Sarah's Reviews

Coming July 5th: The Law (Dresden Files, Audiobook 17.5) by Jim Butcher

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 13:52:00 +0000

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

There is a brand new Dresden Files novella releasing on July 5th, 2022.

It's titled The Law and takes place after the events of Battle Ground (Book 17) but before the future 18th full length Dresden Files novel.

The Law is an audible exclusive audiobook release read by Jim Butcher himself and open for preorder.

While Subterranean Press does have a limited special edition release of the story as a physical book, no other physical edition is currently planned.

Some of us (ahem) might speculate about the possibility of it ending up in a future and third Dresden Files short story anthology (like the many that have come before it). However, that would be pure unfounded speculation based solely on historical patterns rather than any official information.

Subterranean Press provided the following description of The Law:

More Dresden Files (Series Review)

Book 1: Storm Front (Book Review)
Book 2: Fool Moon (Book Review)
Book 3: Grave Peril (Book Review)
Book 4: Summer Knight (Book Review)
Book 5: Death Masks (Book Review) (Plot Summary)
Book 6: Blood Rites (Book Review)
Book 7: Dead Beat (Book Review)
Graphic Novel 7.5: War Cry (Plot Blurb)
Book 8: Proven Guilty (Book Review) (Plot Summary)
Book 9: White Night (Book Review) (Plot Summary)
Book 10: Small Favor (Book Review)
Book 11: Turn Coat (Book Review) (Plot Summary)
Book 12: Changes (Book Review)
Book 12.5: Side Jobs (Book Review)
Book 13: Ghost Story (Book Review)
Novella 13.5: Bombshells (Excerpt)
Book 14: Cold Days (Book Review) (Plot Summary)
Book 15: Skin Game (Book Review) (Plot Summary) (Chapters 1 - 5)
Book 15.5: Brief Cases (Release Date/Cover/Etc)
Book 16: Peace Talks (What we know!)
Book 17: Battle Ground
Novella 17.5 The Law
Book 18: Untitled
Book 19: Mirror Mirror (Sneak Peek/Spoilers)
Book 20: Untitled
Book 21ish: Stars and Stones
Book 22ish: Hell's Bells
Book 23ish: Empty Night

Book Summary: Death Masks (Dresden Files, Book 5), By Jim Butcher

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 23:55:00 +0000

By: Jim Butcher
www.jim-butcher.com
ISBN: 0451459407
Add to your Goodreads Shelf

The following book summary and all of the book summaries featured here contain spoilers and are intended as a resource for people who have already read this book. While this summary is thorough it is not exhaustive. If you have not yet read this book, our content based review does not include spoilers.

Death Masks Plot Summary

Chapter 1: On a Larry Fowler set (tv talk show), Mortimer Lindquist (ectomancer) tells Harry that Susan is in Peru before they are joined by Father Vincent and Paolo Ortega (an ancient and high ranking red court vampire). Ortega threatens everyone Harry knows unless Harry faces him in a duel claiming that if Harry wins Chicago becomes a neutral zone and if Harry dies they will have peace talks with the White Council. Harry agrees to duel under Accords.

Chapter 2: On the way out Father Vincent approaches Harry about doing a job for him (referred by Father Forthill). They are attacked by a gunman in the parking garage, but the gunman runs off when Harry pulls out a shotgun. While trying to escape in the blue beetle Harry sees more shooters one of which is Hendricks (who works for Marcone).

Chapter 3: Father Vincent, who doesn't trust the police, asks Harry to secretly recover the Shroud of Tourin (cloth supposedly wrapped around Christ's body at resurrection). It was stolen from Italy but they think it's in Chicago for sale because the leader of the Churchmice (an organized group of church robbers) was found murdered with papers indicating that he had been headed to Chicago. Two other Churchmice (Anna Valmont & Francisca Garcia) are believed to have the artifact. Harry goes home to find two unknown people fighting. One runs off and the other turns out to be Susan.

Chapter 4: Susan was fighting a red court vampire. After a kiss escalates (courtesy of the narcotic in Susan's saliva) and is cut short by Mister (Harry's cat) Susan makes it clear that she can no longer be safely intimate with anyone - especially with Harry - due to the risk of her losing control (and ripping out his throat). Susan is quitting her job at the Arcane and warns Harry that Ortega is a powerful warlord, and most of the red court doesn't agree with his solution (the duel) to end the war as they like the excuse to run around killing wizards. Their discussion is interrupted by Martin (Susan's associate) and Susan tells Harry she'll try to call him. Karen Murphy asks Harry to come look at a body at the morgue.

Chapter 5: At the morgue, Waldo Butters (the polka loving assistant medical examiner - demoted after correctly reporting that the burned remains from the Velvet Room were not entirely human) shows them the headless corpse. The left hand is missing and the chest is significantly sliced up. Butters believes the man was tortured before death but died of many diseases/plagues (many extinct and some unknown) that all suddenly became active in his body at the same time. The body has a small tattoo that looks like an open eye. Harry points Murphy towards the Churchmice death and says he'll try to figure out about the tattoo. After leaving the morgue he passes an old homeless guy with a wooden cane and a young black man before realizing he's being followed, turning around and being attacked by a bear like creature with two sets of eyes.

Chapter 6: With the bear thing in toe Harry runs into the young black man, grabs him and keeps running. When they run into the old homeless guy, Harry turns to fight. It doesn't go well and he ends up in a soul gaze with the bear-creature where he realizes it's actually a human man with some other heavy weight presence. The Soul gaze leaves Harry stunned and helpless. Fortunately, both the young black man(Sanya) and the homeless guy (Shiro) are actually Knights of the cross and together with Michael Carpenter they kill the bear creature after it refuses to stop both in the voice of the man and the other presence. A coin drops from the dead body and they carefully collect it without touching it. Harry realizes that the presence (Ursiel) was one of the fallen (as in fallen angels). Michael tells Harry that there are 29 more and they are after him.

Chapter 7: Harry follows the three Knights back to Saint Mary of the Angels Cathedral where he has a quick conversation about beliefs with Sanya (the newest knight who claims to be agnostic despite receiving his sword from an archangel - much to Harry's amusement), Shiro tells him that they know he's looking for the shroud and Michael explains that the fallen didn't want to kill Harry but recruit him. They explain that once you touch a Fallen's coin the fallen temps you and can give you power and Harry realizes what a temptation that would be for him (considering his upcoming duel with Ortega). The Knights gave the coin to Father Forthill for safe keeping. Michael begs Harry to keep out of this case for his own safety and Harry walks out.

Chapter 8: Back home, Bob tells him that:
- The Accords allow him to choose the weapon for the duel and Ortega gets to choose the location. Harry has to get a second.
- Bob recognizes the tattoo as the Eye of Thoth but says many groups use it.
- Bob wants nothing to do with the fallen when Harry shows him a drawing of the symbol he saw on Ursiel's (bear thing) forehead as well as the coin. He explains that not only are the fallen (Denarians) super powerful etc but the humans they inhabit are also skilled and practically immortal giving them limitless time to gain knowledge, skill and power.
- Bob says he doesn't exist on the same wavelength as the shroud as he's a spirit of intellect and the Shroud is an artifact of faith.
- Bob tells Harry he can contact Ulsharavas (an oracle spirit) to find the Shroud.
Harry sends Bob out to gather info on other stuff while he summons the oracle spirit. Ulsharavas tells Harry the location of the thieves in exchange for Harry honestly answering the question of why he does what he does. Harry honestly answered that he didn't know. Before leaving Ulsharavas tells Harry that the Knights want him to not be involved because they heard the first part of a prophesy that said if Harry went after the Shroud he would die. The part the Knights don't know says that if Harry doesn't go after the Shroud they will all die as will the city.

Chapter 9: Harry decides to move forward in his search for the shroud, but wait till Sunlight to move on the thieves' location. He make up a couple anti-red country vampire venom potions. Ebaneezer McCoy calls to tell Harry not to worry about the duel, but Harry explains that it needs to happen. Bob returns injured just before dawn and reports that Marcone has wards, and Ortega has half a dozen vampires with him plus a dozen mortals. Harry tells Bob to get sleep then something sets off his wards.

Chapter 10: His visitors are The Archive (a seven year old girl carrying the sum of human written knowledge) who has been appointed emissary over the duel, as well as Kincaid - her driver. Harry names the Archive - Ivy. Ivy tells Harry he has till sundown to choose a second or his life is forfeit.

Chapter 11: Harry calls Vincent who wants to keep the police out of it and agrees to have fragments of the Shroud sent over. Harry calls Michael, but ends up leaving a message with a hostile Charity about needing a second by sundown or bad things will happen.

Chapter 12: At the dock, Harry sneaks into the boat, finds the Shroud, and gets caught. The two women are waiting for their partner and learn from Harry that he's dead. While Harry is handcuffing himself a Denarian shows up.

Chapter 13: Havoc ensues. Francisca is killed, the denarian takes off with what she believes to be the Shroud and leaves. The boat starts taking on water but Anna hits Harry over the head and takes off with the real Shroud. Harry gets a few things from the boat, gets out and goes home.

Chapter 14: Harry calls Vincent to report, finds out Vincent has a sample of the Shroud in town, and tells Vincent to drop it off at his office. He finds Marriott 2345 on a pad he took from the boat. He also took a cell phone, but decides to give that to Murphy to investigate.

Butters calls to say the germs in the samples he took from the dead body are gone. Harry explains that sunrise zeroed out the magic. Butters says that the same weapon took off the man's head and arm as cut up his chest. Susan arrives and Harry discovers that she's not in a relationship with Martin, but she's taking a job in Peru. He can come with her, but he won't because people back in Chicago would be hurt if he left. They agree that it would be unfair to both of them to stay together (relationship wise) and be apart and alone. Susan goes to run down the Marriott lead for him.

Chapter 15: Harry sleeps until his alarm goes off then heads to Michael's. No one is home except Molly who is sneaking home in her school outfit that her mother doesn't know about. Harry and Molly briefly discuss his relationship with Susan. Charity comes home with the other kids and Shiro. Michael and Sanya are gone and Michael may not be home in time. Shiro volunteers to be Harry's second and goes off to arrange the meeting.

Chapter 16: Shiro tells Harry the meetings time (that evening) and place. Harry leaves to prepare. Murphy is waiting for Harry and says the weapon used on the headless body also killed Francisca. She warns him that he was described leaving the boat and has enemies in the department. Homicide connected the dots to Italy and kicking Murphy off the case. Murphy leaves, and Harry returns a call to Susan. She discovered an Art Gala going on at the Marriott hotel and procured tickets for the two of them. Harry's meeting is at McAnnally's and Susan says she'll meet him there.

Chapter 17: Harry stops by his office and picks up the tiny thread from the missing Shroud then picks up Shiro. At McAnnally's they are joined by Kincaid (representing the archive), Ortega, and Ortega's second (Thomas Raith - white court vampire). While Kincade and the seconds figure things out Harry and Ortega talk. Ortega says the only alternative to the duel would be is Harry agrees to let Ortega turn him into a red court vampire. Harry refuses and Ortega says he'll kill Harry.

Chapter 18: After Ortega and Kincade leave Thomas warns Harry that Ortega will find a way to cheat. Harry thanks him for the heads up and Thomas avoids answering why he warned him. Thomas leaves and Shiro tells Harry the weapon was set to wills. It's set for the following evening at Wrigley Field. Shiro tells Harry that the war with vampires is not his fault. He was their excuse, but they were preparing for war before his actions. He says Ortega is trying to stop the war now only because they started prematurely. He also says, Ortega will try to see him dead regardless of the duels outcome. Shiro takes a cab back to Michael's and Susan/Martin pick Harry up in a limo with a change of clothes.

Chapter 19: Harry and Susan run into Marcone at the Gala where Harry discovers Marcone didn't know his men took a shot at Harry, and Marcone is now employing Miss Gard who Harry believes to be responsible for Marcone's new and strong wards. It seems likely that Marcone is the buyer for the Shroud. Harry and Susan hurry to get to the Shroud before an exchange can happen. Harry finds Anna, tries to get the Shroud, but ends up shot. Then three Denarians arrive.

Chapter 20: One of the Denarians was the female who attacked them on the boat (Deirdre). The other two were new (Nicodemus - Deirdre's father & another snake like Denarian ). Fighting Ensues. Anna comes up short with a gun, Harry does magic grabs Anna and runs, Susan kicks some Denarian butt, it goes badly, Harry assists, tattoos appear on Susan's body, a Denarian sees them and says the fellowship is here, more tussling, Harry with Anna and Susan run for the limo. Susan and Anna get away, but Harry (with the Shroud) is caught by Nicodemus and knocked out.

Chapter 21: Harry wakes up a helpless prisoner of Nicodemus who reveals that he has fond memories of and respected Harry's mother. He also calls Harry her youngest child, lets Harry know that he won't underestimate him, takes responsible for editing the Knights prophesy, says Harry does what he does out of fear of what he could become, and gives him a join up (with a coin) or die ultimatum. Harry goes with the die option.

Chapter 22: Last minute Shiro arrives and bargains his life for Harry's freedom. Shiro agrees to be at Nicodemus's mercy and not try to escape for 24 hours. Shiro gives Harry his sword (Fidelacchius) and tells him to go. Nicodemus sends Deirdre after him and he runs.

Chapter 23: Harry finds Susan and Martin waiting in the car, they're pursued to Harry's house where Harry and Susan jump out of the moving car.

Chapter 24: Their pursuers followed Martin in the car. An entropy curse comes looking for Harry before they can get into his apartment and Harry and Susan quickly get inside behind his wards. Susan's vampire thirst is worked up and she needs to leave but with Harry's strong defenses in play she is trapped with him for hours. In an attempt to help, Harry goes to clean up his bullet wound, but when he comes back out Susan is worse and says he needs to find a way to restrain her.

Chapter 25: Harry gets Susan talking and she explains that The a Fellowship of Saint Giles is made up of half turned vampires like her who try to help people harmed by the red court. Her tattoos are a spell that both helps bind her vampire aspects and warns when they are getting too much control over her. Harry uses an enchanted rope to bind a willing Susan to keep her from killing him. Harry sees to her injuries until his doctoring leads to her requesting intimacy and their attention goes elsewhere. Afterwards, they sleep separately for a little while.

Chapter 26: After they wake up, Susan explains that when Harry was taken she, Martin and Anna went to Michael's house. Both Michael and Sanya were still MIA but Shiro knew where Harry was. Nothing has changed between Harry and Susan. When the magic ends, they head to the Carpenter's with intent to rescue Shiro.

Chapter 27: Father Forthill is at the Carpenters while Charity takes the kids to a relative's home. Michael and Sanya (not yet back) were jailed for 24 hours in Saint Louis while investigating potential Denarian activity then released. Forthill tells Harry that Nicodemus has killed over one hundred Knights and the fallen Nicodemus tried to give Harry is Lasciel. Based on the news they determine that Nicodemus has already moved Shiro. Harry tries to get Anna to work with them but she gets the better of him again stealing his keys and car. Harry phones Vincent and sets up a meeting. Then Harry sees that Father Forthill has a tattoo just like the headless corpse. Forthill said he and a group of young priests got them a very long time ago. Father Vincent is the only other one of their group still alive. Michael and Sanya get home and Harry tells them to get their weapons and come.

Chapter 28: Harry, Michael, and Sanya have a rather violent meeting with "Father Vincent" during which Harry gets the Denarian (Fallen - Saluriel, Human - Quintus Cassius) pretending to be Vincent to reveal himself (snake dude). Harry realizes that Marcone's men figured it out early and we're trying to kill fake Father Vincent not him. Sanya reveals that he was once a Denarian, but relinquished his coin by choice. Quintus gives up his coin to the Knights so that they no longer have the ability to hurt him to get information from him while goading them with all the horrible things he has and still intends to do. Harry doesn't feel the same restraint and breaks his knees, ankles, etc to get Nicodemus's whereabouts. He's going to be at the airport that evening to set off the plague.

Chapter 29: Back home Harry has Murphy start pulling strings before Susan picks him up and they head to the duel. Susan takes Shiro's place and the duel proceeds as expected with Harry slowly getting the upper hand until Ortega pulls a gun on Harry.

Chapter 30: Someone (later revealed as Martin) shoots big holes in Ortega, Ortega goes after Harry, Susan jumps in and is thrown a long ways into concrete, more vampires attack, Kincaid shoots lots without missing, Thomas warns Harry of danger, and Ivy ends it. After determining that it was unlikely that Harry was the cause of the trouble, Ivy declares the duel over. Ortega gets away, Martin (who didn't want an end to the war) takes the unconscious Susan back to South America with a promise to take care of her. Harry heads to the Airport.

Chapter 31: Harry, Michael and Sanya find a brutally tortured Shiro in the airport chapel. He regains consciousness, but the Knights explain that Nicodemus has the power to choose one person who will not be able to avoid death (the Barabbus curse) and after Nicodemus used it on Harry, Shiro took Harrry's place - a hospital can't save Shiro. Shiro tells Harry that Nicodemus is afraid of him because of something he saw, gives Harry custodianship of his holy sword until Harry finds the person suppose to have it, and tells them Nicodemus's back up plan was the trains. Shiro dies and Harry takes the remaining Knights out on the Tarmac where they catch a helicopter ride from Marcone.

Chapter 32: The helicopter finds the train and Marcone, Harry, and the Knights climb down onto it. Various fighting ensues during which Harry learns that nothing can hurt Nicodemus except the noose he wears around his neck. In the end the Denarians get away, Harry and company nearly die, but survive with Marcone's aid, and Marcone runs off with the Shroud.

Chapter 33: Butters doctors Harry who stays with the Carpenters for a few days. A letter arrives for Harry from Shiro (sent before they met) explaining that he was dying and was happy to die doing what he loved. Anna returns Harry's things. Susan tells him not to contact her unless he needs help. Ebaneezer tells Harry to watch the news. A deactivated satellite fell to earth killing untold numbers (including Ortega - who had been out to get Harry). Harry follows Marcone and witnesses him putting the Shroud on a girl in a coma. He tells Marcone he can leave it there three days and then he needs to return it. Marcone returns it. Nicodemus drives by Michael's house while Harry is there and throws a coin at Michael's son. Harry grabs it first. He returns home quickly where he buries the coin under concrete in a magic circle etc.

More Dresden Files (Series Review)

Book 1: Storm Front (Book Review)
Book 2: Fool Moon (Book Review)
Book 3: Grave Peril (Book Review)
Book 4: Summer Knight (Book Review)
Book 5: Death Masks (Book Review) (Plot Summary)
Book 6: Blood Rites (Book Review)
Book 7: Dead Beat (Book Review)
Graphic Novel 7.5: War Cry (Plot Blurb)
Book 8: Proven Guilty (Book Review) (Plot Summary)
Book 9: White Night (Book Review) (Plot Summary)
Book 10: Small Favor (Book Review)
Book 11: Turn Coat (Book Review) (Plot Summary)
Book 12: Changes (Book Review)
Book 12.5: Side Jobs (Book Review)
Book 13: Ghost Story (Book Review)
Novella 13.5: Bombshells (Excerpt)
Book 14: Cold Days (Book Review) (Plot Summary)
Book 15: Skin Game (Book Review) (Plot Summary) (Chapters 1 - 5)
Book 15.5: Brief Cases (Release Date/Cover/Etc)
Book 16: Peace Talks (What we know!)
Book 17: Battle Ground
Novella 17.5 The Law (Releasing July 5th, 2022)
Book 18: Untitled
Book 19: Mirror Mirror (Sneak Peek/Spoilers)
Book 20: Untitled
Book 21ish: Stars and Stones
Book 22ish: Hell's Bells
Book 23ish: Empty Night

Book Review: Emmy & Oliver, by Robin Benway

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 14:00:00 +0000

Emmy & Oliver
By: Robin Benway
www.RobinBenway.com
ISBN-10: 0062330594
Add on Goodreads

Oliver was kidnapped by his dad ten years ago, and when the police find him and return him home, Oliver is bewildered, and Emmy, Oliver’s childhood best friend, is feeling equally confused to see him again.

It contains:

• Profanity (including the F-word)
• Kissing
• A girl sits in her boyfriend’s lap
• References to sex
• A mother and son have a verbal fight
• Kidnapping
• Getting drunk at a party
• Lying to parents
• A character is gay and it is mentioned that he made out with his boyfriend

Emmy & Oliver is a young adult romance, but the story also focuses on Oliver being a confused young man who is struggling to deal with his conflicted feelings about being kidnapped.

You might also like:

Book Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society (The Mysterious Benedict Society Series, Book 1), by Trenton Lee Stewart

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 14:00:00 +0000

The Mysterious Benedict Society (The Mysterious Benedict Society Series, book 1)
By: Trenton Lee Stewart
www.MysteriousBenedictSociety.com
ISBN-10: 9780316057776
Add on Goodreads

Four children are given a series of tests to prove they are exceptional before being sent on a dangerous mission to impersonate schoolchildren at a secluded boarding school and defeat a deadly machine.

The Mysterious Benedict Society is a very clean and mysterious adventure–science fiction novel. There are some action scenes with minor violence, and a machine called the Whisperer may frighten younger readers. This book is the first in an exciting and intelligent middle grade series.

Readers who enjoyed The Mysterious Benedict Society might also like The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch and:

Book Review: The Spectacular Now, by Tim Tharp

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 13:30:00 +0000

The Spectacular Now
By: Tim Tharp
TimTharp.wordpress.com
ISBN-10: 0375851798
Add on Goodreads

Sutter Keely is an unapologetic party animal. So when he meets shy, reserved Amy, he decides to take her under his wing and introduce her to the real world—at least his side of it.

It includes:

• Profanity (F-word variants, sh*t, d*ck, and p*ssy)
• Sexuality (a few explicate sex scenes, references to erections, masturbation, condoms, porn, tampons, and balls)
• Reference to a twenty year old having sex with a fourteen year old
• Violence (fistfight, slapping someone, a car wreck, and a broken arm)
• Lots of teenaged drinking and drunkenness
• A man is addicted to inhaling gasoline fumes and dies from it
• Teens smoke cigarettes and marijuana

The Spectacular Now is a hilarious and, at times, sad portrayal of the life of a wild, partying teenager. The story is full of profanity, sex, drinking, and drugs, all revolving around the main character.

Book Review: Okay for Now, by Gary D. Schmidt

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 15:00:00 +0000

Okay for Now
By: Gary D. Schmidt
ISBN-10: 0547152604
Add on Goodreads

In 1968 Doug and his family move to a new town that is tiny and sweltering hot. The people also don’t seem very friendly. While things are rough at home, the only thing that keeps Doug’s spirits up is his love for baseball. But when Doug visits the town’s library he discovers a bird book and finds a passion for drawing he never knew he had that might just turn his life around.

It includes:

• Stealing
• Fighting
• Cutting school
• The main character’s family is very poor
• Doug’s father is abusive to his children and wife
• A father forces his son to get an embarrassing tattoo (this scene is rather disturbing)
• A kiss on the cheek
• A father is an alcoholic and goes to bars with his buddies

Okay for Now explores the life of a young boy as he is bullied and finds hope again. This is a middle grade book but might be iffy for some younger readers.

(Moved) Book Review: Eternal Kiss of Darkness (Night Huntress World, Book 2), By Jeaniene Frost

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 15:15:00 +0000

Eternal Kiss of Darkness (Night Huntress World, Book 2)
By Jeaniene Frost
Amazon.com

Read this review on the New Website!

Book Review: Lying Out Loud, by Kody Keplinger

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 15:00:00 +0000

Lying Out Loud
By: Kody Keplinger
KodyKeplinger.com
ISBN-10: 0545831091
Add on Goodreads

Sonny has the bad habit of lying to get herself out of trouble. But when she lands herself in a mess involving her best friend, Amy, and the new boy at school, Ryder, things go too far for Sonny to lie her way out, so there’s only one thing left to do: tell the truth.

It contains:

• Profanity (F-word variants, sh*t, d*ck, b*tch, h*ll, *sshole, and godd*mn)
• Kissing and making out
• The main character tells many lies (obviously)
• Brief mention of a teen taking pot (not actually true)
• One character’s mom stranded her
• A parent had multiple boyfriends and it’s suggested that she had sex with them
• Brief reference to a homosexual couple
• Sonny’s father is in jail for committing crimes (it is mentioned that he stole a car)
• Parents get a divorce
• Beer is mentioned at a party

Lying Out Loud is a companion novel to The DUFF, and it contains much less sexual content, though there is still a lot of profanity. The story is just as engaging, entertaining, and explores deep family issues, and fans of The DUFF will be pleased to find cameo appearances from Bianca and Wesley in this book.

(Moved) Book Review: Shattered (Iron Druid, Book 7), by Kevin Hearne

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:51:00 +0000

Shattered (Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 7)
By: Kevin Hearne

Read this review on Sarah's new website!

Book Review: The Fill-In Boyfriend, by Kasie West

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 13:30:00 +0000

The Fill-In Boyfriend
By: Kasie West
www.KasieWest.com
ISBN-10: 006233638X
Add on Goodreads

Gia’s boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her on prom night, so Gia snatches a random stranger to pretend to be her boyfriend. But thinks get complicated as Gia begins developing real feelings for Fill-In Bradley, and vice versa.

This is a young adult book that contains:

• Kissing
• Stumbling upon two people making out
• Lying

The Fill-In Boyfriend is a cutesy, chick-lit style romance book. The story focuses on the characters’ feelings for each other, but there are also some good messages about trying to be a better person mixed into the plot.

Book Review: All the Bright Places, by Jennifer Niven

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 14:00:00 +0000

All the Bright Places
By: Jennifer Niven
www.JenniferNiven.com
ISBN-10: 0385755880
Add on Goodreads

Violet and Finch are a girl and boy who are suicidal and depressed. But maybe, together, one of them can find hope again.

This is a young adult book that contains:

• Profanity (F-word, sh*t, *sshole, p*ss, dumb*ss, son of a b*tch, godd*mn, h*ll, f*ggot, pr*ck, d*mn, slut, and wh*re)
• References to sex
• A couple of un-descriptive sex scenes between teenagers
• Kissing and making out (kissing with tongue and hand under shirt)
• Violence (bullying, child abuse, fighting, references to blood, one character commits suicide)
• Teens smoke, references to drinking at parties, a car smells like cigarettes and drugs, and one character takes sleeping pills

All the Bright Places deals with tough subjects and is best read by older teens, as there is quite a bit of smoking, cursing, sex, and bullying scattered throughout the plot, all involving teenagers.

Readers who enjoyed All the Bright Places might also like:

Book Review: There Will Be Lies, by Nick Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 13:30:00 +0000

There Will Be Lies
By: Nick Lake
ISBN-10: 1619634406
Add on Goodreads

Shelby is deaf, but she has always been able to sense that something is off about her quiet, reserved life with her mother. When her mom suddenly takes her on an unexpected road trip through the Grand Canyon, Shelby begins learning all kinds of secrets about the life she thought she knew so well.

It contains:

• Profanity (fricking, p*ssed, h*ll, *ss, and b*tch)
• Violence (stabbing a hand with a knife, a character is ordered to eat a human heart, wielding a shotgun, and chase scenes)
• Shelby has a crush on a boy
• Shelby’s mother flirts with a man and it is suggested that they have sex in a hotel room
• The main character smokes cigarettes
• An adult drinks

There Will Be Lies is part contemporary, part magical realism, and part mystery thriller. Shelby is a funny and relatable narrator, and there’s enough action to keep readers interested.

Book Review: Say What You Will, by Cammie McGovern

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 15:00:00 +0000

Say What You Will
By: Cammie McGovern
www.CammieMcGovern.com
ISBN-10: 0062271105
Add on Goodreads

Amy’s body has been disabled ever since she was born. Matthew has a disorder that causes him to constantly be freaked out about germs. When Amy tries making some new friends at school, and starts getting to know Matthew better, she wonders that if together, she and Matthew can balance the other person out, and make each other feel normal.

Parents should be aware that this is a young adult book and includes the following inappropriate content:

• Profanity (a few F-words, as well as sh*t, p*ssed, and two C-words)
• References to and discussions about sex
• Reference to pornography
• Sensual touching
• Kissing
• Reference to marijuana
• Some teens drink alcohol

Readers who enjoyed Say What You Will might also like:

(Moved) Book Review: Seventh Grave and No Body (Charley Davidson, book 7), by Darynda Jones

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 16:00:00 +0000

Seventh Grave and No Body (Charley Davidson, book 7)
By: Darynda Jones
ISBN: 1250045649

Read this review on the new website!

Book Review: UnWholly (Unwind Dystology, Book 2), by Neal Shusterman

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 12:00:00 +0000

UnWholly
By: Neal Shusterman
www.storyman.com
ISBN-10: 1442423668
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Connor is now the leader of an outcast group of Unwound kids. But when Risa gets captured, Connor wants to drop everything to save her, even if Risa might be falling in love with someone else—Cam, the first “person” to be made from pieced-together Unwind parts.

It includes:

• Mild profanity (h*ll, d*mn)
• Some kissing
• Violence (shooting, beating, a plane crash, one character is made up of many human body parts, and a game of Russian Roulette)

UnWholly is just as much of an invigorating, thought-provoking read as the first book. Fans of Unwind should be satisfied with this sequel that contains many appearances of old characters as well as brand-new ones.

More Unwind reviews:
• Book 1: Unwind

Coming Soon: Brief Cases (Dresden Files Anthology book 2), By Jim Butcher

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 02:07:00 +0000

News just broke and I believe it this time because Jim Butcher the one and only author was the one who shared it. We have a cover!

OOOOOOOOH

AHHHHHHHH

Revel in it!

okay, okay, that's enough.

WE HAVE A RELEASE DATE!!!!!!!

JUNE 5TH!!!!!!

This latest installment of the Dresden Files will include short stories not included in Side Jobs as well as one new never before published story.

Stories Included:

Curses (Published in The Naked City)
AAAA Wizardry (Published in the Dresden Files RPG)
Even Hand (Published in Dark and Stormy Knights)
B is for Bigfoot (Published in Under My Hat: Tales From the Cauldron)
I was a Teenage Bigfoot (Published in Blood Lite 3: Aftertaste)
Bigfoot on Campus (Published in Hex Appeal)
Bombshells (Published in Dangerous Women)
Jury Duty (Published in Unbound)
Cold Case (Published in Shadowed Souls)
Day One (Published in Unfettered II)
A Fistful of Warlocks (Published in Straight Outta Tombstone)
Zoo Day (Brand New for Brief Cases)

Pre-order is available!!!!!!

Book Review: Landline, by Rainbow Rowell

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Landline
By: Rainbow Rowell
RainbowRowell.com
ISBN-10: 1250049377
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Georgie’s marriage is already on the rocks when she suddenly has to choose between a work offer and going to Omaha for Christmas with her family. The magic phone in her childhood bedroom doesn’t help clear her whirling mind either, when she is suddenly able call her husband, Neal, from twenty years in the past.

Landline is an adult contemporary romance with a fantasy twist. It can be read by young adults, although it does contain lots of cussing (many F-words), adult sexual dialogue, a homosexual character, making out, an animal birthing scene, and a flashback to Georgie giving birth.

The characters in this novel are refreshingly hilarious, and if you like fluffy chick lit books or enjoyed Rainbow Rowell’s other published works, you shouldn’t have a problem with Landline. You may be able to figure out some parts of the plot before Georgie does, but the comical dialogue and page turning chapters make up for it.

Book Review: Awaken (Awaken, Book 1), by Katie Kacvinsky

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Awaken (Awaken, book 1)
By: Katie Kacvinsky
KatieKacvinskyBooks.wordpress.com
ISBN-10: 0547721986
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Maddie lives in a digitally-saturated world, where children do their school on computers, people chat and go on dates online, and hardly anyone ventures out of doors. Maddie has always felt that something was wrong with this lifestyle, and when she meets Justin, who has an even stronger opinion about electronics than she does, he’s about to change her view of the real world for the better.

It includes:

• Kissing, making out, and some sensual touches
• Profanity (sh*t, d*mn, and h*ll)
• Violence (some injuries and shooting)

This is an intriguing young adult dystopian novel that tackles the idea of a near future filled with electronics. The tone is fairly light throughout.

Readers who enjoyed Awaken might also like The Declaration by Gemma Malley and:

Book Review: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 19 Nov 2017 13:30:00 +0000

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
By: John Boyne
www.JohnBoyne.com
ISBN-10: 0385751060
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Bruno is upset when his family moves from their cozy house in Berlin to the country for his father’s work as a soldier. But things start looking up when Bruno spies a farm near his new house, and meets a boy wearing striped pajamas on the other side of the fence who becomes his new playmate.

This book contains:

• Reference to adults using bad words
• Violence (deaths, starving people, beating a man, Jews in a concentration camp, and the smell of burning bodies)
• Emotionally disturbing scenes

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas paints a subtly simple, vidid picture of the horrible acts of brutality of WWII. The message, characters, and story about the Holocaust are all extraordinarily powerful.

Book Review: Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin, by Liesl Shurtliff

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Rump: The True Story of Rupelstiltskin
By: Liesl Shurtliff
LieslShurtliff.com
ISBN-10: 0307977935
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Rump is used to being made fun of because his name is, well, Rump. But his simple lifestyle suddenly gets complicated when he comes across a magical spinning wheel and finds out he has a knack for weaving. But what Rump doesn’t know is that the spinning wheel is cursed, and now he will have to go on a dangerous journey to break the spell cast upon him.

This is a middle grade book and contains:

• Some bullying
• Violence (hitting, pixies bite people, trolls talk about eating people, a nosebleed, bloody fingers, and one character dies)

Rump: The True Story of Rupelstiltskin is a humorous and cleverly-written novel for younger readers. There are lots of new twists added to the original Rumpelstiltskin tale, and the author includes cameo appearances from other fairytales as well.

Book Review: The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:00:00 +0000

The Book Thief
By: Markus Zusak
ZusakBooks.tumblr.com
ISBN-10: 0375831002
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In 1939, Liesel is sent to live in safety with Hans and Rosa Hubermann, who are secretly Jewish sympathizers. Hans begins to teach Liesel to read, and as Liesel falls in love with books, she realizes that words have the power to help her make it through each day in the ruthless time of war.

It includes:

• Profanity (religious names are abused, and godd*mn, sh*t, and h*ll are used frequently)
• Violence (death and beatings)
• Reference to a boy’s genitals
• A kiss
• Smoking and drinking

The Book Thief has a very heavy WWII theme and lots of language (both in English and German). Although the chapters are short, the book tends to drag a bit, but Markus Zusak’s beautiful writing, memorable characters, and emotional scenes make up for the boring parts.

Readers who enjoyed The Book Thief might also like:

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Book Review: Staked (Iron Druid Chronicles, book 8), By Kevin Hearne

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 21:36:00 +0000

Staked (Iron Druid Chronicles, book 8)

By: Kevin Hearne
ISBN: 0345548515
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With the vampire threat hurting people he cares about, Atticus sets out to eliminate it, but when you're outnumbered by the thousands that's easier said than done.

Unlike the prior seven Iron Druid books, Staked is a sad and depressing story despite the various humor throughout. It's told from three points of view(POV) with Owen and Granuwaile off on their own quests/adventures. Atticus and Granuwaile's POV are so similar in tone that it is possible to loose track of who's head you are in. Additionally there are times when Granuwaile's perspective seems unauthentic as a female (admittedly, this is a matter of perspective). Staked doesn't function well as a stand alone and I encourage readers interested in the Iron Druid Chronicles to start at the beginning of the series.

Staked is an adult urban fantasy and includes:

Profanity: F word, D*mn, Sh*t
Destruction of public property & Stealing
Branding
References to arses, hides, bollocks, male private parts
Some suggestive remarks
Implied sex (no detail) and references to persons having recently had sex (rumpled appearance referenced, but very little else)
A dismembered person
A god explodes (references to exploded Icor/body messy and gross)
Lots of bodies come apart in gross ways (mostly references to blood and goo)
Injuring of an unequal opponent as an outlet for anger

The Iron Druid Chronicles

Book 1: Hounded
Book 2: Hexed
Book 3: Hammered
Book 4: Tricked
Book 4.5: Two Ravens and One Crow
Book 5: Trapped
Book 6: Hunted
Book 7: Shattered
Book 8: Staked
Book 9: Scourged

Book Review: The Heir (The Selection, Book 4), by Kiera Cass

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 13:00:00 +0000

The Heir (The Selection, book 4)
By: Kiera Cass
www.KeriaCass.com
ISBN-10: 0062349856
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Princess Eadlyn has everything she could ever want: she lives in a lavish palace and has an abundance of beautiful gowns. But when her father and mother, King Maxon and Queen America, suggest that she hold a Selection to keep a war from breaking out, Eadlyn is in distress. As the future ruler of Illéa, she already has so many duties to perform each day, and doesn’t want to be distracted by a hoard of thirty-five young men around who all want to marry her.

It contains:

• Kissing and making out
• A man won’t stop staring at a girl’s breasts
• Minor profanity (h*ll, d*mn, *ss)
• Implied attempted rape (a man makes remarks about a woman and tries to touch her)
• Some fights that result in injuries
• Drinking wine at dinner

The Heir is a quick read and follows America Singer’s daughter. Eadlyn has a very different tone than America, and some readers may find that either refreshing or annoying.

More Selection reviews:
• Book 1: The Selection
• Book 2: The Elite
• Book 3: The One

Book Review: The One (The Selection, Book 3), by Kiera Cass

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 12:00:00 +0000

The One (The Selection, book 3)
By: Kiera Cass
www.KeriaCass.com
ISBN-10: 0062059998
Add on Goodreads

Just as America makes up her mind about the man she loves, their relationship spirals out of control until America wonders if they can ever be the simple married couple that she longs for them to be.

It includes:

• Kissing, caresses, and a couple heavy make out scenes
• America dresses in a revealing gown in an attempt to seduce Maxon
• Minor profanity (h*ll, d*mn, *ss)
• Violence (deaths, injuries, rebels raid the palace)

The One ends America Singer’s story as the complicated Selection comes to a close and Prince Maxon finally chooses his queen. Fans of the previous novels and the characters should not be disappointed with this book, and the ending has a nice conclusion.

More Selection reviews:
• Book 1: The Selection
• Book 2: The Elite

(Moved) Book Review: Sixth Grave on the Edge (Charley Davidson, book 6), by Darynda Jones

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 03:05:00 +0000

Sixth Grave on the Edge (Charley Davidson, book 6)
By: Darynda Jones
ISBN: 1250045630