[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Greenwillow Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.] Summary Cinzia is apprentice to a printer who gets on the wrong side of the ruling family with something she writes. Cinzia is able to escape arrest, but only with unexpected help from the mysterious Contessina Elena. Together they go looking for the proof needed to convince the Principessa that the magistrate – her brother – is up to no good. Review This was excellent! I loved the story and the girls. It’s an inspiring tale about the power of ..read more

I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will release on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.] Summary Alice and Iris and their friends are with everyone who’s anyone at the Sadie Hawkins dance at Levy Castle. The history of the castle – including the mysterious death of movie star Mona Moody – is something Castle Cove takes very seriously. But two of Alice’s old friends, Kennedy and Park, seem more concerned with contemporary drama rather than history. They have a very public fight in the mi ..read more

Summary Fanny Price is the “poor relation” at Mansfield Park. Her uncle, Sir Thomas, took her in as his wife’s relative like he took in Edmund, his late brother’s son. The two “outsiders” become fast friends. Fanny’s never confessed her feelings for Edmund to anyone. Fanny is fond of her uncle, the only kind person in the household besides Edmund. So she’s understandably saddened when Sir Thomas dies from a fall. But Fanny also thinks the fall was no accident – Sir Thomas was murdered. When Sir Thomas’s will is read, the family discovers their financial state is not as solid as they believed ..read more

This review was originally posted on my Bring on the Books blog on March 20, 2012. When this book first released, I often found it shelved with teen books. I think it probably best fits an Older Middle Grade age group, so 10-14. This is the first in what is now a four-book series by Jennifer A. Nielsen.  Summary Sage is an orphan – cocky, clever and independent. When he is bought and taken from the orphanage, his plan is to run away at the first opportunity. But the man who buys him has plans for Sage and the other orphans with them. He’s going to turn one of them into a prince – and the ..read more

This review was originally posted on my Bring on the Books blog on April 11, 2011. Reading this review again makes me want to pull the book out for a re-read some time soon!   Summary For 16 years, she was Nalia, princess of Thorvaldor. Then, in one moment, she becomes Sinda, the princess’ “stand in,” put in place through a magic spell, in order to protect the princess from prophesied disaster. Once the magic is removed, Sinda is sent to live with an aunt she’s never known who thought she was dead all this time. Sinda’s lost the only family she’s ever known, her home, her best friend, her ..read more

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.] Summary Lady Elodie Bayford, eldest daughter of the Duke of Inophe, loves her home. Yes, the country is poor and barren. Their people must rely on trade with one another and the generosity of the duke to get by. But Elodie is devoted to the people and the land. She would do a lot for her people. But the arranged marriage still took her by surprise. Elodie would be marrying Prince Henry of Aurea, and her marriage in turn would save her country. But w ..read more

Summary Raven and Gar have broken free from HIVE and are on the run with Max and Damien. They meet up with Max’s mom to regroup – and train for whatever comes next. Meanwhile, Dick Grayson is tracking Damien. They got off on the wrong foot when Bruce introduced them. Dick is determined to find his brother and help him. While Damien would love to send Dick packing, the group knows they have a lot to overcome if they want to be ready for HIVE’s next move. And Dick could be an asset. Review I love this series more and more with each book. I really enjoyed watching the growth of the two couples. B ..read more

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.] Summary Madeline has grown up on the Ren Faire circuit, and she’s at her favorite Faire, Stormsworth. But all the ways it feels different, starting with (1) Mom isn’t here because she died last year, are too many to count. There are new owners, a full castle on the grounds, and there’s even a moat. And then there’s the bard – a boy her age who is entirely too perky and insists on following her and calling her Gwen. The bard is Arthur, and his dad ..read more

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and North Star Editions in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.] Summary Daisy is a semester away from the shift to high school and the ground beneath her feet has never felt less stable. Her parents have launched a dog poop business, trying to stay afloat after her mom was laid off. And as her parents use every spare moment to secure their own footing, Daisy has to step up at home, including helping her older brother, “Squirrel,” who has Down syndrome. When Squirrel endures several crushing disappointment ..read more

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.] Summary Beatrice has been in a holding pattern for the last 2 years after finishing high school at the age of 14. Her preference for her own company and her age left her parents feeling like college was an off-in-the-future eventuality. But her acceptance to Oxford changes everything. But the only way they are willing to consider sending her to Oxford at 16 is if she can learn some interpersonal skills. So they send her to a summer Shakespeare ca ..read more