"The School for Good and Evil: A World Without Princes" by Soman Chainani Book Review

A World Without Princes by Soman Chainani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the epic sequel to the New York Times bestselling novel, The School for Good and Evil, Sophie and Agatha are home, living out their Ever After. But life isn’t quite the fairy tale they expected.

When Agatha secretly wishes she’d chosen a different happy ending, she reopens the gates to the School for Good and Evil. But the world she and Sophie once knew has changed.

Witches and princesses, warlocks and princes are no longer enemies. New bonds are forming; old bonds are being shattered. But underneath this uneasy arrangement, a war is brewing and a dangerous enemy rises. As Agatha and Sophie battle to restore peace, an unexpected threat could destroy everything, and everyone, they love—and this time, it comes from within.

Soman Chainani has created a spectacular world that Newbery Medal-winning author Ann M. Martin calls, “a fairy tale like no other, complete with romance, magic, and humor that will keep you turning pages until the end.”

Since this is the second book, there shouldn't be a need to tell you there will be spoilers for the first book. My review for the first book, "The School for Good and Evil" can be found here.

This was an excellent sequel! I find the second book/movie in a trilogy is usually the weakest point in the series because it's the second book: there isn't any of the excitement of the introduction to a new world, you usually aren't introduced to anyone that matters too much to the overall story line, and by the end things haven't been completely resolved and tied up in a nice bow. It's the book you read so you can kind of figure out what might happen in the third volume.

This book is a bit different.

In this one, we are introduced to a new world, or rather the one we saw in the first book has been changed. Basically, everyone becomes a sexist jerk and/or confused about their sexuality (I'm looking at you, Tedros.) The Evers and Nevers kind of swap places. For example, the Nevergirls cover themselves in makeup, while the Evergirls cut off their hair and stop bathing. I liked that the characters were trying to find their individuality while also following the course of a fairy tale. Just like middle school, which is the age group these books are aimed towards. It was funny to read how the girls are just like, "I'm eating whatever I want now" and they are learning how to defend themselves, so yah equality! And then the boys.... I knew that boys can get pretty close and develop similar emotional relationships just like girls do. But apparently they practice sword fighting shirtless, which makes no sense since they are so vain about their appearance, wouldn't they cover up so they would be less likely to get scars? (I'm looking at you, Tedros.) Also, some characters go to some lengths to change their gender mostly just to stay alive in this new world order. (I'm looking at you... Everyone?!)

There is one major edition to the characters, who messes up the status quo for the dumbest reason ever. She's known as Evelyn Sader, but of course, you'll remember her as that eaves-dropping bitch who has an annoying gap in her teeth and an affinity for butterflies...for their super sonic hearing ability? Not the first thing I associate with a butterfly, but to each their own.

As with the first book, there are some pretty hilarious moments, like when they gift the returning heroes (or should I say 'heroines') with a carpet made from actual prince hair. And also has the darker elements that define this series, again, the rug made from shorn prince hair. I don't mean to say that the princes were scalped when they made the rugs, though that is pretty disturbing.

I read in other reviews how some people were disappointed in Agatha. In the first book, she was witty, questioned authority, stood her ground, and was very intelligent. But in this book, that went right out the window. But I think that was from her not having a firm stance on things. Like in the first book she knew what she wanted: to go home safely in the company of her only friend. In this book, she doesn't know what she wants. Sophie or Tedros. It's a hard decision, to choose between a boyfriend/prince and a best friend. Who do you spend more time with? If you start living with the boyfriend, the decision makes itself. But it is very hard on the other person involved.

I felt so bad for Tedros. He needs whatever therapy they give out in fairy tale land. He suffers so much, especially in the latter half of the book. He's already separation anxiety with the people he just chooses to care about. Although who can blame him: mother left him and his dad when he was little, his father died a broken man, his princess ran off with her best friend who is also their nemesis, and everyone only likes him when he is at the top of his game sorta speak (he's rich, handsome, famous family). Otherwise, he faces horrible mistreatment for the very same reasons. Poor Tedros, he's got issues.

I still feel for Sophie. Even after this ending, I still understand why she does the things that she does. She pursues her goal of being Good again, even though in this world it's too late for her. She's like, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" in every decision she makes. I am very curious about her lineage as well. What is with her family? Was she always doomed from the moment she was born?

There are so many questions and I cannot wait for the next book to come out!

I just wanted to add, I especially loved the part where Tristan belly dances!

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5 out of 5 shorn heads.

My review for the third book is coming soon!

"Fearless" by Cornelia Funke Book Review

Fearless by Cornelia Funke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
"Jacob Reckless returns once again to the Mirrorworld--filled with profound characters, extraordinary creatures, and epic life-or-death treasure hunts that could only come from the mind of the master storyteller of our generation, Cornelia Funke.

"Jacob Reckless has only a few months left to live. He's tried everything to shake the Fairy curse that traded his life for his brother's--legends such as the All-Healing Apple, the Well of Eternal Youth, the blood of a northern Djinn. And yet hope after hope is extinguished. After months of fruitless searching, Jacob journeys through his father's mirror one final time to deliver the bad news to Fox.

"But there they hear of one last possibility--an item so legendary that not even Mirrorworlders believe it exists: a crossbow that can kill thousands, or heal one, when shot through the heart. But a Goyl treasure hunter is also searching for the prized crossbow. Jacob must find it first--and somehow convince Fox to do whatever it takes to save him."

I just finished this one and I cannot wait until the next book! According to this site there will be three more! They need to get the translation going pronto!

I read the first of the series, "Reckless", a long time ago and I remember kinda being meh about it, but I gave it four stars, so maybe I couldn't decide what I thought of it at the time? I will have to reread it now. At the end of the first book, I wasn't sure if there would be more, although leaving the main character facing almost certain death is quite a cliff hanger. (I should not have to put *spoiler* here; Jacob trying to save his own life is the main plot of this book. Also, 'almost certain' is the only oxymoron I ever use. I'm pretty sure that's the only one I use. Maybe...Ironic, since I hate it when people say 'whole entire', like 'My whole entire life has led to this.' It's like, wait, just using one of those words wasn't good enough for you?)

But anyway, I feel this book was so much better than the first. I'm glad there is more to read. I am a huge fan of Cornelia Funke and her "Inkheart" trilogy which I totally recommend if you're even considering giving this a look. It's fantastic!

I read in some reviews (not on Goodreads) that some people found the writing beautiful and elegant on some pages and clunky on others and it did feel that way at times, but I would attribute that to maybe some stuff being lost in the translation from the original German to English.

One thing that really bugs me has nothing to do with the author, unless Funke said to her American editors, "Can you make the hardcover editions not match? That would be great." They look nothing alike and the book collector in me is loosing her shit over that.

I'm not sure what the next book will be about, but I can't wait to see the Alderelves (that's an actual spoiler....or is it?) although it's open to interpretation whether they still exist or not. Maybe the Red Fairy will continue to be angry? That seems more like her problem now though.


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5 out of 5 northern Djinns.

"The Complete Phantom of the Opera" Book Review

The Complete Phantom of the Opera by George Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"This is the lavishly illustrated, definitive account of 'The Phantom of the Opera', tracing the Phantom legend from its origins in historical fact through Gaston Leroux's heartrending classic novel and other artistic incarnations to the present day and Andrew Lloyd Webber's incredibly successful musical."

More of a 4.5 rating. This book offers a glimpse into the past of the Phantom. Mainly delving into the origins of the Paris Opera House and the mad genius of its architect Charles Garnier, the interesting life of the Phantom's maker, Gaston Leroux, and how the compelling story went from book to silver screen and to the theatre where it reins to this day.

I loved learning all of the little details about the most singular Opera House. Indeed, it doesn't hold the biggest auditorium and has limited seating, but it is the largest in the world. What a grand setting! How could Leroux go there and not create such a fantastic story. They shouldn't have replaced the ceiling covers though, the 'new' one looks out of place here.

I find Gaston Leroux a fascinating man in his own write. Not so much his career as a writer, since most start out as journalists. But more so for the little tidbits about him. Like the fact that he was born in an undertaker's business complete with his own dramatic quote about his birth: "There, where I sought a cradle, I found a coffin."

Some of the pictures were lovely. It was wonderful to see the makeup transformation up close and the sketches of the clothes and costumes and wigs. I would totally kill to have one of Maria Bjornson's models of the set. I could probably make one but damn they're beautiful!

It was also nice to find out more about the people who helped create the show behind the scenes. I was really surprised that so many people came from the opera, but I guess that should have been obvious. "Phantom of the ...oh, what was it?"

I really liked that the libretto was included. The differences between the stage version and recent movie version might confuse some other people, but I enjoyed reading it and looking for the differences. It was much easier to read this one than to stare at the one provided with the original cast recording. It's always fun to be able to read the correct lyrics or just to see what all of the characters have to say during the really big numbers. In the 2004 movie, some parts get drowned out.

Overall, a very enjoyable book and worthy of a phan's collection.

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4.5 out of 5 Angels of Music.

"Beauty" by Robin McKinley Book Review

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"A strange imprisonment....

"Beauty has never liked her nickname. She is thin and awkward; it is her two sisters who are the beautiful ones. But what she lacks in looks, she can perhaps make up for in courage.

"When her father comes home with the tale of an enchanted castle in the forest and the terrible promise he had to make to the Beast who lives there, Beauty knows she must go to the castle, a prisoner of her own free will. Her father protests that he will not let her go, but she answers, 'Cannot a Beast be tamed?'

"Robin McKinley's beloved telling illuminates the unusual love story of a most unlikely couple: 'Beauty and the Beast.' "

This whole review is full of spoilers. I'm not blocking it out. Read at your own peril.

This is one of the many novels retelling the famous fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast" - in fact, this is only one of two that this author has written - I heard the other one is mostly about roses. I enjoyed this book, it was a very fast-paced read. It kept pretty close to the original story by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont.

But there were a few things that bothered me. For one, when Beauty wants to leave in her father's stead, her family protests at first and then they just let her go. So in short: "NO! NO! NO! NO! Fine." I mean, they are sad, but I expected something a bit more dramatic and realistic to happen. I totally expected her to runaway in the middle of the night and then get rescued from starving and freezing to death by the castle's sudden appearance. At least in the original story it is said that her family is a bunch of vain jerks that don't care that she may be going to her death.

I can rely upon my imagination to add to the details that the author supplies. But this may in fact be the laziest description of a main character that I have ever read. Frankly, I'm confused as to what the Beast was supposed to look like in this version. There are a lot of mentions about gryphons and then there's a mention of a lion's mane, but that's it. Did he have hooves? Was his face a weird bird-like beak thing? In that case, did he have wings? If I had been Beauty and he had had wings, I would have married him in a heartbeat.... And then been promptly disappointed when he turned into a plain non-magical albeit handsome human being.

And the ending made little sense while being anti-climactic. There should have been some drama when she finally said "I love you" to the hideous creature that she was so scared of when she first saw him. Instead it was said and then a few sentences later, it's wedding time! There wasn't any painful transformation, no fireworks, or fairy lights. Nothing! At least they had a chaste kiss, I suppose.

And then, if the magic was gone, how in the hell did her family know to go to the castle then? There's no magical way to send the message, and they would have had a hard time believing that anyway. There was no mention of the Beast sending a human liveried servant to them to let them know of the happy tidings. How did they know to go and what persuaded them to undertake the journey?

And then the townsfolk.... I can imagine how that conversation went down: "Hey, Beauty is getting married to a king we forgot existed for at least two centuries." "Wasn't she with her aunt in the city?" "Oh, about that, it's a terrible lie and a long story. Anywho, let's just walk right into that enchanted forest that we have been making up terrifying stories about that have TURNED OUT TO BE TRUE!!!!" On a scale of one to never ever happening, it's definitely the latter.

Magician? Really? Wouldn't 'witch' have been a more appropriate name for that guy considering the time period of this story? And that was the dumbest reason to curse an entire family. I mean, I've heard of people murdering each other for stupid reasons, but I would never turn my enemy into a literal killing machine. That sounds like a plan that should've backfired instantly. But it was nice of the guy to let the Beast know that he just had to make someone fall in love with him to break the spell, because no one has ever fallen in love with an ugly King/rich guy before. The witch, as I'm calling him, could've just waited until the incestuous relationships in the royal family began to manifest into freakish deformities in the future generations instead of performing a curse that didn't even work right away.

By the way, when was this supposed to be happening? That library really threw me off. I can understand if they were in an alternate reality that they would have future books in it, like the world's most Tardis-like castle ever. But when the magic is gone at the end of the story, did all of those future books just disappear?

And then the Beast forgot his own name, which okay, if no one is saying your name to you for two hundred years you might forget it. But you'd think, being surrounded by all of those books, he would've gotten the idea to write down the most emo of all biographies ever. Even though no one would have read it, being inside a castle that everyone has forgotten existed that is also inside a horrifying enchanted forest that no one enters willingly, it probably wouldn't have an audience. But it would have kept him busy and he might have remembered his name, provided he started with a title page. " 'My Ugly Face by King -', eh, I'll fill that in later."

And then, Beauty. It's not really her fault she didn't know she was pretty. She started off an awkward teenager that has lost everything and happens to have sisters who could double as models if they felt like it. There aren't any mirrors in the castle the whole few months she is there. And when she visits home no one thinks to give the whiny bitch a mirror just to shut her up? In fact the only person who does make her look in a mirror is the Beast who has avoided mirrors out of habit for obvious reasons.

I swear I liked the book before I started this review, I guess I started thinking about it. But I would certainly hand this to a teenager or a tween since this would be right up their alley. Ms. McKinley was very faithful to the original story, perhaps too faithful. But it was an enjoyable read.

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3 out of 5 stars, for the Stockholm Syndrome. 

"The Patchwork Girl of Oz" Book Review

The Patchwork Girl Of Oz by L. Frank Baum

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Ojo and Unk Nunkie visit a magician, who uses the Powder of Life to bring a Patchwork Girl to life. But then a terrible accident turns Unk Nunkie into a statue! Ojo must go on a quest to gather the strange ingredients needed to restore his uncle. Joined by Scraps the Patchwork Girl, Bungle the glass cat, and a host of other creatures, Ojo sets off on his travels around Oz."

This is the second book involving Baum's Oz book series that I've read so far, so needless to say, I am reading the books out of order. Not that that matters overmuch, since the plots of each of the books tie up nicely at the end of each and aren't mentioned in the next. If anything needs to be known, it is quickly summarized and then they move on. I wish more authors would do this - it would save me a lot of headaches.

As for the characters, I liked Ojo from the start, even though he sorely needed a confidence booster. Apparently other characters needed to be made more humble. More on that later. The Woozy was kind of useless. The Patchwork Girl herself needed to grow on me, by the end of it I liked her the most and now I'm a Scarecrow/Patchwork shipper. (Does anyone get the feeling that the Tin Woodsman is gay? Oh, just me, nevermind.) One character wasn't explained though: What was with the Mysterious House with its disembodied voice and free bed-and-breakfast deal?

***SPOILER ALERT*** You have been warned (I didn't feel like blocking half of my review).

While I enjoyed this book, I can see how easy it was for Gregory Maguire to turn the rulers of Oz into despotic dictators. I mean, it's a fairyland but no one is allowed to use magic?! That's awful, I thought that was the point of living in a fairyland. And nearly all of Ozma's friends were produced by magical means, so I don't understand how she could hold such a grudge towards it, even with the awful witch who enslaved her and turned her into a boy.

(On that note: Why didn't she stay that way?! She could pee standing up - men will never know how much more free they are because of that slight advantage. I mean, think about it - they can go anywhere, they can make it fun by aiming at stuff, and they're done so quickly! Although they need to wash their hands more - don't think for a minute that no one noticed you guys don't wash your hands! Ewww!)

I'm glad they fixed the Crooked Magician's extreme Rheumatoid Arthritis, but they had to give him something after taking all of his magic away. And it wasn't like he was a bad man with it, or just crap at it, he was doing amazing stuff! Everyone liked his creations: the Patchwork Girl was some much needed sass next to Ojo's downtrodden behavior and the Glass Cat was pretty if not really useful and kind of annoying at times. He was dabbling with things like the Powder of Life! That has to be difficult to make, even for one who is used to practicing magic. Ozma could have used him is all I'm saying.

And then they took the Glass Cat's pink brains out so she would be more humble. How terrible! Instead of waiting for her to mature into a better person(cat?) or develop humility on her own, they took away a physical characteristic of hers to suit their own needs.

And since they went through the trouble of doing that, why didn't they 'fix' the poor Phonograph? His problem was easy, you just switch out his crappy record for a better one and everyone is happy. If I don't see him in the next book, then that means someone destroyed him for doing the one thing he was made to do and that was to try to entertain them, which is sad.

Also, I love how Ozma is slowly putting all of the people she needs to keep an eye on very close by. But since this is a children's book, I'll keep a few of my 'conspiracy theories' and 'observations' to myself.

And Glinda the Good is a bitch! She watched Ojo walk all over Oz to get all this stuff to fix his Uncle who he feared he wouldn't see alive again for at least six years, if ever, only to fail to get all of the items needed when she knew the whole time a simple way to fix his problem.... Oh, wait, that's how she rolls.

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Ozma of Oz says 5 out of 5 stars!

"The School for Good And Evil" Book Review

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

New York Times Bestseller * Indie List Bestseller * Indie Next Pick * Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2013 * Soon to be a Major Film from Universal Pictures 

"The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.

"This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.

"But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed—Sophie’s dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are…?

"The School for Good & Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one."

Oh my god! I cannot wait for the next book in the trilogy! I loved it! Everything! Poor Tedros! I don't have a clue what he is going to do!

While reading it I felt bad and sympathetic for all of the characters, but after reading and thinking about I feel much more sympathetic towards Agatha and not so much towards Sophie. She's quite horrible at many different stages throughout the book, but it's understandable.

It was a very clever take on witches and princesses and how fairy tales come about. To a certain degree everything is fairly sad. Just punishments and so forth. There were parts of this book that were downright disgustingly awful to read. They were horrible to each other. I'm not sure I would let a little kid read this, but I guess if video games happen, ehh...

It's a middle school age book so don't expect too much of a deeper reading into good and evil, but it is very enjoyable. I devoured it in a day and I didn't expect to do that.

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Five out of five stars.

My review for the second book, "The School for Good and Evil: A World Without Princes" can be found here.

My review for the third book is coming soon!

"The Man Who Rained" Book Review

The Man Who Rained by Ali Shaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"When Elsa's father is killed in a tornado, all she wants is to escape — from New York, her job, her boyfriend — to somewhere new, anonymous, set apart. For some years she has been haunted by a sight once seen from an aeroplane: a tiny, isolated settlement called Thunderstown.

"Thunderstown has received many a pilgrim, and young Elsa becomes its latest — drawn to this weather-ravaged backwater, this place rendered otherworldly by the superstitions of its denizens. In Thunderstown, they say, the weather can come to life and when Elsa meets Finn Munro, an outcast living in the mountains above the town, she wonders whether she has witnessed just that.

"For Finn has an incredible secret: he has a thunderstorm inside of him. Not everyone in town wants happiness for Elsa and Finn. As events turn against them, can they weather the tempest - can they survive at all?

"The Man Who Rained is a work of lyrical, mercurial magic and imagination, a modern-day fable about the elements of love."

I really enjoyed this work. I liked it, but not as much as the first book by this author. I loved how the weather became animals - I almost said 'alive' but weather is kind of already alive in a way in this work. Shaw's creatures are always amazing. The only comparison I can come up with is Del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth". If you liked, i. e. loved, that movie read Ali Shaw. You won't be disappointed.

His female characters are unusually strong which I always like. It's only unusual because lately the really popular fiction that women tend to like involve women who can't do anything, like make a decision. Shaw's girls just up and go when things are going the way they don't want it to. Some would call that running away, I call it catharsis.

I realize Finn was a loner but he seemed to grow through that without it being shown too much. Unless you count that bulge in his pants that is finally explained to him as not being a bad thing.

I have read other reviews and agree that some passages in this book are beautiful and some characterizations could have been expanded upon: the city vs. some really small village in BumbleFuck, Nowhere. And I get that this place was supposed to be idyllic, but all it reminded me of was a horror movie set up: this small town with their crazy residents and horrible superstitions and boredom that lead them to enjoy killing things that are pretty harmless. I would've liked to have seen more of a turning point for Elsa. Although Daniel was pretty isolated and I liked how that was predicted by his actions for the woman he loved.

*SPOILERS*
I liked that the ending was happier than Mr. Shaw's first book (but I'll be the first to admit loving sad endings that make me cry like I just saw someone kill my dog in front of me), but I also thought it was stupid to have the strangest man ever walk through the town of crazy people, after having hid from them nearly all of his life, like it was no big deal. That part actually made me mentally slap my forehead.

But I did enjoy it and look forward to his next novel, which can't come out soon enough.

I also want to point out that I love the way these covers look.


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I give this book 4 out of 5 books.

"I, Coriander" Book Review

I, Coriander by Sally Gardner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"In this exceptionally well-crafted tale, Coriander tells the story of her childhood in seventeenth-century London, and of her discovery that she has inherited magical powers from her mother, who was a fairy princess. But her mother's sudden death brings on a dark time for Coriander, and after mourning her beloved mother and dealing with the disappearance of her father and the wrath of her evil stepmother, Coriander finds herself locked in a chest with no hope of escape and no will to survive. But when a bright light beckons to her, it is then that Coriander's journey truly begins. Beautifully written, this magical and luminous story is destined to become a children's classic."

I found this book very enjoyable. It was also well-researched. I really liked the way Coriander narrated her story. That was really interesting.

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"The Girl with Glass Feet" Book Review

The Girl With Glass Feet by Ali Shaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"WINNER OF THE DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZE 

(From Publishers Weekly)
"The cold northern islands of St. Hauda's Land are home to strange creatures and intertwining human secrets in Shaw's earnest, magic-tinged debut. Ida Maclaird returns to the archipelago to find a cure for the condition her last visit brought her—she is slowly turning into glass. The landscape is at once beautiful and ominous, and its residents mistrustful, but she grows close to Midas Crook, a young man who, despite his intention to spend his life alone, falls in love with Ida and becomes desperate to save her. Their quest leads them to Henry Fuwa, a hermit biologist devoted to preserving the moth-winged bull, a species of insect-sized winged bovines; to Carl Mausen, a friend of Ida's family whose devotion to her mother makes him both ally and enemy; and finally to Emiliana Stallows, who claims to have once cured a girl with Ida's affliction. Each of these characters' histories intertwine, though their motivations surrounding Ida are muddled by their loyalties. Both love story and dirge, Shaw's novel flows gracefully and is wonderfully dreamlike, with the danger of the islands matched by the characters' dark pasts."  

I'll admit that I originally got this book because I thought the cover was pretty. And I thought the story might justify buying it. 

I actually thought this was a beautiful book. It's like a tragic fairy tale for adults or young adults. Sad that nearly everyone looses their loved ones in this book. 

I really enjoyed it. It was a bit slow at times, but it was worth reading everything. For a first novel, it's very good. I can't wait for the other novels Mr. Shaw will write. The characters were fully realized and very interesting. Such wonderful creatures, too. I wouldn't mind revisiting St. Hauda's Land if it meant meeting those awesome wonders again.

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I give this book 4 out of 5 books.

"StoryTeller" Book Review

Storyteller by Amy Thomson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It was ok, but I couldn't get into it. Maybe I'll give it another shot on another day. I originally got it thinking that it was a collection of short stories because of its title and I didn't really look at it, so maybe I'm being unfair. But I'll give it another try at another time.


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"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" Book Review

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Found this book an absolute delight! I hope to finish the whole series of Oz books this year. And I mean all of them! Even the ones not by L. Frank Baum! Should be interesting!


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