The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

Donna Underwood is not an ordinary girl. She is the daughter of two alchemists, both of whom she lost when they saved her from a fey attack at age seven -- her father was killed and her mother has been institutionalized, nearly comatose. The same attack damaged her hands and arms so badly that they were only fixed through a series of magical surgeries which implanted iron in her bones and tattooed alchemical symbols from her hands to her elbows. Although she is "homeschooled" by the alchemist Order of the Dragon, she does her best to keep alchemy out of her daily life, even keeping it a secret from her best friend, Navin. But something has changed; wood elves are turning up in the city and seem to be following her. Donna has to make choices about who to trust and how to come to terms with her heritage, before it's too late.

I don't have particularly strong feelings about this book. The writing was only so-so for me: there are several "diary" entries from Donna that felt more like a literary device than an actual diary; also, there were moments when the events or dialogue seemed just a little too fabricated, and one part when the main character appears to jump to wild, unsubstantiated assumptions (I was a little annoyed when there wasn't an immediate twist, but perhaps something comes to light in the later books). However, despite this criticism, I didn't dislike the book. The characters were realistic and well developed; the concept and the plot were also really interesting - both in terms of the study of alchemy and the faerie/demon/human triple world design. It's also clear that this book was primarily setting up some bigger issues and events that I assume will be addressed in rest of the series. Overall, I would recommend this book to fantasy fans who enjoy stories about magic set in the real world, particularly those that deal with faerie or magic with a physical/alchemical component.

This book is the first in a trilogy, followed by The Wood Queen and The Stone Demon

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Wings, Wicked Lovely, Bloodlines, or Young Warriors

A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett

Tiffany Aching is leaving home for the first time to be an apprentice learn how to be a witch. Although she is excited to do something new, she soon discovers that witches spend much of their time doing chores and tending people, rather than spells and charms. What Tiffany doesn't realize is that a hiver -- a malicious entity -- is pursuing her because it needs to take over other creatures in order to have a body. She will have to find the will within herself to fight the hiver and to find a way to defeat it, before it destroys her or those she holds dear.

This is the second book in the Discworld series about Tiffany Aching, preceded by The Wee Free Men.

This book was light and amusing, but also had an interesting plot and world-building. The characters were believable, and well developed throughout the story. I have not read the first book about Tiffany Aching, and there are quite a few references to the events from that book, however, I did not feel as though my understanding of the story or my ability to enjoy it were affected by reading this book alone. The book also has some explanatory notes, mainly about the Feegles (the small, fae creatures from the previous book), but not enough to disrupt the story. I would recommend this book to fantasy fans looking for a less-serious read or who want a book about using magic and magical creatures.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Dark Lord of Derkholm, The Last Apprentice, Unfamiliar Magic, or Howl's Moving Castle

Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowan

Nikki has just moved to a new town with her mother and her mother's new - fourth - husband. As if that isn't enough, she's just found out that her father is a demon, which makes her a Halfling. Suddenly life is complicated as Nikki tries to balance the human world and the demon world (the Shadowlands), and each of them is problematic in different ways. In particular, she finds herself developing a crush on Michael, the boy that her father sent after her, even though a relationship would be forbidden. Also, Nikki is discovering that many things are different and more dangerous than they appear to be.

Overall, I liked this book; it was a quick read and the characters are fairly realistic. Some parts of the story are a little predictable, and occasionally the dialogue felt a little awkward to me, but it may get more interesting as the series continues. I would recommend this to fantasy fans who enjoy stories that take place in the real world and deal with relationships and romance.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: the Trylle trilogy, Entwined, The Mermaid's Mirror, or The World Above

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Galen is a merperson, and the prince of a Syrena tribe who has come onto land after hearing from a friend about a girl who can speak to fish. Meanwhile, Emma is vacationing with her friend in Florida when she meets Galen. Although Galen is soon convinced that Emma is more than merely human, she wants nothing to do with him and refuses to believe his claims. But Galen believes that she could be important and works hard to gain her trust; it just has to be in time...

There were things I liked about this book. It was an interesting way of approaching myths about mermaids and the characters were fairly realistic. I felt like some of the pieces were a bit predictable, but it didn't detract from the story. I would recommend this to fantasy fans who enjoy books about mermaids or stories with a bit of romance.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Mermaid's Mirror, Half-Human, Midnight Pearls, or the Trylle trilogy

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Savannah's having a rough time after her boyfriend, Hunter, dumps her for her older sister, Jane. Things should have been looking up when she gets three wishes from a fairy godmother, except that she gets stuck with Chrissy - and she's only a "fair" godmother because she only made average grades in fairy godmother school. Chrissy's misunderstandings send Savannah back to the Middle Ages, first as Cinderella, then as Snow White. As if that isn't bad enough, her third wish sends Tristan - her current crush - to the Middle Ages where he is faced with a series of life-threatening challenges. Now Savannah must figure out how to get both of them back to modern times...and survive her godmother's "help."

This book was a fun change from the usual "fairy godmother" stories and put a bit of a spin on the retelling of the fairy tales into which Savannah is thrust. I personally found the prologue material (including the narrative from Chrissy, correspondence from her teachers, etc.) to be a little tedious even though it does provide some context, but I enjoyed the story once I got to the main narrative. I also liked the way that the story mixed some Middle Ages realism with various aspects of magic. I would recommend this to fantasy fans who enjoy slightly-twisted fairy tales, or stories about magic in the real world.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Prophecy, Dark Lord of Derkholm, The Frog Princess, or A Kiss in Time

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Evie works for the semi-secret International Paranormal Containment Agency, tracking down creatures of legend and myth, to keep humans unaware and safe from vampires, trolls, hags, and other paranormals. She has lived and worked at IPCA since she was young because she has a special talent - she's the only one who can see through the glamours of every paranormal. Evie longs for regular, teenage experiences, but she's happy to have her mermaid best friend and to help keep the world safe. But then paranormals start to die mysteriously and pieces of a strange faerie prophecy may point toward Evie as the source. Now it's up to her to find a way to save all of the paranormal creatures she's been tracking down. The story continues in Supernaturally and Endlessly

These books are surprisingly serious, even though the tone is fairly light and humorous (told from Evie's point of view). Evie's character is well developed and it's easy to sympathize with her and some of the difficult choices she has to make. I will mention that this series ends rather abruptly; if you like to have all of the loose ends tied up or a "happily ever after" ending, you won't get it from these books. However, I did enjoy the books and I would recommend them to fantasy fans who enjoy stories of magical creatures and the paranormal in real life.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Wicked Lovely, Sisters Red, or Princess for Hire

Young Warriors edited by Tamora Pierce and Josepha Sherman

This is a collection of short stories around the theme of young warriors, including:

• The Gift of Rain Mountain by Bruce Holland Rogers
• The Magestone by S. M. and Jan Stirling
• Eli and the Dybbuk by Janis Ian
• Heartless by Holly Black
• Lioness by Pamela F. Service
• Thunderbolt by Esther Friesner
• Devil Wind by India Edghill
• The Boy Who Cried "Dragon!" by Mike Resnick
• Student of Ostriches by Tamora Pierce
• Serpent's Rock by Laura Anne Gilman
• Hidden Warriors by Margaret Mahy
• Emerging Legacy by Doranna Durgin
• An Axe for Men by Rosemary Edghill
• Acts of Faith by Lesley McBain
• Swords That Talk by Brent Hartinger

Although these stories have a common theme, they all approach it differently with settings across many places on Earth and beyond, and throughout time as well. Some of the stories are historical (not fantasy) but most of them have magic or fantasy elements. I found it interesting to see the ways in which different authors approached the idea of "warriors" - not all of the characters fight with weapons, but all of them fight for something. I would recommend this collection to fantasy fans who enjoy thought-provoking stories and coming-of-age tales.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Rampant, Dark Mirror series, Knight & Rogue novels, or The Seer and the Sword

Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby

Emma is a student at a special high school that trains teenagers with abilities how to slay magical creatures, so that they will no longer menace regular humans who cannot see their real forms. There's no question that Emma is going to be the only dragon slayer from her class, following in the footsteps of her very famous mother, who died years before. Except, then Curtis Green is assigned to be a dragon slayer instead, and Emma gets assigned to...fairies. Not only is it embarrassing, but the fairies like to taunt Emma and evade her at every turn. As if that isn't bad enough, there's a giant, evil fairy on the loose and the only other person who can see it is her nemesis, Curtis. Emma will have to learn to trust her friends - and perhaps even Curtis - to deal with the crisis and survive her "fairy" bad day.

So, I picked this book up expecting it to be very fluffy and likely a bit silly, but I was pleasantly surprised. Although the tone is lighthearted and often amusing, the plot and characterization have much more substance than the title may suggest. It was a quick read, but I enjoyed it very much; I don't know if there will be a sequel, but I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. I would recommend this to fantasy fans who enjoy stories about magical creatures in the real world.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Minds series, Magic Can Be Murder, Dark Lord of Derkholm, or Janitors

The Mermaid's Mirror by L. K. Madigan

Lena has always been drawn to the ocean; living in Diamond Bay, a small town on the San Francisco Bay, the water is practically in her backyard. She desperately wants to surf with her friends, and, as her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena decides that it may be time to learn. Her father, who nearly died while surfing before Lena was born, has never allowed her to take lessons, but Lena doesn't want to watch from the shoreline any longer. Her life starts to change in other ways as well, particularly when she discovers a hidden trunk containing her mother's things; she decides it's finally time to know more about her mother's suicide while she was young. As Lena searches for the answers to her questions, she will begin to learn more about her family -- and about herself.

This was an interesting story, though parts of it were fairly predictable and occasionally a little slow. Lena's character has to deal with many changes and difficult choices, which make the story more realistic. I would recommend this to fantasy fans who enjoy stories about mermaids and heroines finding themselves.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Lost Voices, Half-Human, Trylle trilogy, or Water Steps

Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr

This is a collection of short stories by Melissa Marr that includes:

• Where Nightmares Walk, Winter's Kiss
• Transition
• Love Struck
• Old Habits
• Stopping Time
• The Art of Waiting
• Flesh for Comfort
• The Sleeping Girl and the Summer King
• Cotton Candy Skies
• Unexpected Family
• Merely Mortal (This story is also included in Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong)

I really enjoyed this collection. The stories discuss a variety of topics, though many of them are a bit dark, and range in length from a couple of pages to a novella that takes up around a third of the book. I will mention that about half of the stories (including the novella) are about characters from Marr's Wicked Lovely series. Readers who are unfamiliar with the series may not recognize all of the context; also, there are spoilers for the series for readers who have not read all of the books or who are thinking about reading the series. However, I would recommend this book to older fantasy fans who enjoy stories about fairies in the real world and the darker edges of fantasy.

An aside: if you are interested in reading the Wicked Lovely series, it is now complete -- Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, Radiant Darkness, and Darkest Mercy.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Black Pearls: A Faery Strand, Sweet Venom, or Sisters Red

Rapunzel: The One with All the Hair by Wendy Mass

Rapunzel's twelfth birthday was supposed to be special - and not because a witch kidnapped her and left her in a tower, but that's what happened. She dreams of a way out of the towner and works to find out more about why she has been imprisoned. Meanwhile, Prince Benjamin is starting to feel as though he'll never measure up to the expectations of his parents, or the kingdom. He is desperate to find a way to prove himself, and to start living the life that he wants. Neither of them is happy, but perhaps together they will be able to break free of their prisons.

This was a cute story and a quick read. The plot had some interesting elements, but overall it felt like a fairly straightforward retelling of Rapunzel, told from both Rapunzel's and Benjamin's points of view. Both characters are well developed throughout the book as the story unfolds. I would recommend this book to fantasy fans who enjoy retellings of fairy tales. It is the first in a series of "Twice Told Tales."

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Fairy's Return and Other Princess Stories, The Prophecy, or The Two Princesses of Bamarre

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Grace's family has just moved to San Francisco and she is excited to start attending a new private school. Life seems good until she sees a minotaur walk into a restaurant. No one else seems to notice, but Grace starts to wonder why she is seeing monsters. Meanwhile, Gretchen spends all of her spare time hunting down monsters and sending them out of the human world with her venomous fangs. It's tricky enough keeping up with monsters and homework, but then Grace and Gretchen meet and discover that they look exactly alike. And they're not alone - their third sister, Greer, is not happy to see Grace and Gretchen when they turn up on her doorstep. Her life is in order and she wants nothing to do with them. But as triplets descended from the mythological Gorgon, Medusa, "normal" life may be out of their reach.

This was definitely an interesting way to bring ancient Greek myths into the modern world. The characters were well developed, and realistic. The only thing that I disliked about this story is that it's very introductory. Although it isn't clearly labeled, this is the first in a series and this book doesn't get very far. Greer doesn't appear until two-thirds through the book and by the end, I felt as though almost everything in the book had already been summarized on the book jacket, which was a little disappointing. Keep in mind that you may want to have book two handy when you finish this one. But I would recommend it to fantasy readers who enjoy Greek myths, stories set in the real world, or strong, female characters who fight monsters.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Rampant, Half-Human, Radiant Darkness, or Ever

Water Steps by A. LaFaye

When Kyna was three years old, she nearly died in the storm that killed the rest of her family when it capsized their boat. Since then, she has been terrified of water, even drinking water and baths. Her adoptive parents, an Irish couple that saved her from the ocean, force her to take "water steps" and learn how to handle small amounts of water a little bit at a time. They tell her stories about fairies in Ireland that steal babies, shape-shifting silkies, and other sorts of magic. But when they tell Kyna that they're all going on summer vacation and living at a house on Lake Champlain, she will be forced to reconsider everything that she knows and face her biggest fears.

This book is fairly short, but it's written with beautiful, lyrical language that makes it difficult to put down once you start it. Even though parts of the story are a bit predictable, the characters are believable and it was interesting to see how all of the pieces would come together. Although there isn't as much "magic" in this story as in many other fantasy books, I would absolutely recommend this to fantasy fans who enjoy a little bit of Irish myth.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Once Upon a Time series, Half-Human, Me, My Elf, and I, or Wings

Janitors by Tyler Whitesides

Spencer Zumbro wants his life to be clean and well-ordered, which is difficult in his large, disordered family and at a new elementary school. But things get even worse when he starts to see strange creatures around the school and no one believes him. When Spencer sees a janitor attack one of the creatures with a vacuum, he realizes that he isn't the only one who can see them. He and his new friend, Daisy, set out to find the truth, but the situation is far more complicated than they realize...

Honestly, this isn't the sort of book that I usually pick up, but I did enjoy it. The story is a little bit fluffy, but there is enough characterization to really get to know Spencer and Daisy, and several serious topics are broached as well. I would recommend this book to fantasy fans of all ages, particularly those who enjoy stories about fighting monsters and magical creatures in the real world.

Note: This book is also the first in a series, continued by Janitors: Secrets of New Forest Academy.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Lightning Thief, Now You See It..., The Prophecy, or fablehaven

Unfamiliar Magic by R. C. Alexander

Desdemona (Desi) and her mother, Callida, move a lot; they are witches, constantly on the run from discovery though Desi isn't sure that's the whole story. Desi is frustrated because her mother won't teach her any real magic or let her use her powers. When Callida has to leave unexpectedly, she turns their feline Familiar into a human girl to watch out for Desi. No one is happy with this arrangement. But while Callida is away, "Cat" learns about being human and Desi learns more about what it means to be a witch - and to grow up.

This was a really cute book that made me laugh, particularly the complications of "Cat," who looks human but still acts like a cat. Parts of the plot were fairly predictable, but it was a quick read that was fairly light and still had some good characterization and amusing scenarios. I would recommend this to fantasy fans of all ages who are looking for something a little lighter, particularly those who enjoy stories about using magic set in the real world.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Once Upon a Marigold, Magic Can Be Murder, Dark Lord of Derkholm, or How to Ditch Your Fairy

The Lost Voices Trilogy by Sarah Porter

In Lost Voices, the first book, Lucette's father was lost at sea, leaving her orphaned and living with her abusive uncle. But when her uncle tries to rape her on her fourteenth birthday, Luce feels trapped and tired of the cruelty, finally deciding to throw herself off a cliff. But instead of dying she changes into a mermaid and discovers a whole new life with a nearby tribe. Suddenly, Luce has friends and magical abilities. But the relationships in the tribe are complex and she struggles with the fact that their magic is used to lead humans to their deaths.

The second book, Waking Storms, is told from the point of view of both Luce and Dorian, the human boy that Luce saved. After leaving the tribe, Luce is living alone and trying to figure out how to become more comfortable with her life as a mermaid. But larger problems may be on the horizon for Luce and all of the mermaids in the area as they face the possibility of exposure.

The final book in the trilogy (The Twice Lost) will be released June 2, 2013.

This story was very compelling and definitely drew me in; I was a little disappointed when I realized that the final book isn't out yet and I would have to wait to finish reading the trilogy. Even though a lot of the plot is fairly light, there is still an underlying serious tone. The focus of these books is really on character development and the social interaction of the mermaids, since they are all "lost girls" who have given up on humanity because of their own horrific experiences. I would recommend these books to older fantasy fans who enjoy stories about magic in the real world, or stories that are a little more serious.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Half-Human, Rampant, Wicked Lovely, or Morganvill Vampires series

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

Woodcutter Jarl and his wife have nine children; when the last one is born and turns out to be a fifth daughter, her mother refuses to give her a name, believing that sons are more useful. Her family refers to her as "pika" (girl), although her favorite brother, Hans Peter, who traveled the world on a ship calls her "lass." The country where they live has been immersed in a nearly-unending winter, which makes life difficult. So when a giant enchanted polar bear (isbjorn) shows up one night and asks the pika to live with him for year, she agrees to go if he'll ensure that her family finds fortune while she's gone. The isbjorn takes her to a castle made of ice that has all the comforts she could want, except that it starts to feel like a prison. The more questions she asks, the more servants start disappearing and she begins to fear what could happen; but that doesn't stop her from trying to find answers--and risk ruining everything...

This is a fairly good retelling of the fairy tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon, though there aren't really many surprises. I was a little disappointed that some of the plot points introduced at the start of the story that seemed important never really amounted to anything. However, I did enjoy it and I was interested to see what would happen. I would definitely recommend this to fantasy fans who like to read fairy tale retellings or who want something set in the "real world" that's a little out of the ordinary.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Seer and the Sword, Fablehaven, Howl's Moving Castle, or Auralie: A Fairy Tale

The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison

In the kingdom of Kendel, people who communicate with animals through the gift of "animal magic" are hunted and killed for it. So it is imperative that no one find out that Prince George and his mother have the gift. After his mother dies, George's relationship with his father is strained and keeping his secret becomes more difficult for the prince as he gets older. When he turns seventeen, George visits the neighboring kingdom of Sarrey to meet his betrothed, Princess Beatrice. She is cold and reclusive, spending all of her time with her wild hound, Marit; but it turns out that it is because she also has a terrible secret. The real question is whether or not George and Beatrice can trust one another and work together to solve the problems - and maybe even find love.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and had trouble putting it down once I got in a few chapters. The characters are realistic, including their struggles to find themselves while keeping their secrets. Parts of the plot seemed less cohesive later in the story than at the beginning, but it all came together well at the end. I would recommend this story to fantasy fans who are looking for a story with a little more depth and characterization, or who enjoy stories about relationships between humans and animals.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Spirit Fox, No One Noticed the Cat, Radiant Darkness, or The Minds series

A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

This story is actually a series of retellings of the original Grimm fairy tales with commentary by a narrator. The stories are all connected by the main characters, Hansel and Gretel, who leave home after their father cuts off their heads (and their mother is ok with it) and then find a witch in a house made of cake. But it doesn't end there; Hansel and Gretel travel far and wide, staying with several families, going on adventures, and even going to Hell and back. But all they really want to find are parents that love them and a home where they can be happy...

Although I generally prefer lighter versions of fairy tales, this was certainly an interesting retelling of Hansel and Gretel as well as several lesser-known stories. As retellings of the original Grimm stories, this book is quite a bit more violent and bloody than most fairy tales, though the author doesn't focus significantly on gore and it's a fairly quick read. The narrator has a strong presence, so if you're bothered by frequent interruptions of the plot or editorial interjections, you may want to pass on this book. I would recommend this to younger teens and fantasy fans who are looking for more unusual retellings of fairy tales or stories that are a little less fluffy.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Poison, The Wish List, The Last Apprentice,or Black Pearls

No One Noticed the Cat by Anne McCaffrey

When Mangan Tighe, Regent to Prince Jamas of Esphania dies, the prince is suddenly immersed in a world of politics that he has to navigate alone. At the time, no one noticed Tighe's cat, Niffy, however, when she adopts Jamas, everyone is amused when he starts asking for her opinion as Tighe used to. The political situation heats up when the neighboring country of Mauritia starts looking toward Esphania to expand their holdings, and it soon becomes clear that their queen, Yasmin, has even bigger plans toward gaining power than anyone realized.

This story is a short novella, so it's a fairly quick read. Although it falls into the fantasy genre, there isn't much magic and the core of the story is more about politics. However, it was certainly an interesting story, and I would recommend it to fantasy fans who enjoy political intrigue or fantasy stories centering around cats as magical creatures.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Reserved for the Cat, The Prophecy, Magic in the Mirrorstone: Tales of Fantasy, or Daughter of the Flames