Month: May 2011

Book Review, the outlaws of sherwood

Book Review: The Outlaws of Sherwood

Kathryn Cooper

Title: The Outlaws of Sherwood
Author: Robin McKinley
Publisher: Ace Trade
Release Date: October 2005
Pages: 368
Series: none
4 STARS: I Really Liked It

From Goodreads.com:
New York Times bestselling author Robin McKinley’s vivid retelling of the classic story of Robin Hood breathes contemporary life into these beloved adventures, with Marian taking a pivotal role as one of Robin’s best archers.

My Thoughts:
The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley is a retelling of Robin Hood. I had a hard time getting into the first part of the book because the language and story is hard to follow when I’m constantly interrupted by one of my 3 young kids. Once I got into it there was no going back. I really enjoyed Robin and Marian. In this story it’s not Robin but Marian who’s the great archer. A fun twist! I don’t think a 10 year old would be interested in the book mostly because the characters are 19 or older, and it has some violence.

Happy Reading!

Book Review, princess of glass, princess of the midnight ball

Book Reviews: Princess books

Kathryn Cooper
Title: Princess of the Midnight Ball
Author: Jessica Day George
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: January 2008
Pages: 288
Series: Princess #1
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!

From Goodreads.com:
A tale of twelve princesses doomed to dance until dawn… Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above. Captivating from start to finish, Jessica Day George’s take on the Grimms’ tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew.

 
My Thoughts:
I LOVE a good Princess story. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George did not disappoint. I loved it! I seriously just enjoyed staying up late engrossed in this world of princes and princesses. This is a story of 12 princess sisters forced to dance every night from midnight to dawn. The story mostly follows the oldest sister Rose and a soldier turned royal gardener named Galen. The book is full of heartache, exhaustion, sisterly love, adventure, and romance of course!

Title: Princess of Glass
Author: Jessica Day George
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: May 2010
Pages: 257
Series: Princess #2
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!

From Goodreads.com:
Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other’s countries in the name of better political alliances–and potential marriages. It’s got the makings of a fairy tale–until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince. Ballgowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers fly in this romantic and action-packed happily-ever-after quest from an author with a flair for embroidering tales in her own delightful way.

My Thoughts:
One of the middle sisters from Princess of the Midnight Ball, Poppy, is the main character of Princess of Glass. Princess Poppy is sent to a neighboring country to help better alliances. She meets another Prince visiting as well. There is another girl involved who happens to be a maid often covered in cinders. It’s a fun twist on the tale of Cinderella. I loved it!

Happy Reading!

Book Review, prom and prejudice

Book Review: Prom and Prejudice

Kathryn Cooper

Title: Prom and Prejudice
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Publisher: Point
Release Date: Jauary 2001
Pages: 231
Series: none
4 STARS: I Really Liked It

From Goodreads.com:After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.
Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk — so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?
Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? Whatever the result, Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, has concocted a very funny, completely stylish delight for any season — prom or otherwise.

My Thoughts:
This is a great high school age retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I saw this reviewed on Clean Teen Books and had to read it. I love Jane Austen! Lizzie Bennet attends a prestigious all-girl boarding school. Lizzie is an amazing pianist on a scholarship; I enjoyed all the piano references since I play the piano. She’s surrounded with girls that didn’t need a scholarship to attend an expensive school and faces some bullying because of it. I enjoyed this story of pride and prejudices that have to be overcome to find love.

Happy Reading!

Book Review, gregor the overlander

Book Review: Gregor the Overlander

Kathryn Cooper

Title: Gregor the Overlander
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: May 2005
Pages: 311
Series: Underland Chronicles #1
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!

From Goodreads.com:
When eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment, he hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. There, humans live uneasily beside giant spiders, bats, cockroaches, and rats—but the fragile peace is about to fall apart.

Gregor wants no part of a conflict between these creepy creatures. He just wants to find his way home. But when he discovers that a strange prophecy foretells a role for him in the Underland’s uncertain future, he realizes it might be the only way to solve the biggest mystery of his life. Little does he know his quest will change him and the Underland forever.

Rich in suspense and brimming with adventure, Suzanne Collin’s debut marked a thrilling new talent, and introduced a character no young reader will ever forget.

My Thoughts:
Gregor the Overlander was written by Suzanne Collins, the same author of the very popular young adult series The Hunger Games. This book was written for a younger teen audience with much less violence than The Hunger Games. Gregor is an eleven year old boy who lives in an apartment in New York City. Not to give anything away, but he stumbles into a secret portal to an underground world. As an ‘overlander’ Gregor is surprised to find giant animals living in this underworld such as spiders, cockroaches, rats, ants, bats, etc. He is relieved to find a civilization of humans who have survived and learned to thrive in this underworld. Will Gregor find a way back home, or will he stay to fulfill a prophecy of him in this underworld battle between giant creatures and humankind?

Happy Reading!

Book Review, the goose girl

Book Review: The Goose Girl

Kathryn Cooper

Title: The Goose Girl
Author: Shannon Hale
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: August 2003
Pages: 383
Series: The Books of Bayern #1
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!

From Goodreads.com:
Anidora-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree spent the first years of her life listening to her aunt’s incredible stories, and learning the language of the birds. Little knowing how valuable her aunt’s strange knowledge would prove to be when she grew older. From the Grimm’s fairy tale of the princess who became a goose girl before she could become a queen, Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original and magical tale of a girl who must understand her own incredible talents before she can overcome those who wish her harm.

My Thoughts:
Ani is the princess of Kildenree sent to marry a prince from a neighboring country. Things don’t go according to plan, and she ends up in hiding as a goose girl. I love the friends she makes along the way. They are fierce friends, brave and determined . . . funny too.


The romantic scenes are just too cute. I love to go back and re-read some of my favorite parts. A great read!

Happy Reading!

Book Review, harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Kathryn Cooper

DON’T READ REVIEW UNLESS YOU’VE READ THE FIRST 2 BOOKS IN THE SERIES. 

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: October 1999
Pages:
Series: Harry Potter#3
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!

From Goodreads.com:
For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.

Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter’s defeat of You-Know-Who was Black’s downfall as well; and the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, “He’s at Hogwarts . . . he’s at Hogwarts.”

Harry Potter isn’t safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.

My Thoughts:
If I’m going to talk about good teen fiction the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling must be mentioned. If you haven’t read all seven books, read them! They are amazing! When the first Harry Potter movie came out I tried to read the book before I saw the movie. I wasn’t that into it and didn’t finish the book. After I saw the 2nd movie I decided to try to read the books again. I picked up at the third book, and I LOVED Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I was hooked! J.K. Rowling is an amazing author! She weaves a fantastical world that readers want to visit. There’s nothing more I can say.

Which Harry Potter book is your favorite?

Happy Reading!

Book Review, the lightning thief

Book Review: The Lightning Thief

Kathryn Cooper
Title: The Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Miramax Books
Release Date: June 2005
Pages: 377
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!
From Goodreads.com:
Percy Jackson just discovered he is the half-mortal son of Poseidon, and he’s wanted dead. Fighting to discover his true purpose in life, and to stay alive, Percy meets many obstacles, but also gains some friends. It all ends in a one-on-one match with Hades, god of the Underworld. Will Percy live to tell about it? 

My Thoughts:
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is another book everyone will enjoy. I was attached to the main character, Percy, within the first page. There are some books that take time for me to become interested in the characters enough to care what happens to them, not so with this book. I was addicted pretty quickly. This is the first book in a series of 5. Rick Riordan has also started a new series that involves Camp Half-Blood with new characters called The Lost Hero. Only the first book is out, and I can’t wait for the second in that series! In The Lightning Thief Percy Jackson is a 12 year old boy who learns the true identity of his father. Percy discovers first hand that Greek Mythology isn’t just a myth. The Lightning Thief is such a fun adventure. Writing about it makes me want to read it again.

Happy Reading!