Brooklyn Fever: Labyrinth Lost (a review)

Labyrinth Lost
Zoraida Cordova
Sourcebooks Fire (September, 2016)
978-1492620945

Alejandra comes from a long line of Bruja's (Broo-hah) and her Deathday, a celebration where her full witchy powers come in and she receives the blessings of her family- living and dead, is approaching. The only problem is that accepting her powers is the last thing she wants to do, they are too hard to control and power has caused her family nothing but trouble. When she meets a dark stranger who helps her to create a canto (spell) that will remove her power the plan backfires and sends her family to another realm. With his help and the desire to make things right she'll have to go to Hell (or an equivalent) and back.

I was expecting to wander around Brooklyn with Alejandra as she battles monsters in the borough, but I wasn't disappointed when I found that the majority of the book is set in Los Lagos, a purgatory-like middle ground where blind giants, winged women and evil fairies roam. The world-building was beautiful and vivid, but some of the character decisions gave me pause. A few things happened, because they needed to happen to move the story along, but not necessarily because they made sense for the character. The language is beautiful and anyone who loves to get lost will find the trials and tribulations of this quest story a great addition to their bookshelves. However, there was the ubiquitous love triangle at the end that seemed a little disingenuous. (spoilers) Ale feels a tug in her gut when she's around Nova, a tiny twinge of lust that feels like butterflies, but with Rishi there is familiarity and affection. This could be classic triangle dynamics, but I think I'd like to read a lesbian love story with a bit more passion. Am I wrong? Tell me what you think.

This book is perfect for:

• People who love urban fantasy
• Anyone into Greek mythology and their variants
• People who know how to properly roll their "r"'s

Discussion Questions:

1. Alejandra tries to deny her power. Why is she so afraid of it? If she had embraced her power, would her fate have changed? Was the descent to Los Lagos inevitable?
2. Rishi jumps in after Alejandra. Is her sacrifice believable, why or why not?
3. Rate the monsters Ale, Nova and Rishi find by their fierceness.
4. Nova is scarred because he never got his Deathday blessing, once he leaves Los Lagos, he's still scarred. Is he redeemable?
5. Rishi and Ale share a deep friendship that becomes something more. How is the set-up of this relationship different from that of Ale and Nova?
6. How is the theme of family as identity carried throughout the story?

If you liked this try:
Try another Brooklyn fantasy that will have you itching to visit, Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older.

Soundtrack:
Romeo Santos
Volume 2

Exit, Pursued by A Bear by EK Johnston : Friends and Allies (a mini review)

Exit, Pursued by A Bear
EK Johnston
Dutton Books for Young Readers
(March 2016)
978-1101994580
*Spoilers
Hermione is cheerleading captain, but when she's drugged and raped at cheerleading camp she becomes infamous for something more than how high she can fly. Exit is a well written foray into the Canadian cheerleading culture and a study in friendship more than anything else. The relationship between Polly and Hermione is heartwarming and has an intimacy that would be hard to match in even some teen romances on the shelves. The book centers around how Hermione copes with what happened to her, but I wouldn't not necessarily recommend this book to survivors. While every assault is different, Hermione has an uncommonly supportive network of family, friends and even schoolmates. The one rumor spread is promptly redacted by the perpetrator and there's almost no public fall-back on her part, which I find to be unrealistic even in this day and age. The nature of the assault also absolves her of ever having to deal with what happened during the rape or even during the rape kit. It seems very antiseptic and safe, but assault isn't like that. I will say that the frank and non-judgemental approach to her abortion was refreshing. This could be helpful to someone, but as an "issue" book I wouldn't say it's terribly effective. If you're looking for that I still contend that Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is the gold standard, but as a serious contemporary I think this is a fine read.

This Book is perfect for:

• School book clubs, especially the cheerleading squad
• Contemporary Fiction lovers who have a hopeful side
• Sports lovers who may not know they are

Ep 3: Best Book Ever Written Summer Book Haul 2016

Sing me a song of wolves and summer sweet: Wink Poppy Midnight (a mini-review)

Wink Poppy Midnight
April Genevieve Tucholke
Dial Books (2016)
978-0803740488
There are stories about character, and there are stories about plot and then there are stories where the words are the point altogether. For me, I think, Wink Poppy Midnight is the latter. Steeped in beautiful language, readers will be lulled into a fairy tale-like story with heroes and villains and the gray places in between. It is a contemporary, but only in that there are no paranormal elements. The characters live in a place where people still write letters and children play outside all day without a tether to any technology whatsoever. If the setting is meant to be a real place, I would say that this a dismal failure. The characters aren't necessarily lovable, but that is subjective. We all have different personalities and tastes and there were things the characters did that I found to be completely unbelievable and unlikable, but that is based on my own experiences and you might have feel totally different.

Side note: There is an awesome recipe for pumpkin hot chocolate that I am definitely stealing.

Dive into it and let me know what you think!

This book is perfect for:

• Lovers of fairy-tales
• Anyone itching for a prose fix
• People who like quiet contemporary novels

Perfect Liars by Kimberly Reid (a review)

Perfect Liars
By: Kimberly Reid
Tu Books (May, 2016)

In the quiet suburbs of Atlanta, lies a secret among the perfect manicured lawns and sensible luxury sedans. The perfect girl with the fantastic GPA isn't who everyone thinks she is and her parents aren't either. Andrea Faraday is a liar and a thief and it's a family tradition. When her parents disappear after a perfectly executed heist amongst the people she calls friends and neighbors she's left to wonder if their gone for good. Will she be able to keep herself out of trouble, or will the cute boy with a side even darker than hers bring out the worst in her?

Perfect Liars is a lot of fun in my favorite city and I like a little hint of boarding school hijinks in the South, but while the beginning of the tale sets you up for a suspense the plot doesn't move fast enough, those who love a mystery will still like it, especially if you're into her previous titles or those by beloved author Stephanie Perry Moore. The bright spots are really the relationship between Andrea and her brother. I loved their easy sibling friendship and genuine care for each other, especially in a crisis. Although, I would have liked to see more fire between Xavier, the love interest, and Andrea. We get that she has a crush on him, but there doesn't seem to be much behind it, but it is high school. Is there ever anything real behind a crush in 11th grade?

I'd definitely pick this book up to flesh out your personal quick picks for reluctant readers. If their used to novella length titles this is a great entry point to longer works.

This book is perfect for:

• ATLiens
• Contemporary Fiction lovers who appreciate a twinge of Mystery
• Folks desperate for an Asian male object of affection (so rare)

Discussion Questions:

1. Class and race crash into each other in this novel. Discuss how Andrea's money gives her privilege.
2. Andrea comes from a family of con artists.What benefits does that afford her? What drawbacks?
3. How much does Andrea owe Xavier in terms of repaying him for his silence?
4. Discuss the possible explanations for Andrea's parents disappearance.
5. Andrea's brother turned over a new leaf. Do you believe him?
6. Andrea is afraid of the kids at the new school at first. Discuss a time when you've been afraid for a silly reason in retrospect.

If you like this try:
Kimberly Reid has a number of titles in her Langdon Prep series. If you like Perfect Liars you'll love My Own Worst Frenemy.

Soundtrack:
As an Atlanta staple, one must know and respect the inimitable Monica
After the Storm

Princess, Princess Ever After (a review)

Princess, Princess Ever After
By: Katie Oneal
Oni Press (September, 2016)

Amira saves Sadie and her pet dragon, Oliver from a life of solitude in a tower. The princesses then go out in search of adventure as Amira looks for more people to help. When Sadie's sister suspects she's coming to claim her throne things turn for the worse and Sadie must put down her damsel crown and take up her hero sword.

You may know already, that I'm not a big graphic novel fan, but I found this to be so cute and refreshing. With a crisp feminist flare that highlights the constraints that patriarchy puts on boys and girls it also doesn't skimp on the funny. The one-liners were witty and the plot changes plain delightful. It works as middle grades and even as a story-time picture book for those who are so inclined to split it over a few nights.

I love, love, love that the princesses don't get married right away as they almost always do in traditional fairytales. The girls spend some time growing up and becoming better people. How can you not love that?

This book is a great gateway drug for those who are wary of stocking or suggesting LGBT comics. It's as light and airy as soda bubbles and there really isn't any room for anyone to object (though I'm sure someone will try).

This book is perfect for:
Parents looking for a longer form story-time option
Fairy-tale buffs
Graphic novel buffs looking for queer friendly representation

Discussion Questions:

1. Sadie's sister picks on her by calling her fat and a cry-baby, facts Sadie doesn't deny. How has she let her sister's opinion of her hold her back.
2. Amira and Sadie don't automatically get together in the end, they both go and learn to be a hero and a queen on their own. How does this ending differ from most fairy tales?
3. Butthead is forced into hero work by his family. How does his plight align with the girls'?
4. Amira runs away from her family and Sadie lets hers control her, discuss the motivations around their decisions.

If you like this try:

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson is about Nimona, a kick-ass curvy super-villain assistant.

Soundtrack:
Rockabye Baby: Lullaby Renditions of Journey