The Cabinet of Wonders (alkuperäinen julkaisuvuosi 2008; vuoden 2010 painos)

This book appeared in my hands at a perfect time, having rested quietly on a shelf in my study awaiting the moment. Our "real" world has developed serious problems with proper decision making of monumental proportions and is in need of the essential convictions of a 12 year old girl of Petra's description. Much about the book is magical. It's length is a perfect fit. The story moves along with energy and honesty in numerous short chapter segments. Perfect for bedtime. There's an ongoing sense of urgency without making it hard to put down (in order to sleep). History is inserted comfortably and the use of language to "teach" is nicely done throughout. The balance between the mythical, the magical and the possibly real works well. Overall, I was reminded of Frank Baum's "Magical Monarch of Mo" with which it compares easily. While marketed as a book for the younger age group, I vote firmly for its inclusion in all age categories (I am in my 80's.) Kudos to Marie Rutkoski for a grand experience. ( )

Ok, now that was fun. Really, really fun.

Ever since I realized that the author of The Winner’s Curse wrote this trilogy that I’ve been eyeing for weeks, my need to read it increased tenfold. And it didn’t disappoint!

Cabinet has a little bit of everything – traveling, science, art, magic, political intrigue. Rutkoski has this way of merging all of these together in a fascinatingly rich plot, and centers it really well around a single character --- Petra. Her single-minded need to find her father’s eyes (Also, sidenote: the prince stole her father’s eyes. As in, he had them gouged out. And then he took them.) really anchors all of the different fragments of this world well. And what fragments!! The completion of a clock that could potentially control the weather, the invention of a new primary color, the ability to speak to and liven metal, paint that erases one’s existence, stories of Romany who could talk to elephants and horses and trained ghost fingers…the imagination that takes flight in this novel is really, absolutely breathtaking!

And, yeah. The prince stole her father’s EYES. Petra in some ways is difficult to jive with, given that she is simply a conduit through which the story moves forward. Her qualities are very typical: brave, slightly rebellious, responsible, smart, with a dash of impatience. There’s nothing about her personality that stands out, that makes her different than dozens of other heroines in dozens of other novels everywhere. But, the secondary characters, like the prince (he took somebody’s eyes, for gods sake!) and John Dee, who introduces a fascinating element of international court intrigue into the mix, and of course Neel, with fascinating fables, make the story nice and lively.

This is one of those books where it’s the world and the plot that make it a compelling, irresistible read. On to the next one! ( )

When Petra's father, Mikal, returns from six months in Prague working for the prince, it's not quite the homecomming she had imagined. He'd just finished building a remarkable clock for Prince Rodolfo, when the prince had his eyes removed, which he kept for himself. Petra may be only 12 years old, but she determines to go and steal the eyes back, leaving without much of a plan but taking her pet tin spider, Astrophil, who was made by her father. Once in Prague she quickly befriends a young Roma (Gypsy) boy, Neel, who helps her get a job in the castle. She also learns that her father didn't finish one part of the amazing clock, a part which would allow the Prince to control the weather, a part which must be destroyed. By a stroke of luck she lands a job in the Dye Works working for Iris, the feared woman who drips acid from her skin, but it gives her access to some parts of the castle. But she'll need more than just luck to get past the guards and other obstacles between her and her father's eyes.

I was quite surprised by this charming little book. Initially, I thought the story started rather slow, and the magic was confusing - not your ordinary wizards and spells we've all come to expect since Harry Potter. My 9 year old daughter had the same complaints, and almost quit reading. But before long Ms. Rutkoski casts her own spell that hooks the reader with something better than magic: Petra herself. She's a stubborn and independent little girl, but fiercely faithful and devoted to her father and friends, and you can't help falling for her and her impossible quest. Add in some other totally charming characters: her friend Tomik who helps her sneak away, Neel the Gypsy boy, and especially Astrophil the brainy little metal spider, and the story quickly sucks you in.

I really enjoyed reading this little book. It's not too long and stays on a level that the younger kids will enjoy. I also liked the way she worked a lot of real history into the story, and the way she portrayed the Gypsies. I look forward to the continuation of the series. ( )

This wondrous blend of history and imagination introduces us to Petra, a young girl who goes on a quest to recover her father's eyes, which have been stolen by the prince. Action, adventure, subtlety, and a main character you won't be able to forget. Fabulous! ( )

Engaging and smart enough, but I find I don't have much to say about it, and I suspect I'll forget it fairly quickly.  I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters (except maybe the Dye-maker Iris), and the boy who captured lightning in a bottle.  I did like the idea of Worry Vials and of a sentient pet tin spider.  I did like how magic is incorporated into an historical world.  It was just a little too light for me, and I don't care enough to look for sequels. ( )