Tag Archives: #bookreview #netgalley

Can you name the seven wonders of the ancient world? I’m a bit chagrined to admit that I indeed struggle. Somehow, I always seem to forget about the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus… If you’re like me, or you have young readers in your life who are curious about the ancient world, How the Wonders of theContinue reading “Book Review: “How the Wonders of the World Were Built” by Ludmila Henkova”

What (if anything) do you like to see in ancient myth retellings? I’ve noted before that my favorite types of retellings are thought experiments in which ancient stories that transcend time and place are transplanted into a different context. The latest in my “read” pile is The Immortal Game by Talia Rothschild and A. C.Continue reading “Book Review: The Immortal Game by Talia Rothschild & A. C. Harvey”

As with other popular children’s fantasy series (e.g. Harry Potter, Keeper of the Lost Cities, Percy Jackson), Nathalie Laine’s Alessia in Atlantis: The Forbidden Vial revolves around a child, in this case 12-year-old Alessia, who discovers that she is not who she thought she was and is whisked away to a hidden world, the titularContinue reading “Book Review: Alessia in Atlantis: The Forbidden Vial by Nathalie Laine”

If you could travel to any time and place in history, which would you choose, and why? In Sol Invictus, Ben Gartner sends his protagonists, 10-year-old John and 13-year-old Sarah, back to ancient Rome during the reign of Constantius. Their mission is to unite the emperor with Crocus, an Alemanni determined to avenge his father’sContinue reading “Book Review: Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner”

Secrets of the Starcrossed, which I received for review from NetGalley, is the first book in the Once and Future Queen series by Clara O’Connor. The novel is set in Londinium, in an alternate history in which the Roman Empire never fell and exists in an uneasy relationship with Celtic tribes beyond its walls. PrimarilyContinue reading “Book Review: Secrets of the Starcrossed by Clara O’Connor”

What qualities and elements do you like to see in ancient Greek myth retellings? Generally, I prefer modern settings that explore ancient themes and ideas to books that try to “reimagine” the ancient world. The latter can be extraordinarily difficult to pull off, as it requires a willingness to enter into the ancient world seekingContinue reading “Book Review: Lore by Alexandra Bracken”

What qualities do you like to see in middle grade novels? As with any novel, I like to see a thought-provoking premise that is executed thoughtfully in the narrative and compelling characters. Often when I read middle grade novels, I’m reading not only for my own enjoyment but also to determine whether I would recommendContinue reading “Book Review: City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda”