Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales

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With the words “Once upon a time,” the Brothers Grimm transport readers to a timeless realm where witches, giants, princesses, kings, fairies, goblins, and wizards fall in love, try to get rich, quarrel with their neighbors, and have magical adventures of all kinds—and in the process reveal essential truths about human nature.
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When Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm set out to collect stories in the early 1800s, their goal was not to entertain children but to preserve Germanic folklore—and the hard life of European peasants was reflected in the tales they discovered. However, once the brothers saw how the stories entranced young readers, they began softening some of the harsher aspects to make them more suitable for children.
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A cornerstone of Western culture since the early 1800s, Grimm’s Fairy Tales is now beloved the world over. This collection of more than 120 of the Grimms’ best tales includes such classics as “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” “Hansel and Grethel,” “Rapunzel,” “Rumpelstiltskin,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and “The Frog Prince,” as well as others that are no less delightful.
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My Opinion:

I have been reading this book for awhile now but I didn't want to post about it until I was completely finished reading all of the tales it contains. Of course it had the classics that everyone loves. It also had some other tales that probably should NEVER have been written down; way to creepy and wrong for my taste. But over all I enjoyed hearing some not so well known tales. I do want to say that if you get this book and are planning to read it to your family/kids make sure you read the stories first so you don't expose them to something that you may not want them to know. Another thing that I should mention is that the picture provided is the newest model out for the book and it includes pictures. So that might be something extra fun for you to enjoy.

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(Picture from Barnes and Noble Site)

The Magic Thief Series

By: Sarah Prineas
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My Opinion:
These are wonderful books! My husband and I had a great time reading them together. We even got other members of our extended family to read them as well. There are only three books in this series (as far as I know). The first book was a little hard for us to get into since the grammar isn't the best. The grammar is that way because the book is from a child's view that happens to be illiterate but after awhile the grammar does improve. Now, something that is fun and different in these books is secret codes throughout each book for you to decipher to gain a little more knowledge about what is going on. It really added to our enjoyment of reading. Hopefully you'll have just as much fun as we did.
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Book Previews:

The Magic Thief
In a city that runs on a dwindling supply of magic, a young boy is drawn into a life of wizardry and adventure. Conn should have dropped dead the day he picked Nevery's pocket and touched the wizard's locus magicalicus, a stone used to focus magic and work spells. But for some reason he did not. Nevery finds that interesting, and he takes Conn as his apprentice on the provision that the boy find a locus stone of his own. But Conn has little time to search for his stone between wizard lessons and helping Nevery discover who—or what—is stealing the city of Wellmet's magic.
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The Magic Thief: Lost
Never mix fire with magic! Conn may only be a wizard's apprentice, but even he knows it's dangerous to play with fire . . . especially around magic. His master, Nevery, warns him that it could all blow up in his face. Besides, they have bigger problems to deal with. There is evil afoot in the city of Wellmet, an evil that isn't human. But Conn is drawn to the murmurs he hears every time he sets off an explosion—something is trying to talk to him, to warn him. When none of the wizards listen, Conn takes matters into his own hands. His quest to protect everything he loves brings him face-to-face with a powerful sorcerer-king and a treachery beyond even his vivid imagination.
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The Magic Thief: Found
Never turn your back on a dragon! Sneaking out of prison isn't easy, unless you are a thief, or a wizard. Luckily, Conn is both! Trouble is, once he's out, where does he go? His home is a pile of rubble since he blew it up doing magic. His master, the wizard Nevery, is not happy with him. Worst of all, Conn's been exiled, and staying in the city will mean his death. But Wellmet is in danger from an evil predator coming to destroy the city, and Conn must set off on a quest to fight it. Suddenly, a huge shadow looms over him and he is swept away by something more awesome than his wildest imaginings. Is Conn brave enough to answer magic's call, or is he really just a thief at heart?
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(Picture from Barnes and Noble Site)

Dragons of the Valley

By: Donita K. Paul

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War threatens the peaceful land of Chiril… can one painter-turned-reluctant-swordsman really help?

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With an invasion of her country imminent, Tipper Schope is drawn into a mission to keep three important statues from falling into the enemy’s clutches. Her friend, the artist Bealomondore, helps her execute the plan, and along the way he learns to brandish a sword rather than a paintbrush.

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As odd disappearances and a rash of volatile behavior sweep Chiril, no one is safe. A terrible danger has made his vicious presence known: The Grawl, a hunter unlike any creature encountered before.

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To restore their country, Tipper, Bealomondore, and their party must hide the statues in the Valley of the Dragons and find a way to defeat the invading army. When it falls to the artistic Bealomondore to wield his sword as powerfully and naturally as a paintbrush, will he answer Wulder’s call for a champion?

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My Opinion:

This book is the second book in a new series by Donita K. Paul. The first book was The Vanishing Sculptor that was mentioned in the DragonSpell Series post. I loved this book just as much as the others but I think I like this one more because of the better ending. You'll just have to read it yourself to find out what that ending was.

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(Picture from Barnes and Noble Site)

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball

By: Donita K. Paul

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In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

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Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

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This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

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My Opinion:

Well, this author also wrote the DragonSpell Series so I kind of expected a lot and I am not quite sure if I got it. This book is very romantic. Nothing bad but sometimes just too much to read all at once. This book also has a lot of Christian beliefs throughout it but they also mix in some fairy tale things like wizards and fairies. It definitely will give you something interesting to read.

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(Picture from Barnes and Noble Site)

The Wide-Awake Princess

Written by: E. D. Baker

THIS BOOK IS GREAT! This author also wrote the Tales of the Frog Princess. I have really enjoyed all of her books and how she finds fun new ways to look at the old classic fairy tales. If you got a chance to read the other books, and also loved them, then you are sure to love this book just as much. Here is what awaits you in this book.

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In this new stand-alone fairy tale, Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie—blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic—can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen's true love to kiss her awake.

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But who is her true love? The irritating Digby? The happy-go-lucky Prince Andreas, who is holding a contest to find his bride? The conniving Clarence, whose sinister motives couldn't possibly spell true love? Joined by one of her father's guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family . . . and perhaps even find a true love of her own.

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(Picture from Barnes and Noble Site)

Sorcery & Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer

I just finished this about a week or so ago and loved it. The two ladies who wrote it actually started it as a letter game where they wrote letters back and forth to each other pretending to be the two main characters in the book. It's so fun! Hope you enjoy!

 And this is seriously the synopsis for it. You're just gonna have to trust me on this one.
"The prim and proper world of Regency England crossed with the wizardly doings of high fantasy--now that's something to write home about!"

Thanks again to B&N for the pic and synopsis!

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites

This is the first in a series The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod written by Heather Brewer. The book is about the young 8th grader Vladimir Tod who is trying to live life as a normal child, even though he is half vampire. His mother (Mellina Tod), who died with his father (Tomas Tod) in an accident three years before, had a best friend Nelly who takes care of him in the current setting. She works in a hospital and supplies Vlad with bags of blood that were obtained due to the fact that they were to be disposed of since they are close to their expiration date.
One day at school, Vlad finds a substitute, Otis, instead of his normal teacher, Mr. Craig. Vlad believes the new teacher killed Vlad's father and his absent teacher. Investigating more, Vlad finds his father's journal in their old home, and a strange mark carved on his teacher's porch.
This takes Vlad on an adventure into the vampire world where he learns who he is and who might have killed his parents and why.