Once Upon a Time Final Post

I never wrote my finishing-up post for Once Upon a Time VIII, which finished up on June 21st. I only ended up reading one book off my original list, but I did read five books (even more, actually), which was my goal. I always love this challenge and look forward to the second challenge hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings in the fall!

1. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
2. The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke
3. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
4. 'Twixt Firelight and Water by Juliet Marillier
5. Prickle Moon by Juliet Marillier
6. Abhorsen by Garth Nix
7. Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor

Once Upon a Time VIII

It's time again for Once Upon a Time! Hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings, it runs now until June 21 and is a celebration of fantasy, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology.

I am hoping to participate in "Quest the First" -- reading five books in the categories. Here are my picks:

1. Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm by Phillip Pullman
2. Hood by Stephen Lawhead
3. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
4. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
5. Flame of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier (and Twixt Firelight and Water, the novella, too)

Hoping to jam through all of these!

Mini-Reviews: Classics

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

This was my Classics Spin #2 read, and I loved it. I miss Paris every summer since my study abroad five years ago, and I have been meaning to read A Moveable Feast for  years. It is Hemingway's memoir of his life in Paris. Being Hemingway, he is rather sparse on the details and definitely focuses more on his relationships with people in Paris, rather than the city itself, but I still loved the atmosphere that peeked through Hemingway's experiences, as well as learning how he felt about his writing. Hemingway seems to be a hate-him-or-love-him type of author, and while I didn't enjoy him in high school, I have come to really appreciate his clear, direct style of writing. I tend to associate different writing styles with the way I feel after eating certain types of food (weird, yes?). Hemingway tastes like good steel cut oats with no sugar added but with some good fruit stirred in. Not a ton of flavor, but nourishing and hearty. 

4 stars

Warnings: None

Paradise Lost by John Milton

Paradise Lost is another book I've been meaning to read for years (seems I feel that way about many of the classics). I felt that I should read it because it has influenced so many authors, but I never expected to love it -- I just perceived it as one of those obligatory must-read-to-be-a-literate-book-lover things. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this retelling of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, told in epic poetry style. It definitely took some patience at times, and I didn't get all of the mythological references, having read the cheapy version on my Kindle instead of a footnoted edition, but the beauty of the writing frequently took my breath away. While I don't agree doctrinally with everything in Milton's narrative, I enjoyed the story and was swept away by his fantastic writing.

4 stars

Warnings: Some thematic material but basically clean

Emma by Jane Austen

Emma was a reread for me. I read the book in high school or middle school and was largely unimpressed. At that point I'd read Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice and seen the movies, and I was disappointed in the lack of sweeping romance that I saw in Emma. It was longer than the other Jane Austen novels and the heroine was frequently aggravating. I decided it was just a miss for me and moved on.

However, a few months ago I watched Clueless and loved it even more than I had remembered. I started to wonder how well it followed Emma and decided to attempt a reread. This time, I adored the book. I'm not sure if I understand it better or if my sense of humor has matured, but I found Emma's schemes and character flaws to be endearing. Yes, she was imperfect and nosy and at times judgmental, but she was also genuinely kind, albeit frequently misguided. And the way the romance slowly swelled appeals to me now that I am past my hormonal teenage angst. I loved it.

5 stars

Warnings: None

A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream is also a reread for me. I read it for the Once Upon a Time Challenge. I've always loved this story, but I think now that I am older I can really appreciate Shakespeare's writing. Being significantly less eloquent than the Bard, I don't have the most articulate way to pinpoint the quality that I love about his work. It is just good. It's poignant and apt about human nature and I love it. Hooray for Shakespeare!

5 stars

Warnings: Innuendo

Mini-Reviews: Fantasy Novels

Every Day by David Levithan

I read this book for the FYA book club, and to be honest, I didn't have very high expectations. Different people had told me that they didn't care for it, and the premise, a nameless, genderless spirit who occupies different bodies each day but falls in love, seemed bizarre and a little hokey. Still, I have never escaped my obedient school days in which I never failed to complete a reading assignment, and the lure of book club made me feel obligated (even though I didn't actually attend the meeting where the book was discussed). Also, all (two) of my experiences with David Levithan have been positive. He is pretty experimental, but he is also a fantastic writer, particularly at transmitting emotions. So, I gave it a chance.

And the verdict? I really enjoyed Every Day. A's transformation into different bodies each day was interesting, despite the bizarreness. In addition, despite the fact that the experience of possessing a different body each day is at the very least uncommon, the story still held powerful themes that almost anyone could relate to -- letting people go, making sacrifices for the people you love, what love really is. I think it's a worthwhile book that will bend your brain a bit.

4 stars

Warnings: Some language, brief drug references, brief referral to sex

Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier

If you've been reading this blog for the last year or so, you've probably gathered that Juliet Marillier can do no wrong in my opinion. Having recently finished her first Sevenwaters trilogy, I was very excited to dive into the second trilogy (although like the Jane Austen books, I can't stand the thought of being finished forever, so I am puttering around a bit). In Heir to Sevenwaters, Aisling and Sean have finally had a son -- only to have him ripped from them days later and replaced by a changeling creature of the forest. Meanwhile, unrest in the region is threatening Sevenwaters. Clodagh decides to rescue her brother by entering the land of the Fair Folk -- a land where nothing is certain and risks abound.

While I didn't love Clodagh as much as some other Sevenwaters heroines, this book just brutally shredded my heart. Motherhood is a theme in most of the Sevenwaters books, but for some reason it was particularly wrenching in Heir to Sevenwaters. There were scenes that literally felt as if I had been kicked repeatedly in the stomach. One of the reasons I love to read is to experience a powerful range of emotion, so I found Heir to Sevenwaters to be evocative and satisfying. I plan on reading every book Marillier has ever written, and I will probably reread all the Sevenwaters books. She is definitely elevated to favorite status.

4.5 stars

Warnings: Violence, referrals to sexuality (off the page)

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

I read the sequel to Princess of the Midnight Ball a long time ago, and you know me -- I can't leave anything unfinished. I actually enjoyed Princess of the Midnight Ball more than Princess of Glass, although it had a few moments of dullness for me. 

The story is a retelling of the twelve dancing princesses. Rose and her eleven sisters (all named after flowers -- I'm impressed that Jessica Day George came up with all the names) are forced to dance for an evil fairy king each night to pay off a family debt. They can't escape, and no one can help them, til a brave soldier and gardener, Galen, takes matters into his own hands. 

Initially, I felt that the story was slow moving and I found it hard to relate to the characters. The backstory dragged on a bit and I was ready to put the book down. However, in the second half the action picked up and I found myself eager to return to the adventures of Rose, Galen, and the rest of the princesses. I'm a sucker for a fairy tale retelling, and Princess of the Midnight Ball provided a light, enjoyable story. 

3 stars

Warnings: None

Sabriel by Garth Nix

This is another FYA book club assignment (but I did go to this meeting). I actually read this book when I was much younger, having randomly picked it off the shelf at Barnes and Noble when I had a giftcard. I remembered being completely unimpressed, but now, over ten years later, I knew that Sabriel had a huge fan base, and I was curious to see if maybe I had missed a gem. The good news is that I had! I think only rarely do fantasy books improve with time, but the book that left me completely unimpressed as a pre-teen charmed me (in as much as a story about the dead can be charming) as an adult. 

Sabriel and her father have the power to visit the land of the dead -- to help spirits go past the seventh gate to their eternal destiny. However, often spirits find their way to earth and cause harm -- and it has been happening a lot more frequently. Suddenly, a huge weight of responsibility rests on Sabriel's shoulders, and she has no idea what she is doing. 

I loved the world-building and the fact that the creatures could be considered zombies (closet zombie story lover). And while Sabriel herself was a bit stiff and unlovable, I respected her strength and her journey. There was even a bit of romance, albeit somewhat bumbling. I have the second book in the trilogy out from the library and I am curious to see what Garth Nix does next.

4 stars

Warnings: Scary images, violence, innuendo

Italian Folktales retold and edited by Italo Calvino

This was a beast for me to conquer, but it was enjoyable as well. I love mythology, fairy tales, folktales -- you name it. I saw this book mentioned and was intrigued for two reasons -- first of all, the Italian background, which intrigued me because my husband used to live in Italy, and second of all, the fact that it is by Italo Calvino, an author that I have always wanted to read because he is mentioned in my favorite book, Kartography. Checking in at 200 stories and well over 700 pages, it literally took me months to read, but it was rewarding. It was interesting to see the different take on traditional fairy tales as well as the similar threads and tropes running through the tales. It won't appeal to everyone, but I think Italian Folktales is a true masterpiece. I only wish I could remember more of the stories so I could share them with my children.

3.5 stars

Warnings: Fairy tale violence (evil stepmothers in boiling oil, cut off hands, etc.)

Once Upon a Time VII

I've become much choosier with my challenges this year, but I honestly just can't get enough of the seasonal challenges hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings. I'm looking forward to participating in the Once Upon a Time Challenge, which runs from March 21st to June 21st. 

I will be reading one book in each of the four categories: fantasy, folklore, mythology, and fairy tale.

Potential choices are:
Fantasy - The Heir of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier
Mythology - The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter
Fairy Tale - Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
Folklore - Italian Folk Tales by Italo Calvino

I'm also looking forward to participating in this "quest" by reading A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare to begin my "Shakespeare Project" (more about this in the future).

I love this challenge and am excited to get started!

YA Friday: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1
Genre: Fantasy, science fiction, spinoffs, YA
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends, 2012
Source: Library
Read for: Once Upon a Time Challenge

Cinder is a mechanic in what was once China and is now an amalgamation of Asian countries. Reviled by her stepmother and neighbors for being a cyborg, she contents herself with working on machines -- a skill for which she is renowned -- and spending time with her two friends, android Iko and stepsister Peony. However, Cinder's life changes when Prince Kai ducks into her shop. Suddenly she is mixed up in interplanetary politics. Oh, and there's a plague.

Okay, I have to attribute the last line of that summary to Marissa Meyer herself, who came to the Provo Library on the Fierce Reads tour. When she was describing her book, she went into most of the details and then added, "Oh, and there's a plague," at the end like an afterthought. 'Twas amusing. But I digress.

If you haven't figured it out yet, Cinder is a futuristic, machine-filled retelling of Cinderella. There's a ball, a wicked stepsister out to get the prince, and an appendage left on the stairs at midnight. However, Cinder incorporates many other fascinating elements into the plot. I was impressed with the way Marissa Meyer managed to use the framework of the popular fairy tale while creating such a unique and unexpected story.

I enjoyed Cinder immensely. She is completely down to earth, not expecting anything out of the ordinary out of herself because of the fact that she is a lowly cyborg (although I don't know why they are lowly. They have so many extra talents that the "normal" people don't have!). Even when she begins to learn secrets about her past that indicate that she is actually as extraordinary as a person could be, she is straightforward and likable.

I also liked Kai. I'll admit part of that is because of his name -- it definitely came up when my husband and I were discussing boys' names for our baby. However, I also appreciated that he was not a snob, that he valued skill (thus, seeking out Cinder when he needed a job to be performed well) and that he wasn't a snob about who he made friends with. It was also interesting to see him grow from a relatively carefree prince to someone with responsibility for millions of people. His willingness to sacrifice himself for the good of others was endearing and made him truly a worthwhile character.

I did not love Levana. You might be thinking, "NO kidding," but I do have a penchant for enjoying the odd nastily written character. However, for me Levana was not a character that I loved to hate. I know the powerful, glamour-shrouded queen of the Lunars was essential to the plot of the story, but I despised every moment she was on the page. She was the epitome of sliminess.

My main complaint with Cinder (other than the utter repulsiveness of Levana) was that the story ended in a messy spot. I know that with series, authors tend to cut off at pivotal points. However, in general (and I know there are many, many exceptions to this rule) there is some sense of closure -- or at least, I appreciate when there is. Cinder leaves us hanging in the middle of everything, with nothing resolved. The ending wasn't such that I was throwing the book across the room like some certain trilogies, or that I was so desperate for more that I could have cried at the wait. I was more just confused, thinking, "That was it?" I know that more will happen as the series continued, but I did wish the ending was tied up a bit more nicely.

Overall, however, Cinder is a fun and refreshing take on an old fairy-tale, using a completely original tactic to tell the story. If you love unique fairytale retellings, you won't want to miss Cinder or the remaining books in the series.

3.5 stars

Warnings: Maybe a bit of violence? I am having difficulty remembering anything, so there must not be much to warn about.

Super Series Saturday: The Goddess Test and Goddess, Interrupted by Aimee Carter

                                                                          Titles: The Goddess Test and Goddess Interrupted
Author: Aimee Carter
Series: Goddess Test #1 and #2
Genre: YA, fantasy, mythology
Publisher: Harlequin Teen, 2011 & 2012
Source: Library and NetGalley
Read for: Review, Once Upon a Time VI

The Goddess Test
Kate's mother is dying of cancer, and she wants to spend her last days in the town she grew up in, Eden. Kate's life has revolved around her mother's disease for the last four years, so she doesn't feel as if she is leaving much behind when she leaves her hometown of New York. However, when she gets to Eden, strange things begin happening, starting when the most popular girl in school takes her to the mysterious mansion at the edge of town. Kate finds herself offered the safety of those closest to her if she agrees to risk her life to become the wife of the ruler of the Underworld, Henry. However, in order to become queen (and to get her reward), she must pass a series of tests that no one else has survived.

For me, this first book was interesting, but not stellar. It took some time for the mythology to appear other than veiled references to Persephone and the obvious fact that Henry was the King of the Underworld. I was disappointed that Kate's tests were not blatant -- she didn't even realize she was taking them at the time, instead simply blundering through the Underworld and trying to avoid whoever was responsible for all the girls before her failing the Tests -- and ending up in the Underworld permanently. I expected quite a bit of drama and suspense surrounding these tests and instead ended up with Kate being confused and trying to figure out why she was there.

With that said, the writing was good and the characters were likable. I would have liked more plot and more sense of organization of the story, but I liked it enough to move on to book 2.

3 stars

Warnings: One "scene," some language

Goddess, Interrupted
Kate is returning back to the Underworld after her six months of summer, and she can't wait to see Henry, despite the fact that she heard nothing from him the entire time she was gone. Unlike her sister, Persephone, who dreaded the six months spent in the Underworld, Kate is excited to see Henry and glad the summer is over. However, when she gets to the Underworld, everything is in chaos. Calliope, jealous and bitter that Kate managed to pass her tests, is working to release Cronus, a Titan that nearly destroyed the gods of Olympus before they managed to imprison him -- and that time, Calliope was on their side, helping them. To add to the trouble, Kate can tell that Henry is still fixated on his first wife, Persephone.

This second installment in the Goddess Test series was more enjoyable for me. First of all, there is much more mythology in Goddess, Interrupted. We get to meet Persephone and Adonis, and we learn more about the relationships between the fourteen main Olympians. The book also is significantly more action-packed. I remember looking down at my Kindle and being surprised that I was only 50% through the book, because the scene seemed so climactic, only to get to new and more exciting scenes later on in the story.

I also like the way Henry, Persephone, and Kate's relationship was presented. So often in YA literature, love is presented as a one-time, utterly exclusive thing. I'm not saying that it shouldn't be that way -- certainly now that I am married I am focused on my husband only, not diverted by anyone else past or present. However, before people settle into their commitments, I think there are often those conflicting, overlapping emotions that take a while to fade away. Henry still had feelings for his first wife, and it was difficult for Kate to deal with them, but those feelings didn't negate the way he felt about Kate. Hopefully as they get to know each other better and become more and more committed (after all, they did have an arranged marriage) he will eventually be completely immune to those former feelings for Persephone. I'm getting off on a tangent, but I guess what I am trying to say is that I thought the way the love situation was dealt with was very realistic, which I appreciated.

One complaint I have with this book was the CLIFFHANGER! I know it is a second book, and that trilogies make money on that kind of thing, but most books have some form of closure. This one was ruthless.

3.5 stars

Warnings: Language, violence, some references to bedroom activity

Overall, while this series is not absolutely electrifying me, I am enjoying it. The books are fun and the added taste of mythology is something I always enjoy. I will be reading the third book in the series.

New Challenges!

You all know that I am incapable of resisting the siren call of a new challenge. I'm not sure what it is -- whether it is the idea of reading more books, or wanting to be included, or just being a spazzoid -- but I can't resist. There are two events coming up in which I plan to participate, so I thought I would bring them to your attention in case you are interested as well!

The first is the Once Upon a Time event hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings. Last year's R.I.P. VI was the most enjoyable challenge I have ever been involved with, so I want to give this one a try. The challenge runs from March 19, 2012 to June 19, 2012 (so, spring). Because I have a lot of other books on my TBR at the current moment, I am participating in "The Journey" level.

"The Journey" obligates me to read just one book that is folklore, mythology, fairytale, or fantasy. While I hope to read more, this is one I know I can do. I am definitely planning on reading Goddess, Interrupted by Aimee Carter and am hopefully also going to squeeze in some fantasy -- maybe Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier. I'm looking forward to participating!

The second event is A Victorian Celebration hosted by A Literary Odyssey, and is held from June 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012. I am definitely planning on reading North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, and if I am really feeling ambitious I may squeeze in some Charles Dickens as well.

Aren't these buttons gorgeous, by the way? Whoever designed them did a fabulous job. I'm excited to begin my reading for these challenges, and am looking forward to seeing what others read as well!