White Bird by RJ Palacio

September 27, 2022 By Leave a Comment


White Bird by RJ Palacio
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Genre: Historical, Graphic Novel, YA, Ages 16+
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In R. J. Palacio’s bestselling collection of stories Auggie & Me, which expands on characters in Wonder, readers were introduced to Julian’s grandmother, Grandmère. Here, Palacio makes her graphic novel debut with Grandmère’s heartrending story: how she, a young Jewish girl, was hidden by a family in a Nazi-occupied French village during World War II; how the boy she and her classmates once shunned became her savior and best friend.

Sara’s harrowing experience movingly demonstrates the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives. As Grandmère tells Julian, “It always takes courage to be kind, but in those days, such kindness could cost you everything.” With poignant symbolism and gorgeous artwork that brings Sara’s story out of the past and cements it firmly in this moment in history, White Bird is sure to captivate anyone who was moved by the book Wonder or the blockbuster movie adaptation and its message.

Haunting, beautiful and sad.

I picked up this book because I’ve been on a history binge and a graphic novel one, too. I’ve not read any other stories by RJ Palacio, so this was my first. I have to say this was a haunting book. I can’t imagine being in Sara’s place, nor dealing with what she did. I had a hard time staying in my house during the pandemic – I love fresh air – so living for a whole year in a barn is beyond my wheelhouse. Reading about Sara being there for that long made me appreciate my situation much more.

Sara is a Jew living in France, but it’s during World War II and Jews aren’t welcome in France after the collapse. I can’t imagine being her, living in a barn, hiding in the straw, living off scraps and hoping for the end of the war because no one should have to live like that. She lost her mother during the war and even her best friend. It was sad and I was very much emotionally invested.

I liked how her father would swing her around like a bird and that verbiage, along with Julien’s friendship and help, got her through the war. I hated the ending, even if the war did end – I won’t give away spoilers, but when you read it, you’ll see. I knew that would have to happen, but I was hoping it wouldn’t. It tore at my heart and made me think.

If you’re looking for a graphic novel that’s another way to learn about the Holocaust, the travesties of war and the strength of human resolve, then this might be the book for you.

Recommended.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Falling for Zeke by Sara Blackard

September 26, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Falling for Zeke by Sara Blackard
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

An ex-Army Special Operations member burned once by love. A single-mom stalked by a powerful enemy. Can he risk his heart for her safety?

Zeke has everything he could want.
A multi-billion dollar inheritance allows him to protect others…
… and with the camaraderie of his brothers-in-arms.
He spends his time growing his security firm and keeping his head down. Love is the last thing on his mind, until Samantha and her daughter are in need of his help.

Samantha used to have a comfortable life.
Now she waits tables to put food on her own.
Forced from the life she had built, Samantha works to restore what was lost. With her daughter in tow, she begins a new life in the Colorado mountains. It’s not perfect, but it’s all theirs. But when the tempting Zeke offers to help her, she begins to wonder if love could heal her shattered life.

What will Samantha do when past troubles come knocking? Will Zeke protect his heart or will Samantha shatter his defenses?

Have you ever come to the end of a story and realize you just discovered book candy? Falling for Zeke bowled me over and left me craving more. Especially if the other books are anything like this first romantic suspense story in the Stryker Security Force series; I want to meet EVERYONE on the team.

The book opens with this obviously alpha man being flummoxed and frustrated over a common accounting program. The author’s descriptions made me smile right from the start. I was left in no doubt just how disgusted he was with the whole computer program. I haven’t used it myself, but I’ve heard tell and his thoughts of revenge fit right in with what others have experienced. But none of their stories have entertained me as much as Zeke Greene’s.

The heroine is kind of typical. A single mom, trying to keep herself and her child safe, fed and housed while holding a job that a reader knows from the interchange, is doomed. The author did a wonderful job of building the sympathy for Samantha and her daughter, Eva. I truly believe readers are going to fall in love with little Eva. Sometimes, I swear she steals the show. Samantha has a serious anchor around her neck, people from her past are going to stir the plot and give the hero and his team a chance to shine. But the heroine has some remembered motherly advice from her own mother’s experiences and that plays a role in some of the internal conflict. Family has a tendency to inspire things like that.

The story doesn’t waste any time getting into the drama and suspense when someone tries to steal Eva from school. That starts the ball rolling and it puts Zeke and Samantha right in the thick of it. The pace of this novel is perfect. It more than kept my interest; I was glued to my seat and didn’t want to stop until I read the whole book. There were so many things that happened, lots of great dialogue, and a lot of people to get to know, that I had a ball. Zeke and his team showed that they were more than co-workers, they were a family. I adored how Eva wrapped all the guys around her little finger and scenes that had her and the guys interacting were some of my favorites.

This is a romance story with lots of ‘steamual’ tension … I made that word up because it just fits with how all those kisses and accidental touches affected the hero and heroine. I have no doubts that they both felt the building steam and sensual sparks that flowed between them. If this was another type of story, for sure they’d end up acting on it, but as this novel is a clean romance book, I was able to enjoy a full plot, great character development, and a romance that grew through adversity, respect and trust. Their relationship brought out the best in both Zeke and Samantha; they complimented each other. Nothing proved that better than the scene when a guy tried to once again take Eva and Samantha stepped up to the plate. It was glorious. It was perfect. It was fist-pump time.

I read Falling for Zeke in eBook format and it came with a bonus epilogue. It’s like being told you can have extra hot fudge for free in your sundae. It gave me the happy feels. I enjoyed this book so much, I am stoked to read the next book in the series. If you’ve never read a book by Sara Blackard, then you are in for a treat. This is an awesome introduction to this author’s wonderful writing style. Try it out and see for yourself.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Duck For Cover & Other Tales: A Collection Of Short Stories by Barbara Venkataraman

September 26, 2022 By 3 Comments


Duck For Cover & Other Tales: A Collection Of Short Stories by Barbara Venkataraman
Publisher: Next Chapter
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Fourteen short stories with a twist, Duck for Cover & Other Tales is filled with surprises.

The Yes Man is about a woman who looks after her elderly father with dementia, only to discover he still has life lessons to teach her. Living My Best Life tells the story of an aging rock star who finds his legacy lives on in a way he hadn’t imagined. Thicker Than Blood is about the dilemmas caused by modern technology when a trio of siblings is asked to make the hardest decision of their lives. The Devil’s Workshop is the story of a young man being scared straight from a life of delinquency by a clever probation officer and an ex-con.

Topical, relatable and just plain fun, these and many other stories in this collection deal with friendship, kinship and the complexities of the modern world, and are sure to leave you with a smile.

Even the most ordinary days can be filled with adventure if you know where to look.

Since the premise of “The Yes Man” was already shared in the blurb, I’ll jump straight into my thoughts about it. Dementia isn’t talked about enough in fiction in my experience, so I was excited to read a story about a family dealing with it here. Grief, love, and perseverance were soaked into every scene. What surprised me was how the author snuck in some humor, too. There is definitely something to be said for making the best of a tough situation, and I enjoyed seeing how that idea played out for these characters.

All of the tales in this collection were nearly short enough to be flash fiction. Some were only a couple of pages long, and most of the others were only a little longer than that. I’m sharing this so that others will understand just how impressive it was for Ms. Venkataraman to create those nuanced little worlds fourteen times in a row in such a small amount of space for each one. “From the Jaws of Victory” was a tale about a young woman named Lorelei who changed her name and appearance in order to get revenge for her father who lost his life savings in a business deal gone bad. I was immediately immersed in Lorelei’s painstaking plan to make things right again, and it took me until right before the final paragraph to figure out what sort of surprise might be coming her way.

“See You at the Movies” explored the warm, loving, but slightly mysterious relationship between Sean and his grandfather. Just like in several of the other sections, there was a mystery element to the plot that was subtle enough to feel like it could happen in real life to nearly anyone. It’s best if I allow other readers to discover for themselves why Sean was suddenly so sentimental about the many films they had watched together over the years, but I thought the bond between this grandfather and grandson was delightful.

Duck For Cover & Other Tales: A Collection Of Short Stories made me yearn for more and catapulted this author to my must-read list. It’s perfect just the way it is!

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Thief of Memory by Sunyi Dean

September 23, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Thief of Memory by Sunyi Dean
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

In “The Thief of Memory,” The Hero must journey across the desert to capture The Thief Of Memory and retrieve her stolen memories. But what she finds in the end may destroy her.

When every other option has been exhausted, sometimes violence is the only tool left.

Miquon made me change my mind about her multiple times. In a few scenes, I was a little frightened of how insistent she was that she could steal back the memories that were missing from her mind no matter what the emotional and physical cost of it would be. I empathized with her in other scenes and wished I could help her reach her goals. She had so many layers to her personality, some of which generally aren’t seen together in the average fantasy character, that I’d struggle to reduce the complexity of it all to a few sentences in a review. My favorite moments were that ones that were focused on nothing but her and her fierce determination to fix everything.

There were so many creative and exciting plot twists. This was the perfect example of how to keep a reader guessing from the first scene to the last one. I didn’t see the ending coming, and I loved the thrill of being surprised by how it all turned out. The author couldn’t have done a better job of playing around with the tropes of the fantasy genre and creating something fresh with them.

This was an excellent example of how to write an open-ended conclusion that answered enough questions to satisfy me while still leaving plenty of space for readers to debate the meanings of certain passages and come up with their own theories of what might happen next. I hope to return to this story over and over again in the future as I relive what happened and look for clues, I might have missed on my previous rereads. It’s going to stick with me for a long time.

The Thief of Memory tickled my imagination and made me want more.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

Operation: Syria by William Meikle

September 21, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Operation: Syria by William Meikle
Publisher: Severed Press
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A trip to a war zone to rescue trapped archaeologists finds the S-Squad in a remote desert region of lost cities and temples. They quickly discover that they are not alone among the ruins.

First they find the bodies, then they find the webs, then they’re in real trouble when the spiders attack.

Big spiders.

Lots of them.

Captain Banks had been about to ask his commanding officer for some leave for their team after they had come through a number of bizarre missions in a very short timeframe. Instead, Captain Banks is told his team is needed to leave for Syria – immediately – to rescue a group of archaeologists who have issued an emergency call after being attacked by rebels. Banks and the S-Squad gear up, hoping this will be a quick in and out, but they quickly discover that the rebels are the least of their concerns.

I have read a number of these books and always find them a delightful romp of a tale. On the shorter side of a full-length novel, I’ve found they are always quick into the action with plenty of large-scale monsters, a bunch of energy, plenty of sweary Scottish squaddies and a dollop or two of fun and plot. They are easy to read, and I love the authors tone and pace – I’ve always found them quick and a delight to read. They’re an adventurous blast in so many ways I love them. If you’re a fan of B grade “monster” movies this is an excellent series to sink your teeth into.

There is always an interesting amount of character growth in these stories, but I have to be honest the characters are more the vessels for the plot and storyline – not the driving force. This time the monster-of-the-day is enormous spiders and I enjoyed how the author meshed this with the archaeologists and the dig they were working on. While the plot wasn’t overly convoluted, that wasn’t what I wanted or needed for this story and I absolutely felt that the balance between action, monsters and the characters (both the archaeologists and the S-Squad team) was really well handled.

Switch off your brain, grab a drink then relax and enjoy this fast paced, fun and light story. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to dig into the next.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Christmas in Blue Dog Valley by Annie England Noblin

September 20, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Christmas in Blue Dog Valley by Annie England Noblin
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Welcome to Blue Dog Valley. Home of the Fighting Elk. Population 3,411.

When Goldie McKenzie, DVM, vet to the L.A. pet stars, arrives from Los Angeles to Blue Dog Valley she realizes three things.

Never agree to upend your life when you’re hungover

Pot-belly pigs are not true farm animals

She’s going to need a warmer coat

At first Goldie is nothing more than a fish out of water, with few clients and few friends. But after a less than pleasant encounter with a man whose dog is suffering from a possibly fatal case of bloat, she’s finally earning the trust and goodwill from her fellow Blue Dog Valley citizens. Her clientele grows to include the many farm animals in the town, including a horse named Large Marge, a cape-wearing therapy alpaca, and a yardful of sweater-wearing goats. Add in Kevin, the “worst sheepdog in Blue Dog Valley,” and a Sphinx cat named Airport, and Goldie is having the best time a vet can have. . . aside from the annoying attractive town grump, Cohen, who seems intent on making sure she always feels like an outsider.

With her newfound goodwill, Goldie comes up with an idea to reinvigorate the once flourishing Blue Dog Valley: a Christmas carnival. A petting zoo, pictures with Santa, a baking contest, what more could they want? After only some brief resistance from Cohen and his father, they begin the great plan to reinvigorate Blue Dog Valley.

Will Christmas be enough to salvage this dying town—and be enough to bring Goldie closer to a certain grumpy man?

This was the cutest romance ever. I totally fell in love with this story. The synopsis says it best, “Christmas in Blue Dog Valley by Annie England Noblin is a delightful small-town holiday novel that’s bound to warm your heart with hilarious animal antics and Hallmark movie charm.” Christmas in Blue Dog Valley is the perfect feel-good holiday novel that readers won’t want to miss. It’s the perfect addition to any upcoming holiday or Christmas-in-July roundups!” I couldn’t agree more with those statements. Whoever wrote those remarks were spot on.

I personally love Hallmark movies, so this book was my cup of tea. Speaking of tea, I wish I could sample some of Cohen’s cider. It sounded delicious. Cohen is the hero, and he is kind of standoffish but in a comical way. Goldie, the heroine, has no problem speaking up for herself, especially when Cohen is in a ‘grumpy’ mood. Together they make Wisconsin warm and fuzzy. The winter setting with all the snow was refreshing to read since it’s currently toasty where I live.

The prologue immediately caught my attention making me continue onto Chapter one and so on. I actually couldn’t stop until I reached the end of the story. It was that good. The cast of characters in the small town wee well developed and relatable. In fact, I wish I could meet them and all their pets too. I’d love it if book two came out quickly since I fell in love with everyone in the small town of Blue Dog Valley. If this was a real destination, then I’d put in on my list to go visit someday.

The plot was creative, original and genuinely heartwarming. I personally felt there was an inspirational message of forgiveness threaded throughout the story. The acts of the townsfolk made for the perfect Christmas message, Peace on earth and goodwill to all men.

I’ve never read a book by Annie England Noblin but after reading this story, I’m interested to read another book by her. What else can I say other than this is a must read. I hope you love it as much as I did.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It’s Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind by Louie Giglio

September 15, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It’s Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind by Louie Giglio
Publisher: Harper Christian Resources/ Thomas Nelson
Genre: Inspirational, Contemporary
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

God has prepared a table for you. It’s set with a banquet of peace, clarity, and purpose. But Satan is constantly looking for an invitation, seeking to fill your mind with distractions, fear, worry, insecurity, anxiety, temptation, doubt…

It’s an ongoing battle. But you can learn how to protect your mind from unhealthy thoughts and experience rest and nourishment at God’s table.

The Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table study (DVD/digital video sold separately) offers biblical insight on how to:

Cancel the lies that will wreck your life and take the empowering steps to live fully alive in Christ
Restore peace and rest in your life by taking authority over your thoughts
Break free from the endless cycle of destructive thinking and recapture your emotions
Embrace the true purpose behind your journey through challenging circumstances
Sessions include:

The Table Before Us
The Tactics of the Enemy
The Battle for Our Mind
The Path to Victory
God’s Invitation Always Stands
In the Presence of Our Enemies
You can find freedom from the battles in your mind if you allow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to lead the battle. Learn how to find encouragement, hope, and strength no matter what valleys you face.

My friend suggested I join her bible study group that was starting a new book called, Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio. She knew I was struggling with a few incorrect attitudes. Also referred to as “The battle of the mind”. I said, why not? It’d be fun to zoom once a week and discuss the book.

Let me just tell you that I need to read this book at least five more times. It’s a life changer. I have most of the book highlighted. It’s very easy to have the knowledge on how to live a life pleasing to God but it’s another thing to apply it in daily life. I’m just going to quote the book because I can’t say it any better. “You don’t have to let negative thoughts control your life. You don’t have to allow the Enemy to influence your thinking. You have the power through Jesus Christ to take control of your thoughts and emotions. Jesus invites you to a table that he has prepared for your—a table where the Enemy is not invited.”

If you are quick to anger and slow to forgiving like me, then this book is a prescription for healing and peace in your mind and heart. The most prominent message I got this time reading this book was “even though…I will”. I’m trying to consciously choose to linger in the presence of God and this book easily aides in that endeavor. It’s actually an entertaining read with a few relatable stories. It’s not a dry, biblical quoting or preachy style book. I enjoyed reading a chapter a week and discussing what we read with other friends trying to live a Godly life.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Glad You’re Here by Walker Hayes & Craig Allen Cooper

September 13, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences by Walker Hayes & Craig Allen Cooper
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Genre: Inspirational, Contemporary
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

When Craig Cooper and Walker Hayes met, Walker was an alcoholic atheist reeling from the backlash of a failed music career. Through their unlikely friendship, Craig’s life demonstrated the love of Christ in a way that shattered Walker’s misconceptions of Christianity, ultimately leading him down the path to a dramatic conversion. The two are now close as brothers, choosing to be next-door neighbors and ripped out the fence between their homes as a testament to the power of the gospel to break down barriers and unite people together in Christ. Glad You’re Here helps us discover how building relationships, sacrificing for the good of others, and drawing near in times of need can lead to powerful transformation. Through story and biblical reflections, Glad You’re Here helps readers see how God works in the everyday lives of those who love him.

I bought this book as soon as it was released May 2022. I was compelled to read it because I’m a music fan of Walker Hayes and I was curious to read how he transformed from being an atheist to a believer. I was curious how Walker’s friend, Craig Cooper, assisted in Walker’s transition.

This story is told from both their perspectives. I found it interesting to read their words in print. Their relationship was similar to one I had years ago with a fellow neighbor. I wasn’t atheist but I wasn’t practicing either. Craig Cooper reminded me of my friend, Karen. I’m sad that we aren’t neighbors anymore, but we are still sisters in Christ.

I am still awestruck every time I see how God works in the everyday lives of those who love him. I definitely felt the power of God throughout this story. I was inspired to reach out to my friend Karen, and we actually read this book together.

I typically don’t read books that are trending. I have another friend who, when she found out I was reading it, asked if she could borrow it when I was done. She had heard about it from the Today Show. My friend enjoyed the read as well and has lent it to another friend. I may never get that book back and that is okay. Jesus is the at wheel and the book, Glad you are Here, is on God’s auto pilot.

If you are at all curious about having the love of Godly friends, then this book is for you. I for one am grateful for my Christian neighbors. I’m glad they are here with me.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Racing to You by Susan Carlisle

August 29, 2022 By 1 Comment


Racing to You by Susan Carlisle
Love in the Air, book 1
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Action/Adventure
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

The last person she wanted to ask for help is the man who destroyed her father’s life.

Hot air balloon pilot Emily Kerr needs to enter a coast-to-coast race across America to raise funds and start her own ballooning business. Her only obstacle is finding a sponsor.

Reid Martin is an industrial textile manufacturer who has developed a promising high-tech material, but he needs to test it in a practical setting before selling it to the Department of Defense. With a government contract in hand, Reid can take his family company public, saving it from bankruptcy.

Despite her reservations, Emily offers Reid an enticing opportunity to get a first-hand look at what his fabric can do. He agrees to help the intriguing woman but with two stipulations:

1. She must use the balloon he constructs
2. He will accompany her on the three-week trip

While floating across the sky, Emily reluctantly accepts the appealing man’s presence while vowing not to let him touch her heart. Will Reid risk everything—including Emily’s dream and his hope of winning her love—to save his future?

Balloons, adventure and love? Sounds like a great combination!

I already knew I loved the books of Susan Carlisle and as soon as I saw this one, I had to read it. I’m hooked. This is a fantastic start to the series, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. The writing had me racing through it to see how this ended. I loved the characters and the story.

I love the enemies to lovers situation in this story. Emily wants to make her dreams come true and own a ballooning company. She can do that if she can win some ballooning competitions, but she needs a sponsor. Enter Reid. He’s got a past she doesn’t like, and they don’t get along right away. I loved that these two had to sort out their issues. I felt like I was right there with them in the balloon and could practically feel the air whooshing around me. The chemistry was great between Emily and Reid. I can’t wait for more.

If you’re interested in a great story with fun characters, then try this book by Susan Carlisle. You won’t be disappointed.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Loukas and the Game of Chance by Anthony L. Manna

August 23, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Loukas and the Game of Chance by Anthony L. Manna
Publisher: Mascot Books
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

While Loukas is playing his flute at the seawall one day, he befriends a mysterious talking, dancing snake that rewards him with fortune and favor. Some years later, tempted by greed and pride, Loukas loses all his riches and his family. He must now set off on a treacherous journey through a frightening forest filled with suspense and strange creatures to find Destiny, her son Ilion, the Sun, and her daughter Luna, the Moon. These celestial guardians will surely allow him to reverse his misfortune, restore his honor, and win back all that he loves and treasures, won’t they?

A reimagined Greek folktale, Loukas and the Game of Chance is illuminated with dramatic and evocative pen and ink drawings that provide an ideal backdrop for the dark intrigue that fills this haunting story of human struggle, courage, and resilience.

Everyone deserves a second chance.

It’s tricky to describe Loukas in a few sentences. He was a talented musician who was deeply loyal to and generous with his friends and relatives. With that being said, he also had moments of selfishness, greediness, and thoughtlessness just like many folks do sometimes. I had a wonderful time peeling back the various layers of his personality and figuring out how all of them were connected. He felt so three dimensional to me that I could have easily accepted the idea of him being based on a real person.

My favorite scenes were the ones that explored what true repentance and forgiveness mean. When someone makes a terrible mistake that harms others, the damage can’t be undone with a simple apology. Instead, Loukas needed to demonstrate that he regretted his actions and was going to make things right again. I found myself smiling and nodding along as he searched for ways to repair everything he’d destroyed.

Folklore appeals to me because of how often first impressions can be deceiving in this type of storytelling and how many lessons it can teach us about being what it means to be a good person. For example, not every powerful character is necessarily trustworthy, and wealth is only as good as how it is used. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story and seeing how they treated one another. As much as I want to gush more about this topic, it’s best for other readers to discover everything for themselves.

I should also mention that the author’s note at the end provided some helpful backstory for readers who aren’t familiar with the Greek legends this story was based on or who want to read more about this topic. It does contain spoilers, though, so keep that in mind when deciding when to read it!

Loukas and the Game of Chance was perfect.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,
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