"Lost in Translation: An Illustrated Compendium of Untranslatable Words from Around the World"

Lost in Translation: An Illustrated Compendium of Untranslatable Words from Around the World (Sept. 16, 2014) by Ella Frances Sanders.

It is a long title, but it is expressing a lot. As the author asks right away in her introduction, “How do you introduce the untranslatable?” Mostly you say some words and launch right into the compendium of words. That’s really what this is. It’s slim as far as books go. Each word has its own spread, and there are only 52 “untranslatable” words. Untranslatable doesn’t mean there are no words to describe this collection of international words. It means that there isn’t a simple, one-or-two-word direct translation (e.g. ¡Hola! = Hello!, Grazie = Thank you).

            To entice any logophiles out there or those who are just plain curious, here is a sampling of what you will find in this book.

1)      The next time you notice sunlight filtering through the trees, you are noting Komorebi (Japanese) n.: The sunlight that filters through the leaves of the trees.

2)     The Finns must really like their reindeer, which would make Frozen’s Sven very proud. Next time you see a real or animated reindeer, you can wonder about Poronkusema (Finnish) n.: The distance a reindeer can comfortably travel before taking a break.

3)     This one is for all the married women out there who’ve ever received a gift from a spouse with a guilty conscience. The word Drachenfutter (German) n.: Literally, “dragon-fodder.” The gift a husband gives his wife when he’s trying to make up for bad behavior.

            I LOVED this little book. Then again, I love words, so this makes sense. I was intrigued from the first “untranslatable” word that I saw. The greatest thing about this book aren’t the fun words (though the words are great), but the cultural importance of it all. Studying languages is challenging and traveling to other countries is expensive, but this little compendium can open up vistas of awareness. The words introduce you to other languages without the stress of memorizing them, and it’s fun, fascinating and sneakily educational all at the same time! I do wish there were page numbers, and the illustrations are quirky (this is not a bad thing). I think the font could’ve been cleaner – instead of looking like someone wrote it – but that is a little nitpick. This book is terrific, and I hope it does well enough that the author is encouraged to compile more such compendiums.

"The Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

This is the fifth story in The Heroes of Olympus series. It is a concluding novel. Like always, I promise not to include any major spoilers (e.g. how it ends), but there will still be spoilers. Again, not super-spoilers and perhaps not spoilers to the untrained eye, but spoilers all the same.

The Blood of Olympus (Oct. 7, 2014) by Rick Riordan.

There’s nothing like a countdown to an end-of-days, is there? The monsters wonder why their enemies bother trying to save the day, and the heroes continue to battle on. Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Jason Grace, Leo Valdez, Piper McLean, Frank Zhang and Hazel Levesque are aboard the Argo II battling across Europe to reach Athens before the Feast of Spes and to prevent Gaea’s wakening. Naturally, Gaea has promised all of her monster children (a.k.a. allies) the world once it is devoid of gods, demigods, enemies of any kind and mere human mortals. They split up in various locations, but each is fraught with danger. There’s Kymopoleia (look her up!) at the bottom of the ocean, angry giants (they’re all over) and Nike, the Greek goddess (not the brand name), the latter of whom they abduct, and she’s really not happy about it (who can blame her?). But never fear, there’s also Festus, Buford the Wonder Table (now happily complete with a yelling Coach Hedge holographic image) and the newly invented Valdezinator (sadly, there’s only one in existence and the god of music has it).

            In other various parts of the world, Nico di Angelo, Reyna Ramírez-Arellano and Coach Hedge are trying to get the Athena Parthenos to Camp Half-Blood. They hope it will bridge the rift between the Greek demigod camp and the Roman demigod camp, Camp Jupiter, of which Reyna is still praetor (even though Octavian doesn’t heed this). Reyna is determined to present the Athena Parthenos to the Greek demigods despite being hunted by a giant who, of course, wants her to die a slow, painful death. Still, the constant threat of danger doesn’t mean she doesn’t worry about her past ghosts. And she isn’t the only one disturbed by haunted memories, painful emotions and pent-up anguish. Nico is really hurting and feels there is no one he can confide in. He’s also fighting so he doesn’t get lost in shadows. Meanwhile, Coach Hedge is very worried about his wife, Mellie, and is anxious to return to her. At least he’s able to send her paper-airplanes-on-the-wind messages.

            Like its predecessors in The Heroes of Olympus and even Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, this story is full of action and adventure, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. There are dangers around every bend, meaning there’s never a dull moment. “The Blood of Olympus” has as much excitement and adventure as a ventus has air … which is to say, quite a lot and rather constant. In fact, there’s so much adventure and danger that any sporadic moment of romance feels a little awkward, but no worries. The reader will remember the monsters and the heroes and maybe even the name Kymopoleia. But that isn’t to say it’s all action and adventure and no feeling. Nico and Reyna emote the most, as both of them are also journeying toward self-love and acceptance, though Jason and Leo are trying to find where they belong, even amongst friends. The tricky part is that they’re figuring this all out while battling mythological monsters and an evil earth goddess in a fiery (sometimes literally) cataclysmic showdown of good versus evil. This prophecy-driven adventure is a wonderful tale, bound to entertain the minds of many, regardless of age. I had a great time reading this concluding novel; I found it to be highly entertaining and as fantastical as the mythology behind it.

            According to the author, this story marks the end of his focus on the Greeks (and Percy Jackson). But for those who’ve read the book, he doesn’t totally squash the idea that the adventure can’t continue later …

            Out of politeness, I didn’t include the Great Prophecy poem in my Percy Jackson compilation. At that time, I felt it was only fair to include the poem representing each book. But now that this series is concluded, I feel all right including it here, for those who want a quick reference to it. (If you don’t, quit reading now!)

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,

To storm or fire the world must fall.

An oath to keep with a final breath,

And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

"Becoming Bea" by Leslie Gould

Becoming Bea (Oct. 7, 2014) by Leslie Gould.*

A job as a mother’s helper/housekeeper/cook comes at an opportune time for Beatrice Zook. She doesn’t have to go to Montana with her sister, brother-in-law and mother. She can remain the homebody that she is, except at Nan and Bob Miller’s, where she’s helping to care for their three preemie Bopplis. The newborns are, understandably, a lot to handle, especially when the triplets are colicky through the night! Bea hasn’t handled babies much and is almost fearful at first, but it turns out that she has a way with the little ones.

            The one she doesn’t have a way – of patience – with is Benjamin Rupp. Bea and Ben have known each other since before they can remember, and Ben really knows how to push Bea’s buttons. She might say that he is A-N-N-O-Y-I-N-G and P-R-E-T-E-N-T-I-O-U-S. They’re each other’s biggest competition when it comes to words and getting the last word. I guess that happens when you have two lovers-of-words – L-O-G-O-P-H-I-L-E-S – butting personalities. Ben is antagonistic toward Bea, but perhaps he doesn’t mean to be. Attraction is waiting under the surface if they can both get past the other’s façade and understand past hurts.

            Normally, the only Amish fiction I read is authored by Beverly Lewis, so it’s reasonable to say that I have a high standard when it comes to Amish fiction. This was the first story I’d read by Leslie Gould, and I was pleased by the overall story. Gould presents a solid plot with characters that are well-fleshed-out. It’s easy to assume that the Amish are naturally patient, but patience is something that Bea struggles with, and I appreciated that Gould created Bea in that light. I know I related to her, and I’m guessing many others do as well. I also liked her inclusion of spelling words. It strengthened the connection between Bea and Ben and their competitive spirits toward one another. I also connected to the characters through their academically competitive spirits. Bea’s increasing maturity and growing confidence throughout the story is nice to read, and I always love to read stories situated in Lancaster County. I didn’t feel lost not having read the first three books in the series, but I’d start at the beginning of The Courtships of Lancaster County series. If Gould’s first stories are anything like this one, they are G-E-M-S!

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"The River" by Beverly Lewis

The River (Sept. 2, 2014) by Beverly Lewis.

Having never been baptized in their Old Order Amish church in [fictional] Eden Valley, Pennsylvania, in [factual] Lancaster County, formerly Amish sisters Tilly Barrows (née Lantz) and Ruth Lantz are not shunned by their family or community, but there remains no lack of guilt. The sisters left for completely different reasons. Tilly, eight years Ruthie’s senior, is racked with guilt over the death of her youngest sister, Anna, nine years ago. Tilly left Eden Valley eight years ago and never returned. Not for a visit, not for a nostalgic-yet-secret visit, not to introduce her family to her Englischer husband, Kris, or their now-four-year-old identical twin daughters, Jenya and Tavani. She also carries memories of a tough childhood, lacking the love her dad seemed to shower on everyone but her.

            Their parents, Lester and Sylvia, are about to celebrate a hallmark wedding anniversary (40 years). Celebrating such events, however big a milestone, is not a norm in Amish society, so the sisters are surprised at this. Then they find out that their father’s health is in decline. Modern medical advancements could help him, but he’s stubborn. Their father’s worrisome health prompts Ruthie to return to Lancaster County, but she doesn’t want to go without Tilly at her side for support. Ruthie never married after her failed courtship with Wilmer Kauffman, nor has she forgotten Will. Both sisters, while remaining God-fearing, faithful women, have their individual struggles with returning to their childhood home. They seek redemption, and, in Tilly’s case, maybe even the confirmation of love.

            When they left, they didn’t turn around and look back. What will transpire when they return? The past is past, but can members of the Lantz family overcome the tension of years ago in less than a week?

            Lancaster County seems like such an idyllic place, and it’s an actual county on the map. I love that, no matter what struggles the characters are facing, faith centers them and love fills them. Sometimes it must be re-discovered or strengthened, but it’s there. Lewis has created another heartfelt novel of love, forgiveness, facing the past and finding inspiration toward a brighter tomorrow. The journey through the story isn’t fraught with danger, but it is burdened by guilt and sorrow, love lost and love seemingly absent. Lewis is always good about tying up her stories with a nice bow, and I like that about her books, because there is always a great message to go along with it. Case in point: Life has thrown Tilly lemons, and while it seems that she’s made lemonade out of those lemons, she has in fact been harboring tart seeds of guilt for a long time. She doesn’t only need to forgive others, but she must also forgive herself. For how can she truly move forward when she’s dwelling on the past? How can any of us?

"Percy Jackson's Greek Gods" by Rick Riordan

Random piece of advice if you buy this book: Know where you’re going to store it. This book is just over nine inches wide and just over a foot tall. So if you think it’s going to fit nicely on your bookshelf, think again! (Unless you have a shelf specifically for oversized books, in which case I’m envious!) :-)

Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods (Aug. 19, 2014) by Rick Riordan.

What is the best way to describe this space-taking book? I wouldn’t really describe it as an encyclopedia, though it is, in a sense. However, it’s written from the perspective of Percy Jackson, who, for those unfamiliar with him, is a fictional character with his own series of books. And he isn’t just any fictional character, he’s a demigod. And calling this a fact list might be to take a few liberties. Although it’s based on plenty of research, it is research based on myths, so take that as you will. I’d like to call this a compendium. It’s a collection of the major Greek gods and goddesses with a sort-of pre-history, all explained in Percy Jackson’s words.

            Percy, if you don’t know, is a teen, full of sarcasm and smack talk, but also full of bravery and heart, not to mention the ability to control water. It’s a handy talent, but probably unsurprising for a son of the sea god. Percy is up to his usual ribbing of his, um, elders by helpfully informing readers of things such as “… this dude’s ego does not need to get any bigger,” when glancing on Zeus. And don’t forget great chapter headings such as ‘Demeter Turns Into Grainzilla,’ ‘Ares, the Manly Man’s Manly Man,’ and ‘Apollo Sings and Dances and Shoots People.’

            One of the main reasons this book is great is Percy Jackson’s perspective. Even more  than the Percy Jackson series or The Kane Chronicles, it seems like Percy talks to you, the reader, more than ever. It isn’t Rick Riordan talking about a bunch of super powerful old gods; it’s Percy talking about his super powerful, horrific, back-stabbing, twisted, ancient relatives in his usual snarky manner. It’s like the who’s who of ancient Greeks. (That would be a good title, actually: Who’s Who Among the Ancient Greeks? Someone work on that book, but remember to give me credit for that title! Ha.)

            If you know what I like to read, then you probably think that I enjoyed this book by default. That’s not true. I mean, I did enjoy this book. I even loved the personality of the book (even though I know it’s an inanimate object). A lot. I laughed out loud more times than I can count and didn’t care who witnessed it. But I didn’t declare I loved this book by default. I read it first. Because you never know when a favorite author will produce something that you don’t find favorable. However, readers have nothing to worry about with this book. It is hilarious, filled with sardonic flair, whip-smart storytelling and plenty of cheekiness. The Titans and Olympians are the gold standard when it comes to dysfunctional families. As Percy says in the introduction, “There will be blood.” Yes. Yes, there will be. And it seems to be a recurring theme …

"The Book of Life" by Deborah Harkness

This is a concluding novel in a trilogy. As with any book, whether it be a standalone or part of a series, I avoid any major spoilers. However, that doesn’t mean that there are absolutely zero spoilers. You have been warned!

The Book of Life (July 14, 2014) by Deborah Harkness.

Elizabethan London is truly back in the past now that Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont have returned to the present. They are surrounded again by their loved ones – with one glaringly significant exception – and are ready to track down the last missing pages of Ashmole 782, an enchanted alchemical manuscript. Their quest becomes urgent as a grave threat surfaces. This significant threat and Matthew go way back. His love of torturing is as strong as his abhorrence of the de Clermonts. Along with their painful deaths, he has obsessive plans for a super race and power over all. The disturbing question is: Just how does he plan to create such a race?

            The answer to that, amongst many others, is believed to be in the Book of Life (Ashmole 782). The witches believe that the book is a lost book of spells. Vampires believe that it is their lost history. (Daemons, apparently, are neutral.) The last time Diana saw it, it was in the Bodleian Library. If she calls it again, will it answer her? But what use will it be unless she can find the missing pages?

            There’s a significant change going on in the lives of Diana and Matthew that requires much adaptation. It’s not a bad change, but that doesn’t mean it’s without trepidation and plenty of questions without answers. That is all on top of the witchy skills Diana opened up whilst she was centuries back and to which she continues to get used to.

            There were two years between “Shadow of Night” and “The Book of Life.” Admittedly, I had to brush away some cobwebs in my mind in order to remember story details -- not the plot or any main points, but occasional supporting characters and locations and the like. And, while still full of history, it wasn’t overwhelming like all of the historical details of the second installment.

            This concluding, adult fiction novel is full of action, danger, a certain amount of mystery and plenty of intrigue. There is romance, blood rage, love, a firedrake, hatred, Sept-Tours, defeat, an orobouros and hope. There is a surplus of magic, full of color and even more complicated workings. History is woven into the story – it cannot be helped; after all, the author is a history professor – but so is strong emotion (both good and bad) and plenty of traveling (here, there, abroad and back again). I think what really upped my satisfaction with the story was the presence of humor, as compared to the other two novels. For example, I laughed aloud at Gallowglass crooning a sea chantey, because between each verse were lines such as, “What are you thinking, flying around the house like a demented parakeet?” Much soul is involved in this book, as evidenced by the strong characters – both main and supporting – that Harkness created. Overall, she has fashioned a masterful weaving with varied, colorful threads making up the fascinating, larger picture that is this trilogy.

            Book One in the All Souls Trilogy: A Discovery of Witches

            Book Two in the All Souls Trilogy: Shadow of Night

"A Bride in Store" by Melissa Jagears

A Bride in Store (Sept. 2, 2014) by Melissa Jagears.*

Special delivery! Mail-order bride Eliza Cantrell from Pennsylvania has arrived in [fictional] Salt Flatts, Kansas. She arrived by [robbed] train. She had decided to arrive early to meet her intended, but Axel Langston isn’t in town. Instead she meets his business partner, William Stanton, and has nothing of the $500 cash dowry she had told Axel she would be contributing to the general store. Fortunately, she is very adept at business, and she’ll try to keep her focus on the store, because otherwise …

            … it falls on Will. He knows Eliza’s Axel’s fiancée, yet he can’t help but picture her in his arms. She isn’t classically beautiful, and she’s stubborn, but her passion for the store and her tenacious spirit attract him too much. As his friend Everett Cline says of his feelings toward Eliza, another man’s betrothed, Will is “in a war … and war was ugly.” So true. But surely he couldn’t really be what Eliza would want. After all, she wants a general store, and she’ll have that with Axel. Will just wants to go to medical school, but saving up is slow-going, and he already helps anyone in town who asks for his medical advice.

            Things do not settle down when Axel finally returns to town. If anything, they worsen.  Someone’s stealing from the merchants and families about town, even though the train robbers were supposedly captured. Warring feelings are also at play. Eliza has fallen for Will, even if she doesn’t want to admit it, and Will is head-over-boots in love with Eliza, though he fears the love doesn’t reciprocate. Can Will leave town without Eliza? Can Eliza just watch Will leave?

            I am pleased that this book snagged my attention from the first chapter. The plot is sturdy, and the story isn’t without humor: “Why did Lynville just step closer to her? To prove he stank?” Despite pops of humor, this Christian historical fiction novel doesn’t downplay the hardships of eking out an existence in small town 1881. If anything, it hones in on it by including competing general stores and touching on the medical knowledge of the time. I found this story to be fairly fast-paced and appreciated the author’s attention to historical detail. I also liked how the main characters struggled with their faith as they became closer to God again, but that Jagears wasn’t all preachy about it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian historical fiction with a touch of romance, plenty of doubts, misunderstandings and stubbornness. And also faith and love and hope.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rutabaga's Reads 2014: Part 9

Despite all of the YA novels I have read this year alone, this is only my first Part YA post for 2014. In nickname, at least. Enjoy!

Icons (May 7, 2013) by Margaret Stohl.

On The Day, 13 Icons fell from the sky and generated an electromagnetic field so immensely powerful that it halted electrical activity within a certain radius. Electrical activity that didn’t only disrupt or disable modern technology, but also shut down chemical processes or reactions within this radius, this field. And by chemical, yes, good-bye to approximately one billion lives in one instant. Dol (full name: Doloria Maria de la Cruz) and her “best-and-only friend,” Ro (full name: Furo Costas) belong to none of the Silent Cities, but are Icon Children in a Grass Mission. They hide from Sympas – Occupation Sympathizers – and Embassy soldiers. Living in the Grass Mission is to live without electrical energy or technology. That’s all centralized in the cities. But Dol and Ro will wind up on Santa Catalina Island, very close to Ambassador (of the Los Angeles Projects) Leta Amare, whom they all fear, when they’re captured. The Ambassador is in direct contact with General Ambassador to the Planet Hiro Miyazawa, and he’s in contact with the House of Lords, the aliens. Dol and Ro will meet fellow Icon Children Lucas Amare (yes, the Ambassador’s son) and Timora “Tima” Li. Dol also meets Fortis, a Merk, who is a handy person to know, and Dr. Orwell Bradbury Huxley-Clarke. Doc is a Virtual Physician, a Virtual Human, a machine. There’s also Colonel Virgil William Catallus. He’s not an alien, but he is a monster.

            The four young people aren’t together by coincidence. They don’t know the details, but they may actually be part of the Grass Rebellion and a conspiracy. The arrival of the Icons may not have been such a surprise, at least not to some. If that’s the case, then how can the Icon Children’s very big emotions – sometimes scarily uncontrollable and explosive – be strength enough to overpower those with all the power?

            Another dystopia. This is not a negative thing, but I admit there are other dystopian fiction trilogies/series that I prefer over this one, the first in a series. Stohl is the co-author of the Beautiful Creatures series with Kami Garcia (see: “Unbreakable” below), and I’ll confess that I preferred Garcia’s supernatural thriller over this science-fiction dystopia. Both of those books represent the authors’ first solo forays in book publishing. However, I still found this story to be structured with layers that surely haven’t all been explored. Despite the fear shown by the main characters, there is also strength and a sense that they must figure out the part of themselves that’s super emotionally charged. Although I didn’t love the story, I still found it to be intriguing. I also liked how the author included bits of Embassy news at the end of each chapter. The news varied and added information and active interest for the reader. Not so interesting? The oft-seen love triangle.

Mystic City (Oct. 9, 2012) by Theo Lawrence.

Ooh, a forbidden romance, and now Aria Rose – daughter of Johnny Rose, head of the political party that controls the western half of Manhattan – is engaged to Thomas Foster – son of George Foster, head of Manhattan’s eastern side. They’re residents of the Aeries, in families that are richest of the rich and most powerful of the powerful. The Roses and Fosters have always been enemies until the engagement of their children brings their families together. It sounds like Romeo & Juliet with a happier ending. Except.

            Aria has no memory of being engaged to Thomas or loving him or even going on a date with him. She has no memories of secretly meeting him in the Depths, which is where the poor live, far below them and their skyscraper Aeries, at ground level where the waters are claiming more of Manhattan every year. The Depthshods barely scrape by and no Depthshod likes a Foster or a Rose. The Depths are also where the mystics have been banished to. Like witches or wizards, each mystic has her/his supernatural gifts which aren’t the same across the board. They are drained twice a year, looking pale and sickly. All because of the Conflagration. Aria should despise them, but she doesn’t, and much of that is probably thanks to Hunter. He’s a rebel mystic who may know the past she can’t remember. But how to unlock it?

            And is Aria really in love with Thomas? Or is it merely a political stunt? The Roses and Fosters uniting against the mayoral candidacy of Violet Brooks, radical mystic? Well, at least Aria’s best friend, Claudia “Kiki” Shoby, provides some humor.

            This is a story where the rich get richer and more powerful and the poor remain poor and, for mystics, quite literally drained. There are destructive secrets swirling about, and I like that Aria, despite her lack of memories, plods forward to try to find her memories and discover secrets. Instead of looking like a fragile, doe-eyed princess who follows her parents’ expectations, she becomes independent, fiery and defiant. The author doesn’t rush this transformation, which is important to things appearing more believable. I also like how he wrote Hunter. Hunter has enough cool cockiness to give him a fighting chance against the Roses and Fosters, but his head isn’t so inflated that he overwhelms scenes with Aria. Overall, this book is an easily readable, urban fantasy dystopia. Not the most inspiring, but the book will look lovely on your bookshelf. It shimmers!

School Spirits (May 14, 2013) by Rachel Hawkins.

It’s all in a day’s work for Isolde “Izzy” Brannick to vanquish vampires and banish spirits, but attend a real high school? Laughable! And the reason her mom, Aislinn, wants her to attend high school is to banish a ghost haunting students and faculty at Mary Evans High in [fictional] Ideal, Mississippi. But that is also laughable – in a ridiculous way – to Izzy, because ghosts “are nothing. They’re … They’re like Brannick training wheels.” So it should be a quick matter of reconnaissance on Izzy’s part – then get in, get the job done and leave before she’s even had the chance to make friends. She teams up with Romy Hayden, Dexter O’Neil and Anderson and joins their Paranormal Management Society. All in the name of research, naturally. [And yes, the acronym for the club is PMS.] But strangely, Izzy finds that she likes hanging out with them. Romy is the friend she’s never had, and Dex is the … friend? … she’s also never had. Dex makes her feel all unexpectedly tingly, and not in the way that she can sense Prodigium, though there may be that, too. The concept of having friends is new to Izzy, so how much can she trust them to know about her?

            The ghost haunting Mary Evans High is vengeful and unusually strong. Izzy will have to discover why if she expects to vanquish it for good. Did someone summon it? Did her newfound friends? No matter how busy she is finding answers and keeping the truth of herself secret, she’s ever thinking about her sister, Finley, missing for six months, and she expects her mom blames her for Finn’s disappearance.

            Hawkins, author of the Hex Hall series, does another masterful job of writing teenage characters who actually sound like teens. Dex can be over-the-top in his speech, but that makes his character all the more likeable and the dialogue all the more amusing. The banter between Izzy and Dex screams connection, but theirs is a friendship first with a non-mushy romance potentially blooming second. For example, Dex declares, with mock seriousness, that they are best friends because, “Three fries I’ve stolen from you. That cements it.”

            “School Spirits” is a fun ghost caper with a solid plot, some twists and an ending that’s mostly tied up neatly but with one thing sorely unsolved. This humorous novel is currently standalone, but I hope that that won’t always be the case.

Unbreakable (Oct. 1, 2013) by Kami Garcia.

Who doesn’t appreciate a good ghost story now and then?  Okay, so it’s not just a ghost story, but it does involve a secret society of ghost hunters that are tasked with protecting the world from a vengeful demon. That society is the Legion of the Black Dove, and Kennedy Waters learns the hard way that she’s part of it. Probably. Or so the boys say. First, her mom dies (though she originally has no idea that paranormal forces were responsible). Second, death tries to find her. Fortunately, she’s saved by mysterious twin brothers Jared and Lukas Lockhart. Circumstances provoke her to go with them for safety reasons, so she meets Priest, a young genius, and Alara, a beautiful but formidable girl. The four of them are part of the Legion, and Kennedy is supposedly the fifth member. But what can she offer the team? She has no ghost hunter training (okay, fine, vengeance spirits training) and is therefore totally ill-equipped to track down and destroy the demon Andras. She isn’t an expert in symbology, weaponry, alchemy, mathematics or engineering. All she has is an eidetic memory. Guess it’ll be on-the-job training for her, because the demon waits for no one and in fact would rather kill them all off so he can clear the way for his evil takeover. So they scour within a certain radius to locate pieces of the Shift which will destroy Andras. But they also have to find Andras’ hidey center, the Marrow. Can they succeed? Will Kennedy prove herself to be a member of the Black Dove?

            Best known for her Beautiful Creatures collaboration with Margaret Stohl, “Unbreakable” is Garcia’s first solo expedition, and I’d say it was successful. This YA supernatural thriller was at times tense, intense, edge-of-your-seat and creepy. And while there is jealousy and redemption and romance, the book is more thriller than anything. This was a fast-paced adventure that I would not want to take in real life, but it’s engaging to read. Garcia’s novel contained eerie twists and sinister locations. There were times I actually got goose bumps!

            “May the black dove always carry you.”

"The Longest Ride" by Nicholas Sparks

The Longest Ride (Sept. 17, 2013) by Nicholas Sparks.

French Slovakian Sophia Danko is a senior from New Jersey at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She’s a dedicated student belonging to the Chi Omega sorority, and her roommate/best friend, Marcia Peak, is the reason she finds herself watching a bull riding competition. She has her doubts about attending, especially after her skuzzy ex-boyfriend shows up. Then in swoops young, ultra-attractive cowboy Luke Collins (“eye candy” according to Marcia). Neither is looking for a relationship; Sophia continues to deal with her failed relationship with cheating Brian, and Luke is competing in a sport he had walked away from, but has returned to in order to help make payments on his mom’s ranch. He feels responsible for her being in the financial situation she’s in. Still, despite their separate issues, Sophia and Luke find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. Making their very different lives work, though – an art history major wanting to work in a museum and a lifelong rancher – will make for a difficult relationship, not to mention Luke’s omission to Sophia.

            Ira Levinson, an elderly man in his nineties, is in trouble. He’s gone off the road on the way to Black Mountain. His collarbone and arm are broken, and something is wrong with his shoulder. He’s got a bleeding head wound, and although there is a full thermos of coffee, two sandwiches, prunes and a bottle of water somewhere in the car, there’s no way he can reach it. Even the littlest movement has lightning bolts of pain shooting through him. Perhaps it’s the pain that causes him to hallucinate about his beloved wife, Ruth, gone for nine years. But no matter, for her company focuses him and helps him remain alert, as he also hopes someone will find him on the steep embankment, because there’s one more thing … Through Ruth, he’s trying to remain alert, but he feels himself “… shrinking, like a sand castle slowly being washed away with every wave.”

            Classic Sparks again. If you know Sparks’ books, then you know the template: an intertwining storyline with a sweet romance sometimes bordering on over-sappiness. Some of these most recent books have also visited the dark sides of characters, but the main characters remain kind-hearted and good. They also show us that love is stronger than just about anything. As it is classic Sparks, it is a good book if you’re in the mood for romantic fiction. There are points that make you laugh and perhaps even shed a tear; other moments may have you rolling your eyes or wishing that your life held that spark – that spark being someone who is truly special. The story is poignant, as it can be following someone’s likely end-of-days, but it’s much more than that. It’s a story of an extraordinary journey. Not fantastical in a superstar sense, but that it’s just a life well-lived. It’s the longest ride, full of happiness and pain, expectation and disappointment, ups and down, but always full of love, even in the darkest of times.

"A World Without Princes" by Soman Chainani

This post is about the sequel to “The School for Good and Evil.” Spoilers are included. Not much more so than what is implied by the title or found on the dust jacket, but if you’re planning to read this someday and haven’t yet, you may want to conclude reading this post right now.

A World Without Princes (Apr. 15, 2014) by Soman Chainani.

Both Agatha and Sophie, of Woods Beyond, are back home, where they should be living out their happily ever after, but they aren’t. Both girls make a wish unbeknownst to the other, but it is Agatha’s that propels them back to The School for Good and Evil. Except that it isn’t anymore. Princesses are mixing with witches and princes are chumming with henchmen: Evergirls and Nevergirls, Everboys and Neverboys. Girls versus boys. The School for Girl Education and Enlightenment; The School for Boy Vengeance and Restitution. The School Master’s Tower has moved, following the new School Master and the Storian. The new School Master is a certain muscular, golden-haired boy with his father’s glinting sword sheathed at his side. A boy named Tedros. There isn’t much time to dwell, as the girls get thrown into classes despite missing most of the school year. There’s a mysterious new girl named Yara who doesn’t speak, and the new Dean of the girls’ school, Evelyn Sader, is a “tall, ravishing woman” that’s more dangerous than she lets on.

            Agatha wants to undo her wish and send herself and Sophie safely back home. Too bad someone’s erased “The End” from their happy ending, and the Storian is missing. A new ending is up for grabs, and they all know that the villain always dies in the end, but who’s the villain? Is it Sophie? Tedros? Evelyn? Agatha? They need to restore the schools to Good and Evil. The tricky part will be making that happen without bloodshed, and unfortunately, blood will be shed in this world without princes.

            The best way I can describe this tale is to dub it epic middle-grade fantasy. Because it is. But which may sound strange, considering it is middle-grade. If you read the first one, you won’t want to miss this installment, and if you haven’t read the first one yet, what are you waiting for? This is middle-grade that is not meant for little kids or the faint of heart. Their second year’s Trial by Tale pits boys against girls, and the side with the most left standing wins. It’s as simple as that, except the trial could turn as deadly as a Hunger Games arena. Since The Hunger Games has already been done – quite dramatically and violently – I can’t say I liked the unoriginality of this trial format. But the trial is not the sole point of the story, and overall the book is a rousing, action-filled tale where good and evil are sometimes so skewed that it’s hard to tell who’s good and who isn’t. It is classy in its brilliance. It isn’t just a battle of lightness versus darkness, either. Sometimes it’s light versus light that battles. And at the end of the day, with true love on the line, who will prevail?

            Book One: The School for Good and Evil

Trondhjem's Pie & Ice Cream Social 2014

For those who know me, you know this is the time of year when I concoct the annual poem for my home church's Pie & Ice Cream Social. This year's Social is on Sunday, Sept. 14, beginning at 5 p.m.

Trondhjem’s Pie & Ice Cream Social 2014

Let it be known throughout all this farmland

That Trondhjem’s Pie & Ice Cream Social’s almost at hand.

On September 14^th, we’ll welcome you in

At 5 p.m. with great-to-see-you grins!

You’ll find Linda’s famous sloppy joes downstairs.

They’ll whet your appetite; indeed, I declare!

The meal cost is not set.  There is no bill,

For meal donations are wholly freewill.

To pick a pie slice is always a highlight.

Will there be caramel nut or a berry delight?

Will someone bring a cherry, pecan or pumpkin pie?

Or is it with chocolate that you see eye-to-eye?

Upstairs is where you’ll find our silent auction

And also our buy-and-take baking concoctions.

There might be woodwork and goody baskets with themes.

We may find homemade pickles or brownies with cream.

WELCA is raffling a beautiful quilt,

Which sewing talents creatively built.

The raffle tickets are just a single dollar.

We have them on hand, so just give us a holler!

Please come see us for food, fun and fellowship

On 9/14 at 5; it’s not a far trip.

We’ll be ready to go come rain or sunshine,

And visiting with you will make our day divine!

"A Match of Wits" by Jen Turano

A Match of Wits (July 1, 2014) by Jen Turano.*

It is autumn time in 1883, and New York socialite Agatha Watson isn’t in her home city, but a lengthy train ride away in Colorado. She’s traveling as a reporter for the New York Tribune and writes under the name Mr. Alfred Wallenstate. Unfortunately, her writer’s guise has become known to some obviously wrong people, as she has had death threats. Such is the reason she’s been in Colorado with moody bodyguard, Mr. Blackheart, and her paid companion (as she is too old for a chaperone), Mrs. Drusilla Swanson. Being in Colorado is fortuitous in that she discovers Zayne Beckett, whom she hasn’t seen for two years, when he was leaving New York to follow his soon-to-be fiancée. A disastrous situation – accidentally and regrettably caused by Agatha – sends them all back to New York, much to Agatha’s delight and Zayne’s chagrin. Agatha has pegged him as her next project, and Zayne has his reasons for not wanting to return. Danger soon finds Agatha back in New York, and others around her aren’t unaffected. While those who care for her want to wile her away to a safe place, she wants to be out in the open like live bait; she’ll even take her noticeable pet P-I-G, Matilda, out for casual strolls. Her investigator’s nose will have her digging up news to locate her would-be assassins, and Zayne will do his best to keep her out of further harm’s way. But it’ll literally be difficult for him to stay one step ahead of her. Fortunately, the rest of the crew is around, like his older brother, Hamilton, their sister, Arabella, and top private investigator, Theodore Wilder. Don’t forget the meddling mothers found in Mrs. Cora Watson and Mrs. Gloria Beckett, either!

            Turano’s stories take place during a time when the men dominated and were expected to dominate, while the women were expected to be subservient and docile, not prone to outbursts or ditching one’s corsets for men’s trousers. Fortunately, Turano creates women of distinction with voices not afraid to be heard. Agatha is a strong female character, and she is not the only woman of strength in the story, which I appreciate. She has a big personality and an equally big heart. Zayne, having been brought up a typical male for that time period, is dense when it comes to strong women (and women in general, it seems), but he’s chivalrous enough to want to be a knight in shining armor, and there’s nothing wrong with that. This enjoyable Christian historical fiction novel is full of heart, solid faith, struggling faith, bumbling steps, big oopsy-daisies and love mixed with an investigative spirit. Zayne and Agatha can certainly match wits. How long will it take them to match hearts?

            See also: A Most Peculiar Circumstance and A Talent for Trouble

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rutabaga's Reads 2014: Part 8

Though I’ve nicknamed this post Part Scholastic Books 2, they aren’t only representative of +Scholastic. All four stories are also young adult fiction titles.

            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.

Bewitching (Feb. 14, 2012) by Alex Flinn.

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

The Elite (Apr. 23, 2013) by Kiera Cass.

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

Poison (Mar. 12, 2013) by Bridget Zinn.

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