Kat's Updates en-US Wed, 30 Apr 2025 08:16:37 -0700 60 Kat's Updates 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review19634082 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 08:16:37 -0700 <![CDATA[Kat added 'Dragon Blood']]> /review/show/19634082 Dragon Blood by Patricia Briggs Kat gave 4 stars to Dragon Blood (Hurog, #2) by Patricia Briggs
bookshelves: high-fantasy, fantasy, 2003
Basic Plot: Ward continues to pursue fully claiming his kingdom so he can live in peace.

This is a rare book by Briggs in that it follows a male character's POV. I read it long enough ago that I remember little about it beyond this book being quite a bit darker than the first, but I do remember enjoying it. ]]> Review19634061 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 08:14:15 -0700 <![CDATA[Kat added 'Dragon Bones']]> /review/show/19634061 Dragon Bones by Patricia Briggs Kat gave 4 stars to Dragon Bones (Hurog, #1) by Patricia Briggs
bookshelves: high-fantasy, fantasy, 2002
Basic Plot: Ward pretends to be dumb, but is really intelligent, and now he has to fully claim his kingdom.

This is a rare book by Briggs in that it follows a male character's POV. I read it long enough ago that I remember little about it beyond Ward's behavior, but I do remember enjoying it. ]]> Rating852680091 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:10:42 -0700 <![CDATA[Kat Cichocki liked a review]]> /
Kat liked Bradley's review of Empire of Shadows (Raiders of the Arcana, #1):
Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson
"This really hit the spot.

Back in the day, I was amazed at how much I enjoyed movies like Romancing the Stone, which was a romantic comedy dressed up as Indiana Jones, and while there have been many movies like this since, I've never quite fully FALLEN for it as I did these originals.

Sure, sure, I'm dating myself, but so what. The giveaway is in the title and the SPIRIT of the book hella on target. Basically, if you liked either of these movies OR Brandon's Mummy movie, you'll love this. It's delightful and sexy.

This book's synesthesia is a lush green, complete with all the scents of the jungle.


Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.

Arctunn.com "
]]> Review7371655621 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:11:35 -0700 <![CDATA[Kat added 'What Dreams May Come']]> /review/show/7371655621 What Dreams May Come by Christina Dodd Kat gave 5 stars to What Dreams May Come (Daughter of Montague) by Christina Dodd
bookshelves: 2025, favorites, historical-fiction, novellas, romantical
Basic Plot: Rosie has to retrieve a ring and evade discovery while doing so.

I. Love. These. Books. Yes, I know there is only 1 full book and this novella so far. I still love them with the glee that only a Shakespeare nerd can truly feel. I nearly kicked my feet while reading this. I *GIGGLED*.

I love Rosie and Escalus. I love Isabella, and the famed couple. Guglielmo himself even made a cameo appearance! No, I won't explain beyond a mere note that the Italian name Guglielmo has an English equivalent. So many references to the many works of Shakespeare, subtly worked into the text kept me grinning. The adventure was short and fast-paced, and it was torture to set it down when I was forced to. The plot was kept relatively simple, but still dealt with very cleverly. Rosie and Escalus are so well matched. I'm beyond excited for the next book! ]]> Review2946720238 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:41:51 -0700 <![CDATA[Kat added 'Baby-Sitters' Winter Vacation']]> /review/show/2946720238 Baby-Sitters' Winter Vacation by Ann M. Martin Kat gave 3 stars to Baby-Sitters' Winter Vacation (The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special, #3) by Ann M. Martin
bookshelves: chapter-books-kids-and-tweens
Basic Plot: The club goes on a ski trip.

Like pretty much every girl in the 80s, I read a whole lot of these Baby-Sitters Club books. I read them perhaps a bit younger than other girls (before I was old enough to babysit), and gave them up a lot earlier than other girls (before I was old enough to babysit), but they were a part of my introduction to chapter books and adolescence so they were important to me. I don't remember exactly how many of them I owned (more than I'd probably like to admit), but I do remember scouring Scholastic book order forms for anything new.

These Super Special books were a tremendously big deal. They were at least twice the size of a regular book and featured much bigger, more complex stories. I remember becoming absolutely enamored with the idea of going on a cruise because of this book.

Honestly, this book series remains a positive memory in my head. Is it out of date and sometimes problematic due to the age/setting of the original books? Yes. But, kids helping kids, solving problems and coming up with creative solutions as a team are positives that today's youth could still use. So many of them are afraid to ask for advice/support, that these characters could really serve as role models. There's a lot of good in here. ]]> Review2946720017 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:41:26 -0700 <![CDATA[Kat added 'Baby-Sitters' Summer Vacation']]> /review/show/2946720017 Baby-Sitters' Summer Vacation by Ann M. Martin Kat gave 3 stars to Baby-Sitters' Summer Vacation (The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special, #2) by Ann M. Martin
bookshelves: chapter-books-kids-and-tweens
Basic Plot: The club goes to camp to become counselors in training.

Like pretty much every girl in the 80s, I read a whole lot of these Baby-Sitters Club books. I read them perhaps a bit younger than other girls (before I was old enough to babysit), and gave them up a lot earlier than other girls (before I was old enough to babysit), but they were a part of my introduction to chapter books and adolescence so they were important to me. I don't remember exactly how many of them I owned (more than I'd probably like to admit), but I do remember scouring Scholastic book order forms for anything new.

These Super Special books were a tremendously big deal. They were at least twice the size of a regular book and featured much bigger, more complex stories.

Honestly, this book series remains a positive memory in my head. Is it out of date and sometimes problematic due to the age/setting of the original books? Yes. But, kids helping kids, solving problems and coming up with creative solutions as a team are positives that today's youth could still use. So many of them are afraid to ask for advice/support, that these characters could really serve as role models. There's a lot of good in here. ]]> ReadStatus3085898086 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:40:56 -0700 <![CDATA[Kat has read 'Baby-Sitters' Summer Vacation']]> /review/show/2946720017 Baby-Sitters' Summer Vacation by Ann M. Martin Kat has read Baby-Sitters' Summer Vacation by Ann M. Martin
]]> Review2946719836 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:40:32 -0700 <![CDATA[Kat added 'Baby-Sitters on Board!']]> /review/show/2946719836 Baby-Sitters on Board! by Ann M. Martin Kat gave 3 stars to Baby-Sitters on Board! (The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special, #1) by Ann M. Martin
bookshelves: chapter-books-kids-and-tweens
Basic Plot: The club goes on a cruise and trip to Disney while babysitting.

Like pretty much every girl in the 80s, I read a whole lot of these Baby-Sitters Club books. I read them perhaps a bit younger than other girls (before I was old enough to babysit), and gave them up a lot earlier than other girls (before I was old enough to babysit), but they were a part of my introduction to chapter books and adolescence so they were important to me. I don't remember exactly how many of them I owned (more than I'd probably like to admit), but I do remember scouring Scholastic book order forms for anything new.

These Super Special books were a tremendously big deal. They were at least twice the size of a regular book and featured much bigger, more complex stories. I remember becoming absolutely enamored with the idea of going on a cruise because of this book.

Honestly, this book series remains a positive memory in my head. Is it out of date and sometimes problematic due to the age/setting of the original books? Yes. But, kids helping kids, solving problems and coming up with creative solutions as a team are positives that today's youth could still use. So many of them are afraid to ask for advice/support, that these characters could really serve as role models. There's a lot of good in here. ]]> Review2946718428 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:34:41 -0700 <![CDATA[Kat added 'Hello, Mallory']]> /review/show/2946718428 Hello, Mallory by Ann M. Martin Kat gave 3 stars to Hello, Mallory (The Baby-Sitters Club, #14) by Ann M. Martin
bookshelves: chapter-books-kids-and-tweens
Basic Plot: With Stacey gone, the BSC recruits a new girl who has to prove herself.

Like pretty much every girl in the 80s, I read a whole lot of these Baby-Sitters Club books. I read them perhaps a bit younger than other girls (before I was old enough to babysit), and gave them up a lot earlier than other girls (before I was old enough to babysit), but they were a part of my introduction to chapter books and adolescence so they were important to me. I don't remember exactly how many of them I owned (more than I'd probably like to admit), but I do remember scouring Scholastic book order forms for anything new.

Honestly, this book series remains a positive memory in my head. Is it out of date and sometimes problematic due to the age/setting of the original books? Yes. But, kids helping kids, solving problems and coming up with creative solutions as a team are positives that today's youth could still use. So many of them are afraid to ask for advice/support, that these characters could really serve as role models. There's a lot of good in here. ]]> Review2946718181 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:34:01 -0700 <![CDATA[Kat added 'Good-bye Stacey, Good-bye']]> /review/show/2946718181 Good-bye Stacey, Good-bye by Ann M. Martin Kat gave 3 stars to Good-bye Stacey, Good-bye (The Babysitters Club, #13) by Ann M. Martin
bookshelves: chapter-books-kids-and-tweens
Basic Plot: Stacey moves back to New York City, so the BSC has to adapt.

Like pretty much every girl in the 80s, I read a whole lot of these Baby-Sitters Club books. I read them perhaps a bit younger than other girls (before I was old enough to babysit), and gave them up a lot earlier than other girls (before I was old enough to babysit), but they were a part of my introduction to chapter books and adolescence so they were important to me. I don't remember exactly how many of them I owned (more than I'd probably like to admit), but I do remember scouring Scholastic book order forms for anything new.

Honestly, this book series remains a positive memory in my head. Is it out of date and sometimes problematic due to the age/setting of the original books? Yes. But, kids helping kids, solving problems and coming up with creative solutions as a team are positives that today's youth could still use. So many of them are afraid to ask for advice/support, that these characters could really serve as role models. There's a lot of good in here. ]]>