Book Review: Cybele's Secret

A companion novel to Wildwood Dancing, this book takes place six years after the events of its predecessor and is told from the viewpoint of Paula, one of Jena's younger sisters. The scholarly Paula has been chosen to assist her father on a business trip to Istanbul to obtain a long-lost yet valuable artifact known as Cybele's Gift. Upon arrival, Paula and her father learn that one of their business associates has been killed, possibly in connection with the artifact--they aren't the only ones who want it, and apparently some bidders are prepared to pay any price to obtain it. Number one on Paula's list of suspects is the dashing pirate Duarte Aguiar, a man of ill repute in the city. Paula's father entreats her to hire a bodyguard to keep her safe during their stay, and she eventually hires a man named Stoyan. Stoyan is muscular and well-built, an excellent bodyguard. His previous employer, however, was the business associate that was murdered while Stoyan was away, so Paula questions his motives. While trying to learn whether she can trust Stoyan, Paula is invited to the house of a wealthy independant woman named Irene. It's not safe for women to walk the streets of Istanbul alone, so Paula must have an escort to get there-- either Stoyan or Irene's steward, the eunech Murat, while her father tends to business. The quest for Cybele's Gift is filled with danger, and Paula and her friends will be tested to their limits. Who can Paula trust? Who will stop at nothing to obtain the precious artifact? And why does the pirate Duarte seem so interested in Paula? The story that unfolds is interesting and exciting, but nowhere near as good as its predecessor. It's still a good story, however, and I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. [424 pages.]

Book Review: Wildwood Dancing

What would happen if a well-known fairytale were given an unexpected twist? That's exactly what happens in this amazing book, which is based on The Twelve Dancing Princesses, and is suprisingly set in...Transylvania. There's something here for everyone, but the plot remains cohesive and intriguing. There's a Beauty and the Beast element, vampires (known in this story as the Night People), and the interesting setting of the Carpathian Mountains. Jena is a strong heroine, likeable, well-imagined, and easy to relate to. She is surrounded by equally strong characters: her sisters, Tatiana, Iulia, Paula, and Stela; Gogu, her best friend; and Cezar, her disagreeable cousin, who makes a very satisfying antagonist. (Don't be daunted by the unusual names-- there's a pronounciation guide in the back of the book.) Jena and her sisters have been making regular monthly trips to the Other Kingdom by way of a secret portal, where they dance until dawn. When the Night People come to visit the Other Kingdom, Jena fears for her sister Tatiana, who seems to have fallen in love with one of them, the handsome Sorrow. Jena knows that a relationship with one of the Night People is not possible, and attempts to persuade her sister otherwise. With wise advice from her friend Gogu, Jena will have to learn the meaning of true love, and how love can come in many forms. The rich descriptions of the Other Kingdom are breathtaking and spellbinding, and overall the tale is excellent. I had to read it again immediately after finishing it, it was so good! I am rarely able to give a book this rating, but this one has earned it. 5 out of 5 stars! [400 pages.]