Wings

Laurel has always been a little strange...all she really likes to drink is Sprite, she is never hot or cold, and she can't ever remember bleeding. Her parents had always homeschooled her until, at fifteen, Laurel starts going to high school. Then things get really weird. She meets David, a sweet guy who she begins to be interested in but then she sprouts a flower from her back, meets handsome Tamani who tells her that she's actually a fairy, and finds out that her DNA shows that she's actually a plant.

I listened to this on my Ipod (by Aprilynne Pike) and I liked it well enough. A different fairy mythology than any I have read about before. The typical but sweet love triangle between Laurel and her two suitors was satisfying. Sort of very tame urban fantasy. I think it was just good. Not fabulous, but enough to keep me occupied when driving between Maryland and New York.

Mystic and Rider

I think this was a good start to Sharon Shinn's Twelve Houses series. I love many of her books and thought I am not a huge fan the mass market paperback format I read it in, I couldn't put it down.

In the land of Gillengaria, some people are born with special powers. Senneth is the embodiment of fire, Donnal and Kirra can shape-shift, and Cammon is a "sensitive" and can read people and their feelings. There are, however, many who think these mystics, as they are called, are evil and should be destroyed. Seriously. Senneth and her mystic companions, along with Tayse and Justin (who are King's Riders, fanatically loyal and fierce soldiers) are on a quest for the king to find out what is causing the unrest between the twelve fiefdoms of Gillengaria.

I do think I will pick up the next in the series...especially because the romance was just getting started! It didn't bother me as much at it might have otherwise because it was a sequel. But there was fast action, a really interesting plot with some good twists, and just darn good writing.

Cybele's Secret (YA Romance Challenge #6 of 6, Once Upon a Time III #4 of 5)

I listened to Juliet Marillier's sequel to Wildwood Dancing and really quite liked it. Cybele's Secret features Paula (pronounced paola), the third of the five Transylvanian sisters featured in Wildwood Dancing, who is the scholar of the family. She accompanies her merchant father to Istanbul to do business there, particularly to acquire an ancient artifact known as Cybele's Gift. No one is sure exactly what it is, but there are several buyers including Duarte, the quite intersting Portugese ex-pirate. One of Paula's father's first tasks was to provide Paula with a bodyguard as the stakes of his interest in Cybele's Gift rise. Paula choses Stoyan, an apparently quite fine looking Bulgarian whose interest in protecting Paula quickly changes from duty to something more.

Paula was an interesting character. She repeatedly referred to herself as a scholar, and at seventeen this is a great aspiration. She also wanted to be a business woman and had to cope with being a woman in Istanbul which is truly a man's world. She is befriended by Irene who seems to have carved a niche for herself as a semi-independant (though married) woman who has a library and a life of her own. Paula was good mix of determination, resourcefulness, and bravery while at the same time being a bit too prudish for my liking. Along with the quest to find Cybele's gift, the supernatural came into play (continued from Wildwood Dancing) which spiced things up a bit. I have to say though, I had hoped the romance would heat up faster than it did. I mean, there was some good stuff in there and Paula having both the intellectual and wealthy Duarte and the protective Stoyan compete for her attention was fun. Still, I remember looking at my Ipod and thinking, if these two (I won't tell you which two!) don't get together in the next five minutes I'm gonna be irritated. And it turns out I was. Still, it was a fun listen.

A Company of Swans

Harriet Morton was quite an ordinary person...at least it seemed so. Raised by her crabby father, a professor of the classics at Cambridge, the one joy she has in her life is dancing. Harriet loves the ballet and is quite talented though her father is convinced that it is not truly a ladylike pursuit. Set in 1912, there are lots of issues of propriety and proper behavior and Harriet is a good girl. But one day a Russian ballet master comes to her class and invites her to join his troupe on a trip to Brazil to dance in the corps for wealthy Europeans living along the Amazon river. For some reason, this sparks Harriet's imagination and in a mad moment of true individualism she tricks her father and heads off to South America. She's only eighteen so this is quite a big deal because legally her father could have her returned to him and really do whatever he wanted to punish her. In the Amazon she meets Rom, a wealthy Englishman who is quite different from her father's preferred suitor, Edward.

I listened to this on my Ipod and liked it. The romance was very sweet. The only thing that I wasn't sure about was Harriet herself. I liked how she came out of her shell and was able to be her own girl, but sometimes I couldn't reconcile how "good" her character was with some of the things she did. Like she was made out by the author to really be above fault which she wasn't. I liked her, but wanted her little bit darker side to be acknowleged for what it was.

Fire (YA Romance Challenge 2009 #5 of 6)

Oh Kristin Cashore...how you write a lovely book. I LOVED Graceling and I think Fire might be even better. Fire is a prequel to Graceling and the two books are connected by one character...Leck. Leck is incredibly creepy and though he is not the main character in the book, he sort of lurks around for most of it and I could never forget that he was out there.

The heroine of this novel is actually named Fire. She is a "monster," a creature, in this case a human, with incredible beauty and the ability to know and control the minds of other people. Her hair is brilliant red, hence her name. Fire's father was a monster in the truest sense of the world. Though unbelievably handsome, he was bloodthirsty and cruel - the only thing he ever loved was his daughter and she wanted to be nothing like him. Fire lives in a land called the Dells and is drawn into the polticis and intrigues of government and war. Her father was an advisor to King Nax who eventually overdosed on drugs (really because of Fire's father). Nax's two sons, Nash (the new king) and Brigan (the military genius) are trying to hold the kingdom against those to the north and the south. Fire is drawn to these two men and is determined to save the kingdom that her father practically destroyed.

The storytelling in Fire was tight and the characters incredibly well drawn. Fire's relationship with Brigan is incredibly romantic and I like how she honestly tries to do what is right. She screws up and tries to fix it. Reading this as a prequel was intersting because really the only connection with Graceling is Leck - it's a completely different world with a different set of characters and a different culture. So much fun.

Skin Hunger (2009 YA Challenge #10 of 12)

Here's the thing. I should know better by now than to start a trilogy in which all of the books have not yet been written. Seriously. How many times must I do this to myself? Katahleen Duey's first novel in her A Resurrection of Magic series was quite wonderful. And now I have to wait until August for the second book to come out and then who knows how long for the end. Something to look forward to I guess.

Skin Hunger is told from two perspectives: the third person narrated story of Sadima, a teenage girl who can communicate with animals and whose life was difficult from birth as her mother was left to die by a "magician" who told her father she could help the laboring woman. With her protective brother and emotionally absent father as her only companions, lonely Sadima is thrilled when Franklin, a young man who understands her magic finds her and asks her to come to the city when she is ready to embrace her talent.

The other thread takes place centuries later. It is Haph's first person account of his time at the academy of magic - a truly horrible place where ten boys are brought and told that only one will emerge from the academy a wizard - and the rest may not survive at all. Haph is angry at his father, terrified of the wizards, and has to endure incredible, abusive trials to what end he has no idea.

Intertwining the lives of these two teenagers is Somiss - a nobleman obsessed with magic and deciphering its origin. He is Franklin's master and Franklin's kind spirit is a dramatic foil to Somiss's maniacal obsession and cruelty.

Ooooh this was a good one. Darn trilogies.

Aurelie - A Faerie Tale (Once Upon a Time III #2 of 5)

When Loic the river drac rubbed his magic ointment into the eyes of his three human friends, Netta, Aurelie, and Garin, they were able to see the Fae - the dangerous creatures of the world ususally invisible. But the Fae do not want to be seen - and though the three promised to never tell, one of them broke that promise to save another and the consequence of that action changed all three of them.

Fast forward two years. Aurelie is the main focus of the story. She is the heir to the throne of Jocondagne, a country on the brink of war with Skoe, Garin's native country and current home. With Aurelie's mother dead, she must play a part in diplomatic negotiations with Skoe and the high ranking female officer named Jacinthe Inglis who has her sights on obtaining Jacondagne's throne through her son's marriage to Aurelie. Aurelie is not thrilled with this, her heart still belongs to Garin.

The story is told through three first person narrators (Garin, Loic, and Netta) and through a 3rd person narrator telling Aurelie's story. I read this in just a couple of hours and quite liked it. The characters were spunky and the plot moved quickly. A fun romance and a good original faerie tale.

Graceling (YA Romance 2009 #4 of 6)

Katsa is a Graceling, a dangerous one. In the Seven Kingdoms, sometimes children are born with mismatched eyes, a sign that they have been blessed (or cursed) with an extreme skill in some area...climbing trees, baking, juggling, mind reading, killing. This last one is Katsa's Grace and she has been manipulated into using it to carry out her uncle's (the king of one of the Seven Kingdoms) orders, mainly killing and torture.

But then during a mission she encouters a man, Po, who is obviously Graced in combat skills and it was a tough fight for her to win. Though she should have killed him she let him live. This decision would alter the course of Katsa's life permanently...and she's not at all sure it's for the best.

Okay, I LOVED this book. Loved it. I loved Katsa and Po and how their relationship develops. I love how Katsa herself changed and things she learned about herself on her journeys. The only thing I didn't love is that it seemed that Katsa was so completely anti-marriage that it almost felt like the author was trying to tell me what she thought about marriage and it probably only caught my attention because I am all about marriage. :) Still, that's one minor thing compared to the whole wonderfulness of the story. Kristin Cashore has apparently two more books planned that are set in this world. I can't wait.

Freefall (Jewish Literature Challenge #2 of 4)

I read a review of Anna Levine's YA novel about an Israeli girl and knew I had to give it a try. Aggie, who lives in Jerusalem, will soon be drafted into the Israeli Army (all Israeli citizens serve their country for two or three years after high school). While she isn't sure exactly what she wants to do, she's pretty sure she doesn't want to push paper in an office for two years. She also isn't exactly sure that she isn't attracted to her best friend's older brother Noah who is already in the middle of his military service. Though her parents completely oppose it, Aggie decides she wants to try out to be part of an elite squad and is determined to prove herself.

I liked Aggie. She seemed like a good girl with a reasonably frustrating home life. She was tough and yet had enough indecision in her to make her be a real teenager. I loved the descriptions of Israel and the information about the Israeli Army was interesting. Also the romance was fantastic.

Need (YA Romance 2009 #3 of 6)

If it wasn't for the pixies in this book it would almost be too Twilight for me. A girl moves to a freezing town in the north (Maine in this case) to live with a person she hardly ever sees (her grandmother in this case) and catches the eye of a boy who doesn't give other girls much attention. Zara moves to Maine after her dad's death and becomes so depressed that her mom sends her away for a change of scenery. However, there is serious weirdness happening in Zara's new town. She feels like someone is following her and some of the kids at school detest each other more than normal. Zara also has a few issues, she's obsessed with phobias and also saving the world. That all said, the ending was pretty original and I did like it. Need (by Carrie Jones) isn't on my favorites list in the YA romance/urban fantasy genre though.

Princess of the Midnight Ball (YA Romance 2009 #2 of 6)

Will I ever get tired of retold fairy tales? Probably not. Especially not if they are as fun as this version of the Twelve Dancing Princesses by Jessica Day George. Rose is the oldest of the dozen princesses and Galen is the young soldier just back from war. Unlike some of the other stories involving late night dancing royalty, the inhabitants of underground kingdom are frightening and sinister and the girls are not there by choice. Jessica Day George includes some sinister elements in the real world as well in the form of powerful religious figures and accusations of witchcraft. The romance that develops between Galen and Rose is very sweet and innocent and I liked the development of their characters. A good quick read.

North of Beautiful (YA Romance 2009 #1 of 6)

Terra Cooper. A tall blonde with a great body and a port-wine stain that covers her right cheek. She hides it as best she can with makeup but it's hard for people not to notice. Unfortunately one of the people who continues to notice is her father - a verbally abusive and hateful person who I had an almost physical reaction to when I was reading his cutting remarks to his daughter and wife. Terra's boyfriend Erik is a good guy who cares about Terra but doesn't seem to really know her. Enter Jacob, an adopted boy from China who dresses like a goth and sees right through Terra's skin.

Oh did I LOVE this book. There is fabulous chemistry between Jacob and Terra. Terra is such a complex and interesting girl. There are some really fantastic cartographic themes and references in Justina Chen Headley's novel, a different approach that seemed to fit Terra just right. It is an exploration of beauty and confidence and the limits we put on ourselves. Did I mention that I loved it?

Dragon Slippers (2009 YA Challenge #8 of 12)

I have been reading lots of books by Jessica Day George lately. And this was a fun one. Creel's parents are dead. Her aunt likes her well enough but thinks Creel's best hope of a bright future is to give her to a dragon and let a knight rescue her. A well-laid plan perhaps but Creel's a tough girl and isn't waiting around for a guy. She befriends the dragon and from him she receives a pair of blue shoes. Innocent enough it seems but it isn't long before Creel realizes that they really aren't just lovely slippers. Throw in some more dragons, an attractive and good-natured prince, some court intrigue and some friendly seamstresses and this book hands out some good fun. I have already ordered the sequel.

YA Romance 2009 Challenge

Hurray hurray. With my Well-Seasoned Reader Challenge wrapped up I wanted to start another one. So on to YA Romance!

Here are the rules:

Read six YA romance novels between March 1, 2009 and June 30, 2009.
Romance should be a strong element with the story. But it doesn't have to be the only element.
All genres are allowed.
They can be part of a series, or stand-alones.
They can be long or short.
Audio books are allowed.
Some re-reads are allowed, but try to have at least two new-to-you books.

Here are my choices:
Fire by Kristin Cashore
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
Need by Carrie Jones
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Cybele's Secret by Juliette Mariellier

The Possibilities of Sainthood

Someone give Donna Freitas a prize for writing such a fabulous chick fluff book. Seriously, this was such a fun YA. Enough emotion to not be flat but without a surfeit of seriuos drama, fantastic romance, lovely protagonist. Just good times.

Antonia Lucia Labella (can you tell she's Italian?) wants to be a saint - an official Catholic Saint. She believes that "Saints are simply the height of Cathlic sophistication." She has all kinds of great ideas as for which saint she could be: Patron Saint of Figs and Fig Trees, Patron Saint of People Who Make Pasta, and her favorite, Patron Saint of The First Kiss and Kissing. This last one is because Antonia hasn't had one yet. Antonia has a prayer to a saint for just about every occasion. They bring her comfort and a way to focus on what she needs and ask for help. And she needs help a lot. She's trying to get through Catholic High School, attract the attention of Andy Rotellini, and get rid of the attention of Michael McGinnis...who she has to admit is rather attractive. She has a demanding mother (who she loves and can't stand in equal measure) and her father passed away years ago. She also has evil cousins and a school with an irritating dress code. But Antonia will figure out a way, with or without sainthood.

The Off Season

It seems to be a time of sequels for me. Catherine Gilbert's Dairy Queen sets the stage for The Off Season. D. J. Schwenk, is the first girl ever to play on the Red Bend football team. It's her junior year, she has patched up things with her best friend, and she and Brian-the-rival-quarterback are definitely into each other. So of course everything must go wrong. Just as in her previous story, D. J. is not a "typical" teenager, but the emotions and embarrassments and insecurities of those years are spot on.

D. J. is growing up. She is trying to figure out her loving but dysfunctional family and really having to take a lot of responsibility when thing after thing goes wrong. Her life is not easy. But the hard things she's had to do in the past have prepared her for the really hard thing that were to come. It is a lovely contrast to her boyfriend Brian who has had a rather easy life and who, in my opinion, just isn't good enough for D. J. I actually hope there is a third book about D. J. I would definitely read it.

Impossible

It would be difficult to try to categorize Nancy Werlin's National Book Award Finalist YA novel Impossible. It doesn't feel quite dark enough to be urban fantasy, not enough fantasy elements for standard YA fantasy, but not realistic enough to be realistic fiction. The romance is wonderful but not graphic or overdone. What it am going to call it is just a really good book. It is based on the song "Scarborough Fair" made famous by Simon and Garfunkle.

Lucy Scarborough is one of the women in a long line of women who have been cursed by the Elf Knight - they will go insane at the birth of their first child (always a daughter) unless they can complete three seemingly impossible tasks. Lucy is lucky enough to have fantastic foster parents (since her mom is crazy) and Zach who are willing to try to break the curse.

The Bonemender Trilogy

I am not sure if blogging these all at once is a cop-out or not, but I'm doing it anyway because I read them all three in a row and so they're all kind of meshed in my mind. And wow were they fun. Holly Bennett's trilogy about a girl who has the amazing talent of being able to heal people from the inside out has lots of those great fantasy elements - elves, war, strange creatures, and lots of action.

Gabrielle is in her late twenties, well past the time a royal girl is usually married with children - but she hasn't fallen in love and luckily her parents will not force her to wed. Her job as a healer (this is in addition to being a princess) brings her a great deal of satisfaction and happiness. But when an injured elf and his friend Feolan arrive at her house, Gabrielle is immediately drawn to Feolan. This is rather unfortunate because Feolan will live for hundreds of years...Gabrielle will not. When a war between the Gref Orise (the bad guys) and the people of Verdeau erupts, Gabrielle and Feolan will fight for their homes and her lives.

The second and third books, The Bonemender's Oath and The Bonemender's Choice, the stories are divided between Gabrielle and other charcters. In Oath, Gabrielle's brother Tristan has his own storyline as they continue to deal with the Gref Orise problem. In Choice, Gabrielle's niece and nephew are abducted by pirates and she, and other members of her family, set out on a rescue mission which is complicated by a horrendous plague that strikes the port of harbor the pirates have sailed into.

None of the three books is very long, the second is only 170ish pages. If you want to read the series, grab all three.

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.

Close Kin

The second book in the Hollow Kingdom trilogy follows Kate's sister Emily as she has reached marrigable age. Though she has always been the best of friends with the goblin/elf Seylin, she never thought about marrying him. When she blows off his proposal, Seylin leaves and Emily realizes that she must bring him back to the goblin kingdom. But Seylin has found pureblood elves, something thought nearly impossible and this is great news for the goblins who stole elf brides before they stole human brides. New elf wives would infuse new blood and magic into the goblin race but the races have a long history of prejudice and bloodshed and now Seylin is in the middle of what could be an incredibly ugly conflict.

Can't wait for book three!