Currently Reading: Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers

Remember how much I liked Grave Mercy? It was years ago, and I never wrote reviews for the other two books in Robin LaFever’s excellent His Fair Assassin trilogy, but the stories of Ismae, Sybella, and Annith have stuck with me for ages and have, quite honestly, made other historical fantasies pale in comparison. So

Book Review: Jackaby by William Ritter

Star Ratings: Characters: **** (4 stars) Character Development: *** (3 stars) Plot: **** (4 stars) Writing: **** (4 stars) Overall: ***1/2 (3 1/2 stars) Age range recommendation: 13 + (some scares, but nothing wildly inappropriate) A tenacious young Brit takes on a job as assistant to an awkward-but-brilliant private detective in 19th century New England.

Book Review: Bird Box by Josh Malerman (coming out May, 2014)

Characters: **** (4 stars) Character Development: **** (4 stars) Plot: ***** (5 stars) Writing: **** (4 stars) Overall: **** (4 stars) (It is hereby stated that I read the advanced reader’s copy of Bird Box and a few details might change before publication.) When I wrote my preview of Bird Box after meeting Josh Malerman at the

All Hallow’s Read Suggestions: YA and Children’s Books

I’ve got excuses for the scarcity of reviews this month, and they’re waiting at the end of this list.  But first, here are some random books amongst the dozens which I’ve been recommending to young readers as Halloween approaches.  I encourage all of you to participate in Neil Gaiman’s invented holiday known as All Hallow’s

Book Review: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Star Ratings: Characters: ***** (5 stars) Character Development: **** (4 stars) Plot: **** (4 stars) Writing: ***** (5 stars) Overall: ****1/2 (4 1/2stars) Age rage recommendation: 14+ (Or, you know, only people who are ok with lots of bloody violence. It’s a vampire book, after all!)   I was delighted by Holly Black’s new YA