Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel

Title: Palace of Spies
Author: Sarah Zettel
ISBN: 9780544074118
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Released: November 5, 2013
Page #: 362
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"Murder. Espionage. Card Games?
Peggy Fitzroy has many talents, but until recently these three were not among them. No, Peggy was merely a lively and charming young lady of the regular sort, until the day she refused to marry the utter cad chosen for her.

Cast out on the street, Peggy has to find a means of support. Though it sounds rather mysterious, she agrees to disguise herself as a lady in waiting in the court of King George I. The real lady in waiting died, supposedly of natural causes.

Life at the palace is grand, until Peggy starts to suspect that something dreadful happened to the girl she is impersonating. Could it have been murder? Unless Peggy can discover what really happened, she might be doomed to the same terrible fate! But in a court filled with shadows and intrigue, anyone could be a spy - perhaps even Matthew, the handsome young artist with whom Peggy is falling in love..."
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First Lines: (Quote from the ARC, subject to change)

"I must begin with a frank confession. I became Lady Francesca Wallingham only after I met the man calling himself Tinderflint. This was after my betrothal, but before my uncle threw me into the street and barred the door."
Page 1
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Review:

I was in dire need of a change in genre. There's only so many fantasy/sci fi books I can read in a row. This seemed like the perfect, easy departure from the norm. 

Peggy is expected to live a normal, quiet life. She is to be married off and spend her life having a family. When she meets her betrothed, she realizes there is way she can face this life. Her uncle throws her out because of her decision and she runs to the only person who has promised her a decent life. Little did she know it would include being stationed at the palace and ferreting out the reason for her predecessor's death.

So, I'm really wondering how much of this book is going to change at publication. I was looking at an advanced copy that has a whole different cover and a different title. And there were times when I wondered if the author might change something that happens within the story. And I sort of hope a few things are changed...

As a whole, I thought the story was really good. There were a few little things that annoyed me. One is the way the accents were portrayed... Any time you had the word "behind." it became "b'ind." And any time there was an H-sound, they broke up the word. It just took me out of the story every time. And it really didn't seem necessary. So I hope they changed that. Otherwise, you don't really need an indication about accents... there are a ton of different languages spoken by the characters. It was just a weird addition for me.

There were some truly hilarious moments in this book. Usually it was during our main character describing something - like the outfits they wear, or the craziness of court life. Those little glimmers really helped the story along. And I don't think I was expecting this to be as much of a mystery novel as it is. You realize that Peggy is taking the place of a girl who died, but you don't realize how deeply she is involved in some of the devious plots.

Truly, this book was very middle of the road for me. It's a good story, there's some fun romance and a big mystery, and an interesting view of court life. But I had some trouble at times with names and figuring out who was who... and with Peggy/Fran having a couple of different names, things got confusing. Same with Tinderflint, or whoever he really was.

I do think that teens who are looking for a fun, mysterious, historical book could really get into this. And I think the new cover probably helps in that. It's not a must-read, but it definitely is a solid contribution to the genre.
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Other Blog Reviews:

I Heart YA Fiction
Book Whales
[There aren't many reviews out there yet. I'm sure there will be more once the publication date gets closer. Let me know if you review it and want to be included in this list. Thanks!]

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Princess
Author: Cassandra Clare
ISBN: 9781416975908
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Released: March 19, 2013
Series: The Infernal Devices #3
Page #: 568
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan.
He needs Tessa.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are engaged, Will is still in love with her.

The last words of a dying Shadowhunter provide the clue that might lead Tessa and her friends to Mortmain. But their small group cannot stand alone, and the powerful Consul doubts that Mortmain is coming. Deserted by allies, the Shadowhunters find themselves trapped when Mortmain seizes the medicine that keeps Jem alive. With his best friend at death's door, Will must risk everything to save the girl they both love.

To buy Will time, the warlock Mangus Bane joins with Henry Branwell to create a device that could help defeat Mortmain. As they all work to save Tessa and the future of the Shadowhunters that resides with her, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself - for in the discovery of her own true nature, Tessa could become more powerful than she ever dreamed possible. But can a lone girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy."
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First Lines:

"'I'm afraid,' said the little girl sitting on the bed. 'Grandfather, can you stay with me?'
Aloysius Starkweather made an impatient noise in the back of his throat as he drew a chair closer to the bedside and seated himself."
Page 1
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Review:

In my opinion, you can never go wrong with a Cassandra Clare book. This is the third (and final) book in the series. So if you haven't read the rest, I suggest you do so.

Tessa and Jem are finally getting married. Will, of course, isn't happy about it. And there are more people living in the London Institute than before - some of which have only just begun training to be Shadowhunters. Charlotte is being undermined and Jem's medications are becoming scarce. One attack on the Institute throws everything into a whirlwind. Will has to make a huge trip on a whim and Jem is fighting for his life. It is an epic conclusion to an already epic story.

Honestly, I didn't know this was the last book in the series. I could feel that it was getting there when I neared the end, but I wasn't expecting that. I'm notoriously bad about not reading book flaps of series' I'm already involved with. I already know I'm going to love it, so why read about it beforehand? :) So, even though this is the end, the book really captivated me.

In the previous books, there is a huge emphasis on Tessa, Will, and Jem - as to be expected. It's really their story, after all. But this last book pulls in a few more interesting characters. Gabriel and Gideon - brothers that I continually got confused. Even more about Will's sister and his family before he left them. And other fringe characters really started making a name for themselves. It was a really cool way to end the story.

Obviously, I'm not going to tell you what happens. But for those people who have chosen a side (Will or Jem), I think everyone will be happy. I haven't read a book that crafted that particular aspect so well - especially the link between the two boys. You end up loving them both and being torn - just like Tessa. It's a well crafted love story and I think will be appreciated by all fans of the series.  

Even if you haven't read the Mortal Instruments series, I think this story of the Infernal Devices stands well on its own. I do like that you have characters that you can keep up with in the future. But I really think you can get into this earlier story and be just fine. Especially if you're a fan of magical historical fiction. It's all really well thought out and I love how things come together in the end. Cassandra Clare is a true artist.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Under the Covers Book Blog
The Mountains of Instead
Kala's Book Blog
Readers in Wonderland
Booktastic Reviews
Books Complete Me
A Beautiful Madness
A Walk on Words
Random Things in Action
The Reader's Den

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Title: The Diviners
Author: Libba Bray
ISBN: 9780449808764
Publisher: Little, Brown/Listening Library
Released: September 18, 2012
Series: Diviners #1
Duration: 18 hours, 14 minutes
Source: Audiobook from my public library

Summary:
"SOMETHING DARK AND EVIL HAS AWAKENED. . . .
Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It's 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries her uncle will discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho is hiding a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened. . . ."
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First Lines:

"In a town house at a fashionable address on Manhattan's Upper West Side, every lamp blazes. There's a party going on - the last of the summer."
Page 1 
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Review:

To be honest, I actually own a paper copy of this book. But it's just. so. huge. So I opted for the audio - in hopes of being able to listen to it more quickly. I'm going to assume that was successful :).

Evie has a special gift for getting into trouble. Well, and an actual special gift that usually goes with the trouble. She's shipped off to live with her uncle to live a glamorous life in NYC. Only, there's a killer on the loose. Her uncle gets called to help with the investigation and she tags along. Before long, she's fully involved and finds her life in grave danger. Plus there are parties, dancing and cute boys.

Everything about this 1920s setting lends itself to wonderful costumes, characters, and craziness. I really enjoyed delving fully into the time period. And it is quite the chilling mystery. I made the mistake a few times of listening right before I went to bed. Man! The author does a great job of the suspense - I had no idea the ending would turn out the way it did. She's a gifted story teller, for sure.

There were a lot of characters to follow. A few times I got a little lost - and it would have probably been worse if I had been reading a paper copy of the book. Luckily, the reader did a great job of keeping voices straight so I was able to figure things out based on that. I got worried every time a new character was introduced. But those characters are what really made this story move - all of the different experiences and perspectives. Not to mention, a few of those characters only existed for a chapter or so. Ahem.   

I cannot review this book without talking about the audio. The reader for this book was fantastic. There were all sorts of crazy voices and songs that she did a wonderful job with. I was very impressed. She made it feel like I was totally transported back to the 20s. The lingo sounded natural and I imagine that she had a lot of practice with the various characters. It was just really well done and I highly recommend it.

If you're a fan of mysteries, then this book is totally for you. There's a bit of stuff about mysticism and the occult - which I have always found very interesting. It was just another part of this book that made me intrigued. So, I think if you can get over the size of the book, this is definitely one to give a shot. Or listen to. That's what worked for me on this one. But I'm a big fan of Libba Bray, so I might be jaded.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Candace's Book Blog
The Midnight Garden
The White Unicorn
Steph Su Reads
Rescue Reads
Words on Paper
The Quiet Concert
Confessions of a Book Addict
Wild Heart Book Reviews
Supernatural Snark

The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron

Title: The Dark Unwinding

Author: Sharon Cameron
ISBN: 9780545469647
Publisher: Scholastic
Released: September 01, 2012
Series: N/A
Page #: 318
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"When a rumor that her uncle is squandering away the family fortune surfaces, Katharine Tulman is sent to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of childlike rules, who is employing a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London. Katharine is now torn between protecting her own livelihood and preserving the peculiar community she has grown to care for deeply. And things are made even more complicated by the growing feelings Katharine has for her uncle's handome apprentice.

As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that it is not only her uncle's world that is at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it. With twists and turns at every corner, this heart-racing adventure will captivate readers with its thrills and romance, until the stunning end.
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First Lines:

"June 1852
Warm sun and robin's-egg skies were inappropriate conditions for sending one's uncle to a lunatic asylum. I had settled this point four hours earlier, while miles of road slipped beneath the carriage wheels."
Page 1
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Review:

I was definitely in the mood for a historical story - and the mystery aspect of this story really gave it a boost. And some of the characters... well, you can't help but fall in love with them.

Katharine lives with her Aunt and cousin in London. Her Aunt is a very strict and sour woman - and reminds Katharine often about her situation and her control over her life. It is rumored that her uncle needs to be committed to an asylum and her aunt sends her off to make that determination. Once she gets to her uncle's house, she realizes just exactly what he is like and how people perceive him. It's not quite what her aunt thinks - and Katharine has a hard decision to make. Not to mention that there are strange noises, secret passages, and odd characters to contend with.

I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. It's a really solid historical fiction book that is very character driven - with types of people you would never expect. I would almost describe this book as heartwarming. Katharine starts out fighting opposition coming from all sides, and she has to believe in herself to get through the days. But you really are rooting for her from page one.

The character of Katharine's Uncle - Mr. Tully - is very interesting. He's a genius, to put it lightly. But he has a childlike mindset. He has playtime every day... takes tea at the same time every day... is very concerned with counting and repetition and rules. He builds these amazing clockwork characters - mostly based on people he has known. And Katharine finds that she understands him and knows how to be a part of his life. Which is much to the surprise of everyone else in the town.

There are tons of characters to love... Mary Brown, Davy, Lane, Ben Aldridge, and so many more. They really make this story interesting for very different reasons. They made me wish I lived in the town with them. But it seems like a great life and they all are very loyal (for the most part ;)). Not to mention the love interest for Katharine - mild as it may have been.

 It's really well done and I wished for about 100 more pages. Alas. I am a little worried that the ending was a bit rushed - it felt like there was a lot of ground to cover in the last couple of chapters. But I was happy enough with how things turned out. If there's a next book with these characters, I'm all in! :)

I really think that anyone who likes historical fiction will really love this book. It's a great story and it was such a fast read. I also think that the themes are so universal, you can get past the historical stuff if you're not interested - but I love that stuff. I've already recommended this book to a couple of people, so I'm excited. I also think it's great that the author is from Nashville - because that's where I'm from/live now. So cool! I love finding awesome local authors. I look forward to more from her.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Ravenous Biblioworm's Book Reviews
Yeah, so... didn't see any other reviews out there yet. I'm sure there will be more once we get closer to the pub date. I urge you all to give it a shot.

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Title: Masque of the Red Death
Author: Bethany Griffin
ISBN: 9780062107794
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Released: April 24, 2012
Series: Masque of the Red Death #1
Page #: 319
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Everything is in ruins.
A devastating plague has decimated the population, and those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?
Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery makeup... and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club - in the depths of her own despair - Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club, and Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find not just something to live for, but something to fight for - no matter what it costs her."
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First Lines:

"The charcoal sky spits cold rain as we rumble to a stop at a crossroad. A black cart blocks the road, and even in an armored carriage we know better than to force our way past. 
Burly men stagger to the cart, carrying something between them. Someone."
Page 1
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Review:

Originally, I thought this cover was very interesting - enough that it drew me to the book. But after reading it, I kinda wish it was different. But it served it's purpose... to bring me to this mesmerizing story.

Araby lives in a world where the plague is running rampant. She is the daughter of a scientist/inventor - who created the masks that keep the plague away. But they are only available to the rich and powerful. After losing her twin brother to the plague, she has nothing left to live for - so she spends her time at a club using various ways to forget about her life.  Until one night when Will - the handsome door guy - saves her from herself and she learns about other ways of life. Enough that it changes her own in unimaginable ways.

Okay, so my little overview of the story doesn't give you a full picture of what this book is really about. But there's only so much I can tell you! Let me just put it this way, I loved it. There are so many story lines and crazy things going on - it keeps you on your toes.

On one hand, you have the story of Will and his little brother and sister. The plague has completely ravaged every family - and it has taken his parents from them. Wen Araby learns about their life and how she can help out, they become a big focus for her. She sees them as people she can use her status to help - not just another poor family. Not to mention that she has a thing for Will - the tattooed, mysterious guy from the club.

On the other hand, you have Elliott. He's the brother of her best friend - and, in turn, the nephew of the Prince. He's focused on revolution and fixing the city the way it was always meant to be. In order to do that, he needs Araby. Her father is powerful enough that he could help change things. And Elliott sees her as a means to his ends. But then, of course, he starts to fall for her.

Sigh. Love triangles. I really had a hard time putting this book down. I just had to know what happened next! For me, that's the sign of a great story. I understand that this book is based on a short story written by Poe - which I haven't read. I believe she has really expanded the story to become this amazing steampunk historical thriller adventure. Doesn't that sound insane?! It is :). Though - nowhere does it say this is set in historical times. But there are some hints. I also think it's interesting that there is no designation of place.

Can I just say... darn cliffhangers! There is a ton of action at the end of this book - who betrays her, what happens to them, where they end up... it's amazingly crazy! And luckily, you can sort of see where the story is heading. You've got all of your main characters on their way to an unknown location... and that's all I'm going to give you. I'm hoping that means we will have all of them back in the next one! 

I do take one issue with the book. Because of the heavy drug use, I can only really recommend this book to older high school students. I think many teens could love this one, but that sort of takes it out of the younger set. I'm sure they'd love it to, but within the first ten pages, Araby finds herself in a club looking for absolute oblivion. It really didn't bother me, but I can imagine how that might go over for a few of my librarians.

Truly, I thought this book was fantastic. I'll be recommending it to every person I think could handle it. :) Honestly, this book might be awesome for the adult YA reader. Like moi. Goodreads says there is a second book in the works - and I am absolutely on board for that! I can't wait to see what happens to our characters! 
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Other Blog Reviews:

Candace's Book Blog
The Bookish Brunette
A Life Bound By Books
Katie's Book Blog
Two Chicks on Books
The Literature Lion
Pure Imagination
Abbey Ann's Bookland
Badass Book Reviews

Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear

Title: Innocent Darkness

Author: Suzanne Lazear

ISBN: 9780738732480
Publisher: Flux
Released: August 08, 2012
Series: The Aether Chronicles #1

Page #: 391

Source: ebook from Netgalley

Summary:

"If one girl lives, the whole world dies.

Sixteen-year-old Noli braddock and her best friend Steven "V" Darrow just wanted to take a flying car out for a joy ride. They had no idea it would result in Noli getting sent to reform school to mend her hoyden ways. While at the dreadful school, Noli's innocent Midsummer's Eve wish summons Kevighn, a mysterious man who takes Noli with him to the Realm of Faerie. At first Noli believes she has been rescued. But the sinister reason behind the handsome huntsman's appearance quickly becomes clear - he wants to use Noli as a blood sacrifice to restore his dying world. V, who has secrets of his own, shows up to help Noli escape and return to the mortal realm - but first, they must navigate the dangerious intrigues of the Otherworld. If they are successful, Noli will live. But the entire Otherworld civilization will perish."

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First Lines:

"Whatever happened, she could not allow them to catch her, nor could a single drop of her blood spill upon the ground. The only sounds were of her labored breath and the hum of night in the wildwood. Soon, the horns and hoof beats of pursuit would follow."

Page IX (Prologue)

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Review:

How can you NOT pick up this book - the cover is gorgeous! Well, if you like steampunky things. Which I believe I do :). The girl on the cover isn't quite what I pictured, but she'll do.

So, this is a steampunk fairytale set in 1901 LA. Noli and V are besties who are constantly getting into trouble. This time, though, it's the last straw. Noli gets sent away and V realizes she may be in more trouble than her mother thinks. Which is true - she's accidentally pulled into Otherworld. And Kevighn is there to make sure she never gets home. V - who has been harboring huge secrets - realizes he must go on a quest to save Noli. And, of course, to tell her how he feels about her.

I had some difficulty really picturing the setting. Of course, this story is much more character driven, so there may be a reason for that. But alone, LA during the early 1900s is hard for me to grasp... even if there werent airships and hovercops and such. Honestly, it was much easier once we got into the Faery world - at least then I have some reference points. But I'm not sure that it detracted from the story - as I said, the setting is definitely secondary. And just as a note, the whole steampunk thing sort of disappears halfway through the book. I mean, it's still there, but it's just thrown in for flavor.

Helloooo love triangle. Seriously. On one hand, you have V - Noli's best friend from childhood. He's handsome, studious, and all around romantic. He's had feelings for Noli for about forever... and it's finally time to let her know. On the other hand, you have Kevighn. He's the suave, smooth talking, liar of a man who wants to trap Noli into doing his bidding - namely, dying. But he soon realizes his feelings for her are deeper than that... even after all of the women he has been with. I'm definitely Team V. Who wants a liar - even if he is sexy? I mean, please :).

Now, as for these guys... they are the ones that push this book for only older teens. You've got some seriously sexual situations - enough that it might be a bit much for some readers. One has some serious drug use that makes him much more experienced and adult. Again, that makes the book geared toward older readers. I'm not sure how much these two things add to the story, but it may help you understand their characters a little bit more. And can I just say - V's character is drastically changed from the beginning to the end of the book. I'm still trying to decide if it's believable or not...

I am excited to find out what happens in the next book. Luckily, you're not left with any huge cliffhangers. There is a definite conclusion and you can sort of infer where the story is going to go. But there are a few things I'd like to hear the rest of. But this book works well as a standalone. At least, in my opinion.

I've just looked at a few other reviews and it seems like the general view is that the book is good, but not fantastic. I very much agree. And someone mentioned the two most overused words - "dollymop" and "hoyden." It really felt like those were the only words Noli would use to describe herself. And for me that made her seem a bit one dimensional - even though I know there was much more to her. For someone who proclaimed to be atypical and unconcerned with giggly, girly things. I guess I was hoping for more from her - more attitude, less tears.

For those of you into historical romance, I definitely recommend this book to you. Again, it is better for older teens because of some content...  And I know I have mentioned some things I didn't like about this book, but it was a fast and entertaining read. I think many people will really get into it. And with the whole coming series, it will probably be popular. I would just love to see more development and consistancy in the next book.

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Other Blog Reviews:

Beauty and Books

Refracted Light Review

Diary of a Book Addict

The Reclusive Reader

The Phantom Photographer

The Wandering Fangirl

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Scorpio Races
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
ISBN: 9781616378608
Publisher: Scholastic (Audiobooks)
Released: October 18, 2011
Page #: 12 hour audio
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Some race to win. Others race to survive.
It happens at the start of every November: The Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line.
Some riders live.
Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. HE is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn't given her much of a choice. So she enters the competition - the first girl to ever do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

As she did in her bestselling Shiver trilogy, author Maggie Stiefvater takes us to the breaking point, where both love and life meet their greatest obstacles, and only the strong of heart can survive. The Scorpio Races is an unforgettable listening experience."
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First Lines:

"It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.
Even under the brightest sun, the frigid autumn sea is all the colors of the night: dark blue and black and brown. I watch the ever-changing patterns in the sand as it's pummeled by countless hooves."

Page 1
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Review:

I truly put off reading this book for a while. I had heard some reviews that were kinda meh about it and I didn't want to have that sort of experience. But after reading/listening to it, I've decided that those people just wanted it to be like her other books. It's not, but it absolutely stands on it's own two (four) feet (hooves) and gives you an amazing story you won't soon forget.

The Scorpio Races take place on Thisby every November. It's an island where the water horses come on land during the month of October and almost terrorize the towns. But once the locals have snared some of the horses and learned to ride them, tons of tourists show up to watch them race on the most dangerous day next to the ocean. People die in these races every year - but this story is about two teens who decide to test their fate. One is the first girl ever to ride in the races and the other is the reigning champ fighting for a better life.

Man. I just realized that it's hard to sum up this story in a few words. It's probably one of the more deep and intense novels I've read/listened to in a while. Maybe it's just the connection that you form with these characters because they are so different from your average teens. And I do want to give kudos to the author for writing an awesome horse story without a bonnet anywhere on the cover... or in the story. What a relief! :)

Puck was an amazing character. At first she's super naive and trusting -until she realizes just what she's gotten herself into. The races have always been for men and many people in the community try to convince her to drop out. She also decides to use her own horse instead of one of the very un-horse-like water horses. One of her biggest concerns is being eaten. That's right... eaten.

Sean is the champion rider that has won the last four years, but this year there is a lot more at stake. His horse is one that he has gotten to know so well, there is no denying their connection. But the horse is owned by someone else... and he wants the chance to be free to live his own life. All he has to do is not just survive the races, but win. Again. He's an internal guy. Nothing shows on the outside. He's brooding and relates much better to horses than people. Until Puck, of course ;).

The whole idea of water horses was a new one for me. I hadn't heard any of the tales or anything, so I looked a few things up while I was reading this book. It's such an amazing idea. Can you imagine something as huge as a horse coming straight out of the ocean? It gives me shivers. And the author does such a great job with descriptions that I felt like I could hear them, smell them, see them... perfectly. It's such an eerie idea and it really makes this story full of magic and suspense.

I loved all of the various characters around the town. The shop owners, the boys who are friends of her brothers, Puck's brothers themselves, the American horse buyer... all of them. It just made this town feel so rich in history and life. Though, I do have to question... it seems like a small town/island. How in the world to they afford to lose that many men every year during the races? I mean, according to the races, there are a ton of people who don't make it. I do know that it's discussed as a fact of life there. But how do they continue to have people to take part in the races? That's all. Maybe I missed something about how intensely this island is populated :).

I will absolutely be recommending this book! There are lots of characteristics that make it a wonderful story and I think it will appeal to a broad range of people. I loved that the romance didn't hit you in the face - which I think is a nice change. I have already looked around to see if there will be a sequel and it looks like that's never going to happen. It's too bad, though. I'd love to see what happens afterward. Ah well. It's a great story by itself. I definitely think you should all give it a try!
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Book Blog ExperienceBookpeople's Blog
I am a Reader, Not a Writer
Chapter by Chapter
Emily's Reading Room
IB Book Blogging
The Book Smugglers
Well Read Wife
The Reading Date

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Title: Born Wicked
Author: Jessica Spotswood
ISBN: 9781617070600
Publisher: Penguin
Page #: Audio 9 hour run time
Released: February 07, 2012
Source: Playaway from my library

Summary:
"Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric.

Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison sheep - or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with six months to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with th ecompletely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the sisterhood - not even from each other."
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First Lines:

"Our mother was a witch, too, but she hid it better. I miss her. Not a single day goes by that I don't wish for her guidance. Especially about my sisters."
Page 1
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Review:

This is a fantastic book about family, magic, and finding love that transends all things... like accidentally making feathers appear when you kiss and such. :) I'm pissed about the ending, but I'll get to that in a minute.

Cate and her two sisters are witches - but absolutely no one can know. Including their father. Their mother had known... but she was gone now. The Brotherhood (effectively the heavies, the police, the religion, the teachers, the "protectors", etc) watches all young girls to see if they exhibit signs of being a witch. They require all girls to be married or go into the Sisterhood - neither of which Cate is ready for. Cate finds out that there is a prophecy that might be about her and her sisters - much to her dismay.
I loved this book. It was such a rich story and I seriously wish I was living it along with Cate (without all of the women-oppression stuff, of course). She is a strong, independant woman who has taken on raising her sisters. She doesn't want to think about what might happen when she's married to someone or shipped off to the sisterhood. Even through all of the things that are there to keep her down, she still prospers. I really think she's an awesome character.

And her boys... my, oh my. Even though this is mostly historical fiction (to a point), there's still the type of love story that I know girls in this era will swoon over. You've got the hunky next door neighbor, who has known Cate since they were small children. He's been gone a while and has just returned... to take her away with him. And if that's not enough, you've got the son of the book seller - and now their gardener. I love that he's the son of a kick ass woman during this time of meek ladies. Good stuff!

You know, there is a big difference between reading a book about magic and a book about a family who happens to be magic. This isn't a story where you're hit in the face with their differences and how they feel about things. It's more like you're getting to know this awesome family who has this thing they have to deal with. I really appreciated that. I think that is really what took this book from being a cool story to an amazing book!

Okay, so the ending. Of course, I'm never going to tell you what happens... but I will say that I hated it. NOT what was supposed to happen. Not even a little bit. I spent the last chapter or two kind of screaming at the book. Lots of "No. Nononono!" "WAIT! Don't do that!!!" and "That's just not right. Stop that!" Yeah. No good. Now, I'm sure there's a reason... and I'll definitely be getting the next book asap... but it made me bitter. But what about...?!?!?! Sigh. Guess I have to wait.

Even through the ending, I still thought it was wonderful. I will definitely be recommending this book on to many readers. Really, if you love the Libba Bray Great and Terrible Beauty trilogy, I think this will be right up your alley. It's got all of the awesome elements to make a fantastic series. Now all I have to do is forget about the ending until I get the next book in my hands. Enjoy it!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Geek Girl's Book Blog
Zoey's Uncreatively Titled Blog
Miss Print
Candace's Book Blog
Sarah's Cucina Bella
The Brain Lair
Katie's Book Blog
The Leaky Sippy

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt

Title: The Wednesday Wars
Author: Gary D. Schmidt
ISBN: 9780547237602
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Released: 05/21/2007
Page # 272
Source: Overdrive Audio through my library

Summary:
"Meet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High, who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesn’t like Holling—he’s sure of it. Why else would she make him read the plays of William Shakespeare outside class? But everyone has bigger things to worry about, like Vietnam. His father wants Holling and his sister to be on their best behavior: the success of his business depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has so much to contend with? A bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights! As fate sneaks up on him again and again, Holling finds Motivation—the Big M—in the most unexpected places and musters up the courage to embrace his destiny, in spite of himself."
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First Lines:

"Of all the kids in the seventh grade at Camillo Junior High, there was one kid that Mrs. Baker hated with heat whiter than the sun."
Page 1
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Review:

Full disclosure: I listened to this as an audiobook. I only feel the need to mention it because I really don't do that ever. And it feels weird to say I've read a book that really I just listened to. But I felt the need to post a review anyway :).

I now understand why I have been told to read this book so many times. It is, without a doubt, an amazing story. There's so much depth and humor and tragedy and love... it's amazing. I know there are some schools who have started reading this book in class - which really makes me wish I had it around in middle school. Ah well, I think I'm going to have a hard time doing this review without gushing a little bit.

At its core, this is a book about a seventh grade boy who has mishaps and crushes and embarrassing stories. But while he is reading Shakespeare one on one with his teacher, he begins to learn some larger life lessons that he wouldn't have gotten otherwise. He starts to see the world in a whole new way - a world that is being torn apart by the Vietnam War. He also begins to understand people better... and even compares them to Shakespeare characters.

Some of the adult characters were my favorite. Mrs. Baker sounds like an amazing teacher. His mother also sounds like an amazing woman - especially toward the end where you really see her personality come out. His sister is hilarious and the love between them is super obvious. I love that. There are so few books where the siblings actually care for each other like that. Holling's friends at school are wonderful, too. I think I laughed just about every time they had some crazy run-in.

There is just so much depth to this story, I'm not sure there is any way I can write a review that would do it justice. I do think that a class could spend weeks and weeks talking about all the different levels, though. Hello book club pick! Anyway, I really enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. And I know other people will too.

One note on the audio format - I thought the reader did a fantastic job. The thing that really stuck out to me was his emphasis on some of the Long Island accents. I think that may have made the book come alive for me even more. So I guess I'm recommending the format as well.

If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend you do. I promise you won't be disappointed.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Alternate Readality
Librarilly Blonde
TeenZone
Project Mayhem
Jennifer Rumberger
Reading for Sanity
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The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Title: The Vespertine
Author: Saundra Mitchell
ISBN: 9780547482477
Publisher: Harcourt
Published: March 07, 2011
Page #: 293
Source: My public library

Summary:
"The summer of 1889 is the one between childhood and womanhood for Amelia van den Broek - and thankfully, she's not spending it at home in rural Maine. She's been sent to Baltimore to stay with her stylish cousin, Zora, who will show her all the pleasures of city life and help her find a suitable man to marry.

With diversions ranging from archery in the park to dazzling balls and hints of forbidden romance, Victorian Baltimore is more exciting than Amelia imagined. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset - visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. Newly dubbed 'Maine's Own Mystic,' Amelia is suddenly quite in demand.

However, her attraction to Nathaniel, an artist who is decidedly outside of Zora's circle, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own - still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him. And while she has no trouble seeing the futures of others, she cannot predict whether Nathaniel will remain in hers.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia's world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she's not the seer of dark portents, but the cause of them."
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First Lines:

"I woke un Oakhaven, entirely ruined.
The ballad notes of a quadrille lingered on my skin, remnants of a chaine anglaise danced only in slumber. I heard a velvet voice against my cheek, and I burned in the dark and dreaming light of his eyes."
Page 3
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Review:

It seems like it's been a while since I've read a good historical novel. This was the perfect mix of mystery, history, and fantasy - very well done.

We get a peek into the life of Amelia - as she spends her summer with her cousin in Baltimore. Zora is outgoing, worldly, and beautiful. They immediately become friends and start sharing secrets. Amelia's secret is that she sees visions at sunset. The girls use this to become famous around town - which does nothing for her marriage prospects. Not that it matters, she's already got her sights set on the most inappropriate guy. He's an artist... and broke.

Speaking of the girls' love interests - I wish there was more in this story about the guys. Of course, then it would throw off the whole point of view thing. But I would definitely read something that delves more into their lives. Each of them has something very interesting about them... one is a doctor's assistant (his father...), one is a painter - and sometimes paints dead people - and has powers of his own... and so much more. There are other normal-ish guys in the story as well, but I think the author did a good job getting my interest piqued about these characters.

There were a couple of things that had me confused. Specifically, the beginning. I do realize that the book starts farther in the future and all of the drama has already happened. But it took me a little while to get to that realization and was therefore confused for a bit. And a little ps about that future stuff... I wanna punch her brother in the face. Seriously. What a jerk.

Ahem, anyway... there's something so magical about Victorian times - at least in books. And to throw in actual magical events make it even better. I did feel like Amelia was being used by Zora to further her popularity, but that didn't seem like a big deal in the book. But I kinda felt bad for her - that she was being taken advantage of.

Though there were a couple of confusing things, I really did enjoy this book. I plan on recommending it to anyone who is a fan of historical fantasies. The ending was almost exactly what I wanted - and what I expected. A good ending can really make a book for me. I've seen that there is a companion novel coming out soon and I cannot wait to get my hands on it! Give this one a shot if you love the Libba Bray historical series (Great and Terrible Beauty) - I think you'll love this one too.
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Book Smugglers
Rebecca's Book Blog
Silent T's Book Blog
Madigan Reads
Refracted Light Reviews
Reading Teen
Fantastic Book Review
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YA Books Central

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices #2)
Author: Cassandra Clare
ISBN: 9781416975885
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Released: December 06, 2011
Page #: 498
Source: My public library

Summary:
"In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street - and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister knows their every move - and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will - the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart."
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First Lines:

"The fog was thick, muffling sound and sight. Where it parted, Will Herondale could see the street rising ahead of him, slick and wet and black with rain, and he could hear the voices of the dead.
Not all Shadowhunters could hear ghosts, unless the ghosts chose to be heard, but Will was one of those who could."
Page 1
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Review:

If you have read my review of the first book in this series (Clockwork Angel), then you will know that I already love it and got my hands on Clockwork Prince as soon as it was possible.

This is the continuation of the first book - in that it picks up right after that one left us. It's Victorian London and Tessa is fully living with the Shadowhunters and becoming one of them (well, as much as she can). They have become her family. But one person in the Shadowhunter world threatens to take all of that away. They are tasked with finding the Magister and freeing the world of him... if not, the Institute would be taken over by - effectively - the bad Shadowhunters. Not good. With all of this happening, Tessa also gets bitten by the lurve bug. It's dramatic :).

Okay, so this book has way more romance in it than I remember the first book having. Do you see me complaining? No. Not at all. There were a few scenes (ahem) that I may or may not have read a couple of times. Whew! Are my cheeks flushed? Anyway, it's really well written and I love that the author gives us just enough detail to get imaginative. Was I pissed at points when I decided that Tessa was falling for the wrong guy? Yes. Yes, I was. But I think I'll be okay... maybe. It all depends on what happens in the next book.

One thing I really enjoyed was getting to know some of the many characters better. Sophie, Charlotte, Jessie, and even some of Henry. The author did a great job introducing some new characters as well. I'm very interested to hear more about Gideon and Gabriel - scorned brothers of the bad Shadowhunters. yay for drama! And I love that their new cook only sings crazy Irish ballads about murder and death. What a great detail!

There were a few things about this story that surprised me. I didn't realize it was going to be quite so heavy - in the topic arena. So much discussion of family and how they were each raised. I liked getting some of that background. I think it helped me love the characters that much more. There are a few mysteries revealed, and some you're given a few more clues about. Each one that came around, I was more impressed how the author handled them.

I know that these books are huge - page-wise - but I really flew through this book. I had to find out who Tessa would end up with and whether they would still have a place to live. I was all in. The first novels by this author don't have quite the same effect for me... but I recommend just about everything she does. I haven't been disappointed yet.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Bookpeople's Blog
Fictitious Delicious
Bookalicious
Rhiannon Paille
Mindful Musings
Penny Reads
The Reader Blog
Sophistikatied Reviews

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset
Author: Kady Cross
ISBN: 9780373210336
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Released: May 34, 2011
Page #: 473
Source: My public library

Summary:
When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch...

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help - and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on - even if it seems no one believes her.
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First Lines:

"The moment she saw the young man walking down the darkened hall toward her, twirling his walking stick, Finley Jayne knew she'd be unemployed before the sun rose. Her third dismissal in as many months."
Page 9
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Review:

There are times that I really want to get more into steampunk books... but there is some part of me that has a hard time re-learning history with machines/robots in it. I've had this problem before, so I'll try not to let it color my view of this book.

We have a girl - Finley - who is abnormally strong and sometimes forgets herself. Meaning, she has a whole other side. Think Jekyll and Hyde (in fact, that is referenced in the book as well). Her two sides like two different boys - both powerful in their own worlds. She falls into the lives of Griffin and his friends, who are figuring out what is making people so different. And there's someone who is using their power for evil. So there's mystery, intrigue, lurve, robots, and historical characters. Well, one really... Queen Victoria. Which was an interesting thing to throw in.

Honestly, I picked up this book because of its cover. How pretty is it?! And it speaks of a strong woman, I think. And strong, she is - stronger than most men in any age. But that's all physical strength - her mind is a bit of a mess at first. But you also have another strong woman character in this story, Emily. She's basically a robot genius and comes up with things no one could imagine. She really makes this story interesting for me and I wish we could have more about her. There's a lot more going on with her and you only get a taste of it.

Speaking of which, there's a lot going on in this one book. You've got characters trying to figure out who they even are and where they came from. You have characters that are just now joining the group and you learn very little about their backgrounds (see: Jasper and Finley). There's a villain who you only see enough of to hate him. There is the beginning of a love triangle that is only touched on. And a lot more...

The whole book starts about Finley and her affliction (if that's what you want to call it) - one that makes her lose herself. And you hear a lot about her struggle and how her life has been and what she's dealt with. You also get the feeling that this is something she has a really hard time with. I mean, who wouldn't - if your other half started taking over large chunks of your life. But about halfway through the book, it's like things are magically cured. Ta da! No more problems! Now you're just strong and awesome. I think it was a little abrupt for me. And if she was cured so suddenly, I wished for some more talk of adjustment to her new life. I dunno, I just missed Finley in the last half of the book - when we were fighting villains instead (and learning of other romance triangles that never resolve).

Of course, this book is left open-ended, and it's called part of the steampunk chronicles. The author's website says the next book will be out in summer '12. I hope there is even more development of these characters and their strange relationships. I look forward to reading this one, for sure. I'm crossing my fingers that this second book will be fantastic.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Feeling Fictional
A Fangirl's View
Geek Mom
The Small Town Book Blog
Refracted Light
Bookshelf Banter
On a Book Bender

Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Title: Cleopatra's Moon
Author: Vicky Alvear Shecter
ISBN: 9780545221306
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Released: August 01, 2011
Page #: 355
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Princess of Egypt
Cleopatra Selene is the only daughter of the brilliant Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and General Marcus Antonius of Rome. She's grown up with jewels on her arms, servants at her feet, and all the pleasures of a palace at her command, and she wants only to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a great and powerful queen.

Prisoner of Rome
Then the Roman ruler Octavianus, who has always wanted Egypt's wealth, launches a war that destroys all Selene has ever known. Taken to live in Octavianous's palace in Rome, she vows to defeat him and reclaim her kingdom at all costs. Yet even as she gathers support for her return, Selene finds herself torn between two young men and two different paths to power. Will love distract her from her goal - or help her achieve her true destiny?"
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First Lines:

"'Get rid of that body now, or my men will mutiny!' the captain yelled from the other side of the door.
A stylus on the floor rolled with the movement of the ship. The flame from the hanging bronze lamp flickered. Still, I did not respond."
Page 1
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Review:

I should have known this book was going to be super detailed when I saw the long character list at the beginning of the book. Yikes.

Well, this is the semi-historical account of Cleopatra Selene. Her family is destroyed by Rome - and one by one, she loses everyone she has ever cared about. Her parents, her country, her life, and even more. It's about her resilience and desire to continue her life as though nothing had happened. She spends all of her time in Roman captivity trying to figure out how to get back to her homeland and rule once more. On the way to searching for freedom, she finds herself torn between two guys - both in very different circumstance.

In all honesty, I had a really hard time getting into this book. After finishing it, I realize why we needed all the detail, but it sure starts out slow. There are lots of names, lots of faces, lots of instances to just show you later what she's lost. It doesn't seem to really flow very well. It jumps from year to year to show you important events and I got a little lost. I almost stopped reading before it got good.

It does get good. Once you are in "present time" as it were, you start to get into a flowing story that makes sense. They are captives in Rome and they start to figure out their new identities. It also picks up speed when the guys enter the picture - as love interests. Perhaps I just need that stuff for a good story, but it really helped me get into it.

At one point, I told my husband, "I don't like this book very much, but I really want to find out what happens." He smartly told me that it must be good in it's own way for me to care that much. He was right, I suppose. It's not a book to fall instantly in love with. It's a book to savor and realize the wonderfulness of it later.

I don't really know anything about the historical time that this book is written about. In fact, I know just about nothing. But I think this story does a good job of piquing my interest and showing me a new side of this ancient world.

One thing that bothered me in the beginning of the book was the emphasis on religion. Now, I do understand that Egyptians (and other ancient civilizations) were super involved in the lives of their gods and goddesses. But there's a whole sequence where Cleopatra Selene questions every other religion and dismisses them. Which is fine... but it's very abrupt and random-seeming. I do like to think about the Egyptian gods - praying to one specifically for one thing... and another for something else. It is just very interesting.

Okay, so I suppose it's time for me to let you know if I recommend it. And I'm not really sure. I think those that are really interested in Egyptian history will love it (assuming it's semi-historically accurate - and I cannot write to that). And maybe even people who want to know more about that time in history. I'm not sure the casual YA reader will find this one that enthralling. Interesting, maybe... but they'll have to give it a chance. Get past the first half of the book and see where you are. I think some others loved it more than I did... see below ;).

But for the record, I did enjoy the ending (as much as I could - there were other things not to like... story-wise). It left me feeling hopeful and wondering about what happened in their lives next. So, take that for what it's worth!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Reading, Writing and Ruminating on Young Adult Books
IB Book Blogging
Fiction Folio
Book Drunkard
Library Lady
Supernatural Snark

The Time-Traveling Fashionista by Bianca Turetsky

Title: The Time-Traveling Fashionista
Author: Bianca Turetsky
ISBN: 9780316105422
Publisher: Poppy; Little Brown and Company
Page #: 263
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Louise Lambert has always dreamed of movie starlets and exquisite gowns, and longs for the day when she can fill the closet of her normal suburban home with stylish treasures. But when she receives a mysterious invitation to a vintage fashion sale in the male, her once painfully average life is magically transformed into a time-travel adventure.

Suddenly on board a luxurious cruise ship a hundred years ago, Louise relishes the glamour of this opulent age and slips into a life of secrets, drama and decadence."
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First Lines:

"The invitation arrived on an ordinary Thursday. When Louise Lambert came home from swim practice that April afternoon, as she did every Thursday afternoon, it was lying on top of a pile of mail on the antique, oak hall table."
Page 3
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Review:

When I picked up this book and flipped through it, I knew I had to read it. Mostly because of the illustrations. The quick flip showed me several cool pictures and it made me wonder how they fit into the story. So yes... I read this book for the pictures :).

It's the story of Louise - a lover of all vintage fashion. When she tries on a particular dress, it transports her to a time and place she never expected to be. She transforms into a new person, an actress who wore the dress before her. She is then pulled into the life and tries to make sense of what is going on. Then she realizes what ship she's on...

I'm not sure if I'm giving anything away by saying this, but the ship she ends up on is the Titanic. So, of course, she kinda freaks out. One of my favorite things about this story is that it really seems to bring the story of the Titanic to life. It's not seen from the view of someone from that age. It's looking at things from our perspective, really. Which makes the whole thing very interesting to me. I guess it's that modern "fight for your survival" thing that is different from that time.

I dunno how accurate the history is (I'm sure it's very accurate, for the sake of the author), but I really felt connected to the characters in the story. And I really did feel like I had been transported back in time with Louisa. That whole part is just really well written.

In the end, I did wish for a little more about what happens after. I'm trying not to give it away. The beginning of the book is building up to a specific event and I would have like to see how that turned out. But I loved how a few things came full circle - you're not sure what's real and what's not real.

I will definitely be recommending this book to girls who love fashion and history. The whole concept of living the life of the person who wore that garment is very cool. It makes vintage fashion seem a little more interesting in my eyes. There was a bit more fashion information in this book than I knew what to do with, but I know lots of girls will love it. And it's perfect for younger girls as Louisa is in seventh grade.

I really look forward to the next book in this series. There's a whole lot of fun stuff on The Time-Traveling Fashionista website, so give that a look. And definitely give this book a try. So fast and fun!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Librarified
Michelle's Cozy YA Blog
Eve's Fan Garden
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Dreaming in Books
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