Between the Lines -- Reviewed by Stephanie Best

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer
Reviewed by Stephanie Best

Delilah, a high school girl who feels very out of place, one day happens upon a children’s fairy tale called Between the Lines. She instantly becomes obsessed with the book, and the main character, Oliver. Inside the story, a whole other world exists. When the book is closed, the characters have different lives. Rapscullio, the evil-doer, is actually a nice guy, and Oliver, who is supposed to be in love with the beautiful Serephima, couldn’t want any less to do with her. The people inside the story can see the reader, but the reader, can see them. That was, until Delilah came around. Having fallen in love with Oliver, one day Delilah wishes out loud to Oliver that he was real. Usually when the characters are doing something while the book is closed, the story sets itself right when the book is being opened. However, things begin to change. What starts with a chess board in the sand, quickly becomes contact between Oliver and Delilah that turns into a growing friendship, resulting in trying to find Oliver a way out of the book.

                Between the Lines was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. At first, I was really confused when it was explaining how inside the fairy tale work, but I quickly realized how much of an amazing idea it was. I loved how in depth the story inside the story was. I loved how each and every character was different when the fairy tale was closed and I loved how the story went into detail about so many of the fairy tale’s characters. Anyone who has read Beastly, A Kiss in Time, or Cloaked, by Alex Flinn would like this novel because these stories are very similar in concept. I would completely recommend this.

Princess of the Midnight Ball --- a review by Amy Lyon

Princess of the Midnight Ball
by Jessica Day George

****

Its the Twelve Dancing Princesses with a twist.
Rose and her sisters have a secret, and so far, no one has been able to uncover it. Every morning, all twelve girls are found collapsed on the rug in Rose's room with their brand new slippers in tatters. Rose shoulders the responsibility as eldest, but she can't help being amused by the new gardener. But things start to get out of control as each prince that has set out to find the answer is met with an untimely death. And two representatives from the Vatican take a little too much pleasure in investigating this possible witchcraft.

Galen has just returned from war, and is now living with his long lost aunt, her cynical husband, and his surprisingly optimistic cousin. Now armed with seemingly ordinary knitting needles and wool, Galen decides he's just the man for the job... the trick is to uncover the truth without the princesses knowing, while retaining Rose's almost reluctant favor.

There is almost certainly evil at work here, but in what form or forms does it take? Can Galen save the princesses and win Rose's heart? Or will something from evil depths once again reach through silver gates?

While similar to the original story, Princess of the Midnight Ball gave an interesting perspective to the evils we all face. There were so many twists and turns, I wasn't sure how it would end. So many rewrites recently have left me disappointed, but this is a definite challenger for the original. Even the romance doesn't take the usual course. I can't say more or I'll give it away.

I can't wait for the sequel Princess of Glass, a continuation of the first with a CinderEllen twist.

Legacy -- a review by Amy Lyon

Legacy

by Carla Kluver

*** stars

As with Romeo and Juliet, there is a feud, but not between families, between kingdoms. The feud has gone on for so long, hardly anyone remembers what started it. But one thing is for sure, both kingdoms have sworn to finish it by conquering the other. In the midst of battle, could love be found?

Under pressure from her father to marry his choice in heir, Alera, princess of Hytanica, desperately searches for someone else, anyone else. Everyone else in the kingdom is charmed by Steldor, but something about his arrogance and total disregard for others sets Alera on edge. During her search, disaster strikes; the high priestess of Croyki is found and detained. Her disappearance shortly after has everyone pointing fingers. Narian, a young man from Croyki, is found wondering and it is later determined he is really from Hytanica. As Narian tries to settle into this new life, he finds an ally in Alera. Even when the worst is suspected, Alera can’t shake her feelings of trust toward him. Stolen moments turn into so much more. But when it comes down to it, is Alera willing to give up her claim to the throne in the name of love?

This book was okay. It had a good beginning, but seemed to drone on for a while. The characters seemed typical, the whiny princess and the jerk who wants the throne. I personally wanted to hear more about the body guard and his sketchy past. Its hinted that London, the body guard, has more to do with the feud than he has let on. Overall, it wasn’t bad for the first novel of a sixteen year old writer, but I really hope the second, Allegiance, is better.