Night Fliers

Night Fliers is another American Girl History Mystery, this time written by Elizabeth McDavid Jones. 

"When Pam's homing pigeons disappear while her father's away fighting in World War I, she uncovers evidence of an enemy spy."

General Thoughts: It was alright. Not a favorite thought, because  I didn't much care for the characters. 

Plot and Themes: The plot wasn't something that I got really excited about. Taking place in the 1910's and worrying about pigeon carriers... maybe it's because my brain was too modern while read this, but I didn't care. Possibly because it's "so old fashioned," maybe to modern old fashioned as opposed to the preferred "old old fashioned." It could also be that the "German spy" that everyone was so worried about wasn't as believable as it maybe should be. And the fact that they were stealing pigeons as the big mystery was kind of lame. I don't care about pigeons and don't recall there ever being a majorly important time in WWI where they saved the day, I could very well be wrong on that though.

Setting: I do remember bits of the setting, but nothing that really struck me as engaging or keeping me engrossed in the story. Which is rather disappointing. 

Characters: Pam and the other's, whom I honestly can't remember, weren't all that memorable. Some of what happened, sure, but not much. I didn't care about them. Pam also didn't grow in any big way I think. Maybe, don't judge a book by it's cover? Maybe that the bad guys can be closer to home instead of in a neighbors backyard? I don't know. I felt like she was stagnant.  

Spice: 0/5 Spicy Chilis. It is a children's book and she seemed more upset throughout the story more than anything. 10 year old's shouldn't have romances yet. 

Writing Style: I remember nothing particularly interesting in the writing style. I felt let down by much of this book in general. 

Overall: I didn't care for the characters, setting, or plot of this book. It was very much a let down especially after reading the other two books in the series previously. I would have liked a story where I cared about the things that were going on. Maybe about a girl who... was able to help out in the war effort in a way that I cared about. Pigeons don't seem that important and I'm sure there was something else that could have worked better. The fact that I didn't care about the characters, even if it was just Pam, is a big red flag in my opinion. If I don't care for the main character, I'm not going to like the book. In the end, I probably won't read it again for a very long time, but it's there as part of the collection. 

Hoofbeats of Danger

 

An American Girl History Mystery, Hoofbeats of Danger by Holly Hughes. 

"In 1860, eleven-year-old Annie asks Pony Express rider Billy Cody to help her find the person responsible for sabotaging her favorite pony Magpie."

General Thoughts: I really liked this book. It is easily one of my favorite History Mystery books.  

Plot: I liked how because Annie pays attention to the job she does and loves, she is able to figure out what is going on to save her families Waystop. And because she is a reliable and honest girl she gets the people around her to listen to her and save the day. I also really liked how they got Billy "Buffalo Bill" Cody to be present while he was a Pony Express Rider. 

Theme: It seemed the theme that I recall was to stand up for yourself even if you are a small girl vs a large angry man. She let her voice be heard and solved the mystery because of it. 

Setting: I really enjoy a good historical or fantasy setting. This story was more into the mystery side of things as opposed to the environment, but when you're surrounded by prairie grass, it's understandable that Holly Hughes didn't spend to much time on describing the barn, hills, or small house in the middle of no where. The setting that was given did it's job and wasn't jarring or cast me out of the story. 

Characters: I particularly liked Annie Dawson and Billy Cody. They were kind and made a good team, her the brains and him the brawn in order to save the day. He was portrayed here as a nice guy who was willing to help a girl out, which seems to be the case Annie (haha) Oakley. They were fun and memorable characters. 

Spice: 0/5 Spicy Chilis. It's a children's book. Why would you be looking for that here?

Writing Style: I recall it being fairly good. Nothing too spectacular for a modern child audience, but good enough that I enjoyed it as an adult realizing it's a children's book. 

Overall: Like many of the other books in this series, I'd read it again. If you're a horse lover, wanting to step into the Wild West, or just wanting a simple but good mystery, give it a try. 

Emerald Green

Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier is the last installment of The Precious Stones Trilogy 

 "Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is. She only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. Sue suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she's just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably being using her all along. Emerald Green picks up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate."

General Thoughts: This is another book that sticks with me. I don't read many time traveling books, but this one was well done indeed. 

Plot: Gwen is finding that there are more schemes in her family that she really wants to and what is worse is no one is listening to her and no one is telling her anything. She is frustratingly alone except for a very few people who can help. I love the fact that she gets her deceased family to help her out. Her grandpa reminds me of my own grandpa who I miss dearly. Being able to pop in and out of time to see him as he grows and gets older, himself is really neat. I will also say that the final resolution was unexpected and well done. I'd love to go back and read it again to see if I can pick up on any of the hints that I probably should have gotten along the way. 

Setting: Much of the setting is the same as the previous books. Only about two weeks, at most, goes by in the "modern present" and so although there are lots of balls and we jump around the London Bridges and streets from different eras, we don't move around a lot. From what I recall, having read this a year and a half ago, I do believe the descriptions that were given were well done. In listening to the book, I don't think I was ever taken out of the story because I got lost at where we were. Often it was in the same hallways or rooms so then not much needed to change, but we were given enough information to not be floating in a blank space. 

Characters: I think the characters really pull the story along. While the plot is intriguing, the characters really bring it to live. As I said, I love Gwen's grandpa and her best friend. I think I remember them the best. I don't remember why, but I was never really hung up on Gideon. He's not the best love interest I've read about. Other side characters were perhaps even more memorable and enjoyable that him. As for Gwen herself... I don't know. It's been a minute since I've read it, but I also wouldn't consider her as memorable either. I remember things she did, but not so much her personality. I do remember Count Saint-German being a creepizoid and their altercations were engaging and fun to listen to. Maybe Gwen and Gideon really do belong together. 

Spice: 1/5 Spicy Chilis. It is a romance book, but it's a legitimate young adult book so nothing happens. I believe the most they did was kiss and maybe it was a little passionate in the first book, but she's angry and upset at Gideon for the a chunk of this book until he makes things better. 

Overview: I really enjoyed this series. It is kind of strange how it happens so quickly. You could literally have it be one large book and everything would slide in perfectly because no time passes. I think the time traveling here was well done and didn't jar me when she jumped in the timeline. It would be interesting to see what was going on from Gideon's point of view, but not that we'd need a new book for it. I'd be very interested to see what else Kerstin Gier makes and I'd be delighted read them.