Steve McEvil and the Twisted Sister by Lucas Turnbloom

Since the next couple of weeks will hold a heavier load of darker reads, I wanted to hit some lighter ones first. Although this one might not be 100% light. Today's read is the 3rd in a series, and nope, I haven't read the first two. But I doubt that will make much of a difference, since these types of books for this audience level can often be grabbed up on their own. 

Anyway, this is a graphic novel with super-villain, scifi twists and should include desolate planets and mischievous sisters. Sounds interesting to me. So, let's take a look.

STEVE L. MCEVIL AND THE TWISTED SISTER

Steve L. McEvil #3

by Lucas Turnbloom

Crown Books for Young Readers

Middle Grade Science Fiction

256 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

MARCH 11th!!!

When a twelve year-old supervillain wannabe and his friends get stranded on a desolate planet, it's up to his younger sister to bring them back to prevent a dangerous intergalactic threat. That is, if she decides to help. Don't miss the last installment of the Steve L. McEvil series!

Move aside Steve, Eve is the new villain in town!

After being sucked into a wormhole, supervillain-in training Steve L. McEvil and his friends find themselves stranded in space! But with their new alien friend Lux, they might just find a way to stop the evil Perses from destroying Earth. If they manage to get home first. 

Back on Earth, Eve is ready to enact her evil plans and finally be seen as the real supervillain in her family. When Gramps comes to her for help, Eve's first instinct is to say no. But the glory of rubbing it in Steve's face might just be enough for Eve to help bring him home in time to stop Perses. 

Steve L. McEvil and The Twister Sister is the hilarious final installment in this humorous superhero series about friendship, standing up for other, and being true to yourself.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Get ready for quite the adventure because these pages pack wormholes, planets, high-tech, evil plans, and tons of sibling rivalry. 

In hopes of saving Earth from the evil Perses, Steve and his friends accidentally get pulled through a wormhole to a far-away planet...well, at least, that's kind of what happened.  They are, after all, super-villains in training. In any case, they are stuck there and might have the chance to stop the alien for good, but they still need to figure out how to return home. The only one who can save them is Steve's little sister Eve, but she has no interest in helping them. She's determined to be the best super-villain of the family, and not only does the 'disappearance' of her brother offer a sudden, bright path to her goal, but she can now freely execute her own evil plan. If her grandfather would leave her alone, that is. But he's determined to make her help Steve...and grandfathers aren't always the easiest to deal with.

This book packs quite a bit of action and runs on two parallel plot lines—Eve's evil plan at home and Steve's survival on the other planet. These switch back and forth nicely to keep confusion at bay and add to the sense of urgency with every switch of the scene. The illustrations pack bold colors and a style, which brings each moment across with energy and power. 

While imagination and adventure overflow from these pages, there's also enough goodness and heart slipped in to make readers smile. The grandfather's concern clashes against his super-villain exterior to add an underlying warmth, which gives wholesome goodness and humor. But then, Steve and his friends aren't far behind with tons of surprises, humorous back-and-forths, and super-villain awesomeness...which may or may not be always very evil. It makes all of them to cheer for. Almost. Eve makes this read interesting. While the usual, sibling rivalry hits a familiar tone, she has a sharp edge, which almost makes her unlikable, at first. But this also opens up a wonderful character arc...and adds plenty of humor to balance the action and her super-villain evilness. 

It's a fun read from beginning to end which is sure to delight action fans, who enjoy a hint of evil (but humor and heart, too) along the way.

And here he is...

Lucas Turnbloom is the award-winning cowriter and illustrator of the Dream Jumper series, Nightmare Escape and Curse of the Harvester, and the creator of the How to Cat and Imagine This comic strips. He and his family make their home in San Diego.

Sneak Peek at Immortal Dark by Shermon Kodi with Giveaway!

Immortal Dark

by Shermon Kodi

YA Fantasy

COMING...

MARCH 10th!!!

The shadows awaken as darkness falls. And these shadows have fangs.

Seventeen-year-old Bexis has survived the frozen streets of Coppejj by trusting no one but herself. With her shadow magic, she’s scraped by as a freelance thief, working for local gang lords and politicians.

But when a routine heist goes horribly wrong, Bexis is branded with ancient magic, making her the target of a bloodthirsty spirit.

Desperate for answers, she turns to an eccentric demon hunter. Together, they uncover a deadly plot by a sinister cabal, threatening to plunge the world into eternal night. As Bexis confronts her haunted past, she faces a grim choice: Embrace the shadows within, or lose everything she holds dear.

To destroy the darkness, she must first become it.

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SNEAK PEEK

The job is simple.

Enter the room unseen. Wait for Ajjan to distract the mark—a foreign dignitary from the south. Then acquire her handbag and deliver it to the other side of town.

No blood. No trace.

My employer was very specific about that last bit. It’s common protocol in my line of work, along with an understanding that pay will be docked by half if I’m spotted. If there’s blood, I might not get paid at all. My mark must never know I was here. Personally, I thought I’d outgrown grabbing purses in the night. But it’s an easy job, and I can use the money.

The red night moon casts the world in crimson light as I pull myself onto the third-story balcony of a slummy brothel in the west end. The window is webbed with ice, obscuring my view inside—I can only make out pale blotches of yellow light. There doesn’t seem to be any movement, but I can’t be sure the room is empty. I just have to hope the Blackbones did their job and set everything up.

I give the windowpane a shove, but it doesn’t budge. Damn. The thing hasn’t been opened in months, and it’s frozen shut. For a common thief, a frozen window stymies a job. But I’m no common thief.

I take out my trapper tone pipe, a metal cylinder with a single reed, tuned to one specific note. The reflective surface catches light from the lanterns below, illuminating my name inscribed along the side in big bold letters: BEXIS. It was a gift from my deadbeat father right before he abandoned me. It’s the last thing I have from him, and if it weren’t so damn useful, I’d have tossed it years ago.

I bring the pipe to my lips and blow. The note is inaudible, like a dog whistle, too high for the human ear to hear. But the vibration weaves through the air and seeps into my skin, where it sparks like flint on steel, and a sonorous ember catches deep in my chest. Resonance hums through my body. The ambient darkness around me shimmers with feathered lines of silver that only I can see.

A burst of power shudders through me, and I hold it within my realm of focus, like cupping a candle against a sea wind.

This is resonance trapping—the first step in performing harmonic magic. Mine is the harmony of shadow. Sparking the ember is the easy part. Trapping it is more difficult, but holding it once it’s been trapped? Well, that’s like riding an angry wolverine. If I’m not careful, I might lose control, and people could get hurt. It’s been months since that’s happened, but there’s always a chance the resonance will lash out, sending me into an episode of uncontrollable power.

Resonance quivers through my veins. I reach my hand to the glass, willing the vibration into my fingertips, and the shadows obey. Tendrils of silver swirl across my wrist and through my palm. I touch the windowpane, and the shadows run through it, seeping like oil into the hinges.

The window squeals as ice crumbles around the edges.

I shift my awareness to the space above my head. Resonance purrs in my chest as I weave gossamer strands of silver around me like a cloak. This is my greatest trick. So long as I can hold the resonance and have enough ambient shadow to work with, I can conceal myself from prying eyes. But I can’t maintain it for long; already, I can feel my energy beginning to drain as heaviness settles behind my eyes.

Best be quick now.

I heave the window open and squeeze inside.

And here he is...

Shermon Kodi is a legally blind author who finds inspiration in the quiet knolls of Chittenden County, Vermont, where the long snowy winters drive one to pair wool socks with moccasin slippers and curl up by the furnace with a pot of chamomile tea and a book about monsters in dark places doing dark things. Through his writing, Shermon seeks to explore the resilience of the human spirit, the tenacity of good people faced with hard times, and the relationships that light us up, make our hearts smile, and carry us through every storm.

When he’s not writing, Shermon spends his time thinking about writing.

He knows this is a problem— although, he contends, it’s a good kind of problem to have. Occasionally, he’ll break from his routines and really let go— sleep in till 7 AM, drink tea instead of coffee, read in the mornings, or plug in the ’07 Strat and reminisce about the days when he dreamed of being a rockstar instead of an author.

He’ll be the first to tell you: “No regrets!”

Life is funny like that.

Shermon is the author of Heart of the Valley and Songs of the Rhor, both available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. Stay connected on TikTok and Instagram for updates on his latest books, behind-the-scenes insights, and creative content.

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Happy Book Birthday, Game On! Cloud Puppy Book 2 by Kelly Leigh Miller!

Today, it's time to shout-out another book birthday! Yay!!!

This one hits the market tomorrow and is the second in a graphic novel series for chapter book readers. I read the first one...(yep, I did!)...and you can find that review here. It was cute, pretty original, bubbly, funny, and a fun read for the age group. So, I'm glad that I can dive into the second adventure and see what this crew is up to next. It will definitely be original. So, let's take a look!

GAME ON!

Cloud Puppy, Vol. 2

by Kelly Leigh Miller

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Chapter Book  /  Graphic Novel

ages 6 to 9

Cloud Puppy—part puppy, part cloud, and all adorable— explores the immersive world of video games with her friends in this second book in a delightful graphic chapter book series that’s Narwhal and Jelly meets The Amazing World of Gumball!

Cloud Puppy loves playing Valley of Runes, a cozy farming video game. But when Jack says that his favorite games are better, Cloud Puppy begins to feel badly about the things that she likes…until she learns that Jack has never even played Valley of Runes!

Cloud Puppy challenges her picky pal to a trade to share their favorite games. But Jack has other he thinks it will be fun to surprise Cloud Puppy with a scary simulator. But it’s his first time playing it, too, and it’s more frightening than he thought! Can the friends find a game they both enjoy without getting too spooked?

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

Friendship and gaming fun rank high on every page with adorable characters.

Cloud Puppy has a new, favorite video game, but when one of her friends tell her that it's a baby-game, and she should be playing high ranking games, she begins to doubt herself. This even gets worse when another game she plays is mocked, too. Luckily, her family and other friends offer golden support, but just to make sure their advice is leading her on the right path, she challenges this picky friend to a game exchange. And the results aren't what either expected.

The characters are quite original, not only in their appearances but other aspects as well. And they are adorable in their own ways. Their energy, good hearts, and friendship makes them so easy to like and cheer for. Plus, despite their unique qualities, readers soon realize that they are almost normal 'kids'...just with abilities and such. They share a love for video games, which will ring close to home, but also enjoy being together, whenever possible.

The graphics remain pretty much in the pastel tones, adding to the cuteness but also presenting a light atmosphere...even when small problems arise. The text fits well to the audience level and balances with the illustrations, so that both carry a part of the story. It's an enjoyable read with something always happening. While some moments take place inside the video game, there are plenty in the homes, outside in nature, or even at school. 

The message in this volume circle around staying true to yourself and also being open to try new things. This works nicely into the adventure and comes across clearly as Cloud Puppy tries her best to make everyone happy and figure out how to handle the various interests. 

It's an fun read with likable characters, and I'm already looking forward to seeing what the group will be up to in volume 3.

And here she is...

Kelly Leigh Miller is an illustrator and author who loves everything cute and whimsical. She is the author of the Cloud Puppy series, I Love My Fangs!, I Love My Fur!, I Love My Magic!, and many more books. Visit her online at KellyLeighMiller.com.

What's Coming in March?

Happy March! It actually started yesterday, but I thought today was more appropriate to take a look at what goodness I have coming in the next weeks. Unlike last month, I have an entire stack of picture books. Yay! That means a little lighter reading for me...which will be very necessary with Spring probably kicking in. Farm life gets busy the next months, meaning less reading time and more outdoors!

Plus, I love picture books and am happy to discover more goodness.

Anyway, this month's load holds a few books surrounding animals for younger readers (fiction and nonfiction), a handful of graphic novels, a stack of darker and spookier reads (and it isn't even October!), and several books, which should pull at the heart-strings. The rest sprinkle across all sorts of directions to make a very, very broad mix...just with a spooky tone on the side. There's even some 'rarer' directions in there like pure science fiction and sports. Just the way I like it!

Oh, and the below books are just a peek at what's coming (I try my best to hit a book a day). Plus, the dates aren't exactly guaranteed. Things shift around a bit due to life (most often whether or not I can squeeze in as much reading as I'd hoped), late delivered reads (postal service in rural areas is....let's just say it tests the patience sometimes), or I simply didn't enjoy the book as much as I'd hoped. Oh, and some reads simply never reach my hands...poof! Industry eaten.

I guess that makes reading even more of a mystery and fun!

CLOUD PUPPY: GAME ON!

I read the first one in this series...last year? It was a little quirky, cute, and silly. In other words, just right for young readers practicing their words. I believe this one is in graphic novel form? (Oh, my memory!) I do know it was adorable and packed full of pastels. I'm hoping this new new addition will hold the same bubbliness and joy as the first one. Find out with me on the 3rd!

Chapter Book Graphic Novel

IMMORTAL DARK

This is the first in a brand new, young adult fantasy series, which is said to be a Cruel Prince meets Ninth House. It should be very dark and lean in the fantasy direction with vampires and such. I'm not sure what to expect, really, but it is fun to peek into the dark side of things, every now and then. I'm hoping the romance works and isn't too cruel, but we shall see on the 4th!

Young Adult Fantasy

I'M A DUMBO OCTOPUS!

Ready for some science facts mixed with adventure? This graphic novel for upper chapter book readers (is that even a thing?) heads into the world of cephalopods and accompanies a dumbo octopus as he meets each one and is amazed by their special attributes. But this also makes him doubt himself. I'm hoping for cuteness, humor, facts, heart, and lovely graphics. We'll find out if this read can hit all of those categories on the 5th.

Chapter Book Graphic Novel

KEEPER OF THE LIGHT

Not only did the cover draw my attention (isn't it so dark and inviting?), but the blurb definitely had me grabbing it up. It's about a girl, living in a kingdom quietly, when suddenly her entire bloodline has been sentenced for execution. There is a magical twist, and it's said to lean toward the dark side. Since this month holds several dark reads, I decided it fits right in. I'll be taking a look at it on the 9th.

Young Adult Fantasy

 

THE SECRETS OF WORTHINGTON ORPHANAGE

Time for a little ghostly horror. This one comes from one of my more favorite, paranormal authors and dives into the dark secrets of an orphanage. I'm expecting chills and thrills, mystery, and great characters. So far, the characters have always come across very naturally and the ghosts are not to be underestimated. I'm looking forward to taking a peek at this one on the 15th.

Middle Grade Horror

MONSTER MOUNTAIN

I'm going to stay on the spookier end of things and am excited to take a look at a read about a ....hmmm...yeti? It should take a little bit of a scifi twist with a portal opening up in the North Carolina forests to a parallel realm. I'm not sure how all of this will stitch together but hope it will be an exciting read with tons of tension. Find out more with me on the 17th.

Middle Grade Horror

CIRCUS OF SHADOWS

As said at the top of this post, if I didn't know it was Spring, I'd think we're approaching October thanks to the impressive amount of 'spookier' reads in my pile. This one, I don't think, really qualifies as creepy but is more magical with a ghostly tone...or shadowy. I enjoyed the idea of a night circus and was curious to see how this slides into a read for the younger, picture book audience. Find out if it works or not with me on the 20th.

Picture Book

FROM CHALLENGE TO CHAMPION

There never seem to be enough books about sports for young readers, especially ones which hit the nonfiction direction AND beginning readers. This book takes a look at twelve accomplished athletes and their journeys. It should cover several sport directions as well as both genders. I'm excited to see if this does as good a job as I hope it will and will be sharing my thoughts on the 22nd.

Children's Nonfiction

HALF-TRUTHS

It's time to jump back a little into history, the 1950s. This read spins around a girl, who wants to become a journalist but discovers family secrets, which will up-end her grandmother's legacy. I'm expecting messages surrounding family, friendship, and honesty...and all of that wrapped into the goodness of a mystery. Or at least, that's what I'm suspecting these pages will hold. We'll find out more on the 27th!

Young Adult Historical Fiction

WHAT'S LOVE ALL ABOUT, MINIMONI?

Greeting from an author/illustrator in Barcelona, this picture book is being released in English for the first time. It's about a little girl and her discussions with her pet dog as she tries to figure out what love is, since everyone uses the word in different ways and situations. Yes, dog. Why is there a dragon on the cover? Honestly, I have no clue, but we're going to find out on the 30th.

Picture Book

Like many readers, my book pile tends to stack up higher and higher each month, which means I have more books begging to be highlighted than there are days in the month. Since the publishing world is a little unpredictable, a couple slots open up every month. That means I can slide an extra one in! I just don't know when.

SHOOT THE MOON

This young adult novel, if I'm right, falls into a series for readers, who struggle with longer reads. So far, I've adored books that Ocra puts out in this category. This read centers around a girl, who needs to deal with the mental health issues of her father and come to terms with what she wants in life. I'm expecting depth, heart, and a gripping read...since this series does strive to keep tales interesting.

When will I take a peek at it, though? That's in the stars...right up there with the moon.

Young Adult Contemporary

Diary of a Bee by Štěpánka Sekaninová

 I had to pick up today's read, when it ran across my desk, since it hits a hobby found in my family. Bees! My brother and husband have both had hives over the years. For some reason, these were easier to keep in Nebraska than the Ozarks in Missouri...well, I know the reasons, but it's still fascinating.

Anyway, this book follows the life of a little bee named Matilda. While it should be a read a very cute character, it also should show the life-cycle of bees, their various activities, and simply raise awareness for everything surrounding bees. I'm hoping it holds a nice balance between information and fun. 

Grab that honey pot because we might want to take a taste after reading this one!

DIARY OF A BEE

Little Heroes

by Štěpánka Sekaninová

Illustrated by Linh Dao

Albatros Media

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

APRIL 25th!!!

Follow the delightful daily adventures of Matilda the bee in this fully illustrated diary that reveals the vital role bees play in nature and their life cycle.

Step into the buzzing world of bees with Diary of a Bee, a fully illustrated non-fiction book that takes young readers on an engaging journey through the life cycle of Matilda, a hardworking bee, and her friend Thomas. Presented in a diary format, this captivating narrative combines story with fascinating facts, exploring how bees live, their daily activities, and the various roles they play within the hive. From gathering nectar to tending to the queen, kids will discover the fascinating jobs that bees undertake throughout their lives, all illustrated with lively pictures that bring the story to life.

Perfect for curious minds aged 6-9, this book not only entertains but also educates about the crucial importance of bees in our ecosystem. By blending captivating storytelling with rich illustrations and informative details, it inspires a love for nature and fosters an understanding of environmental awareness.

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

It's a treat to accompany this adorable bee through her life and see how amazing the workings inside a hive truly are.

The reader meets Matilda right after she's born. She's energetic, sweet, and expresses enthusiasm as she grows into each new task with time. The text flows like a mini-diary with the day of life given at the top before a short text lets Matilda explain what she's up to. The personal connection draws in, especially as she includes her lovely relationship with the other bees and her mother, the Queen. All the while, the inner-workings of the bee hive come to light and offer interesting insights, too.

The text is a little longer than in some picture books for this age group, but it is very well done and doesn't bore. Matilda holds tons of personality and makes each moment grabbing. The information is easy to understand, is interesting, and offers new information...probably even for adult readers. It isn't dry but molds right into Matilda's day. The illustrations are bright and bold, adding understanding to the information, while presenting a very friendly, sympathetic beehive. The bees do carry human-like aspects, which make them that much easier to connect to.

This book does complete the life-cycle of a bee from birth to death and closes off with new life the next Spring. These moments are handle very carefully and immediately soften with the joy of the continual circle. 

It's a lovely book with tons of goodness on the bee facts, too.

And here they are...

Štěpánka Sekaninová spent her childhood near Kolín, in the Polabí lowlands region. Although she is a Bohemian at heart, fate carried her to the heart of Moravia. She is a graduate in Czech and History from the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University. While still a student, she started work at Czech Television in Brno, where as a reporter she travelled about the South Moravia region and got to know every part of it. She later switched from reporting to the production of light entertainment and children’s programmes for the Brno studio.
Štěpánka loves books and has always longed to write, so when her life’s journey presented her with the opportunity to work as a literary editor for Albatros Media, she accepted it with alacrity.
And so she writes, surrounded by beautiful books, realizing a dream she’s had since childhood . . .

Linh Dao was born in Hanoi, where she has spent a considerable part of her life. Having adjusted to the temperate climate of the Czech Republic, she took up art, graduating in Illustration in Brno and then in Animation in Zlín. Her graduation film won several awards at international festivals. In 2016 she was a prize-winner in the Young Creative category at the ADC Creative Awards. For a while she tried the corporate life, and with the experience she gathered decided to work for herself. Now she again works as an illustrator and animator. She lives mainly on potato chips and green tea.