Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardener

GENRE

Y.A. Historical Fiction (368 pgs.)


SYNOPSIS

The year is 1794. With his beloved Sido safely in England and the Reign of Terror at its height, mysterious Yann returns to revolutionary France to smuggle out aristocratic refugees who will otherwise face the guillotine. But while the two are apart, Yann's Gypsy origins prejudice Sido's guardian against their marriage, thwarting their longed-for reunion. When Sido is kidnapped under strange circumstances, however, Yann must use all his strength and courage to outwit the evil Count Kalliovski, rescue Sido, and help save all of France.


MY REVIEW

Yann and his beloved Sido are back for part 2 of their worlwhind adventure through France's darkest hour in history: the Reign of Terror. Their Circus of Follies friends, from Tetu the dwarf to Citizen Aulard, help Yann and his good friend Didier rescue France's nobility before they are sent to Madame le Guillotine.

All is well until one particular shocking revelation: SPOILER Count Kalliovski isn't really dead. END SPOILER He sort of... well... sold his sould to the devil. And the evil Count is still on the hunt for the most precious thing in his world: the soul of Sidonie de Villeduval, escaped noble emigre and Yann Margoza's love.

First of all, I have to say that I absolutely LOVE this series because of its eccentricity. It's not your typical 18th century gilded cake, flowers, and silk story. The characters in this book make it oh so interesting! Not your typical cream of the crop.

I love the fact that Ms. Gardener used to be a costumer... you can REALLY tell throughout the story. Every character's costume is perfectly accurate, perfectly described, and is always helpful in giving me that realness to the time period. If this series of books were ever turned into a movie, Ms. Gardener better be doing the costumes!!

One thing that I also enjoy about this series is the historical accurateness. Sally Gardener brings every street corner, cafe, and catacomb to life. It's quite amazing at some times, actually.

Some ardent fans of our female protagonist Sido (like me) might be a little disappointed at this book. Sido really takes a backseat in this installment. It's all about the wonderful Yann Margoza, gypsy magician extraordinaire. I don't even think that Sido gets introduced in the story till halfway through the book.

Now onto the wonderful Yann. You've just gotta love this guy. He's so faithfully devoted to his Sido, and to being reunited with her again. He pulls of wickedly awesome disguises, tricks and magic, and he has a good heart to boot. The only problem is... HUGE SPOILER He's Count Kalliovski's SON!! END SPOILER Whoa! Even though the spirit of his mother, Anis, tries to convince Yann that he's the ghost child of her true lover, and nothing like the evil count, Yann struggles with this new fact for quite some time, and suffers because of it.

Another thing I love about this book is Ms. Gardener's writing. She comes up with the greatest figures of speech (similes) EVER! Kudos to you Ms. Gardener!

All in all, this book was a wonderful addition to the Red Necklace series. Although Sido definitley was not as involved in part 2 (sad face), it still brought the magic and adventure that I fell in love with in the first book. Pick it up (but make sure to read the first book first!!)


MY RATING

4.5****/*



Monday, July 26, 2010

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (5)

Hello all! Hope your summer is going well.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we bloggers share what we have read in the past week, and what we're currently tearing through this week.

Last Week I Read:
The Silver Blade by Sally Gardener

Currently I'm Reading:

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardener



Monday, July 12, 2010

Destiny's Path by Frewin Jones

GENRE

Y.A. Fantasy / Historical Fiction (329 pgs.)


SYNOPSIS

Branwen refuses to take orders from anyone--even the Shining Ones, the ancient gods whose power is feared throughout the land. They want her as their Chosen One, destined to save her country from the Saxons. But Branwen doubts she's ready to be a true leader.

Then a messenger from the skies shows her a vision of a bleak and violent future--a future in which Branwen has abandoned her destiny, and those most dear to her suffer unspeakable horrors. There's a blurry line between good and evil, and those Branwen trusts the most are capable of the greatest betrayal. The Shining Ones have spoken. Will Branwen answer their call?


MY REVIEW

Branwen ap Griffith is my kinda gal, first of all. Princess of Cyffin Tir, descendant from Lady Alis, a fierce warrior queen, Branwen fights with no mercy, and as well as any man.

I really enjoy this series (this is book #2 in the series) because of the history. The novel takes place near the time of King Arthur's reign (one of my favorite eras), most probably shortly after. I really like how Frewin Jones incorporates EVERYTHING that was appropriate to the period. She does her reasearch, and it shows.

Although I have to say that the only thing that doesn't really excite me in this book are the characters, Branwen being the exception. Rhodri, a runaway Saxon that Branwen has befriended, just kind of simpers around in this installment, and I miss his wit and charm that was introduced in the first book. Iwan ap Madoc, Prince of Gwylan Canu (and another friend of Branwen's) also had such a great dry humor in the first book, but he also kinda lost that in this book, unfortunately.

Now onto the imagery... really, really vivid. And I mean REALLY. If you decide to read this book, just wait till you get to the battle scenes. Wow. Really, REALLY gruesome. Jones writes every single little detail... Those battles are just so... real. Enough to have nightmares afterward. Don't know if that's a good or bad thing, but again, that's probably how those battles really went down in history. Crude, bloody, violent affairs. Props to Ms. Jones on the imagery.

All in all, an exciting read. I think maybe Branwen is too stubborn for her own good sometimes, but she learns... eventually. You can only get away with the whole dissing the gods thing for so long. But she is driven by her heart, and I really admire that about her.


MY RATING

4****

P.S. Look for the third installment in this series, The Emerald Flame, due out October '10.



It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (4)


Hello all!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we bloggers share what we have read in the past week, and what we're currently tearing through this week.

Last Week I Read:

Destiny's Path by Frewin Jones

Currently I'm Reading:

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardener



Monday, July 5, 2010

Everlasting by Angie Frazier

GENRE

Y.A. Historical Fiction (329 pgs.)


SYNOPSIS
Sailing aboard her father's trade ship is all seventeen-year-old Camille Rowen has ever wanted. But as a girl of society in 1855 San Francisco, her future is set: Marry a man she doesn't love, or condemn herself and her father to poverty.

On her final voyage before the wedding, the stormy arms of the Tasman sea claim her father, and a terrible family secret is revealed. A secret intertwined with a fabled map, the mother Camille has long since believed dead, and an anceint stone that weilds a dangerous--and alluring--magic.

The only person Camille can depend on is Oscar, a handsome young sailor whom she is undeniably drawn to. Torn between trusting her instincts and keeping her promises to her father, Camille embarks on a perilous quest into the Australian wilderness to find the enchanted stone. As she and Oscar elude murderous bushrangers and unravel Camille's father's lies, they come closer to making the ultimate decision of who--and what--matters most.


MY REVIEW

When I first picked up this book at Border's a week or so ago, I wasn't actually sure how this book would pan out for me. Sure, it was Y.A. Historical Fiction (one of my favorite genres), but the synopsis sounded kind of... well... weird. Just different.

But I made the decision to buy it anyway, and I'm so glad I did. Camille Rowen's tale of adventure on the high seas was really really exciting. The secenery in this book is brilliant. All of the marvelous locales in which this story takes place (San Fran, Australia, Hawaii) are really breathtaking. This book definitley takes you on your own mini vacation.

The characters were also written very well. Camille, despite her unfortuante circumstances, remains a strong heroine, who comes to realize that the only real path you can follow is the path your heart leads you on. Oscar remains undyingly by Camille's side, always there to protect her and defend her at all costs.

One character I really admired was Ira Beam. Camille and Oscar pick up this swindler with heart in Melbourne, AU, to be their guide in their travels across the continent. I loved this character because he reminded me of a certain someone... a certain Captain named Jack Sparrow. A quote, to prove my point:

'"Whiskey?" Camille cried as she stood on a wharf in Port Adelaide harbor. "You brought us onto a whiskey cargo ship?"
Ira spread out his arms. "And rum, love. Don't forget the rum."'

Coincidence or not? You decide.

The only thing that didn't strike a chord in me was the whole search for Umandu, the mystical stone of the immortals. For me, it really took a back seat throughout the book. When they actually finally reach the stone, the quest only took about 56 pages to retrieve it. Throughout the book, everyone warns of how so many people have died searching for it, but the quest itself seemed a bit anti-climactic. Just a bit. The 'magic' of the stone never really connected with me.

All in all, this book took me on a really great adventure. A good light read that's action packed. Be sure to pick this one up this summer!


MY RATING

4.5****/*



It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (3)


Happy Monday to everyone! Hope you had a great Fourth of July.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we bloggers share what we have read in the past week, and what we're currently tearing through this week.

Last Week I Read:

Everlasting by Angie Frazier

Currently I'm Reading:

Destiny's Path by Frewin Jones



Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy 4th of July: A Moment of Rememberance

Happy 4th of July to everyone! I hope you all are spending it with family and loved ones.

I'd like to take this moment to remember two great men without whom this nation might have not existed: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Both lives ended this day, on the 50th anniversary of our nation's independence, in 1826.

Be proud of the country you live in, of the great men who founded it, and of the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. Have a wonderful Fourth of July.

--Rachel B., a.k.a UntouchableTreasure



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