Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 146

Book Review: Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell

Title: RooftoppersBy: Katherine RundellGenre: Historical FantasyPages: 278Release Date: March 7th, 2013Publisher: Faber FaberRating: ★★★★★
Summary from Goodreads:Everyone thinks that Sophie is an orphan. True, there were no other recorded female survivors from the shipwreck which left baby Sophie floating in the English Channel in a cello case, but Sophie remembers seeing her mother wave for help. Her guardian tells her it is almost impossible that her mother is still alive, but that means still possible. You should never ignore a possible. So when the Welfare Agency writes to her guardian threatening to send Sophie to an orphanage, she takes matters into her own hands and flees to Paris to look for her mother, starting with the only clue she has - the address of the cello maker. Evading the French authorities, she meets Matteo and his network of rooftoppers - urchins who live in the sky. Together they scour the city for Sophie's mother before she is caught and sent back to London, and most importantly before she loses hope.
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Review:I read this story from cover to cover in one day. It was really unique and I had never read anything like it before. I loved how the characters have a whole world on the roofs of the buildings and they claimed sections of the city for different groups.
The villains in the story are really relatable. Who hasn't heard of child protective services trying to remove a child from a home they deemed unfit? This was the same case, but with a more exciting twist.
This book would be a great read for kids as it is set around a young girl with a strong will. Wonderful read. Five stars from me.

Book Review: Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles

Title: Where Dreams DescendBy: Janella AngelesGenre: FantasyPages: 464Release Date: August 25th, 2020Publisher: Wednesday BooksRating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:In a city covered in ice and ruin, a group of magicians face off in a daring game of magical feats to find the next headliner of the Conquering Circus, only to find themselves under the threat of an unseen danger striking behind the scenes.

As each act becomes more and more risky and the number of missing magicians piles up, three are forced to reckon with their secrets before the darkness comes for them next.

The Star: Kallia, a powerful showgirl out to prove she’s the best no matter the cost

The Master: Jack, the enigmatic keeper of the club, and more than one lie told

The Magician: Demarco, the brooding judge with a dark past he can no longer hide

Where Dreams Descend is the startling and romantic first book in Janella Angeles’ debut Kingdom of Cards fantasy duology where magic is both celebrated and feared, and no heart is left unscathed. 
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Review:Could there be a story more thrilling than this? I loved reading through this book. It had a wonderful Magical vibe that reminded me a lot of Caraval by Stephanie Garber. The Mystery and suspense kept me on my toes and the characters were wonderful. I fell in love with them right from the beginning.
The only reason I couldn't give this book a four star is the world building. I wanted more. I wanted to know what the world was like around the characters and how the people reacted to them.
Other than that, I couldn't put this book down and have already recommended it to my close reading buddy (My mom.)

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Weekly Menu #365 And The Book Of The Week

Monday! The last week before my vacation. I will try to leave you a delicious menu next week, but it just depends on how busy we are over the weekend and what I'm able to get done.

We are taking a trip to the Oregon coast, just to relax for a few days and spend time with our boys. I am so ready for this. Its been way too long. After everything that has happened over this year, with all this covid stuff and school stuff, I just want a few days to myself without having to be bothered by the world. Is that too much to ask?
Well, the menu is waiting, so enjoy! MENU 
MondayGrilled Sausage Parm Berger
TuesdayInstant Pot Crack Chicken
WednesdayOne skillet Sausage and Rice
ThursdaySmash Burger
FridayInstant Pot Chicken Fajitas
SaturdayInstant Pot Sloppy Joe's
SundayLeftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #57

Sunday is here! Another week of wonderful reads on the blog and a look at what's to come. Enjoy!

Sunday Confessions #56~Weekly Menu #364 And The Book Of The Week~Movie Review: Hamilton~Book Review: Life in Motion by Misty Copland~Book Review: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr~Book Review: Dating Makes Perfect by Pintip Dunn

Weekly Menu #365 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles~Book Review: Roof Toppers by Katherine Rundell~Book Review: Warrior of the Altaii by Robert Jordan
~
Sunday Confessions #58



17/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~7/20 in my Scotland challenge~40/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~39/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

It was a slow week reading wise. I'm hoping to finish up a few reads that I started last week. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday and stay safe out there. 

Book Review: Dating Makes Perfect by Pintip Dunn

Title: Dating Makes PerfectBy: Pintip DunnGenre: Contemporary RomancePages: 400Release Date: August 18th, 2020Publisher: Entangled: TeenRating: ★★★☆☆
Summary from Goodreads:The Tech sisters don’t date in high school. Not because they’re not asked. Not because they’re not interested. Not even because no one can pronounce their long, Thai last name—hence the shortened, awkward moniker. But simply because they’re not allowed.
Until now.
In a move that other Asian American girls know all too well, six months after the older Tech twins got to college, their parents asked, “Why aren’t you engaged yet?” The sisters retaliated by vowing that they won’t marry for ten (maybe even twenty!) years, not until they’ve had lots of the dating practice that they didn’t get in high school.
In a shocking war on the status quo, her parents now insist that their youngest daughter, Orrawin (aka “Winnie”), must practice fake dating in high school. Under their watchful eyes, of course—and organized based on their favorite rom-coms. ’Cause that won’t end in disaster.
The first candidate? The son of their longtime friends, Mat Songsomboon—arrogant, infuriating, and way too good-looking. Winnie’s known him since they were toddlers throwing sticky rice balls at each other. And her parents love him.
If only he weren’t her sworn enemy.
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Review:A cute read with likable characters. 
The book had a slow start to it, where everything just felt hallow, like I was scratching the surface. Once the story really got going I finally felt the emotions of the characters. Its was as if it took them a while to warm up and let it all out. 
I did really enjoy the comradery between the sisters. It felt real, like something my sisters and I would say.
Overall, this was a pleasant read with a fun story.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

Book Review: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Title: Wicked LovelyBy: Melissa MarrGenre: ParanormalPages: 328Release Date: June 12th, 2007Publisher: HarperTeenRating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty - especially if they learn of her Sight - and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.
Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.
Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost — regardless of her plans or desires.
Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.
Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.
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Review:This was a fun read. Even though I jumped into this series without reading the prior books, it was easy for me to pick up on the tail with the nicely spaced back story weaved into the pages. There was excitement and thrills and of course the ever present paranormal bits that I love so much. I really enjoyed the mystery around the child, and relationships that were part of the book. A great read to take my mind of the world for a while.

Book Review: Life in Motion by Misty Copland

Title: Life in MotionBy: Misty CopelandGenre: MemoirPages: 192Release Date: December 6th, 2016Publisher: AladdinRating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:Determination meets dance in this middle grade adaptation of the New York Times bestselling memoir by the first African-American principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre history, Misty Copeland.
As the first African-American principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland has been breaking down all kinds of barriers in the world of dance. But when she first started dancing—at the late age of thirteen—no one would have guessed the shy, underprivileged girl would one day make history in her field.
Her road to excellence was not easy—a chaotic home life, with several siblings and a single mother, was a stark contrast to the control and comfort she found on stage. And when her home life and incredible dance promise begin to clash, Misty had to learn to stand up for herself and navigate a complex relationship with her mother, while pursuing her ballet dreams.
Life in Motion is a story for all the kids who dare to be different, dream bigger, and want to break stereotypes in whatever they do.
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Review:Growing up in the ballet world gave me a wonderful insight into the things Copland spoke about. It is a sad truth that being a person of color somehow makes you less of a perfect dancer, a terrible truth, but one that Copland has overcome.
The amazing things she has already accomplished, gives me great hope for the future. The future of dance and the future of the world. I am excited to see what she does next. She is by far my favorite dancer, period.

Movie Review: Hamilton

Title: HamiltonGenre: HistoricalRelease Date: July 3rd, 2020My Rating: ★★★★★IMDB Rating: 8.8/10Cast: Summary from IMDB: The real life of one of America's foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Captured live on Broadway from the Richard Rodgers Theater with the original Broadway cast.
IMDB Trailer

Review:I am so glad that Disney has released this little gem. I've always heard great things about it. How wonderful it is. How it is the greatest musical of all time, and I can now see why.
The music was more modern than most musicals, with rap sections mixed in with some pretty epic melodies. And you wouldn't even know you were learning history in the process of watching the show. Amazing.
Even my young son was interested in the show, and that is saying a lot since he has autism and doesn't find anything interesting.
I gave this show five stars and I can't say enough about it. You must watch it.

Weekly Menu #364 And The Book Of The Week

Monday. How did we get here again? I swear this year is kicking me in the pants. After my terrible week last week, I managed to hold things together and lean on the love of my family. I was able to forget the terrible things someone said about me and remember how broken people try to bring others
down to make them feel better about themselves. Yes, it still stings, but I know the truth, and I am loved for who I am and not what a few people think about me.
I didn't get much reading done last week since it was super busy, but I'm hoping to finish off this little ditty. Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine. In a lot of ways, I can relate to Eleanor as she presents herself as autistic, but I;m only a short way through the book and the author hasn't made it clear what the cause of Eleanors odd behavior is. Either way, I really love her and can't wait to finish this story.
I hope you enjoy this weeks menu.
MondaySpaghetti
TuesdayApricot Chicken
WednesdayMexican Street Tacos
ThursdayGrilled Sausage Parm Berger
FridaySesame Chicken
SaturdayBratwurst
SundayLeftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #56

Welcome back to my Sunday confessions. I have to say, things were going good for a long time, but then I had a moment of weakness where I let all the things people say about how I look get to me. I'm tall with broad shoulders, I wear my hair short and I'm not afraid to get a little dirty doing some manual labor. Does this make me any less of a woman? No, in my opinion it makes me a stronger woman who isn't afraid to be myself. Apparently, some people are afraid of that. 
Whatever, I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing. I even cut my hair even shorter, so take that haters.
Lets get on to the books, because I know that's what you're here for, but I do appreciate you standing with me and loving the written word. 

Sunday Confessions #55~Weekly Menu #363 And The Book Of The Week~July 2020 Wrap Up~Movie Review: Artemis Fowl~Book Review: Paris Never Leaves You~Mini Review: Lore by Alexandra Bracken~Book Review: Blood World by Chris Moody

Weekly Menu #364 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Life in Motion by Misty Copland~Book Review: Dating Makes Perfect by Pintip Dunn~Sunday Confessions #57



17/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~7/20 in my Scotland challenge~40/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~39/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

It's been a week, but we are moving on and making things happen. Hatters gonna hate and I'm gonna let it roll of my back. Happy Reading.