Graceling

Title : Graceling

Author : Kristin Cashore

Citation : Cashore, Kristin. Graceling. Orlando, Fla. : Harcourt, 2008.

Grace, that is a term for people born with an extreme skill, are feared and exploited. One of them is Katsa who carries the burden of the skill, the Grace of killing. Living under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, she is expected to punish and torture anyone who displeases the king. Then, meeting Prince Po who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no idea of how her life is about to change: to learn the truth about her own Grace and the secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms. Those who are Tamora Pierce fans must love this thrilling, action-packed fantasy adventure with a slight hint of steamy romance. Every character is depicted with the same meticulous devotion to human understanding, making this novel is compelling with its strong heroine, political intrigue and action. The author juggles her complicated plot with effortlessness rivalling Katsa's. Although there are some undeveloped plots, the exquisitely drawn romance will satisfy the thirst of Twilight fans, but one measure of this compelling novel's achievements lies in its broad appeal

The Goose Girl

Title : The goose girl

Author : Shannon Hale

Citation : Hale, Shannon. The goose girl. New York : Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2003.

The Crown Princess of Kildenree, Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, spends the first years of her life under the guidance of her aunt to learn to communicate with animals. Developing the skills of animal speech as she grows up, she is never comfortable when speaking with people. Then, Ani is helpless and cannot persuade anyone to assist her when her silver-tongued lady-in-waiting steals her identity and distract control of the guards during Ani's journey in a foreign land, Bayern. She, eventually, acknowledge her own special powers to find her way to her true destiny. This retelling story maintains many similarities to the original tale of Brothers Grimm, including the harsh punishment for treason. Also, similar to Robin McKinley's heroines, this leisurely-paced story is rich, full of eloquent description and beautiful imagery with a complex plot, a large cast of characters and a strong female protagonist. Readers who enjoy getting lost in an enchanted world will be satisfied not only by the conclusion but also by the suspenseful tone, full of danger and surprising twists. These appealing elements make the novel the winner of Jossette Frank Award and of Utah State Book Award.

Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate

Title : Secret speakers and the search for Selador's Gate

Author : K. S. R. Kingsworth

Citation : Kingsworth, K. S. R. Secret speakers and the search for Selador's Gate. Canada : Rawle & Windsor, 2010.

Hidden in the depth of Cloven Grace, the harsh trickster Harrold King hides a secret the parents know absolutely nothing. A thirteen year-old Fair O'Nelli eventually assumes it's safe to be seen after spending nine years hidden in a cellar. Knowing that her father and brother are missing or possibly dead, she sets off in the company of three guardians to search for Selador's Gate and to seek for Harrold King's secret. Along the way she discovers that they key to survival is learning to see things as they are. This metaphorical tales is similar to the Narnia, Lord of the Rings and Wizard of Oz due to the likable heroine as Fair discovers courage, conviction and friendship along her quest to Selador. Also, the author has created a rich and detailed fantasy that is unique, charming and with whimsical touches, such as some religious symbolism that can be found on this novel. The world-building storyline and plot-driven make readers enjoy the adventure and the sudden twists in some events.

The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf

Title : The savage damsel and the dwarf

Author : Gerald Morris

Citation : Morris, Gerald. The savage damsel and the dwarf. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, c2000.

  

Teenaged Lady Lynet sets out for help from King Arthur who can free her family from the siege of an evil knight. Along the way, she makes friend with an odd dwarf named Roger and a scruffy kitche hand named Beaumains. When the three return to Lynet's castle, they face shocking adventures including the duel with the uncanny Squire Terence, his master, Sir Gawain and the majestic sorceress Morgan. This Morris's latest Arthurian novel is a highly comic tale of hidden identities withe mysterious knights, faeries and enchantments. With its medieval setting, some of the most courageous knights are presented to be none too bright that explains why they risk their lives so whole-heartedly. Although some vocabulary in this richly detailed work, the readers will be engrossed by the magical world of knights, dwarves and damsels in distress. This element makes the story is enjoyable.

Sabriel

Title : Sabriel

Author : Garth Nix

Citation : Nix, Garth. Sabriel. New York : HarperCollins, c1995.

This is an Australian fiction about Sabriel, a young girl sent to a boarding school in Ancelstierre to be a necromancer, a person who fight the dead who seek to return to life.   She has little experience with the random power of Free Magic or the Dead who refuse to stay dead in the Old Kingdom. But then when her father, Abhorsen, goes missing, she must enter the kingdom to save him. Accompanied by Mogget, a raging natural force contained in the form of a cat, and Touchstone, a young Charter Mage long imprisoned by magic, every step of the way bring them closer to the battle of life and death. This first instalment of the Abhorsen trilogy incorporates the virility and compassionate love of a young girl making her a sympathetic heroine. With a rich, complex, world-building and fast-paced, the novel makes it hard to put down. Although it is bleak, readers who enjoy the intricate tales of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, will find this trilogy is also appealing.

Other book in the Abhorsen Trilogy: Lirael, daughter of the Clayr (2001); Abhorsen (2003)

Zahrah the Windseeker

Title : Zahrah the windseeker

Author : Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu

Citation : Okorafor-Mbachu, Nnedi. Zahrah the windseeker. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 2005.

Born with dadalocks-dreadlocks containing living vines, Zahrah does not know that she is believed to have special powers. She lives like a normal girl in the northern Ooni Kingdom as she enjoys everything that nature provides. Even she grows her own flora computer and has mirrors sewn onto her cloths. Being different to other people makes her only have one best friend, Dari, who wants to explore the Forbidden Greeny Jungle and discover its dark and prohibited mysteries. Together, they enter the jungle that is located on the boundary of the kingdom to explore her powers. Then Zahrah has to undertake a dangerous quest alone to seek the remedy for Dari after he is bitten by a war snake and falls into a deep sleep.  In the nature of exotic creatures, a magical forest, and children with superhuman abilities, she must find the courage to defeat her fear using her dada wisdom. The world building storyline that is interesting and the evocative setting will draw experienced fantasy readers to enjoy this amazingly written story with full ideas of friendship, self-discovery and following own heart.

The Shadow Speaker

Title : The shadow speaker

Author : Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu

Citation : Okorafor-Mbachu, Nnedi. The shadow speaker. New York : Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, 2007.

A futuristic fantastical adventure fiction that happens in West Africa in 2070 is about a Muslim teenager, Ejii. After witnessing her father's beheading, a fifteen-year-old "shadow speaker" Ejii sets on a dangerous journey across the Sahara desert to look for Jaa, her father's murderer. Then soon she discovers that there is a greater purpose to her life after knowing her possession of mystical powers. Accompanied by her newfound friend, she realises the need to protect her people from a force seeking to destroy them completely. With a plot of the era of mind-blowing technology and tantalising magic, the book is leisurely paced and has a fascinating lyrical writing style. Readers will be engrossed by the novel's complicated characters, especially its women and the unusual appearance of African with a taste of Muslim tradition. This book by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu is the second fiction of her first debut, Zahrah the windseeker.