Alba Arango's Blog, page 3
March 6, 2020
Spooky! My review of Escape Room: Thorn House by J.E. Hailstone
Spooky!
With only a week left until school begins, Luca is sorely disappointed that his Explorer’s Club hasn’t really had any adventures. That all changes when he receives a strange invitation for a top-secret escape room challenge at midnight at Thorn House, the local house in the middle of the woods that is allegedly haunted. Luca and his two best friends show up, only to discover that this is far from a game. Escaping each room soon becomes a battle for their lives as the three kids hope to discover a way out before the ghouls do them in.
What I liked: it’s a great creepy plot. The setting is fabulous and all the rooms they are trapped in have great character. The clues are fun to try to unravel as well. The book is well-written.
What I did not like: two major things. One: the main character, Luca, is kind of a jerk for the first half of the book. He’s completely self-absorbed and truly cares only about fulfilling his desire for his Explorer’s Club success, to the point that he treats his friends badly and they’ve started keeping things from him. I almost didn’t finish the book because I really didn’t like him. Two: the book ends with a total cliffhanger. I understand wanting to leave some unanswered questions so reader will be excited for the next book, but this book ends with absolutely no closure at all. I hate that in a book.
Not a bad read, just a bit frustrating.
3 out of 5 stars
With only a week left until school begins, Luca is sorely disappointed that his Explorer’s Club hasn’t really had any adventures. That all changes when he receives a strange invitation for a top-secret escape room challenge at midnight at Thorn House, the local house in the middle of the woods that is allegedly haunted. Luca and his two best friends show up, only to discover that this is far from a game. Escaping each room soon becomes a battle for their lives as the three kids hope to discover a way out before the ghouls do them in.
What I liked: it’s a great creepy plot. The setting is fabulous and all the rooms they are trapped in have great character. The clues are fun to try to unravel as well. The book is well-written.
What I did not like: two major things. One: the main character, Luca, is kind of a jerk for the first half of the book. He’s completely self-absorbed and truly cares only about fulfilling his desire for his Explorer’s Club success, to the point that he treats his friends badly and they’ve started keeping things from him. I almost didn’t finish the book because I really didn’t like him. Two: the book ends with a total cliffhanger. I understand wanting to leave some unanswered questions so reader will be excited for the next book, but this book ends with absolutely no closure at all. I hate that in a book.
Not a bad read, just a bit frustrating.
3 out of 5 stars
February 3, 2020
Cute with lots of underlying themes-my review of The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Note: I believe this book is best for the lower-end of middle grade readers, 8-9 years old (maybe even as low as 7), perhaps even a good bridge book between chapter books and middle grade.
Robot Roz wakes up on an uninhabited (well, by humans, anyway) island, with no idea how she got there or what she’s supposed to do. As she begins to interact with the animals, she learns important lessons about friendship and what it means to be part of a community. Then, when she adopts an orphaned gosling, she learns the importance of family. Together, Roz and her friends face adventures and dangers, both of nature and of man.
What I liked: Roz is absolutely endearing, in an Iron Giant kind of way. There are many underlying themes, from tolerance to friendship to mother/child relationships to death, great teaching tools for little kids without the in-your-face kind of morals that some books have. Also, the chapters are super short (prepping kids for James Patterson I suppose, LOL) and the illustrations are great making it a great book for reading aloud to smaller kids.
What I did not like: The book felt just a little too long. More than once, I was glad the chapters were so short because I didn’t really see a purpose for that snippet of story. But that was only occasionally.
Cute story for younger middle grade readers.
4 out of 5 stars
Robot Roz wakes up on an uninhabited (well, by humans, anyway) island, with no idea how she got there or what she’s supposed to do. As she begins to interact with the animals, she learns important lessons about friendship and what it means to be part of a community. Then, when she adopts an orphaned gosling, she learns the importance of family. Together, Roz and her friends face adventures and dangers, both of nature and of man.
What I liked: Roz is absolutely endearing, in an Iron Giant kind of way. There are many underlying themes, from tolerance to friendship to mother/child relationships to death, great teaching tools for little kids without the in-your-face kind of morals that some books have. Also, the chapters are super short (prepping kids for James Patterson I suppose, LOL) and the illustrations are great making it a great book for reading aloud to smaller kids.
What I did not like: The book felt just a little too long. More than once, I was glad the chapters were so short because I didn’t really see a purpose for that snippet of story. But that was only occasionally.
Cute story for younger middle grade readers.
4 out of 5 stars
January 4, 2020
My Review of Elizabeth Webster and the Court of Uncommon Pleas by William Lashner
Mystery and a bit of paranormal fun.
Middle-school math whiz Elizabeth Webster is shocked when the school’s star athlete Henry Harrison asks her to tutor him in math. But, when she shows up at his house, she discovers the real reason he wants her there…a ghost is haunting his house and it is calling her name! Soon, Elizabeth and her friends become embroiled in a web of strange family secrets, otherworldly characters, and a courtroom where demons and ghosts are called as witnesses. And, amidst all of this, they must solve a decades-old mystery to help the ghost so she can finally rest in peace.
What I liked: great and unique characters. All of the side characters from Elizabeth’s best friend to her mother to the courtroom’s judge were entertaining and fun. The mystery was woven well into the story and was not so obvious that the reader knew what happened before the end. The reader gets to go along with Elizabeth as she discovers the truth about her family and her own destiny.
What I did not like: I found the beginning a bit slow. I also am not sold on the narrator (Elizabeth) saying over and over, at the beginning, how if she only knew what was about to happen, she wouldn’t have gone, etc. However, the last half of the book was incredibly interesting as the kids begin to actually solve the mystery. But then at the very end, the author threw in a scene that left Elizabeth with a number of questions that I suppose will be answered in the next book, but I found that a bit annoying and unsatisfying for the reader.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Middle-school math whiz Elizabeth Webster is shocked when the school’s star athlete Henry Harrison asks her to tutor him in math. But, when she shows up at his house, she discovers the real reason he wants her there…a ghost is haunting his house and it is calling her name! Soon, Elizabeth and her friends become embroiled in a web of strange family secrets, otherworldly characters, and a courtroom where demons and ghosts are called as witnesses. And, amidst all of this, they must solve a decades-old mystery to help the ghost so she can finally rest in peace.
What I liked: great and unique characters. All of the side characters from Elizabeth’s best friend to her mother to the courtroom’s judge were entertaining and fun. The mystery was woven well into the story and was not so obvious that the reader knew what happened before the end. The reader gets to go along with Elizabeth as she discovers the truth about her family and her own destiny.
What I did not like: I found the beginning a bit slow. I also am not sold on the narrator (Elizabeth) saying over and over, at the beginning, how if she only knew what was about to happen, she wouldn’t have gone, etc. However, the last half of the book was incredibly interesting as the kids begin to actually solve the mystery. But then at the very end, the author threw in a scene that left Elizabeth with a number of questions that I suppose will be answered in the next book, but I found that a bit annoying and unsatisfying for the reader.
3.5 out of 5 stars
December 10, 2019
BARNES AND NOBLE book signing!
Hey, all! I have my FIRST book signing at BARNES AND NOBLE this SATURDAY! Join me in Las Vegas at the N. Rainbow Barnes and Noble location (N. Rainbow and Lake Mead) from 12 noon – 3 pm. Remember, books (and not just mine) make great Christmas/Hanukkah gifts!
BTW…if you want to see a random picture of me in the hat I will be wearing, check out my website (AlbaArango.com).
Have a great week!
BTW…if you want to see a random picture of me in the hat I will be wearing, check out my website (AlbaArango.com).
Have a great week!
December 4, 2019
Review of The Last Treasure by Janet Anderson
Fun treasure hunt!
After getting a letter from an estranged aunt he’s never met, 13-year-old Ellsworth Smith decides to go, despite his father’s misgivings, and see the homes built by his ancestor John Matthew Smith. Once there, he discovers that only seven of the homes were ever lived in, the other three had treasures that the ancestor had “hidden” to help future generations in time of hardships. Two of the treasures have already been found, and now, as the family has been torn apart by feuds and monetary misfortunes, it’s up to Ellsworth to find the last treasure.
What I liked: Ellsworth’s character is likable and relatable, and I love the setting. Anderson adds a lot of great details so the reader gets a good feeling as to where they are. I can easily picture the houses of the square. There’s also an element of mystery, which, of course, I love. It also has a feel-good ending, stressing the importance of family and working together.
What I didn’t like: The beginning of the book is VERY slow; so much so, that I almost put it down. But, I am so very glad I didn’t. Once it picked up, it was very interesting.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
After getting a letter from an estranged aunt he’s never met, 13-year-old Ellsworth Smith decides to go, despite his father’s misgivings, and see the homes built by his ancestor John Matthew Smith. Once there, he discovers that only seven of the homes were ever lived in, the other three had treasures that the ancestor had “hidden” to help future generations in time of hardships. Two of the treasures have already been found, and now, as the family has been torn apart by feuds and monetary misfortunes, it’s up to Ellsworth to find the last treasure.
What I liked: Ellsworth’s character is likable and relatable, and I love the setting. Anderson adds a lot of great details so the reader gets a good feeling as to where they are. I can easily picture the houses of the square. There’s also an element of mystery, which, of course, I love. It also has a feel-good ending, stressing the importance of family and working together.
What I didn’t like: The beginning of the book is VERY slow; so much so, that I almost put it down. But, I am so very glad I didn’t. Once it picked up, it was very interesting.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
November 14, 2019
My review of The Great Shelby Holmes by Elizabeth Eulberg
A cute twist on the traditional Sherlock Holmes story line.
11-year-old John Watson isn’t sure what to make of his new home at 221 Baker Street, in Harlem, NYC. Being a military brat, he’s accustomed to moving a lot and has always found it pretty easy to make friends. Then he meets his new neighbor, 9-year-old Shelby Holmes, and his whole life changes. A renowned neighborhood detective, Shelby is asked to solve a crime involving the disappearance of a classmate’s show dog, and somehow, John gets pulled into the mystery with her. Utilizing her smarts and his social skills, the two solve the case and along the way, become friends.
What I liked: Great characters…I just love John Watson. Shelby comes across a bit egocentric and bossy, but then, that would be how Sherlock Holmes would most likely have come across as a child as well, so I understand. Her relationship with Watson develops nicely throughout the book, and the mystery was cute, even if not too dramatic. References to the original Sherlock Holmes throughout the book were fun as well.
What I did not like: In trying to maintain the Sherlock story line, the author includes minor characters such as Michael Holmes, Shelby’s (also smart) brother, and Detective Lestrade. The only scene with the brother felt so forced it was uncomfortable, and Lestrade came across as not only incompetent, but also completely unnecessary to the story line.
Still, all-in-all, a fun read.
4 out of 5 stars
11-year-old John Watson isn’t sure what to make of his new home at 221 Baker Street, in Harlem, NYC. Being a military brat, he’s accustomed to moving a lot and has always found it pretty easy to make friends. Then he meets his new neighbor, 9-year-old Shelby Holmes, and his whole life changes. A renowned neighborhood detective, Shelby is asked to solve a crime involving the disappearance of a classmate’s show dog, and somehow, John gets pulled into the mystery with her. Utilizing her smarts and his social skills, the two solve the case and along the way, become friends.
What I liked: Great characters…I just love John Watson. Shelby comes across a bit egocentric and bossy, but then, that would be how Sherlock Holmes would most likely have come across as a child as well, so I understand. Her relationship with Watson develops nicely throughout the book, and the mystery was cute, even if not too dramatic. References to the original Sherlock Holmes throughout the book were fun as well.
What I did not like: In trying to maintain the Sherlock story line, the author includes minor characters such as Michael Holmes, Shelby’s (also smart) brother, and Detective Lestrade. The only scene with the brother felt so forced it was uncomfortable, and Lestrade came across as not only incompetent, but also completely unnecessary to the story line.
Still, all-in-all, a fun read.
4 out of 5 stars
October 2, 2019
Solid writing, but... My Review of The Problim Children by Natalie Lloyd
When their house in the swamp explodes, the seven Problim children have no choice but to move into their grandfather’s abandoned home in the city. But when they move in, the neighbors do not seem too happy. Then, rumors of an old feud and a mysterious treasure come to light, and the children realize their grumpy neighbor next door wants nothing more than to have the Problim children removed, and the house all to herself.
What I liked: Interesting story line. I enjoyed the plot and wondered throughout the book about the feud and the treasure. Great interactions with the neighbors, both adults and children. Some sweet, heartwarming moments.
What I didn’t like: too many characters. I never felt like I connected with any of the characters, and some of them were a bit two-dimensional. The ending was a disappointment simply because nothing was resolved. I understand this is the first book of a series, but the reader still needs some kind of closure.
The writing was solid and the characters unique, but I just didn’t get into the book like I wanted to.
3.5 out of 5 stars
What I liked: Interesting story line. I enjoyed the plot and wondered throughout the book about the feud and the treasure. Great interactions with the neighbors, both adults and children. Some sweet, heartwarming moments.
What I didn’t like: too many characters. I never felt like I connected with any of the characters, and some of them were a bit two-dimensional. The ending was a disappointment simply because nothing was resolved. I understand this is the first book of a series, but the reader still needs some kind of closure.
The writing was solid and the characters unique, but I just didn’t get into the book like I wanted to.
3.5 out of 5 stars
September 17, 2019
FREE short story!
Hi all!
Did you know that if you sign up for my monthly newsletter you get a link to a FREE short story, Sherlock of Timberton?
Well, now you do! :)
Sign up link is on my website, AlbaArango.com .
Happy almost Fall!!
Alba
Did you know that if you sign up for my monthly newsletter you get a link to a FREE short story, Sherlock of Timberton?
Well, now you do! :)
Sign up link is on my website, AlbaArango.com .
Happy almost Fall!!
Alba
September 15, 2019
Readers! See you in Kingman, 9/21
Hi all!
I'll be at the Kabam! Book Festival in Kingman, AZ, on Saturday, 9/21. Come to the festival, check out all the fun authors, get yourself some new cool reads, and stop by to say hi! :)
Hope to see you there!
Alba
I'll be at the Kabam! Book Festival in Kingman, AZ, on Saturday, 9/21. Come to the festival, check out all the fun authors, get yourself some new cool reads, and stop by to say hi! :)
Hope to see you there!
Alba
September 12, 2019
My review of The Trials of Apollo, Book 1 by Rick Riordan
I just love Apollo. LOVE him.
Book 4 in the series comes out in a couple of weeks, so if you're unfamiliar with the series...here's my take on Book 1:
After making his father Zeus super mad, Apollo gets punished by being sent down to Earth as a human teenage boy. And not a tough, hot teenage boy, but an average, run-of-the-mill teenage boy with―horror of horrors!―acne. Now the arrogant former god must figure out how to win back his father’s favor while fending off the numerous enemies he made as a god, enemies that are all too happy to see the god in his puny human form. Realizing, much to his disdain, that he needs help, Apollo sets off for the one place he knows he has friends and family―Camp Half Blood.
What I liked: Apollo is definitely my favorite of Riordan’s gods. His vanity and egotism, even now as a puny human, is hilarious and caused me to laugh out loud multiple times. I loved the return of some of the previous characters (like Percy Jackson) from other series, as well as the new characters introduced in this one.
What I didn’t like: not much. It was a bit long, but I never felt like I wanted the book to end.
A fun romp through mythology and history.
5 out of 5 stars
Book 4 in the series comes out in a couple of weeks, so if you're unfamiliar with the series...here's my take on Book 1:
After making his father Zeus super mad, Apollo gets punished by being sent down to Earth as a human teenage boy. And not a tough, hot teenage boy, but an average, run-of-the-mill teenage boy with―horror of horrors!―acne. Now the arrogant former god must figure out how to win back his father’s favor while fending off the numerous enemies he made as a god, enemies that are all too happy to see the god in his puny human form. Realizing, much to his disdain, that he needs help, Apollo sets off for the one place he knows he has friends and family―Camp Half Blood.
What I liked: Apollo is definitely my favorite of Riordan’s gods. His vanity and egotism, even now as a puny human, is hilarious and caused me to laugh out loud multiple times. I loved the return of some of the previous characters (like Percy Jackson) from other series, as well as the new characters introduced in this one.
What I didn’t like: not much. It was a bit long, but I never felt like I wanted the book to end.
A fun romp through mythology and history.
5 out of 5 stars
