The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde

The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde

What was with that bizarre fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin? Why would a miller claim that his daughter can spin straw into gold? Why would the king believe him? And why would a odd little man that can spin straw into gold do so in exchange for a tiny gold ring? The story is just silly. In an attempt to make sense of it all, Vivian Vande Velde retells this wayward fairy tale, providing six alternative takes on the classic account. All six are woven into rich chronicles - all of which are far more intriguing and revealing than the original tale.

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a cute book with 6 different versions of the classic fairy tale 'Rumpelstiltskin'. The only version that I really did not care much for was the 1st one - 'A fairy tale in bad taste' - about a troll named Rumpelstiltskin who wanted to eat a human baby. My favorites were the 2nd story - Straw Into Gold & the last story - As good as gold. I really enjoyed the author's note at the beginning of the book explaining why she did not like the original version of the story.


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Growing Wings by Laurel Winter

Growing Wings by Laurel Winter


When 11-year-old Linnet discovers she is growing wings, her bewilderment is confounded by her mother's obvious distress. As it turns out, her mother also grew wings on the cusp of adolescence, only to have them cut off by her mother. Linnet's life seems to speed up rapidly after her shocking discovery; she soon finds herself alone on her estranged grandmother's doorstep, and shortly thereafter, at a type of secret residence for winged people like herself. As she tries to adapt to a life she never expected, Linnet struggles with desires common to anyone who has ever wanted desperately to fit in, while simultaneously seeking to embrace uniqueness.

This unusual novel will strike a chord with young readers who long to both blend in and stand out. Linnet is a sensitive, strong, fallible girl, easy to relate to (in spite of her unusual physical traits). Her adventures as she tries to learn how to fly (just having wings isn't enough--it takes hard work and practice), make friends, find her mother, and, with her winged community, avoid being noticed by the media, make for an entirely new kind of science fiction-fantasy story--one that soars. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an enjoyable story about a young girl, Linnet, who suddenly starts to sprout wings. She finds out that her mother also had wings when she was young, but they had been cut off by her mother, making her a 'cutwing'. When the Linnet begins to quesiton her mother it is more than her mother can take and she takes Linnet on a journey that ends up at a hideaway in the mountains where other winged people, as well as other cutwings, are living in seclusion. Here Linnet explores her newly grown wings as she experiments with flying and tries to deal with the impact that the wings have on her life and her future.
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Merry Meet (Circle of Three, 2) by Isobel Bird

Circle of Three #2: Merry Meet by Isobel Bird


Joined together hand in hand our circle gathers round, to work our magic, weave the web, and dance on sacred ground. By the goddess we are called, witch to witch and friend to friend, to merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.

A book of spells brought Kate, Cooper, and Annie together. The three are coompelled to learn more, and the door is opened with the stirring ritual of the Vernal Equinox.

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Once again I enjoyed the introduction to Wicca with this book, but the personal problems struggles with the main character did not interest me. I have to keep reminding myself that the main character is a 15 year old girl, which excuses her for some of her more selfish, self-centered behavior.

I will probably read a couple more in the series just to see how it goes. I am also going to encourage my 15 year old dd to read the first couple books as they do offer a nice introduction into what Wicca is and she has recently asked questions about Wicca.

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Circle of Three #1: So Mote It Be (Circle of Three, 1) by Isobel Bird

Circle of Three #1: So Mote It Be by Isobel Bird


Are magical powers real? Can you use them to get good grades or a date with the cutest guy at school? Sophomore Kate Morgan isn't sure, but she's willing to find out. After bringing home some books on the Salem witch trials for a research project, Kate discovers a volume she doesn't remember checking out--Spells and Charms for the Modern Witch. Intrigued, she thinks she has found a quick fix for her Valentine's Day datelessness. But after hastily casting a love spell, Kate realizes she has set a universal force in motion that not only nets her intended hottie, but every guy at school. Suddenly all the boys at Beecher Falls High have a crush on Kate. Desperate to end the curse that makes all guys love her--and consequently, all girls hate her--Kate finds a way to uncover other wannabe teen witches. But shy scholar Annie Crandall and raging riot grrrl Cooper Rivers aren't sure that they want to be a part of Kate's case of bad karma. Unless she can convince them to join her, Kate may be doomed to suffer from uncontrollable popularity forever!

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I am kind of on the fence with this book. While I enjoyed the Wicca aspect of the book and the girl's introduction to magic, I was a little put off by all of the high school drama. Of course the book is a teen book written about a group of 10th grade girls who stumble across a book of spells and decide to experiment with magic. There is a lot of teen drama in the book -- cliques, friends, boys, grades, etc. We all remember those days. lol Having a 15 year old daughter made it a little more interesting to read as I could see a lot of what was in the book in things she talks about from school.

Anyway the book was okay and I intend to read the next in the series before I decide if I want to continue with the series or not.

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Bestial by Ray Garton

Bestial by Ray Garton


Something very strange is happening in the coastal California town of Big Rock. Several residents have died in unexplained, particularly brutal ways, many torn apart in animal attacks. And there's always that eerie howling late at night....


You might think there's a werewolf in town. But you'd be wrong. It's not just one werewolf, but the whole that's gradually transforming. Bit by bit, as the infection spreads, the werewolves are becoming more and more powerful. In fact, humans may soon be the minority, mere prey for their hungry neighbors. Is it too late for the humans to fight back? Did they ever have a chance from the start?

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
As much as I enjoyed 'Ravenous' it was just the appetizer for Bestial. What a great read. I so enjoy Garton's writing and his take on the supernatural. This book was less about the blood and gore and more about the story of what happens to Big Rock when it is invaded by werewolves. Loved the fact that some of the main characters from this book are the Private Investigators from 'Night Life' I am looking forward to more of their adventures in future books (at least that is where I hope that Garton is going with them.)

Excellent read and highly recommended!

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Ravenous by Ray Garton

Ravenous by Ray Garton


From Publishers Weekly
A serial rapist is on the loose in the sleepy California town of Big Rock, and sheriff Farrell Hurley's secretary is the latest victim. When a self-proclaimed werewolf hunter named Daniel Fargo comes into town claiming that Big Rock has an infestation of the creatures, Hurley thinks the man is insane, until the eviscerated corpses and attacks by large animals start in earnest. For Garton, lycanthropy is an STD, spread mostly through rape, that runs rampant through a small town fraught with affairs and intrigues. His werewolf is a terrifying creature: not a remorseful, helpless cursed human but a homicidal beast driven by a dual urge to breed and feed. Hurley is a sheriff to root for, and Garton's well-paced horror novel reworks the werewolf myth to great effect.

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Great read. It is really nice to read a werewolf book that is not a romance, but classic horror.

I really enjoy Garton's writing and his take on the supernatural. Highly recommend this to horror fans.

Looking forward to reading the sequel 'Bestial'.


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The Lost Ones (The Veil, #3) by Christopher Golden

The Lost Ones by Christopher Golden


Bestselling author Christopher Golden brings his epic, innovative trilogy, the Veil, to an astonishing conclusion as the mythic realm of heroes and monsters becomes the site of humanity’s last—and greatest—showdown.

In the world of the legendary, every myth and folktale is real. That is what Oliver Bascombe learned on the other side of the Veil, where humanity's legends have hidden away for centuries. But even legends have legends, and Oliver has learned of a prophecy that many believe he and his sister, Collette, have come to the Two Kingdoms to fulfill. Before they can discover the truth, the Bascombe siblings must help to stop an apocalyptic war that threatens to destroy the Two Kingdoms, unravel a conspiracy, and prevent a powerful sorcerer from severing the world of humans from the realm of the legendary forever.

But first Oliver will have to plot an escape from an impregnable palace dungeon where he and his allies have been imprisoned . . . for regicide.

As old heroes and friends ally themselves for one last battle, even older enemies stand arrayed against them. Is humanity ready to face its legends head-on? For Oliver Bascombe, the price may be dearer than even he could ever imagine.

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a good ending to the trilogy. Most of the book is about the war between the Borderkind/Legends and the Atlanteans. The gathering of forces and actual battle. Oliver and Collette also come into their magical abilities and see themselves for the legend-born that they are. All in all a satisfying end.

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Carpe Corpus (The Morganville Vampires, #6) by Rachel Caine

Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine

In the small college town of Morganville, vampires and humans lived in (relative) peace—until all the rules got rewritten when the evil vampire Bishop arrived, looking for the lost book of vampire secrets. He’s kept a death grip on the town ever since. Now an underground resistance is brewing, and in order to contain it, Bishop must go to even greater lengths. He vows to obliterate the town and all its inhabitants—the living and the undead. Claire Danvers and her friends are the only ones who stand in his way. But even if they defeat Bishop, will the vampires ever be content to go back to the old rules, after having such a taste of power?

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another wonderful jaunt in Morganville.

In this book Claire and friends find themselves caught up in the middle of the war between Bishop and Amelie. The fate of Morganville depends on the outcome of this war and Claire has her part to play in that outcome. I can't go into much detail without giving everything away, but it was a nice quick read. We do finally get an ending and not a major cliff-hanger, which makes it a lot easier to wait till the next book is released in November.

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