“Spitting gold” Carmella Lowkis

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Atria Books (Simon & Schuster). To be published May 14, 2024.

It was April of 1866 and, for the past two years, Sylvie thought her former life as a medium was behind her. She and her sister Charlotte had earned their living pretending to banish or raise ghosts for money, learning everything from their parents. After a con gone wrong cost them their business and almost landed them in prison, she married a rich older man who took her away from her drunken, abusive father and the life of poverty she’d led. Though she felt guilty about leaving Charlotte, she needed to save herself and agreed to his request that she leave the life of a medium behind her forever.

One rainy day Charlotte surprised her by showing up at her home begging for help as their father was dying, there was no money, and she needed Sylvie. A rich family was eager to dispel a ghost who had been haunting them and, if successful, the payout would help Charlotte and her father. Sylvie knew what her husband had forbidden her to do but her love for Charlotte overcame her reluctance. Unfortunately, she’d soon find out that ghosts, as well as the living, can be revengeful. The peaceful life she’d led for the past two years was about to forever change.

I LOVED this book! I voraciously read it from cover to cover, eager to see what would next befall the sisters. The author’s research into life in 1866 France for the rich and those living on the outskirts of acceptable society was eye-opening.

Highly recommended for Adults.

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

“The moonlit vine” Elizabeth Santiago

Rated 5 stars ***** Tu Books (Lee & Low Books). 2023. 360 p. (Includes “Author’s note,” “Anacaona and Caonabo ancestry,” “Key moments in Puerto Rican history,” “Inspiring Boriqueños,” and “References.”)

The native Arawak lived in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica, before Columbus and his conquistadores arrived. There are several theories on how they became known as Taíno including that they shouted “tayno,” meaning “good people,” to an incoming Spanish ship. Over the next 25 years their population was severely decimated through disease, massacre, and slavery, reducing their numbers from millions to 32,000 by the year 1514. It had been thought the Taíno were extinct, but a 2018 National Geographic article explained they assimilated and aren’t extinct because their DNA is found in living people – including yours truly.

Knowing this background information made “The moonlit vine” especially interesting as I read about fourteen-year-old Taína’s quest to defend herself and her family from injustices in their neighborhood and schools. Taína comes from a long line of proud Taíno women, direct descendants of Anacaona, a powerful leader murdered by Spaniards soon after Columbus’ arrival on Haiti. Anacaona gave an amulet and zemi to her daughter for protection, with instructions for them to be passed on through time to women in her family who would remember the knowledge of their proud past as their future power.

Over the centuries these precious artifacts and memories of their heritage were passed on until Taína received them from her grandmother. Though fearful at first, she soon learned of the powerful strength of her ancestors in a life-or-death situation.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Taína’s story, as well as historical chapters of women who came after Anacaona, kept me riveted.

Highly recommended for ages 14 and older.

The night war” Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Rated 5 stars ARC. Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House). To be published April 9, 2024. 281 p. (Includes “Author’s note.”)

Miriam and her parents lived in Germany until forced to flee to Paris after Kristallnacht when she was eight years old. After living in cramped quarters for four years, food supplies were dwindling, and her father was forced to go into hiding. Soon afterwards she was separated from her mother when the French police rounded up everyone and sent them to the Velodrome d’Hiver for deportation. During the confusion Miriam’s neighbor urged her to save her two-year-old daughter Nora and flee to Switzerland. Unsure of what to do, Miriam took Nora and tried to mingle with the onlookers. After being spotted by a German soldier, they were rescued by a young nun.

In time, Miriam was sent to a convent school and separated from Nora. To survive she needed to forget her Jewishness, but her failure to protect Nora and escape to Switzerland haunted her waking moments. After Sister Dominique took her to visit the nearby castle of Chenonceau, things changed when she became involved in the Resistance and met the ghost of Catherine de Medici.

With the addition of a ghost, young readers learn about France’s history as well as its role in World War II.

Recommended for ages 11-14.

“Dead girls walking” Sami Ellis

Rated 3 stars *** ARC. Amulet Books (ABRAMS). 362 p. To be published March 26, 2024.

Temple grew up with a serial killer father and a mother who disappeared after she heard her screaming. He taught her to play baseball and climb trees but would never tell her what happened to her mother. He taught her what a dead body looks and smells like, and what the symbols looked like that he carved deep into the bones of his victims. She spent years half starved, living in a leaf filled tub in a filthy home, listening to the screams of those he murdered. At the age of twelve, she called the police, and he was sent to prison while she spent years coping with the infamy of being his daughter.

On a recent prison trip her father convinced her he’d killed her mother and buried her at their former home. Since the woods where she’d lived were not accessible Temple volunteered to be a camp counselor for LGBTQIA+ African American girls obsessed with horror. The horror camp was in the woods near her former home, where she was sure she’d find her mother’s body and satisfy the wound in her soul.

Instead, Temple found herself involved in a ritual of death that resulted in the murder of more people than her father had killed. The murderer is still busy killing new victims since the horror camp offers it new blood. It’s up to Temple to stop its murder spree, but time is running out for her and the rest of the girls.

I had never read a book like this as it seemed to be filled with every trope available for the horror genre including spooky woods, rundown homes, serial killers, ghosts, zombie-like bodies, blood, gore, and more. If horror is your thing, “Dead girls walking” is right up your alley. Since it’s not my thing I’ll stay alive and keep walking.

Recommended for horror fans aged 16 and older.

“The daughters of Block Island” Christa Carmen

Rated 5 stars ***** ebook. Thomas & Mercer. Published 2023.

Blake had grown up in an orphanage, and felt abandoned, so used drugs and alcohol to forget her past. It wasn’t until she was an adult that she was able to trace her mother to Block Island. Though she had been struggling to stay sober for years, she was determined to find her mother. Blake headed to the island where she booked herself into White Hall, an ancient mansion with a history of murder and intrigue which was also a B&B. That night she was haunted by a long-dead relative of the owners and, as the days passed with more hauntings, Blake was terrified. Despite the ghost, constant rain, and gloomy atmosphere, she had leads on her past from a friendly local. She didn’t know her time on the island would be cut shorter than she had planned.

Talia had grown up on Block Island and left many years ago. She and her mother had a toxic relationship and she found island life stifling. One day she received a letter from someone who claimed to be her sister, found dead on Block Island after mailing it. Despite misgivings, Talia was anxious to talk to her mother and find out about this sister. After booking herself into White Hall, Talia soon found out its ancient secrets were tied in with very modern ones. Someone didn’t want her finding out about them and, if she wasn’t careful, there would be another body in the B&B.

The more I read the more I couldn’t put it down, reading in one sitting until 2:30 A.M. to find out what was going to happen. Though it was night, and the book was getting creepy, the suspense was killing me. I couldn’t sleep until the mystery was solved. The author did a great job hiding the murderer’s identity, throwing in red herrings to keep readers off the track. Well done, Christa!

Highly recommended for Adults.

“The cursed moon” Angela Cervantes

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Scholastic Press. 211 p. Published September 5, 2023.

Rafe and his younger sister Brianna live with their grandparents because their mother is in jail. One night his eccentric neighbor warns him against telling scary stories during a blood moon. Rafe loves writing and telling scary stories but disregards the warning and regales his friend with a story about a girl who convinces a boy to jump into a pond to get her notebook. The boy disappears, and she warns his friend that the Caretaker is coming to get him too.

Soon after telling his story Rafe starts to see ghosts and learns the Caretaker has always made an appearance during a blood moon when someone told a scary story. Each time he came, a child disappeared. Rafe is frightened because he has begun to receive warnings that the Caretaker is coming. He need to protect Brianna but will first have to figure out how to stop the Caretaker.

This book will hook young, reluctant male readers as they eagerly turn the pages to see if the Caretaker will come for Rafe. Be sure not to read this at night, and keep your lights on…

Recommended for ages 11-15.

“One summer in Savannah” Terah Shelton Harris

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Sourcebooks Landmark (Sourcebooks). To be published July 4, 2023.

Sara was almost 18 years old when she was raped. It seemed as if no one believed her, but David testified against his twin brother and Daniel was sent to prison. When Sara found out she was pregnant she fled, fearful Daniel’s mother would take away her child. She spent eight peaceful years in Maine as beautiful Alana grew older but was devastated when she learned her father had a heart attack. She knew she had to go home but was determined to keep Alana’s parentage secret and leave town as soon as possible.

Years earlier David left Savannah, changed his name to Jacob, and tried to forget the devastation that had befallen his family after his little sister died and Daniel was sent to prison. His mother insisted on Daniel’s innocence and blamed him for ruining the family because his father committed suicide after the trial. After years of running, he decided to return home to stitch together the only family he had left.

When Jacob accidentally met Alana, he was astonished because she looked exactly like his dead sister. Though Sara was reluctant for him to spend time with her she allowed him to do so if he promised not to tell Daniel or his mother of her existence. As time passed, they grew to trust one another as each wrestled with how to forgive the people who’d hurt them the most.

The author says her goal was to “challenge readers on the definition of forgiveness and what it truly means to forgive.” Based on that goal it’s up to readers to decide if Sara and Jacob took the correct path, or if should they have taken a different one.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“The Reformatory” Tananarive Due

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Saga Press (Simon & Schuster). To be published October 31, 2023.

In 1950 Gracetown Florida twelve-year-old Robert Stephens could sense his mama’s spirit, but his older sister dismissed this as nonsense. They were alone after their mama died and their father was run out of town for trying to help Black men strike. Robert knew he was supposed to be careful around the Whites who were angry about his father, but his temper took over when one disrespected his sister. Since he kicked a White boy, Robert was sentenced to the Gracetown School for Boys for 6 months. There he and other boys would endure horrific beatings and slavery work in the fields and could face being locked up for days without food, water or light, as well as other abuses from the Superintendent and his men.

Robert found it hard to be in the presence of the ghosts of boys who’d been murdered there, but one wouldn’t leave him alone. Robert could help him get revenge on the Superintendent but, if he got caught, he would end up in the cemetery with all the other boys who had never made it home. Robert just wanted to make it home to his sister, but to do so he would have to appease the ghost.

Based on true horrors at Florida’s Dozier School for Boys, Due dedicates the book to Robert Stephens, her great-uncle who died there in 1937 when he was fifteen years old. “The Reformatory” is gripping and kept me on the edge of my seat. I looked up information on this school after reading Colson Whitehead’s “The Nickel Boys” in 2020. I still find it reprehensible that it was allowed to stay open for 111 years, despite numerous deaths, complaints and violations over the years.

Though the Florida legislature apologized in 2017 for atrocities committed at the school, it has not made any financial reparations to the hundreds of boys (now men) who still feel the pain of their incarcerations. It’s time for Florida to do the right thing for those who grew into manhood with the chains of Dozier still hanging around their necks.

Highly recommended for ages 18 and older.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“The wind knows my name” Isabel Allende

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Ballantine Books (Random House). To be published June 6, 2023.

In 2019 a police officer in El Salvador shot Marisol, who fled with her seven-year-old, blind daughter Anita knowing he would kill her if she stayed. After a difficult trip to the United States, she and Anita were forcibly separated at the border, and she was deported. Selena, a Latina social worker, took a personal interest in Anita. Though she had been trying for years to reunite separated children it had proven difficult because the U.S. didn’t keep good records of where children were sent. She was determined to find Anita’s mother.

In 1938 six-year-old Samuel was a violin prodigy in Vienna, but everything changed on Kristallnacht, The Night of Broken Glass. That night his father was beaten and sent to a concentration camp, and his mother put him on a kindertransport to England thinking it would be a short separation. A few years later Samuel found out his parents, grandmother and aunt had all been murdered in the concentration camps. As the years passed music was the only thing that kept him going. The day he met Anita, everything changed.

Anita, Samuel, Selena, and others tell their interwoven stories which recount how separation from their parents affects children, but also splices in the poverty and murders migrants are forced to flee on their desperate journeys to the United States. “The wind knows my name” educates, saddens, but also gives hope.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Echoes of Grace” Guadalupe García McCall

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebooks. Tu Books (Lee & Low). Published August 16, 2022. (Includes “Resources” for abuse against women).

Grace’s older sister Mercy blames her for the death of her young son who was hit by a car while on her watch. Ever since their mother was murdered when they were little girls she and Mercy had been close but, with Alexander’s death, there is now a chasm between them. She blames herself for not being more attentive, as echo-type memories often take her somewhere into the past. These echoes are a gift she inherited from her mother, but their appearances are usually unplanned and unwanted.

Three years earlier, in 2008, Grace was living with her maternal grandmother after running away to Mexico. There she dealt with unwelcome advances from a local, determined to get her to notice him despite her repeated rebuffs. Her echoes are filled with the tortures he put her through, as well as memories of her grandmother beating her and, ultimately, throwing her out of the house.

Between 2008 and 2011, echoes are interwoven as Grace tries to make sense of them. Though her mother’s untimely death seems to tie everything together, it will take a special kind of love for Grace to get the acceptance and help she needs to find out what really happened to her mother.

The back and forth narrative is a natural part of Grace’s story, as she needed to find out where she was going, but couldn’t do so until she knew from where she had come. The lessons she learned from her past will make her future even better.

I predict “Echoes of Grace” is going to be the Young Adult winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré award. You heard it here first!

Highly recommended for ages 16 and older.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.