"Alas, poor stormtrooper, I knew ye not..."
~ from Ian Doescher's William Shakespeare's Star Wars |
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New and Recently Released!
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| Shutter by Courtney AlamedaHorror. Seven days -- that's all the time Micheline Van Helsing and her crew of monster hunters have to break a fatal curse. As cadets in the Helsing Corps, they're trained to fight the undead, and Micheline's ability to see ghostly auras helps her trap volatile spirits with her tricked-out camera. Still, Micheline can't stop a bloodthirsty ghost from infecting her and her team with soulchains that will drag them into death within a week…unless they can exorcise the ghost first. Filled with nightmarish creatures and drenched in "endless buckets of gore" (Booklist), this page-turning debut is sure to satisfy fans of paranormal horror. |
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| Dove Arising by Karen BaoScience Fiction. Despite her dreams of becoming a bioengineer, Phaet enlists in the military at the age of 15. Life on the Moon's human colony is brutally divided among the have and have-nots, and after her mother is detained by the controlling Lunar government, Phaet has no choice but to join the highly competitive Militia if she wants to keep her siblings out of the slums. Similar to the Hunger Games and Divergent trilogies, this intriguing dystopian series opener (by 19-year-old author Karen Bao) offers pulse-pounding action, a touch of romantic drama, and a heroine who's willing to do whatever it takes to save her loved ones. |
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| Shadow Scale by Rachel HartmanFantasy. When civil war breaks out among the dragons, it stirs up personal and political challenges for half-dragon, half-human Seraphina. Though she would rather stay in Goredd, playing music and trying to ignore the impossible attraction between her and prince Lucian Kiggs, Seraphina must instead go on a quest to gather her fellow half-dragons and (hopefully) change the course of the dragon war. Seraphina's wry first-person voice combines with breathtaking world-building to make Shadow Scale a unique re-imagining of classic dragon fantasy stories. To understand the complex plot and changing relationships in this sequel, newcomers will want to start with the award-winning 1st book, Seraphina. |
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| Vanishing Girls by Lauren OliverFiction. Before the accident, Nick and her sister Dara were practically inseparable. Afterwards, Nick can't remember what happened, and Dara, who was badly injured, won't talk to her. Nick tries to move on, getting a job at a run-down amusement park and following the local news stories about a missing 9-year-old girl. But after Dara disappears as well, Nick is forced to confront her sister's shady secrets, as well as her own frightening memories. Told out of order and through diary entries, texts, and other communications from both Nick and Dara, Vanishing Girls has enough psychological tension and family drama to rival E. Lockhart's We Were Liars -- including an unforgettable ending. |
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| The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda SalisburyFantasy. Twylla's touch is death -- literally. As the embodiment of the goddess Daunen, Twylla's skin is so toxic that she can kill with a single touch, an ability that the ruthless queen of Lormere exploits, using Twylla as the kingdom's executioner and planning for her to marry the prince (who is immune to the poison). The shifting loyalties of the royal court become even more bewildering when Twylla's new guard causes her to question her grim fate. Provocative, lush, and packed with twists and betrayals, this dark fantasy (the 1st in a trilogy) will captivate readers who loved Kristin Cashore's Graceling or Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me. |
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English playwright William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 and died in April 1616. Since many of Shakespeare's plays were based on earlier stories from history and legend, it's only fitting to celebrate the Bard with a list of books inspired by his own life and work.
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| Prince of Shadows: A Novel of Romeo and Juliet by Rachel CaineHistorical Fiction. Although Romeo and Juliet are some of Shakespeare's most famous characters, they're just extras in Prince of Shadows: the star here is Romeo's cousin, Benvolio Montague, who hides his secret identity as a masked burglar. While stealing from his family's arch enemies, the Capulets, Benvolio meets (and falls for) Rosaline Capulet, starting a deadly chain reaction that could destroy both families. If you love drama but Shakespeare's writing isn't your style, don't miss this intense retelling from bestselling author Rachel Caine, who injects a bit of magic into the classic tale of rivalry, revenge, swordplay, and star-crossed romance. |
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| Enter Three Witches: A Story of Macbeth by Caroline B. CooneyHistorical Fiction. If you've read Shakespeare's Macbeth, you might think you know the whole story: witches, prophecies, murder, and madness. But in Enter Three Witches, master of suspense Caroline Cooney retells Macbeth from several perspectives, including those of the castle's cook, the witches, and young Lady Mary, the 14-year-old ward of Lord and Lady Macbeth. Mary was sent to live with Lady Macbeth to learn the ways of nobility while awaiting marriage to her betrothed, but after Mary's father is hanged as a traitor, her fate is in the hands of her ruthlessly ambitious guardians. Enter Three Witches is a riveting read regardless of how you feel about the Bard. |
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| William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, a New Hope by Ian DoescherParody. Epic battles, long-lost family members, funny sidekicks, iconic heroes, highly quotable lines…all of these things could be found in both Star Wars and Shakespeare even before the two were combined in this hysterically funny mash-up. Using stage directions and Shakespearean language (R2D2 even beeps in iambic pentameter), author Ian Doescher cleverly recreates the original episode of George Lucas' famous space saga, making sure to drop plenty of in-jokes for both theater and science fiction fans. If one volume of snarky parody isn't enough for you, you can follow it up with Williams Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back and William Shakespeare's The Jedi Doth Return. |
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| Love Disguised by Lisa KleinHistorical Fiction. Newly arrived in London, aspiring actor Will Shakespeare is an easy mark for thieves. Quick-witted barmaid Meg (who sometimes masquerades as her "twin brother," Mack) used to be a thief. Together, Meg and Will might be able to turn their fortunes around. Rich historical details add depth to the Shakespearean humor (lots of slapstick, mistaken identity, and romantic complications) in this fictional account of Will's young life and loves. Frequent nods to Shakespeare's works makes Love Disguised best suited for fans of the Bard, as well as for those who enjoyed author Lisa Klein's previous books based on Shakespeare plays, Ophelia and Lady Macbeth's Daughter. |
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| Saving Juliet by Suzanne SelforsFiction. The fate of the floundering Wallingford Theater rests with high school senior Mimi Wallingford, but it's medical school that interests Mimi, not her leading role in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Despite her indifference to the family's theatrical dynasty, Mimi bows to pressure from her mother to continue acting. Then Mimi and her leading man, the extremely annoying teen idol Troy Summers, are magically transported to 1594 Verona...where Mimi bonds with the real Juliet and becomes determined to give her a happy ending. Filled with humor, excitement, and unexpected turns, Saving Juliet is a rousing and adventurous read. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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