Middle Grade Double Review: The Thickety (Books #1 & #2) by J.A. White

A Path Begins (Book #1) by J.A. White. Katherine Tegen Books, 2015. Paperback. 512 pages.
The Whispering Trees (Book #2) by J.A. White. Katherine Tegen Books, 2016. Paperback. 544 pages.

As you may or may not know, I love to read middle grade books in addition to all of my regular 'adult' books. I think MG books can be incredibly clever, deep, and present new ideas and stories in unique and entertaining ways.  The Thickety series by J.A. White is one of my favorite middle grade series (Trenton Lee Stewart being one of my other favorites, in particular) and I really can't recommend it enough. I read these books a couple  months ago, but I've been sitting on reviews for them ever since and wondering just how to form them into something adequate enough to share with all of you.

These books are spooky, almost to the point where I started to think, "wait, is this really middle grade!?" And this is why I also say not to underestimate books marketed for younger readers. There are obviously spooky aspects of the book (the haunted woods, witches, etc.), but there are also much deeper, creepier ideas and events that occur as well. The first book, A Path Begins, takes place mostly in the town, and the second book, The Whispering Trees, actually takes readers into the Thickety itself, which is full of endless traps and terrors. There are weird, crazy creatures, haunting settings, and a slew of other magical elements incorporated in these books.

The magic that is used in this book comes from a grimoire that can only be used by witches. This magic is not simply a power that can be used, it is more of a give-and-take situation in which sure, you can use spells, but every time you use that power, a small piece of you is also taken. It's nothing noticeable or tangible, but if you use up all of the pages of the grimoire, you may just lose yourself in the process. I won't go into much more detail than that, but suffice to say... it's an interesting concept.

Grief also casts quite an umbrella over many parts of both novels, and I think White really did a wonderful job portraying how it affects people in different ways, and particularly how Kara, our protagonist, managed to find her own grief and ability to comfort those around her. White managed to develop extremely strong characters that felt very authentic and three-dimensional. There was so much to each person that allowed them to stand out and also transform according to what events occurred in the book. Kara herself is an extremely dynamic character who carries many burdens throughout her journeys in these books, and she is a character that I really liked and admired. There are moments in which she struggles to do what is right and maintain her goodness, but her strength shines in these moments.

Even the villains in these books are well-rounded and fully fleshed out. In the first book, Grace is one of our main villains, and although she at first appears to be your typical 'mean girl' that bullies Kara in school, it eventually becomes apparent that there is much more to Grace than meets the eye.

In addition to the characters, White also plays with the issue of how fear and the unknown can impact the mentality of a large group of people, leading them to treat people wrong and do things to them that aren't right or justified in any manner. These books are intense, but totally worth it. The most prominent and (to me, at least) interesting parts of these novels is the focus on humanity and what it means to have compassion, to yearn for something more, to have power and how to know when its too much, and--most importantly--to remember who we are and who we are meant to be as humans.

If you're someone who is thinking of picking this up for a kid in your life, you might want to make sure they can handle things on the darker side. If so, then it's a great book to introduce a lot of important themes and discussions about many different aspects of life and relationships among people. Overall, I've given both books five stars and I look forward to diving into the rest of this series!

Buy the book:

A Path Begins: Amazon | Book Depository

The Whispering Trees: Amazon | Book Depository

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Rafe Rebellius and the Clash of the Genres by Joseph Lowery

Rafe Rebellius and the Clash of the Genres by Joseph Lowery. 2017. Ebook .162 pages.

If you're looking for an adventurous middle grade novel that runs wild with imagination, then Rafe Rebellius and the Clash of the Genres is the next book you should check out.

Rafe Rebellius has spent much of his youth traveling around the country with his scientist parents for their work. As a result of their constant travel and moving from school to school and town to town, Rafe wants to finally settle in one place.into one place. This finally happens when his family moves to -- and he lands at his seventh school, where he is told that he will be able to stay for all four years while living with some of his extended family, the Genrés. While in this town, Rafe enters endless books that take him on endless adventures through different stories. The rest of this story's plot is left up to you to discover.

The characters that we are introduced to throughout Rafe Rebellius are the perfect mix of quirky and captivating, and I really enjoyed learning about each one. The endearing nature of the characters' different personalities really drew me in and made this entire book an exciting experience, though many of the characters did seem to fit solely into one specific mold and nothing else. The Genrés family itself is so fascinating, and I liked how Lowery developed the dynamics between Rafe and those he met and interacted with.

I thought this entire book was so clever with its inclusion of so many different genres in one overarching story. Rafe experiences that are fantasy, western, sci-fi, detective mysteries, and more throughout this entire story, and I really liked how Lowery used this to really showcase each genre. I loved being able to escape into this story and find myself transported to a variety of different times and places all in one book.

Lastly, I was  impressed with the quality of writing. Lowery is able to find the perfect balance between giving enough information, but never dwelling too long in any one area. He also uses his language in a manner that is simple enough for a middle grade reader to follow, but not too simple or youthful that an older reader or adult wouldn't be able to also appreciate. I'm an adult and I still enjoyed it!

Overall, I've given Rafe Rebellius and the Clash of the Genres  four stars! I will certainly be keeping it in mind as a gift for young readers in my family this holiday season.

Buy the book!

*I received a copy of Rafe Rebellius courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating of the book.*

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Race to the Bottom of the Sea by Lindsay Eagar

*Race to the Bottom of the Sea will be released Tuesday, October 10th!*

Race to the Bottom of the Sea by Lindsay Eagar. Candlewick Press, 2017. Ebook. 432 pages.

Pirates, ships, and adventures on the open sea—Race to the Bottom of the Sea embodies every single one of those elements (and so much more!) and is an action-packed adventure that is a blast to read. 


Despite its fun, adventurous aspect, Race to the Bottom of the Sea does start out with a fairly grim beginning when eleven-year-old Fidelia's parents are both killed in a storm while studying out at sea in a device that she invented. I'm always a bit hesitant these days when books use the death of a main character's parents as a starting off point for the story, but I'm glad I decided to read this one. Lindsay Eagar handled the entire situation with skill and a sincere nod to the feelings and struggles that any genius eleven-year-old inventor would have when she is suddenly left without the most important people in her life. 

Fidelia is a confident, strong-willed character that I think is a great example for kids everywhere. Fidelia is an inventor and is, as expected, incredibly smart—and she complete owns this. She knows exactly who she is and she's not afraid to back down from those who look down on her because is both young and a girl.  I also loved how supportive and engaging her parents were with Fidelia and her endless array of ideas; they knew that she was a capable and extraordinarily knowledgeable girl and they boosted her up as much as possible. 

Despite how strong and determined Fidelia is, she's not without her flaws, which of course only endear her to me more. Fidelia is sometimes too confident in her abilities and this also lends to her occasionally speaking out to figures of authority or who power over her when she probably shouldn't. But this is also what makes her so impressive. 

This book really picks up when Fidelia is kidnapped by the infamous pirate Merrick the Monstrous, a classically formed pirates who adds so much excitement to this book. Merrick is a pretty merciless guy, but he has a fascinating backstory that really gives motivation to his actions and his current personality. Although the story  is mainly told through Fidelia's perspective, there are many flashbacks that provide insight into other characters and their backgrounds, such as Merrick himself. 

There are quite a few supporting characters that we are introduced to as well, and I honestly felt a bit overwhelmed by them for a small amount of time when they were first introduced, but eventually I figured out who was who and everything was smooth sailing once again from that point. 

Eagar has a flowing, highly entertaining prose tat is both accessibly and engaging. She explains things about the ocean and the knowledge that Fidelia has in such a way that I am able to fully understand it and also enjoy learning about it. An interesting point to note about this book is that the setting itself isn't ever clearly presented. It seems semi-modern at times, but there are plenty of historical influences as well, and the places mentioned are not (as far as I know) real, so there is that element of being completed transported to another world.  

Overall, I've given Race to the Bottom of the Sea four stars! I loved the inventive trait of Fidelia, the adventure on the high seas, and, of course, the pirates!

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The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol

*The Apprentice Witch is available Tuesday, July 25th!*

The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol. Chicken House, 2017. Hardcover, 336 Pages.

As most of you probably know by now, my book taste is fairly wide-ranging and I always have my eye out for great middle grate fantasy. Thus, when The Apprentice Witch arrived in the mail one day, I was understandably excited to see this one arrive int he mail. The Apprentice Witch centers on a young girl named Arianwyn who wants nothing more than to pass her exam to become a witch. Unfortunately, things don't quite as planned and she is sent to a remote town called Lull as an apprentice - still.

I think my favorite thing about this book was the setting and the story set-up. I love the little town of Lull, which was a nice small town, but also equally dark, mysterious, and somewhat creepy at times. Everything felt magical and there seemed to be many layers within each spell and creature introduced. The magic system itself was a very unique one that I haven't really seen, consisting of the drawing of glyphs to cast spells. I was somewhat reminded of Brandon Sanderson's The Rithmatist, which uses a similar idea of drawing spells -- this actually made me really excited, largely because I find the entire concept really interesting, and Nicol executed it in a fascinating manner. I really hope that the next book explores this entire notion even further.

I really loved Arianwyn's character. Her youth and inexperience definitely showed, which led her to making some mistakes, and this is also what endeared me to her so much. Arianwyn felt that she had to prove herself (and she sort of did), and thus she had to work extra hard to be mature and take care of both herself and pretty much the entire town from the dangerous spirits and creature the inhabit it.

I also really appreciated Arianwyn and Salle's friendship. It was lovely and felt like an authentic relationship, full of ups and downs and, ultimately, loyalty. I actually found her relationship with all of the character's entertaining. Lull is full of a wide array of people, some of whom are glad to see Arianwyn and some who are not - such as the mayor himself. The way Arianwyn navigates her job and her desires to become a full-fledged witch is a journey that takes the reader through the struggles and insecurities that we all face and strive to overcome. Arianwyn is a wonderfully stubborn girl who, despite the odds often being stacked against, doesn't really let herself every truly give up, and I think that notion is at the core of this book, alone with the importance of friendship and looking out for others.

I'd also like to give a little shout out to Bob, Arianwyn's moon hare, who made me fall in love with it from the moment it appeared in the story.

The only qualms that I had with this book was that I just wanted a bit more in the development area. I wanted more about the magic system, the dark creatures, the history. More character development and narrative. Regardless, I definitely plan to continue with the next book to see what's in store - I feel as though this will only get better.

Overall, I give four stars to The Apprentice Witch!

*I received a physical ARC of The Apprentice Witch courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is no way impacts my enjoyment of the book.*

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Over the Underworld by Adam Shaughnessy

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The Ugly Teapot by Fred Holmes

The Ugly Teapot by Fred Holmes. Fred Holmes, 2016. Ebook. 205 pages.

*I received a copy of The Ugly Teapot courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.*

Tomorrow, January 13th, I will be featuring an interview with the author of The Ugly Teapot, Fred Holmes, so be sure to come back and have a look!

The Ugly Teapot is a heartfelt, touching story that features an imaginative, exciting world. The author, Fred Holmes, has an in-depth background in directing and screenwriting, making this his first foray in novel writing, and I think his talents transferred over to paper remarkably well. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book, as the summary provided is intriguing and informative, but also cleverly vague regarding details. If, like me, you are a fan of many Arabian Nights stories or Disney's Aladdin, then you are probably familiar with the idea of a genie (or from one of many other sources, of course), and this particular notion greatly intrigued me. 

The Ugly Teapot is paced extremely well. There is an abundance of action and magic packed within these pages, but it never once felt as though it was rushed or moving too slowly. It is certainly fast-paced, but not in a negative way that is hard to follow. There weren't any dense information dumps, there were no parts that dragged on too long, and I never felt confused by too many plot elements. The entire story carried a delightfully whimsical atmosphere that helped the story breeze along, which led up to an incredible ending that I really enjoyed.

Hannah is a wonderful main character. She is outgoing, strong, and extremely relatable. Her resilience in the fact of struggle was refreshing to read, and her character's development was written in a consistent manner. She's just one of those characters that are easy to love and root for throughout the entire story.

This book also takes us into a variety of locations and cultures, and Holmes wrote these excursions in an informative and welcoming manner. Every description was vibrant and realistic, and I enjoyed being a part of Hannah's journey. I was actually quite thrilled to realize that this book would be taking its readers on a larger adventure into different areas of the world, as it gave the book an even more well-rounded feel.

One aspect of this book that I particularly enjoyed were the strong familial themes. There are all too many books available about dysfunctional families or unhealthy father/daughter scenarios, so it was really refreshing to see such a strong, loving relationship between Hannah and her father. While this book may not be for everyone due to the middle grade/young adult audience it is intended for, I encourage everyone to give it a shot! If you're like me, there are no age restrictions on books. 

Overall, I am giving The Ugly Teapot four stars!

And don't forget, an interview with author Fred Holmes will be live tomorrow!

Buy the book!

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Impyrium by Henry H. Neff
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Impyrium by Henry H. Neff

*Impyrium by Henry H. Neff is now available!*

Impyrium by Henry H. Neff. HarperCollins, 2016. Paperback. 592 pages.

*I received a physical ARC of Impyrium in exchange for an honest review.*

Impyrium may be a middle grade level book, but if you think that means the content is in any way juvenile or simplistic, you would be mistaken. The book itself comes in at almost 600 pages, which is definitely on the longer side as far as middle grade novels go, and it is incredibly in-depth and entertaining. I think the main thing that makes this middle grade is the fact that it is not exceptionally violent or explicit, and most of the main characters are young. The rest of this novel fully embodies a complex fantasy world with abundant elements of world-building, character development, a complex magic system, and so much more.

The first thing that caught my attention in Impyrium was the world building. I am in awe at what a complicated and unique world Neff developed in this book. I have since discovered that this is apparently the same world used in a few of Neff's other books, but I have not previously read any of Neff's other work, so it was brand new to me. The divide between the Mehrun (humans that can perform magic) and Muir (humans that cannot perform magic) was distinct and intricately layered. There is a deep, complicated history regarding the political and social issues of this world, and I think Neff handled it all in a perfectly understandable manner.

The characters are all wonderfully captivating in their own unique ways. Hob is a clever, crafty young man who I think a lot of people could relate to. He finds himself stuck in unfortunate situations, but he always makes the best of his situations and uses his sharp wit and intelligence to get himself out of them. He is a down-to-earth and realistic boy, and I particularly liked how he was able to adapt to his environment, whether he needed to be more formal and obedient or more brash and casual. And despite his ability to control this actions and emotions well, he is still human, after all, and is often ruled by his own emotions in the end - something I think most of us can understand.

The three Faeregine triplets, Hazel, Violet, and Isabelle, each had unique traits that easily set them apart from one another. Violet is mature, stoic, and takes herself seriously; Isabelle is the most neutral and realistic, which elements of maturity and adventure; Hazel, the youngest and the co-main character to Hobbs, is the most unhappy with her royal upbringing and is the most adventurous. I think everyone can find a little bit to relate to in each of these characters, and I enjoyed seeing the dynamic between the three sisters. I also felt that the friendship that forms between Hob and Hazel was extremely realistic and developed in a natural, timely manner that suited the story's timeline well.

Due to the immense world-building and extensive amount of details, the beginning of this book does seem to start off a bit slow and confusing as I attempted to understand new vocabulary and norms for this world, but it certainly picked up and kept a fairly steady place. There does seem to be a little bit of meandering here and there, but this only serves to further enforce the world and character development.

Overall, I am giving Impyrium four-and-a-half stars! I would certainly recommend this to anyone looking for a strong fantasy read, and although this is classified as a middle grade read, I would recommend it for slightly more advanced readers. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this series.

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The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2016. Hardcover. 512 pages.

A little over a year ago I began reading Trenton Lee Stewart's The Mysterious Benedict Society and absolutely fell in love with Stewart's witty, approachable, and adventurous writing. I particular enjoyed that although his books were written with a younger audience in mind, they are completely accessible to all ages, and I can't imagine any age group not being able to find something entertaining in them. The reason I say all of this is because The Secret Keepers, his latest release, is every bit as wonderful as his previous books and I fell right back in love with his writing.

I had read maybe ten pages when I realized that this was going to be yet another stand-out novel by the masterful Stewart, and I had such a fantastic time diving into this unique, intriguing world. The story begins when eleven-year-old Reuben comes across a watch that appears to be broken, However, he soon realizes that the watch is actually a bit more peculiar than that, and what it actually does ends up being something that more than a few people are after - both good and bad people, that is. The rest of the story consists of his journey to unravel the mystery of the watch and why it is such a treasured, sought-after item.

This book is set in a somewhat dystopian-esque setting, but if you're wary of dystopian, please don't let that stop you. It's a rather minor aspect, but at the same time it also sets up for the crucial plot points of this book. I don't want to go into too much detail about what all of it means, but please trust me that it is well worth reading to find out.

Let's talk about Reuben, who is extremely clever and about a thousand times smarter than I was at his age - hell, he's probably smarter than me now, too. Reuben is a tough, adventurous kid who is not afraid to take on some of his own responsibilities, and I think that is a wonderful quality for a character in a book (and one I believe he probably inherited from his mother, but more on her later). There are so many books where the main character seems to have difficulties owning up to their mistakes or realizing they have a responsibility to do something and it drives me nuts, so it was refreshing to see such a young character actually embody qualities such as these.

Mrs. Genevieve and Penny are also wonderful additions to this book, and both characters brought their own unique charm. Penny is a bold, awesome little girl that was such a joy to read. She brought in an extra level of wit and entertainment that really enriched the story. Mrs. Genevieve was also quite a quirky characters; she appears rather aloof and not overly friendly when we first meet her, and although she remains somewhat distant, her endearing demeanor and care for the children truly make her a great character.

The villainous Smoke was also another fun villain created by Stewart. I found many similarities between The Smoke and the villain of The Mysterious Benedict Society, but he was still a solid villain with a wide array of strength and weaknesses. I like that Stewart gives his villains his so many strengths, including intelligence, which helps to make the playing field a bit more exciting.

I think one of my favorite aspects of this book, however, was Reuben's relationship with his mother. There was something about it that just seemed so realistic, so tender that I couldn't help but cherish every scene they had together. Reuben and his mother are not exactly well-off, and his mom works multiple jobs tirelessly so that Reuben can maintain a healthy, stable lifestyle. Reuben knows his mom works incredibly hard, but he also realizes that she never complains, which was the trait I found most admirable. Reuben is a great character - as are all of the rest of the characters - but I have to say that his mom is the real hero in this book.

When I picked up this book from the library, I had no idea it was as long as it is - 500+ pages! This book is geared toward a younger audience, but if not reading aloud with children, I would probably give it to kids who are dedicated and prepared to sit down and read such a long book. It's certainly worth it, but I can see some kids becoming discouraged by the sheer volume of this book.

This book absolutely deserves each of the five stars I am giving it! I would highly recommend this to anyone with a love for intrigue, adventure, and wit. If you enjoyed Stewart's other books or Lemony Snickett books, I would definitely give The Secret Keepers a go.

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The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes by Wade Albert White

*The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes is now available!*

The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes by Wade Albert White. Little, Brown, 2016. Paperback/Softcover. 384 pages.

*I received a printed ARC of The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes courtesy of Little, Brown in exchange for an honest review.*

The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes just released this week and if it doesn't become a major hit, then I just don't know what is going on with this crazy world. This book was beyond fun and I enjoyed it immensely. It is full of wit, clever humor, and quirky aspects that make this an extremely strong debut  middle grade novel. The characters are wonderfully crafted and the plot is entirely unpredictable and overflowing with twists and turns.

Anne, our protagonist, is one of the many orphans living at Saint Lupin's Institute for Perpetually Wicked & Hideously Unattractive Children. Unfortunately, her plan for leaving is derailed and she soon finds herself placed on a epic quest that will take her and her friend Penelope on an incredible adventure. 

The three main characters, Anne, Penelope, and Hiro, are full of life and incredibly endearing. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, which makes them realistic and relatable. The character development was also done really well, and I liked watching each character evolve and learn about themselves as the story progressed. 

Not only do we have well-written characters - we also have some fantastic world-building. As weird as this world was, it felt so incredibly real and I found myself completely immersed in wanting to explore more of it. I loved the quirks and history of the world, and I also loved how unexpected it was. As the reader, you really never know what strange thing is about to occur in this world, so it makes for an extra exciting adventure.

The witty writing the White employs is reminiscent of Lemony Snicket and Trenton Lee Stewart, but is also entirely White's own style. I really loved that this book felt approachable from any age; it didn't talk down to the younger readers, nor did it alienate older readers by keeping things too 'safe.' The tone and style of prose is written in such a way that all ages can understand and enjoy - it's very smart. If my book were not an ARC and I could add quotes, I would have definitely given you all some samples by now to savor.

Since my copy of this book was an ARC, not all of the images and such were there, but from what I did get to see, it is remarkable! I can't wait to grab a copy of the finished book to see how it is in all of its completed glory. I laughed a countless number of times while reading this book, and it truly made for a great bedtime adventure story.

Overall, I am giving The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes five stars. This is a must-have book for any parent to buy for their children, for any teacher or librarian to stock for their classroom library/regular library, and for anyone that wants to have a fantastic and highly entertaining adventure story.

Buy the book!

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Over the Underworld by Adam Shaughnessy
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Lock and Key: The Initiation by Ridley Pearson

*Lock and Key: The Initiation will be released Tuesday, September 20th!*

Lock and Key: The Initiation by Ridley Pearson. HarperCollins, 2016. Paperback. 386 pages.

*I received a printed ARC of Lock and Key courtesy of HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.*

Sherlock Holmes is a well-loved detective character that has been featured in countless books, television shows, movies, and many other forms of entertainment. James Moriarty is the prolific criminal mastermind and nemesis of Holmes, and his role has been increased in many subsequent works of fiction based off of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original.

Lock and Key brings the classic feud of Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty to the present day, where the two attend Baskerville Academy and are placed together as roommates. The two do not hit it off, and James takes an immediate dislike to Sherlock's observant and somewhat arrogant nature. The story kicks off when the headmaster of the school announces that a valuable Bible has been stolen, and not long after this announcement James begins to receive mysterious red envelopes with difficult riddles that he must attempt to solve.

The story, however, is not narrated by James, - as one might expect - but is instead narrated by his younger sister, Moria. I found this to be quite a clever idea, and it worked well for a majority of the novel, though it did become a bit confusing in certain narrative events and seemed to be forgotten about sometimes. I also would have liked to read this story from  James' perspective, considering the book is essentially centered around him and his own journey from a loyal companion to his sister at their home to a harsh, troubled boy at their new boarding school. Despite this, reading from Moria's perspective gives the reader some unique perspectives on various events that occur, and also shows us how both James and Moria change over the course of their stay at Baskerville, though in two very different directions. It makes me wonder if it would have been possible for James to not become as hateful as he did, or if this was just in his nature.

Pearson excellently captures Sherlock's sharp, impossibly intelligent mind and also greatly enhances his arrogance - in fact, Sherlock is not the most likable character in many instances. But then there is also the rather unlikable James Moriarty as well, who acts as both a contrast and a similar character to Sherlock. Both boys are stubborn and fairly sure of themselves, and neither one likes to show any form of weakness, which in fact seems to be a weakness in itself.

My main problem with Lock and Key was how long-winded it became. I appreciate the fact that Pearson put so much effort into creating an extremely intricate story with many details, but it just became too confusing as the book progressed past the promising beginning. I found myself somewhat bored in many various periods of tediously long explanations and dialogues. This is marketed as a children's book, but I can see younger readers becoming a bit bored with this one, despite the initial hook and strong beginning.

For mystery fans, Lock and Key is filled with a perfect combination of ingredients: anonymous clues in the form of riddles, a secret society, enigmatic characters, and a slew of difficult problems to solve. Overall, I am giving Lock and Key three stars; while it was enjoyable, the confusing parts in the latter half of the novel and extensive explanation hindered my enjoyment a bit too much for me to give it more stars.

Get more reviews and bookish fun in your inbox and subscribe to Forever Lost in Literature!

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Over the Underworld by Adam Shaughnessy
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Over the Underworld by Adam Shaughnessy

*Over the Underworld by Adam Shaughnessy will be released Tuesday, September 6th!*

Over the Underworld by Adam Shaughnessy. Algonquin Young Readers, 2016. Paperback 304 pages.

*I received a paperback ARC of Over the Underworld courtesy of Algonquin Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.*

Over the Underworld is book two in The Unbelievable FIB series, and it brings with it just as much excitement and adventure as book one.

A little backstory: When I initially received Over the Underworld from Algonquin, I had never heard of The Unbelievable FIB series, so I went over to Goodreads to check it out, and there I discovered that this was actually book two in a series. So I did what any other person who refuses to read books out of order did and set out to my local library and picked up the first book, The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB (which I immensely enjoyed it), and was then ready for this ARC! I would definitely advise anyone looking into this series to read the first book, prior to reading this second one; I wouldn't say it's completely crucial, but it will definitely help you understand just about everything.

I love middle grade books. It never ceases to amaze me how well most are able to entertain both adults and children. Over the Underworld is one of those magical middle grade books that completely fits into that category, and I am excited to share it with the world.

Over the Underworld picks up about a year after the first book takes place as Pru and ABE are about to begin seventh grade. Nothing exciting has happened in Middleton since the events of the previous year, and Pru is feeling both angry at Mister Fox for disappearing and bored with the lack of excitement. Although ABE also misses Mister Fox, he is more true to his nature and is mainly just excited for summer to end and school to start back up. Soon enough, however, Odin once again returns to Middleton and brings with him news that the events for Ragnarok - the end of the world - have begun, and thus the children are once again sent off a new adventure mission.

Unlike the first book, Over the Underworld focuses less on the town of Middleton and instead takes up more time in new settings, which were exciting to explore. However, as much as I enjoyed this, I felt like there was something missing. I still can't quite place my finger on it, but there was just a little bit of magic missing from this book that was present in the first book.

I love how Shaughnessy incorporates Norse mythology into this book, as I am a huge fan of myths and myth-inspired tales. He stays true to the traditional tales, but also adds on his own effects and storylines to make the story flow smoothly and understandably. And just as Shaughnessy does in the first book, he continues to showcase clever, quirky writing and characters that add even more life and effortlessness to the story.

Pru is back with her feisty personality intact and eagerness to find an adventure. Shaughnessy does a really good job of showing the three-dimensional traits of Pru; she's a little bit of an accidental troublemaker with a quick temper, but she is also a young girl  struggling through some tough times and wants others in her life to understand her. I felt a special connection to Pru because of her loss of her father, and it is probably partly due to this connection that I identified and enjoyed this book so much. Pru lost her father at a young age that is just about the same time that my own father died, and I felt that many of Pru's emotions and questions regarding her father's death were spot-on. One particular instance that struck me was when Pru had to part with a special token of her father's that she constantly carried around with her. I also have a specific item that I constantly wear as sort of token/memory of my father, so when she is anxious and upset about losing it or having to give it away, I completely identified with that.

Over the Underworld also featured much more of ABE, who I felt really seemed to develop and show many more sides to his personality throughout the events of the story. We get to see act as a levelheaded partner to Pru's short-tempered manners, as well as a somewhat more emotional side of ABE that lets us understand more about who he is and why he is the way he is. Another thing I really like is the fact that as much as I connect with Pru's character for the reasons mentioned above, my personality is much more like ABE's, and I absolutely fell in love with his slightly awkward manner and penchant for sometimes acting like a 'know-it-all'.

As you can probably tell, this book does not shy away from heavier themes such as death, which are present throughout the book in various ways. Shaughnessy excelled at weaving in such difficult themes into such an exciting and fast-paced story, and I highly recommend this to those who enjoy myth-inspired tales and rich, entertaining characters.

Though I deeply enjoyed Over the Underworld, it wasn't quite as strong as the first one, and for that reason, along with the many listed above, I am giving this book four stars.

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The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse by Brian Farrey

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Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio, illustrated by Will Staehle

The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse by Brian Farrey

The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse is out Tuesday, April 19, 2016!

*I received an ARC edition of The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse courtesy of Algonquin Young Readers in exchange for an honest review**

The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse by Brian Farrey. Algonquin Young Readers, 2016. 256 pages. Paperback/softcover. 

While perusing my Goodreads shelf for this year, I realized I have read quite a few younger-aged aimed books this year - and that I have been enjoying it immensely. These books aren't just fun to read, they are also extremely well-crafted stories that handle a variety of difficult topics in a way that younger audiences can understand. The most interesting aspect in each of these books, however, is that they seem to have messages for all ages and can be easily enjoyed by adults as well as younger kids.

The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse is an exciting fairytale that unfolds itself in a variety of delightful layers as the story progresses.  It covers a variety of heavy topics in imaginative ways with such a deft hand that I am simply in awe of Farrey. The story focuses on Aon, a girl living in the town of Emberfell, and Jeniah, the princess of the land who is soon to become queen as her mother passes on.

Everyone in Emberfell is happy. If someone dies or goes away, that person is basically forgotten about so as not to have any sadness regarding their loss. Sad things do not happen and there is no crying because everything is happy. This sounds like it could possibly be a good thing, but it also sounds, quite frankly, creepy. Aon, however, does feel sadness, which thus makes her feel like an outcast and that something within her is 'broken.' I assume the author intended to use this as a metaphor for depression, but even if he didn't, I think it works itself into the storyline extremely well. While awareness for depression is increasing in the media, it is still somewhat of a taboo in certain families and culture, which makes those that do experience such negative feelings feel like there is something wrong with them. I felt that Aon's struggle with feeling differently than the rest of her town shed an interesting light on how experiencing different moods or emotions than what others think of as 'normal' can really make you feel alienated. I think this book does a good job showing that feeling differently from others is not wrong, but is instead normal and it is important to talk to others about these topics.

Jeniah, on the other hand, is largely separated from the town (until she goes to explore the Carse and meets Aon) and struggles to come to terms with her impending status as queen. Jeniah does not feel that she is mature enough to yet be queen - which I actually find to be quite mature of her - and she struggles to come to terms with how to be responsible for an entire kingdom, as well deal with her newly appointed tutor that does nothing but frustrate her. Throughout the course of the story, Farrey subtly and expertly crafts Jeniah's character from an insecure and unaware girl into a more self-aware and knowledgeable young woman.

Farrey's writing style is very accessible and a joy to read. It is not written in an overly simplistic manner, nor is it too advanced. His words flow smoothly, and there are moments of true beauty within his writing.

I feel as though every kid - or adult -  should read this at some point because of the important topics it covers and for its reminders that it's okay to be sad, it's okay to be inexperienced, and it's okay to not always have the answers. 

As a result, I am giving The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse five stars!

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Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio, illustrated by Will Staehle

**Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye will be released Tuesday, November 24th!**

Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio, illustrated by Will Staehle. Quirk Books, 2015. Ebook.

**I received a copy of Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye courtesy of NetGalley and Quirk Books**

Throughout my yearly readings, I like to try to incorporate some fresh and interesting middle-grade books into the mix, and I always end up having such a blast diving into each imaginative new story. Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye was a perfect addition to this category, and a wonderfully crafted middle-grade book!

Warren is an orphan living at the Warren House, a once bustling and popular hotel that has since fallen into disrepair after his lazy Uncle Rupert and villainous Aunt Anaconda take over control. His Aunt Anaconda, however, believes that a mysterious item known as the all-seeing eye is located somewhere on the property and will stop at nothing to find it - even if hundreds of unexpected and strange guests begin pouring into the hotel in order to find it as well. It becomes a race between all of these characters to discover the all-seeing eye, though Warren is the only one that means to do so in order to protect his family's legacy.

Warren the 13th is overflowing with vibrant, unique, and exciting characters - I can easily promise that you will never be bored. The illustrations are wonderfully whimsy and quirky, and there is no shortage of  crazy and unnatural creatures.

Warren himself is a hardworking young boy who wants nothing more than to reinstate the beauty and splendor of this once-great Victorian hotel. He is the hero of the story, though he doesn't act like any typical heroic trope; instead, he simply acts like a responsible young boy attempting to do his best to help out at the hotel where no one else works, all without many close companions to keep him company.

Aunt Anaconda is the perfect villain in any middle-grade story, and kids of any age will have a fantastic time hating her and rooting for Warren. She's spiteful and full of disdain, which makes for an exciting time. The rest of the cast of characters are equally intriguing, and I particularly enjoyed Warren's interactions with each one, whether brief of extended. For me, these interactions allowed Warren to meet new people, form some new bonds, and also truly allow the reader to get a sense for who Warren really is and why he wants to keep his hotel together - he wants to bring back all of the unique guests that brought the hotel to life. 

The illustrations were an amazing addition to the storytelling; they were interwoven in such a unique and quirky way that truly fit the overall atmosphere of the book. Though I was still able to enjoy the illustrations perfectly fine in ebook format, I can only imagine how lovely the physical book will be!

Overall, I am giving Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye four stars for its quirky charm and delightful storytelling! The storytelling is perfect, the illustrations and text arrangements are engaging, and the characters are all exceptionally charming and inventive. This would be a great book to read with or to kids, or even on their own (don't worry, I don't see anything wrong with adults reading books for younger audiences)!

Buy the book!

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The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde