New Releases of Fantasy and Science Fiction for kids--the October 1-15, 2010 edition (Part 1: middle grade)

This is perhaps the most Important new release period of the year--all of these books are eligible for the Cybils Awards! There are no second chances, not even for those published on October 15!

There were so many books (wonderful books...) for these two weeks that I split them into two separate posts. Here's part 1--the middle grade section--with lots of good stuff: Barry Lyga writing middle grade sff...the new Rick Riordan book...the new Healing Wars book... and more!!! The Young Adult list, which is perhaps even more mind-blowing, will go up later today.

Edited to add (very importantly, because it looked like I had actually read all these books and written their descriptions myself, and I'm very sorry for any confusion): The blurbs are lifted from Amazon and other such sites where summaries from the publishers can be found, and my information comes from Teens Read Too!


ARCHVILLAIN by Barry Lyga Kyle Camden knows exactly where he was the night Mighty Mike arrived: Sneaking around the fallow field behind Bouring Middle School (motto: "The U Makes It Exciting!"), running the electrical cabling that would allow him to dump the contents of the old water tower on the visiting football team during the next day's game. Which is why he couldn't tell anyone where he was. Or what he saw.

Those lights everyone saw in the sky weren't tiny meteors burning up in the atmosphere. They were some kind of strange, supercooled plasma that bathed the entire field - including Kyle - in alien energies, energies that boosted Kyle's intellect and gave him superpowers. Unfortunately, the energies also brought Mighty Mike to earth. Kyle is the only one who knows that Mighty Mike is an alien. Everyone else thinks that Mike is just some kid who stumbled into the field, got beefed up on meteor juice, lost his memory, and decided to start rescuing kittens from trees. But Kyle knows the truth. And he'll do anything in his power to stop Mighty Mike, even if it means being an Archvillain!

BLUE FIRE: THE HEALING WARS by Janice Hardy

Part fugitive, part hero, fifteen-year-old Nya is barely staying ahead of the Duke of Baseer’s trackers. Wanted for a crime she didn’t mean to commit, she risks capture to protect every Taker she can find, determined to prevent the Duke from using them in his fiendish experiments. But resolve isn’t enough to protect any of them, and Nya soon realizes that the only way to keep them all out of the Duke’s clutches is to flee Geveg. Unfortunately, the Duke’s best tracker has other ideas.

Nya finds herself trapped in the last place she ever wanted to be, forced to trust the last people she ever thought she could. More is at stake than just the people of Geveg, and the closer she gets to uncovering the Duke’s plan, the more she discovers how critical she is to his victory. To save Geveg, she just might have to save Baseer—if she doesn’t destroy it first.

CINDERELLA, NINJA WARRIOR: TWISTED TALES by Maureen McGowan Cinderella lives in a magical kingdom with many highly-trained wizards, both good and bad. Her stepmother uses magic for evil. The stepmother married her father to steal her late mother’s wand, and she killed him when he refused to comply. She is jealous of Cinderella’s beauty and both hopes and is threatened that the girl might have inherited an aptitude for magic. She casts spells on Cinderella to control her, requires her to do tedious housework, and often inflicts unnecessarily harsh punishments on the young girl. In spite of her hardships and mistreatment, Cinderella perseveres. She possesses a skill for martial arts and secretly practices to hone her abilities, hoping someday she’ll be strong enough to escape her stepmother’s nefarious grasp. One day, an invitation arrives for a Magic Festival celebrating the prince’s birthday. Despite her nubile magic powers, Cinderella wants to enter the magic competition in an attempt to break free of her family. When Cinderella discovers her mother’s wand, she becomes aware of her innate magic abilities. Will Cinderella perform well in the competition? Will she catch the eye of the prince? Will she escape her stepmother’s control? Here’s the twist—you’re in control. At three points during the story, you get to decide what Cinderella would do next. Depending on your choice, you flip to that relevant tab for the continuation of the story, and her adventures unfold. And the extra fun part? After reaching one outcome, the reader can re-read the book, choose different options, and read an entirely different story!

THE CLOCKWORK THREE by Matthew Kirby Three ordinary children are brought together by extraordinary events. . .Giuseppe is an orphaned street musician from Italy, who was sold by his uncle to work as a slave for an evil padrone in the U.S. But when a mysterious green violin enters his life he begins to imagine a life of freedom. Hannah is a soft-hearted, strong-willed girl from the tenements, who supports her family as a hotel maid when tragedy strikes and her father can no longer work. She learns about a hidden treasure, which she knows will save her family -- if she can find it. And Frederick, the talented and intense clockmaker's apprentice, seeks to learn the truth about his mother while trying to forget the nightmares of the orphanage where she left him. He is determined to build an automaton and enter the clockmakers' guild -- if only he can create a working head. Together, the three discover they have phenomenal power when they team up as friends, and that they can overcome even the darkest of fears.

ELLIOT AND THE GOBLIN WAR by Jennifer NielsenAs of today, there are only 7 CHILDREN who have ever read this book and lived to tell about it. 95 CHILDREN successfully read the first chapter, but upon beginning chapter 2, they started BLABBERING in some language known only as "flibberish." 38 CHILDREN made it halfway through this wretched book before they began SUCKING THEIR THUMBS THROUGH THEIR NOSES.

If you're VERY BRAVE, perhaps you are willing to TAKE YOUR CHANCES. Be sure that you have told your family who gets your favorite toys if you DO NOT SURVIVE this book. Read it now, IF YOU DARE. But don't say you haven't been warned, for this is the story that unfolds the MYSTERIES OF THE UNDERWORLD.

FACING FIRE by KC Dyer Facing Fire, the dramatic sequel to A Walk Through a Window, demonstrates author kc dyer's unique ability to fashion historical narrative into a page-turner. dyer keeps her young audience simultaneously informed and entertained.

dyer's vivid, captivating style entices readers into the dramatic stories of those who have risked everything to make their way to Canada. Follow Darby as she witnesses first-hand the feats of the Underground Railroad, the shocking, fiery expulsion of the Acadians, and the electrifying lead up to the War of 1812.

THE FINAL QUEST: SECRETS OF DROON by Tony Abbott An immortal dragon. A long hidden secret. The kingdom of Droon is at the brink of war. . . The situation in Droon has never been more desperate. The wizard Galen is missing. Eric has been forced undercover with Gethwing, the all-powerful Moon Dragon. And millions of beasts are assembling outside Jaffa City, ready to attack Droon's capital. Eric, Keeah, Neal, and Julie will do whatever it takes to save their beloved kingdom. But to defeat the Moon Dragon, they'll need to uncover the greatest secret in all of Droon. . . .


GHOUL STRIKE! by Andrew Newbound To finance the search for her lost parents, 12-year-old Alannah Malarra uses her psychic powers to hunt demons. With the help of her "business associate," professional thief Wortley Flint, she snags ghouls and robs them of their illicit riches. Sure, it's a mercenary existence, but a girl's got to pay the rent. What Alannah doesn't realize is that the petty ghosts she's so good at snaring are just a small part of a big conflict, dating back centuries. The evil Gargoyle hordes from the Dark Dimension are at war with the army from on High, and only Alannah holds the key to victory!

HAVOC by Chris Wooding Getting into the sinister comic-book world of MALICE is just the beginning. Getting out of it is much, much harder -- as it surviving while you make your attempt.

HALT'S PERIL: RANGER'S APPRENTICE by John Flanagan The renegade outlaw group known as the Outsiders may have been chased from Clonmel, but not before killing Halt's only brother. Now Rangers Halt and Will, along with the young warrior Horace, are in pursuit. The Outsiders have done an effective job of dividing the kingdom into factions and are looking to overtake Araluen. It will take every bit of skill and cunning for the Rangers to survive. Some may not be so lucky.

The international bestselling Ranger's Apprentice series turns up the tension in John Flanagan's latest epic of battles and bravery.

JUST ADD MAGIC by Cindy Callaghan See what kind of trouble Kelly Quinn is stirring up....

THE LIGHTNING THIEF: PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS, THE GRAPHIC NOVEL
by Rick Riordan You've read the book. You've seen the movie. Now submerge yourself into the thrilling, stunning, and action-packed graphic novel.

Mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking out of the pages of twelve-year-old Percy Jackson's textbooks and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Now, he and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus.

THE LOST HERO: THE HEROES OF OLYMPUS by Rick Riordan After saving Olympus from the evil Titan lord, Kronos, Percy and friends have rebuilt their beloved Camp Half-Blood, where the next generation of demigods must now prepare for a chilling prophecy of their own:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

MAGICAL MAIL by Claire Barker Faith is the most ordinary, least remarkable member of her beautiful, ambitious, incredibly overachieving family. Yet, it is she who has been chosen to embark on a dangerous quest to rescue a mythical world.
You see, Faith loves stories, especially fantasies about dragons and mermaids, kings and hidden treasures. But now a mystery informer has stolen letters from some famous, fearsome fairy tale characters-like Blackbeard the Pirate, Little Bo Peep, and the Big Bad Wolf-and he's threatening to expose the truth about them. And that would ruin the magic forever. Scared as she is, Faith just can't allow that to happen.
Along her journey, she encounters many perils, as well as help in some surprising places. Will she succeed? What happens will change Faith forever.

THE MEMORY BANK by Carolyn Coman ...the story of Hope Scroggins, who lives with her beloved sister Honey and the Dursley-esque parents they share. In fact these parents are SO horribly awful that one day, when the sisters disobey the rule against "no laughing", they banish Honey forever, telling Hope that she must simply "forget" her.

Hope knows that she HAS to find her sister again, before her memories of Honey fade. But before she can even begin to look, she's whisked away to the World Wide Memory Bank, where her accounts are in disarray...There she learns about the process of how dreams and memories are kept safe. She also learns that there's a group of misfits called the Clean Slate Gang who want to destroy the Memory Bank, and all of the dreams and memories kept there. What she doesn't know is that Honey has been picked up by the Clean Slate Gang, and they're heading right for the Memory Bank.


PHILIPPA FISHER AND THE FAIRY'S PROMISE by Liz Kessler Philippa is excited to spend her vacation with her friend Robyn, but she has no idea just how much excitement awaits. When a magic spell carved on a mysterious circle of rocks transports Philippa to fairy godmother headquarters, she learns that her own mother is in danger. To protect her mom from a serious accident, Philippa must pretend to be a fairy, while Daisy, her fairy godsister, returns to Earth as Philippa! And that’s just the beginning of their adventure. After passing a harrowing test of their loyalty to each other, Philippa and Daisy undergo a fantastic journey to rescue a lost fairy who has devoted her powers to maintaining the portal of the stone circle. With time running out, and the worlds of humans and fairies at risk of being severed, Daisy finds herself facing an extraordinary choice that has the power to change her life forever.

PILLARS OF TIME: THE ARCHAEOLOJESTERS by Andreas Oertel Archaeolojesters are back, and this time they're not just messing with ancient history - they're becoming a part if it!

SHADOW WOLF: WOLVES OF THE BEYOND by Kathryn Lasky The wolf pup Faolan was born with a twisted paw, a slight defect that caused his wolf clan to abandon him in the forest to die. But Faolan, with the help of the grizzly bear who raised him as her own, survived.
Now he's made it back to his clan and as a gnaw wolf, the lowest ranking pack member. And the hardships are just beginning. Another gnaw wolf, Heep, is jealous of Faolan and sets him up for failure. As if these humiliations are not enough, Faolon is framed for the murder of a wolf pup. Faolan must catch the culprit in time and prove he has what it takes to be a full member of the pack.

SLEEPING BEAUTY, VAMPIRE SLAYER: TWISTED TALES by Maureen McGowan. Long ago in a faraway kingdom where humans co-exist with vampires, werewolves and fairies, a beautiful baby princess named Lucette is born. The king and queen host a celebration, but exclude the vampires because of tensions brewing between their previously peaceful kingdoms. Angry at the slight, the Vampire Queen crashes the party and puts a curse on the baby: when Lucette reaches adulthood, she will cut herself, and the instant her blood falls upon the ground, she will never wake again while the sun is in the sky. When night falls, she will awaken while everyone else in the kingdom will fall asleep, leaving Lucette alone in the darkness. The royal wizard can’t reverse the spell, but alters it so that the curse can be lifted if Lucette proves she has found true love. But falling in love seems impossible if all the eligible bachelors are sleeping. Furious at the curse tampering, the Vampire Queen breaks the peace treaty that forbids vampires from attacking the people of Lucette’s kingdom. An army of vampire slayers is created to defend the kingdom from the nightly rampaging bloodsuckers. Lucette secretly trains with the army, knowing that if her parents’ attempts to protect her fail and the curse comes true, one day—well, technically one night—she’ll be the only one in her kingdom awake to fight back. And here’s the twist – you’re in control. At three points during the story, you get to decide what Lucette would do next. Depending on your choice, you flip to that relevant tab for the continuation of the story. Based on your choices, Lucette’s adventures unfold. And the extra fun part? After reaching one outcome, the reader can re-read the book, choose different options, and read an entirely different story!

TOLLINS: MORE EXPLOSIVE TALES FOR CHILDREN by Conn Iggulden [sorry, couldn't find a handy blurb, but I would like to say that my boys are dying to get a hold of this one...]

TUSK THE MIGHTY MAMMOTH: BEAST QUEST, THE DARK REALM by Adam Blade Tusk the Mighty Mammoth rules the rotting forests of Gorgonia with razor sharp tusks. She terrorizes the rebels at war with the evil wizard Malvel and is holding Ferno the Fire Dragon captive. Can Tom and Elenna defeat Tusk before Malvel’s guards track them down?

"Then a vast shape came smashing out of the trees to their left. At first, all Tom saw were flying branches and whole trees uprooted and thrown through the air. Then, lunging through the chaos, came the most immense Beast Tom had ever seen.

Tusk came thundering forward, her huge trunk lifted as she roared, her feet crushing everything in her path."

ULTIMATE MAGIC: MERLIN'S DRAGON by T. A. Barron Avalon is on the verge of total destruction: an army of warriors, a swarm of fire dragons, and a lethal plague are all laying waste to Merlin's beloved land. But Merlin is nowhere to be found. Leading the fight in his place is Basil, the once tiny lizard who is now the most powerful dragon in Avalon.

But to restore peace, the mastermind behind this chaos, Doomraga, will need to be discovered and destroyed before his power grows stronger and Avalon and its inhabitants are beyond saving. For Basil to triumph, he and his friends may need to make the ultimate sacrifice.

In this final book of the Merlin's Dragon trilogy, T. A. Barron brings this saga to a thrilling (if bittersweet) end.

THE WYVERNS' TREASURE: NATHANIEL FLUDD, BEASTOLOGIST by R. L. LaFevers After tangling with the deadly basilisk, Nathaniel Fludd is glad to return to England with his Aunt Phil. But someone has ransacked their home, and their best suspect is the sinister man who's been trying to steal the Book of Beasts. Before Nate and Aunt Phil can find the culprit, they are called to Welsh countryside. The wyverns (giant dragons) are in an uproar. Could the same man who ransacked the Fludd house be behind the rift with the wyverns? And just what does he want with The Book of Beasts? But before Nate can solve that mystery, he must calm the dragons before it's too late. It's just another day at work for the world's youngest beastologist!

Let the Cybils Nominating begin!!!!

Cybils Eve is here again--nominations open just after midnight tonight (EST). I wish I could stay up late enough for the Twitter nominating party....Nominations will close again on October 15.

I'm a panelist in elementary and middle grade science fiction and fantasy this year. I hope we get lots and lots of great nominations! And please note the "elementary" part--there are lots of great sff books out there, just right for younger readers, that need to be nominated...

The official nominating guidelines can be seen here, at the Cybils website.

Anyone (any country, any age, blogger or non-blogger) can nominate a book in each category (one book per category per customer). Excitingly, this year, for the first time, Elementary/Middle Grade science fiction/fantasy and Young Adult science fiction/fantasy count as two separate categories! This means that one person can nominate both a young adult sff book and one for younger readers! (Yay!) The same is true for graphic novels--two age categories, two nominations.

The book that get nominated must have been published between the last contest and this close of this one. In other words, between Oct. 16, 2009 and Oct. 15th 2010. This can be tricky, especially for the 2009 books--there were lots of great books published at the end of October, 2009, that shouldn't be overlooked. To make it easy for those nominating sff books, I have a full year's worth of new releases posts, from October 16, 2009 on (look for the beginning of October 2010 list soon).

Nominated books can be bilingual, but one of the languages must be English. Books in English published outside the United States are eligible. Books published elsewhere in other years but never nominated in the past, that have been published this Cybils year in the US, are eligible.

One last thing--multiple nominations of the same book don't help the book's chances--so please do scroll through all the nominations to make sure that you aren't duplicating someone else's nomination, so that you can put other favorites onto the lists.... I'll be keeping a running list of all the elementary and middle grade titles nominated here on my blog.

This list keeping is just one of the ways in which I extract every ounce of obsessive enjoyment from the Cybils Nominating Process. I'll be watching the nominations pages like a hawk, holding my own allotted nominating cards close to my chest until the last minute. I have already made lists of books I think should be nominated, and I will be crossing them off when they make it. I will be emailing my co-panelists about the books that pop up on our list. And, most importantly, I will be checking the Cybils website compulsively. Every five minutes or something.

I love this part almost more than the reading itself.

New releases of fantasy and science fiction for children and teenagers, the end of September, 2010 edition

Here are the new releases of fantasy and science fiction for children and teenagers from the end of September! My information comes from Teens Read Too, and the blurbs are the publishers, taken from Goodreads and Amazon.

MIDDLE GRADE (9-12)

ALIENOLOGY by Dugald A. Steer. The year is 1969, and Professor Alan Grey is ready to lead you on a magical mystery tour of a world where space creatures mingle with earthlings, unbeknownst to all but a chosen few. On the one hand, this dazzling book is a field guide to other worlds, from the solar system to the laws of time and space; from the many species and cultures in faraway galaxies to the primitive state of alienology studies here on Earth. To the sharpest readers, however, this shining resource, with its constellation of brain-teasers, serves as a cunning test: Readers who solve its puzzles are guaranteed to achieve enlightenment—and have a chance to represent humankind in the intergalactic community at large. Here are just some of the topics covered:
*A map of the universe, showing the location of many alien worlds an alien species guide
*Alien biology, methods of communication, and civilizations
*Alien technology and spaceship design
*How to identify aliens who have already infiltrated human society and more!

ANCIENT, STRANGE, AND LOVELY: THE DRAGON CHRONICLES by Susan Fletcher. In a new dragon novel by Susan Fletcher, Bryn must save a dracling from a dangerous modern world that seems to have no place for an ancient dragon.

HARRY POTTY AND THE DEATHLY BORING by Stefan Petrucha. The creative team behind the hit Tales from the Crypt #8 “Diary of a Stinky Dead Kid” team up again to launch this new parody series from Papercutz! Following the killing of their mentor Dumb-as-a-door by the seemingly traitorous barista Frappe, Harry Potty, Don Measley and Whiny Stranger must find a way to defeat the nose-less dark lord Value-Mart (He-Whose-Prices-Can’t-Be-Beat) and his followers, the Odor Eaters in order to avenge the death of Harry Potty’s parents and bring balance to the world of magic.

MUSEUM OF THIEVES by Lian Tanner. Welcome to the tyrannical city of Jewel, where impatience is a sin and boldness is a crime.
Goldie Roth has lived in Jewel all her life. Like every child in the city, she wears a silver guardchain and is forced to obey the dreaded Blessed Guardians. She has never done anything by herself and won’t be allowed out on the streets unchained until Separation Day.
When Separation Day is canceled, Goldie, who has always been both impatient and bold, runs away, risking not only her own life but also the lives of those she has left behind. In the chaos that follows, she is lured to the mysterious Museum of Dunt, where she meets the boy Toadspit and discovers terrible secrets. Only the cunning mind of a thief can understand the museum’s strange, shifting rooms. Fortunately, Goldie has a talent for thieving.
Which is just as well, because the leader of the Blessed Guardians has his own plans for the museum—plans that threaten the lives of everyone Goldie loves. And it will take a daring thief to stop him. . . .
Museum of Thieves is a thrilling tale of destiny and danger, and of a courageous girl who has never been allowed to grow up—until now.

ON THE BLUE COMET by Rosemary Wells. One day in a house at the end of Lucifer Street, on the Mississippi River side of Cairo, Illinois, eleven-year-old Oscar Ogilvie’s life is changed forever. The Crash of 1929 has rippled across the country, and Oscar’s dad must sell their home—with all their cherished model trains—and head west in search of work. Forced to move in with his humorless aunt, Carmen and his teasing cousin, Willa Sue, Oscar is lonely and miserable—until he meets a mysterious drifter and witnesses a crime so stunning it catapults Oscar on an incredible train journey from coast to coast, from one decade to another.

A PRINCE AMONG FROGS: TALES OF THE FROG PRINCESS by E. D. Baker. Princess Millie and her fiancé, Audun, are busy preparing for their wedding when trouble starts brewing in Greater Greensward. Millie's baby brother, Felix, has been kidnapped and is trapped in a swamp full of other frogs. With all the adults busy fixing problems elsewhere in the kingdom, it's up to Millie and Audun to find him—but they need all the help they can get to fight the family's oldest nemesis, the angry wizard Olebald. From the deep blue sea to the soaring skies, our two heroes will stop at nothing to get their families back together and banish all the troublemakers for good.

RISE OF THE DARKLINGS: THE INVISIBLE ORDER by Paul Crilley. Emily Snow is twelve years old, supporting herself and her younger brother on the streets of Victorian England by selling watercress. One early winter morning on her way to buy supplies, she encounters a piskie--a small but very sarcastic fey creature that has been cornered by a group of the Black Sidhe, piskies from an opposing clan. She rescues him and unknowingly becomes involved in a war between the Seelie and the Unseelie, two opposing factions of fairies that have been battling each other throughout the long centuries of human history, with London--and England itself--as the ultimate prize.

When the Invisible Order--a centuries-old secret society of humans that has protected mankind from the fey's interference--gets involved, things really start to get complicated.

Now she is the central figure in this ancient war that could permanently change Earth. With no one to trust, Emily must rely on her own instincts and guile to make the right choices that could save her family and all of mankind.

THE SEARCH FOR WONDLA by Tony DiTerlizzi. When a marauder destroys the underground sanctuary that Eva Nine was raised in by the robot Muthr, the twelve-year-year-old girl is forced to flee aboveground. Eva Nine is searching for anyone else like her, for she knows that other humans exist, because of an item she treasures—a scrap of cardboard on which is depicted a young girl, an adult, and a robot, with the strange word, "WondLa." Tony DiTerlizzi honors traditional children's literature in this totally original space age adventure: one that is as complex as an alien planet, but as simple as a child's wish for a place to belong.

STAR OF STONE: CENTURY by Pierdomenico Baccalario. Four kids. A wooden top. And four postcards with secret instructions.

New York City, March 15
Another mysterious artifact reunites Harvey from New York, Elettra from Rome, Mistral from Paris, and Sheng from Shanghai in their attempt to save the world. When they meet people who knew Alfred Van Der Berger, the murdered professor who sent them on their quest in Rome, they realize that the challenge is far from over. And when they discover a series of four postcards written in code years ago by the professor himself, their destiny becomes even clearer.

The cards send the kids all over New York City, through old libraries and abandoned tunnels, in search of the Star of Stone, an ancient object fundamentally connected to the earth. But a new set of villains, predators of Manhattan nightlife, will do anything to stop them....

THIS ISN'T WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE by Pseudonymous Bosch. Cass finds herself alone and disoriented, a stranger in a dream-like, medieval world. Where is she? Who is she? With the help of a long-lost relative, she begins to uncover clues and secrets--piecing together her family's history as she fights her way back to the present world.

Meanwhile, back home, Cass is at the hospital in a deep coma. Max-Ernest knows she ate Time Travel Chocolate--and he's determined to find a cure. Can our expert hypochondriac diagnose Cass's condition before it's too late? And will he have what it takes to save the survivalist?

YOUNG ADULT

ASCENDANT by Diana Peterfreund. Now a fully trained unicorn hunter, Astrid Llewelyn is learning that she can’t solve all her problems with a bow and arrow. Her boyfriend has left Rome, the Cloisters is in dire financial straits, her best friend’s powers are mysteriously disintegrating, and her hope of becoming a scientist seems to be nothing but an impossible dream.

So when she’s given the opportunity to leave the Cloisters and use her skills as part of a scientific quest to discover the Remedy, Astrid leaps at the chance. Finally, she can have exactly what she wants—or can she? At Gordian headquarters deep in France, Astrid begins to question everything she had believed: her love for Giovanni, her loyalty to the Cloisters, and—most of all—her duty as a hunter. Should Astrid be saving the world from killer unicorns or saving unicorns from the world?

BRAIN JACK by Brian Falkner. Las Vegas is gone—destroyed in a terrorist attack. Black Hawk helicopters patrol the skies over New York City. And immersive online gaming is the most dangerous street drug around. In this dystopic near-future, technology has leapt forward once again, and neuro-headsets have replaced computer keyboards. Just slip on a headset, and it’s the Internet at the speed of thought.

For teen hacker Sam Wilson, a headset is a must. But as he becomes familiar with the new technology, he has a terrifying realization. If anything on his computer is vulnerable to a hack, what happens when his mind is linked to the system? Could consciousness itself be hijacked? Before he realizes what’s happened, Sam’s incursion against the world’s largest telecommunications company leads him to the heart of the nation’s cyberdefense network and brings him face to face with a terrifying and unforeseen threat.

CRAVE by Laura J. Burns & Melinda Metz. Shay has had a rare blood disorder since she was born. In fact, her mother married one of Shay’s doctors, Martin, who left his world-renowned leukemia research to try and figure out exactly what the disorder is and how to cure it. When she turns seventeen, Martin begins to give her new blood transfusions that make her feel the strongest she has ever felt. But she also has odd visions where she sees through the eyes of a vampire. At first, she thinks she must be imagining the visions, but when she begins to see Martin’s office in them, she knows she has to check it out. That’s when she finds Gabriel, a sexy, teenaged vampire, imprisoned in Martin’s office. The connection she has built with Gabriel compels her to set him free. But when he kidnaps her in an attempt at revenge on Martin, their lives become deeply intertwined. She doesn’t know the half of it.

DEAD BEAUTIFUL by Yvonne Woon. After Renee Winters discovers her parents lying dead in California’s Redwood Forest in what appears to be a strange double murder, her grandfather sends her off to Gottfried Academy in Maine, a remote and mysterious high school dedicated to philosophy, “crude sciences,” and Latin: the Language of the Dead. It’s here she meets Dante, a dark and elusive student to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they get to know each other better, Dante can’t seem to control his attraction either, and their desires gradually deepen into a complex and dangerous romance. Dangerous because Dante is hiding a frightening secret. A secret so terrible, it has him fearing for Renee’s life.

Dante’s not the only one with secrets, though. Turns out Gottfried Academy has a few of its own… Like, how come students keep disappearing? Why are the prefect-like Monitors creeping around campus during the night? And what exactly are the Headmistress and Professors really up to? Renee is determined to find out why.

DUST CITY by Robert Paul Weston. Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?
His son, that’s who.
Ever since his father’s arrest for the murder of Little Red Riding Hood, teen wolf Henry Whelp has kept a low profile in a Home for Wayward Wolves . . . until a murder at the Home leads Henry to believe his father may have been framed.
Now, with the help of his kleptomaniac roommate, Jack, and a daring she-wolf named Fiona, Henry will have to venture deep into the heart of Dust City: a rundown, gritty metropolis where fairydust is craved by everyone and controlled by a dangerous mob of Water Nixies and their crime boss leader, Skinner.
Can Henry solve the mystery of his family’s sinister past? Or, like his father before him, is he destined for life as a big bad wolf?
END OF DAYS: NIGHT RUNNER by Max Turner. In this thrilling follow up to Night Runner, Zack Thomson is back with his friend Charlie, searching for answers all the while being hunted by a creature most deadly...

While Charlie struggles with his vampirism, he, Zack, and their friends are pulled into a conflict with the mysterious Mr. Hyde, a creature who hunts vampires. As the story unfolds, and the ties between Zach and his girlfriend Luna intensify, the network of support around them collapses, forcing them to redefine their notions of good and evil and find a way forward.

THE EXILED QUEEN: A SEVEN REALMS NOVEL by Cinda Williams Chima. Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden’s Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn’t mean danger isn’t far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden's Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen.

THE FRENZY by Francesca Lia Block. Liv has a secret.

Something happened to her when she was thirteen. Something that changed everything. Liv knows she doesn’t belong anymore—not in her own skin, not in her family . . . not anywhere. The only time she truly feels like herself is when she’s with her boyfriend, Corey, and in the woods that surround her town.
But in the woods, a mysterious woman watches Liv. In the woods, a pack of wild boys lurks. In the woods, Liv learns about the curse that will haunt her forever. The curse that caused the frenzy four years ago. And that may cause it again, all too soon.
While Corey and Liv’s love binds them together, Liv’s dark secret threatens to tear them apart as she struggles to understand who—or what—she really is. And by the light of the full moon, the most dangerous secrets bare their claws. . . .
THE GENIUS WARS by Catherine Jinks. After abandoning a life full of deception and mistrust, fifteen-year-old Cadel has finally found his niche. He has a proper home, good friends and loving parents. He's even studying at university.

But he's still not safe from Prosper English, who's now a fugitive from justice and determined to smash everything that Cadel has struggled to build. When Cadel's nearest and dearest are threatened, he must launch an all-out attack on the man he once viewed as his father.

Can he track down Prosper before it's too late? And what rules will he have to break in the process?

HOW TO LOVE A WEREWOLF by Sophie Collins. Whether he's been your best friend for years or you've suddenly sprung a crazily close bond with the new kid on the block, a werewolf is a girl's best friend. But what if he wants more? Don't let confusing feelings mess up your friendships, or crazy crushes stand in the way of true love. Whether you've got a vampire love to die for, or fancy running with wolves for a change, we show you how to track down your werewolf, get in with his pack and untangle even the trickiest of love triangles. Packed with charts, quizzes, and the savviest advice around, this little guide can sort a supernaturally complicated love life, and help you figure out your feelings once and for all (without leaving him in the doghouse).

I SHALL WEAR MIDNIGHT by Terry Pratchett. It starts with whispers. Then someone picks up a stone. Finally, the fires begin. When people turn on witches, the innocents suffer. . . . Tiffany Aching has spent years studying with senior witches, and now she is on her own. As the witch of the Chalk, she performs the bits of witchcraft that aren’t sparkly, aren’t fun, don’t involve any kind of wand, and that people seldom ever hear about: She does the unglamorous work of caring for the needy.
But someone—or something—is igniting fear, inculcating dark thoughts and angry murmurs against witches. Aided by her tiny blue allies, the Wee Free Men, Tiffany must find the source of this unrest and defeat the evil at its root—before it takes her life. Because if Tiffany falls, the whole Chalk falls with her.

MONSTERS OF MEN: CHAOS WALKING by Patrick Ness. "War," says the Mayor. "At last." Three armies march on New Prentisstown, each one intent on destroying the others. Todd and Viola are caught in the middle, with no chance of escape. As the battles commence, how can they hope to stop the fighting? How can there ever be peace when they're so hopelessly outnumbered? And if war makes monsters of men, what terrible choices await? But then a third voice breaks into the battle, one bent on revenge - the electrifying finale to the award-winning "Chaos Walking" trilogy, Monsters of Men is a heart-stopping novel about power, survival, and the devastating realities of war.

THE REPLACEMENT by Brenna Yovanoff. Mackie Doyle seems like everyone else in the perfect little town of Gentry, but he is living with a fatal secret - he is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now the creatures under the hill want him back, and Mackie must decide where he really belongs and what he really wants.

A month ago, Mackie might have told them to buzz off. But now, with a budding relationship with tough, wounded, beautiful Tate, Mackie has too much to lose. Will love finally make him worthy of the human world?

TORMENT: A FALLEN NOVEL by Lauren Kate. How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean - and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future...and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened...what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?

TWELFTH GRADE KILLS: THE CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TOD by Heather Brewer. Vlad’s running out of time. The Elysian Council has given him weeks to live, and that’s if the Slayer Society doesn’t kill him – along with all the citizens of Bathory – first. Then there’s the issue of Vlad’s father, who may or may not still be alive after all these years, and oh yeah, that tiny little detail in the Pravus prophecy about Vlad enslaving Vampirekind and the human race. So much for college applications.

In this epic finale to Heather Brewer’s heart-stopping Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, dark secrets will be revealed, old friends will become enemies, and warm blood will run cold. Just be careful it isn’t yours.

WHEN ROSE WAKES by Christopher Golden Her terrifying dreams are nothing compared to the all-too-real nightmare that awaits. . . .Ever since sixteen-year-old Rose DuBois woke up from months in a coma with absolutely no memories, she’s had to start from scratch. She knows she loves her two aunts who take care of her, and that they all used to live in France, but everything else from her life before is a blank.Rose tries to push through the memory gaps and start her new life, attending high school and living in Boston with her aunts, who have seriously old world ideas. Especially when it comes to boys. But despite their seemingly irrational fears and odd superstitions, they insist Rose not worry about the eerie dreams she’s having, vivid nightmares that she comes to realize are strangely like the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. The evil witch, the friendly fairies, a curse that puts an entire town to sleep—Rose relives the frightening story every night. And when a mysterious raven-haired woman starts following her, Rose begins to wonder if she is the dormant princess. And now that she’s awake, she’s in terrible, terrible danger. . . .

WILDWING by Emily Whitman When Addy is swept back in time, she couldn't be happier to leave her miser-able life behind. Now she's mistaken for Lady Matilda, the pampered ward of the king. If Addy can play her part, she'll have glorious gowns, jewels, and something she's always longed for—the respect and admiration of others. But then she meets Will, the falconer's son with sky blue eyes, who unsettles all her plans.

From shipwrecks to castle dungeons, from betrothals to hidden conspiracies, Addy finds herself in a world where she's not the only one with a dangerous secret. When she discovers the truth, Addy must take matters into her own hands. The stakes? Her chance at true love . . . and the life she's meant to live.

ZOMBIES VS. UNICORNS edited by Holly Black & Justine Larbalestier. It's a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths--for good and evil--of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies. Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

For Timeslip Tueday--links to all my time travel reviews, sorted by time period

To celebrate having reviewed 75 timeslip stories since I first began Timeslip Tuesday, I've created a page where links to all my reviews can be found, sorted by the time period travelled to. I've also given the audience age for the books. I hope this a useful resource, and I hope to keep adding to it!


I think it absolutely fascinating that times of presidential popularity (Eisenhower, 1953-1961, Reagan, 1981-1989, Clinton's first term, 1993-1997 ) appear to coincide with low periods in time travel book publishing. If this is true (and I know it's silly, of course, to make any sort of argument from the small amount of data I have, but I find it amusing), it doubtless implies that times of perceived prosperity lead to a smug complacency about one's own place in history. Or something like that :).

If you have any time travel/timeslip books to recommend to me, I'd love to have them! My list is really middle grade heavy, and I'd love more YA and adult books on it (although the adult side of things seems daunting....)

Ninth Ward, by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Ninth Ward, by Jewell Parker Rhodes (2010, Little Brown, middle grade on up, 217 pages) is a book that is just plain unequivocally Good, in its writing, its story, its characters, and even in the much more subjective territory of the feelings it left me with.

Lanesha has lived all her twelve years in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans secure in the love of Mama Ya-Ya, the wise old woman who was the midwife at her birth. Her seventeen-year old mother, rejected by her well off family after she became pregnant, died giving birth to her...but she hasn't quite left her daughter. Her ghost still lies there on the bed where, still and unresponsive, still waiting for her baby to be born safely into the world.

Her Mama is just one of many ghost that Lanesha can see. Mama Ya-Ya has raised Lanesha in world where ghosts are just one fact of life, and everything around them--magnolia flowers, birds, numbers--has a meaning that transcends the quotidian. Despite being as poor as can be money-wise, Mama YaYa given Lanesah a childhood that is just about the warmest, most tenderly-drawn fictional childhood I can think of. Lanesha's suffered through a lot of teasing--crazy, spooky, and witch are some of the things she's called by the other kids. But when it gets too much, and she hides in the bathroom, she thinks of Mama YaYa's words--"'You are loved, Lanesha,' she always says. 'Lanesha, you are loved'" (page 22).

Lanesha might not have any friends at school, but she loves it all the same. She learns everything the teachers can give her (she dreams of being an engineer, and designing bridges, and her teacher, incidentally, is a gem). This school year looks like it might be different, though--there are promising signs that Lanesha will make friends, with both a neighbor boy, TaShon, and a girl in her class. All seems to be going gloriously well.

But reading this happy part of the book, and falling hard for Lanesha and Mama Ya-Ya, and their diverse and vibrant community, brought cold chills, and made me want to cry for the pity of it. Because I knew it was all a fragile soap bubble, about to pop-- it is late August of 2005, and Hurricane Katrina is forming off to the east. The Ninth Ward is doomed, and the courage and determination of Lanesha and TaShon are about to be put to a test that no child should have to undergo.

Now the book becomes a gripping story of children on their own, facing the possibility that there will be no rescue, facing the reality that they will have to save themselves. The great adventure-type of story, where ordinary kids are heros, and must do extraordinary things...

Gosh, it was a good. Brilliant in its characters, vivid with regard to place, gripping in its story. It's my pick for the Newbery this year.

Here's an interview with Jewell Parker Rhodes at Through the Tollbooth, and one at TheHappyNappyBookseller.

(And now I am wondering the following. This book deserves to be nominated for the Cybils Awards. The choice is straight middle grade fiction, or fantasy. It isn't straight middle grade fiction--Mama Ya-Ya has uncanny knowledge, and there are ghosts, one of whom plays an important part in the story. But it isn't fantasy either--there are ghosts, but that's just part of everyday life for the characters, and it is the here and now that is at the center of the story. "Magical realism" might be the most accurate descriptor, but doesn't help with my need to put the book into one of two boxes, neither of which is quite the right fit....

If you've read this book, in which category do you think it would be happiest?)

What Goes On In My Head? from DK, for Non-fiction Monday

What Goes On In My Head? How your brain works and why you do what you do, by Robert Winston (DK 2010, 96 pages)

Even after reading this fascinating book, I'm still not sure why I do what I do (many other people might be wondering as well). But that isn't the book's fault.

What Goes On In My Head? is a high-level look at the complexities of the brain. The author succeeds in using clear language to discuss sophisticated concepts, without condescending to the younger reader by eschewing latinate words or relying on doubtful metaphors (the computer metaphor is mentioned, but not overdone).

The book kicks off with a really fascinating time line of brain related discoveries, from the trepanning practiced by paleolithic humans, to scientists of whom I had never heard (Hermann von Helholtz or Jose Delgado, anyone?). It then goes on to discuss "Brain and Body" (the most scientifically dense chapter), "I think therefore I am" (consciousness and personality), "The Feeling Mind," and "Brain Power" (memory, creativity, a critical look at psychic powers, and robot minds). I did regret that little attention was paid to how things go awry in the brain (I'm a huge fan, for instance, of Oliver Sacks), but you can't have everything.

There's a lot here, presented in true DK style with crisp paragraphs, lots of pictures, and activities for the reader's own brain. The result is a book that my older son and I found utterly engrossing. But because of the pretty high level of information presented, especially toward the beginning of the book, I think will work best for the older kid with some background in the nervous system...otherwise, all the talk of ganglias and photoreceptors and neurons might be daunting (although the later chapters, I think, are pretty easy to grasp).

Random interesting thing I learned: The unconscious part of the brain sometimes makes decisions up to ten seconds before our consciousness kicks in. I am now regarding my brain with suspicion.

Non-random bit I'm storing away in my own mind to bring out in just a few more years--"The age at which you take the most risks is 14. That could be because the 14-year old basal ganglia are in full working order, giving you the thrill of excitement during risky behaviour, but the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain controlling decisions), is still maturing, so the brakes are missing" (page 67).

The Non-Fiction Monday Roundup is at Wendie's Wanderings today!

(disclaimer: review copy received from the publisher)

This Sunday's round-up of middle grade fantasy news, reviews, interviews, and other things of great interest from the blogging world

This might be my most dense middle grade sci fi/fantasy round-up ever! Please enjoy it, and let me know if I missed your post.

The first most important thing, from Robin McKinley's blog. She just vistied Diana Wynne Jones and reports thus -- "I assume a lot of you know that Diana’s been seriously ill. She’s doing enormously better than the medical establishment, in its somewhat less than total wisdom and foresight, predicted,†† but she’s still a bit frail." and the footnote reads "AND SHE’S WRITING"

The second most important thing, to me at least: On October 1st, the nomination period for the Cybils Awards begins! Anyone, anyone at all, can put forward the titles of their favorite books in a variety of genres by this award, bestowed by panels of bloggers, on books that combine quality of writing with tremendous audience appeal. I'm one of the middle grade science fiction/fantasy panelists who will be paring down the nominations (there were almost a hundred last year) to a short list of five to seven books that will progress into the final round of judging.

Please start thinking of your favorite middle grade sff books published from October 16, 2009 to October 15, 2010, and make sure they don't get left outside in the cold, whimpering sadly to themselves! (if you need help remembering what was published, check my handy "new releases" posts, although I make not claim that these lists are a. complete b. entirely accurate)

The Reviews:

Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies, by Andrea Beaty, at Biblio File.

The Battle for Gullywith, by Susan Hill, at My Favorite Books.

Boom! by Mark Haddon, at Biblio File and Eva's Book Addiction.

Brains for Lunch, a Zombie Novel in Haiku, by K.A. Holt, at Biblio File.

The Crowfield Curse, by Pat Walsh, at The Excelsior File.

Dandelion Fire, by N.D. Wilson, at Read in a Single Sitting.

A Different Day, a Different Destiny, by Annette Laing, at Lucy Was Robbed.

Green, by Laura Peyton Roberts, at Ms. Yingling Reads.

Into the Woods, by Lyn Gardner, at My Favorite Books.

Katie Kazoo Switcheroo: Horsing Around, by Nancy Krulik, at Manga Maniac Cafe.

Nightshade, by Hilary Wagner, at Writing the Renaissance (includes an interview with the author).

On Etruscan Time, by Tracy Barrett, at Charlotte's Library.

Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future, by Dav Pilkey, at Literate Lives.

Out of the Woods, by Lyn Gardner, at My Favorite Books.

Palace of Mirrors, by Margaret Peterson Haddix, at Biblio File.

Reckless, by Cornelia Funke, at Becky's Book Reviews.

Runemarks, by Joanne Harris, at By Singing Light.

The Shadows, by Jacqueline West, at Cloudy With a Chance of Books and Musings of a Book Addict.

Summer of Moonlight Secrets, by Danette Haworth, at Book Nut.

Thomas and the Dragon Queen, by Shutta Crum, at Lost for Words.

Wildwing, by Emily Whitman, at One Librarian's Book Reviews

Zombiekins, by Kevin Bolger, at KinderScares.

Katherine Roberts has been taking a look at Scottish Legends at The Reclusive Muse.

Interviews:

Alan Garner (The Weirdstone of Brisingamen etc.) is interviewed at The Independent today. And some of us really wish we go back to Alderly Edge, in Cheshire, England, where the fiftieth anniversary of Weirdstone is being celebrated the weekend of October 8th.

Vordak the Incomprehensible (How to Grow Up and Rule the World) at Manga Maniac Cafe and at Charlotte's Library. (I'm also giving a copy of this book away--ends Monday night).

Shutta Crum (Thomas and the Dragon Queen) at Lost for Worlds.

Hiromi Goto (The Water of Possibility) at Bookmark.

Hilary Wagner (Nightshade) at Odd Shots.

I've now read Ninth Ward, by Jewell Parker Rhodes, and loved it, but I'm still a bit on the fence as to whether it is "fantasy" or not (more on this later). But I wanted, regardless, to include this interview with her at TheHappyNappyBookseller.

Authors saying interesting things:

First, three fairy tale posts-- "Why Fairy Tales" by Gail Carson Levine, Adele Geras is featured in the Fairy Tale Reflections series at Seven Miles of Steel Thistles, and Lyn Gardner visits My Favorite Books, and talks about "wolves and fairy tales."

Michael Grant (The Magnificent 12) visits Literate Lives.

Susan Fletcher (Waiting to Fly) is a guest at Cynsations.

R.L. LaFevers talks about the different journeys of girl and boy protagonists.

Miscellany:

If words aren't enough, one can try an "interactive augmented reality experience" while reading The Search for WondLa, by Tony DiTerlizzi. Read more at ReadWriteWeb, where the conclusion is thus "It's great to see a major publisher like Simon & Schuster get behind augmented reality, as implementations like these could change the way young adults read in the near future." (to which I reply, is there something wrong with the way they read now????)

The folks at io9 (or at least one of them) went to see the Guardians of Ga'hoole movie and found it "a hoot".

You can get a sneak peak at the first chapters of the eagerly anticipated new book by Rick Riordan, The Lost Hero, here!

TV programs I wish I could watch: The BBC aired a wondrous sounding program last Friday--The Magic Carpet Flight Manual. From their website:

"Web-dreaming one day, writer Cathy FitzGerald stumbled on a site belonging to a museum in Iran. It purported to tell the "true history" of the flying carpet and detailed its many uses – military, as a means of aerial attack; commercial, as a vehicle for the transport of goods; and cultural, as a device to help readers in the library at Alexandria reach the high books. The article appeared across the web, rarely with any caveat or credit.

In search of a "real" flying carpet, Cathy tracks down the article's author, Azhar Abidi, who helps her separate carpet fiction from carpet fact. She goes on to meet a physicist working on levitation in the quantum world, and a Japanese astronaut who took a carpet ride in space.

Cathy FitzGerald explores the past, present, and future of the magic carpet and wonders what our desire to defy gravity tells us about ourselves."

Thanks to The Fairy Tale Cupboard for the heads up!

Banned Books Week is here again. Sigh. On this Banned and Challenged List for 2009-2010 I found Zilpha Keatley Snyder's The Egypt Game; it isn't fantasy, but it is one that appeals strongly to mg fantasy readers.

"Challenged as part of a reading list in a fourth-grade class at Southern Hills Elementary School in Wichita Falls, Tex. (2009) because the book includes scenes depicting Egyptian worship rituals. The Newbery Award-winning book has been an optional part of the school district’s curriculum for years. “I’m not going to stop until it’s banned from the school district. I will not quiet down. I will not back down. I don’t believe any student should be subjected to anything that has to do with evil gods or black magic,” said the student’s father."


And finally, just because it caught my fancy--why your face is older than your feet (from io9)

Cold Magic, by Kate Elliott

Cold Magic, by Kate Elliott (2010, Orbit, 502 pages) is described by its author as an "Afro-Celtic post-Roman icepunk Regency novel with airships, Phoenician spies, and the intelligent descendants of troodons." Pretty darn irresistible, to my taste at least.

And indeed, I was gripped most grippingly by the perilous adventures of young Catherine Hassi Barahal, daughter of a Phoenician family of spies fallen on hard times. The story, set in the early 1830s, begins when a contract, signed and sealed with magic long ago, tears Cat from the bosom of her family and sends her off with her new husband, an arrogant young Cold Mage. It is set in an alternative Europe where the revolutionary tide is beginning to ferment and a Napoleon-like general threatens the balance of power between post-Roman princes and the elemental mages, both oppressors (of the new industrial working class and of the peasantry, respectively)... And, on top of all that, there's the spirit realm as well--the home of the wild hunt, and shapeshifters, and hints of the dreams of dragons to come....

So, in short, there's a lot here to grip the reader. And I was gripped, and enjoyed reading it (bits of it, like the beginning chunk of "two cousins at school in a strange and magical alternate Europe" I can even say I enjoyed lots, and I thought that, in general, the relationship between Catherine and her cousin Beatrice, with the fierce love and loyalty underlying bickering and teasing, is excellently done). And I am certain that there are lots of other aspects to this books that lots of other readers will love to pieces. But unfortunately I kept running into things that kicked me out of the story.

For instance, many of my favorite books have a strong element of romance. I have been known to re-read certain scenes in certain books obsessively....But the story here in Cold Magic-- a girl is forced into marriage with cold and haughty, but incredibly desirable man who seems to spurn her, does things that appear Wrong, and might even be her enemy, but still she keeps contemplating his beautiful jawline-- is the sort of romance that isn't my cup of tea. I do not like "He just tried to kill me! Yet how I want to kiss him!" in my fictional relationships.

I was fascinated by the idea of a Europe in which West Africans migrated northward en masse (due to supernatural difficulties south of the Mediterranean) and settled in amoung the Celts and the Romans--lots of people are African (like the Cold Mage to whom Catherine is married), lots of people aren't, and lots of people are a mix, and it's all just part of the way things are. But gee, I don't think Elliott needed to underline the physical side of things quite as much as she did--I didn't need, on page 456 (almost at the end of the book! A very tense scene!), to be told (of a character we'd met already) that he had "a bold, striking face whose lineaments were stamped by both his Celtic and Afric forebears." I would have liked more interesting elements of West African and Celt culture, and fewer specificities of skin and hair.

And I know this is an alternate world. I try not to be a knee jerk over-reacter. But was it really necessary to make the indigenous inhabitants of North America descendants of troodons, known in that world as trolls? (South America gets to have people).

Finally, the writing felt occasionally off to me--chunks of exposition broke the flow in places; admittedly, it's a complicated history, but chunks are still chunks. Points were occasionally belabored. Characters sometimes acted in ways that seemed odd (I can't be specific without spoilers; this could just have been my problem as a reader, anyway). I never quite relaxed into the feeling that Elliot was in complete control of all many disparate threads of her story (but this might be because this the first of a trilogy--things might be tied together more tightly with the next books).

In short, there's much to admire and enjoy in the complexity of Elliot's alternate Europe and the political, magical, and social maelstrom that is brewing there. There were even moments that flickered at the edges of the numinous. I wouldn't have bothered writing a review of this if I hadn't really almost liked it lots. But it just didn't quite come together for me.

Here are some other thoughts--a glowing review at Fantasy Book Critic, and one that's postive with some reservations at Bookworm Blues.

Good-bye, Rosie (or possibly Julia)

Today was one of those days where you wake up only to be confronted with a dead chicken. Julia (or possibly Rosie) will be missed (although obviously not for her memorable personality/appearance--one fat and sassy RI Red looks a lot like another) -- she was one of our two egg layers. Aggie, who is not a layer, is doing just fine. Aggie is many feathers short of a pillow (hence her nickname "scraggy Aggie"), and is the dumbest chicken that ever walked the earth. She cannot find her own way back under the barn in the evenings, and stands outside the back door and cries until someone carries her home sigh sigh sigh. Anyway, like I said, she's doing just fine.

Vordak The Incomprehensible: How to Grow Up and Rule the World -- Interview and Giveaway!!!!

The Random Number Generator spoke, and the winner is Henry! (I'll send you an email...). Thanks all of you who entered.

Vordak the Incomprehensible: How to Grow Up and Rule the World (Egmont, 2010, middle grade, written by minion Scott Seegert, illustrated by minion John Martin)

Now, I always wanted to be Good--in many ways, I was your typical Victorian pious tot, bandaging the paws of hurt puppies, giving my pocket money to those in need, etc. I never wanted to grow up and be evil and rule the world. Despite that, I found Vordak's guide book more than somewhat amusing. Filled with tips and trick of a fiendish nature (sections of the book include "Building a Top-Notch EVIL Organization" and "SUPERHEROES- Noble Upholders of Justice or Big, Fat, Stupid Jerks?") there is much here (both in the text and in the copious illustrations) that entertains even the good child. As well as the evil child.

Today I have the privilege of welcoming VORDAK HIMSELF to my blog; he has deigned to answer a few of my humble questions.


Me: I was especially struck, in reading your book, by your descriptions of you incomprehensibly evil childhood. Since many readers of your book are children, I'd like to explore that part of your life a bit more. When did you realize you wanted to grow up and rule the world? With regard to parents, yours seem to have been incredibly supportive of your tendency toward evil. But did the fact that you utterly surpassed them cause tension in your relationship? Since most children are burdened with parents who urge them to choose the path of virtue, it seems like they must struggle harder even to be worthy minions to one as evil as yourself. Or do you think it is possible that having to struggle against parental adversaries might actually be good preparation for ruling the world?

Vordak: That is one heck of an opening question! I had to take a break at the midway point to grab a snack. And then again at the end to use the restroom. But I am now refreshed, comfortable, and ready to go! Unfortunately, I don’t remember the question. Hold on…

I first realized I wanted to Rule the World on the day of my birth, when I glanced around the baby-filled nursery and realized the enormous gap in intelligence that existed between myself and the others, doctors included.

My parents, Walter and Irene the Incomprehensible, have always been very supportive of my ambition to Rule the World. I believe they thought I would give them Arizona or Quebec or a chunk of Kazakhstan when I eventually succeeded. But it’s not like Dad wasn’t successful in his own right. He struggled valiantly right up until his retirement to gain unquestioned dominion over the earth. Sure, he rose only as high as mayor of Gomersborough, a small town in central Wisconsin. But he was a VERY EVIL small town mayor and the work ethic and dedication he displayed in his repeated attempts to conquer neighboring towns and villages helped shape me as I was growing up.

As far as other parents go, I think for even the most virtuous of mothers, the thought of being able to adorn the tailgate of their SUV with a “MY CHILD IS THE RULER OF THE WORLD!” bumper sticker would trump any apprehension they might feel about their child being “evil”.

Me: I myself have never had any luck attracting minions. Yet you seem to do this effortlessly. Can you share any tips?

Vordak: Well, you have to have something to offer. In my case, I have MYSELF – the opportunity to occasionally spend time in my presence and bask in my glory. Surely you can see the appeal. I also offer not being dropped via hidden trap door into a vat of molten titanium. I feel it’s important to come at prospective minions from a variety of directions.

Me: So many authors these days are pressured by their publicists to "have an on-line presence." I have visited your excellent blog, and I see that you are tweeting. Do you see this as a distraction from your main business of ultimate evil, or is it the beginning of an evil plan to rule the internet? (here's Vordak's website)

Vordak: Actually, I enjoy spending time on the internet – it lends it itself naturally to my favorite activity, which is talking about Vordak the Incomprehensible. And it was astute of you to point out my blog, which was recently named The Most Jaw-Droppingly, Brain-Meltingly Awesome Blog in the History of the Blogosphere by a panel of seven impartial media experts while being suspended above a tank of underfed piranha.

By the way, I do not “tweet” – I SINISTWEET! There’s a big difference. A “tweet” is the result of some insignificant gastropod or other droning on about his or her mundane existence. A SINISTWEET, on the other hand, alerts the planet to an event of world-wide significance, such as whether my toaster oven is set to “bake” or “broil”.

Me: This might seem banal, but I think my readers will share my curiosity, in as much as one's choice of animal companion (or not) can be very revealing-- Do you have any pets?

Vordak: Why, of course! I have my trusted and loyal canine, Armegeddon, who follows me around everywhere…as long as I’m wearing my pork chop-scented spandex. Then, of course, there is that tank of piranha, but they’re really more threat than pet.

Me: Hard though it might be to write a followup to a book such as yours, do you (or your minions) have any plans to do so?

Vordak: Yes, I have indeed decided to grace civilization with yet another epic tome. But don’t even begin to believe that you are deserving of a synopsis. And why would you think it would be difficult to write? I didn’t even try very hard on the first one and just look how that turned out!

Me: And finally, I was wondering what happened to your nose. (If this is too cheeky, please disregard!)

Vordak: What happened to my nose?! It’s right there, between and somewhat below my eyes! Just because something is not obvious doesn’t mean it isn’t there. As is the case with your intelligence, it appears.

Thank you so much, Vordak, for visiting my unworthy blog!

I have an extra copy of this magnificent opus of evil to bestow on a lucky reader--just leave a comment (preferably one in which you confess to an Evil Deed of your own) to enter! (ends on Monday at midnight).

(disclaimer: review copy received from the publisher)

Let the Cybils science fiction/fantasy fun begin!

I am thrilled and honored to be part of this year's Cybils, back as a first round judge in middle grade/elementary science fiction and fantasy! And I'm thrilled to be part of such a great team!

So please, start thinking what books you might want to nominate--any book from October 16 2009 to October 15 2010 is eligible. In case you need reminding about what was published, I have a full year's worth of New Releases in mg and ya sff posts (except, of course, for the next 3 weeks, but that will come). The Nominating begins October 1!

Panel Organizer: Sheila Ruth, Wands and Worlds

Panelists (Round I Judges), MG/Elementary:
Anamaria Anderson, Books Together
Gwenda Bond, Shaken & Stirred
Cindy Hannikman, Fantasy Book Critic
Aaron Maurer, Coffee for the Brain
Nicole Signoretta, Booked Up
Charlotte Taylor, Charlotte's Library
Karen Yingling, Ms. Yingling Reads

Panelists (Round I Judges), Teen/YA:
Steve Berman, Guys Lit Wire
Tanita Davis, Finding Wonderland
Leila Roy, Bookshelves of Doom
Sheila Ruth (see panel organizer)
Angie Thompson, Angieville
Hallie Tibbetts, Undusty New Books
Heather Zundel, Secret Adventures of WriterGirl

Round II Judges:

Elementary/Middle
Melissa Baldwin, One Librarian's Book Reviews
Kate Coombs, Book Aunt
Emily Mitchell, emilyreads
Nancy Tsai, Kidsmomo
Tanya Zavestoski Turek, Books 4 Your Kids

Teen/YA
Emma Carbone, Miss Print
Anne Levy, Cybils
Sam Musher, Parenthetical
Sarah Stevenson, Finding Wonderland
Steph Su, Steph Su Reads

And I am also really thrilled to think of the reading challenge before me--I love, absolutely love, the challenge of having more books to read than is actually possible. Last year I managed to read all but one of the books nominated--I think we had 99 in the end (and I would have read the last one too, but I couldn't get it in time....) .