Tag Archives: children’s book review

Book Reviews – December 2025

5 Jan

Hello, my friends! Thank you for stopping by SGL – whether it’s a first time for you or if you’ve been here before – welcome!

The Tale of Snow White and Rose Red by Tim Maddox – When a magical storm brings a bear to their home, sisters Snow White and Rose Red welcome him in. But while he stays all winter with them- leaving first thing in the morning and returning in the evening- they never know that he’s searching for a cantankerous dwarf. When spring comes and the sisters meet a prince that’s searching for his lost brother in the woods, as well as a pompous dwarf, their lives take an unexpected turn.

~This quite easily jumped to a Favorite Read of the year as well as onto the list of favorite fairytale retellings. I’d never read anything by Maddox before, but I look forward to reading another of his. I loved how the story was woven together – recognizing aspects of the fairytale while wondering just what was going to happen next. I did appreciate also, how the parents were portrayed – not as villains nor perfect, but present just the same. I fully expect to be wanting to read this come summertime, highly recommend. I’ve even recommended it at my local library!

Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King by William Joyce – North, before he was Santa, was a swashbuckling swordsman bent on treasure and adventure. That search led him to the carefully guarded village of Santoff Claussen – a village that’s said to house the greatest treasure in the East and to the greatest wizard, Ombric Shalazar. But when North arrives, terrors have threatened the village! The terrors are Fearlings – those nightmares of Pitch, the Nightmare King, are taking over the night and causing fear throughout the village. For North, this fight for the children is worth it and he’s not alone. There are other guardians and all he’s got to do is find them in time.

~This young adult/children’s story was a reread and quite fun to read over the holidays. I adore Ombric and Kathleen and North. If you love the animated movie, Rise of the Guardians, you’ll likely enjoy this book, as that’s the series that inspired the movie!

Currently Reading:

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan (this took a backseat to the retelling!)

Fair Blows the Wind by Louis L’amour

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

Christmas on the Goblin Express by J.J. Fischer

Ten Days in a Mad House and Other Stories by Nellie Bly

Gate of Trust – Shaar Habitchon by Rabbeinu Bachya Ibn Pakudah

Hope When It Hurts by Kristen Wetherell

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Series Review – Mistborn Era

22 Dec

So, Brandon Sanderson has a spin-off series from the Mistborn series! I had no idea! I requested these three from the library as soon as I found out. I believe that this is the end of the series though although I feel like I read that he’s currently working on another one. (insert happy dance).

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* I will point out that on Goodreads, it says Mistborn – Alloy Era #1 – as well as #4 for the Mistborn series…. and ‘Wax and Wayne Series in the books themselves so..* 

These three books – Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self and The Bands of Mourning – take place centuries after the Mistborn trilogy.

Alloy of Law – Feruchemist and Allomancer, Waxillium Ladrian, doesn’t fit in out in the Roughs but neither does he fit in the middle of a ballroom. Returning to Elendel wasn’t his choice. Now that he’s back in the city, though, he sees corruption everywhere. His plan of defending the city becomes more complicated as his friend Wayne arrives with bad news and a young woman with grand dreams insists on helping as well.

Shadows of Self – As terrorists stir up workers anger and religious conflict, Wax, Wayne and Marasi must figure out who is behind the conspiracy to stop the country’s progress. But when technology and magic mix, there’s no telling what is really going on – or just who you can trust.

Bands of Mourning – When rumors that the location of the Bands of Mourning have been found, Wax is recruited to investigate. He’s not sure if they are even real – they have been a mythical story for so long, how can they be? They are said to be the Lord Ruler’s own metalminds and that whoever wears them will have the same power. As he travels, he finds clues to what the shady organization known as The Set, is up to.

I really enjoyed this series : the mix of technology – a society that’s still trying to find its feet – and magic. Waxilliam was a great character, a bit of detective, a bit of wild west, a bit of rogue. I enjoyed the development of the characters- not just Wax, but the side characters as well. I loved the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) references to some of the people we met in the first Mistborn series.

There was more….disturbing content in these. I’m really not sure if disturbing is the right word, honestly. Let’s see if I can say it another way. There were some things in these three books – mainly dealing with the kandra, I believe, that if these were my first sci-fi fantasy books, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get past them. Squeamish much? Yes. Yes, I am. But remember, I am still pretty new to this genre – but I can also say that it’s also mild because Sanderson could have made it more graphic. Shudder to even think about that. I don’t say this to turn you from them, because these books are so enjoyable and he does state things as … nicely as possible.

There are some suggestive comments made, mainly by Wayne, throughout all three books. But, again, Sanderson tones it down a lot from what most authors probably would. It’s still on this side of what I’ll read, if that gives you any clue on how mild they really still are. But because of them, I would recommend reading them before giving them to younger readers.

While covering different genres, I do not read anything that has blatant sexual content. I will tell you if there is any sort of such (typically very mild and delicately put) in them and if I don’t think they’d be appropriate for young/teenage readers.

~Laura

Have you any sci-fi fantasy books that you love? Or what’s a new genre you’ve tried recently?

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Book Review – My Little Night Light

5 May

I have a slight obsession with children’s books. I will get completely side tracked when I see a picture book….and then get so absorbed in it that I lose whoever I was with. Which equals lots of time looking for them again. Like I said, only a slight obsession.

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I am decently picky about what ones I love though. The pictures have to fit into one of the few categories I enjoy. The story has to make sense, be interesting enough for me to want to read a few hundred times, and/or rhyme.

My Little Night Light is a rhyming picture book that encourages kids to not be scared of the dark.

I am excited to say that this book is SO CUTE.  Here are the things I love about it:

  • reads well out loud for those multiple bedtime readings
  • is a good length for bedtime  – you know those books that are essentially novels that your little sweetheart wants you to read? this isn’t that. you’ll actually smile and agree when they ask for this one!
  • There are verses before and after the story, memory verse time anyone??
  • There is a page of vocabulary words at the end, for those awesome words throughout  that your little one might not know , like ‘ knight’ ‘looming’ ‘bloom’ and ‘dusk’
  • The pictures are simple, and if it doesn’t sound strange to say, calming. They remind me a little bit of the pictures in ‘good-night moon’.

 

You can get your own copy, on kindle or paperback,  here on Amazon. You won’t be disappointed!

Keep up with Felecia on twitter, instagram and facebook. I received this book for free from Felecia in exchange for my personal review.

~Laura

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