The School for Good and Evil

Title: The School for Good and Evil

Author: Soman Chainani [Website][Twitter][Facebook]; Illustrations by Iacopo Bruno [Website][theWORLDofDOT]

Publisher: Harper

Series: School for Good and Evil, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780062104892

Length: 488 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It looked intriguing.

Comments:

Um, I wasn't sure if I liked or disliked this book.  In some ways, despite being a MG book, it reminded me of Seanan McGuire's Indexing books [1][2] which I really enjoyed.  Fairy Tales have power, things aren't always as they seem, and people may be chosen to fill roles that they would not choose for themselves.  I just had mixed feelings.  And they were literally that - feelings - so I can't seem to explain them.  Logically, I should definitely have loved this story.  It is very much the type of book I've been into lately.  Maybe it was timing?  I think I'll read the next book to sort myself out.  And because the more I think about it, the more I'm curious about what comes next.

Trailer:

 

THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL - Official Book Trailer from Soman Chainani on Vimeo.

Grimm's Fairy Tales

Title: Grimm's Fairy Tales

Author: Jacob Grimm [Bio.] & Wilhelm Grimm [Bio.]

Read by:

Katherine Kellgren [Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
January LaVoy [Website][Audiofile][Twitter]
Simon Vance [Website][Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
Grover Gardner [Website][Audiofile]
Kate Rudd [Website][Audiofile][Facebook]
Jim Dale [Website][Audiofile]
Alfred Molina [Audiofile][Twitter]
Janis Ian [Website][Facebook][Twitter]
Graeme Malcolm [Audiofile]
Scott Brick [Website][Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
Bahni Turpin [Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
Davina Porter [Audiofile]
Dion Graham [Audiofile]
Edoardo Ballerini [Website][Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
Jayne Entwistle [Website][Audiofile][Twitter]
Luke Daniels [Website][Facebook][Twitter]
Roy Dotrice [Website]
Julia Whelan [Website][Audiofile][Facebook]
Kirby Heyborne [Website][Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
Mark Bramhall [Website][Audiofile][Twitter]
Robin Miles [Website][Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Listening Library (Random House)

ISBN: 9780147526380

Length: 3 discs ; 3 hours, 38 minutes

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I already have an interest in fairy tales.  But also this received WONDERFUL reviews and is performed by an award-winning cast.

Comments:

I haven't ever read the actual Grimm Fairy Tales.  I'm more familiar with other variations (particularly Disney, but also others).  I was not familiar with all the tales and especially all the actual details and endings.  I found them fascinating, especially the gruesome bits.  I'd really like to read (or preferably listen to) the rest, as these are a selection from The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales (though unabridged in the telling of the stories chosen).  I was especially interested in some of the variations ("The Twelve Brothers" and "The Six Swans", for instance).

As for the narration - it definitely lived up to the hype, for which I am exceedingly pleased.

I didn't get a chance to listen to this with the kiddos, and it has holds.  But perhaps I'll check it out again to share with the kiddos.

A compilation of SOME of the randomness I've recorded about my reading over the past several months

Title: A Silent Voice aka Koe no Katachi

Author: Yoshitoki Oima [MyAnimeList]

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Series: A Silent Voice, Vol. 1

ISBN: 9781632360564

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I saw it on Wowbrary.  The description sounded intriguing.

Comments:

So this first volume is primarily back story as to what happened in 6 years earlier between Shoya and Shoko, prior to Shoko transferring to another school.  I was a little too interested in what comes next, so in addition to requesting the library purchase the next several volumes, I also looked up the overall story arc.  I now know what is supposed to happen in general terms.  Hopefully that doesn't ruin the rest for me.

Update: I haven't read any more yet, but they won't be ruined when I do, because I've already forgotten what I looked up.

Title: Indexing

Author: Seanan McGuire [Website Bio 1][Website Bio 2][Website Bio 3][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: 47North

Series: Indexing, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781477809600

Length: 404 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've been reading a bit by this author.  While I was waiting on more from the October Daye and InCryptid series, I decided to read this.

Comments:

Took me 1 or 2 "chapters" (it was originally a Kindle serial) to really get into it, but it's a pretty fascinating concept that fairy tales are these negative types that you can be stuck in if your life has certain similarities or like characteristics or events.  I look forward to reading the next one, Indexing: Reflections.

Update: Thoughts on  Indexing: Reflections have already been posted because I wasn't paying attention...

Title: Roadside Magic

Author: Lilith Saintcrow [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Lili St. Crow

Publisher: Orbit

Series: Gallow and Ragged, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780316277877

Length: 315 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've enjoyed this author's work in the past, and read the first book in this series.

Comments:

I'm not always good with Faerie stories.  I've been reading more lately, but they can be difficult for me.  This is one whose world is especially troublesome for me, because I start to feel "trapped" if you will in all the bad events and "surrounded" by all these characters who are horrible and don't allow the primary characters, Gallow and Ragged, to escape.

 I found myself especially frustrated, because I was not even given the relief of the story ending.  Rather than individual stories that are resolved by the end (even if their is still a larger arcing story in progress), as I have come to expect of series, this ser ...

Update: I literally left that mid-word.   I think I was about to say more about it being cliffhanger, or no real ending.  But I'm not sure.

Title: Say I Love You. aka Suki tte Ii na yo.


Author: Kanae Hazuki [MyAnimeList]

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Series: Say I Love You. Volumes 1 - 5

ISBN:
9781612626024
9781612626031
9781612626048
9781612626055
9781612626062

Obtained: Library Copy

Why these books?:

Comments:

I never recorded comments at the time of reading this.  So by memory: This series almost crosses into too much for me (content-wise), but I found myself curious about the "what next"?  Unfortunately, by the time the rest of the series came in for me (I had to put them on hold), I was out of the country.  I lost that push, but I'll still follow up eventually.

Title: Grave Visions

Author: Kalayna Price [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

Series: Alex Craft, Bk 4

ISBN: 9780451416575

Length: 331 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Have enjoyed the rest of the series.

Comments:

It's about time!  I read it within a day of it finally coming in, and was eagerly awaiting the latest release date before that.  Hope the next one is a bit more timely.

Update: Short but sweet, right?

Title: The Obsession

Author: Nora Roberts [Website] [Facebook] aka Eleanor Marie Robertson Aufem-Brinke Wilder aka J. D. Robb aka Sarah Hardesty aka Jill March

Publisher: Berkley Books

ISBN: 9780399175169

Length: 453 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

New NR, need I say more?

Comments:

Great, intense intro.  Good characters... they fall within NR template.  I guessed the bad guy with the first murder.

Update: Again with the short clip.  But better than nothing.

Title: Bitter Bite

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 14

ISBN: 9781501111273

Length: 374 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Love this series.

Comments:

Oh, Finn!!!! This one had me very grumbly.  Poor Gin.


Update: This one is brief because otherwise I'd be rambling nonstop spoilers.

Indexing: Reflections

Title: Indexing: Reflections

Author: Seanan McGuire [Website Bio 1][Website Bio 2][Website Bio 3][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: 47North

Series: Indexing, Bk 2

ISBN: 9781503947740

Length: 325 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Enjoyed the first one, Indexing.

Comments:

Set aside the preaching, and this was another gripping fairy-tale story.  I really like Henry and her team.  And something happens to Henry relatively early in this story that had me tense (thoughts of "How can she [the author] do that?" echoing in my mind).  It is my understanding she wrote this after readers wanted more from the first book, so I hope the same happens and that there is a book 3.  I'd like to read more, and the ending certainly allowed for a continuation.

The Book of Speculation

Title: The Book of Speculation

Author: Erika Swyler [Website/Blog][Twitter]

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

ISBN: 9871250054807

Length: 339 Pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

This book caught my interest from the first moment I read the synopsis, and I had already started it when I received a recommendation from a coworker about it.

Comments:

I read this in September 2015 or prior (the above was last update 9/17/2015).  It was interesting, though perhaps not quite what I expected.

The protagonist, a librarian (though I've blanked on his name), is rather depressing.  But that seems to go along with his depressing family history.  The portrayal of librarianship was pretty gloomy too.  It left me rather pleased that things are not so desperate where I work, and that my day to day is generally decent.

The circus part of things gave that same surreal yet nostalgic feel that I dimly recall feeling after reading Water for Elephants.   I'm struggling to come up with a good comparison for the mysticism (tarot cards, an origin story, flashy storms at points of change, curses, etc.).  Probably the coolest part was the underwater breathing - scary as all get out, but pretty cool.

I know most of this is feeling and emotional impressions, but I'm actually pretty impressed that I remember that much.  It was one of those books that kind of lingers after you read it, so maybe that accounts for my memory of the story (if not character names).

Anyway, I'm glad I read it, but it isn't the type of book I could read regularly.

The Killing Time

Title: The Killing Time

Author: Tim Waggoner [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Titan Books

Series: Grimm, Bk 3

ISBN: 9781781166581

Length: 262 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It's Grimm!

Comments:

I was so excited about this book, so I don't know why it took me so long to start it after I checked it out early October.  Of course once I started it, I zipped through it.

I'm getting ahead of myself though.  I was pleased that the characters felt pretty spot on in this one.  The only character that seemed different was Nick, but those differences were internal (so not necessarily something I'd get from the TV show) and necessary for the story.

This story falls after the voodoo-priest/Cracher-Mortel story arc and before the more recent loss of powers bit.  A shapeshifter type of Wesen called Wechselbalg has come to Portland.  Nick's had an in person encounter with unpredictable and not pleasant results.  It's reeking havoc; the last such occurrence (Wechselbalg taking on Grimm form) led to such horror that it is called the Killing Time.  Is it possible for Nick and friends to avoid a repeat of this, or are they doomed to repeat history?

Anyway, I'm so happy novels are being written for this show and really hope the series continues on both TV and book levels.  The first three books came pretty quickly one after the other, but I'm pretty concerned that I haven't seen anything about a fourth title yet.  Maybe they are slowing down as they're approaching being caught up with the show?

The Grimm Legacy

Title: The Grimm Legacy

Author: Polly Shulman [Website][Twitter][Facebook]; Read by Julia Whelan [Website][IMDb][Facebook]

Publisher: Dreamscape Media (Penguin)

Series: Depository, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781624068454

Length: 8 discs ; 9 hours, 19 minutes

Obtained: Library audiobook copy

Why this book?:

I've had a thing for all things Grimm lately.

Comments:

I typed this up once and lost it, so I hope I remember everything I wanted to say...

I liked Elizabeth as well as Aaron and Jaya.  Marc and Anjali annoyed me in their disregard for the rules, but I guess they were okay outside of that.  I don't know if it's because I'm getting older, or if it's like this for anyone reading the book, but I was just about pulling out my hair wanting them to just TELL AN ADULT.  Really, I'm all for the kids solving things, and when the adults are oppressive or don't believe you of course the characters need to act anyway.  But this just didn't feel like one of those situations.

Anyway, beyond those bits of frustration, I really enjoyed this story.  I loved hearing the fairy tales and the idea of artifacts really holding the power told of in said fairy tales.  Several of the fairy tales were unfamiliar to me, and I think I need to read me some Grimm brothers (I never actually have).

The ending was my favorite part, to the point that I actually re-listened to the last disc a few days after finishing the book.  I've since started the second book, The Wells Bequest, and while I'm sorry it does not focus on Elizabeth and Aaron (Jaya is a featured character though), I still expect it to be a fun book.

The Chopping Block

Title: The Chopping Block

Author: John Passarella [Website][Twitter][Facebook]

Publisher: Titan Books

Series: Grimm, Bk 2

ISBN: 9781781166567

Length: 315 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

As soon as I saw this was coming out, I put in a purchase request at the library.  I love the show Grimm; I simply couldn't pass this up.

Comments:

This came out incredibly soon after Bk 1.  And yet I felt that many of the complaints from the first book were addressed in this one.

Before you start reading there is a "Historian's Note" stating that this book would fall between the episodes "The Walking Dead" and "Goodnight, Sweet Grimm," while the timeline in regards to The Icy Touch was blurry. 

To me the characters in this book felt more authentic.  I didn't suddenly feel distaste towards characters I had previously liked.

While the story/crime was totally sick and gruesome, I was definitely engaged.  Your everyday average human is turning up in dumping grounds, wesen are eating them in an ancient tradition, and there is a tight deadline with friends and innocents lives on the line.

In other words, while I enjoyed the first book as a fan, this book was a definite step up.  I look forward to reading future Grimm books and discovering what else is in store for Nick, his friends, and Portland.

The Icy Touch

Title: The Icy Touch

Author: John Shirley [Website][Internet Speculative Fiction Database]

Publisher: Titan Books

Series: Grimm, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781781166543

Length: 312 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

As soon as I saw this was coming out, I put in a purchase request at the library.  I love the show Grimm, I simply couldn't pass this up.

Comments:

I haven't often read books based of of TV series (like one time with Monk in fact), so it's new.  I was a little thrown at first, because the book does not start at the beginning.  But I got over that.

Another thing that took some adjusting was the personalities.  I guess seeing and interpreting an actor's expressions and body language is different than reading their inner thoughts.  Because I had certain impressions about those characters that didn't quite align with what I was reading.  One character difference that stood out to me was Hank.  In the book, he was a bit whiny with the whole we should expose the Wesen to law enforcement thing.  He just doesn't come across that way on the show.  But there were other character things that I just can't think of off the top of my head.

Beyond that, visiting Nick, Monroe, Hank, Renard, Rosalie, Juliette, and Wu all in my beloved book format was way cool.  The historical flashbacks to Nick's ancestors were interesting, gave information that might have otherwise been info-dumping, and gave some new tidbits that Nick wouldn't necessarily have found in the trailer.

If you've never seen the show, you can still enjoy the story.  But you'll have missed a great deal of the background on the characters.  (Really, to get the best of the characters - watch the show.)

Overall, despite some disappointment, I still enjoyed the book and am glad I read it.  I look forward to reading book 2, The Chopping Block by John Passarella, due out February 2014.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

Title: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

Author: Catherynne M. Valente (Read by author)

Publisher: BrillianceAudio on Compact Disc

Series: Fairyland, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781455875641

Length: 6 discs; 7 hours 16 minutes

Obtained: Library copy

Comments: I heard such great things about this book, and it sounded right up my alley so I had to try it. And of course what better way to experience a fairy-fantastical tale but by listening to it, so I requested and waited for my library to purchase the audiobook. I'm not even sure where to start when it comes to explaining my reactions towards the book.

The titles are those long meandering types, this was actually fun. There is SO MUCH description. While this rather worked for the story, I'm not especially fond of description. I get impatient with it going on and on, so I personally found that a bit trying.

But the main thing? The story quickly became SO CREEPY. I had trouble starting it back up at one point. For quite some time really. But it was holding up the waiting list I have for audio books to read, so I pressed on. I can't say I loved this book the way so many others seem to have.

But by the end I accepted it for all that it is, and I plan to read - I mean listen to - the second book, The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There. I suppose I ought to also read the prequel, The Girl Who Ruled Fairyland—For a Little While, but I'm not sure I really want to.

Overall my feelings toward this book are mixed.  I enjoyed this book in a very hesitant and somewhat fearful way.

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom

Title: The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom

Author: Christopher Healy; Illustrations by Todd Harris

Publisher: Walden Pond Press

Series: The Hero's Guide To..., Bk 1

ISBN: 9780062117434

Pages: 423

Obtained: Advance Reader Edition provided to the local library... then made available for employee's to take

Comments:

So several ARCS were put out in the staff lounge, and I ended up grabbing 4 of them then and there.  This was one of the four and I had to start reading it soon after.  According to the marketing info on the back, this is for grades 3-7, but that's never stopped me.  I'm interested in twists on well known fairy tales, but I especially love the humorous ones.  And this one was most definitely humorous.  From the chapter titles to the little scrapes the four Prince Charmings (because "Prince Charming" is a proper noun and the s can go on the end of Charming, in my reasoning... if you read the book you'll know what I'm talking about) encounter.  The entire book contained laughs and fun and was just plain Charming (bad pun intended).  In case you're interested, my favorite princes were Liam and Frederic.  Anyway, I was so glad to see that there will be a second book next April, The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle, and I plan to read it.

The Unhandsome Prince

Title: The Unhandsome Prince

Author: John Moore

Publisher: ACE Fantasy

Copyright Date: 2005

Print Date: May 2005

ISBN: 0441012876

Pages: 266

Book Description (from back cover):

And they lived happily never after...

Caroline's plan to live happily ever after has hit a snag. She's spent months mapping the swamp, building tadpole nets, and kissing every frog she could get her hands on, and one has finally turned into a prince. Unfortunately, Prince Hal is not, as promised in the fairy tales, particularly handsome. In fact, he's kind of dorky=looking.

Hale himself isn't very eager to marry a girl so obsessed with appearances, but he finds that a lot of people have a stake in his impending nuptuals — including a sorceress in training, an irritating dwarf, and Hal's own royal family, who seem to have misplaced large portions of the treasury. But the biggest reason for him to marry Caroline, true love be darned, is that if he doesn't, it's back to the lily pads for him — permanently...

Comments:

I saw this for sale at Dollar General, and after reading the back cover, I had to take it home. I started it right away, and found it as humerous as I hoped. Actually, I thought it's be the perfect book for a Tuesday Teaser with some slight but witty humorous lines slipped in throughout. Unfortunately, I was at work (which means means work computer, which means no blogging) and then forgot. ::shrug::

Anyway, it's one of those twists on fairy tale stories, and I seem to really enjoy those. The characters are likeable — if you look at the big picture. If you look at the little details, you're likely to run into their flaws, and those aren't so pretty.

When Caroline (girl who kissed frog), Hal (unhandsome prince), and Emily (sorceress apprentice) arrive in the city of Melinower, the girls and reader meet Prince Hal's brothers. The story also takes a turn in description that I didn't expect, until I realized this is a male author describing boys (or young men... I don't think it mentions age). It took some adjustment, but wasn't bad.

This next bit may be a bit spoilerish, but I have to comment...

And then, Hal's oldest brother, Kenny, gets the idea to make money by expelling the Jews. His theory is that the Jews are also the money lenders, and if they've been kicked out, they can't collect on debts the royal family owes. *blink* I was like, woah, we're talking strong social commentary, no? Where did that come from in this fairy tale (kinda) story? Now the heroes of the story (that is, the 3 we've been following and Hal's other brother Jeff), obviously must stop this. But it kind of threw me a little off.

Nevertheless, I continued reading, and overall, I found it a fun read — despite some jarringly real moments.

The Hunter's Moon

Title: The Hunter's Moon

Author: O.R. Melling

Publisher: Amulet Books

Copyright Date: 2005

Print Date: April 2005

ISBN: 0810958570

Pages: 261 + Glossary

Series: 1st in the Chronicles of Fairie series

Book Description (from dust jacket):

Gwen and her Irish cousin Findabhair share an obsession for all things magical, especially the ancient fairy myths of beautiful creatures who lure humans into danger. Still, when Gwen arrives in Ireland for a summer of backpacking with Findabhair, she expects only the usual road trip excitement: late nights, interesting strangers, and no parents. She does not expect to do battle with the King of Fairie himself.

On a lark, the two girls camp inside a sacred grave mound on the mystical hill of Tara. That night Findabhair is kidnapped by the King, and it is up to Gwen, alone in a different country, to save her. With help of friends she meets along the way, including a leprechaun with bad driving habits, a girl farmer, and a gorgeous eighteen-year-old Irish king, Gwen chases the fairy court across Ireland, trying to outwit the masters of trickery. But all her bravery and resourcefulness may not save her cousin or herself, for it's the time of the Hunter's Moon and the faries need a sacrifice.

Comments:

I had high expectations for this book. When I first saw it on the library shelf I was drawn by the shiny spine and title (Hunter's Moon sounds paranormal or fantasy to me). Pulling it out to discover the front view of the cover (which — though you can't really tell on the computer screen — is really 'magical' and attractive) drew me in further. The first paragraph of the blurb was enough to decide me. I was taking it home.

At home I noticed the recommendations on the back of the dust jacket that say things like, "In a fair world, a new book from [Melling] would be anticipated with all the fanfare of a new Rowling title..." etc. (BTW, that quote is from an author named Charles de Lint. Since it also says he's the winner of the World Fantasy Award I feel stupid admitting I have no clue who he is, but there you are.) I really love Rowling's Harry Potter books so my expectations rose.

An introductory quote from a Yeat's poem (a passage I love) and an intriguing Prologue made my anticipation even more intense. And then I read on. I suppose it's only to be expected that I was disappointed. I can only wonder if I would have been more satisfied had my expectations not been so high.

It wasn't a bad book. I enjoyed the story, and I'm going to try the next book in the series. But part way through I was feeling disconnected. After briefly analyzing why this might be, I decided the characters feel a bit flat. Gwen grows as it goes on, but many of the secondary characters are more "two-dimensional" if you will. And Gwen's cousin Findabhair is downright frustrating and in some ways unreal. In fact, I was startled to discover Findabhair share's her name with Melling's daughter. I would have thought she'd only give her daughter's name to a more likeable character. But maybe that's just me.

Anyway, the characters did gain (some) more depth at the end. Plus, the background was charming, fantastical, and in some cases creepy; the glimpse into Melling's fairie world, based on Irish tales, is interesting. I just wish I could have connected to some of the characters more and all the way through.

On an educational note: A glossary of Irish words and a note from the author about the Irish language can be found at the end. I found both of these interesting and helpful.

What are you reading on Mondays? (8/31)

Hosted by J. Kaye (@ http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/).

Books I completed this past week are:

Fortune's Folly by Deva Fagan

Angel with Attitude by Michelle Rowen

walking in circles before lying down by Merrill Markoe

The Devil's Paintbox by Victoria McKernan

Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux

I've continued working through Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series - many of these are library copies - for the Sookie Stackhouse Challenge ...

All Together Dead
Dracula Night (Short Story found in Many Bloody Returns: Tales of Birthdays with Bite)
From Dead to Worse
Gift Wrap (Short Story found in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe)
Lucky (Short Story found in Unusual Suspects: Stories of Mystery and Fantasy)
Dead and Gone

[Note: I read the Sookie Stackhouse books in the above order.  The list I was working from was in order of publication date not chronologically by storyline...I discovered which stories should have been read sooner as I read...very frustrating]

I can't believe I forgot to mention the short stories from Simon R. Green's Nightside series:

Lucy at Christmastime (Short Story found in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe)
Appetite for Murder (Short Story found in Unusual Suspects: Stories of Mystery and Fantasy)

Currently Reading:

Twin of Ice by Jude Deveraux (I'll finish this before I go to bed)

Upcoming books:

I expect to recieve the most recent Jayne Castle book soon, so I'll read the books in that series to prepare...

Bridal Jitters (Short Story - My copy is found in Harmony)
After Dark
After Glow
Ghost Hunter
Silver Master
Dark Light

I can't really plan further ahead because I don't know how much time classes will take this semester.

Fortune's Folly

Title: Fortune's Folly

Author: Deva Fagan

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Copyright Date: 2009

Print Date: April 2009

ISBN: 9780805087420

Pages: 257

Description (from dust jacket):

Ever since her mother died and her father lost his shoemaking skills, Fortunata has survived by telling fake fortunes. But when she’s tricked into telling a grand fortune for a prince, she is faced with the impossible task of fulfilling her wild prophecy—or her father will be put to death.

Now Fortunata has to help Prince Leonato secure a magic sword, vanquish a wicked witch, discover a long-lost golden shoe, and rescue the princess who fits it. If only she herself hadn’t fallen in love with the prince...



Comments:

This was a light, fun read. Fortunata is in a tough situation with no magical answers. Instead, she must make her own. The glimpses of various fairy tale elements - magical slippers, swords stuck in stones, princesses in towers, wicked relatives, evil witches who dine on children, etc. - are fun and charming. The ending was quick and oh so unlikely - but that is the way with fairy tales, isn't it?