Fantasy & Magic – Page 2 – Cannonball Read 17

We’re talking kings and successions

Warriors: Winds of Change by Erin Hunter

June 28, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Warriors: Winds of Change is an enjoyable graphic novel story. Even though, it can be a standalone title, I probably needed to have a little more background about the Warriors series and their world to understand some of the backstory of where the characters are from. There are several points about their religion, the idea of littermates and the rivalry between clans though might have been cleared up. Yet, the stronger reader could pick up some of that while reading. Erin Hunter’s anthropomorphic cats are […]

He’s just…. Ralph.

Ralph Azham V01 Black Are the Stars by Lewis Trondheim

January 25, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

A coworker likes this series (and creator) a lot. But I am still on the fence about Ralph Azham V01 Black Are the Stars. I can appreciate the hard work, the time, and the effort it takes to create something this detailed, involved and creative. However, I am not sure if I like it. The characters in this classic Lewis Trondheim tale are mostly unlikable. Even the kids are not endearing. And do not get me started on the main character, Ralph. He is not […]

Spunk is the name of the game!

Julia’s House Moves On by Ben Hatke

Oona by Kelly DiPucchio

November 4, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Spunk is the name of the game with Julia and Oona. Two different gals, but who both know how to “get-r-done!” Julia’s House Moves On is the latest in the Julia books by Ben Hatke (an author who covers several age ranges with their books, this being for the 5 and up crowd). This darn cute story about “best laid plans” and how things will work out for the better just is silly, funny and educational. As the joke says, “You want to make God […]

Dark stuff of fairy tales

Of Salt and Shore by Annet Schaap

September 4, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Do you want to read The Little Mermaid story but with a big twist? Okay, maybe that is not enough. How about do you want to read about a young girl who is dealing with the death of her mother, her father’s drinking, keeping the lighthouse light burning and a real do-gooder teacher? I will loss in a boy who lives in the houses tower and likes biting people as they come into his room (after all, he has to keep up that “monster” persona), […]

Two reviews: a CBR12Bingo for Debut and a couple of “old timers”

Lift by Minh Le

Lone Wolf by Sarah Kurpiel

July 29, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

cbr12bingo Debut One can find their “pack” or friends and family anyplace. Or more accurately, the “right anyplace.” And in Lift by Minh Le (who wrote Drawn Together which I greatly liked as well as a Green Lantern for the middle school crowd, which I enjoyed) and illustrated by Dan Santat you find an interesting “pack of friends.” And with Lone Wolf by Sarah Kurpiel the right place to find your family/pack can be right under your nose. And also a debut author can be under […]

When You Make a Deal with a Nixie, remember to find out if your wife is pregnant.

The Nixie of the Mill-Pond and Other European Stories by Kel McDonald

February 24, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Do not judge a book by the cover is probably the first thing I learned about books. However, sometimes you can, sometimes not and sometimes there are books that you do both. The Nixie of the Mill-Pond and Other European Stories is one of those books that you think you know what is going on (there will be a Nixie, which looks like a mermaid/banshee/fairy, that will do something in a mill-pond) but open it up and there is something completely different. On page one we […]

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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