Jenn Reese

This isn't a book I would have typically picked up (animals in the title and the cover), but it was a listen. While the a lot of the fantasy aspects about the book appeared to be related to a game and quest, it also was a metaphor for the realizations of healing from the mindset of dealing with an abuser. The fox and Sam's dad seem to maybe have a lot in common.
Taken from their home in LA after Caitlin has a broken arm which somehow her dad seems responsible for even though the incident is never clearly described, the sisters end up with their aunt and her wife in far away Oregon. At first Sam just wants everything to go back to how it was before. But as she unpacks her life to date and has a chance to adjust to something new, she wonders what is really best for her and her sister.
A moving story with a mix of realistic and some magical realism/fantasy.
Gently handles a really tough topic.… (mehr)

Narrated by Hope Newhouse. The frostfang is a wolfish creature attempting to dominate the animal realms, and is encroaching on humans by manipulating their doubts and weaknesses. Eren has been designated a champion by a bird prince to help save the forest kingdom and battle the frostfang. Eren is plagued by her own doubts and doesn't believe she can be the champion they need. It will take finding her inner truths to shore up her confidence and save the kingdom. Notably in this work, the birds use the prounoun "they," and "prince" is merely a title, not a reference to male royalty. Also, Eren learns the term that best describes her and how she regards the middle school romance scene: "aromantic." I felt there were a bit too many convenient plot points and characters managing to guess correctly what is happening and what to do when things go south. Ehhh...… (mehr)