A Bookworm's Book Reviews

Into the Whirlwind – Elizabeth Camden

Title: Into the Whirlwind

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Mollie and Zach are in the fight of their lives. They’re in Chicago in 1871 and the city is in flames. Mollie and Zach somehow manage to survive and save a few valuable things. Mollie saves her smaller machines from her watch factory, the 57th Illinois Watch Factory. Zach saves some of his family’s most precious documents. But now, most of Chicago has to start from scratch. They’ve all lost their homes, jobs, everything. Through the turmoil, Mollie and Zach have become close. Mollie struggles to get her business up and running again. Zach works for Hartman’s Store, which supplies luxury goods to the rich. Hartman’s Store burnt down in the fire. Zach is the store’s lawyer and negotiator and is struggling to keep himself afloat in all the paperwork. Mollie and Zach try to make their relationship work in the turmoil, but it doesn’t work. Then comes in Colonel Lowe to help Mollie get her business going. He gives Mollie’s company the momentum it needs. Mollie starts falling for Colonel Lowe. He’s everything that Mollie’s wished for in a man. But is Colonel Lowe really who she wants? He keeps her safe and comfortable, but is that really what she wants? All this while her company is trying to stay afloat and ahead of the game.

Rating: 3.8 – a good historical fiction and romance

Opinion: This was a good book. It annoyed me a little bit at first. Zach declares his love for Mollie at the very beginning. Mollie doesn’t return his feelings at first. That part of the relationship at the beginning annoys me because it felt forced. Once I read more of the book more, the relationship started to feel more natural. Then they broke up, I was sad, but I understood. But once I got to know Colonel Lowe, I realized how much better Zach was for her. On another note, I learned more about a part of history I’d heard about as a kid. I spent a few years in Wisconsin and I’d heard about the Chicago fire that Mrs. O’Leary’s cow started. It was nice to learn more about what happened to the people after the fire. I enjoyed this book because of the sappy romantic side as well as the historical fiction side. I was curious to see how the relationships would progress in the story and how Mollie and Zach would keep their businesses afloat. This is a good book for anyone who loves historical fiction and sappy romance.

The Saga of the Ancient Family- Eva García Sáenz

Titles: The Immortal Collection (book 1), The Sons of Adam (book 2)

Author: Eva García Sáenz

Translator: Lilit Žekulin Thwaites

Plot: Book 1 – Adriana is the newest hire at the Museum of Archeology in Santander, Spain. Her specialty is prehistory and has recently returned to Santander after living in Madrid. Her sister-in-law, Elisa, got her connections with the job and gives her the grand tour once she’s gotten hired officially. She tells her about the brothers who own the museum; Iago, Héctor, and Jairo del Castillo. Adriana will be working under Iago, as prehistory is his specialty, too. Their passion for history starts a friendship that turns into a relationship. Their relationship makes others jealous, including Jairo. But all is not as it seems. The del Castillo brothers aren’t all who they say they are. Adriana doesn’t want to believe it at first, but is forced to confront her new reality after threats and attacks. Will Adriana be able to survive? Can she keep up with her changing world? Or will she run away, like she always has?

Book 2 – Iago’s long thought dead son, Gunnarr, has returned. Iago doesn’t want to trust him, but Adriana encourages him to find out why Gunnarr’s returned. That turns out to be a mistake when Adrian gets kidnapped by Gunnarr. But he’s not doing this all by himself. Nagorno (previously Jairo) is the mastermind behind Adriana’s kidnapping. He’s called Iago to tell him that he’ll release Adriana if Iago undoes whatever he did to Nagorno’s heart. But he’s only given Iago three weeks to do the impossible, or he’ll kill Adriana. To make things more complicated, someone from Iago’s past has shown up. Will they help, or hinder Iago? Will Adriana survive the kidnapping? Or will Héctor find and save Adriana first?

Rating: 4.0 – a different taking on immortality

Opinion: This was a different take from what I was expecting. It was a lot more scientific, as Iago and his family were figuring out why they were longevos. The book got me curious about what the del Castillo family was researching, and it match to what the book said. So it’s more sound science. I also enjoyed the fact that Adriana didn’t immediately believe Iago when he told her his big secret. She wanted definitive proof than just a story. I feel like that’s how most people would react when faced with something like this. But eventually, she does come around and see that Iago and his family are telling the truth. But that’s after seeing some irrefutable evidence. Iago and Adriana’s relationship also doesn’t focus on the romance all the time. Yes there a few steamy scenes but it’s not that graphic. The two of them work well together and it shows. The ending of the first book had a good twist and leads well into the second book. The second book focuses a little more on the history than the science. This one is nice cause it connects the past with the present in an interesting way. It took me a little too long to realize the connection in the book. The ending of the second book was a little disappointing. While it was a good ending, it left a few too many questions unanswered. It also didn’t leave me with a feeling like everything was wrapped up nicely like most series do. It made me wonder if there are more books to come. This was a great series so far and I hope that there’s more to come. This would be great for those who love history with a little bit of romance and mystery.

Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse – Kevin Henkes

Title: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse

Author: Kevin Henkes

Illustrator: Kevin Henkes

Genre: Children’s Book, Picture Book

Plot: Lilly loves just about everything, including her baby brother Julius. She’s just gotten a new purple plastic purse. Lilly brings it to school and is showing it off to everyone, and distracting the class, too. So her teacher, Mr. Slinger, takes her purse away. Lilly is furious. In her anger, she draws a mean picture of Mr. Slinger. After school, Lilly has a talk with her mother about her day. Will she learn her lesson? Will she apologize to Mr. Slinger?

Rating: 4.5 – a cute story about listening

Opinion: This was another one of my favorite books growing up. It’s a good story about learning to wait and listening to teachers. The story also teaches children that there are consequences for their actions. There is also a chance of forgiveness in the book, and a chance to try again. I haven’t had chance to read this book with my kids, but it would’ve been good when they loved sharing everything they brought to school. It was always “hey, look what I’ve brought!” every chance they could. I wish I would’ve thought of it then. I love this book, and the author. It’s a very good book for the classroom and at home.

Princess Lillian and Grandpa’s Goodbye – Jenny Ann Fulton

Title: Princess Lillian and Grandpa’s Goodbye

Author: Jenny Ann Fulton

Illustrator: Indra Grace Hunter

Genre: Children’s Book, Picture Book

Plot: Lillian’s parents are taking her to the hospital to visit her grandpa. He’s not going to be around much longer so it’s Lillian’s turn to say goodbye. She’s not sure what that’s all about. She asks her grandpa and her parents all the questions a young girl might have about saying goodbye. Lillian is sadden by the news that she’s never going to see her grandpa again, but happy that he’s going to heaven. Lillian says goodbye to her grandpa and is more at peace because she can see him again one day.

Rating: 3.8 – a bittersweet book about saying goodbye to a loved one.

Opinion: This book is better for older kids as it deals with death. The book does a great way of explaining some of the questions kids might have about death. It explains in a simple way where people who are believers go after death. Though parents might have to do some additional explanation because the book doesn’t use the common words for God, haven, and angels. It tugged at my heart because I’ve lost loved ones and wanted to know more about the why’s. The style of the book draws from Native American culture, in pictures and wording. The pictures are very well done. They’re different from most other kids books I’ve read, but still very beautiful. This is a good book for anyone with children who’ve lost a loved one recently or it’s almost time to say goodbye to a loved one.

Will You Hold My Story? – Kathy Joy

Title: Will You Hold My Story?

Author: Kathy Joy

Illustrator: Briana Osaseri

Genre: Kid’s Book, Picture Book

Plot: Meggi Beth has a story that she carries around on her back. It’s big and heavy and it’s making her tired. She sits down to rest. Meggi Beth calls out to people walking by to see if they’ll hear her story and help carry it, making her story lighter. Some people want to help but can’t. Others don’t hear her at all. Will there be anyone to help Meggi Beth? Or will she have to continue to carry her story by herself?

Rating: 4.3 – a cute book with an unexpected ending

Opinion: This was a very cute story. Especially since it started out kind of sad. It’s got a great message to it. To me, I saw that we live in a busy world and don’t often notice the people around us and that everyone has a story to tell. Talking with others can help easy the heaviness of our stories. Others may take away something different. Adults reading to their kids will understand it immediately. It’s written in a way that they can explain it to kids easily, too. I hope it can help teach empathy to those who read it and that there are different ways to care and show empathy. Empathy may not come in the forms we expect, too. This is a wonderful book and I hope others get the chance to share it with their families.

Obsessed – Ted Dekker

Title: Obsessed

Author: Ted Dekker

Genre: Thriller, Historical Fiction

Plot: Roth Braun is the son of a Nazi commander. He’s devoted to his father and follows his commands. His father asked him to find the Stones of David, stolen by a Jewish woman at the camp he was stationed at. Roth will see it done at whatever cost. Stephen is a Jewish orphan from WW2 now living in the States. A friend of his mentor, Chaim, has told Stephan that he’s the son of a wealthy Jewish woman, Rebecca, who’s just recently passed. The only reason he know is because he has a scar in the shape of a Stone of David, which Rebecca donated to a Holocaust museum. Now Stephan is desperate to find out more about his mother. He slowly becomes more and more desperate to find the Stones of David. Roth and Stephan converge on Rebecca’s former house. But what they find is anyone’s guess. The more clues they find, the more desperate the men become. When all the clues are found, they realize there’s one more clue to be found. The race to the final location starts. Who will get there first? Will the Stones of David stay safe? Or will they be destroyed?

Rating: 4.1 – a good suspenseful historical fiction

Opinion: This was better than I thought it would be. The focus is more on the historical fiction and not as suspenseful as I thought it was going to be. Though it still had a creepy factor and had a lot of twists and turns. I had a guess about one of the characters, but it was proven wrong. I thought she was going to be more important, but the author used her as a scapegoat. The history was from a different viewpoint from what I’m used to for WW2, a Nazi officer. The book jumps from the 70’s to the 40’s throughout the book. So, the tie ins to the other parts of the book were clever and subtle. Though I was a little concerned about the ending. It didn’t feel like love, but a bit creepy. It was one of those, we were meant to find each other and fall in love. But the situation that happened in didn’t really fit in with the book’s thriller theme. Other than that one thing, it was a good book. I’d recommend this book for anyone who likes historical fiction and thrillers.

Mists of Palenque Series – Leonide Martin

Title: Book 1 – Yohl Ik’nal of Palenque

Author: Leonide Martin

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Yohl Ik’nal is a young noble woman, and niece to the ruler of Lokum Ha, a prominent city of the Maya. She’s brought up among the priests and priestesses, as she’s a gifted student. Yohl is also destined to become ruler. Though there are some who oppose her and her city. As she grows, her enemies start to make their move. For a show of strength, Yohl is promised to Han Pakal. Can their strength be enough to stop their enemies? Or will the enemies take over the city? Or can Yohl and Han find a way?

Rating: 3.0 – a different take on the Maya

Opinion: This was a pretty good book. Not at all what I was expecting. The book focused more on the history of the Maya, instead of a story. It also focused more on the Maya’s culture. At times I felt like I was reading a history textbook. I couldn’t really connect to the characters because the author focused so much of the Maya culture and history. The author also started a side character, then had them disappear or didn’t do much with them. While I enjoyed learning so much about the Maya, I felt like the story didn’t have much of a plot. I felt myself skimming parts of this book because of all the historical and cultural details in the book. While that’s not bad, it’s not what was expecting in this book. This is a great boon for those who love history and want to learn about the Maya.

Guest Post – Amy the Dancing Bear

Title: “Amy the Dancing Bear”

Author: Carly Simon

Illustrator: Margot Datz

Genre: Children’s Books

Plot: “Amy the Dancing Bear” is about a little bear who just wants to keep dancing! It is her bedtime, and her mother comes into her room several times and asks her to get ready for bed. Each time, Amy says that she must keep dancing. The sunset it so beautiful that it moves her to dance, and her pirouettes fill her with joy! Her mother does tasks like washing the dishes and listening to a record in between each bedtime check, and eventually mama bear falls asleep in the bathtub.

Mama Bears dreams of her little bear daughter dancing around and never growing tired. When Amy finds her mother drifting in and out of sleep, she wraps her up in a towel and tucks her into bed. Amy herself is finally in her pajamas and as her mother looks out the window, there is a constellation of a dancing bear in the sky. Amy finally heads to bed, as the moon is high in the sky.

Rating: 5/5

Opinion: I love this book for so many reasons! Number 1: The illustrations are amazing! The house that the bears live in is so flowery and relaxing. As you turn each page, the sunset changes into something more and more beautiful. The nature accents around each illustration really makes you feel like you are in a bear’s house! I love the mama bear in the bathtub illustration best. The bubbles are flowing over the edge of the tub, there is an amazing sunset in the background, and mama bear is starting to fall asleep.

Number 2: Amy the bear is such a wonderful character! All she wants to do is dance. Her mother sees how in love with dancing she is, and Amy’s excitement is so infectious that mama bear cannot tell her to stop. Amy does the tango with an imaginary partner, she does pirouettes, and she says that she is so inspired by the beautiful setting sun that she just absolutely must keep dancing.

Number 3: This book makes a perfect bedtime story. Lots of kids do not want to go to bed, and neither does Amy. This book begins with excitement and energy, and slowly moves into peace and relaxation. By the end of the book mama bear has already fallen asleep, and Amy is closing her bedroom door and turning out the light. I think “Amy the Dancing Bear” is a great book for kids to read with their parents and calm down after a busy day. I highly recommend this book! It’s a wonderful read!

The Zealots – G.K. Johnson

Title: The Zealots

Author: G.K. Johnson

Illustrator: James Dawson

Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

Plot: Shi’mon and Yeshua are best friends living in Roman occupied Capernaum, Israel. Shi’mon’s heard of the Zealots movement against the Romans. He wants to join. Yeshua cautions him against it. But when Shi’mon’s father dies at the hands of the Romans, Shi’mon is outraged. He’s determined to join and train with the Zealots. During this time, Yeshua continues his studies to be a rabbi. Both boys hear word of a new rabbi, called Jesus. After Shi’mon is gravely injured in an attack against the Romans, Jesus finds him and heals him. Shi’mon starts to listen to Jesus. Jesus calls Shi’mon to follow him and be his disciple. Yeshua continues his studies in Jerusalem. He’s close to becoming a rabbi when his father comes to visit. A Zealot attack breaks out while his father is there and is killed by mistake by a Roman soldier. Yeshua turns to rage and revenge. He learns to become a Zealot. During Passover, Yeshua takes part in a massive Zealot attack in Jerusalem. But the attack goes wrong and Yeshua is arrested. On the last day of Passover, Jesus is arrested and put on trial. In exchange for Jesus, Yeshua is released. What will Shi’mon and Jesus’ other followers do? Will Yeshua seek forgiveness? Or will he return to his Zealot ways?

Rating: 4.0 – a different side of the Jesus story

Opinion: This was a great story. It was great to learn more about Jewish life during biblical times. The book talks about the process of becoming a rabbi and fishers daily routines. It also talks about what happened if you didn’t have enough money for the Romans, or if you tried to stand up to them. It shows why many Jews turned to the Zealots. As it’s a young adult book, it doesn’t go into as many details. The book describes both sides of who people thought Jesus was. My heart broke for Yeshua. I’m glad there was a redemption arc for both boys. He’d seen so much but he saw so much hate. I also loved that the book included Hebrew words and phrases. Though I wish there was a pronunciation guide to go with the guide at the end of the book. This is a great book for young adults, and adults, too. It’s great for anyone who wants to learn more about Jewish and Christian history.

The Kissing Hand – Audrey Penn

Title: The Kissing Hand

Author: Audrey Penn

Illustrators: Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak

Genre: Children’s Book, Picture Book

Plot: It’s Chester Raccoon’s first day of school. But he’s very scared and doesn’t want to go. Mama Raccoon tells Chester all of the fun things he’ll be able to do at school. But Chester still doesn’t want to go. Mama gives Chester a secret way to know that she’ll always be with him. It’s called the kissing hand. Will it help Chester?

Rating: 4.5 – a cute book about overcoming fears

Opinion: This was one of my favorite books growing up. My parents read it to me a lot when I was struggling to adjust to a new school in the middle of the school year. It’s great for kids who are more sensitive. It’s a great book for kids are struggling with something big, new, and scary. It’s also good for a classroom to learn about emotions and ways to help with the big ones. Every kid loves the pictures, which are adorable. They love finding all the animals in the book. It’s a good book for the classroom and home.