BookBunnies

Marshmallow reviews Evil Eyes Sea by Özge Samancı

Last year Marshmallow read and reviewed Dare to Disappoint by Özge Samancı. This year, as her last book before taking time off for the summer, she chose Samancı’s new book, Evil Eyes Sea, just published this month. Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: I’m very excited about this book. So let us get started.

Marshmallow: Sure.

S: Why don’t you tell us a bit about what this book is about?

M: It is about this college student and her college dorm roommate solving a crime together.

S: That sounds interesting!

M: It is!

S: Okay, so tell me more. Please?

M: Okay, okay, you don’t have to beg! So the main character’s name is Ece, and her best friend’s name is Meltem. They have some interesting ideas. Like if they stare at something with their “Medusa gaze,” then they can control it, like move it and so on.

S: That sounds cool.

M: It is funny. But anyways, these two friends are going to college in Istanbul, Turkey, and their dorm is right next to the Bosphorus Strait, and they are diving there one day, when a car falls into the sea right next to them. There is a woman in the car, and they try to save her, but it is too late.

S: Is this the crime they will try to solve? Was the woman murdered?

M: Yes, at least they think so. Ece is quite fascinated and wants to dig into the facts of the case and solve it. They also feel bad for not being able to save her. They also know the woman; it was another student from their dorm.

S: I see. This sounds like a real thriller. And you like murder mysteries.

M: Yes, but this book is a lot more than just a murder mystery. Just like Samancı’s other book that I reviewed, this gives you a good snapshot of Turkey from when she herself was a college student.

S: And that corresponds to the 1990s, right?

M: Yes. There is political tension, and and the crime itself is politically motivated to an extent, and you see all of it through the view of a college student.

S: And from what you are telling me so far, a very perceptive and curious student.

M: Yes, you get to see a lot of different aspects of Ece’s life. There is a lot of smoking though.

S: There was a lot of smoking everywhere back then.

M: There is also some drinking.

S: Hmm, looks like this is not quite appropriate for younger bunnies.

M: Well, I think the fact that there is a gruesome murder in the center of the plot also makes that the case. We do see the dead woman’s body. And there is some cursing. So yes, not for very young bunnies.

Marshmallow is reading Evil Eyes Sea by Özge Samancı. — Marshmallow is reading *Evil Eyes Sea* by Özge Samancı.

S: Okay, so tell me a bit more about the characters. If I am understanding it correctly, Ece is the narrator, right?

M: Yup. And she is a very likeable narrator. You sympathize with her when she is losing her patience with Meltem for example. And Meltem is also a very interesting character. She is popular with boys, very smart, and maybe a bit more cautious than Ece in some ways. But their friendship is strong and real.

S: So in some ways this is a friendship story too?

M: Yes.

S: Okay, so you had really enjoyed Dare to Disappoint. Did this book fit your expectations?

M: Yes. This is more fictional I think, but it still has a sense of realism to it. You really feel like you are observing Ece’s world with its full details. And the book is really colorful! Ece’s hair, like Özge in the other book, is bright orange, but there are so many other colors, too. The color of the sea is very deep blue, and I really liked the cover too.

S: Why?

M: It sort of captures the whole story of the book in one picture, which is really impressive.

S: I agree!

M: There is a trailer for the book, too. Maybe we can put a link to it for our readers to have a sense of the book?

S: Sure. Here it is:

Evil Eyes Book Trailer, YouTube.

M: Thanks. I do think the trailer does a good job describing the book.

S: Great. I hope at least some of our readers will check it out.

M: They should!

S: Okay, maybe this is a good time to wrap up this review. Before we do that, can you tell me how you would rate this book?

M: I’d rate it 100%. But it is not for younger bunnies.

S: Okay, that makes sense to me. Alright then, this is your last review before we take off for July. What do you want to tell our readers?

M: Have a great summer and stay tuned for more amazing reviews from the book bunnies, coming in August!

Marshmallow rates Evil Eyes Sea by Özge Samancı 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Evil Eyes Sea* by Özge Samancı 100%.

Caramel reviews Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth by Ben Clanton

Caramel’s very first review ever for the book bunnies blog was Narwhal: The Unicorn of the Sea!, the first book of Ben Clanton’s Narwhal and Jelly series. Since then, he has reviewed seven more books in the series: Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Narwhal’s Otter Friend, Happy Narwhalidays, Narwhal’s School of Awesomeness, Narwhalicorn and Jelly and A Super Scary Narwhalloween. Today, as his last review before the book bunnies take off for the month of July, he is reviewing the ninth and most recent book in the series: Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth, which is scheduled to come out in July 2024. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

The book bunnies received this book as an advance review copy.

Caramel reviews Narwhal's Sweet Tooth by Ben Clanton. — Caramel reviews *Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth* by Ben Clanton.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, here we are, with a brand new Narwhal and Jelly book!

Caramel: Yes! I am very excited about it!

S: Great! So tell us about the book. What are the goofy duo Narwhal and Jelly up to this time?

C: Well, they are not up to anything. But Narwhal has a problem.

S: Oh no! What is his problem?

C: His tooth nearly breaks off!

S: His special narwhal tooth?

C: Yes. Well, it is actually called a tusk, but yes.

S: Why? How does this happen?

C: His tooth nearly breaks off because he keeps stacking food on it. You can look at the picture in the front of the book. Just like that.

S: I see. That might not be a good way to use the tooth I suppose.

C: Yeah, no, it is not. And he is eating a lot of sweets. The title tells you that. He has a sweet tooth. That means he likes sweets a lot. And everyone knows too much candy is bad for your teeth.

S: That is definitely true. Too much candy, and especially if you do not brush your teeth afterwards…

C: Yeah, Narwhal does not brush his teeth. But he learns to brush it in the end.

S: Caramel, you had reviewed a book about teeth and keeping them clean many many years ago!

C: Oh, I had already forgotten. It has been a while.

S: But you have not forgotten that it is important to keep teeth clean.

C: Of course not! We bunnies need our teeth to be healthy.

Caramel is reading Narwhal's Sweet Tooth by Ben Clanton. — Caramel is reading *Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth* by Ben Clanton.

S: Well, so it has been a while since you last reviewed a new Narwhal and Jelly book. How did it feel to have a new book about these two friends?

C: Very good. I think Narwhal and Jelly are the coolest!

S: And it seems like this book in particular has an important message about teeth, but did it feel like it was trying to teach you something?

C: Yes, a little bit, but I did not mind it. I love Narwhal and Jelly. And they are always so funny and fun! Reading these books makes me happy!

S: That sounds wonderful! Okay, so tell me your favorite quote from the book.

C: Jelly says to Narwhal: “Narwhal it’s hard to frown when you’re around.”

S: That is a nice thing for a friend to say to another friend.

C: Yes. They are good friends.

S: I seem to recall that these books often have a bunch of facts sprinkled here and there, and you love those facts too. Were there any facts in this book too?

C: Yep.

S: Were they all about teeth?

C: Yes! But not all about keeping them clean.

S: Did you learn anything new?

C: Yup. My most favorite new fact from the book is that the purple sea urchin has five teeth! And here is a webpage from the Monterey Bay Aquarium that shows those five teeth!

S: That is really cool! Not a lot of natural things have five-fold symmetry like that!

C: True! But you showed me that apples do!

S: Yep. That is one of my favorite fun facts. Okay, so this all sounds like you really enjoyed reading Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth.

C: Yes!

S: So if someone had not read any of the earlier books, would they still enjoy this one?

C: Yes, Narwhal and Jelly are really cool anyways. But if you want to know them better, you can read some of the earlier books too.

S: So the adventures can be read independently?

C: Yes.

S: That is great, Caramel. So maybe this is a good time to wrap up our review. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: I’m going on a break till July!

S: Yes, Marshmallow has one more review on Saturday, but then we take the month of July off. So–

C: So, yes, enjoy your summer and stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Narwhal's Sweet Tooth by Ben Clanton just as much as he loved reading all the other Narwhal adventures, and he is looking forward to more! — Caramel loved reading *Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth* by Ben Clanton just as much as he loved reading all the other Narwhal adventures, and he is looking forward to more!

Marshmallow reviews Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

A few weeks ago Marshmallow reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the first of the famous Hunger Games trilogy. Today she talks to Sprinkles about the second book in the series, Catching Fire, first published in 2009.

Sprinkles: So Marshmallow, tell us a bit about this second book.

Marshmallow: Well, it starts more or less where the first book ended. So Katniss and Peeta won that year’s Hunger Games, and they go on a victory tour. But it is not really a real victory, because they are being coerced into performing like they are proud and also in love for the masses.

S: So it is really like a reality TV show.

M: Yes, but it is also based off the Roman gladiator games, like we said the last time. This became apparent to me when we see rich people who make themselves throw up so they can continue to gorge themselves with more food. Roman aristocrats also did this.

S: Such a waste of food.

M: Yes, but also keep in mind that there is real poverty in other parts of the country. So it is especially disturbing that they have too much to eat while others are almost starving.

S: I agree. Okay, so tell me more about the victory tour that is not a real victory tour bur rather a fancy photo op.

M: When Katniss and Peeta both survive, this is kind of against the wishes of the Capitol, and this leads to people having some rebellious ideas. So President Snow coerces Katniss to act as if she is really in love with Peeta and did not intend to start a rebellion. But still, they become the symbols of a rebellion against the Capitol.

S: That sounds like they might be in danger then.

M: Yes, eventually there is a new Hunger Game announced and this time they do not choose new champions. Instead teams of two from among the earlier victors will be put together. And of course since Katniss is the only female victor from her district, she has to play. Peeta joins her and they face an even more challenging game this time, because this time President Snow wants her dead.

Marshmallow is reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. — Marshmallow is reading *Catching Fire* by Suzanne Collins.

S: Okay, I think that sums up the plot of this second book quite well.

M: But wait there is a love triangle as well.

S: How so? Tell me.

M: Well, Katniss is developing feelings for Peeta, but also she has some lingering feelings for Gale, who was her friend from before the Games in the first book. So there is that, too.

S: I see. But I am guessing that it does not get too mushy, or you would not really love the book so much.

M: Yes, that is correct, so no, it does not get too mushy. Thankfully. There is some kissing and stuff, but it is not as central to the book as in some other books.

S: Okay, I know you want to move to the next book immediately, so does that mean you liked this one?

M: Yes! I’d rate it 100%, if only it did not end in a cliffhanger…

S: I guess you will just have to read the third book soon.

M: But first we have to watch the movie for this book!

S: Maybe.

M: At least maybe we can put the trailer here?

S: We can do that! Here it is:

Hunger Games: Catching Fire – official trailer (YouTube).

M: Thank you. I think that looks really good!

S: I agree. So maybe we should see it some time.

M: Yes!

S: But for now, it is time to wrap up this review.

M: Yes!

S: What do you want to tell our readers?

M: Stay tuned for more amazing reviews from the book bunnies!

Marshmallow would rate Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 100% if it did not end in a cliffhanger. — Marshmallow would rate *Catching Fire* by Suzanne Collins 100% if it did not end in a cliffhanger.

Caramel reviews Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer

Last week, Caramel reviewed Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer, the second book about the evil boy genius Artemis Fowl. Today he reviews Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code, the third book in the series, first published in 2003. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So here we are, about to start talking about yet another Artemis Fowl book. So this is number three. Tell us about it.

Caramel: This book starts out with Artemis Fowl building a supercomputer he calls C Cube. He tries to bargain with a business man who steals it from him. And his friend Butler is shot. The supercomputer uses fairy technology that Artemis stole from the fairies, and the fairies detect it when he uses it to show off to the businessman. They come to figure out what is going on, and the fairy officer Holly ends up helping Artemis again.

S: So we have some old characters, and some new ones, too. Right?

C: Yes, the businessman Jon Spiro is new. But for example, Foaly the centaur and Mulch Diggums are not new, and they have very important roles in this book.

S: I see. So is the plot as convoluted and complicated as the one from Book Two?

C: Yes, I think so. That’s why I have been rereading the book, to make sure I got all the details.

Caramel is reading Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer. — Caramel is reading *Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code* by Eoin Colfer.

S: So is Artemis Fowl still evil?

C: Pretty much. Or maybe, not as much. He seems to be planning to go legitimate.

S: How so?

C: Like he knows that the supercomputer he built can be dangerous, and he actually wants it not to be in the hands of bad people.

S: You mean, other bad people? Because he built it after all, and he is probably still kind of bad?

C: He built it because he wanted it for himself, but he was not going to use it to cause any trouble. He was even thinking of making a version of it that could be marketable, like a real product.

S: So he was trying to become a “legitimate businessman” like Fat Tony in The Simpsons always claims to be?

C: No! Fat Tony is not a legitimate businessman. Artemis Fowl was trying to become a real legitimate businessman. He was trying to make a version that would not be dangerous at all and could be useful to a lot of other people.

S: I see. So there is some character development for the main character, then?

C: Yes. I mean he is still arrogant and so on, but I think he is softening up a bit.

S: I see. Do you like that?

C: Yes I do. He is still brilliant and funny.

S: Okay, so now I bet you will want to read the next book?

C: Yes! Especially because this book kind of ends on a cliffhanger.

S: Oh no! Okay then, I guess we will have to locate a copy of the fourth book now.

C: Yes, we have to!

S: Okay Caramel, I am guessing this is a good time to wrap this review up. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer and is ready to read Book Four. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code* by Eoin Colfer and is ready to read Book Four.