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Notable Author: Erin Hunter
Though I suppose I should authors since Erin Hunter is the nom de plume of several different authors. But honestly this post isn’t about them. I decide to go on a binge and reread these series. Well reread the first series, the rest are entirely new to me and see if they still hold up.
I haven’t gotten to them all since there’s almost 50 (I think) and my library has this messed up system of not having the first book in the series or the last. And I mean they don’t have it. No one checked it out because it’s not in the catalogue. So this was a slow going hunt but I’ll update this post once I get to the other series. Or maybe make individual ones later on for a more in-depth review.
Warrriors
Remember when everyone was obssessed with these books? Well my phase was way back when in fourth grade and this has been the first time in years since I read it. I was amazed how well it holds up (probably because I forgot a lot of it).
It’s exciting and intricate in its world-building with the different clans, ranking and family trees. Rusty’s journey to becoming a leader was actually very poignant as he deals with betrayal, and loss for the first time during the precarious existance of the clans in the midst of a great prophecy.
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Queer Romance
Paris Daillencourt Is About To Crumble is the second book in Hall’s Winner Bakes All series and is delivers just enough of the Bake Expectations to satisfy Great British Baking Show fans while also creating a sweet albeit difficult romance between Paris and Tariq.
Paris has issues, primarily crippling anxiety though he doesn’t get diagnosed until the end of the book. He just assumes it is the way he is, and is constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. For people to realize he’s nothing, to get kicked off the show, for his bakes to fail, for Tariq to dump him. Paris’ mind is exhausting. It’s amazing how everything is a disaster or a slight on him, even the most innocent comment, he is worried will be misconstrued as him being ignorant or racist or worst. Which is only compounded by being on national television with almost 2.11 million viewers.
I’m much more of a go with the flow person and people who constantly put themselves down are. . . I’m sorry to say, they annoy me. And Paris annoyed me a lot during the course of this book. While I understand it’s a mental illness and chemical imbalance etc. his narrative was exhausting to read after the first 100 pages but that is the point. Hall does a great job in depicting the misery of Paris’ day to day life with the way his thoughts hound him and twist everything to a catostrophe, and how it negatively affects his relationships with others. Although Tariq did have his share of blame for the way he handled it, it’s an eequal thing as Paris really did need to accept the idea and work to get better first. It’s realistic though I still personally feel Tariq had the patience of a saint to put up with it for five weeks and to think it was endearing somehow.
Nonetheless, while Paris isn’t someone I’d want to hang out, Hall’s realistic depiction of his persona and the progression of their accidental meet-up (Paris slams a fridge in Tariq’s fridge), their banter, communication, fall out and make-up kept me engaged. Tariq was a particularly delight, confident, self starter with enough vulnerability that he didn’t seem too perfect. Plus Hall’s dry sense of humor added lightness to the proceedings like a fellow contestant’s bum cakes. Can’t wait for the next season/book.
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Cat’s Cradle Review
After all the world-travelling Cat has been doing, she’s glad to be back home in good ol’ England even if the sight of Drury Lane in rubble still hurts. Better yet, she has finally cured Billy of his affections for her (a months long ship voyage and rambling carriage rides in close quarters can do that and Cat made herself as irritating as possible. What a relief to that story) and is ready to settle down. Even so, she can’t quite imagine herself as finding a conventional life which is what Syd offers her. But she can’t muster past her sisterly affection towards the boxing butcher and the fact that she constantly finds herself in trouble doesn’t lend itself to a quiet home with a gaggle of children.
However, all those questions have to wait when her former guardians comes with big news. He has potential information on her birth mother!
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Black Heart of Jamaica Review
After wandering about the New World and resting from her ordeals with Lizzie, Johnny and her new goddaughter, cat is ready to get back out in the world and find an occupation. After all, she can’t rely on others forever and she dearly misses the paint and organized chaos of Drury Lane. So she and Pedro, the inseperable duo wows the strict theatre manager, Mrs. Peabody and join her troupe for their Carribean tour.
Their first stop is Santo Domingo. . actually no. The island is near a powder keg as the rebel leader and former slave, Touissant gathers slaves, mulettos and others to fight against the white plantation owners for freedom and right. Bloodshed will occur soon so the theatre company moves on but it lights a spark in Pedro. He has been happy but the news of the rebellion has sparked an epiphany that he should do more with his freedom than just show his talents on stage. He wants to help his race. A noble goal but Cat fears for his safety and dearly hopes their time in Jamaica will quell these fires.
As you can guess, when they land in Jamaica, trouble finds her first in a variety of manners from the return of Billy Shepard to Master Hawkins to maleria and her own recklessness.
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Cat O’ Nine Tails Review
There may be nine on the cover but this is only the fourth tale of our intrepid redhead adventuress. This time, she’s off exploring the new world. She had been staying with the Avons as her beloved theatre is being rebuilt for the next year but finds it stifling to be a lady. She can’t ride horses or be as mischevius as she wishes when Frank is entertaining polite company. But she’ll soon come to regret her complaints of boredom when she accidentally ends up at the mercy of the British Navy!
But let’s back up a bit. First we experience some of the genteel politics of the upper-class, matchmaking ton where Cat is humilated and Billy is chortling with glee.
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Lisa Papademetriou Interview
Lisa Papademetriou is the author of several lower and middle grade books with genres ranging from realistic fiction (Apartment 1986, Homeroom Diaries) to her fantasy novels, (Dreamway, The, Wizard, the Witch and Two Girls from New Jersey) and more that readers are sure to love and recognize. Here, she kindly took the time to talk about her catalogue and what’s coming next.
1. Some of my favorite books of yours came from the Candy Apple imprint, how did you come to work with them?
Before I was a writer, I was an editor. I worked at several large publishing houses, including Scholastic, so by the time I became a full-time writer, I already knew quite a few editors personally. When Scholastic started Candy Apple, someone recommended me as a writer who could come up with sweet, funny stories. It was just luck that I got hooked up with that line of books!
2. When writing the Accidentally quartet, did you have a clear vision for where all the characters would end up (redeeming Fiona, Amy realizing she may have feelings for preppie Preston, Lucia becoming queen bee, etc.)?No, I didn’t. I had a clear sense of the characters, but I didn’t know where they were going. In the end, they were more complex than I originally planned.
3. Another imprint you worked for was Disney as author of several Disney Fairies books. How did it work when you were one of several. Did you share notes on the universe and characters so it would stay consistent? Were there guidelines?I was actually an editor at Disney Press and did some of the development work on the Fairies series, but most of it was derived from Gail Carson Levine’s book, Fairy Dust and the Quest For the Egg, which was—in turn—based on the fairies in Peter Pan. In a series with several authors, the writers will submit their ideas to the editor, who is in charge of making sure that everything is consistent. We writers read the books that came before ours, of course, so that we know the characters and events. And there are guidelines to keep everyone on track. But part of being a writer for a series with multiple authors is being able to work that way—almost collaboratively.
4. When writing The Homeroom Diaries, did you draw from your own
diaries and memories from high school?Homeroom Diaries was co-written with James Patterson, who came up with a lot of material in the book. That said, some of it was pulled from my own experiences. Many of the moments between the friends were based on feelings and relationships I’ve had. There’s a cafeteria scene in which someone starts a food fight, and another character makes a somewhat self-important speech about not wasting food, and in the middle of the speech, he gets hit in the head with a chilidog. That happened to me. I was the speechmaker, and someone flung an entire loaf of bread at my head.
5. What was it like working with the illustrator to combine Margaret’s
narrative with her doodles?That was so much fun! As I was writing, I came up with ideas for the illustrations and noted them in the manuscript. Almost always, these would come back from the editor with a note to “make funnier”. So I’d try to push the humor as much as possible, until it seemed like it would be a good illustration. But, of course, once the art came back from Keino, it was a whole other level—better than anything I expected.
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Grishaverse: The Demon in the Wood Review
Last year, Bardugo surprised fans with a prequel focusing on everyone’s favorite bad guy, the Darkling aka Aleksander. In graphic novel form! Now I’ll admit I’m not one of his many fans. Don’t get me wrong, he does his part well in being a worthy catalyst, villain, foil etc. But I didn’t fall for his evil is sexy as I did for other fictional villains. Nonetheless, it was an interesting peek into Aleksander’s formative years and a chance to see his good side before he was twisted by his own self-righteousness.
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Grishaverse: Rule of Wolves
Well this was one epic book. Epic, epic all around and why wouldn’t it be as the Grishaverse approches the Age of Saints and end of the Grishaverse for now, according to Bardugo. As for the Age of Saints thing, it turns out Yuri got it right after all. Get ready because this is going to be a long review.
Although the ending of King of Scars may have implied the Darkling is a returning threat, he is actually a minor player compared to all the other wolves at Ravka’s door. There’s the Shu who had attempted to murder Nikolai so now they’re stuck with a failed assassin, Myu and Princess Ehi trapped in a corner. So yeah, that marriage alliance is definately not going through.
Fjerda is also nipping at Ravka’s borders as Nina sends more information that she gained staying in General Brum’s home. Information implying that Fjerda is ready to make a full frontal invasion with the true Lantsov heir as their puppet king. Worse still is the wealthy Merchant Council of Kerch will provide no help as to remain neutral in the upcoming war. . . and to be petty because Nikolai’s submersibals weren’t the coup they expected it to be as Nikolai allys himself with the Zemi.
Politics are hard but war is worse and no one wants to face the potential for all out battle especially as Nikolai had promised he’d bring Ravka an era of peace. He also knows that Ravka doesn’t have the money or the man-power to do so but to let the Fjerda’s win would give over Ravka’s Grisha citizens to certain doom. So now, the King and his Triumvante are forced to contemplate new weaponry, long-aim missles and other new technological warfare remiscent of WWI signalling a new age in trench battles and capability of violence. They might be trying to save Ravka but Nikolai is all too aware that their actions today could have long-reaching consequences tomorrow. They might be becoming the bad guys.
As for the characters, Nikolai is at peace with his demon since his trial with the Thornwood but perhaps that demon is releasing something else? While he may have faced his insecurities in the fold, there’s something else growing inside. Admist all these pressures, there’s growing wish for freedom, a break from the secrets, the constantly toeing the line. He had always been driven but he’s starting to have doubts on his chosen path with the constant stress of devotion to a country that eats its own, that fails the people it loves. He begins to wonder if he will ever see his dream of helpin Ravka come true and struggles with the bigger question with whether he is the right person for the job. I loved this deep introspection from him as it provides even more layers to the charming Lantsov bastard prince we’ve seen him portray in the original duology.
He has such strength and ingenuity but seeing him face the realities of politicking and ruling is amazing. I truly applaud Bardugo for how she created such an intense, nuanced depiction of the troubles in being King. Really, seeing all Nikolai has to go through I can’t imagine why anyone would want to do it. Yes, there’s Nikolai’s father and brother who used their position to do what they wanted and didn’t put effort like Nikolai to imrpove the lives of citizens but it still sounds tough. Constant being on your guard because almos everyone wants to kill you for your throne and all your citizens blaming you if things go wrong. So yeah, that pressure is taking its toll on him,
Meanwhile, Zoya continues her development in opening herself to love. She has kept herself so guarded in order to prevent the pain that comes in their line of life, but as the death toll mounts, Zoya is coming to learn that pushing others away doesn’t make the pain hurt any less. She’ll only become the darkling if she’s forever alone. It’s a really great conclusion to Zoya’s arc and realistic too in showing the backslides Zoya experiences and her utter conviction that she’s right (as usual) that prevents her from trying. Plus there’s this one magnificent scene where Nikolai finds out where Zoya goes at night. . . It’s spoilery so I won’t say but it is also super moving. They’re just two lonely hearts in the middle of war, both so insecure but so wanting each other’s light and unwavering strength.
And there is just so much action and uncertainty going on as they fight a war on three fonts, and two layers, one outward, one in secret that I was getting anxious for them. Seriously. For the first time in possibly 15 years, I don’t even remember, I paused halfway through to skimm last page to see if they were alive. I was that worried someone was going to die. I mean someone did but Nikolai and Zoya made it through, that was what I was most concerned about. So when I say Bardugo amps up the suspense, I mean it.
Meanwhile, Nina has found herself in the inner circle of the Brum househld thanks to her friendship/burgeoning feelings for Hanne but it is a lot harder to find information in Brum’s study than you think. He seems to keep his work life pretty separate since it’s not for ladies. But when Hanne volunteers to help Nina by participating in Fjerda’s debutante-like ball, Nina ends up right up front with the sickly Prince Rasmus.
There, she initates her own courtly conspiracies, beleiving she can find an ally with Prince Rasmus and if she helps him get to the throne, perhaps bring a safer age for Grisha and a new ally for Ravka. Yeah, things don’t go as plan in that respect as spoilery things happen and she ends up finding out Mattias’ killer! Not only that, but she has been helping her fellow spies bring the common Fjerdan citizens on their side by aiding the idea that grisha are living saints in order to diminish the rabid Grisha hatred Fjerda is known for.
I mentioned before that I was a bit uncertain to Nina’s new relationship with Hanne. Here, I have adjusted to it. It helps that Bardugo brings back some of Nina’s grief of Mattias so he doesn’t feel entirely set aside. Plus it is clear that Hanne has her own secrets and depths that create a different but just as dynamic relationship that boosts Nina up without the slightly icky Nazi-Jew metaphor.
So woo, that’s quite a lot but the book also introduces two additional POVs besides Nikolai, Nina and Zoya’s. The Monk aka Aleksander and Myu. Spoilers under the cut.
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Grishaverse: King of Scars
Three years since the martyrdom of the Sun Summoner, the death of the Darkling and Nikolai’s accesion to the throne Ravka is in deep trouble. Because it’s Ravka, there is always something.
That trouble comes on dark wings on cold nights like the monsters of ancient fairytales. Only that monster is Nikolai’s demon, the curse of the Darkling returning after all these years. It turns out the scars were a sign that the volcra wasn’t truly expunged from Nikolai’s soul and despite chains and sleeping serums, he is escaping more and more often. The kingdom cannot stand if the public finds out their ruler is a monster, not with rumors of his bastard lineage rumbling among ranks, with threats from the Shu and the Fjerd on both borders, with the rumblings of a Darkling cult, they cannot know he is cursed. Nikolai cannot lose his humanity.
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Top 5 Vet Volunteers
Trapped: This one comes first for me because I love deer so the story of Brenna taking care of an injured fawn is just adorable. But what is also interesting is the focus on Brenna’s brother and his growing enviromental radicalism and how far he is willing to go to stop poachers. Anderson presents the pros of such staunch care for the enviroment and its animals while warning not to let it go so far into harming humans in the zeal to protect wild critters.
Fear of Falling: David’s personal problems are just as engaging as his attempts to get over his fears of high-jumping while still seeming like a man about it. His story of trying to gain his Dad’s attention during the uncertainty of his parent’s divorce is a heartfelt as one can see how much he wants to make his Dad pride while also wreastling with his animosity for his Dad leaving the family so easily.
Fight for Life: This first book brings the gang together and tears to my eyes every time as it unveals the cruelty of puppy mills. It does a good job in setting up the premises and the dynamics of the group while Maggie struggles in letting others into the world she feels as a private sanctuary.
Masks: Once again, Anderson presents the complicated world of vetinary research as Sunita discovers when she interns at a local lab. She loves animal so how can she condone the testing done on them? It’s a difficult problem and in an ideal world we wouldn’t have to but as Sunita learns it is necessry to find cures and other medicine for humans and animals. That leaves the rest of the book for her to contemplate where her future path lies if not in vet science?
Helping Hands: This book dives into the abuse of pony ride and other petting zoo animals which I never thought of but wow, this paints a rather graphic picture. Really, the whole series does (so much animal abuse everywhere) but it’s still worthwhile to learn so I appreciate this book being out there to highlight its existance.
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Rachel Reads & Reviews 