Dashti, a mucker maid, follows her lady into imprisonment in a lonely tower. Lady Saren’s father vows to lock her up for seven years after her refusal to marry the powerfuls but vile Lord Khasar. When Lady Saren’s love, Khan Tegis visits the tower, she begs Dashti to woo him in her place. Dashti complies, unwillingly at first, until the kindness and good humor of the gentle prince stir her own heart. Lord Khasar also visits the tower, demanding that Lady Saren emerge and marry him. Dashti must use all her wits and bravery in order to protect her lady and herself from the monster inside the evil lord.
In a dramatic retelling of the familiar Brothers Grimm tale Maid Maleen, author Shannon Hale introduces a humble maid through journal entries kept through the long tower imprisonment. Dashti relates her story in lyrical prose strewn with cultural references and songs reminiscent of an ancient Middle-Eastern or Asian land so realistic it’s easy to forget it’s fiction.
The expert writing and diary format make it feel like a historical account written by a member of some ancient kingdom. Dashti’s goodness and loyalty make her an easy character to admire. Though she never takes up weapons made of steel, her cunning and bravery in the face of powerful enemies place her among the greatest heroes, a worthy role model for young readers. The writing style and setting reminded me of another childhood favorite, Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy. I highly recommend both stories.
Profanity and Crude Language Content
None.
Sexual Content None.
Spiritual Content Polytheistic religion incorporated into the story.
Violence A girl very briefly tells her maid that she witnessed a man brutally murder another man.
With summer in full swing, hopefully you’ve found yourself with some extra reading time. Out of over 70 books I’ve read since January 1, 2014, these are the top ten best. If you’re looking for a hot summer read, check these out.
We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt The emotional intensity. The slow, dramatic build-up. These are things I love about this story.From my review: “Reading this novel is like taking that first ride on a roller coaster and feeling the adrenaline and rush building over each tick-tick-tick as the coaster inches up to the top of its track until its riders can look out over the imminent fearsome drops and wild loops ahead. Reinhardt nails the emotional turmoil of teen relationships and the anxiety of difficult choices, creating a powerful story about both the healing and destructive powers of love.”
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart If you like stories that take you unexpected places, this is a must-read. I finished the last page of this book and had to pry myself away from it because I wanted to return to page one and read it again.From my review: “This is an amazing story, full of stark, beautiful prose and gut-wrenching emotion. Cadence experiences the fullness of love and loss, and through Lockhart’s phenomenal storytelling, readers can’t help but share in those moments. Like the best stories, the conclusion of We Were Liars turns all its previous chapters inside out and forces the reader to reexamine every element of the story, especially the explorations of both healing and destructive forces within a family.”
All the Truth that’s In Me by Julie Berry Historical fiction is not my top go-to genre, but this one really hooked me. I couldn’t help caring for Judith and rooting for her as she struggled to regain her voice.From my review: “As a lover of angsty teen novels, I found it refreshing to read a historical novel so emotionally charged and yet so hopeful. How many times have we read novels which ultimately condemn the rigidity of the Puritan culture? I loved that this novel didn’t go that route. Not that the leadership were without fault, but that hope, forgiveness and love – which believes the best – ultimately triumphed. Great story. Highly recommended.”
Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by John Boyne My first experience with the work of this author (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) left me absolutely stunned. He has an incredible way of reaching into a historical moment and holding it in front of our faces, challenging us to act, to respond. That’s powerful writing.From my (soon to post) review: “Using the viewpoint of a child allows the story to explore how the war affected those on the home front without focusing on the violence of the battle front. No one humanizes characters the way that an admiring young boy does. He grieves for his neighbors who’ve been removed to internment camp and for his father’s friend, a conscientious objector who is severely beaten for his convictions. Alfie’s voice fills the pages of the story with compassion.”
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale I stayed up most of the night reading this book for the first time. I’m not a huge fan of novels written as diary entries, but this one really hooked me with its vast landscape and rich culture.From my (soon to post) review: “The expert writing and diary format make it easy to forget that this is not a historical account of some ancient kingdom. Dashti’s goodness and loyalty make her an easy character to admire.Though she never takes up weapons made of steel, her cunning and bravery in the face of powerful enemies make her a worthy role model for young readers.”
Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee This novel is reminiscent of the great stories that pull ordinary children into extraordinary worlds. I loved the larger-than-life museum setting and the interplay between members of the grieving family.From my review: “This is a whimsical tale full of fascinating creatures and loveable characters. Though Ophelia herself is the real hero, her father finds his strength and stands with her in a demonstration of protection and solidarity. Middle grade readers will enjoy Ophelia’s tale and the emotional journey she faces is sure to encourage readers dealing with losses of their own.”
Me Since You by Laura Weiss In a culture that gawks via internet at everything from awkward to cruel, author Laura Weiss weaves a powerful story about the devastating wounds inflicted on those starring in unfortunate viral videos.From my review: “Rowan’s story packs a serious emotional punch. It is loss come to life. Weiss describes a gut-wrenching grief exacerbated by the (sometimes well-meaning) friends and family members of the grieved. The voices of wisdom and comfort come from those who’ve lost someone themselves. (How true to life is that?!) In addition, she forces readers to examine the fallout which come from people posting cruel comments to one another over the internet.”
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein Women pilots in World War II? Memorable quotes? Heartbreaking sacrifice? Yes, yes, and yes! Such a great book.From my review: “While some of the content definitely places this novel in a category for older teens, it is a powerful story brilliantly told. Author Elizabeth Wein brings to life the story (inspired by history) of two courageous women who served England during World War II. Wein captures not only an intricate physical description of the places in the story, but the desperate, patriotic feel of war-time existence.”
Like Moonlight at Low Tide by Nicole Quigley The notes of loss, hope and courage create a strange sort of harmony in this novel. I love the Florida setting, because it’s home to me.
From my review: “Missy’s story is peppered with moments of keen emotional insight and turmoil, though some of Missy’s realizations seem too far beyond her maturity level. Her spiritual conversations with Josh are at first sincere and different, but at times his explanations seem a little dense and formulaic. Still, Missy’s moment of conversion is genuine and as powerful as the emotional pain that make her such an easy character to connect with”
A Cast of Stones by Patrick Carr I enjoyed the epic feel of the story-world and the fact that Carr sidesteps the obvious plot, giving readers a more unexpected story.From my review: “Carr’s deft and thoughtful storytelling can’t help but leave readers eager for the next chapter in the fascinating world he’s created. Errol’s unexpected and expertly crafted transformation from cowardice to heroism makes this novel both moving and memorable.”
Judith returns to her small Puritan community at Roswell Station after a two year disappearance. She remains unable to speak, since her captor removed half her tongue. Her mother grudgingly allows her to live in her home, but rumors about Judith are whispered along the edges of her hearing. No one seems able to believe that she returned with her virtue intact.
Despite the murmurs and dirty looks, Judith tries her best to be kind to the townspeople, especially to her childhood friend Lucas. When an attack by Homelanders threatens to destroy the village and Lucas’s father, believed to be dead, returns to save the settlement, suspicion falls on Lucas. Has he known that his father lived all this time?
As the community begins to ostracize Lucas, Judith realizes she cannot stay silent and allow blame to fall on him for his father’s sins. She works with an unexpected ally to regain her voice and clear Lucas’s name.
The topic of abduction and the stark image on the cover of the book create the sense that this book will be filled with dark scenes and recollections of terrible abuse. In fact, that’s not so. There are a couple of very brief references to terrifying moments in captivity experienced by this young girl, but details are scarce and the author quickly moves on to other topics, leaving a strong sense of angst without the stories of abuse that some readers may not be prepared to handle.
Instead, Berry’s novel is a story of unexpected hope and heroism. A young girl struggles to regain her voice and to make herself heard in a community that has long overlooked and misjudged her. Her bravery and her unwavering love for her brother and her neighbors is inspiring and wholesome. The author’s use of prose and imagery bring to life the small Puritan town and its varied members.
As a lover of angsty teen novels, I found it refreshing to read a historical novel so emotionally charged and yet so hopeful. How many times have we read novels which ultimately condemn the rigidity of the Puritan culture? I loved that this novel didn’t go that route. Not that the leadership were without fault, but that hope, forgiveness and love – which believes the best – ultimately triumphed. Great story. Highly recommended.
Profanity and Crude Language Content
No profanity.
Sexual Content Brief references to men’s lustful comments or actions toward Judith and discussions about whether her virginity is intact.
Spiritual Content Judith finds comfort in a passage of scripture about captives grieving for their homeland. The pastor uses various verses to condemn a young man who is believed to have harbored a fugitive from the law.
Violence Brief references to battle and battle-related injuries. A boy must have his leg amputated, but Judith doesn’t witness this. Judith briefly recalls an incident during her captivity where a man began to attack her, but quickly stopped. She also remembers seeing her friend choked to death. Very few details are given in these scenes.
On an errand for the king, Lillian discovers two things: a handsome boy and an unusual harp. The boy helps her bring the harp home where she examines it more closely. The harp, which has the power to play beautifully on its own, communicates with Lilly. Her mother, whom Lilly lost when she was very young, speaks to her through the notes on the strings.
Overjoyed, Lilly loses no time reconnecting with her mother and beginning the arduous process of learning to play the harp. But the harp, it seems, or perhaps God himself has his own plans for Lilly and her harp. A dark force seeks to put the poorer neighborhoods of London under its power, and only Lilly and the harp can stop it.
The cast of characters is broad, fun and quirky. Lilly’s three godmothers are a hoot and keep things lively. Though the premise of the story may seem a little cheesy, the humor keeps it cute and the spiritual elements resonate with connections to stories from scripture. The relationship between Lilly and her mother and Lilly’s relationship with the boy add an element of tenderness as well.
Language Content
Mild use of crude language and profanity.
Sexual Content One of Lilly’s godmothers makes a few brief sexual references.
Spiritual Content Lilly finds comfort in spiritual guidance from a priest and in playing before church congregations. More than one miracle occurs while she plays. She participates in spiritual battles against demons through playing music on the harp.
Violence Brief references to gang violence. A retired knight is murdered and a church burned down. A man tries to have Lilly killed. Very few details.
Drug Content
Lilly enters a bar hoping to play her harp to get the attention of those who oppose her.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
On a hot summer night, the lights go out on the east coast, dropping Manhattan into an unfamiliar blackness. Sixteen year-old Lucy and seventeen year-old Owen, strangers who live in the same building, share a few moments trapped in an elevator which blossoms into hours spent talking under the night sky.
Just as the two begin to connect, their lives propel them apart: Owen to the west coast and his father’s unending job hunt and Lucy to the Europe she’s coveted the last sixteen years. Only postcards span the distance between them until the night they can’t bear to be separated any longer.
The usual romantic formula has the hero and heroine in the same room (or at least the same city) a high percentage of the story. Smith’s bold departure from the expected routine of romance is a risky move that absolutely pays off. As Owen and Lucy explore the new terrain of their lives, their shared longing for one another anchors the story together.
One of the pleasant surprises in the story was the growth in the relationships between each character and his/her parents. Without violating the sacred teen need for privacy, Owen’s dad and Lucy’s mom reveal that despite their issues, they’ve been paying attention. In a genre cluttered by too many flaky caricatures of parents, it was refreshing to see such human examples of loving parents.
The sweet romance and witty banter between Lucy and Owen make this a charming story. It’s a pretty clean read (see below for details) and probably best suited to readers aged fourteen to seventeen.
Language Content
One instance of mild profanity.
Sexual Content Limited kissing. Brief references to a girl wondering why she hasn’t brought her boyfriend home to her parents’ empty house for some unsupervised time.
Spiritual Content None.
Violence None.
Drug Content
Cigarettes/smoking is blamed for Owen’s mother’s fatal car accident. Owen treasures a cigarette that belonged to his mother, but he is not a smoker.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
On the night of her senior prom, Jova’s whole world shifts into nightmare. Zombies lunge onto the dance floor, attacking all within their reach. Jova and several other girls escape the mayhem and hole up in the school, struggling to survive each new day. Hunted by cannibalistic men and plague-ridden zombies, the girls defend themselves with hand-made weapons and fierce determination. When the school is compromised, Jova and her friends are forced to flee into the wilds of a destroyed world where even the water is poisonous. Survival depends on choosing the right allies. The future depends on destroying their enemies.
Reading this novel is sort of like walking through a mine field. Random characters and unexpected plot twists burst into the story. Sometimes they connect with the larger plot and other times they pop in and fade out, leaving the reader to do a little head scratching. Some plot elements lack support either from the story world or want of explained logic. The girls barricade themselves inside their old school, but there doesn’t seem to be any food or water sources available in the area. At one point they decide that the way to secure the future is to have babies. It’s difficult to see this as a reasonable idea while they are without shelter and provisions, not to mention that men are extremely dangerous enemies.
What Ferguson does well is focus not only on the threat from the zombies, but explore the other groups who might rise to power in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Cannibals (though considering the zombie situation this seems dangerous) and drug lords seek food sources and slaves, adding to Jova’s list of bad guys to be destroyed. Girl-power juices run high. These girls are armed and ready to kill.
Language Content
Heavy profanity, moderate frequency.
Sexual Content Though many of the girls wear purity rings and vow to preserve their virginity until marriage, the loneliness wears on them. Several of the girls begin relationships with one another. Details are limited, but some crude comments and sexual descriptions are included.
As the girls fear more and more for survival, they decide that the best way to secure a future is to find men with whom they can become pregnant (sperm donors, not fathers to help raise their children), by force if necessary. Again, details are limited, but some brief descriptions are included.
Spiritual Content The girls spend time in prayer and chapel services during their time in the school. They discover a cave with Satanist worship symbols and indications of human sacrifice. One girl crosses out the bad symbols and draws symbols for good spells over them. Later, Jova cries out to God to answer for why terrible things have happened to her and her friends. The sky crackles with thunder in an intense moment in which Jova confronts God with her faith and disappointments. While she receives a response, it is less a Moses-on-the-mountain moment and more a miracle moved on and not mentioned again.
Violence The girls tackle zombies and vile men called hunters, who feast on human flesh and repeatedly try to kill them. There’s a fair amount of gore and some icky zombie descriptions. A naked man allies himself with the girls and convinces them to eat human flesh.
Drug Content
A man turns his friends over to an enemy in exchange for a large amount of heroin.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
