"Samurai" Bandits

Flame in the Mist
By Renee Ahdieh

Mariko finds herself in heaps of trouble when she is betrothed to the Prince's brother and on the way is attached by bandits. With thorough smarts and a willingness to adapt, she manages to join the bandits in the attempt to destroy them from the inside out.

Sold to me as a Mulan retelling, I can comfortably say this is NOT. It's closer to the 47 Ronin story - the Japanese setting, the disgraced Samurai, and a fight against the throne.

The writing is smooth and poetic. Always in the right places, staying away from bogging down action in any form. Ahdieh finds her moments of peace well. A Japanese-inspired fantasy (I'm pretty sure this is supposed to be that) lends well to gentle poetry.

Mariko as the main character: thorough, logical, adaptable. These three traits help her to analyze and assess situations before jumping headfirst in. It is refreshing to have a character that you get to read their thinking through actions first.

There is a romance. Only know that it was a good, slow build with a cliff-hanger on their status. 

The story was lacking for me. There was no spark. I love me some Japanese culture. This felt a little too much like a checklist: kimono - check, samurai - check, hot springs - check, geisha - check, etc. Which makes me wonder if she termed it a "fantasy" in order to escape criticism for lack of research. She could pick and choose what parts of the culture she wanted and made up the rest. The only part that read like 'fantasy' was the hints at something sinister...

The only part that I sat up straighter while reading was the itty-bitty interjections of magic. *gasp* what?! Magic?! Yes, but very slight. And I was hanging onto every bit. Sadly, it left as soon as it appeared.

If you want a Japanese-inspired "fantasy", an analytical main character, and poetic writing, definitely give this a read.

3/5 STARS

A French Summer: Gold, Green, and Amber

The Greengage Summer
By Rumer Godden

The five Grey children have frustrated their mother until she decides they should spend a summer in France to learn a lesson.  Instead, their mother becomes sick and they stay at a Hotel while mother gets better in the hospital. The next two months become a child's paradise - ripe fruit in the orchard, swimming in the river, basking in the sun, and growing up.

Goodreads recommended this to me for reading (and rereading) one of my favourite books "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith. I had no idea this wonderful this book would sink into my heart. Truly it reminds me of "I Capture the Castle" in the best ways - the narrator is a girl on the verge of womanhood, she misinterprets many events because of her innocence, and in the end, has revelations when looking back at an older age.

It can be read by young readers and by adults, each gaining very different meanings. In essence, it's about a summer and its golden paradise, each day feeling like a year. Every child's dream to suddenly be allowed to do whatever they want - their mother being removed because of illness.

The hotel itself is peppered with characters that begin to influence each child differently - Monsieur Joubert the famous painter who takes Joss (the eldest) under his wing; Paul the boy-help who fights with Cecil (second oldest and narrator) and becomes the catalyst to much mischief;  Madame Zizi the jealous and elegant woman attached to Eliot the oddly placed English Gentleman who promises mother to look after the children.

Eliot is our biggest influence, doting on the children, allowing them expensive experiences, and encouraging their whims becoming an almost reverent figure in their eyes.

The best part of each character is that we never gain a full understanding of who they are. Cecil cannot grasps the minute details and therefore we are left with many gaps in our understanding. It adds to the charm. We the reader are thus just as innocent to the goings on.

The French atmosphere is divine and Godden immerses us in an English child's view of what it is to be 'French'. The descriptions are like a delicate desert, deliciousness to be savoured, and nibbled in tiny bites.

Upon searching multiple bookstore sites, this book is hard to find. I recommend, that if you find it, read it. It will bring you back to the cusp of childhood when anything was possible.

5 STARS

Cloak of Darkness

Serefina and the Black Cloak
By Robert Beatty

Serefina, a young girl, lives in the basement of the Biltmore Estate. Her father, the electrician, hides her. She scurries about and views the occupants above in secret, until one day she sees a man in a black cloak swallow up a young girl. More children disappear and Serefina takes it upon herself to protect the Estate.

A middle-grade book, I was surprised at how quickly the story became scary. The description of the man in the black cloak is terrifying. This is a perfect tale for someone wanting a scary, ghost-like story.

The Biltmore Estate is a real place (you can look it up), and Beatty did a fantastic job creating atmosphere surrounding this magnificent piece of history. Atmosphere is mostly why the story is engrossing.

Serefina is an unusual girl. She's got odd quirks and seems a little off. There were a few internal dialogues with herself that seemed lengthy and took forever to get to the point. Because of this, I cannot give the story a full rating. The internal 'figuring out of things' felt forced.

The villain is malicious and dark, and the conclusion to the novel will have your heart pounding.

For a Gothic, somewhat historical tale of a girl who wants to belong, I'd recommend this.

4/5 STARS

Regency Magic

Newt's Emerald
By Garth Nix

On her birthday, Lady Truthful "Newt" Newington, is shown the magical emerald that she will inherit. A flash of lightning and it's stolen! Taking off to London, then dressing as a man to solve the mystery, Truthful spends time with delightful characters - her aunt, a policeman, and a power hungry noble.

As soon as I heard Garth Nix had written another book, I jumped on it. It's very different from his fantasies. His Abhorsen Trilogy shaped my teen years. His writing jives with me. "Newt's Emerald" is set in Regency England, taking a fun romp in that era and add in a little magic. Hilarity ensues.

Lady Truthful is a refreshing character. She keeps her decorum and breaks all the rules. She is largely enabled by her aunt that shares much the same thoughts on society. My favourite trope is to dress a character as a man. She isn't exactly the most believeable man, but we enjoy it anyway.

Major Harnett, the policeman, is a great character (and my favourite in this story). He's her partner in investigation, as much as he seems unwilling to be.

All the characters were rounded, distinguishable, and lovable. I love Garth Nix's characters.

The story itself is fairly straightforward. There aren't many twists and turns and it ends in a purely satisfying manner. It's a light book. Quite delightful. You will smile most of the time while reading.

Read with a cup of fruity tea in the shade of a tree.

4/5 STARS

Finding the Obvious

Witch Finder
By Ruth Warburton 

Late 19th century London, in the poor East End, Luke Lexton has been able to identify witches ever since his parents were brutally murdered when he was little. After being initiated into a secret society of witch-finders, he is tasked with choosing the name of the witch he is to kill. He chooses Rosa Greenwood, a young woman of the upper class.


Not gonna lie. This was mostly a cover purchase. You can't quite tell from this picture, but the woman on the cover is a much more golden colour. Perfectly striking against the sky blue.

Pleasant surprise. Yes. Totally engrossing, somewhat predictable, and yet, ultimately satisfying.

Luke struggles (as expected) with killing a young woman. Not only that, she's kind and lovely. No wonder he's torn. Also, no big surprise, he totally likes her. Typical, yes.

Rosa is a more complex character. You'd think her to be boring - there are glimmers of a girl with her own agenda. She's unfortunately trapped by society, having to marry for money so her family won't fall into misfortune. Her mother thinks only of money, her brother is terrible, spoiled and useless, and abuses Rosa. The man he decides to marry Rosa to is his best friend - equally cruel and terrible. Though, not useless. Actually intelligent.

Don't skip out on this because of the obvious romance. There's underpinning commentary on social constructs in this time period. We find that even if you have money, life can be a cage. There's a FANTASTIC chunk of the book that explores a match factory and working conditions of the time. Horrible. Fascinating.

I was utterly engrossed in this tale. The ending was laughable and cheezy. At the end of my edition, there was a preview to the next book. I felt that made a much stronger ending than the one that was written.

Will I go on? Sure. Why not.

4/5 STARS

Iron, Steam, and Monsters

The Iron Thorn
By Caitlin Kittredge

In an alternate history, where the cities are driven by Engines and the streets are protected by Proctors, there is a girl named Aoife (Ee-fay). Her mother is mad - the crazy kind - and her brother became mad on his 16th birthday. Aoife is days away from her 16th birthday and she fears this same madness will consume her. The Proctors hunt down mad people and throw them into mad houses.

Aoife wants to escape. She can escape from the city but can she escape from genetics?


Let me preface my review with this: I was so very unattached to all characters, uninterested in the story, and it pained me to finish this whole book. If my review is skewed, this is why. The story might be wonderful and I was not in the mood.

Mainly I found myself uninterested because the book felt like it still needed some serious cutting. It was 492 pages. For what really happened, that is too many. There were scenes that were superflous and much of the nattering inside Aoife's head was unneeded.

The world is cool. It's steampunk basically. Aether glows in lights much like electricity, but blue. An Engine located underneath the city constantly churns and keeps the Aether going. Typical steampunk things make appearances: goggles, dirigibles, machines with gears and cogs.

The best part of the world was not the steampunk aspect, but the insertion of Lovecraftian monsters. The monsters are THE best part of the book. There's creepy undead things, skittering humanoid creatures that lurk in the night, and faeries (were they faeries?) so dark you shiver at night thinking about the descriptions Kittredge gave.

Aoife (apart from having a ridiculously difficult name to pronounce) is a believable character. She studied engineering and machinery - yay intelligence - and, for the most part, she barrels through events without needing much of anyone's help. She is anything but helpless. Instead she needs her friends for moral support. I liked this apsect of her character. Not dependant on the boys around her.

Yes, there's boys. Of course. It's young adult. First, there's Conrad her mad brother who's disappearance takes her away from the city in the first place. Then there's Cal, her best friend. He's an incredible annoying character, with a chip off his shoulder, and he's there for her through thick and thin. And finally, Dean. With a name like that, you're sure shootin' he's the romantic interest. Oh, he's a rebel, a dark mystery about him, and he's totally into Aoife.

The story. At the core, it's a great story. A great set up for a trilogy I will not read. There was too much side stuff. Cut about 150 or 200 pages from this book and you've got a story that's action-packed and moves at a clip. Looking at the second and third book, looks like the publishers, or the author, realized  that the story needed to be more compact - the last book being 304 pages.


This book was NOT for me. Every time I sat down to read it, my mind wandered elsewhere. I found myself skimming half the time. After all that skimming, I lost nothing. I still took in the details of the world and the twists and turns of the characters' journey.

Venture into this dark, steampunk world and try not to have nightmares about the monsters. I know I am happy to have left it, never to return.


2/5 STARS

Gah, that cover is gross.

Dragons, Maps, and Quite an Adventure

Here, There Be Dragons
By James A. Owen

A dark and stormy night, three men are brought together, reeling from an unexpected murder. Adventures comes calling when a strange man comes to tell them they are now the caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica - a large book filled with maps of imaginary lands. Soon after they are persued by shadowy figures and are forces to board a ship that proves the imaginary lands are anything but.

Having been on my radar for a long while, mainly because of the dragon element, my best friend started reading this and announced I must immediately do so as well.

Every chapter there was a new twist, a new character inspired by age-old stories, and of course, a cliff hanger ending at every end. It is impossible to stop reading this delightful story. Action packed with compelling main characters and hilarious dialogue, I recommend to anyone who wants an old-fashioned, fairy-tale adventure story.

Owen rips off a multitude of stories and, surprisingly, I was bothered not one iota. The author gives us reasons for it and I fully accept them. Because of this reconfiguring of tales I was given that cozy, bed-time story nostalgia feeling the entire time I was reading it. The kind of feeling where you could hear yourself being read to by a beloved family member, curled up under a fluffy blanket, perhaps by a roaring fire.

John, our main protagonist, is fresh from The Great War (WWI) and is plagued by self-doubt and the memories of his fallen comrades. Jack, the youngest, is bright-eyed and energetic ready for any adventure. Charles is our constant - steady and unchanging, quiet and unassuming, but none-the-less important.

Most importantly, this book never lagged. Each chapter was an adventure unto itself. The story is bursting with borrowed and original creativity.

I was lucky enough to read the edition with illustrations, by the author himself. They added that charming old-world element like the old books with illustration plates. 

As I read this I thought, this book is perfect for older readers as much as it is perfect for the younger. The older reader can read this and experience the nostalgic feeling as they encounter much-beloved characters and hints at borrowed plot lines from a host of legendary stories. For a younger reader, this may be the first time they are meeting these characters or stories, thus when they encounter the original they might experience a backward nostalgia for this book from their childhood. That is the magic of this tale.

Bring on book two.

5/5 STARS

THERE ARE DRAGONS!

Northern Land

Skraelings (Book 1: Arctic Moon Magick)
By Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley

Kunnujaq (kun-noo-yuq) drives his dogsled across the tundra alone. He has heard of the shy, strange Tuniit (too-neet) tribe, only a fable in stories from his elders. When he finds himself in the midst of a Tuniit tribe that's being attacked by murderous men he joins the Tuniit to save their tribe.

When I came across this book, I believed it to be fantasy folded in with Inuit myths and culture. It is not quite the case. It is fiction, but not fantasy. It is historical, based on the tribes of men that lived in the Arctic - where we might call Baffin Island today.

This book is incredible.

It starts as if you were sitting down around a fire and a narrator was beginning the story. It's informal and personal, asking the reader questions. This would do well for reading aloud. Then it switches to a more formal narrative when the story is being told. There are two layers to the telling.

I'd like to know if this tale is based on an Inuit tale. Unfortunately, there isn't a background for the conception of the book. However, there is a wonderful glossary at the back that gives the pronunciation, the words written in syllabics, the defition along with cultural significance. These all-new concepts were described so well, I immediately attached to the culture. I was fascinated.

Othering is a big topic in this book. Kunnujaq, the protagonist, is a solitary wanderer. He does not mind being alone. He then encounters a Tuniit tribe, people of the same land, but one he has never encountered before. They request his help and he is torn between helping them or continuing his wanderings. Then we have the Siaraili, the murderous invaders. They are pale and bearded, hailing from Gronland (Greenland). These are the vikings - the ones on the front cover of the book. Already we have more than one layer of others, foreigners, and Kunnujaq gives his honest reaction to each. It is what I liked the most of this book.

I liked Kunnujaq as the main character. He made very human decisions, not always right.

The story is a short one and I highly recommend it for anyone remotely interested in elements of the Inuit cultures, pre-colonial (before Europeans came and took over). Fascinating.

4/5 STARS

Classroom: Recommended highly. 79 pages, reads quickly. Suggested age group Grade 5-7.

Dragons Be Everywhere

The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim

By E.K. Johnston

In a parallel world, one like our own, there are dragons. With dragons comes dragon slayers. Tales are told of these brave men and women by loyal bards, sung in halls, passed down through the generations. Present day, the dragons are threatening the normalcy everyday living especially in rural Ontario, Canada. Here, our story teller, bard-in-training, Siobhan tells the story of Owen Thorskard, Dragon Slayer of Trondheim.

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH, PERFECT! ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!

Picked this one up at the library, completely random, excited for a story about dragons. Boy, what a find. Incredible. Honestly, I swear this book was written for me - music, dragons, Canada, history with a twist.


If I could pick one problem, the choice of calling the main character Siobhan. Constantly I had to remind myself that it was Chev-onne not Sie-Oh-Ban. How many people are familiar with this name. And there's no pronunciation guide.


A potential problem, that I really, REALLY enjoyed was the alternative history lessons. Think you knew WWII, think again. A book like this I savoured and didn't mind these stops in action.


LOOOOOVED it. And, the writing was impeccable. It was like a rich dessert, one that you love but have to eat slowly to savour it. I recommend this book to ANY dragon lover, young adult or adult.


Canada represent!


5/5 STARS


Classroom: Probably not... that won't stop me from recommending it to everyone!!!

Hood, Robin Hood

Scarlet

By A.C. Gaughen

Taken in by Robin Hood and his “merry men”, Scarlet hides her identity. No one in the town of Nottinghamshire knows she's a girl, but the select few of Robin's crew. A master thief, she is skilled with knives and steals to help those in need. When Lord Gisbourne comes to town, Scarlet fears that her past will catch up to her. Even worse, she might lose the trust of the men who have taken her in.

Told in the early days of Robin, the readers are treated to a rough-around-the-edges adolescent Robin. Not quite the legendary hero ... yet. So too, we are introduced to our main character, known in most lore as Will Scarlet. In this rendition, Scarlet is a girl masquerading as a boy.

I really liked the twist on the old tale. Robin Hood is one of those legends that if you read one, you've read them all. Gaughen shapes the story in a way that keeps it fresh and still recognizable.

If you can get past the flirting love-triangle between Scarlet, Robin, and Little John, then you get to a story of adventure, funny interactions, and tests of loyalty, friendship and trust.

There is a sequel. Shocker. Actually a trio. Not shocked anymore. Duh, do I sense an annoying trend of young adult literature today? Maybe I'll check out the second book. Though, I did feel that this novel, on its own is just fine.

4/5 STARS

Classroom: When exploring the tale of Robin Hood, market this book absolutely, however, not to use as a classroom novel.

3 for 1: Eagle Glenn Trilogy

Eagle Glen Trilogy

By KC Dyer

Seeds of Time (1)

After an accident that claims Darrell's foot and her father, she's struggling to find herself again. Her mother enrols her in a summer school, Eagle Glen. The teachers encourage self-exploration, developing each students' talents and expanding their interests. Darrell is immediately taken by the history classes – then suddenly she finds herself taken back to Medieval Scotland at the time of the Black Plague.

Time travel, mystery, and history. Loved it! Darrell is a relateable character. She's going through a hard time, but she is surrounded by people that want the best for her. She is curious as well as quick thinking.

4/5 STARS

Secret of Light (2)

Darrell has found a group of friends who embrace all her flaws. Deciding to spend the year at Eagle Glen while her mother is participating in Doctors without Borders, she encounters time travel once again. This time she meets someone she idolizes, Leonardo DaVinci... as a teenager.

While I liked this story, I didn't like it as much as the first. DaVinci was grating, understandably for the time period, and his views that women can't be artists angered Darrell. It brings out good discussions.

3/5 STARS

Shades of Red (3)

By far, the best of the three. Darrell and her friends find another portal in time that takes them to the time of the Spanish Inquisition and the court of Henry VIII. Entwining many issues materfully, Dyer is able to bring up religion and beliefs in a non-alienating way. It's historical, however, she makes it human.

When revealed the reason for the title of the book, I cried. The story was compelling and real. Incredibly recommended.

5/5 STARS

Classroom: I would push this series. I might read it out loud during the year. All three. They would tie in nicely in grade 6-8 social studies and current events. And, supporting a West Coast Canadian author!

Pos-i-tute-ly Divine

The Diviners

By Libba Bray

1920's – There's a murderer on the loose in New York City, the curator of an occult museum is assisting in solving the case and his spirited young woman with a psychic ability has just been sent to live with him. Together, they work to track the killer. Part mystery, part ghost story this book will send you back in time to the carefree parties of the roaring twenties.

Fantastic. I was enraptured from the get-go with the setting and the plot. The main character, Evie, is grating, self-absorbed, and vivacious. She walks in a room and demands attention. Most of all, she loves telling stories. One can never tell if she's speaking the truth or forming a fantastical version of the truth. I disliked her to start and as she grew, I began to love her.

It's been a while since I've taken on a ghost story. As a child, I loved them. My love is rekindled. I'll have to find more like this novel because I loved it. Naughty John is one of the most unnerving, bone-chilling, skin-crawling villains to read. He is terrifying.

The plot moves and each character is unique and mysterious. You're left wanting more after every chapter. Of course, you have to work for the solutions to the mysteries because this book is a beast. Just under 600 pages, this is a book you'll want to invest time into. You'll love it. It's the cat's meow.

4.5/5 STARS

Classroom: Far too much of a tome to bring in, however, if you have students interested in the 1920's or possible ghost mysteries, suggest this one.

Into the Woods

A Walk in Wolf Wood

By Mary Stewart

Genre: Fantasy

Wonderful time-travel shenanigans in the fourteenth century, told by one of the best Arthurian fantasy writers. A quick read for an afternoon or savoured over a week, this book is light and fun.

John and Margaret are eating a picnic with their parents on a lazy, hot summer's day when they see an unusually dressed figure stumble into the woods. They follow and are transported back in time. It is their mission to cure the cursed unusual man, who is the wolf of Wolf Wood, and save the king from an imposter.

Part of my friend reading challenge, A Walk in Wolf Wood was a delight. One can still enjoy books aimed for youth when they are in their adulthood. If I had found this book as a child, I would have worshipped it and probably would have tried to travel back in time through the woods in our own backyard.

I loved the world and the magical curse of the strange man. It's a story of strong friendship and not being afraid to seek help.

I only wish that John and Margaret's characters had been less cardboard. They felt stiff and boring. I know Stewart is more than capable of enchanting characters. The secondary characters, the king, the evil sorcerer, and the werewolf, were infinitely more interesting.

3.5 STARS

Classroom: This would be a great tie-in story for a Medieval topic. However, be cautious about using books with magic in them. 10+

Letters Between Friends

Sorcery and Cecilia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot

By Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

Genre: Historical, Fantasy

I read this book a while ago and it still has stuck with me. Not necessarily for the story, but for the concept. The book is told by two cousins, Cecelia and Kate, writing letters to one another. To write this book Wrede and Stevermer actually wrote these letters to one another, portraying a character each. Originally, they used this as a writing exercise, but sat down and realized they had a book. Love love LOVE this idea. I read this explanation and took the book out of the library immediately.

Taking place in an alternate, Victorian-Austen England, the two cousins write to one another as they endure the trials of being a young girl becoming a lady in high society. Rich in language that I can only describe as Austen-like, I delved into this world that was spattered with little hints of magic.

I cannot decide if I like this book or not. It's one that's in the middle. I loved the concept, the background, but it felt incredibly predictable. For those that love Austen, I'd recommend this novel. I probably won't read it again.

3/5 STARS

In the classroom:

Possibly for use as an individual study. There aren't any deep deep topics to discuss. It would be interesting to study how young girls born into rich families actually lived in Victorian England. I would recommend this more for “fun” reading rather than studying.