The BookWorm Recommends      

Most recent reads!

The Ghost in Tokkaido Inn and The Demon in the Teahouse: Dorothy and Timothy Hoobler

Synopsis: A young boy verging on manhood in Meiji Japan, yearns to be a samurai but is restricted by his class-his family is from a merchant line.  But an unexpected event in an inn throws him into the midst of an investigation and into the path of the famous Samurai Judge Ooka!  Can he learn the ways of a samurai and solve a crime at the same time?  This is a fantastic read, with an interesting setting for children's books!  I find our young hero's adventures truly exciting, with the a little element of danger to whet your appetite for more!  I hope they come up with more in this series of books.

 

The Two Princesses of Bamarre: Gail Levine Carson

Synopsis: This is an unusual tale in that it represents two sister princesses who are loving and sincerely attached to each other. There is no sibling rivalry here, only a contrasting set of sisters with totally opposite characters.  One is timid, the other brave and courageous.  When tragedy strikes, as it surely does, one sister must gain the courage to save the other. A truly lovely tale and one worth not only reading but also to keep. If you don't buy the book, you'll regret it ^__^.  Also try Gail Levine Carson's "Ella Enchanted", a hilarious version of the traditional Cinderalla story!

 

Honour series by : Holly Isle

Synopsis: This is a trilogy based on a set of characters that are only vaguely interesting.  It was a disappointing read to a much awaited female hero story, although the romance between the two protagonists was interesting.  Overall, it's an okay read if you have nothing else to do.  There's an interesting streak of pseudo-Christian sentiments in the story though.

 

His Dark Materials: by Philip Pullman

Synopsis: I read the reviews for the book, which recommended it highly, but after reading the first two books, I can't say that it leaves me with the same kind of refreshing sense of wonder as when I read Tamora Pierce's books.  It's okay if you are looking for a story with a twist. Here the twists are aplenty, but it would have been better done without exaggerating the mystery surrounding our young protagonist Lyra.  The author attempts to cross boundaries by writing of parallel worlds that are similar and different.  

 

New fangled fairytales: Edited by Bruce Lansky

Synopsis:  A collection of hilarious modern versions on old classic fairytales that don't make sense in today's context!  Princesses who do the rescuing, wolves that prefer pizza to scrawny old women or girls in red hoods, a bald Rapunzel.  The two books, #1 and #2, are both worth a good read!

 

Highly recommended: Tamora Pierce

Synopsis:  The author writes books for teenagers to young adults, but I find her stories fantastic, although they don't reach the epic scales of Tolkien, Eddings or the more longwinded fantasy authors.  More over, I love her female heroines!

If you love stories that talk about the adventures of unusual heroines, then go for her books, guaranteed good reads.  My personal fav is her Wild Magic Quartet.  The Circle of Magic is also a good read although it is aimed at a slightly younger target audience.  She has a new series, Protector of the Small, which is also getting to be quite interesting.  So far this new series is only at book 2, the others are complete, but she is beginning another series related to the Circle of Magic, titled  Circle Opens.

 

Older titles!

Author: David Eddings

Synopsis:  If you have never read David Eddings, Belgariod series, then go to the bookshop and get it now!  The best epic fantasy tale ever written (in my opinion anyway). I won't spoil the story by telling u wat its about, but I find this way way better than Tolkien, who put me to sleep with his rings......