The Gates of Sleep

 

The Gates of Sleep by Mercedes Lackey, 2002 DAW Books

     Hugh and Alanna Rosewood are happily married and happy to be celebrating the birth of their first child: a daughter named Marina. The two Earth Masters are surprised that their child has water-magic, but their close friend and powerful water-mage, Elizabeth Henstridge, confirms the baby will be a powerful mage. 
     Upon the child's christening, Hugh Rosewood's estranged sister surprises the family. With a thinly-veiled familial connection, Arachne invades her family home, but the schism makes Hugh and Alanna suspicious of her motives. Their fears are founded when Arachne tries to steal away the baby's powers. 
     The Rosewoods' friends, and little Marina's godparents, immediately recognize the curse but are unable to remove it. One of her godmothers' talents as a water-mage allows the Elemental Masters present to subvert Arachne's curse - putting it to sleep. Fearing Arachne will reactivate the curse Hugh and Alanna send Marina with three of her godparents to be raised in secret. 

     Even the Rosewoods have no idea their beloved daughter is raised in Cornwall with pre-Raphaelite artists. Marina loves her aunt and uncles and respects the magic they teach her, but as she nears her eighteenth birthday and the looming deadline of the curse her education in water magic requires additional support. Her fourth godparent--a respected lady--comes to Cornwall under the pretense of research to train the young mage. 

     Although her studies are incomplete Marina is forced to return to her parent's home when they die mysteriously abroad: Arachne has managed to arrange her brother's estate in order to take control of Marina's life. With her aunt and cousin managing the Rosewood heir's every move, Marina has little ability to continue her studies. Their intent becomes more clear and more sinister Marina is unable to contact her godparents and must face alone her new guardian and the curse she still doesn't understand. 

     Marina's story in The Gates of Sleep is a creative retelling of the "Sleeping Beauty" fairy tale. Set in the world of Lackey's Elemental Masters magic abounds and those who are gifted with magic are both good and evil. This story is more mature than the popular tellings of Sleeping Beauty and includes elements of Satanism and intentional harm to disadvantaged populations. 

Flunked

Flunked by Jen Calonita, 2015 Sourcebooks for Young Readers
 
     Gillian Cobbler lives with her mother, father, and five siblings in a large drafty boot. After Cinderella’s Godmother rips off the glass slipper design (made famous by the princess) all of the kingdom’s orders go her way and Gilly’s father’s shop suffers. To help feed her younger siblings Gilly begins stealing from minor royals.
     When Snow White’s dwarf squad catches Gilly for her third offence it’s off to Fairy Tale Reform School to be taught how to stop her law-breaking ways. Gilly is completely removed from her family for at least three months –and every moment away she worries for their survival.
     At FTRS Gilly meets some fellow students: a fairy locked away for using magic underage and without a license, a young man who seems to hate the royals just as much as Gilly does, and an Ogre with a predilection for jewelry. At Fairy Tale Reform School the teachers are the villains of the fairy tales. The Sea Witch teaches deportment; the Evil Queen teaches psychology and runs therapy sessions; Flora is Cinderella’s step-mother and headmistress; and the Big Bad Wolf – of Little Red Riding Hood fame – teaches history.
     Gilly finds herself making friends as she worries about her family. When the Evil Queen sends her home early, just before the Royal Ball celebrating FTRS’s fifth anniversary all of Gilly’s dreams have come true. But she can’t leave: something about the events leading up to the ball have made Gillian Cobbler suspicious and she is going to figure it out.

     Fairy Tale Reform School’s motto is “Turning villains into heroes” and Gilly, with her friends, is going to make it happen in this introduction for middle-grade readers. Similar stories include Ella Enchanted and the Pennyroyal Academy series.

The Serpent's Shadow

The Serpent's Shadow by Mercedes Lackey, 2001 DAW Books

     England is monumentally different than India and Maya Witherspoon finds it both a blessing and a challenge when she flees her mother's homeland for her father's. Something is chasing the young woman and her Indian household across continents. Maya hopes that hiding among the working poor in London will keep her hidden from the unknown pursuer. 

     Peter Scott is an Elemental Master of Water. His club is a center for the men who protect England from magical threats. He is assigned to find the new and mysterious source of Earth Magic in the depths of London. He discovers the female doctor and her entourage hiding behind a unique shield set by an obvious novice. Peter and his fellow masters are surprised by the shield itself, but the stodgy old men have no inclination to help Maya learn how to manage her power. 

     Better to ask forgiveness than permission--Peter takes it upon himself to teach Maya the basics of western magic and the mastery of Elements. She is powerful but faces opposition at every step as she pursues her goal to be independent and help those who otherwise wouldn't be helped, and to create a home for her little family. It is Peter and his connections who support her and her dream when Maya discovers who and what have been hunting her. 

     The Serpent's Shadow sets a modern young woman in Edwardian England. Her race, gender, and professional occupation are all challenges to the status quo and Maya's passion for helping others earns her just as many friends as her vocation earns enemies. Magic cannot solve all of her problems or grant her wishes, yet Maya knows it will help her as a doctor. 

     Lackey creates a complex mirror of Edwardian England enriched with regional magics as elaborate as the cultures across the world. This is the first of an extensive series exploring retellings of classic stories. 

The Merchant's Daughter

The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson, 2011 Zondervan

     The youngest daughter of a rich merchant is expected to make an advantageous match or enter a convent in medieval England. Annabel Chapman is no exception--dreaming of entering a convent where she can avoid the lurking Bailiff Tom atte Water and study the Bible--until her father's ships sink and her father is killed by a nation-wide pestilence. Poor and fatherless, Annabel is not a preferred candidate for the convent. 
     Three years after her father's death the lord of the manse, the elder Lord leWyse dies and her family's fortunes shift again. Her mother and older brothers refused to do their fair share of the work or pay the censum - a fee in place of their work. The local jury rules that the Chapmans will immediately do their share and pay the three years' censum owed. When their penury cannot allow them to pay, the jury's alternate punishment is for a member of the family to serve their new lord for three years. 
     Lord Ranulf leWyse is considered a beast: he is cruel-tempered, scarred, and his changes are abrupt. Though his goal is to make life better for his villeins, change is difficult. Though ensuring the baker doesn't steal grain or the butcher doesn't overcharge for meat creates animosity with those who take advantage of their power, it ultimately is for the betterment of the community as a whole. Annabel's older brothers and mother cannot pay the past-due censum and refuse to be indentured to the new lord, so she takes matters into her own hands and goes to the manor. 
     Despite his reputation as a difficult master, life under the roof of Lord leWyse seems to be a better deal than the life her brothers have planned for Annabel. They plan to marry her off to Tom atte Water in exchange for the censum payment - what they don't realize is that Tom has worded the agreement to his benefit. At the manse, Annabel learns how to work for her new lord and develops a fragile friendship with him. Her dream to join a convent and study the Bible looks like it could become more than just a dream. Ranulf provides a copy of the holy writ when their local priest refuses to teach the girl--insisting women are temptation and evil. The lord disagrees and doesn't stop at allowing Annabel to read the book, but also discusses theology with her leading to a deeper relationship. 
     Ranulf leWyse is intrigued by the young woman who is afraid of something she cannot, or will not, reveal. He is an honorable man and believes - insists that the people of his domain are treated fairly and with respect. His insistence leads to dissatisfied members of the community who challenge his rule. 
     Annabel and Ranulf are attracted to each other, however, their beliefs about their individual roles in the community, and society in general, prevent any relationship between them. It takes courage for the pair to put to rest the discord in the community and to maintain their separation from each other. 
     Ranulf and Annabel are unrelated to the characters of the first Hagenheim story, becoming interwoven with their story as the series continues. Set in the era of the Holy Roman Empire the characters' Christian faith is a key theme especially how it directs their actions. The Merchant's Daughter is a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale with elements of the Cinderella story thrown in. Teen and young adult readers who enjoyed The Healer's Apprentice will enjoy the second tale set in Dickerson's Hagenheim. 

The Beautiful Pretender

The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson, 2016 Thomas Nelson Publishing

     The King had separated Thornbeck and Plimmwald from the duchy of Geitbart because the Duke had chosen to marry against his liege's wishes. Avelina Klien is the maidservant to the Earl of Plimmwald's daughter, Dorothea. When Dorothea flees to be with her lover, one of her father's knights, Avelina discovers just how far the earl will go to try and protect his people: he commands Avelina to take Dorothea's place in the bride-quest the king has commanded of Thornebck's margrave. 

     Avelina is terrified the margrave will discover her deception and that the grumpy lord will punish her for trying to protect her people and provide for her family. Her instructions are simple: fly under the radar while ensuring the margrave doesn't marry the Duke of Geibart's daughter. Her reward is the funding to support her family and a dowry to marry the man of her choice. 

     Reinhart Stolten, the margrave in question, is not pleased the king is requiring that he marry one of ten young ladies from a list. He begs time from the king to choose one, but to get to know all of the ladies in the timeframe allowed. With help from Odette and Jorgen, the steward and his wife, Reinhart sets up a two-week house party to get some measure of the young women--without telling them why. 

     There are more deceptions and secrets about than any of the major players are aware of: Avelina struggles to keep her identity secret from Reinhart and her new friends, Magdalen and Odette. The duke fo Geibart's daughter is plotting something, but what it is no one knows until it may be too late. Avelina's identity is discovered placing her life in danger, but can she convince the margrave that she meant no harm? Geibart's plans may prove their concerns premature as Reinhart and Avelina battle for their lives. 

     Avelina has fallen for the one man she cannot have and her deception discovers the margrave has fallen for her straightforward charm -- despite her attempts to bring Magdelen to the center of his notice. 

     Beauty and the Beast meets the Princess and the Pea in this tale of secrets and surprise. Dickerson weaves historical romance into Christian fiction that readers of all ages will enjoy--some suspense and violence will limit younger readers. 

Conceal, Don't Feel

Conceal, Don't Feel by Jen Calonita, 2019 Disney-Hyperion

     Arendale's Princess Elsa has magic--she can create ice and snow out of thin air. She and her younger sister, Anna, love to play with Elsa's magic, but when Elsa accidentally hits Anna with a blast of her magic something goes wrong.
     Their parents take the two princesses to the trolls on the Great Mountain. Grandpappy Troll reveals that the accident could result in Anna's death if they cannot remove the magic. Grandpappy proposes to remove all memory of magic--but Elsa cannot stand the thought of losing the joy Anna finds in her gift.
     Elsa's interference has catastrophic consequences for the sisters: If Anna and Elsa are physically too close together the ice magic would spread to consume Anna's entire body. The king and queen must make a choice and request the trolls work a memory spell across the kingdom until a solution can be devised.
     Years later Arendale believes Elsa is an only child, heir to the throne, and an excellent successor to her father. The princess applies herself to her studies, but she is lonely. A sudden shipwreck brings Elsa to the throne far earlier than anyone expected, but at eighteen the crown Princess must have a regent and the magic of her past comes shuddering back under the stress of leadership and her new role: a magical snowman named Olaf becomes the reclusive young queen-to-be's best and only friend.
     Elsa struggles to keep her magic under control as she prepares for her looming coronation and Olaf is more audacious. When a visiting dignitary begins to court her, Elsa finds a slow, comfortable courtship until he attempts to badger Elsa and her regent to announce their betrothal. The stress causes her magic to break free and Elsa releases winter across Arendale in the heart of summer.
     Anna has grown up in a comfortable cottage at the base of the mountain. Regular visits from her adoptive mother's best friend are the highlight of Anna's memories. Both women insist Anna stay in the small village until the time is right, but the vivacious Anna dreams of opening her own bakery in the big city. The lovely court lady brings Anna stories of her family and gifts too fine for the daughter of a humble baker. Anna's most treasured moments are the stories of the crown princess Elsa. She feels an affinity for the girl and, after the loss of the king, queen, and her courtly visitor, deep sympathy for the princess.
     Elsa's sudden winter means destruction for the people outside the capital city -- summer crops are hidden beneath feet of snow and people lack basic supplies. Anna somehow knows she is meant to find the princess and help her, but she can barely walk to the barn without help. Accompanied by the handsome, but not-so-charming Kristoff and his reindeer friend, Sven, Anna sets off to find the princess and the secrets she hides.
     What if Elsa's fear of her own magic and losing her beloved sister caused the spell to save Anna to curse both girls to be separated their entire lives? This take on the blockbuster Disney story is a vivid re-imagining of two sisters struggling to find themselves and finding each other. Conceal, Don't Feel is written at a middle- to high-school level and readers will enjoy this Twisted Tale.

Crimson Bound

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge, 2015 Balzer + Bray

     Rachelle trained with her aunt to become the village's woodwife--to protect people from the Forest and the evil Forestborn. But Rachelle also dreamed of adventure and when a chance encounter with a Forestborn leads to her being marked as blood-bound--fated to kill or die within three days--she cannot help but murder to survive.
     Her will to live is stronger than her willingness to give up all she knows and Rachelle discovers the Foresborn will not allow her to fight that survival instinct. He brutally mutilates her aunt causing Rachelle to end her suffering. The mercy killing sets Rachelle on the path to become Forestborn herself. The fifteen-year-old escapes to the king's city and becomes one of his guards to survive.
     Rachelle becomes one of the king's best fighters. Her sworn duty is to protect the citizens from the Forestborn. But along the journey, a single crimson thread ties her to the Foresborn who marked her. The young woman doesn't know what it means or how to escape it, but no one else seems to be able to perceive this ever-present leash.
     In the course of her duties, Rachelle catches the notice of the king and is assigned to protect his son Armand. A revolution seems to be building around the young man though he doesn't seem to want to be a part of it. Armand enjoys poking fun at Rachelle and her hesitance to do anything which may offend the upright sensibilities of those who raised her. 

     The Forestborn returns to bring about the end of the world. The king and his overzealous court are mired in their debauchery, the king's mistress leading their parties into eternal damnation. Rachelle depends on her aunt's woodwife teachings to find a way to prevent the Endless Night. 

     Both the tools to defeat the Forestborn, the Forest, and the conspiracies ruling their nation and portal into danger--the Forest--are in the sun palace. Rachelle and Armand are unlikely and untrusting allies against the end of the world. 

    Rachelle is a relatable teen character: as a young teen she has a dream, but when she is tempted, like Little Red Riding Hood, to leave the path she makes a choice which changes the rest of her life. She must live with the consequences. Hodge creates a dark story filled with shades of gray as Rachelle learns how and who to fight to achieve her dream. 

The Forest Queen

The Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell, 2018 Clarion Books

     The daughter of the House of Loughsley has always tried to do the right thing. Her older brother John is the heir: he takes advantage of his father's aging mind and his sister's upbringing to manipulate, steal, and use the people under his care. Silvie of Loughsley and her best friend Bird, Robert Falconer, escape John's bullying and increasing torture for the forest.
     John uses his sister as a pawn and when he tries to sell her off in a humiliating replay of her court debut Silvie and Bird make their temporary forest camp a permanent home. Along the way, they meet Little Jane: a girl who has been expelled from her home after being found pregnant. Jane cannot imagine a future of shame at this child forced upon her and she tries to kill herself - only to be stopped by Silvie and Bird.
     The trio becomes the basis of a revolution fighting against John of Loughsley and his bullies as they suck the life from Sylvie's home and people. Sylvie knows if she returns to John's care and submits to his demands his abuse the people dependent on the lords of Loughsley will not change. She questions herself, but with Bird's encouragement takes a stand against her brother's established authority. As John and his cohort try to stop her, Sylvie and her growing band in the forest protect the common people.
     Cornwell's Robin Hood retelling swaps the key characters' gender to tell the story of Loughsley in a new way. Jane is not the only character who faces suicide and even Sylvie faces the fear of socially inappropriate and unwanted advances. The Forest Queen incorporates the harsh realities of medieval life and power dynamics in a quick read for mature readers.

Beheld

Beheld by Alex Flinn, 2015 Harper Teen

     Kendra is a witch - ever since her family died of the plague she wandered immortal from town to town and country to country. When general opinion becomes fear of other the witch trials spread from culture to culture.
     The young woman appears as a teen, even after her entire world has aged and become history. Kendra finds herself in Salem, Massachusetts in the late 1600s. There she works as a servant for a prosperous family and meets James. Kendra and James share a worldliness which comes from age greater than their appearances -- and Kendra finds herself falling for this warlock.
     Before they can follow where their friendship and attraction might go, the young daughter of the family Kendra works for accuses her of witchcraft. Thus the Salem Witch Trials begin. Kendra is arrested and only freed through James's efforts in a Red-Riding Hood retelling.
     Though her young man is to meet her in Boston their plans fall through. Kendra worries James was a victim of the trials until she runs across him again. The witch is in Europe when she hears of James's survival. A magic mirror allows Kendra to find her young man and check in on him through the ages.
     Kendra discovers the mirror while helping a young woman ina Rumplestiltskin-like series of events. The miller's daughter uses the magic mirror to seek Kendra's aid as she chases her happy ending in feudal Germany. But Kendra loses sight of James.
     During the great wars, Kendra finds her way to England and is caught in the Blitz of London. She meets a young woman who lives out the fairytale: East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Kendra's new friend and her husband lead a lonely Kendra back to James as she helps them recover from their encounter with trolls.
     In modern time, Kendra has returned to the new world. After a stint in New York City where she helps a boy discover there's more to life than appearances, she moves to Florida where Kendra continues to pose as a teen.
     Another new high school leads Kendra to meet two friends who have always been together and have been best friends for years. In high school, Amanda begins to blossom but Christopher remains less than impressive. Kendra watches their friendship and gives a magical nudge as the Ugly Duckling plays out between the longtime friends.
     Throughout her long journey Kendra pines for her missing love, but maintains her own path and allows the mortals she's helping to carry the spotlight. Beheld is about 'otherness' and finding inner strength rather than beauty. Later middle and high school readers will enjoy Flinn's modern retells.

Lost Boy

Lost Boy by Chanda Hahn, 2017

   Peter returned Wendy to her adoptive family after she panned and forgot everything - their adventures, her family, even the nightmare of Neverland. After her third death, Wendy is terrified fo this world without memories.
     She relies on her brother John and their parents to remind her of the basics. But Wendy dreams of a green-eyed boy and flying. She meets the boy when things go seriously wrong at school and she ends up on a date with the playboy football player.
     Jeremy is insistent that Wendy go on a date with him and Wendy convinces John to double with them, along with his new friend Isabelle. At the movies, Peter shows up and things start to get freaky. First Jeremy won't respect Wendy's boundaries, then Peter and he get into it, finally when she's had enough and leaves the theater the shadows follow Wendy and kidnap Jeremy.
     Even though she doesn't like him, neither Wendy nor Peter is willing to just let Jeremy be taken to an unknown fate. Both try to rescue the football player and Wendy discovers an affinity for the shadows has its own offensive abilities.
     Neverland and Hook's Red Skulls put pressure on the Lost Boys and endanger Wendy's normal family. This pushes her back into the Lost Boys' hidey-hole where they're delighted in their rediscovered sister. When Neverland and its spies follow them home, Peter and the boys are lucky to escape with their lives.

     When Wendy is in danger of internal betrayal Peter risks his life to save her from capture. He is caught and only kept alive by the Red Skulls' technology. Peter catches a glimpse of what the lost boys will face before Hook allows one of his new recruits, Jeremy, revenge. 

     When Peter's shadow reappears Wendy knows Peter has panned again and hopes she can help the boys escape. In the second tale of Neverwood, the survivors flee and stakes grow even more dire. Readers who enjoy the traditional romance will follow the teen angst and drama of Wendy and Peter's story as they find and lose each other again. 

The Silent Songbird

The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson, 2016 Thomas Nelson Publishers

     As the king's ward and cousin, Evangeline has lived a privileged life of luxury. She sings for the king's pleasure yet dreams of a life beyond the castle walls. When Richard II betroths his cousin to his closest advisor, Lord Shively, Evangeline can no longer stand for the life laid out for her. 
     Eva and her maid run away and hide among servants returning from the king's castle. Evangeline pretends to be mute, but regrets her deception as she grows closer to Westley leWyse, who she learns isn't just the servants' leader, but the son and heir of their lord. 
    The fleeing women take positions in the le Wyse household, but it soon becomes clear that Eva has no experience with the labor expected of a servant. When Westley discovers the pretty girl can read he helps her find a place in the household. His obvious favor does not make Eva friends among the servants or the daughters of the freemen. And their growing friendship tests the boundaries of propriety. 
     Lady le Wyse is concerned her son has fallen for an unsuitable young lady despite Westley's firm insistence that the two are only friends and will never be more. Though fond of the clever young woman, the lady wants the best for her son and believes there's much more to Eva than meets the eye. 
     When news of the king's missing ward reaches the le Wyse household Eva knows she must tell the truth. Her relationship with Westley sours when he is blindsided by her identity and the nebulous anxiety about Lord Shively reveals itself as something more sinister. 

     Returning to England and the setting of her second Hagenheim story, Glynval, Dickerson weaves the expectations of medieval life with political intrigue to create this new installment of the Hagenheim series. 

Lost Girl

Lost Girl by Chanda Hahn, 2016

     At ten years old Wendy and her friends were held by the Neverland corporation. Neverland has plans for the children they've been testing on, but Wendy is terrified of the shadows she sees. The quasi-government company which runs Neverland decides to restart the program and terminates the subjects.
     Dr. Barrie manages to sneak several of the boys out, but Wendy is the only girl who escapes. As they flee the island the military unit which acts as security chases the fleeing yacht. Wendy and her best friend nearly make it out until the Red Skulls catch up. Her friend is shot and Wendy falls from the boat. The boy nearly dies but assumes the girl has died.
     Seven years later Wendy has been adopted by a good family who has tried to help with her nightmares and visions. Wendy enjoys her life until the shadows begin to invade and take people. The Red Skulls appear - but she has no memory why the group causes her terror and nightmares. The group who seems to be battling the Red Skulls and shadow monsters are let by a young man named Peter.
     Despite her inexplicable terror of mere shadows, Wendy is drawn to Peter. She discovers the young men who make up Peter's group have new and extraordinary abilities. Peter leads his Los Boys and helps them evade Neverland and the danger it still poses. The boys discover Neverland has some sinister plans and continues to search for the missing children. The shadows and Red Skulls' activity take a turn which Peter, his best friend Tink, and the rest of the Lost Boys cannot explain.
     Wendy escapes her family when they try to send her to an asylum for her escalating nightmares and visions. She meets up with the Lost Boys as they work to solve the mystery of why the shadows have changed their pattern and what the Red Skulls and Neverland have planned. In a twist, Peter discovers his new friend in Wendy is the friend he thought he lost so many years before.
     The story of Neverland and the children's escape leads to the question of how far is too far in genetic modification. Neverland experimented on the children and Dr. Barrie helped them to create identities and a haven farm from the company's manipulation of a quasi-government research facility.
     Lost Girl is the story of a young woman trying to find her place in the world, influenced but not informed by her past. Teens will enjoy this spin on the Peter Pan tale with action, adventure, magic, and a touch of romance.

Lion Heart

Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen, 2014 Bloomsbury

     After the events of Lady Thief, Scarlet is aware of her elevated parentage and has been captured by her uncle, Prince John. She is Lady Marian and has been kept from the protection of her grandmother: Eleanor of Aquitaine. King Richard was captured by the Holy Roman Emperor and all of England scrambles to raise the ransom.
     Scarlet escapes her uncle's prison only to be trapped between the expectations of her grandmother the queen and the desires of her heart and her love for Rob. She begs her friends to keep her escape from the man she loves so he will stay safe at Nottingham and away from her. While Prince John searches for Richard's wayward bastard, Scarlet is busy trying to help Eleanor raise funds for her father's ransom.
     When Scarlet's past gives her the skills to be the queen's emissary, and her present gives her the knowledge to defend herself and companions against unknown enemies, she begins to suspect Prince John has more stake in keeping his brother imprisoned than he admits. And it appears John has a plan to keep the status quo.
     Scarlet's fears are founded when Robin does learn of her freedom: the man refuses to leave her side. Robin has achieved his life's dream by surrendering Scarlet to the punishment of taking the blame when Prince John ordered her unwanted husband, Guy of Gisborne, killed. As lord and Sherrif of Nottingham Rob could lose everything again if, and when, the prince discovers his part in Scarlet's continued evasion.
     The nation cannot survive much more dissent between Prince John and those loyal to King Richard, so Scarlet decides to speed the process along. When a plot involving French mercenaries and the king's ransom comes to light the young woman hatches a plot of her own to show the true colors of all involved and bring justice to the lawless and kingless England.
     Nestled into the story of crusading England this take on the legend of Robin Hood and his Merry Men is action-packed and gives Maid Marian a new spin. Though laced with graphic violence Gaughen manages to create a tale, over the course of the trilogy, which will entrance and entertain readers who enjoy historical fiction. Lion Heart is written for older teen and young adult readers.

Belle's Song

Belle's Song by K. M. Grant, 2010 Quercus Publishing

     Belle's father is a bell founder and named after the bells he has devoted his life to. Belle' smother made their home run smoothly while Belle is absorbed by the stories in her head. When her mother dies, Belle is hopeless as a housekeeper and one of the widows in their London neighborhood moves in to care for the young woman and her father.
     She does take part in her father's work and while helping the men raise the bells, Belle is distracted and her distraction results in the large bell falling and breaking both of her father's legs. Belle's father is crippled and his work begins to fall off, but the neighborhood helps keep Belle's little family running.
     After her father's accident, Belle feels she caused the incident and she starts searching for a way to make it right. When a pilgrimage leaves from the local tavern to Canterbury, Belle decides to join and pay penance at the shrine, hoping to heal her father's injuries. Belle discovers that one of their party is the famous Chaucer.
    On their way to Canterbury Chaucer's assistant, Luke catches the pretty girls' eyes. Luke is the son of an alchemist who no longer wants to deceive audiences and is traveling to become a monk as penance. Belle is fascinated, though the squire traveling with the party seems to be just the right amount of courtly charming. Walter is a flamboyant young man on pilgrimage with his father as recompense for his sister's elopement against the church's doctrine.
     The trio become friends, though Luke is wary of becoming too attached to the pretty girl when he is meant to become a monk. When Walter and Belle appear to be more than mere friends Luke begins to distance himself from their interactions. Both Belle and Walter are concerned that their actions have pushed away the boy they're both falling for. Walter confides in Belle as they discover one of their party may be dipping into nefarious activities.
    A Catholic priest who gathers sins for the church is called the Summoner. The Summoner traveling with the pilgrimage has some sins of his own. When the Summoner blackmails Belle, she and Walter uncover a political plot against the king. They discover an unknowing Luke at the center and the pair work to untangle the knot around him.
    When her life and immortal soul are threatened by the Summoner, Belle is unsure what to do. She struggles with self-harm and an obsession with the number three. Her friendship with Walter and budding relationship with Luke driver her to challenge the Summoner and bring the nefarious plot into the open.
    Belle's Song deals with mature topics in a way younger readers may not understand including self-harm and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The tale is a retelling of Chaucer's famous Canterbury Tales with political intrigue and an unanticipated love triangle. Teen and young adult readers who enjoyed A Golden Web and In the Shadow of the Lamp will enjoy this tale.