Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

“Oh Catskins, why aren’t you dead yet?”

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

by 2 Comments

I first became aware of Roshani Chokshi when my kiddo discovered her Aru Shah middle grade series, the Pandava Quintet.  Printed in the “Rick Riordan Presents” line it focuses on Hindu mythology as Aru Shah embarks on adventures with her friends.  We even went to one of the Aru Shah book signings.  Chokshi was witty, charming, and engaging.  I left wanting to read the books but never got around to it.  In the past year I became aware of her fiction for older readers, particularly […]

Fairy Tales Can Be Deadly

The Last Tale of The Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

by 1 Comment

This book is the very definition of the word Gothic. It belongs on the shelves next to Jane Eyre and Rebecca.  As in Rebecca, the main character in the novel isn’t given a name. He is just referred to as The Bridegroom. The Bridegroom is a curator of myths, legends, and fairy tales. While tracking down a rare book, he encounters Indigo Maxwell-Castenada, an heiress to a massive fortune, and a woman obsessed with fairy tales. They get married rather quickly, and she makes him […]

It’s time for the girls to get the job done

Aru Shah and the End of Time: the Graphic Novel by Roshani Chokshi

by Leave a Comment

Step aside all you Pandavas (heroes), Aru (and Mini) are in town! Aru Shah and the End of Time: the Graphic Novel is a heavy feminist take on the hero/heroine story arc. Two Indian American girls (who are two of the reincarnated Pandava brothers who battled in a civil war with their 1000 cousins), must battle mythical beings, with help from the Gods that claim them. With quirky humor mixed in, this heavy on text graphic novel has some fun illustrations, interesting adventures and a […]

A love letter to Arthurian legend told through inclusive re-imaginings

Sword Stone Table: Old Legends, New Voices by Edited by: Swapna Krishna and Jenn Northington

by 6 Comments

Thank you, llamareadsbooks for gifting this book to me in the CBR Book Exchange! CBR14 Bingo: “Time” – This anthology moves through time, from the ancient past to the far future. Sword Stone Table first came to my awareness through emmalita’s review.  When narfna reviewed it a few weeks ago, it prompted me to move it to the top of the read pile.  I have a deep affection for stories about King Arthur and Camelot that probably started with the Disney animated version, was strengthened by […]

Various Reviews During My Vacation, Some Were Brilliant, Some Were Good, Some Were Awful.

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

Once More Upon a Time: An Enchanting Romantic Fairy Tale by Roshani Chokshi

Hot and Sour Suspects by Vivien Chien

Gilded by Marissa Meyer

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

Hostage by Clare Mackintosh

by Leave a Comment

The Kaiju Preservation Society-5 stars I don’t even know what to say except this was pitch perfect. It reminded me in a good way of “Old Man’s War” and I cheered through the whole book. I loved everyone. I am so sad this is a standalone so we don’t get to follow Jamie and his friends he meets in the Kaiju Preservation Society (KPS). “The Kaiju Preservation Society” begins with Jamie Gray getting fired. Jamie lives in New York and doesn’t know how he will […]

There was a game he could see and another he couldn’t, and he would play them both.

Sword Stone Table: Old Legends, New Voices by Swapna Krishna and Jenn Northington

by 7 Comments

My formative King Arthur works were the 1963 Disney movie The Sword in the Stone, and 1975’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail. When I discovered Mary Stewart’s The Crystal Cave, as a preteen, my life as a reader of fantasy and romance was set. I’m a King Arthur enthusiast, but not a purist (except for Antoine Fuqua’s 2004 King Arthur – great cast, beautiful visuals, terrible movie that should never have been marketed as “historically accurate”). Hearing that a work is a retelling of […]



Help Our Mission

You can donate to CBR via:

  1. PayPal
  2. Venmo