I have just spend the last few days frolicking amongst werewolves, Celtic gods, and the Fae. I’ve been enthralled by the hunt, moved by loyalty, and touched by unconditional love. I have giggled and have had to read through unshed tears. I have cheered for the good guys and snarled at the bad ones. Seriously, what more could you ask for in a novel?

Sue Bursztynski found her inspiration to write Wolfborn from a collection of stories written by a lady known only as Marie de France. Her creative license has allowed her to take elements from Shakespearian plays, Celtic folklore and Roman authors to construct a world and characters with whom you will generate a deep emotional connection.

Etienne has been sent to Lucanne for the purposes of finishing up his training to become a knight. His arrival coincides with the beginnings of an epic tale of love, betrayal, and the importance of staying true to yourself.
When Dame Eglantine plots to remove her husband, Lord Geraint, from his position of power,  she unwittingly creates a maelstrom of disastrous events. It is up to Etienne, Armand, Jeanne, and Sylvie to bring Lord Geraint back to reality and, believe me when I say, this will be no easy task.

This is not your run-of-the-mill werewolf story, and I found the need for human scent on clothing to be able to change back to human form a little difficult to swallow at first. Surprisingly, it ended up fitting the story in a manner that didn’t rub me the wrong way.

I enjoyed the character growth with our three teenage heroes. Self-doubt and worry are pushed aside by loyalty and trust. They don’t spend too much time whining or wallowing in self pity, which is a pleasant change when it comes to book characters of their age bracket. The morals of the story are woven in a subtle, yet profound, way, creating an enjoyable and vivid tale.
You will find the book difficult to put down once you’ve made the choice to get swept up in the magic of it all.
Read Sue’s blog here.

Wolfborn – Sue Bursztynski

January 12th, 2010 by Random House

Paperback, 304 Pages.

ISBN: 9781864718256

It’s hard enough being a girl when you love to play the male-dominated sport of soccer. It sucks being told you can no longer play on the same team as your mates. To be relegated to a girls only team, for which there are only a certain number of positions. To have to make the team or miss out for an entire season.

Lucy Zoffi is part of a world famous family. Dad plays for AC Milan, Mum’s a model, and together they run a fashion label called Love Lucy. This equals insane public outings, with the paparazzi following them everywhere. This kind of life seems normal to Lucy (though an annoying normal), right up until the media get hold of the information that Lucy has a half brother who has just signed with AC Milan. The stable life she’s always known is tipped on its end. How will Lucy keep her world from shattering apart?

Liz Deep-Jones knows her stuff when it comes to sport–she’s been a part of the media covering the FIFA World Cup, the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the Australian Open Tennis, and is also an ambassador for Sydney Football Club. So, it should be no surprise when I tell you the action sequences had me bouncing in my seat. Capturing the heart-stopping adrenalin rush of being on the pitch is not an easy thing, and can sometimes fall flat when the author is imagining, rather than living, it. I’ll bet there’s a pair of shin pads in Liz’s handbag.

The paparazzi moments are extremely suffocating. It must be a scary thing, being the hottest thing since sliced bread. Being a young teen in that situation would be enough to explain the young Hollywood misfits. The reactions of some of the characters seem a little bland for the enormity of the complex situations Deep-Jones puts them through, however, and how Lucy’s dog GiGi gets out of Australia and into Milan so easily had me scratching my head. If you liked Bend it like Beckham, you’ll enjoy Lucy Zeezou’s Glamour Game. The fast pace and witty repartee makes this a great read for those mornings when the weather is too horrible for kicking the ball around.

Lucy Zeezou’s Glamour Game – Liz Deep-Jones

Author details for Liz Deep-Jones

1 June, 2010 by Random House

Paperback, 274 Pages

ISBN: 9781864719734

Salem, Oregon, has become a safe haven for the monster community. What the ‘normies’ (regular people) don’t know, is some of the most famous monsters live amongst them, making HUGE changes to their lives to appear ‘normal‘.

Go Green is the message of this generation. Frankie Stein, consumer, student and RAD (Regular Attribute Dodger) is devastated when she finds out this message is referring to environmental awareness, and not, in fact, the colour of her body. She’s told to cover up her bolts, stitches and mint green skin by her parents, so she can attend Merston High, appearing to be a regular teenage girl.

While you’re running into the unapologetic plugs from every label and brand within popular teen culture like cobwebs on Halloween, there are important messages within the story.

Be yourself, if your friends don’t like you for who you are, they’re not really your friends.

Lisi captures the unrelenting battle to fit in every day accurately. I wanted to slap the monster parents for forcing their kids to assimilate. Teen years are hard enough without the added stress of having to hide your true self. The image of the poor werewolf having to go through constant waxing or suffer the wrath of PETA protestors for wearing real fur, was one that will stick with me.

Though there is a serious side, you will still be finding yourself giggling the whole way through.

I’ll be impatiently hanging out until April 2011 when the next installment of Monster High will be released along with Monster High merchandise by Mattel.  Sounds like a whole bunch fun to me.

http://www.monsterhigh.com

Monster High – Lisi Harrison
September 1, 2010 by Poppy
Hardcover: 272 pages
ISBN:  9780316099189
ISBN-10: 031609918X
ISBN-13: 978-0316099189

I had a wonderful friend in my first few years of high school who shares the first name as the protagonist in Jones’s series.

Zara was, and is, certainly one of the ‘shining ones‘. A sunny demeanor, ready to help anyone who needs her, and is always willing to stand up for justice. In my eyes Carrie Jones certainly pegged her character perfectly, well, that is if I was comparing her to the only Zara I’ve ever known.

In Jones’s story, Zara’s step-dad dies. She’s not coping very well, and is sent away from home to live with her step-grandmother to recover. She starts a new school, meets new friends and makes enemies just like any ordinary person. Unfortunately for Zara, that’s where the ordinary ends.

There’s a strange man popping up unexpectedly and he’s obviously never heard that pointing is rude. He’s a creepy dude and according to a good internet search engine, the research says he’s a Pixie.

The friends band together to overcome adversity, whether it be dealing with the ‘popular girl’, pulling arrows out of huge animals, taping knives and forks to a house, or holding each other as dramas unfold.

The one thing Zara has to avoid at all costs is being Pixie kissed even if it means saving the love of her life, Nick.

Though the lovey-dovey parts of both books are a little slow, the scenes leave you feeling as if you’re part of the group, not so much a fifth wheel. I do warn you though, try not to read these if you’ve just gone through a break up or are having a rocky patch.

The action sequences are lively and the mix of supernatural beings is fresh. Issie would have to be my favourite character above all others. She’s got just the right balance of ditz and devoted friend to satisfy my tastes.

I finished book 1 (Need) in an afternoon, so the books are easy reading.

Perfect for a lazy weekend. Just be sure to have both books close at hand because you’ll be chomping at the bit to keep reading.

• Bloomsbury Publishing
• ISBN-10: 1599903385 ISBN-13: 978-1599903385