The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell

Thanks to my friend Sydney for introducing me to this enchanting book.  Using a character full of courage and spunk, Merrie Haskell weaves together two different fairy tales: Twelve Dancing Princesses and Beauty and the Beast.

Reveka is a young herbalist who takes it upon herself to figure out how to break a curse, which causes the 12 princesses to wear away their shoes every night, and which has caused a deathless sleep to overcome any and all people who have ventured to break the curse.  Agreeing to be the bride of a zmeu (type of dragon), Reveka is able to save her father and the princesses.  But can she find a way to heal the sleepers and heal the Underworld?

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

This book is about a twelve-year-old orphan named Hollis Woods who is known for running away from her foster homes.  Her one wish is to have a family and it looks like her wish is going to come true when she spends the summer with the Regan’s.  But she ends up running away from the Regan’s after an accident that she blames herself for.  When she goes to stay with an elderly artist named Josie, Hollis feels like she is needed as Josie’s memory is slowly deteriorating.  In an effort to stay with Josie, Hollis runs away with Josie, but slowly comes to understand that running away does not solve anything. 

I had previously seen the made-for-television movie done by Hallmark and thought it was a really touching and emotional story, which made me want to read the book.  Words sometime have a power that is so much greater than what can be seen.  This is true of Giff’s Newbery Honor book.  This is a story of courage and love that will touch your heart.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

I loved it!  This sequel to Divergent lives up to expectations.  Picking up right where Divergent leaves off, this sequel is fast-paced and full of danger, deception, and betrayal as each individual must decide where they stand in the face of war.  I couldn’t put it down.  Veronica Roth has created a world that is hauntingly memorable, and characters that have a depth to them as they face physical and emotional struggles that cause them to question human nature.

All I can say is, When is the next one coming out?