Shadow of Night By Deborah Harkness Review

Goodreads Summary:

Deborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.

Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.

Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the season.

My Review:

If you like witches, vampires and history this is the novel for you! What a great series!! Can not wait for the next one. Matthew and Diana are such great characters and I love seeing all the different sides of Matthew throughout history and how they both learn to deal with it all. Seeing historical characters with a twist is a lot of fun as well!

The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima Review

Goodreads Summary:

A thousand years ago, two young lovers were betrayed—Alger Waterlow to his death, and Hanalea, Queen of the Fells, to a life without love.

Now, once again, the Queendom of the Fells seems likely to shatter apart. For young queen Raisa ana’Marianna, maintaining peace even within her own castle walls is nearly impossible; tension between wizards and Clan has reached a fevered pitch. With surrounding kingdoms seeking to prey on the Fells’ inner turmoil, Raisa’s best hope is to unite her people against a common enemy. But that enemy might be the person with whom she's falling in love.

Through a complicated web of lies and unholy alliances, former streetlord Han Alister has become a member of the Wizard Council of the Fells. Navigating the cut-throat world of blue blood politics has never been more dangerous, and Han seems to inspire hostility among Clan and wizards alike. His only ally is the queen, and despite the perils involved, Han finds it impossible to ignore his feelings for Raisa. Before long, Han finds himself in possession of a secret believed to be lost to history, a discovery powerful enough to unite the people of the Fells. But will the secret die with him before he can use it?

A simple, devastating truth concealed by a thousand-year-old lie at last comes to light in this stunning conclusion to the Seven Realms series.

My Review:

I must say this is on my list of all time favorite fantasy series ever! Sad to see it end but loved every minute of it! The writing is so good and great characters! Han and Raisw have a wonderful love story and I'm so happy it ended well. I was a little nervous about that through the ups and downs in this final book.

Kids Book Corner #21

Not too much variety this week. Had a lot of Elephant an Piggie books (6 actually)!! which I probably won't mention here. Just know you should read them! and another Fly Guy. Must read as well! So on to some of the others from this week:

How to be Friends With a Dragon by Valeri Gorbachev



I am a sucker for dragons so I snatched this one up for my boys. Great illustrations and fun rules to remember about having a pet dragon!

The Bremen Town Musicians by Ilse Plume

Couldn't get a picture off of Goodreads for this one. I chose this one because 5YO was listening to the music in music class and learning the story. I try sometimes to relate what I choose to what he is learning.

Lisa in the Jungle by Anne Gutman



2YO loves "Gaspard and Lisa" on the Disney channel so 5YO was very excited to find this book for him!

That's Not My Train by Fiona Watt



I love these touch and feel books and 2YO loved it because of that and its about a train. We had to read it every night before bed and he slept with it. Very surprised he didn't have a fit when we had to take it back!

Thats a short list today but we also got the 6 Elephant and Piggies, a Fly Guy, more Captain Cal's and The Magic Treehouse #10 but since I've talke about these series a few times I'm leaving them off. All highky recommended, just being lazy ;)  Hope you check them out!

Lichgates by S.M. Boyce Review

Summary from Goodreads:

The Grimoire turns its own pages and can answer any question asked of it...and Kara Magari is its next target.

Kara has no idea what she's getting herself into when she stumbles across the old book while hiking along a hidden trail. Once she opens it, she's thrown into Ourea: a beautiful world full of terrifying beings that all want the Grimoire's secrets. Everyone in this new world is trying to find her, and most of them want to control the new-found power the Grimoire bestows upon her.

Braeden Drakonin grew up in Ourea, and all he’s ever known in life is lying. The Grimoire is his one chance at redemption, and it lands in his lap when Kara Magari comes into his life. He has one question to ask the book—-one question that can fix everything in his broken life—-and he’s not letting Kara out of his sight until he gets an answer.

There's no escaping Ourea.

My Review:

**SMALL SPOILER ALERT*** I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book! It took me a bit to really get into it but the end I had a hard time putting it down. Kara grows so much in the book and becomes totally kick-ass by the end! and Braedon...is he good is he bad... so hard to tell but I can't wait to find out! And please I NEED to know what was in the box!!! Drove me nuts from the briefest mention of it and one other small reference to it through the end of the book only to not find out!

kids book corner #20

Ok here we go. I'll be all caught up now:

Dolphins at Daybreak by Mary Pope Osborne



#9 of the Magic Treehouse Series. My 5YO is eally loving these books!! Even the 2YO walks around talking about Jack and Annie!

The Voyage of Turtle Rex by Kurt Cyrus



A bit of a different dinosaur book about the birth and voyage of a little turtle

King Puck by Michael Garland



I love Irish storeis and this one was so cute about a talking goat who becomes king for a day.

The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies by Stan and Jan Berenstain



My idea for the boys who have the gimmies all of the time!! Not that it helped much...

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Dusky Rinker



2YO LOVED this book. Even took it to bed!!

The Snaggle Grollop by Daniel Postgate



Loved the pictures and a great story about getting a pet

Monkey Truck by Michael Slack



By far the 2YO's favorite book this week! I think we read eveyr night before bed!

I Love My New Toy, I am Invited to a Party and I Am Going by Mo Willems



Yes more fun with Elephant and Piggie. We like these books, can't you tell?

OK. Thats it. I am caught up for now. Hope you check them out!

The Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa

Summary from Goodreads:

Winter's Passage
Never make a promise to a faery. They always come to collect. Now Meghan Chase must fulfill her promise to Prince Ash of the Winter Court and embark upon a dangerous journey into the heart of enemy territory—while being pursued by a relentless new foe and guarding her own foolish heart.

Summer's Crossing

What can turn enemies into reluctant allies? A call from the Exile Queen, Leanansidhe, ties legendary prankster Puck to his archenemy, Prince Ash, on a journey that may end in betrayal and will set them both on an irreversible path.

Iron's Prophecy

Before she ever knew what she might become, Iron Queen Meghan Chase was warned by the oracle that her firstborn child would bring nothing but grief. And even as Meghan and Ash celebrate their long-awaited union, the prophecy stirs.

My Review:

Great little novellas to go along with the Iron Fey Series. They just leave me wanting more and more!! Not much of a review I know but if you like the series you'll like these!

Kids Book Corner #19

Wow I am so far behind. Imagine, actually having to work at work!! and no time at home lately to catch up on my stuff!!

Life of a Car by Susan Steggall



Nice bright colors and 2YO approved!

Concrete Mixers by Ray McClellan and Diggers by Derek Zobel



These are part of the Mighty Machine series of books. Both my boys are crazy for the DVD/TV Shows and love the books!

Mouse Numbers by Jim Arnosky



Cute little counting book. 5YO picked it out for 2YO because it was a "baby" book. very sweet!

Peanut by David Lucas



We all liked this one about a little itty bitty monkey!

Happy Pig Day, Pigs Make Me Sneeze and Today I will Fly by Mo Willems



We are almost through this whole series. So much fun. we all laugh and have a great time reading these over and over again!

Ride Fly Guy Ride, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy and Hooray for Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold



Another favorite series that we are enjoying. Almost done with it too. Need some more fun series!

One Saturday Morning by Barbara Baker



This one didn't go over well. A few little stories in it and I think we only read one.

This is the library trip from a couple weeks ago. I'll be posting another list soon!