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Apr. 18th, 2009 11:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vdanskNot much in the way of updates today; M-in-law is doing a little better, Charles is stuck there on his birthday (and I have nice presents for him!!!), and the girls and I both miss him. But I did write my review of "Fortune's Folly", and then "Highway to Hell", and then, because I was on a roll, Robin McKinley's Chalice.
Fortune’s Folly
By Deva Fagan
Fortune’s Folly is a lovely first novel, appropriate for grades 4-8, but entertaining for parents and teachers, as well. Set in a fictional world reminiscent of Renaissance Italy, this is a place where nearly everyone believes in magic…except Fortunata, the titular heroine. When circumstances force Fortunata and her widowed father to leave their home city, matters quickly go from bad to worse, and Fortunata must become “a swindler and a charlatan” if they are to survive.
With elements from many classic fairytales, Fortune’s Folly remains fresh, with a plucky and proactive heroine, despicable villains, realistically flawed protagonists, and a fast moving plot. There are issues here worthy of discussion--the line between right and wrong, the power of faith, the fact that logic cannot fully explain our lives--but they are deftly interwoven, with no heavy handed moralizing. As Fortunata struggles to find her way between two evils, she slowly comes to understand that her world is not quite what she imagined…and neither is she.
There is some violence, but nothing graphic, and no “adult situations” beyond a kiss; I would be comfortable reading this out loud to children of 8 and above (the tasteful and understated romance would probably bore very small children), and would recommend it to adults as well. The writing style is reminiscent of Patricia Wrede in her “Dragons” books, but the author has a voice all her own. I hope more books will be forthcoming.
Fortune’s Folly
By Deva Fagan
Fortune’s Folly is a lovely first novel, appropriate for grades 4-8, but entertaining for parents and teachers, as well. Set in a fictional world reminiscent of Renaissance Italy, this is a place where nearly everyone believes in magic…except Fortunata, the titular heroine. When circumstances force Fortunata and her widowed father to leave their home city, matters quickly go from bad to worse, and Fortunata must become “a swindler and a charlatan” if they are to survive.
With elements from many classic fairytales, Fortune’s Folly remains fresh, with a plucky and proactive heroine, despicable villains, realistically flawed protagonists, and a fast moving plot. There are issues here worthy of discussion--the line between right and wrong, the power of faith, the fact that logic cannot fully explain our lives--but they are deftly interwoven, with no heavy handed moralizing. As Fortunata struggles to find her way between two evils, she slowly comes to understand that her world is not quite what she imagined…and neither is she.
There is some violence, but nothing graphic, and no “adult situations” beyond a kiss; I would be comfortable reading this out loud to children of 8 and above (the tasteful and understated romance would probably bore very small children), and would recommend it to adults as well. The writing style is reminiscent of Patricia Wrede in her “Dragons” books, but the author has a voice all her own. I hope more books will be forthcoming.
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Date: 2009-04-30 07:13 am (UTC)