Coming of Age
Refers to the process of growing up or entering into adulthood. An example of coming of age is a novel about a young girl's adventures impacting her strongly enough to help move her from childhood to adulthood.
- Action and Adventure, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Middle Grade, New Adult, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Book Review: The 4midables – Who Are They?
Who Are They? leans into thrills, action, and mystery, especially the rising curiosity of the world regarding the identity of who everyone is calling the "Robin Hood Heroes".
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Book Review: A Girl and her Demon
While I wouldn't want to meet Millicent in a dark alley, ever, I found her demon to be rather likeable, in spite of his appetite for knowledge (you'll laugh at that later).
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Book Review: Thorns Among Shadows
I will admit that fantasy is not my most-read genre. For me to give a fantasy story five stars is a big deal, but Thorns Among Shadows earned every one of them.
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Book Review: The 4midables: How They Came to Be
When a former writer for the Inspector Gadget television series decides to write a novel, you can bet it's going to be full of gadgetry, right?
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Book Review: The Death Bringer
I’ve just finished the final book in J. Scott Coatsworth’s Tharassas Cycle series. I’m willing to wait a day, possibly two, before I’ll start demanding a never-ending supply of short stories set on…
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Book Review: The Hencha Queen
The Hencha Queen by J. Scott Coatsworth My rating: 5 of 5 stars I dove into the third installment of J. Scott Coatsworth’s Tharassas Cycle series eagerly. Silya’s status as the Hencha Queen…
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Book Review: Beetle Shiny, Beetle Blue
I've been reading Steampunk novels ever since the genre arrived. Over the years, steampunk authors have had a tendency to evolve towards writing in a hybrid genre - such as mysteries with a…
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Book Review: The Gauntlet Runner
Picking up right where The Dragon Eater left off, J. Scott Coatsworth’s The Gauntlet Runner continues the story of Raven, Aik, Silya, and Spin.
- Action and Adventure, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Dystopian, Historical Fiction, Realist Fiction, Suspense and Thriller
Book Review: Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields by Patrick D. Joyce My rating: 5 of 5 stars In 1968, I was a bookwormish fourteen-year-old whose biggest worry was finishing my math homework. In those insular, pre-internet times in…
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Book Review: Divinity 36
Divinity 36 by Gail Carriger My rating: 5 of 5 stars Is there anything more frustrating than enjoying the first book of a series, only to then find out that the rest of…
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Book Review: Quarter Share
I was recommended this book, as I have a reputation amongst friends and family for liking happy endings and hopeful plotlines. Quarter Share has that. But its optimistic outlook isn't enough to support…
- Action and Adventure, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Magical Realm, Middle Grade, Suspense and Thriller
Book Review: Vera Warden and the Two-Faced Demon
It’s always fun when I’m drawn into a book by its cover… and then find out that the story not only lives up to that cover, but exceeds my expectations. Author J. Rose’s Vera…
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Book Review: The Insignificance Paradigm
A small act of kindness starts events in the small town of Luitgarde rolling towards a conclusion that nobody (including, hopefully, the reader) saw coming.
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Book Review: Skyseeker’s Princess (Songs of Si’Empra, #1)
Set on Si’Empra, a beautiful but harsh Antarctic island in the Southern Sea, Skyseeker’s Princess introduces us to Ellen, a member of the island’s royal family. Ellen’s destiny was to become the next…
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Book Review: One Giant Leap
One Giant Leap by Ben Gartner My rating: 5 of 5 stars “I’m pretty sure I’m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.” is how Finley “Fin”…
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Book Review: A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking
In Mona's world, wizards exist, each with a distinct specialty. Mona's specialty is, well, bread. Actually, she always just says 'bread', but wait till you see what she can do with gingerbread men.
- Action and Adventure, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Detective and Mystery, Dystopian, Historical Fiction, Realist Fiction, Suspense and Thriller, Young Adult
Book Review: Back in the USSR
The back-cover synopsis had me lunging for this book, which I easily read in just a couple of evenings. It's quite the page-turner! Now, I'm not going to write a book report describing…
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Book Review: Anika’s Gift
After reading and enjoying Over, I knew I'd be on board for the sequel. Over is a novel set on a dystopian Earth, a genre I've often enjoyed as a way to explore…
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Book Review: Crudrat
This charmer of a story highlights relationships between lifeforms, first and foremost. It's a YA story filled with intimate bonds that aren't romantic, family dynamics that are both adversarial and caring, and even…
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Book Review: The Professor Wore Prussian Blue
It's hard to believe we've come to the end of this wild and twisty Victorianish-steampunky adventure, following along with Freddie and Daisy Linden and their friends as they searched for their missing father,…
- Black Authors, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Realist Fiction, Womens Literature, Young Adult
Book Review: Flygirl
I expected to like this book, as it deals with topics dear to my heart. I enjoy learning more about the lives of those who experienced World War II, and as a woman,…
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Book Review: A Born Angel
A Born Angel by Jenn A. Morales My rating: 4 of 5 stars It’s clear the author put a lot of thought into worldbuilding and character development. From the first pages of the…
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Book Review: The Sun Is Also a Star
I devoured this book in two sittings. The 'what happens next' factor is SO strong that I had no choice in the matter.
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Book Review: You’re Welcome, Universe
You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner My rating: 4 of 5 stars Julia is a rebellious, troubled teenager with one passion in her life: Street art. Graffiti. She spends most of her time…
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Book Review: Girl Gone Viral
Girl Gone Viral by Arvin Ahmadi My rating: 3 of 5 stars Well, let’s get the comparison out of the way first – I’m calling this one a mashup of Ready, Player One…
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Book Review: The Lighthouse Witches
If you are looking for a spooky, atmospheric Halloween-season read, you are in luck.
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Book Review: Spellbreaker
Elsie Camden's world is a place where magic is real, and it is a commodity. If you're born a wizard, you're in the market for good quality spells of all sorts.
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Book Review: Lemon Drop Falls
Twelve-year-old Morgan's mom, a professional life-coach and creator of a life planning system, has unexpectedly died. Her last words to her oldest daughter were, "Keep them safe, Morgan. Be brave for them. Help…
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Book Review: Posts of a Mid-Century Kid
A charming ramble of childhood memories, interspersed with thoughts about present-day life.
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Book Review: Cyrus LongBones and the Curse of the Sea Zombie
Loads of thrilling adventure, violent fights, and fantastical worldbuilding excitement for teenagers. I have a few issues with this one, though.
