Crown of Midnight

Review by heyes

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)

by Sarah Maas

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Rating: N

Content: Murder, Violence, Prostitution, Homosexuality of side character, Sex of main characters, Language (D,H,A,S,B,Bd)

Summary: Caelena is now the King’s Champion. She has fought hard to get to this point and doesn’t want to lose it. but when the king orders her to kill an old friend, when she discovers a rebel group, when her friends are all pushing her to follow her inherent hate of the King and Adarlan. What will she choose her hard earned position and life of ease? or a truth so long pushed away, she doesn’t even know if she believes it anymore?

Personal Review: Well this was a huge disappointment because I loved the first book, loved the characters and loved the plot line. I still have a hard time not thinking about what will happen in the third book. The murder doesn’t really bother me in this book, it is out of revenge or self defense and somewhat gruesome but hey it’s a book about an assassin so you expect some gruesome violence. A character and old friend of Caelena’s is the prostitute and he was enslaved to become one so it is definitely looked on as a bad thing. The homosexuality is involved with this friend who is male and has many male clients. It is not looked at as a bad thing(other than by it’s association with the enslaved prostitute thing) but it’s not looked as a good thing either, more like just normal. Still, it grossed me out. The sex is not descriptive but it was enough to make me permanently dislike one of the characters and if I didn’t have amazing blocking out abilities I probably would have hated Caelena too. I usually am more lenient about immorality in fantasy books, I’m not sure why but I am. This book was hard to be lenient about it though for a few reasons.

1) I am usually lenient because it is not the main story line, romance is usually secondary in fantasy so it doesn’t seem  as influential. But this book, although it has another story line focuses a lot on the romance.

2) It is discussed with friends lightly. I think that sex is a sacred act of love and I think that discussing with friends about how you couldn’t wait so you did it in a broom closet is not only extremely immature, but inappropriate as well.

3) I really liked the book and story line and it was huge let down when they had sex. I just wish authors realized how much less romantic romance is after you make people fornicate, but whatever.

Now all of that being said I seriously doubt that there will be more sex in the third book. The circumstances of the characters does not allow them to marry. The sex is in like the first 100 pages and not in the rest of the book. So if you want to justify it away you can but I would not recommend this book.

-heyes

An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Series

Review by heyes

An Unfortunate Fairy tales Series

Unenchanted

Fairest

Fable

by Chanda Hahn

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fractured Fairy Tales

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary: Mina has always tried to fit in. Being accident prone, fitting in just seemed like a good idea. But when she saves her long time crush’s life and weird stuff starts happening, Mina wonders if her life is becoming like a fairy tale or a nightmare. Her mom finally opens up to her and tells her that because she is a descendant of the Grimm Brothers she is cursed to live the fairy tales that they became famous for; a curse that has killed many Grimms, including Mina’s father. Can she finish the 200 tales before they finish her?

Personal Review: This series was a fun read and a great book for your sons or daughters. It is the first three of I assume four. The fourth does not come out until later this year I believe. The main character is really easy to like and although she has her faults, I admire her. There is literally nothing that I feel like my kids couldn’t handle in this book and I seriously doubt that any future books are going to have any bad content either. This is just a fun cute read and the books aren’t too long. Great books to give to kids or to read on a rainy day with a blanket.

-heyes


If you liked this you might also enjoy:

Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Divergent Series

Review by Felicity

The Divergent Series

by: Veronica Roth

Genre: Dystopian

Rating: Y-14 (at parents discretion)

Content: Violence, Sexual content and discussions, tattoos, homosexualtiy of minor charatcters

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Divergent:One choice can transform you. Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times bestselling debut is a gripping dystopian tale of electrifying choices, powerful consequences, unexpected romance, and a deeply flawed "perfect society."

Insurgent:  Continues the dystopian thrill ride. As war surges in the factions all around her, Tris attempts to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Allegiant: The explosive conclusion to the Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Personal Review:

These books portray the morality found in our world today, tattoos are very much encouraged, reference to homosexuality of minor characters, sex is talked about but I would not say it is taken lightly, some of the kissing scenes can become somewhat steamy, and of course the violence that comes with war. Although these books do not live up to our definition of clean I say its still worth reading.

Here is why: Like most dystopian novels this author examines human nature and is very thought provoking. There are twists and turns in this story I never saw coming. All of Roth’s characters have flaws as do all of us. I was impressed with several of the characters who were able to forgive and to learn and become better through their trials. Also I respect and completely agree with Roth’s portrayal of love in Allegiant, it is a choice you make everyday to stay in love and you help each other to become more than you could ever be alone. I would not put this book on my top ten, it might make my top 100 . I say well worth the read. Definitely if your children are reading this series, I would make sure to read it as well so you can discuss the issues the books bring up both positive and negative.

-Felicity

*See Curry's review of Divergent here

If you like this you may also like:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Starters by Lissa Price

Matched by Ally Condie

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Review by Curry

The Scarlet Pimpernel

by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adult, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Some mild violence (non-descriptive)

Summary:

Armed with only his wits and his cunning, one man recklessly defies the French revolutionaries and rescues scores of innocent men, women, and children from the deadly guillotine. His friends and foes know him only as the Scarlet Pimpernel. But the ruthless French agent Chauvelin is sworn to discover his identity and to hunt him down.

Personal Review:

This is a good classic read. I love the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel. I had seen both the movie and the play before I had read the book. When I read the book I was a little surprised to find that it was mostly written from the view of Marguerite and that Percy is not in it very much, Whereas in the movies and the play Percy is the lead character. I still really enjoyed the book. The story has some suspense as well as romance, and it is all set in a real life time of terror in our world’s history. It’s a great story. (P.s. see the play if you get a chance!)

- Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Friends and Foes by Sarah Eden

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Once Upon a Prince

Review by Felicity

Once Upon a Prince (Royal Wedding #1)

by Rachel Hauck

Genre: Christian/Romance

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess─just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn’t going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life.

The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simon’s Island is the queen of his heart. A prince has duties, and his family’s tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna’s aid under the fabled Lover’s Oak, he is blindsided by love.

Personal Review:

Ok so I loved this book. I would say it is a clean religious version of the movie The Prince and Me. Maybe a little cheesy and completely unrealistic but so cute. What girl hasn't dreamed of being a princess at some point. I could read this story again and again.

-Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

Princess Ever After (Royal Wedding #2) by Rachel Hauck

Stealing the Preacher (Archer Brothers #2) by Karen Witemeyer

The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

The Fairest Beauty

Review by Felicity

The Fairest Beauty

by Melanie Dickerson

Genre: Fractured Fairy Tales, Christian, Romance

Rating: Y

Content: Clean (spend night together unchaperoned which is pointed out as not good)

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Sophie desperately wants to get away from her stepmother's jealousy, and believes escape is her only chance to be happy. Then a young man named Gabe arrives from Hagenheim Castle, claiming she is betrothed to his older brother, and everything twists upside down. This could be Sophie's one chance at freedom—but can she trust another person to keep her safe?

Gabe defied his parents Rose and Wilhelm by going to find Sophie, and now he believes they had a right to worry: the girl's inner and outer beauty has enchanted him. Though romance is impossible—she is his brother's future wife, and Gabe himself is betrothed to someone else—he promises himself he will see the mission through, no matter what.

Personal Review:

I do enjoy Fractured Fairy Tales. I like most of what the author did with the story of Snow White. However I found it too preachy for my taste and there were, surprisingly, a lot of scripture references that I didn’t feel really added to the story. Still it is a fun romance.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

The Hunger Games

Review by Curry

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult

Rating: Y- 14

Content: Violence (involving Children,) Substance abuse (in a side character.)

I’m sure by now you have all heard something about The Hunger Games good or bad. When I first read this book I had not heard anything about it except that it was really good from my boss. After I read it I absolutely could not wait for the 2nd and 3rd books to come out. Here is a summary:

Summary:

In this futuristic dystopian society there are 12 districts controlled by a power hungry capital. To remind the districts of the Capital’s power every year each district must send one boy and one girl tribute to fight to the death in a televised event called The Hunger Games. When Katniss Everdeen’s sister is selected as tribute Katniss desperately volunteers to take her place knowing that she will most likely die. In the games Katniss thrives off of her natural instincts to survive.

Personal Review:

I love this book. It is one of my all time favorites. However, I must warn you that this book is very violent. One of the main themes of this book is that the capital is abusive and heartless to it’s districts and this is shown by the horrible things that the capital puts the districts through. However, the violence is shown as horrific and the good characters never kill just to kill. This book is well written and the characters are amazing. There is not one character that I disliked. From the end of the first chapter I was hooked to this book and just had to know what happened next. I was also emotionally invested in this book which meant that I cried and laughed (at appropriate times.) I could go on and on about this book, which probably means that we will have a discussion page about it :) Overall, an excellent book! (Parents be cautious in letting your children read this)

-Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

What the Doctor Ordered

Review by Curry

What the Doctor Ordered

by Sierra St. James

Genre: Romance, Christian: LDS Fiction, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary: (From the back of the book)

They've never been out on a date. They can barely speak a civil word to each other when they find themselves in the same room. But Aunt Bertie, who is not crazy, just -eccentric- knows that John and Ellie belong together, and she's doing all she can to further their cause. When Ellie comes to Colton Idaho, to spend the summer with Aunt Bertie and prove to her parents that her aunt doesn't belong in an assisted-care facility, the confusion begins. Bertie's determination to marry Ellie off to Dr. John Flynn leads to a hilarious string of miscommunications in this delightful romantic comedy

Personal Review:

Sierra St. James is the pen name for another author that I really like (Janette Rallison.) She uses Sierra St. James for her LDS fiction novels. Although I love all of her novels, I wish that she would write more under this pen name. There are only three books that I know of under Sierra St. James. Anyways, What the Doctor Ordered is my favorite Sierra St. James book. It is really funny, and yet also has some tender sweet moments. The romance in it is well developed, and who wouldn’t like the guy in this? he’s a doctor! haha :) Great romantic comedy type book.

- Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

Masquerade by Sierra St. James

A Love Like Lilly by Kay Lynn Mangum

Luck of the Draw by Rachael Anderson

Throne of Glass

Review by heyes

Throne of Glass  

by Sarah Maas

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Rating: Y-13 **** changed to N due to content in the rest of the trilogy See Updated below****

Content: Murder, Violence: Some intense scenes, Language (D, B, H, Bd, S, A)

Summary: After being held in a slave camp for a year, Adarlan’s most feared assassin has a chance for freedom. The king has issued a challenge and his council members are each sponsoring a champion. The winner will become the king’s champion and be given a life of ease. Celeana jumps at the chance offered her by the King’s son, but when the champions start getting brutally murdered, Celeana wonders whether freedom might better be attained a different way.

Personal Review: This book was a fun read and a great book for your sons or daughters. It is the first of a trilogy and I haven’t read the other two so I can only judge this book by itself. Celeana was a character that I felt was well rounded and I could actually like her(surprising because usually when you are inside a girl’s head you don’t like them) There is a little bit of a love triangle going that I thought was not too gaggy but enough for the romantic fans. I do worry a little bit about how far the romance will go in later books due to some indicators, but this book is clean. The above mentioned violence is ripped apart bodies missing their organs. Pretty gross but a mature preteen could handle it. I liked the Rebellion story line this book is setting up and am excited to read the second book. And in case you wanted to know. I’m team Chaol thus far, which is very uncharacteristic for me because I love the blue eyes usually and Chaol's eyes are brown.

**** UPDATE: The second book of this series has sex, homosexuality, and prostitution. For this reason I do not recommend this book anymore because of the content of the trilogy. Why learn to like the characters in the first book when you know you don't want to read the second? See the review of the second book here

-heyes

If you like this, You may enjoy:

The False Prince by Jenifer Nielsen

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne