Ever

Ever * Gail Carson Levine

2008 * p. 244 * YA Fantasy

"Falling in love is never easy, but falling in love with an immortal god while your days on earth are numbered is almost more than a young girl can bear.


Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine has created a stunning new world of flawed gods, unbreakable vows, and ancient omens in this spellbinding story of Kezi, a girl confronted with a terrible destiny. Attempting to thwart her fate, Kezi and her love, Olus -- the god of wind and loneliness -- embark on a series of dangerous and seemingly impossible quests."

Kezi, her family, and the whole town are devout worshippers of the god Admat. He is all and everything to them. When Kezi's mother becomes ill, her father makes a promise to Admat that if his wife is spared, he will sacrifice someone in honor of Admat. That someone ends up being Kezi.

The whole family is depressed, needless to say. Kezi has til the end of the month to live. If her father doesn't fulfill his oath, the whole town could perish.

Meanwhile, another god, Olus, has been watching. he likes humans and wishes he was one of them. He has become particularly attached to Kezi and her family. Risking exposure, Olus talks to Kezi and vows to save her. Together they will find Admat and plead for Kezi's life, or make Kezi immortal. Neither proves to be very easy.

I thought it was a great concept, but the writing seemed to lacking to me. Which is suprising since I'm a big Gail Carson Levine fan. Each new chapter switches perspectives--from Kezi to Olus and back again. The sequence of events seemed scattered. It feels more like an oral retelling of an ancient fairy tale. Interesting.

Really thats all I can say. Interesting.

But a good, simple, clean read for YA.

-Reading level: ages 12 & up
-Completely appropriate
-Themes of sacrifice, religion, devotion, obedience, love, courage

LAST ACT

Last Act * Christopher Pike
1988 * p. 226 * YA Mystery
Melanie is new at school and feeling pretty invisible. But when one of the most popular girls in school invites her to try out for a part in the school's play, she's ecstatic, especially since Marc, a handsome and brooding athlete, will also star in the play.

But what Melanie doesn't know, is that everyone seems to be hiding secrets, and what is supposed to be a pretend murder for the sake of the play, becomes very real. A fellow actress is murdered, and Melanie finds herself as the main suspect.

Most people claim it was an accident, others say Melanie hated Rindy and wanted her dead. Melanie doesn't think it was an accident, but neither is she the one who did it. She believes someone DID want Rindy dead, and she's convinced that the only way to solve the murder is to perform the play again. But is performing the play, just setting the stage for another murder?

A great little murder mystery. I read it once before while I was in junior high and loved it then too. Christopher Pike has written many, many more books that are all similar: murder, mystery, science fiction, gore. His books are like a higher level version of Goosebumps. My Young Adult professor calls them potato chip fiction: a mindless, meaningless, but pleasurable read.

They aren't great literature. But they are great books for a reader that is not "into" reading. They are easy to read, generally light, suspenseful and fun reads.

-Reading level: ages 16 & up.
-A few swear words.
-Themes of secrecy, betrayal, friendship, lies!

CATCHING FIRE

Catching Fire * Suzanne Collins
2009 * p. 391 * YA Science Fiction

Book Two begins much the same as the first. Katniss is hunting beyond the fence. Even though she's wealthy now for co-winning the Games, she still hunts for Gale's family now that he has to work in the mines.

Things are strained. Peeta is still hurt over the fact that Katniss pretended to be in love with him. Gale is distant after watching Katniss carry on with Peeta during the Games. Haymitch is as drunk as ever. And there are still rumors that Katniss purposefully was trying to start a rebellion against the Capitol when she pretended to eat those poisonous berries. All this weighs on her mind as she prepares herself for the Victory Tour.

She is less than thrilled to tour the other districts. Before she leaves, President Snow of the Capitol makes a surprise visit. He warns her that if she does not do her best to squelch these rebellion rumors all those she holds dear will be killed.

Yikes. But Katniss is the unspoken leader for the rebellion, even though she may not want to be. As she tours, she notices a few districts have started their own silent and civil demonstartions against the capitol. A mere whistle becomes cause for death. Katniss sees firsthand what she has started and must decide if she will help and put all the people she loves in danger, or abdicate her role and exterminate the hope that has been fueled by her defiant act in the arena.

But a new terror ensues. This year is a Quarter Quell. Meaning a specialized Hunger Games will be televised to "celebrate" the 75th anniversary of the Capitol's rule. A Quell has different rules than the regular games. When they are announced, everyone is horrified. No one, it seems, is safe from the Capitol's cruelty. Especially when the Capitol wants you out of the way.

Dum-dum-dum! Love it! Love it! Love it!

I was sooo excited to read the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy and I was definitely rewarded for my enthusiasm. :) It was amazing. The first book will always hold a special place in my heart, but the second comes pretty close. It was more psycholgical and emotional than the first, though there was still plenty of action.

The love stories are awesome as always. I'm a big Peeta fan.

I just can't get over how good of a writer Collins is. The book was engrossing and the writing excellent. I really hope these books are made into films (good ones, that is.)

I love the complexity of Katniss' situation. There are so many components! She's constantly in a psychological battle. Fight or flight? But when she has to fight, boy oh boy does she! Love it.

-Reading level: ages 15 & up
-Violence. A couple of swear words. Nothing too graphic.
-Themes of fight or flight, courage, rebellion, sacrifice, leadership.
-A WONDERFUL book!

PIRATES!

Pirates! * Celia Rees
2003 * p. 488 (Large Print Edition)* YA Historical Fiction

Nancy Kington is the daughter of a wealthy sugar merchant in 1720's East Coast America. When her father's company (a rather shady one dealing in the slave trade) collapses and he dies. Nancy is left to the will of her older brothers.

To make some quick and plentiful cash, they ship her off to the West Indies and betrothe her to The Brazilian. A cruel, wealthy plantation and slave trade owner. Nancy is shocked and heartbroken, especially since she must leave William, the boy she has pledged herself to at home. So Nancy is shipped to the Indies and William likewise takes to the sea in the hopes of joining the navy.

When Nancy reaches her new tropical home in Jamaica, she instantly witnesses the cruelty inflicted on the black slaves. Cruelest of all is The Brazilian. As the cruelties continue and speculation mounts on Nancy's strange kindness to the slaves, Nancy concludes she must runa away. With her slave and friend Minerva, they buy passage with an old naval acquaintance turned pirate.

The two friends start their journey as female pirates on the high sea, running from The Brazilian, pillaging, acting, working, fighting, and learning secrets about each other that will bind them together forever.

The book was difficult for me. The whole premise seemed like it would be a very thrilling and adventurous book, but it ended up feeling very dull and mechanical.

It is written from Nancy's perspective as if she were writing in a diary. Which is ironic. You would think then that the book would be heartfelt and you'd find insights into Nancy's mind and thinking. But I felt like I didn't know her at all.

The dialogue was hopelessly void of emotion. The plot seemed to go nowhere but everywhere at once. The love story between William and nancy was nonexistent and frustrating. Nothing was developed as it should have been. Disappointing.

I strongly recommend Rees' book Witch Child over Pirates! It was leaps and bounds more interesting than this one.

-Reading Level: ages 13& up
-A few swear words. A scene of attempted rape. But nothing graphic.
-Themes of sisterhood, courage, ethics, slavery.

THE HUNGER GAMES

The Hunger Games * Suzanne Collins
2008 * p. 374 * YA Science Fiction

In the future, North America is now the country of Panem which is made up of 12 districts and controlled by the cruel and domianting Capitol. The Capitol's iron grasp keeps the districts virtually powerless and on the brink of continual starvation to squelch any possible rebellions. Long ago, District 13 tried to rebel and they were demolished.

As if to make the point clearer that another District can have the same fate if they rebel, each year the Capitol hosts the Hunger Games. A boy and girl from each of the twelve districts, between the ages of 12 and 18, are chosen out of a large ball. If chosen, they are committed. In the Hunger Games, it is kill or be killed. There is only one winner. Everyone else must die.

Every part of the Games is televised, and everyone must watch.

Katniss Everdeen, 16, from District 12 is supporting her mother and little sister, Prim, in virtually every way. She hunts and trades and by so doing keeps her family alive. She is an excellent hunter, quick and witty.

When her district must choose their boy and girl tribute for the Games everyone holds their breath. Katniss is older and so her odds of being chosen are greater. But her heart stops as Prim's name is called.

"There must have been some mistake. This can't be happening. Prim was one slip of paper in thousands! Her chances of being chosen so remote that I'd not even bothered to worry about her. Hadn't I done everything? Taken the tessarae, refused to let her do the same? One slip. One slip in thousands. The odds had been entirely in her favor. But it hadn't mattered.

'I volunteer!' I gasp. 'I volunteer as tribute!' (22).

Katniss volunteers as tribute to save her sister's life. And so, she and Peeta Mallark, the boy chosen from her district, must go together to the Capitol and enter the Hunger Games. Peeta has saved her life a long time ago. And things are awkward, because if she wants to ever come back home she will have to kill him and 22 other tributes.

WOW.

I read quite a bit, but its only every once in awhile that I read a book that I just LOVE.

Love! I cry, I squeal, I smile, I shout, I can't put the book down. It's actually a rarity. So THANK YOU Suzanne Collins. You just got added to my list of authors that I want to personally hug.

The Hunger Games is A-MAZING! Seriously, wow. So good. But darn you Suzanne for leaving the ending the way you did! Now I have to be obsessed over it until the next book comes out. (its ok actually, I don't really mind :)

I consider this a science fiction book for people who don't like science fiction. There's adventure, romance, tons of tension with twists and turns, heart-wrenching scenes, etc. Wonderful!

I gathered the follwing info on how Collins came up with the idea for the Hunger Games:

"She also cites the Greek myth of Theseus, in which the city of Athens was forced to send young men and women to Crete to be devoured by the Minotaur, as inspiration for the nation of Panem; she explains, "Crete was sending a very clear message: 'Mess with us and we'll do something worse than kill you. We'll kill your children.'"

EVERYONE should read this book.

-Reading level: ages 15 & up
-Violence. Obviously the book is about teens that must kill or be killed. But the violence is tastefully done with few details and prolonged gore. I get squeamish over violence and gore, and this book did not effect me in that way at all.
-Themes of survival, courage, slavery, trust, love, sacrifice.
-LOVE IT!

THE AMULET OF SAMARKAND: The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book One

The Amulet of Samarkand: The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book One * Jonathan Stroud
2003 * p. 462 * YA Fantasy

The Amulet of Samarkand is written from the 1st person perspective of two characters: Bartimaeus, the anciently cheeky and mischievious demon, and Nathaniel, the revengeful apprentice wizard that has summoned him.

Nathaniel is apprentice to the ridiculous wizard Underwood. Underwood treats him as a burden, and fails to see the amazing potential that Nathaniel possesses to becoming a great wizard. And when Underwood also fails to stick up for Nathaniel against the attacks of the slimy Simon Lovelace, Nathaniel vows to seek revenge on both Lovelace and Underwood. To do so, he must go behind his master's back, dabble into wizardy levels he's too young to know, and summon a great and powerful demon to do his bidding.

Nathaniel summons Bartimaeus. And he is anything but willing. But since he has been summoned and put under an obedience charm, Bartimaeus follows the boy's commands and steals a powerful possession from Simon Lovelace: The Amulet of Samarkand.

But stealing the amulet puts a series of events into motion that Nathaniel did not anticipate.

I thought the book was far too long for what it needed to accomplish. I found myself struggling to just read a chapter each night. Not a good sign usually.

The saving grace of the book was Bartimaeus' witty and funny remarks to those around him and inside his head.

"The boy's mouth hung so low and loosely, a rodent could have used it as a swing"
(428).

Also, much of Bartimaeus' lines are given explanation in footnotes and they are pretty funny.

"1 In both senses. And I can tell you I've been in some sticky places in my time, but for sheer waxy unpleasantness, his earlobe would be hard to beat" (415).

To give the book credit, the last 80 or so pages were suspenseful and entertaining. However, my disappointment with the book on a whole does not have me running out to buy the 2nd and 3rd books.

-Reading level: ages 13 & up
-Completely appropriate
-A New York Times Bestseller
-Themes of revenge, trust, ambition, courage

A CURSE DARK AS GOLD

A Curse Dark as Gold * Elizabeth C. Bunce

2008 * p. 392 * YA Fantasy

A Curse Dark as Gold is a retelling and expanding of the classic Rumpelstilstkin fairy tale. The author, Bunce, says she wrote this book to clarify some of the confusing points of the fairy tale and give the miller's daughter more of an admirable and strong character. And Bunce does just that.

The miller's daughter, Charlotte Miller, is left to run the family mill when her father dies. The Millers are proud and stubborn. Charlotte and her younger sister, Rosie, are no different. Despite being women, they plan to run the mill alone.

Their efforts are not without extraordinarily bad luck and the constant rumors of the curse that has been on the mill and the Millers for generations.

"The Stirwaters Curse. I had grown up hearing those words every time something went the least bit awry. True, we Millers did tend to more than our share of bad luck--from the very first Miller of Shearing, old Harlan, who had built Stirwaters and this house. But down through the years of market collapses and roof collapses--which could happen to anybody--one dark thread bound the Millers apart from ordinary ill luck: No Miller had ever raised a son who lived to inherit Stirwaters. The mill had been handed down along a crazy zigzag path from brother to cousin to nephew...to daughter. Stirwaters could only be inherited by Millers, and Rosie and I were the only ones left" (23).

As unexplainable debts, deaths, vandalisms, etc occur and Charlotte fears she'll lose the mill, Rosie turns to faerie aid. Thus enters the character of "Rumpelstiltkin." Though he is never called by that name. Though this mysterious man may seem to be the answer to their prayers at the moment, the sisters soon find that making a bargain with a faerie brings nothing but trouble. So Charlotte Miller seeks to find the origins of the curse and how to break it before she loses the mill and her family.

I enjoyed this book, but I wouldnt necessarily categorize it as a fantasy. It seemed more like a historical supernatural mystery, if that makes sense. The details of mill life, fabrics and the coming of the industrial revolution are very complex, but easily understood. The writing was excellent. I was a little disappointed though that it was not more of a fantasy. But nevertheless, I highly recommend it.

-Reading level: ages 18 & up
-Morally appropriate for all ages
-High diction more suitable for seniors and above
-Themes of pride, judgement, communication and tradition
-Won the William C. Morris Debut Award by the ALA

WINGS

Wings * Aprilynne Pike

2009 * p. 290 * YA Fantasy

Laurel has been homeschooled all her life. When she and her parents move from their secluded forest property to a bigger town and Laurel must start public high school, she finds that she is different in more ways than one.

Laurel feels smothered in anything but shorts, tank tops and flip flops despite the cold. She eats only veggies, fruits and an occasional Sprite. Though these things aren't crazy out of the normal. Laurel soon finds that she is not normal.

What starts as an out of the norm "zit" on her back, turns into a softball-sized lump that eventually sprouts petal-like wings!!!!! Needless to say, she is freaked out. She turns to her new friend David from school, and together they keep her secret and piece by piece discover that Laurel is not human. She is a faerie!

What I thought was so nice about this book is that Pike took a relatively normal and genuine problem such as puberty, and gave it a twist: wings. It is the experience of having your body change and being freaked out. In that sense, I think every teenager can relate.

"A beam of sunlight shone down from a break in the trees above, making her silhouette stretch out on the grass in front of her. The outline of her shadow looked like an enormous butterfly with gauzy wings. And in the same strange way balloons cast shadows, the blackness had just a tinge of blue in it. She tried to make the wing-things move, but although she could feel them--feel every inch of them now, soaking in the rays of sunlight--she had no control over them. Something so life-shattering shouldn't be this beautiful" (50-1).

The book is suspenseful towards the end and I enjoyed it. It was definitely left open, hopefully, for a second book. There were a few parts that I thought were random and left a little unanswered/unresolved.

But I loved the love conflict between Laurel and the boys David and Tamani. I almost cried at the end. (I'm a sap for romance.)

Overall. I loved it. Especially, from the middle to the end.

-Reading level: ages 14 & up.

-A couple references to sex. (just the word.)

-Themes of puberty/change, devotion, being unique/special.

-A great mature fantasy for teens.

NEW MOON

New Moon Stephenie Meyer

2006 * p. 563* YA Supernatural

Bella Swan has had the happiest summer of her life. She has her unbelievably gorgeous vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen, at her side. Edward has even relaxed a little from his incessant worrying over Bella's safety in his vampire world.

But when his brother Jasper takes a snap at Bella after she cut her finger, Edward's fears are realized again. He leaves, telling Bella that its just too much to handle. With all of the Cullens gone, Bella feels utterly abandoned. She soon becomes a shell of a person. A walking zombie.

After months of this depression, Bella decides if Edward left her she can do whatever she wants. She no longer has to keep a promise to try and be safe. So she seeks thrills and escapes.

Thus enters Jacob Black. Bella's friend on the Quilete Reservation. Jacob's infectious optimism and sunny personality bring Bella back to the land of the living and together they seek adventures riding motorcycles, hiking and cliffdiving.

But just when Bella begins to finally cope, Jacob abandons her too. He has a secret that he can't share and Bella blames the reservation boys. She thinks he has been taken into a cult. But like everything else in Forks, nothing is what it seems.

Bella finds herself between the world of vampires and werewolves. And like everything with Bella, danger finds her.

This is my fourth time reading New Moon. Needless to say, I love it. Many readers dislike New Moon because it lacks a dominant appearance by Edward. I love Edward, too. But...I think this book was masterful in carving an even deeper understanding of the conneciton between Edward and Bella. They cannot live without each other and the book showcases this. Without his absence, the reader would not see how attached they are, that their love is more than a mere adolescent infatuation. It also deepens the struggle Bella has as she teeters between the world of immortality and normal human life.

-Reading level: age 14 & up

-A few mild swear words, recklessness, disobedience to parents

-Themes of love and friendship

-WONDERFUL!!!!

SUN AND MOON, ICE AND SNOW

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

Jessica Day George

2008 * p. 317 * YA Fantasy

Pika is the ninth child of a very poor family. And a girl. So displeased was her mother that she had another worthless girl that she pretty much left her to fend herself, and didn't even give her a name. Pika simply means girl.

Though she doesn't have a name, she grows up with identity nonetheless, strong and caring. She is mostly attached to her kind eldest brother, Hans Peter. He returned from his travels after a few years, but now seems lifeless. And he is now a disappointment to their fortune-seeking mother. Pika knows something happened to Hans Peter, but he never speaks of it.

Pika's family live in The North where it is always winter and conditions are harsh. When a white reindeer, a magical creature that grants a wish to whoever captures it, is seen in the countryside everyone wants to find and capture it. Pika, more out of curiousity stumbles about the snow in Hans Peter's parka. She happens to find the magical white reindeer stuck in a prickly bush. She frees the white reindeer and is suprised to find that it can talk. Though Pika says a wish is not necessary, the reindeer grants her two remarkable gifts: a name, and the ability to talk to animals.

Her secret name becomes a source of courage and confidence for the Pika. Her ability to talk to animals also because crucial when an isbjorn comes to the village. An isbjorn is a large white polar bear. The isbjorn has the Pika come with him and live in his palace of ice for a year. After the year is over she can leave.

The Pika finds that the isbjorn is kind and nice to talk to. She is given beautiful dresses, elegant meals, and kind service. But things turn strange when servants start to disappear, a weird smell pervades the palace and a strange young man comes to sleep next to her every night in the dark:

"After her second night in the palace, the stranger was her constant bedfellow. The first two times the stranger climbed into bed with her, she climbed right out and slept on the divan, but the third time the lass tried this she was awakened by someone lifting her. Without a word the stranger carried her to the bed and tucked her in. Then the visitor walked around to the other side, got in, and went to sleep, back turned to her.

She knew it was a man, because on that third night, after he had carried her back to bed, she dared to reach over and touch him. She ran her fingers over his face: he had high cheekbones and a shapely nose. His hair was straight and very thick, worn long so that it brushed the collar of his nightshirt (and she was relieved to feel he had one)" (99).

The Pika soon learns that everything is not what it seems: the palace, her brother, the isbjorn, and her role in the bargain. Aided by magic and true love she seeks to free her isbjorn.

I enjoyed this retelling of the fairy tale The Polar Bear King. However, I thought that the isbjorn and Pika's relationship wasn't as developed as it should have been. It never moved past "the friendship stage" for me, and as events unfolded I found it felt shallow because of the lack of "love." Compared to George's Princess of the Midnight Ball, I thought this book was more silly (in a good way) than suspenseful. The descriptions are more ridiculous than scary and would be appropriate for a younger audience.

-Reading level: age 12 & up

-Ideal for young women

-I suggest watching the movie "The Polar Bear King" as a companion to the book if you want something a little more suspenseful and mature. It is excellent.

-Completely appropriate.

TWILIGHT

Twilight

Stephenie Meyer

2005 * p. 498 * YA Supernatural

Bella Swan moves to Forks to live with her dad while her mother enjoys time with her new baseball player husband. Bella is a little awkward, and not spectacular in any certain way. But she is a novelty in the small town of Forks and quickly gains a lot of unwanted attention.

Everyone is admiring. Except for Edward Cullen--her stunningly gorgeous and pale lab partner who keeps to himself and his four siblings. On her first day, Bella is stunned by the revulsion that seems to emanate from him in her direction. She tries to ignore the tension, but eventually glances in his direction:

"I peeked up at him one more time, and regretted it. He was glaring down at me again, his black eyes full of revulsion. As I flinched away from him, shrinking against my chair, the phrase if looks could kill suddenly ran through my mind" (24).

Edward confuses Bella. One day he can barely stand to sit next to her, and the next he is peppering her with questions desperate to learn everything about her. As time goes on, Bella finds herself drawn to Edward and his enigmatic persona. Edward in return tries to maintain a distance telling her that its for the best.

But as Bella puts the pieces together and Edward warily spends time with her, she discovers that Edward is more than human. He is a vampire. And so begins the struggle. Edward wants to protect Bella from himself, but Bella is attached to his hip and refuses to leave him. Edward must control his thirst to keep his true love alive.

What can I say? I LOVE this book. Probably more than any other. And its not just because of the romance. But because of the feelings of the characters. Bella is self-conscious and normal. That is what I love about her. A lot of the book is her thoughts. She loves unconditionally and fears for others more than herself. Every day she is still in awe over Edward and constantly asks, "Why me?" She can't understand why Edward loves her, and secretly thinks that she is much more in love than he is.

Edward is soooo forgiving. (Read the sequels and you'll see why:) He thinks Bella is this perfect creature and wants to keep her that way. He refuses to make her a vampire and wants her to experience everything that is human and normal, just as she would have if he did not exist. Bella is his reason for living, but he secretly hates himself for selfishly holding onto her.

The emotions are complex and delightful. The story is suspenseful and so original. Wonderful.

I have the movie and I love it because it's Twilight. But, like any great book, only reading it can do it justice. You will not be disappointed.

-Reading level: ages 14 & up

-A few mild swear words and scenes of kissing

-Themes of love, sacrifice, good vs evil, judgment and morality

-Everyone should read this book!

PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALL

Princess of the Midnight Ball
Jessica Day George

2009 * p. 272 * YA Fantasy

After the war ends, 18-year-old Galen Werner heads for the kingdom of Westfalin. His family has all died in the midst of the war, but Galen has survived even though he was often on the front lines in the army. He hopes to find his mother's relatives and a place to stay.

Once they are found, he is surprised to learn that they hold a very prominent position as the King's gardeners. So Galen joins the family business. But there is more than gardening in Galen's future.

King Gregor has twelve daughters--all of them named after flowers, from Rose to Petunia. But something is amiss with these daughters. Every third morning their dancing slippers are worn to pieces and they are exhausted. Yet none of them can explain to their father how and why and with whom they are sneaking out to dance.

After meeting and becoming enamored with the eldest princess, Rose, Galen sneakily discovers that the princesses do not want to dance and are being forced by some immortal being underground who has forbidden them to share the secret.

When Rose falls deathly ill things turn for the worse:

"Death alone could free a soul from the Midnight Ball, as the girls knew all too well.

'There's nothing we can do,' Rose said, and a tear slipped out of the corner of her eye and ran down to wet her pillow. 'If I don't go, he'll be so angry.' She rolled onto her side and pulled the blankets over her head again.

...And then, at eleven o'clock, Lily and Jonquil helped Rose out of bed. They washed her face and applied rouge to her pale cheeks and lips... Then they helped her into the yellow dress and the new dancing slippers.

The eldest princess could barely walk. She was near delirious with fever and racked by coughing spells that left her breathless and teary-eyed. Lily and Jonquil had to support her all the way to the Midnight Ball'" (48-9).

Galen is more determined than ever to rescue Rose and her sisters from the Midnight Ball, and the shadows that dance there.

Princess of the Midnight Ball is a sweet fantasy filled with princesses, flowers, magic and innocent romance. It is a perfect book for the sentimental female who loves the world of heroic princes and beautiful princesses who live happily ever after. It was a refreshingly unpredictable retelling of the fairy tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

-Reading level: age 12 & up
-Completely appropriate for all ages
-German names with pronunciation guide in the back
-Themes of bravery, kindness, trust, love and family
-Ideal for young women