ARC Review: The Dig by Audrey Hart

GENRE

YA Fiction / Fantasy (208 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

Zoe Calder has always been an outsider. Stashed away in boarding schools since her parents died, Zoe buries herself in the study of ancient worlds. Her greatest thrill is spending her summers with her archaeologist aunt and uncle on digs around the world. And one day, while investigating a newly unearthed temple in Crete, Zoe discovers a luminous artifact that transports her to ancient Greece.

As Zoe quickly learns, the Olympian Gods are real, living people—humans with mysterious powers… Powers that Zoe quickly realizes she has come to possess, as well. However, when the people of ancient Greece mistake Zoe for an Olympian, the Gods must restore the balance of the ancient world… No matter what.

Zoe is forced to play a confusing and dangerous game as Hera rallies the gods against her—all except for Zeus, the beautiful, winged young god who risks everything to save her.

MY REVIEW

This book was sent to me by the author, Audrey Hart, as an ARC ebook. After I read the synopsis, I knew this book was going to be right up my alley.

I've always held a fascination with Ancient Greece. I think it's the whole god-human interaction. The myths of Greece tell of many instances where the gods fall in love with mortals, which always intrigued me. It's almost like the gods had some unquenchable desire for humans, even though they were all-powerful and immortal.

Anywho, I absolutely loved this book! This was really the first book in a very long time to make me laugh out loud. Not just a little chuckle, but a big booming laugh that probably made my mother think that I was crazy. There's so much humor in this novel, it's really impossible not to crack a smile.

I have to say my favorite part of this novel was its heroine, Zoe. Really, she was one of the most well-written leading females I've read in quite a while! It was so incredibly easy for me to relate to her. I think a lot of younger readers out there will really connect with Zoe and her "outsider" status and awkwardness with boys. I certainly did! Zoe has such an amazing voice throughout the novel, it's really very hard not to connect with her.

I also really like the perspective Audrey Hart takes on the gods of Ancient Greece. When it comes down to it, the gods are really nothing more than immortal humans. Audrey reminds us that we are all human, especially when it comes to a thing like love. No one is really truly perfect, so why don't we all just embrace it?

Another thing I quite enjoyed was that when Zoe first travels back to Ancient Greece, she realizes that even though the people speak Greek, it's an archaic form of the language she can't understand. The history geek in me totally ate this up. It made her time travel all the more believable.

The story was really fast-paced and had me turning pages like a maniac. I really couldn't put it down! It was very well-written, without any over-complicated plot to confuse readers. It was a very easy read, but that doesn't mean it was any less exciting. There are many references to modern pop culture, which keep the book current and refreshing.

All in all, this was a really great book. Like I said before, I haven't had a book make me smile in a very long time! This was a really great read, with an exceptionally great heroine. Don't pass this up!

Oh, and I will definitely be reading the sequel, as the end of the book is a semi-cliff hanger!

MY RATING

4.5****/*

(This book is available on Amazon.com)

Guinevere by Sharan Newman

SYNOPSIS

Sharan Newman tells the story of the golden child whose dearest friend is a saint who hears spirits singing; of the gentle-hearted woman who begins to dream of love, glory, and the fierce, proud king who will become her husband; of the passionate beauty whose name will be remembered and hated for centuries.

MY REVIEW

Of course this was an instant read for me, being the Arthurian legend junkie I am. There are really more series on Guinevere than I realize, and this is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

I can't say I liked this book. But I can't say I absolutely cursed it to damnation either. I don't know, maybe it's that Arthurian legend junkie inside of me keeping me from being too harsh.

Let's start with this book's namesake, Guinevere. Sharan Newman's aim, I think, is to have Guinevere come across to the reader as "otherworldly" and "different," somehow like the "chosen one." But really, she came across to me as spoiled and just kind of "out there." And not in a good way. It was like she was always in some other world that everyone else, and it was a bit annoying.

I was really quite mad at Guinevere towards the end of the novel, when she first meets Arthur. Arthur goes completely gaga over her, of course, but Guinevere remains completely ignorant. I mean, Arthur is willing to go so far as to change the person he is for her, and Guinevere acts surprised when Arthur tells her he loves her? I mean, come on. Like I said, it's like Guinevere's existing in some other dimension throughout the novel.

I also didn't like the fantasy aspect of this novel. Guinevere talks to a unicorn. Really. And she sees invisible spirits. It was just too weird for me, and in my opinion, it really didn't add anything substantial to the book.

I will say I did like Sharan Newman's interpretations of all of the other Arthurian characters. But it seems kind of silly to me that I came away from this book liking everyone else except Guinevere. Kind of defeats the point I guess.

The writing was pretty well done, although it really took me a while to get through it. I definitely didn't get that magical feeling I get when I read Arthurian legend. (Except at the end when Sharan Newman introduces Lancelot ;D).

All in all, if you're super duper into Arthurian legend like I am, I'd say why not, give it a try. But if you are just getting into the magic that is King Arthur, pick another series. I might read the rest of the series just to see what she does with Lancelot + Gwen, but we'll see.

MY RATING

2.5**/*

Book #14 in Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley

GENRE

Fairytale Retelling / YA Fantasy (287 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

"It is the heart of this place, and it is dying," says the Beast. And it is true; the center of the Beast's palace, the glittering glasshouse that brings Beauty both comfort and delight in her strange new environment, is filled with leafless brown rosebushes. But deep within this enchanted world, new life, at once subtle and strong, is about to awaken. Twenty years ago Robin McKinley enthralled readers with the power of Beauty. Now this extraordinarily gifted novelist retells the story of Beauty and the Beast again—but in a totally new way, with fresh perspective, ingenuity, and mature insight.

MY REVIEW

Beauty and the Beast is by far my favorite fairytale of all time. I freely confess that I am completely enchanted by the power this tale wields, and I think in today's day and age, it is so much more relevant in a world where beauty and looks are so powerful. Beauty and the Beast reminds us that in the end, all else falls away, except for the power of pure love.

I had previously read Robin McKinley's other retelling of Beauty and the Beast called Beauty, and I was extremely pleased with that book. I actually found it quite odd that an author would revisit a past subject, but then I thought, for a fairytale like BatB, I can completely understand.

First of all, the prose of this novel... wow. Completely infused with the magic that surrounds the story. The scenery is just so lush and breathtaking. Every detail seems like it is right in front of you, just waiting for you to reach out and touch it. I very much enjoyed how much Robin McKinley focused on the roses in this story. Not only are they an integral part of the plot, they are beautiful, both in what they represent and how they are described.

The only down side I noticed about this wonderful prose was that at times it did drag just a bit, and felt a little too over-"padded" at some points. But this was only a minor and rare occurance.

I really enjoyed how Robin McKinley used many of the details of the original fairytale in this new retelling. It just made her retelling all the more powerful and viable to the reader. And it made the twists in her plot all the more refreshing and unique.

I think my favorite part of the book was the ending. All I will tell you is that it is definitely not your typical BatB ending, and I found it so much more powerful. Beauty's love for the Beast is really put to the test in the end, and how she proves herself is just beautiful.

The characters were all well written, and all had something special to add to the story, which I love. The only thing I could have maybe asked to be different was for Ms. McKinley to have given Beauty just a little bit more... spirit, I guess. I don't know, maybe this is just me comparing this book too much to the Disney movie.

All in all, this was an excellent read. Robin McKinley took the most powerful fairytale of all time and turned it into something new, refreshing, and most importantly, beautiful.

MY RATING

4.5 ****/*

Wildwing by Emily Whitman

GENRE

YA Historical Fiction / Fantasy (359 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

When Addy is swept back in time, she couldn't be happier to leave her miserable life behind. Now she's mistaken for Lady Mathilda, the pampered ward of the king. If Addy can play her part, she'll have glorious gowns, jewels, and something she's always longed for--the respect and admiration of others. But then she meets Will, the falconer's son with sky blue eyes, who unsettles all her plans.

From shipwrecks to castle dungeons, from betrothals to hidden conspiracies, Addy finds herself in a world where she's not the only one with a dangerous secret. When she discovers the truth, Addy must take matters into her own hands. The stakes? Her chance at true love, and the life she's meant to live.

MY REVIEW

I picked this book up at my local bookstore because it sounded fairly interesting. I've always enjoyed books that include time travel, because I love to see how characters get along in such a completely different world than the ones they were living in.

The only problem I have with time traveling books is that usually for the characters, some out-of-the-blue plot twist happens and they magically fit right into someone's vacated place. It just never seems real enough. Unfortunately, this book was no exception.

When Addy is transported back in time, she sees a falcon, which leads her to a beach on which the remnants of a shipwreck are washed up. Turns out, that ship was carrying the real Lady Mathilda to the castle of Sir Hugh. So when riders show up to survey the damage, they see Addy and assume she is Lady Mathilda, the only survivor of the wreck. I just found this really unbelievable. I have yet to discover a good time traveling story in which the character really has to think and figure out a way to "jump in on the action," as it were.

Actually, the whole story continued in that fashion. The plot was just too unbelievable. It was all really too good to be true. Everything ends up happening right for Addy, even when it doesn't seem like it's going to, it does.

The characters really weren't anything special, just stock characters refashioned in a new way. Will's love for Addy seemed to be a bit unbelievable (again) to me, just because he falls so in love with Addy from the start and it's never made clear what his feelings are based off of.

Historical accuracy wasn't anything to spectacular either. It was just the basics. Nothing to be in awe over. Although I will give credit to Emily Whitman for doing some good research on hawking. That element of the book was well researched.

The prose was simple and pretty unornamented. Seriously, I finished this book in two days.

If I could sum up this book in one word, it would be charming. It was a charming story. The plot was okay, the characters were okay, and the historical accuracy was okay. Nothing really special stood out to me here. Definitely just a run-of-the-mill YA Historical Fiction novel. A good read if you've got a couple of lazy days.

MY RATING

3***

Book #5 in Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Gawain & Lady Green by Ann Eliot Crompton

GENRE

YA Fantasy / Arthurian Legend / Fairytale Retelling (214 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

Gwyneth wasn't supposed to fall in love with Gawain. Not like this. Gawain was the May King--a sacrifice offered to the Goddess for a bountiful harvest in return. Gwyneth knows this. His fate has been decided by powers beyond her control. But the warmth of his touch and the taste of his lips have blurred the lines of what she knows to be true. Now Gwyneth is willing to risk everything to keep Gawain alive, even if it means losing him forever...

MY REVIEW

I was excited when I first found this read in my local Border's. Arthurian legend? Check. Fairytale retelling? Check. Two of my favorite genres all bundled up in to one package? Yes please.

I really should have said no thanks.

This book was far from good. Even to say it was just okay is a stretch. Here's why.

The dialogue throughout the novel was clipped and devoid of meaning. After reading for a while, the character's dialogue actually became annoying to me. It had no real flow, no real meaning; it was just kind of there, you know? It just didn't go anywhere.

The characters were really poorly written. At the end of the novel, I felt myself not caring for a single one of the characters. Crompton didn't succeed in getting my sympathy for the plight of her raggamuffin characters. Neither Gawain nor Lady Green captured my imagination or my heart. There was absolutely no backstory, and without seeing where these characters had been, I couldn't possibly imagine where they could be going.

The plot skipped around everywhere! I was so confused reading this book. It wasn't until the end of the book that I really got a small sense of what was going on, and even then, I didn't care. It wasn't important to me. The whole opening of the book in media res really did not work at all.

Setting was nondescript. Definitely nothing special in that department either.

There was just no feeling in this novel. It was just an empty shell. Nothing captured my attention, or made me want to keep reading.

All in all, not a good read. In the back of the book, there was an "Coming Soon" add for another book by Crompton called Percival's Angel. I just cringed at the thought of having to read another butchering of Arthurian legend again.

MY RATING

1.5*/*

On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers

GENRE

Historical Fiction / Fantasy / Sci-Fi (322 pgs.)


SYNOPSIS

Aboard the Vociferous Carmichael pupeteer John Chandagnac is sailing towards Jamaica to claim his stolen birthright from an unscrupulous uncle when the vessel is captured... by pirates! Offered a choice by Captain Phil Davies to join their seafaring band or die, Chandagnac assumes the name John Shandy and a new life as a brigand. But more than swash-buckling sea battles and fabulous plunder await the novice buccanneer on the roiling Caribbean waters--for treachery and powerful vodun sorcery are coins of the realm in this dark new world. And for the love of the beautiful, magically imperiled Beth Hurwood, Shandy will set sail on even stranger tides, following the savage, ghost-infested pirate king Blackbeard and a motley crew of the living and the dead to the cursed nightmare banks on the fabled Fountain of Youth.


MY REVIEW

When I found out that the newest installment of Pirates of the Caribbean had been inspired by a book, let's just say I was down at my local Border's before you could say "Bring me that horizon." It is easy to see why Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio (screenwriters for Pirates) used this book as "inspiration." The story is filled with high seas adventure and paranormal magic, two ingredients that made the Pirates series so incredibly popular.

This book, to put it frankly, was brilliant fun. The story was original and fast-paced, the characters well-written, and the detail flawless. I even found that Powers' detail when describing the pirate ships had me reaching for my laptop, frantically Google searching words like "mizzen mast" and "gunwale." A little over-educated in the maritime department for me, but I got along just as well.

Onto the characters. Our protagonist, Jack Shandy, aptly fits the characteristics of a slightly more-piraty William Turner. Handsome, simple, and someone who eventually succumbs to the life of a pirate. His love for the damsel in distress, Beth Hurwood, literally drives him across oceans. I was rooting for him the entire novel. SO many things got in the way of his rescuing Beth, I was ready to pull my hair out. But finally, they find each other. I absolutely loved that part of the story.

Powers did a good job writing the character of our main villain, Mr. Hurwood, Beth's father. After the loss of his wife, Hurwood will not stop until he had evicted his own daughter's soul from her body and replaced it with the soul of his dead wife. Pure evil, right? I sure thought so.

It was brilliant how Powers used the concept of vodun magic to explain famous events in piratical history, such as the death of Blackbeard. Blackbeard only "allowed" the Navy to kill him so he could be reincarnated, as he had spilled blood at the Fountain of Youth. I found Power's abstract concept of this strange magic instilled a sense of "foreverness" among the Golden Age pirate stories... that they truly will never die, and that their spirit will live on forever.

The action going on in this story blew me away. The sea battles were uber intense! A little gory, but hey, what do you think happens when you shoot someone with a pistol? The sense of adventure was strong and true throughout the entire novel.

All in all, if you are a fan of anything pirate, you must read this book! Tim Powers did an excellent job of bringing archaic pirates to life. This novel is action-packed, full of romance and strange magic, which ended up being a recipe for success! This is the ultimate pirate novel. A perfect summer read!


MY REVIEW

4.5****/*

Book #3 in Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa De La Cruz

GENRE

YA Urban Fantasy / Vampire (369 pgs.)


SYNOPSIS

With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry; love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Schuyler has made her choice. She has forsaken Jack for Oliver, choosing human over vampire. But old loves die hard... And even coldhearted Mimi seems to suffer from the ties that bind.


MY REVIEW

Here again we have a memorable, unique departure from the over-saturated vampire world that is YA Fantasy. Although I can commend this series for its uniqueness, this installment absolutely was not up to par.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

The first problem I had was that the characters in this novel are far from believeable. Especially the character of Mimi Force, or the angel Azrael, as she is so deemed. This pampered socialite is really a two faced character, and not in a good way. Throughout this story Mimi is pulled away from her destiny bound vampire mate, Jack, to a handsome, reformed Silver Blood (the evil kind) vampire Kingsley. Just as Mimi and Jack are about to be "bonded" together (think of a wedding, but vampire style), Mimi realizes she can't go through with it, as she sees Kingsley lurking in the shadows. Then come to find out, when Mimi realizes her bondmate Jack actually loves someone else as well, she decides that Jack has "forsaken his duty" and she has to kill him for violating the Sacred Law. I just found this to be completely unreasonable and unbelieveable.

Our protagonist Schuyler was really nothing special in this story. She treats her human conduit (guardian) Oliver terribly, runs around the world always longing for home, and really doesn't get involved much as far as important plot functions go.

The plot was also really unbelieveable too. Everything just seemed to "fall into place" too naturally, you know? Like there was never any real challeneges. And I could have guessed the ending a mile away.

The only thing really redeeming about this novel was Bliss's story. When we left her in the last novel, we found out she was being inhabited by the demon Leviathan, who was using her to kill all the Blue Bloods. In this book, it was really refreshing to see the heart-wrenching agony she went through to slowly but surely regain control of her own thoughts and actions.

There really wasn't much to enjoy about this book, unfortunately. You know when you get the feeling of intense satisfaction after finishing a novel in a series, and you are dying to get the next book? Yeah, I don't have that.


MY RATING

2.5**/*

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

GENRE

YA Urban Fantasy / Vampire (594 pgs.)


SYNOPSIS

Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose--for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back... and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?


MY REVIEW

Sometimes, I hate reading books. Not in the sense that I hate to read, but in the sense that I absolutely hate to see wonderful sagas end.

A quick note to those who have never read the whole series and are thinking of starting with this book: I beg you, please begin at the beginning. You will be so lost if you begin with this book, and it just won't mean as much. Trust me.

As I mentioned before, I absolutely hated to end this series. In my opinion, these are the books that should have been made into block-buster movies, not Twilight. This series has tremendously better characters and is written far better. But let me step down of my soap box here.

In reading this book, and the whole series for that matter, it is obvious to the reader that Richelle Mead is extremely passionate about her characters. She takes care and precision in molding each of their storylines, their dialogue, and their general actions. This story would really be nothing without its characters, and Richelle Mead has crafted such an excellent bunch of characters that throughout all 6 books, you never tire of them.

In a world saturated with urban fantasy vampire books (whenever I go to Border's, all I see in the YA section is dark covers!), it is extremely refreshing to find a "dark horse" in the pack. This series was definitely one of them. The book was never cheesy, and never, ever clichéd.

Richelle Mead's plot in this novel was intriguing, as always. It was definitely a book I couldn't put down. I just had to keep reading, no matter how small the number was on my alarm clock.

Also in this novel, our protagonist, Rose, really grows a lot during the course of the story. By the end of the book, you can really see how she has grown as a person, and how she has influenced those close to her. I admire Richelle Mead's care in making sure that her characters grow and mature in ways that reflect our own growth in life.

Anyways, I can't say enough about this book, and this series for that matter. Each one of the books are extremely well written, and each one is memorable in their own right. It was a bittersweet moment when I turned the final page in this saga. This is the bar that all other YA vampire novels should be judged by.


MY RATING

5*****

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

GENRE

Quasi-Historical Fiction / Fantasy / Fairytale Retelling (406 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and stive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconcieved notions about the nature of good and evil.

MY REVIEW

After seeing the Broadway play Wicked on the West End in London over Christmas break, I found a new thing to obsess over. And when I found out that the play was based on a book, well, that little discovery ended in a trip to my local Barnes & Noble. I was really excited to start this read, but I had absoutely no idea what I was getting myself into.

I think I should start with the positives. Gregory Maguire's characters are absolutely amazing. So much depth goes into every little detail of their being. Elphaba's, or the Wicked Witch of the West's, character is complex and dynamic, and makes you question what you really know about good and evil.

Gregory Maguire's writing is absolutely breathtaking. He has literally created a whole new world... a new society, a new class of people, and a new political system. He breathes life into his story by giving his characters real-life political and societal obstacles. Oz is a real place, with real people! Or so Maguire led me to believe.

Now, onto the not-so-positives. This book was really--to sum it up in one word--weird. I can't seem to describe it any other way. It's one of those weird/bad dream kind of books, almost like an Alice in Wonderland kind of thing. I read a review somewhere that said that this book was filled with all kinds of allegories and intricate metaphors... maybe I'm just not intellectual enough, because I didn't catch that at all.

If you're like me and you wanted to read the book after seeing the play, understand one thing right now... the play and the book are two totally separate entities and are not alike at all. I wish I would have known that before reading, just to prepare myself. And unfortunately, if I had to pick one over the other, I would definitely have to go with the play. It was SO much better.

I liked the fact that Gregory Maguire took and old story and put a new spin on it, and gave an old villain a new look, but this one was just too weird for me. A piece of advice... see the play, don't read the book (because the play is really fantastic). All in all, an okay read.

MY RATING

3***

Appropriateness Factors:

There are a couple of scenes that took me off guard, that were quite a bit adult. Take it for what it's worth.

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

GENRE

Fiction/Fantasy/Arthurian Legend (876 pgs.)


SYNOPSIS

The Arthurian legend is well-known by many, but in The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley approaches it in an entirely new way: from the perspective of the women involved in the story. We hear of Arthur's conception and birth from his mother, the courageous Igraine, and there are several scenes told from Guinevere's point of view, but the most intriguing and dominant character in the book is Morgaine, Igraine's first child, whose destiny lies not with the Christian future of England but on the enchanted isle of Avalon.

This hauntingly beautiful book spins a legend of the closing days of Avalon's rule, as paganism and worship of the Goddess give way to Christianity and its male God. Morgaine's tales of a life lived between the worlds of faerie and humanity, as she watches all the things she loves fade away into the mists, is tragic and moving, and will stay with the reader long after the tale closes.


MY REVIEW

Drumroll please! I am very pleased to announce that I have finally FINISHED the Mists of Avalon!! Now, onto the review.

I am so devotedly passionate about Arthurian legend. It has become so much a part of me over the past few years. It holds and will always hold a special place in my heart.

My Aunt was kind enough to let me borrow this book from her. I was a bit stunned by its sheer size at first (876 pgs and the smallest print I've seen), but I take a sick delight in long novels... the more the merrier, right? I couldn't wait to dive into this one, being the Arthurian junkie that I am, but boy, I did not know what I was getting myself into.

First of all, this book takes you on a journey. I spent 3 months of my life devoted to the reading of this single book. It is a saga, a legend, a journey through history. When reading this book, you have to be willing to let it take you wherever it will...

Marion Bradley, rest her soul, has written something so epic, so special I can hardly believe it. The pure detail that went into this book is really amazing, let alone the historical accuracy. Almost every single aspect of the Arthurian legends are present here in some way; she included everything (I mean everything!).

The characters... wow. Such a broad, diverse spectrum! From the chaste and beautiful Gwenhwyfar to the deeply devoted and passionate Morgaine, to the evil and scheming Queen Morgause... I think Ms. Bradley could have written individual books on each of these characters! But each one captures your attention and your heart, and really pulls you into the legend. I cared about these characters so much!

Speaking of characters, there is the matter of Lancelot and Guinevere (in my opinion, the greatest love story of all time). Ms. Bradley handled this side of the legends beautifully. Of course, Lance and Gwen didn't get the ending that I think they deserve (when do they ever do?), but Bradley wrote their story so well I found myself in tears at the end.

I had mixed feelings about Morgaine, on whom much of this book is based upon. Her devotion to the Godess and the rule of Avalon was a conflict for me, since this ended up partly bringing on the downfall of Camelot in the end. But I think that the ending truly makes up for that fact, when Morgaine realizes that all religions and people were one, and that "her work was done" (876).

The only downfall to this book was religion. Ms. Bradley shapes most of the story around it, and it can be a bit tedious at times. The themes she presented about religion were really swe-inspiring, but it seemed like at some points it was a constant back and forth about religion. I just wished maybe she could have focused more on the actual legends and the characters that the religious and theologous aspect of it. But it was a small downfall that I tried no to pay to much attention to, and I think the ending COMPLETELY makes up for all of my doubts.

This book is a tremendous addition to the library of Arthurian legend. If you are a fanatic like me, you MUST read this book! I probably didn't even do it justice in my review. Take the journey, read the legend!


MY RATING

5*****

Appropriateness Factors:

Just a small warning... this is an adult fiction book, and being so, there are a few sex scenes in this book. Take it for what it's worth.

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.

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****/*

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

GENRE

Y.A. Sci Fi / Fantasy / Horror (489 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Siberia, Dimitri's birthplace, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's--and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives outside of the academy's cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he has silenced her... forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey--whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what--and who--matters most to her. And in the end, is true love really worth the price?

MY REVIEW

Let me just put this out here right now... THIS REVIEW IS GOING TO BE INFESTED WITH MONUMENTAL SPOILERS. Moving on.

Rose's epic journey continues in the fifth installment of one of my favorite vapire series, Vampire Academy. In this episode Rose breaks into a high security prison, rescues Dimitri, and is mistankenly condemned for the murder of Queen Tatiana, just to name a few things.

In order to bring back Dimitri from being undead, Rose found out in the last book, Blood Promise, that she would need to consult Victor Dashkov's half-brother Robert Doru. The only person who knows where Robert is is his half-brother, of course, Victor. And in order to get him to talk, Rose has to break him out of Tarasov, a supposedly high security Moroi prison.

Richelle Mead wrote the prison break as being decidedly easy for the three teenagers who accomplished it (Rose, Lissa, and Eddie), and with little severe consequences to follow. For me, it was kind of unbelievable that these three could accomplish all that and get away, but hey, it is fiction after all. Believablitiy is kind of stretched in this book.

After breaking Victor out of jail, the foursome head to Sin City, that's right, Las Vegas. And... to the Luxor!! I used to stay in this hotel all the time when I was a kid and me and my family wen on family vacations to Vegas. I was so excited that Richelle Mead picked this hotel!!

But back on topic. After Victor contacts his brother and persuades him to come to the Luxor, Rose and Lissa subsequently learn that the way to bring back a Strigoi is to stake him/her with a stake infused with spirit. And here's the catch: the staking has do be done by a spirit user themself.

So, of course, Rose becomes conflicted. She wants to bring Dimitri back, but she doesn't want to risk her friend's life. She spies in on Lissa a couple of times practicing staking Strigoi and is furious, but it's like "Yeah, Rose, save it, we all know you really want her to be practicing."

Anyway, Lissa and Christian end up being captured by Dimitri, which leads to Lissa's staking and bringing Dimitri back from the dead. I cried so hard at this part! They brought him back!

Which brings me to my next point... Richelle Mead's writing just makes ya feel. It's like I can feel every single emotion that Rose is feeling, and it's all because of Mead's brilliant writing. I enjoy this element so much in her books... it never gets old.

But Dimitri and Rose didn't get the happy ending I was pining for, and it's easy to see why. Dimitri is (naturally) ashamed of all of the things he did when he was Strigoi, especially of all the things he did to Rose. He claims that he is incapable of loving anyone anymore, and tells Rose "Love fades. Mine has." which completely broke my heart. The interludes where Rose is verbally sparring with Dimitri, desperately trying to bring him back, were BEAUTIFULLY written. However much I wanted them to be instantly happy and Dimitri to turn right back into what he was before, I understand he has a lot of baggage, and that's what Rose eventually has to come to terms with too.

This was a REALLY great read. I was litterally shouting "No!" as I came to the last pages. I just couldn't bear to have it end, and I CAN'T WAIT for the next book! It basically ended on the biggest cliff hanger EVER!

MY RATING

4.5 ****/*

Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguié

GENRE

Y.A. Fiction / Fairytale Retelling (198 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

Seventeen years ago, a fisherman rescued a child from the sea. He and his wife raised the girl, Pearl, as their own daughter, never allowing themselves to wonder where she came from.

Pearl grows into an unusual young woman. As the other girls her age find husbands, Pearl has only one friend. One very special, secret companion: Prince James.

But their friendship is shaken when a conspiracy against the royal family combines with an evil enchantment from beneath the sea. Now, when Pearl and James need each other most, bewitching magic and Pearl's mysterious past threaten to tear them apart forever.

MY REVIEW

Pearl, a seventeen-year-old outcast and fisherman's daughter, finds herself rather awkward with extremely long legs and brilliantly silver hair. Her secret confidante and long-time best friend, Prince James of Aster, insists there is magic in the world, and that Pearl may be more special then she ever gave herself credit for.

Realizing these two have feelings for each other, and helped along by pressure from their respective parents to marry quickly, Prince James tries to propose to Pearl in a sailboat out at sea, but everything goes awry. Their boat springs a leak, and Pearl and Prince James are forced to abandon ship. Pearl makes it to shore, but Prince James, while jumping off of the boat, renders himself unconscious. Prince James is saved by two unlikely beings... a mermaid named Faye (a.k.a. the Little Mermaid), and her brother Kale.

Now here's the tricky part. Turns out that Pearl, who was formerly a mermaid princess known as Adriana, was captured by the Sea Witch when she was little and turned into a human against her will. Adriana (Pearl) and Kale had been betrothed since birth, and he has been searching for her endlessly since her dissapearance. Naturally, when he sees that it's his beloved Adriana in the boat with Prince James, he goes after her, bargaining his sight for a pair of human legs from the Sea Witch.

But I don't want to write the whole book out here for you.

This novel was a fish out of water... in a not-so-good way. The one word that comes to mind througout this novel? Dry. Dry, dry, dry. Really, really skimpy on the emotion. I found myself continually asking, What makes me care about these characters? And, unfortunately, the book couldn't give me the answer.

I really, REALLY didn't like that at the beginning of some of the chapters, a little portion of the wedding ceremony between Robert and Pearl was given away. When I actually got to the wedding scene, it was very anti-climactic, because I'd been getting snippets of it ever since Chapter 1!

I guess author Debbie Viguié really liked writing her characters constantly having chills running up and down their spines, 'cause I swear there was an instant of it on every page, it seemed. That little premonition thing got really old, really quick.

I was also dissapointed at the ending. Super anti-climactic. SPOILER Pearl decides to return to the sea with her beloved Kale. True, she realizes this is what she was destined to be all along, but it's like she doesn't have one shred of emotion left for her foster parents, Mary and Finneas. It's like "Oh hey mom and dad! I'm going to be a mermaid now, separate from you. Thanks for seventeen years of being the only parents I never knew. See ya!" END SPOILER Once again, just going back to the whole DRYNESS thing!

The only part I really liked about this book was the twist that Debbie Viguié put on the story the Little Mermaid. Next to Beauty and the Beast, this is my favorite fairytale. Her interpretation of the tale sort of made up for everything else, which is why I'm giving this book a 2.5 * instead of something lower.

MY RATING

2.5 **/*

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

GENRE

Y.A. Sci Fi / Fantasy / Horror (503 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from the Strigoi: the fiercest vampires--the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.

Guardian Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same. The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse.

But only one victim matters... Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa--her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess--or dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to fo to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

MY REVIEW

In this latest installment of the Vampire Academy series, rose travels to Siberia, her love Dimitri's homeland, to try and track down his newly-"awakened" self and kill him. Along the way, she encounters Dimitri's family, the Belikovs, another fellow spirit user and her shadow-kissed guardian, and--ultimately--her father, Abe Mazur. (Sorry for the spoiler).

This was a really really great book. In my eyes, the lesser-known Vampire Academy series far outshines the immensely-popular Twilight novels. The characters are written better, the plot is more exciting, and--unlike the Twilight series--its pages aren't positively dripping with teen angst. Sure it's poignant, and there are some angsty moments, but the characters are written maturely enough to acknowledge their own angst and move on.

That brings me to the main reason why I like these novels: the characters. Rose, our main protagonist, is really just a great gal. She kicks but and takes names, with an attitude to match. Her dialogue is always exciting; never, ever boring (*cough*Bella*cough*). Lissa, Rose's best friend and protectee, fills the role of emotions that Rose sometimes doesn't. She serves the purpose of, well, emotional relief (hey, I just coined a new term!).

Richelle Mead's villains are always exciting. She always has some new sidestory for each installment that's always brilliant and creative. In this novel, our villain happens to be a fellow spirit user in disguise, who hopes to turn Lissa into one of her bonded minions. I always love getting to the ends of these novels, cause I always know there's a brilliantly-written battle waiting for me.

Rose's whole encounter with Dimitri after she finally finds him was also well written. We all knew it would happen at some point, but on a personal level, their enounter together definitley did not go down like I had expected. Once again, Richelle Mead's brilliant creativity at work.

All in all, a really great read. Possibly my favorite vampire series for young adults. I do warn that if you start with this installment, you will probably be thoroughly confused at what's going on... I finished this one in two (ish?) days. Couldn't put it down. I'm already on the next one!

MY RATING

4.5 ****/*