3.5 stars Kai is the daughter of a general in 16th century Korea. She wants to be a martial artist like her brothers and her father indulges her but th3.5 stars Kai is the daughter of a general in 16th century Korea. She wants to be a martial artist like her brothers and her father indulges her but the other soldiers are shocked. When Kai hits puberty, however, and a hidden secret about her (view spoiler)[gumiho (hide spoiler)]past comes to light, she is forced to flee. A kind turn she had done in her past serves to play a huge part in the future paths her world will take. This tale is a bit uneven and confusing in parts but there is a lot to be said for the queer, feminist way the gumiho tale is retold as well as the amazing digital graphics. They are extremely well done with a very well-chosen color palette.
CW: violence/blood, nudity (bare bottoms) Grades 7 and up...more
This book is broken into 6 sections: forests, seas and oceans, mountains, hills and valleys, rivers and lakes, and wetlands. Each contains one tale frThis book is broken into 6 sections: forests, seas and oceans, mountains, hills and valleys, rivers and lakes, and wetlands. Each contains one tale from a different region so one each of Czech, Brazilian, Maori, Portuguese, Irish, and English tales - which is disappointing for a book of this length. The rest of the book is small snippets of info about various creatures, places, legends, etc. What really makes this book stand out are the gorgeous illustrations. They are vivid water colour style with individual drawings for each different piece of lore. In a few unfortunate instances the text is written on a black background of the illustration and is very difficult to read as a result....more
3.5 stars book 2 in series The story of Serilda and Gild continues as they try to figure out how to break the curse that ties them to the haunted castle3.5 stars book 2 in series The story of Serilda and Gild continues as they try to figure out how to break the curse that ties them to the haunted castle. Time is drawing short, however, as Serilda is pregnant and the Erlking has nefarious plans for her baby. The Erlking has other nasty plans in motion as well concerning his former lover and conquering the entire mortal realm. Gild and Serilda have many roadblocks in their path. There is lots of intrigue and suspense - but it is very drawn out. This is a long book and could have done with some editing to make it more concise. There is violence but not gory. There is romance and kissing and allusion to the situation which occurred in book 1 (which caused Serilda's pregnancy) but is not as graphic. ...more
Book 3 in the series Charlie and best friend Violet are joined by his (previously unknown) cousin Raul to figure out why there have been earthquakes, dBook 3 in the series Charlie and best friend Violet are joined by his (previously unknown) cousin Raul to figure out why there have been earthquakes, disappearing people and pets, and oddly, a sudden appearance of red roosters. The trio are attacked by strange crocodile men that don't seem to come from any of the legends that Charlie knows. They also need to figure out what happened to the map with the location of the Golden Dooms which provide the barrier between the magical realm and earth. Give this to your students who like Rick Riordan/Rick Riordan Presents. This has fantastic references to the myths and legends from the Iberian peninsula, Central, and South America....more
This book takes place one year after the events in the Disney movie Brave. Now Merida is faced with a family that she loves but that is caught in a stThis book takes place one year after the events in the Disney movie Brave. Now Merida is faced with a family that she loves but that is caught in a state of decline because they refuse to change. Even the gods have noticed, the god of order and the god of chaos. They throw Merida into the middle of their battle giving her one year to motivate her family to change or everything will be destroyed. In order to do this, Merida will have to leave home (which she actually finds quite thrilling).
Stiefvater is a master storyteller; she gives the characters such life and personalities that they practically come off the pages. Even if students have not seen Brave they will be able to pick up the story easily. CW: some violence (armies fighting), death (villages razed), magic (duh!)...more
3.5 stars Lizzie and Minka are sisters. despite their differences, they get along very well. Minka is extroverted and so she is the one who goes to the3.5 stars Lizzie and Minka are sisters. despite their differences, they get along very well. Minka is extroverted and so she is the one who goes to the market. Lizzie is introverted and is sensitive to noise plus sees colors and auras when she looks at people so she is content to stay home and help tend the garden. One day Minka comes home from the market and is so excited about the handsome boy who gave her a perfect plum - out of season. After that Minka changes character dramatically and also falls ill. Lizzie is determined to find out who this boy is and what he has done to her sister, even if she has to go to the market or the dangerous woods.
I believe this is based on the Christina Rossetti poem "Goblin Market" but I haven't read it so I can't compare. It also very much has the feel of a Polish fairy tale. Lizzie is a very well developed character. Minka slightly less so and everyone else very much less developed. Despite that, the story will highly appeal to middle grade students with its engaging plot and dark suspense that hits just the right mark for this level....more
Book 3 in series Paola has come back from the void where she saved her father but she had to leave her best friend behind. Now there is a new threat inBook 3 in series Paola has come back from the void where she saved her father but she had to leave her best friend behind. Now there is a new threat in the form of El Cucuy, the bogeyman, plus she still needs to rescue Dante from the void. I like how the elements from Mexican folklore are woven into the story and how Pao (eventually) learns that she can't do everything herself. Give this series to your Rick Riordan fans. CW for mild violence - although not gory....more
A retelling of Beauty and the Beast where Merit has been turned into a Beast by a godling for having the audacity for wanting to have some say in whomA retelling of Beauty and the Beast where Merit has been turned into a Beast by a godling for having the audacity for wanting to have some say in whom she marries. She can take a tonic that will allow her to take her human form for short periods of time plus she has 6 weeks until her 18th birthday to choose a husband or have someone fall in love with her. There is also Tevin whose family are schemers and tricksters. His specialty is making (wealthy) girls fall in love with him but then the fathers pay him off because he is "not the right sort." Tevin offers to help Merit sort through her suitors to make the best choice. While totally predictable, I absolutely loved the characters and world building of this retelling. There's lots of humor, no swearing, a tiny bit of violence. Romance but not even any kissing....more
3.5 stars For fans of the Rick Riordan presents series, this one is set in the Dominican Republic and incorporates Spanish language and DR mythology an3.5 stars For fans of the Rick Riordan presents series, this one is set in the Dominican Republic and incorporates Spanish language and DR mythology and history. Pilar is a 12-year-old who lives in Chicago. Her neighborhood is changing a lot due to gentrification. Her family life is also changing now that her older sister is studying at college. One factor that remains unchanged is the family secret: cousin Natasha who vanished 50 years ago in the DR under dictator Trujillo's regime. Pilar finds out that there is someone who may have some info about the disappearance and it whisks her off to the land of Zafa, where her cousin is a prisoner in a magical prison. CW for war crimes, genocide, and violence I appreciated the intertwining of Spanish language into the story but thought there was too much use of "pero" and "pues" in places that didn't make sense - but I say that as a non-fluent and non-native speaker, only someone who has studied it for 3 years....more
A very unusual re-telling of the Rumpelstiltskin story - but beware, it ends on a cliff-hanger. (ugh!)
CW for violence - lots of killing of people andA very unusual re-telling of the Rumpelstiltskin story - but beware, it ends on a cliff-hanger. (ugh!)
CW for violence - lots of killing of people and creatures, off-page sex (very innocent in that you know it happened but completely off page. only thing on page is kissing and then getting dressed again.)...more
A marvelous retelling of Sleeping Beauty wit pen and ink drawings throughout, multiple SB characters from a variety of multiverses and versions, and tA marvelous retelling of Sleeping Beauty wit pen and ink drawings throughout, multiple SB characters from a variety of multiverses and versions, and they take back their power. #consent...more
An LGBTQ+ retelling of Sleeping Beauty, where Princess Aurora falls in love with the witch. It's told from the witch's point of view. This is an engagAn LGBTQ+ retelling of Sleeping Beauty, where Princess Aurora falls in love with the witch. It's told from the witch's point of view. This is an engaging read, with a great unique takes on character and unexpected twists of plot....more
Cinderella after the wedding. So much for happily ever after... She and Prince Charming have two kids but he's not so charming and she is bored. And tCinderella after the wedding. So much for happily ever after... She and Prince Charming have two kids but he's not so charming and she is bored. And truth be told, she doesn't love him. In fact, she hates him. Possibly for very good reasons. But she is pondering some drastic actions. However, the fairy tale world has RULES. Engaging and fun read. I did not like the ending (the resolution was fine but the ending seemed a little psychobabble) but overall appealing....more
Red is the second daughter which means she is for the Wolf while her twin sister is for the throne. On her 20th birthday she will have to go into the Red is the second daughter which means she is for the Wolf while her twin sister is for the throne. On her 20th birthday she will have to go into the haunted/enchanted woods as a sacrifice to appease the demands that were set in place long ago. If she does not go, monsters will be unleashed from the Wilderwood. However, when Red enters the wood, she finds that the Wolf is not what the stories have told and she may have the ability to change the future outcome of the story. However, her sister is also working to bring her sister home and is changing the story in other ways. An intriguing variation on the Red Riding Hood story with great plot twists. First in a series. It was a *little* bit difficult to get into the hows and whys of the Wilderwood at first but I was glad I stuck with it....more
Elsa, despite her dysfunctional Korean family, has become a particle physicist. However, the folktales her mother told her when she was a child seem tElsa, despite her dysfunctional Korean family, has become a particle physicist. However, the folktales her mother told her when she was a child seem to have worked their way into her research. In addition, the stillborn child that was born between Elsa and her older brother Chris, may actually still be alive somewhere. And as if that isn't enough, Elsa has an Imaginary friend that only she can see, with red ribbons in her hair, that is following her around and seems entwined in both the myths and the story about her sister somehow. Despite a slow a confusing start, the Korean mythology is interesting and the end is compelling if you can get there....more
3.5 stars Miriat lives in a remote village where it is believed that children with two hearts (striga) will be overcome by the power of the second hear3.5 stars Miriat lives in a remote village where it is believed that children with two hearts (striga) will be overcome by the power of the second heart and become evil. The mother is forced to make a choice if their child is born with two hearts: let the child be killed or banish the child to a village entirely made up of these striga (who no one is allowed to interact with). Miriat gives birth to a daughter, Salka, who has two hearts and she chooses to be banished along with her daughter rather than be separated from her or have her be killed. 19 years later... Salka has spent her entire life trying to subdue her second heart but extreme circumstances call for extreme measures and she learns things that others have been trying to hide/did not know about the second heart. A bit predictable but I liked the Eastern European setting and the family relationships that were explored....more
A creepy re-telling of the Nutcracker. Marietta is a dancer who is being forced to quit dancing due to the norms and societal/familial pressures of thA creepy re-telling of the Nutcracker. Marietta is a dancer who is being forced to quit dancing due to the norms and societal/familial pressures of the time. She is almost 21 and "luckily" for her, a very eligible bachelor moves to town. Enter Herr Drosselmeier. He entwines himself into the family and Marietta discovers that he has magic and he uses it to build toys and other things. He is enlisted to build the set for Marietta's final dance. She is tehn ensorceled into another world, the Everwood, where she is trapped in a land of sugar and magic, which is all used for cruelty and the evil gain of the king. Marietta makes friends with two other women who are trapped there, plus one other surprising ally, and they make plans to try to escape.
While dance is not my thing, Marietta is often forced to dance without warming up and yet never seems to get injured. I am unable to suspend my disbelief about this. They way the story of the Nutcracker was turned into something so creepy was also a little difficult for me to reconcile. I give it a shrug. There is also violence against women, not too graphic but definitely implied and the aftermath is pictured. Some kissing, much drinking, one situation of off-page sex. (Keeping in mind it was written for adults)...more
A fun and engaging retelling of Rapunzel. Her mom accidentally ate the wrong flower, so Rapunzel's hair has magical powers causing Rapunzel to accidenA fun and engaging retelling of Rapunzel. Her mom accidentally ate the wrong flower, so Rapunzel's hair has magical powers causing Rapunzel to accidentally kill someone when she was a baby - hence her getting locked up in a tower to keep everyone safe. Eventually Rapunzel leaves the tower and pairs up with a notorious outlaw and a not at all notorious but would like to be outlaw because Rapunzel wants to see the floating lights. Things do not go at all as planned. This is one of my favorites of this series so far. ...more
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