"Roses and Rot" by Kat Howard

In law school I served as Managing Editor of the Morningside Muckraker in part because I would get to work with creative people. I'm not artistically creative myself, but I like being around people who are, discussing their work with them, and helping to create spaces where they can be their creative selves. Kat Howard's debut novel "Roses and Rot" evoked this feeling of being around those who live to create. And it gets bonus points for reminding me of excellent parts of "The Night Circus."

Imogen and Marin are sisters, a writer and a dancer, respectively. They grew up together and grew extremely close as they were forced to deal with horrific abuse at the hands of their mother. And yet, at the start of the novel, they haven't spoken in seven years, though they are about to live together in an artist's colony, Melete. Everything at Melete is not what it seems. Imogen and Marin must decide what their art means to them, what are the aims of their ambitions, and what they will sacrifice to achieve their goals. 

Howard creates an enchanting environment in Melete, and it is this setting and the feeling created that reminds me of "The Night Circus." Make no mistake, the books are entirely different, but each has its own carefully crafted atmosphere that draws the reader in an ensnares their attention. Additionally, each character has a slightly different view on art and how to create, though all share a devotion to their work. I enjoyed the opportunity to consider these different approaches.

Finally, Howard is playing with fairy tales. Imogen writes them, the girls are living one, and the novel plays with the structures and tropes of them. I have some thoughts on how this plays out, so get to reading so we can discuss. 

Verdict: Affirmed. "Roses and Rot" is great on audio and ebook (as I learned when my audio rental expired and my aunt generously provided me with the ebook to finish the last several chapters; thank you again!). Fans of fairy tale retellings and inspired works will appreciate this new entry in the subgenre, and sisters will enjoy the complex and true relationship between Marin and Imogen. 

"Roses and Rot" by Kat Howard, published May 17, 2016 by Saga Press.

"Stars Above" by Marissa Meyer

I was so happy to get back to the Lunar Chronicles world with this collection of short stories. As I discussed in my review of "Fairest," Meyer has a gift for unveiling backstory in a way that stays true to the characters in the main series. This collection of stories follows in that vein, showing how the characters we know from the Lunar Chronicles came to their lives at the start of the series, or what happened to them after.

The standout story for me was "The Little Android," a retelling of "The Little Mermaid." In the vein of the Lunar Chronicles, though, our mermaid is an android working on rebuilding and renovating star ships, who falls in love with the human in charge of her projects. It stays true to the Hans Christian Anderson version, so don't expect the happily ever after from Disney. Mech6.0 will remind readers of Iko, and invoke questions of sentience and personality that were touched on in the main series as well.

"The Keeper" and "Something Old, Something New" will delight fans of the series, as they take place before and after (respectively) the action of the main series, giving new glimpses into characters we know and love. "The Mechanic" was particularly disappointing, as it's just Cinder and Kai's meeting from Kai's point of view - with virtually no new information or insight from the perspective flip. Rebecca Soler returns for her stellar audio narration, and overall this is a worthwhile story collection for Lunar Chronicles fans.

Verdict: Affirmed for fans of the series. Some of the stories have been published previously, but the collection was a nicely rounded set of stories for those looking to revisit this world.

"Stars Above" by Marissa Meyer, published February 2nd, 2016 by Feiwel & Friends. Audio narration by Rebecca Soler, published February 2nd, 2016 by Macmillan Audio.

"Egg & Spoon" by Gregory Maguire

Thanks to Audiobook SYNC for providing yet another great audiobook! Though this one's download period is up, they'll be giving away two titles per week through August 17, 2016, so check in every Thursday to see what's new. 

I don't think the book description really does justice to this madcap fairy tale mash-up & retelling. Gregory Maguire takes the outlines of a prince & pauper identity swap and adds Baba Yaga to create the delightful, fresh "Egg & Spoon."

Elena is the pauper, a poor Russian girl living with her dying mother while her brothers are away. Ekaterina is the prince, a wealthy girl traveling by train to meet the nephew of the Tsar when she meets Elena during a pit stop. The set-up getting them to swap places was the dullest part of the book. It really took a while to get everyone situated and put all the necessary plot elements in place. During parts 1 & 2 out of 11 on audio, I considered abandoning this book for fear it would never get any more interesting then two girls comparing their vastly different lives in unsurprising ways.

I'm glad I waited it out. Ekaterina meets Baba Yaga after their switch, and things really pick up. Baba Yaga is a time-traveling, child-eating witch living in a house that walks around on chicken legs. She brought levity and wit to the story, generally keeping things interesting even when the plot itself wasn't moving too far along. As they work to reunite and swap places, Ekaterina and Elena learn about themselves, and ultimately embark on a mission with Baba Yaga, the Tsar's nephew, and a few other characters to figure out what exactly is wrong with the magic in Russia. The girls grow and learn more about themselves along the way, of course. Like Sam in "Every Last Word," this book's  SYNC-paired-audiobook, they come into their own and learn to see themselves in new lights, capable of more than they had previously believed.

Verdict: Affirmed. Even though the book felt clunky at times, with some less-than-deft maneuvering of characters from place to place, it turned out to be a really enjoyable read. For fans of Gregory Maguire generally, fantasy, or fairy tale retellings specifically, "Egg & Spoon" is worth checking out.

"Egg & Spoon" by Gregory Maguire, published September 9, 2014 by Candlewick Press. Audio narration by Michael Page, published September 9, 2014 by Brilliance Audio

"Winter" by Marissa Meyer

The conclusion to The Lunar Chronicles lives up to the rest of the series, even though it's considerably longer. The rest of the review will have spoilers for the rest of the series, so read no further if you want to avoid them.















"Winter" brings the fight to Luna, and it really is a book of war. This war has been brewing since "Cinder," and I admire Meyer's ability to bring everything to a plausible head in just four books (and a prequel novella). Even so, I was a bit bored by the battle scenes, but that's a personal preference more than anything else. I would have liked to see them summarized and edited down, especially since the book is so long already, but I can see how other readers would appreciate the detail and explanations of exactly how it all comes together.

Winter has a focus character is interesting, as her refusal to use the Lunar gift is driving her mad. She's aware of this, and her internal struggle with her madness and how it impacts those around her is a central theme. It's also a great counterpoint to the struggles Cinder has with her decision about whether, when, and how to use her gift. There's a lot to unpack with this particular version of mind control, and it's a strong example of what elevates this series above a standard YA series.

Like the earlier entries, this book also does a great job tying in the threads and characters readers know & love from previous books. Wolf has a particularly strong arc this novel, as he faces his Lunar trainers/captors/army superiors again and must cling to his humanity in the face of renewed conditioning.

Of course there's a happily-ever-after ending, these are fairy tale re-tellings after all. I didn't think "Winter" was the strongest installment in the series, but it was a fitting conclusion and gave a satisfying resolution to all characters and plot lines. At this point, I'd be more interested in prequels of the generation before this than a continuation of the main plot.

Verdict: Affirmed. The series is well worth your time, as I've said in every review so far. I highly recommend it for fantasy, science fiction, and fairy tale fans. Audio narration is great on the entire series, and the story lends itself well to that format.

"Winter" by Marissa Meyer, published November 10, 2015 by Feiwel and Friends. Audio narration by Rebecca Soler, published November 10, 2015.

"Fairest" by Marissa Meyer

"Fairest" is a bridge novel in the Lunar Chronicles, set (and released) between books 3 and 4, "Cress" and "Winter." It tells Levana's back story, and what a back story it is.

Levana was raised on the moon, the second daughter of the royal family. Her parents die when she is a teenager, and her cruel older sister Channery becomes queen. Meanwhile, Levana is enticed by the prospect of ruling herself, and falls in love with a married palace guard.

Though Levana's upbringing is horrible - absent parents and an abusive sister, never mind the additional pressures of palace life - she is nevertheless absolutely bonkers. She's cruel and sadistic herself, likely a combination of learned behaviors from her family and some sort of innate, inherited trait. She has her own brand of insanity, subtly different from her sister's and indifferent to the needs and desires of others.

This story does not attempt to make you sympathize with Levana's crazy. You may understand it, and her, better at its conclusion, but it did not make me like her. It's a hard line to walk, but Meyer walked it well. I hated Levana, but wanted to know what she would do next & why she takes the actions she takes in the main series. This novel gives her back story, fills in the gaps, tells you what's under her veil, literally and figuratively. Yet, her image as a contemptible evil queen is intact, and you can continue rooting against her for the final novel in the series with a deeper understanding of who she is and why.

Verdict: Affirmed. The insight into an awful character with a mysterious background builds upon the solid foundation laid in the main series, and I'm sure the insights gained here will only add to my enjoyment of "Winter."

"Fairest" by Marissa Meyer, published January 27, 2015 by Feiwel & Friends. Audio narration by Rebecca Soler, published January 27, 2015 by Macmillan Audio.

"Cress" by Marissa Meyer

I was so happy to get off the waitlist for "Cress" over my holiday break. The Lunar Chronicles has gotten stuck in my mind, and I can't wait for the the each installment of this impeccable SciFi-fantasy-fairy tale series. This review will necessarily contain spoilers for the first two books, so if you want to avoid them, just know that the series is worth continuing.













Everyone who wants to avoid spoilers gone? Good. "Cress" opens with Cress, a young Lunar girl who is stuck on a satellite orbiting Earth. She's been hiding the Lunar ships from Earth's radar's and satellite due to her brilliant programming skills. She's also been closely following the exploits of Cinder in her abundant spare time, even hiding their ship from the Lunars. So when she has the opportunity to reach out to Cinder & crew, she seizes it, and this Rapunzel's rescue is underway. Unsurprisingly, it does not go smoothly.

We see our protagonists scattered after the botched rescue, and much of the book is spent on their efforts to reunite. Though it can feel diverted from central plot advancement, Levana's exploits continue & Kai struggles with his choices in the background. Most interesting for me is the exploration of Cinder's development of her gift and her internal conflict over using it. She knows it it's awful to use mind control, yet she finds herself turning to it in times of need. She sees how seductively easy the gift can make achieving her ends. We see her struggle with this, and it's a mature exploration of a complicated theme for a YA book, as I have come to expect from this series.

Minor complaints: Cress & Captain Thorne's romance is cute, if a bit predictable. They won me over in the end. Sure, Cress ties into the main group a bit too conveniently, but it's a novel. I'll accept it. Overall, an enjoyable installment, setting me up for the final book.

Verdict: Affirmed. If you like this series, don't stop now.

"Cress" by Marissa Meyer, published February 4, 2014 by Feiwel & Friends. Audio narration by Rebecca Soler, published February 4, 2014 by Macmillan Audio.

"Scarlet" by Marissa Meyer

[This review necessarily contains spoilers for the first novel in the Lunar Chronicles, "Cinder." If you're here to see if the rest of the series holds up before diving in, this second installment definitely does. Read no further if spoilers concern you.]















"Scarlet" picks up where "Cinder" left off, though you might not know at first. Scarlet Benoit is in France, looking for her missing grandmother. She meets Wolf, a mysterious street fighter with a dangerous past. As they forge an uneasy alliance and embark on a mission to find Scarlet's grandmother, Cinder is working on escaping from prison so she can make her way to France and figure out more of her own background. Queen Levana still looms large as a threat, manipulating her way to a marriage with Prince Kai.

This is a solid second installment, with a clever retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, and new characters who make great additions to the established cast. Cinder is still a strong female protagonist, and Scarlet joins her ranks. It's clear they're heading toward a meeting from the onset of the book, and I can't wait to see them team up and play off each other's strengths as the series continues.

Verdict: Affirmed. Another solid fairy-tale retelling set in an intriguing Sci Fi world, with great additions to the cast. Now, I'm looking forward to getting off the holds list for "Cress."

"Scarlet" by Marissa Meyer, published February 5, 2013 by Feiwel and Friends. Audio narration by Rebecca Soler, published February 5, 2013 by Macmillan Audio.

"Cinder" by Marissa Meyer

With the recent release of the final installment in the Lunar Chronicles, I figured it was about time I dig into "Cinder," the first in this highly-acclaimed series. I was not disappointed.

The premise: in the future, humans still live on Earth, but another group living on the moon has evolved. Known as Lunars, these people have the power to change what others see and believe. Cinder is a cyborg, living on Earth in New Beijing while a lethal plague is running rampant. Cyborgs aren't considered full citizens, so she works to support her stepmother and stepsisters. Prince Kai is holding a ball, despite his parents' having caught the plague. On top of all this, the feared and reviled Lunar Queen is coming for a diplomatic trip.

Yes, it's a Cinderella retelling - each book in the series is. But it's a fresh take. Cinder is a determined, intelligent, loyal heroine. Her deep love for her stepsister rings true, despite her terrible treatment by her family. Her interactions with Kai, although they are a normal YA-trope romance, feel far more realistic than other novels that shove the male and female characters together to check the box of a central romance plot. She gradually warms to him, instead of falling head over heels immediately. Her stepmother is perfectly awful, but she offers a critical lens into the society that Meyer has crafted.

I'll speak vaguely to avoid spoilers. Did I know where this was going as soon as the android started talking? Yes. Did I care? No. I was excited to see how the characters got there & developed along the way. While the broad arc of the series seems clear to me at the conclusion of this installment, I'm still excited to read on and see how it all unfolds.

Verdict: Affirmed. Highly recommended for YA fans, SF fans who don't mind the YA romance with their futuristic societies, and anyone who loves a fresh take on a classic fairy tale.

"Cinder" by Marissa Meyer, published January 3, 2012 by Feiwel & Friends. Audio narration by Rebecca Soler, published January 3, 2012 by Macmillan Audio.