Captivating story; all the pieces fit together to make an entertaining read.

good

While this book frequently references real Martha's Vineyard locations, it is unnecessarily violent as it tries to present itself as a murder mystery.

Twisty thriller

Cute romance

This book is always amazing. I love how neatly the facts about Greek mythology is woven into the story! Just from reading it I have somehow become the Greek mythology expert in the family. Another on of my favorite parts if’s the chapter names like “ I become supreme lord of the bathroom” and “ We learn the truth, sort of” there so funny compared to other authors chapter titles are so creative ( that was sarcasm) 1,2,3,4. Of course just the book itself is awesome the way that Rick Riorden writes, he writes with so much emotion and internal feeling like when Percy’s mother “died” fighting the Minotaur.

Intrigue at a resort with a lot of surprises. Has a magical aspect that adds to the real life mystery.

A fun, sweet read.

I don't give away spoilers in my reviews. I am admittedly not usually the reader who loves fantasy but I knew from reviews that I wanted to read When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley. The cover is eye-catching with the graphic of Benny and the merman. I loved the oceanic colors used for it. Benny is on his own in life after losing his aunt. He has come to America and is working as a blacksmith. Benny has difficulties with his breathing and being in an environment such as a metal shop really affects his health. Benny is a talented blacksmith and his art is noticed by the owner of one of the local amusement parks - Luna Park in Coney Island. Benny is hired to build a large tank for a new exhibit and isn't told of all the details. Benny finds himself becoming attached to the new exhibit - a real merman from the ocean. I loved Benny's compassion and moral struggles within himself and with the merman. The other characters in the book that make up the menagerie were also such a great group of characters to read about. My two favorite parts in this book were the illustrations and the storyline. The illustrations added to the story and worked together with the cover. I usually don't read much fantasy but this was such a good story. (from my Goodreads review)

A Year of Wonders offers a vivid look at a plague-ridden village through the eyes of a compelling narrator. The historical detail is rich, and the themes of resilience stand out. However, the pacing stumbles in the final chapters, and some plot turns feel overly dramatic. Still, an engaging read for historical