The Sword of Summer

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan, 2015 Disney-Hyperion Books

     On the streets of Boston, Magnus Chase and his two companions, Hearthstone and Blitzen, survive on their wits. After Magnus's mother mysteriously dies chased by otherworldly wolves, he fled from a questionable uncle, Randolph, and has survived two itinerant years. 

     On his sixteenth birthday, Magnus discovers his Uncle Randolph has set his cousin Annabeth and her father, Uncle Frederick, after him. Randolph catches his nephew and cryptically sends Magnus on a mission to find the Sword of Summer--a mythical and magical sword belonging to the Norse god Frey. A fire giant, Surt, arrives and demands the newly obtained sword from the young man. 

     Magnus awakens after his fight with Surt in Valhalla: the realm of heroes. Memories of wolves and fire seem to herald the end of days--the Norse Ragnarök. Magnus learns he is the son of the god Frey and the Sword of Summer is his birthright. The Valkyrie who brought Magnus to Valhalla, Sam, introduces him to his hall-mates: X, Thomas Jefferson Jr, and Halfborn. His friends Blitzen and Hearthstone reveal themselves to be a dwarf and elf, respectively. 

     While Magnus is happy to see his old friends his frustration rises as the various authorities threaten and cajole him, trying to get the Sword. Magnus, Blitz, and Hearth go searching for the sword--missing after the fight with Surt--and are joined by Sam whose participation hinges on obtaining the sword to regain her Valkyrie status, lost when she chose to bring Magnus into Valhalla. 

     The quartet travels through the realms as they gather item after item to trade in their quest for the Sword and to re-secure the Fenris Wolf. Loki and those who would encourage Ragnarök try to bargain with Magnus, but the young warrior has an over-developed sense of justice and will not back down from his plan to save the world. 

     Despite the ever-growing to-do list Magnus, Blitz, Hearth, and Sam continue to fight to prevent the end of the world. Readers who enjoyed Riordan's Percy Jackson series or the Blackwell Pages will enjoy this new look at the Norse myths. The story is written for middle-grade readers, with an eye toward modern social conventions and considerations.  The Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard trilogy ties back to Percy's adventures through his cousin, Annabeth Chase.  

Pale Demon

Pale Demon by Kim Harrison, 2011 Harper Voyager

     After the Coven agreed to grant her immunity for the black magic she'd used, Rachel Morgan, independent runner, spunky smart-ass, and day-walking demon, leaves Cincinnati to attend her formal pardon at the annual witches' meeting in San Francisco. She ends up ferrying Trent Kalamack, and her roommates Ivy and Jenks across the country in her mother's Buick.
     In St. Louis Trent releases the genetically engineered demon Ku'Sox from his prison. Like Rachel, Ku'Sox is a day-walking demon, but unlike Rachel he has no soul. Ku'Sox creates trouble along the way and very nearly kills Rachel. He was intended to be the bridge between witches and demons, but went crazy and was trapped magically and physically under the St. Louis Arch. Ku'Sox follows Rachel and her carload West to the Witches' Convention creating havoc.
     Rachel insists on believing the Coven will keep their promise, despite Ivy, Jenks, and Trent telling her otherwise. When she picks up the Coven's spy and the menagerie makes it to San Francisco Ku'Sox continues to cause problems for Rachel. Trent disappears on some Elven quest and all hell breaks loose.
     Despite everything the Coven of Moral and Ethical Standards has done to show Rachel they have no intention of upholding their deal when they can kill her, Rachel believes they will. When the Coven requires her aid to survive they have no choice but to agree to her terms. Rachel continues to battle internally with what it means to be a demon and whether she can remain a good person while still protecting her friends, family, and society as she knows it.
     Readers will enjoy the fast-paced action of Pale Demon along with its dose of inappropriate humor, uneasy friendships, and unexpected romance, all shoved into a Buick traveling from Cincinnati to San Francisco.

Black Magic Sanction

Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison, 2010 Harper Voyager

     She hasn't quite accepted that she is a day-walking demon, but the Coven of Moral and Ethical Standards is after Rachel anyway. After the shunning, a woman attacks her in the grocery store while she and Ivy shop. Vivian is a member of the Coven, using her white magic with deadly consequences. Rachel is sent to the FIB and made to pay for damages while Vivian is absolved of her part.
     On her way home from the FIB offices, Rachel is summoned to San Francisco where the Coven attempts to railroad her into either being magically neutered, or literally neutered. Rachel is sent to Alcatraz when she refuses where she learns some of the ways the Coven manages trouble-maker witches. The church's gargoyle, Bis, finds Rachel and comforts her until Ivy can summon her back home to Cincinnati.
     Thus begins the tug-o-war between Rachel and the forces who want to control her. Trent Kalamack is still itching to get her under his control, Algaliarept (her demon teacher) attempts to keep her in the ever-after whenever he gets the chance, Pierce (the ghost brought back to life in a previous book) leverages attraction to influence her, and the Coven is on the prowl for her ability to kindle demon magic.
     After several near-death excursions and the loss of a close friend, Rachel makes her stand, accepting her place as a step between witches and demons but refusing to let it be the reason she dies.
     Rachel Morgan doesn't want to use black magic, but her blood is having difficulty kindling standard magic. She is becoming a different entity, and the consequences on her life spiral out of control. Through her friendships and faith in herself Rachel holds her world together and manages to get out okay. Like her reader, Rachel deals with the mess of everyday life as it comes to her and hopes what comes tomorrow won't kill her.

Heir of Fire

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas, 2014 Bloomsbury

     Adarlan's king has ordered Celaena to assassinate the royal family of Wendlyn based on his Captain of the Guard Chaol's suggestion. Chaol trades his future independence to his father to allow Celaena to escape the pit she's fallen into since Nehemia's death. In Wendlyn the King's Assassin has no intention of killing the royal family, instead Celaena drinks and gambles and fights the nights away until she can spend the days in an exhausted stupor.
     When her aunt, Maeve Queen of Fairies, sends Celaena's distant cousin, Rowan Whitethorn, to summon her to a demi-Fae outpost Celaena meets her aunt for the first time and realizes why her mother delayed the meeting. Maeve wants to see the Fae magic Celaena has hidden, but Celaena wants answers about the Wyrdkeys. The two come to an agreement: Celaena will come to the Fae city Doranelle when Rowan believes she has mastered her power and Maeve will share what she knows about the Wyrdkeys.
     Rowan begins to train Celaena - her magic so deeply buried she has difficulty even shifting from her human to Fae form. But mangled bodies of demi-Fae begin appearing around the fortress and the creatures in the forest become restless. As the most able investigative force Rowan and Celaena seek answers to the impending danger, driving Celaena to find and use her power.
    Back in Adarlan Chaol and Dorian are trying to understand their new dynamic. Dorian's magic has somehow persisted in a world where magic has been frozen. The pair work to discover why magic has gone, but Chaol refuses to hear about Dorian's power for fear the king might somehow use it against them. Dorian seeks companionship with a comely healer who has been attending the Crown Prince, Captain of the Guard and King's Assassin through their adventures. Sorscha promises not to tell, but may have an ulterior motive in gaining Dorian's trust.
     Far in the North, the Ironteeth Witches are made an offer too good to refuse. When magic died Manon Blackbeak and her kin in the Blackbeak, Yellowlegs and Bluebloods lost the ability to fly. Manon is the Blackbeak heir, considered one the cruelest beings in Elirea; the witches enjoy killing and maiming simply for the joy of the act. The King on the Throne of Glass offers the witches a place in his army and wyverns in exchange for their freedom after he's conquered the world. The Ironteeth wish to return to the Western Wastes where their enemies the Cochran Witches have cursed the land.
     Manon and her Blackbeak kin work to become the tip of the Ironteeth spear. They become the best fighters both on and off their wyverns. Manon develops a resounding rapport with her dragon-like beast and her wing discovers something in the mountain is rotting the humans - this drives the witches further afield for sustenance.
     While the King rallies his forces, the rebellion and discontent build within Adarlan. Aedion, cousin to the missing Queen Aelin Ashryver Galathynius of Terrasen, is the King's General in the North and summoned to Rifthold to attend the King. Chaol discovers Aedion has been subtly undermining the king's agenda in Terrasen; the resemblance between Aedion and Celaena suggests why. Aedion joins the rebellion, bringing hope to the movement.
     Action comes to a point when the King of Adarlan sends a force into Wendlyn lead by three Vlag princes. Celaena, Rowan, and the demi-Fae face the oncoming army and Celaena nearly gives in to the Vlag power reliving her worst memories, some so deeply repressed even she is surprised by their brutality. The Ironteeth compete and Manon with her Blackbeak clan becomes wing leader, creates a somewhat-alliance with the Bluebloods heir and confirms an enmity with the Yellowlegs heir. Chaol and Dorian's activities are discovered by the king with brutal results, but news that Aelin Ashryver Galathynius is alive and well begins to spread across Elirea as Celaena accepts her crown and demands answers from her aunt, Queen Maeve.
     Like the preceding books, Heir of Fire is a young adult read. Political intrigue, romantic entanglements, and brutal violence have shaped Celaena/Aelin's life and as she makes the decision to return to the world she was able to abandon as a child she revisits the darker side of what it means to be a political force. That said, Celaena is a multi-faceted character and Maas's story is rich in its own mythos making for a compelling read.

Eldest

Eldest by Christopher Paolini, 2005 Knopf Books

     Upon surviving Galbatorix's attack on Farthen Dur in the dwarven city of Tronjheim Eragon must recover from the injuries inflicted by the Shade Durza. Saphira and Arya destroyed the great rose sapphire to save Eragon's life and allow him to kill the Shade. King Hrothgar adopts Eragon into his house and the young man becomes a prince in the Dwarven kingdom. When the Varden's leader is murdered in the tunnels below Farthen Dur Lady Nasuada is elected to replace her father.
     Amid the turmoil and reorganization Arya suggests Eragon and Saphira return to the elven capital Ellesmere when she returns home. The pair join Arya and her party as they travel to Du Weldenvarden. In the Elves' city Arya introduces Eragon to Oromis, an ancient Elf Dragon Rider.
     Oromis and his dragon Glaedr are crippled and so must hide from the King lest Galbatorix and his enslaved dragon, Shruikan, murder them. The pair teach Eragon and Saphira the classics: logic, strategy, magic theory, and scholarship.
     During his time of scholarship Eragon's cousin Roran marries the butcher's daughter Katrina. When the Ra'zac return along with Galbatorix's soldiers and attack the village Roran and the men are armed by the Metalsmith Horst. At first the men are successful, but on the second attack Katrina's father betrays them all to the king's forces. The attack spurs Roran and the men from the village to join against the king and his forces.
     In the south of Alagaesia the Varden is no longer welcome in Tronjheim and travel to Surda. The neighboring country is at first welcoming - and becomes more so when Nasuada learns to make a special and expensive lace by magic. The lace becomes a way for the Varden to fund their activities.
     Eragon continues his education and his crush on Arya. Saphira attempts to catch Glaedr's eye; as the last female dragon it is her duty to continue the race, but Eragon is disconcerted by the attention his dragon pays the older dragon. Failure helps Eragon and Saphira bond even more. With their training comes the Blood-Oath Ceremony, in which Eragon becomes faster, stronger, and his abilities are enhanced even further than his dragon-bond instigates.
     When Eragon discovers that King Galbatorix plans to attack the Varden the different strains of the story begin to meet. Roran searches for Katrina and believes his best hope is to seek the Varden's assistance. With royal forces chasing them, Roran and the village survivors make it to the Southern border to join the rebel forces. A massive battle is building along Alagaesia's southern border and the clash promises to be epic.
     In the same vein as Eragon's great fantasy Eldest builds on Paolini's foundation to bring the major forces of Alagaesia back together. While the nation hasn't quite come to civil war conflict abounds and new forces are introduced. Eldest is a good read for young adult readers who need a bit more substance on their plate.

Eragon

Eragon by Christopher Paolini, 2002 Knopf Books

     When a young boy hunting in the forest discovers a beautiful blue stone in a flash of light it begins an adventure which could save his nation. Eragon takes the blue stone home and discovers it is more than just a rock. His Uncle Garrow and cousin Roran suggest they sell it, but when the stone hatches into a small blue lizard with wings Eragon realizes he's discovered a dragon.
     Eragon forms a special bond with the creature. He and his new friend Saphira discover an ancient history of legend in their journey to understand what it means to be the last of the Dragon Riders. When the king's men come searching for the dragon egg and murder Eragon's uncle it is the village storyteller Brom who helps spirit Eragon and Saphira out of the mountains and toward freedom.
     In the south of Alagaesia are the Boer Mountains of the dwarves. Brom sets the trio on that path to evade the King Galbatorix's searchers and capture the creatures who murdered the only family Eragon has known. Along the way Brom teaches Eragon swordplay and magic and the history of the Dragon Riders. Eragon hopes to use his new skills to hunt the men who killed his uncle and destroyed his home - the Ra'zac. As they travel Saphira grows stronger, and larger. When she becomes large enough to easily carry Eragon they learn to fly.
     In their search for the Ra'zac and during Eragon's education the trio travels to Teirm where they seek any sign of the monsters. While searching the city Eragon meets herbalist Angela and her witch-familiar cat, Solembum. Something about the pair tingles against Eragon's enhanced senses and Saphira warns him they are likely to find the pair again.
     Brom continues to teach the fledgling pair until Eragon's thirst for revenge draws them to the Ra'zac hiding in Dras Leona. There they discover Arya, an elven noblewoman held captive and regularly tortured by the Shade Durza. In rescuing Arya the Ra'zac and shade discover Eragon and Brom. They are aided by a stranger, Murtagh who helps them escape, but Brom is gravely injured in the process.
     As Brom dies he reveals his history to Eragon, upon his death Saphira, in a feat of magic, turns his tomb to diamond. Murtagh decides to travel with the remaining group and they seek refuge with the rebellious Varden in the Boer Mountains. But their journey is far from complete - the King's forces, monstrous Urgals, the Ra'zac, and Durza follow to the gates of the dwarven kingdom, which the group may find sealed in their faces.
     Readers who enjoyed Tolkien's Middle Earth and Lewis's Narnia will enjoy the high fantasy of Paolini's Alagaesia. Magic and chivalry entice while evil stalks in the open and one boy with his dragon finds the way through to join a rebellion. Young adult readers may find the pacing varies, with some portions moving along at a quick clip and others catching in the scenery; overall readers of all ages can enjoy the fantasy.

A Fistful of Charms

A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison, 2008 Harper Voyager

     Rachel Morgan has just finished dealing with one supernatural problem in the Hollows when another slinks its way into her life. David is a werewolf who agrees to form a pack with Rachel--for insurance purposes only. He also happens to be an insurance adjuster. Rachel is challenged for her place as Alpha female, and she must learn to fight as the weres do to maintain her place.
     But something is happening with the Weres. They've been creating larger and larger packs and the infighting which keeps packs to a manageable level is quelled. When Rachel steps in to investigate, her ex--Nick--rises to the front of the queue.
     Nick is on an island which appears to be the center of the normal pack dynamics breakdown. When Rachel sneaks her way past the militant guards she discovers Nick has, not surprisingly, gotten himself involved with demon artifacts which cause these weres to form a single pack.
     With David's help, and some iffy magick of her own, Rachel wrests the magic away from the weres who hired Nick to retrieve it. Then Rachel must discover a way to protect the artifact and keep its uncertain power from tipping the balance of power in the Hollows.
     Away from Ivy's influence and with a human-sized Jenks, Rachel is a loose cannon. Her already unconventional way of surviving the feuds of the Hollows has begun to chafe by this, her fourth adventure. While she still maintains that her magic practice is morally good vampires, weres, and even demons are knocking on Rachel's door with more and more forceful offers of employment. Rachel Morgan continues to fight back and mature readers who enjoy a strong yet imperfect female lead will enjoy Rachel's sassiness. 

Every Which Way but Dead

Every Which Way but Dead by Kim Harrison, 2005 HarperTorch

     In exchange for testifying against the undead vampire Piscary, Algaliarept convinces Rachel to become his demonic familiar and is on his way to collect on the deal at the beginning of the third Hollows novel. Rachel has yet to tell her friends Jenks and Ivy the night of her first journey into the Ever After, and hopes a loophole in her contract with the demon will keep her safe.
     Al and Rachel meet in a small circle of blasphemed ground in Rachel's back-graveyard where they will perform the ceremony to transfer the familiar bond from the elf-woman Ceri to Rachel. Al whines about Ceri's transformation from the spunky and spicy Elf Princess into the shell of a person she has become after a thousand years of servitude, and his dismissive attitude drives Rachel into a fine temper. Rachel convinces Al to return Ceri's soul, and through a twist of his own dealings, keeps her own soul from his grasp.
     Thus begins the tumultuous relationship between Alaliarept and Rachel. The trio stashes Ceri with Keasley, the mysterious witch from across the road, and continue to squeak by with security jobs and private runs. Rachel continues to keep her familiar-ship with Al a secret from Jenks and Ivy, and her personal life is a shambles. When her relationship with Nick cools and the connection with Kisten heats up, Rachel is in for some friction from a jealous Ivy.
     New allies and friends prove their worth in Ceri and David Hue, a werewolf reprising his role from the second Hollows novel. Kim Harrison brings forward the same characters in a new pattern to push Rachel through yet another personal battle, while gradually turning her into one of Cincinnati's movers and shakers. Every Which Way but Dead is an adult novel that older teen readers will enjoy.

The Return of the King

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien, 1955 George Allen & Unwin

     In the final installment of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, the Fellowship has been separated for some time, and the stage has been set for all-out war throughout Middle Earth. When Sauron attacks Gondor, Gandalf, Aragorn, and the others scramble to warn the defenders.
     Aragorn calls upon an ancient curse for aid in saving Middle Earth. He travels to the Paths of the Dead and with an army of oath-breakers he marches on Sauron's army, still hoping to distract Sauron from Frodo's quest.
     Sam saves his friend from imprisonment in the tower at Cirith Ungol, leaving Gollum to his own devices. Frodo and Sam continue toward the Cracks of Doom and the Ring becomes more and more powerful preying on Frodo and overcoming his will. With the quest nearly at its end the hobbit surrenders, but Gollum reappears. A struggle ensues and the Ring is destroyed.
     At Sauron's defeat, Aragorn takes back his throne and is crowned king of Arnor and Gondor. Saruman escapes from imprisonment in Isengard and takes over the Shire, only to be defeated by the four hobbits. Middle Earth dissolves into peace and the heroes fade into legend.
     Unlike the first two parts of the trilogy, The Return of the King is focused on the military victory and its aftermath. The Fellowship faces difficult obstacles to reach their goal, and in the end are driven apart by that same duty which pushed them to begin in Fellowship. Tolkien's ending shows that sometimes the heroes don't go home and live peaceful lives, but are driven by their wounds to continue the chaos which created them; however there are heroes who return to their lives and are successful. High school and more mature readers can better understand the points illustrated through Tolkien's trilogy.

Serpent's Kiss

Serpent's Kiss by Melissa de la Cruz, 2012 Hyperion Books

     After they've managed to save the world and gain their right to use magic, Joanna, Ingrid and Freya Beauchamp are back to living their lives in North Hampton on Long Island. Freya has been approached by her twin brother Freddie, and Freddie insists Killian was the one to commit the crime Freddie's been imprisoned in Limbo for. Ingrid's relationship with Matt Noble, the detective, is off to a rocky start. And Joanna has a spirit causing chaos trying to contact her for help.
     Freya is torn between her love affair with Killian her true love and fiance and the accusations of her twin brother Freddie. To top it off, Freddie wants her to keep his presence a secret from the rest of the family and her magic is failing. When she orchestrates Freddie's reappearance into the family fold Freya hopes it will ease some of the tension between herself and Killian.
     Though she and Matt have decided to try something more than a distant flirtation, Ingrid is having second thoughts. She is not the sexy seductress her sister is, but that shouldn't stop the eons-old virgin from having any relationship with a man. When Ingrid finally believes she might be able to have some relationship with Matt her life is turned topsy-turvy by a brood of child-like pixies.
     Joanna asks her estranged husband Norman for help with the persistent spirit, but her daughters' hopes for a family reunion is spoiled when she absentmindedly invites her gentleman-friend to Thanksgiving dinner. Life for the Beauchamp women seems to be thrown into tumult by the discovery of a traitor setting up Killian and Freddie for the collapse of the Bofrir and destruction of the gods' powers. With their family in danger the Beauchamps stand together to face whatever may challenge their lives and their home.
     In the second installment of their story, the Beauchamp women use their magic to fight for what they believe in--family, freedom, and fun. They've known someone has passed the blame for his nefarious deeds to Freddie, they assume it is Loki, the god of mischief. When life gets in the way each woman perseveres. Their story is more appropriate for more adult readers; each woman bends the rules in a different way to advance her cause for good.

The Two Towers

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, 1954 George Allen & Unwin

     The Fellowship of the Ring has traveled beyond Rivendell and been separated. Merry and Pippin are taken by Orcs to their headquarters, but escape into the forest and meet the Ents (large tree-like creatures) and wage battle against the Orcs who have decimated the forests. Glimli, Legolas and Aragorn follow Merry and Pippin until they encounter the Riders of Rohan led by Éomer and are swept away to Gondor.
     Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins separate from the rest of the Fellowship and sneak into Gondor to dispose of the Ring.
     Saruman, the corrupted wizard, rules the Orcs at Isengard and follows Aragon and his companions by magic. When Gandalf reappears to them as the White Rider, a white wizard resurrected from his death in The Fellowship of the Ring, he guides the companions to the Golden Hall of King Théoden where he points to the king's adviser as Saruman's spy.
     When they confront Saruman at Isengard Aragorn, Glimli, and Legolas are surprised to discover Merry and Pippin. The hobbits connect Gandalf with the Ents who want to help the fight against the Dark Lord Sauron. During the battle at Isengard King Théoden's cast out adviser attempts to kill Gandalf with a magic seeing-stone Pippin looks into the stone and gives Sauron the ability to follow him throughout Middle Earth.
     Sam and Frodo meet Gollum, the creature Bilbo stole the Ring from in The Hobbit, and force him to lead them through the marshland to the edge of Mordor. The trio encounters Boromir's brother Faramir and his men who offer to help their mission. Gollum leads Sam and Frodo into the lair of a giant spider, an encounter which ends with Frodo kidnapped by Orcs and Sam in possession of the Ring.
     The Two Towers bridges the re-emergence of the Ring and it's journey into Mordor. The break up of the Fellowship allows different factions of Middle Earth to become engaged in the struggle between submission under the Ring and the people of Middle Earth's freedom. Teens and adults alike will enjoy this classic.

The Good, the Bad, and the Undead

The Good, the Bad, and the Undead by Kim Harrison, 2005 HarperTorch

     After agreeing to help the FIB to keep her roommate from being arrested, Rachel receives a call. The FIB needs her help with a missing persons report. Rachel is paired up with the inderland specialist, Detective Glenn Edden (Cheif Edden's stepson), and they go in search of the missing witch.
     When they go back to the church to prepare Glenn insults Ivy and nearly gets himself eaten. The vampire insists on joining them when they finally begin to question the missing man's former co-workers at Piscary's pizza. Piscary uses Rachel's scar to manipulate both women, and tries to convince Ivy to bind Rachel to her.
     Rachel meets with a former professor, who is offended when people believe she is the one killing other ley-line witches to whittle down the competition, Dr. Anders believes Rachel is in her class to accuse her of the deaths. Anders's class is only one of the connections between the dead witches: they have all associated with Trent Kalamack.
     When Edden won't let her investigate Trent, Rachel takes her anger out in a sparring session with Ivy. Things get out of control when Ivy starts to play on her unclaimed scar under the guise of protecting her. Rachel rejects the offer and Ivy takes it personally requiring Nick to knock her out while they run. Rachel, Nick and Jenks visit Rachel's mother's home and, while going through photo albums in a stereotypical parent way, Rachel discovers she was genetically manipulated at a summer camp Trent's father ran.
     The trio returns to the church. Rachel and Nick attempt to create a familiar bond with Rachel's fish, but things go wrong when the demon Algaliarept shows up and tries to kill them again. When she brings the fish into Anders's class the next day, Rachel discovers she didn't bind the fish; she bound Nick as her familiar! Anders is appalled and admits to failing Rachel because her father had requested it--for the safety of the other students.
     When Glenn calls to tell Rachel that Dr. Anders is dead and they have a warrant to search the Kalamack Estate Rachel tags along. She discovers a ley-line running through Trent's office and realizes he can use it narrowing the list of species he could be. Using a spell she finds the corpse of the missing witch, but nothing to indicate Anders's body. When Rachel begins to accuse Trent of murder she is evicted from the crime scene and taken off the FIB payroll.
     Trent hires Rachel to discover the real murderer, knowing she'd find him on her own. The clues lead to Piscary who admits to summoning Algaliarept to kill both Rachel and Trent, and any ley-line witches working for Trent. The demon returns and Rachel barely survives the encounter, yet manages to get herself into a temporary lull in the threats against her.
     Rachel is persistent and while she questions her values as she is pushed into steadily grayer and grayer situations she fights to remain who she always has been. Her foray into ley-line magic gives her power to protect the ones she loves, but she must still weigh the pros and cons of using magic that could easily become black. Rachel fights for justice while trying to just live her life, despite the forces fighting against her. While younger readers may enjoy the fantasy aspect of The Good, the Bad, and the Undead it is more appropriate for older teen and adult readers.

Dead Witch Walking

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison, 2004 Harper Voyager

      Rachel Morgan is a runner for Inderland Security--the I.S. for short--hunting down and arresting the bad guys. But when she decides to get out and start her own firm, the I.S. is not pleased. Rachel's vampire partner, Ivy, and pixy backup, Jenks, follow her and the trio become partners in Vampiric Charms. But in the midst of the changes, the I.S. puts out a contract for Rachel and the demon Algaliarept begins chasing her down.
   Rachel and Ivy move into an old church, renting it from Piscary, the city's master vampire. To thwart her death threat, Rachel moves to take down Trent Kalamack and his illegal Brimstone trade. Trent is a powerful inderlander, holding a seat on Cincinnati's city council but of indeterminate origins, and when he catches Rachel sneaking into his compound as a mink he captures her and forces her to fight in the underground rat fights.
     Before she ends up in the fights, Trent keeps Rachel in his office where she slowly starves herself (she doesn't want to eat poisons or something that will affect her magic) until Trent's new secretary feeds her carrots from her own lunch. Rachel learns about the inner workings of Trent's compound and discovers other, more unsavory business dealings than just illegal Brimstone.
     Rachel is even more determined to escape the rat fights and take Trent down. She discovers the reigning champion is another human-turned-rodent and together they arrange to escape. But even she realizes that she'll need stronger magic to complete the task. She considers black magic and the rat, a human named Nick, helps her get into the restricted books at the local university.
     Just as Rachel and Nick find a book that might be helpful Algaliarept appears to kill Rachel. Nick manages to command him to return both of them to the church where Jenks' wife Matalina and Keasley, the mysterious witch across the street, patch Rachel up. Ivy goes to the Federal Inderland Bureau (the F.I.B. is the human-run equivalent of the I.S.) trying to get Captain Edden to go after Trent.  Edden cannot touch Trent, but Rachel makes another foray into his compound and finds security that prevents Trent from killing her. Trent is unhappy that his attempts at damage control fail and continues trying to get Rachel under his control.
     Rachel Morgan has her own ideas about how the world should work; though she plays within the rules she gets results the "good guys" can't always get. Her tenacity and independence are remarkable, yet they are what also pushes her into the vat of trouble she inevitably finds. Rachel is a strong woman living in a difficult world and surviving. Mature readers will be able to understand more of the gray reasoning behind some of Rachel's exploits, and some content is more suitable for older readers
.

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein, 1954 George Allen & Unwin

     Several decades after his mysterious and strange Uncle Bilbo returns from his journey to the Lonely Mountain Frodo Baggins is marked by Gandalf the Grey for another quest. This one is to escort the Ring Bilbo lifted from the creature in the goblin's cave to the fires of Mordor. The journey is an overarching plot through the separate books: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
     On his eleventy-first birthday, Bilbo disappears on an extended holiday, leaving his heir Frodo with the One Ring that he tricked out of Gollum in The Hobbit. Seventeen years later Gandalf returns and reveals the history of the ring: the Dark Lord Sauron forged it to subdue Middle Earth, but he was defeated in the Last War of Alliance by Gil-galad the Elven king and Elendil High King of Gondor and Arnor. Isildur, son of Elendil, kept the ring rather than destroy it and after much bloodshed it reached Smeagol. Smeagol carried the ring for centuries and became Gollum, from whom Bilbo obtained it and passed it to Frodo. Sauron has returned to Mordor and is searching for his ring to help him rule the world.
     Gandalf suggests the Shire is no longer the safe place for the ring and sends Frodo away. He and his companions, Samwise (Sam) Gamgee, Meriadoc (Merry) Brandybuck, and Peregrin (Pippin) Took prepare to leave the Shire, but Gandalf is called away and they decide to leave without him. The group is pursued by black-clad riders, Nazgul or Ringwraiths who are the servants of the Dark Lord, once great kings themselves. Frodo and his companions evade the Ringwraiths through the help of elves and several hobbits of the Shire. They travel to Bree and meet Strider, a Ranger and companion of Gandalf who will guide them to the Elven Rivendell.
     The companions reach Weathertop, where they are attacked by the Wraiths. Frodo is stabbed by their captain before Strider can drive them away with torches, but a part of the blade remains in the wound and he becomes more and more ill as they venture further toward Rivendell. Strider tells the company that unless they can treat the wound, Frodo will become a wraith himself.
     The group is met by Glorfindel, an Elven Lord and helps them reach the River Bruinen near Rivendell, but all nine of the Wraiths ambush them at the ford. Glorfindel and his horse outrace the nine with Frodo, and as they cross the river to safety a flood controlled by Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, sweeps them downstream.
     When Frodo awakens, he rests in the house of Elrond, has been healed by the Elven Lord, and Bilbo is waiting to see him. Frodo meets several strange, yet interesting, characters including Legolas, Prince of the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood, Gloin who joined Bilbo on his journey to the Lonely Mountain, and Boromir the son of the Steward of Gondor.
     Elrond calls together the Council of Elrond where the gathered travelers share their news. Gloin tells of the dwarves' attempts to find their lost homeland the kingdom of Moria, Balin and his expedition have not been heard from in years. Boromir reveals a dream both he and his brother, Foromir, had sending them to find "the Sword that Was Broken" and "Isildur's Bane" in Rivendell. Elrond has Frodo bring forth the ring, and labels it Isilidur's Bane.  Strider is revealed as Aragorn, the heir of Isildur, True King of Gondor and wielder of the Sword that Was Broken. Gandalf reveals he has been to see Saruman, the chief of Wizards, for advice, but Saruman turned against them and locked Gandalf in his tower Orthanc until he escaped. Saruman is not in Sauron's service and musters his own force of orcs to find the ring and master Middle Earth.
     The Council of Elrond concocts a plan to cast the ring into the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor--the fires from which it was fashioned--to destroy the ring and end Sauron's powers. Boromir argues that the ring be used to fight Sauron, but Elrond explains the ring's inherent evil cannot be turned for good.
     Frodo volunteers for the mission and is chosen as ring-bearer. He is joined by eight companions called the Fellowship of the Ring: Boromir and Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf, Gimli son of Gloin, and the three hobbits Sam, Merry, and Pippin. Their journey south is foiled by heavy snows in the Misty Mountains, then by Wargs on the hunt for the ring in the West. They must travel under the mountains through the mines of Moria, where they discover Balin and his band have been killed by Orcs and other creatures who then attack the Company. During the ensuing battle Gandalf and the Balrog of Morgoth fall into the abyss of the mines.
     The rest of the troupe escape to the forest of Lothlorien. There they meet Galadriel and Celeborn and they gift the Company with goods that will prove to be useful in their later journeying. As they leave the forest and the elves, Frodo attempts to plan the remainder of their journey, but it attacked by Boromir who hopes to get the ring and use it to save Gondor. Frodo escapes, but while the rest of the Company searches for him he decides to travel to Mordor by himself. Sam insists on following him and the Company is broken.
     The first book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is the beginning of the journey: Frodo learns to embrace the adventurous spirit his uncle Bilbo also held on to, he goes through trials and tribulations, but comes out the other end. Relationships are built and devolve under the power of the ring, and each character's base nature comes out with the temptation of ultimate power that comes to the ring's bearer. It is a chronicle of the battle between good and evil, and those who get caught along the way.
     The Fellowship of the Ring is more thoroughly enjoyed by an older audience, high school or older, who may catch the nuances of the story. There is significant violence and some suspense sprinkled through the tale; it pushes the story and the characters to their end.

The Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein, 1937 Allen & Unwin Publishers

     Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, not one of those hobbits that goes off and has adventures like the Tooks, even if he is a Took on his mother's side, but a respectable hobbit who keeps a respectable table and lives a respectable life in the Shire. At least he is until Gandalf the wizard arrives on his doorstep with a gaggle of dwarves and an adventure in search of a mountain, a dragon, and a treasure.
     The dwarves have had their mountain home, the Lonely Mountain, stolen from them by the dragon Smaug. An ancient prophecy's clues are coming true and the final object they need to collect is a "burglar" who they find in Bilbo. The group sets out, Gandalf, the dwarves, and Bilbo, traveling on ponies to find a way to read their map.
     The journey sends the travelers across the Misty Mountains toward  the city of the elves, but the troupe is waylaid by trolls. Through Bilbo's trickery, they survive and continue on their way. They enter the goblins' lands where Bilbo is separated from the rest of his group, answers a series of riddles for Gollum, and finds the One Ring (though he does not yet know what it is). His reputation is much improved when he rejoins the dwarves in one piece.
     Gandalf calls to an eyrie of Eagles when the goblins and strange, wolf-like wargs take chase. The fellowship takes refuge for a short time, but continue on their way through Murkwood where they encounter giant spiders. Bilbo saves them, only for the group to be captured by wood-elves and Bilbo must save them again. They escape downriver and make their way to Lake-town.
     In Lake-town the humans hope to be rescued from Smaug when the dwarves fulfill the prophecy. They aid the travelers in their quest as best they can. Gandalf's map helps Bilbo, Thorin, and the rest of the dwarves find the secret door. Bilbo is sent in and maps the plan of attack. In addition to finding the chink in Smaug's armor, Bilbo brings back a golden cup from the hoard sparking the dragon's vengeance on Lake-town. Through a twist of gossip, the town's defender and the King of the Dale's heir, Bard, manages to kill the dragon and the dwarves take back their ancient home.
     But the story is not over there. When the elves and humans demand compensation for their aid, Thorin Oakenshield, now king, refuses them and war becomes immanent. When Bilbo finds the Arkenstone (the heart of the mountain and dwarves' greatest treasure) he hands it over to the elves' leader in hopes of preventing the war, but Thorin banishes the hobbit and war becomes inevitable. Gandalf arrives with the news that an army of goblins and wargs is headed their way. The fighting races band together to fight their common enemy, and the Battle of Five Armies commences.
     The humanoids appear to be losing until the timely arrival the Eagles and Beorn, a shape-shifting bear-man, turn the tide. In the battle, Thorin is fatally injured, but reconciles with Bilbo before his death. The people of Lake-town rebuild, and the travelers are rewarded. Bilbo takes only a small portion of his reward, but still returns home a very wealthy hobbit.
     Bilbo's story encourages readers to look beyond what they believe is possible for themselves, to strive to be the best person they may be. Bilbo doesn't believe in himself, doesn't even join the journey until his honor is questioned and he demands that he can do what they expect of him, but after he has joined the troupe, it is Bilbo who saves them repeatedly from the dangers they face, not Gandalf (though he helps), not Thorin (he gets them into some of the scrapes): it is Bilbo Baggins of Bag End who is not one of those hobbits that goes off on adventures who saves the day.
     For this reason Tolkein's prequel to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy becomes a classic, just as the trilogy itself does. The story may not be appropriate for readers under the age of 10-years-old, and with each re-telling, older readers clean a new satisfaction from the familiar tale.

Wildwood Dancing

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, 2007 Macmillan

     If you weave together the Twelve Dancing Princesses, a Transylvanian Baba Yaga, vampires, and the Frog Prince what do you get? You get the tale of five sisters learning to take their place in a superstitious male-centric world.
     Jena is the second of her five sisters; Tatiana is the eldest and the pretty one, Paula is the scholarly one, Iulia is the passionate thirteen-year-old, and Stela is the tender-hearted five-year-old. Jena, as the sensible one, is put in charge of her father's affairs when he goes south for his health. The girls are getting by, continuing their monthly trips into the Other Kingdom to dance at the fairy court, but things begin to go downhill when the Night People appear in the Fairies' Enchanted Glade.
     Suddenly all the rules that've governed the girls interactions with the Other Kingdom no longer seem effective. Tati falls in love and begins to waste away, Jena is drawn to the leader of the Night People, yet is held back and grounded by her constant companion Gogu.
     Gogu is a frog Jena found in the forest after a traumatic incident with her cousins as a child. For nine years Jena and Gogu have been best friends, each the other's confidant with Jena the only one who can hear his thoughts. As things begin to change, so does their relationship. When Jena's cousin Cesar has taken over her responsibilities and locked the sisters in their home, things take a turn for the worse--Gogu turns into a human. Jena doesn't know if she can trust this new version of her friend.
     This is a story of Faith and Loyalty, Truth and Trust. The choices before Jena are difficult, but if she could just have faith and trust in the truths and friendships around her, the rewards will bring a lifetime of happiness. Along the way Jena experiences the ardor of her cousin's unwanted attentions, the loss of both friends and family, and she must give up control and allow her world to change. In accepting the changes around her, Jena grows into her new-found place in a shifting world.