A Contempary Faery tale with a “not so happily ever after” June 15, 2010

Wicked Lovely

Wicked Lovely

by Melissa Marr

Teen*

Aislinn sees Faeries. No she’s not crazy; in this mythical world created by Melissa Marr faeries run amuck playing tricks on the oblivious humans who are unfortunate enough to be in their path. Aislinn and her Grandmother have lived their entire lives pretending not to see these magical creatures. That is until Aislinn catches the eye of the Summer King, Keenan, who has been searching almost a thousand years for his Summer Queen. Each previous girl who has caught his eye has fallen victim to his wicked mother’s curse- to live with the touch of Winter’s chill until another girl is foolish enough to believe herself to be his true Queen. Keenan knows that this girl is different. In fact, she wants nothing to do with him or his faery kingdom. Can Keenan convince Aislinn that she is the one he needs to regain his full power from the Winter Queen and save the world from falling into her cold grasp forever?

Overall I enjoyed the world Marr created for her readers. It was a quick read that kept me entertained throughout the novel, though by the end I wasn’t quite ready to run out and buy the next book in the series. I guess I’m not a a stainless steel girl, and all the talk of piercings and their sexiness turned me off slightly. Luckily, the characters kept me involved and interested in the story.

The first part of the novel is dedicated to setting up Aislinn’s struggle with keeping her knowledge of the faeries antics hidden, which makes it somewhat hard to believe that she would break her silence about her faery sight to her best friend, Seth. Keenan is likeable, and you understand his desperation in finding his Queen to save not only the fey world, but the human one as well. Despite his best attempts Aislinn never does fall in love with him and she stays true to her love to her best friend Seth. Aislinn and Seth’s relationship is very intense, but isn’t all young love?

My favorite character is actually the last girl to fall to the Winter Queen’s curse, Donia. Each character Marr introduces is fully developed and truly dynamic. Donia, for example, truly loves Keenan but is forced to play her part and do the bidding of the Winter Queen. Once a human like Aislinn, and now part of the faery world can she really stop the next girl who attempts to become the Summer Queen when her heart’s not in it? And her role takes the most surprising twist of all… which you’ll discover when you read Melissa Marr’s debut novel.

If you like Wicked Lovely you should try The Sevenwaters Series or Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier.

* this novel contains adult themes

Not your typical love story February 12, 2010

Dragon Kiss

by E.D. Baker

Young Adult

A typical love story would involve a princess falling in love with a  handsome prince, but Princess Millie isn’t typical – she comes from a long line of female witches who protect her kingdom of Greater Greensward and, as a dragon friend, has the ability to turn herself into a dragon. She has also fallen in love with a dragon and not one of the many princes who court her everyday to her mother’s dismay.  Audun, an ice dragon, and his family were rescued by the brave Princess Millie in a previous storyline from an evil witch.  At the begining of the book Audun declares his love for Millie and his intention to run away to be with her. After a confrontation with both his own dragon parents and Millies mother, Audun decides that he must learn to turn into a human if he ever wants to be Millie. He seeks an audience with the King of the Ice Dragons and asks to learn to be a man. The king decides to test Audun and sends him on a series of tasks to prove his commitment to Millie. He soon finds himself involved in a war for the throne of East Aridia and his duty to his country and friends keeps him away from Millie longer then he anticipated.

I love E.D. Baker’s enchanted world. From the first book in this series The Frog Princess I’ve been hooked, while this book has the same fanciful, fun tone it lacks  some of the magic of the other books in the series. Perhaps it’s because it’s told from the point of view of Audun instead of Millie’s.  Audun in a young dragon trying to find out who he is and what it mean to be a dragon, and he has to turn himself into a man to do it. Throughout the entire book Audun doesn’t let doubt overwhelm his tasks, instead he concentrates on his goal- to be with Millie. Baker’s fantasy world, like Disney’s, is a  magical kingdom where there may be evil, but good always wins out in the end. (As it should) The storyline is fast-paced and entertaining even if the plot twists are a little predictable. Overall it’s a cute, quick read, perfect for a little escapism.

If  you like the Tales of the Frog Princess series then I also recommend the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede.

Homeless to Hopeful February 2, 2010

Myambi’s Second Chance

Written and illustrated by Brenda L. Murray

Age Range 8+

Myambi, 7, and his older brother Enoch, 13, are orphans living in Kampala, Uganda. After their mother dies of AIDS the boys are left to care for themselves. Enoch works odd jobs to bring in food and money. At one point the boys beg food from the local vendors. After being on their own for a while a woman with red shoes begins to leave food for them. Slowly the boys learn to trust this woman with red shoes. Eventually, she offers Myambi and Enoch a home at Watoto Child Care Ministries where they can go to school and be part of a family of six other children and a house-mother

This book is great for introducing your children to empathy.  As you read about Myambi and Enoch’s surviving on their own you really empathize with their struggle and rejoice in their happy ending. The bright colors and hand drawn images ignite  your imagination as you follow the story. While the subject may seem grim, Myambi stays youthful and full of hope as continues to wonder-”Do planes fly higher than angles?”

You can learn more about Watoto Child Care Ministries at www.watoto.com

Brains, Brains, Brains January 27, 2010

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

By  Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith

Age Range: Young Adult

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” With the first line of the novel readers will be pulled into this expansion of the classic tale of love between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  While you think it would be difficult to reconcile a zombie book and Austenian literature, Grahame-Smith achieves this with humor and wit. The Bennett sisters are trained by martial artist in China. They carry that expertise with them back home in England as they try to balance their “deadly arts” training  with what etiquette dictates for proper young ladies.

Grahame-Smith did not edit the course of the plot, but I found the insertion of various zombie attacks throughout the novel helped keep my interest in the book. I must warn you though that being a zombie book, it does get a little gory.  At times I found Elizabeth a little too blood thirsty for my taste (at one point she eats the heart of one of her attackers) she remained mostly true to her original character traits of intelligence, beauty and wit. If you’re looking for a full out zombie book, then this is not the book for you, but if you prefer more plot then it’s an excellent read.

Girl Power January 26, 2010

Alanna: The First Adventure (Book One of the Song of the Lioness Quartet)

Tamora Pierce

Age Range: Young Adult

Set in a  medieval l kingdom of Tortall the first book of Tamora Pierce’s Song of the Lioness Quartet is perfect for anyone looking for adventure and magic. Alanna, determined to become a knight, trades places with her twin brother so that she can journey to the  palace to begin her training. Follow Alanna as she struggles to keep her secret hidden from those she cares about, battles powerful gods from long ago and learns to trust  in others.

I have read and reread this book for over ten years and it is still one of my favorites. Every time I open the book it’s like checking up on old friends. Pierce expertly creates a full world of wonder and adventure for your mind to explore as you follow Alanna’s journey.  From Coram the manservant to Prince Jonathan of Conte  you’ll fall in love  with the characters who support Alanna on her path to knighthood. After putting down the first novel, you’ll be hungry to continue your adventures in Tortall- and you can!  There are several series set in this extraordinary world.

If you like this book you should pick up Sandry’s Book: Circle of Magic, book 1 also by Tamora Pierce.

Hello world! January 23, 2010

Hi! I thought I’d introduce myself before I get started.

My name is Hayley and I’m 24. I have a degree in English literature, but more importantly I love books-  mostly young adult and children’s literature. I believe YA and children’s lit is vital in introducing children to the idea of reading for fun.

If you don’t enjoy reading than you just haven’t found the right book! I hope I can help you here.

I can’t wait to get started sharing some of my favorite books with you, and to hear what you have to say about them too!