Enchanting Review: Wondrous Strange

WONDROUS STRANGE
LESLEY LIVINGSTON
Fantasy YA
HarperTeen
ISBN# 978-0061575372
336 Pages
$16.99
Hardcover--Available Now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

WONDROUS STRANGE has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy books ever. Seventeen year old Kelley Winslow is the understudy at the Avalon Grande Theatre, where she’s suddenly cast as Titania in A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream. Kelley can’t believe her good luck, finally all her dreams of being on stage are coming true. But when she goes to the park to read over her lines, she could never imagine the turn her life is about to take.

Sonny Flannery, a Jamus, is sworn to protect the mortal realm from the Fae who are attempting to invade it over the next nine nights, when the veil separating the two worlds is the weakest. But before the first night, he meets Kelley, the most unusual girl he’s ever met. Soon he finds himself enamored by the pretty redhead and little does he know Kelley’s true identity, something even she is not aware of. A secret that once its revealed could change everything, for him, for her and the Fae.

I basically adored this book. Filled with well developed characters, an intriguing plot and a world that seems strangely plausible and so detailed it made you feel like you were right there with Kelley and Sonny. The chemistry between Kelley and Sonny was great and I loved every scene between the two of them. Of the other characters, the one that I really enjoyed was Bob, playing Puck in the play, but truly, the real actual Puck The scene where Sonny confronts him backstage still has me smiling just thinking about it. This is one book I didn’t want to put down.

WONDROUS STRANGE is a debut not to be missed, especially if you enjoy fantasy. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author. Visit Ms. Livingston online at http://www.lesleylivingston.com/

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
March 2009

Guest Blogger: Cherry Chava

Guest Blogger: Cherry Chava
Hello! Thanks to Enchanting YA for having me to guest blog! Today, to start gearing up for the September release of my new book DUPLIKATE, I’m gonna talk about what I would do if a clone of me suddenly appeared. If you think that’s what happens to the chick in DUPLIKATE, and if you also think her name is Kate, then you, my friend, are a genius! :)

1. Have clone work out for me, since the only exercise I ever get is the occasional walk, and the end of such walk is often at a place where a snack can be purchased, so that pretty much negates the whole thing. Except this makes no logical sense, because then the clone would be super in-shape and I would still be not so much in shape. Okay, so forget that.

2. Send the clone in to work for me. Except that writing for Family Guy is actually fun, plus then I’d miss out on all our extremely important, intelligent, beneficial-to-the-planet-and-completely-not-time-wasting discussions about American Idol. And it’s not like rolling into the office means I have to get up early or put on a suit. Okay, so forget this too.

3. Make clone pick up the phone whenever my parents call. Aha! This would be useful, since they call pretty often, and usually when I’m watching TV. Not that I don’t want to talk to them, just, you know, not during American Idol (see #2) (and yes, I have a DVR, but just because the pause button exists doesn’t mean you want to use it, especially when Adam Lambert is doing something terrifying/horrifying/mesmerizing/fabulous/all of the above).

4. Drive me places. Yes! Commuting sucks, so I could nap while the clone deals with traffic, and then we could totally use the carpool lane. Although then once we got where we were going, I might have to hide her in the car trunk, which is weird and probably not particularly healthy.

5. Write my guest blogs for me? Ha! Nah, I wrote this one myself.

6. OR DID I?!

7. Okay yeah I did. :)

Enchanting Review: The Sapphire Knight

THE SAPPHIRE KNIGHT
MICHAEL SULLIVAN
Historical Middle Grade
PublishingWorks
ISBN# 978-1-933002-84-2
96 Pages
$12.95
Hardcover—Available Now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

The story starts off with a young man traveling through the night, who stumbles upon an old man huddled by a campfire. The older man offers to tell a story and share the campfire in exchange for food. Grudgingly, the traveler gives up an egg and a chunk of bread to hear the incredible tale that is THE SAPPHIRE KNIGHT.

I enjoyed THE SAPPHIRE KNIGHT. While we never learn too much about the knight himself, the reader follows along on the journey to save the music that’s being stolen from the knight’s hold. Along the way, he comes to realize that its not only there that the music’s been stolen away from, its being zapped from everywhere and its up to him to set it free. Mr. Sullivan creates an interesting and vivid world to set the story. From the Lady in White to the supposedly evil Queen of May, the characters are intriguing, especially the Lady in White’s castle and her defense systems. I especially liked the part where the knight first meets the Queen of May.

I was glad to see that this is the first book in a series. Hopefully we’ll learn more about the mysterious knight in future books. An enjoyable historical, THE SAPPHIRE KNIGHT will appeal to readers who enjoy a hint of sorcery and magic mixed with heroic knights.

A self-proclaimed non-reader, Sullivan has taken his knowledge of the reluctantly un-read and found ways to turn them into avid word crunchers using tactics such as the undead. Author of Connecting Boys with Books, Sullivan has become a reading specialist the nation over and fills much of his time with speaking on that subject. The rest of his time is spent with his muse-the children. Sullivan tours during the school year as well as during the summer and claims that, "the kids tell me what they want to read...so that's what I write."

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
February 2009

Enchanting Review: The I Love You Book

THE I LOVE YOU BOOK
TODD PARR
Children’s
Little, Brown
ISBN# 978-0316019859
32 Pages
$9.99
Hardcover--Available Now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

THE I LOVE YOU BOOK is a very cute, sweet read that parents will no doubt enjoy sharing with their children. Highlighting the many reasons a parent loves a child, from the good--‘I love you when you share’, to playful, ‘I love you when you hide my keys” but most of all, the unconditional ‘Most of all, I love you just the way you are’.

Filled with bright colorful illustrations that take up the entire pages, THE I LOVE YOU BOOK will be a delightful addition to any child’s book collection as it reinforces all the reasons a parent loves a child.

Todd Parr has created more than 30 books for children and the Emmy-nominated animated television show, ToddWorld. He lives in Berkeley, California. You can visit him online at www.toddparr.com.

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
February 2009

Enchanting Review: The Anatomy Of Wings

THE ANATOMY OF WINGS
KAREN FOXLEE
Contemporary Young Adult
Knopf
ISBN# 978-0-375-85643-3
288 Pages
$16.99
Hardcover—Available February 10, 2009

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Young Jennifer Day is struggling to deal with the sudden loss of her older sister Beth. With the help of her best friend, Angela, Jennifer begins to construct a book of clues to find where her singing voice has gone and in the process, beautifully tells the story of what happened to her sister. In the end, will the memories help her finally sing again?

Ms. Foxlee creates a wonderful read with her debut novel. Set in Australia, she paints a vibrant portrait of life in a small mining town in the early 1980s, while dealing with the difficult subject of the loss of a sibling. Told in a wonderful voice, THE ANATOMY OF WINGS is truly an endearing story that comes alive on the pages. Watching the changes in Beth that slowly pull her away from her family and lead up to her tragic death and the effect it has on Jennifer and her family, even her neighbors is wonderfully told. But what I really loved about this book was how no small detail didn’t matter. When Jennifer and Angela sneak the box with Beth belongings out and go through it, everything inside the box belongs to a memory that tells the story of what happened to Beth. Even the introduction of the neighbors and the chapters told through the eyes of the different characters show things that lead up and tie in nicely to the end of the story. All in all, THE ANATOMY OF WINGS is an enjoyable debut novel.

Karen Foxlee won the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award for Emerging Author, the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize Best First Book and the Dobbie Encouragement Award for THE ANATOMY OF WINGS. She lives with her baby daughter and two cats in Queensland, Australia.


Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
February 2009

Enchanting Review: Psyche In A Dress

PSYCHE IN A DRESS
FRANCESCA LIA BLOCK
Contemporary YA Fantasy
Harper Collins
ISBN #978-0-06-076372-5
116 pages
$15.99
Hardcover Available Now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Psyche is a young wannabe starlet who stars in her father’s films. She questions her own beauty by comparing herself to her mother who deserted her. One night, Psyche finds love and acceptance for a brief period with a beautiful stranger who comes to her at night. Then he leaves. She goes on a journey to find it again. Her journey resembles a tragic Greek tale filled with women of myth, each thinking they have found love only for it to slip away. Each time Psyche must go out again, trying to find who she really is.

Once again Block’s lyrical writing carries the reader to new places while dealing with such sensitive subjects as abuse and growing old. Block’s does a great job of using Greek gods as symbolism for the journey of a girl on finding her true self and the one she loved once. It’s a journey all women take and Block shows this beautifully.

Block uses contemporary settings for these Greek heroes and heroines. Aphrodite has a dress shop with beautiful clothes. Hades is dangerous. And Narcissus loves himself. Even if readers don’t remember the Greek tales, they will be carried away with this poetic coming of age tale. A must read for all Block fans.

Francesca Lia Block is the winner of the prestigious Margaret A. Edwards Award and the author of many bestselling books, including WEETZIE BAT, DANGEROUS ANGELS, and NECKLACE OF KISSES. Find out more at her website: http://www.francescaliablock.com/ Her MySpace site: http://www.myspace.com/francescalia

Kim
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
January 2009

Enchanting Interview: Beth Fantaskey

1. What made you want to become a writer?

To me, writing seems like the ultimate way to make a living. When I work as a journalist, every day is interesting and different. And when I write fiction, I get to be completely free inside my mind. On top of that, writing fiction is like hanging out with good friends every day. I wake up in the morning eager to spend time with the characters. I love that!

2. Why young adult?

When I came up with the idea for Jessica’s Guide, I didn’t even know there was a sharp division between adult and YA fiction. It just happened that my heroine was a teenage girl. The story dictated the genre. However, I’m really glad I ended up where I did, because YA audiences are great. I think - maybe because they’re so communications savvy – they’re really comfortable contacting me to discuss the book, or writing, or whatever’s on their minds. I love that I really get a chance to know the readers.

3. What's your writing schedule like?

I usually work Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends – days when my nutty professor husband doesn’t teach, so he can watch our kids. On those days, I go into the office in the morning, sit down and pretty much put in a full day. If I can’t fit in at least four or five solid hours, it’s almost a waste for me. I kind of need to get into the characters and the story each time I sit down, so I’m not really productive in small spurts.

4. What inspired Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side?

There are tons of little inspirations – the scene with the Fiat Panda was inspired by a near disaster on a hill in Italy – but the big one lies with my children. Both are both adopted, and we often wonder what their biological parents were like. Daydreaming over that led to questions like, “What if they are really different, somehow?” I took that to the extreme with Jessica.

5. Can you describe the story in three words?

Dark, funny, passionate

6. What's your favorite trait of Jessica's?

Her quiet sense of self worth. She’s not the prettiest girl in school, or the most popular, and while she initially wishes to be like that, she always has a strong sense of self. She doesn’t swoon just because Lucius is the hottest guy she’s ever seen, and he shows interest in her. She takes her time and decides if he’s right for her.

7. What do you like most about Lucius?

Oh, gosh, how to narrow it down… I love Lucius’s strength, passion and willingness to sacrifice his own happiness and even himself for Jess. I like his humor, too, especially when he’s funny in the face of grim circumstances. I think that’s the essence of courage.

8. What was your favorite scene to write?

The scene at the dance, where Lucius and Jess both struggle so hard with their feelings for each other, and Jess really comes into her own.

9. What would readers be surprised to know about you?

Hmmm… Maybe that I spent five years studying Mandarin Chinese for no apparent reason. I just like the language. Unfortunately, I’m a terrible speaker! I've been to China a few times, and nobody ever understands me.

10. What's next for you?

My next book, Jekel Loves Hyde, is scheduled to come out next year, and I’m working on my third novel right now - as in today, right before I did this. I also started a Ph.d. program about five years ago, and my advisor is bugging me to wrap up. I'm the only one in my class who hasn't graduated yet! I guess that should be next, since I pay a whopping tuition bill every semester until it's done!

Interview by Lisa

March 2009

Enchanting Review: In Too Deep

IN TOO DEEP

JENNIFER BANASH

Contemporary Young Adult

Berkley Jam

ISBN# 978-0-425-22353-6

256 pages

$9.99

Trade—Available Now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

One of the best new YA series out there, ‘The Elite series’ continues with IN TOO DEEP which picks up a short while after the first book ends. Casey is still struggling to fit in at her new exclusive Upper East Side high school and deal with Madison, Sophie and Phoebe, the ultimate definition of frenemies. Especially dear sweet Madison, who in probably the best example of the term, decides to ‘treat’ Casey to a trip to her hairstylist after a trip to Casey’s grandmother’s salon goes awry. I have to say Madison is great at the whole keep your friends close and your enemies closer line of thought. She’s truly the epitome of the character you love to hate.

There was so much I liked about this book. Madison, Sophie, Phoebe, and Casey all have their own separate intriguing storylines: Madison’s modeling, the upcoming appearance of Sophie’s birth mother, Phoebe’s secret crush and Casey still trying to fit in and deal with her new life and her relationship with Drew. I have to say what surprised me most—other than the ending—was Madison actually really grew on me with this book and you can sorta see why she acts the way she does, especially toward Casey and Drew. But that’s not the only thing going on, the alternating chapters told by the girls all shed light on explosive secrets that once they come out are going to be pretty shocking.

One of my favorite scenes is when Sophie is trying on one of her outfits for her super sweet sixteen party. When the truth comes out, not only about her being adopted, but her real birth mother—and the kicker, that she confided all this in someone not Madison—things get heated between the girls.

With a shocking ending that leaves the reader demanding to know what happens next, IN TOO DEEP is one book that keeps you riveted from start to finish. Look for the third book in this great series, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, due out summer 2009.

Jennifer Banash knows firsthand the life and times of Manhattan teenagers—she was born and raised in New York City. She ghost wrote for a New York Times bestselling YA series; and she is the co-founder of Impetus Press, an independent press dedicated to publishing serious literary fiction with a pop edge. Jennifer now resides in Los Angeles.

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

January 2009

Enchanting Review: In Too Deep

IN TOO DEEP

JENNIFER BANASH

Contemporary Young Adult

Berkley Jam

ISBN# 978-0-425-22353-6

256 pages

$9.99

Trade—Available Now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

One of the best new YA series out there, ‘The Elite series’ continues with IN TOO DEEP which picks up a short while after the first book ends. Casey is still struggling to fit in at her new exclusive Upper East Side high school and deal with Madison, Sophie and Phoebe, the ultimate definition of frenemies. Especially dear sweet Madison, who in probably the best example of the term, decides to ‘treat’ Casey to a trip to her hairstylist after a trip to Casey’s grandmother’s salon goes awry. I have to say Madison is great at the whole keep your friends close and your enemies closer line of thought. She’s truly the epitome of the character you love to hate.

There was so much I liked about this book. Madison, Sophie, Phoebe, and Casey all have their own separate intriguing storylines: Madison’s modeling, the upcoming appearance of Sophie’s birth mother, Phoebe’s secret crush and Casey still trying to fit in and deal with her new life and her relationship with Drew. I have to say what surprised me most—other than the ending—was Madison actually really grew on me with this book and you can sorta see why she acts the way she does, especially toward Casey and Drew. But that’s not the only thing going on, the alternating chapters told by the girls all shed light on explosive secrets that once they come out are going to be pretty shocking.

One of my favorite scenes is when Sophie is trying on one of her outfits for her super sweet sixteen party. When the truth comes out, not only about her being adopted, but her real birth mother—and the kicker, that she confided all this in someone not Madison—things get heated between the girls.

With a shocking ending that leaves the reader demanding to know what happens next, IN TOO DEEP is one book that keeps you riveted from start to finish. Look for the third book in this great series, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, due out summer 2009.

Jennifer Banash knows firsthand the life and times of Manhattan teenagers—she was born and raised in New York City. She ghost wrote for a New York Times bestselling YA series; and she is the co-founder of Impetus Press, an independent press dedicated to publishing serious literary fiction with a pop edge. Jennifer now resides in Los Angeles.

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

January 2009

Enchanting Review: La Petite Four

LA PETITE FOUR

REGINA SCOTT

Historical YA

Razorbill

ISBN# 9781595142085

240 Pages

$8.99

Trade--Available Now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Lady Emily Southwell has just found out mere moments after graduating she’s betrothed to Lord Robert, as if that wasn’t bad enough she soon learns he wants to get married within a week. That means she’ll be missing the Ball she’s been looking forward to with her three best friends and her Season. There has to be a way to stop such an horrible match, if only they could find something about Lord Robert to tell her father to get him to call off the wedding.

LA PETITE FOUR was an intriguing historical read as Emily tries to find a reason to stop her sudden nuptials so she won’t miss out on her Season with her friends, not to mention find a way to gain admittance to the Royal Society of the Beaux Arts. Everything she knows about Lord Robert tells her he isn’t the man for her--something that’s proven over and over again throughout the course of the book. But none more damaging when during the party to sign the marriage papers, he leans over and tells her that no wife of his will waste time being an artist.

But in the midst of their investigations, they continue to run into the mysterious James Cropper who seems to be tailing Lord Robert too. Emily finds herself soon charmed by the intriguing Mr. Cropper, and becomes even more intent on her search for the truth about Lord Robert’s sudden interest in matrimony when she hears gossip he was recently courting another, one who died just before he became betrothed to Emily.

Hands down my favorite scene is between Lady Emily and Mr. Cropper with Warburton and the maid, Mary, as chaperones. The attraction between the two really heats up as much as it can with the two chaperones and Warburton’s ‘coughing’ to break the two up is rather amusing to see.

Fans of historical YA will enjoy the sweet story that is LA PETITE FOUR.

Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. After numerous short stories and articles in magazines and trade journals, she got serious about her novel writing, published 17 historical romances for adults, and realized it would be a lot more interesting to write for young adults instead. Visit the official site of LA PETITE FOUR http://www.lapetitefour.com/

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

February 2009

Enchanting Review: Dandelion Fire

DANDELION FIRE (BOOK 2 OF THE 100 CUPBOARDS)

N.D. WILSON

Middle Grade Fantasy

Random House Children’s

ISBN# 978-0-375-83883-5

480 Pages

$16.99

Hardcover--Available February 24, 2009

Rating: 3.5 Enchantments

Henry York has two weeks left in Kansas with his Aunt and Uncle before he’s going to be sent back to Boston and his parents--well, one of them, whoever gets custody in their sudden unexpected divorce. Two weeks to explore the cupboards and find out where he’s really from and who he really is. Two weeks really isn’t a long time to make his way through all the cupboards, a timeframe that gets even smaller when what looks like a freak accident seems to render Henry blind.

An imaginative tale, DANDELION FIRE is nothing like I’ve read before. From the unusual raggant, the creature that Henry believes was sent to find him, which has to mean someone in one of the cupboards is out there looking for him too. I have to admit, some of the early chapters were a little hard to follow since I hadn’t read Book 1 in the series, but by the 100 page mark I was totally immersed in the story and actually enjoyed the parts with Uncle Frank and Aunt Dotty not too mention what was happening to Henrietta at times more than Henry. The story splits soon after Henry‘s blindness, following Henry as he fights to get away from the mysterious and evil Darius and get back to the farmhouse; Uncle Frank and Aunt Dotty along with Anastacia and Penelope, along with a few surprise guests; and Henrietta, who finds herself alone in one portal, escaping from being held hostage and trying to find the only person she thinks can help her, Eli. Filled with vivid imagery, a compelling story that makes you wonder if things will work out and the entire family will ever be reunited again, fans of middle grade fantasy will no doubt enjoy this addition to the 100 Cupboards series.

Nathan D. Wilson holds a Master's degree in Liberal Arts from Saint John's College in Annapolis, Maryland (2001). He served as a part-time Lecturer at New Saint Andrews from 2001-2004, and was promoted to Fellow of Literature in the fall of 2004. He still teaches part-time. Visit him online at http://www.ndwilson.com/ and check out the 100 Cupboards website at www.randomhouse.com/kids/100cupboards

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

February 2009

Enchanting Review: Dirty Laundry

DIRTY LAUNDRY

DANIEL EHRENHAFT

Contemporary YA

HarperTeen

ISBN# 9780061131035

240 Pages

$16.99

Hardcover--Available Now

Rating: 3 Enchantments

Carli Gemz (pronounced ‘Games’) is about to go undercover at Winchester boarding school to research her upcoming role. Only two people at the school know her true identity, the headmaster Stanton and FUN, the son of the man in charge of her next project. But Winchester is far from what the glossy pages of the brochure promise, instead Winchester is better known as DIRTY LAUNDRY, the place where the best boarding schools send their trouble students. Soon Carli finds herself investigating the disappearance of the popular Darcy Novak, a fellow student at Winchester who vanished the night before Carli’s arrival.

FUN, (real name Fellini Udall Newport) is back at Winchester because of his father promising he’d be Carli’s personal assistant. Just what he wants to do. Not. But at least he’s back with his best friend Nails, who seems to be hiding something. Did he have something to do with Darcy’s disappearance? Together with Carli, he’s going to find out.

I have to say DIRTY LAUNDRY was a bit of an odd read. Divided into three parts, which each part having a bit of an index that told you the scene order, it took me awhile to get into the story and relate to the characters. Honestly I didn’t felt like I really knew the two main characters, Carli and FUN until the third part began. Carli is truly one of the more unique YA characters I’ve read. What other teenage actress has a homeless guy as a PA back in Los Angeles? Along with her shame spirals, in which she makes herself go out and do something nice for someone else. The one funny part is when she emails her shrink Dr. Fien back in Los Angeles, and gets one back where Dr. Fien tries to make her angry and get out and do something different. Like have some FUN. I did like some of the secondary characters in Miranda, Carli’s new roommate and the intriguing Nails.

Daniel Ehrenhaft is the author of several wacky boarding school capers, including the Edgar Award winning Wessex Papers (under the pseudonym Daniel Parker) and Drawing A Blank. You can visit him online at www.danielehrenhaft.com

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

February 2009

Enchanting Review: The Dead Girls' Dance

THE DEAD GIRLS' DANCE (THE MORGANVILLE VAMPIRES BOOK 2)
RACHEL CAINE
Paranormal YA
NAL Jam
ISBN# 978-0-451-22089-9
238 Pages
$5.99
Paperback--Available Now

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

Picking up mere moments after the shocking ending of 'Glass Houses', THE DEAD GIRLS' DANCE takes Claire and readers deeper into Morganville, deeper into its secrets--and those of the inhabitants of the Glass House---and consequently into more danger. With the appearance of Shane's father, who's hellbent on killing the vampires, Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael find themselves in a whole new kind of danger. One that will put one of their very lives on the line.

Wow, Rachel Caine crafts an amazing sequel with THE DEAD GIRLS' DANCE. My only criticism is the title is a bit misleading, since the actual DEAD GIRLS' DANCE didn't feature in until much later in the book, but still played a very pivotal part of the story. Just when you think you understand Morganville, things change. When a vampire is found murdered, Oliver goes after Shane, using him as bait to get to his father. But with time winding down and Shane's life hanging in the balance, its up to Claire and Eve to find the evidence to prove their friend's innocence. Amelie, the founder plays a bigger role in this one but still doesn't let Claire--or the reader--in on much. The power struggle between Amelie and Oliver continues, with Claire and co. sometimes right in the crosshairs, as a tug of war continues, foreshadowing Claire's future at the end of the book.

There wasn't a boring part to the story and that's what I love best about this series. The story moves at an incredible pace that keeps you turning the pages, especially once the story reaches the boiling point where Claire and Eve end up at THE DEAD GIRLS' DANCE. I have to say I really like the new addition to the series, Sam, the last made vampire, especially his surprising tie to one of the inhabitants of the Glass House.

You can visit Ms. Caine online to learn more and check out excerpts from this fabulous series at www.rachelcaine.com

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
February 2009