Monthly Archives: February 2018

Review of Contemporary Draconic Hoarding Practices, by Dae Richards

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I received a copy of Contemporary Draconic Hoarding Practices, by Dae Richards, through Netgalley.

Description from Goodreads:
While researching his thesis, Clayton’s work leads him to Syralis the wise, a dragon and professor at the university where he studies. Syralis’ hoard contains original manuscripts which are invaluable to Clayton’s research. Clayton soon finds himself one of the few students to ever study under Syralis, and during their lessons Clayton learns not only about medieval art, but his own history and his unusual magical sensitivity as well.

Clayton also finds himself enamored of Syralis, but when that attraction proves mutual, not everybody is pleased…

Review:
Not bad for a bit of fluff, but honestly that’s all it is. I liked the characters, the world and the writing, but I would have appreciated more to the story than insta-lust, a small misunderstanding and an easy resolution. I don’t regret reading it and would read more of Richards’ work, but there was nothing here to impress me either. A nice, safe, middle of the road read.

Mommy/daughter review of Charlie Sparrow and the Book of Flight, by D. F. Anderson

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I won a copy of Charlie Sparrow and the Book of Flight, by D. F. Anderson and Daniel McCloskey, through Goodreads. Since it’s middle-grade fiction, my daughter and I chose to do a mommy/daughter read of it.

Description:
Charlie Sparrow is the only bird in Tree City who can fly, but Mayor Peck insists he’s faking it. When Charlie learns of a book proving the truth about flight, he leaves Tree City to find it, facing a sharp-beaked thug and a den of mythical bird-eating creatures with claws and whiskers. With the help of his friends, Charlie discovers deeply held secrets about the mayor that must be exposed for the citizens of Tree City to wake up to their birthright—flight.

Daughter’s Review:
I really liked it, it was cute. I love how determined Charlie was. It was a good lesson. I liked the part where he became friends with the cat. I’m ten-years-old and I could read it pretty quickly. I think it would be better for kids a little younger than me, but I drew a picture of it.

My Review:
I often find reviewing children’s books more difficult that reviewing adult books. It’s hard to let go of adult expectations and accept books the way a child will. My daughter didn’t wonder how these anthropomorphized birds developed cameras, but didn’t understand the mechanics of flight. She didn’t ponder the Book of Flight’s origins, or if the birds in the rest of the world could fly (and if so, why they never happened to fly by Tree City). She was able and happily willing to simply accept the story as presented, even the bits that don’t make sense. Because they don’t have to for a child.

This book is intended for children between 6 and 9. For that age range it works. For a 40-year-old, maybe not so much. But what does that matter? It’s clean, easily readable and full of enough pictures to support the story, without cluttering the narrative. It’s book two in the series, but stands alone. We’d obviously missed out on how Charlie learned to fly and some of the history, but nothing that impeded the enjoyment of the story in any way. All in all, my children liked it and that’s all that really mattered.

Book Review of The Keeper of Lost Things, by Ruth Hogan

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I bought a copy of Ruth Hogan‘s The Keeper of Lost Things.

Description from Goodreads:
Lime green plastic flower-shaped hair bobbles—Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September.

Bone china cup and saucer—

Found, on a bench in Riveria Public Gardens, 31st October.Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects—the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidently left behind—and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life’s mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost.

Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony’s lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbor’s quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realize Anthony’s last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners.

Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious—a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made.

As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice’s redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest?

Review:
You guys, I’m not a weeper, but there were several points during The Keeper of Lost Things that made me tear up and one that made me sob. (The last nursing home scene, for those who have or will read it. OMG, be strong my breaking heart!)

Yes, I disliked a few of the side stories and I would have like a little more resolution on a few point. (How did the wife die? How did Laura make up for the final horrible things she said to Freddie?) But more important than any small niggles I had was how much the book made me feel. I frequently chuckled and awed and, yes, cried. To me, this is the mark of a wonderful book.

I also really liked the characters, even Portia (Ok, like is a strong word, but I appreciated Portia.), and I thought the writing was beautiful, quaintly English and easy to read. I look forward to reading more of Hogan’s work and I have to thank my bookclub for picking this book for our monthly read. I doubt I’d have read it otherwise.