Book Review: Entwined by Heather Dixon

Pages: 480

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. Date: March 29, 2011

ARC received through Around the World Tours

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it. The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation. Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest. But there is a cost. The Keeper likes to keep things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late."

Azalea is the oldest of twelve princesses and she lives in a magical castle where it seems all her dreams are unfolding before her.  She has many suitors, wears gorgeous gowns, and dances at all the beautiful balls, but things take a turn for the worse when her mother unexpectedly dies. Consequently, the king emotionally shuts down and the entire castle goes into an extreme mourning.  The princesses can not engage in anything fun, especially not dancing, which happens to be their favorite pastime.  While the king goes off to war, the princesses secretly enter another magical realm in which they can dance the night away at elaborate balls; however, they meet a man named Keeper who lives in this world.  He is not what he seems and wants something from Azalea, which will ultimately change everything.  Heather Dixon's debut, Entwined, is a re-telling of the fairy tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses and unfortunately, it falls flat.


There are many things that I like about Entwined.  First, I like the concept of retelling a fairy tale, but I can't say that I have read many that I like. I want to like them, but they always seem to fall short of my expectations.  I also liked that this book was age appropriate and Azalea is very innocent. I could easily put this book in my classroom library without thinking twice.  Lastly, I thought that Dixon did a great job creating the villain Keeper, or should I say Creeper? He was extremely eerie, dangerous and really made my skin crawl.  He is one of the best villains I've read in 2011 so far! Dixon did a good job developing him.


However, there were many things that disappointed me.  Simply put, I wasn't captivated at all. This book is 480 pages and there were many moments where I could barely get through it.  It didn't hold my interest and to be honest, I felt that 480 pages was unnecessary.  I had a hard time with Dixon's descriptions; I couldn't visualize what was going on and had to re-read at various points.  Lastly, I must discuss the twelve sisters....dear lord.  I know this is a retelling of the classic fairy tale, but boy, did these girls drive me nuts!  For me, these sisters were an advertisement for birth control.  They all had plant/flower names and I found many of them to be insufferable, especially Bramble. I feel that all these minor characters took away from Azalea as I wanted to learn more about her, but to be honest, her sisters wouldn't shut-up long enough for me to do that.


I don't want my review to sway your opinion of this novel as there are many great reviews for Entwined, such as the Serpentine Library's glowing review.  And you must know that in the past, I have also been known to not enjoy other retellings and other novels that take place in magical kingdoms, so please don't take my word for it.  Trust me when I say no one was more disappointed than me when I realized that I just wasn't that into Entwined. After all, it has one of my favorite covers of the year so far! It's simply gorgeous, but you know what they say.....looks can be deceiving!

*Pre-order Entwined

February Confessions

Winery in Chester County, PA

I'm going to be honest. February has always been one of my least favorite months, but I must admit that this February wasn't too bad.  I had a nice Valentine's Day and we didn't get too much snow, which I am happy about.  My daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips are even starting to poke through the ground.  Lets hope spring is one its way soon!




Books Read in February:
1.  Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
2.  Vixen by Jillian Larkin
3.  Darlings Are Forever by Melissa Kantor
4.  Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (Classroom Book Review)
5.  The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret Sullivan
6.  Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney
7.  Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel (review to come)
8.  Entwined by Heather Dixon (review to come)
9.  Exit the Actress by Priya Parmar (review to come)


My February Top Five:


1.  Favorite Book:  Unearthly by Cynthia Hand- This is definitely going down as one of my favorites of the year. It's my favorite angel book!


2.  Biggest Surprise:  Exit the Actress by Priya Parmar- I love historical fiction and this one didn't disappoint!


3.  Biggest Letdown: Entwined by Heather Dixon- In my opinion, this book was missing that something special.


4.  Favorite Post:  My Can't Miss TV Shows


5.  My Favorite Part of February:  I went to a bunch of wine tastings with one of my best friends, her boyfriend, and my husband for Valentine's Day. It was about an hour away from where we live and in what I consider the country. It was definitely a fun Saturday!

I'm excited for March and hopefully some warm weather,

In My Mailbox #48

Miles From Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams
*I loved The Chosen One so when St. Martins asked me if I wanted to review this book, I immediately said yes.  I even have an extra ARC for a giveaway, so keep your eye out for one coming up soon. Thank you St. Martins!

Goodreads says, "Thirteen-year-old Lacey wakes to a beautiful summer morning excited to begin her new job at the library, just as her mother is supposed to start work at the grocery store. Lacey hopes that her mother's ghosts have finally been laid to rest; after all, she seems so much better these days, and they really do need the money. But as the hours tick by and memories come flooding back, a day full of hope spins terrifyingly out of control...."

Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells
*This is one of those books that I meant to buy last summer, but never got around to it. I don't know about you, but after this crazy winter, I could use a book about the sun, sand and beach.

Goodreads says, "Sometimes I still wake up shivering in the early hours of the morning, drowning in dreams of being out there in the ocean that summer, of looking up at the moon and feeling as invisible and free as a fish. But I'm jumping ahead, and to tell the story right I have to go back to the very beginning. To a place called Indigo Beach. To a boy with pale skin that glowed against the dark waves. To the start of something neither of us could have predicted, and which would mark us forever, making everything that came after and before seem like it belonged to another life. My name is Mia Gordon: I was sixteen years old, and I remember everything."

Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel
*This cover immediately caught my eye when I was at the library. I enjoyed Noel's Immortals series and the spin-off Shimmer series, so I am excited to read a realistic fiction.

Goodreads says, "Having recently discarded her dorky image--and the best friend that went with it--Colby Cavendish is looking forward to a long hot season of parties, beach BBQ’s, and hopefully, more hook-ups with Levi Bonham, the hottest guy in school. But her world comes crashing down when her parents send her away to spend the summer in Greece with her crazy aunt Tally. Stranded on a boring island with no malls, no cell phone reception, and an aunt who talks to her plants, Colby worries that her new friends have forgotten all about her. But when she meets Yannis, a cute Greek local, everything changes.  She experiences something deeper and more intense than a summer fling, and it forces her to see herself, and the life she left behind, in a whole new way."

Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris
*I love her Sookie Stackhouse series and Becky at The Bookette told me about this other series and its similarities to The Body Finder. I got this one as an audio CD from the library and am listening to it in the car to and from work. So far it is very good!

Goodreads says, "The first book in Charlaine Harris's mystery series introduces readers to Harper Connelly, a strange young woman who -- after being struck by lightning as a child -- is able to locate dead people and determine exactly how they died.  Accompanied by her stepbrother, Tolliver (who works as her manager), Harper heads to small-town Arkansas for their next job. Her client is a socialite named Sybil Teague, who wants Harper to find a teenage girl who disappeared on the day her son was found shot dead in the woods. The girl, Monteen "Teenie" Hopkins, has a reputation for being "wild as a razorback," and scandalous rumors abound about the two. But once Harper locates Teenie's corpse a short distance from the spot where Sybil's son died and reveals that she was shot in the back while trying to escape, the real trouble starts. As more town residents begin to turn up dead -- and with her brother in jail on bogus charges -- Harper must find the real killer before she becomes his next victim."

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott
*I got this one through S&S Galley Grab. I am a fan of Scott and excited to see if this one is as good as her other novels. I also adore this cover!

Goodreads says, "Abby accepted that she can’t measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible.  Until the accident.  Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby’s life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.  She's got a plan to bring Tess back though, involving the gorgeous and mysterious Eli, but then Abby learns something about Tess, something that was always there, but that she’d never seen.  Abby is about to find out that truth isn't always what you think it is, and that life holds more than she ever thought it could..."

What did you get in your mailbox?  Have you read any of these books? Let me know what you think.   This meme is hosted by The Story Siren.  

Winner of Timeless

The winner of Timeless by Alexandra Monir is.......

#98

Meghan at Books and a Cup of Tea

Congrats, Meghan! I hope you enjoy the book as much as me.  

Also, feel free to enter my latest giveaway for a chance to win  M.J. Putney's Dark Mirror.

Have a great weekend,

Dark Mirror Giveaway

I have had the pleasure to read Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney, which comes out this March. If you missed my review, check it out here.  Fans of historical fiction will definitely enjoy this one!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, they offered to let me host a giveaway!  One lucky reader from the United States or Canada can win Dark Mirror for themselves.  The deadline is March 20th and you don't have to be a follower to enter; however, if you take a look around and you like what you see, I'd appreciate you becoming one.  Also, be sure to check out my contest rules.  

Fill out this form in order to enter!

Thanks and good luck,

Book Review: Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney

Pages: 306

Genre: YA Historical Fiction/Fantasy

Pub. Date: March 1, 2011

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status. Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if  exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted…by magic. When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.  But Tory’s life is about to change forever. All that she’s ever known or considered important will be challenged. What lies ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey  into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of  character are the only things that determine a young girl’s worth."

Lady Victoria Mansfield seems to have it all and soon she will be presented in London in hopes to meet a future husband, but her life takes an unexpected turn when her family and friends find out about a secret that she has been harboring.  Victoria, or Tory, is a mage, which is someone that has magical powers, and they are frowned upon, especially by the upper class.  Her parents send her away to Lackland Abbey to be "fixed" with the hope that she can return to her life, but everyone knows that her life won't be the same as society doesn't accept mages.  Lackland Abbey is a reform school for mages like her and at first, she just wants to get through it and return to her life back home.  As Tory becomes more accustomed to Lackland Abbey, she finds many secrets out, meets new and exciting people, and even comes across something that will change her life forever.  Dark Mirror, the first book in the Dark Passage series, by M.J. Putney will surely captivate fans of historical fiction.


One of the best aspects about this book is the fact that Putney combines time travel, historical fiction, as well as fantasy elements and you guys know that I LOVE that combination.  I could tell that Putney really enjoys writing about historical fiction; it truly showed in her vivid descriptions.  Plus, Putney combined not one, but two different time periods and made them extremely realistic. By combining the two time periods in this book, it had me thinking about the similarities between certain wars and how sometimes history truly repeats itself!


I also like the fact that I could easily bring this book into my classroom and recommend it to my students as it is extremely age appropriate. There is a love interest, but it is all very sweet and there's nothing too edgy.    Also, I enjoyed the main character of Tory; in fact, I think she is a bit of a role model.  She had to make a tough decision and didn't take the easy way out, which is something to be admired.  Her life changed forever due to that one small decision; she decided to do the right thing even though it wasn't easy.  That's a good message for young readers.


My only issue with the book was Tory's love interest and their blossoming relationship that was unfortunately predictable at times. I don't want to give too much away, but I didn't "buy it" like I was hoping for.  Their relationship didn't seem real enough to me and because of that, I had a hard time believing it or becoming invested in it. A side note: I thought this was strange as Putney is known for her adult romance novels. Hmm.


All in all, this was a great start to a new series that I know fans of YA historical fiction will savor.  How could you not when Putney combines two very different time periods so brilliantly?  If you are interested in reading Dark Mirror, keep your eye out for a giveaway coming up tomorrow!  

*Pre-order Dark Mirror

*Read an excerpt

*Thank you to St. Martin's for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Waiting on Wednesday: Tris and Izzie

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison

Pub. Date: October 11, 2011

Goodreads says, "A modern retelling of the German legend "Tristan and Isolde", "Tris and Izzy", is about a young witch named Izzie who is dating Mark King, the captain of the basketball team and thinks her life is going swimmingly well. Until-- she makes a love potion for her best friend Brangane and then ends up taking it herself accidentally, and falling in love with Tristan, the new guy at school.  Light, contemporary romantic fantasy for teens."

*I adore the story of Tristan and Isolde, so my interest was definitely peaked by this modern retelling. I think it sounds fun and hopefully will lend some attention to the original story.  And I can't deny how fabulous and eye catching this cover is?! Incredible! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Book To Movie Adaptions

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  I'm excited to participate; after all, I make lists FOR EVERYTHING!  This week's topic focuses on the best book to movie adaptions.

1.  Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien- These movies were incredible. Between the actors, the scenery and the special effects, I felt all of the movies were really well done. I'm excited for The Hobbit to come out!

2.  Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt- I thought Disney did a good job bringing this book to life and making it attractive to a modern audience. My students not only enjoyed this book, but they loved the movie as well.

3.  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling- I am a big fan of the series and I thought this movie was one of the better ones. I loved seeing Harry's world come to life.

4.  Emma by Jane Austen- I particularly liked the recent BBC mini-series more than the other versions out there. I thought Romola Garai was the most perfect Emma.

5.  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee- If you know me, you know that I love this book and the movie. I was lucky to see this movie on the big screen as a child. I won tickets to a revival showing; it was incredible and of course, Gregory Peck was outstanding.

6.  Along Came a Spider by James Patterson- I read this book many years ago and it was definitely a thriller. I thought this movie was equally heart-pounding and what can I say? I am a fan of Morgan Freeman.

7.  The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger- I devoured this book at the beach one summer and I thought Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep portrayed the characters from the novel perfectly.

8.  Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy- I adored both this movie and the novel.  Back in the day, I had a huge crush on Chris O'Donnell; plus, I love Ireland!

9.  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- Who isn't a fan of the mini-series with Colin Firth? Loved it! I know a lot of people didn't like the Keira Knightly version, but I am a fan of that one too.

10.  Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton- This book was outstanding, but the movie truly brought it to life. I remember being blown away by this film. To this day, the Velociraptor freaks me out!

So which book to movie adaptions do you love? Did we agree on any of them? Let me know what you think!  

Book Review: The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret C. Sullivan

Pages: 224

Pub. Date: March 8, 2011

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Long before Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Quirk published this guide to life in Regency England to the delight of Austen fans everywhere. Newly published with a revised cover, The Jane Austen Handbook offers step-by-step instructions for proper comportment in the early 19th century. Full of practical directions for navigating the travails of Regency life, this charming illustrated book also serves as a companion for present-day readers, explaining the English class system, currency, dress, and the nuances of graceful living."

Have you ever wanted to know the rules of proper life during Regency England? If you are like me, you've read Jane Austen's novels, you watched all the movies, but some things left you perplexed and wanting to know more about the time period.  The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret C. Sullivan is the perfect companion to Jane Austen's novels as it is full of interesting information and to top it off, it had me laughing out loud as well.   

There are four sections to the book, which are broken up by topic and each topic asks some questions that all Austen fans I'm sure are dying to know.  For example, "How to become an accomplished lady, how to plan a dinner party, how a lady might earn a living (if necessary), how to get him back if you have quarreled and how to avoid dancing with an undesirable partner."  Sullivan gives the readers answers as if we are ladies of Regency England and some of the answers were filled with witty humor.  The topics even include Austen tie-ins, like the section on money also explains how Darcy got his riches and how much that would be today and when discussing how to treat the sick, Sullivan includes my favorite tie-in on Austen's hypochondriacs.  


This book is the perfect coffee table book for fans of Austen.  It includes beautiful illustrations as well.  As I was reading this handbook, I thought that it would be an ideal fit for a Jane Austen book club as this answers many of the questions that I am sure would arise if Austen virgins were exposed to Regency England for the first time.


This handbook also includes a short biography on Ms. Austen as well as a write up of her novels, contemporary Austen, film adaptions as well as retellings.  I found this part of the handbook to be especially interesting as I am always looking for a film adaption that I may have missed. 


For fans of Jane Austen, I highly recommend The Jane Austen Handbook when it comes out this March.  It would be the perfect gift for any Janeite's collection.  

*Pre-order The Jane Austen Handbook

*Check out the author's blog, Austenblog

*Thank you to Eric at Quirk Books for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

In My Mailbox #47

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal
*I got this book through a contest at Escape in a Book!  Thank you so much! This one definitely sounds like something I'll enjoy.

Goodreads says, "Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court.  But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection.  Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known. Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks.  But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl. Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever."

The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret Sullivan
*Thanks to Eric at Quirk Books for sending me this one to review. I have already read it this past week and I loved it! Keep your eye out for my review!

Goodreads says, "Jane Austen published her first novel in 1811, but today she's more popular than ever. Film adaptations of her books are nominated for Academy Awards. Chick lit bestsellers are based on her plots. For all those readers who dream about living in Regency England, The Jane Austen Handbook offers step-by-step instructions for proper comportment in the early nineteenth century. This charming illustrated book also serves as a companion for present-day readers, explaining the English class system, currency, dress, and the nuances of graceful living."

Women Know Everything by Karen Weekes
*Thanks to Eric at Quirk Books for sending me this fun book to review. I plan on reading it in March, which is Women's History Month.

Goodreads says, "WIT AND WISDOM FROM A TO Z- With more than 3,000 quotations on everything from fashion and feminism to men, marriage, friendship, history, technology, sports, and more, this massive compilation proves once and for all that women know everything! Each page offers wisdom, wit, and inspiration from a host of legendary women—from Jane Austen and Colette to Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Toni Morrison, Liz Phair, Ellen DeGeneres, and Naomi Klein. "

What did you get in your mailbox?  Have you read any of these books? Let me know what you think.   This meme is hosted by The Story Siren.  

Classroom Book Review: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Pages: 139

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. Date: 1975

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Imagine coming upon a fountain of youth in a forest. To live forever--isn't that everyone's ideal? For the Tuck family, eternal life is a reality, but their reaction to their fate is surprising. Award winner Natalie Babbitt (Knee-Knock Rise, The Search for Delicious) outdoes herself in this sensitive, moving adventure in which 10-year-old Winnie Foster is kidnapped, finds herself helping a murderer out of jail, and is eventually offered the ultimate gift--but doesn't know whether to accept it. Babbitt asks profound questions about the meaning of life and death, and leaves the reader with a greater appreciation for the perfect cycle of nature. Intense and powerful, exciting and poignant, Tuck Everlasting will last forever--in the reader's imagination."

The Tuck family encounters a spring in the woods when traveling.  They all drink from the spring and as the years go by, they realize some strange things; for example, they never age, never get hurt, or even sick. They realize that on that fateful day in the woods, they encountered  a "fountain of youth" unknowingly and in order to conceal their secret, they must travel the countryside, never staying at one place for too long.  Winnie Foster, a young girl from a wealthy family, wants her freedom desperately and ends up befriending the Tuck family.  Eventually, she learns their secret and like in any good book, there's also a villain and he wants to steal the Tuck's secret. Natalie Babbitt's classic, Tuck Everlasting, is a must read for all children and is an excellent addition to any classroom library.


Babbitt's writing style is beautiful.  There are passages that describe the weather and  it's almost like you are there experiencing the balmy and oppressive heat of summer with Winnie as well.  Her style includes a lot of figurative language that is so artistic; it's great if you are teaching similes, metaphors, etc.  


The characters are endearing, heartwarming and truly memorable.  There is a love connection in this book and it's not overdone; in fact, it progresses gracefully, much like Babbitt's writing style.  Also, there is a villain that readers love to hate, so even my male students could enjoy this book and the suspenseful action.


The most important aspect of this book is the fact that it includes serious themes and raises important questions, such as, the implication of living forever, change and its importance, doing the right thing even though its an unpopular choice and the importance of love.  The question of immortality became a heated discussion in my classroom, especially after the whole Twilight craze as the Cullen family and the Tuck family has some similarities, minus the whole vampire thing.  In sum, the themes of Tuck Everlasting raise important questions and discussions; this book definitely had my 6th graders thinking.


There are a ton of resources for teachers when teaching this book and there is even a recent movie (with Alexis Bledel) that the students love and is the perfect tie in.  Web English Teacher, my go-to-teaching website, includes some great links.  Scholastic also has some quality resources as well as Pro-Teacher, and the Glencoe Study Guide.  If you are looking for a book that will lead to a worthwhile discussion, whether it be for your classroom or for yourself, I highly recommend Tuck Everlasting.  It should not be missed!

*Buy Tuck Everlasting

*Watch the movie trailer

Waiting on Wednesday: City of Fallen Angels

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Pub. Date: April 5, 2011

Goodreads says, "City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.”

*I LOVE this series! I have had this one pre-ordered for awhile now.  This is one of my most anticipated books of the year.  In my opinion, Ms. Clare is one of the best YA storytellers out there; she's brilliant! And who doesn't love Jace?

Top Ten Tuesday: Love Stories

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This is my first "Top Ten" posting! I'm excited to participate; after all, I make lists FOR EVERYTHING! 

 Top Ten Favorite Love Stories in Literature:

1.  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- How could I not include this classic on my list? If you know me, you know how much I love this story; plus, Mr. Darcy is one of my literary boyfriends.


2.  The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead- Dimitri and Rose's story is so extremely compelling. If you haven't read this series, you must go out and buy it immediately.  


3.  Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare- It is definitely one of the most romantic stories of all time.


4.  The Mortal Instruments series- Jace and Clary's story has its ups and downs, but it's one of my favorites. I can't wait for the next book in the series!


5.  Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey- Lucius and Jessica's relationship is deliciously addicting.

6.  Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell- I love Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler's rocky romance in this classic.


7.  The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen- Dessen, in my opinion, is the queen of YA romance and this one is my favorite.


8.  The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks- Yes, I know....people think Sparks is cheesy, but this book had me sobbing.


9.  Emma by Jane Austen- Who doesn't love Mr. Knightley?


10.  Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez- This book is simply beautiful!


Do you agree with my list? What are your favorite love stories in literature? Let me know what you think!

Book Review: The Darlings Are Forever by Melissa Kantor

Pages: 336

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: January 4, 2011

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Jane, Victoria, and Natalya. Together, they are the Darlings. Best friends forever. They have matching necklaces, their own table at Ga Ga Noodle, and even a shared motto: May you always do what you’re afraid of doing. When the friends begin freshman year at three different high schools in distant corners of New York City, they promise to live by their motto and stay as close as ever. The Darlings know they can get through anything as long as they have each other. But doing scary new things is a lot easier with your friends beside you. And now that the girls aren’t spending all their time together, everything they took for granted about their friendship starts to feel less certain. They can’t help but wonder, will they really be the Darlings forever?"

Three best friends, Jane, Victoria, and Natalya, all are starting high school, but will be attending three different schools in New York City.  Jane is attending a school to pursue acting, Victoria is attending a private school, but feels like she can never live up to her sister's greatness, and finally, Natalya is attending a prestigious school, but it's filled with wealthy girls and Natalya definitely isn't wealthy as she is there on scholarship.  All three girls are nervous to branch out and start new chapters in their lives, but they know that they have each other; after all, they are the Darlings.  Melissa Kantor's The Darlings Are Forever is a start to a new contemporary series that promises a lot of fun for three best friends in New York City.


I think most teenage girls can find a little bit of themselves in at least one of these characters.  It was interesting to follow each girl and although they encounter many different problems that inevitably occur in high school, it was nice to see such strong friendships through it all. I probably haven't encountered this since reading The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, which I adored.  Jane is truly a drama queen and is gutsy, which I liked.  Victoria comes from an ambitious family; her father is in politics, her mother is successful and her sister attends Princeton.  Victoria often feels "not as important" in her family as she would rather bake something than watch CNN and discuss politics.  Natalya is a sweet girl that is trying to adjust to attending school with a bunch of rich "mean" girls.  She is super-smart and has a love connection with a "nerd," who was such a cutie and I was a big fan of him! All three girls are very different, but Kantor does a great job of making them relatable.


I like the message for girls in this book.  The main theme of the novel and the motto the girls refer to is "may you always do what you are afraid of doing." I think this is a good message for girls at the middle school and high school level. Oftentimes fear holds many girls back, but all three girls really branched out and grew. They supported each other and didn't hold each other back, like many friends at this age do; in fact, they challenged each other to "go for it" and I thought it was powerful.


I will definitely be putting this one in my classroom library and I haven't been able to say that lately. I think my middle school girls will really enjoy this book and will be able to relate quite easily to all three characters.  Granted some parts of this story were slow and predictable, but overall, it was an entertaining read.  I look forward to seeing what else Kantor has up her sleeve for these three lovely young ladies in the sequel, The Darlings in Love.  

*Buy The Darlings Are Forever

*Read chapter one

*Thanks to Deborah at Disney Publishing for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review!