Alba Arango's Blog, page 2
April 5, 2021
My Review of The Zombie Zone (A to Z Mysteries) by Ron Roy
Not scary, just fun!
My great nieces love the A to Z Mysteries chapter books, so when I found this one at a thrift store, I decided to read it and see what the books are like. So glad I did! The three main characters, Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose, head to the Louisiana bayou for vacation, but soon get pulled into a new mystery. Locals of the small village tell stories of a silver-haired zombie that has been digging up graves. The three sleuths decide to do a bit of investigating to see if it’s really a voodoo zombie, or something else.
What I liked: super fun mystery! Nothing scary (even if the cover may look a little creepy), so it’s perfect for the 6-8 age range it is intended for. The three main characters are likable and relatable, and the plot moves quickly and keeps the reader’s interest. It’s a great introduction to the mystery genre for kids, and would be good as a read aloud for younger kids.
What I didn’t like: not much. The ending was a little odd, although it was informational, and didn’t exactly tie into the mystery, but that’s not necessarily unusual.
All-in-all, a fun read.
5 out of 5 stars
My great nieces love the A to Z Mysteries chapter books, so when I found this one at a thrift store, I decided to read it and see what the books are like. So glad I did! The three main characters, Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose, head to the Louisiana bayou for vacation, but soon get pulled into a new mystery. Locals of the small village tell stories of a silver-haired zombie that has been digging up graves. The three sleuths decide to do a bit of investigating to see if it’s really a voodoo zombie, or something else.
What I liked: super fun mystery! Nothing scary (even if the cover may look a little creepy), so it’s perfect for the 6-8 age range it is intended for. The three main characters are likable and relatable, and the plot moves quickly and keeps the reader’s interest. It’s a great introduction to the mystery genre for kids, and would be good as a read aloud for younger kids.
What I didn’t like: not much. The ending was a little odd, although it was informational, and didn’t exactly tie into the mystery, but that’s not necessarily unusual.
All-in-all, a fun read.
5 out of 5 stars
March 5, 2021
My review of The Last Fairy Door by N.A. Davenport
Super fun read!
When 10-year-old Amy helps an injured fairy inside her grandmother’s barn, she has no idea that her life will never be the same. Wishing to find the fairy princess whose magic could save her dying father, she travels through an enchanted door and finds herself in the beautiful, magical land of fairies. Unfortunately, the fairy world is not the peaceful place she thought it would be. As civil war threatens to tear the magical land apart, Amy finds herself the target of an evil queen and the race to find the princess becomes a far more dangerous quest than she expected.
What I liked: super fun read! Great characters and adventures. Lots of details make the fairy world come to life. Plenty of action and situations kept the plot moving along, and it was easy to get caught up in the fun, wondering what would happen next. Would be a good book to read to a younger audience as well.
What I didn’t like: not much. It was fairly predictable, but that didn’t deter from the fun.
Overall, a great read.
5 out of 5 stars
When 10-year-old Amy helps an injured fairy inside her grandmother’s barn, she has no idea that her life will never be the same. Wishing to find the fairy princess whose magic could save her dying father, she travels through an enchanted door and finds herself in the beautiful, magical land of fairies. Unfortunately, the fairy world is not the peaceful place she thought it would be. As civil war threatens to tear the magical land apart, Amy finds herself the target of an evil queen and the race to find the princess becomes a far more dangerous quest than she expected.
What I liked: super fun read! Great characters and adventures. Lots of details make the fairy world come to life. Plenty of action and situations kept the plot moving along, and it was easy to get caught up in the fun, wondering what would happen next. Would be a good book to read to a younger audience as well.
What I didn’t like: not much. It was fairly predictable, but that didn’t deter from the fun.
Overall, a great read.
5 out of 5 stars
January 12, 2021
Fun Mystery! My review of Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes
Fun mystery!
After her mother is awarded a fellowship for the summer, Paloma Marquez finds herself on an airplane, flying to Mexico City, wishing she could stay home and spend the summer reading her favorite mystery books instead. But soon after arriving, she meets a brother and sister who beg her to use her powers of perception to solve a mystery of her own—help them find a valuable peacock ring that belonged to Mexico’s most famous artist, Frida Kahlo. Paloma soon discovers they are not alone in the search for the ring, and not everyone is who they seem to be, including her new friends. But Paloma cannot resist the temptation of solving a mystery, even if it means potentially putting herself in danger.
What I liked: GREAT characters. The main character is fun and very likable, quirks and all. Her friends and the adults in the book are unique and believable. There’s lots of information about Frida Kahlo, some of which I did not know. It’s also a great introduction to Mexican culture.
What I did not like: the beginning is a bit slow, it took me a while to get into it. But, once I did, it was a fun read.
4.5 out of 5 stars
After her mother is awarded a fellowship for the summer, Paloma Marquez finds herself on an airplane, flying to Mexico City, wishing she could stay home and spend the summer reading her favorite mystery books instead. But soon after arriving, she meets a brother and sister who beg her to use her powers of perception to solve a mystery of her own—help them find a valuable peacock ring that belonged to Mexico’s most famous artist, Frida Kahlo. Paloma soon discovers they are not alone in the search for the ring, and not everyone is who they seem to be, including her new friends. But Paloma cannot resist the temptation of solving a mystery, even if it means potentially putting herself in danger.
What I liked: GREAT characters. The main character is fun and very likable, quirks and all. Her friends and the adults in the book are unique and believable. There’s lots of information about Frida Kahlo, some of which I did not know. It’s also a great introduction to Mexican culture.
What I did not like: the beginning is a bit slow, it took me a while to get into it. But, once I did, it was a fun read.
4.5 out of 5 stars
November 11, 2020
FREE on Kindle Unlimited!
Good news!
If you're a subscriber to Kindle Unlimited, then you can download the first 3 books of the JJ Bennett: Junior Spy series FOR FREE!
Click on the link below to download and get started.
https://amzn.to/3nhT40q
Happy reading!
Stay safe.
Alba
If you're a subscriber to Kindle Unlimited, then you can download the first 3 books of the JJ Bennett: Junior Spy series FOR FREE!
Click on the link below to download and get started.
https://amzn.to/3nhT40q
Happy reading!
Stay safe.
Alba
November 4, 2020
My review of The Young Elites by Marie Lu
16-year-old Adelina is a survivor of the blood fever, a disease that killed most of its infected. Some of the survivors (malfettos) were left with strange markings, a few were left with special powers, all are hated. Adelina is one of them. When she is saved from execution by a group of gifted malfettos called the Dagger Society, she joins them and hopes they can help her learn to control her strange new power of illusion. Perhaps she can even help them with their quest to end the Inquisition genocide of malfettos. But her power stems from a darkness within her, a darkness that grows as her power does, a darkness she likes.
What I liked: the premise was good. No real heroes in the book, just lots of diverse characters who all have their own personal internal struggles, including Adelina (who I suppose would be considered more of an anti-hero).
What I did not like: I never connected with the main character. She was just too dark. Some of her flashback memories showed how mean she was as a kid, especially toward her sister. Yet I still thought I would end up cheering for her (like I did Artemis Fowl, who I also didn’t connect with at the beginning of that book, but ended up loving by the end), but I didn’t. I just never really liked her. I was also disappointed by the ending. It does set up the next book, but the reader is left not satisfied.
3 out of 5 stars
What I liked: the premise was good. No real heroes in the book, just lots of diverse characters who all have their own personal internal struggles, including Adelina (who I suppose would be considered more of an anti-hero).
What I did not like: I never connected with the main character. She was just too dark. Some of her flashback memories showed how mean she was as a kid, especially toward her sister. Yet I still thought I would end up cheering for her (like I did Artemis Fowl, who I also didn’t connect with at the beginning of that book, but ended up loving by the end), but I didn’t. I just never really liked her. I was also disappointed by the ending. It does set up the next book, but the reader is left not satisfied.
3 out of 5 stars
October 5, 2020
My Review of The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Great characters and storyline!
Ivan is a silverback (an adult male gorilla) and is nice, easy-going, and friendly. He lives in a shopping mall where he has learned to understand humans, and is content in his simple life watching TV and chatting with the other animals. One day, a baby elephant named Ruby arrives to join the troupe, and everything changes. Ruby awakens memories in Ivan, memories of his past that he had somehow forgotten. And now all Ivan wants is to help Ruby get out of there. Through his art and the support of his friends, he will change their future forever.
What I liked: great characters and story! Ivan is totally endearing, and the other characters are unique and fun. The plotline is great and makes you want to read to the end to witness the warmth and happiness you know will come.
What I didn’t like: not much. It was perhaps a tad too long, but the chapters are short and the read is quick.
Great book.
5 out of 5 stars
Ivan is a silverback (an adult male gorilla) and is nice, easy-going, and friendly. He lives in a shopping mall where he has learned to understand humans, and is content in his simple life watching TV and chatting with the other animals. One day, a baby elephant named Ruby arrives to join the troupe, and everything changes. Ruby awakens memories in Ivan, memories of his past that he had somehow forgotten. And now all Ivan wants is to help Ruby get out of there. Through his art and the support of his friends, he will change their future forever.
What I liked: great characters and story! Ivan is totally endearing, and the other characters are unique and fun. The plotline is great and makes you want to read to the end to witness the warmth and happiness you know will come.
What I didn’t like: not much. It was perhaps a tad too long, but the chapters are short and the read is quick.
Great book.
5 out of 5 stars
September 11, 2020
An okay read: My review of Ulysses Moore:The Door to Time
An okay read, with some fun characters.
The book begins as 11-year-old twins Jason and Julia move from London to Argo Manor, a mysterious mansion on the British coast. After befriending Rick, a local boy, the three friends discover that the previous owner, the wildly eccentric Ulysses Moore, left behind clues to unlock a hidden door, and once opened, it leads the kids into a web of passageways, potential danger, and mind-boggling discoveries.
What I liked: great characters! Each of the three friends is unique and brings an interesting element to the story. The mansion’s caretaker is peculiar, but in the most fascinating way (I really want to know his story!). The plot is interesting and the comradery between the kids is lighthearted and fun.
What I didn’t like: it ends with a major cliffhanger. The last quarter of the book is when the adventures really begin to pick up, and then it just ends. The reader is left with no sense of closure. There were also a couple of times when it felt like the author was talking down to the reader (over-explaining for the sake of the reader’s age).
3.5 out of 5 stars
The book begins as 11-year-old twins Jason and Julia move from London to Argo Manor, a mysterious mansion on the British coast. After befriending Rick, a local boy, the three friends discover that the previous owner, the wildly eccentric Ulysses Moore, left behind clues to unlock a hidden door, and once opened, it leads the kids into a web of passageways, potential danger, and mind-boggling discoveries.
What I liked: great characters! Each of the three friends is unique and brings an interesting element to the story. The mansion’s caretaker is peculiar, but in the most fascinating way (I really want to know his story!). The plot is interesting and the comradery between the kids is lighthearted and fun.
What I didn’t like: it ends with a major cliffhanger. The last quarter of the book is when the adventures really begin to pick up, and then it just ends. The reader is left with no sense of closure. There were also a couple of times when it felt like the author was talking down to the reader (over-explaining for the sake of the reader’s age).
3.5 out of 5 stars
June 6, 2020
Fun and fast-paced! My review of Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
When 14-year-old Alex Rider learns his uncle dies in a car accident, he just doesn’t buy it. A bit of snooping, and he learns the truth: his uncle was a spy for Britain’s secret intelligence agency. And now that same agency wants Alex to go undercover, find his uncle’s killer, and discover why his uncle was killed. Easier said than done.
What I liked: fun spy book with lots of action. Great villain -one the reader can have a tad of empathy for at first, but then he really is just evil. Great writing, it’s easy to visualize all the different settings and locales in the book. And, did I mention lots of action? So fun!
What I didn’t like: sometimes things just happened too fortunately for him. He’d get into a really tight spot, and -stroke of luck- there was a convenient way for him to get out. It is kind of reminiscent of James Bond, so I get it, but it was just a little too much. Also, Alex himself is rather stoic sometimes (14-year-old boys are usually a bit more…animated).
But all-in-all, a fun read, and great start to a series.
4 out of 5 stars
What I liked: fun spy book with lots of action. Great villain -one the reader can have a tad of empathy for at first, but then he really is just evil. Great writing, it’s easy to visualize all the different settings and locales in the book. And, did I mention lots of action? So fun!
What I didn’t like: sometimes things just happened too fortunately for him. He’d get into a really tight spot, and -stroke of luck- there was a convenient way for him to get out. It is kind of reminiscent of James Bond, so I get it, but it was just a little too much. Also, Alex himself is rather stoic sometimes (14-year-old boys are usually a bit more…animated).
But all-in-all, a fun read, and great start to a series.
4 out of 5 stars
May 4, 2020
It surprised me. My review of Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
I put off reading this book because it just did not appeal to me. A superhero with the body of a human and the head of a dog? And yet, the books are immensely popular. So I gave it a shot. A few pages in, and I was hooked! The book tells the adventures of Dog Man, the world’s most greatest cop. (I won’t give away how he becomes Dog Man, because that is a fun part of the story.) I would HIGHLY recommend this book for all 6-8 year old kids (especially boys) who are reluctant readers, and all kids in general. (and adults like me)
What I liked: absolutely everything. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and imaginative. The characters are fun and unique. The stories are positively silly and absolutely entertaining. Plus, there are some “flip-o-rama” pages where the reader gets to flip the page back-and-forth to see the characters do some action. (so fun)
What I didn’t like: nothing really. There is a bit of poor grammar, but it makes sense as the story is being “written” by a little kid.
Overall, an absolute delight.
5 out of 5 stars
What I liked: absolutely everything. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and imaginative. The characters are fun and unique. The stories are positively silly and absolutely entertaining. Plus, there are some “flip-o-rama” pages where the reader gets to flip the page back-and-forth to see the characters do some action. (so fun)
What I didn’t like: nothing really. There is a bit of poor grammar, but it makes sense as the story is being “written” by a little kid.
Overall, an absolute delight.
5 out of 5 stars
April 4, 2020
A cross between Wimpy Kid and Timmy Failure. My review of King of the Mole People by Paul Gilligan
A cross between Wimpy Kid and Timmy Failure.
I would recommend this book for younger middle-grade readers, 8-10 years old.
Doug just wants to be normal and fit in, but that proves to be a bit of a challenge for him. He lives in a creepy mansion with a graveyard for a backyard. He’s bad at jokes, sports, school, and pretty much everything else. His dad makes him eel sandwiches for lunch. Oh, and he’s also been crowned king of the mole people. Trying to fit in above ground is hard when you’re trying to solve the Giant Worm Problem for your underground mole people.
What I liked: pretty much everything. Great illustrations and fun, unique characters. Lots of quirky adventure and funny situations. Great underlying moral of accepting who you are, even if you’re different than everyone else.
What I didn’t like: not much. The beginning was a tad slow, but it picked up quickly.
Overall, a really fun, weird read.
5 out of 5 stars
I would recommend this book for younger middle-grade readers, 8-10 years old.
Doug just wants to be normal and fit in, but that proves to be a bit of a challenge for him. He lives in a creepy mansion with a graveyard for a backyard. He’s bad at jokes, sports, school, and pretty much everything else. His dad makes him eel sandwiches for lunch. Oh, and he’s also been crowned king of the mole people. Trying to fit in above ground is hard when you’re trying to solve the Giant Worm Problem for your underground mole people.
What I liked: pretty much everything. Great illustrations and fun, unique characters. Lots of quirky adventure and funny situations. Great underlying moral of accepting who you are, even if you’re different than everyone else.
What I didn’t like: not much. The beginning was a tad slow, but it picked up quickly.
Overall, a really fun, weird read.
5 out of 5 stars
