The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart: A Novel of Magic Most Foul Book Review

Author: Leanna Renee Hieber. Release date: 2012. Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN: 9781402262036.

Annotation: After freeing him from his prison inside a painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Natalie and Lord Denbury are on the run, seeking refuge with one of Denbury’s longtime friends in Saint Paul. They soon discover, however, that their troubles are far from over, and the Society that cursed Lord Denbury is now working on a much larger, and more sinister, plan.

Personal thoughts: Darker Still was one of my favorite young adult books that I’ve read within the past few years. I was really excited for the sequel, so much so that I held off on reading it for awhile so that I could really enjoy it when I finally got to crack it open. Unfortunately, I was exceptionally unimpressed with The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart. I’m not sure what happened, it just took a complete turn into dullsville for me. Where Darker Still was original and charming, the sequel was very blah. I am really sad about how much I didn’t enjoy it because I still really love the first novel. Hopefully the author can turn it around for the third installment, but I do have to say, it’s unlikely I will bother completing the series.

Plot summary: Lord Denbury is free from his prison inside a cursed painting and the demon who was inhabiting his body has been vanquished. Now he and Natalie are on the run, seeking refuge with one of Denbury’s longtime friends in St. Paul. Not sure where the answer to their troubles lies, they are shocked upon arriving in St. Paul to learn that the Society that cursed Lord Denbury in the first place now has much larger and more sinister plans in store. It seems that the Society has capture Rachel Horowitz, a friend of Natalie’s from New York, who cannot hear or speak but has the ability to communicate with spirits. Through visions and premonitions, Natalie is able to see Rachel being held captive, forced to draw spirits out of objects, mementos, even body parts. What is the Society planning and how does it relate to the demon that once cursed Lord Denbury?

Review: Author Leanna Renee Hieber continues her love-affair with Victorian literature in this sequel to her 2011 novel, Darker Still. Unfortunately, where her first novel shone in its marriage of mystery, romance and suspense, the sequel falls markedly short. There are several reasons why The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart is not a successful follow-up to its predecessor. The first is that Darker Still had a very intriguing and well-written plot: Lord Denbury’s imprisonment in the painting, Natalie’s inability to communicate due to being mute, a murder mystery on the streets of Victorian New York. The plot of the sequel, however, is muddled, convoluted and not very entertaining. The “big reveal” at the end of the novel is very anti-climactic, and the build-up to that point is lackluster. Characters are introduced then never really expanded upon, and the romance between Natalie and Lord Denbury doesn’t really go anywhere. The charm of the setting in Darker Still is also absent, with little attention given to the Victorian surroundings and sensibilities that the author obviously cares for. There is an attempt at a cliffhanger that does little to motivate the reader to want to pick up the third novel which is set to be released in November of 2013. Overall, a disappointing follow-up to a story that had loads of potential.  

Genre:  Historical Fiction/Mystery

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber, Entwined by Heather Dixon, Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury, Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey.   

Themes:  Curses, demons, secret societies, ghosts, psychic abilities, Victorian era, New York City.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Booklist.   

Series Information: Second installment in Magic Most Foul series. First installment, Darker Still, released in 2011. Third installment, The Double Life of Incorporate Things, set to be released November 2013.    

Discussion questions:

-         How would you explain what the Society was trying to do with Rachel and her abilities?

-          Do you trust Mrs. Northe? Why or why not?

-         Do you think Natalie still struggles with her speech?

-         What was the significance of the runes in the story?

-          Who was your favorite character? Why?

-         Do you enjoy this novel more or less than Darker Still? Why?

-         What would you like to see happen in the third novel?

Tiger's Destiny Book Review

Author: Colleen Houck. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  Splinter. ISBN: 9781402798436.

Annotation: After being captured by Lokesh, Kelsey uses her cunning to escape the clutches of the evil sorcerer and must travel to a fiery underground realm to complete the final quest and end the curse that has plagued Ren and Kishan for centuries.

Personal thoughts: This is one of my favorite series for young adults, so I was very excited to get an advanced reader copy. I think that Tiger’s Destiny might be my favorite installment thus far, for a variety of reasons. I really enjoyed all of the action in the story. In past novels in the series, I was a bit critical of Colleen Houck’s very descriptive writing, but this actually worked really well in terms of setting the stage for Kelsey, Ren and Kishan’s journey underground and in the epic battles that ensue. I also liked how Kelsey and Kishan’s relationship was intensifying, adding another layer of conflict to the love triangle between Kelsey and her tigers. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this series concludes, and to finding out what Colleen Houck comes up with next.  

Plot summary: The quest to end the Tiger’s Curse is almost complete, but Kelsey finds herself imprisoned by the evil sorcerer Lokesh. Using her cunning and convincing him that she wants to be his bride, Kelsey learns that Lokesh wants a son, a strong heir who can continue his father’s legacy of treachery. Before she can be wed, Kelsey is rescued by Ren and Kishan and the three return to India where Mr. Kadam informs them of their next task. The final gift of Durga, the Rope of Fire, lies in a fiery underground realm full of vampire-like demons, the walking dead, and powerful phoenixes. Kelsey wants nothing more than to complete their quest and end the curse that has plagued Ren and Kishan for centuries, but something is proving more difficult even than venturing deep into the Earth and battling vicious creatures: although she is in a relationship with Kishan, Kelsey can no longer deny that her love for Ren has anything but diminished. Can one girl from Oregon end the Tiger’s Curse, defeat Lokesh once and for all and decide where her heart truly lies?

Review: Colleen Houck’s epic story continues in this fourth installment in her best-selling series. What draws so many readers to these novels are the combination of fantasy, romance and action, and Tiger’s Destiny is chock full of all three. What differentiates this fourth book from the previous three is the amount of battle it contains. Kelsey, Ren and Kishan are always fighting some mystical creature in their efforts to break the Tiger’s Curse, but Tiger’s Destiny is the first novel in the series to have full on warfare as a major part of the story. Houck does a good if incredibly descriptive job of setting the reader down in the midst of a battle, and fans are sure to enjoy scenes of Kelsey and her handsome tigers wreaking havoc on their enemies. The romance aspects of Tiger’s Destiny also get more intense, with Kishan and Kelsey’s relationship becoming more serious, along with her conflicted feelings towards Ren. The end of the novel is sure to leave the reader clambering for the fifth and final installment in the series, Tiger’s Dream, which is set to be released in 2013.  

Genre:  Adventure/Romance

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Previous installments in the Tiger’s Curse series by Colleen Houck

Themes:  Destiny, romance, magic, curses, India, adventure, war.      

Awards/Reviews:  Fourth installment in best-selling series.   

Series Information: Fourth installment in the Tiger’s Curse series. Previous novels in series: Tiger’s Curse (2011), Tiger’s Quest (2011), Tiger’s Voyage (2011).

Discussion questions:

-       Including Tiger’s Destiny, which is your favorite novel in this series? Why?

-       Why do you think Lokesh wanted to marry Kelsey? Do you think it was a smart move for her to convince him that she felt the same way? Why or why not?

-       Do you think that Kishan realizes that Kelsey still loves Ren? Would you want to be in a relationship with someone who had feelings for someone else?

-       Describe the role that each of Durga’s weapons plays in the novel. Which is your favorite? Which was the most important? Why?

-      What are you hoping to see happen in the fifth and final novel in this series?

The Magdalena Curse Book Review

Author: F.G. Cottam. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Thomas Dunne Books. ISBN: 9780312643256.

Annotation: A covert military operation in the Bolivian rainforest lead to former Colonel Mark Hunter encountering a beautiful but evil sorceress who cursed his offspring to commune with the dead.  Now, fifteen years later, his ten-year-old son, Adam, is possessed with the spirits of the departed, and Hunter must discover a way to end the curse and save his son’s life.

Personal thoughts: I really enjoy F.G. Cottam’s novels, and The Magdalena Curse was no different. His writing style and ability to create suspense and mystery is excellent. I was really intrigued by each of the characters in the book, and found it really difficult to put down, wanting to learn their fates. I always like Cottam’s inclusion of historical or cultural references and how they tie into the story so well. I can’t wait to read his next novel once it is published in the United States. F.G. Cottam definitely ranks high among authors I would recommend to older teens or adults who want an entertaining and spooky read!   

Plot summary: Fifteen years earlier, Colonel Mark Hunter was a newlywed sent on a covert mission from his London home to the rainforests of Bolivia. Expecting to uncover and destroy a drug trafficking facility, what he and his comrades actually discovered in the jungle was something far more sinister. An evil sorceress protected by an army of undead soldiers murdered his fellow soldiers, and cursed Hunter, promising that his offspring would commune with the dead. Now, Mark is retired and living in Scotland with his ten-year-old son Adam, his wife and daughter recently killed in an accident. Adam is an exceptionally bright child, but has recently become afflicted with terrifying nightmares. Although he knows in his heart that his son his possessed as a result of the curse, Mark calls upon local doctor, Elizabeth Bancroft, to try to determine if there is a medical cause of Adam’s illness. Elizabeth is no stranger to the idea of curses, having come from a family long associated with witchcraft. Elizabeth herself doesn’t believe in magic, but the more she learns about Adam, the more she is convinced that there is something truly evil at work. Determined to save his son, Mark searches for a way to end the curse. In trying to find a cure, however, Mark begins to uncover the truth about what is afflicting Adam, and how his presence in Bolivia fifteen years earlier was no accident at all.

Review: Always creating an intriguing mixture of historical fact and fiction, veteran author F.G. Cottam offers up yet another nail-biting novel in the same vein as his previous two works, The House of Lost Souls and Dark Echo. Cottam’s novels usually contain more than a little macabre details, and The Magdalena Curse is no different. Although somewhat toned down from his other two works, some of the grisly details make this novel appropriate only for the older teen and adult audience. For readers who want something spooky and suspenseful, however, this, like Cottam’s other novels, is an excellent choice. The details of what exactly is transpiring in The Magdalena Curse take awhile to unravel. Is Adam possessed? If he is, who or what is possessing him? How can the entity be stopped? These are all questions that the reader journeys through, all with an edge-of-the-seat quality that makes the novel difficult to put down. Cottam’s mixture of historic references makes the story even more intriguing, especially in generating interest in learning more about various locations, poets and songs. Overall, The Magdalena Curse is a scary and entertaining novel that fans of suspense are sure to enjoy.  

Genre: Fiction/Horror

Reading level: Grade 10+

Similar titles: The House of Lost Souls and Dark Echo by F.G. Cottam.

Themes:  Possession, witches, curses, the occult, wolves.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from The Times, Saga and Good Book Guide.  

Series Information: N/A   

Discussion questions:

-     What do you think Miss Hall and Mrs. Mallory were doing in Bolivia?

-     How do you think Lillian Hunter and Elizabeth Bancroft were connected?

-     Why do you think Mrs. Mallory was fixated on Adam?

-     What do you think Elizabeth accomplished at the end of the novel?

Darker Still: A Novel of Magic Most Foul Book Review

 Author: Leanna Renee Hieber. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN: 9781402260520.

Annotation:  Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart’s father works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1880s New York City. When a strange new painting is brought to the museum, one that is rumored to be haunted, Natalie is captivated by the handsome, young Lord Denbury depicted on the canvas. Soon Natalie discovers that the rumors of the piece being alive are true, and that the painting is actually a prison, one that is holding Lord Denbury hostage.

Personal thoughts:  This novel was so full of things I loved that it almost seemed that Leanna Renee Hieber wrote it just for me! History, mythology, curses, romance, and the intriguing idea of someone being trapped in a painting…how could I not enjoy Darker Still? I was especially impressed with Hieber creating a leading lady with a very real disability. Natalie’s being mute played a role in the plot, but I also liked how Hieber took care to point out throughout the novel that she was a normal teenage girl despite the fact that she had to communicate via sign language. Overall, I really loved this novel and would highly recommend it to both teen and adult readers. I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series!  

Plot summary: At a young age, Natalie Stewart witnessed the death of her mother in a tragic accident and found herself unable to speak from then on. Now seventeen-years-old, Natalie’s existence is one of longing; yearning to live a normal life, have friends, and fall in love. The year is 1880, and Natalie’s father works for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. One day, Natalie and her father meet Mrs. Evelyn Northe, a wealthy and kind woman with an interest in spiritualism. Mrs. Northe, like Natalie, is fluent in sign language and the two become fast friends. Mrs. Northe informs Natalie and her father that a painting with a curious history has come into her possession. It seems that late Lord Denbury, the attractive, young man depicted on the canvas, is rumored to haunt the piece. Upon seeing the painting, Natalie is immediately captivated by Lord Denbury’s magnetic blue eyes and handsome features. Soon, however, Natalie realizes that there is more to her infatuation than just a love for brushstroke on canvas. Small changes in the painting catch her eye, and it seems that Lord Denbury is calling to her, begging her to reach out and touch the canvas. When she does, Natalie falls into a strange world, one inside the painting that has become a prison for the handsome Lord. It seems that an evil spell has trapped Lord Denbury’s soul, while his body acts as a vessel for a sinister spirit in the outside world. Will Natalie find a way to reverse the curse and save the man she finds herself falling for?

Review:  Author Leanna Renee Hieber describes herself as a “gateway drug” for young readers into the literature of the 19^th century, and her latest novel, Darker Still, proves to be an intoxicating plunge into Victorian New York City. Almost from the first page, the reader is immediately as enraptured in the story as the heroine, the mute Natalie Stewart, is with the mysterious depiction of Lord Denbury. The novel is full of many things: romance, mysticism, mythology, religion, mystery, and horror. The intricate world of the painting and exactly how Natalie and Lord Denbury fit into it keep the reader guessing as the plot unfolds. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable story that pays homage to such classics as Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. The author’s passion for the Victorian era is evident in her detailed and loving portrayal of gas lamp light streets, gowns, carriages, and corsets. The first in a new series, Darker Still makes for an excellent start to something original and entertaining for teen and adult readers who are fans of gothic novels, mystery and romance.

Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Entwined by Heather Dixon, Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, The Poisoned House by Michael Ford, Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury.

Themes:  Curses, art, Victorian era, New York City, mythology, spiritualism, grief, demons.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Kirkus and Booklist.

Series Information: First installment in Magic Most Foul series.

Discussion questions: 

- Why do you think Natalie was unable to speak after her mother’s death?

- Do you think it is common for people to assume that those who cannot hear or speak are “dumb” as Maggie’s friends assumed about Natalie?

- Can you name all of the cultures/mythologies that were described as being involved in Lord Denbury’s curse?

- What do you think “the Whisper” was?

- What would you like to see happen next in Natalie and Lord Denbury’s story?

Tiger’s Voyage Book Review

Author: Colleen Houck. Release date: November 2011. Publisher:  Splinter. ISBN: 9781402784057.

Annotation:  Kelsey’s adventure, and romance, with her two tiger princes continues in a nautical journey to the mysterious Seventh Pagoda.

Personal thoughts:  I was a bit hard on the second installment in this series, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed this third novel quite a bit. I still find some elements of the story to be a bit on the melodramatic or cheesy side, but I think that, overall, the author does a good job of mixing romance with adventure. I really grew to like Kelsey more in this novel, and think that Houck has done a good job of developing the characters. I am really looking forward to the next novel.

Plot summary: After Ren’s memory loss following his rescue in Tiger’s Quest, Kelsey must work to make the prince fall in love with her all over again if she is going to keep her growing feelings for his brother, Kishan, at bay. Matters are complicated when Mr. Kadam unravels the next portion of their journey: retrieving Durga’s mystical pearl necklace located in the mysterious Seventh Pagoda. In order the reach the Pagoda, the group must travel by sea, seeking instruction from the five dragons who know how to reach the necklace. The journey will become increasingly more risky, but not quite as dangerous as the growing tension between Kelsey and Ren as she becomes closer to Kishan.

Review: As is often the case with series, some installments are better than others. This third book in Houck’s best-selling Tiger’s Curse series is, in many ways, the most enjoyable yet. The characters have already been firmly established and Houck has done an excellent job of acquainting the reader with the setting and ins and outs of the often complicated journey of Kelsey, Ren and Kishan. Although the next phase of the quest to break the centuries long curse is even more elaborate than in the previous two novels, it is also more original and entertaining. The love-triangle between Kelsey and the two princes is really at the forefront of the storyline, and Houck does a good job of creating a growing sense of tension throughout the novel. Coping with Ren’s memory loss was an excellent way to keep the romance between Ren and Kelsey interesting. Houck also introduces other characters that compete with Kelsey for Ren’s affections and vice versa, adding another layer to the thickening plot. Overall, this third installment in the series greatly improves upon the second, and leaves the reader with a cliffhanger that will surely keep anticipation for the fourth novel running high.  

Genre: Adventure/Romance

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: First and second installments in Tiger’s Curse series by Colleen Houck.  

Themes:  Romance, relationships, magic, India, curses, China, diving, yachts.

Awards/Reviews:  Third installment in best-selling series.  

Series Information: Third installment in Tiger’s Curse series. Other novels in series: Tiger’s Curse (2011) and Tiger’s Quest (2011).  

Discussion questions:

- How does this novel compare to the first two in the series? Did it meet your expectations? Why or why not?

- How did you feel about Ren’s memory loss and aversion to Kelsey? Do you think that is realistic? Why or why not?

- Why do you think Kelsey is torn between Ren and Kishan?

- Which of the dragons was your favorite? Why?

- This novel ends with a cliffhanger. Describe what a cliffhanger is and why it is often used in series novels.

The Nightmarys Book Review

Author: Dan Poblocki. Release date: 2010. Publisher:  Random House Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780375842566.

Annotation:  What would you do if your worst fears and the things from your nightmares haunted you during the day? Timothy and Abigail must find a way to put an end to the curse that is causing them to be plagued by terror even when they’re awake.

Personal thoughts:  If I’m being completely honest, this book terrified me. As I was reading it, I kept having to remind myself that it is a young adult novel, and therefore not “worthy” of making my eyes dart around and covering my head with the blanket at night. I admire Poblocki’s ability to create a sense of absolute horror with no gore or violence. The idea of the waking nightmare is quite scary, and I would only recommend this book to brave readers. Younger readers are likely to have nightmares themselves after reading this story.  I know I did.

Plot summary: Seventh-grader Timothy July has been plagued by nightmares ever since his brother was wounded while serving in Iraq. These nightmares are terrifying and keep Timothy awake for hours. During the day, he sometimes finds himself imagining horrifying things while he’s awake. To make matters worse, Timothy isn’t sure what to think when he gets partnered with strange and quiet new girl Abigail for a field trip to the local museum. His best friend, Stuart Chen, is his usual partner, and is angry that Timothy unwittingly volunteered to team up with Abigail. Things get even more odd while the class is at the museum. Abigail seems nice, but Timothy can sense something different about her. When the two venture into the museum basement, the horrifying images from Timothy’s nightmares converge upon him, causing him to panic. When he confesses what is happening to Abigail, she tells him that she has also been plagued with terrifying nightmares. It seems that a curse has been placed on people connected with Abigail that is causing the things from their nightmares to torment them even after they wake up. Can Timothy and Abigail determine the origin of the curse and stop it before the terror consumes them?

Review: This truly frightening tale from Dan Poblocki is full of twists, turns, mystery and, above all, scares that will delight brave tween readers. Almost from the first pages of the novel, the reader develops a sense of dread at the horrifying images that seem to be haunting the characters. At the center of the waking nightmares is a mysterious man in an overcoat and hat. Timothy begins to experience these terrors as well, and is determined to fight them, with the help of his new friend Abigail. As the primary protagonists, Timothy and Abigail are very likeable. Timothy is kind to the new girl who everyone else makes fun of, and is also brave in his resolve to overcome whatever is cursing him and his friends. The story contains many different plot lines that converge in the nail-biting finale. Overall, The Nightmarys is an entertaining and terrifying adventure that readers are sure to enjoy.

Genre: Fiction/Horror

Reading level: Grade 6+

Similar titles: The Stone Child by Dan Poblocki, The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn.

Themes:  Nightmares, curses, mystery, horror.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from School Library Journal and Booklist.

Series Information: N/A    

Discussion questions:

- Did this book frighten you? What do you think are important elements in a scary story?

- Do you believe in curses? Why or why not?

- What do you think causes us to have nightmares?

- Describe a nightmare that you can remember. Why did it frighten you?

Tiger’s Curse Book Review

Author: Colleen Houck. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Splinter. ISBN: 9781402784033.

Annotation:  Kelsey just graduated high school and isn’t sure what lies ahead for her, especially since her parents, who were killed in a car accident, are not around to guide her.  After she gets a temp job working at a travelling circus, she meets Ren, a mysterious white tiger who seems to be more than just a wild animal.

Personal thoughts: Although I wasn’t always a huge fan of Colleen Houck’s writing style, I did enjoy this book when it was all said and done. As a protagonist, Kelsey can be irritating at times, falling into such Bella-esque character flaws as whining, insecurity, and general angst. For me, the real enjoyment I found in the book lay in Ren and the tiger curse, as well as the setting in India. I look forward to reading the just released sequel, Tiger’s Quest.  

Plot summary: Eighteen-year-old Kelsey just graduated high school and lives a humdrum life with her adoptive parents in her home state of Oregon. Kelsey’s own parents were killed years before in a car accident, and she isn’t sure what life holds for her now that she’s an adult. After getting a temporary job at a travelling circus, Kelsey becomes enamored with a mysterious white tiger named Dhiren, or Ren. Kelsey is fond of the tiger with his soulful blue eyes, so she spends her free time reading to him and talking to him about her life. One afternoon, a friendly Indian man named Mr. Kadam visits the circus and informs Kelsey and Ren’s circus handlers that a man in India has offered to purchase the tiger for a hefty fee. The circus accepts, and Mr. Kadam asks Kelsey, who obviously has formed a bond with Ren, to accompany him and the tiger to India in order to make his transition into his new life easier. After arriving in India, Kelsey quickly learns that Ren is not actually a tiger, he is an Indian prince (an incredibly handsome one at that) who was cursed centuries before to spend his life as a tiger. Ren can only spend 24 minutes each day in his human form, and begs Kelsey to help him figure out a way to end the curse. Mr. Kadam, who is actually Ren’s faithful servant, Kelsey and Ren embark on an adventure in India that is beyond Kelsey’s wildest expectations.  

Review:  This debut novel of Houck’s Tiger’s Curse series sets the stage for a new fantasy series that is sure to excite readers who enjoy ancient curses, adventure and romance. It is obvious that Houck has done her research into the history and landscape of India. The story is chock full of references to ancient Indian figures as well as Indian dress, locations and landscapes. Houck’s writing-style is highly descriptive, which, at times, ventures into the realm of overkill (is it really necessary to know that Kelsey shampooed her hair twice in the shower?), but does set the stage well for the plot. She has also created a cast of characters that are complex enough to maintain the reader’s interest throughout this budding series. The romance between Kelsey and Ren is, obviously, the main selling point of the novel. Houck does an excellent job of describing just how handsome and dashing Ren in, as well as how madly in love he falls with the somewhat awkward Kelsey. Kelsey’s efforts to convince herself that Ren is only going to break her heart do, at times, seem contrived, but Houck has created enough sexual tension between the two to keep the reader interested. The addition of Ren’s brother, Kishan, a fellow tiger cursee, can only add to the mix. Overall, a good start to a promising series.

Genre: Fiction/Fantasy/Adventure

Reading level: Grade 6+

Similar titles: N/A

Themes:  India, curses, romance, sibling relationships.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Booklist.  

Series Information: Book one in the Tiger’s Curse series. Book two, released on June 7, 2011, Tiger’s Quest.

Discussion Questions:

- What aspects of the novel do you think are realistic? What aspects are not?

- Did you learn anything about India or Indian mythology after reading this novel? What did you learn?

- Who do you like better: Ren or Kishan? Why?

- What do you think this series has in store for Kelsey, Ren and Kishan? What would you like to see happen?

- Who is your favorite character in the novel? Why?