The Prairies Book Review

14/08/2024

A fascinating, compelling tribute to a pivotal figure in children's literature… Nikola-Lisa explores the life and work of renowned children's author Ezra Jack Keats in his comprehensive collection of essays, delving into Keats' personal background, artistic achievements, and the themes that lie at the heart of his stories. Beginning with a biographical overview, Nikola-Lisa paints a vivid picture of Keats' childhood as Jacob Ezra Katz in Brooklyn and how his experiences shaped his writing....

A fascinating, compelling tribute to a pivotal figure in children’s literature… Nikola-Lisa explores the life and work of renowned children’s author Ezra Jack Keats in his comprehensive…

14/08/2024

A raw and heart-wrenching tale of resilience, belonging, and the power of community. Schmitt delves into the depths of grief, resilience, and belonging in her latest novel, taking readers on an adolescent’s journey to finding her place in the world. At sixteen, Hildie Vasquez’s life unravels when her cruel uncle abandons her on the streets of Vancouver. Turning to a group of young squatters in a dangerous neighborhood, she faces a new nightmare when a friend is murdered and she is wrongly accused....

A raw and heart-wrenching tale of resilience, belonging, and the power of community. Schmitt delves into the depths of grief, resilience, and belonging in her latest novel, taking readers on an ado…

08/08/2024

A powerful, thought-provoking exploration of the human condition in a climate-affected world… In the final installment of his cli-fi trilogy, Brennan seamlessly combines a cautionary tale with an inspiring vision of human potential. The story is set a century in the future, where the world has been radically transformed by the devastating effects of climate change. In this reality, resources are scarce, and societal structures have crumbled....

A powerful, thought-provoking exploration of the human condition in a climate-affected world… In the final installment of her cli-fi trilogy, Brennan seamlessly combines a cautionary tale with an i…

08/08/2024

Exciting, deeply intriguing, and full of heart… Norman's latest fantasy invites readers to Abhaile, a world shaped by ancient forces and the ongoing struggle between light and dark. Trapped in a purposeless life, Troy is mysteriously transported to a realm of magic and mystery. He must learn to trust his enigmatic companion, Kieran, a solitary Guardian, as they navigate this strange world....

Exciting, deeply intriguing, and full of heart… Norman’s latest fantasy invites readers to Abhaile, a world shaped by ancient forces and the ongoing struggle between light and dark. Trapped i…

08/08/2024

A gripping, propulsive YA urban fantasy… Torrellas’ second installment in the Howl series is an enthralling tale that seamlessly blends heart-stopping action, passionate romance, and supernatural enigma. Defying their pack’s inaction, Xayden and his mate, Sierra, take justice into their own hands. With a ragtag group of allies, they confront a powerful enemy. However, when a risky plan fails, they face a devastating loss....

A gripping, propulsive YA urban fantasy… Torrellas’ second installment in the Howl series is an enthralling tale that seamlessly blends heart-stopping action, passionate romance, and supernatural e…

08/08/2024

Brilliantly subtle and fun… Write’s latest installment in The Little Ruth series is an excellent blend of engaging narrative and valuable life lessons. A chaotic scene unfolds when Abby and Annie, Little Ruth's younger siblings, rummage through her cherished book bag without her consent. As Ruth stumbles upon the aftermath, she is consumed with frustration and fury. Will their mother’s special "discussion ball" solve the issue?...

Brilliantly subtle and fun… Write’s latest installment in The Little Ruth series is an excellent blend of engaging narrative and valuable life lessons. A chaotic scene unfolds when Abby and Annie, …

05/08/2024

An endearing tale of bravery, learning, tenacity, and environmental preservation… Tailored perfectly for young environmentalists, Seuchan’s picture book is an eye-opening adventure that sparks activism. In the mystical Caroni Swamp, home to the majestic Scarlet Ibis, a looming threat lurks. The largest mangrove wetland in Trinidad and Tobago is facing destruction as human settlements pollute its waters with reckless abandon. Only Sarah, with her dazzling scarlet feathers and unwavering determination, can rally her comrades and save their precious home....

An endearing tale of bravery, learning, tenacity, and environmental preservation… Tailored perfectly for young environmentalists, Seuchan’s picture book is an eye-opening adventure that sparks acti…

03/08/2024

A page-turning story of hope and renewal… Sullivan’s series-kicker in The Three Coins series is a delightful escape into a world where friendships are forged, hearts are mended, and the magic of a beautiful setting can inspire change. Four years after their fateful meeting at the Trevi Fountain, Emma now runs an inn in Todi while Annarita teaches cooking nearby. A new group of guests arrives, each with their own struggles: ambitious Madison, grieving Heike, disillusioned Chris, and desperate Grace....

A page-turning story of hope and renewal… Sullivan’s series-kicker in The Three Coins series is a delightful escape into a world where friendships are forged, hearts are mended, and the magic of a …

03/08/2024

An intriguing blend of emotional depth and excitement. Lieber’s latest novel is a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure. Lady Melody Piobaire, devastated to find her first love doesn’t remember her or know she’s human, plans to win him back despite being promised to the sidhe king. Meanwhile, Aodh, the Goblin King, tricked into marriage by a human, is unsettled by Melody’s confidence and charm....

An intriguing blend of emotional depth and excitement. Lieber’s latest novel is a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure. Lady Melody Piobaire, devastated to find her first love doesn…

02/08/2024

A beautifully crafted story that offers a rich exploration of the human spirit's capacity to endure... Shumway’s latest novel is a compelling and unforgettable journey through broken trust, the intensity of first love, and the challenge of believing in the extraordinary, taking readers on a young woman’s path to self-discovery and fulfillment. Witnessing the brutal murder of her loved ones, twenty-two-year-old Joaquina Souza struggles to trust anyone....

A beautifully crafted story that offers a rich exploration of the human spirit’s capacity to endure… Shumway’s latest novel is a compelling and unforgettable journey through broken trus…

02/08/2024

A remarkable tale that transcends genres with its seamless blend of science fiction, fantasy, psychology, spirituality, and dreams; a triumph. Set on the intricate world of Tarnus, a mythical planet orbiting Zeta Tucanae, 27 light-years from Earth, Paxson’s latest novel sweeps readers in a whirlwind of wonder and chaos. The novel's central narrative, “Descending Road,” explores the existential dilemmas faced by both humans and bioandroids in the midst of rebellion, madness, alien invasion, and tragedy....

A remarkable tale that transcends genres with its seamless blend of science fiction, fantasy, psychology, spirituality, and dreams; a triumph. Set on the intricate world of Tarnus, a mythical plane…

30/07/2024

Un-put-downable… With newfound magic and wealth at her disposal, a young woman sets off on a journey of self-discovery in Marshall’s enthralling The Ember Files series. In the first book, Kori Ember dives into a war-torn world to save her sister Alivia and the Spellbinders. An unexpected attraction to Belamey Adelgrief, the son of her enemy, complicates her mission, transforming it into a battle that alters her fate....

Un-put-downable… With newfound magic and wealth at her disposal, a young woman sets off on a journey of self-discovery in Marshall’s enthralling The Ember Files series. In the first book, Kori Embe…

29/07/2024

Taut, tense, and suspenseful… A fun romp through and through. Set in a retro-futuristic 1935 San Francisco, MacArthur’s second installment in the Lou Tanner Mystery series plunges the hard-boiled investigator into a labyrinth of murder and intrigue. Amidst the diesel-fueled chaos of a city on the brink of war, Lady Detective Lou Tanner finds herself entangled in a web of murder and conspiracy....

Taut, tense, and suspenseful… A fun romp through and through. Set in a retro-futuristic 1935 San Francisco, MacArthur’s second installment in the Lou Tanner Mystery series plunges the hard-boiled i…

29/07/2024

Reflective, insightful, and delightfully readable… Howell captures the magic of childhood wonder with a sibling pair’s adventure of catching fireflies and salamanders in her endearing picture book. The story follows Lilly and Leo as they eagerly collect their finds in jars, but it takes a thoughtful turn when Grandma imparts a lesson on respecting nature. Howell’s writing, crafted with young readers in mind, masterfully intertwines enjoyment with crucial lessons on environmental care....

Reflective, insightful, and delightfully readable… Howell captures the magic of childhood wonder with a sibling pair’s adventure of catching fireflies and salamanders in her endearing picture …

25/07/2024

A poignant exploration of the human experience… Set against a turbulent period in history, Lowther's engrossing historical novel follows a soldier grappling with the psychological scars of battle. The war was a nightmare that George and Esther could never fully escape. George fought the enemy and his own demons on the front lines, while working with the Resistance nearly cost him everything....

A poignant exploration of the human experience… Set against a turbulent period in history, Lowther’s engrossing historical novel follows a soldier grappling with the psychological scars of b…

23/07/2024

Delightful, fun, and heartwarming… A joy to read. A charming and unique crocodile yearns for something more than the typical crocodile life in Altamirano’s delightful picture book. Despite his sharp teeth and green scales, Cody is an anomaly among his fellow crocodiles who prefer the simple pleasures of floating and sunbathing. Instead, he yearns for something greater—a life filled with music....

Delightful, fun, and heartwarming… A joy to read. A charming and unique crocodile yearns for something more than the typical crocodile life in Altamirano’s delightful picture book. Despite his shar…

22/07/2024

A literary triumph that confronts the age-old inquiries into the essence and significance of life. Acclaimed glaciologist and climate scientist, Golledge, presents a remarkable synthesis of scientific inquiry and poetic reflection in his latest book, offering a comprehensive yet accessible analysis of Earth's evolution. The narrative begins with a vivid portrayal of the planet’s tumultuous origins, characterized by extreme heat and relentless celestial bombardment....

A literary triumph that confronts the age-old inquiries into the essence and significance of life. Acclaimed glaciologist and climate scientist, Golledge, presents a remarkable synthesis of scienti…

22/07/2024

An engaging, propulsive read, loaded with surprising twists; an absolute stunner. Nikolich delivers a raw and unflinching exploration of war's brutality and absurdity in his latest novel. In the midst of the tumultuous 1960s, American soldier Eddie Profar's life is forever altered when he uncovers a dangerous secret at the Korean DMZ. His path soon crosses with that of a captivating brothel courtesan with a tragic past, and together they are plunged into a treacherous confrontation with Communist North Korea....

An engaging, propulsive read, loaded with surprising twists; an absolute stunner. Nikolich delivers a raw and unflinching exploration of war’s brutality and absurdity in his latest novel. In …

19/07/2024

A perfect thrill ride... A student podcaster sets out to uncover the truth and get justice for a murdered classmate in Ori's gripping new mystery. The university's hushed whispers and the police's heavy-handed tactics only fuels CJ Jennings' desire to make a difference with their college podcast. When a cry for help from a scared child reveals a web of secrets and scandals, CJ faces off against an unyielding adversary - an institution protecting its image....

A perfect thrill ride… A student podcaster sets out to uncover the truth and get justice for a murdered classmate in Ori’s gripping new mystery. The university’s hushed whispers …

19/07/2024

A clever, witty, and thought-provoking exploration of mental health, relationships, and the human experience; impossible to put down. Kapuchinski delves into the intricacies of mental health and treatment, exploring the struggles and triumphs of both patients and healthcare providers in his engrossing novel. At the heart of the narrative is Jack Rackham, MD, a troubled psychiatrist grappling with his own personal issues while caring for his patients....

A clever, witty, and thought-provoking exploration of mental health, relationships, and the human experience; impossible to put down. Kapuchinski delves into the intricacies of mental health and tr…

17/07/2024

Funny, fast-paced, and magical; a page-turner. Laced with wit, ironic banter, and triumphant moral lessons, Wright’s third installment in The Adventures of Toby Baxter series takes readers on Toby Baxter’s fantastical journey as he navigates the duties of wisdom, goodness, and heroism. For Toby, a thirteen-year-old on an exhausting eight-hour flight, nothing could be worse than being stuck in the middle seat and having to read Of Mice and Men on his supposed vacation....

Funny, fast-paced, and magical; a page-turner. Laced with wit, ironic banter, and triumphant moral lessons, Wright’s third installment in The Adventures of Toby Baxter series takes readers on Toby …

16/07/2024

A taut, page-turning mystery with a compelling cast… In their next installment in the Yoga Mat Mysteries series, authors Susan Rogers and John Roosen deftly craft a captivating and multi-faceted depiction of Australia and Tasmania, providing a stunning backdrop for the gripping drama that unfolds. Ric Peters and Elaina Williams seek a fresh start in Tasmania, but find themselves trapped on Devil's Island....

A taut, page-turning mystery with a compelling cast… In their next installment in the Yoga Mat Mysteries series, authors Susan Rogers and John Roosen deftly craft a captivating and multi-faceted de…

12/07/2024

A twisting supernatural thriller…

A pragmatic detective and the enigmatic psychic team up to solve a murder investigation in Vargas’s intriguing novel. Renowned detective, Castiel Chavez, is on the hunt for a mysterious author whose published novel seems to mirror an unsolved case. But this author, Achaia Imala, has a special....

A twisting supernatural thriller… A pragmatic detective and the enigmatic psychic team up to solve a murder investigation in Vargas’s intriguing novel. Renowned detective, Castiel Chavez, is on the…

12/07/2024

A beautifully written and richly evocative examination of life, love, and the ravages of war… Set against the backdrop of war-torn New Guinea in 1941, Goldberg’s gripping tale follows two Australian officers who find themselves entangled in a forbidden love story. Jake Friedman, a young Jewish doctor burdened by guilt over a colleague's death, is paired with Alex Whipple, an enigmatic Catholic WWI veteran....

A beautifully written and richly evocative examination of life, love, and the ravages of war… Set against the backdrop of war-torn New Guinea in 1941, Goldberg’s gripping tale follows two Australia…

12/07/2024

A Whimsical Adventure with Heartfelt Lessons… Set in the 1950s, Sommers’ latest novel takes readers on a young boy’s journey to personal growth. Twelve-year-old Izzy's life is in turmoil. He wants to fit in with his peers and dreams of being a space hero, but his family is falling apart and he feels helpless. To make matters worse, he faces bullies and an unrequited crush while trying to keep a valuable secret with Collum....

A Whimsical Adventure with Heartfelt Lessons… Set in the 1950s, Sommers’ latest novel takes readers on a young boy’s journey to personal growth. Twelve-year-old Izzy’s life is in turmoil. He …

12/07/2024

Of Ashes and Dust by Ron Roman

12/07/2024

VINDICTA (Maxwell Muggs Trilogy Book 3) by Wes Snowden

12/07/2024

VINDICTA (Maxwell Muggs Trilogy Book 3) by Wes Snowden

An intriguing, twist-filled tale… Snowden offers the final installment in his Maxwell Muggs Trilogy, in which old family secrets spring to the surface, threatening to derail the family’s future. Dr…

08/07/2024

A compelling journey of self-discovery and empowerment… In Wilson’s historically rich and tension-filled YA novel, a Black youth sets out on a transformative journey of self-discovery and resilience while navigating racism and numerous dangers. 12-year-old Samuel Cole and his family reside in their humble cottage in Los Angeles, a home they have called their own since his birth. They leave their tight-knit Oklahoma community for a new home in pursuit of a better life....