Cannonball Read 17

This broke my heart, and not in the good way

The Dravenhearst Brides by Lindsay Barrett

October 9, 2025 by Emmalita 2 Comments

I haven't had a book break my heart the way The Dravenhearst Brides did in a long time. Since Lindsay Barrett is a new to me author, I went in with few expectations, but I was immediately drawn in. The Dravenhearst Brides is a gothic romance set in Kentucky in 1933, towards the end of Prohibition … [Read more]

Emmalita's CBR17 Review No:78 · Genres: Fiction, History, Romance · Tags: gothic, gothic historical romance, Lindsay Barrett, Queerphobia, The Dravenhearst Brides ·

Evil Geniuses Come in All Ages

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

October 9, 2025 by esmemoria 2 Comments

Bingo: Culture. This book covers many aspects of fairy culture. I haven’t read any fantasy in a long time, so I picked up the YA novel Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer. It was a light read, but I enjoyed it. Artemis Fowl is a twelve year old boy who comes from a long line of crime lords. He is … [Read more]

esmemoria's CBR17 Review No:52 · Genres: Fantasy, Fiction · Tags: cbr17bingo, eoin colfer ·

Greed, pretty princesses and monsters

Darkly She Goes by Hubert

October 9, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

After reading Darkly She Goes by Hubert and illustrated by Vincent Mallié (translated by L Benson and color by Bruno Tatti) I realized that I will be haunted by Hubert’s writing. After reading Beauty by them, I figured nothing would shock me about their style. But Darkly She Goes is a terribly odd, … [Read more]

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:454 · Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novels/Comic Books, Health, History, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Young Adult · Tags: Bruno Tatti), Hubert, knights, L Benson, literary, monsters, princesses, Social Themes, Vincent Mallié ·

I’m still not going camping, but I’ll read about it

The Best Worst Camp Out Ever by Joe Cepeda

October 9, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Every so often I still find an older online reader copy in my saved links. And The Best Worst Camp Out Ever by Joe Cepeda (from late April/early May 2024) is one of them. I honestly do not think I would have liked this book if I had not found (again) and read it on a day in October 2025. I was in … [Read more]

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:453 · Genres: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Cooking/Food, Fiction, Graphic Novels/Comic Books, Sports · Tags: Camping, family, fathers & sons, Joe Cepeda, Outdoor Activities, parents ·

For a guy without a head, that Headless Horseman has a good one on his shoulders.

Ghost Circus by Adrienne Kress

October 9, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Okay, so my title is a little bit of a spoiler to what happens at the end of Ghost Circus by Adrienne Kress and illustrations by Jade Zhang. The Horseman shows up at the end, you think he’s a bad guy (like he usually is in stories) but he helps our heroes. I just couldn’t resist making a good (or … [Read more]

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:452 · Genres: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novels/Comic Books, Health, History, Horror, Mystery, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult · Tags: Adrienne Kress, Circus, family, friendship, ghosts, Jade Zhang, paranormal, Poltergeists, supernatural ·

Her voice

Wolf Lake, White Gown Blown Open: Poems by Diane Seuss

October 9, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

A friend of mine who is also a writer, poet, editor and constant learner recommended the poet Diane Seuss. Of course, my kid self said, SEUSS? Well that’s a hoot. And I am sure she is tired of people asking and/or joking about it, so I’ll just leave that there and talk about Wolf Lake, White Gown … [Read more]

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:451 · Genres: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry · Tags: American Poetry, Diane Seuss, Juniper Prize for Poetry, literary, Social Themes ·

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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