The Secret Language of Stones: A Novel (The Daughters of La Lune, #2) by M.J. Rose

I received this as an ARC from the publisher but the review is my own.

This is the second novel in the Daughters of La Lune series which was started with The Witch of Painted Sorrows but can be read as a stand alone novel. The first book introduced the powerful witch and famous courtesan La Lune and the history of madness and tragedy which follows the women of her family through the years until we come to Sandrine Salome who proves to be the only one capable of inheriting La Lune's powers and embracing her given gifts. For Sandrine's story this will prove to be a tale of passions unfolding and a young woman's fight to survive a trial of darkness in order to emerge into a strong and powerful witch and woman.

This is about Sandrine's daughter Opaline who has run away to Paris during World War I to escape both her family legacy and a decision which she cannot escape the ramifications of. Although loath to learn more about her family's powers and her own, she is gifted with the ability of creating jeweled talismans which help grieving loved ones left behind find a small semblance of peace. Her ability will set her on the path towards a choice between continuing to ignore her heritage or embracing a love that will test her sanity and force her to confront her fears and embrace what she is capable of. 

Again Rose has created a beautiful love story that is ethereal and touching shadowed by the grimness of ongoing war. The life of this young woman is sculpted by the tragedies she opens her heart too and the deceptions which lie beneath her very feet and by her side. Just as Opaline's talismans give one last glimpse of the dearly departed, the descriptive passages of Paris and Europe during this time will make you appreciate the uncertainty that people faced when each decision made could affect the very lives of countless others and turn the tide of history. Touched with magical realism, historical fiction, and mystery there is something here for everyone who is looking for a great read and is a worthy addition to the bookshelf.

The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest (Mythic Fiction #1) by Terri Windling

This is actually not a full review due to the fact that after several weeks of fighting the truth I put this book down unfinished. I originally wanted to read it of course because it pertained to legends of the Green Man. I was interested in seeing how some of the best writers would re imagine this beloved character. Although some of the stories were interesting and worth reading, none of them carried the feeling of lore that I've come to associate with the Green Man. Several, quite frankly failed to even hint at the mysteries of the forests and glens I was looking for. All in all what should have been a pleasure became quite the chore. 

Of course as always this is my opinion. There is some solid writing in here and it could be worth your taking a look at this collection if your interested in the potential new avenues that open up whenever you read a collection that contains various authors you may not even know about. The introduction to the book itself was very informative and has given me some new titles to add onto my reading list. Unfortunately for me, this is not a shelf keeper.

The Adventures of Lettie Peppercorn by Sam Gayton, Poly Bernatene (Illustrations)

This is about a young girl called Lettie who will discover just how special she really is. It all begins one day when a snow merchant presents himself at Lettie's inn and declares he is there because she and only she is the right customer for his wares. What the snowflakes set into motion is the adventure of a lifetime as Lettie sets out to find her missing mother and uncovers a story years in the making which will reveal a story about the powers of love and the destruction of jealousy set in a world where alchemy is alive and well. Where young men carry their future on their shoulders and evil grannies greedily grasp for treasures they cannot comprehend. A world where the first snows fall for a very special reason. Full of imagination, laughs, and warmth, this is a lovely book for a young reader to add to their collection.

May I Have Another

I always wanted to grow up and buy a house where I would dedicate a full room to all the books I would own. There would be hundreds if not thousands. Now that I am technically, age wise at least, a grownup I do own hundreds of books but not, alas, a room dedicated just to them. The picture above is a prime example of an incursion in progress. Although it was a lovely view and cozy corner it has now been taken over by piles which obscure the growing plants, the windows, and even the corner where bench meets bookshelf. It is now a dark, cluttered space holding a chair as well which conveniently doubles as a cat bed.

This multi room epidemic has caused a certain kind of slow down in my book gathering by which I mean I now only bring home books found at my local Goodwill where they're going for so cheap that it would be absurd not to buy them or at work where ARCs are up for grabs. All this leads to the end effect that I have cannily devised a counterattack to this indignity. I have begun an affair with my local library. It lets me return to the days when I could pick up any book with impunity and say nanananana to any sort of reigning in. True a new pile may appear in my walking space but in two weeks time it will be gone. Satisfaction guaranteed.

But there is of course a serious flaw. Although these titles are returned new titles still continue to trickle into the stacks and creep forward into the spaces not yet lost to the mists of book dust. I have in fact self fulfilled my wish when all is said and done. I am a grownup who has their own library and though in my dreams it is a grand room dedicated to the task in reality it is an apartment slowly disappearing under the magic of endless piles of unread, yet to be discovered wonders. I am an addict, a bookaholic who is not looking for an intervention but another inch of space to perilously stack another pile of books. And as I construct new and bizarre ways to stockpile more I can only think of one thing, I wonder what I'll come across next.

This is for my Fairy Book Mother who knows only to well my sweet addiction. Thank you for aiding and abetting me in my nefarious ways.

A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2) by V.E. Schwab

I could try to wax poetic or use fancy words to describe the incredibly talented writing that Schwab has imbued into this second volume of the series. Instead I'm going to tell you to go buy, borrow, or steal this book. Do whatever is necessary to assure you read this series pronto. Yes. It's that good. We catch up to old friends and meet new ones. We watch as our world map is expanded and new lands are revealed to us. New adventures await, new treacheries, new schemes foment. New rivals, old loves , frustrations and despairs are revealed. All this action is a whirlwind that ensnares you and pulls you into this captivating world, a willing catch. If there are flaws in this book, all the better, they make the story line shimmer with vitality and cause your pulse to race as you turn page after page towards the end knowing that it can only get better. This is a world that jumps off the page at you and says I dare you not to want to explore. Simply divine.

Seriously. If you are a fan of well crafted fantasy novels, start this series. They are not standalone novels but they are worth it. The characters are believable and impress upon you their unique individuality. The story line is written with wit and humor, crisp and fresh dialogue keeps it moving along at a steady pace that make the page count seem too fly by. Magic and fantasy are the gilding on the lily here. Waiting between title releases is a pleasure when you realize that Schwab is not yet finished. Highly recommend this as a permanent addition to your Fantasy shelf.

Half Wild (The Half Bad Trilogy #2) by Sally Green

Nathan is one of the most hunted witches in history but he has a bigger problem right now, his new power to shape shift. Inherited from his father when he was given his three gifts he has no idea how to control it and it does not want to be controlled. Nathan knows that in order to survive he will have to find a way if he is to rescue Annalise and save himself.

Nathan faces off against one of his bitterest foes and discovers that there is more than he knows heading his way. War is being declared and enemies must learn to trust each other enough to make it through. But this time the ones held closest to the heart may be the ones that are the most dangerous. As Nathan learns to come to terms with what he is and what he must do to survive there are some that cannot see beyond his father's shadow. And in the end someone must fall.

New friends, losses, and betrayals will carve Nathan into one of the most powerful witches ever known but will it be enough to defeat an enemy who is evolving as quickly and now numbers among it the very person he would defy death for.

This series deftly looks at the shifting sands that lie beneath those involved in battle. Good and bad are not as clear as history would make them out to be. The story is a perfect reflection of Nathan himself. A definite recommend.

Chalice by Robin McKinley

The domain of Willowlands has just lost both its Master and Chalice in a horrifying fire and now Mirasol as the new Chalice must welcome the new Master and help create a bond between him, the land, and its people in order for all to survive. But Mirasol is unlike any Chalice before her, untrained and innately connected to her bees she will be the first Honey Chalice ever known and the new master has been recalled from being immersed as a Fire Priest. He is no longer fully human and incapable of the smallest touch without causing pain. How can an inexperienced beekeeper hope to heal both the land and curb the fear he invokes? How can the people trust in either of them?

Told in a lyrical flow this is a fantasy story about a young girl who strives to bring peace and prosperity while struggling with powers she feels inadequate to engage. Faced with land that has been mistreated by the past Master who showed no care for it, she must find it in herself to be able to guide her people and help her new Master to heal both himself and the land. Evocative and hauntingly lovely, this book calls up the memory of a time when our connection to nature and our environment was so much closer to the surface. A definite addition to the bookshelf.

The Archived (The Archived, #1) by Victoria Schwab

In the void between the living and the dead exists a place called The Archive. Here those who have died remain as Histories, curated by Librarians. There they stay asleep but sometimes they wake up, confused and afraid, wandering into The Narrows where they meet Mackenzie Bishop, Keeper. It's her job to return those who have awoken as quickly as possible because the longer a History is awake the more violent they become as they struggle to reach the Outside, our world, where they once belonged. Mackenzie knows that no matter what a History says or does they are not the person they were before. They must be stopped at any cost, even her own life.

Mackenzie's grandfather trained her to take his position when he died. She knows her responsibilities can never be spoken of with anyone. But after losing Da followed by her brother's death for which she holds herself responsible, Mackenzie begins to question the rules of the Archive. Why must they lay in the Archive like books only to be read by the Librarians when their deaths have left gaping holes in her existence. When a History appears that doesn't seem to have any signs of becoming unstable she is faced with a grain of hope that maybe there is a way to bring back her brother and atone for her mistakes. Little does Mackenzie realize that this precise moment has been orchestrated to bring about the end of the Archive from the inside by someone who once was exactly in her shoes. Mackenzie has become the key to destroying the balance and releasing an evil who's only thought is revenge.

A story that hits on the desolation that losing a loved one creates. What would you do if you could bring back someone you loved? Could you be strong enough to let them go again or would you damn them and the world just for one more day? Well written with surprise twists and mystery.