July 2008 - Posts
Letters from Rapunzel
By: Sara Lewis Holmes
I never read the jacket flap for this one, the title just intrigued me. Fairy tales you know! But I was in for a surprise - this is not the Rapunzel from the tales we are familiar. This Rapunzel is a modern-day girl whose father suffers from "evil spells" as she calls them, and while looking through some of his things finds a post-office box that her father writes to. Thinking that the person receiving the letters is a friend, Rapunzel begins writing and signing her letters as Rapunzel. The letters are a form of therapy for her, as she writes about her feelings and asks this person to help her dad.
As the days go by and she doesn't receive a response she contemplates stopping the letters, but then she figures she has nothing better to do in homework club after school since she can't go home anymore because of her father being away. Our Rapunzel also includes different writings she does for assignments and then just on her own. Her wit is fabulous. I thoroughly enjoyed her comments and responses on her assignments, but I can see why a teacher wouldn't necessarily appreciate them!
Although our Rapunzel knows that her dad has C.D. (clinical depression, a.k.a. the evil spell) what she finds out from a boy she doesn't particularly like really upsets her and so she sets off to understand more about her dad, his evil spell, and herself. We also learn about ourselves and living our lives the best we can in the present while learning from our pasts.
Recommended To:
- Anyone feeling like something is just not right and can't quite figure it out - the letter writing may be the thing for you!
- Fans of the diary-format style
- Everyone!
Notes on the Cover:
The cover and the title were what attracted me to this book. Rapunzel sitting in her tower dropping the letters, just hoping someone would read them. On my first glance I focused on Rapunzel and the letters, but upon closer inspection we see modern houses with a street and sidewalk in white and off to the left. If I would have really been paying attention to the cover I would have hopefully realized that this tale wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it's still a good book about dealing with one's emotions and how to let our frustration, happiness, pain, anger, joy and so much more out in a healthy way.
On our shelves!
Thirteen Reasons Why
By: Jay Asher
For a first book Asher tackles an uncomfortable subject for many people: teenage suicide. Honestly, I really wasn't sure about this book, but I figured it's a relevant topic in today's society and one that needs to be addressed. Asher did not disappoint me, in fact, he enlightened me.
Hannah is the girl of the main characters dreams. She's pretty and although there are many rumors about her, Clay can't help but think about her. He even got a job at the theater where she worked so he could at least try to talk to her (he's a little shy and the ‘good kid'). The problem is, other people's perceptions of them and their own perceptions of themselves conflicted and weren't talked about in order to be resolved.
Two weeks ago Hannah Baker swallowed some pills. On this particular day when Clay gets home from school there's a box with no return address with his name on it. Inside are cassette tapes, 7 in total, labeled 1-13. He puts in tape number one and can't believe what he's hearing: Hannah Baker's voice.
In the tapes, Hannah details how other people's choices, actions and decisions affected her life in ways they didn't even understand. Some of the things may seem like a minor incident in a young girl's life and certainly no need to think about death, but some of the things are sad, scary and quite major events that would shake anyone's core.
Hannah has provided a map for the people that have received the tapes and the assurance that if someone doesn't pass them on to the next person on the list the entire collection would be made public. Believe me, the majority of the people on those tapes would definitely not want what they did to become public knowledge.
Clay "borrows" a walkman from a sort-of friend and takes the map while he walks through Hannah's story. The story itself is completely believable - it just screams high school and the things that can happen to damage a person's reputation. And Clay is someone we feel for. We really feel his tension as he waits for his name and why he's on the list. What did he ever to do Hannah that would cause her this kind of pain?
Although we're reading Hannah's story her voice is clear and does change from one just telling her story for others to realize their mistakes to one of clear detachment from her own reality. It's scary, sad stuff here, but it's also beautifully written and makes you stop to think how a seemingly insignificant comment or action can profoundly affect those around you.
There is some mild language in the book, but when you look at the twisting emotions behind the words you'll hopefully understand the reason it was used. This is truly an important book - I would think that a majority of teenagers have been the subject of a nasty rumor or have even started them. Maybe they've done something worse, or, maybe they didn't do anything to stop something terrible. This book will help provide understanding and is a great look at the human condition and the things that can push us past our breaking point.
Recommended To:
- Those who really focus on a character and their voice - this tale is truly poignant
- Anyone considering suicide or wondering about their own self-worth
- School bullies (everyone needs a wake-up call at some point)
- Everyone (and I really do mean everyone for this title. If you're in the education field, especially dealing with teens, you'll want to read this, even if it's just for the warning signs. Hannah goes through noticeable/obvious changes and does attempt to reach out, but she feels as though she's been failed, which is not completely untrue.)
Notes on the Cover:
Hannah looks how I picture her in my mind for the majority of the book. There's a wistful/lost expression of her face that really touches you and you really feel while reading the book. I understand her being in the park, but I'm not sure why she's on the swing - the rocket ship would have been more appropriate, but all in all, it's a good cover. It's intriguing and the way the title is also helps pull you in: TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY. Do you see it? It's more noticeable on the actual cover - colored letters and so on.
On our shelves!
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
By: A. Wolf
As Told To: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated By: Lane Smith
Scieszka and Smith have teamed up numerous times to bring upbeat, funny picture books that will make the reader think. This particular story is one of my favorites by them.
Everyone knows the story of the Three Little Pigs. That mean old wolf huffed and puffed, blew down houses and ate their owners. That is, until he came to the third house of the pig siblings made of brick and met a horrible end. Have you noticed that the older version(s) always side with the pigs? Well, Scieszka and Smith tell us the wolf's point-of-view. From jail.
The wolf introduces himself right from the start. He even gives us his name: Alexander T. Wolf, but we can call him Al. He explains that wolves just get a bad rap and that it's possibly from their diet, but that they can't help that they eat "cute little animals." He boils it down to the story being about a sneeze and a cup of sugar, and he lays it on thick, trying to gain the readers sympathy. If you notice his tone though, he may want to seem innocent, but I can't help but notice that wolfish sinister-ness going on.
Al is making his grandma a cake for her birthday, but he ran out of sugar. He makes sure we know that his sneezing cold was terrible before he sets off for the first little pigs house. According to him, his nose started to itch, then he huffed and snuffed, and when he sneezed it just blew that little straw house all to pieces. There, in the ruins, was the first little pig, and Al tells us he was dead and that he couldn't let that a perfectly good meal go to waste. In the illustrations we never see the first little big before his house is blown down, so the wolf has the benefit of the doubt on his side for this one. The second pig is another story altogether.
We see the second pig and even hear him tell the wolf to go away. Conveniently enough, the wolf sneezes again and the house of sticks falls. When the debris settles we see the same parts of the second little pig as we did the first, so there's the slight possibility he perished, but if his house was made of sticks wouldn't he just have some scratches? And then the wolf tells us he was dead, "Wolf's honor." Now, that makes me stop short right there. Wolf's honor? Since when have carnivorous animals had honor? Isn't hunger a driving force in their lives? A little self-preservation instinct going on? Of course he takes advantage of the supposedly dead little piggy.
At the third pig's house we are allowed a peek at the pig, he even answers the wolf and tells him to go away, but the kicker, according to the wolf, is that the pig insulted his granny. Al just wasn't going to take that from a pig, so he admits to "huffing and puffing and sneezing and making a real scene" which is when the cops show up.
Al believes the reporter blew his story out of proportion when he found out the wolf had already eaten two pigs (which he claims were dead) and made up all that huffing and puffing nonsense. He wants us to believe that he was framed, and in a desperate way. The last line of the book tells us he may not be so innocent after all: "But maybe you could loan me a cup of sugar." The wolf is in jail at this point and has no need for sugar. You should also notice that his jailer is a pig. Maybe the wolf is just living in the wrong community?
Al is trying to prove his innocence throughout the story, but he makes little comments that alert the reader to the fact he just may not be telling the whole truth. Smith's illustrations also to help to show the reader that things may not be as they seem.
The story of The Three Little Pigs is a familiar tale to children, so introducing them to this book would help explain differing points of view, how there are two sides to every story, and that you really have to listen to people and get all the facts before you make a hasty decision. I won't tell you whether or not you should believe the wolf, I've made my mind up on that one, but the fun is really in the words and pictures. This author/illustrator team works wonderfully together.
Recommended To:
- Big kids who remember the tale
- Adults trying to teach children about differing points of view
- Everyone!
Notes on the Cover:
Since the wolf is telling us his story, it is aptly appropriate that the cover of the book is the cover of a newspaper. The title of the newspaper is important, as is the headline, byline and the person reading the paper (look in the bottom, right corner and you'll notice the owner). The illustrations in the text add a lot of depth to the story, so take your time with this one!
On our shelves!
I believe I've mentioned this before, but Jon Scieszka is the first ever National Ambassador for Young People's Literature by the Library of Congress. He has also started a blog called Guys Read, that caters to young boys and helps them find new and exciting books to read.
Tithe: A Modern Fairy Tale
By: Holly Black
Kaye is a very individual 16-year-old girl. Her mom doesn't make her go to school. Instead, she works delivering Chinese food in order to have enough money to cover the bills while her mom sings in a band. All of that changes when a friend attacks her mom and they head to her grandma's house to get away from it all.
Kaye's mom is the type that wild children everywhere would love: she doesn't make Kaye go to school and doesn't really care when she gets home. Kaye's grandmother, on the other hand, is a stickler for rules. Kaye's mother raises Kaye the way she wishes she had been raised: as a free spirit. Obviously, when they move to grandma's there's going to be some drama. And there is, but that's only the beginning!
See, when Kaye and her mom lived with her grandmother when she was younger she could see and talk to fairies. Her best friend always thought she was making it up, but Kaye never did. Until she came back to her grandmother's and they didn't show up. But then she helps a man in the woods recover from an arrow to the chest and all of a sudden her world is turned topsy-turvy. Her fairy friends come back and warn her to stay away from that man - and then she learns a secret about herself: something that would explain a lot about why she is the way she is.
Kaye has been chosen by the Unseelie Court (the "bad" fairies) to be their Tithe (sacrifice) which would bind all of the free sprites, elves, fairies, etc. to the Unseelie Court for 7 years. The only problem is that the Unseelie Court doesn't know she's a part of the Seelie Court: Kaye was a changeling. And with that secret knowledge she has the ability to change things, but will it be for the better?
When Kaye uncovers a plot so diabolical by those she thought were ‘good' she has to help undo the damage, but will it be enough or is it too late?
All in all, this was a great story. I really love the descriptions of the Seelie and Unseelie Courts: the good vs. evil, what really constitutes evil, and just a new take on the fairies, elves and sprites of past folklore.
Recommended To:
- Fairy-tale fans
- Those interested in Good vs. Evil
- Everyone!
Notes on the Cover:
Take your time looking at this one! Kaye holds the center and the focus of the cover, which will give away part of the story, but you'll be expecting that part anyways. I didn't find it to be hidden and was really just waiting for her to figure it out. Take your time looking at the figures that are around her. You'll be seeing them in the book, and I sometimes find that the visual helps me solidify them in my imagination. (Of course, that can backfire on you and things turn out completely different from what you expect, but in this case it worked for me!)
On our shelves!
A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama
By: Laura Amy Schlitz
Maud lives at the Barbary Asylum for Female Orphans. She knows she's not a ‘good girl,' otherwise she would have been adopted when her brother and younger sister were (the family needed a boy to help with chores and fell in love with her adorable little sister, leaving Maud alone). She takes her bad-girl reputation to the extreme in some cases, but on the morning of the best day of her life she was locked in the outhouse singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Maud knew the Misses Hawthorne were coming to adopt a little girl about 9 years old that day. What she didn't know was that her singing would be her ticket to leaving the orphanage behind forever. Hyacinth adopts Maud and takes her home to teach her the family business. You see, Hyacinth fancies herself a medium and tries to help people contact their dead loved ones. The only problem is Hyacinth isn't really a medium and she needs Maud's help. In order for Maud to help it must appear that she doesn't even live there.
Maud's quite the little girl - she's got spirit and attitude aplenty, but she loves Hyacinth and her dearest wish is to be loved in return, so she does the things that Hyacinth asks her to do. At first she's quite proud of herself, but when Maud disobeys a major rule and ends up meeting one of Hyacinth's clients, she can't help but think the things she's doing are wrong.
When a devastating event occurs and Maud finds out who really cares about her, she does the bravest thing she can do: she tells the truth. Unfortunately, Maud suffers some pretty serious consequences for this action. Will she be forgiven or will she be the ‘bad' girl at the orphanage until she grows up?
This ghost story comes from the same author who wrote, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! that won the Newbery award in 2008. Both books are in our collection and I encourage you to check them both out. This one for a slightly spooky story and Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! for its original structure (yes, and the writing!).
Recommended To:
- Fans of the Victorian era
- Fans of ghost stories/slightly spooky stories
- Those who are searching for their identity: am I a good person? Bad person? When do you lie? Should you ever lie? Does the truth really set you free?
- Everyone!
Notes on the Cover:
Love it! The artist obviously read the text: Maud in the foreground in her new (!) white dress with reddish colored sash and little Caroline in the background on the jetty. The only issue is that Caroline's hair is straight in the picture, but Maud's haunting look more than makes up for that minor detail.
The Case of the Bizarre Bouquests: An Enola Holmes Mystery
By: Nancy Springer
Spoiler Alert! I read these in quick-succession and don't think I can avoid telling you something that is resolved in The Case of the Missing Marquess and The Case of the Left-Handed Lady. Just thought I should warn you!
Enola has to come up with a new name now that Ivy Meshle is possibly known to her brother Sherlock since Dr. Watson knew her as Ivy Meshle and he saw her when she solved the disappearance of Lady Cecily. The only problem is, who should she be now?
In this book we hear more about Dr. Watson - because this case involves Sherlock's dear friend. Enola finds out that the dear Dr. Watson has been missing for two days in a newspaper article. She can tell that her brother is already involved because of the article, but other than that there's not much to go on. Enola decides to do some detective work and see if she can find Dr. Watson.
This escapade has Enola dressing up as a lady. The first day, she's not so sure about it since it required hours of work, but when her efforts pay off, they really pay off! We know that Enola is familiar with the language of the flowers, but her knowledge also has a drawback - she knows what that bizarre bouquet stands for and it's not good. She also knows that the ‘flowers' in that bouquet aren't in season and that they would had to have been grown in a hothouse. The only problem is which one?
Enola's brothers are also proving to be more of a bother. It's one thing to hide out in the same city they live in, but to think that they may actually trying to contact her? Or is it her mum? Enola has many decisions to make and the life of the good Dr. Watson hangs in the balance. Will she rescue him in time? Will Sherlock have the day and save his friend before Enola can? With her burning desire to prove herself, we know that Sherlock's in for a ride while working towards the same goal as his sister.
Recommended To:
- The same as the previous ones!
Notes on the Cover:
I don't think I need to go on again, do I? This one is appealing and likeable as well. Enola again looks different, but why is she on the side of a building? You'll have to read it to find out!
The first three Enola Holmes mysteries are on our shelves!
The Case of the Left-Handed Lady: An Enola Holmes Mystery
By: Nancy Springer
Spoiler Alert! I read these in quick-succession and don't think I can avoid telling you something that is resolved in The Case of the Missing Marquess. Just thought I should warn you!
We find Enola Alone in London. (I just couldn't resist capitalizing the Alone). She's outwitted her brothers; sort-of located her mum, and is the office assistant to Dr. Leslie T. Ragostin, the world's first Scientific Perditorian. And of course that's not all! Enola's skills at disguising herself have her competing with her brother Sherlock in no time! And her name isn't Enola, it's Ivy Meshle, Sister of Charity and Mrs. Ragostin. Yes, that's right, Mrs. Ragostin and no, Ivy/Enola has not gotten married! Can you figure it out?
When Lady Cecily vanishes from her room in the middle of the night with only her nightgown and a ladder located out of her bedroom window to signify her whereabouts everyone assumes the worst: she has run off with a young man. With Lady Cecily's honor at stake and knowing her brother Sherlock is on the case, Ivy Meshle is up for finding out what's going on and solving the crime...or is it?
When things don't add up, Enola gets further and further into the situation and discovers a side to Lady Cecily that no one would ever have guessed or imagined. The only problem is, will Enola be able to save her or will she be too far gone to be saved?
There's the crux of the story, but if you add in her relationships with her brothers, her mum (and their fascinating way of communicating) and a horrible night-time encounter, Enola's possibly got more on her plate than she can handle!
Recommended To:
- The same as the previous one!
Notes on the Cover:
This time the oval sign with the title in it actually looks like a sign. It's cleverly placed in the same space on the cover as the previous book, and Enola looks like she's walking through a dark, shadowy, rat-filled alley...which is entirely on the mark! Now, can you tell me who she is by looking at her outfit? (You'll have to read through first - you haven't met this person yet!) Again, the artist makes Enola look like one of her alter-egos (not as pale, cheeks slightly fuller) and puts her in a place she actually visits in the book! Oh happy day! Two in a row!
Four Feet, Two Sandals
By: Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed
Illustrated By: Doug Chayka
The setting for this story is not a common one in books, particularly a picture book. As an adult reading this book, you realize that Lina and Feroza are in a refugee camp, but it is only after reading the Author's note at the back of the book that you know where the story is taking place: the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Children are naturally going to be curious as to why these two girls are living in a camp with the few surviving members of their families. The story does not go into any sort of graphic details about how the girls ended up there. The closest it comes is: "My father and sister were killed in the war" (I'll say about page 13). I would expect questions along the lines of: "What war?" "Why did the people hurt Lina and Feroza's families?" These are important questions and should be answered with truth and honesty, as well as being an age-appropriate answer. Children don't need all the graphic details, but they should be able to understand what they're seeing.
The premise of the story is this: relief workers bring clothes to the camp and it's a mad dash to locate something. Lina gets a sandal that fits her perfectly and she's excited: she hasn't had a pair of shoes in two years. The only problem is that Feroza has the other one. The girls come to an understanding: Feroza will wear the pair one day and Lina the next while they wait for their names to appear on the list of those going to America.
Lina gets her chance first, and Feroza gives her shoe so that Lina can have a pair of shoes in America. Will Lina keep the shoes and leave Feroza barefoot? Will she share? Will she give them both to Feroza?
This is a great story about compassion and sharing, even in a difficult time.
Recommended To:
Notes on the Cover:
In my opinion, this is a well-done cover. We see the refugee camp in the background with Lina and Feroza in the foreground. The beautiful part is that the two girls are walking side-by-side and each is wearing one of the sandals. With the title directly to the right of the girls you can't miss the point of the title!
On our shelves soon!
The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery
By: Nancy Springer
I love Enola Holmes - absolutely love her. Here's a girl whose mother named her Enola, which is odd enough, but when you look at her name backwards you will realize that Enola = Alone and Enola will point that out to us more than once throughout this series! It's especially prevalent in this first book in the series featuring Miss Enola. And speaking of names, does anything about her last name ring a bell for you? If you've guessed anything to do with Sherlock Holmes you'd be right. Enola is Sherlock and Mycroft's younger sister (Mycroft is the eldest) whom they have only met twice: the day of their father's funeral, and now. Why now? Because The Case of the Missing Marquess is all about their mother and what happened to her.
Do you want to know the kicker about their mother disappearing? She left without so much as a good-bye on Enola's 14th birthday. Or did she leave? Was she kidnapped? What is the value of the gifts that her mother left her? Why would her mother leave the gifts if she was coming back? There's more than meets the eye in this book: the family dynamics alone are worth the read - which are quite complicated and cause a bit of a falling out amongst the siblings while trying to locate their mother. While Enola admires her older brothers (especially Sherlock), she can not understand their views towards women and races to realize what has happened to their mother before her famous older brother figures it out.
Along the way Enola saves more than one person, makes some startling discoveries about her family's history and learns quite a bit about herself: but will it be enough to get her mother back?
This is a quick, great mystery to read. I especially love the fact that Enola is Sherlock Holmes' younger sister and that she's more than her brother bargains for! She has the mind of a modern young woman (why should she have to wear a corset? Boarding School? Are they kidding? Where do they get off telling their mom where to live and what to do?) which will endear her to readers as she faces the same problems they do, albeit in a slightly different manner and setting. Who hasn't disliked at least one rule or requirement our parents have placed on us while growing up? Or, as in Enola's case, her brothers' imposing requirements. There are also ciphers to figure out - it's a lot of fun trying to work them out before finding out what they mean!
Recommended To:
- Mystery fans young and old (especially if you've read yourself any Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!)
- Those who like a character with some gumption
- Fans of Victorian settings (yes, I realize I read a lot that are set in that time period. I just like it that much!)
- Boys! They may be about a female character, but I think she's someone boys can identify with - plus she's crafty and not afraid of a challenge
- Everyone!
Notes on the Cover:
I really like it: the fact that it's an artist's rendition helps make Enola look more like I imagine her. The pointy chin, pale skin, thin cheeks, unruly hair and the look of being pursued on her face all really make this cover pop for me. Holy cow! It's junior/young adult book cover that actually involves the context of the book! The bicycle, the basket, everything! I almost can't believe it! I also really like the title being in an oval that looks like a sign has just emerged from the trees. The oval seems to become a fixture on the covers and I really like that - providing continuity and all!
The Sweet Far Thing
By: Libba Bray
Gemma and the other young ladies of Spence Academy are preparing a ball for their end-of-year celebration instead of a tea. What's the occasion? The re-building of the East wing tower. Yes, that would be the one that burned down because of Mary and Sarah (Gemma's mother, Circe).
The building of the tower is causing conflict between Mr. Miller's men and the Gypsies. Mrs. Nightwing has kept everyone in line so far, but tempers are flaring and when workers start to disappear it's all anyone can do to prevent a battle.
When the workers discover a door at the base of the tower they're puzzled as to what to do with it. Mrs. Nightwing agrees to have it removed, but when it won't budge, Gemma and her friends know what to do. They're going back to the Realms.
The Realms are no longer as safe as they once were, especially with the magic being so unpredictable. Gemma intends to use the magic to help Felicity and Ann escape the path that has already been planned for them, but when her alliances in the Borderlands start to unravel the time comes for action. Then you factor in Pip and the factory girls and her problems are soon multiplying faster than she can find a solution to them.
Because of the magic we know that there are many people out there who want Gemma to share the magic with them. The problem is; who can Gemma trust? Everyone is out to serve their own purposes, telling her what she should do with the magic and how she should use it, but something is holding her back. Then she finds out that one whom she trusted the most has also deceived her. Will her hurt stop her from making the right decision? Or will she be able to forgive and move on, to help all those in the Realms who need it?
Of course we haven't even mentioned her family problems: her father is quite ill, her brother is becoming pompous and is being groomed to join a ‘gentlemen's club.' Unfortunately Gemma has seen the pin her brother is wearing before, and she knows they're using him to get to her. Will Tom trust Gemma's judgment or will he turn his back on her and put them both into the fight of their life?
As last novels in trilogies go, this was a doozy! I had trouble putting it down - as soon as one thing may be resolved something else comes in and ruins it. You'll find yourself rooting for Gemma, but possibly be frustrated by her inability to make decisions. My problem is that she always seems to just walk right into the perfect solution; not that she doesn't struggle with it before hand and it is partly the nature of her visions and the magic that make it difficult for her to decide what to do. It's a lot of pressure on a young person's shoulders.
So back to this one being a doozy! We get yet another surprise about Felicity, Ann shocks them with a decision (well, she shocked me anyways!), and Miss McCleethy, Fowlson, Kartik, Circe, and Mrs. Nightwing all hold surprises of their own. And the ending! I cried. Yes, I really did. It was sweet, sentimental and oh so sad. It was not what I wanted to see happen, but I understand why. It made for a poignant, beautiful ending to the book.
All in all I really enjoyed this trilogy. Yes, I got frustrated with the characters sometimes because I wanted to scream "No! Not that way!" or "Why is she doing that?" but it made for great reading! The excitement and the tension never really faded for me - just when you think it might be okay, something else happens! I think we can expect great things from Libba Bray in the future!
Recommended To:
- Historical fiction fans
- Fans of girls who've got some serious gumption!
- Those who've read the first two - you won't want to miss this!
- Everyone!
Notes on the Cover:
Yes, it's a back shot again, but this one I like. It reminds me of a sort of dream-sequence that happens in the book. And for some reason this model has the right hair-color while the others didn't. Maybe it was just the lighting in the shots (or they were different models), but the hair in this photo actually appears to be the color mentioned in the book. Hooray!
Notes on Magic and Boarding Schools:
I was talking to someone about this last book and they mentioned the Harry Potter and if I thought J.K. Rowling may have perhaps influenced this book. Yes, there is magic, yes there is a boarding school and yes, the first book in this trilogy was published after Rowling had already established a major following. That is not to say that Bray is copying her at all. First off, she may very well have started this before Harry Potter was published. The process can take years and many revisions are sometimes gone through before something is accepted for publication. Secondly, other than magic and boarding schools being involved, that's about where the similarities ended for me, but let's take a look:
|
|
Gemma Doyle Trilogy |
Harry Potter Series |
|
Magic |
Something to be learned, is inherent, is sharable, Not Stable! The magic is loose and has the ability to ‘cross-over' to our world. |
Something to be learned, inherent, not technically sharable (you have it or you don't). A stable force in these books. (If you've learned how to use it properly.) |
|
Boarding School |
For Young Ladies who can afford it. (or who are there on relatives bidding) |
For all who have received a letter. |
|
Setting |
Victorian England |
Modern Day England |
|
Villians |
Too many to count! Many people want what Gemma has and will stop at nothing to get it. And they mostly aren't inherently evil, they just want their share. |
One major Villian and his followers to contend with. |
|
Hero/Heroine |
Gemma Doyle (with help) |
Harry Potter (with help) |
|
Issues |
Bray delves into some deep issues that were hush-hush at the time, and still are today in some circles. She never really comes out and says it directly, but through the text and character interaction we learn of a truly terrible home life, and a secret that shakes a young girl to the core.
The magic here is not strictly about good vs. evil, but about entitlement and social classes. |
Orphans, love, abandonment, good triumphing over evil.
Yes, there is issue here with social classes, but that is not the main sticking point about the magic. These Villians want to rule (as do those in Bray's books), but it's really more a good vs. evil here. It's more clear-cut than in Bray's books. |
Okay, it looks like there are more similarities than I first thought, but they're still not the same thing. It's something I can't quite put my finger on....I did have a similar experience with both books: annoyance with the characters at times, an inability to put them down, and a bonding with the text I never would have thought possible, yet they are inherently different texts. Well, I started the discussion, so you can bring it back to me in the comments! What do you think?
The library will be closed on Friday, July 4th to celebrate Independence Day. There will be no reviews until next Tuesday, July 8th. Have a fabulous weekend!
Rebel Angels
By: Libba Bray
The author's name may be familiar: I reviewed the first book in the Gemma Doyle trilogy, A Great and Terrible Beauty, on January 4th of this year. Rebel Angels is the second book, and I liked it just as much as the first!
To begin with, it's only been a couple of months since they last entered the realms and Gemma broke the ruins. The problem? Gemma can't seem to get back in. It's just not working for her. Felicity and Ann are impatient to return to see Pippa, and Gemma wants to go, but she's a little leary: she doesn't know what's happened since the ruins were broken and set the magic free.
A new instructor to replace Miss Moore is brought in. Miss McCleethy has secrets: secrets the girls fully intend to find out. How does she know about the Order? What does she know about the Order? What about the Rakshana?
Gemma learns she must find the Temple that the Priestesses of the Order used to keep the magic safe. She must enter the Temple and bind the magic so it is not floating unpredictably throughout the Realms. The only problem? No one knows where the Temple is. Her visions do more to confuse and befuddle her than to help her. For instance, who are the girls in white dancing on the cliff? Why is Miss McCleethy there in a green dress? Things get even more interesting when Gemma enters Bedlam hospital (mental institution of the day) to visit Nell Hawkins, one of the girls from the vision on the cliff who has seemingly lost her senses. Gemma hopes to discover information from her about the Temple, the Realms and Miss McCleethy. She also wants to save Nell from Miss McCleethy.
As we should know from the first book, things are not always as they seem. Sometimes the ones we trust the most betray us in the most bitterest of fashions. Will Gemma trust the right person? Will she find the Temple in time? Will she be able to keep her word to those who wish for their share of the magic? All of that is on top of social faux pas by Ann (of course aided and assisted by Gemma), Felicity's dark past (which helps explain her behavior - honestly! She and Ann both try my patience!). And then there's Gemma's own personal life: her brother Tom's trying behavior, her stiff and formal grandmother, her sick father, Kartik, and then there's Simon Middleton.
Recommended To:
- Fans of the first book
- Readers of historical fiction / magical realism / adventure stories
- Everyone!
Notes on the Cover:
Eh. It's okay - at least there's a bit of a face (profile) on it, and we do get to see the Crescent Eye, but other than that....they could be so much more interesting! Although, if you look at all three together they at least follow the same format: girl, proper dress, profile of some sort.
Libba's Website:
http://www.libbabray.com/
Yes, the library owns this title!