Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

The very spirited spirit of the Dark Castle

Wolfgang in the Meadow by Lenny Wen

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All the wonderful goodness of this story is how the theme of being yourself has been illustrated in a manner that takes the story in a fresh new direction.. The story is cute, but we’ve seen it before. Wolfgang is a ghost who loves spooky things, and has worked very hard to become scary like his idol. But he also likes flowers, stargazing and being with his meadow friends hugging all the trees (even the trees with eyes). So Wolfgang in the Meadow is happy. […]

Ghostly friendship

The Ghost of Blanes Museum by Lau Moraiti

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The Ghost of Blanes Museum by Lau Moraiti (both text and illustrations) is due late May/early June 2024. I had a “do I/don’t I read it” relationship with this book.  I was not sure I really wanted to read it, but the cover kept pulling me in. I finally had one too many cosmic hints that said, “Read it already!” And I finally read it via an online reader copy. In the end I am not sure why I waited so long! Yet, I think […]

A Good Story Marred By One Of My Least Favorite Tropes

Starcrossed by Allie Therin

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Arthur and Rory are both figuring out their relationship as well as the magical relic that has fallen into their hands.  Arthur is also following up on some loose ends related to the magical relics.  However, when a new threat arises, their fragile start of a relationship leaves them both vulnerable, and the stakes are rising with a new relic now in play. Have you ever wanted to reach inside a book and just shake a character?  Sometimes multiple characters?  That’s how I felt for […]

Murder, Magic, and Mischief On a Boat

A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

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Maud Blyth wanted an adventure as well as to help her brother unravel a magical conspiracy.  She may have gotten more than she bargained for though when the elderly lady with a magical artifact that she’s escorting across the Atlantic is murdered.  With a surprising ally in Violet Debenham, a magician and actress who’s returning to England to claim her inheritance, the two of them tackle a ship full of suspects with them hope of solving the murder and finding the artifact without ending up […]

Compelling Characters and an Interesting World

Spellbound by Allie Therin

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Rory Brodigan’s gift comes at a cost, and he’s done his best to keep his head down and finding counterfeit antiques pays the bills.  However, when Arthur Kenzie waltzes into his life with a job, things get much more complicated.  Arthur and his team of paranormal friends do their best to protect the world from supernatural relics, and they need help with this latest one.  Arthur’s hoping that Rory can help them with the latest one that has wandered into their hands, but Rory’s reluctant […]

Time Travel, Court Intrigue, and Revenge

A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli

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Betrayed by the man she loved and who she helped gain the throne, Mingshin faces her death wishing for a second chance.  Then she wakes up two years in the past and is determined to get revenge on Prince Ren and foil his plans.  And to never risk her heart again.  But as Mingshin makes new plans and allies, she finds herself working closely with Prince Jieh.  And finds herself torn between keeping her heart safe or taking a chance that this time she won’t […]



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