Ice Planet Barbarians

You know what?! Hell yeah. I actually really enjoyed this. I thought the premise was unique, the worldbuilding was good, and the storyline was cheesy, but it didn't matter because I was sucked right in. Nearly a dozen unmarried women in their twenties have been abducted by aliens while they were sleeping. When they wake up they are in a bay of a spaceship being held captive. They don't know what the aliens want with them, but they know it's not good based off how they are treated when they displease the aliens. The aliens encounter some sort disturbance and decide to offload the their cargo on a planet and come back for them later. The women find themselves on a frigid winter planet with hardly any food, no water, and only the pajamas on their bodies. Will they ever survive?! Georgie leaves the spacecraft to try and find help or supplies and finds a sexy blue alien. They may not understand each other, but the attraction they feel to each other is palpable. Steamy, smutty, and oh so enjoyable. I need to read the rest! 

I Miss You When I Blink

I'm glad I finally got around to reading this humorous collection of essays! I feel like I read it at a very crucial moment in my life and I related so hard to it. Her funny thoughts on growing, finding a career, being type A, and juggling motherhood really struck a chord with me. Mary Laura Philpot's frankness, keen sense of humor, honesty, and utter relatability make this a perfect read for millenial women, mothers, and honestly women of any age. As an added bonus, the author narrates the audiobook version herself which I believe adds even more authenticity to the collection! 

Fawn

First off this cover! This would be terrifying for an adult novel and this is a kid's chapter book! Talk about creepy! The cover visual really helped set the tone for the entire book. Freya and her parent's move out into the country to idyllic little house by the woods. Freya is so excited to explore the woods and have a big yard to play in. It's the summer before sixth grade and she can't wait for all the new adventures she is about to have. That is until she goes into the woods and meets Fawn, a terrifying massive lemur-esque creature with huge teeth. At first it just wants to be her friend, but soon it seems like he never wants her to leave. Freya manages to escape and return home but she can still see his eyes in the forest and she knows he is lurking just beyond the tree line. To make matters worse she soon starts suffering from nightmares and she thinks there are dead children in the forest. What is going on?! Even though this is a middle grade horror novel, the creepy factor is quite high. I definitely enjoyed it! 

The Names

This was such an emotional read and the concept of it, STILL has me thinking about it nearly 3 days after finishing. The Names follows three potential storylines, each the same UNTIL it comes time for Cora to name her young son. Cora is trapped in an emotionally and physically abusive relationship with her husband. She has a seven year old daughter named Maya and now she has a newborn son. In one storyline she bows to her husband's wishes and names him Gordon, after his father and grandfather. In the next storyline she names him Julian, and tries placating her husband by telling him that the name still honors him because it means "sky father." In the final storyline, Maya suggests the name Bear, and it is a perfect fit. Well it seemed that way until their father came home and explodes into a fit of rage. Each storyline shows the impact a name can have on the course of ones life. The storylines change not just for Gordon/Julian/Bear but for his mother and sister too. Heartbreaking, wonderful, and unique - this story spans decades and really makes you appreciate the importance of choosing the right name. Eye opening. 

The Teller of Small Fortunes

This was such a sweet and cozy fantasy novel. Tao is a teller of small fortunes, and while technically she has the sight of a seer, she chooses to only focus on small fortunes. It's safer for her and those around her to keep the fortunes small, big things like war, death, and betrayal can leave a mark and make her even more feared than she already is. The thing is, Tao is Shinn. And most Eshterans are wary of Shinn and other who came across from the sea. It's a lonely existence for Tao who travels from town to town in her wagon. She never stays in a place long enough to wear out her welcome. Suddenly though she gains some traveling companions and their lives are about to intersect in the most magical way. Charming, sweet, and great character building. I loved watching the friendships blossom. 

Scales of Destiny

Prince Kaeleron is more than just a prince, behind those misty blue eyes lies a secret that only his family knows, he has the ability to transform into a fearsome dragon. His mother insists upon secrecy, but after a late night flight, an eagle eyed thief recognizes his unique eyes. Vitani saw those eyes once before, when she was fleeing from the palace after a thwarted attempt to steal a rare and valuable item from the castle vault. Rather than be repulsed by the prince and his secret, Vitani finds herself captivated. The two have a bond that they can't escape, no matter how hard the queen tries to keep them apart. They soon find that the castle is more filled with foes than family and must fight to remain together. Filled with adventure, magic, betrayal, and romance; this short story fantasy (less than 150 pages) will appeal to readers who are in the mood for a good fantasy novel without wanting to commit to 400+ page book or long series. As an added bit of interest, Karen D. Perry is a Johnson County author, who calls Whiteland her home. This is her debut novel.

The Man No One Believed

2.5 stars rounded up. This review does not reflect the heart of the story, which I think is worth learning about, but is more of a review on the readability of this true crime book. Joshua Sharpe explores the brutal double murder of Harold and Thelma Swain in their church in 1985 as well as the investigations that took places years after the fact that ended up putting an innocent man in prison for decades. Heartbreaking and unfathomable, this miscarriage of justice is all too familiar to many in the south who have been wrongly convicted. The Man No One Believed is true crime story and a damning indictment of American injustice, I just wish I had been more engaged with the writing. I feel bad giving this book a low rating, but it didn't grab me. Excellent research and a story worth knowing, maybe just listen to a podcast or a summary of it though.