Book Review: The Princess and the Bear by Mette Ivie Harrison

The Princess and the Bearfollows the story of the hound and the bear who met during the story of The Princess and the Hound. The hound and bear are just beginning to get used to one another when an evil being arrives in their forest, driving out all magic and life. Will the bear be able to face someone he hates in order to save them - and will the hound ever feel completely comfortable back in her original form?

This was a complex and very beautiful fairy tale story. The characters - the bear and hound - are very realistically portrayed and I love Harrison's exploration of their human and animal sides. The story is quite beautiful as well, seeming almost reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast. Harrison uses fairly sparse language, but it fits very well into the story - the symbolism and descriptions of scents and feelings allow us into the minds of characters who one might not at first be able to relate to.

Read-alikes:
Definitely read the companion novel The Princess and the Hound
Princess of the Midnight Ball and Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock


RATINGS:
s-factor:!
Maybe one or two.

mrg-factor: X
A few things were hinted, but not in a graphic or descriptive way at all.

v-factor: ->
Fighting and killing happens.

Overall rating: *****

Post-Vacation Slump

So, last weekend, I went to a family reunion in the mountains. I had little to no internet connectivity. It was lovely. However, I had several posts scheduled to publish while I was away.

It seems oddly funny to me that this week has been the slump in my posting (and reading). I just can't seem to find the time (and, all right, the motivation) to get a post up. So, here you are, reading my very dull post-vacation post.

Anyway, despite my spending many hours in a car driving to the reunion, I didn't get much reading done. It wasn't car sickness or anything like that. I spent most of the time entertaining my niece and nephews and the rest of it grading papers (some vacation). Now I am trying to play catch-up on that as well.

Enough whining. I am saying all of this just to say: back to your regularly scheduled postings...soon, I promise!

P.S. Does it seem like you ever need a vacation after your vacation?

Book Review: The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall

The Ultimate Giftis what Red Stevens has left to his great nephew Jason Stevens, only it isn't what Jason expected. Jason must follow Red's rules exactly if he wants to inherit, but will he be able to overcome his selfishness, greed, and laziness?

After watching the movieI was pretty thrilled about reading the book. I think that the story lends itself better to film than a book. The story came across as didactic and a little cheesy. With the story being told from Red's 80-year-old lawyer, we don't see any of Jason's personal changes or experiences. Perhaps if the story was told from Jason's POV, it might have worked better. Also, if there had been more story told about each of his experiences. A great idea for a story, but not very interestingly executed.

Read-alikes:
The Ultimate Lifealso by Jim Stovall (next in series)
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Tuesdays with Morrieby Mitch Albom

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: **

The Hold List

And now for the (short) list of holds that have come in for me (aka my bi-weekly (sorta) Library Loot).

The Forest of Hands and Teethby Carrie Ryan (Finally!!!)

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tateby Jacqueline Tate

Fragile Eternityby Melissa Marr

And for my pending trip to Europe:

Viennatravel guides

Not very much for this week, but I am still whittling away at the last pile.

Book Review: Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

Just One Wishis what Annika hopes to fulfill for her little brother who has cancer. Jeremy adores Teen Robin Hood, but when he wishes to meet Robin Hood in real life, Annika will drop everything to make sure this wish comes true, before Jeremy goes in for his surgery.

The book was fluffy throughout, with just a little depth in places. I kept hoping that the book would go more in-depth with Annika's feelings about Jeremy and her own identity problems. The story is pretty far-fetched in places as well, requiring a stretch of the imagination. But, the story was fun, Annika was interesting, though also rather annoying in places.

Read-alikes:
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Drums, Girls, And Dangerous Pieby Jordan Sonnenblick

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none  
(just kissing)
v-factor: none

Overall rating: ***

Book Review: The Brothers by Chris Stewart

The Brothers: A Novelis the prologue to a series following the pre-earth lives of three brothers and their sister. Sam, Ammon, Luke, and Elizabeth are caught up in the conflict in heaven between Lucifer, the fallen Son of the Morning, and Jehovah. Who they choose to follow at this time will affect their future - for eternity.

I haven't been interested in a lot of LDS (Mormon) fiction, but at the insistent recommendation of my husband, I picked up the first in this series The Great and Terrible. I think it is appropriate to call this first book the prologue, because it didn't appear to have much of a plot. Most of it seemed to be deep or thoughtful statements about the destiny and importance and choices the individuals were making during their premortal lives. I had a hard time getting invested in the characters, especially Elizabeth who seemed a little to sweet and lovable. However, I think I will pick up the next book, which my husband assures me has more of a story and is much more exciting.

Read-alikes:
other LDS fiction series: The Work and the Gloryand Kingdom and the Crownby Gerald Lund

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ***

Book Review: The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

The Actor and the Housewife aka Felix Callahan and Becky Jack, meet in LA when Becky sells her first screenplay. From there, Becky and Felix form a unique and crazy relationship - a purely platonic relationship (both are married) that is brim full of humor and poignancy. But, not everything is easy when your best friend is someone else's husband.

This book was very unique - at least in its story. While some details of Becky and Felix's relationship did seem far-fetched, I didn't have a hard time believing it. The dialog between the two has got to be the best part - by far some of the wittiest and most humorous I have ever read. It reminded me of dialog between Lorelei and Rory in the Gilmore Girls TV show. However, this book was more than humorous back-and-forth - it had an interesting plot. It was full of feeling and purpose. I really loved how Becky seemed to grow and change and learn throughout - but not in obvious ways. Hale has done something very clever with this book - it appears fluffy and fun, but is really a thought-provoking and moral story. And despite everyone saying it didn't turn out how they expected - I thought it was very much as I expected. I thought Hale built it all up to end in that particular way.

Read-alike:
so unique, but similar in humor to Austenlandby Shannon Hale
(Any you could think of?)

RATINGS:
s-factor: !
A few.

mrg-factor: X
There are "married couple" parts, but action is off-stage.

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

Book Review: Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris

Once Upon a Marigoldturns fairy tales on their heads with Christian, a commoner living in a cave with a troll, who watches the love of his life, Princess Marigold, through a telescope. Pigeon communication just won't be enough, though, when Christian finds out Queen Olympia is intending to get rid of her daughter.

This is one of the funnest, sweetest, not your average fairy tale-est books I've read ever. I laughed my way through this story stuffed full of fun characters and true love. While I love fairy tales to death, it is nice to have something come along which can alternately poke fun at them and be one itself. A perfect pick for a tween or younger teen, hoping for comedy and love all wrapped up together.

Read-alikes:
Love among the Walnutsby Jean Ferris (not for plot, but similar style obviously)
Ella Enchantedby Gail Carson Levine
Princess Academyby Shannon Hale

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

Book Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indianis Arnold's (Junior) story of growing up on a reservation in Washington state. He fights constantly to find a place there and when he makes a huge decision to try and improve his life, he faces prejudice, anger, hate, and violence, even from his best friend.

This book had me both simultaneously laughing and crying. Junior's life is simply horrifying and that is the way things are, particularly on the rez. It was depressing to read about how many of the children in his school had broken families and lives, almost entirely because of alcohol abuse. Junior has a way of telling about life with a humorous slant, even when things are going so wrong. The cartoons throughout kept a lighter tone to prevent the reader from bawling throughout (I imagine). It was poignant, interesting, funny, and sad. Definitely a book worthy of its award (National Book Award) and of reading.

Read-alikes:
A bit like American Born Chineseby Gene Luen Yang (at least for the illustrations)
also kinda like The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt

RATINGS:
s-factor: !@#
Plenty throughout.

mrg-factor: X
A couple of references.

v-factor: ->
Some fighting.

Overall rating: ***

Reading and Fireworks Go Together Well

I adore Independence Day! Since I am currently out barbecuing and firework-ing in celebration of my favorite country, I prepared a very short list of some fabulous books worth reading (or re-reading) around this time of the year.

1776 by David McCullough (beautifully written and sure to inspire tears and patriotism)

John Adamsby David McCullough (long, but worth the read)

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson ( a wake-up call to the slavery issue during the Revolutionary War)

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Vol. II by M.T. Anderson (more of the wake-up call to slavery)

So, take out your favorite patriotic book (any suggestions?) or just enjoy the fireworks. Either way:

YEAH for AMERICA!!

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!is pretty much exactly what it says it is - the text from Austen's classic work with numerous and sometimes random references to zombies, combat skills, and lots of mayhem and violence.

I have to admit I couldn't resist checking this book out. I thought it would be a good laugh and an interesting twist on the original story. Well, the first several pages were funny and then the gore, violence, and repetitive references began to just annoy me. I started skimming pages, reading my favorite scenes from the original, hoping they weren't materially changed (they weren't). I just didn't want to finish it, though. Too much of the same. And the violence was pretty vile as well. People who enjoy zombie violence and humor will get a kick out of it (especially if their wife or girlfriend loves the book/movie) and then they might even know the general outline of the story.

Read-alike:
Mr. Darcy, Vampyreby Amanda Grange (love the title, probably won't pick it up)

RATINGS:
s-factor: none
(that I noticed)

mrg-factor: X
He threw in a few crass jokes.

v-factor: ->->->->->
It was pretty gross. And descriptive.

Overall rating: *

Book Review: The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison

The Princess and the Hound were both extremely intriguing characters in this unusual fairy tale-esque book. The handsome prince possesses some unusual magic while the princess is best friends with her hound - can the two learn to love one another, despite their impending marriage?

This was not a typical fairy tale story. I loved the character development, the lack of love at first sight and actual work involved in their relationship. Also, the plot was quite interesting as well, with twists and turns unexpected throughout. The feel of the setting and the well-drawn characters make this a wonderful book for someone looking for a not-quite-perfect fairy tale.

Read-alikes:
A new companion book The Princess and the Bearon my TBR pile
Mira, Mirrorby Mette Ivie Harrison (she has a very unique style)
A bit like Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: *****

A Slowly Shrinking Pile (I think)

I might actually be shrinking my pile more than I am growing it (well, actually I think it is in equilibrium right now, but I'm thinking positive). I only acquired four books since my last library loot post (oh, more than two weeks ago now). I guess my hold list is dwindling!

The Ultimate Giftby Jim Stovall (loved the movie)
The Princess and the Bearby Mette Ivie Harrison (yeah!)
Magic Studyand Fire Studyby Maria V. Snyder (couldn't wait for the sequels to Poison Study)

P.S. as an extra note, I have been entering every single contest for Catching Fire I have seen. Here are just two going on right now:
Lauren Barnholdt has a signed one (!)
The Shady Glade has one (still open since she's having technical difficulties)
I know my odds aren't very good, but I still have to keep trying :)