The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick

GENRE

Historical Fiction (616 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS
Saxon England, 1002. Not only is Æthelred a failure as King, but his young bride, Emma of Normandy, soon discovers he is even worse as a husband. When the Danish Vikings, led by Swein Forkbeard and his son, Cnut, cause a maelstrom of chaos, Emma, as Queen, must take control if the Kingdom--and her crown--are to be salvaged. Smarter than history remembers, and stronger than the foreign invaders who threaten England's shores, Emma risks everything on a gamble that could either fulfill her ambitions and dreams or destroy her completely.

MY REVIEW

As a huge fan of Hellen Hollick, I couldn't wait to dive into this read. And once again, Hellen Hollick hit this one out of the park.

There is something unique about Ms. Hollick's writing... her prose, characters, style, take your pick... that always succeeds in transporting you to the historical period she is writing about. You are there, dancing through the pages of history. You feel as if you had even lived there, in some past life or someting. This factor alone just strikes me as unique to only Helen Hollick; I don't know how she does it, but she does.

In a literary world where we are seeing increasingly more and more female protagonists, it is refreshing to meet a heroine that isn't your typical "run-of-the-mill" character. Emma of Normandy is fierce, strong, but is definitely not without her faults. At one point in the story, she basically dumps her children from her first marriage in a foreign country, and does not contact them until she needs their help in keeping her crown. Heartless, yes, but human? Absolutely.

Helen Hollick's characters in general are diverse, and always rememberable, which minor characters usually are not. Each one of her characters has their own soul, their own conscience, and their own mind. I always enjoy how Helen Hollick weaves each character into her story, as each person is, in some way, integral to the plot.

Another thing I very much appreciate is the ammount of effort and research Helen Hollick puts into each of her books. It is very much evident as you read. It's never boring or lengthy, like opening and reading a history textbook. It has character. She always intricately weaves history with fiction.

All in all, this was an excellent read. Helen Hollick is by far the master of historical fiction. Even though this book is a bit lengthy (616 pgs!), you won't be able to put it down. Once again, Helen Hollick has created a new, exciting, historically-accurate world for you to step into... and you won't be sorry you did.

MY RATING

4.5****/*

Appropriateness Factors

Being adult fiction, there are a couple of bedroom scenes, but nothing explicit. Take it for what it's worth.

Book #1 in Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

A few words...

Oh, hello there. It's me, that person who once upon a time had and maintained a blog.

Now, that person is finally back, for good this time. First off, I'd like to apologize for my lack of updating this blog. Even though this blog means much to me, school came first, unfortunately. But now, I am pleased to say I have graduated high school! Woohoo!

With this in mind, I plan to pay vigorous attention to this blog. The only thing in my future is lazy summer day after lazy summer day, which should afford me plenty of time to put some life back into this dilapidated blog. I currently have a pile of books on my night stand begging to be read/reviewed, so I will definitely be on that in the next couple of days (I'd like to space them out a bit).

Anyways, I am extremely grateful for you sticking around. It means very much to me. In these coming weeks, I hope I can repay your patience. Here's to a great summer of reading and reviewing!

--Rachel B. aka UntouchableTreasure

P.S. Hope you like the new layout. I was in the mood for something different.

Book Haul: Paris, France

So, I went to Paris over my spring break. Yeah, it was pretty darn fantastic. Okay, it was amazing to put it lightly. Of course, I couldn't come home to dreary old America without bringing back some books from some pretty awesome locations to liven things up. Here's a peek!

Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo (Genre: Classic Literature)

Three extraordinary characters caught in a web of fatal obsession are at the center of Hugo's novel. The grotesque hunchback, Quasimodo, bellringer of Notre-Dame, owes his life to the austere archdeacon, Claude Frollo, who is in turn bound by hopeless passion to the gypsy dancer Esmeralda. She, meanwhile, is bewitched by a handsome, empty-headed officer, but by an unthinking act of kindness wins Quasimodo's selfless devotion. Notre-Dame de Paris is a monument to Romanticism at its most colourful and vigorous.

(I bought Notre-Dame at a bookstore about a block from our hotel, called Galignani, which just happened to be the first English bookstore established on the European continent! Only in Paris.)

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (Genre: Classic Literature)

Strange things are going on at the Paris Opera House: a mysterious phantom--a skeleton in dinner dress--is wreaking havoc amongst the singers and the backstage staff. When new managers take over, and dismiss the rumours of the Opera Ghost, the terror really begins. Who is the mysterious figure stalking the stage at night? How can he be everywhere at once, and enter and leave locked rooms at will? And what is his connection to the beautiful and talented young soloist, Christine? Gaston Leroux's brilliant and disturbing book is steeped in Gothic tension and haunting horror.

(Of course, I bought The Phantom at the Opéra Garnier, a.k.a the Paris Opera House. I have been a huge Phan of the Phantom for years now, and lets just say I walked those haunted halls squealing like the Phangirl I am. Anyways, thanks for listening to me blather on, happy reading!)

P.S. Oh! And another literary thing I forgot... I was walking down the main street next to our hotel, called the Rue de Rivoli, and right where you have to cross the street to get to the metro station, there's a building there with a marble plaque on it that reads: "Leo Tolstoi lived here." Once again, I can say, only in Paris!

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.

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2011

Greetings everyone!! I was delighted to find this challenge, hosted by Historical Tapestry, and decided that I would absolutely love to participate. The challenge is simple, and involves these rules:

-everyone can participate, even those who don't have a blog (you can add your book title and thoughts in the comment section if you wish)

-add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please, do not add your blog link, but the correct address that will guide us directly to your review)

-any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,...)

-During these following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels:
Severe Bookaholism: 20 books
Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books
Struggling the Addiction: 10 books
Daring & Curious: 5 books
Out of My Comfort Zone: 2 books

I decided I would go with the Severe Bookaholism challenge. Appropriate indeed. I figure that 20 books in 12 months will definitely be doable for a reader like me, especially being the historical fiction junkie that I am. So, here's to a great, historical-fiction filled 2011. Wish me luck!!

Friday is for Fairytales (5)

Friday is for Fairytales is a meme hosted by Irena at This Miss Loves to Read. Every Friday, you can choose a fairytale you love, or simply find interesting or haunting, and review it or simply say why you like it so much, or why it has captured your attention. Instead of a fairytale, you can choose a favourite fairytale character and describe him/her and tell us why you like them, or you can simply share an experience connected to a fairytale. Fairytales can be old and modern, written by a known author or anonymous, written down or passed on orally, short or in novel form (like re-writings of fairytales), international or typical for your country alone. In this case, present your country’s fairytale and we can all become acquainted with a new fairytale. So, make a post every Friday that is connected to the world of fairytales, be it a review, a character description or your own fairytale experience. Let’s celebrate fairytales and share our love for them.

MY POST IS ABOUT: Aladdin translated by Antoine Galland from One Thousand and One Nights

Aladdin has always been one of my favorite fairytales. It definitely does not fit the description of a classic "fairy tale"... more like a legend than anything else. Even though this tale isn't a classic fairytale, none of the magic is lost. The traditional battle between good and evil still exists, with an interesting twist.

I always admired the strong character of Aladdin. He is an impoverished, although very smart and cunning youth who won't take no for an answer. And all his hard work pays off in the end... through the help of a powerful genie, Aladdin find the woman of his dreams and makes a new destiny for himself.

I think Disney did a great adaptation of this tale. Both Aladdin and Princess Jasmine are really dynamic, strong characters. They both will not accept the constricting world that they live in, and seek to better it, no matter what the cost. I always loved the sense of freedom they create for themselves, and think that Disney captured this beautifully.

This is a great, out of the ordinary fairytale. It transcends the boundaries of tradition, while still keeping the powerful essences of freedom and destiny... that is, having the priceless power of creating your own destiny.

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

GENRE

Y.A. Fairytale Retelling / Fantasy (257 pgs.)


SYNOPSIS

Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter' daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her--a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.
When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feel's the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious yound woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.


MY REVIEW

One of my absolute favorite genres is fairytale retelling. I was a little skeptical when I first discovered this new read... the plot seemed like it would stray too far from it's orginial, Sleeping Beauty. A healer's apprentice? You mean... she's not a princess? But, it was another great lesson in how not to judge a book by its cover.

Rose, although a healer's apprentice, has the makings of a princess. Her compassion, spirit, and generosity all demonstrate that. She puts everyone else before herself, and is a priceless friend to have. I really admired her character, even if she did seem a little too-good-to-be-true sometimes.

I was also impressed with how Melanie Dickerson wrote the plot of this novel. It was really fantastic. Rose and Lord Hamlin's brother, Lord Rupert, court for sometime, on the premise that--despite his history--Lord Rupert really does love Rose and wants to marry her. But, as it turns out, he just wants her to be his full-time mistress. But Ms. Dickerson had me fooled till the very end! She made Lord Rupert so convincing that even I started to believe his good-will... and was crushed just like Rose when we found out the opposite.

Not only was Ms. Dickerson's plot impressive, her writing was superb as well! There is one passage I particularly find breathtaking:

"Rose clasped her hands and stared into his eyes, loving him, drinking in his love for her, for the last time. The pain in her chest was so intense, she wondered if she was dying. She bent over, pressing her hands to her throat, which ached from holding back tears. She could still feel his lips on her fingers" (223).

This passage just really stood out to me. The pain, the longing, the love... it's just achingly beautiful. Job well done!

The only real problem I had with this novel was that some situations just seemed a little too-good-to-be-true. Some, but not all, plot points are a bit far fetched. But this is only on a couple of occassions, and doesn't hurt the novel too too much.

Melanie Dickerson put a fabulous spin on the story of Sleeping Beauty. It wasn't at all what I was expecting, but I loved it nonetheless! All the traditional elements are there... the evil Wizard, the princess in hiding, the prince. But Dickerson infuses it with something special... a great plot with tons of brilliant side-stories and a fabulous cast of characters. An excellent read!


MY RATING

4.5****/*