The Ivory Key

By Akshaya Raman

372 pages

Hardback

YA Fantasy 

Owlcrate 

It's a beautiful book, and it was a good read. 

I'm kind of annoyed that it's not a stand alone novel.

Map! I do love a map. 

First page. The book rotates through the POVs of the 4 siblings. 

the inside of the cover includes art of the main characters 

pretty detail on the front lid

Signed first edition 

author letter

author info 

I don't think I'll keep it - it's destined either for a student or for my classroom library. I did enjoy it - I just don't think I care enough to hang onto it until the next one is out. 

The Circle

By Dave Eggers

My child was assigned this book in English class and was not feeling it. So she put it on my work desk and said: "Read this"

Thanks? 

It's a tech dystopia. 

I didn't like the main character. Neither did my child or her classmates. I don't think you're supposed to. 

It was fine. I was interested to finish reading it, but it also held no real surprises for me. 

I've been there!

This is very 1984. 

Honestly the whole thing reminded me of an updated 1984. Was that on purpose? Maybe.

It wasn't a terrible book. I'm not like mad that I read it or anything. I think maybe that people who grew up without the internet might read it in a different way than people who grew up on the internet. 

Silver in the Bone

By Alexandra Bracken 

467 pages

YA Fantasy 

Hardback

Owlcrate first edition 

It's a take on Arthurian Legend.

I did enjoy it. I didn't expect all of the plot twists, which is always nice. 

Not sure I care enough to get the second book, though. 

This book is gorgeous, though. And the pages made very satisfying noises as the gilt edging separated. 

author info

She also wrote Lore, which I enjoyed well enough. 

author letter

Witness the prettiness: