The Secret Adventures of WriterGirl

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Goodnight My Angel by Celtic Woman.





The idea of Monday's Muse is to introduce you to unknown, forgotten, or overlooked fiction that has been lost from regular radar. I am WriterGirl. I am in the business of saving lives, one book at a time.

What I do is go to one of several places, narrow it down to a YA field and type in a random word, any word that comes to mind. I then take a sampling of some I have never heard of before, or only vaguely heard of (and hopefully you as well). No infringement is intended for any description I take for the books. It's purely for promotional reasons. I will try and cover as many genres as possible that are fitting for the random word. Simple but it really uncovers some incredible gems. I will be doing this every other Monday. If there are any words you want to prompt me with, go ahead and fire away.

Frost by Wendy Desol.

After the drama of finding out that she’s a Stork, a member of an ancient and mystical order of women, and that her boyfriend, Jack, is a descendent of the Winter People able to control the weather, Katla Leblanc is delighted when all signs point to a busy and peaceful Christmas. That is, until the snowstorm Jack summons as a gift to Katla turns into the storm of the century, attracting Brigid, a gorgeous scientist who, in turn, attracts Jack. Between the school play, a bedridden, pregnant mother’s to-do lists, and keeping an eye on her aging grandfather, Katla doesn’t have time to question Brigid’s motives or deal with Jack’s increasingly cold behavior. But Katla’s suspicions mount when Jack joins Brigid on a research expedition to Greenland, and when the two of them go missing, it becomes clear that Katla is the only one who can save her beloved Jack from the Snow Queen who holds him prisoner. Adventure, romance, and myth combine in this winter escapade for teens who like a bit of fire with their ice.




Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu. (this one should be familiar) ;)

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. They had been best friends since they were six, spending hot Minneapolis summers and cold Minneapolis winters together, dreaming of Hogwarts and Oz, superheroes and baseball. Now that they were eleven, it was weird for a boy and a girl to be best friends. But they couldn't help it - Hazel and Jack fit, in that way you only read about in books. And they didn't fit anywhere else.

And then, one day, it was over. Jack just stopped talking to Hazel. And while her mom tried to tell her that this sometimes happens to boys and girls at this age, Hazel had read enough stories to know that it's never that simple. And it turns out, she was right. Jack's heart had been frozen, and he was taken into the woods by a woman dressed in white to live in a palace made of ice. Now, it's up to Hazel to venture into the woods after him. Hazel finds, however, that these woods are nothing like what she's read about, and the Jack that Hazel went in to save isn't the same Jack that will emerge. Or even the same Hazel.

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind. 





The Snow Queen (Five Hundred Kingdoms, #4) by Mercedes Lackey.

Aleksia, Queen of the Northern Lights, is mysterious, beautiful and widely known to have a heart of ice. No one would seek her wisdom except as a last resort. But when she's falsely accused of unleashing evil on nearby villages, she realizes there's an impostor out there far more heartless than she could ever be.And when a young warrior following the Tradition disappears, leaving his sweetheart and mother to fear the worst, Aleksia's powers are needed as never before.

Now, on a journey through a realm of perpetual winter, it will take all her skills, a mother's faith and a little magic to face down an enemy more formidable than any she has ever known....






The Snow Queen by Eileen Kernaghan.

In this reworking of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, the magical worlds of Saami shamanism and the Kalevala coexist with the polite Victorian society of nineteenth-century Scandanavia. At a time when traditional faith is challenged by modern science, the old pagan gods still haunt the northern forests. Kernaghan blends fantasy and historical realism to create an enchanting, provocative story that will inspire readers of all ages.






The Snow Queen by Joan D. Vinge.

The imperious Winter colonists have ruled the planet Tiamat for 150 years, deriving wealth from the slaughter of the sea mers. But soon the galactic stargate will close, isolating Tiamat, and the 150-year reign of the Summer primitives will begin. All is not lost if Arienrhod, the ageless, corrupt Snow Queen, can destroy destiny with an act of genocide. Arienrhod is not without competition as Moon, a young Summer-tribe sibyl, and the nemesis of the Snow Queen, battles to break a conspiracy that spans space.
 

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Video Killed the Radio Star by Amber Pacific.





The idea of Monday's Muse is to introduce you to unknown, forgotten, or overlooked fiction that has been lost from regular radar. I am WriterGirl. I am in the business of saving lives, one book at a time.

What I do is go to one of several places, narrow it down to a YA field and type in a random word, any word that comes to mind. I then take a sampling of some I have never heard of before, or only vaguely heard of (and hopefully you as well). No infringement is intended for any description I take for the books. It's purely for promotional reasons. I will try and cover as many genres as possible that are fitting for the random word. Simple but it really uncovers some incredible gems. I will be doing this every other Monday. If there are any words you want to prompt me with, go ahead and fire away.

Snow White

Mira, Mirror by Mette Ivie Harrison.

Two sisters. One a witch and a queen. The other transformed by her sister's touch into a mirror--a mirror with voice and memory and magic, but no power to transform herself back to the girl she once was. And then, mysteriously, the queen disappears and another girl finds the mirror. This girl has troubles of her own, but she is also a means to escape and soon the girl and the mirror are on their way to find the magic that will bring both pain and hope to both of them.








Sleeping Beauty

 A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan.

Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten subbasement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now, her parents and her first love are long gone, and Rose-- hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire-- is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes-- or be left without any future at all.





Cinderella

Ash by Malinda Lo.

In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Don't Give Up by Eagle Eye Cherry [Holes soundtrack].





The idea of Monday's Muse is to introduce you to unknown, forgotten, or overlooked fiction that has been lost from regular radar. I am WriterGirl. I am in the business of saving lives, one book at a time.

What I do is go to one of several places, narrow it down to a YA field and type in a random word, any word that comes to mind. I then take a sampling of some I have never heard of before, or only vaguely heard of (and hopefully you as well). No infringement is intended for any description I take for the books. It's purely for promotional reasons. I will try and cover as many genres as possible that are fitting for the random word. Simple but it really uncovers some incredible gems. I will be doing this every other Monday. If there are any words you want to prompt me with, go ahead and fire away.

This one I may need your help on, guys. There HAS to be more books that deal with the subject of 'honor' than this. New, old, popular, unknown - it doesn't matter. Brainstorm with me! :D










Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo.

Thomas Peaceful, like many other English soldiers in World War I, is too young to fight, but he lies about his age. Now at the front in France with his older brother Charlie he stands a lonely nighttime vigil for reasons that are not explained until the book's end, watching the minutes tick by and reflecting on his past. Using first-person narration, Morpurgo draws readers into this young man's life, relating memories that are idyllic, sobering, and poignant. Tommo thinks upon the role he played in his father's accidental death, the adventures that he shared with Charlie, his relationship with his childhood friend Molly, and the experiences that he has had since entering the war. Finally, he describes how Charlie disobeyed a direct order to stay with him after he was wounded in action, fully aware of this decision's dire consequences. While this story is not based on any one individual, Morpurgo has personalized the British tactic of executing their own soldiers "for cowardice or desertion," memorializing these men without passing judgment. While readers see the events through Tommo's eyes, the author does not lose sight of the war's effects on the teen's friends and family. Reminders come in the form of letters from home, relationships with other soldiers, and observations of battles. This thoughtful novel touches on themes of humanity and duty, and features brilliant characters whose personal decisions have earned them their very own badges of honor.–Delia Fritz, Mercersburg Academy, PA, School Library Journal (Nov 11, 2004 vol 50, issue 11, pg 150).







 Three Kingdoms 1: Heroes and Chaos by Wei Dong Chen & Xiao Long Liang.

At the end of the second century, the lands of ancient China are thrown into turmoil when the Han Dynasty collapses, and when a tyrant overthrows the weak emperor, a group of regional lords forms an army to restore the nation. But bravery and valor are soon stifled by ambition and cunning, and the coalition dissolves before the battle is even won. Now, a new group of heroes must emerge if China is to survive.







The Grave Doug Freshley by Josh Hechinger.

The clichéd Western hero can't be bested in a gun battle, and neither can Doug Freshley—because he's already dead. Zombies don't usually get to play John Wayne, and in tapping the potential of the Undead for superheroics, Hechinger reverses a second cliché with a lighthearted touch. Freshley is a retired schoolteacher, hired to tutor mouthy young Bat McNally. Then the Delancey Gang kills Bat's parents and puts a bullet through Freshley's head, too. Our hero had sworn to protect Bat, and somehow that promise keeps him ambulatory. And even if rigor mortis slows down his quick draw, it does keep his shooting arm steady enough to serve up a little frontier justice to the wrongdoers. Later, Freshley must confront a challenge from the Deadliest Gun in the West: the Grim Reaper. VERDICT A spaghetti Western crossed with a zombie buddy story, Doug Freshley infuses new blood in genre stereotypes. Its quirky charm should appeal to teens through adults who like Westerns, soft horror, and original twists on old themes. mpMann (Ianna's Tears ) uses a sketchy, sepia/daguerreotype-toned art that suits the story just fine.— M.C. --Martha Cornog, Library Journal (Jan 1, 2012) vol 136, issue 21, pg. 83).







The Way of the Warrior by Andrew Matthews.


In 1565, when Jimmu is 10 years old, he witnesses his father commit seppuku, a ritual suicide, to avoid bringing dishonor to his family. Before he dies, Lord Kensu tells his son that his bodyguard will now be responsible for his upbringing. Jimmu spends the next seven years learning the art of the samurai at Nichiren's side, with the sole intention of avenging his father by killing Lord Ankan, the man Nichiren blames for betraying Lord Kensu and taking from Jimmu all that was rightfully his. Jimmu reports to Mitsukage Castle under the pretense of wanting to work for Lord Ankan, and, impressing the captain of the guard with his swordsmanship, is allowed to stay. But as Jimmu gets to know Lord Ankan, he finds him to be a principled and courageous leader rather than the monster that Nichiren described. Complicating matters further, Jimmu is drawn to Lord Ankan's impetuous daughter. The resulting story is an honest and engaging portrayal of a young man's struggle to do the right thing—even when it is not clear what that is. The cast of characters includes Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga, two renowned military leaders from the Sengoku period. The vivid depictions of a soldier's life in 16th-century Japan will captivate samurai enthusiasts, and the amount of action that Matthews packs into this relatively short novel will appeal to reluctant readers.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA --Kim Dare, School Library Journal (Jan 1, 2009) vol 55, issue 1, pg. 112).

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Wrongful Blame by James Horner [Spitfire Grill soundtrack].





The idea of Monday's Muse is to introduce you to unknown, forgotten, or overlooked fiction that has been lost from regular radar. I am WriterGirl. I am in the business of saving lives, one book at a time.

What I do is go to one of several places, narrow it down to a YA field and type in a random word, any word that comes to mind. I then take a sampling of some I have never heard of before, or only vaguely heard of (and hopefully you as well). No infringement is intended for any description I take for the books. It's purely for promotional reasons. I will try and cover as many genres as possible that are fitting for the random word. Simple but it really uncovers some incredible gems. I will be doing this every other Monday. If there are any words you want to prompt me with, go ahead and fire away.

Wake (/Fade/Gone) by Lisa McMann.

Ever since she was eight years old, high school student Janie Hannagan has been uncontrollably drawn into other people's dreams, but it is not until she befriends an elderly nursing home patient and becomes involved with an enigmatic fellow-student that she discovers her true power.








The Wild Things by Dave Eggers.

During a fight at home, young Max flees and runs away into the woods. He finds a boat there, jumps in, and ends up on the open sea, destination unknown. He lands on the island of the Wild Things, and soon he becomes their king. But things get complicatedwhen Max realizes that the Wild Things want as much from him as he wants from them. Based loosely on the storybook by Maurice Sendak and the screenplay co-written with Spike Jonze.







The Other Wind (Earthsea series #6) by Ursula Le Guin.

Haunted by dreams of the dead who seek to invade Earthsea through him, the sorcerer Alder enlists the aid of Ged, a former Archmage, who advises him to find the holiest place in the world, which holds the key to preserving Earthsea.










Dreamhunter (& Dreamquake) by Elizabeth Knox.

In a world where select people can enter "The Place" and find dreams of every kind to share with others for a fee, a fifteen-year-old girl is training to be a dreamhunter when her father disappears, leaving her to carry on his mysterious mission.








White Cat (Curse Workers trilogy) by Holly Black.

Cassel Sharpe comes from a family of criminals and "curse workers," people who practice magic illegally and can alter others' luck or memories with a single touch. Cassel, who doesn't seem to have inherited his family's talents, tries very hard to convince his private-school classmates that he's just a regular guy. But he's haunted by a dirty secret from his past, and a white cat that keeps appearing in his nightmares.  (description by Ellen Foreman).







Alphabet of Dreams by Susan Fletcher.

Fourteen-year-old Mitra, of royal Persian lineage, and her five-year-old brother Babak, whose dreams foretell the future, flee for their lives in the company of the magus Melchoir and two other Zoroastrian priests, traveling through Persia as they follow star signs leading to a newly-born king in Bethlehem.









Dreamrider by Barry Jonsberg.

Harangued by his father about his weight and bullied in all the many schools he has attended, teenaged Michael finds some comfort in his ability to experience "lucid" dreaming but then starts to notice that the things that happen in his dreams are starting to occur in the real world as well.









Sleeper Code by Tom Sniegoski.

Just when he has met a beautiful girl and his outlook is improving, sixteen-year-old narcoleptic Tom Lovett begins to suspect that his dreams and hallucinations of killing people may be something more real and terrifying.









Union Spark by Andy Marino.

Fifteen-year-old Mistletoe lives in the sub-canopy zone amid poverty and outdated technology, but when she meets Ambrose Truax, the privileged sixteen-year-old heir to the Unison empire and they discover they share a sinister link, they begin a frightening journey into the uncharted territory of the Unison 3.0 upgrade.








 Witch Dreams by Vivian Vande Velde.

Sixteen-year-old Nyssa uses her ability to see into people's dreams to discover who murdered her parents six years ago.










The Red Thread by Rod Townley.

Bothered by insomnia, nightmares, and claustrophobia, sixteen-year-old Dana sees a therapist who hypnotizes her into remembering past lives, involving her in an age-old mystery and causing her to question what kind of person she is.










On Thin Ice by Jamie Bastedo.

Set in Canada's far north, this book is a fascinating blend of both fact and fiction. Sixteen year old Ashley, who's from Inuit and French Canadian descent, is haunted by strange, ominous dreams. When a classmate's mangled body is found outside of her Arctic town, Ashley's dreams take on a frightening twist. Plunged into the mysterious underworld of ancient Inuit legends, Ashley strives to understand her changing world.







The Dream Merchant by Isabel Hoving.

Having been hired by a mysterious corporation called Gippart, twelve-year-old Josh--along with two friends and the ghost of his dead twin sister--finds himself trapped in "umaya," a place between dreams, time, and reality.











Sleepless by Cyn Balog.

Eron, a supernatural being known as a Sandman whose purpose is to seduce humans to sleep, falls in love with a sad teenaged girl who is mourning her boyfriend's death.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Lacrimosa Dominae by The Immediate.




The idea of Monday's Muse is to introduce you to unknown, forgotten, or overlooked fiction that has been lost from regular radar. I am WriterGirl. I am in the business of saving lives, one book at a time.

What I do is go to one of several places, narrow it down to a YA field and type in a random word, any word that comes to mind. I then take a sampling of some I have never heard of before, or only vaguely heard of (and hopefully you as well). No infringement is intended for any description I take for the books. It's purely for promotional reasons. I will try and cover as many genres as possible that are fitting for the random word. Simple but it really uncovers some incredible gems. I will be doing this every other Monday. If there are any words you want to prompt me with, go ahead and fire away.

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale.

Hale's novelization of the relatively obscure Grimm Brothers' fairy tale "Maid Maleen" is quite an improvement over the original. Rather than merely adding flesh to the Grimms' skeleton, the author has taken a few of the prominent bones (a love match thwarted by an autocratic king, the princess and her maid condemned to a tower for seven years, the country a wasteland when they finally escape) and constructed a new and far more appealing body. Lady Saren loves Khan Tegus, who rules a lesser realm, and she refuses to marry the evil man whom her father has chosen for her for political gains. The narrator, Dashti, is the princess's maid, immured in the tower almost as soon as she's found employment in the royal household. Bound to obey her mistress, Dashti is ordered to speak in her place when Tegus comes calling on their prison. Many readers will guess how that will eventually turn out, but they won't predict how Dashti and Tegus will overcome physical, political, and social obstacles to recognize their mutual love and defy convention in order to marry. Hale has created a richly imagined, mythical land something like medieval Mongolia, replete with magical song and touch therapy for spiritual or corporeal ailments, intuitive animals, and a sort of Faustian werewolf. It's a highly successful romance.—Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY--Miriam Lang Budin, School Library Journal (October 1, 2007. vol 53, issue 10, pg. 152).




The Darkangel by Merideth Anne Pierce.

The servant girl Aeriel must choose between destroying her vampire master for his evil deeds or saving him for the sake of his beauty and the spark of goodness she has seen in him.









The Silver Bowl by Diane Stanley.

Veteran Stanley concocts a delicious blend of familiar fairy-tale motifs and intriguing, well-rounded characters to create an engaging fantasy.Young Molly's mother is ill and her father uncaring, so she learns early how to take care of herself. Her resourcefulness pays off when she goes into service at the palace. Resilience and intelligence allow her to thrive, and they stand her in good stead when she gets swept up into a series of dangerous adventures. Molly encounters an enchanted artifact that reveals (only to her) the threat that hangs over the royal family. Aided by Tobias, a fellow servant who befriended her from the first, Molly rescues young Prince Alaric from certain death. The three then flee the castle and face a series of challenges both mundane and magical before Alaric can claim the throne. Stanley's writing is smooth and compelling, making her characters come to life and ensuring that readers can easily follow the twists and turns of the inventive plot. While there is indeed a villain as well as some not-so-nice characters, Stanley's nuanced portraits encourage readers to consider motivation as well as actions. Touches of humor lighten the tone at times, while suspenseful sequences heighten the tension.A most worthy and enjoyable entry in the "feisty female" fantasy genre.--Kirkus Reviews (May 15, 2011).





Wisdom's Kiss by Catherine Gilbert Murdock.

At the start of this delightful fairy tale, Princess Wisdom is betrothed to Duke Roger of Farina. After she and her grandmother set off for her royal marriage ceremony, though, she finds herself falling madly in love with a circus acrobat. Complicating matters, the circus performer has already professed his love to another: Wisdom’s lady-in-waiting. Oh, the scandal of it all! This tongue-in-cheek tour de force follows multiple characters; as the book’s epigraph states, “Truth requires many voices.” Included among the captivating cast are Rudy, the forsaken lady-in-waiting; Princess Wisdom, better and appropriately known as Dizzy; Sir Felis el Gato, a master swordsman; Tips, the Circus Primus acrobat; the evil Wilhelmina, Duchess of Farina and mother of the bridegroom; and the Queen Mother Ben and her cat, Escoffier. Readers will find themselves rooting for a happy, if fantastical, ending for all of Murdock’s deftly drawn characters, with the exception, of course, of Duchess Wilhelmina, who refreshingly meets her just desserts. Interwoven with the straightforward narration are passages in inventive forms, such as letters and diary entries, a play within a play, and excerpts from The Imperial Encyclopedia of Lax, 8th Edition. Packed with double entendres, humorous dialogue and situations, and a black cat that will capture the reader’s imagination, this is a joyful, timeless fantasy that teens will savor. --Bradburn, Frances, Booklist (August 1, 2011. vol 107, number 22, p45).






The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y. S. Lee.

Mary Quinn, a young woman alone in Victorian London, is about to hang for thievery when she is whisked away and offered a new life in a women's academy. Eventually she learns the academy is a front for an all-female detective agency. Mary's first assignment takes her to the home of a wealthy merchant, where she is to gather evidence of wrongdoing while posing as a companion for his daughter. It is soon apparent that his household has more than its share of secrets. Mary finds herself forced to partner with James, the brother of her young charge's suitor, who has suspicions about the family. The first in a series, this volume sets up its premise in an unobtrusive manner. There is interesting chemistry between Mary and James as well as hints that they may reunite in a future volume. The descriptions of a crowded, smelly and unsanitary city are both well-drawn and important plot elements, as are the mores of Victorian life. Most intriguing is the unusual ethnic heritage Mary strives to conceal, which adds a fresh dimension.--Kirkus Reviews (February 15, 2010).






Beneath My Mother's Feet by Amjed Qamar.

Fourteen-year-old Nazia is a good Muslim girl. She lives in Karachi and keeps busy attending school, helping with her younger siblings and preparing for an arranged marriage, when her father is injured. Nazia doesn't know it at first, but everything in her life has changed. First, she leaves school to work as a maid with her mother, which is kept secret, since this would make her unsuitable for marriage. Then the unthinkable happens: Nazia's dowry is stolen. Her father remains unemployed while his wife and daughter work, and as his behavior becomes more unpredictable, Nazia and her mother realize they must assume responsibility for the family. Nazia's hopes for the future are dashed. But when she is offered the opportunity to marry a man who will rule over her, she must decide exactly what she is willing to sacrifice. Reminiscent of Suzanne Fisher Staples's Shabanu (1989), this beautifully written depiction of life in modern Pakistan offers readers a painful and stirring view of a girl with limited choices but great inner strength.--Kirkus Reviews (May 15, 2008).






Newes from the Dead by Mary Hooper.

"Newes from the Dead" was the name of a pamphlet that circulated in England in 1650 after a teenage housemaid, hanged for the crime of infanticide, awoke on the dissecting table. Hooper uses this case as the basis for a historical mystery that is creepy in the best Edgar Allen Poe tradition, as well as thought-provoking about sexual harassment and abuse. The story opens in a coffin, as the reader listens in on poor Anne's frantic coming-to-terms with where she is and how she got there: her days as a servant, her seduction by a young lord, the accusation of murder. Anne's thoughts, from coffin to dissecting table, are juxtaposed with a third-person narrative, centering on a nervous young surgeon who is on hand to witness and assist in the young woman's dissection. Hooper explains that surgeons were allowed to conduct autopsies on criminals, and it's just such intriguing tidbits of Cromwellian history that add heft to this suspenseful novel. Give this to readers who prefer their historical mysteries straight up—without an overlay of fantasy.--Fletcher, Connie, Booklist (May 1, 2008. vol 104, number 17, pg. 48).

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Still Alive by Lisa Miskovsky [Mirror's Edge soundtrack].




The idea of Monday's Muse is to introduce you to unknown, forgotten, or overlooked fiction that has been lost from regular radar. I am WriterGirl. I am in the business of saving lives, one book at a time.

What I do is go to one of several places, narrow it down to a YA field and type in a random word, any word that comes to mind. I then take a sampling of some I have never heard of before, or only vaguely heard of (and hopefully you as well). No infringement is intended for any description I take for the books. It's purely for promotional reasons. I will try and cover as many genres as possible that are fitting for the random word. Simple but it really uncovers some incredible gems. I will be doing this every other Monday. If there are any words you want to prompt me with, go ahead and fire away.

Across the Universe/A Million Suns/Shades of Earth by Beth Revis.

An unforgettable opening scene, in which Amy watches her parents climb into glass boxes to be agonizingly frozen alive and then submits to being frozen herself, launches this riveting thriller about space travel, secrets, murder and Realpolitik. Amy's family chooses cryogenics so they can be defrosted when the spaceship Godspeed completes its 300-year journey to a new planet. But en route, in space, Amy's cryo-wires are unplugged early—almost lethally. She wakes to meet Elder, another teen, named for his leader-in-training position. Ironhanded commander Eldest refuses to teach Elder the critical details for running Godspeed, and in scrutinizing the deadly mystery of who's unplugging the frozens, Elder and Amy uncover generations of devastating lies underpinning Godspeed's on-board society. From the ship's windowless metal walls and recycled-air full-farming ecosystem to the people's carnal and oddly synchronized breeding Season, Revis' extraordinary setting is credible and palpably claustrophobic. The two teens' alternating viewpoints, both in first person, divulge information to readers bit by tension-filled bit. Wherever the series goes from here, this opener leaves an indelible imprint.--Kirkus (December 1, 2010).


This is an amazing read guys. Phenomenal. Do not pass it up.









Serenity vol. 1 Those Left Behind by Joss Whedon.

With the war between the Alliance and the independent Browncoats over, Mal Reynolds, captain of the Serenity, and his crew of misfits, fugitives, and would-be outlaws work the frontier. Defeated and directionless, their goal has become simply to keep flying, and Mal is willing to take any job, in- or outside the law, to achieve it. Although their willingness to flout rules has occasionally played to their favor, they may be in over their heads in taking aboard Simon and his damaged sister, River, secretive fugitives from the Alliance. Mal and his crew may not know it, but the hunt is on, and the Alliance is right behind them. Whedon elaborates on his Firefly universe in this small prequel to the movie Serenity. If this story doesn't have much in the way of plot or background, an aura of character study suffuses it, enlightening Serenity newcomers while warming the hearts of fans. Will Conrad's slick and fluid artwork captures the essence of how the film actors realized the characters without losing comic-book feel. --Tina Coleman, Booklist (Feb 1, 2006 vol 102, number 11, pg. 41).





Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card.

A brain-bending bildungsroman kicks off a promising science-fiction series. Rigg has spent all his 13 years trapping in the wild, aided by his peculiar ability to trace the past of any living being, until his enigmatic father's death thrusts Rigg into a wider world to search for his previously unknown sister. His friend Umbo (whose own special talent is slowing down time) tags along when they discover that their gifts can combine in unexpected ways. Rigg, Umbo and their various allies and enemies are likable characters (if preternaturally clever, witty and self-aware), and their interactions believable and charming. Their planet proves fascinating to explore, despite the highly implausible juxtaposition of advanced theoretical science with pre-industrial technology. The implications of the boys' power to manipulate the past unfold cleverly (if with interminable analytic dithering), feeding into the Machiavellian political intrigue for a pulse-pounding climax. Casual sexist references, a weird fascination with excretory functions and a baffling authorial afterword explaining "what 'really' happened" may put some readers off; still, Card's many fans will be thrilled by this return to his literary roots.--Kirkus (October 15, 2010).






Dragon and Thief by Timothy Zahn.

Zahn (Angelmass, 2001, etc.) goes after YA readers with the tale of a space-going orphan and his alien companion. Fourteen-year-old Jack Morgan lives on a small cargo spaceship with Uncle Virge—actually a computer simulation of his now-dead uncle. Jack is on the run from the authorities, accused of stealing cargo he had contracted to deliver for Braxton Universis, a powerful mega-corporation. Proving his innocence is not an attractive option because Uncle Virge was one of the most accomplished burglars and con men in the galaxy—crafts he was training Jack for until his death. Jack's consequent flight takes him to a supposedly uninhabited world where he sees the arrival of three spaceships, all immediately attacked by unknown fighters. One of the ships crash-lands on the planet, and, at Uncle Virge's urging, Jack goes to see what he can salvage from it and encounters Draycos, a surviving crewmember. Draycos, a warrior-poet, is a member of a symbiotic race and exists either as a two-dimensional "tattoo" on the skin of his hosts or as a three-dimensional dragon. Since his host was killed in the attack, he persuades Jack to become his new one so that he can live and avenge the attack. This sets the two on a string of adventures culminating in Jack's accepting an assignment to burgle the safe on a luxury spaceliner. The task makes use both of Jack's burglar skills and Drayco's assorted alien talents. As things progress, Jack and Draycos learn to trust each other—and discover that they have enemies in common. The conclusion leaves the door open for a sequel.A palatable adventure for a young audience, well paced and smoothly narrated.--Kirkus (January 1, 2003).






Trigun vol. 1 by Yasuhiro Nightow.

American readers may be familiar with the version of Trigun seen in the popular anime series Daffy Duck, directed by Sergio Leone. However, the story first appeared as a manga serial, the first 12 installments of which are gathered here in the right to left format. Readers must absorb several installments before figuring out the basic setup: colonizing starships dropped groups of people on a desert planet. Survival is difficult for their descendants, since their original high-tech machinery has either stopped working or is dangerously erratic. A version of Old West society has evolved, enlivened by the presence of wacky outlaws with huge weapons. One of the most notorious gunslingers is Vash the Stampede, a skinny, spiky-haired geek wearing a long, bullet-shredded duster. Vash manages to avoid killing anyone while he dodges the hail of lead everyone aims at him, but that doesn't stop two cute but clueless insurance-company representatives from tagging along to record the massive damage that occurs wherever Vash goes. Just when readers have decided this all must be an elaborate farce, though, flashbacks occur, suggesting Vash may not be the wild and crazy guy he seems. It's too early to tell how much of a serious side the story might reveal. What is beyond doubt is the artwork's uncommon vigor, which fills each page with exploding, overlapping panels of the rootin'-tootin', Wild West, sci-fi space action. It's energetic to the point of being delirious (maybe even demented) but still entertaining.--Publisher's Weekly (January 26, 2004 vol 251, issue 4, pg. 233).







The Comet's Curse by Dom Testa.

The first in a projected series of six, this book has already won an award in its prior incarnation as a self-published book. Deservedly so, as it grabs readers' attention with the very first page and never lets go. The Earth has been contaminated by a passing comet's tail. No one is immune to the ravaging disease left behind, except for children, but this reprieve is temporary—they face imminent death when they reach adulthood. As some scientists rush to find a cure, others devise a daring scheme: to launch a spaceship filled with the best and the brightest of the world's teens, who will take with them the hope to re-establish humankind on a distant new world. Testa's narrative jumps back and forth chronologically, keeping tension high as some plot to abort the mission and doom humanity once and for all. Both a mystery and an adventure, combining a solid cast of characters with humor, pathos, growing pains and just a hint of romance, this opener bodes well for the remainder of the series.--Kirkus Reviews (November 15, 2008).







Break Out by Nina Croft.

Ricardo Sanchez, vampire and space pilot, is hired by the beautiful Skylar Rossaria to break a prisoner out of one of the Collective's maximum security prisons.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Courier Heart by Eccodek [The Looking Glass Wars soundtrack].




The idea of Monday's Muse is to introduce you to unknown, forgotten, or overlooked fiction that has been lost from regular radar. I am WriterGirl. I am in the business of saving lives, one book at a time.

What I do is go to one of several places, narrow it down to a YA field and type in a random word, any word that comes to mind. I then take a sampling of some I have never heard of before, or only vaguely heard of (and hopefully you as well). No infringement is intended for any description I take for the books. It's purely for promotional reasons. I will try and cover as many genres as possible that are fitting for the random word. Simple but it really uncovers some incredible gems. I will be doing this every other Monday. If there are any words you want to prompt me with, go ahead and fire away.

Wonder Show by Hannah Rodgers Barnaby.

Fourteen-year-old Portia joins a circus freak show looking for the father who abandoned her, but she finds much more. Portia's odyssey takes place in a gothic, Depression-era Midwest. Her idyllic youth, surrounded by the stories of her extended family, ends when her widowed father leaves her with her stoic, thoroughly practical Aunt Sophia--who then turns her over to the distinctly un-homelike McGreavey Home for Wayward Girls, ruled by the sinister Mister. After her only friend commits suicide--an act Portia feels responsible for--Portia steals Mister's bicycle and runs away to the circus, where she hopes (with no real basis) to find her father. Her way with words wins her a place pitching the ballyhoo to the rubes who visit the titular Wonder Show. The languid, sensuous third-person account is periodically punctuated by the voices of Portia and the members of the Wonder Show, giving readers poignant insight into this fragile found family. The themes that delicately thread their way through the novel--of the power of story, of family and friendship, of seeking and finding--weave themselves together into a compelling depiction of Portia's very conscious act of self-definition: She can be, as her mentor in the ballyhoo says, whoever she wants to be. Infused with nostalgia and affection, this celebration of the deliberately constructed self will hold readers in its spell from beginning to end.--Kirkus (November 1, 2012).





Freaks: Alive on the Inside by Annette Curtis Klause.

Abel, 17, is the “normal” son of a legless father and an armless mother. He lives with other “oddities” in a midget village where they put on shows. He is restless and wants his own life. His romantic experiences have been limited to kissing the hairy Dog-Faced Girl. He runs away and joins a traveling circus, unaware that Apollo, 12, the hairy Puppy Boy, has followed him and stowed away aboard the circus train. Apollo is discovered and caged like an animal and Abel is thrown from the train by his fellow performers. Apollo escapes and they are reunited, working as servants in a brothel until Dr. Mink's Traveling Monster Menagerie arrives in town and Apollo is lured into joining them. Most of the show's “monsters” are children who were born with deformities and have been sold to or kidnapped by Mink. As Abel attempts to free them, he is plagued by dreams of a beautiful Egyptian woman who repeatedly throws herself at him. Somehow a ring he received as a gift allows this female mummy to come alive. Set in 1899, this gripping and sensual, but never explicitly sexual tale is a fascinating mixture of fantasy and reality. Abel's growth from an immature, irresponsible teen into a more mature, dependable young man ready to take charge is well done. The author never loses sight of the fact that despite their unusual appearances, all of the characters are human.–Sharon Rawlins, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Trenton --Sharon Rawlins, School Library Journal (January 1, 2006 vol 52, issue 1, pg. 136).




Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck.

When 18-year-old Kelsey takes a job with a circus, she finds herself oddly attracted to the white tiger she has been hired to feed. Little does she know the animal is really a 300-year-old Indian prince who has been cursed and transformed by an evil wizard. She soon discovers the truth and, to her amazement, learns she may be the only one who can help. The next thing she knows, she is on her way, with the tiger, to India, where they embark on a dangerous quest to break the curse. The tiger can change into a man for 24 minutes during each 24-hour period. And what a man! “He’s like James Bond, Antonio Banderas, and Brad Pitt all rolled into one,” Kelsey thinks. Originally self-published as an e-book, Houck’s first novel is part Twilight, part Indiana Jones, and part fairy tale. Although her book—the first in a proposed series—is sometimes derivative, she tells a good story filled with chaste romance that will keep readers turning pages to the inconclusive ending. --Michael Cart, Booklist (Janurary 1, 2011 vol 107, number 9, pg. 100).




MirrorMask by Neil Gaiman.

Helena is about to embark on a most amazing journey. Raised in a family of circus performers, she's always dreamed of leading a more ordinary life. But when haunting music draws her into a strange and magical realm, one where anything can happen, herreal life is stolen by a runaway from the other side. Helena must rescue the realm from chaos in order to win back her own not-so-ordinary life. MirrorMask. is a breathtaking film written by bestselling author Neil Gaiman and brought to life through the vision of acclaimed artist and director Dave McKean. This original novella is Helena's tale in her own voice, written by master storyteller Neil Gaiman and accompanied by original art by Dave McKean and images from the film; it is a stunning and magical journey.




Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury.

A carnival rolls in sometime after the midnight hour on a chill Midwestern October eve, ushering in Halloween a week before its time. A calliope's shrill siren song beckons to all with a seductive promise of dreams and youth regained. In this season of dying, Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show has come to Green Town, Illinois, to destroy every life touched by its strange and sinister mystery. And two inquisitive boys standing precariously on the brink of adulthood will soon discover the secret of the satanic raree-show's smoke, mazes, and mirrors, as they learn all too well the heavy cost of wishes -- and the stuff of nightmare.




The Unrivalled Spangles by Karen Wallace.

Though kids no longer dream of running away to the circus, teen girls may be lured to a vicarious escape via this 19th-century tale set in London's East End. Ellen, 16, and Lucy Spangle, 14, have been raised as star horseback riders headlining the family circus. When Lucy falls during a dangerous stunt, she fatally breaks her neck. The tragedy is only the beginning of a roller coaster of calamities. Ellen's yearning to leave the circus to become a governess drives the plot as two romances—a dreamy gentleman who charms her with visions of visiting Venice and handsome, honest Joe, son of the rival circus owner—entangle her feelings and complicate the family's struggles. Add to the mix a devastating fire that almost kills her father, Ellen's skill at healing and British upper-class snobbery. Readers will be way ahead of the author, and, like watching a melodrama, want to call out advice to the characters. Stiff-collar tone, some overly dramatic moments and plot fripperies keep the action tumbling but nick a few "spangles" off the appeal.--Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 2006).