Discussion: Collecting Books

Since I live in a 2-bedroom apartment, space for books is rare. We buy furniture based on how many books it can hold - there's no such thing as a short bookshelf around here! Some of you may be completely opposite with stickler self-control and the ability to 'Just Say No'. For those of you with one bookshelf, my hat goes off to you and your self-control. I pity you a little, since there's something majestic about knowing your child's entire closet is crammed full of books, just waiting to spill out. However, what this discussion is really about are those books you just CAN'T say no to.
I'm not talking about favorites. Oh, sure, I have about 5 copies of Little Women here (each one irreplaceable, of course) and 3 copies of Heidi, 2 of New Arabian Nights...and I'm sure every teen with a book blog has the Hunger Games series, Twilight...Harry Potter....
No, I'm talking about those books you just itch to own so bad you nearly scream when it finally hits publication date, hoping Amazon holds true to its "guaranteed delivery by...". I'm talking about those books you scour for at used book stores, gleefully holding up a copy you've found in the piles of romance paperbacks and hardback political yahoos. I'm talking about those books you display with pride, and when your friends ask, say, "Yes, I collect the series / author's works / out-of-print 80s teen books that hold many nostalgic memories."
And so I'm letting you in on what I'm collecting.

Series:




Skulduggery Pleasant, by Derek Landy
Want a wise-cracking skeleton detective and a kick-butt teenage heroine-turned-apprentice? This book has got it all. Skulduggery Pleasant works as a detective for the magical community that the world at large has no idea exists. Stephanie is a sharp teenager that casts in her lot with him. Together they save the world repeatedly...but their luck can only hold out for so long.

What I love is that despite it having such a kooky premise, it's entirely believable. That when you close the book and the world just got saved AGAIN, things aren't finished. There's always something that seriously needs addressing. On that note, I'm rarely motivated to finish a series. And yet every book is consistently good - nothing has gotten less than a B+. So, I take off my hat to Derek Landy who has gotten me to continue his series, and at such a break-neck speed of buying them the second they're available!
There is a variety of publication dates out there for this series, with the US being woefully last.

Theodosia Throckmorton, by R. L. LaFevers
I first bought Theodosia and The Serpent of Chaos because of its beautiful cover. Artfully done by Yoko Tanaka, the inside hardback is covered in a historical map of London. I was so impressed by how much effort went into the wrappings, that I grabbed it. I was completely hooked from page one. Egyptian mythology, secret societies, history, mysteries, and a dash of magic - what's not to like? My only wish is that she were a bit older. However, that hasn't stopped me from grabbing every sequel that hits the shelves.

Ranger's Apprentice, by John Flanagan
I think I grabbed this one initially because of the inside flap, although the cover caught me to begin with. Will becomes a Ranger's Apprentice through a series of interesting, funny, and catch-you-off-guard scenes. While you learn about his friends as well, it's mostly Will and Halt's (the Ranger who trains him) story that you read about. While the first couple of books tend to be broader in the plot they encompass, the later books are much more focused on a specific story. Will grows with each book - no small feat, and the characters are entirely believable and enjoyable.

My only reservation is that while these books are already published in Australia, they're still being re-published in the US. The final book is slated for April of 2011. I haven't read the last few books and plan on just grabbing the entire set when it's all done so I don't have to stress out about waiting for the next book for closure!






All About, by Various
This series is out-of-print, of course, but they sure seem to pop up at thrift stores all over. Mostly found without their jackets, they're fascinating books that make learning and non-fiction topics perfect for the young and curious. I currently have 21, and I know there's at least a few more. (I'm not positive the total, since I can't find much information on them anywhere.)

Hardy Boys, by Franklin W. Dixon
We all know and love these crazy boys that put their heads together to solve most any crime. I like to collect the older 1st and 2nd editions when I can. I only have one with an original cover, but I have roughly 20 of them so far.

Nancy Drew, by Carolyn Keene
This series is incredibly hard to find. Unless, of course, you want the sleek shiny plastic cover appearing on shelves lately. I prefer the older editions - particularly pre-1959 before they decided to rewrite any of the politically incorrect bits out. Along with these, I love the spin-off series The Dana Girls. These are even more ridiculously hard to find, but I do have a copy of The Secret At The Gatehouse, which I read over and over....read them if you get a chance.


Authors:
I do have other authors that fit the bill, but these two have passed the test of time, and I always check to make sure they haven't published something while I wasn't looking!



Patricia Wrede
I love just about everything Patricia Wrede has ever written - to me she is synonymous with 'Read it NOW'. With a clever mix of magic, romance, adventure and mystery, I can always count on her to give me a fabulous plot and a satisfying ending. Particular favorites are Sorcery and Cecilia and what is now being published as an omnibus: A Matter of Magic.

Avi
Despite over 60 books, Avi never ceases to amaze me. I can read the back of his latest, think, "Eh." but open it anyway, and immediately be transported into a whole other world. The man is completely gifted. His plots aren't always what you want, or perhaps you want the ending to be different, and yet you walk away completely satisfied feeling like you've been there, talked with the characters, and have a thorough understanding of what happened. May I recommend The Man Who Was Poe and of course my favorite, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.

Antiques:

O. Henry
His real name was William Sydney Porter, and he is one of my top favorite authors of all time. His short works of fictions are pure genius, each one better than the last. A few have even been made into movies or TV series. I'm sure you've all read The Gift of the Magi, but try A Retrieved Reformation, The Green Door...oh and just keep reading! I have a copy of his entire works and am slowly collecting each of his book of short stories.

Edgar Rice Burroughs
I have been given odd looks when I've suggested reading Tarzan of the Apes for my bookclub. They roll their eyes and wonder what I'm thinking to suggest such a vulgar book that they could never enjoy. Let me be the first to say that Tarzan is an incredible story that I have reread over and over. It's sequel, The Return of Tarzan is just as good if not better. Don't believe me? Try a chapter or two. Both were graded an A. BOTH.

As if that wasn't enough, he has published works like The Outlaw of Torn and The Mad King. (Both are an A - if you read this blog enough you'll know how rare that is for me.) You'll be hard-pressed to find even a ragged paperback copy of either of those at your used book store, but it is very well worth it. His plots are fascinating, and when you're finished you're left wishing you had his imagination and skill with a pen.
I try to collect any Burroughs that I can find - his stuff is worth quite a bit nowadays. Plus, I'd like to have a copy of his entire works.

Elizabeth Gaskell
My favorite book of all time is North and South (by the way, have you seen the movie?!), which Elizabeth Gaskell wrote. She wrote not only that, but other favorites like Wives and Daughters and Cranford. For motivation to read what can be intimidating, you might try watching the movies first - they're all fantastic. Never heard of her? She was good friends with, and wrote the biography of Charlotte Bronte.

While I collect quite a few antique books as I've mentioned above, I realized the other day that I have quite a few of Gaskell's works that are old enough to perhaps be worth something. And while I love her works, I haven't had a chance to read them all as I have other favorite literary masters, so I am making an effort to collect them all and read them as fast as possible.

Richard Scarry
This is a bit of a fish out of water, but let me assure you that Richard Scarry is for me one of the greatest children's authors ever. EVER. Many of his books are being re-printed by popular demand, but my favorite is Richard Scarry's Busy Busy World. The stories are hilarious, the illustrations perfect and engaging. I snap up every Richard Scarry book that I can find.

So after all of that! I would love to hear what YOU collect! Or make your own post and leave me the link in the comments if you like. Perhaps we can inspire each other or at the very least find new TBRs!

Duo Review: The Case of the Gypsy Goodbye, by Nancy Springer

The Case of the Gypsy Goodbye, by Nancy Springer
Juvenile, 2010
series: Enola Holmes

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
As Enola searches for the missing Lady Blanchefleur del Campo, she discovers that her brother Sherlock is just as diligently searching for Enola herself - and this time he really needs to catch her! He is in possession of a most peculiar package, a message from their long-lost mother that only Enola can decipher. Sherlock, along with their brother Mycroft, must follow Enola into the reeking tunnels of London's dark underbelly as they solve a triple mystery: What has happened to their mother? And to Lady Blanchefleur? And what does either have to do with Mycroft, who holds Enola's future in his ever-so-proper hands?
Raspberry:
I'm such a fan of this series, and hurry to check them out each time a new one is expected. This is the final of the series, solving the mystery of Enola's mother and settling her future (of sorts) for her. I love Enola's personality - sharp-witted and clever, she constantly gives her brother Sherlock a run for his money. Of the 6 books, I believe the middle ones were my favorites (including The Peculiar Pink Fan and The Bizarre Bouquets), but all were enjoyable reads. Included are a few of the clues Enola receives, which are nearly always solved right away in case you don't want to do it yourself or can't get it, and yet unlike other books that use this same attention-getter, it doesn't detract from the plot.
Squeaky clean, and perfect for jr. high girls (although that's just a suggestion).
Graded a B+
Trackgeek:
A fitting end to the series., although it is a little disappointing that the series has ended as it has been a series that has maintained its quality and good plots through all of the books. I especially enjoy the hints into the lives of Sherlock and Mycroft and the personality of Enola.
Graded an A-.

Memory Monday: The Sherwood Ring, by Elizabeth Marie Pope

Newbery Honor winner Elizabeth Marie Pope (The Perilous Gard, 1983), had only one other work of fiction. The Sherwood Ring was published 25 years prior, and received very little acclaim - in fact, while you can nearly always find The Perilous Gard in any number of libraries, you frequently can't find a copy of The Sherwood Ring. I believe the last edition printed was a paperback copy in 2001. I was lucky enough to snatch one I found at a used book store during my stay in California, reading the back before I judged it by its unfortunate cover:

The Sherwood Ring, by Elizabeth Marie Pope
Young Adult, 1958

from the publisher:
Newly orphaned Peggy Grahame is caught off-guard when she first arrives at her family’s ancestral estate. Her eccentric uncle Enos drives away her only new acquaintance, Pat, a handsome British scholar, then leaves Peggy to fend for herself. But she is not alone. The house is full of mysteries—and ghosts. Soon Peggy becomes involved with the spirits of her own Colonial ancestors and witnesses the unfolding of a centuries-old romance against a backdrop of spies and intrigue and of battles plotted and foiled. History has never been so exciting—especially because the ghosts are leading Peggy to a romance of her own!

The beginning starts out pleasantly enough, and while ghosts enter the picture quickly, I wasn't thrown off until they started talking about the past. At that point I nearly set down the book - I'm not a huge fan of flashbacks, particularly historical ones - but I'm so glad I didn't. The ghost's flashbacks all tie together in a hilarious and fascinating mystery that is incredibly engaging. I found myself smiling, laughing, giggling, and cheering during each of the ghost's retellings. The ghosts themselves all had their own characters - a feat in and of itself, and when it all ended, it was with a pleasant sigh like you have after a very good meal.
Peggy's story wasn't particularly long or fleshed out, as the romance and her interaction with Pat are shortened by the time she spends with the ghosts. However, it was a lovely story, and one I hope to reread again soon.
Graded a B+.... but it was so very nearly an A-.

Forbidden Sea Giveaway!

In July (next month) the wonderful book The Forbidden Sea is being released, by a friend of mine, Sheila Nielson. A fabulous mermaid story, you can read our duo review here. But don't take our word for it.
My 11 year old brother was caught reading it, and instead of blushing remarked, "This is such an incredible book - I can't wait for the sequel!". Since he's not exactly the target audience, I was surprised. Not only that, this particular kid doesn't even like fiction!
I was further caught off guard when my dad told me that really enjoyed it as well - also not quite the target audience!
So, all this hype is to tell you to a) read it, and b) get you excited for the signed ARC giveaway at the author's blog, here.
This is an international giveaway, and it ends July 1st, so head on over and enter!

Friday Finds (17)

So this week I have a few 'finds' for you, but I also have a question. I love the movie Loving Leah, a Hallmark production that I've watched multiple times, and gleefully own. It's based on a play by P'Nenah Goldstein, which I can't find anywhere. Anyone know where I can get a copy? Just thought I'd throw that out there.



The Keeper's Tattoo, by Gill Arbuthnott
YA, 2010
Love the cover, and there's a previous book, The Keeper's Daughter, which I believe is more of a companion book.


The Iron Thorn, by Caitlin Kittredge
YA, February, 2011
I know, creepy cover, but the plot sounds alright.


A Fistful of Sky, by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Adult, 2002



The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson
Adult, 2010

Book to Movie (2): Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl

After I devoured Matilda and the BFG, I found another of Roald Dahl's classics, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was roughly junior-high age, and found the stories delightfully imaginative, with the characters coming to life by the talented Quentin Blake. (Who I personally feel was created solely to illustrate Dahl's books.)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl
Juvenile, 1964

Charlie is a poor kid with a hard-working mom, bed-ridden grandparents, and no luck to speak of. When Willy Wonka gives out 5 golden tickets to his Chocolate Factory, Charlie's greatest wish is to get one.
This is another delightful Dahl book, which I hope if you haven't read you'll pick up and do it NOW. I must confess I like the sequel Charlie and The Great Glass Elevator almost a little more...almost, but not quite. It is just as fun to read though, so pick that up too.
Graded a B+.

In 1971, Gene Wilder starred as Willy Wonka in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. I'm not a big fan of musicals, but this one was lively and cute with very little 'down time'. (You know, where the song really has done it's time but now we need to move on...) The acting is great, the ideas incorporating Dahl's imagination were fabulous, and this is a rewatch for any age. (But specifically when you're young!)
Graded a B.



And then Tim Burton pulled out Johnny Depp again and made a remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2005. Although I'm not typically a fan of Burton's work, I wanted to know what 34 years of technology had done for this great storyline. I loved the special effects, and the acting was impeccable, but I hated how they twisted the story around, adding new ideas and changing old ones.
Graded a C+.

Token of Darkness, by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

I've always been a fan of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. I don't quite have the obsession I can get with some authors or series, but she's pretty much a sure thing when you see her latest on the shelf.
After all, I've done a number of posts about her books: Hawksong, Midnight Predator, to name a few. So when I saw Token of Darkness just sitting there on the shelf...I grabbed it up in about a nanosecond.

Token of Darkness, by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
YA, 2010

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Cooper Blake has everything going for him - until he wakes from a car accident with his football career in ruins and a mysterious, attractive girl by his side. Cooper doesn't know how Samantha got there or why he can see her; all he knows is that she's a ghost, and the shadows that surround her seem intent on destroying her.
There's a whole lot more to this plot than just a simple ghost story. I was impressed with Atwater-Rhode's complications that she flawlessly can seam together without making you go 'what?'. Cooper was also the kind of character you could sympathize with, and I particularly liked the bantering between him and Samantha. Some of the fantasy ideas were a bit much for me personally, and I would have liked things to not just end but provide me with some closure. I know, I know, I'm always complaining I want closure. But I do! It haunts me to have characters out there just waiting for their stories to finish.
I honestly can't remember if there was any swearing - if there was, it was light.
Graded a B-.

Memory Monday: Rites of the Healer, by Anne Gray

Today's Memory Monday is a little different. Only published 4 years ago, Rites of the Healer isn't really something I enjoyed reading a long time ago or something that was published but passed me by. However, it is by a little-known Canadian author and has a cover that isn't really worthy of the story.

Rites of the Healer, by Anne Gray
YA, 2006

Dovella is about to go through the rites of becoming a healer when she is instead called to save her village. Within the next couple of weeks she must find the source of their water and undo whatever mischief has halted its flow. It is an incredibly dangerous journey, but one that will forever change who she is.
I enjoyed this sweet story that truly showed a girl growing up. You like her in the beginning, but actually like her even more by the end because of what she's been through and become. I really enjoyed the realistic fantasy; the way that electricity and sorcery were considered equally amazing. A lot of subplots were underplayed, which left me unsatisfied. There is, however, a sequel that took me quite a while to find - Healer's Touch. That may provide the answers I'm looking for.
Graded a B-.

On Viney's Mountain, by Joan Donaldson

I know I've already posted today, but since tomorrow is the weekend, I thought I'd post a review anyways. More to come next week!

On Viney's Mountain, by Joan Donaldson
Young Adult/Juvenile, 2009

Viney (Lavinia) lives in the wild mountains of Tennessee relishing the untamed land for what it's worth. When men come to settle a town there, she's fit to be tied. But slowly she gets to know them as they get to know her and her talent for weaving. And just maybe, despite all her protests, she might find a man she'd be willing to marry after all.
Jenny: There were so many things I loved about this book. I love the setting of the mountains of Tennessee in the 1880s. I love that Viney walks to her own beat. Her antics to get rid of the settlers are perfect, and not for one second does she back down to anyone. I wanted to get to know Seamus better - his story never really got told. I also was a little surprised by Charlie. Charlie is a few years older than Viney, and she lets him flirt and court her a bit so everyone will stop saying there's something wrong with her. That part was, of course, very cute, but Charlie is so....well, he's a bit too good at keeping his hands to himself - something I doubt most teenage boys could do, 1800s or no. But it was such a lovely story with such a beautiful heroine, and I'm so delighted I own a copy, so I can reread it and enjoy it again and again.
Graded a B+.

Note: The book is clean, but there are a few situations that are more for older readers.

New Design for our blog!

So...there's a new design feature if you use blogger - it's incredibly easy and takes 5 minutes to set up a whole new look for your blog. So, since we've been looking pretty bleah, I tried it out. I'm not sure if this is final, but I love that it's bright and cheerful.

A few new things:
Our Shelfari widget is at the bottom of the page. It's nice and large and shows all the newest books on our TBR list. We previously had a tiny little spurt of a shelf.
Past blog posts as well as labels are also at the bottom of the page.

Please let us know what you think - we're very open to critique here, so comment and tell me what you'd change, add, undo...whatever you like! Thanks!

Mistwood, by Leah Cypess

We're still in California, so posting has been sporatic. But, while we've been here we've gotten quite a few books to haul back with us. Most purchased from thift stores (Goodwill has specifically a thrift bookstore that is fabulous.), but a Border's coupon got me this:

Mistwood, by Leah Cypess

Young Adult, 2010

Prince Rokan has no choice but to claim the loyalty of the Shifter. But Isabel can't remember anything from her past, and embarrassingly enough can't shift. Her memories start to betray her, and emotions - something the Shifter should never discover - are rising unbidden. With unknown allies and enemies on every side, she'll have to rely on those emotions to discover who she is and what is right.

I always hesitate to purchase books full price. I'm afraid I'll hate them and regret spending the money. With a coupon, though, I gave in to this one, and I was glad I did. It's a sweet story, as well as engaging, and while Isabel herself was hard to discover, the other characters were well formed, with interesting personalities. The plot was intriguing, although hard to follow some times, and while everything was revealed eventually, I frequently found myself wondering what was going on, plowing ahead to find out. The romance is underplayed a bit - I was hoping for more growth/understanding there, but the ending is sweet. It's also a clean read, although there is enough violence to make it appropriate for older readers.

Graded a B-.

The House on Hackman's Hill, by Joan Lowery Nixon

The House on Hackman's Hill, by Joan Lowery Nixon

Juvenile, 2001

Jeff and his cousin Debbie go to search the haunted house for the mummy, hoping to get the $10,000 reward. But when they get stranded there, they get a whole lot more than they bargained for.

Raspberry: This was a cute book - quick and simple, and perfect for that budding Egyptologist in all of us. I expected there to be an answer for what was going on in the house, and it was a very different ending than I thought up in my head. On one hand, that made for an intriguing story, but on the other I expected a bit more mystery. It's a tad scary for younger kids; I'd mostly recommend it for about ages 10 and up.

Graded a B-.

Book to Movie (1): The Moon-Spinners, by Mary Stewart

Today I thought we'd try something new; a book to movie post. I love it when books are made into movies, particularly when they're so well done. Hitchcock films, for example, are frequently better than the book, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy is so well done as it captures what your imagination created as you read it.

These posts (because I'm hoping this is the start of a new and exciting epiphany), are mostly going to be the other way around; movies that I've watched which included a small statement of "based on the book by _____". I always get up, pause the movie mid-credits and rush over to write down the title and author. I do this as well when I see trailers (Beastly!) and this past week did it with The Moon-Spinners, by Mary Stewart.

The Moon-Spinners was filmed in 1964, and included the well-known Hayley Mills in her teens, playing the lead, Nicola (Nikky). It was very much a Disney film with a perfectly clean script, cutesy plot, mystery, and off-the-wall characters, creating a perfect kid's movie. I was surprised to see that it was based on a book by Mary Stewart, but also quite delighted - Stewart has such unique and enjoyable plots. So, I grabbed it from the library and brought it with me on vacation (I'm in California for a few weeks.) and have spent all my spare moments reading it.

The Moon-Spinners, by Mary Stewart

Adult, 1962

Nicola Ferris is a young English girl who works for the British Embassy in Greece. On holiday in Agios Georgios with her cousin, she stumbles on a hurt young man, and finds herself entangled in a fascinating mystery - one that may cost her her life.

The story was interesting, well-developed, with likeable characters and villainous fiends. It was, however, quite a bit different from the movie. In the book, Nicola is 22, in the movie, around 16. The plot is more intricate in the book and definitely leaning more towards silly in the movie, etc. Both are clean reads.

All in all, the movie was, of course, cute, but the book wins. It's a very well-done plot with excellent writing and a kick-butt heroine who is the antithesis of those screaming standing-on-the-sidelines-fainting girls we all hate.

Book: B+

Movie: B

Friday Finds (16)

Today I thought I'd share with you where I get a lot of my 'finds'. I'm mimicking other blogs that have the Friday Finds meme, but we all find our books different places. I realized, though, that when I scroll through someone else's Friday Finds, or see a list of upcoming releases, some of them that don't (for whatever reason) appeal to me, might appeal to you. So, I've included a few of my favorite places to find new books to add to my TBR pile. (Because, who doesn't need more?!):

YA Books Buzz - here you'll find a gathering of reviews for those books you're wondering about reading. You can see what those top blogs say - did they love it? Hate it? They also list upcoming book releases as well as movies based on books. Talk about hours of surfing fodder!
The Neverending Bookshelf - this is one of the blogs that I purposely look at for new reads. Her meme is under Neverending Discoveries.
Angieville - I don't often see a 'Friday Finds' type post here, but there's always new and interesting books that are 'off the beaten path'.
Mis(h)takes - One of the first blogs whose Friday Finds were read faithfully.
Shelfari - Some people use Goodreads, some Shelfari. I'd recommend one or the other, or even both. I add friends with similar bookshelves, and frequently check it to see what they've added to read.

Anyone else got a few sites they enjoy looking at for new reads? I'd love to add them to my addiction! :)

Here's our Friday Finds for the week:

Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale, by Carolyn Turgeon
May, 2010



Two Moon Princess, by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban
2007, although this is the new cover coming out in June, 2010.



Crossing Over, by Anna Kendall
October, 2010



Dragons of Noor, by Janet Lee Carey
October, 2010



The Recruit (CHERUB #1), by Robert Muchamore
2004

Forget-Her-Nots, by Amy Brecount White

Forget-Her-Nots, by Amy Brecount White
YA, 2010

From the jacket summary: Something - some power - is blooming inside Laurel. She can use flowers to do things. Like bringing back lost memories. Or helping her friends ace tests. Or making people fall in love. Clues and signs and secret messages seem to be all around Laurel at Avondale School, where her mother had also boarded as a student. Can Laurel piece everything together quickly enough to control her power, which is growing more potent every day?
Raspberry: I used to be a professional florist (which included my own business - yes, it was so much fun), so the summary caught me right away. I was thrilled with all of the illusions to the language of flowers and how every bud or greenery meant something. I enjoyed how Laurel had enough confidence to set out and do things herself, although I was surprised she didn't know at least a few more names of flowers. I closed the book desperately wanting a copy of The Language of Flowers which is apparently available no where or a figment of the author's imagination. Either way, if you're a fan of flowers (and who isn't?), and enjoy a good story about loss, growth, and love, then I'd snatch this up when you get a chance. There is some mild language and a few crude comments.
Graded a B.

The Attolia Series, by Megan Whalen Turner

We have a treat for you today - all four books in the Attolia series, by Megan Whalen Turner! Trackgeek has read them all in a considerably short amount of time, and entirely based on his own motivation. I merely started him on the right track with The Thief (summaries are from the author's website):

The Thief, 1997
Newbery Honor winner

The most powerful advisor to the King of Sounis is the magus. He's not a wizard, he's a scholar, an aging solider, not a thief. When he needs something stolen, he pulls a young thief from the King's prison to do the job for him. Gen is a thief and proud of it. When his bragging lands him behind bars he has one chance to win his freedom-- journey to a neighboring kingdom with the magus, find a legendary stone called Hamiathes's Gift and steal it. The magus has plans for his King and his country. Gen has plans of his own.

Raspberry: I picked this up on my own, without even knowing it had won a Newbery Honor (and seriously, how often do you find the honors being just as good as if not better than the winner?!), bought it, and settled down to give it a shot for some light reading (around 2002ish). At first I was a little bored, but pursued since I wanted to know what happened next. And then I got completely frustrated with Gen and nearly stopped....but kept going, particularly when they got to where he has to steal...and then the ending seriously had me going 'what?!' and laughing over the plot. I was delighted, and while I'm notorious for never finishing series, this is one that I plan on finishing. (Eventually. Have you seen my tbr list?!) I recommended it to trackgeek, who finally read it this year and couldn't just stop - he had to hurry and read the rest of them.
Raspberry: B+
Trackgeek: A

The Queen of Attolia, 2000

The strong-willed queens of Attolia and Eddis maneuver for power and to protect their lands in this fast-paced sequel to the stellar Newbery Honor Book The Thief. Eugenides, the Thief of Eddis, has always been able to break into any locked room or guarded palace to spy for this queen, but as this novel opens, the gods turn against him. The Queen of Attolia seems to have ruined his life, yet a plot twist sets the obvious on its head and leads to an unexpected conclusion.
Raspberry: I have yet to finish this one, but I'm enjoying the plot, which is definitely a bit faster paced than The Thief.
Trackgeek: I enjoyed the plot but this book shows more of a brief style from the author. She tells the bare minimum to move the plot forward and leaves some things completely to your imagination. Graded a B+.



The King of Attolia, 2006

The former Thief of Eddis, now reluctant King of Attolia, is back. This time we see him from young soldier Costis's point of view.
Trackgeek: I enjoyed the plot a bit more than the Queen, and was overall just more satisfied with the ending, etc.
Graded a B+.



A Conspiracy of Kings, 2010

Sophos is the very reluctant heir to the King of Sounis. He would prefer to read poetry, study philosophy, or count the ridges on grasshopper wings. But, what he wants doesn't matter . . . until the day all his responsibilities are taken away and he has a chance to decide his fate for himself.
Trackgeek: An intriguing plot, but I like things better when the viewpoint is from Gen.
Graded a B.



And has anyone noticed how long it takes for the next book to be published? WOW. I'm wondering if she just takes her time writing, or if she's a bit of a perfectionist. Either way, good for her for taking her time.