The Dragon King Chronicles trilogy by Ellen Oh

Synopsis for Prophecy:
The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms... is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope...

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

Synopsis for Warrior:
First an outcast, now a hero.

But her fight rages on.

Kira, the yellow-eyed demon slayer who fiercely protected her kingdom—and the crown prince—has been proclaimed the Dragon Musado of the prophecy. With the defeated the evil shaman.

But it wasn’t enough. 

Hansong is in chaos. The Demon Lord’s minions have infiltrated the city, treason is brewing among the military ranks, and Kira is buried by the overwhelming loss of her parents. She’s also plagued by the annoying feelings that blossom whenever she’s around Jaewon. But she is determined that nothing will stop her from finding the second treasure needed to fulfill the Dragon King’s prophecy. Not even the army of half-breed demons hot on their trail. If only she could learn to trust others…

Her father always said one person can change the world. Will it be Kira?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

Synopsis for King:
Girl warrior, demon slayer, Tiger spirit of the Yellow Eyes—Kira is ready for her final quest. In this thrilling finale to the Prophecy trilogy, fans will get even more of the fierce Kira and her quest to save her kingdom!

All eyes are on her. Kira, once an outcast in her home village of Hansong, is now the only one with the power to save her kingdom. She must save her cousin, the boy fated to be the future king, uncover the third lost treasure, and face innumerable enemies in order to fulfill the famed prophecy.

Kira braves a sea of tigers and battles armies of demons as she musters her inner strength and learns to trust herself, the romantic feelings for Jaewon that are growing within her, and the destiny that must be hers.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
I've been hearing great things about Ellen Oh's books for years now. I've been wanting to read one for a long time. However, I wanted to wait until the hype died down so I could form my own opinion, and not be influenced by those around me. Recently, I had decided that enough time had passed, so I decided to read her Dragon King Chronicles, which consists of Prophecy, Warrior, and King. While I'm not sure it was worth all of the hype surrounding it, I did find it enjoyable. 

I did enjoy The Dragon King Chronicles. I read the whole trilogy within a few days time. I found myself flying through the books. However, it just didn't hold the magic for me that it held for others. I never found myself thinking that it was the best trilogy to come out in recent years, or anything like that. 

The first book in the trilogy, Prophecy, was really good. It was fast paced, exciting, and had me wanting more at the end. The second book, Warrior, suffered from a classic case of second book syndrome. It was still exciting, but there were several times where I was bored, and thought the story line was dragging. By the third book, King, the story line was most definitely dragging out. It felt like most of the book was filler, just to get to the final battle. There were a few plot points that I did enjoy in King, such as how things were settled. For the most part, I just wanted to fast forward to the final battle. Then the final battle was kind of disappointing. While parts of it were awesome, I was expecting so much more. 

Even though I wasn't thrilled with The Dragon King Chronicles as a whole, I did have fun reading it. I'm looking forward to reading Ellen Oh's other books, to see how her writing has matured, because this was her first series. I recommend this trilogy to teens who are looking for a fantasy read with a diverse cast of characters. Just don't go into it believing all of the hype.

I give The Dragon King Chronicles trilogy: 3.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.ellenoh.com/index2.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellen.c.oh
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElloEllenOh
Tumblr: http://elloellenoh.tumblr.com/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/elloecho/

I received this trilogy from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

My Life With Bob by Pamela Paul

Synopsis:
Imagine keeping a record of every book you’ve ever read. What would this reading trajectory say about you? With passion, humor, and insight, the editor of The New York Times Book Review shares the stories that have shaped her life.

Pamela Paul has kept a single book by her side for twenty-eight years – carried throughout high school and college, hauled from Paris to London to Thailand, from job to job, safely packed away and then carefully removed from apartment to house to its current perch on a shelf over her desk – reliable if frayed, anonymous-looking yet deeply personal. This book has a name: Bob.

Bob is Paul’s Book of Books, a journal that records every book she’s ever read, from Sweet Valley High to Anna Karenina, from Catch-22 to Swimming to Cambodia, a journey in reading that reflects her inner life – her fantasies and hopes, her mistakes and missteps, her dreams and her ideas, both half-baked and wholehearted. Her life, in turn, influences the books she chooses, whether for solace or escape, information or sheer entertainment.

But My Life with Bob isn’t really about those books. It’s about the deep and powerful relationship between book and reader. It’s about the way books provide each of us the perspective, courage, companionship, and imperfect self-knowledge to forge our own path. It’s about why we read what we read and how those choices make us who we are. It’s about how we make our own stories.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
I've been on a binge reading spree lately, where I only want to read book about books, and books about reading. I read the synopsis for My Life With Bob, and thought it sounded amazing. Fortunately, I was able to get my hands on a copy. The book went above and beyond my expectations. I loved it. I wish that there were more books like it. 

My Life With Bob was about being a book lover, but at the same time, it was about so much more than that. It was a fun ride through Pamela Paul's adventures as well, and what she learned along the way. It was a memoir of self discovery, learning how to love yourself, and learning how to cope with difficult problems. I loved every second of it. I also loved hearing about the books that the author read. So many books were added to my tbr pile. I loved seeing the author react to what she was reading, and her fond (or in some cases, not so fond) memories of the books that she read. 

I loved My Life With Bob. It had just the right mixture of being about reading, with some adventure thrown in. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to go back to page one, and start all over again, which is unusual for me. I rarely re-read books, but I can definitely see myself re-reading this one. I hope Pamela Paul writes another book about books, maybe once she gets a few more pages written in Bob. I hope to find more books like this in the same genre. I recommend this book to bibliophiles everywhere.

I give My Life With Bob: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.pamelapaul.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamelaPaulNYT/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PamelaPaulNYT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/152327.Pamela_Paul

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The Year of Reading Dangerously: How Fifty Great Books Saved My Life by Andy Miller

Synopsis:
A working father whose life no longer feels like his own discovers the transforming powers of great (and downright terrible) literature in this laugh-out-loud memoir.

Andy Miller had a job he quite liked, a family he loved, and no time at all for reading. Or so he kept telling himself. But, no matter how busy or tired he was, something kept niggling at him. Books. Books he'd always wanted to read. Books he'd said he'd read that he actually hadn't. Books that whispered the promise of escape from the daily grind. And so, with the turn of a page, Andy began a year of reading that was to transform his life completely.

This book is Andy's inspirational and very funny account of his expedition through literature: classic, cult, and everything in between. Beginning with a copy of Bulgakov's Master and Margarita that he happens to find one day in a bookstore, he embarks on a literary odyssey. From Middlemarch to Anna Karenina to A Confederacy of Dunces, this is a heartfelt, humorous, and honest examination of what it means to be a reader, and a witty and insightful journey of discovery and soul-searching that celebrates the abiding miracle of the book and the power of reading.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
I love reading books about books. It's all I've been wanting to read lately. I had heard a lot of great things about The Year of Reading Dangerously, so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, I didn't like it at all. After taking three days to get that far (which is almost unheard of for me), I ended up DNF'ing the book at seventeen percent. 

The Year of Reading Dangerously was one of those books about books where the reader has to have read the same books that the author has read to understand what he is talking about. Unfortunately, I hadn't read any of them. Therefore, to me the book was extremely slow paced. I was so bored most of the time. Finally, after reading for three days and getting nowhere, I decided to give up. I wasn't getting anything out of the book, so I didn't see the point in finishing it.

I also didn't like the tone that the author used. I'm not entirely sure how to describe it. He had an aggressive, rough tone that made me feel disconnected from what he was saying. It made it obvious that even though he was trying to be a bookworm, he was unlike me, which made him hard to identify with while I was reading. 

Unfortunately, The Year of Reading Dangerously wasn't for me. I found myself bored, and put off by the tone that the author used to write the book. Based on my experience, I don't recommend this book to anyone, unless you've read all the same books that the author talks about.

I give The Year of Reading Dangerously: 1/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://mill-i-am.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/i_am_mill_i_am

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Sophie's Secret by Tara West

Synopsis:
After shedding 30 pounds of baby fat, Sophie Sinora has grown into a pretty, but insecure, teen in bloom. To make her life more complicated, Sophie can sometimes read minds. 

Sophie's BFFs, AJ and Krysta, are also 'gifted' with paranormal abilities. Keeping their gifts secret proves difficult, as their powers are strengthening, making them feel more and more like freaks. 

When Sophie falls for Jacob, she hopes he'll ask her out to the Freshman Formal. But when she's forced to cheat and lie for him, she wonders how far she'll have to go to make him like her. Add to her growing list of problems - her teacher's suicidal thoughts, a locker bully who wants to kick her butt, the hot school flirt who won't stop teasing her, her pregnant sister who boots Sophie out of her room, and the growing tension between Sophie and her best friends. 

Sophie's got issues. Hopefully, she can fix them in time to save her teacher's life and her social life.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
I've had all of Tara West's books on my tbr for quite a long time. I've heard great things about them in different groups on Facebook. Therefore, I had high expectations for her book, Sophie's Secret. Unfortunately, I hated this book. It might be one of the most problematic books I've read, especially for the age group it's intended. 

I don't even know where to begin with how problematic Sophie's Secret was. The book had a lot of slut-shaming. It also had discrimination towards LGBTQ+ people, in the form of rudeness and purposeful improper use of a character's pronouns. The main character, Sophie, and her two best friends, Aj, and Krysta are terrible role models for middle grade and young adult readers. They were vain, disrespectful, and constantly made rude comments about those around them, and each other, and stabbed each other in the back for most of the book.

Possibly the most problematic thing in the book is the relationship between Sophie, and her crush, Jacob. He was very mentally and emotionally abusive towards her. He treated her like crap, and used her just to get what he wanted. He had wild mood swings, and was constantly lashing out at her. When he did this, she blamed herself, and thought that she did something wrong. This is a classic symptom of an abusive relationship. The book did absolutely nothing to teach that Jacob's actions were wrong, or a sign of abuse. 

Sophie's Secret was one of the most problematic books I've read in recent years. It was almost as bad as The Ruling Class by Francine Pascal, and if you've been following my Goodreads for a while, you know how I felt about that book. I definitely will not be finishing this series. I'm not even sure I want to read Tara West's other books now. There's a chance I might give the first book in her new adult series, Say When, a try just to see if it's problematic too. At this point if it's not already obvious, I don't recommend this book to anyone. In fact, I recommend you steer clear of it.

I give Sophie's Secret: 1/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.tarawest.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarawestauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaraWestauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1731936.Tara_West

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Lazarus by Lori Titus

Synopsis:

In 1869, a young widow named Luella Pembry arrives in the town of Lazarus, California.


She is aware of Lazarus' secret; it's a site of infrequent Risings of the dead. But lately, the phenomenon is happening more often.



When Luella approaches Sheriff Drake and Mayor Cole to offer her aid, both men are skeptical.
How can this stranger stop the Risings? It soon becomes clear that there are other secrets in this town. What is the force behind the reanimation of the dead? And where does the untimely death of a young woman fit into the equation?



Luella and Drake race to unravel the mystery to save the town, and their own lives.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
I love zombie novels. I also love historical fiction. Combine a zombie novel with a historical western setting, and I am all for it. That's exactly what the reader gets when reading Lazarus. I've been Facebook friends with Lori Titus for a while, and really wanted to read one of her books. I chose Lazarus. I'm so glad I did. It might be one of my favorite zombie novels that I've ever read.

Lazarus has a strong zombie element in the plot. However, it's not just a zombie book. There's also a paranormal experience, which was a pleasent surprise. I've rarely ever read the two paranormal types in the same book, and really enjoyed it. I thought it brought something new to the genre, and kept it interesting. Lori Titus pulls off the combination with her phenomenal writing style. It didn't feel like there was too much going on at all, like it usually does when I've seen other authors attempt it.

Typically, I hate instalove in a book. It's one of my biggest pet peeves. There is some instalove in Lazarus between two characters. At first, it annoyed me at the beginning. However, the further I got into the book, I realized Lori Titus wrote in a way that it works really well. Not only did it seem necessary to the plot, but it seemed natural. It wasn't the forced instalove that's in most books. She made me look at instalove in a completely new way.

Lazarus was one of the best horror books I've read this year. It made me see several aspects of the horror genre in a new light. I look forward to making my way through Lori Titus's back log of books that she's previously released. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a short, yet captivating, horror read.

I give Lazarus: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?

Website: https://loribeth215.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.titus

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Loribeth215

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3335771.Lori_Titus

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The Balance Keepers trilogy by Lindsay Cummings

Synopsis for The Fires of Calderon:
The first book in an epic middle grade fantasy adventure series that takes place in an underground society at the center of the earth. Packed with action, humor, magic, and mystery.

After following a mysterious map into the woods and then under the woods, eleven-year-old Albert Flynn learns he’s a Balance Keeper—someone with special magical skills for fixing problems in three underground Realms at the Core of the earth. His new job is important; if the realms fall out of balance, the world above could be in great danger.

Albert and his Balance Keeper teammates Birdie and Leroy arrive in the Core not a moment too soon. There’s an Imbalance in the Calderon Realm and it’s threatening to bury Albert’s hometown of New York City in a mountain of ash.

The three must train hard completing mental and physical challenges, but above all, they must harness the power of their Tiles—unique superpowers given to each Balance Keeper. So far, Albert’s mastered the art of not mastering his Tile....

With the situation in Calderon growing worse every day, can Albert, Leroy, and Birdie restore balance before New York is destroyed forever? Will Albert master his Tile before it’s too late?

Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, The Unwanteds, and the classic Journey to the Center of the Earth.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

Synopsis for The Pillars of Ponderay:
Albert Flynn is psyched to return to the Core, the magical world at the center of the earth where Balance Keepers fix problems in three underground Realms. Last term, Albert and his Balance Keeper teammates Birdie and Leroy saved New York by fixing the Calderon Realm and were crowned First Unit, aka the Coolest Kids in the Core.

Now Albert and his teammates have been called to the Core for an emergency training session…along with their archenemy, Hoyt. There’s a horrible Imbalance in the Ponderay Realm and they have only seven days before California will be swallowed by hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Worse yet, it’s rumored there’s a traitor among them who is causing all this chaos. 

Will Albert, Leroy, and Birdie discover who’s been putting the Core—and the world above—in danger? Can they save Ponderay before California becomes an underwater wasteland forever?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

Synopsis for The Traitor of Belltroll:
Albert and his Balance Keepers teammates have been called back to the Core for immediate action! There’s a serious Imbalance in the fantastical underground Realm of Belltroll, and without intervention everything from New York to Yellowstone above could be swallowed by earthquakes. It’s clear the mysterious traitor who caused last term’s chaos is at it again, and with a vengeance.

Albert’s super-magical Master Tile helped fix the Ponderay and Calderon Realms in previous terms, but now it seems the Tile may be more trouble than it’s worth. Because if it’s Albert’s Tile the traitor is after, there will have to be a battle sooner or later, and only one of them can win…
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
I'd heard great things about Lindsay Cumming's The Murder Complex duology. I hadn't heard many things about her Balance Keepers trilogy, but I had been wanting to read a lot of middle grade fantasy books lately, so I figured I'd try it before The Murder Complex. I ended up loving it. In fact, I loved it so much that I read the entire trilogy in two days, which is no easy feat considering the size of the books.

I loved everything about The Balance Keepers trilogy. I can't think of one thing I disliked about it. It reminded me of Harry Potter, combined with parts of Ender's Game, and brought back a lot of nostalgic feelings for both series. I loved how fast paced the series was. There was never a single moment where I was bored, or wanted to put the book down. It was interesting to see how the main characters used their resources to solve the problems in the realms. There were some that I didn't think they were going to be able to solve, but they did in surprising, and shocking ways.

I loved each and every one of the characters. I don't think i could pick a favorite if I tried. Each one of them had something unique to bring into the trilogy. The three main characters reminded me a bit of Harry, Ron, and Hermione from the Harry Potter series. Even though I didn't like him at first, I even ended up liking Hoyt. He might be a jerk at first, but in the end, he redeemed himself, and became one of my favorite characters.

I was not prepared for this trilogy to end. As I turned the last few pages of The Traitor of Belltroll, it felt like I was losing a home, and a friend. I really hope that Lindsay Cummings writes a spin off series. Maybe she could write one where the main characters are older, and making their decision about whether to live there all the time. However, I'd be happy with any sort of spin off series in this world. I'm not above begging, pleading, and groveling to make this happen. This will definitely be a series I buy physical copies of, read multiple times, and probably read to the children in my life. I'm more than slightly addicted to this trilogy. I really do wish more people would read it.

I give The Balance Keepers trilogy: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.lindsaycummingsbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindsay.cummings.758/?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorlindsayc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtQXGpcOtwWF1zHuWnA8wjg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlindsaycummings/?hl=en
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5805483.Lindsay_Cummings

I received this trilogy from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Fe-Lines by Norman R. Shapiro

Synopsis:
The French have long had a love affair with the cat, expressed through centuries of poetry portraying the animal's wit and wonder. Norman R. Shapiro lionizes the felines' limitless allure in this one-of-a-kind collection. Spanning centuries and styles, he draws on she-cats and toms, and an honor roll of French poets, well known and lesser known, who have served as their devoted champions. He reveals the remarkable range of French cat poems, with most works presented here for the first time in English translation. Scrupulously devoted to evoking the meaning and music of the originals, Shapiro also respects the works' formal structures. Pairing his translations with Olga Pastuchiv's elegant illustrations, Fe-Lines guides the reader through the marvels and inscrutabilities of the Mystique féline.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
For those of you that have been around since I started book reviewing, you know I love books about cats. I will read any genre, even genres I usually don't like, if I find a book in the genre about cats. Typically, I don't road poetry. In fact, before now, I think the last time I read poetry was when I read the Shel Silverstein books when I was a kid. It's just not one of those genres I enjoy. However, when I saw a book of poems about cats, Fe-Lines, for request on NetGalley, I wanted to read it badly. Unfortunately, I ended up disappointed. 

I was hoping that I would be able to identify with Fe-Lines, and that it would make me laugh. In actuality, I was extremely bored. I found the whole book to be tedious. In fact, towards the end of the book, I found myself skimming through the poems, just to be done with the book. The only reason why I chose to give the book two stars instead of one is that I liked the illustrations. Most of them were adorable, and fit well with the poems. That was the only thing I found enjoyable throughout the whole experience.

Based on my reaction to Fe-Lines, maybe poetry isn't my thing after all. I think it will be quite some time before I pick up a book of poetry, and try it again. The book didn't give me that joyful feeling I usually feel when I read books about cats, and stumble across a quirk that I can identify with, because I've seen my cat do the same thing. If you like poetry, I would recommend at least trying this book. However, don't go into it with high expectations.

I give Fe-Lines: 2/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/233668.Norman_R_Shapiro

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.