Rave Reviews Log: Fantasy

My Very Unfairy Tale Life

2012-01-23T17:37:00.000-05:00

By Anna Staniszewski
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Jenny is no ordinary girl. At the age of 9 she was approached to become an adventurer--someone brought into magical worlds to help save the day. With Anthony, her gnome-guide, Jenny had been adventuring non-stop for 3 years, so much so, that the rest of her life was barely remembered. Her old best friends acted like she was a stranger and she couldn't remember the last time a math test wasn't taken by magical means. Jenny's parents had gone missing years ago, and her aunt was more interested in animals. But finally, Jenny has had enough. She quits adventuring...only to be persuaded to go on one last quest. There she meets the most terrifying of villains--and he defeats her. Jenny swears to never go back...but when faced with the normal life she's been missing, will she be happy?

Mistress of the Storm

2012-01-09T18:52:00.000-05:00

By M.L. Welsh
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Verity Gallant is a plain, unpopular bookworm, resigned to never be as pretty as her younger sister. But everything changes the day a stranger gives her a red book all about someone called the Keeper of the Wind, a wonderful and awful character. Verity finally makes a friend in Henry Twogood and he brings her to see something even more wonderful: the return of the ship The Storm to the town of Wellow. And with the return of the ship comes another stranger; Verity's grandmother who decides to stay with the family and treats Verity with the utmost contempt. Verity begins to learn about the complicated history her family has had with The Storm--one of violence and bad deeds--that her parents have hidden from her. She also is troubled by the evil force that is her grandmother and the other strange and mysterious dealings that begin happening around town. Could it be that these things are all connected? And even worse--could they all be connected to Verity? Although the story doesn't come together quite as well as it could, readers will enjoy following the threads as they magically spin together. A solid read.

Brotherband Chronicles: The Outcasts

2011-12-17T14:24:00.000-05:00

By John Flanagan
Rating: 4 stars

Flanagan spins off of his very successful Ranger's Apprentice series by introducing us more closely to the Skandians, most particularly Hal, who is half-Araluen and always been a bit of an outcast due to his half-breed status. Hal is a thinker and an inventor and is mentored by Thorn, his dead father's best friend. However, when Hal begins brotherband training, where all Skandians learn how to work as a team to be recruited into wolfship fighting crews, he still ends up in the small group of other outcast kids. But as training begins, the group learns how to use their strengths to outwit the bigger and bolder brotherband teams. This story is mainly to learn about the 8 members of the brotherband because by the end of the book, this group is faced with an overwhelming challenge that it will take many more books in the series to tackle. Filled with plenty of action, readers who liked the Ranger's Apprentice series will be more than happy to meet Hal, Stig and all their friends and to set off on new adventures with them.

The Silver Bowl

2011-11-14T18:41:00.000-05:00

By Diane Stanley
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

In this fascinating story, Molly has inherited her mother's gift of seeing visions of the future. Before she is sent off to work at the castle as a young girl, her mother warns her to never share her gift with anyone else or fear being cast as a witch or worse. Molly fits in as a kitchen maid over the years, earning a solid place and friends in Tobias and Winifred. Like the others, she laughs off the thought that the royal family is cursed, even if some do die of somewhat unnatural causes. But when she is chosen to polish the silver, she ends up working on an intricate silver hand basin that begins to tell her of visions from the past which show that the bowl is truly full of curses aimed at the royal family. When the entire family is together for a wedding, Molly is helpless when a pack of wolves burst into the room, intent on destroying the king and all his descendents. But Molly, with the help of Tobias, manages to save one of the princes. Now, they are on the run for where can they take the wounded prince? Where is safe from a killing curse? Readers will love plucky Molly and also the adventure her life takes her on. A rollicking fantasy-adventure.

The Princess Curse

2011-11-08T15:07:00.000-05:00

By Merrie Haskell

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Reveka is working as an apprentice herbalist at the castle and wants nothing more than to have her own herbary at a convent somewhere someday. But to do that she needs money and the best money to be had is if she can figure out a way to break the curse on the 12 princesses. No one knows how, but every night their shoes are in tatters and anyone who has attempted to spend the night in their room either disappears or falls into a slumber from which they can’t awake. Then comes the day Reveka is able to create an invisibility cap that truly works, and she finds out the secret of the princesses…but is there an easy way to break the curse after all? Readers who know The 12 Dancing Princesses will find similar elements but enjoy the twist on the fairy tale and may hope for a sequel. A very enjoyable fantasy.

13 Curses

2011-09-24T16:31:00.000-04:00

By Michelle Harrison
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

This is the follow up to the very good 13 Treasures. We begin where we left off, with Red having entered the fairy realm, intent on finding her baby brother that was stolen by fairies. It isn't long before she is captured, but help comes in the form of Stitch, another human brought inadvertently into the fairy world. Stitch also knows all about fairies and their dark side--we know him as Warwick, the groundskeeper of Elvesden Manor and Fabian's father from the first book. Red and Stitch join forces to confront the fairies about getting Red's brother back. But the fairies don't let anything happen easily. They give Red a task--an almost impossible task--that she is going to need her old friends Tanya and Fabian to help her with. And that task is going to make Red have to face some facts she wasn't expecting. This dark-edged story is just as interesting and compelling as the first one and fans will be more than pleased.

Septimus Heap: Darke

2011-08-30T16:40:00.001-04:00

By Angie Sage
Rating: 4 stars

This is book 6 in the Septimus Heap series. Septimus is back, and this time, he is due for his Darke magic training. But before he can even begin, the Darke comes to meet him! Merrin Meredith, with the help of an evil ring, has created a Darke Domaine and is bent on destroying everyone in the Castle. Septimus, along with Marcia, Marcellus, Jenna, Beetle and even estranged brother Simon all battle together to defeat the Darke. Like other books in the series, there are lots of different plotlines and lots and lots of characters and everyone has to work together to win the day. As ever, the wandering plot is fun to read and fans will be satisfied with the latest installment. Although some may be wondering how the series will end...if it ever does!

Ranger's Apprentice: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja

2011-08-30T15:26:00.001-04:00

By John Flanagan
Rating: 4 stars

Flanagan wraps up his 10 book Ranger's Apprentice series with a nod to the ancient culture of Japan. Will, Alyss, Halt and Evanlyn head out to the country of Nihon-Ja when they get word that their friend Horace who has been staying there on a diplomatic mission has gone missing. The Emperor's main adversary has gone rogue and the emperor flees for his life with a small army and Horace along for the ride to an old fortress in the mountains. Of course, our ranger friends arrive and begin whipping the ragtag group into shape for the battle of their lives once spring arrives. It has all the camaraderie and humor and plotline of previous entries in the series, and fans will be happy to see their favorite characters back in action. Since it was the series finale, some might wish for a little more emotional content, but overall we'll all be sad to say farewell to this series.

A Tale of Two Castles

2011-06-20T18:49:00.001-04:00

By Gail Carson Levine
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Elodie is on her way, by herself, to the city of Two Castles with the hopes of apprenticing to the mansioners (actors), although her parents think she is off to become a weaver. Two Castles boasts an ogre who lives in one castle, a dragon, and a king and princess, as well as many many cats. But when Elodie finds that her grand plans of becoming a mansioner apprentice are dashed, the dragon Meenore offers to take her on as an assistant. And almost immediately, Elodie and Meenore are visited by the ogre himself, Count Jonty Um, whom Meenore has deduced is in danger of his life from the townsfolk and perhaps others. The dragon sends Elodie as a servant to the count's castle in hopes that her eyes and ears may pick up clues to who may wish the count harm. Elodie is quickly impressed by the kindness of Count Jonty Um and his ability to shapeshift into other animals so when the king announces the princess is to marry the count, she is pleased for him. But when he is forced at a feast to shift into a mouse and the cats chase him, Elodie fears the worst. Is the count still alive? And who signaled the normally well-trained cats to attack? Elodie, with the help of Meenore, try their best to solve the mystery, but it may cost one of them their life. A fantasy-mystery hybrid that is highly enjoyable and, one hopes, is the start of a series of cases to solve.

Princess of Glass

2011-06-13T14:00:00.001-04:00

By Jessica Day George
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

If you like fairy tale retellings, you will love this book! George follows up her retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses which was titled Princess of the Midnight Ball and picks up a different sister of the twelve, Poppy. After the many years of strife caused by the evil underground lord, the king decides to send out his daughters as goodwill ambassadors to neighboring lands. Poppy has ended up in Breton and so has the handsome Prince Christian from the Danelaw. Poppy won't dance and won't talk about the mysterious happenings from her past--what is done is done, she hopes. But then the hapless servant Eleanor enters her life--a noble girl fallen on hard times. And Poppy starts to glimpse the possibility of magic--evil magic--surrounding Eleanor and her actions. When Christian and some others seem to be falling under a spell, too, Poppy knows she needs to take action and fast. What can one princess far from home do to save everyone from ruin? Based loosely on Cinderella, readers will eat this up and be eager for more. Let's hope George has more stories with more sisters up her sleeve.

Troubletwisters

2011-05-23T19:46:00.001-04:00

By Garth Nix and Sean Williams
Rating: 4 stars

It is when fraternal twins Jaide and Jack turn 12 that everything goes wrong. A mysterious and seemingly magical disturbance destroys their house and they are packed off to go live with Grandma X--a relative they have never even met but who sent them a letter naming them "troubletwisters." Grandma X's house is full of strange items, including a door that appears and disappears, cats that talk, and hot chocolate that seems to erase memories. The only thing Jaide and Jack can agree on is that maybe they should get away from what seems to be a witch-like grandmother. But it is then that the Gifts of the troubletwisters kick in, and evil creatures chase the twins full out, ending in Jack's capture. Then Grandma X has to explain the role of the Wardens against the endless Evil. But can they rescue Jack and stop the Evil in its tracks this time? Fans of fantasy adventures will be more than pleased by the beginning of this new series and be eagerly looking out for the next installment. Good stuff!

The Grimm Legacy

2011-04-20T13:53:00.000-04:00

By Polly Shulman
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Just imagine that there was a lending library in New York that didn't lend books or movies or magazines. Instead you can borrow period clothing, shoes, and antique artifacts. When Elizabeth is recommended by her teacher to become a page at the New York Circulating Material Repository, she is thrilled. But as she makes a few friends among the other pages (including her school's cute basketball star, Marc), she learns there are even more unusual things in the collection, particularly the Grimm Collection. The Grimm Collection holds magical items that we all know from their fairy tales--like the magic mirror from Snow White or the slippers from the Twelve Dancing Princesses. But someone has been stealing items from the collection, and replacing them with fakes. Elizabeth can't tell who the thief might be. Could it be Marc? Anjali? Aaron? Or one of the librarians? Then the mystery deepens when Anjali disappears. Was she kidnapped? And what can a few library pages with access to a magical collection do to help? This is a very entertaining mix of fantasy and mystery that will keep readers interested from beginning to end and wishing there really was a collection like this one to borrow from.

Reckless

2011-03-29T15:21:00.000-04:00

By Cornelia Funke
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

If you like your fantasy dark and twisted, you'll love this book. Jacob's father is missing and it is when Jacob is poking around his office that he discovers there is way through the mirror into an entirely different world: Mirrorworld. So Jacob begins to live two lives: one in our world with his brother Will and mother and the other as a treasure hunter in the dark and dangerous but thrilling Mirrorworld. Then comes the day that Will follows him in...and something terrible happens. He is infected with a dark curse that is turning his skin into stone and making him become part of the race of Goyls--a stone-skinned people who are waging war on the humans. Even worse, the Dark Fairy who consorts with the Goyl king particularly wants Will because his skin is turning to jade--and there is a legend about the Jade Goyl who will protect the king from death. So it becomes a race--can Jacob find a way to stop the stone from creeping through Will's skin before the Dark Fairy finds him and uses him for her own purposes? And can Will's girlfriend Clara and Jacob's companion Fox help? The story is fast-paced and full of dark magic and hard choices, and fans of this kind of plot will be drawn in. Fans of Funke's InkWorld series will find much to like in this book.

The Night Fairy

2011-03-17T14:08:00.000-04:00

By Laura Amy Schlitz
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Flory is a night fairy, meaning she comes out to fly and eat and play in the evenings, and her magic grows strongest then as well. But when she is but 3 months old (fairies are on their own just days after they are born), a bat accidentally mistakes Flory for a moth and bites her wings, rendering her unable to fly. Flory crashes down in the garden of a giant (AKA human) and finds an abandoned birdhouse to hide in. It is then she decides to become a day fairy instead. Now without wings, this rather vain and selfish fairy must learn how to escape the dangers all around her while learning how to survive in the daytime. It is a fast-moving story, and readers will think twice about what they might be seeing in their own gardens. A well-written, quick fantasy about a bit of a darker side to a fairy's life. Good reading!

Pegasus

2011-01-24T14:46:00.000-05:00

By Robin McKinley
Rating: 3 1/2 stars

In this slow-paced fantasy, Sylvi is the only princess and fourth in line to the throne. In their country, all royal family members are bound to the wonderful pegasi with whom they made a treaty when the humans first arrived in the country. The pegasi were willing to have the humans help defend them from the evil creatures like rocs and taralians and meanwhile the presence of the pegasi helped make their valley an especially fruitful place. The one drawback is that humans and pegasi can't really speak to one another, so they make do with the magicians, who interpret the conversations, and with basic sign language developed for the purpose. But when Sylvi goes to be bound at the age of 12 to Ebon, she discovers she and Ebon CAN speak in their minds! Fluently, clearly. But immediately this is seen as a threat to the power of the magicians by the head magician Fthoom and Sylvi makes an enemy before she can blink. But having a pegasus for a real friend, one you can talk to, is marvelous--and even more marvelous is when Sylvi gets to be the very first human invited to visit the pegasi's country and see their mystical Caves. But Sylvi soon learns being the first brings with it great responsibility--and also, great troubles. Can she and Ebon rise above? Be warned: this is the first of a two book series and it ends on a cliffhanger of a unhappy situation. If you love a rollicking fantasy adventure, don't pick up this book. But if you like steady world-building with parallels to politics and religion, you might like this one.

No Such Thing As Dragons

2011-01-03T17:31:00.000-05:00

By Philip Reeve
Rating: 4 stars

At first, you may think this is a straightforward story. Dragonslayer Brock takes on young, mute Ansel as a servant as he goes off seeking dragons to slay. But since Ansel can't speak, Brock tells him the big secret--there are no such things are dragons. Brock merely brings back fake evidence as though he HAS killed them. But one day, Brock and Ansel climb far up into the mountains to slay a dragon and find a girl who has been tied up there by the villagers as a sacrifice to it. She swears there IS a dragon. And soon, the little group discover that the myth is real. But that's just the beginning of what happens next! This is exciting, a bit bloody, and will end completely differently than you thought it would. Check it out!

Museum of Thieves

2010-12-28T14:48:00.000-05:00

By Lian Turner
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

In this exciting opening to a new series, The Keepers Trilogy, Goldie is thrilled to be finally at Separation Day. In the city where she has grown up, children are kept safe by the feared Blessed Guardians and perpetually wear silver guardchains, never being allowed to be away from adult supervision. But when Separation Day is unexpectedly canceled, Goldie can't take the thought of continuing to be chained, and she does the unthinkable--she runs away. Then the hunt is on for her! Goldie is herded unknowingly towards the Museum--a tiny dusty building she knows nothing about. But once inside she discovers that the Museum is bigger on the inside than on the outside, that the rooms can shift, that creatures thought extinct still exist, and that the Keepers are all important to soothe the Museum and prevent it from letting its wildness escape into the city of Jewel. As Goldie remains hidden at the Museum and learns new tricks and trades, much like the boy Toadspit who is also there, forces are set into motion by the powers that be in the city, looking to discover the secrets of the Museum. Soon, a conflict will be set in motion as someone makes a bid to take control of both the museum and the city. Can Goldie and the ragtag group of Keepers stop a catastrophe? This is a real pageturner of a book, and happily a second book, City of Lies, will be out soon. Fans of the book The City of Ember will find much to like here.

Scumble

2010-12-28T14:34:00.000-05:00

By Ingrid Law
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

This is a companion book to the award-winning Savvy. As we discovered in Savvy, in certain families when a child reaches their 13th birthday, they get a "savvy" or magical talent. It could be anything from the ability to can music in a jar to moving mountains to being able to read your mind if you have a tattoo. When Ledge gets his savvy, he is dismayed that it seems to be the ability to destroy things, as anything metal or mechanical falls apart whenever he is nearby. His parents leave him at the family ranch for the summer to see if he can work out how to control his new "talent." While there, Ledge discovers a friend Sarah Jane, but it is complicated by her father trying to foreclose on everyone in town, including his uncle's ranch. As Ledge struggles with his own abilities, he also finds that others are also struggling with their own demons, like his cousin Rocket. Can Ledge pull everything together and help his uncle save the ranch at the same time? An enjoyable fantasy that doesn't require reading of the first book to understand, but readers may well go back to read Savvy after finishing this one.

13 Treasures

2010-11-26T15:18:00.000-05:00

By Michelle Harrison
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Picking up this book, one might think that it will simply be a quest for the 13 treasures in the title. In fact, the story doesn't reveal what the 13 treasures are until more than halfway through, and there is never a quest to recover them. Instead, we follow Tanya, a 13 year old girl being routinely tortured by fairies that she can see but no one else can. At her wit's end at what she thinks is Tanya's wild acting out behavior, Tanya's mom ships her off to her grandmother's rambling old mansion for a break. But it is there, with the groundskeeper's son Fabian, that Tanya uncovers a 50 year old mystery of a missing girl as well as a recent mystery of another missing child from a local hospital. Can the fairies somehow be involved? And can Tanya's ability to see them finally come in useful? Light, fanciful, beautiful fairies are not what you'll find in this story--instead the fairies tend to be dark and dangerous, as is the situation that Tanya finds herself in. Readers will be drawn into this deep, twisting story and eagerly turn the pages to get to its both tragic and hopeful conclusion.

The White Horse Trick

2010-10-25T19:27:00.000-04:00

By Kate Thompson
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

This is the companion novel to excellent The New Policeman and The Last of the High Kings, featuring familiar characters from those stories. Set sometime in the future, devastating weather is sweeping the world, causing floods, droughts, hurricanes and worse, slowly eliminating land and food supplies and ultimately, all of the human race. In Ireland, the tyrannical local Commander heads up an army lead by his brother who forage amongst the people who are left, compelling them to come work for him or taking any supplies they can find. But that army general has a plan--he knows there exists the land of T'ir na n'Og where time passes so slowly as to almost not move at all, and if he can get the remaining people and relics of human culture through the time skin to that fairy land, he can save the human race. But as the first people appear in T'ir na n'Og, they run into the fairies, who soon discover that the man who is sending the folk across is none other than Donal, J.J. Liddy's son. J.J. has retired to T'ir na n'Og, but when he discovers that his youngest son Aidan has taken over as the greedy commander, he has to set out to try and stop him. Meanwhile, Donal continues trying to save everyone he can. Is the world finally at an end? Or can it still be saved? Fans of the previous books will find much to like here, and will wonder how things will turn out in this compelling tale. We all should hope there truly exists a T'ir na n'Og.

Ivy's Ever After

2010-09-22T14:53:00.000-04:00

By Dawn Lairamore
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Princess Ivy is not the dainty, proper, well-behaved princess she is supposed to be. In fact, she runs rather wild over the tiny kingdom of Arendale, and her befuddled father lets her. That is, until Ivy discovers that upon her 14th birthday, she is to be locked in a tower guarded by a dragon until a prince arrives to slay the dragon, marry the princess and thus become king of Arendale. This arrangement has been going on for centuries as part of the Dragon Treaty--an agreement to stop the dragons from pillaging the countryside and to lure potential suitors to an otherwise tiny and not very attractive kingdom. But before Ivy is locked away, a suitor arrives from a northern country--and Ivy quickly discovers he is as arrogant and unkind as he is handsome. All her efforts to drive him off are in vain however, and it is only when she finally is put in the tower that she discovers his true evil plot. Desperate to tell someone else of the planned mischief, Ivy ends up turning to the only other being she can talk to--the dragon guarding her. Soon Ivy and Elridge the dragon are on a quest across the Craggie Mountains to attempt to find the only other person they think could help--Ivy's missing fairy godmother. There is plenty of action, humor and fun to this fantasy, and readers will thoroughly enjoy it from beginning to end.

Ranger's Apprentice: The Kings of Clonmel

2010-08-02T19:11:00.000-04:00

By John Flanagan
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Flanagan returns with book 8 in the Ranger's Apprentice series. Fans of Halt, Will and Horace will be more than delighted to reacquaint themselves with these great characters as they face their newest adventure. Halt has discovered a religious cult that call themselves The Outsiders has infiltrated the country of Hibernia. The Outsiders are supremely dangerous beyond just gathering followers. They also hire a group of bandits to raid towns and farms and then claim that only their god Alseiass can protect the townspeople...if the townsfolk give up their gold and jewels to make offerings to the god. Well, of course they move on when the town has been bled dry, but they also gain followers. And when they get enough followers, they are going to attempt to take over the kings who run the country and rule it all. But Halt gets wind of it and of their leader Tennyson, and takes Will and Horace along to Hibernia which we learn is Halt's actual birthplace. And going to Hibernia reveals a few choice tidbits about Halt's most mysterious past. Is there fighting against impossible odds? Of course! It is what we love about this series. The end is a bit of a cliffhanger, for while the immediate threat is dealt with, the story isn't over. Fans will look forward to the next book in the series, Halt's Peril, due out in October 2010, that should conclude this particular adventure, and will be happy to know a book 10 will follow in the spring of 2011.

The Timekeeper's Moon

2010-05-18T13:19:00.000-04:00

By Joni Sensel
Rating: 4 1/2 stars

In this great follow up to The Farwalker's Quest, Ariel is one of a previously thought dead trade--farwalking. Now after her big adventure of discovering the lost Vault, she and her guardian Finder Scarl have been spreading the news about the find in communities near and far. But now, suddenly, the moon starts doing something it has never done before--talking to Ariel. Urging her to hurry. To heed it. Warning that all may become undone. Ariel, Scarl and Zeke discover a map at the Vault, a map that Ariel believes may bring them to where her feet and the moon wants her to go. So as Ariel and Scarl travel, they discover more and more about the meaning of the map, and pick up traveling companions Sienna and Nace (a romantic interest for Ariel) in the village of Swamp. But more disturbing events occur, when items from Ariel and Scarl's past begin to reappear and then disappear, and time seems to move strangely. All Ariel knows is that she must find the original sender of the telling darts, and that a waterfall called Timekeeper is the destination they need to reach before it is too late. Interesting and suspenseful, readers will be be wrapped up in the story and eager to see how it concludes and will hope for further sequels.

A Conspiracy of Kings

2010-04-24T13:35:00.000-04:00

By Megan Whalen Turner
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Fans of The Thief, The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia will be thrilled to see those familiar characters and settings back in action. This time the focus is not on Gen but on Sophos, who we first met as the magus' apprentice back in The Thief. Very quickly we discover Sophos is now on the threshold of adulthood, but still an intellectual and one who considers himself more a poet and never as an actual possible candidate to be king of Sounis. But all that changes when his remote island villa where he and his mother and sisters were secreted away is attacked by people aiming to kidnap the family. For the first time ever, Sophos has to spring into action and finds himself actually equal to the task. Unfortunately, he is still taken captive, discovering that there is a plot to kill his uncle and replace him with Sophos as a puppet king, taking orders from the rebellious dukes. But it is in his captivity that Sophos begins to realize that maybe, just maybe, he has the right stuff to be a king after all. Filled with politic intrigue and battles, fans of the earlier books will be eager to see how everything turns out as plans turn on a dime and the plots are thick with betrayals from all different corners. Some readers will miss not seeing more of Eugenides, but all in all, a very welcome addition to the Queen's Thief series.

Falling In

2010-04-06T16:35:00.000-04:00

By France O'Roark Dowell

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Isabelle Bean is that kid you all know--the awkward girl who doesn't really have any friends, who doesn't quite fit in. Not a troublemaker really, but even the teachers don't know how to reach her. But Isabelle knows she is different. That her imagination is bigger than everyone else's. In fact, her imagination is big enough that on the day she helps Charley Bender in the nurse's office and opens up the closet door, Isabelle...falls in. Into another world, as a matter of fact. And Isabelle is not surprised--in fact, she's suspected all along that perhaps she was a changeling. That maybe at last she's come to the world she belongs in. When she finds out that this world has a notorious witch, famous for eating children, Isabelle isn't scared. In fact, she goes out to meet this witch face-to-face. But how Isabelle gets there, and who comes along, and what she discovers about the witch? None of it is what Isabelle expected it to be. Readers will fall into this story as quickly as Isabelle falls into that other world, and will spend their time there quite happily. An unusual and wonderful tale that will make many fans. A surefire hit!

The Islands of the Blessed

2010-02-24T15:43:00.002-05:00

By Nancy Farmer

Rating: 4 stars

This is the sequel to The Land of Silver Apples and The Sea of Trolls. We join Jack, Thorgil and the Bard once more happily living in their small village after their many adventures. Then a storm tears through the village and a "draugr"--a sea hag wronged by Father Severus--is drawn to the village by the holy bell Fair Lamenting. She desires revenge on Severus, and so Jack, Thorgil and the Bard leave for Bebba's Town hoping to give the draugr satisfaction by dealing directly with Father Severus. But their task is not so straightforward, and will lead to many more adventures, including sailing with the Northmen, finding the home of the merpeople in Notland, discovering the hiding place of St. Columba, and much much more. Will Jack finally begin to take up the mantle as a bard in his own right? Will Thorgil ever be happy if she can't become a shield maiden? Will they even survive their adventures to make it back home again? Once again, Farmer creates many a fantastic tale and could easily return to this world to spin many more. Fans of the previous books will be satisfied with this final(?) entry.

The Lost Conspiracy

2010-02-03T16:12:00.002-05:00

By Frances Hardinge

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

In this excellent fantasy, Hathin looks after her elder sister Arilou, one of the hallowed "Lost" of the island who are able to send their minds and senses away from their bodies to look at the world and communicate with each other. Arilou is extra-special for she is Lace in origin--one of the tribes of people on the island who are often maligned. Then mysteriously, all of the Lost die simultaneously one night and the only one not affected? Arilou. Immediately suspicion comes down on the Lace--did they plan to kill all of the Lost? Hathin and Arilou must flee for their lives, attempting to outrun what seems to be a crazed mob of people looking to blame the Lace for their troubles. But the further they flee, the more Hathin realizes that there is a deeper plot at work. Why didn't Arilou die with the other Lost? And why are the Lace being treated as scapegoats? Who or what is behind the rounding up and extermination of her people? The plot is thick and the adventure is high and readers will be drawn deeply into the storyline and hang on until the breathless finish. Excellent!

Erak's Ransom

2010-01-20T16:36:00.003-05:00

By John Flanagan
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

This is book 7 in the Ranger's Apprentice series, which happily shows no signs of flagging. Flanagan actually takes us a bit back in time before the events that occur in books 5 and 6. In this story, Will is ready to graduate into the Ranger Corps, but has not quite yet. In preparation for losing his longtime apprentice, Halt is finally getting married to Lady Pauline but the celebration is interrupted by the arrival of the Skandian Svengal with the news that the Oberjarl Erak has been captured by the Arridi and they are asking a ransom. Erak suspects foul play from some Skandians looking to overthrow him, so Svengal is asking for help from the Araluens instead of heading back to Skandia so as to not show weakness. Soon enough, Will, Halt, Gilan, Horace and Princess Cassandra are on their way to the desert continent to ransom Erak. But as ever, the plans do not run smoothly and soon the gang find they must band together with both the Arridi and the Bedullin to rescue Erak when he falls into even more devious hands. As usual, fans of the series will enjoy our well known characters and welcome meeting more. The plotting is solid and we all look forward to further adventures with Will Treaty and his friends.

Syren

2010-01-05T14:59:00.003-05:00

By Angie Sage
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

This is book 5 in the Septimus Heap series. Readers will be much better off having read the previous volumes to follow this story. We pick up where book 4 left off, where Nicko and Snorri have been saved from living out of time. Nicko, Snorri, Jenna and Beetle all run into Jenna's dad Milo in Port, where he offers them hospitality upon his gorgeous ship, the Cerys. He is also excited because he has procured a chest full of what looks like little lead tubes to Jenna, but he says is something of immense wealth and importance. Meanwhile, Septimus rides his dragon Spit Fyre to get his friends and bring them back to the Castle, but Nicko and Snorri decide to sail back on the Cerys. When a huge storm hits the dragon and his riders, they crash onto an island and must remain there while Spit Fyre heals. And on this island, Septimus meets Syrah, a former ExtraOrdinary Wizard Apprentice herself who is possessed by a Syren. Syrah warns that some horrible danger to the Castle is afoot, with the Syren being part of the trouble. Soon we discover the treasure on the Cerys, a giant catlike lighthouse, some pirates, the ghost of Tertius Fume and the Syren are all part of a giant plot to take over the Wizard Tower and Castle. Can Septimus and the gang stop the terrible plan? There are more side plots and characters than could ever be counted in a review, and fans will be pleased to encounter the other storylines and people that they love. A solid entry in a solidly entertaining fantasy series.

The Magician's Elephant

2009-12-14T17:44:00.003-05:00

By Kate DiCamillo

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Ten year old Peter lives with his half-crazy, ex-soldier guardian after the death of his parents and baby sister. One day, implusively, Peter spends a coin meant for food on a fortuneteller who tells him that his sister is alive and that an elephant will lead him to her. For the first time, Peter begins to question whether or not his guardian has told the truth about the death of the baby. Then, unbelievably, he hears about how a magician has performed an astounding feat, and made an elephant appear from thin air. When Peter hears of the elephant, he must see her, for won't she lead him to his sister? Does he dare believe such a crazy thing? It is Peter's daring to believe in the fortuneteller's words that sets rolling a course of events that will indeed, make that fortune come true and the dark, weary town of Baltese seem a little bit brighter for more than one person. While there are no surprises, this story reads much like a play, and readers will delight in the many unique characters found within.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

2009-11-16T15:27:00.003-05:00

By Grace Lin

Rating: 4 3/4 stars

Minli lives in a tiny, poor village in China with her Ma and Ba, barely getting by on their meager portion of daily rice. Her only happiness comes from the wonderful stories her Ba tells. Then a goldfish salesman comes to the village and says goldfish will bring fortune to a home. Impulsively, Minli buys one, but when her parents, especially her mother, strongly disapprove, Minli decides to set her fish free. That is when the goldfish speaks to Minli, telling her the way to Neverending Mountain and the Man in the Moon who could possibly change their fortunes if she asks the right question. And so begins Minli's journey, where she will learn that all stories are interconnected and so is every living thing, and that happiness can be found in your own backyard. Readers will love every single minute that they spend reading this book, from the feel of the heavyweight paper stock to the colorful illustrations to the change of font when a story is related to the lessons learned by the characters as the plot progresses. This book is a pure delight from beginning to end as Minli continues on her quest to bring fortune to her family but finds so much more. A real winner!

The Siege of Macindaw

2009-11-13T12:02:00.002-05:00

By John Flanagan

Rating: 4 stars

This is the 6th book in the quite good Ranger's Apprentice series. When we finished book 5, The Sorcerer of the North, Alyss had been taken captive by Keren, who had overthrown the lords of the castle. Will had been unable to rescue her and is hiding out with Malcolm, formerly thought to be a sorcerer, but who is merely a healer hiding out in the dense forest. Now Will is joined by his famous warrior friend Horace and by a shipload of Skandians who are grounded for the winter when their boat was irreparably damaged. Then Will discovers things are worse than he knew--Keren is making an alliance with the Scotti from over the border, who plan to invade the region in a few short weeks, forcing a long, drawn out war with Araluen. How can 25 Skandians, one warrior and one Ranger successfully siege a castle and win when normally they would need four times that number? But with a little Ranger ingenuity, anything is possible. Readers will easily be drawn back into this exciting series and be eager to see how the siege plays out. Books 7 and 8 are available in New Zealand and Australia and hopefully will shortly see publication in the U.S., so fans can look forward to more of Will's adventures.

The Amaranth Enchantment

2009-10-02T15:27:00.002-04:00

By Julie Berry

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

In this fairy tale-bending fantasy, we are thrown headlong into the story of Lucinda, once the daughter of a just short of royalty family until her parents were killed returning from a ball. Now Lucinda is merely a servant to the cruel aunt and benign goldsmith uncle who took her in at the age of 5. But fate had deemed that in short order Lucinda will meet and become involved with the Amaranth Witch, fall in love with the prince, get thrown on the streets, become a thief, go to jail, go to the ball, face matters of life and death, find out the truth about her parents' death, and a whole lot more until we finally arrive at our happy ending. The pace is breakneck, the allusions to fairy tales run rampant, and the enjoyablilty meter is on high. This is a fun, inventive, yet also somewhat predictable story that mixes together to become one of the more charming reads of the year. Fairy tale fans will find more than enough to chew on here (can you count the number of fairy tales referenced?) and fantasy fans will also be swept right along. Fun!

Thornspell

2009-08-18T11:33:00.002-04:00

By Helen Lowe

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

In this retelling of Sleeping Beauty, we skip over the princess doomed to fall asleep and instead spend our time with the prince fated to awaken her, Sigismund. Sheltered in a remote country castle, Sigismund longs for adventure. Then one day a beautiful, magical lady appears at the gates and Sigismund begins to dream of a castle covered in thorns and a girl trapped in endless sleep. Then his father sends Balisan, a warrior to help train Sigismund, not only in weapons but to control his mind and to anchor himself to the earth. For Balisan explains to Sigismund about the castle trapped in a spell for nearly 100 years and how the chosen prince is due to free it. As Sigismund learns more about his destiny and about the dark magics the fairies have used, he must become ever more careful. For the Margravine who cast the evil spell hopes to turn the chosen prince to her ways, and looks for every chink in his armor. Can Sigismund, with the help of Balisan and the mysterious girl Rue (who seems to appear when most needed) break the spell and the Margravine's power? Readers may think they know this story, but they will be consistently surprised at the depth the author gives it. Well written and very enjoyable, readers will definitely come under the spell of this book. For another version of Sleeping Beauty told from the view of the princess, try Robin McKinley's Spindle's End.

Darkwood

2009-06-11T16:12:00.002-04:00

By M. E. Breen

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

In this compelling story, everyone fears the complete and utter blackness of the night--no stars, no moon, just complete darkness. To add to the fear are the kinderstalk--huge animals who roam the forest and will take any humans they run across. Everyone in Dour County seems to live in fear since all of the farms failed and the only place anyone seems to work is the Drop--a cliff where the valuable ringstones are mined. When Annie discovers her aunt and uncle are going to sell her to the Drop, she takes a huge risk and escapes in the night where she begins to make a startling discovery--she can see in the dark. But her escape is just the beginning of her adventure for when Annie discovers what is really going on at the Drop, she decides to journey to tell the king. And as she travels, more and more unsettling events occur, such as the kinderstalk refraining from attacking her and her eyesight growing ever clearer at night. And when she finally gets to the king, even greater surprises are in store. Is Annie the answer to a prophecy of old? Who or what is she really? Readers will be drawn into this layered story and will be eager to find out all of the details of what is really going on in Dour County and they may hope for a sequel to iron out the somewhat abrupt finish. Good fantasy world building.

Princess of the Midnight Ball

2009-04-18T10:02:00.003-04:00

By Jessica Day George
Rating: 4 stars

In a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, Rose is the eldest of the 12 daughters of King Gregor and Queen Maude. The barren queen had made a desperate bargain with the King Under Stone, an evil sorceror who had been imprisoned under the earth by a group of magicians so long ago that it has taken on the glow of legend. In return for the ability to have children and produce an heir, Queen Maude would dance for the King Under Stone once a month. But the evil King takes advantage of the innocent queen and when she stretches the bargain to include winning the war against a neighboring nation, the King Under Stone finds a way to draw her 12 daughters into the deal--a deal that would eventually make them brides for his 12 dark sons and perhaps give him and them enough power to break free from their underground prison. Rose and the other girls are miserable and sick of dancing every 3rd evening with their dark princes, but they are unable to speak of their enchantment or break it. King Gregor invites princes from everywhere to try and uncover the spell and if they do, they may win the hand of a princess as well as the kingdom. No one has any luck. But Galen, a young man back from the war and working as an under-gardener at the palace is determined to try his luck for he has fallen for the beautiful Rose. With the help of some magical gifts given to him by an old crone along the road and one of the other gardeners who is more than what he seems, will Galen be able to discover the nature of the girls' enchantment? And if he does, can he set them free of it? Although readers may be familiar with the tale and how it ends, the deeper characterizations and details plus a few additional plot twists make this a very enjoyable retelling.

The Farwalker's Quest

2009-04-01T15:31:00.002-04:00

By Joni Sensel

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

In this interesting fantasy twist, Ariel lives in a small village with her healer mother and best friend Zeke who hopes to become a Tree-Singer during their upcoming Namingfest. Then Ariel finds a relic from the past--a telling dart. The telling dart was capable of being sent across many miles directly to the person the message was meant for with a long forgotten technology. But the dart brings more than just an unknown message. Two men--Finders--arrive, looking for the dart as well as for the one who found it. And before Ariel knows it, she has been kidnapped by them for they suspect her to be the last of the Farwalkers, a trade that was thought to have died out. Soon Ariel, and eventually Zeke, find themselves tracing the telling dart back to its source in a search for answers and perhaps even treasure, and on their way, their true callings surface. There is plenty of action and adventure in this story and Ariel must learn to tell the truth from the lies and to grow up long before her time to face her destiny. A very likeable tale with hopeful possibilities of a sequel. Thumbs up!

Brisingr

2009-03-11T11:11:00.002-04:00

By Christopher Paolini

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

This is book 3 in what is now the Inheritence Cycle. This book takes up where we left off, with the Battle of the Burning Plains behind us along with the revelation that Murtagh is now a Dragon Rider as well with the young hatchling Thorn and are bent to Galabatorix's will. In this tome, Eragon and Roran deal at last with the Ra'zac, and then Eragon goes on quests to enlist the dwarves and to meet again with their elf teachers in Ellesmera to answer some pressing questions, including that of getting a proper sword for Eragon. Roran, meanwhile, develops his place in the armies of the Varden. There are revelations and a few different battles. Overall, the action is good when it happens and the characters are developed a little more fully as we journey to the final confrontation against Galabatorix that will occur in book 4. Readers who want a quicker paced fantasy may want to give this series a pass, but those who have been with it from the beginning will persevere.

Savvy

2009-02-05T13:25:00.002-05:00

By Ingrid Law

Newbery Honor 2009

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Mibs Beaumont is turning 13 and can't wait to get her very own savvy. At the age of 13, members of the Beaumont family develop a special talent--a kind of magical ability that is sometimes uncontrollable. Mibs' brother Rocket can control electricity and Fish is able to call up storms from wind and water. But any hopeful wondering Mibs has on her birthday is smashed when her father is in a serious accident and put into a hospital miles away in Salina. A few events convince Mibs that maybe her new savvy will be to wake up her comatose father and she is desperate enough to ditch her birthday party and stowaway on a bible-delivering bus bound for Salina. Unfortunately, more stowaways tag along, including her brothers Fish and Samson and the preacher's kids, teenager Bobbi and Will, Jr., who is nursing a crush on Mibs. But when the bus turns north instead of south, the kids embark on an oddball journey that will change all of their lives. In turns, this story is funny and heartbreaking and ultimately about learning how to grow up a little bit and find your own sense of self to be happy. An unusual and highly entertaining fantasy.

Princess Ben

2009-02-03T10:02:00.002-05:00

By Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Princess Benevolence is no ordinary princess. She doesn't have a willowy form, likes to play in the mud, and has few proper manners. But when her mother, prince father, and her uncle the king are all unexpectedly killed--perhaps by their archenemy Drachensbett who has long coveted the small nation of Montagne--the queen regent Sophia takes it upon herself to make Ben into a proper princess. Ben takes it poorly and acts out so badly Sophia locks her into a tower room every night. But there, Ben discovers a secret room with a book of spells and soon is fully involved in learning to become somewhat of a witch. When events cause her to flee unexpectedly, she crash lands in the middle of a force of Drachensbett troops and is soon forced to hide her identity as the lowliest of beings, a mere shepherd boy. She also has to deal with the heir of Drachensbett himself, the insufferable Prince Florian. Can this unlikely princess with a few magic tricks in her spellbag find her way back to save her country from invasion? Filled with allusions to many a familiar fairy tale, Ben is a heroine that is far from perfect, but whose stubborn feelings will resonate with many a reader. A completely enjoyable fantasy with an unpredictably happy ending.

The Sorcerer of the North

2009-01-20T10:17:00.002-05:00

By John Flanagan

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

This is book 5 in the Ranger's Apprentice series. At this point, Will has finally become a full-fledged ranger. As he settles into his first appointment at the mostly quiet fiefdom of Seacliff, he receives an unexpected visitor--Alyss, his childhood friend, now a Courier of the kingdom, and someone he has a bit of romantic interest in. But Alyss just isn't bringing messages to the fief, she has an undercover assignment for Will in the far north at Norgate. The lord has fallen into a suspicious comatose state, attributed to Mallakam, a sorcerer from the past who had a feud with the lord's family. Other strange lights in the woods and phantoms have been sighted as well. Lord Syron's son is a weak, disliked replacement and cousin Keren is the well-thought of head of the garrison. The kingdom is concerned though since Norgate holds back enemies from the countries farther north and its current instability could spell trouble. Will is sent to Norgate undercover as a jongleur, or traveling musician, to ascertain what is really going on. Is there truly a sorcerer on the loose? Who would benefit by ridding Norgate of its lord? Will is joined by Alyss, also undercover as Lady Gwendolyn, and as the pair investigate, they conclude that some of the sorcery is just smoke and mirrors. But who is pulling the strings? Is it the son, Lord Orman? Or popular Keren? Or another person, this Mallakam? Then suddenly a new threat appears, and Will must make a choice about who to trust and what to do. This installment is quite exciting and leaves us on a cliffhanger of an ending. The last two books in the series have been outstanding. Fans will thoroughly enjoy this chapter and be eagerly awaiting the next book, The Siege of Macindaw, due out in the spring of 2009.

Well-Witched

2008-12-22T18:08:00.002-05:00

By Frances Hardinge

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

What if you took money out of a wishing well, spent it, and then had to grant the wishes that were attached to those coins? That is the situation three friends find themselves in when the spirit of the well visits them and informs the trio that they need to find the wishers and grant their wishes. To accomplish this, she gives them each a power: charming Josh can control things made of metal or electricity, timid, talkative Chelle is able to voice the thoughts of a wisher out loud, and insightful Ryan grows eyes on his hand that allow him to see things differently. At first they view their tasks as impossible, but when they start to figure out wish-granting, they are feeling as good as angels...until things begin to go wrong. The wishes don't come true like they think; in fact, they start to turn out very badly indeed. And as Ryan starts to uncover the truth behind the spirit in the well, he realizes that getting what you wished for may be one of the worst things that could happen to you. But how can you detach yourself from a maniacal magic spirit? And what if some of your friends don't want to? This is an excellent twist on wishing well magic, with plenty of spookiness, adventure, and thoughtful philosophy behind what wishes really are. Readers will be drawn right into this world, where the ordinary and magical live side by side, and will be thrilled by the plot twists. Top notch!

The Unnameables

2008-12-15T16:03:00.002-05:00

By Ellen Booraem

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

In this genre-defying story, Medford Runyuin is an orphan being raised on the Island, a community that chooses to live much like older more Puritanical times, without electricity or modern conveniences. Names are important on the Island, for they identify who or what something is, and only useful things are named. 13 year old Medford is anxious for he is hiding something under his bed--items that cannot be viewed as useful, items that could be proved unnameable. And harboring unnameable items could lead to banishment from the colony. But everything changes when the Goatman appears on Medford's porch. This creature that defies the rules of known beings makes Medford think to maybe, just maybe, challenge the rules of his own society. But can he make a society built on hundreds of years of nearly unchanged rules see things differently? Or will he be banished to become an unnameable? This is a great read, both interesting and exciting, and readers will be propelled quickly to the satisfying ending. Fans of Lois Lowry's The Giver will find much to like here.

Chalice

2008-10-29T11:07:00.002-04:00

By Robin McKinley

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

In this quietly compelling fantasy, the quiet beekeeper Mirasol has lately been named as Chalice, the one who helps bind and calm the earthlines on the manor. The earthlines affect all of nature in their realm. Usually the Chalice has been an apprentice for years, but after the sudden deaths of both Willowlands' Master and Chalice, there was no one to take up the mantle and the earthlines are unsettled. But as Mirasol struggles to learn about and fulfill her new role, it is nothing compared to the new Master. He has been recalled from seven years training as an Elemental priest of Fire and is no longer quite...human. But with the help of her bees and honey, Mirasol begins to get her feet under her and to slowly win the respect of the manor's people. But everyone still seems to fear the Master, and when a shocking challenge is made to his right to hold the manor, Mirasol realizes she has to choose who to support and who to save. Ultimately, someone must be sacrificed to save Willowlands...but who shall it be? Deeply rooted in nature and lovingly written, readers will sympathize with Mirasol and be drawn into the characters and the hard decisions they must make to do what is right, even if they may fail. Good stuff! Fans of McKinley's other works will not be disappointed.

Inkdeath

2008-10-21T19:24:00.002-04:00

By Cornelia Funke

Rating: 4 3/4 stars

The long awaited final book in the Inkworld trilogy was well worth the wait. In this final installment, the evil Adderhead has taken over Ombra now that he has the White Book that makes him immortal. Dustfinger is dead, and Meggie has read the creepy Orpheus to Inkworld to try and bring him back for Farid's sake, but Orpheus is more interested in writing and reading treasures and fanciful things to fill his pockets with gold. Meanwhile Mo has become the outlaw Bluejay, in league with the Black Prince, and is constantly hunted even while the gang does as many good deeds as they can for the poor and harried population. Now it is Mo who does not want to return to the world that he left, and Resa and Meggie fear they have lost him to the character of the Bluejay. But all cannot be black. Dustfinger does return and the Adderhead's daughter Violante offers Mo a bargain. She will take him in protective custody and arrange to meet her father at her mother's old castle to hand him over and in return, he will kill the Adderhead so that she can rule Ombra. But even the best laid plans can go awry, especially with the maliciously smooth tongue of Orpheus changing the storyline. The Black Prince, the robbers, and many of the gang are on the run from the Adder's men, Resa tries to take matters into her own hands, and overlooked characters can end up saving the day. There is not enough time to unravel all of the plot threads in a simple review, but fans of the first two books will barely be able to put this hefty tome down as every road is filled with twists and turns. Room for a sequel is generously left open, and perhaps we shall thrill to new adventures some day. But for now, thumbs up for a fabulous ending.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

2008-09-03T12:55:00.002-04:00

By Jessica Day George

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

There seems to be an unending trend to rewrite fairy tales but I'm not complaining about this fresh version of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. "Lass" is the last child of a woodcutter in the endless winter of the North country, whose disappointed mother doesn't even give her a name. Lass is an uncomplaining child, devoted to her father and her eldest brother Hans Peter, who returned troubled and aged from his travels abroad. But when the lass saves the fabled white reindeer from hunters, it grants her both a name and the ability to understand and speak to animals. This power one night brings to the door a giant isbjorn, a polar bear, who tells the lass if she will come to live with him for one year, it will break an enchantment. He promises her family wealth if she says yes. Eager to help her family and the isbjorn, the lass agrees and he takes her to live in a fabulous ice palace. Slowly she begins to try and uncover what the enchantment of the isbjorn truly means and discovers more than she would like about trolls, magic, the cost of curiousity, and the true measure of courage. Readers will readily recognize elements from the more familiar Beauty and the Beast if they don't know East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Regardless, this is a well told tale of a strong heroine that will delight readers of fantasy and magic.

Queste

2008-08-26T10:33:00.002-04:00

By Angie Sage

Rating: 4 stars

This is book 4 in the Septimus Heap series. Continuing where we left off in the 3rd book, Physik, Septimus and Jenna are determined to rescue their brother Nicko and Snorri from where they got stuck in the past. Jenna is particularly upset. But as the pair, with the help of friend Beetle, try to find a way into the past, a darke force is moving against Septimus. Merrin, the boy who was mistaken for Septimus for years, is back seeking revenge. With the help of a Darke spell, a Thing, and the ghost of Tertius Fume, Merrin gets Septimus sent on a Queste--which no apprentice has come back from once it has been accepted. Septimus keeps his Queste hidden from the others as long as possible. The trio receive help from Marcellus Pye in the shape of a map and writing from Nicko and Snorri when they set out to find the House of Foryx where all times meet. The three immediately decide to try to find the House of Foryx themselves to rescue Nicko and Snorri. As their journey starts, we run across many of our favorite characters and places, from Alther to Spit Fyre to Marcia to the witches in the wood to Sam Heap and many more. It is an exciting adventure, fraught with danger and magyk, and fans will be happy with the fast pace. And for a change, our story has...dare I say...a happy ending with no immediate cliffhanger. Another enjoyable installment. A fifth book, Syren, is planned for 2009.

The Last of the High Kings

2008-08-11T17:07:00.003-04:00

By Kate Thompson

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Fans of The New Policeman will rejoice to read this companion novel. Jenny, the daughter of the famous musical Liddy family, is different. She can't concentrate in school and prefers to wander the hills and spends time talking to a puka--a magical creature who disguises himself as a white goat. The puka wants her to spend time befriending a ghost--a young man who has been attached to guarding a local beacon for hundreds of years. Meanwhile, Jenny's father, J.J. and his wife Aisling are at odds. J.J. had once visited Tir na n'Og and has become world famous as a violinist as a result, but that has left Aisling with the chore of raising 4 children practically by herself. If only Aengus Og of the fairy folk had kept his bargain about the chiming wood....can J.J. force him to finally give him what is due? And Donal, their son, is drawn to an elderly neighbor man named Mikey who claims to be the last of the high kings and Mikey says he needs to make it up to the beacon. What does the puka really want? What bargain did J.J. make with Aengus? And why does an old man need to climb to the top of the beacon? These three plot threads will wind together to a satisfying conclusion. Full of Irish folklore and music, readers will be happily drawn into the story.

Ever

2008-07-31T11:21:00.002-04:00

By Gail Carson Levine

Rating: 4 stars

Olus is a new god of Akka, a god of the winds. Restless, he is fascinated by mortals, those "soap bubbles" that do not last that the other gods mainly ignore. Olus decides to go and live among the mortals as a goatherd, and ends up watching a particular family with a daughter named Kezi who is both skilled at knotting rugs and dancing. Olus begins to fall in love with Kezi and then tragedy strikes. Kezi's mother becomes very ill and her father makes an oath to their god, Admat, that if he makes her well, the next person to congratulate him will be sacrificed to the god. When a beloved aunt forces her way into the house, in desperation Kezi chooses to sacrifice herself. Now poor Kezi has one month to live and Olus can't stand it. He reveals himself to her as a god with a plan--if she can become a heroine and he can become a champion, she may be able to win a spot among the gods and become immortal. But can they face their worst fears for a chance at immortality? An interesting story of love and sacrifice and the truth behind the gods, told from both Kezi and Olus' point of view in alternating chapters. Fans of fantasy and of this author will be pleased with this story.

The New Policeman

2008-07-17T13:21:00.003-04:00

By Kate Thompson

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

In this fascinating tale, J.J. Lyddie is a descendent of an Irish family who have been playing music for generations. Despite his family keeping up the musical traditions, J.J. and everyone else is feeling like there just isn't enough time in a day to do everything that needs doing. When his mother asks for more time as a birthday gift, J.J. vows to try and buy some time for her. Little does he know that he is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. When a neighbor reveals that there is a time leak between our world and Tir na n'Og, the land of eternal youth, she shows J.J. how to enter that land and sets him the task of trying to find the leak. For if it doesn't stop, our time will keep leaking away into the land of the fairies, then neither world will exist as it should be. Can J.J. find the leak in Tir na n'Og and help save both worlds? To do so, he will have to meet fairies and gods and navigate a world he thought only existed in fairy tales. This is a quick paced and very enjoyable fantasy, brimful of Irish music and legend. A companion story, The Last of the High Kings, is also available to fans.

Dragon Moon

2008-07-07T17:15:00.002-04:00

By Carole Wilkinson

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

This is the last book in the Dragon Keeper trilogy. At the end of the last book, The Garden of the Purple Dragon, Ping had escaped with baby dragon Kai to the Princess' kingdom. As this book opens, they have happily been living there for a year, but Ping realizes it is time to move on and find the dragon haven that Danzi, Kai's father, wanted them to reach. Ping discovers on the piece of silk that Danzi left clues to the haven, and soon she and Kai set off on an adventure across the Empire. Good and bad befalls the pair, and they find friends and enemies alike. Jun, the boy from the last story who had posed as a dragon keeper, appears to help out Ping and make amends for his behavior. Then they find the dragon haven--only to find it deserted, with dragon bones littered across it. Dragon hunters had been there and the haven was no longer safe. So they press onwards, only to discover word of yet another haven. Can a girl and a young dragon find someplace no one knows exists? And will wild dragons let them live there? This is a fitting end to this unusual trilogy, which takes place in ancient China. Fantasy and adventure lovers alike will enjoy this whole series.

Garden of the Purple Dragon

2008-06-11T16:54:00.003-04:00

By Carole Wilkinson

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

This is book two in the Dragon Keeper series. Ping is the Imperial Dragon Keeper. In her first adventure, she helped Danzi, the last dragon in the empire, to escape the palace and journey to the sea. Danzi taught her much and left her with his newly hatched dragon son while he flew to the Isle of Blest to live. Danzi wanted his son Kai to live in freedom, so Ping is in hiding while learning the hard way to raise a baby dragon. But the necromancer she once outwitted is back, eager to kidnap Kai for his magical properties, so Ping flees again, only to end up back where she started. Captured by guards, she is again the Imperial Dragon Keeper with the young Emperor at Ming Yang Lodge. At first Ping is happy to have her Emperor friend back again. Kai likes the Emperor and Ping is learning to read with his sister, the Princess. Life is comfortable. But the Emperor becomes obsessed with finding a way to become immortal, and a dragon lives a very long life...Ping puts the pieces together too late to avoid disaster. Can she save not only herself but Kai? Another interesting fantasy adventure story set refreshingly in ancient China. Readers will be pleased to hear there is a third installment, Dragon Moon.

The Battle for Skandia

2008-05-11T19:45:00.002-04:00

By John Flanagan

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

This is the 4th book in the Ranger's Apprentice series. We pick up where we left off in the last volume, with Will finally beginning to recover from his drug addiction after Evalyn rescued him from slavery with the help of the Skandian, Erak. The two are still in their small cabin in the mountains when spring hits, but before they can worry about moving on, Evalyn is captured by a Temujai--a race of people from the steppes who are unbeatable warriors. Will is soon in pursuit to try and rescue Evalyn. Meanwhile, Will's mentor Halt and his young warrior friend Horace are finally entering Skandia looking to rescue Will, and find the handiwork of the Temujai, so they begin to track the group. Add in Erak also tracking the Temujai and it is inevitable the three groups meet up in time to rescue Evalyn and scatter the small Temujai party. But not before Halt gets a good glimpse of the thousands who have invaded and will be heading for the Skandian capital to conquer the country. And if the Temujai take over Skandia and its access to its ships and the sea, soon they will be coming to conquer Araluen next. So our small band head for the city with the hope that Halt and his friends can convince the Skandian leader to either evacuate or fight in a whole new tactical way to try and defeat the Temujai. This book is nonstop action from beginning to end, with some development in the relationships between our young heros. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, as this is one of the better installments so far, and it could well win new fans who will go back and read from the beginning. Unlike the last couple of books, this one does not end on a cliffhanger, so readers may be able to wait a little longer for the next volume.

The Key to Rondo

2008-04-01T10:25:00.003-04:00

By Emily Rodda

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

In this fast-moving fantasy, sensible Leo is less than pleased to find his dour cousin Mimi and her dog Mutt are coming to stay for a month. When Mimi challenges Leo to wind up the old music box he inherited more than the proscribed 3 times, magical things start to happen. The pictures painted on the music box come to life in Leo's room and then the Blue Queen appears. She tries to get Mimi to go with her, but when that fails, the Queen snatches Mutt instead and disppears into the box. There is nothing for it but to begin a quest to rescue Mutt, and Leo reluctantly tags along with Mimi into the fairy tale like world, where animals talk, gingerbread men are pests, and hidey-holes appear out of nowhere. Mimi and Leo meet both friends and enemies along the way to find the Blue Queen, and struggle with whom to trust and what to believe. Both cousins gain in confidence and understanding about themselves as they continue their dangerous quest. Will Mutt get rescued? Will Mimi and Leo find their way back home? Fantasy fans will be well pleased with this entertaining read, which doles out plenty of twists in the plot and neatly ties up the loose ends, with the possibility of sequels left open (it is projected to become a new series). You may also want to read some of Rodda's other books, like the Rowan of Rin series or the Deltora series.

Northlander

2008-03-26T13:03:00.002-04:00

By Meg Burden

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This book is dubbed Tales of the Borderlands: Book One, so we hope it heralds the beginning of a new series. The Northland and the Southlands are in a state of open prejuidice and dislike, with Northlanders treating Southlings as though they are dirty or diseased. 16 year old Ellin is a Southling staying in the Northland capital while her father secretly teaches Northlander healers his skills to help their very ill king. Southling healing is considered to be witchcraft and is illegal. But when Ellin gets locked out of the city gates, she ends up unintentionally getting the help of one of the young princes, which gets her in to see the king. Before she knows it, Ellin is living in the castle with her father, helping to heal the king. As she befriends the other princes, she becomes aware of some kind of power in her mind that lets her hear another's thoughts. Finn and Erik, the twin princes, also have the ability. But then Ellin's father explains that this power is exactly what the Northlanders hate and fear about the Southlings, and that she must hide it at all costs. Despite helping the king, Ellin and her father are still sentenced to prison for breaking the Northlander laws, but the princes help them escape. But when the pair make it back to their home in the Southland, it is just the beginning of their trials. For the Guardians know about Ellin and her powers and they are on their way to caputre her...and another group of outcast Southlings with powers are looking to recruit her for their purposes. How will Ellin ultimately use her powers? And can her past exploits with the Northlanders help change both countries for the better? An unusual story, which is packed with plot and will keep fans of fantasy quickly turning the pages to get to the next chapter. Not much is left hanging, but it is a promising beginning for a new series.

The Garden of Eve

2008-03-06T10:06:00.002-05:00

By K. L. Going

Rating: 4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

Evie is resentful when her father up and moves her to Beaumont, New York to try to bring back to life a blighted orchard. Evie fiercely misses her fanciful mother, who always loved magic and stories, who recently has died of cancer. The new town is tiny, the house is old, and the orchard is right next door to a cemetary. Soon Evie notices a pale boy who inhabits the cemetary, and when she talks to him, he claims to be the ghost of a boy who just died. To add to the strangeness, Maggie, the woman who sold them the orchard on behalf of her dead brother, tells them of a curse upon the orchard. Her older sister, also named Eve, disappeared in the orchard one day, and many tales are told of the unsolved mystery. Then, to top everything off, on Evie's 11th birthday, Maggie hands her a gift from her brother--an old box that contains a seed which supposedly has come from the Garden of Eden. Evie isn't sure what to believe--is this boy Alex really a ghost? What really happened to Maggie's sister? Can this old seed really be from the Garden of Eden? All Evie knows is that a warm wind seems to blow whenever she opens the box, and she begins to imagine a glorious tree growing from the seed. She knows she has to plant it to see what happens--but can Evie believe in a world of magic when that same world robbed her of her mother? Believe it or not, all of these mysteries will be answered by the end of the book, when Evie deals with magic and reality, grief and happiness. An unusual story which effectively mixes magic into our every day world.

The Glass Word

2008-02-28T10:12:00.003-05:00

By Kai Meyer

Rating: 4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This is the 3rd book in the Dark Reflections Trilogy. The story takes up where we left off in The Stone Light. The girls Merle and Junipa, riding on the stone lion Vermithrax, escape Hell by following Winter out into the deserts of Egypt. Seth, the evil Horus priest, also escapes when he fails to kill the ruler of Hell, Lord Light. All are surprised to find the desert covered in snow and cold, courtesy of Winter, as he searches for his true love, Summer. Uneasily, the girls and lion join forces with Seth to infiltrate the Iron Eye--the fortress of the Sphinxes. Also on the way to the Iron Eye are the mermaid Eft, Serafin, Lalapeya the Sphinx, and the other boys from the guild. Once inside the Iron Eye, many secrets are revealed, including the identity of Merle's parents, the Sphinxes' plan to raise the Son of the Mother from the dead to conquer the earth as well as other worlds, and the power of the glass word which Junipa can use to pass through the mirrors. Their quest will include finding and rescuing Summer, conquering the Son of the Mother, and discovering the true nature of the Flowing Queen. With lots of action and plenty of dark overtones, fantasy and adventure readers will find much to like about the final entry in the series. But as the Flowing Queen tells Merle, this is not a fairy tale, so you cannot expect a happy ending. Enough threads are left hanging that possible other books may be written about further adventures of all our heroes. Fans of Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and other heavier weight fantasy will find much to like here.

Into the Woods

2008-01-09T12:30:00.000-05:00

By Lyn Gardner

Rating: 4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

Fans of fairy-tale retellings will rejoice to read this entertaining fantasy/adventure. Storm, Aurora and Any(thing) Eden are three sisters living on their own in their house at Eden End. Their father is off on another of his expeditions and their mother, Zella, died after the birth of Any. Before her death, Zella gave Storm an unremarkable tin pipe with a warning to keep it safe. Suddenly, nefarious characters, including the evil Dr. DeWilde have appeared, bent on getting that same pipe. The sisters are forced to become fugitives as Dr. DeWilde and the numerous wolves he has at his command search for them. Their adventure will take them all over the map and will touch upon fairy tales like Rapunzel, the Pied Piper, Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty and more. Readers will enjoy the allusions to well-known tales as well as the new twists given to them. It is only by their wits and courage that the three sisters will be able to make it through their adventure, and readers will be happy to come along for the ride. Fans of the Sisters Grimm stories (i.e. The Fairy-Tale Detectives, etc.) will find certain similarities between this book and that series, and be happily engaged. Happy ending guaranteed!

Book of a Thousand Days

2007-12-12T14:41:00.000-05:00

By Shannon Hale

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

With a small nod to the fairy tale of Rapunzel, Hale writes a hard to put down piece of fiction. Dashti is a "mucker," a commoner alone in the world after the death of her mother. Muckers are well known for their healing songs which ease pain and suffering. With nowhere to turn, Dashti goes to seek training as a maid in the royal city. She is assigned to the Lady Saren, a royal lady Dashti's own age, who makes her swear to stay with her. Little does Dashti know that Saren has just been sentenced by her own father to be locked in a tower for seven years--or until she agrees to marry the fearsome Lord Khasar. Dashti keeps a journal of their trials in their prison, including visits from Khan Tegus, Saren's long distance lover, and from the evil Lord Khasar himself. But after two and a half years, Dashti finds a way for them to escape the tower, only to find the country destroyed; laid to waste by the ambitious Khasar. Their best hope is to travel to Song of Evela and to throw themselves on the mercy of Khan Tegus. But Lady Saren seems mentally unstable and unable to care for herself, and Dashti finds herself forced to be leader and nursemaid. When finally the pair reach the Khan's home, Saren refuses to reveal herself and word on the street is that Lord Khasar is on his way to attack Song of Evela, too. Dashti is brought to the Khan to sing the healing songs for his old leg pain; should she take the chance to unmask Saren when so much depends upon it? Hard choices, bravery, songs, romance, loyalty and duty are all major plot themes and will keep readers turning the pages to see how everything ends. Written as journal entries, the sections feel so short you keep reading just one more...just one more....just one more....until suddenly the conclusion is upon you. Hale has gotten kudos before now for her wonderful descriptive writing style, particularly for her fabulous Newbery Honor book, Princess Academy (see review). Fans of rewritten fairy tales and fantasy will find much to like here.

The Land of the Silver Apples

2007-11-19T18:26:00.001-05:00

By Nancy Farmer

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This is the sequel to The Sea of Trolls. It helps if you have read the first book, but new readers will be able to follow along fairly well even so. Set in Great Britain in the year 790, 13 year old Jack is a bard-in-training in his tiny village. Trouble is afoot when Jack's beautiful and selfish little sister Lucy seems to go mad. The Bard travels with Jack's father, Jack, Brother Aiden, and the freed slave Pega, to the monastery of St.Filian's to hopefully purge Lucy of her condition. But when Jack sees the monks mistreating the people who come for help, his anger unintentionally causes an earthquake through his staff. A chasm appears in the earth, and Lucy is snatched away by an elf queen. To set things to rights, Jack is forced to journey through the tunnels with Pega and the slave Brutus to Elfland to try and recover Lucy and get the waters flowing again. The trio have numerous adventures, like running into monsters, meeting up unexpectedly with the pillager Thorgil, and being held captive by the hobgoblins before they finally reach Elfland. Readers will be riveted to the pages as the young teens face each new hurdle, making friends and enemies as they journey. Fantasy and adventure lovers alike will be more than satisfied by this inventive story, which mixes magic with the history of early Great Britain, Christianity and the old gods. A historical note in the back provides information about life during that period of time. A third book is promised in 2009, titled The Islands of the Blessed.

Dragonhaven

2007-10-30T15:01:00.000-04:00

By Robin McKinley

Rating 4 1/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

Kudos to established fantasy writer McKinley for doing the unexpected. Instead of putting us in a new fantasy environment, this novel places us in what seems to be normal, every day America with one big difference--dragons exist. Our narrator is the teenager Jake, who lives at the Institute, a nature preserve for dragons. And like most non-profit places, it is struggling to survive. Dragons, for all their size and glory, seem able to hide away, and almost no one ever sees them. They also seem to be dwindling in number. And then Jake goes on his overnight solo in the park and finds both a dead poacher and a dying dragon who just gave birth...and one of the dragonlets is still alive. Unthinking, Jake picks up the baby dragon and before he knows it, Jake becomes both the dragon's mom and on America's most wanted list for it is a crime to try and save a dragon's life. The Institute rallies around Jake and his big secret (whom he names Lois), and then things get really out of control. While Jake is learning all about dragons from birth on up with Lois, the Institute is under attack from a group trying to close them down for protecting dangerous creatures--the fallout of the dead poacher. Jake has to leave the Institute with Lois and head out into the backcountry to hide, and it there that he makes contact with other dragons. Real dragons. Big, fire-breathing, house-sized dragons. Can Jake find a way to communicate with the dragons and save the Institute? This novel is compelling, especially told from Jake's stream of consciousness point of view where raising a dragon is tackled from a very practical standpoint. The existence of dragons among us is enough to tease in many a reader, but all of them will stay to see what ends up happening with Lois, Jake and the Institute. Thumbs up!

Elissa's Quest

2007-10-17T13:05:00.000-04:00

By Erica Verrillo

Rating: 4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This is the first book in the Phoenix Rising series. As far as Elissa knows, she is an orphaned peasant girl, apprenticed to the healer Nana in a small village. She fantasizes about the identity of her unknown father, only knowing that her mother died in childbirth. Elissa does have one secret: a magical gift to speak to and understand animals that Nana warns her to keep silent about. Then when Elissa is 13 years old, her father appears, and he turns out to be the prince of Castlemar, Lord Falk. In an instant, Elissa is swept out of the only life she knows and brought with Lord Falk on a journey to meet with the Khan. Although Elissa is desperate for a sign of love from her father, she despairs when Lord Falk tells her that she is to be used as a bargaining chip with the Khan so he'll lend Falk the army he needs to win a war in Castlemar. Left in the Citadel with her faithful donkey Gertrude and a young enslaved serving girl named Maya, Elissa begins to learn of her destiny when she hears a prophecy about the Phoenix and the Seeker. But first before she fulfills any prophecies, Elissa must escape the evil Khan! Can she find a way out of the Citadel and back to her father? This is a very likeable fantasy, with a plucky heroine. Although some elements of the story are rather contrived and convenient, most readers won't mind and will be swept up in the fast-moving plot. Those who like this story will look forward to the sequels.

The Dark is Rising

2007-10-09T12:07:00.001-04:00

By Susan Cooper

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Newbery Honor

Reviewed by Noelle

This is book 2 in the excellent 5 book The Dark is Rising Sequence. Will Stanton turns 11 years old in December, and his whole world changes. For Will is an Old One, the last one to be born in the world, and with his eleventh birthday, he becomes the Sign Seeker. He must collect signs from the different elements as he finds them, and in so doing, help to defeat the Dark. For the Old Ones are of the Light, forever fighting those who serve the Dark, in an everlasting battle for dominance of the planet. Will finds the change bewildering, as he still is a young boy celebrating the holidays with his large family as much as he is fighting the Dark in moments that are out of his time. As Will journeys through long winter days, he discovers the powers that are his right as an Old One, and the long arm the Dark has to reach into Will's every day world and family. It is as much an adventure in being and becoming and standing for what is right as it is racing the Dark to collect the signs. Merriman Lyon, the professor we met in Over Sea, Under Stone, makes an appearance here as well, as Will's mentor and an Old One himself. Readers will enjoy the many-layered plot, the symbolism, and the action, and will look forward to reading book 3, Greenwitch, when the characters from the first two stories come together. The film of The Dark is Rising: The Sign Seeker has just been released (October 2007), although what previews I have seen seem to suggest some pretty major changes. Still, fans of the book may be interested.

The Treekeepers

2007-10-02T12:09:00.000-04:00

By Susan McGee Britton

Rating: 4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

In the country of Wen, the Tree That Speaks has fallen, when Soladin, the Treekeeper, is betrayed by the evil Rendarren. Since then, the evil king has set about destroying any mention of the Tree and of thalasse, the magical liquid the Tree would produce. When the orphan Bird summons Farwender to help a sick child, she sees him use a vial of thalasse, the last in the world. To protect Bird from the Searchers, Farwender takes Bird to stay with Soladin, where she finds other orphans around her same age. There, Bird discovers she is the chosen one in a prophecy telling of one who will plant the seed that will bring back the Tree. Then Rendarren takes action, and Soladin and Farwender disappear, leaving Bird and the other children to set off on a dangerous quest to bring the seed to Wen and make things right. This is a great story, filled with magic, betrayal, courage, a perilous quest, friendship and adventure. Bird is a fierce but lovable character, stubborn but true. Her personal quest to find her father is woven into the adventure as well. Readers will enjoy this quick-paced and satisfying fantasy.

Once Upon a Crime

2007-08-23T12:19:00.000-04:00

By Michael Buckley

Rating: 4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This is book 4 in the Sisters Grimm series. Picking up where we left off in the third book, The Problem Child (see review, October 2006), Granny Relda, Mr. Canis, Mr. Hamstead, Daphne and Sabrina are all driving pellmell to New York City to find the fairies who live there in the hopes that they can cure the seriously injured Puck. The fairies take in the once-banished Puck to cure him, but the Grimms soon are embroiled in another mystery when Oberon, the King of the Fairies (and Puck's father), turns up dead with a red handprint on his body. The Scarlet Hand strikes again! The Grimms are hired to track down his killer, but as they run into the Everafters living in New York, they uncover another secret. Veronica Grimm, mother of the girls, was heavily involved with helping the Everafter community--and her family knew nothing about it. The news about her mother confuses Sabrina, just when she was deciding to give up fairy tale detective work. But as the family unravels the clues, running into Sinbad the Sailor, Mother Goose, the Seven Dwarves, the Wizard of Oz, and other new characters, Sabrina realizes she is doing just what she is meant to do. There are plenty of chases and escapes, and plenty of humor as usual, in this Sisters Grimm story. Fans will be happy to know book 5, Magic and Other Misdemeanors, will soon be available.

The Hero and the Crown

2007-08-13T13:34:00.000-04:00

By Robin McKinley

Newbery Award Winner 1985

Rating: 4 3/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This is the prequel to the excellent The Blue Sword (see review, Oct. 2006), and is set hundreds of years in the past. Aerin is the misfit daughter and only child of the king of Damar. Other members of the royal family possess the "Gift," a type of magic. But Aerin remains stubbornly without any such proof that she belongs in the family. Her only friends are her old nurse, Teka, Tor, the heir to the kingdom, and Talat, her father's castoff war horse. But when Aerin stumbles across a recipe for kenet, a salve that supposedly makes one fireproof, she becomes a slayer of the small and nasty dragons who inhabit the country and feels she has finally found a niche in her world. Trouble is also brewing in the North, and talk comes of trying to find the long lost Crown, which makes the wearer unbeatable. Then Maur, the last great dragon, awakes to lay waste to Damar. Will a second-rate king's daughter, kenet and an old war horse be enough to face him? And what happens when Maur is just the beginning of the threat to Damar? Readers cannot help but be swept into Aerin's world, where she undertakes the slow changes from the girl who hides in her room to a hero of Damar. A fully realized world and great characters make this a fantastic work of fiction.

Magic By the Lake

2007-08-02T15:54:00.000-04:00

By Edward Eager

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

Jane, Katharine, Mark and Martha were last seen in the story Half-Magic. Now, the four siblings are at a cottage called Magic by the Lake for the summer with their mother and new stepfather. The children happen to wish for some more magical adventures and the turtle Mark had caught earlier turns out to be a magic turtle, capable of granting their wish. From their previous experience with magic, the children know they need to be careful, so they make up some rules like grown ups being unable to see what magic is going on, and adventures only can happen every three days. But the four are still able to mix it up with pirates, discover the South Pole, tangle with cannibals, and many more adventures before Martha wishes to break all the rules and the magic in the lake goes haywire. Can the others fix the magic before it is too late? A light and fun bit of fantasy and adventure. Eager takes a page from his favorite children's author, E. Nesbit, in his style. Readers will be happy to know more books in the series exist, including Knight's Castle, Magic or Not?, The Time Garden, The Well-Wishers, and Seven-Day Magic.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-07-23T13:28:00.001-04:00

By J.K. Rowling

Rating: 4 3/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

The last of the Harry Potter series, the seventh book, was not what I expected it to be like, and for that, I think it is one of the best of the series (although Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is still my favorite). Except for a somewhat slow portion in the middle, the book is nonstop action and full to bursting with information we need to follow the plot and wrap up our time in Harry's world. We pick up the story fairly close to where we left off. The magical protection of staying at the Dursley's ends with Harry turning 17, so the Order of the Phoenix is taking the Dursleys into hiding as well as Harry. But things go wrong from the get-go. And keep going wrong, as Voldemort and his Death Eaters are concentrating on finding Harry and don't care who they kill to do it. So Harry, Hermione and Ron are on the run, trying to puzzle out where to search for horcruxes (and destroy them) as well as figure out the meaning to the objects that Dumbledore left to them in his will. The horcrux search is nearly derailed by a new quest for the Deathly Hallows, 3 magical items from a fairy tale which may prove to be extremely important or a wild goose chase. There are many risky plans and lucky escapes as Harry struggles to meet his destiny. Although there are many doubts about what he is doing and hitches in the plans, Harry, Ron and Hermione fight their way towards the ultimate showdown between Harry and Voldemort. Hogwarts will host the final battle between Death Eaters and the good guys, and not all of the good guys will make it out alive. We discover the pasts of both Dumbledore and Snape, and did I mention the ultimate importance of the Deathly Hallows? Any which way you look at it, this book is a nail biter, nearly impossible to put down, as fans will be looking to see if the theories and rumors are true or proved false. There is always a sense of disappointment when a series ends, and readers will miss the anticipation of new Harry Potter stories, but overall, they should be satisfied by the conclusion to the series. Bravo!

Physik

2007-07-16T17:48:00.001-04:00

By Angie Sage

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This is book 3 in the Septimus Heap series. Sage continues her lighthearted wizarding series with a stronger entry than the last one, Flyte (see review, October 2006). Newcomers will definitely need to have read the first couple of books to follow this new storyline. Septimus' father, Silas Heap, unseals a room in the attic of the palace and unleashes the ghost of Etheldredda--a horrible queen from 500 years ago. Etheldredda plots to take her queenship back up, but to do so, must dispose of both Jenna, the current princess, and Septimus Heap, the apprentice to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard. Both Jenna and Septimus (as well as Nicko and a newcomer named Snorri) will find themselves victims of Etheldredda's plot and be sent back 500 years into the past. Sideplots which weave into the main story include the dragon named Spit Fyre, Snorri the Northern trader and spirit-seer, Marcellus Pye and his experiments with "physik" (which involves medicine and chemistry), and a mysterious illness plaguing the town. The series continues to add some layers to its characters, insert humorous incidents, and bring the overall storyline a little further along. Fans will be happy to see Silas and Sarah Heap, Lucy Gringe, Stanley the message rat, Wolf Boy, Beetle, and other favorites. The plot moves well and wraps up the main points, but leaves us hanging for the next installment, for there is unfinished business involving Marcellus Pye, Snorri and Nicko. Overall, a solid entry in this enjoyable series.

Gregor and the Code of Claw

2007-06-25T13:12:00.001-04:00

By Suzanne Collins

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

Collins finishes her fabulous Underland Chronicles with her 5th book about Gregor the Overlander. In this final storyline, war has been declared between the rats and the humans who live in Regalia. The final prophecy from Regalia's founder, Sandwich, proclaims that the war hinges on breaking the rats' new code, the Code of Claw, and Gregor's sister Lizzie even gets involved in the codebreaking. The prophecy also predicts that Gregor must face the Bane, the evil white rat who started the war, and that both of them will die. Gregor has a hard time facing his doom and an even harder time wondering what will happen to him if he does survive the war. What of his family? What about his rager abilities? And his friendships with Luxa, Ripred, Howard, and Ares? How will the Underland fare when the war is over? It would be giving away too much to tell more, but readers will not be disappointed by the big wrap up, unless it is to be saddened by the end of a great series. There is plenty of action, adventure and character growth for everyone. Thumbs up for the whole series.

Dreamquake

2007-05-10T16:35:00.000-04:00

By Elizabeth Knox

Rating: 4 3/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This is the sequel to the excellent Dreamhunter (see review, October 2006). We last left our young dreamhunter, Laura, after she caused everyone at the Rainbow Opera to have the nightmare "Buried Alive" to fulfill her father's goal of making others realize how dreams can be used in negative ways. Laura escapes with her sandman--a golem-like creature she calls Nown, created with magic and song and a strong need. When she flees to her aunt, Marta brings her to the Grand Patriarch to hide and recover, and Laura finds out her father Tziga is really alive, although injured. Meanwhile, her cousin Rose stays with her friend Mamie and discovers rails are being brought secretly into the Place by Mamie's father who is quite important in the government. When the family is all together again, they compare notes and realize the Dream Regulatory Board seems to be up to something in the Place. They also begin to suspect there is more to the Place than was previously thought; that maybe someone or thing is trying to communicate to the outside world from within it. The Hame and Tiebold families hatch a dangerous plan to discover the evil intentions of the government and expose them to the world. There will be love and loss experienced along with adventure, and readers will be shocked when the origin of the Place is revealed. This is a deep, dark and fascinating end to a fantasy duet and fans of the first book will not be disappointed by its conclusion.

Trickster's Choice

2007-03-26T18:15:00.000-04:00

By Tamora Pierce

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

Aly is the daughter of the famed Lioness of Tortall, Alanna, and of spymaster George Cooper. At age 16, Aly finds herself bored and looking for a direction in life. She would like to become a spy, but both her mother and father react violently in the negative to that suggestion. But when Aly's sailboat is attacked by pirates and she is taken to be sold as a slave, she uses all the spy training her father ever gave her to figure out how to free herself. After being thrown in with some other slaves to serve a duke's family, Aly's plans for freedom are halted when she is visited by the god of the Copper Isles--Kyprioth, the Trickster. He makes her a wager--keep the elder, half-raka daughters of the duke alive through the summer, and he'll send her home. She'll even get help in the form of his favorite birds, the crows. After she agrees to the challenge, Aly finds herself in the middle of a brewing revolution that needs a girl with exactly her skills for planning and spying. The native raka are ready to overthrow the invader luarin people after generations of servitude, and the duke's daughters by his first wife, Sarai and Dove, are the heirs apparent. But even with the family in exile to avoid the king's madness, the girls are in grave danger that is going to take all of Aly's wits to avoid. Filled with political intrigue, plenty of spying techniques, action, and a touch of romance, this well-plotted tale will keep readers riveted to the pages and ready to pick up the sequel, Trickster's Queen. You may also enjoy other stories by Tamora Pierce set in the same world, like her Alanna series about Aly's mother and her Protector of the Small series about Lady Knight Keladry.

Soul Eater

2007-03-12T17:32:00.000-04:00

By Michelle Paver
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

This is the 3rd book of a projected 6 titles in the excellent Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series (you can read reviews of Wolf Brother and Spirit Walker in the October 2006 archives). It is winter, and Torak and Renn are out hunting with Wolf when Wolf scents "strange prey" and runs off after it. When Wolf doesn't return, Torak knows that he has been captured and being taken into the Far North, well beyond the Forest that they know and are comfortable with. Torak and Renn immediately pursue the wolf-nappers, and only survive the frozen tundra when someone from the White Fox clan takes them in. Soon they discover that the trail they are following is left by none other than the evil Soul Eaters, and they are gathering other "hunter" animals to sacrifice to release a great evil upon the world. Torak will have to infiltrate the very group he is bound to some day destroy if he wants to save Wolf. Can he do it and come out alive? Like the previous books, this one is hard to put down as it is filled with adventure, woodcraft, and ancient magic. More information about the Soul Eaters just whets our appetites for the final battle to come! Another outstanding entry in this compelling series. The 4th book, Outcast, is due out in 2008.

The Stone Light

2007-03-07T13:28:00.000-05:00

By Kai Meyer

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This is book 2 in the Dark Reflections Trilogy, which began with The Water Mirror. This book takes up where the conclusion of the first one left us. Merle has escaped Venice, which is besieged by the Egyptians, on Vermithrax, the flying stone lion. Merle has the goddess of the lagoons, the Flowing Queen, inside of her, and the trio are heading to find a way down into Hell to ask Lord Light to aid Venice. Meanwhile, Serafin, once of the Thieves Guild, is recruited by his old enemy Dario to help in an assassination attempt on the Pharaoh. The operation is the brain-child of Lalapeya, one of the very magical, almost ageless sphinx, who has been living in Venice before it even existed as a city. Both Merle and Serafin will find nonstop adventure in their quests. Merle will uncover the truth about Lord Light and Hell and meet up again with her friend Junipa of the mirror eyes. Serafin will discover the true purpose of Lalapeya and experience the despair of betrayal. Readers will be drawn pellmell to the conclusion, where both Merle and Serafin find themselves stranded in different ways and places. Readers will be anxious to read the last installment, The Glass Word, due out in the fall of 2007. A unique and intriguing fantasy.

The Last Dragon

2007-01-29T18:06:00.001-05:00

By Silvana De Mari
Rating: 4 1/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

This Italian import is a great combination of fantasy, humor and adventure. Yorshkrunsquarkljolnerstri (called Yorsh for short) is an elf, one born lately, as he puts it, in a land where elves are hated and feared by humans for their magical powers, and are even placed in internment camps. But despite this, Yorsh is aided by two humans, Sajra and Monser, who come to love him. When the trio finds a prophecy, they believe it comes to be fulfilled when Yorsh discovers the last dragon and agrees to stay and care for it. But this, which seems to be the end of the story, is really the beginning. For the dragon will give birth to a baby dragon, and Yorsh will discover there is more to the prophecy than he realizes. His new adventure will involve the daughter of Sajra and Monser, the evil judge administrator of Daligar, the freeing of orphans, the once proud history of the elves, and of course, the last dragon and the last elf. This is an enjoyable read from start to finish, with adventure, magic, laughter, sorrow and love throughout. Thumbs up!

Fly By Night

2007-01-11T16:17:00.000-05:00

By Frances Hardinge
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Mosca Mye is the daughter of Quillam Mye, a famed radical writer, but she doesn't know it. All Mosca knows is her father is dead and she is escaping the small, wet town of Chough with a very protective goose named Saracen and a small-time villain who could charm the skin off a snake named Eponymous Clent. In Mosca's world, all writings not approved by the guild of Stationers are banned. Many years ago, a group called the Birdcatchers had come to power and caused riots and war, book burnings and arrests. Now the different guilds maintain rule, watching each other warily, and keeping their leader, the Duke, under a close eye. With Clent, Mosca travels to the city of Mandelion and is instantly pulled into intrigue when she finds Clent is a spy for the Stationers and the Duke's sister, Lady Tamarind, recruits Mosca to spy for her. Someone in the city has an illegal printing press and is printing radical leaflets. The different guilds are all ready to blame each other, and Mandelion teeters on the brink of war. Mosca is soon surrounded by lies, betrayal, and murder, and must work out for herself who is really behind the troubled times in Mandelion. Is it Clent? The Stationers? The Locksmiths? Mr. Kohlrabi? Mr. Pertellis? Readers will get dizzy from the number of characters, gods, and plotlines to follow. While the density of the book and the number of new vocabulary words may put off quite a few readers, those who persevere will find a complex tale of adventure and intrigue. For the serious reader only!

Fairest

2006-12-20T13:09:00.000-05:00

By Gail Carson Levine
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

The author of the excellent Ella Enchanted returns with another tale set in the same world but in the country of Ayortha instead of Kyrria. Aza was an abandoned child, adopted and raised lovingly by innkeepers. Ayorthians all sing as much as they speak--for games, healing rituals, weddings, conversation and more--and Aza has a singing voice beyond compare. She develops a skill no others can match--she can "illuse" when she sings, throwing her voice so it sounds like it is coming from other places. Unfortunately, Aza is also very large, awkward and unattractive, and this makes her miserable. Then a frequent guest at their inn, a duchess, invites Aza to go with her to the wedding of the king. Unbelievably, the new Queen Ivi seems taken with Aza, and asks her to become her lady-in-waiting. Aza is thrilled until she realizes the queen is using her, both for her ability to illuse and as a foil to her own beauty. When the king is felled by an accident and his recovery is uncertain, Ivi becomes a cruel ruler in his stead, and blackmails Aza into obedience. Aza longs to break free of Ivi, especially as she grows closer to Prince Ijori. But when Ivi accuses Aza of trying to use the queen for her own rise in power, things get out of hand. Aza is on the run--from prison and from Ivi's murderous intent. Will she be able to prove her innocence and stop Ivi before rebellion takes over the country? With a magic mirror, helpful gnomes, and a poison apple, readers may recognize allusions to Snow White, but this is certainly a more unique telling of the tale. While the narrative is not as perfectly wonderful as Ella Enchanted, this companion novel will still charm readers from start to finish.

The Thief

2006-12-16T13:29:00.000-05:00

By Megan Whalen Turner
Rating: 5 stars
Newbery Honor
Reviewed by Noelle

In this fabulous story set in a land like ancient Greece, Gen is a thief of some repute in prison in the country of Sounis. One day, he is liberated by the magus--the main scholarly advisor to the king--in return for a favor. The magus wants Gen to steal something that has been hidden for centuries and even thought lost--Hamiathes' Gift--a stone that was said to confer rulership in the country of Eddis. The magus wants the stone for his king so that the Queen of Eddis will feel she must marry him to maintain her authority and thus unite the 2 countries--as well as give Sounis access to the next country over, Attolia. Gen, along with the magus, his 2 apprentices, and a solider named Pol, make a secret journey to a location where a hidden temple awaits the thief who can unlock its mysteries. Gen is a (mostly) willing participant on the journey because he has his own goal--to become famous far and wide as the thief who stole Hamiathes' Gift. The plot of this adventure seems fairly straightforward, but our cast of characters have different agendas and tricks hidden up their sleeves, and if you can figure out all of the plot twists, you are wiser than I am. A great story that bears careful reading (and re-reading) and will make you quickly grab the sequels, the Queen of Attolia and the King of Attolia (see reviews for both books).

Peter Pan in Scarlet

2006-12-08T09:18:00.000-05:00

By Geraldine McCaughrean
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Kudos to author Geraldine McCaughren for winning the right to put out the first authorized Peter Pan sequel. She does Peter Pan justice here, writing in a style similar to the original story, so pure Peter Pan fans will be thrilled. Wendy, John and all of the other Lost Boys from the first story have been living the last 20 years back in London, having families and living grown up lives. But when they all begin having vivid nightmares about things gone wrong in Neverland, they decide to find a way back to find out what is wrong. When they do, the gang finds Peter Pan living on his own, and Neverland is no longer the summery place where Time stands still. Neverland is colder, the fairies are at war, the mermaids are gone. And they run across Ravello, the traveling, ravelling man, who starts to exert a powerful influence over Peter Pan, especially when Peter is wearing Captain Hook's second best scarlet coat they found on the Jolly Roger. And as the Explorers go on a quest to find Hook's treasure on top of Neverpeak, some dark secrets of Neverland are revealed, and Ravello's true nature comes to the surface. Can Peter Pan and Neverland be saved? Readers of fantasy, and especially those familiar with Neverland, will thoroughly enjoy this story. Fun!

Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg

2006-11-21T13:45:00.000-05:00

By Gail Carson Levine
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

This novel is set in Never Land and instead of focusing on Peter Pan, Levine tells her story about Tinkerbell and the other Never Land fairies, especially the brand new fairy, Prilla. Prilla seems to have been born without a talent. This is disconcerting news for all the fairies have talents, be it for flying or cooking or water magic or pots and pans. But those concerns are put aside when a hurricane hits Never Land, and it injures Mother Dove and breaks her egg--the magic egg that keeps everyone and everything from aging on the island. Mother Dove also supplies the fairies with the fairy dust they need to do everything from fly to bake, and with her life in danger, the fairies face a horrible future. Mother Dove sends Rani, Prilla and Vidia on an impossible quest--to get 3 precious objects (a mermaid's comb, a feather from the golden hawk, and Captain Hook's cigar holder) and offer them to the evil dragon Kyto for his hoard if he will repair the egg. Can these 3 fairies succeed in time to save Mother Dove and Never Land? And will Prilla be able to find her talent in time to help? A quick, light fantasy read, with color illustrations strewn throughout the pages to add to the fun. Fans of Never Land or readers looking for an enjoyable, easy-to-digest book will like this one.

Flyte

2006-10-20T18:10:00.000-04:00

By Angie Sage
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

This is book 2 in the Septimus Heap series. Flyte begins with Septimus happily being the apprentice of Marcia, the ExtraOrdinary Wizard. But things quickly take a nasty turn when Jenna, the Queen-to-be, is kidnapped by Simon Heap, the eldest of the Heap clan. Unbeknownst to the others, Simon helped resurrect DomDaniel, the evil Darke wizard of the last book, Magyk, and has become his apprentice out of jealousy of Septimus. No one but Septimus and his brother Nicko initially believe Simon is capable of actually kidnapping Jenna, and the pair set off to rescue her. The threesome do manage to find each other after many adventures on both sides. But kidnapping Jenna was just the beginning of the evil bid by DomDaniel to take over the Wizard Tower again, and the whole Heap family, Marcia, the Dragon Boat, and Aunt Zelda will all have to help each other to overcome the threat. There are quite a few surprises in store for the reader, including the Flyte charm, the discovery of Grandfather Heap, and the fate of the green stone that Jenna gave Septimus. While the story does meander quite a bit in places, the characters and important parts of the plot manage to keep readers engaged, and most will be anticipating the next book in the series, Physik, due out in 2007.

Valley of the Wolves

2006-10-20T18:08:00.002-04:00

By Laura Gallego Garcia
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Dana lives the normal life of a farm girl, working hard in a large family. She has no friends except for a boy just her age named Kai, but he comes to be with her every day. Then one day, she learns that no one can see and hear Kai but her. Kai eventually explains that he exists on another plane and cannot be touched, but that he will always be her friend. Then the Maestro, a powerful magician, finds Dana and takes her away to the Tower in the Valley of the Wolves to train her to become a sorceress. Kai comes with her, but even the Maestro cannot see him. As Dana trains, she finds that she loves learning magic, and she is driven in her studies. But she is frustrated by her growing feelings for the insubstantial Kai. Dana also begins to have visions of a beautiful lady who insists she search for a unicorn in the forest. Then it is revealed to her by Fenris, the elf who is also a magical apprentice, that she is Kin-Shannay--one who is able to bridge the spirit world and our world, and Kai and the lady she has seen are actually ghosts. The plot becomes more sinister, as it is revealed that the Maestro has a hidden agenda, Fenris has a secret that could destroy the others, Kai may not be able to keep his word, and the quest for the unicorn results in Dana making a terrible choice. This is an exciting and quick fantasy story that readers of the genre will thoroughly enjoy. For a more mythological type of story, you can try this author's The Legend of the Wandering King.

The Problem Child

2006-10-20T18:08:00.001-04:00

By Michael Buckley
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

This is the 3rd book in the Sisters Grimm series. In the end of the last story, Sabrina had finally found her parents--under a sleep spell and watched over by the very deranged Red Riding Hood and her "kitty," a murderous Jabberwocky. Sabrina is rescued from certain death by Puck, and her parents are again lost to her. But a new character shows up--the girls' Uncle Jake who was responsible for grandfather Grimm's death and also for the release of Red Riding Hood and the Jabberwocky from the asylum. Uncle Jake is determined to help rescue his brother to atone for his past mistakes. But Uncle Jake has an addiction to magic, and soon Sabrina's own frustrations lead her to the same addiction to the power of magic. When Daphne and Sabrina embark on a quest with Uncle Jake to find the pieces of the Vorpal blade to both kill the Jabberwocky and save Puck from some serious wounds, that addiction is nearly their undoing. Fans of the previous stories will be happy to see some old characters like Snow White, Mayor Charming and Mr. Canis, and delighted to meet some new ones like the Little Mermaid, Baba Yaga and the Blue Fairy. As always, Buckley mixes humor and a few life lessons to go with the nonstop action. Readers will be pleased with the continuing storyline and be looking forward to the next installment.

The Blue Sword

2006-10-20T18:06:00.000-04:00

By Robin McKinley
Newbery Honor 1983
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Harry Crewe is on her way to Daria to live with her soldier brother Richard after the death of her father. She finds herself falling in love with the desert country occupied by the Homelanders and intrigued by the mysterious Hillfolk who are its natives. She lives her life idly until the day Corlath, king of the Hillfolk, appears to ask the Homelanders for help against the threat of the Northmen. Corlath's magical kelar, or Gift, makes it clear to him that Harry will be important in the upcoming struggle, so he kidnaps her. Soon Harry becomes aware that she also possesses this magical Gift and the Damarians plunge her into training. She learns their language but also she learns to become a warrior, for she will become Dalamur-Sol, the Lady Hero, who will carry the ancient blue sword Gonturan into battle. This is fantasy storytelling at its best. There are fully realized characters, a well built fantasy world, and battles, friendships, and a bit of romance. For those who love cats and horses, there is an added bonus of meeting the great warhorses and the foltza, the large hunting cats. Readers will be swept up in this compelling story. For those who want more, they can read the prequel, The Hero and the Crown, which won the Newbery Medal in 1985.

The Unusual Suspects

2006-10-20T18:05:00.000-04:00

By Michael Buckley
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

This story is book 2 in The Sisters Grimm series. Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are currently living in Ferryport Landing with their grandmother after the disappearance of their parents. Ferryport Landing is no ordinary town--its people are Everafters, the characters in all the fairy tales you've ever read, alive and well but caged by a spell thought up by the original brothers Grimm and Baba Yaga to stay forever inside the town's borders and not able to wreak havoc in the rest of the world. The Everafters are all disguised as humans and have ordinary jobs, like Prince Charming is the mayor, Snow White is a teacher, the three little pigs are policemen. Taking up where book 1 left off, Sabrina and Daphne are finally starting school, but they are immediately thrown into a mystery when Sabrina's teacher is killed by a monster. As more people in the school fall victim to various creatures, the Sisters Grimm, Puck, Granny Relda and Mr. Canis attempt to find the culprits. Sabrina is sure Everafters are at the bottom of it and her prejuidice and anger against them grow. But the plot runs deeper than they know, and it will become a race against time to save the day before Ferryport Landing is changed forever. There are many chases, getaways, and big cliffhanger to end the book. You might want to brush up on your fairy tales and magical objects to get the full flavor of these stories, but they are definitely page turners and chock-full of fun all the way through. Readers will be panting for the next book, The Problem Child, to find out what happens next!

The Burning Bridge

2006-10-20T18:04:00.000-04:00

By John Flanagan
Rating: 4 1/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

This is book 2 in the Australian series, The Ranger's Apprentice. Will lives in the land Aruluen and last year was apprenticed to become a Ranger, basically a cross between a spy and a scout, to the famous Halt. Will, his friend Horace (apprenticed to become a knight), and another Ranger, Gilan, set out together to travel to the next country of Celtica to ask for aid in the upcoming battle against the evil Morgarath. But when they get there, they find the towns abandoned hurriedly. They run across a girl who tells them that Wargals, nasty creatures who answer to Morgarath, have invaded Celtica and have been rounding up miners and other workmen for some kind of project. Gilan quickly rides ahead to tell the king this news, leaving the others to trail them. But after hiding from a passing group of Wargals with prisoners, Will decides to trail them to see what they are up to. He finds they have built a bridge across the giant Fissure which will allow Morgarath to send a large number of troops against the king's forces in a surprise attack. Will, Horace and the girl Evalyn realize that there is no time to warn the army--they need to burn the bridge to save Arulen. Can they do it and escape in time? Can they get word to the king? Much like the first book, The Ruins of Gorlan, this is a well-plotted adventure, full of surprises, bravery, battles, and likeable characters. Fans of fantasy and adventure will find much to like here.

Gregor and the Marks of Secret

2006-10-20T18:03:00.000-04:00

By Suzanne Collins
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

In this fourth installment, Collins continues the story of Gregor the Overlander (see review). Gregor's mother is still in the Underland, recovering slowly from her bout with the plague in the previous adventure, Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods. Gregor is freely coming and going between their New York City apartment and the Underland visiting his mother and working on echolocution lessons with Ripred, the outcast rat. Then Ripred tells Gregor that the Bane, the white rat Gregor had spared from death, has become a violent danger to them all and needs to be killed. Gregor reluctantly agrees to help, but then Ripred vanishes. At the same time, Luxa, the young queen of Regalia, receives a message that the nibblers (mice) who saved her in the jungle are in grave danger. Luxa, Gregor, 3 year old Boots, 6 year old Hazard, Temp the cockroach, cousin Howard, and the bats Ares, Nike, Aurora and Thalia all set off secretly on a long journey to save the nibblers, only to end up finding the Bane instead and hearing his plans to rule the Underland. By the novel's end, war has been declared and Gregor leaves some of his friends behind to race back to Regalia to learn about the Prophecy of Time and to take up the sword that was left for him by Sandwich, the founder. This is a great action-packed fantasy series. Gregor continues to grow as a character as he tries to reconcile his abilities as a rager and warrior with his desires to be nonviolent. There is also a hint of romantic interest between him and Luxa and a cliffhanger of an ending as war is imminent. Who will survive? What will the Prophecy of Time say? Readers won't be able to wait for the next installment, Gregor and the Code of Claw (to be published in 2007).

The Door Within

2006-10-20T18:01:00.000-04:00

By Wayne Thomas Batson
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Aidan is angry. His parents unexpectedly uprooted the family to move across the country to live with his ailing grandfather ("Grampin") and Aidan is separated from everything he knows as well as his one friend, Robby. Then he discovers a set of old scrolls in the basement which chronicle the story of The Realm. The Realm holds the kingdom of Alleble, ruled by King Eliam, which tries to spread peace to all the other kingdoms who pledge allegiance to Alleble. The king chooses a knight, Paragal, to be his special Sentinel. But Paragal eventually is seduced by the power and riches of the dark side, and chooses to betray his king and set himself up as a "Prince" who is endlessly attempting to destroy Alleble. The scrolls end with a poem exhorting the reader to believe if he wishes to enter the Realm. Aidan immediately believes in the Story, but his parents are dismissive of it. But when Grampin tells Aidan he believes and encourages Aidan to as well, Aidan manages to enter this magical Realm. Aidan soon finds himself in training as a knight for King Eliam and embarking on a mission to try and convince another kingdom to join the true King and enjoy peace before Paragor and his minions convince them otherwise. Aidan experiences many adventures and quite a bit of personal growth during the telling of the story. This book mixes many elements found in the Chronicles of Narnia with a more medieval flair, at times even delving into Lord of the Rings and Paradise Lost. Although some issues remain unexplained, like Aidan's rather sudden and amazing athletic prowess or what Aidan's dreams mean or even why the moonrascals decide to help him, and the message can be rather heavy-handed at times, fantasy readers will still find plenty to like in the action sequences and the familiar ground. There are 2 more books in this trilogy: The Rise of the Wyrm Lord and The Final Storm.

Howl's Moving Castle

2006-10-20T17:51:00.000-04:00

By Diana Wynne Jones
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Sophie is stuck. She's the eldest of 3 sisters and works in her father's hat shop in the town of Market Chipping, and every day she feels more and more like a mousy, boring young woman with no future. Then one day, into the shop sweeps the Witch of the Waste, who tells her she doesn't like the competition and turns Sophie into an old woman. Sophie can't even get up the energy to be properly horrified. So she stumps off by herself and manages to wind up in Howl's floating, moving castle. The Wizard Howl has an evil reputation of being a powerful magician and a bit of rake who eats young girls' hearts. Sophie soon discovers Calcifer, the fire demon that works for Howl, who makes a bargain with Sophie: he'll try to break her spell if she can help break his contract with Howl. So Sophie sets herself up as the cleaning woman of the rather small castle, while poking her nose into the business of the apprentice Michael, Howl and the doors that open onto different places in both Sophie's world as well as other ones. This is an excellent fantasy involving magic, quests, an enchanted scarecrow, more than one witch, curses and more! Readers will enjoy the multiple plotlines and might even figure out what is really going on before Sophie does! Thoroughly good from beginning to end. Readers can take another adventure with Sophie and Howl in Castle in the Air. Howl's Moving Castle was also recently made into an animated movie. Check it out (but the book is better)!

Dreamhunter

2006-10-20T17:50:00.000-04:00

By Elizabeth Knox
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

In a world much like our own around the turn of the 19th to 20th century, there are people called dreamhunters. They are able to go into an invisible land called "The Place" and catch specific dreams at specific spots on the map and then come back into our world and when they fall asleep, their dream is shared by everyone near them (depending on their range of projection). So people can share dreams that are fun or healing or soothing or exhilirating--for a fee, that is. Laura Hame and Rose Tiebold are cousins and are also the daughters of two extremely famous and powerful dreamhunters. At the age of 15, the cousins go to "Try" to see if they can enter the Place, but only shy Laura is able to. At the same time Laura is finding out she is a dreamhunter, her father Tziga disappears. But he left behind for her a sandman, much like the golems of Hebrew lore, created with magic and song, that will be her servant. He also leaves behind a request for Laura to complete a terrible mission. While Laura labors in secret at her father's task, the rest of her family tries to find out what happened to Tziga, for it seems many factions--the government, the Church--are trying very hard to cover up whatever did occur. These is an extremely interesting and inventive fantasy which also highlights family ties along with its fascinating premise of dreamhunting. Readers who love stories by people like Philip Pullman or Madeline L'Engle or Ursula K. LeGuin will find much to delve into here. An original and compelling story. Big thumbs up! This is billed as Book One of the Dreamhunter Duet, and readers will be clamoring for Book Two.

Over Sea, Under Stone

2006-10-20T17:48:00.000-04:00

By Susan Cooper
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

In this first book of The Dark is Rising Sequence, Barney, Simon and Jane are in Cornwall near the seaside for a month-long holiday, staying with their Great-Uncle Merry at Grey House. It is while they are exploring the attic of the house that they find the map--a map so old it seems to refer to King Arthur and his knight, Mark, and some kind of treasure hidden nearby. As the children begin to try and decipher the map, they soon find that many other people around them are interested in Grey House and what might be inside. Soon the children learn that the map leads to an amazing treasure, lost for centuries, and that some very evil people, the Dark, are desperate to get their hands on it first--desperate enough to try just about anything. Simon, Barney and Jane, along with Great-Uncle Merry, soon find themselves flung headlong into the adventure of a lifetime, with the Dark right on their heels. This is the kind of fantasy that combines myth, adventure and mystery together into a heady mix that makes you keep turning the pages to the very end and leaves you breathless to read the next installment. Fabulous! Readers will be happy to read the other 4 books in the series. Check out The Dark is Rising Sequence on the web.

Beauty: a Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

2006-10-20T17:47:00.000-04:00

By Robin McKinley
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

"Beauty" is the nickname of the youngest daughter of a succesful merchant. Unlike her beautiful sisters, Beauty is more plain and tomboyish, perferring to spend time around horses and books. Life is good until her father loses all his money when his ships are lost at sea. Her sister's beau appears and offers the family a life together out in the country, where he can make a living as a blacksmith. The family accepts, and slowly settle into their new, harsher life. But on his trip back from the city, Beauty's father is lost in the woods during a snowstorm and ends up being waited upon by invisible servants in a mysterious castle. On his way out the next day, he plucks a single rose from a hedge and immediately a Beast appears. The Beast tells the father that he must return with one of his daughters in one month or suffer the consequences. Once he arrives home, the father confesses what happened and Beauty is moved to offer herself up as the Beast's captive. Those familiar with the fairy tale know the basics of what is going to happen in this version of the story, but it is pure pleasure to read about Beauty's struggles with her new life and with learning to love the Beast. The author does a great job filling in the web of magic that surrounds the castle and its Beast, and Beauty is a worthy heroine for this tale. If you like Beauty, you may also enjoy many of Robin McKinley's other books. Check out this website for more on her books.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

2006-10-20T17:45:00.000-04:00

By J. K. Rowling
Rating: 4 3/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

In this 6th book in the Harry Potter series, Harry finds himself once again at Hogwarts, reeling from the death of his foster father Sirius. Professor Snape continues to act in the role of double agent to both the Death Eaters and to the Order of the Phoenix. We see him make an unbreakable vow with Draco's mother to aid Draco in the task set to him by Voldemort himself--a task that remains a mystery to us. Harry, however, knows Draco is up to something, and spends time tailing him around the castle to no avail. Of course, he still refuses to give Snape any kind of benefit of the doubt. Dumbledore is highly interested this year in bringing Harry with him as he travels back to past scenes of Voldemort's life when he was Tom Riddle. Dumbledore feels that understanding Voldemort's past will help give them the key to defeating him now. Careful readers will see the clues that Harry seems to not absorb quite so readily. When Muggles would be taking driving tests, the rest of the Hogwarts crew are busy preparing for their Disapparation tests which they are allowed to sit for when they reach the age of 17. There is also quite a bit of kissing amongst various couples, which may, perhaps, be a necessary plot point to attend to. But all other things are thrown aside when the last 100 pages of the book are begun and no one will want to put the book down. There will be a quest, a stand off, a battle, a horrible deed done, and the scene set for the final book in the series. Happily, this tome weighs in lighter in pages but is no less impactful than the previous books. Despite a few flaws, readers will devour this entry into the series and wait impatiently to get their hands on Book 7.

Bella at Midnight

2006-10-20T17:44:00.000-04:00

By Diane Stanley
Rating: 3 3/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

In this interesting remake of Cinderella, Bella (Isabel) is the child of a knight and a merchant's daughter. Her mother dies and her father is disinterested, so Bella is placed in a village with a wet nurse who is but a peasant. Until she turns 13, she is never told that she is anything else but a member of her peasant family. During her childhood, she is a close friend to Prince Julian, who also happened to have been nursed by the same woman as Bella and remains attached to her. But when she turns 13, her real father sends for her, and Bella joins his household. As we know, he has remarried, and Bella meets her stepmother and 2 stepsisters, one of whom is a lady-in-waiting to the queen. Bella is more or less ignored by her new family until the day her stepsister tells of a plot she overheard to end the truce with a neighboring country--a plot that would mean certain death to Prince Julian. Can Bella save her prince? The story is told from many points of view, including Bella, the prince, her stepmother and stepsisters as well as a few other characters. An original take on an old story, which makes it fresh and interesting. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Spirit Walker

2006-10-20T17:41:00.000-04:00

By Michelle Paver
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

This is Book 2 in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series that began with Wolf Brother (see review). Torak's new life, living with the Raven clan, is threatened by an illness that is infecting all of the clans in the Forest. Torak worries that the Soul Eaters who he dealt with before may be sending this sickness and that it is up to him to find the cure. Although he leaves the Ravens on his own, his friends Renn and Wolf follow. Torak's journey is an exciting one, that brings him from the Forest into the domain of the Seal Clan who live on an island in the unfamiliar world of the ocean. Torak will find himself new friends, new enemies and even someone related to him on his quest which tests his resolve to the limit. He also discovers that he holds a rare ability that others would literally kill to possess. Like his previous adventure, Torak's story is one of non-stop action which brings the reader flying eagerly to the conclusion. If you like action, adventure and magic, there is no reason you wouldn't love this new series. Thumbs up for this absorbing story!

Wolf Brother

2006-10-20T17:40:00.000-04:00

By Michelle Paver
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

The setting of this unusual fantasy is ancient Europe, when it was covered in forests and peopled by clans who revered a certain animal as their clan creature, for example, the Wolf clan, the Raven clan, the Seal clan, the Horse clan. Torak and his father are unusual in that they don't stay with a clan but instead travel on their own. Until the night that Torak's Fa is attacked by a demon-inhabited bear. On his deathbed, Torak's father makes Torak swear to find the Mountain of the World Spirit to try and stop this evil bear. Then Torak is on his own. He rescues a wolf cub that he aptly names Wolf and finds he is able to actually speak wolf to him. He also ends up running across the Raven clan and making a friend of Renn, a girl with some mage training, and Fin-Kedinn, a man who knew his father. They also think Torak is the one to fulfill a prophecy of defeating the bear and facing the Soul Eaters, a group of mages who went bad. Torak, Renn and Wolf all set out on the quest together. Do they all survive? This is a gripping story that will keep readers turning the pages. If you like a story with the feel of native peoples from long ago, a bit of magic, and good pitted against evil, you can't help but be drawn in by this story and eagerly awaiting the sequels. If you like it, check out The Clan, a site for fans of this new series.

The Will of the Empress

2006-10-20T17:38:00.000-04:00

By Tamora Pierce
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Sandry, Briar, Tris and Daja from the Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens series return together in one book which can stand alone, although it does help a bit to have the background from the other stories. The foursome are all full mages, with different varieties of magical powers, and they consider themselves sisters and brothers from all the adventures they've been having since they were little together. They also share a magical bond which allows the four to communicate over long distances. In this story, Sandry is actually an heiress in another country, and she and her siblings travel to the Empress at the court of Namorn for Sandry to deal with her lands there. Unbeknownst to the foursome, the Empress has decided she wants Sandry and the other three to all stay in her country. First she tries to woo them with jobs and the delights of court. When that fails, one of the young men sent to romance Sandry decides to use force. Sandry is so infuriated she tells the Empress they are leaving in short order. That is when things turn nasty, because the Empress is used to getting her way, and she will use any means necessary to keep her prizes. Can the four escape? And do they all want to? If you like a solid fantasy, you may enjoy this one. Be sure to check out Tamora Pierce's website.

Snow-Walker

2006-10-20T17:36:00.000-04:00

By Catherine Fisher
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Catherine Fisher is a master at writing a book that seems to mimic a familiar past civilization, yet is still new and different and full of magic. Her Oracle Prophecies series reflect a world like ancient Egypt. But Snow-Walker (which is actually a collection of 3 books in one) is set in a world much like that of the old Northmen or Norse. The Jarlshold is the main town over which rules the Jarl. But at present, the Jarl is under the thumb of his wife, the sorceress Gudrun, and fear rules the country. Young Jessa and Thorkil are relatives of the last Jarl, whose family has been hunted down and killed by Gudrun. The pair are put in exile to live in the far reaches of the north in an old fortress where her son, Kari, is. Kari is rumored to be a hideous, horrible monster, looked after by his servant Brochael. The young teens are terrified, but have no choice but to go. Yet once there, they find that nothing is what it seems, including Kari. Soon they embark on a mission to put a new Jarl, Wulfgar, on the throne, and to help Kari end the rule of his evil witch mother. The story continues to follow the adventures of Jessa, Kari and their friends, and the seemingly unending struggle between good and evil. The stories are rich with action and magic, including rune-beasts, shape-shifters, soul thieves and spirits. Anyone who loves a fantasy which has great characters, plenty of nonstop action, and a classic fight between good and evil will relish this book. Check out more about Catherine Fisher and her books at her website.

Cry of the Icemark

2006-10-20T17:35:00.000-04:00

By Stuart Hill
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield, Wildcat of the North, is turning 14 years old and has become the official heir to the throne of the Icemark. This proud young warrior princess makes a new friend in Oskan, a Witch's son, who has some undeveloped magical powers. Then news comes that the southern Empire, headed by the formidable general Scipio Bellorum, is headed to attack the Icemark and conquer it. Thirrin's father makes a desperate stand against the army, which succeeds in stalling them until the snows of winter prevent the Empire from renewing their advances. But the King falls in the battle, and Thirrin becomes Queen. Thirrin realizes to beat the Empire's gigantic army, she is going to need all the allies she can get. Thirrin and Oskan travel into the far North to try and gain vampires, wolf-folk, giant Snow Leopards and more strange creatures as allies. But even if she is successful, will they be able to come together and fight in time to beat the Empire? For those who like a fantasy that is short on character development but long on plot containing battle scenes and creatures of myth and fancy, this could be the sort of story you would like!

Princess Academy

2006-10-20T17:34:00.001-04:00

By Shannon Hale
Rating:4 1/2 stars
2006 Newbery Honor
Reviewed by Noelle

Miri lives in the tiny village atop of Mount Eskel, where all the inhabitants mine the rare linder stone except for her. Miri believes her father won't let her work in the quarry due to her small size and she yearns to win his approval. Still, she is mostly happy tending the goats and harboring a crush on her longtime friend Peder. But life is turned upside down when a messenger from the king arrives with the traders and announces that the bride for the country's prince is to come from Mount Eskel. All the girls from 14 to 18 years old in the village will be required to attend an academy to train them as potential princesses and in a year, the prince will arrive to choose his bride. Despite the protests of the villagers, the group of girls set off on the 3 hour trek to the academy building where they are pressed by a harsh teacher to learn reading, writing, poise, conversation, dancing, history and more. Although the academy is difficult, the girls soon find themselves competing to be the most accomplished. Miri is right at the top of the class, but she begins to learn more than just the required items on the syllabus. She stumbles upon a way to use the almost magical "quarry speech" outside of the quarry, and her study of commerce opens up new possibilities to ease the hard life of the village. For Miri, the most important lesson becomes the realization of what she can do with her new skills as opposed to what she can win for learning them. This is a truly terrific story. What could have been another old Cinderella story is instead layered with fine characters and some very surprising plot twists, as well as a depth of emotion that could cause some tears to prick under eyelids. This is a story about friends and family, but also about taking risks and finding out what you really want. Anyone taking the time to read this worthy book will not be sorry. High marks!