Dragonskin Slippers by Jessica Day George (Children's, 7 years +)

 (Isn't the cover awesome?) 

February 2012, Bloomsbury
330 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: ordinary heroine, family ties, constant surprises, dragons, myths, motion sickness, regal princes, spoilt bratty conniving princess, mirrors, joy of pets, seamstress, sewing, poverty, sly enemies, heaps of gripping moments, some fighting, tragedy, lots of laughs, a whole box of tissues needed

Summary from Bloomsbury

 Fifteen-year-old Creel is floored when her aunt suggests they sacrifice her to a dragon to attract the attention of a marriageable knight. But when the dragon appears, Creel bargains for her life - and ends up with an unusual pair of blue slippers. 

It's not until the slippers are stolen by a princess that Creel learns a terrible truth: the slippers are made from the hide of a dragon queen, and enable the wearer to control all the dragons in the land. Now under the command of the princess, who is eager to start a war, the dragons begin to attack the city. Creel must join forces with the king's son and others to break the slippers' hold before the princess and the dragons destroy the city - or before the king's archers kill the dragons - whichever comes first. 

 

Nayuleska's thoughts

This is one of those books, the type I want to give to everyone so they can enjoy watching Creel have happiness after each hardship. I cried so much throughout tbis book, I was that attached to the sweet Creel whose characteristics I share when it comes to travelling. I have a thing for pretty dresses in fiction so to have Creel be a seamstress and have the story full of dressmaking makes Creel's story a real treat. I want a pair of dragonskin slippers but will make do with this 10/10 read.

Be sure to check out Jessica's website
 

Suggested readIf it's dragons you are after, check out Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Minnow and the Bear by Ben Blathwayt (Children's, Picture Book)

September 2011, Hutchinson,
32 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: cavemen, harsh life of hunting, moderate peril, living side by side with nature, desire for adventure, surviving the elements, recognition of skill, lots of tension, a tissue needed

Summary from Random House Children's Books

Minnow the cave boy longs to be big enough to go hunting. When he is swept away by the river, he loves learning to fend for himself. He even finds a friend far from home - a little bear.
 

Together Minnow and the bear grow big and strong, but winter forces them to make the difficult journey home. Will their new experience be enough to keep them safe?

Nayuleska's thoughts
I was gripped by the companionship Minnow gained from the bear, how cute they looked when they slept and the fear when life chucked obstacles at them. I can't stress enough how detailed all the illustrations are, they are the type which kept me occupied for over 20 minutes at a time when I was little. I give this 10/10.

Suggested readFor another book on friends check out Quick, Slow, Mango! by Anik McGrory

Pets in Need by Mark Abraham (Children's, 7 years +)

February 2012, Red Fox
176 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: animals, vets, birth and death, humanity, caring for others, tragedy, the joy and trials of animals, unusual and common diseases, children's point of view, knowledge, a lot of humour, tissues needed (more for laughter than anything else)

Summary from Random House Children's Books

Marc Abraham, the UK's favourite vet, introduces a cast of loveable characters in this story of his life as an emergency vet.

From the bouncy retriever puppy with a sore tummy to the tiny gerbil pregnant with triplets, every poorly pet is cared for in Marc's busy surgery.

Featuring real-life insight into life as a practicing vet, as well as hints and tips on caring for your own pets, this is a perfect book for animal lovers everywhere.

Abridged from the adult edition, Vet on Call.

Nayuleska's thoughts 

Awww was on my mind a lot of the time as I looked at the colour photos and read the individual animal tales. I liked how sensitively death was dealt with - which includes 'ghost' cats. Nothing is held back in the areas of a vet's job which aren't glorious to do but gain a lot of personal and customer satisfaction when completed. I didn't quite understand the end of the cow story - that was with reading the cow section over 6 times -so I give this 9/10.

You can out more on Marc's website.

Suggested readLots of animal behaviour in Take Me Home by Melissa Wareham (link goes to my review on a friend's website)

Monstersaurus by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort (Children's, Picture Book)

March 2012, Simon and Schuster

32 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: monsters, robots, potions, experiment, mild peril, high levels of humour

Summary from Simon and Schuster

Monty LOVES inventing
But things don't always work -
His walking toaster ran away
And the robot went BERSERK!
But then one day Monty found a book with instructions on how to create inventions very rare... read it if you dare!

Nayuleska's thoughts
If my family hadnt been watching tv, I would have howled with laughter at this fun book. The first page was my favourite, using bright colours to hint at what was to come next. I love monstersaurus both the monster and the creature who looks cute and fluffy. I say this without a threat of a monster, that this is a 10/10 read.

Suggested read
For another surprising and hilarious read try The Diabolical Mister Tiddles by Tom McLaughlin

Your Biggest Fan by Graylin Fox (Horror, Thriller)

Decadent
17k words, Ebook
Review copy

Themes: teen crush, childhood sweethearts, music idols, obsession, family life, trials of pregancy, grief, some adult relations, awesome plot twists, a little violence, tissues needed

Summary from Decadent

Mary's obsession with the boy band Caelan began in high school. She and her friends went to their concerst, picked their favourite band member, and plastered their walls with posters. Mary's obsession continued during her college years, but soon was placed in a box of memories as she matured, fell in love, and built a life with her husband.   

But Happily Ever After is elusive. When she suffers a horrific loss, can she depend on her old dreams to salvage her mind? Can she wander through those memories and still keep reality within her grasp?

 

Nayuleska's thoughts

Mary's teen obsession fades as real life brings her great joy, or so the reader reader thinks. The strong emotions Mary has are spot on, not melodramatic. My favourite character changed somewhat in light of the end, with unforeseen plot twists which give this story 10/10. I'd totally missed that it can be classed as horror - which is a good thing because I avoid horror at the moment, and I'm glad I didn't avoid this read!

You can find out more about Graylin on her website.
 

 Suggested read
For a story which has a mean heroine, try Between by Jessica Warman

What are you reading? #105

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Home Girl's Book Blog where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.

Books I've read this week

Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George

Children's, Fantasy, 8 years +

(More fabric and quick thinking from Creel to keep all her friends - human and dragon- safe.)

10/10

Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George

Children's, Fantasy, 8 years +

(I was eager to see what happened at the end, [Hint: the Wedding] which was wonderful, but I'm sad to end the trilogy because I love this world and Creel's life, which is full of dragons...)

10/10

Little Princesses: The Desert Princess by Katie Chase

Children's, 7 years +

(I didn't quite think Rosie would be taken to Ancient Greece, but it was a thrilling adventure, barely any snakes [I don't think there were any, which is a plus!] and heaps of danger. Watch out for the Sphinx!)

10/10

 

Books I'm rereading

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

Young Adult, Paranormal

In 2-3 nights I'll have finished this final installment of Twilight. I love it way more the second time than the first. I wish Jacob's POV wasn't there - Alice would have been a good view point to go with. I'm back on Bella, back with her little baby and back with her new strength and powers. Roll on the Volturi! My DVDs came in the post so I shall be watching New Moon (or Eclipse - can't remember which is the second one) shortly.

Wonder by R J Palacio (Children's, 9 years +)

1st March 2012, Bodley Head

320 pages, Hardback

Review copy

Themes: middle school, being different, being ignored, bullying, having a sibling who is special, camp, some scary parts, some very funny parts, tissues needed.

Summary from Random House Children's Books

WONDER is the funny, sweet and incredibly moving story of Auggie Pullman. Born with a terrible facial abnormality, this shy, bright ten-year-old has been home-schooled by his parents for his whole life, in an attempt to protect him from the stares and cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, Auggie is being sent to a real school - and he's dreading it. The thing is, Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, underneath it all?

Nayuleska's thoughts

I loved this book because to me Auggie was normal. Okay, I didnt look different at school, apart from when I had to wear glasses which are super thick. All the feelings he went through, I went through. His overwhelming desire to be normal and fit in just for once was exactly how I used to feel. Auggie does find true friendship, and I cried at the major event at the end because a similar thng had happened to me, and after the incident every guy in my class looked out for me, making sure no one treated me badly, just like Auggie's friends did. The elation he has for his friends looking after him is pretty special. I know for most people Auggie's tale may show them what life can be like when people don't see you as the nonexistant normal, but for me it was nice to read about someone who actually is 'normal' to me. This so gets 10/10! 

Find out more on R J's website.

Suggested read

For another heartwarming read about a girl who is different to others, try Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy.