The markers “right-wing” and “left-wing” have come to mean almost nothing in Kenya. Over the past twenty years politicians have changed sides, coalitions have been constructed and dismantled, and allegiances have shifted based on vague notions of tribal unity and attempts to beat charges at the International Criminal Court. And yet the 2022 elections proved […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/03/08/the-political-education-of-william-ruto/

Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep is the last novel in the Gargoyle Queen series. Suspense, growth, and swoons left me smiling. I am hoping Estep revisits this world again. Come see why I love this magical world filled with kingdoms, gladiators, gargoyles, and strixs.

Conquer the Kingdom
by Jennifer Estep
Series: Gargoyle Queen #3
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
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Magic reigns, plots abound, and a new love might not conquer all, in this must-read finale to the epic Gargoyle Queen trilogy by international bestselling author Jennifer Estep.

Time is running out for crown princess Gemma Ripley. Despite being a cunning spy and a powerful mind magier, Gemma hasn’t been able to track down the most dangerous enemy her kingdom of Andvari has ever seen. Adding to her worries is the Sword and Shield tournament. With gladiators flocking to the capital city of Glanzen, Gemma can’t tell who is friend—or foe.

Determined to protect Andvari at any cost, Gemma hatches a bold plan, but things aren’t what they seem. Soon, everything she holds dear is being threatened, including her burgeoning relationship with Prince Leonidas Morricone.

With the kingdom she holds dear slipping through her fingers, Gemma will have to conquer her fear and unlock the true secret of her magic—or watch her friends and family die and her beloved Andvari fall . . .

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From the liadorn vines to power moves of the royalty, I plunged down the rabbit hole and devoured Conquer the Kingdom. Estep did a wonderful job of refreshing my memory regarding the previous book. Gemma,Leonida and friends are searching for Milo after the events of the last book. Because of spoilers, I recommend reading the books in the order of their release.

With each book, we have seen Gemma grow more confident with her magic, and she blossoms in this last book. Her confidence and what she wants for herself and the kingdom flourish.

A gladiator event is the perfect trap to catch Milo, and Gemma is using Maeven as bait. While Maeven may be a villainous Queen, she has always intrigued me. Especially her dialogue with Gemma. She seems to hint at prophecy and both Gemma and I would have liked to have shaken it out of her. It made for great build up and I loved how it wrapped up.

The romance between Prince Leo and Princess Gemma has always been forbidden. After all, the two kingdoms are enemies. I have rooted for them since the beginning and wondered how duty and love would mingle. While the romance continued to be in the background to the action and suspense, I think fans of the couple will be well pleased.

Estep wrapped up the trilogy nicely, but there are a few secondary characters whose stories I need. Particularly Delmira, Mae’s daughter, the princess. I am hoping a spin-off trilogy is in the works. The world is one you’ll want to revisit from the ports to the castles.

Fans of magic, gladiators, swoons and well-drawn characters will want to read/listen to the Gargoyle Queen series.

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• COYER 2023 Upside Down
• COYER Upside Down Chapter 1: It's a Cold Summer

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/03/conquer-the-kingdom-by-jennifer-estep.html

A long time ago, there lived cute little bunnies called Fonduliens who lived on a chocolate planet far away. Everything was covered in chocolate, but it was all melting. Three courageous bunnies head out on a quest to find a new home. They find the perfect place to live on a planet called Earth. But no one there has ever heard of chocolate. Will the Fonduliens be able to convince the earthlings to let them live there?

This is a wildly creative and fun book that sets up a great backstory before sending the characters on an entertaining quest to save their people. I was impressed with how much was packed into this children’s book. We learn about the Fonduliens, about their planet, we’re taken on an adventure through space, and then we land on Earth, where the Fonduliens encounter humans who are afraid of them.

There is so much in this kid’s book to dive into and discuss with children. Like the bunny’s planet melting, needing to find a new home, people being afraid of aliens, and the idea that chocolate doesn’t exist. These are all ideas that rarely appear in children’s books. It’s all presented in a way that is easy to follow and fun every step of the way.  

The artwork throughout the picture book is absolutely delicious. The artwork is sharp, vibrant, and detailed. I loved the color choices and the cute expressions on all the character’s faces. This all makes for a perfect book to read to young children at bedtime, as they are sure to be glued to every page as their parents read the story to them.

Chocolate Space Bunnies takes young readers on a lively and imaginative adventure that is heaps of fun. I recommend this book to early elementary school children or any parent that is looking for a book that is unique and will capture children’s imagination.

Pages: 39 | ASIN: B0BTGHL62B

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/08/chocolate-space-bunnies/

Not all children are inspired by princesses and puppies. Sometimes children (or even adults) like unusual, strange, and even morbid at times topics. Considering this, children’s author Gabrielle Ferrara has written a unique counting picture book that will appeal to children who like things that are a bit different.

Dead Squirrels Everywhere starts off with, “One dead squirrel was poked with a stick.” The illustrations done by Natalia Nova are beautiful and even whimsical despite the topic being dead animals. The squirrels are never shown in a gorry or scary way; most look like they are sleeping, or in the case of the squirrels shocked by a wire, in funny images that will leave you laughing. The story flows well and is a joy to read out loud. The lyrical and rhyming lines will have kids laughing and following along, wondering what disasters will strike the poor squirrels next.

Learning to count to ten has never been so shocking and entertaining. This picture book also highlights many of the dangers that impact wildlife and can open up discussions with children leading to lessons in science as well. I could see this as a beautiful book for classes around Halloween with its slightly spooky but not scary images.

Dead Squirrels Everywhere is a highly original and unforgettable children’s book focused on counting to ten. This is the perfect addition to a classroom or home library for children that like things a bit dark and out of the ordinary. Preschoolers through early elementary students will be captivated by this unconventional tale. This is sure to become a favorite story for many children.

Pages: 28 | ASIN : B0B24DCWSF

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/08/dead-squirrels-everywhere/

Room in the Nest by Holly Marlow is a beautifully written story about foster care for preschoolers and young elementary-age children. First, Mr. and Mrs. Swan build a giant, comfortable nest with enough room for themselves and anyone needing a safe place to stay. Then, one day, Caring Goose comes by and asks them if they have room to take in Baby Pigeon for a few days while her mom makes her house safe. They, of course, agree to help out. This is the start of the Swan’s ongoing mission to help other little birds that, for one reason or another, need a safe and loving place to stay, no matter if it was a few days or a few years.

Holly Marlow has written a children’s book that explains in child-friendly terms what foster care is and some of the many reasons why children may end up in foster care. This magnificent story shows sensitivity to the topic and complicated feelings surrounding foster care. She explains how the Caring Goose always tries to help the parents out first and give them guidance and that she is not trying to rip families apart but instead shows compassion and works to try and keep families together. Still, sometimes that is not always best for the children.

Room in the Nest is a heartwarming picture book that teaches children about foster care, foster placements, long-term fostering, kinship care, reunification, adoption, and a broad look at family court. This is a beautiful story to share with children that have to go through this process to help ease their fears and for other children to understand what happens if someone they know goes into foster care. This honest and beautiful look at the system is a much-needed resource for families, teachers, social workers, and anyone working with troubled families.

Pages: 25 | ASIN : B0BBBRWLMS

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/08/room-in-the-nest/

Phyllis A. Still’s Palisades of the Heart: Dangerous Loyalties, Book Four, is a captivating young adult historical romance that picks up right where its predecessor, Warrior on the Western Waters, left off. Set in August 1776, the novel follows Mary Shirley as she and her family settle into their new home in Cooks Fort, Western Virginia, following their escape from the Shawnee village. Mary is now nearly 15 years old and must navigate the challenges of finding peace after her traumatic experiences while also exploring her first love with William McGuire, a scout for Cooks Fort.

Still masterfully crafts Mary’s story, introducing new characters while developing the ones readers have come to know and love. What stands out most is Mary’s character development. Readers witness her transformation from a young girl to a woman who grapples with the lingering effects of her past trauma. Still writes about Mary’s PTSD with care and delicacy, so much so that even readers unfamiliar with the previous books will understand what she’s been through.

The perfectly crafted dynamic between Mary and Will is another highlight of the book. Still captures the beauty of first love through these characters, detailing their shyness and constant thoughts of one another. Their story reminds us that love is a constant throughout history. A fun fact about the book is that Phyllis is an eighth-generation descendant of DAR Patriot Mary Shirley McGuire, who inspired the Dangerous Loyalties series. Still’s commitment to doing justice to her ancestors shines through in this successful and thoroughly enjoyable series.

Palisades Of The Heart is a fantastic read for historical fiction enthusiasts. This story of romance and the thrilling adventure that comes from living on the frontier is sure to capture the heart of readers. Whether you’ve read the previous books or not, the novel will keep you captivated from beginning to end.

Pages: 257 | ASIN : B0BVGN6XPC

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/08/palisades-of-the-heart/

Who watches over those who’ve been left without family or support? Alexander O’Neil shares his cruel childhood experience in his memoir Is There Any Love Down Back?: The Four Boys, through which he exposes the inhumane conditions he and other children were forced to endure growing up, their lives utterly absent of true love and compassion.

Four boys have been abandoned and thus placed in multiple foster homes with the hope that they’ll be able to find their place in a loving family. Unfortunately, the foster care system has produced more horror stories than fairytales. Straight to the point and in minute detail, the author reveals what usually goes behind many of the closed doors of these foster homes. Encountering emotional and physical abuse, the children go through every new family with little hope of finding a place that will provide them with the care and nurture they so desperately need and that life has unfairly stripped away from them from the earliest of ages. To answer this, they try to find support in one another, protecting and providing for each other when needed, fighting back against the cruel treatment given by the darkest of human nature.

From the very beginning, Alexander’s story demands the reader’s attention. Through his concise accounts, he illustrates the severe and inexcusable conditions in which many children have to spend their entire childhoods as they beg for a place to belong. Heart-wrenching, the book is brutal because of the reality that carries inside its pages. Through each new chapter, the reader can reflect on the state of the foster care system that leaves children to their own luck and often even brings them closer to the utmost dangerous and abusive situations.

Is There Any Love Down Back?: The Four Boys by Alexander O’Neil is a heartbreaking memoir of the life many faces in the foster care system. Reading the stories of those who’ve had to deal with such harsh conditions is incredibly important. Through stories like the ones exposed in this book, the reader will be able to understand and empathize with the circumstances that many out there are forced to endure, guiding them to keep an eye out for those around them that are most vulnerable and therefore run the risk of being taken advantage of. Yet, the darkest of situations still hold some light in them, no matter how small, and the innocent charity displayed by such young children is an excellent example of that.

Pages: 160 | ISBN : 1648032605

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/08/is-there-any-love-down-back/