stuckinthemiddlegradewithyou's reviews
300 reviews

The Hangman's Belief: A Trials of the Servunday Novel by Christopher Harvard

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dark funny mysterious fast-paced

4.0

I loved the comedic elements in this book, it reminded me of the Dresden files series. The characters are fun and interesting although I would like to know more about them, maybe that comes in book 2. 
The gore was toe curling and very well described, especially in the beginning scene. 
The perfect light hearted horror with just the right amount of gore. 
Thank you NetGalley, Free mouse publishing and Christopher Harvard for my copy of this arc. 
Trail of Spool and Shadow by T.I. Avens

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

The cover art is extremely cute and the story itself was full of fantasy and adventure. I would liked to have had a little more description of the different characters and creatures as them being unique and unknown does make it a little difficult to imagine and follow. 
The back and forth changes of pov could be difficult for middle grade readers to follow and some of the language may go over their heads or be misunderstood. 
A solid story with some charming characters that could benefit for a few tweaks. 
Thank you so much to T. J. Avens, NetGalley and book sirens for the arc.
The Tiger and the Crane: a legend of courage and honor in the 19th Century by Trevor Spisto

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adventurous challenging hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

An engaging tale of overcoming prejudice and feeling like you fit in. Set in China’s 19th century Qing Dynasty, we follow Mung (a crane) and he saves an orphaned tiger cub Xingfu and raises him against the wishes of his fellow villages. Together they face many challenges as Xingfu grows until the other villagers prejudices become too much. They then learn that sometimes differences can be a strength of only they work together. 
A beautifully written story filled with wonderful characters and great world building. The names may be a little challenging for younger readers but the handy terminology and pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book helps immensely. 
Thank you NetGalley, Monarex Hollywood and Trevor Spisto for allowing me to read an advanced copy. 
Frankie and the Beastly Bog Song by Caitlin Rose Boyle

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emotional informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

A cute graphic novel about finding your feet and realising we all need to muster courage to face whatever life throws at us. Full of colourful illustrations and a sweet mother daughter relationship. 
Creaturepedia: Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth by Adrienne Barman

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informative lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Jam packed with colourful fun illustrations of many different animal categories such as long necked, jumpers, homebodies and more. This book is full of snippets of information about the animals from cover to cover, a great companion novel for plantopedia. 
Watts & Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure by Meg McLaren

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funny hopeful informative lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A fun twist on Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. We follow Watts and his friend Pearl as he tries to find out if he wants to follow in his detective parent’s footsteps or find his own way. Together they solve a few mysteries and find out about themselves along the way. Full of cute illustrations, this is the perfect book for younger readers ready to sink their teeth into chapter books. 
Thank you NetGalley and Bonnier books for my review copy. 
Belzebubs Vol 2: No Rest for the Wicked by JP Ahonen

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dark funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A funny tongue in cheek graphic novel, at times the jokes did seem a bit forced but overall it was humorous.
Thank you NetGalley and IDW publishing for my e-arc. 
Wacky Witches and Their Peculiar Familiars by April Suddendorf

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funny informative lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A fun, rhyming story for younger readers filled with bright and colourful illustrations. A lovely little book featuring a great range of different animal familiars performing different tasks for each witch, some of the rhythms didn’t quite flow but overall it was a fun fast read.
Thank you so much NetGalley and NorthSouth books for my e-arc. 
Deja Ross Speaks to Freaks by Lisa Naffziger

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hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

A fun, sweet book reminding us to live and let live. We follow Deja and her family on a road trip through several states, along the way Deja wants to see as many cryptids as she can and makes some unusual friends. I loved the art work and the underlying message that we as humans have a duty to protect instead of exploit. 
Double Booking: The Tail of the Mummy Cat by Kim Shearer, Chas! Pangburn

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adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A fun quick read that educates as well as entertains. We follow siblings Otto and Nan as they travel to Egypt with their travel writer mother, they do some sight seeing and get up to a little mischief along the way. 
I really enjoyed the sibling dynamics and the overall message of getting along, the sprinkling of historical facts throughout the book is also a nice touch. An add ed fun element for physical readers is that half way through you flip the book from Ottos pov to read Nan’s pov, this novelty is sure to draw in reluctant readers.