Stellarlune (Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 9) by Shannon Messenger

Stellarlune is the 9th book in the middle grade fantasy series, Keeper of the Lost Cities. Keefe, faced with the life-changing alterations to his abilities (yes, plural!), runs away to hide among humans, scared of how his new powers could hurt the ones he cares about. Sophie struggles to help him, and along the way confronts her own feelings that she's been reluctant to admit.

Let us start with what I liked about the latest installment in my favorite series ever before we get into the criticisms. I liked that Stellarlune continued to address more serious issues in their society like elaborating on the flaws in their matchmaking system, the Talentless label, and memory erasing. Honestly, I didn't think the secrets from the caches were worth erasing. I understand that elves' minds are delicate to violence and guilt, but their society has a problem with forgetting being the answer to uncomfortable situations. I hope changes will be made for how the council operates moving forward. I think Glimmer's character was an interesting addition that spoke to several problems in the Lost Cities' society, but at the same time I sometimes feel like there are too many of them! Stop writing such amazing characters! 

This book's main focus on was on relationships. Sophie grew into her role as a leader, and became more restless and angry over her situation. While she was criticized for it by other characters in the book, I can appreciate her reasonings. I liked how Messenger tied back into her upbringing and differences between human and elf society and linked to her past traumas. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Keefe is by far the best written and developed character that Messenger has created, and this book was no exception. He had some difficult decisions to make, faced with a power never seen before with unique and fundamentally challenging consequences to their society as a whole. The more serious and morally challenging discussions that have been become prevalent over the course of the series is something I enjoy, and I think is fitting for a maturing audience as well. I was only 14 when I first picked up the series.

Stellarlune read like a romance novel, rather than the action-packed fantasy adventure that Keeper of the Lost Cities was once known for. The majority of Stellarlune was building to a romantic relationship change, with one climatic event only at the end. I miss when the series was more about meaningful action in fighting to save the fantasy world of The Lost Cities from the Neverseen. A lot of people love the relationship emphasis and romance novels, but I dislike those. Yes, I am happy with the outcome of that and "shipped" the characters together, but I strongly prefer romance aspects to be integrated into the story, rather than taking over and derailing from the pressing matters at hand in their world to be dealt with. I miss the action and magic and adventure that the earlier books emphasized. In Nightfall, for example, book 6 was able to still discuss the love triangle (or square) but balance it with the danger and progression along the storyline. However, Stellarlune was completely out of proportion; most of the entire book was dedicated to just a romantic relationship achievement with a tiny sprinkle of mystery and fantasy. I was actually very surprised with how quickly the focus turned.

When I reviewed book 8.5, I wrote that I thought Messenger was drawing out the series, and commented that roughly only about 30% of book 8.5 was part of the story and not extra material. I still agree with that comment. After reading book 9, I believe a little reorganization would have been very beneficial; hear me out. I would have changed the order and created a book 9.5 instead of 8.5. That 30% in Unlocked of the actual story could have been inserted into Stellarlune, and I would have shoved all the teenage fretting about boys and romance, along with the excess material that was included in book 8.5, into a book 9.5. Let me know in comments what you would have thought of that rearrangement! That way, no material would have had to be cut, but rather switched in order to provide balance and provide a better natural flow to the writing. I understand that there have to be breaks for the characters and relationships do have to progress, but the previous books were far better at balancing both desires.

I actually disagree with the acknowledgment's claim that the cliffhanger was the "game changer of all the game changers! The biggest secret in the Lost Cities.” No spoilers, but I can think of a few more secrets that Sophie and her friends have uncovered over the course of the series that are more mind-boggling and climactic than how the book ended, although I agree there is a new escalation. Book 9 left off with some huge plot worries still unconcluded, with several new ones. The 10th book is supposedly the series finale. With the pacing of book 8.5 and 9, I highly doubt that Messenger will be able to wrap everything up in one more book. I hope to be proven wrong. 

You can see all my other reviews of this series here. 

Title: Stellarlune
Author: Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Aladin
Pages: 732
Series: Yes, Book 9
Rating: 3 Stars
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Space Kids: The Journey of Hope by Alan Nettleton

Space Kids: The Journey of Hope is a middle grade science fiction book that was sent to me by the author. In a future society in 2068, scientists from the global organization Space Command want to study how children would function in space. They advertise to put together a team of children to do a mission in space. Sophie, Sahil, Jack, and Leena are selected to travel to exoplanet K2 18b, collect samples, and come back in a total of 3 months. However, things don't exactly go as planned, and they end up in a race to save an alien civilization from an extinction event.

You may not know this, but this is actually the second version of the book. Apparently my feedback was so useful to the author on the first version in 2020 that he actually unpublished it. I am wildly impressed with the changes that have occurred since then!

This concept has certainly been explored before. What makes Space Kids unique in comparison to the dozens of other books is the element of the telepathic communication. Sophie doesn't have "normal" dreams and nightmares like we do. Not to spoil anything, but her connectivity to the planet, as well as the mystery surrounding her dad's death, is an element that sets it apart. I'm not sure if the author intended to, but I found some of the dialogue to be very funny as well.

I can relate to Sophie, especially early on when she thought about the difficulties of having conversations with her peers that didn't seem childish. If this opportunity came to me when I was 12 years old, you bet I would have applied. In addition to how relatable Sophie was, I am happy that he decided to depict Leena as autistic. This book could empower kids with autism, as our society tends to put limits on children with that particular condition. One strategy that is very useful was Leena's repetition of the word "teacup", which for her means "T – C – U – P.  Think Clearly Under Pressure.” That is very clever, and it is something that I will remember for when I am a teacher.

In the book in this future reality, they have found a way to jump hyperspace, which is even faster than the speed of light. Theoretically, the acceleration alone would kill us almost instantly, which also means that they invented adequate inertial dampeners. At first, I thought that the reason for sending kids into space would be so that in the years it takes to reach the planet of destination, that they would be young adults. But an interesting point was brought up about how in an effort for colonization, children may be born in space, and thus research should be done to prepare for how they would behave. I took Planetary Geology in college last year, and I can say that Nettleton did a nice job accurately presenting some of the physics of space travel. The hyperdrive explanation actually made so much sense that I might use it if I get to teach astronomy.

The exoplanet that the author chose to focus on was K2 18b, which was an interesting choice. I will say that the likelihood of finding intelligent life on that planet, is very small. K2 18b is a planet of much debate. Just because it is in the habitable zone, it doesn't guarantee that it is. While research does back up it perhaps having an ocean (https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ab7229), I think everyone agrees that the atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and definitely not breathable. It would have made more sense to make the planet be the TOI 700 d option discussed earlier in the book for the atmospheric composition stated. I did catch one error, where the book described the planet as being smaller than Earth, when actually K2 18b is over 8 times larger than Earth. However, I highly doubt that the middle grade readers would know that. 

I highly recommend this book! There will be a sequel titled Space Kids: The Alien Princess, that I cannot wait to read!

Title: Space Kids: The Journey of Hope
Author: Alan Nettleton
Publisher: Alan Nettleton
Pages: 271
Series: Yes, Book 1 of 2
Rating: 5 Stars
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Fallen Thief (Merrows Book 2) by A.M. Robin

Fallen Thief is the second book in the middle grade fantasy series Merrows that was sent to me by the author. While merrows Mira and Kay have returned home, it is not with good news. Two of their dear friends are trapped in everlock sleep, the Shadowveils refuse to leave them or their families alone, and bullies and townsfolk refuse to accept their identity. Ultimately, as their powers grow, so does the magic hidden in their kingdom. Finding a legendary sorcerer deep in the ocean may be their only chance to save their friends.

Sometimes when I read books in a series, and haven't read the previous book in a while, (in this case in 2019), I end up confused and have to go re-read the previous book. Luckily, this wasn't the case. The author did a nice job refreshing the events of the previous story whilst telling this new one. Many books can feel disconnected from each other, but these synchronized.

While a heavy part of the book was on underwater adventures, another very meaningful theme was dealing with peer relations. A lot of people are afraid of what they do not understand and what is different. In addition to fighting the Shadowviels sent by the Empress of the Sea, Mira and Kay have to deal with their peers bullying them and the public's mistrust of their abilities. The children did not handle Collin's harassment well at times, which only made the depiction more realistic. 

Some books are easier to write reviews of than others. Have you ever tried a new food, for example, and liked how it tasted, but couldn't find the words to describe why?  I apologize for how short this is, however it is strangely difficult for me to explain why I enjoyed the story. I will say that Robin has an incredible imagination.

I highly recommend you read this book. See my review of the first book in this series, Hidden Scales. 

Title: Fallen Thief
Author: A.M. Robin
Publisher: A.M. Robin
Pages: 285
Series: Yes, Book 2
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Tale of the Pack: Elizabeth Forty and the Treasure of Odin's Island by B. P. Williams

Tale of the Pack is a middle grade fantasy book that was sent to me by the author. After 10-year-old orphan Elizabeth Forty escapes from her abusive orphanage, she  saves Kona, a 3-legged kitten from bullies. However, she was also struck on the head with a rock. When she comes to, Elizabeth gains the ability to talk to animals. Now homeless, the animals welcome her into their home. Her troubles are not over, however, when she learns of a threat at the nearby animal rescue. 

I wish that being hit on the head lead to superpowers! It would be awesome if I could talk to animals, particularly squirrels! That is why this book is a fantasy despite including many realistic themes. It is quite ironic that the nightmare of a children's home and school that Elizabeth ran off from is called "Happydale." Take this quote for example: "Singing, playing, smiling and laughing were strictly forbidden. They were corrosive to the development of character" (Williams 22). I would probably take my chances on the street as well! However, Tale of the Pack quickly took another direction very far from the school and my predictions, with the central antagonist and problem centering on how Isadora Moorson, a dark and greedy woman who abuses animals, is gaining control of an animal rescue center.

As Elizabeth is just 10 years old, her decisions and realizations are not always rational. She still seems a bit more mature than that age, but Elizabeth's intellect and character were written well for a child, missing the bigger picture and consequences of her actions in the "real world." I am not very knowledgeable in property law, but let's just say there were a few moments of laughter in reaction to those ideas. Elizabeth is very bright, however, and has a curious personality. I think that young readers would relate really well to her.

For the ending, I do wish there was an epilogue of what happens after, as there are dozens of possibilities and consequences that could result from the climatic ending. Lessons on the value of friendship and greed were established, but I did feel that there were too many unknowns and plot angles not resolved. I also think that there would be a lot of educational value in explaining the real-world outcomes. 

I recommend this book!

Title: Tale of the Pack: Elizabeth Forty and the Treasure of Odin's Island
Author: B. P. Williams
Publisher: B. P. Williams
Pages: 183
Series: No
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads

Feather Frost (The Dryad's Cede Book 2) and Spring Tide (The Dryad's Cede Book 0.5) by K.C. Simos

Feather Frost is the second book in the middle grade fantasy series The Dryad's Cede. The author sent me both books and recommended that I read Spring Tide, book 0.5, before Feather Frost.

Spring Tide takes place 400 years before Kindled Embers and Feather Frost, and tells the relationship between Chastain, a wood nymph, and Freddie, a young prince who enjoyed sitting under Chastian's chestnut tree. In Feather Frost, which takes place 5 years after Kindled Embers, Eliza's friend Prince Anders goes missing after an incident in the mountains. Concerned by the state of his chambers, she travels there to rule out otherworldly activity, but soon finds herself accepting the opposite and engaging in a war between the Ice Maiden and the Sea Witch, learning stunning revelations about her past along the way.

The short story of the friendship between Chastain and Prince Freddie in Spring Tide was beautiful, and I loved how the story spanned many years over the developing course of their relationship. While the ending is sad, it is also serene and sweet of how Chastain's legacy lived on. The ending also has an "aha!" moment, as it put some of the events in the first book, Kindled Embers, in greater context. I do wish that I had read Spring Tide first.

Readers not only become invested in finding Anders and saving the world, but in Eliza's wellbeing and personal journey. The foreshadowing was strong in Feather Frost, and many times I gasped aloud at the plot twists and my certainty of knowing where the story was going. The book also has many funny and cute moments that lighten the tone but still uphold the potentially dire outcomes. 

It was interesting to see Eliza's growth in the past 5 years and what aspects of her personality and interests remained the same. Most scenes were vivid and enticing; this is not a book to start reading if its likely that you might be interrupted. The ending of Feather Frost was skillful in that it concluded the series, but it also leaves an opening for there to be another installment in the series in the future.

I highly recommend this series!

Title: Feather Frost and Spring Tide

Author: K.C. Simos

Publisher: K.C. Simos

Pages: 40 and 162
Series: Yes, Book 0.5 and Book 2
Rating: 5 Stars
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The Coming of the Spirits (Spirits Book 5) by Rob Keeley

The Coming of the Spirits is the fifth and final book in the middle grade fantasy series Spirits that was sent to me by the author. Ellie and Clara's plan in 1936 to set World War 2 back on track went awry. Present-day has the Nazis controlling Britain with the powers of the spirit world. History calls upon Ellie one last time, to finally be the Grand Defender and seal the breach between the spirit world and the mortal one. Except this time, Ellie has had enough with others ordering her future. Torn between the past, present, and the future, Ellie's friends from all over the timeline must come together and help her save the world one final time.

A great quote that sums up the book is from the pilot of DC's Legends of Tomorrow: "If we have the power to change the world, don’t you think we have the power to change our own fate?" Especially when the friends across time and worlds come together, it reminded me of that CW show. 

The majority of the series focused on Ellie helping others and bonding with other characters; in contrary, The Coming of the Spirits delved deep into the root of who Ellie is and the events in her life that changed time. Ellie has gone from a child to 18. In that time, she has grown not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. The setting of the books have aged with her appropriately. This the most intense and dystopian of the series. One climatic event was even a bit scary to me with its detailed imagery. As usual, Keeley's descriptions and settings were vivid and real. It is actually hard to believe that it was only 144 pages with how much had happened and how gripping the plotline was.

The series did wrap up surprisingly well. The ending was definitely unexpected. I was not prepared for that change of destiny, and I cannot find any foreshadowing that leads to this shock. While heartbreaking in the moment, I can understand why Keeley chose to end the series this way. While the choice seems almost contradictory to the plotline and previous books, it does attune to a theme of changing destinies and the course of history.

Overall I largely enjoyed the series and highly recommend it. The second book, The Spirit of London, is still my favorite. 

See my review of:

The forth book, High Spirits

The third book, The Sword of the Spirit

The second book, The Spirit of London

The first book, Childish Spirits

Title: The Coming of the Spirits
Author: Rob Keeley
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Pages: 144
Series: Yes, Book 5 of 5
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Rise of the Sidekicks by Charity Tober

Rise of the Sidekicks is a middle grade fantasy book that was sent to me by the author. 12-year-old Ethan Parker attends the Justice Academy school for kids with superpowers. He and his friends are ecstatic for the Sidekick Tryouts competition where the Nexus Guardian superheroes of the city will choose recruits. While he doesn't have powers like super speed or pyrokinesis, he hopes that his tech skills and inventions will impress them. But a week before he can, the "Hero Smasher" tricks the Guardians into leaving and mind-controls the population into surrendering all the supers for neutralization. Ethan and his friends band together to take on the Hero Smasher and his army of mechanical robots.

While a very familiar concept of those with powers banding together to save the city and mind-controlled robots, Tober weaved an interesting plot of the Sidekick auditions and the kids desperate to prove themselves to the Guardians. Irony is, they aren't here to see it. The author also did a great job of character development, overcoming self-doubt and fear. Rise of the Sidekicks is the type of book that can be read over and over again, even knowing the ending. For the author's first middle grade book, it is impressive.

A central theme was also what defines a superhero. Ethan doesn't have flashy powers, and battled the belief that he doesn't have "real" superpowers. His cleverness, tech-savvy skills, and leadership abilities are outstanding. Ethan did remind me of Richard Greyson (Robin), from the Teen Titans, and most others reminded me of those featured in The Arrowverse. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it made the book a bit nostalgic and more enjoyable.

The only complaint that I have is the lack of origin for their powers. Where did these powers come from? Why these families? The Hero Smasher's background story of why he came to hate the Guardians was strongly written, and it made perfect sense. His origin story was great, but I am just missing the piece of people had these powers to begin with. But for middle grade readers, they may not care about that part.

I recommend this book!

Title: Rise of the Sidekicks
Author: Charity Tober
Publisher: Charity Tober
Pages: 315
Series: No
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads

The Gatekeeper of Pericael by Hayley Reese Chow

The Gatekeeper of Pericael is a middle grade fantasy book that was sent to me by the author. 12-year-old Porter is the Kotalla Kan, the next generation of the Gatekeepers, who guard the portal between Earth and the parallel spirit universe of Pericael. He hates spirits, and would much rather play soccer and be "normal" then spend hours channeling them and accepting his fate. When Pericael is threatened by the soul-stealing shaman Raspburn, Porter tries to help his mother banish him, but accidently drags himself and his powerless cousin Ames along with him. He must find his way back home in six days before Raspburn does, and defeat him. Along the way, he learns more about his powers and must learn to embrace it.

I loved The Gatekeeper of Pericael! While the premise of being sucked into a portal and having to find your way home is not very unique, the world-building certainly is. I also enjoyed how it was not information overload; I liked having a sense of mystery of certain aspects of the sprits and learning with Porter along the way. The book reminds me a bit of Avatar the Last Airbender, especially with the connection to the spirits. The plot's blend between familiar and unique was refreshing. The imagery of the fights and Porter's magic was very vivid and enticing. 

Porter's character development was astonishing. He went from despising the spirits and his role in protecting Earth to earnestly joining the King of the Spirits and feeling a sense of pride in his abilities. And for a 12-year-old kid? That is a heck of a ton of pressure to be under, and I enjoyed watching him adapt to it and find new strength to save his friends. While unfortunate circumstances caused his journey, I have no doubt that it helped Porter evolve in his abilities and become a more confident person. I do wish that the same growth was present with some of the other characters like Ames; or perhaps his relative flatness was written on purpose to emphasize Porter's emotions and difficulties?

I recommend this book! 

See my review of another book by this author, Ordiel's Heirs. 

Title: The Gatekeeper of Pericael
Author: Hayley Reese Chow
Publisher: Hayley Reese Chow
Pages: 186
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Journey to the Kingdom of No Return (Shelf Life Book 2) by Leslie R. Henderson

Journey to the Kingdom of No Return is the second book in the Shelf Life series that was sent to me by the author. Little Book accomplished his dream of becoming an international best-seller, and is back in the bookstore. But soon, he learns that his shelf-life is running out, and he will be put on sale. Desperate to have more time, he strikes a deal with the lead Space-Arranger to go on a reconnaissance mission to the dark side and retrieve scifi hero Luke Shelfwalker, who has apparently been booknapped to the dark side.

I find it really funny that the video game section is the furthest back in the store that borders the dark side. Is there some symbolism to the dark nature of video games over books? I enjoyed the extension of the setting of the bookstore. The "dark side" actually takes place in the storage room. The assumption would be that nobody cleans out the storage spaces, so the books and other items can stay there forever. The cover is once again amazing, and it shows an actual scene from the story. Henderson also did a great job making that environment creepy; I hate spiders and silverfish. *Shudder*

I enjoyed the subtle humor and frustration, like how Timothy Smithers never puts a book back where it belongs. I understand that frustration completely as I used to volunteer at my local library. Putting the children's section and the ones near it back in order were quite a chore sometimes. It is also true that sunlight can fade the art of a book and can trigger chemical changes in the pages, and many places do try to rotate shifts of what books are in the windows the longest. I also love the comedic and truthful timing of phases like "guns and kids don't mix" (49).

I may be reading too much into this, but one thing I found a bit strange or slightly confusing was that it was never mentioned how many copies of each book there were; one would assume that with how Little Book a best seller that he would have been sold; or he is the only one of x amount of copies that is "alive" and stayed in the bookstore out of luck? Or does each copy of the book have the same memories and thoughts and personalities? Also, one would think that being on sale is sort of a good thing; being right at the front of the store with a compelling price would make it more likely that they would be sold; isn't it ironic that the books are desperate not to go on sale as a last-ditch effort to be sold and want to stay in the bookstore forever? 

I recommend that you read this book and I look forward to reading the next one!

Read my review of the previous book in this series, Never Turn the Page Too Soon.

Title: Journey to the Kingdom of No Return
Author: Leslie R. Henderson
Publisher: Leslie R. Henderson
Pages: 209
Series: Yes, Book 2
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads

Never Turn the Page Too Soon (Shelf Life Book 1) by Leslie R. Henderson

Never Turn the Page Too Soon is a middle grade fantasy book that was sent to me by the author. One day, Little Book's author drops him in the donation cart in the local bookstore and drives away. After crying tears of ink, he finds something shocking; at night when the bookstore closes, the books and the characters in them come to life. He navigates the society of the bookstore trying to prove himself as worthy of shelf space and acceptance as he tries to avoid those who want to send him to the giant shredder.

As soon as I read the synopsis that described the perspective being from an inanimate object, a book, I was thrilled. When I was younger I would love writing poems and short stories from the viewpoint of items such as fruit waiting to be picked, or how a trash can felt with each item that was dumped. The concept of the characters coming to life out of the books and having parties and a life at night, and then quickly hopping back on the shelves before opening time was hilarious. There were even police (known as the Space Arrangers) and lawyers. Seeing Dr. Phil was very entertaining. The little details in the story were the best. Never Turn the Page Too Soon was funny and cute; I was smiling and giggling for most of the book.

There was a fear from the books in the store of being shredded by the machine called the LYON. This is not too far from the truth. Bookstores try to send unsold books back to the publisher, but many do not want to pay the shipping costs, and so they ask the stores to dispose of the books instead. Many do not have the resources to work with a recycling center, and the books get dumped out instead. Those that can afford it shred them instead. I used to volunteer in a library, and I know that they tried their best to give away for free the books that weren't being checked out. I actually spent time organizing the donation bins where Little Book was left. The descriptions of how the bookstore worked and the procedures were accurately pictured.

While this book is a fantasy, a lot of it does pertain truth to real-life struggles of being a self-published book. I know the majority of book reviewers do not accept books from self-published authors, and I have never understood why. To me, a book is a book. From reading Never Turn the Page Too Soon, I now know why- to the publishing and literature industry, self-published books are viewed as inferior.

"As for being self-published, only the best of the best belongs in our bookstore. So, if you're self-published, it means you are not the best. And if you're not the best, you don't belong in our bookstore 'cause it means you're not good enough" (pg. 25).

Never Turn the Page Too Soon connects the real difficulties of being an author and book publication with the insecurities that everyone face with the struggle of being "good enough" to be accepted by society and their peers. This need becomes increasingly apparent when kids enter middle school, and even more emphasized and emotionally damaging in high school. This book teaches that no matter where you came from or what you look like, you still are worthy and have potential to make it as far as you dreamed. Little Book was able to earn approval and friendships from his personality and talent despite the prejudice of being an "infiltrator". I loved the ending.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the sequel, Journey to the Kingdom of No Return.

Title: Never Turn the Page Too Soon
Author: Leslie R. Henderson
Publisher: Leslie R. Henderson
Pages: 222
Series: Yes, Book 1 of 2
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Behind the Open Door: The Book of Light Book 1 by Sally Gallot-Reeves

Behind the Open Door is a middle grade fantasy story that was sent to me by the publicist. This is the first in a 5-part series. 8-year-old Cassie has always had a vivid imagination- at least, that is what others think. In reality, she can sense vibrational frequencies and travel between different realms. Her talents, as well as her telepathy, become more apparent upon moving to a new home in Maine with a magical history. With her new guide (invisible to everyone else) dog Patrik, she works on helping the elemental kingdom and the fairies. Initially hindered by her family's anger and misunderstanding of her magical adventures, she helps them find enjoyable moments and see the magic within and around them.

The way her telepathy was shown was subtle- the book frequently showed conversations between other people even miles away that Cassie could hear. She could also transmit thoughts (what she calls "mind-wishes") and can hear the rest of people's sentences that aren't said aloud. Reeves did a good job balancing her powers with what could be excused as being observational, instinctive, and a vibrant imagination. The fact that Cassie's powers were not overbearing and obvious helped to the relatability of the story and contributed to the emotional tension in the family. It was exciting to see how her powers evolved and the effects it had on her family and friends. Cassie's mother was especially noteworthy in character development.

Most children have an imaginary companion and engage in elaborate imaginary activities. Even though Cassie's "pretend-play" or imagination is magic and is actually real in this book, various parenting strategies and ways to interact with Cassie have educational value. I took an educational psychology class last semester, and I can say that there is educational value and truth of what the book discusses on how to not only healthily encourage children to have confidence in their creativity, but also to learn the difference between reality and pretend. To find out what I am referring to, read the book! The ending was relaxing and a bit soothing. While there are four more books in this series, it could be a stand-alone. While some people prefer gripping cliffhangers, it is refreshing to see a book wrapped up nicely in the end and feel satisfied. It is a lovely story to read in the evening to relax before bed, and could allow for beautiful dreams. It is also the type of story that is fitting to read many times.

I highly recommend this book and am excited to read the next ones!

Title: Behind the Open Door
Author: Sally Gallot-Reeves
Publisher: Balboa Press 
Pages: 302
Series: Yes, Book 1 of 5
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads
Amazon

Tangled Tongue: A F.U.S.E. Adventure by Jean Husband

Tangled Tongue is a middle grade realistic fiction book that was sent to me by the author. 12-year-old Duff struggles with speech disfluency, and his father invents FUSE, a focused ultrasound electronic. This device sends micro-focused sound waves into sensory-motor systems of Duff's brain to smooth his speech. When the device works, it attracts some negative attention from other scientists nearby who want to steal the rights to the technology. When his father is kidnapped, he manages to communicate with Duff through the FUSE. Duff teams up with an old friend and a new one to get his dad back- no matter the danger. 

I really enjoyed the story! While it is just 162 pages, a lot happened and was suspenseful and fascinating. Duff's character development was strong, and I liked watching him become more confident, stand up for himself, and even embrace openness to new friends and forgiveness outside of the soccer field. Duff's bravery and love for his father was strong, and I love that he never gave up hope. Kids can be more resourceful than adults give them credit for. The book is mostly fun to read, and the kidnapping is not gory or anything like that. Tangled Tongue could also create an interest in STEM. 

I like this cover better than the other version, but they still need some work, especially as the style of the art makes it seem for a younger audience and easier reading level than it can be. While I understand the symbolism, it also is a bit misleading with the illustration of the tongue when stuttering is usually caused by abnormalities in the pathways in the brain responsible for language, not controllable by moving your tongue differently. 

I won't go into the technicalities of the specific differences of gray and white matter and fractional anisotropy, but the book actually does a good job of condensing some of the science into an easily understandable way. Focused ultrasound neuromodulation, the basis of the FUSE invention in the book, is currently used to treat psychiatric disorders, traumatic brain injuries, dysmotility disorders, chronic pain, and epilepsy. Neuromodulation is actually fascinating and is one of the fastest growing areas of medicine. Most research supporting non-invasive neuromodulation's use for speech impairments and stuttering use transcranial direct current stimulation, as focused ultrasound is rarer and mostly proven for behavioral disorders, however there is no reason not to assume that it could still work. In the future, these devices could become much more prevalent in society. The book was also realistic in which letters people who stutter struggle with the most.

I recommend that you read this book and I am excited to read the next book whenever it is ready!

Here's information on the technology if you are interested: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6881273/ 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-28320-1

https://www.neuromodulation.com/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123742483000021

Title: Tangled Tongue: A F.U.S.E. Adventure
Author: Jean Husband

Publisher: Jean Husband
Series: Yes, Book 1
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Kindled Embers (The Dryad's Cede Book 1) by K.C. Simos

Kindled Embers is a middle grade fantasy story that was sent to me by the author. When 12-year-old Eliza's foster father Jonas, a war hero, is falsely accused of stealing the Royal Pearl, she helps Jonas escape. Eliza decides the best way to clear his name is solve the theft themselves by following the riddles left behind.

Kindled Embers is a cute, fun story, but it also brought up a significant amount of moral issues and lessons. One of which surrounded what makes us worthy of being loved or receiving kindness. Differences in social class were very clear as a lesson of being kind and valuing everyone regardless of social standing was present. How adults behave does effect children; they are not invisible and are effected by the social environment. 

As far as the characters go, Eliza's personality and intelligence does fit with her age of 12, and she is relatable to how I was at that age. Even at 12 years old Eliza could see wrongdoing and injustice in her world. Eliza reminds me of myself at that age, always curious, enthusiastic, and determined. The plot was not predictable, and I was surprised and satisfied at the end. Personally, I don't believe a second book is needed, but I look forward to reading it. 

I highly recommend this book!

Title: Kindled Embers (The Dryad's Cede Book 1)
Author: K.C. Simos
Publisher: K.C. Simos
Pages: 132
Series: Yes, Book 1 of 2
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

High Spirits (Spirits Book 4) By Rob Keeley

High Spirits is the fourth book in the middle grade fantasy series Spirits. This book was sent to me by the author. Evil spirits have impersonated King Edward VIII and his girlfriend, and are bent on preventing World War II and helping Hitler. Due to Ellie's involvement in the new connection between the spirit world and mortal world, she is sent back in time again- this time, to 1936, to keep history in order. 

The educational value is strong, and I personally did not understand the significance of who Edward VIII was until now. While I did have some knowledge of the relationship between England and Germany prior to the war, it is surprising to me that the action of getting married became the pivoting factor between WWII and a Nazi-controlled Europe. For all the times Keeley could have chosen to write the book on, 1936 was a great pick to drive home how unstable history is. 

My critique is how short all the books are, especially this one in particular. The ending fight felt rushed, and I wish there was more suspense. 

I do recommend this book and look forward to reading the next, The Coming of the Spirits.

Title: High Spirits
Author: Rob Keeley

Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Pages: 129
Series: Yes, Book 4 of 5
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads

The Octopus Under the Bridge by Alice Kinerk

The Octopus Under the Bridge is a middle grade dystopian book that was sent to me by the author. After American troops were deployed into the Middle East to search for missing teenagers, a bomb was dropped on the White House that decimated most of the East Coast. Since then, food is scarce, electricity is a luxury, and rival groups like the Collectivist and Phoenix fight and terrorize the populations. After the President is shot, 14-year-old Jay Everton's parents send him away to live with his grandmother on the Key Peninsula. But when Jay learns of his father's secret work and Phoenix attacking his family and friends, he must sail back to Tacoma and save his sister. 

For a book this short, I am surprised that The Octopus Under the Bridge still contained a developed plot structure with round characters! Jay is shy and intelligent, and I liked watching him gain the confidence to stand up for himself and his family. The hint of romance with Sarah was also nice. The setting is eerie and mysterious. I love the amount of imagery and other figurative devices that were used to make the setting rich and full of suspense.

I like how the book contradicted the Guilt by Association Fallacy, which unfortunately is common in times of conflict, as is assumption of good and evil. The Collectivists and the Phoenix both have major issues with the current government, but have different ideas and ways to get there- similar to the octopus and the squid. Initially I had a hard time understanding the theme and metaphor around the octopus, but further into the book it did make a lot more sense. Well, now I know that Washington is famous for octopi!

I will say that the cover definitely needs some work to convey the seriousness of the story. Never from reading the synopsis on Amazon (or the nonexistent one on goodreads) or looking at the cover did I guess that this would be an exciting dystopian book! While the ending is climatic and does conclude Jay's specific journey, I am still very curious as to what happens to the nation and Tacoma. I wish it was longer, and I hope Kinerk writes a sequel! However, the length could make it more appealing for younger readers.

I recommend this book!

Title: The Octopus Under the Bridge

Author: Alice Kinerk

Publisher: Alice Kinerk

Pages: 142

Series: No
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads

Wish Upon a Star by Jessica Barondes

Wish Upon a Star is the until-now unpublished manuscript of the Wish Upon a Star 1996 film. This fantasy book was sent to me by the author. One night upon seeing a comet, 14-year-old Haley Wheaton wishes that she could be Alex, her older sister. She never thought that the next morning, they would have switched bodies! Now Alex is in the body of a straight-A, unpopular student and Haley becomes Alex, a beautiful, popular senior who barely passes. Haley comes to learn that her sister's life isn't all that perfect after all.

Wish Upon a Star was very cute, the type of story that results in a goofy grin on your face. I have always loved body-switching stories. My mom entered the room and said "I can tell it is a good book from the expression on your face". In addition to being completely hilarious at times, there were also serious, heartwarming moments. Haley and Alex start off as almost total opposites in personality, appearance, and decision making. It was fascinating watching them become immersed in lives they never understood. Both girls learned valuable life lessons and the importance of supporting and understanding each other as sisters, and came out better people in the end. 

The movie is free on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZH1_bRbSiY. It stared Katherine Heigl and Danielle Harris. If you are reluctant to read this book because of your view on the movie, ignore it! The book is a quadrillion times better than the movie, which in my opinion cut out important scenes and dialogue, leading to some misinterpretations on the character's motives. The acting could have been better and felt more foolish than the book suggests. 

I highly recommend this book! 

Title: Wish Upon a Star
Author: Jessica Barondes
Publisher: Sense and Sensibility Press
Pages: 123
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Unlocked (Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 8.5) by Shannon Messenger

Unlocked is book 8.5 in my favorite middle grade fantasy series, Keeper of the Lost Cities. After the 500 pages of bonus material, readers will see a shorter story picking up after Keefe's mom's actions in Legacy. Narrated by both Sophie and Keefe, Unlocked discovers Keefe's new identity and Sophie's escalating decision to take solo action against the Neverseen.

Oh. My. GOSH. If you think you can skip 8.5 and go straight to book 9, you are dead wrong. The (literally) explosive revelations and major character and plot development is shocking, and I am glad I read it! Having Keefe and Sophie alternate perspectives was a smart idea, and I love Keefe's HUGE internal conflict over the changes and new powers that his mom forced in him. Unlocked is one of the most intense moments in the series so far and is packed with a heavy load of emotion. I have never seen Keefe so vulnerable and defeated. Keefe is by-far the best written and developed character in the series; Sophie and the others feel a bit static. 

BUT, I have some major concerns and issues with what Messenger and her editors decided. It feels like Shannon Messenger is drawing out the series. There did not need to be a book 8.5. Yes, there is a major cliffhanger and there are new developments, but Messenger could have easily put the whole thing in book 9. The first 500 pages contains mostly summary information from the previous books. The majority of those pages are the Registry Files, which contain extremely detailed information about each character that is not only irrelevant and repetitive, but unrealistic. And why include it- does Messenger think her readers are suddenly going to forget? I did learn some interesting tidbits and enjoyed Keefe's detention record and the quizzes, but it easily could have been 150 pages instead of 500. 

I wish I waited for the book to be in libraries instead of buying the giant physical copy, and I would have if I knew what I was buying. Amazon claims it's the #1 New Release in Children's Friendship Books, but if we all knew that nearly 70% of the book is not the book, then I know it would be rated much less. The description is completely misleading, claiming to "delive[r] what fans of the series have been begging for! Told in an exciting new way, the saga continues with plenty of huge reveals and shocking new twists—plus a complete series guide with beautiful color and black-and-white illustrations and other awesome bonuses!". Uh, nope, a 500 page encyclopedia is not what fans have been begging for, and the order is inaccurate- this makes it sound like the the "complete series guide" is at the end with other bonuses. Heck, why didn't they flip it and put the story first? 

Barnes and Noble put at the very end "Unlocked also includes a comprehensive guide to the world of the Lost Cities"- no, Unlocked also includes the actual story! Also, if anyone got the special edition and can't find the pull-out-poster or Messenger's special artwork, take off the jacket of the book! It is beautiful. However, I am disappointed that the beautiful artworks were scenes of previous books and not particular to Unlocked. 

I have to say this is my least favorite book in the series. I highly recommend the actual story, but feel free to skip everything else along the way- or at least put it off for another time.

You can read my reviews of all the books in this series here.

Title: Unlocked 
Author: Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Aladdin

Pages: 746
Series: Yes, Book 8.5
Rating: 3 Stars
Goodreads

Melody Finch by Ian B. Boyd and Gary Luck

Melody Finch is a middle grade fantasy book that was sent to me by the authors and was published last week. 12-year-old Melody Klomp didn't believe in the "fairy tales" her grandmother told her about humans turning into animals- at least, not until Melody did. Once a girl, now a Diamond Firetail Finch. With some new wildlife friends, Melody starts a journey to warn her grandmother and save her from an evil fisherman set on illegal seal culling that puts the Coorong and her grandmother in danger. Along the way, she learns about the harshness of drought, invasive species, and the delicacy and connectiveness of ecosystems.

I enjoyed how educational the book was and the format in. For example, I had no idea that birds knew directions like north and south based on where the sun shines on their wings, or that cane toads' skin produces poisonous mucus. Rather than the facts being presented in a textbook, in Melody Finch the information is presented in a fun fantasy story. I enjoyed how the authors included the dangers of invasive species and some extreme, inhumane measures like seal culling. 

I liked the evolution of the plot, how a goal for Melody to tell her grandmother about it finally raining turned into a much larger adventure and mission of protecting all of ecology and sustaining the circle of life. Ecology is a giant chain; if one link is broken, all suffer. Melody saw and learned first-hand how a single change, whether man-made or natural, can disrupt  an entire ecosystems. Melody Finch felt similar to many parts of Finding Nemo, which made me smile. The cover is also gorgeous! 

I highly recommend this book!

Title: Melody Finch
Author: Ian B. Boyd and Gary Luck
Publisher: Spirit of the Earth Books
Pages: 134
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Esme's Gift (Esme Series Book 2) by Elizabeth Foster

Esme's Gift is the second book in the middle grade fantasy series that was sent to me by the author. Fifteen-year-old Esme Silver has saved Aeolia by protecting the pearl. However, rescuing her mother is not as simple as she had hoped, as her Gift is trapping her in the past. With the help of a new mentor, Esme must learn to control her time-traveling powers to find the ingredients of a powerful elixir that can awaken her. But this adventure also uncovers a shocking secret in Aeolia's history and puts her directly in the path of Nathan Mare.

Suspenseful and magical, Esme's Gift is even better than the first book! The sequel increases the intensity and delves further into the people and relationships that exist in Aeolia. The twists of new, astonishing revelations kept me hooked and fascinated. What we thought we knew about the motives behind the main villains, like Nathan Mare and Alexander Mann. Almost every character in this book has a dark side, as well, providing a mystery and an intriguing premise. Esme's Gift has a significant number of new characters, and I enjoyed that each one was distinctive in their own personality.

I enjoyed watching Esme make friends and start school as an "otherworlder". It reminded me of Keeper of the Lost Cities, especially when it came to Esme's power. I loved Esme's internal struggle on how to control her Gift and deal with the fact that it was experimented upon. In the beginning, her Gift has almost total control over Esme, and she worries about facing the same fate as her mother. But over time, her Gift becomes a true gift rather than a burden, and I loved watching Esme grow to become stronger. Esme's ability to travel back in time through the water was vividly descriptive, as was the personification of the water embracing her, controlling her, and helping her.

I highly recommend this book!

See my review of the first book in this series, Esme's Wish, here!

Title: Esme's Gift (Esme Series Book 2)
Author: Elizabeth Foster
Publisher: Odyssey Books
Pages: 304
Series: Yes, Book 2
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

The Land of the Purple Ring by Deborah J. Natelson

Sent to me by the author, the fantasy book, The Land of the Purple Ring, is one of the most creative, witty books I have ever read! The clockwork man is held bound to Time, a slave built by the Clockmaker. But he refuses to remain a slave, and escapes, venturing on a journey across the universe to discover imagination, magic, and the strength to create a true name for himself as a living being.

The clockwork man's perspective on ordinary objects was intriguing. In fact, almost a whole page was simply him pondering types of chairs, and why many are designed for decoration and less for practicality. His confusion of the importance of eating and puzzling thoughts over men who drink until they must stumble home was refreshing. Also creative was how some of these objects were alive, like lampposts, clocks, the magical lakes of cheese and dancing shrimp. One must wonder how the author even came up with some of these bizarre elements! The names of some of the creatures in the story- like "Forsoothians"- was entertaining and curious at the least. If you read it before bed you'll have quite the interesting dreams!

The so-called "clockwork man" had a large amount of character development as he struggled to find an identity. First, he was just Boy, a slave, even taking on the name of his "father" (The Clockmaker) before discovering a true name and soul that defines him as a living being of art- not simply a manikin of clockwork. The one complaint I might have is that sometimes it felt like there was too much going on at once, and I did not see any clear stages of plot, but rather felt more as a collection of short stories.

I recommend this book!

Title: The Land of the Purple Ring
Author: Deborah J. Natleson
Publisher: Thinklings Books, LLC
Pages: 201
Series: No
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads