Witchstruck (The Tudor Trilogy #1) by Victoria Lamb

Publication: September 24, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Source:  Publisher

If she sink, she be no witch and shall be drowned If she float, she be a witch and must be hanged. Meg Lytton has always known she is different—that she bears a dark and powerful gift. But in 1554 England, in service at Woodstock Palace to the banished Tudor princess Elizabeth, it has never been more dangerous to practise witchcraft. Meg knows she must guard her secret carefully from the many suspicious eyes watching over the princess and her companions. One wrong move could mean her life, and the life of Elizabeth, rightful heir to the English throne. With witchfinder Marcus Dent determined to have Meg's hand in marriage, and Meg's own family conspiring against the English queen, there isn't a single person Meg can trust. Certainly not the enigmatic young Spanish priest Alejandro de Castillo, despite her undeniable feelings. But when all the world turns against her, Meg must open her heart to a dangerous choice. The Secret Circle meets The Other Boleyn Girl in Witchstruck, the first book of the magical Tudor Witch trilogy.

Meg is 16 who is just coming into her powers, with the help of her aunt. And she is also a maid to a banished Princess Elizabeth. But unfortunately, this is a time where witches are being hunted down and killed. So it’s not exactly the best time for Meg and her aunt to use their skills in magic.

And they do use it. They use it to see if Elizabeth will ever take the Throne and for their own personal purposes as well. I wished that Meg had been more careful and a little less reckless when using her magic. Her judgment was not the best.

I really wanted to love this book, but in the end, I just didn’t grab me the way I was hoping it would.  Nothing seemed to drag. It felt like there was almost always something going on.  It was entertaining. I just didn’t really connect with Meg that much.

Witchstruck, is the first book in the Tudor Witch Trilogy. The second book Witchfall is already out, and the third book Witchrise releases September 30th. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with a dash of magic and fantasy thrown in, then this one might be worth pique your interest.

RATING: 3 out of 5.

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A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

From Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Mattie Gokey has big dreams but little hope of seeing them come true. Desperate for money, she takes a job at the Glenmore, where hotel guest Grace Brown entrusts her with the task of burning a secret bundle of letters. But when Grace's drowned body is fished from the lake, Mattie discovers that the letters could reveal the grim truth behind a murder.

Set in 1906 against the backdrop of the murder that inspired Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy, Jennifer Donnelly's astonishing debut novel effortlessly weaves romance, history, and a murder mystery into something moving, and real, and wholly original.

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“Right now I want a word that describes the feeling that you get--a cold sick feeling, deep down inside--when you know something is happening that will change you, and you don't want it to, but you can't stop it. And you know, for the first time, for the very first time, that there will now be a before and an after, a was and a will be. And that you will never again quite be the same person you were.”  
- Jennifer Donnelly, A Northern Light

What I like:

Mattie is a strong female character whose love of words and writing made a connection with me. She is a hardworking girl bound by duty, who helps take care of her family. But she does not feel quite satisfied with her current situation. Mattie feels pressure in deciding what it is she really wants out of her life, versus what her father and society tells her she should want. After she begins reading the letters Grace Brown, a guest at the Glenmore hands over to her, Mattie starts to discover that something is not right. And she sets out to further uncover the truth and hopefully bring justice for Grace.

What I did not:

At one point I did think there were possibly too many things happening in the book. It would have been nice if everything had been resolved, but I was not disappointed with how it ended.

Final Thoughts:

A Northern Light is one of my favorite YA Historical Fiction books. It is one that I always keep at the front of my bookshelf. Jennifer Donnelly’s writing is vivid and the story flowed. I thought she did a great job of creating a world with memorable and realistic characters that stuck with me long after the story ended.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George

From Goodreads:

When Petunia, the youngest of King Gregor's twelve dancing daughters, is invited to visit an elderly friend in the neighboring country of Westfalin, she welcomes the change of scenery. But in order to reach Westfalin, Petunia must pass through a forest where strange two-legged wolves are rumored to exist. Wolves intent on redistributing the wealth of the noble citizens who have entered their territory. But the bandit-wolves prove more rakishly handsome than truly dangerous, and it's not until Petunia reaches her destination that she realizes the kindly grandmother she has been summoned to visit is really an enemy bent on restoring an age-old curse. The stories of Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood get a twist as Petunia and her many sisters take on bandits, grannies, and the new King Under Stone to end their family curse once and for all.

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I fell in love with the cover of the book. It reminded me of Little Red Riding Hood wandering through the forest, which is one of the fairy tales this book recreates in a new way that and Robin Hood. Princess of the Silver Woods is the third book in the Princess series by Jessica Day George. This particular story centers on Petunia, who is the youngest out of her twelve sisters.

While traveling to visit the Grand Duchess Volenskaya’s estate their coach is seized by the Wolves of Westfalian Woods. Petunia may be young, but she carries a gun on her for protection and uses it to gain her freedom from the bandits…for the moment.

In their kingdom there is a new King Under Stone. When the King’s father used to reign, a curse fell upon the twelve sisters that forced them to dance for King Under Stone each night at the midnight balls.. The sisters were able to free themselves from the curse, but now the son of King Under Stone has taken the throne and is eager to prove that he is just as strong if not more than his father was. He is desperate to save his crumbling kingdom. And he believes he knows the only way to save it.

“The kingdom is dying,” he went on at last. “Dying with us trapped inside. Like a birdcage smashed beneath a stone. The door to the cage is still locked and there is no way for us to fly out.” His smile became even more terrifying as he saw his words sink in. “Then what do we do?” Blathen folded his arms across his chest. “I am not going to sit here and let the stone crush me.” “Of course not,” the king said. “We need only to collect a few things to enable our escape.” “And what do we need?” Blathen was still frowning, not convinced that his older brother had the answer. “Just what Kestilan has asked for,” the King Under Stone said, sitting back on his throne. “Just what our father wanted for us: brides. “Beautiful brides who can walk in the sun.”

-Jessica Day George, Princess of the Silver Woods (Twelve Dancing Princesses)

When Petunia eventually makes it to the Grand Duchess Volenskaya’s estate she realizes that things are not always what they appear to be and danger can come in many forms.

This was a cute story and I had fun reading it. I wasn't sure what to expect since it was a retelling of Robin Hood and Red Riding Hood, but I think Jessica Day George did a good job. I got caught up in a world filled with a rich historical setting, beautiful princesses, bad guys, good guys, and a magical curse. I liked it. Fairytales are always entertaining to read, no matter what age you are.

 

                                                              

Rating: 3½ out of 5.

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** I received this book from Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books/Netgalley in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you!** 

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The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.

Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions.
White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.

This is Manhattan, 1899. Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone--from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud--threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.

With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...

In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.

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The Luxe takes place in Manhattan, New York during the year 1899. If Gossip Girl were to take place in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s then this is what it would look like.

Elizabeth and Diana Holland are sisters who spend their time in Manhattan’s elite social circles, attending glamorous parties dressed to the nines, and crushing on handsome guys.

Elizabeth is considered the mature and responsible one. She usually does what she is told.

Diana is more adventures. She longs to be a free spirit and not trapped by society’s rules and restrictions for women.

 This rich and exciting life they lead is all they have ever known and when they find out that their life isn't as secure as they once thought, a sacrifice has to be made.  A sacrifice by way of an engagement between Elizabeth and Henry Schoonmaker; son of one of the richest families in New York. This further complicates things because Elizabeth is already in love with someone else.

Enter Penelope Hayes, who is supposed to be Elizabeth’s friend, but is more like a friend you would never want to trust with anything. Penelope is in love with Henry. So while Elizabeth opens up to her friend, Penelope is trying to plot against Elizabeth in order to get what she wants and what she thinks she deserves.

“Don't go looking for boys in the dark.
They will say pretty things then
leave you with scars.
Do go looking for boys in the park.
For that is where the true gentlemen are.”

-Anna Godbersen, The Luxe (Luxe, #1)

Secrets, deception, jealousy, and romance all mix together in this teen/young adult historical fiction novel. The Luxe is a must read for anyone who enjoys a good historical fiction read and is a fan of the Gossip Girl series. There were some parts in the book that were obvious and I felt anyone could guess, but other than that I enjoyed reading it.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

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My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris

Synopsis: On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze. Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

Cat Crawford is a teen girl on the verge of her 16^th birthday. She is shy and a bit of loner, part of which comes from being hurt and not wanting people to get close to her. She is a big art enthusiast, and has been dreaming of going to Italy and exploring her Italian heritage for quite some time. While on a tour through the city she stumbles upon a gypsy and thus begins the start of her time traveling adventure.

When she discovers that she must have gone back in time, she wasn’t as freaked out as I thought she would be. Especially for a 15 year old, she took the situation rather well…almost too well. Though she does panic a bit at first, she warms to the idea and decides to use this trip as a way to discover more about her family. Her family consisting of her uncle Marco, aunt Francesca, and cousins Alessandra and Cipriano.

While staying her with her 16^th century family she meets Lorenzo, the best friend of Cipriano. Lorenzo is quite taken with Cat, but she dismisses him as being a total player and wants nothing to do with him.  Eventually her feelings change and she starts to like him.  The more she stays there and interacts with everyone the more she starts to look at things differently.

“Letting anyone besides Dad get close to me was never a part of my life plan. I’ve seen what it does, the pain it can cause. But now it’s happening anyway, and not just with Lorenzo. Alessandra, Cipriano, my aunt and uncle… Loving each of them is like an earthquake— I can feel it; I know the destruction it’ll leave behind and have witnessed previous aftermaths, but I’m powerless to stop it. And the worst part is, I don’t really want to."
-Rachel Harris, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century
(That is one of my favorite quotes in the book).

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century (MSSSC for short) is a fun and light-hearted read, that I am happy to have discovered. It has some fluffiness, but not too much so that it’s over the top, which is good.  Normally I don’t care for the whole time traveling concept in books, but for this story I didn’t mind it.  Even though this book is on the younger side of the YA book spectrum than what I would normally go for, I was still able to get into it and enjoy the story. 
One thing that I liked was Rachel Harris’s way of describing Italy and the various surroundings. It was so nicely detailed that I almost felt like I was there too. My only big complaint is that there is a cliffhanger at the end. That I was not expecting at all. Now I will be on pins and needles wondering when the second book will be released and what will happen next.  I liked this book enough that even though I got it as an ARC, I ended up buying a copy anyway.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the Author, who I received this ARC from in exchange for my honest review.**


                                                             

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