What We’re Reading

Dark Reflections, Book 1: The Water Mirror | Kai Meyer

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Merle has spent most of her life in and out of an orphanage, where they were never too pleased to have her, so when she sets off for her new apprenticeship at Arcimboldo’s mirror workshop, she has high hopes. The idea that she and Junipa will be the only girls in the shop doesn’t occur to her until they arrive, and while it’s not the most appealing prospect, at least she’s not alone.

From the get-go, all is not quite right at Arcimboldo’s. He’s replaced Junipa’s eyes with pieces of mirror, to give her sight. The effect is more than a little disturbing. Then there are the late-night excursions of the housekeeper, Eft, down into the well in the courtyard. The attack on the workshop by the Weaver’s boys. The having no idea just what it is that Arcimboldo does.

Some questions she gets answers too. Like why the Weaver’s apprentices attacked (ongoing fued), and why Eft climbs down the well. She and Junipa get to spend a day working with mirrors, even. And then comes the festival, which changes it all.

Venice is besieged. So it’s been for quite some time, and so it may be forever. The Egyptians took over the world, but were kept out of Venice by the Flowing Queen. No one is sure just what the Flowing Queen is, but they know she kept them safe. And so every year, they celebrate her protection. And so the Mirror Maker’s apprentices are treated to a night out on the town.

Merle, who was quite taken with Serafin, one of the Weaver boys, from the moment his mask slipped off his face, spends most of her time at the Festival searching for him. It’s Junipa who finally spots him, and insists that Merle go see him.

From the way he pops up in front of her, it seems he was seeking her out too.

Their leisurely stroll around the canals takes a turn towards the dangerous when they run across a winged lion. Winged stone lions being the most rare form of lion in the city’s employ. They protect the city counselors. Which begs the question, what are the City Councilors doing in that area, at that time of night?

Adventure turned spy mission turns to disaster when Merle’s mirror falls from her pocket and lands on the head of one of the men they were spying on. With the help of Serafin, she manages to recollect it, and also the vial the councilors were about to hand off to an Egyptian emissary. Swimming with all her might, she manages to escape, though Serafin is caught by one of the much feared winged lions.

And if Merle thought her night was rough up til that point…the adventure’s just begun!

The Last Chance Texaco | Brent Hartinger

Lucy has spent her whole life in the System. Losing her parents at an early age took its toll, and an angry girl can wreack much havoc…especially upon herself. So when she winds up at Kindle Home, what the kids in the system consider the last chance before the dire move to Rabbit Island, from which most don’t return, she figures her time is short.

When she starts off at her new school by inadvertently pissing off a couple of the local rich kids, then follows it up by getting into a fist fight with one of them, she knows she’s on thin ice. But Leon, who is unlike any other Group Home Counselor she’s met, won’t give up on her, and won’t let her give up on herself.

When her punishment for fighting brings about an unexpected friendship between herself and the boy she punched, she really starts to rethink her outlook. But just when she starts to find a reason to hold on, someone else starts trying to get Kindle Home shut down. Can she save her home, her friends, and her new life? Or will her stay at the Last Chance Texaco be what she expected all along?

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