Alba Arango's Blog, page 9
July 16, 2016
Book trailer: The Magic Sapphire
Sooo...I made this book trailer for one of my books. IDK. What do you guys think??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO1sF...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO1sF...
July 2, 2016
Review: Doll Bones
Doll Bones by Holly Black tells the story of Zach, Poppy, and Alice, three kids who love playing make-believe adventures with their dolls. When the Great Queen, aka a creepy bone-china doll locked in a cabinet in Poppy’s house, begins haunting Poppy’s dreams for real, the trio decides to take the doll (and her ghost) to her burial site and lay her doll bones to rest.
What I liked: Great coming-of-age story. The three kids are relatable and their friendship, including the drama, is totally believable. It’s a bit scary at times, but those scenes are well-written.
What I did not like: Beginning is a bit slow, but it does pick up. The characters are each a bit selfish, and I found myself sometimes becoming annoyed with them (but I guess that is real life). But, what I did not like at all, and the reason this gets a 3 star rating, is that the kids steal a bicycle and a boat, and they break into a library, all with virtually no consequences. I’m not okay with that.
3 out of 5 stars
What I liked: Great coming-of-age story. The three kids are relatable and their friendship, including the drama, is totally believable. It’s a bit scary at times, but those scenes are well-written.
What I did not like: Beginning is a bit slow, but it does pick up. The characters are each a bit selfish, and I found myself sometimes becoming annoyed with them (but I guess that is real life). But, what I did not like at all, and the reason this gets a 3 star rating, is that the kids steal a bicycle and a boat, and they break into a library, all with virtually no consequences. I’m not okay with that.
3 out of 5 stars
June 2, 2016
Review: Witch Wars
When Fran the Fairy shows up at Tiga Whicabim’s shed (not house, that’s where her mean old guardian, Miss Heks, lives) to tell Tiga she’s a witch, the nine-year-old doesn’t believe her. Then Fran takes her down the pipes and into fabulous Ritzy City to prepare her for Witch Wars. Nine little witches compete to solve riddles and the winner becomes Top Witch and rules over Ritzy City. But, for Tiga, losing means returning up the pipes and back into the hands of the evil Miss Heks. With her new best friend Peggy at her side, a determined Tiga sets off to solve the riddles, win Witch Wars, and remain in Ritzy City forever.
Such a fun little read. Meant for girls around 8-10 years old, Witch Wars has a wonderful variety of characters. Tiga and her best friend Peggy are definitely the underdogs that you want to root for, but all nine witches have distinct personalities, both good and bad, that make the story flow and keep the reader interested in the story. The illustrations are remarkable and help bring the characters and the setting to life. All-in-all, a fun and quick read.
Such a fun little read. Meant for girls around 8-10 years old, Witch Wars has a wonderful variety of characters. Tiga and her best friend Peggy are definitely the underdogs that you want to root for, but all nine witches have distinct personalities, both good and bad, that make the story flow and keep the reader interested in the story. The illustrations are remarkable and help bring the characters and the setting to life. All-in-all, a fun and quick read.
May 4, 2016
Review: Murder is Bad Manners
Murder is Bad Manners is a murder mystery set in a 1930s boarding school in Britain. Daisy and Hazel have formed a detective club and, up till now, their mysteries have been pretty simple. Then, Hazel finds one of her teachers murdered and, after rushing to get daisy, returns to discover the body has disappeared. Everyone is a suspect.
The story is fun and interesting, and one of the few murder-mystery books I’ve seen for kids. The two characters are extremely different and both completely believable. The mystery is challenging and doesn’t talk down to kids, like some books do. The two characters really have to work and deduce to figure things out. I won’t give away the ending (it is a murder-mystery, you know), but I will say it is not one you predict from page one. I would definitely recommend it for anyone, even adults, who loves a good mystery.
5 out of 5 stars
The story is fun and interesting, and one of the few murder-mystery books I’ve seen for kids. The two characters are extremely different and both completely believable. The mystery is challenging and doesn’t talk down to kids, like some books do. The two characters really have to work and deduce to figure things out. I won’t give away the ending (it is a murder-mystery, you know), but I will say it is not one you predict from page one. I would definitely recommend it for anyone, even adults, who loves a good mystery.
5 out of 5 stars
April 1, 2016
Review: The Witch's Boy by Kelly Barnhill
The story is about two different kids. It begins when the main Character, Ned, and his twin brother build a raft and set off to sea, but the raft sinks and Ned’s twin is killed. The villagers decide “the wrong boy” survived and treat him awful. When his mother, a witch and keeper of a very powerful magic, leaves to see the queen, bandits attempt to steal the magic, and it infuses itself onto Ned.
The other main character is Aine, whose father (now bewitched by magic) is the leader of the bandits. She hates what the magic has done to her father. She is independent, strong-willed, and sensible.
The two characters meet and join forces to undo a very old problem.
What I liked: strong characters and a good plot. The two kids are likable and both undergo a transformation throughout the story, making them both better people. There’s a great connection between the two of them.
What I didn’t like: the beginning is SLOW. The two characters do not even meet until the middle of the book. Although, once they do meet, I did enjoy their relationship. I am also not a fan of the ending. It came out of nowhere. She’s gone for a year, then comes back, and he leaves with her without saying good-bye to his dad? It left me disappointed.
I would've given it a 3.5 if I could.
The other main character is Aine, whose father (now bewitched by magic) is the leader of the bandits. She hates what the magic has done to her father. She is independent, strong-willed, and sensible.
The two characters meet and join forces to undo a very old problem.
What I liked: strong characters and a good plot. The two kids are likable and both undergo a transformation throughout the story, making them both better people. There’s a great connection between the two of them.
What I didn’t like: the beginning is SLOW. The two characters do not even meet until the middle of the book. Although, once they do meet, I did enjoy their relationship. I am also not a fan of the ending. It came out of nowhere. She’s gone for a year, then comes back, and he leaves with her without saying good-bye to his dad? It left me disappointed.
I would've given it a 3.5 if I could.
November 4, 2015
November 2015 review
After suffering an asthma attack that nearly kills him, Arthur Penhaligon is saved by a mysterious man in a wheelchair named Mr. Monday that hands him a key -a key that saves his life, a key that puts him in danger. When an army of dog-faced “Fetchers” show up, Arthur knows he must go to the house, the one that only he can see, and unravel the mystery. But, once inside the house, things become much more complicated, and Mr. Monday wants his key back.
The novel starts off great. Fast-paced and captivating, the story gripped me and I wanted nothing more than to keep reading. Until Arthur got to the house. Then the story became incredibly confusing. Mr. Nix did a great job creating a completely different world inside the house, but it is more like a dark, Alice in Wonderland dream and difficult to follow. Several times, I had to go back and re-read something because I didn’t quite understand what Arthur was seeing. I found the story a little too dark and too confusing for my taste.
3 out of 5 stars
The novel starts off great. Fast-paced and captivating, the story gripped me and I wanted nothing more than to keep reading. Until Arthur got to the house. Then the story became incredibly confusing. Mr. Nix did a great job creating a completely different world inside the house, but it is more like a dark, Alice in Wonderland dream and difficult to follow. Several times, I had to go back and re-read something because I didn’t quite understand what Arthur was seeing. I found the story a little too dark and too confusing for my taste.
3 out of 5 stars
May 7, 2015
Launch Date!
Finally! Book 4 of the Decoders series is ready to launch. Scheduled launch date for The Case of the Mysterious Music Box is: May 28th. Woo HOO! So excited!
In their latest adventure, Steve, Matt, and Jenny think their newest case will be a cinch. Boy, are they wrong.
What starts out as a simple search for a stolen music box, quickly turns into a dangerous hunt when the three detectives discover that the dark and mysterious history of the music box could lead them to a long-lost missing fortune from World War II.
As the twelve-year-olds delve deeper into the mystery, they encounter two separate treasure hunters, both willing to do anything to get their hands on the missing gold, including eliminating the competition. Racing against time, the trio must figure out the clue left behind by a dying old man in order to keep the music box, and the treasure, out of the hands of the Neo-Nazis.
In their latest adventure, Steve, Matt, and Jenny think their newest case will be a cinch. Boy, are they wrong.
What starts out as a simple search for a stolen music box, quickly turns into a dangerous hunt when the three detectives discover that the dark and mysterious history of the music box could lead them to a long-lost missing fortune from World War II.
As the twelve-year-olds delve deeper into the mystery, they encounter two separate treasure hunters, both willing to do anything to get their hands on the missing gold, including eliminating the competition. Racing against time, the trio must figure out the clue left behind by a dying old man in order to keep the music box, and the treasure, out of the hands of the Neo-Nazis.
February 16, 2015
My Review of The Red Pyramid
The Red Pyramid was an interesting story, introducing the reader to the world of Egyptian gods. Because most people, myself included, grew up learning about the Greek/Roman gods, it was interesting to learn about a completely different set of gods.
I liked the first person accounts by each of the two main characters, Sadie and Carter. I felt that gave us a deeper understanding of each character. I also like the sister/brother dynamic. The two kids are pretty much strangers at the beginning of the book, having not spent much time with each other growing up and both jealous of each others' upbringing. As the book progresses, they each learn things about the other that not only brings them closer, but gives them a sense of understanding as to why they are the way they are (and that maybe their life wasn't as great as each one thought).
The names of the gods and their roles did get confusing. It was hard to keep track of which god was son/brother or whatever to which god. I understand their roles changed throughout the history of Egypt, but it did get confusing trying to keep them straight. The author did a great job of trying to make the connections clear, but it still did get a bit overwhelming.
Overall, this was a great book, with interesting characters and exciting adventures. I would highly recommend it for anyone interested in mythology or for kids who love a great adventure.
I liked the first person accounts by each of the two main characters, Sadie and Carter. I felt that gave us a deeper understanding of each character. I also like the sister/brother dynamic. The two kids are pretty much strangers at the beginning of the book, having not spent much time with each other growing up and both jealous of each others' upbringing. As the book progresses, they each learn things about the other that not only brings them closer, but gives them a sense of understanding as to why they are the way they are (and that maybe their life wasn't as great as each one thought).
The names of the gods and their roles did get confusing. It was hard to keep track of which god was son/brother or whatever to which god. I understand their roles changed throughout the history of Egypt, but it did get confusing trying to keep them straight. The author did a great job of trying to make the connections clear, but it still did get a bit overwhelming.
Overall, this was a great book, with interesting characters and exciting adventures. I would highly recommend it for anyone interested in mythology or for kids who love a great adventure.
September 2, 2014
August 19, 2014
Monthly Newsletter and Book Signings
Howdy!
So...I recently got my licenses so I can legally sell my paperback books. Yay! :) Now, I've just got to set up those book signings.
To make it easy for y'all to come hang out with me at a book signing, and to get to know me a little better, I've set up a monthly newsletter to keep you (and me)up to date (and on track) of what's going on each month. In it, I'll have dates and times of book signings, as well as random facts about myself and things I find interesting (weird things like...the Mona Lisa has no eyebrows).
Don't worry. I won't suffocate you with e-mail blasts. It's literally just once a month. And, it's so easy to sign up for. Just clink on the following link:
http://albaarango.us3.list-manage.com...
Enjoy what's left of summer. Happy reading!
So...I recently got my licenses so I can legally sell my paperback books. Yay! :) Now, I've just got to set up those book signings.
To make it easy for y'all to come hang out with me at a book signing, and to get to know me a little better, I've set up a monthly newsletter to keep you (and me)up to date (and on track) of what's going on each month. In it, I'll have dates and times of book signings, as well as random facts about myself and things I find interesting (weird things like...the Mona Lisa has no eyebrows).
Don't worry. I won't suffocate you with e-mail blasts. It's literally just once a month. And, it's so easy to sign up for. Just clink on the following link:
http://albaarango.us3.list-manage.com...
Enjoy what's left of summer. Happy reading!
