The Bone Charmer by Breeana Shields

The Bone Charmer by Breeana Shields
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Publication Date: May 21, 2019
Number of Pages: 400 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: Library

Summary {via GoodReads}: In Saskia’s world, bones are the source of all power. They tell the future, reveal the past, and expose secrets in the present. Each village has a designated seer who performs readings for the townsfolk, and in Midwood, the Bone Charmer is Saskia’s mother.

On the day of her kenning—a special bone reading that determines the apprenticeships of all seventeen-year-olds—Saskia’s worst fears come true. She receives an assignment to train as a Bone Charmer, like her mother, and even worse, a match-making reading that pairs her with Bram—a boy who has suspicious tattoos that hint of violence.

Saskia knows her mother saw multiple paths for her, yet chose one she knew Saskia wouldn’t want. Their argument leads to a fracture in one of the bones. Broken bones are always bad luck, but this particular set of bones have been infused with extra magic, and so the break has devastating consequences—Saskia’s future has split as well. Now she will live her two potential paths simultaneously. Only one future can survive. And Saskia’s life is in danger in both.

She thinks: Split story line? Sign me up!

Saskia is a force to be reckoned with in both plots after the unfortunate mishap with the bones at her kenning. I loved how fierce she was, but, let's be real, she had some seriously dumb moments, too. Which is fine by me because nobody is perfect. I just wanted to reach in a slap her a couple of times. That's all.

I'm also completely on #TeamBram ONE MILLION PERCENT. Mysterious tattoos? Dark, brooding male? Yes, please. Where can I get my own? [Don't worry, honey. I still love you, too!] And, then, when you learn the origin of his tattoos...oh my stars! I'm swooning at just the thought. God B.l.e.s.s.

Ahem.

And, just when you think your heart can't possibly take it anymore...the story lines merge. And, then, the end comes. And, then, you cry. Because it's bittersweet. And, it hurts. And, you need more. But you have to wait until May 2020, and, honestly, that's too far away.

Breeana Shields, you are a master at manipulating my feelings with your words. Thank you.

The Cruel Prince & The Wicked King by Holly Black [a two-in-one review]

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
Number of Pages: 370 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: Library

Summary {via GoodReads}: Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

She thinks: I was conflicted about reading this book. I actually checked it out twice from the library before I attempted to read it again, for a third time. Thank goodness for audiobooks!

I was driven to read it from all the fandom posts that kept popping up on my Instagram and Pinterest feeds...and I'm sooooooo glad I did.

Holy wow.

I was not expecting any of that. It's dark. It's real. It doesn't hold back. This is definitely not a fluffy little piece of lit. It's raw, and I liked it.

Jude and Cardan are the best. Their "Screw You/Screw Me" relationship is fantastically built. No insta-love here. And, the familial dynamic. And, the betrayals happening almost every time you turn the page. I just never knew what to expect. I thought I'd have it figured out, but then - BAM! Guess again, Cassie. Guess. Again.

I got about a third of the way through the book before I begged a friend of mine to read it because I seriously needed someone to talk with about my feelings (and, to fangirl with, too, obviously).

---

The Wicked King by Holly Black
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 8, 2019
Number of Pages: 322 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: Library

Summary {via GoodReads, edited for spoilers}: You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.

The first lesson is to make yourself strong.

After the jaw-dropping revelation about the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.

She thinks: Um...where's the next book?? I need it now. Like, now now. You can't just end it like that. I need to know what is going to happen with my babies, Jude and Cardan. I need to know who's going to be the one to cave. Gah! Gimme. Gimme. Gimme.

What I immensely love about these characters is that they are seriously flawed. They're not perfect. They don't act perfect. And, they don't pretend to be perfect. They trick each other. Betray each other. Deny each other. And, all in a Fae world where they, technically, can't tell a lie. Well, the Fae can't at least. Humans, that's another story.

So. much. drama.

My heart is just breaking as I remember all my favorite scenes from this book. To be fair, I'm also feeling indignant, too, because Jude needs to get with the program and figure her stuff out. Seriously. Remember who you are!

Suffice it to say, this is another collection I'll be adding to personal library as I definitely intend to reread them.

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: November 20, 2018
Number of Pages: 288 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Library

Summary {via GoodReads}: Can you love someone you can never touch?

Stella Grant likes to be in control—even though her totally out of control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. At this point, what Stella needs to control most is keeping herself away from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions.

The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. He couldn’t care less about his treatments, or a fancy new clinical drug trial. Soon, he’ll turn eighteen and then he’ll be able to unplug all these machines and actually go see the world, not just its hospitals.

Will’s exactly what Stella needs to stay away from. If he so much as breathes on Stella she could lose her spot on the transplant list. Either one of them could die. The only way to stay alive is to stay apart. But suddenly six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment.

What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts from breaking too?

She thinks: This book. Just...ugh!

Five Feet Apart is what my friend and I would call a Cassie Book. It focuses on real people with real problems and will give you all the feels. And, it did. My heart ached for Stella and Will. Their struggles. Their wants. Their determination. I was not prepared for the end, but it makes sense so I appreciate the honesty.

Lord, just typing all that made me verklempt.

Right. Okay. Breathe.

I did, however, struggle with two parts of this book.

One:: I definitely realized that first person present narrative is not  my favorite POV. I can do without that. The segues are just too awkward.

Two:: What was the point of the character Poe? He's called Stella's best friend, but she hardly has any interactions with him. He's very much a plot device (in the worst way, especially given what happens), and I wish we had gotten more from their friendship.

That being said, I really did enjoy reading it. I loved the diversity and perspective of life with CF. I hope it holds true to real experiences.

If you loved Red Band Society and/or Fault in Our Stars, this is for you!

What I've Been Reading: French Inspired

In April, I found myself gravitating towards books that had somewhat of an obvious French overtone. One annoyingly so; the other subtlety.

Did I finish them both? Yes.

Did I enjoy them both? Of course.

Will I read their sequels? You bet!

So, now, it's time for Twitter-style reviews.

Les Mis set in space. Slow build. Lots of feelings. Loved picking out who was which character. Chatellus forever!

Reminds me of the Jacobite Rising. This is the sequel and is all about rebuilding. Love the realistic portrayal.

Have you read any French inspired books recently? Mine just happened to both be YA. Big surprise, right?

She Reads to Tiny Humans {v.4}

About five or so years ago, I stumbled across my first interactive picture book - Press Here by Hervé Tullet, and I fell in love. I was teaching at the time and read it to my PreK kiddos, and they were mesmerized by it. Right then, I knew I had found a hit - picture books that engage children on a whole new level. Not only are they listening to a story and following a plot, but now they have become part of the narrative...and that utilizes a whole new way of thinking. And, I'm all about building those synapses in the brain!

Nowadays, you can find a lot more interactive picture books. Some are great...and some are not. For me, the ones that aren't great feel a little forced, like they're trying to fit in and cash in on this trend.

I want to share with you my favorite ones though that I think hit the mark every single time I read them at story time or with my own child. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Row One: Tap the Magic Tree // Hi-Five Animals // Count the Monkeys

Row Two: Pet This Book // The Croaky Pokey // Play This Book // Plant the Tiny Seed