Review: Ogre Enchanted

Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I never thought thought I'd be back in the world of Frell, but here it is, and it's every bit as magic as it was in Ella. Evie is just as fascinating a character, Lucinda still as annoying, and I loved slowly figuring out the connections between this story and Ella - although this one stands completely alone, so you can read it without knowing anything about Ella. A fantastic read, and I hope to return to Frell again another time.

Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.

I wouldn't endanger anyone else in this quest. I'd go alone. If I succeeded, I'd be welcome anywhere, at least for a while, even as an ogre. I could live at home again and wouldn't have to eternally miss Mother and Wormy.

When I rejoined humanity, I might save someone whose gratitude would progress to love. Then, if I could set aside the memory of Master Peter, I might return the feeling, because saving someone's life was almost as good as drinking a love potion.

Yes! I would go to the dragons' Spires. If I died trying to get purpline, my end would sadden only two people, neither of them myself.

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Review: Of Blood and Bone

Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The middle book of a trilogy is always a bit strange. This one skims over most of the ten years since the end of the previous book, reintroducing us to a few main players from last time and the new characters of this one. I did find it a challenge to remember who a few of the characters were, although that's probably more about me than about Roberts' skill.

A few moments jarred me, such as Fallon being on the end of three angry kisses from two different guys, and her calling her uncle's woman a whore. On the whole, though, this was an enjoyable read, tense in spots, and I'm very much looking forward to reading the final title in a year's time.


I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


She learned of a world that had existed before her birth. A world crowded with people, a world of huge cities with towing buildings where people had lived and worked. In that world people had traveled routinely by air and sea and road and track. Some had even traveled into space, and to the moon that hung in the sky.

Her mother had lived in a great city, in the City of New York. Fallon knew from the stories told, from the books she devoured, it had been a place full of people and noise and light.

A wonder of a place to get, one she viewed to see someday.

She imagined it often at night when she lay awake watching the fairies dance outside her window.

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Review: The Missing Barbegazi

The Missing Barbegazi by H.S. Norup
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fantastic adventure story set deep in the snowy mountains. The skiing terminology threw me at first; I figured most of it out from context, but it was quite unfamiliar to me. It didn't really matter, anyway, because I got swept up in the adventure story. This is a fascinating story of a young girl meeting the Yeti like creature her grandfather was scorned for believing in. I hope it's going to be a series, as a couple of minor story threads are left at the end, but if not it works fine on its own. A great read for Christmas.


I received a proof copy in exchange for an honest review.

He uncovered the sky-blue carrier and snaked his way backwards through the tunnel, keeping a solid grip on the handles of the sack.

Back inside, he whistled triumphantly.

"It brought the berry gift!" Bowing, with a flourishing movement of his hand, he split the carrier open with one of his sharp claws. Clear, see-through bags tumbled out, revealing the abundance of berries.

Maman looked in wonder at the growing mountain of wild strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. There were even some of the large cultivated strawberries that Gawion loved.

"Nourishment," she said. "We are saved." The desperate gleam in her eyes made Gawion wonder just how close to starvation they'd come.

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Review: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a fantastic read. An alien invasion, maybe, designed to make all of humanity work together. (With a horrible cliffhanger, it has to be said.) The plot was fabulous, keeping just the right level of tension, and April May was the perfect combination of insightful and thick as a brick, depending on the subject. I'm desperate for the next book, I want to know what happened to everyone and where they all are now.

This book also plays really well with current levels of social media. In ten years it'll probably be quaint, but right now it's just right. Really good insight.

A brilliant book over all. And don't worry, sci fi phobes, it's not really about the alien at all.


Of course, I immediately had the Dream again. And again, I didn't think much of it at the time.
You might think it's weird that Andy and I hadn't figured out the Dream yet, but it was a pretty boring dream and, in general, talking about even interesting dreams to other people is dull as hell. I try not to do it under any circumstances because of how much I hate it when other people do it to me. And besides, Andy and I probably had said a total of four words to each other that day.
I did talk a bit more with Robin, but Robin had not slept yet. And so, though he almost definitely had the Dream in his head by this point, he had no way of knowing that. He'd know soon enough, as would at least half of the people on that airplane and a number of others I interacted with at the airport.
You can go ahead and add that to my list of accomplishments;
April May, former pet detective, dairy supply heiress, initiator of First Contact with space aliens, video blogger, and patient zero for the world's first and only know infectious dream.

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Review: How Winston Delivered Christmas: An Advent story in twenty-four-and-a-half chapters

How Winston Delivered Christmas: An Advent story in twenty-four-and-a-half chapters by Alex T. Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Winston is a very clever little mouse. He knows about Christmas and Santa, so when he finds an undelivered letter on Christmas Eve, he knows there's only one thing to do. After all, everyone deserves to feel special at Christmas...

This beautiful book is divided into 24 chapters, one for each day of December, interspersed with activities, games and decorations. It's a very clever idea and I expect it will become a Christmas tradition in a lot of households. Poor Winston and his struggles will make for a fantastic read.

(And I very much hope he gets to meet up with his friends again!)



As (Winston) looked around he spotted a curious object set up nearby. It was a large toy building a bit like a doll's house but it looked more like a barn or a stable. Inside several statues were standing on a bed of clean, sweet-smelling straw. There was a woman in blue and several men. Some were dressed in fancy clothes and others were dressed like farmers and there were even some pretend sheep standing beside them. Everyone was looking at a tiny wooden box in the middle. It was filled with straw and inside, fast asleep, was a tiny model baby.
That does look like a nice place to have a sleep, Winston thought, and he yawned. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt if he just had the tiniest of naps there beside the baby? But as he began clambering into the scene the choir finished singing and the congregation clapped. The sudden noise made Winston stop sharply in his tracks. He waggled his whiskers.
'Winston!' he said sternly to himself. 'Fancy thinking about having a nap when you haven't finished your Important Job!' And with a flick of his tail, he forced himself to pad down the aisle and back out into the cold night. He thought about the little baby asleep in the wooden box full of straw and promised himself that, as it was Christmas, he would come back when the letter was delivered and have a nap in that nice peaceful building while candles flickers warmly around him.

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Review: Through the Water Curtain and other Tales from Around the World

Through the Water Curtain and other Tales from Around the World by Cornelia Funke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read a lot of folk and fairy tales. I know a lot of them. This is a fantastic collection of lesser known folk tales. I knew (versions of) three of these, but they were all very enjoyable. Cornelia Funke's musing on each title are thought provoking, but not too deep for young children. The compact size and lovely illustrations will make it a great gift this Christmas. A fantastic addition to Pushkin's collection.


Back home the old father sat in the choom with his youngest daughter, waiting in vain for the storm to abate. But the blizzard redoubled its force, and it seemed the camp would be blown away at any minute.

"My daughters did not heed my words," the old man reflected, sadly. "They have angered Kotura even more. Go to him, my last daughter, though it breaks my heart to part with you; but you alone can save our clan from certain doom."

Youngest daughter left the camp, turned her face into the north wind and pushed the sled before her.

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