Royalty Rules Challenge Completed

The Magic of Ink hosted a reading challenge from February 1rst through April 30th 2008. It is called Royalty Rules. Here are the rules for the challenge:

Rules: Read two, three, or four books of whatever genre you choose, whether you want to read about historical kings, modern queens, or fairytale princesses. The only parameter is that the books have are about a royal personage, although not necessarily as the main character. It’s perfectly all right if you want to read a book about, say, the queen’s lady-in-waiting, as long as the story incorporates the rise and/or fall of a crowned head, or a sovereign’s entire life.

My goal was two books. But this is what I was able to do.

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George

C.S. Lewis:
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Saga by Conor Kostick

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson

I, Claudius by Robert Graves (Are Emperors royalty???)

Tales From the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird by Vivian Vande Velde

The King's Arrow by Michael Cadnum

Before Midnight by Cameron Dokey

Travel the World: England: Narnia: Prince Caspian

Lewis, C.S. Prince Caspian.

Prince Caspian, the second of the novels in the Chronicles of Narnia series, takes place one year after the close of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. The four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, are preparing to return to school when they're instantly, magically transported (or translated) to Narnia. What they find there shocks them. Shocks them for many reasons. You see, it hasn't been a year in Narnia time. It hasn't even been just a hundred years. Their castle, their lands, unrecognizable ruins. The adventures are about to begin. Again. Many surprises, many adventures await them, along with one old friend. A friend that takes a little more faith to recognize these days.

Prince Caspian centers on a new hero. Caspian. The son of Caspian the Ninth, king of Narnia. But it is Caspian's uncle, King Miraz, that rules the land, and rules it harshly. Gone are the days of talking animals and other fantastical creatures. No the "old Narnians" must hide if they are to survive at all. Caspian may have been raised by his aunt and uncle, but his upbringing was left to an old nurse who believed in the old ways. Now, Caspian is a young man who longs to restore the golden days of the past. Who longs to restore Narnia to its former glory. Who longs to create a peaceful age where old Narnians can live and live well. But he can't do it alone. What he needs is help. Divine help.

Can a horn of old bring much-needed help from afar?

I love Prince Caspian. I do. It is exciting. It is thrilling. Again, Lewis has created memorable characters and memorable scenes.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The King's Arrow

Cadnum, Michael. 2008. The King's Arrow.

The stallion was afraid of shadows.

It's not often that you find children's historical fiction books set in the time shortly after William the Conqueror. Or maybe everyone else does, but I sure don't come across it that often. This is a time period that brings to mind Edward Rutherfurd for me. I've read London. I've read Sarum. I've read The Forest. This 'conquering' of England by the Normans was a BIG deal.

The novel focuses on the assassination of King William II by Walter Tirel. If you're going..."Hmm, never heard of him." Then you're with me. I hadn't heard of him (the him being Walter Tirel) either. So don't feel too badly. If you HAVE heard of Walter Tirel, then you can gloat.) The novel is narrated by a fictional character, Simon. A young man that is half-English and half-Norman. As destiny would have it, he through mere chance, is an eye-witness to a historical event. Invited to join the royal hunting party, Simon is both stunned and excited. An invitation is not just rare--it's practically unheard of. For an unknown--even from somewhat well respected heritage--to mix with the royals and the higher-ups. Simon knows it is either the start of something big, or the end of everything he knows. (Think the Queen from Alice going "Off with their heads.") He could potentially benefit his family and his social standing, or he could be walking into a big trap. He could be endangering his own life and the lives of his family.

Walter Tirel has taken a liking to Simon. Though hesitant at their first meeting, the invitation is soon genuine. But Walter himself is not well-liked in all the political/social circles. He is the rival of Roland, who is a Marshal, and the king's right-hand man. But Walter is very high-up in the hierarchy.

The book is full of adventure and history and political drama. The book examines the events as a true mystery. No one knows exactly what happened. But this is one man's envisioning of that event.

If you love mysteries, adventure, or history. This one may be for you.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Dragon Flight

George, Jessica Day. 2008. Dragon Flight.

There are three truths I have come to learn in the year since the Dragon War. The first is that both humans and dragons have the capacity to be good or evil. The second is that even if you're doing something you love, you can still become bored with your work. And the third truth is that my business partner, Marta, will never be finished with her wedding gown.

Dragon Flight is the sequel to Dragon Slippers. (A novel that I loved! See my review here.) The novel continues the adventures of Creel and her friends both human and dragon. There are new adventures, new dangers, and new experiences as Creel continues to mature into quite a formidable heroine.

Book description (not my own):

Just when it seems dragons and humans are at peace. . .think again.

With the dragon wars over, Creel is back to working as a seamstress. Business is steady and life is good, but it's also a bit...dull. Then word comes that a bordering country has been breeding dragons in preparation for an invasion. Never one to miss out on the action, Creel throws herself into an adventure that will reunite her with the king of the dragons, pit her against diabolical new enemies (some with wings, some without) and perhaps rekindle a friendship with the prince who has captured her heart. Funny, heartfelt, and action-packed, new readers and returning fans alike will dive headlong into this sequel to Dragon Slippers.

Personally, I loved Dragon Flight. I love the first novel. But this novel DOES satisfy. (Sequels don't always you know.) Fans of the first will definitely want this one, and now would be the perfect time to read (or reread) the first, Dragon Slippers, since Dragon Flight doesn't release until late April or early May.

Dragon Slippers

George, Jessica Day. 2007. Dragon Slippers.

It was my aunt who decided to give me to the dragon. Not that she was evil or didn't care for me. It's just that we were poor, and she was, as we said in those parts, dumber than two turnips in a rain barrel.

I loved all 321 pages of Jessica Day George's novel Dragon Slippers. Loved it. I loved everything about it. Everything. The characters. The setting. The action. It was just so good, so very very good. If you love fairy-tale type stories--think Robin McKinley, Shannon Hale, Mette Ivie Harrison, Gail Carson Levine etc--I think you will love Jessica Day George. Love her. Here is how the book jacket describes the novel,

"Many stories tell of damsels in distress who are rescued from the clutches of fire-breathing dragons by knights in shining armor and swept off to live happily ever after. Unfortunately, this is not one of those stories. True, when Creel's aunt suggests sacrificing her to the local dragon, it is with the hope that a knight will marry Creel and that everyone (aunt and family included) will benefit handsomely. Yet it's Creel who talks her way out of the dragon's clutches. And it's Creel who walks for days on end to seek her fortune in the king's city with only a bit of embroidery thread and a strange pair of slippers in her possession. But even Creel could not have guessed the outcome of this tale. For in a country on the verge of war, Creel unknowingly possesses not just any pair of shoes, but a tool that could be used to save her kingdom....or destroy it."

Creel is quite a heroine. As an adult reader, I love her. I do. But I know I would have loved, loved, loved her as a child. This is the kind of book I wish had been around when I was growing up! Then again, I'm just as happy to continue the friendship now. It's not too late for me or for you. Discover the magical world Jessica Day George has created and meet Creel and her friends (and enemies) yourself!

I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

http://www.dragonslippers.net/
http://www.jessicadaygeorge.com/
http://www.jessicadaygeorge.com/Blog.aspx

Royalty Rules Reading Challenge

The Magic of Ink is hosting a reading challenge from February 1rst through April 30th 2008. It is called Royalty Rules. Here are the rules for the challenge:

Rules: Read two, three, or four books of whatever genre you choose, whether you want to read about historical kings, modern queens, or fairytale princesses. The only parameter is that the books have are about a royal personage, although not necessarily as the main character. It’s perfectly all right if you want to read a book about, say, the queen’s lady-in-waiting, as long as the story incorporates the rise and/or fall of a crowned head, or a sovereign’s entire life.

I'm thinking for my list to read at least two of the following:

Enchantment by Orson Scott Card
Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunch (I'd love, love, love to receive a review copy of this!!!)
Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock (I'd love, love, love to receive a review copy of this one as well!!!)
Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor
The Lost Queen by Frewin Jones

I'd be especially interested in reading any new-ish (2007, 2008) children and YA books. Particularly novel adaptations of fairy tale princesses (princes, kings, queens, etc.)