Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

On the changed Louisiana shoreline in the perhaps not so distant future, when the ice caps have melted and weather patterns have changed significantly, Nailer works on Bright Sands Beach breaking down old ships. He's young and still scrawny enough to crawl through ducts collecting copper wire and other scavengable parts of the ship. He's hoping when he gets too big to fit into the ducts he'll be able to work on heavy crew, the teams that take apart the hulls of the ships. He's worried that he won't be strong enough or big enough but he decides not to worry about it.
After a hurricane rushes through the beach, Nailer and his best friend Pima have the day off work while the bosses try to get the beach organized enough to start again, so they decide to go in search of fresh seafood. Out on a spit of land (that becomes an island in high tide) they find a beautiful clipper ship wrecked on the beach. Pima and Nailer go inside the ship and begin to scavenge, thinking this is their ticket out of Bright Sands Beach, just one big Lucky Strike will save them a lifetime of back-breaking work. They just need to find a way to protect it.
While going through the ship, they find the dead bodies of the crew and the body of a swank girl, around their age. With gold rings on her fingers, a diamond in her nose, and gold around her neck, Pima and Nailer know they've hit the jackpot. They decide the best way to get the rings off the girl is to cut her fingers off. Much to their surprise, the girl is awake.
Nita is the daughter of one of the big global shipping agents, and she's being chased by one of her father's employees because Pyce wants to do something illegal. Pyce thinks if he holds Nita hostage, her father will let Pyce do whatever he wants with the company. When Nailer's father (a cruel drug addict) finds Nailer, Pima, and Nita, he decides he's going to make the deal with anyone who comes looking for Nita. Nailer and Nita escape towards the Orleans (the remains of New Orleans, most of which is underwater) searching for one of her father's ships that is still loyal to Nita and her father. When they finally find one, Nailer wants to make sure it's all right (his father has shown up in the city at the same time) but it ends up that Nita's taken.
Nailer finally gets his wish and gets to sail on a clipper ship while they search for the ship that has Nita prisoner. They find it, of course, and Nailer helps with a plan to trap the ship and get Nita back.
There's a lot going on in this book. I had a not so easy time going through the book. I didn't dread reading it but it didn't move quite as fast as other books I've read (like Wither by Lauren DeStefano). It's an adventure story, a dystopia story, has slight political comments, it just felt like a jumble of story lines while being not entirely certain what kind of book it wants to be. I definitely didn't dislike it, but I think if it had not been this year's Printz winner I would have been less inclined to finish it. Ship Breaker is a well-written interesting story, especially if you like adventures. It might appeal a little more to male readers than female readers, but that's not to say female readers won't like it. Definitely an adventurous story. I think my issue with it is that I wasn't expecting it to be an adventure story. But as I said, it's well-written and interesting and should appeal to readers who approach the book without any preconceived ideas of what it's about, other than an adventure.

Hungry

I finished The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins over the weekend. It's a really engaging story and one of the aspects I liked most is that you know Katniss is going to the Hunger Games (otherwise you wouldn't have a story) so Collins doesn't take ages to get her there. I appreciate that. Oftentimes authors will build and build and build to a plot point we already know is going to happen but Collins doesn't do that. Katniss lives in a future America (after the collapse of the United States), in one of the poorest districts of Panem, the new country. Every year, two teenagers, a boy and a girl between 12 and 18, are chosen from each district to participate in the Hunger Games. The Games are a fight to the death for the entertainment of those who live in the Capitol (as a means to remind the 12 districts outside of the Capitol of a war 74 years ago in which the Capitol destroyed the no longer existing 13th District). So Katniss goes with a boy from her district and they get pampered and powdered and fed and fluffed the week prior to the Games and then are thrown into the Arena (a recreation of a wilderness, with a few surprises) to fight it out. This is when the book starts to get a little gruesome. Nearly half of the 24 tributes are dead after the first day. Katniss must survive on her wits and her skills. The first book of a planned trilogy, The Hunger Games is a great read (Collins has a way of ending chapters so you want to turn the page to start the next chapter; it's nearly irresistible), though I have to admit I was a little disappointed to find there are two more books planned. I think it would have been a remarkable novel on its own but I'll definitely read the next one to see what she has in store next. Reminded me a little of Scott Westerfeld's Uglies; definitely for middle schoolers and up because of the gore.
Just started Meg Cabot's Airhead and I'm not sure I'm going to like the new Emerson Watts (but then I'm not sure Emerson Watts will like the new Emerson Watts); I feel I would have gotten along with the old one just fine. In between reads, I remain, the Savage Librarian.

ok ok

It's been awhile. A girl's allowed a vacation every now and then. Where to start?
Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi. I have not read any of the Spiderwick Chronicles books, but I picked this one up because it was short and looked cute. Kenny is a happy bunny. His father comes back from the fields one afternoon and says he's seen a dragon. So, naturally, Kenny being a curious soul goes off to fight the dragon! Low and behold, the dragon is not what Kenny expected. Thus begins a friendship between Kenny and Grahame and when Grahame is threatened, Kenny is determined to find a way to save him. All in all, a good book for 2nd and 3rd graders. Friendship, adventure, a little bit of non-scary danger and a dragon. How could a reader go wrong?
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. I have finally caught up with the rest of the world and have read Twilight. Bella is an interesting character. She's thoroughly enamored and enthralled by Edward. The book I found--to be complete honest--not that great. It was good enough for me to keep reading it (I've finally become one of those readers who will actually put a book down if she doesn't like it) and I'll probably pick up the rest of the books in the course of my reading, but I'm not a huge fan like many other librarians I know. As it gets teens to read, though, I'm totally in favor of it. High schoolers are a good target age for this book, though I know younger girls are reading it. (As a side note: I did find out what happens to Bella at the end of the books--I asked and friends told me--and I must admit I'm curious about the journey to that point, perhaps more so than I would have been had I not known, if that makes sense.)
Admittedly this next book I can't remember who wrote it: Kings and Queens of Denmark. My vacation took me to Denmark this fall and as it was quickly becoming apparent that I would finish Twilight well before my vacation was over, I was in desperate need of another book. This book provides brief histories of the monarchs of Denmark from Gorm the Old (930 AD) to Margrethe II, the current queen. Knowing nothing as I did of the Danish royalty, I enjoyed the book and am curious about their rulers and may have to expand my obsessive royalty reading to include the Danish.
The Gathering, book two of the Quantum Prophecy by Michael Carroll. To be honest, I didn't remember a great deal about The Awakening, the first book, other than Colin, Danny, and Renata are superheros in a time when all the superheros have been gone for 10 years. This one picks up not long after the first book ends, and Renata and Colin are masked adventurers, trying to save the world one small incident at a time. When their true identities are leaked to the media, Colin and his family have to get out. They end up in the US (in Kansas, no less) in hiding. A supervillian, Dioxin, joins with an enemy to draw the superheros out of their hiding and when the fighting start it explodes. I really enjoy this books and think boys especially will like these: they are not particularly long, involve superheroes, and a lot of action (and destruction). Good for middle schoolers and probably upper elementary, though some of the themes might be a bit much.
Watchmen by Alan Moore. I admit I picked up this graphic novel because I've seen a preview for the movie, due out in 2009. The storyline is at first a little confusing; I was trying to understand where it was all leading and was not having much luck figuring it out. It's a turn because the superheroes aren't wanted at this time (1985--Nixon's still president) and most have retired or gone into hiding (or in the case of the Comedian, work for the government). The story begins with the Comedian's murder and from then on out, it becomes a matter of piecing things together as slowly the superheroes disappear. Roschach, a very determined superhero, sees more behind it than others are willing to admit. It's definitely a dark story, and when the story begins to pick up it goes at a quick pace. I'm curious to see how the film version will be, but something tells me it probably won't be as effective. Good art, interesting story, definitely a recommended read. Older teens.
As for movies, I saw Eagle Eye in theaters last night and it was better than I was expecting. Definitely makes you think about all the technology you use and whether or not it's tracking you and it's slightly freaky. A good action movie (the ending was a little corny and I could have done without it, but I guess they were going for a positive ending). Perhaps better than I expected is the best praise I can give it.
Anticipating Hunger Games this weekend. I hear it's a quick read and excellent so I'm looking forward to that. In between reviews, I remain,
the Savage Librarian.

Theatrics, Arrogance, and a Happily Ever After

Time to update!
The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding is about Cat Royal, an orphan who lives in the Royal Theatre on Drury Lane in 1790 London. Cat deals with gangs, with self-important actors, the posh end of society, as well as her uncertain status in the world. What will happen to her when she's too old to be taken care of? She sleeps in the theatre on her own. My one real complaint with the book is that I don't know how old Cat is. I thought at one point the author described her as being 10 years old but there are certain aspects of her character that make her seem older. At one point she is asked how old she is and her reply is that she doesn't know. An estimation of her age would have been helpful. It appears that most of the characters she hangs with are older than 10 years old; some perhaps as old as 17? It's a little disconcerting. But it's probably just me. The story however is pretty cool. It's adventure primarily (and Cat is great because she's spunky and lively and not your typical young lady, but with small elements of tiny lady-like elegance thrown in) with a slight twinge of mystery. It's probably better for upper grade schoolers, might be a little too light for 7th and 8th graders, but chunky and parts of a little too much (a bloody boxing match, a character's stint in jail, discussion of hangings) for younger readers. Enjoyable though and a fairly swift read. Recommended. There are enough boy characters in it that it's it's possible to get the book into the hands of a boy, he just might like it.
I missed the film Smart People when it was in theaters and had a chance to watch it on dvd over the weekend. Dennis Quaid does a remarkable job as a pompous windbag English literature professor in this slow moving but thoughtful and interesting odd comedy. A widower who falls for a doctor who was once one of his students (who tells him that he's a pompous windbag; I enjoy when she interrupts him at dinner to tell him how long he's been talking), he tries to get a handle on being a likable person again. Parts of it you just want to roll your eyes and be slightly disgusted/annoyed with him, but Sarah Jessica Parker, who plays the doctor, does a fairly good job of putting him in his place. Also enjoyable is Ellen Page playing Quaid's brainiac high school senior daughter who essentially has taken care of her father since her mother's death. She is one of those incredibly smart people who hide how awkward and alone they are by being pretentious assholes. Throw into the mix Thomas Haden Church as Quaid's adopted brother (he always makes a point to tell people Haden Church is adopted) who is pretty much the comic relief of this film and you have a weirdly intelligent goofy comedy. A shorter film (only an hour and a half), this does move kind of slowly but is definitely worth sticking it out.
I had been looking forward to seeing Penelope since I first heard about the film last fall. Again, it was another film I missed in theaters, but it was worth the wait for the dvd. Christina Ricci plays Penelope a girl who is born with the curse of a pig-like nose and ears. (Being Christina Ricci, she can't really be that ugly, and it's almost endearing.) Following the typical fairy tale line, her parents determine the only way to get rid of the nose and ears is for Penelope to get married to "one of her own," a blue blood, someone rich and high born. The young men come, are not allowed to see Penelope at first but when she does reveal herself they--literally--run for it. Penelope is 25 and frustrated that nothing has happened, that one young man has stayed. But then one does (even if it is accidentally) and she develops a bond with Max that sticks even after he disappoints her as well. She decides to venture out into the world on her own and live her life outside of her house (the world thinks she's dead because her mother faked Penelope's death when she was a child to get the press hounds away from the family). If anything, see the film for the brilliant sets and wonderful use of colors in costumes and throughout the film. It's funny, lighthearted, and has a good message. And Catherine O'Hara is wonderfully overprotective and hyperactive and a pushy mother who wants her daughter to get married. Enjoyably fun. With a happily ever after.
That's it for me today; keep reading.
Yours,
the Savage Librarian.

2 Adventures, Quite Different.

As much of a history nerd as I am, I don't know a whole lot about Henry Hudson's voyages, and I think that was helpful (suspense-wise anyway) when I read Quest by Kathleen Benner Duble. This story of Henry Hudson's voyage is told from the perspective of four characters, two on the ship Discovery with Henry Hudson and two back in Europe, awaiting the return of the ship. John Hudson is Henry's 17 year old son (the middle child) who has gone on voyages with his father before. He has the task of keeping the ship's logs and so his entries (which lean much more towards journal entries than ship logs) comprise his contribution to the story. Seth Syms is one of the sailors (first time, poor soul) on Discovery, older than John, but befriends him and enjoys John's pranks. Seth is writing letters to his mother, even knowing that the letters will not get to her until he has returned from the voyage. Richard Hudson is Henry Hudson's youngest son, about 8 years old, and his story is told in the third person (which was a little jarring at first as the other three stories are told in the first person), making observations of what Richard thought of his brothers, but also what his mother went through while his father was at sea (often times captains' wives had to beg for credit until their husbands returned). The final part of the story is told in journal format by Isabella Digges, the daughter of one of Hudson's investors. Digges sends his daughter to a Dutch family as a companion so that she can spy for him. The head of the family is a part of the Dutch East India Trading Company and Isabella's charge is to seek out some of the maps and somehow convey the information of the new world back to her father. When the Discovery takes an extraordinary amount of time to return (the ship was trapped in the ice in Canada for the winter), the story starts to pick up and things get a little harried. I really enjoyed this book. It's quick paced and short (240 pages) and with a few kind of creepy details (a description of a man who froze to death and discussion of hangings) it's definitely better off for middle schoolers than grade schoolers. There is a helpful author's note at the end, noting where Duble got her inspiration for the story and what's true and what's not, as well as her belief that there needed to be some strong females characters (Isabella Digges, definitely, and Katherine Hudson). Highly recommended for history fans or anyone looking for a different type of adventure story.
Jellaby by Kean Soo is a fantastic graphic novel good for the grade school set (probably 3-5, though even some 2nd graders could probably tackle it). Jellaby is a giant purple monster that Portia finds in the woods near her house. Portia is raised by her mother as her father mysteriously disappeared. She doesn't have many friends, but Jellaby encourages Portia to get involved on the side of Jason, who is being bullied. She and Jason (after Jason unexpectedly meets Jellaby) become tentative friends and determine they should find a way to get Jellaby home. Jellaby recognizes a photo from a Halloween exhibition and the kids determine they need to take Jellaby there. Jason's parents are entirely absent from the story. These two grade schoolers con their way onto a train to the City (Jellaby's only speech is when he buys tickets on the train--it's hilarious) but something (inevitably) happens and the book ends there! Fantastic book. The color scheme is primarily in shades of purple, with a red barrette for Portia and a yellow hoodie for Jason distinguishing them from the rest of the kids (Jellaby's got some red stripes). There's a subplot of what actually happened to Portia's father (she keeps having nightmares) that will keep the story moving. Can't recommend it enough and I eagerly await the next volume.
Remarkably, I'm not waiting for anything, but content to be reading The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding. Another historical fiction about Cat Royal, an orphan who lives in the Royal Theatre in Drury Lane in 1790 London. I'm curious to see how it will turn out. I'll be patiently reading and update you next time.
Keep reading,
The Savage Librarian.

Of Rats and Princes

Two books to discuss today, Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell and The Little Lady Agency and the Prince by Hester Browne.
Emmy Addison is a small girl in school who feels ignored by her classmates and even her teacher. Her family inherited a pile of money and so her parents are often traveling around the world instead of staying home with Emmy. Emmy is in the care of her nanny, Miss Barmy. Miss Barmy is not the Mary Poppins type nanny, but rather the foul type one, the one who makes you take nasty medicine and signs you up for all kinds of after school activities you're just not interested in. Emmy discovers one day in class (when no one is paying attention to her) that she can understand the pet rat in the classroom. And he certainly has some interesting things to say. There's an odd shop on Emmy's way from school and she wanders in there one day to see what's there (the shop is called The Antique Rat), only to overhear Miss Barmy requesting something of the shopkeeper with all the rodents in the back. These rodents are special and each has an amazing ability, as Emmy's new friend Joe finds out when the class rat shrinks him. Needless to say, Miss Barmy is up to no good with the various rodents and their powers and it's up to Emmy, Joe, and the Shrinking Rat to stop her. Fun, quick read, good for kids grades 3-5.
My impatient waiting for Hester Browne's new book, The Little Lady Agency and the Prince, was rewarded by a great read. I was excited to see Melissa Romney-Jones back and in marriage discussions with Jonathan Riley. Also keeping up her fabulous agency, helping the fashion-challenged and just all around manners and behaviorially challenged. Mel's Granny asks a huge favor of her; Mel is supposed to help tame a playboy prince so his grandfather can get the family castle back and be invited to their country of Hollenberg once more. At first wary of Nicky upon their first meeting, Mel is never one to turn down a challenge and uses all of her fabulous Honey skills to reign this prince in. Jonathan, surprisingly, has no problem with Mel prancing about in the papers with this man (a big difference from Little Lady, Big Apple). He is currently in Paris, opening the estate agency's new office there. Mel visits on weekends and they plan on Mel moving over there in the fall. Mel's a little reluctant to do so, but wouldn't imagine telling Jonathan that. Eventually, a weekend goes terribly, terribly wrong in Paris, and there are two people who help Mel get home in one (though hungover) piece: Nelson (ever the admirable Nelson) and Prince Nicky. Mel's got herself in it this time (along with planning Emery's baby's christening/naming ceremony which continually gets pushed back, and just dealing with her family in general) but is always in control whether as Honey or Mel. Ever entertaining, quick reads.
Side note: X-Files: I Want to Believe made me want to believe that Chris Carter can do better with an X-Files movie, but there won't be anymore after this film. Not a bad film, as films go, but from a fan point of view, it's not very X-Filey. (Except the Mulder/Scully relationship bit, which fans appreciate, I'm sure.) If you're a die-hard fan, I'm tempted to advise you to pass on this film and if you weren't interested in the show before, this won't interest you. Disappointing, despite how nice it was to see Mulder & Scully (and Skinner!) again.
The Savage Librarian recommends you keep reading. Have good ones.

Royal Stories Flourish

I have a combination of materials to discuss this morning, 2 dvds and 2 books (I've sped through them). Let's start with the movies:
I watched Wallis & Edward earlier this week, starring Joely Richardson (of Nip/Tuck) as Wallis Simpson. Most accounts I've heard or read or seen of the Edward VIII and Mrs. Simpson story paint Mrs. Simpson in a most unflattering light. (I have not heard/read/seen many versions of the story, though I do own Edward VIII's book, A King's Story, which I have yet to read.) This film was interesting because it showed a very tender, loving relationship between Edward and Mrs. Simpson, she being more concerned with his happiness than herself. Edward VIII is painted as needy and slightly controlling as well as very very stubborn. She continues to tell Edward VIII not to give up his birthright for her, that they don't need to be married, that she'll leave the country, anything to help him focus on his duty as King. Edward VIII will not be deterred. He wants her as a wife and is willing to abdicate to get her. Which is precisely what occurred. Most of the stories paint Mrs. Simpson as being the one who forced Edward VIII to abdicate, that it was entirely her fault, that her influence caused him to quit the throne, to support Nazis, etc, etc. But Wallis & Edward portrays Edward as the more forceful character in the relationship. It was definitely an interesting film and pretty good. I recommend.
I know this is a loose connection to royalty, but the next film out on dvd is Persepolis (it talks a little bit about the Iranian royalty--yes, that's my flimsy connection). Based on Marjane Satrapi's two graphic novels, Persepolis and Persepolis 2, the film tells her story of growing up in Iran during the revolution and war. The film is beautiful, staying true to the tone and story of the books (well, definitely the first book, I haven't read the second one yet), is touching and funny, heartbreaking and angering. Marji is close to her parents and grandmother and it must have been a confusing time to grow up, revolutions, the danger faced by family members who oppose the government, the slow tightening restrictions placed on women in Iran. Her parents eventually send her to Vienna, to get her out of the country. Vienna is not the place for Marji and she spends a miserable time there, only to return to her family and Iran. She struggles to make it work in that country, where her family is, where she bases her identity. But disagreeing with much of what is happening in the country (as well as having had a taste of what was happening elsewhere in the world) make it difficult for Marji to find herself at home. A brilliant film. I highly recommend.
On to the books! Finished Yxta Maya Murray's The King's Gold, the second in the Red Lion series, taking place 2 years after The Queen Jade. Once I got a bit beyond the odd way Lola gets involved with this adventure. A man shows up at Lola's bookshop, waving a letter from about 1554 at her, from Antonio Medici who claims to have taken some of Montezuma's gold back to Italy. He is writing the letter to his nephew Cosimo, whom Antonio has little affection for. In the letter, he challenges Cosimo to follow the clues in 4 cities to find this vast trove of gold. Lola, being Lola, simply can't resist. The mystery man is actually Marco Moreno, the son of Colonel Moreno, one of the men chasing after Lola, Erik, and Yolanda in Guatemala. Marco is ... not a nice man. Charming, certainly. Intelligent, definitely. Dangerous, without a doubt. And yet Lola goes with him and his two bodyguards, Domenic and Blasej (big beefy intimidating guys), to Italy to decipher this strange letter, to determine if it is authentic and if she could somehow possibly help find Montezuma's gold. Forget the fact that she and Erik are getting married in two weeks. Minor details. Lola arrives in Florence with Marco, wanting to be there, knowing who Marco is and what he intends to do to her and her family should she not help him. And it's definitely not nice. Erik, concerned by Lola's crazy rambling text-messages she managed to send to him before Domenico broke her phone, jumps on a plane to Florence himself and meets her where she and Marco have gone to authetincate the letter. Erik gets caught up in the mystery (and the threats) and the five of them start to the first city, the first clue. Perilous traps have been laid by Antonio for his nephew Cosimo, and danger is in every step of the way. It wouldn't be a Red Lion book if the whole family wasn't around, so of course, Yolanda shows up to help Lola track, and Juana and Manuel show up because they like adventure. Nothing is quite straightforward in Murray's novels, so the treasure that awaits them at the end is not entirely what was expected. Definitely good and there's a lead in to the next novel which hopefully won't be too long in the writing.
Finally, I got around to reading The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett, the book I was so triumphant in finding for one of my patrons about Queen Elizabeth II walking her dogs. The Queen falls in love with reading in this novella ("One has always read," she says), and her duties fall a little to the wayside. She would much rather be reading (wouldn't we all). She tries to discuss her new found passion with visiting heads of state as well as asking people in the crowds what they're reading. It stumps them all. She determines that reading is too passive and that one must write, but she must now determine what it is she's going to write. An interesting short read. Passable.
I've started Sense & Sensibility (book 3 of my Austen year) and keep thinking it might go faster than it has in the past (for some reason I had such a difficult time getting through this book--before I read it all the way through, I must have started it at least twice). I'm only about 20 pages in, so it could be too early to say. I started this one because I'm waiting for Louise Rennison's Stop in the Name of Pants! to come in at the library. I must know what's happened with Georgia! Dave the Laugh, Massimo, AND Robbie?? What's a girl to do?? And her titles really do suit me; I laugh at them all the time.
As I continue to wait (impatiently), I shall remain your Savage Librarian.

Even 100 years later, love triangles stay the same

In Rumors by Anna Godbersen, the second of the Luxe novels, Penelope Hayes, Diana Holland, and Elizabeth Holland are back for more. It's been two months since Elizabeth's 'death', and Diana is impatiently awaiting the moment she can see Henry Schoonmaker again. The seemingly perpetual playboy was forced into an engagement with Elizabeth by his father and her mother (the Hollands are in some financial difficulties). While keeping up appearances with Elizabeth, Henry fell in love with reckless, lively Diana. As Rumors opens, Henry is supposed to be in mourning for Elizabeth but is pining for Diana just as much as she is for him. He wants nothing more than to be with her, spend time with her, and yes, even marry her (the only girl he's met who could draw him into marriage, he's convinced). However when Henry reveals his passions to his friend Teddy, Henry is reminded of the strict rules society lays down that would certainly frown upon Henry marrying his dead fiance's sister (this sounds like a soap opera). The Hollands, their financial crisis not ending upon Elizabeth's death, are trying to keep afloat and their lives together and Mrs Holland has now pinned all her hopes on Diana for a rich catch (Henry is never thought of by Mrs Holland). Penelope is playing the virtuous changed young woman, Elizabeth's death having a profound effect upon her and trying to take up the role as the well behaved rising social sweetheart (even though Penelope knows Elizabeth's not dead and hates the person she's becoming). She has set her sight on Henry, remembering their lustful trysts of the previous summer, willing him to love her as she loves him. Elizabeth makes an ill-advised return to Manhattan in response to a slightly panicked telegram from Diana. Will travels with her and the rumors of Elizabeth perhaps not being dead at all abound in Manhattan. In the meantime, Diana and Henry give in to their passions and are quietly discovered. Penelope of course discovers this and gives Henry and ultimatum. I only have on real complaint with the book. I find the way that Godbersen keeps Elizabeth in Manhattan a terrible direction to take the story with her character (there are so many other options that would have left me much more satisfied as a reader), though admittedly, I will read the next book, if only to find how the Holland girls will get out of the messes they're in.
Just barely started The King's Gold by Yxta Maya Murray, the second in the Red Lion Series. An interesting opening thus far. I'm curious to find out how this one will work out. Until that's finished, I remain your Savage Librarian.

An Adventure

I've just finished The Queen Jade by Yxta Maya Murray, the first in the Red Lion series (the second has been published recently, and I enjoyed The Queen Jade so much that I'll pick up the second, The King's Gold, as soon as my pile diminishes somewhat--down to two library books and Rumors, the second Luxe novel that I bought and have yet to read), about Lola, who owns the Red Lion bookshop. Lola doesn't really envision herself as an adventurer; she's content to let her mother, an archaeology professor at the University of California, do the exploring and the adventuring. Her mother, Juana, and her father, Manuel, who curates a museum in Guatemala, explored the Guatemalan jungles, trying to find the source of the mysterious blue jade, and the legendary Queen Jade. Juana decides to head to Guatemala, telling Lola she wants a vacation. Lola is immediately suspicious of that, as her mother never takes just a vacation. Juana goes, spends time with Manuel, and then, as she reveals in an email to her daughter, heads out into the jungle because she thinks she knows where to find the Queen Jade. Of course, when Lola receives this email, a hurricane has just swept through Guatemala. In her email Juana reveals that she didn't even tell Manuel where she was going, so Lola determines it's up to her to track her mother down. Erik, one of Juana's colleagues, goes with Lola, and there they pick up Yolanda, the daughter of a rival archaeologist and explorer. It's a well paced book with short chapters that keep you reading (and keep you feeling like you're making progress), and a storyline mixed with legend, history, adventure and a little bit of romance. A fantastic read with a surprising and clever ending. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, and I highly recommend this title.
Just begun another fairy tale retelling and will post when I finish with that. In the meantime, I remain your Savage Librarian.