Welcome, everyone, to a brand new weekly Smugglerific feature: Old School Wednesdays! We came up with the idea towards the end of last year, when both of us were feeling exhausted from the never-ending inundation of new and shiny…
Historical
Joint Review: A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn
Title: A Spear of Summer Grass Author: Deanna Raybourn Genre: Historical Romance Publisher: Harlequin Mira Publication date: April 30th 2013 Paperback: 384 pages Paris, 1923 The daughter of a scandalous mother, Delilah Drummond is already notorious, even amongst Paris…
Over at Kirkus: Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today, Thea reviews bestselling Japanese fantasy novel (turned manga and anime series) Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi… …and she freaking LOVED it. This beautiful, thoughtful yet action-packed book…
Title: Stolen Magic (US) / A Reckless Magick (UK) Author: Stephanie Burgis Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade, Mystery Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (US) / Templar (UK) Publication Date: April 2013 (US) / October 2012 (UK) Hardcover: 400…
Title: Emilie and the Hollow World Author: Martha Wells Genre: Science Fiction, Historical, Young Adult Publisher: Strange Chemistry Publication date: April 2 2013 Paperback: 287 pages While running away from home for reasons that are eminently defensible, Emilie’s plans…
Title: The Three Loves of Persimmon Author: Cassandra Golds Genre: Historical, Fable, Magical Realism, Romance Publisher: Penguin Books Publication date: August 2010 Paperback: 212 pages Persimmon Polidori is a fine young lady, but within her is a rebel. She…
Title: Strands of Bronze and Gold Author: Jane Nickerson Genre: Historical (with minor supernatural elements), Fairytale retelling, Young Adult Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers Publication Date: March 12 2013 Hardcover/Paperback: 352 Pages Seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram has been sheltered…
Title: Out of the Easy Author: Ruta Sepetys Genre: Historical, LGBT, Young Adult Publisher: Puffin Publication Date: March 7 2013 Hardcover/Paperback: 352 Pages Out of the Easy is set against the vivid backdrop of 1950s New Orleans. Written by…
Middle Grade Review Bonanza: The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken, Permanent Rose by Hilary McKay, and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
The Middle Grade Review Bonanza is a new feature of 2-3 mini-reviews for short (typically 250 pages or less) MG books we both really wanted to read. It’s a new Regular Thing (and we’d love to hear your thoughts…
Title: The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano Author: Sonia Manzano Genre: Historical, Middle Grade Publisher: Scholastic Press Publication date: September 1st 2012 Hardcover: 224 pages One of America’s most influential Hispanics — ‘Maria’ on Sesame Street — presents a powerful…