Bullet Review: The Painted Queen by Elizabeth Peters and Joan Hess

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Peters's Peabody-Emerson novels. I started reading the 20-book series before I began this blog, but I believe I've reviewed at least half of the books here.

Peters died in 2013, leaving behind the unfinished manuscript for The Painted Queen. Joan Hess had the honor of using the manuscript and Peters's copious notes to complete this Peabody-Emerson adventure.

So, as I wrote yesterday, I picked up this novel with mixed feelings: very happy to get one last visit with Amelia Peabody but very sad to know it truly was time to say good-bye.

Background on the series: In case you are unfamiliar with the series, the Amelia Peabody-Radcliffe Emerson books take place primarily in Egypt in the early decades of the last century. Emerson is, according to his wife, the best archaeologist in the world. The books each cover a single digging season. Although Peters's scientific, cultural, and historical details are spot-on, the stories are less about Emerson's discoveries and more about murder, theft, and mayhem. We also meet the couple's friends, family, and crew, all of whom become dear to us readers. Throughout the series, we also get to know Peabody and Emerson's arch-enemy, the master criminal Sethos. No summary is complete without mentioning Peters's wonderful sense of humor, which she used to give her characters spark and personality.

Chronology of The Painted Queen: Peters initially wrote the bulk of the Peabody-Emerson novels in chronological order, intending from the beginning to stop the series with the discovery of King Tut's tomb. However, she wrote at least three installments that bridged gaps in the general story arcs, and The Painted Queen was meant to come after book 13 (The Falcon at the Portal).

What I liked about The Painted Queen: Besides the obvious joy at reading another Peabody-Emerson story, I was glad to have a little more information about the second-generation of characters: Ramses (the couple's son), Nefret (their ward), and David (a relative of one their staff), and this book helped provide some missing bits. I was also relieved that the familiar attempted murder, thefts, and forgeries propelled the plot, and I had a least one surprise. The personalities of the characters were true to form, and Amelia's trusty parasol (read: weapon) was put to good use. Long-time fans of Peters will enjoy the nods to the other books in the series, and it was fun to recognize the titles in the running dialogue.

What I didn't like about The Painted Queen: It took me a while to get into this installment because I could tell it wasn't pure Peters. But after a few chapters, I relaxed and let myself be carried off to Egypt, seeing the world through Amelia's eyes. I noticed some repetition of information, a little bit of strain with some of the familiar motifs, and a lot more telling than showing. I also missed the cats, which were always part of the Emerson household. Despite what I wrote in the last paragraph, the details about the next generation were pretty skimpy, and I can't help but wonder what Peters had in mind for the book's role in furthering the series in general. The tensions and friendships among the three younger characters were not as intense as readers have come to expect. Finally, a couple of threads were left unresolved, which I presume would have been followed up in further books, if Peters had lived.

Overall recommendation and thoughts: Even though The Painted Queen had a few weaknesses, I think Joan Hess did an admirable job of completing Elizabeth Peters's manuscript. I can't imagine it's an easy thing to write in someone else's voice, and the job was made all the harder because of Peters's avid fans and because the novel had to fit into an already determined story line. If you've read or are reading the Peabody-Emerson books, you will not want to miss The Painted Queen. I suggest, however, you accept the novel for what it is. I'm grateful for this last Egyptian adventure, and I appreciate the work Hess did to create the story Peters wanted to share with her readers.

The audiobook: Thank goodness the unabridged audiobook (Harper Audio; 13 hr, 18 min) was read by Barbara Rosenblat; I don't think I could have stood hearing another voice as Amelia, Emerson, and the gang. Although I think her performances were stronger when they were paired with Elizabeth Peters as a solo writer, Rosenblat's familiar characterizations, sense of timing, accents, and pronunciation of the Arabic words were comforting and helped me connect to the story. Rosenblat is the narrator for this series, and her work as a whole on these books is outstanding. (Thanks to Harper Audio for the review copy.)

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Books I Read, Books I Quit

Today is all about hunkering down and preparing for the supposed big snowstorm that will leave up to 14 inches snow in central Pennsylvania by midday on Wednesday. So that's what happened to winter . . . it came late.

My only concern is that we don't lose electricity. As long as I can work, I'll be a happy camper. Only about three weeks left to my crazy busy editing season. I can't wait to settle back into a more regular routine. I'm looking forward to taking a whole weekend off just to relax. Ahhhh.

What I Finished Last Week

• I give the audiobook edition of American Street by Ibi Zoboi (Harper Audio; 8 hr, 35 min) my unreserved recommendation. The story is about a Hatian teen who is separated from her mother at immigration as the two finally fulfill their dream of joining family in Detroit. This is a tough immigration tale of adjusting to a new life while honoring the past, of families separated, of making choices that seem to promise a better future. Narrator Robin Miles brings the heartbreak and action of this contemporary novel to life. (My full audiobook review will be available through AudioFile magazine).
•  Although the graphic novel edition of Lisa and the Lacemaker by Kathy Hoopmann and Mike Medaglia (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) won't be published until April, I couldn't resist reading it right away because it features bobbin lace, which is one of my passions. This well-drawn story gives good insight into life with a disability. Hoopmann shows that Lisa and her friends are much more than their diagnosis: they have interests, talents, intelligence, and curiosity, even if they don't feel comfortable around some people. When Lisa meets her eccentric great-aunt, she learns a new skill (how to make bobbin lace) and makes a discovery that could help the older woman find peace. It was easy to root for Lisa and her parents, and I was happy to see that bobbin lace was described accurately (a rarity in fiction). I read an eGalley but have already preordered a print copy of this super middle grade book.

Books I Gave Up On

I gave the comic Archlight by Brandon Graham and Marian Churchland (Image Comics) a try because I loved the sample artwork and its color scheme and because the book was billed as a fantasy with LGBTQ themes. Perhaps it was my mood, but I found myself enjoying the drawings but not at all connecting to the plot or characters. What's more, I had trouble following the story, so decided to let this comic go. I like Jami Attenberg, so I had high expectations for her new much-buzzed All Grown Up (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). I read about 4 chapters of the novel, but I wasn't invested in the protagonist's life. The book is about a young woman's journey to find her path in New York as others around her seem to have it all worked out. Perhaps I'm just not the target audience or it was a poor choice after reading The Futures (which covers a similar theme).

What I'm Reading Now

My current audiobook is I Liked My Life by Abby Fabiashi (Macmillian Audio; 9 hr, 47 min) read by Susan Bennett, Dan Bittner, and Therese Plummer. I'm only an hour in, but I'm hooked and want to know more about the main characters. I've just started the eGalley of One of the Boys by Daniel Magariel (Scribner). I think this is going to be a tough read, with difficult themes. In print, I'm reading the very fun Warren the 13th and the Whispering Woods by Tania Del Rio and Will Staehle (Quirk Books). This middle grade book is filled with awesome drawings, great characters, a little mystery, good action, and just the right amount of spooky. I'm also working my way through the eGalley of Simply Clean by Becky Rapinchuk (Touchstone). I'm not convinced that I can keep my house clean in only 10 minutes a day, but I'm reading with an open mind.

Two Book Subscriptions to Investigate

• If you have children you might be interested in The Little Fun book club subscription box. For a reasonable fee your child will receive three books each month, picked specifically for him or her within parameters you provide. The boxes are hand curated, so every child gets books geared to his or her reading level and interests. The ages go from board books through middle grade readers.
• If you love audiobooks you might be interested in the Your Audiobook Club subscription box. For less money than many download sites, this club will send you two audiobooks every month. I accepted a free trial last fall and got Anita Shreve's The Pilot's Wife read by Melanie Griffith and A Foreign Country by Charles Cumming and read by Jot Davies. These are unabridged physical audiobooks, perfect for car rides and for sharing with family and friends.

Books to Movies in March

I've already given you a couple of book to screen alerts, but there are even more adaptations coming out in this month. Here are the trailers for two more. Enjoy!

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Review: Blackout by Mira Grant

I have had a lot of fun with Mira Grant's Newflesh series. I posted short reviews of the first two books (Feed and Deadline) over the summer, and I finally finished the third book this past weekend.

Thoughts on the universe: Yes, this is a zombie apocalypse story, but the world hasn't changed much and the ways in which it did change make sense, considering there are flesh-eating zombie people and animals out there. The major news sources in the 2040s are blogs, but newies are now licensed and the competition for ratings (page views) is pretty high stakes.

People still live in houses and drive cars and travel by airplane. There is still a president and vice president. There are still government agencies, like the FBI and CDC.

The major technological changes, besides believable upgrades in computers and phones and the like, have to do with protecting the populace from zombies and making sure that inadvertent contamination (especially from infected blood and tissue) is almost nil. Because it's a virus that turns organisms into zombies, people must take blood tests before entering any building, some cars, and even elevators.

The idea that a nasty virus could have come about as part of bioengineering experiments to cure cancer and other diseases doesn't seem all that far-fetched. The idea that government agencies or rich people or power-hungry crazies would try to turn a horrible situation into their advantage doesn't particularly surprise me either.

Some random things I like: Everyone, or so it seems, has a blog. I love some of the blog titles and wish I had been so clever. Although I realize you kind of have to have read the books to understand why I love these blog titles, I'm still going to share them: "Charming Not Sincere," "Living Dead Girl," "Adaptive Immunities,"and "Fish and Clips." Our heroes work for the site "After the End Times."

Blackout (and the whole series) is peppered with plenty of snark and humor to offset any spooky bits. Plus I like the good action scenes: fighting zombies, escaping the bad guys, and a few gunfights. Oh and who can forget the zombie grizzly!

Specific things about Blackout: I was slightly disappointed in Deadline because there wasn't as much action as there was in Feed, but I was happy to see that Mira Grant returned to fast-paced scenes in Blackout. At this point I was also feeling pretty attached to the characters and cared what happened to them. Grant takes a cue from George R. R. Martin: just because you're main character doesn't mean you'll be around to see how the story ends. I think that makes for some exciting reading.

In addition, although I sometimes thought I knew where the story was going, Grant surprised me. Who is bad? Who is good? How the heck are a group of bloggers going to expose a government conspiracy and live to tell about it? Do they even want to try? Lots of good questions, and Blackout kept me guessing.

Recommendations: Is the Newsflesh series deep literary fiction? God no. And who cares. Sometimes I just want to be entertained. If you're looking for an entertaining (and a little unsettling) look into the near future, pick up this trilogy. I have since discovered that Grant wrote a couple of more books (or collections of short stories or novellas?) set in the Newsflesh world. I plan on getting to them soon. (Blackout was published by Orbit in 2012. I bought all three audiobooks.)

Audiobooks: Each audiobook is read by two people, and the full narrator list is Paula Christensen, Michael Goldstrom, Jesse Bernstein, Chris Patton, and Nell Geisslinger. Although the narrators changed from book to book (except Christensen appeared twice), it didn't bother me at all, which is saying something because normally I hate a change of narrators within a series. The characterizations, accents, pacing, pronunciations, and so forth were consistent through the three audiobooks. I don't have much to say good or bad about the performances, I think I was more caught up in the story than I was being a discriminating listener. The audiobooks were all produced by Hachette Audio, and I recommend them.

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Review: Breaking Wild by Diane Les Becquets

Diane Les Becquets's Breaking Wild is a difficult novel to classify. It's a combination of mystery and outdoor adventure, but it's also a character study of two strong women.

What's it about? Amy Raye Latour, a lifelong hunter and outdoorswoman, goes missing in the Colorado mountains on the last day of elk season. Pru Hathaway, a law-enforcement ranger, is tagged to be part of the search and rescue team.

Structure & plot points: The novel is told from the alternating viewpoints of Pru and Amy Raye, though it is not clear what the ultimate outcome will be. Pru and her team explore a number of theories to explain Amy Raye's disappearance, including accident, runaway, animal attack, and murder. As authorities dig into Amy Raye's past, they expose her secrets. When the search is finally called off, Pru (and others) continue to wonder what became of Amy Raye.

Meanwhile, Amy Raye's life has narrowed to a single focus: survival. Her harrowing ordeal is described in vivid detail, bringing the fear, uncertainty, desperation, and self-analysis to the fore. Les Becquets wrote Amy Raye's chapters in such a way that I really didn't know whether she would ever be rescued (or would rescue herself). I was left guessing until the final chapters, and a sad or happy ending was equally possible.

What I liked: Several things about Breaking Wild kept me fully invested in the story. (1) The women themselves. They were both strong, complex, smart, and independent. (2) I loved the setting and how much the natural environment played a role in the novel. (3) I liked getting to know Pru's search and rescue dog, Kono. (4) I liked the uncertainty of Amy Raye's ultimate fate. (5) I liked the way the women were changed by their experiences--and that was not a spoiler.

Recommendation: The combination of mystery, adventure, and thriller works well in Breaking Wild. The novel rings true in the outdoor scenes as well as for the women's actions and inner thoughts. Although Breaking Wild will not make my top-ten list for 2016, I enjoyed it and think it would appeal to those of you who like thrillers, adventure stories, and/or books about strong women.

Things to know: Kirkus gave Breaking Wild a starred review. Diane Les Becquets is herself an experienced hunter and loves the outdoors, which brings a firsthand authenticity to her novel. Read the NPR interview for more insight.

Audiobook: I listened to the unabridged audiobook edition (Recorded Books; 8 hr, 40 min), which is read by Therese Plummer and Saskia Maarleveld. Their voices were well matched and their performances were okay. My full audiobook review will be published by AudioFile magazine.

Published by Berkley, 2016
ISBN-13: 9780425283783
Source: Review: audiobook (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Maestra by L. S. Hilton

Short take: L. S. Hilton's Maestra is a sexy, twisty thriller set in the art world of the UK and Europe.

What's it all about: Judith Rashleigh has worked hard to perfect the way she appears to the posh Londoners she hopes to befriend. She's lost her cockney accent and has distanced herself from her pedestrian background. Although she hasn't risen very high in her job at one of the major art houses, she's training herself for the day she'll be asked to meet with a wealthy client.

Meanwhile, she picks up extra cash and thrills working in the city's champagne bars, where she isn't necessarily required to do more than drink with the men, but, well, you know, sometimes the romp and/or the money is too good to pass up.

When her carefully constructed existence begins to crumble, Judith agrees to accompany a wealthy, married patron to the French Riviera. After witnessing an accidental death, Judith seizes on the opportunity hiding beneath the tragedy, determined that nothing at all will stop her from having the life she knows she deserves.

Thoughts: The publishers have compared Maestra to The Talented Mr. Ripley, and I can understand why. Judith is incredibly resourceful, with an uncanny ability to read people and do whatever is called for in any given situation, from setting up house in the correct Paris arrondissement to skipping town without a trace when circumstances become complicated.

Although the buying and selling of art plays a central role in the novel, Hilton oddly skimps a bit on the details in this realm. She does not, however, gloss over Judith's sex life, so be prepared for some hot and kinky scenes.

I enjoy books I can't figure out, and Maestra fooled me more than once. As I said, Judith is a clever woman, and like a good chess player, she is always looking several moves ahead.

Recommendations: L. S. Hilton's Maestra has earned starred reviews and a lot of buzz. While I wasn't quite as taken with the novel as were others, I am still recommending the book. It was an engrossing read that kept me guessing. And though I wish I had learned more about the business side of art collecting, I did learn a lot about after-hours sex clubs. Judith is a no-holds-barred kind of character, and I liked getting to know her -- at least on paper. The epilogue makes it clear there will be more Judith Rashleigh books to follow, and I'm looking forward to her new adventures. Rest assured, though, Maestra doesn't end on cliff hanger. Note: If you're thrown off by graphic sex, you'll want to give this a pass.

Audiobook: The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 10 hr, 20 min) was very nicely read by Emilia Fox, who had to meet several challenges in Maestra. She handled the variety of European and British accents beautifully and read through the sex scenes with aplomb. She built up the tension without tipping the listener off to what was coming up next and conveyed Judith's full range of emotions without veering into the overdramatic. A recommended audiobook.

Published by Putnam, 2016
ISBN-13: 9780399184260
Source: Review: ebook & audiobook (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Immaculate Heart by Camille DeAngelis

• Why I read Immaculate Heart by Camille DeAngelis: I've always been attracted to books set in Ireland. I was drawn to the premise: What would happen if the Virgin Mary appeared to a group of teenagers? Who would believe them? How would they be changed?

• What's it all about: In a small town in Ireland, four teens claim to have seen the Virgin Mary. After a woman is miraculously cured by the waters of a well, the area briefly becomes a pilgrimage site. But when Rome refuses to recognize the visitations, one girl begins to deny the events, and two kids leave Ireland, the world soon forgets about Ballymorris and its connection to Mary.

Twenty-five years later, an American journalist is in town to attend a family funeral. He had been to Ballymorris only once before, in the months before the miracles, but he and his late sister had befriended all four children involved. Sensing there may be a story here, the journalist begins investigating the veracity of the events.

• My reactions: Frankly, I'm having a hard time solidifying my opinion. The journalist (who either was unnamed or whose name was used so rarely I don't remember it) interviews the three women who claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary (the man no longer lives in town), reads diaries and newspaper articles, and talks to various townspeople to try to determine if the miracle was real or was a teen prank. He wants to know what the four people saw and whether they all received the same message. Instead of clear answers, he--and we--get a lot to think about.

The story captured my attention, and I was interested in learning more about the miracle, what Mary said to the children, and if Mary still visited them. However, I didn't find the novel overly satisfying. Several aspects of the plot bothered me--for example, Why did the three women open up to the journalist after having been silent for so many years? In addition, I'm not quite sure how I wanted the book to end, but I wanted something more concrete than what I got.

On the other hand, DeAngelis proposes some interesting theories of the afterlife, time, forgiveness, and what God may know about our true selves.

• Themes: friendship, family, siblings, faith, miracles, the church

• Recommendations: Camille DeAngelis's Immaculate Heart would probably appeal more strongly to readers familiar the Catholic Church. The novel is an engaging, thought-provoking character study that could have had a stronger ending.

Published by St. Martin's Press, 2016
ISBN-13: 9781250046512
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: The Forgetting Time by Sharon Guskin

Sharon Guskin's The Forgetting Time explores reincarnation and what happens when a child remembers his previous life and how he died.

The plot: The novel centers on Janie, a single mother, and her four-year-old son, Noah, who has an unusually strong aversion to taking baths. He also suffers from nightmares, and most heartbreaking is when he wakes up crying, wanting to know when he can go home to his other mother. When he starts to make up stories at preschool, some involving guns, the teachers threaten to call family services, and Janie realizes she needs help.

Ex-psychology professor Jerry Anderson, a widower who's been given a devastating diagnosis of a degenerative cognitive disease, researches reincarnation. His specialty is cases in which a child retains memories of his or her last life. Noah will likely be his last chance to prove his theories, while helping the boy settle into the life ahead of him.

What I liked: Guskin infuses the plot with a hint of mystery and even suspense. Is Anderson there to help Janie and Noah or are his motivations purely selfish? Does Noah actually remember his last life, his mother, his brother, and even his favorite baseball team or does he have psychological problems? Is Janie the loving mother she seems to be? These questions kept me invested in the story. I felt bad for Noah and Janie, both of whom clearly needed help, and I was curious about Anderson's techniques.

What I didn't like: Interspersed throughout the novel are case stories of other people and their possible memories of a previous live. Although these excerpts come from a real book (by Jim B. Tucker), I admit I started to skim them so I could get back to the main story. In addition, the book ends with an epilogue, which, of course, gives us glimpse into the future. I'm not sure it added all that much to the story, and I would have been happy to have things end where there did in the last chapter.

Recommendation: Sharon Guskin's The Forgetting Time is one of those books that draws you in completely. I loved the premise and cared enough about Noah to read the book quickly so I could find out what happens. I like novels that make me think about broader questions and that explore alternative ways to explain the world around me. The Forgetting Time does both. Bonus: This is an Amy Einhorn book, which is pretty much a recommendation all in itself.

Published by Flatiron Books, 2016
ISBN-13: 9781250076427
Source: Review--audio (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Juniors by Kaui Hart Hemmings

It's been many years since I lived in Hawaii, but the islands still have a place in my heart. I know much has changed over the years, but I can usually find moments of recognition when I read novels set in present-day Oahu. Kaui Hart Hemmings's Juniors is no exception, and I found a lot to love in this story about a teenager trying to find her place in the world.

What happens? Lea Lane, part Hawaiian, has spent a lot of time visiting family in Oahu but grew up as a California girl. In the middle of her junior year in high school, her mother, a middling actress, takes a job that relocates them to Hawaii. Although she has a few friends there, Lea is unprepared for the social pressures of going to a prestigious private school and never feels she really fits in. It only gets worse when she and her mother move into the guest house on the grounds of a family friend's estate: the children are among the cool kids and their parents travel in high society. The more Lea gets to know the West family (the friendly landlords), the more confused she becomes about what she wants from herself and from life.

The opening: I loved the opening scene of Juniors, in which Lea is participating in an exercise in truth and self-awareness with her classmates at school. It's a brilliant way to be introduced to Lea and her life before moving to the estate.

Authenticity: Few outsiders see the real Hawaii. You really have to live and work there to get a glimpse of the layer floating beneath the Aloha spirit. I hardly profess to be an expert, but I can attest to the truth that making a home in the islands is a totally different experience from vacationing there. Hemmings is brilliant at revealing what the tourists don't see, including the complex social and cultural ramifications of one's ancestry.

In addition, Hemmings really nails family issues and parent-child relationships (also perfectly depicted in her The Descendents). We see two different situations in Juniors: Lea and her mother were always two against the world until they move to the West estate. Under the influence of their friends, they each make poor decisions, threatening to destroy their closeness irrevocably. The Wests give their children all the freedoms that maintain the family image, but offer them little more than that. Whitney and Will have learned the importance of a good facade, but do their parents see them for who they are?

Finally, few authors can capture the teenage / high school experience as well as Hemmings. Lea is faced with real-life situations, such as figuring out the sincerity of newfound friendships, discovering alcohol, wondering about having sex, coping with not being invited to a party, and wanting to be cool but still wanting to be herself. Lea's emotions, desires, and confusion are immediately recognizable, and you'll understand her inner turmoil, even if your teenage issues were a little different from hers.

Recommendations: Although Kaui Hart Hemmings's Juniors is billed as a young adult novel, it's really a contemporary story for anyone who has a teenager or was a teenager. This is not a story of teenage angst, there is no classic love triangle. Instead it's about a girl whose vision becomes clouded by possibilities and wannabes. We hope the fog lifts so she can find her way back home.

Audiobook: I listened to the unabridged audiobook edition (Listening Library, 8 hr, 55 min) read by Jorjeana Marie. Marie does a fantastic job channeling her inner teenager, hitting the cadences and emotions perfectly. I loved her expressiveness and characterizations and that she made it so easy for me to relate to and root for Lea. Highly recommended.

Published by Penguin Random House / Putnam Books, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780399173608
Source: Review--audio (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Love in Lowercase by Francesc Miralles

Thoughts before Reading

• After reading that Francesc Miralles's Love in Lowercase was being compared to The Solitude of Prime Numbers by Paolo Giordano, which I really loved, and that it was being billed as "a romantic comedy for language lovers," I thought I'd give the novel a chance.
• For some unplanned and unknown reason, I've been on a books-in-translation kick. Love in Lowercase fits right in; it was originally written and published in Spanish and was translated into English by Julie Wark.

What's it about?

• Love in Lowercase is a sweet story about a young linguistics professor whose world is turned upside down thanks to a cat.
• Samuel likes his quiet life--living alone, grading papers, and sticking to his routine. When a cat shows up at his apartment on New Year's Day, Samuel's immediate plan is to find its owners or arrange a permanent home for it. In the meantime, he feeds the cat. These actions set off a chain of events in which he meets his neighbors, rediscovers a childhood girlfriend, and rejuvenates his relationship with his sister.

Thoughts after Reading

• Love in Lowercase is a charming story of loneliness, love, and friendship set in the beautiful city of Barcelona.
• The novel is infused with a number of literary references; for example, Samuel names the cat Mishima (a favorite author of mine) and describes the hospital as Kafkaesque.
• Not all novels survive translation, but the warmth and fun of Miralles's story are built on a universal foundation.
• Samuel is insecure, quirky, and capable of surprising even himself. I was caught up in his transformation and his discovery of the many sides of love, friendship, and loyalty. As the Kirkus reviewer said, "Samuel, full of awkwardness and good intentions, is an easy protagonist to root for."
• I love the overriding theme that it's never too late to open the door to the unexpected.
• There is a subtheme of finding everyday magic.
• This is a light, quick read for a lazy afternoon. The chapters are only a couple of pages long, so it's also perfect for commutes and travel.
• Will this be the best book you'll read this year? Probably not, but it's bound to make you smile, and you'll have fun with the references to art, music, and books.

Warnings

• After I formulated my own thoughts, I took a look at other reviews. I was surprised that some readers were not as enchanted as I was.
• I think you have to be willing to just go with the flow. Yeah, in real life in the city you probably wouldn't develop an immediate trust with people you hardly know, but Love in Lovercase is meant to be fun, not realistic--like a rom-com on the silver screen.

Published by Penguin Random House / Penguin Books, 2016
ISBN-13: 9780143128212
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein

Thoughts before Reading/Listening

• I'm not sure why I picked up Carrie Brownstein's memoir, Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl because I've never seen Portlandia or listened to Sleater-Kinney.
• What's more, I usually run like a crazy person from author-narrated audiobooks.
• However, I'm always interested in the truths behind a so-called glamorous or blessed life. As for the audiobook, I figured Brownstein's experience on the music stage, in front of the camera, and in the recording studio would serve her well.

What's It About?

• Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl is a well-written and thoughtful memoir by musician, writer, and actor Carrie Brownstein.
• She talks about her childhood, her parents, and the rise of her band Sleater-Kinney.
• More than just a chronology, Brownstein has things to say about sexuality, feminism, the music industry, and friendship. She talks about her insecurities and strengths, her successes and failures.

Thoughts after Reading/Listening

• Being famous can often mean giving up privacy and control of your personal sphere. For example, Brownstein writes about being outed as gay in a magazine article before she had found the time, place, and way to tell her family and friends.
• Sexism is as present in the music world as it is any other profession. One message of Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl is the fact that even in the twenty-first century, artists like Brownstein and cutting-edge bands like Sleater-Kinney are always described with some variation of the word female or woman: A great girl band, a powerful female vocalist, and so on. Why not just a great band period?
• I was impressed with Brownstein's honesty and self-awareness, though this is not a tell-all memoir.
• Life on the road sucks.
• It pays to be bold, but not recklessly so.
• This is a fairly literary memoir; Brownstein is articulate and well-spoken. She does, however, engage in some subtle name-dropping, and I wasn't always sure of the point--except perhaps that she wanted to say "I knew this musician / designer / artist."
• Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl has little to say about Portlandia.
• Fans of the Riot Grrrl movement and of Sleater-Kinney will love the details about song writing and album making. Even if you're not familiar with Brownstein's music, these sections are still interesting.

Thoughts about the Audiobook

• Carrie Brownstein did a fine job narrating Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl. She was easy to understand and expressive. Brownstein was clearly enthusiastic about telling her story but didn't cross the line to over-the-top dramatic. Don't hesitate to try the audiobook.
• Audiobook bonus: Don't miss the interview between Carrie Brownstein and Sarah Jaffe (audiobook producer). I loved hearing Brownstein's unrehearsed reactions to the questions and gaining extra insight into her personality.
• Data: Penguin Audio; 7 hr, 4 min

Published by Penguin Random House / Riverhead, 2015
ISBN-13: 9781594486630
Source: Review: print & audio (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Ninja Timmy by Henrik Tamm

Every once in a while a book written for a middle grade audience breaks out to become a family favorite--the Narnia series and Harry Potter immediately come to mind. Henrik Tamm's Ninja Timmy carries the same power, and Timmy, the crime-fighting cat, will soon become a beloved character for readers of all ages.

What's it about: Timmy (who likes to think he's no longer a kitten) and his friend Simon the mink like to invent and build practical machines, sometimes with the help with their friends Jasper and Casper, piglet brothers who happen to be math whizzes. One bad day, the four have a run-in with the town bullies, the wild boar Gribble cousins. Luckily, Timmy is rescued by Albert, an old man who builds magical toys. Meanwhile, the city is experiencing a crime spree: Someone is stealing all the human and animal childen's laughter. With Albert's help, Timmy and his gang decide to transform themselves into ninjas and make the streets safe once again. But will the four animal friends be able to stop whoever is behind the evil scheme?

The characters: Each character has a unique personality and no one is without flaws. Jasper and Casper bicker, as brothers do; Timmy wants to be a leader but is often afraid; Simon is sometimes too vain. Even Albert, the adult human, has to face the consequences of his poor decisions. Yet together, the ninja gang overcome their weakness to do what's right for each other and for the town.

The world: First, I love how comfortably the animal and human citizens of the city interact and live together. There is nothing surprising about a talking animal or a friendship between a cat and and man. Timmy's world is magical, but it's also very much familiar, making it easy to relate to the story and the setting. I also like the hint of steampunk in Albert and Timmy's toys and machines. Oh and don't forget the motorcycle-riding iguanas (hint: stay away from them)!

The story: The plot itself moves along well and seems to hit that perfect mix of action and character development. Although Ninja Timmy is written for the upper end of the middle grade audience, it's not quite as complex as an adult fantasy. However, the friendships, ethical dilemmas, personal growth, and even sweet young love add enough layers to keep older readers' attention.

Genre & audience: middle grade fantasy with steampunk elements.

Themes: bullying, laughing, doing the right thing, friendship, magic, working as a team, forgiveness, redemption, facing up to one's mistakes, asking for help

Illustrations: You might not recognize Henrik Tamm's name, but I know you recognize his work. He is a Hollywood conceptual designer and has worked on Shrek and the Narnia movies. The illustrations in Ninja Timmy (see the scans) are simply gorgeous, sparking the imagination and bringing the story to life.

Recommendation: Henrik Tamm's Ninja Timmy is perfect for anyone who likes stories with lovable characters, a little magic, and a lot of action. This would be a great choice for a family read-along--everyone will fall in love with Timmy and his friends. Oh, and I'm happy to say the book ends with the promise of more stories to come. I can't wait to see what the Magical Ninjas will be doing next. (Click the images to enlarge; all rights remain with Tamm.)

Published by Penguin Random House / Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780385744515
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams

• Bullet summary: Along the Infinite Sea is Beatriz William's latest book about the Schuyler sisters. In 1966, Pepper Schuyler, a twenty-something senator's aide, is facing up to her new reality: Her growing belly confirms that she's in a situation that will seriously dampen her partying, flirty ways. Meanwhile fifty-something Annabelle Dommerich, recently widowed, is coming to terms with her convoluted past. When the two women meet, they find they have a lot in common.

• More about Annabelle: Although she is actually a French princess, Annabelle lived in American for much of her young life. When her mother died young, Annabelle returned to France, under the care of her father and brother. When just nineteen, she fell in love with Stefan, a handsome German Jew, but she was heartbroken when she discovered he was not only married but also a father; thus she was grateful when Johann, a German officer as well as baron, agreed to marry her and raise her unborn child as his own; she, in return, was to be a faithful and good wife to him and a devoted stepmother to his children. Annabelle is not stupid, but she's young, naive, and trusting. So the more the new baroness learned about her husband and about Stefan, the more she began to question her decisions. It all came to head two years later on Kristallnacht, when Annabelle and her cobbled-together family escaped across the German border, eventually settling in America. But which family and which man flees with her?

• More about Pepper: Pepper, the middle Schuyler sister, is pregnant by a U.S. Senator from a powerful family. She is tough and resourceful, but not entirely prepared to survive all on her own. When Annabelle offers her a place of refuge, Pepper is hardly in a position to refuse. The chance meeting has the potential to change the direction of Pepper's future.

• Thoughts on the construction: The novel's setting alternates between the U.S. South in 1966 and Europe in the late 1930s. Of the two stories, Annabelle's is the more engaging and emotionally strong. I particularly liked the way Williams presented the issues surrounding the rising Nazi regime from the perspective of a young girl who thought more about love and life than she did about politics. The novel shows how intelligent and caring people could be oblivious to the harsh realities until it was too late. I also liked the slight mystery of who Annabelle ended up with and why. The intrigue was nicely done. I was somewhat disappointed in Pepper's story, though the lightness and fun provided relief from the darker days of prewar Europe.

• Themes: love, survival, duty, marriage, doing the right thing, politics, women's issues, parenting, sacrifices. In both time periods, the women each reject any notion of abortion, despite their unmarried status and risk of social and family rejection. Along the Infinite Sea would make a great book club choice; all the themes would provide fodder for conversation.

• Things to know: Although Williams's has written about the Schuyler family before, Along the Infinite Sea works solidly as a standalone novel. The book is a November Indie Next Pick and a LibraryReads pick. It has also received a few starred reviews.

• Recommendations: Beatriz William's Along the Infinite Sea would appeal to fans of historical fiction and fans of women's fiction. The romance aspects of the novel are strong, but not sappy or overwhelming. There is plenty here for those more interested in historical details than in a love story. If you're looking for fiction to read for Jewish book month, Along the Infinite Sea could work.

• Audiobook: The unabridged audiobook edition (Penguin Audio; 15 hr, 43 min) was nicely read by Kathleen McInerney. I'm hardly an expert on accents, but I thought her German and French accents were believable without being cartoony or stereotypical. Her characterizations were consistent, and she gave the dialogue the proper male, female, old, and young intonations. I liked the way McInerney captured Pepper's spunk and sass and Annabelle's calm self-confidence. The good pacing and expressive performance make this a recommended audiobook.

Published by Penguin USA/ Putnam, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780399171314
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: After You by Jojo Moyes

There's no question that Jojo Moyes's Me before You was an emotionally strong novel that was loved by millions. And although it was a complete story, the final pages promised a new beginning for protagonist Lou Clark.

In the years since we first met Lou, many of Moyes's fans, me included, wanted to know how the young woman fared once she left the Traynors' employ. Well, wonder no more. In After You, Moyes fills us in.

Note that to best appreciate After You, you should read Me before You first. On the other hand, Moyes offers enough of Lou's background so new readers will not feel lost. This bullet review assumes you read the first book.

• What's it about? The book opens about eighteen months after Lou Clark's first client and true love, Will Traynor, has died. She may have gained some financial security, but she's still floundering, still grieving. One night while crying on the roof garden of her building, Lou is startled and falls from the ledge. Her recovery from that accident brings new people into her life and sets her on an unexpected path.

• Characters: Moyes seamlessly reintroduces us to familiar characters, primarily Lou's and Will's families. Although most of them have grown and changed, they remain true to their general personalities. As I mentioned, Lou also meets new people: from her grief support group, her job, her accident, and even someone from Will's past. As Lou begins to see herself through the eyes of her new friends, she gains self-knowledge and maybe even some strength to take charge of her future.

• Themes: Moyes didn't lose her sense of humor when she wrote After You, but the major theme is grief and the various ways we cope with the loss of a loved one. For Lou, who barely got a glimpse of happy and love, it's been a particularly rocky road. Additional themes are family (the ones we're born into and the ones we make), growing and changing (easy for some, not for others), being true to oneself, finding forgiveness, having hope, and risking love.

• Some things I liked: Lou remains a believable character. Even as she eventually finds some self-confidence, she continues to make mistakes, misinterpret situations, and trust both too much and too little. I love that she tries to do the right thing and is honorable and loyal. Her mother is a hoot! And the new characters--a young girl and a cute paramedic guy--are people we want to know more about, even when we want to strangle them (Lily, I'm talking to you).

• One thing I questioned: The very, very end decision Lou makes. But that's only because I'm not sure if she's moving on or is continuing to run.

• Recommendation: Jojo Moyes's After You is a solid follow-up to her earlier novel. It takes us to a realistic place, not to fairyland, but examines tough issues with a little lightness too. Have your tissues ready; this is an emotional read, although for different reasons from Me before You. If you read the first Lou Clark book, then you have to read After You. If you like realistic characters, novels with depth, contemporary stories that look at everyday issues, and some humor to keep things fun, then add After You to your reading list.

Published by Viking / Pamela Dorman Books, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780525426592
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Bullet Review: The Last Kings of Sark by Rosa Rankin-Gee

Decades before Guernsey became a household name, thanks to the best-selling Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, I lived on the island while I was conducting my doctoral research. Since then, I've had a soft spot for all things British Channel Islands, so when The Last Kings of Sark by Rosa Rankin-Gee came to my attention, it was a given that I was going to read it.

Quick look: The summer that Jude, just out of college, is hired to tutor a lonely boy on a lonelier island, she is unaware of how her life will be shaped by those few indelible weeks and the two people who will haunt her forever.

About the book: The Last Kings of Sark is kind of a triple character study, mostly told through Jude's eyes. It's about her arrival on the island; her impressions of the family; and her relationship with her teenage pupil, Pip, and the summer cook, Sofi. All starts out as expected, if a little uncomfortable, until Pip's father leaves for an extended business trip. The three young people then feel their freedom and spend the summer riding bikes, walking the beach, drinking wine, and forming a bond that none of them can explain. The final third of the book revisits Jude, Pip, and Sofi over the next decade or so, giving us a snapshot of where their lives have gone.

My expectations: I read this book with no notion of the plot. I was looking forward to learning about life in the Channel Islands in the twenty-first century. Instead my view of Sark was as narrow as Jude's: revolving completely around Sofi and Pip. I know this colored my ultimate reaction to the novel.

The good: Rankin-Gee excels at painting a mood, at developing an atmosphere. The novel is pregnant with expectation, and it's easy to fall into Jude, Pip, and Sofi's circle. The pace of their friendship as well as their mistakes and falters feel authentic for that magical summer. It was also interesting to see how the events of those weeks affected the three of them as they became true adults.

The less good: On the other hand, my expectations and the actual plot of The Last Kings of Sark were at odds, and I was disappointed not to have a broader view of the islanders and island life. This is purely a personal thing and totally on me. In addition, I don't think novels have to end with every little thing tied up in a bow, but the vagueness of the last third of the book, especially the sections about Jude's life, left me wanting.

Recommendation: If you go into The Last Kings of Sark expecting a character-driven, character-focused novel, you'll find a lot to think about. Rosa Rankin-Gee well captures that moment when you're no longer a child but not yet an adult, when you can still thrill at firsts, and when you are particularly impressionable. Despite the novel's early strengths, however, I was left feeling flat, wishing for something more or something different.

Published by St. Martin's Press/ St. Martin's Griffin, 2015
ISBN-13: 9781250068040
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Bullet Review: The Golden Specific by S. E. Grove

Last fall I introduced you to S. E. Grove and her fresh, complex, and unique high fantasy series geared to middle grade readers. Before you turn away, saying you don't read middle grade, remember that Harry Potter was also written for a young audience.

As I said last fall when I reviewed The Glass Sentence, the first book in the proposed trilogy, Grove's fully realized characters and her world building are tops, and I'm particularly happy to say there's no love triangle and no teenage angst. The cast is a nice mix of males and females of a range of ages and with a variety of abilities. Plus, I promise you haven't read a series like the Mapmakers.

(Note: this review assumes you've either read the first book or have read my earlier review.)

General information: The Golden Specific starts about nine months after first book ends. Sophia Tims is still living in Boston with her uncle Shadrack, master cartographer. Their ward, Theo, has just returned from the Eerie Sea, after an unsuccessful trip to find information about Sophia's missing parents. Meanwhile Boston and all of New Occident are undergoing political upheaval, Shadrack is worried about the border closings, and Sophia is tracking down new leads to her parents' whereabouts.

Dual stories: Very soon into the start of The Golden Specific, the story splits in two. Sophia, has gone undercover to gain access to a restricted library, which contains books that reference her mother. Those documents prompt the girl to take a sea journey to the Papal States (what used to be Spain), where she hopes to find a diary with more information. She is supposed to meet Theo at the docks, but he is detained when Shadrack is imprisoned for murder. At that point, Sophia and Theo have separate adventures.

No sophomore slump: Grove's brilliant decision to give her main protagonists their own plot lines keeps the series fresh. Theo and Sophia must rely on their own wits and luck to meet their individual goals. Sophia is still focused on finding her parents, which takes her to new worlds and introduces her to three new people, each of whom is from a different age with different personal agenda. Theo's main purposes are to prove Shadrack's innocence and to expose the evil underbelly of a high-ranking government official. Along the way, he meets a clever girl and a wily street urchin boy, both of whom offer assistance. Interwoven throughout the book are extracts from Sophia's mother's diary, which gives the reader information not yet known by Theo and Sophia.

What I love: There are new worlds to explore, new people to meet, puzzles to solve, and mysteries to uncover. I love the legends and stories we learn, and I enjoy trying to piece together the clues that Theo and Sophia find. In addition, I thought it was great to be able to read Sophia's mother's diary; it's always fun to see how the protagonist discovers solutions when you have a little foreknowledge. I also like the fact that Grove's characters can make mistakes, can be scared, can cry, and often need help. And I love how Sophia and Theo are genuine friends. Finally, I'm glad to see that Grove has allowed Sophia and Theo to grow and mature; each one sees the world and themselves a little clearer by the end.

Recommendation: The Golden Specific and the Mapmakers trilogy is for anyone who wants to be transported to a world they've never seen before. There is no age limit to these books, which means they'll appeal to children and adults who like high fantasy, alternate history, and just plain good reading. Everything works in S. E. Grove's universe: the action, the characters, the unique maps, and the world divided by time. I can't wait to see where the third book will take us.

Audiobook: I listened to the unabridged audiobook edition of The Golden Specific (Listening Library; 15 hr, 19 min) read by the wonderful Cassandra Campbell. Her characterizations capture the personalities of each character perfectly: Theo's self-assurance, the housekeeper's worry, Sophia's inherent trust and insatiable curiosity. Campbell's pacing is spot-on, carrying us along when the action picks up and giving us room to contemplate new information when the gang is working out the meaning of new clues. A fantastic audiobook experience. Click the play button in the following widget to hear a sample:

Published by Viking Books for Young Readers, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780670785032
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Thicker Than Blood by Jan English Leary

Andrea Barton has always wanted to be a mother. Now in her late thirties, with no marriage in sight, she decides to adopt a child. When she learns an African American newborn has been abandoned at a church, she goes through the process of first fostering the girl and then adopting her. Andrea hopes her experience as a social worker working with refugees will give her the insight needed to raise a black child in her mostly white world. Is the mother-daughter bond formed when Pearl is a baby strong enough to last a lifetime?

Quick take: Jan English Leary's Thicker Than Blood is a story of three generations of women, each of whom must live with the consequences of their decisions. Families and the ties that hold them are defined by much more than genetics.

Writing style and Andrea: Leary's prose has almost dream-like quality to it, which reflects the way Andrea approaches her home life. Andrea is smart and capable at work, helping families resettle in America after fleeing their former lives, usually because of war or oppressive political circumstances. But in her personal life, Andrea is constantly second-guessing her skills as a mother and her interactions with her sister and mother. She wants the best for her daughter, Pearl, but is often slightly clueless (or blind) to the issues the girl faces at school, especially during the tumultuous teenage years.

The other women: Andrea's sister, Joanne, is interested in money, social status, and having everything just so, which strains her marriage and her relationship with her daughter, Blair. Joanne has trouble warming up to Pearl and doesn't always approve of Andrea's choices. Nancy, the matriarch, adores Pearl, perhaps because she herself was adopted and always felt a little outside the family she grew up in. Blair suffers the consequences of her mother's controlling nature, and Pearl faces many issues as she juggles reality without her mother's rose-colored glasses.

Themes: Thicker Than Blood explores choices and consequences. Among the issues that Leary addresses are adoption, single motherhood, family, siblings, racial relationships, following one's dreams, being impulsive, trying to fit in, and keeping secrets.

What I liked: Leary brings up several topics that makes her Thicker Than Blood a great book club selection, especially with its themes of mixed-race families, sisters, and adoption. The relationships and interactions among the women seemed mostly realistic and showed that no matter how you form a family, you will find both love and problems.

What I didn't like: Although I understand Andrea's general insecurities and how her hopes for Pearl could blind her to some of the issues her daughter faced, I was disappointed that Andrea didn't gain confidence and insight over the years. Nancy had a secret that was, presumably, revealed to Andrea and Joanne by the end of the book. This secret, which readers learn earlier on, helps explain much of Nancy's behavior toward her daughters and granddaughters, but Leary let this drop for a bigger story line involving Pearl. I would have liked to have seen the impact of Nancy's revelation on the sisters.

Recommendation: Jan English Leary's Thicker Than Blood would appeal to readers who are interested in women's relationships, especially in the context of family.

Published by Fomite, 2015
ISBN-13: 9781942515128
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

You shouldn't judge a book by its cover or by its title. Despite the glowing reviews of Carol Rifka Brunt's debut novel, Tell the Wolves I'm Home, there was something superficially off-putting to me (title? cover?), which meant I kept pushing this book to the bottom of my reading list.

Last week I was looking through my audiobook stash and decided to finally give the novel a chance. Within minutes I was spellbound and ended up finishing Tell the Wolves I'm Home, in a combination of reading and listening, all in one go.

If you want the bottom line, then here you go: A beautifully written, emotionally strong coming-of-age story with an authentic point of view and underlying themes of family and acceptance.

What's it about: Fourteen-year-old June Elbus has always felt at odds with the world, feeling understood only when she's with her uncle Finn exploring New York City. His death, in 1987, of a disease no one understood, leaves June anchorless on a black sea of grief. Just days after the funeral, though, she learns of a mysterious man named Toby, whom her mother accuses of killing Finn. As kids do, June has only ever seen Finn in terms of their special relationship. Although she was aware he was gay, she now realizes she may have never truly known him and that Toby may be the key to understanding who her uncle really was.

Being gay in the late 1980s: Set in the worst period of the AIDS epidemic, before the drug cocktails and when fear and judgments were running high, the novel also explores gay issues, as June discovers the parts of Finn's life that had been hidden from her. Brunt, writing from June's perspective, carefully and sensitively addresses Finn's lifestyle and sacrifices, keeping the voice of the young girl believable and true.

Siblings: Tell the Wolves I'm Home explores two sets of siblings: Finn and Danni (June's mother), and June and her older sister, Greta. Here again, Brunt has the relationships just right--that familiar mix of love and competition, protectiveness and exasperation. In addition, both sets of siblings go through the cycles of being close when young and then drifting apart when they start along their own paths. Sibling dynamics is one of the strongest themes in the novel, and anyone who has a brother or sister will see the truth here.

Other themes: Trust, loyalty, being comfortable in one's own skin, finding oneself, battling external expectations against your own wants, parenting, art, obligations to one's talents, love, grief, acceptance, forgiveness

Recommendation: Just read the damn book. Seriously. And if you haven't read it since it first came out, consider a reread.

Audiobook: The unabridged audiobook edition (Blackstone; 11 hr, 46 min) is brilliantly read by Amy Rubinate. Her voice is utterly believable as June: her inflections and emotions are perfect as is her level of drama. Tell the Wolves I'm Home is one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to.

Published by Random House / Dial Press, 2013 (paperback)
ISBN-13: 9780812982855
Source: Review (print) & bought (audiobook) (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Uprooted by Naomi Novik

I love fantasy and I love a good fairy tale retelling, so it's not surprising that I gave Naomi Novik's Uprooted a try. I may have expected to like the story, but I was surprised by how quickly I became invested in this book.

What's it about? Agnieszka grows up under the shadow of an evil forest--one that captures people and animals, corrupting them or trapping them forever. The village's sole protection is the wizard, known as the Dragon, who lives in the tower. The only thing he requires is a girl from the village to serve him. He picks a 17-year-old every 10 years, releasing the previous young woman as she is replaced. As the choosing approaches, Agnieszka is among the candidates, but the only thing she's worried about is losing her best friend, Kasia, who will surely be picked because she's the most beautiful. The Dragon, however, makes the surprise decision to take Agnieszka, who must make a new life in the tower. It is there that the girl learns her own true nature, the meaning of friendship, and perhaps even a way to defeat the forest.

The heart of the story: Although the framing plot concerns the battle between good and evil and how the wizards and witches and armies fare in their ongoing fight against the woods, there are several other important layers to the novel, such as Agnieszka's awakening to life, to herself, to magic, and to the world outside her little village. The core of the story, however, revolves around Agnieszka and Kasia's friendship, and here is where the strength and beauty of the novel can be found. I loved the maturation of their relationship as it grew from one of childhood playmates to one of partners in the war against the woods to that of adult companions as they both find their callings.

Notes on the genre: I would classify Uprooted as a fantasy, but Novik includes many elements of fairy tales in Agnieszka's story. Baba Yaga is mentioned several times, although she doesn't make a direct appearance. In addition the relationship between Agnieszka and the Dragon has elements of Beauty and Beast. There is an enchanted (in this case very evil) forest, complete with strange and dangerous creatures. There are fruits that shouldn't be eaten, and waters that shouldn't be drunk. And, of course, there are wizard and witches who can cast a variety of spells and brew up magical potions. Agnieszka's journey to the tower also has elements of the hero's quest, as famously defined by Joseph Campbell: She is a reluctant hero who finds her inner powers and puts them to use for the greater good.

The characters: Despite the fairy tale elements, the characters in Uprooted are not one-dimensional. For example, although some people are clearly more good than evil, no one is without uncaring actions, mistakes, and uncertainties.The dynamics between the characters seem realistic and are developed at a believable pace.

Recommendations: Naomi Novik's Uprooted is a must-read for anyone who likes fantasy, magic, and/or fairy tale retellings. But I would also recommend the novel to those who like stories of strong female friendships, great characters, and stories about growing up and self-discovery.

Audiobook: The unabridged audiobook edition of Uprooted (Random House Audio; 17 hr, 43 min) is read by Julia Emelin. While I'm sure her pronunciations of the non-English words were probably spot-on, I cannot recommend the audiobook. Emelin's performance was stilted, with little variation in the inflections and full of odd pauses. Unfortunately, the audiobook had a strong negative impact on my enjoyment of Uprooted; in fact, I think this could have been one of favorite books of the year, if I had read the entire novel in print. By the time I switched off the audiobook, however, I couldn't get Emelin's narration out of my head, and it was too late for me to imagine my own voices.

Published by Penguin Random House / Del Rey, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780804179034
Source: Review (audiobook) & bought (print) (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Sometimes I'm hesitant to read a book that everyone else loves because I'm worried my expectations will be too high. But I'm glad I didn't put off Noelle Stevenson's Nimona; it's a fun read with a tough, impulsive heroine,; good humor, and terrific art.

What's it about: Nimona shows up at the headquarters of the realm's infamous villain, Lord Ballister Blackheart, offering to become his sidekick. Blackheart is understandably unenthusiastic: not only has he been fine all these years by himself but he wonders how a teenage girl could possibly help him finally defeat his lifelong nemesis, the hero Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. As it turns out, Nimona is a game changer in the fight between good and evil.

What's it really about: This smart, funny comic starts out as a kind of mashup of common superhero, fantasy, and sci-fi stories. We have an academy that trains knights, complete with jousting. We have a hero-villain pair with a complicated history. And we have Nimona, who quickly reveals that she's actually a powerful shapeshifter. Oh and don't forget the futuristic technology (computers, weapons). After a relatively light beginning, the story evolves into something darker and more thoughtful. The big question is, Who or what is in need of being saved?

Themes: friendship, good vs. evil, breaking rules

What surprised me: The complexity of the characters. Nimona, Blackheart, and Goldenloin are introduced as stereotypical characters in a familiar story line, but Stevenson adds layers to their personalities and histories, allowing us to see them in new ways. I was expecting light and fun and got so much more.

The Art: I loved the contrast between the angularity of the character's faces and the rounder shapes of their bodies (click on the cover to get an idea of what I'm trying to say). The colors are vivid and the panels have just enough detail to give us a good feel for the action and emotions. The facial expressions are simple but telling.

Things to know: Nimona started out as an art project, which eventually became a web comic. Noelle Stevenson has won several awards for her work.

Who should read this: Um, everyone? Seriously, if you're at all inclined to read comics, you'll probably love this book. I'm not sure why Nimona was published under the Harper Teen imprint because there is nothing particularly young adult about the story. Noelle Stevenson's Nimona breaks new ground with a fresh look at a seemingly familiar story.

Published by HarperCollins / HarperTeen, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780062278234
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Bullet Review: The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Did you love The Queen of the Tearling? Can't wait to read more about Kelsea? Then what are you waiting for? Erika Johansen's followup book, The Invasion of the Tearling, came out last week and continues to break new ground.

Kelsea's ongoing story is what you expect from Johansen, but Invasion of the Tearling is not without some surprises. We learn more about the Crossing, see how queenship changes Kelsea, discover what makes the Red Queen tick, and meet new people. The action scenes pull you in, and the narrative is engrossing. Kelsea is one tough young woman; I wouldn't want to be on her bad side.

For the purposes of this bullet review, I'm assuming you read The Queen of the Tearling, but I'll do my best not to spoil the story of the second book.

What's happening: Kelsea prepares herself and her kingdom for the inevitable invasion by the Red Queen's army. Kelsea's perspective and duties are multilayered: She is concerned about protecting her people, laying in supplies for a siege, reforming the tax laws, and making alliances. War is coming, and the prospects for the Tearling look grim.

Kelsea: Unlike many fantasy writers, Johansen allows Kelsea to remain believable (within the parameters of the story). For example, the young queen can lose her temper, has moments of insecurity and uncertainty, is not always a good friend, and doesn't always know how to ask for help. Although Kelsea has emotional and physical feelings for some of the men she knows, there is no great romance (yet), which I love and appreciate. I'm so sick of the love triangles and of the fact that every heroine must have a man in her life.

Other characters: There are quite a few characters in these books: people involved in the army, in Kelsea's circle, in the Red Queen's circle, and in the predominant organized religion. In addition, we meet historical figures. Each important character is easy to envision and remember because Johansen developed consistent personalities and motivations. All the side stories, especially the events that happen at the Arvath (think: Vatican), are ongoing and add to the overall direction of the series, even if we haven't yet guessed or learned how everything is going to tie together

Genre: There are things we learn in this book (I don't want to spoil it for you) that are genre twisting. Is this fantasy? Is this speculative? Is it dystopian? You be the judge. Whatever the genre or subgenre, I want more.

Ending and plotting: Oh, Johansen, I hate you. (Of course, not really.) The Invasion of the Tearling doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but, but, but . . . I want to know what happens next right.this.minute. I wasn't quite sure how it was all going to play out, and although I had some pretty solid theories, Johansen still surprised me. And not just at the end. I wonder how others are going to react to what Kelsea learns about herself, her powers, and her world. I'll go on record this way: I loved the way Johansen mixed history with the present, and I couldn't get enough of what we discover about Kelsea's past and the Crossing.

Violence: As I mentioned in my review of The Queen of the Tearling, Kelsea's world is one of violence. Not only is the kingdom heading for war but those who cross the wrong people can't expect a pleasant end. Sometimes innocent victims find the power to strike back; sometimes they don't.

Recommendations: Erika Johansen's strong second outing in The Ivasion of the Tearling secures her a place on the same shelf as other great fantasy authors. The uniqueness of both the Tearling series in general and Kelsea in particular breathes new life into a genre that was becoming formulaic. With its heart-pounding action and complex emotional landscape, Invasion of the Tearling is destined to be one of the most talked-about summer reads.

Published by HarperCollins / Harper, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780062290397
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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