Fearless Joe Dearborne by Lisa Whitney Mitchell (review)

 

 

Fearless Joe Dearborne

 

by Lisa Whitney Mitchell

 

Genre(s): Youth/Middle Grade, Adventure

 Pages: 198

Published: July 2014

 

 

 

 

Summary:  Some might say he’s courageous, while others would say he’s daring, maybe even a little crazy. But when Joe Dearborne risked his life and ran into a burning building to save a puppy, the local newspaper referred to him as “fearless”—and that’s a pretty big title for a sixth-grader to live up to.

Plus, Joe already has plenty else to worry about. After other daring feats in the past, Joe promised his father he wouldn’t do anything dangerous again, and, alas, he’s just broken that promise.

But whatever trouble he expects to get into with his father, and despite the dangers he’s triumphed over in the past, nothing could prepare Joe for what he’s about to encounter when a cold, bitterness creeps into his home.

A mysterious and peculiar woman named Mrs. Chill has just been hired to care for Joe while his father is away on business. In no time, however, Joe discovers that she’s up to more than cooking and cleaning, and she has plans to destroy his family. Joe’s effort to save them results in perilous, sometimes humorous, encounters, and leads him on a journey through the threatening wilderness where he faces his greatest challenge yet. 

 

 

Review:  Good book for middle graders (or ages 9-14). Joe Dearborne has earned a reputation for being fearless. Fearless...but not necessarily brave. Can you guess what he needs to do in this book? When a reckless boy needs to learn about boundaries, safety and bravery there is a lot to cover here.

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop

 

Welcome to my stop on the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop!   

For this stop, you can win any winter (or winter holiday) themed book.  So if it involves the cold, snow, ice, yet or involves Christmaas, hanukkah, New Year's etc as it's focus you can win it.

The winner can chose any book they want from The book Depository!

OR

Winner can win 2 surprise ebooks with a chilling atmosphere!

Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY!!!

All giveaway rules can be found here.

Bout of Books 12-Sign Up link and statement of participation

"The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 5th and runs through Sunday, January 11th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 12 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team"

The first read-a-thon of 2015 is almost here and I will be participating!!

If you want to join as well, be sure to click the link above and sign-up!  

I have no idea for reading goals or what I plan to read but stay tuned for an update from me closer to the event week! 

Gabriels Clock by Hilton Pashley (Review)

 

 

Gabriel's Clock

by Hilton Pashley

 

Genre(s):  Youth, Paranormal

Pages: 304

Published: October 2014

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

 

 

Summary:  "onathan Smith thinks he’s a regular twelve-year-old living a normal life in England with his parents. His first clue to the contrary is the faceless monsters in suits and bowler hats that crash into his family’s cottage. It’s not until he wakes up alone in the unfamiliar village of Hobbes End that his true identity is revealed: his mother’s a demon, his dad’s an angel, and his grandfather Gabriel is the village’s angel-turned-clockmaker. As Jonathan’s one-of-a-kind angel-demon powers start to kick in, he wonders if he can prevent the archdemon Belial from taking over Heaven and Hell . . . let alone round up his parents. A swashbuckling fantasy debut!"

 

 

Review:  This is a fun paranormal novel for youthful readers. With a menagerie of characters including demons, angels, werewolves, gargoyles and talking cats!

Best of 2014 Giveaway Hop

 

Some awesome books I read that came out this year are:

 

There are many others but these are the ones currently jumping out at me the most.  

What I am offering: Winner may choose any TWO  books published in 2014 that i have given 4 or 5 stars on Goodreads.com

So you can pick from these or check the link above for more choices. 

Giveaway is INT.  Books will be email format via Amazon, B&N or smashwords (depending where I can find the format you prefer).  

Tis the Season for Giveaways Hop

brought to you by The Hopping Bloggers & Up All Night Blogging

 So in the season for giving I have a box of goodies to give away

Goodie Pack with 3 surprise Christmas novels, and a large stocking full of misc items, tasty holiday treats and more!)= Total value $50+

 *Winner will even get to give me some ideas for what to put in their stocking!

 

This is a rare time for which I am willing to ship internationally for a prize  but I want everyone to have a chance at this.  

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (review)

 

 

Hex Hall (1)

 

by Rachel Hawkins

 

Genre(s): Young Adult, Paranormal

Pages:  323

Published: March 2010

Publisher: Hyperion

 

Summary:  "Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tag-along ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her."


Review:   When I first started reading this I was not sure I wanted to finish it. It came across as VERY young adult. The first person narration style we get for Sophie is bona fide teen speak. So while I could quickly see this appealing to teens (13-17) I had a hard time thinking of anyone over the age of 20 that would enjoy being stuck in her head. Luckily I gave it a few chapters and it does mellow out a slight bit enough to tolerate. Through in some her snarky personality and it made the book reasonably enjoyable.

Orphan Blade by M Nicholas Almand and Jake Myler (review)

 

 Orphan Blade

 

by M. Nicholas Almand & Jake Myler

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 160

Published: Dec 2014

Publisher: Oni Press

Summary:  "Hadashi is a boy with simple dreams... but his life changes when a horrific accident maims his hand! Unable to hold a sword, he's kicked out of his dojo home. But the Orphan Blade is no ordinary sword. When Hadashi comes across the abandoned blade, he finds that not only is he able to wield it - the sword seems to be wielding him! He's not the only one interested in the Orphan Blade, though, and his ownership draws the attention of the Five Fingers of Death - a deadly group of mercenaries who have their own magical and deadly weapons.

 

 

 

Review:  Almost 2.5 stars but not quite there. I wanted to like this, I really did. The artwork is fun and playful and reminded me a bit of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Sadly the story did not live up to it's end...

The first thing that hurt this was right at the beginning. The prologue. I could not read it! The font style and size caused my eyes so much pain attempting to read it I just skipped it. So this comic and I were not off to a good start. One I get past that however, it seems to pick up. Playful artwork, expressive characters....I was happily reading along for awhile