Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication date: January 2012
Pages: 400
Source: ARC sent by publisher
For: Review
Series: Lunar Chronicles, Book 1

When Cinder has a chance meeting with Prince Kai, little does she expect so much to come of it.  As a cyborg, she is a lesser citizen in New Beijing, and her stepmother won't let her forget it.  But, when her stepsister gets the plague and she is blamed for it, Cinder might discover that she plays an unusually important role in the survival of her whole world.

Things I Liked:
What a fun, unique book with a stellar concept.  I loved the futuristic twist on a classic fairy tale.  There is nothing I love more than fairy tale retellings, so adding a sci-fi element made it even more fun.  I love Cinder - the tough, vulnerable, realistic cyborg who is trying to figure out where she fits in her world.  I loved the world Meyer has built and the societies she has created to inhabit this bleak future.  The sci-fi elements are simplistic enough to make it accessible for those who don't like sci-fi, but believable enough for the true connesieur.  The original story is there, but with originality and twists that make it much more interesting and fun.  Just a darn good story.

Things I Didn't Like:
Ok, so I had Cinder figured out long before the end of the story, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching her figure it out.  And really, that's all that might have bothered me.  Very much looking forward to the next books!

Read-alikes:
Not exactly like other fairy tale stories and not exactly like anything sci-fi either - it's pretty unique

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: ! 
occasionally

mrg-factor: none 
just some kissing

v-factor: -> 
maybe a little gruesome in relation to the plague

Overall rating: ***** 

What other fairy tales do you think could be great sci-fi?

Check out this clip from the awesome audio version of Cinder!

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Book Review: Ivy and the Meanstalk by Dawn Lairamore

 Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

Ivy and the Meanstalk by Dawn Lairamore
Publisher: Holiday House
Publication date: October 2011
Pages: 221
Source: Review copy provided by publicist
For: Review
Series: Sequel to Ivy's Ever After

Princess Ivy and her dragon friend Elridge seem to be settling down after saving Ivy's kingdom.  But not for long.  When a giant beanstalk disrupts Ivy's fairy godmother's wedding, Ivy and Elridge are pulled into another new adventure.  This time, they must recover a stolen harp to help an angry insomniac giantess before it is too late for the kingdom.  Can they convince the greedy king who has it to help them out?

Things I Liked:
This was another fun adventure for Princess Ivy and her faithful dragon friend Elridge.  I loved the way the Jack and the Beanstalk tale is woven throughout, but has a very different perspective from the usual.  It is a fractured fairy tale at its best.  I love Ivy and the way she grows and changes over the book, but also the way she doesn't fit into the typical princess mold - and doesn't particularly care if she does.  Her zany adventures are a blast, and there is some depth and thought to the book, making it more than just fluff.

Things I Didn't Like:
These books are fun for younger MG/older elementary kids, though the end was just a little too easy (though there were some surprising difficulties as well).  Change came to some characters a bit too quickly, but fortunately not for Ivy.  Still an enjoyable read for those who might like a light twist on the typical fairy tale.

Read-alikes:
Read the first in the series, Ivy's Ever After by Dawn Lairamore
Reminded me of Jessica Day George's Dragon Slippers books

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none 

mrg-factor: none 

v-factor: none 

Overall rating: **** 

What's your favorite fractured fairy tale?

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Book Review: Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Publication date: September 2011
ISBN:9780062015051
Source: Library

Jack and Hazel have been best friends ever since Hazel can remember. But when Jack one day disappears, Hazel is sure he has been taken by the white queen and sets off to rescue him. She is sure that when he didn't want to be her friend anymore that it was the queen's influence over him. And she will go to whatever lengths and wherever she must to save him. But what if he doesn't want to be saved?

Things I Liked:
I just loved the fairy-tale-ness of it, but more than that, the realistic view of fairy tales.  It was a balance between the things that can happen in fairy tales and just how uncomfortable or horrifying those things would be in real life.  It was such a sweet and also bitter story about growing up, losing friends, dealing with change, and all those things that can happen to disappoint us when we are 11 (or older).  A beautiful story, filled with beautiful characters and setting.  I really hope this one gets a Newbery honor at least.

Things I Didn't Like:
I admit the first part of the book did not interest me.  I was looking forward to the fairy tale and it seemed like a realistic fiction book initially.  I don't hate those kinds of books, but it wasn't what I expected.  I really loved it eventually and can see how the first part ties into the second, despite its near lack of fairy tale or magical detail.

Read-alikes:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
(it also had a bunch more literary allusions throughout that made me happy, including HP, The Golden Compass and other delights)

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none 

mrg-factor: none 

v-factor: -> 
some frightening details, but not very

Overall rating: **** 

What are your picks for the Newbery?

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Mini Reviews 2

It's time for another episode of...mini reviews (which, I've been calling "minis" in my head).  Here are several short reviews with even shorter summaries.  Enjoy!
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Big Nate Strikes Again by Lincoln Peirce
Source: ARC sent by publisher

Nate's chance to be Fleeceball captain is tainted only by having A-plus Gina on his team - and as his history partner.

My thoughts: This series is a fun glimpse at sixth grade life according to one underacheiver boy.  I liked the rivalry between Gina and Nate and how that played out.  I thought it was really a fun story and both Elementary School and MG kids will love the format - cartoons mixed with text and illustrations.  Nate's approach to research was also a fun part, adding a little substance to the silliness of the book.  A perfect series for reluctant readers and Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans.  This one can stand alone quite well (I haven't read the first), but I'm sure kids will want to read them all - boys and girls alike.
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Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong
Source: Won ARC from Ally Condie

A collection of short paranormal stories, all dealing with a journey of some kind, featuring fairies, vampires, ghosts, psychics and everything in between.

My thoughts: It's hard to review a book with such a diverse collection of stories!  There were some I loved and a few I thought were forgettable.  I'm sure there will be something here for everyone.  A few favorites: Carrie Ryan's "Scenic Route" (vivid), "Niederwald" by Rachel Vincent (makes me want to read her series), "Let's Get This Undead Show on the Road" by Sarah Rees Brennan (almost solely for the title), "Leaving" by Ally Condie (oh, I hope she writes a series in this world) "At the Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show" by Jessica Verday (so wild) and "Gargouille" by Mary E. Pearson (what an interesting idea).  There were quite a few short stories from series I hadn't finished or read, so those might be factors in why I didn't like them.  Definitely worth the read!
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The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood and the Duchess of Northumberland
Source: Review copy sent by publisher

Jessamine, the daughter of a well-known apothecary, is forbidden from entering the poison garden, but when a stranger comes to stay, she might just end up there anyway.

My thoughts: I liked learning a bit more about poisonous flowers and plants, not to mention the healing powers of them.  The story kept me reading, to see where she was going with it (I really had no idea, since I hadn't heard much about the book and couldn't quite decide where she'd take it).  But I was a bit bored by the characters.  Jessamine was not interesting to me, simply a naive girl who did what her father told her to and fell in love with the first person to come along.  I knew what was happening before the big reveal at the end, though there were still a few surprises.  What bothered me the most was how disjointed and strange the story became near the end.  The apothecary garden and its inhabitants played such a weird part, I honestly had no idea why they were in the book.  The ending felt abrupt, though there are sequels, but I was pretty disappointed, so I doubt I'll read them.  I think someone really into gardens and plants might like this, but the ending might be too much to swallow.
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The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
Source: Audiobook from the library

Jenna wakes up from a coma to find everything is different, including herself.

My thoughts: Since I've reviewed this once before, I thought I'd just do a quick recap after my recent listen. I was annoyed occasionally with the young-sounding narrator for Jenna.  She sounded a bit too young for 17 (like 14 maybe).  But, most of the time, she did a really good job. I love the sticky medical ethics issues; I loven how nothing is black and white (in the interview Pearson gave at the end, she said she loves to write about gray areas) and you can't decide what you should think, let alone what Jenna should.  It has such a great teen feel woven into the futuristic science fiction feel.  It's definitely one of my favorite "dystopian" books ever.  I need to read this one for a book club so I can discuss it in depth!
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The Flint Heart by katherine and john paterson
Source: Audiobook from the library

A mysterious rock from the past affects people and creatures alike - making them angry and violent.  It's up to Unity and Charles to find out how to free them all from its evil influence.

My thoughts: Short, sweet, and filled with interesting creatures, this fairy tale would make an awesome read-aloud for younger kids.  I really need to get my hands on a hard copy to see the illustrations, since I'm sure they add so much to the story.  Admittedly, I found some of the story boring, but that might be just my adult sensibilities getting in the way.  
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Read any of these?  
 

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Book Review: Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Publication date: March 2010
ISBN: 9780805089684
Source: Library

Diribani and Tana live quiet lives in their village, until Diribani is gifted by a goddess to speak flowers and jewels.  When Tana is then gifted to speak snakes and toads, she is certain it is a curse.  The lives of the two girls are then separated as Diribani is taken to the palace and Tana is exiled from her village.  As threats to their lives become commonplace, the two struggle to understand why the goddess has chosen them and what they should do with their gifts.

Things I Liked:
I loved the rich detail and the use of color and texture and so many other little things to describe the beauty of the tale.  The atmosphere was so real, I could smell the spices and feel the sticky heat.  An interesting and intriguing story to go with the gorgeous place.  I just all around like how it's written and the fairy tale feeling of it.  Definitely I need to read that original tale!

Things I Didn't Like:
I felt just a little disappointed in the ending.  Things went kind of fast and wrapped up, well, a little oddly.  I wasn't entirely sure what I was supposed to get from it.  But, I kind of feel that way about a lot of fairy tales.  They seem to have a point, but sometimes I'm not sure what it is :)

Read-alikes:
The Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Pretty much anything by Juliet Marillier

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:  
s-factor: none
that I recall

mrg-factor: X
maybe a tiny bit of innuendo

v-factor: ->
some minor stuff, nothing graphic

Overall rating: ****

What's your favorite setting for a book?  Foreign, domestic, fantastic?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Plain Kate by Erin Bow

Plain Kate by Erin Bow
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Publication date: September 2010
ISBN: 9780545166645
Source: Library

Plain Kate grew up learning to carve before she could walk.  But, when her father dies and the carver's guild sends a new master to her town, she is forced to leave behind that life.  When even the townspeople turn against her, calling her a witch, she must place her trust - and her life - in a pale stranger who promises to help.  In exchange for something, of course.  Will Plain Kate make the bargain?  And will she be able to deal with the consequences?

Things I Liked:
This was a gorgeous fairy-tale kind of story.  I adored the writing, which flowed smoothly and brought vivid images to mind with every sentence.  I loved Plain Kate - what an interesting character, flawed and vibrant and one who doesn't have all the answers.  She was made more real with each difficult decision she faced.  The dark and wicked story was touched by just the right amount of humor and light to balance it and not leave me depressed.  And Taggle was the best of all.  I'm not even fond of cats, but he sure made me wish I had one just like him.  I was also really glad the ending didn't try to come off too neatly.  She took it where it needed to go and didn't flinch away.  An all around excellent story, beautifully dressed.  Some favorite parts:

He was a dandy with one ear cocked, a gleam on his claw and a glint in his eye.  He sauntered through the market square elegant and tattered, admired and cursed: a highwayman, a gentleman thief.  His name was Taggle.  p 14

The next evening they anchored in a place where the fields of barley and rye came right down to the river, the grain growing among the riverside tangle of bloodtwig and basket rush.  The grain - as Kate had come to dread - was unharvested, and full of feasting starlings.  As the sunset lit, the birds threw themselves into the sky in tongues of dark fire that flashed back and forth across the river.  Linay stood up on the roof of the hold, playing his fiddle.  The skirling notes wove through the rush of wings.  p 226

Things I Didn't Like:
It was very dark, not at all what I expected, particularly from something I thought was a nice middle grade happy-ending fairy tale.  Still, the unexpected in this situation was very welcome.  It made it deeper and richer and more enjoyable to me.  Give this one to your more mature tweens or teens who love dark fairy tales.

Read-alikes:
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman
StarCrossed by Elizabeth Bunce

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
maybe one or two

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
it does have some frightening, dark stuff

Overall rating: *****

Have you read this?  I feel like this is an under-the-radar awesome book.

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Entwined by Heather Dixon

Entwined by Heather Dixon
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication date: March 2010
ISBN: 9780062001030
Source: Purchased

 

When their mother the queen dies, Azalea and her eleven younger sisters aren't sure what to do.  Their father places the palace and all his daughters in deep mourning, cutting off all outdoor activity and fun activities, including dancing.  But the princesses discover a secret place where their father can't find them to dance.  What they little expect is to discover dark secrets about their mother and the Keeper of their secret place.

Things I Liked:
I just have to say - fantastic!  The book was gorgeous and written so beautifully.  I loved how Dixon described the motivations for why things happened, especially for why the sisters wanted to dance and how they got into the situation to begin with.  I must say, Bramble and Lord Teddie stole the story for me.  I adored them and I'm just hoping Dixon decides to write a story all for Bramble, because she was hands-down my favorite character.  She was so fabulous that I thought Azalea paled a bit in her shadow.  I loved the sweet romance that actually seemed to take the time to develop.  And the story had just the right touch of creepy too!  I loved having the disturbing and weird stuff that made the story balanced - not too sweet with something wicked hidden beneath the surface.  I obviously really enjoyed this retelling - it's taken a place as one of my favorites.  Some lovely bits (much of them from Bramble, of course):

Mrs. Graybe made cinnamon bread, a treat they could only afford on holidays, and Mr. Pudding walked about the palace, singing "Huzzah" in wheezing, out-of-tune tones.  The Harold Herald, alive with news of the war, even printed an extra edition the next day, and among the news on the front page, the girls discovered that Minister Fairweller had been wounded.  Clover, so tenderhearted, cried.  
"Oh, he's probably all right," said Bramble.  "It would take a lot to kill him.  Like garlic and a stake through the heart." p 126-127

"Down with tyranny!" Bramble cried. "Aristocracy!  Autocracy!  Monocracy!  Other ocracy things!  You are outnumbered, sir!  Surrender!" p 148

The dancers were masked with ornate, gilded animal heads.  A golden-furred jackal, and his lady, with feathers and a gold beak.  Masks with eyeholes rimmed in gems and embroidery clung to the dancers' faces.  This was a masked ball, something Azalea had only heard of.  In her imagination they had been more innocent; gentlemen dressed as hussars and ladies with white, glittery masks attached to a stick.  Not this chaotic meshing of gilded beasts and opulent monsters. p 258

"Sir!" whined Lord Teddie.  "You forgot my birthday, too!"
Bramble gave a surprised laugh, then slapped her hand over her mouth, as though shocked at letting it out.  The tension broke.  The girls laughed sheepishly, and Lord Teddie beamed.  He probably did not have many ladies think him funny.  In fact, he probably got slapped by a lot of them.  p 297

Things I Didn't Like:
It did start out a bit slow.  The book is long and a lot of it is build up to the story, but for those who love a well-developed and complex fairy-tale retelling, this is perfect.  I adored it, honestly.  I think a story with twelve separate sisters is like a writers' nightmare, because it's impossible to have them all well-developed.  But, I loved them, when I could remember who was who.  The oldest three are the most important and they certainly were better developed than the others.  

Read-alikes:
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
just a touch creepy, not really violent

Overall rating: *****

Do you have a favorite retelling of all time?

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Book Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Publication date: August 2011
ISBN: 9781423137870
Source: e-book provided by NetGalley

Lexi has lived in Near all her life, growing up hearing the stories of the Near Witch.  But, when a stranger arrives in Near, she might just learn that the stories aren't just stories.  Children start to disappear from their beds at night and the villagers are terrified and willing to blame anyone, especially a stranger to the village.  Lexi is sure the stranger has nothing to do with it and she's determined to find out who is behind the kidnappings, even at the risk of her own life. 

Things I Liked:
I loved the atmosphere of this fairy-tale story.  From the first page, I was sucked into the gorgeous writing that creates each scene.  Schwab has a real talent when it comes to setting.  I loved the creepy village of Near, its placement right by the windy, mysterious moor playing such a big part in their heritage.  Not only was the setting amazingly done, but the story was intense as well.  I didn't have everything figured out right away, so I was interested in knowing who was behind it all and what would happen next.  A really good debut from an author I'm dying to read more from.  Favorite passages:

A girl a year older than Wren named Cecilia, all edges and elbows in a skirt the color of heather, takes my sister's hand. Cecilia has a scatter of freckles like muddy flecks across her face, vanishing along her cheekbones and into auburn curls. p 15 of ARC

Long, long ago, the Near Witch lived in a small house on the farthest edge of the village. She was very old and very young, depending on which way she turned her head, for no one knows the age of witches. The moor streams were her blood and the moor grass was her skin, and her smile was kind and sharp at once like the moon on the moors in the black, black night. p 90 of ARC

I know my father's story. I know it as well as the ones he told me, but I cannot tell it in the same practiced way. It's written in my blood and bones and memory instead of on pieces of paper. I wish I could tell it as a tale and not his life and my loss. But I don't know how yet. A small broken piece of me hopes I never know how, because my father wasn't just a bedtime story. p 195 of ARC

Things I Didn't Like:
I had a hard time mostly with the romance and the ending.  She and Cole fell in love very quickly, much too fast for me to believe it was real.  The ending was pretty good, but what I didn't like was after all the build-up and the excellent story telling, it just kind of fell flat for me.  Things happened too quickly and then it was over.  Maybe I was expecting too much of it, but I felt just a tiny bit disappointed.

Read-alikes:
Entwined by Heather Dixon
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
a few mild ones

mrg-factor: X
some kissing

v-factor: ->->
mostly the creepy stuff, but a bit of violence

Overall rating: ****

I kept trying to think of another moor village story and couldn't (you know, aside from Wuthering Heights). Any ideas?

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Book Review: Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Publication date: October 2010
ISBN: 9781599905112
Source: Library

Evie is the talented young healer in her small village. But she longs for more than just a village life.  When chance brings her an opportunity to go to the university in the city, she jumps at it.  But the journey along the way is unexpectedly filled with danger.  It is also filled with opportunities for her to discover just where her healing skills came from.

Things I Liked:
I loved the voice from this book!  I felt like I was listening to a friend and talented storyteller recount the story - and I was reliving it with her.  Not only did it have a charming voice, the story was definitely not what I expected.  It went everywhere but where I thought it would, and that is a good thing.  It was interesting and unique and I loved Evie for her spunk and sparkle.  A fantastic fantasy fairy tale that isn't predictable or silly.  Here are some favorite parts:

A ripple went through the crowd, starting with Mayor Snow's great girth.  A royal visit!  Such a thing hadn't happened since Widow Sprottley's uncle's cow birthed a calf with two udders.  We'd heard the tale often enough to know.  What news! p 3

Water churned in the wake of the ship's stern.  It spread two blades of white-capped spray from either corner of the ship.  The black water stretched forever, except where the dark shore blotted out the stars to our left.  Hanging low over the horizon, painting a shimmering silver ribbon all the way to The White Dragon, was the moon.  p 90

Things I Didn't Like:
There were a few awkward phrases that threw me off.  It was like the wording was a bit off and I had to read it again to figure out what it meant.  But, there weren't too many of those.  I remember also thinking how strange it was that all these things kept happening to Evie in such a very short period of time.  They were all explained, but some of them felt just a touch random or out of nowhere.  Then again, that is what kept it from being predictable.

Read-alikes:
Shannon Hale's Books of Bayern and Princess Academy
Jessica Day George's Dragon Slippers series
The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal
The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
some fighting and action, but not much

Overall rating: ****

I'm wondering, for those who read The Amaranth Enchantment, how you think this one compares? I remember thinking the first one was ok, but I like this one better.

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Book Review: Arcadia Falls by Carol Goodman

Arcadia Falls: A Novel by Carol Goodman
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication date: March 2010
ISBN: 9780345497543
Source: ARC sent by publisher

Meg Rosenthal, along with her daughter Sally, is trying to make a fresh start, to escape the memories of her dead husband.  She accepts a teaching job at a secluded boarding school and hopes they will be able to adjust well.  But, when one of her students dies in a tragic and suspicious manner, she is about to discover there are deadly secrets at this seemingly quiet school.  And she and her daughter are caught up in the middle of it all.

Things I Liked:
The atmosphere of the book was perfect.  It was creepy and fairy tale-esque and kept reminding me of how gorgeous and mysterious nature can be.  I loved the aspects of the school's history that related to fairy tales and the mysterious veil that was spread across the whole place.  The story was pretty intriguing as well, near the end.  But what I think carries this book is the setting and the descriptions of the time, the location, etc, that make you feel like you are a part of this forgotten little corner of the world.  Goodman has a wonderful ability to create setting.  Here is a sample:

I look down at the sketchpad and see that Ivy St. Clare has perfectly caught the line of the girl's hip, the splay of her long legs, and the fall of her hair - all framed against the massive tree towering above her.  In the drawing though, there are other shapes sharing the lawn with her - hips and elbows and shoulder blades roiling just below the surface of the grass.  The image is so powerful that when I look back out the window I half-expect the scene to be suddenly populated by the artist's imaginary cohorts.  The lawn, of course, is empty, but now I see the origin of those underground figures.  The roots of the beech tree snake across the lawn here and there breaking the surface of the grass and then diving back underneath.  Once you look at the scene as the artist has drawn it, it's hard not to see them as bodies beneath the ground. p 24-25 of ARC

Things I Didn't Like:
I admit that, while the story did suck me in, the ending I found just a little too unbelievable.  I was struck with how convenient, how over the top, almost melodramatic it became.  I had a hard time buying into some of the revelations near the end and especially the motivations.  Still, an interesting and absorbing book.

Read-alikes:
A bit like The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
here and there

mrg-factor: XX
a few scenes, mostly implied stuff

v-factor: ->->
some mostly tame scenes

Overall rating: ***

Has anyone read other Goodman books? Are they all kind of similar or does she branch out more?

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Book Review: Reckless by Cornelia Funke

Reckless by Cornelia Funke
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date: September 2010
ISBN: 9780316056090
Source: Library (for Cybils)

Jacob Reckless has slipped from his world into the mirror world for years with no real regrets.  But, when his younger brother follows him there, they are met with disaster.  As his brother is being changed by dark magic, Jacob must find a way to reverse the magic, before it is too late for all of them.

Things I Liked:
I really loved the fairy tale aspect of the book.  There were subtle mentions and little parts that felt familiar, because they came from recognizable fairy tales - the magical objects, in particular.  I just loved the way the tales were twisted into the story as if they belonged there.  There was also action and adventure and lots of twists and turns, and no truly happy ending.  There was some of Funke's truly lovely writing as well (though I guess that might be the translator's doing...).  A solid book for fairy tale fans and lovers of Funke's Inkheart books. Some favorite parts:

The night breathed through the apartment like a dark animal.  The ticking of a clock.  The groan of a floorboard as he slipped out of his room.  All was drowned by its silence.  But Jacob loved the night.  He felt it on his skin like a promise.  Like a cloak woven from freedom and danger.  p 1

The second chamber contained Witches' artifacts.  The Chamber of Miracles made no distinction between the healers and the cannibals.  Knives that had separated human flesh from bone lay right next to needles that healed wounds with a single stitch and owl feathers that restored the power of sight.  There were also two of the brooms on which the healing Witches were able to fly as fast and as high as birds, as well as some gingerbread from the deadly houses of their man-eating sisters.  p 345

Things I Didn't Like: 
I read this book for Cybils and all of us agreed it was more suited to an older teen/adult reader.  There was not anything particularly "naughty" but the themes and the way its written seem very mature to me (the characters are nearly all adults, no children).  Jacob is not someone easy to identify with and he's not particularly likable.  Also, mixed in with the lovely writing were some very awkward phrases and sentences.  Kind of hit and miss for me.

Read-alikes:
The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
a few here and there

mrg-factor: X
some implied

v-factor: ->->->
definitely some action violence and frightening imagery

Overall rating: ****

  Did you like or dislike this one? What about Funke's other works?

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Book Review: A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication date: October 2010
ISBN: 9780525423348
Source: Library

 

Hansel and Gretel you may have heard of, but there is a lot more to their story than a child-eating witch.  Born to a king and queen who treat them unspeakably poorly, they run away and find that there is a lot they don't know about the world and about parents. 

Things I Liked:
I liked the story, but I loved the side notes.  I think they made the whole book more enjoyable.  They were humorous and alleviated the sometimes repetitive and simplistic fairy tale story writing.  This felt like the perfect read-aloud and I almost wanted to close the book and find an audio version.  I read the first story to my husband and he liked it.  It would be a lot of fun to read to older classes, though I still don't know how young an age group I'd read it to.  (Hey, it does have some scary stuff and quite a lot of "awesome," ie: blood.)  So fun and different from most retellings.

You know how it is with stories.  Someone tells a story.  Then somebody repeats it and it changes.  Someone else repeats it, and it changes again.  Then someone's telling it to their kid and taking out all the scary, bloody scenes - in other words, the awesome parts - and the next thing you know the story's about an adorable little girl in a red cap, skipping through the forest to take cookies to her granny.  And you're so board you've passed out on the floor. [Prologue]

Oh no! he thought. Now I'm cooking for certain! He sniffed at the air.  And I smell delicious!  But he wasn't cooking.  It was three strips of bacon that he'd tucked into his socks at breakfast.  p 46

For a moment she stopped and considered following the rain's advice.  But then she shook her head.  "You're being foolish," Gretel told herself.  "Rain can't talk."
No, of course it can't.  The moon can eat children, and fingers can open doors, and people's heads can be put back on.  But rain?  Talk?  Don't be ridiculous.  Good thinking, Gretel dear.  Good thinking.  p 97

If you are gambled away to the Devil (and this is a matter of public record - I'm certainly not making it up), you are damned to excruciating pain for all eternity, and no matter what you do, no matter how good you are, or how many times yu ask, "Please pretty please with a cherry on top?," the Devil will never, ever, ever let you out.  It's excruciating pain from the moment you arrive in Hell until the moment after eternity.  p 125

Things I Didn't Like:
One thing I've always been annoyed by is the simplistic fairy tale writing style.  There is nothing descriptive or beautiful that goes with the stark writing to make it more enjoyable.  The parts where the author interjected made it fun, but when it went longer without those parts it was less fun.  Also, almost too gross and bloody for me in places :)

Read-alikes:
The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
Reckless by Cornelia Funke
Plain Kate by Erin Bow

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
incidental when they visit Hell

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->->->
lots and lots of blood and gore and scary stuff

Overall rating: ****

Do you like quirky or do you avoid it?

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Book Review: The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publication date: July 2010
ISBN: 9780399250965
Source: Library

When Elizabeth gets a new job at a library full of objects, not books, she does not expect to be drawn into a mystery.  But, when she learns about the Grimm collection - a special collection of items straight out of the Grimm brother's fairy tales - she feels the powerful draw of those items.  She and her fellow workers must find out who is stealing and replacing with fakes the Grimm collection, before they end up disappearing or worse.

Things I Liked:
This book had a fun, lighthearted, and totally awesome premise!  I love the fairy tale connections and the fun that could be had from all those enchanted objects.  I also really loved the idea of having a repository (or library of sorts) for literary-related items.  I think that would be so cool.  The plot was also intriguing enough that I kept reading to find out what happened to the characters, not just for the Grimm descriptions.  Here is a favorite fun part:

"There weren't any cars back when the Brothers Grimm were collecting stuff. Maybe they thought about shoes a whole lot because they had to walk everywhere and their feet hurt."
"That's an interesting theory.  You think maybe other stuff was just as important, but the Grimm guys only noticed the shoe aspect?  Like, they missed whole stories about hats and scarves because their feet hurt?" p 148-149

Things I Didn't Like:
I have to admit that the characters felt a bit flat.  I wasn't as interested in them so much as the story and the awesome repository of magical objects.  Also, the ending felt rushed and a bit too easy.  It kind of left me feeling like things weren't completely explained.  Still, for its clever ideas and the fun plot, I enjoyed it overall.

Read-alikes:
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Sisters Grimm books by Michael Buckley
Complete Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: X
just some serious kissing :)

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

What kinds of literary objects would you like to "check out"?

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Book Review: Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date: June 2010
ISBN: 978-0316068680
Source: Library

 

Scarlett and Rosie March are Fenris hunters.  As two of the few people who know werewolves exist, they feel obligated to fight and kill them to protect innocent girls.  Scarlett wants to spend the rest of her life fighting them - it's the only thing that makes her feel whole.  Rosie, however, is finding that she'd much rather live a normal life, especially when their old friend Silas returns and she finds herself falling for him.  But all three of them must focus on defeating the Fenris when they begin to mysteriously appear in greater numbers.

Things I Liked:
I have to admit, there is something so delightful to me about a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with werewolves.  Perhaps it's that I myself wrote a short story along those lines, though with some differences.  Or maybe it's that I don't in general even like the fairy tale, so the fact that this book made me like it was good.  I loved how the story was about the sisters more than anything else.  Books about sisters always get to me, since I have four sisters myself.  Their interactions were excellent, though I found myself angry at Scarlett more often, even while I sort of understood why she was so single minded.  Interesting and fun story.  I'm super excited to get in on the discussion over at Today's Adventure.  Here is one of my favorite parts:

When we were little, Scarlett and I were utterly convinced that we'd originally been one person in our mother's belly.  We believed that somehow, half of us wanted to be born and half wanted to stay.  So our heart had to be broken in two so that Scarlett could be born first, and then I finally braved the outside world a few years later.  It made sense in our little pig-tailed heads - it explained why, when we ran through grass or danced or spun in circles long enough, we would lose track of who was who and it started to feel as if there were some organic, elegant link between us, our single heart holding the same tempo and pumping the same blood. p 46

Things I Didn't Like:
It ended rather quickly and abruptly to me.  Perhaps it was that I figured out the end before hand and was expecting it, but it came to a rather neat conclusion, considering all the build up.  Still, satisfying nonetheless.

Read-alikes:
Cloaked in Red by Vivian Vande Velde 
and any of a number of other fairy tales (see my Listless Monday list of them)

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
some

mrg-factor: X
implied mostly

v-factor: ->->->
rather a lot of fighting and stabbing

Overall rating: ****

Do you like sister books?  Why or why not?

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Book Review: Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Publication date: May 2010
ISBN: 9781599904788
Source: Library

 

Princess Poppy isn't too thrilled to be participating in a royal exchange program that takes her to a foreign court where she may be called upon to dance.  You see, having been forced to dance for many years makes it less desirable.  She manages to avoid dancing for a while, instead playing cards and meeting a handsome prince, until a young maid starts getting in the way of their budding friendship.  This servant not only is showing up to balls in gorgeous gowns but all of the young men seem to be falling for her.  Can Poppy figure out the mystery behind this maid before she finds herself caught in another deadly trap?

Things I Liked:
This was a fun, sweet story.  I like Poppy because she isn't a good, perfect, ladylike princess - she swears, she plays cards, she has an attitude and she is also quite blunt.  The story itself is very cute - I especially enjoyed the Cinderella twist that makes for a interesting new view of the original tale.  Plus, it's also refreshing to have the main character not actually be Cinderella.  Lots of fun for younger girls and fairy tale lovers.

"All in all a most satisfactory evening," Marianne announced.  
Poppy had to laugh.  "It ended with us standing in the garden, looking over an unconscious prince and a red-faced Jasper Antwhistle."  She paused, making sure that Lady Margaret was asleep before continuing.  "Who was attacked rather haphazardly, by Prince Christian after I slapped him for trying to kiss me and pinch my bottom at the same time." p 33

"Any girl with a dowry is told from the day she's born that she has to marry just the right person for just the right reasons at just the right time."  She grimaced.  "All you can hope for is that he's got teeth.  And hair." p 61

Things I Didn't Like:
I didn't think it had quite as much sparkle and life as Princess of the Midnight Ball, which is essentially about Poppy's older sisters.  Poppy was a delightful character, but the story was almost too simple and the ending fairly obvious from the start.  I liked the humor and sarcasm, but it definitely lacked the magic of the first book. 

Read-alikes:
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
though apparently Poppy can swear with the best soldiers, she never actually does so on page

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

Got a favorite Cinderella story?

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Book Review: The Princess and the Snowbird by Mette Ivie Harrison

The Princess and the Snowbird by Mette Ivie Harrison
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: April 2010
ISBN: 978-0061553172
Source: Library

Liva is the daughter of the hound and the bear, and was endowed with all the aur-magic they could put in her.  She doesn't understand her role in saving magic, only that her parents won't accept any magic from her, even if they are hurt or sick.  Jens was born without any magic, and always felt like an outcast, an inferior member of his village, lacking even the tehr-magic that most humans had.  When their paths cross, the two begin to feel the pull of a destiny larger than themselves, especially with the appearance of a majestic and legendary snowbird.

Things I Liked:
Harrison's fairy tales always feel like they are full of untapped depth to me.  The stories, on the surface, appear pretty straight-forward.  But, there are more levels to them underneath the top.  The writing, while not flowery, immerses you in the story, forcing you to taste, feel, smell, and experience all the characters do.  I loved watching Liva experience new things and try to learn and grow from those experiences.  Jens definitely has more to him than meets the eye, even with an all-seeing-narrator eye.  I loved how the two interacted, especially in the end, when things didn't just turn out perfect right away.  A lovely ending to this unique magical trilogy.  Here's a favorite quote:

His aur-magic had been draining out, but this last bit was palpable.  It was like the last fall of a tree's leaves or the final stilling of a river frozen at the beginning of a bitterly cold winter.  It was the last moment of sunset before it was night, the last call of a bird as it flew north, never to be heard from again.  It was the smallest of changes, yet it was everything. p 88-89

Things I Didn't Like:
I found that it didn't quite grab me the way The Princess and the Hound did, and the romance wasn't quite as strong as in The Princess and the Bear.  The explanation of how the evil was defeated (trying to avoid spoilers) left me scratching my head a bit.  I'm not sure if it was just me not understanding it or if others had a hard time too.  Still, very satisfying.

Read-alikes:
Read The Princess and the Hound and The Princess and the Bear by Harrison first
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
some fighting

Overall rating: ****

Do you prefer to read old fairy-tale retellings or new fairy-tale-esque stories?

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Book Review: Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale

*Comments on this post will go toward my Library Week challenge*

Calamity Jack has a history.  Unknown to Rapunzel, Jack was not always a good guy.  He used to have all kinds of schemes to make money for his mother.  He was running away from just such a scheme involving giants and beanstalks when he met Rapunzel.  When he returns to the city, he finds things have changed and not for the better.  Can Jack save his mother, the city, and his relationship with Rapunzel?

Things I Liked:
I love the humor.  Seriously, I haven't read many graphic novels, but I think I prefer them with humor.  Nathan Hale's illustrations were delightful (as usual) and kept the story going when there weren't many words.  I love a good twisted fairy tale and it doesn't get more twisted than giant ant people. 

Things I Didn't Like:
It didn't have much of a point that I could find.  Fun, but rather light.  

Read-alikes:
Pick up Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale first

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
action, but very mild

Overall rating: ****

Do you have a favorite graphic novel to recommend?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage