Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

I was impressed at the level of conflict this play had for characters new and familiar. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is both a tribute to the orginal series, and the opening act of a new story. 

My favorite character was Scorpius who lives under the shadow of Draco Malfoy's connection to the Death Eaters and Voldemort. Scorpius and Albus both live under the shadows of their fathers' pasts, but they respond to that element in very different ways. 

Albus rebels and refuses to acknowledge his father as just a person. He sees the celebrity that Harry Potter has become, and he feels he could never live up to the greatness that his father appears to have. His actions, rash and implusive, drive most of the story. Scorpius, on the other hand, has a different perspective. Instead of lashing out at his father, and allowing the cruel words to get to him, Scorpius lives his life the way he wants to. He loves to read, and he has some of the best lines of dialogue in the entire play. 

The dynamics of Albus and Scorpius's situation are the core of this play, but Harry Potter's struggle with the past is a powerful story as well. 

This book was a duet between Harry's guilt and Albus's anger. 

I found as I read this, that I could relate to both sides of the story, and it was interesting how everything came together in the end. It has a powerful message for both generations to relate to, and I think it's a good one. 

Without spoiling the story, there were times where the story seemed liked a fanfiction, but given the circumstances, perhaps it wasn't too far off. 

And one particular scene will haunt any Harry Potter fan no matter what house you've been sorted into. The symbolism of that scene speaks volumes. 

Overall, I'd give this four out of five angry flying books. 

The Night Circus

"The circus arrives without warning. 

"No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not." - The Night Circus

So begins the story of the mysterious yet intriguing Le Cirque des Rêves. 

This is a beautifully written book. Like most attractions at the circus, not all is as it seems. The circus itself is a playing field between two magicians in a deadly magical game. The lives of Celia and Marco depend on the game, and should they step out of line, or even try to change the game, they face the deadly consequences. There is no escape in a duel where only one will be left standing. Whoever wins, and whoever loses is determined by the game itself. 

The only way to review this book, is to spoil it. I will simply say that the book slowly reveals the meaning of events, attractions and additions to the mysterious circus. As Marco and Celia pull the strings, they discover that their own competition is a thread of fate tying them together, and the more they tug on it, the more drawn they are to eachother. But magic has rules, and they are not the only pieces on the chessboard. As the story unfolds, you are given a ticket to the most intriguing, beautiful place you have ever experienced, where every spectacle has a story. 

I give this book five out of five enchanted umbrellas. The ice garden tent was my favorite. 

To read this book is to step into a fairytale under a curtain of stars. 

Return to the Isle of the Lost

Mal, Ben, Carlos, Jay and Evie are back, and they have a new challenge after the events in the film Descendants. Rumors of a dragon are growing in Camelot, while the purple lizard believed to be Maleficent sits silently in a dome at Beast's Castle. Mal is supiscious that her mother is behind the weird weather and the damage that could only be caused by a dragon. Cruelly, Jafar and the Evil Queen are no where to be found. 

King Ben goes to investigate, and during his trip, a new threat appears that could be fatal for the Core four. A new club has appeared on the Isle of The Lost that appears to be against them, and threatens to bring their betrayal to an end. Now the core four must decide what they can do to face their parents, and King Ben must decide whether magic must return to keep Auradon safe from the growing threat. 

This book was very interesting, and it appears that Mal, Jay, Carlos and Evie are more accepted by Auradon, but they still hesitate to know what they want to do with their new lives. They are put to the ultimate test when they learn of the magical talismans that each of their parents have hidden, and they must choose what to do with that power. 

This book was interesting, but at times I was confused by the perspective Mal had on the Isle of the Lost and the titles of villians and heroes. Ben and Mal continue to have a healthy relationship, and each supports the other during their journeys from Auradon. More descendants of the villains are introduced and Neverland is involved as well. The novel does a good job expanding the world of the story with more kingdoms, characters and a new dynamic. The twist at the end of the novel is very clever, especially for children who may not have seen all the Disney movies, and it introduces a new challenge for the core four in terms of who they are, and who their parents want them to be. 

I'd give this book four out of five lamps. 

A Court of Mist and Fury

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I knew that Rhysand would have a much more important role in Feyre's future the moment he showed up in A Court of Thorns and Roses. The way he was described, and the way he helped her with little to no personal gain. 

What I didn't know was that he knew Feyre before he met her. 

It's interesting to see Rhysand's life and the beautiful world of the Night Court. Sarah J. Maas does a wonderful job developing Feyre's character and revealing the twist of the story. 

Feyre was given barely a choice while she lived at the Spring Court. Tamlin doesn't even consider her to be the High Lady. She is merely a consort, and her power is limited in terms of the court. 

Rhysand treats Feyre with more respect, and he truly cares for her. He always gives her the option to leave or stay, and Feyre finds a more welcoming environment at the Night court. 

The twist in this book was no surprise to me, because the author did so well dropping hints in the first book A Court of Thorns and Roses. From the begining, Feyre is drawn to Rhysand, and in this book, we learn why. Watching Feyre change from a helpless consort to a powerful queen was an incredible process. I think this book speaks volumes for teens on the meaning of a healthy relationship versus a toxic one. 

So often the male leads in teen YA are possessive and easily angry. That's taken to be "exciting" and "edgy" but in reality, it's not. It's seriously unhealthy. 

Feyre and Rhys are a team, and I belive that is really important for the young readers of today. The model of a healthy relationship really made this book for me. 

I loved it, and I give it five stars who listen. 

My favorite quote is an exchange between Feyre and Rhysand. 

"To the people who looked at the stars and wished, Rhys" - Feyre

"To the stars who listened and the dreams that are answered." - Rhysand.