Modern day Sitlali lives in Mexico and is threatened by the unwanted affections of a gang member. Then there is Calizto who lives in the 1500's in theModern day Sitlali lives in Mexico and is threatened by the unwanted affections of a gang member. Then there is Calizto who lives in the 1500's in the Tenochtitlan Empire during the Spanish invasion by Cortez. The lives of these two become entwined with the help of a magical conch belonging to the Moon Goddess. It allows them to communicate despite the years and distance between them.
I loved learning more about the Tenochtitlan empire. I did think the romance was really heavy-handed, though, and I cringed through all of the "I love you so much, you are my heart, you are my life..." parts.
Also, I am definitely not a scholar of that era but did Tenochtitlan people really use the words bitch, bastard, and ass? I'm sure it wasn't those exact words, they must have had equivalents but it was jarring every time I heard it and it knocked me out of the story because it didn't fit. It fit the context, yes, but not how I pictured the language.
CW: swearing, violence, death, war, sexual situations...more
3.5 stars The demon sword Asperides has been around for several hundred years and had many masters in that time. Currently without a master, it is bidi3.5 stars The demon sword Asperides has been around for several hundred years and had many masters in that time. Currently without a master, it is biding its time... until Nack blunders into the picture. Nack has been disgraced and kicked out of his family for cowardice. Trying to prove himself worthy, he is looking for a quest. When he stumbles into trouble - and the demon sword, Asperides tricks Nack into thinking that he is an angel sword rather than a demon sword. Nack is desperate and accepts Asperides' bargain, which includes agreeing to give up his soul in return for being able to use the sword's powers. This was a fun and engaging read (good audiobook narrator). Asperides is not as bad as he would like people to believe. ...more
Anna is a new 8th grader to middle school after being home schooled. She is dismayed to see that a girl who appears to have been popular formerly is nAnna is a new 8th grader to middle school after being home schooled. She is dismayed to see that a girl who appears to have been popular formerly is now completely ostracized. However, no one is talking about what happened. When Anna's favorite teacher assigns them to report on a social issue, Anna decides to do a podcast on this girl, Rachel, as she thinks it is some sort of school-wide bullying.
Done in a montage of prose, emails, texts, voice recordings, etc. we gradually learn what happened to Rachel Riley. This is a well-written and engaging account that I could totally see happening in a middle school. More people need to know about this book. CW: bullying, social media...more
During WWI, Edda avoided the typical route that most well-to-do girls took, and instead was sent overseas. She was a switchboard operator for the operDuring WWI, Edda avoided the typical route that most well-to-do girls took, and instead was sent overseas. She was a switchboard operator for the operator and had to memorize new codes every single night. When she forgets a code at a high stakes moment, she convinces herself that she is responsible for the deaths of a group of young men. When she returns home, she is still grief stricken and lives with her aunt at a boarding house. There she takes a night shift working for Bell telephone. One night she gets a call referencing the code she forgot. She falls apart but is still determined to figure out who knows her secret. She gets some help from one of her aunts boarders who has some secrets of his own. I liked that this was WWI as most historical fiction takes place during WWII instead. CW: attempted rape...more
Rachel is set to marry her sweet and wealthy fiancé but is still sad that her missing dad won't be at the wedding. Then a wSequel to Crazy Rich Asians
Rachel is set to marry her sweet and wealthy fiancé but is still sad that her missing dad won't be at the wedding. Then a whirlwind trip to China throws her into the lifestyle of the ultra wealthy elite - and her long lost father. Lots of new characters and a few familiar ones. WAAAAAY too much money; it's quite disgusting, really. I know it's fiction but this wealth disparity is real and it's impossible to reconcile that some people have so much while others are literally starving mere blocks away from them.Not just in China. CW: swearing, wealth disparity...more
This is a collection of short stories that centers around a powwow that takes place at the University of Michigan every year. Each story is written byThis is a collection of short stories that centers around a powwow that takes place at the University of Michigan every year. Each story is written by a different Indigenous author and while they feature different characters, the stories are all interwoven. This is a joyful look at all the things that happen at powwows. I loved the descriptions of the dances, the food, and the relationships. I grew up in Michigan and my brother went to U of M - but I'm so sad that I never knew that such a vibrant tradition was happening so close to me. I still go back often but none of my trips seem to coincide with the time of the event (late March) or I would definitely try to go....more
3.5 stars Miles has retired from being a steeplechase jockey. Now he gets his thrills from riding the ice at St. Moritz. One year, however, someone fro3.5 stars Miles has retired from being a steeplechase jockey. Now he gets his thrills from riding the ice at St. Moritz. One year, however, someone from his former life recognizes him and asks for his help with the horses. Miles can't say no and gets dragged into some shady dealings...
Amelia Gordon is found dead. Her brother accuses her husband. The husband accuses the brother. Things get quite ugly and heated in the attempt to discAmelia Gordon is found dead. Her brother accuses her husband. The husband accuses the brother. Things get quite ugly and heated in the attempt to discover the truth.
Francis usually writes about horse racing; there is a tangential connection here but not nearly enough horses in this one for me.
Also, when I finished the book, I was convinced that I had actually read this one before but GR assures me I have not. Therefore I can only conclude that I have read some other book that is so similar and has the same type of ending. Boo for copycat-type endings. Sigh....more
3.5-3.75 stars Cara loves rock climbing. She is working multiple jobs to save up for a trip to Patagonia. But when her dad who has mental health issues3.5-3.75 stars Cara loves rock climbing. She is working multiple jobs to save up for a trip to Patagonia. But when her dad who has mental health issues goes missing, she will need to put everything on hold to find him. With the help of an ex-boyfriend who has recently returned to town, they head into the Cascade mountains. This book has a little bit of everything: action/adventure, romance, mental health advocacy, historical fiction - bringing in the WWII incarceration of the Japanese. Because there were so many elements, it was a bit complex but the author did a good job tying it all together, especially explaining the rock climbing terms for those who don't climb. CW: swearing, grievous bodily harm, racism...more
3.5 stars because of the cliffhanger ending Lots more royal drama and scandal with some attempted assassinations thrown in for fun. CW: violence (possi3.5 stars because of the cliffhanger ending Lots more royal drama and scandal with some attempted assassinations thrown in for fun. CW: violence (possibly swearing, can't remember for sure)...more
3.5 stars Ivy is determined to do well at a prestigious boarding school as it is the first step to her plans to become a Supreme Court Justice one day.3.5 stars Ivy is determined to do well at a prestigious boarding school as it is the first step to her plans to become a Supreme Court Justice one day. However, she does not realize that there is a group of students at the school, including her room-mate, who have all been stuck at the age of twelve and have lived for many, many years. Ivy becomes caught up with them and the mystery of their missing friend. Give this to your students who like that mystery with a twist of sci-fi/fantasy. If they liked McAnulty's other books, this is sure to please as well. I found it to be a bit predictable - but that isn't necessarily a bad thing CW: grief/loss/missing parent...more
3.5 stars 1st in series ends on a cliff hanger... An outcast/orphan wins a spot to train as an apprentice with the immortals. But it won't be easy. She w3.5 stars 1st in series ends on a cliff hanger... An outcast/orphan wins a spot to train as an apprentice with the immortals. But it won't be easy. She will have to continue to prove herself by passing 12 challenges over the next year. She makes a few friends but she also has an enemy. And there is a bigger threat to the whole community. I liked the world building and the characters. Some good plot twists and some very predictable ones. Plus, dragons!...more
Kianthe is the arch mage and Reyna is one of the queen's personal guards. They fall in love and all they want is to open their own little shop filled Kianthe is the arch mage and Reyna is one of the queen's personal guards. They fall in love and all they want is to open their own little shop filled with books and tea. However, this would mean defying the queen - which you don't do unless you have a death wish... Read alike for Legends and Lattes (but not *quite* as good) CW for violence and a little swearing and kissing...more
This was a super fun read about a retired female pirate who basically gets blackmailed into doing one last job. Of course things go terribly wrong. LoThis was a super fun read about a retired female pirate who basically gets blackmailed into doing one last job. Of course things go terribly wrong. Love the world building, the characters, the voice. I believe there will be a sequel. Squeee! Recommend! CW: some swearing, lots of violence, some drinking (but she's Muslim and is very clear that is against her religion), references to sex and sexual situations but no details, all off-page...more
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