Coming of Age
Refers to the process of growing up or entering into adulthood. An example of coming of age is a novel about a young girl's adventures impacting her strongly enough to help move her from childhood to adulthood.
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Book Review: Divinity 36
Divinity 36 by Gail Carriger My rating: 5 of 5 stars Is there anything more frustrating than enjoying the first book of a series, only to then find out that the rest of…
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Book Review: Quarter Share
I was recommended this book, as I have a reputation amongst friends and family for liking happy endings and hopeful plotlines. Quarter Share has that. But its optimistic outlook isn't enough to support…
- Action and Adventure, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Magical Realm, Middle Grade, Suspense and Thriller
Book Review: Vera Warden and the Two-Faced Demon
It’s always fun when I’m drawn into a book by its cover… and then find out that the story not only lives up to that cover, but exceeds my expectations. Author J. Rose’s Vera…
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Book Review: The Insignificance Paradigm
A small act of kindness starts events in the small town of Luitgarde rolling towards a conclusion that nobody (including, hopefully, the reader) saw coming.
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Book Review: Skyseeker’s Princess (Songs of Si’Empra, #1)
Set on Si’Empra, a beautiful but harsh Antarctic island in the Southern Sea, Skyseeker’s Princess introduces us to Ellen, a member of the island’s royal family. Ellen’s destiny was to become the next…
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Book Review: One Giant Leap
One Giant Leap by Ben Gartner My rating: 5 of 5 stars “I’m pretty sure I’m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.” is how Finley “Fin”…
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Book Review: A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking
In Mona's world, wizards exist, each with a distinct specialty. Mona's specialty is, well, bread. Actually, she always just says 'bread', but wait till you see what she can do with gingerbread men.
- Action and Adventure, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Detective and Mystery, Dystopian, Historical Fiction, Realist Fiction, Suspense and Thriller, Young Adult
Book Review: Back in the USSR
The back-cover synopsis had me lunging for this book, which I easily read in just a couple of evenings. It's quite the page-turner! Now, I'm not going to write a book report describing…
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Book Review: Anika’s Gift
After reading and enjoying Over, I knew I'd be on board for the sequel. Over is a novel set on a dystopian Earth, a genre I've often enjoyed as a way to explore…
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Book Review: Crudrat
This charmer of a story highlights relationships between lifeforms, first and foremost. It's a YA story filled with intimate bonds that aren't romantic, family dynamics that are both adversarial and caring, and even…
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Book Review: The Professor Wore Prussian Blue
It's hard to believe we've come to the end of this wild and twisty Victorianish-steampunky adventure, following along with Freddie and Daisy Linden and their friends as they searched for their missing father,…
- Black Authors, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Realist Fiction, Womens Literature, Young Adult
Book Review: Flygirl
I expected to like this book, as it deals with topics dear to my heart. I enjoy learning more about the lives of those who experienced World War II, and as a woman,…
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Book Review: A Born Angel
A Born Angel by Jenn A. Morales My rating: 4 of 5 stars It’s clear the author put a lot of thought into worldbuilding and character development. From the first pages of the…
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Book Review: The Sun Is Also a Star
I devoured this book in two sittings. The 'what happens next' factor is SO strong that I had no choice in the matter.
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Book Review: You’re Welcome, Universe
You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner My rating: 4 of 5 stars Julia is a rebellious, troubled teenager with one passion in her life: Street art. Graffiti. She spends most of her time…
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Book Review: Girl Gone Viral
Girl Gone Viral by Arvin Ahmadi My rating: 3 of 5 stars Well, let’s get the comparison out of the way first – I’m calling this one a mashup of Ready, Player One…
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Book Review: The Lighthouse Witches
If you are looking for a spooky, atmospheric Halloween-season read, you are in luck.
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Book Review: Spellbreaker
Elsie Camden's world is a place where magic is real, and it is a commodity. If you're born a wizard, you're in the market for good quality spells of all sorts.
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Book Review: Lemon Drop Falls
Twelve-year-old Morgan's mom, a professional life-coach and creator of a life planning system, has unexpectedly died. Her last words to her oldest daughter were, "Keep them safe, Morgan. Be brave for them. Help…
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Book Review: Posts of a Mid-Century Kid
A charming ramble of childhood memories, interspersed with thoughts about present-day life.
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Book Review: Cyrus LongBones and the Curse of the Sea Zombie
Loads of thrilling adventure, violent fights, and fantastical worldbuilding excitement for teenagers. I have a few issues with this one, though.
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Book Review: Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil
Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil by Danette Vigilante My rating: 4 of 5 stars Tia is a thirteen-year-old Latino girl growing up in a close-knit family in Brooklyn. Her best friend lives close…
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Book Review: The Places We Sleep
Imagine being twelve years old, a battle-weary Army brat trying to adjust to yet another new school in Tennessee, just about to get your first period... and it's September 11, 2001.
- Black Authors, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Realist Fiction, Romance, Suspense and Thriller, Womens Literature, Young Adult
Book Review: Hurricane Summer
Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield My rating: 3 of 5 stars As if coming of age isn’t already one of the toughest transitions a girl has to make, Tilla’s experiencing it in a…
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Book Review: Riverland
Riverland by Fran Wilde My rating: 5 of 5 stars I went into the story knowing in advance that aspects of our protagonist’s home life might be difficult to read. Fran Wilde has…
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Book Review: So I’m A Vampire’s Familiar
So I’m A Vampire’s Familiar by Shayna Grissom My rating: 3 of 5 stars So, it seems vampires are real, after all. But, expectations and reality aren’t seeing eye to eye for our…
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Book Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman My rating: 2 of 5 stars I’m of mixed feelings about this book, which is something I’ve never said about a Neil…
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Book Review: Blood Calls
At first glance, you might think Blood Calls is a vampire novel, but you’d be wrong. At second glance, you might think it’s the story of a boy and his dragon, but you’d…
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Book Review: Updraft
It didn't take long for me to be swept up above the clouds into the world of Updraft. Young Kirit gives us our point of view, as she struggles to learn not only…
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Book Review: Ice Planet Goth
Ice Planet Goth (Originally Depth Charging Ice Planet Goth, which I must mention as I personally loved the original title) by Andrez Bergen is optimistically due for release early in 2014. The year…
