The Power of Three, by Diana Wynne Jones (Greenwillow Books, 2003)

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The sins of a generation past come back to haunt the present, in this fantasy from Diana Wynne Jones, originally published in 1976 and part of the ongoing reprint effort by Greenwillow Books. The Moor is inhabited by three different races: the shapeshifting Dorig, the magical People, and the lumbering Giants. Normally, the People and Dorig fight on a small scale, avoiding the Giants whenever possible. However, when the Dorig flood one of the People mounds, all-out war seems inevitable. But little do they all know their current troubles stem back to a curse placed upon the Moor a generation ago with a dying breath, and that it’ll take all three peoples working together to prevent a catastrophe. And only three children of the People can make it happen: Ayna, who can answer questions about the future, Ceri, who can find anything, and Gair, who makes up for his lack of magical gifts with extensive knowledge. Only they can ally themselves with the Giants, and learn to understand the Dorig, and forge a fragile peace long enough to attempt to break the curse and save their land. But what sort of sacrifice will be required to appease the bloodthirsty Powers?

One of Jones’ earlier books, it’s still an excellent read, full of unusual twists and turns, drawing to a moralistic conclusion with which one can hardly find fault. With magic and adventure galore, it shifts shape as easily as one of the Dorig, exploring the difference between what the stories say, and what really happened, and delving into the obligations of the current generation to repair the sins of the past. I’m glad this has been made available once again.

The Phoenix Dance, by Dia Calhoun (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2005)

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Phoenix Dance suffers from a bizarre affliction which often makes her life unbearable. Sometimes, she’s manic, filled with energy and prone to fanciful ideas, her thoughts churning around too quickly for her to grab hold of them. As this state increases, her ability to cope with sensory information around her decreases, until she finally crashes, plunging into a state of bleak depression, where lethargy and morbid thoughts overtake her. Sound familiar? She suffers from what we’d call Bipolar II Disorder, and in the fantasy kingdom of Windward, almost nothing is known about her problem. However, she doesn’t let this get in the way of her ambition: to become apprentice to the shoemaker for the Royal Household, despite the disapproval of her street performer aunts, who have higher ambitions for her. As an apprentice, Phoenix finds new purpose, especially when the opportunity to design new shoes for the twelve princesses of Windward arises, and she can finally put the ideas in her head to good use. This, however, leads to another problem. Even as her disease begins to spiral out of control, sending her further into her manic state, something has taken hold of the princesses also: somehow they wear out their shoes at night, and have no energy at all during the day, despite appearing to have been asleep all night. Ultimately, it’ll be Phoenix who tries to solve the mystery and break the spell which holds the twelve princesses trapped in a condition similar to her own. But can she control her own problem long enough to remain functional?

The Phoenix Dance mixes a real world medical condition with a much-beloved fairy tale to produce a story both comfortably familiar and intriguingly new. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read a fantasy story where the main character suffered from Bipolar Disorder (something she shares with the author, it so happens) and the way it’s depicted is both fascinating, and rather chilling. Calhoun paints a dark portrait of what it’s like to lose control and be overwhelmed by the world. Teaming this aspect up with the story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses is a logical touch, and telling it all from the viewpoint of the poor shoemaker who had to supply the shoes in the first place, that’s just another nice twist. Toss in some political unrest, and cameos by characters from earlier books set in the same kingdom, and you have an excellent story with some worthwhile twists and angles. I highly recommend this book as something out of the ordinary, worth looking at.

The Merlin Conspiracy, by Diana Wynne Jones (Greenwillow Books, 2003)

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Arianrhod (Roddy) and her best friend Grundo live on the alternate Earth known as Blest, which acts as the magical center for thousands of worlds. To keep the magic stable, they travel with the King’s Progress, a perpetual movement of King and Court around England. However, everyone knows the true power lies with the Merlin, a succession of powerful magicians. On an Earth more like our own, Nick Mallory (secretly an exiled prince from another dimension) lives a normal life with his adopted writer father. Until now, their lives have fallen within the limits of normality for them.

When the old Merlin is killed and a new one chosen, Roddy and Grundo discover a dead conspiracy afoot, one that will upset the balance of power for Blest and all its many neighbors. Meanwhile, Nick begins a journey of self-discovery across multiple worlds as he tries to figure out who wants him dead, and who set him on this path in the first place. But things escalate quickly, with numerous people vanishing, and the magic of Blest destabilizing. It’s up to Roddy, Grundo, and Nick to master their own powers, and gather what allies they can, to stop the false Merlin and his allies from destroying everything.

It’s not as simple as that. World-hopping mages, a talkative elephant, an insane goat, time travel, self-aware city spirits, ancient gods and new magics all combine to make this one of Diana Wynne Jones’ typically complex and fascinating books. She keeps the story moving with alternative viewpoints and a host of outrageous concepts, throwing in unpredictable twists just when you’re sure you know where it’s going. As always, her characters are distinct and fully realized, with some great quirks: Nick is quite literally an incoherent zombie when he wakes up, while the powerful Romanov has ex-wife issues. As a side note, this book fits in loosely with the world of her previous book, Deep Secret, bringing back the concept of the Magids, whose job it is to handle the magical problems of the Multiverse.

I always look forward to a new Diana Wynne Jones book, and The Merlin Conspiracy proves she’s still at the top of her game and getting better all the time. Young adult readers are sure to love the blend of adventure, whimsy, and intelligent plotlines that are Jones’ hallmarks.

The Little People, by Neil Philip (Harry N. Abrams, Inc, 2002)

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Interested in fairy tales? Then I have a book for you. The Little People: Stories of Fairies, Pixies, and Other Small Folk, is just that, a beautiful illustrated compendium detailing numerous aspects of the mythical creatures found in folklore and fairy tales. Part scholarly work, part collection of reprinted stories, it seeks to shed light upon the mysteries that have enchanted us. From the various origins of the fairy folk, to the different races and instances of fairies throughout culture, to details taken from folklore, to comparisons with other mythical tales, this book covers the spectrum of fairy influence. From pranks to places, curses to blessings, frolics to treasures, it has a little bit of everything. Though the book restrains itself to the lore of Northern Europe, it still has a wealth, even an embarrassment, of information and legend to draw upon, and the author does a splendid job of separating out the wheat from the chaff and distilling the material down for easy reading and better comprehension. Furthermore, he has included fairy-related artwork from a number of renowned artists, including Arthur Rackham, Richard Doyle, and Edward Robert Hughes.

Essays on fairy-related paintings and fairy lore, as well as an extensive bibliography and a thorough glossary covering the numerous kinds of fairies found elsewhere in the book, add to the value of The Little People as a reference book, as well as an entertainment. Though not really aimed at younger readers, it will appeal to those who like their fairy tales and folklore accompanied by details and origins. This is a lovely book, worth picking up for the reading. Also, don’t miss the pencil illustrations of accomplished artist Jacqueline Mair, specially commissioned for this book.

The Legend of Holly Claus, by Brittney Ryan (HarperCollins, 2004)

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Somewhere beyond the Arctic Circle, ringed by magical glaciers, lies the Land of the Immortals, the kingdom known as Forever. Ruled by Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus, it’s a happy place where the immortal souls of those who’ve truly affected the world in a positive way can dwell alongside mythical creatures for all eternity. And then something happens to change it all: inspired by a child’s simple, selfless Christmas wish, a daughter is born to Nicholas and his wife Viviana. Named Holly Claus, she’s the first child ever born to the Land of the Immortals, and she’s truly special. But an evil force named Herrikhan visits very soon after Holly’s birth, preserving her heart in snow and cursing her for all time as part of his plan to escape eternal imprisonment. As she grows into a lovely young woman, Holly struggles with her curse, and ultimately makes a fateful journey to the mortal world in search of the cure. Arriving in 1896 New York, she’ll learn what it means to be human and alive, and face the threat of Herrikhan with the help of four magical creatures and her new mortal allies. And in doing so, she’ll understand why it was she was born in the first place.

I lost sleep over this book. The Legend of Holly Claus, is, plain and simple, L. Frank Baum at his very best, invoking all of his spirit and talent and infusing it with a modern sense of maturity. Brittney Ryan captures all of the beauty, magic, and delight of the ideal Christmas, wraps it with a child’s sense of wonder, and leaves it in a stocking like one of Santa’s gifts. She balances the cold reality of the Victorian period with a certain hopeful idealism represented by the uncorrupted Holly, who simply doesn’t play by the same rules as everyone else. This book is only improved by the gorgeous cover, and the exquisite interior illustrations by Laurel Long. Do yourself a favor; don’t wait until next Christmas season to read this one.

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray, by Chris Wooding (Orchard Books, 2004)

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In an alternate Victorian London, night time is the dangerous time. Wolves, serial killers, and nightmarish creatures called wych-kin roam the streets and lurk in the shadows, savaging all who dare brave the city after dark. However, there are those who stand against the demons and monsters, fearless wych-hunters like Thaniel Fox, a teenager trying to live up to the legacy and legend of his father, one of the greatest wych-hunters ever. When Thaniel, on a routine wych hunt, finds a lost girl in the most dangerous part of London, he feels obligated to take her home and help her regain her senses, dignity, and memories. However, this happenstance discovery plunges him fully into a web of secrecy and violence, for a secret society known as the Fraternity has set its sights fully upon this young woman and the knowledge she alone possesses. Can Thaniel Fox keep Alaizabel Cray alive when her death could spark the destruction of the entire city? As if that wasn’t bad enough, the bizarre serial killer called Stitch-Face still roams the streets, taking his victims with impunity. But now someone’s mimicking his style, and the territorial madman doesn’t take too kindly to imposters. In the end, it may spell the end for London after all, if Thaniel can’t rally his allies in the underground society of the Beggar Kings to stand against the unleashed armies of the night.

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray is a Gothic fantasy as chilling and twisted as any you’re likely to see anytime soon. It draws upon the staples of the Victorian era without relying upon them; Jack the Ripper and Mister Hyde would feel right at home here. Atmospheric and suspenseful, its multiple plot threads tie together neatly as secrets are revealed and strange alliances made and broken. There’s a lot of potential in this setting, a world where decades ago the airships of the Prussian Empire crushed the spirit of the English and inadvertently released magical horrors into the night, and where secret societies plot ruin upon civilization. I’m hoping Wooding has more planned for this world and its characters, as there’s a lot left to be explored even after the events of this book.

The Grand Tour, by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer (Harcourt, 2004)

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Some people get Caribbean cruises for their honeymoons. Others get Grand Tours of Europe. Such is the case for cousins Cecy and Kate, who, after marrying, respectively, James Tarleton and Lord Thomas Schofield at the end of Sorcery and Cecilia, Wrede and Stevermer’s previous collaboration. In proper early 19th Century style, the quartet of friends and relatives has set out to see Europe, mixing education and pleasure as they see the great historical and magical sights of the continent. Over the next few months, their journey takes them from England to Paris to Venice, and finally to Rome. Of course, when several members of the party just happen to be wizards and/or retired spies, it’s a sure bet that nothing will go exactly as planned. Mysterious strangers, daring highwayman, lost gloves, purloined coronation regalia, and a Byzantine plot to tap into Europe’s oldest magical rituals all factor into a series of ever-more exciting adventures that lead our heroes across Europe towards the inevitable showdown with a set of fiendish masterminds. The stakes are high, but all in a day’s work for this particular group of accidental heroes.

As with the first book in this series, Wrede and Stevermer each take a viewpoint character (Cecy or Kate) and tell their part of the story through alternating journal or diary entries, letting the entire tale unfold bit by bit. Described as a fantasy of manners by some, The Grand Tour captures the characters’ viewpoints so aptly, one can almost smell the tea and feel the carriage bouncing underneath them. The authors combine the best of young adult attitude with a Regency romance sensibility, and a few dashes of magic and mayhem, producing a most enjoyable work.
If there’s not a third book to this series, it’ll be a real shame.

The Golem’s Eye, by Jonathan Stroud (Hyperion Miramax, 2004)

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Two years after the events chronicled in The Amulet of Samarkand, young magician Nathaniel has, in his adult guise of John Mandrake, risen quickly in the ranks of London’s magician-ruled government, becoming the assistant to Julius Tallow, Head of Internal Affairs. In this role, Nathaniel has been appointed to track down the Resistance, a group of ordinary humans dedicated to stealing magical artifacts and disrupting the strict rule of the magicians. So far, he’s not doing so well, feeling the pressure from all sides from those envious of his success or fearful of his talents. Things get worse when a magical creature of unknown origins begins to cut a swathe of destruction through magician-held interests, just as the Resistence steps up their own efforts. Nathaniel is forced to go back on an earlier promise, and once again summon the Djinn, Bartimaeus, who helped him two years ago. It’s not a partnership either are eager to resume, made all the more tense by Nathaniel’s new attitude and drive to succeed.

Told in alternating chapters from the viewpoints of Nathaniel, Bartimaeus, and Kitty, one of the Resistance, The Golem’s Eye is another captivating adventure set in a world where magic has dictated the course of events across the world for centuries. As events unfold, and Nathaniel’s journey takes him from London, to darkly atmospheric Prague and back, we learn more of Bartimaeus’ storied history, and discover just what brought Kitty to this point in her life. Conspiracies and mysteries abound, and magic fills the air as Stroud weaves a thoroughly entertaining tale. This is the series I recommend, without hesitation, to those who like Harry Potter. The characters are memorable and complex, Stroud unafraid to exploit their flaws. While some readers might be disappointed by Nathaniel’s emotional growth (and resultant change in attitude and morals), it’s only logical under the circumstances, and there’s plenty of time for him to come around in the third book in the trilogy, which can’t come too soon for me.

The Frog Princess, by E.D. Baker (Bloomsbury, 2003)

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The Frog Princess is a twist on the old Frog Prince story, taking the theme of a prince whose transformation into a frog can only be reversed by a princess’ kiss, and adding a whole new dimension to it. In this version, Princess Esmerelda is clumsy, has a laugh like a donkey, and categorically refuses to marry the dull Prince Jorge. She’d rather go walk in the swamp, which is where she meets a frog who claims he’s a prince named Eadric. One kiss, and well, you know how it goes. Except that for whatever reason, when Emma kisses the frog, she too is transformed into a royal amphibian. Now the two of them must find the witch who originally cursed Eadric, and convince her to fix them. The journey through the swamp, however, is long and treacherous, and before Emma can travel, she has to learn to hop, and the two enchanted nobles have to learn to trust each other. Witches, talking animals, fairies, and other hazards abound as they try to reclaim their natural states.

Not only is this a clever and amusing twist on the old story, it’s well-told, energetic and lively. Emma’s headstrong and independent and occasionally quarrelsome, but never truly unlikable, and Eadric’s the perfect foil for her attitude and stubbornness. Together, they’re an entertaining pair on a bizarre quest. I’m a sucker for well-done fairy tales, and this one fits the bill thoroughly.

The Far Side of Evil, by Sylvia Louise Engdahl (Walker Books, 2003)

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As a new graduate of the Anthropological Service Academy, a starspanning organization dedicated to studying life across the universe, Elana is assigned to a dangerous, deadly case. The planet Toris, a Youngling society far less mature than Elana’s own world, is in a Critical Stage, that vital and precarious time in their history when they could either achieve space travel and escape the bounds of their world, or destroy themselves in a nuclear war. Elana’s job, as hard and amoral as it might seem, is to blend in, and to watch, doing nothing to alter or hinder progress. Should Toris perish, she would be rescued, but she must never break away from, nor reveal, her observer, alien status. No matter what her conscience says.

Her fellow agent on this mission, Randil, has a different idea altogether: to save the Torisians from destroying themselves in a Cold War-provoked armageddon, he’ll provide them with proof of space flight, giving them one of the Service’s own shuttles. And in doing so, he could spark the very thing he wishes to avoid. Only Elana has the knowledge and determination to sacrifice herself and save the world, and she can’t use her psychic powers or ability to resist harm in any way, or reveal her true nature.

Originally published in 1971 at the height of the Space Race, during the middle of Earth’s own Critical Stage, The Far Side of Evil is an unusually thoughtful, introspective allegory which posits the evolutionary essentialness of achieving space flight and establishing extraterrestrial colonies as a way of cultural growth and survival. Though dated by social trends and historical events of the past thirty years, it still remains a gripping, provocative work that tries to explain why we can’t remain tied to our home world forever. While this book is related to Engdahl’s previous work, Enchantress from the Stars, to the extent of sharing the same protagonist, this is a darker, more mature, more direct book, and not as well suited for younger readers. Elana is put through some fairly intense torture, psychological and emotional, and the issues raised are relatively complex. However, those readers able to handle such themes will likely enjoy the moral debate which fuels the story’s progress. As far as science fiction with social messages go, The Far Side of Evil is a strong, powerful story and well worth reading.