Rapunzel, Un-Disneyfied

The Golden Braid

By Melanie Dickerson

Series: Medieval Fairy Tale Romance

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 17, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0718026268

ISBN-13: 978-0718026264

Approximate Lexile: 940

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel in turn rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to this knight than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery is about to be revealed after seventeen years of lies. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

 

My Thoughts:

As I’ve pretty well established by now, I love retold fairytales. This one adds a lot to the Rapunzel story. Sorry, Disney fans, there is no magical healing power, nor is there a smoldering Flynn Rider (sorry, Eugene). Nonetheless, Dickerson’s Rapunzel has drive and determination, just as the Disney version does, even if she does lack a frying pan.

Those familiar with either the source material or the Disney version know that “Mother” Gothel isn’t Rapunzel’s true mother, and it’s Rapunzel’s discovery of this and return to her rightful home that are a large part of the story.

Escaping her oppressive “mother”, Rapunzel takes the initiative to learn to read and become a worker in the castle kitchens, in part thanks to Sir Gerek, with whom she has a somewhat uneasy relationship that, of course, turns into something more. Naturally, there are obstacles to the happy ending, but they are realistic in the context of the both the story and the genre.

Dickerson also examines ideas of faith and forgiveness in the telling of the story.

Description is good, and Dickerson makes a point of doing her research and being true to her chosen period. Characters are strong and complex, which I like. Gothel seems to really want to protect Rapunzel, despite her (Gothel’s) craziness; she’s not just a baddie.

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

If you don’t like discussions about God and faith, this may not be the book for you. Dangerous situations. Discussions of murders that took place in the past. Abduction and imprisonment. Violence. Babies born out of wedlock. Mild romance, but doesn’t go past kissing. Rapunzel basically runs away from home.

 

Who Would Like This Book:

Fans of fairy tales, romance, and medieval times. It’s probably of more interest to girls than boys, though I hate to over-generalize. Probably ages 10 and up.

 

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.

 

Baba Yaga Brought to Life

The Door by the Staircase

By Katherine Marsh

Age Range: 8 - 12 years

Grade Level: 3 - 7

Hardcover: 288 pages

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (January 5, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1423134990

ISBN-13: 978-1423134992

Approximate Lexile: 910

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Twelve-year-old Mary Hayes can't stand her orphanage for another night. But when an attempted escape through the stove pipe doesn't go quite as well as she'd hoped, Mary fears she'll be stuck in the Buffalo Asylum for Young Ladies forever.
            The very next day, a mysterious woman named Madame Z appears at the orphanage requesting to adopt Mary, and the matron's all too happy to get the girl off her hands. Soon, Mary is fed a hearty meal, dressed in a clean, new nightgown and shown to a soft bed with blankets piled high. She can hardly believe she isn't dreaming!
           But when Mary begins to explore the strange nearby town with the help of her new friend, Jacob, she learns a terrifying secret about Madame Z's true identity. If Mary's not careful, her new home might just turn into a nightmare.
            Award-winning author Katherine Marsh draws from Russian fairytales in this darkly funny middle-grade fantasy novel.

 

My Thoughts:

Perfect for middle-graders, this combination of retold fairytale with “plucky orphan finds a home” story hits all the right notes. Mary is likable for her initiative and cleverness, but her longing for a place to belong keeps her from being all sunshine and happiness. Likewise, her friend Jacob is a steadfast friend with a special desire of his own—and loyal Mary takes on the task of helping him to achieve it. Better still, with Jacob’s help, Mary is able to turn the usual ending for Baba Yaga’s adoptees to something new that benefits them both.

Full of heart and the idea that family is what we make it, this book offers some scares, some silliness, and a lot of heart.

The writing is accessible, with rich language, good description, and strong characters. Just as important for me, the editing was well done, too!

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

Some dangerous situations. Magic, both of the stage and real variety. Children disobey adults.

 

Who Would Like This Book:

Those who, like me, enjoy retold fairytales. The suggested age range is appropriate. Those who like characters with grit. Boys and girls alike.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

A Second Chance

The Bronte Plot

By Katherine Reay

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 3, 2015)

ISBN-10: 1401689752

ISBN-13: 978-1401689759

Approximate Lexile: 1010

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Lucy Alling makes a living selling rare books, often taking suspicious liberties to reach her goals. When her unorthodox methods are discovered, Lucy’s secret ruins her relationship with her boss and her boyfriend, James—leaving Lucy in a heap of hurt and trouble. Something has to change; she has to change.

In a sudden turn of events, James’s wealthy grandmother, Helen, hires Lucy as a consultant for a London literary and antiques excursion. Lucy reluctantly agrees and soon discovers Helen holds secrets of her own. In fact, Helen understands Lucy’s predicament better than anyone else.

As the two travel across England, Lucy benefits from Helen’s wisdom as Helen confronts ghosts from her own past. Everything comes to a head at Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters, where Lucy is reminded of the sisters’ beloved heroines who, with tenacity and resolution, endured—even in the midst of impossible circumstances.

Now Lucy must face her past in order to move forward. And while it may hold mistakes and regrets, she will prevail—if only she can step into the life that’s been waiting for her all along.

 

My Thoughts:

The title is somewhat deceiving; I was expecting some mystery, maybe even something DaVinci Code-esque. That is not what this book is about.

Instead, it is the story of a personal journey. Lucy feels shaped by her past, specifically, her father’s abandonment and seeming disinterest in her life. Her father was a con man, and Lucy engages in some less-than-honest practices herself.

This is not what I’d call a romance novel, although romance does play its part, and almost immediately. In fact, it’s when the romance ends because of Lucy’s dishonest dealings that the real story begins.

Lucy, with help from Helen, learns to forgive herself and let go of her past. I don’t think it’s giving anything away for me to say that. It’s how she gets to that point that will keep the reader engaged.

While not an overtly Christian book, the themes of forgiveness and redemption will definitely resonate.

Lucy’s struggles hit home with me (my parents split when I was young, too, and my dad wasn’t present much in my life), and I found her quite relatable and real. Her obsession with books was also real to me! (No kidding, right?) Other characters were also well-drawn and believable.

Travels in the English countryside just make me homesick for my biennial visits to my grandparents; the descriptions were spot on for me.

Possible Objectionable Material:

If there was any cursing, it was so mild as to not make an impression on me. Obviously, dishonesty is a major theme here. Adult people drink adult beverages. Really, this is a pretty mild book.

 

Who Would Enjoy this Book:

Book lovers, those who believe in second chances, those who like Britain. There’s no reason to say men wouldn’t  like it, but it definitely leans to stereotypically female sensibilities. Definitely appropriate for high school readers, maybe even mature middle-schoolers.

 

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC!

Friday means fun!

Friday Barnes: Girl Detective

By R.A. Spratt

Age Range: 8 - 12 years

Series: Friday Barnes

Hardcover: 272 pages

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (January 19, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1626722978

ISBN-13: 978-1626722972

Approximate Lexile: 1050

Publisher’s Blurb:
Imagine if Sherlock Holmes was an eleven-year-old girl!


    When Friday Barnes, girl genius, solves a bank robbery, she uses the reward money to send herself to Highcrest Academy, the most exclusive boarding school in the country―and discovers it's a hotbed of crime!
    Soon she's investigating everything from disappearing homework to the terrifying Yeti haunting the school swamp. But the biggest mystery yet is Ian Wainscott, the handsomest (and most arrogant) boy in school who inexplicably hates her. Will the homework be found? Can they ever track down the Yeti? And why is Ian out to ruin her?


My Thoughts:
    This was a lot of fun! Though I’m nowhere near as well-read, knowledgeable, or socially awkward as Friday, she reminds me enough of me at that age. My eight-year-old daughter is just at the young end of the age range for this book, though certainly at the right reading level. Like Friday, she is the family surprise baby; unlike Friday, we pay lots of attention to her! In a few months, I am definitely going to introduce her to Friday!
    Admittedly, some of the situations are a bit outlandish, but that’s part of the fun. It’s no more outlandish than, say, Pippi Longstocking, and less so than A Series of Unfortunate Events.
    There are many sly references tucked in for the adults, as well. I am four times the top of the suggested age range, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Maybe it’s also because I’m a teacher, so some of the descriptions of teachers at Friday’s boarding school were quite amusing to me.
    Friday solves many small mysteries on the way to the biggest mystery—the Swamp Yeti. The pacing in this book is perfect, with lots of action, and just enough rests to make the action fun rather than annoying. It’s also well-edited—yay!—and the descriptive passages are easy to visualize.
    Also good to note is that Friday develops emotional depth as the book progresses. Her character is allowed to be vulnerable and open to new friendships, and even to develop a crush (without it being sappy).


Possible Objectionable Material:
    Mild violence. Crime. Kids sneaking out at night and disrespecting authority. Dishonesty.


Who Would Like this Book:
    The suggested age range is a good start. The 1050 Lexile means it might be challenging for the lower end of that range. There is a girl on the cover, but boys shouldn’t be afraid of this book; Friday’s adventures and emotions transfer well, and there are plenty of male characters too. Kids who enjoy solving mysteries in the Encyclopedia Brown vein will probably like this one.


Thank you, NetGalley, for a fun read!

 

Special Abilites, and Scary Bad Guys

 

The Hidden Gifted Series

By M.L. Roble

Book 1: The Magician’s Doll

Series: The Hidden Gifted (Book 1)

Paperback: 318 pages

Publisher: M.L. Roble (February 1, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0988421313

ISBN-13: 978-0988421318
Approximate Lexile: 8201

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Twelve-year-old Natalie has a lot to handle this school year, what with the bullies and the sudden development of her rather unusual abilities. But a circus is approaching, a storm is brewing, and with them comes the arrival of Beausoleil the Magician, his daughter, Louisa, his mysterious doll, and Natalie's biggest challenge yet!

The Magician's Doll sparks readers' imaginations with a tale of magical discoveries, profound friendship, a battle against evil, and the growth that comes with facing your fears and accepting who you are.

 Book 2: The Worlds Traveler

Series: The Hidden Gifted (Book 2)

Paperback: 260 pages

Publisher: M.L. Roble (December 1, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0988421348

ISBN-13: 978-0988421349
Apprixomate Lexile: 820

Publisher’s Blurb:

 Life on the run from madman Martin Reimer gets in the way of everything.

For fourteen-year-old Phillip, it has meant having to stay hidden, unable to use his gift of moving through maps to search for his missing father. But the arrival of a stranger named Delroy brings unexpected opportunity, for Delroy is a man with the ability to travel worlds hidden within our own, and he was sent by Phillip's father. Now Phillip will do everything he can to find his dad, even if it means tricking Delroy into helping him, or a quest through those hidden worlds.

Even if leaving home means Martin can now find him.

Follow in the adventures of Phillip Stone and Natalie Bristol in this sequel to the award-winning book The Magician's Doll!

My Thoughts:

There are many series that deal with groups of people who have special abilities that the rest of us lack. This series approaches it in a way I haven’t encountered before. The abilities vary from person to person, and they extend from the standard clairvoyance/telepathy/telekinesis/precognition vein. Some of the abilities Robles gives his characters are fascinating, such as the ability to have whatever you need by simply drawing it and pulling it out of your picture. (Too bad I can’t draw.)

That’s the high point. The low point is that—and maybe this is because I’m an adult reading work that is meant for middle grades—the protagonists, Phillip and Natalie, disregard adult advice, warnings, and even commands time and time again. They have the classic “I am the only one who can make things right” mindset, and their actions frequently put others in danger. Drives. Me. Nuts.

Natalie is the focus of the first book, and she and Phillip both are rocked by many revelations about their lives. This sets them on a path to fighting evil powers.

That path continues in the second book, in which Phillip is the focus.

Secondary characters are interesting; I especially like Delroy. Ullbipt is adorable.

Unfortunately, there are frequent trope incidents, like when Phillip has the chance to destroy a source of power for one of the baddies, but doesn’t, or when there are frequent acts of self-sacrifice for someone else—even though the victim urges that the sacrifice not take place and it does, in fact, make things worse.

Of the two books, I preferred the second one, although the first chapter was completely unnecessary. It did nothing to advance the plot, and what little it revealed about the growth of Phillip’s and Natalie’s talents was easily covered later on. The author acknowledges a friend who told him of the setting, and it seems that it was just something cool that got stuck in there just because.

Speaking of abilities, Natalie is a little too good to be true—she has remarkable powers of her own, AND is able to use and enhance the powers of those nearby. Obviously, it’s going to be all on her to defeat the bad guys, although probably not alone. Of course, that’s going to be complicated, but I won’t spoil it by saying why.

I will definitely read the continuation of this series. I hope that the kids will mature and get enough sense to stop doing stupid things that put them and others into danger and, instead, work with the adults for the benefit of all.

Hey, a parent’s gotta dream, right?

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

Disobedience galore. Kids roaming unaccompanied. “Magical” powers, if you are bothered by such things. Some violence and lots of danger, threatened and acted upon.

 Who Would Like These Books:

People who like fantasy, struggles between good and evil. Focus is equally weighted between boys and girls, although there are more male characters overall. The protagonists are early teens, and that’s a good market for these books.

 

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARCs.

Back to Camelot

The Camelot Inheritance Series

By Rosie Morgan

Book 1: The Golden Sword

Series: The Camelot Inheritance

Paperback: 198 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 4 edition (March 21, 2014)

ISBN-10: 1497402247

ISBN-13: 978-1497402249

Approximate Lexile: 1080

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

          Arthur Penhaligon is under the illusion that he’s just an ordinary skateboarder but, unknown to him, his destiny is calling and it involves a sword - of the legendary variety. Skateboarding might have to take second place.

Arthur and his friends find themselves sucked into an epic world of magic, mystery and danger.

A world where people travel through time, animals take control, and where rivals are willing to resort to murder.

Myth and legend, fantasy and adventure have never seemed so real, or so dangerous.

Excalibur is waiting.

The Golden Sword is a teenage adventure fantasy, packed full of mystery, for boys and girls age10 and up.

Book 2: The Time Smugglers

Series: The Camelot Inheritance

Paperback: 274 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2 edition (July 20, 2014)

ISBN-10: 1500531626

ISBN-13: 978-1500531621

Approximate Lexile: 1080

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

          Arthur Penhaligon is a skateboarder (usually). He also happens to be a Guardian, knighted by Excalibur.

It’s been a year since Arthur and his friends first met a shape-shifting cat and defeated a murderous rival intent on stealing Arthur’s birth-right.

But now, far below the Cornish hills, the deep magic is stirring again - summoning Arthur’s enemies to the contest for Cornwall’s crown.

It’s time to get back to the challenges of time-travel and the undeniable reality of myths and legends.

On a Cornish path a tiny, green-stone dragon stretches a claw.

In a churchyard a carved angel tests his wings.

And at sea an emerald-encrusted pocket watch chimes once… and slips through time.

Camelot is calling; Excalibur is waiting… and an epic world of magic, mystery and danger beckons.

 

My Thoughts:

My first thought is not kind: This author has no concept of how commas work. The higher Lexile on this series is in large part due to runon sentences that would benefit from the use of commas to separate the phrases and clauses. When she does use commas, they’re where a semi-colon is necessary.

So much for the highly technical part of this review.

As a fan of Arthurian myth and modern-day adaptations, I enjoyed the overall premise of this series. The narrative suffers from a lot of long descriptions of what’s happening or what characters are feeling and an occasional lack of action and showing emotion through dialogue and action.

Much of the main trio’s discovery of unfolding events is through overhearing adults talk. They seem to figure out very little through their own initiative. Indeed, the protagonist, Arthur, rather passively accepts his role as Guardian of Wales, as do his friends of their own parts in the preservation of their country.

Speaking of main trio—a boy who is the chosen one. His best friends, one goofy male and one smart female—who also have roles to play in defeating evil. Sound familiar?

The author obviously loves her homeland. I may even be (very distantly) related to her, given that my Morgan ancestors emigrated from Wales in the 1600s. Her artistic representations at the beginnings of chapters are lovely.

While middle-grade literature doesn’t need to be super-sophisticated, the narrative here is just a little too basic to be really engaging. I will probably read others in the series, because I hate to leave a story unfinished, but I am not sure I would recommend that anyone go out of their way to find these.

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

Children in perilous situations. Some frightening bits—especially the Crow Man. Children occasionally disobey adults. Fantasy elements, if you are opposed to such things. No cursing.

 

Who Would Like This Book:

Fans of Arthurian myth, those who enjoyed the Harry Potter group dynamic. While the protagonist is male, Tamar is definitely a strong female character. There are many other female characters, both good and evil. People who can disregard poor conventions and storytelling and just enjoy the plot. It’s aimed at 10-14, and I’d say that’s about right.

 

Thank  you, NetGalley, for the advance reader e-books.



 

Steampunk Dystopia

Fires of Invention (Mysteries of Cove)

By J. Scott Savage

Series: Mysteries of Cove (Book 1)

Hardcover: 288 pages

Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing (September 29, 2015)

ISBN-10: 1629720925

ISBN-13: 978-1629720920

Approximate Lexile: 730

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Trenton Colman is a creative thirteen-year-old boy with a knack for all things mechanical. But his talents are viewed with suspicion in Cove, a steam-powered city built inside a mountain. In Cove, creativity is a crime and invention is a curse word.

Kallista Babbage is a repair technician and daughter of the notorious Leo Babbage, whose father died in an explosion an event the leaders of Cove point to as an example of the danger of creativity.

Working together, Trenton and Kallista learn that Leo Babbage was developing a secret project before he perished. Following clues he left behind, they begin to assemble a strange machine that is unlikely anything they’ve ever seen before. They soon discover that what they are building may threaten every truth their city is founded on and quite possibly their very lives.

 

My Thoughts:

            Oh, boy, another dystopian series! But this one has a male protagonist, and there’s no real love triangle. Okay, Trenton does have this girl that he’s had a crush on forever, and she does finally start paying attention to her, and he is working with Kallista.  But it’s NOT a love triangle. Well. Maybe a little bit.

            I enjoyed the thought-provoking aspect of a society that had stopped inventing new things, and which forbade the telling of stories. Nothing creative is allowed. Imagine how stifling that would be. I may be biased, because I am driven to create—sewing, knitting, writing, cooking—and I imagine I would be pretty miserable as a member of this society.

            Trenton definitely feels that urge to create, or at least to improve existing technology, but he also wants to be a good citizen, especially to please his mother, who survived a mine accident and seems to carry some pretty deep emotional scars.

            Kallista is a difficult character—very prickly and somewhat hard to like at first, but there are reasons for that. Eventually, Trenton overcomes that, and they work together.

            I struggled somewhat with how careless Trenton was about his lawbreaking as he worked with Kallista to solve the riddle that her father left her. Of course, he is 13 years old, no prefrontal cortex and all that, but he seems very casual about his activities.

            Naturally, the two teens solve the mystery just in time. I don’t think it’s giving too much away to say that they save the day, since this is the first in a planned series.

            Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I will follow up with others in the series.

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

            Some violence, some intense scenes, particularly at the climax. Oppressive government. Teenage lawbreaking. Disagreements with parents. No swearing, no romance beyond teenaged puppy love.

Who Might Like this Book:

            Trenton and Kallista are both strong characters, and, while Trenton is the protagonist, Kallista’s journey is almost equally important, so this book doesn’t skew to one gender or the other. Anyone who likes creativity, invention, steampunk, and the fight against an oppressive society. Aimed at middle grades; I’d say age 10 and up. Older readers need to be able to enjoy YA/middle grade literature.

 

Thank you, NetGalley for the advance reader e-book.