Brittany C
Great perspective on teaching and how it needs to evolve. Content is research based and focuses on a skills driven curriculum. I wish the book had spent time on the more practical aspects of how to go about making the changes suggested. Still, a compelling look at how historical thinking is essential.
Not my typical genre, but a good Viking I spired story. Had I read it at a different time, I may have enjoyed it more. However, I read it after finishing a life changing novel. As a result, I struggled to get into the story at first and, whole I enjoyed it, it paled in comparison to the previous book.
I kept waiting for the twist in the storyline or the extra component that would put it over the edge, but it never came. This is a straight forward story about the survival of a people, unavoidable change, and love despite deep rooted rivalries. It was well written, but predictable.
It took me a bit longer to get into this story than a typical John Green novel. However, he beautifully narrates what it is like to live with an anxiety disorder. A much needed addition to YA lit.
Great storyline and character development. It was a sense read though, and it was hard to focus on at times.
Great information about the LGBTQIA+ history in the U.S.. Lots of examples of individuals and organizations who helped shape history throughout the years. At times, the writing was a bit bland, but overall a lovely read to become more informed.
Needed a detour from my normal genres, and this was just the trick! Lots of drama, and pieces left like breadcrumbs throughout the story (a bit too obviously at times, but it is YA so that is understandable). Overall, a great summer read.
There are some sensitive subjects discussed in the book- I would recommend checking with someone who has read it before ( including myself) if you have any severe triggers before reading.
A nice and light-hearted look at what happens when the Night Court crew return to Velantis. Not as good as the other books in the series, but a great bridge to things to come.
A completely immersive look at an important social issue. This novel gives an honest look at economic and racial inequality and how it affects the lives of American youth. I know I learned a lot from it, and am grateful it exists.
Not the best Maas work I have ever read, but a great addition to the series. It provides lots of background and connections between aspects of the series.
I might have rated it higher if I had read it earlier in the series. However, as I read it after Tower of Dawn, a lot of the “aha” moments were already known to me. Still, worth reading.
This text was a very quick and practical guide for how to immediately begin incorporating AI usage into the modern classroom. The text provided basic background knowledge- but where it really excelled was in the helpful suggestions for activities, prompt stems, and programs that could help teachers embrace these new tools and run with them. I highly recommend this text for teachers looking for ways to help strengthen their educational opportunities for students. I plan to check out Clark's other texts as well!
This book was truly a captivating tale of finding one's place. I loved the 3 perspectives from which we got to view the story, and felt that each character added to the narrative in a unique and meaningful way. The Scottish roots in this book were refreshing and something I have not seen before in other texts. While there are some romance components, I appreciated that they did not dominate the storyline, allowing for the main plotline to shine.
This story and author have a lot of potential- I was maybe just not the perfect reader for it. This story reads very much like a Dungeons and Dragons' DM's notes outlining a one shot session. Most of the characters, spells, and mechanics were structured around that game's structure. The story starts in an intriguing way, finding Malfus right in the action of a sticky situation. However, it lacked the momentum I was looking for in the plot and story line. I was hopeful to be given more vivid insights into the key moments in Malfus' past, but those moments were glazed over. Instead, the bulk of the story is focused on a single battle, detailing each characters specific step by step actions in detail.
There were some moments of impressive curiosity- such as a chapter that bounces through the perspectives of a variety of individuals in a way to give you a creative look at the chaos of the events- but overall the story felt like it was dragging and might have been more successful condensed into a short story. However, if you are someone who enjoys reading campaign overviews, this book would be a good fit for you!
This was a wonderfully engaging tale that created a realistic fantasy world. The character development was done with great care and the presence of multiple, coexisting plot lines made the story more rich, though at times slightly confusing. I only wish there had been more elements of magic within this piece. However, as it is the introductory novel to the series, I am hopeful that more magical elements will come about as the story develops. Though it is a long read, it is truly something you cannot put down!
Another hit from Martin! This book answered my desire for more magic in the series, though it was a bit more dark than I had anticipated. Nevertheless, the author succeeded in further developing his world without falling into the traps of becoming redundant or contradictory. The addition of new characters made the text a bit more complex than the first installment, but the continuation of plot development involving familiar characters helped to minimize confusion. Again, another book that was almost impossible to walk away from!
Review courtesy of an ARC from NetGalley.
This YA fantasy takes place in a world where magic is determined by the moon phase on the day you are born. While all 4 phases have their place and values, individuals born under an eclipse face fear and often mistreatment. Aldryn College is the center for magical education for all with enough skill, but is reeling from the recent loss of 8 students in a tragic drowning. The sole survivor, Emory, is wracked with guilt and the pain of losing her best friend- and determined to find out what the students had been doing in the cave she followed them to just before the accident.
When a student reappears who was thought drowned, things get more complicated. Emory is shocked to learn that her healing magic has morphed into something much more intense - and dangerous if discovered. She must balance her quest for knowledge, her need to avoid detection, and a pull between 2 love interests who both seem key to solving the puzzle.
The characters were engaging, as was the plot. While a bit predictable, it was never the less a captivating and engaging read. I could have done without the romance, but it was a relatively small part of the overall tale.