Book Review: The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

THE IRON WITCH BY KAREN MAHONEY 
Reading level: Young Adult 
Paperback: 312 pages 
Publisher: Flux (February 8, 2011)
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |Indiebound 
Interest: Magic & Faeries

When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed Donna Underwood’s father and drove her mother mad. Her own nearly fatal injuries were fixed by alchemy—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. Now seventeen, Donna feels like a freak, doomed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. Only her relationship with her best friend, Navin, is keeping her sane.

But when vicious wood elves abduct Navin, Donna is forced to accept her role in the centuries-old war between human alchemists and these darkest outcasts of Faerie. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous guy with faery blood running through his veins and secrets of his own, Donna races to save Navin—even if it means betraying everything her parents fought to the death to protect.

BOOK OPENING: 

DONNA UNDERWOOD'S JOURNAL:

My father died saving my life when I was seven years old.

I wish I found it easier to remember him outside of my dreams- where of course he is tall and  handsome, and over and over again saves me from the Wood Monster.

NOTABLE SCENE: 

"And Donna did the thing she'd never imagined that she would do. She swallowed, then carefully and slowly peeled off her long velvet gloves, feeling not unlike a burlesque act. Except an experienced burlesque dancer's hands wouldn't be shaking as much as hers were right now. She tossed her hair back and tried to meet Xan's eyes as she held both hands out, palms down, in front of her." -Page 115

Sigh....I really wanted to love The Iron Witch. That cover alone is breathtaking, isn't it? In the end, I walked away from the book feeling a bit underwhelmed. I've tried to break it down for you as best as I could..

HIGHLIGHTS:

Donna, the girl with the swirling iron tattoos, has lost so much. Not only did she lose her parents in a vicious attack, but she must struggle with a painful and embarrassing disfigurement. To make matters more bleak, Donna's father died protecting her during the attack, and her mother hasn't recovered since.

I loved Donna's background- the dark family tragedy, the mix of iron and magic for protection, the ancient alchemy principles- I ate that all up. Her story was extremely emotional- I loved the diary snippets in between a few chapters too. I was fascinated by her powerful, dangerous hands and wanted to learn all I could about the magic and science behind what happened to her. The fae background was both intriguing and sinister. But while the world-building was top-notch, the action constantly stumbled and stagnated for me. I do suspect, however, that this could be a series where each of the books gets better and better. Now that stage has been set, I think there is a lot of potential for more action and excitement.

 

LOWLIGHTS: 

With all that world-building, there seemed to be not enough room for character development. I also think Donna's character would've worked better in the first person. If Karen Mahoney had allowed us to get inside Donna's head, I think I would've connected much more to her pain, her insecurities and the storm of conflicting emotions within her heart. As it was, I felt a bit removed at all times. I was constantly aware of being the outsider, always looking in but never truly vested.

There were two potential love interests in the book.  Donna's best friend Navin, a regular guy whose life is endangered by mere proximity to Donna. Then there was Xan, the potential love interest. It was obvious from the start that Navin had feelings for Donna and as such, I knew that when she met Xan, there'd be a love triangle. I think the "love triangle" in YA has become so commonplace, that it's hard for me to get really excited by them anymore. But I really did enjoy Xan's character.  I'd like to learn more about him- the secret's he's hiding, his sad past, his heritage, etc.  In fact, I would say I'm more interested in reading the second book to learn about Xan than anything else! His romance with Donna was definitely too rushed though. Once again there was the "instant attraction" element, which seems to have become a staple with the YA genre and to be honest, is pushing me more and more into the arms of my adult books each time I encounter it.

As for the fae element, I personally like my fae to appear in human form. I like them   painfully beautiful, but with cold-hearted natures and capricious moods.  If you are expecting something like this—perhaps reminiscent of Melissa Marr, then you might be disappointed. So far, The Iron Witch only introduces us to "wood elves". For me, the characterization of the wood elves skewed the book so much younger than I had anticipated. At times I felt like I was reading a middle-grade novel, more Spiderwick Chronicles than Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely or Julie Kagawa's  Iron Fey.

FINAL SAY: 

Fans of Julie Kagawa's series may enjoy elements of The Iron Witch, but for me, the book fell way short of the mark. This book has a lot of potential with crisp, clean writing and a fascinating plot hook, but in the end, it just didn't capture my heart or my imagination. I thought the story was so slow to build, that by the time these did start to heat up, I was too far removed to fall hook, line and sinker into Donna' s world. 

1/2 Stars

Karen Mahoney is the author of The Iron Witch, the first book in a trilogy that continues in 2012 with The Wood Queen. She has also published stories about a kick-ass teen vampire called Moth in The Eternal Kiss and Kiss Me Deadly. Karen is British and currently lives near London with way too many books, though she dreams of one day living in Boston. She doesn’t mind if you call her Kaz. Official Website & Blog

Book Review: Banished by Sophie Littlefield

BANISHED BY SOPHIE LITTLEFIELD 
Reading level: Young Adult 
Hardcover: 304 pages 
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (October 12, 2010)
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

There isn’t much worth living for in Gypsum, Missouri—or Trashtown, as the rich kids call the run-down neighborhood where sixteen-year-old Hailey Tarbell lives. Hailey figures she’ll never belong—not with the popular kids at school, not with the rejects, not even with her cruel, sickly grandmother, who deals drugs out of their basement. Hailey never knew her dead mother, and she has no idea who her father was, but at least she has her four-year-old foster brother, Chub. Once she turns eighteen, Hailey plans to take Chub far from Gypsum and start a new life where no one can find them.

But when a classmate is injured in gym class, Hailey discovers a gift for healing that she never knew she possessed—and that she cannot ignore. Not only can she heal, she can bring the dying back to life. Confused by her powers, Hailey searches for answers but finds only more questions, until a mysterious visitor shows up at Gram’s house, claiming to be Hailey’s aunt Prairie.

There are people who will stop at nothing to keep Hailey in Trashtown, living out a legacy of despair and suffering. But when Prairie saves both Hailey and Chub from armed attackers who invade Gram’s house in the middle of the night, Hailey must decide where to place her trust. Will Prairie’s past, and the long-buried secret that caused her to leave Gypsum years earlier, ruin them all? Because as Hailey will soon find out, their power to heal is just the beginning.

This gripping novel from thriller writer Sophie Littlefield blazes a trail from small-town Missouri to the big city as Hailey battles an evil greater than she ever imagined, while discovering strengths she never knew she had.

OPENING SCENE: 

WAKING UP HURT. Her head pounded and there was something in her eyes, something sticky and warm that made it hard to see.

She blinked hard and her eyes cleared, and she realized she was in a car.

Not just any car-her boyfriend's car. - Prologue June 1995

NOTABLE SCENE:

"I'm taking you with me," she said. "You can't stay here with Alice anymore."

My heart did a little flip at her words. Leaving- even if it wasn't the way I planned, even if it was with a stranger- the thought was almost irresistible. I wanted to say Okay, fine, let's do it. To hell with school, with the stupid Cleans who'd made fun of me forever. To hell with our falling-down house, the weedy yard, the long walk to the grocery. Anywhere would be better than here. - Pg 95

BANISHED centers around Hailey Tarbell, a small-town girl from the wrong side of the tracks who discovers she's heir to an ancient legacy and all the power that it brings.  Though she has an amazing gift, Hailey's life is anything but. She lives with her cruel grandmother--a woman who sells drugs to make ends meet and neglects Chub, a cast-off child in dire need of serious developmental therapy.  When a stranger comes along and offers Hailey a way out, Hailey's life changes in ways that she never imagined. But how much will she have to suffer before her and Chub can ever really be free?

The strongest component of BANISHED was learning about origins of Hailey's healing gift and how it could be traced back centuries ago to a tiny village in Ireland. Using the gift of healing to help save people in pain appealed to me and is what essentially kept me reading on.  Like all magic, the power had a dark side and a light side. I loved how in Hailey's world, there were consequences for using magic. There were those that chose to use it for good purposes, and others who allowed it to twist and corrupt them into a shell of who they were really meant to be.  Sometimes people had good intentions about using their powers, but did something they knew was against the rules, and paid for it dearly. I was fascinated by this aspect of the book and would've loved to have explored it in even more detail if time had allowed.  

Since Hailey's grandmother spent her days smoking, drinking and watching day-time television, it was up to Hailey to be the "adult". Hailey cooked, cleaned and tried to take care of her foster brother as best as she could. With all that on her plate, you'd think she'd have some shred of light in her life. But Hailey had no friends, no boyfriend – even the strange kids didn't want anything to do with her. So many people would've given up and become part of the cycle of poverty and despair—the same cycle Hailey saw every day at school and within her community. But she was strong minded and determined to make a better life for herself. I admired her character. Sophie Littlefield did a tremendous job finding Hailey's voice.

The seedy aspects of Hailey's life—the druggie customers coming to the house trying to paw all over her and her disgusting grandmother were more than a little disturbing for me. I almost stopped reading at one point when a certain "plan" of her grandmother's was revealed. I don't want to give away any of the plot line by going into detail, but it was very unsettling to say the least.

BANISHED was a complex, dark urban fantasy about survival, dark magic and the power of redemption. While I can see its appeal to certain groups of readers, I'm sad to say it wasn't the perfect fit for me. I personally didn't care for the zombie element that evolved nor did I appreciate some of the more gruesome moments, particularly a painful situation involving a dog.

With that being said, I believe BANISHED will find a market out there and many people who will enjoy it. Sophie Littlefield is a strong writer—her depictions of Hailey's home life and her characterization were stellar. I would definitely check out her future novels even though BANISHED wasn't a knock out of the park for me.

Sophie grew up in central Missouri, daughter of a history professor father and an artist mother. She earned a degree in computer science at a large Midwestern university and made very little use of it. After living in Chicago for ten years, she and her husband packed up the kids and moved to Northern California in 1998. She's been keeping house and writing ever since. She published a number of short stories and articles before landing an agent and selling her first novel in the spring of 2008.

Official Website & Blog

Book Review: The Secret of Ka by Christopher Pike

THE SECRET OF KA BY CHRISTOPHER PIKE

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (September 13, 2010)
Language: English
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

One minute Sara's bored on vacation in Istanbul. The next, she's unearthed a flying carpet that cleverly drags her to the mysterious Island of the Djinn—or genies. By her side is Amesh, a hot boy she's starting to love but doesn't yet trust. When Amesh learns the secret of invoking djinn, he loses control. He swears he'll call upon only one djinn and make one wish. The plan sounds safe enough. But neither Sara nor Amesh are any match for the formidable monster that that swells before them. It hypnotizes Amesh, compelling him to steal Sara’s flying carpet—the ancient Carpet of Ka—and leave her stranded.

Discovering the Carpet of Ka has sparked a new path for Sara, one that will lead her to battle creatures even deadlier than djinn. In this fight, Sara can save mankind, herself, or the boy she loves. Who will she be forced to sacrifice?

Book Opening:

"An entire summer alone in Turkey with my father. When I first heard about the trip I was so excited. But now that I had logged the obligatory twenty hours of jet travel that it took to get to the Middle East and another week in Istanbul itself—the hot and crowded capital of Turkey—I was having second thoughts."

Notable Scene

"Sara!" Amesh shouted. "Stop!"

"I didn't hurt it. I don't think I can." I lifted up the lighter.

"Put that away!" Amesh cried.

  I ignored him. There was a part of me that felt as if the carpet had thrown out a challenge and that I had to respond. I felt as it was mocking me.

  I flipped open the lighter and pulled the carpet toward the flame. I'm not sure how close I brought it to the fire—half a foot, maybe—before it reacted.
  
  The carpet jerked out of my hands and flew across the room.
It landed on the sofa, where it seemed to rest comfortably.

  Like a human being.

Be careful what you wish for. Sounds so simple right? When Sarah and Amesh find a tattered old carpet, the last thing they expect is for it to fly, let alone lead them to the island of djinn (genies)—a mystical place where wishes really do come true. Of course, every wish has a price. The djinn, creatures with centuries of experience in manipulation, trickery and compulsion, hunger for new souls to destroy. If Sarah and Amesh don't watch every word they say, they'll wind up losing a lot more than they ever bargained for—in fact, they stand to lose their very own souls. 

Before she met Amesh and found the carpet, Sarah thought she'd be stuck in Istanbul bored all summer. Turns out, this will be one summer she'll never forget; one that will change the course of her life forever. 

But don't you just want to make one more wish? Come on, it's so easy...

Go on, unroll that carpet and find your magical "ley line"—it's time for the ride of a lifetime! THE SECRET OF KA was pure escapist fun. Each time I opened its pages, I couldn't wait to fall back into Sara's world—one where flying carpets whisk you off to exotic locales and deliciously dangerous creatures are eager to grant your heart's deepest desires, that is, if you survive long enough to enjoy them. Sara's personality starts off a little prickly, but she matures a lot over the course of the book. I think her stubborn nature and rebellious side actually made a lot of sense--those qualities helped keep her out of harm's way. It took a lot to stand up to the djinn and if anyone could do it, I'd put my money on Sara. I enjoyed reading the book from her point of view and loved her character. There was a romance in the book, but it was secondary to the fantasy aspect of the story--something which was a nice change up for me.

THE SECRET OF KA is categorized as YA, but to me, it seemed more aptly suited for the middle grade crowd. This wasn't a problem for me—my inner kid was intrigued by the idea of stumbling upon magic carpets and genies while on vacation in Istanbul—what's not to love about that? However, if you prefer your YA to be a little "older" and heavy on the romance, this might not be a good fit for you. But if you are game for a good fantasy with danger, action and suspense, then this is one to definitely add to your wish list.  

I haven't read any of Christopher Pike's other works, but now I'm definitely interested in doing so after reading this book.

  

About the Author: Christopher Pike, the bestselling author of the Remember Me and The Last Vampire series, has more than fifty novels to his credit. His adult novels include Sati, The Season of Passage, The Cold One, and The Blind Mirror. Mr. Pike lives in Santa Barbara, California.

Book Review: Everlasting by Angie Frazier

EVERLASTING BY ANGIE FRAZIER




Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (June 1, 2010)
Language: English
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

Sailing aboard her father’s trade ship is all seventeen-year-old Camille Rowen has ever wanted. But as a girl of society in 1855 San Francisco, her future is set: marry a man she doesn’t love, or condemn herself and her father to poverty.

On her final voyage before the wedding, the stormy arms of the Tasman Sea claim her father, and a terrible family secret is revealed. A secret intertwined with a fabled map, the mother Camille has long believed dead, and an ancient stone that wields a dangerous—and alluring—magic.

The only person Camille can depend on is Oscar, a handsome young sailor whom she is undeniably drawn to. Torn between trusting her instincts and keeping her promises to her father, Camille embarks on a perilous quest into the Australian wilderness to find the enchanted stone. As she and Oscar elude murderous bushrangers and unravel Camille’s father’s lies, they come closer to making the ultimate decision of who—and what—matters most.

BOOK OPENING:

Camille clicked the latches down on her trunk and glanced out her bedroom window.

White haze choked the small seaport, and the fog bells sounding across the bay echoed in her chest. Fitting weather to mark the death of her freedom.

NOTABLE SCENE:

Oscar flinched and stared at her. "What did you say?"

Camille set the glass down. "Uman-"

"No!" He held his finger up to his mouth to shush her. "Don't say it."

"Why not?" she asked. "Have you heard of it?"

The wind picked up, and tree branches outside the windows thrashed against the side of the house, knocking a few clapboards into one another. Oscar covered his mouth with his hand and paced the rug.

"What's wrong? What is this Umandu place? "- Page 92

Set amid the danger of the high seas and  the lure of the untamed Australian outback, Everlasting is a novel that has it all. It's a romantic story of love and loss centering on Camille, a young woman ensnared in a quest for a mythical stone; a stone so powerful it could change her life forever.

Relationships were so important in this book—the way they challenged the characters to question their choices and to find the courage to follow their dreams. Trying to make her way in a world when women had little say in their future, Camille fascinated me. I loved her strength of will and sense of adventure. Throughout the events that  transpired in Everlasting, Camille showed true bravery and whole lot of spunk. I enjoyed watching her character grow and evolve.

My favorite aspect of Everlasting involved the dynamics between Camille and Oscar, the poor sailor who stole her heart. No matter how many fancy dresses or expensive emerald rings Camille's fiance Randall could buy for her, it was so obvious that no one could compare to Oscar. The chemistry between these two absolutely sizzled. I found myself desperately wanting Camille to come to her senses and realize just how perfect Oscar was for her, no matter what the social and financial ramifications would be. Here's an example of Camille interacting with Oscar—you can practically cut the tension with a knife.

She watched as his eyes traveled over her own features, touching on the wound by her temple and settling on the heart-shaped fullness of her lips.

Oscar held his piercing stare. "We probably won't arrive home in time for your wedding."

She pictured the wedding gown hanging in her closet. The veil. The shoes. Even the strands of pearls, all laid out awaiting her return. Return. The heavy word weighed on her as Ira continued to snore and Oscar continued to study her in a way that made her feel captivating and beautiful. -- Page 188

With a little bit Raiders of the Lost Ark, Pirates of the Caribbean and a dash of Titanic, this book kept my attention from start to finish. The twists and turns constantly surprised me and kept me turning the pages with delight. Supporting characters like Ira the gambler and Daphne, the Madame with the heart of gold added even more spark to an already exciting novel.

Everlasting will always hold a special place with me. It's one of those books that lives on in your imagination and your heart. I hope to read more of Angie Frazier's novels and perhaps revisit Oscar and Camille again.

Angie lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two daughters, their big black lab, and a pair of highly destructive cats. Her debut young adult novel, EVERLASTING, is the result of an overactive imagination, an addiction to historical research, and dozens of vintage travel posters plastered to the ceilings of a cottage she rented one long, snowbound winter.
Official Website & Blog

Book Review: The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner

THE SILVER BLADE BY SALLY GARDNER

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Dial; 1 edition (September 17, 2009)

A stirring tale of magic and revolution- fans of The Red Necklace won't want to miss it.

The year is 1794. With his beloved Sido safely in England and the Reign of Terror at its height, mysterious Yann returns to revolutionary France to smuggle out aristocratic refugees who will otherwise face the guillotine. But while the two are apart, Yann’s Gypsy origins prejudice Sido’s guardian against their marriage, thwarting their longed-for reunion. When Sido is kidnapped under strange circumstances, however, Yann must use all his strength and courage to outwit the evil Count Kalliovski, rescue Sido, and help save all of France.

As she did in The Red Necklace and the award-winning I, Coriander, Sally Gardner spins an epic tale that combines a vivid sense of history, characters full of Dickensian drama and fascination, and a sizzling adventure with touches of magic and romance.

It’s 1794 and the French Revolution rages on in Paris; each day more and more victims falling claim to the ravenous jaws of the guillotine. While most of the “decadent aristocracy” have long ago fled from the city, others have not been so fortunate. But during this dark time, hope is not all lost. Rumors have begun to circulate in Paris- hushed murmurings about a man, one they call The Silver Blade. Word has it that before the Revolutionaries even know what hits them, The Silver Blade swoops in and snatches his clients out of thin air, leaving only the small silver blade of a child’s toy guillotine in their place. For those trapped in Paris and desperate to reach the safety of England, they will do anything to redeem his services. But his identity remains a frustrating secret to both authorities and the aristocracy. As for Yann Margoza? Well, that’s just the way he likes it.

THE SILVER BLADE recasts the age old struggle of good versus evil in this extraordinary sequel to its predecessor, THE RED NECKLACE. In a time of tragedy and self-sacrifice, a new hero emerges. He is Yann, a man of seemingly low birth, but with the courage and moral character of a thousand great men. Yann leads a double life, performing in a theater by night and rescuing others from the cruel steel of the guillotine by day. A "tightrope walker over the Valley of Death”, Yann consistently puts his life on the line, making him a powerful protagonist and an appealing hero. Touches of magic and romance also run rampant throughout the novel, creating an interesting dimension to Yann’s character and an added tension to an already fast-paced plot.

I picked up THE SILVER BLADE at the library on a whim, completely unaware of what I was in store for. Upon realizing it was a sequel to THE RED NECKLACE, and a powerful one to boot, I had to rush out and get it’s predecessor. I devoured both books in two days. The drama and passion in Sally Gardener’s prose was dizzyingly irresistible for me. The added bonus of sharply penned characters like the dwarf Tetu and the humor of oddities like Iago the talking parrot, added a deeper level of connection to the story for me as well. Add in the horror of the guillotine and the threat of the worst kind of evil roaming around Paris’ catacombs, and you’ve got one sizzling adventure seeped in drama, magic and history.Count Kallivoski, a truly evil and deplorable creature, was terrifying- I feared for Yann and Sido, the woman of Yann's affection and Kallivoski's cruel desires.

**Exciting side note for fans of this series: I read on Sally Gardner's blog that Dominic West, actor in the television show, The Wire has bought film rights for THE RED NECKLACE and THE SILVER BLADE!

Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions. After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.

Purchase The Silver Blade at Amazon.com.

To learn more about Sally Gardner and her books, Visit the author's Official Website and Blog.

Book Review: The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan

THE DEMON'S COVENANT
BY SARAH REES BRENNAN

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 440 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; 1 edition
(May 18, 2010/May 27, 2010)

The Demon's Covenant is the sequel to The Demon's Lexicon. Mae was always in control, but suddenly everyone she trusted is lying--and in danger

“The covenant is binding. There is no escape.”

Danger is closing in all around Mae. In one corner the magicians lie in wait, biding their time until Jamie is inducted into their circle-whether he wants to be or not. Alan, secretive as ever, considers a disastrous bargain with a demon, knowing full well the ramifications of his actions. Meanwhile, Mae can’t help but be lured in by the seductive pull of the Goblin Market, But Mae is not a magician. She's just an ordinary girl thrown into a maddening world of magicians and magic. And once again she must face some difficult decisions. Except this time the stakes are even higher. Can Mae stay alive long enough to save them all?

The Demon’s Covenant solidified Mae as one of my all time favorite literary heroines. Nick, being the main point of view character in The Demon’s Lexicon was unable to provide the type of introspection that Mae could easily bring to the table. While I identified with Nick, I tended to view the others as he did - with a detached annoyance. With Mae it was different. Through her eyes, I got a deeper understanding for not only her character, but for all of those surrounding her. It was a smart move on the part of Sarah Rees Brennan and in my opinion, brought the series to a whole new level.

Strong, feisty and loyal to the end, I respected the depths of Mae's courage. The choices she was faced with were not easy. But she handled them in a believable way. I sympathized with her and rooted her on the whole time. In fact, from page one I was on her side. When things got really dicey, I wanted to jump in and help her. I loved how there was nothing she wouldn’t do to save her brother, I admired that. Bonds of family love ran deep in this book. Which brings me to Alan and Nick. The diary allowed tremendous insight into Nick and Alan's relationship. Heart-breaking and illuminating, I walked away from this book with a renewed appreciation for just how much Alan sacrificed for his brother. It was the most compelling component of the novel for me.

Sarah Rees Brennan impressed me with her use of strong imagery and world building in The Demon’s Covenant. There were so many examples of vivid imagery in the book, it was hard to pick just one to illustrate. In this example below, I could actually feel the sensation of being under a magician’s spell; my arms and legs held frozen by the will of someone with dangerous power.

“The magician brushed by Mae and suddenly she could move, as if she was made of ice and his touch was hot enough to change her to water." - page 11

Humorous moments like this next example helped balance out the dark aspects of the story and give the reader a chance to catch their breath.

"The magic bounced off Jamie and earthed itself harmlessly in the ground at his feet.

Jamie jumped back all the same, and Mae found him catching her hands, grip desperate for a moment until he remembered himself. Then he stepped away.

“Thanks, Laura” he said unsteadily. “I always wondered what a tiny heart attack would feel like, and now I know. Very refreshing!” - page 56

What does it mean to be human? How far would you go to protect your family? The Demon’s Covenant is so much more than a fantasy novel about demons and magicians. It’s one with numerous layers to peel back, examine and reflect upon. Throughout its pages the bonds of friendship will be tested, family loyalties will be defined, and alliances formed.

What about the romance? Fans looking for romantic tension won't be disappointed. A strong undercurrent runs rampant throughout the entire novel, ratcheting up to a fever pitch in the final pages.

My understanding is that book three will be told from Sin’s point of view. Sarah Rees Brennan- I can’t wait!

SARAH REES BRENNAN was born and raised in Ireland by the sea, where her teachers valiantly tried to make her fluent in Irish (she wants you to know it's not called Gaelic), but she chose to read books under her desk in class instead. After living briefly in New York and doing a creative writing MA and library work in Surrey, England, she has returned to Dublin, Ireland, to write. Her Irish is still woeful, but she feels the books under the desk were worth it.

To learn more about Sarah Rees Brennan and her books, visit her Official Website and Blog.

Read an excerpt of The Demon's Covenant.

Purchase The Demon's Covenant at Amazon.com.

Book Review: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

BRIGHTLY WOVEN BY ALEXANDRA BRACKEN
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: EgmontUSA (March 23, 2010)

When Wayland North brings rain to a region that's been dry for over ten years, he's promised anything he'd like as a reward. He chooses the village elder's daughter, sixteen-year-old Sydelle Mirabel, who is a skilled weaver and has an unusual knack for repairing his magical cloaks. Though Sydelle has dreamt of escaping her home, she's hurt that her parents relinquish her so freely and finds herself awed and afraid of the slightly ragtag wizard who is unlike any of the men of magic in the tales she's heard. Still, she is drawn to this mysterious man who is fiercely protective of her and so reluctant to share his own past.

The pair rushes toward the capital, intent to stop an imminent war, pursued by Reuel Dorwan (a dark wizard who has taken a keen interest in Sydelle) and plagued by unusually wild weather. But the sudden earthquakes and freak snowstorms may not be a coincidence. As Sydelle discovers North's dark secret and the reason for his interest in her and learns to master her own mysterious power, it becomes increasingly clear that the fate of the kingdom rests in her fingertips. She will either be a savior, weaving together the frayed bonds between Saldorra and Auster, or the disastrous force that destroys both kingdoms forever.

BRIGHTLY WOVEN revolves around Sydelle, a talented weaver and North, the handsome wizard who chances upon her dusty village. Long removed from the politics of the wizard kingdom, the townsfolk care only about the drought plaguing the dry, cracked earth of their city. When North miraculously brings the rain, Sydelle's grateful father offers him anything he wants. Unfortunately for Sydelle, he chooses her and she is forced to leave town with him. What adventures await? Well you'll have to find that out for yourself!

A passionate wizard, a willful heroine and the tension of a kingdom on the brink of war...what more could you ask for? BRIGHTLY WOVEN was a fresh and fun debut novel from Alexandra Bracken. Sydelle was a strong protagonist that I admired. I loved how capable she was and how she didn’t fall apart or swoon over North too much (something I can't stand in books). Her relationship with North was subtle, always tugging at you to keep on reading, but never detracting from the focus of the story too much. I found it fascinating how North used magical cloaks - for me, that was an imaginative touch to the storyline.

Fans of Tamora Pierce and Kristin Cashore will definitely want to check out this gem of a book with adventure, danger and the magic of faraway lands!

Order Brightly Woven HERE.

Alexandra Bracken wrote Brightly Woven as a birthday present for a friend, and the story grew and flourished during a year of unpredictable, wild weather. A native of Arizona, she is a recent graduate of the College of William and Mary, where she majored in History and English. She now lives in New York City.
Alexandra Bracken's Official Website & Blog

Book Review: Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Publication Date: December 22nd 2009 (Bloomsbury USA Children's Books)
240 Pages


Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.

With so many fairy stories on the market, it was refreshing to enter the exciting world Jaclyn Dolamore has created within MAGIC UNDER GLASS. Nimira, the heroine, is a dark skinned performer who dreams of walking away from the tumultuous life of a trouser girl (one who sings and dances for mere pennies in front of slobbering, roguish men with no appreciation for musical talent). One day fortune smiles on Nimira when handsome and extremely wealthy Hollin Parry whisks into her life and offers her an escape route from her unhappy existence. Parry needs a singer to accompany his piano playing automaton. Only there is one small catch. The automaton appears to be haunted and has scared off other girls Parry tried to hire in the past. A disbelieving Nimira quickly signs on for the job, hoping that this gig will be her ticket to a better life. She soon discovers, however, that the rumors are true and that a fairy prince named Erris is trapped within the automaton's torturous spring and cog mechanisms. Meanwhile, an impending fairy war looms around Nimira as she becomes immersed in a sea of sorcery, political corruption, blackmail and assassinations.

Right from the start, Jaclyn Dolamore captured my attention with MAGIC UNDER GLASS. Honestly, how can one not be tantalized by the unique premise of a fairy prince being trapped in an automaton? Nimira’s voice was so appealing with the way her innocence contrasted with the impressive strength of character she continuously exhibited. Knowing that Nimira's musical gifts would've been met with esteem in her native land made her current plight even more compelling to me, and I desperately wanted her to gain some security within her situation. The strain between sorcerers and fairies added even more tension to the novel as well. At times the novel even had a certain flair that reminded me of Jane Eyre due to the interesting situations unfolding within Parry’s household. Parry himself was a fascinating character. Though he toed the line between hero and villain at times, I still felt sympathetic and intrigued by him. The development of Erris’ and Nimira’s relationship was plausible and I was completely taken in by their situation – I am always one for a good hopeless love story!

MAGIC UNDER GLASS was a highly imaginative, unique story with a great blend of magic, intrigue and romance. Time was constantly running out for Nimira to free Erris and my heart beat faster with each delicious turn of the page. The book itself is a quick read- almost too quick. I could’ve been easily entertained for many more chapters. The ending was somewhat unexpected for me, and seemed to be set up for a sequel. If there is one planned, I will definitely grab onto it eagerly to see where Nimira and Erris’ story takes them next.

Jaclyn Dolamore was homeschooled in a hippie sort of way and spent her childhood reading as many books as her skinny nerd-body could lug from the library and playing elaborate pretend games with her sister Kate. She skipped college and spent eight years drudging through retail jobs, developing her thrifty cooking skills and pursuing a lifelong writing dream. She has a passion for history, thrift stores, vintage dresses, David Bowie, drawing, and organic food. She lives with her partner and plot-sounding-board, Dade, and two black tabbies who have ruined her carpeting.