Long Lost Review: Cress (#3) by Marissa Meyer

Long Lost Reviews is a monthly meme created by Ally over at Ally’s Appraisals which is posted on the second Thursday of every month. The aim is to start tackling your review backlog. Whether it’s an in-depth analysis of how it affected your life, one sentence stating that you only remember the ending, or that you have no recollection of reading the book at all. 

Published: 4th February 2014 Goodreads badge
Publisher:
Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 552
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
★   ★  ★  ★ – 4 Stars

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who’s only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

I’ve been trying to get reviews out for this series for years and my stubborn perfectionism needs me to put them out in order. The issue is, if I haven’t taken notes, I am now years past when I read it and I only have a fraction of plot floating around my head.

I loved this series and I love how Meyer gives us different fairy tale retellings in a whole new landscape but creatively ties them together in a way that is true both to their original stories and this beautifully complicate new world she has created.

I liked the shift from a tower to a satellite and it ties beautifully in the technological era that the rest of the series has been working with. It also continues the story we already know from Cinder and Scarlett, the kingdom is still in danger and the Lunar Queen still means trouble. But in between that, we get to meet Cress, a wonderful girl trapped on a satellite and left alone among the stars.

I enjoyed Cress’ character, each of this band of misfits has a different personality and their own strengths which I love. Now that they are coming together to save the world it’s good seeing these unique skills come together.

The continuation of Cinder and Scarlett’s stories is excellent, I love that they play roles in the bigger story and aren’t forgotten entirely once their book has finished. There isn’t a full equal sharing of the story, Cress still gets her own book, but as they’re all working towards their goal Meyer weaves in the others and their storylines prompt action.

There is a strong romance element for everyone to swoon over in each book and Cress is no different. Each of our heroes is matched up to their own true love which gives you some cute moments away from the dire peril. It plays into the fairy tale element so while it can feel predictable, it is a nice one where the tropes of the originals are still in play. Plus Meyer is once again giving us fun play on words with names and circumstances to delight us as Thorne and Cress come together.

I can’t remember much besides vague plot points but I did give it four stars and I remember really loving it. So based off vibes it was a great book and a great next step in the series to the epic conclusion.

You can purchase Cress via the following

QBDDymocks | Booktopia

WorderyBlackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

Something’s Fishy by Jean Gourounas

Published: 16th October 2017Goodreads badge
Publisher:
Phaidon Press
Illustrator: Jean Gourounas
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

Penguin is ice fishing, but the fish aren’t biting. What could possibly be the problem?

Join the cumulative cast of polar characters as they gather, chatter, wager guesses, and aggravate Penguin until…they hear something from below the ice!

I love this book; it is simple, clever, has a nice twist, and is delightful and funny.

Penguin is ice fishing and soon becomes the subject of curiosity by those around her. The expression on penguin’s face can be interpreted as annoyance, but even if she is bothered by the interruptions and noise, she doesn’t say much. It’s the onlookers and busybodies who query what’s going on.

It doesn’t take long for the act of fishing becomes a group activity as everyone starts discussing why the fish aren’t biting, with each newcomer adding to the discussion. Even the move from discussing that penguin is fishing to they all are fishing is fantastic. Onlookers are baffled, perplexed, and flummoxed and penguin continues to fish.

The gradual build of onlookers is so enjoyable. From one rabbit, to a walrus, to a whole host of characters, it is made better by penguin’s inaction. This staggered arrival works in companion with the illustrations as well, the layout complimenting the story. The characters move from left to right across the double page, as the new character arrives on the left, they then join the others on the right to observe.

The banter between everyone is great, it’s simple but effective. Short sharp humour that uses repetition but also a smidge absurd. The payoff it brilliant. What you think the penguin is shushing everyone for isn’t the reason you think and the reveal is delightful. Truly a highly enjoyable read.

You can purchase Something’s Fishy via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery

 Fishpond | Amazon

The Big Cheese by Jory John (#7)

Published: 7th November 2023Goodreads badge
Publisher:
 Simon and Schuster
Illustrator: Pete Oswald
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

The Big Cheese is the best at everything, and brags about it, too. When the annual Cheese-cathlon comes around, the Big Cheese is prepared to win, as always. But what happens when the quiet new kid, Wedge Wedgeman, comes out on top? Is a slice of humility all the Big Cheese needs to discover that some things are better than being the best? 

Jory John is an instant read for me so of course The Big Cheese was on my list. I hadn’t thought much about what this trait theme was going to be but from the early pages it is evident it’s bragging, or arrogance.

The usual puns are there, this time cheese related. Cheese’s desire to be a big shot meant they worked hard and made a name for themselves but also only doing things they would excel at so they’d always win. I liked the direction the story takes having Cheese learn some humility without it being a takedown of their character. It is a self-taught lesson and one that Cheese discovers through reflection and not from conflict with another character.

There is always so much to love about John’s books and aside from the key messages the story itself is always delightful. I am fascinated by the events of the Cheese-cathalon which include chess, bread buttering, hat making, and sheep herding. It’s a great mix of activities, a little bit of everything to meet everyone’s interests.

I love these food worlds that John creates as it generates a range of questions about the wider world like how can cheese herd sheep but also grow up in what is clearly a human sized kitchen? Despite the questions, the stories are always solid and the message is never forced, developing naturally around the character and their life.

The illustrations are brilliant as usual. The distinct colour pallet and style we’ve seen in other Food Group books is there and the design on these various cheese types is cute and clever. Oswald has brought this cheese world to life with fun characters and cute background features.

Big Cheese learns about humility and being a gracious loser, and understands that winning all the time is actually stressful. Not to mention that not being in the spotlight all the time, and learning to accept defeat, can improve a range of other areas in their life. It’s a great lesson for readers to learn and an added bonus that it’s told in such an adorable and humorous way.

You can purchase The Big Cheese via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus & Robertson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

I am Stuck by Julia Mills

Published: 26th September 2023Goodreads badge
Publisher:
Clarion Books
Illustrator: Julia Mills
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

“Stuck” asks Duck. Yep, Turtle is flipped over on his shell and can’t seem to get un-stuck. Duck suggests wiggling his feet, Kangaroo wants him to wag his tail, and Armadillo says rolling into a ball always does the trick. But Turtle is STILL. STUCK.

Is there anyone who can help?

This wise and humorous story reminds us that when we’re feeling down, sometimes what we need most is a friend by our side–and a deep belly laugh–to help us get back on our feet again.

A tender (and humorous!) look at the way tough emotions can make us feel stuck and how the presence of a good friend and a deep belly laugh can make it easier to get through stormy feelings. Complete with back matter to help stuck readers feel better through noticing, smelling, talking, and taking a deep breath.

This is a sweet book that starts off sad, gets very metaphorical, before being sweet and heartfelt at the end.

The premise is Turtle is stuck and unable to become un-stuck. Everyone is happy to come along and give him advice on what to do while actually ignoring the reality of his situation and whether it will actually help. They walk through, give their personal solutions that work for them, then walk off without seeing if it helps at all. Even when they do stay, they shrug and walk off saying ‘it always works for me’.

It is a wonderful metaphor for a lot of life’s problems, emotions, and situations. One thing I loved was the ending and how Mills has Turtle become unstuck.  What was a nice twist wasn’t that someone finally listened and gave the right advice, but that listening helped, even if no help could be provided until Turtle could help himself. It is a great message to put in a book because sometimes you can’t help yourself and need help, but other times a friendly ear and someone to sit with you will be enough to get you unstuck.

When there is someone beside you, as a distraction, as a comfort, to talk with while you are stuck, it can help calm anxieties and focus on other things for a while. There is a great page at the end about what to do when stuck, similar to what Turtle does in the book. And stuck never is explained aside from literal sense for Turtle but it can mean so many things.

The illustrations are basic, the only pictures are Turtle and the animals who come across him on a plain white page. They become a bit more detailed when Turtle is finally getting support but it is still simple. There didn’t need to be a lot of background detail, or have scenery at all; having Turtle be centred in the middle of the page makes you focus entirely on them being stuck and you can’t ignore their struggle.

You can purchase I am Stuck via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Attack of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King

Published: 6 September 2022 (print)/6 September 2022 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher:
Scholastic Press/Scholastic
Pages: 258/5 hrs and 19 mins
Narrator: Pete Cross, Gretchen Bender, Amy Sarig King, and Jane Yolen
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Junior Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

When Mac first opens his classroom copy of Jane Yolen’s The Devil’s Arithmetic and finds some words blacked out, he thinks it must be a mistake. But then when he and his friends discover what the missing words are, he’s outraged. 

Someone in his school is trying to prevent kids from reading the full story. 

But who? 

Even though his unreliable dad tells him to not get so emotional about a book (or anything else), Mac has been raised by his mom and grandad to call out things that are wrong. He and his friends head to the principal’s office to protest the censorship… but her response doesn’t take them seriously. 

So many adults want Mac to keep his words to himself. 

Mac’s about to see the power of letting them out. 

 In Attack of the Black Rectangles, acclaimed author Amy Sarig King shows all the ways truth can be hard… but still worth fighting for.

I love King’s books and this is another fantastic book about growing up, about fighting for what you believe in, as well as figuring out who you are. It’s a great book that shows children are smarter and more insightful than adults give them credit for, but at the same time don’t have a complete awareness about certain things either.

Their inability to understand why people would censor books is a stepping point into censorship around books and what some adults deem appropriate for kids. It’s also a great discussion starter about leading kids into ignorance isn’t a better option and sometime the truth is important to hear.

This is also true of the people around them. Mac’s dad is someone he has faith in but has been let down by. His uncertainty about his actions and being conflicted about loving his dad but being wary of him is a great side plot that deals with mental illness and the struggles families face.

On the cusp of being teenagers Mac and his friends are learning about the world and are developing their social awareness and sense of what’s right. They are also exploring relationships – of liking each other, or like Dennis discovering they may never like anybody. At 12 they are a good age to try and work out who they are, but also understand that they are too young to worry about it. King balances their emotional awareness and sense of self really well and in ways kids can understand.

The innocence of the kids is a great point of the story. Not their naivety, but their insistence that things aren’t fair, their questioning about why rules are made, demanding things be fixed that aren’t right. They act impulsively and without question at times which King uses to remind us these are kids still. They are not justice hungry teens you might find in older audience books. They are kids with questions and know things aren’t the way they should be. It’s a great example of small changes and one voice making a difference.

The group of narrators do a great job with the audiobook and King’s vivid storytelling and great characters come to life as the story unfolds. It’s a wonderful insight into the American censorship battle and shows there’s hope and always a fight to have against those who try to silence others.

You can purchase Attack of the Black Rectangles via the following

 BooktopiaDymocks

WorderyAngus and Robinson | Blackwell’s

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

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