Mini Review: Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

Publication Date: September 2009
Book Acquisition: free ebook download

Book Summary:

What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?
Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.
In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams… (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
The possibility of Anastasia Romanov surviving the horrific murder of her family in that dark basement so many years ago is a tale most of us have heard before. The story that Joy has created in Dreaming Anastasia is one I'm sure you have never heard before. Straight out of fantasy - a fantasy that involves a secret bloodline, magic spells and the witch Baba Yaga, Dreaming Anastasia was an absorbing read for me.

Set against the backdrop of modern day Chicago we meet Anne. A seemingly normal girl with a not so normal problem - finding out she is the one destined to save Anastasia.

I connected to Anne right away and I very much enjoyed her story. Dreaming Anastasia had a science fiction / fantasy / historical novel / paranormal romance feel to it. If you think that's too much going on at once, it really isn't. Joy did a fabulous job weaving in all elements. The magical brotherhood, the story of Anastasia and her family and Anne and Ethan - all connected in a way that just made this book work.

I was left with a few unanswered questions regarding the plot that I would love to pick Joy's brain about! Really made me crave book 2, which is in stores now so no need to wait!

Overall, a great read for me. Joy is a 2009 debut author that I'm really glad I 'discovered'. Looking forward to more from her in the future.

Overall Rating:

4 / 5 Stars

Books in the Series:
Dreaming Anastasia
Haunted

Mini Review: Beautiful Dead: Jonas by Eden Maguire

Age: 13+
Publication Date: March 2010

Book Acquisition: bought new paperback

Book Summary:

Something strange is happening in Ellerton High. Phoenix is the fourth teenager to die within a year. His street fight stabbing follows the deaths of Jonas, Summer and Arizona in equally strange and sudden circumstances. 

Rumours of ghosts and strange happenings rip through the small community as it comes to terms with shock and loss. Darina,Phoenix's grief-stricken girlfriend, is on the verge. She can't escape her intense heartache, or the impossible apparitions of those that are meant to be dead. And all the while the sound of beating wings echo inside her head! And then one day Phoenix appears to Darina. 

Ecstatic to be reunited, he tells her about the Beautiful Dead. Souls in limbo, they have been chosen to return to the world to set right a wrong linked to their deaths and bring about justice. Beautiful, superhuman and powerful, they are marked by a 'death mark' - a small tattoo of angel's wings. Phoenix tells her that the sound of invisible wings beating are the millions of souls in limbo, desperate to return to earth.Darina's mission is clear: she must help Jonas, Summer, Arizona, and impossibly, her beloved Phoenix, right the wrong linked to their deaths to set them free from limbo so that they can finally rest in peace. Will love conquer death? And if it does, can Darina set it free? (from Goodreads)

Review:
There are a lot of things I liked about this book. The first thing I noticed while reading was how much I was enjoying the romance part of the story. Phoenix is dead, but he came back and he's still in Darina's life. Their relationship is already established before we, as readers, enter the story. It was refreshing not reading a wishy-washy, love at first sight, happens too quickly to be believable, romance story.

Another thing I really liked was the fact that The Beautiful Dead are zombies! Ok, not your typical night of the living dead variety but zombies none the less. They even give reasons as to how zombies got pegged as gross, decaying, monsters. The Beautiful Dead are, well, beautiful. Perfect but doomed.

There is a mystery aspect and I wasn't sure how it was going to play out but I was very happy with the ending. Poor Darina though. I'm curious how she's going to make it through the rest of the series without having some sort of mental breakdown.

Can't wait to read more!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

The Beautiful Dead Series:

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older,sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my readers**

Mini Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Age: 12+
Publication Date: August 2007

Book Acquisition: bought used paperback

Book Summary:

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever. (from Goodreads)

Review:
I have no idea why I waited so long to read this one. I bought a copy ages ago but it just sat on my shelf. When I finally did pick it up - pretty much couldn't put it down until I was done! So so so good! Now I know why so many people were going fangirl ga ga at BEA over meeting Richelle :)

These days, young adult vampire stories are pretty much everywhere. Vampire Academy, to me, stands out from the crowd. Everything was spot on - the character development, the setting, the fantastic world Richelle created -- I loved it all. One of the cool things, I thought, was the fact that we pretty much get all vampires in this story. It's a vampire cultural documentary :)

If you haven't started this series, and you like vampire stories - good vampire stories - you need to pick up a copy of Vampire Academy, With 6 books in the series - I can't wait to see where Richelle will lead me next!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

The Vampire Academy Series:
1. Vampire Academy
2. Frostbite
3. Shadow Kiss
4. Blood Promise
5. Spirit Bound
6. Last Sacrifice (December 7, 2010)

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older,sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my readers**

Mini Review: Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure by Allan Richard Shickman

Age: 12+
Publication Date: July 2007

Book Acquisition: received a finished copy from the publisher

My Rating: 4 / 5 Stars

(from Goodreads)

The hero, Zan-Gah seeks his lost twin in a savage prehistoric world, encountering suffering, captivity, conflict, love, and triumph. In three years, Zan-Gah passes from an uncertain boyhood to a tried and proven manhood and a position of leadership among his people.

Review:
I have to say, this was my first "prehistoric adventure" story. I was a little skeptical at first. I was very curious to see how the author went about telling a prehistoric tale.

We don't ever know exactly where Zan-Gah and his people live or even in exactly what time period they lived in. These facts, for me, are what made the story so compelling. I didn't need these facts. The imagry was amazing and the characters were so real to me.

This is a book I can see myself reading again and again. From the very first page I was draw into the story. I needed to know what happened to Zan-Gah and his people. The adventure he has is pretty amazing and I enjoyed it all.

I can see young readers, both boys and girls, really liking this story. It's different from most books out there and I think this would appeal to a lot of readers.

I have the second book in the series, Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country and I'm very much looking forward to reading it.

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older,sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my readers**

Mini Review: The Solstice Cup by Rachel Dunstan Muller

Age: 12+ (my guess)
Publication Date: April 2009

Book Acquisition: bought a new paperback copy

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

(from publisher's website)

Twins don't always see eye to eye.

Something sinister happened to Mackenzie's twin sister Breanne the last time the two girls were in Ireland. Now they're back and the winter solstice is approaching. Breanne scoffs at their elderly relatives' tales of fair folk and banshees and the thin barrier between two worlds, but Mackenzie remembers what happened to Breanne five years before—at the summer solstice. Mackenzie is convinced the Otherworld is real, but is it a place of enchantment or enslavement for humans?

My Review:
This book was a total impulse buy for me. It was tucked away on a shelf at my local bookstore and I couldn't resist it's pretty little cover. I'm glad I did because I very much enjoyed the story. A true fairy tale about what might happen to you if you tread too close to where fairies roam.
Twins Mackenzie and Breanne couldn't be more different. These differences are only heightened after the summer solstice spent in Ireland after which, nothing is the same and they must find a way to work together.
Such a fun tale! I loved the Otherworld of the fair folk and I loved the interplay between the sisters.
A quick read, I recommend this one to fans of fairy stories who are looking for an enjoyable, light read.

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my readers**

Mini Review: Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Title: Elsewhere
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Publication Date: August 2005
Book Acquisition: bought new paperback

(from Goodreads)

Welcome to Elsewhere. It is warm, with a breeze, and the beaches are marvelous. It’s quiet and peaceful. You can’t get sick or any older. Curious to see new paintings by Picasso? Swing by one of Elsewhere’s museums. Need to talk to someone about your problems? Stop by Marilyn Monroe’s psychiatric practice. 

Elsewhere is where fifteen-year-old Liz Hall ends up, after she has died. It is a place so like Earth, yet completely different. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth. But Liz wants to turn sixteen, not fourteen again. She wants to get her driver’s license. She wants to graduate from high school and go to college. And now that she’s dead, Liz is being forced to live a life she doesn’t want with a grandmother she has only just met. And it is not going well. How can Liz let go of the only life she has ever known and embrace a new one? Is it possible that a life lived in reverse is no different from a life lived forward? 

This moving, often funny book about grief, death, and loss will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.

Elsewhere is my second Gabrielle Zevin book and I have to say, I'm impressed :) I really enjoyed this one. Such a different take on the afterlife. I really liked how it wasn't heaven (or hell for that matter) - Elsewhere is unlike any place I could have imagined. Aging backwards? At first I couldn't see how Zevin was going to pull it off - but she did. It was so interesting to see Liz come to terms not only with her death but with her new life as well.
A really sweet book! Love and hope and family and friends in such a unique setting. I really loved where all the characters wound up in the end and I'm very much looking forward to reading more by Zevin.

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my readers**
**This book was read as part of The Neverending Shelf's Clear the Clutter Challenge -- I loved it so much that I'm keeping it!**

Mini Review: Demon Chick by Marilyn Kaye

CHALLENGE BOOK: Clear Away The Clutter

Title: Demon Chick
Author: Marilyn Kaye
Publication Date: September 2009
Book Acquisition: won an ARC from a fellow blogger
(from Goodreads)

Jessica may not have the warmest relationship with her mother, aspiring presidential candidate Margaret Hunsucker, but it still comes as a shock when she discovers that her mother has sold her to the devil. Will she have to spend eternity in hell with one of Satan’s minions, a demon named Brad? Brad takes pains to explain that they live in one of hell’s better neighborhoods, and he seems like a nice enough guy—but still! And things only get worse when Jessica learns the full extent of her mother’s evil plans. Can she and Brad come up with a plan to save the world?
These and other pressing questions are all answered in Marilyn Kaye’s delightfully satirical Demon Chick.

This book sat on my shelf for a while before I read it and it really is a shame because it was such an enjoyable book. You think your mom is bad? Has she ever sold your soul to the devil? Jessica's did. It was both horrible and a little funny. You see, because hell really isn't what she thought it would be. Well, at least not in the neighborhood that her demon keeper Brad lives in. I was very intrigued by the hell Kaye has presented. It really wasn't all that bad...but it wasn't all the good either. It's boring and dull - a place where you aren't expected to enjoy yourself. What I loved about Jessica is that she finds a way to make the most of it. 

A light, playful story about hell :) Oh - and with just enough romance to make it interesting. The ending was actually very sweet.

4/5 Stars

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my reader**

Mini Review: Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolaz

Title: Deadly Little Secret
Author: Laurie Faria Stoalrz
Publication Date: December 2008
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars

Some secrets shouldn't be kept...

Up until three months ago, everything in sixteen-year-old Camelia's life had been fairly ordinary: decent grades; an okay relationship with her parents; and a pretty cool part-time job at the art studio downtown. But when Ben, the mysterious new guy, starts junior year at her high school, Camelia's life becomes anything but ordinary.

Rumored to be somehow responsible for his ex-girlfriend's accidental death, Ben is immediately ostracized by everyone on campus. Except for Camelia. She's reluctant to believe the rumors, even when her friends try to convince her otherwise. She's inexplicably drawn to Ben...and to his touch. But soon, Camelia is receiving eerie phone calls and strange packages with threatening notes. Ben insists she is in danger, and that he can help--but can he be trusted? She knows he's hiding something... but he's not the only one with a secret.

From the best-selling author of Blue is for Nightmares comes a story of paranormal romance that's sure to be a thrilling and chilling teen favorite.

I really liked this book. It was nice to read about a paranormal experience that wasn't focused on the main character. Ben seems to have so many secrets and at times I really wished the book was written from his point of view so we could get some answers!

Camelia's best friend really bugged me. She seemed like a very stereotypical boy crazed teenager. Like everything out of her mouth was related to boys in some way. I have to say, she was a good friend it was just, at times, I couldn't understand how Camelia could put up with her :)

I haven't read the second book in the series yet but I'm looking forward to it. I didn't think there was very much left untold by the end of Deadly Little Secret so I'm interested in seeing what more of the story we haven't heard.

The Touch Series
Deadly Little Secrets (2008)
Deadly Little Lies (2009)

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my reader**

Mini Review: Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Title: Eyes Like Stars
Author: Lisa Mantchev
Publication Date: July 2009
Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars

Enter Stage Right
All her world's a stage.
Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.
She is not an orphan, but she has no parents.
She knows every part, but has no lines of her own.
Until now.
Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every place ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.
Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.
Open Curtain

I read Eyes Like Stars last year and in anticipation of the 2nd book in the series, Perchance to Dream (May 2010), I read it again. I'm having a hard time reviewing this one. I liked it, I really did. I thought the story was very unique and I loved the hidden secretes / mystery aspect. I'm not too sure I like Ariel though - I know! Some of you are saying, what's wrong with you? Maybe some of you agree with me? I would love to hear your thoughts!

I really grew to love Bertie, she just made the book for me. Oh, and I love love love her fairy friends :) I thought I would be annoyed by them always fluttering around Bertie all the time but they were pretty wonderful.

I'm so curious as to what will happen in Perchance to Dream. There is so much that Bertie doesn't know - so much to discover and I have a feeling there are more secrets waiting for her.

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my reader**

Book Review: The Merchant Of Venice: The Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds

CHALLENGE BOOK: Graphic Novels

CHALLENGE BOOK: Support Your Local Library

Title: The Merchant of Venice A Graphic Novel
Adapted and Illustrated by: Gareth Hinds
Based on the play by: William Shakespeare
Publication Date: May 2008
My rating: 4 / 5 Stars

With elegant, contemporary artwork and a faithful but succinct adaptation, this graphic novel casts a classic drama in a provocative new light.

Here is the tale of young Bassanio, who, to win the love of fair Portia, entangles his dearest friend, Antonio, in a dangerous bargain with the moneylender Shylock. Only Bassanio’s heartfelt efforts — and a clever intervention by Portia — will save Antonio from paying Shylock "a pound of flesh." Moody and mesmerizing, this graphic novel adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s more controversial plays boasts a chic modern cast, high drama, and all the dark, familiar beauty of Venice. 

In the words of the author the "text is greatly alteered from the orginial", with large amounts cut inculding scenes and cahracters. Some modern prose as been added but most of the dialog is verse. Having never read the actual play, I can't say how this graphic novel has been altered but I did really enjoy it.

If nothing else, I got the gist of the play - including some wonderful prose.
I still don't know how I feel about reworked classics but I would recommed this one to anyone willing to give a reworking a try.

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my reader**

Mini Reveiw: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Title: The Host
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publication Date: 2008

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.

Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves-Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

(from PaperBackSwap)

This book very much surprised me :) Now, don't get me wrong, I liked the Twilight Saga. I liked it. I didn't love it nor did I think it was a litterry masterpiece. The writting was ok, the story was ok. The characters were ok. They were the only works by Meyer's that I had read. SO! I was expecting the same from The Host - and ok book. A good read but nothing to rage on about.

BUT! If I wanted to? I really could rage on about it!

I really really liked this book! I thought the setting was excellent, the chracters well developed and the story unique. It totally blew me away! I was not expecting such a great scinece fiction book out of The Host.

The imagery that Meyer's presents stayed with me. So much so that even now, more then a year since I have read the book , I can still picture every scene in my head.What I also liked was the fact that the story is as much about Melanie and her fellow humans as it is about Wanderer and her alien species. You get both sides of the story

If anything, I wasn't overally fond of the ending. I wanted a little more closure.

I would highly recommend this book to sci fi fans. And although it's labeled 'adult' verses YA I think it would appeal to a younger audience.

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my reader**

Mini Review: Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn

Title: Summers at Castle Auburn
Author: Sharon Shinn
Publication Date: 2001

Coriel, the illegitimate daughter of a high-ranking aristocrat, spends most of her life learning herbal medicine from her grandmother, but she spends her summers with her half-sister, Elisandra, at the royal castle where Prince Byran resides.
Corie has always been secretly in love with Byran, but she is slowly realizing that he is a spoiled, selfish, dangerous man - and that Elisandra dreads her upcoming marriage to the prince.
Corie hopes tht the prince's cousin Kent will save Elisandra, while she wonders if the taciturn guard Roderick might play a bigger part of her own life.

(from author's website)

Named to the ALA list of Best Books for Young Adults

Sharon Shinn is one of my favorite authors and this book is one that I find myself reading at least once a year. It's a simple story really, with realalistic characters set against a fantasy setting. There is some romance involved but it's not over done. The characters are very likable. Especially Elisandra. She's such a strong young woman and I find myself admiring her every time I read this book.

Summers at Castle Auburn is very much a feel good type of book for me. It always makes me smile :)

If you have never read anything by Sharon Shinn, I would recommend this book. She writes both YA and Adult fantasies and I adore them all.

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my reader**

Mini Review: The Wish List by Eoin Colfer

Title: The Wish List
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publication Date: 2003

Eoin Colfer has made millions of fans around the world with his much-loved character, Artemis Fowl, the star of his hugely best-selling series. Now, in a beautifully written novel that is already breaking records in his native Ireland, Colfer introduces readers to a lovable but troubled heroine, who has been given the opportunity for a special kind of redemption. Meg Finn is in trouble-unearthly trouble. Cast out of her home by her stepfather after her mother's death, Meg is a wanderer, a troublemaker. But after her latest stunt, finding a place to sleep is the least of her worries. Belch, her partner in crime, has gotten her involved in the attempted robbery of an elderly man, Lowrie McCall. And things go horribly wrong. After an accidental explosion, Meg's spirit is flung into limbo, and a race begins between the demonic and the divine to win her soul. Irreverent, hilarious, and touchingly hopeful, The Wish List takes readers on a journey of second chances, where joy is found in the most unexpected places.

(from PaperBackSwap)

I have pretty much loved everything I have read by Eoin Colfer. Even though I did like The Wish List, so far, I would have to say it is my least favoirte book by the author.
It was a pretty easy read. The characters were definitely interesting. Meg gets herself in trouble, dies, and while on it's way to Hell, her spirit is misdirected.This places her in limbo - fighting to right the wrongs she committed in life in order to make it to Heaven. Simple enough right? The only problem I had was with the fact that Meg was on her way to Hell in the first place. She wasn't actually a bad person - Hell seemed like a pretty hard punishment to me.
The Wish List is an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to any fan of Colfer's

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my reader**

Mini Review: The Body Of Christpoher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci

Title: The Body of Christopher Creed
Author: Carol Plum-Ucci
Publication Date: 2000

Things don't have to be SANE when they're NORMAL

Christopher Creed was a freak, a werido - the kind of kid who makes other people feel uncomfortable,. But even more disconcerting was his disappearance. Was it murder? Suicide? Abduction? Or did Chris Creed just run away? He's simply gone without a trace, and nobody in his small hometown of Steepleton knows what to think.

The only apparent clue - a cryptic e-mail message written twenty-four hours before Chris turned up missing - draws sixteen-year-old Torey Adams into the mystery and sets him on a path filled with terror and pain. Soon vicious accusations are flying around Steepleton, pitting freinds against one another. And the truth just keeps getting more twisted. Will Torey ever find out what really happened to Chris Creed?

(back cover)

A Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

An IRA-CBC Children's Choice

This book was creepy - in a good way. Pure mystery with an ambiguous ending which was kinda awesome in my book :)
Torey's world is turned completely around when Chris Ceed disappears. They weren't friends, they weren't enemies but Torey can't stop thinking about Chris and what happened to him. And what did happen to him? Does anyone know?
The events that unfold in Steepleton could happen in any small town. The characters in this book were very well developed and it was easy to feel connected to them.

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my reader**

Mini Review: Green Angel by Alice Hoffman

Title: Green Angel
Author: Alice Hoffman
Publication Date: 2003

Left on her own when her family dies in a terrible disaster, fifteen-year-old Green is haunted by loss and by the past. Struggling to survive physically and emotionally in a place where nothing seems to grow and ashes are everywhere, Green retreats into the ruined realm of her garden. But in destroying her feelings, she also begins to destroy herself, erasing the girl she'd once been as she inks darkness into her skin. It is only through a series of mysterious encounters that Green can relearn the lessons of love and begin to heal enough to tell her story.

(from PaperBackSwap)

This book was truly moving. Green is a wonderful character. All alone, she transforms herself to protect herself. But even in the darkest night, a light will shine. Green follows this light and finds she is able to love again.
A very short book but well worth the read if happen upon a copy.

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my readers**