Review: The Storyteller's Daughter by Cameron Dokey

The Storyteller's Daughter
by Cameron Dokey
YA, Fairy Tale
218 pages
published: 2002
For: Once Upon a Time Challenge
3.5 of 5 stars

About

This is a retelling of Arabian Nights, focusing mostly on Shahrazad's story and the story of the king.

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I haven't read the original fairy tale of Arabian Nights, and the only memory/association I have for it is a preview I saw as a kid for a TV movie. So I can't say how accurate or different this version is. But I enjoyed it.
 
I liked Shahrazad's story - about her mother and her storytelling gift. I like her father, the vizier, and her younger sister. I liked how different brotherly relationships were showcased in the novel. The really enjoyed the tall tales. I was surprised by this because sometimes I just want the side-stories to end so that I can return to the 'real' story, but this time I would sometimes forget about the 'real' story and wanted to get back to the book for the sake of the side-story. I must be a sucker for those lyrical tall tales. I liked exploring how the king became so cold-hearted and watching him struggle with himself. I liked that the storytelling gift came with a price, was something that had to be discovered instead of 'made up,' and that it was associated with cloth.

For all that, I must confess that this one isn't my favorite retelling by Dokey. I felt like the character's motivations were sometimes overdone. (Though this could be the fault of working with this particular fairy tale.)  What logical purpose does it serve to kill your wife the morning after? You won't get an heir that way. And I didn't fully understand Shahrazad's removal from the world - society, yes, but never going outside? That seems to make for insanity. The sequence of events got a tad confusing at the end and a few things were wrapped up too neatly. This seems an odd thing to say when referring to a fairy tale, but there it is. Perhaps some of my confusion has more to do with internal logic. There should have at least been textual reasons.

And I think I'm going to be sick if I endure any more references to "seeing with your heart" or "looking inside your own heart." But I don't know if that is the fault of this book or is indicative of me getting fairy taled out. Since I'm nearly done with the Once Upon a Time Challenge, being fairy taled out is perfectly fine.

Bits and Even Smaller Bits

So...I put in the new comment system. I love being able to reply directly, but I don't know if it is all worth it yet. Please let me know if it is miserable to use. If it takes to long to load or even if it won't let you comment at all. (Email me if that is the case.) I am not opposed to pulling the whole thing. BUT what is it going to take for blogger to make threading possible? Can we protest? Have a comment sit in? Throw rotten tomatoes? I've actually thought of moving my whole blog over this issue...but then I chillax and remember that I'm opposed to work in general and that sounds like WAY too much work. But Bloggies, we need a plan!

Our first ARC arrived this week! (Happy Dance ~ dada da DA) But it is really for my daughter. (Though I am absolutely going to read it first because I am over-protective like that.) This leads me to ponder (1) how strange/wondrous/unfair this world is that she gets her first ARC at 10 years old after 2 review posts, and (2) what an awesome Mom I am. Hehehe.

I've come to terms with the fact that I steal book summaries from Goodreads or whatnot. I do not know why, but it used to be that I would get so annoyed with writing out a summary that I would put off reviewing a book. Lame. But I'd stare at the screen and try several times...and it just wasn't fun. So my first solution was just to not summarize at all, this stemming from the idea that if I have read it, surely everyone else has since I'm always so far behind. I have come to realize that is not true. We all read very different things!! And if I come across a book review for a book I haven't read, I get really lost if there is no summary. The moral of this story: cntrl C, cntrl V and problem solved. Peace out.

I have put up new tabs (seesee) and linked all my reviews and I'm so proud of myself. :) But this made me realize that scanning through what I've reviewed doesn't give you much idea of what my favorite stuff is. Only what I've read in the last few months. I'm thinking I need to review some of my favorite things from the past and make my awesome lists look more awesome. That's the master plan.

Spring is here! Of course that means snow on the poor flowers as often as blue sky....but Spring! I am waiting for some fields in the mountains to pull out their blossoms so I can grab some more epic-type pictures. Wish me luck! I'm way excited for my Spring header. (And Spring picturing is far less hazardous than Winter. So nice.)

This in not related to books, but Somebody I dote on every day turned ONE this weekend. I'm in shock. But he is just so boo-tee-full. And is a cake throw-er. Who knew?

Ooh! And I learned how to put holds on at the library. Suh-weet. (Hush up! I may be slow, but I get there. :P ) And I took the kids to the library to look for Keturah and Lord Death, (which they said they had. LIARS.) and we left without any new books. You see, it's not that my Hellions squeal/scream/shriek or unshelf books or have to go to the bathroom as soon as we enter or run around - they do do all these things - but the problem is they get lost. As awful as they might be, I'm kinda attached and tend to panic when I can't locate them. Librarying will have to wait till Dear Husband is there to help corral. Or one-on-one library outings.

And I'm rambled out.

Review: Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama Mad at Mama
by Anna Dewdney
Picture Book
published: 2007
5 of 5 stars

About

Little Llama doesn't want to go shopping and he lets everyone know how much he hates it. But Mama Llama has some answers and helps disfuse the Llama Drama.

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At our house we LOVE this book. I had not read it until my Kyra begged for it from her Kindergarten book club order. It was cheap; I grabbed it. I am sure glad I did.

As a writer, and a poetry and aspiring picture book writer even, I am very particular about rhyming stories. The meter and rhyme has to be good. This little book delivers.

More than that, though, the story is very apt and touching. I know I'm just a sentimental mom, but when Mama Llama tells Little Llama about how she doesn't like shopping either, but at least they are together...I got chills. I also loved the seeing the shopping through Little Llama's point of view. And the glorious tantrum in the store is beautiful and painful and soSOso true to life.

The illustrations are darling. We all love to look at the llamas' funny hoofed feet and big ears. And Little Llama's pouty, angry, sulky faces are priceless. And the book is mercifully short - as a picture book should be. No one gets bored with the pictures before the words are finished.

Since this book's arrival in our home, my 3 year old has even asked many times to go shopping at the Shop-o-rama. (I did take me several minutes to figure out what she had said that first time!)

We highly recommend this book to all those families with more than their share of Llama Drama.

Review: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Lock and Key
by Sarah Dessen
YA
422 pages
published: 2008
3 of 5 stars

About

Ruby is used to taking care of herself. But now she's living in a fancy new house with her sister, Cora, a sister she hasn't seen in ten years and her husband, Jamie, creator of one of the most popular online networking sites. She's attending private school, wearing new clothes, and for the first time, feels the promise of a future that include college and her family. So why is she so wary? And what is Nate the adorable and good-hearted boy next door hiding behind his genial nature? As Ruby starts to see, there's a big difference between being given help, and being able to accept it. And sometimes, in order to save yourself, you've got to reach out to someone else. - from Goodreads

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This is my first Sarah Dessen novel and I enjoyed it. I was very drawn into the characters' story. I especially liked Cora and Jamie - one a candidate for nicest guy on earth and the other almost unlikable...at first. I liked how first impressions were not correct. The sisters' forced relationship felt real to me. I know what the awkwardness is like when you are with someone you should, and did, know, but do not know any longer. And my situation doesn't come with as much hurt or misunderstandings! I liked that Jamie wasn't all perfect, but was obsessive almost to a fault, gullible, and possessing of a temper. The secondary characters were the best part for me.

I liked the themes of the book: independence versus accepting help, family, self-reliance, giving of yourself, accepting people for who they are and what they can give. I liked the progress Ruby made towards letting others in and building her own family.

While reading it, I felt pulled along because of the characters. It was definitely a character driven novel as not much actually happened.

I did NOT appreciate the casual sex and drug use, though the sex at least was off screen. The drug use was flagrant. Is that normal for a Dessen novel?? That is what lost the book a star . But all in all, this was a good read for me - no war, no slavery, no hugeness. Happy day.

Listful Mondays: Book Places Not of this World I Want to Visit/See/Live In Forever and Ever

Book Places Not of This World that I Want to Visit/See/Live in Forever and Ever

Some worlds have names and some worlds, not so much. I've used the world name if I could, and the first book of the series when I couldn't. If the make-believe world was in our world, I had to use the book title as well. (I couldn't just keep saying Earth!)


All clear? Ready? (* = 'and sequels')

1. Pern (Anne McCaffrey) - I can't even tell you how badly I want to be a dragon rider and have a fire lizard. Life. Long. Ambition.
2. Krynn (Dragonlance - Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman) - To meet a kender... To Hang in Solace... To see the elven city with all the aspens... Ahhh...
3. Hogwarts (Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling) - I'll go anywhere if I can wave a wand and have my dishes washed and dinner cooked.
4. Fablehaven * (Brandon Mull) - Fairies. Brownies. Hugo.
5. Midkemia (Raymond E. Fiest) - Castles + magic = Awesome.
6. Garion's World (Belgariad - David Eddings) - Can I have Garion too?
7. Prydain (Prydain Chronicles - Lloyd Alexander) - An oracle pig? I'm so there.
8. The Lightning Thief * (Rick Riordan) -  Ambrosia, anyone?
9. The Rowan * (Anne McCaffrey) - If I got to pick a super-power it would SO be telepath and port.
10. Magyk * (Angie Sage) - I'd love to fly.
11. Alagaesia (Christopher Paolini) - Sometimes you just want to join the battle for good and hack some people up. Though I'd prefer to have a dragon of my own!
12. Sister's Grimm * (Michael Buckley) - Just keep me clear of Grandma's cooking!
13. Narnia (C.S. Lewis) - Meeting Aslan would rock!
14. Middle Earth (J.R.R. Tolkien) - Oh to see the elven forest and the hobbit village!
15. The Sword of Shannara *(Terry Brooks) - I think the wishsong would be grand. And I could give Allanon a piece of my mind.
16. Bayern (Shannon Hale) - I want to talk to the wind too.
17. The Eye of the World * (Robert Jordan) - I'd like to see the white tower and other ogier architecture.
18. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy * (Douglas Adams) - I find absurdity hilarious. I'm so over Earth.
19. Alcatraz  Versus the Evil Librarains * (Brandon Sanderson) - I want my own talent. Maybe not washing dishes.
20. Elantris (Brandon Sanderson) - Drawing + magic = Pretty Power.
21. Mistborn * (Brandon Sanderson) - Metal...yum.
22. Princess Academy (Shannon Hale) - I would enjoy communicating through stone.

Observations:

1. There are many many worlds I DON'T want to visit. They include, but are not limited to, dystopian worlds. 
2. I don't know how I'd ever pick just one. But there's a possibility the dragons would win out. Unless I could have Garion. :)

Where would you like to go?

{Next week: Book Pet Peeves.}

Jadyn's Review: The Sugar Plum Ballerinas by Whoopi Goldberg

THE SUGAR PLUM BALLERINAS
by Whoopi  Goldberg
MG
151 pages
published: 2008
**** out of 5

Alexandrea moved away from where she used to live and things get a litte screwed up.
Epatha feels like a real person and but I understand her best.
Alexandrea learns that when you always mess up friends are nice to have (especially  helpful ones).
I like the friendship that began.
Mainly what I liked was the story of friendship and trustworthy girls that stick up for each other and trust each other.............................................................................after a while.

Hopping 'Round

I'm back at Crazy-for-Books for another hop this week, where you find other bloggers to visit and drag bloggy visitors to you. It's lots of fun! Come join us!

And let me know if you came by from that-a-way. Happy happy Friday! (I'm going to see the dragon movie tonight!!!)

Book Moments in Photos

That is a headband that Jadyn has reassigned as a bookmark/handle. I thought her very clever and funny. And that book is the second in an awesome series by Kathleen Duey. I really need to get around to reviewing some of the backlog.

This guy loves book too. He likes to hit himself in the head with them. He likes to steal them and run away. He likes to open and close them. He likes to rip out pages. But mostly (you guessed it) he likes to eat them. Somehow, I know just how he feels. That does not, however, make it okay that he ATE my signed copy of Fablehaven. Cretin.

Review: Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush Hush
by Becca Fitzpatrick
YA, Paranormal
391 pages
published: 2009
1 of 5 stars

About (As if You Didn't Know)

Average-ish girl meets dark/handsome/mysterious boy in biology and her world is turned upsidedown. Here's goodreads if you want a "better" summary.

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*Spoilers - left and right! Duck!*
Observations:

• We'll just get his out there first: I didn't get so much of a rape vibe from Patch even though I was prepped for it and looking for it. What I got most was an 'I'm going to kill you...and enjoy it cuz you're oh so pretty, and cuz you're so dumb, you're going like it too' vibe. Nice.
• I wanted to like Nora. I wanted to feel bad for her. I wanted to be scared for her. I could not. That girl was too stupid to live. Go right ahead and die Nora. I don't care at all. But yes, run first, it's more enjoyable if you run.
• I know it was supposed to be dark and scary, but again, I couldn't be darked or scareded. It was only amusing.
• Patch has got to be the rudest, most condescending,  unlikeable, icky, insulting love interest I have ever encountered. Ew. Sorry Patch, I don't care about you either.
• The Twilight parallels were too obvious and ubiquitous to be anything but funny.
• World building flaws abounded.
• Can you say - too many bad guys? Geez. Everybody and their dog wanted a piece of that girl. I actually kept getting confused and had to stop and remind myself why this person wanted to kill her.
• Vee was the most annoying character. Just saying.
• Nora was the most inconsistent character I've ever read.
• There were several shotguns that were never fired. (1) Was her father really just murdered during a random act of violence? (2) What was up with that roller coaster?
• There are awfully low standards for getting one's wings back.

Things I Don't Get:

• I really don't mean to be terribly judgmental, but I don't understand how fear and arousal can exist at the same time. Unless you are messed up.
• Nora doesn't trust him, thinks he's speaking to her in her head, thinks he's going to kill her...AND YET runs off with him at every opportunity. Gack.
• Nora is upset and embarrassed about being a sex object - then ties a scarf around her chest and calls it a shirt. 
• How 'bout this dynamic: "I am restraining myself from killing you - see how much I love you?"
• If Patch fell for loving a mortal, how does he have wings at the end when he still loves a mortal?
• By what authority can a fallen angel tear the wings from a yet-to-fall angel? Mayhem! And how did that solve the problem anyway? Dabria could still show up and kill the stinkin' girl.
• Would a guy really want sex so bad if he couldn't feel it?
• If a fallen angel can only inhabit a body during what-ever-that-month-was and maybe only a half-angel's body (not real clear on that) how did Patch jump into Nora? I know, I know, it was hard and only lasted a little while, but if it was impossible before...
• How did Patch know Nora was a descendant?
• Why was Elliot still loyal to Jules when the original motivation was the money and staying at his rich school. That didn't work out...so why was he hanging around?
• I realize Jules was bent out of shape because Patch took his body for two weeks a year, but why was he SO upset about it? I mean, I'm pretty sure all Patch did was sleep around, which is basically all that Jules did. That's what he was doing when we first met him. And obviously Patch didn't keep too close a tabs on him during the rest of year. Melodrama much, Dude?
• Why is a mother whose husband was just murdered fine with leaving her daughter alone every night?
• Why does Vee's family let her go out the next day after a violent attack and surgery? Frankly, she would have been in too much pain to move.
• If killing Nora would give Patch everything he had wanted for hundred of years, why did he need opportunities to get closer? Why enroll in school? Why talk and date and pine? Why not just grab the useless mortal, run off and kill her?
• This dynamic is unfathomable: "You don't like me? You don't want to kiss/date/hang with me? Too bad! I'll pick you up at 5." "Oh okay. Let me slip into something completely revealing so you'll stop eyeballing me." Yes, I mentioned the scarf already. Sorry. But am I supposed to be romanticized because he is overbearing and forceful?
• Nora was scared out of her mind, but never told her Mom because that might mean moving. Hmm. Memories and the house were nice, but would anyone's survival instinct be over-ridden by that? 

I'm bored with this. Not a good book. Not a book impressionable girls should read. But please don't think I'm all worked up and HATE this book, because I'm not and I don't. I might well rant about type-cast love interests later, though. But we'll end on a positive note.

• I read this book in one evening. Fast read. Interesting. Morbidly so, but hey, a page turner is a page turner.
• It was amusing. 

Smile! You're on an Awards Show!

In the last month I have received this award from two generous bloggers, Star Shadow and Queen Bee. Thank you again - you made my month. (My apologies for not posting sooner - I usually have limited time and I give priority to my reviews so I don't forget what I want to say. Today Little Mr. Wiggly Butt has fallen asleep so I have TWO hands!)

7 things about me:

1. I name things. It makes it easier to talk about them or direct people to find things on them. For example, the little counter by the oven where miscellaneous things get piled is Mike. The settee by the front door is Nora. The round table that has been chopped short to be a coffee table of sorts in the front room is Arthur. The list could go on and on.
2. I get my nose, rather than my chin, wet when I eat a whole apple . (It's all in the wrist.)
3. I am from Northern California. No, I mean NORTHERN California. A city called Redding that is about 2 hours south of the Oregon border. It is a beautiful hot place with huge lakes, forests, mountains, and rivers. And only 3 hours from the ocean. I miss it.
4. My favorite color is green.
5. I am 4 credits away from my BA in English with a creative writing emphasis at BYU.
6. I decorated my family room in pumpkins and leaves because I love Fall so much I can't bear to put it away for a year.
7. I have an irrational fear of worms.

Passing this on to bloggers who have BEAUTIFUL blogs:

1. Erin at Bookish in a Bow
2. Stacy at A Novel Source
3. Brenda at Brenda Loves Books
4. Morgan at Smitten with Books

 

 This one was also given to me by Queen Bee. Happy Dance!

So 7 more things about me (so that you'll know more than you ever wanted):

1. I wish I could swing all day. I wish my bed were a swing.
2. I have one poem published in Ladybug Magazine and one more supposedly coming out in some future issue some day.
3. I hate mayonnaise and love barbecue sauce.
4. I make up songs and sing a lot over the course of the day. I forget most of them.
5. I have weathered preemie-hood, have a son with ADHD, and a spirited daughter (THIS book is life-saving)...so nothing surprises me. 
6. I care nothing about professional or college sports, current fashion trends, or TV shows.
7. I am a tomboy. My heart goes pitter-pat for camping and hiking and boots and Cabella's and trees.

Passing it On to those with HONEST blogs:

1. Christy at Dearest Dreams
2. Michelle at Michelle Teacress
3. Bookscoops
4. Kim at Good Clean Reads

 (I changed the rules a bit because it was getting too stressful. This blogging thing can't get stressful. That's what I have those 5 kids for!)