“Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who adored him completely. And then, one day, he was lost… 

Kate DiCamillo takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. Along the way, we are shown a miracle–that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again.” 

There aren’t too many kids books that I can say grabbed me from the very first page — this was one of those few. The author’s descriptive writing weaves a magical tale of possibility, heartbreak and hope.

There is a lesson beneath the story, and it is one that I think adults might benefit from even more than kids. It might not be particularly long, but The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is definitely worth the read; for young and old alike.

There is little more I can say without giving away the plot, and you know I can’t do that!

I happily give this book the highest rating I offer on this blog, and can say without a doubt that this will be one that I reread in the future.

/5

Find the Ebook:
Amazon for Kindle
Barns & Noble for Nook

“In a landmark epic of fantasy and storytelling, Philip Pullman invites readers into a world as convincing and thoroughly realized as Narnia, Earthsea, or Redwall. Here lives an orphaned ward named Lyra Belacqua, whose carefree life among the scholars at Oxford’s Jordan College is shattered by the arrival of two powerful visitors.

First, her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, appears with evidence of mystery and danger in the far North, including photographs of a mysterious celestial phenomenon called Dust and the dim outline of a city suspended in the Aurora Borealis that he suspects is part of an alternate universe. He leaves Lyra in the care of Mrs. Coulter, an enigmatic scholar and explorer who offers to give Lyra the attention her uncle has long refused her. 

In this multilayered narrative, however, nothing is as it seems. Lyra sets out for the top of the world in search of her kidnapped playmate, Roger, bearing a rare truth-telling instrument, the compass of the title. All around her children are disappearing—victims of so-called “Gobblers”—and being used as subjects in terrible experiments that separate humans from their daemons, creatures that reflect each person’s inner being. And somehow, both Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter are involved.“

While the movie and the age of the main character seem to indicate that this book is geared for children, it definitely has adult appeal as well. It is a well crafted novel with an intriguing story-line and I would recommend it regardless of your age.

There are some rather violent scenes which means I wouldn’t suggest that anyone too young read it!

This story contains magical dust, armoured warrior bears, and companions that take the form of beasts.

/5

The Golden Compass Formula:

A dollop of mystery and a heap of adventure,
swirled in a pot of the finest fantasy,
and coated evenly with magic dust for the big finish.

1. The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials
2. The Subtle Knife: His Dark Materials
3. The Amber Spyglass: His Dark Materials

“Kellen Tavadon, son of the Arch-Mage Lycaelon, thought he knew the way the world worked. His father, leading the wise and benevolent Council of Mages, protected and guided the citizens of the Golden City of the Bells. Young Mages in training-all men, for women were unfit to practice magic-memorized the intricate details of High Magic and aspired to seats on the council.

Deep in Obsidian Mountain, the Demons are waiting. Since their defeat in the last great War, they’ve been biding their time, sowing the seeds of distrust and discontent between their human and Elven enemies. Very soon now, when the Demons rise to make war, there will be no alliance between High and Wild Magic to stand against them. And all the world will belong to the Endarkened.”

If you’re looking for a series for older teens – this would be a good place to start. The main character is young enough for teens to be able to relate, but the storyline is adult enough to keep them hooked. There is nothing particularly explicit in these books, though there is violence and some of the fantasy is a bit darker, which is why I suggest they are more for older teens (16+).

Of course that being said this adventure is wonderful for adults as well. The story is interesting and fast paced with the great storytelling that I have come to expect from Mercedes Lackey.

There are some interesting twists on typical fantasy, such as the unicorns, that make it a world of its own.

/5

If you enjoy this book, it is the first in a trilogy.
1. The Outstretched Shadow: The Obsidian Trilogy: Book One
2. To Light a Candle: The Obsidian Trilogy, Book Two
3. When Darkness Falls: The Obsidian Trilogy, Book

There is also another trilogy set in the same world, however it takes place a thousand or so years later. I would definitely recommend reading these books in chronological order!

1.The Phoenix Unchained: Book One of The Enduring Flame
2. The Phoenix Endangered: Book Two of The Enduring Flame
3. The Phoenix Transformed: Book Three of the Enduring Flame

This is one of the many books that is much, much better as a novel than it was as a movie. Not that I have anything against the movie, it wasn’t bad, but it missed a great deal of plot.

This is a good “introduction to fantasy” novel, and also great for anyone who is a little bit younger. It’s not as dark as fantasy can often become and contains a world that is both interesting and unique.

I know a few people who are either not particularly good readers, or don’t usually go for fantasy, who enjoyed this book.

3.75 Stars

“Chris Astor is a man in his early forties who is going through the toughest stretch of his life. Not long before, Chris’ world sparkled – he was doing significant work, he had a good home, and his young daughter brought him more joy than he ever could have imagined. Now, divorce and estrangement have left him confused and all too often alone. 

Becky is Chris’ fourteen-year-old daughter, a girl who overcame enormous challenges in her early years to become a vibrant, vital young woman. Her parents’ divorce has left its mark, though, most significantly in her relationship with her father. Once, they told remarkable stories together. Now, they barely speak. Emotional detachment from Chris is not Becky’s biggest concern, though.

Miea is the young queen of a fantasy land that Becky and Chris created when Becky was little – a fantasy land that has developed a life of its own. Miea knows nothing of Becky and Chris. She only knows that her beautiful kingdom – a place of remarkably varied flora, dignified and distinctive fauna, and an ecology that works in symphonic majesty – is in terrible, maybe fatal trouble. At the most challenging junctures of their lives, Becky and Miea discover each other and Miea shares this discovery with Chris. For Becky, it is nearly inconceivable that a place she created has come into existence. For Miea, it is nearly inconceivable that a child created her land. For Chris, it is beyond inconceivable that he is again sharing something important in his daughter’s life. For all of them, it as though a world of opportunity has opened up before them. 

Together, they need to uncover a secret. The secret to why these worlds have joined at this moment. The secret to their purpose. The secret to the future. It is a secret that, when discovered, will redefine imagination for all of them. Blue is a novel of trial and hope, invention and rediscovery.” 

I haven’t read a book that leaves me feeling this satisfied at the end in a long time.

This book is incredible – it effortlessly transported me back to the days when my father used to put me to bed and tell me a story of his own making. It brought back those feelings and how much I loved that time we spent together and the magic of his imagination.

/5

“Seventeen-year-old Alice Bonham’s life feels out of control after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave hits aside, Jack’s unlike anyone she’s ever met.

Then she meets his brother, Peter. His eyes pierce through her, and she can barely breathe when he’s around. Even though he can’t stand the sight of her, she’s drawn to him.

But falling for two very different guys isn’t even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood…”

After hearing so much about her for the last month I had no choice but to purchase one of Amanda Hocking’s novels and give her a try.

My Blood Approves is an easy read, though I found the beginning too slow. It is a paranormal romance with a focus on vampires. The story doesn’t even come close to ending with the first book as nothing is resolved, however that simply means that if I want to find out what happens – I’ll have to get the next one as well.

I’m very undecided how I feel about the story and the style of writing, I found it to be a little lacking in most departments. I’m hoping that the next books have a little bit more depth and character development – that being said, since I plan on reading them at some point, the story is interesting enough to make me curious what happens next.

/5

Find My Blood Approves on Kindle

“When a stranger offers her a small fortune to break into a traveling magician’s wagon, Kim doesn’t hesitate. Having grown up a waif in the dirty streets of London, Kim isn’t above a bit of breaking-and-entering. A hard life and lean times have schooled her in one lesson: steal from them before they steal from you. But when the magician catches her in the act, Kim thinks she’s done for. Until he suggests she become his apprentice; then the real trouble begins.

Kim soon finds herself entangled with murderers, thieves, and cloak-and-dagger politics, all while trying to learn how to become both a proper lady and a magician in her own right. Magic and intrigue go hand in hand in Mairelon the Magician and The Magician’s Ward, two fast-paced novels filled with mystery and romance, set against the intricate backdrop of Regency England.”

I was thrilled to discover this is one of the few books by Patricia C. Wrede available for the Kindle.

Actually, to clarify things just a little bit, this was originally two separate books that were combined into one. The two books were Mairelon the Magician and Magician’s Ward. I first read them quite some time ago, and I go back for a re-read rather regularly.

If you like stories that involve magic and intrigue you’ll like this one. There is a bit of romance, without the mush, and it was interesting enough to have me hooked from the very first page.

It is suitable for young adults but don’t toss it to the side if you’re all grown up!

/5

I heartily recommend this one!

Find it on Amazon