Cameron, Sharon. The Dark Unwinding. 318 p. 2012. Scholastic. Hardcover $17.99. ISBN 9780545327862.
I was introduced to this book at the Scholastic brunch at this year's ALA Annual Conference, in which Sharon Cameron and other authors performed an excerpt, readers' theater style, to give the audience a taste of the story. She was fabulously funny and the scene piqued my interest, so I knew I had to read this one! And it did not disappoint.
This is a wonderful debut novel, filled with lush prose and a plot that stands out from the rest of the YA shelves these days. Young, orphaned Katharine finds herself saddled with the daunting task of checking up on an uncle to verify that he is insane, and have him committed to an asylum so he will stop frittering away the family fortune. Only, when she arrives at his countryside manor house, she discovers something quite unexpected: a workshop of wondrous clockwork creations and a community of people who desperately need her uncle to continue with his inventions.
The story is full of mystery, self-discovery, and romance set against a sometimes-cozy, sometimes-eerie English manor backdrop. It's an absolutely delicious setting, and I loved the book's period feel. The language is straightforward enough for a contemporary reader, but Cameron employs turns of phrase that ring true to the mid-1800s setting. Also, it's important to note that there's lots of gorgeous costume description. (I don't know about you, but when I read historical fiction, I want to read about the clothes!)
With the steampunk genre on the rise, Scholastic is really playing up the clockwork machinery aspects of this book in their marketing, but it's not actually a steampunk-heavy novel. On the whole, it's more like an Austen or Bronte novel that just happens to have some mechanical goodies in it. I would recommend this book for any fan of historical fiction who doesn't mind a dash of fantasy.
The story wraps up nicely, but a few hanging threads deliberately leave the door open for a sequel. It was so lovely I didn't want it to end, and I look forward to reading more from this promising new author.
Hale, Shannon. Princess Academy: Palace of Stone. 336 p. 2012. Bloomsbury. Hardcover $16.99. ISBN 9781599908731.
I was completely enchanted by 2006 Newbery Honor book, Princess Academy. I mean, let's face it-- when am I NOT completely enchanted by Shannon Hale's writing? Never, that's when! I adore anything she writes. So... Princess Academy-- I thought it wrapped up beautifully and never did it enter my mind that there could be room for a sequel. Thus, I was a little...surprised?... to hear there would indeed be a sequel published this year. But, I figured, it's Shannon Hale. She can do no wrong.
And?
It's Shannon Hale! She can do NO WRONG! Princess Academy: Palace of Stone is an absolutely wonderful sequel. It was such a pleasure to welcome back characters I knew and loved in the first volume, delve deeper into the mysteries of quarry speech, and get to know more of the country of Danland as Miri travels beyond her mountain home.
This book is a bit more mature than its predecessor; there is more romance, more danger, and more complexity. The narrative involves self-discovery and romance amidst political intrigue and revolution. It's sort of... Princess Academy meets Catching Fire. In other words, thought-provoking and multi-layered while somehow cozy and, of course, beautifully written. As usual with a Shannon Hale book, I just wanted the story to go on and on; I wanted to live in it. Gorgeous.
Angelini, Josephine. Dreamless. 487 p. 2012. HarperTeen. Hardcover $17.99. ISBN 9780062012012.
I had a blast reading Josephine Angelini's Greek mythology inspired debut novel, Starcrossed, last year. Talk about addictive-- I couldn't put it down! And I can safely say that fans of the first volume will absolutely eat up this action-packed sequel.
Dreamless builds on the foundation set in Starcrossed and continues its complex storyline-- essentially a modern retelling of The Iliad with some twists. The book maintains an epic feel as Angelini, one of the most organized and focused writers I've encountered, juggles several plot threads in a seemingly effortless manner. The plot is propelled forward at a consistent pace, with no lulls in the action.
It's fun to revisit the same characters we fell in love with in its predecessor (I heart Helen's feisty best friend Claire!), and meet some dynamic new characters in this book. Romantic tension is heightened as Helen and Lucas are still forbidden to get too close, and a possible new love interest is introduced in the form of Orion, another Scion who joins Helen in her nightly visits to the Underworld.
Speaking of the Underworld, Angelini's vivid descriptions of this realm will set your hair on end. Not a place you'd want to get stuck in! On the other end of the spectrum, there's an exquisite scene with Morpheus, the god of dreams, that's so beautifully written, you might want to read it again and again.
Set in medieval Brittany and layered with inventive supernatural elements, Grave Mercy is an appealing read for fans of historical fantasy. Young Ismae escapes an arranged marriage and finds refuge in a convent dedicated to St. Mortain-- the god of death. Blessed with supernatural powers, she becomes a handmaiden of death, expertly trained in the art of assassination, and is sent on an undercover mission to protect the Breton duchess from those who would betray her. And of course, since Ismae can't just waltz into court, she is accompanied by a handsome nobleman who isn't exactly thrilled to have her along for the ride.
LaFevers offers a tightly-written, suspenseful narrative with believable romance and inventive fantasy elements against a historical backdrop.
There's also some unexpected and delightfully dark humor in the midst of
political tension; Ismae can be very matter of fact about what she does,
sometimes to hilarious effect.
I also enjoyed the thoughtful exploration of women's roles in the Middle Ages; Ismae is driven to serve the god of death not only because she is his daughter, but also because her circumstances in life have been cruel and she has no agency to choose her own path. The reader will root for Ismae on her journey of self-discovery as she learns to claim her power.
This book involves a lot of political intrigue surrounding the protection of the young duchess, Anne, with much hinging on finding Anne a suitable marriage prospect who will help defend the independent state of Brittany from French rule. I found this aspect of the plot fascinating because I read up on Breton history after the first few chapters of the book piqued my interest, so I understood the significance of the duchess and the importance of her marriage for the entire duchy. I'm not sure all the political scheming would come across as quite so interesting to a reader who's unfamiliar with the history of the region, however. Although the history is well incorporated into the story, this book would be enriched by a foreword or author's note.
(Of course, my librarian self says: all the more reason to learn some truly interesting history while you read an awesome book!)
Because Grave Mercy is the first volume in a trilogy, I was expecting a cliffhanger ending, and was pleasantly surprised to find a very satisfying conclusion. The next book will focus on one of the most intriguing secondary characters from this volume, and I'll be looking forward to it!
Stiefvater, Maggie. The Scorpio Races. 2011. Scholastic Audio Books. Audiobook $79.99. ISBN 9780545357050.
Let me admit this up front: I'm not really a horse person. I went to Girl Scout horse camp in 5th grade, and I liked it, but I've never been enamored of horses the way so many girls are.
So maybe I'm not the ideal audience for The Scorpio Races, a story about a boy and a girl who live on an island where wild, dangerous water horses climb out of the ocean every Fall, and the islanders try to tame and ride them in an annual race. It's a brutal tradition in which not everyone survives, and both Sean and Kate (called Puck) have their own reasons for participating.
My feelings are mixed about the book as a whole, but by the end, I have to admit that I kind of did come to love the horses.
For me, this book's strength lies in its atmospheric setting. I could practically feel the bracing winds and smell the sea through Stiefvater's prose. Though it is fictional, the remote little island of Thisby feels completely real, layered with its own history.
In contrast, my difficulty in connecting with this book lies in the character of Puck. She's selfish, prickly, and often startlingly ungrateful: a difficult character to like. I'm usually all for a character with flaws, and her flaws may very well make her more endearing to many readers, but Puck's self-centered outlook grated on me. Despite the fact that she does show growth, compassion, and maturity toward the end of the book, I felt I spent too much time simply trying to endure her. Alas!
I enjoyed other characters, though-- especially Puck's little brother, Finn, for his loyalty and faith in his sister. I'm pretty sure I said "aww!" every time he made an appearance.
Since this Printz Honor winning novel was also named an Odyssey Honor book for audiobook excellence, and was selected as one of YALSA's Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults, I decided to listen to this book on CD. And indeed, the audiobook production is gorgeous. Steve West as Sean and Fiona Hardingham as Puck deliver solid, rich performances and bring so much life to the characters. Both narrators have excellent pacing and British accents that are simply a pleasure to hear.
When audiobooks feature dual narrators, each narrator is responsible for their own main character, but they also read the dialogue of the other narrator's character in scenes where the two interact. I always wonder if the director has both narrators listen to each other's performance, so they can loosely replicate the other actor's pitch and pacing. I don't think all audiobook productions go to that level of detail, but I do believe Steve West and Fiona Hardingham must have listened to each other's performances. Their deliveries of each other's characters in dialogue scenes are spot-on, making for a seamless listening experience.
Not only are the narrators utterly fantastic, but Stiefvater appears at the end of the audiobook with an informative and interesting author's note explaining the research she did about water horse mythology.
Also, the audiobook is framed by evocative music that suits the story perfectly-- and which, as I was astounded and impressed to learn, was composed by the author herself. Talk about talent! The music is also featured in the mesmerizing book trailer, animated by Stiefvater. I am in awe. Take a look!
In the end, although The Scorpio Races was a somewhat uneven read for me, I can appreciate its merits, and can see why it has garnered so much recognition. It is a beautifully written, fantastically original novel.
In keeping with my goal to read more sequels this year, I was eager to read this follow-up to The Goddess Test. I found Carter's debut novel to be a likable spin on Greek mythology, and really came to care about the main characters, Kate and Henry. As a refresher, Kate is a mortal girl who ends up agreeing to undergo a series of tests to become the wife of Henry, who is actually Hades, the Greek god of the underworld.
Goddess Interrupted is an engaging read, but I found it to be a little less cohesive than the first volume. I admit that this may be a result of the way I read it-- on my phone, while nursing my little one. So I read it in brief, ten-minute chunks here and there over the course of about a week. This reading method works fine for some books, and other books... not so much. The plot is action-packed and there are a lot of characters to keep track of, and I suspect if I would have had a different experience with this book if I'd been able to sit down and just inhale it.
As it is, though, I feel this is definitely a worthy sequel. If you like the first volume, you'll like this one. Carter effectively creates tension in the romance between Kate and Henry, and plot twist of Kate having to interact with Persephone is intriguing, since Persephone's character was entirely "off screen" in volume one-- yet so very significant to the story. I liked that Kate had find a way to come to terms with her.
The chance to spend more time with characters I enjoy and a very suspenseful cliffhanger ending guarantee that I will pick up the third volume and see how Kate and Henry's story will wrap up.
On another note, I like the cover to Goddess Interrupted-- it coordinates nicely with the cover of The Goddess Test, but the girl pictured looks stronger. She's standing upright, hooray! The first volume's cover was almost flirting with "dead girl cover" territory. What do you think?
Incarnate is set in a world where everyone's soul is reincarnated over and over-- until one soul disappears forever, and later, Ana is born. Her soul is new, and nobody knows what to make of her. Raised on the fringes of society by an unloving mother, she is determined to discover the truth of her existence. As she begins her search for information, she is aided by a young man named Sam, and must learn to trust the first person who has ever shown her kindness.
This book is filled with truly lovely writing that drew me into the story and kept me reading, even though I felt mixed about several elements. Brisk pacing moves things along nicely, yet the plot is slightly unfocused. Ana's mission to find out more about herself is set alongside the development of her romance with Sam. The two aspects of the story don't always seem to mesh, and even compete for importance at times.
As far as characterization goes, I enjoyed the practical and patient Sam, but found myself frustrated by Ana's constant angst, even as I empathized with her difficulties and doubts in navigating a society where she's the ultimate outsider.
The worldbuilding in this book is inventive. But with fantasy elements such as dragons intermingled with mundane contemporary items like backpacks and handheld electronic devices, I felt like I never quite had a grasp on the setting. Is an an alternate universe? Our world in another era? I couldn't get my head around it, and the uncertainty nagged at me. That said, I think the need for a strictly defined setting may very well be a personal quirk of mine! I can see other readers really getting into this world-- it's unique, mysterious, and there's an intensely vivid segment toward the end of the book that takes place in a surreal location that stands out as particularly memorable.
Ultimately, even though this was an uneven read for me, I can see its appeal for readers who love fantasy and are looking for something a little different. I predict that this book will circulate often in my library.
Yang, Gene Luen & Gurihiru. Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise, Part 1. 80 p. Dark Horse. 2012. Paperback $10.99. ISBN 9781595828118.
After my enthusiastic review of Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Lost Adventures, you can guess I'm a fan of this franchise, right? In case you're new to it, believe the hype. With solid storytelling, incredible worldbuilding, an epic good versus evil plot, and characters you'll grow to love, it's an animated series you don't want to miss.
This graphic novel, written by Printz-award winning author Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by Japanese illustration team Gurihiru, picks up right where the original series leaves off, and retains the feel of the show exquisitely. To be honest, I was quite giddy to read this! It was like catching up with a long-lost friend.
The writing has pretty much everything a fan could hope for: fast-paced action, laugh-out-loud one-liners, and demonstration of true bonds between the characters. The dialogue leaps off the page as if spoken by the original voice actors. There's a little bit of aww-inducing romance that I found absolutely adorable-- but since the relationships in this series are a hotly debated issue, I'll point out that those who don't care for the romance will be mollified as one character freaks out every time the others display affection for each other, to hilarious effect.
Almost all of the characters we know and love all get a chance to
shine here-- although I wouldn't mind seeing more of Uncle Iroh in subsequent
volumes! And with two more parts to this story, I'm confident we'll get
our Iroh fix.
The art is outstanding, with rich colors and lively facial expressions. And the backdrops! Some of the panels simply made me pause to admire their gorgeousness-- a Fire Nation colony in the Earth Kingdom struck me as particularly spectacular.
I can't recommend this volume highly enough to Avatar fans. If you liked the show, you'll definitely want to read this.
And!! We're interviewing Gene Luen Yang on the Authors are ROCKSTARS! podcast this Friday, January 20. If you have any questions for Gene, please comment here and we'll do our best to ask them on your behalf!
Dolamore, Jaclyn. Between the Sea and Sky. 240 p. Bloomsbury. 2011. Hardcover $16.99. ISBN 9781599904344.
Ahhh, this book is just what I want out of a mermaid book. It's solid fantasy, as opposed to paranormal romance, taking place in an old-fashioned alternate-world Italy. Esmerine, a mermaid and newly appointed siren, uses her ability to form human legs when she goes above the water's surface to search for her older sister, who has gone missing. The only person she can turn to for help is Alandare, a winged boy, her childhood best friend... and perhaps more than that.
Detailed fashion descriptions, charming dialogue, and rich and imaginative worldbuilding all add up to a lovely read. Esmerine is a strong character with a lot of determination, and the gradually blossoming romance between her and Alandare is enchanting.
And a there's a bookshop!
The bookshop scenes will bring a smile to any book lover's face-- Alandare is hilariously snobbish about his customers' reading choices. In contrast, Esmerine turns out to be delightfully skillful at recommending a good read, and it's adorable.
Oh, and for anyone suffering from sequel-itis with all the trilogies out there these days, you'll be glad to note that this book stands satisfyingly alone.
Pon, Cindy. Silver Phoenix. 338 p. Greenwillow. 2009. Paperback $8.99. ISBN 9780061730245. Pon, Cindy. Fury of the Phoenix. 362 p. Greenwillow. 2011. Hardcover $17.99. ISBN 9780061730252.
The Kingdom of Xia books comprise a captivating duology with a strong-willed heroine who possesses mysterious powers, adventure-filled quests, and a lush fantasy setting inspired by ancient China.
Now, I'd heard that these books would make me crave Chinese food, but that's an understatement. I was basically ready to PITCH A FIT if I didn't get dim sum after I finished reading.
Photo by Flickr member Robert S. Donovan
The protagonist, Ai Ling, loves her food, and I just wanted her to keep eating-- all the time! Every time a meal was described, I cheered a little. At one point, a character actually refused a meal, and I was like, “Noooo! What are you DOING? You have to EAT so I can READ about it!”
Seriously. The food descriptions are that tantalizing. Cindy Pon, you are brilliant.
It's not all about food, though. Exquisite worldbuilding provides a lush backdrop for inventive plotting. With a storyline that avoids being formulaic, I couldn't predict exactly where the plot would go, which allowed me to enjoy the journey as it unfolded through Pon's expert pacing. I love books where the characters travel from place to place, and savored each location so beautifully described in Silver Phoenix. Too, characters are well-developed and multi-faceted, each with their own goals and obstacles. Ai Ling is especially relatable, with believable flaws that she strives to overcome.
The sequel, Fury of the Phoenix, continues the story of Ai Ling and her swoon-worthy love interest, Chen Yong, while introducing a fascinating new setting and answering questions that were deliberately left dangling in the first volume. Told via dual narration, this book fills in the backstory of the first book's villain, Zhen Yong. Through reading his perspective, the reader gains surprising empathy for him. You're sort of pulling for the guy, even though you know things aren't going to end well for him. In that way, it's sort of like the Star Wars prequels-- but better! Because, you know, no Jar-Jar Binks.
And- this is important to note- there's still LOTS OF FOOD in Fury. I went into it thinking, “Okay, please please please make with the food...” and was rewarded by the second page. *fistpump*
With its elements of questing, adventure, and romance in a fantasy ancient Chinese setting, fans of Fushigi Yuugi and Avatar: The Last Airbender will love the Kingdom of Xia. I highly recommend these books, and look forward to whatever else Cindy Pon has in store for us in the future.
Schwab, Victoria. The Near Witch. 288 p. Hyperion. 2011. Hardcover $16.99. ISBN 9781423137870
So, I have to admit that I had a hard time getting into this book. It's puzzling, because it's beautifully written and so very atmospheric. Who knows why I didn't connect with it as much as I'd hoped to? I suspect I may be the wrong reader at the wrong time. Maybe it's a winter book when I wanted a summer book.
I kept quibbling with the setting at first. The descriptions of the moors are lush and lyrical, and but I couldn't quite get my head around the details-- is it historical fantasy set in our world? Or is it supposed to be another world entirely? If it's our world, what's the time period? Why is this village so isolated? Why do characters say "okay" while all of their other speech is fairly timeless?
I mean, honestly. Any other reader would probably not find these questions to be an issue at all-- I'm placing the blame squarely on myself, here. It's not YOU, book, it's ME! It really is.
Indeed, there's a lot to love about this novel. The plot is riveting, starting out as a whodunnit mystery, like Nancy Drew on the moors, when children start disappearing from the town of Near. Then it kind of turns into an awesome episode of Supernatural when it becomes clear to our heroine, the brave and headstrong Lexi, that the abductions can't be stopped by normal means. There's a well-paced, believable romance with a tortured, brooding hero, and the characterizations are consistently well-rounded-- even the antagonists are impressively three-dimensional. My favorite aspect of the book, though, is the stunning depiction of characters who are intimately connected with nature and the elements. I have several Pagan friends, and I kept thinking, "Oh, so-and-so would love this!" I really can't wait to share it with them-- I think they'd feel so at home with this book, and that makes me happy.
All in all, The Near Witch is a masterfully crafted debut novel, available in bookstores on August 2. ARC for review provided by the publisher via NetGalley. I'm purchasing a copy for my library and look forward to recommending it to fantasy fans who will absolutely love it.
So, The Goddess Test.... in this contemporary sequel to the Persephone and Hades myth, ordinary high-schooler Kate reluctantly enters into a bargain with Henry, the lord of the underworld. She'll stay with him for six months and endure a series of trials that will determine whether or not she is worthy of immortality. If she passes, she hopes he might save her dying mother... and it turns out she may be able to help shape his fate, as well. The stakes are high, though-- Kate's not the first girl to attempt the tests, and none of the others survived. This inventive premise hooked me in right away, and the excellent plotting and pacing kept me reading.
Why this book is so completely delightful:
It's full of references to Greek mythology (which I LOVE), but is not a strict retelling- it's fresh, charming, and creative.
There's a very engaging mystery element to the story, with Kate trying to figure out what the tests are and how to pass them so she doesn't fail Henry. And why did all those other girls die, anyway?
The gradual development of the relationship between Kate and Henry is fantastic. There's tons of chemistry between the two of them, and I have to admit I'm a bit of a sucker for those dark, brooding romantic heroes, so Henry as a modern-day Hades is quite swoon-worthy.
The setting is gorgeous- I'm also a sucker for grand manor type settings, and this one is perfection!
Kate's relationship with her mother is genuinely touching.
You'll definitely want your own copy of The Goddess Test, so here are the giveaway details:
Earn one entry just for leaving for your name and email.
Earn TWO bonus entry for following my blog. You don't need to follow to win! But I appreciate my followers, and want to show them some extra love.
Earn ONE bonus entry for tweeting the following: I just entered to win an autographed copy of The Goddess Test by @aimeecarter from @alli_librarian at http://readingeverywhere.blogspot.com! (Okay, okay, the exclamation point is optional. Personally, I'm an exclamation point kind of gal, but tweeting with just a plain old period is perfectly acceptable.)
Contest ends on Friday, July 22, at 8 pm PST.
Winner will be announced on the blog and contacted by email.
McEntire, Myra. Hourglass. 397 p. Egmont USA. 2011. Hardcover $17.99. ISBN 9781606841440.
This is definitely one of my top picks this summer. I couldn't put it down! Emerson is plagued by visions of people from the past, and although she's tried every cure, nobody can solve her problem, and she's convinced that she's gone off the deep end. Her concerned older brother calls in yet another specialist to confront the issue, but this handsome young man who works for a mysterious organization called Hourglass isn't telling her she's crazy... he's telling her the visions are real.
McEntire expertly builds on this intriguing premise, and the brisk pace and tight plotting makes for one utterly addictive read, with plenty of chapter-end cliffhangers that make you want to drop everything and keep turning the pages. I was THIS CLOSE to calling a babysitter so I could just keep reading.
I adore a good time-travel story, and Hourglass is definitely a good time-travel story. The science of the time travel- well, technically, time slips- is thoroughly researched and well explained throughout. Plus, it has awesome references to other good time-travel stories. I almost squealed aloud with glee when the author referenced Somewhere in Time, Dr. Who, and Hermione's time-turner ALL IN ONE PARAGRAPH.
There's also lot to like about this book's cast of characters. Emerson is a smart, sassy protagonist with one-liners that made me grin. She doesn't hesitate to stand up for herself, even to her love interest. She calls him out when she thinks he's not telling her the whole story, which is seriously awesome to behold. Emerson's wonderfully loyal best friend (with a secret of her own) is another highlight of the book for me, and of course the love interest, Michael, is deliciously angsty, honorable, and tortured.
The story is nicely complete in the end- it could very nearly stand alone, but McEntire tantalizes the reader with a few deliberately unanswered questions, so we know we can look forward to a sequel. You know I'll be marking my calendar and clearing my schedule for it!
Hourglass was released earlier this week, so rush out to your nearest indie bookseller and pick up a copy today. Advance reader copy for review was graciously lent by my Authors are ROCKSTARS! co-host, Michelle, who received it from the publisher. Our June podcast features an awesome interview with Myra McEntire that you won't want to miss, and we're giving away a copy of Hourglass, so check it out!
Starcrossed. Angelini, Josephine. 496 p. HarperTeen. 2011. Hardcover $17.99. ISBN 9780062011992.
There's a lot of hype in the publishing world about how Josephine Angelini's debut trilogy was purchased by HarperTeen for seven figures, and believe me, this thoroughly enjoyable book lives up to the hype. It deserves to become the Next Big Thing. I totally LOVED this book. I just wanted to keep reading, and reading, and reading!
The author's agent pitched the manuscript as “Percy Jackson for teenage girls,” and I think that’s a perfect description. Angelini knows her mythology well enough to put her own spin on it while incorporating essential elements of The Iliad. This story isn't a strict retelling, but an inventive "reimagining" in a contemporary setting on Nantucket Island. There's an appealing mix of everyday teen life, romance, action, and fantasy that hits all the right notes.
In a refreshing contrast to so many teen paranormal romances out there, the mysterious supernatural abilities are not the sole domain of the male love interest-- this time, the protagonist is something extraordinary, too! How great is that? Helen is a strong, well-rounded character. Aside from her incredible abilities, she's an everygirl grappling with her own identity. Anyone, especially teen girls, can relate to her.
Angelini has mentioned in various interviews that the other inspiration for this novel besides The Iliad was Romeo and Juliet, so naturally, there's a fantastic forbidden romance element to Helen and Lucas' relationship-- but the stakes are upped in a major way here. It's not that they're a danger to each other, or they're already spoken for... no, the FATE OF THE ENTIRE WORLD depends on the ability of these two teens to restrain themselves. No pressure! I like that the two characters are very intensely drawn to each other but make an honest effort to behave. The relationship between Lucas and Helen is believable, with some great banter between the two. The reader is definitely rooting for these two crazy kids by the time the book ends.
Angelini has created a large cast of unforgettable characters that I became quite attached to throughout the course of the story. I personally couldn't get enough of Lucas' big, tough cousin Hector- a sort of bad boy with a heart of gold. And Helen's feisty, loyal best friend, Claire, has some of the best one-liners in the book. Love her! The adult characters are nicely fleshed-out, too. Lucas' mom and Helen's dad are so endearing.
The storytelling is well-structured and nicely paced, with subtle but effective foreshadowing of important plot elements. The third-person narration allows for multiple points of view, including the antagonist’s. Angelini handles the shift in voice from character to character with finesse, and the portions from the antagonist’s perspective are genuinely chilling.
Don't miss Starcrossed when it hits bookstore shelves on May 31st! ARC for review provided by the publisher via NetGalley. And if you haven't listened yet, be sure to catch our supercool interview with Josephine Angelini at Authors are ROCKSTARS! (Oh, and there's a GIVEAWAY.)
The Time-Traveling Fashionista. Turetsky, Bianca. 272 p. Poppy. 2011. Hardcover $17.99. ISBN 9780316105422.
Fashion + time travel + Titanic? I would have eaten this right up as a twelve year old! As an adult reader, I have to admit that I feel like the plot and characterizations are maybe just a little thin. But this book is definitely a fun, light read for younger teens with a bit of historical interest, and the fashion is divine.
The premise, that a modern-day girl gets transported back to the Titanic by way of a magical dress, is fantastic, and as a self-conscious, fish-out-of-water type, the main character, Louise, will be very relatable for many young readers.
However, I found myself slightly frustrated by the length of time it took her to figure out that she was aboard the Titanic. I have a hard time believing that a true vintage fashion enthusiast wouldn't have seen the Kate & Leo movie about a bazillion times to drool over the gorgeous costumes and therefore soak up some of the details-- like, say, White Star Line, Captain Smith, April 1912...
I mean, I'm merely a casual admirer of vintage fashion, and my husband makes these CRAZY CLAIMS that I saw Titanic in the theater, like, FIVE times. Um, I don't think so, honey! Surely it was only THREE. But whatever, who's counting!?
Ahem. I digress.
So, Louise is perhaps a little slow on the uptake. But I can see why the author chose to write the story that way- it's more fun for the character and the reader to get to enjoy the ship a little first before Louise starts freaking out, right?
I loved reading the detailed and accurate descriptions of the various parts of the ship. Turetsky clearly did her research! I also liked the realistic way in which Louise learns that not everything back then was as glamorous as it might seem from a contemporary perspective-- corsets hurt, feathered hats are awkward to wear, and charming, smooth-talking gentlemen might actually be kinda jerky.
The sinking part of the plot is delightfully suspenseful. Even though you know Louise has to make it off the ship in time, you're still left thinking:BUT HOW!? Happily, the book wraps up with a satisfying end, but Turetsky leaves the door open for more time-traveling fashion adventures. Fun!
In addition to being an enjoyable read, this book is truly gorgeous. The stunning, full-color fashion illustrations in this book are an absolute treasure. Extremely swoon-worthy.
Today is the 99th anniversary of the Titanic's tragic sinking. This may not be a scholarly work- nor is it meant to be- but with its unique fashion-related hook, The Time-Traveling Fashionista may interest young readers who might otherwise shrug their shoulders at learning some history.
Dixon, Heather. Entwined. 480 p. Greenwillow. 2011. Hardcover $17.99. ISBN 9780062001030.
This book first caught my eye because of its gorgeous cover- specifically, the gorgeous DRESS on the cover! And when I realized the story was a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, I was sold. I was sure it would be exactly my kind of book... and my instincts were right! Entwined is utterly beautiful.
The prose is lush, but not overwritten, and has a comfortable feeling about it- maybe because it's a fairy tale retelling and the reader feels familiar with the premise right from the start. Dixon's writing makes me just want to sink into the pages of this book and stay there for a good while.
In this retelling, the sisters don't sneak off to their magical dance each night for mere pleasure- they are in mourning for their beloved mother, and dancing has been forbidden for one very long year. The girls see dance as healing and life-affirming, and find themselves lost without it. Thus, their nightly escape is a way to help them cope with their loss. By turning this into a story about healing from grief, finding unexpected love, and protecting what is important, Dixon adds substance and depth to the original tale.
In writing the story of the twelve princesses, the author takes on quite an ambitious challenge in dealing with so many characters. Some of them are more fully realized than others, which makes the large cast seem more manageable. Also, unique speech patterns for each princess and a cleverly devised alphabetical flower naming pattern go a long way in helping the reader remember who's who. By the end of the novel, I felt so much love for this large family. The girls' tenuous reconnection with their estranged father might just be the most heartwarming depiction of familial love I've read in a long time. I just want to give them all a hug!
I also want to hug the love interests in this book... all three of them. There's a romance for the three eldest sisters in the family, and their love stories are distinct from one another, demonstrating different ways of falling in love. Each one is absolutely delightful-- cozy and sweet.
On the other hand, I most emphatically do not want to hug the villain of this book. Dixon does a masterful job of creating and subtly building tension with the character of Keeper, at first blurring the line between tantalizing bad boy and total creeper, and then taking him straight to eviltown once his motivations are fully revealed. Keeper is a truly memorable villain.
All in all, this book is fantastic- a must-read for fans of Shannon Hale and Robin McKinley.
Look for Entwined in bookstores on March 29. ARC for review was very kindly lent by my friend Michelle at Never Gonna Grow Up Reviews.
Block, Francesca Lia and McClintock, Barbara. House of Dolls. 61 p. HarperCollins. 2010. Hardcover $15.99. ISBN 9780061130946.
I KNOW! This isn't a YA book. But it's written by a YA author! I was straightening up a display in the children's section today, and this gorgeous cover caught my eye. Upon flipping open the book, I knew I couldn't resist it when I landed on this passage:
The dolls wandered through their house crying out, “Where is the lemon-yellow satin chemise?” The bejeweled green silk strapless mermaid evening gown with the tulle tail?” (p. 35)
Swoon! These luscious costume descriptions would have won my heart as a child, and let’s face it- they have the same effect on thirtysomething-me.
Where IS my lemon-yellow satin chemise, indeed?
Ahem. Anyway.
In classic Francesca Lia Block fashion, the prose is in turns spare and lush, with a distant, fairy-tale-like quality. It's wistful, strange, and beautiful, centering around themes of love, loss, and healing. Barbara McClintock's black-and-white illustrations are delicate and intricately detailed, a perfect complement to the text. The plot is simple: a little girl feels alienated in her own home, so she makes life miserable for her dolls, and then one of the dolls makes the unselfish wish that the girl may feel loved by her family.
This book poses a bit of a puzzle in terms of the intended audience. It was ostensibly written for children, but there is depth in this story that seems aimed at an older reader. I suspect a child will understand that there is more here than pretty dresses and teacups, but they may not dwell on it. It depends on the reader; they might absorb the underlying complexities, or they might prefer to simply enjoy the lovely descriptions of dollhouse accessories. An adult or teen, on the other hand, is more likely to linger on matters such as the horrors of war, the loss of a child, and the ways in which grief changes a person. At the same time, the older reader can unabashedly revel in the beauty of the dollhouse, too. I think this book can be enjoyed on both levels, and it's utterly beautiful either way. It might just be the perfect read-aloud for a mother and daughter.
I read House of Dolls in one sitting, and am still thinking about it hours later. Francesca Lia Block really knows how to cast a spell over a reader.
