Two Books, Two Sequels, To Be Read


For week two, I am going to write about two sequels. 

They are Flight of The Bluebird by Kara LaReau, and The Wicked King by Holly Black.  

I have not read these books yet, but I have read their predecessors. 

Flight of The Bluebird by Kara LaReau (Hardcover, $14.99)*
(photo taken from the website Moon Palace Books)


I have read the first 2 in this series. The series, The Unintentional Adventures of The Bland Sisters, which starts with book one, The Jolly Regina, is about the two sisters, Jaundice and Kale Bland, who live very quiet, perhaps even boring, lives. They prefer it this way. Then one day, they are kidnapped by an all-female band of pirates, and adventure is thrust upon them. Intended for younger readers (ages 7-8 and up), this series is fantastic, and I believe enjoyable for kids and adults. 
There is definitely some humour that is in there that parents will recognize, but will go over kids’ heads. Example, at one point, the Jolly Regina (the all-female crew) have to fight/ defend their ship against an all-male band of pirates – The Testosteros. Yup. 
These books are filled with humor, puns, and wit. Despite being a bit bummed about this stopping at  three books, I very much look forward to the latest addition.

(Books One & Two)
For More Kara LaReau:

The Wicked King by Holly Black (Hardcover, $18.99)*

This book is the sequel to The Cruel Prince, and book 2 in The Folk of the Air Trilogy.
I first read Holly Black many, many  years ago when I was barely a teenager. If that.  (I want to say the book was Tithe.)
She has an incredible mastery within the Faerie world, and as a child and preteen I was definitely in a long standing Fairy/Faerie phase. It was by no means my most intense interest, but it was definitely there.

(I could still argue that Tinker Bell, as a pixie, is NOT a Fairy. But that's for another day.) 

I think what may have started my interest in the faerie realm was one of my favourite movies from childhood. I rented  Fairytale: A True Story so many times as a kid. And  As an adult, I have purchased a DVD copy for my shelves.

(My DVD of FairyTale: A True Story)

I even had the computer game! Man, I loved that game too. I think I still have the box for it somewhere....

But my fascination with Fairies was more than just a movie and computer game. When I think of fairies, I remember particular parts of my childhood, specifically when I would go to the Renaissance Fair with my family every year. Then later as a teen...

Anyway, I am still occasionally drawn into the Faerie Realm. And Holly Black is perfect for that. Her books are dark, and twisted, and magical. A simple slip from our world into the realm of the fae. 
In The Cruel Prince (and I suspect The Wicked King too), Holly Black does not write about the fairies of my childhood. No, hers are much more sinister and sarcastic.

Book one introduces Jude, who at age seven not only witnessed the murder by blade of her mother and father; she was kidnapped, along with her two sisters, and taken into Faerieland. Ten years later, despite being human, she seems to have somewhat settled into the place. Then she makes an appearance at the High Court in the Palace of Elfhame. That's where the story really begins, and when things start to go awry.


(my copy of book one, The Cruel Prince)


For More Holly Black
But WAIT! These aren't the only exciting books coming out today! Also take a look at these books:

Love, Hate and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed (Paperback, $10.99)*
The Au Pair by Emma Rous (Paperback, $16.00)*
Black Enough edited by Ibi Zoboi (Hardcover, $17.99)*
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen ( Hardcover, $27.99)*
The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg (Hardcover, $25.00)
Two Can Keep A Secret by Karen McManus (Hardcover, $19.99)*
Paragon Hotel by Lyndsay Faye (Hardcover, $26.00)*
The Field Guide To The North American Teenager by Ben Philippe (Hardcover, $18.99)*
The Power by Naomi Alderman (Paperback, $16.99)*
The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict (Hardcover, $25.99)
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (Paperback, $15.99)*
The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh (Hardcover, 25.95)*
...And Many More!
(* links to the audiobook)

All of these books are available for purchase through my favourite bookstore: Moon Palace Books


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