The Girls of Ever After High by Shannon Hale

Hi, hi readers!

Today I have a very different kind of story to share with you.  I started this blog with the intent of doing a drawing for every book I read.  While I haven’t been religiously true to that, (because I’ve discovered it to be an extremely ambitious goal) I do want to share with you most of what I’ve been reading even if it is a bit random.  Admittedly, a lot of what I read falls under Christian fiction, but not all of it.  I like reading from all different genres, styles, and for different ages.  Kid’s books are seriously fun, trust me!  Some of them will surprise you, this one surprised me!

 Back in July I attended the San Diego Comic Con where my friend pointed out to me a franchise/book series that’s growing in popularity called Ever After High.  Curious, I had to investigate!   I discovered that the franchise was engineered by Mattel, who hired Shannon Hale to do the book series; they make dolls of the characters, and have animated webisodes up on youtube.  Mattel designed it to be a companion to their Monster’s High line, whose characters I never found to be that appealing, but Ever After High struck me on account of my love for fairytales and all things cute.  The outfits designed for the characters are downright fun, mixing old & new style elements.  I love how creative they are, but I shouldn’t be surprised from a doll company when it comes to outfits, should I?

What really surprised me was how fun the books were too.  Here’s a summary of the plot:

In the world of Ever After, the decedents of our original fairytale characters keep their stories alive by assuming their predecessor’s roles.  Thus, the daughter of Snow White, Apple White is destined to become the next Snow White and re-live her mother’s story for her own happily ever after.  In the same manner, Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen is also destined to assume her mother’s role.  The only problem is she doesn’t want to be evil!  She wants to choose her own destiny, and not be forced into being someone she’s not.

When this comes to light, the kids of Ever After High start taking sides on whether or not to be a Royal like Apple (one who wants the same destiny as their predecessor) or a Rebel like Raven (one who wants to find their own destiny).  There’s a broad cast of interesting characters, some of whom don’t wish to take sides, like Cedar Wood (daughter of Pinocchio) and Madeline Hatter (daughter of the Mad Hatter) who both want to follow in their parent’s footsteps, but respect their friends who want a choice.

I have to admit, Madeline Hatter is my favorite of the bunch.  This piece of scrapbook paper begged to have her on it!

Mattel knew what they were doing when they hired Shannon to write for them.  The plot revolving around the choices we make and what happens next is simple, yet interesting.  The writing style of the books is casual, with the Narrator becoming a character at times.  Madeline Hatter can hear the Narrator because she’s from Wonderland and can do unexpected things without knowing how.  In a brilliant way, it’s completely believable.  In all the stories, there are little asides where Maddie chats with the Narrator, it gives the writing a cute and unique flavor.  Another style choice was the use of made-up slang such as “hexillent” instead of excellent, which could have been really annoying in the wrong hands.  As it is, I think the words help establish the high school setting without dating the story with real slang.

I was surprised that I enjoyed these stories so much, and I feel just a little empowered knowing more about something that kids are into these days. Doesn’t that make me sound old? I’m not that old. :P In my searches I found a bunch of fan art of the characters, so I guess that means I’m not the only artist to find them appealing! Check some of them out here: http://www.specktra.net/t/186132/ever-after-high-hexellent-fan-art




Thanks for stopping by the blog today!


-Monica

Leah from Dreaming on Daisies by Miralee Ferrell

Dreaming on Daisies, Miralee Ferrell’s latest book, just came out this week, and I’m happy to be sharing about it with you today!  It’s the 4^th book in her Love Blossoms in Oregon series (if you’re also counting the novella Forget Me Not).   I’ve enjoyed every book of Miralee’s that I’ve read so far, and this one is no exception.  If you haven’t read any of the other books in the series, it’s ok to start with this one, but I enjoyed it much more having already known some of the characters.

Leah Carlson & Steven Harding are the main love interest in this story, but what I love about Miralee’s writing is the multi-generational points of view.  In addition to Leah & Steven, portions of the book are also written from several of the other character’s points of view such as Leah’s dad Charles, and her brother Tom.

I also really like that all of Miralee’s main characters have very distinct and different personalities.  Her heroines are never the same type of girl.  Leah’s personality is almost an opposite of Katherine’s (the heroine from book 1).  She’s out spoken, quick to anger, has a hard time communicating her softer feelings, yet is an extremely hard worker.  She’s a fascinating character, and one you can route for with your whole heart on account of both her strengths and flaws!

Set in Oregon, in 1881, the story is about relationships, healing from past heartaches, and reconciliation.  Leah’s mother died when she was a girl, her brother ran away not long after, and her father has had an increasing drinking problem ever since, that keeps him from fulfilling his duties on the ranch he owns.  Desperate to keep the home she loves, Leah runs the ranch as best she can.  To help out this woman to captivates him so, Steven comes to live as a hired hand on the ranch when circumstances find him needing a new place to live.  He’s not there long before Tom shows up out of the blue, and he often wonders what he’s gotten himself into between all of Leah’s family discord.  Somehow, he just can’t seem to stop wanting to be by her side though.

Dreaming on Daises is one of those books that’s really worth your time.  The in-depth character relationships and sincere peak through the different character’s perspectives will leave you wholly satisfied.  Not to mention, that a happy ending doesn’t hurt too!  ;)

I was provided a review copy of this book.

-Monica

Eden from Swept to Sea by Heather Manning

Hi Readers!

I’m so excited to share with you a book I’m absolutely in love with!  Heather Manning’s Swept to Sea!  It took me a while to decide what image I wanted to create to go with a review for it because there were so many great scenes! 

Swept to Sea is an exciting romance set during the year 1696.  Lady Eden Trenton is engaged to a horrible man who abuses her when she doesn’t offer him favors before their wedding.  In a desperate act, she flees to the shipyard and stows away on a ship.  Will she be in more danger or finally make her escape to a better life?

As it turns out a little of both along the way before arriving at this story’s very happy, satisfying, ending.  When Eden is discovered on the Dawn’s Mist, she couldn’t be in better hands with Captain Caspian Archer looking out for her.  It doesn’t take long for him to fall in love with her as he watches the tender way she cares for his young son Reed along their journey, but having been in an abusive situation Eden is far less trusting.  There’s plenty of adventure and swashbuckling to keep any fans of the pirate genre as happy as Jack Sparrow with a pile of rum, but the best part is the endearing way Caspian treats Eden.  As with any great romance, the relationship is the key, and there are just as many tender moments as there are action-packed ones.

My favorite scene is when Caspian offers to teach Eden how to swim.  I’d be terrified to go in water so deep, but as the scene proves, the right man will do wonders for courage.  He finally coaxes her into the water with these words:

"Trust me just for once, ‘Miss Eden’.” He hoped she noticed the wink he offered when he called her by the same name his son always did. Maybe she enjoyed answering to that name. She certainly liked the boy much more than she liked him. Maybe she would like him more now, too. It could not hurt to try. “I will take care of you. Let someone besides you take care of you for once. You may find that you enjoy it, milady."

I can’t profess how much I enjoyed this story.  It’s one of my favorites, and I hope that Heather will continue writing great stories!  She was kind to send me a review copy of this book, but that has nothing to do with why I love it so much.  ;)  Thanks for a great story Heather!

Check out Heather Manning’s blog to learn more about her:

http://heathermauthor.blogspot.com/p/swept-to-sea.html

Storm Siren Blog Tour & Giveaway!

I'm very excited to be participating in my first blog tour, and present to you this great new read!  (My apologies for those of you following the blog schedule for posting late having it up for the 26th instead of 25th.  I had some technical difficulties.)

Storm Siren is the first in a fantasy trilogy written in the first person narrative of our heroine, Nymia.  I can't remember reading a story in this genre being written in first person before, and it's usually not my favorite style, but for Nym's story it was perfect.  I was completely drawn in to her world by experiencing it through her eyes.  She really had an attitude in the beginning and feelings that could have been hard to relate to so getting into her head through the narrative helped me understand her.

Nym was born into a world at war, where orphans become slaves and people with powers, called Elementals, are feared.  Elementals are said to only be male, yet Nym is one.  With white hair, blue eyes and the power to summon a lightning storm, she is one dangerous girl.  When she becomes a slave to Adora, a powerful woman with influence in the war, Nym is ordered to train with another Elemental, Colin under Eogan to become the tools that will turn the tide of events in their country’s favor.  Colin has powers over earth, and Eogan has a unique ability to bring calm to both Nym’s internal and external storm.

Her owner, Adorda is eccentric and throws lavish costume parties.  I was amused how Nym thought of her as the Frog Lady through most of the book.  She’s an interesting character, but not likable in the least.

When I think about Nym's story what struck me the most was her struggle with sin & guilt.  She had so much guilt over taking lives through her uncontrollable powers.  She had a desire to change, to control her powers and not hurt anyone, but she didn't know how.  She never meant to hurt anyone, yet she did.  I think it hit a cord with me because I feel that the sin in our lives can be that way.  If there's something we struggle with, and have trouble with repeatedly, it's often hard to know how to stop even when we want to.  It was a wonderful journey following Nym as she learned control over her powers and triumphed over her guilt.


I absolutely loved the story.  It was a fast, exciting, emotional read.  It’s a definite must for young adults & teens who are into fantasy.  I can’t wait until the next book is out!

Giveaway!

 Check out the other blogs on the tour & enter the giveaway for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

-Monica