Title: Enchanted Author: Kontis Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Princesses, Magic Pages: 308 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Ages: 6th grade and up From the Publisher: It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday's only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true. When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday's family despises. The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past—and hers? I'm highlighting this title today for several reasons: (1) It's awesome! (2) It's this week's Sync free audiobook download. Click here for details.(And it's paired with "Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There" so a good week for audiobooks from Sync). (3) It was on almost everyone's Top 10 books of 2012. (Teen books, Best books, Best audio, etc.) (4) It's awesome! Please do NOT do what I did and say, "Meh, girl in dress on cover...fractured fairy tale spinoff...been there, done that." I let entirely too much time go by until I finally read this book (and honestly, I cannot say ENOUGH good things about this on audio. The narrator is incredible and the production was time well spent). There is so much going on here. Sunday is an incredible mix of all that is great about fairy tale heroines. The world-building is outstanding, and the incorporation of traditional and "fractured" fairy tales in unique and unusual ways is so very clever. I promise, you will enjoy this!
Title: Grasshopper Magic Author: Jonell Genre: Fiction, Magic, Siblings, Parades Pages: 102 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Ages: 1st-3rd grades This is a fun addition to the author's "Magical Mixups" series. I received an advance copy of the first book in the series, "Hamster Magic," years ago and it was one of my daughter's favorite books that year (I think it was 2nd grade? Maybe beginning of 3rd grade?). I was asked to review this latest book by the publisher and have included my "booktalk" below. This is a fun title, as are all the books in the series. Perfect chapter books for younger readers who are ready to tackle the next level of books. Abner agreed to dress up as a town historical figure and lead the annual parade. And then he realized he was going to have to give a speech. Abner is afraid of speaking in public and surely does not want to talk in front of the whole town. His little sister comes to the rescue by suggesting bravery lessons. The first task? Eat a toasted grasshopper! Actually, this doesn’t sound so bad to Abner and he ends up eating almost an entire bowl of the “snacks.” The problem? He forgot that the grasshoppers hatched from eggs underground…the ground that has magical powers. After eating all those magical bugs, Abner can suddenly hop like a giant grasshopper, all the way up to the rooftop. And then the siblings remember that someone took home a batch of the toasted grasshoppers to share with her two-year-old son. What is going to happen when a toddler starts jumping around like a grasshopper? It’s up to Abner and his brother and sisters to “hop to it” and rescue the boy before anything bad can happen.
I posted on Sunday about how this book by debut author Leigh Bardugo would make a good movie (and a good gift for fantasy lovers on your holiday list). Turns out, I'm not the only one. One of the "Harry Potter" movie producers thought so too and snapped up the movie rights. Here's the scoop on making it into a movie:
The first installment in the Holiday Gift Ideas posts is a book that I talked all week to my 7th graders (and their teachers).
Title: Shadow & Bone Author: Bardugo Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Orphans, Abilities Pages: 358 Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5 This is the first book in a planned trilogy by a debut author, and has also been optioned for a movie. Within the first few pages, you will know why. This book is such a treat: the writing is exquisite, the sense of place is magical and exotic, and the heroine is memorable.
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, an area of darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now Ravka's fate may rest with Alina, an orphan taken from obscurity and her only friend, Mal, when it is discovered that she is the mythical Sun Summoner who might be able to destroy the monsters in the Fold. She must train with the mysterious Darkling to join the magical Grisha. Mal, handsome and competent, and Alina, are two young orphans who form an immediate bond. The story really begins when the two friends have joined the King’s Army and Alina is plucked from the ranks to join the Grisha, who train at the heart of the royal court.
The setting resembles Czarist Russia, the Darkling vaguely Rasputin-esque. Extravagance and deceit abound at court and Alina finds herself with allegiances on both sides. This is an engaging, captivating fantasy with a terrific supporting cast and amazing world building. Glad that I finally read this one, but sad that I have to wait for the next book!
Title: Dark Lord: the early years Author: Thomson (or is it???) Genre: Fiction, Identity, Magic, Fantasy, Funny Pages: 290 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The Dark Lord is confounded when he wakes up in the middle of a small town on a planet he's never seen before. Where is he, why do they keep calling him Dirk Lloyd, and why is he powerless against these earthlings who insist on finding his parents? Is Dirk Lloyd the human incarnation of the Dark Lord who, after a cataclysmic final battle with his arch nemesis, was hurled into the Pit of Uttermost Despair (Earth)? Or is he just a lost and confused boy?
What is not to love about this book? The writing is terrific, and the word choice adds so many layers to the humor. From the Iron Tower of Despair that he misses on his home planet, to the Black Diary of Doom that he writes in, I love Dirk Lloyd/Dark Lord's voice.
As an adult reading this book, I spent much of it thinking that the Dark Lord character was a coping mechanism for some tragedy that we were going to discover at the end. I'm not going to give away the ending at all, but I think that this book is a SPOT ON choice for middle school boys, especially those with a penchant for fantasy/gaming...or a quirky sense of humor.
Stay tuned for the book trailer on an upcoming "Trailer Tuesday."
Author: Dolamore Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Magic Pages: 225 Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Okay, I know that someday I am going to regret the rating that I gave this book. It has received starred reviews everywhere, and was recently named one of the Top 10 first novels of the year. I'm sure there are more awards to follow and I simply missed the boat.
That being said, this was an amazing and well-written book. My rating is based on my perceived wide-scale audience appeal of the book...I think it will definitely have fans, but nothing along the scale of Harry Potter, for example. But that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When a wealthy sorcerer (Parry) hires her to sing accompaniment to a piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life and runs away to live with him.
There are many buried secrets in Parry's world however. Rumors of ghosts about in his house, there is a mad woman roaming the halls that may or may not know what happened to Parry's wife, and Parry is mixed up with ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport.
When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy, Prince Erris, is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But they are both in danger when they attempt to save the entire fairy realm.
I truly enjoyed this book, and I definitely think that it deserves all the praise it has received. It is a unique story and an engaging read. There are many fascinating plot elements and I will be the first to admit that this book is not one I would normally pick up and yet it kept me reading. Will she rescue Erris? Won't she? I had to know! There will definitely be a sequel in 2011, Magic Under Stone. I am excited to see where the story goes from here and to read more about Nimira's life.
By the way, the cover images are curious to me. The one on the left is the one that we received from the publisher and now have in our library. I'm not sure what edition the one on the right is, but I'm not sure it appeals to the intended market of the book. What do you think? And if neither cover does it for you, there is a third one that I found on Goodreads:
This is another entry in our student review category! Look for more posted over the next few weeks...
Title: Wish Author: Alexandra Bullen Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic Pages: 323 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Olivia is the new girl at her school. Who terribly misses her sister Violet who passed away the previous month. Olivia finds “Mariposa of the Mission”, a tailoring shop and Posey the girl that works there. Posey gives Olivia three dresses that represent three wishes that Olivia can make. With Olivia’s first wish she wishes her sister Violet back, she comes as a ghost. Meanwhile Olivia has noticed a boy at her school, Soren. Soon after Soren breaks up with his girlfriend and he and Olivia start to hang out, and become close. Soon Soren’s ex-girlfriend asks Olivia to help her with her charity event and Olivia and she become very good friends. Her new friend explains that she is not yet over Soren, and still has feelings for him. Olivia wants to tell her friend about her relationship with Soren, but just can’t find the words. Olivia made a terrible decision of not telling her friend because she soon finds out about the two being together and is very upset. Somehow Olivia blames the turn of events on her sister Violet, because she was the one who got her to hang with Soren and help her new friend. They have a huge fight and Olivia accidentally wishes her sister’s ghost away. What will Olivia do with only one wish left, when her sister is gone forever and her friend isn’t talking to her? Will Olivia make her life right again or change it forever?
A character that I found interesting was Posey, the owner of “Mariposa of the Mission.” There is certainly something magical and mysterious about this little girl who lives and works in a shop all by herself. Posey seems to know everything. Also I felt a connection between her and Olivia because they both lost someone close to them, recently.
I liked how the smaller details of the book were realistic when the magical parts were mysterious and well, magical. The author did a good job of describing the characters so I could picture them. I disliked the book because I thought it was a bit cheesy and girly for my taste and it was very predictable. I would recommend this book to girls about 9-13 because it was a fairly easy read.
It’s your turn. What would you do if you had the magic to get anything you want with just the simple words, “I wish…” would you wish for something like Olivia or different? The choice would be up to you… --Sophie, 8th grade
Thanks, Sophie! Glad that you shared this book. I met the author at a Scholastic publishing function last summer in Chicago. I must confess that I have not read the book yet, but it was delightful to hear the author speak about her work!
Title: Princess of Glass Author: George Genre: Fiction, Magic, Princesses, Fantasy Pages: 257 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I am borrowing this summary from Goodreads.com, because it says exactly what I wanted to say, but in a lot fewer words! Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, where young princes and princesses travel to each other’s countries to make good political alliances, and good matches for marriage. For Poppy, it has the makings of a fairy tale...until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince.
This is the second book in which Princess Poppy makes an appearance, so I suppose that you could call it a sequel. However, "Princess of the Midnight Ball" centers around Poppy's sister Rose and the wicked curse put on all the sisters. I am sure that if you have read, or do read, "Midnight Ball" first you will really appreciate Poppy's history. But it is not necessary to enjoy this book.
This is a book about mysteries and magic. Ballgowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers all make an appearance in this story that may sound familiar, but is entirely fresh and new. A fun, romantic, and action-packed happily-ever-after story. And even though I'm typically not a "princess-love story" book kind of girl, I am already hoping for another book in the series!
Title: Enchanted
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