Coleen

I like this mostly realistic fiction with a touch of magic book. Ava finds a pencil that gives her all the answers, or so she thinks. It answers all the “easy” questions like what is the formula to find the circumference of a circle, however it doesn't tell her intangible answers like who the first boy her best friend will kiss or if her parents will get a divorce. Ava also suffers from anxiety so asking some of these questions make her want to ask more and more questions. Ones that she may not like the answer to.
All in all I'd say Ava and her story are relatable even if she had to use a “magic” pencil to find some answers for herself. I'd definitely recommend it to 8-12 year olds who like realistic fiction and don't mind a little bit of magic too.

Actually this book was really very good in my opinion. Historical fiction with some supernatural mystery thrown in. I liked how it dealt with many aspects of the supernatural from the trolls to banshees to werewolves. You get very attached to the main characters Abigail Rook and of course the main title namesake Jackaby. Even though this novel wraps up very nicely with most of the mysteries solved I am looking forward to the projected book #2 in this series.

This is the first book I've read by this author, but I definitely want to read more after reading this great book. The characters are mostly likeable, and you get to know them well enough that you do want them to somehow survive this horror. However, since you're reading a horror novel you know that isn't going to happen, it is just a question of who will die, who willl survive and how they go about trying to survive once the carnage starts. It also doesn't help this novel takes place during a really bad snowstorm, and there is currently lots of snow outside now and when I was reading the book. Definitely a recommended read for horror lovers, especially monster horror. Very well written.

I think this is a fun book. Action, mystery and fun science experiments to do, most of which fall under the category of “try this at home*” *don't blow up your house trying this at home so ask a parent or adult first. The relationship between Nick and Tesla is really believable. As an adult I also wondered why they were sent to stay with their absent minded uncle while their parents were away. SpoilerOn a super secret, yet to be revealed mission, that the kids were lead to believe involved soybeans, but most likely doesn't. Unless soybeans is a black ops code name. Cue dramatic music!

It is a book I'll definitely be recommending to the more action inclined young patrons who visit the library.

Definitely thought-provoking. Didn't know who to trust in this book. Told from two different POV if that sort of thing bugs you. I will be checking out this author's other works.

If I could give this book eleventy bazillion stars (out of 5 of course) I would. I feel like T.Kingfisher AKA Ursula Vernon wrote this book with me in mind. I had to resist the urge to highlight all the quotes and descriptions that greatly appealed to me. It probably would've been 3/4 of the book anyway LOL. 

This book was filled with humor, horror, and insanity. It was a total nod to cosmic/weird horror. If you read the author's note in the back you'll see that Kingfisher said they were using a quote based on The Willows by Algernon Blackwood (which I haven't read but plan to remedy). 

The willows™ were filled with inexplicable beings who were a danger to anything that came to their otherworld. It was an eerie place filled with unspeakable things that were a threat to your body and mind. With the climax, you get the bunker quote “Pray they are hungry” because sometimes these beings want to play instead of just eating you. It is better to be eaten in this scenario. 

GREAT BOOK! I will recommend it to everyone like a proselytizer for a new religion because this book was worthy of my worship.

What if you had memories of things that never happened. For example a husband and child you'd never had. This is what False Memory Syndrome (FMS) is. What if you found out that FMS is the result of time travel.
This book was really interesting. I kept rooting for Helena. It was realistic in the fact that time travel had consequences. What if the time machine got into military hands or a group of people who want to use it for evil?
Good story and great main characters.I'd recommend it to my friends.

 This was a GREAT new take on a retelling of Dracula. A modern day vampire story with a superb feminist slant. Mina was very relatable. I thought that the way she had fled her home as a teen which led to her becoming a psychiatrist who wanted to help women was well-done specifically. The struggles she had with coping with her trauma.
As for the tense parts. The mystery behind her friend Lucy's condition, and the connection to a bigger story of a lot of women being in danger was gorgeous.  The kick-ass camaraderie of Mina, Mam, Quincey, and Singer was phenomenal. 
 The Welsh folklore was also a highlight for me. The only drawbacks for me were some things while overall satisfying were also expected. Not necessarily telegraphed but presumed that they were going to happen. I don't feel it took too much away from my enjoyment.
Great book HIGHLY RECOMMEND 

Not as good as Mr Mercedes I.M.O. Had some interesting parts and I did like how the story was resolved.

I was hoping for more horror action than the “ghost” of the grave digger. The “ghost” is probably a living person, at least that is what is hinted at. This made me think of Six Feet Under, so I liked that trip down memory lane. Although the Gold Family was a lot more successful than the Fisher family. Whenever the book mentioned how the dead patriarch Gregory Gold I was vain and wanted to live forever I thought about that part in the Fame song “I wanna live forever”. I was caught up in the family dynamics for most of the book. There are some truly unlikable characters and some endearing characters. I knew the killer wouldn't be Fiona, River's (MC) mom. I often felt Lisa Childs was trying to force us into believing Fiona did kill her husband which I didn't like. The underlying Spoiler DNA story was interesting. It was a recurring theme in the book. I also liked the small love story between River and Luke. If you like stories that talk about family dynamics especially toxic ones or slightly cozy mysteries this book might be for you.

I liked the dual stories in both the fictional world and the real world where Bethany the half fictional character had to deal with a main character who'd come out of popular Harry Potteresque type series. I loved how the author definitely knows how to keep your attention no matter what your age and has engaging characters. Very interesting thought of what you would do if you could jump in your favorite book anytime. Would you be like Bethany before and stay in the background not disrupting the story or jump right in like Owen and want to become part of the story and meet your favorite characters. Also Charm is absolutely priceless. Loved her.

“After you, “ Charm said, gesturing for him to go first. “It's your spell, If you die in front of me, I promise to shoot whatever killed you really hard.

She definitely was a fun character i a fun action packed book.

I really thought this book was so well written. I'd read Airborn ages ago when my son read the series but for some reason hadn't picked up Kenneth Oppel since. This book sounded so interesting I gave it a try and am very glad I did. It is magical realism. Steve has a new baby brother who isn't well. The doctors don't know what is wrong with the baby but they know there are hard times ahed for Steve's new brother. Steve thinks he is dreaming about magical beings that are going to fix his baby brother. [spoiler] These turn out to be magical wasps that invade his dreams and want to replace his brother with a “perfect” baby. [/spoiler] Steve is really well written with his OCD and anxities. This book gets creppier and creepier as it goes along so be warned if your getting this for a tween if they don't like creep factor this book might be one a parent wants to read first. However, there is a great lesson taught that I think every human needs to learn which is no one is perfect.

After I read this book I felt like I was channeling my 17 year old daughter when I said “meh”. I like different perspective books, I like time shifts and I admit I can take or leave historical fiction. However, this book was just so so. I didn't dislike it at all, but I didn't feel more then okay about it.

The writing style was fine, the subject matter was okay it's just a personal freak out disgusting thing that predicted the end made me REALLY dislike this book. Trigger warning sexual abuse of children.

This was a story somewhere between fantasy and historical fiction since it takes place in 1840's(?) London. In my opinion though the story is almost half over before it gets interesting and Thomas is more intriguing. I think the pacing could have been better personally but overall an interesting cute story for middle grade.

This is a great book for kids about 8 or 9 and up who like their stories a little scary. Jonathan Stroud builds this great alternate England where ghosts are real and are a “Problem”. Only children can sense the ghosts(see, hear, etc), and get rid of these hauntings. Ghosts have big consequences in this world where they can kill you with a touch or some other waySpoiler the first ghost the Lockwood Co. is fighting in the book pushed a man down the stairs and he died from the fall. Lucy, who is the narrator in this book, is a great character. The independence and responsibility children have is somewhat empowering, but as it talks of other children dying while fighting ghosts also daunting. The only part I had a slight problem with was the author telegraphed who the villain was in this piece I thought. It was still an enjoyable getting to the climax, which was very exciting even if you know who the villain is.

I would definitely recommend this to middle grade children and up. I think even teens and adults could get enjoyment out of the story. I know I did.

This wasn't as good in my opinion as Cat Winters other books. It was still a good read with characters you cared about but they weren't as interesting as I had hoped.

This book was very delightful. I think the main character is wonderfully written. Intelligent and daring for a girl in the 1918. I've read about Spanish Influenza and the horrors that were WWI, but there were lovely touches that made you feel like the author just took a picture of the time for a 16 year old girl dealing with so much.

The touches about everyone being so paranoid about being thought of as anti-American, the fact that spiritualist and spirit photography was so popular even the fact that people had lots of homemade remedies (which included lots of onions) to fight against catching the flu just seemed to make the story more relatable. Mary Shelley is trying to fond her place in a new town, where her childhood sweetheart lives, because her father is jailed as a possible traitor for helping some men avoid going to war. The story is filled with mystery,love, sadness, and bravery. Along with a touch of the supernatural Spoiler since she speaks with her childhood sweetheart's ghost.

Like any good book it did leave me wanting more to the story. While the ending was satisfying I did want to know how things turn out for Mary Shelley and her familySpoiler Stephen's ghost ask her while she is unconscious/having an out of body experience/dead? to tell him what she has done with her life when she is an old woman. I definitely appreciate the author's research into the time period and the life she gave all these characters. I'd love to read more books from Ms. Winters.

I just reread this in preparation for reading Out of My Heart which was gifted to me. It was still great. Melody's can do spirit is wonderful. I still loved how she got “Elvira” and found her voice. I didn't remember Mrs V but I loved her so much a great cheerleader for Melody. I did however remember that she had two girl bullies and was rightfully upset with them. I'd forgotten the outcome of the Quiz Team I just remembered her being disappointed by them but not the details.

I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. This book is a roller coaster of emotions. Some of them dark and sad. I was really enamored with both Helen and Hanna. Their relationship reminded me many times of my own childless Great Aunt who treated loved me with her whole heart and only wanted what was best for me. I really loved Helen and Hanna. I think this might definitely be an older teen/more mature teen book because of the tough subject matter at times. However, I can do nothing but sing it's praises and put it on my list of books I loved even though they made me cry.

This book was part mystery, horror, and magical realism. I like that it is a book within a book about the stories of these intertwined people who have something tragic happen to them. It made you question what the real story was because of the layers. There was a little part interwoven about trapping people. My favorite quote about that was, ‘You can make a trap out of anything: a painting or a word.'... ‘You can send a soul out into a star, imprison it on the head of a pin.' ... ‘Anything can be a prison.”

It was a little confusing at times, but not in a bad way. I do appreciate how you think you know what is going on and then nope that's not it, made it very mysterious. Didn't see what happened with Harper coming at all. Overall, it's a good book and I HIGHLY recommend it.

3.5 stars rounded up.This was a pretty good mystery thriller and the ending made me nod with knowledge of how I'd been right about Daphne being the killer the whole time. The middle of the book was slower paced but by the end with Hadley it had picked up again. Would be willing to give this author another go.

Dark, gothic and a little heartbreaking. This is about a cult run by “Uncle” and the things you do for your ‘family (even if they are or are not related to you they are still your family). Recommend for people who like gothic fiction.

The first 2/3 of this book are interesting well written and mysterious. The last part goes off the rails. I mean seriously the last part made the book go from a 3.8 probably rounded up to 4 to a 2. That is because of the transphobic thing. I'm not going to deny it.

I just had the loveliest time reading this book. I appreciated that it was a Korean myth so I am unfamiliar with the base story. 
Mina was EXTRAORDINARY! Her inner strength, and love of her family, her land, and its people made her admirable.  While fierce, she also had a vulnerable side that was unsure if the actions she took were right. Sometimes she would be impulsive in the most marvelous ways usually while trying to be helpful to the spirits. 
Fate plays a big part in this tale. Is she fated to be the Sea God's bride and help her people? While the fated aspect made the outcome expected it was still skillfully written and you wanted to go along on Mina's adventure. Her fated love with Shin was perfection. One example was when she went to the Goddess of Women and Children with a paper boat wish of a human, the Goddess demanded to be paid and then laughed in her face and tossed the wish in the fire. She tried to retrieve it but burnt her hand instead. Shin left the paper boat wish near where she was sleeping, it was burnt a little but still intact.
If you want a wonderful heartwarming fantasy story I HIGHLY recommend this one. You won't regret it.