Tempests And Slaughter

Tempests And Slaughter by Tamora Pierce, 464 pages

“Discover the origin story of one of the realm's most powerful mages in the first book in the Numair Chronicles.  Arram Draper is on the path to becoming one of the realm's most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness--and for attracting trouble. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the "leftover prince" with secret ambitions. Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. And as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram's heart, Arram realizes that one day --soon --he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.  In the Numair Chronicles, readers will be rewarded with the never-before-told story of how Numair Salmalín came to Tortall. Newcomers will discover an unforgettable fantasy adventure where a kingdom's future rests on the shoulders of a talented young man with a knack for making vicious enemies.”  I didn’t want to put this book down once I started reading it.  Pierce’s books just seem to get better and better.  I’m always excited when a new book comes out.  Teen fans of fantasy absolutely should read this and all of her books.

The Cruel Prince

TheCruel Prince by Holly Black, 370 pages

“Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences. In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.” I think this might be my favorite book by Black.  I loved the characters and the story and I really loved how everything worked together.  This is an excellent book for teens who like fantasy.

Behemoth

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld, 485 pages

Bottom of Form

“The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker Powers. Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory. Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.” I can’t believe that I waited so long to read Westerfeld’s books.  I love this series and teens who like steampunk, adventure, or fantasy will want to read it.

The Prince And The Dressmaker

ThePrince And The Dressmaker by Jen Wang, 277 pages

“Paris, at the dawn of the modern age: Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride--or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia--the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion! Sebastian's secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances--one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone's secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. A fairy tale for any age, The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart.” This was an absolutely lovely story.  It will appeal to teens who like graphic novels, but teens who feel like they are different from their classmates will almost certainly want to read it.

Nickerbacher

 Nickerbacher by Terry John Barto     60 pages

I’ve ready many adaptions of Barto’s Nickerbacher. (BTW, I do not know him, he has reached out to me as a reviewer.) However, this version as an early chapter book is the best.

Nickerbacker is a dragon who doesn’t want breath fire, guard princesses or fight princes He wants to be a comedian. And there are upcoming auditions for The Late Knight in La La Land. Nickerbcker wants to go, and with Princess Gwendolyn’s encouragement, he agrees to talk to hi father one more time.

Papa believes his son is being grossly negligent, dragons were not made to be funny, but Nickerbacher has a dream. The next day Prince Happenstance, on behalf of the Princes Guild arrives to save Princess Gwendolyn. Since she doesn’t need saving, the prince agrees to chase them should they leave the Kingdome. The trio locks up the tower, and they take off on their grand adventure. As they learn about chasing dream, they also learn about each other.

The picture book, Nickerbacher the Funniest Dragon, was well done. However, as an early chapter book, it delves more deeply into the story.

An excellent read for children ages four to eight.

Nickerbacker receives 5 stars out of 5 in Julie’s world.

Leviathan

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, 440 pages

"In an alternate 1914 Europe, fifteen-year-old Austrian Prince Alek, on the run from the Clanker Powers who are attempting to take over the globe using mechanical machinery, forms an uneasy alliance with Deryn who, disguised as a boy to join the British Air Service, is learning to fly genetically-engineered beasts."  I'm a relative newcomer to Westerfeld's books but I really liked the first book in this series.  I'm sorry it took me so long to get to it.  I liked this a lot better than the Pretties series, which was good but not great.  This was much better and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

Nickerbacher The Funniest Dragon

Nickerbacher The Funniest Dragon by Terry John Barto, Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle  34 pages

We all know what dragons to for a living. They protect princesses. And Nickerbacher does that…mostly because his Papa says he must. But Nickerbacher has dreams other than breathing fire and guarding princesses. He longs to be a stand-up comedian.

When Prince Happenstance comes to court Princess Gwendolyn, both Nickerbacher and the Prince learn a few things about chasing your dreams.

 

Excellent children's book.

The Hostage Prince

The Hostage Prince by Jane Yolen & Adam Stemple
232 pages
 

This is the first book in a trllogy.  Snail is a midwife’s apprentice.  She is unusual because she has one blue eye and one green, red hair, too-round ears, and is clumsy.  Aspen is a Seelie prince being held hostage in the Unseelie court to defend against the possibility of war.  The queen is about to give birth and Snail is part of one of the possible teams who will assist until an unfortunate incident and Snail finds herself in danger of being executed, along with the rest of the team.  Aspen has been told that war between the two courts is coming and he prepares to escape.  He and Snail are thrown together by circumstances and end up making the attempt together.  Although Jane Yolen is usually very entertaining, I didn’t like this book as well as many I’ve read.  Kids who are really into faerie stories may enjoy this book.