Tag: Book blog

Book Review: The Dark Talent (Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #5) by Brandon Sanderson

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: MG/YA Fantasy
Length: 304 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Starscape
Release Date: September 20th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Alcatraz Smedry has successfully defeated the army of Evil Librarians and saved the kingdom of Mokia. Too bad he managed to break the Smedry Talents in the process. Even worse, his father is trying to enact a scheme that could ruin the world, and his friend, Bastille, is in a coma. To revive her, Alcatraz must infiltrate the Highbrary–known as The Library of Congress to Hushlanders–the seat of Evil Librarian power. Without his Talent to draw upon, can Alcatraz figure out a way to save Bastille and defeat the Evil Librarians once and for all?

WHOA.

I really enjoyed this “ending” (there’s a book six that seems to be from Bastille’s POV???). I loved that every aspect felt more intense and there was this impending sense of need surrounding solving the problems before Alcatraz. This took some twists I wasn’t expecting and I liked being blindsided by them.

I still love Alcatraz and his growth throughout. Is acknowledgement of the wrongs around him and his dedication to trying his hardest to make things right. I love this cast and the quirky/funny aspects are still present throughout.

Looking forward to wrapping this series up!

Overall audience notes:

  • MG Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: Oathbound (The Legendborn Cycle #3) by Tracy Deonn

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: YA Urban Fantasy
Length: 656 pages
Author: Tracy Deonn
Publisher: Simon Teen
Release Date: March 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Severed from the Legendborn. Oathbound to a monster.

Bree Matthews is alone. She exiled herself from the Legendborn Order, cut her ancestral connections, and turned away from the friends who can’t understand the impossible cost of her powers. This is the only way to keep herself—and those she loves—safe.

But Bree’s decision has come with a terrible price: an unbreakable bargain with the Shadow King himself, a shapeshifter who can move between humanity, the demon underworld, and the Legendborn secret society. In exchange for training to wield her unprecedented abilities, Bree has put her future in the Shadow King’s hands—and unwittingly bound herself to do his bidding as his new protégé.

Meanwhile, the other Scions must face war with their Round Table fractured, leaderless, and missing its Kingsmage, as Selwyn has also disappeared. When Nick is detained by the Order’s Merlins, he invokes an ancient law that requires the High Council of Regents to convene at the Northern Keep and grant him an audience. No one knows what he will demand of them…or what secrets he has kept hidden from the Table.

As a string of mysterious kidnappings escalates and Merlins are found dead, it becomes clear that no matter how hard Bree runs from who she is, the past will always find her.

Thank you Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook and Simon Teen for the gifted copy.

I’M STILL PROCESSING.

Bless an incredible audiobook that helped me move through this quicker because this era of life calls for audio reads and I have been waiting for this one for so long!!! And it delivered!!! DELIVERED.

I’ll start with my one small hiccup. The first 30% was rather slow with some key people being separated and on these side quests that I was waiting to wrap up and move along. But when they moved along? GOODNESS. I was glued to my headphones.

I loved the addition of more POV’s. I really liked seeing more angles of the story and thoughts from other characters. It expanded the world and politics and magic system too.

There was one character (trying to stay vague to prevent spoilers if you’re catching this review before reading the books) that I missed and wanted more of. I think that will definitely be happening in the next book but this had a middle book vibe that was hard to ignore.

STILL. Incredible writing, an amazing journey that touches on so many relevant and important topics. I love that these characters are strong AND also show weakness and growth. I am here for it all and can’t wait for book four!!

OH AND DON’T FORGET THE ROMANCE HAS ME IN A CHOKEHOLD. That is all.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Urban Fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: emotion based fade to black
  • Violence: moderate – high

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Book Review: The Shattered Lens (Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #4) by Brandon Sanderson

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 336 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Starscape
Release Date: August 2nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Alcatraz Smedry is up against a whole army of Evil Librarians in this fourth adventure, with only his friend Bastille, a few pairs of glasses, and an unlimited supply of exploding teddy bears to help him. This time, even Alcatraz’s extraordinary talent for breaking things may not be enough to defeat the army of Evil Librarians and their giant librarian robots.

GREAT AGAIN.

I don’t have a lot to add to my review at four books in that wouldn’t spoil anything. These books are short and ones I would love to read with my family in the future (as audiobooks because they really shine there). I love the joy these bring and how clever they are.

Alcatraz and his family are a hoot and make me smile and laugh. I continue to like the execution of the plot and the direction things are going. I’m looking forward to the next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • MG Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: low

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ARC Book Review: The Emerald Alliance (The Otherworlds #3) by Courtney Millecam

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Historical Fantasy
Length: 510 pages
Author: Courtney Millecam
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 25th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A heartless boy. A timid girl. And an exiled fae who will do anything to go home.

It’s been two years since Queen Verena exiled Thea to 1923 Chicago. As a fae living in the city, Thea tries to forget her past and blend in, but she’s plagued by thoughts of Faerie, her failed attempt at rebellion, and everyone she left behind.

When tragic news from the Winterland reaches Thea, she’s determined to find a way home. Even if it means striking a deal with a notorious fae who rules the criminal world and teaming up with two mortals she barely knows. There’s Alice, who holds the key to changing the fate of the Winterland, but her heart is divided between saving the kingdom and saving the boy she loves. Then there’s Edmund, who provokes Thea as much as he protects her. He has his own reasons for returning to Faerie, and Thea isn’t certain if Edmund is an enemy or an ally.

They say there’s no place like home, but home has changed since Thea was last there. New rulers, new alliances, and new dangers lurk around every corner. When their mission goes terribly wrong, a desperate bargain is made, and Thea and Edmund are forced to navigate the unfamiliar Emerald Kingdom alone. And with more than just her heart on the line, Thea worries that saving Faerie will cost more than she’s willing to give.

The Emerald Alliance is the thrilling conclusion to the Otherworlds Trilogy and is perfect for fans of atmospheric settings, fairytale retellings with dark twists, and slow burn romance that’s swoony, not spicy.

Thank you to the author for the gifted copy.

EPIC CONCLUSION.

I loved how this story came together!!! Multi-POV is one of my favorites and there’s not one weak character here. I loved getting everyone’s side and thoughts and everything in between.

Edmund brings about one of my favorite plot devices, a redemption arc. I LOVED IT. The heated glances and moves between him and Thea brought the enemies but we have chemistry vibes that I was all over. Not to mention getting to see all of my other favorites woven throughout just made my day.

The action and pacing come together beautifully. This was a well written and well crafted saga. I loved the nods of fairy tales, the inclusion of Faerie lands with mortal lands and the anxiety I felt trying to survive those last few chapters.

I can’t wait to see what Courtney writes next!!

Overeall audience notes:

  • YA Historical fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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