Review: Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody

Will Scarlet is on the run.

Once the sheltered son of nobility, Will has become an exile. While his father, Lord Shackley, has been on the Crusades with King Richard, a treacherous plot to unseat Richard has swept across England, and Shackley House has fallen.

Will flees the only home he's ever known into neighboring Sherwood Forest, where he joins the elusive gang of bandits known as the Merry Men. Among them are Gilbert, their cruel leader; a giant named John Little; a drunkard named Rob; and Much, an orphan girl disguised as a bandit boy.

This is the story of how a band of misfit outlaws become heroes of legend - thanks to one brave 13-year-old boy.

(from Amazon)

 I love a good Robin Hood story and always have.  Heck, I even like bad Robin Hood stories.  I've read books, I've watched movies, I've cried my eyes out at BBC shows, and have spent countless hours on wikipedia reading about Robin Hood.  As long as we're robbing the rich to feed the poor in some way or another, I'm good.

I was so excited when I heard that Matthew Cody was writing a Robin Hood book, but from Will Scarlett's point of view (and with a twist!).  I had the amazon pre-order page pulled up on my ipad and wouldn't close it.  And then, Netgalley said I had been pre-approved to read the e-galley, and I must admit, I screamed a little when I read the email.

In this version, Will is the noble's son, not Rob (and Rob isn't even the original leader of the Merry Men!).  Will is captured by the Merry Men when he is injured while trying to escape Sir Guy of Gisbourne and his henchmen.  Will promises the Merry Men treasure if they help him get back into the castle, not realizing that he is starting the Robin Hood legend we know and love today. 

I liked that the story isn't just about Will and follows his actions, but follows Much as well.  You see both of them grow from scared children to capable teenagers (almost adults) very quickly.  The book mentions how attractive Much is once Will realizes she's a girl, and how Much can't think straight when Will is around, but nothing romantic is acted on.  After all, they are just 13 and 14 years old.

I also liked that Rob wasn't the jovial Robin Hood character I've seen in the past.  In this version, he's an alcoholic who slowly starts down the road to recovery once he has something to live for again.  Once he makes this change, he starts to become Robin Hood.

This book has thieving and fighting, but it's not a "boy book".  There is some underlying romance, but it isn't a "girl book".  It's just simply a good book.  One that would appeal to all readers.

And today is it's book birthday---so do yourself a favor and go get it!   

I'd like to thank Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book, in exchange for a fair and honest review.     

Review: The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron

 

I like a good mystery.  I also like Steampunk. So for the two to be combined, makes me a very happy reader!  

Here is the summary (from Amazon, as is the above image):

A spine-tingling tale of steampunk and spies, intrigue and heart-racing romance!

When Katharine Tulman's inheritance is called into question by the rumor that her eccentric uncle is squandering away the family fortune, she is sent to his estate to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of rules, who employs a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London.

Katharine is now torn between protecting her own inheritance and preserving the peculiar community she grows to care for deeply. And her choices are made even more complicated by a handsome apprentice, a secretive student, and fears for her own sanity.

As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that not only is her uncle's world at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it. With twists and turns at every corner, this heart-racing adventure will captivate readers with its intrigue, thrills, and romance.

 Poor Katharine, how could you not feel sorry for her?  First, she had to live with that Aunt, and then she had to go visit her Uncle and effectively destroy his life and the lives of all the people that depend on him.  And, to make things worse, she starts caring for them all---Davy, Uncle Tully, Lane, Mary, and even Mrs. Jeffries.  But then, she starts hearing noises, having weird dreams, and waking up in places she doesn't remember going.  Was she going as mad as the Uncle she came to inspect?  How can she trust herself? 

Ms. Cameron, in my mind, did a great job at writing the character of Uncle Tully.  I went into the book expecting a crazy person, but instead, I'm pretty sure that Uncle Tully was just autistic (in a time where nobody understood the condition).  The need for soothing colors, routines, to be wound up in blankets when he was having "a fit", not wanting to be touched and unsure of how to show affection, coupled with an extremely keen mind, to me, many symptoms are there.  She writes him with sympathy to the condition, even though its never named.  He's not crazy, he's just locked within his own mind.   

Davy, though, was my favorite character, but also the one who raised the most questions for me.  I wanted more of his backstory.  Why was he mute (or a selective mute)?  Where were his parents?  Why did his story have to end the way it did?  

I also had questions about Lane, and his storyline.  And was supremely disappointed that the book ended when it did.  I wanted more.  I need to know these things.  I kept trying to turn pages on my iPad (I was reading the e-galley form via NetGalley) to see if there was an epilogue or any indication that there would be another book so I could get more information.  But no!  

I loved how Aunt Alice finally got her comeuppance at the end.  She was a horrible woman, who treated people miserably for her own gains.  Uncle Tully, Katharine and the people of the Upper and Lower Villages deserved better than her and Fat Robert.  

I guess everyone's interpretation of steampunk is a little different.  While it had clockwork inventions that were ahead of their time, I didn't really see them as creating an "alternative history", as with many of the other steampunk novels I've read, unless there was something that I missed.  The clothing and setting also weren't alternative.  But, I guess there is a steampunk spectrum, and not everything steampunk is like Jules Verne, The Girl in the Steel Corset, or that horrible movie, Wild Wild West.

All in all, it was a great book.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm really happy that the Geeks Who Read Book Club chose it as their November/December selection (oh yeah, I'm ahead of the game!).  Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.  

*I downloaded this for free via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review*

Review: The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan

I was checking out NetGalley one night and ran across a series of graphic novels called "The Flying Beaver Brothers" by Maxwell Eaton and was instantly interested.  And then when I read the summary and found that the penguins surfed, I had to read it!  It just sounded like a load of fun, and it was!

Here is the summary from the NetGalley press kit:
The debut title in an action-packed graphic novel series about two beaver brothers who will save the world (or at least Beaver Island)!
Meet Ace and Bub, the flying beaver brothers! Ace loves extreme sports and is always looking for a new adventure. Bub loves napping and, well, napping. But when penguins threaten to freeze Beaver Island for "resort and polar-style living," the brothers put their talents to work saving their tropical island paradise. Can they save Beaver Island from environmental destruction? And can they do it in time to still win the annual Beaver Island Surfing Competition?

The story was so cute!  Ace and Bub are just a couple of regular beavers, living the beach-bum lifestyle.  Until the penguins come and try to take over their island.  Not only do Ace and Bub foil their plan, but they teach some renegade penguins how to surf.

As with most graphic novels, most of the story comes from the illustrations, rather than the words, and holds true here.  

All in all, it was a quick, cute read.  Look for this to be out in January.

*I downloaded this copy for free thanks to NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.*

The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegan

Fallen angels.  Eternal damnation.  Love.  Loss.  Murder.  Family drama.  The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegan has these elements and so much more.  

Here is the summary from Goodreads:
Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx looming, Jax has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life.

A couple of months ago (like Mayish), I saw that a lot of people had this book on their "In my mailbox" list, or TBR list on Goodreads.  I'm not really into the whole vampire thing, but fallen angels, if done right, I can totally get into.  I like the mythology and history behind the story.  I was not disappointed in The Mephisto Covenant. 

The story starts with Sasha, the daughter of an overseas insurance agent (who you'll later learn is much more than that) and a Russian immigrant going to a meeting of a secret society.  She was told that the leader of this club, Eryx, can get you anything you want (fame, the bod, girls, whatever you want).  Sasha just wants to know who killed her dad.  However, the meeting goes as well as any meeting of a secret society led by a guy who promises you the world can go, and Sasha ends up being assaulted before being saved by Jax and his brothers, the sons of Mephistopheles.

The boys are doomed to rid the world of the damned, kept out of heaven because of their father.  If they can find an Anabo (a girl descended from Eve) to unconditionally love them, then they have a chance at Heaven. 

After many twists and turns, Sasha goes to live with family in Colorado.  Her uncle and one cousin are cool (for a bit), but her aunt and other cousin hate Sasha for no apparent reason.  I don't want to give anything away, but lets just say they are also members of that secret club and are doomed (FOR ALL ETERNITY!)

Sasha is my girl.  She didn't just fall head over heels for Jax.  She put the brakes on things.  She has her whole life ahead of her to think about.  Is this boy worth giving her entire world up over?  She also sees people going the easy route to do things (by joining Eryx) and wonders if its just easier that way.  Ultimately, she makes the right decision.

I really liked this book.  I would definitely have it in my high school classroom.  I can see it sparking some interesting debates.    

*I downloaded this book for free via NetGalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison

Thanks to James Franco, some people have heard of Tristan and Isolde, but the legend goes far beyond James and his bad accent, to a beautiful, but tragic love story.  Thankfully, Tris and Izzie isn't tragic, in fact, it has quite a happy ending.


Here is the summary from Goodreads:
A modern retelling of the German fairytale "Tristan and Isolde", Tris and Izzie is about a young witch named Izzie who is dating Mark King, the captain of the basketball team and thinks her life is going swimmingly well. Until -- she makes a love potion for her best friend Brangane and then ends up taking it herself accidentally, and falling in love with Tristan, the new guy at school.

The legend of Tristan and Isolde predates the Arthur-Guinevere-Lancelot love triangle.  Some argue that the legend of Tristan and Isolde was actually the basis for A-G-L.  In a nutshell*, Tristan, a handsome, young knight, travels to Ireland to bring Isolde home to Cornwall to marry his king and uncle, Mark.  Mark trusts Tristan and treats him like a son.  Tristan loves Mark like a son loves his father.  However, as legend has it, somewhere in the journey, Tristan and Isolde take a love potion and fall for each other, darn the consequences.  Tristan and Isolde try to hide their love, out of respect and admiration of Mark, but, as you suspected, are found out.  So, if you are still a little muddy on the character comparisons, Arthur is like Mark, Lancelot is Tristan and Guinevere is Isolde.

In Tris and Izzie, Izzie is already dating Mark when Tristan (Tris) arrives at her school.  She creates a love potion to give to her friend Brangane as she is in love with someone (but won't say who).  For some reason, Izzie gives it to Tris and then drinks some of it herself.  Immediately, Izzie finds her self in the middle of a magical battle to save the world.

I really enjoyed this book.  Yes, the magical bits were somewhat cheesy at times, but it was all in good fun. 

As you may recall, I really hate books where the main characters hate each other one day, and then the next are over the moon in love with each other.  In Tris and Izzie, the exact opposite happened---the characters fell in love with each other (thanks to the love potion) and then tried to hate each other.  I found it pretty funny and refreshing.

I liked that Izzie had a good head on her shoulders and tried to do the right thing.  While she was described as being smart and beautiful, she didn't come across as vapid or spoiled.  She didn't rely on her looks to get her places.  Sure, she was confused and unsure of herself---how can you not be given the situation she found herself in?  But she quickly overcame it.

As I was reading this, I kind of felt like I was watching Shrek.  Not that I was expecting a big, green ogre to appear, but because I felt like this was a book you could appreciate on many levels.  If you don't know the Tristan and Isolde legend, its just a cute story.  If you do know the legend, you can see little twists and inside jokes.

All in all, if I taught higher grades than elementary school, I would have no problem having this book in my classroom.


*weren't you picturing me in a nutshell?  I totally was.  And doing the Austin Powers voice, "Help, this is me in a nutshell." 

I downloaded this book for free via NetGalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Cheshire Cheese Cat

I received a copy, via NetGalley, of the first 37 pages of The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randal Wright.
 
Here is the synopsis off of the NetGalley page:
The unlikely alliance between a cheese-loving cat and the Cheshire Cheese inn’s mice is a story of deception, intrigue and daring-do that culminates in the historic chop room of the Cheshire Cheese with the wholly unexpected appearance of no-less a personage than Victoria Regina, the Queen of England herself.
 
It is published by Peachtree Publishers (you can follow them on Twitter, @PeachtreePub)

My thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright.


It started off very similarly to A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.  Classics like those by Dickens are not normally by genre of choice, but I enjoyed the spoof and humor behind it.

It is the story of Skilly (an alley cat) and Pip (a mouse) and their unlikely alliance.  The book is set at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub in Dickensian Era London.  Skilly is hired (upon suggestion by Mr. Dickens himself) to be the pub's chief mouser.  Pip is scared, as to be expected, until he he caught by Skilly.  It's then we learn that Skilly can't stand the taste of mice (or their slimy tails) and lets Pip go free in exchange for all the cheese Skilly can eat.

The language and tone of the book reminded me of The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (which I love).

I was unable to finish as my digital copy only included 37 pages.  

I would recommend this book to other readers, however, probably not elementary or middle school readers.  I think the language and setting / time period are would just be over the average 5th grade reader's head.  

All in all, I give this book a 3.5 out of 5.  I felt I couldn't give it a higher score because I wasn't able to read the entire book.  What I read, however, I did enjoy.

*I downloaded (for free) a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.*