Each main character in Andrea Beaty’s books is curious and asks questions, and in each story, they are celebrated and encouraged to think different and be different and to pursue answers to their questions. Iggy Peck (Iggy Peck, Architect) is fascinated by buildings, and by thinking about how things are constructed, he is able to help his class when they find themselves in a pickle. Sofia Valdez (Sofia Valdez, Future Prez) wants to transform a dangerous trash mound, and her dogged pursuit makes the seemingly impossible, possible. Ada Twist (Ada Twist, Scientist) becomes intrigued by a smell, and she attempts, through scientific method, to discover its source. Rosie Revere (Rosie Revere, Engineer) has great thoughts about creating a flying machine for her aunt, but failure almost makes her stop. However, she like the other children in Andrea Beaty’s stories learns that “the only true failure can come if you quit.”
Though they are children, their inquisitiveness and determination are amazing and inspiring. This is a wonderful series of books. Each can be read on its own, and while they are geared for kids in Kindergarten through second grade, the fun rhythm of the story can be appreciated by many outside this age group. Recommended for holiday gifts, birthday presents, baby showers, and library checkouts!
At seven years old, Jude’s parents were murdered by her older sister’s biological father, Madoc, and stolen away to live in the High Court of Faeries. Raised as one of Madoc’s daughters, Jude and her twin sister had to learn to survive in the cruel world. Ten years later, Jude is desperate to be accepted, but as a human, she is tormented by the mischievous games of the Fae and their ability to glamour. To prove herself and escape her powerlessness, Jude matches the Fae’s penchant for wickedness, especially against the youngest prince, Cardan Greenbriar. When Cardan’s older brother, Dain, recruits Jude to be his spy, she finally believes she can start to make a difference for herself and her family. As she gets deeper entangled in court machinations, a civil war threatens her position or it could end up being her greatest opportunity.
Full of drama, action, and intrigue, Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince is a dark fairy tale that is mesmerizing and addictive. Jude is a strong, intelligent heroine that you will root for, and her chemistry with Cardan is electric. It’s the first in the Folk of Air series, but with the third and final book’s release in November 2019, there’s no need to wait to finish this bestselling series.
City of Girls is about Vivian
Morris, told in firsthand account by Vivian herself. The story starts with
Vivian addressing a woman who has written her to find out what she had meant to
her father. After a long but entertaining and intriguing life story, her moving
to New York twice, her sexual escapades, her girl crush on Celia, the death of
her brother, and finally finding love with a man whom she never touched, we
find out the relationship between this woman’s father and Vivian.
This was a charming story: endearing, insightful, and very
well told. I listened to this in audio and the narrator, Blair Brown, did an
absolute fantastic job telling this tale! It didn't disappoint.
Edmond Dantes, a sailor in 19th century France, is set to marry the woman he loves when he is falsely accused of plotting to return Napoleon to power. Edmond is thrown in prison, where he meets an Italian abbe who, following years of friendship and escape attempts, bequeaths a hidden fortune to Dantes. Dantes finally manages to escape, acquires the abbe’s vast treasure, and vows revenge against those who put him in prison, plotting to destroy their lives as absolutely as he can.
While most think of The Count of Monte Cristo as being a story of revenge, and it foremost is, it also has a central focus on drama. Those who conspired against Dantes become rich and powerful, and a large portion of the story focuses on the drama that unfolds around their families in Paris, decades after Dantes is imprisoned. Daughters are married off against their will, sons duel to preserve their family honor, and estranged wives plot the financial ruin of their husbands. There are a number of chapters where Dantes is relegated to the backseat, so the focus can instead be entirely on these other characters, at times causing the plot for revenge to be forgotten.
This would be the only warning to give anyone interested in this book. If one seeks a tale of swashbuckling action, grab Treasure Island instead. But if you’re looking for a literary classic with incredibly well thought-out drama, I recommend this book.
