mothers and daughters

REVIEW:  Return to Me by Justina Chen

REVIEW: Return to Me by Justina Chen

Dear Ms. Chen: I’m a huge fan of your previous novels. I loved Girl Overboard and I adored the prose and language in North of Beautiful. It’s been a couple years since you last published a novel, and I definitely felt that lack — particularly since I think contemporary YA has come into its own(…)

REVIEW:  Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong

REVIEW: Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong

Dear Ms. Armstrong, All things must come to an end. That includes your Women of the Otherworld series. I can’t believe it’s been over ten years since we were first introduced to Elena, the only female werewolf in existence. And while I’ve liked some books more than others, I still consider this series to be(…)

REVIEW: White Hot Christmas by Serenity Woods

REVIEW: White Hot Christmas by Serenity Woods

Dear Ms. Woods: I’ve developed a deep appreciation for New Zealand/Australian set books and when I saw this in the Samhain ARC listing, I requested it immediately. It is the first story of yours that I read. The Christmas story set in New Zealand immediately caught my attention. Merle Cameron comes to visit her sister(…)

REVIEW: Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

REVIEW: Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Dear Ms. Reeves, I was casually perusing the Book Smugglers' blog when I came across this midyear list of their favorite books of 2010 and saw that Ana had given your debut, Bleeding Violet a grade of perfect 10. Since the book's genre (YA with a paranormal flavor) is one I enjoy, I looked up(…)

REVIEW: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

REVIEW: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

Dear Ms. Jemisin, Traditional fantasy is one of my favorite genres. In fact, it’s the type of fantasy I love best. And yet, I have such a contentious relationship with it because so much of it features elements I’m tired of: the vaguely medieval European setting, the quest structure in which the protagonist collects convenient(…)

Friday Film Review: Saving Face

Friday Film Review: Saving Face

Saving Face (2004) Genre: GLBT, Asian Immigrant, Romance, Family Grade: B Yeah, you read the genre right. This one is truly a mixed bag but the magic is that first time director Alice Wu pulls it off so well. It’s got a great cast, wonderful location shots, a good score and best of all a(…)