The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

Title: The False Princess
Author: Eilis O'Neal
Release Date: January 25th 2011
Synopsis:

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

Review:

All it took was the first few sentences of the synopsis on the inside flap of the cover jacket of the book and i was intrigued. I wasn't sure if this was exactly my kind of genre so I was hesitant, but then i read the synopsis and I decided that it was too interesting to just pass up. The best part is that after the first few paragraphs, I discovered that this book fit perfectly into my preferences. This book was set back in the 1100's with an interesting twist: magic. The author had her main character describe it as something you don't really think about, you know it's just there, like air. You accept it as part of your life even if you can't wield it because it's just something no one can live without.
Anyway, this is one of those books that, by the first chapter, you are tied to the main character. I could easily imagine how she felt when her life was ripped away from her and given to someone else. I mean, I could easily go on a rant about it... so buckle up and enjoy the ride because here I go...
Though I see the king and queen's justification in switching their daughter with another at birth, I still see the flaw. I mean, why would you endanger the girl you are now raising just to save the life of your true daughter whom you have never met? I understand that the parents loved their true daugter so much that they wished to protect her by any means, but seriously. you are just throwing another girl into harms way like a human shield. I get the whole, she's-the-rightful-heir-to-the-throne thing, but honestly, there are better ways to handle this. Think about what you did to the girl who thought she was your daughter for 16 years. You took away the life that was all she knew, one of politics and no hard labor, and threw her into a life where she knows nothing. And your actual daughter... well, she grew up getting treated as an orphaned noble and when she was told that she wasn't who she thought she was, she wasn't thrown out onto the curb. Nope. She was given a palace to live inside, parents she never knew about and a place to call home. But the stand in princess has a deadbeat mother, a literally dead father and an aunt who despises her.
Yep. all the justice in the world.
Okay. Now that that is off my chest, i'm moving on.
This novel was actual really good and beyond interesting. It has more twists in it's plot than a curly fry. And they are seriously unexpected. I wont go into too much detail because that is for you all to uncover on your own.
Now, unlike my usual review i am not going to go into depth on a large array of characters. i'll ust give you two that are vital to the story and that i can talk about without giving away anything.
Sinda is the stand in princess (and main character) who's only purpose was to die for the actual princess...to live her life until the foreseen murderers came at her. Only, they didn't. So she was tossed out to live a life she was unprepared for. You see, Sinda is nice and polite and she loves to learn... her only flaw is her clumsiness and tendency to accept things even when she should be fighting against them. It seemed like she sorta knew she didn't one hundred percent belong where she was. Not that she fit in well where she was sent either. Anyway, later on in the novel you see that she has more determination then she lets on. you notice her good heart and the loyalty that lies inside it.

Kiernan... well, he's the guy in the book. You know which one i mean. The one you are cheering on just because he's freaking awesome and you think he and the main character should get together. Yep. He's that guy. Anyway, like Sinda, he is loyal unlike her, he actually is a noble. So once the revelation regarding Sinda is outed, they are, of course, expected to act like they never met and Kiernan is supposed to treat the new princess like his best friend. Being who he is, he tries... but that doesn't mean it works.
Okay, i could go on all day about Kiernan and his complete awesomeness but I wont. You all can read about him yourselves,

I'd love to go on about other characters but that would risk way too many spoilers.
All in all, the book had a wonderfully laid out ending with just the right amount of closure. The plot was all wrapped up and snug with everything working out the right way. All the events happened in a quick but fulfilling way that was not at all hasty. The author really did a great job in telling the story and filling the plot with everything it needed. Well done, Eilis O'Neal :) This book earned a solid A from this reviewer and is recommend it to all readers who like medieval/ renaissance ish time eras.

**PS this is my first review in a long time so bare with me here:) Hope you guys like

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney

Title: Dark Mirror

Author: M.J. Puteny

Release: March 1, 2011

Synopsis:

Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the earl and countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status.

Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if exposed, itcould strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted . . . by magic.

When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.

But Tory’s life is about to change forever. All that she’s ever known or considered important will be challenged. What lies ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of character are the only things that determine a young girl’s worth.

Review:

My feelings were very controversial toward Dark Mirror. When I first began the story, I felt like a lot of it started very abruptly. The prologue felt like it would sort of ease the reader in, but then when the first chapter came along, if was like plunging into ice-cold water. You jump out dazed. In my opinion, a lot of things could have been explained a bit more. Like the days it was supposed to take for Tory to ride to Lackland Abbey, felt like three sentences... because it was. There are a few more moments like this in the beginning, but i think it gets better as the book goes on. What really tired me was how the way the characters spoke in 1803 seemed forced and unnatural. But maybe it's just me.
Anyway, it has always amazed me how an author could take history and manipulate it into a story that fits into history like a missing puzzle piece. Since I am a complete history nerd, I can really appreciate the fact that the author could incorporate it into the book really well. It makes me wonder if she did a bunch of research on WWII and Napoleon Bonaparte and the French Revolution, or if she just knew enough to write a story in those time periods. Either way it was cool because every time she mentioned it I thought, "Oh hey! I learned that in World History!" and then, of course,  start thinking of a bunch of stuff I learned about it. Whoa, nerd status.
Moving on from my history infatuation...
Tory, the protagonist in Dark Mirror, is, for lack of a better word, a good character. She knows of magic and how, in her class of society, it's seen as unholy and unnatural. Imagine how she felt when she discovered that she had magic and her father sent her away for using it for good. Not cool, right? Anyway, her conflicting feelings toward what she's known her life and how magic feels now, fuel the starting of the plot of the story. Later, it warps into a more intriguing story that I won't give away.
Now, technically this is a spoiler... so beware.
The Irregulars have to be one of the most interesting things in this book. They remind me of the DA in Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix. Secret magic usage and practice. Totally awesome and forbidden.
Elspeth has to be my favorite character out of the bunch of Irregulars. Being confident, rebellious, strong and kind, she's totally awesome and that's all there is to be said because she's just that cool. ;)
Anyway, what's a book with out some sort of over dramatic diva? That's right, slightly less funny and eye-rolling worthy. Lady Cynthia of something-or-another is exactly that diva. Her character makes me sigh in exasperation every time. I won't say whether or not the course of the book changes her, you can decide that for yourself. 
Jack is the goofy friend of the bunch. He makes everyone want to laugh and slap him silly at the same time. Plus he sometimes likes to antagonize Cynthia.
Allarde is his last name and his first name is unknown to all of you who have not read the book. He is a mystery which I'll let you unfold.
There are a few more character I would like to talk about, but they are important to a bigger part of the plot and I don't want to ruin anything for all you lovely readers.
As you can tell, from my rant at the beginning to me talking about the characters, this is actually a pretty good book. Granted, the beginning really wasn't my favorite part. I won't lie, I put this book down for a while and read a few others before I finished it. But, the more I read it, the more it grew on me. I'm not saying it was my absolute favorite book, but it did eventually capture my attention. The back back half of the book is what kept me reading. 
Because of all that I've said, I think I will give Dark Mirror a C+ rating. I recommend it to anyone who like a little magical and historical aspects in their books. Actually, it's a decent read in general with a good ending so even if you are hesitant, just try it. 
Now, I'm sort of intrigued by what the author might have to bring in the next book...which is why it's literally sitting on my desk begging to be read.