Tag: fantasy

REVIEW: Power of a Princess by E. D. Baker

REVIEW: Power of a Princess by E. D. Baker

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Bloomsbury Children’s Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The fairy Queen Suriner and King Darinar are moving their kingdom back to the human world. And their half fairy, half pedrasi granddaughter, Princess Aislin, will be a big part of operating their new kingdom.

As such, Princess Aislin gets to choose her guards/ladies-in-waiting to help her. And her choices are pretty revolutionary – a fairy, an orc, a living doll, and a giant just to name a few.

But a mysterious “She” is trying to cause trouble for the new fairy kingdom. Whoever she is, she’s spreading ugly rumors and provoking attacks on creatures who are friendly to Aislin or her family. But she has something much more serious than nasty rumors planned for Aislin. And this unknown “She” is willing to use a familiar face to get what she wants.

Review

This was so fun! I loved Aislin once again. And her guards, her “mestari,” are just as terrific. This is a great girl-power story with an emphasis on character qualities like kindness and loyalty.

This is also a great fantasy story. There are great creatures like manticores and griffins as well as giants and fairies. There’s magic and spells and curses and such. But none of the magic is more enjoyable than the character and the leadership of Princess Aislin.

It takes awhile for Aislin and her friends to get the information they need on the villain for this story. But the slow build on that front was offset by the building of Aislin’s team and some fun fairy world building. The battle is wrapped up by the end – no cliffhanger. But the war is not yet over. There’s more adventure to come for Aislin and her mestari. And I am here for it! You can read my review of book 1, More Than a Princess, here.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: More Than a Princess by E. D. Baker

REVIEW: More Than a Princess by E. D. Baker

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Princess Aislin is half fairy and half pedrasi. She may not be able to do the sorts of magic her fairy best friend Poppy can do, but her pedrasi connection to various stones gives her strength and magic all her own.

Long ago, the fairies left the human lands to live as a people set apart in their own lands protected by magic. But one day as Aislin and her friends are playing, the forest animals announce there are humans in their forest! Princess Aislin places herself in danger to save her friends. And she is “rewarded” when the human king she saves in turn take her to his kingdom.

Aislin is willing to do almost anything to keep her family and her people safe from the humans. So she endures taunts and thinly veiled insults from the nobility of Morain. But it becomes clear that the king is planning for war with another kingdom. And Aislin’s people could be caught in the middle.

Review

In the first few chapters, I was worried about keeping up with all the names and figuring out the magic of this world. But I was quickly caught up in Aislin’s story, and all the rest fell into place.

Aislin is a fantastic heroine! Smart, fiercely protective and confident. She might play things cool to gather information, but she also feels secure enough to stand up to the bullies, both adults and teens. I loved watching her fight for her people and learn what her magic could do along the way.

There’s a ton of action here. I loved the pacing of this – never too fast or too slow. And Aislin rises to each challenge she faces. Fantasy fans should be sure to check this series out.

I picked this up at the library when I was approved to review book two, Power of a Princess, which releases next week. I’ll be reviewing book 2 next week as well. Be sure to come back and see what I thought.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

BONUS REVIEW: How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason

BONUS REVIEW: How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DAW in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

As a baby, Rory had a naming ceremony. And, as in the long ago history of her people, the fairies arrived to bestow their gifts and blessings – kindness, beauty, harp-playing, and the ability to “know the truth when she hears it” as well as the ability to see her way out of trouble. Odd gifts for a princess in some cases, but oh, so handy for Rory’s future.

For several years, that naming ceremony was one of the more interesting stories about Rory. She was a feisty, strong-willed princess, still too young for much responsibility in the kingdom. She did occasionally hang out with visiting royalty, though, especially kids like Prince Ivar.

The Prince’s visit is where everything changed. His father was killed by one of his own servants during the visit to Rory’s world, and Rory’s father was gravely injured in the incident. It set their world on the course to war. Rory’s father dies, and her mother delivers their second child – a son – who suddenly displaces Rory as the one to inherit the throne thanks to antiquated rules of inheritance. This leaves Rory to be married off when it becomes politically useful. When that times arrives, and Rory is sent to her betrothed’s world, the political secrets and royal maneuvering kicks up to a whole new level!

Review

This is a very long book. At times, it is wordy and overly self-aware. That threatened to derail my reading and enjoyment of this. The nature of the story – the world building, character development, and the time span from Rory’s birth to the end – is part of the issue. There’s a lot to cover! I’m not sure you could split the story in any good way that would make sense. So readers need to push through. When you can get into the rhythm and style of the narrator, and can move through the first section of the book which handles most of the set up (pretty much the whole summary above), then the story picks up cohesiveness and a good pace through to the end. (FYI, this is not a “multiverse” in the sense of multiple timelines or versions of the same characters.)

Once Rory gets to Urse to wait for her impending marriage, it was easier for me to hang onto the story, and I quite enjoyed it. There’s still a good bit of character development to come for Rory and a couple of the other characters who are in the whole novel. At 16, with her magic and fairy gifts and her training, Rory becomes a fantastic, fascinating character in act 2 and beyond. I especially enjoyed Rory and her relationship with her primary guards.

There’s a good deal of suspense in the second and third acts of the story. The Regent for the “Free Worlds” is a formidable adversary. And to him, Rory is a tool – a means to an end. She has to be smart, plan five steps ahead, and use her gifts to camouflage her intentions. I really enjoyed watching her work!  Fantasy and science fiction fans – settle in for a long story. Relax through the set up and then enjoy the great conclusion!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Camelot Code: Geeks and the Holy Grail by Mari Mancusi

REVIEW: The Camelot Code: Geeks and the Holy Grail by Mari Mancusi

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

A young druid named Nimue, charged with protecting the Holy Grail, is on the run from Morgana’s soldiers. She and her sisters were taking the grail to Camelot where King Arthur is sick and in need of its miraculous powers. But Morgana struck, and now Nimue is all alone and in fear for her life. Then she spies a familiar cave – the home of Merlin. Maybe he could save her life once again!

Sadly, Merlin is on something called “Spring Break.” There’s a boy in his cave – Emrys the Excellent – who says he is Merlin’s apprentice. Desperate, Nimue asks Emrys to use some magic to hide the grail from the men hunting for her. The good news is that Emrys succeeds in hiding the grail just in time and sends off the men with nothing. The bad news is that by the time Emrys is done with it, the grail is a young, gaseous dragon, and Emrys has no clue how to change it back.

Nimue summons the Companions by reciting the Camelot Code. Which means Sophie and Stu are summoned from our time to help. Only, Sophie and Stu aren’t together. He’s at home getting some surprising news while Sophie is trying on the world’s ugliest bridesmaid’s dress with her obnoxious soon-to-be step-sister, Ashley. When Sophie responds to the distress call, Ashley unexpectedly gets dragged along to Camelot.

Review

This is a fun second adventure for Sophie and Stu. The addition of Ashley, Emrys and Nimue was a nice touch. I enjoyed the larger cast and all the things the story was able to do with more characters working on a solution.

While this is solidly a fantasy story, it also deals with family issues and friendship concerns, both for Sophie and Ashley and also for Stu. Even Emrys and Nimue to a smaller extent are dealing with family – or lack there off – issues. There’s a fun back and forth again between our world/time and Camelot. Some funny situations develop as well as lots of suspenseful ones. There are a few unanswered questions at the end to pull readers forward into a third book in the series.

You can read my review of the first book, The Once and Future Geek, here. This is a great series for kids who love King Arthur’s legends, or for kids who enjoy fantasy and magic in their reading (think Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Wings of Fire, etc.). Fans of book one should not miss this sequel!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Cheshire Crossing by Andy Weir

REVIEW: Cheshire Crossing by Andy Weir

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Three girls bounced from institutions to asylums find themselves at a boarding school called Cheshire Crossing. The girls are the only residents – and they have a history of “dissociative psychosis.” But Dr. Rutherford doesn’t think they are crazy. He believes every story Alice Liddell (Wonderland), Wendy Darling (Neverland) and Dorothy Gale (Oz) have ever told.  And he’s going to research how the girls have been able to travel between worlds.

Alice’s bad attitude starts the trouble. Determined to escape the boarding school, she steals Dorothy’s silver slippers to go to Oz. Wendy tries to stop her and is pulled along. Their sudden arrival in Oz catches the attention of the resurrected Wicked Witch of the West and kicks off a universe-crossing adventure for all three girls and their nanny.

[Illustrations by Sarah Andersen]

Review

I have never been a fan of Wonderland or Neverland, but the premise of this one felt like something I had to check out. I’m so glad I did because it was a ton of fun! Alice has the most distinct personality of the three girls. She’s abrasive from the first moment, but I warmed to her over time. Each of the girls has a basic understanding of her world, but when the others visit, it creates a lot of fun scenarios. And there are even some things they can learn about their magic and their lands from one another.

The final page sets up a possible sequel – and I am here for it! I’m curious to see more of Cheshire Crossing and to see how Dr. Rutherford’s research impacts the girls and where their magical abilities and artifacts take them next.

One site says this is for teen readers (12-17) while some other places have this with middle grade graphic novels. I don’t know that I would go below 10 years old with this – that “older middle grade” designation might be the best fit for this story.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Loki: Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee

REVIEW: Loki: Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Marvel Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Loki knows he doesn’t fit in in Asgard. He might be a prince, but Asgardians are warriors, not sorcerers.

Odin has a royal sorceress, Karnilla, Queen of Norns. Even though she is training an apprentice, Amora, she is officially the only magic-wielder for Odin’s court. Even Odin’s wife, Frigga, mostly kept her magic small and to herself.

In Amora, Loki found a peer. They did magic together and understood each other. (And he thought she had the most magnificent high heeled boots!) But an act of magic – desperation on Loki’s part – left a magical artifact destroyed and Amora banished to Midgard where her magic would dry up completely. And Loki was left in Asgard, without the one friend who understood him and with Odin’s constant disapproval, living in Thor’s everpresent shadow.

Years later, after a disastrous diplomatic mission, Loki himself is sent to Midgard. It’s supposed to be an important task for Odin, but Loki knows when he is being dumped somewhere. Something magical, though, is going on on Midgard, a place where there should be no magic. People are dying. This is Loki’s chance to redeem himself by helping some allies look into these deaths in 19th century London.

Review

I wanted to love this. I love the MCU version of Loki played by Tom Hiddleston. And there are some great moments early in the book where I could “hear” that Loki. It’s mostly in the interplay with Thor. But that’s lost in the second part of the book when those characters aren’t together.

Fans were promised a Loki from the comics in terms of sexuality. And it’s here. This Loki is genderfluid (although that’s mostly stated in a single line in the book). He also kisses both a male character and a female character in the book. This sexuality piece, though, wasn’t a huge part of the story, so it felt “there” rather than integrated. Readers who have strong feelings about this aspect of the character’s history will have a better take on this than me. For me, it felt tacked on, but with no emotional weight or punch.

I think antiheroes must be hard to write. A character like Loki is beloved, but he isn’t the hero. And as a young man here, part of Loki WANTS to be the hero. He wants to earn real praise from Odin. He wants the choice of successor to at least demand some thought and debate. This could have been a much stronger exploration of identity; I would have loved that. But it never went as far in that direction as I wanted.

I wanted to get to the end of the book and believe it couldn’t have worked out any other way – that Loki HAD to give in to his darker side and become the villain. But I didn’t feel the story here was compelling on that piece. There’s more “I’m a trickster, I guess I have to just lean all the way in” than circumstances that drive him there. There’s a bit of the Odin situation that didn’t leave Loki some of the options he wants, but he lets that eliminate everything else, too. I was disappointed by this. If this piece had been stronger, I would have liked the book a lot more.

The story was solid. I had plenty of questions so I kept turning pages, waiting for it all to become clear. And it did. It was more violent and gruesome in parts than I generally prefer. But none of the story grabbed me emotionally. I wasn’t in suspense or connected to any character other than Loki for the Earth-bound portions of the book. It was fine but it wasn’t fantastic. I wanted fantastic.

Fans of the character should check this out for themselves and see what they think. And readers who enjoy historical fiction might enjoy that angle on the story as well. (Violence; some language; some horror features – zombies; LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: Wishful Thinking by Helen Harper

BONUS REVIEW: Wishful Thinking by Helen Harper

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Harperfire in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The full title of this book is Wishful Thinking (How to Be the Best Da** Faery Godmother in the World – or Die Trying).

Saffron Sawyer is a “dope fairy, ” one of the fairies responsible for the hallucinations seen by people who are on drugs. On a good day, those hallucinations can help people muster the courage to face the difficulties they are fleeing with drugs. They have even convinced some people to go into rehab. But now Saffron is headed to “the show” – she’s gotten an interview to join the fairy godmothers!

While Saffron gets the job, it’s nothing like she expects. The other fairy godpersons can be petty and abrasive. No one seems to want to help her settle into her new role. Maybe it’s the audit going on in the department. The Devil’s Advocate is onsite, and everyone seems skittish.

Then Saffron discovers the agency’s big secret. Five fairy godpersons have gone missing. Suddenly it’s all clear – Saffron isn’t there to fill an open position. She’s there as expendable bait for a kidnapper. But Saffron didn’t snooze through her years as a dope fairy. She’s scrappy and determined to solve the mystery and secure her spot as a fairy godmother for good!

Review

A fun addition to the urban fantasy genre. I loved Saffron – she’s smart, sassy and scrappy. She puts up with a lot of flack in this book, but she dishes plenty back as well.

I enjoyed the world building for this. The different fairy types were interesting. The “dope fairy” piece was jarring when I first started the book, but in the larger context it worked. And the Devil’s Advocate was a fascinating character.

The mystery with the kidnappings is solid. And the over-arching story with the villains doesn’t end with the end of this book. There will be more to work through in the rest of the series.

This felt a little like the Enchanted, Inc. series, which I love, thanks to the different fantasy characters, the world building, and the fight between good and evil. I will be watching for book 2, Wish List, which might be out later this year. (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

REVIEW: A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Harper is starting to wonder if things could get any worse. Her mother is dying. Her father got in deep with loan sharks and then disappeared. Now her brother Jake is trying to hold off the loan sharks, but they are starting to push him to do things he doesn’t want to do. Then one night, as Harper is waiting for Jake to finish a job, she sees someone kidnapping a woman. She can’t just ignore it. Even though she only has a tire iron for a weapon, and she has a bad foot, she goes after the attacker.

And she ends up in Emberfall.

Prince Rhen is cursed. Time and time again he turns into a monster, destroying his home, his people, his land. The only thing that could break the curse is love. That’s why his guard, Grey, travels to another world to find young women willing to meet a prince and take a chance on love. But on the most recent trip, he returns with an unwilling companion. Harper is desperate to get home to her family. But the magic won’t work again until the monster returns. And what are the chances for love for Rhen with a young woman who doesn’t want to be there and who only wants to get back to her life?

Review

I fell in love with Brigid Kemmerer’s work when I first read Letters to the Lost.  So between the fact that this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and the fact that she wrote it, there wasn’t a moment’s doubt that I would be reading this book! And it totally lived up to my expectations!

The parallels to the original story are clear – although no humongous library like in the movie. But to be honest, there’s not a lot of down time in the story for Harper to get in leisurely reading. There are lots of original twists that help this story stand solidly on its own. Rhen changes into the monster on a cycle. So he’s not always physically a beast. Also, a lot of the story is tied to what has happened to Emberfall while the prince has sequestered himself in the castle. I loved all of the parallels – and all of the original pieces as well.

The characters in this are fantastic. Every inch of progress in the relationships is hard-earned on both sides. The secondary characters are just as great as the main three. I loved that we got some quality interaction with Harper’s family in the book. Great stuff! I also realized that I have a thing for fantasy stories where someone from our world is pulled into a magical world. I can think of several books with that plot that I have loved and re-read over and over. This is one I will revisit, too.

The action in this was consistent all the way through to the end. And what an end! Book 2 is a year away, but we already know the characters it’s going to focus on, and the author sets up some great material to launch us in a new direction. Fantastic! I highly recommend this book, and I will certainly be reading book two, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, in 2020. [Violence]

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander

REVIEW: The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Imprint in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Lenora is stuck. Her parents are off traveling the world, and she is left behind with a nanny. A horrible nanny, too, who is working her own angles and agendas while dragging Lenora along. But when the nanny has to head to the library, Lenora sees her chance to escape.

Ditching the nanny by dodging through the stacks, Lenora opens a gateway to an unusual library thanks to an act of protective kindness. And this new library offers exactly what Lenora wants – a chance to both learn things and make a difference to others.

While Lenora is learning what it means to be the “Fourth Assistant Apprentice Librarian,” dark forces are gathering. They know knowledge is dangerous, and they are determined to destroy it.

Review

This is a fun fantasy story on the young side of middle grade. I loved Lenora! She is bright and resourceful. She keeps a notebook to record what she learns and her questions – I love that! And I learned some cool things right along with her. She has an earnest desire to learn. And she works to overcome the fear and angst that would naturally arise in such an unusual setting with few if any instructions for how to proceed.

I was frustrated by the villains when they appeared in the story. I felt like the villains, and their cause, lived on a different level in the storytelling than the fantasy worlds Lenora visited. It was like her travels and tasks were painted in rich, vibrant colors, and I was immersed right along with her. But the direct confrontations with the villains to me felt like black and white interactions in comparison. They pulled me out of the delightful fantasy.

This could be a function of (a) being an adult reader of a book for kids, and (b) reading a lot of adult and young adult fantasy where things are far more drawn out and motives are more often teased rather than stated plainly. So, I wanted this to be longer, with more drawn out trials for Lenora on each task. With a longer story, the villains could have been developed more slowly, too. And their motives would have felt less obvious.

But as I considered it, I don’t think that is the goal of this book. There are books for that – for the longer trials and nuanced villains – Percy Jackson and the like. This feels like more of an introduction to fantasy for maybe a slightly younger audience. A good introduction for readers who aren’t yet ready for those longer books just yet (The first Percy Jackson book is twice as long as this one.). For those almost-ready readers, this will be great! I feel like Lenora and the library will give a taste of the magic and mythology and world building of fantasy, but in a politely-sized format with a relatively quick return on the reading investment – action, results, resolution, and hints at a future adventure.

I think this would make for a great family or classroom read aloud. The quickly resolved adventures (1 – 2 chapters) work for classroom or bedtime reading. And depending on the age and insight of the readers, discussions about the villains and their goals could be very interesting, too.

I think readers will love Lenora, so be sure to watch for her future adventures! The library in this book is a delightful place to spend some time.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye

REVIEW: Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The Kingdom of Kichona is a tiger-shaped island in the sea, ruled by Empress Aki. Aki and her twin brother, Gin, battled for the throne in what is now called the Blood Rift. Prince Gin followed a cult that inspired his bloodthirsty quest for conquest. He was defeated, but only after great loss of life, including all of the younger children set apart to be the future magical guardians of Kichona, the Taiga.

Sora lost her little sister, Hana, in the Blood Rift. And it haunted her. But her mother encouraged her to channel those feelings to help her be the best Taiga she could be. Together with her partner Daemon and their best friends, Sora operated under the mantra, “Work hard. Mischief harder.” But in memory of Hana, Sora would try to be more disciplined.

On their first Taiga mission, Sora and Daemon observe a strange group in a remote part of Kichona. They seem to have strange magic – and a disturbing leader. But when none of the Taiga leadership believes them, Sora and Daemon sneak off on their own to track the strangers and protect Kichona.

Review

This was spectacular! I immediately clicked with Sora. She’s smart, clever and determined, but also irreverent. Her peers love her. Her teachers grow weary of her antics. And that leads to some of the mistrust Sora receives when she tries to alert them to danger. It’s a little like the boy who cried wolf.

The fantasy world is fantastic! The magic was intriguing, and the strangers are quite formidable. It all made for an engrossing story. The short chapters helped build even more urgency to the story. And some great twists – both some I figured out on my own and others that were total surprises – tied this up beautifully into an unpredictable story.

I can’t recommend this highly enough to fans of fantasy novels. The storytelling is top notch, as is the world the author has developed. I’m sure I’ll have to wait a year for the sequel, but it is already on my 2020 Must Read list. Don’t miss this one! (Language, violence, attempted assault)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥