Review: Entwined, by Heather Dixon

From Goodreads:
Azalea and her younger sisters dance in the mysterious silver forest every night, escaping from the sadness of the palace and their father’s grief. What they don’t understand—although as time passes they begin to get an inkling of the danger they are in—is that the mysterious and dashing Keeper is tightening his snare with deadly purpose. Luckily, Azalea is brave and steadfast. Luckily, a handsome young army captain also has his eye on Azalea. . . . Lush, romantic, and compelling, this debut novel by Heather Dixon will thrill fans of Shannon Hale, Robin McKinley, and Edith Pattou.

***

Entwined is absolutely breathtaking - beautifully written and deliciously told, it has everything a good story should.  Romance, dancing, magic, a brave heroine, and a devilish villain.  Dixon wove an intricate fairytale of mystery and intrigue coupled with sisterly camaraderie and ancient secrets.

I was hooked on the very first page and quickly drawn into the story.  Azalea is the oldest daughter of her father, the King.  As such, whomever she marries will become the next King.  It made for an interesting twist to the love story.

After her mother passes away, the palace is draped in mourning.  Confined to the indoors and black clothing, Azalea and her eleven sisters seek refuge in dancing late at night in a magic pavilion beneath their bedroom.  The only catch is Keeper, the dashing gentleman that grants their access to the pavilion each night. 

Keeper was a fantastic villain.  He was handsome, mysterious, and completely terrifying.  He was so utterly creepy.  It doesn't take long for his charm facade to fall away and for his true horrific nature to appear.  But by the time it does, Azalea and her sisters are already entangled in his web.

There were underlying currents to the story that I enjoyed.  Throughout the book, Azalea and her sisters feel that their father, the King, is distant and cold.  In turn, they distance themselves from him.  As the plot progresses, the girls learn to forgive their father for his shortcomings and to love him openly.  The King also learns how to handle his grief and repair the damage that was done after the Queen died. 

A word about the love story:  I was absolutely in love with Azalea's heartthrob from his first appearance.   I hate reading books where the girl is desperate and always falls for the guy that is the meanest to her.  I was extremely pleased in the man that Dixon created for Azalea.  He was perfect for the story, and perfect for the princess.

This book was original, beautiful, and funny.  It was a fantastic escape from reality into a beautiful world of dancing princesses, handsome gentlemen, and a magic palace.  

Reading level: Ages 13 and up
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books; Reprint edition (March 27, 2012)
Amazon
Goodreads

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Review: Growing up Gracie by Maggie Fechner

Gracie is a middle child in a big family, trying to find her way and make an impression. She’s painfully plain, or so she thinks, and her crowning jewel is her beautiful eyebrows. Growing up in Cody, Wyoming, Gracie realizes that even in her ordinary life, she can be extraordinary.

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I loved this book. It’s pretty relaxed, but not boring. The beginning, with it’s strange timeline, threw me off just a bit, but once I settled in, it was great.

Gracie is a very real character with very real flaws. She has a temper and low tolerance for poor choices. She is LDS, but the religious themes throughout the book are not over-whelming. That is refreshing in an LDS book.

I thought Gracie’s talents were fantastic and I was totally impressed. I have an adopted child, so I sincerely appreciated a tender adoption moment in the book. I felt like Gracie’s ability to be true to herself and do what she felt she needed, even though it went against the norm, was brave and honest.

With a little bit of romance, a splash of heartbreak, and a whole lot of determination, Gracie kept me cheering for her. 

I am now a big fan of Maggie Fechner and can't wait for her next published novel.

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 249 pages
• Publisher: Bonneville (November 2010)
• Source: Local Library
• Amazon
• Goodreads

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Review: The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

Becky is seven months pregnant with her fourth child when she meets her dream actor Felix Callahan by chance. Twelve hours, one elevator ride, and one alcohol-free dinner later something has happened, though nothing has happened… it isn't sexual. It isn't even quite love. But soon Felix shows up in the Utah 'burbs to visit and before they know what's hit them, Felix and Becky are best friends. Really. Becky's husband is pretty cool about it. Her children roll their eyes. Her best (girl)friend can't get her head around it. But Felix (think Colin Firth) and Becky have something special… something unusual, something completely impossible to sustain. Or is it?- Amazon.com

The Actor and the Housewife was wildly entertaining. The dialoge between Becky and Felix is hilarious and makes me wish I was just as witty. The book covers a huge time span (11 years I think...?) which is difficult to do in one novel. Unfortunately I found some parts to be a little slow and had to muscle through. Other parts, however, were touching and yes I shed some tears (some because I was laughing so hard).

A recommended read if you enjoy LDS fiction/comedy.

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Review: Bright Blue Miracle by Becca Wilhite

Leigh's life changes when she becomes part of a blended family she didn't need and gets a sister she didn't want. Now, to make things worse, she has to share not only her bedroom, but her best friend, Jeremy.

I read this book in a day or two. Fast read; good paced book. I love the narrative because Leigh's mind works so much like a normal sarcastic teenager. I laughed many times thinking, "That's what I would say." The characters are, for the most part, believable. I sometimes had a hard time following the timeline. One paragraph Leigh is looking for a summer job and the next paragraph she is talking about taking chemistry notes in class.

I will admit I cried a few times. This was a touching, uplifting novel that I've already shared with friends. Highly recommended.

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