Middle Grade – The Spine View

Leonard (My Life as a Cat) by Calie Sorosiak

After reading Leonard (My Life as a Cat) I will never look at a cat the same way. In fact, I just might have encountered an alien or two in my life time. Knowing the cats that have owned me, they no doubt think I’m the alien!

Leonard has an immortal life as a corporal being on a planet far from Earth. He has been anxiously awaiting his 300^th birthday. Three hundred is very special to his species as they are allowed to travel across the cosmos to Earth and for one month assume the body of any creature. Leonard chooses to be human and wants to be a park ranger at Yellowstone National Park. He has planned everything out, down to the smallest detail.

Then in the briefest moment of inattention on his trip to Earth, his well laid plans go awry. He crash lands in a tree during a tropical storm in South Carolina. He is miles and miles away from Yellowstone, which is both his drop off and pick up point. How will a cat get to Yellowstone? Fortunate for Leonard Olive rescues him and he embarks on an adventure more exciting and fulfilling the one he planned for himself.

This is a delightful, middle grade story. The plot is about what happens with things don’t go as planned. However, the message of the story is one of love, friendship and how they save us. The character of Leonard was quirky and perfect. His desire to experience things like movies and bowling made for some humorous moments. It also contains some excellent life lessons, such as it is okay to be different. I ask you, what is wrong with a cat walking on a leash?

I was originally drawn to this book because I am an animal lover. Yet, it is a story for all types of readers. I highly recommend this one for everyone who wants a funny, feel good story full of life lessons. I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Last Angel Warrior by John W. Wells III

After I finished reading this book I was thinking about what I liked about books when I was younger (a lot younger). The main thing was adventure. I loved stories that had magic and characters that I pulled for and got swept into their story. This is totally what happened to me when reading The Last Angel Warrior. Definitely a great adventure tale for young (and older) readers!

The story follows Kalib Andrews as he approaches his sixteenth birthday and discovers that there are, among other things, demons and magic in the world. A stranger tries to kill him one evening walking home from his job at the local diner. That same evening he sees a stranger with yellow eyes outside of his bedroom window. Then things get even creepier when a new teacher at school has the same symbol on a charm that they both wear and was a patron that asked too many questions when Kalib served him at the diner. This teacher seems just a little too interested in him. Then did I mention his parents tried to kill him just a couple of days later.

The world is not what Kalib thought it was. Then he finds out he is actually the last Angel Warrior. Whatever that is! Kalib will need to figure everything out soon because there is a prophecy that says he will be killed and his blood used to release a goddess from a prison of magic on his sixteenth birthday.

There was a lot of action in the book. Loved that! You know something big is going to happen from page one. Therefore, I was invested in the outcome from the very beginning. The action and mystery elements are the main star of the story. They are what made the book for me. The author was able to surprise me a couple of times with events I was not expecting. The unpredictability of the story was another plus.

There was not a great deal of character development which I missed a little. Yet I can’t fault the author because the type of development I like would bore a younger reader to dead. So taking into account the intended audience, I think there was enough to hold the story together. I also liked the various characters and how they interacted. The theme of true friendship was subtle but well done.

This story was described as young adult, but it read and felt more like a middle grade tale. Which was OK, since I read both. However, if you don’t care for stories geared toward the younger side of young adult this may not be the book for you. If that does not matter, then I recommend this to you. Lastly, there is no foul language or inappropriate scenes in this book making it suitable for readers as young as 8 provided they are not bothered by a story that is a little scary.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for me honest review.

Cursed by Thomas Wheeler

Cursed, by Thomas Wheeler, is a retelling of King Arthur told from the POV of Nimue, The Lady of the Lake in the original tale. There has been a steady stream of retellings over the years, but I don’t recall one told from the POV of Niume. So I was intrigued and wanted to read this one and see how it stacked up. It is a unique retelling of King Arthur, which I found interesting.

Nimue is the daughter of one of the leaders of her Druid tribe. She should have an inherited status within the tribe, instead she is an outcast. She is feared because of the magic she can command and there are others that fear her and her kind also. The Red Paladins have been systematically killing and destroying homes of Fey. When they arrive at Nimue’s village to destroy it, her mother gives Nimue a sword and tells her to find Merlin and give him the sword.

When she embarks on the journey she meets Arthur, a rogue warrior, who aides her. She also discovers that the sword is very powerful and she wishes to use it to save her people who are being massacred throughout the country. When she discovers a group of Fey hiding in a cave they recognize the sword she carries. It is an old sword with old Fey magic. She is anointed the Queen and is seen as the savior of her kind. The question is will she be strong enough to be everything they need her to be.

The story had so much potential. Unfortunately, the characters were flat and didn’t fit the plot. I was so wanting a strong heroine; however, Nimue I found to be a lack luster leader. I was expecting a more Joan of Arc type character but was given a poor imitation instead. Merlin was a drunk and Arthur acted more like a hormone infused teenager. In my opinion, the minor characters were better.

The plot was good, but the execution was not the best. The POVs changed among the major characters as the story progressed and there was not always a smooth transition between them. This made the story feel kind of jerky instead and winding and flowing evenly throughout. The pace was good which helped a little to overcome some of the issues.

There is a lot of art work in this book. Since my copy is an ARC some art was not present. However, from what I did have, I can tell you the art was more suited to a graphic novel. I was expecting so much more and was greatly disappointed.

Even with the short comings I enjoyed this one; but, it will never be on any of my favorites list. This is a middle grade book but because of the violence and other subjects it is better suited to the older middle grade reader. I recommend it to those middle grade readers who like graphic novels because this book has a graphic novel feel.

I received an ARC copy at BookExpo 2019, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

Malamander by Thomas Taylor

Malamander by Thomas Taylor is a magical middle grade fantasy story that will sweep you up. The author has created an imaginative world with interesting and endearing characters that is sure to please any age reader. Hands down the best middle grade book I read this year.

Herbert Lemon, aka Herbie, is the Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel that is part of the small community of Eerie-on-the-Sea. When an item is left or lost at the hotel it comes to Herbie and it is his job to reunite the lost item with the owner. He sees all kinds of lost items including one Violet Parma who one winter’s day slips in through the hotel’s cellar window. Violet may just be the most unusual thing in Herbie’s collection of unusual things.

Violet has come in search of her parents that went missing when she was a baby, while guests at the hotel. She tells Herbie that she has come hundreds of miles to enlist his help finding her parents. When Herbie insists, he is a finder of lost things not lost people, she rebuffs him saying he is a “detective” and the only one she knows who can help her.

Of course, with Violet comes a lot of things not the least of which is the mystery of her parents’ disappearance. There is the man with the hook that is after her for unknown reasons and the monster, called Malamander, that appears on the beach at night in winter. These are just two more of the mysteries surrounding her. Herbie will have to be a very good detective to figure out this puzzle.

Love this story! It has an interesting plot with enough twists to hold any readers’ attention. The magical elements that abound in the book are many and include a mermonkey who tells you what book to read at the local book store and there is Lady Kraken’s, the hotel owner, cameraluna that she uses to see what is happening in town and a host of interesting people to round out the plot.

The characters were very well done, especially so for the intended audience. Herbie and Violet are just the type of characters that will have you cheering for them. The supporting ones, such as Mrs. Hanniver owner of the Eerie Book Dispensary, lend the story more mystery and allure and enhance the plot to perfection.

This is the perfect story for middle graders and adults alike. So entertaining and the magical astrosphere in the book along with the characters make for an outstanding book. It is age appropriate for all readers and I highly recommend to all lovers of magical adventure tales.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J. M. Bergen

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J. M. Bergen is a captivating tale that is a little bit Harry Potter with a dash of A Wrinkle in Time thrown in. It tells the story of a young boy and how he discovers what and who he truly is. It is an adventure filled with magic and mystery all wrapped in a thrilling package for any reader to devour.

Thomas Wildus is your typical middle school kid who just happens to be anything but ordinary, though he does not know this yet. Thomas goes to school, hangs out with his friends and is learning Kung Fu, definitely average. Until he goes into a book store looking for books about magic… real magic, because one of the last things Thomas’s Dad said to him before he died was, “magic is real.”

The book store owner, Huxley, gives him a book that is locked in a box and makes him promise that he will only read it when he is alone and that he will tell no one that he has the book. Additionally, he is told he must return the book immediately once he has finished reading. So starts his introduction into the world of magic. He will have to learn quickly because there are dark forces already looking for artifacts hidden by his ancestors that are capable of destroying the word.

What a great middle grade story. Even though I am well beyond middle grade age, I enjoyed this one immensely. Sometimes, I read middle grade stories and feel like the story is dumbed down or that I am being talked down to, not the case here. The story flowed along so nicely and the prose was age appropriate; yet, written in such a way as to appeal to older readers.

I loved the characters in the story, especially Thomas and I had empathy for him throughout. There was enough action to keep even young reader’s interest. In addition, the plot was well thought out and the story fit the characters nicely. In a nutshell, I liked everything about it. The ending wrapped up; yet, hinted at more to come. I am truly looking forward to the next book and to see what is in store for Thomas.

I highly recommend this book to all middle grade readers and those older readers that love Harry Potter. This is one book you don’t want to miss. Be sure to add it to your TBR list.

I received a free copy from the author through Library Thing’s Early reviewer’s program.

Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman

Title Ice Wolves
Author: Amie Kaufman
Pub. Date: 27-Mar-2018
Rating: 5 Stars

I am always on the lookout for new fantasy for my 9 year old grandson who reads on a college level. Yes, a college level! Therefore, I was super excited to get an ARC of Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman from the publisher. He enjoys stories about dragons and wolves and after reading it I know he will love the book at much as I do.

The story is set in a world where Scorch Dragons and Ice Wolves are sworn enemies. The last battle between the two is fresh in everyone’s mind. Hence in the port city of Holbard, Ice Wolves are the police force. They are ever on the lookout for dragon spies and are trained and ready to defend the city against the next Scorch Dragon attack. Continue reading “Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman”

The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol

Title: The Apprentice Witch
Author: James Nicol
Pub. Date: 25-July-2017
Rating: 5 Stars

There is no other way to say it, The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol rocked. I started out reading to determine if the content was okay for my grandson. Once I started reading, I just could not put it down. What is not to like about a heroine who is so genuine that you can laugh and cry with her?

Arianwyn Gribble has been in the care of her grandmother ever since her mother died and her father joined the army. As old fashioned at it is, she is also apprenticed to her. Her peers, especially Gemma Alveston, never fail to remind her that she just does not quite fit in. Then in front of them all, she fails her witch’s evaluation test. Instead of the silver star signifying full witch status, she is given a bronze disk called the moon brooch, given to witches who show promise but have yet to pass the evaluation, and told she can retake the test in six months. Continue reading “The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol”