Isobelle Carmody / The Stone Key
Carmody published the first novel in her Obernewtyn series back in 1987, and returns to it with further instalments periodically. This is the fifth book in the series, with one more promised.
The series begins following the nuclear holocaust of the "Great White" where the surviving humans condemn all those different as mutants or "Misfits", and sentence them to death or to exile at "Obernewtyn", a remote mountain institution. Elspeth Gordie is sent there when her paranormal mental abilities are discovered. At Obernewtyn she finds not only dreadful experiments, but ambitious overlords who seek to use the Misfits' paranormal powers to recover the devastating secrets of nuclear war. But she also discovers others like her, and with time they overthrow their masters and free themselves to create their own society.
Now in the latest instalment, Elspeth sets out from Obernewtyn to travel to Sutrium at the end of Wintertime. However, she quickly learns that not everyone welcomes the changes brought about by the rebellion. Captured by an old and vicious enemy, she is drawn deep into the heart of the Herder Faction, where she learns of a terrible plot to destroy the west coast.
To stop it, Elspeth must risk everything, knowing that if she dies, she will never complete her quest to find the weapon machines that destroyed the Beforetime. But if she succeeds, her journey will lead her to the last of the signs left for her by the seer Kasanda.
The next compelling book in Carmody's classic fantasy series.
And only to deceive / Tasha Alexander
In Tasha Alexander's first novel, set during the late Victorian period, Emily Bromley agrees to marry Philip, Viscount Ashton, primarily to escape her overbearing mother. Philip's death while on an African hunting expedition soon after the wedding leaves Emily feeling little grief, for she barely knew him.
However Victorian etiquette demands that she spend two years mourning him, and it is towards the end of this period that she discovers that Philip had a passion for classical antiquity and had in fact donated a number of artefacts to the British Museum. In the hopes of finding out more about Philip, Emily begins to study Greek antiquities and books, and gradually discovers that there was much more to Philip than she had known.
Escaping the confines of London, Emily travels to Paris, where she forms a friendship with Cecile du Lac, an elderly Parisian widow, and comes to know several of the French Impressionist artists, including Renoir. Emily also makes the acquaintance of Colin Hargreaves and Andrew Palmer, friends of her husband, who provide her with more information about him. But the more she discovers about Philip, the more concerned she becomes as evidence starts to appear that Philip may have been involved in forgeries and suspect business dealings.
Alexander's novel is an engaging mix of Victorian romance and suspense thriller with an endearingly headstrong heroine, who is determined to live life to the fullest that she can.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane / Kate DiCamillo; Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Edward Tulane belongs to Abilene Tulane, and he is a china rabbit doll that was specially commissioned for Abilene by her grandmother. Edward is a wonderful doll that has real rabbit fur ears, a gold pocket watch and a whole wardrobe of silk clothes and hats and shoes. Abilene absolutely adores Edward, but Edward however admires only himself.
When Abilene's and her family go on a cruise Edward is taken from Abilene and ends up being thrown overboard. He falls to the bottom of the ocean, and this is where his journey really starts. Here he experiences his first emotion aside from selfishness - fear.
After spending nearly a year on the ocean floor a storm sweeps Edward into the nets of a fisherman who takes him home to his family. Here Edward starts to learn about love, but his stay with the fisherman and his wife will not be long. Next he spends years with a hobo, but again fate intervenes and Edward is tossed aside. As Edward's journey continues each different owner teaches him more about love and hope, until finally Edward has a chance to start over again from the very beginning.
DiCamillo's poignant story is enriched by the wonderful illustrations of Bagram Ibatoulline, which add character and depth to the story. This is a charming book about love, hope, and a toy rabbit's journey home.
