Book Blog # 80: Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl

Title: Keeping the Castle
Author: Patrice Kindl
# of Pages: 261 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Romance
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Althea is the sole support of her entire family, and she must marry well. But there are few wealthy suitors--or suitors of any kind--in their small Yorkshire town of Lesser Hoo. Then, the young and attractive (and very rich) Lord Boring arrives, and Althea sets her plans in motion. There's only one problem; his friend and business manager Mr. Fredericks keeps getting in the way. And, as it turns out, Fredericks has his own set of plans . . .
Review: This review will contain minor spoilers covering the contents of the beginning of the book (i.e. character development). Major spoilers will be hidden as usual.

No. Just no.

Althea is not humble nor does she seem to take marriage seriously. I'm also a bit concern as to how knowledgeable she is to certain matters. Below is a quote from the first chapter:

"'...Best to aim for a younger man. You see, dearest, there are certain aspects of marriage - ' She bent her head as she helped Alexander to climb up upon her lap - 'it is not proper for you to know about them yet, but you must trust me to know what I am speaking about - that make a younger man much more pleasing'" (Kindl 8).

This is her mother saying this to Althea. I find it peculiar that this seventeen year-old girl has yet to learn about such things that her mother was avoiding telling her about.  Throughout the book, Althea continues to tell herself (and others tell her) that she is still young yet to marry. And while this may be true today, (to my knowledge) seventeen is well into marrying age. And, yes, I found Althea very, very annoying. She goes on about how horrible her stepsisters, yet she's not exactly an angel herself.

Also, if Althea and her family are so poor, why do they have servants? I get that they kept the castle for Alexander's inheritance, but if they are struggling to eat, wouldn't they fire their staff first? For a while, I thought that perhaps the servants were not there because they were being paid, but because they were loyal to their family. However, later on in the book, it is said that the servants are paid. Wouldn't it but SO much better if they had the money that they had to use to pay the servants? Plus that's quiet a few mouths that they wouldn't have to feed.

What was even more disappointing than the beginning of the book was how predictable the plot was. Her obvious distaste for Mr. Fredricks made it clear that she was going to end up with him (in which she does) and her attraction to Lord Boring makes it clear that she WON'T end up with him (which she doesn't).

I absolutely DO NOT recommend this book!

Book Blog #77: Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

Title: Tuesdays at the Castle
Author: Jessica Day George
# of Pages: 254 (paperback)
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating:  ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. This delightful book from a fan- and bookseller-favorite kicks off a brand-new series sure to become a modern classic.

Review: Three days ago I decided that it was time to finally read the middle grade book that found it's way on my shelf two years ago.  It was given to me as a gift, and, although I smiled at thanked the person, I found the cover all together unappealing. As a result, I put it ago the other books who have been patiently waiting for me to read them for years. Since I have a bit more time on my hands, and my progression on Chosen at Nightfall (by C.C. Hunter) is a bit behind schedule, I read this book at the same time.

It defiantly is a middle grade book. There are only two-hundred pages, leaving room for a short, slightly undeveloped plot. But, honestly, that wasn't what I didn't like about Tuesdays at the Castle. The plot was decent enough and had me up until midnight last night just so I could finish reading it.

Celie, on the other hand, was a problem. George claims that she's eleven, but she acts more like she's five. It would be better if she WAS five; then her childish antics wouldn't seem so immature. By the time I finished the book, I couldn't believe that it was HER that was the hero.

What's worse is that the supporting characters seem to be ecstatic over her ideas and act as though they are incapable of thinking of a better idea which, I assure you, there are defiantly better ideas than Celie's.

If George had removed Celie completely from the story and replaced her with someone who actually acts her age, then I would have enjoyed the book a lot more. I recommend this book to people twelve and under.