Category Archives: Book Reviews

The Silmarillion: Requires Dedication

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Taking place long before The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien, published posthumously and edited by Christopher Tolkien, is a summary of thousands of years of history. Central to the book are the Silmarils, artifacts created by an elf named Feanor with the light from two tree that preceded the sun and moon. These trees themself were successors to two great lamps. However, the central plot of the Silmarils has lots of context surrounding it, and all the elf family trees, conflicts, and artifacts are explained.

The main antagonist is Morgoth, the master of Sauron and greatest evil in the entire lore. He is a Vala, but all the other Valar reject him because he is evil.

Some central stories are those of Beren and Luthien, Turin, and of course, Feanor.

Beren and Luthien are star crossed lovers, Beren being a human and Luthien being not just an elf, but an elf with an overprotective father. Beren is tasked with retrieving a Silmaril from Morgoth to win Luthien’s hand.

Turin is a human that was raised in a magically protected territory of Doriath, almost exclusively by elves.

Feanor’s story after creating the Silmarils starts when Morgoth steals them, after which Feanor commands his entire people to fight Morgoth.

Overall, the Silmarillion is a difficult read; however, reading it provides a ton of insight on why and how things happened in the Lord of the Rings.

The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: Math With Bad Drawings by Ben Orlin

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When you think of math, you probably won’t think of fun at first. However, about a year ago I was looking for a book that was both educational and entertaining, and I found the book Math With Bad Drawings by Ben Orlin. It’s not that well-known but is still a great book, using its witty sense of humor to explain math concepts as well as helping to make math accessible. It’s funny to read and so interesting that you’ll want to read it again and again.

The book helps to explain math concepts such as geometry while never ceasing to keep you entertained. Even though this book is about math, it is one of the funniest books that I have read. It also uses language that anyone can understand when talking about math, making the book more accessible to any reader.

The book also uses doodles to help explain the math concepts in the book, as well as a way to keep the book interesting by adding additional jokes and enriching the book overall. There are many humorous scenarios and explanations throughout the text, but my favorite part is the section about probability that is included in the book, in particular an explanation of how the lottery works.

I enjoyed the detailed explanations in this part, as well as how it used examples from the real world to make this part more understandable. The best part, however, were the doodles, which not only helped to explain the complicated processes behind the lottery, but helping to entertain with a continued sense of humor and using jokes to help explain the concept.

In summary, I enjoyed how Math With Bad Drawings was entertaining and easy to understand. It is similar in style to What If? and XKCD by Randall Munroe, as both help to make math and science concepts accessible and entertaining. There are also many other books in this series, such as Change Is The Only Constant and Math Games With Bad Drawings, so be sure to check these books out! Overall, Math With Bad Drawings is an amazing book that’s great to read anytime whenever you want a laugh or just to learn something new.

House of Beating Wings: Book Review

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This book has been an amazing fantasy read! I have been trying to find a book that has matched the past fantasy books that I have read (aka: ACOTAR, Throne of Glass Series, Shatter Me, Red Queen…) and this one has met most, if not all, of my criteria! It has those plot twists that I love, the romance, and the world building that is so complex, yet complicated. The premise of this book is about a twenty-one-year-old girl named Fallon who is half fae. She is often undermined by the pure fae and the humans as well.

Half-fae don’t have the rights that pure fae’s have and they are not allowed to use magic. Fallon is stubborn, like most female heroines, and she has a love for animals, especially water serpents. But, she has no magic, which she questions. As a result, people often mistrust her and sometimes she doesn’t even understand what and who she is. However, she has her best friends, Sybille and Phoebus that back her up, as well as the prince, Dante who has been her childhood love.

SPOILERS AHEAD:

Fallon lives with her grandma who is in charge of taking care of her, and her mom who is in comatose state. After she goes out to party one night, she meets a woman named Bronwen who tells her a prophecy in which she will be the Queen of Luce if she collects five crow statues.

With nothing to lose, she goes on a journey to retrieve the five crow statues. The interesting thing is after she collects a crow, they come to life. The more and more crows she collects, she realizes that it can actually talk to her and keeps her company during the journey.

As they get further and further into this journey, she begins to uncover some of her heritage/bloodline, secrets that has been kept from her, and her kingdom’s secrets.

This series is a trilogy, and it is a well worth it read! I am currently on the third book, House of Striking Oaths, and the plot twists, world building, and romance have kept my anxiety and heart rate up there! I really recommend this book for anyone who is in a book slumber and needs a book to take their mind off of things!

BOOK REVIEW – Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume

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(NO SPOILERS)

I read this book on a car ride to a drive in theater to watch the new Indiana Jones (Dial of Destiny). I hated the book. The movie was good.

The book, Are you There, God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume is a coming of age story about Margaret, a pre-teen girl trying to fit in when her family moves from New York City to New Jersey. She struggles with finding her religion and growing up as a girl. 

I didn’t have to commit many hours to reading — I finished in about two. 

There’s themes of religion and social relationships and menstruation, but overall, it was an enjoyable read!! I don’t think I’d read it ever again, though, because I don’t particularly tend to enjoy Judy Blume. However, it felt real in terms of familial relationships.

In short, I struggle in finding my identity in many areas, such as sexuality, gender, and religion. I’m told what I am by many people, including my parents, but sometimes it doesn’t feel right. Margaret struggles with the same thing — her family argues about what religion she would convert to. I related to it, but again, Judy Blume is not my favorite author. And this was not my favorite book.

Anyways, this book apparently has been banned in a few places due to its take on religions including Christianity and Jewishism. I’m Catholic, a branch of Christianity, but even then, many characters in this book made me feel super angry. The parents discussed religion in poor ways, and basically, I disliked the parents. I disliked the family.

HOWEVER. There were many weird moments in the book that made me throw it across the room. There were practices that the main group of girls went through in order to appear more feminine. AND they were ecstatic about receiving their first periods. I. I cannot. I couldn’t; I literally skipped over every instance they hung out. There was also a girl they disliked because of a rumor that she used her beauty and big breasts to “go behind the school to kiss two boys.” WHAT.

Additionally, these girls had a teacher. A male teacher. A first-time, perverted teacher. There were phrases and instances where I felt like the teacher held their gaze too long on these tiny tweens, he made Margaret uncomfortable, and his eyes always went back to the girl who was early developed. Overall, ew. Overall, please stop, I don’t want kids to reflect on these themes in a positive way. 

I rate this book ½ a star. But hey, at least Indiana Jones was kind of good. 

Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Shining by Stephen King

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In the 1977 horror novel The Shining, Jack Torrance is hired as the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, and was invited to stay there with his family during the rough season. Seen as how Jack was battling against a past drinking addiction that put him and his wife in conflict, this was a perfect chance for the family to get closer. However, his five year old son, Danny Torrance, has a psychic ability called “the shining,” which allowed him to sense that the Overlook Hotel is a place of danger. Despite this, the Torrances, needing the money, continued with their plan to go there, leading to a journey of insanity, demonic possessions, and a dark, gruesome look at the Overlook’s past.

One of the best aspects of King’s writing would have to be his extremely detailed imagery. The extent to which he describes each event allows the readers to better picture the struggles and terrors each character goes through, which is an important aspect of any horror novel. The complexity in the characters, especially in Jack, also added a sense of realism to the story. King shows how Jack wasn’t “perfect,” and that his abusive past ultimately impacted the person he grew to be. Yet, he still felt shame towards his actions at the same time, causing readers to feel confusion as they develop their feelings towards him.

Overall, I found The Shining to be extremely engaging and definitely one of the best horror novels I’ve ever read. While still suspenseful and thrilling, I didn’t find the story to be extremely scary, making it more accessible to a wide audience. I do admit that some chapters felt very long and dragged on, but the build up to the end ultimately made these dull moments worth it. Despite any flaws, the characterization, imagery, and impressive writing displayed throughout the novel makes it truly deserving of the title of one of King’s best works.

-Aysha H.

The Shining by Stephen King is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell By Chris Colfer

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I read a lot when I was younger and remember many great literary classics. But the book I remember most fondly is The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer.

The series consists of six books and follows the adventures of Alex and Conner Bailey, who find themselves teleported to a magical world through a strange storybook. It was always my favorite book to escape from when I needed a break from reality.

The plot of The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is fun and engaging! Colfer created a wonderful world of magic and wonders with many compelling characters. The characters are well-developed, with distinct personalities and motivations. The story keeps readers hooked with twists and turns, making it difficult to put the book down.

The book revolves around themes of friendship and the power of imagination. Through the characters’ experiences, the novel promotes the values of kindness, courage, and perseverance. For instance, Alex and Conner’s journey to find the Wishing Spell is not only a physical one but a mental one. They learn to trust their instincts and rely on each other, which ultimately helps them succeed in their quest. Their bond as siblings also grows, shown throughout a couple of books.

While The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is entertaining, it can sometimes be predictable. Some story elements may need to be more complex for older readers. Still, it may have been intentional since the series is aimed at younger readers. The book relies heavily on familiar fairy tale characters and settings, which may appeal to only some readers. It is generally intended for younger readers from fourth to seventh grade. It may not be for everyone, and that’s okay!

Finally, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is a well-written and engaging novel exploring family, friendship, and imagination themes. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of surprises that will keep the reader wanting more. While the book may be predictable at times and may not appeal to all readers, it is an excellent choice for young readers who enjoy fantasy and fairy tales! The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is a fantastic read. I highly recommend it!

Happy Reading!
Bella H.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Where the Red Fern Grows: A Spoiler-Free Review

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Sometimes the summary of a book doesn’t quite tell you enough about the book. You want something more detailed, to tell you if this book is truly for YOU. (Cause not every book is, and that’s okay!) So here is my spoiler-free review of the book. Is it for you? Let’s find out!

Where the Red Fern Grows is a story of a young boy named Billy growing up in the Ozarks with his family. His parents want to move out of the country and to a town so their boys can get education, but they are poor and money is few and far between. Billy, on the other hand, has no dreams of that. He wants, above all else, two beautiful coonhounds (hunting dogs).

Unfortunately, the dogs are far too expensive for them. Despite this, Billy thinks that with hard work and determination, he will be able to reach his dreams.

First, the basics!

This book is historical fiction, and stands at 304 pages, or 76,000 words. Not too long, for any worried about it! In comparison, its about the same length as the first book in the Harry Potter series.

A picture from the 1974 movie

You saw the cover with dogs, you knew it was coming-

This is a tragic story. It might be one of the things this book is most well-known for.

But…sometimes the most heartbreaking tales are the most powerful. I think that applies to this book. It’s heartwarming, heartbreaking, and wonderfully touching. Don’t let the sorrowful part of it stop you!

The book just makes you love these two dogs, Ann and Dan. Their bond is frankly inspiring, their empathy for each other unmatched.

(Personally, my dog could never do what they do. She’d give up in the first few minutes of hunting…)

I hope something in this post inspired you to read Where the Red Fern Grows, because it was definitely a hit for me. Thanks for reading!

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Golden Slipper by Valia Lind

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After being abused by her stepmother and stepsisters for years, Mira finally has a chance to escape to the human world and open her own flower shop after her best friend provides her an opportunity to work at the palace. However, with the threat of Baba Yaga looming overhead and her secret romance with the prince, Mira’s plans may yet be delayed.

The Golden Slipper is truly a fantastical wonder piece that beautifully retells Cinderella’s story. It’s filled with magic, wonder, and a budding romance between two people who come from completely different worlds. After each subsequent encounter with each other, the two begin to literally fall for each other as they prove that with the power of true love, they can overcome any spell, whether it be from a wicked witch or a fairy godmother.

Although their relationship has its ups and downs, as the two attempt to navigate through arranged marriages and a wicked stepmother, they only continue to grow closer and closer to one another. However, as the two dance with each other night after night at the masquerade ball, completely unaware of each other’s identity, feelings, and dark past, the two prove that anything is possible.

The Golden Slipper is a great read and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a little magic in their life!

Trial of the Sun Queen Book Review: SPOILER ALERT

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Today, I just finished reading a book called Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli. The book was amazing!

It was about a young girl named Lor, who was imprisoned by the Aurora King. Lor lives with her sister and brother, Willow and Tristan. The book starts with them dreaming about the possibility of escaping this nasty prison, known as Nostraza. But then, Lor starts a fight in the cafeteria room, and she gets sent to the Hollow, a hole in the ground with no food or water for 2 whole weeks. There are also monsters outside of the hole, designed so if the prisoner escapes, they will surely die.

Lor manages to survive 1 week, but one night, a man kidnaps her, and Lor wakes up in a gorgeous bedroom. She is confused how she got there, but she soon realized that she was the last tribute of the Sun Trials. Whoever managed to pass all 3 trials gets to ascend and become the Sun Queen.

The Sun King is known as Atlas, and I think you can tell where this is going. Atlas soon falls in love with Lor, and Lor returns the same feelings. I have to say, I really enjoyed this book the minute I picked it up. The plotline was so addicting! Lor is definitely my kind of girl, headstrong and stubborn. It’s really nice to see everything fall together throughout this book. I love the way the author described all of the characters, so while I am reading, I can imagine what the characters look like, and can start formulating a picture in my mind.

One tip: this book goes by quite slowly. If you are thinking about quitting, don’t! It will get a lot more interesting if you keep reading, trust me. Overall, it was a really decent book! Out of 5 stars, I would give it a 4.7! I can’t wait to read the next book, Trial of the Aurora King!

Tral of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli is available to download for free from Libby.

The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane by Russell Freedman

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The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane is a Newbery Honor award-winning book by Russell Freedman. This book is about the true story of Wilbur and Orville Wright, who are credited with inventing the first practical airplane. 

The Wright brothers were curious about flying machines since they were young, but their first business venture was a printing press, followed by a bicycle shop. When they heard about Otto Lilienthal’s gliding experiments in Germany, their interest in human flight grew. Wilbur wrote that “insects, reptiles, birds and mammals were flying every day at pleasure, it was reasonable to suppose that man might also fly.” Within just a few years, Wilbur and Orville developed a flying machine and became two of the most famous brothers in history.

I did not know much about the Wright brothers before reading this book, so I found it to be very interesting and informative. One of the main things that I learned from this book is how much trial and error the brothers went through. I was also unaware that many people had already tried to make flying machines before the Wright brothers. I was fascinated by the science involved with making an airplane.

I was also impressed by the Wright brothers’ childhood experiences. Wilbur and Orville were very close to each other. Wilbur said that from the time he was a little child, “my brother Orville and myself lived together, played together, worked together and, in fact, thought together.” They did not have any special training in science or engineering. They did not complete high school or attend college. They learned more by teaching themselves than by formal schooling.

Another thing that I enjoyed about this book is that it contains many photographs that were taken by the Wright brothers themselves. The brothers had taken up photography as a hobby long before they invented airplanes. As they experimented with different flying machines, they took many photographs to help them learn from their mistakes. They also wanted to record a photographic history of their work. As a result, we now have many beautiful photographs of their airplanes.

This is an inspiring book because it tells a true story of making something that seems impossible into reality. Through patience and hard work, the Wright brothers became two of the most famous inventors in history. I would recommend this book to anyone.

The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane by Russell Freedman is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.