REVIEW: The Last Kids on Earth and the Cosmic Beyond

The Last Kids on Earth and the Cosmic Beyond
Author: Max Brallier

I love listening to this series on audio. Robbie Daymond gives such a great performance each time! The stories are filled with action and humor, plus zombies and monsters. What's not to love?

The premise -- the zombie apocalypse came to town. Most people were turned into zombies. Some kids escaped being zombified and live in the city avoiding the hordes of undead the best they can. There are also monsters that zapped their way into this world through a portal from another dimension. Luckily, some monsters are friendly....so the kids have some large buddies to help them out. That's a good thing....because other monsters are evil.

It's winter time now.....and the kids soon learn that their monster buddies are afraid of snow. So, they decide to help them get over that fear by planning the best part of a kid's winter -- Christmas! Their plans take a detour when they meet up with a new foe.....who steals Jack's most prized possession, the Louisville Slicer!

The audio book is just under 4 hours long. Easy listening length. Lots of zombie and monster fighting humor as usual. Daymond gave his usual enthusiastic performance. I really enjoy these books! The characters and plots are just fun and innocently entertaining. Moving on to the next book -- The Last Kids on Earth and.....the Midnight Blade!

REVIEW: The City Among the Stars

The City Among the Stars
Author: Francis Carsac

I love Sci-fi books. Old, new and most anything in between. When I saw that The City Among the Stars was the first English translation of a French sci-fi classic, I jumped right on it. But....I did not enjoy this story as much as I originally thought I would.

First, the translation seems a bit clunky. The sentences don't flow very well....awkward phrases, stilted conversation, strange word choices. I had a hard time keeping my mind in the story as I struggled through awkwardly written sentences. Not a clean translation...needs some work. The story definitely seems to have lost something in translation.

Second, I found the characters annoying. The entire force of the plot is backed by various characters (and cultures) being completely unwilling to bend or compromise in any way. And all seem to be willing to put others in danger to feed their own selfish ends. That gets really old after awhile. And female characters seem to exist to drape over the arm of men. The main character seems to believe all women are in love with him -- and that they enjoy being yelled at constantly. It's hard to enjoy a story when you detest the main character. Tankar Holroy is an asshat.

This story is just not for me. I didn't like the story or the characters. I'm willing to chalk it up to something lost in translation....or maybe that this story just didn't age well. It was originally published in 1962.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Saturdays

The Saturdays
Author: Elizabeth Enright

How did I miss reading this lovely book series as a kid?? I was a voracious reader....and I loved books like this! But....some things are best saved for a later day? Maybe? I'm 51...and just now discovering these delightful books! I did not discover the joy that Enright's writing can bring until I came across Gone-Away Lake and Return to Gone-Away, totally by accident. I read those two books first (loved them!)...and then moved on to this series.

OMG...I had such fun reading this story! It is a bit dated (first published in 1941), but it didn't put a damper on my enjoyment of the story one bit. There are four children in the Melendy family -- Mona, Rush, Miranda, and 6-year old Oliver. They live with their father and a housekeeper, Cuffy. Cuffy is a beloved member of the family, stepping in as a substitute mom of sorts for the throng after the death of their mother. Father writes for a living, and offers up common sense wisdom when needed. He also complains about coal furnaces, the price of everything, and the woes of home repair, as all dads do. Mona wants to be an actress. Rush likes to joke around and loves the theater, especially opera. Miranda is a free spirit and just wants to be herself. And Oliver.....he's just a bit tired of being too little to do things like his siblings do. The kids are bored. Saturdays should be a day where they get to go out and do things...but money is a bit of a crunch. So, they decide to form a club and pool their money. Every Saturday one of them will get to go out and do something fun...whatever they choose. It's the 1940s....a kid can do a lot with $1.60! Each section of this book is a different Saturday....and a new adventure for each kid in the Melendy family and some shared excitement. Even some danger!

I listened to the audio book version of this story. Narrated by Pamela Dillman, the audio is just over 4 hours long. Dillman gives a great performance. And the story is just enchantingly fun! Every Saturday is an adventure! Fun is had -- lessons are learned -- life is lived. :)

When the book finished, I found myself wondering what I would have chosen to do on MY Saturday, if I had been a Melendy. At 12, I probably would have chosen a day at the zoo where I could wander at will and look at my favorite animals as long as I wanted to. Then a trip to a nearby bookstore, where I could browse the shelves and buy one book I really wanted....then sit outside in the sunshine for awhile and read. Then back home. :) That would have been the perfect day for me at 12. And, you know.....I think it would be a perfect day for me at 51, too!! :)

Moving on to the next book -- The Four-Story Mistake. There are four books in the series. And luckily my library has them all on audio!

REVIEW: GenPet

GenPet
Author: Damian Campanario
Artist: Alex Fuentes

In 2036, technology has advanced and genetically engineered pets are all the rage. A Hong Kong firm creates GenPets to order, but only the wealthy can afford them. Nat Kanan's father owns the Knicks...so he gets one of these new age pets. Niko is not only a pet, but also a bodyguard. That does come in handy, but also attracts the attention of some bad, bad guys who want to use Niko for more criminal pursuits.

Fun, graphic novel! This book is geared towards middle grade age kids. The art is colorful and the storyline is simple, action-packed and entertaining. What kid wouldn't want a pet they designed that can actually bond with their DNA becoming truly theirs? While that is a bit cringe-worthy for me as an adult, when I was a kid.....OMG....a kitty that was made to order that was truly bonded with me would have been SO cool! If I was ordering my own GenPet, I think I would want a kitty that looked like a small panda bear that could change colors at will. Yep....that would be my order. I wonder how much that little gem would cost?? Ha ha! I don't own the Knicks....so I'm guessing it would be out of my price range. I might be able to get a tiny cockroach with a bad attitude, or maybe a blind rat with no tail. :)

Fun story! The art is wonderful! Loved it!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this graphic novel from Magnetic Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. What do you name a color-changing panda cat?  Frank. Yep, definitely Frank.**

REVIEW: Mummies Exposed

Mummies Exposed
Author: Kerrie Logan Hollihan

My reading tastes run a bit toward the creepy/mysterious side....so the Creepy & True Series is one I just had to read! I read this first book on mummies and the upcoming second book, Ghosts Unveiled, in one sitting! Both are totally awesome!

This book is detailed and educational, but written on a level that a middle grade student could easily understand. It is dealing with mummified bodies, burial, death and other slightly grisly subjects...but nothing is inappropriate for elementary age children. The book is set up for reading, classroom or instructional use....it has a table of contents, index, glossary and a lengthy notes section for readers who want to delve more into the subject. There are full color photos and illustrations throughout.

Not only does the book give information about how some bodies naturally mummify in dry conditions or acidic conditions like peat bogs, but it also touches on ritualistic mummification. Some famous mummies are featured -- Otzi, The Lady of Cao, Lady Dai and others. I found myself pausing in my reading to look up more on these mummies. So interesting!!

I liked how the author gave in-depth detail on mummies, history, and science at a level that school children could easily understand and enjoy. She does not use complex scientific terms without explaining exactly what the terms mean and she writes in a conversational manner. This book could be a way to get a curious, but reluctant, reader to enjoy a book! There are lots of photos and the text is simple but engaging. This could also be used for supplemental reading in a classroom or just as an educational and entertaining book for a child (or adult -- I loved this book!) to read.

I'm definitely going to read more by this author! The books are targeted to middle grade age students, but definitely enjoyable for adults too! 

REVIEW: One Taste Too Many

One Taste Too Many
Author: Debra Goldstein

I enjoy cozy mysteries. Sometimes I just need something cute and entertaining with just an edge of dangerous...cozies fit that need perfectly! A cute dog/cat/kitschy theme paired with murder and amateur sleuthing! This series caught my eye because of the lovely Siamese cat on the cover. I have a very soft spot in my heart for Siamese cats....so I had to try this series!  Cozy mystery fun....a Siamese cat....and a new-to-me author! Happiness all around!

In this first book in the Sarah Blair series, Sarah is newly divorced. She has moved a bit down the ladder from the lavish lifestyle she enjoyed with her husband Bill to a studio apartment and a job as a receptionist in a lawyer's office. But she still has her beloved cat, RahRah -- the one thing her ex-husband let her take when their marriage died. Just as she is coming to grips with her new life, her ex-husband drops dead...and her sister is a prime suspect. Was Bill's death murder-by-rhubarb-crisp?? Or something more sinister? When it looks like her sister might go to jail and her ex's bimbo might be able to legally take RahRah from her, Sarah jumps into sleuthing. Can she help Emily...and manage to somehow keep RahRah??

I listened to the audio book version of this story. I will admit that it took me awhile to get used to the narrator's voice. Emily Beresford gives a great performance, but I took awhile to warm up to her slightly nasal tone. Once the story got going, I got used to Beresford's voice....and was sucked into the plot. This book was a perfect companion for my commutes to work and while working around the house. :) Very enjoyable story! I like the setting and the characters. The mystery is engaging with plenty of sleuthing and twists. I expected part of the ending -- but not all of it. All in all, a very entertaining and fun listening experience! I already have the audio of book 2, Two Bites Too Many, checked out on Hoopla.....and a review copy of the newest book (due out in August) on my review-TBR pile! I will definitely be reading all of this series!

REVIEW: A Spell for Trouble

A Spell for Trouble
Author: Esme Addison

I think I have found a new favorite cozy mystery series! A Spell for Trouble is the first book in the new Enchanted Bay Mysteries.

Alex Daniels comes back to Bellamy Bay, NC after years away. Her father didn't like her Aunt Lidia and her cousins. He said they were odd and not like them, and made her promise never to go back. But after his death, she goes back for some family comfort. What else do you do when you quit your job without a plan B? Her Aunt Lidia runs a herbal apothecary shop, Botanika. It sells tea, herbal remedies and a few extra things....luck potions and the like. Alex quickly feels a part of the family again and starts to think about how to put her life back together. But.....

There's always a but, isn't there??

But.....her aunt is suddenly arrested for murder. A troublesome customer is found dead....and Aunt Lidia is blamed. Alex knows she needs to do some serious sleuthing...because while her family exhibits some strange talents....her aunt is not a murderer!

This tale is cute, entertaining and fun to read! It made for a great afternoon of reading!! I like the setting (because I live in NC, I love reading cozies set here!), the characters and the basic plot. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book!! Luckily Esme Addison is currently working on the second book in this series....plus the first book in another new series! I will definitely be reading both!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**