Review of Dragon's Green-Scarlett Thomas

This is the author's first novel for children and it is a winner.  As Effie Truelove's grandfather lay dying, he gives her a ring and tells her to look after his library.  When the library is sold, Effie discovers that the ring gives her magical powers (or enhances the ones she already has).  She find other objects in her grandfather's house as it's being sold and when she gives them to her friends, they also discover powers they didn't know they had. With her friends, Effie sets out to rescue the library.  The world and characters Thomas has created are magical and compelling; I look forward to the next book in the series.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for kids and adults

Review of The Apprentice Witch-James Nicol

Such a lovely book!  Reading this reminded me of how I felt when I first started reading the Harry Potter series.  Although the novel is not as complex (or long) as the books in that series, I'm hoping that the author will develop the characters and their world in future books.  Arianwyn has failed her first assessment and will not move on to be a full Witch, but is assigned to a small town as an Apprentice Witch.  Her new town is not completely boring, though; strange creatures, visitors and hexes start to plague the community.  Soon, Arianwyn's true talents start to shine and as she grows more confident in her magic, others start to notice (including her new friends). 4 Elves - Highly recommended for readers 7-12 and up

Review of King's Cage-Victoria Aveyard

This is the third book in the Red queen series and the, I assume, final book in the series.  I must confess that I had a hard time finishing the book and put it down to read other books several times.  This book is so grim!  Mare Barrow, the lightning girl, is held prisoner by Maven Calore, who once loved her.  But, his love has turned into a torture as he manacles her with Silent Stone that not only dims her powers but is painful to the extreme.  He also humiliates her at every turn, even branding her, as she keeps hoping for rescue.  The final battle is thrilling but with great losses on both sides.  3 Elves - recommended for mature teens and adults

Review of Legion-Julie Kagawa

This is the fourth book in the wonderful Talon series and although I thought this would be the last book in the series, the fifth and future last book, Inferno, will conclude the saga.  I will be sad to never read about these characters again; the author has created memorable, intelligent ,and courageous figures, both dragon and human.  In this book, we find out Talon's master plan, and it's a horrendous one.  They have evil plans for Ember and even worse for mankind.  Can a raggedy group of rogue dragons and soldiers of St. George unite, fight and win the war that is coming?  4 Elves - Highly recommended for mature teens and adults

Review of Strange the Dreamer-Laini Taylor

The book begins:"On the second Sabbat of Twelfthmoon, in the city of Weep, a girl fell from the sky.  Her skin was blue, her blood was red."  Laini Taylor always writes fantasies with incredible imagery, and her latest book doesn't disappoint.  Her characters, Lazlo Strange and Sarai, are sympathetic, and you find yourself rooting for their forbidden love.  Waiting in anticipation for the sequel to this new series from the author of the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for mature teens and adults

Review of Dragonwatch-Brandon Mull

If you were disappointed to see the fifth and last book of Fablehaven, then you will rejoice with this sequel (the first of five books).  Back to the land of fairies, unicorns, trolls, goblins, wizards and, of course, dragons!  The dragons are getting restless and no longer want to be confined, so it's up to Kendra and Seth to keep them under control - not an easy task.  A thoroughly enjoyable book for young readers and adults.  4 Elves - highly recommended

Review of Beauty of Darkness-Mary E. Pearson

This third and final book of the Remnant Chronicles is absolutely wonderful!  I had a hard time initially following the thread of the storyline; it had been a long time since I read the first two books.  Epic fantasies have complicated worlds, with creative places, languages and customs and this series has all of that.  But, the characters are so compelling that they carry you through the story.  4 Elves - Highly Recommended for teens and adults