A Curse Dark As Gold

by Elizabeth C. Bunce

A Curse Dark As Gold is take on the classic fairy tale, Rumpelstiltskin. We all know what a pushover I am for books like these, especially ones that are less often spun.

I will admit that I'm a bit behind in my reviews, so, while I'm sure I had a few distinct impressions about this one, I'm not exactly sure what they were. I did enjoy that the dark story remained true to its original vein and that, while there was a good amount of creepy, curse-y and paranormal happenings, it didn't get to be too unbelievable. I also liked that there were multiple antagonists, both realistic and supernatural. This facet made the story more complex as I tried to sort out if and how certain events were connected. The setting, in England at the pivotal beginning of the Industrial Revolution, also complemented the story well, marrying the primitive, seemingly sinister with the glorious promise of new horizons.

I enjoyed the romance that was woven into the story, but it really irritated me that Charlotte refused to confide in her husband, choosing omission and deception instead, (that never goes over well) especially when she chooses to give her uncle, an over the top dandy she's never met before, so much credit. Overall, the characters were wonderfully developed and there were many personalities within the story.

The Mermaid's Madness

by Jim C. Hines
The Mermaid's Madness is a companion to The Stepsister Scheme. I say companion, because it doesn't necessarily continue any plot from the first book, although it does continue shortly after the conclusion of The Stepsister Scheme.

I really enjoyed getting to know these characters better. I loved the plot of this second book and the way it continues on in revealing the truth behind beloved fairy tales. Adventure, intrigue, romance and sacrifice were all prevalent in this story. It was fun and engaging, heartbreaking and tragic. I can't wait for the next installment!

A Company of Swans

by Eva Ibbotson

Ms. Ibbotson, you've outdone yourself.

I am a huge fan of Eva Ibbotson and I think I'm close to having read all of her books. This one is by far my favorite. It kept many of Ibbotson's trademark themes, but it was the largest departure from her other books.

Harriet is a typical character of the author. She is strong within herself, but not overbearing, almost timid in her interactions. She is pretty, but not beautiful in an obvious way and is outshone by most of the other female characters in the book. That being said, Harriet is special. She is smart and kind and has a gift for dancing. She runs away, not to a European countryside, which one might expect from Ibbotson, but to South America, to dance with a small ballet company. There, she meets Rom. Again, typical in his good looks, his rags to riches past and his money grubbing ex-love. However, Rom is a philanthropist, and a kind one at that. I loved this character. Usually the men in Ibbotson's books are arrogant and conceited and can't believe they are attracted or drawn to in any way someone below their lofty status.

The difference in the love story was pronounced as well. Rom falls in love with Harriet with no mind for any other woman. His greedy, contriving ex spends the entire book trying to get back to him so she can woo him with her feminine wiles and their shared past. Harriet and Rom's true obstacle takes form in Harriet's unwelcome fiance, a cold and controlling Father and a shrewish Aunt.

I love this book and I know it is one I will read over and over again. Ibbotson's prose is, as always, breathtaking, her descriptive imagery unrivaled and her characters compelling and dynamic.

Snow White and Rose Red

by Patricia C. Wrede
Snow White and Rose Red is another take of the classic Grimm Brothers fairy tale. I've never read the original story and I've actually never read anything this closely based on the original, so I'm not certain what aspects deter from the Grimm's take.

The book was a little slow for me, but I ended up liking it. I enjoyed the way the villains were almost unintentionally at odds with the sisters. I've procrastinated in writing this review and now a lot of the details of the story escape me. This isn't a favorite, but it was a good read and an interesting story filled with romance, magic and the true love of family.

The Shack

by William P. YoungThe Shack, although on the bestsellers list, is not a book that I would randomly pick off the shelf at the library. I read it on the recommendation of a co-worker that is a self-professed non-reader. It took me a few chapters to really get into it, but I ended up riveted by the story.

This book is the story of a grieving Father. His family has been torn apart by tragedy and he is wracked by guilt and sorrow. He receives a letter from God inviting him back to the scene of his daughter's murder and, despite his confusion and skepticism, returns to the shack.

The story continues as Mack comes face to face with God and gains valuable insight into himself and his relationship with deity. The Shack is a really hard book to thumb down into a review~ at least for me. It contained startling and poignant ideas about religion and the relationship between God and his children. There was ideology that I'd never considered that made perfect sense and, being Mormon, I had to wonder where these things might fit into the doctrine of the church.

The book was touching and painful and extremely tender. Mack was such a genuine character, very real and his struggles and flaws and thought processes seemed very true to human nature. The stereotypes and preconceived notions about God were turned on their head a bit in this book. He appears as a plump black woman and Jesus appears as a young Semitic man, whereas the Holy Spirit appears as an Asian woman who's form is more like an impressionist painting and who appears more like the wind than an actual person. Mack spends time with each of these individuals, learning about trust, coming to terms with his guilt and grief, overcoming his anger at God and finally being able to heal.

The writing was beautiful, the complexity was as straightforward as possible and I thoroughly enjoyed Mack's journey.

A Lifetime of Secrets: A PostSecret Book

by Frank Warren

A lifetime of secrets is a book not so much read as experienced, not so much written as shared and really not open for critique; people either like the PostSecret movement, or they don't.

The book is a collection of postcards featuring secrets that individuals have sent to Frank Warren. The visual display is captivating and the secrets invoke emotion, passion, longing and a myriad of other emotions. I teared up several times throughout this book. I'm a fan.

Love and Other Natural Disasters

by Holly Shumas

I wish this book had turned out a little more like Happens Every Day. Where Gilles non-fiction might have been lacking technically, it had depth and humor and I wanted to keep reading. Shumas' novel about a woman facing emotional infidelity had the potential to be heartfelt, but fell flat.

One of the largest problems I had with Love and Other Natural Disasters was this: Holly Shumas is a psychologist. I'm assuming her work is the basis for this book. That's about what the story amounted to; a detached look at an emotional event in someone else's life.

The characters as a whole bothered me. The story was flat and dragged without a real direction. I don't feel that the characters really developed or grew. The writing was unimpressive. Basically, it was kind of a pain to read.