Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

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Come for the setup. Stay for the yearning.

Eight Weeks in Paris by S.R. Lane

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Note: It’s a lot of yearning. In writing this review, I tried to categorize the main characters’ relationship as enemies-to-friends-to-lovers or grumpy/sunshine, but neither one fits. I expected a sweet and charming romance set among the landmarks of Paris, but I got a very serious, surprisingly deep take on celebrity, fame, and integrity. Nicholas Madden is the brooding, short-fused, paparazzi-hating serious actor. After campaigning for and being cast as Frederick, the main character in The Throne, a queer romance period piece set in Belle Époque […]

I’m crying because I was just in a bloody battle. I hated every second of it and I would not recommend it to a friend.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

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“Studying for what?” “Um. Everything? My future,” Gabriel said. Arthur’s instinct was to laugh, but he managed to keep himself in check. “You’re studying for life? For your life? Is there a—is there a how-to guide for monarchs? Tips and tricks for subjugating the masses? Prevent a revolt in ten easy steps?” ― Lex Croucher, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love “If you wanted to come and find me, I’ve actually been pretty stationary. You know. Nearly dying.” ― Lex Croucher, Gwen & Art […]

Laurent is an incredible anti-hero, but the Vaskian women are my true inspiration

Prince's Gambit by C.S. Pacat

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“That’s right, I’m still captured,’ said Damen. ‘Your eyes say, “For now,”’ Laurent said. ‘Your eyes have always said, “For now.” ― C.S. Pacat, Prince’s Gambit And so they talked. Laurent’s vocabulary hit its limits when it came to military terms and maneuvers, but Damen filled in the gaps. It was of course no surprise to find that Laurant had a well-stocked armory of elegant phrases and bitchy remarks, but could not talk in detail about anything sensible. ― C.S. Pacat, Prince’s Gambit Prince’s Gambit […]

We’ve been growing a monster repellent this whole time?

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon (Mead Mishaps Book 1) by Kimberly Lemming

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“Who wouldn’t want to go off on a grand adventure with a bunch of hot heroes also chosen by the goddess?” Me bitches. No thank you. Biceps were nice, but so was not having my guts eaten by an orc. Cinnamon, whose family grows and sells spices, is partying it up with her best friend Brie, the local cheesemonger. Her village is celebrating because Myva, the local goddess, has chosen the local champion, Priscilla, to go off and be a hero and rid the land […]

Smart but boring

The Sorceress Transcendent by Casey Blair

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“I’m in no rush to go anywhere.” She’d traveled plenty during the war. Seen sights, burned them. Theira was happy to stay in this place she’d carved for herself. Theira, the most powerful sorceress, is done with war. She’s done with facing off year after year against the same legions of soldiers. Varius, the legion commander, is the only thing that makes all of the murder and burning and devastation worthwhile. He is her only worthy opponent. Despite her success on the battlefield, Theira is […]

“I wanted the children I taught to know that they, too, could be worthy of featuring in a novel.”

Mine for Keeps by Jean Little

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This book is a delight. Jean Little was a Canadian author who wrote over 50 children’s books, and her books often center on disabled characters. Little herself was legally blind from birth, and I think that the delicacy and realism of her novels really come through as a result of her own experiences. Mine for Keeps was her first children’s novel, which I just found out when doing research for this review, but it doesn’t seem like it’s uncertain or unpolished at all. It’s very confident […]



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