Hey everyone! We’re excited to debut a book review section on our blog. Reading is good for the mind and soul, and we can’t wait to share our favorite books with you!
The first book we’re reviewing is Kevin Sands’s The Blackthorn Key. After reading the premise, a middle grade historical novel that takes place in London in the 1660s, I knew that I had to read it. I was on the waiting list at the Boston Public Library for almost three weeks, but the wait was worth it! The main character is an apothecary’s apprentice, and before he knows it, he’s wrapped in a dangerous mystery that only he can solve. I hadn’t read a middle grade book focusing on apothecaries before, so the plot felt fresh and interesting. With plenty of potions and recipes written in code, this book kept me on my toes and I finished the whole thing in one day. Kevin also is a great writer, and his word choices and depiction of the life of an apothecary during this time period really made the book spring to life. Kevin is coming out with a sequel, Mark of the Plague, which I can’t wait to read. Check out his website for updates: http://www.kevinsandsbooks.com/
