Shannon's Review - O'Shaughnessey: The Faerie Circle by Jeremy McGuire

Title: O’Shaughnessey: The Faerie Circle
Series: O’Shaughnessey Series #2
Author: Jeremy McGuire
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Jeremy McGuire
Genre: Fiction, Juvenile, Fantasy, Irish Folklore, Fairies
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Received: Free For Honest Review
Release Date: December 2009
Pages: 326
Rating:



Author Jeremy McGuire’s Official Websites:


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Website:
defunct

Blog:
none found

Facebook:
none found

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/secellus

Instagram:
none found



Shannon’s Thoughts:

Bobby Mahoney, now an adult and father of two. He no longer remembers his childhood escapades with leprechaun O’Shaughnessey. Bobby now living in America but is writing a book about Irish myths and magical beings. He travels back to Ireland with his daughter Maggie. They stay with the storyteller, Moria McCarthy. As Bobby collects his stories from other townspeople young Maggie learns about fairy folk and magic even though she has yet to believe in them. Bobby searching for truth to the mystical world ends up in a predicament and needs O’Shaughnessey and Maggie to save him.

This book is the second book in a series. I did not read the first book, O’Shaughnessey: A Boy And His Leprechaun, and I do not feel like I needed to. I enjoyed it and did not feel lost or that I was missing anything. I really did like these characters especially Maggie and the storyteller Moria. They had the most depth and I was enjoying how much they bonded.

The story did really have a mixture of America and Irish feel to it. I notice with the other books that take place in Ireland always feel so mysterious and magical along with really drawing you into it. I did not feel the draw so much with this book maybe because there was the fact Bobby and Maggie were from America. And in America, it is a place that magic and myth are different or do not exist.

I would like to read the first book. Although I am not sure how much I will like it because I really did like Maggie and Moira. The first one is about Maggie’s father Bobby and O’Shaughnessey. Could be a fun little romp though. I do feel like there should be more reviews and I am surprised how little there are for this series.

Shannon's Review - The Enchanted World Of Jessica Galbreth

Title: The Enchanted World Of Jessica Galbreth

Series: N/A

Author: Jessica Galbreth

Genre: Art, Fantasy

Publisher:  Chimera Publishing

Received: as present

Release Date: July 2006

Pages: 160

Rating:

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Reviewing a art book is a little difficult. I am reviewing both the description of the art and the drawings themselves. What makes it hard is that every image is so beautiful that it hard to come up with so many adjectives to describe the awesomeness.

 As I flip through pictures of different fairies and mermaids I am inspired to create similar fantasy art. Looking at the wonderful watercolors I am drawn to how each composition comes together.  One of my struggles with painting is blending a background that goes with the images in the foreground.  

Jessica Galbreth has a well known style. You can see with each fairy how they seem to come from the same family or imagination.   

I hope studying this art helps me with my own art.  Only time will tell. I also hope to see more of Jessica Galbreth’s paintings in years to come.

Jessica Galbreth Official Websites:

Official Website:

http://www.thevintageangel.com/

Blog

N/A

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheVintageAngel

Twitter

https://twitter.com/jessicagalbreth

Shannon's Review - The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron King

Series: The Iron Fey #1

Author: Julie Kagawa

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Faeries,

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Received: Bought

Release Date: January 2010

Pages: 351

Rating:

Julie Kagawa’s Official Websites

Website

http://juliekagawa.com/wordpress/

Blog

http://juliekagawa.blogspot.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Kagawa-author/252661891438654

Twitter

https://twitter.com/Jkagawa

Etsy Store

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KagawaCrafts#

Shannon’s Thoughts:

The Iron King is the start of a lovable YA series about Faeries.  Most YA book with similar plots start out with the main character, in this case Meghan Chase, thinking that her life is somewhat boring or hard.  Only to realize that the original life she had was super easy compared to what she is now facing. Which is a life of folklore, magic and crucial future, that may get both her families in trouble or worse.

What The Iron King has going for it is likable characters.  As we travel through the book we meet characters reminiscent of Alice In Wonderland, The Wizard Of Oz, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. The story is quick paced although sometimes too quickly as scenes whirlwind by.  What I like about it is there more real life folklore brought to the story that some authors leave out of there fictional faerie stories.  

I mentioned that The Iron King was a little too quickly rushed.  Now that might be because I read it too quickly but I think it may be because I wanted more description in some scenes.  Now while I did like the book I was a little bored by the plot because I have read it in so many other fictional faerie or witch books.

I did more than a little liked The Iron King, which is the first book in a series called The Iron Fey.  It is a book for teens. Written with a teen in the lead.  Fans of Alice in Wonderland would probably really enjoy this adventure too.

Review - Zinnia's Magical Adventure by Pippa Le Quesne

Title: Zinnia’s Magical Adventure
Series: Tales From The Flower Fairies Garden
Author: Pippa Le Quesne
Genre: Children Chapter Book, Fantasy
Publisher: Frederick Warne Publishers Ltd
Received: Swapsite
Release Date: July 2006
Pages: 80
Rating: 

What is it About?

Zinnia the garden fairy gets lost on a adventure.


My Thoughts:

I love Cicely Mary Barker’s art of the fairies always have but the story in the book does not do them justice.  Sadly I was bored with the book.   I read then had to skim the story maybe mostly because well I read a lot of faery books and this one just had no real story.  Most the faery chapter books I have read have a lesson or moral.  I am not saying that every book should have that but the adventure was just plain boring.    

I did like the different character fairies they all seemed to have there own personality including the elves.

The art is great, book cover beautiful with a nothing to write home about tale.  This is first I have read in the flower fairies series and I think I would read another to see how it is but I was really disappointed in this one.

For those that might like the series or something similar take a look at Fairy School series by Gail Herman.

Website:
Official Flower Fairies Site
http://www.flowerfairies.co.uk


Author Pippa Le Quesne Facebook Page

http://www.facebook.com/PippaLeQuesne

Review - Marigold and The Feather of Hope by J. H. Sweet

Title: Marigold and the Feather of Hope
Series: The Fairy Chronicles
Author: J.H. Sweet
Genre: Children, Fantasy,
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Received: Swap site
Release Date:  May 2007
Pages: 128
Rating:

What is it About?

Young Beth Parish learns that she is a Marigold fairy.  She gains new fairy friends and a mentor in her aunt a Monarch Butterfly fairy.

My Thoughts:

Most of the fairy books for kids have the story of how the child finds out she a fairy and she goes on a adventure.   This was the same but the background to the fairy history was different and I enjoyed learning from the fairy handbook of Beth.   

It is cute the way they introduce other species like goblins and brownies into the fray of things.
Once things get going and you get past the introduction of Beth into fairy world all the little tidbits are just fun to read.   Like Dachshunds are good at keeping goblins away and fairies use nuts to keep in contact.   My most favorite little lesson was that when fairies met in circles (which don’t have to be circles by the way) they meet under different trees for the different wisdom or powers of that tree.

Overall entertaining once you get through the intro and I could see reading the rest of the series. Fans of these books might like The Fairy Godmother Academy series by Jan Bozarth.

Website:

Official Fairy Chronicles Website
http://www.fairychronicles.com/

See all of J.H. Sweet’s books
http://jhsweet.com/

Fairy Realm #1 - The Charm Bracelet by Emily Rodda

 
Title: Fairy Realm #1: The Charm Bracelet
Series: Fairy Realm
Author: Emily Rodda
Genre: Childrens Book, Juvenile Fiction
Publisher: Hapercollin Publishers
Received: From Swap Site
Release Date: April 2003
Pages: 128
Rating:


What is it About?
Jessie’s Grandmother is sick and Jessie and her mother must take care of her for a while.
Strange animals and creatures start to appear in the garden as Jessie Grandmother begans to  forget things.

My Thoughts:

The artwork for each chapter is so detailed and stunning. I love looking at it.  

The story of Jessie’s grandmother getting sick and her mother bringing her so they can take care of her is a believable story mixed into a land of fantasy.   

When Jessie enters The Fairy Realm it seems more like a dream then reality and while connected to Jessie’s grandmother and family it just seems like an unlikely story.   Yes, I know it is fantasy and a children’s book but something was missing in that step to keep the stories intertwined.
This book didn’t leave me begging to know more but curious to know what the rest of the series is like.  It does leave many unanswered questions which I guess is why it is a series.  I felt in some ways this book could have been long or more detailed in some places but yet too descriptive in others.

Website:

http://www.emilyrodda.com/

Fairy School: Hide and Peep by Gail Herman

Title: Fairy School: Hide And Peep
Series: Fairy School
Author: Gail Herman   
Genre: Childrens Book, Chapter Book
Publisher: Skylark
Received: From Swap site
Release Date: June 2000
Pages: 80
Rating:


What is it About?

The little fairies at Fairy School have a new homework assignment which is taking care of there very own special baby animal.  Since Trina does best at school she thinks this task should be easy if only her chick would act normal.  

My Thoughts:

Trina is having problems keeping her homework, a baby chick in line with the other baby chicks.

I thought this to be an adorable little tale of things going not as planned.  Poor little Trina tries her best to get her chick to eat things a regular baby chick would eat , play like a regular chick and sleep like one as well.   He does  every but what the book tells her he should.  Trina learns the hard way that even books can’t tell you how to do everything.  

Wonderful little thought out experience from Fairy School series!

Website:

There is a gailherman.com but I can not tell if this a official site or not.

How To See Faeries by John Matthews and Brian Froud

Title: How To See Faeries
Authors:John Matthews and Brian Froud
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher:   Abrahms. Harry Inc     
Received: I do not own
Release Date: April 2011
Pages:81
Rating:


What is it About?

This is not a new age book on how to see faeries.  This is a fantasy book with art and fun pull out and lift ups for children or adults.


My Thoughts:

This book is fun for all ages.  The front cover is a hologram image and like the book is fun to look at.  These are one of those book with pull tabs and lift the flaps.   

I would recommend you buy through online because these are the type of books that are fun to look at, at the stores but everyone looks at them so they have some wear and tear.  If you buy through online it will probably be in good shape.  

You really can not go wrong with any kind of faerie book that has Froud art.  If you are fan of faeries then you love the art already.

Website:

John Matthews
http://www.hallowquest.org.uk/

Brian Froud
http://www.worldoffroud.com/

The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones

Title: The Faerie Path   
Series: The Faerie Path#1
Author:Frewin Jones
Genre: Teen, Fantasy
Publisher:  Eos     
Received: Through a swap site
Release Date:     February 2007
Pages:312
Rating:

 
What is it About?

Anita and her boyfriend Evan go on a romantic boat ride in England..then something strange happens ..an accident.   Evan disappears and Anita grows wings or so she thought.  Everything is not what it seems even in Anita’s or should I say Tania’s world.


My Thoughts:

From beginning to finish I enjoyed this book.  It is a bit girly not just because of it being about Faerie but the mention of parallel between Romeo and Juliet.   Evan/Elrich mentions many time that Juliet is the sun meaning Anita/Tania is his sun or so it appears at first.

So there is romance, faeries, and danger what more could a girl ask for.  Not much really.  I will be enjoying the next couple books from this series.

Website:

http://www.allanfrewinjones.com/

Faery Friday!! Review - Prilla And The Trouble With Clumsies

 Title: Prilla and the Trouble with Clumsies
Series: Graphic Novel #1
Author(s): Stefan Petrucha
Genre: Children’s, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Papercutz                                    
Received: Read in a B&N
Release Date:     March 30, 2010
Finished: August 13, 2010
Pages: 80
Challenges: None
Rating: 

 

 






My Thoughts: This is the first in a series of graphic novels featuring 4 tales about the Disney fairies, started in book by Gail Carson Levine.

If you have not seen my other reviews on Disney fairies books, then let me just simply put it: I love them. I pretty much enjoyed all the stories I have read on them, and the movies. The tales in this book are short and sweet. The art is wonderful. These are a great addition to the fairy franchise.

About the Author: Stefan Petrucha is the author of many of the Nancy Drew graphic novels and a few teen books. Visit him at his website, http://www.petrucha.com.