Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Tamora Pierce, but with Adult Bits

Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher

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These books are like, Tamora Pierce for adults. << the first review-like sentence I had written in ages, which I just had to note because it had been on the tip of my tongue through all the previous Universe of the White Rat books just why I liked these… So, to whit: these books are like Tamora Pierce, but for adults (i.e., starring adults, with adult scenes–as an adult who still reads Tamora Pierce novels and considers the Circle of Magic series one of her favorites). […]

Angst!

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

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“It was funny, the Gray Man thought, how humorous she always appeared, how that smile was always just a moment away from her lips. You really didn’t see the sadness or the longing unless you already knew it was there. But that was the trick, wasn’t it? Everyone had their disappointment and their baggage; only, some people carried it in their inside pockets and not on their backs. And here was the other trick: Maura was not faking her happiness. She was both very happy […]

Chamber Danger

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling

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As with my review of The Philosopher’s Stone, it seems laughable to publish a review about a Harry Potter book in 2022; yet here we are! My family and I worked through this audio-book on the second half of a road trip, again narrated by the incredible Stephen Fry. My five year old was fairly engaged throughout the story and found Mr Fry’s spooky basilisk voice quite suitably terrifying. The story again followings Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, through a year of schooling at […]

Murder Mystery Fairy Tale Fantasy Goodness

Beauty and the Alchemist by Elle Hartford

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Beauty and the Alchemist asks, what does it take to overcome a curse? Particularly if the world you live in is filled with magic. Throw in a bit of murder and you have quite the mystery on your hands. Which is exactly what formerly traveling alchemist Red finds herself surrounded by. She’s been content to settle into life as a shopkeeper in rural Belville, expecting to focus on potions and finding her footing within the community. Red’s plans get changed when Belville’s lone police officer, […]

A Fairytale Romance

The Scarlet Circus by Jane Yolen

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In this collection of eleven short stories, the reader encounters love in its myriad forms – romance, but familial love and friendship and love of duty too – all splashed with plenty of fantasy. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I did not recognize Jane Yolen right away – she has written over four hundred books, and it turns out that though I have not read any of them, I knew plenty of them. Anyway I have rectified that sad oversight with The […]

With friends like these, you’ll be okay

Monster Friends by  Katei Vandorn 

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Monster Friends by Katei Vandorn is a cute story that is clever, and slightly new. However, for the adult it is a familiar story of hiding from your fears. Ages six to young 10 will flip out over the humor and the sweet story. If you know the book Crabapple Trouble, also by Vandorn, there might be a surprise or two for you! And while it is not overly colorful, but it is brightly created. It fits the mood of that section of story. And with minimal […]



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