Circle of Cranes is based on an old Asian folktale you may have never heard of, The Crane Wife. While the most well-known version of the tale is Japanese, there are various renditions of the tale in other Asian cultures as well. Annette LeBox reveals the tale as she writes for anyone unfamiliar with the story and weaves lore of women who can turn into cranes into a sophisticated story full of truth as it reveals the grit and crime of the world's underbelly. I'll admit that for most of the time I was reading, I labored under the wrong impression that I was reading historical fantasy from the turn of the twentieth century as immigrants flocked to the melting pot of the US in unsavory conditions in order to prosper. Sweatshops and labor strikes flourished at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, and that's what I thought I was reading. It wasn't until the end when one character has a cell phone that I thought, "Huh, that's odd." It turns out that LeBox has woven her novel around a smuggling incident that occurred in British Columbia, Canada in 1999/2000, where ships were intercepted and shown to be inhumane, the passengers in the worst of conditions. She also looks in-depth at the "intimidation methods used by human smugglers toward undocumented garment workers in the sweatshops of Chinatown, New York" (pg. 338). I had no clue that such places still existed today and that in some ways, life never evolved. The thought is horrifying.
Lebox's blog features more articles involving her detailed research into CIRCLE OF CRANES. She also talks about her trip to China, where she discovered the Miao Minority in Guizhou, which she calls "the poorest and least visited province in China." The area very much follows the ways of the past, having never modernized, which is one reason I thought I was in Ancient China when reading about Cao Hai Lake at the book's beginning. There is a custom that girls must be exquisite embroiderers. If they aren't, they have less of a dowry and can't make a good marriage.
In CIRCLE OF CRANES, main character Suyin is forbidden to learn embroidery. Her grandfather thinks her mother's embroidery ensnared and ruined his son. This lowers her prospects at marriage and a good life. With two parents and her grandparents dead, Suyin bounces from house to house with no permanent home. When a Snakehead (What the Chinese call human smugglers) comes and offers to take one person from the village to the United States in exchange for payment, the village chooses Suyin. She's promised a cruise ship and streets paved with gold, only to find herself crushed into the belly of a dinky boat crammed three-to-a-bed, with little food and too many rats. In New York, she's locked away in a safehouse, and seldom paid for her labor. There are hired thugs willing to kill if immigrants attempt escape without repaying their debt. On top of that, most of the workers were paid between $1-$3 USD, which is despicable and well below minimum wage.
Suyin suffers in the new world, hating that she and her entire village have been duped. Back home, she had an encounter with cranes and was told that she was to undertake a quest, able to one day turn into a crane herself. In New York, the cranes teach her how to embroider, and she slowly tries to improve her circumstances and take her place in the world, to both fulfill her quest to become one with her crane sisters and stand up for what's fair for the friends laboring with her in the slums of New York.
CIRCLE OF CRANES is so much grittier and deeper than I ever expected it to be. I want to learn more about all of the topics and situations LeBox touched on now that the novel's over, and I love the extra information she's featured on her blog, as though she knew I'd come looking. I can't believe humans still live in such deplorable conditions in today's world, that our government turns a blind eye and does nothing. Reading this novel, I truly felt I'd fallen backwards a century, and to find out that this was happening today was shocking. I didn't realize the book was going to feature such deep issues when I picked it up, thinking it would mostly be about a girl's journey to becoming a crane sister. It was, but it was so much more, too. The novel is gorgeously written and really gets into the mind of Suyin as she adapts to her new life, betrayed by everyone and forced to continue on in such revolting conditions. The book is well worth reading and will truly open your mind in more ways than one.
OTHER BOOKS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Black Arts in South East Asia, Adventures in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia
I have been living in Thailand for the last eight years, since graduation from college in upstate NY. I have since learned to speak Thai, which enables all doors to open. Traveling across northern Thailand, and through The Golden Triangle, has quenched many of my thirsts for adventure. I have subsequently made trips into rural northern Laos along the Mae Kong River, and all the way to the Chinese border. I have spent time in Cambodia, and come to some of my own conclusions about the horrific Khmer past. I have also lived on the remote island of Kho Lipe, far off the southern Thai coast in the Andaman Sea.
Residing in South East Asia over the last seven years has opened my mind to better understand mysteries of the Far East, both the enticing and disturbing. I lived in the fast lane, and regularly pushed myself to the limits. Black Arts in South East Asia is a nonfiction story that captures the 21st century and my experiences in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Laos, Udon Thani, Cambodia, as well as on the beaches. Dare I say this story is not for my own grandmother, however it sheds a truthful torch of light into the dark worlds of prostitution, pimps, transvestites, killers, thieves, human trafficking and counter culture.
Black Arts in South East Asia chronicles a true to life adventure that can be retraced entirely, as I have not doctored the names, places, or people I have encountered along the way. For these reasons, I am confident that my non-fiction story is as up to date, authentic, and original as anything else in its genre. I believe this book has the potential to spark a new generation of travelers looking to better understand themselves and the world they pass through.
My travel story is for a broadminded and unabashed reader, who wants to know exactly what is happening in South East Asia this year. Black Arts in South East Asia began as a private story for only my closest friends. However, it was through their feedback, that this wild and debaucherous tale has risen to the public spotlight where it is today.
Hi 
,
My name Snobabi, I'm interested in buying books for myself and other people,but some books I get can
only come from Borders or B&N because they have contracts with these places.I was wondering whether or
not those two companies ship the books thru- there pkg place or do they send them out thru- these other com
panies.
I dont have a problem with where they are sent from,but I did sign up with B&N. I had to sign up with another one because they had a couple books I want, but the other books I want ,Borders and B&N dont seem to have;well
one they did ,but it was more expensive then I thought.I'm not sure what to do,if I should order those other books or not because they might get sent back.
If anyone knows or can give me any advice on this I'd appreciate it,thank you,
Sincerely,
Snobabi,
A Tale Dark and Grimm So you think you know all about Hansel and Gretel do you?
How the poor little kids had a mean stepmom who made the dad let them loose in the big bad forest only for them to end up at the witch's gingerbread house... Well that's not exactly the whole story. The success of Grimm on TV may have made me predisposed to like this book but I was unprepared for the wonderful wit and gory retelling of a famous Grimm Brothers tale. Spoilers throughout alert the reader to send the little ones in the other room because the story is going to get pretty gristly and it does. Adam Gidwitz provides a fun read for families (minus the little ones!) with giggle out loud humor.
Ashes The cover is creepy and the story is creepier but the creepiest thing is that there is a certain truth to the story- this scenario could happen! Young Alex is a girl with nothing to lose because she has lost it all - her parents, her sense of smell, memories and soon her life. A brain tumor is slowly gnawing away at all she holds dear so she decides to take a timeout hiking in the wilds. She meets an older gentleman and his obnoxious granddaughter hiking. An event happens and everything goes bad- except in Alex's head. Now comes the non-stop action of evading the changed (anyone over a certain age but under the elderly) finding food, shelter and answers. This is a fast paced thrill ride that will appeal not only to teens but adults as well. Think Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" . No real ending so I know there will be more to come and I will be the first one in line!
The Inquisitor's Apprentice You live with all of your relatives and then some in a tenement apartment in the Bowry area of New York City. Thousands of immigrants crowd the streets selling their wares and Sacha is just trying to make a name for himself when it is discovered that he can see magic in the making. This brings him to the attention of the Inquisitor Maximillian Wolf who takes him under his wing as an apprentice along with the daughter of a high society family - Astral (read Astor) Their goal is to find the dybbuk who is trying to kill Thomas Edison or steal his newest invention. Sacha has his hands full trying to help Wolf and protect his family who may be committing unlawful magic . Real historic names like Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison and Harry Houdini find their place in the story alongside other families designed to remind us of Astor, Vanderbilt and Morgan. Very imaginative storyline and wonderful old time drawings make this a winner on many levels. Older kids will appreciate the history but all will enjoy the story.
The
The Orphan of Awkward Falls When Josephine's parents tell her to pack up and move to the next town where her academic father is teaching she puts on her favorite hat and goes without much interest. That changes when she discovers that they are living way out in the middle of nowhere in an old Victorian house with an honest to goodness haunted mansion right next door. Curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers that the mansion is home to a quirky boy genius , automatron butler and a talking cat. What this unlikely group comes to realize is that an escaped lunatic is coming home to their mansion and chaos is sure to follow. A bit scary for younger audiences but you will fall for the characters and includes wonderful illustrations.
Fateful If this were just another historical book set aboard the Titanic with the main character as a ladies maid and the drama that happens between the classes it would be wonderful but add a paranormal element to the story and it soars into a totally new book. Tess is trying to escape her future as a ladies maid for a wealthy family and strike it out on her own and sees her chance when she is told she will be traveling with the family to New York aboard the new oceanliner, the Titanic. Just before, she has a near miss with a wolf and is dismayed to discover that he is aboard the ship and is after her. If this isn't enough drama, Tess falls for a young wealthy gentleman who unfortunately is also a werewolf. With mounting tension and events that will change Tess's future when she reaches the end of the voyage we then experience the horror of the fateful end of the Titanic. Excellent read for teens and adults who love history with a twist!
Legend Marie Lu's new book goes into familiar territory but it is a journey that we love filled with a futuristic society after an outbreak of the plague where young adults are tested and sorted and the government controls their lives completely. June's older brother was all she had left after the death of their parents so when he is killed during a patrol by a terrorist she is devastated. Her perfect test score let her walk into a military rank that surpassed anyone let alone someone her age and she goes undercover to find and destroy the criminal known as "Day". Day is really a teenager whose family thinks he is dead and he is on the run pulling small thefts and stunts to hinder the Republic's control. When Day and June meet each other June is in the dark about Day's identity and Day thinks June is just another beautiful street person but that will all change. Can June get past what she is told happened to her brother and what her heart tells her? Great new series will have you on the edge of your seat !
The Future of Us Teens have a tough time no matter what era we are talking about but what if you had just received your first computer and that magical disk of AOL - America Online so you could talk to your friends (if they had a computer, if they could tie up the phone lines with dial up service and if their parents let them on that new fad the internet) and you logged on only to find yourself looking at something called Facebook and a future you who was posting messages. You could see who you married, how many kids you had and if you were happy. That is exactly what this new book is all about and the future may just surprise you. No real adult situations and younger teens may have trouble trying to remember a world before facebook, cell phones and I-pads but will understand the frustration of being a teen.
Crossed (Matched Trilogy Series #2) Ally Condie's writing is poetic and idealistic yet the story of dystopic teens in the future rings true of how many teens feel today and the romance between Cassia and Ky (or her match Xander) is true in any time period. Cassia escapes the Society leaving everyone behind to search the canyons of the outer provinces for the boy she feels is her true love-Ky. The Society is sending aberrations to villages only to be used as decoys and picked off by air ships or dying from poisoned rivers. Ky and his group are trying to find the rising (think rebel colonies) to join the rebellion and get back to his roots. Cassia and her new friend escape and try to find Ky and join the rebellion. Xander, who was left behind ,may play more of a role than Cassia or Ky ever guessed. I love how Ally Condie uses poetry and art to show just how much the Society has removed from their lives.
Tiger's Voyage (Tiger's Curse Series #3) I will be the big spoiler and tell you- there will be other books continuing this series. The quest continues for Kelsey, Ren and Kishan and their Indian entourage as they try to find the next piece of the puzzle that will break the curse and restore the ancient (yet super hot) princes back to their human form forever. It is still a battle of wills between which of the princes will receive Kelsey's love and for me the romance goes on a bit too long. There isn't a man out there or tiger that can be told "tag, you're it" as many times as Kelsey has chosen one or the other of them. The Indian mythology and folklore is wonderful and the adventure part of the series is very dramatic. Another great feature of this series is that the romance without any adult situations makes it a surefire hit with younger teens and their moms.
The Cheshire Cheese Cat I cannot gush enough over this book! The illustrations are wonderful , the plot divine and the characters scream "buy the movie rights" ! The Cheshire Cheese Cat takes place in good old London during Queen Victoria's reign at a cheese and ale shop that just happens to make the best cheese in London. Among the regulars are several authors - one Charles Dickens in particular, who just can't get into his next project and is distracted by the animal drama being played out before him. You also have a bar maid, cook , the owner of the establishment and his young daughter who speaks to animals (aghast!) The true heroes of this story is one very beat up but lovable tom cat named Skilley who just wants a warm hearth and a hunk of cheese but must pretend to catch the large collection of mice to earn his bed and board, his friend Pip a mouse who can read and write, a raven gone missing from the Tower and a very mean tom cat named Pinch. This is the perfect choice for a family read or for animal loving kids who enjoy a cheesy historical tale.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone Karou with her bright blue hair and elusive ways is somewhat of a mystery to her fellow art students. Little do they know of her errands to collect teeth for Brimstone, the chimaera taskmaster who raised Karou along with an interesting group of mismatched beasties. Something is threatening the chimaera and Karou must give up her somewhat normal life to save her adopted family and learn about her heritage. When she falls in love with Akiva, a seraphim who has been born to hunt and kill chimaera, and learns of the war that has raged for centuries she has some tough choices to make. Wonderful blend of modern day Prague and the mythical war and fantastic creatures that lie just on the other side of a doorway. This will speak to teens and adults who love the fantastical !
Ashes, Ashes The latest teen dystopia follows a similar path of many other futuristic thrillers to recently hit the shelves - teens in a messed up world with no safe place to hide from the zombies (just kidding, no zombies in this one!) Ashes,Ashes finds us in the ruins of New York City in the not too distant future where Lucy is trying to survive in Central Park after a deadly plague of smallpox wipes out her family and everyone else she knows. As if hunting for small animals and acorns isn't enough, she is also trying to find dry shelter just above the water line of the now flooded downtown before the heavy rainy season begins. There are sweepers from the nearby hospital who are patrolling looking for anyone who is supposedly disease free but they are carted off to the hospital never to be seen again. A cute young guy saves Lucy from a dog patrol and offers her sanctuary in his compound made up of children and old people. The sweepers are going after them too and if it isn't enough just trying to survive they now have to fight the sweepers or loose more of their numbers to whatever horrors lie at the hospital. Will Lucy win Aiden's heart? Will the compound win against the sweepers? Read and find out...
Texas Gothic The story begins one summer when two sisters who come from a quirky Austin family who are taking care of their Aunt's herb ranch in the Hill Country while she is on an extended holiday. Feeding goats and taking care of some dogs doesn't sound like the ideal way to spend your summer before going to college but as soon as Amy Goodnight gets out into the country in her little mini-cooper she runs into trouble. While chasing goats clad only in her underwear she meets her next-ranch neighbor - sexy Ben McCulloch on horseback and it is plain that he is not happy with more "crazy Goodnight witches" coming to town. When bones are discovered on Ben's ranch and his land gets taken over by a UT archeological team, the girls get pulled in and the rumors of a mad monk ghost get them more unwanted attention from the townspeople. Amy and her sister Phin are really just trying to calm an agitated ghost but it seems there is more to the story - are humans involved as well in a sinister plot? People are getting hurt and the threats are flying. You will be hooked from the first page and love the quirky paranormal story as well a hint of romance.
