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Zel and her mother live on a remote farm in the mountains of Switzerland. On one of their infrequent trips into town, Zel meets and intrigues Konrad, the son of a local nobleman. Zel's mother, who can see into the future, fears losing independent Zel to a husband. Mother tricks Zel and locks her in a tower, hiding her away from Konrad and the rest of the world. Konrad cannot forget this mysterious girl and vows to find her. Based on the fairy tale "Rapunzel", Zel is a story of epic love and misplaced motherly devotion.

Reviewed by Sarah H., Independence Regional

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New Hampshire millionaire Leland Crompton hires artist Alix Miller to paint his portrait. A writer of popular mysteries, Lee is disfigured by a rare genetic disease and lives as a recluse. As Alix works on his portrait, she discovers the kind gentle man beneath the disturbing exterior, and they fall in love. The characters live and breathe, and the snowy New Hampshire setting makes a romantic backdrop for a beautiful love story. A moving retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Bettie S., Main Library

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Jack Whyte's series, The Camulod Chronicles, tells the tale of the rise of King Arthur, laying the groundwork for the noble king and his knights, in the ancient history of Roman Britain. In this book, ancient Roman Britain is meticulously detailed, from the battlements and fortresses, the stampede of warring Romans and Celts, and great aqueducts, roads and villas built by the Romans, with some still standing to this day. Woven into the well researched history of the area, Mr. Whyte relates the tale of the creation of Excalibur, the finely honed and beautifully crafted sword, later used by Arthur to mark his rise to the throne. Not for men only, this is a wonderfully written story, enjoyable to anyone who loves the Arthur legend - but with a twist!

Reviewed by Rosanne L., Matthews Branch

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Most of us have heard of Camelot, and King Arthur. How many, however, have considered it from the point of view of Morgana, Arthur's sister, or Guenivere, his queen? This is exactly what Ms. Bradley does in this beautifully woven epic. The flesh and blood characters leap off the page, each with their own views of what is happening around them. Arthurian England never seemed so real, so violent, and so heart-wrenching. This book lasts not long enough; you must read it slowly, savoring every page. All too soon it is over, leaving you touched, and enlightened. The terrific adventures of Arthur are more complete with this feminine view of Camelot.

Reviewed by Tammy S., University City Regional

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Meet seven dwarves that know more of the pain of life than of whistling while they work. Meet a Beauty that is not so impressed when the Beast transforms. And walk into a world of fairy tales that looks less like a fantasy kingdom than a smoky club or quake-wracked California. These stories, part misty dream and part seedy reality, bring a new slant on some familiar stories. In the hands of Block, you'll see these familiar tales anew--like oddly shaped crystals with only a shiny fleck of something familiar buried deep within them.

Reviewed by Tony T., Main Library

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There is another London, invisible and seamless to the common eyes of people like you and me. Richard Mayhew is an ordinary, likable fellow who gets caught up in this extraordinary place. A girl named Door enters his life with unfathomable troubles. An astonishing adventure ensues for this odd couple as they try to solve a mystery while struggling to survive its aftermath. Journey above and below London to discover that the truth is not always easy to find and things are not always what they appear.

Reviewed by Jeff G., North County Regional

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In Greek mythology, mermaids were granted immortality if they won a man's love. Sirena is a lonely young mermaid unwilling to entice sailors with her god-given voice, although her sisters do, luring the ships into danger and drowning the men. Sirena saves a young sailor, Philoctetes, from drowning and takes him to a deserted island where she nurses him back to health. A unique friendship forms, until the day Sirena uses her voice to ward off a bear and Philoctetes hears her. From that point, the two embark on a romance fitted for the gods. But, Sirena is worried whether their love is pure or if it is the product of her spellbinding songs. Packed with Greek mythology, Sirena is a remarkable story of friendship, love, and inspiration.

Reviewed by Melanie L., Matthews Branch

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In this witty retelling of the Cinderella story, Ella has charmed Prince Charming and is living in the palace while being groomed in all the social graces. What’s a girl to do when that man of her dreams turns out to be shallow, vain and a not very bright bore? Will a true friendship with the interesting and smart Jed turn out to be true love? Ella faces both danger and the displeasure of those at the palace after she questions her feelings and her future relationship with Prince Charming. If you are looking for a fresh and fun twist on an old story then Just Ella is just perfect!

Reviewed by Beverly S., Davidson Branch

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It’s rare to come across an author whose ideas are completely original. China Mieville is such a rarity. Perdido Street Station exists in the same thoughtspace as Gibson and Sterling’s The Difference Engine, but has a take on the idea that is completely unique. The setting, New Corobuzon, combines technological advancement with fantasy grotesquery and victorian social mores. Isaac, the protagonist, is a poor scientist, trying to complete the theory that will make him rich, when a stranger arrives on his doorstep with a request that will change his life forever. Packed with incredible creatures, machine intelligence, intertwining plot threads, and a narrative twist halfway through that will take your breath away, Perdido Street Station is a masterpiece.

Reviewed by Ian R., North County Regional

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Neil Gaiman proves quite how powerful fairy tales can be with this astounding book, a modern tale of Faerie that is as real as can be and as fantastic as your imagination will allow. Tristan Thorne lives in the village of Wall, just this side of an intersection with a world that is not our own. He does not know - nor have reason to suspect - that he is not entirely of this world. However, when the girl he loves asks him to catch a falling star for her in exchange for his Heart’s Desire, he ventures into the world beyond the Wall, on a quest that will find him true love – and true danger – in unexpected places. An enchanting book.

Reviewed by Ian R., North County Regional

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Ten years after Wicked, the boy Liir embarks on a quest of knowledge and truth about his heritage. Was Elphaba, the Wicked Witch, his mother? Since he can ride her broom, does that mean he has her powers? Is he the son of a witch? Other creatures in Oz seem to think that he is and solicit his help to fight a new evil that threatens their home. Gregory Maguire sure knows how to twist a fairy tale; this is one of those rare books that is not designed for children, but captures us in ways that only childhood reading can. However, it is the adult themes of love, politics, loyalty and family that drive the novel and make it a memorable sequel.

Reviewed by Angela C., ImaginOn

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Santiago is a young shepherd living in the fields of Andalusia. Yearning to learn about the ways of the world, he embarks on a journey to Egypt to find a treasure he once dreamt of. Along the way, Santiago meets many characters that have their own input on life and how to deal with obstacles that may come. The Alchemist is filled with spiritual enlightenment as well as worldly philosophies that any reader can appreciate. If you’re looking for a soul searching adventure, dive into Paulo Coelho’s timeless masterpiece.

Reviewed by Amrita P., ImaginOn

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Reader's comments about this book

This is a great and thought-provoking novel that enables the reader to examine the meaning of life in all of its many layers. Read this, but don't take it at just face value. Really ponder the meaning of what the author was trying to say and how it pertains to your life.
-Bianca, Dallas, Texas

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This unique retelling of the "Beauty and the Beast" tale is told from the perspective of the Beast. Orasmyn is a prince of ancient Persia who accidentally angers a djinn and finds himself transformed into a lion. As he struggles to survive as a lion while maintaining his humanity, Orasmyn flees to France in a desperate attempt to find a maiden to love him and reverse the curse. He takes up residence in an abandoned castle, obsessively tending his rose garden in the hopes that the right woman will notice. Napoli’s lyrical writing and imaginative storyline makes this a magical read.

Reviewed by Meri H., Main Library

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Rushdie’s common threads of freedom of speech and anti-censorship are woven in a Technicolor word tapestry illustrating the value of those threads as well as the additional values of storytelling and communication. In this contemporary fairytale, Haroun must save his father’s profession of storytelling since his father has become known as “The Shah of Blahs.” Haroun must restore the stream of stories. The pollution (modern civilization and lack of creativity) is killing the Ocean of the Stream of Stories and the stories are drying up. It’s a rush against time and the novel flows as quickly as the pollution. Step out of your preconceived notions of Salman Rushdie and embark on this journey with Haroun and be encircled by the threads of the story.

Reviewed by Martha F., North County Regional

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Ani, Crown Princess of Kildenree, is a unique young lady. She has the ability to speak with animals. While this gift could be appreciated by many, it is not a quality that the Queen feels is right for a future ruler. When Ani’s father dies, her mother makes a startling confession; Ani is to be sent to the neighboring country of Bayern to marry the Prince. As Ani, her lady in waiting, Selia, and her guards begin this long journey all is not as it seems. When Selia and some of the guards turn against her, she is forced to flee. Ani enters Bayern as a commoner and begins work as a goose girl. When the opportunity to reclaim her identity arrives, will Ani be ready?

Reviewed by Angela A., Cornelius Branch

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