xxxHolic, Vol. 6

Watanuki, the unsuspecting teen who, in the first volume of the series, wandered into the mysterious shop of Yuko, the Space-Time witch, discovers even more fantastical things in this volume of the xxxHolic series. As with previous volumes, the book is divided into several short stories, and the first one finds Watanuki and his friend Domeki taking part in a mysterious ceremony called the Hayakki Yako. We learn in the ever useful notes in the back of the book that the words mean "pandemonium" in Japanese, but the phrase is composed of Chinese characters that mean "a hundred demons moving in the night." And that there is a series of paintings by the same name that depict Japanese demons moving under lantern light.

When the magical creatures discover that there are two humans walking among them, Watanuki and Domeki find themselves in very hot water.

Below, in case anyone is interested, is one of those paintings. It is called "Hyakki Yako" by 19th-century Japanese painter Kawanabe Kyōsai, and it is in the collection of the British Museum. One of the things I love about this series is that I always learn something interesting about Japanese culture, folklore or mythology.

The second story involves a very sad but kind woman who befriends Watanuki when she sees him doing yard work outside Yuko's shop. She is grieving for the loss of her son, and because Watanuki still grieves the loss of his parents, he and the woman become good friends. But there is something odd about her and her effect on him, and even though he fears his friends are right when they voice their concern about what is happening to him, the woman is so sweet and sad that he continues to spend time with her...and with Yuko away on an important assignment, things quickly get out of hand.

This story brings the often funny relationship between Watanuki and Domeki to a more serious, thoughtful place, and we begin to sense that there is much at stake, and that the way their relationship progresses will have an enormous impact on their lives.

Once again I have enjoyed my reread of another volume in the xxxHolic series. The artwork is lovely, particularly the detailed illustrations at the beginning of the individual stories. The falling leaves that accent the panels involving Watanuki and the sad woman are incredibly evocative, giving the story an autumnal flavor that complements her sorrow and their bittersweet relationship. The stories are intriguing and surprising, the characters continue to change and grow, and the enticing questions raised make me impatient to continue to the next volume - even though I've read most of them before!

xxxHOLIC, Vol. 6 by Clamp (Del Rey, 2005)

Have you reviewed this book? Let me know, and I'll add a link to your review here!

The Red House Mystery

This classic novel by beloved children's author A. A. Milne presents an intriguing murder mystery as well as a cast of colorful, memorable characters. While the novel is not very well known today, it was immensely popular when it was first published. Raymond Chandler called it "an agreeable book, light, amusing in the Punch style, written with a deceptive smoothness that is not as easy as it looks."

Set in England in the 1920s, the book opens with a letter announcing the arrival of a visitor to the elegant country home of Mark Ablett, who is none too happy to hear of the imminent arrival of his black-sheep brother. When our hero Antony shows up at the Red House later that day, looking for a friend who is staying there, he happens across a highly unusual situation: a dead body in a locked room, the victim shot in the head, but no gun at the murder scene.

Antony is a young man who has worked at various professions as dictated by his whims, and he is capable, intelligent and curious. He decides that amateur sleuth will be his next profession, and he asks his friend Bill if he's willing to play Watson to his Holmes. Bill enthusiastically agrees, the two friends set out to solve a baffling mystery. Milne's unique voice is what raises this book from a fun, puzzling mystery to a thoroughly rewarding read. The skillful characterization and the narration, along with the careful clues and surprising discoveries, combine to make this an engaging, if sedately plotted, tale.

I was surprised when I read, in several bloggers' reviews of this book, that there was the following dedication in their editions, from A. A. Milne to his father:

Like all really nice people, you have a weakness for detective stories, and feel that there are not enough of them. So after all that you have done for me, the least I can do for you is to write one. Here it is: with more gratitude and affection than I can well put down here.
A.A.M.

The lack of this lovely dedication, combined with the many typos scattered throughout this edition of the book (by Bookjungle), prompts me to suggest that interested readers find themselves a copy by a different publisher, one that has taken more care to present the work in its originally intended format. Note that the cover pictured here is not Bookjungle's - their edition has even changed the title on the cover simply to The Red House. I looked for a copy of their edition to use for this review at their website (http://www.bookjungle.com/), but their search engine did not return any results; nor did the site allow me to browse their collection).

At any rate, I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy a classic locked-room mystery, as well as to those who spent childhood hours with Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh, because A.A. Milne's prose is a delight to read, no matter his intended audience, and his narrative style is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne (Bookjungle, 2009; originally published 1922)

Also reviewed at:
Fleur Fisher Reads: "Milne wrote lovely prose and the stately place and understated humor made this book a lovely read for me, though the style wouldn’t suit everyone."
A Fondness for Reading: "There are some interesting plot twists, but it's a light-weight and fun mystery."
Novel Insights: "It’s an entertaining journey trying to figure out has happened, and it’s possible to guess at least half of the situation from the clues while being kept in the dark enough to be surprised. What really makes it a joy to read though is Milne’s unique voice."

Slave to Sensation

Sascha lives in a world that is populated by humans (although we don't really see much of them in this book), changelings (people who can shapeshift into animal forms), and the Psy. The Psy are people with various psychic abilities, but what unifies them all is that they are connected to a vast mental network. Generations earlier, the Psy, in an effort to combat the disturbing number of sociopaths and serial killers among them, began a conditioning program known simply as Silence.

Silence conditions Psy children not to feel any emotions at all, so that with rage, fear and frustration - not to mention all other emotions - gone from their minds, the Psy are creatures of cool logic and efficiency.

Sascha, however, is not like the rest of the Psy. She does feel emotions, and she has developed impressive mental shields to hide her disability. If it is discovered, she knows she will be subjected to procedures that will leave her a mindless automaton. Her mother is a powerful member of the ruling Council, and as the book opens, Sascha is given an assignment in their family business. She is to work with a local group of changelings - wereleopards - toward completion of a real estate deal. Sascha is immediately attracted to Lucas, the leader of their group, but of course she hides it beneath her cool, icy exterior, as she hides everything else so well. The more time she spends with him, though, the more difficult it becomes to maintain her reserve.

When she discovers that a young woman from a neighboring changeling pack has been abducted, and that the abduction is only one in a long string of kidnapped, tortured and murdered changelings, she is stunned when she is told that a member of the Psy is responsible. As impossible as it seems, though, she becomes convinced that the changelings are telling her the truth. As she risks her own exposure, searching the PsyNet for the clues, she comes closer and closer to revealing her disability to the powerful council. She must find a way work with the changelings, deal with their mutual distrust of each other (not to mention her illicit feelings for Lucas)r, in order to save the girl's life before the changelings declare war on her people.

I have heard so many good things about the Psy-Changelings series, and while I hardly need to become addicted to yet another series, I evidently have very little will power where these things are concerned. To be honest, I doubt I'd have picked up this book based on the cover, which isn't terribly appealing to me; nor does it capture the evocative otherworldliness of Sascha's life. The novel itself offers many surprising and unique elements, such as the entire Psy world with its machinations and politics, not to mention the unique way in which the Psy are all connected. That part of the book, along with the deft characterizations, the growing sexual tension between Lucas and Sascha as contrasted with the chilly interactions between Sascha and her fellow Psy - even her own mother - made for a compelling read. The changeling groups and their culture and politics were fairly run-of-the-mill in contrast, in the vein of Laurell Hamilton, Patricia Briggs, Kelley Armstrong, etc. The rest of the book was so intriguing, though, that I didn't mind - the narrative held my attention the whole way through. I'm looking forward to the next book of this promising new (to me) series.

Books in the Psy-Changelings series:
1. Slave to Sensation
2. Visions of Heat
3. Caressed by Ice
4. Mine to Possess
5. Hostage to Pleasure
6. Branded by Fire
7. Blaze of Memory
8. Bonds of Justice
9. Play of Passion

Slave to Sensation (#1 in the Psy-Changelings series) by Nalini Singh (Berkley Sensation, 2006)

Also reviewed at:

The Book Lush: "Slave to Sensation is a intense story about two unlikely people finding each other, emotions run high and it was a thrill ride to read."

Medieval Bookworm: "I am of two minds about this book. Half of me loved it and the other half of me didn’t like it so much. Most importantly, I think, is the fact that I was really intrigued by the world."

Reading Adventures: "I really liked both the characters of Lucas and Sascha. Lucas gradually realising that he is going to have to learn to trust someone else, and Sascha learning to trust her emotions...really, really good!! And it didn't hurt that Lucas was hot either!!"

Binky the Space Cat

Binky, unlike other cats, has a purpose. He is a space cat, sworn to defeat alien enemies (which look like bugs because they are bugs, of course - too bad humans have such tiny brains that they haven't been able to figure this out yet). Binky tries defeating alien bug enemies in many different ways, but he doesn't have much luck until he finds something very interesting at the bottom of his kitty food bag: a card that asks, "Want to stop aliens? Then become a SPACE CAT today!!!"

He is very excited when his space cat package arrives from F.U.R.S.T. (Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel). It even comes with an official Space Cat badge. Now he can be a real space cat and protect the humans (one big, one small) that he lives with. He works feverishly at building his rocket ship, anxious to blast off into space and battle all those pesky aliens. Except when it's finished, he realizes there is only room for one passenger: Binky. How can he leave his big and small humans behind? Binky has some serious thinking to do.

What a delightful graphic novel! The whimsical illustrations and tongue-in-cheek tone offer amusement to big and small human readers alike, particularly cat lovers. Despite Binky's interest in fighting off alien invaders, Binky is 100% cat, and it is his very catlike ways, combined with his slightly unorthodox behavior, that make it all so sweet and funny. His point of view is all cat, and he is so very serious about everything, which just makes it all that much more hilarious.


Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press, 2009)

Also reviewed at:

Maw Books Blog: "The book is energetic, clever, and simply entertaining. And one that parents will enjoy reading together as well."

Back to Books: "This is a truly adorable book! I enjoyed every single frame of it. The story has an amazingly full plot for such a short number of pages."

Young Readers: "I found Binky The Space Cat to be funny and charming. I loved the illustrations and the text. Binky is a character that I just loved."

Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta

It's always an exciting day when a famous author comes for a school visit, and Dee, Terrence and Hector cannot wait. Hector is particularly excited to bring his beloved copy of Lewis Scribson's famous Flippy Bunny book so the author can sign it.

But instead of the friendly, engaging man the children expect, Scribson turns out to be a dour, grumpy fussbudget, who is particularly annoyed when he finds that he will be signing books in the gym rather than the library. He even refuses to sign Hector's book because it the cover is ripped. Hector is crushed.

Lunch Lady, secret superhero and user of fine food-related crime-fighting gadgets, is immediately suspicious of him when he turns down the freshly baked cookies she offers him. "I only eat gourmet food," he snobbishly declares.

When the school's gym teacher disappears on the heels of Lewis Scribson's visit, the children suspect the grouchy author is somehow involved. A little research shows the author leaves a trail of vanished people in his wake, and between the kids and the Lunch Lady, they are determined to get to the bottom of the suspicious writer's actions. When they infiltrate the author's house, they are shocked by what they find there...

Once again, Krosoczka delivers a funny, exciting and satisfying tale featuring the fearless Lunch Lady and her inventive sidekick, Betty. I am a sucker for real and imaginary gadgetry, and this volume's wonders include stylish hamburger headphones, a mustard-bottle-shaped grappling hook, and my favorite: taco night-vision goggles. These books should be very appealing to fans of Baby Mouse and Captain Underpants, as well as to those who just enjoy a quick and simple, funny and exciting read. We cannot keep these books on the shelf at the public library where I work - the kids really eat them up. (Pardon the pun!)

Books in the Lunch Lady series
1. Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute
2. Lunch Lady and League of Librarians
3. Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta
4. Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown (forthcoming)

Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta (#3 in the Lunch Lady graphic novel series) by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Alfred A. Knopf, 2009)

Also reviewed at:
Jen Robinson's Book Page: "Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta is an excellent addition to the Lunch Lady series, sure to please young graphic novel fans"
The Joys of Reading: "I love the Lunch Lady. These are the perfect books for reluctant readers."

Flirt

When Laurell Hamilton was working on the most recent book in her Meredith Gentry series, a story about Anita Blake kept niggling at her mind, and she was unable to focus on the Meredith story until she gave in and dedicated some time to Anita as well. The story she wrote is Flirt, a short mystery/fantasy/suspense novel involving a day or two in Anita's life, which of course includes plenty of mayhem, not to mention zombies and some sexy shapeshifters.

Anita's day job, when she's not out fighting big bad vampiric, were, or psychopathic villains, is as an animator. She raises people from the dead, usually to resolve a dispute about a will or other legal matter. She is a necromancer, unlike many of her animator colleagues, and word has gotten around that the dead that Anita raises are so revived that they are indistinguishable from regular, living people. For a while, that is. Other reanimated bodies typically resemble movie zombies, so Anita can command fairly high prices for her services. And if she doesn't approve of the reason someone wishes to reanimate someone, she simply will not do it.

One such refusal puts Anita's loved ones in a tight spot, however. She is cornered at a restaurant by a couple of unfamiliar shapeshifters and told that she must raise someone from the dead, or risk having several of the people she loves most killed. Anita finds that her reputation is a double-edged sword, and her captors seem ahead of her every step of the way, knowing way too much about her supernatural abilities. Fortunately for Anita, however, they don't know everything she can do...

The Anita Blake series is so long and complex, and so much has happened along the way, that each book tends to focus on one narrow aspect of her life - her relationship with Jean-Claude, the vampire Master of the City, and the complications that arise from it, or her role as leader of the wereleopards, or a hunt for a supernatural serial killer that needs her special brand of expertise. I enjoyed going back to Anita's original job, particularly as she has become a very different woman from the one in the early books. It is fascinating to see how she has been shaped by previous events - and how she, in turn, is shaping the events around her, always venturing into morally ambiguous areas, but never backing down from tough decisions.

The author's note at the end offers a fascinating glimpse into her writing process, and the comic strips at the end of the book are delightful. There were some minor issues with plot turns that seemed the tiniest bit too convenient, but as always, I am more interested in the emotional development of the characters, not to mention the breakneck action, and I enjoyed this brief sojourn in Anita's world very much.

Books in the Anita Blake series:
1. Guilty Pleasures
2. The Laughing Corpse
3. Circus of the Damned
4. The Lunatic Cafe
5. Bloody Bones
6. The Killing Dance
7. Burnt Offerings
8. Blue Moon
9. Obsidian Butterfly
10. Narcissus in Chains
11. Cerulean Sins
12. Incubus Dreams
13. Micah
14. Danse Macabre
15. The Harlequin
16. Blood Noir
17. Skin Trade
18. Flirt

Flirt (#18 in the Anita Blake series) by Laurell K. Hamilton (Berkley Books, 2010)

Also reviewed at:
Book Series Reviews: "The worldbuilding, the complexity of the relationships, the complexity of the metaphysics - all of these things make this a really interesting series. Some of the books are better than others though, and this one was not one of the best."
The Drabbler: "And though Flirt is only a side step in the overarching tale Hamilton has been telling throughout the series, I’m still left wondering (for the last three books to be exact) where is she going with this story. It’s been many books since there has been significant interaction with the characters who made the series compelling in the first place..."
The Good, the Bad and the Unread: "I liked Flirt because it had a beginning, middle, and end. It’s a short novel, or a novel-length short story that deals with loss and love. There is some redemption in the story, though it’s a darker redemption as is appropriate for the setting."

Malice

There are all kinds of rumors about a mysterious comic book called Malice. Most kids say the comic book doesn't exist, but everyone feels a chill creep up their spine when they talk about "the ritual." When Luke tells his friend Heather that he actually has a copy of the book, she doesn't even want to see it. But when they look inside, they read about horrific, frightening things. Heather tells Luke to put the book away, and he sees that she really is scared. He teases her for believing the all the stories, and just to prove it all is false, he performs the ritual, and repeats six times: "Tall Jake, take me away."

Nothing happens immediately...but rumor has it, Tall Jake waits until you're all alone...

When Luke vanishes without a trace the following day, his friend Seth suspects that Malice is involved with Luke's disappearance. He confides in his friend Kady, and together they set out to bring Luke back. Their search leads them to a seedy comic book shop where a creepy man works, and they have a feeling that he knows more than he's letting on. When Seth sneaks out with a copy of the fabled Malice in his hands, and he and Kady open it, they are shocked to see their friend Luke depicted in its pages. The rumors are true - Tall Jake has taken Luke into the dark, cruel world of the comic book, and they watch helplessly as, terrified, he is pursued through its panels by nightmarish creatures.

Malice is an arresting book, with its red embossed cover featuring the foreboding figure of Tall Jake, and the book itself has the sturdy heft of a textbook. I was initially a bit worried that the clever cover might be designed to distract from a less substantial story, but I'm happy to report that it the text and illustrations are a perfect fit. Teen fans of horror should have a lot of fun with this one, particularly with the alternating segments of text and comic book panels that give an occasional firsthand glimpse into the dark world of Malice. There isn't much character development to speak of, but Seth and Kady are sympathetic characters that will quickly gain the affection of readers. The story is fast-paced and intriguing, with tantalizing puzzles and clues, and while the world of Malice at first seems like a purely horrific place, we learn that it there is more to it than cruelty and violence. The book is only the first part in a two-volume series, and while there is a fairly satisfying conclusion, it is clear that there is more to come, and many issues remain unresolved. I am looking forward to Havoc, the concluding volume - and also to trying some of the many other books that Wooding has written. Lovers of dark fantasy are sure to have a great time with this one.

Malice by Chris Wooding; illustrated by Dan Chernett (Scholastic, 2009)

Also reviewed at:
Bookshelves of Doom: "In other hands, I think the switches in format -- from text to comic and back again, as well as some playing with font size and text placement -- could have felt gimmicky and annoying, but because of the storyline and because Chris Wooding can write, it all worked."
A Chair, A Fireplace & a Tea Cozy: "Wooding once again does a fabulous job of creating a complex other world, with geography and mythology fully formed but never fully revealed."
Today's Adventure: "I'm not usually one for reading graphic novels, but I really enjoyed the comic book portions of this book. The drawings were great for bringing the bizarre new world into focus, and the darkness of them built up the suspense factor in a way words couldn't have done."
Utter Randomonium: "The art, unfortunately, is pretty poor, to the point where I was having trouble distinguishing between the characters. I was a little disappointed in the ending as well, which is more or less a cliffhanger to be (presumably) resolved in the next book."

Wyrd Sisters

Granny Weatherwax is truly a maven among witches. Although she's a bit suspicious about this whole coven nonsense, she decides to humor the young witch Magrat, who makes up in enthusiasm what she lacks in experience, when she asks them to form a group. Which is why Granny Weatherwax, Magrat, and Nanny Og happen to be standing together on the hillside when a soldier rides up with the infant son of the recently assassinated king of Lancre. Granny Weatherwax has reservations about meddling in the affairs of kings, but an infant in need is an infant in need, prince or no, and something must be done.

When she finds the little boy a home among some traveling players, she thinks that things have been well taken care of. But it turns out that the land of Lancre isn't thrilled about its new king - neither are the people, but it's the land itself that is dangerously displeased - and it makes its displeasure very clear to Granny Weatherwax. Once again she finds herself obliged to meddle - and when she breaks the rules, she does it dramatically and unforgettably. And if she isn't quite sure exactly what she's doing, well, she'll never let on to anyone else.

With its homage to Macbeth and to theater in general, this book is a delight from start to finish. I adore the witches, their relationships with each other, and the impressive way they employ "headology" to get things done. As always, I grinned, giggled and chuckled my way through the book, which is full of all kinds of twists, turns and delightful surprises. I look forward to continuing my way through this wonderful series. These are the kind of books that make me happy just to see them sitting on my bookshelf, because I know that with the simple turn of a page, I can stop back to visit any time I please.

Books in Discworld series:
1. The Color of Magic
2. The Light Fantastic
3. Equal Rites
4. Mort
5. Sourcery
6. Wyrd Sisters
7. Pyramids
8. Guards, Guards
9. Eric
10. Moving Pictures
11. Reaper Man
12. Witches Abroad
13. Small Gods
14. Lords and Ladies
15. Men at Arms
16. Soul Music
17. Interesting Times
18. Maskerade
19. Feet of Clay
20. Hogfather
21. Jingo
22. The Last Continent
23. Carpe Jugulum
24. The Fifth Elephant
25. The Truth
26. The Thief of Time
27. The Last Hero
28. Nightwatch
29. Monstrous Regiment
30. Going Postal
31. Thud
32. Making Money
33. Unseen Academicals

Wyrd Sisters (#6 in the Discworld series) by Terry Pratchett (HarperTorch, 1980)

Also reviewed at:
A Book a Week: "The deeper I go into Discworld, the happier I am to be there"
Carly's Bookshelf: What you will find is civic unrest, personal spite, international politics, romance, and every other human folly staged with the deft control of Shakespeare and the brutal criticism of Swift, only much, much funnier than either."

Born in Death

Eve Dallas, hard-as-nails cop in a futuristic New York City, has her hands full in this installment of the long-running mystery series. She is called to investigate a murder involving the deaths of two employees at a prestigious accounting firm. She can't help but be distracted, however, by the baby shower she is hosting, not to mention the childbirth classes that her best friend, Mavis, drags her and Rourke to. Eve and her husband Rourke have agreed - internally kicking and screaming every inch of the way - to be labor coaches for Mavis, who is nearing the end of her third trimester of pregnancy. The thought of attending the childbirth makes Eve's knees turn to water. She'd far rather contemplate the double homicide. At least with that, she is confident in her abilities to track down the murderer.

Further distractions ensue when Mavis's friend from childbirth class, also near to her due date, mysteriously disappears. Mavis begs Eve to find her. At first Eve thinks that there must be an easy, logical explanation for Tandy's absence from the baby shower. But soon it appears that Tandy was taken against her will. They are desperate to find her before she delivers the baby because they fear that, if the baby is the reason she was abducted, her life will be forfeit once the child is born.

The mystery was fairly interesting, but events in Eve's personal life were far more compelling to me in this installment. The grim events of the murders, and the depths to which people are willing to descend in order to obtain wealth and power are relieved by the humor and witty dialog portrayed in the personal side of Eve's life. There were strands of the mystery that seemed a bit too contrived for believability, but as usual, I was too immersed in the fun of the story to care very much about that.

As always, Susan Ericksen narrates the stories brilliantly, creating even more vivid images in my mind than when I read the books to myself. I love the accents and voices she does, particularly Eve's partner Peabody's - she just makes me want to give Peabody a hug every time she's in a scene. I did have to laugh, though, at the voice Ericksen gives Trina, as I believe I've mentioned before - it really brings to mind Roz from the movie Monsters, Inc. And Dallas's computer's voice sounds almost exactly like the voice of Plankton's computer wife in SpongeBob Squarepants. Yes, I'm totally mature and sophisticated. I suppose there's a good reason I'm a children's librarian!

I do enjoy the mystery element of this series, but it is the characters and their relationships with each other that have truly won my heart. Robb has created a wide-ranging cast of characters and brings them to life with consummate skill, so that over the years I've been reading this series, they have become very dear to me, and I look forward to spending time with them each time I open one of these books.

Books (and short stories) in the Eve Dallas series:
1. Naked in Death
2. Glory in Death
3. Immortal in Death
4. Rapture in Death
5. Ceremony In Death
6. Vengeance in Death
7. Holiday in Death
"Midnight in Death" (in Silent Night)
8. Conspiracy in Death
9. Loyalty in Death
10. Witness in Death
11. Judgment in Death
12. Betrayal in Death
"Interlude in Death" (in Out of This World)
13. Seduction in Death
14. Reunion In Death
15. Purity in Death
16. Portrait in Death
17. Imitation in Death
Remember When (spin-off book with section featuring Eve)
18. Divided in Death
19. Visions in Death
20. Survivor in Death
21. Origin in Death
22. Memory in Death
"Haunted in Death" (in Bump in the Night)
23. Born in Death
24. Innocent in Death
"Eternity in Death" (in Dead of Night)
25. Creation in Death
26. Strangers in Death
"Ritual in Death" (in Suite 606)
27. Salvation In Death
28. Promises in Death
29. Kindred in Death
"Missing in Death" (in The Lost)
30. Fantasy in Death (2010)

Born in Death (#23 in the Eve Dallas series) by J.D. Robb; narrated by Susan Ericksen (Brilliance Audio, 2006)

Also reviewed at:
Breeni Books: "Another witty Eve Dallas novel, Born in Death creates possibly the most humorous setting yet for the hardened cop."
Confessions of a Bibliophile: "I liked the way the cases wrapped up, and Eve’s discomfort with Mavis’s pregnancy is just icing on the cake."
Dear Author: "As always, there is a good police procedure story at the core. It’s a pleasure watch Eve Dallas unravel the mystery."

When You Reach Me

The moment I heard about When You Reach Me, I went immediately to my library's website and put the book on hold. I had heard that it was an homage to A Wrinkle in Time, one of my favorite books as a child, and also that it involved time travel and some fabulous twists and surprises. That's all I needed to know.

I was even more excited when I heard that it had won the Newbery Award - and became doubly impatient for my copy to arrive. When it finally came in, I decided to read it to my daughters (nine and eleven years old), because it seemed like a good fit. It was better than a good fit - it was a perfect fit. They were mesmerized by the story; they loved Miranda; they enjoyed her evolving relationships with her friends and her family, and they absolutely adored the twists and surprises. It is the kind of book that offers a lot of fodder for discussion - fun discussion, not obligatory class-type discussion, and we had a great time talking about the book when we weren't reading it, speculating about what was going to happen, and about what certain events might mean.

It seems almost redundant to write a review of a Newbery winner - there are hundreds of reviews out there, and it goes without saying that it is well written, meaningful and moving. Still, I reviews what I reads, and I has fun doing it, so here it is. Feel free to skip the rest and go find a copy of this book. You already know more than I did when I opened the book, and I think the less you know, the more fun you'll have.

For those of you who are still following, I still won't tell you much about the plot. The book is set in New York City in the 70s. I would have been just about Miranda's age back then, which made the book extra fun for me (and also for my kids, who enjoyed hearing about my memories of the time as they related to Miranda's life). Miranda is writing to an unnamed person, for an unknown reason. She has received some mysterious notes, which at first seem random and unbelievable, but eventually convince her that she has a role to play in preventing the death of someone close to her. It is a puzzle, something she needs to figure out while still navigating the pitfalls and revelations of friendship and family relationships.

The story is a wonderful and compelling mix of genres - it's a coming of age story, and a mystery, a problem/friendship book, with a little romance, and a science fictional element that will make you stop in your tracks and say, ''Oh, I get it." And then you'll want to go back and read the story all over again. Which is exactly what my nine-year-old is doing - she picked the book up the day after we finished it and is reading it over from the beginning, appearing to enjoy it every bit as much as she did the first time around.

Miranda is very real, and her narration is evocative and skillful - and never, ever strays from her very distinct twelve-year-old voice. And even though a girl is telling this story, there is plenty here for boys to relate to, and I think any initial resistance to reading a "girl story" will vanish within a few pages. It isn't necessary to have read A Wrinkle in Time before starting this book, but having read it will give readers that satisfying feeling of being in the loop when Miranda talks about her favorite book in the world. Those who haven't read it are sure to want to as soon as they've finished When You Reach Me. In fact, my eleven-year-old came home from school with a copy of A Wrinkle in Time to reread the day after we finished this book!

I am so happy this novel has received the recognition it has - it is an unforgettable tale, moving and funny and bittersweet. I highly recommend it, to children and adults alike. For best results, read it together!

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (Wendy Lamb Books, 2009)

Also reviewed at:
Becky's Book Reviews: "If I were trying to sell this book--book talk it if you will--I'd say that it was a loving tribute to the children's classic, A Wrinkle In Time."
Jen Robinson's Book Page: "The plot keeps readers guessing, and eagerly turning the pages for more clues, while certain passages will make them stop and think."
Maw Books Blog: "It’s also the type of book that as soon as you close the very last page, you want to open the first one again and start all over again."

The Crow

One way in which blogging about books has changed the way I read is that occasionally, when I'm very behind in my book reviews, I look on my bookshelf for a nice big chunkster that will give me time to catch up! I have been loving the Pellinor series by Alison Croggon, ever since I read Mariel's wonderful review of the first book a year or so ago. These books are targeted at teens, probably because of the age of the protagonists, but the tale is complex and lyrical, and would definitely appeal to high fantasy fans of all ages. I have been taking my time reading through this series because I know I'll be so sad when it's over.

This book shifts the focus from Maerad, the heroine of the first two books, to her younger brother, Hem, who has been separated from her and is living in a different part of the world. As usual, I was a bit resistant to letting a beloved character go and allowing myself to become attached to a new one, whom I did not initially find as interesting. But Croggon's storytelling is so skillful that it didn't take long for me to become engrossed in Hem's story.

Hem is having a difficult time of things, particularly when he's not with his friend and mentor, Saliman, who brought the boy to his beautiful native land of Turbansk. Hem is lonely and feels ridiculed by the students with whom he is studying, as the orphanage where he spent his previous years did not offer much of an education. War is coming, it is clear, and Saliman is often absent. One day Hem saves a young white crow that is being attacked by its siblings, and he finds that he's discovered a true friend and companion.

When Turbansk is attacked by the forces of the Dark, Hem finds himself in a city under siege. Saliman believes the boy has an important role to play in the coming confrontation, but no one is clear as to what that role will be. Hem befriends a fellow orphan, a girl named Zelika who is determined to fight against those who killed her family, and together they flee the falling city in search of a way to combat the Dark forces.

I enjoyed this third installment in this wonderful series, with its action-packed storyline that was punctuated by thoughtful interludes and tantalizing wisps of mysteries yet to be revealed. As a rule, I'm not a huge fan of books about warfare, fantasy or otherwise, but my emotions were invested in these characters, as well as in the welfare of a land that is described in such loving detail. I enjoyed spending time in Hem's company, and his part of the story is a powerful contribution to the overall tale of the fate of Pellinor, but I'm very much looking forward to catching up with Maerad - and seeing the two siblings finally reunited, which of course has to happen in the final volume. This is the best high fantasy series I've read in ages, and I recommend it to all those who love fantasy - and to those who are willing try out something new.

Books in the Pellinor series:
1. The Naming
2. The Riddle
3. The Crow
4. The Singing

The Crow (Book 3 of the Pellinor series) by Alison Croggon (Candlewick Press, 2006)

Also reviewed at:
The Curious Reader: "The characters do not always make the right choices, and their failures are hard to read, but necessary. They grow and learn from their mistakes, and create a bond between reader and character that make the books hard to put down."
Where Troubles Melt Like Lemon Drops: "Alison Croggon's story-telling continues to mature throughout the saga, with this being the darkest installment yet."
Working Title: "One thing this book has that I've really enjoyed in the previous two books is the Appendix notes, set up as if this were a true translation of a lost work only recently discovered."

Major movie disappointment

My eleven-year-old daughter had been immensely excited -- jump-up-and-down excited -- to see the film version of The Lightning Thief, because she adores the Percy Jackson series. Ever since we saw the first teaser trailer months ago, she was talking about how she couldn't wait for the movie to come out. So her expectations were fairly high.

Well, we finally went to see it last weekend. I read the book some time ago, but even though it wasn't terribly fresh in my mind, I could see there were some fairly enormous differences between the book and the movie. I wasn't particularly thrilled with some of the changes I noticed. But I've been through this so many times - only rarely does a movie hold up well to the book in my experience, so I guess I'm used to it. But this feeling of betrayal and disappointment is new to my daughter, and I guess she wasn't expecting it. She wasn't just disappointed. She was furious.

"They cut out Mr. D! Mr. D! What is Camp Halfblood without Mr. D?" she exclaimed. They also cut out Percy's nemesis, Ares' daughter Clarisse and her cronies, which meant no toilet water scene, something I gather she'd been looking forward to seeing on the big screen.

"They cut out all the best parts!" she said with disgust as we were walking back to the car. "And they put in their own blabber. It was awful!" I am still laughing inside about that - she hit the nail on the head. How many movies based on books would be vastly improved had they not added their "own blabber"?

When we got home, she started telling her father, who had wisely opted out of this experience, all about the movie. Tears actually came to her eyes as she tried to describe the breadth and depth of her disappointment in the movie. How wonderful, I thought, that she loves a book so very much that she feels this passionate about the way the movie tells the story. But I also felt so sorry for her disappointment.

I know it's unreasonable to expect that a film recreate exactly the story told in the book - but it certainly can recreate the spirit of the book, which I felt the Lord of the Rings movies as well as the Harry Potter movies and, most recently, The Fantastic Mr. Fox honestly attempted to do. I didn't hate the film - it was quite entertaining. Uma Thurman made a very charming Medusa, for one thing. Some departures from the plot of the novel are baffling to me. For example (minor spoiler), the big showdown at the end of the book is between Percy and Ares, the god of war. So naturally the reader is alarmed for Percy's welfare - he's going up against a god, after all, who specializes in combat. In the movie, though, he's up against the son of Hermes. Hmmm...son of Poseidon, one of the three most powerful Greek gods, against the son of Hermes, a minor deity in comparison? Should we even bother to watch this? Not quite the same, is it?

What about you? Have you seen the movie? Did you applaud the action/adventure fun or, like my daughter, were you disgusted with the added blabber? Do you have a favorite film adaptation of a favorite book? Or one that left you feeling angry and betrayed? Or maybe even a film that you enjoyed more than the book? I'd love to hear about it!

Dead to the World

It is New Year's Eve, and cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has one major resolution for the upcoming New Year: not to get beat up. But when, on her way home from work that night, she sees a naked man running down the side of the road, her impulse to stop and help him leads her straight down a path that she suspects is going to throw that resolution straight out the window.

It turns out that the naked man is ultra-sexy vampire Eric - only he's not quite himself. He's been cursed by a witch and has no memory of who he is. Sookie is shocked and a bit fascinated by the change in his personality - the uber-confident, high-handed, self-satisfied Eric has been replaced by someone who is sweet, vulnerable and gallant. Sookie finds herself falling for this new Eric, even though she knows it's foolish.

The witches are on the hunt for Eric, and Sookie soon learns they are a force to be reckoned with. To complicate matters, Sookie's brother Jason disappears, after having last been seen with a young woman Sookie knows is a shape-shifter of some sort. When the police find a smear of blood on the dock behind Jason's house, Sookie fears the worst.

I enjoyed this installment in the Southern Vampire series, having reread the first three so I could continue on with the series. I like that, unlike so many heroines in this genre, Sookie is not a vengeful kick-ass heroine - she's more a polite, reluctant oops-I-just-kicked-ass, but-only-because-I-had-no-other-choice kind of heroine. She is kind and gracious, and when she finds herself having less than kind thoughts about truly odious people, she takes herself to task for it. I might not have noticed this so much had I not been reading Death's Mistress at about the same time I was listening to this one, and while the two heroines are equally likable, they are extremely different!

There were a few things that didn't quite gel for me (possible spoilers here - be warned), such as why, in the witch-house melee, the people she's gone in to save end up being escorted from the building by her nemesis while she stays inside - why? Made no sense. Also, why would the blood on her jacket be proof of anything untoward, as far as Eric is concerned, when she was wearing it at the witch house, which was the scene of an enormous, bloody fight? Of course her clothes would have been bloody.

Still, this was an engaging installment in the series, and once again I found Johanna Parker's narration to really bring the story to life. I enjoy the story arcs that move across books in the series, and the way in which events continually shape and change the course of Sookie's life. Things are not easy for her, but she does her best to live according to the values she's been brought up with - despite the fact that the world has changed to include vampires, werewolves, witches and other strange and unusual creatures. This installment has a bittersweetness to it, and it takes Sookie to some surprising places - I look forward to seeing what happens next.

Books in the Southern Vampire (Sookie Stackhouse) series:
1. Dead Until Dark
2. Living Dead in Dallas
3. Club Dead
4. Dead to the World
5. Dead as a Doornail
6. Definitely Dead
7. Altogether Dead
8. From Dead to Worse
9. Dead and Gone
10. A Touch of Dead (short stories)
11. Dead in the Family

Dead to the World (# in the Southern Vampire series) by Charlaine Harris; read by Johanna Parker (Recorded Books, 2008)

Also reviewed at:
Avidbookreader: "While Dead to the World is not my favorite of the series, it was still a good, quick read. My favorite is still Dead Until Dark and I pre­fer Bill Comp­ton, no mat­ter how bor­ing he may be to some of you (and you know who you are)."
Confessions of a Bibliophile: "I liked how there are some events that happen here that will definitely change Sookie’s future — I can’t wait to see where the story’s going!"
Fyrefly's Book Blog: "Oh, this one was really, really good. It’s the same fun mixture of romance and fantasy and mystery and chick-lit as the rest of the series, but it comes together much more smoothly here."

Minerva Clark Gives up the Ghost

Minerva Clark, teenage sleuth, is back in her third mystery. In the opening book of the series, Minerva Clark Gets a Clue, our heroine suffers an accident that leaves her brain a bit changed. Now, unlike every other teen (and probably grownup) on the planet, Minerva actually is quite satisfied with herself exactly the way she is. No longer obsessing on her appearance, or on what others might be thinking about her, is incredibly freeing. So much so that she finds a lot of brain power left over for solving a few mysteries here and there.

Unfortunately, even her supreme confidence isn't much help when her mother returns from the Southwest, after having dropped out of Minerva's life when she decided to run off with her yoga teacher. Now she's married to him, and while Minerva secretly thinks he's actually not so bad - and occasionally wonders how on earth he puts up with her mother - she's not exactly thrilled to have her mother around, telling her what to do (i.e. stop wearing her beloved high-top sneakers and to do something with her frizzy hair). When she is contacted by a strange but charismatic teenager asking her to help him solve the mystery of who burned down his parents' grocery store, Minerva is intrigued. Then her mother tells her she should stop poking her nose into other people's business, that it's dangerous and she could get hurt. After that, Minerva finds the mystery to be irresistible.

Minerva learns a lot about secrets in this book, things she'd never really thought much about before. The young man who appeals to her for help continually forces her to revise her assumptions about him. It is Minerva herself, though, her way of seeing things - and describing them - not to mention her sense of humor and feisty attitude, that has me loving these books. She is smart, and she has that added benefit of immense self-confidence, but she is inexperienced and still has a lot to learn. This mystery explores the darker side of human nature, and as Miranda learns more about the kind of disturbed person who sets fires that put others in danger, she finds herself gaining insight about the other people around her, too. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series, but this is the most recent one, even though it was published three years ago. I do hope there will be a new one soon!

Books in the Minerva Clark series:
1. Minerva Clark Gets a Clue
2. Minerva Clark Goes to the Dogs
3. Minerva Clark Gives up the Ghost

Minerva Clark Gives up the Ghost (#3 in the Minerva Clark series) by Karen Karbo (Bloomsbury, 2007)

Also reviewed at:

Bookshelves of Doom: "Just... awesome. Fans of Sammy Keyes will want to check this out."

xxxHolic, Vol. 5

Kimihiro Watanuki continues his work at the strange, magical shop owned by Yuko, the space-time witch. He has agreed to work for her in exchange for Yuko making it so he can no longer see ghosts, which have been plaguing him his entire life. Watanuki is continually being surprised and confused by Yuki's demands, though - she often neglects to fill him in on important details until after the fact, which causes her no end of amusement and him no end of frustration.

Each of these manga volumes contains several story arcs. In the first part of Volume 5, Watanuki is approached by an Ame-Warashi, a rain or water spirit. She has an issue that she'd like some help with, and Yuko sends Watanuki with Domeki, a classmate with whom he has a sort of love/hate relationship. It turns out that Yuko's apparently whimsical actions are made with insight and wisdom, and Domeki's presence there is crucial.

In the second story, Watanuki notices a girl at school who appears to have wings growing from her back. No one else can see the wings, though, but at this point Watanuki is used to being able to see things nobody else can. What catches his attention is the vast amount of rage the girl carries with her - that, and the fact the every time he encounters her, the wings have become bigger. These are clearly not angel wings - they are something else entirely.

Watanuki also has a personal problem in this installment. In the previous volume, he had been given a gift of chocolate on Valentine's Day by a Zashiki-Warashi - a kind of spirit being who seems to have a crush on him. In Japan, there is a tradition that on White Day, a holiday a month after Valentine's Day, all those who received chocolate reciprocate with a gift to their Valentine's Day giver. Watanuki has no idea how or where to find the Zashiki-Warashi - and he really doesn't want to hurt a powerful spirit's feelings - not just because he's a nice guy, which he is, but also because he suspects the consequences would not be conducive to his continuing good health. But how to find someone who doesn't exist on the same plane as he does? The answer is surprising and wondrous.

The stories in this series range from amusing, to slightly creepy, to poignant. Watanuki is highly emotional, which allows the writers to inject a lot of humor into the tales. Yuko is a fascinating character, capricious and apparently self-involved, yet wise and deadly serious when events demand her attention. I continue to enjoy my reread of this series, and I recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy with folkloric elements - or to anyone just looking for a good manga series that's entertaining but with substance.

xxxHOLIC, Vol. 5 by Clamp (Del Rey, 2005)

Have you reviewed this book? Let me know and I'll link to your review.

Charmed Life

Cat Chant's life has revolved around his magically talented older sister, Gwendolyn, ever since their parents died in a ferryboat accident. She is all he has left, and because she is an impressively powerful witch, despite her youth, Cat feels safe around her. He and Gwendolyn live with Mrs. Sharp, a kind but unscrupulous witch, until the day a powerful wizard who knew their parents shows up and takes them off to his spacious, lovely castle to live. Cat is so sorry to leave Mrs. Sharp behind - Gwendolyn may be his sister, but she is capricious, thoughtless, and often unkind to him. Mrs. Sharp seems to feel genuine affection for Cat, unimpressive as he is compared with his talented sister.

Gwendolyn has ambitions, and she is excited to be taken to live at Chrestomanci Castle, where she is sure she will be honored and celebrated for her unusually strong abilities. Instead, she is treated like a child and is mostly ignored. She looks down her nose at everyone, particularly Chrestomanci, a handsome, elegant wizard who just looks vaguely in her direction as if he can't quite remember what she and Cat are doing there. Gwendolyn decides she'll show them a thing or two, and she unleashes her powers on them in astonishing - and often hilarious - ways. But she never gets the reaction she is hoping for. Matters escalate, and Cat begins to find his loyalties torn between the other children who live at the castle, who actually seem quite nice, and his sister. It won't be long before Cat is going to be faced with some serious choices - and some most surprising - and upsetting - truths.

This first book in the Chrestomanci series embodies the many reasons why I have adored books by Diana Wynne Jones since I was a child. It has a strong fantasy element that is central to the plot - and that element is surprising and immensely fun. For example, Cat when the sound of Cat's violin practicing annoys Gwendolyn, she turns his violin into a cat - because his playing, according to his sister, sounds like a cat yowling anyway, so what's the difference? Yet Jones's books are always so much more than a magic-filled story. Her books make readers think - as with the concept of parallel worlds that are separated by events that may have veered in a different directions, each world containing one of a series of people who may look identical but be very different, as they've been shaped by the culture and events of their own world. (If that makes no sense, don't worry - Jones explains it much better than I did!) I loved that sort of thing as child, and I still do so many years later. And the characters are complex, with issues - in this case the relationship between a brother and sister is examined, with all its emotional baggage, which in this case is fairly massive.

I read this one aloud to my children, (nine and eleven years old), and it was a huge hit. We'd read Witch Week some time ago, and they clamored to read all of the Chrestomanci books in order, so off we go. They loved this one, and we had some fascinating discussions about siblings and relationships, and the responsibilities that siblings should have towards each other. Plus the universe in which these books are set is just plain fun! I highly recommend Diana Wynne Jones's books to all lovers of fantasy (and to those who are wondering what all the fuss is about), and this series is a great place to start.

Books in the Chrestomanci series:
1. Charmed Life
2. Magicians of Caprona
3. Witch Week
4. The Lives of Christopher Chant
5. Mixed Magic
6. Conrad's Fate
7. The Pinhoe Egg

Charmed Life (#1 in the Chrestomanci series) by Diana Wynne Jones (Greenwillow Books, 1977)

Also reviewed at:
Here, There and Everywhere: "I can surely see why this would be a popular series with the young people, and would be a book I would read to my kids ..well if they were kids, and if they didn't like reading it for themselves."
MindsBase: "It’s a gentle story, in the emotions. It’s a fantastical story, in the actions. And who doesn’t love a good battle of witches (or any crazy creature, for that matter!)"

Reviews of other books by Diana Wynne Jones:
The Game
Dark Lord of Derkholm
Deep Secret
House of Many Ways
The Merlin Conspiracy