Fiction Addict

Genre: Literary, Adventure

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Publication Date:  February 2010

Marianne Peters’ Review:

Most high school students have read the story of Odysseus, his long journey from the fields of Troy to his home in Ithaca and his adventures along the way. Zachary Mason’s version, as he says in the Preface, is a “translation” of the story before it was canonized, when “the Homeric material was formless, fluid, its elements shuffled into new narratives like cards in a deck.”

Reading Mason’s debut novel, The Lost Books of the Odyssey, is like looking through the other end of the telescope. Each chapter answers the question, “What if?” What if we had the Cyclops’ side of the story? What if Penelope wasn’t faithful to her long-absent husband? What if Helen of Troy never married Menelaus? What if Achilles had died a natural death as a traveling beggar? The familiar landmarks of Homer’s tale disappear, and the effect is both fascinating and disconcerting. Odysseus himself has a reputation as a smooth-talking, truth-bending survivor. Truth is a slippery commodity in this novel. Each chapter’s story, each one just a fragment or episode, makes us wonder what truth looks like. Is it one story, or is it made up of many stories? And what of history? With so many points of view, how do we decide what really happened?

It’s helpful to have read Homer’s Odyssey recently, or a synopsis of it, to appreciate Mason’s interpretation. His references to Greek mythology are sometimes explained by footnotes, but as with everything in this novel, the reliability of these references is up for grabs. Even if your last reading of Odyssey is a distant memory, there’s so much to enjoy about this novel. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes ironic, sometimes even poignant, Mason’s playful interpretation of this classic is a delightful read. It’s like seeing a familiar company of players asked to read a different script, reminding us that stories are always open to interpretation.

“I hope that this translation reflects the haunted light of Homer’s older islands, “ Mason writes, “where the familiar characters are arranged in a new tableaux, but soon become restless, mercurial – they turn their backs, forget their names, move on.”

Jonathan Schindler’s Review:

The Iliad and Odyssey, we are told, circulated in oral tradition before they were ever fixed in written form. Homer is given credit for writing them down, but his epics are really the product of nameless bards reciting and refining the stories over time. As Zachary Mason notes in his preface to The Lost Books of the Odyssey, before the Odyssey was written down, “the Homeric material was formless, fluid, its elements shuffled into new narratives like cards in a deck.” It is this fluidity that provides the context for Mason’s book.

The Lost Books of the Odyssey is a collection of forty-four variations on the traditional Homeric stories, each lasting between one and eleven pages. The preface explains that these variations were unearthed in Egypt and just now translated by the author. Mason carries this conceit throughout the book with footnotes that explain “translation” choices, but which mostly fill in necessary information for those less familiar with Homer’s epics than the author.

Mason’s variations range from the standard deviations—What if Odysseus came home to find that Penelope hadn’t waited for him? What if Penelope was already dead? What if Odysseus decided to stay with Calypso?—to the more creative, bizarre ones—What if the story of Odysseus’s exploits and return to Ithaca was invented by the blinded cyclops or a cowardly Odysseus? What if Odysseus had a doppelganger? What if the Homeric epics are really just aids for memorizing an ancient chess primer? He also explores ideas in between, like, What does a fighting man do once there’s no more fighting to do? What is the nature of storytelling? What side adventures might Odysseus have had? Mason’s variations, whatever tangent they follow from the story, are well written, well thought out, and most of all engaging.

Mason’s main strength in The Lost Books of the Odyssey is not the writing—though this is top-notch and Mason is an adept storyteller. Mason’s greatest strength is his restraint—knowing just how much of a story to tell and no more. He doesn’t belabor any point (indeed, a 228-page book comprising 44 variations of the Homeric epics cannot be accused of verbosity), and he doesn’t provide bullying details that restrict the reader. Instead, he allows the reader’s imagination to do the main work. He provides the skeleton and the muscles, but it is up to the reader to flesh out each tale. Mason’s restraint works and pays dividends: many of his variations could (but hopefully won’t) become full texts in their own right, and after finishing the book I feel almost as if I’ve read these full texts.

Another aspect of The Lost Books of the Odyssey that I enjoyed is Mason’s wit in handling the source material. He doesn’t treat the Homeric epics as hallowed texts (as his preface makes clear), and he uses some of the gaps in the source as a springboard into new explorations of it. For example, in one of my favorite variations, “The Myrmidon Golem,” Agamemnon forces Odysseus to recruit Achilles for the Trojan War. Odysseus reluctantly agrees and goes ashore to convince Achilles to join, only to find that Achilles is already dead, “bitten on the heel by an adder.” Odysseus fears Agamemnon’s unpredictable rage and sculpts a clay Achilles to join in the war against Troy and fool Agamemnon. Now, this story is a bit far-fetched, but it provides an interesting (and entertaining) window into why Achilles, a key player in the Iliad, acts like he’s made of stone and is almost completely unlikable.

Not everyone will enjoy The Lost Books of the Odyssey, and reading the Iliad and Odyssey is probably prerequisite for enjoying Mason’s book. Nevertheless, for those who are captivated by Odysseus’s adventures in particular or Greek mythology in general, The Lost Books of the Odyssey will be a welcome addition to your library.

Review copies provided by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Genre: Children’s, Young Adult

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication Date: September 2007

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

When Dashti’s mistress, Lady Saren, refuses to marry the man her father has chosen, both girls are thrown into a sealed tower to endure a seven-year punishment. Soon Khan Tegus, a kind suitor, calls upon them and Saren orders Dashti to impersonate her, a crime punishable with death. Reluctantly, Dashti obeys and finds herself anticipating this man’s visits. But food supplies grow scarce and an evil suitor, Khasar, taunts them. Dashti must find a way to protect her mistress and escape the tower’s confines.

Against a backdrop of war-torn and defeated lands, Dashti and Saren flee to Tegus’ homeland, still maintaining their switched identities. But Khasar’s lust for power leads him to conquer this country as well. As he approaches their new home, Dashti learns she must face Khasar if she and Saren hope to survive.

Something about Book of a Thousand Days by Newbery Honor-winner Shannon Hale entrances readers into propping their eyelids against the late hours. The magic of foreign lands and the thrill of adventure may have something to do with this. Or it could be poetic language and a truly heroic, yet humble protagonist. Readers will cheer for Dashti, a simple but intelligent girl, who can restore the human spirit with her healing songs. Ever hopeful and hardy, she tells the tale through her carefully kept journal.

Shannon Hale patterns the setting of this retold Grimm fairytale (“Maid Maleen”) after medieval Mongolia—a unique choice that lends a distinctive quality and tone to the book. Some elements of religion and eastern mysticism naturally creep into the book for this reason, as well as bits of magic.

A well-told, charming tale.

Review copy provided by Bloomsbury.

Jake Chism and Lori Twichell recently set down with NY Times Bestselling Author Ted Dekker to discuss his latest release, The Bride Collector. Listen in as we talk about Dekker’s future novels, The Gathering events, and his transition into mainstream fiction. A special thank you to Kevin Kaiser for setting up this interview and to Ted Dekker for allowing us to take a HUGE chunk of his time. We had a blast and we hope you do to.

More about Ted Dekker:

Ted Dekker was born to missionaries who lived among the headhunter tribes of Indonesia. Because his parents’ work often included extended periods of time away from their children, Dekker describes his early life in a culture to which he was a stranger as both fascinating and lonely. It is this unique upbringing that forced him to rely on his own imagination to create a world in which he belonged.

After leaving Indonesia, Dekker graduated from a multi-cultural high school and took up permanent residence in the United States to study Philosophy and Religion. Upon earning his Bachelor’s Degree, he entered the corporate world and proceeded to climb the proverbial ladder. But his personal drive left him restless and, after many successful years, he traded corporate life for wide range of entrepreneurial pursuits that included buying and selling businesses, healthcare services, and marketing.

In the early nineties while visiting a friend who had just written a book, Dekker decided to pursue a long held desire to be a novelist. Over the course of two years he wrote two full length novels before starting from scratch and rewriting both. Now fully enamored by the the process and the stories, he realized that storytelling was in his blood and a new obsession to explore truth through story gripped him anew.

He sold his business, moved his family to the mountains of Western Colorado and began writing full-time on his third novel. Two years and three novels later his first novel, Heaven’s Wager, was published.

Now, eight years from the publication of his first novel, Dekker’s novels had sold over 3.4 million copies worldwide. Two of his novels, Thr3e and House, have been made into movies with more in production.

This interview can also be downloaded from our iTunes page (recommended for best quality).

See our reviews of The Bride Collector here.

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Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Disney Press

Publication Date: April 2008

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

One thing that Disney is expert at is creating franchises. And they have definitely accomplished that with the ever popular Pirates of the Caribbean, from amusement park rides to three feature films, a slew of merchandise, and this real gem: the Jack Sparrow book series by Rob Kidd. Each volume is short and quick, always coming in under 150 pages. These are definitely geared towards the children’s market, but there is something really magical about each entry that shines to both kids and adults alike. And the same can be said about book eleven, Poseidon’s Peak.

A teenage Jack Sparrow rows out into the middle of the ocean. He’s been abandoned by all the friends he had, and now he’s heard whispers of an ancient treasure hidden somewhere on a mountain peak. He sets off to look for it, and soon finds himself running from islanders, swimming into underground caverns, and trying to figure out just who is this mysterious dying man who knows Jack’s name, but nothing about himself. And all of this leads up to the final startling shocks: someone has gained control of a power that will allow them to rule the Seven Seas… and kill Jack Sparrow for good.

The writing is always crisp with Kidd, and the pacing is insanely fast, with just a touch of development for Jack’s character as he struggles to decide whether to become a pirate or not. The book builds on events in the previous ten volumes, and to really get the full story, new readers should head back to book one, The Coming Storm, and start there. But Kidd has set this one up so that anyone could really jump in and not be too lost.

The nice thing about these books is that the plots are actually pretty good. Kidd doesn’t just offer up a quick and easy storyline. Usually things get complicated for Jack Sparrow, and often there is a bit of mystery that isn’t revealed until the very end. And it’s always fun to see how he will tie in a cameo appearance from a character in the films – anyone from Davy Jones to Mr. Gibbs to the Kraken.

Kids who enjoyed the Pirates movies will love this quick read, and even adults will enjoy the adventures of young Jack Sparrow and his crew.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher:  Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date:  June 2008

Reviewed by Jennifer S. Roman

Katherine Dunne, recently widowed and remarried, wants to take her three children on a sailing trip for two months during the summer so they can reconnect.  A dedicated heart surgeon, Katherine believes she has spent too much time on her career and not enough time on her family.  Her children agree.  Her daughter has an eating disorder, her older son has a pot addiction, and her younger son is just lost in the shuffle.  While her successful new husband, Peter, stays behind to work on an important case, her brother-in-law, Jake (with whom she had an affair years ago), agrees to captain the sailboat.  Right off the bat, though, things go wrong.  The family is hit hard by a storm that destroys a great deal of the boat.  The day after the storm, after the family miraculously makes it out alive, the boat explodes.  Jake suffers serious injuries and dies.  Katherine also is seriously injured: she has a compact fracture in her leg.  With nothing left but hope, the family must somehow survive and get safely home.  With betrayal and secrets exposed, it’s not the means in which she intends, but Katherine does pull her family together into a stronger unit.

James Patterson is not at his strongest in Sail.  While the plot does have some twists and turns, it does not have the usual “wow” factor his fans are accustomed to seeing.  It’s nice to get away from a high-speed chase at the end of the story, as this one does not have that, but the whole setup is tired.  The characters are not well-developed and sometimes it is difficult to believe their experiences.  That being said, the twists and turns that DO happen are interesting.  The secondary characters provide more interest than the main ones, and because of them, the story is not horrible.  With some depth added, the story could be a lot better.

There are a few curse words in the story, and quite a bit of sexual encounters.  There is some violence, and some of it is graphic.  For those used to Patterson novels, it is calm by his standards.  Others not accustomed to violence may be unnerved.  There is also mention of an extramarital affair, so people not comfortable with adultery should be warned.

This book, while not a fantastic read, is quick and easy and does provide a somewhat entertaining story.

Genre: Romance, Thriller

Publisher: Putnam

Publication Date: July 2009

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

When eleven-year-old Cooper Sullivan’s parents send him to his grandparents’ South Dakota horse ranch for a summer on his grandparents’ horse ranch, he expects the worst two months of his life. Instead, he meets the neighbors’ daughter, Lillian Chance. She shares his love of baseball and teaches him how to ride horses. With each annual visit their friendship grows and develops into something more, until the year they stumble on the body of a dead hiker.

From that day on, their lives follow different paths. Coop breaks away from his father’s demands while Lil becomes a wildlife biologist and creates the Chance Wildlife Refuge.

Twelve years later their lives intersect once more. Coop leaves his job as a private investigator in New York to care for his grandparents and the ranch. Still hurt by his departure all those years ago, Lil determines to not let his presence hold her back. But when animals are slaughtered, and left for Lil to find, and a man goes missing, Coop will stop at nothing to keep her safe, even if it means disrupting her life and the peace she fought so hard to achieve.

At first, I was very excited to read Nora Roberts’ Black Hills, but the more I read, the greater my disappointment grew. While the plot is intriguing and Roberts draws the reader into the world of wildlife biologists, I grew irritated with the crude language. By this I refer to swear words as well as countless distasteful conversations between the characters. They treat sex in a cavalier fashion, often talking about it or the opposite sex in extremely debasing terms. The words lust and love are thrown around freely and interchangeably, even when it’s lust every time.

Numerous sex scenes leave little to the imagination. Roberts isn’t a bad writer, she pulls her audience into the intricacies of a wildlife refuge and the lives of its inhabitants and caretakers, but if one pulls out the vulgar words, crass conversations, and sex scenes, there isn’t much left to this book. That aside, this novel is for those who prefer figuring out how to catch the culprit rather than learning whodunit, as the reader knows the culprit almost from the beginning.

Overall, Black Hills disappointed me. Knowing that Roberts is a mystery writer and having enjoyed several movies based on her books, I had high expectations for the novel. Unfortunately, I will now have to think twice before reading a Nora Roberts book again and stick to the movies, which are cleaner.

Review copy provided by Putnam.

Genre: Children’s, Young Adult

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Publication Date: June 2008

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

In the aftermath of Harry Potter, numerous authors took up the mantle of writing stories of magic and wizardry. And Sarah Prineas offers up her debut novel, The Magic Thief, as just such an entry into the world of fantasy juvenile fiction.

Conn stumbles across a mysterious figure entering the Twilight side of the city of Wellmet, and the gutter boy picks his pockets and finds a strange stone. When Conn survives an attack from the stone, the mysterious man, Nevery Flinglas, takes the boy in. And thus begins their adventures, as Nevery tries to discover why the magic is draining out of the city and Conn just tries to figure out the mysteries surrounding his own life. Then they both discover the truth: if the magic disappears completely, all of Wellmet will be destroyed. And Conn may be the key to saving them all…

The premise seems promising, and there is mystery and magic enough to keep things interesting, but The Magic Thief just never quite caught me the way I thought it would. Things begin incredibly slowly, and for about a hundred pages, we follow the barely-speaking Conn around as he describes strange islands and the biscuits he has for breakfast every morning. The plot does pick up about halfway through, but by that time it’s fairly obvious what is really going on. And the major plot twist comes at a strange moment, and almost doesn’t feel true to the rest of the story.

But not all is lost. The setting, which is highly reminiscent of A Series of Unfortunate Events or one of Tom Becker’s Darkside novels, shines in a gothic, turn-of-the-century way. And some of the characters are highly entertaining as well. However, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Harry Potter on quite a few occasions, from the school where students learn magic to the snotty kid, Keeston, who is pretty much Draco Malfoy wearing different colored robes. But the setting itself is enough to switch up the rest of the Potter feel.

Prineas has included some fun extras as well. After most chapters, a journal entry or letter from Nevery slides in, complete with secret messages to decipher using a key in the back of the book. There’s also a map, character and location profiles, and even recipes for those biscuits that are mentioned non-stop throughout The Magic Thief.

Setting aside the plodding pace that will surely lose some readers along the way, The Magic Thief, does get some things right. And fans looking for a different sort of wizard and magic tale might just enjoy this one.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: April 2010

Josh Olds’ Review:

The ghastly images are set before the panic-stricken man. His eyes take in the grisly scenes of torture and death. He knows why they have come after him, but they will tell him. He knows why they are showing him these images, but they will remind him. He knows why he will die, because he is the one who caused the images set before him.

With his latest thriller, David Baldacci introduces a covert, off-the-record vigilante group dedicated to taking down big-time war criminals. Far beyond serial killers, the guys they take down have killed tens of thousands. With precision they locate a target. Then they become the judge, jury, and executioner—and Reggie Campion is one of their best operatives.

Her latest target is Evan Waller, a Canadian businessman man with a secret past and some not so legal business dealings. No longer content with the humdrum business of human trafficking, Waller is looking to expand his horizons to a field that could ensure his place in the history books—one that could results in millions dead.

This tidbit of information doesn’t go unnoticed by other agencies. Shaw, an agent for a quasi-official agency that was first introduced in Baldacci’s 2008 novel The Whole Truth, is sent to take down Waller as well.

As Reggie and Shaw hunt the same man for different reasons, their paths inevitably cross—and conflict. They can both tell there is something not quite normal about the other, and they seek to learn more about the other even as they continue their separate attempts to get a hit on Waller. But one doesn’t just get away with killing tens of thousands and not be fairly perceptive. They’re going to have to tread carefully if it’s all going to play out correctly. The only question is if they can stay out of the other’s crosshairs.

In Deliver Us from Evil, Baldacci writes an intricately plotted, character driven thriller that plumbs the depths of human evil and confronts the moral dilemma of confronting such evil. The depiction of Waller is downright horrifying: cold, calculating, a ruthless killer. Shaw is introduced for his second novel, though Baldacci expertly ensures that while having read The Whole Truth is a certain benefit, not having read it is not a detriment. Reggie Campion is at the forefront of the story. As the background of her past unfolds, the reader empathizes with her pain and with her drive to kill monsters like Waller. Baldacci could have easily stuck with Shaw, a character already developed, but I think he wisely chose to give the spotlight to this conflicted, broken, and driven soul.

Is it justice to kill killers in cold blood? Or in doing so, does the justice giver become the very thing sought to be destroyed? What separates the normal person from the mass murderer? Do all have the same potential for evil? More than any other Baldacci novel I’ve read, Deliver Us from Evil made me ask the same questions the characters were asking, immersing me in the story. The theme is played masterfully, if sometimes horrifyingly, throughout the book. As a caution, some readers will probably not like the language or some of the more grotesque moments involved in portraying a character of pure evil.

As the book rushes to its climax, Baldacci keeps the thrills coming, which each page building suspense and each chapter bringing new revelations. Nothing is as it seems, and everybody has their own motives.  Deliver Us from Evil is sure to deliver you from humdrum writing, as Baldacci pens one of his best novels yet.

Jake Chism’s Review:

Evan Waller is evil personified. A former war criminal responsible for the deaths of thousands under the communist regime, he now earns a living as a sex trafficker. Intel suggests that Waller has terrorist ties and is looking to enter into a new venture that could kill millions more worldwide. The mysterious agent/operative known as “Shaw” has been tasked with capturing Waller to bring him in for interrogation.  As he closes in on the enemy he discovers another covert group that wants Waller dead. Both sides must find a way to work together because Evan Waller is proving to be far more dangerous than they anticipated.

David Baldacci consistently churns out high quality thrillers that raise the bar for other writers in the genre. Deliver Us from Evil continues that trend in grand fashion giving us not only a tightly knit plot, but some well crafted characters that really carry this story. We’ve met Shaw in Baldacci’s previous release, The Whole Truth, and his character is just as mysterious and even more engaging. The star of the show is easily Reggie Campion, a beautiful, yet tough covert agent who goes head to head with Shaw. Their scenes are easily the best written with some clever dialog and some fun back and forth that Baldacci somehow manages to seamlessly weave into the story.

Never fear, there are some great action sequences and just the right amount of suspense. Indeed, Shaw is a force to be reckoned with and it never gets old as he finds new and inventive ways to take down the bad guys. Even Waller is the perfect villain: on one hand the kind of man you love to hate; on the other, a smooth talker that draws you in with his charm and intelligence, despite the harsh reality of the monster he truly is.

At its core this is a story of good versus evil and the sacrifice that must be made for good to win. Baldacci brings all the elements together to bring his fans another top notch thriller, and easily one of his best. I hope more novels with Shaw and Reggie are planned for the future, because fans will be demanding it after this superb offering.

Don’t miss our audio interview with David Baldacci!

Review copies provided by Grand Central Publishing.

Genre: Chick Lit

Publisher:  Pamela Dorman Books

Publication Date:  January 2010

Reviewed by Jennifer S. Roman

Cecelia “CeeCee” Honeycutt lives in Euclid, OH (a suburb of Cleveland) in the late 1950s with her mother and traveling salesman father.  Her mother develops a mental illness and does things that embarrass CeeCee: she dresses up in thrift store party and prom dresses and wears her bright red heels with the dresses.  She thinks she is still the Miss Vidalia Onion Queen from her younger days in the South.  She runs down the street in these clothes and the neighbors laugh.  CeeCee’s father travels a great deal, and as his wife’s illness progresses, he is away more and more.  Both CeeCee and her mother even believe that he has a girlfriend in Detroit.  CeeCee responds to her horrible situation by withdrawing to her room to read.  She is an intelligent little girl who absorbs all information she gets.

CeeCee’s life takes a sharp turn one day when her mother, out in the street in her fancy dress, is hit by a truck and dies.  Her father decides that he is not best to raise CeeCee, so her mother’s wealth aunt, Tootie, comes to take CeeCee to live with her in Savannah, Georgia.  Still reeling from her mother’s death and the feeling that her father is abandoning her, CeeCee leaves all she knows behind to start her life over.  She meets Aunt Tootie’s friends and becomes good friends with them.  Aunt Tootie has a housekeeper/cook, Oletta Jones, who also befriends CeeCee.  The summer her mother dies, CeeCee learns from all these strong women in her life.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is such a sweet story.  While there are plenty of sad moments, there are so many uplifting and humorous parts to it that the reader is enchanted.  Similar in feistiness to the ladies of Steel Magnolias, the women who make up Aunt Tootie’s family are strong role models for a young lady growing up at such a politically advancing time.  Oletta teaches CeeCee the strong words of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Aunt Tootie’s next door neighbor teaches CeeCee the true meaning of friendship and kindness to others.  What could be troublesome, though, is that several times in the story, CeeCee is worried about inheriting her mother’s illness, and nobody really addresses it.  When she brings it up to Aunt Tootie, Aunt Tootie responds by saying, “I know in my heart that it won’t happen to you.”  There is no concrete proof or medical opinion to help console CeeCee.  It’s true that there weren’t many medical advances in the field of psychiatry at the time, so maybe that’s why it isn’t discussed, but it still can be a detriment to the story.

There really isn’t anything objectionable in this novel.  There is no cursing, and nobody commits any gruesome murders.  There is the mention of a death, and some derogatory terms, but nothing that is extremely offensive.  Anyone looking for a heartwarming story with some humor and honest-to-goodness caring thrown in should be happy with Saving CeeCee Honeycutt.

Review copy provided by Pamela Dorman Books.

Genre: Children’s, Young Adult

Publisher: Aladdin

Publication Date: January 2009

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

I love picking up a book, blasting through to the end, and wishing I had read it sooner. And when that book starts off a series, it’s even better. P. W. Catanese has definitely delivered with Happenstance Found, book one in The Books of Umber.

When a young boy named Happenstance is found left alone in the ruins of an ancient city, Lord Umber takes him into his care, knowing that the boy has been left for him to find. But Happenstance doesn’t know who he is or where he comes from or even why he exists. And the mysteries start to build: why can the boy see in the dark? Why doesn’t he have to sleep? And why does everyone stare at his green eyes as if they’re a curse? Happenstance journeys with his questions into a new world: a world filled with barges strapped to the backs of leviathans, ancient evils, and a nasty creature that will hunt him down to the death.

Catanese has done things right: created strong characters that are easy to connect with and enjoy. The world of Happenstance and Umber is fleshed out nicely, without giving us huge explanations to plod through. When the back stories do emerge, they flow seamlessly with the rest of the novel.

He’s also crafted a strong plot that ducks around the edges of the typical fantasy genres, dishing out a nice bit of humor alongside the suspense of his story. In fact, some of the twists that he delivers are so startling that I found myself nearly breathless as I frantically flipped the pages. The beginning does start out a bit slowly, but there is definitely enough mystery up front to keep things flowing until some of the real twists about midway. And with some insanely creepy scenes thrown in, I couldn’t help checking over my shoulder as I read.

Fans of offbeat fantasy novels will definitely enjoy this one. And since this is the beginning of a series, Catanese doesn’t answer everything by the last page. But he does hand off an incredible twist by the end that will leave readers aching for the next volume.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: March 2010

Reviewed by Tim George

In The Clouds Roll Away, author Sibella Giorello brings us another installment of the many trials of Special Agent Raleigh Harmon. Some things have changed for Raleigh: she’s back home in Virginia and she is being pursued by an on-again-off-again suitor. But too much is the same: her new boss at the Richmond Bureau office is determined to remind her of Raleigh’s past reprimands and she still gets the worst car in the motor pool. Added to the mix of distractions are a mother on the verge of a mental breakdown and a tenant that becomes entangled in her investigations.

At first, the plot of The Clouds Rolls Away seems to be following Giorello’s first novel, The Stones Cry Out. But hang in there; the turn this story makes is worth the buildup it takes to get there. Another author once asked me what I felt when I read his novel. He said what his readers feel is more important to him than the details they remember. Giorello’s strength is character development and mood. As to mood, one can’t help but feel the undertones that permeate the complicated culture of the old South. Southern gentility struggles to remain intact in the face of rapid changes and new residents that have no regard for accepted conventions. Good and bad are hard to distinguish beneath the prejudice of old money and the facade of new money. And don’t be fooled by those who are quickly assumed to be victims either. Nothing is at it seems on the banks of the James River.

Though the plot is well paced, character still wins out in The Clouds Roll Away. Raleigh is a person who feels certain in one aspect of her life – her training. Whenever she needs to concentrate, she resorts to thinking of the chemical structure of the dirt she is looking at. Forensic Geology is the one thing that makes complete sense. But maneuvering through the intricacies of government protocol and personal relationships baffle her. Why does she do her job so well but still find herself butting heads with everyone around her? Why does she find it so easy to deal harshly with her tenant when he messes up?

With all this character development you might wonder if there is a villain to be stopped. There is indeed a bad guy to catch – a really disgusting bad guy. In the process of uncovering that evil, Raleigh finally begins to come to grips with what is wrong with her own heart. From the death of her father the judge a few years earlier to her mother’s long regression to former times Raleigh has been living in a convoluted fog of faith and doubt. You’ll have to read to the very end to find out if, at last, The Clouds Roll Away.

Listen to our interview with Sibella Giorello.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Tim George spends some time with novelist Sibella Giorello to talk about her new book, The Clouds Roll Away.

More about Sibella:

Sibella Giorello grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mt. Holyoke College. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons.

This interview can also be downloaded from our iTunes page.

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Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: September 2009

Reviewed by James Andrew Wilson

In this charming little tale inspired by Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman tells the story of a boy named Odd and his quest to save Asgard, city of the gods. He is accompanied by a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures who are more than their fur and feathers.

The book reads like a fireside story told by an old wise man known for adding a bit of color to his tales. It all seems quite silly, and yet, it is that silliness, that streak of oddness, that gives the book its wonderful charm.

The style is classic Gaiman, with dollops of wit and wonder and the occasional sprinkle of black humor. It is easy reading, and though it is a book designated for a younger audience, adults with an hour to spare will likely find themselves smiling at this fun little escape.

For all that it does right, Odd and the Frost Giants is missing something: more pages! Unlike Gaiman’s Newberry award winning novel The Graveyard Book, Odd and the Frost Giants is over faster than you can say, “The giants of Jotunheim have taken Mjollnir!” Still, the little bit of story that we do get is nearly perfect, and hopefully we will see more stories about Odd in the future.

With some wonderful illustrations by Brett Helquist, the storytelling knack of Mr. Gaiman, and a protagonist who may be a little odd but is completely loveable, Odd and the Frost Giants is an evening of reading well spent and a book that can easily be enjoyed time and time again.

Just make sure to read every page; some of the best laughs are hidden in the biography at the very end.

Genre: Children’s, Young Adult

Publisher: Disney Editions

Publication Date: March 2008

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

I love reading spy novels – anything with international intrigue or the FBI or the CIA – I just devour it. And when I found out that Ridley Pearson had written a kid-spy-type novel, I was definitely intrigued. I’ve been somewhat of a backseat fan of Pearson after reading his Peter and the Starcatchers novel, co-written with Dave Barry. So I thought I would give Steel Trapp: The Challenge a chance. And I’m glad I did.

Things start out with a fourteen-year old boy named Steel Trapp, who is traveling to Washington, D.C. with his mother for the National Science Challenge. But when a mysterious lady drops a briefcase off on the train and then disappears onto the platform, Steel can’t help but wonder what is going on. And soon, he finds himself swimming in a plot that could change the face of the United States of America forever – unless he can outsmart the people after him just long enough to figure things out. But with time sliding away and lives in danger, it’s going to take a miracle to save them all.

I had read Pearson’s Kingdom Keepers a while back, and I must say that book left me a little under-impressed. The writing had seemed to jump all over the place, never really sticking very solidly to the story. The plot of Keepers soon became so convoluted that it was very difficult to follow. I kind of expected something similar with The Challenge, but I was really surprised at the linear way that Pearson holds the story together. Things don’t jump around out of control and hard to follow. Instead the story keeps moving right along, pausing here and there at the right moment to develop an interesting side plot with Steel’s parents and their failing relationship.

The characters are fun too. There’s Steel, who’s not your typical Alex Rider hero. Instead, he’s a self-proclaimed science fair nerd, who just has a photographic memory. He’s not even that smart; he can just remember the things he’s seen. And then there’s his new friend Kaileigh, a girl who’s trying to outwit her governess, oust whoever stole her science project for the National Challenge, and just keep up with Steel’s antics.

With a ton of fun adventure/action, The Challenge is definitely one that will please readers who might like a more light-hearted Alex Rider book. And with a very decent surprise twist or two, Pearson has given us something good to read and enjoy.

Genre: Chick Lit

Publisher:  Algonquin

Publication Date:  January 2010

Reviewed by Jennifer S. Roman

Told from many different perspectives, The Girl Who Fell from the Sky recounts how a young mixed-race girl ends up living at her African-American grandmother’s home in the Pacific Northwest.  Her father, while in the military, meets a Danish woman and marries her.  Together they have Rachel and her siblings.  Her mother and siblings die tragically and her father doesn’t believe he is fit to raise Rachel, so she lives with her grandmother in a predominantly African-American neighborhood.  The “white” girls tease her for being “black,” and the “black” girls tease her for being “white.”  In addition, she is studious, so Rachel has a terrible time fitting in to any certain group.  Rachel’s story examines how people react to certain racial groups and how deep down, people just want to be liked.

Told in the third person, the reader gets many different perspectives on Rachel’s story and how it unfolds.  At first, it is very difficult to understand what is happening and to whom.  We are transported from the Pacific Northwest to Chicago and back, learning bits and pieces about several different people.  Once the main story is established, the reader is left wanting to know what happens next.  The story moves along at a quick pace and doesn’t get too bogged down in unnecessary details.  Overall, it is a touching, insightful reflection on the life that so many people lead.  There is quite a bit of sadness as the characters end up doing things that have bad consequences.

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky is fairly innocuous in general.  There are some racial slurs and some sexual situations.  Most likely to be disturbing, however, are a few scenes depicting child abuse and drug use.  There is a scene describing the death of a small child in a fire and another one describing a mother and her children falling from the top of a building and perishing.  It is believed to be a murder/suicide.  Those not wanting to experience such situations should avoid the book, but those able to handle it will find a touching and compelling read.

Review copy provided by Algonquin.

Jake Chism and Josh Olds present to you an interview with Sigmund Brouwer, author of Broken Angel and Flight of Shadows. Listen in as we discuss the premise of his new novel, the difference between writing children’s and adult fiction, and the plot of his work in progress.

More about Sigmund Brouwer:

SIGMUND BROUWER is the best-selling author of Flight of Shadows and eighteen other novels, with over three million books in print. Over the last two decades, his literacy presentations have taken him from the Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. Sigmund is married to recording artist Cindy Morgan, has two young daughters. They split their time between his home town of Red Deer, Alberta, and Nashville, Tennessee.

This interview can also be downloaded from our iTunes page (recommended for best quality).

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Genre: Historical, Thriller, Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: April 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Gina Lazarescu is preparing for a final showdown with the Akeldama Collectors. So much has happened in her life recently, especially the revelation that her son Jacob is alive. Cal Nichols, her father, has kept this secret until now to protect Jacob from the Collectors, who will stop at nothing to destroy the Nistarim and Those Who Resist. While Gina wants to go to Jacob now, Cal insists she wait for the right time when the Nistarim can band together to destroy the Collectors. In the meantime, Gina focuses on rebuilding her relationship with her husband, Jed, and preparing for the imminent battle. Unfortunately, for Gina and the Nistarim, the Collectors have deadly plans of their own and are confident they will be victorious.

I’m always anxious to see how an author will end a series, and it seems that very few are able to really nail it. Often it’s a combination of reader expectations and the writer’s unwillingness to fully let go of the story. Admittedly, I had high expectations going into Valley of Bones. Eric Wilson blew me away with the first two installments and I was hoping he would do so again. Thankfully, my expectations were met and quickly exceeded.

All of the elements that make Field of Blood and Haunt of Jackals so appealing are on display. From the attention to historical detail, to the strong characters and crisp dialogue, to the balanced action and tension throughout, everything really comes together to hook the reader. What I wanted the most is what everyone is no doubt anticipating: an all out throw down between darkness and light. And boy do we get it. All throughout the series I’ve felt the story building toward something big and Wilson holds nothing back in giving his fans a huge payoff.

Eric Wilson’s devoted readers will of course recognize characters from his earlier novels, and they play more of a role here than in the previous Jerusalem’s Undead books. I can see where fans unfamiliar with these characters and stories might feel left out at times, but as a fan I loved spending time with Josee and Sarge again, checking up on Clay Ryker, and even getting a nice little nod towards Aramis Black. To his credit, Wilson does a great job of winking at his fans without taking any important plot details away from new readers.

In the end, I was left with a bittersweet feeling. On the one hand, I was amazed at how well the plotlines were pulled together and I was floored by the powerful conclusion. On the other hand, I was sad to see the curtain close on so many characters that have become so special to me since I discovered Eric Wilson’s writing. I’ve always thought it was a shame that these novels seemed to fly under the radar of the masses, and I can’t help but wonder how great it would be to see the Five Senses and Aramis Black series fleshed out the way Wilson originally imagined them.

Even though the Jerusalem’s Undead Trilogy has come to a close, I do hope new readers will discover these remarkable novels for years to come. I stated this in my review of Field of Blood, but I feel that it bears repeating: Nowhere else will you find the redemptive power of Christ’s blood explored so brilliantly in fiction.

This has truly been an incredible journey and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Eric Wilson and his devoted fans.

Genre: Children’s, Young Adult

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication Date: September 2009

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

It’s always great to find a new book series that has it all: adventure, action, charm, humor. And when I first stumbled across The Seems by John Hulme and Michael Wexler, I knew that this was going to be something good. And it was. The first book, The Glitch in Sleep, was a good entry into the new world of the Seems – the world creating The World. While a bit cutesy at moments, it definitely was a fun fantasy/adventure title. And then book two, The Split Second, took everything that was great about the first book and made it even better. So nothing could have set my expectations higher than when I discovered the third volume, The Lost Train of Thought. And while it definitely promised a lot, it didn’t quite live up to it.

The plot starts straight out with Fixer Becker Drane’s court trial in the Seems. Becker has broken rules in the Seems, and now the Powers That Be have decided that he needs to be held accountable for his actions. But before the final verdict comes down, a Train of Thought bound for The World goes missing, as do four of the best Fixers known in all the Seems. Soon Becker finds himself on a mission to save The World once again, but this time, if he fails, the Seems may just come crumbling to its knees as well.

Hulme and Wexler include much of the same humor – striking puns of everyday phrases. They also have plenty of mystery going on: where is the lost train? Who is trying to overthrow the Seems? What really is The Most Amazing Thing of All? But where this book seemed to fail was the fact that it kept cutting away just as an action scene was about to begin. And instead of showing us, they just skipped ahead and explained in a paragraph or two what had happened. There was more than once I felt a little bit disappointed at not getting to see the epic battles play out between the heroes and villains.

The other thing that struck me was the tone shift in the book. The first fifty pages or so really started out in kind of a depressing spiral, but then the later two-thirds seemed just like previous books in the series: more light-hearted and fun and adventurous. But, the thing that really salvaged things for me was the ending. Hulme and Wexler leave off with a few startling revelations for the series that definitely promise to have a huge impact on the characters and The World itself.

The Lost Train of Thought ends up being a good entry in this fantasy adventure series, but misses the mark here and there, and definitely does not live up to its predecessor, The Split Second. Here’s hoping to a fourth book that gets things a bit more… on Track.

Genre: Children’s, Young Adult

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Publication Date: April 2008

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Stuck in a modern fallout shelter for six years, Eli Yanakakis grieves for his twin brother and grandmother who were left outside the shelter during a nuclear attack. Eli has escaped death, but has become introverted, self-focused and standoffish as he waits for the 15-year time period to expire and he can return to what is left of the world. But problems with the food supply threaten the family—that is, until his father presents an unthinkable solution to the problem. Horrified, Eli begins to doubt his father and his sanity. As his trust in his father dissolves, Eli discovers a link to the outside that upends all he knows about his world in the compound.

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen is slightly reminiscent of Flowers in the Attic, an entrapment novel simply told and a straightforward story that pushes the reader through the pages. Although the ending is somewhat predictable, readers race through the pages, curious to learn what new aspects of the shelter will be revealed, what new horrors hide in the massive compound.

Some plot points seem a little thin, like Eli’s discovery of the secret exit code, but the speedy pace helps gloss over this a bit. The Compound is clearly a first novel for Bodeen with more explanatory narrative than development through scenes, but again, Bodeen masterfully harnesses the curious nature of readers, forcing them along on a breathtaking ride of deceit, madness and fear.

With multiple social issues addressed within, this book provides ample opportunity for discussion in classrooms or among families. Youth will appreciate this book and will, most likely, easily overlook its flaws.

Review copy provided by Feiwel and Friends.

Genre: Literary

Publisher: Europa Editions

Publication Date: September 2008

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Renee Michel, a homely 54-year-old hotel concierge, is determined to hide her intelligence from the residents of the rue de Grenelle, as befits her position. A self-taught lover of culture, she despises the superficial lives of the inferiors around her. Paloma Josse, a 12-year-old resident with concealed superior intelligence, observes and journals the goings-on of her family. Disillusioned with her life, she decides to commit suicide on her thirteenth birthday. Then filmmaker Kakuro Ozu moves in and begins to unravel the hidden facets of both Renee and Paloma.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery was a bestseller first in France, and now in its English translation in America. However, it is a highly intellectual, slowly-paced book and not one to read for sheer pleasure. Unless the reader has an interest in philosophy, whole passages of the book read dully as Renee waxes eloquent on her learnings.

Hedgehog offers a fascinating concept—our hidden identities and why we create them—but the book comes across as snobbish as its main characters. The characters, while fairly disagreeable, are still fascinating, but be prepared for the tedium of wading through pages of Kant and Marx in search of Renee’s and Paloma’s story. This is not to scoff at intelligent fiction, but excess for its own sake is unacceptable. If a reader wants a philosophical treatise, he will go find one by the actual philosopher. Fiction’s first priority is to provide a story.

On the whole, the book feels self-indulgent, a pedestal for airing private views. Readers who adore philosophy will value this book, but for those in search of an engaging tale, look elsewhere.

Review copy provided by Europa Editions.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Center Street

Publication Date: April 2010

Jake Chism’s Review:

He loves them because they are beautiful. He kills them because he loves them.

FBI special agent Brad Raines has never faced a killer like the Bride Collector. He’s followed the mad man all over Denver, from crime scene to crime scene, trying to get one step ahead. Each victim is beautiful and always found dressed as a bride, disturbingly displayed for all to see. Desperate for help, Raines turns to the Center for Well-being and Intelligence, a private home for those who are mentally ill and extraordinarily gifted.

Brad soon befriends a young woman named Paradise, a schizophrenic patient with a sordid past. Brad quickly sees through the madness in Paradise, seeing only brilliance and beauty that overwhelmingly draw him in.  As Brad and Paradise grow closer together they close in on the Bride Collector and enter into his deadly game.

Ted Dekker has done the unthinkable in The Bride Collector. Not only has he given us a serial killer yarn that will no doubt make your skin crawl, but he has given us a powerful love story that has absolutely floored me. It’s hard to nail down exactly what I love the most about this story. Maybe it’s the suspense and tension that pulse through every line. Perhaps it’s the collection of some of the most memorable characters I’ve ever read, especially the hauntingly beautiful Paradise who easily steals the show as Dekker’s best written character to date. The creep out factor is off the charts as the Bride Collector himself takes us down a dark and somber journey into despair, evil, and enlightenment. What do I love the most? Really, what’s not to love here?

I can’t remember the last time a novel has consumed me on this level. Everything comes together seamlessly here, and having read most of Dekker’s previous novels, I was absolutely blown away by the level of writing I found. Stories like Thr3e, The Circle Series, Saint, and Adam totally captured my imagination. As good as they were, they don’t hold a candle to what Dekker has crafted this time around. No doubt many will find elements too disturbing or intense, but it all leads to a beautiful payoff that is more than worth the ride. Leave it to Dekker to use a serial killer and mental illness to explore the true meaning of beauty. Trust me, it works.

Ted Dekker has dominated the CBA market for years and has gathered quite the rabid following. As he transitions into the ABA market, no doubt the eccentric storyteller extraordinaire has his sights set on the top of the bestsellers lists. If Dekker keeps churning out gems like The Bride Collector, it’s only a matter of time before he hits his mark. I’m beyond tempted to dub this latest offering as his best novel, but something tells me he is just getting started.

Lori Twichell’s Review:

Quinton is a messenger from God. Seven have been chosen. It’s his job to get them there.

It’s up to Brad Raines to stop him.

As an FBI investigator, Brad Raines has spent his life tracking down murderers. But this case has him consumed. The murderer, dubbed “The Bride Collector”, is a murderer that is so meticulous he has covered all forensic tracks and left nothing to chance. He’s set to murder again and Brad is determined to stop him before he can. That’s why he tries something that everyone, including himself, believes is grasping at straws. He visits the Center for Wellness and Intelligence (CWI). It’s a place that many would call a mental health institution. Raines learns that it’s much, much more than that.

Paradise has spent far too much of her 24 years being chased and abused. Now she’s at the CWI and it’s a place of relative peace for her. She’s learned how to control her fears and cope with the horrific memories of her past. She’s also learned that she has a gift for seeing unusual things. Most people would call these things supernatural. Brad Raines isn’t sure what to think of them. Or Paradise.

As I began to read The Bride Collector, I knew that Dekker’s latest offering was more of what we’d come to expect from him in recent years. I recognized from the blurb on the back that it would be a murder mystery with elements of the supernatural woven throughout. The first few pages underscored this and to be honest, I put the book down and wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish it. A few days later, I picked it back up and I’m very glad I did.  It was when I continued reading that I discovered (much like Brad and his discovery of CWI) this book so much more than just a murder mystery. This is a tightly knit, fast moving story that will engage you on all levels. Though he sets up exactly where the story is going to go, how it gets there is a ride you won’t soon forget.

It’s amazing how Dekker is able to craft an enthralling and exquisite story that is at the same time horrifying and beautiful. In one moment you’re inside the mind of a serial killer and in the next, you’re laughing at the antics of the residents of CWI. Dekker’s exploration into the minds of these characters is beyond noteworthy. It’s brilliant. The characters are more than just three dimensional. They live and breathe in front of you as you’re reading. You can imagine them with all of five of your senses. Taste their tears. Smell their shampoo. Touch their nervous fluttering hands.  Hear their panic. This is more than just description on a page. I know it’s a cliché, but in this case, it’s very true. Dekker has brought these characters to life.

The way Dekker can dive into the criminal mind is stunning. His book Adam gave me nightmares. I was worried that this one might, but thankfully, it’s not as detailed in the same way. In an odd way, this enabled me to be able to connect on a deeper level with the character. Quinton is a brilliantly crafted criminal mastermind with the best intentions. You can hate him. You may admire him. But you’ll never stop being fascinated by him.

Throughout the murder mystery, you may be surprised to find a love story. I was told this before I read the book, but still, it surprised me. Dekker captures the opening stages of romance with a depth that is breathtaking. Like toddlers learning how to walk, the characters stumble and weave, unsure of themselves and grasping for something solid to keep them balanced.  They venture through these new feelings, both of them frightened of what’s happening, at the same time they’re wondering at what’s been awakened within them. It’s a beautiful rendering of the freshness of new romance.

Like the prismatic beauty of a soap bubble, Dekker’s writing enraptures your thoughts, burrows into your brain, and makes you forget that you’re reading a story. It’s like he’s taken the magic you feel when you reach out to touch the bubble and wrapped it around you. I found myself encapsulated inside the resplendence of the bubble with the characters. As I was reading the words in front of me, the book in my hands, and the sounds around me fell away. I was as much a part of the story as anything Dekker wrote on the page.

I’ve always been a fan of Dekker’s. He is one of my favorite authors and I recommend his books often. In my opinion, this book blows the others out of the water. Dekker hit a creative stride and took off at a dead sprint with this one. I believe that this will easily be one of the best fiction releases we’ll see this year.

Don’t miss our audio interview with Ted Dekker here.

Review copies provided by Center Street/Hachette.

It’s that time again! Loree Lough and Lori Twichell have  recorded a new podcast episode and this one is all about you! Since they received a nice full inbox of questions regarding the last podcast the two of them decided to devote this podcast to answering your questions. Candid discussion on the ins and outs of publicity and marketing, blogging, social media, the writing process…you wanted to know so Loree and Lori deliver!

This podcast can also be downloaded from our iTunes page (recommended for best quality).

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Genre: Children, Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: March 2010

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

I walked through the shelves of a local bookstore tonight and literally gasped out loud when I saw Lord Sunday sitting on the shelf. I quickly glanced up to make sure no one had heard me, and then I raced down to the checkout counter. It was all I could do to keep myself from speeding home to read the book, which I had not expected to release for a couple more weeks. And now, after two years of waiting, the final chapter in Garth Nix’s The Keys to the Kingdom series has finally arrived.

Since quite a bit of time had passed since I had read book six, Superior Saturday, I was a bit confused jumping into the storyline again. And Nix really does start blasting right into things. Arthur Penhaligon is still struggling against the forces massing against him and threatening to completely destroy everything he knows and loves. Waves of Nothing ravage the very foundations of the House, the other universe related directly to Earth, which is also crumbling under the throes of an epidemic that might just eat away at every living person left. And as the final battles culminate, it all falls to Arthur to save them all from dissolving into the black Nothingness.

The pacing here is quick and Nix almost leaves the reader breathless as they fly through one near death escape after another. Everything almost started to blend together as I kept waiting for the final mysteries of the series to be resolved. And Nix drags things out to the very bitter end before revealing the secrets behind all seven books in the last few pages. I don’t want to go too deeply into the plot here, as it would really spoil things, but after I closed the book I almost had the feeling that Nix needed a quick way to wrap things up. The rather nihilistic ending did draw things to a definite close, and there was definitely a tremendous climax leading up to the end, but somehow, it just all seemed suddenly over. In the end, I was satisfied with the way things turned out, but it just felt like he could have done a bit more .

All said, this fantasy series is definitely worth the investment. Some of the earlier titles are simply great storytelling. And Lord Sunday is necessary to the end of it all and for wrapping it up. Readers who have enjoyed the series thus far will enjoy the ending, but new-comers should definitely pick up the first book, Mister Monday, and start on through to the end. Fans of books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan, or The Seems by John Hulme and Michael Wexler, would definitely enjoy this fantasy romp through imaginative lands and epic battles. And, at least new readers won’t have to wait two years for the final volume.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher:  Touchstone

Publication Date:  January 2010

Reviewed by Jennifer S. Roman

Verna is born into a difficult life in rural eastern Pennsylvania’s coal towns in the late 1800s: her father is a dreamer who can’t hold down a job, and her mother just manages to survive and raise her children.  The family is considered by most to be “poor white trash.”  By the age of 14, Verna is pulled from school so she can work at a neighboring farm to support the family.  The farmer rapes her and she gets pregnant.  Verna and her mother are relieved that a local midwife gives her some natural herbs that induce an abortion, which is illegal during the time.  Eventually, through a series of unfortunate events, Verna loses her job and is forced to move to the city to find a new job.  With just a seventh grade education, Verna ends up working in diners, as a housekeeper, and even in a factory.  Along the way, Verna meets a few boyfriends and gives birth to a baby boy, who she leaves in her mother’s care so she can continue working.  Eventually, Verna becomes a caretaker for an elderly woman.  When the elderly woman dies, Verna is at her wits’ end until the lady’s son offers her money to go to nursing school.

Verna is bright despite her lack of education and makes a good name for herself in nursing school.  She and her roommate review their daily lessons and quiz each other on nursing techniques.  They graduate and find jobs working at a local mental hospital.  Dismayed by the horrible conditions and bad pay, they look for better opportunities.  Verna’s friend finds a job first, working for an African-American general practitioner named Dr. Crampton.  For the time, a white woman working for an African-American is unheard-of.  Verna doesn’t think it’s a big deal, and after a while helps her roommate take care of female patients recovering from “surgery” in their apartment.  She gets a share of the income, and it’s more money than she’s ever seen in her life.  She comes to find out that the “surgical” patients are actually undergoing abortions and are waiting for the fetus to pass and the subsequent post exam.  Eventually Dr. Crampton meets Verna, is impressed by her, and offers her a job too.  They are able to expand the business (discreetly), and Verna creates a whole new life for herself with this newfound wealth.  Dr. Cranston’s political contacts keep things safe- for a while.

This is a moving, raw story of an ambitious young woman looking to better herself.  She finds an illegal job that serves people, and she doesn’t see anything wrong with it.  Verna learns how hypocritical people are when they publicly denounce abortions but they, or someone they know, end up seeing Dr. Cranston.  The story is well-told and captures the reader’s attention immediately.  Verna’s no-nonsense perspective makes the reader want to read more.  It is obvious that Jackson Taylor did a lot of research when writing The Blue Orchard, as the cities and people come to life with historical relevance.

Even though this is a wonderful read, it is not for those who cannot stomach abortion in any form.  While it is not graphic, per se, it does describe the procedures and the subsequent effects on the body.  There is mention of body functions that some people may find distasteful.

While the book in general does not use a lot of profanity, it IS used in places for effect.  In addition, the terms used to describe African-Americans are common to the period, so they may be offensive to today’s reader.  Overall, if one reads the book objectively, it is a fascinating and historical journey to be enjoyed.

Review copy provided by Touchstone.

We present to you our interview between Lori Twichell and debut novelist, Patricia Falvey, author of The Yellow House. Listen in as they discuss the story behind the book, the challenges/joys of writing, and the differences between Ireland and Texas. A special thanks goes out to Patricia Falvey for her time and to Miriam Parker at Hachette Book Group for setting up this interview.

More about Patricia Falvey:

I was born and raised by my grandmother in Newry, Northern Ireland. At the age of eight I was brought to England to live with my parents. Never feeling a sense of belonging I set off, as we Irish are wont to do through dint of our DNA, to find my fortune in the New World. I was twenty years old and had $200 in my pocket. I landed in New York and made my way via Greyhound bus to Omaha, Nebraska.

After two years working for the Job Corps, I arrived in Boston hoping to complete my University education, I received a foreign student scholarship from Suffolk University where I enrolled as an English major. However, my limited financial resources being what they were, I succumbed to the pressure to switch my major to Business and thus occurred an abandonment of my dream of becoming a writer – an abandonment that was to last over 30 years.

When I first arrived in the U.S. I had hopes of a career as a writer. However, limited economic means steered me towards a more financially reliable profession. Even though my professional career was in the financial environment, I never lost my love for writing. Over the years I participated in numerous writing seminars, including attendance at Wesleyan University Writers’ Conferences in Connecticut, The Fine Arts Workshops in writing at Provincetown, Mass., and the International Women’s Writers Guild conferences at Skidmore College in New York. I belonged to writers’ groups both in Connecticut and Dallas, where I currently reside. In June of 2007, I finally made the decision to leave my position with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP, and devote myself full time to my first love – writing.

“The Yellow House” is essentially the story of a young woman’s search for home. No matter how long we spend “away” I believe we Irish immigrants always think of Ireland as home. I know I certainly do. And this book is my way of paying tribute to my birthplace. (www.patriciafalvey.com)

This interview can also be downloaded from our iTunes page (recommended for best quality).

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Genre: Suspense

Release Date: November 2007

Publisher: Zondervan

Reviewed by Josh Olds

To boldly go where no man has gone before…That’s the job of Benjamin “Tuck” Tucker, Space Shuttle Commander. Problem is, his crewmates must’ve been wearing red shirts. He awakes in a daze, unsure of what knocked him out. Never a good thing while in space. With his mind clouded, Tuck realizes that something has gone horribly wrong. He launched a Space Shuttle and landed a hearse. An investigation would blame a certain medicine as the reason for his crewmates’ death

Fast forward one year. NASA has pretty much grounded Tuck, who is hailed a hero for his valiant if failed efforts. In steps Ted Roos, video game designer and head of SpaceVentures, Inc., a company poised to make the first commercial space flight. Roos asks that Tuck command the inaugural journey and Tuck agrees. But space is a dangerous place, his crewmates’ death a year ago might not have been an accident, and there could still be a killer gunning for him.

Zero-G by Alton Gansky has the right premise. Biological warfare? Check. Space travel? Check. A brilliant yet psychotic killer? Yessir. Unfortunately, I don’t think Gansky pulls this one off. Even though a major plot point is about biological warfare, Gansky says very little about it other than it kills people. The book would have benefitted from some research in this area.

Gansky also has a habit in this book of killing off random people to, I suppose, heighten the suspense of the biological warfare. Instead it comes off as a disjointed scene having little or no connection to the rest of the book. Lastly, the book, in my opinion, is a bit heavily preachy. I’m not against having a book containing Christian thematic elements, as a matter of fact I love it, but in Zero-G it’s written to an almost unnatural and awkward point. The various other side plots also seem to have very little connection to the story.

I wanted to like Zero-G, I really did. And it does have its bright points. I loved the witty banter that several of the characters engaged in. The character of Ted Roos is outstandingly written. The killer is deranged and psychotic. I just don’t think it was pulled together all that well.

If you’re in the mood to read an Alton Gansky novel, check out his J.D. Stanton mysteries, or The Prodigy, those are excellent. If space excites you, read Oxygen by John Olsen and Randy Ingermanson. If biological warfare is what you want, pick up Robert Liparulo’s Germ. Unless you’re a hardcore Gansky fan, you may want to pass on this one.

Review copy provided by Zondervan.

Publisher: Nordskog Publishing

Publication Date: March 2010

Genre: Contemporary Adventure/Drama

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

I admittedly struggled with the approach to take with Jungle Sunrise. First, the conditions weren’t ideal—My review copy arrived via email, and reading off a screen automatically propels me into “editing mode.” Furthermore, trying to read while monitoring a study hall, well, has its own challenges. But the more important reason is this: Any story, whether biographical, autobiographical, or fiction-based-on-real-events, that deals directly with saints, missionaries, and martyrs creates in me emotions so deep I can’t quite articulate them. This is true whether it be the gut-wrenching Tortured for Christ, the mind-boggling collections of what Muslim converts to Christianity endure, the novel Safely Home, dedicated to the persecuted church in China, or the stunning tragedy of Beyond the Gates of Splendor and The End of the Spear (both about Jim Eliot and Nate Saint and their families).

There is something in me that resonates with the writer of the book of Hebrews when he so curiously declares these men and women “men of whom the world was not worthy.” If you’ve read anything on the persecuted church—past or present—I trust you understand what I mean, because this is the very thing that Jungle Sunrise is.

The editor/writer in me knew immediately why the book begins with the delightful missionary couple in the deep parts of Peru—Memphis and Abigail Jones—rather than its featured protagonist Jonah Frost. I’ll admit, Jonah is both difficult company and ominously understandable as a disgruntled creative type who’s hit complete rock bottom. But that’s really the beauty of Mr. Williams’ craft, here: I am Jonah Frost, lost and hopeless, desperate. Jonah Frost is me. And Memphis Jones is the hands and feet of Jesus his Savior. Memphis, this sort of American titan with both physical and spiritual prowess—by far the favorite, is everything Jonah wants and simply isn’t. And, without any condescension or emasculation, he helps Jonah out of the whale, so to speak. (No, I’m not giving a tired cliché. Jonah is in a place of despair, death and darkness—which is exactly what the prophet would have experienced in his living, underwater coffin.)

It’s really taken me several days to process this. Whenever a book is based off an author’s real-life experiences, I really do hesitate to criticize the unfolding of events that probably really were that out-of-this world. Christianity’s all about the supernatural anyway, right? I mean, we do maintain God came to earth as a man, ran around a strip of the Middle East for a few years, died, and came back from the dead.

But I had to wonder why Williams devoted so much time to some parts of Jonah’s journey. And I think I understood: There’s a subtle development as Jonah’s experiences in the jungles of Peru begin to turn death into life, and it can only be seen by first watching Jonah unravel.

I’m already risking spoilers in this review, so I won’t say too much more. I will say this: The jungle is amazing. In places it felt like The End of the Spear, Apocalypto, and Safely Home all rolled into one (assuming it isn’t sacrilegious to put those in one sentence)—even beginning with a jaguar hunt complete with a celebration. Williams chose a variety of characters: a feisty Spanish photographer, a snotty anthropologist, a dedicated linguist, a dead-in-the-water writer, and an energetic, lovable American missionary couple.

All of that to say, I really did enjoy the story of Jonah’s adventures, which proved all-around moving, one of those that lingers awhile after the final pages turn. It’s a worthy tribute, I think, to the saints who pave the road ahead, and a tale of hope and encouragement to the rest of us—we Jonahs—coming up behind.

Review copy provided by the author.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Putnam

Publication Date: February 2009

Reviewed by Marianne Peters

The Help, Kathryn Stockett’s first novel, is compelling, poignant, funny, and suspenseful – in short, impossible to put down. Ask me – I tried!

In 1962, Jackson, Mississippi’s rigid society is defined by Jim Crow laws that keep blacks and whites separate. But those laws are losing their hold thanks to the growing Civil Rights movement, and during this turbulent time, Stockett’s characters begin to question the rules they have taken for granted their whole lives.

Three voices narrate the novel. Dignified Aibileen and sassy Minnie have been serving as maids in white households for years. When Skeeter Phelan, a wealthy college graduate, asks them to help her write a book about their experiences, they are both reticent. As domestics, they are good at being invisible, keeping their mouths shut and absorbing the constant indignities of racism. However, telling their stories allows them to tell the truth about their lives for the first time – a truth that their white employers would rather not acknowledge.

Skeeter is as trapped as the black domestics she interviews. Squeezed into her family and society’s expectations of a Southern woman, she is yearning to write, not just decorate a husband’s arm. She’s also missing her own maid and confidante, Constantine, who has mysteriously disappeared while she was away at school.

Stockett’s skillful writing allows us into the minds and hearts of these three women, who are risking their reputations, their livelihood – perhaps even their lives – to share their stories. Through them we see that despite the boundaries between the races, a deep interdependence existed between blacks and whites. Skeeter’s truest friend was her black maid. Minnie’s white employer sees past her sharp tongue to her kind heart. And Aibileen, raising her seventeenth white child, reminds the girl of her worth and whispers stories in her ear about brave black people occupying the Woolworth’s counter. True, whites needed the labor, blacks needed employment. Stockett reminds us, though, that women will always need other women, and friendship knows no boundaries.

Review copy provided by Putnam.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher:  Pinnacle

Publication Date:  January 2010

Reviewed by Jennifer S. Roman

The format for The Sculptor is similar to many thrillers out there: The Sculptor, a psychopathic killer (most likely with homosexual tendencies and mother issues) is on the loose.  After killing his victims, he guts them, plasticizes them, and then arranges them on metal rods to pose them in the manner of famous Michelangelo statues.  An up-and-coming FBI agent (in this case, Sam Markham) is assigned to the case.  Along the way the FBI agent needs help from a local, who ends up being the love interest of the story.  Dr. Catherine Hildebrant, a world-renowned authority on the works of Michelangelo, fits the bill.  They work together, grow closer to each other, and move closer to finding the killer.

This truly is a psychological thriller, as the reader’s mind is engaged and constantly trying to figure out when and where the killer will strike next.  Along the way, there are plenty of twists and turns to really mess with what we THINK will happen.  What is really enjoyable is the ability of the reader to see into the mind of the killer, who is so “out there” that the reader is waiting to see what crazy or horrific act he performs next.

True to the genre, this book contains a lot of graphic violence.  Not only does the killer murder innocent people, but he takes out their innards, and it is described in living color.  He has a difficult family life, which includes an incestuous relationship as an adolescent with his mother, and that is described in detail.  There is some vulgar language.  Basically, it is a realistic look at the dark side of the human condition, and it is not pretty.  Those with weak stomachs or little tolerance for the dark and macabre may not find the book to their liking.  The story moves quickly and captures our interest, however, so for those of us willing to tolerate it, it’s a fantastic read that makes us want more.  From the way the book ends, that may just happen.

Review copy provided by the author.

Jake Chism and Josh Olds recently caught up with author J.S. Earls to discuss his new projects, The Realm Unseen and Pistolfist, his work with National Geographic’s Border Wars, and his graphic novel adaptations of Ted Dekker’s novels. A special thanks to J.S. Earls for answering our questions and spending some time with us!

More about J.S. Earls:

J.S. Earls was born in 1969 in Dunedin, Florida. He then lived in Georgia, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Wisconsin before eventually returning home to the Sunshine State.

Throughout his childhood, J.S. frequently divided his time between writing, illustration and music. In high school, he co-created a comic with then best friend and now fellow author Dwight L. MacPherson which outsold Superman and Spider-Man in local stores. A few years later, his music group won the Tampa Bay area award for Best Alternative Christian Band.

He then began writing — primarily for local entertainment magazines — and then as a ghost writer on the legendary Steve Roper & Mike Nomad syndicated strip. The next year, he created The Sorrow anti-child-abuse anthologies and his historic, critically-acclaimed Pistolfist comic. After this J.S. was hired to script six volumes of Zondervan’s Manga Bible and five Thomas Nelson graphic novels based on the works of bestselling author Ted Dekker.

Last year, J.S. began writing and producing an interactive audiogame called The Realm Unseen. National Geographic was so impressed with this project that they enlisted him to write three interactive story games for their online audience. Now, while awaiting the release of The Realm Unseen and the upcoming trade paperback edition of Pistolfist, J.S. is feverishly working on his first novel — an action/comedy/thriller currently titled I Kill Me.

This interview can also be downloaded from our iTunes page (recommended for best quality).

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Genre: Suspense, Comedy, Drama

Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books

Publication Date: March 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Kevin Quinn is a man. He’s not extraordinary. He’s a liberal. He’s older. He’s on his way to Austin for a job interview. It’s a job he’s not really sure he even wants, but he knows he wants a change. He’s not married. He’s not a dad. He’s a little scared. And he’s a wealth of fantastic comedic and dramatic material. He’s so rich with observations and memories that this entire novel encompasses only eight hours of Kevin’s life. Just eight hours. And despite that, it’s an amazingly full story of a man with a very complete beginning, middle and end.

James Hynes delves into the mind of this character with such clarity that you sometimes find yourself laughing out loud and at others you’re stunned into silence. You may even find your mouth hanging open in shock as you page back and reread passages again to find out if that really happened or if it’s something just rolling around in Kevin’s vividly creative mind.  Sometimes his thoughts can seem too implausible to believe and you want to laugh out loud at the audacity. Seconds later though, Kevin’s thoughts might mirror your own and you’ll shake your head as he backtracks and apologizes in his own mind for even thinking such things.

Hynes’ descriptions are vivid, beautiful and stunning. Echoing with shades of Updike, his word choices are sweet and rich and they melt across your tongue like ice cream in the Austin heat. They beg for you to savor them, roll them around in your mouth, speak them out loud and then share them with someone else because they’re so utterly delightful. (My husband had large passages of this book either read aloud to him or forced on him as I was reading because it was just too entertaining not to share.)

The book takes a turn at one point that is so stunning it will spin you180 degrees at breakneck speed. You may even find yourself having trouble holding on to the reality in the book. It took me several times rereading passages to fully comprehend how quickly and completely everything had changed and even then I was left speechless.  Like I’d been on a rollercoaster ride, zooming toward the bottom of a long hill and then suddenly, without warning, found myself without tracks, I flailed a little at first. Then I wondered at how well Hynes managed to capture the reality of life turning on a dime and sometimes being completely out of our control.

Since Hynes dives into the deep end of a man’s mind without any filters, expect some forays into very deeply personal moments and memories. If you’re uncomfortable with frank discussion of sexual ideas or thoughts, this may not be the book for you. Though thankfully, Kevin’s thoughts do not follow the traditional understanding that men think about sex every few seconds, it is a thread of memories and description that is woven throughout the book. If you’re bothered by this, you might not want to try it. But on the other hand, if you want to know what the average American male who’s just slightly past his prime is thinking, this is definitely an interesting and adventurous read.

Review copy provided by Reagan Arthur Books.

Genre: Classic s Revisited

Publisher:  Quirk Classics

Publication Date:  March 2010

Reviewed by Jennifer Roman

In a take on the classic Pride and Prejudice, Hockensmith takes a leap from the original Bennet saga and turns the privileged family into zombie-killing warriors.  While the proper Mrs. Bennet fusses and frets, Mr. Bennet transforms his five daughters from silly, socialite girls into nunchuk-wielding, sword-bearing, killing machines.

At a local man’s funeral, the girls notice that the “deceased” is actually coming back to life as a zombie.  Their father rushes to the front of the church and cuts off the “dreadful’s” head before he can do more harm, but this change from dead to undead announces the coming of many more undead.  Knowing what the future holds, Oscar Bennet enlists the help of his five daughters: Elizabeth, Jane, Kitty, Mary, and Lydia.  He also summons help from the King’s Army, which arrives just in time to train for the battle of its life.  The ensuing training and killing are actually quite hilarious.  In one scene, the girls awaken in the middle of the night because they hear a noise.  Thinking it is a zombie, they rush down the hall just in time to catch their mother trying to enter their father’s bedchamber for a romantic interlude.  After realizing what they interrupted, they are more mortified than if they HAD seen a zombie.

There are some parallels to the original Pride and Prejudice, but the changes turn the once-classic into a campy romp of fun and hilarity.  While keeping some of the same style of language, Hockensmith manages to update the text and make it a pleasant, quick read.  The reader gets to see the English propriety as somewhat silly and frivolous: Mrs. Bennet and her “high society” friends get into a disagreement over the girls’ training.  There is to be a ball, and it is Elizabeth’s début.  Because of her “scandalous” training, however, the hostess of the ball refuses to invite her.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls is innocuous for just about any reader.  Keeping with English propriety, there is no foul language.  In fact, the girls are not allowed to say the word “zombie” because it is improper.  Instead they call them “the Zed word.”  There are allusions to sex, but only in the vaguest form.  There are descriptions of beheading and the cutting off of limbs, but not in a grisly, raw manner.  Even those with the weakest of stomachs should be able to handle that.

Hockensmith manages to combine the old with the new in PP&Z with wit and humor.  He makes fun of late 1800s English propriety and throws in some political satire as well.  The story is quirky and fun, and most of all, an easy read.  Those looking for some fun and humor should enjoy this off-the-wall tale.

Genre: Historical, Drama

Publisher: Center Street

Publication Date: February 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Eileen O’Neill is a warrior. She knows about the O’Neill legacy and that she’s part of it. If it wasn’t already in her blood then dealing with the turmoil of life in Ireland during the early 1900’s would have made her one regardless.

That being said, the best times of Eileen O’Neill’s life happened when she lived in the bright yellow house with her mother, father, brother and baby sister. When her comfort and life come crashing down around her in a series of unfortunate events, Eileen decides then and there that she will not stop until her family is living back in the yellow house and happy again. This sets her off on a life course that takes her to places she’d never imagined and across paths that change her life.

Falvey’s writing is at once heart rending and beautiful. Her descriptions clearly place the reader in the story with the O’Neill family. With historical figures to help cement the storyline in fact and discussions of daily life at the time, Falvey keeps the reader grounded in the story. When I was reading, I had a hard time pulling out of the story. I became immersed completely and fully in Eileen’s life and what would happen next.

When I’m reading, I’m usually very quiet. My husband does whatever he’s working on and I sit quietly in my spot reading to myself. With this book, I shouted out loud a couple of times and wanted to shake this character. (I did at one point slam the book shut and take a walk around the room. What else can you do when you’re angry with a completely contrived character that you’re unable to advise or counsel!?)  Like what happens so often in books (and in life) sometimes we can see the mistakes that a character is making and we wish that they wouldn’t! I felt that way about Eileen’s character.

My husband, at one point was startled by my outburst and asked what on Earth I was doing and I told him that I was reading possibly one of the most frustrating romances I’d ever experienced. This book reminded me in some ways of Jane Austen’s writing (and you all know how I love Austen’s work!) when Austen’s characters were pushed one way or another not by their feelings, but by society’s restrictions.  Though not as prim and proper as Austen’s work, Falvey’s writing does include some adult situations. I can say though, that they are well written and experienced as an everyday part of Eileen’s life rather than being glorified or over shadowing the characters and their journeys.

Review copy provided by Center Street.

Genre: Psychological, Literary

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: January 2010

Reviewed by Marianne Peters

Tim Farnsworth seems to be a lucky man, with a wife and daughter, a thriving law practice, and a large home in the suburbs. Lucky except for one thing: periodically, inexplicably, he begins to walk.  He walks until he collapses, and then his wife Jane comes to find him wherever he has ended up, asleep, sometimes frostbitten or injured. After he sleeps, the walking starts again. He sees doctors, psychologists, even gurus, but no one can fix his problem. To explain his absences from work, he tells his puzzled partners at the law firm that his wife has terminal cancer.

Joshua Ferris, author of the novel Then We Came to the End, has penned a heartbreaking story about a family in the midst of a mysterious health crisis. Farnsworth’s illness is never named or cured. It goes into sudden remission, and then starts up again just as suddenly. While he copes with the distressing realities of walking himself into exhaustion, his wife Jane and daughter Becka cope with their own fear, guilt, anger and frustration – ambivalent feelings that would be familiar to anyone caring for a chronically ill loved one.

Tim and Jane Farnsworth also struggle to maintain their affection for each other, playing out their roles as husband and wife, but also as impaired person and caregiver. When does he decide to abandon treatment? When does she decide that enough is enough?

The Unnamed is not a cheery read, but it is a mesmerizing one. Joshua Ferris’ lucid writing lifts his characters from the page until they are flesh and blood, and we find ourselves asking, would I do the same thing? Would I give up or hang on? The walking itself is a device, the difficult circumstance that allows these characters to demonstrate their strengths and their loyalties, while simultaneously forcing them to expose their weaknesses to themselves and to each other. The truth about them – about us – is painful, but redemptive. We all have weaknesses that hardship will reveal. And once everything is revealed, the only thing left to do is to keep walking.

Review copy provided by Little, Brown and Company.

Genre: Children

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: September 2009

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

In the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene visits a fortuneteller and asks questions about his dead sister. There he learns she lives, despite the lies he’s heard all his life, and that an elephant can lead him to her. In another part of town, a magician longing to perform real magic accidentally causes an elephant to fall through the roof of the opera house where he is performing. As Peter seeks his sister, his story and that of several townspeople (the woman crippled by the falling elephant, the police officer who arrests the magician, the elephant caretaker and others) knit together in a tapestry of love, magic and healing.

The Magician’s Elephant by Newbery-winner Kate DiCamillo possesses a simple story line, yet is surprisingly complex. Initially, the plot comes across as being too simple, but as the book progresses, DiCamillo develops her story with a deceptive depth. Magical and mystical, the soft-focus, grayscale illustrations enhance the book’s mysterious and cinematic flavor. There is an emotional darkness to the book that can be a bit lonely, but DiCamillo uses this to express how one event can lead to healing for all.

While mid-elementary children might struggle to appreciate this book given its less overt action, older children and tweens will recognize the merits within.

Review copy provided by Candlewick Press.

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Supernatural

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: July 2009

Reviewed by James Andrew Wilson

On page 285 of Faces in the Fire, readers will finally come to chapter one. This is important because the final chapter will have already been read back on page 78. While this might sound like a lawsuit against the printing press just waiting to happen, it is in fact the deliberate and brilliant mix-up that author T.L. Hines intended.

Faces in the Fire is a difficult book to describe. At a basic level, it is the story of four characters whose lives are mysteriously connected by a ten-digit number:1595544534. Kurt is a sculptor with the odd ability to hear ghostly voices from articles of clothing. Corrine is a professional email spammer suffering from lymphoma. Grace is a tattoo artist whose arm itches for another shot of heroin. And Stan is a hit man with a gift for killing that he can’t escape.

These characters are unique and richly crafted. As the title implies, they are people who find themselves facing the fire; their stories of pain and their journeys to redemption are beautiful, mesmerizing and inspiring. And Hines writes them with an easy-to-read style that dances between off-kilter humor, insightful ponderings, and fresh plays on words that make for a nice sort of poetry in the prose.

That being said, this is a complex book that requires a patient reader to see it through to the end. Most of the suspense arises from a curiosity to know what in the world is going on. Mysteries and oddities are all over the place, some of which are never completely answered. Or maybe they are. It all depends on what you think the book ultimately means and what the mysterious numbers represent. To each of the four main characters, those ten digits are something different, something unexplainable, but ultimately magical.

I don’t think it’s any mistake that those numbers are hidden in the novel’s ISBN number. They are a good metaphor for the book as a whole. This story will mean something different to each reader. Those who are willing to trust Hines to guide them through the puzzling pages will close the book with the feeling that they have been shown something for which there is no easy explanation—something that is beyond the barriers of what we can understand.

Faces in the Fire is a daring and expertly crafted novel. It is a puzzle. It is a mystery. It is a memorable story that defies simple description and refuses to be placed in a genre box.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books

Publication Date: December 2009

Reviewed by Ashley Barrett

In the early 1900s, Peter Force leaves his rural Idaho home and the memories of his deceased father to start over in New York City. He finds work as a tunnel digger for the upcoming subway project. After a few weeks in the city, Peter encounters Cheri-Anne Toledo, who claims to be the princess from a frontier kingdom in Ohio. The United States government seized her kingdom seven years ago and a scientific misfire may make her the first unintentional time traveler.

Even though he believes she is crazy, Peter agrees to help Cheri-Anne unravel the mystery of her experiences. Cheri-Anne’s story quickly grows into a tangled plot involving some of the most famous figures of history, including Thomas Jefferson, Nikola Tesla and J.P. Morgan. In the midst of discovering the truth about Cheri-Anne, Peter loses his heart to the beautiful princess and finds himself fighting time itself to be with her.

For a book that presents so many exciting elements—time travel, romance, conspiracy and history—The Kingdom of Ohio left me unmoved. The pace didn’t increase until the last fifty pages and I found myself disliking the morose and overly-introspective characters.

Implied sexual activity and coarse language in the book may concern some individuals.

Although I didn’t enjoy this book much, those who appreciate a slower pace and enjoy historical books and time travel may like The Kingdom of Ohio.

Review copy provided by Amy Einhorn Books.