Strands of Bronze and Gold

  I haven't heard of the Bluebeard fairy tale until I ran across the name when I read the best-selling graphic novel series, Fables by Bill Willingham. From the context in which he appeared and after doing a little bit of research, I couldn't believe I'd never heard of it before. Jane Nickerson's debut novel, Strands of Bronze and Gold revisits the Bluebeard story and sets it against the backdrop of Pre-Civil War Mississippi. Please note that this review is based on the advanced reader's copy provided by the publisher through Netgalley (Thank you!)

Description (from the Publisher): When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.
   Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world.

Review: Strands of Bronze and Gold is a Gothic retelling of the Bluebeard fairy tale set in Pre-Civil Mississippi. When Sophia’s father dies, she is sent from Boston to Wyndriven Abbey, the Mississippi plantation of her godfather, Monsieur Bernard de Cressac. At first Sophia is caught up with her new luxurious lifestyle- beautiful gowns, jewelry, and extravagant dinners all made simply for her. Slowly, she finds herself being attracted to Bernard as he makes her the center of his world. Soon Bernard's attention becomes claustrophobic as he refuses to let her go outside the mansion. She becomes more and more suspicious of the plantation slaves’ living and working conditions, the vine-shrouded outbuildings she is not allowed to explore, and the various treasures belonging to Bernard’s former wives, all dead, that she finds in the attic. She even feels like there are ghosts following her and trying to deliver a message which she can't unravel until it is too late. In spite of her uneasy attraction to Bernard’s increasingly romantic intentions, Sophia finds herself falling for Gideon Stone, the local minister who also has the quiet reputation among the slaves of assisting in escapes to the North and who is much more aware about Bernard's sinister background.
  Strands of Bronze and Gold is a decent read that has some strengths and weaknesses, however some of the weaknesses are hard to ignore. Nickerson does a good job in slowly building up the suspense and uneasiness surrounding Sophie. Though we can forgive her of being so swept up when she first attends Wyndriven Abbey, it really takes our heroine quite some time to figure out that there is something truly disturbing about her godfather Bernard. As our protagonist, Sophia isn't all that remarkable. Similarly, Bernard doesn't stray very far from the Bluebeard caricature. Nickerson definitely captured his wild mood swings and his lecherous looks made me shudder, but there is really no explanation of why he is a psychotic killer. I would have liked a bit more exploration with his character as well as more time spent with Sophia learning about Bernard's previous wives. Sophia's discovery along with meeting a new and dull love interest, Reverend Stone, happen all too quickly and conveniently.
  Despite all these flaws, I was truly disappointed on how the topic of slavery was addressed in the book. I can see how the author tried to draw parallels between Sophia's caged life to those of Bernard's slaves, but it didn't quite make it there. It touched the surface just like how it touched the surface about the fairy tale's theme of the fatal effects of feminine curiosity.
  Strands of Bronze and Gold is a book that is an entertaining read as long as you don't really think too much about it. Readers interested in fairy tales, a historical setting, and mystery would enjoy the book.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, sexual innuendo, allusions to domestic abuse and rape, and disturbing images. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like this book try: Bluebeard's Egg by Margaret Atwood, The Rose and The Beast: Fairy Tales Retold by Francesca Lia Block

Hansel and Gretel

  Fairy tales are more popular than ever. They inspire new adaptions in books/graphic novels, movies, and even TV shows. No matter how familiar you are to the story, each new retelling adds a new dimension to the characters and themes. Hansel and Gretel by Anthony Browne is no exception.

Description (from Amazon): This is a retelling of this famous, dark fairy tale from award-winning author-illustrator Anthony Browne. "Hansel and Gretel" is perhaps the darkest and greatest of the fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm. This extraordinary book brings the classic childhood tale to a new generation courtesy of one of the world's greatest picture book artists, Hans Christian Andersen Award-winner Anthony Browne.

Review: The Hansel and Gretel fairy tale is one of the most creepiest fairy tale that I've ever read. Anthony Browne's adaptation of the famous Brothers Grimm fairy tale quietly balances the light and dark aspects to the story. The text is faithful to the fairy tale, but the illustrations is what really stands out in this book. If there was no text in the book, the picture could have easily told the story. Life-like images painted with vivid colors provide more contextual information about the story. We really do get the sense of camaraderie and love between the two siblings as they are constantly drawn next to another another as shown in the cover of the book as well as their father's reluctance to follow his wife's orders. The evil stepmother shares a very eerie resemblance to the wicked witch in the forest. There are many symbols which are subdued in dark colors that older readers will easily spot the allusion and foreshadowing of the horrors that Hansel and Gretel will face. The scary parts of the story such as the children locked up in the witch's cage to get fatten and the witch burning are brief and short.  

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Due to the dark aspects of the story, I would recommend this picture book to Grades 2 and up who are more familiar with the story.

If you like this book try: Hansel and Gretel by Rika Lesser, Red Riding Hood by James Marshall, Rapunzel: A Groovy Fairytale by Lynn Roberts

YA Minireviews: Immortal Rules, Jessica Rules the Dark Side, and Sisters Red

  I wasn't sure what to review today so I decided upon doing some mini YA reviews. Below are the reviews for Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, and Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey.

Description: Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city, until she too becomes an immortal vampire. Forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls, she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

Review: I picked Immortal Rules up right away when I read glowing reviews and then I hesitated in reading it when my expectations grew. I put it off a bit longer when I read not so great reviews of the book. Immortal Rules is an okay book with a decent plot, but I didn't get pulled in like some other readers. I couldn't really separate this book from all the other paranormals that are out there. For the most part balances the dystopian and paranormal romance tropes are well done, but they take a long time to build. Unfortunately, I wasn't patient enough for the story or the secret unfoldings in the plot to unveil, instead I would read large chunks, get bored, and put it down for several days. The book is broken down to four parts, but it is the second part where Allie makes the transition between human to vampire that actually held my interest and make me think I was being a bit too harsh with the book except then Allison's mysterious mentor who stole the spotlight and drew me into the story leaves fairly quickly in the book and for me that was the last straw as his absence slowed down the pace of the book to a mere crawl. Even the romantic interest was bland. The book could have easily been cut in half especially where Allie wanders in the woods for over 200 pgs. I ended up skimming most of the book just to get it done. Needless to say I won't be continuing this series.

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, strong violence, and a few disturbing images. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like this book try: Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen, Peeps by Scott Westerfeld


Description (from Publisher): Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead. Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

Review: Jackson Pearce takes the well known fairy tale of Red Riding Hood as her basis for a new story about sisterhood, loyalty, and love. What I loved most about the book is how complex the March sister's relationship is, exploring both the good and bad sides through alternating points of view. I will say that I liked Scarlet's adult voice who is driven and has a set plan in life, but I also enjoyed the vulnerability and sweetness of Rosie too. There is a nice, slow building romance in Sisters Red and a pretty good plot. I now wished I had read this book before diving into Sweetly by the author. I'd definitely recommend reading this book if you're interested in fairy tale retellings.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, strong violence, and a few disturbing images. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like this book try: A Tale Dark and Grim by Adam Gidwitz, Bewitching by Alex Flinn, Sweetly by Jackson Pearce


Description: It's one thing to find out you're a vampire princess. It's a whole other thing to actually rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to clear her husband's name, Jessica launches into a full-scale investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius's time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is-and whom she can trust-before it's too late?

Review: The first Jessica book, Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side, was a surprise find as it was funny and light. The second book, however, loses the charm of its predecessor. While there are a few good chuckles in the story, I found Jessica to be much more whiny and dense in this book. The plot wasn't all that exciting and it meanders. I also didn't care for how the book was structured by many short chapters that end abruptly only to be picked up by the next chapter (there are over 100 chapters in about 300 pages book). I definitely didn't enjoy this one as nearly as I liked the first one. I would skip this one and just read the first Jessica book instead.

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language and reference to drug use. Recommended for strong Grade 7 readers and up.

If you like this book try: Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Brennan, Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Picture Books: How to Raise Mom and Dad, Mirror Mirror, and How Rocket Learned to Read

Just a quick note: I will be on vacation when this review posts. I may not or may not have internet access during vacation, but I will play catch-up with your blogs and comments when I get back. 

 I've got a bunch of picture books that I've read in the last few months that I still need to review. Today I have an ecclectic batch of books that range from tongue-in-cheek humor to incredibly creative to just plain adorable. Today I'll be reviewing How to Raise Mom and Dad by John Lerman, Mirror Mirror by Marilyn Singer, and How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills.  




Description: With tongue placed firmly in cheek, this book follows an older sister as she dispenses advice to her brother on how to train their parents.


Review: I stumbled across this title looking for a humorous picture book to read. The title immediately grabbed my attention as did the description. A girl offers her younger brother some advice for dealing with Mom and Dad. All the admonitions parents tell their children are subverted and used in to train the adults. While I did find the book funny, I'm not sure if younger kids would get the humor as they are just learning how to behave but I do think older kids would definitely nod their head in agreement and understand the humor in the book. Pictures are of varying sizes and shapes and occasional word balloons extend the artwork. Overall, an enjoyable read that you might want to check out from your library.


Rating: 3 stars


Words of Caution: None. Recommended for K to 2nd grade.



If you like this book try: Would I Trade My Parents? by Laura Numeroff,  What Do Parents Do? (When You're Not Home) by Jeanie Ransom

Description: What’s brewing when two favorites—poetry and fairy tales—are turned (literally) on their heads? It’s a revolutionary recipe: an infectious new genre of poetry and a lovably modern take on classic stories. First, read the poems forward (how old-fashioned!), then reverse the lines and read again to give familiar tales, from Sleeping Beauty to that Charming Prince, a delicious new spin. Witty, irreverent, and warm, this gorgeously illustrated and utterly unique offering holds a mirror up to language and fairy tales, and renews the fun and magic of both.


Review: Mirror Mirror is incredibly innovative with marrying both poetry and well known fairy tales to create something completely new. The book contains reversos, or poems which have one meaning when read down the page and perhaps an altogether different meaning when read up the page. The reversos not only make the poems come to life, but also allows the reader to read from a different character's point of view of the same story. The 14 pairs of poems easily distinguished by different fonts and background colors allow changes only in punctuation, capitalization, and line breaks, as Singer explains in an author's note about her invented poetic form. I thought the book was challenging, stimulating, and fun. It was like playing a game with people I already know. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and give it to big thumps up.


Rating: 4.5 stars


Curriculum Connection: Great for Poetry and/or fairy tale unit. 


Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 3 and up.



If you like this book try: Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett, Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candice Fleming

Description: A little yellow bird teaches Rocket the dog how to read by first introducing him to the "wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet."


Review: How Rocket Learned to Read is such a cute book! Rocket is an endearing white dog with black spots loves chasing leaves and chewing sticks. He loves napping under his favorite tree, but his sleep is interrupted one spring day by a tiny yellow bird that designates him her first student. Rocket wants no part of her lessons, but the bird is determined to teach him to read. She ensnares Rocket by telling him a story that ends in a cliffhanger and he has to return each day to find out what happens next. Slowly, Rocket becomes the reluctant student and the tiny bird teaches him the alphabet. The two characters have a great time using the "mighty, gorgeous alphabet" to spell out all the things in Rocket's world. The bird leaves as winter approaches, but Rocket continues practicing, spelling everything in sight. And when Bird returns the following spring, a tail-wagging, eager-to-read student greets her with joy.
  The illustrations, rendered in oil and colored pencil, offer full pages, spreads, and oval vignettes. They are heart warming and depict Rocket in all his various moods. I loved the bird's enthusiasm but also related to Rocket's reluctance of interrupting his routine. I definitely think kids would relate to Rocket as they themselves are beginning readers too, plus the cast of characters are adorable and irresistible.


Rating: 4 stars


Words of Caution: None. Recommended for K to 2nd grade.



If you like this book try: How to Teach a Slug to Read by Susan Pearson, Reading to Peanut by Leda Schubert, Hooray for Reading Day! by Margery Cuyler

YA Minireviews- Fairy Tale Retellings featuring Sweetly, Bewitching, and Cinder

   I'm on a roll with reading fairy tale retellings this year. So far I've read four books and I do have my eye on reading Enchanted by Alethea Kontis and The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy. I also hope to finally read Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine at some point this year too. There is something magical about fairy tales that keeps us coming back to them and adapting them to either modern day or a completely different setting altogether.

Description: When their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out as teens, they are invited to stay with Sophia Kelly at her sweet shop. Life seems idyllic--until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel, and learns that girls have been vanishing at Sophia's annual chocolate festival, taken by the insatiable witch of Gretchen's nightmares.

Review: As you can probably tell from the names of the characters, Sweetly is a dark, contemporary take on the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. In this retelling, Gretchen's twin sister disappears in the dark woods. Flash forward, 18-year-old Gretchen and her 19-year-old brother, Ansel, still struggle to understand who—or what—took Gretchen’s twin sister that night. After their father dies and their stepmother kicks them out, they travel cross-county till their car breaks down in Live Oak, South Carolina. There they meet Sophia, a beautiful, young chocolatier whose enchanting cottage-shoppe outside town becomes their new home. But both Sophia and the town hold secrets, and when Gretchen ventures into the nearby forest, she realizes things and people are not as they seem—and her childhood terror is real. For the most part, I enjoyed Sweetly. I liked the brother/sister relationship between Ansel and Gretchen. The plot and mythology was a bit slow and dragged for me, but I did like how Pearce tackled the issues of loss, grief, and survivor's guilt. I also thought the climax was a bit gory for my taste, but I'm sure those who like their fairy tales dark won't mind as much. I was, however, completely lost when the Fenris (werewolves) that come out of nowhere in the book. I know they played a big part in Sisters Red, but I really didn't understand what purpose they had in this book. Overall, it was pretty good but not great.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There are some disturbing images including gory violence and some language. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like this book try: Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, Fathomless by Jackson Pearce, A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz


Description: Bewitching can be a beast. . . . Once, I put a curse on a beastly and arrogant high school boy. That one turned out all right. Others didn't. I go to a new school now-one where no one knows that I should have graduated long ago. I'm not still here because I'm stupid; I just don't age. You see, I'm immortal. And I pretty much know everything after hundreds of years-except for when to take my powers and butt out. I want to help, but things just go awry in ways I could never predict. Like when I tried to free some children from a gingerbread house and ended up being hanged. After I came back from the dead (immortal, remember?), I tried to play matchmaker for a French prince and ended up banished from France forever. And that little mermaid I found in the Titanic lifeboat? I don't even want to think about it. Now a girl named Emma needs me. I probably shouldn't get involved, but her gorgeous stepsister is conniving to the core. I think I have just the thing to fix that girl-and it isn't an enchanted pumpkin. Although you never know what will happen when I start . . . bewitching.

Review: I was very excited to read Bewitching as I found Kendra to be a really intriguing character in Beastly. I wanted to know more about her story and Bewitching fulfills that desire and more. In 1666, teenage Kendra relates the horror of watching her family die from a plague, halted only when she becomes aware of her own magic and heals her remaining brother. Though the spotlight is on Kendra, she generously shares the stage with other fairy tales as she reflects on helping and/or harming those around her. We are taken across the years as we revisit the sinister gingerbread house, the Little Mermaid rescues a Titanic passenger, and the Princess and the Pea takes which takes place at Versailles. My favorite fairy tale out of all of these is amazing rendition of Cinderella. Though I knew the fairy tale, I was still turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I flipped back and forth on identifying the heroine and the evil stepsister. Despite the jumpy transitions between the fairy tales, I thought Bewitching was a fun read. I'm curious to see where Kendra is headed next in her chronicles.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language and strong sensuality. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like this book try: Beastly or Cloaked or A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn, Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman, 



Description: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future. In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that's enthralling.

Review: I never thought a science fiction rendition of the Cinderella story with blending androids, hovercrafts, and netscreens with royalty, a ball, and an evil stepmother would work, but Meyer's inventive and vivid world makes it plausible and enjoyable. I was a bit hesitant that the technological aspect of Cinder's world would be a bit much, but I was worried for nothing. Cinder is the perfect read for those who want an enjoyable book with science fiction elements without reading a heavy science fiction book.
  I loved the characters, especially Linh Cinder who is our sassy heroine that stands on her own. Though she is treated as a subhuman due to being a cyborg and forced to earn the family's living as a mechanic, she stands on her own and isn't afraid to speak her mind.
  While I did learn about the plot twists a bit prematurely with the book's early foreshadowing, I was still enthralled by this book. I wanted to learn more about Prince Kai and see how his and Cinder's relationship become closer. I also wanted to learn more about the Lunar throne. Though there is still quite a lot of world building to create, I think Meyer has a great start with Cinder. I'm eagerly awaiting to see what happens next as Cinder's story continues in four other books. Just a heads up, the book does end a cliffhanger of sorts, but I was actually okay with leaving the story there.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There are some disturbing images and some language. Recommended for Grades 7 and up.

If you like this book try: Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer coming in 2013, Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott, Ash by Malinda Lo, Ella Enchated by Gail Carson Levine, and for 'readable' science fiction try Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld or The Host by Stephanie Meyer