Here’s some great news. The book, The Hating Game, is now a movie. The Hating Game is written by the author named Sally Thorne. It will be out in select movie theaters on December 10. The actress named Lucy Hale will be in the movie. The actor named Austin Stowell will play opposite of her in the movie.

The Hating Game is about a woman named Lucy Hutton. Lucy Hutton is trying to make-it at her job. She wants to succeed and to get a promotion at work. However, she has to contend with her enemy. Her enemy is her co-worker. He is named Joshua Templeman. The two sabotage each other and act passive-aggressively (and even aggressively-aggressively) to each other.

The Hating Game was a best-selling novel in the year 2018. It was a best-seller on the USA Today list in that year. It was published in more than twenty countries.

I can’t wait to see this movie that is based-off of the best-selling book.

Always with infinite love,
Selena London

⭐⭐⭐

It is time to talk about the last book in the “Magnus Chase” trilogy. The last book in the trilogy is named, “The Ship of the Dead.” The author, Rick Riordan, is the one who wrote this book.

In “The Ship of the Dead” the main character is a boy named Magnus Chase. Magnus Chase is the cousin of Annabeth Chase. Annabeth Chase is one of the main characters in the “Percy Jackson” series. However, this book is not about Percy Jackson or Annabeth Chase. This book is all about Magnus’ journey.

Magnus Chase begins his journey with his friends from Floor Nineteen in the Hotel Valhalla. The Hotel Valhalla is the place where warriors go if they die a hero in their previous life. The cast of characters on The Floor Nineteen are: Thomas Jefferson Jr., Alex Fierro, Halfborn Gunderson, and Mallory Keen. Magnus also goes on this journey with the Valkyrie that brought him to The Hotel Valhalla in the first book. Her name is “Samirah” or “Sam.” Finally, Magnus goes on this journey with the dwarf, “Blitzen,” and the elf, “Hearthstone.”

The journey goes off-the-rails almost as soon as it begins. Magnus and his friends are on a ship to sail toward the god, Loki. They are trying to stop Loki from casting off on The Ship of the Dead. If Loki begins to set sail on The Ship of the Dead, then, Ragnarok will begin. However, immediately, Magnus and his friends’ ship is commandeered. A giant and the giants’ daughters manage to grab Magnus and his friends so that the giants can eat them for dinner.

Magnus comes up with an idea to help the group to escape. As a result, Magnus must find a drink known as “Kvasir’s Mead” before he reaches Loki’s location and Ragnarok begins. The search for “Kvasir’s Mead” leads him and his group of friends toward death-defying situations.

I liked this book. That is how I feel about most of Rick Riordan’s books. However, the end of this book was lack-luster. Rick Riordan’s books are always fast-paced. They are always filled with action. However, I felt like the end of this book fell flat. I wanted more action at the end of the book to really show how Magnus has grown and developed over the course of the trilogy.

One of the things that I really liked in this book was when Magnus and Alex Fierro had an intimate moment before the last chapter. I feel like those two have promise.

“The Ship of the Dead” is the book that ends this trilogy; however, I definitely feel like Rick Riordan left the book open-ended. I predict that Magnus will have more adventures in the future. I will be happy to read all about them when I can.

I give this book a 3-star rating. It is a good book, but it is not one of my favorite Rick Riordan books.

Always with infinite love,
Selena London

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Do you remember American Girl? American Girl is a brand that makes dolls that come from history. There are even books that go along with the dolls themselves. The original American Girl Dolls are: Samantha, Josefina, Kristen, Felicity, Addy, and Molly.

American Girl has branched out from the company’s usual style. Now, American Girl has created books that are tailored for your daughters. There are American Girl books that are titled: Love Your Look, Understanding Families, The Care and Keeping of You, and even The Feelings Book: The Care & Keeping of Your Emotions.

These books are great for any young girl to help her to grow-up. I think you should check-out these books if you have a daughter, a niece, or a grandaughter. These books will also be great as birthday presents or as Christmas presents.

And, hey, maybe your daughter will want her own American Girl doll, too.

Always with infinite love,
Selena London

⭐⭐⭐

Here is the next installment of the “Magnus Chase” series by Rick Riordan. This is the second book in the trilogy. The book is named, “Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor.”

In this book it has been six weeks since Magnus chase went on his first adventure. Now, he is getting used to his life… or, his afterlife… in The Hotel Valhalla. A new hallmate makes his… or her way into Magnus’ life. The new hallmate is named, “Alex Fierro.” “Alex Fierro” is gender-fluid. He/she is a shapeshifter so he/she changes genders depending on his/her mood. “Alex Fierro” informs people of the correct pronouns to use for him/her depending on what is going on inside him/her.

Magnus and Alex get pulled into a new adventure. This adventure also includes his two best-friends from the first book named Hearthstone and Blizten. Hearthstone or “Hearth” is an elf. Blitzen or “Blitz” is a dwarf. Finally, there is the Valkyrie named Samirah or “Sam.” Now, these four unlikely friends must come together to rescue Thor’s hammer. Thor’s hammer is named Mjolnir. It is a priceless artifact of strength… and Magnus fights tooth-and-nail to retrieve it.

The best part of this book for me was the end. Magnus and his friends come together in a dark cave to fight the giants that want to own Thor’s hammer. The giants have a scheme to free the evil god, Loki, from his chains. Magnus faces trouble. However, his hallmates from the Floor Nineteen of The Hotel Valhalla also come in to join the chaos in Loki’s cavern.

Like all of Rick Riordan’s book this was a fast-paced and wild ride. Magnus and his friends fall into little mini-adventures on the way to Thor’s Hammer. Magnus visits different worlds like Alfheim, the land of the elves. He goes to another land and sees the goddess, Sif. Sif is a beautiful and golden-haired goddess. She is the wife of Thor. Sif leads Magnus and his group to where they need to go to rescue Thor’s hammer.

I liked this story because of the funny dialogue that Rick Riordan writes masterfully. I enjoyed the first book a lot more though. I can’t wait to read the last book in the trilogy to see how Magnus saves the world from Ragnarok.

I give this book a 3-star rating.

Always with infinite love,
Selena London

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Some of you may know the author who is named Rick Riordan. Rick Riordan is the author of the wildly popular books named, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” The first two books in the series were made into two movies that stars the actor, Logan Lerman. Now, Rick Riordan continues with more adventure novels. Rick Riordan started a new book series based off of the Norse gods. The first book in the series is named, “Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer.”

I read this first book in the series, and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. The main character in the book is a kid named Magnus Chase. Magnus Chase is funny and unapologetic. He is similar to Percy Jackson in this way. Percy Jackson is the main character in Rick Riordan’s early books. However, Magnus is a little more laid back than Percy.

Magnus Chase is the cousin of Annabeth Chase, another main character in Rick Riordan’s earlier books. Annabeth Chase has a cameo in this book. Though she only has a small role in this novel it is great to see her again.

In this book we learn that Magnus Chase is the son of a Norse god. He has two buddies named Blizten and Hearthstone. We later learn that Blizten, or Blitz, is in fact a dwarf. Hearthstone, or Hearth, is an elf who is deaf. He speaks to Magnus through the art of sign language.

Magnus faces a lot of trouble in this book. Right away you learn that Magnus dies. He gets taken to The Hotel Valhala. The Hotel Valhala is the place where heroes go if they die in battle with a weapon in his or her hand. It is also the place where the heroes who are children of Norse gods go to prepare for Ragnarok. Due to Magnus’ heroic death he becomes an einherjar, or a warrior of Odin. He is taken to Floor #19 in Hotel Valhala where he meets his hallmates and his future friends.

However, things do not go well for Magnus. He decides to go back to Earth as an einherjar to complete a mission. He must retrieve the Sword of Summer. The Sword of Summer is a weapon that once belonged to Magnus’ father. He must also stop the evil Fenris Wolf from escaping his chains. The Fenris Wolf is a beast that is mythologically supposed to rise and cause havoc on Ragnarok. Ragnarok is a period of time know as “The End of the World.” If Magnus Chase does not complete his mission, then, Ragnarok will begin.

The first book in the Magnus Chase trilogy is a wild ride. Like Rick Riordan’s pervious books it is fun, fast-paced, and filled with hilarious one-liners that will keep you chuckling as you turn the page. Magnus Chase is a great hero. He is brave and kind. He thinks favorably of his friends, Blitz and Hearth. He does his best to win… no matter what.

If you have never read any of Rick Riordan’s books, then, this is a good place to start. I suggest that you pick-up this book so that you can start on your next at-home adventure.

Always with infinite love,
Selena London

Rick Riordan is the author of the world-wide selling book series that began with “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief.” He recently released his newest book that is titled, “Daughter of the Deep.” He is also working on a new book that will continue on in the world of Percy Jackson.

This book has no name at the moment. However, the book is said to star the character who is named, “Nico di Angelo.” The book is said to continue on after The Trials of Apollo book series. In The Trials of Apollo, a Greek god falls to Earth because he is punished by Zeus.

However, Rick Riordan’s book based on “Nico di Angelo” will not be written alone. Rick Riordan asked the writer who is named Mark Oshiro to co-write the book.

This is what Rick Riordan had to say about working with Mark Oshiro: “To say that I’m excited about this project doesn’t do it justice. This is really new and different for me. Mark knows a lot about Nico and the Percy Jackson world. He also writes such heartbreakingly beautiful books. This was such an incredible and rewarding process that I’m just sorry I didn’t think of it sooner.”

This new book is said to be released in the summer of 2023.

It is great that there is still more to read about in the world of Percy Jackson.

Always with infinite love,
Selena London

Rick Riordan is the author of a popular series of books about the Greek gods of old. His most popular book series is about a demi-god who is the son of Poseidon. His name is “Percy Jackson.” Now, Rick Riordan releases his newest book this month. His book is named “Daughter of the Deep.”

“Daughter of the Deep” is Rick Riordan’s very first science-fiction book. The book is about a girl who is named “Ana Dakkar.” “Dakkar” attends an elite high-school that is named Harding-Pencroft Academy. This academy leads men and women in the marine biologist field. Harding-Pencroft Academy makes young people who end up being marine biology scientists, navy warriors, navigators, and underwater explorers.

Rick Riordan is going on a book tour for his newest book, “Daughter of the Deep.” He will have a number of meet-ups in eight cities. Here is a link to his list of book tour meet-ups.

This is a great opportunity to meet Rick Riordan and to ask him more questions about his latest book.

Always with infinite love,
Selena London

⭐⭐⭐

I finished the last book in the “Matched” trilogy. The last book in the trilogy is named, “Reached.” The author’s name is Ally Condie.

Let’s jump right into it. “Reached” stars the character who is named Cassia Maria Reyes. Cassia lives in the Society. The Society is the government that rules the country of Oria where Cassia lives with her family. The Society controls everything that a person does. In the series everyone in the Society is “matched” with someone else. Your “match” is the person that you are obligated to marry.

Cassia is “matched” to her best-friend who is named Xander. However, Cassia falls-in-love with someone else. She falls-in-love with a neighborhood boy named Ky Markham. Ky Markham is an Aberration. That means that his family has a history of rebelling against the Society that rules the country of Oria.

In this book we follow three perspectives: Cassia’s perspective, Xander’s perspective, and Ky Markham’s perspective. We follow these three as they deal with the consequences of the Rising’s actions. The Rising is the rebellious group in the Society that fights against the Society’s total control. In the novel, the Rising dethrones The Society.

Everyone has a piece to play as the Rising takes over the Society. Cassia is a novice trader. She helps people to trade things so that the person with the item can receive something that they want or something that they need. Xander is a physic. A physic is a job like being a doctor. Ky is a pilot. He flies important cargo throughout Oria. The three go through their own journey to try to find one another.

While the three are separated an epidemic spreads throughout the country of Oria. Xander is in the center of a group of people who try to discover a cure to the epidemic that mutated. Cassia plays an important role to find the cure with Xander. Ky Markham falls sick to the illness that has spread.

I had many different feelings when I read the last installment of the “Matched” trilogy. I thought that “Reached” was a dark and a serious book. Most of the story deals with how the three main characters react to the epidemic. I disliked the dark tone in the book. I wanted to see more romance. I also wanted to see Cassia’s relationship with Xander grow, change, and develop from where it was.

Cassia plays an important role to find the cure that will end the epidemic in Oria. So does Xander. Both characters do his and her own part to save the people who are dying of the epidemic.

I enjoyed this entire series. I have a soft spot for dark-topia books. However, this book was too dark for my taste. I wished to see more romance. I think that some people may feel the same way about the book because of its darkness. I enjoyed the first book in the series much more than this book. The first book in this three-part series is titled, “Matched.”

Overall, I give this book a 3-star rating. It’s an okay book to conclude this dark-topia series… however, I wished it was a more optimistic and a more positive book.

Always with infinite love,
Selena London

⭐⭐⭐

In my last book review I talked about the book, “Matched.” Now I am talking about the first sequel to that book. The book is named, “Crossed.” The author who is named Ally Condie wrote this book.

“Crossed” is much darker than the first book. In “Matched” the book ends with Cassia as she is taken from her safe home in the Society. Cassia is separated from her family and from the boy who she loves. That boy is named Ky Markham. Ky is also taken from his home to some unknown location.

Cassia is taken to a work camp somewhere in the Outter Provinces of the Society. However, all Cassia can think about is finding Ky. In Cassia’s work camp a group of women are taken to another camp in the Outter Provinces. Cassia slips into the group. She hopes that her transfer to another group will lead her to Ky.

Ky is in another work camp. He makes a plan to run away. He takes two people with him: a boy named Victor and a younger boy who is named Eli. They make it into an area with tall cliffs and caverns.

Later on Cassia is taken to Ky’s work camp… but Ky is not there. Cassia decides to run away, too. Cassia goes with two other people. One of the people that goes with her dies. The other person who travels with Cassia is a girl named Indie. The two become friends. They travel throughout the cavern and cliff area until they find Ky, Victor and Eli.

Throughout the whole book there are conversations about “The Pilot.” “The Pilot” is a person who allegedly runs a resistance group against the Society. The resistance group is known as, “The Rising.”

The second book in this series is much darker than the first book. “Crossed” focuses on Cassia and Ky as they live in a camp in the Outter Provinces. It focuses on the two’s struggle for survival in a region of cliffs.

The two need help. But do they find it?

Overall, I have luke-warm feelings about this book. It was a long book that did not have as much action in it as I would like to see. The book was mostly about the characters’ thoughts. I would have liked to see more scenes between Cassia and Ky. I would have liked the two of them to have conversations about the two’s feelings for one another.

I give this book a 3-star rating. I liked the first book that is named “Matched” much more than its sequel.

Always with infinite love,
Selena London

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Today I want to talk about a book that is named, “Matched.” “Matched” is a book by the author who is named Ally Condie. First and foremost, I want to start by saying that I’ve heard good things about this book. So, did my experience live up to the book’s reputation? Here it goes:

I really liked this book. “Matched” is about a girl named Cassia. Cassia lives in a world that is ruled by “The Society.” “The Society” dictates everything that a person does in his or in her life. It even dictates the person that you marry.

At a certain age all the young people go through a “Matching” ceremony. This is one of the most important nights for a person who lives in “The Society.” Cassia is lucky on this night. Cassia is matched with one of her best friends. She is matched to the boy who is named Xander Carrow.

Once everyone is “matched” at the matching ceremony all those who are “matched” are given a micro-card. This micro-card has pictures and has information on the person that you are matched to at the ceremony. Cassia looks at her micro-card after the ceremony… but for a second a new picture shows up on the screen. It is not Xander. It is another boy instead… a boy who is named Ky Markam. Ky is an Aberration. An Aberration is a person who was singled out in “The Society” because of a rebellious act that he or she did at one time. It can also occur if someone in your family participates in an act of rebellion, too.

Cassia is intrigued by the picture on her micro-card. She begins to notice Ky Markam. She notices that he holds many secrets inside. And she wants to know more about him.

The book, “Matched,” is a love story. It is about a young woman who begins to rebel against the system that she is a part of simply because she wants to follow her heart. There are many consequences to Cassia’s rebellion… and they affect her and everyone in her family.

I really enjoyed this book. It was serious and thoughtful. Cassia is a smart person. She tries to follow the rules but goes with her gut instinct. She doesn’t plan to disobey “The Society.” She just wants to be happy. In doing so Cassia shows-off her strength. She shows that sometimes you can not let others dictate your life.

The end of this book was sad. However, there are two more sequels to this book that I am reading right now. The two books are named “Crossed” and “Reached.” I can’t wait to see how all the loose ends are tied in the next book that is named “Crossed.”

I liked this book. I loved Cassia. I give this book a 4-star rating.

Always with infinite love,
Selena London