The Star-Touched Queen

The Star-Touched Queen
by Roshani Chokshi

From the publisher:
"Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you’re only seventeen?

Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father’s kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran’s queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar’s wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire…

But Akaran has its own secrets—thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most…including herself."

While reading this book there were moments where I was so engrossed in the beautiful writing and the music and poetry of it, that I would get to the end of a paragraph and say, "Wait. What just happened?". The writing was stirring and magical and gripping, yet I feel like I am a little clueless about many things that happened. It was weird and other-worldly, but it was supposed to be weird and other-worldly because there is actually a place called The Otherworld in the book. I'm very conflicted about this one! On the one hand there were many things I loved, on the other hand I found a lot of things very confusing. I found the romance believable, very insta-love, but there is a reason for that. The villain was deliciously evil. One of the characters was creepily humorous (a talking horse-thing that wants to eat people.) I loved the sisterly bond, but disliked the rest of the familial relationships. The Indian mythology helped with the magical feeling of the book. All in all, I was very invested in the story and characters, but I'm not convinced that middle schoolers will be that invested. Will they be as enthralled as I was by the pictures the words of this book paint? I can think of a few that will stick with it, but probably high schoolers will do better with it. Not because of content issues, just because of maturity.

Areas of concern:
*No bad language that I can remember.
*Several passionate kisses between husband and wife. They share a bed, but it is clear that they are only sleeping there. 
*Quite a bit of violence is alluded to, but I never felt anything was very graphic. 
*Bullying of the main character at the very beginning of the book.

Suggested Ages:

Kirkus Reviews - Ages 12+

School Library Journal - Grades 9+

Dragonfly

Dragonfly
by Julia Golding

From the publisher:
"Princess Taoshira of the Blue Crescent Islands is appalled when she is ordered to marry Prince Ramil of Gerfal. And he's not too pleased, either. She is used to a life of discipline, ritual, and splendor. He is used to hunting and carousing. They hate each other on sight. But both of their countries are under threat from a fearsome warlord, and the only chance of peace is to form an alliance. 

When Tashi and Ram are kidnapped, they fear there's no escape--from their kidnappers or from each other. Can they put aside their differences long enough to survive ambush, unarmed combat, brainwashing, and imprisonment? And will the people they meet on their adventure--including a circus strongman, a daring rebel leader, a sinister master of spies, and the best female fighter they have ever seen--help them or betray them to the enemy? "

I was very surprised by this one. I've had it in the library for 3 years, and available on my Kindle for quite some time, but I just was never very interested. I finally decided to read it and actually loved it! I think it might have been the cover -it never really reached out and grabbed me. But the dragonfly IS a very important part of the book (obviously, since that is the title), so I can see why they used this cover.   And oh my goodness, while writing this I have just noticed that besides the dragonfly, there is the shadow of a girl's face in the background.  So it IS a great cover!  How have I never noticed that before?!

Dragonfly is a fantasy in the manner of The Princess Bride , but without all the tongue-in-cheek humor. Not that there isn't humor in this one, but it is more of a natural humor rather than the wink-wink, nudge-nudge kind of humor. (That makes it sound like I am disparaging The Princess Bride , but I love that book!) In this one we have a princess with very formal etiquette and a strict code of behavior unwillingly betrothed to a prince with very different ways. The two take an instant dislike to each other, and when forced to spend time together away from the palace they are kidnapped by circus performers (including a giant). That is when the action really begins. There are many intense moments where one or both are tortured and their lives are threatened. Through these experiences they grow to appreciate each other and eventually realize they are in love. Then of course they are separated, with each of them thinking the other either dead or enslaved (with an awesome Lord of the Rings-ish cliff jump involved). The road back to each other is also full of intense action and drama. 

One other thing I loved about this one is how the author dealt with the different cultures and religions in the story. It was all done very respectfully and we were just kind of shown the differences. There was good and bad, and faith wavered and then was reaffirmed. The main characters made tremendous growth throughout their ordeal. 

I loved the secondary characters as well, and thought they were drawn very thoughtfully. Gordoc, the giant, was such a loyal friend and companion - I loved him. All of the friends they made along the way were well-drawn. The villain, Fergox Spearthrower, is incredibly evil and narcissisitic, but hugely entertaining. Really, this book has it all! I'm not sure why it has remained so low-key in my library, but I will definitely be recommending it to one and all. Even recommended for grandpas to read to sick grandsons (although there is some very mild kissing :) ). I really loved it and may have to purchase my own copy just for fun. 

Areas of concern: 
*Quite a bit of violence, but nothing really graphic. 
*I don't remember any bad language.
*Intense life or death moments.
*A couple of characters talk of "bedding".
*Sweet, mild romance with a little kissing and then a honeymoon that ends with a husband suggesting his wife return his shirt to him (she's wearing it at the time).

Suggested Ages (really varied on this one... I think it is fine for 6th graders):

Booklist - Grades 6-9
Kirkus Reviews - Ages 11-13

School Library Journal - Grades 8+

The Hero's Guide to Saving the Kingdom

The Hero's Guide to 
Saving the Kingdom
by Christopher Healy

From the publisher:
"Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You’ve never heard of them, have you? These are the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, respectively, and yet, thanks to those lousy bards who wrote the tales, you likely know them only as Prince Charming. But all of this is about to change.

Rejected by their princesses and cast out of their castles, the princes stumble upon an evil plot that could endanger each of their kingdoms. Now it’s up to them to triumph over their various shortcomings, take on trolls, bandits, dragons, witches, and other assorted terrors, and become the heroes no one ever thought they could be.

Christopher Healy’s Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom is a completely original take on the world of fairy tales, the truth about what happens after “happily ever after.” It’s a must-have for middle grade readers who enjoy their fantasy adventures mixed with the humor of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. Witty black-and-white drawings by Todd Harris add to the fun."

Well, this is a case of finishing a book right before you leave on vacation and not getting it reviewed until way later. I'll just have to mention my thoughts and feelings on this one since I don't remember the specifics enough. 

This book was recommended to me by my favorite rising 6th grader. She said it is her new favorite series, so I read it and immediately ordered it for our library. It is really funny in kind of a ridiculous way, so I feel like it is the perfect fit for a middle school reader. It was fun to read about things from the heroes point of view instead of the princesses. And these are not your ordinary heroes! Each one is unique and very cleverly drawn. 
To remind myself about the book, I looked up some quotes on Goodreads. Here are some of my favorites:

“Frederic had imagined this moment - him running to Ella with open arms, calling her name - but being as winded as he was, doubled over with his hands on his knees, all he could do was nod in her general direction.” 

“Once you've been squashed by a giant, a troll doesn't even seem nearly as heavy.” 

“Get him now?" Duncan asked. He looked at the sword in his hand. Unsure of what he should do, he tossed the weapon at the giant. The sword flipped through the air a couple of times and landed softly on the grass only a few feet away.
"That was the most pathetic thing I've ever seen," said Gustav.
Duncan stepped forward to retrieve his sword, tripped over his belt, hit his head on a rock, and knocked himself out cold.
"I spoke too soon," said Gustav. "That was the most pathetic thing I've ever seen.” 

This book is extremely humorous, and is at times irreverent, wacky, ridiculous and quirky. A romp through fairy tales that pokes fun at some of our favorites and helps us see them in a different way. It would make a great movie, but for now use it as a family or class read-aloud, or for a grin and giggle for yourself.

Areas of concern:
Some fairy tale violence and an evil witch who is really very funny. So pretty much no areas of concern on this one.

Suggested ages:

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 8-12

School Library Journal - Grades 4-6

Red Queen

Red Queen
by Victoria Aveyard

From the publisher:
"The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?"

Whew, what a roller coaster of an ending! I am completely mentally exhausted. This was an awesome book. I have read several reviews that have been critical because it was too similar to another book called Red Rising . I have never read that book, but I was reading Snow Like Ashes at the same time as I was reading The Red Queen , and there were definite similarities there. However, I really liked them both. This one had flavors of a bunch of different books, including Steelheart , but why does that matter? I read somewhere that every romance book ever written is somehow a knock-off of a Jane Austen book because she covered every plot device possible in a romance. And, quite frankly, I'm one that likes to stick to what I like anyway. So if you enjoy a good fantasy/dystopian/superpowers/light romance, who cares if it is similar to another book? 

Things I liked:
*Romance was there, but it wasn't like other YA books where the couple become so involved with each other that they don't care that the world is ending, or whatever. This romance takes a back seat to the drama of the world they are living in and the causes they are fighting for. 
*The heroine is very conflicted about the violence of the revolution she is fighting for. She believes in the cause, but isn't fanatical about it and realizes the cost. The people who are dying on both sides are sons, daughters, fathers and mothers. 
*Loved the superpowers! These people aren't just ninjas or good warriors, they can summon fire, water, control metal, control minds, freeze things (even the blood inside of someone's body)... How do you defeat that? 
*The world building was fabulous. Glass/diamond walls? Bowl of Bones? A city built all on stilts? A sort of secret, homemade subway system? I could go on and on, it was fascinating. Is there going to be a movie? I need one!
*The twists! Oh my goodness, the twists!

I definitely recommend this one, with the following concerns:

Areas of concern:
As with all dystopians, there is quite a bit of violence. 
Disturbing torture.
Disturbing deaths and murders.
There was a handful of cuss words.
A few mild kisses.

Suggested Ages:

Publisher's Weekly - Ages 13+

School Library Journal - Grades 9+
*Mrs. Duke thinks that the violence in this book isn't any worse than The Hunger Games, so if your child has read that, this one should be okay.*