Four Challenges Finished!

After going through my list of books read and listing a bunch of alternatives, I am proud to announce that I have finished four challenges:

1st in a Series
Back To History
What An Animal
Young Adult

Now I get four free books:)

All the Cats of Cairo (book review)

All the Cats of Cairo, by Inda Schaenen, is the story of a young American girl experiencing all the magic and wonder of the Egyptian city of Cairo. When Maggie first arrives in this bustling city, she is amazed by the sheer number of cats living on the streets. Soon, Maggie finds that they have a strange supernatural attraction to her.

When her new cat companions lead her to find that not all is well in the busy city, Maggie knows she must take action. Egyptian businesses are kidnapping young boys who will become the work force of their factories. And they are about to bulldoze over the sacred tomb of the Egyptian cat goddess, Bastet. With her newfound friends and newfound powers, can Maggie save the boys...and Bastet's tomb... in time?

This was an amazing book that weaved animal magic and Egyptian culture into one. The plot is full of twists, turns, and dead ends, and you'll find it hard to put down! The unlikely heroine and her strange friends enrich the story with their quirky personalities. I would recommend it to anyone who likes cats, foreign cultures, or simply a good fantasy adventure.

The Princess and the Hound (book review)

The Princess and the Hound, by Mette Ivie Harrison, is the story two very different people who must marry one another despite all the barriers between them. In the kingdom of Kendel, Prince George keeps the dark secret of his forbidden animal magic. Keeping this secret eats away at him every day. In the kingdom of Sarrey, Princess Beatrice keeps an equally distressing secret...she isn't the Princess at all, but a wild hound trapped in a woman's body. These two are bound to marry for duty, but how can they when their secrets form a barrier that neither can breach?

This book is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but where the Beast is an animal trapped in the body of a woman. However, it was very different from the original fairy tale, and could almost be considered a fairy tale of its own. I liked soft-hearted George and proud, stubborn Beatrice, and I can't wait to read the sequel, The Princess and the Bear.

Outfoxing Fear (book review)

Outfoxing Fear, edited by Kathleen Ragan, is a collection of folktales about (you guessed it) fear. Anything that people have feared over the years--from ghosts and demons to vicious tigers to death and disease--you will find a folktale about in this book. There are stories of clever foxes and man-eating tigers, brave war heroes, and malicious devils. If you are looking for tales to keep you up all night reading, you've found the right book!

I definitely adored this collection of folk tales, and I will treasure it for a long time. There was a vast assortment of characters. I particularly liked the clever old woman in "What are you Most Scared Of?" who outwitted the devil that came knocking at her door.

What an Animal Challenge

Yes, I know, I shouldn't be joining another challenge, the What an Animal Reading Challenge. But I couldn't help it (especially since it involves animals). Here's my list. I managed to use a different animal for each book!

The Ravenmaster's Secret by Elvira Woodruff (Raven on cover and in title)

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (about a deer and fawn on cover)

The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison (features dog in book, has dog on cover, and dog in title)

Blackwater Creek by Deborah Kent (horse on cover, about horses)

All the Cats of Cairo by Inda Schaenen (cat on cover, cat in title, and features cats in book)

Outfoxing Fear, Edited by Kathleen Ragan (Fox in title and on cover)

Alternates:

Coyote by Catherine Reid (coyote on cover, coyote in title, and is about coyotes)

For Love of Insects by Thomas Eisner (insect of cover, insect in title, and is about insects)

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce (horse on cover)