Review: FantasticLand

FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven is a horror/thriller set in a theme park during a hurricane.  It has a Lord of the Flies vibe.  I enjoyed that the story is told through interviews with the people who were either in the park or involved with the park during the time of the disaster.  I know some people might think the premise is too fantastical to suspend disbelief.  However, if you have ever been in a major disaster event, you know things can go south very fast even if resources are plentiful. People can split off into factions.  Not everyone cares about the greater good.  I found the story very engaging and loved the multiple perspectives that help fill in blanks of the overall story.  Even a villain believes they are the hero of their own story....  At the same time, I think it would be kind of cool to be locked in a theme park for a few days (under better circumstances!).  I should be careful what I wish for.

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Review: Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws and Kitties of Yore

Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws and Kitties of Yore by Catherine Nappington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws and Kitties of Yore by Catherine Nappington from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley.  This book will be published around March 4, 2025.  

Attention Cat Fans!  Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws and Kitties of Yore by Catherine Nappington is a delightful (and disturbing) collection of art, quotes, and history of cats in the Middle Ages. It is the kind of book you can pick up and flip through or read through when you just want a little distraction or need some cat time.  The caption for the art are quite funny.  Some of it is difficult to read because not everyone has loved cats throughout history.  Some cultures revered them.  Some cultures feared them.  If you don't want to read the sad facts, you can just skip them.  It also makes me wonder why so many people thought cats could cure blindness. I guess because of their reputedly good night vision?  This would make a nice coffee table book or gift for the cat lover. 

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Review: 23 1/2 Lies

23 1/2 Lies by James Patterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

23 1/2 Lies is a collection of three novellas by James Patterson.  I picked it up because I wanted to read the titular novella about the Women's Murder Club. This story takes place between the 23rd and 24th book in the series. It is stand alone, but it helps if you have some context about the character, Lindsey Boxed.  However, the story does a good job of giving just enough background so someone new to the series won't be completely lost.  If you are a fan of the Women's Murder Club, you will want to read this because it gives a new twist to Lindsey's life!  Meaty stuff.  

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Review: Run

Run by Blake Crouch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Run by Blake Crouch from Ballantine Books via NetGalley.  This book was first published in 2011.  It is out again now!

Run by Blake Crouch gave me an anxiety attack from the first few lines.  Run is an apt title because that is exactly what I wanted to do from the very start.  If you read a synopsis in advance, you might have an idea of what is happening in the beginning.  I did not do that, and I suggest you don't either.  It is much better to let the story unfurl as the characters learn.  It ramps up the intensity.  I also probably should not have read this right before the election because things were already tense.  This book did not help matters.  Without giving too much away, the book is rooted in science fiction but could easily happen in real life, the only difference would be the cause.  If you are already spiraling, maybe save this one for later.  But if you are ready to RUN, I'd pick this up right now.  

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Review: Listen for the Lie

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera incorporates one of my favorite epistolary forms, podcast episodes! Yes, I know everyone (except me) has a podcast.  Still, I really love using them as a way to tell a story in a variety of voices.  And yes, I listen to true crime podcasts anyway so this is just another way to get my fix.  Listen for the Lie is a podcast that tries to solve unsolved murders.  It was successful its first season.  Will it uncover the killer again?  The primary suspect is hoping it does because she can't remember the night her best friend died, but she also can't be sure she didn't do it like everyone believes.  Lots of juicy secrets are about to get spilled!

Bonus points for a sassy grandma who sticks by her granddaughter.  She reminded me of my mom if my mom had a lot of paramours.  

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Review: Over the Woodward Wall

Over the Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Over the Woodward Wall is the first book in The Up-and-Under series by A. Deborah Baker.  I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Heath Miller.  You are definitely going to want to start with this book first.  It reminded me of Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of Oz.  While there are some harrowing bits, it is suitable for middle grade to adult readers. The main characters are children on an adventure they didn't foresee into a world not at all like their own.  They are polar opposites, but that makes them even better suited for what lies ahead of them as each brings a different set of skills and knowledge to their quest. They meet an eclectic group of characters in an improbable and impossible world.  

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Review: A Mirror Mended

A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to a Mirror Mended, the second book in the Fractured Fables series, by Alix E. Harrow and narrated by Amy Landon.  You should read them in order because this book picks up where the first one left off.  The first one was very Sleeping Beauty centric.  Now, we are getting a good dose of Snow White.  If you like your fairy tales twisted, these are a fun read.  They are also great if you like a multiverse with infinite possibilities.   I like them because they are also quite humorous with a generous dose of sarcasm.  Also, who needs a prince to save them when you can just save yourself?

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