#amreading Fables & Fairy Tales
The Dire King is the finale of the Jackaby series, where fabled creatures are coming out of the woodwork. (I adored the first two books in this series and would recommend those. Not as pleased with the concluding volumes.) Iron Hearted Violet is a princess story with an ominous tone. There are secrets in the castle that shouldn’t have been uncovered … and terrible consequences to those who listen to the whispers coming from the castle mirrors. And The Fairy Tale Detectives is the first in The Sisters Grimm series, which was all kinds of fun. Looking forward to more of these!
BYWAYS: Brielle Trenton
Rounding out Zane’s Team. In Byways Book #3, Over the Bridge, they catch wind of a blacksmith who wants to move west, which brings them to Trenton Forge. The rumors are true, but an important detail was left out. Brielle Trenton is a young woman. And Zane can’t believe Jovan thinks it’s a good idea to travel with a girl. Especially one as pushy as Bree.
Circus Mirandus
Circus Mirandus
Cassie Beasley
Michah’s grown up with his grandfather’s stories about a magical circus, and he believes them all. Especially the ones about Continue reading Circus Mirandus
#amreading This and That
The Hollow Boy is the third book in the Lockwood & Co. series, an edge-of-the-seat adventure in which ghosts haunt England and can kill with a touch. Aquamarine is a lower middle grade summer story about a mermaid who becomes stranded in a water park’s swimming pool. And The Case of the Gypsy Good-bye is the sixth and final installment in the Enola Holmes series. (Very much my favorite book discovery of 2017 and destined to be reread at regular intervals.)
BYWAYS: Signature Seals
Personal Touch. In the land of Liberty, citizens add their seal to official documents. A design’s seal is unique … and usually of personal significance to the person who carries it. Do you recognize this seal?
The Screaming Staircase
The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co., #1)
Jonathan Stroud
After a horrifying debacle at her previous job, Lucy strikes out on her own, applying for a new position in London. Her search lands her at Lockwood & Co., where her psychic abilities are a complement for Anthony’s and George’s. Not that this guarantees Continue reading The Screaming Staircase
GAME: Name that Book Cover
#amreading Strangeness
In Poppy Mayberry, The Monday, we learn that in the city of Nova, every child is born with the potential of developing a weekday power (telepathy, teleportation, telekinesis, etc) depending on what day of the week they’re born. Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters takes a twist on Japanese folklore. And Rowan Hood Returns is the final installment in Nancy Springer’s series. (I didn’t like this one so much, but the first book in the set is amazing.)
BYWAYS: In Print
For your Bookshelf. Nothing encourages kids to read and reread a series like having copies on your home bookshelves. The award-winning Byways Books are available as both paperbacks and hardcover library editions. (Contact CJ via email if you’re interested in ordering author-signed copies.)
C. J. Milbrandt 