Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Job burn out takes a turn for the literal

A Witch’s Guide To Burning by Aminder Dhaliwal

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This graphic novel is the story of a journey in which magical outcasts, thrown together by fate, must learn to trust and rely on one another in order to heal, grow and find the strength to battle demons. Aminder Dhaliwal has created a magical world with its own unique set of rules. Witches are valued and esteemed so long as they do their job for their towns. Once their magic weakens, they are “cleansed” by fire and a new witch takes over. It’s an old […]

A novel set in Jamestown but that is all over the place

The East Indian: A Novel by Brinda Charry

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The East Indian is a work of historical fiction set in the Jamestown settlement circa 1640. The main character, an East Indian boy who goes by the name Tony, finds himself an unwilling indentured servant there, and through him author Brinda Charry shows the reader the early days of Jamestown and the rise of slavery and bigotry based on skin color. Charry includes plenty of interesting historical facts about Jamestown as well as bits and pieces about witchcraft, Shakespeare, medicine and herbs, Native Americans, colonialism, […]

Sweet, Ghibli-esque cottage core fantasy

Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell

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What: Catherine Bakewell’s Flowerheart is a lovely coming into one’s power tale with Studio Ghibli vibes and a charmingly rustic setting,  It’s also a fairytale with wild magic, curses, witches and wizards.  Running through is the rebuilding of a childhood friendship that turns to romance. Who: Clara Lucas is a witch in training, about to turn sixteen, and afraid of her power.  Her magic surges in wild, and sometimes destructive, ways and is affected by her mood.  On the benign side flowers will spontaneously bloom in her […]

Delightful!

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookship by Hwang Bo-Reum

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Attention lovers of books and independent bookstores, this book is for you! Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop is a delightful story about a woman’s dream of opening a bookstore and how the store ends up transforming and healing not only her life but those who experience the store. The main character, Yeongju, basically has a mid-life crisis and abandons her old life (marriage, career) to open a small bookshop in a quiet neighborhood in Seoul. She knows nothing of opening or operating a store, but […]

“We are but fevered stars. Here a little while, bright with promise, before we burn away.”

Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse

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I’ve been struggling with review writing lately and decided to give the 5 Ws way a shot because this book/series is too good to not share. What:  Fevered Star, is the second book in Rebecca Roanhorse’s  Between Earth and Sky series.  The first is Black Sun, which I thoroughly enjoyed!  It is an epic fantasy tale where Gods seek to regain power in the mortal realm and human power players seek to reshape control of the land and seas. Who:  Naranpa, Sun Priest, who has now become […]

Satisfying conclusion to the Last Binding Trilogy

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

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Freya Marske satisfyingly concludes her Last Binding Trilogy with A Power Unbound.  I loved the first volume, A Marvellous Light.  It has a creative magic system and adorable couple Robin and Edwin.  I found the second one, A Restless Truth, to feel a bit rushed due to the time limit on having to occur on an ocean voyage between the US and England.  Also, Maud as a character tends to make me feel breathless with her energy and constant pushing for action.  Though A Power Unbound […]



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