A few impressions on a previously read book. I named the section like I did because as a passionate reader I like to use representation titles or words that I see in my favorite books.

*Glimpse: brief review on X title.

Favorite Quote

” A story is not always a lie.   Some stories are truer than truth.”

Page: 127

What I Liked

First the cover it’s a totally Eye Candy then the idea of the re-telling story of Tristan and Insolde because is one of my favorites.  I like the elements of magic taking place in the world we know.

What I Didn’t Like

I believe there was so much potential but the main character was not my favorite. This made it harder for me to connect with the story.   I also think the character development was poorly done and the continuity was slow, never taking the step to the place the story should be.  Maybe if the story was narrated by Tristan it would have worked better for me.

Author Web Page:

The False Princess   / 2011  / Egmont USA  /

They’re the third hit when you Google the word “princess.” Snow White, Jasmine, Aurora, Belle, Ariel, and Cinderella.  All of them dressed in their golden or blue or pink finery (I guess that Flora won the battle over the color of Sleeping Beauty’s dress), many of them with crowns on their heads. Disney’s Princesses.  Looking at them, even though I grew up on their movies and love all of them, I have a bevy of conflicting thoughts.

One of the first things I think about is that there are two generations of princesses here.  One the one hand, you have Snow White, Aurora, and Cinderella. They’re old school princesses, characters who get by mostly by being “ever gentle and kind” and then are rewarded with a prince at the end of the story. Nice girls, all of them, but products of the time in which they were created. They mainly wish for a new future, rather than going out and doing anything about getting one. On the second hand, you have the more modern princesses: Jasmine and Belle. I can relate to these two much better than the first group, because, when faced with trouble or their own unfulfilled desires, they actually act. (Ariel though I love her falls somewhere in the middle, as a girl who does act, but only to get her prince.)

So, good, I think. We’re making strides. Except that something still bothers me when I look at them. Now I know that the “Disney Princesses” line is all about marketing about selling dolls and toys and dress up gown and not about stories. But looking at them all lined up in their dresses (or seashells), I can’t help but think that it’s the just princess part of them that’s important, rather than them. Because we never see Belle in her blue inventor’s daughter dress, or Aurora in her peasant garb. Outside of the movies, we only see them after the transformation, after the all-important event has occurred. And it’s always a one way street girls turning into princesses, as if this is the only way to become happy, the only way to fulfill a dream.

When I started working on The False Princess, I wanted to turn some of the regular notions of princesses on their heads. Even before she’s kicked out of the palace, Sinda isn’t anyone’s idea of a traditional princess.  She’s shy and bookish and likely to trip over her own feet if she isn’t careful, not graceful or at ease in social situations.

And then she finds out that she’s not the princess she always thought she was, rather than the other way around. She’s a false princess, a stand-in to protect the real princess from a prophecy that predicted her death. The “important” thing in Sinda’s life gets stripped away, leaving her floundering and unsure. That was what interested me about her her journey to figure out who she is at her core once the princess title is taken from her, and how to be happy with that person. And it’s not an easy road (though it is one filled with magic, treachery, a witty earl’s son, grave-robbing, and a very eccentric mentor).

So it’s the reversal of the classic princess story that I like most about the book. But not just because it changes things up. I like it because it let me look beyond just the ball gowns and the tiaras, and figure out what makes being or not being a princess, or just a regular girl, important.

Acknowledgment:

I want to thank  Eilis O’Neal  for visiting Windowpane Memoirs.   It’s been a pleasure.

A group of three books cover images that I like the most from the titles to be released in the current month. Usually I already pre-ordered the titles or own them. I named the section like I did because I like thinking about these covers like they are something that its meant to look.

*Eye Candy: visual images that are pleasant to see.

Book Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Egmont USA
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: January 25, 2011

Book Trailer:

Page: 222

“And then he was gone,

the door shut behind him,

and my heart – rebellious and cruel – went with him. ”

A group of three books cover images that I like the most from the titles to be released in the current month. Usually I already pre-ordered the titles or own them. I named the section like I did because I like thinking about these covers like they are something that its meant to look.

*Eye Candy: visual images that are pleasant to see.

I’m happy to announce the winner of August contest. Drum roll … Kai (amaterasuread).   Please send me your addresses under the subject “contest winner” and the title of the contest you won. Thanks to all who participated.   Also I will give away a SIGNED copy of Shadow Hills / By: Anastasia Hopcus, a signed poster, bookmarks and pin buttons between the people who comment in September  posts.   Wish you all GOOD LUCK!

Book Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Egmont USA
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: July 12, 2010

Author Web Page:

His love captivated her …  his secrets might kill her.

Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.   After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach and somehow she’s connected to it all.   But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town … might cost her her life.

Gathering elements like Science, Fantasy, Mystery and Romance together, Shadow Hills is without a doubt a PAGE TURNER.  This first delivery by Hopcus narrated the story of Persephone “Phe” after her sister’s terrible death and her life’s changes because of some dreams she can’t figure out. Putting together info with secret entries from her sister’s journal, Persephone decides to switch schools to Shadow Hills, Massachusetts, a place described in the very last entry of the journal.  Once in Shadow Hills, Persephone tries to reveal the mystery behind her sister’s death no matter what, the meaning of her dreams and which puzzle piece the place plays. This will take her to open doors towards knowledge in a place where mystery and singularity of its inhabitants will leave her with more questions than answers while getting close to a costly truth.  I really liked Persephone as narrator. She is a strong, decided character which is featured to the reader in a simple way, which makes it easy to identify with.  Secondary and tertiary characters are well defined in their respective roles and allow the narrative to flow properly.  Romance in the story is interesting with both; character aspect and the chemistry between him and Persephone.  It’s really interesting and the elements Hopcus uses to develop the relationship are good for the reader. Fans of this type of reading will not be let down, on the contrary, they will count the days to read the sequel.  I must mention that the most fascinating aspect is that something is happening ALL the time and when the pieces come together it’s just wonderful to see the way the author combined all the elements. This is the major compliment I can give Hopcus for the presentation of this first novel. Shadow Hills; where the secrets of a town, a love tempted in so many ways and the singularity of a young girl collide in a novel full of emotions to which you won’t be able to stop reading until the last page.

I received some swag material that the lovely Anastasia Hopcus sent me.  I will give them between those who comment on the review.

Book Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Egmont USA
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: April, 2010

Author Web Page:

Sixteen year old outsider, Jess Parker, gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join a secret society of popular girls dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world. The Cinderella Society guides all new recruits through its top secret ultimate life makeover. It’s all part of preparing them to face down the Wickeds and win. Determined not to let the Cindys down, Jess dives in with a passion. Finally, a chance to belong and show the world what she’s made of.

The Cinderella Society is not Cinderella’s alternate version, it’s more like the idea of what the Cinderella story represents … and I explain; since its first version, the Cinderella story has meant for many girls the possibility that dreams can come true. Having a message against high school cliques and a strong girl power support, Cassidy delivers us her first novel. Jess, the main character and story narrator, is not a common girl; she’s an extraordinary girl that doesn’t realize her potential and capacity for a handful of situations from the beginning of the story. She has never felt part of a group and she’s constantly verbally assaulted by her foe Lexy, her crush’s Ryan sister … until the day she receives a particular invitation. It is there where she’ll find not only friends, but also a secret that has been part of two family generations and many influential women around the world. I really enjoyed how the author worked the structural part of the story and character development. In this last aspect, it’s incredible how Cassidy presents these wonderful characters to us: the “cindys” and the “charmings”, but it takes us far away from this perfection version and it’s molded in a realistic way that can be measured in real terms, a very admirable aspect from the author in my humble opinion. The reader could have a general idea on what this society consists of and the end is although there will be much more to discover in the already scheduled sequel. With an entertaining, original and inspirational story, The Cinderella Society will make girls, youngsters and adults wish for a fairy godmother who recites the next magic phrase: Welcome to the Sisterhood!

 

As extracurricular material where topics like school cliques, stereotypes and self power could be discussed, this title is very convenient. It will allow the educator to do something innovative like finding another title appealing for the masculine population and compare both stories in such aspects. Some of the potential topics are:

• What does change starts with?
• What determines who you really are?
• If you had the power to influence others, how will you use such power?

Book Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Egmont USA
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: December 22, 2009

Author Web Page:

Polly Madassa is convinced she was born for a more romantic time. A time when Elizabeth Bennet and Anne of Green Gables walked along the moors and beaches of the beautiful land, a time where a distinguished gentleman called upon a lady of quality and true love was born in the locked eyes of two young lovers.  But alas, she was not. This, however, does not stop our young heroine from finding romance wherever she can conjure it up. So while Polly is burdened with a summer job of delivering baked goods from her parents bakery (how quaint!) to the people in her small beach town, she finds a way to force … um … encourage romance to blossom. She is determined to bring lovers, young and old, together…whether they want to be or not.

The narrator of the story, Polly, is a charming girl who enjoys classic stuff. In the summer the story’s narrated, Polly finds herself at a new job; making deliveries for her parent’s bakery while remembering her matchmaking gift at a singular situation she decides to find an “true love” to her Dearest Fran father. This is where the adventure starts since Polly already feels confident about her gift that she decides to take her town’s romantic interests into her own hands with her plan: “Love is In The Making”.  What Polly’s ignoring is that she also has an admirer. One of the most admirable aspects of the story is how Eland drives her characters; through Polly’s eyes we’ll have a clear idea on the lives of secondary characters. The reader will grow fond of them throughout the story and will want the same as Polly; seeing them happy. Experiences also seem real and according to each character’s age. The biggest credit I can give the author is how she managed parents and authority figures without taking the spark off the book. Scones and Sensibility possesses a singular charm, its plot is surrounded by sweetness and one of the most charming main characters I’ve read about in a long time. No lack of deepness and gives the reader one than another lesson in the process.  Scones and Sensibilities is really one of those titles I wish moves from generation to generation because of the beauty of its content.

 

This is a title in which teaching for middle grade students outstand, it would be great their publishing house decides to create a study guide.  Between the possible educative topics to develop there are:

• Family
• Friendship
• Responsibilities
• First Impressions
• Core Family Diversities

Book Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Egmont USA
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: December 28, 2010

Author Web Page:

A Prodigal Son

A Dangerous Love

… A Deadly Secret …

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away. As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel’s dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it her soul.

If you take the legend of a fantastic creature, set history on present time, add an alternative touch to the story’s narrative and as main ingredient forge all those into a mysterious love story the result is: The Dark Divine. The story starts with a prologue that establishes expectations for the reader that the author graciously drives all the way to the end. We’ll know Grace, our narrator, not only as our eyes through the story, but also on all stages driven along the story; the daughter, the sister, the teenager and dreamer. It’s because of this that the reader can be able to have a good idea of who are the characters surrounding the story. It will involve you in the mystery of what really happened three years ago when Daniel disappeared from Grace’s life and what is really happening on the story time line’s “now” when Daniel comes back to Grace’s life. However, not because the story’s certainly a mystery it takes something away from the romance’s development between the main characters. Chemistry jumps right off the page figuratively speaking. Daniel’s a mysterious, dark and sexy love interest who distinguishes among many other characters by his background and talents that will enable you to love him as you’ll love Grace. There are some aspects I found fascinating and worth mentioning: the chapter’s titles are dark, but sound divine. The way time is managed in the story is different; it gives you the opportunity as a reader of unveiling the mystery surrounding the Divine family, Daniel and other happenings of the past in the town where the story develops. During half the story we’ll get to know another tale through diaries and although they are not part of the things happening on the main story, it would be determinant at the end of it. In a market where fantastic creatures are the day’s rule, Bree Despain distinguishes by transferring one of these legends into the modern world in an original and certainly deep way. In order to know which fantastic creature plays part in The Dark Divine, which is the mystery and if Grace and Daniel get to overcome the barriers that can keep them apart, make sure you get your copy of The Dark Divine; a novel where legend, love and mystery are forged divinely.

Acknowledgment:

I had the opportunity of reading this book previous to its release date thanks to the generous Debbie from Debbie’s World of Books Without her collaboration I think this whole The Dark Divine Week idea wouldnt have been possible, so many kuddos for Debbie and her GREAT blog.