Anna's Book of the Week

My book of the week is The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade. This new* steampunk thriller follows the stories of Modo, a hunchback with extraordinary abilities; Olivia, a young agent investigating the disappearances of some of London's orphans; and Dr. Hyde, a true mad scientist who's genius involves clockworks and strange potions.

Modo has been raised in isolation by the servants of Mr. Socrates. Trained in many "unusual" skills, Modo can't imagine what his life will hold until one day, without warning, Socrates abandons him in the streets of London with his "first test"--survive. Modo's new way of life turns deadly when he suddenly finds himself caught up in a race to stop an evil plot from destroying the British government.

*If you like The Hunchback Assignments, look for the sequel, The Dark Deeps, coming out September 2010.

Want to pick your own "Book of the Week"? Go here and list your current favorites! Then check back and vote on the final list of titles!

Anna's Book of the Week

My book of the week is Moribito II: Guardian of the Darkness by Nahoko Uehashi. Which means you'll have to read Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit, first. Yeah, I know, it's a little sneaky recommending a sequel, but they're both quick, fun reads. They follow a woman named Balsa Spear-wielder, a wandering warrior and body guard for hire.





In the first book, Balsa is hired to protect Prince Chagum from both his father the Mikado, and from a strange monster that hunts him. Chagum's mother is certain that the Mikado plans to have Chagum assassinated after a strange event convinces her that Chagum is host to a mythical creature.






In Moribito II, Balsa journeys to the country of her birth: Kanbal. Her's is a quest to clear her late mentor Jiguro's name; the king who forced their flight from Kanbal is dead, and with him the dangerous conspiracy has supposedly passed away. But Balsa's innocent rescue of two children during her passage into Kanbal has dangerous consequences, revealing that old conspiracies die hard and run much deeper than she suspected.








Want to pick your own "Book of the Week"? Go here and list your current favorites! Then check back and vote on the final list of titles!