After the Forest

 

Today's post is on After the Forest by Kell Woods. It is 375 pages long and is published by TOR Books. The cover is green with different forest themed elements like leaves, wolves, and like on it. The intended reader is someone who likes fairy tales and their retellings. There is mild foul language, implied sex, and mild violence in this novel. The story follows the third person close of the main character, Greta. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Ginger. Honey. Cinnamon. Flour. A drop of blood to bind its power.
1650: The Black Forest, Wurttemberg.
Fifteen years after the witch in the gingerbread house, Greta and Hans are struggling to get by. Their mother and stepmother are long dead, Hans is deeply in debt from gambling, and the countryside lies in ruin, its people recovering in the aftermath of a brutal war. Greta has a secret, the witch's grimoire, secreted away and whispering in her ear, and the recipe inside that makes the most sinfully delicious - and addictive - gingerbread.
As long as she can bake, Greta can keep her small family afloat. But in a village full of superstition, Greta and her intoxicating gingerbread is a source of ever-growing suspicion and vicious gossip.
And now, dark magic is returning to the woods and Greta's own powers - magic she is still trying to understand - may be the only thing that can save her ... If it doesn't kill her first.

Review- A interesting look at the Hensel and Greta folk legend with an eye to how women are seen in their communities. Greta and Hans are barely surviving when a new baroness raises the taxes and starts demanding payment in flesh. Greta wants to protect her brother from the baroness but she also has her won problems to deal with. This is was a good read, if you like fairy tales and folklore, which I do. The writing is good, the characters are believable, and the setting is immersive. Woods did a good job and I would like to read more from her. 

I give this novel a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

The Dragon's Promise

Today's post is on The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim. It is 484 pages long and is published by Knopf Books for Young Readers. The cover has Shiori and Seryu with a black pearl in her arms. As it is the second volume of the duology, you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes re-telling of fairy tales and adventure stories with mild romance. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild action violence in this book. The story is told from first person close of Shiori. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- A journey to the kingdom of dragons, a star-crossed love, and a cursed pearl with the power to mend the world or break it...
Princess Shiori made a deathbed promise to return the dragon's pearl to its rightful owner, but keeping that promise is more dangerous than she ever imagined.
She must journey to the kingdom of dragons, navigate political intrigue among humans and dragons alike, fend off thieves who covet the pearl for themselves and will go to any lengths to get it, all while cultivating the appearance of a perfect princess to dissuade those who would see her burned at the stake for the magic that runs in her blood.
The pearl itself is no ordinary cargo; it thrums with malevolent power, jumping to Shiori's aid one minute, and betraying her the next—threatening to shatter her family and sever the thread of fate that binds her to her true love, Takkan. It will take every ounce of strength Shiori can muster to defend the life and the love she's fought so hard to win.

Review- This book picks up right where the last one left with Shioro and Seryu going to the Dragon Kingdom for help. But the dragons are not pleased with her or that Seryu is helping her. The pearl is wanted by more than just demons and the dragon it belongs to, everyone wants the pearl and the power it holds. So Shiori has to fight to get the pearl back to the right dragon, with only her brothers and Takkan to help her. This book was fine but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first one. I think that it was a slower start than I was expecting. The ending was good with all the plot threads tied up. I would read another book by this author. 

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Six Crimson Cranes

Today's fiction post is on Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim. It is 464 pages long and is published by Knopf Books. The cover has the main character and her swan brothers behind her. The intended reader is someone who likes fantasy, re-telling fairy tales, and light love stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this novel. The story is told from first person close of the main character, Shiori. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- A princess in exile, the boy she left at the altar, six enchanted cranes, and a dragon from the deepest sea.
Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted, but it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.
Raikama has dark magic of her own, and she banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes, and warning Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.
Peniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and, on her journey, uncovers a conspiracy to overtake the throne--a conspiracy more twisted and deceitful, more cunning and complex, than even Raikama's betrayal. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to contain--no matter what it costs her.

Review- A wonderful re-telling of the swan brothers in an Asian inspired fantasy. Shiori runs away from her betrothal ceremony and falls into a pond. She meets a dragon who promises to help her learn to control her magic. But before that can happen, her step-mother curses her and her six brothers. Far away from home, alone, and unknown, Shiori has to find her brothers, feed herself, and discover a way to free herself and her brothers. The plot is good, the characters are interesting with Shiori being a stand out, and the setting is very fun. Shiori is smart, she is brave, and she is willing to learn from her mistakes. I am looking forward to reading the next volume. 

I give this novel a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this novel from my local library. 

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

 

Today's post is on The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh. It is 321 pages long and is published by Feiwel and Friends. The cover is a beautiful illustration of a girl in traditional Korean clothes with her skirt turning into the sea. The intended reader is someone who likes fairy tales and Asian folklore. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this novel. The story is told from first person close of the main character, Mina. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland for generations. Floods sweep away entire villages, while bloody wars are waged over the few remaining resources. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. In an attempt to appease him, each year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as the Sea God’s bride, in the hopes that one day the “true bride” will be chosen and end the suffering.
Many believe that Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village—and the beloved of Mina’s older brother Joon—may be the legendary true bride. But on the night Cheong is to be sacrificed, Joon follows Cheong out to sea, even knowing that to interfere is a death sentence. To save her brother, Mina throws herself into the water in Cheong’s stead.
Swept away to the Spirit Realm, a magical city of lesser gods and mythical beasts, Mina seeks out the Sea God, only to find him caught in an enchanted sleep. With the help of a mysterious young man named Shin—as well as a motley crew of demons, gods and spirits—Mina sets out to wake the Sea God and bring an end to the killer storms once and for all.
But she doesn’t have much time: A human cannot live long in the land of the spirits. And there are those who would do anything to keep the Sea God from waking…

Review- Mina living in a village by the sea and every year the most brilliant girl in the kingdom will be sacrificed to try and appease the Sea God. But this year's bride is the beloved of her older brother and Mina will not let him be heart broken, so she makes a vow to the Sea God and she is taken instead. In the realm of the spirits, Mina learns that the Sea God has been asleep for one hundred years and the balance of power is in danger of changing, which would be horrible for the human realm. So Mina has a quest, to save the Sea God and maybe herself too. I really enjoyed this novel, as lover of mythology from all over the world, I enjoyed reading a new novel about a water god's bride. The writing is excellent, the characters are interesting, and the love story is cute and moving. Oh is clearly very familiar with the legend and she gives it a wonderful new spin. This is a very fun novel and if you have never read any Korean folklore, then I strongly recommend starting with this novel. 

I give this novel a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this novel from my local library.

The Water Dragon’s Bride, vol 10

Today’s post is on The Water Dragon’s Bride, vol 10 by Rei Toma. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover is blue with Asahi and the Water Dragon on it. As it is the tenth in the series, you need to have read the first nine volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sexuality, and mild violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga. The story is told from third person close following the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- Asahi continues to fight against the god of darkness and his minions, and the water dragon god lends her the totality of his power. Unfortunately, the battle greatly weakens the water dragon god to the point where his very existence is threatened! Can Asahi do anything to save him?

Review- The darkness god has been stopped and Kurose is freed from his influence. But the cost is that something is going on with the Water Dragon, he is now linked to Asahi in some powerful way and either understands what has happened. The Water Dragon has been changing over the course of the series but he is showing more emotion and awareness now. That is doing something to him, making him sleep and eat like a human. The plot is wrapping up and I am curious about what is going to happen in the end. 

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Frau Faust, Vol. 2

Today’s post is on Frau Faust, Vol. 2 by Kore Yamazaki. 160 pages long and is published by Kodansha Comics. The cover has Faust, Marion, and Mephisto on it. As it is the second volume in the series you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who likes fairy tale retellings and adventure manga. The story is told from third person close of mostly Faust but other characters as needed. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Personal Demons

After narrowly escaping a battle with Lorenzo, Johanna falls unconscious. In her wounded state, the century- old memories of her first contract with Mephistopheles runs through her head. In these memories are answers Marion is beginning to understand: what is the nature of his master’s immortality, and how is her curse inextricably tied to the body of her demon? Faust, Marion, and Nico’s immediate aim is to find Mephisto’s right led, a mission that becomes more urgent when evidence of a young girl using demonic power comes to light. To find the next piece of her precious demon, Johanna may even need to form a tenuous deal with Lorenzo…

Review- A good second volume. Faust dreams about her past when she met Mephistopheles for the first time and all the times after until they made a contract. We get to see what drives her and how that has changed her. There is much we don't know yet but the journey is great and I like the characters. The world is becoming more complicated than the church characters would like but it is good to see them confront what lies they have been told and to see Faust overcome what stands before her. The child eating the demon blood is not the one who is the bad guy but it will be interesting to see how everything comes to light. 

I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts, Vol. 1

Today’s post is on Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts, Vol. 1 by Yu Tomofuji. It is 192 pages long and is published by Yen Press. The cover has the two main characters on it. There is no foul language, no sex, and very mild violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who likes fairy tale retellings. The story is told from third person close of Sariphi. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The ferocious King of Beasts rules over his subjects- animal and man alike- with an iron paw. In a display of domination, he demands regular offerings from the humans… but there’s something amiss with the ninety-ninth sacrifice. Unlike her predecessors, Sariphi isn’t afraid of the king! Will her insolence lead to a gruemore end… or a new beginning?

Review- A great first volume in a series. Sariphi is the newest human sacrifice, the 99th one, and she is fine dying, she doesn’t fear the beasts or their King. But the King is more complicated than anyone else knows and he is hiding a big secret. This is a great way to start a story, lots of world building, interesting characters, and a big plot that is going to be great to see unfold. I am hopeful that this will have some exploration on being you who are vs who people want you to be and of course maybe deal with mental health as our main character has some serious issues.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Over the Woodward Wall

Today’s post is on Over the Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker. It is 204 pages long and is published by Tor. The cover is orange with a wall in the center and two children sitting on top of the wall. The intended reader is someone who likes portal fantasies like Wizard of Oz. It is the first in the The Up-and-Under series. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this novel. The story is told from third person close of the characters moving as the story does. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the dust jacket- Avery is an exceptional child. Everything he does is precise, from the way he washes his face in the morning, to the way he completes his homework – without complaint, without fuss, without prompt.

Zib is also an exceptional child, because all children are, in their own way. But where everything Avery does and is can be measured, nothing Zib does can possibly be predicted, except for the fact that she can always be relied upon to be unpredictable.

They live on the same street.

They live in different worlds.

On an unplanned detour from home to school one morning, Avery and Zib find themselves climbing over a stone wall into the Up and Under – an impossible land filled with mystery, adventure and the strangest creatures.

And they must find themselves and each other if they are to also find their way out and back to their own lives.

Review- As someone who really likes portal fantasies and loves the novels of the Wizard of Oz this was a wonderful novel that I enjoyed very much. Zib and Avery are trying to get to school when a wall stands in their way and because they are children and they need to get to school, they climb over the wall and into another world called the Up-and-Under. It is a place where girls can become crows, owls come in all colors, and the only way to get home is to find the Queen of Wands in the Impossible City on the Improbable Road. The writing is excellent, the story is fun and safe for all readers, and the characters are fun. I am very excited to see Baker a.k.a. Seanan McGuire take on the Wizard of Oz and all the tropes with it, the second volume cannot come out soon enough. 

I give this novel a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this novel from my local library.

The Cruel Prince

Today’s review is on The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. It is 370 pages long and is published by Little, Brown, and Company. The cover is white with a golden branch with a crown and a green beetle on it. The intended reader is someone who likes dark YA novels, faerie stories, and great writing. There in mild foul language, implied sex and sexuality, and voilence in this novel. The story is told from third person close of the main character Jude. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

Review- Holly Black is a master of dark fairy tales and she returns to the form with Cruel Prince. We start with Jude’s earliest memory which is her mother and father being murdered by her older sister's father, who happens to be a fairy known as a redcap. We then fast forward to about 10 years later and Jude is wholly devoted to stepfather and wants to become a knight in one of the fairy courts. But then a very surprising betrayal happens in Jude is forced to reconsider what she is willing to do to make a place for herself in her adopted home. The writing as always the strong point with Black, she is a master of craft, and understands traditional Fearie tales better than most modern writers. None of the plot twists with the exception of the big one were surprising to me, but don't let that put you off, the overall story itself is absolutely fantastic. I will say that Jude is as dense as a bag of rocks, but that's because she is taking things at face value, because most of the time when dealing with a Fae she can. I'm curious about where she is going to go now that she has made the cruel Prince the King, even though he certainly did not bargain for that. If you were looking for a more traditional style of Faerie tale I highly recommend this and everything else written by Holly Black. 

I give this novel a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this novel from my local library.

The Ancient Magus' Bride, vol. 4

Today’s post is on The Ancient Magus' Bride, vol. 4  by Kore Yamazaki. It is 184 pages long and is published by Seven Seas Publishing. The cover has Chise and Elias on it sitting on a bridge. As it is the fourth volume in the series you need to have read the first three to understand what is going on. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who has read the first three volumes and likes manga. The story is told from third person close of the main character Chise. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- "I am not alone."

Chise has been summonsed to the Dragon Aerie to begin crafting her very own wand, but her journey has more to offer than she had anticipated: magical wonders, enlightening visions, and perhaps most importantly, insight into Elias' past and the secrets he has been reluctant to reveal about himself.

Yet while Chise finds some answers about the inhuman mage's history, mysterious beings are displaying an unexpected interest in Chise herself. 

Review- This volume picks up right where volume three left off with Chise learning about Elias’ past. His teacher is still getting Chise's meddle and is starting to see why Elias has chosen her to be his apprentice. Not a lot of plot happens in this volume, but a lot of setting, world building, and character development. Chise learns that she is more than just a replaceable mistake. She has value in herself, and others see value in her as well. I like the way that Chise is growing, she is becoming very interesting and it will be interesting to see where she ends up at the end of the series. A solid volume in the series. 

I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Sleepless volume 2

Today’s post is on Sleepless volume 2 by Sarah Vaughan, Leila Del Duca, Alissa Sallah; illustrated by Leila Del Duca, Alissa Sallah. It is 142 pages long and is published by Image Comics. The cover has Poppy and Cyrenic sleeping with Bini between them. The intended reader is someone who has read the first volume. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and some violence in this volume. The story is told from third person close of Poppy and Cyrenic. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the blurb on Hoopla - Nearly a year later in the court of Harbeny, Lady Poppy and Sir Cyrenic must forge ahead without each other. Cyrenic adjusts to life after being released from the Sleepless Vow. And though the future looks bleak, both Poppy and Cyrenic are fighters. Either they will claw their way out of the darkness, or take as many enemies with them as they can. This second volume of SLEEPLESS concludes the story of Poppy and Cyrenic.

Review- For all the built-up on the first volume of Sleepless everything comes to head very quickly in the final volume. All the story threads come together very neatly and the ending is quite satisfying. Poppy and Cyrenic have had a lot happen to them and they have to survive the last bit of it. We start a year after the last volume with Cyrenic waking up and Poppy getting engaged to Lord Helder. Cyrenic is very unhappy with Poppy for releasing from his sleepless vow to her. Poppy is hurt that he does not understand why she did it and Lord Helder is still planning to kill Poppy. After the wedding is when everything just explodes. I really enjoyed this series, I liked the art work, the story was engaging, and the world was vibrant. I hope that the authors and artists work together again as they created something very special. I would recommend this graphic novels series.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this graphic novel from my local library’s Hoopla account. 

Sweet Rein, volume 1

Today’s post is on Sweet Rein, volume 1 by Sakura Tsukuba. It is the first in her Sweet Rein series. It is 200 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has the two main characters on it looking cute and happy. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo love stories, holiday themed stories, and magical girl stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book - A magical romance from the creator of Land of the Blindfolded. Sad at the thought of spending Christmas alone, Kurumi Sagara goes out for a walk. While she’s crossing the street, a boy bumps into her, and a rein suddenly appears that binds them together. The overjoyed boy tells her she’s his master and that she’s a Santa Claus. Kurumi dismisses him as a crazy person, but then he transforms into a reindeer?!

Review – This is a very cute magical girl love story with a Christmas theme. Kurumi is a girl who loves Christmas but is going to be spending it alone but then she meets a boy, Kaito, who says that she is his master and a Santa Claus. We get our story from there. It is very cute with Kurumi using her Santa powers to help not just during the Christmas season but whenever she can. The love story is in the background with Kurumi unsure if Kaito really likes her or just because she is his Santa. It does not help that Kaito thinks that they are one in the same thing. I like the characters very much, the theme is cute without being too over-the-top, and the art is good. I want Kurumi and Kaito to end up together and beat the odds as Santa and Reindeer.

I give this volume a Four out if Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

Today’ s post is on Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley. It is 256 pages long and is published by Harper Collins. The cover has Beauty on it with a rose. The intended reader is someone who loves fairy tales and retellings. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. The story is told from first person close of the main character, Beauty. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- A strange imprisonment...
Beauty has never liked her nickname. She is thin and awkward; it is her two sisters who are the beautiful ones. But what she lacks in looks, she can perhaps make up for in courage.
When her father comes home with the tale of an enchanted castle in the forest and the terrible promise he had to make to the Beast who lives there, Beauty knows she must go to the castle, a prisoner of her own free will. Her father protests that he will not let her go, but she answers, "Cannot a Beast be tamed?"
Robin McKinley's beloved telling illuminates the unusual love story of a most unlikely couple, Beauty and the Beast.

Review- This is one of the best, if not the best, retelling of Beauty and the Beast I have ever read. I first read this book about twenty years ago and I loved it as a teenager; so when I wanted to revisit it I had my previous feelings in mind. I was not disappointed in my old favorite. It is still as wonderful, magical, and everything that it was when I first read it. The story starts out when Beauty is a child and she is dissatisfied with her given name of Honor and wants to be called Beauty. We travel with her and her family as she grows, they lose their fortune, and have to move into the countryside. This story is the perfect version of Beauty and the Beast, we see Beauty grow to feel compassion, mercy, and then love for the Beast. We see that he is really not a monster but someone who is trapped by magic and unable to help himself or change his own fate. Wonderful retelling and I highly recommend it.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money many years ago.

The Ancient Magus' Bride, volume 3

Today's post is on The Ancient Magus' Bride, volume 3 by Kore Yamazaki. It is the third in her Ancient Magus' Bride series and as such you need to have read the first two volumes to understand the story. It is 184 pages long and is published by Seven Seas. The cover has the three main characters Chise, Ruth and Elias on it. The intended reader is someone who likes urban fantasy and shonen manga. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of Chise. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- An Ancient Evil
Chise has come face to face with the person responsible for the brutal killings at a nearby churchyard- and to her shock, it's someone she recognizes from her visions of the tragedy at Ulthar! Appalled by the realization that the alchemist who wrought such horror is still p to his old tricks, Chise must act to stop him. But in order to control her dangerous powers as a sleigh beggy, she'll need all the help she can get.

Review- We get a lot of character development in this volume with Chise learning more about what Elias is truly capable of. The bad guy is revealed to an immortal called Joseph and other names but he ,mostly, calls himself Joseph, so I will to. He is insane and does not understand or care that his actions are evil. He is doing it to live a pain-free life, whatever that means he never says. I liked everything that happens in this volume from Chise getting Ruth to seeing what happens when Elias loses his temper, I felt that a lot of ground was covered in this volume. It is ends with Chise being told a story about Elias from many centuries ago and I look forward to seeing him long before he was anything like Chise knows him as.

I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

Today's post is on Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley. It is 256 pages long and is published by Harper Collins. The cover is white with a red rose on it. The intended reader is someone who likes fairy tale retellings. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. The story is told from first person close of the main character Beauty. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- "Like all of the other doors I had met in the castle, this one opened at my approach. The room it revealed was a large, warm, and gracious one. On one wall to my left a first was burning in a fireplace; two armchairs were drawn up before it. One chair was empty. In the other a massive shadow sat. I caught a gleam of dark-green velvet on what might have been a knee in the shadowed armchair.
"'Good evening, Beauty,' said a great harsh voice."
A young woman, well educated and honourable, accepts responsibility for her father's act and leaves her family to enter the enchanted world of castle and Beast. The Beast she finds is not the one she imagined, but can she stay with him?
A gifted storyteller embellishes the classic tale, developing a new and very real world of her own in a love story that has all the wonder and magic of the fairy tale.

Review- This is one of the best, not the best, retelling of Beauty and the Beast. McKinley is a master of her craft and she gives everything she has in this retelling. Everything is perfect in this novel from the pacing, the characterization, way the castle works, and the relationship between Beauty and her Beast. Beauty is a nickname, her birth name is Honor, and she does not feel very beautiful at all. The Beast is not a young man still angry with his curse but someone who has made some peace with the curse and the choices that he made that invited it into his life. Beauty's sisters are kind and loving, and Beauty herself is more than just a victim in this story. She is clever and wants to have an active role in her choices and life. I love everything about this book. I first read this book about 25 years and I still love it so much today. Everyone should read this book and remember the magic of fairy tales.

I give this novel a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this novel with my own money.

Siege and Storm

Today's post is on Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo. It is the second in her The Grisha trilogy. It is 432 pages long and is published by Henry Holt and Company. The cover is blue with the title and a dragon in silver. The intended reader is someone who read the first one, likes Russian influenced lore, and fast plots. The story is told from first person close of the main character Alina. There is mild foul language, no sex, and violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Darkness never dies.
Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.
The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

Review- The story picks up just a few months after the end of the first book. Alina and Mal have run across the True Sea and are trying to get further inland. But of course they are caught by The Darkling. He wants or needs Alina back. Like the first book I am just not sure about what The Darkling's goals truly are. Does he want to rule the world? I would not be surprised but I think that there is something more that he wants. He has learned to fear Alina and works for her in this volume to try and get her back on his side. So Alina and Mal go back to the Little Palace and Alina wants to make sure that she finishes The Darling off this time. Nothing goes as planned but the novel ends with some good plot points and I cannot wait to see where we are going to go as this finishes.

I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

A Creature of Moonlight

Today's post is on A Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn. It is a stand alone novel. It is 313 pages long and is published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The cover is blue with a silver moon and a black dragon on it. There intended reader is young adult. There is no language, no sex, and talk of violence in this book. The story is told from the perspective of the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- The girls who escape into the forbidden woods do it for one reason: freedom. But Marni has never heeded the voices that call to her from among the trees, the ones that lured her mother away so many years ago. Marni is the rightful heir to the throne, though she lives in exile, growing flowers for the court. While it isn't the life of a princess, at she's been safe- until now.
Marni is not a little girl anymore. People are starting to notice her, and the voices in the woods have grown too loud to ignore. When the trees themselves begin to move in on the kingdom, Marni knows she must make a choice. She could claim her birthright as princess of a realm whose ruthless king wants her dead. Or she could make a life with the father she has never known: the wild dragon who is sending his magical woods to capture her.

Review- This book was interesting and I really liked the heroine. She does not fall in love with anyone and she stays true to herself. Marni is the half-human princess who just wants to live her life without getting killed by her uncle. She has had to deal with people ignoring her or manipulating her all her life. Her uncle cannot decide if he wants to kill her or not. I liked her aunt a lot. Her aunt does not see a dragon's daughter, she sees her niece who needs someone to love her. The love interest gets forgotten very quickly and that pleased me. Marni stands up for herself to everyone including her dragon father. I liked that the magic just worked, it was something that Marni just knew how to do. She had to learn some things but then she was off and flying. I hope that Hahn gets more books published but I hope that she leaves this one alone. It is done.

I give this novel a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

XXXholic volume 19

Today's post is on XXXholic volume 19 by CLAMP. It is the last in the XXXholic series and as such you need to have read the rest of the series to understand what is happening. The cover has Watanuki in it smiling at the reader. The intended reader is someone who is interested in Japanese mythology, long plots, and fantasy. There is no sex, no language, and no violence in this volume. The story is told from Watanuki's perspective. There Be Spoiler Ahead.

From the back of the book- Kimihiro Watanuki has passed through many trails by fire. Once an indentured servant , he has matured and become the poised and skilled keeper of the shop that grants wishes. but Watanuki's final wish is for himself: to meet the witch Yuko one more time. With Yuko long vanished from our world, is it even possible? That question and others are answered now in the concluding volume of the bestselling manga xxxHOLic!

Review- I loved the ending for this series. Watanuki gets peace at the end of the story. He does see Yuko again but it is in a dream that she left for him long ago. The only thing that remained was what Domeki was to use the egg on. That is never told or it could be that he never needed to use it at all. The story in this manga was so moving to me. Watanuki starts out so angry and alone. He feels that he does not matter and no one would care if he just disappeared. In the end of the story, Watanuki knows that he is worthy. He knows that people care about him and he, in turn, cares about others. The way that Watanuki grows over the course of the series was so beautiful and moving. The sadness that is part of this story is so worth how beautiful it is.

I give this volume and series a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this series with my own money.

XXXHolic volume 14

Today's post is on XXXHolic volume 14 by CLAMP. It is the fourteenth in the series, so you need to have read the first thirteen to understand the story. It is 178 pages long and is published by DEL REY. The cover has Yuko on it looking very pretty with Watanuki and wrapping around to continue on the back. The intended reader is someone who likes Japanese mythology, ghost stories, and very pretty pictures. The story is told from Watanuki's perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Kimihiro is a mystery even to himself. He has no memory of his past, or even of his beloved parents' names. Neither does he have any idea why he is being followed by malicious spirits. But his boss, the witch Yuko Ichihara, knows, and in this volume nay of Kimihiro's secrets are finally revealed!

Review- Watanuki is finally told what is going on with and to him. In exchange for another's safety he gave up his memories. Once he was told that, Watanuki was at peace with his choice. The way that the plot is going is still sad but I think that things are going be changing soon. What is going to happen I do not know but something big. The plot is getting more and more hidden as things go on. Which is unusual, normally at this point you would have some idea where things are going or at least how they are going to resolve and I just do not have that. Only five more volumes until this one is done.


I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Princess of Thorns

 

Today’s post is on Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay. It is 388 pages long and is published by Delacorte Press. The cover has the main character in profile with her silver blonde hair flowing behind her as she runs. The intended reader is someone who likes fairy tales, re-telling fairy tales, and romance. There is no language, talk of sex, and violence in this book. The story is told in first of the two main characters moving from one to the other as the story needs. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Once Upon a Time There Lived a Princess…
Princess Aurora’s mother, the Sleeping Beauty, died when Aurora was seven, sacrificing herself to give Aurora her own fairy magic. In the ten years since, Aurora has learned that no magic comes for free. The price for hers is her romantic heart. Platonic love is the only kind she will ever know. When her brother is captured by the queen’s men, Aurora dresses as a boy and sets off to raise an army, determined to free the only person it is safe for her to love.
… And a Prince…
Prince Niklaas is living on borrowed time. He must convince a princess to marry him before dawn on eighteenth birthday or meet the same terrible fate as his ten older brothers. And so Niklaas barters his most prized possession for a charm to locate the lost princess, Aurora. Instead, he finds her brother- or so he believes- and is blackmailed into helping raise on army.
Will They Find Their Happily-Ever-After?
As they race to prevent the fulfillment of an ogre prophecy foretelling the end of human life, Aurora and Niklaas learn that there are worse things than old curses. There is impossible hope and forbidden love, and there are kisses that steal like a thief in the night.

Review- This was an interesting retelling of two different fairy tales, sort of. The Sleeping Beauty part was what happened when the wrong prince woke her up at the wrong time. The Swan Brother’s was when the King wanted to live forever and he gets his sons cursed for that. I know that Aurora and Niklaas had to fall in love but I really liked them as friends. They were good friends but because of the demands of the plot they had to become more. I also wanted to spend more time with the ogre queen. She is very interesting, she believes that she is saving the world but she discovers that is not true. I wanted to see what made her first doubt her brother, what was that last thing that drove her to search for answers. But we do not get that. Instead we get a very forced and awkward romance between Aurora and Niklaas. 

I give this book a Three out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.