jennybeast
The Seattle Public Library
jennybeast's Completed Shelf
Filter your results by...
Added May 14, 2014
Added May 14, 2014
Added May 14, 2014
Added May 14, 2014
Added May 14, 2014
Princess of the Silver WoodsPrincess of the Silver Woods, Book
by George, Jessica DayBook - 2012Book, 2012
jennybeast's rating:
Added Jan 25, 2014
Added Nov 30, 2012
Added Aug 24, 2012
Comment:
Eileen Wilk’s world of the Lupi novels are the perfect combination of FBI procedural and paranormal werewolf fantasy. Rule and Lily face more challenges as Ruben, head of Lilly’s division, comes under suspicion for murder.
Added Aug 24, 2012
Comment:
The finale to the White Cat series – phenomenal. What do you do when it’s your nature to be on the grift, but you aspire to a straight and legal life? Cassel struggles to find his way as his transformational talent makes him ever more valuable to the players around him.The finale to the White Cat series – phenomenal. What do you do when it’s your nature to be on the grift, but you aspire to a straight and legal life? Cassel struggles to find his way as his transformational talent makes him ever more valuable to…
jennybeast's rating:
Added Aug 24, 2012
Comment:
Maddy Smith has a rune on her arm – a mark that makes her suspicious to the ordered world around her – mark of magic and of chaos, mark of intelligence and dream. She falls into an adventure with figures that bear a strange resemblance to the elder Norse gods, though Ragnarok is long past and the new world has no place for them. Humourous and exciting, I couldn’t put it down.Maddy Smith has a rune on her arm – a mark that makes her suspicious to the ordered world around her – mark of magic and of chaos, mark of intelligence and dream. She falls into an adventure with figures that bear a strange resemblance to the elder…
Added Aug 21, 2012
Comment:
For some reason the words “regency romp” come to mind, with a precocious 12 year old leading the way. Magic spells and society misunderstandings are the trademark of this series. Highly entertaining to those of us who enjoy Patricia C. Wrede’ s Sorcery and Cecelia series.For some reason the words “regency romp” come to mind, with a precocious 12 year old leading the way. Magic spells and society misunderstandings are the trademark of this series. Highly entertaining to those of us who enjoy Patricia C. Wrede’ s…
Added Aug 21, 2012
Comment:
Original story set in medieval Brittany, with a twist. Ismae is one of the scarred daughters of the god/saint of Death, Mortain. She is rescued from a forced marriage by Mortain’s convent and trained in the art of assassination, but then must make her way in the treacherous surroundings of the fragile court of the Duchess of Brittany. I like the world, and the ideas behind the story, but Ismae is alternatively too wise and too naïve to be super believeable. Also, I find the sudden rescue in the ending to be a little too pat – if I think of it as a Romance novel, then it is well and excellently done. As a YA paranormal-ish book, it leaves something to be desired.Original story set in medieval Brittany, with a twist. Ismae is one of the scarred daughters of the god/saint of Death, Mortain. She is rescued from a forced marriage by Mortain’s convent and trained in the art of assassination, but then must make…
Added Aug 21, 2012
Comment:
Classic Rosemary Sutcliff historical fiction – the kind that gives no quarter to children, expecting them to be able to handle literary merit and involved story lines. Bjarni Sigurdson kills a man, albeit accidentally, and then must serve out 5 years of outlawry, in the Icelandic sense. This book documents his adventures, selling his sword service to various lords and making his way by ship around the British isles. Very true to the feeling of an Icelandic saga, but more accessible to modern language.Classic Rosemary Sutcliff historical fiction – the kind that gives no quarter to children, expecting them to be able to handle literary merit and involved story lines. Bjarni Sigurdson kills a man, albeit accidentally, and then must serve out 5…
Added Aug 21, 2012
Comment:
Octavia Butler reimagines what it is to be a vampire, with a far more sensible, caring, symbiotic relationship than the average bite ‘em and leave ‘em plotline. While the frank sexuality is uncomfortable, I was fascinated by Shori’s need to set up a group what is essentially a group marriage in order to survive. I agree with the criticisms that her need to enslave her people is deeply disturbing, but I appreciate that Butler is exploring these themes with an eye to making her audience re-examine and question the parameters of deeply unequal relationships.Octavia Butler reimagines what it is to be a vampire, with a far more sensible, caring, symbiotic relationship than the average bite ‘em and leave ‘em plotline. While the frank sexuality is uncomfortable, I was fascinated by Shori’s need to set up a…
Added Aug 21, 2012
Comment:
Great tension between the visual story and the text one, and a twist I did not see coming. Mythological beasts, outcast teens and tense little love stories.
Birds, Beasts, and RelativesBirds, Beasts, and Relatives, Book
by Durrell, GeraldBook - 1969Book, 1969
Added Aug 21, 2012
Comment:
Durrell revisits his childhood on Corfu – since clearly he forgot some of the best stories, according to his family. Full of beautiful and silly reminiscences of a different time, a different place.
Lies, Knives and Girls in Red DressesLies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses, Book
by Koertge, RonaldBook - 2012Book, 2012
Added Aug 21, 2012
Comment:
Eh. If you’re looking for really thought provoking poetic twists on fairy tale stories, go find Anne Sexton’s Transformations. This one’s contemporary, and a really fast read, but the best thing about the book is the title. I suppose if you've got reluctant readers, it might be a decent choice, but it just feels like something dumbed down for teen readers.Eh. If you’re looking for really thought provoking poetic twists on fairy tale stories, go find Anne Sexton’s Transformations. This one’s contemporary, and a really fast read, but the best thing about the book is the title. I suppose if you've got…
Added Aug 21, 2012
Comment:
Now here’s a fresh and excellent take on fairy tale shenanigans. Sunday Woodcutter, 7th daughter of a 7th daughter meets a frog at a fairy well and starts to tell a story… Wonderful weaving together of a whole host of tales in new and unexpected ways. Engrossing and lively.Now here’s a fresh and excellent take on fairy tale shenanigans. Sunday Woodcutter, 7th daughter of a 7th daughter meets a frog at a fairy well and starts to tell a story… Wonderful weaving together of a whole host of tales in new and unexpected…
Added Aug 19, 2012
Comment:
And now a story from the Prince’s perspective – only he’s a king, King Mandanbar, the King of the Enchanted Wood. And even though everyone thinks he needs to get married, since he’s overworked, he absolutely refuses to have anything to do with princesses. Luckily for him, Cimorene is not your ordinary princess, and when she needs some assistance rescuing the King of the Dragons, Mandanbar gets the chance to get to know her. Solid and entertaining fantasy, with no cloying sweetness or condescending manners.And now a story from the Prince’s perspective – only he’s a king, King Mandanbar, the King of the Enchanted Wood. And even though everyone thinks he needs to get married, since he’s overworked, he absolutely refuses to have anything to do with…
Added Aug 19, 2012
Comment:
Sarah Addison Allen’s books are a seduction of place. Lovely, quirky characters, with their own peculiar, magics, that somehow seem rather ordinary in the dream of a small southern town that Allen presents. I appreciate that her characters have real struggles, even as they drift into a romantic summer.Sarah Addison Allen’s books are a seduction of place. Lovely, quirky characters, with their own peculiar, magics, that somehow seem rather ordinary in the dream of a small southern town that Allen presents. I appreciate that her characters have real…
Added Aug 14, 2012
Comment:
Alex Craft is right up there with Rachel Morgan for me in the realm of great paranormal investigators, and this book doesn’t disappoint. The romantic complications continue, but don’t get in the way of the murder mystery. The characters remain engaging and complex, and I just want to know what happens next?Alex Craft is right up there with Rachel Morgan for me in the realm of great paranormal investigators, and this book doesn’t disappoint. The romantic complications continue, but don’t get in the way of the murder mystery. The characters remain…
Added Aug 14, 2012
Comment:
I open a Sharon Shinn book and just know that there will be rich storytelling and a feast for the imagination and maybe a lovely, furtive romance. And then there’s this book, which is, I guess, about obsessive love. And shapeshifters. And sadly, Twilight did a better job at a paranormal love story. Just skip this one – all of her other books are wonderful, so I’m sure the next one will be better.I open a Sharon Shinn book and just know that there will be rich storytelling and a feast for the imagination and maybe a lovely, furtive romance. And then there’s this book, which is, I guess, about obsessive love. And shapeshifters. And sadly,…
Added Aug 05, 2012
Comment:
Anita Blake is back – and this one merges the early Blake (all thriller/murder-mystery) with the later Blake (all sex alla time) in an interesting balancing act. I’m pleased that she continues to develop as a character (although thank goodness, no more manifesting new animals to call this time around) – will her constantly evolving powers never cease? And how do the less powerful feel under her boots? She’s thinking about that a lot.Anita Blake is back – and this one merges the early Blake (all thriller/murder-mystery) with the later Blake (all sex alla time) in an interesting balancing act. I’m pleased that she continues to develop as a character (although thank goodness, no…
Added Aug 05, 2012
Comment:
Complex , moving, meaty story. Folktales interwoven with the surreality of war in the background and a grandfather-granddaughter relationship that ties it all together. Beautifully written and compelling.
Added Aug 05, 2012
Comment:
Just another thriller by Jonathan Kellerman – another grisly set of murders, another convoluted plot. No huge surprises here, but a pretty good plot twist and the enduring empathy for damaged children that Alex Delaware a decent character to follow.
Comment: