Sirensong

by Jenna Black

All right, I lied... my review was not "coming soon".  In fact, it's been so long I can't remember at all what I wanted to say about this book.  I liked it ok, but it wasn't my favorite of the series.  I'd have to re-read it to remember anything more!

Tyger, Tyger

by Kersten Hamilton

It's been quite a while since I've read a book, especially a series to get excited about. However, Tyger, Tyger has all the right elements to be an exciting, unique new series.

Things start getting strange for Teagan the night her best friend Abby tells her she' been dreaming of goblins. Later that night, she learns her parents have agreed to take in her street-tough cousin Finn. Finn also speaks about strange creatures and before she knows it, Teagan is immersed in the all-too-real world of goblins - desperately trying to save her family from them.

The blank space to follow is my spoiler-laden summary of the book (in beige font). This is basically for my own benefit (so I remember what happened when book 2 comes out.) If you want to read it, highlight the text. And you were warned! :)

Finn tells Teagan that he hunts goblins and is surprised to learn she's never seen them. A cat-sidhe invades their house soon after, as well as some other creatures. Finn defends them, but soon leaves, fearing he's brought the creatures on them. Shortly after, Teagon's mom falls ill and eventually dies - Teachan and her brother Aiden conclude that the shadow man Aiden say caused their mother to die. Things go from bad to worse when their dad disappears. Finn returns to help the brother -sister pair, eventually leading them into MAg Mell - home of the goblins to find their father. In one of the confusing segments of the book , they soon leave again without finding Mr. Wyllston and head toward Finn's grandma's (Mamieo's) house. They meet Mamieo and learn she rescued Teagon's mom from Mag Mell years ago - and she's the only person who's ever escaped it. The group fights off more goblin creatures and returns to Mag Mell (without Mamieo). There they learn Aiden's singing keeps the nasty creatures at Mag Mell at bay, and helps them find their way. They meet Roisen, Aileen's long lost sister, and learn she and Aileen (and therefore Teagona and Aiden) are part-goblin. They travel again (Roisen won't go with them because she's still waiting for her long-lost love to return to her) and Aiden makes a sprite friend who nests in his hair. Teagon frets that Finn will hate them now that they've learned they're part goblin. Eventually they find Fear Doirich who has taken their father. Teagon and Finn tie him up as Aiden weakens him with his singing. They also find and rescue Thomas, Roisen's love, and therefore convince her to escape with them. Teagon sacrifices the swamp girl to the dogs in order for them to escape. They get back to Mamieo and break the news of Aileen being part goblin - she takes it hard but accepts it. Teagan and Flinn talk about their relationship and Finn tells her he doesn't hate her - that she doesn't have to be like a goblin if she chooses not to. The book ends as Aiden announces to the pair that Thomas is growing feathers.

The Iron Queen

by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Fey series was originally supposed to be a trilogy, with The Iron Queen as the last book. However, happily, there is now going to be a fourth book in the series. Something I was even more happy about as I reached the end of this book, because there are some many more stories to explore!

At the end of the previous novel, Meghan and Ash have both been exiled from the Nevernever for refusing to deny their love for each other. Trapped in the mortal world, Meghan wants nothing more than to return to her family with Ash at her side. The pair soon realizes just how impossible this is as scores of Iron fey are searching for Meghan. The false Iron King wants to take Meghan's power for himself, while the rebel Iron fey want to take Meghan to a safe hiding place. Meghan's journey eventually lead her back the Nevernever, where the Fey's last hope for their world is that Meghan can somehow manage to defeat the Iron King again.

The gap below is a spoiler-filled summary of the plot. Highlight the area to read.

The first part of the book is taken up with Meghan trying to get her memory of her father back. She and Ash steal a token from a graveyard to trade for her memory. With the memory returned, Grimalkin the cat takes the pair back to The Between and Leanansidhe. Once there, Meghan learns why her father Paul was taken (Titania was jealous of him and sought to have him killed. Puck went to Leanansidhe to ask her to save him.) Meghan is furious with Puck for a while because he knew what had happened to her father, had caused it, and never told her. The group negotiates Paul's release and housing at a cabin in The Between in exchange for the other token from the graveyard. At the cabin, Meghan spends time with her father while she tries to help him get his memory back. Ash also teaches Meghan to fight and Meghan asks him to become her knight- binding his life to hers. Eventually, a message is delivered from Oberon and Mab: they would lift the exile if the group returns to kill the Iron King. His territory is slowly taking over the Wildwood, and Meghan is the only one who can enter the Iron Kingdom unharmed. In the second half of the book, Meghan, Ash and Puck enter the Iron Kingdom to seek out and kill the false king. Ash and Puck are given special amulets from Mab to protect them form the poisoning influence of the Iron Realm. Meghan leads the way through the land, eventually taken the group to the tower of the Machina. The group allies themselves with Glitch and his gang of rebels and Meghan learns she can command the gremlins. The rebels are unwilling to face the Iron King because he is too powerful, but Meghan eventually convinces them to form a truce with Summer and Winter. Meghan, Ash and Puck find a way into the Iron Kings fortress and come face to face with the false king, who turns out to be Ferrum, the king of the packrats, and original Iron King before Machine came to power. With the strange hallucination-guidance from the Iron Power (who Meghan hears as Machina), Meghan finally learns to use both her glamours as once and therefore binding her Iron magic to her Summer magic. She then lets Ferrum attack her and gives some of her power to him, but because it is now bound to Summer, it kills him. Clinging to life, Meghan makes Ash take her back to the tree that killed Machina. Before sending the last of her power into the tree, Meghan releases Ash from his pledge as her knight, so he will not die alongside her, and orders him by his true name to leave her, so he will not be poisoned by the Iron Realm (because he amulet is destroyed). However, Meghan does not die. By giving the Iron Power to the land, she bound Iron and Summer together and the Iron land stopped it's advance on the Wildwood. The land, in turned healed Meghan and she became the Iron Queen. At the end of the book, Meghan goes home to tell her family all that's happened to her and how she must live in the Nevernever from now on. Ash and Puck come to a truce and go off in search of Grimalkin and the hope of finding a way to enter the Iron Realm without being poisoned.

The beginning of this book was a little slow and meandering for me, and end of is a little bittersweet, but once again I love this series. The ending doesn't bother me as much as it might were it truly the end of the series. As the conclusion to part 3, with part 4 on the way in November, I'm satisfied with what might be to come.

Tempestuous

by Lesley Livingston

I'm just a little disappointed in the final book in the Wondrous Strange trilogy. I never really felt like I was absorbed into this book like I did with the others. A part of the reason for this, again, was that I didn't remember every detail of what had happened before! Seriously, there need to be recaps printed in the book before the actual novel begins.

Last book, Kelley said she didn't love Sonny, knowing he'd overhear and assume it was true and therefore he'd be safe from finding out he held the green magick. Well, this didn't work so well. In this book, Kelley's trying to figure out a way to save Sonny, and get ready for a new play her theater company is performing. Sonny is distraught and has retreated to the underground home of exiled faeries. Eventually, they meet again, Sonny finds out the truth and then they work together to save Sonny. (Which should have happened in the first place!)

I don't really remember much else - this book didn't really stick with me. Maybe if I'd read all three together, but broken up by a year or so it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. Parts were cool, I did like the ending. Meh, not much else to say.

Shadowspell

by Jenna Black

Once again I've neglected to write this blog. I've decided that I have a lot of trouble remembering what's happened in previous books when I read their sequels, so I'm going to start writing more detailed spoiler-filled descriptions of the books I read. I'm going to try making the spoiler parts light font, so you won't accidently see it if you don't want to. If you do, just highlight the big blank space and then you can see it!

Shadowspell is the sequel to Glimmerglass. In the previous book Dana learned that she is a faeriewalker, meaning she can travel between the human world and the land of Faerie. More importantly, she can bring technology to faeries and magic to humans. Because Dana's powers are so rare, she's now spending most of her time in her own personal safe house with her father and fey bodyguard.

To complicate matters more, the Erlking is in town with his Wild Hunt. The Erlking is smooth and sexy and claims that he wishes Dana no ill will, but his sudden appearance make her (and her father) nervous. However, Dana's involvement with the Erlking is about to become much more complicated. When the Erlking tricks Ethan into attacking him, the Erlking is able to capture Ethan and make him a part of his wild hunt. In order to free him, Dana agrees to a bold proposal from the Erlking - that she'll give him her virginity. Oh, by the way, Dana learns later that if she does go through with this agreement it will result in the Erlking taking all of her powers. Oops!

I like this series because it's very different from lots of other faerie series. Dana can be annoying at times, and I don't always like Ethan, but it's an interesting story. A lot more sensual than the previous entry in the series - be warned!

Poison

by Chris Wooding

Poison is the happy result of wandering the aisles of Powell's books. I bought it because it sounding interesting and different, because it was a used paperback and therefore cheap, and because it is so purple it will not be denied.

Poison is the story of a young girl of the same name. Poison lives in the Black Marshes, with her father, baby sister and stepmother. Poison and her stepmother do not get along, although Snapdragon is not necessarily a bad person. Poison always dreams of one day escaping the Marshes and seeing the world. That day comes all too soon when Poison's sister Azalea is kidnapped by the phaeries and a changeling is left in her place. It is then that Poison sets out to find the Phaerie King and demand her sister's return.

I'd have to say that Poison is one of the most compelling stories I've read in a quite a while. The characters are interesting and the narration is stunning. I found myself frequently re-reading paragraphs simply because they were so beautifully written. The last time I did that was when reading one of N.D. Wilson's books (another of my favorite story-tellers).

Poison is pure delight from the very first chapter, and I was eager to share details about it with every new twist. I will say however, that towards the second half, the book looses a little steam as the story is set on a new path. Poison is now not only seeking her sister, but also unravelling a plot to overthrow the Hieriophant - the ruler of all the Realms. It is because of this that the original story goes partially unresolved, and therefore left me yearning for a sequel. I do not care for loose ends, or ambiguous resolutions that depend on the reader to make their own conclusion.

However, because the beginning was so amazing, and some of the adversaries Poison meets on her way so terrifying, that I simply have to give it 5 stars. The Lady of Cobwebs alone warrants it.

I really do wish for a sequel though. Perhaps Azalea's story??

The Iron Daughter

by Julie Kagawa

The sequel to The Iron King is no disappointment. While there were a few elements that were annoying, the book was a very satisfying second-part to the trilogy.

Meghan Chase has arrived in the Winter land of Tir Na Nog with Prince Ash. However, shortly after, Ash disappears, leaving Meghan distressed over what has happened between them. She loves Ash, but fears he deceived her. And when Ash reappears acting distant and cold, Meghan is even more upset. However, things quickly go from bad to worse for Meghan; Ash's brother Sage is killed and the Scepter of the Seasons stolen in an attack of Iron Fey right before her eyes, and no one believes her that the Iron Fey exist. Mab accuses Oberon of the theft, and it looks as if Summer and Winter will meet in war. Meghan and Ash must flee the land in order to hunt down the scepter before the courts of Summer and Winter destroy each other.

A few irks: Meghan spends way too much whining and crying about Ash's coldness to her. He warned her dozens of time not to show weakness in the land of Winter and she can't seem to remember this! Puck calls Meghan "Princess" all the time. Wish he used her name. The end is a little bittersweet, but I'm hoping that all gets resolved in The Iron Queen which comes out in early 2011!

Winter's Passage

by Julie Kagawa

It feels strange to be reviewing this "book" as it's really quite tiny - only about 66 pages. It's more a teaser for the next book in the series than something to be read on it's own.

However, I love this series, and I loved the teaser! I am now more anxious than ever to get my hands on The Iron Daughter, which comes out at the beginning of August.

Winter's Passage tells the story of Meghan's journey with Ash to the Winter realm. They encounter the menacing Hunter along the way, and of course, there's a little romance thrown in. Happily, Grimalkin makes an appearance as well. Can't wait to read the next full-length entry in this adventure!

Glimmerglass

by Jenna Black

Glimmerglass is another good faerie book with unique aspects and puzzling characters. It's also a successful beginning entry to a series: it has a complete story unto itself, but there is more than enough material left to expand upon in future novels. This aspect is one of the most crucial to me when reading a series, and I'm happy to say that Glimmerglass provides.

Glimmerglass is the tale of Dana, a high school student who is fed up with moving from town to town and having to deal with her alcoholic mother. She knows her dad lives in Avalon (the one place on earth where the faerie realm and the human realm intersect.) What she doesn't know is the reason her mother has kept her from Avalon and her father her whole life - she's about to find out that it's a lot more dangerous there than she ever imagined. Dana runs away to Avalon and soon learns that she's a Faeriewalker. While humans can't enter Faerie, and the Fae can't enter the mortal realm, a Faeriewalker can enter both. A Faeriewalker can bring magic into the human world, and technology into Faerie - this makes Dana very dangerous, and very desired by those who seek power. As Dana learns who she is, she must also decide who to trust - and it's not an easy decision.

I loved how difficult it was even for the reader to determine who could be trusted and who couldn't. You are forced into trying to make a judgement on very little information - just like Dana does, and it gives the reader a great perspective on what Dana is going through.

If I had one complaint it would be that is was unclear if all humans know about the Fae. Dana speaks of them as if they're no bigger a surprise than a English person, but it's not exactly clear if everyone knows of the Fae or if Dana simply does because of her heritage. It's not crucial to the story, but I was curious about this for the first portion of the book.

Spells

by Aprilynne Pike

A little less than a year ago, Aprilynne Pike's debut novel, Wings marked my venture forth into the "re-popular" genre of faerie fantasies. Since then I've read quite a few others, although Pike's remains one of the more unique when it comes to the faerie mythology. Sure, Shakespeare and A Midsummer Night's Dream still gets a token mention, but Pike's Avalon is not centered around the doings of Titania and Oberon, and the makeup of her faeries is something else entirely. I don't want to say much more so I don't spoil it for anyone who may not have read Wings yet. :)

This time around we get to see more of Avalon. Much of the discussion and tension in the faerie-land comes from the eons-old "class-system" that makes some faeries special and others common simply by the season they are born. I have a feeling we'll be dealing with this system and Laurel's dislike of it much more in the coming books.

Let's see...I still love Tamani. He's one of the more interesting characters of this book. Laurel is torn and stubborn, and David is in a bit over his head, but Tamani deals with the most longing and heartache of everyone, and despite being bound by his class and trying to do what is "proper", he is still strong and determined and protective.

Four stars because the action comes and goes in spurts rather than gradually building, which I prefer, and for the fact that I want Laurel to admit she likes Tamani, and because the ending is maddeningly vague! I'm very much looking forward to book three - Enchantments - but sad that it's not coming out until April 2011!

Eyes Like Stars

by Lisa Mantchev

I just couldn't get into this book. The characters are bizarre, and at not very likable. The setting is vague and the background information is non-existent. I didn't even finish it. I didn't even get halfway - which I almost never do. I think a book deserves to be read to it's end, and I can honestly only remember two books in the recent past that I have not finished. However, despite a week with many opportunities to read, I have always found other things to do. So I'm giving it up for now. Maybe someday I'll come back to it.

Darklight

by Lesley Livingston

Darklight is a respectable sequel to it's predecessor Wondrous Strange. However, there were a few aspects of the book that left me wanting.

First, it was really unclear what the point of the book was for a long time. What climax are we climbing toward? At one point it seems like it will have something to do with Auberon, but no, it actually ends up being something else entirely! A plot twist that wasn't even hinted at until halfway through.

Secondly, a few things were left unexplained at the end of the book. (*Spoilerish* One: Auberon's sickness, and two: the stuff about Sonny's parents.) Where Wondrous Strange succeeded in setting itself up for a sequel while still having a complete conclusion to the individual entry, Darklight did not.

Last (*define spoilers*, the end annoyed me a little! Kelly making Sonny think she didn't love him anymore so he would leave and she could save him from himself and whatnot was a bit too "New Moon" for me. Why don't you just, I don't know, talk to him?! This story has been done before!)

However, despite these things I like the mix of Shakespeare and faeries, the faery world and the human world. It works well together and, despite having many similarities to other faery stories, it's unique and interesting. I'm still eager for the next book.

The Iron King

by Julie Kagawa

I've been reading a lot of faery books lately, but this one goes right up to the top of my list of favorites.

Lots of the faery themed novels have similar elements - the Seelie and Unseelie courts, changelings, advice to never promise anything to a faery. Many have the same characters - Oberon, Titania, Mab, Puck, etc. Julie Kagawa's novel The Iron King is no exception, however it is the way she mixes the classic legend with her own unique creations that makes this book really sing.

Meghan is about to turn sixteen years old when some strange things start happening to her. Life has always been a little odd since her dad disappeared when she was six, and her new step-dad can't seem to remember she exists. Then Meghan's little brother is taken from their home, and before she knows it Meghan is swept into the Nevernever - the land of the fey. She is about to discover that her father is not the man she knew, but is actually the Faery King, and in order to get her brother back she must face new dangers unknown to the fey.

This book is well-written and engrossing, with characters who are mysterious and frightening, both friendly and fearsome. And while the novel does hint towards a possible love triangle, it (thankfully) does not make that the focus just yet. There is a romance, but this is not simply a romance book.

This is the first book to a series, and miraculously - it has a conclusion (!) while also leaving much to be explored in future entries. I am happy and eager for more.

Keys to the Demon Prison

by Brandon Mull

One word to describe this book (and series): Amazing!

In the fifth (and final) book of the Fablehaven series, the battle to keep the demon prison Zzyzx closed comes to a conclusion. The Knights of the Dawn are fighting to find and protect the remaining artifacts, while the Society of the Evening Star continues to seek them out. Kendra and Seth are once again thrown into the middle of the conflict, and must use their unique gifts and abilities to save the world from destruction.

Once again, Mull does not disappoint! This book is filled with action, suspense, and humor. Despite the 500+ page count, there is not a dull moment. The book is evenly paced, and the action builds and declines multiple times throughout the novel.

If I had to pick something to criticize it would be Mull's tendency to create "throw away" characters. Often (in most of the books of the series), the Knights are about to head off on a mission and we are introduced to (sometimes multiple) new characters. Usually, one or all of them end up dying shortly after. Once you get used to this pattern it become pretty easy to predict that the character whose name you just learned is going to die in about 15 pages. However, since he doesn't always kill them off, and occasionally the more established characters have been the victims it doesn't bother me that much. I'd rather the characters I'm not attached to die than my favorites anyway!

Oh, and one other small complaint (*spoiler*) - I wish Bracken's speech to Kendra at the end had been Kendra's speech to him! It would have been good for her character to finally be assertive and strong by telling Bracken that she likes him, but that she needs some time to herself; and that he can wait for her if he wants, because after all the years he's lived he can certainly wait a few more, if he really cares about her. And she also should have kissed him before the big battle that they all thought they were gonna die in. Because that would have been funny. Just plant one on him and say, "Alright, I'm gonna go slay that demon for ya!" (*end spoilers*)

All things considered this is one of my favorite series. It's right up there with Harry Potter and Twilight (yes, it's that good!). It could appeal to both boys and girls, and really, readers of any age. I only wish it was more well-known that it is! Maybe if a movie does get made (last I've heard is sometimes in 2011), the series might start getting the recognition it deserves!

Wondrous Strange

by Lesley Livingston

Finally a book worth being excited over!

Wondrous Strange is a lovely mix of fantasy (faeries specifically), danger, battles (with descriptions not too lengthy as to bore you), humor and romance.

I particularly loved the part when Sonny yelled "Seelie witch!" To say much more would spoil the story. :)

Despite this book being part of a series, the book itself does resolve! It seems like half of the series I read are plagued by cliff-hanger endings and lack of resolution in each individual novel. If there is no resolution, then the book should not be over! Wondrous Strange, however, avoids this pitiful, for which I am glad.

A satisfying entry, while still making me eager for more!

I do believe faeries are gradually becoming one of my favorite fantasy sub-categories!

Green

by Laura Peyton Roberts

This book was cute, and an easy read. And it was about leprechauns, which is unique.

However, it was also a little simplistic (I guess it makes sense because of the middle-reader age group), and the characters were mostly flat, under-realized. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing.

In Green, Lilybet Green discovers a mysterious package on her doorstep on her 13th birthday. She opens it, and out explodes a few leprechauns. They explain (sort of) that she is to face her trials in order to become the next Keeper of the gold from the Green clan. She must pass three tests to earn this new job, and to ever be able to go home again.

Magic Under Glass

by Jaclyn Dolamore

I have slacked on in posting this review for over a week, and unfortunately, don't remember all the little details I wanted to write about. Thankfully, I did jot down a few quick notes before moving on to my next book:

Ends too quickly. Is it a sequel or not?

My biggest complaint! This book ends way too soon and their is not indication if there will be a sequel. There probably will be, since it's seems most books are series now, but still, I would have liked some confirmation.

Annalie and her orbs are a little bizarre.

There are a few details to the book that seem strange, and not fully explained.

Wish there was a map of the worlds.

Minor complaint, but I like maps.

Like that Nimira makes Hollin grow a spine.

Yes, the girls are tough! The men are either weaselly or wimps. At least Nimira makes one of them grow up a little.

The Chestnut King

by N. D. Wilson

I have one complaint for this book: it's the final entry to the series!

I love, love, love N. D. Wilson's writing, and the 100 Cupboards series. I almost feel outraged that more people don't know about it.

The Chestnut King is, regrettably, the last installment in N. D. Wilson's tale of a boy who discovers a wall of cupboards behind the plaster wall in his aunt's and uncle's attic. This discovery leads Henry to new worlds, new friends, new family as well as new danger. In this final book, the evil and undying Nimiane is rising in power, and seeking to destroy Henry. Henry finds himself separated from most of his family and friends, and must rely on himself for answers on what to do and who to trust.

It's hard for me to say much more without telling the whole story, but this is a wholly satisfying end to Henry's story - while also making me want it to continue!

N. D. Wilson's way with words continues to make the narrative shine, and makes this book (and series) stand out from the sea of children's literature in my mind. It's amazing, and touching and beautiful and inspiring. I want to grab book one and start it all over again!

Betraying Season

by Marissa Doyle

I'm really struggling with what to rate this book. I gave it's predecessor 4 stars, and I feel like I liked this one about equally, but I don't know if it quite falls under the "I really liked it" category. I'm torn, but sticking with 3. If I did halves, perhaps I'd go for 3 and a half.

Betraying Season is the sequel to Bewitching Season, which I read last year about this time (maybe I'm just not remembering it well!) The first book focused on twins Penelope and Persephone Leland, although the story mostly revolved around Persy. This time around, Pen gets to be the focus of the novel. Persy is newly married in England, so Pen decides to live in Ireland for a while with her former governess and her new husband. While she's there she's studying magic and hoping to become as skilled as her sister. However, things get a little more complicated when the handsome and dashing Niall Keating comes into her life. What she doesn't know is that Niall's mother is a powerful witch too, and she wishes to use Pen in her plot to kill the Queen.

I did feel that the regency elements and the magical elements blended together better in this story than in the previous book. One thing that annoyed me though was that they used the word "horripilatious" way too much.

This book is written in third person with an omniscient narrator. Sometimes the narrative is about Pen and sometimes about Niall. And since you're told what they are thinking and feeling there's really no suspense as to whether Niall is legit or not. I kind of think I would have liked it all to be from Pen's perspective so you were wondering what Lady Keating was up to and if Niall was telling the truth or not. Would have added some suspense that the book was lacking.

Ballad

by Maggie Stiefvater


Despite this book being a sequel to Lament, it really reads more like a stand-alone novel. The main character and narrator of this book is James, a secondary character in the first novel. The setting has changed, as has all but one of the remaining characters. Dee is still in it, but she definitely takes a back seat in this one. In fact, most of what we know that's going on with her is from "text messages" dispersed throughout the book. And the few times she does appear, she's kind of annoying.

And even though James' narration is funnier than Dee's, the story of Ballad just didn't excite me as much as Lament did. The faeries as a collective group are not a big part of the story until the very end. Many of the newer elements to the faerie myths are not fully explained. Stiefvater has based a lot of her story on actual Celtic myth, so I was able to look some of it up, but I still think she should have included more. I'm teetering on the edge of a 3 or a 4 star rating, but settled on a 3. Not jumping for joy over it, but not regretting taking the time to read it - a solid 3 I'd say.