**edit 11/26/13 
 Born in the war-torn, misogynistic country of Borogravia, Polly Perks has grown up with the folksong echoing in the back of her mind. Perhaps, then, it is only natural that when her brother goes missing in action, Polly decides to use the song's example to find her brother. She cuts her hair, practices her swagger, and, equipped with a strategically-placed pair of socks, sets off to enlist. Of course, after countless years of war, Borogravia recruitment is scraping the bottom of the barrel. It isn't long before Polly discovers that she has joined in with a motley crew of trolls, vampires, Igors, and misfits--a truly monstrous regiment. "Oliver" Perks will fit right in. 
 Due to my disapproval of GR's new and rather subjective review deletion policy, 
 the rest of my (long, quote-heavy) review is posted over here at Booklikes. 
 5++ stars. 
 I dreamt all men were equal 
 And there were no starving poor 
 And nations never did quarrel 
 Nor never went to war 
 I dreamt all men were angels 
 And women ne'er wore a frown 
 Old maids they had large families 
 As the world turned upside down 
 --The World Turned Upside Down (Chumbawamba)