The author of, most recently, Happy Endings (1991) begins a trilogy about British schoolgirls whose lives parallel familiar fairy tales. Protagonist Megan (Rapunzel) is an orphan whose schoolmistress guardian, Dorothy, satisfied Megan's mother's craving for asparagus (a stand-in for rampion/rape) before Megan's birth. With intriguing ingenuity, Geras mimics the original tale: the three girls room in a tower conveniently equipped with a workmen's scaffold that Simon, a young science instructor, climbs for trysts with Megan; Dorothy, who also entertains romantic notions about Simon, discovers the guilty pair and exiles them after crushing Simon's glasses. Geras writes with imagination and grace, following the story of ``Rapunzel'' but also having Megan narrate from a London flat where the lovers are confronting the unromantic realities of dead-end jobs—an instructive contrast to the ardent scenes in the tower. Here, too, as in the original story, the characters are schematic—Simon, especially, exists as a one-dimensional object of passion (another sly lesson). But what most holds attention is the fascinating parallel between the credible modern details and the original. Roommates Bella, whose jealous stepmother plies her with apples, and Alice, one of whose 13 aunts caused a fuss at her christening, presage the pleasures in the books to follow. (Fiction. 12+)
Pub Date: April 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-15-289627-9
Page Count: 150
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1992
Sun-loving Bella meets her demon lover in a vampire tale strongly reminiscent of Robin McKinley’s Sunshine. When Bella moves to rainy Forks, Wash., to live with her father, she just wants to fit in without drawing any attention. Unfortunately, she’s drawn the eye of aloof, gorgeous and wealthy classmate Edward. His behavior toward Bella wavers wildly between apparent distaste and seductive flirtation. Bella learns Edward’s appalling (and appealing) secret: He and his family are vampires. Though Edward nobly warns Bella away, she ignores the human boys who court her and chooses her vampiric suitor. An all-vampire baseball game in a late-night thunderstorm—an amusing gothic take on American family togetherness that balances some of the tale’s romantic excesses—draws Bella and her loved ones into terrible danger. This is far from perfect: Edward’s portrayal as monstrous tragic hero is overly Byronic, and Bella’s appeal is based on magic rather than character. Nonetheless, the portrayal of dangerous lovers hits the spot; fans of dark romance will find it hard to resist. (Fantasy. YA)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-316-16017-2
Page Count: 512
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2005
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
Gamers and nongamers alike will find much to enjoy in this sweet romance.
Two small-town Ohio teens fake a romance to make others jealous.
Riley starts her junior year sentenced to work at her father’s game store as punishment following a serious infraction involving her mother’s car. When her ex drops in, Riley impulsively pretends that co-worker and classmate Nathan is her boyfriend. Nathan is not amused, but she convinces him that the ruse will also help him win the heart of his crush, fellow D&D player Sophia. Nongamer Riley strengthens the pretense by joining his D&D campaign, and she discovers that her musical theater background lends itself well to role-playing games. Over time, it becomes harder for Riley and Nathan to discern whether each other’s romantic gestures are an act or based on something real. Riley slowly gains more appreciation for her father than spending alternate weekends at his apartment during the five years since the divorce has allowed for. Meanwhile, the school principal cancels the spring musical for budget reasons, and Riley is working on a proposal to change his mind. When a crisis strikes, Riley’s friends step up to advocate for the importance of the arts. The book’s strengths lie in its characterization: Authentic portrayals of friendships and family relationships make the story shine, and the store’s sense of community adds depth and is part of Riley’s changing perception of her father. Most main characters are white; Riley’s best friend is Japanese American.
Gamers and nongamers alike will find much to enjoy in this sweet romance. (Romance. 12-18)Pub Date: Jan. 9, 2024
ISBN: 9780593647011
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Underlined
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2023
PERSPECTIVES
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