Keturah lives in a small village in a little kingdom. She lives with her grandmother, who midwives many of the women in the village. Keturah one day, wanders into the forest, following the hart the Lord of the village has been trying to hunt down. She soon gets lost and can't find her way home.
Lord Death finds her but Keturah tricks him to giving her one more day to live. They continue this pattern while Keturah frantically searches and bargains with Lord Death. As the days pass, Keturah learns her entire village will soon be dead as well, and she must also focus on saving their lives as well.
An engrossing tale of seeing what's right in front of you. There are a lot of fairy tale elements here, and I could barely put the book down.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Companions of the Night by Vivan Vande Velde
Kerry is a pretty typical teenager living with her brother and father after her mother left. She's never been in any real danger before, until she enters the 24-hour laundromat and stumbles on vampire hunters and their victim.
Ethan, the vampire and victim, is badly beaten. Kerry helps him to escape, finding herself a target as well, now that she's helped Ethan. Thrown together, they must learn who has kidnapped her family and murdered Ethan's friend--before it's too late.
Fairly believable and somewhat predictable. Thrilling tale and a warm if not happy ending. Kerry doesn't actually believe Ethan's a vampire until he shows her proof, and even then, she believes he's a good guy. I knew some of what was going to happen, but not everything.
Ethan, the vampire and victim, is badly beaten. Kerry helps him to escape, finding herself a target as well, now that she's helped Ethan. Thrown together, they must learn who has kidnapped her family and murdered Ethan's friend--before it's too late.
Fairly believable and somewhat predictable. Thrilling tale and a warm if not happy ending. Kerry doesn't actually believe Ethan's a vampire until he shows her proof, and even then, she believes he's a good guy. I knew some of what was going to happen, but not everything.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Junior lives on a reservation in Washington state. When he decides (after throwing a book at his teacher) to get off the 'rez' and try his luck in the 'white man's world', he could never imagine how his life would change--and how he would be treated by other people on the reservation.
Not to mention how he's treated at his new school.
This story is told in the first person, with some of Junior's (or Arnold as he's called off the reservation) cartoons thrown in for illustration. Junior paints a vivid tale of heartache, poverty, and perseverance.
Not to mention how he's treated at his new school.
This story is told in the first person, with some of Junior's (or Arnold as he's called off the reservation) cartoons thrown in for illustration. Junior paints a vivid tale of heartache, poverty, and perseverance.
Uninvited by Amanda Marrone
You think you know vampires? You don't know vampires like this one!
Jordan has a very crappy life. Her mother and stepfather barely pay attention to her, she has no real friends, and her ex-boyfriend--the only guy who appears to care for her--is dead. Or so she thought. Michael begins to appear at her window every night, begging to be let in. For 3 months! Jordan tries to deny him. Every night she gets a little weaker as he begs and pleads with her to let him in.
And then, for the first night in 3 months, she isn't home when he comes. But her former best friend is there, and sees him. She accidently tells him where Jordan is--at a party--and then frantically tries to get ahold of Jordan to warn her. Is Jordan safe outside when she's barely safe indoors?
Looking for a thriller? This story takes a bit to get going, but by the end, you'll swear someone's knocking on your window.
Jordan has a very crappy life. Her mother and stepfather barely pay attention to her, she has no real friends, and her ex-boyfriend--the only guy who appears to care for her--is dead. Or so she thought. Michael begins to appear at her window every night, begging to be let in. For 3 months! Jordan tries to deny him. Every night she gets a little weaker as he begs and pleads with her to let him in.
And then, for the first night in 3 months, she isn't home when he comes. But her former best friend is there, and sees him. She accidently tells him where Jordan is--at a party--and then frantically tries to get ahold of Jordan to warn her. Is Jordan safe outside when she's barely safe indoors?
Looking for a thriller? This story takes a bit to get going, but by the end, you'll swear someone's knocking on your window.
Wizard's Daughter by Catherine Coulter
Wizard's Daughter begins with Nicholas Vail, a newly titled earl who goes to London to seek out a specific young woman. Why he does this, he is unsure--he just knows he has to meet her. And she turns out to be Rosalind de La Fontaine, a beautiful 18-year old who has no real idea who she is. Found beaten and bloody when she was quite young, the only thing she remembered was the bit to a song.
Nicholas and Rosalind quickly marry and return to Nicholas' house, where all sorts of things begin to happen. There's a ghost living in the library. Books appear, books that only Rosalind can read. And a nagging sense that Rosalind is not her real name--and her history is tied up with mysterious tales of the Pale.
An engrossing read, although the ending was added a little too easily. The novel is long, and some of the details are confusing, but the overall story is engaging.
Nicholas and Rosalind quickly marry and return to Nicholas' house, where all sorts of things begin to happen. There's a ghost living in the library. Books appear, books that only Rosalind can read. And a nagging sense that Rosalind is not her real name--and her history is tied up with mysterious tales of the Pale.
An engrossing read, although the ending was added a little too easily. The novel is long, and some of the details are confusing, but the overall story is engaging.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Good Girls by Laura Ruby
Audrey is 16 but jumped ahead a grade, so she's now a senior in high school. She has friends, goes to parties, and has what she thinks is a friends-with-benefits relationship with one of the hottest guys in school. Before she ends their relationship, she decides to give him one last parting gift.
But someone takes a picture of the intimate moment between her and Luke, and sends it to the entire student body. Where she was once popular, Audrey is now a social outcast from her friends and pretty much anyone but the girls who have already been labeled slutty.
A great story illustrating how damaging a 'bad' reputation can be--not just to someone who was good turned bad, but for those judged 'bad' in the first place. Audrey has to change her friends and her social life completely due to one badly-timed cell phone picture.
But someone takes a picture of the intimate moment between her and Luke, and sends it to the entire student body. Where she was once popular, Audrey is now a social outcast from her friends and pretty much anyone but the girls who have already been labeled slutty.
A great story illustrating how damaging a 'bad' reputation can be--not just to someone who was good turned bad, but for those judged 'bad' in the first place. Audrey has to change her friends and her social life completely due to one badly-timed cell phone picture.
Gallows Hill by Lois Duncan
Sarah and her mom move to a small Midwest community, so her mom can be close to the married man she wants to marry--when his divorce is final.
Sarah has her own problems to worry about--she's an outcast at school for being from California, liking New Age music, and speaking her mind.
She is asked to be the fortune teller at the Senior Carnival, but little does she realize she'll open herself to psychic abilities that leave her questioning strange possibilities and her neck in a noose.
This book is full of karma, reincarnation, and the Salem witch trials. I love Lois Duncan--she manages to weave a story along with terror and drama.
Sarah has her own problems to worry about--she's an outcast at school for being from California, liking New Age music, and speaking her mind.
She is asked to be the fortune teller at the Senior Carnival, but little does she realize she'll open herself to psychic abilities that leave her questioning strange possibilities and her neck in a noose.
This book is full of karma, reincarnation, and the Salem witch trials. I love Lois Duncan--she manages to weave a story along with terror and drama.
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