Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

First in Tearling Series
I read this book for Book Club and was very pleasantly surprised.  It was kind of a cross between Snow White and Harry Potter but it was fun, well-written, and definitely has me looking for the second in the series.  It was full of magic and the setting no only startled me but my group as well. Not just for kids!

The Tin Woodsman of Oz by L Frank Baum

This segment of the Oz books introduces us to Woot the Wanderer who ambles into the castle of the Tin Woodsman and after learning Nick Chopper's history asks whatever happened to he girl that he loved.  This sets the Tin Woodsman, the scarecrow and Woot off on an quest to locate the girl and make amends.

The adventures that the trio encounter show the reader new areas of Oz and more new characters.

★★★

GENRE: Classics
CHARACTERS: Tin Woodsman, Scarecrow, Woot the Wanderer, Nimmee Amee, Captain Fyter
Series/ Progress: Oz 12/15
DATE READ: July 9 - July 10
NO. OF PAGES: 105
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens

Kate, Michael, and  Emma have been sent back to the orphanage in Baltimore but Kate realizes that they are still in danger and when the storm comes, Kate is separated from Michael and Emma leaving Michael promising to watch over his little sister until Kate returns.  Kate is thrown back into time by the Atlas until just before the magical world separates itself in 1899 while Michael and Emma connect with Dr. Pym and start out on a search for the second book - the Fire Chronicle.

Michael and Emma are taken on an adventure to the bowels of the earth starting in Antarctica  and ending in an area far beneath the ice mass warmed  by a volcano which guards the Chronicle.  Meanwhile, Kate is without the Atlas and struggles in the past to find a way back to her siblings.

Loved the adventure and the children's resolve when faced with danger.


 ★★★★
GENRE: Fantasy
CHARACTERS: Michael, Emma, Kate, Dr Pym, Gabriel, Rafe
Series/ Progress: Books of Beginning 2/3
DATE READ: April 5 - April 9
NO. OF PAGES: 448
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Haunted on Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase

I'm not normally into the paranormal, but because this was such a speedy read, I managed to get past the ghosts and witches to find an entirely enjoyable story with somewhat 2 dimensional characters - but fun just  the same.  I may even read another.

 ★★★½

GENRE: Paranormal mystery
CHARACTERS: Jade Calhoun, Kane, Pyper, Ian, Bea
Series/ Progress: Jade Calhoun Series- 1/7
DATE READ: March 27 - March 28
NO. OF PAGES: 575
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

This conclusion of the All Souls Trilogy has Diana Bishop (weaver/witch) and her vampire husband, Matthew de Clermont battling not only their own powers but their families and others of their kind.   

This story brings the vampire/deClermont family together to protect Diana and Matthew but also to discover the whereabouts of Benjamin, Matthew's son who has Blood Rage.  Benjamin is an evil vampire who is trying to retaliate against the de Clermonts.  

This final installment brings the characters together and the story to a very interesting conclusion.

 ★★★½

GENRE: fantasy
CHARACTERS: Diana Bishop de Clermont, Matthew de Clermont, Sarah Bishop, Benjamin Fox
Series/ Progress: All Souls Trilogy/3
DATE READ: March 2 - March 8
NO. OF PAGES: 561
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Audio Stockpile

Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Once again a few well-loved characters becomes involved with newer characters as their travel previously unknown areas of Oz.  It was nice to see Glinda working her magic as well as an unusual featherless flock of birds that came to the rescue of our friends several times.

★★★

GENRE: Classics
CHARACTERS: Cap'n Bill, Trot, Orks, Button Bright, Glinda, Princess Gloria
Series/ Progress: OZ/ 9
DATE READ: February 14 - February 14
NO. OF PAGES: 94
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Kate, Michael and  Emma have a special destiny and when their young lives become imperiled they are sent away to an orphanage unknowing what the future holds for them.  10 years later after having being sent from orphanage to orphanage, they arrive in Cambridge Falls and their adventures begin.  

Kate has a unique connection to the "Emerald Atlas"  which allows her to time travel.  The children use this special ability to go back in time to save a town and its people.

Magic, time traveling, dwarfs, hidden tunnels and more made this book a thoroughly entertaining experience and had me running to the bookstore for the next in the series.

 ★★★★

GENRE: Young Adult
SUBJECT: magical powers
Setting: Cambridge Falls
CHARACTERS: Kate , Michael, and Emma Wibberly, Dr. Stanislaus Pym, Gabriel, Wallace, Capatain Robbie, Countess
DATE READ: November 29 - December 7
NO. OF PAGES: 432
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, 
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

The Mists of Avalon by Marian Zimmer Bradley

This story was the start of the Arthurian tale - the marriage of Igraine  of Avalon to Uther Pendragon.  Igraine's daughter  by a Roman duke, Morgaine  is sent to Avalon while her son Arthur is guarded against injury so that he can grow to become the high king.  An interesting concept of the myth.

★★★½

GENRE: Fantasy
SUBJECT: Arthurian source
Setting: Avalon
CHARACTERS: Morgaine, Viviane, Arthur, Merlin, Uther Pendragon, Igraine
DATE READ: September 3 - September 23
NO. OF PAGES: 876
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Audio stockpile

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

 ★★★¾

GENRE: Fantasy YA
SUBJECT: shyness, insecurity, magic
Setting: Midnight Gulch, TN
CHARACTERS: Felicity Pickle, Frannie Jo Pickle, Holly Harness Pickle, Boone Harness, Cleopatra Harness, Jonah Pickett, Threadbare Brothers, Iasbelle Thistle, Oliver Weatherly
DATE READ: March 27 - March 30
NO. OF PAGES: 311
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI 
SOURCE: Publisher for Review

PLOT:....................................................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................4.00
STYLE:..................................................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................4.00
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.50
OWNERSHIP:......................................................4.00
Threshold Quality.................................................4.50
Average..............................................................................................3.81

This is an entertaining story of a young girl who finally thinks that she has found home - a place with family and a friend but also magical. Felicity Pickle arrives in Midnight Gulch with her little sister and her mother. Felicity is a word gatherer - she sees words everywhere but she is so shy is unable to articulate them.  

Felicity feels a connection with Midnight Gulch and sets out to find out why her mother is a wanderer and works to free her from the family curse.

I really enjoyed the story - each character has their own kind of magic and the solution to the curse is simply magical!

The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum

 ★★★¼

GENRE: Classic
Setting: Oz
CHARACTERS: Tip/Ozma,Pumpkunhead, Glinda, Mombi, Scarecrow, TinMan
DATE READ: March 20 - March 22
NO. OF PAGES: 90
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI 
SOURCE: Nook

PLOT:....................................................................3.50
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.00
STYLE:..................................................................3.50
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.00
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.00
Threshold Quality.................................................3.00
Average..............................................................................................3.25

Tip escapes the witch Mombi after taking a box of magic items.  He creates Jack Pumpkinhead and a Sawhorse who come to life with special powder from the box.  They are his companions as he travels to the Emerald City where he befriends the Scarecrow.  The adventures and revelations  that follow are worthy of Dorothy and the original story.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

★★★½

GENRE: Children's, Young Adult
SUBJECT: orphans, pirates, stardust, mermaids
Setting: Neverland
CHARACTERS: Peter, Molly, Black Stache, Slank, Smee, Orphans, Fighting Prawn
DATE READ: February 27 - March 4
NO. OF PAGES: 451
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI 
SOURCE: Audio stockpile

PLOT:....................................................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.50
STYLE:..................................................................3.50
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.50
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.50
Threshold Quality.................................................4.00
Average..............................................................................................3.63  

Peter and other orphan boys are placed on the ship Neverland and set sail for Rundoon  not knowing that they are accompanying Molly Aster, a starcatcher.  When the ship is attacked by pirates searching for a trunk filled with starstuff, the adventures begin!

This book was loads of fun, sort of a prequel to Peter Pan showing how Peter became the way he is, why he can fly, how Neverland got its name, and even the birth of Tinker Bell.

Looking forward to the next adventure!

Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

★★★

GENRE: Fantasy
SUBJECT: Egyptian gods
Setting: Egyptian underworld
CHARACTERS: Carter Kane, Sadie Kane, Walt Stone, Bast, Horus
DATE READ: November 23 - December 11
NO. OF PAGES: 452
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   yes, audio stockpile

PLOT:....................................................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.00
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.00
STYLE:..................................................................3.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.00
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.00
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.00
Threshold Quality.................................................3.00
Average..............................................................................................3.00


The second installment of the Kane Chronicles picks up immediately following the first and carries on the tale of the efforts of Carter and Sadie Kane to prevent Apophis, the serpent god of Chaos, from breaking free and devouring the world. 

The stories are fun mainly because of the unusual creatures that Carter and Sadie are pitted against as well as aided by.

Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

 ★★★¼
SUBJECT: Roman mythology
GENRE: Fantasy
Setting: California, Alaska
CHARACTERS: Percy Jackson, Frank Zhang, Hazel Levesque, Juno, Orion
DATE READ: November 11 - November 18
NO. OF PAGES: 521
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   yes, audio stockpile

yes, audio stockpile

 PLOT:....................................................................3.50CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.00
STYLE:..................................................................3.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.50
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.00
Threshold Quality.................................................3.00
Average..............................................................................................3.25

Percy Jackson reappears minus his memory and is directed by an elderly lady, who turns out to be Juno, to Camp Jupiter were Percy is befriended by a pair of misfits (demigods of Hades and Ares).  They are sent on a quest to free Thantos and save the world from Gaea. 

The special powers of both Hazel and Frank added to Percy's, aid the trio in the travels and combats.

What fun!

Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

  ★★★½

GENRE: Fantasy
SUBJECT: Witches, Vampires, Demons
Setting: England, France, New England
CHARACTERS: Diana Bishop, Matthew Clairmont, Sarah Bishop, Emily Mathur, Hamish Osborn, Ysabeau d'Clairmont
DATE READ: August 3 - August 22
NO. OF PAGES: 881
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   yes, audio stockpile

PLOT:....................................................................3.50
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.50
STYLE:..................................................................3.50
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.00
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.00
Threshold Quality.................................................4.00
Average..............................................................................................3.44

Diana Bishop is a witch but she avoids whenever possible using magic so had a PhD and doing research at Oxford was an interesting opening especially when she is confronted by a civilized vampire who wants to protect her from the other vampires and demons as well as the wicked witches.

This Young Adult book is very entertaining without the gore of normal attacks, etc.   It also had some very interesting historical information throughout.

Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

  ★★★½

GENRE: Fantasy
SUBJECT: ancient society, warring clans
Setting:
CHARACTERS: Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, Robert Baratheon, Cersei Lanister
DATE READ: May 14 - July 28
NO. OF PAGES: 694
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   yes, audio stockpile

PLOT:............................................3.50
CHARACTERIZATION:...............4.00
TOPICS:.......................................4.00
STYLE:.........................................3.50
ORIGINALITY:..............................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:.....................3.00
OWNERSHIP:.............................3.00
Threshold Quality........................3.50
Average........................................................................3.50

Since there are over 500 reviews at LT for this tome, I won't take the time to recap the plot. Suffice it to say, the storyline was extremely involved and wandered from several viewpoints and areas of the "realm".

I'd heard so much about this series, especially with the HBO adaption, that I guess I was a bit disappointed, maybe not because of the book itself but because it was so long and a bit hard to follow with all the strange names.  I'm not going to dive into the next one right away, but I will read the next one sometime soon.

The Enchantress by Michael Scott

  ★★★½

GENRE: Fantasy
SUBJECT: saving the world
Setting: San Francisco, CA
CHARACTERS: Josh Newman, Sophie Newman, Perenelle Flamel, Nicolas Flamel
DATE READ: April 26 - May 1
NO. OF PAGES: 517
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, audio stockpile

PLOT:....................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......3.50
TOPICS:................................3.50
STYLE:...................................3.00
ORIGINALITY:........................4.00
ADDICTIVENESS:...............3.50
OWNERSHIP:.......................3.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY:......3.50
Average.......................................................3.38

The end of the world as we know it could be at hand.  Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel have only the energy for  their auras to survive one more day and unless help comes from other immortals and  the world of Danu Talis, the human world will be destroyed and taken over by monsters.  

Throughout this book, the reader is naturally rooting for the good guys, but they have been changing.  In the previous installments of this series we have seen the Flamels, the Newman twins, and friends like Joan of Arc and St Germain joining together to fight against the immortals that have been on the wrong side.  But now we see that the bad guys understand more fully the devastation that may be at hand and so Machiavelli, Dr. Dee, Virginia Dare and others are now with the Flamels and trying to save the world. 

The ending of a series is always somewhat of a letdown because the reader realizes that the characters that have become friends will no longer be there with new adventures, but the adventures that we did share were definitely worth the ride.

Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik

★★★½

GENRE: Fantasy, YA
SUBJECT: diplomatic mission, slavery, Incan empire
Setting: Pacific Ocean, South America
CHARACTERS: Will Laurence, Temeraire, John Granby, Iskierka, Demane, Hammond
DATE READ: February 6 - February 10
NO. OF PAGES: 255
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   No, Public Library

PLOT:..........................................3.50
CHARACTERIZATION:..............3.50
TOPICS:......................................3.50
STYLE:........................................3.50
ORIGINALITY:..............................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:.....................3.50
OWNERSHIP:.............................3.25
THRESHOLD QUALITY:............3.50
Average.................................................................3.47


The latest in the Temeraire Dragon series has brought Laurence and his Celestial dragon back to the British Aerial Corps so that they can attempt to win the support of the Incan empire in South America away from Napoleon.

Their adventure is fraught with dangers and difficulties as well as jealousies among the dragons but the character development and revelations carry the reader on to the new world with an entertaining style.

Can't wait for the next book!

Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik

★★★

Genre: Fantasy

Subject: Dragons, deportation to Australia

Setting: Australia

Main Characters: Captain Laurence, Temeraire

Series: yes, #6

Dates Read: July 13 - July 15

Number of pages: 274

Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, audio stockpile

Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Speech Class

In previous installments, Laurence has been convicted of treason and only to save the services of Termeraire the celestial dragon, his sentence is commuted to transportation to Australia where it is hoped Temeraire can help the new colony with dragons on New South Wales.

Upon their arrival they are caught in a power struggle between the Colonial Governor, Captain Bligh (of Bounty fame) and local rebels. Try as they can to complete their designated missions, they encounter defeat after defeat in the Outback.

This story seemed to lack substance and just seemed to be a vehicle to move the characters from one locale to another. It was entertaining but not what has been the normal thrill of a Temeraire tale. Hope the next one is back on track.

The Warlock by Michael Scott

★★★★

Genre: Fantasy

Subject: monsters, evil, magic

Setting: San Francisco, Shadow Realms

Main Characters: Josh and Sophie Newman, Nicholas and Perenel Flamel, Dr. Dee

Series: yes, #5 immortal Nicholas Flamel

Dates Read: April 28 - April 29

Number of pages: 385

Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, audio stockpile

Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Math class

The 5th book of the Flamel series shows the true danger that threatens Josh and Sophie as well as the humani world. All the mythological creatures of yesteryear have been imprisoned on the Island of Alcatraz and Dr Dee with Virginia Dare are gaining help from Josh to loose them on the city. When it is revealed the reason why Josh is acting the way he is, the immortals are drawn to trying to warn him but are unsuccessful, they must defend the city and the humani instead.

As Nicholas and Perenel's auras start to die as they age, the reader wonders if they will survive long enough to complete their destinies and help the twins to save the world?

Many twists and turns await the reader as the characters themselves change and evolve.

I was so caught up in the story that I had to start the next one immediately after finishing the 4th installment. A tremendously fun series!

The Necromancer by Michael Scott

Challenge Book #45

★★★½

Genre: Fantasy

Subject: monsters, evil, magic

Setting: San Francisco, Shadow Realms

Main Characters: Josh and Sophie Newman, Nicholas and Perenel Flamel, Dr. Dee

Series: yes, #4 immortal Nicholas Flamel

Dates Read: April 19 - April 28

Number of pages: 403

Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, audio stockpile

Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Speech class

This 4th book of the Flamel series picks up immediately after book 3 with the twins arrival in San Francisco and the official introduction of Aunt Agnes.

Sophie and Josh are at odds as to who they should support Dr. Dee or the Flamels. We are also introduced to a few new immortals - Aoife (Scathatch's twin sister), Billy the Kid, Prometheus, Virginia Dare, and Niten.

The immortals are having their own problems - Scatty and Joan are trapped in a pre-historic shadow Realm, Saint Germaine, Palamades, and Shakespeare are running from the Dark Elders while trying to free Joan and Scatty, and Dee and Machiavelli are in deep trouble with the bosses because they haven't gotten the twins. So since all immortals are looking after themselves, who is there to keep Josh and Sophie safe?

This book supplies a great deal of background for the mythological creatures/immortals and their masters, the Elders. The tension builds as the life in the Flamels begins to drain to desperate levels and the twins are put at odds