The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1) by Kazu Kibuishi

 

I've had The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1) by Kazu Kibuishi in my wishlist for quite a long time now. It's the first graphic novel in a series and it is geared towards children. I read the ebook edition of this novel.

I enjoyed the storyline, artwork, and pacing for The Stonekeeper. Additionally, it falls into the fantasy and adventure categories and seems like it would capture and hold the attention for the intended audience.

I did enjoy reading The Stonekeeper. However, I will most likely not read the rest of the books in this series.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1) by Kazu Kibuishi found on Amazon's website:

After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by strange creatures, robots, and talking animals.Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

I am giving The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1) by Kazu Kibuishi a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir is my second read of 2026! I listened to the unabridged audio version of this novel through Hoopla for a book club pick later on this month. 

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir is a long listen at 16 hours, 15 minutes, which is very nicely narrated by Moira Quick.

Normally, I don't gravitate towards reading science fiction or fantasy reads. They're usually not my thing. However, this year, I decided to join a book club, which meets monthly and Gideon the Ninth was this month's pick to read and discuss.

There are pros and cons for for me in terms of Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. 

I loved the world building and the mystery involved in this novel. The writing is good overall. The narration for the audio edition is excellent. I also enjoyed the snarkiness of the leading character, Gideon. 

I disliked the fact that it was initially difficult for me to get onto this novel for two reasons. Reason one is that there were so many characters with odd names to keep track of and they had nicknames or were called by different names throughout the novel, that trying to keep track of who was who was a chore. At the start of the audiobook edition, there is a list of characters and who they are, but this is not easy to refer like it would be in a physical book or ebook. Additionally, I found it difficult initially to figure out the storyline for this science fiction/fantasy read, which was kind of a turn off for me. It wasn't until several chapters in when the storyline FINALLY became interesting to me.

Below is the publisher's summary for Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir from Chirp's website:

The Emperor needs necromancers. The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman. Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense. Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy. Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service. Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die. Of course, some things are better left dead.

I am giving Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir is the first novel in the 'Locked Tomb' series. I will be skipping the rest of the novels in the series. It's a great read if you like great world building, mystery, fantasy or science fiction books. There just is not strong desire for me to finish this series.

Until my next post, happy reading!

The Master of the World by Jules Verne

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Master of the World by Jules Verne and it is well narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was the first novel by Jules Verne I'd ever read. I loved it so much that I've read it at least twice! I've also read The Mysterious Island and Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. 

I recently learned about The Master of the World by Jules Verne, which was first published in 1904 and one of Jules Verne's last works. I decided to give it a try as it sounded intriguing and it is set in the USA. 

Honestly, I was truly hoping to love The Master of the World as much as I had enjoyed reading the three previous novels I'd read by Jules Verne. However, The Master of the World was a bit formulaic in that it was too much like Verne's other novels. The only difference to me were the specific details to fit the storyline and move the plot along. 

The Master of the World also fell flat in terms of capturing and holding my interest. It wasn't that the writing or storyline were awful or anything like that for The Master of the World... It just didn't live up to Verne's other works I'd previously read.

The following is the publisher's summary for The Master of the World by Jules Verne from Chirp's website:

One of Jules Verne’s final books, The Master of the World, which was released in 1904, is a science fiction classic. The novel was written as Verne’s health was deteriorating. The Master of the World is a “dark novel,” full of dread and anxiety about the emergence of totalitarianism and tyrants, embodied by the novel’s antagonist, Robur.

I am giving The Master of the World by Jules Verne 3 stars out of 5 stars. This is my fourth read of September 2025.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry

In March 2019, I listened to and reviewed the unabridged audio version of Wishes & Wellingtons by Julie Berry and narrated by Jayne Entwistle. It had been my first experience with anything written by Julie Berry and I'd thoroughly enjoyed Wishes & Wellingtons. I looked forward to reading another novel written by Julie Berry in the future.

Purely by happenstance, I discovered that a sequel to Wishes & Wellingtons titled, Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry, had been published earlier this year. Since I enjoyed Wishes & Wellingtons so much, I looked forward to the continuation of this series.
I wasn't disappointed with my decision! Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry is wonderfully rendered and well narrated by Jayne Entwistle.

Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry is a book for children set in Victorian England and contains adventure and fantasy elements in its plot. I love the characters for Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2), especially the main character, Maeve Merrit, as she is a feisty, adventurous girl and an overall fun character.

The writing, plot, and storyline are once again well done by Julie Berry for Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2). I liked the continuation of the storyline from the first novel in the series and how Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) takes readers to new places. 

I certainly enjoyed listening to Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry and I think young readers will too.

Below is a summary for Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry from Audible:

Now that Maeve Merrit has surrendered Mermeros, the djinni she found in a sardine can, she expects her life in London will be dull as dirt. Mermeros, however, has other plans. Maeve’s friend Tommy, a former orphan, has been adopted by Mermeros’s newest owner. When Tommy’s new father tries to use one of his wishes, he and Mermeros go missing - and without a guardian, Tommy will be forced back to the orphanage.

Maeve, Tommy, and their friend Alice embark on an adventure full of magic, danger, and flying carpetbags to rescue Tommy’s father and the djinni they’ve grown to love. But will they come to their rescue before Mermeros’ fabled wishes fall into the wrong hands?

I am giving Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!