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vanislandcircus's reviews
858 reviews
Hertz Gets Fused by Suzanne Purvis
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was instantly intrigued that Suzanne Purvis chose to write her middle-grade book in verse about a tech-obsessed tween who accidentally sets his room on fire and finds himself sentenced to live in nowhere Arizona with his eccentric great-uncle, who doesn't even have a TV.
For Hertz, this is a fate worse than death, and he finds himself on a mission to get anything, a phone, a tablet, a laptop, anything that will get him back online. He believes that his salvation comes in the form of a scavenger hunt being run by the local Chamber of Commerce, with the winner winning a cash prize; little does he realize that his mission will lead him to make friends and realize that there is more to life than a screen.
As a parent raising similar-aged and screen-obsessed kids, I found this heart-warming and beyond relatable.
Hertz Gets Fused, written by Suzanne Purvis, will be published by Owl's Nest Publishers and will release on May 15, 2023.
I received an arc of this book from the publisher; all opinions are my own.
For Hertz, this is a fate worse than death, and he finds himself on a mission to get anything, a phone, a tablet, a laptop, anything that will get him back online. He believes that his salvation comes in the form of a scavenger hunt being run by the local Chamber of Commerce, with the winner winning a cash prize; little does he realize that his mission will lead him to make friends and realize that there is more to life than a screen.
As a parent raising similar-aged and screen-obsessed kids, I found this heart-warming and beyond relatable.
Hertz Gets Fused, written by Suzanne Purvis, will be published by Owl's Nest Publishers and will release on May 15, 2023.
I received an arc of this book from the publisher; all opinions are my own.
Iced Out by CE Ricci
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
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
5.0
I am obviously on a Hockey and love binge.
I loved this enemy-to-lovers hockey-induced story. The characters had depth and hot sex!
I cannot wait for the rest of the series and their stories to hit the shelves.
I loved this enemy-to-lovers hockey-induced story. The characters had depth and hot sex!
I cannot wait for the rest of the series and their stories to hit the shelves.
Rexar by Bella Stone
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
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
After reading Drax’s story(Tags of Honor: Red Squadron Book 3)
and not knowing what happened to Rexar, I knew it would only be a matter of time before his story was written, and it did not disappoint. It was an explosion of raw emotion from the get-go, and it did not let you go till the very end; if I am candid, the emotional hangover lasted for a few days.
Bella does not disappoint in any of her stories, and while each one is its own, I love that she continues to bring back all the characters in snippets in each one; it is like your family stopping by as they drive through town, and you can never get enough.
I can’t wait to see where this new series takes us, but one thing I do know is that it will be one hell of a ride surrounded by characters that feel like family!
Another thing to mention is that this story ties into Susan Stoker’s Seals of Protection series characters, which have been written with continuity to their original creation and just a little bit of Bella flair thrown in.
and not knowing what happened to Rexar, I knew it would only be a matter of time before his story was written, and it did not disappoint. It was an explosion of raw emotion from the get-go, and it did not let you go till the very end; if I am candid, the emotional hangover lasted for a few days.
Bella does not disappoint in any of her stories, and while each one is its own, I love that she continues to bring back all the characters in snippets in each one; it is like your family stopping by as they drive through town, and you can never get enough.
I can’t wait to see where this new series takes us, but one thing I do know is that it will be one hell of a ride surrounded by characters that feel like family!
Another thing to mention is that this story ties into Susan Stoker’s Seals of Protection series characters, which have been written with continuity to their original creation and just a little bit of Bella flair thrown in.
The No Good, Terribly Kind, Wonderful Lives and Tragic Deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman by Kathleen Goldhar
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Punderworld by Linda Šejić
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Fault Lines by Emily Itami
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
On many levels I could relate to the main character at how her life changed with kids and marriage. I sympathized with her feelings and struggles. They were all so relatable. I found it very interesting the added struggle she felt through her culturally expectations and her immersive description of said culture and the beautiful descriptions of Japan.
Logan: A Special Forces Protector Romantic Suspense Novel by Annabella Stone, Bella Stone
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Twig, Volume 1 by Skottie Young
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
An epic adventure story, with fantastical creatures and vibrant captivating illustrations.
Blue Is the Warmest Color by Jul Maroh
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
Emotionally heartbroken.
This beautifully written story of finding love and one’s true self was inspiring. The mostly monotone illustrations only emphasized the emotional highs, lows, joy, love, and heartbreak that the characters experienced throughout the story.
This beautifully written story of finding love and one’s true self was inspiring. The mostly monotone illustrations only emphasized the emotional highs, lows, joy, love, and heartbreak that the characters experienced throughout the story.
Pirate's Daughter by Mairghread Scott
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
All is not always what it seems, this story started off one way and went another as you read and it was explosive in the story, characters, emotion and development.
The artwork was beautifully illustrated and only added depth to the story being told.
I am looking forward to seeing where this story goes when the second book releases in September 2023!
The artwork was beautifully illustrated and only added depth to the story being told.
I am looking forward to seeing where this story goes when the second book releases in September 2023!