Caramel’s reviews – BookBunnies

The Book Bunnies review the books of 2025

For the last few years, we have been doing a New-Year-ish thing in our last post of the year and talking about all the books we have read through that year. (You can find our recap of 2022 here; here is our recap of 2023, and here is the recap for 2024.) This year, we continue this tradition and take a look at our reviews for 2025.

[2025 saw the bunnies read and review many books, both new and classic. You can find a full list here.]

The book bunnies review the books of 2025.

Sprinkles: This year was a long and interesting one! We read a lot of new books and a lot of old books, too. And all the way at the end of the year, Midnight, the fourth member of our family joined us! So we thought, we can do something slightly different this time. Maybe everyone can tell us their favorites?

Midnight: Mine is the easiest then. I only reviewed one book: Foundation by Asimov. So it is my favorite book of the year. Also it is my least favorite.

Sprinkles: I see what you did there Midnight. That is funny.

This year Midnight joined the book bunnies blog and reviewed Foundation by Isaac Asimov. Here is a link to his review. — This year Midnight joined the book bunnies blog and reviewed *Foundation* by Isaac Asimov. Here is a link to his review.

Caramel: I want to say what mine was next!

Sprinkles: Sure, Caramel. I know you have been going over your reviews for the year. So which was your favorite?

Caramel: Escaping Peril, the graphic novel version. I also really liked rereading my review because soon, very soon, I will have the ninth book to read!

Sprinkles: Yes, I know! It is going to be published in early January 2026, so you can review it when we get back from our break.

Caramel: Will do.

Caramel's favorite book in 2025 was Escaping Peril: The Graphic Novel by Tui Sutherland. Here is a link to his review. — Caramel’s favorite book in 2025 was *Escaping Peril: The Graphic Novel* by Tui Sutherland. Here is a link to his review.

Sprinkles: So Marshmallow, what was your favorite book this year?

Marshmallow: I liked several of them a lot.

Sprinkles: I know, it is sometimes really hard to choose. But if you had to…

Marshmallow: I really liked The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger. I thought it was really well written and very inspiring.

Sprinkles: That was a really good book!

Marshmallow's favorite book in 2025 was The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger. Here is a link to her review. — Marshmallow’s favorite book in 2025 was The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger. Here is a link to her review.

Marshmallow: Yes. But I also really liked a lot of the other books I reviewed this year. So it is quite hard to choose. How about you?

Sprinkles: Hmm, I reviewed a lot of poetry books this year. And also Flatland: A Journey of Many Dimensions, which is a mathematical classic. So of course I liked that one a lot. But among the poetry books, When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne are probably my favorites. They are really cute, and they remind me a lot of both of you when you were even younger bunnies.

Marshmallow: Of course, because we were also so so cute!

Sprinkles: Exactly.

Caramel: We are still cute, though?

Sprinkles: Of course.

Midnight: I myself don’t care to be cute.

Sprinkles: You jut can’t help it though!

Midnight: Hmm. I prefer to be mysterious and vaguely threatening.

Marshmallow: Okay Midnight. As you wish.

Sprinkles cheated and chose three favorites: *Flatland: A Journey of Many Dimensions*, *When We Were Very Young*, and *Now We Are Six*.

Sprinkles: Typically in these recaps, we used to talk about quite a lot more books, but this year, we wanted to try something different and just talk about our favorites.

Caramel: It is a lot easier honestly.

Sprinkles: Well, for some of us, it is not so easy to choose our favorites. For example, that new book you two could not stop reading last week. Maybe it will be your favorite next year?

Marshmallow: It might be, if I review it.

Caramel: Hmm, I could review it too, but if she insists, I guess Marshmallow could review it. Then I will have my Wings of Fire books to review anyways.

Sprinkles: True, besides the ninth graphic novel of the original Wings of Fire series, the sixteenth book is coming out in 2026 as well.

Caramel: I can’t wait!

Sprinkles: Maybe Midnight will review more books for us, too, in 2026.

Midnight: That remains to be seen. A mysterious rabbit does not reveal their intentions so easily.

Caramel: Hmm, okay Midnight. But in any case, we have the month of January off!

Marshmallow: And we will be back here in February! So I want to say: Happy new year everyone! We wish you a happy hoppy new year in 2026!

Sprinkles: With lots of good books and many friends, old and new!

Caramel: Yes! And stay tuned for more book bunny reviews, coming to you in February 2026!

All four book bunnies, and Caramel's good friend Steve, wish all bunnies around the world a hoppy happy new year in 2026, with lots of good books and many friends, old and new! — All four book bunnies, and Caramel’s good friend Steve, wish all bunnies around the world a hoppy happy new year in 2026, with lots of good books and many friends, old and new!

Caramel reviews Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono

Today Caramel reviews Kiki’s Delivery Service, originally written in Japanese by Eiko Kadono in 1985. Kiki’s story became a world sensation when the animated movie Kiki’s Delivery Service by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli came out in 1989. Caramel and Sprinkles both read the book before watching the movie, and in this post, they are talking about the English translation by Emily Balistrieri, published originally in 2020.

Caramel reviews Kiki's Delivery Service, written by Eiko Kadono and translated into English by Emily Balistrieri. — Caramel reviews *Kiki’s Delivery Service*, written by Eiko Kadono and translated into English by Emily Balistrieri.

Sprinkles: Today Caramel and I are talking about a book written several decades before he was born. And an animated movie of the book also became famous all the way back then. But Caramel and I only read it this year. The story is pretty timeless though, so I think it still worked out well. What do you think, Caramel?

Caramel: Yeah, I agree. The story is timeless, and it is pretty good. It’s about a witch. In this world witches are nice, and at thirteen they need to leave home and go to a new town and help the people there.

S: Okay, that’s cool, I like that witches are nice. And I like growing-up-and-figuring-yourself-out stories. So I’m guessing that this book is about a witch named Kiki, and she starts a delivery service in a new town?

C: Yes, that’s almost exactly what happens. When Kiki turns thirteen, she needs to leave her home. Her mom is also a witch and both her parents are very supportive of what she has to do. So she leaves home and flies to a town near the ocean.

S: Wait! She literally flies?

C: Yes, on her broomstick!

S: Cool! So she is a broomstick witch. Okay go on.

C: So in this new town, Kiki begins to live with a farm family. She then sets up shop in their barn and gets a telephone, and she starts her delivery service there.

S: So she begins to deliver things to people using her broomstick, like courier services provided by people on mopeds?

C: Yeah, she delivers small things. Toy cats, real cats, children, bread, things like that.

S: Wait, she delivers children?

C: Yeah, no, that’s a joke. But she delivers all kinds of other stuff. And she has a talking cat named Jiji who always comes along.

Caramel is reading Kiki's Delivery Service, written by Eiko Kadono and translated into English by Emily Balistrieri. — Caramel is reading *Kiki’s Delivery Service*, written by Eiko Kadono and translated into English by Emily Balistrieri.

S: Oh, that sounds really cool. Wouldn’t you like to have a talking cat?

C: Maybe. I think it could be fun. But these witches sure like names that repeat a syllable. Ki-ki and Ji-ji.

S: Both names sound cute though, right?

C: Sure-sure; see I did the same thing?

S: You are in a good mood today Caramel! Okay, let us get back to the book. So did you know that the author who wrote this book wrote eight more following the adventures of Kiki?

C: Really, are they translated yet? This book was pretty good so I’d definitely like to read at least some of the followup books.

S: I don’t think any of them is translated yet. But you’re right. The story sounds really cute.

C: Yeah, it’s a nice calm book. Nothing really bad happens, and Kiki feels lonely at the beginning and faces some challenges, but nothing too scary, and she eventually finds her footing. All young bunnies could enjoy it, I think.

S: Agreed. Did you know that the animated version of the book was what made it so famous? The movie was made all the way back in 1989 and it is still well liked by many around the world.

C: Huh, that’s cool, I didn’t know that.

S: Yeah, it was made by Hayao Miyazaki, from Studio Ghibli. Do you remember them? They are the people who made My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Spirited Away (2001), and The Boy and the Heron (2023).

C: Oh yeah, I do think we saw the trailer for Kiki before we watched The Boy and the Heron, and that was one weird movie! But I think Marshmallow liked My Neighbor Totoro.

S: I did not see that one but yes, The Boy and the Heron was a very different type of movie. I think it would be neat to see the movie about Kiki, too.

C: Yes! Maybe we can put in a link for the trailer?

S: Sure. Here it is:

C: Thank you. Maybe we can find a way to watch the full movie too.

S: Yes, I think that would be lovely! Do you think this is a good time to wrap up this review?

C: Yes, I think so.

S: Okay, then, what would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews! And merry Christmas to all who celebrate!

Caramel enjoyed reading Kiki's Delivery Service, written by Eiko Kadono and translated into English by Emily Balistrieri, and is eager to see the movie itself next. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Kiki’s Delivery Service*, written by Eiko Kadono and translated into English by Emily Balistrieri, and is eager to see the movie itself next.

Caramel reviews Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman

Today Caramel is talking to Sprinkles about a book he has been reading for his English class: Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman, originally published in 2004.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, can you start us off by telling us a bit about the book?

Caramel: Okay, it’s about a kid named Blake, who’s going to college at 16, and he is sort of a scaredy cat, at least about roller coasters.

S: Well, roller coasters can be really terrifying.

C: True, but this kid seems to be scared of all of them, while his little brother Quinn is not afraid of anything.

S: Hmm, okay, I am sensing that you kind of liked Quinn more.

C: He sounds a lot more like a real kid, you know? But basically, he’s just not scared of many things. Anyways, the first thing that happens in the book is that Blake, Quinn, and Blake’s friends Russ and Maggie are at a theme park. Blake wins a game, and then he is given a teddy bear by a strange and mysterious girl named Cassandra. He takes the teddy bear home and inside is a ticket to another theme park.

S: That sounds curious. Then what happens?

C: When the two boys come home, they learn that their mom is engaged, and the two brothers get into a fight over the engagement. Quinn is not happy about the engagement but Blake is more accepting.

S: It is a tough issue of course.

C: Sure, I agree. Anyways, the brother then is found in a comatose state, and Blake sees carnival lights in Quinn’s open eyes.

S: That’s freaky! And kind of scary!

C: Yeah, Blake then takes his two friends and goes to the theme park that belonged to the ticket he had found in his teddy bear, and he finds a carnival.

S: This is getting weirder and scarier.

C: Yes. And did I mention that it is the middle of the night?

S: No wonder Wikipedia describes this book as a “psychological thriller” and a “fast paced horror thriller”! I am already getting all tense here, and I have not even read the book.

C: Yep, the book is kind of tense, but it’s a kind of tense that makes you wanna keep reading.

S: I guess that is a good kind of tense. Okay, go on.

C: At the carnival they witness some weird stuff. They have to go on some rides and each of them is weird. And real! I mean one can get really hurt.

S: Not like the holodeck on Star Trek?

C: Well, actually kind of exactly like the holodeck when the safety measures are offline.

S: I see. So the kids have to ride several rides and they are in real danger?

C: Yes. Actually they have to ride seven rides before dawn and finish them without failing. And to add to it, Blake sees his brother Quinn is there, too, riding these dangerous rides and is not taking things seriously at all.

S: And of course Blake is very worried, I can imagine.

C: Yeah, and he learns that Cassandra is in charge of the carnival, but I shouldn’t spoil it any more.

Caramel is reading Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman. — Caramel is reading *Full Tilt* by Neal Shusterman.

S: Okay, that makes sense. You have already gotten us deep into the book and all tensed up. So let us talk a bit about the book in another way. It was good at making you feel the tension, I understood that. But tell us also about the characters. You liked Quinn and kind of found Blake a bit too much of a scaredy cat, but did they feel like real people? How about Russ and Maggie?

C: Yeah, the story is told from Blake’s point of view, so you get a pretty good sense of him and his view of things. And the others are just his friends, and they all feel quite normal to me.

S: What about Cassandra? I mean it seems she is kind of a mysterious character. Is that how she felt to you as you were reading the book?

C: Cassandra never seemed normal, but Blake knows why now. And I do too, but I cannot tell. I don’t want to spoil the whole thing.

S: Okay, I won’t push then. All in all, this seems like a pretty neat book, and you got to read it for your English class. Did you have many discussions in class about it?

C: Yeah, it was neat!

S: Okay, cool. Would you then recommend this book to other bunnies?

C: Yes, but probably not the very young ones. It is really tense and younger bunnies can get scared.

S: The picture on the cover is scary too!

C: Yeah, it is kind of how you can picture the characters in that weird carnival. Maybe it is good that it is scary because younger bunnies won’t want to read it.

S: I agree. I found the cover picture quite scary myself. It makes sense a bit more now that you told me about the book. So okay, I think this is a good place to wrap up this review.

C: Sure. Let’s do that.

S: What do you wish to tell our readers then?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

.Caramel enjoyed reading Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman though he warns that it is probably not appropriate for the youngest bunnies. — .Caramel enjoyed reading *Full Tilt* by Neal Shusterman though he warns that it is probably not appropriate for the youngest bunnies.

Caramel reviews Mysterious Tales of Japan by Rafe Martin

Today Caramel is talking to Sprinkles about Mysterious Tales of Japan, written by Rafe Martin and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi, originally published in 1996.

Caramel reviews Mysterious Tales of Japan, written by Rafe Martin and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi. — Caramel reviews *Mysterious Tales of Japan*, written by Rafe Martin and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we are talking about Mysterious Tales of Japan, another one of those books you read for that Asian Myths and Legends summer course you took a while back.

Caramel: Yeah, it is, I think, the last one? I already reviewed the other ones: Japanese Myths, Legends, and Folktales, Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories, Chinese Myths and Legends: The Monkey King and Other Adventures, Vietnamese Children’s Favorite Stories, and Favorite Children’s Stories from China and Tibet.

S: Yes, I think you are completing the set today. But this one is a bit different from the others, right? The stories are a bit spooky, I am guessing.

C: Spooky? No, they’re not that spooky. But yes, there are ghosts and spirits and such.

S: I see. Then please tell me a bit more about the book.

C: It has some stories shared with some of the others, like “Ho-Ichi the Earless” and “Urashimmo Taro”, which I had already read in Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories. Besides these, there are eight other stories, and I had not read those before; they were all new to me.

S: That’s cool Caramel. So ten stories and eight of them were totally new for you. Tell me a bit about the new stories.

C: The other eight stories are “Green Willow”, “The Snow Woman”, “Kogi”, “The Crane Maiden”, “The Pine of Akoya”, “A Frog’s Gift”, “The Boy Who Drew Cats”, and “Black Hair”. They are all about five pages or so.

Caramel is reading Mysterious Tales of Japan, written by Rafe Martin and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi. — Caramel is reading *Mysterious Tales of Japan*, written by Rafe Martin and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi.

S: Okay, so tell me a bit about these stories. Any one that surprised you?

C: No, not really; most of the stories are sort of similar to others that I read before.

S: Okay, so I guess you are getting used to Japanese folk tales and their general feel. Then, maybe tell me which was the most interesting? Or the spookiest?

C: I think that “Ho-ichi the Earless” is the spookiest.

S: I remember that story from the other book. It was quite weird and spooky, I agree. But that book was basically a graphic novel adaptation, so it was very visual. Left not much to your imagination.

C: This book has pictures, too, but only one or two for each story. So you have a lot more to imagine.

S: That can sometimes be scarier.

C: True. Sometimes the imagining is the part where I like real books over picture books. Let me think about what I want the main character to look like. Let me think about how the house the author is describing actually looks like. And so on. And the pictures in this book are not all very detailed. They give you a feel for the story, but you still have a lot more to imagine on your own.

S: Yes, the pictures are beautiful and evocative, but you are right, they are not very detailed. They leave much room to create in your own imagination. So for example, the two stories you had already read before in that other book: when you were reading them here, did you have some new imagery in your mind to go along with the story line?

C: Yeah, sometimes the space not drawn is the spookiest. It definitely was like that for me for “Ho-ichi the Earless”.

S: Cool, thanks for all this Caramel. I think we have enough for a post, so maybe this is a good time to wrap things up.

C: Sure, why not?

S: Great! What would you like to say to our readers as your closing words?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel appreciated reading Mysterious Tales of Japan, written by Rafe Martin and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi, and recommends it to all other young bunnies, but maybe they should think about reading it with a grownup bunny so they don't get too scared. — Caramel appreciated reading *Mysterious Tales of Japan*, written by Rafe Martin and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi, and recommends it to all other young bunnies, but maybe they should think about reading it with a grownup bunny so they don’t get too scared.