🌸 May Reviews 💐
May 1st-31st
In May, I read 9 books with 1985 pages. It has been a busy month of writing, watching more tv than usual, and reading a good amount of fanfiction. I did not read what I had planned for this month for books, but that is okay. My new favorite book was The Lost Books of the Odyssey by Zachary Mason
Hope everyone enjoyed what they read this month! Happy Reading.
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Book 70: Natalie Haynes Stands Up For the Classics: Further Comical Tales From Ancient Greece and Rome, Series 9-11
By Natalie Haynes
Read April 30th-May 2nd
Listening Time: 8 hrs 17 mins
Release Year: 2025
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Another great addition to this series. I love Natalie Haynes' sense of humor so much and I highly enjoyed her stand up for these classical figures and Greek/Roman gods and characters. My particular favorites from Series 9-11 were Martial, Athene, Livia, and Aphrodite. After every one of these I always find even more works to pick up. I want to read Martial's epigrams which sound hilarious.
Book 71: The Lost Books of the Odyssey
By Zachary Mason
Read May 3rd
Pages: 240
Release Year: 2007
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Many of the chapters are told in Odysseus's voice and others are in various characters' perspectives. We get chapters from Polyphemus, Achilles, etc. Such an interesting way of taking such a well known story. Along with stories dealing with the Iliad and the Odyssey, there are also ones from other Greek Mythology stories such as the Minotaur and Theseus. My favorites were probably the one dealing with Polyphemus, the one with Odysseus fabricating his own story, and the one with Theseus.
I absolutely adored this book and will definitely be picking up more of Zachary Mason's works. Greek Mythology is one of my favorite topics and I'm always looking for original takes.
Book 72: The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia: An Illustrated Novel
By Leia Ham
Read May 3rd- 4th
Pages: 320
Release Year: 2026
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The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is about a young girl named Sparrow who is starting her first year at Zenith Academy for Magical Development. Zenith is a school where the students learn how to strengthen their magical abilities. In Sparrow's world, children are the ones with magic and will eventually lose their abilities by adulthood. It's important for them to make the most of their magic while they still have it and find a place in their world without it.
Sparrow has been living in the shadow of her more talented older brother, Ainsley, for her entire life and she hopes to be able master her fire mage abilities. One of her motivations is to make those around her proud and prove herself to them. While, she works hard at the academy a strange illness starts affecting the other students, which is draining their magic from them. Sparrow works with her friends to try and find out what is going on and who is causing this to occur.
Leia Ham has created a great book for middle grade readers and those like me who still like to read this age range. I was originally drawn to Sparrow's story because of Leia's stunning illustrations. She is one of the artists I follow on Instagram. Each page in this stunning book is illustrated and they all look absolutely beautiful. I cannot wait to see what a finished copy of this book will look like.
Sparrow's story is one I relate to. I had to work very hard in school when I was in elementary and middle school to keep my grades higher. Like Sparrow, I always wanted to make my parents proud of me and in my mind that was getting the best grades I could. She never feels like she is good enough and I know there are plenty of people who can relate to her. It was a joy to watch her grow throughout the novel.
Along with Sparrow, I highly enjoyed following all of the friends she made at Zenith including: Lyndon, Orla, Camellia, etc. There are so many strong characters in this book which make it even more enjoyable. I loved watching their characters develop over the course of the story and I look forward to seeing more of their adventures in future books.
One of my absolute favorite characters from the story was definitely the raven, Sahir. I'll always be a sucker for a talking animal in a story and he was great. He was such an endearing character and I loved the nickname he had for Sparrow, "bird-child," so cute!
Sparrow has been living in the shadow of her more talented older brother, Ainsley, for her entire life and she hopes to be able master her fire mage abilities. One of her motivations is to make those around her proud and prove herself to them. While, she works hard at the academy a strange illness starts affecting the other students, which is draining their magic from them. Sparrow works with her friends to try and find out what is going on and who is causing this to occur.
Leia Ham has created a great book for middle grade readers and those like me who still like to read this age range. I was originally drawn to Sparrow's story because of Leia's stunning illustrations. She is one of the artists I follow on Instagram. Each page in this stunning book is illustrated and they all look absolutely beautiful. I cannot wait to see what a finished copy of this book will look like.
Sparrow's story is one I relate to. I had to work very hard in school when I was in elementary and middle school to keep my grades higher. Like Sparrow, I always wanted to make my parents proud of me and in my mind that was getting the best grades I could. She never feels like she is good enough and I know there are plenty of people who can relate to her. It was a joy to watch her grow throughout the novel.
Along with Sparrow, I highly enjoyed following all of the friends she made at Zenith including: Lyndon, Orla, Camellia, etc. There are so many strong characters in this book which make it even more enjoyable. I loved watching their characters develop over the course of the story and I look forward to seeing more of their adventures in future books.
One of my absolute favorite characters from the story was definitely the raven, Sahir. I'll always be a sucker for a talking animal in a story and he was great. He was such an endearing character and I loved the nickname he had for Sparrow, "bird-child," so cute!
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is a wonderful middle grade fantasy story which has a lot of heart, humor, and a story that will draw you in. The characters are relatable and the world-building is interesting. I believe middle grade readers will love this story and I'm sure there are plenty of older readers who would love Sparrow's story too. Cannot wait for more adventures in this world and to add this one to my collection.
*Thank you to Edelweiss, the publisher, and Leia Haim for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
*Thank you to Edelweiss, the publisher, and Leia Haim for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Book 73: Alice's Guide to Wonderland
By Eric Geron
Read May 4th-5th
Pages: 192
Release Year: 2026
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A fun look at the world of Wonderland from the 1951 Disney movie Alice in Wonderland which is based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I have been a fan of stories focusing on Wonderland ever since I was a child and am glad I was able to read an ARC of this book.
It is told from Alice's perspective after multiple journeys down the rabbit hole. She gives the reader a tour of Wonderland along with information about the world such as the talking flowers, how to act at an Unbirthday party, the residents of Wonderland, and so many other pieces of lore. Along with Alice's guide, there are marginal notes from the Wonderland characters. The Cheshire Cat follows Alice through the entire book, while the other characters pop in at various points.
This is a perfect book to read for children first getting into this world and for long time fans, especially for the 75th anniversary of the movie. It is a cute interactive guide with beautiful full color illustrations. I know I would have adored this book as a child when I first got into Wonderland.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
It is told from Alice's perspective after multiple journeys down the rabbit hole. She gives the reader a tour of Wonderland along with information about the world such as the talking flowers, how to act at an Unbirthday party, the residents of Wonderland, and so many other pieces of lore. Along with Alice's guide, there are marginal notes from the Wonderland characters. The Cheshire Cat follows Alice through the entire book, while the other characters pop in at various points.
This is a perfect book to read for children first getting into this world and for long time fans, especially for the 75th anniversary of the movie. It is a cute interactive guide with beautiful full color illustrations. I know I would have adored this book as a child when I first got into Wonderland.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Book 74: Punderworld Volume 1
(Punderworld #1)
By Linda Šejić
Read May 5th
Pages: 176
Release Year: 2019
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May 5th, 2026 Reread:
I highly enjoyed returning to this first volume before picking up the sequel. Linda Šejić's artwork is absolutely stunning and her characterizations of the Greek Gods are creative. I particularly love her take on Hades, Persephone, Charon, and Hermes. The style of the artwork fits so well with this story and I look forward to seeing what else Linda will do with this world.
January 23rd-25th, 2022 Review:
This was a great retelling of Hades and Persephone with beautiful artwork. I really enjoyed the characterization of Hades in this one and of Persephone and am very interested to see where it goes from here.
I highly enjoyed returning to this first volume before picking up the sequel. Linda Šejić's artwork is absolutely stunning and her characterizations of the Greek Gods are creative. I particularly love her take on Hades, Persephone, Charon, and Hermes. The style of the artwork fits so well with this story and I look forward to seeing what else Linda will do with this world.
January 23rd-25th, 2022 Review:
This was a great retelling of Hades and Persephone with beautiful artwork. I really enjoyed the characterization of Hades in this one and of Persephone and am very interested to see where it goes from here.
Book 75: Punderworld Volume 2
(Punderworld #2)
By Linda Šejić
Read May 6th
Pages: 184
Release Year: 2025
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The character designs are perfect, especially Hecate and Hestia. Loved their depictions here. Hecate is one of my favorite characters from mythology and I enjoy seeing the ways various authors and artist decide to take her character.
Book 76: Follow This Thread:
A Maze Book to Get Lost In
By Henry Eliot
Read May 8th
Pages: 240
Release Year: 2018
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One of the most unique books I have ever read and I highly recommend it to fans of mazes and labyrinths. This book is quite literally a maze book. You follow the red thread throughout the book as Theseus followed the thread throughout the Labyrinth. Also, you move the book along with it and the words. Many of the pages are upside-down or sideways.
The book's prose goes between talking about mazes from literature and history. The framing device is the Greek myth about Theseus and the Minotaur. Henry Eliot weaves the story throughout the entire book and scatters in various information about the other stories and historical people. It was an intriguing way of relaying the information.
The red thread creates illustrations such as various different mazes and creatures like the Minotaur. If you like an interactive read that will literally have you turning the book upside-down, you should check out Follow this Thread. 
Such a beautiful and heartbreaking book.
The book's prose goes between talking about mazes from literature and history. The framing device is the Greek myth about Theseus and the Minotaur. Henry Eliot weaves the story throughout the entire book and scatters in various information about the other stories and historical people. It was an intriguing way of relaying the information.
The red thread creates illustrations such as various different mazes and creatures like the Minotaur. If you like an interactive read that will literally have you turning the book upside-down, you should check out Follow this Thread.
Book 77: Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler (Lily Tripp Diaries, 1)
By Amelia Tait
Read May 11th-12th
Pages: 368
Release Year: 2026
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I would have adored this book in middle school so much. It has two of my biggest loves time travel and an epistolary format. Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler felt like middle grade version of The Princess Diaries crossed with Oona Out of Order. I listened to the audiobook while following along with the ebook copy. Kerry Gilbert's narration was perfect for Lily's voice.
It was an interesting story with characters I enjoyed seeing different versions of throughout time. I thought the premise was very interesting in this book, especially the way Amelia Tait decided to take the time traveling. This is supposed to be the start of a series and I know I will check out further adventures with Lily.
Highly recommend for middle grade readers.
*Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and Amelia Tait for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
It was an interesting story with characters I enjoyed seeing different versions of throughout time. I thought the premise was very interesting in this book, especially the way Amelia Tait decided to take the time traveling. This is supposed to be the start of a series and I know I will check out further adventures with Lily.
Highly recommend for middle grade readers.
*Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and Amelia Tait for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Book 78: Finding Chika: A Little Girl,
an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family
By Mitch Albom
Read May 25th-30th
Pages: 256
Release Year: 2019
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