TJ Klune has crafted an environment that keeps children safe while supporting their personal identities, interests, and ambitions. The spirit of inclusiveness and love gently permeates everyone, whether they like it or not. The theme of “found family” is one that always resonates for me, and that is the heart and soul that the plot revolves around.
Find the comfiest chair in your home and put on your warmest slippers while your herbal tea steeps. This is that sort of book. The pacing is slow, the dialog is often simplistic, and the conversations dance lightly around various elephants in the room. (Note: While you will meet sprites, a gnome, a… um… whatchamacallit, a wyvern, a were-Pomeranian, some regular humans, and oh yes did I mention the Antichrist? there are no actual elephants in the story.)
I can’t resist quoting author Gail Carriger's description: “It’s basically 1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in. It’s what I wanted Miss Peregrine’s Home to be.”
Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.
When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not…
Is your brain weary of fast-paced books with overly clever twists and edgy personalities? They can be fun, but now and then it’s good to give yourself a little spa-time. This story will feed and refresh your heart, soul, and mind with its gorgeous wordplay, lush worldbuilding, unique characters, and heartfelt, thoughtful messages. The author clearly loves his work, and I think he loves us, too.
If you are concerned about starting into a promised trilogy, rest assured that Zig Zag has completed the second book and is well into the third. This author keeps promises.
The Three Rules of Witches: Love fearlessly, travel extensively, and never pass up an abandoned cottage for a well-deserved rest.
When Mother Khumalo finds the perfect lodging, well away from people, work, or adventure, she settles in with daughter Amnandi for an extended stay. Yet her trips into the nearby port town of Waterfall leave her wary. Something is most definitely not right, and witches, sometimes to their regret, often notice more than they'd like.
A ruthless mage, an angry ghost, and a bone-crunching demon certainly do not wish to be noticed. Witches, however, are rarely in the business of…
This eagerly-awaited sequel to author David Hankin’s Death and the Taxman picks up the pace as we continue the absurd but believable adventures of the Grim Reaper himself. If you haven’t yet read the first book, do that now!
If you’ve ever struggled with a telemarketer, or had to grapple with IT support, or lost your mind to elevator muzak, or had to fill out a government form, or paid taxes, or taken a number and stood in line, or maybe you just really like cats – if you nodded your head at any of these situations, this series is for you. It’s both a salute to the annoyances of modern life and a well-researched deep dive into religious concepts mankind has held dear for centuries.
Sequel to the award-winning IAN Humor Book of the Year Death and the Taxman.
Death and the Dragon is the wild ride through Hell that Dante wished he'd had. Demons, nightmares, and bureaucrats await the Grim Reaper as he scrambles to stop a coup in Hell, forestall Armageddon, and rescue the Devil himself.
After Lucifer played fast and loose with the Rules governing soul management-after he stole Abigail's soul without Judgment-Grim storms into Hell to have words with the Lord of Lies. But one does not just waltz in demanding to speak with the Dragon. There are receptionists to battle,…
A collection of the "Brassbright Kids" stories PLUS a brand-new novelette!
The Steamkettle Kids Save the Day - Can Paisley Pockets and Christopher Cogan stop a crime in progress? They may be just a couple of kids, but where there’s a will and some smarts, there just might be a way.
The Legend of The Engineer - In a country called Industralia, children listen to a New Year's story about Frostica, the Engineer, and a magical train.
A Life Invented - Gerard Liddle tinkers with his very first inventions - which sometimes work, and sometimes do unexpected things.
The Steamkettle Kids and the Lucky Tentacles - After a hurricane shakes up Steamkettle Bay, Paisley Pockets, Christopher Cogan and Jimmy Cupper have an adventure as big as the sea.
~ NEW ~ The Secret of Tarragon Alley - Robin dreams of having a garden filled with flowers, just like Gramma did. When he brings home a little clay pot filled with gnarly, weird plants, he has no idea that it will take him on an amazing adventure.
