What I Read in December 2015 Part I

What I Read in December 2015 Part I ...

My Sister's Keeper by Beverly Butler--Young Adult Historical Fiction

Mary James was forced to make a visit to her older sister Clara to help care for the children and assist Clara when her new baby comes. Mary doesn't get along with her fussy older sister and thinks her sister was lucky to catch a man like Ellery. Where Clara is tough and tart, Ellery is kind and fun. Mary's one consolation is that there is at least a new town of men to admire her beauty. One terrible night a fire rages through Peshtigo and Mary and her family are forced to run for their lives. Entrusted with the care of two-year-old Ida, Mary is forced to make difficult decisions that will mean either life or death. A local farmer Sigvard, is willing to help if Mary will let him.

This book does not shy away from the tough stuff. It's obvious the author did a ton of research on the Peshtigo fire and included all the gory details. The book also deals with the aftermath of the fire and it's not pretty. This book is not a fairy tale and there's a bit of an ambiguous plot thread at the end. There's a hint of a romance but not much. Most of the book is focused on the sisters' relationship and the fire. Mary is an unlikeable character at first. She's vain and spoiled but for some reason I sympathized with her. Clara is also unlikeable but yet also sympathetic. She has 3 young children, lives miles away from her family and her husband doesn't always respect her wishes. The relationship between Mary and Clara felt very realistic as did the chapters set during the fire.

Not many people have heard of this fire because it happened the same night as the great Chicago fire. I read a bit about the fire in One Came Home and saw the town featured on the National Geographic Channel show "Diggers." The history in the story wasn't all that interesting except for the fire but if you don't know anything about the fire, you will learn a lot. A good read for young adults and adults but not for younger children or sensitive readers.

Newt's Emerald  by Garth Nix-- Young Adult Regency Romance/Young Adult Fantasy

Lady Truthful "New" Newington is becoming a young lady. At 18 she is expected to put aside her hoydenish ways and stop chasing after her male cousins. On the eve of her birthday, her father shows her the Newington Emerald - a gem so rare, so brilliant and so large and so unlike an ordinary emerald. This gem contains magical properties that no one really understands. On the dark and stormy night of Newt's 18th birthday, the emerald goes missing. Newt's father is stricken with brain fever and her cousins dash off to find her a new emerald. It's up to Newt to head to London and properly investigate. As a young lady of Quality, Newt is not allowed to investigate wharves and ale houses on her own but as her cousin, Henri, the Chevalier de Vienne, she can do all those things and more to uncover the emerald's whereabouts. With a little magical help from her great-aunt Lady Badgery, Newt is disguised as a man. The real Henri is off to a monastery so no one will suspect a thing. However, someone does suspect that "Henri" is hiding something. Charles, Major Hartnett, late of the 95th Rifles, suspects Henri is a French spy. With Napoleon magically imprisoned in the Rock of Gibraltar, his supporters could band together to release him and a dangerous magical force upon the world. Major Hartnett agrees to help Newt/Henri to search for the emerald which he suspects has fallen into the wrong hands. The pair are led on a dangerous journey involving pirates, a lovelorn young lady, the haunt ton and a malignant sorceress.

This traditional Regency with a mystery at it's center is based largely on the writings of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and Aubrey Martin and it shows. The author has cursory knowledge of the time period based on reading those novels. It's VERY obvious he loves Georgette Heyer and he borrows names (Newt's mother's name was Venetia) and situations from the incomparable Heyer. Unfortunately, that is a big problem with this novel. I never really felt immersed in the world. Random things like dress designs would be tossed in without really feeling natural. Another big problem with this story is the sorcery. It's not incidental in the way other books of this genre incorporate magic. This sorcery is a little too high fantasy for me. I had a hard time following the concept. Why can Newt only do local weather magic? Who can do sorcery and why? How do they learn? What does the Newington Emerald DO exactly? Why is it so important? What is a stone nymph and what does fey mean? None of these questions are answered. The villain's motive was too simple and the ending too easy. I did, however, enjoy the adventure, however improbable it was. The romance is sweet in a very Heyer and Austen manner with lots of bickering back and forth and Newt trying to break convention.

The characters are good but not entirely memorable. My favorite was Lady Bagerley. She's a bit mischievous and lots of fun. I also liked General Leye. He seems the male equivalent of Lady Bagerley. Newt is also a great character. She's fun in a hoydenish way and if you're looking for a story where girls rule, this is it. Newt is a kick butt sort of girl. She's no simpering miss. She may be a chit but she doesn't act like it. Though I hate romances based on deception, I liked her relationship with Major Hartnett and the way Newt dealt with her feelings. He's a bit gruff and misogynistic but he has his good qualities. I can see why he loves Newt but not so much the other way around.

I liked this book well enough but it doesn't hold a candle to Sorcery and Cecilia or Marissa Doyle's Leland trilogy. I give Garth Nix a LOT of credit for trying a Regency fantasy story in 1991 before that was a thing and for even writing a Regency romance as a man under his own name.

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

Emerald Green (Ruby Red Trilogy 3) by Kerstin Gier -- Young Adult Fantasy

Gwyneth is suffering from a broken heart. Gideon claims he led her on as part of the grand scheme of the Order. Gwyneth's best friend Lesley assures Gwyneth her heart is stronger than glass, it's like marzipan and can recover from this blow. They focus on trying to find out what the mysterious thing Gwyneth's grandfather left her is and how to find it. Gwyneth's perfect cousin Charlotte smells something in the air and tries her hardest to find out what Gwyneth is up to. Meanwhile Gideon tries to be friends with Gwynny but she won't let him. Gideon needs for Gwyneth to trust him for he has evidence that the Count's motives for closing the Circle of Blood aren't for the good of mankind. They must find out the truth together or someone will die. The plot takes a long time to start. There's way too much teen angst in the beginning and misunderstandings. The story doesn't really pick up until 3/4 of the way through the novel. I had a lot of the puzzles figured out right away and had a good idea about what the Count was up to. I thought at least Lesley would have figured out the Philosopher's Stone since they seem to have seen the Harry Potter movies. When the plot does pick up, it's let down rather quickly. There are some tense moments that are concluded in a completely bizarre manner. The ending of it all surprising me a LOT and I didn't really like it. The answer to their problems was too simple and silly and doesn't make a lot of sense given the real world setting. The conclusion is rushed and there's not much there to wrap things up. I was surprised the action of all three novels takes place over only three weeks! That seems a very short amount of time for this type of story. The epilogue was cute and I liked how it explained a character. I found characterization lacking in this novel. Gwen is only strong with Lesley's help and Gideon broods a lot. They don't really have a lot to build a relationship on. Gideon is a lot older and more sophisticated than Gwyneth who acts like a typical young teen. There's a little bit of revelation about Charlotte which is interesting but that scene is too long and pointless. The set up for it made it seem like it would be something important. I had hoped for more back story on the Count. He has a history but not much of a back story. There's only one big thing revealed about him that's a big secret and it seems like it came out of nowhere. Xemerius delivers the comic relief as does Gwyneth's younger siblings. I love Xemerius and his witty insults. We discover more about Lucy and Paul in this book too but again, I would like more back story about how they fell in love and how they felt when they left everyone and everything behind. I did enjoy this conclusion though. I stayed up past my cut off time to finish it. I had to know how everything turned out. The suspense and the surprises kept me reading but I would have liked less angst in the beginning and more story or one more novel to conclude everything. It seems like the author ran out of space to finish her story.

Sweet Tilly (Drifters and Dreamers 2) by Carolyn Brown -- Historical Romance

Sheriff Rayford Sloan is new to Hearldton, Oklahoma. It's 1917 and Hearldton is an oil boom town. Ford specializes in cleaning up boom towns removing any and all things that make it unsafe for families to live in town. He's specifically after one Matilda Jane Anderson, a suspected bootlegger. If he can take her down, the small timers will crumble. He's determined to catch her in the act of smuggling moonshine, auction off her car and farm and then drift on out of town. He doesn't count on Tilly getting under his skin or being so beautiful. He's alternately arguing with her or blushing like a school boy whenever he's around her. Tilly is not about to get caught. She knows everything her Grandma Katy taught her about making and selling moonshine. She doesn't need the money but she takes pride in her craft and enjoys the challenge. She's not about to let some two bit sheriff get to her. She intends to lead him a merry chase around the county. Tilly does not expect to be so tempted by this ornery man. Her beloved cousin Clara and her old friends are urging her to quit before she gets caught. Should she give up everything she's worked for all these years and give in to temptation and settle down or should she keep on being an independent spinster doing her own thing? I really wanted to like this novel. I liked the idea of Tilly being an outspoken spinster. She is aware that she's unconventional and full of piss and vinegar and she doesn't care.She's very modern for her day and that's the problem I have with the story. She's a little too out there. If she actually said half the things she says in the novel, she would probably not be one of the most respected citizens. She actually declares she'd like to have children but not a husband! I couldn't tell the story was set in 1917. It sounded a bit too modern and the characters weren't firmly rooted in any time or place. The romance took way too long to get to the point. They fall in love quickly but take forever to realize they are in love. The misunderstanding/crucial moment part comes too late and the rest is rushed. The book needed a better editor. There were a lot of typos and some repetition that bothered me. I believe this is considered a Christian novel. It's not preachy at all. The characters are God-loving church-going folks and one of the characters is a preacher. There's no praying except for sermons in church. There is some bad language "Hell's Belles" and other unsuitable language for a lady. There is some sexual attraction between the hero and heroine. Readers who like sizzling but clean romances will like this one. There are a couple of strong kisses and a love scene at the end. The love scene isn't graphic and fades to black after kissing and wrapping up the plot. I felt the book was OK but not great. It took me awhile to feel motivated to finish it.

Young Adult Reviews

Past Young Adult Reviews

I'm cleaning house and moving some reviews around. 




Bloodhound: Beka Cooper Book 2 by Tamora Pierce -- YA Fantasy/Adventure
Set in Tortall 200 years before Alanna, Beka Cooper, a common-born girl from the city slums is now a full fledged officer of the law, a Dog. When she discovers someone is forging silver coins and the economy is in trouble, Beka and partner Goodwin are assigned under cover duty in Port Caynn to sniff out information, Beka is accompanies by her "birdie" Slapper the pigeon, as well as a new friend, Achoo, the scent hound. Beka detests playing the part of a silly young girl but it helps her make friends, and enemies, in Port Caynn. She and Achoo must work their hardest to find the forger and stop them before it's too late. This is another great offering from Tamora Pierce. A new fan could read it without knowing much of the background and long-time fans will enjoy learning more of the history of Tortall. This story has romance as well as adventure and a cute dog. I enjoyed it as much as Terrier and hope the third volume doesn't take as long to be published!

A Voice of Her Own: Becoming Emily Dickinson by Barbara Dana -- YA Historical Fiction

A fictionalized biography of Emily Dickinson. The author uses Emily's writing to flesh out the reclusive offer and show the reader how she came to be the great poet she was. I had a really hard time getting into this story. I just couldn't get into Emily's head. I finished the book but don't remember anything about it. My original review is lost in the ether somewhere!

Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly -- YA Historical Fiction

Set in the Adirondocks in 1906, sixteen year old Mattie Gokey helps run the family farm and look after her younger siblings now that her mother has passed away and her older brother ran off. Encouraged by a forward thinking teacher, Mattie devours words and dreams of attending college and becoming a writer herself. She's torn in her loyalties between duty and dreams which are further complicated by a romance with a local boy. Mattie also feels drawn to a young woman who is a guest at the hotel where Mattie works in the summer. When the young woman turns up drowned, Mattie is even more drawn to her and learning this young woman's story. Mattie tells her own story alternating between past and present using her favorite words from the dictionary to highlight the important happenings of the last year. This is an incredibly well-written novel with rich details that sucked me into the story and didn't let go. I had incredibly sympathy for Mattie, being a literature lover and a college educated woman. I, too, was torn in what I wanted her to do. The murder subplot is only a small part of the book but it shapes Mattie's life and helps her decide where her place is. I have seen this book on the shelves since it was first published and I don't know why it took me so long to read it. It's one of the best YA novels I've read. I especially enjoyed all the literary references to my favorite writers.

 

Last Dance on Holladay Street by Elisa Carbone -YA Historical Fiction

In 1878, when Eva's adopted parents die, she must make her own way from the Colorado prairie to Denver in search of her birth mother whom she believes was unable to support a child back when Eva was born, but surely must be able to by now. Eva receives a big shock when Denver and her mother are not what she expected. She is befriended by a fellow "colored" person who helps her find her path to freedom. This is an interesting, mature look at the women in the Old West. My heart went out to Eva as she struggled through life and couldn't put the book down to see how she found a way out of her difficult situation. This book is well-written and seems realistic. I enjoyed it.

 

What I Read This Weekend

What I Read This Weekend . . .

The Springsweet by Saundra Mitchell -- Young Adult Paranormal Historical Fiction

This book is a companion to The Vespertine which I have not read. Seventeen-year-old Zora Stewart has experienced the devastating loses of her best friends and her beloved fiance. She's taken to moping about her family's home in Baltimore and visiting the cemetery where she meets a young Edgar Allen Poe fan, Theo de la Croix. Zora's mother worries about the girl's moping but Zora feels she can never be a part of society again and makes plans to become a mail order bride out West. After creating a scandal in Society with Mr. de la Croix, Zora is sent off to her Aunt Birdie in Oklahoma Territory (newly opened to settlers). Shortly after arriving in Oklahoma, Zora's coach is accosted by highwaymen and she's left all alone along the dusty road where she's picked up by Emerson Birch, a local homesteader. Emerson is handsome, yet a bit prickly and Zora isn't sure she trusts him. Birdie warns Zora away from Emerson, but Zora isn't sure what to think; Emerson has been kind and discovered a secret about Zora that even she didn't know. Zora is what the locals call a springsweet, meaning she has the magical ability to find water. Zora has feelings for Emerson she isn't sure she understands. She feels connected to him in some way and is intrigued by their connection. Then Theo comes calling in his fancy carriage and Birdie pushes Zora into accepting his courtship. When Birdie discovers Zora's talent she decides to turn it to their advantage. Zora allows it, even knowing what will come. Does she have the courage to live again? To follow her feelings? This story reminded me a lot of The Luxe novels by Anna Godbersen because of the time period, the high society and the rebellious teen romance. I could have done without the teen romance but parts of it were sweet and done well, mostly until the epilogue which was so far from realistic. I liked the connection between Emerson and Zora and how they slowly come to know one another through this amazing connection they share. The historical details in the novel are excellent. I loved the description of Oklahoma Territory and the history of the land rush. I'm taking History of the West this semester so I appreciated the author's attempt to create a realistic West rather than the mythic West of Buffalo Bill and dime novels. The description of homesteading in Oklahoma in 1890 is the best part of the book. The characters aren't really very likeable though. Not knowing the events of the Vespertine, I couldn't really feel Zora's loss very keenly. I felt sorry for her but I didn't like the way she handled her grief. I didn't really come to know her as a person through the course of the novel. I didn't like Theo very much either. He's a bit of a stalker though he's kind. I liked Emerson a lot and thought the story should have alternated from his point-of-view. I wanted to know more about him. Don't read this thinking it's a true paranormal or gothic like The Vespertine because it's not. The paranormal is more subtle which I really liked. The plot leaves the reader hanging a bit and I expect there will be a sequel. The writing style is very nice. I liked the descriptive passages the best and could easily imagine Oklahoma. I would have liked a bit less drama in the beginning and more about Zora and her special talents. I liked the story well enough to recommend it to fans of historical fiction, especially teen girls. 

Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier translated by Anthea Bell -- Young Adult Fantasy

This sequel picks up right where Ruby Red left off - with Gideon snogging Gwen in a church in 1912 after being confronted by their missing relatives and shot at. Poor Gwen is confused about Gideon's feelings for her and she seems to have attracted a new sidekick - a ghost of a demon who won't leave her alone. Gwen wonders who was out to kill them and why; why did Lucy and Paul steal the chronograph and what is her role in all this? The plot of this book provides a few answers but creates more mystery! On a routine elapse to 1948 Gwen has an unexpected encounter with someone she knows she can trust. That person gives her a clue that creates a bigger mystery about what role she is to play in the future. Her unflappable best friend Leslie sets off to do some research while the demon Xemerius looks through walls and spies on people for Gwen. On top of everything else, Gwen is given a crash course in everything her beautiful, talented cousin Charlotte already knows, which makes Gwen even more nervous about time traveling. Will she ever figure anything out? Being with Gideon makes it much more easy (especially when he's kissing her) but at the same time, he doesn't seem to trust her and she's not sure she can trust him either.  This book is obviously written for young teens. Gwen is a typical modern teenage girl with interests in boys, music and normal things. She's a fine heroine for the story but I prefer her more bookish friend Leslie. I love the addition of the demon; he's my new favorite character and serves as comic relief. I also really like the person who Gwen meets in 1948. That character seems very kind and trustworthy. I also like Lucy and Paul though I can't stand the whole star-crossed lovers conflict, the few glimpses into their travels provide clues and mysteries for the rest of the plot. I think I admire them for what they did, but that yet remains to be seen. I'm not sure I like Gideon. He's a bit mysterious and he confuses poor Gwen. He's a bit of a Mr. Darcy type, I think.  The plot is face paced and balanced between adventure and romance. There's one long tedious section where Gwen has to learn all about the 18th century that slows the pace a bit but the scene that follows is a good contrast and very funny. The story ends with a BIG cliffhanger that serves as a clue to the past and future of the Circle of Twelve. The conclusion, Emerald Green, will not be out for another YEAR! I can not wait that long!! I need some answers and I need them now! This series is highly recommended for teens and adults who don't mind somewhat annoying teenage protagonists. 

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales (Beka Cooper) by Tamora Pierce -- Young Adult Fantasy/Contemporary

This anthology of fantasy tales by popular YA author Tamora Pierce features 11 short stories, most of which have been published before. There are three new tales to continue the Tortall legends and a sneak preview of the new Beka Cooper novel. (Lets out an unladylike squeal of delight).

I will focus on the three new stories. Nawat is a sequel to the Trickster books. Aly gives birth to three live, human babies while Nawat struggles with his identity as a crow man. His ideas of child rearing clash with those of the human nurses and even the Queen. The Rajumat flock is angry and Nawat has to deal with them one way or another. This is a bittersweet tale about Nawat from his point-of-view. It's sometimes funny but also a bit sad and even makes you think in spots. Nawat has to make some difficult choices in this one as he struggles with his identity. I loved seeing Aly and Nawat again and finding out what happened next. I think Aly grows more like her mother as she gets older, though she would hate to hear anyone say that!

Lost: Adria, a girl from Tusaine is a math genius. She's made to doubt her abilities by an abusive father and an incompetent teacher. She's befriending by a Darking who helps her realize her worth. This is a cute story full of girl power. As much as I hate and don't understand math, I felt sorry for Adria and loved how Lost helped her find her way. It was an extra awesome bonus to read more about Darkings. (They're also in Nawat). I just love this magic world Tammy has created!

In Mimic, Ri, a young shepherdess is content with her freedom to roam the hills despite her grandfather's wish for her to learn healing and her brother's pleas to take over the sheep. When Ri rescues a strange creature from a hawk, she vows to keep it alive no matter how ugly it is. The strange creature turns out to be full of surprises and wisdom for Ri. This story teaches some great lessons to teen girls about doing what is right and about growing up. The creature is amusing and the story is a fun read. 

The other stories included are:

The Dragon's Tale about Daine's dragonling, Kitten

Elder Brother: about the repercussion of Numair using a word of power at the end of the Immortals Quartet

The Hidden Girl: A companion to Elder Brother, paralleling the Taliban's treatment of women

Huntress: A contemporary fantasy set in New York City

Plain Magic: A short story which teaches that appearances can be deceiving.

Testing: A contemporary non-fantasy about troubled teen girls testing their new house mother

Student of Ostriches: About Shang warriors

Time of Proving: A short story that doesn't appear linked to any other legends thus far. A girl helps a creature in need but not without payment. She learns a few things along the way about proving herself.

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

The Legend of the King: The Squire's Tales by Gerald Morris -- Children's/Young Adult Fantasy

This final installment of the Squire's Tales has Mordred and his mother, Morgause causing strife within Camelot. Many of the characters from previous novels appear in an attempt to save or destroy Camelot. The magical folk watch the struggle but try not to get involved. They have a tough decision to make as the age of the faery folk ends and the age of ignorance begins. The story sticks true to the common legend of King Arthur and is told from multiple points-of-view. I found the multiple POV distracting and had a hard time remembering who all the characters were. Luckily, there's a nice reference section in the back that provides brief biographies on the characters. This story is pretty grim and lacked Morris's trademark tongue-in-cheek humor. I don't think he should have tried to finish the sags but let the earlier stories stand on their own. There are shades of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter which were a bit over done but the writing is good and the story kept me turning the page in hopes of a different ending. If you've read the rest of the series and want to finish or if you're a big King Arthur fan (I'm not) then you'll probably love this book.

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George -- Young Adult Fairy Tale

In this companion to Princess of the Midnight Ball, Princess Poppy has to leave her beloved Westphalin for an extended stay in Breton as part of a royal exchange to promote peace in Ionia. Poppy enjoys the social life and her new friends, but is adamant that she does NOT dance. She does, however, knit, play cards (shocking!) , ride horses (badly) and swear like a sailor. Prince Christian of Danelaw is also sent to Breton to find a suitable bride. Though he doesn't want to marry right now, he sees the trip as the adventure he's always longed for. He enjoys the refreshing company of Princess Poppy and tries to avoid the matchmaking schemes of the Bretoner King. Eleanora was once a spoiled, wealthy daughter of an aristocrat until her father's death left her penniless. Now calling herself Ellen, she's employed as a maid. Poor Ellen can't seem to do anything right and after losing several positions she comes to work at the home of Poppy's hosts. When a mysterious woman, The Corley, appears, calling herself Eleanora's godmother and promising to restore the girl to her rightful position, Eleanora readily accepts the help of her godmother. Soon she's the belle of the ball, enchanting Prince Christian and the only young men. Poppy is one of the only people who can see there's dark magic afoot. She has to set aside her pride and fear of dark magic to try to save Eleanora and Christian before it's too late. This is a dark retelling of Cinderella. (Disney take notes because this is how the story should be told.) There's danger, adventure and romance enough to please older children, teens and adults. The story is well-written and I enjoyed it much more than Princess of the Midnight Ball. Poppy is a realistic and appealing character who has flaws, is vulnerable at times and proactive in trying to save the day. Eleanora is a well-developed character who grows and changes and my opinion of her changes too. Christian is rather two-dimensional and I would have liked more of the story from his point of view. My only complaint is that the book is just a bit too short and the climax of the story is resolved a little too quickly. I especially like Poppy's decision at the end which is realistic for her age and sweet. I highly recommend this book, even for those who haven't read the first.

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .


LarkRise to Candleford by Flora Thompson -- Classic
This is a semi-fictionalized trilogy of English country life in the late 19th century. Young Laura Timmins lives in a hamlet of farm workers but because her father is a stone mason rather than a farmer, she's an outsider looking in, which provides her with a unique perspective with which to observe life in the hamlet, village and nearby market town. The people are poor and live simply but they're a close-knit community, far removed from the village of Candleford and the market town of Candleford Green. Laura shares remembrances of local customs and observations about the simple pre-Industrial life of the hamlet. In the second volume, Laura and her brother have the opportunity to visit their relatives in town for the first time. The people are more well-to-do and think rather highly of themselves, which makes Laura feel uncomfortable, but she discovers a kindred spirit in her uncle, who shares his love of literature with her and helps her widen her horizons. The third volume follows Laura as she leaves childhood behind and goes to work for the postmistress in Candleford Green. This is the most entertaining volume as Laura experiences the beginnings of modern life and the pangs of early adulthood. This book reminded me a lot of Cranford in the way it tells a story of a life that no longer exists. Lark Rise to Candleford doesn't have much of a plot and is a little slow but the simplicity of life is made to be charming and appealing. I think this would be a good book to pick up and put down and pick up again with a nice cup of tea of a leisurely vacation. It's not one to read for quick entertainment purposes. Larkrise to Candleford should be read by those who love English literature and history to discover the peaceful world of 19th century Oxfordshire that no longer exists.

A Posse of Princesses by Sherwood Smith -- YA Fantasy
This story is set in a land where powerful magic is common and though the heroine, Rhis, Princess of the small kingdom of Nym, shows a great aptitude for magical learning, she prefers to sit in her tower room reading old ballads and dreaming of romance and adventure. When an invitation comes to attend a party with the Crown Prince of Vesarja and other young people, Rhis believes this is her chance to escape her stuffy sister-in-law/tutor and small mountain kingdom to have the adventure she's always dreamed of. Rhis is unprepared for court life but her sheltered upbringing allows her to make friends with everyone, from her sister-by-marriage Shera, princess of Gessam; Tanivia, a wild highland princess; Youzhou, the prince's cousin and especially the prince's charming scribe, Dandiar. The party is also attended by Iardith, the perfect princess, who has her sights set on the prince. Rhis and Iardith don't get along but when another party guest abducts Iardith, the time comes for Rhis and her friends to set aside their personal feelings and rush off into danger to rescue their fellow princess. Rhis finds the adventure of a lifetime and even discovers true love. This is a charming adventure story for girls without many angsty undertones or wickedness. Rhis is a delightful heroine and she is the perfect princess. I especially like the other princesses from foreign lands and their unusual behavior. My favorite is Taniva, the barefoot highland princess. The hero is funny and charming as well as intelligent, like the heroine, so they are a good match. I admire the princesses for being quick thinking and springing into action on their own. What's lacking in this story is the great romantic build-up that Smith created so well in Crown Duel. The romance seems kind of rushed and anti-climatic after the great adventure. The story took so long to get going so by the end I felt like the author was rushing to finish. She also borrows some elements from previous stories. The illustration of the princesses on the dust jacket is totally wrong. Two of them have skin in shades of brown, one yellow and one unknown. Overall, I think this book is great for younger girls who like to read about strong, intelligent princesses. Fans of Gail Carson Levine and Karen Cushman will love this one.

The Lady Disguised by Elizabeth Mansfield -- Regency Romance
When her eight-year-old brother Stanley goes missing, Miss Ada Farrington fears he has been kidnapped by Gypsies and she is the best person to find him. Disguised as a boy, she sets out on an adventure through the country in search of her much-adored brother. Along the way she meets the handsome, charming rake Derek Rutledge, Viscount Esterbrook. Guessing her secret, Derek is captivated by Ada and endeavors to assist young "Addie" on his search. Their quest takes them back to London where "Addie" meets Derek's matchmaking mama and tries to navigate the social waters of Polite Society while searching for Stanley in locations that aren't fit for a gentleman to see, let alone a well-bred young lady. Adventure, danger and near heartbreak are imminent as Ada and Derek grow closer to each other. This is a light, quick read. Ada is young and naive but not foolish and Derek behaves like the perfect gentleman but possesses a sense of humor that makes him a most charming hero. I can't stand lisping children in novels so I didn't feel as sorry for Stanley as I should have. His fate kept me guessing (and I guessed wrong) and I learned about lost/forgotten children in 1816, a subject which is truly horrible and unimaginable. The seriousness of the adventure kept this novel from being total fluff and balances out the romance nicely. I enjoyed this one and would like to read more of Mansfield's novels.

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

The Charming Impostor by April Kihlstrom -- Traditional Regency
Helena Stanwood is bored in Bath where she is forced to stay with her father's cousin Roberta while in mourning for her parents who died nearly a year ago. Nella convinces her friend Theodosia Elston to impersonate Nella's brother Bartram in order for the young girls to go out for a drive. Unfortunately, the joke is on them when the real Bartram shows up in Bath insisting on taking Nella back to Stanwood Oaks to keep her out of trouble. He agrees to take Theodosia along, as long as she meets with his approval. Once again, Nella asks her friend to be someone she's not - a prim and proper young miss - in order to fool Bartram. The plan works and they are on their way to the country when Cousin Roberta drops the news that her uncle, Nella and Bartram's grandfather, left a hidden treasure for his male heir to find and inherit. The young ladies quickly turn the house inside and out searching for clues. Their behavior offends the prissy Clarissa Cranely as well as Lord Thomas Holwell, the intended fiances of Bartram and Dosia. A crisis shows Bartram that Theodosia is not the flighty young miss he fears she is but neither is she the prim and proper young lady he first men - she's an impostor and a charming one at that! This is a quick, light read which combines the traditional Regency plot with comedy of manners. The characters are pretty well-developed and have good chemistry. Though I figured out the villain quickly, there are a number of red herrings that made me doubt my hunch. This is a good read for fans of both comedy of manners and traditional mystery plots.

Francesca's Rake by Lynn Kerstan -- Regency Romance
Galen Pender, Viscount Clayborn is happy with his rakehell existence until his domineering father threatens to cut him off unless he marries and produces an heir. His father even has a bride in mind, a woman who comes with a nice parcel of land. Clay's instinct is to rebel against his father and marry an unsuitable woman. At the posting inn on the way to London, he encounters a beautiful goddess who appears to be some sort of chaperon to a young minx and Clay becomes instantly smitten, however the lady wants nothing to do with Clay! The lady in question, Francesca Childe, is a 31-year-old bluestocking, illegitimate daughter of an Italian commoner! She and her mother were rescued from the streets of Naples by the Duke of Sotherton who married Francesca's mother and raised Francesca as his own. Francesca would like nothing more than to stay by her invalid father's side and read to him, but he sends her to London to chaperon her younger cousins during their first Season. Francesca knows that Clay's father has her in mind as a suitable bride for the Viscount and she intends to firmly snub the young man whenever she sees him, but Clay won't be ignored. This Regency is all about feelings. Clay lusts after Francesca and she tries to avoid her feelings about him. It would fall under Subtle Sensuality on All About Romance's Sensuality Rating Guide. The plot didn't interest me too much. It seemed repetitive and the characters never really take the time to think about anyone other than themselves and their own desires, however conflicting they may be. Francesca seems like she'd be an admirable character, I enjoy bluestockings, but I really couldn't like her very much. I think she would have been more interesting had she stayed at home! Read this if you like romance novels but not for period details and good plot.

Forest Born by Shannon Hale : Books of Bayern 4 -- YA Fantasy
Rinna's whole life has been spent in her beloved forest surrounded by her large, lively, loving family. She tries to blend in and be whatever is expected of her but deep down inside she knows something is different and potentially wrong with her. When she was a child, the trees offered comfort and allowed her to feel them deep inside. Now she is a teenager, and the trees no longer offer her the serenity she desires. In an effort to find her true home and rid herself of her problem, Rinna joins her brother Razzo and his girl Dasha in the city where she becomes waiting woman to the queen. Rinna feels a special bond with the little prince Tusken and takes on nurse maid duties, determined to protect the boy from another waiting woman whom Rinna does not trust. The King and Bayern's Own are called to the border of a neighboring country and are attacked by fire speakers. One man is killed and the King is injured. Determined to protect her country and her family, the Queen sets off with Enna and Dasha to journey to Kel. Rinna feels a special attraction to the other girls and sneaks off to join them. During their long journey, Rinna will learn things she never knew about herself and come to terms with her "otherness" and help rescue her friends and Bayern from an old enemy who wants them dead. This is a great sequel to the other Books of Bayern. Rinna is full of teen angst and when she leaves home for the first time, her feelings are similar to those of a real life modern teenager. She's the most realistic of Hale's heroines because of her emotions. The plot is suspenseful and the ending is different, leaving me wanting one more book about Rinna! I liked this book best after Goose Girl.


Downright Dencey by Caroline Dale Snedeker -- Middle Grades Historical Fiction/Classic
This 1928 Newbury Honor Winner book is about a young Quaker girl on Nantucket in the 1820s. Dionis (Dencey) Coffyn is proud to be the descendant of one of the original founding Quakers of Nantucket and the daughter of a whaling ship captain. She tries to mind her mother while her father is away and follow the Quaker ways. When some of the local boys tease her about her darker skin tone, the teasing causes proud Dencey to react by throwing stones back at the boys. One stone hits an orphan boy, Sam Jetsam, and cuts him on the shoulder. Horrified, Dencey runs away but her conscience and her Quaker upbringing can not let her leave the incident alone. She sneaks off to the Commons to meet Jetsam and ask him to forgive her. He refuses her apology and her greatest treasure until she promises him her book, Pilgrim's Progress and reading lessons. Soon Dencey is sneaking off as often as possible to help Jetsam learn to read. The two try to outwit "Injun Jill," Jetsam's guardian who is jealous of Dencey and Jetsam's friendship and Jetsam's new skill. When the friendship is discovered, Dencey's will is tested and she must decide whether to obey her mother or her own feelings. One stormy evening, Jetsam's loyalty is tested and brings him to the notice of Dencey's family in a positive way. As the years pass, friendship grows into young love and the two friends must chart their own paths in life, either separate or together. This was a difficult book to read for a number of reasons. First, before the plot moves forward, it goes back in time, covering Dencey's family history and her earliest childhood memories, then it goes back to the main story. It also seeks to accurately (?) portray Quaker life of the early 19th century in all it's simplicity including plain speech. The book also contains a number of racial and ethnic slurs which are not considered appropriate by today's standards. This book should not be read through a modern lens but appreciated for it's historical value.

Plain Girl by Virginia Sorensen -- Middle Grades classic
Esther is a young Amish girl growing up in Pennsylvania in the mid-20th century. She has always trusted her parents to teach her the ways of their people, but when the school board demands Esther be sent to school, she worries about being with non-Amish children and what that means for her beliefs. Her older brother Dan went to school and then he went Away (from the Amish). A pretty girl in a pink dress at school wants to befriend Esther and Esther wants to be friends with the girl but doesn't know if she should. Is wanting to be friends with someone outside the Amish culture the first step Away? Esther ponders the problem and begins to question the rigid beliefs of her family in this classic story. This book nicely explains the strict Amish beliefs and raises many good questions. The story moved a little slowly in the beginning but picked up after a few chapters. I would recommend this to girls interested in Amish culture in addition to Lois Lenski's Amish Girl.

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . .

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella -- women's fiction/paranormal mystery/Historical Romance
Lara Lington's life is a mess. First, she quit her job to start a headhunting business with her best friend Natalie and then Natalie up and left for Goa leaving Lara unprepared to deal with business. Next, Lara's boyfriend Josh dumps her, leaving her lonely and desperate. Then Lara's great-aunt Sophie dies. Aunt Sophie was 105 and died alone in a nursing home. Lara's family can barely spare the time to hold a brief funeral for the lady. During the service, Lara hears a voice in her ear which she eventually realizes is great-aunt Sadie's ghost who tells Lara to stop the funeral before her body is cremated! Aunt Sophie's ghost manifests herself as a young woman in her twenties and she is searching for her favorite necklace from the 1920s and won't rest until she finds it. Lara quickly finds herself going crazy trying to help the ghost of Aunt Sadie. As their relationship develops, Sadie helps Lara learn about life, friendship, love and most importantly, family. Lara uncovers some shocking family secrets and helps Sadie achieve her dream and accomplish her goal. with very unappealing characters. Every single conversation and action is written out making for a very long, slow-moving novel until 3/4 of the way through when the mystery really picks up. Then, once the mystery is resolved, the predictable resolution drags on and on. The characters in this book are also not very appealing. Lara is such an annoying sad-sack in the beginning that I just can't like her very much. Sadie is even worse. She's obnoxious and acts like a spoiled child when she doesn't get her own way. I felt sorry for in her old age though and liked her a little better towards the end. I also had issues with the way Lara handled the mystery and the unrealistic way museum staff were portrayed. Fans of Kinsella's quick, witty novels will probably be disappointed in this one.

The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry -- YA Fantasy/Fairy Tale
When Lucinda Chapdelaine was five years old, her parents left for a ball and never returned alive. For the last ten years she has been in the care of her uncle-by-marriage and his cruel, spiteful wife. Uncle is unable to prevent Lucinda from his wife's beatings but shows her as much kindness as he can. On one fateful day, a woman named Beryl brings a precious stone to Lucinda's uncle's goldsmith shop to be reset and notices Lucinda's unhappiness. The mysterious woman offers to take Lucinda but Lucinda's aunt won't part with the girl. When Luncinda's aunt discovers that Beryl is the Amaranth Witch, she refuses the woman's business and sends Lucinda to return the stone. Lucinda doesn't believe the stories and intends to return the stone to her uncle to reset and earn some money without his wife knowing. Unwittingly, Luncinda becomes involved with the stone and the Amaranth Witch more than she'd like to be when her uncle dies and Luncinda discovers the stone was stolen by a sneaky boy named Peter. Lucinda's quest to confess the theft leads her to the Amaranth Witch and involves her in the lives of people from two different worlds, including Crown Prince who may be her own true love. This is a Cinderellaesque fairy tale with fantasy elements. It wasn't exactly what I thought it would be. I was expecting more of a fairy tale. The plot is fast paced and the resolution happens almost too quickly. Lucinda is naively charming at times but determined to survive and in no way searching for true love. Peter is charming and funny and his journey is rather unexpected. Beryl's story is unusual and interesting and she is a very kind and likable character. I liked the book but I would have enjoyed it a lot more without the fantasy elements.

The Other Half of Life by Kim Ablon Whitney -- YA Historical Fiction
In 1939, Hitler and the Nazi Party have taken over Germany and Jews are rapidly being degrading and persecuted like never before. 15-year-old Thomas's father is Jewish and his mother, a gentile, has decided to send Thomas away to Cuba where he'll join his older half-brother in safety. Thomas is determined to be tough and cynical but two girls enter his life and change him for good. At first Thomas feels the beautiful Priska is naive and her little sister Marianne silly, but the more he gets to know the girls, he realizes that Priska is more than what she seems and together they form a close friendship to get them through the nerve-wrecking voyage. Though they are treated kindly, Thomas worries that the Nazi officers on the ship mean to trick them and he and Priska suspect a high-ranking officer of being up to something and Thomas also suspects the kind attentions of the ship's steward. The only person he can count on is Priska and they help each other through the nerve-wracking voyage and long delays once the ship docks. The main plot of the story ends after the ship docks in Cuba and what happens next is told in one chapter and an epilogue. I thought the book would longer and tell the whole story of the ship. I was also a bit confused because the story was based on a true incident and the book jacket advertises that fact but the name of the ship was changed in the story. Even knowing what happened to the ship, I found the story suspenseful enough to keep turning the pages until I finished. I also liked knowing what happened to the characters after the story ends. This is a good read for teens who are interested in Holocaust history without a lot of gory details.

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

Mr. Darcy's Dream by Elizabeth Aston -- Austenesque
In this latest book in the Mr. Darcy's Daughters series, 20 year old Phoebe Hawkins, daughter of Georgiana Darcy and a Sir Giles Hawkins, has found love in her second season. After a whirlwind night of dancing and falling in love, Mr. Stanhope informs Phoebe he is going to call on her father to ask leave to pay his addresses. Sir Giles is against the match for two reason: one, Mr. Stanhope and his family are Whigs while Sir Giles is a Tory. Whigs are thought to be immoral and they marry their own kind. The other reason Sir Giles objects is because Mr. Stanhope as a lady in keeping and a reputation as a rake. She is crushed by her father's decision but determined to see Mr. Stanhope again because she doesn't believe the gossip. Unfortunately, Phoebe happens to see the dashing Mrs. Vereker leaving Mr. Stanhope's apartments shattering all Phoebe's hopes and dreams. Phoebe knows just enough about unfaithfulness and the unhappiness it causes within families to know she does not want to be married to such a one as Mr. Stanhope. She is packed off to Pemberley where she meets with her cousin Louisa Bingley (daughter of Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley). Mr. Darcy has hired an up-and-coming young landscape architecht, High Drummond, to modernize the Pemberley grounds and to build a new, large greenhouse for the tropical plans Elizabeth has collected on her travels. Once the renovations are complete, Mr. Darcy is to hold a ball and leaves Phoebe in charge of all the arrangements. Phoebe and Louisa's only other companion is a Miss Verney, a French emigree, forced to work as a governess for Mr. Darcy's grandchildren. Phoebe dislikes and mistrusts Miss Verney, but lkike her parents, Louisa refuses to see bad in anyone. Meanwhile, Mr. Stanhope learns that Phoebe is in the country and dashes off to see his married sister who lives in the neighborhood. He senses unhappiness all around him with his sister, with Phoebe and the mysterious Miss Verney. Phoebe spends a lot of time and energy trying to avoid Mr. Stanhope while Louisa becomes closer to Mr. Drummond. George Warren steps in to try to make trouble but this time everyone is suspicious and determined he will not make trouble for the Darcys again. Everything cultminates at Mr. Darcy's ball where under the moonlight futures will be made and everything changes. This is another rewrite of Pride and Prejudice featuring the next generation. It was a little confusing to keep everyone straight and follow the plot. The mystery and villianry are hinted at and then dropped and then picked up again only to be resolved quickly and easily. The romances are predictable and come off as I hoped but there wasn't much of solid conclusion to Phoebe's story. Though of all Aston's spinoffs, this one comes closest to actually being a story that a 19th century lady could have written. I enjoyed it and am sad that it seems to be the last in the series.

Pretty Polly by Marion Chesney -- Regency Romance

Beautiful, spoiled Mrs. Charlotte Manners, a wealthy widow, wants to ensnare the Duke of Denbeigh. Years ago, when he was a mere younger son, he proposed and she refused because she believed fortune was better than a title. Now she has fortune, Mrs. Manners wants a title and she is determined to be a Duchess and believes once the Duke sees her, he will be instantly smitten. The Duke has no plans to come to London for the Season, but Mrs. Manners thinks she can make him come by writing him wonderfully witty letters. Unfortunately, Mrs. Manners is neither witty nor clever, having always gotten by on her looks. She decides to bring an old schoolmate, Verity, daughter of a country lawyer, to town to write to the Duke. Verity quickly realizes she's being used by her old friend but Charlotte knows how to play on Verity's kindness and sensitivity to convince her to stay. Charity takes charge of Charlotte's pets, a dog, a cat and an unusual parrot and becomes noted in London for her kindness. Verity writes to the Duke of her visit to London and he is quite taken with the charming letter writer, whom he believes is Charlotte Manners. When the Duke shows no signs of appearing in London, Charlotte decides to settle for any gentleman with a fortune and title but every time a suitor comes to propose, he runs out the door never to be seen again. Unbeknownst to the ladies, the parrot can mimic their voices and repeats entire private conversations, revealing distasteful honest truths about Charlotte Manners and Verity. Verity falls in love with the Duke through his letters and when he finally does come to London, he quickly suspects the author of the letters is not Charlotte and the path to romance seems clear enough. However, jealousy rears it's ugly head and Charlotte destroys Verity's chance for happiness. It's up to Pretty Polly to save the day! I really liked this story because it was about an older, intelligent heroine and not some silly debutante. I also like the idea of courtship through letters and actually getting to know a person before marrying them. The parrot provided some comedic moments and served as an unusual plot device. This is one of Chesney's best.

My Lords, My Ladies and Marjorie by Marion Chesney -- Edwardian Romance c. 1907
A different time period, similar story. Seventeen year old Marjorie Montmorency-James lives in a backwater country village with her middle-class grandmother. There are no men at all in their village and Marjorie dreams of a nameless, faceless man to fall in love with. When she sees a picture of Lord Philip Cavendish in a picture in the newspaper, she falls madly in love with him and is determined her grandmother should give her a London Season so she may have a chance to see him in thr flesh. Marjorie's dreams come true when her grandmother asks an old friend for help launching Marjorie and that friend happens to be an old friend of Lord Philip's mother! At first Marjorie can't believe her good luck, but she is very young and nervous among her betters and tries desperately to mimic the behavior of the aristocratic young ladies. Lord Philip's childhood friend Hermione is intensely jealous of Marjorie and angry as Marjorie's too-acurate mimicry of Hermione's biting wit, so she sets out to destroy Marjorie's chances with Lord Philip and invites the other young aristocrats to have some fun at Marjorie's expense. Hermione's practical jokes go too far and the joke turns out to be nearly deadly for Marjorie. Marjorie manages to find true love and happiness in the end from a very unexpected person. I really didn't like this book. The only character I found likeable is the Marquess and he is such a paragon of virtue he is as cliched as that statement. I felt bad for Marjorie in the beginning but her naivity and stupidity brought on the rest. I would only recommend this if you're looking for something different from all the typical Regency romances.

The Princess and the Bear by Mette Ivie Harrison -- YA fantasy

This wonderful fairy tale is a companion to The Princess and the Hound. After Prince George uses his magic to switch back the princess and the hound to their rightful bodies, Prince George and Marit go on their way to happily ever after, but what about the hound? The hound that was a princess forms an odd pack of two with the bear who was a man and a king, despite the lac of ability to communicate. The hound feels that only the bear understands how it feels to be two things at once and will do anything to keep her bear and their home safe. The hound discovers a strange wild cat man who spreads his evil unmagic, destroying the forest and all that lives in it. He will destroy the world and every living thing if there is no one to stop him. Prince George is unable to help, so the bear decides to take it upon himself to confront the wild man who is said to be the only one who can stop the umagic; the same wild man who turned him into a bear. The hound refuses to be left behind even after the bear takes measures to ensure her safety. Together, the two go on an incredibly dangerous journey up a mountain to the wild man and back in time to the moment when King Richon was made a bear. It's up to Richon and the hound to right the wrongs of the past and prevent the wild cat man from destorying the world. This is a beautifully written story filled with rich details, exciting adventure and a budding romance. I enjoyed it even more than the first book. I think the story flows more smoothly and the adventure is more coherent and exciting. I really liked the emotional turmoil of the bear and the hound who both knew what it was like to have been human and animal and only they could understand each other which made their relationship deeper and more meaningful. I want to know what happens to Prince George and Marit now!

What I'm reading now

What I'm Reading Now

The Semi-Attached Couple and the Semi-Detached House by 19th century novelist Emily Eden.

I'm a more than half way through and it's not really grabbing me. It seems to be modeled after Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice but I'm not really that into it yet. There are some specific mentions of P&P and Miss Austen. I'm not sure if they were originally part of the original story in 1830 or were added prior to publication in 1860.

I'm currently listening to:

Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
The last in the Ink World trilogy. It's so good but so intense. The writing is just as beautiful as the other two and the story just as engaging. I can't wait to finish it but I'm trying to listen slowly. They returned to a British narator on this one which I prefer since the characters are European. Brendan Fraser narated Inkspell and I didn't care for his North American pronunciation.