Welcome to Smugglivus – Day 24!

Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2009, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2010.

Today’s Guest: Angie of the Young Adult/Fantasy/Speculative Fiction review blog Angieville. Angie runs one of our very favorite blogs, and has a knack for picking up and reviewing books that both of us Smugglers love. She’s one of our go-to sites for book ideas – if Angie likes it, chances are, we will love it too!

Please give a hand to Angie!

Best Performance by a Heroine in a Recurring Role: Kate Daniels for Magic Strikes Kate just gets cooler and tougher and couldn’t stop taunting the Beast Lord to save her life. My kind of girl, is Kate.

Best Debut Performance by a Heroine in a Leading Role: Lyn for Girl in the Arena

She’s the daughter of seven gladiators. She loves her family and is true to herself, while refusing to perpetuate a suffocatingly rigid social system. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Lyn.

Best Performance by a Hero in a Recurring Role: Curran for Magic Strikes

It’s just that he’s Curran. And he’s so furry and cocky and implacable. And out of his mind over Kate. Love the guy. Love, love, love him.

Best Debut Performance by a Hero in a Leading Role: Brigan for Fire

Because if you’re looking for still waters run deep, look no further. His iron self-control and constant putting of duty and family before any personal desires…well, in Kristin Cashore’s capable hands, he’s utterly spellbinding.

Best Performance by an Antihero in a Leading Role: Nick for The Demon’s Lexicon

Talk about the definition of an antihero. Nicholas Ryves takes the cake, my friends. You love him, you hate him, you love to hate him. And his relationship with his big brother Alan will melt your heart. See if it doesn’t.

Best Performance by a Villain: President Snow for Catching Fire

The dude smells like blood and roses and I can’t read a scene he’s in without gagging. Seriously. What is wrong with him?

Best Performance by a Vampire in a Supporting Role: Stefan for Bone Crossed

Stefan is just, hands down, my favorite vampire around. He smells like popcorn and drives a VW bus painted like the Mystery Machine and he absolutely made Bone Crossed. I hope Mercy gives Marsilia what she deserves one of these days. For Stefan.

Best Series Finale: Diana Peterfreund for Tap & Gown

For never dropping the ball and coming through in every way that matters and more. Tap & Gown is the perfect ending to a ridiculously entertaining series. How many of those have you read?

Best Packaging: Arthur A. Levine Books for Marcelo in the Real World

I just love it. Better yet, its inside is every bit as breathtaking as its outside. And that is saying something.

Best Kiss: Lady Julia Grey and Mr. Nicholas Brisbane for Silent on the Moor

These two are three books in now and the tension…let’s just say it remains high. Part of it can be chalked up to how well-suited they are to one another and part of it is just that Ms. Raybourn can infuse a scene with Victorian heat like nobody’s business.

And last, but not least…

Best Author Pimping: My booktwin and dear friend Martha for her tireless and heartfelt pimping of Megan Whalen Turner’s Queen’s Thief series: The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, and The King of Attolia

Thank you, Martha. What can I say? I should have listened to you earlier. I have seen the error of my ways and will never delay reading a book you rave about ever again. This series instantaneously skyrocketed to the top of my beloved bookshelf and Turner is an absolute storytelling master. Highly recommended for fans of Robin McKinley, Kristin Cashore, and Sherwood Smith.

As for my 2010 Must Be Mine list…I’m gonna leave you with my top 15 most anticipated titles. They hail from 3 new-to-me authors and 12 near-and-dear ones. The list is comprised of 8 YAs (4 fantasy, 2 urban fantasy, 1 dystopian, and 1 contemporary), 3 urban fantasies, 3 straight fantasies, 1 historical mystery, and is top to bottom made of awesome. Shiny, no? Here they are in order of publication date:

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

In a world of fever camps, wandering exiles, and cursed kingdoms, young Finnikin joins forces with the reckless Evanjalin in a bid to save the land of Lumatere from the evil that threatens to swallow it. After the wonder that was Jellicoe Road, I will read anything the woman writes. Due out February 9

The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn

A young woman leaves Scotland, bound for Roumania to visit a friend and write her book. There she encounters the mysterious Count Dragulescu and, well, really, need I say more? Due out March 1

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner

The long-awaited fourth novel in the beloved Queen’s Thief series. This one follows Sophos as he fights his way to take his place as the heir to Sounis. Confession: I’m 100 pages into my ARC and it is, in a word, sublime. Due out March 23

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

A land beset by storms and quakes, a mysterious wizard who brings rain, and a young woman stolen from her home who may hold the key to it all…I am so there. Due out March 23

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

Fifth Mercy Thompson novel. ‘Nuff said. Due out March 30

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

The unexpected but delightfully welcome sequel to Perfect Chemistry. This one follows Alex’s little brother Carlos. I enjoyed the hell out of the first book and can’t wait for the follow-up. Plus, that cover? Smokin! Due out April 13

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

A young girl has lost her memory. A desperate prince risks everything on the mere hope she is who he believes her to be. Forced to return to a place she once fled, amid scheming and lies, Isabel struggles to determine who she used to be and what she must become. Due out April 17

Lord of the Changing Winds by Rachel Neumeier

First in the Griffin Mage trilogy. The griffins are coming, bringing fire and desert in their wake. The king prepares for battle to protect his land. Meanwhile a young girl is summoned to heal the Griffin King and her awakening abilities lead her to the truth behind their sudden flight. Due out April 27

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

The fourth Kate Daniels book. Ilona and Gordon knocked it out of the park with Magic Strikes and I’m just not sure I’m gonna make it until May. Thank goodness for re-reading, right? Due out May 25

White Cat by Holly Black

The first in the Curse Workers trilogy, it’s about a boy named Cassel and takes place in a private boarding school, features a family of grifters, and is about curse magic. Oh, and a white cat. And is a fairy tale retelling. And it will be mine. Due out May 4

No covers quite yet on the rest of these, but keep your eye out because they are definitely not to be missed.

Heroes Return by Moira J. Moore

The fifth Heroes book featuring the lovable Source & Shield duo: Taro & Lee. Due out July 27

Bring on the Night by Jeri Smith-Ready

This series is #3 in my top favorite urban fantasies. I just love how smooth the writing is and finding out what happens to Ciara and Shane and the gang in the next WVMP Radio installment. Due out August 1

The untitled Hunger Games Book 3 by Suzanne Collins

I have no idea how it’s all going to play out but I can tell you one thing. Katniss better knock some heads together in this one because I am THIS CLOSE to losing it. Grrr. Due out August 24

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund

The second Killer Unicorns book (I just love saying that) and the sequel to Rampant. Peterfreund is one of my very favorite authors and I, for one, am looking forward to more Astrid, more Giovanni, more Phil, and more Bucephalus! Due out September 21

Seer of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier

The sequel to the lovely Heir to Sevenwaters. This one is Sibeal’s book and one I’ve been waiting for for a long time. If you’ve never read any Marillier before, you have until December to pick up Daughter of the Forest and discover the splendiferousness for yourself. Janicu–I’m lookin’ at you. Due out December

That’s it for me. Thanks for having me, Smugglers! I’m off to track down some hot cider and wrap the last few presents. Thanks for stopping in this Christmas Eve and I hope your holidays are filled with good cheer and good books!

Thank you, Angie!!!

Next on Smugglivus: Doug Knipe, aka SciFiGuy

There is nothing wrong with your computer. Do not attempt to adjust the picture.

We interrupt this transmission of Halloween related material to bring you some very important announcements…

We have some giveaway news! Our three running contests have now come to a close, and we have quite a few lucky winners to announce.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant Giveaway:

We have TWO lucky winners, whom each will take home a Cirque du Freak book Set (Includes all THREE original Cirque du Freak titles in one book) and a Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant Locker Mirror.

And the winners are:

Fantasy Firsts Giveaway:

We have THREE winners to announce! Each winner will be taking home a copy of both Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson and The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan.

And the winners are:

Heart’s Blood Giveaway:

And finally, we have ONE lucky winner of Juliet Marillier’s much anticipated new novel, Heart’s Blood!

And the winner is:

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL! Now, winners, hurry on up and send us an email (contact AT thebooksmugglers DOT com) with your snail mail addresses, so we can get your goodies out to you as soon as possible!

Thanks again to everyone that entered – and if you didn’t win, don’t fret. We have plenty more giveaway goodies coming your way.

Transmission completed. We now return to our regularly scheduled programming…

Today we bring you the latest installment in our new feature, “What She Said…” in which we both review books that the other has already read and reviewed. The idea arose because of the dilemma that if one of us reads and reviews a book, the other can’t really post again about it, right? WRONG! Hence, “What She Said…” was born. For those books that we REALLY want to read after the other has reviewed – and gushed – about it.

For today’s post, we take on Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier, and The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier
Roc (US)/Tor (UK), November 2008, Hardcover 416 pages

Original Review November 2008
Original Rating: 9 Damn Near Perfection

What Thea Said:

There are very few books that I have read this year that have left me dreading each turn of the page–not out of fear or distaste with the writing, but out of a passion to keep reading the book. Out of the knowledge that once the last page turns, that inevitable ache of loneliness will settle in–because the book is just that damn good.

Such is Heir to Sevenwaters.

This is a beautiful tale of family, courage, and–most importantly of all–love. I finished this book and was urged to flip back to the beginning just to read it again. I can only hope that Ms. Marillier plans on revisiting Sevenwaters again. And hopefully very, very soon.

What Ana Says: Oh my sweet baby Jesus – this book is made of awesome. Thea was absolutely right about it, this is the sort of book I love to read with its wonderful, perfect blend of Fantasy and Romance. Under Juliet Marillier’s expert writing, I am nothing but a puppet having my heart’s strings pulled. I laughed, I cried, I sighed more times than I can count. At one point, I thought I was going to drown in my own tears only to be rescued a few pages later by a scene that put a huge smile in my face. And this, THIS is what makes her books so damn good, the ability that this woman has to write amazingly emotional, romantic stories.

As with Daughter of the Forest, the author takes her sweet time with the setting of her story. It is not until way over page 100 that the plot gets moving but it doesn’t matter. Because the first 100 pages are the insight into the lives of the characters that you need in order to care: this is where you learn everything about Clodagh, the narrator of the story.

About her dedication to her family and to her family’s stronghold, Sevenwaters. About the family’s connection to the Good Folk who inhabit the forest around Sevenwaters. About how important is this moment in time, when her mother is pregnant once again, at a dangerous age, in the hope of giving birth to a son, who will be Heir to Sevenwaters. Everything is building up to that moment and it is a though things are suspended in time, waiting to see what is going to happen. Her father for example, has to deal with political complications stemming from Clodagh’s sister marriage but can’t concentrate on the matter. There are also visitors staying at Sevenwaters including the current Heir, Johnny and his band of warriors. Amongst them, there is one man who might be Clodagh’s sweetheart and his best friend, Cathal who is rude and distant.

This suspense affects Clodagh as well, who is in charge of the house, doing what she does best: organising the day to day life of Sevenwaters. Because they don’t know if the mother or the baby will survive, Clodagh has to put away plans to maybe one day get married until further notice. Then the baby is born and to everyone’s relief both mother and child, a boy, are well. Then something strange happens. One day Clodagh is taking care of her little brother when Cathal, mysterious, obnoxious Cathal, shows up at her bedroom to say goodbye and kisses her. When she is back inside the room the unthinkable has happened: the baby is gone and in his place, a changeling was left, a baby made of twigs and leaves. With Cathal gone at the same time, suspicions fall on him and on the possibility that the kidnapping was carried out for political reasons. No one thinks that there might a different explanation; expect for Clodagh who is the only one that can hear the changeling baby’s cries. She is convinced that this is not a mere kidnapping and that her brother’s survival is connected to the changeling’s survival; and because she is the only one that can see that he is alive, she is the one that has to make sure that he remains so, because no one will believe her. She is sure an exchange needs to be made soon and she takes the changeling baby in a journey to the Otherworld. She knows that the journey is full of dangers and she might not survive but on the way there, she is joined by Cathal who offers his help. And this is only the beginning.

After those first pages, I was completely INVESTED in Clodagh’s story. Understanding her need to save her brother AND the changeling’s life; compassionately feeling her frustration that one will believe her and her relief when Cathal can too, hear the baby.

All of Juliet Marillier’s protagonists are women, quietly strong and capable of sacrifices and Clodagh is no different. She has a capacity for compassion towards the baby made of twigs and faith towards a man who at first comes across as undeserving and these two traits, compassion and faith are what keep her going, fuelling this amazing woman ‘s actions.

And then there is Cathal. I can not dwell too much on him because I might spoil part of his mystery but let me just say that Cathal is one of those characters who grow on you little by little, as layer upon layer is disclosed to the reader and to Clodagh. But once you see who he is and how much he cares for Clodagh (like in this one scene, when he thinks she is gone and when he realises she is safe, he does something that is completely, totally aw-worthy, sigh-inducing and heart-warming) he is revealed as a Hero of the highest calibre.

Even if I don’t take into consideration the several aspects that make this book an excellent read: the lovely writing, the fantastic elements of Irish folklore, the politics involving the different chieftains around Sevenwaters, and concentrate only in the story, at its purest form and on the characters, it would be enough to put this in my keeper shelf.

There are several twists and turns, revelations and surprises to the point where by the end, the book you find yourself reading is not the book you thought you were when you first started. It also happens that the Fantasy elements are of the variety I most like: there is a Quest (a There and Back journey) with dangerous, scary threats; High Sacrifices; a trickster that needs to be tricked and tasks to perform. But in the end, this is a book about fighting for one’s True Love and Clodagh and Cathal’s story is one of the best love stories I ever read: full of loyalty and passion.

After reading three books by this author, I can appreciate Thea’s devotion to her books and I have now joined the ranks of devoted Marillier’s fans. Heir to Sevenwaters granted me that perfect reading experience and put me on a Book High. This is definitely a M.F.A. (Made For Ana) book and one that I wholeheartedly recommend to Fantasy and Romance readers alike.

Rating: I will see Thea’s 9 and raise it to a 10. This book, it was a perfect read for me.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Daw (US)/Gollancz (UK), March 2007 (US)/September 2007 (UK), Hardcover 662 pages

Original Review May 2009
Original Rating: 10 and I quote: “A solid, perfect 10 which just set the bar higher for everything I read henceforth”

What Ana Said:

If I had any talent for poetry I would write an Ode. If I could compose songs, I would make one for the lute and call it “The name of the Wind knocked my socks off”. But I don’t. As it stands, the ONLY thing I can do to convey how much I love this book, is to write this review, hoping against hope that it will be enough, and say that whenever Patrick Rothfuss takes Kvothe next, I will follow, blindly and willingly.

And I will finish by saying the following: I don’t want to run into any rushed declarations but The Name of the Wind may well be the best book I read since The Book Smugglers’ inception.

What Thea Says:

This installment of What She Said is a tall order – both of the books that Ana and I read were among our favorite reads of 2008 and 2009. In my case, with The Name of the Wind, there’s a little history. See, I bought my copy back in early 2008. I even told Ana about the book. We were SUPPOSED to do a joint review of the book. But then, one day in March, I start getting these emails from Ana, in which she is squeeing over the wonder that is The Name of the Wind! (That hussy, she betrayed me! She and my book were cheating on me!) And wouldn’t you know it – she absolutely loved it. LOVED IT. I’m talking drooling, crying, cradling it near her body when she sleeps at night, obsessed with it. And it is partially out of this situation that “What She Said” was born – because Ana loved this book so much, and I was desperate to read it and review it too.

THUS, “What She Said” was created. And now, seven months later, I finally had the opportunity to read The Name of the Wind…

And I finally see what all the fuss is about – because The Name of the Wind is one damn fine novel. So far as first novels go (not only as the first novel in a fantasy series, but as a debut novel, mind you), The Name of the Wind is undeniably, absolutely, positively brilliant.

This is the story of the innkeeper Kote – Kvothe that was. This is the story of the fabled, revered and simultaneously feared Kingkiller; a man who has done incredible things in his life, and still is not yet thirty years old. He has stolen princesses, fought demons, and slayed dragons. He has defied Kings, and mastered magic and music alike. He is A Hero. The Name of the Wind tells Kvothe’s story as he shares it with Chronicler, the finest story recorder in the land. Though Kote is hesitant to tell his long story, he agrees to let Chronicler transcribe it over the course of three days – The Name of the Wind is the first day.

What can I say about this book that hasn’t already been said? Mr. Rothfuss’s debut effort is a gorgeously work, written in rich, almost musical prose. This is a story to be savored, as it unfolds slowly, following Kvote’s life as a happy child in a troupe of legendary performers, to wretched, impoverished life on the streets after the murder of his family. It is an epic Hero’s Journey, encompassing a childhood full of love and cruelty alike, as Kvothe grows into a brilliant young man. Kvothe is perhaps too good to be true – he’s literally a genius as well as a master musician and an unparalleled talent with sympathy and his other university studies (“sympathy” being the arcanists’ magic in this world). He’s also charismatic, charming, and, judging from the ladies’ reactions, a looker too. He could easily have been an exhaustingly Mary Sue as a character, but he wasn’t, thanks to Mr. Rothfuss’s sure hand. Kvothe’s voice is that of a true performer, and he – through Mr. Rothfuss – knows how to tell a story. A dash of healthy arrogance throughout, Kvothe keeps Chronicler and Bast enthralled as he pours his heart out, and all his impressive accomplishments seem the results of a carefully constructed reputation as well as the fruit of very concentrated efforts. In short, Kvothe isn’t pretentious. I loved him and his story.

To this accomplishment, add the fact that the other characters were solid all around, if a tad predictable and less developed than Kvothe (but, being honest, this is Kvothe’s story, and he is the one we care the most for as readers). The world building, complete with an entirely new mythology and opposing religions was awesome, on a re-interpretive level reminiscent of Jacqueline Carey’s alternate world with the stories of Elua and his companions. The University too was a fabulous new location, where Kvothe learns his magical craft (though perhaps too much time is spent on his monetary woes and inability to enter the mysterious archives). I also loved how Mr. Rothfuss subverts fantasy tropes subtly – taking familiar settings and characters, and spinning them. The entire novel is, in fact, a tale in a tavern. He takes the tavern trope, the tales within a tale, the grand adventure, the Great Hero and makes them all his – as Ana would say, he “takes the mick out of them.”

In terms of shortcomings, there were only a sparse few – my biggest complaint (if you could call it that), is that not much happens in the story. While Kvothe goes through a lot, this first novel barely scratches the surface of Kvothe’s legacy. The promise made at the beginning of the book with Kvothe’s adventures and accomplishments are barely seen in this novel – in a way, it’s a whole lot of set up for action that hasn’t yet come. Also, as far as stories go, Kvothe’s tale is surprisingly mundane, taking a day to day look at his young life. While most fantasy novels that I’ve read spend some time on childhood and move on, jumping even, to the hero’s adult life, Mr. Rothfuss takes his time and shows everything – which is both admirable and infuriating. The way that the trilogy is set up, book 2 is where the great action, where the real meat and potatoes of the story comes in. The Name of the Wind is an amuse bouche, tantalizing the tastebuds with the promise of more to come…and I, along with the rest of fantasy-fandom, am hungry.

This is the greatest strength and curse for Mr. Rothfuss – how damn good this debut novel was, because now we are ravenous for more. I cannot wait to read The Wise Man’s Fear. I need to know why Kvothe became Kote, the reason for the lines on his face and his faded vibrance and lost magic. I want to know what these demon spider creatures are that are invading the land.

I cannot wait.

Rating: 9 – Damn Near Perfection – and it can only get better from here…

Reading Next on What She Said:

Ana: Resenting the Hero by Moira J. Moore

Thea: Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Heart’s Blood

Author: Juliet Marillier

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Roc (US) / Tor (UK)
Publication Date: November 2009 (US) / October 2009 (UK)
Hardcover: 416 pages (US) / 560 pages (UK)

How did I get this book: Review Copy from Publisher

Why did I read this book: It’s no secret that I love Juliet Marillier. Her Sevenwaters books are among my all time favorites – I’ve even got Ana into them. I’ve also loved her young adult novels, Wildwood Dancing and Cybele’s Secret, so when I heard about Heart’s Blood I was literally salivating.

Summary: (from Juliet Marillier.com)
A haunted forest. A cursed castle. A girl running from her past and a man who’s more than he seems to be. A tale of love, betrayal and redemption…

As time passes, Caitrin learns there is more to the broken young man and his unusual household than she realised. It may be only through her love and determination that the curse can be lifted and Anluan and his people set free…

Review:

On a cold misty evening, a fair young girl travels a lonely road. Caitrin, beloved daughter and sister, runs away from a home that has become cold and spiteful since her father’s death and her sister’s elopement. At the hands of her cruel kinsmen, Caitrin becomes a husk of who she used to be, constantly terrified and powerless under their abusive blows – both verbal and physical. So, she gathers her father’s old writing tools and flees, in hopes of finding a distant relative, or work to support herself as a fully trained scribe. After hard traveling, she ends up on a wagon that takes her as far as Whistling Tor, a secluded, mist-shrouded village that holds many secrets. Taking rest in the village inn for a night, Caitrin overhears that the local Lord has need of a scribe – someone who can read and translate Latin, and organize old documents.

Though Caitrin hears the rumors of ghosts that plague Whistling Tor and tales about the creatures that lurk in the castle’s mists, she gathers her resolve and presents herself for the job. It is then that she discovers the extent of the curse that lays upon the chieftans of the Tor, and the heavy burden that rests on the current lord’s, Anluan’s, shoulders. As the weeks pass, Caitrin comes to understand and love the Tor and its inhabitants and will lend all of her hope, determination and strength to break the enchantment.

Heart’s Blood is easily one of my most highly anticipated books of 2009 – and with such high anticipation comes a directly proportional increase in the possibility for disappointment. But, as always seems to be the case with the esteemed Ms. Marillier, I was not disappointed – Heart’s Blood is a truly gorgeous, winsome book from beginning to end, and another book on the shortlist for favorite reads this year.

One of the things I love the most about Ms. Marillier is her ability to weave magic, mythology and folklore into every sentence on the page, and this latest novel is no exception. Heart’s Blood takes place in twelfth century Ireland, on the precipice of the Norman Invasion. Though I don’t know much at all about Irish history, Ms. Marillier manages to bring this medieval setting to life with the customs, language, and even the laws of the time, painting a vibrant, luscious and wholly convincing portrait of the period. There is magic too in Heart’s Blood, as Whistling Tor falls on a century of hardship. This is a different type of magic than the meddlesome Fair Folk of Sevenwaters or the gods of Piscul Draculi, though; in Heart’s Blood, the enchantment is rooted in human sorcery, in unrest and suffering. The atmosphere is distinct, different from the previous books in Ms. Marillier’s repertoire, and I genuinely loved the variation. There is a palpable danger in Heart’s Blood, a threat of nearly overwhelming hopelessness and darkness – but balanced with the endearing characters and beauty of the overarching story, it’s a bearable darkness.

Similar to Daughter of the Forest and Wildwood Dancing, Heart’s Blood is also a retelling of a classic tale; in this case, it’s a re-imagining of Beauty and the Beast, with the disfigured and misunderstood chieftan Anluan, and the brave, fair Caitrin, determined to rescue her prince. As with her previous books based on fables (The Seven Swans, The Twelve Dancing Princesses), Ms. Marillier not only takes a familiar tale and retells it, but she reconstructs the fable in its entirety. In the exquisitely plotted Heart’s Blood, the curse that lies upon Whistling Tor has its roots in human treachery, with a power-hungry, cold-hearted chieftan who would stop at nothing to amass an army to seize power – defying even the boundaries of death. But something went wrong with the enchantment, and has since plagued his descendants. Ms. Marillier’s plotting is as deft as ever, intricately weaving old curses with new doubts, mingling Anluan’s insecurities and fears with Caitrin’s troubled past, but keeping the promise of unrelenting hope for the future of these characters.

For, what is a Juliet Marillier novel without a devastating romance?

Heart’s Blood is one of the best, with all its angst and sweetness. Caitrin is another strong addition to the ranks of Awesomest Heroines Ever (many of which are from Ms. Marillier’s books). Caitrin is hopeful, even in the darkest of hours, but she is never saccharine sweet or unrealistic. Caitrin, for all her belief in her friends at the Tor and for all her faith in Anluan as a leader stumbles when it comes to facing her own demons, but gradually is able to discover that she has strength enough for herself too. Her wit, her tenacity, her admirable bravery – these are all qualities that Caitrin has in abundance, making her a heroine worth fighting for. And then, of course, there’s Anluan, the “beast” himself. Suffering from a palsy at a young age, Anluan’s body is not strong and hale – though he can walk and speak, his right side suffers from a severely limited range of motion and partial paralysis – and his uneven features have caused the villagers in Whistling Tor and outsiders to rumor him as a monster or freak. And Anluan, having lost his mother and father at a very young age, believes that he is not a whole man, much less a deserving leader. But beneath Anluan’s fears and insecurities, he is a strong willed man with an ability to lead his people and love deeply – as he gradually comes to understand. The romance that unfolds between Caitrin and Anluan is delicious, building slowly over the course of the novel and dramatically coming to fruition just when it needs to. This is a bittersweet romance, and a powerful one. It tugs at the heart-strings, it sweeps you up into its splendor, it gives you the warm fuzzies inside and leaves you smiling like a goon by the end of the book.

In short, I loved it. I fell in love with both Caitrin and Anluan just as they stumbled into love with each other.

I haven’t even mentioned all the other wonderful, detailed characters that fill this book’s pages – the ghostly little girl with her pleas for “baby,” the camaraderie that Rioghan and Eichri give both Caitrin and Anluan, the clever and dependable Magnus…and of course, the mysterious, antagonistic Muirne. Even Whistling Tor with its castle and surrounding woods is a character in its own right – as much as the moors of Wuthering Heights or the gothic landscape of Jane Eyre played in their respective books – with its twisting corridors, mist shrouded hill, and magic mirrors.

Heart’s Blood is a true gem, another beautiful novel from Juliet Marillier. Absolutely recommended, for old and new readers alike.

Notable Quotes/Parts: From Chapter 1:

At a place where two tracks met, the carter brought his horse to a sudden halt.

‘This is where you get down,’ he said.

Dusk was falling, and mist was closing in over a landscape curiously devoid of features. Apart from low clumps of grass, all I could see nearby was an ancient marker stone whose inscription was obscured by a coat of creeping mosses. Every part of me ached with weariness. ‘This is not even a settlement!’ I protested. ‘It’s – it’s nowhere!’
‘This is as far west as your money takes you,’ the man said flatly. ‘Wasn’t that the agreement? It’s late. I won’t linger in these parts after nightfall.’

I sat frozen. He couldn’t really be going to leave me in this godforsaken spot, could he?

‘You could come on with me.’ The man’s tone had changed. ‘I’ve got a roof, supper, a comfortable bed. For a pretty little thing like you, there’s other ways of paying.’ He set a heavy hand on my shoulder, making me shrink away, my heart hammering. I scrambled down from the cart and seized my bag and writing box from the back before the fellow could drive off and leave me with nothing.

‘Sure you won’t change your mind?’ he asked, eyeing me up and down as if I were a prime cut of beef.

‘Quite sure,’ I said shakily, shocked that I had been too full of my woes to notice that look in his eye earlier, when there were other passengers on the cart. ‘What is this place? Is there a settlement close by?’

‘If you can call it that.’ He jerked his head in the general direction of the marker. ‘Don’t know if you’ll find shelter. They’ve a habit of huddling behind locked doors at night around here, and with good reason. I’m not talking about troops of armed Normans on the road, you understand, but … something else. You’d far better come home with me. I’d look after you.’

I slung my bundle over my shoulder. On the tip of my tongue was the retort he deserved: I’m not so desperate, but I was not quite brave enough to say it. Besides, with only four coppers left and the very real possibility that pursuit was close behind me, I might soon be reduced to accepting offers of this kind or starving. It had taken all my courage to run away. After three days I was finding life on the road more difficult than I’d anticipated.

I turned my back on the carter and stooped to examine the weathered stone. The inscription read Whistling Tor. An odd name. If there was a hill nearby, there was no telling where. The vapour was thickening so fast that I could hardly see an arm’s length in front of me. As I traced the moss-crusted letters, the man drove away without another word. The drum of hoof-beats and the creak of wheels diminished to nothing. I took a deep breath and ordered myself to be strong. If there was a sign, there must be a settlement and shelter.

You can read the full excerpt HERE.

Additional Thoughts: I love the international covers for this book – they’re gorgeous and atmospheric. Check out the Australian cover image below:

The US cover is also relevant to the story and pretty in its own way, but I think international wins this round.

Also, author Juliet Marillier has an essay on her website about Heart’s Blood, her inspirations and the Beauty and the Beast tale. WARNING: The post contains plot spoilers for the book, but it a wonderful read for those who have already read the book or do not mind being spoiled. You can read the essay HERE.

Rating: 9 – Damn Near Perfection

Reading Next: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Giveaway Details:

We are giving away ONE copy of Heart’s Blood (with the US cover pictured above)! The contest is open to residents of the US and Canada, and will run until October 24 at 11:59 pm (PST). To enter, simply leave a comment here. Good luck!

Happy Sunday, all! Hope it’s a good one. Time to get down to business…

Giveaway Winners:

First we have TWO lucky winners of our giveaway of Patricia A. McKillip’s The Bell at Sealey Head. The two winners are:

Congratulations! You know the drill. Send an email to us (contact AT the book smugglers DOT com) with your snail mail address, and we’ll get your books out to you as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone that entered!

Around the Internets:

We are totally forgetful slobs – we forgot last week to announce that fellow blogger and aspiring author Rhiannon Hart has HUGE news! She has just signed with big agent Ginger Clark of Curtis Brown in NYC, who has a specialty in sci-fi/fantasy/PNR. We are so freaking excited for Rhiannon and hope her YA manuscript and series gets picked up soon by a big publishing house! Check out her post for more info.

In other news, you may have noticed that Technorati recently changed the way they calculate blog rankings. They’ve also given the site a huge facelift, allowing for “Top 100″ subcategories…AND we are proud (and somewhat mystified) to announce that The Book Smugglers has made TWO top 100 lists! In the “Entertainment Blogs” category and in the “Book Blogs” category. Yes, it’s probably a miscalculation, but we are STOKED nonetheless! We were going to list the top 10 list of Book Blogs, according to Technorati v2.0 but it keeps changing daily. Two days ago, we were #6, yesterday we were #3, today we are down to #4. The question we really want to ask is: how in the world are we on the top 10 and say…Neil Gaiman’s blog is aaaaaaaaaaaaall the way down to 200s? NOT POSSIBLE. But for now, we just celebrate!

Also, we’ve just learned of the awesome Nerds Heart YA 2009 Tournament!

The Nerds Heart YA tournament is organized by Renay of YA Fabulous, and looks at sixteen “under the radar” YA books published in 2009. These titles are awesome YA books that have for some reason or other not gained as much attention as the Big Names in the genre. The way the tournament works is, each judge on the panel reads and reviews the two books in their bracket, and picks a winner to advance to the next round, and so on until the final winner of the tournament is determined. This year’s nominations are now open! Here are the guidelines:

1. Young Adult fiction, we’re not called Nerds Hearts YA for nothing!
2. First published in 2009 (unless it was published elsewhere in a language other than English and is a translation, which I think we should make exception for!)
3. If it’s already received a lot of blog coverage, there’s a good chance it’s outside our scope, but toss it on anyway if you’re unsure.
3a. Go crazy and we’ll eligibility check later.

In order to enter your nominations, go forth to Renay’s blog, and leave a comment after this post.

Finally, you can keep track of the tournament by following the official Twitter Account.

Patrick Rothfuss, the author of The Name of the Wind (aka Ana’ favourite book read in 2009) has something really cool brewing at his blog. You can get your name in book two, The Wise Man’s Fear….

by taking part in a raffle to raise money for Heifer International. You can read all about it here.

This Week on The Book Smugglers:

It’s another crazy week! On Monday, Ana and Katie of Babbling About Books and More! do a powerpuff review of Young Adult Romance novel, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles.

On Tuesday, Thea reviews fantasy novel Firethorn by Sarah Micklem.

Wednesday, Thea reviews Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier, one of her most highly anticipated books of the year! We’ll also have a giveaway of the novel, so make sure to tune in!

On Thursday, it’s another installment of our What She Said feature! This time, Ana takes on Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier (one of Thea’s Top 10 Reads of 2008), and Thea FINALLY gets to read The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (one of Ana’s favorite books of 2009)!

And finally, on Friday we have Kati Dancy of Katidom over for our October installment of the Guest Dare! Kati will review Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassoti. Also on Friday, Ana reviews Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen.

Phew.

And after next week…it is time for HALLOWEEN WEEK! But we’ll have more on that later…

Until next time!

~ Your Friendly Neighborhood Book Smugglers

Title: Cybele’s Secret

Author: Juliet Marillier

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Publisher: Knopf Books
Publication Date: September 2008
Hardcover: 448 Pages

Stand alone or series: Can be read as a stand alone novel, but is the companion book/sequel to Wildwood Dancing.

Why did I read this book: I love Juliet Marillier’s writing, and I loved Wildwood Dancing. Naturally, I had to have Cybele’s Secret too.

Summary: (from amazon.com)
FOR PAULA, ACCOMPANYING her merchant father on a trading voyage to Istanbul is a dream come true. They have come to this city of trade on a special mission to purchase a most rare artifact—a gift from the ancient goddess, Cybele, to her followers. It’s the only remnant of a lost, pagan cult.

Meanwhile, Paula doesn’t know who she can trust in Istanbul, and finds herself drawn to two very different men. As time begins to run out, Paula realizes they may all be tied up in the destiny of Cybele’s Gift, and she must solve the puzzle before unknown but deadly enemies catch up to her. . . .

Review:

Paula, the studious, scholarly sister of Piscul Draculi, begins her own adventure in Cybele’s Secret. With all her sisters married and happily situated (besides the youngest, Stela), Paula longs for adventure and a chance to challenge her sharp mind – and with her father’s latest merchant charter for an ancient, priceless artifact, Paula finally encounters the adventure she has always longed for. Paula’s strong head for languages and numbers and her father’s affection secure her a spot on the ship headed for Istanbul to procure the mythical Cybele’s Gift, rumored to hold the engraved words from the old Goddess herself and to bestow wisdom and good fortune to any who possess it. Of course, no one has ever seen the artifact but Paula and her father are determined to buy it, for the price they can sell it for will secure the family at Piscul Draculi forever. Although the reemergence of the Gift is supposed to be a secret, many of the best merchants in Istanbul have already heard the news and compete fiercely for the priceless prize, including a ruthless Portuguese pirate. And because of this danger – and the cultural mores that women must adhere to in public – Paula’s father hires a young, serious man named Stoyan as their bodyguard. Paula turns to her scholarly talents to research Cybele’s Gift, looking to understand its origins in hopes of securing the artifact. But as disappearances of would-be buyers in the city continue and mysterious visions come to Paula in her dreams and in her studies, she knows that her time may finally have come. It is Paula’s time to return to the Other Kingdom and complete harrowing tasks set out for her from those of that other ream, if she is brave enough to seize the adventure and love she has always craved.

Though Cybele’s Secret is a companion novel/sequel to Wildwood Dancing, these two books could not be more different – but they are both completely enchanting, lush reads. While Wildwood Dancing explores the mist-shrouded woods of Transylvania, Cybele’s Secret turns to the heat and exotic colors of Turkey – and the setting itself is a vibrant character in this novel. The descriptions of customs, from Irene’s hamam (or Turkish Baths) to haggling over vivid swaths of cloth in the marketplace, are stunning, evocative visuals. I loved it. Also, so many fantasy novels are set in the European Forest, with the same type of supernatural fae and creatures from that pantheon – but Cybele’s Secret turns to different pagan Gods from a very different realm. While I do love Ms. Marillier’s take on Celtic myths and the cool beauty of the forests of Sevenwaters or those surrounding Piscul Draculi, this departure to an entirely new locale, with an entirely new realm of Gods is truly brilliant.

The characters too are expertly drawn – in this novel, the studious, introverted Paula yearns for adventure and she receives it in spades. Paula is forced to confront her own fears and step outside of her comfortable realm of books and parchment, but she is not without her own stumblings and missteps – which only makes her more believable, more real as a character. Comparing Paula and Jena is an impossible task as these two sisters are completely different people, but both are undeniably wonderful heroines. I loved Paula’s intellect and how she sometimes could be too smart for her own good, overlooking the obvious solution for something more complicated – in this sense, Paula is tested far beyond Jena in the prior novel.

In this book we also get a closer look at Teodor Brasov, Paula’s father, who is largely missing from Wildwood Dancing. His relationship with Paula, and in fact his closeness with all his daughters, is apparent here and is a touching sentiment, as is his trust in Paula’s judgment. Of course, the other stars of this story are Stoyan (Paula’s solid, loyal bodyguard) and Duarte (the charming pirate). The relationships that unfold between these three characters may seem to be of the classic love triangle variety – but it’s not, really. I won’t spoil, but suffice to say that there really is only one choice for Paula. I loved the backstories for both Stoyan, as the Bulgar searching for his stolen brother, and Duarte as the surprisingly noble pirate. The other standout character is Paula’s new-made friend in Istanbul, the beautiful Greek scholar Irene. Charismatic, intelligent, and ambitious, the older Irene takes Paula under her wing, along with other women in the city who are barred from men-only libraries and social settings. Irene is complicated, but again another shining character in Ms. Marillier’s writing.

As for Cybele’s Gift itself – well, suffice to say that there is adventure abound in Cybele’s Secret. Paula, Stoyan and Duarte are tested harshly in their quest together with the Gift, undergoing a series of seemingly impossible tasks. I love these sort of quest/Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade type of stories, and Cybele’s Secret does it with the best of them.

I absolutely loved this book.

Notable Quotes/Parts: From Chapter 1:

The deck tilted to port, and I tilted with it, grabbing at a rope to keep my balance. One day out from Constanta, the wind had turned contrary and the waters of the Black Sea rose and fell under the Stea de Mare’s belly like a testy horse trying to unseat its rider.

“You have excellent sea legs, Paula,” my father commented. He stood perfectly balanced, a veteran of more merchant voyages than he could count. This was my first.

The sail crackled in the wind. The crewmen, grim-jawed and narrow-eyed, were struggling to keep the one-master under control. When they glanced my way, their expressions were hostile.

“It unsettles them to have a woman on board,” my father said. “Ignore it. It’s superstitious nonsense. They know me, and you’re my daughter. If the captain doesn’t like it, he shouldn’t have accepted my silver.”

“It doesn’t bother me, Father,” I said through gritted teeth. Having good sea legs didn’t mean I relished the bobbing motion of the boat or the constant drenching in salt spray. Nor did I much care for the sense that if the Stea de Mare sank, these sailors would put the blame on me. “Is this going to delay us, Father?”

“It may, but Salem bin Afazi will wait for us in Istanbul. He understands what this means for me, Paula–the opportunity of a lifetime.”

“I know, Father.” There was a treasure waiting for us in the great city of the Turks, the kind of piece merchants dream of laying their hands on just once in their lives. Father wouldn’t be the only prospective buyer. Fortunately, he was a skillful negotiator, patient and subtle.

When he had first agreed to take me with him, it had been to allow me to broaden my horizons now that I was in my eighteenth year, to let me see the world beyond the isolated valley where we lived and the merchant towns of Transylvania that we sometimes visited.

But things had changed on the journey. Just before we were due to embark, Father’s secretary, Gabriel, had tripped coming down a flight of steps in the Black Sea port of Constanta. The resultant broken ankle was now being tended to in the physician’s house there while the Stea de Mare bore Father and me on to Istanbul. It was most fortunate that I spoke perfect Greek and several other languages and that I had Father’s full trust. While I could not take Gabriel’s place as his official assistant, I could, at the very least, be his second set of ears. It would be a challenge. I could hardly wait.

The wind had brought rain, the same drenching spring rain that fell on our mountains back home, flooding streams and soaking fields. It scoured the planks of the deck and wrapped the ship in a curtain of white. From where I stood, I could barely see the sail, let alone the bow cutting its way through choppy seas. The crew must be steering our course blind.

Father was shouting something above the rising voice of the wind, perhaps suggesting we should go below until things calmed down. I pretended not to hear. The tiny cabins we had been allocated were stuffy and claustrophobic. Being enclosed there only emphasized the ship’s movement, and one could not lie on the narrow bunk without dwelling on how exactly one would get out should the Stea de Mare decide to sink.

“Get down, Paula!” Father yelled. A moment later a huge, dark form loomed up behind us. A scream died in my throat before I could release it. Another ship–a tall threemaster, so close I screwed my eyes shut, waiting for the sickening crunch of a collision. It towered above us. The moment it hit us, we would begin to go down.

Running steps, shouts, the clank of metal. I opened my eyes to see our crew diving across the deck, snatching implements to fend off the approaching wall of timber. Everyone was yelling. The helmsman and his assistant heaved on the wheel. I clutched on to Father, and the two of us ducked down behind the flimsy protection of a cargo crate, but I couldn’t bear not knowing what was happening. I peered over the crate, my heart racing.

Aboard the three-master, a motley collection of sailors was busy hauling on ropes and scrambling up rigging while an equally mixed group had assembled by the rail, long poles extended across and downward in our direction. There were about two arm’s lengths between us.

“Poxy pirate!” I heard our captain snarl as he strode past. A shudder went through the bigger ship, as if it were drawing a difficult breath, and then the two vessels slid by one another, a pair of dancers performing a graceful aquatic pavane.

The wind gusted, snatching my red headscarf and tossing it high. As the scrap of scarlet crossed the divide between the boats, I saw a man set a booted foot on the rail of the three-master and swing up with graceful ease to stand balanced on the narrow rim. He took hold of a rope with one casual hand, then leaned out over the churning waters to pluck the scarf from midair while the ship moved on under full sail. The sailor was tall, his skin darker than was usual in my homeland, his features striking in their sculpted strength. As I stared, the fellow tilted himself back with the ship’s natural movement and leaped down to the deck, tucking the red scarf into his belt. He did not glance in my direction. The big ship moved away, and I saw its name in gold paint on the side: Esperança.

“Close,” muttered Father. “Altogether too close.”

Despite my pounding heart, I felt more intrigued than frightened. “Did the captain say pirate?” I asked, unrealistic images of weathered seafarers with exotic birds or monkeys on their shoulders flashing through my mind.

“If he did,” Father said, “we must be glad the fellow didn’t seize the opportunity to board us. I want to get my goods to Istanbul in one piece. Perhaps he knew all I had was hides and wheat. We’ll be more of a prize on the way back.”

Additional Thoughts: On covers once more – I love the covers for both Wildwood Dancing and especially this cover for Cybele’s Secret. Unlike other covers we’ve discussed here on The Book Smugglers recently, every nuance, every detailed illustration has something to do with the story. Reading the book, especially the harrowing tasks near the end of the novel, I kept flipping back to the cover to search for the matching picture. One of Paula’s studies in Irene’s library is over a piece of parchment with illustrations with secret meaning – and the cover of Cybele’s Secret is the perfect translation of Paula’s efforts.

And speaking of covers…Juliet Marillier returns to Young Adult fiction this September with Heart’s Blood – and I cannot wait. Check out the US, UK, and Australian covers, and the synopsis below:

A haunted forest. A cursed castle. A girl running from her past and a man who’s more than he seems to be. A tale of love, betrayal and redemption…

Whistling Tor is a place of secrets, a mysterious wooded hill housing the crumbling fortress of a chieftain whose name is spoken throughout the district in tones of revulsion and bitterness. A curse lies over Anluan’s family and his people; the woods hold a perilous force whose every whisper threatens doom.

And yet the derelict fortress is a safe haven for Caitrin, the troubled young scribe who is fleeing her own demons. Despite Anluan’s tempers and the mysterious secrets housed in the dark corridors, this long-feared place provides the refuge she so desperately needs.

As time passes, Caitrin learns there is more to the broken young man and his unusual household than she realised. It may be only through her love and determination that the curse can be lifted and Anluan and his people set free . . .

The Australian cover wins for me, hands down (though the UK version is beautiful too!). The US cover…not so much.

Verdict: A beautiful, thrilling story. From the vibrant backdrop of Istanbul, to the flawed but very human and touching characters, I loved Cybele’s Secret. Another favorite, notable read for 2009, easily. (Though if I were forced to pick between Wildwood Dancing and Cybele’s Secret, I would still probably pick Wildwood Dancing as my favorite of the two!)

Rating: 9 Damn Near Perfection

Reading Next: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Wildwood Dancing

Author: Juliet Marillier

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Publisher: Knopf Books
Publication Date: January 2007
Hardcover: 416 pages

Stand alone or series: Can be read as a stand alone novel, but has a companion book/sequel titled Cybele’s Secret.

Why did I read this book: It’s no surprise that I love Juliet Marillier – her Heir to Sevenwaters was one of my top 10 reads of last year, and her Sevenwaters Series is among my all-time favorites (Heck, with some arm twisting I even got Ana to read Daughter of the Forest and, of course, she loved it). With our Young Adult Appreciation Month, I finally had the perfect excuse to read Juliet Marillier’s YA novels – reads which were long overdue!

Summary: (from amazon.com)
High in the Transylvanian woods, at the castle Piscul Draculi, live five daughters and their doting father. It’s an idyllic life for Jena, the second eldest, who spends her time exploring the mysterious forest with her constant companion, a most unusual frog. But best by far is the castle’s hidden portal, known only to the sisters. Every Full Moon, they alone can pass through it into the enchanted world of the Other Kingdom. There they dance through the night with the fey creatures of this magical realm.

When Cezar’s grip of power begins to tighten, at stake is everything Jena loves: her home, her family, and the Other Kingdom she has come to cherish. To save her world, Jena will be tested in ways she can’t imagine–tests of trust, strength, and true love.

Review:

The second eldest of five sisters, Jena lives a quiet but magical life in the far reaches of Transylvania, in an old, eccentric castle called Piscul Draculi. Jenna isn’t breathtakingly beautiful like her eldest sister Tatiana, nor is she a scholar like Paula, a flirtatious girl like Iulia, or sweetly innocent like her youngest sister Stela – but Jena is solid and steadfast. She is strong, adventurous, and she has her constant companion, a frog named Gogu, whom only she can understand and talk to. For as long as all five sisters have lived in Piscul Draculi, on every night of the full moon they have been able to open a secret portal to the Other Kingdom, where they dance the night away in their own Dancing Glade with the magical creatures that live there.

Everything is perfect for Jena and her sisters, until two events change the girls’ world forever. First, at their last visits to the Other Kingdom, a strange new group of dangerous creatures known as the Night People are also guests at the Dancing Glade – and one very solemn young man, named Sorrow, of their number has stolen Tatiana’s heart. Though Jena tries to warn Tati against the Night People and their viscious ways, she will not give up Sorrow. Then, the girls’ father leaves on a merchant trip, with responsibility of the castle falling to Jena since Tati is too busy mooning over her new love, making sure the day to day affairs run smoothly, and taking care of her sisters. However, Jena and her sisters soon learn that their father has taken very ill, and won’t be able to return home for some long months – if at all. As their mother died giving birth to Stela, the girls only have their father and cousins in the neighboring castle for family, and this is all cousin Cezar needs to move in on Piscul Draculi, asserting his power over his ‘feeble’ female cousins (for their own good, of course). With only the help of her loyal, closest friend Gogu, Jena must fend off Cezar’s anger and his bitter hatred of the Other Kingdom – for if she loses control of Piscul Draculi, Cezar threatens to burn the woods that contain the Other Kingdom with it.

Wildwood Dancing is another masterpiece from Juliet Marillier – I love and at the same time fear reading her books. Love, because I know instantly I will be swept away with the magic lilt of her prose and enchtanting fantasy worlds; fear, because once I’ve had a fix of Marillier, everything I read afterwards seems bland and pale in comparison. Such is Wildwood Dancing. Instantly, I fell in love with the tenacious Jena and her constant companion Gogu; I loved Piscul Draculi, the world of the Other Kingdom, the tasks and tests each character had to pass, and of course, the heady romantic magic of it all. I could connect with Jenna’s sense of responsibility, and her missteps and misunderstandings that stemmed from this sensibility – as a heroine, Jena is far from flawless, but this endears her as a character.

And then, there’s Gogu.

I should mention that I am a tad bit biased – I love frogs. Gogu is a perfect frog name, and this charming take on the Twelve Dancing Princesses and the Princess and the Frog fables is beautiful. With Gogu and Jena’s relationship, of course you know what’s coming from a mile away – but the charm of this tale isn’t in some surprising twist, but rather in the beautiful execution of the story.

And beautifully executed Wildwood Dancing is. Juliet Marillier’s prose is elegant and lovely as always. Every character in the story (with two exceptions) are vibrant and powerful – even the angry Cezar is completely relatable. Perhaps this is why I love Ms. Marillier’s characters so much – for even the villainous characters have their own reasons and are presented in a light that is if not sympathetic, at least understandable.

My only irritation with this otherwise flawless piece of literature – and yes, Wildwood Dancing is among one of the best books I have read this year, for young adults and adults alike – lies with the eldest sister, Tatiana, and her tortured love affair with Sorrow. Not that their love isn’t understandable or that I am not sympathetic to the cause of young love – but COME ON. I abhor obsessed, doomed romances. Sorry. These sort of characters that literally waste away from lovesickness, as Tati does, irritate me to no end. I have absolutely zero tolerance for this kind of nonsense. Maybe because I’m not that romantic, but Tati’s plight in the castle – while the rest of her sisters have to pick up the slack – is incredibly annoying. Of course, that is simply my opinion.

Despite this minor annoyance, I loved Wildwood Dancing, and it is one of the best books I have read in 2009. Highly, highly recommended!

Notable Quotes/Parts: I love Jena and Gogu’s exchanges so much.

I peered at him. In the candlelight he was just a green blob on the pillow. “You can stay home if you don’t want to do this, Gogu,” I said, realizing that he was as terrified as I was. “I could go by myself.” At Dark of the moon, I’d left him behind. The thought of doing that again, of braving the witch of the wood without my dearest companion by my side, made me feel sick. But it was unfair to drag him along when he was so scared.

You d-don’t want me to c-come? You would l-leave me b-behind again? His whole body drooped.

“Of course I want you, stupid! I’m petrified of going alone. I’m just trying to spare you.”

Then we will g-go together, Jena.

“You realize I’ve got no idea how to find her?”

We’ll find her.

“I hope so,” I said, sitting up to blow out the candle. “And I hope she’s prepared to help us. Good night, Gogu. Sweet dreams. Up at dawn, remember.”

This pillow is my best place, Jena.

“What?” I squinted at him in the darkness, but his eyes were already closed.

Additional Thoughts: The Twelve Dancing Princesses fable is an enchanting tale that is retold here in Wildwood Dancing, and in other YA novels. This book marks the second retelling of the fable that I’ve read this year – the other being Jessica Day George’s Princess of the Midnight Ball.

Are there any other Twelve Princesses retellings I should be reading?

Verdict: An absolutely beautiful debut YA novel that should be read by everyone. Easily one of my favorite reads of 2009.

Rating: 9 Damn Near Perfection

Reading Next: Cybele’s Secret by Juliet Marillier

Title: Daughter of the Forest

Author: Juliet Marillier

Genre: Fantasy

Stand Alone/ Series: Book 1 of 4 books set in the Sevenwaters world. It can be read as a stand- alone – the next books deal with the descendents of the protagonist.

Summary: from the author’s website - First published in 1999, Daughter of the Forest is loosely based on the traditional story of The Six Swans, which appears in Grimm’s Fairy Tales and has been re-told in many versions, including one by Hans Christian Andersen.

In Daughter of the Forest, the fairy tale story – a youngest sister must maintain complete silence while weaving shirts from nettles in order to return her swan brothers to human form – is combined with a family drama set on both sides of the Irish Sea. More than anything, this is a story about the bond of love between siblings.

Why did I read the book: Thea dared me so I had to . She has been talking about it for ages now, saying how much she loves it. Book 4, Heirs to Sevenwaters has made her top 10 of 2008. Why does this constitute a Feat of Strength? There is one event in the book that I avoid reading if I can.

Review:

There are those books that grab you by the guts, and won’t let go. The kind that you want to keep on reading until you are done whilst at the same time you don’t want it to end. Ever. The kind that you realise the moment you start reading it that this one is going to be a Good One , the kind that stays with you long after you are done. Daughter of the Forest is one such book – a historical Fantasy (with a bit of romance on the side).

Sorcha is the youngest of seven siblings, children of Colum, Lord of Sevenwaters, a stronghold deep in the forests of Celtic Ireland. Their mother died over Sorcha’s birth and their grief-ridden father has all but left them to run wild in Sevenwaters with nothing but each other’s company. As the children grew each of the brothers assume their position in the household as their mother predicted. Liam, the eldest, the chosen protector and heir; Diarmid, the next in line, the rogue and ladies man; the twins Conor and Cormack – the first a thinker, the latter a warrior; Finbar, the seer, Padriac the healer of animals. As the youngest, Sorcha who is also a healer is closer to Finbar and Padriac, but specially Finbar with whom she is able to communicate with her mind. The brothers are extremely protective of their sister and all of them love their land.

In a time way before England exists, where the peoples of the islands are split into tribes – our protagonists are Celts in Ireland and they are in constant war against Britons, Saxons, Pics, and Vikings. Their main source of conflict is against the Britons though – seen as savages, lacking decency especially after they took the Irish’s places of mystery: Little Island, Greater Island and the Needle which were the heart of the old faith. Lord Colum spends most of the year away in campaigns against the Britons and as the boys reach a certain age they start going off as well – first Liam, then Diarmid. It is after one of these campaigns that they bring a Briton hostage. A young man, whose lineage is of consequence and who is severely tortured for information. Finbar, who at this point has come into himself, as a young boy with a strong mind and strong resolution concocts a plan to aid the prisoner’s escape and he is taken to Father Brian, a catholic hermit who enlists Sorcha’s help in curing the boy. This is not only a source of grave danger for Finbar and Sorcha as discovery means punishment for treachery but also the beginning of a difficult journey for all of them. Sorcha spends time with the boy – who is gravely ill, mind and body and they start an uneasy friendship. One day, while out on the forest, Sorcha is visited by The Lady of the Forest, queen of the Fair Folk and is given a ominous message – that soon, their lives will chance and it has started with the Briton boy, whose name is Simon and that the path ahead is going to be hard.

Before Simon can fully recover, Sorcha needs to go back home for her father has returned with a new wife. Sorcha had promised to stay with him and for breaking her promise she clearly breaks his heart – he disappears leaving behind nothing but a carved piece of wood as a gift.

Upon returning home, Sorcha and her brothers immediately realise the Lady Oonagh is not what she seems and they know they are all in danger. Things start to change in their household – evil has come and their father will not listen to them. The brothers and sister decide to take matters into their hands but before anything can be done, the stepmother curses them – all of the boys are transformed into Swans and only Sorcha manages to escape. She is then met by the Lady of the Forest who tells her that her time has begun to start on her journey. There is a way to bring her brothers back and it is all down to Sorcha: she must weave six shirts out of starwort nettle, a plant that stings and hurts and throw them over her brother’s heads at the same time. But until the task is finished , she is not allowed to say a word or a sound nor tell anyone of her tale or ask for help. If she does, her brothers are lost forever. They will only become human twice every year – midsummer and midwinter and this is the only time they are allowed to come to her. She accepts the task and at this point, Sorcha is 12 years old, all alone, in hiding and with all the weight of the world in her shoulders.

This is truly where our story starts. Narrated in first person by Sorcha, all that happened to this point – 150 pages into the book – is set up. But an essential one. Because we have seen Sorcha with her brothers and got to know each and every one of them through her eyes, we are right there with her in her love and devotion to them, and it is obvious that she must do whatever it takes to bring them back. And it is hard, folks. Really, really hard. The things she must go through are not kids’ games. Her poor hands that hurt and look ragged for the hands of a 12 year old. Months, years pass: the loneliness of being all alone in the forest and the dangers she must face that sometimes are too much for Sorcha and for the reader. Things got slightly better (for a time at least) when she is found by a group of Britons, led by a man called Red who is in Ireland looking for his brother Simon who disappeared months ago. He finds the carved piece of wood and recognises his brother’s handiwork and he takes this mysteriously silent girl back to his own home until she can tell him all about his brother.

Sorcha then gets to learn that the Britons are much more than savages especially Red. He becomes her protector, and so much more. I don’t want to say any more because their story is one that needs to be read to be savoured and believe me when I say, it is one of the best romances I have read of late ,if ever. It is not always that I have this overwhelming feeling that I am reading one for the books, where my heart is racing with pure anticipation and the build-up of their love is…amazing.

I have only but touched a few points in the plot – so much happens, so much sadness it is almost too much to bear. But there is also hope. So much hope and so much love and devotion. I feel like my words fail to convey how beautiful and engrossing this book is.

This story is based on the Brother Grimm’s tale of the Six Swans but Juliet Marillier set it against the backdrop of Celtic legends and it is this magical feel that permeates Sorcha’s everyday life and therefore, the whole book. The meddling of the Fair Folk is accepted as a reality and it is clear that they have a hidden agenda when it comes to Sorcha and her brothers – and Sevenwaters.

A lyrical tale of family, love, devotion and of a courageous and resilient young girl who becomes a young woman. A book where every character counts and every page is filled with wonders. I feel that I connected with Daughter of the Forest in every possible way that a reader can connect with a book. Objectively speaking, I cannot fault the storytelling, the execution of the plot, the characters’ arcs, the heart-throbbing action or the love story. There is no shying away from strong, painful occurrences but there is no darkness for darkness sake; everything that happens is a natural progression of the story and feels organic. But with all good tales there is recompense at the end of the way even if they come with bittersweet consequences.

Subjectively feeling? I felt like I couldn’t speak myself as if any uttering from me would somehow make Sorcha suffer (a reaction I know Thea had as well). I cried and laughed and was utterly satisfied with the ending. When I was done I placed the book in my keeper shelf and immediately went on to buy other books by this author.

I wholeheartedly recommend Daughter of the Forest to readers of both Fantasy and Romance. Honestly, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Notable quotes/ Parts: an example of the magic:

“when I remember the years of our growing up, the most important thing is the tree. We went there often, the seven of us, southward through the forest above the lakeshore. When I was a baby, Liam or Diarmid would carry me on his back; once I could walk, two brothers would take my hands and hurry me along, sometimes swinging me between them with a one-two-three, as the others ran on ahead toward the lake. When we came closer, we all became quiet. The bank where the birch tree grew was a place of deep magic, and our voices were hushed as we gathered on the sward around it.” (…) “The birch tree(…) held her spirit, our mother’s having been planted by the boys on the day of her death, at her own request. Once she had told them what to do, Liam and Diarmid took their spades down to the place she had described, dug out the soft turf, and planted the seed there on the flat grassy bank above the lake. With small, grubby hands the younger ones helped level the soil and carried water. Later, when they were allowed to take me out of the house we all went there together.”

Additional Thoughts: I cannot stop thinking about this book. All I want now is to read more by Juliet Marillier. It has been such a long time since a book has touched me so. What have you been reading lately – which was the last book that made you go WOW?

Verdict: Lyrical tale of growing up, of siblings’ devotion and of the love of a man for a woman. One of the strongest female protagonists I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Highly recommended.

Rating: 10 – Perfection. I can not fault this book, and I have re-read many of its passages already.

Reading next: What a Pirate Desires by Michelle Beattie

Title: Heir to Sevenwaters

Author: Juliet Marillier

Genre: Fantasy

Stand alone or series: Book 4 in the Sevenwaters series, but can be read as a stand alone novel.

Why did I read this book: I nearly died of a happy heart attack when I received this novel in the mail from the publisher. I absolutely loved Daughter of the Forest (Book 1 of the original Sevenwaters trilogy), and was salivating over this new book.

Summary: (from Amazon.com)
The chieftains of Sevenwaters have long been custodians of a vast and mysterious forest. Human and Otherworld dwellers have existed there side by side, sharing a wary trust. Until the spring when Lady Aisling of Sevenwaters finds herself expecting another child—a new heir to Sevenwaters.

Then the family’s joy turns to despair when the baby is taken from his room and something…unnatural is left in his place. To reclaim her newborn brother, Clodagh must enter the shadowy Otherworld and confront the powerful prince who rules there.

Review:

There are very few books that I have read this year that have left me dreading each turn of the page–not out of fear or distaste with the writing, but out of a passion to keep reading the book. Out of the knowledge that once the last page turns, that inevitable ache of loneliness will settle in–because the book is just that damn good.

Such is Heir to Sevenwaters.

The family of Sevenwaters has held a pact with the Fair Folk that live in its forests for many, many years. The humans at Sevenwaters vow to protect the forest from disbelievers and outsiders that would push the Fair Folk from their homes, and in turn the Fair Folk provide their own protection and aid for the family.

This new tale follows Clodagh, the middle daughter to Lord Sean of Sevenwaters and his wife Aisling. On the eve of her twin sister Deirdre’s marriage to the Southern Chieftan Illann, Clodagh finds herself at the center of all the excitement and activity at Sevenwaters. Her mother, Aisling is an older woman but near then end of her difficult pregnancy; Lady Aisling has her hopes and dreams set on the new babe she carries, for she has only borne Sean daughters and it has always been her greatest desire to bear him a son. Lord Sean, worried for his wife’s health relies on Clodagh to make sure that the household is running smoothly, and on his wise daughter’s advice and soothing presence–especially in this time of strain with the new marriage alliance to the south. Clodagh, though not exceptionally beautiful or powerful like her other sisters, is an empathetic character who manages to soothe the tensions at Sevenwaters with ease, while aptly dealing with the myriad crises of planning a wedding and caring for her sisters and guests. Johnny, child of the prophecy and the promised heir of Sevenwaters as cousin to the daughters, and his men of Inis Eala ride to Sevenwaters to join the celebration–one of Clodagh’s sweethearts, a chieftan’s son named Aidan, among them. When Clodagh runs into Aidan in the forest surrounding her home, she is warmed by his presense but taken off guard by the rudeness of the friend with him–another one of Johnny’s men, named Cathal. Over the course of the men’s stay, Cathal continues to try to separate his best friend from Clodagh, going out of his way to be harsh and cold towards her as well as suspiciously disappearing and stirring up all sorts of mistrust and trouble.

After Deirdre and her new husband leave, Lady Aisling gives birth to her child–a beautiful, healthy baby boy, named Finbar. The family is overjoyed, especially as it seems Aisling’s health is strong. One night, however, that all changes as Clodagh sits watch over her baby brother but is momentarily distracted when the enigmatic Cathal comes to speak with her, to say goodbye and surprises her with a tender kiss. When he leaves, Clodagh discovers that her newborn brother has been taken, replaced with a changeling baby made of sticks and moss and pebbles, and only Clodagh can see that the changeling child is alive and not a cruel mannequin of a baby. The household is in uproar as Lord Sean spurns his careless daughter, Aisling starts to fade away with the disappearance of her new son, and no one believes in Clodagh’s insistence that the child is alive and that the fair folk must be behind the disappearance. Political distrust and accusations begin to fly, and Clodagh realizes that brother’s abduction is part of some larger scheme, and she–and Cathal, as she later realizes–must journey to the Otherworld to save her brother, and keep her world from falling apart.

Angie of Angieville recently wrote a review for this novel, where she said there was something Ms. Marillier’s world of Sevenwaters has some kind of magical hold over her–and I have to wholeheartedly agree. Ms. Marillier’s beautiful, flowing style ensnares from the very first sentence, weaving a spell of sorts over the reader. The world she has created with Sevenwaters–both the human world and the Otherworld–are flawless. She manages not only to capture the tone of fighting clans in medieval Ireland, but she also deftly crafts the mystical realm of the Fair Folk, and examines how closely both worlds blur and intertwine. For those readers who have visited Sevenwaters before, Ms. Marillier is back in top form, and you are familiar with the bewitching spell this setting holds…and for those readers who have not yet discovered this realm, you are in for a rare treat.

While the plot of this story, involving Clodagh, her family, and the mysterious Cathal with his own troubled past is engrossing and wholly captivating, it is the strength of Ms. Marillier’s characters that makes Heir to Sevenwaters so effective. Clodagh is a young woman whose greatest strength is her adeptness at managing a household, as her supposed defining quality is that she will make a wonderful wife someday soon. Unlike her other sisters, Clodagh has no special talents, she is neither a seer nor a druid, not a warrior or magical in any sense. But, what Clodagh has is a heart so full of compassion, one cannot help but empathize with her character. She unveils her inner strength, her deep-seeded courage, and her belief in unconditional love as the story progresses. And, she accomplishes all this by drawing upon herself and her faith in doing the right thing. Even for Becan, the changeling boy placed in her brother’s crib, she shows the utmost care and love towards–and later, this is even more pronounced with Cathal. Cathal himself is a beautiful, textured character–initially abrasive and rude, but increasingly vulnerable as his outer layers are broken down by Clodagh’s unfaltering belief in him. As Cathal’s story is slowly revealed, I found myself yearning for both characters, rooting for them every step of the way on their perilous journey through Otherworld, against the palpable danger of the one who has lured them there with Finbar’s life.

To say more of the plot or certain other characters would give away the story, which I have no desire to do–rest assured that the threat facing Clodagh and Cathal is formidable indeed.

This is a beautiful tale of family, courage, and–most importantly of all–love. I finished this book and was urged to flip back to the beginning just to read it again. I can only hope that Ms. Marillier plans on revisiting Sevenwaters again. And hopefully very, very soon.

Notable Quotes/Parts: Juliet Marillier’s prose is beautiful, as lush and enchanting as the forest of Sevenwaters itself. Here is an example (again transcribed in Angie’s review)

I ordered myself to be calm. I would be ready, no matter what. I would do this even if years and years had passed. I had the green glass ring, I had the necklace, I had the egg stone and I had Fiacha. And I had a plan, a plan that frightened me half out of my wits, but then the very notion of confronting Mac Dara would be enough to make most young women turn tail and flee, I thought. Perhaps, to survive in a place like this, a person had to be half mad; as mad as a man who would sacrifice his future to save a friend; as mad as a woman who could love a child made of sticks and stones.

Additional Thoughts: I have read the Sevenwaters books, but have yet to try Juliet Marillier’s other titles. Any other fans of her work, any recommendations? I’ve been eyeing the Bridei Chronicles and her young adult novels and would definitely appreciate any advice!

Verdict: There aren’t enough good things I can say for this book. I loved it. LOVED it. In a sea of ho-hum books that are entertaining and yet tend to all sound very much the same, Heir to Sevenwaters reminded me what it feels like to be truly moved by a story, and why I fell in love with reading in the first place.

I highly recommend this and all the Sevenwaters books to any fans of a well-written, emotional fantasy, and also to fans of romance.

Heir to Sevenwaters easily makes my Top 10 books of 2008; it is one of the finest books I have had the pleausre to read this year.

Rating: 9 Damn Near Perfection

Reading Next: Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Another weekend comes to a close, but worry not! We have another busy week ahead.

First, some housekeeping…

Thanks to Julia Quinn for stopping by for the lovely chat! And we have our winners–drumroll please–

Barbara and Kara

You have both won one book each of your choice from Ms. Quinn’s backlist! Drop us an email (The Book Smugglers AT hotmail DOT com) with your pick and your address and we shall ship them off to you as soon as possible.

Around the Blogosphere:

Perusing Urban Fantasy Land, we found these awesome new covers! First, here’s the beautiful cover for Melissa Marr’s third young adult fantasy novel, Fragile Eternity.

As it turns out, there’s a Manga in the works set in the same universe as well! Per Melissa’s Blog, even though the cover says Wicked Lovely, it isn’t a manga version of the novel. Both Fragile Eternity and Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Sanctuary hit shelves in April 2009.

Copies of Richelle Mead’s latest Vampire Academy novel, Shadow Kiss (book 3) have been creeping early onto retailer shelves! I snatched up my copy this weekend. Hell yes. The official release date is November 13, 2008…but if you’re lucky, you might get your hands on it early.

This Week at The Book Smugglers:

On Monday, in honor of its second printing in paperback, we’ll have a review of speculative fiction author Michael Stone’s Fourtold. Fourtold is a collection of four dark fantasy/horror stories, with an introduction by World Fantasy Award winner Garry Kilworth. On Tuesday, we’ll have an interview with the talented Mike Stone, about his work, his inspirations for the stories, and plans for the future. Make sure to stop by and check it out!

Wednesday, Thea will review the brand spankin’ new Juliet Marillier book, Heir To Sevenwaters (Sevenwaters book 4). This quite possibly could be Thea’s favorite book of 2008!

The chieftains of Sevenwaters have long been custodians of a vast and mysterious forest. Human and Otherworld dwellers have existed there side by side, sharing a wary trust. Until the spring when Lady Aisling of Sevenwaters finds herself expecting another child—a new heir to Sevenwaters.

Then the family’s joy turns to despair when the baby is taken from his room and something…unnatural is left in his place. To reclaim her newborn brother, Clodagh must enter the shadowy Otherworld and confront the powerful prince who rules there.

Thursday, we’ll have another Powerpuff Joint Review–Bubbles (aka Ana) and Blossum (aka Katie) will take on Jo Goodman’s new release, The Price of Desire.

Olivia Cole is devastated to learn that her ne’er-do-well brother has promised her to the operator of a London gaming hall as payment of his debts. Olivia accepts her fate – even if it means that her reputation will suffer from living among rogues and gamblers. But when she meets the sexy and mysterious Griffin Wright-Jones, the Viscount of Breckenridge, Olivia has more than just her good name to worry about – for he rouses in her wanton thoughts she’s never dared entertain – until now…Griffin wears the scars of his life on his striking face. Although he wants Olivia like no other woman before, eh doesn’t force her to share his bed – a difficult task considering how beautiful she is. But with each passing night, Griffin and Olivia’s resolve weakens until finally they take their greatest gamble on one night of reckless pleasure.

Friday, we’ll close out the week with another Guest Dare! This time on the chopping block, it’s young adult author Karen Mahoney, as she tackles an old school romance novel–Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels.

And, A Cryptic Announcement:

SMUGGLIVUS…is coming.

What is Smugglivus, you may ask? It’s kind of like Festivus (from Seinfeld). We will have authors and bloggers over during the month of December, to celebrate the year in books. And we’ll have our own Feats of Strength, Airing of Grievances, etc. More information to follow!

NINJA VANISH!