Briquelle

Ash Princess Book Review

Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I like the fantasy realm created in this book, the pace is bit slow yet perfect for introducing us to this new world. Even though this was written in the first person, I enjoyed the authors writing style and she did a great job of showing and not telling. There are the typical relationship tropes with a love triangle that somewhat reminiscent of the Red Queen series. However, what I like about this love triangle is that the heroine is not thirsty, naive or stupid. I connect with Theo because she has a backbone and as she endures each trial, she grows in wisdom and her convictions become stronger. This series has potential, I hope the rest of the books give us even more depth.

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A Shadow Bright and Burning Book Review

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

One of my fave booktubers gushed about this book, and I just was not feeling it. Maybe because this book read more like a middle-grade novel? Although it was well written, I did not connect with any of the characters. It does, however, have an interesting magic system with cameos by classical magical creatures like trolls and elves. The mix of mystical gods, portals, magicians, etc, just felt like a hodgepodge of myth and magic. All this takes place in Victorian England, which as a history buff, all seems very appealing. The heroine’s struggle of being a teenage girl thrust into a male-dominated role as a sorcerer was interesting. However, her tendency to running away or out of a room during confrontations was a bit annoying and reminiscent of my nine-year-old daughter. I listened to this book on Scribd which probably made the book more entertaining than actually reading it.

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til January

It was my intention to blog my experiences as a grad student. If only life was that simple because since then my husband got a promotion, we have relocated to north Chicago, and just like that I’ve finished my courses and student teaching begins in January. During that time I’ve mostly blogged poems and book reviews, along with a few likes and new followers.

I don’t know what I’m going to do til January, but I’m thinking of posting a few high school history lesson plans based on Kanye rants. What do you think?

Friday

I remember my middle school history teacher, Mr. Christler playing Whoomp There It Is every Friday after every class.

This dude had two large speakers mounted in his classroom and you could hear that music from across the yard. As I sit here in Starbucks, doing homework dreaming of life as a teacher, I have decided to carry on the tradition. I think my Friday theme song will be Suavemente by Elvis Crespo.

my 9 year old tween daughter

This is a random post about my baby girl who this summer became a tween.

My mild-mannered, easy going, super chill Selah Bear has become emotionally unstable. Never mind the fact that we spent the summer saying goodbye to our friends, awesome neighborhood, packing and moving to a new city in the suburbs of Chicago. Now my daughter says things like…

“I feel like you’re my sister, not my mom.”

“I like this boy at school.”

“I need alone time.”

Usually, when I’d raise my voice she’d stand there stone-faced, now her eyes well up with tears and I find myself apologizing instead! She runs away from confrontation, rolls her eyes and pretends she doesn’t hear me.

Where did my baby go? But for all the changes, we are closer now than ever. And yes, she is like a little sister. I speak frankly with her, swivel my neck and talk to her like one of my homegirls. I see her smile and her eyes sparkle when I’m my silly self, and she says things like…

“Mommy you’re so beautiful.”

“You look like a teenager, not my mom.”

“You should be a chef and open your own restaurant.”

This blesses my heart and makes me want to cry. But I hold it together and squeeze her tight, grateful for these tween years.