Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (Advance Reader's Copy - to be published Feb 2013)

452 pgs.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Dragon

Get ready for a full-blast, futuristic roller coaster ride of fairytale fun in this spectacular sequel to Cinder. Scarlet lives and works with her grandmother on a farm in the small rural French town of Rieux. Her grandmother has gone missing and disgusted with the lack of success by the police in finding her, Scarlet sets out on her own to find out what happened. When a strange, charming and very handsome man named Wolf claims he can help her, Scarlet cautiously agrees. Meanwhile cyborg and missing Lunar princess, Cinder, escapes from the castle prison and with the unexpected help of another prisoner manages to elude capture on a stolen military ship. The worlds of Cinder an Scarlet collide when Cinder tracks down the woman who rescued her from Queen Levana when she was a child and by saving her life made her into a cyborg. Lunar Queen Levana raises the stakes in her war against the commonwealth by creating an army of human-wolf hybrids. The action is non-stop propelling the reader through the book at lightning speed. The new characters are integrated smoothly into the familiar structure emerging from the pages as if they’d belonged there all along. The author blends fantasy and science fiction into a wholly new and compelling concoction. If you love gripping action, fantastic plot and characters, and stellar writing, don’t miss out on this fabulous series, though it is recommended that they be read in order.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

320 pgs.

Target audience: Ages 8-12

Rating: Wizard

This is a stunning modern-day version of the snow queen. Hazel doesn't fit in either at home or at school. Nobody seems to see things the way she does. The truth always pales in comparison to what she can imagine and she can imagine quite a lot. Then there's Jack, the one person in the whole world who understands her. He lives next door and life, especially her dismal school with all its mundane occumpans, seems brighter. One day at school everything changes after Jack gets a piece of glass in his eye at school. Now Jack won't even talk to her and then simply vanishes. His parents won't tell her what happened and Hazel is beside herself with worry. Her parents try to explain that sometimes friends grow apart. Hazel is not convinced and panic sets in when she sees Jack at the edge of the forest with a mysterious woman made out of ice. So ignoring everyone'sadvice Hazael sets out into the wood on a journey to rescue her best friend. He's certainly under some sort of spell she thinks. This a heartfelt story of friendship, loyalty and determination. The frightening forest presents dangers both real and magical. Hazel is a very strong character who knows who she is and what she wants. Very likable and believable. Recommend to fans of Lewis' Narnia books.

 

 

 

Entwined by Heather Dixon
480 pgs.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Dragon

There are so many books based on The Twelve Dancing Princesses it's hard to imagine the uniqueness of another version but Heather Dixon pulls it off superbly. Azalea is the oldest of the twelve daughters and heir to the throne. When their mother dies, the household is plunged into a strict mourning period where dancing is definitely not allowed. Azalea is the one who, after months of mourning and insurmountable boredom, discovers a secret passageway to an enchanted pavilion where she and her sisters dance each night away. While the darkly mysterious and alluring Keeper makes all the magic possible, his motives are not entirely honorable especially where Azalea is concerned. As the secrets and lies from the past are revealed, Azalea realizes what true evil they are facing. The story turns dark and wonderfully gothic with unexpected twists and turns taking Grimm's classic tale to a new and suspenseful level. The characters are rich and well formed. The darker tone of this version will appeal to fans of Hunter's Moon by O.R. Melling and Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

320 pgs.

Target audience: Ages 8-12

Rating: Wizard

This is a stunning modern-day version of the snow queen. Hazel doesn't fit in either at home or at school. Nobody seems to see things the way she does. The truth always pales in comparison to what she can imagine and she can imagine quite a lot. Then there's Jack, the one person in the whole world who understands her. He lives next door and life, especially her dismal school with all its mundane occumpans, seems brighter. One day at school everything changes after Jack gets a piece of glass in his eye at school. Now Jack won't even talk to her and then simply vanishes. His parents won't tell her what happened and Hazel is beside herself with worry. Her parents try to explain that sometimes friends grow apart. Hazel is not convinced and panic sets in when she sees Jack at the edge of the forest with a mysterious woman made out of ice. So ignoring everyone'sadvice Hazael sets out into the wood on a journey to rescue her best friend. He's certainly under some sort of spell she thinks. This a heartfelt story of friendship, loyalty and determination. The frightening forest presents dangers both real and magical. Hazel is a very strong character who knows who she is and what she wants. Very likable and believable. Recommend to fans of Lewis' Narnia books.

The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver

Advance Reader’s Copy, Pub date: 9/18/2012
246 pgs.
Target Audience: Ages 8-12
Rating: Wizard

Younger brothers can be annoying, messy, loud, candy-stealing pests and Liza’s Patrick is no exception. The realization that he is also cute, amusing and entertaining comes to late. It’s morning and the boy sitting opposite her at the kitchen table quietly, slowly and methodically eating his bowl of cereal is most definitely NOT her brother. Her worst fear has come true, the Spindlers, evil spider-like creatures who live underground, have stolen her brother’s soul and left this changeling, this not-Patrick in its place. Liza tries to convey this crisis to her parents who brush it off as their daughter’s overactive imagination. Determined not to give up on her brother, she sets  off on a quest down below to retrieve his soul. In this whimsical adventure Liza befriends a rat, battles tree snakes in the Live Forest, travels the perilous River of Knowledge and discovers the source of dreams. Author of Liesl and Po, Oliver delivers up a fanciful, magical, and wondrous tale that will captivate young readers, boys and girls alike. Recommend to fans of Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu or Thirteen Treasures by Michelle Harrison.

A True Princess  by Diane Zahler
182 pgs.
Target audience: Age 8-12
Rating: Wizard

Lilia is on a quest to the North to find her true family. She is joined by her best friend, Kai, his sister Karina and their dog Ove. On the way they get lost in the perilous Bitra forest, the land of the Elf-King where Kai is placed under an enchantment. Lilia must find a precious jeweled clasp hidden somewhere in the North Kingdom in return for her friend's freedom. But finding the jewel places her in the middle of a contest for Prince Tycho's hand in marriage. Based on The Princess and the Pea, Zahler's graceful storytelling brings this time honored tale to life. Each chapter heading denotes a rule from the prince's handbook on how to be a true princess. Lilia possesses strength, tenacity and resourcefulness, qualities which incidentally are not valued in the true princess handbook. This is a delightfully light and entertaining story blending romance and adventure. It is bound to be a hit with readers of Gail Carson Levine and Shannon Hale.

Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott
447 pgs.
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Dragon


The author weaves together a very different tale of Cinderella, one which is richly textured with layers of emotion and set in a fairytale-like Japan. Suzume is not your typical damsel in distress. She is in fact strong and very brave. She barely escapes with her life after witnessing the brutal murder of her father and cousin by soldiers. Her mother soon marries Terrayama,  an old family friend from one of the prestigious noble families. Our young protagonist also happens to be a Shadow Weaver, she can create illusions and be whoever she wants to be. When she discovers Terrayama is in fact the man responsible for the attack on her father, she uses her skill to transform into one persona after the next almost losing her true self in the process. Her thirst for revenge becomes an obsession so dark and encompassing that she turns away from the one who truly loves her. Grief, guilt, self-loathing, revenge, passion, friendship and love are the emotions evoked by this brilliantly written story. The characters are strong and the plot compelling. The author deftly touches on the delicate topics of self-mutilation and sexual identity in this astonishingly unique take on a classic love story. Readers will fall in love with this mesmerizing romance.

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
308 pgs.
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Dragon

Synopsis from inside front cover

"It isn't easy being Sunday's child, not when you're 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 as a terrible tendency to come true.
     When Sunday meets an echanted 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 to this prince she barely knows? and what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past -- and hers?"


First I must say that I simply adore fairy tales and the only thing better is retelling fairy tales and Alethea Kontis most definitely has the gift. From the synopsis you'd think it was a simple Frog Prince story, but oh no, this story is so much more. Into the love story of Sunday Woodcutter and her handsome frog turned prince, she weaves subtle hints and flavorings of many other tales including Cinderella, Princess and the Pea, Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk, Warrior Princess, Rumpelstiltskin, and The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. She does this so seemlessly throughout the book that you don't even notice at first -- it's just part of the story. This technique gives it depth and richness.

"Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace.
Wednesday's child is full of woe.
Thursday's child hsa far to go.
Friday's child is loving and giving.
Saturday's child works hard for a living.
But the child who is born on the Sabbath Day
Is blithe and bonny and good and gay."

I loved this verse and how the meanings were slowly revealed as the story progressed. I found myself going back and re-reading the lines when certain sisters were highlighted. The two meddling fairy godmothers good and evil were aptly named as Joy and Sorrow. All the threads are brought together in the end making this a wondrous, romatic and ethereal fantasy.I enjoyed this book immensely and look forward to more from this author. Perfect for fans of Jessica Day George.

Fairytale Keeper by Angela Cefalo (Gally copy)
267 pgs
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Wizard

Synopsis from back cover
"Snow White was a pet name her mother had given her, but her mother's dead now. Adelaide hates that name anyway. A rampant fever claimed Adelaide's mother just like a thousand others in Cologne where the people die without last rites and the dead are dumped in a large pit outside of the city walls. Adelaide's father is determined to obtain a funeral for his wife, but that requires bribing the parish priest, Father Soren. When Soren commits an unforgivable atrocity, he pushes Adelaide to her breaking point, but if she seeks justice against the cruel priest, she risks sacrificing everything: her father, her friends, her first love, and mabe even her life."

I liked the unusual nature of the fairytale retelling, where the protagonist, Adelaide, appears to be the source of all the Grimm's Tales. Cinderella, Snow White, and The Elves and the Shoemaker all make an appearance. Her father is the shoemaker, Adelaide is Snow White and her mother's beautiful cousin is the evil stepmother from Cinderella. It's a genuinely cool way to interweave more than one fairytale into your story. I did notice however that she also included the tale The Six Swans but there was no indication of that tale in the book. So I'm assuming that means it will appear in some way in the forthcoming titles in the series. The medieval Cologne setting was beautifully laid out and gave the stories depth and ambiance. I really liked the budding romance between Adelaide and Ivo. Ivo was hands down my favorite character in the book. I can so easily imagine him as any number of Grimm characters. It will be very interesting to see where he ends up. The corruption in the church was an intriguing thread in the storyline and I wonder if that will continue in the next installment.
I want to thank the author, Andrea Cefalo, for sending me a copy of this fabulous debut to enjoy and feature here on my blog.

Princess of the Wild Swans by Diane Zahler
212 pgs.
age 8-12
Rating: Wizard

Synopsis from inside front cover
"Princess Meriel's brothers have been cursed. A terrible enchantmnt -- cast by their conniving new stepmother -- has transformed the handsome princes into swans. They now swim forlornly on a beautiful heart-shaped lake that lies just beyond the castle walls.
      Meriel will do whatever it takes to rescue her beloved brothers. But she must act quickly. If Heart Lake freezes, her brothers will be forced to fly south or perish.
      With help from her newfound friends Riona and Liam -- a pretty half-witch and her clever brother-- Meriel vows to finish a seemingly impossible task. If she completes it, her brothers may be saved.

But if she fails...

all will be lost."

I thoroughly enjoyed this rendition of the Grimm fairytale, The Seven Brothers. Meriel is a strong heroine whose love and fierce loyalty to her family drives her to finish the painful task of sewing shirts of cloth spun from the prickly nettles. Even though the brothers spend most of the story as swans, their individual traits are clearly drawn and easily transferred to swan form. The new queen, Lady Orianna,  is deliciously wicked and brings a new twist to the tale by using her power over the king to open the portal between the human and fairy world. I liked how the threat of a winter freezing placed a deadline on Meriel's task. I especially loved how the town stood by the royal family and helped them defeat Orianna in the end. Granted Meriel couldn't be helped in the task of sewing the shirts to save her brothers, but she did get help in other ways which shows that a ruler who is fair, just and genuinely cares for his/her people is rewarded with loyalty. There is a touch of romantic interest between Meriel and Rionna's brother, Liam. This book is short but packed with adventure, peril and heroism. Fans of fairytale retellings will eat this book up. 

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
416 pgs.
Target audence: Age 8-12
Rating: Wizard

As we all know the original tales of the Brothers Grimm are quite grim The author reminds the reader at frequent intervals during the narrative by asking if there are small children in the house and suggesting they go to bed before they read any further. Gidwitz weaves a web through some of the more obscure and bloody stories using Hansel and Gretel as the heroes in each one. Where most parents would be appalled at the gruesomeness, Gidwitz deftly embraces it with humor an snarky comments on the contents of the story which kids will love and adults will want to stay up into the wee hours to finish. I listened to this on audio and it had me completely engrossed. I love the Grimm fairytales and its nice to see them told in a way that doesn't sugarcoat. This book will generate interest in reading the original tales. The heart and soul of this book lies with the question, "Where are all the good parents?"

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