Playing Hearts

Summary: It begins the way it has always begun: with a card on Mabel’s pillow. But Mabel has been in Underland before, and she’s not so anxious to go back. No matter what name it takes, Underland is always bizarre, always mad, always dangerous.

There’s the Queen of Hearts, terrifying, powerful, and possibly insane. There’s Hatter, purple-eyed and undoubtedly mad. March Hare has always been one sandwich short of a picnic, and Sir Blanc is missing his wits.

And then there’s Jack. Jack the aristocratic son of the Queen. Not quite mad, but not far off. Disinclined to help anyone but himself. A liar. And, thanks to an ancient ceremony performed by the Queen, Mabel’s fiancé.

Fall into the rabbit hole with Mabel as she climbs through tea-pots, battles the Jabberwock, and attempts to overthrow the Queen of Hearts herself.

Don’t lose your head.

And whatever you do, don’t be late...

Thoughts: As mentioned previously, I love retellings, especially of Alice in Wonderland. Also, in case you didn't pick it up in previous posts (here and here) I really love W.R. Gingell's writing style, she manages to capture a great sense of humor along with some very real and loveable characters. This story is no different and masterfully weaves a new take on an old story that had me pretty captivated the whole time. I really appreciated the world-building in here, despite not being a big book, Playing Hearts does a good job of shaping Wonderland and it's systems of rules and madness. I really loved it and highly recommend for any and everyone who wants some a new twist on Alice and her Wonderland. 

Content: Magic and violence, clean for most ages but will probably be most enjoyed by teens and adults. 

Merry Christmas (almost) and happy holidays! Wishing a joyous season to you all!

100 Cupboards

Summary: Twelve-year-old Henry York is going to sleep one night when he hears a bump on the attic wall above his head. It's an unfamiliar house—Henry is staying with his aunt, uncle, and three cousins—so he tries to ignore it. But the next night he wakes up with bits of plaster in his hair. Two knobs have broken through the wall, and one of them is slowly turning...

Henry scrapes the plaster off the wall and discovers doors—ninety-nine cupboards of all different sizes and shapes. Through one he can hear the sound of falling rain. Through another he sees a glowing room—with a man strolling back and forth! Henry and his cousin Henrietta soon understand that these are not just cupboards. They are, in fact, portals to other worlds.

Thoughts: This was a fairly creepy and fascinating book. A bit like The Magician's Nephew meets a Goosebump story, 100 Cupboards has a vaguely classical feel to it combined with a uniquely creepy element, it tackles the idea eagerly that not every world would be friendly and not everyone will wish you well on your journeys. Good writing, good characters, and a better plot to keep you entertained, this was a fun read!

Content: Pretty creepy at times, good for older middle-graders, at least twelve and up!

Momo

Summary: After the sweet-talking gray men come to town, life becomes terminally efficient. Can Momo, a young orphan girl blessed with the gift of listening, vanquish the ashen-faced time thieves before joy vanishes forever?

Thoughts: From the author of The Neverending Story, Momo is a sweet and curious tale about time, magic, friendship, and community. I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it as a read-aloud for families!

Content: Some magic but otherwise a clean tale for all ages. 

The Supernaturalist

Summary: In the future, in a place called Satelite City, fourteen-year-old Cosmo Hill enters the world, unwanted by his parents. He's sent to the Clarissa Frayne Institute for Parentally Challenged Boys, Freight class. At Clarissa Frayne, the boys are put to work by the state, testing highly dangerous products. At the end of most days, they are covered with burns, bruises, and sores. Cosmo realizes that if he doesn't escape, he will die at this so-called orphanage. When the moment finally comes, Cosmo seizes his chance and breaks out with the help of the Supernaturalists, a motley crew of kids who all have the same special ability as Cosmo-they can see supernatural Parasites, creatures that feed on the life force of humans. The Supernaturalists patrol the city at night, hunting the Parasites in hopes of saving what's left of humanity in Satellite City. Or so they think. The Supernaturalist soon find themselves caught in a web far more complicated than they'd imagined when they discover a horrifying secret that will force them to question everything they believe in.

Thoughts: This was a fun sci-fi story about a bunch of street kids and dystopian style city. Colfer's writing style is engaging and fun with good characters and an interesting plot. A great read for fans of the sci-fi genre, especially in regards to world-building.

Content: Some mild language, violence, and creepy scenes. Good for middle-grade readers and up.