Book review - Blood of My Blood

Caution: this review may contain spoilers for I Hunt Killers and Game 

Title: Blood of My Blood 
Author: Barry Lyga 
Genre: thriller
Similar books: Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
                     The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Rating:

Completely gripping

Summary: When we left them at the end of Game, Jasper, Howie, and Connie were in trouble. Jasper had been shot and locking in a storage unit. Howie had been attacked by Jasper's aunt Samantha and was potentially bleeding to death. And Connie found herself in the clutches of Billy Dent himself. They must escape their circumstances if they are to stop Billy's murderous reign. In the process they will come across someone even worse: the Crow King.
My opinion: Oh Barry Lyga, what are you doing to me? This book had me on edge the whole time I was reading it. It is the hallmark of a good thriller that even when you've figured out who the killer is there is still a heavy layer of tension. That was certainly this case with this book. Now, this was by far the most gruesome of the trilogy and takes Jazz right to the brink of darkness, tipping him nearly over the edge more than once. I like that it doesn't end perfectly, with Jazz still dealing with the sense of darkness inside of him. In all, it is a most satisfying ending to the journey we began in I Hunt Killers.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope this Thanksgiving finds you warm, safe, and surrounded by those you love.

And that you don't have to wear a stupid turkey costume

 

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?
Rite of Rejection by Sarah Negovetich
All of her life, Rebecca has been working towards her Acceptance, the day that she becomes a full citizen and is eligible for marriage. She works hard in school and follows all the rules. So it comes as a surprise when the Machine rejects her as a future criminal and she is sent to the PIT. There is no future in the PIT, only lawlessness and decay. Rebecca's only chance is to throw in her lot with a group planning to escape.
I haven't read too far into this one yet but I've been enjoying what I read so far. A pretty interesting beginning. Hopefully it lives up to it's promise.
 
What did you recently finish reading?
Blood of My Blood by Barry Lyga
When we left them at the end of Game, Jasper, Howie, and Connie were in trouble. Jasper had been shot and locking in a storage unit. Howie had been attacked by Jasper's aunt Samantha and was potentially bleeding to death. And Connie found herself in the clutches of Billy Dent himself. They must escape their circumstances if they are to stop Billy's murderous reign. In the process they will come across someone even worse: the Crow King.
I was on edge the entire time I was reading this book. I wished I didn't have to go to work so I could spend my entire day finding out how Jasper could possibly get out of the trouble he had gotten himself into. If you like serial killer stories and aren't to squeamish, this is a fantastic read.
 
What do you think you will read next?
For Real by Alison Cherry
A story of two sisters bonding over their participation in a reality show. This isn't my usual choice in genre but I'm trying to expand my reading horizons.

Book review - Elora of Stone

Title: Elora of Stone
Author: Jaime Lee Mann
Genre: fantasy
Similar books: Jinx by Sage Blackwood
                     Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
Rating:

a nice start to a series

Summary: There is a curse on twins in the Kingdom of Falmoor. Ever since the confrontation between the good witch Elora and evil sorcerer Larque, no set of twins has ever grown up intact. One twin always dies or disappears. At four years old, Arianna's twin brother Asher vanished. Now that she's nearly thirteen, Arianna learns that Asher is still alive and if she can rescue him she and Asher may be able to save Falmoor.
My opinion: I love the central plot in this book. It's a great world with some interesting characters and solid plot twists. I did feel like the time span was perhaps too long. Where Ariana and Asher are meant to be the main characters I'd have liked to have seen the book start with them rather than with their parent's childhood. Still, a solid start to a series and likely to go over well with young fans of fantasy.
More information: The ebook of Elora of Stone releases December 2.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Christmas ornaments

The large portion of what I sell at craft fairs is ornaments. This is just a dozen of the more than 100 ornaments I had in my inventory this year. They are all made with Sculpey brand polymer clay.

 

 

 

Star Wars crafts

This week's big program was Star Wars crafts. I set out a table full of craft supplies in hopes that the kids would just express their own creativity and create something. Of course, there are always a couple of kids who are either too scared or, in this case, too young for that to be a practical plan. So I also planned a handful of easy crafts.

Yoda ears headband...

and of course the Princess Leia version.

Balloon lightsabers

origami, patterns courtesy of the Origami Yoda book series

ATCs

Lightsaber zipper pulls and paper bookmarks (I have a slight Chewbacca obsession)

finger puppets

The lightsabers were a hit with the littles

Book review - Egg and Spoon

Title: Egg and Spoon
Author: Gregory Maguire
Genre: fantasy
Similar books: Sekret by Lindsay Smith
                     Trollbridge by Jane Yolen
Rating:

It's just so very, very long

Summary: Elena's village is impoverished and dying. The men have all either left in search of work or been conscripted into the Tsar's army. A flood followed by drought means there is little food. The people believe they are doomed. Then a train comes through town. The train carries a noble family on their way to visit the Tsar in St. Petersburg. Elena is determined to follow the train the Tsar's palace so she can appeal to him for help. When Elena accidentally switches places with a member of the family, young Ekaterina, she is sent of on an adventure that will lead her to cross paths with a Prince in disguise, a phoenix, and Baba Yaga herself.
My opinion: Maguire's writing is masterful. The characters are complex. The kids make selfish, naive decisions. They are trapped in a problem that they don't fully understand with no good solution. Baba Yaga is fantastic. Quirky and hilarious, she's more than just a simple "bad guy." Sure she eats children, but she's a vital part of their world just like the other magical elements. And she is just so funny, particularly in her interactions with her cat. I just can't get over the length of this book, especially as it is a dense read. This isn't a book to pick up for some casual entertainment. The narrative style is kind of meandering with a rich sense of description. This is a style that may appeal to some adults but seldom reaches teens.
Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.