Shiva's Fire

This is a book review I wrote a few years ago... just thought that I'd post it anyways.

Shiva’s Fire was written by Suzanne Fisher Staples. The main character is a girl named Parvati, who lived in India. This book is about her childhood and adolescence.

Parvati was no ordinary child. When she was born, she seemed to have a strange gift, the gift of dance. The other people in Parvati’s village thought that she was strange, so they didn’t associate with her.

When she was twelve, the Guru Pazhayanur Muthu Kumara Pillai, a well-known Indian classical dance instructor, recognized that Parvati had a rare talent. He invited Parvati to study with him at his gurukulam. She would study dance, music and other things. Then she meets a boy with his own strange gifts, who turns her life upside down.

On a scale from one to ten, I would give this book ten, because of how well it explained the joys and challenges of Parvati’s life.

The Hunters Moon, by O.R. Melling

Gwen and her cousin, Findabhair, have always longed to find a way into the otherworld-- a way into Fairyland. Determined to do so, they decided to challenge the ancient fairy laws and sleep in a Sidhe-mound-- a fairy-mound. When the morning comes, Gwen finds Findabhair has disappeared: taken by the King of Faerie. Angry and worried for her cousin, Gwen sets out to get her back. But by doing this, Gwen finds herself being drawn into the mystical world of Faerie. And she also finds danger: more then just the usual tricks of the Faeries. The Hunter is stirring, and he demands a sacrifice.

This book is set in present day Ireland. It is rich with Irish lore, faeries, magic, and adventure. Gwen is a fantastic character: she is brave and kind and never gives up. You also run into a ton of other amazing characters: Mattie, a business-man who, against all odds, still believes in fairies: Dara, a young teen-aged boy who is actually the king of a small Island: (only the faeries recognise his kingship) and Finvarra, the dark, mysterious King of the Faeries.
If you love Irish lore, faeries, adventure, or just a good read, this books for you!

Child of the Dark Prophecy, by T.A. Barron

(First in The Great Tree of Avalon series).

Avalon. Stories of that world has been floating around our own for time out of mind. Now, Barron has brought it to life again as a great tree, a tree so big that it's branches hold the stars and it's seven roots are realms that are home to countless numbers of beings, both mortal and immortal. But now, the Great Tree is in terrible danger, and it's up to 3 very unlikely heroes to save it. Elli, a priestess, Tamwyn, a wilderness guide, and Scree, an eagleman, must test their strength to the limits if the have any chance at saving the world they love.

This is the kind of book that makes you want to rush out and get the next one as soon as you finish! Barron's writing makes Avalon come alive: I could almost see the great trees of Woodroot, the hot, flaming landscape of Fireroot, and the impossibly muddy plains of Mudroot. The characters are all so unique and different: many times I wished I could actually meet them in person! But I guess I will have to be content with reading about their adventures.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I think I'd give it 10. It's a book that I think adults would enjoy as well.
Sequle: Shadow on the Stars.

Fall of a Kingdom, by Hilari Bell.

Sorry about the wait. This one was harder to write then the first.

The country of Farsala has never been conquered. Its nobles have beaten all who cared to try. But now, a new army has come calling: the Hrum. And they have conquered half the known world...
Soraya, a young noble lady, is sure the Hrum will be beaten. Jiaan, a half noble, is not so sure. Kavi, a commoner, just wants to stay alive. Their stories are linked with the fate of Farsala.

When I first started reading this book, I thought that something was missing. Now I think it’s the way it’s written. But then I saw that the story is truly amazing.
The story is told alternately by Soraya, Jiaan, and Kavi. This gave three unique perspectives on the same story, which was really neat. I also liked how it deals with their feelings: it explained why they did things, and how they felt doing those things. These descriptions made them feel like real people to me.
On the whole, I really enjoyed this book, and recommend it!
Sequel: Rise of a Hero.

Trickster’s Choice, by Tamora Pierce.

I did promise book reviews!

Trickster's Choice is an amazing book. It’s about Aly, a 16-year-old girl who wants to be a spy. But her Dad, a spymaster, wont let her. Her chance comes unexpectedly when she is captured by pirates and is sold in the Copper Isle as a slave. Through a series of rather odd events, she starts spying for the natives of the Isle, the raka, who are at long last rebelling against their old oppressors, the luarin.

I really admire Aly. She is strong, brave, funny, loyal and determined. She is someone who you could trust with your life. She is not perfect, and sometimes makes mistakes, but that just makes her more real. I really like the writing style of this book. I also like how the book deals with her internal struggles as well as her external ones.
Will Aly survive? Will the raka win their rebellion? Read the book to find out, for goodness sake! :D
Sequel: Trickster’s Queen