Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer
Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date:  January 3, 2012
ISBN:  978-0312641894
Pages:  400


Note:  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I always approach the retelling of a fairytale in a skeptical manner.  However, Marissa Meyer did a beautiful job and I can't wait to read more!  She kept the basic idea of Cinderella and updated it to a sci/fi cyborg story with death and disease and a horrid Queen trying to overtake Earth.  What more could you ask for?

The Characters:
Cinder - a true delight!  She knows what she is and what she isn't, seems proud that she can do things as a cyborg that regular humans can't, yet at the same time is embarrassed about being a cyborg.  She's reasonable, romantic, adventurous...I just love her! Did she remind anyone else of FIREFLY's Kaylee?  I mean, Kaylee wasn't a cyborg...but if she was, she would have been Cinder.


Kai - Prince of New Commonwealth, has a temper, hates that he has to do things he doesn't want to do, wants to be a regular guy sometimes, is prepared to do all the things he doesn't want to do, and seems to only really want one thing for just himself - Cinder.


Peony - the youngest stepsister, loves Cinder, very sweet and lovable.

Pearl - the oldest stepsister, rude, mean, haughty, but still shows humanity here and there.

Adri - the stepmother (guardian), awful, but does show other emotions.

Iko - the family android, but really hangs out with Cinder most, has a delightful personality chip (remember the android in Robin Williams' BICENTENNIAL MAN?)

Dr. Erland - research doctor in the palace, trying to figure out how to cure the plague and maybe has his own research going on....

Queen Levana - Lunar Queen, true evil, a royal B...

The Plot
 First off there's the whole Cinderella thing, you know - Cinder has to work to support the family, she does all the dirty work, she never gets updated parts or clothes, she sleeps in a tiny room and isn't allowed to attend the ball.  There's a tiny bit of romance, but just enough to keep you wanting more.

Then there's the fact that there's a plague in the world - Letumosis.  No one seems to know how the plague starts, spreads or how to cure it.

The whole book was wonderful and I really enjoyed it.  I love that Miss Meyer took a traditional fairytale and updated it so well.  Congratulations!

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry
Publisher:  Amulet Books
Release Date:  May 1, 2012
ISBN:  978-1419701788
Pages:  354


I received this book in ebook format from the publisher through www.netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


I know you're all asking 'why are you teasing us with a book that doesn't even come out until May 1st?  That's
2 1/2 months away!'  Well, because, my darlings, this is a fantastic book and I want you all to put it on your wishlist or go pre-order it right now.  Go on, I'll wait for you.

Ok, all wishlisted and pre-ordered?  Good.  Here we go:

Lena is just turning 18 in this book and she has these weird elongated hands and feet with an extra knuckle on her fingers.  Her doctor and grandmother tell her she has signs of 'goblinism' and that possibly her father was a goblin.  Her grandmother always tells her how goblins can't help but be destructive.  Nice grandma, eh?  When Lena turns 18 her mother gives her something her father left for her:  a letter, a map and a bit of money.  She strikes off for the wilds of Scree to find her father and maybe the truth about herself.

Lena hops on a train to Scree and meets Jimson, a young man off to his new job as a private librarian for a wealthy man just outside of Scree.  She also meets Marshal Saltre, who convinces her that Jimson's employer is doing something illegal and asks her to spy for him. As Lena becomes more acquainted with Jimson, Mr. Beasley and his household, she is torn between doing what Marshal Saltre wants her to do and doing what is right by herself.

Ms. McQuerry is a master wordsmith.  Her use of words like 'goblinishness' and 'bandylegged' as well as phrases such as 'Margaret's words were slippery,' really made the story delightful.  The descriptions made me feel the train rock, smell the salty air and know what it's like to trudge through deep snow.  It made reading the book a complete joy.

Lena - I like her.  A lot.  At first she's entirely self-absorbed, worrying more about hiding her hands and feet than anything else.  But you catch glimpses of who she is when she acts instinctively and forgets her limbs.  Who hasn't felt awkward and like they're different?  But when you forget yourself in happiness or wonder, everyone is the same.  I really love that you see Lena grow so much through her journey.

Jimson - smart, likable, ready for action.  I love that he gets so distracted by scientific concepts and that he accepts people for who they are and doesn't want to settle for ordinary.

Mr. Beasley - an odd man.  He's wealthy, a doctor, a scientist; he just wants to help those in need.

Marshal Thomas Saltre - a bit mysterious. He comes off as two different people, depending on the circumstances.  Like Lena, I wanted to like him but was unsure of him.

If you like alternate historical fiction, steampunk or fantasy - you'll love this book!

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Publisher: Random House
Publish Date:  July 10, 2012
ISBN:  978-0375866562


Note:  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I know what you're thinking based on the cover.  It's the same thing I was thinking when I first saw it.  This is a high-fantasy novel.  It's not, not really.  Yes, there are dragons.  Who doesn't like dragons?!  BUT the dragons can squish themselves down into human form and 'pass' for human.  In fact, they're so good at passing that they are required to wear actual silver bells to signify that they are dragons.  Of course some don't have to wear them, they have special dispensation.  It's tricky.  The musical descriptions, the time period detail, the society and world building that went on in this book - amazing.  I think it's a fine blend of high fantasy and sci/fi with a little steampunk thrown in.

The dragons and humans have a tenuous peace.  The dragons seem to be better at it than the humans are.  They don't openly look down upon the humans and aren't mean to them, even though they could transform and eat them.  Dragons aren't allowed to hoard treasure anymore, so they now hoard knowledge.  Pretty awesome, eh?  Of course the lowest thing that you could possibly be in this society is half-human, half-dragon.  Shall we all guess what Seraphina is?

The characters:
Seraphina - she's 16 years old, the music assistant at the palace, her mom is dead and her dad raised her.  He's a lawyer.  She's smart, funny, loyal and has some serious issues.  She knows she does and spends quite a bit of time hating herself for what she sees as her weaknesses.  Anyone that's had a hard time fitting in or had a secret they were afraid would get out, should be able to sympathize with Seraphina.

Kiggs - bastard cousin to the royalty, engaged to the Princess, smart, quick to catch on, intrigued by Seraphina.

Orma - Seraphina's tutor.  I thought I wouldn't like him at all at first, but he turned out to be one of my favorites.  I think I liked him because of his lack of emotion - the very reason I thought I wouldn't like him.  It really made him very amusing.  His best line?  'I'm attracting small children, shoo it away, won't you?'

Princess Glisselda - at first comes off as a vapid princess, but you quickly find that she's smart, shrewd, devious and delightful.  All wrapped up in a pretty package.

The peace between humans and dragons is at risk.  One of the human royalty has been found dead and it looks like the work of a dragon.  If someone doesn't figure it all out, everything could go up in smoke...quite literally.  Seraphina is determined to help keep the peace, even while keeping her own secret.  This is an excellent book for just about everyone.  It is part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone.

The Fifth Specter by T. S. Welti

Publisher: CreateSpace
Publish Date:  June 26, 2011
ISBN: 978-1461046387
Pages: 362
Illustrations: Alex Corrales

I was excited to receive this book from the author for review.  It sounded great and was compared to Harry Potter in the only review I could find.  Being a big fan of the Potter series, I was understandably excited.  It IS similar to HP (Harry Potter) - in fact, to me, it seemed to be HP rewritten.  I found so many major similarities that I actually stopped reading and just skimmed for the ones that jumped out at me.

The only other review I found was done by a friend of the author.  I would love to read what other reviewers have to say.

Here's a quick list of the similarities of the two books:

1 - both boys orphaned and live with mean families
2 - both boys are famous in 'their' worlds
3 - one has super powers, one has magic
4 - both have an authority figure who seems to hate them and gives out horrid detentions
5 - both have a physical notifier - Parker has a streak of white hair like his mother and HP has a lightening bolt scar and green eyes like his mother
6 - both had mothers that loved them more than anything and that gives power
7 - Lost Forest near school, Forbidden Forest near school
8 - 5 houses named after scientists for Parker, 4 houses named after founders for HP
9 - got a micrograph Level 1 (communication device, unheard of for newbie) Parker, wand special one of only two made for HP
10 - neither are supposed to use their powers as newbies
11 - tabloid names: The Smoking Quill for Parker, The Quibbler for HP
12 - weird candy descriptions sound a lot like Weasley Wizard Wheezes
13 - Human Studies for Parker, Muggle Studies for HP
14 - Cosmic Ball for Parker, Quidditch for HP - neither ever played yet made team as a newbie
15 - neither knew anything of their powers or their world before
16 - Parker's bffs:
           Norah Legrande - girl, smart, brown frizzy hair   and    Lucas Sherwood - boy, always lived there, eats a lot
       HP's bffs:
           Hermione Granger - girl, smart, brown frizzy hair    and   Ron Weasley - boy, always lived there, eats a lot

17 - both books the boys are late for their first class on the first day

I don't think that I need to go on or even say anything more.  The differences are so slight that it just doesn't matter.  Even the author story is similar:  single mom, out of work.  Even the names:  J.K. Rowling - T.S. Welti.

Welcome to Bordertown Edited by Holly Black and Ellen Kushner

Publisher:  Random House for Young Readers
Publish Date:  May 24, 2011
ISBN:  978-0375867057
Pages:  544
Jacket Art: Steve Stone
Jacket Design: Ellice M. Lee

Contributors:  Terry Windlings, Steven Brust, Cory Doctorow, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Cassandra Clare, Jane Yolen, Emma Bull, Janni Lee Simner, Charles de Lint, Sara Ryan, Will Shetterly, Dylan Meconis, Amal El-Mohtar, Tim Pratt, Annette Curtis Klause, Delia Sherman, Nalo Hopkinson, Christopher Barzak, Neil Gaiman, Patricia A. McKillip and Catherynne M. Valente.

WOW!  What a group of amazing writers!  Bordertown is a city on the border between the human world and the elfin realm.  There are several earlier collections: Bordertown: A Chronicle of the Borderlands (1986), Bordertown: Where Magic Meets Rock & Roll (1996) and The Essential Bordertown (1999).  I will be going to find the other books now that I've read this one.  These are the kinds of stories that drew me into reading fantasy and now I know where all the writers went - they all ran off to Bordertown!

The basis of this anthology is that the way to Bordertown has been lost for 13 years.  However, in Bordertown it's only been 13 days.  Imagine the issues that could cause!

I adore that some of the stories run together, sometimes it was hard to tell that it was a different author writing - that's an amazing talent.  Some of the characters went story to story and some of the settings were the same.  It was great to have short stories, poetry and graphic novels all in one book.

The Overtaking by Victorine Lieske

Publisher:  CreateSpace
Publish Date:  May 14, 2011
ISBN:  978-1461189459  
Pages:  288
Cover Art:  Victorine E. Lieske

Watch for the Author Interview and ARC Giveaway tomorrow!!!!

SPOILERS!!!!!

I received this ARC from the author and was very pleased.  I couldn't put it down and finished it in two days.  Ms. Lieske had told me that it was a love story, I was taking a chance because I'm not really a reader of love stories.  However, I don't think I would label it a love story...I would say that it's Sci/Fi that happens to have a sweet little love story in it.

My favorite quote:  Shayne Bartlet has been kidnapped, his powers disabled and his memory altered.  He's not having a good day.  And he doesn't even know it yet.

That quote told me that I would love this.  I mean, imagine if your memory was altered.  You would just go one believing you were whomever you were programmed to be and wouldn't know you hated mushrooms and loved olives!  Ok, so that's a little silly, but you wouldn't even know your family and friends!


There's a wide variety of characters, both good and evil.  I would have liked to see the characters other than the main two (Shayne and Danielle) fleshed out a little more, but I'm hoping that will happen in Book 2.  Shayne is from a planet where the people have psychic powers and are peaceful.  Danielle is from a planet that was all but destroyed and they have no powers.  It's boy meets girl with a twist.  Shayne doesn't know Danielle is part of the population that has altered his memory and she can't tell him.  She really likes him and keeps trying to protect him, but is finally punished by her people for helping him - by having her memories altered.

The one thing that really stood out about this story was the lack of sexual situations.  I was very happy to see that.  The more YA I read, the more I think that there's entirely too much sex in them.  Ms. Lieske brought it back to where it should be...the excitement of just holding hands or a simple kiss.  Honestly, the majority of teens I know don't act like some of the teens in the books I've read.  These teens come across as natural and honest.

I felt that the writing overall was smooth and you jump right into the story on Page 1.  I know some people like a little background before they really get going, but I love to jump right in and figure it out as I go.  That will hold my interest a lot better, right away.  I liked all the scientific tools and am dying to find out what they were doing to all the Maslonians (Shayne's people) in that lab! 

I love the ending!  It was conclusive enough that you can read it as a stand alone story, but it definitely leaves an opening for the second book to pick up.  I'm very excited to read the next book and see where the rebel force (that's what I'm calling them) goes and what they do to save their people.

The Replacement

Publisher:  Razorbill (Penguin Group)
Publish Date:  September 21, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59514-337-2
Pages: 343
Cover Art:  Designed by Natalie Sousa and photographed by Jonathan Barkat


The Doyle's are your typical family...kind of...if the typical family had a child go missing and a changeling left in his place.  For 16 years, they've hidden the fact that Mackie Doyle is not really human.  His Dad lectures him on how not to stand out and his sister devotes her life to making sure he's okay...his mom, well, she loves him.

However, Mackie is getting sick, or at least more sick than usual.  Things with iron in them seem to be affecting him more and more.  Then his sister makes a new friend, Janice, and she gives Mackie something that makes him feel great!  Who is Janice and can Mackie get more of this wondrous potion?

The town of Gentry has a secret and all the townspeople ignore it.  Children come up missing every once in awhile.  Sometimes other children are left in their place, but they die quickly.  The townspeople follow all the old wives tales, such as tying a pair of steel scissors over the baby's crib to keep the fae away, nailing horseshoes over their doorways and other things. But it's just not helping and no one will do anything about it. Then a child dies, but her sister knows it wasn't really her that died.  Mackie has to help, for the girl, her sister and himself.

Mackie Doyle has to be one of the best, most easily liked characters I've read in quite some time.  I certainly hope we'll see more of him and his friends.  Mackie is more human than most...humans.  It just goes to show you that it doesn't matter where you come from, genetics don't even matter - it matters who you love and what you believe in.

Have you read this one?  Do you like novels of the fae?