All Dragons Read

I’ve always enjoyed going through second-hand stores.  It’s like a treasure hunt, and over the years I’ve found some amazing items, from beautiful handmade quilts and blankets to a signed first-edition of Ken Kesey’s Sailor Song.  Over the past several months, I’ve noticed the quality at some of my favorite local stores has gone down, and the used books selections are just regurgitating the same worn copies of Clive Cussler, Brad Thor, and Harlequin romances.  So the other day, I took a little road trip to a town south of my normal shopping area and wandered through their local Goodwill…and discovered an amazing book section!  I found so many more titles than these, but knowing I still had to get groceries I limited myself to these select few.  The three on the left are duplicates of ones I already have but are in better condition (unless I can’t remove the sticker from Haiku, then I will keep my other copy).  I’m a fan of Josh Malerman but I have to admit I hadn’t heard of this 2017 horror/sci-fi/mystery novel.  I was excited to find Tool of War, the third in Paolo Bacigalupi’s Ship Breaker trilogy, and in hardback to match my copies of the first two.  It’s been a long time since I read the first two so I may have to do a quick re-read to get back up to speed before diving into this one.  Sherman Alexie is one of my auto-buy authors so grabbing his 1996 mystery, Indian Killer, was a no-brainer.

I’m already planning another trip to this area as I discovered several used book stores within walking distance of the Goodwill!  It was probably a good thing they were closed for the day (many of the smaller shops were on limited hours due to staff shortages), otherwise I  may have come home with a car full of books and no groceries, haha!

The Week in Books

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich — 4.5 out of 5 stars

A small indie bookstore is haunted by a loyal, yet somewhat annoying, customer’s ghost.  Tookie, an ex-con, is haunted by her past.  Set in Minneapolis from November 2019 to November 2020, Louise Erdrich incorporates the current events (from George Floyd’s murder to the covid lockdowns) into the lives of these flawed yet sympathetic characters, creating a blend of literature and magical realism that is by far my favorite of hers to date.  Highly recommend.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

And Then I Woke Up by Malcolm Devlin — 4 out of 5 stars

In this latest offering from my NightWorms subscription, a strange plague is affecting the way people view the world around them.  Are there really blood-thirsty monsters on the loose?  Or are the infected succumbing to the influence of others?  Part social commentary and part bone-chilling horror, this story will leave you questioning your own reality.  Highly recommend.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

A belated Happy Easter to those who celebrated this past weekend!  We enjoyed a quiet family dinner and the brief appearance of some spring sunshine between the snow and rain storms (it’s spring, what the heck with all the snow last week??!!).

With all the cold wet weather sticking around, I’ve been doing some reorganizing and spring cleaning.  I boxed up about 100 books and donated them to the local library for their annual used book sale.  Many of these books were actually from my unread TBR piles!  I have hundreds of unread books in boxes and on shelves so I decided to reexamine them and donate ones I knew I would never get around to reading, like the eight novels in S.M. Stirling’s Emberverse series (I barely got through book two, the thought of reading any more makes my eyes glaze over) and several espionage-type novels that I really don’t know where they came from as that’s not a genre I normally read.  Of course, 100 books gone means I have some room on my shelves…hmmm…

The Week in Books

Unmask Alice:  LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the Worlds Most Notorious Diaries by Rick Emerson — 4/4.5 out of 5 stars

Look for my full review here and at MrPinkInk the weekend of April 22-24!

Flood by Andrew Vachss — 3 out of 5 stars

One of my April selections.  The first in the Burke series, we are introduced to a “renegade private eye” who takes on a new client known as Flood, a lethal woman in her own right, who is looking for a twisted child murderer.  Burke’s connections and knowledge of the seedier side of New York City takes us to places that are difficult to forget.  Overall, I liked this introduction to Vachss’ work.  My biggest problem was there was waaaaay too much going on, shoved into 300 pages, almost like the author had a bunch of ideas and couldn’t decide which to choose so he put them all in.  Reading other reviews, many agree with this and several Vachss fans have said this is probably the weakest in the series.  While not my favorite read of the year, I am definitely hooked and will be returning to Burke’s dark world very soon!

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen — 3 out of 5 stars

I think the longer I have a book on my “must read” list, the more my expectations grow, which often leads to disappointment on my part.  I’ve heard a lot over the years about Kaysen’s memoir that highlights her stay at a mental hospital in the late 1960’s and finally had a chance to read it.  I was immediately absorbed by her story and finished it in one sitting, but I was left feeling like there was something missing.  I think I was looking for more back story or maybe some insight into her problems.  While I would recommend this, it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed, but as I mentioned it is due to my expectations and not the memoir itself.  Side note:  if you’ve seen the movie and think it’s worth watching be sure to let me know and I’ll check it out.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Rouge Street by Shuang Xuetao — 4 out of 5 stars

Three novellas that take place on Yanfen Street, also known as Rouge Street, in the city of Shenyang, China, stories that I would describe as darker literary fiction with a dash of magical realism.  Each story is unique and beautifully written.  Yes, there are a lot of characters and a lot of POV switches, but well worth reading.  I truly can’t wait to read more from this author.

A Cold Place For Dying by Kristopher Triana — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

Two novellas in this NightWorms exclusive published by Thunderstorm Books.  The title story has Joe, an out-of-shape widower, heading out to the mountains to do some deer hunting on Christmas Eve.  As a snowstorm closes in, he finds himself in a fight for his life after coming across two strangers in the wilderness: a woman who claims to have escaped from a rapist holding her hostage, and a man who claims to be her husband and insisting she’s the one who is mentally unstable.  This one kept my attention, I needed to find out what the hell was going on!  The second story, The Love Nest, is one that I can’t describe without giving away the main spoiler so I’ll just say this:  it reminds me of those cheesy pulp novels with a supernatural twist.  Just when I thought I knew what was going on, it went off the rails.  If you’re familiar with Triana’s work then be sure to check these out.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

This year has definitely been a strange one so far.  From the ongoing global issues to all the things piling up at my home, I have found myself in an almost continuous reading slump.  Never fear, I’m sticking around and pushing onward, I just may be a bit slower to post things for the next month or so.

The Week in Books

Into the Forest and All the Way Through by Cynthia Pelayo — 5 out of 5 stars

A few years ago, if you had told me I would be reading and recommending poetry collections, I would have said you were mad, but here we are.  Pelayo’s collection of true crime poetry focuses on unsolved cases of missing and murdered women and girls.  It is at turns heartbreaking and horrific, and I think it is an important piece of work that should be read by everyone.

Road of Bones by Christopher Golden — 4.5 out of 5 stars

In this truly suspenseful supernatural thriller, documentary filmmaker, Teig, sets out into the remote wilderness of Siberia to research the history and strange events of Kolyma Highway, also known as the Road of Bones.  He and his travelling companions arrive at an abandoned town, where the only person left is a nine-year-old girl.  Strange and terrifying events soon start happening, forcing the small group to fight for their lives.  I read this in one afternoon, and even though it was a beautiful warm day at my house I was left feeling chilled to the bone.  Highly recommend.

Free: Two Years, Six Lives, and the Long Journey Home by Lauren Kessler — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

Lauren Kessler takes a look at America’s prison system and what really happens when an individual is released back to society, focusing on a few who have spent a decade or more behind bars for crimes ranging from drugs and forgery to murder.  While the data and facts were well researched and quite eye-opening, I felt there was something lacking in the personal stories, or maybe I was just expecting more about certain individuals.  Overall a very interesting read.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

For this month’s theme, I went strictly by title, looking for ones that remind me of the unstable weather we tend to get this time of year.  Since the melting mountain snow usually brings about some springtime flooding around here, Andrew Vachss’ novel was a no-brainer!  I hadn’t heard of Vachss’ crime thrillers until a random tweet got me interested in learning more about his work.  His books sound fast-paced and gritty, exactly how I like my crime novels!  As for the other two, I don’t know if I will try to read both or just pick one.  The Gift of Rain is historical fiction set in 1939 Penang, while The Master of Rain sounds like more of a mystery/crime novel set in 1926 Shanghai.  I guess I’ll have to see where my reading mood takes me!

Goodreads Group Reads

My Goodreads groups went with quite a range of subjects this month.  A few titles that caught my eye:

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a children’s classic that I remember reading several times as a kid.  I may have to pull out my tattered copy and revisit this charming story.

Bunny by Mona Awad has been popping up on my feeds quite a bit lately and I have to say I am intrigued. Described as The Vegetarian meets Heathers, with an outsider accepted into a tight-knit clique and the resulting chaos and aftermath.

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson is another title I’ve been hearing a lot about, the “adventures” of two young children who spontaneously combust when agitated, and their caretaker (who is an old friend of the children’s stepmother).

The Fisherman by John Langan is a horror novel about two old friends who decide to find out if the stories about nearby Dutchman’s Creek are true.  I’m going to assume this won’t end well!

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What’s on your April reading list?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

Stay safe and Happy Reading!

The end of March already??  Sigh.  Another month gone, and another month that I feel like I’m behind on everything, from my TBR list to daily chores around the house.  But seeing the new growth and flowers beginning to bloom in my garden help me refocus, even if just momentarily.

Not my garden, but I still can’t stop looking at these beautiful daffodils.   🙂

The Week in Books

These Women by Ivy Pochoda — 4/4.5 out of 5 stars

The lives of five very different women intertwine in this haunting and suspenseful novel.  Their lives are affected by a series of unsolved murders, and one of them may be the key to solving the brutal killings.  Part thriller/mystery and part women’s studies, focusing on the lack of interest in solving the murders of prostitutes.  I finished this book a few days ago and it is still haunting me.  Highly recommend.

Girl Like a Bomb by Autumn Christian — 4 out of 5 stars

The best way to describe this book without giving away any spoilers is to call it a bizarro chick lit erotica with fairy tale vibes.  At age fifteen, Beverly discovers that having sex can drastically change a person…and not in any ordinary way!  The story follows her for the next fifteen years and through a variety of weird encounters (a couple of which I’ll admit were pretty eye-rolling).  This isn’t something I normally read, but I’m a big fan of Clash Books and their truly unique publications so I just knew I would read this at some point.  I don’t know who I could recommend this to, but if you want to read something different this might be for you.

The Cruel Stars of the Night by Kjell Eriksson — 3 out of 5 stars

One of my March selections.  The description was promising, with Inspector Ann Lindell on the search for a serial killer targeting older men, but I thought the narrative felt flat and lifeless.  It wasn’t until the last 40 or so pages that I began to really get into the story, only to have it end abruptly and without any satisfying conclusion.  I’ll probably try the next book in the series, if only to see if any justice is served, but not anytime in the near future.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

A Puppet Scorned by Jamie Kort — 4 out of 5 stars

I never thought I would use the phrase “sock puppet erotica meets horror,” yet here we are.  Yes, you read that correctly.  This little tale is the story of Camille and Brad, two sock puppets living in a dusty attic.  Camille loves Brad, but after a baby sock enters the picture, Brad quickly pushes Camille and baby into a box and moves on with an “80 percent polyester whore”(my favorite phrase ever!  At least it’s right up there, haha!).  What happens when Camille and the baby try to get Brad back is dark, disturbing, and fucking funnier than hell!

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

Spring is here!

Autumn may be my favorite time of year, but spring is a very close second.  After the dark, cold days of winter it’s always refreshing to see the flowers blooming and the trees leafing out.  Even the rainy days seem warmer and brighter.  The longer days also bring a renewed vigor, making me want to get outside and get some hiking or yardwork in.  Spring also means it’s that much closer to outdoor reading weather, when I can relax in the shade of my big maple tree with a large glass of iced tea and a good book….soon!

The Week in Books

Practice to Deceive by Ann Rule — 3 out of 5 stars

Ann Rule is considered the queen of true crime writing, and I have been a fan of hers since I was a teenager.  Her “True Crime Files” collection (seventeen volumes in total I believe) are addictive, and her earlier full-length investigative books like Green River, Running Red and The Stranger Beside Me  are true crime classics.    Sadly,  her last couple of full-length books just don’t reach the same level of excellence of her earlier works.  Practice to Deceive would have been perfect in shorter form, but either money or publishers called for more so Rule put in a lot of unnecessary filler to create a 336 page book that focuses more on random background stories about people unrelated to the crime than the crime itself.  If you haven’t read any of Rule’s books, I suggest picking up anything written before 2009.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Since I have a bit of Irish in my history, I make sure to wear some green on this day, and tonight I’ll be enjoying a beer (or three, haha!).  That’s about the extent of celebrations in this household.

Today is also the start of a long weekend readathon with the Unexpected Readathon group on Goodreads.  This morning I finished a couple of my current reads,  next I’ll be searching my TBR for a book with green on the cover.  Once again I didn’t make any definitive goals or reading lists, I’m just going to get as much reading time in as I can during the next few days.

The Week in Books

The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo — 4.5 out of 5 stars

One of my selections for March.  Detective Harry Hole has made one too many mistakes and has been put on surveillance duty.  While checking into the activities of a neo-Nazi group, he finds himself in the middle of an investigation into the murders of some WWII veterans.  Alternating between the past and present, Nesbo introduces some of the history of Norwegian soldiers who chose to fight for Nazi Germany, and masterfully weaves the sins of the past into the actions of the present.  An additional storyline left me reeling, and from what I understand, will haunt Harry Hole through the next two books.  If you haven’t read any of the series, you can easily start with this one.  Highly recommend.

Little Bird by Tiffany Meuret — 4 out of 5 stars

Josie spends her time playing with her dog and drinking large amounts of vodka in an effort to cope with her father’s death and the end of her marriage.  This lonely, solitary life soon changes when a strange plant starts growing in her backyard, followed by the appearance of an unexpected guest:  a talking skeleton named Skelly.  Where did Skelly come from, and will her wisdom be able to help a grieving Josie?  I really didn’t know what to expect, but I quickly found myself caught up in this story.  Josie may not be the most likeable or sympathetic character, but I could relate to some of the emotions she had regarding her losses.  I’m still not sure how I feel about the ending (maybe I was building up something different in my head?  I don’t know), but overall a great novel, one of my favorites of 2022.  Highly recommend.

Any Man by Amber Tamblyn — 4 out of 5 stars

Amber Tamblyn’s novel looks at rape from a different perspective:  from men who have been victimized and damaged by a serial female rapist known only as Maude.  Utilizing poetry, inner monologues, chatroom exchanges, and other writing skills Tamblyn explores the personal and social fallout that all rape victims, regardless of gender, must face, from suicidal thoughts to victim shaming.  It’s a tough read but one I highly recommend.

Spare Parts:  The Story of Medicine Through the History of Transplant Surgery by Paul Craddock — 4 out of 5 stars

Look for my full review coming here and at MrPinkInk the weekend of March 25-27!

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Devil’s Night by Curtis M. Lawson — 4 out of 5 stars

During the 70’s, 80’s, and much of the 90’s, October 30 was Devil’s Night in Detroit, a night where people would set fires and loot buildings and leave the city in smoldering ruins (think The Purge only with arson instead of murder).  Lawson focuses on one night in 1987 and creates fourteen stories that showcase the horrors of that night.  There are tales that tie in the local myths of Nain Rouge (a devil who brings death to your loved ones until you are the only one left) and Piggy Peggy, a bloodthirsty butcher’s wife with the face of a pig.  A biker faces his own mortality; a stripper is hired to kill a man at a party that isn’t what it seems; a vampiric “angel” is brought back to life; two young boys use a devilish version of Dungeons and Dragons to help their drug-addicted mother.  I thought that this was a strong collection, thoroughly creepy and entertaining.  Be sure to add this to your Halloween reading list.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

Yes, it’s been a while since my last mash-up.  No excuses, really, just a case of the late winter blahs.  But with spring now in sight, and having my daffodil bulbs starting to break through the ground, I’ve been getting a bit of an energy lift!

The Week in Books

Dead Mountain:  The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar — 4 out of 5 stars

Look for my full review here and at MrPinkInk coming out the weekend of February 25-27.

Song of Kali by Dan Simmons — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

Robert Luczak travels to Calcutta in the attempt to find out what happened to a famous poet.  What he will discover is unimaginable horror.  Originally published in 1985, this was Simmons’ first novel, a pretty powerful debut.  I could feel the setting and the oppressive heat and humidity, and I could smell the foul streets.  I would probably describe this as a slow-burn horror that will sucker punch you and leave you wondering what the hell just happened.

The Pale-Faced Lie by David Crow — 3 out of 5 stars

David Crow recalls growing up with an extremely violent, abusive, and manipulative father and a psychologically fragile mother, telling not only of his own abuse but the abuse and misdeeds he did as a youngster at the behest of his father.  While definitely tragic and brutal, there was a certain sort of pride that came through Crow’s descriptions of the terrible stunts he did against others (mainly Navajos and Mexicans) that left a bad taste in my mouth.

Death of a Knit Wit by Peggy Ehrhart — 3 out of 5 stars.

While the mystery itself was good (an unpopular professor is poisoned at a luncheon, leaving a list of suspects that weren’t too upset he was gone), sadly this book fell a bit flat for me.  I just couldn’t connect with any of the main characters (I wanted more of the members of the Knit and Nibbles club and less of Bettina’s wardrobe), and the extremely detailed (and sometimes repetitive) descriptions became annoying by the 50% mark (Pamela’s car is serviceable.  We get it.).  I may try another book from the series to see if this was just a case of wrong book at the wrong time.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

The Backbone of the World by Stephen Graham Jones — 4.5 out of 5 stars

Rounded up to 5 for NetGalley and Goodreads.  Millie Two Bears has a husband in prison, is facing eviction, and is fighting a losing battle against prairie dogs invading her property.  Enter a young woman named Frog and things really start to get strange!  I would categorize this as a blend of  contemporary fantasy and horror, and is easily one of my favorite short stories by SGJ to date.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms by Tim McLoughlin — 4.5 out of 5 stars

Tim McLoughlin offers up six street-wise short stories and seven nonfiction essays in this fast-paced collection.  His life experiences from living in New York and being a peace officer for thirty years lend a grittiness to the entries (however, I did find Maharaja for a Year to be pretty darn funny).  Great writing and a good variety of topics.  Highly recommend.

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw — No rating

I can now say I’ve read this book…and that’s all I’m going to say.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

As I’ve mentioned before, I love a good mystery.  Mysteries and horror are the two genres that I immediately gravitate towards whenever I enter a bookstore.  But how in the world do I narrow down my choices?

This year I decided to select two titles from my TBR bookshelf that fall under one of my favorite mystery sub-genres, Nordic Noir.

I’ve been a fan of Jo Nesbo for a few years now, and for some reason I’ve been reading the Harry Hole series out of sequence.  After having read books one, two, and four (among others), I decided to finally fill in the gap and read book three, The Redbreast.  It looks like Detective Hole’s bad temper and even worse decisions take him down yet another rabbit hole, this time linking past crimes from World War II to the present.

Kjell Eriksson is a new-to-me author, and his Ann Lindell books caught my attention a couple of years ago at a used book sale where I picked up four of the titles (unfortunately not the first in the series).  I have yet to find the first book, The Princess of Burundi, so I decided to just dive in with the second book, The Cruel Stars of Night.  A serial killer is targeting older men and Ann Lindell must track him down without falling into one of the killer’s traps.  I’m hoping this is one of those series that doesn’t have to be read in order to be fully appreciated.

Goodreads Group Reads

Keeping with my mystery theme, there are a couple of selections from my Goodreads groups that I want to check out as well…

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham  features Chloe, a psychiatrist whose father was arrested for being a serial killer when she was younger.  Now, new murders are happening that seem to be linked to Chloe’s past.

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney  is touted as a domestic thriller, with a couple celebrating their ten year anniversary by traveling to Scotland.  Oh, the husband has “face blindness,” a condition where he doesn’t recognize anyone, including his wife.  That could get interesting!

Also on my reading radar is Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes.  This one has been getting a lot of attention and it sounds like something right up my alley!  A sci-fi/horror/thriller novel about a salvage crew in outer space who stumble upon a seemingly deserted spacecraft, one that went missing on its maiden voyage.  We all know that this can’t end well!

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What are your reading goals for March?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

Stay safe and Happy Reading!

This past week I took part in a readathon put on by Destiny and the Unexpected Readathon Time group on Goodreads.  The past few readathons I’ve participated in have not been very productive on my end, as I’ve been in a downward spiral of falling short on my page and TBR goals.  This time, I made zero plans, no TBR list, no page total or time goals.  And it worked!  It felt good to make a dent in my unread piles and, with the exception of one novella, truly enjoy everything I read!  My seven-day totals came out to 1,219 pages read, finishing two novels, three novellas, and one short story collection.  I’m already looking forward to the next one!

The Week in Books

Upgrade by Blake Crouch — 4.5 out of 5 stars

If you’re a fan of Blake Crouch and fast-paced sci-fi thrillers, be sure to  mark your calendar for Upgrade‘s release on July 12, 2022!  In the near future, Logan accompanies a SWAT raid, only to become infected with a strange virus.  Instead of extreme illness, the virus rebuilds his DNA, making Logan stronger, smarter, a more super-human version of himself.  Who created this virus and for what purpose?  What will Logan have to give up to learn the truth?  I was quickly pulled into the story, and I loved the fast pace and the mind-blowing twists.  I can’t wait to get a physical copy to add to my library (and to read again!).  Highly recommend.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell — 4 out of 5 stars

One of my most anticipated reads and it did not disappoint!  Some may say this is just a modern-day version of Lolita, and in part it is.  But it’s also much more.  This story comes from the victim’s point of view and examines the complex emotions brought on by years of abuse.  I wish Vanessa would have developed more self-awareness than she did, but overall a haunting piece of fiction.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Beneath a Pale Sky by Philip Fracassi — 4.5/5 out of 5 stars

One of my February selections.  Fracassi’s collection offers some fresh takes on old-school horror.  There’s a classic story of a meteor falling to earth with a buggy twist; a man looking back at his childhood and growing up with his best friend, who just happens to be Death; a creepy small town and its mysterious lake.  Fracassi’s writing is amazing, and even the couple of stories that I marked as “weird/???’ in my notes blew me away with the writing.  The closest to a 5 star collection I’ve read in a looooong time!  Highly recommend.

Waif by Samantha Kolesnik — 4 out of 5 stars

This arrived on Wednesday in my latest NightWorms package and I immediately dropped what I was doing and started reading!  Best described as body horror, it’s the story of Angela and her obsession with a stranger, which later leads to a series of truly fucked-up plastic surgeries and a journey into the dark world of “specialty” porn.  It’s a crazy ride and definitely not for everyone.

Every Time We Meet at the Dairy Queen, Your Whole Fucking Face Explodes by Carlton Mellick III — 4 out of 5 stars

I wanted to call this bizarro novella an anti-Valentines story, but there really is a love story here, so I’ll just call it the most fucked up love story you’ll ever read.  What’s more endearing than a tale of young love, about an awkward boy who falls for a cute, yet very weird, girl?  By the way, when the girl gets excited, her face explodes.  Yes, you read that right.  I thought this quirky, disgusting, and downright bizarre little tale was hilarious and entertaining.  Not for everyone, but worth a try if you’re looking for a different kind of love story.

See You When the World Ends by Simon Paul Wilson — 4 out of 5 stars

Tim and Naomi are great friends who are slowly realizing they may be in love with each other.  While Naomi is away for a family wedding, Tim begins to have strange nightmares about her.  Upon Naomi’s return, things take a strange turn to the supernatural.  The build-up was great, and the horror aspect was creepy as hell.  A great choice if you prefer scary over gory in your horror reading.

Burning Bridges Along the Susquehanna by Paul Nelson — 2 out of 5 stars

This short tale (the first in a series) starts out okay, with siblings traveling back in time to escape some bad stuff in their current lives, but I soon found myself trying not to roll my eyes (and not succeeding very well).  Aimed at YA but the writing is very middle grade and the plot holes are enormous.  I won’t be traveling any further with this series.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!