Mulling On Monday #18

  2 Stars

  Here we are, yet another dreary Monday as we approach ugly winter. It’s already wet and rainy here, and not very nice out, so that’s just rather unfortunate.

  But, it means I have to stay inside and do something, so, I get to read. And write, since I’m falling behind on my book and on this site. But whatever, here we are.

  The novel that I have for today was one I read over the summer and did not like, even tough lots of people have classified it as ‘an American classic’. One, I’m not American, so maybe I just don’t get the whole thing, but I did not enjoy this novel one bit. Drawn out and pointless, it was a struggle to keep reading.

  The novel is A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, who died in 2001. It’s been deemed a classic, amazing, and such a great read that I picked it up.

  Well, first of all, this was not the novel I thought I picked up. What I had heard of for such a promising read must be somewhere else…or misplaced.

  This novel could quite easily have fit into a short story, so imagine my surprise when I heard that this was indeed a short story before it even came near this 208 waste of time novel.

  Anyways, there were a few things I liked about this novel, or else it would have earned no stars whatsoever.

  What I liked about the novel was the new cover. The colors and the boy in the foreground with the building in the background is wonderful, and I find it to actually be quite pretty. 

  The characters, eventually did develop well enough, and turned into ‘round characters’, who changed by the end of the story (an extreme case of this would be Leper, who ***spoilers*** pretty much loses it and goes mental, such a contrast to his lovely, quiet self. But no, he stars seeing women’s heads on men’s bodies and limbs falling all over, but no big deal, that’s called character development. What???)

  I also liked the setting; it seemed nice, even though I assumed (wrongly, always read the back covers properly) that it would be in England, not New England. But that was my fault. But I thought that for all the metaphors and whatnot, this was the right setting for it.

  What I didn’t like.

  First of all, the characters were very hard to sympathize with; they were very self-centered and coldly focused on goals that made them hard to like. They were also supposed to be 16-17 years old, but I found them oddly immature, especially in the time they were in. I would guess them to be barley 13 if I had to guess without the author throwing the fact that they are old enough to enlist every second paragraph. 

  Along with strange character flips (see spoiler) and with out of place characteristics, the entire thing was hard to read mostly because of the characters.

This means that I also did not like Finny or Gene at all. And if you can’t like the leading characters, or the character’s whose head you are in, then there might be an issue.

  As for the story, like I said, it could have been condensed into 15 pages with little effort. If it had been a short story, I think I would have enjoyed it more than I did. The idea was half decent, it was just the presentation and the characters that killed it.

  Overall, a novel that should not bear the title ‘classic’ without first being a good novel. It needs more character and a better story development.

Phinny is a star athlete with his entire future in front of him. Gene is a brainy kid who shares the same room with him. Soon they become best friends in .he boy’s school that they go to, a peaceful place where the faraway war seem fake and distant.

That peace goes away when Finny falls off a jump from a Tree that belongs to the Super Secret Suicide Society that the boys made up. Finny shatters his leg, and Gene is hiding a secret that could hurt Finny even more…

In a novel that has been called classic, this will make you question right and wrong, and what really matters as a person.

 

 

Author: John Knowles

Published: December 1, 1984

Page Count: 208

ISBN: 0553280414    (isbn13: 978-0553280418)

Books on my Growing List To Read: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

  So, this has actually been on my list of ‘to-read’ for a while, but, I admit, after watching Disney’s Mulan again, I now have a renewed interest in China. This is because these stories are so intriguing, and old China is extremely interesting.

This novel is Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See. This is, I am assured a book that is a ‘must-read’ for all girls from teens to seniors. Therefore, I believe I will try it, and I hope to be impressed.

  It is a novel that takes place in 19th century China, where tradition and men ruled domineered. Set in a remote area, the story of two women is supposed to be engrossing, and to ring true with women.

  Okay, if it rings true with women, why women? Do men not have friendships. Okay, so that’s not the point, but I want to know and understand why this is such a driving point for all of the reviews I have seen.

  What I like about it is that it takes place in China, which sets a wonderful backdrop for novels, and has woven many a wonderful tales, including one of my favourites, Memoirs of A Geisha. I also like that it is a secluded tale, not one buzzing with gossip and city life. I am sick of city life, I would rather enjoy a retreat from it.

  I believe I found this on Goodreads, or perhaps Teenreads, on a must read section. So, obviously it cannot be too bad.

  Which brings us to Goodreads stats. 3.97 rating out of 339804 ratings and 7040 reviews. Popular. And sounds pretty decent, almost guaranteed to be a good read.

  And, by the way, as I was googling this novel, It sounds like there is a movie set to be released based on the book. It’s set for release in 2011. So, now I have to read the novel if I want to see the movie!!

 

A language kept a secret for a thousand years forms the backdrop for an unforgettable novel of two Chinese women whose friendship and love sustains them through their lives.

This absorbing novel – with a storyline unlike anything Lisa See has written before – takes place in 19th century China when girls had their feet bound, then spent the rest of their lives in seclusion with only a single window from which to see.  Illiterate and isolated, they were not expected to think, be creative, or have emotions. But in one remote county, women developed their own secret code, nu shu – "women’s writing" – the only gender-based written language to have been found in the world.  Some girls were paired as "old-sames" in emotional matches that lasted throughout their lives.  They painted letters on fans, embroidered messages on handkerchiefs, and composed stories, thereby reaching out of their windows to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments.

An old woman tells of her relationship with her "old-same," their arranged marriages, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood—until a terrible misunderstanding written on their secret fan threatens to tear them apart. With the detail and emotional resonance of Memoirs of a Geisha , Snow Flower and the Secret Fan delves into one of the most mysterious and treasured relationships of all time—female friendship.

-From http://www.lisasee.com/snowflower/

Author: Lisa See

Published: June 28, 2005

Page Count: 272

ISBN: 1400060281   (isbn13: 978-1400060283)

Book Of The Week: Atonement

  4 1/2 Stars

 

  Loved this novel. Absolutely loved it. Everything was very well done, developed, and things were just so well written overall. Ian McEwan knows his stuff when it comes to writing. 

  Every line has something to it, the prose..ah! It’s a lovely, lovely novel that will stick in my head for a long time to come. Brilliant, brilliant.

  I meant to read this over the summer, but instead ended up putting it away for a wile after getting a little bogged down by the start, and with little time to read it between Memoirs of Cleopatra, and this novel. Memoirs won, but I’m glad I ended up reading this one. It is a gem, and I think I will end up watching this movie pretty soon to see if the movie comes close to the novel. It has Kiera Knightly in it, so I believe it could work out well.

  Anyways, the good, the bad, the ugly.

  The good; loved it. The plot is beautiful, the narrative just brilliant, and the simplicity of it great. Loved the subtle twist at the end that changes everything.

  The bad; not much of ‘the bad’ to it, but, like all novels I read that there is not a first-person narrative, I found it hard to get into. Especially with a slower start, and a slightly confusing pace with the twirling plot at the start, it was difficult to keep going.

  And the ugly; this does bug me, personally, but be warned, there is some strong language and descriptions in this novel. I felt that it added to it rather than subtracted from it, but just so you know.

  Overall, thought it was a great read worth the time it took to get into it, and I recommend it. I will have to get back to you on the movie, and see how that works out. Fingers crossed, as it was a most excellent novel.

  Briony Tallis is a thirteen year old girl with a passion for writing. Innocent, protected, and living what seems a simple life in light of the war, she misinterprets a moment’s heated passion and crushes her sister’s newly-fledged dreams in mere minutes.

Her innocence tears the family apart at the seams, ripping a chain of events that alters’ the family forever.

In a novel that makes a distinct point, and tells of love, war, and forgiveness, this is sure to sweep you off your feet and make you think if innocence is really what it seems to be.

Author: Ian McEwan

Published: November 27, 2007

Page Count: 496

ISBN: 0307388840    (isbn13: 978-0307388841)

Books On My Growing List To Read: Nomansland

  This novel is pretty much brand new, as it came out in June, and it sounds unique, that’s for sure.

  No Man’s Land is by Lesley Hauge, and certainly looks interesting. I would love to get my hands on this novel.

  It is supposed to be yet another dystopian novel, but hey, this is the new thing, and I have no issues with this genre because they bring the imagination and the ‘what-if’s’ to the table, which can be as unique as authors can imagine them.

  And this one, while not necessarily a new idea, sounds great.

  It is about a small island in the north that is completely run by women. Exclusively. Totally. Utterly, run by women.

  It’s been heard of before, but this is the first book I have found that I have been interested in that holds this subject.

  What I like about it is that it sounds so different. Usually with dystopian novels, you get government/society takeover, (Birthmarked, The Hunger Games, The Forest of Hands and Teeth), or a version of crazy ‘on their own to forge through the unknown wilds’, type thing.

  On Wikipedia, this technically could be filed under the name of ‘Feminist Utopias’, which, apparently, borders on ‘feminist science fiction’. Um. Okay then.

  Found it on good ol’ Teenreads, which is great for finding new teen novels, just so you all know. The description sounded lovely, so that is why I picked this one.

  Anyways, it looks good, sounds good, has been reviewed decently. On Goodreads, we have a 3.33avg rating with 123 ratings and 47 review. So a bit on the lower side, but the majority is not always right. So we will try it soon, I hope.

Sometime in the future, a lonely, windswept island in the north is populated solely by women.  Among these women is a group of teenaged Trackers – expert equestrians and archers – whose job is to protect their shores from the enemy.  The enemy, they’ve been told is men.  When these girls come upon a partially buried home from the distant past, they are fascinated by the strange objects – high-heeled shoes, teen magazines, makeup – found there.    What are they to make of these mysterious things, which introduce a world they have never known? And what does it mean for their strict society where friendship is forbidden and rules must be obeyed – at all costs?

From http://www.lesleyhauge.com/

Author: Lesley Hauge

Published: June 22, 2010

Page Count: 256

ISBN: 0805090649   (isbn13: 978-0805090642)

Book Of The Week: The Memoirs Of Cleopatra

5 Stars

This book is such a treasure, and I am so glad that I was able to sit down and read it.

The latest novel to join the few in the five star category is ‘The Memoirs of Cleopatra’, by Margaret George. A great historical novel (if not the best I have yet to read), and so well done, that even after the weeks I have finished it, I find that I still think about it. That is the mark of a good author.

While it has flown under the radar for a while, this is a magnificent novel, both in size, historical accuracy, characters and the plot. All very, very well done.

While I love historical fiction, the reason that this tops the list is the sheer depth; this novel explains everything, yet is historically accurate, the characters well developed, and everything in place. And, of course, my favourite was the fact that it was in first person.

I also liked the ideas presented. The facts put together. And the emotion that was poured into it. Everything is very vivid, which includes the emotions, characters, descriptions. You feel like you are actually there.

The only thing that could possibly bring this down to 4 ½ stars would be that towards the end, you almost put it down. However, once you persevered through, it was worth it. That and the ending, which was a slight bit off, but I still really enjoyed it; it was not a complete turn off like some of the other novels I have read.

What originally caught my eye about this novel was the size. That and I had heard about it from who knows where about how well written Margaret George’s novels were (this was before I remembered that I had read a novel of hers already…). The cover is nothing special I admit, but I have always wanted to know about Cleopatra; she is linked to famous names, and has quite the history, after all. She lived in interesting times.

Overall, a tremendous work, where the effort in writing shines through to make a novel that once read, will make it’s mark.

Cleopatra. Julius Caesar. Marc Anthony. Written about countless time, from novels to plays. There is something about these people, especially Cleopatra that has a strong hold on our history, and the love for dramatics.

In a tale that tells of love, power, and a deadly combination of the two, this is a novel that glittering with mesmerizing writing.

Because Cleopatra was not just a queen of Egypt. She was the Queen of Egypt.

Author: Margaret George

Published: May 15th 1998 by St. Martin’s Griffin

Page Count: 976

ISBN: 0312187459    (isbn13: 9780312187453)

Mulling On Monday #16/Mission Re-Read The YA Book Shelf

Overall, 3 Stars

So, now that things are more back to normal, I am going to be able to write more often. Yay. 

  Anyways, so for my first re-appearance, Monday Mulling is back! (This is also technically the Young Adult Mission, but for now it’s mixed) And the best part is, it’s back with a new series. Well, technically, the last book in the series, but nevertheless, it’s a new book with quite a buzz about it.

  Any guesses?

  So this series. I loved the first novel. Absolutely, without a doubt, loved it. Caught my attention and brought me to the dystopian genre. It was dark, it had a sense of ‘what-if’ reality, the characters shone. It was a great thing. So I was very excited for the second one.

  The second one, I disliked. Almost extremely so. I was less than impressed with the writing and character development. I found the plot too rushing, with little time to breathe- and not in a good way.

  As for the third one. There was so much hype and excitement for it. I thought the author would redeem themselves and fix everything that they had done wrong in the second one. After all, I waited anxiously for a year +.

  Did that happen?

  Quite frankly, no. I was actually really upset with the author, and felt that the third one was no where near redeemable. The first one was the best and the author couldn’t touch that. Which is sad to say, and I really hate to say it.

  Overall, the series is a great idea, and the first book makes it to the five star list. But the other two left me feeling so disjointed and disappointed that the series, overall, only gets three stars. That’s saying something.

  How did I even find this series?

  I admit, I saw it on Stephanie Meyer’s site. This was when Twilight was low-key and not as over-the-top as it is now. It was a good suggestion, and I am glad that I have read this series, I’m just disappointed with the last two.

  Anybody figure out what series this is?

  It’s The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins.

   On that note, here is the rest of the review, book by book.

  The Hunger Games

5 Stars

  This novel I was over the top impressed with. Great characters, a good pace, amazing story idea that is very haunting. Everything about this novel was lovely. I really liked the idea of the dystopian world. It’s changed my way of thinking, quite literally.

  What I thought was so great was the set up. Everything was well paced, the timing impeccable, and she knew how to get the readers on the edge of their seats.

  And while I wished the book was longer, just for more reading time, I feel that the novel was the right size for what Collins wanted to give us. Everything was nicely in it’s place, and she knew what she was doing.

  What I didn’t like in this novel was the ending. I was surprised to see such a cliff-hanger, but I took it in stride and immediately looked up when the next novel was coming out.

  Other than that, this book is highly enjoyable and I would recommend it.

Katniss is a sixteen year old girl living in a world of danger and foul-play. But it’s not from the foreboding woods and the people she lives with ; it’s the Capitol, a pro-apocalypse controlling government that has taken over the ruins of North America and turned it into a running, controlled Panem, where all is restricted.

But to get respect for what they have so graciously done, and to put down any rebellions like District 13, who has been blown to bits, The Capitol holds games. The Hunger Games.

Twenty four kids, two from each district are sent into a world-simulated area to kill each other. The rules are simple; be the last to survive. And that is Katniss’ plan.

In a novel raw with emotion and power, The Hunger Games is sure to please, and make you think about true government corruption.

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: September 14th, 2008

Page Count: 384

ISBN: 0439023483    (isbn13: 978-0439023481)

Catching Fire

3 Stars

  This novel, I had to read and re-read about four times to finally even enjoy it.

  There is just something off about this novel, which I feel, is the beginning of the downfall of the series. It’s fast-paced, yes, but, too fast, where it feels like you don’t even have time to process what has just happened two pages ago. Things appear and disappear randomly. It feels disjointed and not properly planned out.

  The characters undergo some development, but I feel like there was not enough for this sequel.

  What I did like was the introduction of the threat of Snow. He was a major threat before, but in this her seems even more frightening. He’s not a nice guy, to be sure.

  What I also liked was that the Quarter Quell was involved. However, this one is a mixed case for me, because I feel like it was too set up, to ‘on-purpose’. It just annoyed me a little.

  Overall, disappointing for me, but alas, these things happen.

In the next book of the Hunger Games series, this novel goes through the ‘after-life’ of the two winners of the Hunger Games. However, winning is no longer just a luxurious home, food on the table, and money in your hand. The Capitol is not exactly pleased with how the last Games turned out, and they are determined to  let the two winners know.

In a fearful, fast paced sequel to the first novel, this is one novel that will answer some questions; and pose some more.

 

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: September 1, 2009

Page Count: 400

ISBN: 0439023491   (isbn13:978-0439023498)

Mockingjay

2 1/2 Stars

  In the highly anticipated final novel to end The Hunger Games series, this novel is fast paced with unexpected twists and turns that are compelling. It wraps up the series and answers many of the questions posed after finishing the last novel. Who will Katniss end up with? What happened to everybody? What will the Capitol do?

  And that is probably the nicest thing I can say about this novel. Perhaps I’m just bitter about being disappointed again with this series, but I was actually angry with the novel. I spent how long waiting for it, and then how long reading it? I give up my time and money to read an author’s work. If they don’t give, then I believe I have a reason to be a little upset.

  Endless killing. Hopeless suspense. An ending that suddenly stops the blurring of action. What???

  The characters that had been so meticulously developed ending up meaning little to nothing because they change so much in this novel.

  Which brings to the the idea that this is a pure war novel. And that Katniss’ life and her feeling mean next to nothing in this. They could have killed her off for all I care, I was so upset.

  So. Here is the novel that I am extremely disappointed in. Collins, I am very upset with you, and expected so, so, SO much more from you. The story had such potential, everything had amazing potential and something that could be so useful, but I felt you threw it away. And thus, I am both saddened and angry.

  Overall, a major disappointment.

In the final book of the series, this novel is fast paced and desperate. With enough power to answer the remaining questions, and enough creativity to give new life to the characters, the last novel is a rocky and emotional ride.

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: August 24, 2010

Page Count: 400

ISBN: 0439023513   (isbn13:978-0439023511)

So that is that. Hope that you had a better experience with these novels.

Monday Mulling #15

3 ½ Stars

Well…it’s been a while. Sorry. But here I am again, and I have not abandoned you all. I just was unable to get to a computer for the past few…2, 3 weeks to write a good review.

But I have returned, and I plan to give you what you were missing.

The latest novel that I was able to read was Becca Fitzpatrick‘s novel, Hush, Hush.

This novel has been getting quite the hype around the book world. It;s one of those paranormal teenagers novels, but this is not full of wolves and vampires and witches…just fallen angels.

The cover caught my eye majorly on this one; pretty in a dark way, the grey-scale angle contorted in mid-air, with the red accents was just lovely.

Overall, it was an interesting novel, if not sickeningly similar to Twilight in some places, which nearly drove me mad. The plot line was done well enough to hold interest, but not so overwhelming that you couldn’t follow it either.

The characters are mostly developed, but I suspect that the questions I had/have will be continued in the next book(s).

What I really liked about this novel was the fallen angel idea. I thought that it was different, and that by being different, it could turn out to be a very amazing book.

However, I admit I did not have any expectations when reading this. There was nothing really I wanted out of this novel, which was rare.

What I did not like about the novel was how some things were random. All of a sudden, things were just…there and gone. Plot points were revealed and things were discarded. It was a very fast paced novel, and I think that the author wanted to keep it that way, thus the fast-ball plot points.

This is shown in the very beginning of the book. When you open the novel and start reading, you feel like you have really missed something. The thing is, nothing has been missed; rather than the author starting off slowly and building something up, she just builds the story up right away.

The only other point that irritated me was Patch and what is going on with him. Firstly, name is a little out of place, but, I can easily deal with that, I have seen stranger names than that. Secondly, the similarities between dear Patch and Edward Cullen killed me a little inside. A plea to all authors is develop your own characters, please. However, it was not too terrible, just somethings were too Twilighty.

Overall, a good novel, but not outrageously amazing. i liked it, but anybody who is strongly opposed to paranormal teenagers running around will not enjoy this.

Nora Grey is a normal, teen-aged girl. Average. Unexeptional in most ways.

That was until she met Patch, who is the opposite in every way. The only thing they share in common is that they are now forced bio partners.

And Nora thinks that Path is different. Dangerous, scary even, considering that somebody has been stalking her, and Patch seems to fit the bill.

But when Nora tries to confront him, she finds herself mysteriously drawn to him; in a deadly way.

In a novel that is fast-paced and frightening, Hush, Hush, is a novel for all who love paranormal YA-fiction.

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Published: September 27th 2009

Page Count: 391

ISBN: 1416989412    (isbn13: 9781416989417)

Books on My Growing List to Read: Hush

And here is my first novel to add to the growing pile of books to read this summer (now that it is here for me!) now that I can actually sit down and read. I think that a library trip sometime next week would be lovely…especially with an upcoming trip to Phoenix coming up!

So, the book that is going on this pile is Hush, by Donna Jo Napoli. It’s only three years old, as it was published in 2007.

It is supposed to be a ‘fairy-tale-retold’ novel, based on an Irish fairy tale. Sounds great.

But apparently this is not any happy fairy tale. This one is supposed to be gritty.

This is supposed to be like a Brother’s Grimm fairy tale, and not the Disney versions. The Grimm tales were – excuse the pun – grim. For example, in Cinderella, one of the step-sisters actually cuts off her toes when her foot does not fit into Cinderella’s shoe. Guess they had to leave that part out of the story when they wrote it for Disney.

So I am exited. After all, there have been too many happy-go-lucky novels out there, filled with princesses who want to find their prince, and somehow do. This is not supposed to be a novel that is like that, and for that, I am grateful.

To tell you the truth, I have absolutely no idea how I came across this novel. The most likely place is Goodreads, that much I now, otherwise I am clueless. I am writing about it now, becuase it was on my to-read shelf, and I clicked on it. And voila, it looks so very interesting.

I love the whole princess thing, and I love that it is based on a legend. And, if you couldn’t quite tell, I love the fact that it’s supposed to be different than the other novels I have read lately. Dark. Sad. I like it.

Not that I am a dark and sad person; I am just sick of the whole happy paranormal teenagers who fall in love, and everything is such a happy ending.  I am a little done with that.

Anyways, Goodreads stats. 863 ratings, a 3.44 average rating, and 229 reviews. The majority of people have voted this novel 3 stars, with a close 4 stars. But that might not mean anything. Just becuase only a few people like a book does not mean that I won’t, or you won’t. So there.

I am excited to get my hands on this…let’s hope that I get it soon!

Fifteen-year-old Melkorka, an Irish princess, is kidnapped by Russian slave traders and not only learns how to survive but to challenge some of the brutality of her captors, who are fascinated by her apparent muteness and the possibility that she is enchanted.

From http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/765584.Hush_An_Irish_Princess_Tale (No synopsis on the author’s site)

Author: Donna Jo Napoli

Published: October 23rd 2007 by Atheneum

Page Count: 320

ISBN: 0689861761    (isbn13: 9780689861765)

Mulling On Monday #14

1 ½ Stars (Ew)

This will have to be a quick review, but, nevertheless, it will still be a review. Besides, with this novel, there is very little to say.

So here is a novel that I found on Teenreads. So I went over to Goodreads, and saw the outstanding reviews, and thought that perhaps I would try it.

I hated it. Absolutely hated it. The only thing that saved it from only being a star is the mere idea, and the cool cover.  Everything else was such a turn off for me.

I finished it only becuase I wanted to see if it would redeem itself. But no, I remained disappointed out of my mind.

What I liked was the idea. Ghosts, and a girl who can see one; the mystery of their interlocked pasts. The idea sounded pretty neat.

What I did not like.The entirety of the book, I think.

What really turned me off was the whole ‘sex on top of the stage where a bed magically appears, and to do so while a drama class goes on beneath’. Yeah. That I did not like. And everything just went down-hill so fast from there, it made me sad.

The characters were not as well developed as I would have liked to seen, considering the author had plenty of time to work with, considering the ghost had been a ghost for 130 freaking years. Develop the character please! And the girl was a Disney princess type, with very little to work with, hoping for her prince to save her. Too bad that did not happen.

The characters also tended to be very crude, rude, and while I understand they are supposed to be abusive, there was no need to drop the f-bombs every second word. I not usually strongly opposed to swearing in novels, but it became a little over the top.

The descriptions were also not there.

What was also a turn-off was way things were prestented. It just didn’t work.

Overall, I really don’t recommend this novel, as it is disappointing, and I can’t tell people to read it.

Author: Donna Jo Napoli

Published: October 23rd 2007 by Atheneum

Page Count: 320

ISBN: 0689861761    (isbn13: 9780689861765)

Book of the Week: The Two Princesses of Bamarre

4  Stars

I have to put this novel up as book of the week, because I finished it yet again this weekend, and I have remembered how much I adore this novel. It’s quirky, cute, and different.

Yes, it’s yet another young adult novel, but this is, in my opinion, that captures young girl’s hearts.

And what a favorite; two princesses, fighting, magic, swords and a quest. I mean, when you are a young girl or teen this book has everything you could want without being overwhelmed.

I first read this in grade six, I fell in love. Princess and fairy tales with a older Disney quality to it, it was great.

The story is well developed, lopes along at a great pace, and works in the context that the author wants it to. It’s a fun read. It’s enjoyable. It’s a story that forces a princess to grow up and buckle down.

For the most part, I think I loved this novel more than the lovable Ella Enchanted. This novel is about getting over your fears, struggling, and finding the courage you need in the deep spaces.

What I had issues with was the length. It should have been longer, and therefore, a better, more developed ending, but, what can I say.

This is a fantasy plum full of monsters, an impossible quest, and finding things you never knew you had. I love it, and, overall, it’s great for girls who love their Disney princess’, but wish that perhaps they had a little more oomph.

Meet the two princesses of Bamarre. One is blonde and beautiful, courageous, and craves adventure. The other is brunette, tiny, timid, and just seeks a calm life. When the two used to play, it was always Meryl that saved her younger sister Addie from the dreaded grey death.

That all changes in a moment, when Meryl falls while declaiming the epic poem of Drault. This time though, grey death is not a game…and Meryl is not able to save herself.

Mustering up all of her courage, and then some, Addie takes it apon herself to save the sister she admires so much.

On the way, she will discover more than she ever though she would know…and maybe find love to go with it.

In a volume where terror and fantasy collide for young adults, Gail Carson Levine’s The Two Princesses of Bamarre will delight girls everywhere.

Author: Gail Carson Levinge

Published: February 5th 2004 by EOS (first published 2001)

Page Count: 304

ISBN: 0060575808    (isbn13: 9780060575809)