The Orphan Master by Jean Zimmerman

Relatively well written, filled with historic period detail, the murder mystery The Orphan Master nevertheless disturbingly deals with gruesome pathologic killings based on a flesh-eating Algonquin Indian folklore demon. The story takes place in the mid-1660s in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. Author Jean Zimmerman weaves political tensions into her story as the colony is on the cusp of being overtaken by the British. Details of everyday life, habits, commerce and power struggles are interesting. But the co-developing love story does nothing to diminish the brutish nature of the sick crimes portrayed. The book’s cover calls the story “Lively, fast paced, and full of colorful characters….a dramatic page-turner.” Such light-hearted descriptions ignore the darkness of the story. It is not for the sensitive reader.

C.C.

posted for reader C.C.

EarthFlight by John Downer

EarthFlight by John Downer shows incredible images of birds in flight from the birds' point of view. The makers travelled around the world using imprinted birds, ultralight planes, and tiny cameras to capture what it's like to be in the sky with flying birds for a BBC program.

The images are incredible and the text interesting. However, I'm sure you really need to see the video to truly appreciate the images. EarthFlight the book is a tantalizing glimpse at what the video must be like. The BBC DVD is not yet out in the US. I really look forward to watching it (and buying it for the library's collection) once it is available. In the meantime, EarthFlight is available for checkout at the library. If you like birds or have ever wondered what it's like to fly with them, I think you will enjoying browsing through EarthFlight.

Some Kind Of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce

This is a story intersperced with quotes about folklore to give us the thought that this world is posssibly true.   The Fairy/Elf world has always been a world we have told stories about and was a possibility because generations have believed in it.
Our story has an engrossing idea that keeps you reading.  Has a girl become a fairy after being with them for six months (in her mind's record) or twenty years (in her family's record) ?  We follow Tara in her return to a home and family she has struggled to find again.  But, life has changed and more years have passed for which she cannot account.  All have grown older and moved on without her.  All but Richie who loved her and suffers now because she has come back different. 
A magical tale to hold your reading interest is what we see in "Some Kind of Fairy Tale".

Mary E

See You at Harry's, by Jo Knowles

See You at Harry's tells the story of Fern, a 12-year-old girl who feels invisible when surrounded by the craziness that is her family.  Her older sister is surly and detached, her older brother is consumed with avoiding the school bullies that torment him, her father spends his time dreaming up obnoxious advertising schemes for the family business (a diner/ice cream parlor named - you guessed it - Harry's), and both of her parents spend whatever spare moments they have left doting on Fern's 3-year-old brother Charlie, a Gerber cherub of the highest order who is adored by everyone he meets.  Fern just wants to be normal, to fit in, and to get just the tiniest bit of positive attention from... well, from anyone, really.  But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the family, any hope of normalcy flies out the window.  The family is plunged into grief, and what's worse: Fern feels responsible.

Lauren Myracle, in her review blurb for this book, said "Sometimes your heart has to break before it can heal."  That pretty much sums up my experience of reading this book.  Fern's story broke my heart -- I mean, really, it ripped it right up into little pieces -- and then somehow, by the end of the book, it was whole again.  Jo Knowles created such wonderful characters; I was instantly drawn into their world and cared deeply for them.  The story was perfectly paced, making for a quick read.  I would have finished it in one sitting, had I not needed to take periodic breaks to go cry and hug my babies.  Let me be clear: this is one seriously sad book.  But it is also a beautiful book.  I can't recommend it highly enough.

Fated, by Alyson Noel

Submitted by Sharon, teen reviewer:

Fated follows Daire Santos, a 16-year-old girl who sees things people normally wouldn't see.  When she gets to live with her grandmother, she finds what she's never found before.  I loved this book!  It sucked me in.  What I loved most about Fated is that Alyson Noel created such a world where you (I definitely did) could lose yourself in.  I'm definitely waiting for the next book in the series.

A Golden Voice by Ted Williams

A Golden Voice is Ted William's story of his descent from a position as the number-one drive-time DJ in Columbus, Ohio to 17 years of homelessness, crack cocaine addiction, theft, pimping, and begging.  While it could be a useful read for those struggling with addiction, it is nowhere near a fresh, interesting, or well-written enough story to justify yet another tell-all memoir with a national marketing campaign.  In fact, much more interesting than Ted's story is that of his girlfriend Kathy, of which we only get brief tastes here and there.  I've listened to the You-Tube clip that gave him another chance at a decent life, and he does have a great voice, but it's way too soon to put a period on this and call it a story of "redemption."  Let us know in a few years, Ted.

The Taken by Vicki Pettersson

Fallen angels and rockabilly lifestyle collide in this fantasy fiction book.  Grif (the angel) and Kit (the rockabilly reporter) become friends after Kit's best friend is murdered.  Through twists and turns and a thick plot the author creates a fabulous mystery in the depths of Sin City itself: Las Vegas, Nevada.

When I was reading this book, I found the beginning to be slow at first, but as I progressed I became thoroughly pleased with the mysteriousness of the plot. It had me reading til the end.  I do have to say it is not a book for the wholesome people out there as certain parts of the book are risque. I would be interested to see  what happens next with these characters.