Poisoned

By Katherine Pine

Poisonous mists settled in the lowlands 17 years ago, rendering ninety percent of the land uninhabitable and killing over half the population. Most blame their misfortune on industrialization or the fey, but some curse Snow White, the princess who was born poisoned.

As the only person who can survive entering the poisoned woods without a gas mask, Snow White has dedicated her life to studying the poison and finding a cure. This obsession draws her deeper into the woods and its secrets, where nothing is as it seems. When Snow White saves a man who should never have been saved, she unleashes an evil more horrifying and destructive than poison.

Whoop-de-do. I found a doozie. This is nothing like the Snow White you know. This is a story that just happens to have the princess of the same name. Welcome to a kingdom that is poisoned, where the people live daily in the fear that they will somehow contract the deadly diseases found in most of the country. Everyone goes around wearing gas masks when they get anywhere close to infected areas, but the only person who always has to wear a mask is the princess, Snow White. She was born poison. Her skin is the shade of deathly white, her lips a grotesque and poisoned red. She has poison in her touch, in her veins, in her kiss. All Snow White wants is to be accepted and loved, and to help her people to escape the poison’s grip. This is a great dark re-telling of the Snow White story, and so far has three parts, which are all amazing so far. I highly recommend this novella-length story for those who enjoy a more grim tinge to their fairy tales (Pun definitely intended).

P.S. This story is also sold as 'Love is Poison', which includes the next 2 parts of the story, 'The Mirror' and 'The Huntsman

This gets a solid 4 out of 5 for sheer awesome creativity 

The Frog Prince

By Jenni James

A prince disguises himself to find true love—Prince Nolan has had enough of Princess Blythe—the woman to whom he has been betrothed since infancy—and her simpering letters. Does the princess truly not have a brain in her head? Never before has he communicated with someone who seemed so childish and spoiled. It was time he met her for himself, to decide if he could actually follow through with this marriage. But to do it right, she must not see how handsome he is. He needs a disguise—something that would show him her true nature.

Nolan asks an old herb woman to transform him into a creature that is disgusting to any female—a frog. The spell will last thirty days unless the princess does the impossible and kisses him. Now the true test begins. Will Blythe prove to be as monstrously annoying as he believes she is, or will he learn to see past his judgments and find a loving princess waiting for him?

Here’s another win for Jenni James! She doesn’t always get a good fairy-tale out there, but this one made my ‘to read again’ list. This is a sweet story with a creative twist to the classic tale; the frog prince voluntarily becomes a frog? Nolan is endearing as a frog and learns that there is so much more to his intended than he thought. Blythe is a girl who just wants what everyone wants; to be herself and be loved for herself. There are shenanigans and misunderstandings and true love in the story which will leave you smiling and making that universal sound of approval, “Awwww…”

I give it a 3.75 out of 5- above average for the author and the genre. 

Defiance

By Taylor Longford

Think you know about gargoyles? The beautiful winged race disappeared eight hundred years ago. When they last walked the earth, they traveled in close-knit packs, their throats marked with ancient runes. Their greatest enemies were the ugly and brutal harpies that people today mistake for gargoyles.

Defiance can’t resist Whitney Anders. But the young gargoyle has trust issues where human girls are concerned. And Whitney’s a babe among her human peers in Pine Grove, so he’s going to have to work for her if wants her. And overcome his trust issues once and for all.

So this series is one of my guilty pleasures, as the plots are pretty much the same: Gargoyle falls in love, girl is unbelieving, harpy attack, Gargoyle and girl win, love ensues. This book focuses on Defiance, one of my least favorite of the Greystone brothers, so perhaps that is why this book wasn’t as fun for me. I don’t like Whitney either, her character comes across as one of those really annoying girls who is beautiful and knows it and just happens to be good at everything and basically perfect except for her lack of personality. Meh. The best parts of this book were the references to the missing Chaos and his rescue. Mystery anybody? The plot chain of the books has begun to break! Yay! Also, having an adult know about the Gargoyles was a huge plus for me and I really like Whitney’s Dad and his insistence that Defiance wait to mark Whitney until she graduates. Good call Dad.

This one gets a 3 out of 5

Michael Vey 3: Battle of the Ampere

By Richard Paul Evans

Michael, Taylor, Ostin and the rest of the Electroclan have destroyed the largest of the Elgen Starxource plants, but now they’re on the run. The Elgen have teamed up with the Peruvian army to capture them, and only Michael remains free. With his friends due to stand trial for terrorism—a charge that may carry the death penalty—Michael will need all his wits and his abilities if he’s to save them.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Dr. Hatch and his loyal Electric Children have seized control of the E.S. Ampere—the super yacht the Elgen use as their headquarters. With the seven ships of the Elgen fleet now under his control, Hatch heads back to Peru to gather his army and begin his quest for global domination.

Michael must free his friends and then find a way to stop Hatch, but Hatch knows Michael and the Electroclan are coming. And he’s ready for them. Can the Electroclan win the battle of the Ampere? Or has Michael’s luck finally run out?

So, the beginning of this book was super slow. I had a really hard time and was forcing myself to read chunks and get to the point of the book. It seemed to me there was a ton of unnecessary detail and focus on things that were interesting, but didn’t move the plot forward fast enough for the theme of the series. Once you get through it though, it picks up and we’re back on track. I will admit though that I am having a hard time caring about the majority of the characters, as their development hasn't been addressed near enough. But now that I’ve got my issues out of the way I will say that this book is a solid adventure and interesting in how the clan continues to find new ways to use their electrical powers to defeat the baddies. I’m a little less enthused about the series as a whole after this book, and still haven’t picked up the fourth book that came out this past year. I’m waiting for the mood to hit, which might take a while.

This gets the average 3 out of 5

The Fall of Five

By Pittacus Lore

The Garde are finally reunited, but do they have what it takes to win the war against the Mogadorians? John Smith—Number Four—thought that things would change once the Garde found one another. They would stop running. They would fight the Mogadorians, and they would win. But he was wrong. After facing off with the Mogadorian ruler and almost being annihilated, the Garde know they are drastically unprepared and hopelessly outgunned. Now they’re hiding out in Nine’s Chicago penthouse, trying to figure out their next move. The six of them are powerful, but they’re not strong enough yet to take on an entire army—even with the return of an old ally. To defeat their enemy, the Garde must master their Legacies and learn to work together as a team. More important, they’ll have to discover the truth about the Elders and their plan for the Loric survivors. And when the Garde receive and sign from Number Five—a crop circle in the shape of a Loric symbol—they know they are so close to being reunited. But could it be a trap? Time is running out, and the only thing they know for certain is that they gave to get to Five before it’s too late.

The Garde may have lost battles, but they will not lose this war. Lorien will rise again.

This series has been entertaining to read, and I always enjoy reading them when they come out. They aren't really the books I can’t wait to read, but if I see it in the library, I’ll definitely pick it up. This fourth installation of the series was chuck full of difficulties for the Garde. They meet Number Five, a chubby kid that nobody can seem to find any liking for, but man is he powerful. Each member of the Garde has their own problems, doubts, and worries about the fate of the world, and the mystery of the Elder’s plans when they sent the last Loriens to Earth. Ella/Ten has an interesting role in this book, which I won’t spoil for anyone, but I’m hoping that things work out for the poor kid. As for the mysterious ally, Adam, I really liked the spin that was put in, as it balanced things out in the end. And (SPOILER) a character dies that everyone is incredibly upset about…I was there with you. So so sad. All in all, this is a solid companion to the first three books, and I will definitely keep reading to see what other kinks and resolutions come about in the series.  

One warning: Nine has the mouth of a sailor, so beware of profanity if that distresses you. No bombs, but plenty of the others.

This gets a 4 out of 5 

The BFG

By Roald Dahl

Captured by a giant! The BFG is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly. It’s lucky for Sophie that he is. Had she been carried off in the middle of the night by the Bloodbottler, the Fleshlumpeater, the Bonecruncher, or any of the other giants—rather than the BFG—she would have soon become breakfast. When Sophie hears that they are flush-bunking off in England to swollomp a few nice little chiddlers, she decides she must stop them once and for all. And the BFG is going to help her!

Roald Dahl is a beloved children’s author for a reason. This is just pure fun and captures the imagination of children. It’s a great story for kids and as an adult, just makes me smile and feel great. The BFG (short for Big Friendly Giant) is the only nice giant in the world, and Sophie just happens to make friends with him and learn about how horrible the other giants are while with the BFG. When she finds out the other giants are on their way to England for a snack of children, she takes matters into her own hands with the help of the BFG and decides to go to the Queen of England for help. This is just a fun romp with clever wit and friendliness. One of my favorites from Roald Dahl.

I give it a 4 out of 5

Blackmoore

By Julianne Donaldson

Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead—if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured—and rejected—three marriage proposals.

Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain sooner rather than later and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?

I was pretty excited for this second novel from Ms. Donaldson, who debuted with “Edenbrooke”, a light-hearted, adventure-esque, clean romance. This second book promised to be more ‘realistic’ and I found myself hopping to get a copy. Now let me start by saying, holy smokes, the writing is beautiful. It was poetry. The imagery and the descriptions were deep with feeling. I was quite taken with this story, the characters were fleshed out and believable, the plot was fun, and I appreciated that the main character was able to figure out her folly in the end. I’ve always been a sucker for the ‘boy next door’ romances. Now on the other hand, the little portion of the book where she goes to the beach and he’s swimming nude made me squirm. That was so harlequin I was irritated. That doesn’t happen in regency romance, and the guy isn’t all debonair if by some strange chance it does. Irritating. Also, the end could’ve used a little more hope, happiness, you know. It let me down for a book I was otherwise in love with. I felt like it was a little too ‘real life’, come on, a little bit of fairy-tale is okay for the ending! That said, it was lovely and I’d like to say well done Ms. Donaldoson, keep them coming!

I give it a 4 out of 5