Fiction Addict

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed  by Jake Chism

It’s been five hundred years since the Gypsy Morph, Hawk, led a diverse group of survivors out of the destruction of the Great Wars into a safe haven hidden by magic. Since that time the magic has kept the Men, Elves, Spiders, and Lizards safe from the world beyond. Many have forgotten their roots and distanced themselves from the magic that saved them.

Sider Ament is the last known Knight of the Word and he’s just discovered that the magic barrier has been breached. Now he must team up with two Trackers, Panterra Qu and Prue Liss, to convince an unbelieving people that their safe haven is about to be discovered. The Old World they’ve forgotten is about to collide with their own and nothing can prepare them for the danger that waits.

Continuing his massive undertaking to give us the full history of The Shannara series, Terry Brooks delivers another exciting installment full of new characters, trademark fantasy elements, and heartfelt emotion.

Typically in Brooks’ writing, characters don’t last longer than a book or two, very few having lived through multiple series. This is to be expected since this series in particular takes place over thousands of years. Nevertheless, Brook continues to craft characters that readers can’t help but fall in love with. Sider, Panterra, and Prue certainly fit the bill and readers will be moved and captivated by their journey. We’re also treated to some strong supporting roles throughout that would make fascinating main characters themselves.

As a long time fan of Terry Brooks it has been fun to see how the Shannara history is built, and Bearers of the Black Staff feels more like the Shannara books of old and less like the apocalyptic Genesis of Shannara novels that came previously. Some key elements of the series are revealed here that will satisfy hard core fans, while at the same time piquing the interest of new readers.

While there are still plenty of stories to be bridged, this is continually proving to be a journey that is well worth the ride.

Review copy provided by Del Rey.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy, Young Adult

Publication Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

Venom & Song picks up immediately where Curse of the Spider King left off. Our beloved Elves have returned to Allyra, but the immediate problem is getting seven disoriented middle schoolers to safety. (And don’t be fooled: These are some tough little teenagers.) The enemy is, of course, still on their heels (literally), and our band of heroes doesn’t know how to fight yet.

Book two keeps a steady pace, but it’s also paced differently from book one. I know a few people had a hard time with some elements, and a few caught some flaws I missed, but, really, I was pleased with this second installment. As I said, the book takes a natural progression in my estimation.

Whereas Curse dealt with themes of the intricate nature of the past and present, Venom is more concerned with loyalty and self-sacrifice, turning children into men and women, and trust: both in each other and in Ellos. Again, these themes develop naturally from the characters and situations themselves, continuing the same style as its predecessor. Venom & Song does come with its own twist at the end, and, I’ll admit, I can count on one hand the number of books that have struck me as emotionally as this one did.

As always, I’m going to stop before giving any spoilers. I look forward to book three (which, to my knowledge, is at least a year away and, I trust, will answer the questions left at the end of Venom & Song) and whatever Mr. Batson and Mr. Hopper bring next. A word of warning: Make sure you read these books in order…and be prepared.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Dutton

Publication date: June 2010

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Priests are the evil antagonists and outlaws are the heroes in this inconsistent fantasy debut from British film censor Paul Hoffman. The Left Hand of God displays the elements readers expect in a non-supernatural fantasy—warring regimes, a brooding hero, political intrigue, romance, all set in a familiar-seeming but fictional world. But it overreaches in portraying organized religion, complete with a “Hanged Redeemer” who died to save his followers from their sins, as the primary evil of the age.

Fourteen-year-old Thomas Cale is a prisoner at the Sanctuary, a religious school where the instructors, called “redeemers,” regularly beat their students within an inch of their lives. The school, basically everyone’s worst stereotype of an abusive Catholic boarding school, is just one part of the redeemers’ “ministry”—which ultimately boils down to world domination. When Cale, who as the result of a childhood head injury has a mysterious ability to physically dominate any opponent, discovers a secret being carefully hidden deep within the Sanctuary’s stone walls, he teams up with an unlikely group of buddies and flees. From there, the book follows Cale and friends as they do their best to elude the pursuing redeemers, make nice with the ruling elites in the nearby city, and try to stop the religious conquerors before they can carry out their sinister plans.

While not anywhere near the level of Robert Jordan or George R. R. Martin or Tolkein, Hoffman still does an admirable job creating the world in which his story takes place. The characters are for the most part believable, and the various cultures explored, particularly within the Great City of Memphis, seem to fit well with the genre and tone of the book. The two main problems are the rather meandering story line (though the plot speeds up and becomes genuinely tense right at the end) and the author’s apparent grudge against religion, which is somewhat peculiar in a genre that typically relies so heavily on moral justice as a theme. The fact that the main characters are all young teenagers might make the book seem like a YA title, but the dark themes of abuse and desperation are probably inappropriate for most younger readers.

The book features a couple of sex scenes and plenty of violence, though nothing over the top or out of the ordinary for modern fantasy literature. The cliffhanger ending sets up book two quite well for readers who identify enough with the ambiguously heroic Cale to want to participate in his continuing story. Fantasy fans will find things to enjoy in this book, but The Left Hand of God seems unlikely to generate the kind of loyal following commanded by top-tier fantasy series.

Review copy provided by Dutton.

Genre: YA

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: May 2010

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

The America we know lies in tatters; earthquakes have caused whole coasts to slide into the ocean, global warming has caused the oceans to flood the land and people live stacked practically on top of each other. But below the sea in Benthic Territory, life thrives and the resident farmers move, live and work freely there.

This Dark Life, far below the surface, is the only life teenager Ty has ever known. But outlaws threaten to destroy his family’s subsea existence with their marauding and pillaging. While his new Topside friend, Gemma, seeks her long-lost brother, the outlaws attack Ty’s home. As he tries to help Gemma and preserve his way of life, Ty confronts not only the outlaws, but secrets as deep and dark as the canyons that swallowed the States.
Kat Falls’ first novel, Dark Life, offers a mesmerizing account of a futuristic life on the ocean floor with a nod to the past—the Wild West and frontier life are clearly represented in the book. But the story is as much about survival in a harsh political climate as it is about life in an aquatic one. The new colony faces over-taxation and abuse from the Commonwealth, the governing system after the earthquake.

The book feels a little raw in some scenes—as though something deeply emotional is missing from its straightforward prose—but the fast-paced plotting and the wonder of the ocean engage readers so thoroughly that this sensation quickly passes. Abundant twists pepper this exciting tale, propelling the reader from one chapter to another.

Dark Life is an enjoyable read for teen and tween lovers of science fiction and adventure.

Review copy provided by Scholastic.

Genre: Fantasy, Chick Lit, Comedy

Publisher: Touchstone Books

Publication Dates: June 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Ellie Jerome does not like being old. There isn’t one single thing about it that makes her happy. The only thing she currently loves about her life is her granddaughter, Lucy. She sees Lucy often and knows that the carefree choices Lucy has are miles away from where her life and choices were at that age. So on her 75^th birthday, she wishes that she could have a do-over. She’d like to be 29 again for just one day. And the next morning when she wakes up, she is.

So what happens next? Chaos ensues. With only ‘old woman’ clothes and an ‘old woman’ life, Ellie tries to maneuver the vastly different world of young people nearly half a century after she was that age. Trips to the bakery, dress shop and even underwear shopping are vastly different. It’s one of the most delightful and entertaining journeys I’ve been on in a long time. For those who are sensitive to such things, there is some language in the book and very honest discussion about physical relationships and attributes. It’s not overwhelming, but it is present.

Ellie’s trek through this 24 hour period of being a young woman again is absolutely hilarious. Halpern’s brutal honesty about aging and the feeling of regret is tempered by wry humor and a beautiful exploration of what makes each person the way that they are. How does Barbara, Ellie’s daughter, turn into someone that is so difficult to get along with while Lucy, her granddaughter, is a free spirit?

As I was reading, I wondered how it was that Halpern had captured the relationship between my mother, grandmother, and myself so succinctly. It was almost as if there was a hidden camera in my home for the past three generations and she was now bringing it to light. I was amazed at how such a fun, lighthearted romp could take such a turn as to be introspective and heart wrenching as well. The relationships between mother and daughter throughout the generations were explored with such insight as to give me pause about my relationships.

Though I started reading prepared for humor and a fun ride, I was surprised at the end by the depth of emotion involved. Rather than just throwing all of her previous decisions in life to the wind and embracing everything wild and crazy, Ellie became introspective. She spent time wondering how her daughter had gotten to be the way that she is and how she could get along with her better. It became much more of a mending and healing journey than just a romp through younger years without consequences. Never heavy handed, she handles hard subject material with grace and style.

29 is the perfect book to tuck into your bag for a read at the beach or for a long car trip. Halpern’s story delights, entertains and may even change your opinions about the relationships in your own life.

Review copy provided by Touchtsone Books.

Genre: Graphic Novel, Suspense, Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: December 2009

Reviewed by Josh Olds

The Circle Series Visual is a hardcover 3-in-1 edition of the original graphic novels for Black, Red, and White, which are in turn adaptations of the regular novels of the same name, authored by Ted Dekker. These novels retell man’s redemptive history through the medium of Story in a powerful way.

It all begins when Thomas Hunter falls and reawakens in the colored forest. At first, he thinks he is living in a fantastical dream, but soon comes to acknowledge the reality of both this Other Earth – this dream world – and Real Earth, the world of his present. He finds that when he sleeps in one world, he reawakens in the other. And the future of both worlds has been placed on his shoulders.

With information gleaned from the colored forest, which claims to be the future of Real Earth, Thomas learns that a bioterrorist releases a virulent disease, called the Raison Strain, which ushers in The Great Deception. In the colored forest, Thomas finds an Edenic type of reality, with the saga of man finding itself retold. In three stories of two worlds only one man can bridge the realities and do what is necessary to save both worlds.

New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker first gained major popularity when his publisher, Thomas Nelson, declared it Year of the Trilogy and released the entire Circle trilogy in the space of a year (Dekker has since added a Book Zero, Green, to the saga). Such overwhelming success led to the graphic novel versions, here repackaged in a durable and hardcover format.

The art throughout the graphic novel gets better and better with each page. Ted’s words form pictures and we see the story come to life. Graphic novels are an interesting medium when they are adaptations from regular full-length novels. Obviously, one cannot render every scene or include every bit of dialogue, so the major challenge is deciding how to stay true to the story while yet creating an exciting visual story. The adaptation and editing team – Kevin Kaiser, J.S. Earls, Matt Hansen, Bob Strachan, and Mike S. Miller – did a great job in this respect, so while ardent fans of the series will undoubtedly note what is missing, they should also appreciate that the core storyline is maintained and that Dekker’s vision shines through.

There are many pros about this version and the graphic novel concept in general. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, for those wanting to dive into the Circle in living color, this is probably your best financial option. These graphic novels are great for introducing the Circle series to younger kids who might not have the time or attention span to consume a full-length novel, but will digest works such as this. While slightly smaller in size than the original glossy soft cover editions, this 3-in-1 is just as easily read as the original version. Text size is slightly smaller but barely noticeable.

Dekker fans who do not already have the individual graphic novels will find this a must-have add to the Dekker library. Those new to the Circle will find themselves salivating for more as they close the cover. All in all a great job by a number of people to take an epic trilogy and offer it in an exciting medium.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Fantasy/Allegorical

Publisher: Creation House

Release Date: September 2009

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Allon was a paradise until the Guardians fell to the Dark Way, led by the evil spirit Dagar. But prophecy speaks of a time when the Guardians would return and Allon would be restored, led by the rightful heir to the throne. That heir is Ellis, and pursued by King Marcellus’ soldiers, he must flee. Having fled to the Forest of Dorigirth, he is told his destiny and begins his training, under an ancient master, to overcome the king and the Dark Way he follows.

The story that Allon tries to tell is a good one, filled with intrigue and mystery, romance and great battles, betrayal and loyalty. It’s a story we’ve all heard and read before. It’s a story told in Eragon, Prince Caspian, even Star Wars – all of these considered iconic stories. So while not the most original novel I’ve ever read, Allon had the seed for a story that, if done well, could bear one more incarnation.

The picture of the supernatural as painted by Lamb is vivid and quite allegorical, with the depictions of the Guardians and the Shadow Warriors clearly being representations of the great battle between the angelic and the demonic, of good and evil. The portrayal of the Guardians was by far my favorite aspect of the book.

Despite that, I had a hard time following the storyline at times because at least once every chapter, I found myself introduced to a new character. While some of these characters came and went in the space of a few paragraphs and others stayed on, it proved to be rather disorienting to sort out who was who. It seemed to me like Lamb was attempting to flesh out an entire fantasy world on a grand scope, but trying to do so in one novel made it seem rather cluttered. In addition to this, the book needs better editing. While I realize that one or two errors may creep in amongst the array of words in a full-length novel, some of these errors were just too noticeable to overlook.

In the end, Allon is a story of a boy who discovers that as a Child of the King it is his destiny to defeat Evil. Though Allon tells this story – which I absolutely love – I feel that many other books tell this story much better, for having been derived from a tried and true storyline, that is the standard on which it will be seen. To read this same basic plotline as a part of a classic, I recommend Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. If you’re looking for a lesser-known author that tells a similar story, I recommend Protect by Paul Watson. Allon has its charms to be sure, but in the end doesn’t deliver.

Review copy provided by Creation House.

Genre: Children’s/Fantasy

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: February 2010

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Flory is a night fairy. But when flying one evening, she loses her wings in an accident with a bat. How does a fairy cope without wings? In Flory’s case, she becomes a day fairy and settles down in the garden of a giantess (human). There, she must battle hungry squirrels, spiders and other predators, all without the aid of her wings. In a huge, dangerous world, can she learn to survive?

In The Night Fairy, Laura Amy Schlitz presents the antithesis to most fairy stories—a feisty, fuzzy-headed fairy with a self-centered streak. Flory experiences remarkable character growth in this book, as she moves from a domineering outlook to one of selflessness. Her exploits fuel this growth.

At the beginning, the book’s voice feels a bit stilted, almost like an adult talking down to a child, as Schlitz sets her scene and fills in back story. But when the actual action begins, this tone seems to vanish as readers absorb the world she has, not so much created, but revealed.

This simply told story features a basic plot line that would serve intermediate readers well. Airy, ethereal illustrations and delicate descriptions emphasize the natural world in which Flory lives, a place both familiar and fantastic. So beautiful are these natural scenes that the reader longs to join Flory in her world to feast on the sights and sounds

Book after book, Candlewick Press continually offers captivatingly surreal language and illustrations: Cloud Tea Monkeys, The Magician’s Elephant and The Tale of Despereaux. The Night Fairy is no exception. An enchanting tale that little girls will cherish, especially at bedtime.

Review copy provided by Candlewick Press.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: February 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

What happens when a young dispossessed king gets backed into a corner? His people starving, his land filled and possessed by invaders, King Rhi Bran Y Hud has vowed that he will do whatever he can to return his kingdom to his people. After being wronged again and again by the conquering King, Red William, Bran decides that the next thing he must do is go to his mother’s people to see if they will help him regain his stolen throne.

This plan is not infallible though. Bran has not seen anyone from his mother’s family since he was in diapers and it also means that he must leave his people, the Elfael, alone to fend for themselves in the dark wood. Leaving two of his best men in charge, Bran sets off with a Friar Tuck to reacquaint himself with this branch of his family. Upon his arrival, he discovers that things are not as they seem and there is more work ahead for Bran than he realized. To make things worse, back at their home base, Merian has gotten the idea in her head that she should go home and raise an army to assist Bran. She has no idea that her father is no longer in control in her kingdom anymore.
Stephen Lawhead has packed this final chapter of his Robin Hood trilogy with adventure, heartache, glory and a beautifully sewn together ending that brings the fable to brilliant life. Reminiscent of his Song of Albion series and Pendragon Cycle, Lawhead once again uses his mastery of the written word to at the same time breathe life into a legend and create a vivid world that any fantasy reader can enjoy. Anyone who has read and enjoyed the Narnia series or Lord of the Rings will easily fall in love with Lawhead’s universe.

Filled with vividly beautiful descriptions, intricately woven plots and fast paced adventure, Lawhead’s characters are bigger than the legend he’s tackled. They are beyond fantasy, magic and illusion. The characters are elaborate, brilliant and heartbreakingly human. Bran is a young passionate king with a fire that needs to be tamed. Tuck is a faithful man of God struggling to serve his king in the best way he can. Merian is a woman in love who has yet to understand her feelings, yet loves Bran’s people as her own.

Lawhead’s books are a personal time warp into a long forgotten era. Filled with vivid characters, life and death struggles, mystery, intrigue and romance, they take place in a land so vibrant that you can practically smell the rich green moss and hear the cry of birds through the trees. If you have previously enjoyed any of Lawhead’s novels or if you have an interest in history or the Robin Hood legends, this is a series that you do not want to miss.

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: 2008

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

So the last time we saw Bran Ap Brychan he was disappearing off into the woods with the maid Merian held captive and troops of soldiers chasing him. This is, it seems, nothing new for Lawhead’s most notorious outlaw to date.
This story opens in a far different time and place and with a totally new character thrown into the mix. Will Scatloke, or Scarlet, is the main voice of this book, showing us Lawhead’s characters from a different perspective. As an outsider recently joined with the Elfael people, Scarlet isn’t always trusted but we know from his perspective that he is fiercely loyal and will stay faithful to Bran and the people he pledged his life to protect. Even unto death.

As this sequel to Lawhead’s book Hood proceeds, we find out that Merian is still living with the Elfael though not as Bran’s wife. She remains a very annoyed captive who deeply loves the people Bran leads. Glimpses are shown, through Will’s eyes, of the deep love shared by Merian and Bran, though the two remain apart for all intents and purposes.

Once again, Lawhead leads us on a merry chase through the deep dark woods inhabited by Bran and his people. We learn more of the plots that have conspired to keep Bran away from his rightful place as King and his people living in the forest, away from their homes. The plot is deeper and more involved than anyone realizes, putting Bran and his followers in an even more precarious situation than before.

Lawhead’s use of a different voice than those previously heard from in Hood manages to give the story greater depth and eloquence as he shows us beloved characters through another’s eyes. We journey through the ensuing months since Hood ended and follow Bran as he makes his way through the treacherous political landscape of his beloved country.

Sometimes there’s a danger when you have a second book in a trilogy that the story becomes ‘filler’ or only serves to carry us through from the author’s beginning to the end. It’s not unusual for second books to be somewhat boring. Lawhead’s storytelling in this book remains strong and steadfast. When you end this book, you’ll be eagerly reaching for the third book in the series, Tuck, to find out what danger, temptation and adventure waits to meet our beloved hero this time.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: April 2008

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Stephen Lawhead is a master storyteller. From the mind of the man who brought us amazingly vivid characters like Taliesin and Llew Silverhand comes the tale that everyone knows but with a Lawhead twist. Robin Hood. Who was the man who stole from the rich and gave to the poor? How did he become an outlaw that royalty despised and people practically worshipped? Lawhead turns his mind to exploring the legend, the fantasy and the reality of this legendary character.

Bran Ap Brychan is the prince of his kingdom. Literally. His father is the King and Bran has grown up with an abundance of privilege and all of the stressors that come with it. Never feeling like he meets up to his father’s expectations, Bran struggles with being a little bit spoiled, a lot of entitlement and an overwhelming amount of frustration. When his father is killed in an ambush and the kingdom taken over by invaders, Bran has no idea what to do next.

Impulsively, he lets his anger take over and nearly gets himself killed in the process. If he hadn’t been discovered and assisted by a wise woman in the forest, he would have been nothing more than an epitaph in his father’s kingdom. But the woman helps him heal and along with that, teaches him the value of patience, honor and maturity. As Bran works through the long arduous recovery from his injuries, he comes to understand that there are people depending upon him. No longer do they turn to him as a prince, but as his father’s next in line, the King.

What can an angry, impulsive and immature young man do to lead his people when they are stuck in captivity? How can he rescue his father’s kingdom and bring everything back to where it should be?

These are the answers that Lawhead demands of his character throughout the story. He sows the adventure and reaps the rewards with Bran’s growth and development. Following this story breathes more than new life into the Robin Hood legend; it creates a whole new world for Lawhead to shine through in his masterful writing.

In typical Lawhead fashion, the characters are complex and diverse with just enough humor and realism added in to ensure that they aren’t caricatures of themselves. The plot moves quickly and follows several intersecting storylines at the same time and the setting is, as always, gorgeous.

Lawhead’s books cannot be consumed quickly. They are to be chewed thoughtfully, savored over time and allowed to seep into your very marrow until they become a part of you.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Suspense/Fantasy

Publisher: Howard Books

Publication Date: April 2010

Reviewed by Tim George

I am cold …I am not an angel, nor am I demon … I am a Drifter, something God created in his spare time and then forgot on the fringes of reality …Do  you see me?

Drift is the story of two lost souls. One is the adopted daughter of a Mafia enforcer kept more as pet than person. The other is a being so disconnected from time and substance he exists only to be tethered to someone, anyone, more real than he himself is. In some cruel form of control Baby Doll has never been told her real name, though she has begged to be told since a little girl. And on the day, as a young woman, Baby Doll attends the funeral of the man who held her virtual prisoner her entire life everything is changed by those four haunting words, “Do you see me?”

Baby Doll sees a young man whom she can only think to name, Boy. The story he tells her is as fantastic to her as it will be to the reader. Boy has no idea what he is or how long he has existed. His life gains substance only as he remains tethered to one person. Only the person who he becomes attached to can see him and there is no guarantee how long the connection will stay intact. To tell anymore more of the story would be an injustice to both the author and the reader.

At first glance, Drift is a fantasy or perhaps an allegory. Admittedly the concept may at first scare some readers off (it almost did me). But, give yourself half a chance and you will find yourself drawn into as intense a story of redemption as fiction can offer. Boy serves as a surreal picture of what it means to feel invisible as so many people in our culture do. Baby Doll is his alter ego: wealthy, well groomed, well educated, and just as much without substance. In the end, Drift is about discovering our reason for existence.

Baby Doll watched the city roll by outside her window and found herself humming. It was an old song, a church song that told a story about a man who found a pearl and then sold everything he had just to buy it. She couldn’t remember all the words, but she wondered if she was more like that man in the song, or more like the pearl. Part of her desperately hoped to be both.

For those who don’t know, the author, Sharon Carter Rogers, is as much an enigma as Boy and Baby Doll. Ever since her earlier novels, Sinner and Unpretty, first appeared readers have been trying to figure out who Sharon is but even the publisher offers little help. Whatever her true identity, she writes in prose that literally bleed with raw emotion. Sometimes it seems as though the writer herself is whispering along with Boy, “Do you see me?”

Review copy provided by Howard Books.

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: Literary/Fantasy

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Publication Date: January 2010

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Midas Crook is a young loner, happier to photograph life than to live it. Scarred by an emotionally estranged father and a mentally distant mother, Midas is unprepared when he meets Ida McLaird, a strange girl determined to live life fully. Soon, Midas learns of Ida’s horrifying condition—she is slowly turning to glass. Despite his issues with his past, he soon falls for Ida and the two struggle to find a cure for Ida’s strange illness before she becomes wholly transformed.

In this magical tale, author Ali Shaw crafts a world sprinkled with the strange that somehow feels completely at home; the magical elements in the story seem as though they could occur in ordinary life to anyone. St. Hauda’s Land, the setting for The Girl with Glass Feet, could easily be a real island in the frigid, far north. Shaw’s lyrical style paints beautiful pictures of this fictional land while fresh and innovative language characterizes this quiet tale. It’s a book meant to be read slowly and savored, much like Sue Monk Kidd’s work.

However, Shaw appears to love words more than his story. At times, lovely language takes precedence over storytelling and the pacing of the tale suffers for it. Sadly, I felt a strong desire to skim sections of the book as they could have been shortened with no real loss of plot. The author clearly establishes setting and tone so his need for a full description of each setting at the outset of each chapter pulled the story down.

As a first-time novelist, Shaw succeeds in making the mysterious premise of glass metamorphosis plausible to the reader and is clearly a master wordsmith. The book is a strong effort that would benefit from a few editorial snips.

Review copy provided by Henry Holt and Company.

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy, Young Adult

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: November 2009

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

I have a confession. I picked up The Curse of the Spider King without knowing what it was supposed to be about or having read anything by either of its authors. My ARC copy has no back cover description, either. In fact, it includes a handwritten note letting me know it wasn’t the final version and errors were already in correction. But that title just sounds like it’s going to be amazing, so I requested it. Like several I’ve reviewed lately, both Hopper and Batson were suggested to me by other authors whose works I am familiar with. Besides, where in the world is the adventure if I know exactly what to expect?

At any rate, the story fixed its hooks in me from page one, with a group of Elven Sentinels (an elite class soldier) heading through a portal into Earth to retrieve several missing persons after, in Allyra time, eight hundred years of searching. The problem, I soon discover, is twofold: these seven missing thirteen year olds (Earth time) don’t know they’re missing, and the enemy assassins sent to kill them are also closing in.

Two dimensions, two basic storylines. The kids’ stories are simply about their lives, turning thirteen, discovering they’re from another world and have incredible power. They’re each given a book of their own history—a book that comes alive (literally) as they read it. And in their readings we learn how seven Elflings came to be lost on Earth. That is, they learned the story of the Elves. In some ways, however, I felt the story really belonged to the Sentinels searching for them, largely because the kids really don’t know what’s going on for so long, and they join the battle pretty deep into it. Moreover, despite the large cast, for the most part I had no trouble enjoying the characters and keeping up with plot. I confess a couple times I had to flip back, but this was only once or twice.

The themes largely involve the intricate nature of the past and present. I read one review (remember, I read reviews after I read the book) that suggested it was a coming-of-age story, but I must respectfully disagree, for the aforementioned reasons. The book has several strong themes and resists any temptation to beat the reader to death with them, and some of that I fully expect to cross over into book two, Venom and Song.

One small thing regarding a particular review: I read one from a woman  who said she thought a boy would enjoy it better due to the action sequences, and I read a couple who thought adults wouldn’t enjoy it as much or relate to the characters as well. Please note, I am a twenty-six year old female, and I find such assessments poppycock. The story and characters were both engaging. In fact, the only other thing I could find to comment on was, really, that the ending of the story snuck up on me: I wasn’t quite expecting it to end where it did, but, with the primary goal of the story accomplished, that was where it needed to end. It actually reinforced, in my mind, the idea that it’s really about the Sentinels bringing the children home, not simply the children learning they’re Elves in a ‘coming of age’ fashion. Suffice it to say, I’m looking forward to Venom and Song, a bit anxiously, at that.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy, Young Adult

Publisher: Creation House

Publication Date: May 2009

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

There’s a verse in the Psalm 137 that reads, “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.” For some reason, that was the thought I had as three teenagers anxiously spent their summer longing for Aeliana.

Four hundred and fifty years have passed since the last time Ryann, Liddy, and Terell were in Aeliana. At least, Aeliana time. In Mount Dora, it’s been three months. Summer is ending, and they’ve been scattered abroad, wondering when they’ll next receive their call across time and space. Again, Reinhold doesn’t write precisely what we might expect.

First, the opening chapter or two is spent lying in wait. Waiting for answers, it turns out, isn’t passive, but active, and takes every bit as much strength as receiving them.  Second, it isn’t Ryann who first sees the portal back to Aeliana. This intrigued me because, obviously, Ryann is the main character. He’s the one charged with the three gifts and has a guardian archangel named Gabriel.

Third, the kids are not the only ones who must exhibit faith this time, which leads to my next observation. Their parents must also learn trust and obedience in the God who sends their children. As before, what happens in Mount Dora affects what happens in Aeliana and vice versa—something many stories that involve world-hopping don’t have.

Once back in Aeliana, Ryann and his friends find themselves in the middle of a long-brewing fight. They discover two unicorns and a group of cruel half-dragons (Hugons), and a growing, ominous understanding that they understand prophecies the rest of Aeliana can’t yet. Ryann, Terell, and Liddy have matured over three months, both in their thinking and in their behavior. They have new friends—many of whom don’t get along—and a whole new set of problems to deal with. Faith, it appears, involves so much more than simply jumping off a cliff (though cliff-jumping is included).

The Shield of Faith is different than The King’s Sword in that they do spend more time in Aeliana, understandably. It’s longer, and more complicated.  But as with book one, it’s about much more than the physical, literal shield. If book one is about paradise, then book two is about redemption—who to trust, who to distrust; where loyalties really lie, despite what comes out of the mouth. The shield of faith, then, is found in who you follow.

And once again I can’t say too much more without giving things away. Suffice it to say, Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith was a satisfactory sequel to The King’s Sword, and I’ll be looking forward to book three, Ryann Watters and the Belt of Truth.

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy, Young Adult

Publisher: Creation House

Publication Date: May 2008

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

I heard of Eric Reinhold by way of Donita Paul, Bryan Davis, Jonathan Rogers, and several others engaged in a Motiv8 Tour. As a result, I requested both Ryann Watters and the King’s Sword and its sequel at the same time to read and review. Honestly, I didn’t quite know what to expect. For me, the YA genre is simply fun. And a middle-schooler from a Christian home who receives a visit by night from the angel Gabriel giving him a mission from God, well, is fun. The same night, one of said boy’s classmates also receives a night-visitation . . . from a fallen angel. Both boys receive a mission and three gifts. Thus begins a quest for a missing sword.

Most intriguing, though, is that what happens next isn’t what either boy or reader expects. Much of the journey takes place, not in the brilliant paradise of Aeliana, but in the every-day lives of four sixth graders and their families. Part of Ryann’s journey is to learn to use the Word—the Word of God. The use of Scripture in The King’s Sword is natural and thematic—I found myself as moved as the kids. Moreover, having grown up in a Christian home myself, I found Ryann’s life, aside from attending public school (I attended a private Christian school), quite reflective of my own. Their journey is as much spiritual as it is physical, and Reinhold has a unique way of pulling the two together.

As far as the characters go, Ryann and his three friends are busy, active twelve-year-olds, but they’re also well-read and thoughtful. Their maturity shows through (as well as Eric’s non-indulgence in dramatics, which is a plus) in their ability to deal with and get over an issue, so that when one offends another, the situation is either handled in a timely manner or deemed no longer important. Grudges simply don’t have place among friends—something a good deal of contemporary movies and TV shows don’t seem to comprehend. (Likely one reason this struck me is the stark contrast to one such movie, where the characters seem incapable of getting over themselves in stereotypical teenager melodrama.) At any rate, it was simply pleasant to see Ryann remember that his offender is still his best friend.

I could go on about all of them. I found Drake, despite being an antagonist, also somewhat sympathetic. Ekron is dark and cruel; Gabriel is firm and kind. Ryann’s father is a minor character, but fully developed and active in his son’s life.

Alright, I can’t stand spoilers, and possibly have already come too close to a few, so I won’t say much more. Ryann certainly didn’t expect his story to go the way it did; and I didn’t either. Reinhold provided an excellent introduction to Ryann, Mount Dora, and Aeliana—I most definitely am looking forward to Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith.

Genre: Thriller, Dark Fantasy, Mystery

Publisher: Jove

Publication date: August 25, 2009

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Damnable, the surprising debut novel by Hank Schwaeble, is well written, intricately crafted, highly imaginative, and edge-of-your-seat suspenseful. It features a likeable and sympathetic hero, a diabolical villain, and a cast of supporting characters that enhances the fast-paced plot. It’s a quick, enjoyable read.

But the book has a big problem in its sexual content, which is so overdone and explicit that the narrative seems more like erotica than thriller in spots. This unfortunately detracts significantly from the otherwise highly engaging story.

The plot centers on Jake Hatcher, a wrongly imprisoned ex-military man. When he receives word that his brother has died—a brother he didn’t even know he had—he is temporarily released to assist his grieving mother with funeral arrangements. The trouble starts when he begins investigating the circumstances of his mysterious brother’s death. As Hatcher uncovers a series of increasingly confusing and disturbing clues, all signs seem to indicate that something very sinister is unfolding. Soon Hatcher comes face to face with true evil, and when he does, all bets are off as to whether he has what it takes to prevail.

There’s a lot to like about this book. The writing is good. The hero is sympathetic, realistic, and displays an appealing combination of street-honed toughness and cerebral dexterity. Schwaeble does an admirable job of building the suspense and tension from the first pages right to the climactic conclusion. The story contains a nice blend of mystery, fantasy, and dark thriller characteristics. But the positives are seriously marred by the overdone sexuality and crass language. The depiction of evil in the book is stark and graphic as well.

The title is derived from Jake Hatcher’s description of himself when he reveals why he was imprisoned: after a politically sensitive operation, someone in his special-forces unit had to take the fall, and he was chosen—the damnable one.

In the end, the book’s positives don’t outweigh its negatives. Hopefully, with his next book, Schwaeble will focus more on the aspects of his writing that almost make this book really good and less on the explicitness and vulgarity that overshadow it.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: The Chicken House

Publication Date: September 26, 2008

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

What happens when the author of a story loses control of it? Does the story run amok? Or does the author? Does the author control the story or does the story control the author? These are some of the ideas explored by Cornelia Funke in Inkdeath, the stunning conclusion to her much loved Inkheart Trilogy.

When Fenoglio created characters that were evil incarnate and nearly too dangerous to be described, he never expected to find himself living under their rule in their Kingdom.  He never imagined that his world of fiction and fantasy would become life threateningly real to him. Even after arriving in his created world, he still doesn’t understand what bows to his words and what doesn’t, leading to even more mayhem and chaos as the story unfolds.

In this third installment of the Inkheart series, we again become reacquainted with our beloved friends from previous books. Mo, Resa, Elinor, Meggie and Farid all make their appearances in this book and in a much changed manner from how we met them in the previous books.  Where Mo began his journey through this tale as a bookbinder who believed that stories lived and breathed, he now finds himself a very real character in Fenoglio’s tale with danger and death following every breath he and his family takes. In an effort to make sure that Resa and Meggie are safe, Mo goes on a journey that appears to have salvation for everyone but himself.

Just as in her previous books, Funke weaves a gorgeous tale with words that come alive on the page and beg you to read them again and again. Inkdeath holds to the high standard that she set in previous books and delivers an ending that could move you to tears. Not because the ending is so utterly perfect and satisfying (even though it is) but because the story of these amazing characters and this brilliantly created world has come to an end.  It’s nearly heartbreaking to imagine that we won’t hear from Mortimer or Meggie or Resa again, but as Funke reminds us again and again throughout the Inkheart trilogy, stories don’t ever end. We just don’t know what happens once the book closes.

Genre: Fantasy, Thriller

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: September 1^st, 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Elyon’s people are struggling. It seems the Horde have the upper hand and doubt plagues the very people whose belief was once so strong. To make matters worse, Thomas Hunter is facing resistance from his own family. His son, Samuel, has decided to take matters into his own hands instead of waiting for Elyon to take action. War is on the horizon and never has Thomas felt more vulnerable.

Green is easily Ted Dekker’s most anticipated novel to date. The journey began in 2004, when we were introduced to the captivating world of Black, Red, and White. Since then Dekker has churned out eleven more novels (aka The Books of History Chronicles) all revolving around the bestselling trilogy that firmly established his career. If that wasn’t enough fuel for hype, Dekker announced early on that Green would serve as both the beginning and end of the Circle Series. That’s right folks. A bona fide prequel/sequel.

As a fan of this series, I enjoyed this last hurrah into the world Dekker has wondrously crafted. Green is full of the action, suspense, and wonder that were trademarks of Black, Red, and White. It was fun to see all the connections to the Books of History Chronicles, and I was surprised at just how many there actually are. These elements all worked together well from the perspective of someone who is well versed in all things Dekker.

On the other hand, I’m afraid the things that worked for me as a fan, might potentially work against a newcomer to this series. Since Green is being marketed as a prequel and a sequel, I was surprised to find that there is far more sequel then prequel here. In fact, so much of this story hinges on everything that has come before that I think Dekker and company might have been better off just labeling Green as the fourth book in the series. I’ve been such a big fan of this monumental series and I sincerely hope I am proven wrong by countless new readers who are able to pick up Green and smoothly dive headfirst into this saga.

Prequel/sequel business aside, I know Dekker’s hardcore fans will love what he has in store for them here. In the end we are left with breathtaking imagery as redemption is brought full circle in true Dekker fashion.

Click here to read Ted Dekker’s thoughts on writing such a unique novel.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: AMG Publishers

Publication Date: 12 March 2009

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

I read the first three of Bryan Davis’ Dragons in Our Midst series one immediately after the other, and didn’t have long to wait on the fourth installment. It was about a boy who could breathe fire and a girl with dragon wings, a vile slayer, and a sorceress.  I say this because it’s really the beginning. His follow-up series, Oracles of Fire, begins with a prequel that covers the first few thousand years of human (and dragon) existence all the way into the present, overlaps the Dragons in Our Midst series, and ends shortly after. The other three Oracles of Fire books pick up where the previous left off. It’s a lot of ground and a long ride, but worth it. Davis began by taking King Arthur stories and turning them on their heels. Add a little technology, some evil sorceresses, and portals to every dimension from Heaven to Hell to a place called Second Eden, and, as you can imagine, it’s been a wild ride.

All of that to say, I’ve really enjoyed the ride, through all its twists and turns.  I’ve admittedly had reservations about some of the characters, as some don’t fully develop until later. Davis does allow us to watch the characters age and mature on all sides. Our fourteen-year-old heroes from Raising Dragons (Dragons in Our Midst) have left their teens behind and taken their places as warriors, both physically and spiritually.  I think my favorite character to see mature was Elam, the steadfast rock who’s lived a thousand years undaunted and never shaken. In The Bones of Makaidos we really get to see his mettle, as well as the deeper parts of his heart that were touched before but never dwelt on.

Let’s face it, The Bones of Makaidos had the weight of the world riding on it. Fans of the dragon books have followed this series for four years, seven books, and thousands of pages. So, needless to say, the author’s readers were dying of suspense about as badly as his characters.  I did find myself a little slowed down during part of Bonnie’s (the female lead) story, mostly because she spends so much time in one place. The subplot, to be honest, felt as if it was only there so Bonnie could have one particular scene with another character.

My other thought was that in one instance Bonnie puts pressure on Billy (the male lead) that I really didn’t think either fair, necessary, or truly in sync with who she is. (I leave out the details on purpose.)  On the other hand, however, I did appreciate her finally learning how to use a sword and fighting back to back with Billy. I think my reaction was “Finally!”  Moreover, in Billy we see the emergence of a spiritual leader in his coming of age, which has been something of a journey itself.

The only other thing I really would have done a little different is to go easy on chatty combatants. This is a personal thing on my part, but it’s a little distracting to have two opponents fighting to the death and spending so much time stopping to insult each other. It’s a personal preference, I suppose.

Overall, The Bones of Makaidos is a worthy ending to a good series. I’ve seen a few reviews commenting on the way it ends, but, really, Davis has yet to disappoint me with an ending, regardless of what I think about a few nuts and bolts. Again, The Bones of Makaidos is book four of The Oracles of Fire Series, so make sure to start with either the Dragons in Our Midst series or with The Eye of the Oracle, which is book one of The Oracles of Fire.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Roc

Publication Date: April 10, 2000

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Storm Front, the first book in the Dresden Files series, is a tribute to the fact that adults can be just as intrigued by the supernatural as prepubescent J. K. Rowling fans. Filled with magic spells, incantations, demons, and rogue magicians, the book does at times seem like the workingman’s answer to the famous boy wizard.

Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a professional wizard working in Chicago. His specialties are lost items and advice on paranormal situations; he also works part-time as a consultant to the Chicago Police Department on crimes with supernatural elements. Dresden’s problems start when he gets a call about the particularly heinous murder of a notorious mobster. What starts out as a routine investigation becomes complicated when Dresden himself is framed for the murder. And with powerful storms buffeting the city and providing ammunition to the forces of darkness, Dresden finds himself in a race against the clock as he attempts to clear his name and identify the real killer before time runs out.

The story’s setting is largely realistic. The action occurs in and around familiar Chicago-area buildings and neighborhoods. But this is without question a fantasy novel. Chicago’s drug of choice is a substance that gives its users the ability to open their “third eye”; magic is accepted by most people as a natural, if inexplicable, part of everyday life. Dresden reports to a mysterious and rather bureaucratic body called the White Counsel, whose agents enforce the Laws of Magic.

The writing is pretty good, particularly for a debut novel, and its literary quality is more or less commensurate with other books in the genre. The first-person narration provides a fast pace to the story while giving just the right amount of humor. The narrative is also peppered with profanity, sexual innuendos, and violence—some of it rather gruesome—in addition to, of course, lots of magic.

Jim Butcher will probably not be the next Tolkein, but adult fantasy fans who enjoyed Harry Potter and are looking for something a little grittier will appreciate Harry Dresden.

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Publisher: Eos

Publication Date: July 28, 2009

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Dakota Banks’s unexceptional debut features a fair amount of action and displays some creativity but ultimately lacks any real substance.

When 17^th-century herbalist Susannah Layhem is wrongfully accused of witchcraft, she has little opportunity to defend herself before she is hastily and unjustly tried and condemned to death by burning. Luckily (or unluckily) for her, a demon named Rabishu senses her hatred for her accuser and responds to her desire for vengeance by rescuing her from the flames and offering her a deal. If she accepts, she will become immortal and must travel the world, carrying out the demon’s tasks. If she refuses, she will be returned to the fire and will die. She accepts.

Three hundred years later, after killing countless innocents at Rabishu’s orders, Susannah reconsiders. Searching for a way to be released from her obligation, she encounters a handy loophole in the demonic contract: if she saves as many lives as she has taken, she will be free. The catch is that she has to give up her immortality, and if she dies before completing her mission, she will be subject to the demon’s torture for eternity. Susannah, changing her name to Maliha Crayne, embarks on her quest, finding people in danger and saving their lives.

Though the premise is interesting, the story has a number of problems that detract from the book’s effectiveness. The heroine is impossibly and inexplicably wealthy, has meaningless and random sex with just about every man she runs into, is a martial-arts expert, and possesses supernatural powers, which she originally received as a gift from her demon master. Her quest is repeatedly derailed by sidetracks and thus fails to generate real interest; she spends the majority of the book investigating a case of massive corporate fraud rather than actually saving lives. The most interesting scenes are the ones where she finds herself in obscure places around the world, looking for fragments of an ancient tablet that will enable her to destroy Rabishu once and for all.

The other characters are for the most part shallow and uninteresting; most of them are male, and most of them are either sleeping with Maliha or motivated by their desire to do so.

Ultimately, Dark Time is a disappointing book. Though the idea is memorable, the characters are not. The narrative has moments of suspense, and the action scenes are fairly intense, but in the end that’s not enough to make up for the absence of a compelling moral or clear triumph of good over evil—both important components of dark fantasy. All in all, this is a book that even fans of this genre can probably live without.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: April 1, 2007

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

When we last left Mortimer Folchart, his wife had returned from Inkworld, his daughter was home safe and everyone had mostly been given a wonderful ending to a fantastic tale. The exception to this ending would be Dustfinger, the fire eater that Mo had read out of his story nearly ten years earlier.

Armed with the only copy of “Inkheart” still in existence, Dustfinger sets out to find someone to read him back into his beloved Inkworld. Thankfully, we get to join him there. It is a world overflowing with magical creatures. Fairies that flit about constantly and steal your dreams, glass men who eat sand and fire eaters who whisper to the flames and make them obey.

It’s a world full of astounding beauty and magic, but danger equal to the pleasure. This time we find our beloved characters pulled out of their own lives and lost in Fenoglio’s “Inkworld” with far more intrigue, danger and adventure than they experienced the first time. Mo, who already lost his wife to the Inkworld once, is beyond dismayed to discover his daughter’s journey into this fantastical world. As he and Resa follow close behind, he discovers that his presence in the Inkworld is not by accident or mistake. He’s already known there. What does a simple bookbinder have to do with Inkworld? He’s about to find out a larger and deeper destiny.

I didn’t imagine that Cornelia Funke could possibly delight me more than she had when I read Inkheart. Full of passion and adventure, I couldn’t believe that her story could be more intriguing or more fun to read but I am thrilled to report that in this instance, I was wrong. As enamored as Meggie and Farid become with Inkworld, I fell even more in love with the strange land and the characters created by Funke. More adventure, more excitement, more danger and incredible new villains that send the story to heights unrivaled meant that I had a very difficult time even putting this book down. I ended up reading through nearly 500 pages in the course of two days, even sobbing through some parts of it.

I can’t help but shake my head that this is considered young adult or juvenile literature. The storylines are exquisitely crafted, the descriptions are very nearly living breathing creations and the characters are beloved friends.  The final book, Inkdeath, is waiting for me to open the cover and be swallowed into its adventure. I admit that part of me is holding my breath, wondering where Funke will take me this time and the other part isn’t quite ready to start this final volume. I think I will savor this book and taste each word as I experience the end to this fantastical journey.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: June 1^st, 2005

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Mortimer Folchart (Mo) isn’t your ordinary book binder or book doctor as his daughter, Meggie, refers to him. The title fits. He cares for books as gently as any doctor caring for a patient. But Mo has a talent that sets him apart from the ordinary. He can read books to life. Literally.

Years ago Mo discovered his talent for bringing the written word to life while reading the book “Inkheart” to his young daughter. One moment he was quietly reading in the peace of his living room and the next he was surrounded by Basta, Dustfinger, and the evil Capricorn, all pulled from the pages and standing before his family, very much alive. No longer trapped by ink and paper, they were now free to roam through Mo’s world. Horrified, Mo tried to read them back into the book, but it was to no avail. Mo had no control over who came out of the book and, far worse than that, much to Mo’s horror, he discovered that when something came out of the book, something else went back in to replace it. This is when Mo decided that he would never, ever read aloud again.

Now, nearly a decade later, Mo and his now teenaged daughter Meggie cross paths with Inkheart’s characters once more. Capricorn wants Mo to read more of his evil friends out of the book and Dustfinger wants desperately to go back home and both of them need Mo to do this.

The adventure that Cornelia Funke has woven in this tale is beautiful, brilliant and one that every book lover will enjoy without a doubt. (And every author will wish they’d created.) Funke’s reverence and love of the written word fills every page. I couldn’t help but be drawn in as I followed her on this journey. Her description flows around you and pulls you into her world much as Mo’s voice pulls characters from their own world and into his.

I was delighted as I read this book and though I don’t always have as much time for reading as I’d like, I had a very difficult time putting this book down. The adventure is harrowing in places, heart wrenching in others and makes you laugh out loud often. I love the fact that Funke created her own world but that it was grounded in our own geography and great works of literature. The story takes place in Italy and Funke reintroduces us to several major characters from classic works of art, allowing us to experience them in a whole new way. Inkheart is the first in a trilogy of books followed by Inkspell and Inkdeath and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: June 2nd, 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Five years after Elyon’s waters have turned red The Circle is on the verge of extinction. The only ones who know of the plot are The Scabs who are behind it, Johnis, Silvie, and Darsal. Johnis and Silvie have been fighting a war they are ultimately losing, while a newly drowned Darsal has been sent on an impossible mission to love the unlovable. In the background a sinister evil lurks, pulling all the strings and devising a plan that will annihilate the Horde as well as The Circle. Hope can only be found at the bottom of Elyon’s red water, and it’s up to Darsal to convince those she loves to dive in and drown.

Ted Dekker and Kaci Hill have done just what we hoped they would: they’ve saved the best for last. Elyon is everything I wanted in a finale complete with relentless action, gut wrenching tension, and stirring emotion all leading up to a powerhouse conclusion. Dekker has long proven that he knows how to end a story and from the opening lines we know that we are in for another treat.

Again, I was captivated by Darsal in this story as she struggles with the overwhelming task of doing the unthinkable and figuring out a way to save her friends. The villains are nastier than ever here making the journey that much more riveting and wonderfully excruciating.  Pacing is everything in a series like this, and I challenge anyone to stop reading during the final act of Elyon.

Not only has Dekker solidified his standing as storyteller extraordinaire, but he has introduced his fans to the talented writing of Kaci Hill. Together they shine as they give hungry fans exactly what they wanted and more. In the end…well, let’s just say the end has Dekker written all over it. This one is sure to have long time fans foaming at the mouth in anticipation for the highly anticipated beginning and end to The Circle Series, Green.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: June 2nd, 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

It’s been five years since Elyon’s lakes have turned red. Johnis, Silvie, and Darsal arrive back in Other Earth with the Books of History in tow, only to find out life has changed drastically. Thomas and The Circle are nowhere to be found and Middle has been taken over by The Horde. With their lives on the line these three warriors must find a way to thwart the Horde’s evil plans, all the while trying to keep themselves from becoming Scabs. To make matters worse, Johnis comes face to face with a whole new evil that holds power beyond belief. The Chosen One must prevail or all hope is lost.

So you’ve written a best selling series that just happens to tie in to your most beloved work. While the masses are convinced this series is over, you decide to come back in style and deliver two more final installments that no one saw coming. What’s the best way to come back with a bang? I’m not sure I know the answer, but I’m almost certain most authors would not bring on a debut novelist to collaborate with. Fortunately for us, Ted Dekker is not most authors. While this move might seem risky on the surface, I think bringing Kaci Hill on is the best move Dekker has made since he thought up The Lost Books.

Lunatic is a dark story to be sure, but a masterful tale nonetheless. We of course get to spend time with our favorite heroes and I especially loved the personal journey Darsal sets out on in this story. Johnis and Silvie are as engaging as ever as they struggle through a new battle that has the potential to destroy them both. The Horde are given more screen time in Lunatic as we get even more insight into Scab life. Dekker and Hill bring us their best work with the introduction of a new villain that is unlike anything we’ve seen in Other Earth.

In many ways Lunatic feels like The Empire Strikes Back of the series which only bodes well for the conclusion, Elyon. I love the way that Ted Dekker and Kaci Hill have taken a familiar story and upped the ante on all accounts with more action, more intrigue, and ultimately more emotion. Hill somehow manages the daunting task of bringing uniqueness to the story without taking away any of the Dekker feel we all love so much.

Risky? Maybe. A bold move? Sure. The right move? No doubt about it.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Publication Date: June 2nd, 2009

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

A few years ago I fell in love with Donita Paul’s DragonKeeper Chronicles, recommended to me by a friend. Paul has a unique ability to combine fantasy, adventure, and faith in such a way as to explore deep themes in an inventive way that isn’t overwhelming. Truth be told, she’s one of three writers who really introduced and sold me on fantasy. Her primary audience is young adult, but “all ages” better suits.  The DragonKeeper introduced us to the complex continent of Amara, and The Vanishing Sculptor, sometime before the DragonKeeper, involves Wulder’s coming to the distant continent of Chiril in the same world. Here, an emerlindian girl named Tipper meets two Amarans who pull her into a plot that involves saving both her father and the world from a broken gateway (which behaves something like a wormhole or portal) threatening to suck everything in itself.

I’ll admit – the cover copy says none of this—it says, in fact, very little of the actual story, for the better, in my opinion. And I’ll admit Paul very cleanly veiled my eyes (either that or the sun fried my thinking abilities) to the ultimate purpose, so that I was just as blind as Tipper and her friends as to what in the world Wulder (and Paul) was up to. Regardless, Paul is a former teacher who has a magnificent command of her stories, weaving in a myriad of tiny details that dare not be overlooked, because those small things are very likely to involve a surprise. Her ability to thread together truth and creativity in such a seamless fashion has been and will be something I admire (and, who knows, maybe I’ll learn a trade trick or two).

The book does seem to rely a little bit on readers being familiar enough with Amara to understand some of the story world, but nothing distracting, I don’t think. The characters supply sufficient information. Also, Paul treated DragonKeeper lovers to two much loved characters (whom I will not name here), a nice little surprise to look forward to. And if you haven’t read either series, you really should.

Donita Paul has been and continues to be one of my favorites, and I look forward to whatever else she has up her sleeve.