Review: Princess of the Midnight Ball

Title: Princess of the Midnight Ball
Author: Jessica Day George
Genre: Middle Grade, Fiction
Pub Date: January 2009, Bloomsbury USA
Format: Hardcover
Source: Received as a gift

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above. 

My Thoughts

I've never been a huge fan of Grimm's fairytales, so I was not familiar with the story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses before reading Jessica Day George's retelling. Of course, I'm a huge fan of George's Dragon series and her writing style in general for the middle grade reader, so I was pretty confident I would enjoy her take on this particular fairytale. Happily, this confidence was not misplaced, as George brought this tale to life with great detail in her typically vivid and captivating style.

I will say that I think I enjoyed the Dragon books more -- perhaps because they were from George's imagination, rather than trying to retell a story that originated from somewhere else. I also favor fantasy adventures, so that might have something to do with my preference, as well.  Nevertheless, George writes about the twelve princesses, each with the name of a flower, their would-be rescuers (the various princes from all the lands around Westfalia), as well as a few other key characters in such a way to bring them to life right before your eyes. The romance is sweet, yet not overpowering. We know from the beginning which way the wind is blowing, so there's not really much mystery or anything to deter Galen and Rose's relationship -- well, other than the fact that Galen has to solve the mystery of what is going on with Rose and her sisters, of course!

Princess of the Midnight Ball is a nice, quick read -- perfect for summer and a book I know I would have enjoyed when I was in the target age group. Oh, and I agree with many of you who commented on my Teaser Tuesday post -- it is a gorgeous cover!  I look forward to picking up Princess of Glass sometime down the road, as well!

My Rating:

Review: Victory

Title: Victory
Author: Susan Cooper
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult/MG
Pub Date: December 2007, Simon & Schuster Children's
Paperback, 224 pages
Book Source: Purchased from Amazon.com

Synopsis

LIVING CENTURIES APART, BUT JOINED IN AN EPIC BATTLE.

Sam Robbins is a farm boy, kidnapped to serve on HMS Victory, the ship on which Lord Nelson will die a hero's death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Molly Jennings is a twenty-first-century English girl transplanted to the United States by her stepfather's job, who's fighting her own battle against loss and loneliness.

Two lives that couldn't be more different, two hundred years apart, are linked by a tiny scrap of fraying cloth, tucked into an old book. It draws Molly into Sam's world, to a moment in time that changed history — a frightening shared moment that holds the key to secrets from the past and hope for the future.

My Thoughts

A light and easy read, Victory is a book I know I would have enjoyed had I read it at the age Cooper intended the book for.  The story is told in alternating points of view, going back and forth between Sam Robbins and Molly Jennings, which tends to keep things moving pretty quickly.

While there are obvious connections between these two characters, the more you read, the more you want to know just why their lives would be connected.  In the end, while I suspected what was coming, no matter how improbable it may have been, I really enjoyed how Cooper laid everything out and revealed all of the pieces of the puzzle.  It was also interesting to have a glimpse of the history of Lord Nelson, even though it came in a fictionalized setting.

I think readers young and old could appreciate this story not only for its plot and setting, but also for the cast of characters.  If you are looking for an adventure that won't bog you down but will keep you entertained, I definitely recommend Victory.

My Rating:

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your site listed here, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Review: Dragon Slippers

Title: Dragon Slippers
Author: Jessica Day George
Genre: Young Adult, MG, Fiction, Fantasy
Pub Date: March 2007, Bloomsbury USA
Hardcover,  pages
Book Source: Purchased at B&N @ Georgia Tech

Synopsis

Many stories tell of damsels in distress who are rescued from the clutches of fire-breathing dragons by knights in shining armor and swept off to live happily ever after.

Unfortunately, this is not one of those stories.

True, when Creel's aunt suggests sacrificing her to the local dragon, it is with the hope that a knight will marry Creel and that everyone (aunt and family included) will benefit handsomely. Yet it's Creel who talks her way out of the dragon's clutches. And it's Creel who walks for days on end to seek her fortune in the king's city with only a bit of embroidery thread and a strange pair of slippers in her possession.

But even Creel could not have guessed the outcome of this tale. For in a country on the verge of war, Creel unknowingly possesses not just any pair of shoes, but a tool that could be used to save her kingdom... or destroy it.

 My Thoughts

Do you ever read a book by a "new-to-you" author and think, "where has this person been all my life?!" Well, that is how I felt about Jessica Day George as I read Dragon Slippers. I have seen reviews of her more recent titles but wasn't really driven to pick them up (who knows why?), and now I can't wait to get my hands on every book she's ever written. Imagine my excitement when I discovered there are actually sequels to this book, as well!

Yes, that's just how much I enjoyed Dragon Slippers. It is definitely one of my favorite reads so far this year--perhaps even since I have been reading. I honestly loved everything about this story: the characters, the plot, the dialogues, the fictional world George created... I actually finished this book a few days ago but have really been savoring it mentally before writing this review. Lately I have felt my reviews have become stagnant and I haven't always felt inspired when I write them, but this one just poured right out of me. Jessica Day George has really taken the meaning of fairytale, dusted it off, and given it a new shine. There were so many scenes and quips that made me smile or laugh out loud, making this book a true pleasure to simply get lost in. Indeed, just reading the excerpt on the back cover was enough to tell me I was going to enjoy reading Dragon Slippers.

I often compare how I enjoy books now to how I might have reacted to them when I was younger, and this is one of those books that I know I would have read over and over again. Maybe I just didn't have as much exposure to the right books when I was a young reader growing up, but I often feel that the selection today is quite a bit richer than it was when I was little. Thank goodness I can still appreciate wonderful books such as this one even now, and I imagine I will for the rest of my life. If anything I've said in this review has given you cause to think you might like to pick this book up, trust me, you definitely want to and should grab a copy as soon as you possibly can.

My Rating:

Other reviews of Dragon Slippers:

Becky's Book Reviews ~ Deliciously Clean Reads

Polishing Mud Balls ~ Bookworm Nation

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Review: This Is Me From Now On

Title: This Is Me From Now On
Author: Barbara Dee
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult/MG
Pub Date: April 2010, Simon & Schuster
Paperback, 259 pages
Book Source: Received a copy for review from the author

Synopsis

Sometimes your life just needs a little jolt.

That's what Francesca told me once, and she was right. I mean, she was wrong about practically everything, but she was right about that.

At first Evie doesn't know what to think about her amazing new neighbor. Francesa's wild and funny, with a crazy sense of style, but the only rules she follows are the ones she invents herself. Evie's two best friends don't trust Francesca, but Evie is desperate for a change. And when you're with Francesca, anything--totally anything--can happen.

My Thoughts

Firstly, many thanks to Barbara Dee for sending me a copy of this book for review. This Is Me From Now on has a target audience that is a tad bit younger (ages 9 - 13) than most of the books I usually review, but I was interested in the premise and gladly accepted the opportunity to share this book with all of you.

My first thought upon finishing this book was that I could have seen myself reading it when I was in middle school. It's generally a light-hearted read that is the perfect little escape from real-life into a world that almost could be yours. The storyline is cute, if a bit predictable--but since we have probably all been in similar situations with a new girl moving to town, I suppose that is to be expected. And who hasn't wanted to reinvent themselves the way Evie was so desperate to? I know I used to feel that way as a pre-teen and teen, and even to this day sometimes find myself thinking about a new me. In the end, Evie learn a lot about herself and her friends and we read all about it in a charming story that provides a lot of laughs.

I highly recommend this book for all the tweens out there. The characters are very well-drawn and I would be surprised if others weren't as blown away by Francesca as I was. She was certainly a hoot and a bit over the top, but Evie and her friends were a tad more realistic. All-in-all an enjoyable read!

My Rating:

Other reviews of This Is Me From Now On:

Becky's Book Reviews ~ Booking Mama ~ Carrie's YA Bookshelf

There's A Book ~ Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

My Overstuffed Bookshelf ~ Mrs. Magoo Reads

Redlady's Reading Room

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Review: Thanksgiving at the Inn

Title: Thanksgiving at the Inn
Author: Tim Whitney
Genre: Young Adult, Holiday, Family, Fiction
Pub Date: October 2009, Bancroft Press
Hardcover, 223 pages
Book Source: Harrison at Bancroft Press

Synopsis (from the dust jacket)


Ever since his mother left, life hasn't been easy for Heath Wellington III. Between his father's (Junior's) bouts with alcoholism and literary rejection, and Heath's own wrongful suspension from school, there hasn't been all that much to be thankful for.


But following the tragic death of estranged grandfather Senior, father and son alike stand to inherit a life-changing fortune... with one catch.


Heath and Junior must spend the next three months managing Senior's bed and breakfast, located in the same Massachusetts home Junior has spent the last eight years trying to escape.


Upended from his everyday life and relocated to a town where everyone knew and loved the grandfather he can't even remember, Heath finds an inn full of some of the strangest people he's ever met, such as:


~ Winsted, the old, wise Jamaican man who used to lead the prayers in Senior's factory;
~ Mrs. Farrel, an elderly woman giving away her late husband's fortune letter by letter;
~ Mustang Sally, the muscle-bound, tattooed grease monkey who doubles as a children's author;
~ Carter, the silent TV news junkie and secret Harvard graduate.


And at a nearby school is Savannah, Junior's first love and her adorable, autistic daughter, Tory.


Bust most of all, there's Junior himself, vinegar to Heath's oil. As Heath adjusts to his new world, what he needs most is to start anew with his father, to understand that Junior, too, is dealing with loss, and to realize that even in the most tragic of times, there's a lot in life to be thankful for.

My Thoughts

First of all, I would like to thank Harrison of Bancroft Press for sending me a copy of this book!

Thanksgiving at the Inn is an easy, enjoyable read that is not only perfect for the holiday season, but any time of the year. While on some levels I felt that this story could pass for middle grade reading (except for some mild profanity), it is a story that really anyone of any age can appreciate. This story reminds us the importance of being thankful for what we have--and that it's important to remember that at all times, not simply when tragedy strikes.

In my opinion, the writing is generally solid, though the plot may be a tad predictable and some of the characters could stand to be fleshed out a little more--particularly Heath's father. What I did enjoy was the variety of characters we see--the synopsis sums them up nicely, and they make for an interesting premise. Some elements of the plot may not seem believable, such as Junior's transformation after his accident, but I think the real importance of this book is the message that Whitney is trying to send. While all of the serious issues are dealt with on a superficial level, that does help to keep the read a little easier for those young adults out there that Whitney is targeting.

If you are looking for a book that is a quick read with a message of gratitude, then you might considering giving Thanksgiving at the Inn a try.

My rating:



Other reviews of Thanksgiving at the Inn:

Cafe of Dreams ~ Scrub-a-Dub-Tub ~ Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?

Frenetic Reader ~ Joyfully Retired ~ Life in the Thumb

Cheryl's Book Nook ~ A Reader's Journal

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your review here, please leave a comment with the permalink to your review!

Review: T'aragam

Title: T'aragam
Author: Jack W. Regan
Genre: Juvenile fantasy
Pub Date: April 2009, Sweatshoppe Publications
Trade Paperback, 286 pages

Synopsis

Young Max Ransome watched his father die, killed by marauding phantors as they swept through T'Aragam at the bidding of the evil wizard Zadok. Barely escaping with his own life, Max is thrust into a whirlwind journey as he races against time to save T'Aragam, the world he loves, from a dark dominion. Can Max overcome the horror of his father's death and save T'Aragam from the grasping talons of its enemies?

Woven with a charming mix of zany humor and genuine danger, "T'Aragam" immerses the reader in a world of original characters and tightly-woven plot. Young Max leads the cast and is ably supported by, among others, a faithful medgekin friend named Gramkin, two monster brothers named Doom and Gloom, and an equuraptor named Dresden.

Coupled with quirky supporting characters, such as mercenary Captain Baggywrinkle, Lord Stench, and a perpetually hungry sea serpent named Bob, this cast of characters steps from the pages and pulls the reader into the story.

My Thoughts

Normally most of the books I read are for the Young Adult set and older, but when Jack W. Regan contacted me about reading and reviewing his book I couldn't pass it up since I enjoy fantasy so much. And let me tell you, this book was great fun, and I wish it had been around when I was the target audience/age for it.

As you can see from the synopsis, there are some great characters with funny names, but even more importantly, T'aragam is a well-written story that grabs you from the beginning. Regan has done an excellent job weaving an adventurous tale infused with quirky humor that had me laughing out loud many times. Young Max Ransome is thrown into danger early on, escaping an attack on the Ransome Castle only to land in greater danger as he flees. After learning plans that the evil wizard Zadok has, he returns home to do what he can to disrupt Zadok's schemes. Just when you think the story is winding down, Regan throws in a twist to keep you on your toes.

T'aragam is the first book in the Max Ransome Chronicles, and while it's certainly an easy read for me, I am will be likely pick up the next book (when it is available) so I can see how the story continues. Any young reader will likely enjoy this book, and it wouldn't surprise me if this story causes some readers to become hooked on fantasy books in general. It would certainly be a great introduction into the world of fantasy for the younger readers.

My rating:



Other reviews of T'aragam:

Bookworming into the 21st Century ~ Worducopia
Literary Escapism

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed here, please leave me a comment!