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ashylibrarian's reviews
963 reviews
Happyhead by Josh Silver
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Dividing Sky by Jill Tew
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Zombie Apocalypse Running Club by Carrie Mac
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book is a middle-grade masterpiece. The result of a stunning collaboration between Steve Sheinkin, an expert in nonfiction writing, and Ruta Sepetys, a master novelist of historical fiction.
The Bletchley Riddle is a thrilling historical mystery that follows siblings Jakob (19) and Lizzie (14) during the summer of 1940. The Battle of Britain roars on as Hitler's German forces creep closer. Jakob, a brilliant mathematics student, has been called to Bletchley Park to serve on a secret team of top minds in Britain to try and crack the Nazi's Enigma cipher. Meanwhile, Lizzie quite literally jumps ship that is supposed to take her to the United States to continue her investigation for her missing mother and to learn what is happening with her brother. Both must keep secrets from one another as to not get arrested for treason, but when they start receiving mysterious messages, they must determine if the messages are real or a trap to trip them up.
This is a collaboration I knew we needed, and I am so glad it is finally here! I loved diving into a piece of history that isn't much talked about in U.S. WWII curriculums and learning about the brave, brilliant, and resilient young minds that helped to shorten the war by 2 years.
I am always blown away by the writings of Sepetys and Sheinkin and how they seamlessly combined their talents into this novel attests to the brilliance of their work as authors and historians. I hope to see more collaborations between these authors in the future!
The Bletchley Riddle is a thrilling historical mystery that follows siblings Jakob (19) and Lizzie (14) during the summer of 1940. The Battle of Britain roars on as Hitler's German forces creep closer. Jakob, a brilliant mathematics student, has been called to Bletchley Park to serve on a secret team of top minds in Britain to try and crack the Nazi's Enigma cipher. Meanwhile, Lizzie quite literally jumps ship that is supposed to take her to the United States to continue her investigation for her missing mother and to learn what is happening with her brother. Both must keep secrets from one another as to not get arrested for treason, but when they start receiving mysterious messages, they must determine if the messages are real or a trap to trip them up.
This is a collaboration I knew we needed, and I am so glad it is finally here! I loved diving into a piece of history that isn't much talked about in U.S. WWII curriculums and learning about the brave, brilliant, and resilient young minds that helped to shorten the war by 2 years.
I am always blown away by the writings of Sepetys and Sheinkin and how they seamlessly combined their talents into this novel attests to the brilliance of their work as authors and historians. I hope to see more collaborations between these authors in the future!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and War
The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I would love to see this turned into an animated movie some day.
Monster Crush by Erin Ellie Franey
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Turtle Bread: A Graphic Novel About Baking, Fitting In, and the Power of Friendship by Kim-Joy
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Borrow My Heart by Kasie West
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch Vol. 1 by Hiro Kashiwaba
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25