Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

I challenge you to a duel

Duel by Jessixa Bagley

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I read several graphic novels recently with diverse, modern casts. One of them, Duel by Jessixa Bagley, left me with two things. The first was I was not sure about a couple characters. I read Duel via a physical reader copy and the images were not complete (some were sketches, not fully fleshed out and color was not added). Though  I was enjoying Aaron Bagley’s expressive artwork when we were able to see a larger image. There are hair-raising moments, images of the fencing, the […]

“The pit was full of bones and her hands were full of wires”

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

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4.5 stars #CBR15 Passport Challenge: Books I already own CBR15 Bingo: Violence 15-word-review: Princess Marra has to complete three impossible tasks to kill her brother-in-law. A quest follows. Longer review: Marra, the youngest princess in a small, rather insignificant kingdom, who has spent half of her life in a convent and so is almost, but very significantly not, a nun, has been set three impossible tasks by a dust-wife (a magic-wielding woman who can communicate with the dead). She must spin thread out of nettles […]

You are as brave as you know

Brave Enough by Rob Justus

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Since I knew that Brave Enough was a Rob Justus production, I could see hints of their illustrative style. Especially with the skeleton that was meditating and looks like Death from Sparkles & Death novel series. However, had I not known that I do not think I would have realized it as the two books are different. Brave Enough is a picture book that came out last year. It is a book about two siblings (Younger Brother and Older Sister) who are off monster hunting. […]

Parent Trap meets Freaky Friday without the magic but lots of music

Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca

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Awhile back I found a reader copy by Rajani LaRocca called Mirror to Mirror. I was interested in it due to the diverse characters and the prose poetry format.  However, as I started reading (at lunch) it was going slowly, and I put it aside. I picked it up months later and was able to finish it finally. It was mostly worth the wait. I say mostly, as for me, there were a few bumps. I was not a fan of some characters, and a […]

The other Themyscira

Diana and Nubia: Princesses of the Amazons by Shannon and Dean Hale

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Shannon and Dean Hale continue the fun from Diana: Princess of the Amazons with a similar upbeat tone, graphic novel for younger readers. However, this time we have two alternating points of view, which are the two Princesses of the Amazons, Diana and Nubia. Along with the talents of Victoria Yin, Lynnette Wong, and Becca Carey, the Hales made a story that is a light, but strong, read. From what little I know of the Diana/Nubia story, Diana and Nubia: Princesses of the Amazons seems […]

“Her mom carefully selected her memories to reflect her established opinions, and it turned her mind into a bowl of lettuce she believed was a salad.”

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

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In the past, I’ve started my reviews with “in one word” and offered one word that sums up my feelings on a book, but over time, that has gotten stale. Instead, I’m going to give myself ten words or less to try to sum up a book, because why not. (My reviews, my rules). In Ten Words or Less: Complex female characters uncover their potential and discover family destiny. This little book charmed me and was exactly the kind of light read I needed at […]



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