so much better than HP and Percy Jackson combined!!

Amari and the Night Brothers – B.B. Alston 

Supernatural, magic, missing persons, African Americans, fantasy, adventure, POC representation, children’s literature, fiction. 

Rating 10/10

Amari is trying to fit in and not feel much like an outcast. Also, she wonders what had happened to her brother and wants answers. She gets mystery mail that reveals that he nominated her to join the Night Brothers. She ventures to get accepted into this magical society but before she has to go through training and tests. Ultimately she will try to fit in and be accepted into this society while trying to find her brother. Some strange and unusual things occur at the Night Brother academy and she has to obtain the stolen items to return as well as find the traitor of the Beauro.

I had seen a TikToker read and review this book. I instantly knew I was going to love this book. This takes parts that I enjoyed about Harry Potter and parts of Percy Jackson, combined into this beautiful and stunning children’s book. I love a good female heroine and Amari was that for sure. I finished this in one sitting and I am still stunned by the magicalness of this novel. This had POC representation and a lot of lore but not too much that it would be overwhelming. I have to say that I am sort of mad that there are no sequels to this novel, but when the moment that Alston produces another book I will be instantly buying. The writing is amazing and adventure packed. This novel is good for all ages really because I think this is really fun to read. I highly suggest to not only get this book for one’s self, but as a gift for a middle grade, high school, or a gift to anyone. All ages can enjoy this phenomenal novel.

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Stranger Things but Funnier and less Scary

The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek – Rhett McLaughlin + Link Neal

Humorous fiction, science fiction, adventure, fiction.

Rating 10/10

Leif And Rex are just normal kids living out their lives and wanting to get into filming. Their friend, Alicia, helps them film a scene for Polterdog, their film that’s like the poltergeist but instead of a ghost it’s a ghost dog. After a terrifying incident at a BBQ, Alicia is sent to this reform school that’s been utterly horrifying. Once kids go in, they either leave with no emotion or they have been proclaimed dead in an freak accident. Eager to get her out, they do some investigating with Janine and her sister who went there. They find out that the spring that’s inside the reform school property is a cursed spring. The reason why the headmaster needs the kids is to revive his daughter who was taken by this river spirit. Rex and Leif do the impossible to rescue not only to rescue their friend but other kids who have been in the river for a long time.

I was recommended to read this and I’m a fan of Good Mythical Morning. I had to read this book because the cover art was so intriguing, and the brief summary caught my attention. I loved how Res and Leif were exactly like Rhett and Link. There was enough science fiction, humor, and thrilling aspects that made me binge read this novel within two days’ time. I enjoyed this novel so much that I plan to reread this novel in the near future. I highly recommend anyone to read this novel. This was like if Stranger Things was set in the south, had more humor, and less drama.

Time Can Reveal A Lot!

The School for Good and Evil: A Crystal of Time – Soman Chainani

Children fiction, young adult fiction, adventure, fairy tales

Rating 10/10

Agatha is on the run and struggles to survival as well as come to terms with who the now false king is. Sophie is forced to marry the false king and become Queen. Sophie finds out she was lied to and once again made the villain except this time she didn’t want this. Sophie wants justice and what’s right. Agatha makes new alliances and creates an army. Sophie makes a deal. It takes an army of a school and many alliances to defeat the False King. Time reveals the many truths that are darker than things seem.

I love the whole message of unity to defeat evil and restore good. This fifth book is better written and well thought int than the rest hence why it probably took forever to write and publish. Quick paced and really difficult to put down, ended binge reading this novel. I am so angry that this book was left as a cliff hanger. Means possibly another book which I now heavily anticipate.

Is Glory Even Worth It?

The School for Good and Evil: Quests for Glory – Soman Chainani

Children fiction, young adult fiction, adventure, fairy tales

Rating 9/10

Agatha is attempting to welcome becoming a queen with Tedros as her king. Being at his side mostly. Sophie works with Agatha once again but as they live through another fairy tale. Both seeking glory of overcoming this new challenge of finding the true king of Camelot. Questioning who is evil and who is good. Who is this Lion? Who is the Snake? Who doesn’t belong in their fairy tale?  Agatha and Sophie can’t trust anyone and when they do, its too late. A false king has taken the throne. Now Agatha is on the run. Sophie has been forced to stay behind and face the false king. Tedros is captured. It is up to Agatha to save them both.

I enjoyed the twist in this fourth instalment of The School for Good and Evil. Second guessing good and evil is always encouraged when you come across these types of adventures. I was thinking this was the final book but there is another that will follow this book review. Anyways, I am just happy for the cliffhanger for once. I would hate to be left wondering what the next adventure is for these two girls.  

Not Everything Ends in a Happily Ever After That Easily!

The School for Good and Evil: The Last Ever After – Soman Chainani

Children fiction, young adult fiction, adventure, fairy tales

Rating: 7/10

The third book in the series brings more drama and fairytales to the table. Agatha and Sophie, once friends, now enemies are at war with each other. After separate ways, Agatha learns more about Tedros, her love interest and whom she is supposed to be with in her happy ending. Sophie stayed behind with the school master to reign over the school her way. Evil wants in on happy endings by rewriting history. It takes everything and everyone to rectify in this new adventure.

I just can’t explain all the emotions this novel had brought. It brought laughter and pain. I wished that things can get back to normal for Agatha but sadly it doesn’t work that way. It is a really good novel its just this third installment I wasn’t really a fan of. It is slow but worked the drama up.

No Princes? Sign Me UP!

The School for Good and Evil: A World Without Princes – Soman Chainani

Children fiction, young adult fiction, adventure, fairy tales

Rating 9/10

In the second installment of School for Good and Evil, finally the two girls Agatha and Sophie are home. Famous for their fight in the last book, fame got to their heads. Suddenly things have changed, princes don’t exist anymore. Neither are princesses. It’s an all-out war between boys and girls. Everything is now a mess and must be rectified before more terrible things happen.

I really thought this book is interesting and it was a pleasure to read. Simply an incredible page turner It made me laugh, cry, and cringe I am a huge fan of this book series and I highly recommend for everyone to try this out. Despite the novel being a children’s book, it is something everyone can read. It is well written, and I simply had fallen in love with the first book, now having to hunt down more novels in this series. I honestly would reread this one maybe a few more times.

Cat Lovers Would Love This!

The Traveling Cat Chronicles – Hiro Arikawa, Translated by Philip Gabriel

Cats, adventure, cars, cross country, human-animal relationship, friendships, family, fiction

Rating 10/10

This story is told through point of views of a cat and a human named Satoru. This cat has no name prior to meeting Satoru but had been injured in a car accident that led to the cat asking help from this human. In exchange, Satoru keeps the cat till the cats not injured and well enough to go back outside to be a homeless cat. However, the cat decides to stay with the human. Satoru and the cat go on an adventure across the country, Satoru finds a home for this cat where he least expects. The cat being forever in this humans gratitude, thinks that this human who cared for him was the best human companion.

I was unsure of this type of story, from a cat’s point of view but of a human writing it. It was strange but it was a very heart touching book that made me laugh and cry. I wish more authors would write in new points of views that aren’t human. If anyone who loves cats would surely love this purrfect novel.

This Book Is Controversial?

Gone with The Wind – Margret Mitchell

Historical fiction, civil war, romance, action, adventure

Rating 10/10

In this historical fiction tale, “Gone with The Wind” by Margret Mitchell, tells a wind blowing story of how the old south was forever changed in the Civil War. Instead of hearing from the victor’s side, this novel tells a story of how a lifestyle was forever changed through eyes of southerners or as they call themselves, the Confederates. A large focus on the main protagonist, Scarlett O’Hara, goes through trials and tribulations. How to survive and thrive in a fast-changing world. Scarlett does what ever it takes to survive in this environment. Even as far as marrying a man who she does not love to stay rich. After having two husbands die, became a widow twice, her third husband walks out on her. She developed feelings for him and regrets not seeing how she truly loves him. This book left off as a cliff hanger, but the main purpose of this work is telling the other side of the story. Also, on that note this book is controversial for its themes and everyone is entitled to view this book in different opinions and viewpoints.

I had seen the movie during high school, and I thank my history teacher for showing us this movie. I sought out to read the novel. I loved the novel in a weird way. Hearing from the other side is good, not that I am saying what the south did was good, but it is vital to hear both sides of the stories rather than the victor’s side. Scarlett O’Hara is my favorite character and her determined personality is admirable.

Mitchell, Margaret. Margaret Mitchells Gone with the Wind. Avon Books, 1986.

A School for Good? Evil?

The School of Good and Evil – Soman Chainani

Children’s fiction, fantasy, good, evil, school, adventure, fairy tale,

Rating 10/10

In the children’s book, “The School of Good and Evil” by Soman Chainani, it’s not just any children’s fairy tale book. It starts off with Agatha and Sophie living in a village where they fear a monster that takes two children each year and those children are to never be seen again. These children are sent to The School of Good and Evil where boys and girls are separated into two categories. Good and evil. They are trained to succeed in the fairy tale they have to play out. Sophie wanted to be “kidnapped” due to possibly going to the School of Good as she sees that she is good and Agatha would go to the school of Evil. Agatha doesn’t feel nor agree with Sophie. Both of them are swiped up and to their surprise their fates are reverse. Agatha falls into the school of good while Sophie falls into the school of evil. Fearing that this is a mistake, they plead that they got the wrong fates. In the end, in order to succeed, they have to face their new fate by playing out their fairy tale.

I LOVE this book. I feel that any age audience would enjoy this book. Given that there are elements for everyone and has a lot of strong messages. I reread this book as many times as I had reread the Harry Potter series. Totally worth giving it a read.

Chaniani, Soman. The School for Good and Evil. HarperCollins Childrens Books, 2013.