Song of the Sparrow

Lisa Ann Sandell

2007

Back of the Book: Since the days of King Arthur, there have been paintings and poems created in her name. She is Elaine of Ascolat – the Lady of Shalott. And now, there is a new story, a new vision, of this mysterious and captivating girl…

Beautiful sixteen-year-old Elaine has a temperament as fiery as her long red hair. The daughter of a soldier in young Arthur’s army, Elaine is the sole girl in a militaristic world of men. Often slipping into daydreams, she wishes that the handsome Lancelot would see her as more than a tomboy.

Then a new girl arrives, and Elaine is thrilled – until Gwynivere proves to be cold and cruel. But when Elaine and Gwynivere are thrown into a situation of gravest danger, the girls must band together in order to survive. Can Elaine find the strength to fight for the kingdom she has always believed in?

Acclaimed author Lisa Ann Sandell brings a hunting lyricism and an epic sweep to this tale of love, betrayal, and war. Heartbreaking, eloquent, and gripping, this novel is a striking addition to the canon of Camelot mythology.

Thoughts: This book was written in verse (i.e. poetry form); however, it is not poetry. It is still sentences just in a very skinny column. The first two or three chapters were hard to read because of this, but it got easier. Eventually I learned to understand when and why she put in breaks and it started to make sense. For example when Lancelot looked at her and then looked away the words would appear on the page like this:

He glanced at me

then looked

away.

The large break in between me and my could be her breath catching or her heart stopping or just her brain getting befuddled. It was a way of communicating her feelings without using words.

Overall the book was interesting and a fast read. It was almost 400 pages, but since each page really only had about one paragraph it was more like reading a 200 page book.

Ending: So our hero, Lancelot, turns out to be a jerk. Even after the apology, you just have a hard time liking him. That is something new to the Arthur story. And Gwyn’s change, although necessary, seems a little fake. The other thing that just doesn’t really fit with the rest of the story is Tristan getting upset about Elaine talking to Lancelot at the end. I know it was to show jealousy, but he was jealous before and didn’t freak out – why now? Probably because he realized how much he loved her, but still, a total change in character with only one chapter to go? Despite all this it was fun to read and I would still recommend it.

The Silent Governess

Julie Klassen
2009

Back of Book: Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his. But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything – his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.
He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.
Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.

Thoughts: Wow. Klassen really does her research. She gets everything about the period correct and doesn’t throw in modern stuff just to make it interesting. It makes the books all the more fun to read because you know this really could have happened. The story was fun. You would think it was getting predictable, and then it would take a twist you never saw coming. Even right up to the end when I usually have figured things out there were more twists.

Ending: I didn’t like the Epilogue because it was too condensed. But I guess it would have taken ten more chapters to fit in all the stuff that needed to be said. Really, that is my only complaint.

A Countess Below Stairs

Eva Ibbotson
1981

Back of the Book: After the Russian Revolution turns her world topsy-turvy, Anna, a young Russian countess, has no choice but to flee to England. Penniless, Anna hides her aristocratic background and takes a job as servant in the household of the esteemed Westerholme family, armed only with an outdated housekeeping manual and sheer determination. Desperate to keep her past a secret, Anna is nearly overwhelmed by her new duties --- not to mention her instant attraction to Rupert, the handsome Earl of Westerholme. To make matters worse, Rupert appears to be falling for her as well. As their attraction grows stronger, Anna finds it more and more difficult to keep her most dearly held secrets from unraveling. And then there’s the small matter of Rupert’s beautiful and nasty fiancée…

Thoughts: Whoever wrote the above was embellishing a lot. Yes all those things happen, but not as dramatically as they are letting you think. Anna doesn’t really care if people find out her secret; she only keeps it hidden to get the job. And, she is not “overwhelmed by her new duties”!!! She makes up new ones to stay busy. But, despite the exaggerations, it is still a good book. Eva Ibbotson is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. The book was fun and easy to read and understand.

Ending: I knew they would end up together, but I was not sure how they were going to get rid of the psycho fiancée. Things just really worked out in the end and I was so glad they got their jewels back. I absolutely loved the part when she is going to cut her hair and he bursts in and tells her he can’t do it. She may have been “instantly attracted to Rupert” as the back of the book said, but it wasn’t until then she discovered her love for him. I think this is one I will read again.

Hush Hush

Hush Hush
Becca Fitzpatrick
2009

BOOK COVER: Romance was not part of Nora Grey’s plan. She’s never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora’s not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can’t decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen—and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

THOUGHTS: I don’t want to say this could be the next Twilight, but it could be. It was not as gripping from the first at the Twilight series, but it got you so into it that you couldn’t stop. I couldn’t figure out who she was supposed to like until the end and the bad guy was still a shock.

THE END: Loved it! You can tell she is going to write another one and probably make a series out of it, but this book still has a conclusion. I hate when books don’t end. So what if they are going to be a series. I need closure! This book is a little dark since it is about fallen angels, but they aren’t fallen like followed Satan. They either did something bad or chose to fall to be on earth. It is more than obvious that the author is not LDS, but the book is still good even with the darkness. I finished reading it at about 11:30 at night and I wasn’t scared (too much). If you thought Twilight was dark then you won’t like Hush Hush. Oh, and I still haven’t figured out what the title has to do with the book. That is the real mystery.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

2008

BACK OF THE BOOK: January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she'd never met, a native of Guernsey, the British island once occupied by the Nazis. He'd come across her name on the flyleaf of a secondhand volume by Charles Lamb. Perhaps she could tell him where he might find more books by this author.

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, she is drawn into the world of this man and his friends, all members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a unique book club formed in a unique book club formed in a unique, spur-of-the-moment way: as an alibi to protect its memebrs from arrest by the Germans.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the Society's charming, deeply human members, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. Through their letters she learns about thier island, their taste in books, and the powerful, transforative impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she fins there will change her forever.

Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, it is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

THOUGHTS: Lindsay Palmer lent this book to me saying it was a must read. The title suggested it had potential, but the fact that there were two authors gave me some doubts. It has been by opinion that two authors does not bode well for a book. Luckily Lindsay was right and i was wrong.

This book is told with letters and only letters. It is an interesting format that is a little hard to get into, but once you know the characters it is a fast read. The stories were fun and sometimes heart-wrenching (but no tears). It was one of those books that you wished it wouldn't end. I'm glad it isn't a series though because it had a good ending.

The other thing i loved was the main character's name. Julie(t) is a great name and Ashton, well, need i say more. :)

THE END: I knew it was going to be Dawsey from about the second letter he wrote Juliet. Then i started to doubt it. Then i knew it, then i doubted it, then i knew it, then it happened. Usually when i know who it is going to be i am just annoyed until it happens, however with this one i was happily surprized that i was unsure and then right. It let me stay interested. I was sad that Elizabeth didn't come back, but happy that Juliet got Kit.