Alphabet of Dreams

By: Susan Fletcher

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Pages: 304

Published: 2006

Told in: First Person

In a nutshell:

Mitra and her young brother, Babak, are Persian nobility in hiding. Mitra dreams of finding their family in Palmyra, while Babak dreams for whoever’s item of clothing he sleeps with. With this strange ability and the king’s men after them, Mitra and Babak find themselves with three wise Magi who depend on Babak’s dreams of stars to lead them to a new born king in Bethlehem.

What you may enjoy:

This is a great perspective of the Christmas story without the book being about Christmas. The book has a historical fiction feel to it that keeps it from being religious. And if you like determined female characters disguised as a boy, this book is for you. It’s a creative take on the wise men that moves steadily along.

What you may NOT enjoy:

Mitra is not a very likable character. She doesn’t make rational decisions and is a bit whiny. The story is aimed at young girls, somewhat predictable, and at times a little slow. If you’re looking for a stunning, take your breath away kind of read, this is not it. For most, this book falls in the average to mildly enjoyable category.  

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Girl is drugged; boy convulses; boy falls and splits chin open; boy torture, implied and mentioned; family massacred, implied and mentioned; girl slapped; girl nearly stabbed; men fight with knives, non-graphic; babies killed, mentioned and mildly graphic.

Sex and Nudity:

Girl mentions physical attraction; girl begins her menstrual cycle

Language and profanity:

G*d

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Christmas Jars

By: Jason F. Wright

Genre: Holiday, Inspirational Fiction

Pages: 128

Published: 2005

Told in: Third Person

In a nutshell:

Hope, a young journalist who hopes to make it big, comes across the perfect front page story when she is the recipient of an anonymous gift―a jar of change. Hope tracks down the family who started the tradition and grows connected with them as she learns just how special the Christmas Jar really is.

What you may enjoy:

This book will make you see the good in the world. It is a story meant to move, inspire, and humble you. It is a little story for the lovers of Christmas Hallmark movies. It is a happy story with your typical happy ending. The characters are generous and good, instilling a desire to know people like them.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The story is cheesy and underdeveloped. Don’t read this if you want to read something deep or realistic. The characters are two dimensional and the story is exaggerated. Some of the descriptions and details are disjointed or unnecessary.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Man beats wife, mentioned several times; woman dies of cancer; man dies of a heart attack; woman is robbed.

Sex and Nudity:

None

Language and profanity:

None

The Reckoners Series: Steelheart, Firefight, and Calamity

By: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Teen, Dystopian

Pages: 386, 416, 421

Published: 2013, 2015, 2016

Told in: First Person

Note: This critique is for the series as a whole; however, the warnings section is specific for Calamity. The warnings for Steelheart and Firefight would have a similar feel. You may request warnings for the two books in the comment section below.  

In a nutshell:

After Calamity appeared in the sky, ordinary people began gaining super powers. They were called Epics. But Epics are not the heroes, instead they seek for power and destruction, tearing the world apart. David has studied Epics most of his life and joins the Reckoners, a small group of people who are intent on taking down the worst of the Epics. But not is as it seems with Epics or with David’s new group of friends, and the more David learns the more questions he has.

What you may enjoy:

Do you like dystopian? Do you like super heroes? This series is Marvel meets dystopian. But a dystopian that ultimately ends WELL. There is hope for the future. The world built is fascinating and unique. There is action a plenty coupled with a light humor. And lots of plot twists. The characters are not all stereotypical and mesh well together.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The action and fighting may be too much for some people; there is a lot of gun talk. Some of the humor (David’s metaphors) can get old. If you’re a Sandersonite, this book is a whole different level. It’s not his normal stuff and if you expect it to be, you won’t like it. Also, there are some who complain that the series end is rushed and weak.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Body parts in jars, mildly graphic; boy climbs in a case of body parts, non-graphic; robots blown up, non-graphic; boy shot in leg, non-graphic; people killed, mentioned; body disintegrates, non-graphic; girl burns herself multiple times, non-graphic; man orders people shot and killed; man threatens to kill hundreds of people; people fall from building getting injured and killed, mentioned; woman shot and killed, non-graphic; two men shot and killed, mentioned; people crushed by exploding debris, implied; woman shot and killed, mildly graphic; boy sprains ankle, mentioned; boy breaks both legs, non-graphic; girl sticks her arm in a fire, non-graphic; battle between a man and girl, mildly graphic; boy shot at multiple times, crowd of people shot at; bystanders killed, mentioned; woman crushed, graphic; man stabbed, mildly graphic; man’s arm cut off, non-graphic; battle between multiple people, non-graphic; boy beaten, graphic; man receives cuts and bruises, non-graphic

Sex and Nudity:

Boy and girl kiss, mentioned; boy and girl kiss passionately, mentioned; boy sticks tongue in a girls ear, mentioned

Language and profanity:

D*mn, H*ll, made up words replace profanity

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For Biddle's Sake

By: Gail Carson Levine

Genre: Children’s/Young Reader Fantasy

Pages: 104

Published: 2002

Told in: Third Person

In a nutshell:

Parsley is taken to live with the evil fairy, Bombina after her father is caught stealing parsley out of the fairy’s garden for her. Bombina’s specialty is turning things into toads. When she sees Parsley smiling at a young prince, Tansy, she grows jealous and decides to turn him into a toad, but instead the curse falls on Parsley. Now Parsley must discover how to become human again, while Tansy goes on several quests to earn the right to the throne.

What you may enjoy:

A light, fun read, this book is great for beginning readers. It’s not too long and has several pictures throughout it. It is silly and simple, a book that is not meant to be taken too seriously.

What you may NOT enjoy:

This book is predictable. It’s silly. Some things don’t connect or make logical sense. In some ways the story feels rushed and the characters are not fully developed.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Several people turned into toads, mildly graphic and mentioned; toad thrown, non-graphic; boys wrestle, non-graphic; flea bites king, non-graphic.

Sex and Nudity:

Girl kisses a toad twice, non-graphic

Language and profanity:

None

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The Trumpet of the Swan

By: E.B. White

Genre: Children’s/Young Reader Fiction

Pages: 210

Published: 1970

Told in: Third Person

In a nutshell:

Louis is a mute swan. Unable to communicate he learns to read and write, but it still does not help him win the affections of the swan he loves since she cannot read. Louis’s father steals a trumpet to help his son gain a voice. Louis then forgoes a quest to pay for the trumpet to regain his father’s honor and to win the heart of his love.

What you may enjoy:

This book is considered a classic by many and fits right along with the author’s well-known book, Charlotte’s Web. It’s a fun loving story about sentient animals without actually giving them the ability to speak. It has a light feeling and humor to it. It has some good lessons and qualities for children to learn from, such as overcoming our physical challenges, being honest, hardworking, and the importance of asking questions and learning.

What you may NOT enjoy:

This is a book about animals who think and act like people. If you don’t like animal books or personified animals don’t expect to enjoy this book. The book has a lot of fluff, full paragraphs that can just be passed over without losing anything. The story often portrays adults and authority figures as simple minded idiots. Another problem people have had with this book is how easily Louis and Serena agree to give away one of their children to the zoo in exchange for their own freedom.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Swan shot at; swan shot, drawing blood, mildly graphic; fox attempts to attack a swan, mildly graphic; boy hits a fox, non-graphic; swan snaps man’s behind, non-graphic.

Sex and Nudity:

None

Language and profanity:

G*d

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The Egypt Game

By: Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Genre: Children’s/Young Reader Fiction

Pages: 215

Published: 1967

Told in: Third Person

In a nutshell:

A group of children play in a deserted yard, imagining they are in the ancient land of Egypt. Their games get interrupted by several different problems, the biggest being that the yard they play in belongs to a suspected murderer who is always watching.

What you may enjoy:

This book brings to life the memories and feelings of being a child, creating games, and learning new, exciting things. For a children’s book, the characters have depth and consistency. The book skims the surface of modern family problems without that being the book theme, instead focusing on what would be important to children.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The book is a little dated. Children no longer roam freely in the streets or are left to babysit so young. Also, this is not a historical fiction, it’s a story of kids playing pretend. If you don’t want to enter the world of a child’s imagination this book is not for you. Other complaints are that the book is slightly slow and that the imaginary game they play is weird.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images: 

man watches children; child’s dead body found, mentioned; child murdered, mentioned; child is attacked, described; brick thrown through a man’s window, mentioned; cutting out a child's heart, suggested; Egyptian rituals, described. 

Sex and Nudity: 

None

Language and Profanity: 

None

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Sleeping Beauty

By: Jenni James

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Retold Fairy Tale

Published: 2013

Told in: Third Person

Series: Faerie Tale Collection, #2

In a nutshell:

While Aleyna sleeps her spirit walks the halls of her ruined castle, seeing only how it used to be, not knowing she is asleep. Prince Darien and his friends come along to solve the mystery of this haunting beauty and of the horrors that happened in the once beautiful palace.  

What you may enjoy:

A very new and unique twist on the classic story of sleeping beauty. If you like a light book that spins a new story from a well-known tale, this is for you. Part fantasy, part romance, part action. This book is a fun, and quick read; the kind of book you can enjoy in its simplicity. And don't worry, the series doesn't need to be read in any specific order.

What you may NOT enjoy:

If you are lactose intolerant don’t read this. It is all 5 layers of CHEESY. Love at first sight, sappy one liners, and a unicorn that fixes everything. And in depth characters? None. This is not a book for people who want a developed, feast of a book. Also, be warned, there are plenty of typos.

Warnings:

Violence: 

people’s limbs torn off, mentioned and non-graphic; blood smattered on walls, mentioned; skeletons lying about, mentioned; man dragged off by creatures; man’s bones shattered, mildly graphic; man tortured, mentioned; unicorn attacked by creatures, mildly graphic; men battle creatures, mildly graphic; girl stabs finger, non-graphic; woman stabbed through, non-graphic; hundreds of people killed, mentioned.

Sex and Nudity:

man and woman hold hands; man and woman kiss passionately, graphic; man physically aroused, alluded to; woman physically aroused, mentioned; man and woman intend to have sex, mentioned; man nibbles woman’s ear.

Language and profanity: 

None

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Messenger

By: Lois Lowry

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopia

Published: 2006
Pages: 169

Told in: Third Person

Series: The Giver, #3

In a nutshell:

Matty lives in Village, a place that takes those who have been rejected by their communities. But things in Village are starting to change. People want to close their borders to new arrivals and the forest is growing increasingly threatening, even to Matty who has always been safe there.

What you may enjoy:

If you’ve read The Giver and wanted to know more, work your way on to this book. Messenger is the connecting piece between the first two books, The Giver and Gathering Blue. Each book tells a story of a different dystopian community. The books aren’t action packed or “rebel against Big Brother” type stories, but are more of an awakening where the characters discover the flaws of their society.

What you may NOT enjoy:

If you prefer fast moving, action packed dystopian then this book is not for you. The story focuses primarily on relationships and the flaws of humankind. This book is very strongly a “connector” book, meaning that in ways it’s less of a story and more of the link between books. It leaves a lot of open holes and unanswered questions, concluding abruptly with many loose ends.

Warnings:

Violence: man is strangled to death in vines, non-graphic; man is stabbed in the foot by a vine, non-graphic; woman’s feet are cut up and bleed, mildly graphic; boy gets infected blisters on arms that ooze, mildly graphic; boy was beaten, mentioned; boy dies, non-graphic.

Sex and Nudity: boy and girl kiss, mentioned.

Language and profanity: None

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Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh

Author: Katie Hamstead

Genre: Historical Fiction

Published: 2013

Pages: 257

Told in: First Person

Series: Kiya Trilogy

In a nutshell:

Kiya, raised Hebrew, is taken as one of the many wives of Pharaoh Akhenaten. She is expected to bare a son, heir to the throne; however, she faces the jealousy of Nefertiti, the First Wife, along with the challenges of a new religion and a forbidden love.

What you may enjoy:

This is a quick and easy read. Hamstead illustrates an intriguing view of how Hebrews and Egyptians may have viewed each other without delving too much into history. So, if you want a light, dramatic historical fiction, complete with romance, intrigue, and a strong female protagonist, than this is a book for you. The story moves along quickly, with Kiya staying consistent to her character. There are many fun, endearing characters to enjoy in this story.

What you may NOT enjoy:

A year after its publication, evidence arose that discredit’s Kiya as Tutankhamen’s mother (Wikipedia Kiya). So, if you’re looking for a historically accurate and in-depth book, this is NOT for you. The book is more drama and romance than history. The feud between Nefertiti and Kiya stems more from jealousy than an actual control of power, which comes across as petty.    

Warnings:

·               -Violence: man and woman are beheaded, mentions sound of their falling bodies; multiple characters are cut with knives; woman hit by a man multiple times; women fighting; murder attempt mentioned; multiple children poisoned; mentions men being whipped; woman dies bleeding in a pool of water; woman bit by snake and killed; woman threatened; children attacked by a lion; man kills lions; women go through childbirth. mentioned and mildly graphic.

·             - Sex and Nudity: man has sex with multiple women at once, mentioned; man has sex with many women separately, mentioned and mildly graphic; woman describes pain of sex; nudity mentioned; nudity described; man kisses many women; man and woman kiss passionately, graphic; man tears woman’s clothes off; man forces himself on a woman; woman commits emotional infidelity; married woman kisses another man; woman examined to determine virginity; incest, mentioned. 

·              -Language: No foul or profane language 

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Descendent

By: Douglas Sharp

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Published: 2015

Told in: Third Person

Series: The Soul Link Chronicles

In a nutshell:

In this modern fantasy, humans can no longer see or use magic. A magical race, the Aldri, decide to take over earth, sending assassins to kill any potential magic users that could threaten their plans. Llyr is assigned to assassinate Rebecca, but the two become “soul-linked” instead. Now Rebecca must face a magical world she never knew existed while learning how to control her new magical abilities. Meanwhile, Llyr struggles to decide what is right and true.

What you may enjoy:

Full of fun new magical creatures, this book spins a unique story. The book creatively combines the modern age with the fantastical world of dragons, goblins, and magic. If you enjoy a story of adventure with a strong heroine then you will like this book. While there is budding romance, it takes a backseat to the action and adventure. With a smooth, consistent development, Sharp leaves readers wanting to know how the story continues.

What you may NOT enjoy:

As a self-published book, the text is riddled with errors, typos, and inconsistencies; for instance, a sentimental necklace is later referred to as a ring, etc. So, if you are a reader that can’t look past grammatical errors, this book is not for you. Also, there are elements that seem too contrived. There are instances of “deus ex machina” or “God from a machine”: characters that happen to have the exact object that would be needed, etc.

Warnings:

Violence: (All the following are non-graphic or mentioned) Creature bursts into flame; many creatures stabbed with daggers; man stabbed with spear; stone creature explodes; creature decapitated; person’s throat slit; person dies in a car accident; two people disintegrated; multiple described battles; person shot with an arrow, multiple instances; creatures stabbed; person burned; person lit on fire; creatures lit on fire; creature scratched; man stabbed; men decapitated; creature thrashed; woman knocked unconscious; thousands of humans instantly killed with magic; creatures smashed by cave in; creatures smashed by boulders and rocks.

Sex and Nudity: man and woman hold hands

Language and profanity: None

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Nefertiti

Author: Michelle Moran

Genre: Historical Fiction

Published: 2007

Pages: 463

Told in: First Person

In a nutshell:

Nefertiti is the beautiful wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten and the story is told by her sister Mutnodjmet. The book follows from the time they marry until Nefertiti’s death. Full of palace intrigue, fight for power, and the struggle of a changing nation.

What you may enjoy:

The character development in this is strong. The book focuses on the characters and their relationships. So if you want a book more on the bond between sisters and not so heavily historical, you’ll enjoy this. You may hate some of the characters, but in the lovingly hated kind of way. It’s longer than it appears, but as Diana Gabaldon said, “Compulsively readable.”

What you may NOT enjoy:

The historical information in this book was correct for its publication date. In 2014 more information was learned about Akhenaten’s family that discredits a lot of this book (Wikipedia Kiya). Also, this book is DENSE. And I mean that in the way that you read, and read, and read, and so much has happened, but then you realize how little of the book you’ve actually gotten through.

Warnings:
    -Violence: Severed head with blood, non-descriptive; mentions of war; mentions of plague; mentions a cut off arm; women give birth, non-descriptive; woman killed with an arrow.

    -Sex: Man has multiple wives; man lays with a woman; married couples mention having sex; woman mentions having sex with her husband several times in one night; kissing; nudity mentioned.

    -Language: No foul language

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