Fantasy novels often have unicorns, fairies, and dragons, and these days werewolves and vampires are very popular. Not many books though have griffins as the main characters. Rachel Neumeier’s new adventure, Lord of the Changing Winds, features amazingly original griffins.

These griffins (part eagle, part lion) are purely creatures of fire, bringing a stark red desert with them wherever they roost. Having recently been driven out of their home lands, the griffins have shifted to the green, fertile lands of Feierband without seeking either permission or forgiveness for the encroachment of their desert.

The griffins were displaced after losing battles to earth mages who can damp their fires. They were in desperate need of a fire mage who can heal. The sole remaining griffin mage finds just such a person in a young girl, Kes. She has talent that  would have made her into an earth mage, except that the griffins changed her nature to fire. Many people become outraged on Kes’ behalf, although she seems to accept her changing fate with relative equanimity.

By the time I had figured out the griffin characters (who have unwieldy names) and pieced together the basics of the story, I still wasn’t entirely invested in the story. It takes a little while to become fully absorbed. However, once the introductions and scene are established, the second half of the book provides a fast, furious story full of battles — both of might and of will.

Given the stressed political backdrop, the author has her characters ponder some fairly weighty questions. Among them: What is the appropriate use of military force to maintain a country’s integrity? What constitutes open and informed consent for making decisions? The griffins are so totally alien that basic human assumptions for interaction do not hold true. If the two aggressors have so little common ground, how can negotiations begin? Neumeier gives them a common enemy to combine forces to fight. It will be interesting to see in the next volume whether a common enemy will continue to unite such different races.

Kristen Blount – Administrative Office

Gemma Malley’s The Declaration discusses a world in which longevity drugs indefinitely sustain lives. In this alternate reality, to slow the growth of the population, childbirth has been declared illegal. “Surplus” children (those born to people who have opted out of the system and do not take the longevity drugs) are confiscated by the state, raised in “surplus halls” and trained to be domestic servants. Typically, children are confiscated when they are “smalls,” and institutionalized throughout childhood and early adolescence. The careful routine of Grange Hall is disturbed, however, when Surplus Peter is brought to the hall in his late teens. This highly unusual event is disruptive to many routines. Peter’s presence has a particular effect on Surplus Anna, causing her to test what she’s been taught and to finally draw her own conclusions about the system.

Malley’s alternate reality is very provocative, especially about the scope and responsibilities of the state. The resource crisis brought about by the burgeoning population suggests responsible environmental stewardship. Legislation regarding the birth of children brings up reproductive rights. The use of Longevity, and the mysterious new Longevity+, introduce concepts of life, death, and medical ethics. The unrestrained “catchers,” who hunt down rogue children and punish their parents, suggest the appropriate limits of law enforcement. The brutal, structured conditions in the hall (including beatings, solitary confinement, withholding of food, lack of privacy, and hard labor) have many historical parallels.

This recognizable yet strange world unfolds slowly. Initially exposed only to the draconian rules of the hall, readers are eventually encouraged to consider the system as a whole. Spending some time thinking about this speculative society may encourage readers to more effectively critique our own political institutions. Malley’s sequel, The Resistance, contains the next chapter of provocative adventures with Anna and Peter. Get yourself oriented in their world. Check out The Declaration today.

John Jewitt – Savage Branch

First published in 1889, Mark Twain’s delightful novel A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur’s Court feels descriptive of our own time. I had never read Twain before (I think I was supposed to in high school, but somehow managed not to, like many other reading assignments) and now I want to read everything he’s ever written. The humor here is so brilliant and satirical. One might think that things were different over a hundred years ago, but by the last page of this gem I was rather convinced that nothing much has changed.

Here is the story of Hank. Hank is your run-of-the-mill 19th-century New Englander, who, after getting conked on the head, awakens centuries earlier in the realm of Camelot. When he realizes that escape from this world takes more than being doused with water in the waking world, he decides that the next best thing he can do is embrace it — and reform it. Armed with 1300 years worth of future knowledge, Hank quickly rises to prominence in this barbaric society. Before long, he’s got the whole kingdom lined with telephone wires, printing presses, factories, and other modern amenities.

If you have ever seen Mike Judge’s hopefully-never-to-be-fulfilled prophetic-comedy film Idiocracy, you’ll notice many parallels with Twain’s novel. Twain explores the apparent human inability to break free from self-destructive societal constructs and beliefs — how we happily submit ourselves to popular ideas without knowing how to properly critique them. But because it’s so darn funny, I was able to take the indictment in stride, and learn something in the process. I would encourage everyone, especially high school and college students, to read this classic novel.

Dan Curry – Savage Branch

I love a good title, and this one pulls a lot of weight. Vidanric Renselaeus is the Marquis of Shevraeth, an important noble in a country suffering under the disastrous rule of an egomaniac king. To protect and educate him, his parents send him across the continent to a military academy. So, this young man is, himself, learning how to command, and he is a stranger in a foreign country with significantly different traditions than his own. Hence: A Stranger to Command.

Author Sherwood Smith excels at coming-of-age stories. In this one, Vidanric learns not just about himself and what his home country needs, but he provides a unique perspective on the strengths and faults of a militaristic society. His own country has turned to complicated courtly manners as a means to work around a bad ruler. The cavalry academy prides itself on direct communication and physicality. Between homesickness and culture shock, Vidanric’s first year is a rough one. Overall, the novel presents a great look at boys becoming men — playing pranks, kissing girls, and figuring out what responsibility truly means.

A Stranger to Command is followed by Crown Duel, which takes place seven or so years after Vidanric has returned to his own country. He’s a main character, but these books are told from the point of view of Meliara, the barefoot countess of Tlanth. She is a gritty and lovable girl who becomes an unlikely hero. Mel is probably one of the most realistic teenage heroes ever — she has the courage of her convictions paired with all the insecurities of a young girl in public life. Meliara leads a rebellion, and fate puts Vidanric on the other side of the fight. Or, does it?

Kristen Blount – Administration Office

“War is like a disease. Until you’ve had it, you don’t know it.”

On an overcast August afternoon in Nagasaki, Hiroko Tanaka loses her German fiancé in the flash of the second atomic bomb. Ravaged by the blast, her back engraved with scar like black birds, Hiroko survives. She seeks out her fiancé’s family in India, discovering a whole nation on the brink of independence. With Pakistan’s creation approaching, what will become of Hiroko’s friendship with the colonialist family, the Burtons? And what of her budding relationship with Sajjad, her young, kindhearted Urdu teacher?

Author Kamila Shamsie takes us from Nagasaki to Delhi, Karachi to New York, stopping by the way of Dubai, Islamabad, Kandahar. Hiroko’s story evolves into the tale of her family, trying to hold themselves together over the decades. Over and over again, history shatters what little stability they can find. The Afghan war of the 1980s and 9/11 overwhelm the second half of the book, tying the personal with the political.

Yet, life goes on. Burnt Shadows‘ strengths are not so much in the heart-wrenching tragedies that befall Hiroko and her family, but rather, the lovely moments of peace, the belief in love, and family over all things ideological. Hiroko herself is an emblem of this: literally scarred by war, she still manages to find love in a strange land, and learn new languages, becoming an enigma of identity in a world of conflicting creeds.

The novel is broken up into five sections, oceans and decades apart. Shamsie’s prose flows throughout, keeping a steady pace, but still taking time to detail the minor beauties, the intricate sentiments of these characters. In the relatively tranquil moments of family drama, we grow to love Hiroko’s confidence, and Sajjad’s enthusiasm. Thus, when the burn of history scorches their home life, the pain is visceral. Burnt Shadows is a breathing tale of our times, encapsulating a half-century of conflict as well as the plurality of identities that populate this world of ours.

Khaleel Gheba – Miller Branch

Texas Congressman Ron Paul’s The Revolution is a political manifesto for a return to small government, personal responsibility, and individual economic ingenuity.

While I sympathize with Paul’s politics, I held off on reading this book for a long time because of the title.  To me it sounded arrogant.  Why couldn’t he just say ‘A Revolution’ instead of implying that there was only one revolution worth working toward?  After reading it though, I was struck by Paul’s heartfelt concern for the future of the United States, but more importantly, for the future of United States citizens.

First, Congressman Paul asks us to consider whether or not we have been presented with a false choice of legitimate political parties.  Aren’t the Democratic and Republican parties worlds apart on every conceivable issue?  Paul would have us believe that they are not.  His objection is that both parties operate under the same false assumptions when it comes to understanding the Constitution.  Against this backdrop, Paul begins to present his own system of political thought.

This is a short read, clocking in at 208 pages, cover to cover.  In it, Paul deftly tackles such pressing topics as foreign policy, interpretation of the Constitution, economic freedom, personal freedom, and money (i.e., how the United States monetary system has shifted from a gold standard to a Federal Reserve system).  Even if you ultimately disagree with him, Paul’s words exist to challenge some of the most fundamental assumptions of modern American politics. And isn’t exploring opposing viewpoints intellectually honorable?  If you want a great introduction to Libertarianism, I would highly recommend starting here!

Dan Curry – Savage Branch

The Girl in the Cafe is another great example of Richard Curtis’ signature matching of two people who wouldn’t meet under normal circumstances. In the comedy-romance Notting Hill, the lives of bookstore owner Will and movie megastar Anna Scott become entangled. Here — in a higher stakes but lower key example of the mismatch — Lawrence, a senior economist in the British treasury department, finds himself smitten with Gina, the girl in the cafe.

The movie works because Bill Nighy turns in an incredible performance as Lawrence. He’s professionally competent, but cringingly obsequious. He’s fabulous with numbers, but terrible with people. He’s completely unstrung when Gina (Kelly MacDonald) consents first to sit opposite him in the cafe, then agrees to lunch, and finally to dinner. He lurches from indifference to infatuation with no emotional pauses in between.

Lawrence is a workaholic whose narrow and professional view of the world can’t help him interact with Gina. Baffled by romance, he extends to her the only compliment he can think of — inviting her to accompany him to the G8 conference in Iceland. Here then, another mismatch emerges, as Gina (about whom neither Laurence nor the audience knows too much) finds herself in the company of the Chancellor of the Exchequer (a brilliantly volatile Ken Stott) and eventually, the Prime Minister (Corin Redgrave). Who is Gina? What drives her?  By the time we realize, along with Lawrence, that we hardly know Gina, it may be too late for their relationship and, perhaps, for his job. The Girl in the Cafe focuses in detail on two central characters, playing out an intensely personal and moving story against the backdrop of international politics.

John Jewitt – Savage Branch

After listening to President Barack Obama’s two outstanding autobiographical memoirs Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance and The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream,  I decided to listen to Renegade: The Making of a President by Richard Wolffe for an outside viewpoint. Wolffe is a journalist and political analyst for MSNBC-TV.  

The author took me inside the mind of the gifted man who is our new President.  Although already extremely impressed with Obama’s intellect, humility, and empathy for others, this book solidified my allegiance to the world leader. In my opinion President Obama is truly a classy man.

Wolffe was allowed inside the cloistered cadre of Obama’s advisors from the beginning of his presidential campaign, through the grueling Iowa caucuses, and eventually on to victory.  Through these exclusive interviews, Wolff aptly conveyed the mutual love and respect between Obama and his trusted advisors. I had no idea that Marty Nesbitt, one of Obama’s best friends and campaign treasurer, was such an emotional man.  It was refreshing to learn that Obama valued differences of opinion among his inner circle — Rahm Emanuel (Chief of Staff), Valerie Jarrett (Senior Advisor), David Axelrod (Senior Advisor), and Pete Rouse (Senior Advisor).

Check out this gem of a book; you will be delighted and amazed. I recommend the audio version — the CD is narrated by actor and screenwriter Arthur Morey who has an uncanny ability to replicate the President’s speech patterns, as well as those of other staff members.

Elaine Johnson – Central Library

I was almost late for work because of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Don’t let the teen label fool you; this book is for adults, too. Collins delivers an intense novel with "edge of your seat" action.

The annual Hunger Games are a last man standing battle-to-the-death — in which contestants (aka "tributes") are children ages 12 – 18. The champion wins a life of luxury and extra concessions for his or her district. Tributes are selected by a lottery called "the reaping," although volunteers are also accepted.

Katniss, from the coal mining district of Appalachia, helps her family survive by illegal hunting in the local woods. When, against all odds, her younger sister’s name is drawn, Katniss volunteers instead. Her fellow tribute, Peeta, excels at the mental aspect of the games, while Katniss masters the physical. They make a devastating team, except they work with the knowledge that only one person can win. Who wins? I’m not telling!

The Hunger Games offers the ultimate in reality TV as it’s broadcast in real time from the arena, a closely controlled area of wilderness. Each year the arena holds different challenges, from freezing temperatures to a lack of water. The games definitely favor those candidates who have spent their youth in training, instead of simply surviving. The author doesn’t pull many punches as the contestants have to cope with their horrible circumstances, including sometimes brutal consequences. In one section Katniss blows up a supply depot and has to continue despite being deaf in one ear after the explosion shatters her eardrum.

Beyond the arena, Collins does a great job of painting the big picture. The decadent capital city contrasts strongly to the poverty of Katniss’ District 12, and it becomes clear that the politics are positively Orwellian. The government uses the games to control the outlying districts, until this year, when the contestants seem to turn the games against the authorities.

The annual Hunger Games may have ended, but the more important maneuverings have only begun. Unfortunately, I have to wait for the sequel (to be published this fall) to learn whether a happy ending will work out in Collins‘ desperate view of the future.

Kristen Blount – Administration Office

Inda opens with the kids’ first war game of the spring, where, according to local tradition, the boys attack and the girls defend. The girls win!

Indevan-Dal Algara-Vayir, commonly known as Inda, is the second son of the local prince. As such, he will defend the family’s lands while his older brother attends court and fights for the king. This model, however, is about to change and wreak havoc on Inda’s life.

In Inda’s world, the Mongol-like Marloven tribes, who essentially grow up on horseback, have conquered and married into more courtly, settled lands. In fact, two languages are still in use — one for court and correspondence, and another for war. It took me a while to figure out all the changing, multiple titles, but it helps build a realistic culture.

In Sherwood Smith’s novel, a rich world unfolds as she details the fairly unglamorous life of an academy cadet. Upon unexpectedly being invited — along with other second sons — to the royal academy, Inda turns out to be a military genius, with an ability to see the strategic picture, even while directing tactical maneuvers. What Inda often loses track of, though, is the political scene. A victim of said politics, Inda is exiled from his beloved homeland, and finds a haven aboard ship. His strategic skills and fighting ability stand Inda in good stead in his new life, but he never forgets home.

Inda’s adventures are the center of this sprawling novel, but it also includes developments in Marloven-Hess. I often found myself reading ahead looking for chapters with Inda’s friends from the academy, or his sister Hadand and the other girls. Smith does an excellent job of showing how different people excel in different kinds of intelligences: military, emotional, political, ship-faring, scholarly, and others. I like Inda’s sister, in part because of her ability to operate well on many of these levels.

This is a big, fat, high-fantasy novel, and I’ve barely touched on the bare bones of the story here. Inda begins a terrific series, followed by The Fox and King’s Shield, which has a wide cast of characters, adventures galore, and a plot with enough twists and turns to satisfy any fantasy reader.

Kristen Blount – Administration Office