BELLADONNA: Book Two of the Elven Chronicles

BELLADONNA: Book Two of the Elven Chronicles (by Marya Ashworth) is published and ready for purchase from  bookstores and Amazon.com

Review of SERAPHINA by Rachel Hartman

This amazing novel has it all:  palace intrigue, inter-species love (and war) and glorious music, described so well you can almost hear it.  The story started out a bit slow, but soon the reader is strolling the corridors of the castle as easily as exploring the intricate world of Seraphina's mind.  I'm looking forward to the sequel because I'm not ready to give up this complex world with its fascinating human and dragon characters. 4 Elves - Highly Recommended

Review of THE FALSE PRINCE - Jennifer A. Nielsen

Four orphan boys become part of a treacherous plan to save a kingdom from civil war.  But one of the boys (called Sage) may not be who he appears to be.  As the layers of deceit expand, no one can be trusted.  Sage is an unlikely hero who demands your affection.  I loved this tale of palace intrigue - looking forward to a possible sequel.  4 Elves - highly recommended.

Review of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS-John Green

Why did it take me so long to read this book?  The critics all loved it, it was a New York Times Bestseller and several friends recommended it, but finally I bought and read it... and fell in love.  I fell in love with smart-talking Hazel and her perfect match, Augustus, and didn't want the book to end.  I don't want to give away any of the plot, so all I will say is:  4 Elves - Highly Recommended.

Review of WAKE by Amamda Hocking

I really enjoyed this author's Trylle trilogy, so I read her recent book with anticipation.  Her book idea is an interesting concept, and I liked her characters Gemma, Harper, Alex and Daniel, but the conclusion felt too rushed and not very satisfying.  I would have liked to see more development of Penn, Lexie and Thea; they felt a bit one-dimensional, but maybe that will come in future books. 3 Elves - Recommended

Review of STORK by Wendy Delsol

Knowing nothing about this YA fantasy, I bought the book for its cover, and I'm glad that I did. The book was a pleasant surprise; I'm reading the sequel currently.  High school student Katla moves from hip Los Angeles to Norse Falls, Minnesota and is inducted into an ancient, magical  order of women with a unique duty.  Full of Icelandic myth and fairy tales, the book melds small-town life with Katla's sense of high fashion.  Katla's world is further shaken when she meets the mysterious Jack.  Recommended - 3 Elves

Review of BITTERBLUE by Kristin Cashore

Bitterblue became queen of Monsea at age 10, when her father, the evil King Leck, was slain.  Now the queen is 18 and trying to heal a kingdom still reeling from Leck's horrid crimes.  Tired of paperwork and not trusting her advisors, she dons a disguise and ventures out into the city alone to try to discover some truths about Lecks' reign.  In the city, she befriends a handsome thief who opens her eyes and complicates her life.  The book slows greatly when she concentrates on deciphering the codes of embroidery from her mother and writings of King Leck, but picks up nicely for the conclusion.  In addition to palace intrigue, the return of Katsa and Fire from the first two books will delight fans.  Looking forward to the next book and Bitterblue's journey.  Highly Recommended - 4 Elves