Book Review: The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil #1)

Soman Chainani

Publication Date: March 14th 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 488

Genre:  Fairytale, Fantasy, Middle-Grade

The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.

This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.

But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed—Sophie’s dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are…?

The School for Good & Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one.

For a while I had forgotten what a book has to do to earn a full 5 bookmarks from me. I found myself rating books 4.5 and wondering if maybe I was being too picky. Then I finished reading this book and it fully reminded me what I felt like after finishing a book that rates 5.

Where do I start this review? I guess at the heart, with our two main characters. Sophie and Agatha are as different as night and day. Sophie has shimmering, bright blonde hair and works hard to do good deeds. Agatha cares very little for her appearance, lives in a graveyard, and is cynical. Of course as soon as you see things from their points of view, it becomes clear that appearances are only skin deep with these two. I love how strong these two characters are and how they grow and are influenced, yet still remain themselves at their core.

They are layered characters. Sophie seems to only think of herself for most things, but there will be times when something more shines through. Agatha's journey of self-love is also pretty amazing to go through.

The world is imaginative and although I have seen similar things before, this is hands down my favourite rendition of the fairytale/myth school idea. The writing is both light and nuanced. Things are hinted it throughout the book and I found myself realizing things only slightly faster than the characters. The book also walks a fine line between falling into cliches and breaking them as there were times where I was about to think something predictable was about to happen, before things would suddenly change.

The ending is incredibly satisfying as well, which is important. A rushed or messy ending can lower the enjoyment of an entire book.

The ending! I'm just so satisfied with it. I didn't see the thing with the School Master coming, though I had guessed that it had to be the evil one still alive. Then my heart soared when Agatha saved Sophie by pulling her from the tower, and then I was so proud of Sophie when she saved Agatha's life. It put down any debates a reader might have to Sophie's friendship. I also really enjoy WE DON'T NEED NO MALE LEAD, bit at the end. (Between this and Frozen, let's make this a new cliche, please, that would be fantastic if platonic love could be the focal point of stories!)

It's terrible, but the title of the second book makes me really want the Princesses rise up against the completely unfair way they are treated versus the Princes. I think the way Agatha is pretty much a Prince in the way she is good can help start a revolution, darnit!

On another note, I'm really glad we were shown bits from Tedros's point of view, because what he thinks and how he tends to act are very different. His parents' history makes a very interesting facet to him that explains a lot of his future actions. Though I almost yelled at him outloud when he led the attack against the Nevers. I was going DEFEND, NOT ATTACK, WHAT ARE YOU DOING, and then he wouldn't listen to Agatha and was all mopy about his man pride being hurt.

Though I guess if he hadn't done that we wouldn't have gotten the brilliant scene where Sophie reverses good and evil.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, fairytale or school stories. I recommend this book for anyone who finds strongly defined characters a pleasure and those who don't mind being in the head of someone quite selfish (though this did not bother me as I loved the writing of it, I understand that some people find this unbearable). I know that I will be picking up the next book as soon as I can!

5 Bookmarks

Book Review: Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst

Into the Wild

Sarah Beth Durst

Publication Date: June 21st 2007

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 272

Genre:  Fairytale, Urban Fantasy, Middle Grade

Twelve-year-old Julie has grown up hearing about the dangerous world of fairy tales, The Wild, from which her mother, Rapunzel, escaped.

Now The Wild wants its characters back. Julie comes home from school to find her mother gone and a deep, dark forest swallowing her hometown. Julie must fight wicked witches, avoid glass slippers and fairy godmothers, fly griffins, and outwit ogres in order to rescue her mom and save her Massachusetts town from becoming a fairy-tale kingdom.

Sarah Beth Durst weaves a postmodern fairy tale that's fresh, funny, and sweetly poignant.

So, I picked this book off the shelf solely because it was Durst writing in the realm of fairytales, and I loved Ice. What is pretty funny, however, is this book is really nothing like Ice. It is way closer to the style of Enchanted Ivy (another Durst book I've read) instead.

This is another book that reminds me a lot of a TV show out right now, and that show would be ”Once Upon A Time". The idea is that these fairytale characters are living out in the real world. Of course the main difference is that they know they are the fairytale characters, they escaped the "Wild" where all their stories took place and defeated it down and now it is living under Julie's bed. Julie is the daughter of Rapunzel, who was lucky enough to have been born and raised in our world, though without a father since Rapunzel's Prince hadn't made it out with the rest of them.

Suddenly, though someone makes a wish and POOF the Wild is back and it is taking over the city causing people to be sucked into the fairytales, bad and good.

I really like the whole idea of characters being forced to fulfill "fairytale" events. There's a feeling of being desperate, afraid and needing to escape. It's scary and provides several very interesting plot twists once Julie is traversing them.

The prose is very lighthearted, but there's a feeling of depth underneath it that I enjoy. There is betrayal, possession, the fear of losing those you love. The stakes are big for Julie and as the reader you're not always sure who to trust.

I really liked the final way that the Wild tried to trick Julie, by bringing her what it thought her heart's desire was: her father. She has spent forever trying to figure out what he was like, wishing she had even just met him, that when she is face to face with him it was rather heart wrenching, and then when she understood that it was the Wild, she said good-bye because she knew she had too and I was so proud of her as a character.

I think I may have even teared up a bit.

Then after that at the very end, after the Wild was defeated, when it randomly spat her father out I was super exciting. I think it was a great way to end the story, as it leaves it off making you wonder what's going to happen next.

Also, I KNEW that the librarian was up to something, and when it was revealed why at the end I was so angry at how selfish she was! Why doesn't she go be in a fairytale and see how great it is going through everything over and over again, getting her feet cut off, being shoved from a tower, being forced to be evil.

I recommend this book to lovers of fairytales taken in a very unusual light, or when they are smashed all together. It isn't like Ice much at all, so don't go in reading that instead, but it is a well-written MG Contemporary Fantasy book that I am glad to own.

4 Bookmarks

ARC Book Review: Unlocking the Spell by E.D. Baker

Unlocking the Spell (Sequel to Wide-Awake Princess)

E.D. Baker

ARC Disclaimer: I was not paid in any way by the publishers to review this book favourably. The review is my own honest opinion (Whether or not it is agreed with). 

Review of Wide-Awake Princess (prequel)

Publication Date: October 2nd 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Pages: 272

Genre:  Fantasy, Middle-Grade, Fairytale

Now that Annie has helped her sister Gwendolyn (a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty) wake up from the 100-year curse by finding her beloved prince, you would think that things would get back to normal. Think again! That beloved prince, Beldegard, is stuck in the body of a bear and the only way that Annie can be free of the two irritating lovebirds is to help-by finding the evil dwarf who cast the spell. Luckily, Annie has assistance from handsome prince Liam, and she has many tricks up her non-magical sleeve . . .

This book picks up right off where The Wide-Awake Princess stopped. Obviously we can't just keep the bear prince stuck in bear form, and of course everyone taps poor Princess Annabelle for the job.

What's fun about this book is, where the last book seemed to focus on fairytales where a Prince seeks a Princess or needs a Princess, or pretty much the Prince is the savior, this one focuses on all the fairytales with talking animals. We visit "Little Red Riding Hood" "The Three Little Pigs" "Goldilocks" among others. While stringing the many fairytales mentioned seamlessly together.

We get to meet up with Rose Red which made my day (Snow-White and Rose-Red for the win!) and I loved how the dwarf from that fairytale turned out to be one of the dwarves from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (different Snow White, of course).

One thing that did come to annoy me, and honestly I think it annoyed Annie as well, was the fact that all that the male characters seemed to feel like they should be leading the journey, when really Annie is the one knowing how to go about it and coming up with the ideas, but I feel like she gets shoved aside a lot. For example in the beginning with the Princes argue about who should be leading, no one suggests that Annie should do it, yet she's the one who ends up delegating tasks to break up their fight.

In general I enjoyed this book as much as the first, especially since there was a different tale focus, thus giving the two books some distinction from each other. I recommend this and its prequel to all fairytale lovers who like seeing them taking in a light and fun manner.

4 Bookmarks

Book Review: The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker

The Wide-Awake Princess

E.D. Baker

Publication Date: May 11th 2010

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Pages: 261

Genre:  Fairytale, Middle-Grade

In this new stand-alone fairy tale, Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie—blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic—can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen's true love to kiss her awake.

But who is her true love? The irritating Digby? The happy-go-lucky Prince Andreas, who is holding a contest to find his bride? The conniving Clarence, whose sinister motives couldn't possibly spell true love? Joined by one of her father's guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family . . . and perhaps even find a true love of her own.

This is my second read-through of The Wide-Awake Princess, and I enjoyed it this second time around as much as the first. The reason for my reread, however, is because I was approved for the galley of its sequel Unlocking the Spell, so it's only fair to reread it so that I can post the review of the sequel.

Baker writes a very light-hearted fantasy fairytale of the vein of Ella Enchanted. The story deals with Sleeping Beauty's sister, who isn't affected by magic, so when everyone else in the castle falls asleep she realizes she's the only one who can help them.

The tale is full of all different fairytales, taken in a rather satirical light (for example the fairy who changes her sister's curse is called Sweetness'N'Light, no joke).  There are pieces of Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, Snow-White and Rose-Red and the Princess and the Pea, among others, and our main character works hard to overcome all odds and help her sister out.

In my opinion the story would lend really well to being read aloud to younger kids as the language lends to it.

I absolutely adored the fact that the Prince who was Gwen's one true love was the Bear Prince from Snow White and Rose Red, someone she would have never considered due to the fact that well, right now he happens to be a bear.

I also really enjoyed the revelation of Liam. You always knew that he kinda understood things a bit too well, but I really loved that Liam, like Annie is a bit of a misfit among fairy blessed royalty.

This is a very enjoyable, light-hearted MG fairytale. If you like books that combine fairytale characters together, you will enjoy this book, or if you're looking for a book to have your younger siblings or children read, I also recommend this book.

4 Bookmarks

Book Review: Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Princess Academy

Shannon Hale

Publication Date: April 17th 2007

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Pages: 336

Genre: Fantasy, Middle-Grade

Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have quarried stone and lived a simple life. Then word comes that the king's priests have divined her small village the home of the future princess. In a year's time, the prince himself will come and choose his bride from among the girls of the village. The king's ministers set up an academy on the mountain, and every teenage girl must attend and learn how to become a princess.

Miri soon finds herself confronted with a harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own conflicting desires to be chosen and win the heart of her childhood best friend. But when bandits seek out the academy to kidnap the future princess, Miri must rally the girls together and use a power unique to the mountain dwellers to save herself and her classmates.

Princess Academy was the first book I read by Shannon Hale and quickly sealed my love for her writing. It succeeded at completely surprising me with the direction it went and thus pleasing me greatly. It succeeds at not being cliché within a story that is predisposed to being that way. When you read the synopsis and then you start reading the book you expect it to be a classic fairytale story where the main character gets the prince and lives happily ever after. The book however is not about that, it's about eyes opening because of knowledge.

As a bookworm myself and someone who likes to have a children's book focus on something other than the girl gets the boy because she's beautiful and they love each, I enjoyed this direction.

The fantasy element that is added in to the story is also very well done. It flows naturally into the story and is not forced at all.

The only thing that did bother me in the story was Miri's age, and that was mostly because I kept imagining her younger than fourteen, I do think a portion of this is because of the cover on the paperback which features a younger looking girl (possibly eight) and I do know the new version of the cover being released features an older girl and I'm interested to see if that would have changed my perception of Miri's age. (The newer version is the cover I feature above)

Quarry Speech is an incredibly inspired idea. Linder seems to be a combination of the idea of quartz and marble, marble for its appearance and quartz for its "recording" ability. The idea that rocks can record memory is something that is debated upon and proven (It is how Phonographs worked if I remember correctly). I feel like Hale took this idea and expounded upon it, giving it a fantastical element that proved to be very original and work with the plot.

I really like the way Miri debates about what she wants. What she really wants is for her family to have a better life, not to marry a prince and her realizing that was beautiful, and then with the learning of Commerce she can make life better without needing to marry a prince.

This is one my all time favourite books. It is an MG book I recommend to anyone who loves MG fantasy and those who want to share stories with younger friends, siblings or children with nice messages in there, yet a fun sense of adventure.

5 Bookmarks

Book Review: Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Kat, Incorrigible (The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson #1)

Stephanie Burgis

Publication Date: April 1st 2010

Publisher: Atheneum

Pages: 304

Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Middle-Grade

Katherine Ann Stephenson has just discovered that she's inherited her mother's magical talents, and despite Stepmama's stern objections, she's determined to learn how to use them. But with her eldest sister Elissa's intended fiancé, the sinister Sir Neville, showing a dangerous interest in Kat's magical potential; her other sister, Angeline, wreaking romantic havoc with her own witchcraft; and a highwayman lurking in the forest, even Kat's reckless heroism will be tested to the upmost. If she can learn to control her new powers, will Kat be able to rescue her family and win her sisters their true love?

Either I am predisposed to love the books I'm reading or I'm just picking up better books, because I feel like most of the books I've read lately have been 4.5/5 Bookmark books, Kat, Incorrigible rates up there as well.

Kat, Incorrigible is historical, fantastical and all around adorable. Staring a plucky, rebellious young heroine (which I always adore) and her overbearing, but loving sisters and the strange and magical adventures they get themselves to.

The greatest achievement of this book are the characters, hands down. The characterization reminded me greatly of a Diana Wynne Jones: clever, caricatured, but full of heart. The way magic was approached in the book was also originally done, which I enjoyed.

There is a sequel to this book that I feel excited to read. This book sets up a world, and I would love to read a book exploring this entertaining world.

Elissa! Oh Elissa and Mr. Collingswood crack me up with their gothic romance/tragedy obsession of personalities. Watching them be all dramatic through Kat's eyes made me laugh out loud several times.

Lord Neville on the other hand sent shivers down my spine, I was almost sure that he would win and was incredibly disheartened, thinking there was no way out for them. But, of course, Kat comes through being clever and rebellious and saving Elissa from both herself (and her need to be tragic) and Neville.

I was also very proud of Stepmama at the end, it really showed Kat and the readers that she does care about the girls, even if it didn't seem that way.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves MG Fantasy, especially those who love the characterizations that usually come from Diana Wynne Jones. I am also slightly reminded of the Theodosia series.

4.5 Bookmarks

Book Review: Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris

Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris (Theodosia Throckmorton #2)

R.L. LaFevers

Review of Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos (#1)

Publication Date: November 10th 2008

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Pages: 400

Genre: Historical, Mystery, Middle-Grade

Theodosia Throckmorton is in a fix. Allowed to attend a reception given by one of the directors of her parents’ museum, she stumbles across Mr. Tetley of the British Museum—in most unusual circumstances! Since Theo has last seen him in a showdown in an ancient Egyptian tomb, his reappearance could mean only one thing: the Serpents of Chaos are back.
Once again Theodosia will have to take on secret societies, evil curses, and dark magic too sinister to imagine, especially if it falls into the wrong hands. Blocked at every turn, Theodosia will have to rely on her own skill and cunning—along with a little help from the most unexpected places.

Say hello to the return of Theodosia! I really need to read Grave Mercy still because I truly adore LaFever's writing style. Once again I was completely swept away by Theo's world. The Serpents of Chaos are far from being done, and of course Theo is now on their well "shitlist", they don't like her so much at all.

We also get to witness Theo's grandmother trying her hardest to get Theo a governess and turn into a "well bred young lady" which Theo is just having none of. Theo is such an independent, strong, intelligent character that I love reading so much. As always most of the adults just ignore her and think she is just a precocious child, another secret society appears, causing even more confusion for Theo and the characters are just as memorable as the first one.

I really, truly wish that I had had this series when I was younger to read, because I would have eaten it right up.

I KNEW IT! I KNEW THE ADMIRAL WAS THE BAD GUY! Okay, I didn't know for sure, but I started guessing it about halfway through. I also love how ghastly the things the Serpents of Chaos do, but Theodosia just takes it in stride and fixes things up. Will makes a really nice counterpart for her, and the way she deals with all her governess's is just beautiful.

And the other secret society thinking that she is Isis reincarnate also amuses me, however I am actually entertaining the thought that it might be true as she is incredibly attracted to Egyptology and can improvise amulets incredibly well.

If you like MG Adventure, read this series, seriously, it is incredibly good. LaFevers is a fantastic MG writer and all the Egyptology is equally interesting. I myself am quite excited to continue on with this series and see what adventures Theodosia Throckmorton gets into next.

4 Bookmarks

Book Review: Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

Tuesdays at the Castle

Jessica Day George

Publication Date: October 25th 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 254

Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade

Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. This delightful book from a fan- and bookseller-favorite kicks off a brand-new series sure to become a modern classic.

When I was reading Flora Segunda part of my issue was that it was not the type of book I was expecting. Tuesdays at the Castle was the book I was expecting. Due to it's middle-grade nature, I had designated this as a before bed book, which turned out to be a mistake as I couldn't stop reading it and ended up halfway done before I realized it ("just one more chapter, then I'll be done"). An then as soon as I woke up (to a day off) I just had to finish it, so I did.

This book in short is absolutely magical. I want to own it and reread it over and over again. The only books that I love about as much as this or more that cater towards younger readers is The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, and the Deltora Quest series.

The moral of this story is don’t mess with magical castles, as they will mess with you right back and it's absolutely splendid how it does that, with help from the royal children of course. The way they all hold themselves in an impossible situation was brilliant and I truly enjoyed reading it.

Once again I don’t feel the need to review anything spoilerific, so straight on to the conclusion/recommendation.

I 100% recommend this book to anyone who enjoys light hearted fantasy, who enjoys buildings who are a character of their own and the feeling of overcoming impossible situations. I recommend this to any fan of Jessica Day George, especially if you liked Dragon Slippers because the writing is a similar vein (though much more polished, I love seeing authors improve).

4.5 Bookmarks

Book Review: Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

Dragon Slippers

Jessica Day George

Publication Date: March 20th 20087

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Pages: 324

Genre: Fantasy, Middle-Grade

Many stories tell of damsels in distress, who are rescued from the clutches of fire-breathing dragons by knights in shining armor, and swept off to live happily ever after.

Unfortunately, this is not one of those stories.

True, when Creel's aunt suggests sacrificing her to the local dragon, it is with the hope that the knight will marry Creel and that everyone (aunt and family included) will benefit handsomely. Yet it's Creel who talks her way out of the dragon's clutches. And it's Creel who walks for days on end to seek her fortune in the king's city with only a bit of embroidery thread and a strange pair of slippers in her possession.
But even Creel could not have guessed the outcome of this tale. For in a country on the verge of war, Creel unknowingly possesses not just any pair of shoes, but a tool that could be used to save her kingdom…or destroy it.

What a incredibly pleasant read this was! Inspired by Robin McKinley and Patricia C. Wrede, Jessica Day George has written a book reminiscent of Dealing With Dragons by Wrede, and reminds me of Tale of Two Castles, one of Gail Carson Levine's more recent books. Creel is a determined young girl determined to seek her fortune in embroidery after her aunt tries to have her abducted by a dragon and saved by a knight.

Creel is a character I admire a lot. She is incredibly self made that you are 100% sure that even if she didn't get involved in everything she did, she would have still been a very successful seamstress in the capitol.

The portrayal of dragons in this book was a joy as well. I love how instead of always hoarding gold, they instead have a certain item they enjoy and just focus on that (my favourite hoard was hands down the pet dog hoard).

It's a simplistic book, the target audience being about Middle Grade, but many of the characters still carried a depth to them and there were twists to the story I hadn't been expecting. This book also had me breaking out into grins and giggles from time to time (In public in fact as I was reading part of this during my break at work).

One of the hardest things to write in my opinion is an ending. So many people are so easily turned off if the ending is not to their liking (even if they enjoyed the rest of the book). I felt that Dragon Slipper's ending was absolutely perfect. Some may disagree with me, but I really liked the open-ended-ness of it. We don’t know for sure that Shardas is still alive, and we won't find out, but the fact that he might be and they're going to go find him leaves us feeling of elation.

I also love the way Creel bullied the king in the end. Lukas, Creel and Miles all knew that Lukas and Creel were meant to end up together, so what an awkward suggestion to have Creel marry Miles, getting her own shop is much more to her liking.

I recommend this book to lovers of Robin McKinley, Patricia C. Wrede, dragons and fairytales. Dragon Slippers finds itself being unique where it seems like it would be so hard to be unique. It is a good light before bed or chill out book, and guaranteed to sweep you away if you're having a bad day.

4 Bookmarks