What I Read in June 2016 Part III. . .

What I Read in June 2016 Part III. . .


Exile for Dreamers by Kathleen Baldwin (Stranje House #2)--Young Adult Historical Fantasy/Young Adult Regency Romance

Ever since arriving at Miss Stranje's establishment, Tess has been running - running to keep away the dreams- the nightmares that predict terrible things for good people. She runs to keep away the madness that killed her mother and grandmother. She has an affinity for the woods and for the animals; Miss Stranje's school is also a place of refuge. When some thugs try to kidnap Georgie and kill Lord Ravencross, Tess steps in to save her friends. She denies Lord Ravencross is even a friend, despite what others and what Gabriel himself might think. Tess feels Daneska and the Iron Crown are behind the attacks and they must plot a strategy that will outwit Napoleon and save the country. Assisting the girls is Mr. Andrew Sinclair, the unusual American engineer and nephew of Robert Fulton. They must hide him from the Iron Crown and help him build a steam powered ship that can travel underwater carrying an explosive. It's not an easy job but Miss Stranje's girls up are to the task. Then news from home means Tess must make a difficult decision while her loved ones try to convince her not to follow through with her plan in a variety of creative ways.

I loved this book even more than the first one in the series. The story pretty much answered the questions I had about the background of Miss Stranje and her school. There's plenty of action which starts in the beginning and causes the story to be very tense. I had a hard time putting the book down. I had to know what was going to happen and I was quite surprised at how some of the events transpired. In addition to action/adventure, this one has a heaping dose of romance to make the reader more invested in the characters and what they're fighting for. There are hints at Jane and Sera's future romances as well. I liked learning about steam power, something I wasn't interested in before I started my current job where we talk about steam power. I knew what the French were missing to make the paddlewheel run but I didn't know how Andrew could make it work underwater while carrying explosives-not to mention a crew. This book ends with a cliffhanger and I'm dying to know how it all works out. On the negative side, I found the romantic nobility/self-sacrifice plot a bit too wearying until about halfway through the book.

I liked Tess the best in A School for Unusual Girls so I was eager to read more about her. She did annoy me a bit in the beginning with her refusal to acknowledge her feelings and her self-sacrificing attitude, but I can see her concerns. Her character development is excellent though a bit heavy handed at the end.

I can't wait to read the rest of the series! I'm very interested in Sera's story.


Forever and Forever: The Courtship of Henry Longfellow and Fanny Appleton by Josi S. Kilpack--Historical Romance

While Fanny Appleton is on her Grand Tour with her father, older sister and beloved cousin, she makes the acquaintance of Henry Longfellow, a poor professor and writer. Though she liked his book, Fanny isn't so sure she likes the man. She does like the way he looks at her and notices her as no one else has ever done. He has some radical views on slavery and women's education that interest Fanny but he is so poor, and a grieving widower. Fanny longs for romance and to be someone's one and only true love. She wants to go to parties and dances and have fun befitting her youth, but Mr. Longfellow does make her think. Henry Longfellow is on his second tour of Europe before starting his professorship at Harvard. He hopes to turn the institution around with his teaching of modern languages as well as continue to write. He feels lost and lonely without his wife but when he meets Fanny, she makes him feel alive once more. She's so passionate about learning and literature, but she is also so young and has experienced so much loss. Should he tell her of his feelings or try to move on? How could someone as young, wealthy and intelligent as Miss Fanny ever want to marry an old man like him?

This is a very very slow story. It took me forever to read it because nothing really happened. There's a lot of dialogue about literature and language, which I liked, but a lot of nothing which I did not like. There's some Christian content towards the end where Fanny becomes introspective with the help of her stepmother. I'm not sure this is specifically meant to be a Christian book but it seemed like it could be.

Fanny is not an appealing person. She's spoiled, selfish and really really nasty to poor Henry for most of the book. Henry has the sensitive soul of a poet; he's romantic and worships Fanny. Any woman would swoon to have him in love with her and Fanny doesn't appreciate him. I tried to make allowances for her age and her sorrows but she didn't improve much as she got older. I found myself uninterested in her and thinking Henry could do better.

I liked the author's notes on each chapter. As a New Englander, I can't help but be familiar with the famous poet (I was born on the day after the anniversary of Paul Revere's ride "that famous date and year" and I'm told I've been to the Wayside) but I didn't really know much about his personal life. I was more interested in the historical notes and the author's sources than the actual story.

What I Read in May 2016 X . . .

What I Read in May 2016 Part X . . .

The Steep and Thorny Way by Cat Winters--Young Adult Historical Fantasy

In Eugene, Oregon in 1923 Hannalee Denney is mourning the loss of her Daddy after a year and a half. She is the only biracial girl in their rural community and with her Daddy gone, she's lost her connection to the past. Now Hannalee's mother, Greta, is married to Doctor Clyde Koning, who is white like Greta. When Hannalee learns her father's killer is out of jail, she's determined to hunt him down and shoot him dead. What she finds is Joe Adder, a scared and scarred young man who has doubts about what happened that night. Sure he was drinking and driving but Hannalee's Daddy, Hank, was alive when Joe brought him inside. Joe is convinced it was Doc Koning who killed Hank. Hannalee has her own suspicions as well and learns her Daddy's ghost is walking around trying to be laid to rest. Hannalee is determined to solve the mystery and let her father rest in peace at last. She open a hornet's nest of hate, intrigue and shameful secrets that could lead to her death and the deaths of those she loves.

Minor spoilers ahead - read at your own risk!!

This is a very powerful novel that stays with you long after the story is over. I probably shouldn't have read it before bed last night because it made for some unusual dreams. In case you hadn't guessed from the description, this story is inspired by Hamlet. Hamlet is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays so I really enjoyed the chapter headings from the original and this unique spin on the story. The secrets that come out really shocked me. I think of Oregon as a really liberal place but in 1923, it was not. It seems horrible to think that such hatred existed and while it is a difficult subject for a young adult novel, it is something teens should know about and think about. If we don't know our history, we are doomed to repeat it. It was really scary how the characters in the story experienced hatred or enacted hate crimes and some were proud to be so evil, yet they all considered themselves good Christians. They sounded like Nazis and yet they were right here in the USA. The story kept me reading until late into the night. I couldn't put it down until the final word was read. I almost skipped straight to the end to see how closely the story resembled Hamlet but I didn't. It is inspired by Hamlet more than a direct retelling.

The prose is beautiful and lyrical in spots, especially the descriptions of Hannalee's hometown and the woods.

I did NOT like the ghost. I was OK with it until the end and then it just got ridiculous. (view spoiler)[Ghosts can't pick up and carry a human. This plot point goes against what paranormal experts believe. I find it hard to believe a ghost could get that much energy to become so corporeal. Or maybe it wasn't that way and it was just in Hannalee's mind. (hide spoiler)]

The one other thing I didn't like was the use of the F-word. Joe uses it a lot and Hannalee calls him on it. He points out she swears a lot too but she says hers are more mild.

This is a coming of age story for Hannalee. Her path is not an easy one and sometimes she's a bit too hot headed and hasty for my liking but I admired her pluck and her courage. Her path to adulthood is not easy and the things she experiences in this novel are quite dreadful and put her on the path to adulthood very quickly. I applaud the author's choice to make her main character a biracial girl. It was a bold choice. It works for me but I am not biracical so I do not know how it feels to be like Hannalee.

The other main character, Joe, is part Ophelia, part original character. He was the one I really felt an emotional connection to. I felt sorry for him and my heat was pounding at the suspense of not knowing what was going to happen to him.

The other Ophelia character is Hannalee's best friend Fleur. She's a sweet, sensitive girl who is devoted to Hannalee. Her older brother, Lawrence, is like Laeretes, wanting to be an upstanding citizen. It makes him cruel to his sister and to Hannalee, his childhood playmate. I didn't care for him much at all. I wasn't sympathetic when his secret was revealed. He behaved cowardly and turned into a bully. Sadly for me, there's no Polonious in this book but there's Greta, Hannalee's mom who does the best she can to keep her daughter safe but she also makes her daughter ignorant in trying to do so. There's also Claude who was a bit of a surprise.

There's a lot of violence and hatred in this novel, along with some swearing and frank discussions of sex and sexuality. I highly encourage anyone 14+ to read this novel even if you don't like the above mentioned. It's powerful and educational.

What I Read in May 2016 Part VI . . .

What I Read in May 2016 Part VI . . .

Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone: The Entomological Tales of Augustus T. Percival by Dene Low

Petronella Arbuthnot has been looking forward to her 16th birthday party forever. She hopes her bosom friend Jane's brother James will finally notice her as a woman and not as another little sister. Unfortunately for Petronella, her birthday gets off to a bad start when her uncle and guardian Uncle Augustus T. Percival accidentally swallows an insect and develops a passion for eating bugs! Then two uninvited guests show up to the party, an actress known as Dame Carruthers and Panamanian Generalissimo Alejandro Reyes-Cardoza. When Dame Carruthers and the Generalissimo go missing and Petronella's annoying relatives turn up, she has her hands full trying to follow the clues and solve the mystery, avoid making her uncle's predilection for bugs known to her aunts who would love to claim Petronella's fortune for her own. Luckily she has James by her side and he has the ear of the Home Office. Will they solve the mystery before it becomes an international incident?

This is a cute, light mystery that kept me entertained. I stayed up later than I intended to finish it because I had to know how Petronella saved nearly everyone. The Edwardian language sounded rather forced "Old thing" and all that but the history that was incorporated into the story was interesting. There's also quite a bit of science involved to teach readers about insects and even anthropology! Of course it's all a bit preposterous but that's the charm of the story.

Petronella is a fun girl. She's a mix of Edwardian and modern spunk. She represents the New Woman of the time who was fearless and free. She also fits in with the Edwardian setting because she does care about proprieties a lot and she wants James to notice her as a woman. She's not afraid to giggle or throw herself into a difficult situation. Uncle Augustus is quite charming in his own way. His affliction makes him a bit eccentric but it also makes him endearing. By the end of the book I felt exactly as Petronella and her friends did.

Petronella's other relatives are of course not as charming. They're taken from the book of stereotypical Victorian/Edwardian characters. They would be right at home in a Roald Dahl novel or a P.G. Wodehouse farce. James is a bit of an idiot. He has a superior air towards Petronella sometimes but he does see her as a little sister. I get that more than I get a misogynistic vibe from him. As far as supporting characters go, one can't forget Wilberforce, the butler, who has strict ideas about his place but is a champ when it comes to helping the family.

I would enjoy reading more about these characters to see what adventures they have next.

What I Read in June 2015 Part IX

What I Read in June 2015 Part IX ...

Audacity by Melanie Crowder  --Young adult historical Fiction

A novel in verse about Clara Lemlich, a young female labor leader who organized the female garment workers' union and helped coordinate the history strike of 1909. The story begins with her childhood in Russia and her undying thirst for knowledge. Clara dreams of being a doctor but only boys study books in the shetl and her father protests against antisemitism by not allowing Russian language in the home. Clara protests by teaching songs and trading small favors with friends from the village to get access to books. Following a devastating pogrom in a nearby village, the family immigrates to New York where young Clara finds work in the garment factories, learns English and moves ever closer to her dream of becoming a doctor. Her family disapproves of her actions but the fire burning inside her won't be stopped and when she's blacklisted for speaking out against unfair working conditions, her fire burns even stronger.

The plot is very slow moving at first, but then gets better once the family gets to New York. I as more interested in how Clara came to be form the union and her work with the strike. The story disappointingly ends before the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire. It really needed that to show just how important Clara's work was and how the fire changed workplace rules. The blank verse poetry isn't really my thing but some of the unusual forms are nice. The author's note and interview with family members are far more interesting.



A School for Unusual Girls (Stranje House #1) by Kathleen Baldwin--Young Adult Historical Fantasy/Paranormal Regency Romance

Georgiana Fitzwilliam's parents are banishing her to Miss Stranje's school for unusual girls all for the little matter of burning her father's stables and half the neighbor's orchard. Georgie resists the banishment, arguing she was only trying to find a formula for invisible ink in hopes of saving the lives of soldiers. It's too late to save her older brother Robbie but if she can prevent more families from experiencing that pain, she will. Unfortunately for Georgie, the fire was the latest in a long list of unusual accomplishments and her parents are only too glad to be rid of her. Georgie is terrified of Miss Stranje and her torture chamber of horrors. Attempting to run away brings her face to face with the bold and teasing Sebastian, Lord Wyatt who makes her blood boil in more ways than one. Soon Georgie discovers all is not what it seems and she must trust in her own abilities and work with Sebastian or the world will be plunged into chaos in Napoleon's wake.

This book is sort of a fantasy/speculative hybrid. It's an alternate world where one split second decision can change the course of world history. It's not so much a gothic fantasy as it sounds but there are fantasy elements. That's really my only big complaint about the novel is that there's not enough explanation. Who is Miss Stranje? What exactly is her school and who are the other girls? There's very little characterization of the secondary characters - they'll get their own books, but there should have been more. What are Tess' nightmares and why are they taken for fact? What is her unusual affinity for animals? Why does Maya blend in and what is so special about her voice? Is it paranormal or just something natural? That isn't explained. The exposition goes on a bit too long. I knew there had to be a villain working for Napoleon because there always is. That person appears a little late in the story and the showdown comes much later than it should have. Too much time is spend on Georgie's experiments. I don't have a scientific brain so maybe it was just that all that was lost on me. The romantic plot/s were typical of the YA genre. I believe the author must love Anne of Green Gables because Georgie has red hair and a bit of a temper and Sebastian likes to tease and flirt much like Gilbert. Yes the romance is rather unbelievable but it's common for YA stories and I liked it though I was MORE interested in the adult romance - what's the story there?!

Georgie is a prickly character, a lot like Triss in Tamora Pierce's Circle of Magic series. Red hair + hot temper + brains = prickly heroine. I don't mind because I can relate to that sort of heroine better than one like Lady Jane or Myra who are very nice. Georgie has a lot of weight carried on her shoulders and she likes to wallow in self pity but I see a young woman in a time of great change coming into her own and learning how to value her own abilities and how to trust others to help her make decisions. She's certainly very intelligent, which I value highly. Sebastian is brooding one minute and teasing the next. He's a typical selfless YA hero who wants to fall on his sword instead of falling in love. He's a curious character with a tough backstory that's shaped him. He wants to be noble but he's only human and can't help his feelings. I love that he is not the hero of the story.

My favorite secondary character is Tess. She's also prickly like Georgie but tough. She's used to being rejected and it hurts but she's comfortable in her own skin. She has some mysterious stuff going on and a seriously intense love/hate relationship. Her sparring partner is also a favorite character but he's not a likeable one. He's actually a jerk to Tess and awkward around women. I'm sure he will get more backstory in the next book because I found him intriguing for his faults. Miss Stranje is strange indeed and if I knew more about her, I would really like her. I like what I know about her anyway and commend her for what she does. The villain is a little cardboard. The villain has a backstory but I wanted a bit more to add more depth to their plot. This isn't a book where you guess who the villain is going to be. The characters know from the outset but there's not much to go on except a few facts.

This is a fun book for YA fans and Georgie's exposition plot shows newcomers to the Regency era what a young lady should and should not be like. There's a sneak peak of the next book and I want to read it NOW!

What I Read in May 2015 Part III

What I Read in May 2015 Part III ...

Warrior Princess by Allan Frewin Jones-- Young Adult Historical Fantasy


Fifteen-year old medieval Welsh girl Branwyn tries hard to keep up with her older brother Geraint. She can hunt with the best of men and bring down an animal with her trusty slingshot. When Geriant is killed by Saxon raiders in front of her, Branwyn is determined to get revenge. Her whole life changes from that moment on. To keep her safe her parents decide to send her south to Gwent to marry. The roads are not safe so first she must stop at Doeth Palas with Prince LLew and his family. There Branwyn encounters a life unlike any she's ever known. The ladies sit around having their hair done and putting on jewels instead of hunting or riding. Her only friend is a mysterious falcon. At least until the Saxon boy she almost killed and then rescued turns up. A magical encounter in the forest shows Branwyn her destiny but she is determined to forge her own path and avenge her brother's death no matter what the goddess Rhiannon may think.

I tried to like the heroine Branwyn. I sympathized with her free spirit and her anger and I was glad she stood up to bullies but at times she was downright rude to her hosts. She's a bit difficult to like because she's angry all the time and fighting everyone.

I can't pinpoint precisely when this story takes place but somewhere between 643-642 AD or perhaps this story is merely inspired by history. It blends Welsh and British history with Celtic mythology. The plot is fast paced except for lengthy fight sequences and one long gory battle scene. It's like a human version of Redwall except more militant and bloody. It's not as well written as Tamora Pierce's Tortall tales but similar idea. Though I had a hard time putting it down, I don't feel compelled to read the rest of the series.

Rivals in the City by Y.S. Lee--Young Adult Historical Mystery

In the last few months Mary Quinn has become a financially independent woman and become engaged to her friendly rival James Easton. Since the Agency has experienced a rift, Mary and James have started their own private detective agency. James is dying to finally marry Mary but she balks at losing her independence. Before they have time to fix upon a wedding date, Mary is called back into service by her mentor Anne Treleaven who needs a favor. Henry Thorold, whom Mary investigated on her first case, is dying in Newgate prison and the Agency believes Mrs. Thorold may return to wring a death bed confession out of her husband, thus clearing her name. Only Mary knows what Mrs. Thorold looks like and is capable of, so she agrees to keep a look out for the dangerous criminal. Mary is also interested in learning more about the Chinese prize fighter "Mr. Ching." Something about him and his fighting style reminds her of someone from her past. Meanwhile, James receives the commission of a lifetime but he can't let go of a nagging feeling that it's a set up. He can't discuss it with Mary because they agreed to keep their distance in case Mrs. Thorold strikes again. He misses his partner and she also misses him. Will they ever find a way to be together? The clues lead Mary and James to believe something dangerous is afoot but who else is involved is up to Mary to find out.

I had my doubts about this book. The last one ended very well and I was afraid that this one would put too many obstacles and misunderstandings in the way of the central romance. I am glad to say I was completely wrong. Though someone does try to intervene in their relationship, it's a mild blip on the radar. James is as soonworthy as ever - more so now he's let go of his stupid prejudices and given himself wholly over to being in love with Mary. He's still a man of his times in terms of propriety and wanting to appear respectable but it's more for professional reasons than personal. This time, instead of stopping Mary, he knows to anticipate what she wants to do and let her do it. I just love them together. The ending was a bit rushed but cute.

The story kept me up late wondering what was going to happen. Mary is awesome in the action sequence! She's an amazing woman and a heroine to look up to. The problem I had with the plot is that it's too contrived. The story relies on too many coincidences and Mary even remarks on that fact a few times. The mystery plot was engaging nevertheless. I figured out what a certain person had done and was planning to do before Mary did. Of course Mary didn't have all the facts. Some of the plot is crafted to suit modern attitudes. I found that a little too out of place. It makes sense for Mary to worry about property laws.* There's a fair amount of violence in this story, especially in a boxing sequence in the beginning. I was shocked at the body count. I couldn't believe the villain could be so ruthless. The resolution left me wanting. We're told in passing about what happened next but the case was not yet concluded. I need to know what happens next! Also, they never solved the case they were working on in the beginning. Was it a coincidence? Were there two people in London shopping for the same item? That plot thread was unnecessary.

This wasn't the best entry in the series but I'm sad to see the series end. It did leave room for more Quinn and Easton adventures...

* I think, and I could be wrong, that if James dies before Mary (it's a possibility - he did have malaria), George will inherit if James does not have children. That would be terrible for Mary.

What I Read This Week

What I Read This Week . . .

Battle Magic by Tamora Pierce -- Young Adult Historical Fantasy

Briar, Rosethorn and Evvy have been traveling in the kingdom of Gyongxe, a kingdom high in the mountains were people come to built temples to be closer to the gods. While Evvy practices her magic and learns about ancient shaman magic, Rosethorn is suffering from the altitude and homesickness. Briar can't wait to get his teacher back home where she will be healthy and he can be with his plants. Before they begin their final journey home they receive an invitation from the Emperor of Yanjing to come view his gardens. Rosethorn and Evvy chafe at the restrictions placed on women but Rosethorn feels it will all be worth it once she sees the famous gardens. Behind the beautiful facade of court life, the travelers discover there is a darker side to the Emperor. Evvy befriends a slave, Parahan, a captive prince from a nearby kingdom. Just as the travelers leave Yanjing, Evvy reveals startling news: the Emperor plans to attack Gyongxe. Rosethorn is sworn to defend the First Temple of the Living Circle and she must warn her friends. Briar won't leave without his beloved teacher and Evvy feels the need to stay too. Rosethorn is given a difficult and dangerous task while Briar and Evvy must use their magic to defend their friends. This story is much darker and violent than I remember the previous Emelan novels being. It's more mature in tone and definitely for older readers. The violence is frightening and some really horrific things happen in the novel. I was a bit put off by all the violence and it took me a few nights to get through the book. I wanted to know what happened but it was a difficult read. I knew the outcome since I read Will of the Empress and Melting Stones. As usual, the characters' relationships with each other provide much needed humor. I love Evvy and her cats. This story also contains more overt sensuality and sexuality than previous novels. I was surprised by something that happened in the plot and it seemed to come out of nowhere. What Tamora Pierce really excels at is world building. I could easily imagine a world like ancient Asia, high in the Himalayas. The magic building is really strong but I don't care for Evvy's stone magic and a lot of what happens in this story is just too hard to believe. It's more fantasy than the previous novels (except Melting Stones). I also didn't like how the story jumped around from Briar to Rosethorn and Evvy. I feel like Evvy was the most developed of the three and I really felt for her. We already know Briar and Rosethorn so I guess it makes sense to develop Evvy the most but I felt like there needed to be something more there. The story stands on it's own somewhat but it's best if you know the characters and the world. I feel like the world of Emelan is just not a good fit for my interests. It started off nicely with the whole ambient magic thing but the magic has gotten crazy and way too out there for me. This isn't my favorite Tamora Pierce novel but it's not my least favorite. 

Roast Beef Medium: The Business Adventures of Emma McChesney by Edna Ferber -- Classic Fiction

 First written in 1911, this book is a series of adventures and misadventures in the life of Emma McChesney, a traveling petticoat saleswoman. Emma is a 35-year-old divorced mother of a 17 year old son. Though Emma sometimes wearies of life on the road, she loves her job and the thrill of making a sale and beating her competitors. She's well liked and respected by everyone, including her boss and her biggest rival. Emma is determined to give her boy every advantage which sometimes doesn't work out as she had planned. Emma takes no nonsense from anyone and she lacks any romantic illusions about life. She's a been there, done that, decided against it type of person. Roast beef, medium, is her philosophy in life. I liked Emma's toughness. She has moxie and can handle anything that comes her way. Sometimes she gets depressed and it doesn't seem to fit her character. She's usually very accepting of whatever is happening in her life. She's a bit too obsessed with her son, in my opinion. She lives for her boy and doesn't allow him to grow up. The chapters are episodic so you can pick the book up and put it down and read it again when you have time. The end of the story surprised me a lot. The illustrations really help the modern reader envision the fashions of the day. I liked the book well enough. Some parts were a bit too dated in attitude (there's some antisemitic language) to be relevant today but I think modern career women will identify with Emma. The writing style is quick and easy to read but didn't make me want to rush out and read more of Edna Ferber's writing. I recommend this book to those who love early 1900s fashions! I loved the descriptions of the changing fashions. 

What I Read This Weekend

What I Read This Weekend . . .

Willful Impropriety : 13 Tales of Society, Scandal and Romance edited by Ekaterina Sedia -- Young Adult Historical Fiction/Historical Fantasy

These thirteen tales take place in the changing society of the Victorian era. The world was still reeling from Darwin's shocking confessions and the Queen in mourning for her beloved Albert, social rules still mattered and one misstep was costly. The teenagers in this story openly defy convention and turn the rules upside down. Some of the teens fall in love with the wrong person for reasons of class or even gender. Some of the teens are awkward and some openly rebel against traditional gender norms by identifying with the opposite sex. They discover sensuality and sexuality and come of age in a society where people couldn't accept them for who they really were. I liked some of the stories a lot, some only a little and others I found confusing.

In At Will by Leanna Renee Hieber, a young actress becomes a star in Shakespeare's cross-dressing roles thanks to the mysterious man known only as Smith. Portia adores the freedom to play a woman one day and a man the next, until she falls in love. Then she desires to be known for her true self. She'd give it all up for love, if she could. This is an OK story. I expected some magic to appear in the story but it's straight historical fiction with elements of realism. I found the way the story was told a bit tedious. Everything is related by the main character in passing so it doesn't really engage the reader. The message is a bit heavy-handed and the ending is awkward but it's not too bad.

The Unladylike Education of Agatha Tremain by Stephanie Burgis has nothing to do with Kat or the Guardians, which is disappointing. It's a new story about a girl who was raised by an absent-minded scholarly father. Though her governess was strict, Agatha has finally found the will to dismiss the woman and begin a study of magic. Just as she reaches the age to be presented, her estranged aunt shows up to ruin Agatha's like. First, she insists on taking Agatha to London to be presented and then she reveals secrets that force Agatha to go against what she believes in. Only one other person gives her the courage to stand up to the villains. This story is a bit awkward. The beginning starts off well and sets a good story. The villains are especially nasty and I felt horrible for Agatha. I had to keep reading to see how she handled the situation. That part ended up very rushed. In the middle and at the end is a strange romance. I wasn't expecting it, I don't believe it's accurate for the period though I understand the message aimed at teens. I was really hoping for more about the Guardians so this was a bit of a let down. It's not my favorite story.

In Nussbaum's Golden Fortune, by M.K. Hobson a young man, Astor Nussbaum, has discovered a magical scroll which will make him a fortune. Anyone who knows about the scroll is after Nussbaum for their own purposes, including some thugs and his friend Peter Oesterlische. Oesterlische desires to wed an heiress and he has plans to cut out Nussbaum and gain a fortune. There are a lot of twists and turns in this story. It was entirely unpredictable until the very end. I liked the magical elements and I wish there had been more space allowed to explain more about the scroll and the magic of an alternate 1889 New York. The conclusion is a bit shocking. I didn't expect it at all but in many ways it's more realistic than the typical fairy tell ending. This is one of the better stories in the collection.

The Colonel's Daughter by Barbara Roden follows the pattern of a typical period romance story. A strong-willed, high spirited teenage girl befriends her new ladies' maid, a girl from the streets. Together, they must find a path to happiness. This story is one of my favorites in the collection. The ending is rushed so I wish it could have been longer. This is a sweet, simple story for lovers of traditional or sweet romances.

I was excited to read Mercury Retrograde by Mary Robinette Kowal. It was a bit confusing at first because I didn't understand what was happening. This story doesn't really include magic but the heroine relies on the importance of star charts and planet alignments to chart her destiny. I thought she handled her romance badly, typical of a young heroine. Her hero is quite worthy though and I liked this sweet little romance. It's predictable but again, for those who like sweet, traditional style romances, this one is a good one.

False Colors by Marie Brennan is for anyone who loves Persuasion, Horatio Hornblower, Master and Commander (i.e. British Naval stories). The main character, Simon, a young lieutenant in Her Majesty's Navy is at home on the sea but awkward on land. He doesn't poses a title or fortune, only one sickly sister Victoria. He dreads an upcoming ball but it happy his best friend Harry will be there by his side. At the ball, a surprise, an old friend, a bully and a duel manage to change Simon's destiny The big reveal wasn't such a surprise for me. I did wonder at the beginning. I liked this story a lot. It was much better than a certain series I enjoyed in the beginning. There are many great period details and lots of action and adventure. This is one of my favorite stories.

Mrs. Beeton's Book of Magickal Management by Karen Healey has the same basic premise as The Colonel's Daughter. However, this one has the extra added element of magic. How fun if Mrs. Beeton's simple book could actually be a guide to household magic? How would Mrs. Beeton handle a crisis of a villain intending to impose his will on an innocent? The young heroine, a ladies' maid is the only one with the knowledge to uncover a villain, but because of her sex, she isn't allowed to study magic at university like the young gentlemen in the story. They must combine knowledge and will to save the fair maiden. This is my favorite story in the collection. It has sweet romance (more than one), magic, a really nasty villain and lots of excitement. I only wish there had been more space to fully explain the magical theory behind the action. This one is great for fans of Sorcery and Cecilia and other Jane Austen + magic style stories.

The Language of Flowers by Caroline Stevermer is a departure from her usual historical fantasy. It's a straight historical story about a young lady who admires her fearless, beautiful and much-admired older sister. The heroine, Olivia, uncovers some secrets that lead to surprising truths. Though this story is largely predictable, I liked it. The message at the end is very realistic and it came as a surprise. It departs from the usual storyline in these sorts of novels. If you like the Regency Romances published by Signet and Zebra, you'll probably like this short story. It's nothing like her novels though so her usual fans may not like it.

The Dancing Master by Genevieve Valentine features a heroine who is awkward and a bit peevish. She has no interest in her upcoming Season and is convinced she'll never be a success. She's certain she's doomed to failure despite the dancing master her parents have hired. Even her governess is a better dancer. Leah is mortified when her mother invites her cousin William to stay. She knows how that story ends and wants no part of it. The ending of the story may confuse you. I'm not certain why what happened was such a betrayal or why it happened the way it did. I'm confused about Leah's feelings. I think she's confused so the ending comes across as awkward. I liked William and wish the story was about him.

The Garden of England by Sandra McDonald tells the story of The Secret Garden from the point-of-view of an Indian maidservant. I absolutely love this idea. It makes MUCH more sense, realistically, than the actual novel and shows the reader what English society in India was like and how the English viewed Indians. I felt sorry for Ashna but I liked her curiosity and sense of adventure. What happens after she arrives at Misslethwaite Manner is exciting and the ending is all that I could have wished. It also takes Ashna out of the original story so there's no complications in rewriting the plot. This is a great rewrite and one of the best written stories in this anthology.

Resurrection by Tiffany Trent reveals the difficulties of life on the streets in Victorian London. Life for a female was even more difficult, so the main character chooses to live life as a boy. While running mysterious errands, his job takes him to the home of a noted surgeon. Jonathan meets Dr. Grace's spirited daughter who also dares to defy convention in different ways. The period details in this story are excellent. I guessed at what the mysterious packages were, that much was obvious. There's not much explanation as to Dr. Grace's motive or why the thugs tried to kill Jonathan. The ending is really unrealistic. The villain just capitulates with no good excuse and gives in to bullying. It has a happy ending but an unconventional one. I really liked Willie but she's very unrealistic for her social class at that time. I would have liked to know more about her, her thoughts and feelings and how she turned into a rebel instead of repetitive passages about delivering packages and running from thugs.

Outside the Absolute by Seth Cadin features a gender-bending main character. It's a bit confusing when the pronoun changes from she to he and back again. It took me awhile to figure it out and we don't know whether Sam was born Samantha or Sam until the very end. There's a group of young, bohemian artists living and working together who plan an exhibition of their work, which would not be allowed in any official art exhibition. It's similar to Les Miserables in that the young people want to overturn society. There's a romance that's unconventional even by today's standards. I was so confused and lost in this story, I consider it the weakest of them all.

Steeped in Debt to the Chimney Pots by Steve Berman takes place in winter 1884 in London where a sprite and a young man conspire to rob the Folk and humans alike for their own gain. Apparently the characters were introduced in a previous story which left me confused about what was happening. I don't like stories about supernatural beings. I can't really describe this story because I just didn't know what was happening. I put it down and went to sleep instead.

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

Ardent Apparitions by Ellen Fitzgerald -- Regency Romance

Lady Arabella is sent to the wilds of Yorkshire to visit a great-great aunt she's never met while her beloved Papa goes on a diplomatic mission to Paris. At first Arabella wants to stay in London but once she sees the gothic old castle and discovers the family ghosts, she decides the adventure is worth having. There's also her handsome cousin Sir Francis, who is very charming but wishes to exorcise the ghosts. The ghosts do not take too kindly to the idea of being banished and hatch up some schemes of their own. The plot is a bit silly and a bit gothic. It gets a bit bizarre at the end and goes in a different direction than what I expected. The description on the jacket is a bit misleading. The romance is more of a whimper than a grand passion. It's barely there. I can not tell what the characters see in each other besides good looks. The romance just never really develops. It's not a paranormal romance though it does feature several lively ghosts. The ghosts are more developed than the human characters. Each ghost has a back story and a distinctive personality. Their stories are a bit cliched but make for fun reading. The humans are bland and two-dimensional. I couldn't feel anything for any of them. The writing style is a bit awkward and old-fashioned. It feels very forced and doesn't flow smoothly as if it came from the pen of Jane Austen or Emily Bronte. Warning to the modern reader: the story contains some negative depictions of Canada's and the First Nations. The attitudes reflect the attitudes of the time but are very different from modern opinions. Overall, I think this is a light, fun read, good for Halloween.

Dark Destiny (Dark Mirror 3) by M.J. Putney -- Young Adult Historical Fantasy/ Romance

While still in 1940, Allarde has a premonition that Napoleon is about to invade Britain. When Mrs. Rainford can't find evidence to the contrary in history books, the Irregulars know they need to return home NOW. They arrived back in 1804 to discover their magical wards severely compromised and Napoleon planning to invade Britain. Tori, Allarde, Cynthia, Jack and Elspeth are needed to stop to the invasion. This time they are up against the dangerous unknown weapon of magic. Meanwhile, in 1940, Rebecca Weiss has been staying with the Rainfords to develop her magical powers. She's looking forward to getting back to school to study non-magical subjects which will help her on her quest to become a doctor. She realizes her dream is to become a psychologist. She learns she can enter minds and help redirect their thoughts in order to heal. Rebecca's newly discovered talent is much needed in 1804. Will she have the courage to step through the mirror and head into danger? She must, for the Irregulars saved her life, but is she a powerful enough mageling to do what they ask? She also must deal with Nick Rainford's growing attraction. She's Jewish and he's not so she's certain that they can never be together, but Nick is persistent. Can they find a way after all? Allarde must also face the truth that what he is about to do will sever him from his family and his estate forever. Tori is determined to stay by his side no matter what. The plot of this story is similar to the first book with starts and stops. There are several chapters with major action and then a thrilling ending. Then there are periods where nothing happens, followed by a brief period of action and a startling conclusion. The first action sequence is more dangerous and exciting than the second, which ends rather abruptly. I didn't like the way the Irregulars got out of trouble at the end. It's a story about magic and what happened didn't exactly fit. I would have liked one continuous plot with all the characters starting at the same place and time working together to save the day rather than the back and forth start and stop action. The slow parts of the book deal with Allarde's relationship with his father and their estate. All of that should have come at the end. The conclusion to that plot is a bit corny and very predictable. I also wanted more of a conclusion with Tori's family and an epilogue to find out what happens in the 19th century. The war with Napoleon lasted a long time and I wonder if Tori, Allarde, Cynthia and Elspeth will stay at Lackland until then or leave once they come of age. The romances are still very intense and there's one more new romance to add to it. I like Jack and Cynthia the best and wish their story was more developed. I also liked Nick and Rachel and how she was able to teach him about Judaism. Tori and Allarde are the ultimate hopeless romantic's dream couple. I think teenage girls will like them the best. This series is best appreciated by teen girls who may not want the complexity of Tamora Pierce's Circle of Magic series or want more romance and lighter fantasy. I don't think adults will enjoy the series as much. I liked it but would have preferred more adventure and less intense romance. 

What I Read This Weekend

What I Read This Weekend . . .

Courtship and Curses by Marissa Doyle -- Young Adult Historical Fantasy/Regency Romance


Lady Sophie Rosier is not looking forward to her comeout this year 1815. She had always dreamed of being guided through her Season with her beloved Mama, but a recent illness took Sophie's Mama and little sister and left Sophie lame. Now Sophie is all alone. Papa has been too absorbed in his work at the War Office now that Napoleon is back on the throne and her Aunt Molly is only interested in plants. Aunt Isabel isn't much of a comfort either, being sour and strict. Sophie soon discovers that navigating the social waters of London are far more difficult when one is lame. Half the ton think Sophie is a hunchbacked half-wit and the other half pity her. The only one Sophie can really be herself with is Madame Amelie Carswell, the widow of Papa's old friend, recently arrived from India. Then Lord Woodbridge and his exuberant cousin Parthenope crash into Sophie's life (almost literally). Sophie adores the brash, crazy Parthenope right away but what about her handsome cousin? He seems to want to be Sophie's friend (or more...)  but could it be only that he pities her or wants to protect her? How can Sophie know if he's sincere? As if romantic problems weren't enough, Sophie soon realizes that a number of dangerous accidents were no accidents at all - they were targeted assassination attempts on members of the War Office. Sophie is certain because ... each accident bears traces of magic. Only Sophie can detect the magic and that's all she can do because her illness not only took her beloved relatives, it took her magic as well. With help from Parthenope (and just maybe Peregrine, Lord Woodbridge) Sophie sets out to get her magic back and find the traitor before it's too late. This book is a light, frothy fun Regency set romantic comedy with danger and magic thrown in. I liked Sophie and could empathize with her and some of her feelings. She's a tough girl and a bit difficult to get to know and really like because she's wary. She may not appeal to every reader. I enjoyed her growth and watching her become a woman. The lively Parthenope is great fun. She's outrageous and outspoken and has a pet parakeet that made me laugh out loud in a lot of places. She's wild and impetuous at times but a true and loyal friend. Readers of Bewitching Season will enjoy getting to know the twins' Mama when she was their age. James Leland also makes a cameo! My favorite character is Aunt Molly, the absentminded horticulturalist. She also provides a lot of comic relief and is a refreshing foil for Aunt Isabel, the typical Regency aunt. The plot is excellent. It wasn't too difficult to figure out who the villain was but the reader will have to pay attention to the clues because all of the story is from Sophie's point-of-view and none of it from the villain. That made it a bit more difficult to figure out. The choice of villain was rather cliched and I was sad to discover who it was. Even though I guessed the identity of the villain, I still couldn't put the novel down until I saw the plot through to the end. There's also a sweet romance plot woven throughout the story. Woodbridge is a wonderful hero. He's not too two-dimensional. He makes a lot of mistakes, he's proud and always arguing with his cousin. The descriptions of the setting and clothing worn are incredible! Marissa Doyle has done a lot of research and it shows. Even if I wasn't familiar with Regency London I would easily be able to picture everything, right down to Sophie's beautiful gowns. Those who loved Bewitching Season will love this one as well (or vice versa). Another fabulous novel from Marissa Doyle!

Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould -- Young Adult Historical Fiction

It's 1585 and in Venice, daughters are valued by the worth they can bring in from their marriage. In order to catch a wealthy husband, a girl needs a good dowry. Laura della Scala's Papa can not provide for both his daughters so Laura is stuck in a dull and dreary convent while her older sister Beatrice prepares to marry the wealthy merchant Vincenzo. Laura adores her sister and hopes Beatrice will be happy in her upcoming marriage. When Laura is unexpectedly called home, she is surprised and hopeful but her dreams are dashed when she discovers her sister is dead. The lovely Beatrice drowned in a canal and now Laura must marry Vincenzo in her stead. Laura chafes against the restrictions placed on her by her greedy father. She'd much rather talk with the handsome artist than dance with smelly old men who leer at her. As her wedding day grows closer, Laura turns in desperation, to the only people who can help: a secret society of women called La Segreta. In exchange for their help, Laura must pay in a secret of her own. The only secret she knows could bring down the entire kingdom. Should she trust these women? What choice does she have in the matter? Soon Laura learns there are many secrets in Venice and no friends. La Segreta may not be what it seems and may have even played a role in her sister's death. Can she escape with her life? This book has lots of action packed adventure set against the beautiful backdrop of Venice. I couldn't put it down until I finished. There were a number of twists and turns in the plot, though I suspected some of them, some were so surprising and different that I never expected them at all. The ending is very abrupt and doesn't tie up loose ends. It leaves room for a sequel or a series of novels. The romance plot is a bit fairy tale-ish. I was hoping for a happy ending but it happened a little too quickly and neatly for me. It was maybe a bit unrealistic. The characters were not well drawn which leads to lack of motivation. I felt sorry for Laura and wanted her to have a happy ending but didn't feel she was very exciting or memorable. The lack of good characters and silly romance keep this book from being truly great.

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

Lydia Bennet's Story by Jane Odiwe -- Austenesque/Sequel to Pride and Prejudice

The first half of this book tells the story of how innocent, silly Lydia became infatuated with Mr. Wickham. The second half of the book picks up where Jane Austen left off. The Wickhams arrive in Newcastle as newlyweds but soon Lydia becomes disenchanted with married life. The local ladies like to gossip about Wickham; gossip Lydia refuses to believe until she is forced to face the uncomfortable truth. Poor Lydia, sobered by her experience, takes advantage of the generosity of her older sisters and their loving husbands. She learns what a true marriage should look like and knows hers is not it. Then Wickham causes another scandal - one that will cause certain social ruin for Lydia. Through it all, her close friends Isabella and Rev. Alexander Fitzalan, siblings of Harriet Forster, are there for Lydia. Lydia feels uncomfortable around the sober clergyman. He's very serious and seems to despise Lydia for her high spirited ways, but when scandal breaks, Alexander proves to be someone whom Lydia can lean on for support like a father or brother, making her regret her hasty marriage and long for a real partnership. She decides to help her friends along the path of true love with some very unexpected results. I picked this book up wondering if the author could possibly make Lydia a sympathetic character. In the beginning, Lydia is silly and makes a lot of really bad decisions but then she redeems herself. The author does a good job developing Lydia's character while still keeping Lydia the high spirited, fun loving young woman she really is. The timeline of events is really fast and should be longer given the kind of transformation Lydia goes through, but the author succeeds in making Lydia a character to root for. Wickham is not portrayed as being a very clever villain whereas I had always had the impression that he was clever and used his smarts for evil purposes. Here he comes across like the villain of a bad melodrama that the audience would boo and hiss at. The introduction of new secondary characters is a bit confusing. Isabella is a bit two-dimensional and Alexander isn't developed enough. I suppose he's supposed to be Mr. Darcy minus the snobbery. I would have liked the story to have begun with Lydia's marriage so there was more time to develop the later plot. It feels a bit rushed towards the end. The outcome is also rather predictable. I'm not sure that this plot is at all what Jane Austen intended. She does pretty much tell us what  happens to the characters but I like this re-imagining anyway. I do not think this book warrants buying. I do not think it merited publishing either but it's a bit of fun, fluffy fan fiction that Janeites might enjoy as a bit of fun reading.

Princess Academy Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale -- Young Adult Historical Fantasy

The prince has chosen Britta to be his princess and soon they will wed. Britta wants all her friends from the Princess Academy to be her ladies in waiting and she has arranged for Miri to study at the Queen's Palace. Miri can't wait to see her best friend again and learn all their is to know from books. Miri's classmate Katar, now a delegate to the King, sends word that she needs Miri's help. When the traders bring the girls down from the mountain, the girls can't believe the size of the capital city Asland. Miri is a bit frightened, especially when someone tries to assassinate the king on her very first day in the palace. The Queen's Palace also turns out to be more daunting that Miri realized with lessons in ethics and rhetoric. Miri will soon have to learn to apply her lessons to real life when she discovers that the "shoeless" peasants and working class are rising up to protest the king's unfair tributes. When Miri becomes unwittingly involved, her friend Britta's life may be in danger. It's up to Miri to discover how to use the powers of the palace of linder stone to help save her friend. Can she manage to save her friend and stop the unfair tributes? She's only one small insignificant girl. This book reads more like a Middle Grades novel than Young Adult. I did not find it as compelling as I did Princess Academy when I first read that book. This one gets rather preachy at times with events that mirror the French and Russian Revolutions inserting Miri as the heroine. The outcome is rather obvious since it's a story for children but getting there is not too bad. The story gets a bit preachy with lessons in ethics forcing the reader, along with Miri, to make a choice. The story presents issues in black and white for most of the book which really bothered me. It wasn't until the last half of the book that events begin to develop but they don't develop fully to create a convincing backstory. Even so, I appreciated the attempt at making sure the issues were a bit more complicated. I was a bit confused by the fantasy element of the story in the end. It wasn't quite as developed as I would have liked and seemingly came out of nowhere. It was certainly very exciting though! I liked how this story paralleled going off to college or leaving home for the first time. The message is a little heavy handed but it's good for kids to realize what will happen when they leave home. The characters are likeable enough. Miri is sweet as always, as is Britta. They were mostly the only two rounded characters. The others were pretty much two-dimensional and could have used more development. There's a sweet romance plot with some kissing which may push the age level up a bit, otherwise I'd recommend this book to 9-12 year olds. As it stands, I'd recommend it to kids 10+ but probably not to adults. I loved the original Princess Academy and now I need to reread it to see whether I still love it.

What I Read Last Weekend

What I Read Last Weekend . . .

Wisdom's Kiss by Catherine Gilbert Murdock -- Young Adult Historical Fantasy

This book seems to be a companion to Princess Ben though it mostly stands alone.

Fortitude, called Trudy, is the orphaned daughter of a barroom maid. Her best friend Tomas aka Tips, the miller's son, is a young rascal who is always getting into mischief, endearing himself only to Trudy. Only Tips knows Trudy's deepest secret: that she has the gift of Sight. Others suspect the girl can see the future but only Tips knows what Trudy sees. When the children are 12 and 13, a strange man comes and hires Tips to apprentice as a soldier. Trudy is comforted by the boy's letters and gifts from faraway lands and longs for his return. Dizzy, a princess and second in line to the throne of Montagne, is bored. She longs for adventure and excitement. When Duke Roger of Farina rejects her boring older sister, Queen Temperance, and proposes to her, she accepts. Dizzy looks forward to the excitement traveling to Farina will bring while her beloved Nonna Ben (from Princess Ben) has her hands full with wedding preparations and keeping Dizzy in line. Nonna Ben tries and tries to get Dizzy to act like a lady but to no avail. By her side is her faithful cat Escofier who may or may not be magical. Duke Roger's mother is furious with him for easily giving up the throne of Montagne. She is ambitious and ruthless and won't rest until she has control of Montagne. When the characters' lives intersect, little do they know what the fateful meeting will bring. Only Trudy has some inkling and she doesn't like it one bit. The story is told through the letters and memoirs of Trudy, Ben, Tips, the Duchess, Felis el Gato aka The Booted Maestro (Tips' master), Dizzy's diary, encyclopedia entries and even a play. I found this method of story telling to be ineffective. Switching from format to format, character to character was very jarring and the story telling felt detached. The encyclopedia entries gave too much away. I liked the story once it got going, though it was predictable but The story alludes to events that happened in Princess Ben and other events that happened before this story which is very confusing. The only character I really liked and cared about was Trudy. I wanted to like Dizzy for her spunk and unconventionality but she was annoying and bratty. Nonna Ben, who used to be spunky and adventurous as a girl, is now rather stuffy and proper for the most part. I can't say whether I'd recommend this book or not, just that it really wasn't my favorite. If it had been told in a more engaging manner perhaps I would have liked it more. 

Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen (Her Royal Spyness Mystery 3) -- Historical Mystery

Lady Georgiana is stuck in a miserable rut. Her house cleaning business has fallen off since the Season ended. Belinda is busy with her smooth-talking, fast-driving Italian lover and even Darcy has disappeared. Then Georgie hits upon an inspiration which in typical Georgie fashion goes terribly awry. Then Scotland Yard hears about her latest scheme and banishes her back to Scotland to keep an eye on her royal cousins who are in the neighborhood for a Grose Hunting Party. It seems that someone has been causing dangerous accidents and that someone is an insider! Upon arriving in Scotland, Georgie is greeting with the news that "that American woman" and a party of friends have been foisted on Binky and Fig and Binky has invited two Scottish cousins to stay. An accident has laid up Binky leaving Fig alone to deal with a party of vulgar guests. Georgie is certain that her brother's accident was no accident but how can she prove it? She's supposed to have a contact on the inside but she doesn't know who. She has her hands full trying to avoid a sleazy stranger, Prince Seigfriend and a a house full of vulgar guests while trying to stay alive and keep her family safe. This book is my favorite in the series so far. I especially loved all the details of the Grouse hunting party and all the little things about upper class British life at that time. It was interesting to see their conceptions of Americans and the differences between them and us. The mystery was difficult to figure out. I suspected the who but the motive and means really weren't there until Georgie uncovered some facts. The quirky secondary characters made me giggle a lot. My favorite character is Granddad. He's so warm and kind; exactly what Georgie needs. Georgie is growing up and learning to fend for herself and speak up for herself when necessary. Her romance begins to heat up but still keeps an aura of mystery and excitement while remaining perfectly clean. This story will appeal to fans of Gosford Park and those who adore the details of upper class English life. I loved it and look forward to more!

Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen (Her Royal Spyness Mystery 4) -- Historical Mystery

Georgie is despondent once again. With no hopes of money or matrimony (except Prince Siegfried ewww) and alone in London, Georgie doesn't know what to do. Darcy remains mysterious and a bit elusive and Georgie finds herself longing for him. Binky and Fig show up unexpectedly with big news which causes Georgie to think home is anywhere but sweet home. She's commanded by Her Majesty to attend a royal wedding in Transylvania. The bride is a former school mate of Georgie's who has requested Georgie has a bridesmaid. Though Georgie barely remembers Maria Teresa aka Fatty Matty, she jumps at the chance to get away. HM requires Georgie to travel with a chaperone and a maid but where to find a maid who will be willing to go to Romania for no pay? Enter Queenie, the moon-faced Cockney maid who provides the comic relief. Once in Transylvania, Georgie begins to think staying home with her family would have been a wiser choice. It's cold and snowy, the locals are superstitious and suspicious and the castle is creepy. Then a party guest drops dead at the dinner table and nearly causes an international incident. It means that one of the guests is a killer. Georgie swears a vampire entered her room at night and was about to bite her and even her maid has seen a strange man in her room. Since there's no way in or out of the castle, it must be a vampire, right? The clues seem to point that way to Georgie though no one else believes her. She's determined not to get bitten and to solve the mystery once and for all. This is my least favorite of the series. It's not quite as dreadful as I feared it would be; more Northanger Abbey than Twilight; but since I am not into gothic stories I just found this one completely over the top. Georgie reacts like a silly, scared young girl and lets her imagination run wild (a tribute to Northanger Abbey?). The royals are all two-dimensional and don't add much to the story. I can't stand Belinda who seems to have no morals at all and is on the fast track to becoming Georgie's mother or worse. The new characters provide many giggles though, especially Queenie who is my new favorite character.  I also liked Darcy in this book as we get to know him a bit better but he's still maddeningly mysterious. Georgie's romance heats up again but is left unfulfilled as unusual circumstances get in the way. The mystery kept me guessing and the clues are not difficult to connect but the motive seems lacking and completely random. The plot just isn't as tightly written as some of the others. Still, I hope there are more to come. I'm enjoying the series despite this volume.

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week  . . .

Secret Letters by Leah Scheier -- Young Adult Historical Mystery

Headstrong and clever, sixteen-year-old Dora is not about to act the proper Victorian lady. She would much rather solve mysteries like her idol Sherlock Holmes. When a blackmailer threatens her beloved cousin's happy marriage, Dora heads off with her cousin to London to consult the great Sherlock Holmes. Dora is excited and even nervous to meet the great detective; not just because he is her idol, but because he is also her biological father. Upon arriving on Holmes' doorstep, Dora learns that Sherlock Holmes has met his demise. Heartbroken, Dora doesn't know what to do next but the brash young Peter Cartwright, detective in training, offers to help. His new master all but dismisses the case but Peter and Dora discover a clue that could link the disappearance of an heiress to the blackmailer. Dora must use all her wits and detecting skills as she goes undercover as a maidservant. If she can swallow her pride and let Peter help, they may be able to solve both mysteries before anyone gets hurt. This is a cute Victorian mystery for young teens. The mystery was impossible to figure out. Even though I sort of wondered about something, I really had no clue at all as to what had happened. The story isn't too grisly except for the final confrontation at the end which is far too ghastly for such a tame book. I really liked Dora. She's very human. She's overconfident and stupid and makes a lot of mistakes, but she learns a lot along the way. I especially liked her relationship with Peter - they keep each other humble. This novel is best read by older kids or young teens but probably not by adults. It is a tamer version of a typical Victorian mystery. Dora is akin to other Victorian female spies like Mary Quinn (Y.S. Lee's The Agency series) and Julia  (Lady Julia Grey novels). Dora and Peter's relationship is similar to that of Mary and James and Lady Julia and Brisbane. I enjoyed this book and I hope there's a sequel!

Magic Under Stone by Jaclyn Dolamore -- Young Adult Historical Fantasy

This book picks up where Magic Under Glass left off with Nim and Erris trying to find a way to free his spirit from his clockwork body. Their journey takes them to the remote home of Ordorio Valdana, one of the greatest necromancers of all time. Though Ordorio is not home, the young people are invited to spend the winter to cheer up Ordorio's sickly daughter Violet. Violet, the only child of the necromancer and his fairy wife is Erris's niece. He thinks he can make her well but the girl is stubborn and spoiled. Nim worries about her beloved Erris and is confused over her feelings for Hollin. She finds strength in learning magic. She's determined to free Erris no matter what. Ifra is a teenage Jinn, on his 5th master in only a few years. Ifra longs to be free. His heart is not in the wishes he grants and doing violence makes him ill. He falls under the control of the fairy king Luka and his son Belin. Luka wants Erris and sends Ifra to find him. Ifra hates the task set before him but finds something quite unexpected. A fairy civil war is brewing and Luka and Belin want to make sure they are on the winning side, with Ifra's help. Can Ifra help his master but be true to himself? Will Erris ever get his body back? This book takes a long time to get going. At first there's a lot of brooding, which is understandable. There's also a plot similar to The Secret Garden. The story is told alternately by Nim and Ifra which makes the story even more slow and unnecessarily complicated. I would have told Ifra's story in a novella and then linked him up with the main plot in this book. That would have given more time to tell the actual exciting part of the story which instead comes out rushed and a bit anti-climatic. There is a lot of time spent on magic and the principles of it and explaining how certain things are done which also bogs down the story. I was a little disappointed because I was dying to read about Nim and Erri's journey and instead most of the book is about Ifra and his journey while Nim and Erris mostly just do nothing. This story really could have benefited from more action from the main characters and more action earlier in the novel. The story doesn't work as a stand alone so you must read Magic Under Glass first. I recommended reading the last third of the book to find out what happens.

Promise Me This by Cathy Gohlke -- Inspirational Romance/Historical Fiction

Owen Allen has big dreams for his future. He's soon to set sail on the Titanic to join his uncle in New Jersey. Owen knows his green thumb and big ideas will make Uncle Sean's nursery business thrive and grow and then he can send for his sister Annie. Owen wants to build a better life for his sister but he faces a challenge from his wealthy aunt who wants to control his and Annie's lives. Wresting Annie away from Aunt Eleanor will be difficult but Owen has faith that everything will work out. Michael is a street urchin from Belfast. Since his parents' deaths, he has known nothing but hardship and misery. When he gets the opportunity to stow away on Titanic during her sea trials, he jumps at the chance to be rid of his abusive uncle. In Southampton Michael meets Owen and the older young man gives Michael a chance to redeem himself and make something of his life. Michael is envious of Owen and Annie's relationship and longs to be part of a family again. He blames himself for the loss of his little sister and his inability to save her. Michael stows away on Titanic once again and runs into Owen whose generous nature provides Michael with safe passage and dreams for a new life. When the ship sinks, Owen gives Michael all his dreams for the future and his life belt and sends the boy off into a lifeboat. Michael survives the sinking and feels guilty about taking Owen's place. He promised Owen he would look after Annie and is determined to keep his promise though it means working hard at gardening and landscaping - something he knows nothing about. In the years following the sinking, Annie is crushed under a mound of burdens. She must learn to forgive and be strong if she can ever hope to lay down her burdens. This novel reads like a Victorian melodrama. Some of it even sounds like Uncle Tom's Cabin and other sentimental novels of that period. I had to stop reading the book before the end and then skip ahead to find out if there was a happy ending. I almost didn't even make it that far I was so tired of all the abuse the author heaped on her characters.The message is forgiveness. There's a lot of blame and finger pointing that could be done and the way the characters choose to handle it is the crux of the story. I'm not a Christian and I found there was a little too much of a Christian message to please me. One character seems to carry so much hatred, there doesn't seem to be a realistic motivation. Even though the motivation is explained, I found it difficult to believe that one person could do so much and people were willing to go along with it. The character growth is tied a lot to the message of the novel. I could not really feel for most of the characters because the story is told in a rather detached manner from the points-of-view of Annie and Michael. I felt for Annie but I found Michael whiny and boring. We never get to know why they love each other as very few of their letters are included in the plot. I would have liked more development of the relationship and less drama.  I wouldn't recommend this as a novel about Titanic because it is more about the aftermath and the effect one person's death had on the other characters. There's very little about the ship and what is there can pretty much be found in any other story or documentary about the Titanic. Downton Abbey fans might like to read this book. It includes women's suffrage and nursing during WWI. Lady Sybil would fit right in. I would not recommend this book to non-Christians and atheists. Agnostics, depending on personal preference, may or may not enjoy the story glossing over the obvious Christian references.