Fantasy
Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies
Christian Trimmer
jE Trimmer
Picture Books, Fantasy, Humor, Classics, Animals
In this twist on the story of Snow White, pretty and sweet Snow Pony--beloved by children for her talent in braiding hair and dancing--follows a trail of delicious apples into the woods, where she meets seven miniature ponies.
Uprooted
Naomi Novik
SCIENCE FICTION Novik Naomi
Fantasy
"Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life. Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood. The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows--everyone knows--that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn't, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her. But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose"--
One of my favorite fantasy books! I love that it's a stand-alone story. -Brian
Burn for me
Ilona Andrews
eAUDIO
Fantasy
While searching for Adam Pierce, who can set anyone and anything on fire, private investigator Nevada Baylor is kidnapped by Connor "Mad" Rogan, a billionaire with dark powers who is also searching for Pierce and needs her help.
If you judged a book by its cover, this would would taste like a plastic but romantic cheese. Ilona Andrews is such a beloved writer (duo) in the urban fantasy world, they don't need attractive book design! Their books will sell despite the cheese. I listened to this audiobook series out of turn and regret it after finishing the explosiveness that was Book 1, Burn for Me. I had complained that Book 2 (White Hot) was a little too action packed. Book 1 would have set up that action nicely. This book reminded me of superhero movies--lots of high powered magic and muscle. And that muscle? Apparently the book designer took that to heart, giving the hero a 6-pack so tight it required extra shading in the tendinous intersection. LOL. Who was the art editor that cried "more shadow!" But back to Book 1. Burn for Me began and ended with well developed characters in addition to all that action. I couldn't wait to revisit Book 2 so I can move on to Book 3 (Wildfire). -Melody
Circe : a novel
Madeline Miller
FICTION Miller Madeline
Fiction, Fantasy
Follows Circe, the banished witch daughter of Helios, as she hones her powers and interacts with famous mythological beings before a conflict with one of the most vengeful Olympians forces her to choose between the worlds of the gods and mortals.
Another great read from Madeline Miller, author of "The Song of Achilles." To me this book goes beyond telling a new side to an old story--it really brings Circe, her back story and motivations--to life. If you enjoy Greek mythology or just looking for a great summer read, pick up "Circe." -Anne M
Bloodfire
Helen Harper
eBOOK
Fantasy
Mack might be, to all intents and purposes, a normal looking human, but she lives with a pack of shapeshifters in Cornwall in rural England after being dumped there by her mother when she was just a young child. She desperately wants to be accepted by her surrogate family, not least because a lot of them hate her for merely being human, but for some reason her blood just won't allow the transformation to occur. With a terrible temper to match her fiery red hair, Mack is extraordinarily useful in a fight, and when her pack alpha is brutally and abruptly murdered, she swears vengeance. Unfortunately, his murder also draws in the Brethren - the leaders of the shapeshifter world - who will slaughter everyone in Mack's small rural pack if they discover her true identity. Unfortunately Corrigan, the green-eyed muscle-bound Lord Alpha of the Brethren, doesn't let much slip by him.
I admit I was a bit turned off by the cover of this book and put off checking it out. When I took a chance on it, I found it to have inventive twists on traditional urban fantasy mythos. I like how Helen Harper experiments with a variety of characteristics in her heroines. Other heroines in her books might avoid conflict. Bloodfire's "Mack Attack" explores how her blood gets all firey when she gets angry. How refreshing it was to read a character whose anger can turn into action! -Melody
Through the woods
Emily Carroll
GRAPHIC NOVEL Carroll
Graphic Novels, Horror, Fantasy
"A collection of five spine-tingling short stories"--
Emily Carroll's collection of horror stories is absolutely thrilling. -Casey
Anya's ghost
Vera Brosgol
GRAPHIC NOVEL Brosgol
Graphic Novels, Horror, Fantasy
Anya, embarrassed by her Russian immigrant family and self-conscious about her body, has given up on fitting in at school but falling down a well and making friends with the ghost there just may be worse.
If you're looking for something unputdownable this is it! -Casey
Nightlights
Lorena Alvarez
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Alvarez
Graphic Novels, Horror, Fantasy
Every night, tiny stars appear out of the darkness in little Sandy's bedroom. She catches them and creates wonderful creatures to play with until she falls asleep, and in the morning brings them back to life in the whimsical drawings. When a mysterious new girl appears at school, Sandy's drawings are noticed for the first time, but Morfie's fascination with Sandy's talent soon turns into something far more sinister.
Gorgeous and just the right amount of scary--a quick and enjoyable read. -Casey
And I Darken
Kiersten White
YOUNG ADULT FICTION White Kiersten
Young Adult, Fantasy
In this first book in a trilogy a girl child is born to Vlad Dracula, in Transylvania, in 1435--at first rejected by her father and always ignored by her mother, she will grow up to be Lada Dragwlya, a vicious and brutal princess, destined to rule and destroy her enemies.
Added by Casey
Not Quite Narwhal
Jessie Sima
jE Sima
Picture Books, Fantasy
Born deep in the ocean, Kelp is not like the other narwhals and one day, when he spies a creature on land that looks like him, he learns why.
Are you a sea unicorn or a land narwhal? Sima's debut picture book is a delight! -Casey
An enchantingly hilarious retelling of Snow White that stars, you guessed it, ponies!! What's not to love? -Casey