Book Review: CJ's Treasure Chase (Disney Descendants: School of Secrets #1)

Release Date: August 30, 2016
Author: Jessica Brody
Publisher: Disney Press
Length: 192 pages
Source: Library Book

CJ is the daughter of Captain James Hook. She's fierce. She's swashbuckling. And she has big dreams. . . like finding the treasure she's known about since she was a little girl stranded on the Isle of the Lost. When CJ sneaks out of Auradon Prep with her best friend, Freddie, they go on a wild chase to find it.

The School of Secrets series of chapter books continues the story of Mal and her friends, plus new Villain kids and Auradon kids introduced in the popular Wicked World short form videos. Enjoy these all-new tales of mystery, magic and adventure from the world of the hit movie Descendants!

    

Review:

Protagonist: CJ Hook as found a way off the Isle of the Lost, she stows away on a spell cast by the genie Jordan and is hiding out in her best friend Freddie's dorm room. She doesn't plan on going to Auradon Prep, however, no, CJ has much more adventurous plans in mind. Ever since she was young CJ has dreamed of following a map she found in her the hold of her father's ship, a map that just may be magical, but until now she didn't have any access to magic. It was really interesting to read from a real VK's perspective in this series. I mean, in the novels written by Melissa De La Cruz, we see from the original Auradon VK's perspectives, but they're either not in Auradon yet, like with the first installment, or they had been reformed though still struggled with their dark sides a little. However, CJ is a roguish riot, sneaking around Auradon Prep as to not be discovered and sent back to the Isle, or threatening to kidnap people and force them to do what she wants on her treasure chase. She does have a good bit of character development in this story, though not exactly in the way I was assuming when I cracked this book open.

World Building: So if you read my review of Rise of the Isle of the Lost by Melissa De La Cruz, I mentioned how I was getting tired of constantly going back to the Isle without really getting to see the rest of Auradon, however, this story has very little Isle, but a good chunk of Auradon to explore. There's quite a bit of backtracking in this story as the author wrote in little callouts to the Descendants movie as well as the Wicked World shorts, but seeing it from a different perspective kept those moments from getting boring. However, once this story gets caught up with the end of the first season of the Wicked World shorts, things really spring into high gear and it sees our protagonist race across Auradon in hopes of laying her hands on this amazing treasure she's dreamed about since she was little. It was a lot of fun getting to see more of this world and while I had braced myself for this feeling like it was written for a Middle-Grade audience like the De La Cruz sometimes do, or even written for a younger audience than that, it never happened. I liked how reading this short adventure felt like it was written for fans of the series, no matter what age they might be.

Predictability: So, while I never felt talked down to in the writing and the world building of this story, the plot of the story was rather predictable. Well, sort of. See, this isn't a long story and so the author only has so many pages to get from point A to point B and so there's not a lot of time to set up big twists and turns. So the adventure, while very enjoyable was a tad predictable. That being said though, there were still a few times where, given CJ's wild card personality, I wasn't quite sure where the story would take me.

Ending: I don't know what to say about this ending. I mean it's a very short story, very quick to fly through in one sitting and while the final climax of the story was really fun and we got to see a lot of CJ's character development come to light, as she faced her final hurdle toward the treasure, there wasn't as big of an ending to this story as there is in something like the other novels, or even the movie. However, there is a pretty great cooldown period where we learn of CJ's fate going forward and a bit of a tease at what's to come next in the School of Secrets series. I was pretty surprised where things ended up and while I'm sad that CJ's not going to be the main protagonist for the whole series I'm excited to read more stories in this world.

Rating:

Like I said in my review, I was bracing myself and dragging my heels to read this story since I expected it to either be geared toward an MG or younger audience or for it to be unbelievably cheesy. It wasn't though, there's a little bit of cheesy-ness in the story but overall it was a fun and exciting adventure and I'm kind of stoked to read the other School of Secrets books and have more adventures in this world.

Book Review: World of Warcraft: Traveler (Traveler #1)

Release Date: October 25, 2016
Author: Greg Weisman
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Length: 336 pages
Source: Review Copy from Publisher

An epic action-adventure series set in Blizzard's popular World of Warcraft® game franchise. Features a young cast of characters discovering the mysteries and majesty of the world around them.

It's been years since twelve-year-old Aramar Thorne, a clever boy who is never without his precious sketch book, has seen his father. So when Captain Greydon Thorne comes ashore and asks his son to join him at sea, it feels as if someone has redrawn Aram's entire world. At sea, Aram struggles to get along with the Wavestider's crew--especially second mate Makasa, a tough teenaged girl who has been reluctantly placed in charge of him. Just as Aram starts to get his head above water, a band of vicious pirates attack the Wavestrider, turning his world upside down once again. As Aram and Makasa try to find their way home, they encounter creatures both terrible and wondrous, and Aram will seek to understand Azeroth's denizens as he draws them in his sketchbook, forming unlikely friendships along the way. But the journey is hindered by Greydon's compass, which never points north. If the compass isn't leading Aram and Makasa home--to safety--to what destiny is it leading?

    

Review:

Characters: Even though Aramar Thorne is the main character of this tale, the point-of-view for this story is more of the omniscient third person narrator that can move from the inner thoughts of one character to another seamlessly. So while Aram is the main character we do get to see and learn about a whole cast of characters. Of course, we have our protagonist Aram, a boy who is practically forced to join the crew of his long-absent father for a year, Aram has a very complicated relationship with his father, for half or Aram's life Greydon Thorne was a loving and attentive father, but for the other half Greydon wasn't even there having just vanished with no word. Then there's Makasa Flintwill, the second mate of Greydon Thorne's ship and the bane of Aram's existence. Makasa is begrudgingly put in charge of her captain's son, a sulky boy who doesn't take his role on the ship seriously and disrespects her captain every chance he gets. Makasa has a deep sense of loyalty and will use whatever skills she has to follow her captain's orders. On their journey, Aram and Makasa not only meet fascinating denizens of Azeroth who help them along the way, but they are pursued by dangerous foes who will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets that Aram protects.

World-Building: I've tried to write this section many times. Let's be honest, the author didn't come up with this world, but that's not the point. In fact, one of the things that drew me to this book was the fact that one of its main goals is to introduce the World of Warcraft to a younger generation is a fun and exciting way. The lore associated with Warcraft games is extensive and can be at times very confusing due to (arguable) retconning. That being said, I believe the author did a fantastic job at not only bring the World of Warcraft to life on the page but introducing a number of fundamental races and creatures of this world in an easy to follow yet comprehensive way. This is by no means a full guide to this world, in fact, if you go in with next to no knowledge of this world there will be things that either confuse you or pique your interest but I urge you to persevere and after you finish this rich story to either do some more research on things like wikis, or to journey into the world yourself. I was a bit worried at the beginning of this story when it was hard for me to remember that this is a WoW branded novel, but not too far into it, due to the immaculately described world, beautifully illustrated pictures, and colorful characters our heroes meet, it became hard to forget.

Predictability: My biggest warning to you is that you do not flip through the illustrations before getting to them in the story. On the whole, they don't really spoil anything too huge, but it's those small bits that can the catalyst to spoiling something huge. Now that being said, there were still many times that I was caught off guard by where this story was going. In truth, it wasn't until towards the end that most of the really juicy twists came out, but I'll get to that in a bit. On the whole, this book did a fantastic job of not only foreshadowing things to come but keeping large secrets in the dark until the right time for a very surprising reveal.

Ending: The end of this book was nearly cinematic. Since the author employed an omniscient narrator to tell the story he was able to easily move between various parts of a scene and show the reader this very comprehensive view of just what is going on. The final climax of this story is rather incredible. It happens a bit earlier in the story than I anticipated but it's totally worth it. After all the fuss goes down here comes the twists. Obviously, I'll keep tight-lipped on just what exactly happens, but I will say that if you didn't know this was a series, you'll know it way before the end of this book. This story is just beginning there's still so much left to explore and so many mysteries to still unlock on the way.

Rating:

I LOVED this book, I cannot fully articulate to you just how much. If you're a fan of action, adventure, mystery, and/or fantasy I cannot recommend this book more. If Middle Grade isn't your thing I urge you to recommend this book to someone who you think would enjoy it. This book is too underhyped and that seriously needs to change.

Book Review: The Screaming Statue (The Curiosity House #2)

Release Date: May 3, 2016
Authors: Lauren Oliver & H.C. Chester
Publisher: HarperCollins
Length: 368 pages
Source: eARC from Edelweiss

In this second book in the exceptional Curiosity House series by bestselling author Lauren Oliver and shadowy recluse H. C. Chester, four extraordinary children must avenge their friend’s death, try to save their home, and unravel the secrets of their past . . . before their past unravels them.

Pippa, Sam, Thomas, and Max are happy to be out of harm’s way now that the notorious villain Nicholas Rattigan is halfway across the country in Chicago. But unfortunately their home, Dumfreys’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders, is in danger of closing its doors forever.

But their troubles only get worse. The four friends are shocked when their beloved friend, famous sculptor Siegfried Eckleberger, is murdered. As they investigate, they find clues that his death may be tied to the murder of a rich and powerful New York heiress, as well as to their own pasts.

This is the second book in the series and so boasts many wondrous and mysterious things inside, such as:

· Howie, the “Human Owl,” whose head turns just about all the way around
· A mean but important house cat
· Some perfectly ghastly wax sculptures
· A very thin boy named Chubby
· An awful mechanical leg

It continues not to have:

· A cautionary tale about running with scissors
· A list of time-consuming chores
· Nutritious and decidedly not delicious vegetables
· A perfectly sweet bedtime story about a wayward bunny
· Two wet kisses on the cheek from your aunt Mildred

Learn more about the series online at www.thecuriosityhouse.com.

    

Review:

Protagonists: After discovering their troubling roots Pippa, Max, Sam, and Thomas just want things to go back to normal at Dumfrey's Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders, but tickets aren't selling well and their only hope seems to be a new exhibit featuring the murder of a prominent New York socialite who seems by all accounts to have been killed by her husband in a jealous rage. However, before they know it their dear friend, Siegfried Eckleberger, is murdered and it seems to be connected in some way to their new exhibit. As they look deeper into this mystery everything is not quite what it appears. I have to say I really love these characters. It's very easy to get a grasp on these characters and see where they're going. Pippa's gifts are growing and yet it happens very gradually, there's no great surge of sudden power, but fleeting feelings and moments. Max becomes a bit distracted by a new member of the Dumfrey's Dime Museum family who isn't all well liked by the others. Sam, still unable to fully control his strength is full of angst, just wanting to be like everyone else, to have a pet or even open a door without risking pulling it off its hinges. Then there's Thomas, as curious as ever and in many ways the tie that binds this group. I loved seeing these characters grow and face challenges that while a bit different can still resonate with the reader.

Romance: As with the first book in this series, there isn't a lot of romance, in fact, I'm skeptical to even call some of the stuff in this book romance. That being said, though, there are some romantic feelings floating around this cast of characters. It's all very innocent stuff that wouldn't make me hesitant to use the word "crush." There's a bit of a Middle-Grade love triangle in this book as well, but it's done in such a way that makes it obvious where things may eventually go. I really enjoyed the small spatterings of romance through this story. It never detracts from the story and as I said before it's all very innocent blushes of new feelings for the kids involved and so I'm not sure where it'll go or if it will even come to anything before the series comes to a close, but either way it's so far been spectacularly done.

World Building: So I looked back at my review for the first installment in this series and I have no idea what I was thinking. In that review I said there wasn't a lot of world building, however, there's a whole lot of it in both that book and this one. I think where my mind was, was that the author wrote a fantastic 1950's-ish setting but there wasn't a lot of this unique part of this world expanded upon. The origin story of the children is a bit muddy (from what I can remember) and while the makeshift family in the Curiosity House is fantastic, it comes off a bit underwhelming. In this book a lot of those problems are still there, although the world is expanded upon, it feels very isolated to this one installment. It's been a while since I read the previous installment, so maybe there's some mention of the events and people that seem to be introduced in this installment, and if they are I take back what I am going to say, but there's a lot introduced in this book that feels like it deserves some sort of, at the very least casual, mention in the previous installment, otherwise the two stories have a weird unseen division between them. I found the further world building a bit underwhelming for the second book in a trilogy. I was expecting big surprises and twisted revelations but while there were some great twists, which I'll get to in a moment, there wasn't a whole lot of meat to this story. Don't get me wrong it's extremely entertaining, but it just feels lacking as a prominent fixture in this trilogy.

Predictability: As I said above this book does a good job to throw twists in the way of the story. There are a lot of moving parts to this story and because of that, there's a lot of possibilities for where the story can go and what the possible twists could be. That being said there's one twist that while incredibly well concealed, was a tad underwhelming. I was hoping for something more elaborate and again, while the author did do a great job at covering her tracks so the surprise would be a good one, I just wish there was something a bit more complex going on. I know this is a middle-grade book, but even so, there could have been some other facet of the story, some greater plan that could have still been accessible to a younger reading group.

Ending: As seems to be the theme of this story there's a lot to the ending that feels underwhelming, that being said though as the story comes to a close there are some fantastic little surprises that genuinely caught me off guard and helped round out this book just a tad more. The final climax of the story was very well done and had a very cinematic feel to that defining climactic moment, and the cooldown period is where things start to come together again. With a lot of the moving parts to this story out of play, things become clearer and some really interesting red herrings come to light. I did truly like how this story ended in a way that settles things down for a while and there isn't some over the top crazy cliffhanger to make readers go crazy for nearly a year.

Rating:

I did really enjoy this story, it's a wonderfully written and nicely paced mystery, I just wish it wowed me more and felt a bit more cohesive. It's still a great addition to this trilogy and I'm excited to see where the story will go in the grand finale.

Blog Tour Book Review: It's All Your Fault + GIVEAWAY!

Release Date: January 26, 2016
Author: Paul Rudnick
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Length: 304 pages
Source: ARC from Publisher and Rock Star Book Tours

One last chance. One wild weekend. Flat out the funniest book of the year.

My name is Caitlin and up until forty-eight hours ago I had never:

Tasted alcohol, kissed a boy, sang in public at the top of my lungs, kidnapped anyone or--WHAT? STOLEN A CONVERTIBLE?

Now I'm in jail and I have no idea what I'm going to tell:

The police, my parents, the mayor, all of those camera crews and everyone on Twitter.

I have just noticed that:

My nose is pierced and I have-WAIT? IS THAT A TATTOO?

I blame one person for this entire insane weekend:

My famous cousin.

Who is also my former best friend.

Who I have HATED for the past four years.

Who I miss like crazy. NO I DON'T!!!!

IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, HELLER HARRIGAN!!!!

    

Review:

Protagonist: This book is told from the point of view of Caitlin Singleberry, yes that's her actual last name, don't ask me why. Anyway, Caitlin is your typical all around "Good Christian Girl" which means she's uptight, pious, and stuck-up. Heller Harrigan, Caitlin's famous cousin is her polar opposite, she's a bitchy party-girl who's fallen off the wagon one too many times. It's when these two characters come together and balance each other out that they can start to look at their lives, and each other, in a whole new way. While I was annoyed with Caitlin's sanctimonious nature a lot of the time, but sometimes it can be downright laughable, in a good comedic way. Over the course of the book, though not as soon as you might think, Caitlin begins to loosen up and realize that no one's perfect, not even herself.

Romance: So there's really isn't much romance in this book. Honestly I debated even putting this section in here, but there is a romance in this book, a love triangle in fact. It's not your typical love triangle though, it's not over the top, no one drops the L-word, and it's a fun and scandalous romance for Caitlin to be caught between two boys. There's some great irony written in to the romance and some really meta moments that were really fun to read.

World-Building: Gah! There's so much to this world that I loved. First off, Heller stars in this big blockbuster YA series turned movie series. With it comes all of these great meta YA moments. Even though I know it's fiction and I don't know how much research the author put into it, I'm assuming a lot based on how real it feels, it's so interesting to see this side of things, how stressed out actors get, how they feel about online backlash of casting choices, and how one person's opinion can send the internet, and the actor, spiraling. I felt as though this was the perfect backdrop for the story and lended a lot to the story progression and some of the humor and appeal of this book. There are definitely a lot of pop culture and bookish references made, though most of them are masked with thinly veiled pseudonyms. There's a lot to this story to enjoy and learn about.

Predictability: So I have to say, other than a few things, this book was fairly unpredictable. From the start we know that somewhere down the line in the story Heller and Caitlin will end up in jail, but the ride on the way to the slammer isn't as cut and dry as you'd think. I loved seeing the way things were twisted and just how much of Caitlin's freak out was her overreacting and how much of it was the truth.

Ending: So this book doesn't really have a final climax, I mean, I guess all of the stuff after we catch back up with Caitlin in jail and how that's dealt with could be considered the final climax, but as I was reading it I never felt that doubt about where the story was going to go, that tension and feeling like things may not quite go right. The final chapter served as the cool down and there was a lot to love about it. The ending wasn't super idealistic, it still felt real and the characters still felt so real. While I know this is a stand alone I can't help but want to know what happens next.

Rating:

I'm actually surprised that I ended up giving this book five stars, when I first started it, things were a little slow, Caitlin was an annoying character, but once the story got going and I got to see more than just the surface of these character's personalities I really got invested into this world and ended up loving this book!

About the Author:

Paul Rudnick is a critically acclaimed novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. His screenplays include In&Out and Addams Family Values, and he’s written for Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, Vanity Fair, and the New Yorker. His plays, including I Hate Hamlet and Jeffrey, have been produced both on and off Broadway and around the world. His first young adult novel, Gorgeous, was called a “wicked good time” by the New York Times Book Review. Under the pen name Libby Gelman-Waxner, he is also the world’s most beloved and irresponsible film critic. Paul lives in New York City. Find him online at http://paulrudnick.com/ and on Twitter @PaulRudnickNY.

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