Gilt Book Review

Author: Katherine Longshore. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  Viking Juvenile. ISBN: 9780670013999.

Annotation: In 1539 England, Katherine “Kitty” Tylney lives in the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk’s household, along with many other young women but, most importantly, her best friend, the beautiful and popular Catherine “Cat” Howard. After Cat is sent to live in the royal court and catches the eye of King Henry VIII, however, how will their friendship survive as Cat seems more and more destined to become the next Queen of England?

Personal thoughts: I love all things related to Henry VIII and his six wives (I’ve read bunches novels on the subject, watched every episode of The Tudors, have seen all the movies…I’m a hardcore fan!) When I saw that a young adult novel had been published about the life of Catherine Howard, I was very excited and, not surprisingly, enjoyed reading Gilt quite a bit. I’ve always thought that Catherine Howard’s story would make a great novel for teens because she herself was a teenager, thrust into a royal life with little education or knowledge of what to expect. I liked reading from Kitty’s perspective, especially since it gave the opportunity to portray Catherine as a 1539 version of Regina George. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series and am happy that Katherine Longshore is re-telling this exciting period of history for the young adult audience.

Plot summary: In 1539 England, Katherine “Kitty” Tylney and her best friend Catherine “Cat” Howard live together, along with dozens of other young ladies, in the household of the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk. Forgotten by their poor but aristocratic families, Kitty and Cat and the rest of the girls spend their time flirting with the male servants of the household. Cat, the most vivacious and popular of the girls, rules over the maidens’ chamber, deciding who does what, who is in favor, and who is to be shunned. Even though she is awkward, shy, and not nearly as beautiful and bewitching as Cat, Kitty enjoys a certain level of social protection in the maidens’ chamber as Cat’s closest friend and confidante. Everything changes, however, when the Duke of Norfolk decides to send Cat to live in the royal court as a maid servant to Anne of Cleves, King Henry VII’s latest wife. Kitty and the rest of the ladies mourn the loss of their leader, and life quiets down in the household of the Dowager Duchess until Cat writes to invite Kitty and two other ladies, Joan and Alice, to join her at court. It seems that King Henry has fallen under Cat’s spell, and is intent upon marrying her. As the best friend of the Queen, Kitty is suddenly thrust into a life of fancy gowns, parties and men. But no secret is safe in the court of Henry VIII, and idle gossip can lead to a date with the executioner. Will Kitty be able to survive a life in service to a Queen like Cat, or is she destined to fall like so many in King Henry’s court?

Review: The story of Catherine Howard, the young, beautiful, bubbly and ultimately ill-fated fifth wife of King Henry VIII has been retold by countless authors over the years. In Gilt, however, author Katherine Longshore has successfully adapted the history into a novel for young adults, something that is actually quite fitting considering that Catherine herself was only a teenager when she became Queen. The author portrays Cat as something of a “mean girl.” Popular, charismatic and charming, Cat rules over the other girls in the household of the Dowager Duchess like a high school queen bee. Although Kitty is considered by all to be Cat’s best friend, it is clear from the start that their friendship is not equitable. Kitty is at the mercy of her friend, and it seems that their relationship is strongest when Kitty does Cat’s bidding, regardless of what danger it puts her in. Many readers will be able to identify with this, especially those who have had experiences with friends like Cat who seem to use friendships for their own gain. After Cat goes to court and eventually wins the heart of the King, the relationship between Kitty and her best friend becomes even more strained. The novel is an excellent jumping off point to spark interest in this time period for young adult readers. The author does a good job of relaying the history while making the story intriguing and relatable for teens. Gilt is the first in a series of books about life in Henry VIII’s court. The second novel, Tarnish, takes place twenty years before the events of Gilt and is set to be released in June 2013.

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory, The King’s Rose by Alisa M. Libby, The Confession of Katherine Howard by Suzannah Dunn.  

Themes:  Catherine Howard, the Tudors, King Henry VIII, England, royalty, friendship, secrets.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Booklist, Kirkus and VOYA.  

Series Information: First novel in The Royal Circle series. Second novel, Tarnish, set to be released June 2013.  

Discussion questions:

-         What did you know about Catherine Howard and King Henry VIII before reading Gilt? Did reading the novel make you want to learn more?

-       Do you think Cat was a true friend to Kitty? Why or why not?

-       Why do you think Kitty couldn’t bring herself to tell anyone about what she saw in the woods?

-       Do you think it was a good idea for Kitty to come to court?

-      Why do you think Cat insisted upon having a romance with Thomas Culpepper? Do you think Kitty did the right thing in helping them meet?

-        What do you think lies ahead for Kitty at the end of the novel? What do you hope happens to her?

 

 

 

Girl of Nightmares Book Review

Author: Kendare Blake. Release date: 2012. Publisher: Tor Teen. ISBN: 9780765328663.

Annotation: After Anna sacrificed herself to save him and his friends, everyone in Cas’ life seems to think it’s best that he just forget the girl who used to be the vicious ghost known as Anna Dressed in Blood. Cas is convinced, however, that Anna is trapped in Hell, and once he begins having nightmarish visions of Anna being tortured, he knows that he must join her to set her free.   

Personal thoughts: Anna Dressed in Blood was one of my favorite books of 2011 and something I like to recommend to teens who are interested in a good, scary story. I was eagerly anticipating the release of Girl of Nightmares, but was also a little nervous because I have read a few sequels this year that didn’t impress me. Thankfully, Kendare Blake delivered and managed to create a story that, while different from the first, was just as enjoyable! I was very intrigued by Anna’s disappearance, Cas’ uber-creepy visions of her in various stages of torture, and the history and secrets behind Cas’ weapon, the athame. I also was really happy with the the relationship between Cas, Thomas and Carmel, and like that the author doesn’t skim over the support characters but takes the time to let the reader get to know them as well. I haven’t seen anything as far as an announcement about a third Anna novel, but I hope that Kendare Blake decides to keep the story going!

Plot summary: Six months have passed since Anna sacrificed herself to save Cas and his friends, Thomas and Carmel, from the Obeahman: the evil ghost who killed Cas’ father and nearly ended his life as well. Cas doesn’t know where Anna went; where does a ghost go when it dies? Everyone in his life seems to think that he needs to forget Anna. Cas is convinced, however, that Anna is trapped in Hell. When he begins having nightmarish visions of Anna being tortured, he knows in his heart that his suspicions were correct. Determined to find a way to bring Anna back, Cas begins to investigate the origins of his athame: the knife that he, his father before him, and so on have used for centuries to kill vengeful spirits. Unsure of how a living person can cross into Hell without first dying, Cas soon learns that the answers he’s seeking might lie in the very tool he uses to send ghosts on to the afterlife. But how far is Cas willing to go to save the girl who saved his life and with whom he has fallen in love?

Review: Kendare Blake continues her sharp and scary series with Girl of Nightmares, the sequel to the 2011 best-selling novel, Anna Dressed in Blood. Oftentimes, books that achieve a lot of success lose steam in the stories that follow. Fortunately, Blake manages to maintain the creepy vibe of her first novel in the sequel, delivering a story that is just as gruesome, scary, and exciting as its predecessor. One of the most interesting parts of both Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares is acid-tongued but courageous Cas and his best friends, Thomas and Carmel. The trio’s relationship was well-established in the first novel, and their dynamic is the majority of the reason why the second book is as enjoyable as it is. The reader feels like they know the characters, they care about their fates and wonder how they are going to survive going through, literally, hell and back. Anna is only a very minor character in this novel, mostly appearing in Cas’ horrifying visions of death and torture. Blake certainly has an eye for creating scenes of horror, and non-squeamish readers will get a good squirm from all of the scenes of terror. As with the first novel, teachers, parents and librarians should be aware that this book is definitely for an older teen audience. There is quite a bit of swearing and a great deal of gore. For readers who are mature enough to venture into Hell with Cas, however, this series is quite a ride.

Genre:  Horror

Reading level: Grade 10+

Similar titles: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Hereafter series by Tara Hudson, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Everneath by Brodi Ashton, Falling Under series by Gwen Hayes, Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire, Soul Screamer series by Rachel Vincent, On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker, Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach.

Themes:  Ghosts, death, Hell, Wicca, occult, ghost hunters, witches, friendship, loyalty, revenge, England.  

Awards/Reviews:  Starred review from Kirkus, sequel to positively reviewed novel.   

Series Information: Sequel to novel, Anna Dressed in Blood. Third novel not yet announced.    

Discussion questions:

-       Which novel did you like better: Anna Dressed in Blood or Girl of Nightmares? Why?

-       How do you think Cas changed between the two novels? Thomas? Carmel?

-       What do you think was the source of Cas’ visions of Anna? How did those visions impact the story?

-      Do you think that Jestine was a friend or enemy of Cas? Why?

-      How do you explain the ending of the novel?

-      Would you like to read a third Anna novel? If so, what would you like to see happen to the characters?

 

 

 

Buried Thunder Book Review

Author: Tim Bowler Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Holiday House. ISBN: 9780823423972.

Annotation: After her family purchases and moves into an old inn called the Rowan Tree, fourteen-year-old Maya Munro is stalked by a strange fox that leads her into the woods where she discovers the bodies of three deceased residents of the nearby village. When Maya returns to the woods with the police, the bodies are gone, and Maya realizes that what she glimpsed may have been a warning of what’s to come.

Personal thoughts: This was one of those novels that, for personal reasons, really gave me some serious chills. The whole idea of the woods and the dead bodies was exceptionally creepy to me, having grown up next to a very large forest, and I had a sense of dread throughout the novel. I have to commend Tim Bowler on his ability to create something suspenseful and spooky that let most of the scares be up to the imagination. The entire novel was very well-written, and I enjoyed the setting as well. The ending was a little strange for me, but when it’s all said and done I thought it was a good book. I will definitely look for more of Tim Bowler’s works in the future.

Plot summary: Fourteen-year-old Maya Munro and her brother Tom have just moved with their parents to the Rowan Tree, an old inn and restaurant in a small English village. Determined to turn the inn into a thriving business, Maya’s parents quickly work to establish themselves while Maya and Tom get to know the area. Several days after their arrival, however, Maya begins to notice a strange presence in and around the Rowan Tree. A pair of glowing yellow eyes belonging to a mysterious fox appear wherever she goes, and, one night, lead her into the woods where she discovers the lifeless bodies of three village residents. Maya alerts the police and quickly leads them back to the clearing where she found the bodies, only to find that they have disappeared. To make matters worse, two of the people she saw lying dead in the woods are still very much alive, and now the close-knit village believes that Maya is delusional and seeking attention. Although Maya is relieved that no one has died, she begins to worry if her vision may have been a warning of what’s to come. Strange scratching sounds emanate from the walls of her room in the Rowan Tree, foxes keep turning up mutilated in the village, and headless effigies are being carved in the trunks of trees in the woods. Who or what is responsible for what’s going on, and is there anything Maya can do before someone is actually murdered?

Review: British author Tim Bowler, winner of the Carnegie Medal for his book River Boy, presents a spooky, atmospheric story in his latest novel, Buried Thunder. The mystery begins from the very first sentence, setting the stage for what is a vigorously paced and chilling tale that will appeal to a variety of readers. Since the novel is somewhat short and very succinct in its plot, reluctant readers or those who don’t want to get into something too lengthy will find a lot to enjoy in Buried Thunder. The story will also appeal to male readers who aren’t interested in something with a lot of romance (there is a very brief, somewhat unimportant flirtation in the novel that lasts less than a page). The book will also appeal to those who are interested in mysteries and hauntings, as well as premonitions. That being said, however, Buried Thunder is far from a perfect read. While the first 90% of the novel is really well written and suspenseful, the ending does seem to wrap up at warp speed, leaving a little bit to be desired in explaining what exactly was going on in the book. This may have been the author’s intention, wanting to leave some of it up to the imagination, but for readers who want everything thoroughly explained, it’s far from ideal. Despite this shortcoming, Buried Thunder is a quiet but spooky read with some genuinely creepy moments. Tim Bowler’s skill as a young adult author is evident throughout, and readers will likely seek out some of his other works after reading this book.   

Genre: Fiction/Horror

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: The Poisoned House by Michael Ford, Tighter by Adele Griffin, The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki, The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab.

Themes:  Murder, premonitions, hauntings, foxes, England.

Awards/Reviews:  Written by award-winning author.

Series Information: N/A   

Discussion questions:

-        What do you think was going on with Maya and the fox? How would you explain her premonitions?

-       Do you think Zep is a protagonist or antagonist? Why? What about Bonny or Mo?

-      Do you think Maya’s family believed her?

-      Were you surprised by the ending of the novel? Why or why not?

The Circle Cast: The Lost Years of Morgan Le Fay Book Review

Author: Alex Epstein. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Tradewind Books. ISBN: 9781896580637.

Annotation: After her father is betrayed and murdered by Uter Pendragon, Morgan is exiled to the savage wilderness of Ireland. There, she struggles to survive, hoping to eventually be able to avenge her father’s death and reclaim her place in Brittania.

Personal thoughts: I have always been intrigued by the character of Morgan le Fay, so I was excited to read The Circle Cast. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the novel! Sometimes historical fiction, no matter how interesting, can be a little dry. That was far from the case with this novel. Alex Epstein is clearly a gifted writer in terms of pacing and keeping the plot moving forward. I also found the characters and setting to be very well developed, particularly in Epstein’s portrayal of Morgan as a strong and intelligent warrior. I think this novel has a strong place in the classroom, especially in demonstrating how one female character can be portrayed in so many different lights.

Plot summary: The daughter of a Roman governor, Gorlois, and his beautiful wife, Ygraine, Anna has spent her life in her parents’ British stronghold Din Tagell, reading the classics, learning about the culture of Rome, and being educated by her father in the ways of war. When Anna is eleven-years-old, however, her life changes forever when her father’s friend and ally, powerful warrior Uter Pendragon, betrays and murders Gorlois in order to claim Ygraine as his wife. Fearing for her daughter’s life, Ygraine sends Anna to live in Ireland, telling her adopt the name Morgan and let no one know her true identity lest Uter find out where she is hiding. Morgan soon finds herself living with Ciarnat, her mother’s relative, and chief of the Déisi tribe. The Irish are strange and barbaric to Morgan, who is used to the learning and discipline of the Romans. After Ciarnat’s village is attacked and plundered by a neighboring tribe, Morgan is captured and becomes a slave to Buanann, a wise woman and sorceress living in a lakeside village. Although Buanann is far from warm, she begins to teach Morgan her magic: spells to deceive and gain power. The more Morgan learns, the more she realizes that Buanann’s teachings may hold the key to her returning to Brittania and seeking the revenge she longs for against Uter.

Review:  Written by veteran screenwriter Alex Epstein, The Circle Cast is an intriguing and original take on a character that has appeared in legends and lore for centuries: Morgan le Fay. Although she is traditionally thought of as a seductress and antagonist in Arthurian legend, Epstein goes for another, more uncommon portrayal, turning Morgan into a fierce warrior seeking to avenge her father’s death. Almost from the start of the novel, it is clear that Morgan is a very strong character. Throughout the story, readers will find a lot to be respect about Epstein’s version of Morgan, including her intelligence, bravery, and tenacity. Although she knows to use her beauty as a weapon if necessary, this Morgan is not the temptress she appears to be in more contemporary versions of the tale. Her romance with Irish warrior, Conall, adds a nice element to the story, softening Morgan’s edges a bit, though not diminishing her skills as a strategist and sorceress. There is also a fair amount of history thrown into the novel that would make it an interesting read for the classroom. Overall, The Circle Cast is a thoroughly enjoyable story that can be easily enjoyed by teen and adult readers alike. Fans of Arthurian legend should definitely give this novel a try, as well as those who like strong female characters.  

Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: I Am Morgan le Fay by Nancy Springer, Queen of Camelot by Nancy McKenzie, Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter.

Themes:  Morgan le Fay, King Arthur, Arthurian legend, Ireland, England, war, revenge, exile.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from The School Librarian and Historical Novels Review.

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions: 

-     Had you heard of Morgan le Fay before reading The Circle Cast? What did you know about her? 

-      Do you think it’s common for strong women in history to be portrayed as temptresses? Why? What other characters in history or legend have been portrayed this way?

-     Why do you think Luan wanted to stay with the Christians? Do you think what she did was right?

-      Do you think Morgan loved Conall? Why or why not?

-       Do you think Morgan got the revenge she wanted? Why or why not?

Ruby Red Book Review

Author: Kerstin Gier. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Henry Holt and Co.. ISBN: 9780805092523.

Annotation:  Gwyneth has always known that her beautiful cousin Charlotte is the member of her generation to inherit her wealthy family’s biggest secret: a gene that allows the carrier to time travel. But when Gwyneth suddenly starts travelling through time herself, could her family have been wrong about Charlotte being the gene carrier?

Personal thoughts:  I think the premise of this book saved it from what I found to be a very slow pace. For some reason it just seemed to take a long time for the action to really get going, but once it did I began to see a lot of potential. I think Gier does a great job of setting the stage for the real adventure to come in the rest of the series. I look forward to seeing how it pans out.

Plot summary: Sixteen-year-old Gwyneth Shepherd lives as normal of a life as she can being the member of a wealthy family who, every generation, give birth to a female time traveler. Gwyneth has always known, as has the rest of the family, that her beautiful and sophisticated cousin Charlotte is the carrier of the time travelling gene, having fulfilled a centuries old prophecy of being born on October 7, 1994. Gwyneth, who’s birthday is October 8, never suspected the truth: that her mother lied about her birth date to protect her from lifelong preparations for travelling through time. It seems that Gwyneth was actually born on the 7^th and is the actual gene carrier. Now, she is thrust into the middle of the web of secrets that has ensnared her family for generations. To make matters worse, she must also contend with her time-travelling counterpart, Gideon, a member of another wealthy family who give birth to a male time traveler with each new generation. Gideon is handsome, but too stuck up for Gwyneth who he, and everyone else, is convinced is just a silly girl, incapable of being as fit for navigating the past as the well-trained Charlotte would have been. Will Gwyneth be able to handle her new found gifts and the secrets that come with them?

Review:  With a promising premise, Ruby Red makes for a slow start to what will surely blossom into an entertaining trilogy. Gier appears to be using the first novel in this new trilogy to set the stage for adventure. There is a lot of character development, particularly of the heroine, Gwyneth, and a great deal of background about Gwyneth’s family legacy. Gwyneth’s actual emergence as the real female time traveler and dethroning of her stuck-up cousin, Charlotte, are the primary plot points in the novel, as well as her budding romance with fellow time-traveler, Gideon. Some more sinister characters are introduced, but are not really expanded upon, something that will hopefully occur in the next installments. Overall, Ruby Red is a light-hearted and slow-paced beginning to a trilogy with a lot of potential. Hopefully Gier will deliver an even better second installment with Sapphire Blue set for release in Spring 2012.

Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Counter-Clockwise by Jason Cockroft, Portal by Imogen Rose.

Themes:  Time travel, England, family legacies.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from New York Times Book Review, Booklist, BookPage, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, VOYA, and Publishers Weekly.    

Series Information: First novel in Ruby Red trilogy. Second novel, Sapphire Blue, set to be released in Spring 2012.  

Discussion Questions:

- How do you think her cousin being considered the gene carrier for most of her life influence the way Gwyneth was raised? Do you think her life would have been different if she was treated the way Charlotte was?

- What was your first impression of Gideon? Did that change while reading the book?

- Do you agree with what Gwyneth's mother did? Why or why not?

- What would you like to learn to prepare yourself for time travel?

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Book Review

Author: Ransom Riggs. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Quirk Books. ISBN: 9781594744761.

Annotation:  Growing up, Jacob’s head was filled with his grandfather’s tales of growing up in an orphanage on an island near Wales. This island was home to fantastical children with otherworldly talents, all looked after by a wise old bird. At first, Jacob believes his beloved grandfather’s stories wholeheartedly. But as he grows up, he begins to wonder if they are simply the workings of a delusional old man.

Personal thoughts:  I really enjoyed this book and am so excited that it seems to be getting quite popular. I think Riggs does a fantastic job of writing a very compelling story that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. The vintage photos are great, and I really fell in love with the world Riggs created. I can’t wait for the sequel, and the movie version!

Plot summary: Jacob lives an ordinary life with an ordinary family in an ordinary town. The only excitement he has are the stories his beloved Grandfather Portman tells him about his youth growing up in an orphanage after escaping the Nazis in his native Poland.  Unlike other orphanages, this one was magical: the sun always shone, the other children had fantastic powers, and they were all lovingly looked after by a wise bird. Most importantly, his grandfather, and the other children, were safe on the island from the monsters who hunted them. Jacob believes his grandfather’s stories with all his heart, but as he grows up he begins to wonder the truthfulness behind his tales. All of the old photographs his grandfather showed him, of children levitating, hoisting enormous boulders, and making fire in their hands, start to look fake and Jacob, and the rest of his family, begin to doubt the aging man’s sanity. After his grandfather is brutally murdered, however, Jacob is convinced there was some truth behind his stories of monsters lurking in the shadows hunting the children, especially since Jacob believes he saw the very monster that killed his grandfather. In order to uncover the mystery behind his grandfather’s death, and restore his own sanity, Jacob and his father travel to a remote island off the coast of Wales, the location of the peculiar orphanage.

Review:  At times touching, horrifying, mysterious and always interesting, Ransom Riggs begins a very promising series with this page-turning novel. Almost as important as the text are the vintage photos scattered throughout the book. Riggs makes sure to point out that these are actual photographs collected over the years by various enthusiasts, and their appeal adds enormously to the story. Many of the characters introduced in the story are illustrated in the photos, helping to set the mood for what is actually a very interesting and original story. Jacob is a compelling protagonist, particularly because of the sweet relationship he has with his late grandfather. As he uncovers more about his grandfather’s past, and his own future, the reader begins to genuinely care about Jacob and the other children under the care of the mysterious Miss Peregrine. The novel is always full of twists and turns that keep the reader on their toes, closing with a cliffhanger that leaves a great deal of anticipation for the second installment. Although the date of the sequel’s release has not been announced yet, Fox Studios has already won the movie rights for what is certain to be a very successful franchise for Riggs. An exciting beginning to a wonderful series.

Genre: Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente, X-Men series.

Themes:  Magical powers/abilities, Wales/England, World War II, grandfather/grandson relationships, sanity/insanity, time-travel, orphans/outcasts.  

Awards/Reviews:  New York Times best seller.   

Series Information: First novel in Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children series. Movie set to be released in 2013.

Discussion Questions:

- Do you think the pictures add to the story? Could the story be told without the pictures?

- Why do you think Jacob has such a close relationship with his grandfather?

- Do you think Jacob is "crazy"? Did your opinion of him change while reading the novel?

- Did you learn anything about the United Kingdom or World War II while reading this novel?

- Do you think this novel could be adapted successfully into a movie? Why or why not?