C.J. Milbrandt's Blog, page 49
March 20, 2018
#amreading Riffs & Remixes
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Secrets of Shakespeare’s Grave is a clever contemporary mystery that will surely appeal to lovers of the Bard. The Broken Realm is the third installment in the Saga of Roland Innes (King Richard, Prince John, and Robin Hood, oh my!) And Lionclaw is the second book in the Rowan Hood series (which includes both a bard and Robin Hood! Go figure).
March 17, 2018
BYWAYS: Thirteen Colonies
Did you know that the first thirteen Byways Books cover America’s first thirteen colonies? Each is represented (in ratification order) with facts woven through the storyline—cities, landmarks, icons, and claims to fame.
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March 13, 2018
#amreading: Historical Settings
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The Case of the Missing Marquess kicks off a (new to me) favorite series starring the much younger sister of Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes. (I blitzed through all six volumes of the Enola Holmes series in record time.) Beastly Bones is the second of the Jackaby novels, with another fantastical case. And Rowan Hood is the first in the 5-book series about the daughter of Robin Hood.
March 12, 2018
BYWAYS: Behind the Header
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I’m offering readers a peek behind the Byways header. On a related note, do you recognize the four creatures it features? From top left, circling clockwise, they are a unicorn, a griffin, a dragon, and a phoenix. The topmost animal changes out from book to book. In this case, we have an eagle, representative of Ian Johns, who can Change into a golden eagle.
Today, I’m offering a peek at purple mountain majesty from Hannah Christenson’s cover illustration for Byways Book #2, Aboard the Train...
March 6, 2018
#amreading All Sorts
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Greenglass House is a modern mystery with a historical twist set in a hilltop inn. (The stained glass windows made me very happy.) OCDaniel introduces us to a boy who struggles with compulsions he doesn’t understand. And Warbow continues the Saga of Roland Innes. (Robin Hood & Friar Tuck, anyone?)
I post full reviews on GoodReads >>
March 3, 2018
February 27, 2018
#amreading: Scary Good Books
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If spooky is your style, the Lockwood & Co. mysteries are going to keep you on the edge of your seat. Ghosts who can kill with a touch? (Eep.) The Graveyard Book was another of my online book club’s selections, about a boy raised by ghosts. And I’m still very much enjoying the Ranger’s Apprentice series. (This one especially, since my hometown is Scandia.)
February 26, 2018
BYWAYS: Illustrations
Every one of the Byways Books includes beautiful full-color art by my illustrator, Hannah Christenson. Here’s a sampling from Book #9, Through the Notches: A Zane Johns Adventure.
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February 20, 2018
#amreading: Middlegrade Mysteries
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Jackaby involves an investigator who can see things others cannot, as told from the point of view of his new assistant, Ms. Rook. The Clockwork Three also has a historical setting (with a steampunk ambiance). And Eddie is a beautifully illustrated story about a young Edgar Allen Poe, who must solve a case to prove his innocence.
February 19, 2018
BYWAYS: Ganix Johns
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Ganix Johns is a little too curious for his own good. He’s a born mischief-maker with a talent for getting into trouble. Ganix is always ready for a good time or a good meal, and everywhere he goes, he makes friends.
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