Immortality: A Love Story

Immortality: A Love Story

by Dana Schwartz
Narrated by Mhairi Morrison and Tim Campbell
Listening Length 12 hours and 2 minutes
Published date February 28, 2023

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

"The Scottish accents of narrators Tim Campbell and Mhairi Morrison introduce YA listeners to this historical romance/mystery set in nineteenth-century Edinburgh." —AudioFile

Immortality: A Love Story is the eagerly anticipated sequel to Dana Schwartz's #1 bestselling gothic romance, Anatomy: A Love Story.

Hazel Sinnett is alone and half-convinced the events of the year before—the immortality, Beecham’s vial—were a figment of her imagination. She doesn’t even know if Jack is alive or dead. All she can really do now is treat patients and maintain Hawthornden Castle as it starts to decay around her.

When saving a life leads to her arrest, Hazel seems doomed to rot in prison until a message intervenes: Hazel has been specifically requested to be the personal physician of Princess Charlotte, the sickly granddaughter of King George III. Soon Hazel is dragged into the glamor and romance of a court where everyone has something to hide, especially the enigmatic, brilliant members of a social club known as the Companions to the Death.

As Hazel’s work entangles her more and more with the British court, she realizes that her own future as a surgeon isn't the only thing at stake for her. Malicious forces are at work in the monarchy, and Hazel may be the only one capable of setting things right.

A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books.

Although I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for a review, all opinions remain my own.

This was simply a beautiful conclusion to the Anatomy duology. I loved the first book and loved the second one just as much. This duology is going into my personal collection. It has romance, it has suspense, it has medical mystery and murder. What else can you really ask for. I just love the main character, Hazel, being a doctor. Well, she doesn't have all the certifications because you couldn't as a woman back then, but she's done all the training. This time she is called upon to treat the princess Charlotte. - will she be able to help the princess under the eye of the Royal court with all the other goings-on? It really is a wonderful story and so beautifully written. I couldn't wait to see what would happen with Hazel.

The Fearless Travelers' Guide to Wicked Places

The Fearless Travelers' Guide to Wicked Places by Pete Begler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Although I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Twelve-year-old Nell Perkins knows there is magic at work that she can’t yet understand. Her mother has been taken by witches and turned into a bird. Nell must journey to get her mother back, even if it takes her deep into the Wicked Places — the frightening realm where Nightmares resides. There she must break the spell and stop the witches from turning our world into a living nightmare.

This book was seriously amazing. The writing paints such a vivid picture that I could actually see what was happening. You can see the characters developing from children to fearless travelers, especially the main character, Nell. But you can see it in other characters too. I genuinely hope this book has more to come, but even if it doesn't, the book is amazing standing all on its own. Another thing I wish this book had was some images, even just at the beginning of each chapter. I think it would add to the already amazing imagery.

If you have the opportunity to read this book, I seriously recommend it.

Surf's Up

Surf's up! Not yet, Dude! Books are boring! Not this one! Bro and Dude have very different ideas about how to spend the day at the beach. But as Bro continues to gasp and cheer as he reads his book (Moby Dick), Dude can't help but get curious. Before you can shout 'Surf's up!' both frogs are sharing the same adventure, that is, until they get to the beach. Newbery Medal Winner, Kwame Alexander, and Daniel Miyares have joined forces to give little listeners a wild ride.

I received a copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

My rating: four of five stars

I really enjoyed this book It makes it cool to be a reader. The frog friends have plans to go surfing, but frog one is stuck in a great book. While traveling to the beach, frog one shares the story with frog two. They get to the beach and frog one finishes the story (reading to himself) he won't share the end with frog two, so he has to read it himself. The story ends with frog two enjoying the book while frog one surfs. I loved that this book made a love of reading a good thing. Both the story and the illustrations are wonderful. I loved it.

Pet Shop Heroes

In a small pet shop near you live four animals with superpowers, but they can't be adopted. Grace the Guinea Pig, Carmine the Chameleon, Petruchio the Puppy, and Kitty the Cat have something else to do--they save the world! When an evil snake in a City near you tries to take over the world, the Pet Shop Heroes jump to action. Can they save the day?

Pet Shop Heroes is intended for children ages 4-8. Full of humor, adventure and superheroes, this title is perfect for any library or classroom.

I was given a copy of this ebook in exchange for my review. All opinions remain my own. 

My rating: four of five stars

I was actually given this book by the publisher after I reviewed the soon to be published Lazy Cat Hero: Rise of the Nap (a review of that is coming closer to it's December 11 release date). He recommend this and a couple other books. 

This is a children's chapter book, easy enough for my fourth grader to read (with ease) and even my slower second grader to read with some help. Plus, it was only 60 pages, so it was quick enough that they didn't feel like we were reading the same book for weeks on end.

The characters in this book were fun to follow. The puppy, Petruchio, gets excited and puts the wrong words in his sentences which made the girls laugh every time. We also really liked that they had drawings every other page. The drawings were almost penciled but amazing. One last thing that mom appreciated was that they had a couple instances where they used scientific method to solve problems. Helps reiterate what they learn in school.

Overall we give this book four out of five stars. Would be a great addition to any library or children's bookshelf.