turkeys and herd them to Denver where they will fetch a better price. But Simon also needs a driver to drive the mules and wagon, so he hires a worn-out drunk, gets him cleaned up and sober, and they start on their trek across the wilderness with a massive gaggle of turkeys. Along the way they meet thieves, they befriend a runaway slave, and they struggle to survive in the wild prairies while keeping their flock together.
This story is so adventurous and fun! I really loved that Simon meets so many people during his journey and helps them, befriends them, and inspires them to better their lives. The drunkard finds a reason to stay sober. The orphan finds a family. The runaway slave finds freedom. And Simon finds friendships that last a lifetime. There are so many great themes of courage and resilience in this book!
The illustrations in this graphic novel are fantastic! I loved the warm colors and the sweeping prairie scenes. The characters are all really well designed, so that you can tell something about their personalities just from how they look, their body language, and facial expressions. The art is full of energy and emotion!
To see the few instances of minor violence and other questionable material in this book, check it out on Screen It First! https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-great-turkey-walk-a-graphic-novel-adaptation-2493873
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
This story is so adventurous and fun! I really loved that Simon meets so many people during his journey and helps them, befriends them, and inspires them to better their lives. The drunkard finds a reason to stay sober. The orphan finds a family. The runaway slave finds freedom. And Simon finds friendships that last a lifetime. There are so many great themes of courage and resilience in this book!
The illustrations in this graphic novel are fantastic! I loved the warm colors and the sweeping prairie scenes. The characters are all really well designed, so that you can tell something about their personalities just from how they look, their body language, and facial expressions. The art is full of energy and emotion!
To see the few instances of minor violence and other questionable material in this book, check it out on Screen It First! https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-great-turkey-walk-a-graphic-novel-adaptation-2493873
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Rule Britannia by Daphne du Maurier
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
Emma has grown up in Cornwall with her grandmother, Madam, who also adopted 6 troubled orphan boys. The boys (aged 3 to 17) run rampant around the house, and Madam (nicknamed Mad) does little to control them, instead allowing their imaginations to run free and joining in their wild and violent games. When the USA and UK declare a merging of their governments, American Marines set up blockades on the road and cut the telephone service, basically setting up martial law for an undetermined period of time while the government transitions. Mad is furious, and she encourages the boys and all the townsfolk to rebel against the new government.
This book was so awful on so many levels. Everyone in the whole household is insane. Madam's nickname is literally "Mad", and the housekeeper's name is Dotty. There are tons of references in the plot that give you a hint that they are all deranged in some way. Emma is the only one who seems somewhat normal, but as she sees the rest of them engaging in more and more violent and irrational behavior, she decides to just accept it and join in because she loves them all. So toxic and gross.
There is some profanity, but what was really disgusting was that the older boys taught the youngest 3-year-old child to say curse words. And there is quite a bit of violence and descriptions of guts and blood. An 11-year-old child commits murder, and Mad and the rest of the family hide the body. The child shows no remorse. He is proud of his "first kill." This book is so messed up.
To see all the descriptions of violence and profanity, check out the book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/rule-britannia-2082976
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
Emma has grown up in Cornwall with her grandmother, Madam, who also adopted 6 troubled orphan boys. The boys (aged 3 to 17) run rampant around the house, and Madam (nicknamed Mad) does little to control them, instead allowing their imaginations to run free and joining in their wild and violent games. When the USA and UK declare a merging of their governments, American Marines set up blockades on the road and cut the telephone service, basically setting up martial law for an undetermined period of time while the government transitions. Mad is furious, and she encourages the boys and all the townsfolk to rebel against the new government.
This book was so awful on so many levels. Everyone in the whole household is insane. Madam's nickname is literally "Mad", and the housekeeper's name is Dotty. There are tons of references in the plot that give you a hint that they are all deranged in some way. Emma is the only one who seems somewhat normal, but as she sees the rest of them engaging in more and more violent and irrational behavior, she decides to just accept it and join in because she loves them all. So toxic and gross.
There is some profanity, but what was really disgusting was that the older boys taught the youngest 3-year-old child to say curse words. And there is quite a bit of violence and descriptions of guts and blood. An 11-year-old child commits murder, and Mad and the rest of the family hide the body. The child shows no remorse. He is proud of his "first kill." This book is so messed up.
To see all the descriptions of violence and profanity, check out the book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/rule-britannia-2082976
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Blood, Murder
Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined by Stephenie Meyer
4.0
I have always loved the Twilight series, and I don't care what anyone says! Meyer's writing always draws me in and holds my attention and my heart, and this book was no exception.
The story is almost exactly Twilight again, just with all the genders swapped. Most of the dialogue is the same with a few changes, and almost the entire story is copy and pasted from Twilight. The ending is changed, however, and I found that very interesting! I prefer the ending of Twilight, but seeing this "what if?" ending was like a little adventure into the possibilities of the imagination. I liked it!
Edythe and Beau are a delightful couple, and I was enchanted all over again seeing them fall in love. I wished that their personalities were a little different from Edward and Bella though. I guess I wanted the characters to be wholly reimagined, and not just the same personality placed in a different gender. There are subtle differences though, like Beau feels impossibly protective of Edythe, even though he knows she's indestructible. He wants to give her his coat, as if she could feel the cold. He wants to open doors for her and carry her books. haha! It's adorable to see him struggling with this manly protective instinct versus her obvious lack of any need of protection.
Through most of the book I was trying to keep track of all the gender swapped people. In my head they were still Edward and Bella and Alice and Jasper and Mike and Jacob, etc... So I kept stopping to think, "Wait, so Archie is... who is this? Oh yeah! This is Alice." haha! But after the halfway mark I eased into the story more, and started thinking of the characters as their own selves, instead of remembering them from before.
I'm so pleased with this addition to the Twilight universe! It has made me remember why I loved Twilight so much in the beginning.
The story is almost exactly Twilight again, just with all the genders swapped. Most of the dialogue is the same with a few changes, and almost the entire story is copy and pasted from Twilight. The ending is changed, however, and I found that very interesting! I prefer the ending of Twilight, but seeing this "what if?" ending was like a little adventure into the possibilities of the imagination. I liked it!
Edythe and Beau are a delightful couple, and I was enchanted all over again seeing them fall in love. I wished that their personalities were a little different from Edward and Bella though. I guess I wanted the characters to be wholly reimagined, and not just the same personality placed in a different gender. There are subtle differences though, like Beau feels impossibly protective of Edythe, even though he knows she's indestructible. He wants to give her his coat, as if she could feel the cold. He wants to open doors for her and carry her books. haha! It's adorable to see him struggling with this manly protective instinct versus her obvious lack of any need of protection.
Through most of the book I was trying to keep track of all the gender swapped people. In my head they were still Edward and Bella and Alice and Jasper and Mike and Jacob, etc... So I kept stopping to think, "Wait, so Archie is... who is this? Oh yeah! This is Alice." haha! But after the halfway mark I eased into the story more, and started thinking of the characters as their own selves, instead of remembering them from before.
I'm so pleased with this addition to the Twilight universe! It has made me remember why I loved Twilight so much in the beginning.
Boy Underground by Isabelle Marinov
3.0
Hugo has autism and he is obsessed with maps. His classmates make fun of him, and even his old friends from elementary won't hang out with him anymore since they entered middle school. All they care about is looking cool. So when Hugo hears about "cataphiles" who love to explore the catacombs beneath Paris, he knows that that is where he will find his true friends. He prepares to go exploring in the underground, but it's illegal to go down there because it's so dangerous. Hugo memorizes the maps of the underground, and prepares for a solo expedition anyway. His former friends, Alex and Julie, see him sneaking underground through a basement entrance, and they follow him. Can Hugo find his way through the maze of tunnels and get them all out?
I really enjoyed reading this book from the perspective of a person with autism. It was so interesting to learn about the types of difficulties and strengths that come with autism. In the beginning, Hugo is bullied, but gradually his former friends begin to appreciate all that he brings to their friendship. His kindness and courage wins them over!
However, I was dismayed at Hugo's and his friends' lack of a moral compass. They just seem to do whatever they want without asking if it is right or wrong. They go underground even though they know it is illegal. They run from the police when they should have asked the police for help. Hugo runs away from home and leaves a cryptic note for his parents, without considering how much emotional and mental anguish he is putting them through. He breaks into his friend's basement by lifting the door off the hinges, and he doesn't care that he's breaking and entering a private home. Hugo steals something because he really wants to give it to someone else in order to earn their friendship. In the end, he returns it anonymously, but doesn't admit his guilt or ask for forgiveness. There are just so many problems with the moral choices of these kids! For Hugo, it's a little more understandable, since his mind is sometimes unable to grasp the repercussions of his actions, but the other kids have no excuse!
To see the details of sensitive content in this book, including bullying, profanity, and stealing, check out the book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/boy-underground-2480682
I really enjoyed the writing style! Hugo's voice is so unique and compelling. I loved his character right away, and I got so interested in his adventures. The story is fast-paced, and I loved the focus on friendships and family relationships. These kids are all struggling with inner fears and insecurities, and through their adventures their personalities grow and develop. The writing did a great job of balancing those inward and outward journeys.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
I really enjoyed reading this book from the perspective of a person with autism. It was so interesting to learn about the types of difficulties and strengths that come with autism. In the beginning, Hugo is bullied, but gradually his former friends begin to appreciate all that he brings to their friendship. His kindness and courage wins them over!
However, I was dismayed at Hugo's and his friends' lack of a moral compass. They just seem to do whatever they want without asking if it is right or wrong. They go underground even though they know it is illegal. They run from the police when they should have asked the police for help. Hugo runs away from home and leaves a cryptic note for his parents, without considering how much emotional and mental anguish he is putting them through. He breaks into his friend's basement by lifting the door off the hinges, and he doesn't care that he's breaking and entering a private home. Hugo steals something because he really wants to give it to someone else in order to earn their friendship. In the end, he returns it anonymously, but doesn't admit his guilt or ask for forgiveness. There are just so many problems with the moral choices of these kids! For Hugo, it's a little more understandable, since his mind is sometimes unable to grasp the repercussions of his actions, but the other kids have no excuse!
To see the details of sensitive content in this book, including bullying, profanity, and stealing, check out the book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/boy-underground-2480682
I really enjoyed the writing style! Hugo's voice is so unique and compelling. I loved his character right away, and I got so interested in his adventures. The story is fast-paced, and I loved the focus on friendships and family relationships. These kids are all struggling with inner fears and insecurities, and through their adventures their personalities grow and develop. The writing did a great job of balancing those inward and outward journeys.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
Warrior Princess by Allan Frewin Jones
2.0
Branwen is the daughter of a royal house on the edge of Saxon territory. When her brother is killed, she vows to get revenge on the evil Saxons who raided their lands. But her father sends her to the South to be married and strengthen their alliances with neighboring lords. On the way south, Branwen is delayed at the grand castle of a much richer prince, and his sophisticated wife and daughters think Branwen is wild and uncouth. She wanders the forest around the castle and meets a mysterious woman with magical powers who promises to make Branwen into a formidable warrior. Branwen also stumbles across a boy who might or might not be a Saxon spy.
I liked this book pretty well. The story is interesting, and I liked Branwen's character. She is really fierce and courageous, but she has a soft heart as well. I thought it was a little silly how she could suddenly/magically fight really well after only a few days of training with a sword. But I guess that's the magic of her destiny and all that.
The story is really really violent. Lots of descriptions of battle and blood and gore and corpses and severed heads and severed limbs and gouged eyes. Pretty gruesome. I probably would have given it three stars if the violence hadn't been quite so nasty. I'm sure it's historically accurate, but I didn't need quite so much description.
To see exactly what violent content is in this book, check out the book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/warrior-princess-warrior-princess-1-1060986
The best part of the plot was the intrigue between Branwen and the boy who might be a spy. The suspense was really good, because we can't quite figure out whether or not to trust this boy. Is he lying? Is he innocent? It was a really interesting story line!
I also liked Branwen's character development as she learns to deal with the snide remarks of the elegant princesses and their mother. Branwen thinks their prim court manners are silly, but they think Branwen is rude and uncivilized. Gradually Branwen begins to realize that they aren't really that different; they just have different expectations of what is normal.
I was content to read this book as a standalone and not continue with the rest of the series. It ends with Branwen riding off into the sunset to go on new magical adventures. There are still some unanswered questions, and the Saxons are still a threat, but it was a good enough resolution to the immediate crisis that I don't feel the need to keep reading.
I liked this book pretty well. The story is interesting, and I liked Branwen's character. She is really fierce and courageous, but she has a soft heart as well. I thought it was a little silly how she could suddenly/magically fight really well after only a few days of training with a sword. But I guess that's the magic of her destiny and all that.
The story is really really violent. Lots of descriptions of battle and blood and gore and corpses and severed heads and severed limbs and gouged eyes. Pretty gruesome. I probably would have given it three stars if the violence hadn't been quite so nasty. I'm sure it's historically accurate, but I didn't need quite so much description.
To see exactly what violent content is in this book, check out the book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/warrior-princess-warrior-princess-1-1060986
The best part of the plot was the intrigue between Branwen and the boy who might be a spy. The suspense was really good, because we can't quite figure out whether or not to trust this boy. Is he lying? Is he innocent? It was a really interesting story line!
I also liked Branwen's character development as she learns to deal with the snide remarks of the elegant princesses and their mother. Branwen thinks their prim court manners are silly, but they think Branwen is rude and uncivilized. Gradually Branwen begins to realize that they aren't really that different; they just have different expectations of what is normal.
I was content to read this book as a standalone and not continue with the rest of the series. It ends with Branwen riding off into the sunset to go on new magical adventures. There are still some unanswered questions, and the Saxons are still a threat, but it was a good enough resolution to the immediate crisis that I don't feel the need to keep reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood
Minor: Slavery
Silver Slippers by Temple Bailey
Joan thinks she has found her true love when she meets Drew, and she readily agrees to an engagement. But Drew is selfish and jealous, and he laughs at what he calls her "prudish morality." Joan is so unhappy that she turns for advice to a new acquaintance, Giles, a young man who owns a bookshop in town. Giles quickly recognizes Joan's innocence and sweetness, and vows that he will help her get away from greedy high-society people like Drew. But Joan finds herself fascinated with Drew, despite his faults, and she can't make up her mind to leave him. At the same time, she trusts Giles' wisdom, and wishes that Drew could be so steady and faithful.
I loved all the ups and downs of this romance! Poor Joan is tossed about and lied to and fooled, because she is so innocent and trusting. She mingles in high society where they are all lying to each other and flirting and gambling, but she longs for a simple life. I loved seeing her character development as she realizes the truth about her own soul, and finds the courage to demand the truth from others.
Giles is absolutely delicious! He's strong and steady and honest. He's everything a hero should be! I fell in love with him immediately because he loves books, but then I fell in love with him again over and over in every chapter as he consistently shows courage and kindness and generosity to everyone around him. You can really feel his struggle as he agonizes over how to advise Joan without pushing forward his own dreams of love on her. He is the soul of honor, and he genuinely cares for her, even if it means she might be happier with another man.
The writing really grips your emotions and I was crying through half the book, and not just about the whole emotional romance, but also the many supporting characters who have struggles of their own. Giles has a friend who is suffering after his injuries in the war. Joan brings comfort to a lonely old housekeeper at the hotel. Joan befriends a widow lady with two children. Even Drew's sister is weary of society facades and longs for some real connection. So many lonely and grieving people who have given up on their dreams, but in the end they all find peace and happiness.
I really enjoyed the many Christian themes in this book. Joan and Giles both spend time on their knees in prayer, asking God for guidance and strength. This brought so much depth to the story, and gave more meaning to their character arcs as they grow and find courage.
It was really refreshing to see a romance heroine falling in love, but then reconsidering and really thinking it through to discern what type of character and personality her fiancé has. She really analyzes whether or not she would be happy with Drew, and she has to face that question with courage, which is so hard to find when you are lonely and frightened and lost and that other person seems to have all the answers. I was inspired by her courage and discernment!
5.0
Joan thinks she has found her true love when she meets Drew, and she readily agrees to an engagement. But Drew is selfish and jealous, and he laughs at what he calls her "prudish morality." Joan is so unhappy that she turns for advice to a new acquaintance, Giles, a young man who owns a bookshop in town. Giles quickly recognizes Joan's innocence and sweetness, and vows that he will help her get away from greedy high-society people like Drew. But Joan finds herself fascinated with Drew, despite his faults, and she can't make up her mind to leave him. At the same time, she trusts Giles' wisdom, and wishes that Drew could be so steady and faithful.
I loved all the ups and downs of this romance! Poor Joan is tossed about and lied to and fooled, because she is so innocent and trusting. She mingles in high society where they are all lying to each other and flirting and gambling, but she longs for a simple life. I loved seeing her character development as she realizes the truth about her own soul, and finds the courage to demand the truth from others.
Giles is absolutely delicious! He's strong and steady and honest. He's everything a hero should be! I fell in love with him immediately because he loves books, but then I fell in love with him again over and over in every chapter as he consistently shows courage and kindness and generosity to everyone around him. You can really feel his struggle as he agonizes over how to advise Joan without pushing forward his own dreams of love on her. He is the soul of honor, and he genuinely cares for her, even if it means she might be happier with another man.
The writing really grips your emotions and I was crying through half the book, and not just about the whole emotional romance, but also the many supporting characters who have struggles of their own. Giles has a friend who is suffering after his injuries in the war. Joan brings comfort to a lonely old housekeeper at the hotel. Joan befriends a widow lady with two children. Even Drew's sister is weary of society facades and longs for some real connection. So many lonely and grieving people who have given up on their dreams, but in the end they all find peace and happiness.
I really enjoyed the many Christian themes in this book. Joan and Giles both spend time on their knees in prayer, asking God for guidance and strength. This brought so much depth to the story, and gave more meaning to their character arcs as they grow and find courage.
It was really refreshing to see a romance heroine falling in love, but then reconsidering and really thinking it through to discern what type of character and personality her fiancé has. She really analyzes whether or not she would be happy with Drew, and she has to face that question with courage, which is so hard to find when you are lonely and frightened and lost and that other person seems to have all the answers. I was inspired by her courage and discernment!
After the Wallpaper Music by Jean Mills
5.0
Flora loves playing classical music with her friends in their string quartet, but when she meets the new boy at school, that friendship is tested. Simon is the son of a famous rock star. Some people think he's stuck up and rude, but Flora thinks he's just having a hard time because his little sister died in a car accident. Flora feels awkward around Simon, unsure how to react if he mentions his sister, but they connect over discovering new styles of music. Can Flora balance her friendships the way she is learning to appreciate both classical music and rock'n'roll? When her elderly aunt is taken to the hospital with pneumonia, Flora is terrified that her aunt will die. Suddenly, she begins to understand Simon's grief a little better.
This was such a sweet book! I really liked the way that themes of death and grief are explored in a light way, perfect for this age group. Nothing too dark or gruesome, but finding hope and comfort and compassion in the midst of difficult loss.
As a musician, I was absolutely delighted with the descriptions of music and musicians. This story perfectly captures how musicians think and feel, and what it feels like to perform on stage. The relationships between the musicians are also perfectly described. There is a really special connection that forms between people who make music together; it's like a form of telepathy sometimes when you can perfectly match their energy in the music. This made the friendships between the characters even more meaningful, deep, and realistic.
I loved Flora's complex character! I was completely fascinated to follow her inner thoughts as she is discovering more about her musical abilities, and exploring her feelings related to grief and compassion for other people. She is an overthinker, and she second guesses herself as the dynamic of her family life and friendships begin to change.
There are so many great themes and aspects of this book that I really loved. I love that there are two caring parents in Flora's family who are involved in their kids lives, giving advice and support at every stage of the story. Such a strong family!
There is a song that features heavily in the book since it is Flora's aunt's favorite song, and there is sheet music at the back of the book so that you can learn to play and sing the song yourself. It was composed by the author to include in the book! It's details like this that make this book really special.
To see the small amount of sensitive content around the subject of death, check out this book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/after-the-wallpaper-music-2480683
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
This was such a sweet book! I really liked the way that themes of death and grief are explored in a light way, perfect for this age group. Nothing too dark or gruesome, but finding hope and comfort and compassion in the midst of difficult loss.
As a musician, I was absolutely delighted with the descriptions of music and musicians. This story perfectly captures how musicians think and feel, and what it feels like to perform on stage. The relationships between the musicians are also perfectly described. There is a really special connection that forms between people who make music together; it's like a form of telepathy sometimes when you can perfectly match their energy in the music. This made the friendships between the characters even more meaningful, deep, and realistic.
I loved Flora's complex character! I was completely fascinated to follow her inner thoughts as she is discovering more about her musical abilities, and exploring her feelings related to grief and compassion for other people. She is an overthinker, and she second guesses herself as the dynamic of her family life and friendships begin to change.
There are so many great themes and aspects of this book that I really loved. I love that there are two caring parents in Flora's family who are involved in their kids lives, giving advice and support at every stage of the story. Such a strong family!
There is a song that features heavily in the book since it is Flora's aunt's favorite song, and there is sheet music at the back of the book so that you can learn to play and sing the song yourself. It was composed by the author to include in the book! It's details like this that make this book really special.
To see the small amount of sensitive content around the subject of death, check out this book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/after-the-wallpaper-music-2480683
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Walking with God: Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really. by John Eldredge
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
The author reflects on what it means to truly listen to God's voice and seek Him in every little aspect of our lives. The reader is encouraged to spend time in prayer and listen for that small inner prompting from the Holy Spirit that leads you in one direction or another.
I liked the basic premise of this book, but I felt like the author took it a little too far. Yes, we should seek God's direction in all we do, but I don't need to ask God what to have for breakfast. Just choose a healthy breakfast and get on with your day. Yes, God cares about the little details of our lives, but I don't think I need to stop everything and pray to ask God for direction about each little detail. It's also true that no detail is too small to pray about, and God listens and guides us in everything. But this book really just makes mountains out of molehills.
Finally I got to page 52 where the author tells a story about how he was experiencing writer's block, and became convinced that it was a demonic attack. That just seems like overreacting to me. Maybe your writer's block is just coming from normal human patterns of creativity and rest. To assume that you are being spiritually attacked when something normal happens to you is absolutely ridiculous! Do spiritual attacks happen? Absolutely yes. We are in a spiritual battle every day of our lives. But when you hear hoofbeats, think horses. Not zebras. (Unless you're on an African safari.)
This book just seemed totally irrational to me. Does faith sometimes seem irrational? Yes, it can seem so at times when we put our faith in what is unseen. But I rely on the common sense and logical reasoning that God gave me to discern what is worthy of close attention and spiritual intervention, and what is simply a human pattern that can be dismissed as normal.
I liked the basic premise of this book, but I felt like the author took it a little too far. Yes, we should seek God's direction in all we do, but I don't need to ask God what to have for breakfast. Just choose a healthy breakfast and get on with your day. Yes, God cares about the little details of our lives, but I don't think I need to stop everything and pray to ask God for direction about each little detail. It's also true that no detail is too small to pray about, and God listens and guides us in everything. But this book really just makes mountains out of molehills.
Finally I got to page 52 where the author tells a story about how he was experiencing writer's block, and became convinced that it was a demonic attack. That just seems like overreacting to me. Maybe your writer's block is just coming from normal human patterns of creativity and rest. To assume that you are being spiritually attacked when something normal happens to you is absolutely ridiculous! Do spiritual attacks happen? Absolutely yes. We are in a spiritual battle every day of our lives. But when you hear hoofbeats, think horses. Not zebras. (Unless you're on an African safari.)
This book just seemed totally irrational to me. Does faith sometimes seem irrational? Yes, it can seem so at times when we put our faith in what is unseen. But I rely on the common sense and logical reasoning that God gave me to discern what is worthy of close attention and spiritual intervention, and what is simply a human pattern that can be dismissed as normal.