Book Review: Cybils Finalist, The Cabinet of Wonders

The Cabinet of Wonders starts off with a gruesome scene in the prologue, but the rest of the book is full of vim and vigor, with a determinedly bright outlook. These adjectives describe the protagonist, Petra, equally well.

Spunky, unconventional girls are all over kidlit these days. None of them think of themselves as pretty, although most of them are dropdead gorgeous and they just don't know the effect they have ton people. Many have to undertake grim tasks, risk their lives and everything they treasure to achieve a seemingly impossible goal. Many of them have boy best friends who may turn into romantic interests. These heroines act with great courage and make decisions out of classic values such as honor and justice.

So why is it that Petra's story doesn't feel trite or commonplace?

The answer comes down to a just-right combination of craft, story, heart, with some magic thrown in. Exactly what that combination is, well, that's what so many writers try to find out everyday.

Back to the book: Petra loves her father.

That fact drives the whole story. Her relationships with her pet spider, Astropil, and good friends, Tomik and Neel, are shown in great depth. Her motivations are clearly set out and easily relatable. The magic is fantastically imaginative. But it's her love for her father that pulses underneath all the actions and development of the book. That is why, when towards the end [spoiler alert] she blurts out the unthinkable "I hate you!" , my breath got caught in my throat.

Yes, when a story affects me this way, I am sold.

I do have a small number of nitpicky things with the book. I understand the reasons for each of them, but still wish somehow there are ways to solve those plot problems without the results sticking out quite so much.

[Spoiler alert again. You are under strict orders to read the following only after you've enjoyed the book!]

First off, the prologue bothered me. It didn't seem necessary to show Mikal Kronos being transported home. Starting the story with chapter 1 seems perfect. We get to meet Petra and her normal life before everything in her life turns upside down. But we need to know about the Jarek's horse, which is touched on in the prologue, so Petra can come home at the end.

Second nit-pick: when Petra started work at the castle, it seems strange that she would jeopardize her chance to stay at the castle, all because of the bad treatment--which she surely would have expected--she's received from the head cook. She's risked so much, she would have had to endure a lot more than what she did to sabotage her plans. Again, I realize she has to make her way to Iris's workshop and this was how she got there.

Third, just before Petra sees the heart of the clock, she suddenly recalls Tomik, whom she hasn't thought about for chapters. I had to stop to remember who Tomik is. Tomik is mentioned because Petra is about to unleash the spheres so we need a reminder of their existence. I wish Tomik was on her mind more often during her time in the castle, if only in the form of comparison with Neel.

These complaints, though, are very, very small.

[End: spoiler alert.]

This is an excellent book, and I highly recommend it. Go read it.

ps I typically don't read much fantasy or sci-fi, but now the folks over at the Cybils are turning me on to the genre. Hunger Games, Graceling, and now Cabinet of Wonders. Grumble, grumble. Like I don't have enough books that I already want to read? I hope you guys are happy!

AN UPDATE: As I mull over this book's prologue, Nathan Bransford is offering an agent's perspective on the subject of prologues. Check it out.

Surprise!

My focus on writing these days is on kidlit, which is why I was so surprised to find that a regular short story won first prize in a contest! It's the Pikes Peak Writers Fiction Contest: Paul Gillette Awards. Last year, my Middle Grade novel took second place in the children's category, which gave me the confidence to get more work out there. I am sure glad I did!

As a winner this year, I get to attend the Pikes Peak Conference coming up in late April for free, and I get to pitch to an agent/editor of my choice. Nathan Bransford will be there, so will Ginger Clark and Kirby Kim. Choices, choices, choices.

Last year's PPW conference was my first one. Had an interesting session reading my first page, out loud, in public, to an editor, who didn't say anything much after my reading except that she wouldn't request it if it had been submitted to her.

Nothing like being thrown in the fire right at the beginning!

But the rest of the conference went well. I met some fabulous people and had a great time in general. It's not too late to sign up!

Hope to see you there!

Who moved my line?

This past week, I've received a number of responses to my work which spark off all manner of interesting thoughts, ranging from what-if-I-change-this-scene to I-never-thought-about-it-that- way to huh,-really?

One person commented that a couple of my descriptions don't make sense. I was trying to avoid cliches and show familiar scenes in a fresh way but apparently, my efforts fall as flat as a pancake at the bottom of the stack. (Don't even bother commenting on this one.)

That got me thinking: the line the separates what works and what doesn't is not only fine, but undefined.

Unusual and fresh can easily become obscure;
universal--cliche
subtle--unclear
lively--hyper
colorful and quirky--too-clever and annoying

And don't forget one-man's-trash and beauty-lies-in-the-eyes and all the others cliches we hate but agree reluctantly.

So what are some of the areas whose boundaries are so fluid and ever-changing that give you grief when you write?

Go and be confident!

I was going to write some book reviews this week, but I've received some really good critiques of my book recently and need to revise before my enthusiasm wanes. Also, the week on hiatus seems to have recharged me and I am on a bit of a roll in my revision and definitely do not want to lose the momentum.

So instead of changing focus to write my book review, I'll leave you with the fortune I got a couple of weeks ago:

You are capable, competent, creative and careful.

Maybe this veers too closely toward Deep Thoughts territory but I see no harm in some self-affirmation.

Of course, you can always have a discussion amongst yourselves on the topic of:

Do self-affirmations actually work or are we just deluding ourselves?

or

Are alliterations annoying or affirming?

Discuss.

Harry Potter

That's who, or rather, the what: the book I haven't read till about a month ago.

And you call yourself a kidlit writer?

I know, I know. In my defense, however, it was the book I chose to bring to the hospital when I was in labor. My husband read parts of it to me before the pain got too much. So what if it was eight and a half years ago.

I figured Harry Potter had enough readers worldwide, it didn't need me. I went for the debuts and the quiet novels that didn't make it to the NY Times bestseller list: always rooting for the underdog. Also, I have this irrational reluctance to take part in any phenomenon huge enough to be known as a phenom. And you have to agree Harry is a phenom. But when the Harvard kids decided to pick on Rowling, I read her speech and was very impressed.

Anyway, I plucked Sorcerer's Stone from my TBR pile (does yours topple over?) recently and had a great time. No question, she's an excellent writer; Imagination, control over her craft, heart: she has it all. How does one not like Hagrid or Ron? Or get a rush from the Quiddich game? Or wish for a pet owl or a special cloak?

Phenom status: well deserved.

Quite a few people, all of whom women my age, have urged me to read Twilight.

Hiatus

I'll be taking a week off from the blog during Spring Break to enjoy our beautiful weather with the fam but I'll be back next week with book reviews under the categories of:

• How Could You Not Have Read It Till Now?
• Cybils Finalist
• Carl Hiassen Doesn't Disappoint
• "Oldies" from the Nineties
• Favorite Books For my Early Middle Grade Boy Reader.

See ya!

The Letter G

Over at the Drift Record, Julie Larios wrote a post on the letter "P" in which she listed things she loves that begin with the letter. She sent me "G" so I can play as well. So here is my list:

Grandma: my 95-lb hero, who woke up every morning at 5 and spent her day doing work and serving others without complaints. Her selfless attitude was never a show, but quietly lived. Mother Teresa had the world's respect, but my Popo will also have my adoration.


Grin: grinning faces, others and our own, are the best antidote to feeling blue.

[parka by Jasmic; grinning girl by mia3 mom; miilo grinning by Liz Henry]

Guffaw: and if grinning isn't enough to express your boundless joy, go right ahead and guffaw!

Ginger: great with chicken and fish, and settles an unruly stomach

[ginger, onions and garlic by vieux bandit.
All pictures found on Flickf]

Garlic: I don't know many cultures whose food doesn't include it, as seasoning or aromatic.



Microplane grater: I don't usually like tools that are super specialized. I mean, why would I need a special asparagus steamer when I can steam just about anything in my wok? And what can't I cut with my knives and cutting board? But this little tool is great for grating cheese and zesting citrus fruits without getting the bitter white bits.






Genius: where would our lives be without Mozart and Picasso and Da Vinci?








Geeks: why are smart people considered uncool just because they don't have good tastes in clothing?

Gorgeous, gargantuan and ginormous: how can I not give in to the grandiosity of these superlative adjectives?

Gentleness: a mother cradling her baby, a man stroking the hair of his beloved, a young child holding the hand of his grandmother, a teacher's voice to soothe a student's disappointment: nothing melts me as easily as tenderness shown to another.

Gratitude: feeling sorry for myself? Grumpy? Grouchy? Misunderstood? Disrespected? Giving thanks is the best way to regain perspective.

And finally Grace, which needs no description.

Feel free to add your favorite things beginning with the letter G in the comments section. And if you wish to play, I'll send you a random letter.

Poetry Friday

For Poetry Friday today, I was going to link to a short poem by Harold Shapiro over at the Writers Almanac. But when I read today's selection, I decided it has to be the one for today. Maybe it's because I've experienced the event described here many times or because my fellow writer, Cheryl, wrote about her experience in this arena recently.

The Meaning of Life
by Nancy Fitzgerald

Here is an excerpt:

You must be quick, decisive,
controlled, and if you miss
...
you must forgive
her quickly and give yourself
to scrubbing up the mess.

Excellent way to meet life head on!

The Miss Rumphius Effect is hosting the Roundup this week.