Book Review #35 The Seven Towers by Patricia C. Wrede

The Seven Towers
by Patricia C. Wrede

Genre: YA Fantasy
Ages: 10 and up

There is something dreadfully wrong in the kingdom of Sevairn. The king has exiled his head advisor for supposed treason, has arranged a sudden marriage for his son with a princess he has never met, and is completely ignoring the looming danger of an impending invasion. Prince Eltiron, with the help of his aunt Vendaris, a mercenary, does not believe that the Jermain, the exiled advisor, is guilty, but there is little that they can do. Jermain, who has been forced to flee for his life, is rescued by the mysterious sorceress Amberglas, who is soon to accompany the lovely Princess Crystalorn to Sevairn to meet her intended husband. He believes that his friend Prince Eltiron has betrayed him, so he turns his back on his old life. However, it is not long before he finds himself tangled in politics once more when he joins Carachel, the Wizard-King. Magic, mystery and trouble abound as the invasion draws closer, but is their enemy truly who they think it is?
This book has everything a good fantasy novel needs. An aging king, a prince with confidence issues, a villainous advisor, a beautiful princess, wizardry, evil, romance, humor, nonsensical character names, etc., etc., etc. I have always loved the works of Patricia C. Wrede, but I couldn't find this one anywhere until recently and I am really glad I did! I loved the characters, especially the vague and confusing sorceress Amberglas. Her dialogue was so much fun because you have to puzzle through it before you can completely understand what she means. Prince Eltiron is also a great character, I can feel a lot of sympathy for his nervousness. The romance could have been developed a little more, but it was still fun.

I give this a 1.10 for language because there is a completely inoffensive made-up term used a few times.

There are some brief, mild innuendos and references in this novel, so I rate it a 2.10 for sexuality.

There are several scenes of violence including fights, murder and attempted murder. I rate it a 5.10.

                                        Lieder Madchen

Book Review #32 Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

Sorcery and Cecelia
by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

Genre: YA Fantasy
Ages: 10 and up, though it makes for an excellent read-aloud that is guaranteed to send listeners into gales of laughter, especially when read with a faux British accent.

Kate and Cecy are cousins in a post-Napoleonic Wars England with magic. This story chronicles their correspondence while Kate is in London for her first Season and poor Cecy is left to rusticate in the country. Their adventures start when Kate is mistaken for a man and nearly poisoned with chocolate, but this is only the beginning. Soon the two of them are embroiled in matters magical and mysterious as Cecy's brother is turned into a tree and Kate finds herself in a spurious betrothal with a mysterious, odious nobleman. They might have found this disconcerting where it not for the fact that were enjoying themselves far too much to allow the terror they ought to have been feeling.
This is one of my favorite young adult novels of all time. I cannot count how many times I have read and re-read it. It is hilariously funny and never gets old. At first, before I started reading it the first time, I was not at all sure that I even wanted to try it. Normally I dislike letter stories, but I really liked the other works of Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, so eventually I borrowed it from the library. As soon as I started, I was hooked. The wit, humor, atmosphere were fantastic. Kate and Cecy manage to get into such absurd and sometimes dangerous situations interspersed with new gowns and garden parties. It was wonderful!
Just yesterday I finished reading this book aloud to my sister (10) and brother (7). I read the whole thing with a faux British accent while attempting to attempting to get all of the emotions right as well. Afterward, I found it difficult in the extreme to go back to my normal speech patterns. I had to edit a couple of sentences aloud for my little brother's benefit, but it didn't seem to make a difference to him or my sister. (They both laughed a lot and my sister made kissy faces at several intervals when she perceived romance in the offing.)

I give it a 2.10 in language for some mild cursing.

It gets a 2.10 in sexuality for brief, mild references and innuendo.

There are several instances of peril and attempted murder as well as references to a murder that happened long ago, so I give it a 4.10.

                                                Lieder Madchen