Fall Fantasy Flashback...or...Playing Catch-up with Reviews

This past fall I read a ton of great fantasy books and, sadly, did not have time to review them here.  Because I read them so long ago, I can't quite remember all the details of each book so I am going to do mini reviews rather than my normal long review.

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
(Egmont, Hardcover, December 2009)
In her debut novel, Bree Despain captures the quintessential teen problems—romance, family issues, and faith—all while weaving an exciting fantasy story. The secrets surrounding Grace Divine's childhood friend, Daniel, kept me guessing the whole book and the ending left me waiting for a sequel.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
(Scholastic, Hardcover, August 2009)
So many good things to say about this one. Stiefvater's mythology was captivating and intriguing and unlike any werewolf story that I've read (granted, I haven't read that many).  Because Sam will completely revert to wolf form if it gets too cold outside, the use of temperatures for chapter titles was unique and suspenseful.  Shiver is a beautifully written love story and I can't wait to read the sequel, Linger, when it comes out in July.

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
(Hyperion, Hardcover, October 2009)

This novel reminded me of some of favorite fantasy writers, such as Hilari Bell and Tamora Pierce.  Set in a world of monarchs and magic, two strangers will have to unite to save a kingdom.  Han has grown up in poverty, but the magic silver cuffs that he wears suggests a there is more to this reformed thief than meets the eye.  Raisa is a princess in a gilded cage but, more than anything, she wants to escape and become a warrior queen.  Thoroughly captivating, this is one of the best fantasy books that I read last year and the sequel, The Exiled Queen, is already on my wishlist even though it doesn't come out until September.

Have you read any good fantasy books lately?

Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock Book Review

Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
(Houghton Mifflin, Hardcover)
Rating:

Princess Ben's parents are killed by assassins and her life changes drastically. Overnight, she is moved from her comfy home into the palace, under the rule of the harsh Queen Sophia. The Queen demands that Ben learn to dance, crochet, and converse in several languages. Ben is also put on a strict diet and when is found sneaking food, she is banished to a dreary tower room. In the tower, she finds a secret magical room and begins to teach herself magic. It is there that the she finds the inner strength to help defend her country against its enemies.

Princess Ben is a spunky, unique heroine. She is not ashamed of her weight and she certainly doesn't need a man to make decisions for her. I enjoyed reading about all of her adventures and misadventures. This is Catherine Murdock's first foray into fantasy and she does a great job of turning around the normal fairy tale. In fact, she has the princess wake up the prince with a kiss. Fans of her other books, Dairy Queen and The Off Season, may be a little disappointed. The minor characters aren't as well drawn out in this book. We hardly know anything of Prince Florian, and Queen Sophia is painted as a frightfully vicious character and then, somewhat unbelievable, undergoes a radical transformation. It took me a few chapters to get into the story but, once in, I was hooked. There is an especially funny battle scene towards the end...You'll have to read it to find out more. :-)