The Revenge of Magic by James Riley

Today on it's book birthday, I'd like to shine a spotlight on...

 

The Revenge of Magic

by James Riley

 

published by Aladdin

 

Thirteen years ago, books of magic were discovered in various sites around the world alongside the bones of dragons. Only those born after “Discovery Day” have the power to use the magic.

Now, on a vacation to Washington, DC, Fort Fitzgerald’s father is lost when a giant creature bursts through the earth, attacking the city. Fort is devastated, until an opportunity for justice arrives six months later, when a man named Dr. Opps invites Fort to a government run school, the Oppenheimer School, to learn magic from those same books.

But life’s no easier at the school, where secrets abound. What does Jia, Fort’s tutor, know about the attacks? Why does Rachel, master of destructive magic, think Fort is out to destroy the school? And why is Fort seeing memories of an expelled girl every time he goes to sleep? If Fort doesn’t find out what’s hiding within the Oppenheimer School, more attacks will come, and this time, nothing will stop them!

 

{About The Author}

James Riley is the New York Times bestelling author of the HALF UPON A TIME series, the STORY THIEVES series, and the REVENGE OF MAGIC series. Contrary to what previous biographies have stated, he is a) real and b) not the character Nobody from his STORY THIEVES books. Where would people even get that idea? (Spoiler: From him. He totally made it sound like he really was Nobody. He thought it’d be funny. We’re sorry.)

He was born in Connecticut, where he lived for only a short time before moving to … well, quite a few states. He currently lives in Northern Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C., because that’s where his cats are. He has four of them. Other people think that’s a bit much. 

 

WEBSITE   •   TWITTER  •   INSTAGRAM

 

Purchase The Revenge of Magic:

 

 Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon



City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab {review & setting spotlight}

Something a little different with this review! I just recently finished reading City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab after finding out that it was set in the beautiful city that I had just visited only weeks before!! What a fun coincidence! Not to mention, I've missed it from the moment I got back from my trip, and this book was the perfect way to revisit it! So I've slipped a few of the photos from my own adventure into the review since I'd visited so many of the same places as City of Ghost's main character, Cass!

City of Ghosts
by Victoria Schwab
♦publisher: Scholastic Press
♦release date: August 28th, 2018
♦hardcover, 285 pages
♦intended audience: Middle Grade
♦series, Cassidy Blake, book 1
♦source: arc from publisher for review consideration
Cassidy Blake's parents are The Inspectres, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.

When The Inspectres head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn't sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn't belong in her world. Cassidy's powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself.

{Becky's Thoughts & a virtual tour of City of Ghost sites!}

City of Ghosts, Victoria Schwab's dive back into middle grade fiction, was such a fun adventurous tale. Perfect for young fans of the paranormal. Also, this book was a veritable love letter to Harry Potter and the city of Edinburgh---fair warning, my review may be slightly biased as someone who's just recently left my heart in this gorgeous city! ;P

Cass's 12-year-old life is definitely not an ordinary one.  Since being brought back to life after a drowning accident, she sees ghosts everywhere. One of them, Jacob---the ghost who saved her in the accident---is now her best friend. On top of that, her parents are experts on opposing sides of paranormal theories, which lands them a TV show gig traveling the world chasing ghost stories, and of course, taking Cass along for the ride!

First stop is Edinburgh, Scotland---a city absolutely teaming with ghostly legends. There she meets Lara Jayne, a girl with a similar gift, and the first person who may actually be able to help her understand her own powers. These three characters were such a fun group together. Cass is snarky, clever, and definitely has an adventurous streak, Jacob is cautious and a little bit chicken (especially for someone who is, himself, a ghost LOL), and Lara is a bit snooty and bossy, but she has a soft side, too. I loved how it's told as Cass sort of telling the audience the story---it really pulls the reader right in. Their banter and her inner dialogue were really well done and kept what was a fairly dark premise on the lighter side.

The only negative thing I would say about this is that the story did seems a little rushed at times, a little short, and...over-simplified? It's hard to judge that since, obviously as a middle grade book, this is not written for adult readers. But with so much complex and strong storytelling in middle grade out there, this just seemed a little too light at times. Still, it was absolutely enjoyable and fun, witty characters, beautiful setting and a few good spine-chilling moments.  I can't wait to see what city Cass and Jacob take on next! 

The story truly used the sites and sounds of Edinburgh to it's full advantage. 

When Cass and her family first step off the bus, she's steps out onto Waverley Bridge---same as we did! 

This is the old town skyline, probably the first view Cass would have had after stepping off the bus and the side of the city where she and her family stayed (there is a New Town and Old Town). Gorgeous, isn't it??

Cass mentions seeing the Edinburgh castle and a huge garden by the bridge. That would be Princes Street Gardens, pictured here, with the beautiful castle looming far above. 

One of the scariest parts of Cass & Jacob's adventure takes place when they go into the Edinburgh castle. Here's the gateway they would have taken to get in!

Cass is a die-hard Harry Potter fan (my kind of girl!), so one of the places she is most excited to come across is the Elephant House cafe. Known as the "birthplace of Harry Potter" because JK Rowling wrote a good portion of the first book sitting right at one of their tables. 

Cass visits the eerie but absolutely beautiful grounds of the ancient cemetery, Greyfriar Kirkyard a few times in the course of the story. The exciting climax actually takes place here and you can almost picture the villainous Raven in Red haunting these dramatic ornate graves.

Cass also has creepy times at Mary King's Close and Grassmarket (which I had no idea how I don't have good pics of since we literally walked this area every day LOL)

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of some of City Of Ghosts settings! I hope you enjoy reading City of Ghosts! 

{ABOUT THE AUTHOR}

Victoria is the product of a British mother, a Beverly Hills father, and a southern upbringing. Because of this, she has been known to say "tom-ah-toes," "like," and "y'all."

She also tells stories.

She loves fairy tales, and folklore, and stories that make her wonder if the world is really as it seems. 

WEBSITE   •   TWITTER  •   INSTAGRAM

Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

Well, That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail {blog tour spotlight + giveaway}

Hey all. Um, hi. Today, this really cool book tour is stopping by Stories & Sweeties. I'll try not to be too awkward about it, but, you know. That's just me sometimes. :) 

Here's more about the book..:

Well, That Was Awkward
by Rachel Vail
♦publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
♦release date: February 28th, 2017
♦hardcover, 320 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦stand-alone

Gracie has never felt like this before. One day, she suddenly can't breathe, can't walk, can't anything and the reason is standing right there in front of her, all tall and weirdly good-looking: A.J.
It turns out A.J. likes not Gracie but Gracie's beautiful best friend, Sienna. Obviously Gracie is happy for Sienna. Super happy! She helps Sienna compose the best texts, responding to A.J. s surprisingly funny and appealing texts, just as if she were Sienna. Because Gracie is fine. Always! She's had lots of practice being the sidekick, second-best.
It s all good. Well, almost all. She's trying.

...and, now here's more about the author..:

Rachel Vail is the award-winning author of more than 30 books for young people. As a theater lover, Rachel sees and reads as many plays as she can. Well, That Was Awkward was in part inspired by her love of the play Cyrano – another tale of secrets, wit, self-confidence, self-loathing, friendship, identity-hiding, and romance that blossoms between all the wrong people. Or does it? 

Rachel lives in New York City with her husband, their two sons, and (like Gracie) a tortoise named Lightning.

Website  •  Twitter  •  Goodreads 

Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon 

...and lastly, here's how you can get your hands on one:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

US mailing addresses only. Sorry 😔

Okay, not lastly. One more thing. Here's the rest of the tour stops. Please stop by them all. 😏 

Week One

2/27 – Here’s to Happy Endings – Bookish Recipe

2/28 – YA Book Central – Excerpt

3/1 – Margie’s Must Reads – Author Guest Post

3/2 – Crafty Moms Share – Review

3/3 – Once Upon a Twilight – Guest Post

Week Two

3/6 – The Reading Nook Reviews – Author Guest Post

3/7 – ButterMyBooks – Quote Graphics

3/8 – Stories & Sweeties – Spotlight

3/9 – Brittany’s Book Rambles – Author Guest Post

3/10 – My Friends Are Fiction – Spotlight

Um. Okay bye.