I was looking forward to reading The Caretakers by Eliza Maxwell since I saw the cover and read the synopsis - and I was not let down! This is a page turner of a story. I was hooked from the first mention of Tessa’s documentary and it’s goal of freeing a supposedly innocent man.

I enjoyed the storyline that Tessa‘s character provided for a several reasons - first, there’s almost a meta-feeling in reading a book about the investigative work that Tessa did in the book. Then, I enjoyed the physical reactions I got when reading Maxwell’s descriptions of what Tessa was experiencing. I could literally feel my stomach drop during many parts of this story and I loved every instance. It was thrilling to read and masterfully written - I was completely engrossed. 

The storyline involving the caretakers at the family home was equally gripping because of the spooky descriptions of the happenings at the home. This book definitely has a gothic feeling to it. There was not one instance in which I was bored or felt like a character was not being utilized. Al the characters were fleshed our and complex - providing the forefront to a rich story. The Caretakers got and kept my attention from beginning to end. Once I thought I could guess what would happen next, there was a twist I didn’t see coming right at me. 

Readers of heavier mysteries (non cozy-ness here) and thrillers will definitely be enjoying The Caretakers!

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
4/14/20    Review    Tangled in Text
4/14/20    Review    Momma on the Rocks
4/15/20    Audio Review    Librariel Book Adventures
4/16/20    Review    Nerd Narration
4/16/20    Review    All the Ups and Downs
4/17/20    Review    StoreyBook Reviews
4/17/20    BONUS Post    Hall Ways Blog
4/18/20    Review    Rainy Days with Amanda
4/19/20    Review    Reading by Moonlight
4/20/20    Audio Review    Forgotten Winds
4/20/20    Audio Review    KayBee's Book Shelf
4/21/20    Review    #Bookish
4/22/20    Review    Jennifer Silverwood
4/23/20    Review    The Page Unbound
4/24/20    Review    It's Not All Gravy
4/24/20    Review    That's What She's Reading

I absolutely love biographies, memoirs, and other nonfiction. I love learning about other people - their lives and experiences. I truly believe that we, the collective we, have a lot to learn from placing ourselves in other peoples' shoes. 

This is exactly what I got with Full Circle by Pamela Lombana. In this memoir, Lombana describes to us, not only her experiences with her ex-husband, but also her coming of age where she witnessed the happenings of her parents' marriage. In giving us a glimpse of her background, we are able to see Lombana as more than just one experience, but rather, a collection of instances that have brought her to become who she is. 

Lombana's writing is clear, direct, and easy to get engulfed in. She takes the reader on quite a journey of experience, longing, heartbreak, and hope. What I enjoyed the most was the language of hope that I read and felt throughout reading Full Circle. Even while reading Lombana's calamitous moments with her husband, there was still his feeling of faith and even optimism at times. This probably shone through because of Lombana's writing style. it made it easy to root for her and wish for her to be in a better situation. 

Throughout her experiences with her husband and alcohol, there was also a sprinkling of knowing more about Lombana herself. From getting to know her family, to hearing her experiences with college life, and becoming a mother - there were so many pieces of information about her life that gave so much life to her writing.

I want to provide a trigger warning for individuals who may be sensitive in reading about alcoholism, and domestic abuse. If you are able to read about these topics without triggering, I truly recommend picking up this book. The subject may be heavy, but I came away from reading this book with one main feeling - there is hope. 

Many thanks to Pamela Lombana for sharing her story with the world. May it encourage and educate. 

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
4/21/20    Notable Quotable    Reading by Moonlight
4/21/20    BONUS Post    Hall Ways Blog
4/22/20    Review    Book Fidelity
4/23/20    Excerpt    The Clueless Gent
4/24/20    Review    Tangled in Text
4/25/20    Review    KayBee's Book Shelf
4/26/20    Author Interview    StoreyBook Reviews
4/27/20    Review    Rainy Days with Amanda
4/28/20    Guest Post    All the Ups and Downs
4/29/20    Review    Carpe Diem Chronicles
4/30/20    Review    Kelly Well Read
       

Review

In full disclosure readers, before we even begin with this lovely book, I need to tell you that the author, Sage Adderly-Knox, has been a dear friend of mine for many many years now (wow, how long has it been!). I helped review her first book, Invoking Nonna, the first book in the Triple Goddess series, back when this blog was on Blogspot. Trust me, however, that my enthusiasm for reviewing this book is based purely on the fact that I very much enjoyed the first book and was looking to hear more from these characters. Yes, okay, I'm also very proud of my friend :) 

In Sisters in the Craft, we rejoin Maggie and Laura in their juxtapositional lives. Maggie is dealing with the fallout of the happenings of Book I, and Laura is learning how to navigate life after being very much on her own. Adderly-Knox portrays these two lives for the readers in a near seamless way. We're able to join both women on their very unique paths that converge on the realization of their almost otherworldly talents. While Maggie's affinity of witchcraft grows with the help of her best friend Polly, Laura is barely discovering what it means to be different and learning to embrace those feelings of intuition. 

Sisters in the Craft is incredibly engaging and I found myself getting lost in the words, page by page. It was very easy to become entranced in the world of witchcraft and the coming of age for both of these characters. It's an incredibly engrossing book that makes the reader care about the characters and their discovery of who they are meant to be. Adderly-Knox weaves their stories in a way that has the shift in perspective flow smoothly, rather than feeling jagged. At the end of this book, I was left feeling excited for what is to come for these beloved characters. 

I recommend this book to any individual who enjoys coming of age stories with a twist. And as I said before, I personally cannot wait to see what happens next!

About the Author

Sage Adderley-Knox resides in the magical land of Olympia, Washington, where she swoons over the breathtaking view of Mount Rainier. She is a writing coach, a single mom of three, and a vintage typewriter collection. Sage is passionate about coffee, kindness, and snail mail.







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On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08777R9MW
Invoking Nonna (Book One): https://www.amazon.com/Invoking-Nonna-Triple-Goddess-Book-ebook/dp/B00IL8U238​

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7559413.Sage_Adderley_Knox
Instagram: @sageadderleyknox

​As I was looking for more information on Edison Jones and the Anti-Grav Elevator by Michael Scott Clifton, I was happy to see that I wasn't the only one who had thoughts of Willy Wonka stories stuck in their minds. However, like those other individuals, I was very happy to see that this story has no likeness to Willy Wonka's Charlie Bucket.

Edison Jones is an extremely bright and talented 12 year old who has spent less time with his peers and more time inventing and evolving. As we move along in the story we get to know our "side characters" and they both fit and don't in their cliche character types. Cheerleaders, jocks, and bullies - they can be seen as cliches, but they are such for a reason, right? At one point or another, I believe we have all identified with what each of those types mean...for better or worse. I find myself wanting to give some readers a heads up about this as I know that the description of bullying or being placed in a stereotype can be quite triggering for some.

I'm still new to the middle grade world, but I enjoyed the characters and the overall story and writing of Edison Jones. My favorite part of the book, however, was Edison Jones himself. I truly appreciate when authors give their characters some growth, and that is what I believe Clifton has done for Edison Jones. The isolation of being different to the evolution of growing as a person and having friends is truly a magnificent theme to read about.

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:


4/9/20    Review    Chapter Break Book Blog
4/9/20    BONUS Post    Hall Ways Blog
4/10/20    Review    All the Ups and Downs
4/11/20    Review    Reading by Moonlight
4/12/20    Review    The Clueless Gent
4/13/20    Review    That's What She's Reading
4/14/20    Review    Sybrina's Book Blog
4/15/20    Review    The Page Unbound
4/16/20    Review    Kelly Well Read
4/17/20    Review    Missus Gonzo
4/18/20    Review    Book Fidelity
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