1. Calamity Juice By Carlos Hernandez: Apparently rainbows smell like horse barf! Going into this story, I have not read the Sal and Gabi books. I feel that I have been spoiled a little bit so my review may contain things that aren't rally spoilery or are spoilers. This story just made me want to pick up Sal and Gabi Break The Universe even more. I love the sarcasm these kids have. I give this story a 3 star. I like the sarcasm and the humor and the different universes. I just don't know that background and anything about Cuban mythology right now.
2. Beware the Grove of True Love By Roshani Chokshi: Aru Shah was the first of the ick Riordan presents books to be published and I have read all 4 out loud to my kids and we are patiently waiting for the fifth and (final) book of the quartet.
Brynne: "You guys are chickens."
Aru: "yeah, well, you're the only one who can actually turn into one"
I love being back in this world with Aru, Mini and Brynne.
I give this story a 4 star. I know where it lands in the Aru Shah quintet and the Grove of True Love had me hooked. But reading this after reading book 4 and new details and traitors are announced, I was just heartbroken because the girls didn't know they were being lied to.
3. The Cave of Doom by J.C. Cervantes: I read The Storm Runner and was introduced to Zane Obispo earlier this year. My kids were learning about the Ancient Maya and the Storm Runner is Mexican/Mayan mythology. You definitely have to read the first book before reading this story ecause it does spoil some things. I am also pretty sure that this comes after the second book, which I have not read. There is a connection to Calamity Juice in this short story. I give this story a 4 out of 5.
4. The Initiation by Yoon Ha Lee: I have not read Dragon Pearl, so if I spoil something I am sorry. From what I have read so far, I need to pick the first book up soon. Space cadets, spies and she can turn into a fox. I am so intrigued. Also I am very suspicious of the thing that she had to give up to her handler. I give this a 3.5 out of 5. While I was enjoying the shape shifting and the investigation, my mind did start to wander and I was a little bored.
5. The Gum Baby Files by Kwame Mbalia: I have not read Tristan Strong series yet. It has been high on my list of RR Presents books to read and I own the first book. Also, Gum Baby was mentioned in The Cave of Doom or Calamity Juice. So there is another connection I believe. I loved the conversation between Granny Z and Gum Baby. I need to learn more about Gum Baby because she is a little spitfire.
"Gum Baby thought about turning over a new leaf, but she couldn't reach the tree and somebody swept all the leaves off the ground, so she hasn't done it yet."
I give this story a 4 out of 5. It includes the civil rights movement and that history needs to be fought for or else it will be forgotten.
6. The Demon Drum by Rebecca Roanhorse: I own Race to the Sun and I know that it is based on Navajo mythology. Race to the Sun is a standalone, so I wonder if this will be a bridge to a sequel or connect to another story in this anthology. I had oral surgery two days ago and I am on a soft food diet and reading about the food at the powwow was torture. I want to try some frybread. Hell, I want bread and coffee!
I am giving this story a 3 out of 5. It was faced pace, but I wanted more action. I loved the intertribal connections. I would have liked to have known the backstory of the demon drum.
7. Bruto and the Freaky Flower by Tehlor Kay Mejia: Once again, I am starting to sound like a broken record but I have not read the Paola Santiago series yet. I will be hosting a blog tour spot on the sequel that is coming out this month in this series and I own the first book. This series is based on Latin mythology and it features a mythical figure that I have read about earlier this year in a different mythology based novel, and that is La Llorona.
I am picturing Bruto as Dante from Coco and the freaky flower reminds me of the corpse flower that is native to Sumatra. I am giving this story a 5 out of 5. I just loved it. It had the right amount of humor with the starburst. Bruto being sick and on the verge of death had me very upset. Fighting the monster for the rank flower and the other puppies wallowing in the red goo brought a very painful smile to my face.
"Monsters are made, not born"
8. The Loneliest Demon by Sarwat Chadda: I read City of the Plague God when it was released and I found one of my favorite Minor characters in that book. I am hoping that this will lead to an eventual sequel because right now the book is a stand alone. I love how Sik's mom was so chill about the demon wanting a duel, and the customer thinking it was someone doing a cosplay from Sabrina.
Apparently Ishtar played matchmaker to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Rabisu has to be one of my favorite demons. She used her horns and tail as an advantage to get an elevator at the UN. Smart demon of deformities. My favorite part has to be the battle in the subway tunnel against the old ones and Sik complaining of a back ache and Rabisu automatically saying it wasn't her fault. There was also a connection to Sal and Gabi and the rainbow unicorn. I give this story a 5 out of 5.
9. My Night at the Gifted Carnival by Graci Kim: I have not yet read The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim and I own the book. This book was one of my anticipated books of May and it is Korean mythology. Once again, Sal and Gabi are mentioned on the very first page of this story while riding the unicorn.
I feel sad for Riley because she is not a natural born witch and she is having all of that shoved in her face at this carnival and her sister Hattie is completely blind to Riley's sadness.
I really need to pick up the first book in this series because I am lost on the realms and the clan types. I want to know why Riley's family decided to adopt her knowing that she didn't have any magical abilities and would be an outsider for the rest of her life. I like the different layers of Hell. I give this story a 4 out of 5. I love the myth of the Dalgyal Gwisin and it being a mother who lost her child and wanting to steal children. The gifted carnival was an awesome setting and the strongwoman was a beast.
10. My Life as a Child Outlaw by Rick Riordan: Rick Riordan is the master of middle grade mythology. This is his first foray into writing Celtic mythology. I know nothing about Celtic mythology and that is horrible because I have Scottish ancestry. The back story about Demne's dad is confusing and why he was hiding in the woods with his foster mothers is intriguing. Not my favorite story so far.
Demne having a bounty on his head since the womb reminds of male lions when they take over a pride, they kill the cubs so they have no competition when the cubs are fully grown. He didn't really grieve over the six men he was traveling with and he hated killing with the reaver.
He is now a vengeful little boy who wants to avenge his father's death and take back what is his. While he is on the run for the final time, he keeps going into these tribes asking for a job and he is accidentally giving himself away with his hunting and gaming skills. The kings keep turning him away because they don't want him killed under their roof.
The glossary of Irish names at the end was a nice touch and very needed. I give this story a 3 out of 5.
My overall rating for this book is a 4 out of 5 stars.
