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

Hidden by Marianne Curley

Ebony lives with her family on a farm in a small valley; she's happy, but dreams of bigger things. Jordan lives in the same valley, but he has been moving through a series of foster homes and dreams of a happy life, anywhere. One night they meet and the sudden, intense connection is unmistakable. Not long after, both of their lives fall apart. Jordan ends up with the mysterious Nathaneal who wants Jordan's help to convince Ebony of her true birthright. But it won't be easy for any of them...

Although the premise for this story was interesting, I didn't enjoy the book very much. The characters did not always seem realistic and many of the major plot points seemed predictable. However, it is possible that the next books in the Avena series will improve. Also, I would mention that the author is Australian, so it has some British English in it - I don't have anything against it, but it is occasionally disconcerting for readers that primarily read American books. Overall, I would not highly recommend this book; however, fantasy fans may consider this series if it sounds interesting, particularly those who enjoy paranormal romances and stories about teens who discover that they have abilities or non-human heritage.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Fairy Path, As You Wish, Wings, or How to Ditch Your Fairy

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

Heroes' Reward by Moira J. Moore

This is an update about a series that I've reviewed before. For those of you who have been following the The Source and Shield series by Moira J. Moore, the final book has been self-published by Moore. It is currently available in multiple formats, both free and for a fee. More information is available on her post, here.

The books in order are:

• Resenting the Hero
• The Hero Strikes Back
• Heroes Adrift
• Heroes at Risk
• Heroes Return
• Heroes at Odds
• Heroes' Reward

I do recommend reading this series and I'm so happy that it has been concluded, even though the publisher dropped it. After the early books (which I reviewed some years ago), there is actually quite a bit more magic in the story rather than just special abilities. I would suggest this series to older fantasy fans who enjoy interesting character relationships and other worlds.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Scarlett and Rosie March have always been close; after a werewolf kills their grandmother and leaves Scarlett with only one eye and extensive scars, they stick together even more. The sisters train to become hunters, spending their time luring and killing wolves to keep other girls safe, along with one of the woodsman's younger sons, Silas. Rosie feels tied to her sister, but she starts to wonder if there is more to life, even though Scarlett is content to devote herself to hunting. When they hear about the possibility that something big is developing in Atlanta, the three of them decide to temporarily move to the city. But each of them may find more there than they realized, including themselves.

This book alternates points of view between Scarlett and Rosie to help give a balanced picture of the events. It is easy to sympathize with both of the girls, even though they are extremely different. Some of the plot elements felt predictable, but the focus is on the character development and I still enjoyed reading it to find out what would happen. This book is a bit dark and bittersweet, but I would definitely recommend it to fantasy fans who enjoy those kinds of stories or retellings in the real world.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Black Pearls, Beauty and the Werewolf, Morganville Vampires, or A Tale Dark and Grimm

Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

Renée Winters' life changes forever when she discovers her murdered parents on her sixteenth birthday. Although she has had a happy life in California, her grandfather removes her from her friends - and brand new boyfriend - to send her to Gottfried Academy, an extremely exclusive and remote boarding school in Maine. She slowly starts to make new friends as she adjusts to life at Gottfried, studying philosophy, Latin, and "Crude Sciences." Renée also meets Dante Berlin, a mysterious boy to whom she feels connected, although she doesn't know why. More importantly, she starts to suspect that there may be secrets at Gottfried, and that there may be more going on than the school's administration is willing to admit.

This book is followed by Life Eternal, and then Love Reborn (to be published January 2014).

I thought this was an interesting take on the idea of the "undead" which has been popular recently in various forms. That's a small spoiler, but it shouldn't be much of a surprise, given the title. The story feels a bit gloomy and slow, but I was definitely intrigued to find out the ultimate direction. I would recommend this book to older fantasy readers who prefer stories that are more somber about the real world, particularly stories that deal with the undead.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Abhorson, Lost Voices, Wicked Lovely, or Warbreaker

The Fairy Bell Sisters by Margaret McNamara

In the first book, Sylva and the Fairy Ball, Tinker Bell's younger fairy sisters are getting ready for the annual Fairy Ball on Sheepskerry Island. Clara, Rosy, and Goldie have been planning their outfits; baby Squeak is still too young, but Sylva Bell is excited that she will finally be old enough to attend her very first ball. When the invitations come, the ball will be held one day before Sylva's birthday, which means she'll have to wait an entire year to go to the ball! But despite her disappointment, Sylva decides that she can still make a contribution.

The second book, Rosy and the Secret Friend, tells about how Rosy makes friends with one of the Summer Children visiting Sheepskerry Island. Even though the fairies are not supposed to reveal themselves to the Summer People, Rosy feels bad for Louisa and soon they are helping one another. But Rosy feels guilty about keeping the secret from her sisters and she'll have to figure out what to do when they find out about it...

These books are short, quick reads and they're cute stories. They're definitely written for younger readers, so they're a little bit predictable, but still a good choice for fantasy fans who want something light. There are also "fairy secrets" at the end of each book; the first has a recipe for Sylva's Blueberry Birthday Cake and the second has instructions to build a fairy house.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Fairy's Return, Once Upon a Marigold, The Dragon Princess, or Me, My Elf, and I

Gorgeous by Paul Rudnick

Becky Randal does not have a glamorous life; she lives with her overweight mother in a trailer park in small-town Missouri. When her mother dies on her eighteenth birthday, everything changes and Becky finds herself flying to New York to meet Tom Kelly, a top designer. He makes Becky and offer that sounds too good to be true: he'll make her three dresses -- one red, one white, and one black -- and she will become the most beautiful woman in the world. Despite her misgivings, Becky agrees. When she puts on the red dress, she sees herself in the mirror...but everyone else sees something very different. Suddenly, "Rebecca" Randal is hobnobbing with the rich and famous, posing for a Vogue photoshoot, and discovering a whole new world. But Becky is about to discover the hard way that her new life comes with a price.

This book was definitely engaging and unpredictable, and ultimately, a powerful story about a small-town girl who finds out who she really is. The magic aspects of this book were a bit odd and not really the focus, but it does have some elements of a modern fairy tale. I do want to mention that the book uses a lot of strong language, which may bother some readers. I would recommend this to older fantasy fans who enjoy stories about the real world.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Princess for Hire, Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions, or The Magic and the Healing

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Megan Rosenberg and her father have just moved to Ireland from Boston and it's a bit of a culture shock. But, Megan makes new friends and settles in...except for the mysterious Adam DeRís and his family. Although Adam seems to be watching her, he refuses to say anything beyond polite greetings. As Megan finds herself drawn to him despite his reticence, she discovers that she is part of a larger destiny involving Adam, his family -- and magic. Megan is excited to learn more, but she finds that there are dangers as well...

This is the first book in a series; the second book Shadow of the Mark will be released July 9, 2013.

I felt as though this book started a little slowly; some parts seemed awkward and excessively detailed. However, it did get better about halfway through and I enjoyed the ending, so the series might improve as it progresses. I would recommend this book to fantasy fans who enjoy romance and stories involving prophecy.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Dark Mirror series, Twilight, The Other Book, or Rampant

The Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking

In the first book, Switched, Wendy Everly has had a complicated life -- her mother tried to kill her on her sixth birthday, claiming that Wendy was not her child -- but now she is seventeen and has just moved to a new town with her aunt and brother. Just when she starts to think that she could settle in to an ordinary senior year of high school, she meets Finn Holmes, an odd boy who spends most of his time staring at her. Finn tells Wendy that she is actually a changeling, switched at birth, and now he's going to take her home to meet her real family.

The series continues in Torn and Ascend. Wendy learns more about her family and the world of the Trylle.

Overall, this series was engaging and a fairly quick read. It started a little slow and I found some of the love-triangle drama in the second and third books to be a bit tedious. However, the characters are well developed and the concept of changelings in the modern world is certainly an interesting twist. I would recommend this to older fantasy who enjoy stories in the real world with a bit of romance.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Wicked Lovely, Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, Me, My Elf, and I, or Radiant Darkness

Twelve Dancing Princesses Trilogy by Jessica Day George

The first book, Princess of the Midnight Ball, is a retelling of Twelve Dancing Princesses. Rose and her sisters -- Lily, Jonquil, Hyacinth, Violet, Iris, Poppy, Daisy, Lilac, Orchid, Pansy, and Petunia -- are cursed to dance at night for the King Under Stone, an evil wizard who lives in an underworld and wants brides for his twelve sons. Galen is an orphaned soldier who has come to live with his relatives and goes to work with his uncle in the royal gardens. When he happens upon Princess Rose, he immediately feels a connection. As the problem grows worse and the king brings in foreign princes to discover the secret of where the princesses go every night that cause their shoes to wear out, Galen becomes intrigued by their plight and starts to look for a way to help. But as the situation becomes critical, both in the underworld and in the kingdom, it's going to take ingenuity and luck to save the situation.

In the second book, Princess of Glass, the curse on the sisters has been broken, but the political problems that it caused still pose a serious threat. The nations all agree to do an exchange program for their children -- including all but the oldest princesses -- and Princess Poppy (one of the middle siblings) is sent to Breton. She soon makes friends with Marianne, the daughter in the family that she is staying with, and Prince Christian, another participant in the exchange program. Although she finds it interesting, there's a slight problem with one of the maids, Eleanora, who cannot seem to get anything right. But odd circumstances suggest that the maid might be under a curse and Poppy sets out to find out what she can do to help, assuming that she can find the answers before it's too late.

In the final book, Princess of the Silver Woods, the youngest sister (Petunia), is traveling to visit Grand Duchess Volenskaya, the elderly woman that she lived with during the fostering program years earlier. When highwaymen wearing wolf masks attack the carriage, Petunia is inadvertently kidnapped. Oliver has a noble title, but his land was taken away during the confusion at the end of the war and has left him, his family, and his tenants living in a rundown castle in the woods. But when the sons of the King Under Stone start to torment Petunia and her sisters again, Oliver is willing to go to great lengths to help make sure that the princesses are finally safe from the threat.

Overall, this was a great series; the books were quick reads and had interesting twists on the traditional fairy tales (Twelve Dancing Princesses, Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood). The romance in the third book seemed a little weaker than the others, but the plot did a good job of tying up the loose ends and it was still enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this to fantasy fans who enjoy retellings of fairy tales and a bit of romance -- and knitting, since there are patterns at the end of every book!

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Cecilia and Kate, Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Princess Nevermore, or Firebird

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

Dashti is a "mucker" from the steppes, but after her mother dies, she looks for work in the nearest city. When she lands a position as a maid to Lady Saren, she doesn't realize quite what it will mean - Lady Saren's father has decided to seal her into a tower for seven years and now Dashti will go with her. Their fate is punishment for Lady Saren's refusal to marry the man that her father has chosen, claiming to love a different lord instead. Life in the tower quickly grows old, though both of Lady Saren's suitors show up to talk to her. However, the situation grows more desperate as food stores run low and Dashti must find a way to deal with the difficulties regardless of what might be waiting outside the tower.

This is a retelling of the Grimm fairy tale "Maid Maleen," which is not a story with which I was familiar. It was definitely an interesting premise, however, and the whole story is told in first person by Dashti, as if it is her journal, even including illustrations. The story is engaging and unpredictable. I would recommend this to fantasy fans who enjoy fairy tales and stories that have an Asian flavor.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Princess Ben, Bound, or the Abhorsen trilogy

The World Above by Cameron Dokey

Gentian (Gen) and her brother Jack live with their mother on a farm, but times are hard. When Jack goes to the market to sell their cow and comes back with a handful of magic beans, everything changes. The twins have grown up hearing bedtime stories about the "World Above," the place from which their mother fled when their father was murdered. But finally they have a way to restore their birthright, except that once Jack climbs up the beanstalk to set their plan in motion, everything starts to go wrong.

This was a really fun retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk (with a little bit of Robin Hood, as well). It's told in first person by Gen, so the perspective is different than the traditional story. This is a really quick read and I would absolutely recommend it to fantasy fans who enjoy retellings of fairy tales and a little bit of romance.

This is part of the Once Upon a Time series.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Black Pearls, Princess Nevermore, Water Steps, or Enchanted

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

Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley

When Isabel's mother dies in childbirth, she is sent to a nearby village to live with a wet nurse in the family of a blacksmith. She grows up as a peasant girl, although she is friends with Prince Julian who lives at the village castle since Beatrice, Bella's adoptive mother, was his wet nurse as well. Meanwhile, their country has been at war with a neighboring country for nearly one hundred years, wreaking havoc on the lives of all the citizens. But when Bella is thirteen, everything falls apart: she finds out that her father is a knight in the city who has just remarried and decided to bring her home, away from the only family she has ever known. Unfortunately, her "new" family is not any more excited to see her and life is complicated for everyone. It will take courage, ingenuity, and a little bit of magic to make everything come out right again.

Although this is an unusual retelling of Cinderella, it felt a little dry to me, and not much like a fairy tale at the end (though several Cinderella elements were there). The story is told from several different points of view, which helps to understand all of the characters involved and the plot is unpredictable enough to stay interesting. I would recommend this book to fantasy fans that enjoy books that are a little serious.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Aurelie, Beauty, The Other Book, or Warbreaker

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

Princess for Hire Trilogy by Lindsey Leavitt

Desi Bascomb is thirteen and not terribly happy with her life. She works at a local pet store (Pets Charming) as part of an apprenticeship program; it mostly involves dressing as a groundhog and enduring ridicule. But when she makes a wish on some "magic" fish, her life changes drastically. Desi discovers that has an unusual ability to tap her magic potential (MP), which means that she's a candidate for a position to substitute for royalty. When she puts on the magical Royal Rouge, her appearance is temporarily transformed into that of a royal family member, who use the service to go on anonymous vacations. Throughout the trilogy - Princess for Hire, The Royal Treatment, and A Farewell to Charms - Desi learns how difficult it is to fill someone else's shoes without losing herself. But she's determined to find out who she really is, and stand up for what she believes in...no matter what it costs her.

These books were really quick reads and I enjoyed the series a lot. The first book felt very fluffy, although there are some more serious issues later in the series. The plot was interesting and I kept reading to find out where it was going to head next. Since it's told in first-person point-of-view, it has an informal feel that's similar to The Princess Diaries or Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging (neither of which are fantasy books, but they have the same kind of tone), and readers really get to know Desi and how she grows. I would definitely recommend this series to fantasy fans looking for something light that's a little out of the ordinary, or stories set in the real world.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Cloaked, Wings, Me, My Elf, and I, or Fairest

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