the Edge Chronicles : Beyond the Deepwoods

by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Twig has always known he was different from the other wood trolls, so when his  mother tells him she found him as a baby he begins a journey that will put aside everything that he has ever been taught about the Deepwoods where he lives.  Straying from the path Twig encounters many weird and wonderful creatures, (some of which are even friendly) in his perilious journey of self discovery and soon learns that even the rocks and trees can be dangerous.  Pursued by the fearsome Gloamglozer who haunts the wood,Twig perseveres in his quest to find where he fits in and a place he can call home.

Riddell’s wonderful drawings bring to life the strange characters from this first book in a series. A fantastic book that young readers will love and they will laugh aloud at the terrible, comic and inventive adventures that Twig falls into one right after the other - from being enslaved as a pet to falling in a huge pot full of honey being cooked for the goblin’s meal, just to name a few!   

Part of my 100 + reading challenge

The Picture of Dorian Gray

by Oscar Wilde

This scandalous supernatural classic by the moralistic author, tells the tale of the vain, beautiful young man, Dorian Gray. After having his portrait made he becomes infatuated with the idea of eternal youth and beauty and makes a foolish wish that he would stay young and fresh forever, while the portrait grew old. A wish that comes true.

Encouraged by Lord Henry (Harry)Wotton, Dorian follows many sinful and sensual exploits, which leave no mark upon him, but changes the face of painting into a hideous mask of evil and corruption. Hiding the painting away, Dorian believes himself free to live as he likes, but his unchanged face does not go unnoticed and his dangerous and attractive lifestyle leaves death and destruction in his wake.

Wilde's tale from the 1890s is filled with his characteristic observations of human nature and dry humour. A more difficult and complicated read than many of his other books, with long periods philosophical discussion which, though interesting, stop the flow of the story.

Of course, the book scandalized the Victorians and it was even used against him when he was on trial that resulted in imprisonment due to homosexuality!

Part of my 100+ reading challenge

Howl's Moving Castle

by Diane Wynn Jones

In the land of Ingary where magic runs rife a prince has been taken captive by the evil witch of the waste and the talented king’s wizard, who has tried to rescue him has reportable been slain. A dangerous, heart-eating wizard by the name of Howl is reported to be on the move.

But all of this is inconsequential to Sophie Hatter. Afraid that her position as eldest of three sisters means she is doomed to failure if she tries to seek her fortune elsewhere, Sophie works in the her tedious family’s hat shop in Market Chipping. That is until her fate takes a turn and brings Sophie to the attention of the evil Witch of the Waste, who casts a spell, turning Sophie into an old lady unable to tell anyone what has happened.

So, Sophie runs away from home, right into the strange and frantic world of Howl, his apprentice Michael and the fire demon, Calcifer where her only hope of reversing the spell lies in untangling and breaking the bizarre contract between Howl and his demon before the witch of the waste catches up with them.

With a wonderful combination of outrageous humor and great sincerity, this tale of magic and finding one’s true purpose will enchant readers of any age.

Part of my 100 + reading challenge

Magic Strikes

by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels leads a complicated life. A mercenary for years in an Atlanta that constantly shifts between technology and magic in waves and friends with were-beasts, she has seen her fair share of challenging paranormal.

But when Derek, her werewolf friend asks her to deliver a message, Kate has no idea what she is getting herself into, and when that message all but gets Derek killed, Kate begins her own investigation only to find it is all tied up with the gladiators of the Midnight games, a most deadly fighting tournament, and the supernatural prize being offered to the winners.

Packed with action, humour, strange magic and beasts, fans of Patricia Briggs will find this fasted paced, energetic novel a welcome addition to their shelves.

Part of my 100+ reading challenge

Dragon Bones

by Patricia Briggs

Raised by an abusive father, Ward, the heir to Huron has pretended to stupidity so long it is second nature, but when his father is killed in a hunting accident the reigns of the kingdom fall heavily on Ward's shoulders.  Not knowing who he should trust or where to turn for help, Ward soon finds himself on a journey to prove himself worthy.  His companions, the family ghost who might just be mad, a brother who has no love for him, a runaway slave and the only two men of the kingdom who know Ward's secret.

An intriguing tale of fantasy and honor, set in a world where heroes must prove their metal and dragons are not quite extinct.

Part of my 100+ reading challenge

Ascendant Sun

by Catherine Asaro


In this sequel to The Lask Hawk, Kelric cybernetically enhanced Jagernaut warrior and heir to the Skolian Empire is on his way home. But much has changed in the galaxy during his 18 years of exile on the planet Coba. The psyberweb that united the known planets and was run by his family has collapsed after a devastating war and the other members of the ruling family are either hostages or dead. Kelric, now the only heir to the throne, is in great danger, not only from those who would use him but also from the damage to his body sustained on Coba which is slowly killing him.

Hiding his ignorance and his identity Kelric takes the only job available as a crew member on a merchant ship headed for Euban space, but when disaster strikes and the vessel is captured by his families sworn enemies, the Aristos, Kelric must use all his skills to win his freedom and stop them from gaining complete control of interstellar communications which would endanger, not only himself and those left on Coba but every world in the Skolian Empire.

Part of my 100+ reading challenge

The Green Man

edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling

A wonderfully inspired selection of short stories and poems each with their own spin on the legendary “Green Man”. Find here a teenage girl plays a deadly game with the Queen of Central Park, a boy who risks his own life to help in a war, two girls who wish for their lives to change with unexpected results and many more.

The tales range from humorous to untamed and mystical, but each contains the power and mystery of the forest. The Green Man will take you from New York to Arizona, from fairy tale to present. With authors like Patricia Mckillip, Emma Bull, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Jane Yolen and many more, this fasinating collection will appeal to more than just fans of fantasy and mythology.

Part of 100 + reading challenge

The Mystery of Grace

by Charles de Lint

When John meets Grace he knows there is something unusual about her but he is falling in love with her two weeks too late.

Grace is an unusual woman. Not because of the tattoos, or because of her job as at Sanchez Motor work where she restores and customizes old cars. No, Grace is dead. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time - the corner shop when a kid decided to rob it.

But instead of passing on, Grace wakes up in her own apartment in a realm occupied by the dead of her neighbourhood. She soon learns the inhabitants can cross back into the world for a night on Hallowe’en and May Eve.

Both John and Grace have problems that need to be fixed. After meeting John, Grace is determined to solve the mystery of the realm she inhabits, and John needs to come to terms with his brother’s death years earlier. With the help of each other, friends, “rockabilly” music and old cars Grace and John learn the value of love, hope and the necessity of letting go.

This romantic fantasy brings together a wonderful mix of folklore, fairy tale and urban legends. De Lint creates well balanced, energetic, imaginative people that puts my lack of incentive to shame!

Part of my 100+ reading challenge

Image from www.sfsite.com/charlesdelint/

The Cygnet and the Firebird by Patricia A. Mckillip

A mysterious mage fleetingly appears at Ro Holding looking for a magical object, closely followed by a man with no memory of the past, transformed into a firebird, whose mournful cries turns anything in its path into precious gems or gold.

Convinced the two are connected in some way, Nyx, sorceress and heir to Ro holding searches all her books for knowledge and spells to help the firebird regain his memory. When the mysterious mage reappears, fights with the firebird and abducts her warrior cousin Meguet, Nyx must use all her skill to find a way to follow them and unravel the mystery. A quest that will take her to the land of Sapier where dragons slumbering in the eerie magical desert, and a plot against her homeland is in the making.

An interesting tale that disappointingly fails to live up to its full potential.

Part of the 100+ book challenge

Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

Being a mechanic isn’t easy, especially if your friends are werewolves, fae and vampires. Mercy has been through some bad times and needs some time to recover, time she realizes she isn’t going to get when a badly burned vampire, her friend Stefan, is dropped through her roof. When this is closely followed by a visit from an out of town visitor and old college friend, Amber who has a ghost problem, Mercy knows something’s up.

Convinced that the mistress of the vampires, Marsilia has found out the truth about the demon Mercy and Stefan hunted down, the leader of the werewolves persuades Mercy to leave town for a while. But when she heads to Spokane in Washington to try to help her friend she soon finds that Amber’s haunted house is a lot more complicated than she ever imagined.

Filled with the culture and politics of both werewolf pack and vampire seethe Bone Crossed is a fast paced, exciting new read in the Mercy Thompson series.

Part of my 100+ book challenge

Woods and Waters Wild by Charles de Lint

In this third and final compilation of his early tales, de Lint shows his growth from a new laborious writer to an old hand. His first stories, under the heading of “Pastriches” are, as the author himself admits, a little painful to read. These “high” fantasies are so overly descriptive and stiff, that it is hard to recognize any talent. However, these are followed by the tales of Angharad, which later were the bases for his book “Into the Green”, and it is in these further tales that his real talent and a style of his own begins to show.

From there on de Lint spins tales of great promise, relying more on his own imagination than that of authors he admires. His retellings of the ballads of Thomas the Rhymer are very good and so it is almost a shame that his interests have turned away from this line of writing.

Not only is this book is a wonderful insight to an author’s mind - one that would inspire any budding writer – but also is book of delightful fantastical tales that are a pleasure to read.

Part of my 100 + reading challenge.

When Demons Walk by Patricia Briggs

Sorceress. Lady. Mistress. Thief. Just call her an overachiever…

When a spate of horrific murders touches the nobles in the town of Southwood, people begin to suspect a demon.  Kerim, the town’s new protector, is at a loss to discover the killer.  Despite the rumours, he is convinced the murderer is human and hires the help of Shamera, a girl from the slums and a Lady in the old regime, to play his mistress in an attempt to flush out the killer.  But Sham was trained as a mage and she is more than convinced that not only is the killer a demon, but one that she is in danger from.

This fast-paced, quick-read fantasy mystery is a fun read.  The plot is interesting and has a great twist at the end; the characters are well developed and likeable; the dialog is witty.  Not an outstanding read, but a good book for a rainy afternoon. 

Part of my 100+ book challenge

The True Game by Sheri Tepper

In a world where psychic abilities run rampant and laws are only rules of the Game that those with psi-talent play for power and advancement using living people as game pieces. A young orphan boy named Peter grows up in the schoolhouse with the children of other Gamelords learning the lists of psi-talents - telepathy, levitation, telekinesis, shape-shifting among others - and their moves in the Game while waiting for his own talent to emerge. But when he is caught in the middle of a game of power that almost kills him, Peter is sent away to study at another schoolhouse only to find himself pursued by those who would use his talent for their own gain.

On route Peter stumbles upon a set of carved game pieces and a book, a long lost treasure that will change his fate, set in motion plans long past laid out and reveal the true history of their world.

In this omnibus of Tepper’s first 3 novels of a series of nine,be prepared for fantasy and science fiction to mix with tremendous results and let the Game begin!

Part of my 100+ book challenge

Dragon's Keep by Janet Lee Carey

Princess Rosalind is the beautiful descendant of the exiled line of Pendragons, destined to restore her family and end a war, or so Merlin’s prophecy foretells. Her home, Wilde Island is a place ravaged by a dragon and convicts shipped from the mainland. But Rosalind has a dreadful secret that weighs heavy on her, born with a curse – a dragon’s claw upon her left hand, she has kept it hidden by her mother’s ingeniously created fashion for high born women to wear gloves and only show their hands to their husbands.

Desperately the queen searches for a cure, afraid to let her only child get close to anyone lest she reveal the secret and be burned as a witch. But in Rosalind’s 16th year their hopes for a cure are shattered when the dragon, Lord Faul, carries the princess away and sets her foretold destiny in motion.

Narrated by the lyrical and expressive voice of Bianca Amato, this compelling tale, full of magic, wonder and 12th century realities is a delight. The convincing balance of strength and weakness in Rosalind’s character as she grows from child into womanhood, the fanatical drive of the queen to find a cure and the power and compassion of the dragon add up to make a fantastic page turning tale that will enchantment readers of all ages.

Part of the 100+ book challenge

There's No Place Like Here by Cecelia Ahern

Do you ever wonder where things go when they are missing? Sandy Shortt becomes obsessed with finding where missing things and people are. The obsession begins in childhood when her “frienemy” vanishes while out playing. Sandy becomes someone who cannot rest until every nook is searched if even the smallest item goes missing.

As an adult, Sandy’s job is finding missing people. She puts the same energy into finding families’ lost loved ones that she has always put into finding lost items. She is good at it and that gives families hope. Unfortunately, Sandy’s personal life has been affected by her childhood trauma and she keeps her family and the man she loves at arms length.

While jogging in an unfamiliar town, Sandy loses her way and finds herself in a place the inhabitants call, “Here”. She quickly recognizes some of the inhabitants as the missing people she has been looking for all her life. Once again, Sandy starts searching, but this time, she is searching for the way home.

Written by Angie Coburn

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

Just the right amount of ridiculous in this unique alternate history caper.

The year is 1985, but not Britain as we know it. Here the Crimean War is still raging with Imperialist Russia after 130 years, time travel is an everyday thing and cloned dodoes the nation’s favorite pet.

In this alternate world, literature is taken very seriously. The forging of famous poets is a criminal offense, “Will-Speak” machines quote Shakespeare on the street corner, plays are acted out with audience participation and the rare talent for jumping in and out of books exists.

Our heroine, Thursday Next, works for the Literary Division of Special Ops in London, so when the precious original manuscript of Martin Chuzzlewit is stolen without a trace of evidence left behind, Thursday is on the case. And she knows who they are after – a man with a dangerous talent of persuasion, her old English Professor, the third most wanted criminal - Acheron Hades. With the help of a Prose Portal, Acheron Hades sends a henchman into the book to kidnap Mr. Quaverley and have him murdered, eliminating his character from existence. But the Chuzzlewit manuscript is small beans to this villain. He is after one of the plums of the literary worlds – the original manuscript of Jane Eyre. He plans to throw the world into uproar by stealing Jane Eyre right out of the pages. Now, Thursday Next, with the help of her team and Mr. Rochester must stop him.

This delightful, surreal, first -in-a-series novel will please across the board. Fforde has created a believable world with an engaging heroine and down-right evil villain and just the right mix of satire, fantasy and romance.

Enjoy your copy by clicking here!

The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth

17th Century England, Oliver Cromwell and the puritans are in power. Dancing, music and even Christmas has been banned. Times are hard on the gypsy who makes his trade in music, dance and magic.

One gypsy family, the Finches, has been working on an estate, but when the daughters is betrothed, to raise money for the dowry they all decide to go to the town of Kingston on market day and ply their gypsy trade. All goes well until they become involved in an accidental death and only young Emilia and Luka escape being thrown in prison.

With the help of a horse, a monkey, a dancing bear and a fiddle the children make their way across the south of England searching for the five gypsy families to find the charms of power each family owns for legend states when the charms come together the luck of the gypsies will return. But everywhere they go they are pursued by Rom hating Puritans and Cromwell’s spies. The children must give up everything they hold dear and trust to the charms if they are to free their family before they are brought to trial that will lead to a death sentence.

Portrayed with gentle humour to counter loss, this fast paced, historical novel woven with magic and mystery is an enjoyable story. The time period has been well researched and there is extra, easy-to-read information in the back for those wishing to know more. However it isn’t a patch on one of my old standing favourites – Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat.

When Santa Fell to Earth by Cornelia Funke

From the author of Inkheart and Dragon Rider comes a tale of magic, humour and the spirit of Christmas. So, sit back with a mug of hot cocoa, some gingerbread and prepare to be entertained!

On the run from Gerold Geronimus Goblynch, the evil new leader of the Santas’ council in Yuleland, Niklas Goodfellow’s wagon comes crashing to earth after a storm and his unreliable, invisible reindeer, Twinklestar, bolts. Now, with the help of two children from the town, Niklas Goodfellow, two angels and a crew of grouchy elves face danger and adventure in an effort to find Twinklestar, rid Yuleland of the wicked tyrant and his nutcrackers and to return the magic and spirit of Christmas.

To request this wonderful Christmas story from our catalog click here!

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

In this disappointing third book of the Inheritance Cycle, after losing his fight and the sword Za’roc to his brother Murtagh, Eragon and his dragon Saphira must now begin to fulfill their promises. Having sworn to help Roran, rescue his betrothed from Galbatorix’s keep, Eragon and his cousin, Roran, set off on this dangerous mission against the advice of his friends. On their return to the Varden the cousins soon find that their duties keep them apart. Roran, having led his own people must now prove to Nasuada, the leader of the Varden, that he can be trusted and is sent out on raids under various captains.

Eragon’s oaths are beginning to conflict. Having lost to his brother, Eragon knows he must keep his promise to his elven teacher to return and learn as much as he can. Saphira has made promises to the Dwarves too. Eragon is forced to make a choice. But how can he leave when the Varden desperately need him to fight against Galbatorix’s army? And how can he fight when he no longer has a weapon?

Again Paolini leans too heavily on other fantasy plots but this time without a spark of his own originality to keep a book of length interesting. Eragon has not grown in character and Roran’s increasing feats of arms are ridiculous. Nothing of note really happens until the last chapters, leaving the readers wondering why they bothered picking up the book and not just waiting for the synopsis in the final book. Let us hope Paolini redeems himself with his final book in this series.

Chalice by Robin McKinley

Mirasol is a beekeeper, brought up on a small woodlot in the corner of Willowlands. She knows little of the manor house and the Master’s Circle that governs their lands. When the Master and his Chalice die in a fire without naming heirs, Willowlands is thrown in to turmoil, but Mirasol barely has time to notice as her goats are producing vast amounts of milk and honey literally pours out of her beehives, leaving her little time to care for the woodlot.  So, when the Circle come to her cottage, she believes they will send her away for her poor tending of the land she holds, but instead she discovers she is to be the new Chalice, the most important member of the Master’s Circle.  She will be the one who binds the Circle, land and people together and creates harmony among them.

Although ill prepared for her new life and uncomfortable in the presence of the other members of the circle, Mirasol wants their new Master to have a fair chance. But how can she reconcile the demesne and it's Master when the Master is a Priest of Fire, taken from his training by the death of his older brother, a man whose very nature is fire and whose touch burns flesh to the bone?
 
This enchanting retelling of beauty and the beast, smoothly weaves together a tale of magic, healing and honey.

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