Posts Tagged ‘fantasy’

Which book will survive?

Today is our rescheduled meeting for Survivor Book Club.  If you couldn’t make it, check out the books we presented.  Which book will you read?  Which book will be your favorite?

Hidden by Helen Frost

Two girls are brought together by a carjacking turned kidnapping.  Years later their paths cross again at summer camp.  The alternating voices in this novel in verse will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Emerald Atlas by John Stevens

Three children are taken from their parents and hidden in orphanage after orphanage.  At their last stop, they discover a magical atlas and a dangerous prophecy that says they must save the world from the power of an evil witch and her friends.  The only bad news—this is the first of three books.

City of Orphans by Avi

The streets of New York City in 189 are a tough place to be if you’re a kid like newsie Maks or orphan Willa.  Can they avoid the Plug Ugly gang and free Maks’ sister from jail with the help of only a washed up detective?

Amelia Lost:  The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming

I thought I knew a lot about my favorite flyer, but I learned much about her life and the search for her after her plane disappeared.  I loved the photographs!

House of Hades

imageAfter the cliff-hanger ending in Mark of Athena, I was ready to strangle Rick Riordan.  How could he do that and then make us wait for an entire year to see what happens?  Now that I’ve read House of Hades (Disney-Hyperion 2013), I may have to admit it was worth the wait.  I do think this one is my favorite Riordan book yet.

House of Hades picks up the story with Hazel and Frank and Jason and Leo and Piper and Nico and Coach Hedge back on the Argo II, trying to return the statue of Athena to its rightful place and fulfill the prophecy and reach the Doors of Death.  All they want to do is go after Percy and Annabeth, but all they can do is hope the two survived their fall and meet them on the other side of the Doors of Death at the right time.  How many things can go wrong with that plan?

One of the things I loved best about this book was seeing the transformations in Hazel, Frank, Leo, and even Piper.  Each of them must confront their own monsters and their own fears in order to embrace their unique strengths.  As they do, the demigods from the two camps learn to trust each other and work as a team.

Don’t worry.  We do hear from Percy and Annabeth as they make their way through Tartarus to reach the Doors of Death.  Along the way they meet some unexpected friends and receive help from monsters who just might not be monstrous.  One of my favorite scenes in the book comes when one of those monsters comes riding up (on the back of another monster, of course) once he decides he can change his fate after all.  All through the book demigods and gods realize that they do have the power to change their fates.

While there is still one more book to come, at least Riordan ended this one with a little breathing room while we wait for The Blood of Olympus.

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

imageKate, Michael, and Emma have been shuttled from orphanage to orphanage–each one worse than the one before–ever since their parents left them on Christmas Eve ten years before.  Now they find themselves in a run-down castle on a remote island that time seems to have forgotten.  As they explore the deserted rooms, they discover that magic is real and that evil waits for them behind every shadow.

Enter the darkly textured world of The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens.  Our three heroes may be young, but they dare take on all that the evil witch, the Countess, can throw at them as the travel in and out of the past.  Isn’t there always an evil witch wanting to take over and destroy the world?  The countess was surely inspired by the White Witch of Narnia, but her desire for power is all her own.  Kate, the oldest, takers seriously her promise to protect her little brother and sister.  She does not understand all that it means, but she rises to the challenges placed before her–from ghoulish monsters to howling wolves.  Michael is bookish and knows everything there is to know about dwarves.  It’s a good thing since they are captured by a dwarf patrol who arrest them for trespassing.  Emma will take on anyone in a good fight and usually win over much bigger opponents, including bullies and grown men.  She can even say “please.”

Fortunately, the children do not have to fight alone.  They are helped by the mysterious wizard Mr. Pym, who keeps showing up in different times; the gruff butler/groundskeeper/photographer Abraham, who gives them just the right pictures when they need it; the strong and scarred fighter Gabriel, who finds a kindred spirit with Emma.

I didn’t intend to read all of this book today, but once I fell into this magical world, I didn’t want to leave.  The good news is that there are two more books to come.  The bad news is I have to wait for them.

Dragon Castle by Joseph Bruchac

imageNot only can Joseph Bruchac write historical fiction, he can also rock fantasy.  Dragon Castle is now one of my go to books of classic fantasy.  Bruchac intertwines two stories–those of Rashko and his legendary ancestor Pavol–that pulse with magic.

Rashko is the only one in his family that seems to have a clue–other than the servants who really keep the household going.  His mother and father have ruled their kingdom with kindness and peace, but not much wisdom that Rashko can determine.  Still, when his parents disappear just in time for the evil Baron Temny to show up with a formidable army, he’s not sure he’s ready to defend the castle and kingdom.  To make matters worse, his brother Paulek quickly falls under the spell (entirely magical) of Temny’s beautiful daughter Poteshenie.

Rashko has grown up with the tapestry that shows the story of his ancestor Pavol–who rescued the kingdom from the Dark Lord.  It is said that he defeated a dragon and raised their castle, Hladka Hvorka, overnight from the mountain.  Pavol supposedly survived the Dark Lord by pretending to be Pavol the Fool, but during his reign he became known as Pavol the Just.  Can Rashko live up to Pavol’s legacy and rescue his kingdom from the threat of evil again?  It will take every bit of his swordplay and wit to turn away Temny.  It’s a good thing he doesn’t have to do it alone.  Help comes from unexpected places as Rashko discovers that not everything is as it seems and that there is much magic hidden underneath appearances.

I wish I had read the author’s note at the end before reading the story.  In it, Bruchac explains the inspiration for the story that comes from his grandparents’ heritage in Slovakia.  I think I just discovered a whole new world of folklore to explore.

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

imageI have been looking forward to reading The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater ever since the startling revelation by Ronan Lynch at the end of The Raven Boys.  As Fall Break grew closer and closer (I saved reading this one until Fall Break so I could have long stretches of uninterrupted reading), I started to worry.  What if I were one (of the admittedly few) readers who were disappointed with Book II?  Even though I was fascinated by Ronan and his hidden secrets in The Raven Boys, he also terrified and repulsed me.  Could I love a story about Ronan, especially if I didn’t get my fill of Blue Sargent.  Which Raven Boy would she kiss and supposedly kill?

I needn’t have worried.  Stiefvater has crafted another tale filled with not only secrets, but also revelations.  Every page breaths magic and mystery.  I found myself simultaneously rushing headlong through the pages to find out what would happen next and then slowing down to savor every line.  I will definitely be going back to reread this one, or even better, listening to the audio book (which I loved for The Raven Boys).

Blue is back, too, just as sensible as ever, even as she longs for something more.  Now she is one of her Raven Boys, joining in their search for the old Welsh king Glendower.  Gansey is still in charge of the world, but there are things on this search along the ley line that even he cannot control.  Noah still flickers and fades along with the strength of the ley line.  Adam and Ronan, though, are the most transformed.  Each must come to terms with the secrets in their past and future or risk the destruction of everything.  Oh yes, there is even the addition of the Gray Man, a confessed hit man.

There is more, much more to this story.  It weaves magic across every page, entangling the imagination until I can believe anything is possible.  I loved every word right until the shocking ending that leaves me begging for Book III.  Write fast, Maggie.  I want to find Glendower, too.

imageI am taking part in the weekly Slice of Life Challenge hosted by Two Writing teachers, where teachers write and share every Tuesday, and every day during the month of March.  Join in yourself or head over to check out what’s happening with other slicers.  If you are taking part in the SOF, leave a link to your blog.  I’d love to read it!

Rose by Holly Webb

imageThere’s a new orphan on the loose from the UK, and she just might have a touch of magic herself.  Rose is absolutely delightful, even if she desperately hopes to be sensible enough to be chosen to work as a maid in Mr. Fountain’s house.  Now if she can just stop creating images in shiny surfaces when she tells stories, she might be able to focus on learning her new duties.

Whether she likes it or not, Rose cannot escape magic.  Mr. Fountain is a famous and powerful magician, and his house fairly shimmers with magic.  Even though Rose tries to close her eyes to the magic (servants, after all, aren’t meant to have magic), she soon finds herself curiouser and curiouser as the house itself draws her further into its magic.  Soon she is conversing with a very large cat and making an alliance with the grumpy magician’s apprentice and the spoiled magician’s daughter.  When they uncover an evil plot that is stealing children off the streets, can they stop it before it is too late?

Holly Webb has created a captivating tale with Rose (coming to the United State in September 2013).  Rose’s world is steeped in magic, but most ordinary folk don’t quite trust it.  Rose, like one of my favorite orphans Jane Eyre, wants to support herself.  She is torn between the ordinary concerns of the household staff and the powerful lure of magic.  The best news of all is that Rose’s story continues in more books.  I hope they are coming across the ocean soon.

I’m glad I could be part of the blog tour to introduce Rose to readers in the United States.  In addition to having a waiting list for this book in my first period class (Don’t worry, I’ll share it with the rest of you, too!), several of those students had the opportunity to ask Holly questions.  Here are their questions and answers.

from Lexy:  What inspired you to write Rose?

 My editor, Kirsty, suggested I write a book about someone becoming magical, but that was it! Apart from that, I really wanted to write some historical fiction, as I loved reading books set in the past as a child (I still do). My favourites were A Little Princess and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, an English-American author. A Little Princess has an amazing London setting, really full of atmosphere. I wanted to combine that with magic!

from Hunter:  What do you like about writing?

 You can do it wherever – on a train even. I wrote my first book while I was commuting, mostly sitting on the floors of super-busy trains. And it’s fun! I love creating characters, and then people talk to you about them, which is incredibly exciting.

from Brayden:  How do you come up with ideas?

 It’s hard. Mostly I work at it for a while, writing down notes and teasing it all together, and just occasionally you have an idea out of nowhere, which is really wonderful. I thought of the end of the second Rose book on the way home from taking my children to school. I had to hurry home and write it down!

from Emma:  What kinds of things do you like to write about?

I write quite different books – stories about animals, which is great because I love animals, and I’ve always had lots of pets. I also feel very strongly that people should treat animals properly, so I try to make my characters think about their animals very carefully. Then some of my books, like Rose, are magical ones. Although the animals always sneak in there too – and then the animals can talk. I love writing magical animal characters, because they can be allowed to say things that people never could! I find describing magic really interesting, I love imagining how it would be.

Maybe, just maybe, there may be more exciting news coming!  In the meantime, grab a copy of Rose a travel back to a past filled with magic.

Here come the Gorgons!

I bet you think you know the Gorgons–Medusa and her sisters.  They are snake-haired monsters who can turn you to stone with a single glance, right?  Not so fast.  Greek mythology gave these girls a bad rap.  Now Tera Lynn Childs is here to set the story straight.  They are not monsters. They are the guardians of humanity, charged with sending monsters back to the abyss.

sweet venomFirst came Sweet Venom.  Grace, Gretchen and Greer meet and learn they are triplets and descendants of Medusa.  Once they reunite, they must fulfill an ancient prophecy and take up their legacy in a world filled with monsters.

sweet shadows

 

Next came Sweet Shadows.  Grace, Gretchen and Greer can barely keep ahead of the flood of monsters coming their way.  Not only are there monsters everywhere, but some of the gods and goddesses are determined to keep them from their destiny.  Who can they trust except each other?

 

Finally, it is time for Sweet Legacy.   I can’t wait to find out how these three monster-fighting, sword-swinging triplets take on monsters and gods in this exciting end to the Medusa Girls trilogy.  Will Grace, Gretchen, and Greer be able to find the lost door between the realms and solve the mysteries of their past and present before it is too late?  Here’s the official blurb and the gorgeous cover:

SweetLegacyHC1

Greer has always known she was privileged, though she had no idea how special her second sight made her, even among her triplet monster-fighting sisters. But when a god starts playing with her mind, can Greer step up in her pretty high heels to prevent anything from stopping her sisters’ mission?

Grace loves her adopted brother, Thane, but now that he’s back and has joined her sisters’ team, it’s clear his past is full of dark mysteries. She wants to trust him, but will Thane’s secret put the girls in even more danger?

Gretchen knows she can rely on her sisters to help her stop the monsters. But after getting to know some of the beasties in the abyss, she finds her role as a huntress comes with more responsibility than she ever imagined. How can she know what her birthright demands of her now?

The girls cannot hesitate as they seek the location of the lost door between the realms, even as monsters and gods descend on San Francisco in battle-ready droves. In this exciting conclusion to the Sweet Venom trilogy, these teenage heirs of Medusa must seek the truth, answer the ancient riddles, and claim their immortal legacy.

 

I am thrilled to be part of a blog blitz today to introduce this last book to the world.  And I have some exciting news to share with you.

First, I was able to ask Grace some questions.  She is my favorite of the triplets.  Here are my questions and her answers:

1. How is your family dealing with the monsters in your life now that they know about them?
They’re being amazing, as always. It’s such a huge relief to be able to tell them! My brother Thane is being especially supportive. Can you believe he volunteered to go into the monster abyss to help us get the gorgons back? Talk about loyalty.
2. Prophecies can be tricky, even misleading.  What do you think the prophecy means for you and your sisters?
I’ve only known about his world for a few weeks, and even I know the gods like to play tricks on unsuspecting players in their not-so-little games. Mostly I just hope we can get the gorgons back and get through this whole thing in tact. Keep your fingers crossed.
3. What is the deal with Milo?  Can you really trust him?
Of course I trust Milo. Why wouldn’t I? Wait, do you know something I don’t know. Please tell me he isn’t secretly a part of this crazy world too? I don’t think I could take it. I really don’t. (Seriously. You would tell me, right?)
I think I’m keeping my eye on Milo, just in case.
If you can’t wait to find out what happens, here is where you can order your very own copy:

If you want to learn more about Tera Lynn Childs and her other fabulous books, check out these links:

  • website http://teralynnchilds.com/
  • twitter http://twitter.com/teralynnchilds
  • facebook http://facebook.com/authortlc
  • Sweet Legacy http://teralynnchilds.com/books/sweet-legacy/

And there’s more!  Tera Lynn is offering a giveaway with this latest release.  Just fill out the Rafflecoptor form to enter.  This giveaway is open only the the United States and Canada.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I’m doing double duty today with the blog blitz and Slice of Life.

imageLife Challenge sponsored by Ruth and Stacey over at Two Writing Teachers, where teachers write and share each Tuesday. Join in yourself or head over to check out what’s happening with other slicers. If you’re taking part in the SOL, leave a link to your post. I’d love to read it.

On the Read Again…Part 2

After taking a red-eye flight home from Phoenix, I had just about twenty-four hours to unpack, do laundry, and repack for the annual vacation with my husband’s family.  Who needs sleep?  Saturday morning we loaded up the car and headed to the Wisconsin Dells.  We had a great time hiking at Devil’s Lake State Park, touring Circus World, playing at a water park, seeing the sights on a Duck Tour, playing miniature golf, and eating lots of good food.  (My absolutely favorite part was watching my nephews perform a magic show for the family every evening.  These guys have a future in show business.)

No trip in my life is complete without books.  Since I didn’t have to deal with the carry on restrictions from the airlines, I could stuff my bag full of good reads.  My husband was horrified at the number of books I took (and bought), but I read six of out seven of the books I packed and three of the six books I bought in Wisconsin.  Here are the highlights of my vacation reading.

Dog Gone by Cynthia Chapman Willis (Feiwell and Friends 2008)

imageDill is desperately trying to hang onto life as she knows it.  Her mom is gone, and her dad seems to grow more distant every day.  Now her dog Dead End won’t stay home, and there are reports of a pack of wild dogs attacking livestock.  Dill refuses to believe that Dead End could be involved.  Even the help of her best friend Cub and the support of her grandfather may not be enough for Dill to face the truth.  Yes, this is one dog story that will make you cry.  At least I needed to keep the tissues handy while reading.

Deck Z by Chris Pauls and Matt Solomon (Scholastic 2012)

imageWe all know that the boat sinks, but did you know the Titanic carried a terrible secret to her watery grave?  Theodor Weiss, a German scientist, is fleeing the German military who wants to use the zombie-causing virus he discovered as a weapon.  Despite his best efforts, the virus escapes and infects both passengers and crew.  In this scenario, it’s a good thing the boat sank before it reached shore.  I’m not a huge zombie fan, but those readers who adore the brain-eating monsters will eat up this story.  I did like the portrayal of Captain Smith as a sword-fighting expert and true hero.  How could he keep the ship from hitting an iceberg when he was down below slashing off the heads of zombies?

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage (Scholastic 2012)

imageI am so glad to have another good mystery to add to my bookshelves.  I’m not the only one who thinks this is a good book since it won a Newbery Honor this year.  Miss Moses LoBeau is the perfect combination of endearing (to those who love this lucky girl), infuriating (to the detective trying to solve a murder), curious (to those who have something to hide), and exuberant (to everyone).  Throw in a whole cast of quirky characters, a cold-blooded murder, and a brewing hurricane and you have the makings of a great read.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (Harper Collins 2012)

imageNot only did I read a Newbery Honor book, I also read the book that won the latest Newbery.  After hearing all my Nerdy Book Club friends rave about Ivan, now I get it.  This is a mind-blowing book.  Ivan is a gorilla who lives in a cage at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade.  Even though his domain is small, his heart is larger than any cage.  He listens to the stories of Stella the elephant and shelters Bob the stray dog.  When Ruby, a baby elephant, joins the motley group, Ivan is determined to find a way to save them all.

Rotten by Michael Northrup (Scholastic 2013)

imageOne of my students last year bought this book at the book fair and read it before school ended.  He assured me that it was one of the best reads ever.  He was right.  It’s another dog story full of heart.  JD is looking for a second chance when he comes home after spending the summer away.  No one believes his story about visiting an aunt.  When he walks in the door, he does not expect to be surprised by a giant Rottweiler with neurotic problems of his own that JD names Johnny Rotten (yes, after that guy in the Sex Pistols).  Will JD and Johnny get a second chance, or will one snap of Johnny’s teeth bring it all to an end?

Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz (Scholastic 2013)

imageSix years.  Ten concentration camps.  Unimaginable horror and loss.  Yanek Gruener survives the impossible as a Jewish boy growing up in Poland after the Nazi invasion.  Somehow–through a combination of luck, wits, and determination–Yanek survives when everyone around him is dying.  This gripping account is based on the true story of Ruth and Jack Gruener.  I could not forget that as I read.  The courage and inspiration I found in Gruener’s story will stay with me for a long time.

The Haunting of Derek Stone by Tony Abbott

imageThe Haunting of Derek Stone by Tony Abbot includes two books in one cover:  City of the Dead and Bayou Dogs.  It’s a good thing the two books are packaged together since the action doesn’t stop between them.  The only bad news is that there are two more books to complete the series, and now I’m left hanging until I can find The Red House and The Ghost Road.

Derek Stone survived a train crash in Bordelon Gap.  His dad and brother are missing and presumed dead.  Then when Derek’s older brother Ronny shows up days after the crash, things really start getting weird.  Derek can now hear the voices of the dead calling to him, but only in his bad ear.  As Derek searches for answers to what is going on, he discovers an nearly identical train crash at the same gap in 1938, receives help from an old blues musician who survived that earlier crash, and finds himself on the run from the dead who are returning in droves.  For some reason, they want Derek and will stop at nothing to get him.  Somehow, Derek knows or has something they want because of his near-drowning in the bayou when he was four years old.

I’m not normally a fan of scary ghost stories (I get nightmares), but I got caught up in the heart-pounding action of these books.  I am most definitely intrigued by the mystery raised with Derek’s haunting.  Just who saved him so long ago in that bayou and just what did he see that night?  What is going on with his dad who pops in and out of the story. I’m even growing to like Ronny–or Virgil–or whoever he is mixed up in one body.

 

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