Melissa

• Rated 4 stars

“ I didn't read up on this at all before my copy came from the Library, I saw it was getting good reviews but I went to start it I realized I had no idea what it was about, with a cover and title like that I was thinking I might have grabbed me a Fairy Changeling story, but what I had was more of a true changeling story (a what if this happened in history...) which is my favorite kind of historical fiction, the type that takes a historical mystery (in this case, what did happen to Mary, infant chi...more I didn't read up on this at all before my copy came from the Library, I saw it was getting good reviews but I went to start it I realized I had no idea what it was about, with a cover and title like that I was thinking I might have grabbed me a Fairy Changeling story, but what I had was more of a true changeling story (a what if this happened in history...) which is my favorite kind of historical fiction, the type that takes a historical mystery (in this case, what did happen to Mary, infant child of the late queen Katherine Parr) and reimagines history to fit with the author's what if...

I'm between marking this as 4 or 5 stars, it wasn't my favorite book in the world and the 5 stars is usually reserved for that, but the quality of characterization and historical details in this book were amazing. It was a bright, almost dizzying read when Kat gets to court and she has to try and decide who people really are under their court faces. The romance in the story was both sweet and dangerous, with court members sneaking off with one another (or with kitchen boys) right and left. Kat's own romances seemed to be the part that fell short, people were there and then suddenly she was kissing them, and it didn't seem to be too much about emotion with her, more like she was trying the court life, and the dangerous court maiden out for size, not sure if she really wanted to commit to the role...which actually fits in with Kat's character, and her major conflict well, but didn't help make that part of the story as juicy as it could have been.

I seriously want a pear now”

Melissa wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“ Solid YA fantasy, with all the right elements, to make a young adult fantasy lover happy (danger! forbidden magic! cute boy with dark side! trees that can kill you! hints of romance and star-crossed love!) Liza, the main character, lives in a town run by her father’s strong fist, a fist that has come down on Liza many times along with his belt. The story is set after the great way between the Faerie people and Americans (? the world?) Liza is taught by her father that all magic is evil, and must be purged from society but when her own sister is born with Fae characteristics and Liza herself begins to experience magical abilities her father’s view of the world begins to make less and less sense.

As she travels in search of her missing mother, she must try to unravel terrifying visions, and learn to trust in what she was taught to fear and hate.”The War is Over” is a line repeated throughout the book, Liza, her father, and their town, live as if they are still on the front lines of war, where only the strong deserve to survive, and magic=evil. Because Janni Lee Simner is trying to focus on the aftermath of the war, and how it impacted both worlds (people and nature wise) she does not focus on the specifics of the Faerie War. I understand why she made this choice, it fits, but I’m curious and would have loved to read more about the history from when the BEFORE became the NOW. I’m just nosy like that. The author wrote in a casual, matter of the fact, this is life now, way, which worked well for this story.

The concept of this book was inventive, and enjoyable and the plot moved along quickly, giving you enough time to get a sense of something, or someone new, before they were off moving again, or attacked by something else. The author seemed to make a specific choice to focus on the characters’ reaction to what was happening around them, and not on the past, which worked well for the book… I am a HOW and WHY person so that briefly distracted me, and those questions were glossed over purposefully to show how pointlessly destructive War can be, especially when 20 years later the main character (and her town members) can’t even tell you what the War was about or what the “bad guys” looked like for sure.

Recommended to those teens who love their fairy stories just a little dark. ”

Melissa wrote this review Sunday, August 9 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“I may be bias on this one, as anything that is a Gothic style Historical Fiction with supernatural elements is automatically a "Melissa" book," Michelle Zink mixed magic, mystery and mythology to craft this wonderful new addition to the Paranormal YA Genre. I have read below where some have labeled this book as slow moving, does that have to be a bad thing? I personally loved the sense of foreboding and suspense that was built throughout the book, and, as this clearly will not be stand-alone book, why rush things?

This first book focused mostly on the puzzle that is the Prophecy, readers being introduced to, and learning more about it as Lia, the main character does as well. I enjoy trying to work out puzzles and reading about complex and well thought out mythologies, so it didn't bother me that there wasn't a monster attacking on every other page. This book is very deliberate on revealing its secrets in a balanced way. Even on the last few places we are still gathering more information and tucking it away for the next book.

The Mystery does not simply revolve around the mythology though; there are also wonderful shades of gray in the relations of the characters, Lia and her twin sister Alice, one sister born to protect and another to destroy. The sisters are not your standard GOOD VS. EVIL however, while Lia is questioning her own role in the prophecy, readers are left to question Alice. Alice as a character is unique, she is written into a position of being the villain, but there seems to be a disconnect between her words and actions at times, and certainly between her given role and desires, giving the reader the sense that things really may not be as they seem, and we will have to keep reading to see where Alice, and even Lia land on the Good vs. Evil scale in the end. The relationship between the two sisters is central to Michelle Zink's entire plot and it seems we have only had glimpse of what is to come.

I consider this book to be an excellent example of story crafting, with it's focus on exposition, and Lia's own self questioning and discovery, I'm only guessing, but I think, as Michelle fleshes out her continuing story the focus will move away from information sharing, and more on the relationships in the story, Lia and Alice especially but I also see interesting directions for Lia and her friends, and don't forget there is pretty boy in the mix!”

Melissa wrote this review Friday, July 31 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“When I was at BEA, I picked up the ARC of Troy High, which looked cute and fluffy, I finished it last night, and I have to say, while it was both cute and fluffy, it was also smart, and well written. The allusions to the Trojan War were done perfectly, it was a pretty straight on retelling, but the connection didn’t overpower the story, I KNOW the story of the Trojan War, but I still wanted to know what happened in this story, I didn’t assume that since I knew a bit of the Iliad that this one could be written off as predictable.

The character of Cassie was well developed and while there were the stereotypical HS characters (pretty cheerleader, jealous football player, outcast...) it's interesting to think of how these stereotypes can be applied to historical and literacy works like the Iliad, if Helen of Troy was alive now it’s not a big leap to assume she would be a popular cheerleader.

It was a good read for the mood I have been in, dealing with a Death in the family, my brain couldn’t handle anything too intense or drama filled, but I also can’t read something that is completely devoid of intelligence. This was a perfect fit, a smart, fun, quick read that shows that High School isn’t all that different than War at times...
”

Melissa wrote this review Friday, July 31 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“After finishing this book I read the author's notes and noticed she mentioned being inspired by Robin McKinley, and Patricia C. Wrede, and it really shows. If you enjoy the works of McKinley and Wrede you will surely enjoy this book. It has some of the light-hearted fun of "Dealing with Dragons" in the relations between the main character, Creel, and the dragons...as well showing the Dragons' quirky personalities. A very solid fantasy for YA and Middle Readers (and Librarians who love sassy main characters and dragons)”

Melissa wrote this review Thursday, January 1 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Severely cute fluff, but also darn funny. I liked each story equally actually, and almost cheered when the three stories came together at the end. Do I feel silly admitting this? Nope, you hear some many depressing things at Christmas time, it's just nice to sit down with your hot chocolate and read something like "Let it Snow" and let the hot chocolate, and the book, warm you up.”

Melissa wrote this review Sunday, December 21 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“I'm going to agree with the readers who said this book had a great concept, but fell flat with the writing style. In another review, someone said that the third person narrative made the story "detached" which I think probably was intentional, we are viewing the story the same way Janie is viewing the dreams, an outsider with no real connection to what we see, viewing things through others' eyes. Which fits with the story perfectly, but doesn't really allow for much character development. I think this book will pull in many teens, it's a quick read, the story is interesting, and it holds some edge. But, without that connection to the story (even if the lack of it reflects the concept of the book) I can't rate it any higher than "a good book." It falls solidly in the "good teen read" group without branching into anything deeper.”

Melissa wrote this review Sunday, December 21 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I love anything by Shannon Hale, while this is not my favorite (that would be "Goose Girl") it did not disapoint. I love how soothing her writing style is, not to say her books are not exciting, this one had a hint of magic (less than any of her other books really) but there were wars, some mental instability, desperation, and wild animal attacks, and I think the scene when the main character, Dashti, a Lady's Maid forced to pretend to be the Lady herself against her better judgement, goes off to face the villian (after learning just how bloodthirsty he can be)---is very well written--you can't help liking a character with that much loyalty and bravery. I think at that point it became a completely different book, and I have flash backs to reading my favorite fantasy novel, "The Hero and the Crown", it's the same feeling of a character standing up against something that can, and will probably kill her, but still doing so because she knows she is the only one who can protect the people she cares about. I've mentioned this in other reviews, but the reason I like Shannon Hale's work so much is that she mixes in some darkness ("Enna Burning" is a great example) so they are something other than just another princess story. This story also had that dark edge, but it's best qualility is the first person narrative, and the creation of a character who is rooted in the normal day to day things, and is pushed to become more than she ever thought possible.
”

Melissa wrote this review Friday, July 25 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Even though it looks to be a hefty book, I found it a quick read, mostly because it was a bit addicting, the characters were interesting, no real deep characterization here the characters often represent one thing... though I liked seeing Elizabeth through other people's eyes, and then through her own thoughts..how everyone thought she was perfect, or bland and really she was forcing herself to be perfect. There is nothing really new here, the themes of keeping up appearances, What is friendship, social/family pressures, not judging people, being true to yourself...add in back stabbing "friends", an outsider looking in, unrequited love, falling for someone not in the same social class...and mix it all together with pretty dresses, Hey I like pretty dresses. So again, like the other posts mentioned if you are a gossip girl fan this book will be right up your alley. I found it an entertaining way to spend my evening.”

Melissa wrote this review Sunday, May 11 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I really enjoy Cornelia Funke's Books. This one was a fun read, nothing engrossing like "Inkheart" but it has a strong female lead that elementary, (third, fourth grade) girls can relate to, and has some quick paced adventures (a few pages of a giant, a few pages of a dragon, a few pages of a sword fight) that might also pull in the boys. ”

Melissa wrote this review Saturday, October 13 2007. ( reply | permalink )