Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 24

With 2022 quickly coming to an end, I’m not a moment too soon in sneaking in the third YA compilation post of this year. These are all authors familiar to me.

The Ballad of Never After (Sept. 13, 2022) by Stephanie Garber.

*This is the second novel in a trilogy.* 

“One for luck. One for truth. One for mirth. One for youth.” These are the four stones needed to re-open the Valory Arch. One was found by the previous key. The task now falls to Evangeline Fox, the young woman who used to believe that love was like a house. Now she wonders if love is “more like a war with new foes constantly appearing and battles creeping up.” Love is something to fight for, over and over. And Evangeline is fighting ... to live. Her first love has made a reappearance (as a vampire), her husband has been cursed to kill her (like The Ballad of the Archer and the Fox) and Jacks is as aloof – but sometimes protective – as ever (for his own agenda). She knows that she cannot trust Jacks (a.k.a. the Prince of Hearts), and she swears she won’t look for, rely upon or think about him, but that’s all easier said than done, especially when Jacks always tends to show up. But when a new curse surfaces – one turning Apollo’s eyes a glaring red – Jacks might be the only one she can trust. As much as she desires to loathe him, she also desires him, as says her traitorous heart. But Jacks can only kiss one person without killing her, and that kiss never belonged to Evangeline. With new foes, fresh betrayals by one considered a friend and magic that is as mischievous as it is wondrous, the Magnificent North is a crafty place.

            Amidst the tulle and the beauty are sharp-edged daggers and curses that draw blood. It is, at turns, as gorgeous as a decadent ball, but also dark with menace and violence. Evangeline’s seemingly endless hope grated my nerves, because, from the reader’s perspective, you know she’s making a terrible decision, but I remained drawn to the story with its dangerous allure and graceful edginess. It’s a world that I get lost in with characters that’d be intriguing to interact with, Jacks especially. Despite that he’s a Fate, dazzlingly inhuman, untrustworthily charming and potentially deadly, or perhaps because he is. The middle novel in the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy manages to glimmer and dazzle with magic, mystery, deceit, passion, hope and danger. The novel’s ending has me wishing I could read the final installment yesterday.

            Book One: Once Upon a Broken Heart

            Note of interest: The original Great Houses: Fortuna, Slaughterwood, Merrywood, Redthorne, Hawkleaf, Casstel, Bloodgrave, Verita, Ravencross, Darling, Havok, Bellflower, and Acadian (p. 131).

            Wondering: How did the Fates come to be? Without giving away spoilers, more than one Fate seems to have ties to the original Great Houses. I’m just putting it out there that I wouldn’t say no to reading a story from Jacks’ POV or even a story of how all the Fates became Fates.

Bravely (May 3, 2022) by Maggie Stiefvater.

*This is a standalone novel, but is marketed as a sequel to Disney’s Brave​.*

Stagnation has come to DunBroch and with it, a threat to the kingdom in the form of Feradach, the god who wears many faces and appears differently to each person he encounters. He demolishes and destroys so that what’s gone stagnant can be made new (“I am not cruel, Merida. I am nature.”). But it’s been so long since change has come to DunBroch. Merida continues to prefer archery to embroidery, the triplets are chaos manifested, King Fergus remains jovial and Queen Elinor is as eternally regal as can be with DunBroch itself looking lackluster. Shingles need replacing, various things need fixing, and DunBroch is falling into neglect, but Merida refuses to watch her beloved home be destroyed along with her and her entire family. A small light of hope surfaces with the intervention of the Cailleach, an ancient goddess of creation, the goddess of Scotland (“Bringer of rain, of life, of justice.”). Merida has a year to change her family or be destroyed, but she can talk to no one of this deal outside the three who made it. Feradach must see her work and she must see his. Feradach’s work balances life, which Merida doesn’t at first understand. She only sees him as a destroyer, rather like the Dasachtach, who pillages and gruesomely kills because he’s a violent, vicious tyrant with a god complex. The Dasachtach (Domhnall mac Alpin) will never change, but Feradach, against all expectation, might. Through all of this, Merida will voyage to three kingdoms to inspire those she loves, but she’s forgetting the one Clan member who’s grown the most stagnant. Herself.

            A novel that accepts the movie, Brave, as canon, this is a different sort of fairy tale, one for older readers. Since the movie’s events, Merida and Queen Elinor have negotiated a truce to never discuss betrothals or marriage. Merida has spent a year traveling before having to travel yet again (to save DunBroch). As I expected, Stiefvater has crafted a wonderful world, not only pulling from the familiar movie, but incorporating her understanding of medieval history (see her author’s note) and her own skill at writing. Despite the pressure Merida feels to change those she loves, the novel has a languid quality to the reading. To be fair, stories often journey slower than movies do, but the story does contain adventure and ruin, pluck and tenacity. Central to the story is Merida having to grow up and the growing pains that come along with that. It’s also a story of how saving loved ones can mean altering what one knows and is familiar with. In other words, change can be hard and hard to accept. I love the unexpected depth written for Feradach and Queen Elinor. It had me seeing both of them through a different lens, which feels heavy and notable. Not all will fall under the literary spell the movie started, but it should be a win for readers of YA looking for something familiar but maturing.

The Dragon’s Promise (Aug. 30, 2022) by Elizabeth Lim.

*This is the concluding novel in a duology.*

To uphold the promise she made to her stepmother, Princess Shiori’anma (the youngest of seven and only daughter of Emperor Hanriyu) will journey to Ai’long, the realm of dragons, at the bottom of the Taijin Sea. She has vowed to return the dragon’s pearl to its rightful owner, but Dragon King Nazayun expects her to give the pearl to him when she only stated she’d bring it to him. It doesn’t belong to Nazayun, but to the Wraith. The Wraith’s pearl is unlike other dragons’ pearls and not only because it’s broken. Escaping from Ai’long is harrowing, and Shiori learns that she should trust Seryu’ginan, while also falling victim to betrayal. It is here that she first meets Gen (turning to stone). Being home in the Imperial Palace in Gindara is weighted, not only because she still has the pearl, but because the realm now knows she’s a sorceress in a land that’s not supposed to have magic. As the Kingdom of Kiata’s bloodsake, there are many that would condemn her and harm her. The most frenzied want to kill her, thus keeping the demons sealed in the Holy Mountains of Fortitude. But there’s one demon that won’t be sealed in. He was once an enchanter, turning demon when he broke his oath and killed someone. Fueled by greed and the power of magic, he greedily wants more power from the pearl. He plans, of course, to kill Shiori. To locate the Wraith, Shiori will need to venture across the Cuiyan Ocean and over the enchanted waters of Lake Paduan to the Forgotten Isles of Lapzur. She won’t be alone. She’ll have her six brothers (back in crane form), Bushi’an Takkan (her betrothed) and Kiki (her paper bird). Unfortunately, she’s still got the pearl (thrumming with malevolent, usually unpredictable power) and a powerful demon semi-trapped in an amulet. Shiori’s going to need more strength than she’s ever imagined having if she’s going to survive and defend those she loves.

            A concluding novel in the Six Crimson Cranes duology, this story is a literary work of art, as vibrant and sweeping as a painter with paints on canvas filled with colors bright and bold, graceful and light, but also dark and murky, dangerous and wild. With more than one quest for the heroine, there’s no shortage of adventure in this YA tale. Shiori remains stubborn and impulsive, though her impulsivity is sometimes quelled when listening to others’ advice finally wins out. This is a tale of love and keeping promises (no matter the cost to oneself) and of allies who help grow the main character, just as much as it’s a story that integrates Chinese legends, young love, powerful dragons and treacherous demons. It’s not a relaxing read, but a dramatic one. It’s an adventure that I’m glad to have gone on.

            P.S. For someone who’s read Lim’s The Blood of Stars duology, it was nice to meet Gen before he’s a full-fledged enchanter.

            Book One: Six Crimson Cranes

Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 23

Wow! My middle-grade reading is going strong this year. Presenting the third compilation of 2022!

City of the Plague God (Jan. 12, 2021) by Sarwat Chadda.

*This is the first novel in a series.*

As if there isn’t already enough on his plate going to school and helping at his parents’ successful Brooklyn deli while continuing to deal with the grief associated with his older brother, Mo, dying unexpectedly, 13-year-old Sikander (Sik) Aziz suddenly finds himself the target of disease-ridden demons. The demons are the servants of Nergal, the Mesopotamian god of plagues. Nergal believes that Sik holds the key to immortality, but Sik thinks that is absurd. He knows nothing about any of that. It doesn’t stop Nergal and his minions from releasing an incurable plague on New York City with his parents as Patients Zero. Fortunately, Sik isn’t alone. There’s Belet, the adopted daughter of Ishtar, Mesopotamian goddess of love and war, her sword, Kasusu, and Daoud, his late brother’s best friend, a vain, would-be actor who’s been typecast as a terrorist. There’s even the famed hero Gilgamesh, who resides in Central Park, tending his impressive greenhouse. He has no plans to come out of retirement, enjoying his pacifist, vegan-baking lifestyle, though Sik will keep trying to convince him. He desperately wants his help. With grief still pouring over him, New York under attack from a terrible pestilence and his parents’ and their family’s deli specifically targeted by Nergal and company, how will Sik manage to retrieve the Flower of Immortality? Because conquering wily demons, dangerous gods and one’s own deep, dark nightmares isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

            Originally thinking this was a standalone, I’m thrilled it’s the first in a series, because it’s A-MA-ZING. Mythology is so fascinating and to be introduced to Mesopotamian mythology, which isn’t widely recognized like, say, Greek or Norse mythology, drew me in right away. With the novel’s exploration of strong familial connections, the weight of grief and the accumulating responsibilities on a young teen since his brother’s death, the story provided another layer of depth and nuance. The plot is fueled with apocalypse-like drama, multiple skirmishes/battles and the icky, oozing word pictures of Nergal and his demons. The action starts off like a plunge on a rollercoaster and doesn’t stop until the story’s end. The story also benefits from lots of humor and a superb cast with distinctive primary and secondary characters. The story includes instances of Islamophobia, and readers can tell that the Muslim identity is a central theme. The Arabic words and phrases were fun to come across, and there’s a convenient glossary near the back to help with pronunciations and meanings. Chadda’s story of a Muslim hero and the inclusivity he showcases is engaging and certainly relevant to our time, even down to a plague god making his literary debut during a pandemic! We may not have originally known that “City of the Plague God” was on the menu, but I’m glad it’s a Rick Riordan Presents book that I ordered. It is outrageously entertaining.

Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow (Oct. 27, 2020) by Jessica Townsend.

*This is the third novel in a series.*

It’s been a strange and wondrous journey through Nevermoor for Morrigan Crow and her fellow scholars in Unit 919 of the Wundrous Society. No longer is it a secret that Morrigan’s a Wundersmith, she and her friends have helped bring down the Ghastly Market and now she embarks on a new, thrilling challenge. She will begin studying the mysterious Wundrous Wretched Arts with Rook Rosenfeld, she being of the same being as Ms. Dearborn and Mrs. Murgatroyd. Morrigan looks forward to learning to control the Wunder that could otherwise consume her. She doesn’t want that, doesn’t want to become like Ezra Squall. For all that she’s gained since coming to Nevermoor, plenty still mistrust her Wundrous ability to use Wunder. She has her concerns, too, but they will take a backseat to a frightening illness with no known origin that is infecting Wunimals (Wunimals are sentient, self-aware, intelligent creatures capable of talking, etc., as humans are) and turning them into vicious Unnimals, primed to attack anyone in their vicinity. There is someone who says he can help Morrigan, but he’s the one who gave Wundersmiths a bad name.

            The junior endeavor in the Nevermoor​ series is a blockbuster middle-grade tale that’s a simmering pot of magic, adventure and magnificent world-building. It’s a tale that champions bravery and confidence, even as Morrigan struggles to find ease in accessing Wunder and grapples with her emotions. There is suspense, but never anything frightening, and Townsend’s story is detailed and enchanting, but also delightfully zany and charmingly eccentric. I so look forward to the next installment!

            Book 1: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

            Book 2: The Calling of Morrigan Crow

Sal & Gabi Break the Universe (Mar. 5, 2019) by Carlos Hernandez.

*This is the first novel in a series.*

It’s only the third day at Culeco Academy of the Arts (a magnet school in the middle of Miami), Salvador Alberto Dorado Vidón’s new school, and he’s in the principal’s office for the third time. He’s most recently caused a stir by making a raw chicken appear in Yasmany Robles’ locker without anyone seeing him do so, and that incident stemmed from Yasmany bullying Sal. Sal is a magician, but the chicken incident remains suspicious. Gabrielle Reál, student council president/editor of the school newspaper, seems to be onto him, and she tries to trick him with her lie detector test, but when he answers “I ripped a hole in the space-time continuum and borrowed a chicken from another universe,” it acknowledges that Sal’s speaking with honesty. How? After a case of low blood sugar (Sal is a Type I diabetic) manifests Mami Muerta​ (she used to be Mami Viva ... when she was alive), Sal winds up in the ER (not his first rodeo there). When he wakes late at night, famished, he tries to sneak by the nurse’s station, but Nurse Dulce Sotolongo catches him. Fortunately, she brings him to Reina Reál, a Cuban mother, and she feeds him. So. Much. (“I had said the magic word: “starving.” Say that to a Cuban mother sometime. I dare you.”) She treats him like he’s her own, and it turns out she’s Gabi’s mom, and they’re there celebrating Gabi’s baby brother’s one-month-old birthday, Ignacio (Iggy) Reál. With Gabi at the hospital as much as she can – and all of her “Gabi dads,” too – Sal finds himself spending even more time there (outside of being a patient and putting on magic shows for young patients). They create a play for theatre class. When Iggy takes a turn for the worse, and he isn’t going to make it, Gabi prompts Sal to break the universe to fix Iggy. The thing is, Sal doesn’t know how! He doesn’t even know how he brings different Mami Muertas from other universes! But that’s the thing for Sal. The multiverse is real, and he can see them, access them. His dad is a calamity physicist and knows to test for calamitrons, but can Sal figure out a way to access the multiverse without causing rips in it and make Iggy healthy?

            I am annoyed with myself for taking so long to read this story! It’s an amalgamation of humor (including fart jokes) and witty dialogue with compassion and some learning and a storyline that flows seamlessly across the multiverse. Hernandez has created an immersive world of imagination that is balanced with a character who is great at employing magic, is practically magical himself, but deals with Type I diabetes, a very real thing. This was my first story by Hernandez, and he makes telling stories look so easy. This is another win for the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, and I can go right into reading the next story, for I already have it!

            P.S. If I were a “Gabi dad” (because women can be Gabi dads, too), what might my name be?

Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 22

This was meant to be a compilation post, but I never got around to reading enough chapter books to compile a second compilation post. The year has almost gotten away from me, so I’m posting this solo chapter book.

Mindy Kim and the Fairy-Tale Wedding (Apr. 5, 2022) by Lyla Lee.

   Dung Ho, illustrator.

*This is the seventh book in a series.*

Talk about the event of the year! Mindy Kim (Korean name: Min-jung) is about to attend her first wedding, and not only is she in it as the flower girl, it’s her dad and Julie that are getting married. Her dad’s relatives have flown into Florida from South Korea, including her school-age cousins, Sung-jin and Sora, while Julie’s family has flown in from New York and China. Mindy wants the day to be perfect, but a perfect day might not be in the picture. There’s rain in the forecast, and the wedding is planned to be outdoors with the ocean as the backdrop. Meanwhile, Theodore the Mutt, whom Mindy is determined will be the ring-bearer, completely misbehaves at the rehearsal. This fairy tale looks like it might be a fairy-FAIL.

            As long as this series continues, I will be one of its readers, because I love that this series features a Korean American character. I don’t care that this is a chapter book; what I care about is that there is representation of a young girl who looks like me, and I know I would’ve loved seeing a series like this when I was young. This is another sweet and fast-reading addition to the Mindy Kim series. It resonates with youthful vibrancy and blends cultures, as Mindy and her dad’s Korean American side joins Julie's Chinese American side. The wedding includes a Chinese tea ceremony, a western ceremony (in which Julie wears a white gown), and a Korean ceremony or paebaek (where they don their hanboks).

            Mindy Kim Books 1-5: A compilation post

            Mindy Kim Book 6: Mindy Kim and the Big Pizza Challenge

Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 21

Picture books need to be engaging to capture the attention of their young audiences, but they also need to engage those reading to/with them. This third picture book compilation of 2022 showcases one favorite author and four new-to-me authors. While they are all uniquely wonderful stories, what they have in common is that they are engaging in their prose and illustrations.

Cozy (Oct. 20, 2020) by Jan Brett.

Animals seek refuge from the winter cold, but instead of a cramped hideout, their refuge is a living creature, a young musk ox called Cozy. A family of lemmings, a snowshoe hare, a snowy owl, an arctic fox, a wolverine and a team of huskies with their sea otter musher join Cozy for winter in the Alaskan tundra. He got separated from his family, so is happy for the company. There are; however, house rules: “Quiet voices, gentle thumping, claws to yourself, no biting, no pouncing, and be mindful of others!” But when does a nibble become a bite? What constitutes a hoot that’s quiet or loud? When spring returns, Cozy is gleeful to find his herd, and his winter lodgers move onto their summer homes, but they promise to meet up again “when the snow flies.”

            The Alaskan tundra is no picnic, but Brett’s signature writing and clever illustrating create an idyllic story of sharing, friendship and living in harmony. Sure, it’s fanciful, but it’s a gently-moving tale that is comforting to read. Brett’s illustrations include those trusty side-panel vignettes that give readers hints as to what’s to come. She writes with a keen sense of her audience – the young and the young-at-heart – and illustrates with the finesse of an expert who’s comfortable in her skill and talent. This is another gorgeous tale, one that represents the importance of community, and it has a sequel, released November 2022.

            Oomingmak: Inupiaq word for musk ox, which translates to “the bearded one.” (Source: https://www.alaskazoo.org/muskox)

Danbi Leads the School Parade (July 7, 2020) by Anna Kim.

New to school is Danbi. Being the new kid is always hard, but it’s made more challenging for Danbi, as she doesn’t know English. She has recently emigrated from South Korea. She tries to engage with her classmates in participating in activities new to her, but she is unsuccessful. One thing she knows how to confidently do is pull out her lunch to eat! Her mom has packed her favorites – “Yams in honey, crystal dumplings, sweet-and-sour mini skewers, rainbow drops, and half-moon rice cakes dipped in sweet sesame!” – and her classmates are in awe. She tries to teach them to use chopsticks, which erupts into a cacophony-of-fun, musical parade.

            This is a wonderful story from Kim, who was once that little girl in a new classroom who didn’t yet understand English. Kim’s illustrations are multihued, but soft, and her text paints the story of a young girl who’s resilient and tries not to get discouraged even when no one plays with her. It’s a sweet, expressive story for any child starting at a new school or experiencing big, possibly overwhelming, changes. And it’s an enchanting, gentle and joyous story for all readers looking for something new to read.

            As an adoptee, I was never that child in a new school who didn’t understand English (and, in fact, remained in the same school district from Preschool all through my senior year of high school), but I knew what it was to stand out based on appearance, even though I also felt like my class was one of the more diverse in the rural community I grew up in. I would’ve wanted Danbi as a friend. Yes, because I would’ve seen myself in her with our similar physical, Korean features. But also because I was always taught to be a compassionate human being. I would’ve seen her needing a friend and so would’ve become one!

            Fun fact: According to the author, Danbi means “sweet rain.”

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners (Jan. 5, 2021) by Joanna Ho.

   Dung Ho, illustrator.

The Chinese-American girl in this story notices that her eyes are different from her peers. They have “eyes like sapphire lagoons” and “lashes like lace trim on ballgowns.” Her eyes “kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea.” They are eyes reflected in the face of her Mama’s, Amah’s (her grandmother) and Mei-Mei’s (her little sister). While her eyes are unlike those around her, that is winsome, for they are her eyes, and they are beautiful!

            While not in rhyme, this story is lyrical and reads with the expectation that it should be danced to with graceful movement. It is a story that exudes self-acceptance, a love of one’s ancestral roots and, in this character’s case, Chinese culture. Each of Dung Ho’s colorful and elegant illustrations are breathtaking landscapes that are exemplary complements to Joanna Ho’s prose. I love this story. It’s one I would’ve welcomed as a child. While I am well-loved by my family, I am an adoptee, and my family is entirely Caucasian. There was no one else in my family with “eyes that kiss in the corners,” and sometimes that was tough growing up. This story is poignant, but also strengthening, especially for anyone whose eyes “crinkle into crescent moons and sparkle like the stars.” Love your eyes, but most importantly, love your whole self!

Mommy’s Hometown (Apr. 12, 2022) by Hope Lim.

   Jaime Kim, illustrator.

A young boy is excited to visit his mommy’s hometown in Korea. It’s an area where the “mountains nearby stood like giants” and the “sky was filled with billowing clouds she [Mommy] could watch forever.” But when they arrive, the hometown isn’t what the boy expects. The small village has grown into a big city, new replaces the old, except for an old house on the corner that looks out of place surrounded by shiny new buildings. Fortunately, the river is the same. “Some things change, and some things stay the same.”

            Reading this sweet story that compares and contrasts past and present (rural and urban) with warm, digital illustrations tangibly feels tranquil and safe. The illustrations are lush and detailed; I especially enjoyed the spread of city buildings with shop names in Korean. The prose is gentle, yet full of imagination. The story caught my eye at the library, as it was up on display, one of many diverse books donated by the local Rotary Club. As soon as I saw the cover, I knew it featured Korean characters, and I checked the book out right away. So certainly, this story resonates with me because I share similar features to the Korean characters, but it’s a wonderful, intergenerational story for anyone. It shows readers of all ages that change can be bittersweet, but splendor and optimism arises, too, if one is open to finding it.

Wishes (May 4, 2021) by Mủợn Thị Văn.

   Victo Ngai, illustrator.

If you had to leave everything behind, what would you wish for? In the middle of the night in which the “night wished it was quieter,” a Vietnamese family leaves behind all they’ve ever known. They embark on a perilous journey with a destination in mind, but with knowing how so many things can go wrong between here and there. It’s observed through the eyes of a young girl who is traveling forward until “I didn’t have to wish … anymore.”

            Right away, I am struck by the simple beauty of the story. The prose is scant, but what’s there weaves a timeless tale of fear, hope, determination and resilience and is complemented by the artist’s detailed but soft illustrations. The author and illustrator are well-matched to this story, as the lyrical text and nuanced art are a lovely collaboration. This story is drawn from the author’s personal history, and reading her author’s note had me tearing up. It’s an experience to read, one that is both heartfelt and heart-wrenching. It’s emotional and elegant. The words are few, yet they speak volumes. I purchased the book, and I’m glad to own it. It should be in all libraries (and I’m happy to say that I know my local library has it).

            Personal story: For those that know me, they will know that I’ve never been a refugee. In a previous job, I sometimes worked with Karen-speaking patients. One time, through an interpreter, a patient inquired about my origin. I am always open to sharing that I’m Korean; I was born there, but adopted as a baby and have grown up in the U.S. This patient was a refugee, and sadly, our setting wasn’t one conducive to having a long conversation. She was intrigued by my happy demeanor, but especially, my flawless English. She had the interpreter tell me, “You’re a lucky one.” And you know what? I absolutely agree!

Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 20

Don’t be deceived. The only reason I have two nonfiction compilation posts in the same year is because I did not post one last year. So don’t suddenly think, “Oh! She’s read more nonfiction than usual this year!”

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World (Sept. 24, 2008) by Vicki Myron.

   With Bret Witter.

On the coldest night in January 1988 in Spencer, Iowa, someone dropped an approximately eight-week-old kitten in Spencer Public Library’s drop box. Tiny and weak with frostbitten paws, the little kitten found comfort with library director, Vicki Myron, right away. He won her over and soon won the staff over. It was a group effort that named him Dewey Readmore Books. Along with the library staff, Dewey won over many of the patrons, too, which snowballed into recognition around the state, the country and other parts of the world! From the pickiest Fancy Feast eater to his Buddha pose to claiming every box (no matter what part of him fit) to greeting patrons to attending meetings and Story Hour, Dewey was extremely dedicated to his role as Library Cat. Of course, he didn’t get paid in dollars, but in pets and lap naps.

            Despite his cat self, Dewey did have humility (for a cat), and he took it in turns to be enthusiastic and thoughtful (/lazy). Dewey seemed to have a sixth sense about those who needed him the most, like when Vicki had her breast cancer scare or when he spent two hours with a woman for seemingly no reason, but it turned out that that woman had just had to put her aged cat to sleep. Dewey wasn’t only a library cat, but a friend.

            Dewey passed away in November 2006 at the age of 19 (or very close to). His start was bleak, but his life was anything but. This story made me laugh, but it also made me cry. Dewey knew the power of relationships, but he was also a cat, so sometimes he just wanted to play with his red ball of yarn or peer down upon you from the light fixtures. I love cats, and I live less than two-and-a-half hours away from this library, so it astounds me that I didn’t know this story. It’s good for the soul. It’s for cat lovers, book lovers and anyone who knows small, Midwestern towns. That said, I believe the junior version of the novel is much more Dewey-centric. This full-length novel that I checked out through ILL had a lot about Vicki’s life and the town of Spencer, including some of its history, which wasn’t necessary and didn’t propel the story forward.

Know My Name (Sept. 24, 2019) by Chanel Miller.

Imagine being known as Emily Doe, a young woman who was sexually assaulted - and originally thought to have been raped - by a Stanford swim team standout. Chanel Miller doesn’t have to imagine it; she was that woman. She tells her story in graphic detail and doesn’t back down from the grueling, harrowing and oppressive trial process, one that seems to protect the perpetrators and defame the victims when they’re already at their most vulnerable. (Quotes: “My pain was never more valuable than his potential.” – Chanel, p. 241; “For Brock, his goal was to integrate, for me it was to isolate.” – Chanel regarding the defense attorney, p. 271) The defendant received empathy where Miller did not. Miller doesn’t pretend to be the most courageous person and shares the insecurities brought on by the shame and isolation she felt, including the ugliness she’d project toward those who love her (such as viciously screaming at her boyfriend). It shouldn’t need to be focused on, but Miller also includes being a person of mixed-race and being bothered when she’s only assumed to be one race, like when the female probation officer, under victim’s race, checked only White (she is Chinese and Caucasian). The book finishes up with her victim impact statement, which was originally published on Buzzfeed and from there went viral (11 million views in four days). There are a lot of lows in the book, yet it also shines with courage, radiates strength and exemplifies the power of words.

            Not only as a woman, but as a human being, I am mortified by what Chanel went through and probably continues to work through to this day. I’m incredibly angry with and disgusted by the behavior of Brock Turner, though I also don’t understand why any person would want to drink to the point of blacking out or just be drunk in general.

            Anyone who’s read this story or tried to read it has an opinion, me included. I can’t imagine the fortitude it took for Chanel to put the story out there. She has her flaws, as we all do, but she’s gutsy and strong. She has suffered, but she has prevailed. She has screamed and had fits and ugly-cried, but she’s also fought through blood, sweat and tears up a steep mountain and showed the world that she’s a survivor. It was hard to read, because it’s a painful, upsetting journey, but that’s what also made it such a dazzling memoir. Chanel won’t be diminished, and none of us should either, for any reason. Her story isn’t one of revenge, but of reclamation.

            P.S. How do you choose books to buy and/or read? In the case of “Know My Name,” I happened to see part of the cover in a Christmas photo card that had been sent to my parents by a former pastor and her husband.

A Very Punchable Face (July 14, 2020) by Colin Jost.

Oh, to have a face that inspires Czech teenagers to attack you with potato salad. Apparently, Colin Jost (of SNL notoriety) has such a face. He also, apparently, has a very punchable face, and his story showcases that he can take a punch, both literally and metaphorically. Here’s a guy who grew up in a family of firefighters on Staten Island, commuted three hours daily to high school, happened to attend Harvard and wound up a comedian. Readers won’t only learn that Jost has a punchable face or that Czech teens once attacked him with potato salad. Readers will also learn how Jimmy Buffett saved his life (with a knife), of an incident where an insect once laid eggs inside his leg (gross) and be treated to the poop chapter (also gross, but supremely hilarious). There are behind-the-scenes stories at SNL and Weekend Update. There’s experiencing the life of a touring stand-up comedian through Jost’s words - from performing in rural college cafeterias to opening for a big name at Radio City Music Hall. There are accomplishments (like hosting the Emmys) and setbacks (like hosting the Emmys). There is no shortage of absurdity and hilarity, but there’s an especially candid and emotional account in the chapter recounting his mom’s experience on 9/11.

            Honestly, I’m not an avid watcher of SNL, past or present, but I’ve watched enough to know that Colin Jost is (was?) a head writer and co-anchors Weekend Update with Michael Che, and I gravitate toward comedic memoirs when I read memoirs. This one did not disappoint! I’m actually surprised by how much I laughed, which might seem odd for a memoir written by a comedian, but too often I’ve not found memoirs by comedians to be very funny. I laughed so hard that I cried when I read the poop chapter, and I’m not normally one for potty/defecation humor. The chapter that most impresses me is the one focused on his mom, one in a long line of firefighters in the family (she’s Dr. Kerry Kelly, and she was chief medical officer for the NYC FD for 24 years. She was the first woman to serve as chief medical officer and the first female doctor to ever join the FDNY). Jost shares his memoir with a healthy dose of self-deprecation. I’ve already mentioned the humor based on how much I laughed, but this is a book that also has lots of heart. It’s written well, and Jost’s candor and wit make it a fast read.

Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 19

Despite the amount of YA novels I read each year, this is only my second YA compilation post in 2022. This is because I have published multiple solo posts to balance the number of inspirational fiction solo posts on The Reading Rutabaga.

In Every Generation (Jan. 4, 2022) by Kendare Blake.

*This is the first novel in a series.*

The previously-destroyed-by-Buffy Hellmouth may be leaking … residue. And there’s a new Big Bad in New Sunnydale called the Countess, and she has a penchant for virgins’ blood. Buffy can take her out, right? Maybe, if Frankie Rosenberg (daughter of Willow) knew if Buffy was alive. After a bombing at Slayerfest, the fate of all Slayers is in question, except for the dead Slayers that were actually found. Frankie finds her Slayer abilities awakening, but she isn’t any regular Slayer, as she also possesses some magical ability thanks to her mom. The new Scoobies include fellow teens Jake Osbourne (werewolf), Hailey Larsson (whose Slayer half-sister, Vi, hasn’t been seen since the bombing) and Sigmund DeWitt (a Sage demon, but only half, as his father is human). (Also, Sigmund DeWitt isn’t his real name, but it’s “the closest thing most people can manage.”) Her Watcher is the vampire, Spike, and Jake’s uncle-cousin, Oz, is there to help fight, too. (Oz is his cousin, but Jake calls him uncle because he’s “too old to be my cousin.”) Don’t count out Willow just because she hasn’t used magic since before Frankie was born and Grimloch, the Hunter of Thrace, may show himself to be an ally despite his fondness for eating hearts. Hailey hasn’t given up hope that Vi is alive as Frankie wonders how she can be a Slayer the likes of Buffy. That’s what she must learn, though, that she isn’t like Buffy. She’s the first of her kind, the first Slayer-witch.

            As someone who never got into the Buffy the Vampire series, I was skeptical about this book. I purchased it because I’m a steady fan of Blake’s stories, and I’m glad I did. While I’ve heard of some of the key characters, I’m not familiar with the Buffyverse, so I greatly appreciated the background and additional context which those already familiar might find redundant. The amount of quipping and humor gave the YA novel comic relief to balance the grimness of death and the intensity of suddenly having the world (or at least New Sunnydale) on one’s shoulders. The story sets a fast pace right away with lots of action, a wicked villain with an equally vicious right-hand henchman in Anton (who’s obsessed with hot pokers) and that cheeky banter. The story ended on a satisfying note while also setting readers up for future installments. I expect that Buffy aficionados and supernatural fans alike will enjoy the start of this new series. I may not know the original Buffy series, but it sure reads like a worthy successor to me!

Once Upon a Broken Heart (Sept. 28, 2021) by Stephanie Garber.

*This is the first novel in a trilogy (originally marketed as a duology).*

Does the broken heart belong to Evangeline Fox when the love of her life, Luc Navarro, betrays her by abruptly proposing to her stepsister, Marisol Tourmaline, or to the Prince of Hearts (a.k.a. Jacks), a Fate whose wicked heart toys with the hearts of others, even as he’s rumored to have a true love who isn’t reciprocating? For forever, Evangeline has believed in “love at first” and happy endings. So when Luc suddenly proposes to another, Evangeline is desperate to stop the impending nuptials. She’s so desperate that she makes a bargain with a Fate. Fates won’t break bargains, but they often hurt those they’re supposedly helping. The Prince of Hearts is immortally alluring and gracefully charismatic, but he’s also the wicked bad boy one’s parents should never want their daughters to fall for (or sons). In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be granted at the time and place that he chooses. He will also choose the three she kisses, because while the kisses may be somehow for Jacks, they aren’t with him (to kiss him is lethal to anyone but his true love). When Evangeline and Marisol venture from their home in the Meridian Empire to the Magnificent North, where her late mother grew up, and she sees Jacks, she soon realizes that Jacks has plans. Will Evangeline get her happy ending? Or will she be led along a deliciously exquisite tragedy orchestrated by the Prince of Hearts?

            Set in the world of the Caraval trilogy, Garber returns readers to a magical land of enchantment, heady romance and messy choices with a heroine with rose-gold hair and a heart for happy endings. Reading Garber’s stories is like wandering through a richly-imagined fairy tale of charm and danger, lush world-building and a roiling plot, twists and tangles, deceit and wishes. Although the writing is decadent and shimmers with magic and the author’s sparkly imagination, it’s at times verbose, like a dessert that contains too much sugar. It can also read as sometimes frothy, but with themes of family influence and holding onto one’s beliefs, it also contains depth. Overall, it’s a well-paced story of romance, adventure and bewitching mystery, though I wish there was some diversity amongst the major characters.

            Caraval Book One: Caraval

            Caraval Book Two: Legendary

            Caraval Book Three: Finale

Six Crimson Cranes (July 6, 2021) by Elizabeth Lim.

*This is the first novel in a duology.*

The youngest of seven and the only daughter of Kiata’s emperor (Emperor Hanriyu), Princess Shiori’anma is a 16-year-old who has the gift of magic in a world where magic is forbidden. On the day of her betrothal ceremony to Bushi’an Takkan, Shiori tries to prevent the ceremony from happening in an unexpected way: she follows her enchanted paper bird, Kiki, into the Sacred Lake, coming face-to-face with a small dragon as she almost drowns. In human form, the shape-shifter is 17-year-old dragon prince Seryu. He’s arrogant, but offers Shiori magic lessons, having been drawn to her magic. Unfortunately, Shiori’s magic also captures the attention of Raikama, her stepmother. Raikama is secretly a sorceress, and she’s a powerful woman, banishing Shiori and turning her six brothers into cranes (Andahai, Benkai, Reiji, twins Wandei & Yotan and Hasho). She forewarns Shiori that she must never speak, for if she does, she’ll lose a brother with every word she utters. Without voice, without money and with naught but a bowl that is so enchanted to her head it might as well be fused to it to hide her face, Shiori leaves Kiata alone, intending to find her brothers. With her brothers as cranes and Shiori banished, Kiata appears to have zero heirs, and a conspiracy to seize the throne is uncovered. She’ll have to find a way to keep the kingdom she can’t currently be in with the help of a little paper bird, a mercurial dragon and the boy whose letters she ignored and has fought hard not to marry.

            “Six Crimson Cranes” blends story elements from East Asian lore (like the legend of Chang E) and European fairy tales (like Cinderella​) in a wonderfully crafted YA mash-up that feels original in a sea of twisted fairy-and-mythology-based tales (and I happen to be a fan of both). The first novel in a duology of the same name, Lim crafts a richly embroidered story of interwoven tales and mythology, an intricate plot that challenges the evil stepmother cliché, magic, adventure and a protagonist who has grit and determination despite the odds that are stacked against her. This duology takes place in the same world as the Blood of Stars​ duology. It explores complicated family dynamics and the story sweeps readers along with every turn of the page.

            Regarding starstroke: “Dragons had not always been omens of good fortune.” When they answered to no one, not even the gods, the gods came together to temper their strength and “forged starstroke from a trio of magics: strands of fate from the goddess Emuri’en’s hair; the blood of stars from Lapzur, the source of an enchanter’s power; and demonfire scoured from the Tambu Isles, birthplace of demons” (pp. 149-150).

            The Blood of Stars Book One: Spin the Dawn

            The Blood of Stars Book Two: Unravel the Dusk

"Targeted: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas" by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn and Natalie Walters

Targeted: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas (Nov. 1, 2022).*

Three romantic suspense novelists are featured in this anthology from Revell. Prepare yourself for three strong women, three dynamic men, three unsuspecting targets and a bevy of bad guys. Novellas are listed in the order featured in the novel.

            1. On the Run by Lynette Eason. FBI agent Daria Nevsky is an IT Specialist and a whiz at what she can do when it comes to computers. She goes on the run when someone attempts to abduct her, saying that it’s her father’s plan. Thing is, her crooked, criminal, Russian mafia father has been dead for seven years. She’ll find out what’s going on, but Dr. Ryker Donahue refuses to let her go about it alone. Familiar faces from a previous series make an appearance to band together to save Daria and bring down the baddies who’ve lain dormant until now.

            2. Deadly Objective by Lynn H. Blackburn. Professionalism is key for Secret Service Special Agent Liam Harper and physical therapist Emily Dixon. Their duties are to the vice president’s son, Mason Lawson. He’s a 16-year-old who’s “like a Tasmanian devil in three-hundred-dollar khakis and four-hundred-dollar polo shirts.” Liam is the only agent that Mason listens to, and Emily has worked into a stable rapport with the teen, as she suspects Mason has a crush on her. When Mason enters the crosshairs of a killer, Liam’s protection is more vital than ever. Trouble finds them on a camping trip, and it includes Emily, who readily admits she’s not an outdoorsy gal. She is; however, good with a bow and arrow. Are the criminals truly after Mason? Or are they after Mason to reach the VP? Why?

            3. Caught in the Crosshairs by Natalie Walters. When CIA targeting officer Claudia Gallegos is implicated in the murder of a Saudi prince, she’s automatically on alert when the CIA’s PSYOPS officer, Ari Blackman, is sent to interview her. Ari’s reputation as a playboy (and “America’s James Bond”) due to his handsome features and fit physique precedes him, but Claudia - a.k.a. Martina a.k.a. novia de la agencia - has a reputation, too, but Claudia’s allegiance is to the U.S. After attempts are made on her life, Claudia lands somewhere she never expected: in a safe house in the U.S. She doesn’t want to be idle, so she delves into figuring out why Prince Mohamed bin Abdulaziz was murdered, which turns into preventing a coup that could cripple U.S.-Saudi relations. Claudia and Ari must find trust in each other.

            As fond as I am of novels, it is a nice change to switch it up with a collection of fast-paced novellas. I honed in on this collection as a fan of Eason’s (I’ve been reading her novels since her Elite Guardians series, publication years 2016 and 2017), but found myself drawn into the stories by Blackburn and Walters as well. It’s easy for the reader to know from the get-go who the antagonist is in Blackburn’s story, but I didn’t hold it against the short tale. These stories all represent romantic suspense well and are inspirational without being heavy-handed. I also like how novellas challenge the authors to write a full story in fewer words. Some readers might find that takes away from character development and/or world-building, but I did not find that to be the case. Each author is clearly a skilled storyteller, and it’s a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys inspirational fiction and romantic suspense.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Ballad & Dagger" by Daniel José Older

Ballad & Dagger (May 3, 2022) by Daniel José Older.

*This is the first novel in a duology.*

Welcome to Brooklyn’s Little Madrigal, a unique diaspora community of pirates, Madrigal Santeros and Sephardic Jews (a.k.a. Sefaradim). It’s where one can find 16-year-old Mateo Matisse Medina, a piano prodigy who lives with his Tía Lucia (living) and Tía Miriam (not living). Mateo’s goal is to catch Maestro Grilo Juan Gerval’s attention, a musical legend and the only one from their community who’s made a name in the world. Meanwhile, Mateo excels at sea espíritu, like a spirit, so being present without really being seen. Until he IS seen. He’s the only one who didn’t know he’s an initiate of Galanika, one of the three original spirits of San Madrigal, an island in the Caribbean which sank when he was a toddler. Galanika is a healer, so suddenly Mateo is a ... healer? Their diaspora is falling apart and has been for awhile, but Mateo hasn’t noticed it until Rabbi Hidalgo’s murder-y daughter, Chela (initiate to Okanla, the destroyer), points it out to him. Someone’s been selected to take Anisette Bisconte’s place on the Cabildo (Little Madrigal’s leadership council), and it’s not Tolo Baracasa, the one expected to be her successor and Chela’s cousin, but Gerval. People are taking sides, and Mateo doesn’t want to choose a side, but he must. His newfound power won’t allow him to sit on the sidelines, invisible. Battle is looming, and the secrets coming to light be deadly, but getting to the other side of the mayhem could hold the key to the dark mystery surrounding San Madrigal. Rumor has it that it can rise again. And Mateo won’t be alone, for he’ll have Chela (newly-realized crush, murder-y bits and all), Tams (his undeniably cool best friend) and Maza (they are unabashedly flirtatious with Tams, who’s a shameless flirt). While Little Madrigal may once have been a refuge for its community or a layover for Mateo (who’s sometimes felt like a tourist in his own neighborhood), who often traveled with his science-minded doctor-parents, it’s about to become a battleground instead. Myths are their reality. Ready?

            A newbie to Older’s writing, I am captivated by this standout YA novel that bubbles over with mystery and mayhem, but also humor and heart. Chaos culminates through division and fear, but courage steps forward, however grudgingly and unsure. It’s a story that hits high notes and low tones, a rich song in book form with humanness and depth. Readers are treated to a community with deep-rooted traditions, a varied history that isn’t without secrets, new and tentative romance and contemporary adventure with magical elements, all while blending in themes of identity, diaspora and colonialism. Older’s writing is there to enjoy as one would any rollercoaster adventure, but it also makes one think: about the pain of identity and diaspora, even within one’s own community, yet also showcases the solidarity and toughness of the same community. The folklore present in this urban fantasy fits well within the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. The previous stories I’ve read within the imprint have been middle-grade titles, but this YA title lends the imprint high school teenager vibes with the world-building that I would expect of any winsome story. I also love the diverse cast, the population of San Madrigal a beautiful blend of Indigenous, West African and European Jewish peoples with the varied skin tones that would go along with that diverse population. It hits the right notes with its lush harmony of adventure, diversity, music and magic, and I will definitely return for the next “Outlaw Saints” novel.

            P.S. I want San Madrigal to be real like I also wish Wakanda, the Wizarding World, Alicante, the Shire and all other worlds and realms were real. Maybe let’s leave out the bambaruto​ creatures, though. Very unpleasant.

            P.P.S. For some reason, each time I read “empire pirates,” I wanted to say “vampire pirates.” But it’s empire. As for the other, someone write that book, stat!