Toothiana Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies

I wasn’t sure I was going to get any reading done again this week. Unfortunately, my dog passed away on Monday. It was a devastating blow for me. She was a part of my family for many years, and it’s very hard to say goodbye to something that has meant so much to you for so long. As a few days passed, I began to reflect on reading and how I wanted to still update the blog and I started thinking of sad dog stories. Really only two came to mind—Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows—and while I wouldn’t mind writing a post at some point about the latter despite its heart wrenching ending, I decided now was not the time. So I raise a figurative toast to my beloved mini pin, Molly. She proved to be a good reading companion on more than one occasion. She was a good snuggler and would never say no to a comfy blanket.

So I read all of Toothiana Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies start to finish in a few hours yesterday. In case anyone else in the house was wondering where I disappeared to, I was hiding in my book cave, enjoying a good story.

Now, on to business!

Sequel to: Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King and E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth’s Core

Rating: 4/5

Author: William Joyce

Pages: 226

Genre: Children’s Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis:

At the ending of the last book, Pitch, the Nightmare King, was once again defeated, and there’s been no sign of him since. Is it possible he’s been defeated forever? HA! Fat chance!

He’s up to a new scheme, one that will make him more powerful than ever before! Even with the appearance of the great Toothiana (known to you and me as the tooth fairy) the guardians’ combined forces may not enough to defeat Pitch!

You’re in for a treat as we’re introduced to new threats, new characters, and new adventures!

My Reaction:

I enjoyed this book from the get go. I don’t know if it’s because I’d been away from the series for a couple of weeks, and it’s always nice to delve back into a good world with enjoyable characters, but I jumped right in and was almost immediately struck by the cleverness and humor of the writing, which is a great contrast to the adventure and danger.

Again, this book builds off of some of the same themes as the previous two books—the power of belief in particular. We see a deeper look into the character of Nightlight, an impish sort of boy who has been hugely influential in defeats of Pitch and the past and has been a very dear friend for Katherine. He becomes a little more introspective and begins to grow from a sort of Peter Pan like character to entering the first stages of growing up. He realizes at one point that “sorrow and fear that are triumphed over make a powerful weapon.” That realization really struck me—when we overcome trials, we are made stronger.

Toothiana is another great addition to the world of The Guardians. She has a tragic back story that kind of solidifies Nightlight’s realization. She makes it past that sorrow and dedicates her life to good and to bringing happiness to the lives of children.

I kind of hesitated between giving this book a 3.5 like the past books or a 4 and I finally opted for 4 out of 5. Unlike the other two books, this story leaves you with a cliffhanger that will force you to pick up the last book of the series!

Reader Guidance:

Nothing to worry about as far as I’m concerned.

Similar Books:

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Orbert Skye

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Next Book:

We've made it to the last book of the series! Join me in the epic finale in The Sandman and the War of Dreams!

Okay, guys. Here's an edit for you. The fourth book ISN'T the last book. I was horribly mistaken. Read all about it in my post about The Sandman and the War of Dreams.

My Favorite Fairy Tale

The grey stuff really is delicious!

Last week I didn’t get any reading done, but I have a very good excuse! I was having adventures at

Disneyland, one of my favorite places ever! What made it even better was that I got to spend the time with some of the most important people in my life. It was a wonderful trip!

I still didn’t do any reading this week because one of my very good friends came for a visit.

But all that Disneyland reflection (plus the fact that I had a Once Upon a Time marathon the other day) got me thinking about fairy tales and their variations.

I usually hate favorite questions (you know, what’s your favorite fill-in-the-blank). I just like so many things. How can I just pick one of anything?! Impossible I tell you! However, if asked what my favorite fairy tale is, I’d probably have to say Beauty and the Beast. It probably helps that Disney’s version is a brown haired book worm (sound like a certain blog writer perhaps?).

I’ve read or seen some different versions of this story, and with the release of Disney’s live action version earlier this year, I’ve been exposed to some other’s thoughts, feelings, and jokes about the story. Here are my general feelings about it:

Besides the brown haired book worm thing, I just love the overall message of it. And it’s not just the “true beauty is found within” thing, although that is a very good point. You can’t judge a book by its cover, as they say. I love the transforming power of love. You may think I’m some sap who just loves the romance, but that’s not it. I think this is a point that doesn’t only reply to romantic love—the kind strong enough to break the spell on a man turned beast! If I reflect on my own life, I can think about times when I have been moved to act in a certain way because of my love for a certain person or thing—my parents, good friends, my husband, my dog, pretty much any flavor of Haagen Dazs ice cream. (That last one is a real motivator. Ha!) So if love can influence my actions, that means it can influence and shape me as a person as a whole.

In some versions of Beauty and the Beast, the beast isn’t so beastly by the time he’s met by our protagonist aside from the literal beast appearance. I really like how in Disney’s representation (as well as others) he is beastly not only in appearance but in personality. It’s when he begins to care about someone else that he begins to change on the inside—he desires to change himself because of the impact of another person, because of love. He becomes a better version of himself.

If we’re to take away a moral from the story—which is kind of the point of things like fables and fairy tales, isn’t it?—besides the “true beauty lies within/don’t judge a book by its cover” one, I would say that a little bit of love can go a long way. I’ve heard stories of how lives or circumstances or differing relationships with whomever have been changed for the better when even just a little bit of love was extended. And it doesn’t just go one way. It wasn’t just the beast’s life that was changed forever, but Belle’s was also.

So, don’t be quick to judge and show a little love. A good reminder, I think.

Okay, now for the book recommendation!

I should probably say first that both the animated and live action versions that Disney has put on the screen are a couple of my favorite renditions of this story (not to mention the stage play which is a lot of fun to see if you ever get the chance). The song Evermore is enough for me to fall instantly in love with Disney’s latest version. Seriously. That was some pure magic right there.

However, as far as books go, the versions I like best out of all the ones I’ve read thus far are both written by Robin McKinley. They are called Beauty and Rose Daughter. Pick them up when you get a chance!

Does anyone else out there have other Beauty and the Beast variations they absolutely love? What is your favorite fairy tale?

E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core

Sequel to: Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

Rating: 3.5/5

Author: William Joyce

Pages: 251

Genre: Children’s Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis:

The last time we saw our heroes (or should I say guardians?), Pitch and his monstrous band of fearlings were successfully defeated and everything seemed on the mend. But the guardians’ success was only temporary. Pitch won’t be defeated so easily. Now he’s back with an even more dastardly plan, he’s stronger than ever!

With a seemingly unbeatable foe, the guardians have no other option than to seek help from E. Aster Bunnymund, the last of an ancient race of large rabbits who also happens to be a master in martial arts and chocolate making. With their combined efforts be enough to defeat Pitch once again? Or is it possible that they have met their match?

My Reaction:

This book is very much like the previous book in style and theme. So if you enjoyed the first book, you’ll definitely enjoy the sequel. Again, we have a story packed full of adventure and fantasy. The fight against Pitch becomes more complicated as he throws new threats into the mix.

Our main characters of the book are still very much Ombric, Katherine, and North with Bunnymund taking a larger role about halfway through the book. Bunnymund fits well into the mixture of already established characters. Perhaps what I liked about him most is that I heard Hugh Jackman’s voice in my head every time I read his dialogue. Ha!

This story is still heavy on the friendship theme and actually emphasizes it more so as we are presented with the idea that friendship grants its own sort of power—it connects and strengthens us.

It’s still not really anything like the movie, which is fine by me. It’s really a completely different story and world.

I feel like I could say pretty much the same things about this book that I said about the first one. I enjoy the adventure, and I liked that there was even more of a sense of danger—more complex problems to solve because there are more elements to the danger. I also really enjoyed that we get a little bit more background information about Pitch and why he became what he became. It almost makes him more understandable and in this case it almost makes you a little more sympathetic towards him, which you may think is a bad thing, considering he’s the bad guy. You’ll just have to read it to understand what I mean.

Overall, I gave it the same score as the first, and I’m ready to head onto book three! I’m looking forward to see how Bunnymund continues to add to our group of heroes!

Reader Guidance:

There is one moment during a confrontation that a character is stabbed clean through with a sword. It’s basically described as the character feeling pain, looking down and seeing the handle of the sword, and then realizing the rest of the blade went all the way through his back.

Similar Books:

Here are some other fantastical adventure series you may enjoy!

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Orbert Skye

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Next Book:

Join me in reading the next and third book of the series: Toothiana Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies!

Nicholas St. North Video Version

Here is the latest video in case you'd rather go with this route. I recorded this video on Friday, and I don't know what it was about that day, but I was feeling very lazy. I think we need lazy days every once in a while, don't you? Still, I did manage to get done everything that needed getting done that day, including filming for the video! Aside from that, I was true to my word and did in fact complete the last dungeon in The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. Now that I've saved all the sages, all that's left is to go back to the castle and kick some serious butt! Oh yeah, I rock at saving the world! Ha!

And hey, The Legend of Zelda requires some reading so it's not like I was totally slacking off on the reading front :P

Enjoy the video, and please feel free to read along as I delve into book 2 of The Guardians series.

Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

Rating: 3.5/5

Author: William Joyce

Pages: 228

Genre: Children’s Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis:

Everyone loves a good dream, but the thing children fear the most as they drift off to sleep is that nightmares will be waiting for them instead of dreams.

There was a war fought long ago that not many on Earth know of, a war of light versus dark. At the peak of the war, the dark armies of fearlings and nightmare men were led by Pitch, a sinister creature who wants nothing more than to fill the world with fear and nightmares. But the legions of the moon fought back with great forces of light that the darkness could not withstand. It was a close call, but in the end Pitch was trapped and peace was restored.

Until now…

Join Ombric, a wizened old wizard, Katherine, an imaginative and loving child, and North, a notorious outlaw who had no plans whatsoever of being anyone’s hero as they face the renewed forces of darkness and fight with their might to restore peace once more.

My Reaction:

Let me say first of all that I’m not one of those people who will be disgusted in a book/movie because it’s not a copy and paste version of the book/movie. I’m a weirdo who likes to look at both mediums and telling of the story and compare and contrast and sometimes get more meanings and morals out of things (can you tell I was an English major and had to write papers on this sort of thing?). Anyway, we won’t go on a soap box about that.

Even though I’m not bothered if a movie based on a book is completely different from the book, I do think it’s important to note that this book is nothing like the movie at all (perhaps that’s a little ironic as the author co-directed the movie). I only bring that up because a story can be dashed by your expectations or preconceived notions. So don’t go in thinking this book is exactly like the movie or you may be disappointed. It’s very different. It is possible that there will be more similarities as the series continues. Time will tell.

Aside from all that, I thought this was a good, adventurous book that would appeal to a variety of readers. There are themes of friendship that I enjoy. I think my favorite idea of the story is the idea of becoming a better version of yourself because someone already sees you as that better version—they believe in you.

I feel like the jacket flap of the book is deceiving, making the book sound almost like an origination story of St. Nick, but it doesn’t really feel like that at all. In the movie we clearly see him as a swashbuckling, Russian version of Santa Claus. In the book he’s definitely a swashbuckling rogue turned wizard’s apprentice and inventor, but there’s no clear connection to Santa except for that his full name is Nicholas St. North. Perhaps there will be clearer ties to an unconventional Santa Clause later as North is still a character moving forward.

I’m curious to see how this series plays out in its entirety.

Reader Guidance:

There’s not really anything I could think of that may be of concern. There’s nothing graphic. I would feel comfortable with letting a child read it.

A guy is swallowed whole by a bear, but (spoiler) he’s saved. That same bear is also stabbed by North. When Pitch is first mentioned in captivity, the thing that’s keeping him from escaping is a dagger he was pierced with at some previous time.

Similar Books:

Here are some other fantastical adventure series you may enjoy!

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Orbert Skye

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Next Book:

Up next is the second book in the series: E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core! That sounds pretty exciting! Adventure awaits!

The One and Only Ivan

Rating: 5/5

Author: Katherine Applegate

Pages: 304

Genre: Children’s Fiction

Synopsis:

First, I must say how completely wonderful this book is. Because of that, I’m afraid I’m going to give away too much. This is a book that you need to experience for yourself. I’m serious! Go out and get a copy and read! It’s a quick read despite its 304 pages. There are big gaps between paragraphs and the chapters are short and there are even a few pictures! Please do yourself a favor and read this book!

Now then, time for a brief synopsis in which I try not to give too much away.

Ivan is a silverback gorilla and has spent the majority of his life in a small domain inside the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. Mostly, he’s content with life. He has some great friends—Stella, the elephant next door, and Bob, a stray dog who spends each night curled up on Ivan’s rather large stomach. He has his TV, plenty of his favorite treat (yogurt raisins), and his art (Ivan loves to draw and paint).

But the animals and their daily shows are losing popularity. In an attempt to save the show and his income, their owner, Mack, brings a new friend to their domain—a baby elephant named Ruby, and suddenly everything is different. It’s like Ivan’s eyes are being opened for the first time. Change is coming—there’s no doubt about that—and Ivan realizes he has the power to make it become a change for the better.

My Reaction:

There. That will do. No spoilers there.

Now, how can I convey to you just how truly magnificent this book was?

By showering it with compliments obviously.

This book is the reason that I enjoy children’s fiction. Every once in a while you get a gem of a book that is so completely golden! The sort of story with life and depth that sucks you right in from start to finish and finds a special place in your heart to curl up in and remain forever. It makes you think. It makes you smile. It makes you tear up a bit. It’s brilliant.

Yes, it really is that good. It is well deserving of the Newbery honor it received.

This book actually made me gasp and tear up multiple times. It’s such a beautiful, at times heartbreaking, story. I was so immersed in it, and I love the characters!

You truly just need to experience this book for yourself. This is one of the best books I’ve read for a long time. It’s definitely going on the “Danielle’s Most Favorite Books Ever” list.

Interesting note: Ivan is based off a real gorilla! He passed away in 2012, and the Seattle Times wrote an article about him. Read it here.

Reader Guidance:

This book has a few heart wrenching moments. Nothing overly graphic. The story deals with animals that were taken from their parents at a young age, their parents were killed, some weren’t treated super well in a circus environment.

I really don’t want to give any of the story away, but know there is mention of what is called a “claw stick” being used on animals, animals being killed or dying, and a mention of limbs of animals being cut off to be used for other things and sold.

Similar Books:

The way I felt about this book reminded me of a few other children’s books I love:

Winne the Pooh by A.A. Milne

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Next Book:

Do you guys remember that movie Rise of Guardians that came out in like 2012? Did you know it's based off a book series? There are four books total starting with Nicholas St. North and the Nightmare King. 

I'm really curious about this series, so let's give it a go!

Please go out and read The One and Only Ivan and tell me what you think! And don't forget to send along your recommendations!

Enna Burning

 

          

Rating: 3.5/5

Author: Shannon Hale

Pages: 317

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Synopsis:

Enna Burning is the sequel to The Goose Girl. In this story, Enna is the main character whereas Ani/Isi has a supporting role.

A few years have passed since Isi married Geric, and Enna finds herself back at home in the forest and no longer working in the city. When her brother, Leifer, starts behaving strangely and suddenly demonstrates the ability to wield fire, Enna returns to the city to talk to the only person who would understand—Isi who not only has the power to speak with birds but to speak with the wind. Upon her return, Enna discovers that there is more to worry about than this sudden appearance of fire. War is upon them from the land of Tira in the south. Determined to stay by her friend’s side, Enna joins the war effort as Isi’s maiden. But when Leifer gives his life using the power of fire in a major battle, Enna can’t fight the need to do more and to understand her brother’s sacrifice.

Before she realizes what she’s gotten herself into, Enna herself has learned the gift of fire, but this is a gift that needs to be controlled. If she masters the skill, she can aid in the victory of Bayern. If she can’t, she could find herself consumed by the flames.

My Reaction:

Enna Burning is a well crafted story, much like The Goose Girl. It is somewhat darker than its predecessor in that much of the story deals with this inner struggle to control the fire within her. Fire has a need to consume and burn, so it encourages her to burn, even to burn other people especially since she’s in the middle of a war.

One of the things I liked best about this story is how it all wrapped up in the end. The last few chapters were honestly my favorite (and no, it wasn’t just because it was all over!). I think for me it was in those last few scenes where I personally connected most with the characters. Speaking of which, there are a few other characters from The Goose Girl that make reappearances as well, most notably Finn and Razo.

In the end, I gave this book a little bit of a lower score than The Goose Girl. It was a good read with some good conflict and resolution, but it just didn’t quite pull me in to the same level that The Goose Girl did. I’d still say it’s worth a read if you enjoyed the first book.

Reader Guidance:

It shouldn’t surprise you that a book dealing with war is going to have some violence to it. For the most part, I felt the violence was dealt with appropriately and wasn’t overly graphic. The thing that would probably be most concerning to me was when she burns people or fights the urge to burn people. When I was reading this book, a 9 year old girl asked me to read out loud to her, and because it was a little darker and dealt with this people burning aspect (and because I didn’t know the sorts of things her parents might approve of) I didn’t really feel comfortable reading it to her. I’d say it’s more for a mid-teen audience.

Here are some of the things to consider for this book:

•       The book opens with a woman burning to death
•         Battle descriptions—arrows biting soft flesh, metal tearing their middles, delivering death blows, etc.
•         The dead from battle are stacked in a heap and burned
•         There’s a fight to the death
•         It causes Enna physical pain to use the fire—describes the pain and her screaming
•         Enna burns a man to free herself
•         There’s a story mentioned of a mother who bathed her child in blood to make him an invincible warrior
•         Mention of soiling oneself
•         A man comes to taunt Enna and possibly take advantage of her, but another soldier shows up just in time and beats up the first guy.
•         There are two instances of language, both times using the ba— word
•         There are a few instances of people being stabbed or shot in the back or people punching other people
•         There are some more instances of people being burned alive

As I mentioned above, I didn’t feel like these were overly graphic.

Similar Books:

There are currently four books total in the stories of Bayern:

The Goose Girl

Enna Burning

River Secrets

Forest Born

Next Book:

I was ready for a break from the world of Bayern, but I wasn’t quite sure where to go next. I ended up doing exactly what I told my husband I would do: I went to the library, stepped into a random aisle, and checked out the first book I randomly set my hand on. As it happens, I recognized the cover as being a book I’d noticed before while perusing books, and it was one I was interested in reading. Clearly fate has brought us together! So next up is The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.

                                                    

I must say, yesterday I started reading the first little bit of this book (I even read it out loud to that same nine year old mentioned above), and I'm already enjoying it (as was the nine year old). I'm excited to see how this one progresses!