Tag Archives: fantasy

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Review: Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

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Title: Darkness Becomes Her

Author: Kelly Keaton

Publishing Information: February 22, 2011 by Simon Pulse

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Mythology

Series information: Book one in The Gods & Monsters Trilogy

Format: Hardcover, 320 pages

Source: Received an ARC from the publisher

Recommended For: Readers looking for a Greek retelling with paranormal elements.

 
With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is. Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long-dead mother: Run.

The story begins with Ari desperately searching for answers regarding her dead mother. She was brought up in foster care and like a lot of foster children she longed to know more of her parents. Ari is not only different because she comes from a foster home but she was born with teal eyes and silver hair, these characteristics greatly add to her beauty but they also make her feel even more alone in the world. After Ari obtains information on her mother she is attacked by a mysterious man and decides that her only choice is to venture into New 2, an area designate to those that are not “normal,” so that she can better understand where she came from.

I honestly don’t enjoy dystopian novels and therefore I wasn’t as excited to read about Ari and the ruined New Orleans. However the author does not focus on the dystopian elements but more on Ari’s story and her need for knowledge about her heritage.

The characters in this novel were so diverse and I really loved them all. Ari was really a strong heroine who doesn’t need to rely on anyone but herself. I really appreciated her strength, though I felt that her language was a little vulgar and at first it made me think of her as really immature. Sebastian was actually a pretty sweet character; he really cared about Ari it seemed. I am so used to the whole “falling in love after knowing each other for five minute” plot line that I have become desensitized. Their relationship was done in the same way on one level but at the same time I can relate to how she became close to her after she woke up to find him caring for her in a vulnerable state. Also Violet was such a neat character, she was very unique and she really helped to develop the story. Plus she has a miniature pet alligator named Pascal and I think that is so cool and also, I want one.

This book is a blend between the paranormal mystery type books and a Greek mythology retelling. It was quite unique in the way it blended the two genres and I was very impressed with the way the author set up the story. I am also happy to say that I didn’t completely figure out the plot twists before they occurred. It is always a pleasant feeling when parts of a book surprise me.I do have to say that the story went by too quickly for me and I believe the author could have doubled her page count and not decided to turn the book into a series. It really read more like a short prelude to a much longer story that is to come and I am highly anticipating A Beautiful Evil so that I can learn more about Ari and see her get revenge on those who tried to harm her.

I recommend this book to those that enjoy retellings of Greek mythology with a little paranormal fantasy thrown in, this book really is one of the best in this genre thus far.

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Review: Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

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Title: Dragonswood

Author: Janet Lee Carey

Publishing Information: January 5, 2012 by Dial

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Series information: Book 2 in the Wilde Island Chronicles

Format: Hardcover, 407 pages

Source: Borrowed from my local library

Recommended For: Fantasy lovers who are looking for a novel that focuses on relationships of all kinds growing in a land rich in fantastical elements.

Wilde Island is not at peace. The kingdom mourns the dead Pendragon king and awaits the return of his heir; the uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is strained; and the regent is funding a bloodthirsty witch hunt. Tess, daughter of a blacksmith, has visions of the future, but she still doesn’t expect to be accused of witchcraft.

Surprisingly enough, this story started out not with dragons but with witches. Tess lives with her abusive father and meek mother in a small town that becomes overthrown by witch hunters. Unfortunately, Tess is convicted of being a witch by some villagers and is forced to succumb to tests to prove her innocence. Through a dramatic turn of events, Tess escapes and goes into hiding taking her two best friends with her.

Soon after, the three girls are found hiding in a cave by a mysterious man. A man whom Tess has been having visions about for some time. Though her visions didn’t provide much insight as to who this man was or why he lives secluded in an old hunting lodge belonging to the late king. Tess and her friends are left with no choice but to put their fate into this man’s hands but Tess becomes determined to learn more about him and his dark past and they become bound as Tess learns more about herself as well.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I was intrigued in the way witchcraft was brought into the storyline and I really enjoyed the way the author tied it up with the fae story and the background of Tess and her visions.

Tess was a very strong character, she was brave and she didn’t want to be married off like other girls her age but wanted to draw, be independent and be able to run off into the woods whenever she wished, without a question from a man in her life. I liked that she had flaws to her character and wasn’t a perfect female lead, it made her more likeable. Garth was so likeable that I think I fell in love with him as soon as he was introduced. He reminded me of some of the male leads in Juliet Marillier’s books, specifically Red from Daughter of the Forest. He was calm, cool, collected but also so strong and willing to fight for what was right. The secondary characters were also wonderful contrasts for Tess, her friends started off as girls who wanted nothing more than to be married off and taken care of. Once they were all thrown into danger these girls changed and their strengths came out.

I loved the plot twists and the introduction of the fae into the already dragon ridden world that Tess lives in. It was interesting to see how strong Tess was when she was given everything she thought she wanted and how she weighed it against what it would cost her. I also adored the love story of this novel. It was not instantaneous which always makes me very happy but it was gradual and heartbreaking and strong and most importantly, it was believable. I wanted more from this love, though the author provided just enough to make it beautiful and lasting in my mind.

I liked this book significantly more than Dragon’s Keep and I recommend it to fantasy lovers who are looking for a novel that focuses on relationships of all kinds growing in a land rich in fantastical elements.

In the enchanted Woodland wild,

The Prince shall wed a Fairy child,

Dragon, Human, and Fairy,

Their union will be bound by three.

And when these lovers intertwine,

Three races in one child combine.

Dragon, Fey, and Humankind

Bound in one bloodline.

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Review: Dragon’s Keep by Janet Lee Carey

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Dragon's KeepTitle: Dragon’s Keep

Author: Janet Lee Carey

Publishing Information: April 1, 2007 by Harcourt Children’s Books

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Series information: Book 1 in the Wilde Island Chronicles

Format: Hardcover, 320 pages

Source: Borrowed from my local library

Recommended For: Fans of Patricia C. Wrede, dragons, and happy endings.

Far away on Wilde Island, Princess Rosalind is born with a dragon claw where her ring finger should be. To hide the secret, the Queen forces her to wear gloves at all times until a cure can be found, so Rosalind can fulfill the prophecy to restore the family to their rightful throne.

But Rosalind’s flaw cannot be separated from her fate. When she is carried off by the dragon, everything she thought she knew falls apart. The dragon sees beauty in her talon where her mother saw only shame, and Rosalind finally understands what her mother has truly denied her.
600 years ago Evaine, the sister of King Arthur marries someone her family believes to be beneath her status, due to her choice to marry for love she is exiled from the kingdom forever and flees to Wilde Island. Merlin has a prophecy that the 21st princess of Wilde Island will restore the name of Pendragon and end the war between humans and dragons.

Princess Rosalind feels the pressure of this prophecy in present day as she lives with a terrible secret. Rosalind was born with a dragon claw in place of her ring finger on her left hand. The only people who know of this deformity are Rosalind, her mother, and an old witch who lives in the mountains. Rosalind wears gloves every moment of every day to hide her “curse” and she waits for the day she will meet and hopefully marry Prince Henry.

Soon after a convoy from the Queen of England comes to judge Rosalind on behalf of the Queen and Prince Henry, Rosalind is abducted by a dragon and taken to his keep. Rosalind is forced to live with this dragon and take care of his four offspring. The story unfolds as Rosalind learns what it means to be both dragon and human and how to rule as queen to both.

I picked this book up after I read Janet Lee Carey’s newest book, Dragonswood. Dragonswood is a companion novel to Dragon’s Keep and I thought it would be a good idea to find out the premise behind the second book.

I really enjoyed this book; I kinda love dragons a lot and have been hooked on them ever since I read Patricia C. Wrede’s Dealing With Dragons as a child. The dragons in this book are a little different than Wrede’s but they were endearing nonetheless. This wasn’t completely a happy fairy tale. There were some dark moments and I found myself really feeling the anguish Rosalind felt over her relationship with her mother.

I felt like the romance of this book could have been left out, it seemed extremely rushed and contained no depth for me. It wasn’t the typical “love at first sight” that I have been finding in YA novels lately but Rosalind starts longing and needing this guy rather quickly to the point where upon seeing him for maybe the 6th time they are ready to get married. I thought it was very sweet but I couldn’t help but think that she was in love with the guy because he appreciated and understood her like her mother never could.
I enjoyed this book a lot, though not as much as its companion novel, Dragonswood, which I will be reviewing this weekend so make sure you stop by! I recommend it to fans of Patricia C. Wrede, dragons, and happy endings.

“She shall redeem the name Pendragon.

End war with the wave of her hand.

And restore the glory of Wilde Island.”

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Review: Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby

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Title: Wonder Show

Author: Hannah Barnaby

Publishing Information: March 20, 2012  by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction

Series information: Standalone

Format: Hardcover, 288 pages

Source: Received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

Recommended For: Readers looking for a quick story that shows the beauty in the family that you choose, not the family that you’re born into.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, friends and neighbors, allow me to change your lives! Step inside Mosco’s Traveling Wonder Show! You’ve read about them in magazines, these so-called human curiosities, this tribe of misfits—now come and see for yourselves. We’ve got a gent as tall as a tree, a lady with a beard, and don’t miss your chance to see the Wild Albinos of Bora Bora! Ask Madame Doula to peer into your future (only two dollars more if you want to know how you’re going to die).

And between these covers behold the greatest act of our display—Portia Remini, the strangest of the menagerie because she’s a ‘normal’ among the freaks, searching for a new beginning on the bally, far away from McGreavey’s Home for Wayward Girls, where Mister watches and waits. He said he would always find Portia, said she could never leave . . .

Oh, it’s not for the faint of heart folks. If you’re prone to nightmares or you’ve got a weak ticker, you’d best move on. Within these pages lies a tale of abandonment, loss, misfortune for the rich and glory for the poor (and a little murder doesn’t hurt). It’s a story for the ages, but be warned: once you enter the Wonder Show you will never be the same.

I am very grateful to have received an ARC via Netgalley, the book will be published on March 20, 2012.

Story telling is a crucial part of Portia’s life, each night she listens to the stories of her family members and she has a natural talent for weaving stories of her own. Soon Portia’s life is turned upside down when everyone she knows leaves her promising that once they make enough money they will come back for her. Portia is left with her aunt who is not a very pleasant woman and after some time her aunt decides that Portia is too much of a burden so she drops her off at McGreavey’s Home for Wayward Girls. A man who goes by the name “Mister” owns McGreavey’s and he is a very unpleasant human being. Portia is determined to find her father so she does what she needs to do to gain information. After some traumatic events Portia decides to run away and gets caught up in the life of a misfit.

This book was very enjoyable, Hannah Barnaby does a great job storytelling and the characters were very unique and fun to read about. I was immediately sucked in to Portia’s world and the entire story had a vibrant feel to it. This story wasn’t all happiness though; it was actually quite the opposite. There were very real topics in this story such as abandonment, death and guilt and overall it was rather dark. There were parts that reminded me of the Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket that I read a few years back, Count Olaf and Mister definitely share some characteristics. The highlight of Wonder Show was definitely the characters; they were all unique and “curious” in their own way.

My biggest disappointment in this story was that it wasn’t detailed enough, there could have been more to the story and the characters. The “misfits” were all so odd and I would have really enjoyed more of their back-stories and their relationships with Portia. The end of the story was endearing but it felt rushed and I couldn’t understand why it was happening as the relationships between the characters weren’t explored enough and their love for Portia was a little confusing to me. There was also an offhand comment about a ghost who follows Portia around yet it wasn’t explored further at all and I found that very disappointing. I suppose this means my biggest problem was that I wanted more from the novel, which isn’t exactly a negative thing.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2012, I think it was a successful debut from Hannah Barnaby and I recommend it to those looking for a quick story that shows the beauty in the family that you choose, not the family that you’re born into.

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Review: Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

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Title: Liesl & Po

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publishing Information: October 4, 2011 by HarperCollins

Genre: Middle Grade, Paranormal, Magic

Series information: Standalone

Format: Hardcover, 313 pages

Source: Borrowed from my local library

Recommended For: Readers looking for a sweet novel about friendship


Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice—until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.

That same night, an alchemist’s apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable.

Will’s mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey.

Liesl has been locked in the attic by her evil stepmother for 13 months, this was bearable until Liesl’s father died without her getting to say goodbye to him. Now the life that Liesl tolerated has been turned upside down. She doesn’t take pleasure in drawing anymore and is simply “existing” instead of “living.” One night a ghost named Po and its pet named Bundle visit Liesl. These two are not what you would think when you hear the word “ghost,” Po is neither a girl nor a boy and Bundle is neither a cat nor a dog, they simple are. Liesl forms a friendship with these two and they assist her in escaping from her stepmother’s clutches, stealing her father’s ashes and taking off to a town far away so that she can bring her father “home.” As Liesl is living this adventure there is a young boy named Will, the apprentice to an alchemist who has just created the “most powerful magic in the world.” Will has a mission to deliver this magic to someone very important but he misplaces it and there is much confusion that follows. His adventure becomes entwined with Liesl’s adventure and many other characters are thrown into the mix.

Liesl & Po was an absolutely lovely story. Lauren Oliver really has a way with words and I found myself reading parts of the story out loud to people around me because some of the lines from the novel were very thought invoking and all together beautifully written. This story centers around death, neglect and forms of abuse yet the way in which it was written really focused on the hope, love and joy of the characters presented. Some of my favorite parts are the interactions between Liesl and Po. For example, after Po comes back to Liesl with information on her father Liesl is very agitated at Po’s lack of enthusiasm, which he brushes off as him being tired…

“I’m very sorry to hear you are tired,” she said stiffly, her inside voice screaming: Tell me what you know about my dad! Tell me or I’ll kill you again! I’ll make you a double ghost!

“What does that mean? What does it mean to say you’re sorry?”

Liesl groped for words to describe it. “It means – it means what it means. It means that I feel bad. It means that I wish I could make you untired.”

Po flipped upside down and righted itself, still obviously confused. “But why should you wish anything for me?”

“It’s an expression,” Liesl said. Then she thought hard for a minute. “People need other people to feel things for them,” she said. “It gets lonely to feel things all by yourself.”

Oliver hit it right on the nose at that moment for me; misery loves company and so forth. There were many moments like this in the story, the book was well written and it provided a nice backdrop to the middle grade novel with characters so young. It is also important to note that the author wrote this novel after losing someone very close to her and she explains how the story helped her to heal. I have lost someone close to me as well and I have to say that this story shed a new whimsical light on something that cuts deep.

Though there were illustrations that made the physical book very appealing, the audio book is read by Jim Dale and from what I have heard he gives a magnificent performance. This book comes highly recommended it’s a sweet story and overall made me ineffably happy.

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Review: The Plucker by Brom

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Title: The Plucker

Author: Brom

Publishing Information: October 1, 2005 by Harry N. Abrams

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Horror

Series information: Standalone

Format: Hardcover, 156 pages

Source: Borrowed from my local library

Recommended For: Readers wanting a beautifully illustrated novel that reads like a children’s picture book yet brings adult terrors to life.

World-renowned dark fantasy artist Brom in this illustrated novel intimately combines his dramatic storytelling with his uniquely arresting images, to create a work of striking imagination, a world where fairy-tale tradition collides with vileness and depravity, love and heroism, suffering and sacrifice. A shadowy land of make-believe where Jack and his box are stuck beneath the bed with the dust, spiders, and other castaway toys, forced to face a bitter truth: children grow up and toys are left behind. Jack believes this is the worst that can happen to a toy. But when the Plucker, a malevolent spirit, is set loose upon the world of make-believe and Jack is thrust into the unlikely role of defending Thomas, the very child who abandoned him, he finds out there is worse that can befall a toy-far worse. As desperation mounts, Jack is thrown together with Thomas’s other toys-Monkey, the Nutcracker, and the ethereally beautiful porcelain doll Snow Angel-as they struggle to rise above their simple roles as playthings in an effort to save the boy they love.

Plucker is an illustrated novel by Brom and it is a dark, twisted tale about children’s toys and their love for children. Don’t think of this as another Toy Story, it is absolutely NOT a children’s book.

This is the story of Jack (as in, Jack in the Box) who lives in a room with dozens of other toys who belong to Thomas. These toys come alive once Thomas is in bed and gallivant through his room, living it up as toys do. The only problem is that Jack has been shoved under the bed and is now a discarded toy that is to be shunned from all the others. Soon after Jack is shunned, Thomas is brought a spirit doll from his father. They place the doll above his bed and it falls, cracks open and releases a Soul Plucker who needs to feed on children’s gusto to flourish and survive. Jack becomes transformed into a Plucker killer and he sets out against the evil taking over the child’s soul.

I was very excited to read this book. I loved Brom’s The Child Thief and I think his illustrations are absolutely amazing. However this story was very different from The Child Thief, it read more like a picture book than a novel but the illustrations completely complemented the storyline.

Jack was transformed from a child’s toy who cowered in his box for comfort to a killer with a snake’s heart. African magic and voodoo play a significant part in the story and it helped create more depth, giving the story a little more than a straightforward path.

Some of the Plucker’s “minions” were gruesome and maggot filled and I found myself physically gagging over the intense descriptions. But that’s part of the reason that I enjoyed it, I love a good horror story filled with vivid imagery. Jack’s illustrations were also incredibly intricate, even his stitching was beautiful. I recommend this book to any fans of Brom or for those who like a twisted re-telling of a childhood fable.

“All around the mulberry bush,
The monkey chased the weasel,
The monkey thought ‘twas all in fun,
Pop goes the weasel.”
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Review: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

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Title: Goddess Interrupted

Author: Aimee Carter

Publishing Information: March 27, 2012 by Harlequin Teen

Genre: Young Adult, Mythology, Romance

Series information: Book 2 in the Goddess Test series

Format: Hardcover, 304 pages

Source: Received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

Recommended For: Fans of Greek Mythology and their retellings.

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

WARNING: THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR BOOK ONE IN THE SERIES, THE GODDESS TEST. I SUGGEST YOU READ THAT BEFORE READING THIS REVIEW!

It has been six months since Kate passed the tests to become Henry’s wife and the queen of The Underworld. It has also been six months since she has seen Henry, six months that she has spent exploring the world with her best friend James. Kate can’t wait to get home and see Henry, unfortunately he isn’t as excited to see her and he barely acknowledges her presence. Kate brushes this aside and decides to go forward with her induction ceremony but right as she is about to be crowned, Cronus, the “father” to the six most powerful Gods begins to break free of his prison and he attacks the group of Gods gathered for the ceremony. It comes to light that Calliope is behind this attack and she is doing everything she can to free Cronus to take revenge on Kate and Henry. Cronus captures Henry, Walter and Philip and Kate decides she has no other choice but to go after them. James and Ava accompany her and they soon realize that they need some serious help from the only other person besides Henry who knows all the secrets of The Underworld, his first wife Persephone.

At first I was a little annoyed over Persephone’s characteristics but overall I really liked her personality and the way she bantered back and forth with Ava. She is a really forward character and knows exactly what she wants. I have to say that for the most part I liked her significantly more than Kate. A lot of the story was focused on Kate struggling with her emotions toward Henry, She knew she loved him but one moment she was leaving because she didn’t think he loved her and the next she was 100% sure that he did. Not to mention the fact that she felt completely inferior to Persephone in relation to every aspect of her life. I felt like she was so stuck on comparing herself to her sister that she couldn’t appreciate her gifts and her strengths as much as she did in the first book. Then there was Henry, I wanted to punch him in the face a few times, especially when SPOILER ALERT Persephone goes to him in his “secret” hideout and they have a LONG reunion in which they keep kissing!!! I understand that Persephone was apparently trying to prove to him that he didn’t love her but are you kidding? They just kept going and going and I had a really hard time liking Henry after that. It just felt like he was settling for Kate because she was devoted to Henry and Persephone was not. END SPOILER I think by the end I was just tired of the back and forth in Kate’s mind and I just wanted some hint of love or emotion from Henry.

I know it seems like I was not satisfied with this book but I really was. It was adventurous and heartfelt and it made me want more. I was SO happy with the ending. The first book ended in a total meh way and that’s what I had expected from this novel as well. Thankfully I was surprised and it was a total I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING moment that really has me anticipating the next book. Despite my frustrations over certain parts of this book it was very entertaining and I recommend it to those liking books filled with conflict, emotion and Greek myths with a twist.

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Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

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 Title: The Godess Test

Author: Aimee Carter

Publishing Information: April 19, 2011 by Harlequin Teen

Genre: Young Adult, Mythology, Romance

Series information: Book 1 in The Goddess Test Series

Format: Hardcover, 293 pages

Source: Received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

Recommended For: Readers interested in Greek Mythology and strong heroines.

It’s always been just Kate and her mom–and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate’s going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won’t live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld–and if she accepts his bargain, he’ll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he’s crazy–until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she’ll become Henry’s future bride, and a goddess.

The Goddess Test is a modern day retelling of the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone. Kate’s mother is dying and her last wish is that she and Kate move to her hometown of Eden. Kate agrees and they move to Eden, Kate starts at the local high school and soon crosses the path of the queen bee, Ava. Ava lures Kate to the grounds of Eden Manor under false pretenses and a practical joke soon turns deadly. Kate tries to save Ava’s life to no avail, and then the mysterious Henry appears and offers to bring Ava back to life in exchange for a promise from Kate. Kate must promise to spend the winter with Henry in The Underworld, much like Persephone. Kate hurriedly agrees thinking she must be going crazy and Henry brings Ava back to life.

Henry soon comes for Kate to bring her to the Underworld and Kate says that she will do as she promised if he promises to keep her mother alive for the season. Henry agrees and says that Kate must pass seven tests while in his realm. If she passes, she will become a goddess, Henry’s bride and the queen of The Underworld. However, if she fails, her mother will die and she will never see her again.

I liked the premise of The Goddess Test, I love re-writes and the Hades/Persephone story is one of my favorite myths. The characters in The Goddess Test were also very fun and layered. Henry is the typical brooding male with this outer shell that seems impenetrable. Thankfully Kate is able to break through and bring out some heartfelt emotional moments from him. Ava transforms into an agreeable character and Calliope was really a very enjoyable character once you get over the crazy. James is loveable but I couldn’t help but be reminded of the whole Jacob/Bella/Edward triangle and it was not very enticing for me.

The tests Kate must endure are all extremely subtle, I kept waiting for a sense chaos and adventure but it did not come. When the tests were revealed in the end I understood how they fit in to the story and how they really showcased Kate’s strengths and weaknesses but I was still somewhat disappointed in the lack of excitement. However, I really enjoyed the ending and how it gave focus on Kate and her mother’s relationship. I was impressed by how her love for her mother wasn’t overshadowed by her new “love” for Henry.

I do have a few major complaints after reading this book. First, I felt like the whole book focused on Kate having a “choice” and not being “forced” into doing anything but really she didn’t have much of a choice at all. She wanted her mother to live and knew that Henry would die if she didn’t pass the tests. She was convinced that she loved him after spending only a few moments with him but even if that wasn’t the case she knew him enough that she didn’t want any harm to come to him. It would take a very selfish person to decide to save themselves and not do all they can to save those around them. I also had a very hard time appreciating the way in which the author set the characters up in relation to their Greek counterparts. The author provides a list at the end explaining whom each character in the book represents in Greek mythology and with the exception of 3 of them I really couldn’t understand the connection. However I am happy to say that I read the sequel, Goddess Interrupted and not only was it much more adventurous, it explained the characters much better and I was able to appreciate how their characteristics coincided with their Greek personalities. I recommend this book to anyone who likes Greek mythology, re-writes and strong female characters.

I will be reviewing the sequel, Goddess Interrupted this weekend so make sure to stop by!

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Review: Entwined by Heather Dixon

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Title: Entwined

Author: Heather Dixon

Publishing Information: March 29, 2011 by Greenwillow Books

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Retellings

Series information: Standalone

Format: Hardcover, 472 pages

Source: Borrowed from my local library

Recommended For: Readers looking for a magical retelling with bits of romance and a lovely focus on the importance of family.

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it’s taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He’s trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to “keep” things. 

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

I was initially drawn to this book based on its cover, when I read the synopsis I was hooked, I love retellings and the story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses is one of my favorites! I also thought it would be interesting to read this book after reading Juliet Marillier’s version, Wildwood Dancing.

This story follows Azalea and her sisters, all named in alphabetical order after flowers. They live with their mother and father and their favorite thing in the world is to dance. Their father is a somewhat intimidating figure; they usually call him by “sir” or “the king” and are not close to him at all. They are, however, extremely close to their mother and savor her dance lessons above all else. Unfortunately, their mother dies giving birth to their youngest sister and the palace goes under a period of mourning, in which no dancing is allowed. Azalea finds out some information regarding the secret passages in their castle and they discover a magical wood beyond their castle that contains a dancing glen, taken care of by a man who only goes by the name Keeper. After time, Keeper’s real intentions come to light and Azalea must do all she can to protect her family.

I’m going to be honest, at first I couldn’t stand this book. It literally took me about 100 pages before I actually started to like the book and the characters. I couldn’t stand that Bramble was so outspoken, I was annoyed that every single conflict or happy moment related back to a dance (and I was a ballerina for 13 years!!) and I absolutely HATED the way in which Ivy just ate and ate and ate and all the characters were all “oh father let her be (obese)” it honestly turned me off to where I almost put the book away and marked it as a “did not finish.” However, I was intrigued enough and kept going and I am so happy that I did. After the mother dies, and the girls meet Keeper, the book starts to get good. Keeper was all kinds of awesome; he was handsome, mysterious, compassionate and evil. That’s right, EVIL! There comes a point in the story where Azalea finds out that there are people who’s souls have been captured, these “people” have had their mouths sewn shut so they are bound to live forever trapped in this in-between world with the inability to speak. How horrific?! I loved this. Then, the evil comes to the castle and there is this epic battle and all of these love pairings come about in a non-obvious way and it was so sweet and refreshing from the immediate I-have-to-have-you-now that comes in most YA romance novels. Also? I cried. This alone makes me like this book because it was so unexpected. The relationship between the girls and their father is even better than the romantic relationships in the book, which is rare and beautiful.

I didn’t love this book as much as I loved Wildwood Dancing, but I appreciated it in a completely different way. It was much more of a fairytale than the dark and layered tale of Marillier’s and I liked that. It’s highly recommended to those who like a good fairy tale with a less obvious, but still endearing, love story.

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Review: Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

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Title: Wildwood Dancing

Author: Juliet Marillier

Publishing Information: January 23, 2007 by Knopf

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Retellings

Series information: Book 1 in Wildwood

Format: Hardcover, 407 pages

Source: Purchased

Recommended For: Readers looking for a romantic and intriguing retelling of a childhood tale.

High in the Transylvanian woods, at the castle Piscul Draculi, live five daughters and their doting father. It’s an idyllic life for Jena, the second eldest, who spends her time exploring the mysterious forest with her constant companion, a most unusual frog. But best by far is the castle’s hidden portal, known only to the sisters. Every Full Moon, they alone can pass through it into the enchanted world of the Other Kingdom. There they dance through the night with the fey creatures of this magical realm.

But their peace is shattered when Father falls ill and must go to the southern parts to recover, for that is when cousin Cezar arrives. Though he’s there to help the girls survive the brutal winter, Jena suspects he has darker motives in store. Meanwhile, Jena’s sister has fallen in love with a dangerous creature of the Other Kingdom–an impossible union it’s up to Jena to stop.

When Cezar’s grip of power begins to tighten, at stake is everything Jena loves: her home, her family, and the Other Kingdom she has come to cherish. To save her world, Jena will be tested in ways she can’t imagine–tests of trust, strength, and true love.

Jenica is the second eldest in a household of five sisters. Jena and her sisters live with their father in Transylvania in an old castle called Piscul Draculi. Though Jena isn’t the oldest of these girls she is the most responsible and clear-headed. Her best friend is a frog named Gogu, he has been her constant companion for many years and they understand one another in a special way. Every night of the full moon the sisters are able to open a secret portal in their room and travel to the Other Kingdom where they dance and laugh with the folk who dwell there.

Jena and her sisters enjoy their life and are very upset when their father takes an extended leave on a trip, leaving their cousin Cezar to look over things at their castle. Cezar is an angry man and has a lot of bitterness and hatred toward the Other Kingdom. Cezar’s hatred comes from the loss of his brother as a child, he believes the witch from deep in the forest to be the cause of his brother’s death and has never forgiven her or the forest that keeps her.

The girls continue going to the dancing glade and take comfort while they’re away from the sorrows in their life at home. This comfort is short lived when a new group of creatures known as the Night People become frequent guests at the glade. After this group’s first night in the Other Kingdom, Tatiana, the eldest sister, meets a young man named Sorrow and immediately falls in love. Soon this love takes over and Tatiana stops eating and nearly dies as it consumes her. Meanwhile, Cezar’s wrath starts to consume him and he threatens to burn the entire forest, and the Other Kingdom along with it. Jena and Gogu must do all that they can to overcome Cezar and keep Tatiana alive and well enough until Sorrow can come for her.

If I absolutely HAD to choose a favorite author I would choose Juliet Marillier. Her Sevenwaters series are books so close to my heart I have a hard time recommending them to people because I want them to be mine, all mine!! As is her fashion, Marillier creates a strong female character that has to overcome many trials and tears before finding herself and her happiness. I was worried that this book would not live up to my high expectations, but Juliet Marillier delivered an absolutely gorgeous novel filled with adventure and love in many forms.

This book comes highly recommended; it breaks the heart into tiny pieces and then mends them one by one.