The Eye of Ra by Ben Gartner

The Eye of Ra by Ben Gartner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Ben Gartner for the advance reader copy, The Eye of Ra, in exchange for an honest review. Kids will dive right into the adventures of siblings, John and Sarah, as an afternoon exploration of a cave finds them time travelling to Ancient Egypt. What a shock and surprise when John and Sarah find themselves standing in sand and meeting a young boy, Zach. As they become friends with Zach and his friends, they live with Zach’s family and help with chores, cooking, and building the pyramid. Ben Gartner has thoroughly researched this exciting, thrilling novel into the building of the first pyramid as well as family life, food, and culture of Ancient Egypt. I liked seeing timid John become more comfortable and involved in many daring experiences such as the scorpions and the crocodile attack which will have 3rd and 4th grade readers turning those pages for more Ancient Egypt excitement. Nothing fazes Sarah, she is always willing to jump into new experiences. Readers will love the sibling dynamic; they were heartfelt and authentic with their solidarity and disagreements. Ben Gartner has thoroughly researched this exciting, thrilling novel into the building of the first pyramid as well as family life, food, and culture of Ancient Egypt. I can’t wait to read more adventures and mysteries by Ben Gartner, highly recommended!


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The Cursed Queen (THe Impostor Queen #2) by Sarah Fine

The Cursed Queen by Sarah Fine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster Children’s Publishing and Margaret K. McElderry Books for the ARC, The Cursed Queen by Sarah Fine. Ansa is a warrior in the Krigere tribe and has fought beside and supported Thrya, the daughter of Lars, the ruler of the tribe. Ansa also loves Thyra and will do anything to be her wolf in war and at her side in life. On a ship battling the witch queen, Ansa sees Lars and others enveloped in the fire of the Kupari Queen Witch, and is herself “struck” by the witch. With Thyra and her good friend, Sander, they return a much smaller group to their tribe to regroup but all is not well within the ranks. As Thyra tries to rally her people, rumblings of mutiny stalk Thyra and Ansa wrestles with the reality she is cursed somehow with the ability to wield the power of fire and ice. The drama of keeping her lies about being a witch becoming insurmountable and becoming ensnared with Jaspar’s father’s tribe boiled my blood. I could not stop turning the pages. I rooted for Ansa and Thyra’s relationship but was mesmerized by the treachery, lies, and witch magic. An epic story of warriors, rulers, and witches with grand world building and ambitious characters; bring on the next book in the series!!! Highly recommended!

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The Fallen Vampire (Flux & Firmament: The Cloud Lords, Prequel Part #1) by Beata Blitz

The Fallen Vampire by Beata Blitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Beata Blitz and the Goodreads Group YA Reads for Teachers for the ARC, The Fallen Vampire. Chloe is a normal teen whose life changes abruptly at a party when she uses witchcraft. She is imprisoned awaiting a trial when her best friend and love interest helps her escape from jail. As they flee, Chloe wishes desperately that Wayne would return her feelings. As a witch Chloe will not have the life she wants so she slips away from Wayne and runs headlong into a conflict between Vampires (known as Night Flyers) and Dragons and Bats considered gods and also could change into human form. As something falls from the sky, Chloe follows and finds what seems to be a dead man. What will happen to Chloe now that she is hunted as a witch, meets Cloud Lords, and tries to save whoever fell during the battle? Beata Blitz has crafted an dystopian world where California is now Dragon's Faith with feral dogs, bombed out buildings, and a new world that is patrolled by sheriffs with Regulators, rules, no technology and no information from the past. I can't wait to learn more about Chloe, her fate, and that of the fallen man in the 2nd book in this epic series with magic, mystery, gods and vampires!

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One of Us by Tawni O'Dell

One of Us by Tawni O'Dell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for this suspense-filled mystery advance e-book . Danny Doyle was born and raised in a coal mining town (Lost Creek, PA) and continues to struggle with many demons from his childhood; being bullied in school and at home by his alcoholic father, and a mother, mentally unstable who is jailed for the death of her week old child and continuing nightmares throughout his life about the mines and his dead sister. Present day Danny is renowned as Sheridan Doyle, a forensic psychologist for the Philadelphia DA’S office. When Danny returns home for a visit to his recently recovered ninety something grandfather, he revisits the gallows where miners were hung in the 1800s and he finds the dead body of the new owner. At this same time, Scarlet Dawes, rich daughter of the mines, unexpectedly returns to Lost Creek. Rafe, the only detective in town and father figure to Danny find the suicide note but this is murder and they have to be extremely careful with this killer. As they delve into facts and many who believe the executed miners have ghosts; the reader is propelled into the world of a psychotic serial killer on the loose with everyone a target. I couldn’t put this down; especially enjoyable was reading from Danny and Scarlet’s viewpoints. Where Danny was methodical, lucid and vulnerable; Scarlet was devious, crafty, and had no remorse. The descriptions of the mines (the workers, their families and the owners) in the 1800s and present day were horrific. Lost Creek was a town you wanted to run away from with its family secrets, lies, and torments. For a mesmerizing glimpse into the workings of serial killers’ minds, this book will hold you captive until the last page. A great advanced read from NetGalley!

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