Mercedes Lackey's The Snow Queen

Another tale in set in the 500 Kingdoms! Tradition, Godmothers, evil sorceresses, and dumb kids...sounds like a good 'un.

I wasn't, and to be honestly still am not familiar with the fairy tale of the Snow Queen. So I read this book with no previous knowledge, no expectations. And, for the most part, I was pleased.

I have yet to read a Mercedes Lackey book that I didn't like, and The Snow Queen is no exception. It goes back and forth between the Snow Queen, also known to some as the Ice Fairy, and a Godmother, and some members of the Sammi, an eskimo type tribe. Through various circumstances, they team up to figure out a way to destroy an imposter.

I will say that I wish that there was more focus on the romance(s). I mean, there was some, but not to the same extent as the other 500 Kingdoms books Ms Lackey has written.

Over all, a good veggie! :)

The Historian

Talk about a book that you don't want to put down! Everytime I picked it up, I had that 'don't-want-to-tear-my-eyes-away-from-the-page' feeling.

When a young man finds an old book with a dragon stamped in it, and nothing else, the search is on. He uncovers, along with the help of a new friend, some letters, and a huge leap of faith, things that ought not to be uncovered. When dealing with the un-dead, who can you trust?

This story has so many layers, so many twists...It is for sure one that will keep you up at night, wanting to know what happens next.

One Good Knight

As I said the other day, I am going to do a read/re-read of some Mercedes Lackey. I have always loved her books, all of them. I love loosing myself in a tale of Valdemar, reading about the white horses that come and 'speak' to their chosen riders...More recently, I discovered Lackey's 'Tales of the 500 Kingdoms' books. I read the first one, 'The Fairy Godmother' and was hooked! How clever! To use traditional stories, traditional fairy tales, and turning it around onto the characters!

Andie, or Princess Andromeda, as her mother insists she is called, doesn't overly enjoy being a Princess. As princess of Acadia, she is supposed to act certain ways, do certain things (and also NOT do certain things) but all she really wants to do is read, and study.

Insert Dragon.

Nobody in Acadia has ever seen a real dragon. The Kingdom is so small, so seemingly insignificant, that Andie has no clue why a dragon would even come. So, the research begins.

When the court comes to the decision that, in order to appease the dragon, Acadia would offer up a virgin sacrifice weekly, nobody is overly thrilled. But, what other options do they have? However, when Princess Andromeda's name is pulled out of the lottery, she becomes determined to do something!

This story is great. A fun, entertaining read. It has just about everything...the Champion, the Princess, the Dragons, the bevy of virginal maidens, corrupt advisors...its a light, good read. I can't wait to keep up on this Mercedes Lackey kick!

The next books on the List.

As I am drawing to the end of The Historian, I have started scanning my shelves for my next read. Which, can be a rather hard thing to do! However, I have decided that Mercedes Lackey will be tackled!

The List is as follows (in no particular order):

-One Good Knight
-The Snow Queen
-By the Sword
-The Foundation

These are my next hill to tackle. I won't call it a mountain, because to me, this is a GREAT thing, to have so many Mercedes Lackey books lined up! I can't wait!!!!!

So far: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Well...I am currently reading this book. Sadly, bouts of migraines and general achy-ness have prevented me from finishing it yet. But, do not fear! The end is near! :)

I'm really enjoying this book! Its part history, part fantasy (very little) and supposedly part romance, although I have yet to read anything of that nature. It's thrilling. It's about Dracula!

The narrator is an unnamed 16 year old girl who lives with her father, and discovers an old book with only a dragon in it. And, so, her father, with a heavy heart, begins to tell her a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat...or bed, or couch, whatever your preferred reading place is.

I will admit that I am getting a little impatient with it, but only because I am unable to sit and just read like I used to be able to...I'm ready to find out more, to see where they go, how her father tells the story, what happens next...only I have to wait and read a chapter at a time. Sometimes two.

But, anyway, its quiet on the home front, so I'll to my book.

To be continued...

Inkheart

Ahh...Inkheart. Why didn't I read this years ago?? Even if you don't like fantasy...it would be worth reading for all of the good book name-dropping! There are quotes from so many good books...'The Princess Bride' and 'Lord of the Rings'...'Peter Pan' and 'The Sword in the Stone'. Or to read it just to read about Elinor's fabulous library that sends a book worm like me into fits of jealousy :)

Meggie's quiet, book-filled life is disrupted one rainy night by a late night visitor. A strange visitor that fills her with some sort of dread. His name is Dustfinger, and he is there for her father, Mo.

Mo is a chocolate-loving book binder who lives on the run. He is constantly moving Meggie from place to place, trying to escape...escape what, Meggie is unsure. But soon she will know all, for Dustfingers visit is the beginning of an adventure she had only ever read about.

Nine years ago, Mo quit reading outloud. Meggie never thought to ask why, but she will soon learn that it has to do with Dustfinger, and an evil man named Capricorn, and the mother that she can't remember.

A good read! I would (and have) reccommended it to any young person who enjoys reading, and any adult who wants to loose themselves in a book-filled fantasy world :)

Cheers!