Audiobook review: "Etiquette & Espionage" by Gail Carriger

Title: Etiquette & Espionage
Author: Gail Carriger
Publisher:   Hachette Audio, 2013 (print available from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Narrator: Moira Quirk

When Sophronia is told she will be sent off to finishing school, she is not pleased. Not at all. However, after a decidedly odd interview with "Mlle Geraldine," it quickly becomes clear that Madame Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality is not exactly what it appears to be on the surface. As it turns out, the school is not only a place young girls are trained to become ladies, they are also trained to become intelligencers. Classes include etiquette and how to execute a proper curtsy, as well as the use of seduction, stealth, and proper fighting techniques. In addition to all this knew knowledge, Sophronia and her friends do some intelligencing of their own regarding a missing prototype, an older schoolmate who failed to Finish and has been sent to study with the debuts, and other mysterious activity.

This first book in Gail Carriger's new series for teens is just delightful. Fans of her adult series, Soulless, would be well advised to pick this one up as well. Who can resist a fine comedy of manners mixed together with steam technology, the art of espionage, how to manipulate and obtain information, all while still being presentable for afternoon tea or ready to dance a quadrille at a ball? Oh yes, mustn't forget the werewolves and vampires. This book has action and humor in spades.

Sophronia herself is an excellent heroine, and a character I look forward to watching develop over the course of the next books in the series. She's resourceful, intelligent, has a good heart, and does not shy away from getting her hands dirty if necessary. I loved a lot of the secondary characters too, namely the sootie Soap, the young French engineer Vieve (age 9), and the loyal and easily scandalized Dimity (who also, I might add, is the daughter of evil geniuses and describes herself as "a good girl," to their chagrin).

Honestly, I think I like this one more than Soulless, though that might be because I listened to the excellent narration by Moira Quirk. Her accents and inflections completely made this for me, and I would highly recommend that anyone who had trouble getting into this series try the audio. This is one of the 2014 Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults for a reason.

Disclosure: I downloaded this audiobook through my local library and OverDrive.

Audiobook review: "Of Poseidon" by Anna Banks

Title: Of Poseidon
Author: Anna Banks
Publisher: AudioGO!, 2013 (print available from
Narrator: Rebecca Gibel 

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook, and I'm grateful to AudioSync for making it available for free for one week!

Emma, after meeting a strange boy named Galen and his twin sister Rayna, witnesses something horrific in the ocean in Florida. When she gets back home to New Jersey, all she wants is to forget what happened, but knows nothing will be the same for her again. Imagine her surprise when she sees Galen on the first day of school—and he's in all of her classes. Soon it becomes clear that Emma has a secret, though she doesn't even know what it is. And this secret may be the key to saving Galen's people.

Galen is Syrena, or as humans refer to them, a merman, and a Royal, no less. He knows Emma is Syrena too, and to make matters even more complicated, it looks as if she might have the gift of Poseidon, a gift that can save the Syrena race. But Galen must fight his growing attraction to her, since she must mate with his older brother to keep the peace between the two kingdoms of Syrena. Like I said, complicated.

There were a lot of things I liked about Of Poseidon and the world Banks has created. The Syrena culture is well thought out, and we learn about it as Emma does. I also liked the mystery surrounding Emma's parentage, since she grew up believing herself and her parents to be human. The romance didn't seem overdone to me, either. It's not love at first sight, though both Galen and Emma find themselves attracted to each other despite their best efforts. I was also pleased with the secondary characters, most notably Rayna, Toraf, and Rachel, who were fun to read about/listen to and added a lot of humor to the story.

The real kicker was the twist at the end. I kind of saw it coming, but not too far ahead of time, and the cliffhanger ending isn't too cliffhanger-y, if that makes se
nse. We know there is a second book, and we know the many questions and loose ends that will be addressed, but our MCs are not in any immediate danger or anything.

I thought Rebecca Gibel did a great job with the narration. She has a pleasant voice, I could distinguish each character easily, and she put the appropriate amount of emotion into the dialogue and Emma's inner monologue. I never felt it was over- or underacted. I would certainly listen to another book narrated by her.

I hope I can find a copy of Of Triton on audio soon, as I would love to continue listening to this story.

Disclosure: I got a copy of this audiobook through the free SYNC downloads this summer. Find this week's selections here!

Book review: "The Magic Thief" by Sarah Prineas

Title: The Magic Thief
Author: Sarah Prineas
Publisher: HarperTrophy (an imprint of HarperCollins), 2008

This is a fun fantasy for younger readers, around middle grade and possibly a bit younger, as well as of course anyone else who likes MG fantasy. It's the story of Connwaer, a gutter thief who lives in the Twilight (a rough part of the city of Wellmet). He tries to steal a wizard's locus magicalicus, which is basically like a wand but in the form of a stone, and that's where the adventure starts. He ends up the wizard's apprentice, sort of by accident, and ends up trying to save the city from losing all of its magic, as well as its lifeblood.

I really enjoyed this first book in the series. Conn is a great character, tricky and thieving when he needs to be, but loyal and truthful down to his core. Nevery, the wizard, is a grump, but a grump with a heart of gold. And the secondary characters are just as enjoyable.

The story is fun, too, though this first adventure is really just a gateway into the rest of Conn's apprenticeship in my opinion. Here, characters are established, Conn's ability is revealed, and an open ending leaves the return of villains an almost certainty.

I look forward to the next books in the series. I'd recommend this to fans of the Bartimaeus trilogy by Jonathan Stroud and Megan Whelan Turner's books.

Book Review: "Splintered" by A.G. Howard

Title: Splintered
Author: A.G. Howard
Publisher: Amulet Books, 2013

Alyssa Gardner is descended from a long line of madness, beginning with her great-great-great grandmother, Alice Liddell. Her grandmother Alicia drew Wonderland characters all over her walls when she was a teen and believed she could fly, jumping to her death shortly after giving birth to Alyssa's mother, Alison. Alison, residing in a psych ward, talks to flowers and bugs, and refuses to eat anything unless it's served in a teacup. Alyssa knows it's only a matter of time before she ends up in a straitjacket herself. After all, she too can hear the flowers and the insects...

But all this madness turns out to be for a reason. Alice, it turns out, really did fall down the rabbit hole, but the events of the story are a bit different than Lewis Carroll's version. When Alyssa discovers she might be able to fix her family and its curse, she is thrown into Wonderland along with her best friend Jeb and discovers allies in the netherworld, chiefly Morpheus, surprisingly sexy and seductive Caterpillar of Wonderland fame. Soon Alyssa discovers she can't be sure who she trusts; will she be able to save her mother and herself before it's too late, or will she be trapped in Wonderland forever?

This is a wonderfully grotesque and twisted view of Wonderland, and I give A.G. Howard serious credit for her world building. Wonderland is full of deformed creatures, often a mishmash of animals and mythical beings that resemble something you'd find in a nightmare. It's chaotic and morbid, mad and strange, and it was everything (and more) I really wanted Tim Burton's Wonderland to be in his disappointing film.

I did have problems with some aspects, however. The story was choppy in the beginning, with things happening very quickly; it was all a little too rapid to be quite believable to me. And at first I thought Jeb's inclusion in the adventure was purely so Alyssa could be in the center a love triangle with him and Morpheus. Luckily, it smoothed out a bit toward the middle. There are some surprising and fantastic twists that I didn't see coming, which more than redeemed the beginning bits for me.

I actually found myself enjoying the love triangle, something that usually bugs me. (The passion got a bit heavy-handed and cloying for my tastes, but I'm certain I'm going to be in the minority when it comes to that.) It was clear that each man represented a different part of Alyssa's self; light and dark, order and chaos. I found myself unsure of who to "root" for, so to speak, both of them are so much a part of who Alyssa is and could be. And that was really at the center of this novel: Alyssa's discovery of her self, and choosing which path to take.

If you're a fan of the original, this is worth the read, especially if you're into a darker and more twisted telling. Some surprising and welcome twists make this truly an original re-imagining of a classic tale.

Disclosure: I received an e-galley from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: "Fathomless" by Jackson Pearce

Title: Fathomless
Author: Jackson Pearce
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2012

Lo is a woman of the sea, what one might call a mermaid (though she has no fins). She can't remember her life before the sea, just the vague thought that she had one. But she feels like she is happy under the water and tries to forget.

Celia is a triplet with the power to see a person's past with just a touch, though she feels her power is the most disappointing out of the three sisters—Anne can see a person's future, and Jane can see their thoughts in the present. Celia is shy and feels slightly useless compared to her sisters.

When the two girls meet and together save a boy from drowning, they discover how Celia can help Lo recall who she once was. But does Lo want to know? And what is the cost Celia will have to pay?

In this third installment of the Fairy Tale Retellings trilogy by Jackson Pearce, characters mentioned in the two previous books have their own story told. This isn't really a spoiler, so I'll tell you that Celia and her sisters are the much younger sisters of Silas from Sisters Red, and Lo is of course Naida, Sophie's sister from Sweetly. Finally the two stories come full circle, though that's not to say there isn't room for expansion down the road if Pearce decides to take that route.

I enjoyed the dynamics of the three sisters. Their mother is dead and their father has Alzheimer's, which is a terrible thing especially since they are only 17, so they are all each other has. It's very hard for Celia since she feels like the odd girl out, which leads her to take some risks she perhaps shouldn't when she discovers a use for her power. We see the sister relationships mature during the course of the book, giving more dimension to the characters in the process.

Fathomless rounded out what is now a trilogy very nicely. There was plenty of mystery and action, as Celia meets Lo at night on the shore and tries to read her past. We who have already read Sweetly basically know what has happened already, but it's still exciting to see Lo/Naida get there. One thing I really loved was how the perspective kept changing—first from Lo to Celia and so on, but then Naida had her own chapters as well. What made it really interesting toward the end was Celia not knowing which personality was in charge of Lo/Naida. It takes a bit of concentration to keep everything straight, but I didn't think there was anything too confusing going on.

If you've read Pearce's other fairy tale retellings or you like fractured fairy tales/modernizations of classic tales, this is a solid contribution to the genre. (By the way, this is Pearce's take on "The Little Mermaid.") I've found Pearce's retellings to be original and fresh, and this one is no exception.

Disclosure: I borrowed this copy from a friend.

Book Review: "Seraphina" by Rachel Hartman

Title: Seraphina
Author: Rachel Hartman
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2012

You may have read some rave reviews of this high fantasy novel lately, and all of them were right. This is a wonderfully refreshing return to what fantasy should be, with a fully realized and well-constructed world and dynamite characters.

In Goredd, a tense peace exists between humans and dragons, the latter of whom can transform into human form. Seraphina, the new assistant to the royal music coordinator/conductor/composer, has the most dangerous secret she can have in this world: she is half dragon. Passing as fully human, she must hide what she is, something that is so unthinkable that humans and dragons alike cannot conceive that something like her can exist.

Right at the beginning of the novel, we discover a member of the royal family has been killed in a particularly draconian way. Because of her insight into dragonkind, taught to her by her tutor and relative Orma, she finds herself deep in the intrigue and conspiracy that follows the murder, all while trying to stave off visions and keeping the characters in these visions from driving her insane.

Set in a medieval fantasy world, Seraphina reminds me of the classic fantasy from days of old. It's not only incredibly well written, it seems to be very well researched as well. Hartman did her homework when it comes to instruments, tools, and other aspects of medieval life that she worked into Goredd and the countries surrounding it. I also found her construction of the religion of Goredd fascinating, though I'm not entirely sure I understand it—basically they worship a large number of saints and believe in Heaven, but no one deity. I'm hoping we learn more about it in the next book.

It's clear that dragonkind and humankind pitted up against each other is metaphorical for race relations in our world, and it works very well. Having to hide her parentage affects Seraphina in distressing ways, but it is inspiring and heartening to see how she handles it and uses it for herself and for her people. Again, I'm interested to see where Hartman takes this in the next installment.

Coupled with the carefully built world, we have a thrilling plot, mystery, and a bit of romance. Seraphina and Lucian Kiggs, the captain of the royal guard who is also a prince of the kingdom, investigate the murder of Kiggs's uncle, leading to some very dangerous situations. Seraphina also discovers things about her mother, dragon intrigue, and what she truly is a part of bit by bit through her visions and unexpected meetings at the palace. All through the book I wanted to find out who did what and what would happen next. I still want to know, since it's quite clear there will be a sequel, though the ending here is satisfying and no intense cliffhanger.

One note: There is a glossary and list of characters at the very end, which is nice to have. After reading through them, a few things were a bit clearer to me about the world.

Disclosure: I got this book from the library.

Book review: "The Grimm Legacy" by Polly Shulman

Title: The Grimm Legacy

Author: Polly Shulman

Publisher: Puffin Books, 2010

Elizabeth's new job is one she never thought she'd have. She works at the New York Circulating Material Repository, a lending library of sorts that loans out objects instead of books. She's delighted with her new position as page, one she got on the recommendation of her social studies teacher after she writes a research paper on the Brothers Grimm. And being the new girl at school coupled with a new stepfamily who treats her as a lesser, she is happy to have a place to spend her time. Soon she is let in on the secret, special collections that are kept in the basement, objects that come straight from the land of what she once thought was fiction. But all is not well in the magical world, and Elizabeth, along with her fellow pages, set off on a dangerous quest to stop the evil from destroying the Repository.

This book was recommended to me as a read-alike for A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, but now that I've read it I'm not sure why. The only similarities are the fantasy elements and the quest story, in addition to the main character's self disgust of her looks. However, I did really like the premise, and it's a great one: the Grimm fairy tales (along with other myths and folklore) actually did happen, and the Repository has some of the objects in its special collection, the Grimm Collection. Unfortunately, the execution left much to be desired for me.

I found the writing style overly simplistic, with a lot of explanation of the magical world, and the job of page itself, told through dialogue in the form of Elizabeth asking somewhat ridiculous questions and giving us the benefit of the answer. For example, when explaining the job of page, Elizabeth asks her coworker Marc something along the lines of, so am I a dishwasher or something? Marc rightly looks at her likes she's crazy, and she goes on to say it's because she was asked if she washed dishes at home in her job interview. Other things like this happen throughout the book, and it just made me crazy, especially at the beginning.

The exposition really bugged me too, which went mostly as I mentioned above. We learn that Elizabeth's mother passed away and her father, who remarried, is using all his money to put her stepsisters through college without leaving much for Elizabeth. I hated the way her stepfamily is the stereotypical fairy tale stock characters, pretty much straight out of Cinderella. This was most likely done on purpose, but I found it mostly unneccesary unless you count needing a reason for Elizabeth to not have her parents present at all in the story.

I also didn't really understand why Elizabeth disliked herself so much. She had no friends at all, as her best friend had conveniently moved to California, and she was often getting down on herself. This coupled with her irritating propensity to misunderstand pretty much everything (EVERYTHING) made me want to stop reading early on.

However, I kept at it, and it did eventually turn around a bit. The best part is by far the Grimm references and all of the objects from the tales, and the adventure portion is pretty good too. Elizabeth dials back the annoying-ness, and the ending doesn't have all the loose ends tied up quite yet (though most of them are). Once I got about halfway through the book it was pretty easy to finish, and I'm glad I did get all the way through.

This was a fun story with a great premise, just a bit of a lackluster execution. I'd say this is a good book for middle schoolers looking to read about teens and magic. It's all very tame, both in romance and violence, with enough to interest and engage.

Disclosure: I got this book from my local library.

Review: "Princess Academy" by Shannon Hale

Title: Princess Academy
Author: Shannon Hale
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA, 2007

Miri and her family lives near the quarry on Mount Eskel, and have lived there for generations. She desperately wants to prove she is useful and work in the quarry alongside her sister and father, but he won't allow her to set foot inside it. Things in their day-to-day village life change, however, when it is announced that Mount Eskel is where the next queen will come from. All of the girls between the ages of 12 and 18 must attend the Princess Academy, a time-honored tradition in the kingdom, where they will get a basic education and learn how to be proper ladies. One of these girls will be chosen by the crown prince as his bride. Though the girls and their families resist at first, eventually all those of age head to the academy, a 3-hour journey in a building that had been abandoned years ago. Tutor Olana, their appointed teacher, is overly strict and quick to punish, quickly making the rest of the girls resent Miri when she causes them to miss an anticipated visit home. But despite all this, the girls begin to get excited about the possibility of becoming a princess, and though Miri tells herself she just wants to prove that mountain girls can be intelligent when she throws herself into her studies, a part of her wonders too.

When I heard the title Princess Academy, I kind of rolled my eyes a little. It sounded like something fluffy that I wouldn't be interested in, but it was chosen for the library's middle school book club. I'm so glad it was, or it never would have been on my radar despite its Newbery Honor. What a fantastic story! The world Hale creates is enchanting, though for a fantasy there is not a whole lot of magic or fantastic incidents (with the exception of the mountain people's ability to communicate via a sort of mental telepathy), so it's more like a fairy tale than a fantasy in that respect.

One of the biggest themes in this novel is the value of a good education. The girls have no idea how to read or write, or even what the value of the linder (a type of stone, the descriptions of which brought to my mind a type of marble) they mine from the quarry is. Miri is fascinated by all this, and begins to try to figure out a way to use it to the village's advantage. I love that this was pretty much the main theme; it doesn't matter where you were born or how you were raised, the potential for intelligence just needs to be nurtured and it will begin to make a difference in the lives of the learners and their loved ones.

Miri was an incredibly strong character, too. She has a strong sense of what's fair, and she knows she and the other girls are bright. She wants the very best for her family and her village, and though she feels like she is too small and therefore useless in the quarry where everyone she knows makes their living, she still grasps for ways she can be useful to her community.

One other thing I really liked was how the girls weren't sure if they were interested in actually marrying the prince. It's nice how the prince isn't this mythical Prince Charming figure for them; he is just a guy, albeit one with enormous power. For them, it was more the idea of a different sort of life than the one they know they will be leading if they don't get chosen.

There is a lot of tension throughout the novel, too. Miri is ostracized for a good portion of the book by the other girls because of her misstep at the beginning of their academy education, causing her to become friends with the "outsider" of the group, a lowlander (someone not from the mountain) named Britta, who has her own problems, namely being an outcast even before the academy. The competition is high for the title of Academy Princess, awarded to the girl who gets the highest marks right before the ball where the prince is supposed to choose his bride. And there is the matter of the high suspense that happens toward the end of the book, which I will refrain from going into detail here because of spoilers.

All in all, I highly recommend this book to fans of Hale's other work, strong female characters, and fairy tale stories. It certainly deserved its Newbery Honor. AND I just found out a sequel is due out next month! I can't wait to see where Miri's story goes next.

Top Eleven (sort of) Readalikes for "A Wrinkle in Time"

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week we take a look at Top Ten Readalikes for whatever book you choose. My very favorite book is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, so I figured I'd give that a shot.

1. Below the Root by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. This series is out of print, but it is probably available from your local library. A fabulous fantasy series set in a different world, with sinister secrets just, well, below the root.

2, 3, and 4. The rest of the Time Quartet. Cheating a bit here, but they are three separate books, after all. I promise not to pick any more L'Engle books though. :) They are A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and Many Waters. Each of these books deals with the Murray family, continuing their story and adventures in time and space.

5. The Giver by Lois Lowry. I don't know if I associate these books because they were my favorites growing up or what, but for some reason I feel like if you liked A Wrinkle in Time you'll like this one. And its sequels, Gathering Blue and Messenger, of course. I hear there is also a fourth one coming out, which I'm very excited about.

6. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Of course I have to have this one on the list. Stead uses A Wrinkle in Time as something of a muse, having her main character Miranda read the book over and over and borrowing the time travel theme.

7. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett. Not exactly the same idea and the writing style is a bit different, more quirky and whimsical, but it has great charm and a fascinating world. Of course, if you've read any Discworld novels, you know what I'm talking about.

8, 9, 10 (and 11). The Dark Is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper. Yes, a bit more cheating, but again, four separate books! Another fantasy series with plenty of old charm akin to the L'Engle books, staring with Over Sea, Under Stone and continuing with the book the series is named after. There are four books in all, and the borrow heavily from Welsh mythology. Very fun, with a rich setting and great world building.

There you are! If you have any more to add to this list, please feel free to mention them in the comments. If I haven't read them, I'll be sure to seek them out!

Also, if you're interested, I made this short video celebrating the 50th anniversary of A Wrinkle in Time. 

Review: "Chime" by Franny Billingsley

Title: Chime
Author: Franny Billingsley
Publisher: Listening Library, 2011 (print available from Dial Press)
Narrator: Susan Duerden

Briony Larkin is a witch. She has abilities that no one else does, abilities that she must keep secret or risk death by hanging in her small English village, circa 1900. Her stepmother was the one who figured it out, and ever since her death Briony has lived with this knowledge, and the knowledge that she is responsible for her twin sister's mental deficiencies, alone. She must always hate herself or risk the lives of those she cares about the most. This is until Eldric comes, opening her eyes to new adventures and bringing her back to the swamp she loves but must avoid—a swamp filled with Old Ones, elemental beings filled with magic and power. Can Briony learn to control her powers, or will she bring about her doom and the doom of her family and community?

This is not a book for the faint of heart. No light read, this novel is extremely complex, coupled with an unreliable narrator and steeped in folklore. It's beautifully written, and the atmosphere and world Billingsley creates is mysterious and gothic, darkly romantic and dangerous. It's a novel to digest slowly, one you need to take the time to make sure you understand where you and the characters stand.

I loved this novel, one that I would categorize as slipstream. It is historical fiction, yet is infused with elements of the fantastic. Old Ones abound, bringing their ancient magic and enchantment into Briony's community. It's folklore come true.

I loved waiting to see what happened between Eldric and Briony. The book starts with a prologue that makes you think one thing will happen, yet as the story develops I couldn't help wondering if it would end the way I was led to think it would. Throughout the novel we get hints that everything is not as it seems, and Billingsley does a masterful job at slowly revealing the truth.

Susan Duerden was the perfect casting choice as the narrator. She has distinct voices for every character, and those of you who regularly read my reviews might know that that is very important to me. Her accents, the refined British and the cockney, are spot on. I highly recommend the audio version of this book; it's exceptionally well done.

This is a great choice for strong readers, or older readers. The complexity of the narrative might not make it a good choice for someone who struggles with reading or who can't quite follow plot as easily as others. It's a challenge, but one that I believe is well worth it if you are willing to spend the time and effort.

Disclosure: I got this audiobook from the library.

Audiobook Review: "The Emerald Atlas" by John Stephens

Title: The Emerald Atlas
Author: John Stephens
Publisher: Listening Library, 2011 (print version available from Knopf Books for Young Readers)
Narrator: Jim Dale

Kate, Michael, and Emma have been bounced from orphanage to orphanage ever since their parents disappeared when they were small children. All they know about their former life is that their last name is P, and that their parents will be back for them someday. Ten years after that fateful Christmas Eve when the children were separated from their parents, they are kicked out of yet another orphanage to find themselves at a creepy looking mansion, supposedly an orphanage, in a town called Cambridge Falls where they are the only orphans. After some exploring, they find a book and manage to whisk themselves into the past where a beautiful and terrifying Countess has abducted all the children in the village of Cambridge Falls in order to get the men of the village to find something in the mountains she wants. Unfortunately when they try to get to the present again, the girls accidentally leave Michael behind. In order to save him, they need to go back. But once they do, they are in for much more than they bargained for—the fate of Cambridge Falls and everyone in it rests with them.

This magical adventure fantasy is a great beginning to what I hope will be a trilogy, if the hints within this book are anything to go by. Full of magical creatures, not to mention truly evil, vile villains that you really hate, each event leads to another to keep your attention and interest in the lives of these three children and their companions.

The characters themselves were well done, too. Kate feels a deep responsibility for her brother and sister since her mother told her to take care of them the night they left, and it shows throughout the story. Every decision she makes is for their sake, or the sake of someone other than herself. She is very selfless and buries her own emotions to a point, yet it's clear she desperately wants to be with her parents again.

Jim Dale does a fantastic job as the narrator. At first I was annoyed that he had an English accent, not because I don't like them, but because Kate, Michael, and Emma are American and this whole story takes place in America. But I quickly got over that, since it wasn't a huge plot point. Dale had a different voice for every character, and all of them were fantastic.

Readers who like Harry Potter will enjoy The Emerald Atlas. It's not a book that borrows plot points from that other famous series, but it has the elements of adventure, sacrifice, and magic that made the Harry Potter series so enjoyable. This book is its own entity and an original fantasy that I'll be sure to continue when the next book is released.

Disclosure: I got this audiobook from my local library.

Review: "Sweetly" by Jackson Pearce

Title: Sweetly
Author: Jackson Pearce
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 2011

In a modern telling of Hansel and Gretel, Jackson Pearce brings us to Live Oak, South Carolina, where Ansel and his little sister Gretchen, ages 19 and 18 respectively, run out of gas on a cross-country road trip after being kicked out of their home by their stepmother. Gretchen, still scarred from her twin sister being snatched by what she remembers as a witch one fateful day in the woods, is very withdrawn yet desperately wants to stand out so she doesn't disappear too. Ansel has always been her rock. Things look like they might be changing for the better when they find a temporary home with Sophia Kelly, the young woman who owns the local chocolatier. Yet there are secrets in these woods, and Sophia isn't telling them everything. What seems like paradise starts to look more and more like the woods Gretchen left behind.

In her second fairy tale book, Pearce has once again taken an age-old tale and brought it to the modern day. I love fairy tale retellings, but I was a little disappointed with Pearce's Sisters Red. But here, I think Pearce has improved as a writer. I liked the characters much more, and the language she uses for her characters is pitch-perfect.

I was intrigued by the mystery, and Pearce unraveled it at just the right pace. I was never too far ahead of the characters (I hate it when I can figure it out too soon), and I really like how she tied her two novels together. And man, did she bring on the action. My favorite part of Sisters Red was the fighting, and I was glad to see it return.

Oh, also? Delicious candy. I wanted chocolate pretty much the entire time I was reading this.

One thing I couldn't stand, though, was how often Pearce used certain words. The most memorable one was the word "tease." I felt like everything anyone said to anyone was followed by "I teased" or "she teased." It got so bad that I started rolling my eyes when I came across it—it was just aggravating. But I guess if that's my biggest complaint, that's not so bad.

I'm looking forward to the third novel, a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" titled Fathomless, later this year. There were hints about part of the plot in Sweetly, and I'm eager to see how the series will continue and for the introduction of new characters.

Disclosure: I got this book from the library.

Review: "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" by J.K. Rowling

Title: The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2008

This collection of fairy tales from the wizarding world of Harry Potter were written by J.K. Rowling, creator of one of the most popular, widely read and well-loved series to ever exist. Here she brings together a handful of "favorite tales" from the world she created, beloved by wizards and witches for centuries. From "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot" to "The Tale of the Three Brothers" (the latter of which readers of the Harry Potter series will be very familiar), each story gives its own spark of magic, as fairy tales tend to do.

I can't believe I'm just getting around to reading this collection, but I'm honestly glad I waited until after my storytelling class to read this. It's clear to me that J.K. Rowling has studied folklore and fairy tales, both their history and their form. Notes from Dumbledore at the end of each story really show this, as he goes into theory and history of the tales, something which it would be impossible for Rowling to write about to such a degree without prior study.

The tales are delightful and clever, though one or two have a darkness that is more along the lines of the later Potter books—"The Warlock's Hairy Heart" being the first and foremost that springs to mind on that front. I loved how the heroines of the tales are rulers of their own fates, unlike the Grimm or Perrault tales we are so familiar with, as Rowling points out in her introduction.

These stories would be great to tell fans of the series, or even those who haven't read the Potter books yet, during a storytelling event or at bedtime (again, excluding the darker tales). The appeal is wide.

Movie review: "The Secret of Kells"

Title: The Secret of Kells
Studio: Cartoon Saloon
Director: Tomm Moore
Co-director: Nora Twomey
Art director: Ross Stewart

*Starred Review*

This will be my first-ever movie review, but The Secret of Kells was just so fantastic that I couldn't pass up telling others about it. Plus, it has to do with books, namely the masterwork the Book of Kells, the world's oldest and mostly complete illuminated manuscript.

The story begins (after whispers of secrets by an unknown narrator and images of escape from a Viking-ravaged place) with 12-year-old Brandon chasing a goose, after its quills for the illuminators (those monks who create books) at the Abbey of Kells. This is around 800 AD, when the Book was created. Soon a story unfolds the likes of which I haven't seen in a good long time. Brother Aiden comes to the island, a celebrated and well-respected illuminator who escaped the Northmen on his island of Iona. Brandon is intrigued by this new character and his book, incredibly curious and eager to learn what he can. He soon becomes something of an apprentice to Brother Aiden, though secretly, as his uncle Cellach, the abbot of Kells, is incredibly strict. He forbids Brandon from going outside the walls of the abbey to protect him from outside dangers, and eventually forbids him from working with Brother Aiden. Brandon's curiosity and desire to please Brother Aiden and help with the Book cause him to disobey and venture into the woods, where he meets Aisling, a mystical creature who claims she owns the forest. But when the Northmen attack Kells, Brandon and Brother Aiden, with the aid of Aisling, know they must protect the Book at all costs.

Where to begin. The animation in this film is absolutely exquisite. Full of detail and vibrant color, the textured drawings are angular at some points and full and curvy at others, giving each character incredible definition and distinctness from his or her surroundings. The illuminations that are being drawn by the characters float and move on their own, giving us viewers the sense that the words and images the illuminators are creating are far more important and powerful than Abbot Cellach believes them to be. The way the animation moves and flows is gentle and striking in its subtlety.

Celtic mythology plays a large part in this movie, as well—monsters and fairies lend to its mystical tone.

The musical score is absolutely brilliant, and I think I'm going to try to get my hands on a copy of it one way or the other (there is no CD on Amazon, just MP3s, but that might have to be it). Both haunting and lively, the Celtic-inspired score complements the action and animation of the film.

The characters are all wonderful. Brandon is a boy who must face his fears and do what's right, despite the fact that his uncle (also in charge of the abbey) tries to force him in an opposite direction. It's clear that Cellach loves Brandon but is not sure how to show it, and thus keeps him locked up in order to keep him safe, not realizing that he is stunting Brandon's growth in the process. Aisling is spritely and quick, with the power to communicate with nature and ask it to do as she wishes—a trait that she uses to help Brandon even at great risk to herself (and her fear of certain places and things). She is truly loyal, and does what she can to help.

And the Northmen are terrifying. Large and hulking, they are not depicted as human. They are stone statues come to life, without faces, killing and burning everything and everyone they attempt to conquer. They're voices are deep and rumbling grunts that go through you and strike fear in their victims, inhuman.

There is too much to say about this movie for this one little review. The raw emotion I felt while watching it surprised me. I can't remember the last time I sobbed while watching a movie, especially an animated film. Other times, I found myself catching my breath and what I was seeing. The beauty, horror and triumph in this story are, for me, indescribable, though I am trying.

And the best part is, this is a movie about the importance of books. The words and images Brandon studies so hard come to life for us, and for the monks. The movie is saying, Don't let us lose these all-important volumes! See to what lengths people have gone, all for the sake of creating and saving books!

As for the audience, I wouldn't show this to very young children, as there are some disturbing scenes, as well as scary ones.

I have been lucky enough to see the Book of Kells with my own eyes, and it is truly something to behold. If you ever find yourself in Dublin, Ireland, make your way over to Trinity Church, where the Book of Kells is permanently on display for the public to see, appreciate and cherish.

Please do yourself a favor and go see this incredible movie. It's an instant play on Netflix. Or just go out and buy it, it's totally worth owning. But see it! It is remarkable, and wholly enchanting.

Review: "Poison Study" by Maria V. Snyder

Title: Poison Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: Luna, 2005
Where I got it: Hooray for the library and taking books out for free. Also, as a side note, I like this cover, which was the cover for the edition I read. I think it is real nifty and way better than the other ones out there. (In one she has blonde hair, which is SO wrong. What's up with that? Also, they are totally white washing the covers. She's supposed to have bronze skin. NONE of the ones I saw did.)

Yelena is scheduled to die. Sentenced to execution for the murder of her benefactor's son, she is fully prepared to face the consequences of her actions one year later—but she is given an unexpected choice. She is offered the position of food taster to the Commander, leader of Ixia. Choosing the possibility of life over certain death, Yelena is trained to detect poisons in each of the Commander's meals; yet she is constantly looking for a way out. But things get complicated as she forges friendships, discovers betrayal, and unearths several state secrets; all the while, she pushes away her feelings for the impassive and cold Valek, her trainer and the Commander's right-hand man. All she wants is to get out of this situation alive, but at every turn that seems impossible.

I enjoyed Yelena's story. She is an incredibly strong woman, who has undergone and continues to endure pain, torture, abuse and the threat of death. Though her situation vastly improves once she is released from the dungeon, she still lives the nightmares of her past in her mind. Her strength and determination are the only way she is able to live through the initial horrors that led to her imprisonment, her position as food taster and constant target for violence and assassination, and her memories.

I really liked Valek too—incredibly loyal and compassionate beneath his stony exterior, he ended up gaining my trust by the end of the book despite his ease with killing and questionable motives for helping Yelena. I loved watching his and Yelena's relationship slowly develop; neither are sure if they can trust one another, yet a friendship begins to blossom between them without their realizing it.

Most of the secondary characters were just fantastic, too. Rounded and three-dimensional, they all had their faults even if they were good guys. And the Commander is fascinating—though this is a military dictatorship, it seems to work pretty well (at least at the time the book takes place) and he is well-respected and liked for the most part. Though not everyone is happy with the regime, the Commander is not evil as one might expect, and I was very interested in all his personality quirks that are revealed along the way.

As for the plot, I certainly wanted to know where this was all going. There is intrigue, espionage, fighting and mystery-solving going on all over the place. Little twists here and there kept me guessing, though some points were a little predictable (though not much).

I read this for a book group, and though there were only three of us we kept a pretty good discussion going, aided by discussion questions in the back of one of the editions we had. There is a lot going on in this, especially in how the cultures work and why the Commander chose to do certain things over others. A thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable read, I will most likely pick up the sequels at some point (when I find the time, hooray).

Review: "The Good Neighbors, Book One: Kin" by Holly Black

Title: The Good Neighbors, Book One: Kin
Author: Holly Black
Illustrator: Ted Naifeh
Publisher: Graphix, 2008
Where I got it: The library.

Rue starts right off the bat by telling us she doesn't worry about anything. She doesn't worry about her mother who has been missing for 3 weeks, she doesn't worry about her dad who has gone into a stupor since her mother disappeared, and she doesn't worry that she might be going crazy. That's why she's seeing all of these weird things and impossible beings, right?

But when her dad is accused of not one, but two murders, and a previously unknown grandfather shows up, she knows she has to dig a bit to find some answers. What she finds is much more than she bargained for.

Holly Black has created a spellbinding world in which faeries and folklore exist among the mortals in our worlds. The two previously lived together fairly peacefully, if not on the best of terms, but things are starting to crumble a bit. Rue finds herself in between the two worlds, through no desire of her own, and discovers she is to play one of the biggest roles in some sort of upcoming confrontation, though she's not sure of specifics, and we're not given many answers in this first installment of the Good Neighbors trilogy.

Black certainly leaves her readers with a lot of questions, which I expect to have answered in Kin's sequels. The story is promising, if not terribly original, and Black promises at least an intriguing plot with some interesting characters.

Speaking of characters, I found it hard to connect with any of them. We are treated with Rue's first-person narrative, but I wasn't particularly fond of her and didn't quite feel enough sympathy to care about where she was going or what she was trying to figure out. I was invested merely in the story, and not the players (unless you count finding out about mysterious characters, like the thus-far-impenetrable Tam). Her friends seem loyal, except for her boyfriend, and her dad a decent enough guy, but I found there was little character development or depth to any of them.

As for the illustrations, Naifeh was born to draw faeries and magical creatures. Humans not so much. I found myself confused as to how people came to the extreme emotional duress the illustrations implied—they occasionally seemed far too dramatic. The rest of the time, they looked warped and unpleasant, like they didn't quite fit their skin, and their features were inconsistent. The only way to tell who was who was often defining characteristics like hair and clothing.

I will continue reading the series, if just to find out what happens and learn more about the different beings in this world. I sincerely hope there will be a greater need for faery illustrations and less for humans. It's an interesting premise, and I'm hoping it will live up to its potential.

Vampire Weekend, Part VI: "Vampire Diaries: The Awakening" by L.J. Smith

Title: Vampire Diaries: The Awakening
Author: L.J. Smith
Publisher: HarperCollins (HarperTeen), 1991
Where I got it: I bought this at Barnes & Noble.

Note: I bought and read this before the television show came out, so I don't know if the text was altered for the TV-tie-in editions of the book.

It looks like Elena has it all. Popularity, looks, lots of friends, and any guy she wants. That is, until Stefan Salvatore. The mysterious and gorgeous new Italian student seems to ignore her completely, and she is not used to being ignored. And so, Elena makes it her mission to win Stefan’s affection. If only she knew why he avoided her so completely.

Stefan is not completely of this world. He is a vampire, born in Renaissance Italy and doomed to an existence of what he perceives to be that of a predator, an evil being who must feed on blood in order to survive. When he sees Elena for the first time, he is shocked at her resemblance to a former love, the woman who led him to his fate. Despite his forced repulsion, he can’t help but be drawn to her, to fall in love again. But Stefan isn’t the only one who has his eye on the blonde beauty; another from his past has resurfaced, and an old war is revived. Stefan’s brother Damon is still stronger, but can he protect Elena from a different kind of predator? Or will Elena do the fighting for both of them?

This vampire series is one of the earliest I’ve found, first published in 1991. I think it’s this early publication date that makes the story so tame and chaste; the language is dated, as are the technologies and the ways the characters communicate and interact. This could turn off certain readers, but if you don’t mind reading a book set in the dark ages before the Internet and cell phones, then that shouldn’t be a problem.

The vampire legends are also very traditional here. They drink blood, as per usual; they must be invited into your house; they die in sunlight, though in this world they can wear a special talisman to protect them from the sun; you can’t see their reflections; they have super senses, especially at night; and they can alter the minds of those around them, as well as sensing another mind’s presence. They can also shapeshift, if we’re to take a hint from the presence of a menacing crow throughout the book.

Overall, this book wasn’t bad. Elena is a stronger female protagonist than a lot of the other ones I’ve seen, despite her original infatuation with Stefan. She tends to sacrifice some things for him, but the end of the first book in the series really shows just how strong she is (you’ll have to read it to know what I’m talking about; I won’t give it away). On the other hand, the plot was pretty predictable with not a whole lot of twists—the only thing that makes this book stand out is that the main vampire has a vampire brother, with whom he has shared a pretty violent rivalry since Renaissance Italy. Another thing I didn’t really get was why it was called Vampire Diaries in the first place—Elena keeps a diary and we occasionally see what she writes, but that’s about it. The title makes it seem like the diaries are integral to the story, but there is only one diary and it’s not really that important. As far as appropriateness goes, it’s pretty wholesome, though there are a couple of violent scenes and an attempted rape, but overall the narrative is fairly tame. I’d say it’s worth taking a look at if you enjoy reading vampire love stories, but maybe take it out of the library just in case it’s not your cup of blood—er, tea.

Review: "Firelight" by Sophie Jordan

Title: Firelight
Author: Sophie Jordan
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2010
Where I got it: I got an ARC from the bookstore where I work.

Jacinda is a draki. As a descendant of dragons, she has two forms: her human one, and her truer draki form, complete with glimmering skin and gossamer wings. What makes her even more unique? Her ability to breathe fire, thought to be lost among her species.

Unfortunately for her and her family, Jacinda's pride sees her as an object to own and use, too valuable to lose. And when she almost gets captured one night by draki hunters, a decision is made by the pack leader, though Jacinda isn't sure what that decision is. Her mother, however, does understand, but refuses to let it just happen. And so she packs up Jacinda and her twin sister Tamra, fleeing from the pride and everything Jacinda knows and cares about to a dry desert that slowly begins to kill the draki within her. Until she meets Will, who is inconveniently one of the hunters she encountered that fateful night her family was forced to flee—the one who let her go. Now she must try to fight her growing attraction toward Will (as well as fight off his for her) and hide her true form from him and his family—the greatest protection they have from hunters is the well-kept secret that they can take on human form.

Finally, a paranormal romance where the paranormal one is the girl. It is a completely unique shapeshifter tale, at least among YA—dragons have never been able to shift to human form in any other book I've come across. The pacing is very quick, with scenes that will make your heart race, even if you suspect the outcome. The romance between Jacinda and Will is also very believable, even though their circumstances are obviously far from the ordinary. I understood how they were feeling, and I was rooting for them all the way. Plus, who doesn't love a Romeo-and-Juliet type romance?

I really liked that Jordan incorporated normal school issues with the supernatural ones, like bullying and fitting in at a new school. Mean girl Brooklyn is a villain I'd like to throttle, and her evil knows no bounds. She infuriated me, which I think was the point. On that front, Jordan succeeded.

I did get a little miffed with some of the characters we might have supposed to like, though, especially Jacinda's mother. She wouldn't explain anything to Jacinda, which would have made everything a lot easier (Jacinda is actually the same way, but I wasn't annoyed by that for some reason; I think it was probably because I liked her better). Granted, she is her mother and wants the best for her, and this is something Jacinda understands. But when her mother finally does let it all out, she is quite nasty about it. She's nasty through a lot of the book, actually, and as a result she never won me over. Tamra can also be nasty, but I am much more sympathetic to her situation of always being in Jacinda's shadow.

What really bugged me about this was some of the writing. A huge percentage of the sentences were fragments, and this threw me off a lot, forcing me to go back and reread a couple of sentences to understand the meaning. This is something that happens consistently throughout the book, and it was just frustrating. The short sentences work for the action scenes, but not for everything else.

Though the premise is unique, I did find that the romantic aspect was a little too familiar for me. I kept being reminded of Twilight and other love triangle books I've read, so this didn't stand out to me as much as I think it could have. That said, Jordan took an overused storyline and managed to do something slightly new with it. It's different enough to stand out in the quagmire of ever-increasing paranormal romance for teens, with the added bonus of a pretty strong and likable heroine.

Oh, by the way, it ends on a cliffhanger that will definitely make you want to find out what happens. Just to warn you.

Review: "Incarceron" by Catherine Fisher

Title: Incarceron

Author: Catherine Fisher
Publisher: Dial, 2010
Where I got it: I borrowed it from the library.
Why I read it: I like reading the new dystopian stuff, and this was new and dystopian. Plus I had the time to read it.

Here, there are two worlds. There is the Outside, where the people are slaves to Protocol—sticking to the technology and practices of an Era of old, of what seem to be Medieval times. And the other is Inside—within the living walls of Incarceron. Incarceron is a prison that lives and thinks, watching the thousands upon thousands of prisoners it traps inside.

One of these prisoners is Finn, a young man who believes he is different—from the Outside. And when he comes across a mysterious Key with the same insignia that's tattooed on his wrist, he is more sure than ever.

Claudia is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, due to be married off to the Prince of the realm. But she will do whatever it takes to escape this fate.

When these two characters come together through a variety of unexpected (on their part) occurrences, they try to hatch a plan to help each other get what they want.

I thought this book was okay. It wasn't outstanding, but it wasn't bad. I liked the ideas, the dystopia of Incarceron and Protocol, but I felt there could have been more development on all counts. None of the characters were very relatable/likable, though some were not as bad as others. A lot of them seemed just a little too flat and/or wooden, while Claudia is usually just plain irritating. She's a somewhat strong heroine, but I didn't particularly like her. The really cool thing about this was that Incarceron is a character in itself; the constantly changing, moving, living organism that contains all its prisoners, some of which are created from its own walls.

I did like the (sparse) plot development of Sapphique, a legendary character who was said to have escaped Incarceron, but not much is revealed in this first book. I would have liked to learn more about him.

There weren't many plot twists that I didn't see coming. It was actually pretty predictable to a point, though there were a few exceptions. Some things were definitely left murky, leaving it open for the sequel, Sapphique. Unfortunately, it's not a particularly memorable novel, so if you read it now and wait for the sequel, you might forget certain plot elements, like I probably will. If you like dystopian YA, I'm not going to say it's a must-read, but it's not a complete waste of time either. If you're interested, it's worth picking up so you can come to your own conclusion.

Vampire Weekend, Part V: "Marked" by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Title: Marked

Authors: P.C. an Kristin Cast

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin, 2007

Where I got it: I bought this at Barnes & Noble.

Set in a world where vampyres are a normal part of life, and in which most celebrities and high-profile people are in fact “vamps,” Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast, the first novel in their House of Night series, centers on newly marked vampyre fledgling Zoey Redbird. In this world, vampyres are "marked," or chosen by the vampyre goddess Nyx; they are then sent to a school for fledglings, or not-yet-adult vamps, called the House of Night. The series begins with Zoey’s marking and subsequent move into the school, as the new girl on campus. There are all of the typical school problems: mean girls, new boys, deaths of old friendships and the forging of new ones (one of which is the only gay vampire I’ve come across).

But Zoey is a really weird case for a fledgling. After she hits her head in a fall, she has a dreamlike run-in with Nyx, and upon regaining consciousness, the mark on her forehead (every vamp has a mark) is colored in. The thing is, this isn’t supposed to happen until a fledgling graduates to full vampyre. She also discovers she has premature bloodlust (only adult vamps require blood-drinking to survive). And as if all this weren’t enough to make her stand out, it appears Zoey has an affinity for all five elements—air, water, earth, fire, and spirit—a blessing that is all but unheard of in the vamp world. Apparently Zoey is in for an atypical high school experience, even for a vamp.

Zoey narrates the book and has a very engaging voice and sharp wit, making for a really fun read. She talks like a teenager talks, unlike some other books aimed at teens where it’s clear the author was trying too hard to sound like one. Zoey comes off as really genuine and likable. My only issue with the narration is that it tends to get preachy when it comes to drinking, drugs and sex—the tone is condescending and is a real turn-off. But the preachy moments are only sprinkled here and there, and for the most part I was absorbed with the story and the details of the vampyre world.

The vamps in this world follow some of the typical vampire folklore, such as drinking blood and not being able to go out during the day easily (it is possible, but very uncomfortable as they are very sensitive to light). But there are also drastic differences from the typical vampire image, notably the blending of pagan beliefs and rituals with Native American beliefs (Zoey is part Cherokee). The rituals and services held in honor of Nyx are reminiscent of Wiccan practices (the pentagram plays an important role in both, to name one similarity). I, for one, found this fascinating. Cats are also vital in this world—many vamps own a cat, and the cat chooses its owner. The vamps have a special connection with this animal, though it isn’t really delved into too deeply in the first book (Zoey is chosen by a cat, whom she names Nala).

Another difference from typical folklore is the fledgling stage of vampyres. Fledglings are not guaranteed to make it to vamp adulthood—their bodies can reject the Change (from human to vampyre), happening out of the blue and killing them within minutes. Fledglings are not supposed to crave blood, but are often hungry and eat a lot of food (the House of Night insists it be mostly healthy). After they are marked, a tattoo appears on their forehead, an outline of a crescent moon; when they become adult vamps, their tattoos are colored in and often they will be embellished by Nyx, a gift given through her power.

A riveting read and nice blending of different belief systems, the first House of Night novel is a worthwhile and fun addition to the vampire teen lit canon. Not only is it told from the perspective of a believable teen heroine, it also gives us another strong female role model and broaches gender issues without putting the readers off. However, it is geared toward an older audience; there is a lot of swearing and sexuality that would make this series decidedly for teens.