Cassandra's Sister by Victoria Bennett

Cassandra's Sister by Victoria Bennett is a sweet and witty fictional account of Jane Austen's life as a young woman. Written in a style reminiscent of one of my favorite authors, but I found the prose light-hearted and manageable for the modern teen.

For those of you who are familiar with Austen's work, you would not be surprised at the description of dancing and fashion and eligible young gentlemen. Austen is as dramatic and intelligent and charming as any of her characters, so it tugs at your heart strings to see how she (probably) became a famously single female writer. I really like how the author subtly and cleverly postulates where Jane Austen might have gotten real life inspiration for her novels. A short and satisfying read, so intelligently and wistfully admiring of this author that I admire.

Dream Thief by Shana Abe

Dream Thief by Shana Abe is a romantic fantasy novel about a gorgeous plucky heroine who also can turn into smoke and a dragon, sorta like a dragon-vampire, on a quest to save her race but also the human man she loves. Dilemma! The prose is concise and gently funny, the plot is decent, the characters a little too Mary-Sue but not intolerably so. I laughed out loud at the actual sex parts, but then again, I always do. There is reference to places in Europe that existed in the 18th/19th century, but the fantasy elements overpower the historical part, so it feels a bit unsettling. Not a terrible book, but hard for me to get through. I imagine the first book, Smoke Thief, would be slightly more interesting to read.

(briefly) young adult series by various authors

You guessed it, more mini-reviews of young adult novels and series! Except for the last two reviews, I wasn't really impressed enough by any of these series to write a separate post.

Elske and Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt: actually rather intriguing books on their own, but I would have to read a whole series about a fantastic medieval world to thoroughly understand the backstory, and well... I wasn't that interested. I remember the books being just barely on this side of boring and political.

Book of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgwick: a fairly interesting historical/macabre novel about an orphan and a London magician who makes a deal with the devil or something, but I wasn't tempted to read the rest of the series. It didn't really make any long-lasting impact in my mind.

Water Mirror by Kai Meyer: a captivating book about an orphan girl with a mirror who lives in a Venice-like world inhabited by stone lions and scary mermaids. A short novel that might require reading the rest of the series to find any real plot development.

Blue Girl by Charles de Lint: I didn't finish this book because man, it started off slow and I couldn't get past the second chapter. I like fantasy stories about high school kids, not high school stories about fantasy kids. This author is good, don't get me wrong, but his type of suburban fantasy isn't really my preference.

Levin Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye: It reads like a book written by a sophisticated young Swedish author who doesn't understand American humor but tries anyways. Parts of it are laugh-out-loud funny but most of it's just weird and you laugh because you don't really understand what's going on. The story is fairly typical - teen finds out about supernatural powers and saves the world from mystical evil with help of plucky gel and fantastic mascot sidekicks, but everything else is appreciably strange. Apparently there are more books involved.

Falconer's Knot by Mary Hoffman: This historical mystery novel is surprisingly witty, concise and dramatic, with cheesy teenage romance and artsy details. Because it takes place in Italy like her other books, it requires a love and knowledge of Italian culture and art to truly appreciate. The major complaint I have for this book is that it seems like an adult mystery hacked and censored for a pre-teen audience. Had it been developed for a more mature reader, it would have been quite entertaining, but I find it choppy and the mystery way too easily solved. I'm sure younger readers will still enjoy this book, though.

Cup of the World and the Widow and the King by John Dickinson: An epic fantasy novel and its sequel about a spirited girl who elopes with a mysterious man who communicates to her through magic. Turns out he wants to conquer the known kingdom and will stop at nothing to do so. Magic and mayhem ensue. The sequel deals with the widowed queen trying to save her young son from a malicious ghost and scheming, ensorceled lords. Lots of people die... I appreciated the sorrowful, legendary tone and its layers of meaning and allegory, but it's not a series I recommend for people who want to feel good after reading something.

(briefly) young adult trilogies by various authors

These trilogies are some of the newer series for young adults and children that I've discovered at my local library. I haven't actually completed a few of these trilogies on account of them not being written or not found or not being intriguing enough for me to finish. In the wake of Rowling's Harry Potter series, there is a surge of amazing stories written for children and teens that would definitely satisfy an older reader. I would recommend Lemony Snicket's dismal 12-volume chronicle of the Baudelaire orphans' tragic adventures, A Series of Unfortunate Events, it is intellectually stimulating while being perfectly depressing.

The Safe-Keeper's Secret by Sharon Shinn: Including Dream-maker's Magic and Truth-teller's Tale, a trilogy with mild fantasy elements. In this medieval world, there are humans born with the ability to keep secrets safe, to tell only the truth if asked, and one human with the ability to make dreams come true. A feel-good series, in my opinion. The romance is not overboard, an especially admirable accomplishment in a young adult book, plus the plot threads are strong, uplifting and rustically emotional. I usually hate rustic country novels, but I thought the humanity developed in such close relationships was really rather touching.

the Johnny Maxwell trilogy by Terry Pratchett: I've only read Johnny and the Dead and Only You Can Save Mankind, and have yet to read Johnny and the Bomb. This children's trilogy, one of his older works, is as hilarious and satirical as only Pratchett can be. It can get a bit painful at times, since the premise of the plot is that Johnny, a rather drab but conscientous British boy, must overcome the horrible-ness of the adult world to save lives that ought to be saved.

Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? by Eleanor Updale: This first book of a Victorian thief who transforms himself into a gentleman is just... wow. Adventure and ingenuity and of course, morbid fascination with a criminal given a second chance at life. But I forbid you to read the rest of the trilogy! You may want to know more about Montmorency's adventures, but I found that the plot's interesting-ness declined rapidly with the addition of more characters, who weren't half as cool as the original hero. A terrible waste of a good character, in my opinion. *tears of disappointment*

Monster Blood Tattoo by DM Cornish: A macabre fantasy teen novel about an unfortunate boy who ends up journeying with a monster hunter and you know, develops character and learns about the world. Incredibly well-developed world with unique characters and monsters. It's apparently part of a trilogy, so I have to read more to see if I like the plot much, but it seems well worth the exploration. I also love the drawings the author included - as an "artist," I was genuinely impressed.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini: I am sorry, these are quite possibly the most boring teen fantasy novels I have ever read/heard. Maybe not terrible, just horrifically boring, which is almost terrible. I would say this fantasy trilogy about a boy and his dragon tries too hard to be like Tolkien. Granted, I am being forced to listen to someone narrate it at his own speed, so that may color my opinion. But even if I finished reading the books, I would still think this trilogy too dull and un-revolutionary and so not worth a movie.

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke is a HUUUGE novel probably longer than all 6 Harry Potter books put together! Starts off extremely boring, but is oh-so-satisfying in the end if you can keep all the plotlines straight. I would describe this book as intellectual, witty, and worth reading if you like British manners, books, Faerie or a delicious combination of above.

It takes place in a magical Napoleonic-era London/Europe and follows two magicians as they try to bring back "true magic" and also counter the malignant forces of Faerie that work on everyone they know. The characters are extremely well-developed if somewhat frustratingly British - think of a wizardly cast of Jane Austen's novels. The footnotes are priceless, not as funny as Pratchett's impertinent ones, but snarky in their own way. Perhaps a lot of the extra Dickinsonian writing could be cut out, but I also feel the novel would lose a lot of its British flavor that way.

The Ladies of Grace-Adieu is a charming anthology of short stories that also take place in this alternate Europe. As a wry counterpoint to Jonathan Strange, it is bitterly amusing and probably more palatable than the monster of the original novel.

The Crucible Trilogy by Sarah Douglass

The Crucible Trilogy, including The Nameless Day, the Wounded Hawk and the Crippled Angel, by Sarah Douglass makes for an alternate history trilogy experience that is certainly... different. Topics of note include medieval Europe, Joan of Arc, the role of God, Christ and the angels, and allusions to Shakespeare's plays about King Richard the Second. A complex battle between angels and demons for the future of humanity, questioning what is truly good and truly evil, you know, good hearty stuff. I admire the multi-layered characterization and the thoroughly researched storyline, but the entire trilogy goes a little overboard with the shock value, what with someone or something getting horrifically raped every 10 pages, it seems. I know it's trying to be realistic of the times, but shock is not really my thing, even if there was an explanation. I am not sure I would recommend this series to anyone but the most devout of medieval history buffs with a strong stomach.

(briefly) young adult trilogies by various authors

Now for a brief review of various young adult trilogies that have been considered classics. I read some of these quite a while ago, but would recommend them to any pre-teen or teen with an affinity for fantasy and mystery. These don't have their own entries because I don't remember them very well, having read them so long ago, but I doubt anyone would mind.

The Riddle-master of Hed by Patricia Mckillip: a richly layered fantasy trilogy about a harpist and riddlemaster who is also a king. Details an epic quest to battle evil, discover the hidden past and make amends for the future. It is so full of allegory and allusion, I had no clue what was going on most of the time. The language used is incredibly beautiful if also very very vague. I would recommend all of her numerous fantasy novels if you are in the mood for concentrating on the meaning of symbols.

The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin: another fantasy trilogy by a famous author concerning wizards, dragons, demons and ghosts. The story of a proud young wizard who gains his power at great cost and learns of wisdom and happiness. I describe the tone as spare and solemn but lovely in a natural and unassumed way. I was not as fond of the later books, but I still enjoyed them very much. Continues in Tehanu and in an anthology of short stories called The Other Wind.

Ruby in the Smoke by Phillip Pullman: this is a historical fiction trilogy with some elements of fantasy and science fiction. Taking place in Victorian London, it describes the adventures of a brave and intelligent young woman with connections to a dangerous and supernatural past. The last book was incredibly bitter and unpleasant (at least for a teen novel), that seems to be his trend, but overall the drama and mystery of this series will not disappoint.

(briefly) Arthurian series by various authors

A brief review of various Arthurian series I read throughout highschool and college... To be added to when I remember those pesky other series.

the Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead, including Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon and Grail: I thought Taliesin was amazing, a legendary treatment of the bard combining the legends of Arthur and Atlantis, but by Pendragon, I was writhing in pain and thinking "Why am I reading such trash?" Couldn't finish it, no matter what critics might say.

the Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart, including Crystal Cave, Hollow Hills, Last Enchantment: a promising start, with a gritty and powerful retelling of Merlin's life as a youngster. Like most Arthurian trilogies, ended in tragedy, and I mean tragedy. The Wicked Day, a fourth book about Mordred's life, was actually rather interesting, but still unpleasant to finish.

Hawk of May by Gillian Bradshaw, also Kingdom of Summer, In Winter's Shadow: this one is a slightly more youth-friendly treatment of Arthurian legend, including views from Gwalchmai, his servant Rhys and Queen Gwynnhyfar. No mention of Merlin or Lancelot, this is a more historical and somewhat mystical retelling that ends tragically.

the Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay, including The Summer Tree, Wandering Fire, The Darkest Road: not exactly Arthurian, but drawing heavily on that legend. This is a daring and brilliantly composed fantasy series of the war between good and evil and the heavy price some heroic individuals must pay. It really affected me when I read it in high school, though that may just be me in high school. Very sad.

the Once and Future King by T.H. White: A very good series overall, but also swimming in tragedy by the end. I would definitely not recommend the last 3 parts for children, even though Sword in the Stone made for a funny movie.