The Trouble With Teen Fiction....

There has been a lot of discussion about adults reading teen fiction. I admit that I'm not impressed by adults who only read teen fiction, especially if they only read one sub-genre in teen fiction. Sure, it's fun and easy to set aside in our busy lives but I would argue that this trend is negatively impacting teen books.

My daughter recently authored a candid letter to teen lit authors and it made me think about the direction the genre has taken. I can't help but agree with my kid.

Have you ever read adult reviews of teen books? I have. Many of them. It saddens me that adults have had such an impact on the teen lit world because of these reviews that fail to consider the teen perspective on life, the very people the books are meant for.

Complaints about boring love stories have led to the advent of hypersexualized relationships and unrealistic love triangles to say nothing for themes of the "change to snag your man" variety. Are these really constructs we want to normalize?

Stalking Jack the Ripper, a favorite of my daughter's but it was slammed by adults for being too feminist. Is that really a bad thing when it comes to teens, in today's world? And, that's your complaint? Really? As a mother of a tween daughter, I'd rather have that point driven home. We need to empower our young women and as authors we are in unique positions to do that. Settling for nuances may fly in adult literature, but, it's a little different in the teen world.

The message I'm seeing on these teen book reviews is more sex, less feminism. Go now, take a look at these reviews and who is doing the reviewing.

No wonder my daughter is so frustrated, no wonder kids have these ridiculous ideas about love and adulthood. It's what they read and then what is translated to tv and film for them. It's what they are told life is like, ideals based on the dreamworlds of adults who are driving the changes in teen lit.

Incidentally, I let my daughter join Goodreads so she could balance out the adult reviews on teen lit. We are working with her friends and their families to grow our initiative. Hopefully, it takes off and teens can reclaim their genre.

So what can you do? How can we change this? Next time you read a book meant for teens and decide to review it, think before you write. Consider who the story is meant for and if it hits the mark for that demographic. Think about your children, your nieces and nephews, or any other teen you know and consider what affect the book would have on them. Would it teach them something? Are the characters cardboard cutouts or realistic in the modern world?

If you're looking for more, more sex or depth or development, maybe consider some adult books instead and leave the teen books to the teens.

Book Review: The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim by Shane Peacock

I stumbled upon The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim as a recommendation because of some other books I've read with my daughter. We both thought it sounded awesome so we gave it a go. Autumn finished first and you can find her review her awesome review here.



The book starts out strong, with an excellent premise about a kid who can literally immerse himself in a story and consequently is plagued by terrible nightmares of monsters he's heard about or read about. It's a rather brilliant concept and the execution was passible. There could have been a little more character development and it felt choppy at times. Still, it only took me a few hours to finish it and I wasn't disappointed.

The Verdict on The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim

We will definitely be seeking out the sequel. This book paid homage to classic horror tales and despite a fair lack of character development, offers stunning descriptions and a unique take on teen horror/fantasy.

Book Review: Almost Missed You by Jessica Strawser

Another of my anticipated releases, Almost Missed You almost missed the mark.



A novel about love and loss and missed connections, Almost Missed You follows the lives of Violet, Finn through their eyes and the eyes of a close friend, Caitlyn, whose own marriage is rife with secrets. Though they seem to be happily married, Violet is floored when Finn disappears with their young son.

I almost didn't read past the first chapter. The writing style did not appeal to me at all. I actually found it quite boring and ended up skimming large portions because I couldn't stand the narration. Honestly, if the book had been longer, I probably would not have finished it.

The story was decent. Some parts struck chords with my own failed marriage but not enough to make any of the characters relatable. I think I liked the kids the most - Bear, Leo, and Gus - because they reminded me of my own kids and their absolute cuteness sprang off the page like a jack in the box.

The Verdict

I don't know. It was alright. I mean, I read it and it left me feeling nothing special other than perhaps a touch annoyed. Then again, as much as I try, I simply cannot get into these types of books. I'm sure fans of these romance-centric, broken-heart novels will love it.

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Most Anticipated New Releases of May 2017

Well, May looks better than April did. Still, I'm bored with the selection of new releases. Everything sounds the same. Maybe people just suck at writing blurbs. I don't know. Maybe this is why I prefer small press and indies.

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Dreamfall by Amy Plum

Release Date: May 2, 2017
Touted as Nightmare on Elm Street meets Inception, this YA SciFi may be just what the doctor ordered. Teenagers with insomnia seeking treatment but end up trapped in their dream state - sounds awesome!

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Release Date: May 2, 2017
Another fantasy, I know, but it could be good. I am after all a fan of Mulan and this has a similar feel to it since the main character dresses as a boy in an attempt to save herself. Like I said, slim pickings in the mainstream new releases these days.

The Black Witch by Laurie Forest

Release Date: May 2, 2017
Honestly, this one is another flyer. I don't know, it could be good or it could royally suck. A girl who doesn't have any powers in a world that revolves around powers. Meh, maybe it will be good. Hopefully?

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Release Date: May 30, 2017
They had me at The Breakfast Club. Just saying, I'm a fan, always have been, always will be. Hopefully with the added murder mystery (apparently a la Pretty Little Liars), it will be a worthy and entertaining read.

Book Review: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Keri Maniscalco

Stalking Jack the Ripper is one of the best teen books I've ever read. That's saying something.



We picked this book up based on the blurb - I know, I know, a mistake we've made time and time again. This time the book lived up to the blurb.

"Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world."

Basically, Audrey Rose is performing autopsies with her uncle to learn about the human body with hopes of studying medicine but ends up helping to track down Jack the Ripper. There is a light romance but it keeps true to the period and is very clean. After all, how can you really fall in love with any guy when there's a brilliant serial killer on the loose?

It's marketed as teen horror but Autumn and I didn't find anything over the top though some of the descriptions are a little graphic so if you have a good imagination and you're squeamish you may struggle with a few parts. The writing was clean and the story kept us both engaged. As far as teen lit goes, this one is tough to beat. I caution people to remember that this is a TEEN book and as such it's not going to compete with general fiction books that play by far different rules.

The Verdict on Stalking Jack the Ripper

Read it. Appreciate the story for what it is - just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Book Review: Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

Of Fire and Stars is a sweet LGBT teen fantasy.

The story centers around a princess who is promised to a prince but ends up falling for his sister while they are all trying to sort out who is picking off royal family members. There's magic and deception, friendship and family secrets. 

I now understand why my daughter loved it so much - the romance is sweet and develops slowly but it's also not the main theme of the story. Autumn loved the wild, carefree Mare and appreciated the depiction of unconventional princesses. She warned me that it gets a little cheesy - it did - but also that it's fun and light - it was. 

A lot of the reviews we've seen seem to complain about the lack of world building and character development but that was not our experience at all. We loved how subtle the world building and character development were and honestly, I found very few awkward passages as opposed to the majority of what we've been reading. 

The Verdict on Of Fire and Stars

Honestly, I really enjoyed this book. It was cute and sweet and fairly well written. It's not meant to be an epic fantasy so I question the negative reviews that seemed to expect that. We got this book through Owlcrate (one of our new guilty pleasures!) and I'm glad because my kid loved it.

**This post contains affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase the book from Amazon you will not be charged extra but we may receive a small commission for the referral.

Book Review: Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies by Lindsay Ribar

Meh.



Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies fell a little flat and I've advised my daughter to skip it. Here's why:

1. Main Character proves that a cool name is not enough to make you cool. Aspen is an impulsive, self-centered, angsty kid who has this miraculous turnaround in the last fifty pages or so. Not believable or relatable.

2. Plot is crucial to every story. 75 pages into this book and I had no reason to care about what was happening. Sheer will to finish for this review is all that kept me going.

The Verdict on Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies

The writing was okay, nothing remarkable and there are more extraneous, unnecessary scenes than I could count on both hands. This might have done better as a short story. I'm sure this book has an audience, we just aren't it.

Book Review: Everland by Wendy Spinale

Everland is a very cute, very fun teen read.

As far as teen lit goes, this is not the best I've read but it was fun and the nod to Steampunk culture hit that sweet spot for me. I wish the editing had been a little tighter because there were some really awkward spots that jarred me from the story for a moment or two. Still, it's a sweet little read with mild romantic themes and decent characters.

Obviously based on the stories of Peter Pan and Neverland, there are plenty of nods to the original story including crocodiles, marbles, umbrellas, and teddy bears. Set against the backdrop of a London decimated by war and a virulent disease that threatens everyone within the city, Everland follows Gwen Darling (see what she did there?) and the Lost Boys as they fight against Hook whose story is told in alternating chapters. As a pleasant surprise, Hook is given more depth than you'd expect.

The Verdict on Everland

Very cute teen read. I would say it is clear for a YA read given how clean it is - no gruesome descriptions or battles, no romance beyond hand holding an a very chaste kiss (not telling who or when!). We're going to have to buy this series because my kiddo is going to love it.

** This post contains affiliate links, should you choose to purchase through this link you will not be charged extra but we will receive a small commission for the referral.

Book Review: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Crooked Kingdom is a solid follow-up to Six of Crows.




Kaz Brekker and his team are on the hunt for The Wraith (Inej) as Crooked Kingdom takes up where Six of Crows left off. Nina is recovering, Matthias broods, Jesper and Wylan continue dancing around their feelings for each other...and the plot thickens, of course.

Though I felt that some parts dragged a bit - to the point I skimmed some pages - there were a few brilliant scenes that made me laugh and one in particular that left me pissed. Isn't that what we're looking for, though? Books that make you feel something?

The Verdict on Crooked Kingdom

As I noted above, it's a solid follow up to Six of Crows and I would read anything about these characters because I thoroughly enjoy them. If you haven't tested the waters of Ketterdam yet, dive in and enjoy the ride!

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Dear Teen Literature Authors by Autumn Broyles

As promised, today I'm posting a candid letter from my daughter Autumn, a precocious tween who is disappointed in the quality of teen books being inflicted on her and her peers.

Dear Authors of Teen Literature,

Today is National Support Teen Literature Day and I figured it would be the best time to address some of the problems in your writing, especially Teen Romances. This is an open, honest letter to those of you who THINK you write teen fiction. I'm taking this opportunity to point out the reasons why you're doing it all wrong.

Stereotyping

One of the biggest problems I find within teen literature is stereotyping. There are too many authors who choose to write stereotypes instead of relatable characters. For example, Stefan Bachmann's A Drop Of Night is one of the worst examples of this trend. I recently finished this one - barely. It was, in my opinion, a horrible book mainly because of the stereotypical female characters that could not have been more obnoxious. I could NOT stand either of them. Anouk, the main character seemed like a bad EMO spoof with more than a splash of narcissism. Lilly, the second female character, was nosy and overly cheerful.  This book is only ONE example but I could give many more. So please, STOP WRITING CHEAP STEREOTYPES!

Over the Top Romance

Another issue I have with teen literature is the excessive romance themes. I get that adults read these books too, but they are TEEN books and should not have detailed sex scenes. I've stopped reading books because of in-depth romance. For example, The Awesome by Eva Darrows sounded good. Monster hunting, AWESOME! However, a few chapters into the book and I hit a rather detailed sex scene that had no place in the book. I had my Mom read it and even she was shocked by the detail for a teen book. It's collecting dust on a shelf until I reach a point where I can stomach that. You had to add in that romance didn't you. 

Why are we giving teens books filled with hardcore romance themes? Aren't we worried about them trying to recreate some of the scenes in some of these books? Authors, are you possibly encouraging teens to do some of this stuff?  Just saying. Maybe take a note from romance themes done WELL - Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst, Everland by Wendy Spinale, and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.

Dragging Out the Story

The final issue I have with teen literature is the length of books, series, and trilogies. I've read too many books that  were longer than they needed to be - that's right, I'm looking at you, Michael Grant (Gone) and Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games). Maybe you guys should pay attention to some others who know how to keep their books the right length, *ahem* J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. No matter what genre or age you write for you have to have respect the HP series.

To conclude I am begging you to write for your TRUE audience, not the adults who are reading teen books but the TEENS reading them. Talk to teens who read, ask them what they want to see and for all that is good in this world, stop catering to adults, they have enough of a selection to choose from without usurping ours.

Your Loving Reader,

AUTUMN BROYLES

(cause names should always be big. )

Book Review: A Drop of Night by Stefan Bachmann

A Drop of Night falls victim to the "great concept poorly executed" curse.



I should have listened to my daughter on this one. Autumn's review can be found here if you are interested on her take as well. She's becoming quite the book critic and I should have trusted her.

The main character, Anouk, is one of the most annoying EMO-wannabe characters I've read in teen lit thus far. She's a disgrace to young women and, frankly, an insult. To pretend that "tough young women" act bitchy to hide some true pain is a sure way to piss off a truly tough young woman.

I'm trying not to be a jerk because this author is a kid, so I will let my daughter sound off since she is also a kid who found the main character annoying and, ultimately, offensive. While I can forgive his clearly backwards view of teen girls because of his inexperience, my daughter cannot. She asked me if this is what boys think of girls - either the bitchy, wounded tough girl or the too perky, too nice chubby girl (the secondary character Lily).

What do I say to that? What I said is, "Autumn, National Support Teen Literature Day is coming up, why don't you write an open letter to Teen Lit Authors about what you'd rather see and I will post it on my blog."

She is tickled pink. Look for Autumn's letter on April 13th.

In the meantime....

The Verdict on A Drop of Night

I wanted to like it. The premise is good and the story could have worked if the characters weren't so terrible.

Next up: Everland by Wendy Spinale

Book Review: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows is even better than I hoped.



Autumn and I have circled around this book at the bookstore for months and never purchased it because we're stingy and couldn't bring ourselves to buy one hardcover book when we could get two or three paperbacks on our list for the same price. Big mistake on our part and one that will be rectified in time for my daughter to read Six of Crows. We'll also be investing in the sequel. That's how much I loved this book.

The characters and world building are top notch as far as teen fiction goes. There are a smattering of gory scenes, mild romance themes (all G rated), and a lot of action. I would save this book for the maturer tween/teen and the adult crowds because of the gore and the allusions to darker deeds (slave trading, sex trades, etc) but there's nothing over the top or out of line as I've seen in other books that have attempted those subjects.

Basically, this book revolves around six teens with a variety of talents - some magical, some physical, and some purely intellectual - who are given an impossible task. Should they succeed, each of the six will find the redemption and freedom they crave. The plot thickens at every turn and the action is fantastic as the most improbable heist of their world unravels.

The Verdict on Six of Crows

In truth, Six of Crows should have been my follow up to Strange the Dreamer because they were both stunning examples of teen fiction. Well written with few cringe-worthy moments, Crows and Strange are a cut above the rest of the drudge out there. Forget Divergent, Hunger Games, and Twilight - read Six of Crows!

Book Review: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

My daughter read This Savage Song first and thoroughly enjoyed it so I took a chance.



It's not that I was disappointed, far from it. The characters were interesting, the world unique, and the writing solid, but I just finished Strange the Dreamer where everything was amazing. I feel bad, maybe I didn't give Savage Song enough of a chance by choosing it as my follow up to Strange.

The story revolves around Kate (a teenager who grew up too fast and has Daddy issues that put all other Daddy issues to shame) and August (a monster with a conscience living among humans and not sure how or where to fit in). Their world is similar to ours - if all of a sudden all of the bad that we do to each other and our world manifested as monsters who turned on us. That's right. Monster's are real in this hell on Earth and the lines in the sand of been drawn - literally.

I liked it. I even finished it in a few hours. The author's style is what I would consider clean - no frills, no excess, no drawn out nonsense. I respect that. Of course, it's not Ms. Scwab's first rodeo, either. There are no rookie mistakes, no random expositions, and no "how in the hell did that character miraculously pluck that knowledge out of thin air" moments. Thankfully.

The Verdict

It's a worthy read for a rainy afternoon. I look forward to the sequel.

Book Review: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

If you are a fan of epic fantasy you'll love Strange the Dreamer.



An Unseen City that essentially exists in legends and fairytales, an orphan boy (Lazlo Strange), a golden boy, and an impossible problem are at the core of Laini Taylor's newest novel.  In some ways, this teen fantasy strikes me as a PG version of A Crown for Cold Silver (The Crimson Empire) by Alex Marshall - not as gutsy or graphic by any means but epic in its own right. The transition and flow of the characters is reminiscent of those in Crown, one of my favorite reads in recent years, so Strange left me longing for the next installment.

Lazlo Strange is one of those characters you can't help but root for. Though I would argue that he brushes dangerously close to the realm of Mary Sue characters, Strange's backstory and awkwardness make it forgivable. Besides, the other characters are flawed enough to bridge the gap.

The writing is clean, smooth and refreshing, especially when compared to the crap teen books I've been reading with my daughter lately. She's almost twelve and knows enough to be frustrated with the garbage being peddled to her and her peers these days. Strange the Dreamer stands apart.

The Verdict

A refreshing, entertaining, and at times invigorating fantasy that thankfully does not center on idealized notions of romance but instead on a true quest and mystery.

**This post contains affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase through these links you will not be charged extra but I may receive a small commission for the referral. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Anticipated April 2017 Releases

Do you ever get the feeling that every new release is a copy of something you've already read - several times over? It's starting to feel like there are a handful of stories that are being bastardized and resold as new releases. I never really noticed it before but maybe that's why I tended to avoid new releases?

So, in case you haven't guessed it, April's new releases left me wanting. Here's my meager list:

After You Left

Release Date: 4/1/17

I'm not even real sold on this one, to be honest, but maybe it will be good. Husband inexplicably leaves wife on their honeymoon. Wife is haunted by the reason behind his departure, meets another woman whose sad story mirrors her own. Can wife solve the question that plagues her?

Spindle Fire

Release Date: 4/11/17

This one had me at fantasy. Sisters and fairies and tithing your senses to the fae....sounds like a recipe for awesomeness. We'll see though, I've been disappointed MANY times in recent months.



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April's Book Reviews

Incidentally, this month is School Library Month and the celebration of Teen Literature Day so I'll only be reviewing "teen" books during April AND, I may have a guest reviewer for a few posts!

Book Review: The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

One word: Awesome.

The Roanoke Girls is the right combination of disturbing and delightful. Realistic and reasonably flawed characters converge in this dramatic novel about a family with more secrets than it can contain.



Centering around Lane Roanoke as she returns to a home she fled eleven years, the story alternates between "then" and "now." Then refers to the summer after Lane's mother committed suicide and she was sent to live with the grandparents she'd never known. Now details the reason for Lane's return - her cousin Allegra's disappearance - and everything that transpires in the search for what happened to the missing Roanoke girl.

The Verdict

I can't give away anymore without ruining the mystery but I finished The Roanoke Girls in a matter of hours and it only took that long because my kids are on Spring Break.

**This post contains affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase through these links you will not be charged extra but we may get a small commission for the referral. Thank you for supporting our blog!!

Book Review: Mister Memory by Marcus Sedgwick

Mister Memory is a beautifully written, character driven mystery.



Set in 1890s Paris, Mister Memory follows the tale of Marcel Depres down an unlikely path involving marriage, death, imprisonment, and an asylum. All of his experiences center around his perfect memory. That's right, a perfect memory. Marcel forgets nothing. In fact, he can recall every moment of his life in perfect detail.

It may sound awesome but the reader soon learns that Marcel's perfect memory comes at a cost and has led him down his terrible path. It's up to a doctor and a few police officers to unravel the puzzle.

The Verdict on Mister Memory

Memorable characters and an incredible story that keeps you guessing make this a must read.

Up Next

The Roanoke Girls: A Novel by Amy Engel
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity) by Victoria Schwab
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim: 1 by Shane Peacock

If you have suggestions for our reading list, please email them to booksbyviolet@gmail.com. Thanks for reading!

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Why I Prefer a Good Book to a Man

If I had a nickel for every time somebody told me "it's time to move on, get back in the game," I'd no longer be peddling my services, doing my own laundry, or even driving a modest car.

I am a divorcee. Nothing about the dissolution of my marriage was pleasant. I can't boast a "healthy, we are still friends" mentality because it would be a lie. I'm happy for people who can remain friends with their exes and still do amazing things for them. That's not in the cards for me. But, I'm not going into all of that, it's only a blip on the radar when it comes to this topic. It's merely the foundation for this post because it is the first time in my life that people are really pushing me to "find a man."

I've had more than my fair share of relationships since I started dating. None of them have ended with a happily ever after, even the one I really believed would. 

Since I was a little girl, books have been there to transport me far from all of my troubles. The years since my divorce have been no different. In fact, I've regrown my personal library and formed a healthy attachment with my local library system that I never had before.

See how excited I was to read to my Great Grandma?

But, don't you want somebody to talk to?

I have journals for that. I talk and talk and talk until I run out of pages and then, guess what, there is another shiny new journal ready to hear my deepest, darkest thoughts without judgment.

But, don't you want a REAL person to talk to, to bounce ideas off of? 

I have those people, they are trusted friends and family who have proven their loyalty and unconditional love. These few people tell me when I'm being an idiot and when I'm onto something spectacular. And, these magical people bring me books!

I loved to read when we went camping!

But, don't you want somebody to touch you? 

Listen, I get physical affection from the people mentioned above, sure, I miss some aspects but there are ways to achieve the same result without having to pretend I'm enjoying things I'm really not. Books can evoke the same level of excitement and all I have to stroke on them are the pages as I'm turning them. And, the best part is, I can basically be a harlot and have as many lovers as I like because I can't cheat on a book and they can't cheat on me. Isn't that lovely?

You just haven't met the right man, someday you will and all of this will be bullshit. 

I beg to differ. I've met a lot of men, LOTS, and at my age, the pickings are slim because many men are taken or not down with helping to raise another man's kids. I respect that. I'm also not down with adding more of anything to my life. 

Further, by insinuating that I have to have a man in my life to be complete people are saying that I am somehow incomplete. I don't feel that way anymore (though I did when I was married). I almost lost myself entirely trying to make something work that just didn't. Now, armed with a good book and a cup of coffee (or pint of beer or glass of wine, I'm not picky) I feel more complete and confident in my choice to spend a Friday night at home than I ever did before. 

My reading nook....isn't it pretty?

You sound anti-love and full of bitterness and hate - you need to see somebody about that.

Screw you. I am not bitter, I am not full of hate, and I am not anti-love. I am thrilled for all of my friends who are pairing up, moving in together, getting married, and everything else. I fully support their happiness and hope that they will in turn support my choices. 

And I have love. I have two kids who think I'm perfect (I'm not, believe me, I'm trying HARD to convince them of my imperfection before the image is shattered and they feel betrayed). My parents are supportive in every way imaginable. I have siblings and friends who I love dearly and love me in return. There is no room in my life for bitterness but I do hate some things, like close-minded people, ignorance, intolerance, cruelty, you know, that kind of stuff.

I guess what I'm saying is that I prefer a good book to a man because:

• A good book will never cheat on me, leave me (unless I lend it to somebody and then, like a boomerang, it comes back), or make me feel lesser. 
• A good book will entertain me, transport me to places I can't afford to travel to right now, teach me, inspire me, and encourage me.

National Tolkien Reading Day!

On March 25th we celebrate one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time - J.R.R. Tolkien. His books have been a part of "geek" culture for decades and even sparked two major movie trilogies. Oh! Wait, let's not forget the animated versions of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

Started by The Tolkien Society in 2003, National Tolkien Reading Day coincides with the fall of The Lord of the Rings (a.k.a. Sauron who's actually not even the biggest bad to ever terrorize Middle Earth). The point is to encourage people to read Tolkien's works and share their favorite passages.

Just one of the many ways The Tolkien Society seeks to spread the love of all things Tolkien, March 25th has come to mean a little something to me. Tolkien's works have left a mark on me, inspired me, and encouraged me when I needed it most.

Incidentally, one of my favorite passages is from The Return of the King when Eowyn faces the Nazgul.

"Begone, foul dwimmerlaik, lord of carrion! Leave the dead in peace!"

A cold voice answered: "Come not between the Nazgul and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and they shriveled mind be left naked to the Lidless Eye."

A sword rang as it was drawn. "Do what you will; but I will hinder it if I may."

"Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!"

Then Merry heard of all sounds in that hour the strangest. It seemed that Dernhelm laughed, and the clear voice was like the ring of steel. "But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Eowyn I am, Eomund's daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him."

Of course, the passage continues with Eowyn's triumph over the dark rider of Sauron. These pages in my copy of Return are just a bit more worn than some of the others. It is in these pages that Eowyn shows her worth, and the worth of women as other than beautiful objects.

Looking for something Tolkien for your collection? Try one of these gems:

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