Posts Tagged 'book-reviews'

Ghost Girl and the Ghost Giant by Andrew R.H. Quinn

Published November 21, 2025 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Fantasy

** Special Review ** This exciting story will captivate both the avid readers and the reluctant readers alike. The story is primarily a fantasy, but with some mystery elements thrown in that really keep the action moving throughout. Olivia has been tormented by a ghost for awhile and she has had trouble getting anyone to believe her, but when she is attacked yet again and her mother is taken she knows that she needs to do something to stop this ghost once and for all. Unfortunately, she still has trouble finding any adults to help her. Her father does believe her, but is not in a position to help a lot despite his desire to. When a vigilante is caught by the police, Olivia gets caught up in the investigation and she realizes that there are others who have seen the ghost as well. They all work together in order to find a way to stop the havoc this ghost has caused once and for all. Can they stop the ghost before more people get hurt? Will Olivia be able to save her mom? How will Olivia be forever changed from this?

The characters are really the heartbeat of this novel. They are each unique and charismatic in a way that makes the reader care about them and their success. Olivia must also come to terms with the fact that she must become a super hero (complete with powers) in order to truly tackle this frightening ghost that has come for her and her family time and again. She must realize that she does in fact have the power to battle something that seems so much stronger and more powerful. Young readers will really resonate with Olivia because of the many feelings and doubts she has throughout this process. All young people question their abilities, goals, and future at one time or another, just as Olivia does, but it’s important to never stop trying to reach your goals. All in all, the story is fun, dramatic, exciting, and has a very satisfying ending. Highly Recommended.

By Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang

Published September 23, 2025 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Every year a select group of young ladies goes to Paris for the elite La Danse Debutantes Ball. This year one of the debutantes faces a scandal and must withdraw, which leaves the ball organizers scrambling. That is until they see an article in a magazine about a young scientist taking the world by storm with her new invention. They decide to break the tradition of only inviting wealthy, famous debutantes and take a chance on Piper Woo Collins. Piper has recently been dealt a setback when the benefactor of her college scholarship pulls his funding due to a disagreement with the university. As much as she would love to go to Paris, her late mother’s dream, she can’t afford school let alone a trip to Paris. The owner of the ball agrees to pay for her trip and her first year of school if she comes and doesn’t bring any bad headlines. Meanwhile, Chapin Buckingham, the daughter of a rockstar and movie star, is feeling the pressure to be named Debutante of the Year even though she couldn’t care less about the title. When her and Piper get stuck rooming together she can’t help but feel bad for Piper who was thrust into this world very unexpectedly. As they start to get closer, however, it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want Piper in the competition. Can Piper figure out who is trying to sabotage her before it’s too late? Will Chapin ever get over the fact that Piper and her older brother clearly have chemistry? Will Chapin ever find common ground with her mother?

Fans of The Selection and Project Runway will enjoy this title set in a modern day setting. The fashion and glamour of Paris is on full display along with all the drama that would come from a highly publicized debutante ball. The book has a nice combination of old school expectations for the young women, while also acknowledging their very modern and aspirational dreams. The relationship between Chapin and her mother is very relatable to many readers as they try to get on the same page while also not offending the other. Piper’s situation is also relatable as college costs keep rising and becoming an issue for many young people. This was a fun, exciting, and unique story that will pull in readers and leave them wanting to know more about these characters.

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

Published September 5, 2025 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Jet is a 27 year old woman who is still trying to find her path in life. In the meantime, she is living with her parents and trying not to fight with her brother too much on how he is running the family business. Jet does suffer from a kidney condition that she inherited from her father and lately, she has noticed that his symptoms seem to be getting worse. On the night of the Halloween carnival, Jet returns home early to an empty house and is attacked from behind by someone who had been waiting for her. She is struck three times in the head with a hammer and left for dead. She does not die, but after waking up many hours later she learns that the hammer damaged her skull in a way that an aneurysm will kill her in less than a week. She realizes she has the rare opportunity to solve her own murder and sets out to do so with her good friend and longtime neighbor. As her symptoms start to worsen, she becomes more frantic to find out why someone would want her dead. Can she solve her murder before it is too late? Are there other shady things going on with her family that will also come to light? Can she ever find peace with the fact that her life was cut so short?

This mystery story is every bit as exciting as Holly Jackson’s other titles. As Jet investigates she finds out so many secrets that those around her never wanted to come to light. She also slowly starts to realize that she could not trust many of the people she has known for years, which is very disheartening to learn. The ending is fresh and exciting and will leave readers surprised (and that is saying something considering some of Jackson’s other titles). There are a few people introduced quickly at the beginning that can get confusing to keep straight, but ultimately each character has a purpose. Highly recommended for fans of mystery authors such as April Henry and Harlan Coben.

The Night in Question: An Agathas Mystery by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Larson

Published March 22, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Iris and Alice are back in this new Agathas mystery and their friendship seems stronger than ever despite their very different backgrounds. While attending a school dance at the infamous local Levy Castle they can’t help but feel a little haunted by the fact that a famous actress, Mona Moody, died mysteriously at this very place in the 1940s. When a bizarre attack happens to a girl in their class, they find themselves in the center of another mystery and despite their success in helping to solve their friend Brooke’s murder (in the previous book), no one wants or seems to appreciate their help. The police seem to be focused on the friend who was found at the scene holding the murder weapon, but Alice does not think she is capable of something so heinous. Plus, Alice finds it curious that all of the Mona Moody archives that had been on loan from the historical society appear to have been rifled through at the attack scene. Is it possible the two cases are connected? Can they find a way to help find the right person who committed this attack? What surprises might they find inside this castle?

Fans of traditional mysteries will enjoy this title because there are a lot of references to old mystery tropes such as hidden staircases, old diaries, etc. The characters have developed a bit more in this novel too and it’s understandable why Iris’s mom might be hesitate about her new friendship with Alice as well as why Alice’s relationship with her own parents is so complicated. The resolution is interesting and holds up with the facts presented and there’s still room for more sequels as it is obvious there is more to learn about the main characters. Fun for mystery fans, especially those who like Agatha Christie.

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