In the Coils of the Snake

Clare Dunkle's final book in the Hollow Kingdom trilogy answers all the reamining questions about elves and goblins as Miranda, Marak's ward, enters the goblin world to be wife to Marak and Kate's son Catspaw...but an elf lord appears with a proposition for Catspaw and pure elf bride for him. Miranda, horrified, leaves the goblin kingdom and finds herself the captive of Nir, the elf lord. As relations between the elves and goblins become more heated, Miranda emerges as the key to solving an ancient mystery.

Truly a wonderful fantasy trilogy.

The Swan Maiden (YA Romance Challenge #6)

I have read many many fairy tales in my time...but I had never heard this one. I guessed when I first put the book on my reading list that it would somehow connect with the Wild Swans tale...not so.

Doucette's two older sisters are Swan Maidens - girls who were born with a swan skin who can not only transform into swans but work magic as well. Doucette is stuck being the responsible third daughter who will someday marry and run her parents estate. More than anything she wishes she were a Swan Maiden and able to fly away from the criticism of her mother and the boredom she feels at the thought of doing household tasks for the rest of her life. The only thing that brings her a hint of happiness is talking to Jaume, one of the shepherds.

But everything in Doucette's life changes the instant she discovers a hidden swan skin and decides to fly away.

Oh how I loved this book. It was a one day read...one of the stay up until it's so late your eyes hurt reads. Doucette was such an interesting character - she had aspirations and failures and desires and disappointments. She just didn't know herself. So typical of young girls. Even when she had what she thought she wanted she doubted herself. She loves Jaume but finding out she is a Swan Maiden changes their relationship in ways that may be irreparable.

Beastly (YA Challenge #5)

This modern Beauty and the Beast tale begins in a chatroom for those who have experienced unexpected changes - people like the Little Mermaid and the Frog Prince. The Beast, Kyle Kingsbury, is a ninth grader who has a pretty easy life - his father is wealthy and he is the king of a popular group of friends. But Kendra, a strange girl in his English class sees what he really is...and then makes Kyle see it for himself. When Kyle is transformed into a Beast he is given two years to earn love and a kiss. But finding a girl in New York when you look like Kyle does is a little tricky. Maybe impossible.

Alex Flinn's new version of one of my very favorite fairy tales does not disappoint. She has Kyle's teen selfishness and attitude captured perfectly and his relationship with Lindy, the girl forced to keep his company because of her father's greed, is wonderfully romantic.

Wicked Lovely (YA Romance Challenge #4)

Melissa Marr's urban fantasy features Aislinn, the mortal girl who sees faeries, and Keenan, the Summer King of the faeries. Keenan's mother, the Winter Queen, is determined to see her son's power fade. For Keenan to save his Court, he must find the Summer Queen - a mortal who must risk becoming fey to find out if she is the one. Aislinn quite likes being mortal and, with her best friend Seth, must figure out a way to help Keenan and keep her own independence.

Wicked Lovely was a great romance. The faerie story was just dark enough and the ending tied enough loose ends to not be irritating while waiting for the next one, Ink Exchange, which I plan on reading at some point.

Ever (YA Romance Challenge #3)

To save her aunt's life, Kezi makes a choice - a choice that will lead to her death. Olus, the god of the winds, has fallen in love with Kezi and will do anything to save her. In Gail Carson Levine's mythological romance, both Kezi and Olus will have to face what they fear the most to be able to be together.

The questions of destiny, faith, and sacrifice are all explored in Levine's original tale which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Princess Ben (YA Romance Challenge #2)

Because I loved Dairy Queen so much, I thought I would try another one by Catherine Murdock. Princess Ben's parents were killed under mysterious and tragic circumstances and she becomes an important pawn in the royal marriage game. Princess Ben is not a typical princess. She has lived with her parents outsidse the palace and has had no training about life at court. She is admittedly overweight and completely non-fashionablel. And she isn't interested at all in changing.

After her parents die she is forcibly moved into the palace and is"tutored" by Queen Sophia, her aunt who Princess Ben hates with a blazing passion. When Sophia punishes what she sees as Ben's insolance by locking her in a tiny out of the way room, Ben discovers a passageway to a room that contains the things she needs to learn magic.

Another element in the story is the threat of takeover from a neighboring kingdom and Ben's hatred of Florian, its prince. There were some fun twists in this story. The end completely surprised me. I think Ben dwelt a little bit too much on her weight and really was kind of a brat sometimes but the story is about how she grows up and takes upon her the responsibility of being royalty and I liked how that change took place. I wish there was a bit more romance but I I always want a bit more romance. Still, it was fun.

A Curse Dark as Gold (Y.A. Romance Challenge #1)

Elizabeth Bunce created a fantastic new version of the Rumplestilskin story with this novel. Set in an industrial era, Charlotte Miller is trying to keep her family's woolen mill running after her father passes away. She and her sister Rosie are forced to deal with the mill's debts, their scheming uncle, the superstitions of the mill workers, and a mill that does not seem to want to run anymore...as if it has a will of its own.

I have always thought the story of Rumplestilskin was full of gaps though this is not atypical of fairy tales. It is a story I have never read a truly satisfying version of, where the actions of the characters make sense. A Curse Dark as Gold absolutely did. Charlotte's desperation to save her family and their business clarify why a mother would promise to give her firstborn child to a sinister figure. Jack Spinner's past explains why he would care about children at all.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. As this was part of my Y.A. Romance Challenge, I have to say that Randall, Charlotte's husband, is wonderful. Their courtship develops in a way that seems appropriate for the setting Bunce created. However, their relationship also demonstrates the potential destructiveness of secrets and lack of communication.

ya romance challenge

okay so this makes three challenges at one time but luckily they all last a while and this one is seriously too good to pass up. here are the guidelines for the ya romance challenge:

Read six YA romance novels between July 1, 2008 and February 28, 2009.
Romance should be a strong element within the story. But it doesn't have to be the only element. Realistic fiction (contemporary). Historical. Fantasy. Science Fiction. Retold Fairy Tales. All genres are allowed.
They can be part of a series, or stand-alones.
They can be long or short.
Happy books are NOT a requirement

Audio books are allowed.
Up to three movies can be substituted for books. So you could watch 3 movies, read 3 books if you prefer.

Here is my list:
1. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
2. Ever by Gail Carson Levine
3. Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock
4. Beastly by Alex Flinn
5. The Swan Maiden by Heather Tomlinson
6. A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce

wahoo!