Fyre (Septimus Heap Book 7) – Angie Sage

Posted on April 2, 2013 by EHL

fyreAhhhh . . . I am savoring the finale of this very special series that I began in 2005, when I was given a galley of Magyk.  It sure seems that every character featured in the preceding books gets a nod or mention in this satisfying conclusion.  The queendom is recovering from the Darke invasion and preparations are being made to destroy the Two-Faced Darke ring forever.  That Darke ring embodies all the evil that has plagued wizards for generations.  Literally.  The two all-powerful evil wizards that tried to kill Hotep-Ra, the first ExtraOrdinary Wizard, have been imprisoned in the ring all these many years.  The ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia Overstrand, must admit the need for Alchemie to restart the Fyre to be used for the destruction.  Oh, but it is not that simple!  Things go awry in many, many ways that require the help of just about every major and minor character in the series.  Fine with me!  Even Stanley, my favorite messenger rat, makes an appearance.  Humorous, witty, snippety, and friendly, so very friendly, the finale hits the mark leaving me wishing for friends like that and a dragon boat of my own.  Thank you, Angie Sage, for 8 years of blissful enjoyment.  Highly recommend.

Side note- the series must be read in order.  For those that have read many other books while waiting for each installment, reviewing The Magykal Papers prior to reading Fyre is helpful in igniting character and storyline remembrance.

eGalley review    Publication date 4.16.13

Posted in adventure, fantasy, highly recommend | Tagged | Comments Off on Fyre (Septimus Heap Book 7) – Angie Sage

Fearless – Cornelia Funke

Posted on April 2, 2013 by EHL

FearlessAt the close of Reckless, Jacob had been cursed by the Red Fairy who imbedded a moth in his heart. Not good. It devours the victim’s heart until they suffer a rather painful death. Now Jacob is on the treasure hunt of his life tracking down every magical object that can possible cure him in our world and the Mirrorworld. Back in Mirrorworld, Fox has been waiting for Jacob and honing her own treasure hunting skills. Finally on the right track, he pursues the magical crossbow but his nemesis, Nerron seems to stay one step ahead of him. For the reader who enjoys fairy tales and quests, this sequel continues the quick pace set in Reckless and won’t disappoint. Fox steals the story!

eGalley review Publication date 4.2.13

Posted in adventure, fantasy, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Fearless – Cornelia Funke

A Flame in the Mist – Kit Grindstaff

Posted on April 2, 2013 by EHL

flame in the mistOn the eve of her thirteenth birthday, Jemma learns her evil parents are not hers. She was abducted as an infant by the evil Agromond family that has cursed and controlled the lands for generations with a gloomy, wicked mist that blocks out the sun. Their power comes from the energy released by killing twins. Jemma escapes to learn her true heritage and purpose. I’m confused about the intend audience. The storytelling, dialogue and pace are better suited for the upper elementary and middle school reader but the disturbing sacrifice of children could be unsettling for this age group.

NetGalley review    Publication date 4.6.13

Posted in adventure, fantasy | Comments Off on A Flame in the Mist – Kit Grindstaff

All My Noble Dreams and Then What Happens – Gloria Whelan

Posted on March 24, 2013 by EHL

all my noble dreamsThis companion to Small Acts of Courage can stand alone.  The author does a wonderful job clueing the reader in on Rosalind’s adventures in India during the time of British Colonization.  Her father is stationed in India and works for the British government during the time that Gandhi is leading peaceful protests for India’s freedom. She has returned to her beloved India after a brief stint with family back in England.

She continues to stir things up and do all she can to bring the cause for India’s independence to the attention of the royal family.  Through her father’s connections, she does get to meet the Prince of Wales on tour and is later presented to the King of England, King George III.  The author sprinkles so much information about India and the time period that this book would integrate quite well into a World Cultures class unit.  This is a fast read with less than 200 pages and moves along at a brisk pace.

eGalley review    Publication date 4.2.13

Posted in historical fiction | Tagged , | Comments Off on All My Noble Dreams and Then What Happens – Gloria Whelan

The Garden Princess – Kristin Kladstrup

Posted on March 24, 2013 by EHL

garden princessA princess, who enjoys gardening, tags along with her best friend when he is invited to attend a mysterious garden party. Turns out the hostess is an evil witch who for decades has been turning pretty young girls into flowers for her enchanted garden. I wanted to like this one but it took so long to get to the evil witch’s estate. The action picked up after that and briskly moved along, perhaps too quickly. The princess and the enchanted magpie thief, the two protagonists, well, a tad lackluster. The end sets up the possibilities for further adventures, so it feels like this book served merely to introduce the main characters and the fantasy world that hints of a rich past and adventures in the future.

NetGalley review     Publication date 3.12.13

Posted in adventure, fantasy | Comments Off on The Garden Princess – Kristin Kladstrup

Through the Skylight – Ian Baucom

Posted on March 24, 2013 by EHL

through the skylightVenice is the setting for many children’s books because of the uniqueness of the canals and the rich history.  An American family has recently arrived in Venice while the father continues his studies.  They take shelter from the rain in an antiques shop where Jared discovers a bag of worthless baubles.  But are they?  The old shopkeeper sees something in the three kids and allows them each to select one item.  The girls each choose a ring and the boy, a die.  All items hold the power to awaken parts of Venice to help them on their mission.  But what is their mission?  Ahhhh.  Centuries ago, children were stolen from Venice by a monk preaching for a Children’s Crusade.  The children of Venice were loaded onto ships, never to make it to the Holy Lands.  They were imprisoned and it is up to the three children of the present to join forces with three children of the past to free them all.  The children are helped by an odd assortment of sidekicks that are magically are called forth: a faun, a talking cat, a dragon, and the stone lions of Venice.  At times the story was a bit too instructional.  There seems to be a lot of explaining how characters feel and think and why they are doing what they are doing.  A bit less of that would be preferred.  An overall mission-packed adventure in Venice.

eGalley review     Publication date 3.19.13

Posted in adventure | Comments Off on Through the Skylight – Ian Baucom

The Golden Egg – Donna Leon

Posted on March 24, 2013 by EHL

the golden eggDavide was quietly in the background, doing simple tasks for the local dry-cleaners in the San Polo area of Venice. Deaf and mildly mentally challenged, he was a sweet boy. No one knew his name; they just called him the boy who doesn’t talk. He was hardly noticed by the neighborhood until he was found dead in his bed, an apparent suicide. At the request of his wife, Paola, Commissario Gudo Brunetti, took notice. Paola was a bit ashamed that she had not known his name, had not known his family. Brunetti found to his surprise that officially Davide didn’t exist. There was absolutely nothing in the records. No birth certificate or baptismal record. No record of his address. No identity card, medical card, school records. Nothing. This of course aroused Brunetti’s curiosity and he began to seriously investigate the matter.

Donna Leone, has written more than 20 Brunetti mysteries. Born in New Jersey, she has been a resident of Venice for over thirty years and captures the atmosphere of the city perfectly. The food, the sounds, the people and their mannerisms fill every scene in wonderful detail. This is my first reading of a Donna Leone mystery and it certainly won’t be the last. I loved every minute of this intelligent story.

NetGalley review Publication date 4.2.13

Posted in adult, mystery | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Golden Egg – Donna Leon

Quintana of Charyn – Melina Marchetta

Posted on March 18, 2013 by EHL

QuintanaI am in awe of the brilliance of the author.  This final book in The Lumatere Chonicles that begins with Finnikin of the Rock and continues in Froi of the Exiles, is everything and more than I hoped it would be.  A study of characters, compassion, honor, loyalty, betrayal, mercy, forgiveness, revenge, love and devotion, this book has it all and delivered with writing that is perfect.  Quintana of Charyn begins where Froi of the Exiles left off.  It was a year between readings so I spent hours re-reading Froi of the Exiles to spark my memory of events.  There is so much background that the series must be read in order.  Froi and Quintana had been betrayed and separated with Quintana running for her life and that of the life she carried, the little king.  The fight is on for all of the opposing factions within Charyn to find Quintana.  If the evil Bestiano finds her first, Quintana will be killed as soon as she gives birth to the little king.  The birth is the hope for Charyn and will break the curse that has left all Charyn women barren for these long years.  I will not give away any plot details and spoil the story for the next reader except that pretty much every character from the other books makes an appearance or gets a mention.  Fine with me!  The running themes in the trilogy include fate, karma, and looking on the side of wonder.  Highly recommend!  Best for older teens.

NetGalley review     Publication date 4.9.13

Posted in fantasy, highly recommend | Tagged , | Comments Off on Quintana of Charyn – Melina Marchetta

Poison – Bridget Zinn

Posted on March 11, 2013 by EHL

poisonKyra is a potions master who also has a bit of a witch’s Seer abilities.  She has mastered the art of potions or poisons and can be a deadly assassin.  Earlier in her youth, she became best friends with the princess and heir to the throne, Ariana.  The story opens with Kyra on the run after she failed to assassinate Ariana. Kyra had a vision of the kingdom withering and dying at the hands of Ariana so killing the princess was the only way to stop the future destruction.  Kyra sets out with a seeker pig that can sniff out Ariana so Kyra can try once more to kill her.  Along the way, her path crosses with Fred who seems to be having a walkabout.  This was great fun and made for a delicious little romp!  The sniffer piglet is absolutely delightful and nosed her way into Kyra’s heart.  Fred is the perfect carefree soul who contrasts nicely with the deadly serious Kyra.  Then there is the spunky princess Ariana who is the ultimate good natured friend and side-kick.   Highly recommend.

NetGalley review     Publication date 3.12.13

Posted in 8/13 Staff Dev, fantasy, highly recommend | Comments Off on Poison – Bridget Zinn

Ghoulish Song – William Alexander

Posted on March 11, 2013 by EHL

goulish songThis second book in the Goblin Secrets series takes place during the same time frame as Goblin Secrets, but focuses on a character that has just a few lines in the first book.  After Kaile gives the goblin acting troupe some bread as payment for performing in their family bakery, one goblin thanks her with a flute made from the bone of a drowned girl.  A particular melody wants to be played and that inadvertently causes her shadow to detach.  A person without a shadow is deemed dead, so her family holds a wake of sorts and ignores her as though she is dead.  She leaves home seeking answers. Kaile is a no-nonsense, practical thinking girl making the best of a bizarre situation.  An intriguing world has been created opening up so many storyline options, including back story.  One character who has a story to tell is Vass, Graba’s witch protégée.  I hope to read more of her in the next book.

eGalley review    Publication date 3.5.13

Posted in fantasy | Tagged | Comments Off on Ghoulish Song – William Alexander

The Murmurings – Carly Anne West

Posted on March 11, 2013 by EHL

the murmuringsA psychiatrist in a mental institution may not be a very good guy.  Sophie’s older sister was found dead after escaping from the mental institution where she was being treated for hearing voices or murmurings.  She was found in a rather bizarre pose, hanging by a toe.  Now Sophie is hearing murmurings and is afraid she might follow a similar fate.  With the help of a new guy at school, she sets out to get answers to her sister’s death and puts herself in terrible danger.  The first several chapters showed promise but it did not hold my interest although teens intent on creepy might enjoy it.  Perhaps it was the setting of the evil mental institution or the odd nature of the Taker that did not work well in this horror and suspense novel.

eGalley review   Publication date 3.5.13

Posted in horror | Comments Off on The Murmurings – Carly Anne West

Oz Reimagined: New Tales from the Emerald City and Beyond – John Joseph Adams and Doublas Cohen (editors)

Posted on March 11, 2013 by EHL

oz reimaginedOh boy, this was fun!  What a delightful collection of tales from the Oz I remember, from an Oz that might have been, and from a completely impossible Oz.  Fifteen of today’s best fantasy authors contributed to this anthology, providing all manner of stories, from the violent and dark tale set in a mental institution in One Flew Over the Rainbow, to the gentle Dorothy Dreams.  Orson Scott Card takes the son of L. Frank Baum on an adventure and Ken Liu has a Chinese Dorothy. Familiar characters sometimes look a little different, often act very different. The foreword by Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked, provides a perfect prelude to this wonderful book.  My only complaint is that there wasn’t enough.  Just as when I was a child, I wanted the stories to go on forever.  There is a content note in the book that advises the mature themes in some of the stories and rightly so.  Best for older teens.

NetGalley Review   Publication date 2.26.13

Posted in adult, fantasy | Tagged | Comments Off on Oz Reimagined: New Tales from the Emerald City and Beyond – John Joseph Adams and Doublas Cohen (editors)

Fever: A Novel – Mary Beth Keane

Posted on March 11, 2013 by EHL

feverHer grandmother taught her how to make griddle cakes and brown bread, to make salmon with butter and cream, to tuck turnips and potatoes around the meat.  And it was her grandmother who bought her a one way trip to America.  Mary Mallon found new foods to cook in America, but the rules stayed the same.  Mary loved to cook and Mary was a very good cook.  She cooked for upper class families in New York City until the day her world crumbled around her.  The day she was taken into custody and accused of spreading typhoid fever to those who ate her wonderful food.  She became known as Typhoid Mary.

I enjoyed this novel based on the life of Mary Mallon.  It captures the atmosphere of servant class New York in the early years of the twentieth century.   Tenements on filthy streets were crowded with immigrants hoping for a better life. And it paints a picture of a feisty Irish woman who was just trying to earn a living doing what she loved, not a monster spreading death and disease.

eGalley Review    Publication date 3.12.13

Posted in adult, biography | Tagged | Comments Off on Fever: A Novel – Mary Beth Keane

The Mapmaker’s War: A Legend – Ronlyn Domingue

Posted on March 11, 2013 by EHL

the mapmaker's warAoife was a wild child.  At least that’s what the nursemaid said.  Her mother tried to tame her, make her into a child of her image.  Her father loved her just as she was. He was the King’s most trusted adviser, and so it came to pass that her compulsion to make maps led to an apprenticeship with the King’s mapmaker.   Aoife studied hard, learned to use the instruments, and when the mapmaker returned to his homeland she became the King’s mapmaker.  While charting the northern borders of the kingdom, she accidentally discovers strange, quiet, gentle people beyond the border.  She dutifully reports her find to the King.  This leads to a chain of events that has Aoife fleeing for her life and finding sanctuary with these wise ones.

This story is told in a beautiful voice, the voice of Aoife, the old woman Aoife, speaking to herself, reminding herself of who she is and who she has been.   She begins “This will be the map of your heart old woman.”  I was captured from the beginning and couldn’t put the book down.

eGalley review    Publication date 3.5.13

Posted in adult, fantasy | Tagged | Comments Off on The Mapmaker’s War: A Legend – Ronlyn Domingue

Not Exactly A Love Story – Audrey Couloumbis

Posted on March 5, 2013 by EHL

not exactly a love storyIn the wake of a breakup and his parents’ divorce, Vinnie Gold and his mom move to Long Island from Queens for a fresh start.  While it seems at first that life is against him, things take a promising turn when someone drops a slip of paper with a girl’s number on it, and Vinnie snatches it up.  It’s not just any girl’s number – it’s Patsy’s, the girl next door.  After a fumbling phone call first attempt that Patsy mistakes as an obscene call, Vinnie develops a routine of calling her every night at midnight using the name Vincenzo.  He never gives away any details about himself, and Patsy doesn’t even realize that she sees him every day at school.  Despite the mystery, Patsy grows close to the caller, confiding in him and hoping to meet him in person.  She also begins to know Vinnie, her classmate, unaware that the two guys are one person.  As his parents gradually rebuild their lives and find new spouses, Vinnie starts to find himself as well.  His two identities merge into one.  The story is clever, quick, and punctuated with witty dialogue that will appeal to both male and female readers of all ages.

NetGalley review    Publication date 12.11.12

Posted in chick lit | Comments Off on Not Exactly A Love Story – Audrey Couloumbis