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George, Jessica Day
11 Reviews
(4)
4-6
In this fifth and final outing with Princess Celie's family, a ship built with parts of the sentient Castle Glower sails where it wants, and a trip to find unicorns becomes more complicated than expected. Slow pacing makes it difficult to become invested in the story, but the novel has a strong sense of place, and series fans should enjoy learning more about favorite characters.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
(3)
YA
In 1897, New York debutante cousins Dacia and Lou travel to Romania and discover that they belong to a family of shapeshifters who serve the Dracula family. With the help of two young, handsome members of the Society of Saint Gabriel the Archangel, they must protect King Carol from assassination. An excellent mélange of paranormal and historical fiction for fans of both genres.
Reviewer: Barratt Miller
(4)
4-6
This third installment (Tuesdays at the Castle; Wednesdays in the Tower) finds the Castle Glower children, their pet griffin, and portions of their enchanted home transported to what they eventually learn is enemy territory. Present events do little to urge readers to keep turning pages, but devoted fans may enjoy revelations about how the animate Castle came to be.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
(3)
4-6
When the ever-burgeoning castle with a mind of its own (Tuesdays at the Castle) helps Princess Celie hide a griffin that hatches in a newly formed tower, the secret leads royal siblings to new knowledge about their magical home. The fantasy includes enough enigmas to build suspense, and the ending is an enticing setup for the inevitable Thursdays.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
(3)
4-6
Castle Glower makes its preferences known through rooms that appear or change on Tuesdays. The trustworthy building doesn't welcome Prince Khelsh, who arrives after the king and queen have disappeared, so royal siblings Celia and Rolf know they must stop his efforts to rule. A strong sibling alliance adds weight to a light tale in which "crumbs and bits of coarse sugar sprinkles" constitute ammunition.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
(3)
YA
Princess Poppy, one of George's twelve dancing sisters from Princess of the Midnight Ball, is sent to Breton. There she meets handsome Prince Christian and a mysterious--and inept--servant girl named Eleanora. The tale takes an entertaining turn as Eleanora's backstory becomes clear and a series of royal balls coaxes Poppy back onto the dance floor. An engrossing and romantic fairy-tale retelling.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(3)
YA
In this retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," Princess Rose and her younger sisters are cursed to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Unable to reveal their secret, the sisters fall ill from exhaustion. Galen, a former soldier, helps break the spell. The tale's setting, based on early-nineteenth-century Germany, is vividly realized, and the love story satisfyingly romantic.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(3)
4-6
In addition to being the best dressmaker in the land and engaged to a prince, Creel is friends with the dragon king and queen. As in Dragon Slippers and Dragon Flight, Creel is pulled into a dragon war; this time, however, she feels pressure to protect her friends and save her wedding. This magical adventure combines imaginative dragon lore with plenty of action.
Reviewer: Lauren Maggio
(3)
YA
This beautifully rendered retelling of a Norse fairy tale involves enchanted polar bears, a woodcutter's daughter who can talk to animals, and evil trolls. George's lyrical writing deftly handles exotic settings and poignant family relationships, resulting in a story of bittersweet sacrifice that's offset by flashes of humor. The protagonist is strong and courageous but humanly flawed. Bib., glos.
Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess
(3)
4-6
Picking up from Dragon Slippers, this story begins in young seamstress Creel's dress shop, where she's beginning to miss being the heroine of the Dragon War. Fortunately, because of her talents and friendship with dragons, Creel is enlisted again to help save the kingdom from destruction. Those familiar with the first book and new readers alike will enjoy this imaginative adventure.
Reviewer: Lauren Maggio
(3)
4-6
When Creel's aunt gives her to the local dragon, Creel thinks she's cooked. She manages to escape after talking the shoe-hoarding dragon into parting with his treasured blue slippers. Once free, Creel learns the slippers tether her to her kingdom's dragons. George tells Creel's story with a light touch, including unexpected, imaginative details. Headstrong Creel is a resourceful heroine.
Reviewer: Lauren Maggio
11 reviews
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