Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow Review

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Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow ReviewLet me just begin by saying that I am not a young adult and I don't have kids but this book is great! I only recently heard about it from an article on Yahoo (or maybe aol). Once I looked up Katy Towell and saw the drawings and animations (which are great fun) I decided to download a sample of the book. I read straight through the sample and had to download to keep going! The story is quirky, spooky, sad, and funny and I found it really engaging. The drawings are totally cool and don't overwhelm the story. I read until 4 a.m. and had to stop only because I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. It is totally set to be a series and I can't wait to read more! (I also really want a print of her adorable little gorgon with the stone kitty from her website!) I know that I would have totally dug this book at 12 years old and I am no where near that age now - except, perhaps young at heart. A great read.Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow Overview

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Magic Lost, Trouble Found (Raine Benares, Book 1) Review

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Magic Lost, Trouble Found (Raine Benares, Book 1) ReviewRaine Benares, an elf and a Seeker, has enough trouble in her life without someone bringing more to her door, but when her friend and employee, Quentin, is hired to steal something from a powerful necromancer's house, she just can't let him handle the trouble alone.
The something that Quentin has been hired to steal is soon found to be more valuable and more important than either of them could ever have imagined. Before Quentin even escapes the necromancer's house, he finds himself with some unsavory company, who also just happen to want to lay hands on the very same amulet that Quentin has just pilfered.
With a little help from Raine and her family, Quentin narrowly escapes with his life. Raine insists that he hand over the amulet for safekeeping, and that's when things start to get a little wild!
MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND is an enchantingly engaging read. Devoid of the heavy depressing themes that seem to permeate popular fantasy novels lately, MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND will delight readers who like a good dose of humor mixed with their magical adventure. Author Lisa Shearin has done a superb job of crafting a fantasy world alive with elves, goblins and otherworldly creatures. With a fast paced plot, well-crafted characters and just a hint of romance, MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND is a book that fantasy lovers won't want to miss.
Magic Lost, Trouble Found (Raine Benares, Book 1) Overview

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Split Infinity (Apprentice Adept) Review

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Split Infinity (Apprentice Adept) ReviewI was not much of a book reader. I found a copy of Split Infinity at the bus I was on and started reading it. I was wondering why the book cover had a picture of a unicorn and the first few chapters clearly depicted a science fiction (future world) scenario. By the end of the book, I had to get my hands on Blue Adept and Juxtaposition. I have not found a book even remotely similar to the Apprentice Adept series since. The combination and relevance of both sci-fi world and fantasy world had been excellently written and the style of magic that Piers Anthony penned in this book was clearly unique. I will definitely let my kids read this book once they are able. I have been a Fantasy genre reader ever since I found this book.Split Infinity (Apprentice Adept) Overview

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No Passengers Beyond This Point Review

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No Passengers Beyond This Point ReviewI don't think there is any author out there that writes kids characters as well as Gennifer Choldenko. With the Tompkins kids, she has created a family of siblings that are portrayed so realistically that when all the crazy things start happening to them, the reader is just sucked right along for what turns out to be a very crazy ride.
India is 14 and totally self obsessed, much like any young teenage girl. Look a little deeper and you will see her insecurity and overwhelming desire to be loved and appreciated. Finn is 12 and the worrier of the family. He wants to make everything right for everybody. Perhaps my favorite character is Mouse, the six year old genius. She's only in kindergarten but does fifth grade math and asks questions about everything. Her brain travels a hundred miles per hour and the author does a fantastic job with her dialogue. Named Mouse because she squeaks so much, she is a character of marvelous depth and charm.
All of these characters are dealing with some harsh realities. Their mom has just told them that the bank is foreclosing on their house and they have to move to Colorado to stay with an uncle that none of them have ever met. For India it means leaving her friends, for Finn it means leaving his basketball dreams, and for Mouse, it means leaving their mother who has to stay behind and finish out the school year.
This has all the makings of a realistic story about an increasingly common circumstance, but when the plane the kids are traveling on makes an early landing, the story shifts dramatically into the fantasy realm. It's quite a shock, but the author handles it seamlessly and before you know it you are traveling down the highway in a pink taxi with feathers. I can't really speak to much more of the plot without giving too much away, except to say that the kids go on an adventure that will test their mettle and help them come to some realizations about their own strengths and how much they love each other. The story turns into something that is highly original, very clever, and completely well imagined.
As an adult reader, I really loved this story. It will be a challenging read for any kid age 10 and up. Some elements can initially be confusing, but any reader who enjoys solving puzzles, or just figuring things out will get a big kick out of this one. The author doesn't just lay the story out for you, you have to do a bit of thinking and pay close attention to detail. Those that do will be rewarded with not only a grand story of adventure, but also a tale of some unexpected depth. There is quite a bit of humor, and also some deep felt emotions. This is an enthusiastic recommend, especially for middle schoolers on up.No Passengers Beyond This Point Overview

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The Reluctant Swordsman (The Seventh Sword Trilogy Book 1) Review

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The Reluctant Swordsman (The Seventh Sword Trilogy Book 1) Review"The Reluctant Swordsman" (Seventh Sword, Book 1)introduces the characters and world/universe the author continues with in "The Coming of Wisdom" (Seventh Sword, Book 2)and "The Destiny of the Sword" (Seventh Sword, Book 3). This is a brilliant trilogy which remains at the top of Dave Duncan's impressive body of work. This third book doesn't just follow the first two. It reveals things which the author put there all along, giving the reader a new appreciation of the characters and events. That sounds confusing, but read it and see.
The characters remind me of Dungeons and Dragons Roll Playing Games (D&D RPG's). The hero is a 7th level swordsman who picks up a 7th level priest as a travelling companion. There is the same satisfaction of watching a companion swordsman advance through the ranks as there is developing your own character's skill levels in an RPG. There are also some other character types familiar to RPG's (archer's are held in contempt). This is not one of those cheap knockoffs on a D&D game though. This is just one element of the world the author has created which is kind of fun.
The author created a universe with a multitude of gods, like the Greek and Roman gods. While this is very common in the sword and sorcery genre, Dave Duncan has made the gods active participants in his story. One god makes repeated appearances, talks with the hero, and performs the occasional miracle. The author is able to keep the gods from completely overshadowing the human characters by stressing how they value "free will" for their own purposes. The author's brilliant use of deity characters (a recurring element throughout his best series) adds facets to this story which lift it above a simple Conan type "guy with sword" story.
This trilogy has a detailed, multi-leveled plot which twists enough to keep you in suspense right up until the ending. And the ending reaches the appropriate dramatic climax, then has a satisfying denouement where the characters reap their rewards and the author ties up any loose ends. When this book ended, I was left saying, "Wow, imagine that!"
The only thing I can even think of that I didn't like about this trilogy is that it ended. The author really wrapped things up for the characters. It would be almost impossible to continue the story. I do hope that Dave Duncan comes back to this world with some new characters though. Maybe the old characters can have a cameo in the new story . . .The Reluctant Swordsman (The Seventh Sword Trilogy Book 1) Overview

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The Dawning of Power Review

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The Dawning of Power ReviewIt's hard for me to get into fantasy, even though I like to write it.
Yet, though I don't read much of it, it seems lately I've read more than my norm.
My publisher suggested I read The Dawning of Power. He even let me borrow his copy. I'll admit, I nearly put this book down. At the start, I was lost. I wasn't into it. A bit bored. Perhaps it was reading too late at night. Perhaps it was just my mood. No matter, I sat the book down for a week.
Usually, it's over at that point--off to the cemetery of unread books.
I'm glad I gave The Dawning of Power another chance. I found the story to be a solid, intense read. It was thick, in depth, and sometimes over my head.
This book is long--a hefty read. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but be ready and be patient. It was a bit intimidating at first, but I found myself flying through the pages.
My only complaint: The Dawning of Power is mostly a character driven book. Overall, I felt Mr. Rathbone's characters were vivid and alive. Likeable. However, the vast amount of characterization took away from the story at times. I felt it was lacking in drama--tension--the chase. The white knuckle, page turning feeling wasn't always present. However, this didn't distract me, and it was not always the case; I simply felt Mr. Rathbone could have put a bit more emphasis on the suspense. Regardless, it didn't take away from my enjoyment.
Overall, The Dawning of Power is a classic tale, filled with adventure and lovable characters. The writing is passionate, and I suspect we'll see much greatness from Mr. Rathbone in the future as his career progresses.
Vincent Hobbes
[...]The Dawning of Power Overview

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Talion: Revenant Review

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Talion: Revenant ReviewIn the afterword to Talion: Revenant, author Michael Stackpole states that this novel initially went unpublished because, at 175,000 words, it was too long for an unknown author. Whoever said that must have not read the book, because the problem is that it is too SHORT, not too long! This is one of those titles that you just don't want to end, and that make you seriously depressed when you realize there is no sequel, even by another author.
The world that Stackpole has created in this stand-alone adventure is original, detailed, and has incredible potential. His characters, as always, are so real that you start wondering if you actually know them. This novel, like Once A Hero and I, Jedi is told from the first person perspective. This isn't an easy way to write a good novel, but Stackpole certainly makes it seem that way. The protagonist is Nolan, a Talion Justice with a tragic history that has some serious scores to settle. The story switches between his time training as a Talion and his missions as a Justice. At first this might be a bit confusing, but you will soon get accustomed to it, and it quickly becomes apparent that the author has turned this potentially unwieldy scheme into an elegant and pivotal element of his tale.
Some fantasy authors write works that are what I like to call 'borderline romance,' with an obvious love scheme that is typically invincible and an almost fairy-tale style of storytelling. Don't expect this from Stackpole. Talion: Revenant is traditional purebred fantasy, and it doesn't get much better than this. If you are even remotely interested in fantasy, or just a very deep, compelling story, then look no further. Summon your tsincaat and pick a good Imperial hawk- Talion: Revenant will certainly sweep you off your feet.Talion: Revenant Overview

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Chronicles of the Red King: The Secret Kingdom Review

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Chronicles of the Red King: The Secret Kingdom ReviewThis is a rating from my 9 year old son that has completed the Harry Potter Series and the Lightening Thief Series....
He picked this one up and the library and was done in 3 days! He absolutely loved it!
"It was very adventurous and cool." Now he wants to read the other books by this author...since book #2 isn't out, he is planning on starting her other series. Great for my little reader at home!Chronicles of the Red King: The Secret Kingdom Overview

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On a Pale Horse (Incarnations of Immortality, Bk. 1) Review

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On a Pale Horse (Incarnations of Immortality, Bk. 1) ReviewThis is the first Piers Anthony book I ever read, and I read it for all the wrong reasons. I read it because the title intrigued me. I read it because it had a really cool cover. I was young and still judged many books on that basis. Fortunately, I hit the jackpot with this one.
I give this book five stars because it earned each and every one of them. I can be stingy with my stars at times, but I wonder if five is enough for this one. On A Pale Horse is book 1 of the Incarnations of Immortality, but don't be intimidated by the prospect of buying all the others because this one's a heavyweight all by its lonesome (it's the only one I've personally read so far). The main character is Zane, who is forced to take over the position of Death when he accidentally shoots and kills the previous Death (who had the misfortune of barging in a bit prematurely during Zane's suicide attempt). This sounds a little wacky, and it is, but wonderfully so.
From there, the book continues to tell the story of Zane as he learns the ropes of Reaping. The main plot involves Satan trying to lure Death into a scheme that involves him killing this girl he's come to love. The whole idea of Satan vs. Death is very cool, and is worth the price of the book alone. However, said plot, while awesome, was not my favorite part of the book because there's just so much dang cool stuf in here! For one thing, the book is hilarious, while several humorous moments in which Zane finds that Reaping isn't as easy as it looks. There's also a wonderful world Anthony has created that blends science and magic. And one thing that Anthony pulls off that few can is to, among a book filled with both laughs and adventure, weave in some deeply profound philosophical perspectives (on Death, of course).
This book just had it all, and it had some very unique ideas about Death and salvation. One thing I must say, though(and I hate having to say it, but I have to because there are some really stupid people out there) is that this is a work of fiction. I am a Christian and realize that some of the ideas presented in this book are at odds with my own personal beliefs, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy and appreciate the originality and creativity of them. In other words, for all you "muggles" out there, Piers isn't trying to convert anybody to his way of thinking. He just wants to give us a good book and he does. As for those of you who may disagree with me, I say this: if you are really afraid that reading things like this will actually cause you to change your deepest beliefs, it's high time you took a look inside yourself and determine just how deep your belief is in the first place. Your beliefs should come from within yourself, not the most recent thing you've read.On a Pale Horse (Incarnations of Immortality, Bk. 1) Overview

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Entangled Review

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Entangled Review"Entangled" was sort of like reading two different books for me: on one level it's a fun, fast-paced and highly original fantasy novel. On another it is a sort of spot the clues book full of references to the themes and facts contained in Hancock's non-fiction books from the last couple of decades. If you've read "Supernatural" there's definitely a lot in the novel that you'll recognize, from the ancient cave paintings to the modern-day shamans of the Amazon. Plenty of "Fingerprints of the Gods" material too, so that any fan of Hancock's previous work is going to have a lot of fun seeing how he applied his vast knowledge to creating a work of fiction. Highly Recommended.Entangled Overview

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A Tale of Two Castles Review

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A Tale of Two Castles ReviewI've had a good stretch lately, where I've been reading at a ferocious pace. But I suddenly came to a grinding halt a few days ago. Nothing I was reading was inspiring me to keep turning pages. At times like that, a trick that often perks me up is to read a young adult book and I lose myself in pure story. That's what I did, and it worked like a charm.
Actually, I didn't lose myself in A Tale of Two Castles right away. It took a while because at the start of the novel Gail Carson Levine is working mightily on the world building. The story opens with a goodbye. Twelve-year-old Elodie is saying goodbye to her parents, her home, and everything she's ever known. She's leaving her island and the farm and sailing off to the city of Two Castles which features--you guessed it--two castles. It is time for her to become apprenticed. "Mother and father's instructions were to apprentice myself to a weaver, but I would not. Mansioner. I mouthed the word into the wind, the word that held my future. Mansioner."
Oh, I'm sorry; you don't know what a mansioner is? I didn't either. In the fairy-tale world that Carson Levine has created that's the word for actor. A ship is a "cog." You might wear a "kirtle" and exclaim, "Lambs and calves!" And you might run into a dragon or an ogre--but not if you can help it. In fact, Elodie's father gave her this parting advice, "Stay clear of the crafty dragons and the shape-shifting ogres. Don't befriend them!" Of course, a dragon and an ogre are indeed two of the very first beings she meets in Two Castles, but not before all her money is stolen by a cat and she's insulted by a human. Scared, hungry, and alone, Elodie is in fairly dire straights. Her dream of becoming a mansioner appears to be ending before it has even started. So, when the dragon Meenore offers her a position as ITs (for Mastress Meenore alone knows ITs gender) assistant, what choice does Elodie have but follow IT to ITs lair?
So begins a relations ship based on "deduction, induction, and common sense," in which each learns from the other. Mastress Meenore has many trades including food service, heating, finder of lost objects, and unraveler of mysteries. So it is that the ogre, Count Jonty Um, comes to Meenore seeking help finding a lost dog. But it turns out that that is merely the beginning of his troubles. The ogre is in danger, and so Elodie becomes Meenore's eyes and ears in his castle as they work to unravel the larger mystery.
Carson Levine's story is as magical as it is well-written. Her characters are colorful and endearing. I am a fortunate 42-year-old woman, that I can still be a child. Books like this are time portals for me. I was delighted with this story from start to finish and was sad to see it end. Happily, the end of this novel is the start of a new adventure, one that I shall look forward to reading.A Tale of Two Castles Overview

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Storm Runners Book 2: The Surge Review

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Storm Runners Book 2: The Surge ReviewChase and his friends Nicole and Rashawn have reached shelter from the hurricane. But they aren't safe yet.
They're stuck in a barn - with an elephant about to give birth. The lights are powered by a generator which is nearly out of juice. There is no extra gas in the barn.
Chase and Nicole believe they can make it to the truck where Chase's Dad keeps his supplies. They set off in hopes of returning soon.
A leopard is on the loose. They soon discover the lions have escaped their cages. Treading carefully to avoid the animals and mother nature, they make their way towards the supplies.
Will they be able to gather the gas and return safely to the barn?
My Thoughts: Just like the first book in this trilogy - this book is addictive, fast-paced action and danger kept me turning the pages. A wonderful book about battling Mother Nature, quick thinking, and working together against all odds. The short chapters and the changing of perspectives make this impossible to put down!Storm Runners Book 2: The Surge Overview

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Adventurers Wanted, Book Two: The Horn of Moran Review

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Adventurers Wanted, Book Two: The Horn of Moran ReviewI was eagerly awaiting the second book in the Adventurer's Wanted Series and needless to say it was worth the wait. The story was well told and even filled in some of the gaps about some of the characters that were in the first adventure but not in this one. It was another story with good character development. You can't help but cheer for Alex as he continues to grow during these adventures. I would like to see him face some real adversity and see how he handles it and continues to grow, but that is just my personal opinion. The book is an enjoyable read for the kid in all of us and reminds us how good it feels to do the right thing. Now I am eagerly awaiting the 3rd book--just please make it sooner versus later.Adventurers Wanted, Book Two: The Horn of Moran Overview

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The Final Hour (The Homelanders) Review

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The Final Hour (The Homelanders) ReviewCharlie West woke up one morning to find himself being tortured by terrorists with absolutely no memory of what happened during the last year of his life. And, to make it worse, he's wanted by the police for the murder of his best friend. Over the next couple of months, Charlie is faced with a ridiculous amount of misfortune on his quest to clear his name and expose his would-be murderers.
I'm actually starting to think Andrew Klavan is incapable of writing a boring scene. Practically every sentence is packed to bursting with suspense. From a dogfight through the streets of New York to dodging subway trains in a shootout with the Homelanders, Klavan never lets up on the thrills.
And now, it's finally over. The final hour has come and gone, answering every question; revealing every mystery. Every fan of the previous books will need to get their hands on this truly satisfying conclusion to the insanely epic series.The Final Hour (The Homelanders) Overview

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The Daughters Join the Party Review

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The Daughters Join the Party ReviewAs a middle school teacher, I am always looking for appropriate books to recommend to my students. Though they enjoy books like "Pretty Little Liars" they are not the most appropriate ones for them to be reading. The Daughters series is the perfect book to recommend for my middle school students. The daughters are great role models as they struggle to grow up. They face many out of the ordinary circumstances, but most girls can find something to relate to in this series and also get an inside look into a world they dream about living. The latest book in the series certainly does not disappoint. We meet a new character who soon becomes a "daughter" also as her father has decided to run for president. She considers herself the black sheep of the family, but soon a role reversal finds her being the role model and her older brother being thrown into a difficult situation. I love how the main character stands up for what she believes in even if it is not the easy thing to do. Young people need good role models and the character in this book displays exactly what I want my students to become--confident and out-spoken women who will not stand for something they don't believe in. Please Joanna Philbin don't stop this series. It is wonderful. I see many opportunities for you to continue the stories by either focusing on each of the daughters again or maybe continuing to add more daughters. Thanks for writing a great book I can share with my students.The Daughters Join the Party Overview

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13 Gifts Review

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13 Gifts Review
Wendy Mass seems to know that birthdays are really important to kids, especially their 13th birthday. This is her second book revolving around a deadline of turning 13, and it adds a layer of excitement and suspense.
There is also a mystical aspect to the book. There is a mysterious old woman who loves to give school students tasks to complete...and if they don't she usually threatens dire circumstances. The fantastical element makes the book more fun to read and opens limitless possibilities.
The plot is also a lot of fun. Tara (and her friends) have to find 13 different items, all of which seem random and unconnected. It turns out they lead to more excitement and adventure for the entire town!
While the fantasy and the birthday is fun, what really makes this book are the characters and the relationships. Tara has moved around her entire life, so she is always on the outside of groups and doesn't really know how to make friends and depend on others. Luckily, she is given a chance to make some real friends and learns what it is like. She is smart, kind, and it is so much fun to watch her grow.
All of her new friends are realistic and I think kids will be able to see themselves in someone. There is the sweet and nervous David, getting ready for his Bar Mitzvah, without his father by his side. He was my favorite character because he is so mature for his age and is the key for Tara and her journey.
It was another great book by Wendy Mass. She proves, once again, that she understand the middle grade audience. I am really glad I can give this to my husband's middle school classroom!
Find this one for the 11-14 year old in your life!13 Gifts Overview

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Daughter of Smoke and Bone Review

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Daughter of Smoke and Bone ReviewI would like to start off this review by saying that I really didn't want to read this book. The people who decided on the back of the book description did a crappy job explaining this story in an interesting way. Now that I have read it, the back looks good, but from a fresh perspective, it fell flat. If it weren't a Vine book, given to me for free, I would have never picked it out among the thousands of books out there. I am so glad I gave it a try.
This complex story is about a girl who has no idea of who she really is. Her life has been filled with creatures that would cause terror to most but have been family to her. Karou is a strong, talented seventeen year old who helps her "family" of demon like characters collect teeth. The teeth have a use, but Karou has never found out what exactly. She just goes to designated sights through portal doors to collect the teeth and then goes back to her private art school and her one friend. Her lonely life is interrupted by the sight of an angel who is trying to put a stop to the teeth trade and the creatures who traffic them. Even though he should destroy Karou ,he can not bring himself to kill her due to her similarities to his long lost love. What follows is an intriguing tale of forbidden love in a lush, imaginative world.
I know, I know, collecting teeth sounds so...weird. I promise that the author pulls this off and then some. I struggled with what to say without giving too much away, but I wanted to tell more than the back cover. Karou is an interesting heroine who is beautiful, exotic, and real all at the same time. The world building is really the star of this novel. Everything is different than anything I have read. Yes, it has angels in it, but the author still makes everything fresh.
On a different note, I would not recommend this book to younger teens. Not only is it a little more complex, there is sex and sexual situations. I would say sixteen and up as an absolute minimum in age requirement. As an adult, this is one of those YA books that transfers just fine.
Overall, I really liked this book, and I will be looking for the sequel to help ease the cliffhanger ending.Daughter of Smoke and Bone Overview

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Ready Player One Review

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Ready Player One ReviewBrief summary and review, no spoilers.
The year is 2044 and the world is an unpleasant and grim place. Famine and poverty are rampant, and to escape the bleakness of real life most people choose to instead enter the world of OASIS.
Let me explain OASIS - this is a virtual world that is very elaborate and realistic,and it contains multiple planets and landscapes. It was created in main part by a man named James Halliday, the ultimate lonely computer geek, who was obsessed with the 1980's. Halliday died some time before the start of this story but had stated in his will that his vast fortune would go to the person who could find three magical keys hidden in OASIS, pass the portals associated with them, and then find the ultimate prize - the hidden egg. Over the years many people have searched for these magic keys and gates but none have prevailed. Those who search call themselves gunters. Also at play is a villainess corporation called IOI led by a man named Sorrento - who's agents searching for the egg are called Sixers.
The main protagonist of this story is an 18 year old named Wade Watts. Wade lives in abject poverty with his uncaring and cruel aunt. Because Wade's life is so grim, like so many others he spends almost all of his time in OASIS. It's where he goes to school and it's in OASIS where he meets his friends - avatars named Aech and Art3mis. Because everyone he meets via OASIS is an avatar, it's hard for anyone to distinguish friend from foe.
Because of his real world lack of money and help, Wade has few powers and weapons for his avatar (which he named Parzival, a takeoff of Percival the Knight which was already taken.) Even with this disadvantage, because of his intelligence and his obsession with anything Halliday or 80's related he is able to figure out how to find the first key - the copper one, and figures out how to pass that first gate. The race is on, with other gunters and the Sixers in hot pursuit. The future of OASIS is at risk because Sorrento intends to start charging money for the use of OASIS, which would keep so many offline and unable to access it. And this competition poses real life dangers for the players as well.
This is really a quest novel in the grand tradition of great fantasy literature. We have obstacles to overcome and evil-doers to defeat, and "magic," albeit computer generated, along the way.. There is plenty of action in this book and you will be turning the pages eagerly to read what happens next.
One of the (many) things that makes this book so wonderful are all the 80's references, especially to the video games and music and movies that so many of us fondly remember.
Note - don't worry if you weren't or aren't a big video game player or don't remember a lot about the 80's - if you are it might only add to your enjoyment of this novel but anyone can follow along. The story is both innovative and old-fashioned and it should appeal to anyone who loves to lose themselves inside a good novel.
At heart, this is a book for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider or a geek, and for those of us who love to read. I haven't fallen in love with a book like this in a long time and I hope it gets the recognition and readership that it deserves. As an added plus, and without giving away any spoilers, there is an interesting twist of sorts at the end, that poses an ethical dilemma for anyone wielding power over OASIS.
Highly recommended. Just a magical book with a cast of characters that you will really care about. Even though this takes place in the year 2044, the sense of nostalgia and the world created will take you back in time to the way you felt when you were 18. I promise.Ready Player One Overview

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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Review

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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children ReviewTo be honest, when I first started reading "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" I expected a haunting thriller, full of horror and danger. That is not what this book is. Instead, this book is fantasy/adventure combined with a very unique style of photography, which made the book better than I ever thought it would be.
Story - Jacob Portman desires an adventurous life, much like the life his grandfather describes to him in various stories. However, when Jacob realizes that he can never have an adventurous life, he just tries to be normal and fit in. He's not popular or extremely smart, and there doesn't seem to be anything unusual about him at all; but when his grandfather dies and leaves Jacob a cryptic message, Jacob is sent on a hunt to find his grandfather's past and ends up traveling all the way to Wales. Once there, Jacob discovers much more than he ever could have imagined about his grandfather and is thrown into the midst of a very peculiar situation.
Writing Style - If I had to compare Ransom Riggs to any other author, I would have to compare him to Lemony Snicket. In fact, this entire book reminded me very much of Mr. Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" books. Don't get me wrong, Riggs did not steal Lemony Snicket's writing style at all, but Riggs just simply reminded me of him, which is a positive since I pretty much love anything that Snicket touches.
Something else that I feel Riggs did superbly was explain the detail of everything in the story. Even without the occasional photographs of people and things in the story, I was able to visualize the locations and details because of the fantastic descriptions.
Now, as for the photographs, they added a whole new dimension to the story. They didn't turn the novel into a picture book or something else that we normally associate with children; rather, they added a new level of immersion to the story, with the reader being almost able to see exactly what Jacob is seeing as he looks at the many photographs scattered throughout.
The book is truly addicting, but it isn't perfect; there are a few kinks that I feel needed to be worked out. The major kink being the fact that the attitude of some of the characters just doesn't seem to match the story! The abundance of cursing and crude humor just doesn't make sense with some of the characters or the plot of the story. Also, there were a few things that weren't developed as much as possible and could have been explained more and built upon.
Warnings - Language, Mild Violence, Mild Peril
Overall - In all fairness, my last complaint was very nitpicky and small, and I don't want to give anyone the impression that this is not a good book. For a first novel, it is fantastic! There are a few things to improve on, but I think Mr. Riggs is off to an amazing start! I immensely look forward to his second novel, which I assume is in the works based on the cliffhanger at this end of the story. I would say that, most likely, teens will enjoy the book more than adults, but it really does have a very interesting plot that many will love.Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Overview

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The Hawk And His Boy (The Tormay Trilogy #1) Review

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The Hawk And His Boy (The Tormay Trilogy #1) ReviewJute is an expert thief, even though he's just a kid. He's one of the Juggler's children--think of Fagin in Oliver Twist with his posse of child thieves, and look at Jute as someone with the Artful Dodger's know-how and Oliver's innocence. Ronan, the Knife of the Thieves Guild, has borrowed Jute for a special job, sneaking into a magically warded house to find a box that a mysterious client wants. But Jute accidentally opens the box (actually, it opens for him) and his troubles snowball after that. The story uses multiple POVs and travels through several different locations to set up a fairly complex story about some bigger malevolent forces stirring in Tormay.
Jute is very sympathetic and I like that he's so streetwise, because his skills partly balance out his continual bad luck. While climbing a wall in the first chapter, he comes up against some sophisticated magic from ward-spells that can sense the thoughts of intruders, so he makes his mind a blank. This kid is smart and savvy, and you just know he'll rise to the top. Another character I really connected with is Levoreth, the niece of the Duke of Doran, who feels a call to go to Jute's town. She can talk to animals and she's got some kind of reincarnation situation going on, but she's surrounded by mundane details that clash wonderfully with her incredibly serious powers and history. Maybe it's because they were the first POV characters introduced, but I was more invested in Jute and Levorath's scenes than anyone else's. The other characters' chapters provide the reader with a lot of much-needed information that we couldn't get otherwise, but I kept wanting to get back to Levoreth (What is the extent of her powers? What destiny is she going to fulfill?) and Jute (Who is the voice in his head? Is he going to survive all these back-to-back traumatic events? Where does he go from here?).
The hardest parts for me to read where situations where children where suffering. It was downright painful to read about all the abuse Jute has to live through, stuff like being dropped down a chimney, then basically tortured for information, and later beaten and stomped on by a baker for trying to steal enough food to keep from starving. It's a realistic portrayal of a homeless kid's life in this sort of world, but it makes for hard reading. On the other hand, there's a good bit of humor in the book to lighten things up; Levoreth's aunt and uncle can chatter and derail a subject delightfully, and even the villains have some funny moments, depending on who they're talking to.
The Hawk and His Boy maintains its dramatic tension well, and it presents a plausible fantasy world with interesting characters. This particular story ends on a cliffhanger, but there are two more books to come, to flesh out the full story of TormayThe Hawk And His Boy (The Tormay Trilogy #1) OverviewThe Beginning of an Epic Adventure

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