Pauper Prince

The False Prince
By Jennifer A. Nielsen

Sage lives in an orphanage. He steals so he can eat. Around him, the kingdom begins moving toward war, though he doesn't know it yet. One day, a nobleman named Connor, takes him away from the orphanage along with three other boys. Connor's plan for them is as treasonous as it it is insane and Sage can't figure out if he's on board or not.

Now this was a fun find. I saw someone reading one of the sequels and I asked to see the book, as I turned to read the insert she grabbed it from me immediately and said, "No spoilers!". Thank goodness she saved me from that because I would have been spoiled for the fun turns this book takes.

In terms of the title, (and my own post title), I fully expected this to be a retelling of "The Prince and the Pauper". Delightfully surprised that it is not and is instead a fresh fantasy story.

Characterwise, I enjoyed each of the people we encounter. At first, I was thrown off by the very rare first person point of view. Normally fantasy is told in third. No matter, 30 pages in I was into the story. I liked Sage. He rebels just enough and we have his internal reasoning so it doesn't come from out of nowhere.

Worldwise, the kingdom is lacking. To be fair, it's a short book, meant for a younger audience, and they spend most of their time at Mr. Nobleman-Connor's digs. We aren't given much of the world. But it was enjoyable all the same.

I think I'd like to continue the series, slowly but surely, and see if the world expands.

4/5 STARS

Classroom: Yes, definitely. It would be a great read-aloud. Some violence, beating-interrogation.

Always Pretty Summer Read

The Summer I Turned Pretty
By Jenny Han

Belly (yes, that's her name) spends every summer with her family and her mom's friend's family at a beach house. Every summer has always been magical, this summer things unexpectedly change.

There's boys in this book! Even better, two brothers, so the reader gets to try and figure out who Belly will eventually fall for.

I devoured this apple-pie book in an evening. Picked it up and next thing I knew, two hours later, I felt all warm and cozy and immediately wanted to pick up book two.

Loveable characters; a wonderful summer world; a plot to keep you turning pages until the end. It's a great summer read. Belly is relateable and makes silly mistakes, but believeable mistakes, ones we can pardon her for. The boys, on the other hand, I am actually torn. They're framed on the surface as "good boy" vs "bad boy" but they aren't really. I think I enjoyed that part of it. I will always choose the "good boy".

They talk about beach reads. This is a perfect one. Enjoy!

3/5 STARS

TBR Takedown 2.0

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

From July 24 - 31, TBR Takedown 2.0 is happening!  I'll be participating, of course. There are challenges!

Read ....
1. A first in a series.
2. A sequel
3. A book that's been on your bookshelf for more than a year.
4. Out of comfort zone.
5. A book from most recent bookhaul.

As usual, I over set my choices just in case my mood changes. One can never predict the reading mood.



1. Here, There Be Dragons (James A. Owen) will fulfill the first in a series challenge. Currently reading, so if I finish this I'll have to find another. It is not on my TBR.

2. It's Not Summer Without You (Jenny Han) will fulfill the sequel challenge. It is on my TBR.

3. The Archived (Victoria Schwab) will fulfill the book on my TBR for more than a year. It's carried over from last year's TBR. 

4. And Then There Were None (Agatha Christie) - a classic mystery - out of my comfort zone.

Burial Rites (Hannah Kent) - an historical mystery - out of my comfort zone. TBR, yes.

Epic: Legends of Fantasy (John Joseph Adams, editor) - short stories - out of my comfort zone. I've challenged myself to read three. 

5. Heir of Sea and Fire (Patricia K. McKillip) will fulfill the most recent haul challenge. 



This is more than enough to keep me. There are more library books on hold that might come in, and hey, maybe a book that's sitting on my shelf will call to me unexpectedly. I look forward to this unexpected reading journey.

Blue Mysteries

Bitterblue
By Kristin Cashore

A sequel to Graceling, a companion to Fire - though one could read this as a standalone - we follow Princess Bitterblue, now queen, as she struggles to bring order to her kingdom after her father's 35 year tyranny. For years she's been struggling, nothing seems to be changing, and what's worse is that mystery upon mystery begin piling up and confusing her decisions. 

There is something enchanting about the worlds that Cashore creates. I will never not read a book by her and enjoy it thoroughly. Books like these are the reason that I'm a reader. It took me to another world that I wanted to be in. I want to know the people. I want to visit the castle and the city and see the architecture that Cashore describes. I want to see the art that forms a huge part of the plotline.

It is a hefty book, at 563 pages, but I was engrossed the entire time. I do believe you could read this without having read the other two, though having read Graceling will help in the background of a few reappearing characters.

I really, really liked Bitterblue. I got over the weirdness of her name within the first few chapters. She behaved exactly like I would in her position, though, I do not envy her at all. Imagine having to put an entire kingdom back in order after the chaos of a king who not only brainwashed his entire kingdom, but cruelly kidnapped and tortured children, women, and animals. This king was not a nice guy, far from it. In fact, the things he does is sickening. Cashore tackles the darkest corners of humanity carefully.

Po is still one of my top fictional boyfriends. He's funny, loyal, dependable, perceptive, and very intelligent.

Now comes the difficult task when people ask, "Which one was your favourite?" Looking at other reviews, most say they liked this one least. I cannot say that I like it the least, for I was as engulfed in the world, invested in the plot and characters, and was extremely satisfied with the ending. No less than the other two. I loved how mystery upon mystery stacked up - that is the most distinct difference between this story and the other two.

So, instead, I will say that it did not disappoint. And, that I would recommend the entire series. For all young adult fantasy lovers, read read READ this series. It is a must.

5/5 STARS

Not the Planet, The Sea King

Of Neptune
By Anna Banks

Not going into a synopsis, I don't want to spoil anything from the first or second books.


Anna Banks has this INCREDIBLE ability to write addicting stories. They are woven complexly, come together satisfyingly, and just when you think there's a lag in action, get ready for some action.

Her characters are funny, sweet, frustrating at times, and all the while so charming that you really wished that an underwater kingdom full of Syrena (mermaids/men) really existed.


Of the three, my favourite is still book two, 'Of Triton'. Not knocking 'Of Neptune' though.

Too often in Young Adult trilogies, book one feels like an obvious set up, book two gets draggy because the author is saving the best stuff for the third book, and then the third book things come together after a meandering mess of reveals. Let me be clear: Anna Banks gives each book weight, worth, their own story arc, all the while balancing a full trilogy arc. She beautifully crafted this trilogy.

In regards to her choice in point-of-view style switching, I've thought about why she might do so. For Emma (our protagonist), we read in first person. In alternating chapters we get Galen (love interest - that's not a spoiler, come on), but instead of first person we are in third. After careful thought, I realized it never phased me when reading. Banks smoothly transitioned each change.

The other reason might be that sometimes with two first persons, if it's not completely clear the reader could begin reading the chapter as the other person. I have read a book, with two first person narrators, where I mixed up them up, frustratingly, every switch - both characters were too similar (that's a whole other issue). I commend Banks's choice to do this. It was easy to read, to understand, and to switch.

I did have a few issues with some things (trying to be vague) feeling a tiny cliche. Hence why I overall didn't like the third as much as the second. It is a VERY strong finish.

Overall, I recommend this trilogy over many others.

4.5/5 STAR-fish

Of Poseidon (I) - Review here
Of Triton (II) - Review here