The Book of Eador, Abjurations 12:14, clearly states: Suffer ye not the life of a witch. For a thousand years, the Church Knights have obeyed that commandment, putting to death any who are found guilty of hearing the Songs of the Earth. Even if it means it’s one of their own.

Songs of the Earth rings all the bells and tones of a traditional fantasy epic: A brave hero to save us all, magic and misinformation and a world similar to our own, but so very far removed. Teeming with a Dark Ages-Esque theme and brimming with knights and the iron rule of the church, Songs of the Earth sets us down in the thick of the darkest day in Gair’s life so far.

As a novice knight who can hear the music and harness the power that resounds within the notes, Gair amazingly escapes the trial with his life intact. Not all are happy with his sentence though and Gair must flee the knights and  the witch finder who thirst for his blood.  Gair doesn’t have time to learn to control his rapidly growing powers yet, if he doesn’t, disaster will be the only outcome. His only hope is the Guardians of the Veil—a super-secretive Order, almost in extinction thanks to the Church. And just to top off a seat-of-his-pants wild ride, the Veil between Gair’s world and the world that lurks in the shadows is weakening and Gair has a date with destiny.

Now, while this a thoroughly satisfying and enjoyable quest, it doesn’t contain that ring of “freshness” you usually receive when you enter into a new world of wonder and magic. It does feel a little like you will know exactly what issue will pop up next for Gair, but there are passages of such vividly rich action that save the weaker plot points. Unfortunately, the character descriptions are vague, and, for those of you who love to have a mental picture like I do, you are likely to find this a little annoying.

Some sections did get a little too bogged down in religious dogma for my liking but it does still fit with the story and adds to its development.  The character development is strong and Gair’s journey to awaken his true self is so heartwarming that you will be left with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Cooper has put a lot of thought and energy into capturing the action and magic for the reader with the way she has woven her words. It will embed itself in your subconscious and you could find yourself spending your sleeping hours journeying along with Gair.

All in all, Songs of the Earth is a lovely journey of self-growth, with plenty of magic thrown in; and it is a wonderful way to while away a few afternoons. This debut novel shows real promise for what could become a mind-blowing trilogy.

Song of the Earth is the first in a trilogy, with Trinity Moon and The Dragon House to come. Author info can be found here.

Songs of the Earth—Elspeth Cooper

Published April 2011, Orion Books

Paperback, 467 Pages

ISBN:978–0-575-09615-8

Description from book:

Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life-until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.
Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her-a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.
In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

Maddie is living a very comfortable life. She has plenty of friends, she always has something to keep herself busy and does not want for anything. The only catch is that her life is lived on the computer; her “friends” know her only by screen names and video chatting is as close as she gets to seeing other people. The year is 2060 and  the toll that violence has taken on the schools and society in general has driven everybody inside.

Maddie’s father is the one who has developed the whole curriculum for Digital School. He is a very strict, revered and wealthy man. Her mother, on the other hand, clings to more classical ideas of life and friendship and tries to instil in Maddie the knowledge of what it means to actually meet new people.

One day, a study buddy unexpectedly invites Maddie to meet him IRL (In Real Life); and, after overcoming some anxiety, she decides to just do it. That decision and her introduction to Justin takes Maddie on an adventure into a whole new world.

Looking at the cover, you would never expect to find such an amazingly fast-paced, subtly dystopian novel. The novel features futuristic cars and technology; they are very intriguing, and it is exciting to think about them as possibilities for our own future. The romance and interaction between Maddie and Justin was actually a very nice change from the other books I have read recently. We actually see a girl that is very nervous about how to even approach the subject. It’s painfully obvious that her  lack of real dating experience and interaction with other people is emotionally stressful and confusing.

On the other hand, Justin really has a bigger plan that has been put into action upon their meeting, and his selfless actions and decisions are for the greater good. There is something much bigger than the two of them happening, but they are the key to getting it to work. His bigger plan is what leads to some very frustrating and irksome scenes between the two romantically.

In today’s world, where our lives our spent on computers, tablets, and smartphones, this book spoke to me on a personal level. It is very similar to what I imagine the world my grandchildren will be living in, in the near and believable future.

I suppose the cover represents the idea that you cannot keep life contained. A flower inside a jar cannot grow or live for very long without the nurture of nature.

Awaken is one of my favorite reads of the year, very captivating, emotionally frustrating and eye opening.

Awaken—Katie Kacvinsky
Hardcover 320 Pages
Published May 23, 2011 — Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
ISBN 0547371489 (ISBN13: 9780547371481)

Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She’s changed schools too many times to count. The only family she’s ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother—well, she was a five thousand-year-old demon. That doesn’t exactly help. But on her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much. Steeped in mythology, this is an epic tale of a heroine who balances old world with new, science with magic, and the terrifying depths of the underworld with the ordinary halls of high school.

In the beginning pages Jael is turning 16; and for her birthday, her father has given her a necklace that once belonged to her demon mother. Jael is given this necklace with only one warning: to never wear it. After her very first fight with her father over this necklace, she looks deep into the Gem and can see things in it. The first vision is of her father, downstairs in the kitchen as he is contacting the demon world to relay the message that the necklace has been given to her. Jael becomes deeply hurt and confused as her father has always said that he no longer has contact with the demon world.

After some very interesting things happen at school, she ends up putting the necklace on and things only get weirder. In the description above it states that this book is “steeped in mythology” and I could not agree more. There are several places throughout the story where you will feel like you’re sitting in church being quoted the bible and Catholic beliefs and other mythology.

Throughout the story we also get to see into the underworld and the demon lives and world view. Some of the chapters are from Jael’s point of view and some of them are from people relaying the past through memories or the visions to Jael. She begins to really learn who she is, why they have to move around so much and really begins to see her father with new eyes. I think that the underworld and the demons’ view of our world was really what made the book worthwhile for me.

My favorite paragraph in the book is when her uncle is helping her understand what being a demon means. “Jael”- it still gives her a strange shiver when he says her name. Like she can almost get a sense of the person he believes she’s capable of becoming. A person who deserves an exotic name spoken with reverence. But now he looks a little sad. “If all you ever do is try to avoid pain, you’ll never create something truly worthwhile.” Of course this is only a small part of a very entertaining and best chapter of the book, in my opinion. Misfit has action, interesting creatures, magic and a little romance.

I give Misfit 4 stars. I found the view of the underworld and demons and their relationship to our world very fascinating and intriguing. I do realize that the religious concepts were necessary for this story to be told, but I personally felt it set a very heavy tone to an otherwise very fascinating story.

Misfit – Jon Skovron

Publication date: 1 August, 2011, by Harry N. Abrams

Hardcover, 382 Pages

Life certainly isn’t getting any easier for Sophie Mercer. After all the magic-filled adventures and horrors she had to endure in the prequel you would think she could catch a break. Not likely. There are more secrets and hidden agendas afoot and Sophie still isn’t being told the whole truth about things. And with a mixed up heritage like hers, knowledge could be the only thing stopping a catastrophe.

Sophie is sent to London for the summer to spend some time with her absentee Dad—who just so happens to be the Head of the Council of Prodigium (or big Kahuna when it comes to magical beings) . Sophie and co thought Hex Hall had its fair share of magical blunders and enemies, but it’s nothing compared to London.

Raising Demons has built on all the wonder and delight that makes Hex Hall so enjoyable and added an extra wallop of drama, mystery and action that will again grasp your attention in a vice and have you galloping along at breakneck speed. Sophie is stronger and smarter; and despite all that has happened, she is still quick with the sarcastic quips that add a good dose of giggles to the mayhem.

Character development has remained strong with the evolution of those we have met before, and some believable newcomers. The mystery and subterfuge are again expertly hidden with red herrings aplenty to keep you guessing and the revelations shocking.  The cliffhanger ending is such a shock that you will be desperately wishing there were just a few more pages to clear up all the theories racing through your mind.

The Hex Hall series is a brilliant blend of light comedy, magic, monsters and mystery. I can’t find a release date for the next installment, Spell Bound, apart from the fact that it will release sometime in 2012. I for one will be waiting with bated breath and hoping I don’t drive myself mad theorising in the meantime.

Hex Hall 2- Raising Demons—Rachel Hawkins

Published 1 March, 2011 by Simon & Schuster

Paperback, 368 pages

ISBN:978-1-84738-723-3

Luce is not a stranger to loss. Her father and mother died several years ago. She is now cared for by her alcoholic uncle. She is very shy, has no friends and  is anti-social. After one very stormy day, her uncle attempts to rape her and tells her not to come home. Even more confused and depressed than usual, she throws herself into the ocean to drown; instead, she turns into a mermaid.

In her frustration and hate Luce swims hard and fast. She sings out her frustration and in her confusion watches as a boat guides itself into the cliffs. She watches and sings to the people aboard as they all slowly drown. The wreckage is noticed by the other mermaids and she is taken into the tribe as a new member. She is soon taught the laws of the tribe, makes friends and learns the way of the mermaid. As time goes by, more mermaids begin arriving through different circumstances. Soon there is uproar in the tribe, alliances are formed and laws are broken. But will Luce be able to help keep some order in the tribe before too many humans die in their wake?

The change into a mermaid does not happen to all girls; it’s usually the girls that have a dark past  who “change because of what humans do to us.”  They cannot all sing. Some of them have the talent of singing or making other noises immediately, some develop it, and some never do. The leader is chosen by how well they can manipulate their voice and swim the best.

They do not sing to every ship that passes and they do not take down big ships in which they cannot guarantee all aboard who have heard or seen them will die afterwards. They still have to breathe air so spend their time in caves with beach or air space and swimming around.  If their tales leave the water, they experience horrific pain that can end up killing them.

For a story about killer mermaids this one was pretty entertaining. I have to say that I found the main character very depressing throughout most of the story, but she develops and grows some along the way.

Besides the mass murders, this whole tribe concept was really not any different than an all girls high school setting. You have drama, certain rules that must be followed, and a leader. I loved all the characters, Catarina is a strong-headed leader, who eventually bumps heads with Luce. It was like an all girls school drama power-trip most of the book, but I loved it. It was very well written, very entertaining and contained a lot of interesting ideas.

The story is highly reminiscent of the siren tales from Greek mythology (calling/singing to the sailors, leading them to death or confusion).  Lost Voices is a great introduction to this trilogy. It features great characters and world building. It doesn’t  end in a cliffhanger, but with just enough intrigue to make you want to see which characters will show up in the next book.

Sarah Porter—Lost Voices
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published July 4th 2011 by Harcourt Children’s Books

ISBN 0547482507 (ISBN13: 9780547482507)