Librarian Book Review: Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Summary:
It happened just like the movie/book said. Dorothy went to Oz and then returned to Kansas only to discover that she wanted to go back to Oz. When she went back, however, something had changed. Dorothy had changed and she was no longer the sweet girl we know her as--she was a magic hungry tyrant. ​Amy Gumm is transported to Oz where she finds a world unlike the one in the story. This world has been slowly destroyed by Dorothy and her desperate desire for more magic. Amy is recruited into the Order of the Wicked with the directive that she is to stop Dorothy's tyranny by any means necessary.

Review:
I love twisted fairy tales, and it was interesting to see how the author would twist this story. She takes Dorothy from the sweet girl from Kansas and turns her into a tyrant. Everyone is afraid of Dorothy and the evil of her minions the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion.

The story is well developed and the characters are interesting. Over and over Amy is told to trust no one, but when you need to trust someone who can you trust. This novel is fast paced and action packed. Amy is constantly stumbling into one deadly situation after another while trying to get her footing in this unusual land. The book is definitely a lead in for the other books in the series. You don't get the a solid conclusion in this novel and much is left up in the air.

Overall:
Overall, this is a fast paced action packed novel for those who love twisted fairy tales. This novel will take you back to Oz--a much more dangerous place than ever before.​

Cautions for Sensitive Readers:
Sex: Some kissing
Language: Mild
Drugs/Alcohol: There might be some drinking at a party.
Violence: Some graphic violence and gore.

Librarian Book Review: Black Dove White Raven by Elizabeth Wein

Summary:
Two teens, children of mothers who were stunt pilots, grow up together as brother and sister even though one is black and the other white. In order to escape the discrimination in the United States, they move to Ethiopia with their mother where they can be treated as equals. There they find themselves at home in the beautiful country, but when the Italians decide to invade Ethiopia, they find themselves in the middle of a war.​

Review:
I love historical fiction, as you can often learn so much about the time period and events taking place in that time. This book is no exception. Prior to reading this book I knew little about Ethiopian history or about their conflict with the Italians, but Wein does a great job with the history in her story. The book even provides an author's note at the end where she provides more details about what was going on. The characters in this novel were very believable and likable. You wish for them to succeed. ​

Cautions for Sensitive Readers:
Sex: None
Drugs/Alcohol: None
Language: None
Violence: Some and some description of the effects of mustard gas.

Librarian Book Review: Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

Summary:
After her father is killed in a fire and she kills a man who attempts to rape her, Chinese American Sammy escapes with the help of Annamae who is a runaway slave. Both girls know that the punishment if they are caught will be death. Together they head west along the Oregon Trail, hoping to find Annamae's brother and Sammy's father's business partner so they can start a new life. Along they way they fall in with a group of young cowboys, who help them survive the dangers of the trail.​

Review:
There aren't many young adult westerns written, so I was very excited to find this one. There have been two other young adult westerns written in the last year (Vengeance Road  by Erin Bowman and Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson), so I am hoping this is a new trend in young adult publishing. This book tells the story of a Chinese American girl who is on the run with a runaway slave after she kills a man who attempts to rape her. Sammy is a likable character and her history and background are well developed. She is a real person, but so often people judge her by the color of her skin. The story is fast paced from the very beginning when Sammy kills the man and doesn't stop moving until the very end.

Overall:
This was one of those books where I finished and I wanted more--it was just so much fun to read. The story has action, adventure, danger, and romance--a great combination.​

Cautions for Sensitive Readers:
Sex: attempted rape
Drugs/Alcohol: some hard cider and other drinks are present in the novel
Language: mild
Violence: yes

Librarian Book Review: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Summary:
Meira is one of the few free Winterians left after her kingdom was captured when she was a baby 16 years ago. She longs to fight to free the captive people of Winter and to restore their prince to the throne. In a world ruled by magic and politics, Meira begins to realize that she is a pawn in a much larger game, and that her destiny isn't what she thought it would be.​

Review:
​Like many fantasy novels this one has a lot of world building and it takes a while for you to get used to the world Raasch has created. Meira is a fighter. She is strong, determined, and more than a little rash. She longs to prove herself, and free her people. In some ways this novel was predictable--as a saw the ending coming. Still it is a well written and entertaining fantasy for those who love books like Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. 



Cautions for Sensitive Readers:
Violence: Definitely
Sex: Vague references
Language: None
Drugs/Alcohol: Mild