For the Wolf

 For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten 437 pages

Synopsis: As the only Second Daughter born in centuries, Red has one purpose—to be sacrificed to the Wolf in the Wood in the hope he'll return the world's captured gods.

Red is almost relieved to go. Plagued by a dangerous power she can't control, at least she knows that in the Wilderwood, she can't hurt those she loves. Again.

But the legends lie. The Wolf is a man, not a monster. Her magic is a calling, not a curse. And if she doesn't learn how to use it, the monsters the gods have become will swallow the Wilderwood—and her world—whole.

My Thoughts: It did take a while for me to get into this book. I'm not sure if it was because I just wasn't in the mood for it or if it was just too chock full of information. I did love the idea of the Wilderwood. I do love that this is a mix of Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, and Little Red Reding Hood. 

Winter

 Winter by Marissa Meyer 827 pages

 Synopsis:  Princess Winter is admired for her grace, kindness and beauty, despite the scars on her face. She's said to be even more breath-taking than her stepmother, Queen Levana...

When Winter develops feelings for the handsome palace guard, Jacin, she fears the evil Queen will crush their romance before it has a chance to begin.

But there are stirrings against the Queen across the land. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even find the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter claim their happily ever afters by defeating Levana once and for all?

My Thoughts: I love Winter and how crazy she is! This poor girl, despite how awful Levana has treated her, she decided to NOT use the Lunar gift and instead went mad. Winter is a very strong character and such a wonderful character. I love how everything ties together at the end. 

Cress

 Cress by Marissa Meyer 552 pages 

Synopsis: In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

My Thoughts: Book 3 did not disappoint. I love Cress as a character. She grows so much in this book. Rapunzel is one of my favorite stories and this book did not disappoint on the retelling of her story. Queen Levana continues to be a wonderful villain. 

The Icebound Land

 The Icebound Land by John Flanagan Book #3 266 pages

Summary: Kidnapped after the fierce battle with Lord Morgarath, Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as captives aboard a fearsome wolfship. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promise–even defy his King. Expelled from the Rangers he has served so loyally, Halt is joined by Will's friend Horace as he travels toward Skandia. On their way, they are challenged constantly by freelance knights–but Horace knows a thing or two about combat. Soon he begins to attract the attention of knights and warlords for miles around with his uncanny skill. Even so, will they be in time to rescue Will from a horrific life of slavery?

My Thoughts:  Y'all this author does NOT shy away from tough topics. This book was a little heart wrenching as Evanlyn and Will get put into slavery and Will gets put in the work yard and gets addicted to drugs. As always this author kept me on my toes and I really am enjoying these books! I love the friendship that grows between Halt and Horace on their journey to rescue Will and Evanlyn.

The Burning Bridge

 The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan Bk 2  262 pages

Summary: Bracing for a final clash with the evil warlord Morgarath, the Rangers rally the kingdom's allies, and Will is chosen, along with his friend Horace, as special envoys to nearby Celtica. But the simple mission soon takes an unsettling turn - the Celticans have disappeared, their town abandoned. The scheming hand of Morgarath, it seems, has been far from idle. He has found a way to bring his legions over the once impassible eastern mountains and is planning to ambush the king's army in a rout. Now with help many miles away, Will and Horace are the only ones standing in the way of the dark lord's plans. They have shown great skill and courage in their training, but how will they fare in the face of true evil?

My Thoughts: Book 2 is just as engaging as book one was! I love how they are still dealing with Morgarath like they were in Book 1. The continuation of the story was interesting. The battle towards the end of book two, complete twist and pretty hard-core! Again it is a fantasy world, but there's no magic which you don't usually see NOT in a fantasy novel. 

The Ruins of Gorlan

 The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan Bk 1  249 pages

Summary: They have always scared him in the past — the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied....

My Thoughts: This is an excellent book for teenage boys who don't want to read "girl books. It's based on medieval times with Knights, Kings, battles, and Rangers. I loved how this book is technically fantasy, but there's no magic to speak of. 

The Merchant of Death

 The Merchant of Death Pendragon book 1 by D.J. MacHale 375 Pages

Summary: BOBBY PENDRAGON is a seemingly normal fourteen-year-old boy. He has a family, a home, and even Marley, his beloved dog. But there is something very special about Bobby. He is going to save the world.

And not just Earth as we know it. Bobby is slowly starting to realize that life in the cosmos isn't quite what he thought it was. And before he can object, he is swept off to an alternate dimension known as Denduron, a territory inhabited by strange beings, ruled by a magical tyrant, and plagued by dangerous revolution.

If Bobby wants to see his family again, he's going to have to accept his role as savior, and accept it wholeheartedly. Because, as he is about to discover, Denduron is only the beginning....

My Thoughts: This book is a great book for a kid who loves adventure stories and new worlds. The main character is a boy, which you don't find many of those in young adult land. If you like adventure, this series is for you. You've got your bad guy who is going to be around for each book in the series and you've got a different world for each book as well. 

The Silver Chair

 The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis 243 Pages

Summary: NARNIA...where owls are wise, where some of the giants like to snack on humans, where a prince is put under an evil spell...and where the adventure begins.

Eustace and Jill escape from the bullies at school through a strange door in the wall, which, for once, is unlocked. It leads to the open moor...or does it? Once again Aslan has a task for the children, and Narnia needs them. Through dangers untold and caverns deep and dark, they pursue the quest that brings them face to face with the evil Witch. She must be defeated if Prince Rillian is to be saved.

My Thoughts: Honestly this book lacked the magic and depth the first 3 books had. I didn't find it as enjoyable as the first 3 books I read. Eustice seemed to have reverted back to being slightly obnoxious. I couldn't stand the character Jill and the book just fell a bit flat for me. 

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis 248 pages

    

Summary: NARNIA... the world of wicked dragons and magic spells, where the very best is brought out of even the worst people, where anything can happen (and most often does)... and where the adventure begins.

The Dawn Treader is the first ship Narnia has seen in centuries. King Caspian has built it for his voyage to find the seven lords, good men whom his evil uncle Miraz banished when he usurped the throne. The journey takes Edmund, Lucy, and their cousin Eustace to the Eastern Islands, beyond the Silver Sea, toward Aslan's country at the End of the World.    

My Thoughts: I think this so far has been my favorite of the series. I enjoyed the fact that Peter and Susan were gone (book Peter and Susan annoyed me). I even like Eustice who is quite annoying but relatable as an obnoxious human being. I liked the adventure and the fact that we got to be with Prince Caspian again. 

Prince Caspian

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis 240 Pages

Summary: Narnia . . . where animals talk . . . where trees walk . . . where a battle is about to begin.

A prince denied his rightful throne gathers an army in a desperate attempt to rid his land of a false king. But in the end, it is a battle of honor between two men alone that will decide the fate of an entire world.
Prince Caspian is the fourth book in C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, a series that has become part of the canon of classic literature, drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over fifty years. This is a stand-alone novel, but if you would like to see more of Lucy and Edmund’s adventures, read The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the fifth book in The Chronicles of Narnia.

My Thoughts: Look I'm never going to read the actual description of Prince Caspian in the book because Ben Barnes will ALWAYS be my Prince Caspian. I enjoyed this book as well, but again the sexism against female characters drove me nuts! I definitely prefer a strong female character who isn't categorized in the old ways they used to be stuffed in. Give LUCY A DANG SWORD, she's just as smart as the boys.

Squire

 Squire by Tamora Pierce 369 Pages

Summary: The path to knighthood is full of surprises. . . .

Keladry of Mindelan dreams of becoming squire to the famous female knight Alanna the Lioness, but she worries that she will not be selected by her hero—perhaps not by any knight master. When Kel is picked instead by the legendary Lord Raoul, the unexpected honor shocks her enemies across the realm. Kel must quickly prove herself up to the task, mastering her fighting and leadership skills while discovering what it takes to be part of the royal guard. A new romance is blossoming as well, bringing with it the rush of first love and the unexpected challenges of balancing knight work and a relationship. All the while, Kel prepares for her biggest fear: the infamous “Ordeal,” the last challenge that stands between her and knighthood.

My Thoughts: Poor girl has been through so much baloney. She has to grapple with the fact that her hero (Alanna) cannot be her knight mentor as Alanna could be seen as helping Kel along by magic. She discovers romance and is confused as all she also wants is her shield. I love how in each book she is constantly proving herself worthy and will stop at nothing to become a knight. 

Page

 Page by Tamora Pierce 290 Pages

Summary: When they think you will fail . . . fail to listen.
 
As the only female page in history to pass the first year of training to become a knight, Keladry of Mindelan is a force to be reckoned with. But even with her loyal circle of friends at her side, Kel’s battle to prove herself isn’t over yet. She is still trying to master her paralyzing fear of heights and keep up with Lord Wyldon’s grueling training schedule. When a group of pages is trapped by bandits, the boys depend on Kel to lead them to safety. The kingdom’s nobles are beginning to wonder if she can succeed far beyond what they imagined. And those who hate the idea of a female knight are getting desperate—they will do anything to thwart her progress.

My Thoughts: I love how this book series progresses. Unlike the Alanna series where she became a knight by the end of book 2, this series gives each book a different tier level. Book 1 she's on probation, book 2 she's a page, book 3 she's a squire, and book 4 she's a knight.

This gives us more in-depth about the insane amount of training and trials knights to be were put through during that time period. This book not only touches on friendship and bullying, but also facing your fears and overcoming the obstacles that can hinder you. 

First Test

 First Test by Tamora Pierce 258 Pages

Summary: Keladry of Mindelan is the first girl who dares to take advantage of a new rule in Tortall—one that allows females to train for knighthood. After years in the Yamani Islands, she knows that women can be warriors, and now that she’s returned home, Kel is determined to achieve her goal. She believes she is ready for the traditional hazing and grueling schedule of a page. But standing in Kel’s way is Lord Wyldon. The training master is dead set against girls becoming knights. He says she must pass a one-year trial that no male page has ever had to endure. It’s just one more way to separate Kel from her fellow trainees. But she is not to be underestimated. She will fight to succeed, even when the test is unfair.

My Thoughts: This book is for all the girls who've been told they can't achieve something because they are not a man. Kel has no magic and just sheer determination to become a knight even if it means getting bullied and her years as a page and squire miserable. This first book shows how much the Training Master does not want a female in with the boys and will do everything in his power to get her to quit, as will several of the boy bullies. This book series also ties in with the other two Tortall Universe series. Kel faces many trials and tribulations to prove her worth and I love a strong woman character! I think she is the strongest out of the 3 main female characters, Alanna, Daine, and Kel. 

Wild Magic

 Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce 368 pages

Summary: When Daine comes down from the mountains, she carries with her two things: a dark secret about her own past, and a strangely powerful magic that even she doesn't understand.

Soon Daine has a job working for Onua, the queen's horsemistress, who is astonished at the girl's way with animals. It's almost as if she can speak to them....

Daine and Onua travel to Pirate's Swoop, where Daine finds herself swept into a war that threatens all of Tortall, a war where magic is one of the main weapons.

The wall between the worlds is cracking.

The magical creatures are returning.

Now Daine must master her own magic, and face her own dark memories, if she is to save her new home from destruction.

My Thoughts: Y'all I LOVED this book as a teenager. She has this amazing connection to animals and I was (and still am) Jealous of that ability. Imagine how much easier it would be to figure out what was wrong with an animal if we could just communicate with them. Anyways, this was my favorite series out of all the Tamora Pierce books. I loved Daine's attitude and strong-headedness. I loved Numair and Daine's connection as well. This book is about trusting others and realizing that not everyone is out to get you, that people will help you and care for you. 

Lioness Rampant

 Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce 336 pages 

Summary: At last, Alanna of Trebond has become the first female knight errant in Tortall. She sets out on an impossible quest to find the Dominion Jewel, a legendary gem that, in the right hands, has limitless power for good. But while she searches for the one thing that can save her war-torn country, her nemesis returns from the dead and begins to wreak havoc. Only Alanna has the power to prevent Tortall's utter destruction...

In this final verse of the Song of the Lioness quartet, Alanna grows from heroine into legend.

My Thoughts: Alanna has worked hard to become a knight but still has to face one last obstacle. This novel turns Alanna from a female knight, into a hero that will be sung about for ages. She has embraced her magic and her title, but is restless and needs to prove herself. This book also touches on Alanna's internal turmoil of how to be a lady knight AND a mother. If she could even consider herself to allow herself to marry. To face her fears about love and marriage and to face them. The book shows how much Alanna has grown over the entirety of the 4 books and brings the series to a great end. 

Alanna: The First Adventure

 Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce 240 Pages

Summary: In a time when girls are forbidden to be warriors, Alanna of Trebond wants nothing more than to be a knight of the realm of Tortall. So she finds a way to switch places with her twin brother, Thom. Disguised as a boy, Alanna begins her training as a page at the palace of King Roald. But the road to knighthood, as she discovers, is not an easy one. Alanna must master weapons, combat, and magic, as well as polite behavior, her temper, and even her own heart.

Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna’s first adventure begins—one that will lead to the fulfillment of her dreams and make her a legend in the land.

My Take: I absolutely LOVE Tamora Pierce! I love how she writes about strong women and she is for women's rights and equal rights for all! Anyways this book series, Alanna is a strong female lead. What gets to me is her determination to hide the fact that she's female so she can become a knight. I would recommend it for any young adult who wants to read about a strong female character. I did notice in my re-read that the male character she ends up with is a bit older than her and in this age and society that is frowned upon, but back then it was normal. 

THE BORROWERS AFIELD by MARY NORTON

 THE BORROWERS AFIELD by MARY NORTON (Pgs 224)

Driven out of their cozy house by the rat catcher, the Borrowers find themselves homeless. Worse, they are lost and alone in a frightening new world: the outdoors. Nearly everything outside -- cows, moths, field mice, cold weather -- is a life-threatening danger for the Borrowers. But as they bravely journey across country in search of a new home and learn how to survive in the wild, Pod, Homily, and their daughter, Arrietty, discover that the world beyond their old home has more joy, drama, and people than they'd ever imagined.

The Magician's Daughter by H.G. Parry

The Magician's Daughter by H.G. Parry 384 Pages

Summary: It is 1912, and for the last seventy years magic has all but disappeared from the world. Yet magic is all Biddy has ever known.

 
Orphaned as a baby, Biddy grew up on Hy-Brasil, a legendary island off the coast of Ireland hidden by magic and glimpsed by rare travelers who return with stories of wild black rabbits and a lone magician in a castle. To Biddy, the island is her home, a place of ancient trees and sea-salt air and mysteries, and the magician, Rowan, is her guardian. She loves both, but as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she is stifled by her solitude and frustrated by Rowan's refusal to let her leave. 
 
One night, Rowan fails to come home from his mysterious travels. To rescue him, Biddy ventures into his nightmares and learns not only where he goes every night, but that Rowan has powerful enemies. Determination to protect her home and her guardian, Biddy's journey will take her away from the safety of her childhood, to the poorhouses of Whitechapel, a secret castle beneath London streets, the ruins of an ancient civilization, and finally to a desperate chance to restore lost magic. But the closer she comes to answers, the more she comes to question everything she has ever believed about Rowan, her own origins, and the cost of bringing magic back into the world.

My thoughts:  This book was refreshing! The plot was interesting, the characters had depth, I really loved how this fantasy book was just that; a fantasy novel. There wasn't a love triangle or a traditional love story. It was about family and adventure and of course magic!

THE NEVERENDING STORY by MICHAEL ENDE

 THE NEVERENDING STORY by MICHAEL ENDE (PGS 396)

This epic work of the imagination has captured the hearts of millions of readers worldwide since it was first published. Its special story within a story is an irresistible invitation for readers to become part of the book itself.

The story begins with a lonely boy named Bastian and the strange book that draws him into the beautiful but doomed world of Fantastica. Only a human can save this enchanted place by giving its ruler, the Childlike Empress, a new name. But the journey to her tower leads through lands of dragons, giants, monsters, and magic, and once Bastian begins his quest, he may never return. As he is drawn deeper into Fantastica, he must find the courage to face unspeakable foes and the mysteries of his own heart.

THE PRINCESS BRIDE by WILLAIM GOLDMAN

 THE PRINCESS BRIDE by WILLAIM GOLDMAN (Pgs 429)

What happens when the most beautiful girl in the world marries the handsomest prince of all time and he turns out to be...well...a lot less than the man of her dreams?

As a boy, William Goldman claims, he loved to hear his father read the S. Morgenstern classic, The Princess Bride. But as a grown-up he discovered that the boring parts were left out of good old Dad's recitation, and only the "good parts" reached his ears.

Now Goldman does Dad one better. He's reconstructed the "Good Parts Version" to delight wise kids and wide-eyed grownups everywhere.

What's it about? Fencing. Fighting. True Love. Strong Hate. Harsh Revenge. A Few Giants. Lots of Bad Men. Lots of Good Men. Five or Six Beautiful Women. Beasties Monstrous and Gentle. Some Swell Escapes and Captures. Death, Lies, Truth, Miracles, and a Little Sex.

I apparently had never read the book, even though I have watched the movie numerous times. Maybe this is why I prefer the movie so much more.