Here, There, and Everywhere  

Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time II criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.

Book 1:  Runemarks by Joanne Harris

Hardcover: 544 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (January 8, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0375844449

Amazon Product Description

Seven o’clock on a Monday morning, five hundred years after the end of the world, and goblins had been at the cellar again. . . . Not that anyone would admit it was goblins. In Maddy Smith’s world, order rules. Chaos, old gods, fairies, goblins, magic, glamours–all of these were supposedly vanquished centuries ago. But Maddy knows that a small bit of magic has survived. The “ruinmark” she was born with on her palm proves it–and makes the other villagers fearful that she is a witch (though helpful in dealing with the goblins-in-the-cellar problem). But the mysterious traveler One-Eye sees Maddy’s mark not as a defect, but as a destiny. And Maddy will need every scrap of forbidden magic One-Eye can teach her if she is to survive that destiny.

I read this review and thought I would like the book.  I mean, it had plenty of things I've enjoyed before.  Old Gods, fairies, goblins, magic.. it seemed logical.  When I began the book it seemed... fairly good.  So of course I kept reading.  Then at times I found it... boring, but I read on. 

I don't know what it was about this book that wasn't grabbing me.  I hope it just wasn't my mood, and in all honesty, it could have been.  I read on.

I read 369 pages out of 544 and decided, I just was not enjoying this book.  And I can't really pin point why. 

I am going to say that the story itself just wasn't my thing I guess.  But I do think others might enjoy this book.  It wasn't awful, it just wasn't my thing.

There really wasn't much in the way of fairies and goblins..least not it the "classic way".  Any magic surrounded Runes (which of course makes since, hence the title..duh) And like I said, I do think others will like this book.

I just decided I had given it a good shot and it was time to move on...