The Pinhoe Egg

by Diane Wynne Jones

Marianne and Joe Pinhoe, youths in a clan of rogue magic users, are looking forward to their summer holiday, only to have it ruined by Gammer Pinhoe, the scheming, elderly matriarch of the family. Joe is sent to work at Chrestomanci castle to spy on the wizard folk there, while Marianne must look after Gammer.

But when a visiting clan leader comes to speak to Gammer, the ensuing argument so enrages Gammer that her mental capacities become impaired and a magical war breaks out between the two clans. Sure that a spell is responsible for Gammer’s insanity, Marianne tries to convince her family but nobody believes her, and when she finds an enormous egg hidden in the attic, things go from bad to worse. Marianne goes to Joe, but finds Cat, the young nine-lived enchanter who lives at the castle, instead. With his, Chrsetimanci’s and Joe’s help, Marianne must find a way to stop the war before anyone gets seriously hurt.

Fairest

by Gail Carson Levine

 

Aza is a foundling.  Brought up in an inn in Ayothra she knows she is different.  Her adopted parents have always treated her as one of the family, but Aza knows she is hulking and ugly.  Her only redeeming feature is her marvelous voice, but even that is not so wonderful among a people of reknowned singers.  That is until she learns to immitate and throw her singing voice, a talent she calls illusing.

When fate gives Aza the opportunity to go to court for the King's wedding, despite her looks, she jumps at the chance and when good fortune calls her to the attention of the new queen, Ivy, and they become friends Aza is on cloud nine.  But when Queen Ivy discovers Aza's illusing, she forces Aza to sing for her, a ruse that is soon discovered and the blame laid at Aza door.  Aza flees for her life into an adventure of self discovery and self worth.

Read by Full Cast audio, this entertaining and inventive twist on the beloved Snow White story is packed with adventure, song and a little romance. Aimed at an older audience than Ella Enchanted, yet set in the same world, Levine's fans will find a few familiar faces woven into a tale of the magic mirrors, dwaven people and  complex palace intrigue. Interlaced with wonderful Ayortian songs making this audio book a delight to listen to.

Part of my 100 + reading challenge