The Compound-- S.A. Boden

After reading The Compound I just sat and thought about it. There was a lot of things going through my head and I had to process them all, then I had to figure out if I liked it or not...

I finally did come to the conclusion that I really like this book. There are some things that I thought were really weird and not necessary, but over all it was good. This is a YA book. No question. I recommend this book to any YA readers who love a good story with plenty of twists, turns, and adventure!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret -- Brian Selznick

This was such a interesting and different read for me. The reason? It's told mostly in pictures! People say "a pictures worth a thousand words" so I enjoyed making up my own words and ideas for each picture. If you haven't read this book you really should. It is great!

Princess Academy -- Shannon Hale

First of all, I just want to say that because the title has "princess" in it does not mean that it is a girly book! When I read it with a book club, I was able to get 5 boys to read it with me, and they liked it.

Princess Academy is about a small village who on a mountain. One day a messenger from the king comes and says that all of the girls have to come to an academy to learn how to be a princess, and then the prince will pick one of them to marry.

I loved it! I recommend this book to everybody!

Oh, I almost forgot! It was a Newberry Honor Book! All the more reason to read it!

Book of a Thousand Days -- Shannon Hale

Another great book by Shannon Hale. Book of a Thousand Days is in diary format, which was one of my favorite things about it! The girl writing in the diary is named Dasti, and she's a lady's maid. Her lady's name is Saren, and she is getting locked in a tower, so Dasti goes with her. The book is about their story while in the tower, and their adventures there after. I would recommend this to young adult readers.

Gail Carson Levine

I have read a lot of Levine's books, so instead of having a separate review for each of them, I figured I would put them all in one post, with a short review of each.


Fairest
I loved Fairest! I found Aza, the main character, very fun and interesting. She figures out that she has a "power" that she calls illusing, where she can "throw" her voice into other people and things. I also enjoyed seeing her grow in the book. I recommend this to young adult readers especially.






The Two Princesses of Bamarre

This is also another masterpiece. I love the relationship between the two princesses, Addie and Maryl. When a plague called the Gray Death hits Bamarre Addie must find courage to save her kingdom, and her sister. Very, very good! YA mostly for this one too.



And of course....





Ella Enchanted

If you haven't read Ella Enchanted, you HAVE to. It is a beautiful book about Ella of Frell, who, when she is born is cursed. She has to do whatever anyone says to her, and she can't stop herself. Ella sets out to find the fairy that gave her the obedience curse, and finds herself on an exciting adventure! Great for all ages!

The Frog Princess -- E.D. Baker

The Frog Princess is such a fun and delightful story about Princess Emeralda (Emma), who doesn't like life as a princess. One day while she is in the swamp by the palace she meets a frog. He tells her that he is a prince and he will turn back into a prince if she just kisses him.

I loved it! If you love fairy tales, and have a sense of humor, you should read this book!

Princess of the Midnight Ball - Jessica Day George

Princess of the Midnight Ball is intriguing from start to finish. It is a wonderful book and I loved it! It's a very well done retelling of The 12 Dancing Princesses. It has action, adventure, romance,

secrets, and just about everything else you would want in a book!

If you haven't read this, do! It is a fabulous book!

Forest Born - Shannon Hale

Forest Born is fabulous. It has adventure, romance, and of course new talents! I loved it!

River Secrets - Shannon Hale

Third book in the Books of Bayern series. This one is about Razo and it's great! I love Razo he is a very funny and delightful character. I loved every minute of River Secrets; especialy the ending! It's a great addition to the Bayern books!

Enna Burning - Shannon Hale

The second in the Books of Bayern series. One of my favorites of Shannon's. I read for 6.5 straight hours! It's amazing how books can just pull you in like that, I felt like I was there! If you loved The Goose Girl, you will defiantly want to read Enna Burning. It is so good.

The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin

The Westing Game is a fascinating mystery. It has funny characters, surprising plot changes, and is a great mystery that kept me wondering until the very end. I loved it! I would recommend it to anyone, but especially those who love a good mystery!

The Thief- Megan Whalen Turner

"I can steal anything"

Gen is a theif, who gets caught while stealing something; and ends up in the king's prison. Days are agonizing, until the Magus (the king's scholar) comes and tells Gen that he is needed on a mission to steal Hamiathes's Gift a small stone of great importance.

The Thief is a compelling tale, with humor, adventure, and exciting and sneaky plot changes.

READ THE THIEF.

Beauty - Robin McKinley

Beauty is by the wonderful author Robin McKinley. I absolutely loved it. McKinley does a fabulous job retelling Beauty and The Beast.

Beauty's father comes home one night and tells a strange story about an enchanted castle hidden in the woods. He also tells about the promise he made to the Beast who lives there. Beauty decides that she must go to the castle and try to break the promise between her father and the beast.

This is a very sweet, funny, and touching love story that is a "I can't put this book down" book. Read Beauty!

The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl is a wonderful book by Shannon Hale. The Goose Girl is based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Although, in my opinion, Shannon does a much better job telling the tale.

The book starts in Kildenree, where the Crown Princess Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, or Ani is born. After not opening her eyes for 3 days her aunt comes from the forest and "wakes her up". Once Ani is a little bit older, her aunt teaches her about three different types of gifts, People-Speaking, Animal-Speaking, and Nature-Speaking. Her aunt then teaches Ani to speak with the birds. When Ani turns 16 her mother tells her that she will be traveling to Bayern to marry the prince. Which Ani didn't see coming, because she is the Crown Princess. So Ani, her lady-in-waiting Selia, and a group of soldiers travel through the woods to Bayern where she's supposed to marry the Prince. Things don't go as planned as things turn for the worse, and Ani finds herself as the king's goose girl instead of the Prince's bride. How will she find the courage to reveal her true identity?

This is an amazing book, and I recommend it to all ages!