Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero

Tale of the Flying Forest  by R.M. Romero
Rating: 3 stars
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Format: eBook (Library)  + ARC (from Publisher)
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero delivers on its promise of being a Jewish take on Narnia, with plenty of folktale and fairytale influences. It's also reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland at times. While I found it a little difficult to stay engaged while reading, the illustrations added to the story’s charm and worldbuilding. I also enjoyed the third-person narration, particularly the moments when the narrator broke the fourth wall to address the reader directly.

I appreciated the book’s strong focus on family, kindness and representation. I can also see the Hansel and Gretel comparisons, though the story feels more like Gretel following clues through a magical forest to piece together the story of a lost brother (Hansel) she’s never met.

Overall, this was an enjoyable middle grade read with some interesting ideas, even if it didn’t quite leave a lasting impression on me.

REVIEW Part of Your World (A Twisted Tale Graphic Novel) by Liz Braswell

Part of Your World (A Twisted Tale Graphic Novel) 

by Liz Braswell
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Release Date: 
Format: eBook (Borrowed from Library) 
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

The Twisted Tale series are such an interesting take on the Disney Fairytales we all know and love. Liz Braswell’s Part of Your World, based on the story of The Little Mermaid, covers what would have happened if Ariel had never defeated Ursula. Stephanie Strohm did an excellent job adapting the original story for a graphic novel format, and Kelly and Nichole Matthews did a great job bringing the story to life with their illustrations.

The original story of The Little Mermaid had the happily ever after ending that the Disney princess stories are known for, but as an adult parts can come across as unrealistic. This book, however, is the type of sequel that honors the original Disney magic and a more mature storyline. There are some darker themes that would not be suitable for young readers (this would be ideal for a late middle grade to young adult audience). Despite how iconic the movie is, I actually enjoyed the ending of this book more than the original movie (or its sequel, The Little Mermaid 2). After finishing this book, I’m excited to go back and read the original version as well as check out some of the other Twisted Tales (I’m particularly excited for Sally’s Lament by Mari Mancusi, which comes out in October 2024). 

BLOG TOUR Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson

Hi friends! Welcome to tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours for Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson. Check out the post to learn more about the book and the author as well as where you can get a copy of the book. Make sure you show the other tour hosts some love as well. The link to the tour schedule is below. 

Happy reading everyone!

Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

Merry doesn’t need a happily-ever-after. Her life in the charming, idyllic town of Candlecott is fine just as it is. Simple, happy, and with absolutely no magic. Magic only ever leads to trouble.

But Merry’s best friend, Teddy, is joining the Toadmen—a secret society who specialize in backward thinking and suspiciously supernatural traditions—and Merry is determined to stop him. Even if it means teaming up with the person she hates most: her academic archnemesis, Caraway Boswell, an ice-cold snob who hides his true face under a glamour.

An ancient Toad ritual is being held in the sinister Deeping Fen, and if Merry doesn’t rescue Teddy before it’s finished, she’ll lose him forever. But the Toadmen have been keeping dangerous secrets, and so has Caraway. The farther Merry travels into Deeping Fen’s foul waters, the more she wonders if she’s truly come to save her friend . . . or if she’s walking straight into a trap.

There’s nothing the Toadmen love more than a damsel in distress.

Genre: YA Fantasy
Publishing date: April 16th, 2024

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

REVIEW of Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Format: eARC (Courtesy of Publisher and TBR and Beyond Tours) and Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Lili Wilkinson’s newest young adult fantasy novel, Deep is the Fen, was a surprisingly gripping read. Mixing bits of fantasy and fairy tale with romance and mystery, I was hooked rather quickly after starting. At times, I thought I knew where the story was going but the author kept me on my toes. 

Merriweather Morgan, usually referred to as ‘Merry’ or ‘Morgan’ enjoys life with her best friends Teddy and Sol while also keeping her ability to see magic (or “mettle”) a secret from everyone she knows. When Teddy decides he wants to join the same male only group her father is a part of, the ‘Toadmen’, Merry is desperate to stop him and not lose one of her only friends. When she teams up with rival Caraway Boswell, however, they discover there’s a lot more to the Toadmen than meets the eye. 

Worldbuilding caught my attention in this book fairly quickly. I really loved the secret society nature of the Toadmen, as well as the magic system in place in the world. Magic is controlled by powerful corporations, and they’ve made it taboo for anyone to practice it outside of what they produce. Rogue witches are locked away for “rehabilitation”, and the practices of groups like the Toadmen are ignored in the name of power. There are some darker elements in the book (bordering on horror), but I think it all blended together very well to create a narrative I found myself very invested in.

The characters were compelling too. I really liked Caraway and Merry’s dynamic, and it was fun to see their progression from rivals to lovers. As a secondary relationship, it was also nice to see Teddy and Sol’s love story too, especially since it’s a queer romance (Sol is described to be transgender early in the story). The various side characters were compelling too, and I appreciated how they added to the overall narrative. 

My only complaint about the book was the setting. It was really hard to envision at times, what with the seemingly fairy tale village esque references mixed with more contemporary references (i.e. prom, conventions, cars, etc.) Once we got to the Fen, it was easier but everything outside of that was almost mismatched in my head at times. 

Overall, this was a great read and I’m happy I took the time to pick it up after the blog tour. I would recommend this book to young adult fantasy readers who enjoy unique worldbuilding, innovative magic systems, and a “rivals to lovers” romance subplot. Narrator Imogen Wilde did an excellent job with her performance in the audiobook. While this book is standalone (and wraps up nicely), I will definitely be checking out more of Ms. Wilkinson’s books in the future (especially her debut novel, A Hunger of Thorns which I learned is set in the same world as this book). 

Thank you to the author, the publisher Delacorte Press, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Deep is the Fen immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About the Author

Lili Wilkinson is the award-winning author of eighteen books for young people, including The Erasure Initiative and After the Lights Go Out. Lili has a PhD from the University of Melbourne, and is a passionate advocate for YA and the young people who read it, establishing the Inky Awards at the Centre for Youth Literature, State Library of Victoria. Her latest book is Deep is the Fen.

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REVIEW The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart #2) by Stephanie Garber

The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart #2) by Stephanie Garber
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: September 13, 2022
Format: Hardcover (Personal Copy) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Flatiron Books 

Stephanie Garber’s The Ballad of Never After picks up after the events of Once Upon a Broken Heart. Evangeline is reeling from Jacks’ betrayal and determined to lift the curse off her new husband Apollo, convinced the happily ever after ending she’s been chasing is almost within her reach. Her plans also include preventing the Fates from opening the Valory arch, but when Apollo wakes under the effects of a new curse that may be the only hope to save him. Forced to team up with the roguish Prince of Hearts, they must hunt down the missing arch stones and risk opening the Arch (and unleashing the terrible force it is rumored to be holding back).

“It was a smile like a fairytale, part villain, part hero, part impossible ever after. She couldn’t bear how much she loved it.”

The romance between Evangeline and Jacks really moves forward in this book. It’s still very much a slow-burn romance, but the tension between them is increasing, and they transition from being always combative with each other to occasional reluctant allies. I love their fun banter and how readers see more of Jacks’ backstory in this book (along with some of the other Fates). The curse on Evangeline and Apollo does complicate things, especially toward the end of the book and I’m dying to know how things will end up for them. After all, I’m a proud fan of the Evangeline and Jacks ship (Apollo is awful for Evangeline, so he needs to leave and find his happily ever after with someone else). 

I love Stephanie Garber’s whimsical writing, and she didn’t disappoint with this book. She paints imaginative pictures (like midnight armies of sparkles or pastry goblins) and evokes all of your senses (Jacks’ scent of apples and magic sounds absolutely divine). Readers will enjoy all of the traditional fairytale elements she weaves into the story, all without feeling repetitive or predictable. If you can pick up a physical copy of the book, I highly recommend it! The North is a land filled with magic and fairy tales, and the map helps bring that to life (an eBook version of the map simply doesn’t do it justice). 

Once again, Stephanie Garber delivered an amazing book with The Ballad of Never After. That ending was a cliffhanger and emotionally gut-wrenching, so I’m relieved that there will be a sequel. I would have rioted if that was the ending to Jacks and Evangeline’s story. Rebecca Soler delivered another stellar performance with this audiobook narration. I would recommend the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series to young adult readers who enjoy whimsical fairy tales, intricate world-building, and well-developed characters. 

About the Book

Not every love is meant to be.

After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she'll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.

But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.

Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can...

The fiercely-anticipated sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Once Upon a Broken Heart, starring Evangeline Fox and the Prince of Hearts on a new journey of magic, mystery, and heartbreak.

About the Author

Stephanie Garber is the #1  New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of THE CARAVAL SERIES, which has been translated in over 25 languages. Her newest book, ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART, releases September 28, 2021.

When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading or watching television shows with vampires. Now that her dream of becoming a published author has come true, her new dream is to visit Club 33 at Disneyland.

If your dream is to write books, Stephanie has a list of writing resources HERE. She also has a list of past interviews for anyone who’s trying to do a school assignment, or just curious about her writing: FIRST DRAFT PODCAST, 88 CUPS OF TEA, INTERVIEW WITH A CLOCKWORK READER, BOOKS INC. INTERVIEW, LIBRO.FM INTERVIEW.

BLOG TOUR Fractured Path (The Mirror #3) by J.C. Cervantes

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the FRACTURED PATH by J.C. Cervantes Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: FRACTURED PATH (The Mirror #3)

Author: J.C. Cervantes

Pub. Date: August 2, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 384

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N,  TBD, Bookshop.org

*Please note - this post contains affiliate links, from which we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase

Can dreams come true when you're living with a family curse?

1965—San Francisco, California

The 1960s are bursting with music and movement and love in San Francisco, perfect for a budding artist like Blake. Unfortunately, the art world is not welcoming to people of her gender or her multi-racial heritage, making it tough to land an internship that could put her on the map. That, plus the fact that Blake’s family has been notoriously riddled with bad luck, makes her feel like she can’t catch a break. Things only get worse when Blake starts to have ominous, confusing visions that grow stronger and more frequent, prompting Blake’s aunt and uncle to tell her about a long-lost family heirloom that could be the key to everything

Fueled by the ambiguous clues in her visions, Blake sets out on a journey through the city to retrieve her ancestors’ legendary mirror. But Blake is not the only one looking for it. Soon she must attempt to unleash her own dormant powers . . . or else risk all she holds dear.

Fractured Path is the third book in the YA fairy-tale quartet, following one family—and the curse that plagues it—over several generations.

Haven’t read the first 2 books in THE MIRROR QUARTET? Get them now!

Check out my review of the first book in The Mirror Quartet, Broken Wish, here!

Check out my review of the second book in The Mirror Quartet, Shattered Midnight, here!

REVIEW of Fractured Path (The Mirror #3) by J.C. Cervantes
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: August 2, 2022

Format: eARC (Provided by Publisher and Rockstar Book Tours)

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

PLEASE NOTE: While this review is free of spoilers for Fractured Path, there may be some minor spoilers for Broken Wish and Shattered Midnight. If you have not read the first two books in the series, please proceed with caution!

“Magic is often fractured, unpracticed in the hands of those who haven’t had proper training.”

In the first two books of the Mirror series, readers were treated to stories taking place in 1800s Germany and 1920s New Orleans. Now, with J.C. Cervantes’ Fractured Path we skip another generation and move to 1960s San Francisco. Blake is the granddaughter of Zora (the protagonist of Shattered Midnight), and her life is starting to be affected by magic (and the curse) now too. As her birthday approaches, she starts to have dreams (bordering on nightmares), and she and her family believe those dreams are the key to understanding the mystery of her family’s past. Will she be able to fix things, or will she be the latest family member to succumb to the curse’s power?

This book is slightly different than the first two, as now instead of having the two separate bloodlines they have been combined. One thing I really appreciated in Fractured Path that wasn’t really present in Broken Wish or Shattered Midnight is the presence of adult figures in Blake’s life who are ready and willing to help her figure things out. Elva’s parents refused to acknowledge her power in Broken Wish, and we all know how that turned out. Zora did embrace the musical aspect of her gift, and that led her to Phillip, but after the heartbreak at the end of Shattered Midnight, she refuses to use it ever again (in the misguided belief that it will spare her family more pain). Now, Blake has a more watered-down version of magic than other members of her family (like her mother and grandmother) but when the curse comes into play her aunt and uncles are more than willing to help as much as they can. I loved that, and I think if Zora or Elva had someone like that in their lives things would have turned out much differently. 

I’m still incredibly impressed by how well the authors have maintained a sense of continuity throughout the books. I can only imagine how many calls and planning sessions and drafts were necessary to make that happen. Each author has expanded upon the worldbuilding of the series, and J.C. Cervantes did a great job with her piece of things. If you like the worldbuilding in her Storm Runner series, then I feel you’ll like what she did with this book. 

My one (minor) issue with this book is that it didn’t deliver the same vibe and atmospheric feel as the others did. Maybe it’s just a personal opinion because San Francisco doesn’t equate to as many ideas or concepts as New Orleans (music, great food, racial segregation in the 1920s) or Germany (Brothers Grimm, older more superstitious culture, prevalence of religious ideas and power) do, but that was a difference I noticed between the three books. 

Once again, Disney delivered yet another fantastic installment to the Mirror series. With how Fractured Path ended, I’m eager to get my hands on L.L. McKinney’s Splintered Magic to figure out how the story (and hopefully the curse) will end for the family after so many years. While you could technically read these books individually as standalone novels, I recommend reading them in order for the most in-depth and satisfying reading experience. 

Thank you to the author, Disney Books, and Jaime at Rockstar Book Tours for providing me with a complimentary review copy. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Fractured Path immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About J. C. Cervantes:

J. C. Cervantes (www.jccervantes.com) is the New York Times best-selling author of The Storm Runner, which Booklist called "a rip-roaring adventure" in a starred review. Her first novel, Tortilla Sun, was a 2010 New Voices pick by the American Booksellers Association and was named to Bank Street's 2011 Best Book List. Jen grew up in San Diego and was fascinated by stories about Maya gods and magic. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter: @jencerv, and Instagram: #authorjcervantes.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of FRACTURED PATH, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/1/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
7/2/2022	Sadie's Spotlight	Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

7/3/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
7/4/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
7/5/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
7/6/2022	@jaimerockstarbooktours	IG Post
7/7/2022	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt/IG Post
7/8/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
7/9/2022	The Moon Phoenix	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

7/10/2022	Stacialovestoread	Review/IG Post
7/11/2022	Fire and Ice	Review
7/12/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
7/13/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review
7/14/2022	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
7/15/2022	Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog	Review/IG Post
7/16/2022	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

7/17/2022	Kait Plus Books	Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
7/18/2022	beersbooksandboos	Review/IG Post
7/19/2022	The Chatty Bookworm	TikTok Review/IG Post
7/20/2022	pluvioreads	Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
7/21/2022	History from a Woman’s Perspective	Review
7/22/2022	A Backwards Story	Review/IG Post
7/23/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post

Week Five:

7/24/2022	A Bookish Dream	Review/IG Post
7/25/2022	hodophile_z	IG Review
7/26/2022	onemused	IG Review
7/27/2022	@drewsim12	IG Review/TikTok Post
7/28/2022	Books and Zebras	IG Review
7/29/2022	@lexijava	Review/IG Post
7/30/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review

Week Six:

7/31/2022

popthebutterfly

Review/IG Post/TikTok Post

REVIEW Shattered Midnight (The Mirror Book 2) by Dhonielle Clayton

Shattered Midnight (The Mirror Book 2) 

by Dhonielle Clayton
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: January 18, 2022
Format: Audiobook (Personal Library)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion 

Check out my review of the first book in the series, Broken Wish!

Check out my review of the third book in the series, Fractured Path

Get your copy of the book on Bookshop.org

Get your copy of the audiobook on Libro.fm

Get your copy of the book on Book Depository

*Please note - this post contains affiliate links, from which we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase

Dhonielle Clayton’s Shattered Midnight is the second book in The Mirror series, and it was well worth the wait after the release of the first book. This story is the sequel to that of Julie C. Dao’s Broken Wish, and events move from being based in 1800s Germany to 1920’s New Orleans. Zora and Phillip are the newest members of the original families from Broken Wish to be affected by magic and the powerful family curse, and the lovebirds must find a way to ensure their happily ever after ending comes true in a world determined to stop it at all costs.  

This is different from the first book in a couple of ways (all of them good). Shattered Midnight is primarily a romance, whereas Broken Wish deals with more familial platonic bonds. Both books have the main characters facing large amounts of prejudice during their journey, but Elva and Mathilda are shunned because of their association with magic more than anything else. On the other hand, while Zora and Phillip do have some magical ability their challenges stem primarily from the racial segregation laws of the time. Both books are similar in the way they maintain the feel of a traditional fairy tale and even use some familiar archetypes; elements in Shattered Midnight reminded me of Cinderella (cruel matriarch and her two daughters, unexpected prince charming who has to whisk our heroine away…)

I love how the authors maintained the storyline throughout the books but demonstrated their individual styles. Ms. Clayton did a fantastic job making links to Broken Wish, while also foreshadowing some small details for the next book (Fractured Path). The continuity and growth of the magic system over the course of the series has been cool - I was especially intrigued by the musical aspect of Zora’s magical talents, and how each member of her family has a different way of using their gifts (cooking, music, potions, etc.). I would be curious to learn how much research the author had to do about the music because everything felt so real and almost effortless in the descriptions. I never had an issue immersing myself in the story (especially the scenes where Zora was performing); as a die-hard fantasy reader that was super exciting. Adenrele Ojo did a fantastic job with the narration; my only teeny tiny suggestion for improvement would have been to include some background music in the narration to help add even more depth to the performance.  

Overall, Shattered Midnight was a fun and entertaining read. I’m already a big fan of the author who writes the next book in the series, J.C. Cervantes, so I’m curious to see what she’ll do with the 1960s and the family curse in Fractured Path. I’m also curious to see how L.L. McKinney closes out the series with her book Splintered Magic (which will be set in New York circa 2003). If an immersive, diverse historical fantasy story sounds like something you would enjoy, then pick up the series today! I highly recommend reading the books in order for the best reading experience (you may miss out on some details otherwise). 

About the Book

Can dreams come true when you're living with a family curse?

Zora Broussard has arrived in New Orleans with not much more than a bag of clothes, a beautiful voice, and a pair of enchanted red shoes. Running from a tragic accident caused by her magic, Zora wants nothing more than to blend in, as well as to avoid her overbearing aunt and mean-spirited cousins. Music becomes Zora's only means of escape, yet she wonders if she should give it all up to remove the powers that make her a target, especially as a Black woman in the South.

But when Zora gets the chance to perform in a prominent jazz club, she meets a sweet white pianist named Phillip with magic of his own, including a strange mirror that foretells their future together. Falling into a forbidden love, Zora and Phillip must keep their relationship a secret. And soon the two discover the complicated connection between their respective families, a connection that could lead to catastrophe for them both. In the era of segregation and speakeasies, Zora must change her destiny and fight for the one she loves . . . or risk losing everything.

The Mirror: Shattered Midnight is the second novel in the innovative four-book fairy-tale quartet written by Julie C. Dao, Dhonielle Clayton, J.C. Cervantes, and L. L. McKinney, following one family over several generations, and the curse that plagues it.

About Dhonielle Clayton:

Dhonielle Clayton is the New York Times best-selling author of the Belles series, The Mirror: Shattered Midnight, and the coauthor of Blackout and the Tiny Pretty Things duology, now a Netflix original series. She hails from the Washington, DC, suburbs on the Maryland side. She taught secondary school for several years, and is a former elementary and middle school librarian. She is COO of the non-profit We Need Diverse Books, and president of Cake Creative, an IP story kitchen dedicated to diverse representation. She’s an avid traveler, and always on the hunt for magic and mischief. Up next: The Marvellers, her middle grade fantasy debut. You can find her on social media @brownbookworm.

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