Book Review: The Hunt For Snow (Fairytale League #1) by S.E. Babin

The Hunt For Snow is the first book in the Fairytale League series by S.E. Babin.  Snow’s past is shrouded in mystery. Mild cryptozoologist by day, private investigator by night, Snow is dead set on one thing, staying far away from the Huntsman who haunts her dreams. When she shows up to a conference for those from the Enchanted Forest with her two best friends in tow, things start going awry right away. Mere minutes after arriving, they find themselves thrust back into the world they’ve tried so hard to avoid. Now, along with the help of her friends, Snow is struggling to stay one step ahead of the queen who wants to destroy her, and the Huntsman who wants to possess her at all costs. 

The Hunt For Snow started of quickly, almost making me thing that I had missed something even though this is the first book in the series. However, the world and character building quickly fixed that feeling. Snow is a tough character, she tries not to care, and because of her past relies a bit to much on weapons and fighting. However, she is quick thinking and really does care about her friends and anyone that depends on her. The relationship between Snow and the Huntsman is extremely complicated and full of anticipation and hard choices. The Huntsman has a hard road, and is stranger than most would expect, even given his reputation. I liked the twist on most of the characters. Cinderella and Belle kept me happy through the majority of the book, and I was interested in seeing how all of the changes and stories would intertwine. The twists and turns, complications, and character developments kept up from very early in the book to the final pages, leaving readers hanging, but engaged through the entire read. While Snow is not my favorite main character, the story and extended cast have me interested to see the series through. 

The Hunt For Snow is a read that keeps readers turning pages and interested. The story is solid and fast paced. I would recommend grabbing the second book to have handy, so that you are not left completely hanging when this book ends, although who is to say that it wont end with a cliff hanger as well.

Authors of Young Adult Fantasy You Need to Read; And Have Your Teens Read, Too

Novels intended for the young adult market are increasing in quantity, subject matters and in some cases quality. Many of the authors writing fantasy in this market are simply a pleasure to read, while still challenging the reader to think and grow. Here are some of the authors that everyone, teens and adults alike, can enjoy.

Tamora Pierce is a prolific young adult fantasy writer that has released a number of related series and is still going. Her first novel was Alana; The First Adventure which was the first book in the Song of the Lioness quartet. This first series was geared towards slightly younger group, nine to twelve year olds. Then came the Immortals quartet, Circle of Magic quartet, Protector of the Small quartet, Circle Opens quartet, the Trickster series (only two books), Will of the Empress, Melting Stones, and finally the Beka Cooper series. All of these books happen in the same universe, the same counties with intersecting storylines, but still each book or series can be enjoyed without having read all of the books.

Pierce's main characters tend to be young women, though there are male main characters in the two Circle quartets. All of her characters are realistic, with doubts and questions about the world, and really come to life as you read. The reader really does care what happens, not just to the main characters, but all the smaller characters and the worlds of the books as a whole. Additionally, most of her books can me found in Full Cast audio format, which is a simply amazing way to get a reluctant reader, or long distance commuter to enjoy her writing. If you read and enjoy her work then I suggest also trying Maria V Snyder, Shannon Hale, and Robin McKinley.

Neil Gaiman is another contemporary writer that is great for both young adults and adults to read. Some of his best works, in my opinion, include Coraline (made into a major motion picture), Graveyard Book (winner of the 2009 Newbury Award), American Gods, Neverwhere (made into a miniseries on BBC), and Mirror Mask (made into a motion picture). He is also know for

the Sandman graphic novels and Stardust (made into a major motion picture). He also collaborated with Terry Pratchett on Good Omens. Gaiman has an imagination that I am both envious of and glad that I don't have on dark, spooky nights. He always makes me very concerned for his characters, and I like that many of the characters are flawed, like real people, even when faced with things well out of the ordinary. For those of the audiobook set, Gaiman narrates his own audio books and he does a phenomenal job with inflections and pauses just where they should be. Authors I'd recommend are Terry Pratchett and Garth Nix.

My third recommendation is Madeleine L'Engle. Most of us have heard about the Newbury Award winning A Wrinkle In Time series, but have you read it? It is a fantastic set of books, and was just a small portion of her work. She wrote at least sixty books before passing away in 2007. Many of her works combine fantasy with some science. Her work was consistently entertainment while touching and easy to connect to for ever person that has ever just not fit in, and isn't that everyone? Other authors you might enjoy include Margaret Mahy, Lois Lowry and Kate DiCamillo.

There are still several authors of this genre that are just amazing, but to list them all, and tell you anything about them, would take up too much space. However, I can't seem to leave this topic without also recommending Lloyd Alexander, Holly Black, Charles de Lint, Rick Riordan, and Michael Buckley.

Book Review: Alistair Grim's Odditorium by Gregory Funaro

Alistair Grim's Odditorium is the first book in the Odditorium series by Gregory Funaro. Grubb, age twelve (or thereabouts), has never known anything beyond his miserable existence as a chimney sweep. All of that changes the day he stows away in the coach belonging to a mysterious guest at the inn that he is tasked with cleaning. Grubb emerges from Alistair Grim's trunk and into the wondrous world of the Odditorium. Fueled by a glowing blue energy that Grubb can only begin to understand, the Odditorium is home to countless enchanted objects and an eccentric crew that embraces Grubb as one of their own. When the Odditorium comes under attack, Grubb is whisked off on a perilous adventure. Only he can prevent the Odditorium's magic from falling into evil hands, and his new family from suffering a terrible fate. Grubb knows he's no hero. He's just a chimney sweep. But armed with only his courage and wits, Grubb will confront the life-or-death battle he alone is destined to fight.

Alistair Grim's Odditorium is a middle grade fantasy novel that hints of steampunk. Grubb had a very rough start to life, but that start has given him some skills that serve him well on his adventures in 19th century England. Grubb does not expect anything from anyone, and coming to the Odditorium is both a blessing and a curse. It gets him away from a less than pleasant situation and throws him into a much more caring but dangerous situation. the Odditorium is fueled by magic, and secrets abound. Fairies, banshees, sinister skeletons, and much more await Grubb. I really like that through it all Grubb uses wit and his good nature to get through most scrapes. Those that are honorable seem to come out on top (at least most of the time) here. Even when mistakes are made, characters work to make it right.  the characters are widely varied in personaklity and persuation, but they all grew and developed as the story continued. However, I will admit that I fully expected the revelation that came about on the final page, but I still greatly enjoyed the journey.

Alistair Grim's Odditorium is a fast paced and unique offering for the middle grade market. I seriously think it has the potential of becoming as well known and remembered as Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Wrinkle in Time for the level of adventure and virtuous characters that face huge obstacles. I would recommend this for reluctant and avid readers alike. 

Top Five Blogs by Fantasy Authors: Real Life from Those that Give Us Fantasy

Blogs are a great way for authors to keep fans and interested parties up to date with their current projects, industry information and any pieces of their personal life that they are willing to share. This is an essential tool for staying in touch with the people that buy their books, so they can keep their audience satisfied. Here are some blogs from fantasy authors that do a fantastic job in informing and entertaining their audience.

My particular favorite is Neil Gaiman. He blogs about author events as well as what he is currently doing on both a personal and professional level. He even offers a message board which he actively participates in, links, downloads and video clips either about him or that he thinks will interest his fans. He really makes it evident that he values the people that appreciate his work and seems to be a genuine and nice person.

Another author that keeps their fans informed with tidbits from both professional and personal life is C.E Murphy. As a fellow mother, I find her day-to-day life as entertaining as her posts about her writing, though I am eagerly awaiting her next release. Maybe it is just the joy of knowing that everyone has the same kind of crazy moments with a new baby in the house, trying to loose the related weight, and still trying to be a productive member of society that makes me love her Livejournal entries.

Piers Anthony keeps a blog like newsletter, so I am including it since he does update regularly and allows access to past entries. He talks about his daily life, the books he is reading and his professional life. I find it interesting to read his perspective and unique voice as he describes news and life as well as his opinions on both.

Richelle Mead keeps her fans updated through Livejournal. Her updates are generally about her professional life, book tours, release dates and signings. However, her in depth description of the event are great, and she has an obvious appreciation for the fans that make it all possible.

Caitlin P. Kiernan is another Livejournal user. She keeps fans up to date with a balance of personal and business information. There are a fair number of posts about news and information that the author just found interested or wants to share with her readers. Her varying user icons and images she places in some of her posts are worth a look.

There are many other authors from this genre that blog, but due to the format, style or lack of frequent updates simply did not make my top five. An example is Laurell K Hamilton's blog. I love her sense of humor and read her Facebook posts and the content of her blog would be worth a look, but I am simply not fond of having to scroll an embedded window to read blog posts.