Two Ravens, One Crow + Trapped

    I got a nice double dose of the Iron Druid Chronicles thanks to the series's publisher and Netgalley. Both the novella and the fifth book, Trapped, are now published and available. The Iron Druid Chronicles is a great urban fantasy series, especially if you love mythology.

Description (from Goodreads): Six years into the training of his beautiful apprentice, Granuaile, a large crow swoops down and transforms into none other than the Morrigan, a goddess who insists that Atticus come with her at once. He must leave his apprentice behind, along with his Irish wolfhound, Oberon—and he must also leave his sword. The Morrigan has always taken extreme pleasure in pronouncing the Druid’s mortal danger and imminent doom, so the fact that she won’t reveal the purpose of their journey makes him very nervous. Of course, any time the Celtic Chooser of the Slain drops in unannounced, it’s never good. When she does let slip that she’ll be saving his life in the near future, Atticus is left to wonder . . . will he soon be giving his legions of enemies something to crow about?

Review: Most novellas are fan service materials, things readers would love to read but overall don't really add much to the larger story arc. Thankfully, Two Ravens and One Crow moves the story along from book four, Tricked, to book five, Trapped, quite nicely. The novella gives the reader an intimate glimpse on Atticus's feelings toward his apprentice, Granuaile, as well as a closer look at the truly terrifying and captivating Morrigan.
  Atticus and Granuaile's relationship is extremely sweet. Both are clearly attracted to another yet are afraid to take the next step. While Atticus sounds like a man suffering unrequited love, not because he isn't sure of Granuaile's feelings but more of his fear of letting someone in, Granuaile is on the search for someone temporary, which is becoming more and more unfulfilling for both of them.

  The novella also does a good job in showing all the different angles to the Morrigan's personality. Personally, she scares the hell of me but I'm am drawn to her and want to know more about her. Death and dark omens cloak her like clothes, but we also see a lighter side of her that jokes and flits with Atticus. She becomes a bit more human in this novella though she bears ill news of Atticu's pending death. 

  Though reading the novella isn't required in order to enjoy the series, it is a nice bonus story filled with action, humor, and surprising tidbits about our favorite characters.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language and violence in the book. There is also crude sexual humor and  sex is implied. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Trapped (Iron Druid Chronicles #5) by Kevin Hearne, The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher, Cal Leandros series by Rob Thurman,  Child of Fire by Harry Connollly


Description (from Goodreads): After twelve years of secret training, Atticus O’Sullivan is finally ready to bind his apprentice, Granuaile, to the earth and double the number of Druids in the world. But on the eve of the ritual, the world that thought he was dead abruptly discovers that he’s still alive, and they would much rather he return to the grave. Having no other choice, Atticus, his trusted Irish wolfhound, Oberon, and Granuaile travel to the base of Mount Olympus, where the Roman god Bacchus is anxious to take his sworn revenge—but he’ll have to get in line behind an ancient vampire, a band of dark elves, and an old god of mischief, who all seem to have KILL THE DRUID at the top of their to-do lists.

Review: I love the cover for Trapped. It's so nice to see Granuaile take center stage along with Atticus. Unfortunately, this was my least favorite book in the Iron Druid Chronicles so far. I had a very hard time trying to wrap my head of the plot. After twelve grueling years of training and learning, Granuaile is finally ready to become a druid. Atticus, Granuaile and the ever loving and lovable Irish wolfhound Oberon try to find a safe a quiet and place to bind Granuaile to the earth as a new Druid. The ceremony will take three months to complete (it involves extensive tattooing), so it's important to find somewhere they won't be interrupted. Easier said than done as deities bent on vengeance and hatred have caught on to the fact that neither Atticus nor Granualie are dead as they led everyone to believe, which is something a few people would like to swiftly rectify.
   I loved learning about all the intricate details of the the druid ceremony and seeing Granuaile kick some butt. Then suddenly the plot is severely interrupted by new characters and new mythologies. I know some readers have criticized Hearne by being too much of a teacher of mythology than writer, but now I can understand their concern. Hearne is undeniably a lover of mythology of all cultures and I loved learning the different myths and the Norse and Celtic pantheons, but in Trapped I felt like I was forced to sit in a classroom where the teacher droned on and on about these great tales without really experiencing it. I endured the lesson but was impatient to get back to the druid ceremony. Normally I would want to learn more about the new characters that Hearne includes in his books, but in Trapped I had very little interest about the dark elves and other beings.
   I was also very disappointed in seeing the budding relationship that teetered between romantic and partners wrap up so quickly in a matter of paragraphs. While I know that the Iron Druid Chronicles is primarily an urban fantasy where romance takes a back seat, I would have liked a little more excitement and build up. Readers have waited for 12 years in the story to have something happen between Atticus and Granuaile and what we got was very anticlimactic. I'm hoping the next book, Hunted, is much better and reminds me why I love these characters and books.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language and violence in the book. There is also crude sexual humor and  sex is implied. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Hunted (Iron Druid Chronicles #6) by Kevin Hearne, The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher, Cal Leandros series by Rob Thurman,  Child of Fire by Harry Connollly

Spies of Mississippi

  When you think of the Civil Rights Movement, what words and people suddenly pop into your mind? Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Jim Crow laws, segregation, and sit-ins are just a few that I can think of this morning, but I'm sure you can come up with much more. Never would I have thought spies would also be in that mix until I read Rick Bower's chilling and eye-opening book called the Spies of Mississippi: The True Story of the Spy Network That Tried to Destroy the Civil Rights Movement.

Description: In the 1950s and 1960s, the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission compiled secret files on more than 87,000 private citizens in the most extensive state spying program in U.S. history. Its mission: to save segregation.

Review: Drawing upon archival material, his impeccable research and personal investigation, Bowers has uncovered something new in the much discussed topic of the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. In 1956, the state of Mississippi created a Sovereignty Commission that started as a propaganda outlet for white supremacy quickly morphed into a full blown spy network, with a goal of stopping integration and crushing the civil rights movement in the state.
 In extensive details, Bowers discusses the Commission's tactics that were appalling and disregarded the constitutional rights for those who supported or aided the cause as well as the scope of this network's activities from its initial attempts to control or marginalize the NAACP and resist public and school and university integration into outright advocacy of violence and obstruction of justice. Although the Commission was thankfully abolished due to the federal civil rights legislation and the threat of financial sanctions, the author still warn his readers that racism is just as alive today as it was back then. Period black-and-white photographs, an appendix with reproductions of selected Commission documents, and an extensive bibliography of books and links to online archives supplement the text, making this a great resource for young readers doing a research project on the Civil Rights movement. Spies of Mississippi is a an eye-opening and powerful experience. 

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Race riots and violence are discussed. Recommended for Grades 6 and up.

If you like this book try: They Call Themselves the K.K.K. by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose

Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce

  I have been told to read the Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce for quite sometime. I was told that I would absolutely love the heroine, the action, and the romance. I also had to meet this mysterious George Cooper and Prince Jonathan that seemed to win so many hearts. I read all four books in the span of a week during the summer and I couldn't decide how to review them as they all connect to one another. I thought the best way to avoid spoilers would be to review them as a series instead of individual books. The order of the books are: Alanna: The First Adventure, In the Hand of the Goddess, The Woman Who Rides Like a Man, and the Lioness Rampant.

Image from Bookbuzzz as found on  Amazon.com

General description of the series: Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys. When she and her twin brother, Thom, come to age they must uphold their traditional occupations. Alanna must learn the art of magic while her brother becomes a knight. When they both realize that they truly wish is the opposite, they decide to switch places: Disguised as a girl, Thom heads for the convent to learn magic; Alanna, pretending to be a boy, is on her way to the castle of King Roald to begin her training as a page. The road to knighthood is not an easy one. As Alanna masters the skills necessary for battle, she must also learn to control her heart and to discern her enemies from her allies.






Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the Song of the Lioness Quartet. I know that the middle school me would have devoured these books had I knew they existed instead of being in the constant haze of the formulaic YA horror Fear Street series by R.L. Stine.
   The heroine, Alanna, is someone you can admire for her pluckiness, determination and bravery. In more ways than one, she is a revolutionary character. Written in the early 1980s, a strong female protagonist written for young adults and children is not always easy to find. Simply put Alanna is vocal and ahead of her time period. She is is a girl with a simple dream: to become a knight. She doesn't care that her dream is deemed impossible in the eyes of her society. She refuses to abandon her vision and dons on the disguise as a boy and sets out to fulfill it.
  Though the book is filled with adventure, quests, and prophecies, at its very heart it is Alanna's coming of age journey from a young girl to a woman. While undertaking grueling lessons on swordplay and self defense, she goes through puberty. She makes incredible strides in accomplishments, but is still wrecked with self doubt that plagues us all. I loved how in the first book, Alanna: The First Adventure, Alanna realizes that being a knight isn't a simple task. She falls down and gets hurt repeatedly, but she continues to struggle and jump through hurdle after hurdle. I was a bit disappointed that after the first book, her journey just seems a bit too easy for her as she discovers hidden talent and powers, but I still rooted for her.
   For the romantic reader, romance does play a big part of the story, however, it does not overshadow the characters nor plot of the books but rather it helps develop the characters and moves the plot forward. Alanna has many suitors in the book and she takes her time finding out who is right for her and who will love her just the way she is. The two suitors that stood out to me the most are Prince Jonathan, every girl's dream of a handsome and charming prince, and George Cooper, the roguish and equally charming King of Thieves. I have to say that George stole my heart right away when he first appeared and I've been on his team throughout the series.
   The books are funny, exciting, and engaging. It has a wide cast of memorable characters, some of whom I would have love to see more fleshed out. I was disappointed on the lack of complexity regarding the quartet's plot arc. The villain is very easy to identify and it was a bit annoying to have all the characters finally come to the same conclusion that you did a few books ago. Nonetheless, I would strongly recommend this series especially to readers looking for an unapologetic strong female who believes she can do anything like a man and have the same rights as him.

Rating of the series: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Though regulated off the page, there is discussion of female puberty and sex does occur though it is not described in any details. Recommended for Grades 7 and up.

If you like this series try: Seven Kingdoms Trilogy by Kristin Cashore, Seraphina by Rachel Hartmann, Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith, Blue Sword by Robin McKinley, Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Manga Mondays: Black Butler Vol. 8

  Manga Mondays is a meme hosted by Alison at Alison Can Read where bloggers can share their passion for reading mangas. It's a great place to get new manga titles to try and to meet new bloggers. Now that I'm at a stand-still for the Nana manga series, I'm trying to catch up on some of my other ongoing manga series. Thankfully the manga series that I've been reading are from different genres which prevent me from confusing one from the other. Today I'll be reviewing the eighth volume of Black Butler.

Description (from Goodreads): When one curtain falls upon the big top stage, another rises behind the scenes, as young Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his virtuoso butler, Sebastian, face off against the villain behind the missing children. But as Sebastian, under orders from his master, single-handedly draws the gruesome tale to its sad conclusion on one front, battle lines are drawn on another! With the masterless Phantomhive Manor under attack from the Noah's Ark Circus and Sebastian nowhere nearby to protect its inhabitants, is Ciel's home once again headed for the same tragedy that took the lives of the young earl's parents?

Review: Black Butler is a genre bending manga that combines historical fiction  humor, supernatural, and horror. The plot arcs can begin on a bleak note but at its halfway mark turn to a slapstick comedy or in the case of the eighth episode an out and out battle.
   As you may recall, the seventh volume of Black Butler gives us important background information regarding the circus that Ciel and Sebastian have been ordered to investigate by Queen Victoria after many children have been kidnapped. The circus master is completely deranged and has used the children, almost always orphaned and deformed, for various body parts for his own 'plastic surgery' in order to achieve bodily perfection. Volume eight rounds out the circus arc in nonstop action until the very dark and disturbing ending. The Joker and his crew have arrived to Phantomhive to avenge the death of their master. You can't help pity them when it is revealed what they were fighting for and the lies they were told.
  I was surprised quite a few times while reading this volume. Unlike the previous volumes where Sebastian routinely steals the show, it is the servants of the Phantomhive that surprises and delights the readers in unveiling hidden talents. I knew they had to be worthy of something besides being there in the manga for slapstick humor. Another thing that really shocked me is how Ciel handled the problem of the missing children locked in cages. It is very easy to forget that Ciel is merely a boy but Toboso reminds us vividly when Ciel acts upon his emotions, particularly fear and rage, instead of a cool mind when he does the impossible.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong violence throughout this volume. There is also some language. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Blue Exorcist series by Kazue Kato, Soul Eater series by Atsushi Ohkubo

There Comes a Prophet

   Imagine a world where the age of discovery has been ruled as a deafening darkness and the very notion of dreaming is looked down upon. In the Temple City people have come to believe that the Vicar's who rule and teach them have the final say. Although some express their discontent in minor ways, most choose to exist under their rule and except their way without question. What happens when you break the chains of your confining society? Can you live a life without crippling fear and progression of any kind? These are the core questions asked in David Litwack's highly readable dystopian fantasy book called There Comes a Prophet.

Description (from Goodreads): Who among us will cast aside a comfortable existence and risk death to follow a dream?  A world kept peaceful for a thousand years by the magic of the ruling vicars. But a threat lurks from a violent past. Wizards from the darkness have hidden their sorcery in a place called the keep and left a trail of clues that have never been solved.
   Nathaniel has grown up longing for more but unwilling to challenge the vicars. Until his friend Thomas is taken for a teaching, the mysterious coming-of-age ritual. Thomas returns but with his dreams ripped away. When Orah is taken next, Nathaniel tries to rescue her and ends up in the prisons of Temple City. There he meets the first keeper of the ancient clues. But when he seeks the keep, what he finds is not magic at all.

Review:  There Comes a Prophet introduces us to a world the potential to become good or evil is constantly hung in the balance. Fear of ruin, danger, and the unknown, is what keeps the citizens of Temple City in line and safe. Some blindly follow the rules ingrained in them by the Vicars, the rulers of the society.   Technology and other similar advancements are forbidden and the very idea of dreaming of a different future other than the status quo is dangerous and unthinkable.
 The plot revolves around three friends, all young adults, coming of age and trying to weave and understand why their society keeps its citizens from reaching their full potential. I thought the main characters were likable and I willingly joined them on their journey filled with riddles to find out the truth about the past, to inspire others from learning from their mistakes, and to regain control of their lives without living in fear. Due to the book's third person narration, however, I was unable to get closer to the characters than I would have liked. I did, however, appreciate that each character's personality stood out on their own and that they weren't clearly defined as good/bad as each had their own personal motive driving their actions. I just wished the author delved a little deeper into the complexity of the world and the character's personality. Although I liked the characters, I didn't think they were memorable. 

  While there is no violence or epic battle scenes in the book, I appreciated reading about a rebellion that was relatively blood-free and peaceful. The book lacked any sense of urgency or danger which made the progress of our main characters a bit unbelievable and unsatisfying. Brief descriptions of psychological torture used by some members of the Temple were alarming, but the tension soon fizzled out once the job was done. I was surprised on how many people knew about what this technique and did nothing about it. I would have liked the adults to stand up against the corrupt, ruling organization rather than enabling it, but that's a common trope featured in many YA dystopian novels.  

    Some readers may be a bit concerned about the religious overtones in the book, but the author doesn't specifically pick one religion. It uses the idea of a religious institution keeping the people under control while reaping the benefits of technology, which is found in many other dystopian reads. It did take me a while to figure out what it meant to be in the 'light' and 'darkness' but it soon clicked after a few chapters. 
  There Comes a Prophet is a solid read and engaging read that held my interest throughout. The book's themes could easily generate lots of interesting discussions had the author allowed the plot and characters to become a bit more darker and complex. I would recommend this book to readers who like the dystopian or fantasy genre, but want a story a bit more hopeful than gritty and realistic.
Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: While there is no physical violence in the book, the children do undergo a form of psychological torture as part of their conditioning. Recommended for strong Grades 5 readers and up.

If you like this book try: City of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau, Giver by Lois Lowry

Glimmer Tour: Barbara Brooke's Audience

 As part of the promotional tour for Glimmers hosted by Candace Book Blog, I'm very happy to have the author of the book, Barbara Brooke, on the blog. Today Barbara will talk to us about her audience.

Who do you write for? 

   I write for people who enjoy traveling to another time, eating exotic foods and pretending that anyone can attain a superpower. Paige has the ability to “glimmer” into other people’s lives and experience their memories. Her first glimmer takes her into the life of a young girl from West Virginia during the 1980s. I wanted this story to have the same Southern warmth from books like The Notebook and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Paige’s second glimmer throws her into an uncomfortable moment from her sister’s life … and reveals a secret that Paige would rather not know. The third glimmer pulls her back in time to 1818 England, into the life of her great ancestor Emma. Emma’s story is charming and elegant like Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre.
   Through Glimmers I was able to bring elements from some of my favorite books. I was able to explore different personalities and talents through the perspective of four unique women. My taste is eclectic. I adore many styles of writing, as well as an array of settings, personalities and moods. I suspect that I’m not alone when it comes to altering my surroundings depending on how I feel at any particular moment: diving into a specific book, immersing inside a particular movie, devouring certain foods or humming to just the right song. Glimmers was written for women 16 and older, but can also be enjoyed by the fellas. I could name a few men whose eyes welled, just a bit ;) 

  I've noticed that some men are closet romance readers so it's not all that surprising to see them pick up your book. I love the sound of the story within the story feel to your book. I'm also excited to see how the concept of Glimmers work. Thanks for stopping by, Barbara!

A simple touch and suddenly, Paige is in the past - living someone else's life, seeing the world through their eyes, and feeling their deepest emotions.
 Paige used to think memories only existed in one's mind. But now, she knows better. She can't explain how or why, but she has glimmers: special moments that have remained behind - clinging to a letter, a ring, even a worn-out pair of boots.
  When Paige returns from each glimmer, a small part of her has changed. Who is this gourmet cook, fashion designer, feisty lover? And how is she supposed to explain this to her family without them thinking she has completely lost her mind?
  Paige thought her new talent was a gift, until…she was suddenly transported into her sister’s memory, and caught a glimmer of her secret life.

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Vol. 1

  In the fall of 2012, DC Comics/Vertigo announced that they will publish the official graphic novel adaptation of Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy, starting with The Girl with Dragon Tattoo, which has also been adapted into Swedish and American films. The publishers will adapt each book in the Millennium Trilogy in two hardcover graphic novel volumes. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at the graphic novel before it was published, courtesy of DC Comics/Vertigo and Netgalley.

Description (from the book): Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

Review: I'm not a very big fan of the Millennium Trilogy, but I did enjoy the books. I've yet to see the movie not because I'm afraid the movies will ruin my reading experience, but rather I really don't want to subject myself through the grueling and graphic violence featured in the books. I can distance myself enough from reading those scenes but seeing them acted out on screen is a bit too much for me.
  I know several people who tried the series because it was popular and they wanted to know what all the hype was about, but they were unable to finish it due to the long, dense first half of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (and to give you an idea, that long dense first half is about the first 150 pages of a 460 pages book). For these readers, I think the graphic novel will definitely work better for them. The dense subplot filled with Swedish finance corruption is completely stripped away and we are immediately introduced to the mystery that lies in the heart of the book.
  The story and characters have been altered in order to convey emotion and urgency on the page. The plot moves at a steady pace and is separated with two plot lines that weave and will eventually meet in the second novel. One plot line introduces the star of the series, Lisbeth Salander while the other shows how Blomkvist's own troubles and his involvement with the mystery. Major plot points are present and some are explicitly shown such as Lisbeth's boss openly flirting with her and how she is raped and beaten by her 'guardian.'
  I wasn't overly fond of the drawings in this adaptation with the exception of Lisbeth. I found her to be incredibly striking looking. In my head I pictured her more like Noomi Rapace does in the movie. I liked how her physical features allowed her to display her wide emotions raging within her. Just from looking at her eyes you can only imagine all the horrors she has experienced. I wasn't a big of Blomkvist at all in the books and more so in this graphic novel. Unlike Lisbeth, his personality doesn't really come through besides his opinion on an open marriage and his attempt to clear his name from corruption. His depictions are inconsistent from panel to panel and sometimes I had a hard time identifying him with other characters around. There is lots of shading and shadowing in panels that give the book its dark and ominous feel to it.
 Overall, I thought the adaptation was pretty good. It gives readers who are unfamiliar with the story a taste of the series and characters. I'm not sure if I will continue reading the graphic novel series though as I'm a bit over the series all together.
Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There are extremely graphic rape scene that lasts for several panels. There is strong violence and sex scenes. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson or  Into the Woods by Tana French