{Review} The Basque Dragon (The Unicorn Rescue Society #2) by Adam Gidwitz, Jesse Casey, Christopher Smith, and Hatem Aly

Page Count: 176

Published on: July10, 2018

Published by: Dutton Books for Young Readers

Genre(s): Children's, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fiction, Urban Fantasy
Source: Paperback ARC - provided by publisher

Age Rating: ages 8+

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Book Depository: {click here}

My Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Elliot and Uchenna have barely recovered from their first adventure with the Unicorn Rescue Society when the mysterious Professor Fauna approaches them with an all-new quest. And this time, they're going to have to cross the Atlantic Ocean to the Basque Country of northern Spain. Elliot and Uchenna, with Jersey in tow, soon wonder whether their newest, fire-breathing rescue might be more than they can handle. And why do the evil-doing Schmoke Brothers seem to be involved yet again?

~~~

Hey, guys!

    An advance reading copy was sent to me for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Penguin/Dutton for sending me this adorable book.

    The Basque Dragon follows Elliot and Uchenna soon after their first adventure with the Unicorn Rescue Society. Professor Fauna approaches the kids with a whole new adventure! This time they are going to the Basque Country in Spain to save a dragon! How cool is that! However, their adventure gets even more mysterious when the Schmoke Brothers begin stirring their evil pot. 

     I really enjoyed this addition to the series. It's the same length as the first book but I felt like this little story had more substance than the first. I really enjoyed the information and cultural references that we readers got to experience. The Basque Country sounds so beautiful and intriguing. 

      Once again, I absolutely adore Uchenna and Elliot. I think they are lovely characters that show wonderful intellectual and character growth. I love their growing friendship with each other and Jersey. I'm excited to learn more about The Unicorn Rescue Society. This series is super fun and it's so great for all ages. I recommend this series if you like the Series of Unfortunate Events, the Sister's Grimm series, the Percy Jackson Series, or the Furthermore series; you'd really like this series. It's super light-hearted and fun and magical. 

~~~

AUTHORS

Adam Gidwitz is the author of the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling Grimm trilogy. He spent six years researching and writing his Newbery Honor-winning The Inquisitor's Tale, including a year living in Europe. Adam lives with his family in Brooklyn, NY. Find Adam online at adamgidwitz.com or @AdamGidwitz. 

Chris Lenox Smith is the Creative Director and co-founder of Mixtape Club, an award-winning audiovisual creative studio. Mixtape works with a range of brands and artists, including Google, HBO, ESPN, Spotify, Primus, and They Might Be Giants, to create memorable, narrative-driven films. Chris is a two-time winner of the ADC Young Guns Award for animation and music composition, his work spans across media, from short films and commercial work to musical scores that marry influences from the pre-computer era with modern techniques. 

Jesse Casey is the Managing Director and co-founder of Mixtape Club, an award-winning audiovisual creative studio. Mixtape works with a range of brands and artists, including Google, HBO, ESPN, Spotify, Primus, and They Might Be Giants, to create memorable, narrative-driven films. Drawing from his twin backgrounds in computer programming and printmaking, Jesse's work embraces contemporary technology as a means to recreate the craft and artistry of classic film and animation.

ILLUSTRATOR

 

Hatem Aly is an Egyptian-born illustrator whose work has been featured on television and in multiple publications worldwide. He currently lives in New Brunswick, Canada, with his wife, son, and more pets than people. Find him online at metahatem.com or @metahatem.

The Basque Dragon comes out July 10!

Happy reading, guys!
Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review} The Creature of the Pines (The Unicorn Rescue Society #1) by Adam Gitwitz, Jesse Casey, Christopher Smith, & Hatem Aly

Page Count: 176

Published on: April 10, 2018

Published by: Dutton Books for Young Readers

Genre(s): Children's, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fiction, Urban Fantasy
Source: Paperback ARC - provided by publisher

Age Rating: ages 8+

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Book Depository: {click here}

My Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Elliot Eisner isn't exactly excited about starting at a brand-new school in a brand-new town; he'd much rather stay at home and read a book. But things take an unexpected turn when he finds out his weird new teacher, Professor Fauna, has planned a field trip for Elliot's very first day. Along with a new friend--brave, outspoken Uchenna Devereaux--Elliot gets caught up in a secret group of adventurers, The Unicorn Rescue Society, whose goal is to protect and defend the world's mythical creatures. Together with Professor Fauna, Elliot and Uchenna must help rescue a Jersey Devil from a duo of conniving, greedy billionaires, the Schmoke Brothers.

~~~

Hey, guys!

     An advance reading copy was sent to me for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Penguin/Dutton for sending me this adorable book. 

     The Creature of the Pines follows Elliot Eisner as he begins his first day of school. His first day starts out quite oddly, as his class is going on a field trip to the Pine Barrens. On the way to the Barrens, Elliot befriends an outspoken little girl named Uchenna Devereaux who dresses like a rock star and makes up songs about what all goes on around her. They become fast friends when Uchenna runs off to investigate a mysterious rustling. Elliot and Uchenna are soon caught up in a wild and mysterious group called The Unicorn Rescue Society. A secret group that is dedicated to taking care of and defending mythical and magical creatures. Together, with their whacky teacher Professor Fauna, they go on an rescue mission to save one of the coolest mythical creatures from the greedy and evil Schmoke Brothers. 

      This little book was just so freaking cute. I think it's a great introduction to the characters, the Unicorn Rescue Society, and to the little world that is being created. This book is full of some great characters that I think will be a great introduction to new and young readers. I love love love love Uchenna's character. She is so cool and I think she has the potential to become a great role model for the children that read the stories. Elliot is such a sweet dude. I love how intelligent and caring he is and how his character is already beginning to develop and grow. Uchenna and Elliot butt heads, but their personalities really work together and I think they complement each other quite nicely. 

     I'm excited to see where they go next and I'm quite excited for the next few books in the  series. I think this is going to be a great series for kids and adults, alike. It's so imaginative and fun. 

Thank you Penguin/Dutton for asking me to be a part of this blog tour. This book was adorable and I'm so excited for it to be out in the world!

The Creature of the Pines comes out April 10!

In celebration of the release of The Creature of the Pines, I was asked to share my favorite mythological creature. My favorite mythological creature is a:

Faery/Faeries

I love how intricate each fairy/faery world is. I'm particularly fond of the malicious fae who harm humans. I love how rich the worlds are and how diverse each faery kingdom is. I'm currently in love with Sarah J. Maas's fae world and Holly Black's fae worlds. I cannot get enough of them.

AUTHORS

Adam Gidwitz is the author of the critically acclaimed, New York Timesbestselling Grimm trilogy. He spent six years researching and writing his Newbery Honor-winning The Inquisitor's Tale, including a year living in Europe. Adam lives with his family in Brooklyn, NY. Find Adam online at adamgidwitz.com or @AdamGidwitz. 

Chris Lenox Smith is the Creative Director and cofounder of Mixtape Club, an award-winning audiovisual creative studio. Mixtape works with a range of brands and artists, including Google, HBO, ESPN, Spotify, Primus, and They Might Be Giants, to create memorable, narrative-driven films. Chris is a two-time winner of the ADC Young Guns Award for animation and music composition, his work spans across media, from short films and commercial work to musical scores that marry influences from the precomputer era with modern techniques. 

Jesse Casey is the Managing Director and cofounder of Mixtape Club, an award-winning audiovisual creative studio. Mixtape works with a range of brands and artists, including Google, HBO, ESPN, Spotify, Primus, and They Might Be Giants, to create memorable, narrative-driven films. Drawing from his twin backgrounds in computer programming and printmaking, Jesse's work embraces contemporary technology as a means to recreate the craft and artistry of classic film and animation.

ILLUSTRATOR

 

Hatem Aly is an Egyptian-born illustrator whose work has been featured on television and in multiple publications worldwide. He currently lives in New Brunswick, Canada, with his wife, son, and more pets than people. Find him online at metahatem.com or @metahatem.

Happy reading, guys!
Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Q&A/Review With Bailey} Ruby & Olivia by Rachel Hawkins

Page Count: 240

Published on: October 24, 2017

Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Genre(s): Middle Grade, Mystery, Paranormal

Source: Paperback ARC - via publisher -- given to her by me

Age Rating: PG

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Bailey's Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

A spooky middle-grade story that's full of fun, friendship, and humor--perfect for fans of Ingrid Law and Lisa Graff.
Ruby is best friends with Emma, but she and Emma's twin sister Olivia are definitely not friends. Unfortunately, Emma will be away for the summer, while Ruby and Olivia are going to be stuck at a community service day camp for troublemakers--together. 
To kick off the spirit of service, the campers are outfitted with bright pink polka-dotted t-shirts with smiley faces on the front, then tasked with cataloging the contents of an abandoned mansion. Sorting through objects in an old house sounds boring, and working with each other is that last thing the girls want to do, but the stuff is actually pretty cool. There's everything from mink stoles to golf clubs to stuffed deer heads . . . and . . . wait . . . is that stuffed deer head watching them? 
When the taps run freezing cold and doors slam inexplicably, Ruby and Olivia wonder if the other campers are having a bit of fun, or if the abandoned mansion is looking for new residents. To solve the mystery, Ruby and Olivia will have to put their grudges aside and figure out how to be a team with or without Emma.

~~~

Hey, guys!

Today Bailey and I are bringing you an amazing Q&A review for Rachel Hawkin's Ruby and Olivia. Back in late October, I recieved an ARC for Ruby and Olivia and I reviewed it. It wasn't one of my absolute favorite middle grade novels and Bee wanted to read it, so I just gave her the ARC. In the past few weeks, Bailey has read and reread this book...she loves it...so we had to review it! I hope you love this review. We worked really hard to make this great and I'm so proud of how far she's come. Enjoy!

My Review of R&O: {click here}

~~~

Q: What is Ruby & Olivia about? Can you summarize it a bit?

A: It's about these kids who go to a mansion because Olivia's sister, Emma, is shoplifting and steals lipstick and Olivia takes the blame. Ruby did a prank at a different school where she did something with glitter in the hallways, so both of them are sent to Camp Chrysalis. They are sent to the Live Oak House mansion to clean up and they went to creepy rooms and creepy things kept happening, like a kid got bit by the house. 

      The reason that it's called the Live Oak House is because the house is built around a live tree. The tree actually almost killed Ruby and Olivia because it was kind of possessed by the spirits of Mr. Rexhall's dead twin sisters. 

Q: What would you rate this book? Why?

A: 5 stars. It's a good book! I like how it has an actual plot and the characters are cool. I like how it's a mystery...like one of the kids' hands gets bit and it was the end of the chapter!...I was like.... (holds up hands in awe) woah, I gotta keep reading! Olivia reminds me of you because she's respectful and well behaved and you might take the blame if Sarah stole a cactus or something. I don't think she would, but if she did I think you'd take the blame so she could go to a cool camp. 

[Sarah is actually my twin sister. She's a lover of plants, baking, and skincare. She would never steal anything, but she sure does love plants.]

Bailey continued to reread passages of this book to creep me out. She succeeded and I had to take the book from her so we could finish this interview review. 

Q: What did you like about this book? What did you dislike?

A: I liked that there were creepy dolls involved. That is the best kind of story. [Me: why??] I just like creepy dolls. I like their horrifying faces. It reminds me of when I look in the mirror.  [GUYS I'M NOT KIDDING SHE LITERALLY SAID THAT AND GIGGLED! WHO IS THIS CHILD???]

I didn't like how silent Wesley is. He barely said anything. I don't like it when other people give other people the silent treatment in books...and I don't like how he hides behind his hair. 

Q: So this book is a standalone. If it had a sequel would you read it? Do you think it needs a sequel?

A: Definitely. There is no way I'm saying no to a sequel. I think it needs a shorter sequel or something. You can't just end the story with the house disappearing. What happens next? I need to know!

Q: Do you have anything else to say to the people reading this?

A: I think this book was amazing....and I like chickens. 

Q: Why do you like chickens??? Why???

A: They supply you with food and they make noises like "quak" or "BOCK"

~~~

Thanks for reading this review! We hope you enjoyed it!

Happy reading!

Olivia & Bailey

~Liv & Bailey the Book Nerds~

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June 2016 Book Haul

Hey, guys!

    This month I bought and received a ridiculous amount of books. I bought most of these books with the bit of money that I saved from the cards that I got for graduation. I've managed to buy a butt-load of books (4-16) and receive 3 books from from authors/publishing houses (1-3).  I received 2 books from friends and my mom was getting rid of some book so I picked a couple that I had been meaning to read (17-18 & 19-20). I also don't know how it happened, but I got a book for free off of PaperBackSwap.com....I have no idea how, but it happened (21). Anyway, There will be reviews for the books I haven't read yet, but a good majority of these books are books that I've read already, but I'm either replacing my copy that is falling apart or it's a book that I've read but I've never had my own copy of the book. 

      I plan on reading or rereading most of these books really soon, so keep an eye out for that! 

1. Meet Me Here by Bryan Bliss*+
2. The Alfaeren Legacy by Marc Jacob
3. Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold by Iain Reading
4. A Court Of Mist & Fury by Sarah J. Maas*
5. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes*
6. The School For Good & Evil by Soman Chainani*+
7. Illuminae by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman
8. The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollow #1) by Rick Riordan
9. Peter & the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson*
10. The BFG by Roald Dahl
11. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
12. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale*
13. Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
14. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer*
15. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins*+
16. Fairest by Gail Carson Levine*
17. Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo
18. Wicked by Gregory Maguire
19. The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews
20. The Rose & the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh
21. Briar's Book (Circle of Magic #4) by Tamora Pierce

*Read

+Reviewed

Comment down below what books you got in June! If you've read any of these books and what you think of them! 

Happy reading everyone!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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@LivTheBookNerd on Books

The Search For WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi

Page Count: 484

Published on: September 21, 2010

Published by: Simon & Schuster for Young Readers
Genre(s): Fantasy, Science Fiction, Middle Grade, YA, Adventure
Source: Print: Paperback

Age Rating: PG

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon  

Twitter: @TonyDiTerlizzi

My Rating: 4.75 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Eva Nine is a curious and sensitive twelve-year-old who has existed only in a subterranean home called Sanctuary, cared for by a robot named Muthr. Eva's great desire is to go aboveground, and her wish comes true, though not as she had imagined. On the surface, Eva goes in search of other humans--she has never met one--and soon meets both friend and foe.

~~~

Hey guys!

      I got this book with my aunt when we went out to a college campus. I saw this book and automatically thought of Regan from PeruseProject from YouTube. Regan has been raving about this series and Tony DiTerlizzi in general. Tony DiTerlizzi is the co-creator and the illustrator of the Spiderwick Chronicles. His awesome illustrations are all throughout the book, and they just add to the awesome vibe that the book gave me. 

      When I first started reading this book, I was kind of confused because I went into it blindly. The first few chapters were really cool, because they were a nice introduction to Eva and M.U.T.H.R. They are such a strong team and I'd love to read more about their life in the Sanctuary. At first I thought M.U.T.H.R. was way too uptight, and I really didn't understand her as a character. When I continued to read on, I realized that my whole perception of her character was totally wrong. Her whole purpose was to protect and teach Eva how to survive and live her life. She was doing what she was programmed to do. By the end of the book, I really loved Muthr and respected her a lot more. Eva was a very smart girl. She's fourteen (I think) and for a fourteen year old girl who's never been outside, she's actually really resourceful and once she gets the idea of what she's up against regarding the outside world, she's very cool. Don't get me wrong, she's still very flawed as a person, and she makes mistakes throughout the book, but it's normal. She's never been outside and she has no idea what she's up against, so I thought her mistakes were somewhat justified. 

      Tony DiTerlizzi's writing style, art style, and the characters and creatures that he creates are so unlike anything I've ever seen. His magical and fantastical world is so original and mysterious. The cliff hanger alone was so well done! I did not see that coming! My edition of the book had a little sneak peek of the first few pages of the sequel, so it just made me want to read the next book even more...haha. Overall, this book is so worth reading. It's kind of an Alice In Wonderland retelling, but vaguely...As I continue to think about it, I see more and more similarities between the two stories, but the book doesn't rely on the original story to drive the plot. I loved it! I gave this book 4.5 stars, because there was something missing for me, but I can't put my finger on what I felt was missing....

Anyway! I hope you enjoyed this review! Happy reading!

Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~
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March 2016 Wrap Up

Hey guys!

      So I've read 9 books this month! I'd call that a satisfying reading month 😊 not all are shown in the picture though. I have 2 lent out, 1 was borrowed from a friend, 1 was from my school's library, 1 is an ebook, and one is at school. 😊 Here are the books that I read during March!

• Scott Pilgrim Vol. 6 by Brian Lee O'Malley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• An Ember In the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Half Bad by Sally Green
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️& 3/4
• Play The Part by Jen Turano
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede
⭐️⭐️⭐️ & 1/2
• When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Lali of the Lill: Two by Adi Mandal
⭐️⭐️ & 1/2
• The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ & 3/4
• The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ & 3/4

Unfortunately there weren't any books this month that had me fangirling uncontrollably. I think I might be getting a bit slumpy... Hopefully #DorothyMustDie by Danielle Paige will get me out of my slump. I'm currently a little over 200 pages in, and I'm totally loving it. It's so new and original. I'm definitely going to read the whole series 😻

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~
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