Non-Fiction Review: Just For Fun Drawing by Lise Herzog

Just for Fun Drawing:  

More than 100 fun and simple step-by-step projects

for learning the art of basic drawing

by Lise Herzog

160 pages

Published by Walter Foster Publishing

Review: Just for Fun Drawing by Lise Herzog is part of the Just for Fun series, and is a great how-to book for aspiring artists or any beginner wanting to learn how to draw.  Most of the book focuses on animals, but there are also sections on how to draw nature and people.  At the beginning of the book, Herzog discusses the different materials and tools to use for drawing -which I found very helpful.  The instructions were easy to follow and short, which is perfect for young kids and beginners.  Overall, a great resource for kids and adults who are either just learning to draw or would like to improve their skill.  Recommended for ages 5 and up!

*Received a DRC for an honest review.

Rating: 💖💖💖💖

Non-Fiction Review: Writing Radar by Jack Gantos

Writng Radar

By Jack Gantos

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

 224 Pages

(Available August 29, 2017)

 

Review: As a writing professor and published author of over 50 books, bestselling author Jack Gantos knows what he's talking about when it come to writing.  In this newest book, Writing Radar: Using Your Journal to Snoop Out and Craft Great Stories, Gantos really gives valuable information on the best way to use a journal to find and  keep track of all the quirky, weird, and wonderful events of daily life.  While geared towards young children to teens, Writing Radar can be adaptable for adult writers too!  With lots of examples, stories from his own personal writing journey, and a breakdown of the writing process in a simplistic way, Writing Radar is an essential guide for any aspiring writer.  Recommended for grades 4 and up!

*Received a DRC for an honest review.


Hearts: 💖💖💖💖💖

Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi (Star-Touched Queen Series - Bk 2)

Crown of Wishes
by Roshani Chokshi

367 pages

Published by St. Martin's Griffin

Plot: After Guari, the princess of Bharata, is betrayed by her own brother, she is banished to Ujijain where she is a held prisoner and sentenced to death.  Refusing to give up, Guari accepts the offer of Prince Vikram of Ujijain to be his partner in the mysterious and magical Tournament of Wishes.  If Guari and Vikram win, they will each be granted a wish, which is what Guari desperately needs in order to save her kingdom from her brother and ensure the safety of her best friend Nalini.  She'll do whatever it takes, even it means working with the enemy.  But the trials of the Tournament of Wishes starts as soon as you accept the invitation, and at every turn Guari and Vikram are constantly challenged and running for their lives.  But obtaining victory in the tournament is nothing compared to the growing feelings they start to feel for each other.  And to Guari, that is more dangerous than anything she's ever faced before. With the unpredictable Lord of Treasures not guaranteeing that both of them will be able to leave after the tournament is over, Guari and Vikram come up with a backup plan.  But, taking the Serpent King's venom is not without it's consequences, and you can't win a wish if you are dead.

Review: Crown of Wishes has everything you could want in a story.  Suspense, action, romance, and absolutely gorgeous storytelling.  I am in awe of Roshani Chokshi.  Her writing is like poetry and you can't help but think what an amazing writer she is!  I loved the story, loved the characters, and just pretty much loved everything about this book.  It is actually book 2, in the Star-Touched series.  Book 1 is the Star-Touched Queen, which I must admit I have not read yet! But, I do have it now and will be reading it soon! I received a drc of Crown of Wishes and so I read it first.  You do not have to read them in order.  Each book is it's own story.  I loved the gradual romance between Guari and Vikram.  Both are strong characters with a lot of depth to them.  You can't help but love Guari's resilience and Vikram's charm.  Clean Y.A. Romance/Fantasy and recommended for ages 14 and up!

*Received a DRC for an honest review.

Rating:  💖💖💖💖💖

Rise of Fire by Sophie Jordan

Rise of Fire
by Sophie Jordan
294 pages
Published by Harper Teen

Plot: After Fowler is taken by the Dwellers, Luna goes down in the underground after him and what she finds is even more terrifying than anything she's ever heard before. Eager to save Fowler and escape back to the world above, Luna rescues Fowler, but he is gravely injured by Dweller poison.  Luna is sure she has lost Fowler forever.  Desperate to save him, Luna agrees to have Fowler taken to a neighboring kingdom for help. But, when Fowler and Luna's true identities are discovered by King Tebald of Lagonia, the calculating king has plans of his own.  Soon, Prince Fowler is required to complete his previous marriage betrothal to the King's daughter, Princess Maris. While, Luna is forced into an engagement with the King's only son, Prince Chasen.  Either way, King Tebald is determined to secure the uniting of Relhok and Legonia.  But Luna and Fowler have no plans to be apart of either of these weddings and must find a way to escape.  But, with enemies around every corner and Fowler's father, King Cullen, seeing Luna as a threat to his throne, leaving the protection of Lagonia is just as dangerous. Refusing to be pawns in the game of kings, Fowler and Luna are determined to make their own future no matter the cost. 

Review: Rise of Fire is the sequel to Reign of Shadows (review posted August 2016).  There is an epilogue at the end of this book, so it leads me to believe that this is a two-book series.  Reign of Shadows leaves with you a bit of a cliff hanger at the end, but I'm happy to say this book picks up right where the first book left off.  Great storytelling, although there are some questions left unanswered.  You never know why the eclipse happened or if/how it will ever stop.

Most of the story takes place in Lagonia and the threat to Fowler and Luna are no longer the Dwellers, but King Tebald and his political agenda.  He wants to secure his ties to Relhok to strengthen his throne and he figures that if both his children marry the true heir (Luna), or the current heir (Fowler), then he is set either way.  Lots of action, drama, romance and suspense!  I'm not sure what I would call this - a Y.A. romance/horror genre? The story continues with the POV of Fowler and Luna in first person, which I really enjoyed.  The ending felt a tiny bit rushed, but overall a great story.  If you liked/loved Reign of Shadows than you will not be disappointed with Rise of Fire. Clean romance. Recommended for 14 and up!

Rating: 4.5 Hearts!