The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird

 







Title: The Betrayal of Maggie Blair       
Series: N/A
Author: Elizabeth Laird
Genre: YA Fiction, Teen, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Received: Net Galley
Release Date: April 2011   
Pages: 360
Rating:



What is it About?
Maggie Blair and her grandmother are sentenced as witches and are to be hung.  Maggie escapes with the help of her grandmother’s friends and goes through more trails and tribulations internally and externally.

My Thoughts:

Maggie and her grandmother have been accused of practicing witchcraft in UK in probably the 1700’s.   Maggie escapes and lives with other family members along the way she battle internally with God and what comes natural to her.   As she joins her other family members they battle with government and religious laws themselves and only time will tell when the family will be caught practicing faith not in the kings way.

I was hoping for more fantasy with this book. I didn’t realize that it was going to be more of a historical dark fiction.   I thought it was fast paced even though there was not much action more drama and deception.    I guess the cover threw me off and I just thought it looked more magical.  

While there are some general things about witchcraft and Maggie battling with her natural ability to heal others like her grandmother there was no real fantasy.   Just a lot of hardship and learning the strengths of people.

An okay but not what I thought it was going to be.

Website:

Official Site of Elizabeth Laird

http://www.elizabethlaird.co.uk/

A Change In Altitude by Anita Shreve

 





Title: A Change In Altitude        
Series: N/A
Author: Anita Shreve
Genre: Fiction
Publisher:  Bay Back Books
Received: Purchased
Release Date: May  2010   
Pages: 336
Rating:


What is it About?

A newly married couple suffer up and downs in there relationship as they both work on there careers and making friends.

My Thoughts:

The up and downs of this couples relationship in the book seemed understandable at times and then at times ridiculous  and I was going to say that is unrealistic but maybe now that I think about the first part of this sentence, I am wrong.  It has real moments about a married couple that I don’t think many people can understand why they are together.  Instead of the starting the story in on the loved affair that brought them together we are brought in on what starts to drive them to different worlds.

It is not a very happy story I would say that is why I didn’t like very much.  It is the kind of story that will depress you if you think about it to much.

I read this for a book club selection but had a hard time finishing it.   In fact I am not even sure if I did.  

I liked reading about the joyous parts in the book like the wife starting her career and the couple trying hard to work through there differences.  There was much joy in this book though.  Maybe that is the altitude it was suppose to be on but it made me not enjoy it.

Website:

Anita Shreve Official Site
http://www.anitashreve.com/

Confuzzled Story #12 This Apple Speaks To Me

This Apple Speaks to Me!
by Shannon McGee

I sit upon this apple feeling it’s true thoughts.
It wishes to be eaten and nourished through a body.
But as for me you see I can’t not grant it’s wish
For I am a confuzzled fae and no mouth on me exists.

Thoughts of this apple I can hear so loud.  
I am dying it says quickly.
But if only I could be eaten and granted my last wish.
For then I would be become something else
My true purpose and nothing would be amiss.

The Last Golden Egg by Odette B. Lezama Rodriguez

 




Title: The Last Golden Egg
Series: N/A
Author: Odette B. Lezama Rodriguez
Genre: Children’s Book, Fairy Tale
Publisher:  Outskirt Press
Received: From author for Review
Release Date: January 2011   
Pages: 34
Rating:



What is it About?
A King that keeps a golden egg that holds the hope of the Kingdom needs a new caregiver for the egg.  Figuring that the most trustworthy would be a young child a caretaker is picked but only to be set up by a swindler that steals the egg.  The young boy must prove his innocence.


My Thoughts:

Having a very fairy tale feel the story is told in a lengthy format with much description.   A Kingdom with a Golden Egg of Hope is a interesting concept that loses something in the telling of the story.

A young peasant boy is asked to be caretaker of the egg but is set up by a thief who steals the egg and the blame goes on the boy.  The boy pleads his innocence and his animal friends help him to prove what is right.

The story doesn’t flow that smoothly and at times can be confusing.  In the beginning the animals friends are mentioned only in name but you don’t know that they are animals until later.   It does have a hopeful feel to it but lacks direction in some places and some editing.

I think it to be a original tale that should have been a wonderful tale of hope throughout the kingdom not tale a of trustworthiness.  It just seems that it would be right if you have a tale of a Golden Egg of Hope that you make your about the hope through out the kingdom and I just did not feel that this story did that.

Website:

http://outskirtspress.com/thelastgoldenegg/

Josephine's Imagination by Arnold Dobrin

Title: Josephine’s Imagination   

Series: N/A

Author: Arnold Dobrin

Genre: Children’s Book,  Picture Book

Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks

Received: Swap site

Release Date: April 1991

Pages: 44

Rating:

What is it About?

A young girl from Haiti wants a doll to play with but her parents don’t have the money to spend.  She learns to use her imagination to make one.

My Thoughts:

What a wonderfully imaginative story about a little girl wanting a doll but can’t afford one! She meets a man at the market who use his imagination to make things.  Josephine wonders if she can do the same.

The art is just right and would even tell the tale without words.  The mixture of black and white illustrations and color are interesting contrasts.

There is a lot of descriptive detail that can be boring but because you want to know how she is going get her doll keeps it interesting. The book shows that all children big and small can use their imagination to come up with the most exciting things and what a wonderful thing imagination is!

Website:

N/A

Mailbox Monday - June 27th 2011 - 5 books

5 books came this week 3 I have finished reading already!


Me and My Dragon by David Biedrzycki

After the Kill (Junior Library Guild Selection (Charlesbridge Hardcover)) by Darrin P. Lunde

Beasts (Mystic Phyles) by Stephanie Brockway

Make Love to the Universe: Himalayan Masters Share Spiritual Wisdom by Phoenix Desmond

My Pictures, My Words by Mac Kennedy

Musing Monday - June 27, 2011 - Inspired by

This week's musing asks...
Have you ever read a book that inspired you to take up a cause? What book was it, and what is/was the cause?



There have been books I read that inspired me to take up causes but the follow through is what I never seem to get to.   I will say right now I am participating in the book The Artist Way by Julia Cameron and that in some ways is helping towards a goal I believe I may make to be involved with Art Therapy in some way to help other cope in recovery of illness.   

On a side note thank you every one with the kind words at the hard time we are having now.  We do appreciate them.   While I may not be able to visit everyone back I do read all the comments and thank you. 

Sunday Salon - Death in the Family

This week the reviews may be pushed back do to a death in the family on my husband's side.

I don't really have much more to say on the subject except don't be surprised if the Giveaway contest is pushed back another week instead of tomorrow.  

If I have time this week will have a giveaway, 2 children book reviews and 1 general fiction review and 1 YA fiction review.  Then maybe a Confuzzled Story will pop up. I will hope to participate in events this week but we will see how things play out.

Fairy School : Fairy Cloud Parade by Gail Herman

Title: Fairy Cloud Parade
Series: Fairy School       
Author: Gail Herman
Genre: Children Book , Chapter Book
Publisher: Skylark
Received: Swapsite
Release Date: May 1999   
Pages: 80
Rating:
 

What is it About?

Olivia is one of the best students at fairy school but she is a little distracted to come up with a new cloud shape because her parents are expecting a twin fairy babies who are more then a handful.

My Thoughts:
What sibling wouldn’t be distracted by the thought of a new baby brother or sister?  For Olivia it’s become more than just a distraction. As a full time baby sitter of her twin brother and sister Olivia’s school work starts to falter.   She has to come up with a new cloud shape for the school’s contest and she just started a new art class.

This book is too cute for words.  As we learn how fairy babies are born in the Fairy School series and how much trouble they can get into we delve into the fun that is the Fairy School world.  As usual all the Fairy School friends get together to help Olivia in any way possible and she needs it.

Another Delightful tale in the collection.  Fun to read and imagine.

Website:

N/A

Airy Fairy : Magic Mess by Margaret Ryan

 





Title: Magic Mess
Series: Airy Fairy
Author: Margaret Ryan
Genre: Children Book, Chapter Book
Publisher:  Barron’s Educational Series
Received: Swapsite
Release Date: April 2005
Pages:80
Rating:

What is it About?
Airy Fairy is trying her best to tackle Fairy school and her classes.  Now she has to get her room cleaned, decorate it and think of a present for her teacher.  All with a limited amount of spells, and Airy is not too good with spells.

My Thoughts:
Airy Fairy is essential good fairy who tries her best, gets it wrong and then somehow always gets it right in the end.  Even though she is picked on, messes up her spells and is the clumsiest fairy.

The books are cute and teach children to keep trying and eventually you will get something right even if it does not go as planned.  I am not big fan of the doodle art that is on the cover and in the books.  I guess it is suppose to look childlike and free flowing like Airy Fairy.

They are chapter books so these books are short but sweet and are creative little stories.

Website:

Scholastic Airy Fairy Site
http://www5.scholastic.co.uk/zone/book_airy-fairy.htm

Booking Through Thursday - Soundscapes

What, if any, kind of music do you listen to when you're reading? (Given a choice, of course!)

I listen to basic channel on the TV called Soundscapes.  Because regular music with vocals causes me problems at times and I can't listen to it because of my mental instability (Schizophrenia).  Believe me it just causes bad thoughts and it sucks because I use love music and TV.  Now I watch and listen to them much less.  

Theme Thursday - Male Person - Brad - Verita

Theme Thursdays is a fun weekly event that will be open from one thursday to the next. Anyone can participate in it. The rules are simple:

• A theme will be posted each week (on Thursday’s)
• Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading
• Mention the author and the title of the book along with your post
• It is important that the theme is conveyed in the sentence (you don’t necessarily need to have the word)
  Ex: If the theme is KISS; your sentence can have “They kissed so gently” or “Their lips touched each other” or “The smooch was so passionate”

This will give us a wonderful opportunity to explore and understand different writing styles and descriptive approaches adopted by authors.
This week’s theme is

MALE PERSON (Father, Grandfather, Brother etc)

 "Brad ran cross-country track, but I knew there was more to him then just sports. He was sweet and caring, funny and smart; every thing I could have wanted in a guy." from Verita by Tracy Rozzlynn

 

Flaked Giveaway

I completely forgot I said I would have a new giveaway today.  I think to have a full two weeks I will have the new "Mystery" Giveaway  Monday which is the 27th.  I remember better on Mondays.  Sorry if you were looking forward to the Giveaway today!

The 10th Muse: Revenge of Medusa #1

Title: The 10th Muse : Revenge of Medusa #1
Series: The 10th Muse
Author: Darren G. Davis and Chad Rebmann
Genre: Comic Book
Publisher: Bluewater Comics      
Received: Free for honest review
Release Date: June 2011
Pages: 22
Rating:

What is it About?

Medusa has returned to wreak havoc on mankind and trouble for the Muse of Justice.

My Thoughts:

This comic had such potential and some where in the middle threw it all away in the writing.  For something that starts out with so much fantasy and to end in drama that I didn’t care about.  

I don’t know if this is part of a series that was rebooted or spun off but it really did start out good and had me interested but then the words coming out of the characters mouths just didn’t feel realistic.  Yes it is fantasy but if you are going to end with the drama you need more realism through out.   You can’t just throw it in there and expect people think this comic is good it is so trending.  I give it two star 1 because the art is worth it and 2nd star because it had something but it just fizzled.

Remember this is just my opinion it does not mean that everyone will feel the same reading it.

Website:

Bluewater Official Site
http://www.bluewaterprod.com/comics/10th_muse.php

Buffy The Vampire Slayer : The Long Way Home Vol. 1 by Joss Whedon

Title: Buffy The Vampire Slayer : Long Way Home Vol. 1
Series:  Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8
Author: Joss Whedon
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Dark Horse
Received: from  Net Galley free for review
Release Date: October 2007
Pages: 136
Rating:
 

What is it About?
Based on the tv show Buffy the Vampire Slayer this volume takes place after the final season on t.v. hence the reason it is called season 8 Vol. 1

My Thoughts:

This is my third time reading this part of the comic and I love everything about it.  Sure the story line may not go as I expected but that is the beauty of good story telling.  I may not like the story-lines completely but I enjoyed the shock of what happens.  

I enjoyed re-reading about my favorite characters Willow... heck I even liked Dawn in the comic book better then the t.v. series.  There is something interesting about a girl turned into a giant.

The art is superior and fits the writing.  For a Buffy fan the comics are pure heaven as for if you didn’t watch I can’t tell you but can only ask “Why don’t you watch Buffy?! Seriously you can get the DVD’s Now!”

Website:

Dark Horse Official Buffy Page
http://www.darkhorse.com/Zones/Buffy