Brian FarreyBesprekingen

This is an adventure and fantasy story that has steampunk vibes to it. It reminds me of another book I read, which I haven't been able to pinpoint, but another book I do remember that it reminds me of is The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill.
This is about a Prince with a clock for his heart and how he's trying to figure out what that means or how to deal with it and a statue of a maiden that helps him and Esme, who is on a mission searching for a sorceress. The bigger picture with this story is about loving and accepting yourself and others and learning how to have compassion and help others too. This is an uplifting Middle Grade read with some great twists and very imaginative and one of a kind in its telling. It does also have some darker topics in it that it touches on such as death/loss of a loved one/grief. There is also a little bit of violence and war and such so it's the kind of book that would likely be best to be read with a child or before letting them read it.
It has a good message and is enjoyable to read and think about as it is also thought-provoking. Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a great, middle-grade fantasy novel. I love the adventure you are taken on as Alphonsus tries to figure out where he came from and why he has a clock for a heart. Esme is great; her character has so many layers. I loved the inclusion of German words, I think it will encourage kids to ask google translate what they are and how to say them and will open them up to a language they may not have any experience with yet.

Ugh. The end was a bit a lot anti-climatic.
(Granted, I felt the same way at the end of [b:The Song of the Lioness Quartet|492490|The Song of the Lioness Quartet (Song of the Lioness, #1-4)|Tamora Pierce|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391833339s/492490.jpg|1142850], so maybe it's my sense of over-dramatic speaking)
Even so, the ending was just perfect - I could totally relate.

So.
After the disaster that was a slap to the face from the first book.
After the wonderful best-of-the-lot second book.
This was a good ending to the story. Mind you, good. NOT excellent. Which - auch, too bad.

The important thing you need to know: This WAS NOT the time wasted.
And the time not wasted is the time well spent.
Therefore I would recommend this series.

(gods do I love Grimjinxes, gods do I love them)

I was enjoying this quite thoroughly ... right up to the last fifth of the book.

Until then I delighted in being treated like I actually have a brain. But then author apparently recalled that he was writing for children - and down it crushed like an anvil.

The plunge from being treated like an intelligent being to being regarded as a nitwit with half a brain was most jarring.

I am offended at such an insulting treatment of my person.
I'm definitely holding a grudge here. *glares most balefully*

If you disregard the offending shift in attitude...
This was a fun and engaging read. Jaxter is a wicked awesome protagonist. And I definitely loved the Grimjinxes and their quirks.

It's a 3.5 read but I'm giving it a 3.0 because of the jarring disappointment suffered by my person herein.

I will, however, give the next books in the series the benefit of a doubt. But I will not be reading them just yet, I don't think.

If the author continues to treat me like an intelligent being till the very end, this book will be awesome. Currently - 29%

Being treated like an intelligent being feels so SO good!
Thank you author, for respecting my basic rights as a reader.

This was better than the first book, but it also gave me a bad bad feeling. Because trouble is brewing, and I don't what anyone to die! *insert a wail of despair*
I adore the Grimjinxes. So lovely a people.

And straight into book three...
Because I must!

P.S. This book is the best of the lot IMO.

3.5 stars
It's a solid middle-grade read.
But speaking personally, I would have enjoyed it more without the POV switches.

Also. Apparently my mind decided that Neil Gaiman is the perfect narrator for the story, except for the character bits. (It's awesome. And puzzling. I don't even know.)

The story itself feels very traditional. Which can be both good and bad.
Good - It feels familiar and comfortable. Everyone likes a good classic.
Bad - It's rather predictable. There are no surprises or unexpected twists.

There are many good lessons here for children and adults alike.
Overall, this was a rewarding read, falling just a little short of my expectations. Even so, I think many people will truly enjoy it.

FINAL VERDICT : GIVE IT A TRY!

An interesting and original world, with a plot that hinges on depression, oddly enough, as a kind of superpower. In some ways, the rules of the world and the direction of the plot seemed a little too arbitrary for me at times, but it does tie up neatly in the end. I also really like a story where the main character makes a good choice even when it is the hardest thing to do.

Advanced Reader's copy provided by Edelweiss

What happens when the fate of a town rests on their most notorious family of thieves? Will 12-year-old Jaxter manage to save them all?

Princess Jeniah is only 12 years old. Because her mother is dying she will soon become Queen. Jeniah does not feel like she is prepared to be Queen, it is too soon!
Aon Greenlaw is a villager only a few months younger than Jeniah. Everyone in the Monarchy is happy, they never feel sadness. Except Aon.
Jeniah wants to know the secret of the Dreadwill Carse, but she has been warned - If any monarch enters Dreadwillow Carse, then the Monarchy will fall.
Aon & Jeniah hatch a plan, Aon can enter the Carse (she has gone in before) and report back to Jeniah.
Jeniah & Aon write to each other, they each find in the other girl the only other person who can understand their feelings of lose and sorrow.
Together they have to face the terrible secret of the Carse and the fate of the Monarchy will be decided.
Very well done and exciting. With the question - what price are you willing to pay? Especially when it other people's lives.

This was not nearly as fluffy as I was expecting, and I loved that about it.

It seemed like the sort of thing that would be a light, frothy children's adventure story, and I was up for that. The premise of a strange wood and a princess and peasant girl who are interested in the mysteries behind it was probably going to end up with them learning the value of friendship or something.

Well, they probably did learn that, in the end, but wow, getting there was an entirely different story than the one I thought I was setting out to read.

This was dark.

I mean that in the best possible way. In fact, I'm rather awed by the ability to handle darkness and human nature and the idea of control and healthy emotions without it ever seeming to be too adult. These are absolutely adult ideas, and they don't feel dumbed down at all, but they also manage to be appropriately handled for children. This is a children's book--the protagonists are 12--but it's one of those children's books that transcends age in a way you don't see often in modern books. It is unapologetically dark and thoughtful, the sort of book I would have loved as a child and the sort of book I would love a child of mine to read.

The revelations genuinely surprised me a few times, though I had some pretty good guesses. Weaving my way through the mysteries was enjoyable enough that I followed the time-honored tradition of not putting the book down until I was done, to the detriment of my sleep. I don't regret it a bit.

This book was provided to me for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Recommended for grades 4 and up. This is a terrific read. I thought I might enjoy it but i actually really loved it. It is a timeless, dark fairy tale-like book of bargains and choices; questions, loyalties, and leadership. The Queen is dying and Jeniah, the Queen Ascendent is 12, grieving, and terrified. Her mother brings in a final tutor, but he is one of those maddening types who answers questions with questions, and imparts lessons like "You are your own best teacher." What Jeniah wants to know is how to rule, how to be a good monarch, and how to maintain the peace and happiness of her monarchy. She also wants to know why the Dreadwillow Carse at the heart of the realm is forbidden to her, and the source of the warning that if a monarch enters it the monarchy will fall. Princess Jeniah has a chance meeting with a village girl named Aon, who is actually drawn to the Carse and the girls strike a bargain. Aon will try to uncover the secret of the mysterious, foreboding carse, and Jeniah will try to restore Aon's father to her, as he has recently been "taken" supposedly into the service of the monarchy. When Aon fails to return from the carse, Jeniah risks the monarchy to rescue her friend.

The book is really well done, and without being too didactic, prompts both its characters and its readers to grapple seriously with Big Questions about choices, responsibility, happiness, learning, and leadership. Highly recommended.

The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse is the story of two girls living in Emberfell, Princess Jeniah and Aon. The 12 year old Princess' mother is dying and Jeniah must quickly learn to be queen. Her mother warns her that she must never enter Dreadwillow Carse, the dark forest in the center of the Monarchy or the Monarchy itself will fail. Emberfell is filled with people who only know how to feel happiness, with the exception of Aon. She feels a full range of emotions and believes she is "Broken." Aon, is now an orphan. Her mother disappeared when she was small and her father was taken by the crimson hoods. When Jeniah tells Aon that the crimson hoods do not work for her mother she is more determined to find out the secret of Dreadwillow Carse. Aon enters the Carse and pretends to be Jeniah. She stays longer every time she goes in, until one day, she does not come out. Laius goes and gets Jeniah as he has been instructed. Can Jeniah save Aon? What is the secret of Dreadwillow Carse? Will the monarchy fall if Jeniah goes in after Aon?

The story is a mysterious adventure to learn of what the Carse holds as well as a time for Princess Jeniah to prepare to be Queen. The friendship the girls form revolves around the shared ability to feel emotions, specifically pain and sadness, while everyone around them cannot.

I really enjoyed this story. There is fantasy, mystery, and magic. How friendship survives all and helps to solve the problem of the carse is a learning tool. A great book for an later Elementary or Middle School reader.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

With or Without You now takes its place in my top ten most memorable books of all time. Even a day later, I can't shake the full bevy of emotions that I've been feeling since I finished the book. What Brian Farrey has done is craft a story that is so real, so raw, that it is almost too tough to read. He deals with subject matter that most writers are afraid to tackle, and does so with utter finesse. I am in love with this book.

Gushing aside, I'll do my best to explain to you what makes this such a fantastic read. First are the characters. Evan, Davis, Shan, Erik, every single one of these characters so wonderfully different. Their personalities shine off the page, and they are likable and believable. What I loved most was how Farrey bares their souls to the reader. For instance, when you see Evan, you don't just see a boy who is gay. You don't just see a boy who is a confused adolescent. Rather you see every single element that is Evan. From his love of painting, to his need to please those around him, right down to his utter and total love for his friend Davis, it's all there in vivid color. I think that is the reason why this book is so beautiful. There isn't any shade up between the reader and the characters. Evan is flawed, and it shows.

Then there are the relationships in the book. Rather than just dealing with the boyfriend relationship between Evan and Erik, With or Without You tackles so much more. We are allowed to see the friendship between Evan and Davis that seems so strong, but isn't as strong as they really think. There is the relationship between Evan and his parents that is tense, but loving in a very hidden way. Then there is the friendship/rivalry between Evan and his sister Shan. Each one of these is different and intriguing. It makes this story so multifaceted and, well, fascinating! Exploring each of these with Evan is what makes this book come alive.

Before I gush too much, or give too much away, I'll quickly tackle story line. Brian Farrey exhibits his talent as a writer by creating a story that will draw you in without you even realizing it. Evan is introduced to the reader and then, like rose petals, the different facets of his life are slowly pulled away and bit by bit more underneath is revealed. Evan's life unfolds in a gorgeous and raw manner, and you begin to see that everyone out there is not what they seem on the outside. Farrey shows us that we all have something we are hiding on the inside, some deep seeded secret, and in order to grow we need to face it and let it go.

It isn't very often that I find a book that so wholly draws me in that I forget to eat before going to work. If you think I'm kidding, I'm not. I was so immersed in With or Without You that I literally had to squeeze out every moment of available time before work so I could get to the last page. This book is, in a word, amazing. Raw, unnerving and beautiful, I am completely in love.

My 10 year old read this and enjoyed it and passed it on to me. It is a middle grade book, so a fairly quick read, but still interesting. It has an interesting premise and plot, but I think aside from that what I really enjoyed about it was how it dealt with emotions. One of the characters, Aon, is from a village in the Monarchy. In the villages no one experiences anything but happiness - sadness is glossed over and forgotten, and it isn't something they understand - everyone except for Aon. Princess Jeniah, because she is part of the royal family, also can experience other emotions, but has noticed that the people surrounding her can't. Overall, it is an interesting look into balancing happiness and sadness and experiencing different emotions in life.

Two lives, a twelve-year-old princess named Jeniah and a peasant girl named Aon, are both deeply affected by Dreadwillow Carse, a dark, foreboding bog in the center of Emberfell that is said to hold all the community’s sadness. In preparation for her new role as queen, Jeniah learns that if monarchs dare enter Dreadwillow Carse their monarchy is doomed. Aon, full of sadness with the disappearance of her mother and the recent loss of her father to the Crimson Hoods, finds herself compulsively drawn to Dreadwillow Carse. On a chance meeting, the princeess requests Aon to explore the Carse and report back to her. But will she find answers and uncover the horrible secrets surrounding them both? I especially enjoyed the letters the two girls wrote to each other. With its wonderful characterizations, this novel is a fun and charming read that will be readily enjoyed by tweens.

Sharyn H. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

The third installment in the Vengekeep Prophecies. I loved this adventure!
ages 8

The Grimjinx Rebellion: Book 3 of the Vengekeep Prophecies

Jaxter Grimjinx and his family haven't had much time for thieving...

A young adult novel about a princess (Janiah) whose mother is sick and it appears she will shortly be heir to the throne. This is a land where everyone is happy but bordering their territory is a swampy area where she is told if she goes there it will bring the monarchy down. Janiah is driven to find out the "secret of the Carse". She befriends a girl named Aon who works as her agent but ultimately she must decide whether or not to enter the depressing area itself. I think it will connect with its young readers.

Find this review at Forever Lost in Literature!

While perusing my Goodreads shelf for this year, I realized I have read quite a few younger-aged aimed books this year - and that I have been enjoying it immensely. These books aren't just fun to read, they are also extremely well-crafted stories that handle a variety of difficult topics in a way that younger audiences can understand. The most interesting aspect in each of these books, however, is that they seem to have messages for all ages and can be easily enjoyed by adults as well as younger kids.

The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse is an exciting fairytale that unfolds itself in a variety of delightful layers as the story progresses. It covers a variety of heavy topics in imaginative ways with such a deft hand that I am simply in awe of Farrey. The story focuses on Aon, a girl living in the town of Emberfell, and Jeniah, the princess of the land who is soon to become queen as her mother passes on.

Everyone in Emberfell is happy. If someone dies or goes away, that person is basically forgotten about so as not to have any sadness regarding their loss. Sad things do not happen and there is no crying because everything is happy. This sounds like it could possibly be a good thing, but it also sounds, quite frankly, creepy. Aon, however, does feel sadness, which thus makes her feel like an outcast and that something within her is 'broken.' I assume the author intended to use this as a metaphor for depression, but even if he didn't, I think it works itself into the storyline extremely well. While awareness for depression is increasing in the media, it is still somewhat of a taboo in certain families and culture, which makes those that do experience such negative feelings feel like there is something wrong with them. I felt that Aon's struggle with feeling differently than the rest of her town shed an interesting light on how experiencing different moods or emotions than what others think of as 'normal' can really make you feel alienated. I think this book does a good job showing that feeling differently from others is not wrong, but is instead normal and it is important to talk to others about these topics.

Jeniah, on the other hand, is largely separated from the town (until she goes to explore the Carse and meets Aon) and struggles to come to terms with her impending status as queen. Jeniah does not feel that she is mature enough to yet be queen - which I actually find to be quite mature of her - and she struggles to come to terms with how to be responsible for an entire kingdom, as well deal with her newly appointed tutor that does nothing but frustrate her. Throughout the course of the story, Farrey subtly and expertly crafts Jeniah's character from an insecure and unaware girl into a more self-aware and knowledgeable young woman.

Farrey's writing style is very accessible and a joy to read. It is not written in an overly simplistic manner, nor is it too advanced. His words flow smoothly, and there are moments of true beauty within his writing.

I feel as though every kid - or adult - should read this at some point because of the important topics it covers and for its reminders that it's okay to be sad, it's okay to be inexperienced, and it's okay to not always have the answers.

As a result, I am giving The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse five stars!

Intense indeed. ?�For once the gay teens are not adorable. ?áIn fact, even our MC is a little shit. ?áBecause his parents didn't have a fit when he came out to them, Evan justifies keeping his r'ship with Erik secret by saying, I won't tell them about Erik because they haven't earned the right to know I'm happy." ?á

Well, at least that's what he tells himself. ?áReally it's a lot more complicated that - Evan is eighteen, just out of high school, and a lot of things are happening in his life and inside of himself. ?áThe book takes place during the iconographic pivotal summer and exploits the frame perfectly. ?áBrilliantly but subtley written, we read that it's not just Evan who matures and gets more interesting - since this is first-person, we get to know the other characters better as Evan looks outside himself and sees them more clearly, too. ?á

Another wonderful thing is all the art. ?áI felt sufficiently familiar with each artist mentioned to feel it unnecessary to check out each particular work, but this book would be perfect on a color e-reader so the reader could instantly access those images.?á

So, yes, there's coming-of-age, there's romance, there's gay history, complex characters, adventure, humor, and even charming extra bits: ""The fastest speed in the universe isn't the speed of light but the speed of stupid. [Don't] make decisions at the speed of stupid." ?áThink things through first.

Iow, lots to recommend, and I do so whole-heartedly, for readers age 16 up."

Really excellent "fairy tale" with a satisfactory conclusion but with enough unanswered questions — will Aon ever find her mother? who is the Merlin-like Skonas? what will Jeniah's decision lead to — as to leave room for a sequel.

I have just come through a period where several of the books I was reading and reviewing had similar themes of magic, secrets, and discovery.

The protagonist of this book is only 12, and I kept thinking she was 14. She acted much older than most 12-year-old girls I know, but then, most girls that age aren’t about to inherit a throne. Still, I appreciated Jeniah’s deep need to figure out what was truly going on, and she used the resources around her, not just relying on others to answer her questions. It is also nice to see a main character of color—the author mentions the deep color of her skin and her mother’s a couple of times. It isn’t integral to the plot in any way; they just happen to have dark skin.

Even more than Jeniah, I appreciated Aon, who, of all the people she is surrounded with, feels sorrow and despair, and considers herself to be broken because of it. I think this speaks deeply to the way any of us may feel when we don’t live up to social “norms.”

But, at its deepest (and at the risk of giving a little bit away), I think the fact that the people’s ability to feel sad is taken away from them is the biggest message of all. It goes to an important truth that, without pain, how can we appreciate joy? It also causes Jeniah to make a huge decision, one that generations of kings and queens before her were forced to make.

This is a work of fantasy, filled with realistic characters with real problems and motivations. Secondary characters, particularly Laius, were well-drawn. The writing was descriptive without overdoing it, particularly when dealing with the carse. And—yay!—the book is well-edited, too.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Minor disobedience. Frightening and spooky situations. No romance at all. A character’s father is taken away from her. Another parent is dying. Very mild violence.

Who Might Like This Book:
Fantasy fans. The publisher’s age range is appropriate. Male characters in the book are minor and secondary, so getting boys interested could be rather a challenge, though there’s nothing really “girly” about the book. Approximate Lexile: 660

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC.

A most enjoyable fantasy read. The plot proceeds at breakneck speed, and embraces coincidence with a Dickensian insouciance.

This is a 2014 Lone Star selection. It’s a fun, fantasy novel and book one of a planned trilogy.

The Grimjinx clan are a famous thieving family. They go back centuries and have a printed lore within the family. Jaxter is supposed to be a thief, but he’s really just too clumsy. In his first “solo”-ish mission, he catches the house on fire. He can’t pickpocket well or climb anything. He is, however, very smart and can use plants and herbs for all types of purposes, even to disenchant a lock.

Vengekeep has a yearly tapestry that were all spun way long ago that is supposed to foretell the future of Vengekeep each year. The new tapestry shows that the Grimjinx will save Vengekeep from horrible disasters in the coming year. Needless to say, the people are skeptical until fire comes crashing from the sky. The Grimjinx clan is confused b/c they faked the tapestry. How could anything on it come true? Once they realize what happened, they really do have to save the town. The only way is for Jaxter to make a concoction to dis-enchant the tapestry. He’ll need to travel over several lands to collect the plants and other materials needed, make the solvent, and return in a limited time.

Jaxter has befriended Callie who becomes an excellent pickpocket, as taught by Jaxter’s little sister. She refuses to let Jaxter leave without her. The two of them set out. Their adventures remind me of Percy Jackson. Both has a limited amount of time to get an “impossible” task accomplished and lots of people and circumstances make it seem like the task cannot be accomplished in the time needed.½

I am not too clear what the title has to do with the book but this is a rollicking fantasy adventure that I am sure will grip the interest of the young readers for which it was intended. It bristles with friendship, excitement and nefarious characters and monsters that will be sure to keep the books young readers turning the pages. This book is the second in a series and though I read it without reading the first I still enjoyed it as a stand alone book. I am sure that the young followers of the first book in the series will be pleased with the second installment here.