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  <title><![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]></title>
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  <description><![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.  Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.   American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]></description>
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    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
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    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
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  <read_at>Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[It was nice to get lost in Meyers world for awhile, a great escape. I can't imagine that anyone would be satisfied by the ending, not because it's unresolved, but because the writing leading up to it is inconclusive and abrupt. The fantasy-esque particulars, the adolescent protagonists, and the simp...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/25088403">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
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  <read_at>Sun Jan 13 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[Merle has spent most of her life in and out of an orphanage, where they were never too pleased to have her, so when she sets off for her new apprenticeship at Arcimboldo's mirror workshop, she has high hopes. The idea that she and Junipa will be the only girls in the shop doesn't occur to her until ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42655897">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
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  <read_at>Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
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  <date_updated>Mon Nov 23 13:43:28 -0800 2009</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[Venice . . .a water logged city where the preffered method of transportation is a boat drawn by mermaids.  These mermaids are not only beautiful - they are also deadly.  Their large mouths have rows, upon rows of teeth and they have long, strng tails.  Lions roam the streets and skies of Venice.  Da...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78769053">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Treasa]]></name>
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    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
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    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
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    <rating>2</rating>
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  <read_at>Sat Jul 18 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Jul 22 14:49:55 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Jul 22 15:08:19 -0700 2009</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[I really wanted to like this book.  It's a fantasy that takes place in Venice and has a fun cover.  It had everything going for it.  But I just didn't like it, for the most part.  I actually listened to it, so, subconsciously, that could have been one of the reasons I didn't like it.  But I don't th...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64565358">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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    <name><![CDATA[☂Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ☂]]></name>
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    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
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    <body><![CDATA[O.o]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
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    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
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  <published>2001</published>
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  <read_at>Fri Nov 20 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Nov 20 14:56:54 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Nov 21 16:11:25 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count>1</read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Impressive.  The worldbuilding was excellent, with strong Venetian cultural touches - I also loved the brief mention of the Czarist people protected by &quot;the Baba Yaga.&quot;  The book had all the inherent tension of any story of a pocket of resistance in a mostly-conquered world, and the Egypti...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78464190">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78464190]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78464190]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>47699387</id>
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    <location><![CDATA[Seattle, WA]]></location>
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  <id type="integer">929373</id>
  <isbn>0689877870</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780689877872</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">77</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970m/929373.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at>Sun Feb 22 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Feb 27 11:01:25 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Feb 27 11:14:45 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I love the atmosphere in this book but I really didn't like the writing. It may be that the translation wasn't very good and I need to learn German to accurately judge it. Or maybe it's just too 'young' a young adult novel to keep me interested.  <br/><br/>The cover art on the hardback is amazing, a...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/47699387">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/47699387]]></url>
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</review>
      <review>
  <id>71207946</id>
    <user>
    <id>1444730</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Julie]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[New York, NY]]></location>
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  <isbn>0689877870</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780689877872</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">77</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970m/929373.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sat Sep 19 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Sep 14 13:43:42 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Oct 09 17:42:24 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I enjoyed this book and picked up the sequel, however I felt a bit let down.  The premise, setting, and characters are so imaginative and the beginning takes its time, introducing you to this crazy world.  I was eager to dive in and really explore. Instead, when the &quot;action&quot; starts I felt ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71207946">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71207946]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71207946]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>39317669</id>
    <user>
    <id>1775314</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Grace]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Alvin, TX]]></location>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
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  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

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  <date_added>Thu Dec 04 15:13:26 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Dec 04 15:13:26 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[The Water Mirror is set in an alaternate Venice of the late 1800 filled with magic, mermaids, and an evil Egyptian empire.  Merle is an orphan and is apprenticed to a magic mirror maker.  When she and Serafin - the magic weaver's apprentice - overhear a plot to allow the Egyptians to conquer Venice,...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/39317669">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/39317669]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/39317669]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>37599567</id>
    <user>
    <id>85271</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Clickety]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Rossville, GA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/85271-clickety]]></link>
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  <isbn>0689877870</isbn>
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  <text_reviews_count type="integer">77</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970m/929373.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/929373.The_Water_Mirror</link>
  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Nov 13 02:16:07 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Nov 13 02:52:02 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book isn't like anything else you'll read. It reminded me of the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86737.Stravaganza_City_of_Masks"><em>Stravaganza</em></a> series; others mentioned <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/113304.The_Thief_Lord"><em>The Thief Lord</em></a> and Philip Pullman. <br/><br/>It's set in an alternate-universe Venice, but there are hints that their Venice isn't the only one. There are magic mirrors - but not the sort you...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/37599567">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/37599567]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/37599567]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>33521301</id>
    <user>
    <id>664635</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Lindsey]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Brooklyn, NY]]></location>
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  <isbn>0689877870</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780689877872</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">77</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970m/929373.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/929373.The_Water_Mirror</link>
  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Sep 22 09:44:23 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Apr 11 20:33:24 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[There is something alluring about Meyer’s text that keeps me wanting to keep reading. The mysterious nature to the story and the fantasy, often riding the fence between the dark and the mystical continually draws the reader deeper into the world. However, as is often with original or semi-original...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/33521301">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/33521301]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/33521301]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>39768733</id>
    <user>
    <id>247926</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Cory]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Kalamazoo, MI]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/247926-cory]]></link>
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  <isbn>0689877870</isbn>
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  <text_reviews_count type="integer">77</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970m/929373.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/929373.The_Water_Mirror</link>
  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Dec 10 06:35:31 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Dec 10 06:37:34 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This is perfectly enjoyable fantasy, although it ends at a really dire sort of point without much hope, and this has caused me to have bad dreams.  <br/><br/>I've also realized that I don't often read translations, and I'm sort of fascinated by the process now.  There were a few points where the d...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/39768733">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/39768733]]></url>
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</review>
      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Lauren]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
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  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at>Fri Oct 02 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Oct 21 06:46:59 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Oct 21 06:48:49 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I really enjoyed the concept of this book, and the characters. And Venice is always an exciting place to set YA fantasy. The stone lions are great, and so are the mermaids. The only real problem I had with this title stemmed from the translation. This was originally published in German, and there we...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75230422">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75230422]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75230422]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>81830019</id>
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    <id>2630842</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Rita]]></name>
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  <isbn>0689877870</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780689877872</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">77</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
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  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at>Fri Dec 18 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Dec 22 22:23:25 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Dec 22 22:36:51 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[After reading many of the reviews... I have to agree, this book's ending is incomplete and leaves one frusterated. But... I loved it. Even after reconsidering I give it 5 stars. It has a 'Golden Compas'-esque quality, in the way it looks at a very trecherous and dynamic world from an innocent simpli...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/81830019">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/81830019]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/81830019]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>76554908</id>
    <user>
    <id>1925883</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Telyn]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Malibu, CA]]></location>
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  <isbn>0689877870</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780689877872</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">77</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970m/929373.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/929373.The_Water_Mirror</link>
  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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        <shelf name="read" />
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Nov 02 22:13:55 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Nov 02 22:18:42 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[A bizaare and evocative story set in an alternate Venice haunted by shark-like and oppressed mermaids, stone lions and strange magicians. Very dark and somewhat improbable, particularly towards the end when the plot starts coming unglued, but certainly compelling and imaginative. This is the first i...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76554908">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76554908]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76554908]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>64653794</id>
    <user>
    <id>962022</id>
    <name><![CDATA[mathilda_craft]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/962022-mathilda-craft]]></link>
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  <isbn>0689877870</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780689877872</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">77</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970m/929373.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/929373.The_Water_Mirror</link>
  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>0</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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            <shelf name="to-read" />
      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Jul 23 10:04:40 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Jul 23 10:11:00 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I saw this once in a kmart, of all places.  I haven't been able to find it since then, but the art just grabbed me.  I know... don't ever judge a book by it's cover, but when I actually opened it up, it seemed really interesting.  I might just end up reading it, even if it is for kids.  When you nee...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64653794">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64653794]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64653794]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>72286206</id>
    <user>
    <id>824680</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Erinn]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/824680-erinn]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-111x148.jpg]]></image_url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">929373</id>
  <isbn>0689877870</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780689877872</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">77</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970m/929373.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/929373.The_Water_Mirror</link>
  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Sep 23 17:47:11 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Sep 23 17:49:29 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[didn't realize this was a series (even though it says on the cover, duh), so i was kind of annoyed, but i didn't enjoy it enought to read the next one. not sure if it was the lack of character development, or the way the characters had to &quot;tell&quot; others the history they should have already ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72286206">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72286206]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72286206]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>44683729</id>
    <user>
    <id>1063559</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Dianna]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Richfield, UT]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1063559-dianna]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1207614038p3/1063559.jpg]]></image_url>
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  <isbn>0689877870</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780689877872</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">77</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970m/929373.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/929373.The_Water_Mirror</link>
  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sat Jan 24 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Jan 28 15:16:06 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Jan 28 15:18:43 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I thought this was great, I listened to the cds last weekend on a trip to Logan and back, what a great way to spend the 7 hours driving!  It really made the trip much nicer, kept me from worrying about the weather (I still drove carefully, just not stressfully)  and kept me awake without a problem a...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44683729">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44683729]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44683729]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>42824636</id>
    <user>
    <id>1135164</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Jen Bay]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1135164-jen-bay]]></link>
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  <isbn>0689877870</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780689877872</isbn13>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970m/929373.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/929373.The_Water_Mirror</link>
  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon Jan 12 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Jan 12 14:51:41 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Jan 12 14:53:00 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Up until 3/4 of the way through this book, I would have given it 5 stars...  then it got a little darker than I like, and then it totally left me hangin' on more details than I wanted.  I know this is the first in a series, but don't start this book unless you have the second one in hand or you will...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42824636">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42824636]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42824636]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>42533354</id>
    <user>
    <id>1889799</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Shannon]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Simpsonville, SC]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1889799-shannon]]></link>
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  <text_reviews_count type="integer">77</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections,#1)]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970m/929373.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179540970s/929373.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/929373.The_Water_Mirror</link>
  <average_rating>3.75</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>464</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty.    Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city.     American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's <em>The Thief Lord</em>, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's <em>Coraline</em>, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) <em>--Patty Campbell</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2001</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[easy reading, fantasy]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Jan 09 20:38:00 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Jan 09 20:41:44 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count>1</read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[A fun easy read set in a fantastical Venice of an alternate reality in the 1800s. There was just so many odd things in here, I fell in love it with right away. And as a review I read once said - &quot;Who doesn't love flying black lions?!?&quot;<br/><br/>Quick easy read<br/>Great setting<br/>Pot...]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42533354]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42533354]]></link>
</review>
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