My Lady Jane, by Cynthia Hand

I'm definitely a fan of historical fiction and romance. My Lady Jane, who are written by the co-authors, Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, is absolutely magical, adventurous, and heartwarming. I don't see how anyone could fail to fall in love with this story and its wonderful characters.

I seriously don't want to ruin any of the plot, so I'll just say this book is surprisingly hilarious. Basically, the story starts out adding its own twist on history, but then ends up chucking history out the window and rewriting a happier ending for King Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, and Lord Guildford Dudley. All of the familiar faces like Elizabeth I, Bloody Mary, and Mary Queen of Scots are featured. And the new ending could totally still fit in with actual history. There were so many hilarious references and actual lines pulled straight out of Monty Python and the Princess Bride. And Guildford's character kept coming up with a ton of Shakespeare's lines. I especially loved the characters and the mixing in of actual history with a fictional book. It was quite well done!

I also loved the slow-burn romance. Jane and Guildford, otherwise known as "G", were total strangers upon their first meeting at their wedding and hated each other. Of course, they gradually learned to tolerate one another, though there were too many annoying almost-kisses in my opinion. Lady Jane can be pig-headed and silly at times, but she's also brave and fearless and bold. Although I think she is a little too bold for this time period. *JK*

The Carnival at Bray, by Jessie Ann Foley

It's 1993, and Maggie Lynch, 16, couldn't feel more lost.

Her emotionally unstable mom has just married her latest fling, a guy she barely knew four months, and uprooted the entire family, forcing a move from the familiar Chicago neighborhood to a dreary small town on the coast of Ireland. Unlike her outgoing younger sister, Maggie has trouble making friends her own age and fitting in at her strict Catholic school. She misses her old home, her friends, her grandmother. But she misses her rocker Uncle Kevin the most of all. Despite that her family thought Kevin was a horrible influence, there was no one Maggie related to better. Despite their 10 year age difference, Uncle Kevin was the only person in Maggie's life who treated her like an equal, like a person, and not like a child. He was her best friend, and the only person she fully trusted.

And now he's an ocean away. 

As the winter rain falls outside, Maggie spends hours shut in her room, listening to the bands Uncle Kevin introduced her to: Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, and especially, especially Nirvana. This music is the only thing that makes sense to Maggie. It's the only thing that makes her feel connected to anything resembling a normal life.

Then comes two very important turning points: Maggie falls deeply in love with a local boy and a sudden tragedy strikes her family.

Spurred into action by these events, and armed with a pair of concert tickets Uncle Kevin sent in his last care package, Maggie runs away from home to make a forbidden trip to Rome where she will finally see the band whose music kept her company during those lonely hours. But it's more than just a road trip. More than just a concert. It's the beginning of everything. And, in some ways, the end.

The Carnival at Bray, by Julie Ann Foley, initially sparked my interest because it is set in the time period when I was a teen--so I suppose one could call it historical fiction. But despite the dated pop culture references, mentions of bands now considered "classic rock," lack of modern technology (no cell phones), and absence of social media, it's still a story that's relatable to teens of today. Family drama, first love, music, unexpected changes, and finding one's place in the world...these are still very important and relevant issues, and The Carnival at Bray handles them beautifully. Maggie is a very "real" character, and Eoin is positively crush-worthy! 

The Carnival at Bray was up for several awards this year, and, having read it, it's easy to see why. This one is definitely recommended. --AJB

p.s. On a side note, I'd like to mention that this book would me more appropriate for older teen readers. 

Teen Reviewer

Teen Reviewer Troy, 19, recently finished Naomi Novik's Black Powder War, the third installment of The Chronicles of Temerair. To date, this is one of Troy's favorite fantasy series:

"This has to be one of the best series of books I have read in a long time! If you liked the Eragon books or others like that, you will love these stories. (Temerair) portrays the Napoleonic war, but with the twist of adding barn-sized dragons to the mix. No magic or super powers. Everything is portrayed in a realistic manner, and I love it for that. It's nice to see a change from works of high fantasy to realistic fantasy. The books are dripping in detail and always leave you with a cliffhanger and wanting more. Some might consider these books hard due to the large vocabulary and dated social reasonings. Not to mention not one of the books (in the series) is under 300 pages. But I can finish one of them in under 6 hours. See if you can do better than I can. Good luck and enjoy these masterpieces!"

Due to the difficult vocabulary and some mature situations, Troy recommends Black Powder War and the Chronicles of Temerair for older teens and more advanced readers.

Teen Review: The Royal Diaries: Kaiulani The People's Princess Hawaii 1889

Teen Reviewer Elizabeth Grabowski, 12, read and enjoyed Kaiulani: The People's Princess, Hawaii 1889 by Ellen Emerson White. Kaiulani is part of The Royal Diaries series.This historical fiction follows the life of Victoria Kaiulani Cleghorn from 1889-1893 as studies to be the best princess she can be. Meanwhile the throne and the Hawaiian Monarchy is being threatened by some very evil American businessmen. 

Elizabeth found Kaiulani: The People's Princess both entertaining and informative. 

"The Royal Diaries series is really cool because it tells the stories of the lives of a ton of different princesses. And the one about Princess Kaiiulani is really cool to me because my dad went to Hawaii and reading that book tells me more about the scenery, plants, and animals there. It is also cool because I got to learn more about the last princess of Hawaii. I would totally recommend this book to people because it is interesting historical fiction."--Elizabeth Grabowski.

Elizabeth recommends Kaiulani: The People's Princess for teens 15 and younger.

Teen Review: The Luxe, by Annna Godbersen

Teen Reviewer Kati Flanagan, 18, read, re-read, and re-re-read Anna Godbersen's The Luxe (the first in a 4-book series) and loved it just as much the third time around if not more. Set in 1899 Manhattan, The Luxe centers on Elizabeth and Diana, sisters and members of the city's most elite class. But despite their position within society, life is far from rosy for these girls.

"(The Luxe) is a true work of art. The immense romantic detail included in the entire novel allowed me to catch something new each time. This novel is ab exhilarating, extravagant twist on an old-fashioned plot. The appeal lies not only in the romance, but also in the thrill which accompanies each plotted suspense. Anna Godbersen possesses the ability to write with such vibrancy and depth that I feel the characters are my own personal friends and foes." --Kati Flanagan

Although she Kati originally chose The Luxe for it's pretty cover, it seems as if this historical romance/drama/suspense story has become a favorite she wouldn't hesitate to give to a friend. Recommended for teens age 16 and up.

Teen Reviewer-- 3 Reviews

Veteran Teen Reviewer Kate read, loved, and reviewed three books: Fire and Flood, by Victoria Scott; Rebel Belle, by Rachel Hawkins; and The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. All three books Kate would recommend for teens 13 and up.

In Fire and Flood, Tella's brother is deathly ill. So she enters the dangerous Brimstone Bleed Race where she hopes to win a cure. But there is no guarantee she will win--or even survive. "When I started reading Fire & Flood, I had no expectations. I hadn't seen many reviews for it, but I loved it! This book was a perfect dystopian and surreal story, and Victoria Scott's characters really come to life by the end of the book. This book had some plot twists that I didn't see coming."

In Rebel Belle, Harper Price, a popular homecoming queen type, unexpectedly comes into some serious powers: She becomes a Paladin, an ancient guardian. And who must she protect but her lifelong nemesis! Kate was pleasantly surprised by the book: "The cover made me think it was some girly kind of book, but it was the exact opposite. It was funny, exciting, and an overall great book. The story was amazing and I liked all of the characters. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book."

In Darkest Minds, teenage Ruby survives a deadly virus only to contract terrifying abilities. Having escaped a rehabilitation camp for other survivors, Ruby is on the run. Her only hope is to reach a safe house--but even there, nothing is as it seems. "This was an amazing dystopian read! I loved the author's writing and can't wait to see what she writes next."

Would you like to write reviews for our Teen Book Blog? Stop by the Teen Desk and find out how!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: The Graphic Novel

Author Ransom Riggs created a sensation with his novel, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children a few years back. This story, which was constructed around some very, well, "peculiar" old photos told the tale of a boy trying to track down his family history and finding something extraordinary. 

This popular book is now a graphic novel. Even though the original format could practically be classified as a graphic (after all, it's a story told with pictures), this book gives the story a whole new dimension. Characters come to life through Cassandra Jean's drawings, and you'll find many people and places look just how you imagined them when you read the book book. Sprinkled throughout are photos from the original book. 

Even if you've already read the book, the graphic is definitely worth a look! --AJB

Teen Reviewer: Winner's Curse

Teen Reviewer Kate, 14, read The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski. She loved this book, the first in a new trilogy, which centers around a forbidden relationship between a young lady of nobility and a slave boy. 

"This historical dystopian was really unique. I loved the world (building) along with the two main characters, Krestral and Arin. They are both really developed by the end of the book, and I really loved the whole story. It was really amazing, and I highly recommend it!"

Kate recommends this historical romance for teens 13 and older and called it, "An amazing start to a new trilogy."

The sequel, The Winner's Crime, is due out early next year (according to Goodreads).

The Kingdom of Little Wounds

A mysterious and deadly illness is plaguing the royal family of Skyggenhavn. 

On the eve of doomed Princess Sophia's nuptials to a man more than twice her age, royal seamstress Ava Bingen accidentally pricks Queen Isabel with a needle during a routine gown repair. Servants have been put to death for far lesser crimes, so when she is exiled to the dungeons, Ava doesn't believe she will live to see the dawn. Ava is unexpectedly rescued (fortunately or unfortunately? you be the judge) by Count Nicolas, a frivolous and devious man infamous for hiding his jewels in the oddest of places. The Count offers Ava a proposition: In lieu of death, she will be sent into the royal nursery as a spy in hopes that she will uncover a plot against the crown. It is here she meets the angsty mute nurse Midi Sorte. At first the girls are suspicious of each other, but soon they form an odd alliance. They do solve the mystery of who is plotting against the royal family. And, in doing so, also forge better lives for themselves.

The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susan Cokal is one of this year's Printz Award contenders. The story is awesome and beautifully written, and it's easy to see how it came to be an award winner. However, a warning: There are some seriously gross plot elements, such as detailed discriptions of disease (festering puss and all), multiple accounts of Count Nicolas' "odd" habits (eww!), and the humiliating deeds Ava and Midi are forced to perform for the pleasure and entertainment of the court. So if you have a weak stomach, maybe this one isn't for you. Otherwise, definitely check it out. This one's fantastic!

p.s. Due to mature content, this book is recommend for 9th grade and up.

--AJB

Teen Reviewer

Teen Reviewer Olivia read Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys. She had some reservations about the book, at first, but ended up very much enjoying this historical mystery:

"Out of the Easy is a historical fiction novel set in the New Orleans French Quarter in the 1950s. Josie, an ambitious and brave senior, faces many challenges as the daughter of a prostitute entangled in the middle of a murder mystery case.

Now upon finding this book, I said there was no way I would read a book about prostitutes! It simply wasn't an aspect I enjoyed reading about. But Ruta Sepstys is one of the most gifted writers at coming up with characters. She portrayed The House and the women who worked there perfectly. All the girls were original, fun, classy (yes, classy) characters, all of whom will remain my favorites in the literary world. Also, I was starting to get tired of love triangles and their predictability, but the love triangle Josie is ensnared in was so beautiful and heart-wrenching I was literally jealous of her, a fictional character. This book very quickly became one of my all-time favorites, and Sepetys's characters will forever be some of the best out there for me."

Olivia recommends Out of the Easy for teens 16 and up.

Teen Reviewer

Teen Reviewer Annie read All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry. She was originally intrigued by the book's pretty cover, but ended up loving the story.

"All The Truth That's In Me is about a girl named Judith who was kidnapped at the age of 14. She returns home at the age of 16 having lost the ability to speak. Over the course of the book, we come to know why she can't speak, where she's been, and who murdered her friend Lottie. The novel is told like Judith is speaking to the boy she loves, Lucas, whose father plays a very important role in the mystery.

This book was absolutely fantastic. At first the writing style made me hesitate; I thought it would become irritating after a while. It didn't at all. Actually, it was fascinating. I've never read a book that was written to one of the main characters. The protagonist was an amazing character and I was jumping up and down when she finally found her voice. The story was perfectly paced and never made me feel bored.

All The Truth That's In Me is a beautiful story about a fiercely determined 18-year-old girl who discovers her voice again and then some."

Annie recommends this book for teens 13 and up.



Monstrous Mystery

Fantastical creatures, a deadly curse, a mysterious haunting, a forbidden romance...all are part of Elizabeth Fama's fantasy thriller, Monstrous Beauty. 

Unlike other girls her age, Hester Goodwin is forbidden to fall in love. Because love (specifically, having a child) has always resulted in death for the women in her family. Fearing the same fate, Hester keeps her distance from all boys...until the stormy night she meets Ezra on the beach. Despite the strange circumstances surrounding their meeting, Hester finds she can's stay away from this odd, yet intriguing boy. Soon, Hester finds herself drawn deep into a mystery that's plagued her coastal town for nearly two centuries. A mystery involving mermaids, hauntings, and revenge from beyond the grave. If Hester unravels this mystery, she just might get to the root of the curse that's plagued the women in her family. 

Despite the popularity of John Green and writers like him, the Paranormal Romance genre is still huge. That is, storied about love between a human and a vampire/werewolf/zombie/ghost/whatever. On the surface Monstrous Beauty sounds like it would fall in with the rest of those books, but it really doesn't so much. True that there is romance and there are mythical creatures, those elements really take a backseat to the mystery of Hester's family curse. But everything works together to create a unique and awesome story. --AJB

Don't Let it Make You Crazy...

October is nearly here, and all month long this blog will be focusing on creepy books and movies.

Look no further than the New Book Shelf for Asylum, by Madeleine Roux. When Dan, Abby, and Jordan meet at a summer program for gifted students, they have no idea they're in store for the most terrifying five weeks of their lives. Brookline Dorm, where they're staying, used to be a psychiatric home (that is, an insane asylum). Before long, the three friends are deep in the asylum's disturbing and murderous past. 

Fans of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will enjoy the format of Asylum, which has short chapters illustrated by (totally creeptastic) historic photos from real asylums. --AJB

The Alchemyst

Action, adventure, excitement, suspense, fantasy, history... Michael Scott's The Alchemyst, the first volume in the The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel series, has it all and more.

Firstly, forget the decrepit old man Flamel you briefly met at the end of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The Flamel featured in this series borders on being a butt-kicking action hero. And he's determined not to let his secret formula for immortality fall into the wrong hands. Namely, his nemesis, the equally butt-kicking, and very evil, Dr. John Dee. Aiding Flamel in his perilous quest are a ninja-like vampire and ordinary mortal twins Josh and Sophie Newman, who, as it turns out, may not be so ordinary after all. In fact, they play an essential role in whether the world as we know it is saved or destroyed. There's even a prophecy about them. Sprinkled throughout the series are references to famous characters  and places from both history and mythology (I'm sure you'll recognize some). Not to mention some seriously surprising plot twists and turns. And The Alchemyst only scratches the surface of the adventure in store for anyone willing to tackle this totally awesome series.

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel is probably one of my favorite fantasy/adventure series we own. I love reading books where mythology is featured in the plot, but crave something more in depth than Percy Jackson (which is not to say I didn't enjoy Percy Jackson, 'cause I did). This series was exactly what I was looking for. Hopefully you'll enjoy it too! --AJB

Dark and Deadly Secrets

Welcome to Wyndriven Abbey, Mississippi 1885, where dark and terrible secrets lurk just beneath the lavish surface and nothing is as it seems.

After the death of her father, Sophie, 17, is invited to live with her mysterious godfather, Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, at his sprawling Mississippi mansion, Wyndriven Abbey. At first, everything is idyllic: The mansion is beautiful, and Bernard is charming and doting and gives Sophie everything she could possibly want (and many things she didn't even know existed). But then cracks begin to appear in this seemingly perfect exterior. Bernard is prone to violent temper tantrums when things don't go his way, and Sophie begins to feel an omnious fear of the man. As Sophie digs deeper into the mystery of Wyndriven Abbey, she learns a deadly secret involving Bernard's ex-wives--a fate that might be her's as well, if Bernard has anything to say about it. With the help of Gideon, a naturalist-type she meets and bedfriends while walking in the woods, Sophie might be able to escape the Abbey with her life. Then again, if Bernard catches on to the plan (and he's got spies everywhere), Sophie might be doomed.

Currently located on the New Book Shelf, Strands of Bronze and Gold is an atmosphereic, fast-paced historical thriller with a touch of romance and fairy-taleesque twist. This will especially appeal to fans of VC Andrews (Flowers in the Attic). Sound good? As of the writing of this blog entry, it's currently checked in...so it's yours for the borrowing. --AJB

Cinderella Story

Set in 14th century China, Donna Jo Napoli's Bound is a re-imagining of Cinderella that's sure to please fans of both fairy tales and historical fiction.

Following the death of her beloved father, young Xing Xing, 14, is doomed to a life of servitude at the hands of her cruel stepmother and spoiled stepsister, who was crippled by a botched foot binding operation. Xing Xing's only joy comes from her daily encounters with a beautiful white carp, who lives in a nearby pond (this carp, we learn, embodies the spirit of her deceased mother). When Stepmother kills the fish to punish Xing Xing, the teen secretly retrieves the bones from the trash and, in doing so, learns the hidden location of a beautiful silk gown and slippers. Dressed in this finery, Xing Xing sneaks out to attend an annual festival and, there, encounters a prince who, of course, is enchanted with her beauty and naturally tiny feet. In effort to beat Stepmother and stepsister home, Xing Xing flees, leaving a single slipper behind. And, well... you know the rest of the story.

As a fairy tale retelling, Bound is particularly interesting in that it incorporates historical details of life in ancient China. And author Donna Jo Napoli manages these small history lessons without drying up the greater story. Even though the story is decidedly predictable (everyone knows what happens in Cinderella), it's still very worth reading. --AJB

p.s. Bound is currently being featured on our Staff Picks shelf, located next to the New Book Shelves at the entrance to the Teen Area.

Written in the Stars

Set in the late 1500s. When Jepp, a dwarf, is sent to become a member of the Spanish Infanta's royal court, he couldn't have anticipated the daily humiliations that would become his life: Donning silly costumes, leaping out of pies, and performing ridiculous stunts--all for the amusement of her Highness. He also couldn't have expected to fall in love with Lia, another dwarf and fellow performer. When something terrible happens to Lia, Jepp agrees to help her escape--with disastrous results. As punishment for this insubordination, Jepp is sent far away to a very unusual new master. Here, he expects to suffer the same humiliating lifestyle he did in while residing in the castle of the Infanta. But sometimes fate can twist in unexpected ways...

This truly unique book explores the age-old argument of fate vs. free will. Are our lives mapped out for us even before we are born? Do we have the power to shape our own destiny? A mix of both? No matter what you believe, Jepp Who Defied the Stars is not one to be missed. --AJB

A Ghostly Killer. A Haunting Mystery

Evie has a secret special talent: She can tell you all your deepest, darkest secrets just by holding a personal object of yours. After she uses this ability to shame her small town's golden boy, Evie is shipped off to stay with her Uncle Will in New York City for a few months until things blow over. Evie thinks this sentence will be nothing but parties, shopping, and fun. Sure Uncle Will is a boring old bachelor who runs a creepy museum housing supernatural artifacts, but Evie can overlook this. Then a rash of ritual murders break out, and, because of his knowledge of the paranormal, Uncle Will is asked to assist in the investigation. Evie is thrown into the middle of the danger when she accidentally touches something belonging to one of the victims and learns the killings were committed by Naughty John Hobbes, a fanatically religious madman who was hanged for murder 50 years earlier. Naughty John is back from the grave to complete a deadly ritual said to bring on the apocalypse. Evie thinks she can use her powers to stop Naughty John from completing his agenda. But is she strong enough to end the evil that has been unleashed?

Weighing in at nearly 600 pages and dealing with some decidedly creepy topics, The Diviners is not something to pick up for light reading (literally or figuratively). But expert character development, detailed settings, and exciting plot twists make this one a quintessential page turner. You won't be able to put down! In a word, it's awesome! True, the ending leaves several loose ends, but The Diviners is the first in a planned trilogy. So if you like it, there's more to come. --AJB