The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss is a wonderful adventure story of Mary Jekyll and her band of monsters, including her sister Diana Hyde, as they learn about their origins and find a home and family within each other. If you liked the concept of Disney’s Descendants, this book is right up your alley. Ever since the death of her mother, Ernestine Jekyll, Miss Mary Jekyll of 11 Park Terrace has had many changes in her life. She’s had to let go of almost all her staff, except the ever proper housekeeper, dear Mrs. Poole. She’s running low on money. Then an advertisement catches her eye – a reward for the capture of Edward Hyde, an associate of her long-dead father. Her investigation leads her not to Hyde himself, but his daughter, Diana. With the help of a certain Dr. Watson and Mr. Holmes, she continues her search and stumbles across girls who have been created through horrible experiments, Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherine Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein. Their adventures lead them to the undercover organization called the Société des Alchimistes to which all of their so-called fathers belonged to. There is intrigue, corruption, and family all wrapped up in one book. It is a must-read for those who like the classics, fairytale lovers, and anyone down for an escapade with new beginnings.
My Lady Jane: The Not Entirely True Story by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, is by far one of my favorite books, (granted I have a lot of favorite books). Lady Jane Grey is 16 and about to be wed to a total stranger, and to make matters worse his name is Gifford and he’s a horse. Ok, let me back up a little. Jane is King Edward’s, the boy king’s, favorite cousin, no, his favorite person in the entire world. Intellectual Jane has no desire for the crown, no desire for anything really except her books. She would pay you handsomely if you could guarantee her a private library and a life of solitude. Let’s paint the picture.
- Edward is dying, which is very inconvenient as he hasn’t had his first kiss yet, (his priorities are a little questionable at times)
- Edward is marrying Jane off to secure the line of succession, (to a horse)
- Gifford (call him G) is a horse by day and a person by night and Jane’s husband
Edward, Jane, and G live in a world where some humans can transform into various creatures called Eðians (eth-y-uns). Ask Jane for more information, she is quite knowledgeable on the subject. And every other subject for that matter. But marrying a horse is the least of Jane’s concerns, she’s about to be the queen of England. Believe me, you’ll want to see how this story ends. You’ll get to enjoy a sarcastic narrator, a dangerous plot, and a sprinkle of magic here and there. Now go read it! (Oh, also Edward is a bit sexist, but that works itself out).
You hate Shakespeare, but you want to familiarize yourself with the language, you love Star Wars and also like Shakespeare, or you want to see how a well-known story would be told in Shakespearean English. Ian Doescher has re-written the original trilogy of Star Wars in Shakespearean English; Verily, A New Hope; The Jedi Doth Return; and The Empire Striketh Back. These books are really really fun to read if you’re a Star Wars fan. It’s interesting to see iconic lines altered. In the past, there have been problems with books being re-told, whether it’s through books, TV shows, or movies. They usually end up not following the storyline, but these books follow the movies perfectly. It’s so accurate it could be translated line by line, and in fact, because the books are in play format, they very well might be from the script! Overall these books are very well done, and I would highly recommend them.
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