Kat has lived a simple life with Grace and Anna, Grace's daughter. They survive in a small village but life cannot continue in the same manner forever. Christian, Grace's nephew, asks for Kat's hand in marriage and Grace receives a visitor wanting to collect a debt. Then Grace dies, leaving far more questions than answers.
Hoping to find those answers, Kat and Anna take off for London with nothing but a note from Grace and a hope they can survive. Kat's taken into court by Queen Elizabeth herself. Kat gets attention from many who wish to do her harm or distract her. In all that goes on, Anna heads home, Christian comes looking for her, and Kat realizes who her parents really were.
A good historical novel, with lots of truth/fact wrapped in all the fiction. There's enough mystery to keep the story going even when it lags a bit. A definite read for anyone interested in the Elizabethan era.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It by Adam Selzer
Alley can't believe the craze vampires, werewolves, and zombies have stirred up. Ever since they've gone public, most teens try to be goth or just date one--everyone wants to be a vampire or werewolf. Not Alley though. She and her friends stand back and watch the mayhem without getting too involved.
Then she meets Doug, and to her, he's the perfect kind of guy. They like the same music and he isn't a poser--he's the real thing. She ignores the warning signs until all the popular girls tell her they're dying to meet him. Apparently, Doug is a zombie--something Alley didn't figure out on her own. Now she has to decide if she's going to die to be with him or break up. Before a vampire decides for her.
As a satire on the whole paranormal romance movement, it succeeds. However, by the way the author narrates through Alley, it's apparent he didn't date in high school. The characters are all stereotypical girls and guys--girls and guys are both attractive and pretty brain-dead. Alley's comments and observations are amusing. The book was very entertaining--hand off to anyone annoyed with the Twilight era.
Then she meets Doug, and to her, he's the perfect kind of guy. They like the same music and he isn't a poser--he's the real thing. She ignores the warning signs until all the popular girls tell her they're dying to meet him. Apparently, Doug is a zombie--something Alley didn't figure out on her own. Now she has to decide if she's going to die to be with him or break up. Before a vampire decides for her.
As a satire on the whole paranormal romance movement, it succeeds. However, by the way the author narrates through Alley, it's apparent he didn't date in high school. The characters are all stereotypical girls and guys--girls and guys are both attractive and pretty brain-dead. Alley's comments and observations are amusing. The book was very entertaining--hand off to anyone annoyed with the Twilight era.
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Grace has always been close to her family, even though they have many secrets from her. Like her brother Jude, who came home one night covered in his own blood and his best friend Daniel disappeared.
But Daniel's back and Grace is more confused than ever. Wanting to be loyal to Jude, she can't help but be drawn to Daniel again and again. Daniel appears to feel the same way, but when she gets close to him, he pushes her away. When Grace's baby brother disappears, Daniel is the one to find him. Jude is even angrier at this and Grace must decide who to trust. Secrets have a way of coming out and Grace is determined to know Daniel's. Determined to save him too, if she can.
I did enjoy the story, but there were a few irritations as I read it. For one, when Grace finds out Daniel is a werewolf, she tells him over and over again how he can be a hero. She's 17, and doesn't seem to be that naive in the rest of the book. This is the story of the prodigal son with werewolves. There are Christian fiction overtones as well, but they aren't heavy or preachy. A good werewolf romance with plot and mystery.
But Daniel's back and Grace is more confused than ever. Wanting to be loyal to Jude, she can't help but be drawn to Daniel again and again. Daniel appears to feel the same way, but when she gets close to him, he pushes her away. When Grace's baby brother disappears, Daniel is the one to find him. Jude is even angrier at this and Grace must decide who to trust. Secrets have a way of coming out and Grace is determined to know Daniel's. Determined to save him too, if she can.
I did enjoy the story, but there were a few irritations as I read it. For one, when Grace finds out Daniel is a werewolf, she tells him over and over again how he can be a hero. She's 17, and doesn't seem to be that naive in the rest of the book. This is the story of the prodigal son with werewolves. There are Christian fiction overtones as well, but they aren't heavy or preachy. A good werewolf romance with plot and mystery.
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Meghan thought her only worries would be getting the most popular guy in school to notice her. And he notices her all right, enough to publicly humiliate her. But that's the least of her worries--her brother Ethan begins acting strange and even attacks her. Her friend Robbie explains Ethan's been kidnapped and replaced with a changeling.
Meghan can't believe it at first, but Robbie proves his story and the two head off into Nevernever to rescue Ethan. Robbie's real name is Puck, like in Midsummer Night's Dream, and he acts as Meghan's guide. Much more is going on than meets the eye, as Meghan learns of her heritage and the danger facing all the fey.
An interesting first in a series. A lot of character development and action, but the story kind of drags in the middle. Meghan falls for Ash, one of the fey princes, without much of a back story or interaction, and there is some forced dialogue as the author struggles with her themes. A mix between Midsummer Night's Dream and Alice in Wonderland. Despite all of this, I'm still going to be waiting for the next one in the series!
Meghan can't believe it at first, but Robbie proves his story and the two head off into Nevernever to rescue Ethan. Robbie's real name is Puck, like in Midsummer Night's Dream, and he acts as Meghan's guide. Much more is going on than meets the eye, as Meghan learns of her heritage and the danger facing all the fey.
An interesting first in a series. A lot of character development and action, but the story kind of drags in the middle. Meghan falls for Ash, one of the fey princes, without much of a back story or interaction, and there is some forced dialogue as the author struggles with her themes. A mix between Midsummer Night's Dream and Alice in Wonderland. Despite all of this, I'm still going to be waiting for the next one in the series!
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott
Sarah's had a crush on Ryan since at least the 8th grade, something she thought her best friend Brianna knew about. But Brianna starts dating him anyway, determined Ryan is the one for her. Small problem--Sarah still has a crush on him and Ryan appears to have a crush on her.
The Unwritten Rule--don't fall for, don't date, definitely don't kiss your best friend's boyfriend makes Sarah feel especially guilty. Brianna has a hard home life--her parents either ignore her or treat her like a complete failure, which means Brianna needs support from Sarah and Ryan. When Brianna makes out with another guy to get Ryan's attention and it doesn't work, Sarah may think she's found a way to calm her own conscience.
Sarah tells a good story. She is the friend that is "stealing" the boyfriend, but you don't hate her. Brianna gives her a lot of backhanded compliments and is angry and perplexed why Ryan would like Sarah more than her in the first place. Sarah and Brianna's friendship doesn't survive, but as the reader, I didn't really want it to anyway. I found Sarah to be a much more likable character. She shows remorse and Brianna never does.
The Unwritten Rule--don't fall for, don't date, definitely don't kiss your best friend's boyfriend makes Sarah feel especially guilty. Brianna has a hard home life--her parents either ignore her or treat her like a complete failure, which means Brianna needs support from Sarah and Ryan. When Brianna makes out with another guy to get Ryan's attention and it doesn't work, Sarah may think she's found a way to calm her own conscience.
Sarah tells a good story. She is the friend that is "stealing" the boyfriend, but you don't hate her. Brianna gives her a lot of backhanded compliments and is angry and perplexed why Ryan would like Sarah more than her in the first place. Sarah and Brianna's friendship doesn't survive, but as the reader, I didn't really want it to anyway. I found Sarah to be a much more likable character. She shows remorse and Brianna never does.
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Sophie is a witch and in big trouble. No matter the reason, every time she casts a spell it goes horribly wrong. She is finally sent to Hectate Hall, where all witches, shapeshifters, faeries, and other creatures go when they fail to fit into a 'normal' existence.
Hex Hall isn't so bad--Sophie's found a good friend in Jenna, her vampire roommate, and a huge crush on Archer, the school's resident hottie. Not that it's all sunshine--some of her fellow witches are showing up dead and Sophie is seeing a girl in green wandering around. Sophie can't help but wonder why her power seems so different from everyone else's and if she can learn how to control it.
I really enjoyed this story. Sophie is a great character, full of smarts, spunk, and her own sense of self. There are instances where the story twists in unexpected ways. If you liked Harry Potter, you'll probably like this one too.
Hex Hall isn't so bad--Sophie's found a good friend in Jenna, her vampire roommate, and a huge crush on Archer, the school's resident hottie. Not that it's all sunshine--some of her fellow witches are showing up dead and Sophie is seeing a girl in green wandering around. Sophie can't help but wonder why her power seems so different from everyone else's and if she can learn how to control it.
I really enjoyed this story. Sophie is a great character, full of smarts, spunk, and her own sense of self. There are instances where the story twists in unexpected ways. If you liked Harry Potter, you'll probably like this one too.
The Guardian by Julius Lester
Down in the south, segregation is a part of life. It's 1946, and even though African Americans have been free of slavery, not everyone things they should be. They certainly aren't treated the same.
Ansel has been friends with Willie his whole life. They both work in Ansel's dad's store, but Willie only works there because of Esther Davis. Otherwise, Bert-Ansel's dad-would have never hired Willie. He wants nothing to do with "their kind."
Then a girl is murdered and the boy who did it goes free after accusing Willie's dad. And in that instant, everything Ansel thought he understood disappears and life for him will never be the same.
This is a powerful story but confusing. The prologue talks about the trees used for hanging people and the last chapter talks about the survivors being guardians to pain, shame, and murder. The book is about lynching, so no easy topics discussed here. A short, painful, and necessary book.
Ansel has been friends with Willie his whole life. They both work in Ansel's dad's store, but Willie only works there because of Esther Davis. Otherwise, Bert-Ansel's dad-would have never hired Willie. He wants nothing to do with "their kind."
Then a girl is murdered and the boy who did it goes free after accusing Willie's dad. And in that instant, everything Ansel thought he understood disappears and life for him will never be the same.
This is a powerful story but confusing. The prologue talks about the trees used for hanging people and the last chapter talks about the survivors being guardians to pain, shame, and murder. The book is about lynching, so no easy topics discussed here. A short, painful, and necessary book.
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