Jan. 21- Jan. 29

 Title: Wild Geese
Designer: Jim Killen Sunset Cross Stitch Kit
Fabric: Dove Grey Aida 16 ct.


I am really liking the depth which is showing on this piece. The trees in the background compared to the birds is pretty cool. It is done by using a different number of strands and both full and half stitches.

 Title: Starrett House
Designer: Nancy Spruance Designs
Fabric: White Aida 14 ct.


I am enjoying how clean the stitches feel on this one. I think it might be because it has been awhile since I have used this large of a count. Everything feels smooth as I stitch it.

The Night Circus

Title: The Night Circus

Author: Erin Morgenstern

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Published: September 13, 2011

The circus of dreams would arrive without warning. One day it would be there and then suddenly gone. They were only open at night and everything within were black, white or shades of gray. Very few knew the circus was the battle grounds between two magicians who found themselves in love with their opponent.

Each chapter began by telling the reader when it was taking place. This was important because the chapters did not go in order. I was talking to someone about one section of the book and we decided it would have made less sense if it had actually gone in order. I was very impressed the writer not only was able to do that, she was able to do it well. It felt as if it was a part of the magic that was weaved within what the characters were experiencing.

I loved the language within this book. I felt as if I was wrapped up so I could be taken along the journey with the characters. The words flowed in a lyrical way and I found myself either reading parts of the book to the people around me or I would make them read those parts themselves, they mostly humored me. There were elements I wished I could actually see. I would love to watch the clock or take a tour through the ice garden. Upon finishing the story I found myself a little sad the gate way to that world had ended.

I gave this book 5 stars out of 5.

Title: Clariel (Abhorsen #4)

Author: Garth Nix

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Published: October 14, 2014

The book takes place six hundred years before the rest of the series. Clariel had just moved to the capital from the borders of the country and all she wanted to do was go back. Her parents had other plans for her future. Then a Free Magic creature arrived and Clariel became her possibility of escape.

I really really loved Sabriel. It is one of my favorite books. I am unsure if I would have liked Clariel more if I hadn’t read the first one or if it really was the book. Maybe it has just been too long since I have read the rest of the series.

My biggest problem with the book was only one of the characters was actually willing to step up and do what they needed to do. The king decided ruling the country was too much work, so he stopped. The princess who was supposed to rule after the king disappeared. The Abhorsen was more worried about the next hunt than his duties. The next Abhorsen took after her father and didn’t care about anything beyond hunting. Clariel, the main character, only wanted to go back to her beloved forest. They all had really important things they should be doing and none of them would even attempt to try. The only character who stepped up and did what needed to be done was Bel. I became frustrated especially when Clariel was upset with the king for not ruling. I really wanted someone to point out how hypocritical she was being. No one ever did.

I find this world fascinating and really look forward to being a part of it during the time it takes me to read. The words used make beautiful pictures whether we are in the normal world, the Old Kingdom, or death. Each of the environments described are rich and they make the series worth reading.

Overall I gave this book 4 stars out of 5.

Title: Cast In Courtlight (Chronicles of Elantra #2)

Author: Michelle Sagara

Genre: Fantasy

Published: July 18, 2006

This book picked up shortly after the first ended. Kaylin was taken to the Barrani High Court to heal one of the Lords. Her adventure continued from there.

There is a lot of repetition especially concerning what color of eyes the different characters had, but since those character's eyes changed color often depending on their mood or what they were thinking the repetition didn't bother me as much as it could have in other circumstances.

I enjoyed the relationships Kaylin had with the other characters. I found it fun she had more leaway with her superiors than anyone else. I would have liked to see more of Marcus, the Hawklord, and Sanabalis. I was glad we were able to see more of the connection between Kaylin and Severn. The history we learned about the Barrani was interesting and hopefully we will be able to see more in the future.

For most of the story I found myself on edge and eager to keep going. I feel as if I didn't get enough, almost as if I didn't absorb the entire book, kind of like I missed things on the edge of my vision. I am not sure if I really did or maybe they were parts of the book not actually said. I feel as if this is one thing about the series I find so appealing.

Overall I gave this book 5 stars out of 5.

Review: Nightbird

Title: Nightbird

Author: Alice Hoffman

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Published: March 10, 2015

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Twig lived in a small town called Sidwell. There was a monster stealing little things from people in town, leaving blue graffiti, and briefly being sighted. Twigs family had a secret of their own and a fear it would be found out.

With the amount of time it took to be introduced to Twig I was surprised the rest of the story wasn't more involved. Once we got to know all the characters the story moved very quickly. The big reveals (the family secret, the reason the witch cursed her family, and how everyone was interconnected) were not as surprising as they should have been. When each secret came to light instead of a gasp of surprise I thought, okay and...

My main problem with these people were their tendency to avoid conflict. Instead of confronting or dealing when issues came up they would leave. One character after another left. Even Twig who was twelve would run away if she thought someone was going to say something she didn't like. Really they needed to all just sit down and talk things through. It wouldn't have solved all the problems within the story, but it would have been a lot less psychologically frustrating.

I am a person who likes happy endings, in fact I prefer them. This one however, I felt as if I had been tossed into a vat of cotton candy and told to make my way out by eating. I could almost feel the sugar shock hitting me as I pushed through. Everything was rapped up nice and neat. Every character was beyond happy and things in their world could not have been better. It was really saccharine sweet.

Overall I gave this book 3 stars out of 5.

Title: Fire (Graceling Realm #2)

Author: Kristin Cashore

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Published: October 5, 20009

Fire was a human monster who could control people's minds. Her country was on the verge of war. The King and Prince took Fire to the capital so she could help with the war effort.

There was one character I really did not like. Archer, he wasn't even the bad guy. He was a potential love interest for Fire, but he was controlling and jealous and when he didn't get what he wanted he slept with anyone who was willing. My sister called him a man whore. I was inclined to agree with her. I was glad the anti-marriage message from the first book was not as strong in this though.

I found the repetition a little trying. One example was the use of the word monster, it came before other words such as cat, mouse, human, etc. Another example was the focus on Fire's menstrual cycle. I'm not sure I have focused as much on my own as the author did Fire's. My last example was the focus on Fire's looks. She was beautiful enough she would have men professing love or moved to violence just by looking at her. It became a little much.

I did find the story slow at the beginning. It took me about eighty pages before I really began to connect to the characters. Then I found the book difficult to put down. I did enjoy most of the interactions between the different characters. I especially enjoyed Fire's dealings with Small and Horse the two horses she ends up with in the book. I liked how they both chose her and because of that she didn't actually view them as property.

Overall I gave this book 4 stars out of 5.

Title: The Shadows (The Books of Elsewhere #1)

Author: Jacqueline West

Genre: Children, Fantasy

Published: June 9, 2010

Olive and her parents moved into the old McMartin house and Olive began to notice that not everything was normal about the paintings on the walls especially when she figured out she was able to travel into them.

I found some of the descriptions slightly off beat and therefore they made the book more interesting. "The water was the temperature of warm soda pop or cold soup." Or "Olive half expected a cat that size to make a crash like a dropped bowling ball, but he landed with surprising lightness." Without the slight quirkiness I believe the book would have been a much slower read.

As I have noticed recently in the books I have been reading the best part were the animals. There were three cats who had more personality than the human characters and they were also more fun. At one point I began thinking we hadn't seen any of them for awhile and it was time for at least one of them to make an appearance.

It was a fun story which the target audience should enjoy. I really wouldn't mind reading the next in the series.

Overall I gave this book 4 stars out of 5.

Title: The Light Fantastic (Discworld #2)

Author: Terry Pratchett

Genre: Fantasy, Humor

Published: September 13, 2005

The world was said toward a new star. It was believed the only person who could prevent the collision was Rincewind who had just fallen off the edge of the world.

I had two problems with this book. The first was the names, they were all different enough I was pulled out of the story. My other problem was the lack of chapters. I normally think just until the end of this chapter then I will stop reading. It doesn't necessarily work for me, but I wasn't able to do that here and I was left without the feeling I would know when to actually stop. I did not find either of these things to be a deterrent enough to not read further in the series.

I did enjoy the whimsy. I love that my favorite character is Death and how he is unapologetic about what he needs to do, but he isn't mean. I felt bad for the talking trees who no one would have a conversation with. I found myself laughing on multiple occasions.

Overall I gave this book 4 stars out of 5.

Title: Incarnate (Newsoul #1)

Author: Jodi Meadows

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Published: January 31, 2012

For five thousand years a million souls were reincarnated with memories from their previous lives. Then one didn't come back instead a newsoul named Ana was born. Then Ana met Sam who believed she was worth fighting for and decided to try and help her.

Emotionally this book really got to me. I cried within the first couple of chapters. The psychological abuse Ana went through was very well done. I did find the emotion a less near the end of the book. I think the author would have been able to keep it as high as it was in the beginning if I was able to listen to a sound track while reading. I do know that isn't feasible, but since so much time was devoted to talking about music I almost wish there was one.

I did find this version of reincarnation interesting. I liked how since the citizens could remember their past lives their punishments could carry on into the next life. It wasn't addressed, but I also liked the idea were suicide wouldn't be the escape many people in our world believe it is. In the book the characters needed to work through their problems because really there was no alternative. It did bring an odd twist on murder and made it really not an issue for their society. If you were murdered all you would really lose would be a body.

I think I liked where my mind went with the ideas of this book more than the actual story itself, but since I am unable to separate them I will say I enjoyed the book.

I gave this book 4 stars out of 5.