Clariel Abhorsen series prequel by Garth Nix Fantasy * * * Stars (Pretty good) Clariel longs for her former home when her family moves to the city to further her mother’s ambitions in the Goldsmithing Guild. Clariel’s dream is to become a Boarderer and live in the Great Forest, but everyone else seems to have other plans for her – like setting her up as a puppet Queen. When she encounters a Free Magic creature, … Read more
The Eye of Zoltar Last Dragonslayer #3 by Jasper Fforde Fantasy * * * * Stars (Great!) In order to safeguard her dragon friends from the Mighty Shandar, Jennifer Strange must undertake an information-seeking expedition (not a quest!) into the perilous Cambrian Empire to uncover the last resting place of the Eye of Zoltar – a powerful pink jewel that may or may not exist. She and her companions encounter most of the dangers the … Read more
Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick Fantasy Interwoven stories Printz award winner * * * Stars (Pretty good) This collection of interwoven stories spans years and multiple lifetimes of two inseparable souls – Eric and Merle (spellings differ). When they are first parted Eirikr vows to return, “‘You cannot kill me. Do you not know my name? I am Eirikr. The One King! Forever Strong, and though you kill my body today, I will live again! I … Read more
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige Fantasy Dark * * * * Stars (Great!) Amy has been poor and picked on for most of her life and she’d like nothing better than to get out of her small town, but she really didn’t expect her trailer park home to get swept up by a tornado and to be carried off to the Land of Oz. And she certainly didn’t anticipate that her arrival would cause … Read more
The Falconer by Elizabeth May Fantasy Supernatural * * * * Stars (Great!) Lady Aileana Kameron witnessed first-hand the murder of her mother by the Baobhan Sith (a powerful fae). It transformed her from a respectable young lady who cared only for the finer things in life, to a vengeful fae-hunter. Taken under the wing of another faery, Kiaran Mackay – also keen on killing his own kind – Aileana learns about her prey, hones … Read more
The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen Adventure Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Sage is an orphaned child who’s hit a stroke of luck. Connor, a wealthy politician has adopted Sage and a few other boys to “try out” for the replacement of the late Prince Jaron. But what will happen to those who aren’t chosen? I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook, as it was fresh, exciting, and kept me interested. Also, … Read more
Lord Sunday Keys to the Kingdom #7 by Garth Nix Adventure Fantasy * * * * Stars (Great!) A boy named Arthur is stuck in an alternate world that is in a four-way war. He, who is destined to rule it, works with his friends to bring down the last of the enemy and stop the world, and ours, too, from ending. I liked the book because the author took the time to lay out … Read more
Nightshade Nightshade #1 by Andrea Cremer Fantasy Romance Supernatural Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The author drops you into a high school, but it’s full of “witches” (Keepers) and “werewolves” (Guardians) at a very tense time – the time of an arranged marriage. It all becomes undone when the “bride” falls in love with TWO men. After that, she must unravel the mystery of her, her race, her marriage, and her … Read more
Kimi ni Todoke by Karuho Shiina Adventure Fantasy Graphic Novel Manga Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Kimi ni Todoke is about a 15 year old girl (but then she turns 16 later on). She is very shy and she has very long black hair. She is actually really nice, but she has no friends because she’s an outsider because of the way she looks. She’s actually really pretty. Her name … Read more
Furious by Jill Wolfson Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Three girls are introduced, all leading separate lives, having different problems, and going to the same school. One thing they have in common is their hot tempers. Very easily do they get mad, and when they do, precautions must be taken. Ambrosia, a classmate, calls all three to her house one day, to get to know them. Instead, she ignites their … Read more