Reviews (27)

Unicorns I Have Known
I got this book back when it first came out (it is even signed by Robert Vavra) and I love it. Although they use horses to portray the unicorns, (in an article I read, Vavra comments on the questions he gets about how the horns stay on, but later states that he doesn't think it really matters if they are false horns, but the magic of the animal.) He tells a story of a horse that ran off during a photo shoot, and ended up near a road. At that moment, a schoolbus full of children drove by, and then stopped. All the kids and the bus driver watched in amazement, thinking it was really a unicorn. Vavra and his assistants hid in the bushes, quite enjoying themselves. This book is a wonderful collection on beautiful photographs and the poems and quotes used describe the feelings of those photos. If you love the lure of the unicorn, the beauty of horses, or just great photographs, then buy this book.

Beautiful, Magical!
This is one of the best books on Unicorns I have ever read. It is unique because it is the only book on the unicorn with photos. Vavra gives you a new sense of wonder on every page. Taking you to the desert, the tundra, the forest, the flowers and even the sea. After that you can read up on unicorn behavior, history, and some of Vavra's own experiences with them. I would recomend this book to anyone who loves unicorns, and would like to learn more of them. Or if you love beautiful, breathtaking photography.

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Reviews (44)

Good short stories by Francesca Lia Block
This book was interesting and beautifully written. They are all short stories retelling of the classic fairty tales. They are all fairly short but very interesting.

Snow was a retelling of Snow White and the intention of the story is one I found to be a perfect ending.

Ice was a beautiful story in the retelling of The Snow Queen about soul mates and being in love. Being in true love.

Beast was my personal favorite. It's alot like Beauty and the Beast but the ending makes a funny yet very understandable ending for girls who have been in relationships before.

Bones was VERY hard to follow and I'm sure I even understand it completely now.

Other stories include Tiny, Glass (beautiful work by Francesca may I add), Charm, Wolf, and Rose.

If you're a fan of Francesca Lia Block's work or of fairy tales, then this book is worth a good read

Your usual FLB fare
This book, a retelling of nine fairytales, is much like your usual FLB fare: phantasmagoric characters, ... love and poetic, evocative langugage drawing a somewhat difficult-to-follow plot.

In other words, fabulous.

The stories are roughly retellings of Snow White, Thumbelina, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, Rose White Rose Red, Hansel & Gretel, Beauty and the Beast and The Snow Queen. Except for a few cases, the retellings find the originals greatly improved upon. All except perhaps Snow (SW) are set in modern cities, FLB world of shifing colors and lovers. My personal favorites are the sad, passioante, evocative Ice (TSQ) and the suprising Wolf (LLRH). Each story has its own magic.

However, this book does have its low points, such as the lackluster Snow, the extremely hard to follow Bones (H&G), and Tiny (T), which is just plain odd. Tiny's height makes the whole story fairly absurd, although it is decent.

Overall, this is an excellent book I would recommend to anyone, especially FLB fans.

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Reviews (7)

Mermaids in a different light.....
This wonderful book written by Mary Pope Osbourne puts memaids into a different light. Most of us (I think) view mermaids as fantastically beautiful kind and caring creatures. Although most of the mermaids in this book are depicted as being beautiful they can be very scarey as well. My daughter who will soon be eight described this book as, "Neat, but a little scarey." It was very interesting to read the stories from different countries. These mermaids are very different than the one portrayed in the Disney film. It is refreshing to read about mermaids in a cultural interpretation.
If you are a mermaid fan you will enjoy this book.

An incredible book for all mermaid lovers
i'm 15 years old and have always loved mermaids. My favorite movie is Disney's The Little Mermaid, and i am always interested in any books i come across about them. i came across this book in 6th grade. it was my teacher's book, but i stole it for the entire year! i read it over and over again, i was mesmerized by the stories and pictures. most of the stories i havnt even heard before. i was so sad when i had to give it back, but just now, 3 years later, i found it on this website! i ordered it right away and couldn't be happier. i reccomend this book to anyone that has a facsination with mermaids. this book is truly wonderful.

Editorial Review

Three-hundred-year-old Risika looks darn good for her age. Thanks toher "blood mother," a vampire named Ather who turned Risika (nee Rachel) into one of the undead back in 1684, she will always look as fresh as a 17-year-old. Now Risika is a world weary night stalker who sleeps in Concord, Massachusetts, by day and prowls New York City by night, in search of fresh blood to slake her inhuman thirst. One of the benefits of living such a long life has been discovering that most of the popular myths about vampires are not true: "Holy water and crosses do not bother me... and silver does not burn me. If someone hammered a stake through my heart, I suppose I would die, but I do not play with humans, stakes or mallets." In fact, there is little in the mortal world that surprises Risika anymore, until she returns from a hunt one night to find a black rose on her pillow--the same flower she was given on the eve of her mortal death. Knowing that the rose is a taunt from Aubrey, a vampire she believes murdered her human brother, Risika decides to confront her nemesis. In a bloody battle with Aubrey, Risika finally unearths her brother's true fate.

Reviews (39)

Angels All Around is perfect for putting the little ones to.
sleep...

Genie's Angels All Around is the best music to help me and my little ones go to sleep.

In all my long life I've never found a better lullaby recording than Genie's Angels.

SOmetimes I like to just lie there and listen to it and sleep.
I didn't find it boring at all. It stimulates my reflection deep in my mind. It's not music you listen to so much- just let it breathe quiet stillness into your home.

I feel that anyone who needs to get over insomnia or to relax will enjoy Genie's Angels CD, although adults will surely prefer the song selections on Genie's Whisper.

I'm so addicted to these totally relaxing, beautiful songs
I'm so addicted to these totally relaxing, beautiful songs, I move the kid's CD player into my room when I go to sleep! I Genie's Angels CD after it and Whisper were highly reviewed in CM Magazine a few months ago. I play them each night for my kids, (ages 20 months, and 4 years) before bedtime. We had to buy another CD player for my son's room so they each could have the Angels music playing as they fall asleep. Now, I'm addicted too!!

Reviews (28)

Obviously the result of a Life's labour in Angelology
This book has the scholarly touch to it; written over 17 years and with meticulous attention to detail over nearly 400 pages. It is meant as a sourcebook, and does not attempt to push any particular religious view. However, its basis is mainly along Christian-related themes, and if this is acknowledged from the start, it comes over as a complete and painstaking compilation of angel and demon folklore and historical allegory. The illustrations have been also painstakingly gathered, and the ideas hinted at from the pictures and text combined are instructive as to the possibilities both good and evil in the angel world.
The book has a marvellous Appendix, which relates many historical features of the angels and Archangels, some of which I recognise in today's New Age literature. For example, in the Bible's book of Revelation (verse 2, chapter 8) is the suggestion there are seven Archangels. We have the old biblical quote:
"And I saw the seven Angels who stand before God; And to them were given seven trumpets."
There are many different accounts of these Archangels. The one used often nowadays in New Age spiritual texts is given in this book as from the Pseudo-Dionysian school and surprisingly perhaps, lists the Archangels in the modern way.
This book rightly states (I believe) that the vast study of Christian Angelology starts with Pseudo-Dionysius; a convert and confidant of St Paul the Apostle. His hierarchy of Angels was the basis of all of the succeeding 1,500 years of Christian writings on the subject.
Many of these ideas of Angel hierarchies are not at odds with modern New Age ideas. Angels such as Powers, Virtues, Principalities etc are similar to the Beings described in modern books as guardians of public companies or of cities. The Christian lore in this respect seems not far from the truth at least.

A Dictionary of Angels--the ultimate guide
This is a must read for all students of theology and history. Drawing from sacred texts all over the world, Gustav Davidson writes a compelling book that is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to put down once you start reading. The introduction alone was a wealth of information,.... Pretty heavy reading--but well worth the effort. This book gets an A++!

Reviews (8)

Lovely, Beautiful, Dreamy.... WOW.
Oooohhh..... this music comes right up next to Faeries: Companion to Art of Brian Froud. Wonderful music. Love it. And to that person down there who called Elaine Silver an ametuer..... believe what you want but, if you can't already see, your opinion has been kinda ruled out. ^^

No talent or training you say?
Elaine Silver has a voice you'll never forget. It has been described as stunningly clear and fine, magnificent, rich and supple. She sings a cappella or accompanies herself on guitar and banjo, and has performed in concert for hundreds of thousands at colleges, festivals, churches, clubs and children's events throughout North America and Europe. She was featured on New Jersey Network's award winning television program State of the Arts and is the recipient of a Garden State Music Award for Outstanding Folk Performer. Elaine has appeared in concert with Arlo Guthrie, Doc Watson, Tom Paxton, Suzanne Vega, Jorma Kaukonen, Tom Chapin and many more of the folk world's brightest stars. She recently teamed up with best-selling author Alan Cohen as musical accompanist for his workshops and special events. Her highly acclaimed recordings, Open Hearts, Echoes of Light and Faeries, Dreams and Other Friends continue to receive rave reviews, while touching the hearts of her listeners. Her newest release, Faerie Goddess, has garnered much attention and was named one of the top ten folk albums of 1997 by WQXR's Bob Sherman of Woody's Children. "Faerie Elaine" brings magic, light and love to her concerts and appearances.

Songs that make your flesh creep
I love the album Faerie Goddess; it has chants and songs that are warm, loving and beautiful. Since I got this cd I had to know more of this Faery Elaine, as she calls herself sometimes.
She isn't really professional, but her voice makes you flesh creep. Ballads and chearful songs, in a total of 13 songs.
Although I have to say that some texts, like: don't you know you're body is a temple, the earth is a witch and nine million european women died; isn't an accurate thing to say; because it that is just a romantic idea of female witches. But if you look beyond that: it really sounds very nice!

Reviews (53)

A top-notch album
Eric Johnson is not only a gifted guitarist, but also a great vocalist. He became a star in the 90's (entering the famous G3), but he was already playing in the 70's, in a jazz-fusion band called Electromagnets (featuring Chris Geppert, alias Christopher Cross, on the vocals)in the mid-seventies, then as a solo artist at the end of the seventies. Then he recorded a unique album in the eighties 'Tones' (a beautiful album). He returned to his solo career in the nineties with 'Venus isle', and became eventually famous with this recording. And it is no wonder, because it is really an AMAZING album. It is not a guitar album, but rather an album dealing pop with jazz leanings. This is particularly true on the opening track, a warm voice singing on a smooth-jazz like music, with a closing section including a fantastic guitar solo. 'Battle we have won' is a balad that shows Eric's vocal skills. 'All about you' is a song featuring virtuosic guitar solo and great vocals. 'SRV' is a tribute to the late Stevie Ray Vaughan (another great guitarist). 'Lonely in the night' is another balad. 'Manhattan', 'Pavilion', 'Camel's night out' and 'Song for Lynette' are instrumentals. 'When the sun meets the sky' is a pop song with great vocals anew. The closing track has a fantastic solo guitar. Amazing guitar playing associate to great vocals make this record a must for everyone searching for good music.

"NOTHING BOLDER, NOTHING GRANDER, THAN TURNING INTO LOVE"
I love everything about this CD! From the awesome cover art, gorgeous music, thought-provoking lyrics, incredible singing, unbelievable instrumentals to the passionate emotions Eric expresses. Wow!

I bought this CD after listening to the "G-3 Live In Concert" VHS Eric did with Satriani and Vai. I noticed that Eric's songs "MANHATTAN" and "SRV" (two of the three songs Eric played on G-3) were BOTH on this CD so I had to buy it--simply magnificent instrumental blues songs! These two songs alone are worth the purchase price to me! I listened to them almost entirely at first. They are STILL my top two favorites.

Later, I found myself listening to the entire CD straight through and enjoying it ALL.

"VENUS ISLE": Eric's voice is remarkable; it doesn't overbear the music rather he blends with and adds to the music! Same thing goes for "ALL ABOUT YOU" and "LONELY IN THE NIGHT". Simply beautiful in every way!

"BATTLE WE HAVE WON" has phenomenal lyrics, an amazing achievement with the synthesizers and guitar plus again, Eric's voice fits perfectly! I really love this song; it's very inspirational to me.

"CAMEL'S NIGHT OUT" is a great instrumental song (what is the deal with the camel? Hmmmm. I like a musician who puts a question mark in his music!)

I adore the gorgeous instrumental song titled "SONG FOR LYNETTE." Every woman should have a special song dedicated to her (and every man for that matter!) No words needed here! WOW!

Listening to "WHEN THE SUN MEETS THE SKY" I feel like I am actually watching it happen! I wish he had an instrumental reprise on the CD of it also!

"PAVILLION" and "VENUS REPRISE" are great ending songs!

I highly recommend this CD! VENUS ISLE isn't just music; it is art! It speaks to my heart; I feel strong emotions. I personally love to see an artist express himself so purely that the music reaches out and grabs my heart like this! If you do also, then this is the CD for you!

Thanks Eric! I will cherish this one always! Love your style!

A step backwards by a great tonal guitarist
I have a healthy.. no, enormous amount of respect for Eric... the emotion and tone he can get out of a guitar is barely equalled and even more rarely exceeded throughout the history of the instrument.

Venus Isle heads straight back to the feel of Tones... at times, it sounds like the prequel to that album. I felt that Ah Via Musicom was an incredible maturation in his career, so I do feel disappointment in VI. Songs like Venus Isle, When the Sun Meets the Sky, and Lonely In the Night feel overcooked, disjointed, and broken. All About You features some of the best, most driving guitar work I've heard, but the song as a whole is only average.

Only S.R.V. clearly stands out as an excellent, tonal, emotional piece... one that completely satisifies and quenches.

EJ comes out with albums so rarely that it's hard to gauge what Venus Isle represents to his career. My opinion of EJ is still one of immense respect. If it happens that Ah Via Musicom is his only truly great (and when I mean great, I mean it's one of the best albums ever made, period, and an absolutely must-own), I would still consider Eric as one of greatest musicians in the history of the guitar.

Reviews (4)

Otherworldly!!
The World of Fairies by Gossamer Penwyche is a fantastic, magical
journey through the Otherworld. Penwyche has cleverly arranged
twenty-nine fairies, selected from a variety of cultures and traditions, to illustrate important lessons to be learned from encountering these magical beings. Not all the fairies are benign, but all of them leave the reader wiser in the ways of the world. It's fun to just open the book anywhere and find out what lesson the fairies have in store for you today! Penwyche's insights into the fairy realm suggest that she must have spent a fair bit of time in the Otherworld herself.

The illustrations are fabulous and bring Penwyche's words and stories to life. There is a feeling in the pictures that fairies are 'out there' almost all the time, maybe even disguised as the strange lady next door.

There are a lot of beautiful books about fairies on the market these days, so it's great to find one that has something new and insightful to say.

Fairy Tales
"The World of Fairies" is a delightfully well written book revealing the interconnectedness of the tangible and the invisible. The thoroughly researched selection of fairies represents human virtues and follies, fate and will. A great source of wisdom for all ages.

Reviews (29)

Block brings her own magical fairy-tales to adults
Trying to somewhat change directions, Francesca Lia Block, wrote "Nymph" a collection of short 'erotic' stories for adults. I personally have always questioned that her books were really ever exactly young adult in the first place. But none the less this book is decidedly more adult at least in it's language.

Block uses more blunt descriptions which is the only major change that I noticed. And to be honest at first it threw me off. Here are her wonderful tales of love and magic as she's always written but in the middle of these poetic words it's like it breaks for cheap erotica. This would be my only complaint and by probably the second story I was able to somewhat adjust and lose myself once again in her fairy-tales.

Picking a favorite of the stories would be difficult because they all really compliment each other. Sometimes it's a character from a previous story returning or even a setting but they all weave together to form a very fine collection of stories.

What happened to Francesca?
Francesca Lia lock has been one of my favorite authors for years now: I count The Hanged Man, Dangerous Angels, and Girl Goddess #9 among my favorite book, but this is book fails to capture the magic that lurks inside her others. Block is not an erotica writer, and it shows: the sex scenes are out of place, redundant, too fluffy, and really not that erotic at all. Many of the characters are whiny and unlikeable, although I did find the character of Plum to be interesting. The stories are too short to really pull you into them, and when she tries to intertwine them, it comes across forced and sketchy. While Francesca Lia Block's work is without a doubt wonderfully unique and beautiful, this particular book isn't. Even her biggest fans would do fine in skipping it.

Reviews (93)

A Favorite!!!
As an avid reader of Greek myths, I have tried this book and found it to be absolutely magnificent! This book is a mixture of a beautifully retold fairy-tale and love story.

Sirena is mermaid in ancient Greek mythology who is told that to gain immortality, she must make a human man fall in love with her. Being a hybrid of fish and human mortal, the only way she could achieve this was to use her siren voice. However, after a tragic event, Sirena decided to leave her mermaid school for a secluded, uninhabited island.

At that island, Sirena found love. Cast cruelly upon the island was a wounded man. He had suffered the wrath of Hera, and would have died had it not been for Sirena, who had taken it upon herself to save him.

To find out more, buy the book...I would recommend it very much, and I must say it is one of the best books I have ever read (and I've devoured a whole lot). In truth, if there were more stars to give, the book would deserve it. It really pulls (hard) on the heartstrings, and I even shed tears while reading this amazing story.

I cried...it was that good
Sirena is a mermaid who, with her sisters, long for human love to become immortal. Unfortunately, the only humans that actually get close enough to them end up dead, for the sisters are Sirens, mythical creatures of the sea whose beautiful voices mesmerize sea-faring men and cause them to dash their ships amongst the jagged rocks to die a watery death.

One day a ship comes near and Sirena and her sisters sing as usual. The ship crashes and all but 11 men die. When the men realize what has happened, they blame Sirena and her sisters and ultimately kill one of the mermaids.

Sirena is sickened and saddened, so she leaves her familiar surroundings to live alone, vowing that she will never sing again. She happens upon an island where a man has been deserted by his crewmates because he was bitten by a sea serpent--sent by Hera--the Queen of the Gods. Sirena ultimately befriends the man, and the two become lovers. Sirena gets her wish to become immortal, but it is here where the trouble begins...

I don't wish to give too much more away, but I loved reading this book so very much. If you like stories involving Greek Mythology, I recommend this book.

Editorial Review

Reviews (5)

All Life Springs From The Ocean
Living in Southern California, I've always had a deep appreciation and love for the ocean and all the creatures that inhabit its waters. I'm also fascinated with the vast wonders of timeless space and am in constant awe of the moon and the stars and the clouds and the sun.

Christian Riese Lassen is a brilliant artist and he incorporates all those things in which I adore (although he has a popular motif for having whales and dolphins in his work), breathing life into the beautiful, mystical paintings. As I peruse this book, which I do quite often, it's as if I'm being pulled into the pictures. They're surreal yet familiar, like something from a distant dream, and ever so gorgeous.

I find it nearly impossible to choose a favorite among the 65 images provided here for my viewing pleasure but "Temple Of Light" seems to captivate me the most, causing me to stare the longest as I touch every inch with my seeking eyes, wishing I could step into the vibrant colors and live in the tranquil peace it exudes. But then I admire them all; especially how the full moon looks behind some thin pink clouds on "Home From The Sea" and how the intermingling of the cosmic universe and the majestic blue on "Whale Star" seem to go hand in hand, as if they belong together, which is used for the cover. There are also several pages of Christian talking about his passion for the sea and how it became the source of his art. A couple pictures are also included of him surfing and painting.

I tend to be mesmerized with fantasy art so I love how Lassen expresses that through reality with metaphysical standpoints and he's quickly become high in the ranks with some of my other favorite artists, such as Amy Brown, Brian Froud, David Delamare, and Josephine's Wall.

Oceanic Masterpiece
I love Lassen's work, and this book shows why. He is a master at beautiful scenic paintings. The colors are brilliant and keeps me wondering on how he gets his paintings to look like that. Although I think Wyland is the master when it comes to painting whales, Lassen is the master at painting dolphins. A must have to any art collector who loves oceanic art.

A LIFE OF VISION CONTINUALLY REVEALING!
"LASSEN ISLAND" IS A MUST OWN! It includes "sixty-five of Lassen's most evocative works...[and Lassen] captures the romantic allure of the Hawaiian Islands where he makes his home and pays tribute to the sea's great and endangered mammals."[commentator] His work spans from 1983-1997. My (newest) favorites are: "GALAXY OF LIFE", "COSMIC VOYAGERS", "WHALE STAR", "OUR PLANET", "SERENITY", "SEA OF TRANQUILITY", "PARADISE", "ANCIENT MYSTERIES" and "TEMPLE OF LIGHT". (Just to name a few!)

Also included is a fascinating essay writen by Christian himself about "THE SEA AS THE SOURCE OF MY ART", "NATURE ENERGIZES ME AND MY ART", "THE HIGHLY DEVELOPED MAMMALS OF THE OCEAN", and "OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE FUTURE." Christian writes with such sensitivity and style that even if you already have all of his art (books) this essay alone gives you a reason to buy this.

"LASSEN ISLAND" is the culmination to date of Christian's expertise. I never thought he could get any better but I was wrong! He has taken his art to the outermost level that I can imagine. "The images I paint are no longer simply representations of the forms of animals but the representations of their spirit" Lassen states in his essay.

Reviews (12)

Solid deal for tunes this good
At this price, "12 Tales" eases the risk of giving lesser-known bands a listen. Amy Brown's art should please any faerie fan. The songs are mostly sung by women and share a 2 a.m. melancholy. If you like "The Unquiet Grave" sampler series, grab this CD now.

Rasputina's "Hunter's Kiss" is a good opener, and dance clubs should run this in place of the band's beaten-to-death "Transylvanian Concubine." The Flir's "Lick" is a nice blend of Cocteau Twins and a shoegazer beat.

Standouts:
Cranes - "Flute Song": Gorgeous; sounds like a serial-killer slow-dance.
The Creatures - "Slipping Away": Siouxsie and Budgie continue to flirt with a Beatles style.
Violet Indiana - "Purr La Perla": Desolate and dreamy; perfect for a David Lynch movie.
Miranda Sex Garden - "Ardera Sempre": An oldie but goodie. Katharine Blake is one of the great goth sirens.
Livid Kittens - "Flying": similar to "Purr La Perla." A slow, sultry ballad.

The last four songs aren't as memorable, but none of them are awful. This CD is a good value, and like any decent collection, it sparks your interest in the bands' own stuff.

12 satisfying tales
If you're into ethereal and melodic Goth music and don't mind some shoegazer and very subtle glam rock thrown in the mix than why not take a chance and buy this? The price is affordably low so it's definitely worth checking out. I promise you won't be disappointed, and if you are, well, you don't have much to lose - only something to gain so look at it that way. Not every song's a gem but it's a well put together compilation and it's a great introduction to a lot of amazing groups, such as The Cranes (Alison's childlike voice fits right in here), the eclectic Bitstream Dream, Miranda Sex Garden, and many others that are far less known but just as talented in this underground arena of stars. "The Hunter's Kiss" by Rasputina is a fantastic song but the production is so gritty I can hardly stand the torture of it. Not every track is like that though which leads me to believe it was their intention for the instruments to sound raw that way instead of polished (?). "O! What A Dream It Was" by Future Bible Heroes is probably the biggest highlight for me and I'm absolutely enthralled with the deep, enchanting male vocalist. The dark, hypnotic "Slipping Away" by The Creatures, the trip-hop blues of "Purr La Perla" by Violet Indiana, the harmonious guitar and drum swirling of the alternative "Flying" by Livid Kittens, and "You Could Walk Forever" by Devics, which is a sad yet gorgeous tune with an underlie of pop sensibility are other personal favorites that I otherwise would have never heard before if it hadn't been for this purchase. What truly makes the merit of this album laudable, however, is how every track includes illustrations by the often-quirky Amy Brown with short tales written by Melora Creager to accompany each picture. I therefore recommend this to fans of faerie lore as well.

[Cover art: Cloak Of Stars by Amy Brown]

Worthwhile buy- maybe even twice
I recieved this cd as a gift over a year ago, and I still absolutely love it. I have a feeling it was bought for me because I was a Rasputina fan with nothing left to buy, (ha-ha) however the rest of the songs on this c.d. are just as epic and lovely

It's absolutely beautiful in it's entirety. The most outstanding songs are "Hunter's Kiss" "Purr la Perla" and my ABSOLUTE favorite "O What a Dream it Was" by Future Bible Heroes.

My cd is already starting to skip (from repetitious play) and- now this should tell you something- Im thinking of obtaining a REPLACEMENT copy!

Editorial Review

Lanky lizards! The slinkster-cool novels in Francesca Lia Block's Weetzie Bat series have finally been compiled into one delicious volume. All of the ethereal, mesmerizing titles are here--Weetzie Bat, Witch Baby, Cherokee Bat and the Goat Guys, Missing Angel Juan, and Baby Be-Bop--together like the big, beautiful family described on their pages. Block's unique, poetic style immediately draws readers into an intoxicating magical-realist world populated by empathetic, original characters (as well as a few ghosts, fairies, and genies): "He kissed her. A kiss about apple pie à la mode with the vanilla creaminess melting in the pie heat. A kiss about chocolate, when you haven't eaten chocolate in a year. A kiss about palm trees speeding by, trailing pink clouds when you drive down the Strip sizzling with champagne. A kiss about spotlights fanning the sky and the swollen sea spilling like tears all over your legs."

Reviews (99)

Review
"I was a teenage fairy" is a fantastic book for people who love to read fantasy novels. This book is like a fairy tale, however it was written for teenagers. With Francesca Lia Block's unique writing, her words turn into images. Barbie Marks, the main character in this book, is a lovable teenager who has a mother who was a former model, and wants Barbie to follow her footsteps. Her father, Dr. Markowitz, is a psychiatrist. With all the troubles going on in her life, a mom who pressures her to becoming a model, and a father who rarely speaks with her, Barbie manages through her traumas because of Mab. Mab, a fantastic pinkie-sized fairy sticks by Barbie's side, and helps her become a more outgoing person. As the years go by, Barbie has successfully become fashion model, with Mab still around. Whether Mab was real or not, Barbie always relied on her. As the readers read on, Griffin comes into the picture, and Mab is able to help both Barbie and Griffin with their pain hidden inside of them. Mab is the healer of both Barbie and Griffin, and is able to reach into their soul and heal all the traumatic experiences they've been through. I would definitely recommend this book to whoever loves to read a good fantasy novel, and enjoys Francesca Lia Block's imaginative ideas. With her one-of-a-kind writing, this is a great book for people who are just looking for a book they can read outside of school. It truly is a page-turner, and you won't be able to stop reading it. The greatest thing about this book is that the writer leaves the readers with one question, does Mab really exist, or is she just imaginary?

A modern, realistic fairy tale
This was the first book I have read by Francesca Lia Block, but definitely not the last. I admit, it was the cover that initially drew me to and encouraged me to buy the book, but once I began reading it, I felt I couldn't stop. The tale of the fiery pixie named Mab and the sullen model named Barbie pulled me in like a tornado, swirling me around and around in a mass of vivid images and descriptions. Block complimented all teenagers by including real-life issues in the book that other teen books leave out because the issues seem "inappropriate." "I was a Teenage Fairy" told of Barbie's maturization into her own sexuality and the overcoming of cases of sexual abuse.

I only have one critism of this book, and that is that the ending was filled with too much "fluff", as my English teacher would say. There was so much grit in the book, real-life problems and such, but the end wrapped everything up by Barbie formulating this unrealistic strategy to finally get revenge on the pedophile photographer who molested her as a child. It didn't make much sense to me, I guess. A better way to have ended the book could have been to have more of a reconciliation between Barbie and her mother, but I'm not Block, so it's not up to me.

Overall though, this book was very entertaining and a worthwhile read. Go out and buy it today

A fairy tale/modern mix
SPIN magazine writer Francesca Lia Block perfectly depicts a portrayal of a fairy tale-esque story set against a modern-day backdrop of Hollywood glamour and ideals. The story chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Barbie Marks and her best friend, a fairy who goes by the name of Mab.

Ever since Barbie has been a young girl until the age of 16, her mother has been living through her. She's wanted her to be a model for ages but Barbie has no intentions of ever wanting runway success or to become a carbon copy of her namesake, the buxom Mattel doll. It's a good thing Barbie has Mab for a companion. The two perfectly balance each other out. Barbie is a quiet and timid girl while Mab is feisty and totally outspoken. She never has a problem telling Barbie what she thinks of her - Mab's opinions are uncensored and completely no-holds barred.

Due to her mother's wishes and many photography sessions, Barbie is a successful model at 16. Her world is one of star-studded glamour and the sort of life envied by many. Though some may aspire to work Barbie's profession, she is not happy. She and Griffin Tyler, another child model, were both photographed by the very same pedophiliac photographer and now share the same dark secret and both have washed-up parentals who live through them because of their own failures. With Mab's guidance, is it possible for their emotional scars to be healed?

Reviews (4)

"It was meant to be..."
She was death, she was winter, she was sorrow. This is who she was, who she is, and who she would always be. It would never be any different...

Not only did Joshua Collin's witness his best friend, Brad, commit suicide by shooting himself and having to live with the guilt of not being able to save him in time but later in life he also lost his mother to breast cancer and was struggling with a strange disorder of hallucinations. Mainly because of his constant cuts and bruises due to hurting himself whenever he went into one of his episodes, he was the center of everyone's gossip in the small town of Nickel, Texas where he bought a house with the money he inherited from his mother's passing, sealing all the windows shut, which is an issue that has to do with the traumatic death of Brad back in High School. He lives a rather lonely life for he's afraid of hurting those around him and so he stays within his safety zones, rarely leaving the house only to see his psychiatrist several times a week or to do some grocery shopping to insure that if he's about to hallucinate again he'll have enough time to return home and lock himself within his own padded cellar that he can time for his eventual release. Then, out of nowhere, a stranger appears with her black flowing robes, armed with a sword at her side. She introduces herself as the Angel of Death - collector of souls - and is just as confused as he is about why He has sent her to this "familiar" mortal. At first she seems aloof and wary but they soon become closer, cherishing what little time they get together and falling in love as they realize that they both live in isolation. However, there's another who has much in common with the darkly cloaked servant of God, and that would be Lucifer who was once her friend but now her enemy, banished from the gates of Heaven. They too are alike and not only in the way they are dressed but also in how they're extremely different from all the other angels, and so she finds it hard to hate him for she sees herself in the Devil as well. She refuses to let her guard down, though, for she knows he's a menace, and he will do everything in his power to put an end to this growing union between her and Joshua.

I just finished reading Cynthia Cody's first novel, "Angel Lover", and I have mixed emotions about it. I felt that she needed to incorporate far more depth and far more realism to the character's development. The writing could have used some improvement too, and with better editing, but other than that I thought it was an interesting and engaging story that was fast-paced and an enjoyable, easy read. I did, however, think that at times it was a little TOO simple. The concept was good, though, and proves that Cynthia Cody has much potential and I do hope there's a sequel to this book (perhaps it will explain the ending better).

Angel Lover
I loved it - I couldn't put it down! A moving and touching story of unexpected love. More please!