The Seer of Shadows — 5 stars!

I’m not usually a horror type of person. I don’t like read or watch things that are bound to give me nightmares. But I have to admit that I do read some scary stuff. For instance, The Spook’s Apprentice series has some pretty frightening imagery in it, and The Screaming Staircase by Johnathan Stroud was a poor choice of reading material right before I went to bed. But I liked both of those series despite that, because although they scared me, they didn’t deliberately set out to terrify me permanently right from the beginning. A good scare was just part of the story.

I say this because recently I read another book that was good, but at the same time a little scary. The Seer of Shadows, written by award-winning children/YA author Avi, was a book I picked up for totally casual reading. It’s under 200 pages in hardcover, and I fully expected it to be a quick read on a rainy afternoon that would be forgotten in a few weeks.

Not so. The Seer of Shadows is a story told by Horace Carpentine, and despite his (I think) disastrous name, he’s actually a really good guy. Horace is apprenticed to a little-known photographer who thinks very highly of himself, Enoch Middleditch. One day, Middleditch is approached by a wealthy woman called Mrs. Von Macht who requests a photograph to be taken of her, and for some very curious reasons. Her claim is that she wishes to comfort the spirit of her dead daughter Eleanora by placing the photograph upon her tombstone. But the Von Macht’s black servant girl, Pegg, tells Horace just enough to make him wonder if her story is entirely true.

Strange things begin happening to Horace as soon as Mr. Middleditch is employed to take Mrs. Von Macht’s photograph. Horace is allowed to take his first photographs while at the Von Macht’s lavish home, and when he develops them, a frightening figure is revealed—Eleanora’s ghost! The more photographs he takes, the clearer her figure becomes. Worried, he seeks out Pegg to find out more about Eleanora, and too late they realize that his photographs are evoking Eleanora, allowing her to return as a spirit. And Eleanora’s spirit is bent on one thing—revenge upon the Von Macht’s! If she goes unstopped, she will murder them both. Horace may be the only one who can save them, if he can just find a way to send Eleanora back.

This story is set in New York during the year 1872, a time when photography was still a pretty young art. I really liked how Avi captured the mechanics of early photography in this story, right down to the chemicals that were used to develop the pictures, and even how those early cameras were put together. It was very impressive and very authentic to the time period, which is part of what made the story so easy to get sucked into. Photography was very important to the story, and by getting it right, Avi makes you feel like you’re there, in the story.

As for the scare factor, here’s what I have to say. Obviously, The Seer of Shadows is a ghost story, and some people are scared by that kind of thing. I didn’t think ghost stories could really get to me (then again, I don’t read many) but the last fifty pages of The Seer of Shadows were definitely scary. I can’t lie about that. There actually was a point where I had to shut the book and do something else for about five minutes before I could bear to go back to it. So, yes, I would say The Seer of Shadows definitely had some horror elements in it. Words are powerful. There are some books you just can’t read before bed.

But I still liked it—and I mean, really liked it. I think that has to do with the fact that Avi could scare me, using nothing more than words on a page and my own imagination. The fact that he could do that, and do it to the point where I had to remove myself from the story before I went on, is really a testimony to the quality of his writing and story-telling. Not many books can get you emotionally involved in the lives of completely fictional characters in completely fictional events. The ones that do are the ones that you’re not going to forget, and that you’re going to read and reread over and over again. And to me, The Seer of Shadows is one of those books.

That said, I will admit that The Seer of Shadows is probably not for everyone. The scare factor is very real, and for some people it would be overwhelming. It’s taken me a while to get over being scared enough that I could admire the fact that I was scared. It’s probably not the best book to give your twelve-year-old right before bedtime unless you want to give them nightmares. But for a mature reader who can handle it, I’d say: “Go for it. It’s worth it.” Horace and Pegg are great characters, and the mystery of who Eleanora really was and what happened to her adds a lot of depth to the story.

Link to Avi’s website: http://www.avi-writer.com/
Link to Avi’s blog (I’ve read it—great stuff for fans and writers): http://www.avi-writer.com/blog/

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle ~ 5 stars!

     The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi is a real treasure of a book. This is the story of Charlotte Doyle, a proper, ladylike girl of thirteen who is sailing the Atlantic to be reunited with her family in America after several years of schooling in England. The voyage does not go as planned, because the crew of the ship she has boarded, the Seahawk, plans to mutiny against the cruel Captain Jaggery. Charlotte must decide who she sides with, the unwashed, uncivilized men of the crew, some of whom have become her friends, or the gentlemanly Captain Jaggery, who seems to praise her for her ladylike behavior. In the end, the girl who boarded the ship in England will be nothing like the girl who gets off in America.

     Because the crew will mutiny, and Charlotte will be forced to choose a side. And though she has been basking in the warm glow of Captain Jaggery's favor, he will turn on her in an instant if it suits him. Charlotte has to learn who her real friends are: is it the wrinkled old black man Zachariah, or the well-dressed and refined Captain Jaggery? And once she's made her choice, will she be brave enough and strong enough to stick with it - even if it means hanging?

     The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle is a book that represents a lot of things to me. It's a real transformation story, with Charlotte becoming a very different person. She goes from the proper lady to a girl who has climbed the rigging of a ship in a hurricane to cut free the sails. The Charlotte who boarded the Seahawk would never have been able to do that. Another thing I liked about The True Confessions is that Avi really did his research. He really figured out how a ship is put together, what the things are called, and what would be necessary during a voyage and during a storm. And then he presented it in a very gradual unfolding, so that I always knew enough but never got a load of disconnected sailing ship information dumped in my lap. That's how that sort of thing should be done, and it really made this book stand out among the list of other books where everything takes place aboard a ship at sea. 

     The other thing I love is the characters. Characters say a lot about a book, and The True Confessions has so many good ones. To be honest, the cast of characters is fairly small - just the crew, the captain, and Charlotte, and then a handful of family and servants who crop up in the last chapter or so after she reaches land. But no more than a dozen are important and present for 90% of the book, and those dozen were very good. I wanted to know more about Zachariah from the first time he tried to befriend Charlotte. I also despise Captain Jaggery with a deep and profound loathing, and I have my particular favorites among the crew. Mostly Fisk...I really love Fisk. 

     But the character who was the absolute best was Charlotte herself. She narrates the entire story, and I really like her voice, which has the right blend of humor and reality. But the thing about her I want to highlight is the way Avi handled that pivotal moment when Charlotte turns from her upbringing to join the crew.That's a pretty drastic choice, but the way the story flows, there's been plenty of soul-searching, regret, remorse, and plenty of tears as well. It's not a snap decision. When you begin the book, making that choice seems completely out of character for Charlotte, but by the time it happens, it fits. Charlotte has changed, but it happened so gradually and fit so well with everything that was happening that you never notice it. And when Charlotte makes that choice there's the right amount of reluctance and just plain guts behind her actions. It was superbly done.

     It should be fairly obvious now that this book is one I highly recommend. It's not a girly book, though it's about a girl, and there's adventure and action, but also powerful character moments going on. There's something for everyone, and to my opinion, it's a book that's very easy to read and easy to love. This is another book I think everyone should read, particularly if you enjoy books about sailing and being at sea and pirates.

     I actually have a personal story to go with this book. The True Confessions was something I read and liked when I was 12 and 13, but I haven't read it in two years, and I actually thought I had outgrown the story. In a moment of boredom the other day I picked it up, and was surprised. This book is so good, I couldn't believe I hadn't read it in so long! It's definitely reminded me I need to go back and reread books I liked when I was 13. Some of them are probably books I will still love.

Link to author website: http://www.avi-writer.com/books/books/true.html

Ascendance Trilogy - 5 stars

     In these past few months, I (Noodle) have been reading some new books, ones I see suggested on the blogs I follow or that I find at the library or on Amazon. Some of those have gotten reviews, and more reviews of these new books are coming still. For instance, Poison is a book I found on another blog, and Snow White and Rose Red and The Grimm Legacy were both stumble-upons. As you can see by recent reviews, I have liked some of these new books I've been reading, while others have been duds. But just a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a real gold-mine.

     The Ascendance Trilogy, by Jennifer A. Nielsen has suddenly become one of my very favorite trilogies. Ever.

     It's going to be hard to review this trilogy, though, because a lot of what makes it good is that it kept me guessing the entire time. Not just in the first book or the second, but the whole time, in every book. Furthermore, part of what makes this trilogy so brilliant is the slow reveal of secrets. I actually sort of ruined one of the biggest secrets of The False Prince for myself by reading the little summary of it that's up on Amazon. So the most important advice I can give you about this series is: Don't read anything that's been written about the books. Basically everything will be some kind of spoiler.

     I know that sounds weird, but it really is true. 

     With that kind of warning, I'll try and do my best to write some sort of review of this trilogy. It won't be my best, or my most thorough, but I'll give it a shot.

     First of all, the Ascendance trilogy is one of the most impossible series to put down. It's one of the most suspenseful stories I have ever read. And in my book, any story that I hate having to put down and step away from is one that's worth reading and rereading. Secondly, I can't and won't write much about the events of The False Prince, The Runaway King, and The Shadow Throne. It would give away way, way too much. But I think I can safely give a little starter for The False Prince, just so you know what you're getting into when you start reading. Because I know you will.

     Sage is an orphan boy, quick on his feet, quick with his tongue, quick with his hands. A few days before he turns fifteen, a nobleman called Connor buys him as a servant. But instead of serving tables for the rest of his life, Sage has become a part of a daring scheme that Connor has concocted. A scheme which treads very close to being treason. Sage has no choice but to cooperate with Connor, however, because if he doesn't, he'll never be heard from again.

     Sage's secrets are slowly revealed all the way through the first book,and you never quite know what he's getting at and what his plans are until the very last pages of the very last chapter. I can't/won't say a word about the other two because that would give away way too much of the story, but they're very bit as good and suspenseful as The False Prince. 

     I can say a few things about the characters of the Ascendance trilogy. Sage, the main character and narrator, is funny, quick-witted, and probably the smartest fictional person I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. He's very distinct, and I was constantly on that fine line between laughing at his jokes and groaning at his seemingly stupid mistakes the whole time I was reading. Sage is genuine. He has a good sense of what is right and wrong, and although sometimes he seems like a no-good thief, he's probably one of the most honest people in the entire trilogy. He's also the kind of person that naturally takes the lead and comes up with the ideas and plans. Sage is what makes the Ascendance trilogy as good as it is. They wouldn't be the same without him. 

     Other characters, such as Imogen, the mute serving girl, Mott, Connor's bodyguard, and the other two orphan boys, Tobias and Roden, are also incredibly varied and unique. Nielsen did an amazing job when she created them. They're complex and well-rounded characters who all add so much to the story just by being there on the pages. 

     As for setting, there are king and queens, as the titles should indicate, but the story isn't set in a medieval world. I suppose I would have to say it has some of the characteristics of 14th century Europe. There are swords and chain mail, but there was also the one cannon, so it's not strictly a Middle-Ages type of setting. And although it qualifies as a fantasy story, there is not magic - Sage gets out of every one of his scrapes through sheer luck and his sharp mind.
     In the end, I have to say that in the Ascendance trilogy, Jennifer A. Nielsen did a wonderful job of bringing together a cast of unforgettable and entertaining characters, a complex and mysterious plot, and a mastery of the art of suspense. I can't speak highly enough of them - though maybe that's obvious by now. They're complicated enough to be satisfying for adult and teen readers, but there's so much action going on all the time that my younger siblings will probably like them a lot if I can just get them to read them. I rarely advise people to buy books, especially when it's so much easier to just check things out from the library. But with this trilogy, I'm going to make an exception. These are definitely worth buying so that you can have them around all the time. If I could rate higher than 5 stars, I would.

Link to author website: http://www.jennielsen.com/

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy (guest review) ~ 5 stars

Guest review by Eli Hansen

     Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is the title of an epic fantasy series by Tad Williams. The title is deceptive, since the name of the trilogy is not the name of the three books, which are titled The Dragonbone Chair, The Stone of Farewell, and To Green Angel Tower. My name is Eli Hansen, and epic fantasy is definitely my cup of tea – perfect for my guest review on my sister's blog.

     One thing we can all agree on is that this is an exceptionally long story. Altogether, the edition of the series that I own was about 2600 pages long. That's close to even the Harry Potter series, and I can assure you that Tad Williams' writing is much more complex than J. K. Rowling's early work. 

     In fair warning, this series was also one of the slowest series to "get in to" that I've ever read. Some reviewers say it takes 100 pages in to the first book to really get moving, others say 200 pages, and others say it takes half of the book before the story really get started. In my opinion the story really didn't get so exciting that I didn't want to put the book down until I was 600 pages in, almost all the way through the first book! Even for a seasoned reader, that's a long time to stick with a book that just doesn't seem all that great at first glance before you get to the good part. I would almost have to say it was poor writing. To me, the set up for the rest of the story was worth it, but I've had a hard time getting other readers (like my sister!) past the long intro to the rest of the trilogy without losing their interest. 

     Once you do get past the intro, however, you get to all the good things that I enjoy about Tad Williams' writing. For one thing, he keeps it real. The protagonist of his story starts out as a servant boy at the castle and over the course of 2600 pages, he develops from a simple adolescent who dreams of achieving great things, but would rather avoid responsibility, to being a strong leader and actually becoming the ruler of the human kingdom. But the development of this young man's character is never as if the author waved a magic wand and suddenly made him into a saint with all the virtues of a fairytale hero. Through the experiences he faces, the character actually comes to adulthood. I don't know any better example of character development in a piece of fictional writing.

     The other fantasy races that Tad Williams uses in his story also help to keep it real. He takes races like elves and dwarves and succeeds in making them really unique and distinct. Their motivations, their thoughts, and their culture are different and much stronger than the stereotypes that are typically portrayed for those races. 

     Another characteristic of Tad Williams' writing is that it's very dark. The situations his characters encounter can be very desperate, and you never actually know which ones will survive to see "happily ever after." Personally, I enjoyed the dark style of writing in the series; however, I know it can be offputting to some. Who wants to read about more suffering when there's already plenty of it to go around in the real world? As a sidenote, of all the books that Tad Williams has written, this is actually the least dark and grim.

     The plot of the series is definitely archetypical of the classic fantasy or fairytale type of story. It has some elements of mystery mixed in as well. I guess the reason I like it so much is that it is such an epic fantasy tale, but it does not resort to the kinds ofdeus ex machina and implausibilities that are so common in the genre, like waving the author's magic wand to change a formerly shallow and selfish character into a brave and self-sacrificing hero with no explanation for his change of heart. The characters, though, are the best part of the story – all very realistic in their choices and their motivations.

     The length of the story and the dark style of writing definitely make it a series for an experienced reader. There is some adult content; while it's not too overt, nor is it the focus of the story, it's there, so beware. The best thing I can say about the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series is that it will blow you away with its depth. It takes a plotline that really is a classic example of fantasy and makes it so much more than its stereotype. A piece of "easy reading" it is not, but if you like writing that challenges you and really makes you think to keep up with the author, you will really enjoy Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. I encourage you to give it a read!

     Noodle: Thanks, Eli! He has is own website and blog over at www.elihansenart.com which you should really check out. Eli asked me to review this series, but I really think we can all agree he did a better job of it than it than I would have.

Forest Born - 5 stars

     Forest Born, the last book in The Books of Bayern series, is my personal favorite. It is the story of Razo's sister Rin, the only girl in a large family from the Forest. Rin is a quiet girl, and everybody thinks of her as her mother's shadow. But Rin has secrets of her own that no one has ever guessed at.

     Rin has a connection to trees that goes beyond the ordinary understanding that all people who live in the Forest have. Rin can feel them in a way that is beyond her understanding. But after she does something terrible, something which makes her ashamed to be herself, the trees turn against her and she can find no comfort in the Forest. If Rin is ever going to feel right in her own self again, she must find out how to fix what is wrong inside. 

     But she can't do that at home in the Forest among her family, so she goes with Razo to the capital city to be a waiting woman for Queen Isi. Rin admires Isi's quiet strength and her confidence and wishes she could feel that way herself. When Isi learns that there are hostile fire-speakers in Bayern again, attacking her husband's soldiers, she sets out to stop them forever, taking Enna and Dasha with her. And Rin, who is determined to stay near Isi, follows them. 

     But it's not fire-speakers who pose the greatest threat to Bayern and to Isi. Selia is back, the girl who tried to have Isi killed when she first came to Bayern so that she could become the queen. Selia escaped from her death sentence and now she's revealed herself once again. Isi and her friends are her prisoners, and it's up to Rin to somehow break them free so that Selia can be defeated once and for all. That will be harder than it sounds, because Selia has Rin's brother Razo and Isi's little son Tusken in her power. Rin will need all the courage she has to be brave enough to do what needs to be done. And in doing so, she will realize why she feels broken inside.

     Forest Born resonated strongly with me. It's a story about a girl who feels lost inside herself and doesn't know who she is. Rin is afraid of what she could become, and doesn't realize the greatness of the gifts she has been given. I found myself identifying with Rin as I read this book because she reminded me of myself. One of Shannon Hale's greatest talents as a writer is to be able to create characters who the readers can identify with as if they were themselves, and that's something to be admired in an author. When Rin is afraid of herself and when she tries to be like other people to feel more right inside, I feel her pain. 

     Forest Born was written incredibly well. Particularly captivating to me was Rin's voice as a narrator. Growing up in a rustic, backwoods family who have a blunt, down-to-earth way of speaking, Rin describes things in a way that always harks back to her roots. She is a character who is more strongly rooted in her family than even she realizes, and it's those roots that make her strong. And once she finds the balance in her gifts, Rin can find peace and contentment within herself, something that she has been missing. 

     Its hard for me to describe how much I love Forest Born. As I said, its my favorite of The Books of Bayern series. I suppose I identify with it so much right now because of where I am as a person, but no matter what age you are it's still a rewarding, compelling story. Also, like all the other books in this series, it can stand alone, although it's a bit easier to understand if you've read the other books first. And since they're all worth reading, why not?

Link to author website: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html

River Secrets - 5 stars

     River Secrets, the third book in The Books of Bayern series by Shannon Hale, is a strikingly different book from the two previous ones. This book is narrated by Razo, unganly, awkward Razo, boy from the Forest and one of Isi's closest friends. Although he is not a very good warrior, for his heroic deeds on Isi's behalf in The Goose Girl he is part of Bayern's Own, a group of elite troops. And in this book, the kingdom if Tira and the kingdom of Bayern are slowly trying to mend their old alliances after the devastating war between them which took place in Enna Burning. And Bayern's Own is going to Tira as part of a diplomatic mission to help make peace.

But when they get to Tira, things are not all as they seem. The people of Tira are not particularly happy to see the representatives of Bayern, and to make things even more serious, bodies have been found. Blackened, burnt bodies. The leader of the Bayern representatives in Tira asks Razo to find out who is doing the burning, but it may turn out to be more than Razo can do alone. He may need to ask for help from some unlikely people, such as the Prince of Tira, and Dasha, a noble Tiran lady. A lady that he might be falling in love with. And there's also the danger that it could be Razo's friend Enna. Is her gift out of control again? Is she killing without even realizing it?

River Secrets is a much more jovial story than the rest of the series. Razo is a light-hearted character with a sense of humor that never shuts up, and you can count on a laugh every page or two. He's also irresistibly charming and endearing as a narrator. I couldn't help but root for him, even if I did find him annoyingly clueless and thick-headed from time to time. Razo is one of those characters you just can't help but like.

     Once again, River Secrets brings back some old characters and includes some new ones. Enna and Finn are important returning characters, and Dasha and the prince of Tira are new ones that I particularly liked. Although this book was far less serious in tone than Enna Burning and even The Goose Girl, it was far from trivial, and I definitely enjoyed this addition to the series. It was a meaningful story about loyalty and love that was fun and entertaining to read.

Link to author website: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html

Enna Burning - 5 stars

     Enna Burning is the second book in The Books of Bayern series by Shannon Hale. Unlike the first book, it isn't based off a fairy-tale, but is just as intriguing and captivating a story as The Goose Girl.

     Enna Burning centers around Enna, the best friend of Isi, formerly Anidori-Kiladra of Kilandree and now the new princess of Bayern. Enna is from the Forest, one of a practical people who live a harder life than those in Bayern who dwell in cities. To be from the Forest is to be a survivor, and that aptly describes Enna. She's a blunt, quick-thinking and -speaking person who can stand up for herself, and she's fiercely loyal to her friends and family. But things are about to change for Enna, and her loyalty and strength will be tested to the limit.

     Bayern is at war with the neighboring country of Tira. Enna's brother Liefer has mysteriously learned to control fire, and he hopes his new gift will be able to help Bayern win the war. Instead, his new gift overpowers him and burns him to death. Enna discovers how he learned to control fire: a scrap of vellum he found in the forest tells how to learn to speak to fire. Enna is now gifted like her friend Isi, who is able to speak to the wind and understand the language of birds. But Enna's gift is strong, almost stronger than Enna herself. The need to burn and burn is more than she can bear sometimes. She's afraid she'll lose control and hurt the ones she loves. Can she find a balance? Or will she burn like her brother, mastered by a gift too powerful for her?

     Enna Burning was probably the most suspenseful of The Books of Bayern. The whole struggle Enna goes through, not just because of the war, but because of her new power, is very intense, and thanks to Shannon Hale's writing it's impossible not to feel Enna's pain. Enna Burning was also the book that took me the longest time to digest, and I'll admit to actually disliking it when I first read it. Enna Burning was very different from other Shannon Hale books I'd read, and took me completely by surprise. 

     First of all, Enna Burning is more sober than the other books in this series. There's less of the fun and light-heartedness that can be found in the other ones, and although there are happy moments, there are also many, many scenes that are very sad and terrible. When I first read it, I was actually a bit frightened by it, because it was more dark and intense than anything I had read from Shannon Hale, and was completely unexpected. It took me a reread and a week to contemplate the story before I could really decide what to think, and at that point I realized it was an amazing story. It was much less intense than many stories I've read, but because it came from Shannon Hale - who has always been a writer who quietly thrills me with gentle, heart-felt scenes - I had all my barriers down and Enna Burning made a terrific impact.

     The other reason I initially thought I disliked Enna Burning is because this book also happens to be one of the edgiest of Shannon Hale's books, which is saying something, since Enna Burning is barely edgy at all. That should speak for the quality of Shannon Hale's stories. It's mostly because of Enna's character that this story feels edgy to me. Enna is a sharp contrast to the quiet, reserved Isi of the previous book, and Enna's bold actions lead her into situations Isi would never have found herself in, and there was a particular scene where I was afraid the story would go downhill. But thankfully, although Shannon Hale pushed the extent of edginess from her other books, Enna Burning is clean and safe, and isn't really any worse because of what happened.

     In the end, I would recommend Enna Burning just as highly as I would recommend The Goose Girl. It's full of powerful feelings and meaningful characters. It's more intense and less funny that The Goose Girl, but it can still make me laugh. It's also a great sequel to The Goose Girl, bringing back many of the old characters as well as including some new ones.

Link to author website: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html

The Goose Girl - 5 stars

     The Goose Girl is the first book in Shannon Hale's Books of Bayern series. It's actually a retelling of the classic 'Goose Girl' fairy tale, but Shannon Hale has done a marvelous job of expanding the story into a wonderful story about a girl who can speak the languages of animals and elements, a girl with an inner strength she never knew she had. 

     Princess Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, has listened to her aunt's curious tales about a time when people could understand the languages of animals and even speak to the wind since she was a little girl. Ani possesses this gift of languages which has been almost lost, and she learns to speak to the swans in the royal pond and a lovely colt called Falada born in the royal stables. But as she grows, so does her gift, and there are murmurs about the oddities of the Crown Princess. Ani's mother feels she has no choice but to send her away in marriage to a prince of a distant land: Bayern.

     Who would have guessed that along the road to Bayern, Ani is betrayed by her lady-in-waiting, Selia? Selia has pretended to be her friend, but all along she has planned to murder Ani and take her place as the Queen of Bayern. Luckily Ani escapes, and with the help of a forest woman and her son, finds her way to the capital city of Bayern, the city that was to be her home after she was married. But instead of being received as a princess and a bride-to-be, Ani is a stranger in a strange land. Selia has beaten her to the capital city and fooled everyone into believing she is the real Princess Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee. Ani makes a living as a goose girl and tries to hide from Selia's hired mercenaries as she develops a new gift: a connection with the wind.

     But it's not just Ani's life that's at risk. Her homeland of Kilandree is suddenly in peril when the much larger Bayern begins to muster troops for a surprise attack. Selia intends to destroy everyone who could possibly give away her real identity and take away her new title of Princess. And Selia can do all this because she has people-speaking, a gift like Ani's understanding of animals and the wind. This gift gives her words special weight, and she can convince people to do anything she wishes, no matter how vile it is. It's going to be up to Ani to save her native country from Selia, with only the help of her unlikely animal-herder friends and a wounded captain of the guard.

     The Goose Girl is a book I admire for a variety of reasons. It has a wonderful plot and a captivating, magical story premise because of the idea of languages. It also has amazing characters, and the characters are what make Shannon Hale's stories so enchanting. Ani became so real to me after reading The Goose Girl. She's kind and gentle and not particularly brave - unlike some of the more macho heroine's that I regularly find in other recent publications. This is refreshing and makes the story all the more beautiful. Enna, Finn, Razo, Conrad, and other characters are also fresh and distinct, all of them with a rich background that flavors their actions and even the words they say. I love how Shannon Hale draws you in with her words. She writes in a way that feels as natural as breathing to me, and it makes her books comfortable to read and read again. 

    Shannon Hale also incorporates very deep meanings into her stories - this isn't just a casual novel, but a story with meaning. Ani has the qualities of a queen, and The Goose Girl tells the story of how she realizes this and becomes a leader of a people she has made her own. Selia has chosen to do what's wrong to get what she wants, and she has allowed herself to hate Ani because she has what Selia wants most: a title and a throne and a country of obedient subjects. The contrast of these two characters and their goals are part of what make The Goose Girl shine as a story.

     I cannot recommend The Goose Girl highly enough. For people who enjoy a high-quality retelling of a classic fairy tale, this books is one of the best I have ever read. For readers who enjoy a good fantasy, this is that book. I found The Goose Girl to be a highly entertaining, captivating story full of meaning and characters who feel like family. It's definitely a must-read.

Link to author website: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html

Behold the Dawn - 5 stars

     When I first got Behold the Dawn by K.M. Weiland, I didn't really have any expectations for it. I thought it might be a fun read and an interesting story, but not necessarily something which would rank among my favorite books. Within three chapters I literally could not put it down. Eating and spending time with people was reduced to the bare minimum, and I don't think I even got myself anything to drink. I didn't put the book down unless I absolutely, absolutely, absolutely had to, and then I was back as soon as possible to keep reading. That's how good it was. 

     Behold the Dawn has a lot of aspects that I enjoyed reading. First of all it was set during the Crusades, right around the time period of Robin Hood, and I enjoy reading fiction set during that time period. I was also captivated by the main character, Marcus Annan, a champion tourneyer. He's a strong and silent sort of person with a lot of pain in his past he's trying to hide from, and he is also one of the best-written characters I've read in a long time. Behold the Dawn is also a story of redemption, not the cheesy, sugary kind I've read in some books, but the kind that really rang with truth and resonated with me. 

     There were other aspects of Behold the Dawn that were very, very good as well, such as the characters, so genuine and real they should be walking off the page. There's also a slow-burning romance, strong enough to change Annan's life but not the defining feature of the book. I enjoy romance in a book, but I don't like that to be the entire focus of the story. There's also plenty of gritty action, and when Annan fights I can feel the battle. Weiland writes with passion and captures the little moments of her story masterfully. And there's suspense on every page - the secrets the characters carry will drive you mad until they're finally revealed in an stunning climax at the very end.

     The only negative thing I have to say about Behold the Dawn is that no one told me I shouldn't read it as fast as I did. It's the kind of book that should be taken at a reasonable pace so that all the details can sink in - I devoured it in about four hours. Another thing I noticed was that the book did allude to some unpleasant details of real life, and those things affected the past and present choices of several of the characters. These hints don't detract from my opinion of the book, but it was a detail I noticed which some readers might want to be aware of before they start reading this book. 

     My opinion of K.M. Weiland has definitely been boosted after reading this book. She's a powerful writer, and I highly recommend this book and any of her others as great reading material. I really can't believe Behold the Dawn is her first published novel, but it is now one of my favorite books.

Link to author website: http://www.kmweiland.com/

Beauty/Rose Daughter - 5 stars!

     Robin McKinley is a Newbery Medal winner, and in her writing career of over thirty years she has written two retellings of the classic fairy tale: Beauty and the Beast. Separated by twenty years of time and writing experiences, Beauty and Rose Daughter are nevertheless both distinct from each other and are both good books on their own merit. Since they are both retellings of the same fairy tale and share many aspects, however, I will review them both together.

     Both stories follow the outline of the original fairy tale quite closely. The narrator, Beauty, is the youngest of the three daughters of a wealthy merchant. When their father looses all his money, they have to leave their home to live out in the country. Then when their father gets lost on a journey, he stumbles upon the castle of the Beast and incurs his wrath when he takes a rose for Beauty to enjoy. In return for his life, the merchant must send Beauty to live with the Beast, but when she comes to stay, Beauty proceeds to unlock the secrets of the Beast's mysterious castle and the enchantment he is under.


     The two Beauty's of Beauty and Rose Daughter share several traits. They are both loving and help to keep their families together under the strain of leaving their city home in utter poverty. They are both strong young women, not fearless but courageous and intelligent. They both voluntarily agree to the Beast's bargain to save their families, and after they get to know him, they both try to uncover the secrets of his enchantment.

     The Beauty of Beauty is far from a beauty, being plain and thin. Inside, however, she is truly a gem. Her family's livelihood in their new home depends on her resourcefulness after they leave the home they had always known, devastated by their loss. Several years later, she again shows her true courage when she chooses to leave her family, including her sister Hope's little daughter, for the mystery and menace of the Beast's mysterious castle. Her only comfort is the hope that even a Beast can be tamed. 

     In Rose Daughter, Beauty is obsessed with roses, the rare flower which reminds her of her dead mother. In their new home, Rose Cottage, Beauty discovers her green thumb - and something else: A once magnificent rose garden now sunk into weeds and dead growth. She soon returns it to its former glory and in so doing brings to the surface an old rumor about a curse on Rose Cottage. When the Beast commands her father to bring Beauty to his castle, Beauty learns that the Beast wants her to help his roses. But tangled among the thorns is a dark curse of terrible power that Beauty must unravel before she can complete her task and go home.

     In both stories, Robin McKinley creates remarkable families with strong female characters - not just Beauty, but her sisters as well. Her verisons of the original Beauty and the Beast stay true to the original story, but are still unique - from the original, from other versions, and from each other. I had my doubts at first - I thought McKinley wouldn't be able to pull off another version of the same fairy tale. I was wrong. Both Beauty and Rose Daughter are excellent books in their own ways and for different reasons. I would highly recommend them to fantasy readers and those who want to enjoy a classic fairy tale retold by an acclaimed author. They're worth it.

Link to author website: http://www.robinmckinley.com/

The Hero and The Crown - 5 stars!

     The Hero and The Crown is one of many amazing stories Robin McKinley has written, and is my favorite of her books. It is set in Damar, a country not unlike medival Europe, and follows the journey of Aerin, the eighteen-year-old first-sol of Damar.

     Aerin is the only child of Damar's king, but because her mother was a witchwoman from the North, the palace folk distrust her. Her only real friends are her cousin Tor, her nurse-maid, Teka, and her father's lamed war stallion, Talat. But she rises beyond everything Damar expects of her when she slays the Black Dragon Maur and brings the Hero's Crown back to Damar in time to save her country from destruction. 

     Aerin is a memorable character, a stubborn and sometimes awkward girl who grows up to become a stubborn and sometimes awkward young woman. She is loyal to those she loves, but prefers to hide from trouble rather than face it, a trait that I can only sympathize with. From her fiery red hair to her surprising discovery of a fireproof ointment called kenet, Aerin proves herself to be resourceful when she must be, and more determined that anyone gives her credit for. In Aerin Robin McKinley has crafted a unique and memorable heroine, and that's the most we can ask for.

     In The Hero and The Crown, McKinley writes a captivating story in a very down-to-earth style that is distinctly her own. Her characters are well-crafted and well-written, from Aerin and Tor to Aerin's childhood enemy Galanna and the mysterious mage Luthe. The story was full of vivid detail and feeling, and McKinley put in plenty of surprising plot twists that sprinkle most of her writing: surprises that are interesting, magical, and at the same time very human.

     In my opinion, The Hero and the Crown is a good book on every level. It had memorable and multi-dimensional characters, an amazingly detailed world, and a well-crafted story. The narrative never dragged, despite several chapters of flashback into Aerin's childhood - that part of the story fit in smoothly with the rest. I would recommend The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley to fantasy readers of all ages. 

Link to author website: http://www.robinmckinley.com/

The Amulet of Samarkand - 5 stars

     The Amulet of Samarkand, the first book in the Bartimaeus Sequence by Johnathan Stroud is a story of djinni and magicians, set in 20th century England. The entire Parliament is composed of magicians, men who have learned the art of summoning magical beings from another dimension to serve them. Meet Nathaniel, a magician-in-training with great talent, and his powerful djinni servant, Bartimaeus. Prepare to be amazed by the breadth of the story Stroud has to tell in this book.

     The book centers upon Nathaniel's quest for revenge. After he was publicly shamed by a powerful magician called Simon Lovelace, he acquires a powerful thirst for revenge. Bartimaeus is summoned, and ordered to steal a powerful protective charm from Lovelace: the Amulet of Samarkand. Bartimaeus is a djinni with a reputation that is outshone by his own ego, but he has an entertaining sense of humor. The interplay before the somewhat stiff-necked and stubborn Nathaniel and quick-tongued, sarcastic Bartimaeus is part of what makes the story so special. 

     Bartimaeus isn't too pleased to find himself summoned by a kid, but he has no choice but to do what Nathaniel says. Unfortunately, after he steals the Amulet, he accidentally leads Lovelace and his demons to the home of Nathaniel's master. It's only because of Bartimaeus that Nathaniel escapes certain death at the hands of a vengeful Lovelace. But the two of them are now adrift in London, and Bartimaeus is itching to be released from the human world. However, Nathaniel is both patriotic and ambitious, and when he learns that Lovelace is at the center of a clever plot to overthrow the Prime Minister, he is determined to see the plan foiled and Lovelace's reputation destroyed. I know: big plans for a twelve-year-old. That's what Bartimaeus thinks as well. How are they, a young, half-trained magician and one demon (no matter how clever) going to defeat some of the best magicians in Parliament? Read and find out.

     The Amulet of Samarkand was a very enjoyable read for me. I think a pattern is developing in my reviews - I really enjoy books with a bit of humor. Bartimaeus brings it to this story, and I really enjoyed him. The story starts a little bit slow, but speeds up toward the middle if you stick with it. I can't really decide what age range I would think The Amulet of Samarkand is specifically targeted at, but any reader who isn't daunted by the size of the book (+300 pages) should like it. This book is also totally unlike any other stories I've read. Johnathan Stroud's writing style is quite different as well, and the Bartimaeus Sequence mixes 20th century England with djinni and magicians in an entertaining and unusual way. Take it from me: if you're looking for something different and interesting to read some afternoon, The Amulet of Samarkand is a good choice. 

     One thing about The Amulet of Samarkand that might not be worthy of 5 stars, at least to some people, is that it was full of footnotes. Mostly they're just information which is necessary for understanding Bartimaeus's powers, or sarcastic backchat. Some hint at Bartimaeus's long and glorious past and all the things he's done the various other times he was summoned into our world. But unless you're a dedicated reader, the footnotes can be distracting and detract from the rest of the story. Other friends of mine who have read this book skipped over the footnotes and still enjoyed the story, so reading them is entirely up to you. I thought they were fun and interesting, but others have found them annoying. But footnotes aside, The Amulet of Samarkand was still an highly entertaining read.

Link to Bartimaeus Sequence website: http://www.bartimaeusbooks.com/index.html

Artemis Fowl - 5 stars!

     Artemis Fowl, the first book in the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer, is about the 12-year-old criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl. In his search for greater power, wealth, and influence, he stumbles across the existence of a civilization of magical beings - fairies, pixies, and the like. He and his bodyguard and friend Butler - actually, he's a butler, too - kidnap one of the pixies, a fairy named Holly Short. Artemis's plan is to ransom Holly for some fairy gold - but the fairies aren't about to part with any of their gold. They also want to keep their existence secret from other humans. What follows is a hair-raising episode as fairy and human genius match wits. Who will win?

     If that's not thrilling enough as it is, the fairies are equipped with high-tech equipment and magic, while Artemis only has his wits. But Artemis has never been out-witted, and he's quite confident in his ability. Also, the fairies are split into two factions and are arguing about what to do about Artemis. I've never read a book that balanced a high-tech yet magical story as well as Eoin Colfer did in Artemis Fowl. If you're one of those readers who likes to try and solve the mystery before the book gives you the answers, you can try and beat Artemis Fowl, but I guarantee you won't. 

     The story is told from the point of view of many of the characters: Artemis, Butler, Holly, and Foaly, a computer geeky centaur. Other intriguing characters such as Commander Julius Root of the LEPrecon and Butler's little sister Juliet also appear, giving this story a wide and varied cast of characters. It's fun and has it's moment of humor. The characters are genuine and extremely enjoyable, and this story is unlike any other you've ever read. You'll never find characters like Julius Root and Foaly in another book, and you're never going to run across a mastermind like Artemis Fowl. I wouldn't have missed Artemis Fowl for the world. Pick it up. Read it. I mean, who doesn't like what happens when you mix magic and technology, fairies and geniuses?

Link to Artemis Fowl website: http://www.artemisfowl.com/

The Burning Bridge - 5 stars!

     The Burning Bridge is the second book in The Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan. I found these books when I was 12, and I've been absolutely in love with them ever since. The entire series are action-packed and full of interesting characters. They're exciting to read, and Flanagan writes in a style that's both descriptive and inviting. And he's funny. In my book, that counts for a lot. 

     The Ranger's Apprentice series is a must-have addition to your bookshelf or library. It's a 13-book series that follows Will, the original Ranger's apprentice, through his life as he grows from an apprentice to a real Ranger. His mentor, Halt, is an amazing character and one of my favorites out of the whole series. Other characters that accompany Will on his journey are Horace, a knight-in-training, Evanlyn, the princess of Araluen, Gilan, Halt's first apprentice, and Pauline and Alyss, a lady diplomat and her protege. All of them are characters I can and have related to over the course of the series, but out of all the books, The Burning Bridge is probably my favorite. In this book, the story of Will is really only just beginning, and he's already showing his promise as a Ranger. The cast of characters are gathering around him, and Will is faced with the problem of saving the kingdom of Araluen from an enemy that was supposed to have been powerless. 

     One thing I have to point out is that Will isn't training to become a forest ranger or anything like that. Araluen, Will's homeland, is a fictional kingdom in a fictional world something like medieval Europe. The Rangers of Araluen are an elite group of fighters, trackers, secret agents, and law enforcers. They are loyal to the King of Araluen and roam about Araluen making sure the law is kept, and when Araluen is at war they are invaluable as intelligence gatherers and generals. The Rangers are highly skilled archers and are able to walk without a sound and remain unseen in plain sight. They ride special horses, wear special cloaks, and use special weapons. Some people think of them as sorcerers because they seem like magic. Will has to learn everything a Ranger should know, and he uses all those skills on his adventures. The secret of becoming a Ranger is part of what makes these books such a great read. I highly recommend them.

     The Burning Bridge - and all the other Ranger's Apprentice books - have no inappropriate content in them. I would say the books are aimed at kids between 8 and 14, but I think they're also a pleasing and very compelling read for all ages. They don't use complicated language, so younger kids can comprehend them easily, but the story is far from shallow. Elements of romance, adventure, and battles show up, including one moment when Horace, Will's best friend, goes into one-on-one combat with the villain. That's a very suspenseful scene, and probably one of the highlights of the entire story. 

     Oh, and something I almost forgot to mention. The Burning Bridge has an extremely powerful cliffhanger ending. So you'll want to get the next book right away to find out what happens. 

Link to Ranger's Apprentice website: http://www.worldofjohnflanagan.com/rangers-apprentice/

The Squire's Tale - 5 stars

     The Squire's Tale, by Gerald Morris, is a really amazing book about knights and squires, adventures and quests. It's the first book in Gerald Morris's The Squire's Tales series, a 10-book series of retellings of various Arthurian legends with a unique spin on them. Gerald Morris tells a humorous and heartfelt story about knights and magic, with moments of true feeling and plenty of humor. I know I'm going to laugh when I read one of Gerald Morris's The Squire's Tales.

     The Squire's Tale has all the things I look for in a really fun read. It has strong characters in Terence (the squire) and Sir Gawain (his knight). During the course of the book, both of them go on a long quest given them by a faery enchanter and have all sorts of adventures: fighting recreant knights, meeting a mischevious faery, even trying to sort out a few knightly romances. Both Gawain and Terence are honorable and brave - both of them are some of the best examples of real knightly behavior to be found in the book. 

     There are also all the old staples of a story about King Arthur and his knights. Merlin appears, and so does the Lady of the Lake. King Arthur and his wife Guinevere are also characters, as well as a mysterious enemy who threatens King Arthur. In Gerald Morris's story, there are also faeries and enchanters, magical spells and disguises, and mysterious things that happen to Terence and Gawain during their quest. I'd highly recommend this book for all these reasons, plus once you finish the first book there's nine more stories to come!

     I would say this book is probably just about right for readers between 8 and 14. I started reading them when I was 12, and I still love them now, several years later. There's no inappropriate language or content at all, and the book is very engaging. The romance elements in it were brought to the story by other characters and in my opinion were more hilarious than realistic. The 'damsel in distress' and the lovestruck knight made me laugh every time. Morris used them and various other characters to poke fun at the ridiculousness of the pathetic ideas about chivalry and knightly love that came from the original Arthurian tales.

     The thing I liked best about this book and this series by Gerald Morris was that it was the best retelling of King Arthur that I've come across. I like reading about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, so I scout around for stories set in that era. Out of all of them that I've found, The Squire's Tales is my favorite. It's funny, there's adventure, and the true valor and honor of King Arthur and his knights shows in this series.