I grew up as a staunch believer in the death penalty, nurtured by a highly legalistic environment. My views began to change as soon as I gradually emerged from that tightly controlled bubble, learning more about my faith and about the huge world that existed right outside. This book helped me put voice to yet another reads why I now firmly oppose the death penalty. Toboni uses the case of Scott Dozier, who tried for years to
voluntarily give up his appeals and end his unending purgatory on death row through execution, the sentence handed down at the end of his trial. Toboni takes the story, her own interviews with Dozier and weaves it together with the complicated recent history of capital punishment, specifically in the United States. This is an incredibly tough but highly valuable and critically needed read.
I loved returning to de Castell’s Spellslinger world. In this installment, Kellen’s world continues to expand with new information presented about his own shadowblack curse, new characters introduced, and established relationships expanded and deepened. I eagerly anticipate returning to this world next month.
As far as I remember, I think that Blood Debts could have stood on its own for the most part. This second installment in the series shows that Benton-Walker had a much bigger and more intricate world planned. This book deals with the ramifications (most of them incredibly serious and consequential) of the climactic events of book one. Relationships change revealing long-hidden secrets. The characters’
knowledge of magic is challenged in ways most of them have not prepared to deal with. Some of the events got dark and a bit gory but not in a gratuitous manner. I eagerly anticipate where Benton-Walker will take this story.
For the first time in this long running series, Jason takes the reins rather than Mia. In this book, Jason attempts to juggle his new romantic relationship with Mia, his struggle with being quick to anger, shame about how he treated employees of his father years ago along with his parents’ desire to join a country club which impinges on some of his other efforts. Once again, Yang does a masterful job. I do not know how long Yang
plans to continue this series but I will pick up every installment she writes.
Robert Jackson Bennet takes an incredibly intriguing and inventive magic system and deepens it in a way that I never thought possible yet a way that logically unfolds from what he established in the first book. I love this world and how the characters and their relationships have grown and changed. I look forward to seeing how he will conclude the series.
I absolutely loved this book. (Side note: this is the second of three books I have read this month that take place in an alternate England. The first is the Bone Season series and the third is The Rose Bargain which I will review in my next post) This book combines steampunk and mystery which seems to be right up my alley. These characters first appeared in a radio drama by the authors but even though I have not consumed the origin
story, I still fully engaged with these two unique private investigative partners: one a reporter for a local paper, the other a former detective brought back to life by machinery, the same type of machinery that has helped Queen Victoria survive 11 assassinations. I loved this story and want more although there are no indications that the authors plan to make this book the start of a series.
I put this book on my tbr after watching Hotel Rwanda with my human geography students and after seeing it mentioned in A Problem from Hell by Samantha Power. Dallaire led the UN mission to Rwanda and experienced the horrors of the genocide first hand. This is not a book one can read quickly; it took me almost a week. It’s a deep, challenging, necessary read that one should not speed through. I highly recommend this book.
I did not realize that this was a graphic novel so I got through it much faster than I expected. Unfortunately, this book felt incredibly average. In this graphic novel, Santiago goes to the NYC suburbs to spend the summer with his grandmother as a way to help him improve his Spanish and connect with his Columbian roots. This is a real issue that many second generation immigrants face. However, everything seems to go
swimmingly well for Santiago including almost immediate close friends and significant improvement in his Spanish-speaking ability. If I came across a copy of this book, I would not be opposed to putting it in my classroom library. I will not, however, seek it out.
I absolutely loved this book. Although a lot of the plot and world building is different, this book is like a much better written Eragon-like story. Matharu built a stunning world that I think that he will expand even further in subsequent installment. I also love the characters and am fascinated with the magic system and world. I plan to pick up the sequel as soon as possible.