Book Review: Treasure Hunters by Jeff Smith

Title: Treasure Hunters

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 8)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 144

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 2002

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"The Bone cousins, Gran'ma Ben, and Thorn reach the city of Atheia, where they prepare to battle The Lord of Locusts. Meanwhile, Thorn's visions are becoming more threatening, and Phoney Bone is convinced Atheia is rich in gold, and he is determined to find it!"

My Rating: 3/5

While I'm glad I'm finishing this series, some of the content feels repetitive. Phoney Bone is obviously intended to be an unlikeable character, but his repetition of not learning from his own mistakes if frustrating and annoying to read. I like the Thorn plot line, and I look forward to seeing how the series ends.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

Title: Midnight for Charlie Bone

Author: Jenny Nimmo

Series/Standalone: The Children of the Red King (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Urban

Pages: 401

Publisher: Orchard Books

Year Published: 2002

Format: Audiobook (Own Paperback Copy)

"A magical fantasy that is fast-paced and easy-to-read. Charlie Bone has a special gift- he can hear people in photographs talking.

The fabulous powers of the Red King were passed down through his descendants, after turning up quite unexpectedly, in someone who had no idea where they came from this is what happened to Charlie Bone and to some of the children he met behind the grim, gray walls of Bloor's Academy.

His scheming aunts decide to send him to Bloor's Academy, a school for geniuses where he uses his gifts to discover the truth despite all the dangers that lie ahead."

My Rating: 5/5

I remember reading these when everyone else was reading Harry Potter and that's when I knew I was a hipster. I liked something before it was cool. I'm joking of course. I read these when I was 10, and rereading them fills some nostalgic holes for me. It is middle grade so any amount of mystery is obvious to me, a 28-year-old lady. But it's a fun read. I understand that people compare these to Harry Potter, but they have enough differences to make it its own unique story.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Title: Romancing Mister

Author: Julia Quinn

Series/Standalone: Bridgertons Series (Book #4)

Genre: Adult, Historical Romance

Pages: 370

Publisher: Avon

Year Published: 2002

Format: Audiobook

"Everyone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London. Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for... well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him until she stumbles across his deepest secret.... and fears she doesn't know him at all. 

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same- especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide... is she his biggest threat- or his promise of a happy ending?"

My Rating: 5/5

I love a friends to romance! This is a trope that I just adore. I also think that long-time crushes that pay off in a cute way just make me so happy. It reminds me of my relationship at the beginning with my husband. I think that the author did a great job leading up to this romance. It's one you could see building in the background throughout the past books and their love grew so well over time. I loved, loved, loved this! I can't wait to continue the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket

Title: The Carnivorous Carnival
Author: Lemony Snicket
Series/Standalone: A Series of Unfortunate Events (Book #9)
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 286
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year Published: 2002
Format: Hardback Library Copy

First Line: "When my workday is over, and I have closed my notebook, hidden my pen, and sawed holes in my rented canoe so that it cannot be found, I often like to spend the evening in conversation with my few surviving friends."

"Dear Reader,

The word 'carnivorous,' which appears in the title of this book, means 'meat-eating' and once you've read such a bloodthirsty word, there is no reason to read any further. This carnivorous volume contains such a distressing story that consuming any of its contents would be far more stomach-turning than even the most imbalanced meal.
To avoid causing discomfort, it would be best if I didn't mention any of the unnerving ingredients of this story, particularly a confusing map, an ambidextrous person, an unruly crowd, a wooden plank, and Chabo the Wolf Baby.
Sadly for me, my time is filled with researching and recording the displeasing and disenchanting lives of the Baudelaire orphans. But your time might be better filled with something more palatable, such as eating your vegetables, or feeding them to someone else.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket."

My Rating: 5/5

As I mentioned in my review of the 8th book review, I think that this series really took a turn now and I'm enjoying it far more than I enjoyed the first books. While I liked the first books, I found them to be a little too repetitive and young for me. At this point, I'm extremely excited to continue my reading of the series. I found this book caught me off guard with a twist or turn here and there. I think that the writing style in this series is by far one of the most unique styles I've ever read and it really sets the books apart. I am looking into watching the Netflix series but hoping to finish the series first. I plan to pick up the next 4 books in May and June.. if not before then. My curiosity is killing me.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny