The Undaunted by Gerald N. Lund

This book is 802 pages long! When I got it from the library it was "daunting." I figured I had to read 5 chapters a day to get it done it time. So, I waited till the last minute like a dummy and had to go on a reading spree.

I forgot how fast the chapters go and how good an author Gerald N. Lund is. I got so caught up in the book I didn't even have to try to be on a reading spree. I was on one due to the pure joy of the story. I even learned a true fact or two along the way.

What a great courage of love, prayer, and perseverance!!!

I love his notes at the end of the chapter that helps us to know what the real facts are too. I like his take on things too. He seems to put it all on perspective.

So many things I like about this book. I love how it starts out with the coal miners. And later it is easy to see how that fits into the story. In his notes he even quoted from one of my favorite authors Susan Campbell Bartoletti. She wrote "Growing up in Coal Country."

This was a very exciting pioneer story with great characters that I really grew to love. I highly recommend reading this book.

The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry

This story is like its name…enchanting. This is a story about Lucinda. Her parents went to a ball and never came back. She lives with her uncle and very mean aunt. I think what I like most was that I didn't know where the story would lead to next. Things seem to change so quickly. I loved the male characters in the book. I grew to care for them quite a bit. I giggled quite a bit while reading this book. It is one of those precious books I wanted to read in one sitting. I even tried not to read it in one sitting but, kept coming back to it. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading it again.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

This book is a Newberry Honor Book. I love this book. It is a story about Miri. Miri lives in the mountains with her sister, Marda, and her father. The people in her village work in a quarry. Her father won’t let Miri work there. She doesn’t feel useful with her family.

Then news from royalty comes that the prince will chose someone from Mount Eskel to be the princess. An academy is started to train the girls. There are many obstacles, dreams, surprises, learning, and hardships that happen in the academy and Miri misses her family.

This is an exciting adventure. I love Miri and love the romance that goes on in the book. I highly recommend this book.

Mir, Mirror by Mette Ivie Harrison

This is a book I am really having a hard time deciding what I think about it. While I like the characters and really grew attached to them, I am nagged at the gruesomeness of some of the parts. I think it IS meant for an older audience that what the publisher recommends for sure. Mette Ivers Harrison is a great writer. She really did hold my attention throughout the book but it’s scenes from the book that make me not sure how I feel about it. The gruesome actions didn’t seem justified and I don’t think that justice was felt in the end for those gruesome parts. So, I’ll just tell you that and know that I still don’t know what to think of it.