The Winner’s Curse. (The Winner’s Trilogy Bk1)

Rutkoski, Marie.  The Winner’s Curse. (The Winner’s Trilogy Bk1)  Farrar Strauss Giroux   2014  355  $18.00  ISBN 978-0-3743-8467-8 jr/sr   Science fiction   E-BN     

Krestel is a feisty heroine skilled in the military arts and weaponry but not yet a warrior.  She is a girl who would prefer to play the piano as her mother did; however, her father has other ideas.  Brought up in a military home with a general for a father, she is expected to join him in a military career, although she would prefer to have the freedom to choose her own life.

Then one day she passes by the slave auction house, and she finds herself the owner of a young man whose tribe her country has conquered.  His entry into her life and home marks the beginning of an intrigue that will leave her wondering about her choices and the direction her life should take.

This is the fast-paced first book in a series that will change things around as it moves forward into a future unknown to both hero and heroine, who hail from different stations in life, creating a clash that is sure to present itself when both will have to choose their futures.       

Summary: Krestel is the general’s daughter, and she has been groomed to take her place in the palace guards.  Her father is hoping she will serve with his guards. 

Love-Fiction, Slavery-Fiction                         --Magna Diaz

Rutkoski, Marie. The Shadow Society.

Rutkoski, Marie.  The Shadow Society.     Macmillan/Farrar Strauss      2012  408p  $17.99      978-0-3740349-059       hs      Science Fiction   VG-BN

Yet another paranormal tale of love and trust, this YA novel is notches above a lot of what is out there.  Darcy has no memory of her past and has been bounced around the foster-care system and finally found a home with Marsha in Chicago, when she meets Conn.  He enjoys art and takes several classes with Darcy.  But, as time goes on, Darcy learns who and what Conn really is, and in turn learns who she is and from where she came.  She finds out about the alternate world that she was born in, and why and how she came to be in “our” Chicago. In this suspenseful and gripping tale, Conn teaches Darcy about “Shades” and how she could be the means for resolving the divide between humans and shades in this alternate world.  The rift between humans and shades provides a literary means for the author to explore issues of race relations, as well as trust and love, and she does so in an engaging manner with a well-drawn plot. Pulling together the romance between Darcy and Conn, as well as the sci-fi component of an alternate universe, the author has created a compelling read.        

Parallel universe – Fiction                                       --Lynn Fisher    

Rutkoski, Marie. The Jewel of the Kalderash.

Rutkoski, Marie.  The Jewel of the Kalderash.   Farrar Strauss see Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, 2011.   320p.      $16.99  ISBN 978-0-374-33678-3      ms/hs VG-BNS      Fantasy    

     In the conclusion to the Kronos Chronicles, Petra rescues her father, who has become a Gray Man, and must face down Prince Rodolfo, who is close to ruling Europe.  Rutkoski offers a satisfying conclusion to the Kronos Chronicles, and deftly ties up loose ends, while creating one last (exciting, dramatic, fast-paced) adventure in the alternate Renaissance timeline. 
     Petra Kronos is determined to rescue her father, now turned into one of the monstrous Gray Men, but she will have to do it without Neel (who is dealing with issues of his own in Romany).  Petra, Astrophil (a steampunk spider who still gets all the best lines), and Tomik embark on their quest.  The trio are soon swept up in political plots and intrigue with the return of John Dee and Bohemian Prince Rodolfo who is close to becoming Emperor and ruling half of Europe.
     Although the conclusion is predictable, readers will be turning pages as quickly as they can to reach the apocalyptic  ending.  Petra’s inevitable sacrifice will leave readers wishing that she were able to find another solution. The final battle allows Petra and Neel, whose adventures follow parallel tracks, to meet and come to an understanding before the series concludes.
Subjects: 1. Magic - Fiction. 2. Kings, queens, rulers, etc. - Fiction. 3. Romanies - Fiction. 4. Fantasy. 

Hilary Welliver

 

Rutkoski, Marie. The Celestial Globe

Rutkoski, Marie The Celestial Globe
Farrar Strauss see macmillan children's pub group 2010 296 16.99 978-0374-31027-1 hs Magic-Fiction; Romanies - Fiction; Fantasy VG-BN Kronos Chronicles: Book II


Petra and her friends face Prince Rodolfo of Bohemia, who will do anything to possess the Celestial Globe, a powerful magical object. In “The Celestial Globe,” readers quickly derive the back story to “The Cabinet of Wonders,” (the first book in the Kronos Chronicles), from context. In a well-balanced mix of history and fantasy, Rukoski (who studied English Renaissance literature at Harvard) has the infamous and mysterious John Dee rescue Petra from Prince Rudolfo of Prague to provide her with sanctuary and training (for her unique psi abilities) in Elizabethan England.

Petra evolves into a more mature character under Dee’s tutelage -- and with the addition of a love-interest, her fencing master. Sparks fly between Petra’s earlier companions, Tomik (a glassmaker), and Neel (a gypsy/pirate) who team up to rescue her. Astrophil, Petra’s talking mechanical spider, is an interesting character (a well-read arachnid).

But the focus of the story is the mystery of the Celestial Globe, which is the key to portals throughout the world. The user steps across a threshold into another country, saving enormous quantities of travel time. Combined with the element of surprise and an aggressive sovereign, the Globe could also serve as a powerful weapon of war.

The characters race to decipher clues and capture the Globe. Murder, Court intrigues, spy-masters, and nefarious characters abound. Petra’s faith and trust are tested over and over. As she comes closer to solving the mystery, she wonders if there is any one she can trust?
Fantasy Welliver(3), Hilary