Book Review #66: Entwined by Heather Dixon

Entwined

by Heather Dixon

Genre: YA Fantasy / Fairytale / Re-telling

Ages: 12 and up

Publisher Description:

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.

My Review:
This is one of my favorite Twelve Dancing Princesses re-tellings ever and that is saying a lot, considering how many I have read and loved. (It is one of my favorite fairytales.) This book is absolutely lovely. In fact, the first thing I noticed was the gorgeous cover. This book is well-written with an original take on an old story. There were moments of sweetness, darkness and beauty that made me smile, laugh and lean in closer.

The characters are wonderful. Azalea was easy to sympathize, as were her sisters and even her father. I loved that the younger girls actually acted their age, unlike so many books where children are precocious or, occasionally, exaggeratedly baby-ish. Lord Bradford was a very likable love interest, though I wish he had a bigger role in the story. As it was, he was the strong and friendly type. :)

Another great thing about this book is that it is nice and thick, a rare thing when it comes to fairytale re-tellings. It is 472 pages long, so I was able to sink into it for hours before it sadly came to an end. Heather Dixon is a new author on the scene, and I really hope she writes more.

Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality, and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:
There was no profanity in this book.

Sexuality:
There was no sexuality in this book, only some kissing. :)

Violence:
I give this a 4.10 for some fighting, threats and attempted murder.

                               Lieder Madchen

Book Review #62: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels
by Cassandra Clare

Genre: YA Fantasy / Paranormal
Ages: 13 and up
Book 4 in the Mortal Instruments series. Also see my review of Clockwork Angel, book 1 of the Infernal Devices series.

Product Description:
The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.
 
Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out that he's a vampire and now he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side—along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. Not to mention that he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls—neither of whom knows about the other one.
 
When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

My Review:
Have you ever felt the overwhelming urge to throttle an author simply for ending a book? Well, that is how I felt at the end of City of Fallen Angels. I mean, really, it was shorter than the previous books and did it have to end there??? And I have to wait a whole year before the next one comes out? Grr. I really shouldn't read books in a series until they are all released, but I can't help myself. I must be a masochist.

(Note: Sorry for the above rant, I needed to vent to someone and my sister is still reading City of Glass so I can't vent to her. Yet. Later, maybe we can console each other.)

This book was fantastic. I had heard that Jace was not at his best from other reviewers, but I don't agree. Sure, he wasn't quite as entertainingly sarcastic as usual, but with everything going on in his head, who would be? I would have found it strange if he had been his usual self. As it is, he was even more tormented and vulnerable than ever before. Clary was her lovely, spunky self throughout, supporting her friends with her faith in them even when they didn't have faith in themselves. She seems to be growing up faster than the boys, but then again, if she didn't, who would look after them?

As for secondary characters, one of them has graduated. I don't think Simon counts as a secondary character anymore. From the sweet, friendly boy of City of Bones, he has grown into a complicated (not to mention undead) young man with serious romantic issues. There were some times when I wanted to bash his head against the wall and others where I wanted to give him a hug.

Magnus managed to be entertaining even from hundreds of miles away, which is no mean feat, but I wished that he played a larger part in the story. I like that Alec was developed a bit more, even though he is such a girl sometimes. I really liked Isabelle in this book, even more than before, and I can hardly wait to see what happens with her and a certain someone... :)

The level of teenage-angst in this book was through the roof and well on its way to the moon. Tense relationships and raging hormones exacerbated by near-death experiences...you get the picture. There were points when I was tearing my hair and mentally yelling at the characters (wouldn't want to yell out loud and frighten the neighbors), ordering them to communicate better. They mostly ignored me, but it was worth a shot.

I am glad that I read Clockwork Angel before City of Fallen Angels, there were several references that I would have missed if I hadn't. However, it raised even more questions about what might happen in Clockwork Prince, which in turn increased my cliffhanger-fueled frustration. Especially those hints about Magnus and Will...hmm.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has read the rest of the series and doesn't mind an oh-so irritating cliffhanger that will keep them grumbling until they can get their hands on City of Lost Souls.

Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:
This book gets a 4.10 for mild to mid-level swearing.

Sexuality:
I rate this a 3.10 for multiple references, innuendos and a scene where certain people lose some clothing.

Violence:
I give it a 7.10 for several scenes of bloody violence and some disturbing material.

                                        Lieder Madchen

Book Review #61: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, City of Ashes and City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, City of Ashes and City of Glass
by Cassandra Clare

Genre: YA Fantasy / Paranormal
Ages: 13 and up

City of Bones Publisher Description:
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . .
Note: I am reviewing these three books together because, to me, they make up one story. I only put up the description of City of Bones because it is the first one, and therefore that is the description of the beginning of the story. If I could, I would get this series in one volume and count it as one book. :)

My Review:
I avoided this series for quite a while, looking at it occasionally out of the corner of my eye when I went to the library but never picking it up. I was quite prejudiced against vampires until I read Clockwork Angel and decided that they could be okay. After reading that, I had to get my hands on the Mortal Instruments as soon as possible. It took me perhaps two days to read them all. If anything, I liked them even more than Clockwork Angel.

Jace is perhaps one of my favorite male leads ever. Sure, he is as obnoxious as heck and there are times when I wanted to smack him silly, but he is so swoonworthy. I mean, really. Scarred, sarcastic and strangely vulnerable with only one girl who can touched his heart. Sigh. Like I said, swoonworthy. Plus, he plays the piano.

I loved Clary. Smart and stubborn, she will not let anyone walk over her or control her life. Not Jace, not her mother, not anybody. Her romance with Jace and her relationship with Simon are so marvelously convoluted and at times tragically confused. I spent all of City of Ashes searching for hints and foreshadowing that would reveal Jace's true origins. I mean, really, did anyone actually believe the twist at the end of City of Bones? (I am being deliberately vague for those of you who haven't read the series, those who have will know what I am talking about.)

No matter how magnificent Jace and Clary are, however, they pale in comparison to the force of nature that is Magnus Bane. He is the most fantastic, original, wonderful character I have met in a long time. He is so completely wacky that it was just fun to read everything involving him. Considering the fact that he is a complete opposite to me in every way, I found it very easy to sympathize with him. (Not that I am not wacky, but I would never be caught dead wearing sparkly blue sequins.)

The snappy dialogue in this series is great. There are some truly wonderful exchanges between Jace and Simon, Jace and Clary, Jace and Alec...let's face it. Most of the snappy dialogue involved Jace in one way or another. I am sure he does it for the attention.

After finishing City of Glass, I was rather surprised to learn that there was going to be another book in the series. It seemed to end so perfectly that I am a little worried that City of Fallen Angels might ruin it. However, reading through the series for a second time, I began listing the loose ends in my head and I realized that I really want to know where they lead. Therefore, I am ridiculously excited by the fact that City of Fallen Angels is sitting on the hold shelf at my local library, just waiting for me to pick it up... :)

This is a fun, satisfying YA paranormal fantasy series that I would recommend to readers 13 and up who are not afraid of good-sized novels. (I love the fact that the books are so long. The bigger the better.) Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:
I give these three books a 4.10 for mid-level swearing and insults.

Sexuality:
These books get a 2.10 for some references, innuendos and sensuality.

Violence:
The series, as a whole, gets a 8.10 for bloody violence and some disturbing scenes including the murders of children.

                                 Lieder Madchen

Book Review #60: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel
by Cassandra Clare

Genre: YA Fantasy / Paranormal / Steampunk
Ages: 14 and up
Book 1 of the Infernal Devices, prequel series to the Mortal Instruments

Product Description:
Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gas-lit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

My Review:
I loved this book. I picked it up because of the gorgeous cover and because I had heard that it was steampunk. Other than that, I had no idea what I was getting into. I blame this book for the fact that I now read the occasional vampire/werewolf/paranormal novel. By the time I realized that vampires were going to play an important role in the story, it was too late. I was caught. Doomed. I couldn't put it down and before I knew it I was addicted to the works of Cassandra Clare.

Tessa is an absolutely brilliant character. I love the mix of proper ladylike behavior and stubborn bravery. I love the way she loves classical literature and references it all the time. I also love the fact that Will knows all of her references and makes his own.

Will is an extremely dubious fellow. Darkly handsome and mysterious, plus the fact that he is British, well, Welsh anyway, he is an interesting character. The problem is, he also a total jerk. For some hidden reason, he won't let anyone close, and is horrible to anyone who tries. Still, there is hope for him, revealed in brief flashes of tenderness and humanity.

The secondary characters in Clockwork Angel are lovely. Jem, Sophie, and even the bratty Jessamine are all interesting and likable in their own ways. I loved Henry. I would have liked to see more of him, but there is always book two...

The plot is dark with a delightfully dreary, Victorian feel to it. Murders, disappearances, strange magical abilities, untrustworthy businessmen, equally untrustworthy Downworlders and some extremely irritating Shadowhunters combine to make an adventure that is part Charles Dickens, part Sherlock Holmes, part...actually, I can't think of any other paranormal author that can quite be compared to Cassandra Clare. Anyway, it is wonderful.

I recommend this book to lovers of dark fantasy, YA paranormal, Victorian mysteries and star-crossed lovers. My only real problem with this book is the fact that Clockwork Prince doesn't come out until December. (Grr.)

Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:
I give this book a 4.10 for some middle-level swearing and insults.

Sexuality:
This book gets a 2.10 for some references and innuendos.

Violence:
There are several scenes of violence and murder in this novel, so I rate it a 7.10.

                                          Lieder Madchen

Book Review #59 Random Magic by Sasha Soren (Random Magic Tour: Pirates!)

Random Magic
by Sasha Soren

Genre: YA Fantasy
Ages: 13 and up
This book was sent to me by the author as part of the Random Magic Tour: Pirates!

Inside-cover description:
When absent-minded Professor Random misplaces the main character from Alice in Wonderland, young Henry Witherspoon must book-jump to fetch Alice before chaos theory kicks in and the world vanishes.

Along the way he meets Winnie Flapjack, a wit-cracking doodle witch with nothing to her name but a magic feather and a plan.

Such as it is.

Henry and Winnie brave the Dark Queen, whatwolves, pirates, Strüths, and fluttersmoths, Priscilla and Charybdis, obnoxiously cheerful vampires, Baron Samedi, a nine-dimensional cat, and one perpetually inebriated Muse to rescue Alice and save the world by tea time.

My Review:
I feel that I have to make a note of the fact that I was smiling before I opened the book, and laughing before I started the first chapter. The author's zany wrapping techniques had me smiling and the whimsical "Advance praise for Random Magic by raving loonies" had me laughing. The package containing this book arrived wrapped in blue paper with an excess of tape. Once I got past the tape (I had to have help), there were layers of tissue paper, a rubber duck, two teabags and a piece of chocolate. With this promising beginning, I started Random Magic.

I love the way Sasha Soren plays with words the way some people play with string, weaving and tangling them together into fabrics of impossible colors and knots too complicated to untie. I read each chapter slowly, savoring each and every sentence.

Winnie and Henry are fun and interesting characters. Winnie is snarky, spunky and smart, whereas Henry is dreamy, curious and confused. Their friendship forms the most important aspect of the story, and it is lovely.

The plot of Random Magic is crazy, strange and rarely makes sense. It is also ridiculous, wild and wonderful. This book takes you on a ride through history, myth and make-believe that will spin you in circles until you are dizzy and delighted. I loved the many references to famous literary and historical figures as well as mythical characters and creatures. I think I caught most of them, but it will take more than one read-through to make sure. :)

I would recommend this book to lovers of fun, pure silliness and the English language. Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:
I give this book a 4.10 for some mild to middling profanity.

Sexuality:
This book gets a 1.10 for some very mild hints that are barely worth mentioning.

Violence:
I rate it a 5.10 for several scenes of mostly mild violence and a couple that are rather disturbing.

This review is part of the Random Magic Tour: Pirates! Check out the rest of the tour, including more reviews, fun features, prizes and general piratey-ness here.

Book Review #56: Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis

Raising Dragons
by Bryan Davis

Genre: YA Christian Fantasy
Ages: 10 and up
Book 1 in the Dragons in Our Midst Series.
Billy Bannister has lead a fairly normal life, except for the fact that his breath is impossibly hot, which sometimes gets him into trouble and led to the nickname of "Dragon Breath." But what if it isn't just a nickname? Billy is shocked when his father reveals that he is a dragon, making Billy a half-dragon.

Bonnie Silver has led a less than normal life. At school, she constantly wears a backpack. No matter how much the other students tease her, she never takes it off. If she did, they would see her wings.

The dragons changed into human form centuries ago in order to escape the slayers. Now, the slayers are back and targeting the Bannister family and Bonnie.

This book is a bit predictable, but still good. Billy and Bonnie are likeable, interesting characters. I like that they do not have the modern, exaggerated teen-age attitude of so many books. Billy is the doubtful one, always questioning, while Bonnie's faith is so strong you can almost taste it. The secondary characters were also good, particularly Professor hamilton and the Foley family.

This is the second time I have read this book, and I actually like it better now than I did then. The first time, I thought it was a little stiff, but on my second read-through I noticed no such thing.

I am a huge Arthurian fan, so I liked that this book had some of those legends mixed in. I cannot resist a book that has both Merlin and dragons.

I would recommend this book to kids who like fun, adventurous, wholesome reads. Raising Dragons is the first in a long series and you will have to read them all. You are warned.

Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality, and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).
Profanity:
There is no profanity in this book.

Sexuality:
There is the tiniest hint of sexuality, so I give this book a 1.10.

Violence:
There are several scenes of violence in this book, including murder, attempted murder, and serious injuries. I rate it a 6.10.

                                Lieder Madchen

Book Review #54 Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Paranormalcy
by Kiersten White

Ages: 14 and up
Genre: YA Fantasy / Paranormal

Evie has been an employee of the International Paranormal Containment Agency since she was 8 years old. She has a unique talent that makes her invaluable; she can see through any paranormal's glamour. That means that she has spent the last half of her life chasing (and tasing) vampires, trolls, spirits and perhaps a hag or two. Past the supernatural-police officer part, though, she is an ordinary teenage girl who has an obsession with the color pink and animal-printed wall decor. She wants nothing quite so much as to go to high school and see a real, live, genuine locker.

Her life is thrown all sideways when a new, never-before seen paranormal (who happens to be a very cute teenage boy) breaks into the IPCA Center in search of information. He has the ability to take on any face with his glamour, and Evie is the only one who can see the real him. While he is imprisoned, she visits him frequently and they become friends. He won't say why he what he was looking for or why, but it has something to do with the mysterious murders of dozens of paranormals.

Stalked by a crazy faerie, starting to fall in love with a decidedly odd boy, and finding out that she may not be entirely human tells Evie that she is in big trouble, or perhaps she is the trouble.

I love Evie. What isn't there to like about a girl with attitude, an eccentric fashion sense and a pink taser? Despite her eerie abilities, she is so human and it is easy to sympathize with her wish for a normal life and family.

Lend is cool. Not only is he cute, but he is also sensitive, brave, and willing to put up with terrible high school soap opera tv shows. I loved how he always looked different whenever Evie went to visit him. Sometimes he was Chinese, black, pimply, old or extremely good-looking. I also liked that it didn't matter to Evie what he looked like. (Not that she didn't think he was handsome.)

Normally I avoid vampires, so one would think that the fact that you encounter a vampire on the first page would have me shutting the book forever, but I felt so sorry for the bloodsucker that I couldn't. Poor Steve, he had me laughing within thirty seconds of reading.

Though this book has many of the elements of a dark fantasy and several creepy moments, it was overall a very light-hearted story. There was joking, flirting and silliness throughout. I enjoyed this book a lot.

The sequel to Paranormalcy, Supernaturally, is coming out in July.

Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality, and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:
I give this a 2.10 in profanity for some mild swearing and quite a few bleeps.

Sexuality:
This rates a 1.10 in sexuality for some hints and innuendos as well as references to making out.

Violence:
There are multiple murders in this book, but nothing very graphic, so I give it a 5.10.

                                Lieder Madchen

Book Review #53 Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn, aka The Two Pearls of Wisdom
by Alison Goodman

Genre: YA Fantasy

Ages: 14 and up

In appearance, Eon is a 12 year old cripple who hopes to be the new Dragoneye apprentice. In fact, Eon is Eona, a 16 year old girl with little choice or future. If she fails, she will have only the most miserable of existences to look forward to. If she is caught, it will be worse.

The other hopefuls are bigger, stronger, and whole in body. There is little hope for success. When the day of choosing arrives, a miracle occurs. Eon is not chosen by the ascending Rat Dragon, but rather by the Mirror Dragon, who has not been seen for centuries.

Eon is thrown into a world of intrigue and power as she becomes one of the most powerful people in the world. There are few who can help her and even fewer she can trust, and many who could destroy her.

This book is absolutely fascinating. It takes place in a world that is slightly reminiscent of China, but different in so many ways. It is harsh land, dark and full of secrets and mysteries. I soon became completely engrossed in the politics and people. This world drew me in in a way that made it impossible to escape.

Eon/Eona is a complex and wonderful character. She is so terrified that someone will discover her that she does her best to stamp out the parts of her that mark her as feminine to the point of barely knowing who she is anymore. Her desperation leads her to do reckless and dangerous things, and her very refusal to acknowledge her true self may be her undoing.

The secondary characters are very well developed. Each one has their own unique personality and problems. Lady Dela, the eunuch Ryko, and tormented Dillon are each as interesting as Eon in their own ways. Lady Dela is particularly complicated.

I was left wondering if there was going to be any romance for Eona in the future, I shall just have to see what happens in book two, Eona. Also, don't read Eon until you have Eona on hand. I had to wait for over a year and it was extremely frustrating.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy gender-benders, dragons, and dark fantasy. There are some highly disturbing elements in this book, so I would not recommend it to the squeamish.



Content Ratings:
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

The profanity is mostly mild in this book, but one worse insult earns it a 3.10.

There are multiple sexual references and innuendos in this book, as well as an attempted rape. I rate it a 3.10.

The violence in this book is not, for the most part, graphic, but there are multiple murders, including that of an infant, and a scene of torture. I give it a 7.10.

                                      Lieder Madchen

Book Review #51 Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland

Star of the Morning
by Lynn Kurland

Genre: Fantasy Romance
Ages: 12 and up
Book One in the Nine Kingdoms Series.

The king of Neroche has lost his magic, and doesn't know where to find it. His youngest brother, Mochriadhemiach, Archmage of the realm, tells him that he needs to find a wielder for the legendary Sword of Angesand in the hope that this person might be able to protect the kingdom from the villainous Lothar of Wychweald. And so Adhemar, the king, sets off on a quest for a swordsman of unparalleled skill and magical power.

Morgan of Melksham is on her own reluctant quest. Nicholas of Lismor, the only man she cannot refuse, has asked her to bear a knife to the king of Neroche. A knife that is disturbingly magical. Not that Morgan knows anything about magic. Not that Morgan wants to know anything about magic. All she wants is a sword in her hand and an opponent to fight. Well, smash, actually.

Morgan's first encounter with Adhemar was not the best. In fact, she knocks him out and steals his socks. Because he is so annoyed with her, he decides to travel along with her and her mercenary companions, incognito. The real trouble begins when his handsome, clever brother Miach shows up. Yes, the extremely magical Miach, short for Mochriadhemiach. He soon begins to suspect that there is more to Morgan than there seems to be, and she may have far more power than she wants. Miach realizes that she could be the wielder, but he finds himself reluctant to put her in more danger. He knows that she will hate him when she learns the truth.

When I first borrowed this book from the library, I figured it would be a silly, cheesy, overly romantic fantasy novel that might be fun. After reading it, I had much the same idea, with some slight adjustments. Kind of silly, a little cheesy, perfectly romantic and a lot of fun. In short, I loved this book.

For just a little bit at the beginning, I was worried that Adhemar might be the main love-interest, and that would have been awful. Adhemar is a fun character in his own idiotic, ridiculous way, but I would not want him as the main guy. Therefore, when Miach arrived on the scene, I was instantly reassured that all would be well. Miach is a wonderful source of romance. He is doomed from his first glimpse of Morgan, and it doesn't take him long to realize it. He is also devious, extremely good-looking, and very, very powerful with a great sense of humor and irony.

Morgan is brilliant. She hates travel, romance, and, above all, magic. She is so strong and well able to take care of herself, as well as everyone around her, but she is also so vulnerable. She can defeat any physical threat with her sword, but the enemy is not always one she can fight with a blade, and that terrifies her. Fortunately for her, that is where Miach comes in. He keeps her sane (barely at times) and is always there to run or fight with her and catch her when she falls.

I really liked how clean the romance was in this book. There was always such a fun and sweet relationship between Morgan and Miach. (When Morgan wasn't threatening or actively trying to kill him, that is.)

The language in his book makes me smile. The frequent use of the word "wench" is so much fun! (Wench is a sadly neglected word in modern literature.) Most of the main characters were extraordinary powerful or talented in some way or another, which might bother some people, but I thought it was fun. I would recommend this book to lovers of light-hearted fantasy and romance.

Be warned, you should have the second book, The Mage's Daughter, on hand to read immediately. Star of the Morning has an annoying cliffhanger ending. Actually, you should have the whole series on hand to read them all one after another.

Content Ratings:

I give this a 2.10 in profanity for some mild swearing.

This book gets a 1.10 in sexuality for some mild hints and innuendos.

There are several battles and sword-fights in this book as well as attempted murder, so I rate it a 6.10.

                                  Lieder Madchen

Book Review #48 King of Ithaka by Tracy Barrett

King of Ithaka
by Tracy Barrett

Genre: YA Fantasy / Greek Mythology / Re-telling
Ages: 13 and up

Telemachos has long been without a father, and Ithaka without a king. Now, with suitors threatening to force his mother, Penelopeia, into marriage in order to take the kingship, Telemachos has to find out why Odysseus never returned.

Aided by a centaur and a runaway, guided only a seer's cryptic advice, he sets sail for the court of Nestor. On the way they encounter many bizarre creatures, but their biggest danger may be from their fellow men.

I have always loved Greek mythology and the Odyssey in particular. The strange lands and stranger people have a way of sparking the imagination and creating new dreams and worlds in your mind. Telemachus and Penelope, or, in this instance, Telemachos and Penelopeia, have always interested me more than Odysseus. He was off having adventures for years, while his son grew up without a father and his wife kept the kingdom together as best she could without a husband. It was interesting to read about what life might have been like for them.

This book is written in a modern style, with Telemachos and his friends speaking and behaving like modern teenagers. He spies on girls and steals alcohol, goofing off like any other 16-year-old boy might, but he isn't what I would call wild. He is very much  a boy at he beginning, but hardships and experience set him on the road to being a man.

There is just a little bit of romance in this novel, but that is not what the story is about. It is about learning what is more important than strength, courage, and generosity. It is about learning to see reality instead of building too much on wishes and beliefs. It is about learning to stand on your own two feet, but still understanding the value of friends.

Content Ratings:

I give this a 1.10 in profanity for some brief mild language.


This book rates a 2.10 in sexuality for some references and innuendos, mostly of the teenager variety, but also some oblique references to prostitution.

There are several scenes of violence, most of them mild, as well as murder and attempted murder.

                                              Lieder Madchen

Book Review #47 Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy

Seven Daughters and Seven Sons
by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy

Genre: YA Romance / Folk-tale Re-telling
Ages: 13 and up

Once upon a time in the city of Baghdad there lived to brothers. One of these brothers was wealthy and had seven sons, the other was poor and had seven daughters. The father of sons would gloat over his brother's misfortune, but the father of daughters was happy. His daughters were beautiful, clever and good, and he considered himself  blessed. However, he fears for his daughter's futures when he becomes ill. What will happen to them if there is no man to support them?
It is this fear that causes him to go along with his cleverest daughter's ambitious scheme. Buran has a plan to save their fortunes. She dresses up as a boy, cuts her hair and with her father's blessing goes to the city of Tyre.
Mahmud, son of the Wali of Tyre, is lonely. His only friends always want things from him, be it money or influence, and nobody spends time with him simply for his company. So, when he is introduced to Nasir, a handsome, wealthy, and new to the city, he has a true friend for the first time. But, when he begins to have strange feelings for this young man, he becomes suspicious and starts investigating.

Based on an old Persian folk-tale, this story is simply beautiful. It reads like a fairy-tale with lyrical language and wondrous lands. I loved the setting of deserts and middle-eastern culture. I could practically see the sands and silks and smell the spices. This story was meant to be read aloud or told late at night.

Mahmud was brilliant. Handsome, clever, a little bit arrogant and occasionally devious, his loyalty is extraordinary. Most men, upon realizing that their friend has deceived them, will react with anger and hurt, but not him. He understands immediately, but even that may be too late.

Buran's side of the tale was lovely and bittersweet. Her love of independence and loyalty to her family are sometimes at odds, but she is fortunate to have parents and sisters who love her dearly. She was so happy as a merchant until she realized that she was falling in love with a man who would probably never forgive her lies. Their misunderstandings and miscommunications threaten to keep them apart forever, but with a little help they might just have a chance...

I cannot recommend this book more highly, if you have not read it yet, you should.

Content Ratings:
There is no profanity in this novel.

I give it a 2.10 in sexuality for mild references and a scene of female nudity.

I rate this a 2.10 in violence for a couple of very mild scenes of violence including a half-hearted murder attempt.

                                        Lieder Madchen

Book Review #43 Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon

Mermaid
by Carolyn Turgeon

 

Genre: Fantasy / Fairy-Tale Re-telling

Ages: 15 and up

Under the sea there lives a mermaid who longs to see the world above. Lenia knows that she will be allowed one day, her eighteenth birthday, to visit it. On that day, the day she has waited for for so long, there is a terrible storm. Lenia comes to the surface to discover a sinking ship. Seeing the men dying, she is determined to save one, and carries him to shore. It is love at first sight, and from that moment she tries to find a way to be with him.

Princess Margrethe has been hidden in a convent, her identity concealed, in order to protect her from her father's enemies. Her quiet existence is abruptly shattered when she witnesses a mermaid pulling a man onto the beach. She runs to him, then fetches help. During his recovery, she finds herself attracted to the handsome Christopher. When he turns out to be the son of her father's worst enemy, it seems that she will never see him again.

This book was beautifully written and bittersweet. Lenia and Margrethe are brilliant in their different ways. Both are strong and determined. Lenia is willing to give up everything, endure horrible pain and risk her life for the love of a human man and the hope of a soul. Margrethe sees the people's suffering and will defy even her father to save them from yet another war.

However, this book has one fatal flaw, and his name is Prince Christopher. One would think that the object of such longing to two such strong, vivid women would be something, well, more. From what little you see of him in the book, he came across as being selfish, immature and careless of the feelings of others. In short, a jerk. It was painful watching what he did to Lenia and Margrethe, and yet they still continued to love him. Grrr. Other than that, the book wasn't bad.

Content:

There is no profanity in this book.

I give this book an 8.10 in sexuality for two middlingly graphic scenes, one fadeaway, some female nudity and sensuality.

There are several scenes of mild violence and some macabre bits involving corpses. I give it a 4.10.

                                              Lieder Madchen

Book Review #41 The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle

The Hollow Kingdom
by Clare B. Dunkle

Genre: YA Fantasy
Ages: 12 and up

Strange things happen at Hallow Hill. There is a local legend that once every generation, a young woman of marriageable age is stolen away and taken under the hill to be a goblin bride. Kate and her sister Emily know nothing of the stories when they arrive, but it is not long before they learn. They become lost in the woods one evening and a gypsy volunteers to escort them home. Kate knows immediately that something is wrong about him, and her suspicions are proved when she first sees his face. He is the monstrous goblin King, and he has chosen her as his new bride. Kate is determined to keep her freedom, but how can she when no one but Emily believes her story?

I loved this book. When I borrowed it, I did not expect it to catch my imagination so. There were several parts that were creepy enough to send shivers down my spine, others that were sad, and a few that were very sweet. I loved proper, English Kate and vivacious, imaginative Emily. The goblin King, Marak, is a fascinating villain/love interest. My very favorite character, though, was one you did not meet until late in the novel. Charm is an absolutely wonderful conversationalist. His histories of all of the various King's Wives had me laughing more than once. This is the first book in a trilogy, and I have the next two waiting in my room, so I had better finish up here so that I can go read them!

There is no language in this novel.

There is no sexuality in this novel.

I give this a 6.10 for violence because of multiple disturbing murders.

                                             Lieder Madchen

Book Review #36 Cloaked by Alex Flinn

Cloaked
by Alex Flinn

Genre: YA Fantasy / Fairy-Tale Re-Telling
Ages: 12 and up

Johnny Marco is a good boy, since his dad left he has worked hard as a shoe-repairman and has done his best to take care of his mother. However, like all seventeen-year-old boys, he dreams of something more. When a beautiful princess comes to him for aid, he jumps at the chance. She offers him her hand in marriage if he will rescue her brother, who has been turned into a frog by an evil witch. Johnny finds himself drawn into a strange world of magic and danger. He encounters talking animals, giants, scorpions, and all manner of Floridians. When it comes down to romance, though, is it really the princess he wants? Or is it his oldest friend Meg who works at the coffee counter?
Alex Flinn takes a very creative stance to several fairy-tales, a stance that is immensely entertaining. I loved the wide variety of different stories and characters, Princess Victoriana and her amphibian brother are delightfully shallow but with good hearts. Johnny and Meg are such nice, almost normal teenagers that I can easily imagine meeting them in the street. Cloaked has a brilliant cast of very human characters (even the ones that are temporarily animals). I also loved all of the fun shoe quotes, I had never realized that there were so many quotes involving footwear!

There is no language in this book.

I rate this novel a 1.10 for sexuality because of some mild innuendo.

There are several scenes of violence, but none that are too nasty, so I give it a 3.10.

                             Lieder Madchen

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

Once Upon a Time Challenge

Challenge Homepage

I found this challenge on the Tell Me a Story blog, and it looks like so much fun! I am going for Quest the Second, to read one book each in the categories of fantasy, folklore, fairy-tale and mythology. The challenge runs from March 21 through June 20. I love fantasy, fairy-tale, and mythology, but I haven't read a whole lot by way of folklore, so I think that that will be he hardest part of this challenge for me.

Fantasy

1. The Seven Towers by Patricia C. Wrede

2. The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle

3. Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland (Book 1 of the Nine Kingdoms series)

4. Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman

5. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

6. Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis

7. Random Magic by Sasha Soren

8. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

9. Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, City of Ashes and City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

10. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Fairy-Tale

1. Cloaked by Alex Flinn

2. Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon

3. Entwined by Heather Dixon

Folktale

1. Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy

Mythology

1. King of Ithaka by Tracy Barrett

                                             Lieder Madchen