Happy Birthday, Thorn Season by Kiera Azar!

I'm going to continue shouting for joy, since there's another book birthday to announce! This time, I have a young adult, fantasy novel, which was pitched to me as being inspired by Shadow and Bone. That was enough to grab my curiosity,

So, let's see if this is another novel to get lost in...or to lay to the side.

(Note: I'm adding this one to my possible favorites of the year list)

THORN SEASON

THORN SEASON, #1

by Kiera Azar

HarperCollins

YA Fantasy

496 pages

With the irresistibly compulsive quality of Fourth Wing and the rich world-building of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Thorn Season is sharp, funny, sexy and dangerous, and packed full of irresistible twists – an unforgettable novel that marks the introduction of a major new YA voice and will be the romantasy debut of 2025.

In the Kingdom of Daradon, a persecuted few are Wielders – able to exert a physical power that extends beyond her visible a shimmering tendril that can pick a lock, a gentle coil that reaches out to give a loving caress, or an inexorable rope that will kill a man before he knows it is around his neck. Feared and mistrusted for this ability, Wielders have always been Hunted.

Alissa Paine – heiress of a noble lineage, daughter of a Hunter family – is also a Wielder. And as she approaches her eighteenth Season, Alissa knows she has escaped execution so far only through painful self-control, and the fragile efforts of her beloved father.

Summoned to the harsh and glittering royal court for the debutante season, Alissa finds herself trapped in a web of hidden intentions – and caught between two equally dangerous men. One is a brutal ruler with the handsome face of a fairytale prince, who would see her destroyed in an instant if the truth were known – and the other a beguiling foreign ambassador with secret agendas of his own.

It’s Rose Season at the palace, but Alissa knows that survival will depend on being the most vicious of the thorns…

GOODREADS     /      AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Intrigue and manipulation hold a dangerous balance in world where half the population is wished dead.

Alissa is a noble, heir to the district, and related to the most dangerous arm of the King's forces, the Hunters. This deadly group slaughters Wielders, those who hold the ability to perform a type of 'magic'. And she hates the Hunters and everything they stand for, especially since she is a Wielder herself. Her father and a handful of friends have managed to help her hide her secret, but the killings of those like her are escalating. When she learns about a device, which has the ability to locate Wielders, she knows her days are numbered. Determined to save as many lives as she can, she does the unthinkable; she enters the Court and draws the attention of the evil King. His obsession with her is as cruel as the rest of him, and he'll kill her brutally if he learns her secret. Add a deadly ambassador with hidden motives, a princess with a secret, and the head of the Hunters' desire to destroy anyone who gets in her way, and Alissa's chances of success are almost non-existent. But if she fails, the last shred of goodness in the kingdom will die with her.

If you're missing those young adult novels, which swallow you up into a fantasy world of dark secrets, deadly agendas, and hints of dangerous romance, this tale will probably fill your appetite. The author has created a rich world, where intrigue seeps from every nook and cranny. Everyone has secrets, and almost no one is what they seem. That also means that there's quite a few surprises and sudden twists, which turn each situation on its head the moment Alissa seems to have, finally, made a step forward. Of course, there are characters who are golden and loyal, and not all surprises turn negative. But it's a lethal game, which grabs and keeps the pacing tense and high the entire way through.

The world is rich and easy to sink into. The descriptions never overwhelm, but add just enough to make the scene sit with the needed atmosphere. A little more would have helped, at times, but the tightly woven plot and multiple strings of intrigue already add enough to fill these pages. The magic is explained deep enough to drive the plot forward, and the history of, at least, the cruelty holds enough to support the entire situation. There are gaps in the logic here and there, but the author has knit everything tight enough to keep it from bothering. There is violence, but it doesn't tiptoe into graphic or gore. The psychological game is just as cruel as the physical.

Romance is there, too, but it doesn't drive the tale. Alissa has her target in constant focus; she has to. While there are moments to start taking her in this direction, she's well aware of the dangerous game she's playing and leaves this as a promise of more to come. Possibly. With the crazy weave of agendas, nothing is sure in these pages and it's impossible to guess what is still to come.

And here she is...

Kiera Azar was born in Surrey, where she grew up acting, singing, and songwriting. She studied biomedical science before she wrote her first book and decided to pursue her love of storytelling. Kiera is forever excited by all the books she hasn’t yet read, the music she hasn’t yet discovered, and the story ideas she hasn’t yet had.

 

Extra news....

There's an extra, special edition of this book out, and fans will not want to miss out on it. Right now, it's on sale (I noticed that when I did some digging)!  So, you might want to keep that in mind.

The Witches of Anderson House by Jennie Poh

It's time to shout-out a book birthday! This one, I think, is the beginning to a new, chapter book series for beginning readers. I'm getting adorable, warm story vibes and have the sneaking suspicion that it might take on a more traditional tale direction. But it could be something completely different. Also, it probably makes a wonderful Halloween read. At least, the witch theme would suggest that. If it would work any time of year? Well, let's open it out and find out!

THE WITCHES OF ANDERSON HOUSE

The Forgotten Spell

by Jennie Poh

Illustrated by Dave Lowe

DK Flip

Children's Fantasy

144 pages

ages 5 to 7

Myrtle Stormwhisper is certain of one she has given up magic for good. But when a knock at the door calls for her to pick up her wand again, she doesn't know if she can. It's been so long since Myrtle has cast a spell – what if she’s forgotten how?

Some very strange characters live in Anderson House, retirement home for witches, and one of them is the magnificent Myrtle Stormwhisper. Join Myrtle as she learns how to find her magic again – all with the help of her witchy friends, of course.

So, grab your broom and get ready for an adventure like no other, because things do go bump in the night – and they live at Anderson House! The first book in a beautiful new series, created and illustrated by the enchanting illustrator Jennie Poh, and written by the fantastically talented Dave Lowe.

GOODREADS     /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

The urgency to save an adorable guinea pig raises tension high, while readers hope Myrtle will, at least, try to find a way to come to the rescue...and soon.

The Anderson House is a quaint home for retired witches...that is, witches who have grown old and no longer practice magic. When a boy appears at the door with an emergency, the witch, Myrtle, understands his dilemma and would like to help, but isn't sure she can. After all, she stopped performing magic because her spells no longer worked and caused huge problems instead. Plus, she hadn't flown with a broom for years, and the broom is exactly what she needs to help the boy find his guinea pig before something awful happens to it. It's clear the boy needs help, but if she actually tries to offer assistance, it might cause more harm than good.

This book starts out in the most fun, basic way. It illustrates the garden and the house with the basic locations pointed out. From the first floor to the top, each witch's room is shown in a map-like format. The house is, actually, very normal outside of a small detail here and there. After this, the witches are quickly introduced, each with an illustration and a small description underneath. They are bubbly and pack personality, and it's clear that each one is very different from the other. After all of this, the story begins, and it centers around the witch Myrtle Stormwhisper. I'm assuming this is the beginning to a series, in which each witch will get a chance to shine in their own tale. But I love the layout in the beginning, especially the way it lets the reader gain a sense of the friendly and warm atmosphere surrounding this house and the witches inside.

The story holds a more traditional flair and offers an engaging read from beginning to end. The urgency of the situation is age appropriate and will have readers fearing for the safety of the guinea pig. While the witch's hesitation to try to help with her magic is understandable, it's hard not to wish that she'd just give it a go and make everything okay. While this tension builds, the humor never stops, either. Mixed with the magic, it adds enough lightness and fun to keep things from growing too serious. So, it is great for even more sensitive readers. 

The text is a little on the heavy side for very beginning readers, and I would slide the suggested age group up more to the 6 to 9 age range. It would work wonderfully as a read-aloud, though, for the younger age group. The illustrations also add a lot of fun and help the fantasy fly.

It's an enjoyable read with characters to enjoy, and it will be enjoyable to see what witch will encounter an adventure next.

And here they are...

Dave Lowe grew up in a town called Dudley, in England. He now lives (with his wife, two teenage daughters and a mini sausage dog called Ted) in Brisbane, Australia. A best-selling and award-winning author of 11 books for children, Dave has also written three plays and, most recently, an episode of the TV show 'Bluey'. 

Jennie Poh studied Fine Art at The Surrey Institute of Art & Design, alongside illustration courses at Central St Martins, before becoming a children's book author and illustrator. She was the 2021 Giverny Book Award Winner and the 2023 Mom's Choice Award Gold Recipient. 

Night of the Living Toilet Paper by Kevin Garone

It's time for some more science fiction fun! Today's read is the second book in a row of reads, which should function as stand-alones or can be read together. I haven't taken a peek at the first book, but telling by the title, it should be worth grabbing up too: I Know What UFO Did Last Summer. 

I'm not sure if this one will be more humor or thriller...or simply alien fun? I do love the idea of a toilet paper alien...or one with powers to control toilet paper? Again, I'm not quite sure how this one will go but am more than excited to find out!

NIGHT OF THE LIVING TOILET PAPER

An Alien Survival Guide Novel Book 2

by Kevin Garone

Temor Press

Middle Grade Science Fiction

192 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 23rd!!!

Marv and his friends are back in this exciting sequel to I Know What UFO Did Last Summer. Will they be able to stop a new threat to their town?

A few months have passed since Marv and his friends stopped what he believes was an extraterrestrial plot to take over the planet. But he’s not letting his guard down. If there’s one thing Marv knows, it’s that aliens could attempt another invasion at any time.

So when he spots an unmanned motorcycle racing into the woods, pursued by a paranormal investigator, Marv’s instincts scream that something very weird is going on. Marv tracks down the bike and hauls it to his fort for closer inspection. That’s when he sees a Sleech—one of the creatures he encountered last summer—slithering out of the motorcycle’s tailpipe.

But when Marv returns to show his discovery to his friends, they find the fort completely destroyed. The only thing left is his emergency stockpile of toilet paper.

And it’s alive.

Now Marv and his friends must unravel the mystery of the Sleech before their entire town is overrun by a monstrous swarm of toilet paper. Because if they don’t stop it in time…

It’s going to wipe them out.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

This tale is as fun as the title and holds more than a few surprises the entire way through.

Marv isn't about to be caught off guard by another alien encounter and, with his friends, is training to make sure they are ready to take on the next attack. When a training doesn't run quite as planned, Marv finds himself as the last in the forest after his friends return to their homes. That means, he's the only one of the group to witness a driverless motorcycle being chased by a car, and the only one to see the Sleech come out of its exhaust pipe in their hideout. When the friends finally join him, they discover that the Sleech has taken over their entire stash of toilet paper...and because nobody would ever believe them, it's their job to stop it from destroying more.

I did not read the first book in this series, but that wasn't a problem. It was easy to sink into this tale and immediately get lost in the adventure. The characters all carry their very own personalities and quirks, which makes them an interesting bunch. Each has their own talents and makes an important contribution in fighting the Sleech. They don't always agree and frustration arises, sometimes, but they work very well together and have each other's backs. 

There's a nice dose of humor and an edge of ridiculousness to the growing tension, which makes for many surprises and all sorts of unexpected moments. Thanks to the imaginative situations, it fits nicely to the intended age group. The growing danger mixed with the toilet paper alien remind a bit of Goosebumps but in a scifi direction and not the scares. Add that this group of friends is on their own to solve the problem without adult help in sight, and it's a read action/humor fans are sure to enjoy.

What's Coming in September?

It's almost Fall! Our temperatures dropped significantly the last days of August...thank heavens...and the Autumn vibes are settling in. I couldn't be more ready for it and hope it means a little more sanity. This summer seemed to be a constant run-around. I packed more than 10,000 miles on my poor little car and really need a break. Even posting on here has been a struggle all summer long...I hope you haven't noticed too much. Oh, all of it has been meaningful and important, so I'm not complaining. I just need a little down time to catch-up on some other aspects of life.

So, off to this month's line-up.

I have an amazing stack of books coming up and am really looking forward to diving in. I think it's going to be one of the more fun months on the reading front. Mystery, some horror, a little science fiction, more fantasy, more young adult reads (I've been neglecting these due to my, otherwise, packed life), some nonfiction, and even a couple literary delights are peeking out from the pile. I have some expected best sellers and some lesser known reads, which look like they might be hidden gems. But we'll find out more as the month progresses.

Ready to take a quick glance? I know I am!

NIGHT OF THE LIVING TOILET PAPER

It was the title, which caught my attention on this read. Sometimes, a little ridiculousness is just what the soul needs. While this promises to lean in the scifi-horror-ish direction, I'm thinking it might be tons of fun. Definitely original if nothing else So, I thought I'd give this one a go and see if it's a lovely quirky read...or just plain strange. Find out more with me on the 1st, since I'm shooting off the month with this one.

Middle Grade Science Fiction

THORN SEASON

This read is already collecting tons of buzz...the good kind. To say that I'm more than excited to take a look at it is an understatement. It's said to remind of A Court of Thorns and Roses and already is coming out with a special edition (see the edging in the image?). I'm ready for some immersive fantasy and hope this one packs as much as it promises find out more with me on the 3rd, the day after it releases. (My schedule was too packed to slide it in earlier.)

Young Adult Fantasy

BRIMSTONE & BLADES

I've been neglecting the young adult reads this Summer and have decided to work in more during the next months. Also, fantasy has been falling by the wayside. That seems to be a lesser visited genre, in general, this year on the literature plain. I'm hoping this read offers a bit of magic, tons of action, intrigue, and excitement. Now, I'll just have to wait until the 9th, so I can let you know how it went.

Young Adult Fantasy

ALL THE STARS IN THE SKY

This read dives into the Cherokee culture and takes a look at the importance of the community working together. I'm also betting it has some grandparent-grandchild goodness. I'm curious to see how this one goes and will be showcasing it on the 12th.

Picture Book

THE VALE

I would really like to pick up an imaginative, engaging fantasy, and this one might be exactly what I'm looking for. This one, actually, is a bit of a science fiction-fantasy mix, but that works, too. It follows a boy, who seems to be a gaming genius and has created an AI generated world. He's invited to a contest to further build it out but discovers that the world is changing...and it's not his doing. I'm excited to see how thins one works, especially with AI being such a major topic, at the moment. Discover more with me on the 15th.

Middle Grade Science Fiction

WHO KILLED NESSIE?

Ready for some mystery goodness? I am! This book heads toward the beginning reader audience and, obviously, takes a look at the mythical and loved Nessie. It's about a girl, who is suppose to watch over a hotel but is told by guests that Nessie has been murdered. Now, she has to figure out what has happened. Sounds a little silly and, hopefully, intriguing. I'm putting on my sleuthing had and visiting this one on the 18th.

Children's Mystery

THE WIZARD'S GUIDE TO MAGICAL EXPERIMENTS

Of course, I'm not passing by on good, ole nonfiction, this month, and this read caught my attention. Magic? Science? Experiments? I know my kids would grab this one up and see what ideas it holds. After all, nothing is better than getting nitty-gritty and hands-on. I'm curious to see what 'experiments' it holds and hoping for some original fun. But we'll see and find out on the 22nd.

Middle Grade Nonfiction

THE TOMORROW TREE

Well, why don't we just toss in another nonfiction read, while we're on that track? This one heads out into nature and, maybe, looks at the circle of life...through fungus and more. I spy morels on the cover, which happen to grow in this area and delight tons of mushroom hunters. Since the publisher tends to bring how high-quality nonfiction (yep, I enjoy their books usually), I'm sure I'll have good things to say on the 25th.

Children's Nonfiction

THE CLOCK

I saw this cover and was immediately intrigued. It's so simple, and yet not. I can't help but wonder about the little girl sitting and staring at the elaborate time keeper. And it's giving me historic vibes...like an old train station or something (?) Maybe, I should read the blurb first. Anyway, I visited the KC train station with my kids earlier this summer and wished I could have spent time sipping a coffee and letting the architecture sink in. But we were in a bit of hurry...as always. Anyway, I'll be diving into this one on the 27th.

Picture Book

THE SPIRIT OF LOUGHMOE ABBEY

With October creeping in, I thought a ghost story might be a nice way to end the month. This one is about a boarding school in Ireland during the 1980s and looks at a neurodivergent girl at a time, when awareness was just getting started in some countries. Others, not so much. Anyway, there's a ghost involved, who weeps silver tears (if I understood that properly). I'm not sure if this will hold a little mystery or, maybe, just drama, but we'll find out on the 29th.

Middle Grade Paranormal  /  Historical

Every month, I have more books on my to-be-read pile than I have days to read and review them. Since there are so many that do look like fun reads, I always have a couple on the top of the pile, which I wish I could get to but don't know when. There are some scheduled reads, which fall away due to various reasons, and so I can often slide these 'extra' books into those slots. I just have no idea when or how I'll get to them, though.

This month, this read is on top of my pile.

ANZUELO

The second I saw this cover, I had to see what it was about. Not that I figured it was good...it is just so original. Honestly, it looked a bit 'too' artistic for what I usually enjoy. After reading the blurb, though, I knew I have to take a peek. It's a graphic novel for the YA audience and promises to be a treat for the eyes with gorgeous artwork throughout. The story also seems like it might be interesting. It's about the Sea taking over everything, leaving three young people to survive, and that while sticking to their desire not to harm a living thing. I'm hoping this stays grounded while being beautiful. But we'll see. I just don't know when, yet.

Young Adult Fiction    /   Graphic Novel

Phantom Academy by Christine Virnig

I don't know about you, but I'm in the mood for a little mystery...and today's read is just that. To add some spooky fun, there are ghosts involved too. Lots of them. An entire school of them. I curious to see where this tale leads and hope the mystery grabs the entire way through.

So, grab those flashlights and blankets, and let's crack this one open to take a peek.

PHANTOM ACADEMY

by Christine Virnig

Aladdin

Middle Grade Paranormal Mystery

272 pages

ages 8 to 12

Lindsay Currie’s Scritch Scratch meets The School for Invisible Boys in this fun romp of a middle grade novel about a newly dead boy who faces a spooky new school hiding an unearthly mystery.

After an unlucky collision between a coconut and the top of his head, twelve-year-old Finn joins the ranks of the recently deceased…and of the students at Phantom Academy. The academy is a spectral boarding school for underage ghosts finding their footing in the afterlife, and Finn is the new kid at school.

He doesn’t understand why ghosts have to take tests and do homework. Or why making friends doesn’t get any easier even when all the students have a very big thing in common. As the new class of middle schoolers get to know each other, it becomes clear something is happening behind the scenes of their new academy.

Can Finn and his classmates figure out their afterlife and crack the mystery?

GOODREADS     /      AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Get ready for a little middle school drama, but not in the normal way. 

After a very extraordinary death, Finn finds himself as a ghost and off to ghost school with four other ghosts his age. Not that he gets why the worst thing in life continues to haunt in the afterlife. While several of the classes are somewhat the same as live school, at least, there's now one on haunting. The worst aspect of the school, though, is that he's not allowed to see his family until he graduates...and that will be five years. After all, the teachers and other adults are allowed to go to the living world at least once a month. Deciding that it'd be best to find a way to escape the school, he and his classmates, aka friends, do their best to find a way out. Instead, they're learning that the teachers harbor a secret.

Finn's death surprises and will have readers raising eyebrows right away. It sets the tone with a sense of humor and sadness as he lands in the after life and has to first digest the changes. There's a constant edge of sadness as Finn misses his family and, wanting to, at least, see them again, begins to plot his escape from the school. This makes him easy to sympathize and root for, especially since the wrongness of the situation edges in little by little. There's a growing sense of tension, but it never races forward on this end, letting the mystery unfold one step at a time. Thanks to the familiar setting of teachers and school life, it's easy to picture the scenes. The paranormal end offers a dose of fantasy and fun to keep everything light enough to balance the sadness and adventure.

It's an enjoyable tale from start to finish, and keeps the pacing high the entire way through. Some of the characters come across a little superficial, but it works well for the age group. There's a message about friendship, family, and mourning, but the main plot stays strong to keep this one focused on fun and adventure.

And here she is...

Christine Virnig is a fan of books, candy, spooky stories, poop jokes, and coffee…in no particular order. A former physician, Christine now spends her days writing books, reading books, and working at a library where she is surrounded by books. Christine lives in southern Wisconsin with her husband, two daughters, a ridiculous number of dust bunnies, and one incredibly lazy cat. You can visit her on the web at ChristineVirnig.com.