"A bookish sprite sets off on a quest for a new home and finds far more than she bargains for in Etter's solo debut, a fantasy romp.
"When the not-so-bright sprites of Pleasant Hollow misguidedly burn down both Shade Glitterdemalion's home and, more importantly, her library, Shade, in a very un-spritely burst of anger, storms off to find a new home, surrounded by books in a fabled place called a library. But outside of Pleasant Hollow, the realm is steeped in the tension of an uneasy truce between the warring good and evil fairies, and as Shade cautiously journeys to the only independent library that may have survived the last war, she encounters many fairy creatures who are just as out of place and dreadful at being proper fairies as she is. With an exasperated narrator who would much prefer a story whose fairies and plots behave the way they ought and with characters that not only question, but outright shatter the status quo to embrace difference, Etter offers readers a rich world of complexity and moral ambiguity as Shade navigates loss, betrayal, magic, and friendship in pursuit of the wonders of books and self-love. It's difficult to give Etter credit for diverse racial representation in a world of multihued nonhuman creatures; nevertheless, this chubby brown protagonist full of flaws and wit and heart is quite welcome.
"For bibliophiles (and bibliothecaphiles) and all those who step expectantly into mushroom rings. (Fantasy. 9-13)"
"What is it like to grow up with no privacy because your mother has shared your entire existence on the internet?
"Twin sisters Claire and Poppy Dixon (assumed white) have grown up in Gilbert, Arizona-but also in the public eye of millions of strangers thanks to their mother's incessant mommy blogging. As a high school senior, Claire is disenchanted with her fishbowl existence. The arrival of worldly, well-traveled new student Rafael Alejandro Luna (who is half of Mexican descent and doesn't know his mother) provides Claire with the opportunity to be "Just Claire" instead of internet famous. Later, after Rafael discovers her online identity, the teens grow closer until Claire feels safe enough to reveal even deeper secrets. In her debut novel, McDowell combines a strong plot with snippets of text, emails, and website comments to deliver a clever meditation on privacy, family, and loyalty. Using a first-person perspective, the novel focuses on topical issues such as phone addiction and social media obsession while also addressing typical teen fare of romance and family drama. The fast-paced action and several surprising plot developments keep the reader's interest as the tension between Claire and her family mounts and her attraction to the unusually forgiving Rafael grows.
"Breezy and fresh meditation on privacy and relationships in the internet age, with a likable protagonist who would rather code than braid her hair for a fashion vlog.(Fiction. 12-18)"
"Gin Hartson lives a strictly logical life-until she falls in love with a boy with a dark family secret.
"Gin has one goal for her senior year of high school: getting into Harvard. A brilliant computer programmer and statistical modeler, she streamlines her life by programming apps that tell her everything from what to eat to what to wear to what to do with her free time. But her faith in the infallibility of data-driven logic evaporates when she falls for Felix Gartner, the brilliant son of the extraordinarily wealthy owner of the technology company Odin. When Gin and Felix start dating, Gin couldn't be happier-until she uncovers a secret that forces Felix to choose between his father and his future. For the first time in her life, Gin must learn to trust her instincts, no matter what the data says. While the romance between Gin and Felix sizzles with authenticity and charm, debut author Cunningham crams the corporate espionage subplot into the final third of the book, rendering the potentially suspenseful narrative rushed and forced. Additionally, while it is fascinating to watch Gin's character evolve, the supporting cast-which is almost exclusively white, as are the protagonists-remains regrettably two-dimensional, especially unfortunate because some characters have the possibility of real complexity, if only the author had chosen to expose their multiple layers.
"An enjoyable coming-of-age romance with a poorly paced suspenseful subplot. (Romance. 14-18)"
(10/15) Webb Hubbell will be one of 8 (max 10) authors participating in Bibliofeast, WNBA Charlotte's "movable feast" book and author dinner in celebration of National Reading Group Month.
Excerpt: "What will draw readers to the book is not just that Ms. Kunin had a very accomplished career as a three-time governor, the first woman to be elected to such in Vermont, US ambassador and US deputy secretary of education, celebrated author and lecturer, all while raising four children, but that she is old. Eighty-one years old to be precise. Kunin makes it very clear that in spite of the challenges of physical decline, the mind can still be alert and ambitious to savor what life may still offer, and that is encouraging."
