I didn't intend to, but I ended up taking a week off of blogging for Thanksgiving (time off from school to relax, spend time with family, and ... work on school assignments). =P  If you celebrated the holiday, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did this year!  This week, I've got a couple new book reviews for you all, starting now!

(c.) 2015 by Thomas Nelson

Title: The Golden Braid (The Hagenheim / Fairy Tale Romance Series #6)
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Published: 2015 by Thomas Nelson

About the Book: 

"The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower…

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry. 

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim. 

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?"

The Artist Librarian Review:
I've been enjoying Melanie Dickerson's sweetly romantic fairy tale adaptations since her debut title, The Healer's Apprentice, in 2010. Following in the footsteps of her previous novels, The Golden Braid loosely connects to the nobles of Hagenheim Castle and is the first of Dickerson's novels to provide another perspective or point of view of past books' events. With an unexpected twist, Dickerson clearly demonstrates why she writes fairy tale adaptations with happily ever afters!

Dickerson always strives to give a more rounded complexity and depth to fairy tale characters. While not my favorite of Dickerson's heroine/hero duos, Rapunzel and Sir Gerek's lives felt more realistic to their medieval historical time period than some of her previous novels. With Rapunzel, she touches upon themes such as the role of women, legalism, and coming of age. Sir Gerek's past reveals a darker side to medieval family life than the one we've come to know through Duke Wilhelm and Lady Rose's.

Even characters such as Mother Gothel (with her suspicion of all, especially men) have a unique past. One of the most interesting things I found was how the second half of this novel tied in to the events of The Princess Spy. In fact, there were several times in this book where I wanted to re-read Margaretha's story (great cross-marketing potential here)! I was especially not expecting what Gothel's connection to Hagenheim was, nor the "mystery" alluded to in the title's summary that's tied to Rapunzel! At first, I disliked these revelations, but I can't really fault Dickerson since I am happy for the characters it affected. I suppose in a way it takes "happily ever after" to its ultimate conclusion ...

The story of Rapunzel is one of my favorite fairy tales, so I've read A LOT of adaptations. I didn't think this was Dickerson's best, but it's definitely a unique take on the tale, which is always a good thing! Regardless, I still would recommend her fans to check out The Golden Braid for the sweet fairy tale romances we’ve come to expect from the one and only Melanie Dickerson.

 I look forward to seeing what fairy tales Dickerson will put her spin on next!

Author Melanie Dickerson

About the Author:

"Melanie Dickerson is the Author of The Healer’s Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Alabama. Visit her online at melaniedickerson.com"

[Disclosure: I received a hardcopy of this book from the publisher via Litfuse for review purposes.]

Have you read any of Melanie Dickerson’s books? What did you think? Or what’s your favorite fairy tale adaptation?

(c.) 2015 by Three Rivers Press

Title: Cheap Chic: 40th Anniversary Edition
Authors: Caterine Milinaire & Carol Troy (Foreword by Tim Gunn)
Published: 2015 by Three Rivers Press (first published in 1975).

About the Book:

"Before there were street-style blogs and ‘zines, there was Cheap Chic. Selling hundreds of thousands of copies when it was originally published in 1975, this classic guide revealed how to find the clothes that will make you feel comfortable, confident, sexy, and happy, whether they come from a high-end boutique, sporting-goods store, or thrift shop.

Astonishingly relevant forty years later, Cheap Chic provides timeless practical advice for creating an affordable, personal wardrobe strategy: what to buy, where to buy it, and how to put it all together to make your own distinctive fashion statement without going broke. Alongside outfit ideas, shopping guides, and other practical tips are the original vintage photographs and advice from fashion icons such as Diana Vreeland and Yves Saint Laurent. Inspiring decades of fashion lovers and designers, Cheap Chic is the original fashion bible that proves you don’t have to be wealthy to be stylish."

The Artist Librarian's Review:
As a full time college student with limited funds (thank you, part time job), I aspire to cheap chic: I enjoy fashion and looking stylish, but don't want, nor can afford, to spend a lot on my clothes.  While not completely what I expected, the 40th Anniversary Edition of Cheap Chic is a mixture of both relevant advice and tips along with a fascinating (dare I say historical?) look into some of the fashion ideals of the 1970s.  Each chapter covers a type of clothing or topic such as classics, sportswear, work clothes, thrift store shopping, and ethnic wear, to name a few.  Interspersed in between are profiles and interviews with style mavens of the time such as Yves St. Laurent, Betsey Johnson, along with lesser known fashionistas. 

When I first heard of this 40th Anniversary Edition of Cheap Chic, I was under the impression that this was an updated or revised version of the original, which was first published in 1975.  However, other than a new forward written by style guru and fashion designer mentor Tim Gunn from Project Runway, it is basically a reprint.  While not what I was expecting, it was my misconception and mistake alone.  Regardless, there are some amusing details that date this book, such as the prices mentioned: "Sailor pants ... should run about $6" (pg. 17) --if only new pants were that inexpensive today!  Another historical aspect are the style interviews --it's interesting to see how the people the authors' chose to profile thought about popular 1970s styles.  Fran Liebowitz confesses, "I can't believe what some people wear ... incredible platform shoes, glitter, hideous fabrics ... useless extravagance" (pg. 77). 

Despite my initial disappointment, Cheap Chic has quite a few relevant ideas and advice that make this style book worth a read, in my opinion.  The idea cost-per-wear, in which you invest in a better quality, well made piece if you will wear it multiple times more than a cheaper option, is one that I've seen other stylists use or suggest today.  For myself, one of the most interesting portions of the book was a section on wrapping fabric into skirts, tops, sarongs, and other clothing items.  That chapter in particular definitely had a 1970s, laid back, hippies, boho chic, carefree sort of attitude. 

Though certain sections such as "The Chic Shopper's Guide" ---a directory of stores near the end of the book-- are most likely obsolete and irrelevant today, there are enough gems such as a chart of how to care or clean different fabric types and other concepts and advice that make this mid-20th century style guide worth a read or a check-out from your local library.

Brief content note: This was published in the 1970s and reflecting that era, there are a couple of photos of topless women such as those that illustrate some of the fabric wrapping techniques.

What are some of your favorite cheap chic style tips or tricks?  Where are your favorite places to get style tips?

About the Authors:

"CATERINE MILINAIRE is a journalist and photographer who has been an editor at Vogue; worked with Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, and Diana Vreeland; and was at New York Magazine and Interview at their starts.  

CAROL TROY is a journalist and photographer whose work has appeared in Rags, Oui (where she collaborated with Helmut Newton), Condé Nast Traveler, Vanity Fair, and the New York Times.  She lives in Napa Valley."

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through bloggingforbooks.org for review purposes.]

(c.) 2015 Tommy Nelson Publishing

Title: War for the Waking World (Dreamtreaders #3)

"Would you be willing to fight for your dreams?

Fifteen-year-old Archer Keaton has the ability to enter and explore his dreams. He is a Dreamtreader, one of three selected from each generation. Their mission: to protect the waking world from the Nightmare Lord who dwells beyond the Slumber Gate. But as Archer’s dreams become more dangerous and threatening, so too does his waking life.

In this fast-paced conclusion to the exciting fantasy trilogy, the dream world and the waking world bleed into each other when a rift is formed between the two. People in the real world suddenly find their waking lives resemble their wildest dreams. Now it’s up to Archer and his fellow Dreamtreaders to race to reverse the rift before too much damage is done and to battle Archer’s ex-best friend, Kara, who sits on the throne of the Nightmare Lord. Kara is building an army of her own. Will Archer be strong enough to stand against her?"

Because of the quickened pace and shorter chapters, I felt that Batson's character development was a bit weaker compared to some of his previous work. I personally struggled to connect to characters because none of them really stood out to me. It seemed like I got to know the characters and their motivations at a basic level, receiving depth when only relevant to the plot or story. However, this could be because I am not in this novel's target group.

Despite this, Archer is a likable protagonist. He has faults and struggles like any 15-year-old boy and I loved his relationship with his siblings (I'm a sucker for older brother characters). Kaylie, his prodigious younger sister, was my favorite character - adorable, precocious, and yet with mannerisms to remind you that she's still 8-years-old. I won't discuss other characters as not to spoil, but there is enough character development for a satisfying story.

I highly suggest reading the first two novels, Dreamtreaders and Search for the Shadow Key, to fully understand what's going on --this isn't a stand alone novel! With an intriguing premise and solid world-building, young readers might enjoy this trilogy with allusions to spiritual warfare and a subtle faith-based thread/worldview.



Have you read any of Wayne Thomas Batson's novels?  Who are some of your favorite authors that fuse fantasy worlds with our own? 

Content notes: Typical fantasy violence --especially in the first two novels, some scenes are kind of intense when you think about what's happening, but since most of it happened in the "dream world" I give it a pass, but it did give me pause. Nothing graphic, but I'd describe some of it as psychological torture (though it's never seen).

About the Author:

"Wayne Thomas Batson is an American writer. He has been married to his wife, Mary Lu, for seventeen years and has four children. He currently works as a teacher at Folly Quarter Middle School teaching sixth grade English language arts and is the youngest of four children. His most recent series, 'Dreamtreaders' published by Thomas Nelson Inc (2014), is a modern-day paranormal YA adventure dealing with the subject of dreams."

[Disclosure: I received a copy of this book as a member of the Litfuse Blogger Program for review purposes.]

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where you feature a yet-to-be-released title you're anticipating!

Title: Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: November 10, 2015 by Feiwel & Friends

1. I'm guessing this is Levana's hand?

About the Book:

"Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend--the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series."

Why I'm "WoW" about Winter:
I'm a relatively new "Lunartic" (a Lunar Chronicles fan) since I came upon the series in early 2014, but I love these fairy tale adaptations!  I like to call them Fairy Tales + Sci-Fi = A Series You Don't Want to Miss!  I actually still haven't read the "prequel" Fairest yet, which was released earlier this year, but I should be able to get to it while I wait for the library to process Winter.  One of the things I'm so excited about is the page count:  832 pages!  Excuse me while I let that sink in a moment ... Book #3, Cress, was 550 pages and it was a pretty substantial hardcover.  I can't imaging what Winter might look like!  Even though I don't want to say good-bye to Cinder and co. (after all, it seems like I've only just gotten to know them), at least I'll have a lot of time with them before the book is over. 

Have you read or watched fairy tale adaptations? What is your favorite fairy tale or adaptation of?  What do you think makes a good fairy tale adaptation? Also, if you've participated in "WoW" feel free to share!1. Winter by Marissa Meyer book cover. Feiwel & Friends, 2015.