Waiting on Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights any upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

 Release date: March 12, 2013

A sweeping Gothic thriller based on the spine-chilling "Bluebeard" fairytale.

17-year-old Sophia Petheram has been sheltered by her doting family all her life, until the day her father dies. It's 1855, and with no money and few options, she goes to live with her guardian, the mysterious Bernard de Cressac, at the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey in Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it's as if thread by thread, a silken net is woven around her. And when she begins glimpsing the ghosts of his former wives (all with hair as red as her own) in the forgotten corners and dark hallways of the Abbey, Sophie knows she's in de Cressac's trap.

With enchanting romance, chilling suspense, and dashes of the supernatural, Strands of Bronze and Gold is a compulsively-readable debut.

(Goodreads)

After recently reading Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl, I've come to the realization that I need more fairy-tale retellings in my life. And this is a Bluebeard fairy-tale retelling! Bluebeard is one of those fairy tales that I've read and am vaguely familiar with and all, but its different versions and retellings have never been on my radar. The Goodreads description promises a dark and creepy tale. I hope it lives up to my expectations! 

What are you waiting on?

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Recommend A... Book Someone Else Recommended to Me

Recommend A... is a new weekly feature hosted by Chick Loves Lit, where bloggers recommend a book based on a specific prompt. This week's prompt is to recommend a book someone else recommended to me.

Cold Magic by Kate Elliot

The Spiritwalker Trilogy, #1

 It's partially due to this one good high school friend of mine that I've been reading YA fiction almost exclusively for the past six or so months. There are so many classics that I need to read, and I feel like those gaps in classical literature somehow make my English degree seem not as valid. A weird rationale on my part, I know. But after she told me how YA is where so many major advances in literature is these days and gave me a number of recommendations, I have yet to go back to classics. I won't give her all the credit, but I do respect her recommendations. She once said that she'd love to have a job where she simply read and recommend books to others, and she is very good at this.

Anyway, Cold Magic was one of the books she recommended to me at the very beginning of the year, and I am very glad she did. Cold Magic has a lot of the features I adore in my books. There's a strong female protagonist, a relationship built on misunderstanding and the gradual effort to remedy initial actions and feelings, a focus on a female relationship, and some crazy creative world-building.

Cold Magic is the story of Catherine and Beatrice Barahal, young scholars, cousins, and best friends. In their alternate universe, the Roman Empire lasted until the year 1000 and now, during another ice age in the nineteenth century, the European continent is settled and controlled by some historically repressed groups, such as Africans and Phoenicians. The central problem in Europa seems to be the struggle between magic and science/technology, between old ways of society and new ones. At the heart of the conflict are two groups: the Cold Mages and their houses versus the princely houses, which have between them most of the other people locked into a feudal-type system. When the Barahal family is called upon to redeem a promise made years ago to a Cold Mage house, Cat's life is turned completely upside-down. Cat is forced to question so many parts of her existence that she's taken for granted as she journeys across Europa. 

Although the book is marketed as steampunk, there really aren't that many technological innovations or references. But despite that, this story is so immersive. Cat is a strong believable heroine who is literally fighting for her survival. But at the same time her thoughts are much more focused on her cousin Beatrice and she worries about Bee's safety. For the majority of the book Cat and Bee are separated, so it speaks to the power of Cat's feelings that I still got a really good sense of their relationship and how important they were to one another. I loved how the story uses Cat and Bee's relationship to question the extent of love and friendship and family, and what one's priorities are in the face of hard decisions. Of course, there's also a romantic relationship here that seems pretty promising. I'll just end with one final reason that Cold Magic is awesome: sentient dinosaurs! (I may have initially thought that they were birds...) Okay, maybe they are not as interesting in the book as other aspects but, still, they're cool.

This is a rather lengthy book and doesn't always have the fastest pacing; it is definitely deliberate and subtle in its nature. But becoming immersed in Cat's world is worth it.

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Review: The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Published: 2003, Bloomsbury USA

Series: The Books of Bayern, #1

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Retelling
Source: Personal ebook

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There in the cold, blue shadow of winter night, Ani cried for Falada, and for the beauty of the language of the wind, and for the reminder of who she was. 

I need to preface my review by first stating that I absolutely adore fairy-tale retellings. Fairy tales are usually so short and lack details and characterization, yet they're still able to grasp at universal truths and themes that continue to resonate in our daily lives. I was familiar with the Grimm brothers' tale "The Goose Girl" before reading Hale's version of the tale. I even reread the Grimms version before diving into Hale's retelling, but that did not make my reading experience any less enjoyable. Because I already knew the general gist of the story, I could really focus on what Hale does differently, and how she's able to breathe new life into this story.

The Goose Girl tells the story of Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, crown princess of the kingdom of Kildenree. After ostensibly spending the first sixteen years of her life in preparation to become her country's queen, Ani suddenly learns that the rule will pass to her brother while she is being given in marriage to the prince of Bayern, a neighboring kingdom. While not happy with the news, Ani is not the rebellious type and is willing to do what her mother commands. On the three-month journey to Bayern, Ani's own guards rebel against her. By the time she finally enters the capital city of Bayern, Ani must assume a new identity and take on work as the city's goose girl. She is willing to be patient, but she is determined not to let the truth remain hidden forever.

When retelling someone else's story, I imagine that it's always a concern of how to make your retelling stand out and become a legimitate story in its own right. I think that Hale does a fantastic job in her retelling of this classic (but perhaps not incredibly well-known) Grimms fairy tale. As with most fairy tales, "The Goose Girl" almost reads like the bare bone outline of a story. Throughout her retelling, Hale works to flesh out the original tale. We're given names for the characters, as well as personalities and motivations. I have recently come to the conclusion that I really do enjoy reading about political conflicts within stories, as long as they're not too drawn-out or feature too many characters/countries. With that being said, I really enjoyed the politics that Hale added between the countries of Kildenree and Bayern, as well as the smaller political conflicts between the different inhabitants of Bayern. All of the political and social issues gave the characters greater drive and actually helped to explain some of the parts that the original fairy tale simply revealed as a matter of fact.

I thought it was interesting how Hale chose to interpret the magical influences of the original tale. In the tale, the princess' horse Falada can speak and whenever the goose boy comes close to taking a strand of the princess' hair as she brushes it, winds rise up and cause him to chase his hat across the field. Instead of leaving those events unexplained and at odds with the rest of the story, Hale created the concept of the three types of speech: people speech, animal speech, and wind speech. Ani is not gifted with people speech (or the ability to speak eloquently and convincingly to other humans), but she finds out that she has a knack for animal speech, and wind speech is something that she gradually acquires. While I appreciate the fact that Hale chose to stay very close to the source material and thus created these different speeches, one always has to be careful while adding magical elements in a story. I liked the inclusion of the different speeches and felt it was a unique touch, but the various speeches turned the climax into too much of a deus ex machina for me, where the magical powers more than the characters themselves solve the major problems.

Ani is a great protagonist and I really enjoyed witnessing her growth throughout the course of the novel. Ani starts out as an incredibly naive and defeated character. She has absolutely no confidence in herself and her abilities, constantly comparing herself to — and coming up short of — her mother, the great queen of Kildenree. Ani really doesn't desire to be queen and is bored by her life, but she knows her duties and does have a strong sense of responsibility. And, adhering to the formula for most fantasy novels, Ani must undergo both a physical and mental journey to finally come into her own. Ani is so very likable and definitely exhibits the importance of inner strength (a very good thing especially when the literary marketplace is deluged by so many actual fighting female protagonists). Against Ani, all of the other characters fall a little flat. (The only adjectives I can use confidently to describe love interest Geric are "kind" and "just.") But I do think this is partly due to the narration style. And flatter secondary characters simply gave me more of a reason to root for Ani and her personal development.

I am at a loss in terms of how to consider the novel's reading level. In the past I'd have called this a Young Adult novel without question, but I know that a lot of people see this as a Middle Grade novel. I tend to judge a book's target audience based on the age range of the protagonist and major characters. Of course there are always exceptions, but for the most part I think it’s pretty accurate. For the majority of the book Ani is sixteen while her maid Selia is eighteen. Some of Ani's friends are younger, but the novel's narration is done in a third-person limited perspective from Ani. For me this is definitely a YA novel, although perhaps it can be considered a younger YA. Certain aspects such as the romance and violence are written in a slightly more juvenile perspective. But they're all simply labels in the end and don't really affect my enjoyment or understanding of the book.

I can't wait to read more of Hale's work in the future! This is such an enchanting tale and I am always on the lookout for great fairy-tale retellings. I've already purchased The Book of a Thousand Days for my Kindle. I won't be reading or reviewing it for a while, however, since right now I am working on my own interpretation of "Maid Maleen," the Grimms fairy tale that inspired that book.

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One Fan's Appreciation

Happy Birthday, Harry James Potter! Happy Birthday, J.K. Rowling!

I just wanted to give a shout-out to the protagonist of one of my favorite book series ever, as well as the author who has been one of my biggest inspirations.

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.” 

Words cannot express how much the Harry Potter series have meant to me over the years, or how profoundly my life has been affected by the books. From Hermione I learned the importance of sticking up for your beliefs and how intelligence can be such a strength. From Ron I learned about loyalty and the power of friendship. From Harry I learned to treasure family, the power of love, the importance of sacrifice, and how to live a life full of good morals.

Although Harry's wizarding world may not be real, it's given me a better understanding of our own world, how important each and every person's life is, and how our decisions will always have bigger implications. There may be problems in his world, just as there are in ours, but there's also always hope.

 

“We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving.”  

Thank you, J.K. Rowling. If I can ever affect anyone as the Harry Potter series have affected me and so many others, I should consider my life to be well-spent.

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Top Ten Characters I’d Like To Switch Places With For 24 Hours

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by the bloggers of The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is the top ten characters I'd like to switch places with for twenty-four hours.

Hermione Granger from Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling — Does this really need an explanation? I'd want to see what the wizarding world is like. I think even spending 24 hours in Harry's shoes would be pretty stressful, but I adore Hermione and she acts very much like me, so it would be easiest to be her as I explored this world.

Costis from The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner — Yes, I would totally genderswap here, because Costis would definitely give me the best chance to interact with my favorite characters in this series. I'd love to have the chance to have one on one time with the king and to observe the King of Attolia and his interactions with the Queen 

Veralidaine Sarrasri (Daine) from The Immortals quartet by Tamora Pierce — Daine is my favorite Pierce protagonist. She's able to view Tortall with fresh eyes since she's not from there, and I'd love to have the chance to explore this world. And she also can talk to, heal, and turn into animals. That would be one awesome magical power to have.

Arwen Undómiel/Éowyn/Rosie Cotton from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien — I can't possibly choose just one character from this trilogy. Middle-earth is a pretty scary place during the War for the Ring, but I'd love to switch places with any of these females for the chance to explore Rivendell, Edoras, or the Shire.

Sabriel from The Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix — Sabriel is a necromancer who can visit the world of the dead and has the power to control the dead. Yes, the realm of the dead is dangerous and sometimes scary, but how could I resist the chance to explore it for a (very) brief period of time?

Lyra Belacqua from His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman — I want a daemon so very desperately! Lyra has the most wonderful relationship with Pantalaimon, her daemon. I'd love to explore Lyra's steampunk Oxford, as well as have the ability to explore alternate universes.

Gemma Doyle from Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray — I haven't read the Gemma Doyle trilogy in years, but I'd love to experience the Victorian boarding school setting and the elaborate dresses. Plus I'd love to visit the other-world and have the chance to have power and use magic.

Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen — I adore all things historical England. The manners, clothes, and entertainment of Regency England come to play in Austen's most famous work. As Elizabeth for a day, I'd also get to exchange witty banter with Mr. Darcy...and who wouldn't want to do that? 

Alice from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll — Wonderland is unlike anything I've ever read or seen. Parts of Wonderland are very odd and nothing's like what one would expect, but it would be fascinating to have the opportunity to explore it for a day.

Jo March from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott — Of all the March sisters, I've always felt the closest to Jo. She's spunky, determined, intelligent, and loves to write. I would also like a glimpse into the life of a big family of sisters. I don't think I'd want to live with tons of sisters every day, but it would be nice to experience life in a big and supportive family of women.

Agree with any of these choices? Have any other characters you'd love to switch places temporarily with? Let me know!

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Recommend A... First Book in a Series

Recommend A...is a new weekly feature hosted by Chick Loves Lit, where bloggers recommend a book based on a specific prompt. This week's prompt is to recommend a first book in a series.

Archangel by Sharon Shinn

Samaria series, #1

Archangel is the story of the angel Gabriel and Rachel, the human woman Jovah has chosen for him to marry. Gabriel has known that he would rise to become Archangel of Samaria for years, to help the struggling nation into a golden age, but he put off the search for his Angela until the last minute. It wouldn't normally be a problem, but the Archangel cannot assume his position without first singing a duet with his Angela. Rachel is not as easy to track down as Gabriel had assumed, however, and Rachel is haunted by a horrific past that causes her to be the exception to the norm — she has absolutely no intentions of marrying Gabriel or assuming the role of Angela, and isn't afraid to tell him so. 

I have avoided YA angel stories like the plague (this book doesn't count to me since it was published before the YA paranormal angel craze and because it's technically considered adult fantasy); I'm just not interested in reading about angels. Shinn's angels are the exception. They're imbued with wings and power and the grace of Jovah, yet they're still struggling to figure out what to do with their lives and understand what Jovah truly expects from them. There's a conflict between the angels being appropriately removed from humans, and yet the need for them to watch over humans. And they're forced to marry humans in order to continue their race. Humans and angels live in a precarious co-existence in the world of Samaria.

Rachel and Gabriel have one of the best romantic relationships I've ever read in a novel. Throughout the course of the novel we get to see them grow individually and together as they learn to trust themselves and each other. Their relationship is fraught with misunderstanding and prejudice, but every little step towards acceptance of one another is so believable. This book always makes it to the top of the list whenever I want to read a more genuine depiction of a romantic relationship. And outside of their romance troubles, Gabriel is searching for meaning and trying to prepare to be the best future Archangel, while Rachel is haunted by her past and suspicious of all angels. But, like any romantic relationship, they complement each other and help each other reach their potentials. Romance done right, right here in this little book.

I don't know anything about music and singing, but this novel definitely made me wish I did. I absolutely loved the importance of music within this world. Music is used for worship and for pure emotion. Rachel possesses the only voice worthy of a duet with Gabriel, and through music their relationship is able to grow. By using music Gabriel and Rachel finally begin to understand one another.

She had chosen the song for him.
She loved him.

Just try and tell me that's not swoon-worthy right there.

I've only actually read the first book in this series, but it ended on such a perfect note that I had no desire for anything more. But after recently reading Angieville's review of Shinn's YA novel Summers at Castle Auburn, I'm feeling rather nostalgic for her work and do think I'd like to take the time to continue with the Samaria series. After I reread Archangel, of course.

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Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Published: 2011, Razorbill
Series: Across the Universe, #1
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Source: Library book
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This is the secret of the stars, I tell myself. In the end, we are alone. No matter how close you seem, no one else can touch you.  

By grace of having parents considered to be necessary in the establishment of Centuri-Earth, a new habitable planet 250 years away from our current Earth, sixteen-year-old Amy is part of a small group cryogenically frozen aboard a spaceship. Although she is hesitant at first – she'll be leaving Earth and everything she knows forever – she ultimately decides to stay with her parents. She may be forging into the unknown, but at least she won't be alone.

Only fifty years from Centuri-Earth, Elder is training to be the future leader aboard the spaceship Godspeed. He feels like the odd one out – younger than the other three generations onboard, not quite sure if he has what it takes to lead future generations. Godspeed is a technological marvel and completely self-sustaining, but Elder and the ship's inhabitants have already begun to count down to their landing. Everything seems fine until Elder finds a girl his own age frozen in a hidden level. She becomes awakened after nearly being killed, and Elder realizes that there is much he doesn't know, and that life aboard the spaceship is not quite what he always assumed it to be. Together he and Amy are determined to figure out the truth of Godspeed's mission, who wants to kill Amy and the other frozen people, and why the humans on the spaceship are just so very different from how people seemed to act back on Earth.

First off, I must mention that this book has dual narrators. I am not really a fan of using more than one narrator in a book. When I read a book, I want to be completely immersed in the experiences of one person. A lot of times I also end up feeling that the different narrations are not distinguishable enough. While I still feel this way after reading Across the Universe, it was interesting to get into the heads of both Amy and Elder. They understandably have different interpretations of the events throughout the novel. I think the dual narration is a smart choice for this novel, but I think more could have been done with it. I wanted even more from both of the narrators. It was interesting to hear the other character's thoughts on something that literally just occurred in the perspective of the other, but lots of times the second interpretation was either similar or at least predicable enough given my knowledge of the other character.

I am not a huge science fiction fan – give me something that really delves into scientific aspects and their explanations and I'm completely lost. Trying to figure out the science fiction aspects of Across the Universe never felt too inaccessible or like a chore for me, for which I was grateful. I think that the premise of this story is rather interesting. It's not the first story I've heard about people being cryogenically frozen or intergalactic trips to find a new planet to colonize, but in general it is well done. The idea of an isolated spaceship turning into a dystopian society? That the truly sane are the ones treated as mentally unstable? The pure wonder everyone exhibits at seeing stars, at being able to have proof that there's more to the world than the spaceship? All very good.

Although there are rays of hope throughout the novel, in general I found it to be rather dark. There's quite a bit of death throughout the story and some mentions of suicide. There's also an attempted rape scene. For me, however, the graphic scenes take a back seat to dark feelings throughout the book. Through Amy and Elder's perspectives we as readers witness feelings of hopelessness and despair. I think the book's darkness did make complete sense, however.

My main issues with this book stemmed from not enough characterization and the plot twists being a tad predictable. Amy is pretty complex and for the most part I enjoyed reading her sections, but I'm not convinced she's an entirely true representation of a teenage girl. Elder does initially seem like a product of Eldest's brainwashing. He gets a little better and I did like reading about him slowly discovering hidden truths, but he's kind of bland and I disliked how readily he does everything for Amy. I also thought that a number of the plot twists are pretty predictable. And the climactic scene resolves the current problem a little too easily.

I'm spoiled and feel like I've read so many wonderful YA books that really do challenge readers to understand certain themes, have fantastic characterization, and keep the readers guessing until the end. This is not really one of those books but that is not to say that it's a bad book, just not exactly what I want in a book. I am not sure if I will continue with this series. There were some huge questions remaining at the end, but I'm not sure I'm interested enough.

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