Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden

8 Stars

From the back cover: When Persephone Lancaster receives a marriage proposal from the ill-tempered Duke of Kielder, she refuses — and then reconsiders. The obscene sum of money he’s offering Persephone would save her family from ruin. With her characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reaches of Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger.

Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke’s castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke’s steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gentle bride. With caring persistence, Persephone attempts to pierce the Duke’s armor and reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate such exposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll. But when grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must face the risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the woman he cannot live without.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Seeking Persephone, by Sarah M. Eden.  Ms. Eden is an LDS author and writes books set in Regency England.  This is the first book in a series based around the Lancaster family.  At only 280 pages it was a fairly quick read. Although it's set in Regency England, the descriptive language is not as difficult to read or understand.  It was sweet, clean, moved quickly and had interesting and witty characters.  I enjoyed the dialogue between characters, and insights into relationships.  I'm giving it 8 stars because it is definitely a chick book, and therefore won't appeal to all readers.  If you enjoy books from authors like Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, you'll probably enjoy this!

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

7 Stars

"The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights.  The chilling resolution:  Life in inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen.  Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their children "unwound," whereby all of the children's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end." ~ Taken from book jacket

"In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.

In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive." ~ Description taken from Neal Shusterman's site, HERE.

I found that I actually really enjoyed this book.   I liked the character development of all of the main characters...it's told from several character's perspectives, so you don't feel like this book is about any one person.  It is a VERY thought provoking and interesting read.  And, also creepy...sort of a futuristic Dr. Moreau...with a twist.

I've only given this 7 stars on account of the creep factor.  The book is written for teens/young adults, but it's got some pretty serious stuff in it.  There are some fairly descriptive chilling moments, and the theme is definitely on the macabre-side, because of the 'unwinding' process and abortion/life issues.  If you're looking for an edge of your seat, sci-fi psychological thriller, this one's for you.

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

8 Stars*

This was my first Shannon Hale book and I only read it because my mother said it was one of her favorite books. It's not that I have anything against Shannon Hale. Who knows why it's taken me so long to read her books? Anyway, I really liked it and if Hale's other books are anything like this I will definitely be giving them a try. I liked the main character's philosophy of life (although I'm probably more like the princess in the story...) I also enjoyed the Asian-esque culture that Hale created. A fine read indeed. Also, check out Amanda's review of it here.

*I decided to start linking the "Meaning of Stars" post to my reviews so that I don't have to keep going back to read it every time*

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

3 Stars (-2 for language and sex)

"If Naomi had picked tails, ... she wouldn't have had to go back for the yearbook camera, and she wouldn't have hit her head on the steps. She wouldn't have woken up in an ambulance with amnesia. She certainly would have remembered her boyfriend, Ace. She might even have remembered why she fell in love with him in the first place. ... She'd know about her mom's new family. She'd know about her dad's fiancée. She never would have met James ... and she'd understand why her best friend, Will, keeps calling her 'Chief'. But Naomi picked heads."

Yeah. This could have been a fascinating read about a girl with no memory of her immediate past, who gets a second chance to redefine herself and be who she wants to be; who has better relationships with those around her, and comes to understand and appreciate all the good in her life. I know, it SOUNDS like an interesting book, right? Sadly, wrong. It was NOT interesting. It was driveling. There were a very few bright points in Zevin's writing (she obviously has some talent--wish she'd kept at it until the rest of it came up to par!), and it was a predictably sappy teen novella. Boo. Don't bother. And based on this book, I would be hesitant to pick up anything else by this author, as well.

Chalice by Robin McKinley

8 Stars

"As the newly appointed Chalice, Mirasol is the most important member of the Master’s Circle. It is her duty to bind the Circle, the land, and its people together with their new Master. But the new Master of Willowlands is a Priest of Fire, only drawn back into the human world by the sudden death of his brother. No one knows if it is even possible for him to live amongst his people. Mirasol wants the Master to have his chance, but her only training is as a beekeeper. How can she help settle their demesne during these troubled times and bind it to a Priest of Fire, the touch of whose hand can burn human flesh to the bone?" (Taken from this site.)

This is probably the best new fantasy I have read in a LONG time. It is imaginative, thought-provoking, and heartfelt. It is also full of McKinley's organically lyrical writing and avid descriptions. I would happily live in this world she's created, and can readily identify with several of the characters, though we have few life experiences in common. The only reason I gave it 8 instead of 9 stars is because there is no direct timeline, so it's a little confusing to get into at first. Eventually, I appreciated the flow this gave the book, but I recognize it could be off-putting to readers. And, as with all of McKinley's books, I felt it just the tiniest bit lacking in the "ending" department; but I would readily read it again, and only hope that the somewhat open-ending will encourage her to write more in this setting!

Water: Tales of Elemental Spirits by Peter Dickinson and Robin McKinley

7 Stars

"Master storytellers Robin McKinley and Peter Dickinson share tales of mysterious merfolk and magical humans, all with close ties to the element of water. From Pitiable Nasmith's miserable existence in a seaside town whose inhabitants are more intertwined with the sea than most people know, to Tamia's surprising summons to be the apprentice to the Guardian who has the power to hold back the sea, each of the six stories illuminates a captivating world filled with adventure, romance, intrigue, and enchantment." (Taken from this site.)

As with all short story collections, this one jumps from world to world, keeping the reader guessing from one tale to the next. But, I found myself not only enjoying each tale, but eager to see what the next would bring. Each story is well-written, interesting, and creative and focused on a different aspect of this particular element. I don't know that I'll pick it up again soon, but I will definitely be seeking out the other titles in the series! (And, yes, Trina Schart Hyman DID illustrate the cover, why do you ask?)

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison

6 Stars (-1 for language)

Georgia Nicolson is a sassy British teenager, for whom nothing ever goes right. And even if things were to go right for a change, she'd still find plenty to complain about. Herein, Georgia argues with her father, complains about her cat, crushes on a local hottie, complains about said hottie's girlfriend, argues with her mother, complains about her sister, argues with her friends about the hottie, and generally makes the reader laugh throughout it all.

This is definitely not a read for everyone. As evidenced by the title, it's a little irreverent at times. But HILARIOUS. If you're ever in the mood for being in a whiny, self-centered, British teen's head for an afternoon, though, this here's your book. (And, if nothing else, you should pick it up and read her "British" glossary at the back. Probably the best part of the book, really.)

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

5 Stars

Summary: "Elizabeth has a new job at an unusual library— a lending library of objects, not books. In a secret room in the basement lies the Grimm Collection. That's where the librarians lock away powerful items straight out of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales: seven-league boots, a table that produces a feast at the blink of an eye, Snow White's stepmother's sinister mirror that talks in riddles.

When the magical objects start to disappear, Elizabeth embarks on a dangerous quest to catch the thief before she can be accused of the crime—or captured by the thief." (taken from GoodReads)

Review: I liked this book well enough. I thought the premise was intriguing (who doesn't want to visit a library full of objects instead of books?!) but I wasn't really able to connect with the characters. It had potential but kind of fizzled out a bit. However, it kept me interested enough to finish it so it was worth one read I suppose.

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

9 Stars

"When Lady Saren refuses to marry a man she fears, she and her maid, Dashti, are locked in a tower with just a tiny flap open to the outside world. As food runs low and the weather changes from broiling hot to unbearably cold, it is all Dashti can do to make them comfortable in their dark prison. Not long after their confinement begins, Saren's suitors arrive--one welcome, the other less so--and she orders Dashti to speak to them. Impersonating Lady Saren is a crime punishable by death, but Dashti will have to play the role many times if she is to save them both from the tower and the dangers outside. As she takes control of their desperate situation, Dashti begins to understand her own astonishing talents and believe that even a low-born maid can find true love." (Taken from the back cover.)

Shannon Hale has definitely joined the ranks of authors whose works I will always seek out. And this book is among her best. Her heroines are likable; they are sometimes confident (without being brassy or obnoxious) and sometimes shy-violets (without being self-deprecating) and sometimes unsure of who they are and who they want to be (without being WHINY). I also appreciate the thought that goes into her settings. This book is set in a medieval pseudo-Mongolia. A world that is very unlike most other young adult fiction, but that still draws you in and makes you WANT to know more about it. I liked this enough that I will probably reread it soon (tempted to pick it up again tonight, just to see if I missed anything!), and manages to leave you guessing about how she will resolve all of the threads she's weaving.

Verdigris Deep by Frances Hardinge

7 Stars

"When Ryan and his friends are caught stranded and penniless late one evening, they steal some coins from a well for their bus far home. Soon after, strange things begin to happen. Peculiar marks tingle on Ryan's knuckles, light bulbs mysteriously explode and a terrified Chelle starts speaking words that aren't her own. Then the well witch appears, with her fountains for eyes and gargled demands. From now on, the friends must serve her--and the wishes that lie rotting at the bottom of her well." (Taken from the inside cover.)

Well-written (as to be expected with one of my favorite children's book authors) and eerie, I think the biggest downside to this book is just that I hoped to like it more. It isn't as scary as I worried it might be, but it's still creepy enough that I wouldn't recommend it for very young children (or even the very squeamish adult, to be truthful). Hardinge's writing is lyrical, but not as solid as it was on Fly by Night or Gullstruck Island, I thought. Though, perhaps, some of that could be attributed to the more modern setting. It does draw you in, though, until you wonder how the three children can possibly solve this situation they find themselves in and get out of their debt. (And, in case you are wondering,"Verdigris Deep" is actually the British release title. The American release is titled "Well-Witched", but I didn't feel that the English-isms were extreme enough to deter anyone who's a little familiar with word differences between the two countries. I.e. she uses the term "trolley" where we would probably use "shopping cart." Just a heads up in case you have a preference.)

Scarlet Moon by Debbie Viguié

5 Stars

Ruth is attacked by a wolf as a child, and ever after has a fear of entering the woods near her home. When her brother leaves to join the Holy Wars, her father is left without help in the blacksmith shop and so Ruth takes over her brothers duties. She is comfortable in her role as blacksmith, and continues to brave her fear in order to visit her grandmother in the woods, who's been cast out of the village for accusations of witchcraft. "Amidst these dark days, a new man enters Ruth's life. William is a noble with a hot temper and a bad name, and he makes her shiver. But the young man is prey to his heritage, a curse placed on his family ages ago, and each male of the family has strange blood running in his veins. Now Ruth must come face-to-face with his destiny at Grandma's house..." (Taken partially from the back cover.)

Okay. Yes, this really is a rewrite of the story of Little Red Riding Hood. And, yes, if I had bothered to really read the back cover first, I might not have read it, either. Another in the "Once Upon a Time..." series, I hoped that this book would live up to the potential it had. Because, truthfully, "Little Red Riding Hood" has always been a pretty creepy tale. So adding werewolves (sorry for the spoiler as I'm sure you were all going to rush out and read this...) to the mix is actually not a large stretch for me. The concept could have been kind of cool. Unfortunately, the writing is as cheesy as the back cover makes it sound, coming across as trite and contrived. The moral of this review? Read every single one of Cameron Dokey's books in this series--but maybe don't bother with any of the other authors.

Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins

7 Stars

"When her father loses his job and leaves India to look for work in America, Asha, her older sister, Reet, and their mother must wait with Baba's brother and his family...in Calcutta. Uncle is welcoming, but in a country steeped in tradition, the three women must abide by his decisions. ... Asha's only solace is her rooftop hide-away, where she pours her heart out in her diary, and where she begins a clandestine friendship with Jay Sen, the boy next door. ... Setting her novel in the mid-1970s, a time of political turmoil, Mitali Perkins probes the relationships between sisters, mothers and daughters, women and men. Secret Keeper tells of one girl's struggle, within the constraints of tradition, to establish her identity and claim her future." (Taken from the inside cover.)

I have to say that the biggest downside to this book was that it was only fairly written. I found Perkins' switching between the author's viewpoint, and Asha's first-person voice confusing. However, I found that I liked the book more than I normally do when I don't connect with the writing style. The characters were engaging, interesting, and believable, even though they are not deeply expounded upon. The setting, like Jane Austen's books, is mentioned only in direct relation to how it affects the characters (which, truthfully, isn't much), but I found that this added to the realism of Asha as a young woman. (I mean, what 16-year-old is really THAT affected by politics in their everyday life?) The book was also surprisingly poignant. It manages to explore some levels of social acceptance and age-old parent/child drama without making any one thing or person "to blame." You come away a little saddened by the plight of people within a culture that is so rigid in its socially acceptable norms, but still hopeful because the characters have managed to show respect and real love for each other without flouting generations of tradition. It was a surprisingly deep read, despite Perkins somewhat inexpert style.

Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge

10 Stars

Mosca Mye is born in a world terrified of the awesome power of words. She is both blessed and cursed by a literary father who teaches her to read--and then dies, leaving her an unwanted orphan. When she encounters the questionably articulate Eponymous Clent, she can't help but be drawn into his world of the unanswerable. But perhaps she gets in deeper than she expected when asked to spy on a powerful Guild by an even more powerful duchess. Her exploits lead her and her gander (yes, she really does have a pet gander) into treachery, a Guild war, and a terrible propensity for her world's history to repeat itself.

I, like Anthony, will probably not give a lot of reviews with ten stars, but wanted to start off on a good note. I just read this book for the second time. Seeing as how the first time I read it was only just over a year ago, that alone should say something.

Frances Hardinge is a genius! As difficult as it would be to create a world so dependent on words and actually be able to do it justice with your own, she pulls it off completely. She really is a master storyteller--one of those who makes you want to run out and finish that book you've begun writing, while at the same time making you completely despair of ever being a good writer. Now, that being said, she does have a taste for the slightly macabre, so I wouldn't recommend her for the very young or very squeamish. (Though, truthfully, this is not as apparent in "Fly by Night" as in her "Gullstruck Island." Another excellent read, but slightly creepier, and probably more a 9 than a 10 for me.) The characters in this book are outstanding and very memorable. The plot keeps you guessing, but doesn't lose you. She spins a beautiful web of words throughout. Even the names she chooses have world's of meaning, without giving anything away. If you haven't yet read at least one of her books, you really ought to. And if you only ever read one of them, it really ought to be this one.

Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy

8-9 Stars

Since I don't really have time to write my own synopsis of this book I'm posting a copied one from Amazon:

"In an ancient Arab nation, one woman dares to be different.Buran cannot -- Buran will not-sit quietly at home and wait to be married to the man her father chooses. Determined to use her skills and earn a fortune, she instead disguises herself as a boy and travels by camel caravan to a distant city. There, she maintains her masculine disguise and establishes a successful business. The city's crown prince comes often to her shop, and soon Buran finds herself falling in love. But if she reveals to Mahmud that she is a woman, she will lose everything she has worked for."

I loved this book...Admittedly the first reason I picked it up was because of Trina Schart Hyman's beautiful Cover illustration (I can honestly say that I've read every book I've come across that has had the cover art done by T.S.H. She is a GENIUS! Any author lucky enough to have her art on their book should be singing her praises...GENIUS!)

The story is told in parts from the perspective of different characters. I love the insight into the lives and culture of Arab and Muslim women (and men) of the day. The characters are easy to identify with and feel empathy for. The plot is interesting and inventive.

I have reread this book at least two times since first reading it...it is a fairly quick read, and always leaves me feeling satisfied.