Sampler Reviews: THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES & RUIN AND RISING

Title: THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES

By: Stefan Bachmann, Katherine Catmull, Claire Legrand, Emma Trevayne (Cabinet of Curiosities Website)

Illustrator: Alexander Jansson

Published: May 27th, 2014

Genre: MG

Pages: 304

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Format: e-ARC preview

Source: Edelweiss

Rating: The Royal Library, Bottom Shelf

A collection of forty eerie, mysterious, intriguing, and very short short stories presented by the cabinet’s esteemed curators, otherwise known as acclaimed authors Stefan Bachmann, Katherine Catmull, Claire LeGrand, and Emma Trevayne. Perfect for fans of Alvin Schwartz and anyone who relishes a good creepy read-alone or read-aloud story. Features an introduction and commentary by the curators, and illustrations and decorations throughout.

The galley I downloaded from Edelweiss was a preview that included four of the total forty stories (curses!). But, it was enough to intrigue and leave me wishing for more. 

FAIRY CAKES (by Emma Trevayne)

Every year, the fairies visit in the night. While the townspeople usually leave out cakes to satisfy the fairies devasting hunger, this year, things are a bit different....This was quite a story to begin with! Trevayne builds tension nicely with this fast-paced, disturbing, and eerie tale. It's very story-focused, with hardly any focus on characters, which was different and unexpected. 3.5 out of 5

RED SHOWS AND DOLL PARTS (by Claire Legrand)

When a story begins with a girl and her beloved wooden doll, you know it's going to be interesting. Legrand does not disappoint as she presents Jackie and the very creepy Mr. Jimmy. I don't know what it is about dolls, but there's something unnerving about them, and Mr. Jimmy is easily one of the eeriest. This is one of those stories that left me wondering and pondering certain ideas, and I love stories that keep me thinking.  4 out of 5

TRANSCRIPT: INFORMATION PROVIDED BY AN 11-YEAR-OLD MALE, TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENT (by Katherine Catmull)

This story, written as a transcript that tells the story of a boy and a prank gone terribly wrong, is my favorite so far. I never knew what to expect, and the reveal at the conclusion was fascinatingly eerie and strange. Even though the main characters speaking in the transcript are not named, the young boy's story evokes strong emotions and tells the reader quite a bit about him. 4.5 out of 5

MABEL MAVELIA (by Stefan Bachmann)

An odd story about a very strange garden that a girl finds once her family moves her to a new home. Mabel is thoroughly unlikable, but that's a part of the story's charm. I'm not sure if it was an intentional allusion or not, but certain aspects reminded me of the "The Yellow Wallpaper", which only added to the eerie quality of Bachmann's story. As much as I enjoyed this one, it felt like something was missing. 3.5 out of 5

In the end, I will likely check out The Cabinet of Curiosities now that it's released, so I can finally read the rest of the stories and see more of Alexander Jansson's artwork. 

Title: RUIN AND RISING Sampler

By: Leigh Bardugo

Published: June 17th, 2014
Series: The Grisha #3

Genre: YA fantasy

Pages: around 64 

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Format: print sampler

Source: Publisher

Rating: The Royal Library, Top Shelf

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

Highlights: Even though the sampler was only a few chapters long, Bardugo's writing style hooked me from the beginning. I love how Bardugo's novels begin in a slightly haunting fairytale fashion, before transitioning into Alina's POV. There's a lot that's happening at the beginning of Ruin and Rising, and the intensity and excitement level picks up very quickly. Since the last novel, everything has changed, and it's difficult to tell who's friend or foe to Alina. If this sampler is any indication, I have a feeling the full novel will be full of surprises, not to mention be a complete thrill to read.

Lowlights: Not enough chapters! Fortunately, the book releases on June 17th, and we can all finally figure out what happens!