If you didn’t already know about Lemuria’s Intern program, it’s the best. I LOVE our interns! We pick 9-12 high schoolers every summer to work in the store, learn the ins and outs of the book business from our end, and of course, play with books. It’s such a nice change of pace to have these kids in here that are just as excited about Lemuria as we are. This year, Lizzie and Meg, two of last year’s interns turned amazing booksellers, hand picked our interns. They collected applications, interviewed 15 kids and picked the ones they felt would get the most out of this opportunity. One of those bright kids was Mary Brooks. Mary Brooks just finished her stint here at Lemuria, but before she left, she could not stop talking about Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes, so I asked her to write us a little review of it:

“Even in the darkest and most cruel person, there is still a kernel of good. And within the most perfect champion, there is darkness. The question is, will one give in to the dark or the light? It’s something we decide with every choice we make, every day that we exist.”

After first reading this quote from Falling Kingdoms, one has to admit that this book certainly seems at least worth a quick looking-over. This quick look-over for me lead to all-out curiosity, and an impulse to read the first chapter that I find completely understandable. Even in the first chapter, it is evident that this book has something for all types of readers. From romance and secrecy, to magic and swordplay, even the stingiest of readers can find something that prompts them to continue.

Set within three kingdoms, and told from numerous viewpoints, the plot of Falling Kingdoms weaves a story that connects all of these characters in critical ways. Jonas, a poor winemaker’s son, directly contrasts with Magnus, the son of the cruel king of Limeros. Cleo, the princess of Auranos, leads a life of privilege and comfort, while Lucia, the adopted sister of Magnus, discovers a powerful ability. Two of the kingdoms that make up the setting of this novel, Limeros and Paelsia, are becoming weaker as time goes by. The ever-increasing loss of resources has made these kingdoms more desperate, and the wealth and beauty of the third kingdom, Auranos, serves as an even bigger temptation.

However, there is another game being played behind the scenes. The Watchers, powerful beings who live in paradise and are forever young, continue to look for three objects that were stolen from them. Because if these objects are found by the wrong people, it could mean the destruction of all of Mytica.

“What might not be evil to you could be evil to someone else. Knowing this makes us powerful even without magic.”

Hold on tight, and enjoy the ride, because once you start this book, there is no stopping. I am really looking forward to finding out where this story goes in the next installment, Rebel Spring, out December 3rd!

This blog entry was written by Mary Brooks Thigpen.

Before you make any snap judgements about this book like I did, let me tell you that at the height of my frustration thinking that this was just another “Katniss book”, the point of view and narrator changed. Just when I thought that I was going to have to endure the tough-girl, kickass act for 450 pages, her chapters end and a male voice begins to tell his own post-apocalyptic tale. All in all there are four different narrators jumping in and out of the whole story, three of them are male. Hallelujah, you guys. Hallelujah. I’m glad that there are girls in these worlds that are tough and can defend themselves, but a little male perspective is more than welcome in a female-flooded YA market. I will gladly put this book into the hands of girls and guys. I will not, however, tell you who the male narrators are. That is the secret weapon that Yancey pulls out in the end, not only the what of the story, but the who. Cassie’s hard edges are softened by her fellow storytellers and the characters intersect beautifully at just the right time. The story finishes so differently than it began: with companionship in a world that has taught you that you cannot trust anyone.

Turns out I was wrong about this one. Hats off to you, Mr. Yancey.

The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey, Putnam, $18.99

Grisham fans, put your hands in the air and say hallelujah! The fourth installment in his addictive series chronicling the adventures of Theodore Boone, kid detective, is out and ready to be gobbled up just in time for that trip to the beach. Theo is back in Theodore Boone: The Activist and something smells rotten in the state of Strattenburg. The city is divided over the hot political and environmental issue of the new bypass being put up around the city and Theo soon realizes that he has once again gotten himself entangled in something much bigger than himself. Once he gets the smallest hint that something might be wrong he goes full force kid lawyer and the general adventuring and shenanigans that we’ve come to expect from this clever boy ensue.

Now, this is technically a young adult book, so what a great summertime/graduation/you’re the best kid ever gift! Here’s the thing though– if you’re a grown up and a Grisham fan I had better not catch you sheepishly putting this book back on the shelf because you’re ashamed to read a kid’s book. Never be ashamed of reading a well told story! NEVA. This is a fun read for Grisham fans young and old, and all of our copies are signed, so they make great gifts too!

Last year, many of you will remember that we hosted the author and creator of the Fancy Nancy series, Jane O’Connor. Tomorrow, we are honored to also host the illustrator of this famed series, Robin Preiss Glasser! Robin has had two successful careers, the first as a ballet dancer and the second as a best-selling children’s book illustrator. She will be here promoting the newest addition to the Fancy Nancy story,

Fancy Nancy and the Fanciest Doll in the Universe.

Fancy Nancy’s sister JoJo can really be a pest sometimes …like when she put Easter-egg dye in the kiddie pool and dunked Frenchy in it! But this time she’s done something really bad, and Nancy is livid (that’s fancy for très angry and upset)! JoJo drew a tattoo on Nancy’s precious doll, Marabelle Lavinia Chandelier! Even worse, it’s in permanent marker …that means it will never come out! When Mom suggests a fancy doll party to make Nancy feel better, Nancy is excited to accept. But when Marabelle gets mixed up with another doll, is the doll drama over? Fancy Nancy fans and their très fancy dolls will delight in this sweet story about the love little girls feel for their favorite dolls…and their favorite sisters!

We will have tres fantastic time! So come in your fanciest attire, and bring your own fancy doll for a Fancy Nancy extravaganza! Come as early as 3:30 to our events building to take pictures with the Fancy Nancy tres fancy bus and to enjoy some fancy coloring! Robin will read at 4:00, with a signing to follow. See you there!

It’s a double month for Oz First Editions Club, and doubly exciting because by happy accident both books are about the ocean and its many wonders. Putting my irrational (Or VERY rational) fear of sea creatures aside, I’m very very excited about both of our picks this month.

If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano and Caldecott winning illustrator Erin Stead (you can read about my love for Erin here) is a beautiful book capturing the imagination and impatience that comes with childhood. In this instructional guide on waiting to spot a whale, Erin Stead creates whimsical images of a little boy and his dog playing pretend and exploring the outdoors. She’s done it again, my friends– yet another book where I want to frame every single page and hang it in my bedroom.

Our other OZ FEC pick this month is Octopus Alone , written and illustrated by Divya Srinivasan, is a sweet story of a shy octopus who just wants to be left alone. Seahorses, jellyfish, and eels are the plague of her existence and keep forcing her to hide in little caves when she just wants to be left alone to eat a few delicious crabs, darn it! Making friends can be hard and scary, but this story quietly explains that it’s good to have friends, even if they are different from you– and in the end, it’s better to be having an ocean dance party with other fish than alone.

Octopus Alone comes out on May 16, and If You Want to See a Whale will be available tomorrow, May 7th. If you’re already a member of Oz FEC, be sure to come by and grab your copies, and if you aren’t a member yet, what a great way to start off your collection! I’ll be reading these at story time here in the store at 11:00 on May 18, so if you need more convincing, come by the store and check them out. We really love these two books, and we’re sure you will too.