Book Reciw: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld

Summary: Sixteen when a baby is brought to her to raise, Sybel has grown up on Eld Mountain. Her only playmates are the creatures of a fantastic menagerie called there by wizardry. Sybel has cared nothing for humans, until the baby awakens emotions previously unknown to her. And when Coren--the man who brought this child--returns, Sybel's world is again turned upside down.

Thoughts: Reminiscent of Ursula Le'Guin's Earthsea novels, this book was a deep and enchanting read. I admit, I picked it up expecting a cheesy romance but was interested despite myself. I mean, she raises a baby as the plot, there had to be at least some cute scenes right? Right. There were plenty. I was actually pleasantly surprised because, honestly, I hadn't expected the child to have much of a part in the story. And the romance? Not an issue, I actually came to semi-enjoy it by the end! The flow and narrative are great and it feels like another fantastic tale with its myths wound round the very core of the story. I really liked this book! 

Content: There was only one thing in this book noteworthy of content...but it's bad and a major plot point, also a SPOILER so beware. Around halfway through the book, Sybel is kidnapped and nearly raped. The memory of what almost (started to, actually) happen to her drives her to seek revenge so the scene isn't quickly forgotten but neither is it remembered in too great detail after it's happened. While there wasn't an overt amount of dwelling on it during the scene, I'd say it was a little too clear for younger or immature readers. Aside from that, she does (again SPOILER) get married and there are a few, less detailed, interactions between her and her husband. Over all a good read and the content isn't something to really worry about for a mature reader.

Manga Review: Pinocchio

Summary: A young girl is witness to a murder but rescued by the killer,a young boy, who is more than meets the eye.

Thoughts: First off, the summary is mine since I couldn't find an already existing one. Second, the title is very misleading, this is not a spin on the classic Pinocchio tale we knew as children...in fact it has almost nothing to do with Pinocchio. It is also a tragedy. That being said, this was an amazingly sweet one-shot that had even me a little teary eyed by the end. A bittersweet story with characters made to hurt your heart but totally worth it!

Content: This manga is pretty gory to an extent and SPOILER the main character and villian both die in the end. not exactly a child friendly story or setting, but otherwise clean.

Book Review: The Master Puppeteer

Summary: Who is the man called Sabura, the mysterious bandit who robs the rich and helps the poor? And what is his connection with Yosida, the harsh and ill- tempered master of feudal Japan's most famous puppet theater? Young Jiro, an apprentice to Yosida, is determined to find out, even at risk to his own life.
Meanwhile, Jiro devotes himself to learning puppetry. Kinshi, the puppet master's son, tutors him. When his sheltered life at the theater is shattered by mobs of hungry, rioting peasants, Jiro becomes aware of responsibilities greater that his craft. As he schemes to help his friend Kinshi and to find his own parent, Jiro stumbles onto a dangerous and powerful secret....

Thoughts: Well...the summary's kinda scrambled everything, but I guess that's the jist of it.  I got the book the same time I grabbed another by the author Of Nightingales That Weep. I wasn't so impressed with Nightingales and had low expectations for this book as well. But it proved me wrong! This time, instead of a selfish girl mooning after some fantasy love, we have two boys and their friendship during a writhing and famine stricken Japan. The story, the characters, the setting, the events, not to mention the amazing art of the theater...I couldn't the book down! This was an amazing story and I absolutely loved it! 

Content: None really though there is quite a bit of violence and the effects of the famine (ex, a dead body found on the streets). Otherwise a great read for culture, history, or just pleasure!

Book Review: The Blue Sword

Summary: Harry Crewe is an orphan girl who comes to live in Damar, the desert country shared by the Homelanders and the secretive, magical Hillfolk. Her life is quiet and ordinary-until the night she is kidnapped by Corlath, the Hillfolk King, who takes her deep into the desert. She does not know the Hillfolk language; she does not know why she has been chosen. But Corlath does. Harry is to be trained in the arts of war until she is a match for any of his men. Does she have the courage to accept her true fate?

Thoughts: This was a very...interesting book. Something like the Alamo meets India. That probably wasn't a very good description, just my first impression I guess...anyways, it was unique, but a good kind of unique. While not exactly being the light read I was hoping for it was still a great read, full of hardcore world building and great investment in cultures. This made the characters; their reactions, thoughts, speech patterns, much more interesting. I realized only after I got this that it's the sequel to a story apparently about the famed legendary Aerin of The Blue Sword, so I will be sure to pick that up next time I get a chance. In the meantime, I really enjoyed this story which, while connected to it's prequel, is mostly stand alone and therefore easy to understand whether or not you've read The Hero and the Crown.

Content: To be hones, there was an unnecessary amount of language in here. Not a lot mind you, maybe three D***'s and two O My G**'s but it felt strange and was not only unnecessary but broke into the flow of the book. Aside from that, there's kissing near the end of the book and plenty of bloody fights but otherwise a clean read depending on how you handle language.

Book Review: Tom's Midnight Garden

Summary: Lying awake at night, Tom hears the old grandfather clock downstairs strike . . . eleven . . . twelve . . . thirteen . . . Thirteen! When Tom gets up to investigate, he discovers a magical garden. A garden that everyone told him doesn't exist. A garden that only he can enter . . .

Thoughts: This was a magical and sweet book reminiscent of an E. Nesbit or The Secret Garden. Filled with a sort of dreamy quality, this book takes through a mysterious adventure that you just can't quite understand until the very end. Full of sweet characters, a heart-pulling plot, and childish mishaps, it takes on a tour through time. In the beginning Tom was leaving home to escape the measles that had laid hold of his brother, and found himself extremely bored in his childless Aunt and Uncle's flat. While reading, I had a cold and was too miserable to do much and yet well enough to be extremely bored. It was then, with similar interest, that I followed Tom on his discovery of the garden and thoroughly enjoyed the adventures he had during the thirteenth hour.

Content: Perfectly clean for all ages. There is talk about ghosts but this is disproven by the end.

Manga Series Review: Kataribe no List

Summary:A watch that controls time, a marble that can find items and a stick of chalk that can kill any human...
The items of the mysterious girl, List of the antiques, all hold their unique magical powers. Without our noticing, they slowly merge into our daily lives.
If you strain your hearing you might discover the mysterious secrets hidden throughout the world. The curtain of this antiques fairy tale finally rises!

Thoughts: Started reading this one day when I got bored and was hoping for some sort of mystery to pass the time. While not an actual mystery I became immediately hooked! First off, let me squeal, one of the main characters is a nine year old girl!! And she's cute! If you've been following our blog for very long you'll already know that I love stories with small children...which is why this became an instant favorite. List (the girl) is a mysterious Kataribe (storyteller) who collects magical and dangerous items that have somehow escaped the Grimm's fairytales. She is joined by Hiwatari Akitsune after a mix-up ends with him in possession of one of the items..and unable to return it to her. They are joined by a crazy fun cast of characters and discover that they aren't they only ones searching for the items. List's past and the secrets surrounding the items create an intriguing and  surprising story that is filled with twists and turns right out of the original fairytales. As an up-and-coming fictional author myself, I have a great love and respect for fairytales and enjoy revisions, originals, and usage of the very building blocks of fantasy. This manga doesn't disappoint and did I mention that List is adorable? Well, now you know!

Content: Like all manga, there's some language that probably wasn't necessary with D*** and B****** being the biggest problems but rarely actually used. The story is very dark. I don't know how many people are familiar with the actual Grimm fairytales but...let's just say Disney kid-a-fied a lot! And manga rarely shies away from mature or dark themes. As such this series can get a little bloody. But, in all honesty, its not as bad as far as most mangas go. Aside from that, its alright! This was surprisingly clean and cute

Book Series Review: The Psammead Trilogy

Summary: Five Children and It: The five children find a cantankerous sand fairy or 'psammead' in a gravel pit. Every day 'It' will grant each of them a wish that lasts until sunset, often with disastrous consequences. Never out of print since 1902. The Introduction to this edition examines Nesbit's life and her reading, showing the change in children's literature from Victorian times.
   The Phoenix and the Carpet: It's startling enough to have a phoenix hatch in your house, but even more startling when it talks and reveals that you have a magic carpet on the floor. The vain and ancient bird accompanies the children on a series of adventures through time and space. This book is a sequel to Five Children and It.
  The Story of the Amulet:  At the end of Five Children and It the five children promised not to ask the Psammead for another wish as long as they lived, but expressed a half wish to see it again some time. They find 'it' again in a pet shop in Camden Town, and their magic adventures start over again. 'It' leads them to a magic amulet - half of it actually - which they use it to try and find the other half. It takes them back to ancient Egypt and Babylon. The Queen of Babylon visits them in London, bringing all her ancient customs with her - which is awkward. They visit the lost continent of Atlantis. They see Julius Caesar in the flesh, but none of these adventures run smoothly, and if they forget the 'word of power' or lose the amulet, what would happen to them?

Thoughts: I love classic books, E. Nesbit being a favorite author of mine. I know plenty of people know of Five Children and It and probably the rest of the books but I'm not sure how many realized they were a series...well, now you know! Full of fun, magic, childish humor, and thrilling adventures that don't always go according to plan, these books make a great read for anyone!

Content: Clean and great for all ages!