Whoever began the trend of fairy tale retellings is a mystery to me. All I know is that Alex Flinn’s books, especially Beastly and A Kiss in Time, were nice training wheels toward what is now a full-on obsession. I pick them up time and again when I need some fluffy fairy tale predictability, and … Continue reading A Kiss in Time, by Alex Flinn →

Little as I know about Russia, its mythology keeps finding its way into my reading. First, the two books of Katherine Arden’s Winter Witch trilogy blew me away, and now, another tale of snow, danger, and magic happened upon my reading pile—only this time of a more middle-grade sort. Orphan girl Sophie Smith and her … Continue reading The Wolf Princess, by Cathryn Constable →

Sarah Dessen was among the first YA authors I read, and her books were a staple of summer reading. I spent countless days at the beach reading staples like This Lulluby, The Truth about Forever, Lock and Key, and so on. I think she was the first author I read who had a literary universe … Continue reading Once and For All, by Sarah Dessen →

These days, it’s actually okay to be a geek. Let me ask the following questions, and odds are you will confirm them: Did you write fanfiction and stay up to read your favorite series’ next book? Did you draw fan art and hide it in your notebook or put it on deviantART? Did you go … Continue reading Geekerella, by Ashley Poston →

Now, my friends…I’m going into uncharted territory. Actually, I’m kind of nervous about this review because…um, how do I put this without sounding like a complete and total prude? Aw, to heck with it. I have never read a proper romance novel…until today. I’m sorry, it’s just that I could never take them seriously. What … Continue reading Fantasy Lover, by Sherrilyn Kenyon →

I’m a book rebel: any book with controversy attached deserves a reading. Of course, any bookworm, or any Average Joe, I suppose, knows that the fantasy genre attracts more naysayers and whiners than any other. I’ll never forget reading about teenage exorcists boycotting the Harry Potter series, or how there were people out there who … Continue reading The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman →

This is the fourth book I’ve reviewed that I’ve read more than once. I’m kind of cheating with this one, since it was technically a merchandise tie-in with a movie, but I still count it. This also kind of rides on the tails of my Neverending Story review, since this is another book encompassing the … Continue reading The Pagemaster, by David Kirschner and Ernie Contreras →

I mentioned in another review that everyone has their book candy.  That's kind of a misleading way to think of today's book, because it's as sweet and yummy as a red velvet cake with buttercream frosting, but it also satisfies me same as a steakhouse dinner does.  Except I don't turn to steak when I … Continue reading The Neverending Story, by Michael Ende →

Be forewarned: this book is unlike anything that Jodi Picoult has ever written, so if you are looking for a cleverly written courtroom drama, turn away now.  But, just the same, if you are looking for a cleverly written fantasy-adventure-romance, then look no further than Between the Lines, co-authored by Picoult’s daughter, Samantha Van Leer. … Continue reading Between the Lines, by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer →

I love that authors are exploring the avenues in which fairy tales are still relevant, as well as how they’ve changed along with us. But it’s tricky to do so, since the formula of someone from our world encountering creepy or weird things is easy to follow. There are dozens of examples to choose from, … Continue reading The Hazel Wood, by Melissa Albert →