Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani

Review:

Audience: Grades 4-8

Format: Graphic Novel - Library Copy

 

 

Priyanka! Watch out for that tree!

- first sentence

 

Priyanka (Pri) has a lot of questions. Why did her mother leave India for the U.S.? What was it like there? Who is her father and what happened to him? But her mother doesn't want to answer any of these questions. Pri is dealing with typical teen issues, learning to drive, dealing with bullies, and trying to figure out who she is. She finds a pashmina in a suitcase in the closet and it transports her to India in her imagination. This only fuels her desire to travel to India, but will her mom let her go?

 

I enjoyed this book. Pri is a multi-dimensional character - she has flaws but is still relatable. She is trying to figure out her identity while trying to fit into two different worlds. Her journey of self-discovery is heartwarming and her determination is inspiring.

 

The magical element to the story adds another dimension. The panels are black and white until Pri puts on the pashmina when they become full of color. Indian culture is woven through the story beautifully. 

 

I highly recommend this book and it would be a great addition to any library serving elementary or middle school children. 

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1846103/pashmina-by-nidhi-chanani

Zoey & Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows

Review:

Audience: Grades 1-5

Format: Hardcover - Library Copy

 

 

"What is it, Sassafras?" I crouched down and ruffled my cat's fluffy fur.

- first sentence

 

 

This book is a fabulous early chapter book. Zoey and her cat Sassafras both love bugs and science and when Zoey discovers that her mom secretly takes care of magical creatures, she is eager to help. Zoey, a budding scientist, wears her thinking goggles on her head when she needs to concentrate. And when she finds a baby dragon, she uses the scientific method to determine how to help him.

 

So, not only is this book fun, but it also explains the scientific method (including a glossary at the end). It is much more meaningful than I thought it would be. With a strong female lead who happens to be African American, and all the science thrown in, it goes above and beyond what you expect from an early chapter book. The entire series is a must-have for any elementary library collection.

 

Highly recommended.

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1845790/zoey-sassafras-dragons-and-marshmallows

Alien series from Audible Originals

 

River of Pain - 

I really enjoyed this performance; the story, characters, sound effects, and music all came together perfectly. I felt like I was listening to a movie. The atmosphere is amazingly scary and claustrophobic. And as others have said, the woman who voiced Ripley was perfect. I liked how they created a brand new story that took place between Alien and Aliens (the movies) and I liked the explanation for it. Overall a very entertaining listen that will be fun for any fans of the Alien universe.

 

Out of the Shadows - 

The overall production of this one was great with the same claustrophobic, scary atmosphere as the first. But I didn't love the story or the characters as much.  Still entertaining, but just not as original or interesting. 

 

Sea of Sorrows - 

This was my least favorite of the three. I just didn't buy the distant descendant of Ripley having a psychic connection to the xenomorphs. I also didn't like any of the characters. I didn't connect with any of them and found myself waiting for them to die.

 

All that being said, I flew through these books. I found myself always wanting to listen to them, even though they are all basically the same formula:

 

- Humans go where they shouldn't or mess with things beyond their understanding

- The humans are somehow connected to Weyland-Yutani (which is greedy for money, power, or both, without regard for human life)

- An android works against the humans in service of Weyland-Yutani or in rare cases helps them

- The xenomorphs come and the humans underestimate them

- There is a lone survivor (or maybe a select few)

 

Anyway, if you are a fan of the Alien movies, these stories are a fun revisit to the universe - and might make you want to watch all the movies again (like I did last weekend).

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1845785/alien-series-from-audible-originals

The End of Oz

Review:

Audience: Young Adult

Format: Hardcover (Owned)

 

 

The first time I flew, it was under very different circumstances.

- first sentence

 

It was just my luck to find the person of my dreams in a war-torn world where I was in danger of losing him any minute, I thought.

- Chapter 17

This is the final book in the Dorothy Must Die series (not including the prequel and other world enhancing novellas - I think there are nine now). But, you can read the four main books and totally enjoy the series without them.

 

This final book is full of action and twists, and I loved the ending. There is a bit of a cliffhanger, but just enough to let you know that there will always be strife in this magical world. (Some reviews mentioned an epilogue in the hardcover version, but there wasn't one in the kindle version, so *shrugs*.)

 

Some chapters are from Amy's point of view and others from Dorothy's. Seeing Dorothy's pov didn't make me despise her any less, but it was interesting to see her reasoning. It seems like she started out with good intentions, but the magic corrupted her to the point that she isn't even slightly recognizable as the girl from Kansas we all remember. Even so, she seems to have no redeeming qualities left. So, I felt fine about hating her character throughout the book.

 

Most of the characters are not all good or all evil. They do what they have to in order to survive and protect their friends and family. Sometimes their actions are shocking and sometimes completely understandable. 

 

I think the end may bother some people, but it made perfect sense to me and I loved it. If you like retellings or fantasy, give this series a shot.

 

 

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1840307/the-end-of-oz

DNF at around 45%

 

I listened to about 7 hours of this book and I still really can't get into it. The total length is 15 hours, 27 minutes. 

I'm not sure why this isn't working for me. I have a hard time keeping the characters straight and I'm just well, not interested. I think I've given it enough time, at least for now. With so many great reviews, I feel like I must be missing something. Maybe it would be better if I read the physical book, but for now, I'm just done.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1840300/dnf-at-around-45