SING SWEET NIGHTINGALE will always remind me of a wood fire warming a cabin next to a tumbling river. This is largely because I read it on vacation, bSING SWEET NIGHTINGALE will always remind me of a wood fire warming a cabin next to a tumbling river. This is largely because I read it on vacation, but it’s also because reading it reminded me of everything I love about reading. I fell completely head over heels for this book, because I fell completely in love with the characters. Hudson is our knight in shining armor, and all his actions perfectly reflect his inherent heroism (minus the annoying Cyclops/Leonardo goodie-two-shoes complex). Horace wins for the most original sidekick ever—a grandpa who both emotionally supports our hero and funds his missions. Mariella is perhaps the most compromised character, since she is literally a damsel in distress. But she brings tremendous strength to her situation, both while she is under the antagonist’s spell and after she learns the truth. She actually proves to be the strongest of all of them.
This book was different than I thought it would be going in. I’m not sure why, because the jacket flap perfectly describes what’s going on at the outset of the book, and the cover is both lovely and accurate to the story. I guess I was expecting a slightly remote Phantom-of-the-Opera style of story, where you’re much more invested in the Phantom than the singer or her boyfriend. This could not have been further from the case with SING SWEET NIGHTINGALE. The antagonist was powerful, frightening, and even sympathetic at the beginning. But I was entirely captivated by the leads. Mariella and Hudson ran away with this story and my heart. Plus, there are unicorns. Win!...more
CAMELOT BURNING is an intriguing blend of steampunk and medieval historical. I’ve never read anything like it. Magic exists, but it’s considered a forCAMELOT BURNING is an intriguing blend of steampunk and medieval historical. I’ve never read anything like it. Magic exists, but it’s considered a forbidden drug. Merlin is a recovering magic junkie who has turned to the mechanical arts to protect Camelot. His apprentice, Vivienne, is a lady-in-waiting to Gwenivere. Lancelot and Arthur play roles along the periphery, but the main characters are Vivienne, Merlin, and Marcus, Lancelot’s squire. The three of them play pivotal roles in defending the kingdom against the evil Morgan le Fay. The story weaves around the main plot points of the Arthurian legend with grace and grit. But by far the best part was the payoff at the end. Wow. I couldn’t put the book down. It was as epic and devastating as the Battle of Gondor in Return of the King. I felt soul-scoured (in the best way) after reading it. Loved every aching minute of that ending. Is medievalpunk a thing? Because if it’s anything like CAMELOT BURNING, I must read more!!...more
The only thing better than the title THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN WITCHES is the book itself. The creativity of middle-grade authors blows me away. This The only thing better than the title THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN WITCHES is the book itself. The creativity of middle-grade authors blows me away. This book is a sparkling example of the best middle-grade has to offer. Witchling Two and Rupert are adorable and feisty and, as you’d expect from such a creative book, incredibly creative themselves. The stakes are huge for poor Rupert and Witchling Two. Captivity, exile, and no more magic! Horrors! But worse by far is the ever-present threat of...bunnies. *gasp*
I loved both Rupert and Witchling Two, but even better is Mrs. Frabbleknacker, who is beyond evil. She knows just how to torture kids, and clearly revels in every sadistic minute of her torments. I laughed loud and often while reading this book. If this book had a perfect candy pairing, it would be salt-water taffy. Purple salt-water taffy. In lollipop form. :-)...more
OTHERBOUND twists a contemporary fantasy and a high fantasy into a thoroughly satisfying pretzel of awesome. What I like best is how unique the story OTHERBOUND twists a contemporary fantasy and a high fantasy into a thoroughly satisfying pretzel of awesome. What I like best is how unique the story is. The plot, the characters, and the setting are all unlike anything I've ever read before, and I've read a metric ton of fantasy. For one of those elements to be unique is impressive. For all three to be unique? That takes work, and vision, and talent. Corinne Duyvis clearly has these things in spades. ...more
BEWARE THE WILD is a gorgeous gothic mystery straight from the swamps of Louisiana. It’s clear the author took great care creating a setting that was BEWARE THE WILD is a gorgeous gothic mystery straight from the swamps of Louisiana. It’s clear the author took great care creating a setting that was a character in itself, because the rich, descriptive imagery just oozed swamp. The setting isn’t the only thing rich about this book, though—the characters are equally as sumptuous. I love that the relationship between siblings takes center stage in this book. It makes the narrative that much more unique in a sea of coming-of-age stories where romantic or parental relationships are at the fore. (Not that there aren’t unusual and intriguing explorations of romantic and parental relationships in this book as well, because there are!) The characters are all so dynamic that it’s hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to choose, I’d probably say the Chevelle. Because I really can’t pick! And besides, Chevelle! ;-) Seriously, though, BEWARE THE WILD is a cicada-chirping, sweet-potato pie-eating, jean shorts-wearing, southern-bayou swelter fest of awesome. I would recommend pre-ordering, because this baby’s going to fly off shelves....more
There were Moments in this book--definite Moments. I can list three, no, four, right off the top of my head. But there are at least a dozen moments thThere were Moments in this book--definite Moments. I can list three, no, four, right off the top of my head. But there are at least a dozen moments that dragged on and on interminably--rather like all the boring Levin bits of Anna Karenina. Maybe I just did not Get those parts, but then again, maybe they just dragged on and on interminably. Still. For those Moments I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I give this book four stars. They were that good....more
Unquestionably the best book in the series, The Subtle Knife left me gasping at its end. The author's addition of an entirely new main character to thUnquestionably the best book in the series, The Subtle Knife left me gasping at its end. The author's addition of an entirely new main character to the cast of characters from the first book was inspired. Lyra, though an amazing character in her own right, did not possess my sympathy as much as Will does in this sequel. Seeing the milieu through his eyes was the kite string that made the whole rest of the series work for me. Phillip Pullman really out-did himself with this installment....more
Loved this book. I liked the second and the third in the series as well, but this one is the best (thus far). Her characters and themes are compellingLoved this book. I liked the second and the third in the series as well, but this one is the best (thus far). Her characters and themes are compelling, and from what I can tell, very true to the time period. I highly recommend the Temeraire series....more
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