Glimpses of Time and Magic by Ariel Paiement

Genre:  Adult, Historical Fantasy

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This anthology of fantasy stories is historical because the stories take place in different time periods.
There are nine stories and that means there is something for everyone. "Maiden of Embers" explains the explosion of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii. I have always loved the story of Pompeii. "Excal'byr" explains the beginnings of Excalibur. "In Leap of Faith a woman, wounded in the heart by a man trusts no man. It isn't until she meets a stranger and takes a leap of faith into another world that she learns about true love.  In "Rise of an Empire" we see the final battle before Rome falls. Then we travel with the remaining soldiers as they travel north to try to re-establish their empire. "Misted Love" was one of my favorites. It is the classic tale of a woman of high breeding falling in love with a man of a lower station in life. When her family's finances take a downward turn her father makes a decision to save his own wealth. He will sell his daughter to the one man she detests.  This story pretty much explains the fog of England.  I won't say too much because I don't want to give anything away.   "Paradoxeffair" is one that felt familiar but fresh at the same time. We have a young man who has run off to join the circus only to learn it isn't what he thought. No one can leave the circus until their contract is up and only if other conditions are met. Most of the people of this circus are true "freaks or have natural magic". The magician has magic that was taught and yet it was enhanced by this special circus run by an evil mermaid.  One of my favorites was "The Heart of the Phoenix King".  This is the retelling of the disappearance of the people of Roanoke. Let's just say it is full of betrayal and revenge.  "The Apprentice of Amadan Dubh" is written by an author I am very familiar with. Kandi J. Wyatt often writes stories of Dragons and other worlds.  I was extremely pleased to find something completely different and refreshing. In a small village a mage takes on an apprentice. The apprentice has always wanted to use his power for good. But, what happens when his master decides to use his magic and his apprentice's magic to get rich?  What is the line between right and wrong, good and evil?   Maybe your tastes run more toward the time period of Pirates.  In "The Heart of the Coast" a young boy whose father was responsible for the death of Blackbeard finds that his father despises him. When given the opportunity to run away to sea he does, promising his one remaining brother he will see him again. But Blackbeard's curse may have more to do with how his life changes than he ever understood.

I have truly found some new authors to check out. I have always loved anthologies because you get to sample different author's work as well as have stories with a common theme.  I would whole-heartedly recommend this book. 

The Dollar Kids by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

 Children, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

Source: I won a copy from LibraryThing

I loved this book. However, my loving this book doesn’t mean my students will. All my recommending won’t make them love it unless they can connect to it in some way. The same thing is true for adults. This is one of those books I think everyone, young and old can connect to.  A few years ago I had a student write in his journal, “Most teachers don’t understand how hard life can be. I go to bed every night wondering if a stray bullet will come through my house and kill one of us. I go to bed every night wondering if I will still have my friends when I wake up.”

That student like so many of my other students will find many things to connect with in this book. After Lowen’s friend is shot and killed Lowen goes through a period where he can’t seem to draw his comics anymore. He is going through both guilt and grief. When his parents learn of a lottery to buy a house for a dollar in an old mill town they enter and win. There are some things they must do though. They not only have to fix up the house but they have to start a business.

 While Lowen’s dad stays in Flintlock to work, his mom starts a business called Cornish Eatery. Things still are not going smooth. Like a lot of small towns, not everyone is welcoming. Some people will do anything they can to keep others from being successful.  Unless people of the town realize how much they need this new life their own livelihood will disappear. This story looks at how everyone has to change to survive. It looks at learning to move on through any situation. It is all about second chances. I wish I’d had this book back when I had this student. Maybe he would have found a way through this book to deal with what he had to deal with.  I whole heartedly recommend this book.

Sea Change by Iain Rowan

Middle Grade, Young Adult, Horror

Source:  I won a copy from LibraryThing

John knows what it’s like to be bullied. Yet he does nothing when another kid is bullied. Plagued with guilt his mother sends him to spend some time with his sister in a fishing village. Have things really changed? When he arrives and gets off the bus the first thing he sees is a boy with a snarl.  Then he meets Simon and Sal. The three become best friends. But something is seeking John out. Something needs his help. It seems to be the worst bully of all.  Will John help or will he finally stop running?

This book starts out with a bullying incident that leads to John being shipped to his sisters for a while. Then things turn creepy.  You have a small fishing town. Dark legends and tales.  What I loved about this story was the message of learning to stand on your own two feet and face your fears. The idea of standing up to bullies. The idea is that if you take revenge on the bullies then you yourself become the bully.  I also loved that John is introduced to an old man through his sister’s friend Alan who runs the local bookstore. This is where John learns about the town's legends and the evil that is there.