This should be old news, but please
note that I am not associated with anyone at Scholastic and receive no
compensation for plugging them. I am simply an avid reader who supports the
Scholastic brand, as so many others do.
Do you remember
the Beast? That was one of Kendra Hilferty’s success stories. Kendra is an
immortal witch, and she’s lived for centuries. She likes to help people, but
sometimes it backfires. She wants to help Emma Bailey, who has a conniving
(evil) stepsister, but she didn’t move in with the evil stepsister. It’s the
stepsister – gorgeous, flaxen-haired, leggy Lisette – who lives with Emma and
her mother. Emma is your typical nerd/bookworm: she loves to read and write for
the high school newspaper. She also participates in music and would rather read
the day away in her childhood tree house than go to a rowdy party or a pep
rally. She doesn’t like being in the limelight and likes the idea of a guy
liking her. She wants to be “some girl boys wanted to kiss.” And Emma would
really like that boy to be Warner Glassman.
Emma is very kind-hearted and wants
to hope for only the good in people. Naïve? Yes. But also commendable on some
level. Her mother, Andrea, is suspicious of Lisette from the get-go and doesn’t
disguise it. Also suspicious? Kendra. Kendra wants to help, but as her ”help” has
gone historically awry at times, she hesitates to step in. Well, maybe she’ll
help a little.
The premise isn’t original, but the
way Flinn presents it is. As I’m sure you’ve gleaned, “Bewitching” is like
Cinderella with the roles reversed. Instead of Emma doing all the chores in
tattered clothing, she’s well-dressed and living with a beastly stepsister who
takes, takes, takes through lies and manipulation. It is a contemporary fairytale with a witch
who is eccentric but likable and is wise because of her years (centuries, even).
There’s a sweet little twist at the end and Kendra’s reminiscences bring us
historical fiction asides that feature a real-life prince, a plague that did
happen and a familiar fictional mermaid who encountered the sinking of a very
famous “unsinkable” ship.
The story is pretty clever, and it
isn’t without humor. The narrative moves right along and despite all of
Lisette’s conniving machinations, Emma’s goodness counters it nicely. It’s easy
to root for Emma, though I wish she knew how to stand up for herself.
“Bewitching” is a tale also meant to make the reader think about accepting
yourself for how you look on the outside and knowing that, just because you’re
beautiful on the outside doesn’t mean you’re beautiful on the inside.
See also: Beastly
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The Selection
began with 35 girls and is now down to the Elite six. This is a bit of a
spoiler, but they are: Kriss Ambers, Natalie Luca, Celeste Newsome, Marlee
Tames, Elise Whisks and, of course, America Singer. America is continually torn
between her old flame, Aspen Leger, and the connection she has with Prince
Maxon Schreave. With the Selection down to the Elite, the competition for
Prince Maxon’s heart is, unsurprisingly, fierce. And with the advancement of
the competition, princess training with Silvia brings more expectation to these
girls, the most stressful of which are the inclusion of special assignments.
These assignments, such as the coordinating of a reception to host visiting
royals, have to be completed come rain or shine or rebel attacks. Yes, the
rebel attacks have escalated in this book. Both groups are feisty enough to
make it their aim to gain entrance to the palace, but while the Northern rebels
seem to do nothing more than make a mess of things, the Southern rebels use
force and violence.
Despite the increase in rebel
attacks, the focus remains on the Selection. As readers, we know that that is
the major plotline of the story: Who will Prince Maxon choose? And: Who does
America love more? At the same time, we know the rebel attacks are increasing,
so why do we not have more background on the Northern and Southern rebels? Or
at least speculation about them? Hopefully that will be addressed in the
concluding novel (which was released this spring).
As with the first book, “The Elite”
reminded me of a literary version of “The Bachelor,” except on a grander scale.
Grander, like living in a palace, having your own maids at your service, and,
last but not least, vying for a prince. If you’re expecting brawn to be a
mainstay in your dystopian fiction repertoire, I would avoid this one. However,
if you’re okay reading about resplendent gowns and etiquette, this is a story
for you. It’s not all fluff and fancy, though. The rebel attacks do add some
harshness to the story, as does a public event in which America shows that she
has a moral compass that points north, which I was glad to read. Of course,
then she dissolved into a fit of teenage hysterics, but as she is a teenager, I
guess I can’t deny her that. Even though it is not princess-like at all. But
who’s to say she’ll end up a princess anyway?
Book One: The Selection
A Master
Potioner in the Kingdom of Mohr is desperate. Sixteen-year-old Kyra is a
fugitive, on the run after her assassination attempt on the princess fails. That
princess is Princess Ariana, who, by-the-way, is Kyra’s best friend since
childhood. Now Kyra’s known as the Princess Killer. But she knows in her gut
that something is amiss in the kingdom, and she is determined to save it, even
if it means slaying her best friend. She’s armed with her impressive potions
intellect (yay brain power!), the vital potions (poisons included), a cute
Katzenheim pig (is apparently great at tracking) and a handsome wanderer named
Fred (how is that helpful?). Unfortunately, she’s on the run from her Master Potioner
ex-fiancé, Hal, and the King’s Army. Trying to kill a princess will incite them
to hunt you down, apparently.
From sparks to obeekas, this YA
title is cheeky and fun with a setting reminiscent of a fairytale, complete
with a royal family. Zinn has created a clever young woman in Kyra, whose
rebelliousness and adventure-with-a-purpose may appeal to those who appreciate
Disney characters such as Merida from “Brave” or Anna from “Frozen.” It is not
a complex story, but it isn’t without twists. And despite the title and the
poisons she knows how to use, it is not a story fraught with violence and
death. (Kyra’s preference is actually a sleeping dart.) Any darker moment in
the book is never scary, for those potential moments are overshadowed by the
feisty heroine and the engaging humor. Read on for my favorite lines, which
compose part of a conversation:
“… there’s a small rodent on your face.
Thought you should know.”
“It’s a mustache. Kyra has assured me
that it’s extremely convincing.”
I’d like you all to know that I’ve
tried this mustache-using-your-hair look. Suffice it to say that it did have
the desired effect, which was NOT for it to look convincing, but to incite a
chuckle from my brother. And it did, so yay fake mustaches! Who needs a pack of
fake bristly face hair when you can use your own? Ha!
A
WORD REGARDING THE AUTHOR: Sadly, Bridget Zinn passed away in May of 2011 after
a brave battle with cancer. If this book sounds at all interesting, I encourage
you to celebrate her dream accomplishment – to publish a book – by reading it!
Scarlet (Feb. 5, 2013) by Marissa Meyer.
New Beijing
Prison is the new – and very temporary residence – of Linh Cinder. Cinder’s in
lockdown and is not okay with Lunar Queen Levana wanting to take her back to
Luna. She’s about to escape with Carswell Thorne, an ex-cadet for the American
Republic air force, mostly because she unintentionally lets herself into his
cell (it was supposed to be unoccupied) and he has a ship (stolen). Newly
minted Emperor Kai is secretly glad that Cinder’s escaped, but he mentally
decides to hate Carswell immediately on account of he’s “young and inarguably
good-looking.”
In Rieux, a small farming community
in southern France, Scarlet Benoit is frantically searching for her
grandmother. Her grand-mère, Michelle Benoit, has been missing for over two
weeks. She’s been kidnapped for information, but what of import could her grandmother
possibly know? She has no secrets as far as Scarlet is concerned, at least none
that she’s ever heard, and why would Grand-mère keep secrets from her? Clues to
her grandmother’s whereabouts may lie with the mysterious street fighter, Wolf.
While she doesn’t want to trust him, she has no better choice.
Cinder, Scarlet and Wolf will find
themselves to be unexpectedly connected. And the more allies the better, as
they’re going to have a time of it avoiding the cruel Lunar queen, who wants
the handsome Emperor Kai as her husband for reasons of power. Cinder definitely
doesn’t like that!
I like how Meyer introduces new
characters by highlighting them in a new story as opposed to throwing all of
the characters into the first book – no matter how brief the mention – and
having readers try to sort through them later. This approach works well. Like
the first novel, this YA story is part science-fiction and part fantasy. It’s a
dystopian adventure with fairytale ties, but don’t go expecting Scarlet to run
around with a billowing red cloak.
The Lunars’ ability to perform mind
control and manipulation creates an ethics issue that would be good discussion
material. And just a heads up, but the body count rises by the end of the
story. There is some comic relief, though. Example: “Sadistic Kidnappers
Parading as Righteous Lupine Wannabes.” I found the story to be intriguing, but
that phrase alone sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?
Book One: Cinder
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