Mini-Reviews

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

I read this quite some time ago, but thought it deserved a mention. I thought that the story was very compelling. I wasn't sure what to expect, because I had heard some mixed reviews, but I was did enjoy it. Tamsin was prophesied to be a great witch, yet she lacks any Talent at the start of the book. I twas interesting to see how she tried to compensate for that lack of magical ability. Still, when I finished the book, I thought something was missing. Hopefully I won't feel the same way about the sequel.

Published by Clarion Books

A Shepherd's Watch by David Kennard

Kennard is a great storyteller. I first discovered his farm via the short BBC series called Mist. It's a series meant for children, but I have a soft spot for it. His first book, on the other hand, talks about life on a sheep farm in England. It covers a year in the life of a farmer, and how he relies on his sheepdogs. Kennard paints a beautiful picture of his farm, and the animals on it. He also discusses how sheep farming is no longer enough to provide for a family. In one section, he even states that he doesn't encourage his children to take over the farm once he's ready to retire. I think it says a lot that a man who has dedicated his life to this farm doesn't want his children to take over because he's worried that they won't be able to support themselves.

Published by Headline

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

With all the hype surrounding this, it had high standards to live up to. While it didn't quite meet those expectations, it did hold my attention over the 465 pages. I will warn squeamish readers, it's violent, and rape does play a fairly large role in the book. That may turn off some people, but if you can get past that, it's an engaging mystery. The main characters were well developed, and the plot was very detailed. Overall, and interesting read. The one flaw, I'm not sure how I feel about Larsson's female characters.

Published by Knopf

Liar by Justin Larbalestier

Woo, this one was a big mindgame. by the end of the book I wasn't sure if I could figure out what was a lie, and what was actually true. I did like Micah, and found the lies she backtracked on to be really interesting. It was definitely an engaging read, even if the main character wasn't completely honest. I'm also glad that the publisher changed the cover to more accurately reflect Micah. I'm definitely interested in reading more by Larbalestier.

Published by Bloomsbury USA

In My Mailbox (May 30)

In my mailbox was created by Kristi of The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Here are the books I got this week...

I had a fairly good week library-wise. Of course, now I have three weeks to read them all, plus keep working through my TBR pile of books that I own.

Library:

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself. (From Goodreads)

The Pale Assassin by Patricia Elliot

Spoiled, beautiful, fourteen-year-old Eugenie de Boncoeur is accustomed to outrageous privilege. The French Revolution may rage around her, but Eugenie's luxurious lifestyle is only improved by visits from her brother, Armand, who is especially doting since the two were orphaned. What Eugenie doesn't know is that their guardian has promised her in marriage to the wealthy, vengeful Le Fantome, a revolutionary who is nursing a secret grudge against her family. As the Revolution becomes increasingly violent, Eugenie is shipped off to convent school. Finally, there is no place in France that is safe for her. Eugenie dusts off her lightly used brains and rises to the challenge of survival. Soon she is in the thick of turmoil and romance, confronting spies, secret agents, and double-crossing suitors in her quest to get out of France alive. Sympathies shift, and every choice can change--or end--a life. (From Goodreads)



Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.

Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans. (From Goodreads)

V For Vendetta by Alan Moore

A powerful story about loss of freedom and individuality, V For Vendetta takes place in a totalitarian England following a devastating war that changed the face of the planet. In a world without political freedom, personal freedom and precious little faith in anything comes a mysterious man in a white porcelain mask who fights political oppressors through terrorism and seemingly absurd acts. It's a gripping tale of the blurred lines between ideological good and evil. (From Barnes and Noble)




Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant. (From Goodreads)



The Zookeeper's Wife by Diana Ackerman

The New York Times bestseller: a true story in which the keepers of the Warsaw zoo saved hundreds of people from Nazi hands. When Germany invaded Poland, Stuka bombers devastated Warsaw—and the city's zoo along with it. With most of their animals dead, zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski began smuggling Jews into empty cages. Another dozen "guests" hid inside the Zabinskis' villa, emerging after dark for dinner, socializing, and, during rare moments of calm, piano concerts. Jan, active in the polish resistance, kept ammunition buried in the elephant enclosure and stashed explosives in the animal hospital. Meanwhile, Antonina kept her unusual household afloat, caring for both its human and its animal inhabitants—otters, a badger, hyena pups, lynxes.

With her exuberant prose and exquisite sensitivity to the natural world, Diane Ackerman engages us viscerally in the lives of the zoo animals, their keepers, and their hidden visitors. She shows us how Antonina refused to give in to the penetrating fear of discovery, keeping alive an atmosphere of play and innocence even as Europe crumbled around her.

Check back tomorrow to enter my blogoversary contest!

Waiting on Wednesday (July 15)

This was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's basically books that haven't been released yet, but that I can't wait for.

This week:
Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all.


Release Date: September 14, 2009
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Author website: http://www.carolynmaccullough.com/main.html