Kaylin, private in the Hawks, the Elanatran law force, is torn in so many directions. Her new roommate, Bellusdeo, the last living female dragon is the target of an assassin attempt, which results in the destruction of Kaylin’s apartment.
Then there’s what hatched from the magical egg Kaylin was protecting.
To gain much-needed information in an ongoing investigation, Kaylin is being sent to the Recitation, a Barrani ritual, with little knowledge of what to expect.
Kaylin’s previous decisions have led to a rift between herself and the Barrani Consort. With most of the Barrani High Court against her – if not trying to kill her – it is not a comfortable journey.
Some finagling has allowed Kaylin’s friend and partner, Severn, to travel with her, along with Teela, Barrani Lord and Hawk.
Richly detailed – in characters, landscape, and intrigue – this is a welcome addition to the series that ends with the reader wanting more.
A little boy named Jim has to give up his pet mouse because, even though Pipsqueak is only one little mouse, Jim and his mother live on a wheat farm - and wheat farms are always in danger from plagues of mice, locusts, and weevils. After letting Pipsqueak go in the fields far from the house, Jim returns home to find that the harvester is broken and they may not be able to bring in the harvest. Not one to give up hope, Jim knows they will make it work somehow. The next day Jim sees a stranger in their fields, gathering some of the wheat - rather than telling the man to go away, Jim offers him some wheat and asks if he can help with the harvest. This is just the beginning of a strange and fantastical series of events for Jim and his mother.
Graeme Base is a gifted storyteller who creates fantastical adventures for children which are matched with some of the most beautiful and detailed illustrations in children's books today. Each image is detailed with little touches that you discover only after you have read the story over and over again, images that keep the stories fresh and interesting - thoroughly dragging you into make believe worlds that are almost beyond belief. While Little elephants is set in "our world" and does not have the detail of some of his other works, it is completely absorbing and heart warming - a reminder that a small kindness may be repaid ten fold (or a thousand fold).
If you like this book then try: The eleventh hour by Graeme Base, The discovery of dragons by Graeme Base, TruckDogs by Graeme Base, Croc and bird by Alexis Deacon, and Possum magic by Mem Fox and illustrated by Julie Vivas.
Welcome to the future, a world devastated and reformed to be very different from the world we know now. It is a world where the Balance is the most important thing, where laws have been created to protect the Earth and people from another disaster - one that could spell the end of man for all time. In this world Ashala and the people of her Tribe live off the grid, hiding in the forest to avoid detection and Detention. But now Ashala has been captured, and the whole Tribe could be at risk because Neville Rose from Detention Centre 3 is determined to learn the secrets Ashala holds - secrets that he can reach with the Machine.
The interrogation of Ashala Wolf is a gripping read with little twists and turns that keep you guessing about what is coming next, and the tension and pace keeps up through the entire novel. If you can make the time this is definitely a book to read in one session, but if you don't have the time for that then snatch whatever you can whenever you can until you reach the amazing conclusion. This is one of my favourite reads for 2012 and I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see if the story of Ashala and her Tribe remains so addictive and gripping.
If you enjoyed this book then you may also like Revived by Cat Patrick, Origin by Jessica Khoury, Arrival by Chris Morphew and Enclave by Ann Aguirre
The move from London to Winter is a culture shock for Anna in more ways than one - she has moved from a big bustling city to a small coastal town, and along the way she has discovered that she is a witch. Not a fly on a broomstick, stir a big cauldron kind of witch, but rather a power from inside herself kind of witch. It all come as something of a shock, especially when she finds out by casting a love spell with a group of friends that was a little too successful.
Now Anna is caught between two factions of witches, and she has no idea which way to turn. On one hand she has the people who have taken her in, tried to teach her about her powers and to be responsible and careful - and on the other hand there is the group that makes her feel as though there is something they want from her. Anna will have to make a choice eventually, and there are some people who will do anything to make sure that she makes the "right" choice.
A witch in Winter is the first book in a trilogy, and if this first book is anything to go by it is going to be an explosive series with action, adventure, magic, and a thorough sprinkling of romance to top it off. Warburton is a fantastic author who has taken a very ordinary little seaside village and turned it into the location of epic battles, ancient mythology, and secret societies bent on control. A fantastic read that I wanted to finish in one sitting to see what happened next.
If you enjoyed A witch in Winter then you may also enjoy The pledge by Kimberly Derting, The selection by Kiera Cass, Pushing the limits by Katie McGarry, The treachery of beautiful things by Ruth Long, and Paranormalcy by Kiersten White.
I've been a fan of this book - and the author - for many years.
Harry is one of the earliest girl-with-sword, now so prevalent in fantasy literature, aimed at young adults.
She doesn't start out with said-sword, but does begin with an unconventional attitude and upbringing, one which makes her unexpected transition to girl-with-sword easier, for both her and the reader.
With nods to Kipling's The man who would be king, this combines aspects of the British Raj with fantasy.
Now, you can read plot summaries all over the place - so, I won't bother :D.
McKinley's Damar/Daria is entirely believable. Harry's character works within the social setting, as does her background of small rebellions against societal norms. As always, McKinley's language is gloriously descriptive. You can feel the heat and the sand, and hear the battle cries.
The growing relationship between Harry and Corlath is beautifully understated, and real. The glimpses of Aerin are tantalising - and make reading her story, The hero and the crown, a must at the end of this.
I have a great deal of love and affection for this book, to the extent that I re-read it annually. (As I do, with a few other McKinley books.)
Now, having given that heart-felt endorsement, how could I do anything other than recommend other McKinley's... First up, of course, The hero and the crown. For a darker, sadder, tale, try Deerskin. On a different tangent, there's The outlaws of Sherwood (a Robin Hood tale). Her latest, Chalice and Pegasus, is also worth hunting down. Then, there's the fairy tale books... (which really does include Deerskin): Beauty and Rose daughter; Spindle's end (possibly my second-favourite of her fairy tale ones, behind Deerskin). Dragonhaven is a rarity, as it features a male main. For older readers, ie adults, her vampire tale is completely different to anything else... Sunshine.
Jake is staying at his father's around the coast of Wellington, exploring alone. He runs into a strange old guy around the rocks. He tries to avoid the local bullies... What he does do, is take a seal-skin from a cave and therefore attracts the attention of the local selkies.
The modern world and the world of Celtic mythology combine in this low-key action novel - it's not action-packed like, say, James Patterson or Chris Ryan - but there is some action there.
There are also some interesting relationships. Watching Jake and his dad negotiate their time together is interesting, as Jake's dad is used to living alone and becomes totally focussed in his work (hence Jake's solo explorations).
The writing is wonderfully descriptive, giving a real and vivid sense of place and time.
Something to try out for 10+ year olds who like thinking a bit about what they're reading.
A couple of years ago, there was an online poll on which literary character you'd dump your life for and run away with... Ok, there were a few Darcy fans, some Gilbert Blythe...
But, there was a groundswell of support for Eugenides, star of the Attolia books by Megan Whalen Turner, beginning with the eponymous The Thief.
I'll be upfront here - I'm one of them. Well, actually, I am deeply in literary-love with Eugenides, but will also admit he would be an utter pain to live with!
It's so difficult to say why I love this series - and Eugenides - without giving the plot away.
What I can say is, each book has its own character. As you read through the series (in chronological order: The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, The Conspiracy of Kings), the story is shown through different eyes.
Book three, in particular, is interesting in this regard. We, his loyal and loving fans, know what Eugenides is like... but the book's mouthpiece, doesn't. And, you spend a fair amount of the book just waiting for the real Eugenides to show up.
There is action, romance, politics, religion, intrigue... Oh, these books have everything!
A hint of the type of man Eugenides is... when his Gods talk to him, they say things like 'stop whining' and 'go to bed'.
And, I am not the only fan who has struggled to share how ABSO-BLOOMING-LUTELY marvellous these books are, without sharing spoilers. Check out this Booksmugglers review.
Check out the book trailer and see if this book sounds like you...
To recommend books like this is very nearly impossible. There's the fantasy and world-building that comes with great fantasy. And court-politics. And romance. And... just so many things! But, it's the characters that make this one.
Welcome to Pemkowet where Hel, Norse goddess, oversees the eldritch races in town. Meet Daisy Johanssen, Hel's liason with the mortal authorities. And Hel's enforcer. She's also hell-spawn, well, half. And, yes, in this case the Judeo-Christian meaning of Hell... ie demon.
Usually things are pretty quiet for Daisy. Her part-time job as filing clerk in the police department keeps her vaguely occupied. And handy when the Chief needs her attendance. She has family and relationship issues to deal with, paying the rent, feeding the cat (when he deigns to turn up). Then, a mortal frat boy is found dead. Under suspicious circumstances. Add in some interesting males - some of whom are also interested in Daisy (there's also the one Daisy is interested in) - and you have an, on the face of it, reasonably standard urban fantasy.
However, Carey's skill and ability as an author makes this one of the best urban fantasies around. Her world-building is sound and more varied than many urban fantasies / paranormal romances. Yes, there are vampires. Yes, there are werewolves. But there are also ogres, trolls, mermaids, fairies, ghouls... and a few other creatures you discover along the way. The world is also populated by characters. There's Daisy, herself, who is a pretty-normal young woman. Except for a few things. One of them is trying not to lose her temper. If she gives in to her demon-half, she could bring about the end of the world. Armageddon - final battle and all that.
Anyway - the suspicious death of the frat boy is solved (surely that's not a spoiler). Daisy's relationships are up-in-the-air. And, there's more to come. (You'd hope so, what with the whole Agent of Hel, book 1 promise). Don't believe me? Check out the reviews on goodreads.
