Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
The Encanto’s Daughter has potential with its magical, Filipino-mythology plot, but the execution falls short. The narrative is weighed down by irrelevant details and sluggish pacing, making it difficult to recommend for a high school audience. While the main character is likable, the book needed more focus and stronger character development.
The Wilderness of Girls starts strong with an intriguing mix of mystery, identity, and survival. Reviewer Tami Rigling notes that while the opening captivates, the story becomes confusing as major details go unresolved, especially the question of who Mother is. Simple black and white illustrations add atmosphere but not clarity. With its emotional intensity and ambiguous ending, this book may appeal to readers who enjoy darker, unresolved stories but may frustrate others.
Marta lives quietly in the attic of the Hotel Balzaar while her mother works as a maid. One day a mysterious countess arrives with a parrot she claims was once a general. She promises Marta seven stories, each told in order. As Marta listens, she begins to sense that the tales might be connected to her missing father. Each unfinished story leaves her wondering what is real and what is imagined as she searches for answers hidden within the countess’s words.
Bryce Quinlan works hard and parties harder until a demon destroys her world. When new murders echo the past, she is pulled into a dangerous investigation with Hunt Athalar, a deadly angel seeking his freedom. As they uncover hidden powers and buried truths in Crescent City, Bryce must confront grief, loyalty, and a threat greater than anything she imagined.
Ivan loves being a papa, even though it can be hard sometimes. But as he navigates the joys and challenges of parenthood, he cannot help but recall his life before the glass walls of the mall circus, his own childhood in the jungle, and his own twin.