Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Poison Study is about Yelena, a woman about to be excuted for murder, who is offered an alternative: become the food taster. Its not an easy job, learning to distinguish poisons and certainly not safe, since at any moment her life could end from a poison meant for the Commander, the ruler of Ixia, for whom she tastes food each day. Valek, the chief of secruity and accomplished assassin, is constantly testing her strength and loyalty, despite the fact that she can't run away since he already poisoned her and she needs a daily dose of antidote to survive. On top of all that there's the rebellion plot threatening to overturn their stable nation, the dangerous General that wants Yelena dead and her deleveloping magical powers that if manifested, could mean a death sentence anyway.

This book was recommended to me by a several friends who said it was amazing. Though i wouldn't classify it as a favorite, i have to say that it's a very good read. It's written in the same way that i think, almost as if i had written it myself, but its entertaining and clever enough to keep me on my toes. I love the character of Yelena more than most heroine's i read about because of her spirit and her past. Her motives for the decisions that she makes are REAL, if not always the right or easy ones. I love the relationships that she fosters and the fact that she does not dimiss the past while living in the present or planing for the future. You can feel the changes that she goes through as you would changes in yourself. Very well written and surprising professional for such an amateur author. It makes you wonder why all first-timers are arn't written this way *coughstepheniemeyercough*

Chalice by Robin McKinley

Chalice is the story of Mirasol, a homely beekeeper, who one day, out of the blue, is taken into the higher Circle of the demesne where she lives to be Chalice: the women responsible for tying the Master to the land. But her Chalicehood will be like no other, for the last Master left no Heir, and the only blood relative is a second level Priest of Fire, a being who's very touch can burn the skin off human bones. Together the unlikely pair most soothe the land and people to ensure the safety of their people's future.

Though the plot line was interesting and unique i felt that McKinley really let me down in this book. It was flat, boring and confusing. Mirasol, who had the potential to be an amazing main character reminded a lot of Bella of Twilight fame: repetitive to the extreme. Its a hard book to reccommend, only becasue the plot line is so interesting but the book itself is written so poorly.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Stardust is the beautiful tale of Tristran Thorn (yes--TristRan. They adapted it for the movie), a young boy who convinces himself that he is in love with the stunning Victoria, the most gorgeous girl in his hometown. Hoping to win her heart, he promises to go over the mysterious Wall that is situated at the side of their village and bring back a fallen star to her in exchange for her hand in marriage. Laughing, she accepts. What she doesn't expect is for Tristran to journey into the forbidden realm of Faerie to acquire the star. And what Tristran doesn't expect is the journey that follows: one of true love, adventure and magic.


With out a doubt, one of the best fairy tales i've ever read, it's enough like the movie to connect the plot lines and even though they are exactly the same, both have their merits. I loved the characters of Yvaine and Tristran, even with faults they were lovely to follow. i felt like i was hovering right above their heads the entire time. Once again, Gaiman out does himself.