5 comments about The Blue Girl (Firebird).

1. The book was excellent! If you enjoyed the Holly Black faerie books, you will really enjoy The Blue Girl. Imogene and Maxine are great characters and the faeries are dark. Definitely recommend!



2. Although Imogene is the central heroine of Charles de Lint's urban fantasy novel, the story is told from three points of view including Imogene, her friend Maxine, and a ghost boy named Adrian. It can get confusing if you don't pay attention as the chapters switch from "then" to "now" and in the various points of view. Still, the story is engaging enough to keep you straight.
   
   The basic premise is: plucky bad girl moves to new town (trying to behave), makes friends with mousy sweet loser, and weird magical stuff starts to happen. The three major characters are developed well enough that when the story ends you want to know what is next for these girls. Imogene is a kick butt "nice" bad girl...think Angelina Jolie at 16 or 17 with short spiky hair. She becomes friends with Maxine and they rub off on each other in positive ways.
   
   I enjoyed that Imogene was a cool tough chick but she wasn't breaking laws or being a punk. She actually defended other people and tried to do the right thing.
   
   Definitely would like to see a sequel in the future and will try de Lint's other novels.



3. this was a really good book. i picked it up on a whim having heard good things about it, and it lived up to its expectations. i was kind of hesitant to get into it because it's about some street tough girl who has a run in with faeries, and i suppose there is a huge potential for this story line to destroy itself with cheesiness. but i was pleasantly surprised at how well it was put together.
   
   imogene's a bitingly clever, strong, mature heroine. the book starts with her family moving to a new town and her attending a new school. she was with a rough crowd in her old town and was raised by hippie parents who gave her space to live her life, so as a result she's seen enough of the world to be comfortable with who she is when we meet her and has a kind of inner calm, not getting too caught up with the appearance of things, like social status. so she befriends a solitary girl named maxine.
   
   i really enjoyed the beginning of the book, it was full of adventurous energy and i wouldn't have minded if it continued on without any supernatural interference. but she meets a ghost who unintentionally brings her to the attention of some unfriendly faeries. even though faeries are introduced to the story, the mood doesn't go all whimsical and light spirited. this is a great dark faerie tale for teens.
   
   imogene tackles all of her problems by herself, which i found refreshing. she didn't go running to her boyfriend or family or friends for help, though she recognizes that they are there for her and her friends don't let her go into trouble by herself, she doesn't cling to them and finds strength within herself. i've read many stories trying to achieve this character or this mood and they always fall short of success. this is one of the few teen books i would recommend to someone without commenting on what i found unsuccessful about it. it was just really well written. i recommend.



4. There were aspects of this story that I really enjoyed - Imogene's quirky narration, the friendship between Imogene and Maxine, Adrian's story, the fairies and darkness - but there were a few issues that detracted from it as well.
   
   While I liked Imogene's *voice*, the first-person narration from Maxine and Adrian didn't sound all that different. I like first-person POV but don't like it when the POV switches around. In this instance, I did enjoy hearing the story in Adrian's own words since his experience was so different from anyone else's, but didn't think it was necessary to do so with Maxine. Also, I didn't see the purpose in using different tenses (i.e., the beginning in past tense and the end in present tense). In some instances this technique can add to a narrative, but unless it's purpose is very clear, I find it often detracts from a story by interrupting the flow.
   
   As another reviewer pointed out, the characters were all stereotypical. That didn't make them unlikable and the story itself was unique enough to compensate, but De Lint is so imaginative that I don't know why he'd need to resort to that. And two characters appeared but never had much of a role beyond being deus ex machina sources of info - the author (Christy Riddell - who just seemed like a self-insertion) and the e-mail pen pal Esmeralda.
   
   Adrian was the only character I felt any emotional connection with and the poor guy never really got much fulfillment, even from Imogene. Only at the very, very end and only very marginally, which just made me sad for him.
   
   There were little issues that bugged me like Maxine using a cell phone in the school basement, when she'd never be able to get reception there. Or the fact that everyone seemed to either a) have experience with the fairy world (down to Imogene's boyfriend) or b) be totally accepting of them. Only Imogene had trouble believing in the fairies which was absurd since she could plainly see and converse with a ghost.
   
   It was still a fun and engaging read. De Lint is a talented writer - there's no doubt about that. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA urban fantasy, but I thought this had the potential to be so much more than it was.



5. Charles de Lint is one of my favorite authors although my constantly writing Derek de Lint instead of Charles de Lint might lead you to think otherwise. He has been one of my top authors for a few years already based solely on the awesomeness that is "The Blue Girl."
   
   I want to read everything he's written, no easy task because he's written a lot, but so far have only polished off two books from his oeuvre (this one and "Little (Grrl) Lost"). Both, coincidentally, have been exceptional enough that they rate as Chick Lit Wednesday books.
   
   Like many of De Lint's books, this novel is set in Newford and firmly grounded in the urban fantasy genre with which he is so often associated. The story opens with the heading "Now" as Imogen describes a nightly ritual, perhaps dream or perhaps reality, that occurs in her bedroom:
   
   It starts with this faint sound that pulls me out of sleep: a sort of calliope music played on an ensemble of toy instruments. You know, as though there's a raggedy orchestra playing quietly in some hidden corner of my bedroom, like the echo of a Tom Waits song heard through the walls from the apartment next door. Rinky-dink piano, tinny horns and kazoos, miniature guitars with plastic strings, weird percussion.
   
   It ends with the appearance of creepy characters parading out of Imogen's closet, "patchwork creatures made out of words and rags and twigs, of bits of wool and fur, skin and bone", followed by Pell-mell the imaginary friend Imogen gave up on years ago now made scary by the intevening years. When Pelly reaches for Imogen's comforter saying, "I've missed you sideways," is it something sinister or an endearment? Only time will tell.
   
   In order to explain how Imogen's now got so weird, De Lint works backward looking at Imogen's past. Specifically, the next section of the book is called "Then" and begins right after Imogen moves to Newford with her mother and Jared, her brother. (The book alternates between "Now" and "Then" segments of varying length until the two points in time converge about a third of the way in.)
   
   I could actually spend even more time talking about the prose and structure of this novel, because both are rich with detail. But, on the other hand, I feel like if I keep doing that, I'll just end up quoting the whole book in this review. It's that amazing.
   
   So instead of getting into a lot of the minute details, here's some basic information on the three characters who share narration of the book (that's right, three first-person narrators, crazy!)
   
   As astute readers may have guessed, Imogen is the star of the novel and the "blue girl" mentioned in the title. The fantastic cover art by Cliff Nielsen, incidentally, is exactly how I would have imagined Imogen myself. Anyway, before moving to Newford, Imogen was not the quirky character readers will come to know and love. She has a past that she's trying to leave behind, except for the being tough part--that stays. Imogen, in a Stargirl-esque manner, likes to reinvent herself. As part of her reinvention, Imogen decides she needs a new friend who turns out to be Maxine, whether she likes it or not. Maxine is everything Imogen is not--geeky, bookish, and meek--she is also everything Imogen needs in a friend (and vice versa).
   
   Add to the equation: Adrian, a lonely ghost who spends his time avoiding angels; the aforementioned imaginary friend, and a group of nasty fairies and you have all the makings of a plot rife with action and suspense.
   
   At the same time, De Lint's text here is rich. Sometimes "rich" is a euphemism for "dense" but not in this case. The prose is evocative, creating not only a strong sense of place within the story but also helping readers to actually know each of the characters. The writing never seems excessively long, rather De Lint manages to make each bit of information or description feel vital to the story as a whole--the writing is that tight. Aside from that the plot, which admirably manages a broad scope of time, is excellent from the first sentence to the last.

5 comments about Boys that Bite (The Blood Coven).

1. Boys That Bite is a fun, humorous addition to the large array of YA vampire fiction available. Sunny wasn't that different from most teenagers, dealing with mundane worries like prom and crushes, and still isn't, even though she's slowly turning into a vampire. A vampire named Magnus had mistaken her for her Goth twin sister Rayne and bit her, so now if they don't find a way to reverse Sunny's transformation before the week is over, she will be stuck as an undead bloodsucker for all eternity. Not only that, but since Magnus was the one to turn her, she would also have to be his blood mate (the vampire equivalent to marriage), a fact that makes her more adamant to become human again -- for a little bit. Just like the premise, Boys That Bite is filled with clever ironies that make this fast-paced story just that much more amusing. The characters are a joy to read about, as well as the vampire mythology, which is smart, fresh, and believable, one of the most enjoyable I've seen in the genre. My only complaint is the almost excessive use of pop culture references, because it makes the book feel dated and has the potential to throw some readers off, no matter how popular the reference is. Even so, the pop culture references feel genuine to Sunny's voice, so they shouldn't be too disrupting for those truly immersed in the story. Anyone who enjoys a more humorous take on the vampire world not too far off from the wit of Buffy should not pass this book up.



2. Ok im 26 years old and have to admit that i love reading books made for teens they are just soo much fun. I saw this one and thought it might be a fun easy read. Well I was surprised just how fun it was. I read the whole book in less then a day. Then I read Stake That even faster, now i have Girls that Growl in my cart already im looking forward to seeing how this extremely fun series goes. Thank you for the fun, (oh i do have to admit i didnt know what IMO ment, i guess i am too old for that, i had to look it up)I look forward to reading many more books from this Author.



3. Boys That Bite is a fantastic example of vampire fiction!
   It is full of romance, humor, and of course, hot vampires!
   I would DEFINATELY recommend this book for anyone who wants
   a great fast-paced and hilarious vampire book!
   It's one of my favorites!



4. I have read a lot of vampire books in my short life and all of them have been really good. From the Sookie Stackhouse series (that is being turned into a tv series) to even an Anne Rice novel or two I have read them all (well not all really but i am darn close). This series by Mari Mancusi is a really good young adult read. I am a 17 year old girl and i can tell that this series is targeted more towards people of my age group and sex and it deffinately hit its mark. Sunny and Rayne are two very good examples of girls in this day and age. I for one don't know which one i identify with more!



5. Sunshine and Rayne are twins, but absolutely nothing alike. Where Sunshine is exactly like her name implies, blond, beautiful, and full of life, Rayne is dark, mysterious, and goth. The sisters are extremely close despite their differences. Sunshine's life is about to become a lot more like Rayne's very soon.
   
   One night Sunshine is "attacked" by Magnus and she soon begins to transform into a vampire. It turns out that Rayne had set the whole thing up, but for HER. Rayne went through vampire education classes and waited for her soulmate blood match to be picked for her after testing her blood. Magnus was meant to be Rayne's soulmate. Sunshine isn't happy with this new development in her life. She doesn't want to become a vampire. She learns about her sister's educational developments after Rayne sends her to her blog where she documented everything she learned.
   
   In order for Sunshine to remain human and reverse the vampire transformation, she and Magnus must take on some dangerous enemies. Is it worth it to remain human? Once she is ONLY human, can she and Magnus have a life together? Read Boys That Bite in order to find out. Be sure to check out Stake That!, the sequel which shares Rayne's story. You won't be disappointed.

5 comments about The New Girl (Fear Street, No. 1).

1. This is the first book of the Fear Street series, and it's really pretty good. Fear Street is a series about scary and/or supernatural events that happen to teenagers in a ficitional town called Shadyside. In this book, an athletic gymnast falls for a new girls in school. She's really cute, and different in an old fashioned kind of way. However, when he tries to find her outside of school, he gets told she doesn't exist. What's going on? Is she a ghost? Is she a liar? This has a pretty good twist ending and gives a good taste of future books in the series. Pulitizer material it's not, but for young teens, or anyone wanting a quick thrilling read, this suits the bill just fine.



2. I think it is a unique and impressive creation by R.L Stine.Stine expressing a different kind of romance,so it is really good.



3. I think, it is unique and impressive creation by R.L Stine.In this book he is expressing different kind of romance,so it is really good.



4. Cory Brooks has a crush on Anna Corwin, the new girl in school. She's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. But there's something not quite right about Anna. She always seems to be disappearing. She wears old clothes. And the newspaper says she's dead. Cory's friend Lisa Blume thinks that Anna is a ghost. If she's right, Cory might be the next person in Shadyside to be dead.

   This is the first Fear Street book ever. I didn't really like it. R.L. Stine definitely improved on the rest of the series. Anyway, some parts of the book were interesting. The prologue really wants to make you read the book. But once you get to the end, you realize that the prologue completely threw you off to the big surprise.

   Make sure to look for Cory, Lisa, and Cory's friend David making guest appearances in other Fear Street books. Two of them are 'Missing' and 'Broken Hearts.'




5. A Review by Anna

   Cory Brooks finds himself madly in love with a girl he hardly knows. She is all that he can think about, he cannot concentrate on anything without thinking of her. Lisa Blume, Cory�s neighbor and best friend also has an obvious love interest. She is constantly trying to get Cory�s attention towards her while he is repetitively requiting his love for Anna Corwin, the hauntingly beautiful girl whom he is excessively interested in. It was love at first sight, but was she really what Cory had perceived her to be? Is Lisa still only a friend in Cory�s mind?

   The only thing I did not enjoy in reading this book was putting it down at night. This book kept my heart at a racing speed with its suspenseful twists and turns leading well up to the climax. The beginning was well informative as to what was going on however it kept me lingering with questions about the events that where occurring. Each event tied in with another because all of the people in the story were connected with the conspiracy going on in their very own town. The threats and attempted pursuing of those threats made me smile with shock and sometimes minor disbelief. The ending perfectly answered all of my questions in a quite refreshingly satisfying way. All of the ends were tied with a long explanation that made so much sense it caused me to wonder why I had not thought of it myself.

   I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a story that keeps them on their toes, even those who don�t enjoy reading very often. This book is a great read for people who can appreciate a good mystery or a suspenseful thriller. Those people would love this book.

5 comments about Flora Segunda: Being the Magickal Mishaps of a Girl of Spirit, Her Glass-Gazing Sidekick, Two Ominous Butlers (One Blue), a House with Eleven Thousand Rooms, and a Red Dog (Magic Carpet Books).

1. I purchased this book for my 15 yo who described it as weird and juvenile. I am passing it on to my 13 yo to read, I think it is more suited for that age group!



2. 
   There are a lot of incredibly sad things going on in Flora's world. For one thing her very name, Flora Segunda, refers to the fact that she is the second Flora born to her parents, the first being lost in the war when her and her father were taken hostage by the Huitzil soldiers. Her father spent three years as a prisoner of war, and when he returned his spirits were broken and he now putters around the house a rampant alcoholic who cannot forget the past, nor forgive himself for it. Her mother is the Warlord's Commanding General, the rock of Califa she is called, and she is a workaholic who leaves all of the household responsibility on young Flora's shoulders. And that's a lot of work. In Crackpot hall, as in all grand houses, there is supposed to be a butler to maintain the 11,000 space-shifting rooms but her mother banished him for misdeeds before Flora was born, so now it's Flora's responsibility. Added to that she has the upcoming pressures of her Catorcena speech, her coming-into-the-age-of-maturity ceremony, and that means she won't be able to pursue her dream, to be trained as a Ranger like her idol, Nini Mo.
   
   Things start to look up at Crackpot hall when an overdue library book and a rogue elevator introduce Flora to Valefor, the young magical Denizen who resides in the house as its butler, or rather, former butler as he no longer has the strength to do any real work. At first his appearance is strange to Flora until he acquires some of his rather unique nourishment... the anima breathe from Flora, which he steals in the form of kisses. Then he proves to be a very handsome, and purple, young man. Now Flora can concentrate on other activities while Valefor surreptitiously does the household chores; like spending time with her best friend, Udo (a foppish young dandy who I also suspect to be a bit of a whoopsie), while they try to break Udo's idol (one Dainty Pirate) out of jail just before his scheduled death sentence... Sentenced by Flora's mother, of course... before Flora disappears.
   
   I was amazed and astounded by Wilce's ability to compel the reader. Not only does she have the knack at writing characters that are really interesting, but she has impeccable dialogue and intriguing plotlines that add a freshness to what could be an old hat tale. It reminds me of Diana Wynne Jones, but not in plagiarism kind of way. I adored this. I am buying a copy for everyone I know. It's superb... sublime... splendiferous even!



3. This enjoyable book includes fantasy, magic, and eccentric, but loveable characters that are very real and that the reader cares about. I didn't want the book to end. This novel defies classification. I thought it would be another "Gormenghast" (it isn't) or a picaresque comedy like "Tristam Shandy" (it's not). It is a young adult novel, as the plot centers around a couple of teens struggling to grow up in trying circumstances. But unlike many YA books, it doesn't talk down to kids and displays a large and varied vocabulary. And sometimes (not always) the teens are wiser than the adults. The audience for this novel isn't limited to teen readers. I'm not young, but I really enjoyed the book. I can't wait for the next book, which I understand will be published in a few months.



4. Ysabeau Wilce (pronounced Iz-a-bow Wils) has entered the literary scene with a genre-blending and rule-bending story she likes to call Flora Segunda, Being the Magickal Mishaps of a Girl of Spirit, Her Glass-Gazing Sidekick, Two Ominous Butlers (One Blue), A House with Eleven Thousand Rooms, and A Red Dog. This tongue-twister of a title is just as fun to say as supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, and the story is more fun than a barrel of monkeys . . . unless the monkeys are wearing fashionable clothes, diving into their family's past, learning about their country's military pathways, and attempting to figure out the intentions of a ghostly genie-esque butler, in which case, those monkeys are more than ready to party with the likes of Flora.
   
   The title character, Flora Segunda, is sometimes naive but always spunky. When she finds a mysterious, forgotten room in her gigantic home, she also finds a magical butler who is stuck there. He charms her and begs her for help. This sends Flora on a journey full of twists and turns, mixed with magic, politics, and family secrets.
   
   I recommend this inventive book to adults who like the Thursday Next books by Jasper Fforde, as it similarly combines elements of history, comedy, and fantasy, and to kids and teens who like to explore new worlds.



5. There is a lot of honesty in this book, although it is sometimes covered up by too much effort to create a parallel world. Once you get past the jargon and the altered realities, you meet a girl who is different enough to be compelling. There are nice touches that made this book stand out for me: her mother is a hard-core military hero (which is different); her father is an alcoholic nutjob who lives in the attic; and the house comes with its very own immaterial servant who ends up nearly stealing our heroine's life force. It could almost be a metaphor of not giving ones self away to easily to please others, but I think I was reading too much in to it. Fun, strange...that about sums it up.

5 comments about Seven Tears into the Sea.

1. It looks interesting. And I'd read it just because it is by one of my favorite authors but I HATE romance. Maybe I'll read it some day. The cover is cool and I like the name. The Phantom Stallion and Wild Horse Island books are great and also by Terri Farley. I just hope my favoritest author keeps her romance in "Seven Tears into the Sea" and for the most part out of her awesome horse books. As Terri says, Reading Rocks!



2. I read this book two summers ago (yes, I unfortunately turned it into the cliched "summer read," but it doesn't have to be that way), and loved it.
   
   I decided, not long ago, to re-read it, and once I did, I picked up so many small facts and witty one-liners that I hadn't picked up on before.
   
   This book is so jam-packed with clear details that it's almost impossible to read them and let them all sink into your mind the first time. Also, in addition to frequent and helpful details, Terri Farley also wrote this book with a lot of similes, metaphors, and symbolism adding key elements to the plot and pace of the book, as well as shaping the main characters into what makes them so peacefully pleasant and so horrifyingly horrendous in their actions.
   
   Like a few other reviewers, I had also read the PHANTOM STALLION series prior to receiving this book. However, I don't think Terri Farley's writing has ever shone more brilliantly or creatively than with this one piece of work.
   
   This book is, above all else, a romance, and should be treated thusly. It isn't a cute, fluffy summer blanket read, which I discovered the first time I read it. I mean, sure, it's set on the beach during the summer and all of that, but I was pleasantly surprised (although admittedly a little disappointed) at the ending. It was definitely a far-cry from how I thought it would end. Hopefully, one day in the future, Terri Farley will continue the story of Gwen and her love interest Jesse, whose mystical secret defined her childhood.
   
   Anyway, I would absolutely recommend this book. Even if beach scenes aren't quite your thing, who knows? Maybe you'll like it for the characters and the quick-paced plot. I know I did.



3. Seven years ago, Gwen Cooke met a strange boy with dark, slightly titled eyes on the beach. He whispered words in her ears and then disappeared. Soon after, Gwen's family left the beach.
   
   Now seventeen, Gwen is returning since her nana asked her to come. Yet, Gwen knows it's time to go back for a different reasons: She yearns for the sea. Is it the sea itself calling her? Or is it the memory of the boy and his haunting words drawing her back? Either way, it's time for Gwen to find out the truth.
   
   Seven Tears into the Sea by Terri Farley is an enchanting book. It's full of haunting drama, romance, and suspense. The characters fit in easily together and the feelings Gwen has are ones that most girls can relate to, though probably for different reasons. This book is definitely one you'll never want to put down and when you do finish it, you'll want to read it all over again.
   
   I've been a fan of Terri's writing ever since I recieved the first book in her Phantom Stallion series for Christmas a few years back. When she took a break from her horse books to write this celtic fantasy, I wasn't sure I'd like it. It was, after all, very different from what I was used to reading. After reading many good things about it, I finally broke down and bought the book. It definitely did not disappoint. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys celtic fantasy, romance, suspense, or is just ready to read a great book.



4. 
   I just finished Seven Tears Into The Sea and had to let others know how wonderful this novel is. It is an enchanting story that has left me wanting a sequel. It can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. If you want to lose yourself in a book about the ocean, magic and love, this is worth reading.



5. This was a really, really, really good book! i am a lover of horse books, so i usually dont read a book unless it has something to do with horses, but when i first saw the cover of this wonderful book, i knew it had something special about it. but if you're a fan of Terri Farley's PHANTOM STALLION books, you may/may not like this book. if you are a die-hard lover of books about horses, you probably wont like this book since it has NOTHING to do with horses at all. but if you like a bit of fantasy, romance and myth, you'll just love this book. Both ways, you should really get it. The reason i gave it four out of five stars, though, is becouse it is a bit predictable, like other people said. but you probably wont guess the beautiful ending, though. All in all, it's a great book and you should read it.

5 comments about Coraline.

1. This book is . . . refreshingly creepy but a GREAT read. I recomend this book to anyone ages 10 and up. :)



2. All of my friends said "Do not read this book. It's really scary." Naturally, when someone says that it makes you want to read the book even more, so I read it. It was a fairly easy read, and interesting as well. I didn't think it was scary at all though. I would definitely not call it horror, it was a fantasy book. The story line was entertaining and action packed. The characters were very well thought up and the descriptions of them precise. The end was wrapped up very nicely, and I think even a hint of comedy shone through. Absolutely a great book. Even if you do think it is scary, it is not gory. I reccomend it for anybody wanting a change from normal fantasy books.



3. Me myself was never fond of creepy, scary books. Coraline is the first scary book that I really enjoyed.



4. CORALINE is a wonderful book...one of the best children's/Young Adult books ever penned (although I know more adults who've had the heebie jeebies scared out of them by this fine novel). For reasons unknown, Neil Gaiman seems to allow artist P. Craig Russell to adapt Gaiman's prose work, turning them into "graphic novels." It's not a match made in heaven. Russell's illustrations add NOTHING to Gaiman's fine prose. If anything, Russell's illustrations tend to steal the thunder of unleashed & wild imagination that comes from reading a Gaiman story or novel. P. Craig Russell's artwork is pedestrian (at best)and, truth be told, "mundane" would be a more accurate word to describe it. His illustrations are so mediocre that they actually detract from Gaimans' fine storytelling abilities. I do not know why they continue this collaboration...perhaps they're trying to hit the audience with Attention Deficiency Disorder, those who might not otherwise read a book unless EVERY last detail is reproduced in colorful illustration. Much of CORALINE'S magic works in the same way that old radio programs worked (in the pre-television days) or the way songs worked so well (in the pre-MTV days)..Gaiman's prose allows the reader to open up the mind's cathedrals to conjure up our own nightmarish & magical worlds. Russell's intrusion on this sacred bond between writer & reader breaks an otherwise near-sacred relationship. A movie version of this book? Yes. I can see how this will allow the story to flourish in a new way and direction (although I imagine some of the more gripping psychological aspects of CORALINE might be lost when released in cinema houses...of course, this remains to be seen). As with P. Craig Russell's other adaptations of Neil Gaiman's prose works, his illustrations only cheapen what are otherwise masterfully told stories. Please DO NOT think that I am knocking P. Craig Russell's known abilities/skill as an artist: his collaboration with Neil Gaiman on an ORIGINAL/JOINT effort, such as their joint work on SANDMAN'S "Ramadan" remains one of the finest comic books in existence. However, Russell's adaptations of Gaiman's prose work are worlds removed from their beautiful, landmark issue of SANDMAN...and, instead, makes the CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED comics of old seem like masterpieces by comparison. I'd love nothing more than to see Gaiman/Russell collaborate on a comic-book such as "Ramadan" (or the later SANDMAN-related story "Death in Venice"). However, Russell & Gaiman should do their reputations...as well as their readers...a favor and stop creating graphic novels out of Gaiman's fine prose. It insults Gaiman's legacy, as well insulting the intelligence of Gaiman's readers.



5. Coraline is great and I would recommend buying the audio version, but stay away from Audible, Amazon.com's "trusted partner" in audio books. It requires the installation of software to even download the audio file and if you want to play it on your PC, don't even think about using your favorite media player. Compare this to songs bought and downloaded off Amazon.com itself which are DRM free and in MP3 format. (Note: Good job with that Amazon). Even iTunes, which I normally shun, may have been better.
   An advantage theoretically would be that it can be transferred to any MP3 player, but guess what, doesn't work on my Creative MP3 player despite advertising that it does. What a surprise.
   Bottom line: Good sound quality, the actual product is perfect, but the delivery is distasteful if you like having an MP3 format and nobody constantly looking over your shoulder, buy the CD. I would give Coraline 5/5, Audible 1/5. Regretting the purchase from Audible, I must admit.

5 comments about Witch Child.

1. Witch Child is a fun read about the witch trials that plagued the nation before. After reading another YA book about the witch trials, The Burning Time by Carol Matas, I've been interested in the subject. The whole situation then must have been a stressful one, where you'd always have to watch your back. If someone doesn't like you, then you're a witch. If a boy likes you, but you get married to someone else, guess what you're a witch as well. If a baby dies while you are the midwife, you are a witch. If you look at the cattle in the wrong way and it dies, then you are a witch and a very evil one at that.
   
   As I said before, you'd always be wary because you don't want to be called a witch and you definitely don't want to be tortured, because the torture methods for determining who was a witch or not was gruesome and completely stupid.
   
   Despite all that, the witch trials were very interesting to read and I was excited to read this book, which I won from Evagation. Witch Child is told in diary form, which sometimes poses as a problem since you feel like you don't get the whole story, but Mary is a very observant young woman and that problem didn't arise. Mary is a good narrator and her journey from Britain to the States is one filled with hardship and many trials. Including the death of her grandmother, the only family Mary has ever had.
   
   Mary travels to the States, hoping to be spared from the witch hunts but soon realizes that she'll have to be even more careful in this new world. Her new friends provide some comfort, as well as the Indians, but Mary soon finds herself in the middle of an angry priest and a group of spiteful young women.
   
   Mary starts her diary off by saying she is a witch, which I liked, because I thought it brought her back to her grandmother. However, Celia Rees does give Mary some powers and as well as giving Mary's grandmother some perks. This part didn't sit well with me, because I expected Mary to be a regular girl trying to survive and not be an actual witch. It took me out of the story a little bit. Mary is also very open-minded and isn't too afraid of the Indians, or dressing up as a boy and heading out into the woods alone. I didn't mind this so much, but considering the context of the story, it did seem very foolish on Mary's part. Almost like, she wanted to be caught.
   
   I did like the book and think it would be great for those who love YA novels, I just wish Mary was a regular girl.



2. "Witch Child" is written in a diary format. Mary is a young girl living in the 17th century, during a time where religious fervor reigned and witch-hunts were a frequent. As a young girl, Mary witnesses her grandmother's demise when the town's people accuse her of being a witch and burn her at the stake. Mary is rescued by a mysterious noble woman, who sends her to the New World so she does not suffer the same fate.
   
   Mary takes on her new "pilgrim" life and tries to conform to society's expectations, but she finds it difficult to suppress her true nature. Mary falls under suspicion when she begins to explore the "dark woods," makes friends with the native Indians, and is accused by her rivals of being a witch.
   
   Overall, I think this is a good book. I think teens will enjoy it. I found the historical details in the story to be accurate. Many of the diary entries were realistic and sometimes shocking when you realize these things actually happened. However, the ending left me a bit unresolved. I felt it ended abruptly. I would have liked the author to expand a little bit more on the events that take place in the last chapter.



3. I loved this book. There are some writers who have such an amazing way
   with words, and Celia Rees is one of them. She is a gifted writer and
   wonderful story teller.
   
   The story begins with the torture and ultimate hanging of Mary's grandmother in England for being a witch. Mary is then ubducted
   by a mysterious woman who sends Mary to America by ship in hopes
   that she will escape the same fate as her grandmother. The rest of
   the story chronicles Mary's new life in a very new land with the
   puritains.
   
   I loved this character. Although, she is only fourteen, she already
   speaks as a wisewoman which is why I recommend this book to both
   adult and young adult alike. I'm forty one and could not put it down.
   Celia Rees also did a lot of research, so I felt like I got a history
   lesson too.
   
   The sequel to "Witch Child" is "Sorceress" which you'll definately want
   because "Witch Child" leaves you hanging.
   
   The only negative thing I have to say is that I thought that both
   of these books deserved better book jackets and perhaps even titles.
   This is a beautiful story told about a strong and courageous young woman,
   and I think that the cover should some how reflect that better.
   
   Other than that, it's a terrific read.



4. I love a good reference to the Salem times as much as anyone, so I have nothing against the sly horror of lies and rebellion and betrayal. And Ms. Rees is certainly if nothing a pretty writer.
   
   Still, it seemed more attempt to make an exciting plot than truly create characterization and terror. A little fluffy while trying to be serious.
   
   Still, it's a worthy read and should be best appreciated by teenagers looking for something with a darker spark.



5. One of the reasons I enjoyed this book was the simplicity of the story while offering young readers the chance to have a history lesson of life in 1600's. The young main character, Mary, is set on a course of life where she is offered opportunities to change or stay true to her spiritual path as a witch. I think the word "witch" alone sets up a red flag for the reader. Assumptions and prejudices are foremost in the readers' minds but as the story unfolds we learn being a witch is a choice for living spiritually as is any person who choices a spiritual path. Mary must make choices and is supported by those who understand her and I think that is what the young reader wishes to experience in her or his life, understanding. I will and have, recommended this book for younger and older people interested in understanding witches. Easy read.

5 comments about The Baby-Sitter (Point Horror Series).

1. Jenny, the main character, takes a babystitting job on the other side of town, in a big old creepy house that needs repairs. Creepy things are happening . . . is it her imagination, or are there really footsteps and crashes and bangs, or is it just the wind? Creepy phone calls come . . . those are not her imagination. Jenny is terrified to stay in that house because of all the terrifying things that are happening. Including that creepy next-door nosy neighbor who snoops around the house.
   
   Meanwhile, Jenny has a boyfriend named Chuck who really cares about her. He is a jokester. With all the horrifying things that are happening, Jenny is not in the mood for jokes.
   
   Even though Jenny is stressed out, you love her. I think she is cool.
   
   At the end of the book, we find out who the prankster is who threatens Jenny with those creepy calls. You will not want to put the book down until you found out who it is.
   
   I read this book many years ago, and because it is so good, I always knew that I would read it again. I finally read it again. I enjoyed it that much. I don't normally re-read books. Of all the R.L. Stine books that I have read (and I have read a lot of them), this book is the one I like the best. This book is written with superb talent, is very cleverly and perfectly crafted, and everything smoothly flows from one thing to the next. I love the whole book. It is interesting and fun. Even though I feel a lot of R.L. Stine's books are worthy of 5 stars, this book makes his other 5-star books pale in comparison - it is that good.
   
   This is a teen book. Even though it is teen, it is fun. It is awesome. I love it.
   
   This is the first book of a 4-book series. If you love this book as much as I do, you will definitely want to read the other 3 books. Even though each book can stand alone, I think it's more interesting to read them in order, you don't want to miss any of them. All 4 of the books are awesome. And all 4 books are original and have their own plot - they do not repeat themselves.



2. This has to be one of Stine's best books. It's a YA book but I think anyone could enjoy this. The plot's simple enough, Jenny gets a new job baby-sitting in a creepy house during a time where baby-sitters are being attacked in her town. She starts getting threatening calls and notes, is she next? You feel as if you know Jenny, and this book has some great twists. This book launched many sequals, some good, others not, but start with the original!



3. The Babysitter, was a great book that was so good I just couldn't put it down! I would definitely recommend it to girls that are a fan of thriller books. This book gets a bit scary at the end. If you are not a fan of scary books then I would not recommend reading this book. R.L. Stine writes great scary books , and I love reading them. If you read this this book you might want to read The Babysitter 2 and The Babysitter3.



4. Have you ever tooken a baby sittng job at a creepy house? Well, the book I read was "The Babysitter" by R.L. stine. The book was about a girl named Jenny who was offered a babysitting job and accepted. But as she looks in her backpack she finds threatning notes. At first she thinks it's a sick joke, then the phone rings saying the company is coming! She then knows someone wants to scare her.....to DEATH!
   I liked this book because it is full of mystery and suspence. You can connect with all the characters in this book. It is really easy to understand. I gaurantee it will keep you thinking. The bad thing is that there are no characters 13 years old. All the characters are in high school except the little boy and his parents. If you like suspenceful books, this is the book for you.



5. Jenny accepts a baby-sitting job for a six-year-old boy named Donny. Jenny finds out that Donny's house is old and creepy and needs some work when she gets there. WWhen Donny is asleep Jenny gets wierd phones calls that says stuff like "Are you alone? Don't worry copany's coming!" And then a who calls himself Willers comes to the door. And Mr.Hagen,Donny's dad is always so wooried. There's a reason why he's so woried...
   A great book with a great ending that's impossable to guss!
   
   --Scott Schaeffer age 10

5 comments about A Summer to Die.

1. Lowis Lowry has a few special qualities to her work, having read most her work which could qualify for adults. This books opens with two sisters in a spat, drawing a line across their shared bedroom with chalk. That side yours, this side mine.. But as you can imagine from the name of the book, such differences fall to the way side.



2. I read this book in school than we moved and I lost it, it was like meeting an old friend again



3. Yes, this book was well-written. However, it wasn't believable that a 13 year old read it. This book was very bland in lacking. It was bland and lacking because Meg never grew. Nor did she ever bond with her sister. She didn't learn anything from her life. I kept wanting her to learn more about herself or learning something from her sister. But her sister was just more of a subplot. The book mainly focused on Meg's photography and friendship with the neighbors.
   
   Even when she told Will she thought she was ugly, he made her promise that she would come back to a certain plant grow into its beauty. I thought that finally Meg would learn something from that plant and about her own beauty. When she came back, Will simply showed her the plant and how it pretty it was. He never connected her and the plant together.
   
   The book never went into Molly's funeral or how Meg felt about losing her sister. All she cared about was returning to the house the next summer to visit the neighbors again! Then all of a sudden in the end, there's suddenly a picture of Meg that had been taken at the funeral! Where did that come from!?!? This book was lacking and boring. Nothing is learned from it. It's just about a selfish girl who likes to take photography with her old neighbor. Her parents also never really pay attention to her. Do they get closer at the end? NOPE!



4. Meg's family moves to a small house in the country so her father can finish his book - and Meg faces many changes: sharing a room with her older sister Molly, making new friends. Her new friendships with an elderly neighbor and a young couple are just introducing her to newfound photography skills when Molly falls ill, and Meg must confront developing her friendships and skills and saying goodbye to her sister. A poignant, warm story evolves.



5. Although having an older sister that's pretty and also can wear makeup and is attractive can be frustrating, sisters should try hard to like each other. In the beginning of Lois Lowry's fictional novel A Summer To Die Meg the youngest sister is a smart kid with the normal big glasses. Her older sister Molly is your normal popular teen that likes to ware makeup and all the boys like her she is messy and hates to clean up after herself. Meg is sick of this so she takes some chalk and draws a line In the middle of their room. She states this side is mine and I can do what I want with it and the other side is yours you can keep it as messy as you want.
   Even though this book title sounds interesting at the beginning, it's very boring. More in the middle it is more interesting because the blood and death happens. The ages I would recommend for this book is eight and up because young boys like blood and like to read about girls dieing, I would think both boys and girls could read this book but more boys because boys are more interested to read about blood and death.
   I know brothers and sisters can be annoying but you should appreciate them because you don't know if they will die or get sick. My opinion of Summer To Die is it is very boring at first then again so are all books but if you keep reading it gets sad and exiting and it teaches you to appreciate your family and annoying siblings. ENJOY!
   Although having an older sister that's pretty and also can wear makeup and is attractive can be frustrating, sisters should try hard to like each other. In the beginning of Lois Lowry's fictional novel A Summer To Die Meg the youngest sister is a smart kid with the normal big glasses. Her older sister Molly is your normal popular teen that likes to ware makeup and all the boys like her she is messy and hates to clean up after herself. Meg is sick of this so she takes some chalk and draws a line In the middle of their room. She states this side is mine and I can do what I want with it and the other side is yours you can keep it as messy as you want.
   Even though this book title sounds interesting at the beginning, it's very boring. More in the middle it is more interesting because the blood and death happens. The ages I would recommend for this book is eight and up because young boys like blood and like to read about girls dieing, I would think both boys and girls could read this book but more boys because boys are more interested to read about blood and death.
   I know brothers and sisters can be annoying but you should appreciate them because you don't know if they will die or get sick. My opinion of Summer To Die is it is very boring at first then again so are all books but if you keep reading it gets sad and exiting and it teaches you to appreciate your family and annoying siblings. ENJOY!

5 comments about Oh My Goth.

1. From her dying mother's last words seventeen year old Jade Leigh learned that being different sets you apart from the clones of this world. As a result she is friends with a small group of Goths who are considered freaks by the in-crowd, which includes Mercedes, the popular girl with the Barbie clones as friends.
   
   When Jade gets into trouble for the third time in a week, her principal decides that it's time for an extreme intervention and convinces her father to sign a permission slip for what he thinks is a field trip but is actually a virtual reality program designed to teach Jade a lesson.
   
   When Jade wakes up the next morning, things are decidedly different. The whole school has turned Goth and her friends have now become the Barbie clones. To make matters worse they hate her and Jade has become the popular girl. But not only is Jade in the program, Mercedes is too and she has taken Jade's place as the outcast.
   
   With the help of Clarik, a strange new student, Jade and Mercedes struggle to find their way out of the program and back to real life but learn a valuable lesson on the way home.
   
   I thought the book was a cute read with a good lesson for teens but I didn't love it as much as I was expecting to. The writing is good and the characters are typical teens but the virtual reality premise was just a little too weird for me. I wish the switch from Goth to popular girl was accomplished a different way. Maybe a bump on the head a la Wizard of Oz or some magical hocus pocus. I just couldn't get into it being a program when Mercedes and Clarik were also in there with her.
   
   I do recommend the book for teens and young adults but I'd skip it if you're on the fence about picking this one up.



2. I love Gena Showalter and have been a fan of her adult books for years.
   I currently picked up Oh My Goth on a whim at a used bookstore and it was well worth my 4.95
   
   At first the story was way to cliché. Saying Fright instead of cool? Discussing the 'types' of Goth? I mean surely no teen would want to read something so... well obvious.
   
   But once the girls get transformed into the video game I commend Gena Showalter for her eye to detail, she really captured the situation and I was able to cry and laugh with both Jade and Mercedes.
   
   Having said that this book is a great easy read and should be given a chance past the first few chapters.
   
   I plan on reading her teen alien hunter series next.



3. I decided to get this book for my reading group. I teach adults with disabilities and they really enjoy teen literature. Recently, we've been reading the Vampire Kisses series by Ellen Schreiber and thought this would be a good choice until the new one is out in paperback.
   
   I thought the book had a great premise! Switching places with the popular kids, can be an eye opener and I think this book explores some important issues. The only problem I have is with the whole virtual reality game issue. It just seemed a little too far-fetched! How do you begin a romantic relationship with someone through the subconscious? Granted, this is fiction so anything is possible and that requires the suspension of disbelief. Overall, it's a good book and my students really seem to like it!



4. I'm so surprised that I'm writing a negative review of this book. When I first got Oh My Goth, I thought it'd be one of those books that I'd recommend to all my friends. The premise was great! I mean--here's to showing everyone is human on the inside and labels/appearances should not be the defining factor of a person or their worth.
   
   And then...
   
   Well, first off, we get this huge contradiction right at the opening. Each chapter is prefaced with a blurb from Jade's private journal--here's the first one:
   
   "When people look at me, they automatically assume I'm dark and weird. Why can't they see the truth? I'm just a girl, trying to find my place in the world."
   
   I thought, Okay, we're off to a great start. This character has strong likeable potential. But then the narrative began. Three paragraphs down the first page and we've got:
   
   "Honestly, I'd rather be anywhere else. Even home, where my dad begins almost every conversation with, "You should lose the black clothes and wear something with color." Puh-lease. Like I want to look like every Barbie clone in Hell High, a.k.a. Oklahoma's insignificant Haloway High School. Ironically, Dad doesn't appreciate the bright blue streaks in my originally blond/now-dyed-black hair. Go figure. That's color, right?"
   
   So, Jade complains about being judged based on her appearance, but here she is doing the exact same thing. Is it any wonder people think that about her?
   
   The book went on. Some passages were funny in a teen-angsty way. Others were bland. But mostly, my thoughts went elsewhere while I was reading. By the last page, I didn't care what Jade did, what the book's message was, or even how it ended. I won't say I was happy that it ended. I wasn't. I wanted to like this book. But I didn't and here's why:
   
   Jade was impenetrable. I couldn't figure her out or relate to her at all. In fact, I thought she was highly superficial, which is not something I want from any character, especially one I'm reading about in a first-person narrative. I'll even go so far as to say this book was superficial. It meandered along the surface, never really digging deep enough for me to get any substance. Some passages were unbelievably contrived, like the ones describing all the types of goths there are and how they dress, like it's one big institution. Is this what this girl considers being a noncomformist? Comforming to the "norms" or noncomformity???
   
   Which brings me to my next point. Jade "expresses her individuality" because her mother, at the exact moment before crashing with another car and dying from the collision, told her to always be herself, no matter what. And now Jade thinks she has to be unlike everyone else to be herself. Someone please tell this girl that dressing differently doesn't make you original.
   
   Overall, didn't like the main character; thought the book's message was botched; didn't care much about about anything that happened. I had hoped this book would've gone to say something about how a person's essence is more important than their outer shell. It didn't. It focused exactly on the opposite, which makes it pointless.
   
   Rating: 3/10



5. Jade Leigh would probably rather kill herself than become a conforming "Barbie" like almost every other girl at her school. Unfortunately, these sentiments, along with her all black dress code seemed to have guaranteed her a permanent status as Loser at her high school. But when her attitude lands her in hot water, her principal comes up with an unconventional punishment. Jade is immersed into an alternate reality, one where everyone dresses, acts like, and worships her. And what's more, she's stuck there, unless she can somehow work together with her arch nemesis, Mercedes, and find a way out.
   
   In Oh My Goth, Showalter will take you on a witty and complex Matrix-esque ride. This novel gives a wild and highly entertaining twist on the life of modern teenagers while still remaining true to reality by throwing in many of the issues millions of them face each and every day. It is evident through the dialogue and actions of these genuine and lively characters that Showalter knows teenagers, and what's more, she empathizes with them. Jade's individualism and her probing questions about life, death, acceptance, and hate give Oh My Goth a certain depth that will brand Oh My Goth in your memory for quite a long time.