Earth has joined the Coalition, and the aliens who invited humanity to join brought all kinds of scientific advancements. In exchange, they're mining Earth has joined the Coalition, and the aliens who invited humanity to join brought all kinds of scientific advancements. In exchange, they're mining the planet for a rare element that's necessary for fueling the jump drives of their spaceships. When Leo's dad, a world-renowned scientist, is invited to join a research vessel, the family says goodbye to Earth. But everything's shaken up again when the sworn enemies of the Coalition attack their ship and take whatever they want. Including Leo's dad.
Tragedy and new trajectories. Space pirates and alien races. Misfits and magic tricks. Robots and resources and rescue missions. Much of the story skips back and forth between timelines, because Leo's thoughts are constantly being dragged back to precious memories of his mother ... and the worldwide incident that took her away. He remembers his old home & way of life with similar longing, because everything you could ever take for granted about living on a planet is simply *gone* when you're in space.
Excellent. And immediately grabbed the sequel, Homebound....more
Planchette is moving to a new town, but the house she bought is excessively haunted. Since she only does kitchen magic, she needs help performing an ePlanchette is moving to a new town, but the house she bought is excessively haunted. Since she only does kitchen magic, she needs help performing an exorcism. Finding that help leads her to making new friends.
Grace is enrolled in an international school in Hong Kong after she and her mom move there with her stepdad. During a field trip, she's handed an egg Grace is enrolled in an international school in Hong Kong after she and her mom move there with her stepdad. During a field trip, she's handed an egg that hatches her overnight and lands her in all kinds of trouble. Especially when she and her classmates run up against some things that remind Grace of the bedtime stories her biological father used to tell. ...more
Way back when, it was sprites to tended the world's plants and flowers. But then humans started doing their own gardening, and sprites became extraneoWay back when, it was sprites to tended the world's plants and flowers. But then humans started doing their own gardening, and sprites became extraneous. So they find other pastimes. But a sprite named Wisteria is interested in doing those long-ago, half-forgotten things that used to be every sprite's birthright.
Pretty and sweet. The beauty and benefits of cooperation. ...more
Morgan almost drowns and is saved by a girl who asks, "Remember me?" Because they've met before, and it's all coming back. But it's hard to explain, sMorgan almost drowns and is saved by a girl who asks, "Remember me?" Because they've met before, and it's all coming back. But it's hard to explain, so Morgan wants to keep everything a secret, especially from her friends, who don't know that she's gay. Texting and ghosting and compartmentalizing and kissing. And a magical folk lore twist. ...more
Alto has no interest in being a prince. He's vastly more interested in becoming a bard, just like the heroic bard who helped his mother save the kingdAlto has no interest in being a prince. He's vastly more interested in becoming a bard, just like the heroic bard who helped his mother save the kingdom back when they were adventurers. So he runs away from home, eager to become a hero. Along his way, he meets two other bards, and when their magic blends, something special happens.
A DnD-esque fantasy adventure. Gorgeous art. ...more
Members of Yolanda's family have a magical inheritance. It varies from person to person, and over the years, it's earned the women in their family a rMembers of Yolanda's family have a magical inheritance. It varies from person to person, and over the years, it's earned the women in their family a reputation of being brujas. They have been feared, shunned, and persecuted, even though they mean no harm to the community around them. Yolanda, who goes by Yo, seems to be at odds with everyone (and herself). Her oh-so-perfect twin sister. Her former best friend. The boy next door. And her grandmother, who can't, can't, can't be dying.
Fascinating world building. I've never seen a magic system quite like this one. Very much a folk lore feel, nicely tangled up with Hispanic culture. The story deals with grief, sibling rivalry, and a sense of family history and mystery. Yo's grandmother spins out some of the family history along the way, so there's a sense of a dual timeline.
There's a LGBTQIA+ plot thread. Yo's twin sister and her former best friend have become very close. ...more
When Rusty's mom has to go to the mainland to go to a special hospital, his dad does his best to hold things together, and his sister does her best toWhen Rusty's mom has to go to the mainland to go to a special hospital, his dad does his best to hold things together, and his sister does her best to make life miserable. Escape comes in the form of an old boat that Rusty can fix up and learn to sail. Which is how he comes to meet Hazel, the old lady who runs the local art shop ... and who tries to bribe him to take her sailing.
An unlikely friendship that leaves two lives richer. ...more
In the aftermath of Bk1, Myrtle is packed off for a seaside vacation with Aunt Helen and the inimitable Ms. Judson. The train is posh, and the companyIn the aftermath of Bk1, Myrtle is packed off for a seaside vacation with Aunt Helen and the inimitable Ms. Judson. The train is posh, and the company is varied. And Myrtle is onhand when a murder is discovered.
Jeweled tiaras and plein air paining. Smuggled cats and insurance agents. Newfangled photography and ridiculous swimwear. A clever mystery that has solidified Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries as one of my favorite series. Neatly done!...more
Dani and Dorian don't want to get in trouble for missing the bus to school, so they decide to lay low for the entire year, only to get pulled into a dDani and Dorian don't want to get in trouble for missing the bus to school, so they decide to lay low for the entire year, only to get pulled into a danger thanks (in part) to the tensions that exist between ordinary humans and witches. There are also freckled princesses, kidnapped royals, cute shop boys, a magical mentor, misfired spells, and adventures in broom-riding.
Great fun. And we're left hanging, which means another volume is in the offing!...more
Enola Holmes is back. When Tish Glover receives a letter saying that her sister has died, she can't believe it. Won't believe it. Because they're twinEnola Holmes is back. When Tish Glover receives a letter saying that her sister has died, she can't believe it. Won't believe it. Because they're twins, and that bond is telling her that Flossie cannot be deceased. So Enola (and her famed brother, Sherlock Holmes) resolve to find out what happened. And that means investigating an earl.
A prologue and intermittent reminders in the early chapters of this book remind readers what happened in the first six books for the series, since there was a sizeable gap between publications. Probably wise, given the disparity between the books and that wretched movie. However, since the movie undoubtedly led to the addition of more installments in Enola's series, I cannot complain overmuch. Suffice to say, I was unenthused to see "Tewky" made canon ... and pleased that his role and importance was significantly diminished.
Zita's just an orphan and a maid without any prospects, but when she's twelve, a scarecrow delivers a letter that calls her by her true name. She's a Zita's just an orphan and a maid without any prospects, but when she's twelve, a scarecrow delivers a letter that calls her by her true name. She's a Brydgeborn, the last of her name, a witch by birthright, and she's inherited Blackbird Castle.
A tale in the gothic tradition, with orphans and oppressors and plotting and peril. Lavish world-building and a mystery to unravel. ...more
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