Review of CROSSED by Ally Condie

I just finished CROSSED by Ally Condie, sequel to MATCHED, and although I was looking forward to this sequel, I didn't love it. Maybe part of the problem was the setting in the canyons; I missed the atmosphere of the Society, even though it was oppressive. The canyons had a sameness to them in spite of the wildness of the frontier. Also, there was a lack of action and tension in this book. On the plus side, some new intriguing characters were introduced (but many are killed off rather quickly). The relationship between Cassia, Ky and Xander is still evolving, and the ending strongly hints at another book. Worth reading, but disappointing - 2 Elves

USA "Best Books 2011" award

Very exciting: my book, MARIGOLD: Book One of the Elven Chronicles, is an award-winning finalist in the Children's Fiction category of the USA "Best Books 2011" awards, sponsored by USA Book News.

Review of the TRYLLE Trilogy

The TRYLLE trilogy (SWITCHED, TORN, ASCEND) by Amanda Hocking is only available as eBooks at this time, but due to the series' success, they will be published in book form in the near future.

Wendy is a high school girl who never quite fit in. When she is nearly kidnapped, she discovers that she was swapped by Trylles, or Trolls, to live as a human in place of a baby that they took back to their secret kingdom. Her human mother never believed that she was the right child, and her Trylle mother is cold & distant. When Wendy is forced to live in the Trylle kingdom, she finds out that she is a Trylle princess, destined to be the queen. Adapting to this strange life is difficult, but eventually she finds her powers and a new strength. Recommended - 3 Elves

Review of THE MAGICIANS

This is a very compelling book of fantasy - a coming-of-age story set in the world of magic. While the "Harry Potter" series got pretty dark by the last few books, THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman is grim but also more adult. A high school boy is obsessed with a series of fantasy novels set in a land similar to "Narnia", but called Fillory. His journey to Fillory takes him to a school of magic, but the skills learned at this school don't make him happy. When he finally arrives in Fillory, a dangerous secret threatens his friends and the fantasies of his childhood. HIghly recommended - 4 Elves