Category: five stars

Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older || Diverse Cultures, Diverse Mythology

Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older || Diverse Cultures, Diverse Mythology

Content Tags: Young Adult     Fantasy     Urban Fantasy     Mythology     Diversity     Cuban     Jewish     Death     Perfect for readers who want: Diverse cultures that have all come together and mixed Bilingual characters with some Spanglish slipped in Unique mythology A hilariously relatable narrative […]

Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl by Julie Kagawa || Indiana Jones Meets Rick Riordan

Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl by Julie Kagawa || Indiana Jones Meets Rick Riordan

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Fantasy     Adventure     Mythology     Diversity     Squad Vibes     Perfect for readers who want: Lots of action, adventure, and danger to be overcome A diverse cast of characters from very different backgrounds Indiana Jones meets Rick Riordan books Aztec mythology A super […]

A Darkening of Dragons by S.A. Patrick || Fast-Paced, Magical MG Adventure . . . With Dragons!

A Darkening of Dragons by S.A. Patrick || Fast-Paced, Magical MG Adventure . . . With Dragons!

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Fantasy     Humor     Retelling     Dragons     Squad Vibes     Death     Perfect for readers who want: A world filled with magic, adventure, and the unexpected. A retelling of the Piper of Hamelyn . . . with dragons? A super lovable squad […]

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye || Hard-Hitting Fantasy Featuring Orisha

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye || Hard-Hitting Fantasy Featuring Orisha

Content Tags: Young Adult     Fantasy     High Fantasy     Mythology     Diversity     Orisha     Squad Vibes     Graphic Gore     Attempted Rape/Sexual Assault     Genocide     Death     Perfect for readers who want: A high fantasy world based on Orisha and Yoruban […]

Sundial by Catriona Ward || Utterly Addictive Thriller Horror

Sundial by Catriona Ward || Utterly Addictive Thriller Horror

Content Tags: Adult     Horror     Psychological Thriller     Thriller     Unreliable Narrator     Graphic Gore     Character Death     Miscarriage     Abuse     Animal Cruelty     Perfect for readers who want: Psychological thriller that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. Two unreliable […]

The Swallowtail Legacy: Wreck at Ada’s Reef by Michael D. Beil || Addictive MG Mystery With Heart

The Swallowtail Legacy: Wreck at Ada’s Reef by Michael D. Beil || Addictive MG Mystery With Heart

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Mystery     Contemporary     Blended Family     Family Bonds     Grief/Loss     Perfect for readers who want: A compelling cold case mystery that needs solving. Putting together clues and spotting inconsistencies. Heartwarming family dynamics. Grief and healing and family coming together from the loss […]

The Weeping Tide by Amanda Foody || Pokemon Meets Sea-Faring Adventure

The Weeping Tide by Amanda Foody || Pokemon Meets Sea-Faring Adventure

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Fantasy     Adventure     Diversity     Missing Limbs     Squad Vibes     Perfect for readers who want: Pokemon-esque creatures that bond with and fight alongside humans. A vast, rich world filled with danger and wonder. Soul-searching and trying to find one’s place in a […]

Five-Star Reads of 2021

Five-Star Reads of 2021

Posted January 4, 2022 in book list, five stars, top ten tuesdays / 30 Comments

Now that 2021 is officially over, it seems like a good time to shout about all my new loves I discovered in the past year. Because what’s a year without losing your heart, having it shatter into a million pieces, and decimating your enemies? Not necessarily in that order. Figuratively, of course. *cough* I read […]

The Fowl Twins: Get What They Deserve by Eoin Colfer || Hilarious Action Adventure MG

The Fowl Twins: Get What They Deserve by Eoin Colfer || Hilarious Action Adventure MG

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Adventure     Fantasy     Action     Humor     Sibling Bonds     Squad Vibes     Perfect for readers who want: Hilarious third person omniscient narrative style. Lots of action that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. A small almost-villain supergenius who is […]