Science Fiction: "Gateway"

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Shinn, Sharon. Gateway. New York: Viking, 2009.

Chinese American, Daiyu, is drawn into another world, an alternate version of the city she is from. As she passes through the Arch in St. Louis she finds herself at the center of a swirling mix of mystery, adventure, and romance.

When Daiyu leaves behind the city of St. Louis she finds herself in another version of the Gateway to the West. In this version almost everyone is Chinese like herself. She has been recruited to help stop a dangerous politician who threatens the very fabric of Shenglang. Daiyu must first get close to Chenglei which means she must attend the annual Presentation Ball. Thrown into a crash course of manners and dress and formal dances, Daiyu also finds herself in a crash course of love. As she partners with Kalen to learn the patterns of the traditional tiaowu dance she finds herself in a dizzying spin of emotions. When they are separated so that she can go to live with the woman convinced to take her in as her "niece", Daiyu finds ways to go behind Xiang's back and meet Kalen at the aviary where he works. As she draws close to Kalen she finds her old life may be slipping away. In a playful moment, Kalen laughed as he ask her to stay in Shenglang with him.

"There's a thought! You could stay in Shenglang. Then you wouldn't have to worry about me being lonely after all.

"Daiyu laughed. "I like the idea of staying in Shenglang with you, but I don't think I could stand to keep living with Xiang," she said. Belatedly she added, "Besides I couldn't leave my parents like that! They'd be so worried about me and I'd miss them too much."

As she said the words, it occurred to her with a sort of buried horror that she hadn't missed her parents at all in the last couple of days...She had been warned that her mind would not be able to retain memories of Shenglang once she returned to her own time and place. Maybe she could not retain memories of St. Louis if she was in Shenglang too long. The thought was terrifying."

In Diayu's story we learn learn about trust and power and the price a young girl must pay when she steps through a Gateway Arch into a world of intrigue and intense romance.

Saint Fiction: "Poisoned Honey"

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Gormley, Beatrice. Poisoned Honey. New York: Knopf, 2010.

This novel chronicles the teenage years of Mary Magdalene as she struggles to find strength in the turbulent years before Christ.

Who was Mary Magdalene? A Saint? A Sinner? This haunting novel rooted in the hazy days of her teenage years is the story of Mary's personal transformation. A transformation from a girl who believes she is being tormented by seven demons to a woman healed by Jesus and destined to become one of his closest disciples.

Set in Magdala, Mari grows up on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (Lake Gennesaret) where she is tethered by the customs of her time. As she resigns herself to the customary arranged marriage, she is hopeful that her father will choose someone she might grow to love. But when disease sweeps through their town and her father dies, she is abandoned to the whims and greed of her uncle and brother.

Married off to an old man she finds herself in a household without friendship. It is then that she seeks the advice of an Egyptian wisewoman who introduces her to the spiritual world. At first the demons seem like friendly spirits seeking only to help her, but as her domestic situation worsens, she finds herself in the grip of seven demons seeking to harm not only her enemies, but also the few she holds close.

As you come to understand Mari, you will also know more about faith and forgiveness and the personal transformation that is possible when Mari is cherished by the man who would inspire a movement which resonates with many to this day.