Mystic and Rider - Sharon Shinn

Mystic and Rider
Sharon Shinn
4 stars (out of 5)

Opposites attract, especially when those opposites are extreme.

Mystic and Rider, by Sharon Shinn, is a beautifully written tale of magic and rebellion with a strong underlying romance. Throughout the novel, the impending rebellion creates a perpetual tension, keeping the book moving at an energetic pace. The two main characters, who start out enemies, slowly develop affection and eventually love for each other. The contrast within this pair is elegant and sophisticated, lending the story a vibrancy which is seldom seen in a fantasy novel. Despite the beauty of this romance, Shinn refuses to let it overpower other elements of the novel. As a result, the book gains a larger audience, appealing to fantasy and romance lovers alike. Mystic and Rider is multi-dimensional story of love, friendship and rebellion. It displays a depth seldom seen in fantasy novels which will keep the reader enthralled from start to finish.

1. What do you think of the Romance between Senneth and Tayse?
2. Of the powers the characters have, which would you like to possess? Why?

Those Who Trespass Against Us - Toni O'Keeffe

Those Who Trespass Against Us
Toni O'Keeffe
4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Legal systems often struggle to protect the masses at the cost of the individuals. While it is often very disturbing, Those Who Trespass Against Us, by Toni O'Keeffe, chronicles the life of one orphan at a time when the Irish government was essentially ignoring orphans. His life story, told through a very well written novel, will capture readers' hearts and minds from the very first page. Walter O'Keeffe, the author's father, and the main character of the novel, is hard not to fall in love with. The reader will feel an instant attachment to his childish speech and often crude behavior. For exactly this reason, the horrific conditions "Wattie" and his brothers are subjected to are particularly heart wrenching. Readers will want to keep reading simply to see if his life will ever improve. And it does. Slowly, through optimism and determination, Wattie struggles to improve his life, if only little by a little. It is this prevailing hope which makes the novel the touching memoir that it is. Those Who Trespass Against Us is an engaging but disturbing portrait of the life of Ireland's forgotten children. Toni O'Keeffe provides insight into what it means to be neglected and will enrich the perspectives of any reader.

1. Do you think Wattie's attitude was responsible for improving his life? How so?
2. Why do you think the Irish government chose to turn a blind eye to the treatment of children at residential schools such at Greenmont?

Hunted - P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Hunted

P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

2 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Certain genres should not, under any circumstances, be combined. While Hunted, by P.C. and Kristin Cast, might appeal to the post-twilight preteen crowd, its attempt to combine fantasy and social drama results in an unappealing, shallow, mess of a novel. What could have been a moderately exciting plot is ruined by the bursts of teenage drama which appear throughout the book. Such interruptions effectively prevent the reader from developing any degree of interest in the storyline. In addition to the novel's lack of substance, the author fails to develop the characters, keeping the reader from acquiring an attachment to them. Not only are the characters shallow, but their lack of depth is reflected in the relationships between them. Characters who appear to have a strong friendship periodically turn on each other for seemingly trivial reasons, causing them to lose any respect the reader may have gained for them throughout the novel. With Hunted, P.C. and Kristin Cast were obviously writing to fill a niche between Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and Cecily von Ziegesar's Gossip Girl. However, readers looking for a more complex novel should steer clear of Hunted.

1. Do you think combining the two genres was a good idea? Why or why not?
2. Did you enjoy the other novels in the series more than this? Or less? Why?

City of Glass - Cassandra Clare

City of Glass

Cassandra Clare

4 stars (out of 5)

The difference between good and evil lies not in a person's background, but in their actions. Although it is science fiction, City of Glass by Cassandra Clare, carries this message while providing a riveting conclusion to the Mortal Instruments trilogy. City of Glass is a many faceted novel, containing elements of fantasy, science fiction, and romance. Clare's talent for weaving these very different threads into one story gives the novel a universal appeal. City of Glass neatly ties up all the loose ends which occur throughout the series. However, it does so in such a way that the conclusion does not come across as over done. The novel chronicles the growth of its characters, making it as much a coming of age story as a science fiction novel. Its characters fight many internal battles even as they face the external ones. City of Glass demonstrates the ability of any individual to triumph over the doubt within them.

1. What do you think was the turning point for Jace?

2. What do you think will happen to the newly formed relationship between the shadow hunters and the downworlders? Why?