C.J. Milbrandt's Blog, page 46
June 29, 2018
The Peculiar
The Peculiar (The Peculiar, #1)
Stefan Bachmann
[image error]
In an England irrevocably marked by war against the Sidhe, Bartholomew Kettle must hide from prying eyes because of what he is. A changeling, born with both human and faery blood. Cowering in his mother’s dingy apartment day in and day out is bad enough. But matters take a turn for the worse when he witnesses a kidnapping. Someone is snatching changelings, and he might be next.
A tense mystery in a steampunk setting with a decidedly morbid atmo...
June 26, 2018
#amreading Middle Grade
[image error]
In The Spindlers, Liza can tell something’s wrong with her brother. His soul has been stolen by the spindlers, and if she doesn’t get it back, Patrick will be gone for good. Wednesdays in the Tower is the second book in the Castle Gower series, which I love because … a sentient castle! And Freaks is a historical mystery with steampunk trimmings that centers around the members of a freak show.
June 25, 2018
BYWAYS: Behind the Header
[image error]
Let’s take another peek behind the scenes! Book #8 in the Byways series brings us back around to Ewan, who takes a wrong turn and winds up on the wrong mountain. A late spring storm strands him and the girls in a town that has a fine inn, a steamy bathhouse, and a secret. When Tamaqua and Juniata disappear, Ewan has to chase the legend of a dragon.
[image error]
There’s still snow in the northern mountains.
Here’s what’s behind the header on the cover of Byways Book #8, Down the Stairs: A Ewan Johns Adv...
June 22, 2018
The Key to Extraordinary
The Key to Extraordinary
Natalie Lloyd
[image error]
A family in which the women all share a sense of destiny. A mountain village with a sense of history and a touch of magic. Brushes with sadness, with belonging, with adventure, and with hope. A celebration of friendship that lifts the heart and gives it that special flutter.
Beautiful storytelling from a kindred soul. A treasure, indeed.
Follow my reviews on Goodreads >>
More MG books @ MGCarousel >>
June 19, 2018
#amreading Fables & Fairy Tales
[image error]
The Dire King is the finale of the Jackaby series, where fabled creatures are coming out of the woodwork. (I adored the first two books in this series and would recommend those. Not as pleased with the concluding volumes.) Iron Hearted Violet is a princess story with an ominous tone. There are secrets in the castle that shouldn’t have been uncovered … and terrible consequences to those who listen to the whispers coming from the castle mirrors. And The Fairy Tale Detectives is the first in Th...
June 18, 2018
BYWAYS: Brielle Trenton
Rounding out Zane’s Team. In Byways Book #3, Over the Bridge, they catch wind of a blacksmith who wants to move west, which brings them to Trenton Forge. The rumors are true, but an important detail was left out. Brielle Trenton is a young woman. And Zane can’t believe Jovan thinks it’s a good idea to travel with a girl. Especially one as pushy as Bree.
[image error]
June 15, 2018
Circus Mirandus
Circus Mirandus
Cassie Beasley
[image error]
Michah’s grown up with his grandfather’s stories about a magical circus, and he believes them all. Especially the ones about the Man Who Bends Light, who once promised Grandpa Ephraim a miracle. Sassy parrots and odious aunts. New friends at school and tying knots. Sleeping in tree houses and ice cold orange sodas. Desperate hopes and music on the wind.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. Very much my kind of story. Loved it!
Follow my reviews on G...
June 12, 2018
#amreading This and That
[image error]
The Hollow Boy is the third book in the Lockwood & Co. series, an edge-of-the-seat adventure in which ghosts haunt England and can kill with a touch. Aquamarine is a lower middle grade summer story about a mermaid who becomes stranded in a water park’s swimming pool. And The Case of the Gypsy Good-bye is the sixth and final installment in the Enola Holmes series. (Very much my favorite book discovery of 2017 and destined to be reread at regular intervals.)
June 8, 2018
The Screaming Staircase
The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co., #1)
Jonathan Stroud
[image error]
After a horrifying debacle at her previous job, Lucy strikes out on her own, applying for a new position in London. Her search lands her at Lockwood & Co., where her psychic abilities are a complement for Anthony’s and George’s. Not that this guarantees everything will go smoothly.
Emanations and eradication. Ghost lamps and restless spirits. Iron shavings and silvered glass. Old murders and lingering presences. All the hauntings...
June 5, 2018
#amreading Strangeness
[image error]
In Poppy Mayberry, The Monday, we learn that in the city of Nova, every child is born with the potential of developing a weekday power (telepathy, teleportation, telekinesis, etc) depending on what day of the week they’re born. Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters takes a twist on Japanese folklore. And Rowan Hood Returns is the final installment in Nancy Springer’s series. (I didn’t like this one so much, but the first book in the set is amazing.)
