Within the Black

A middle grade novel about grief and losing yourself to anger and pain. Will's mom died and everyone seems to be handling it better than him. His older sister isn't fighting his friends, his younger brother isn't hiding in his room, his dad isn't hiding things that remind him of her. Only Will. When nowhere comes for him, he embraces it. It's an escape from reality and in Nowhere, he can embrace the black, the cold nothingness of forgetfulness. But his family and friends keep trying to pull him back and make him remember. But Will just wants to forget, it hurts less. A good novel about grief, but the concept of Nowhere and the Keeper and the Caretaker needed a little finessing. As an adult reading this novel, I had trouble following the thread sometimes. 

St. Peter's Fair

Derek Jacobi could read a phone book for all I care and I will still love it. As a child I watched Brother Cadfael with my mother and I am so glad to finally be reading the books that the PBS masterpiece theater series was based off of. Brother Cadfael is a medieval monk who always seems to stumble upon a mystery, during the annual fair a merchant is found murdered in the river, his valuables abandoned. Is this just a random act of thievery or is there something more sinister afoot? Wonderfully narrated by Derek Jacobi, this medieval murder mystery is damn good and keeps you guessing. Give me more!

The Secret Library

This was an excellent middle grade read with truly an amazing plot that could have worked really well for an adult audience as well. Especially the ending, it was really deep! Dally Peterharrington just wants time for herself, time to explore, go on adventures, make friends. Instead her overbearing mother forces her to go to school, have a private business tutor, etiquette classes, nearly every waking moment is spent preparing to take over the family business. Her mom is concerned with being a good steward of the family fortune and legacy an there isn't time for adventure or fun. Life has been miserable for Dally until she discovers a map that leads her to a secret library. The library is filled with family secrets and soon Dally starts to learn more about her family history then she ever thought possible and it's about to change her whole life. Impressive world building, unique magic, and one hell of an adventure.