March-April Reading

March and April is the height of the home-educator conferences, which means my days are packed with numbers, logistics, and business details (yuck!). However, I still managed to squeeze in a few hours to read:

Title: Two Renegade Realms

Series: Realm Walkers #2
Author: Donita K. Paul
Genre: Teen Fantasy

Synopsis: Two realm walkers try to hunt down a missing wizard before a barbaric invasion begins.

Review: I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as book one, but in true Donita K. Paul fashion, the characters delight and tickle the funny bone in this whimsical adventure.

 

Title: Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball
Series: Standalone novel
Author: Donita K. Paul
Genre: Adult Romance (Christmas)

Synopsis: Two coworkers, oblivious to the other, are given tickets to a magical Christmas ball.

Review: I LOVED this book!!! It is probably my favorite of all Ms. Paul’s work. Whimsical, sweet, and laugh-out loud funny, this is the perfect Christmas novella.

 

Title: The Railway Children

Series: Standalone novel
Author: E. Nesbit
Genre: Midgrade historical

Synopsis: Three children have a variety of adventures when, following a tragedy, they discover the joys of the railway.

Review: A fun, slightly-episodic read that opens kids’ eyes to the romance of the railway with a touch of underlying mystery makes a worthwhile read.

 

Title: The Princess Spy
Series: Standalone/#5 in untitled fairytale series.
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Genre: YA Historical Fairytale Retelling
 
Synopsis: A princess investigates a foreigner’s wild claims about her suitor.
Review: Loosely connected to the other fairytale retellings by Ms. Dickerson, The Princess Spy is strongly paced with some nice unpredictable twists and character development as they struggle with such issues as justice versus revenge.

 

Title: The House on Troll Hill

Series: Standalone
Author: Donita K. Paul
Genre: Early reader chapter book, fantasy
 
Synopsis: A gnome realtor tries to sell a house on top of a troll’s head.
Review: This playful story should bring many smiles to a reader’s face, while providing helpful word lists at the beginning of each chapter.  However, formatting and other errors are many and may inhibit some readers.

Of course, summer is now upon us—a great time for curling up with a book. What is on your summer reading list?