Book Review: A Wonderlandiful World

At Ever After High, everyone is expected to sign the Storybook of Legends, pledging to follow in their fairytale parent's footsteps. But when Raven Queen came along, things became fairy, fairy confusing. Now no one's destiny is certain, not even for the most royal of them all, Apple White.When a mysterious being from Wonderland begins to infect Ever After High with a strange magic, everything goes topsy-turvy. The students transform into animals and objects, palace mice talk, and the beautiful green grounds on campus fade to black-and-white. Lizzie Hearts, Wonderland's future queen, Cedar Wood, daughter of Pinocchio, and Madeline Hatter, heir to the Mad Hatter's Hat and Tea Shoppe, seem to be the only ones who haven't completely lost their heads. It's up to them to save their best friends forever after from a curse that threatens to give their school-and their lives-a very unhappy ending.   Quoted from Goodreads

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Welcome to Middle Grade book day!  Sometimes I just love reading middle grade books.  The emphasis is different: more adventure, less romance, shorter, less blood, that sort of thing. This isn't to say that middle grade doesn't deal with hard, complex topics, but it's a different feel from books for older audiences and can be a refreshing change.  

This book is absolutely delightful.  Yep, that's the word I think of when I describe Shannon Hale's (so far, anyway) Ever After High series.  The books are fun, with quirky characters and tons of fairy tale references.  This time around, we get new characters.  It's not that we haven't seen Cedar Wood and Lizzie Hearts before, but this is the first time they take center stage.  I loved seeing the world through heir eyes.  It's so different from Raven and Apple.  Plus, we get to know a lot more about wonderland and how other people feel about their destinies. 

Because of the all the wonderland-like madness, this book is even more quirky that the previous two.  Personally, I really enjoyed it---especially the whole narrator twist, which I found really cleaver and fun---but I can see how it could frustrate some people. Plus, things happen with memories that really annoyed me. Still it expands the world perfectly and is a delightfully zany adventure.

My only complaint is that Shannon Hale isn't writing any more of these books.  I realize this is a TV show and there's a toy line so they don't want to end the conflict. I'm guessing there will now be other books in the series by different authors that will continue the story, but to be honest, I'm not sure if I'll read them. I picked up these because I love Shannon Hale and basically anything she writes.  However, I'm not convinced I'll continue with a series with no end in sight by dozens of authors I don't know.  That's just not where I personally am as a reader.  It's great for kids (clearly the target audience). I read tons of books like that when I was a kid. It's just not what I'm looking for now, so I'm sad book three was just another adventure instead of wrapping up the Raven/Apple conflict introduced in the first two books.

Still, if you're looking for a fun, delightful adventure, you really should check this out.  The writing is excellent, the world is inventive, and the characters fun and sympathetic. I'm giving it a lovely 3.5 stars.  It's a great story and absolutely worth checking out, especially if you like the first two.

Saturday Shorts: The Staff of Serapis

In this adventure, Annabeth encounters more oddities in the subway than usual, including a two-headed monster and a younger blond girl who reminds her a little of herself. This is the story fans have asked for, in which Annabeth Chase teams up with Sadie Kane. The demigod daughter of Athena and the young magician from Brooklyn House take on a larger-than-life foe from the ancient world. Perhaps even more disturbing than the power-hungry god they encounter is the revelation that he is being controlled by someone—someone all too familiar to Sadie.    Quoted from Goodreads

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I'm so thoroughly enjoying this crossover series.  I mean, what isn't there to love.  We get our favorite characters from two Rick Riordan series thrown together.  We get the clash of mythology and magic, new threats, and another fun adventure.

Let's be honest, these novellas are for the fans. While they are a fun adventure in and of themselves, they're designed to be read by people who have read both the Percy Jackson books (at least the first series) and the Kane Chronicles.  If you haven't, this is still a fun adventure, but you're missing about half of what makes it so great.  

I loved seeing Percy and Carter work together in The Son of Sobek, so I was thrilled when I saw we get our own Annabeth and Sadie adventure.  The Staff of Serapis didn't disappoint.  I enjoyed seeing the two mythologies combined and the way Annabeth and Sadie relate to each other. It highlights how different the two characters are and their magic/mythology systems.

The adventure is, as always, quirky and fun, hinting at one more crossover book, at least. This series also helps tie up one small loose end from the Kane Chronicles, so you can tell the author's been planning this for a while.  All in all, I'm giving this book a strong 4 stars.  It's fun, full of adventure, and an excellent chance to see some of your favorite characters in new and different situations.  So, if you've read at least one of Rick Riordan's series, you really need to pick this up.  

Book Review: Sky Raiders

Cole Randolph was just trying to have a fun time with his friends on Halloween (and maybe get to know Jenna Hunt a little better). But when a spooky haunted house turns out to be a portal to something much creepier, Cole finds himself on an adventure on a whole different level. 

After Cole sees his friends whisked away to some mysterious place underneath the haunted house, he dives in after them and ends up in The Outskirts. The Outskirts are made up of five kingdoms that lie between wakefulness and dreaming, reality and imagination, life and death. It’s an in-between place. Some people are born there. Some find their way there from our world, or from other worlds. 

And once you come to the Outskirts, it's very hard to leave. 
With the magic of the Outskirts starting to unravel, it's up to Cole and an unusual girl named Mira to rescue his friends, set things right in the Outskirts, and hopefully find his way back home before his existence is forgotten.  Quoted from Goodreads

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Ever since the Fablehaven phenomena, I've been a big Brandon Mull fan, so, of course, I had to check out his new series.  I'll admit, I was a little bit scared because I didn't feel like The Beyonders, while good, was nearly as good as Fablehaven, so I was interested to see how this book would turn out.  I was delightfully surprised. I thought maybe each series would get progressively worse, but I think I enjoyed Sky Raider's more than any book in The Beyonder's series, and if Mull holds true to form, each book in this series will get progressively more and more interesting, so I'm excited.

Brandon Mull is such a creative writer, and he proves it once more in Sky Raiders. Again we have a boy from our world sucked into a fantastical journey in a land that has different rules  and dangers than anything we face here.  Beyond that, they're different from anything I've encountered in other books as well. I love the world building.  Everything is unique, creative, and essential to the plot.

I really enjoyed all the characters.  Cole is a well crafted protagonist, and the supporting characters are just as strong. Plus, all the action has a point. We don't get a fancy, creative fight or monster for no reason. Each obstacle thrown in the characters path reveals something about them or affects them later on. It's also rather refreshing to read some middle grade and get away from the YA angst once in a while. Sure, Cole likes Jenna. There are several other crushes in the book as well, but that is not one of the top ten driving forces propelling our characters in their decisions.  

As for the action, it's awesome.  Like I mentioned before, we have a very creative world for our character to deal with, and it comes with it's own host of problems. Basically, this is one of those quick read books, not because it's sort (432 pages), but because you never really get a breather where you can put it down, sure that your characters are safe.

All in all this is a delightful 4 stars for me.  It's a great beginning to a new series, and the best part is that book 2 comes out in October, so i don't even have to wait that pesky year to see what happens next.

Book Review/Trailer Tuesday: The School for Good and Evil

“The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.”

This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.

But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed—Sophie’s dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are…?The School for Good & Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one.   Quoted from Goodreads

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Okay, and if that fabulous synopsis wasn't enough to convince you, you have to check out this trailer.  It is probably the best book trailer I've seen to date and got me excited for the book all over again.

Wasn't that just about perfect.  Seriously, if that didn't make you want to rush out and get the book right this second, well, this book probably isn't for you at all then, because I loved it.  I'm almost glad I didn't see it before I read the book because my expectations might have been too high.  Still, I'm including it because I loved it.

As for the book, it was also delightful.  It's a middle grade, but it's a long middle grade.  Almost too long, really, but it keeps you turning pages, making it impossible to put down.  Plus, it's an excellent spin on your classic fairytale set up.  It actually reminded me a little bit of Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles, where some things get turned on their head, but there were other things that played straight  out of a Grimm's fairytale.

Both Sophie and Agatha are delightful characters, and I really liked the way the author explored not only what makes a person good or evil, but the relationship between the two girls. While there is a handsome prince in the picture, it's the friendship between the two girls that is the backbone of the story.

I love Sophie's earnestness and drive to get what she wants. She views the world a very certain way, and even after obstacle after obstacle is thrown in her path, she keeps plunging forward towards what she wants.  Agatha, while a bit more practical and less self-assured, is just as dedicated, but her goals are different.  Sophie wants to be a princess, to marry a prince and live beautifully ever after.  Agatha wants to go home and protect her friend.  Both of them are willing to do whatever they need to to get what they want, but it leads them to becoming very different people, and I loved watching their journey.

Plus this book is funny.  I was totally cracking up at certain points, which made me glad I wasn't reading it in public (just a warning).  The role reversal was a perfect setting for some laughs, and the author absolutely explores that. 

Plus the supporting characters are excellent. Yes, some begin as your stereotypical cutouts, but most of them move past that as the characters relationship with them changes. And they're funny, interesting, disturbing, and creative.

Then we have twists and more twists.  Some of them I totally expected, but there were a  bunch I never saw coming, and I loved that.  The ending is an excellent mesh up of completed story and cliff-hanger, and I absolutely can't wait for the next book.  I'm really interested to see what happens to some of the characters now and how the author is going to keep playing with the themes of good and evil.  Plus, there's a bit of a mystery surrounding the Story Master himself, who he is, what he is, and the war that created him.

All in all, this is a strong 4 stars for me, with a good chance at being bumped higher.  It's an excellent adventure with an intriguing premise and good follow-through.  Really, the only problem is I have to wait until next April for A World Without Princes to come out.  Oh, it's also been optioned for a movie with Universal (I think the author is currently co-writing the screenplay), and I'm excited.  This could be excellent.

Book Review: The Feros

After using your newfound super powers to defeat the most evil villains on the planet, what could you possibly do for an encore? 

After defeating their villain mentors, the Vindico, James, Hayden, Sam, Emily and Lana are finally ready to join the League of Heroes. But as their induction into the League draws near, they are framed by a group of rogue Heroes and given life sentences on the Perch.  Thunderbolt, the League’s leader, is the only one who can clear their names, but he is missing. To make matters worse, the Vindico are mysteriously let out of prison and a group of strange Shadow people start trailing the teens’ every move. Unsure of who to trust or where to go, the teens put their new skills to the test once more as they fight to save themselves—and their families—from an unknown foe. But how will they defeat an enemy they can not see?  Quoted from Goodreads

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Straight up, excellent adventure.  There's not much more to say, really.  When I heard there was a sequel to The Vindico, I wasn't quite sure where it would go.  Would it be a straight forward super-hero book, or would the villains come back.  Would something happen to set some of the kids back on the path to super-villainy or would they stay strong.  There are so many directions this book could have gone, but I really like what Wesley King did with it.  It's an absolute must read if you enjoyed The Vindico, and even if you didn't, I think this book might even be better.

What I loved: First, our excellent five main characters.  I'll admit Hayden is my favorite. He's hilarious, quick-witted, and absolutely cracks me up, but it wouldn't work if he didn't have James to tease and Lana to roll her eyes at him.  Sam is as adorable as ever, and I love Emily's insecurities.  It sounds weird  but after the first book the rest of the kids are so confident in what they do, she really rounded out the story.  It also showed another side to her we didn't get as much in the firs book.

I also adored the whole idea that the heroes made their own nemeses.  The Vindico aren't after power or world domination like so many evil characters you read.  Instead they want justice for what the League of Heroes did to them.  They want revenge.  I know that's addressed in the first book, but it's further explored here, and I'm glad the author carried the idea over.  

Plus, this book starts with a bang and never lets up.  Seriously, these poor kids are constantly trying to snatch a few hours of sleep in-between attacks, car chases, prison breaks, etc.  The tension never stops.  Each kid has to deal with his or her former mentor, plus a delightful new villain, multiplying the layers of conflict. If you're looking for a fun, fast, action-filled read, look no further.

To sum up, this book is a blast.  It's a heroic  3.5 stars for me.  It's a straightforward adventure with fun characters and excellent villains. If you haven't read The Vindico check it out, and then you need to pick this up. 

Saturday Shorts: Son of Sobek

In this e-book short story by Rick Riordan, Carter Kane is investigating rumored sightings of a monster on Long Island when he runs into something else: a mysterious boy named Percy Jackson. And their meeting isn't exactly friendly. . . . Includes a sneak peek chapter from HOUSE OF HADES, Book Four in the Heroes of Olympus series.  Quoted from Goodreads

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Such a fun short story.  There were all sorts of hints that Carter and Percy lived in the same world, albeit with different magical systems, but it's wonderful to see them interacting. I love seeing Percy from Carter's POV, and the different abilities they both bring to the battle. 

I also really enjoy how finding out about Greek mythology and demigods changes Carter's world.  It's one of those stories where it really doesn't change the outcome of either series, but it's a wonderful idea to play with.

While the story was short, there's plenty of action.  It's fun seeing Percy and Carter's different strengths   I also liked the way he involved the regular kids in the fight . . . well sort of. The battle they have to fight isn't earth-shattering like it is when you get a whole novel (more like one of the bumps along the way), but it's still an important fight, even if it's not on a global scale.  Plus there are hints of a greater issue going on that just makes the entire thing exciting. Honestly, I'd love to read another one, maybe even a series of novellas where Percy and Carter, or maybe Sadie and Annabeth work together.

My only complaint with the story is we only get it from Carter's POV. I would have liked to see what Percy thought of the whole situation and of Carter in particular.  I don't know if they ever will actually make a series when all of these different characters come together, but it would be fun.

 All in all, this is exactly what I'm looking for in a novella.  It's fun, action packed, and absolutely unputdownable.  If you want a quick fun read to hold you over until the House of Hades comes out in October, you need to check this out.  It's an amazing 4 stars for me and a must read for all Rick Riordan fans.  I'm just hoping there are more in the future.

Theater Thursday: Tiger Eyes

I love Judy Blume.  Her books filled my third and fourth grade head.  I absolutely adored Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Superfudge, and Freckle Juice. Now I have to admit, I haven't read Tiger Eyes.  To be honest, I sort of don't want to right now. It's too close to the movie. Reading books immediately before a I see the movie based on that book tends to spoil it.  No matter how good they do adapting it, they can't cover everything a book can.  Even if they pick a short book, rarely are the characters on screen as good as the ones in my head.  Still, I love seeing other people's visions of the story, so I'm constantly excited for book to movie adaptions.  Still, I won't read a book right before a movie comes out.

Anyway, a preview for Tiger Eyes just came out.  While I'm not as excited as I would be if I had actually read the book, it looks interesting.  Plus, I trust Judy Blume to come up with a good story. Check out the Trailer below.

If you are interested in reading the book, here's a quick summary.

Davey has never felt so alone in her life. Her father is dead—shot in a holdup—and now her mother is moving the family to New Mexico to try to recover. Climbing in Los Alamos Canyons, Davey meets mysterous Wolf, who seems to understand the rage and fear she feels. Slowly, with Wolf’s help, Davey realizes that she must get on with her life. But when will she be ready to leave the past behind? Will she ever stop hurting? Quoted from Goodreads

Book Review: The Wide-Awake Princess

Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie—blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic—can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen's true love to kiss her awake.

But who is her true love? The irritating Digby? The happy-go-lucky Prince Andreas, who is holding a contest to find his bride? The conniving Clarence, whose sinister motives couldn't possibly spell true love? Joined by one of her father's guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family . . . and perhaps even find a true love of her own. Quoted from Goodreads

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Reading Cinder and Scarlet put me in the mode for more fractured/retold fairy tales.  Now, I did have to resort to a middle-grade book to find a good one I haven't read, but it's totally worth it. This is such a adorable, sweet read. Honestly, sometimes I forget how much I can love middle-grade books.  The romance is uncomplicated, the worlds have an element of the bizarre, and there isn't that over abundance of angst that plagues some YA books. 

So, basically this book is just fun.  It crams a whole bunch of fairy tales into one story, beginning with Sleeping Beauty, but covering Hansel and Gretel, the Frog Prince, the Princess and the Pea, Snow White and Rose Red, Rapunzel, and a slew of other ones I can't remember right now.  None of them were told in their entirety, but each one got it's own special twist.  

Plus, I really like Annie's curse/blessing.  It makes her a fun character, and while it's almost too powerful, it helps teach a really good lesson.  It's interesting exploring a world where almost every character has some kind of magic and how it affects society's views.  It's especially interesting with Annie's family, who force her into a corner so they won't ever appear less than beautiful by being close to her field of no magic.

As for the world, well, there are some aspects you just sort of have to accept, such as all the neighboring kingdoms are only one or two days walk away and they all have princes of marriageable age. Other than that, it's plain fun, with a forgetful witch, who has to remind herself with notes to each children and a frog prince who's the father of Hansel and Gretel (aka Thomas and Clara). 

All in all, this is a quick, fun read.  It's full of whimsy and fun slants on familiar stories.  There's also a dash of romance between Annie and Liam, even though Annie's trying to focus on finding her sister's one true love.  If you're a fan of fairy tales, I would absolutely check this out.  It's a delightful, light 4 stars for me, and is especially good for younger readers.

Book Review: Chasing the Prophecy

The #1 New York Times bestselling Beyonders fantasy trilogy comes to a stunning and epic conclusion.

Jason and Rachel were not born in Lyrian. They did not grow up in Lyrian. But after all of the battles and losses, the triumphs and adventures, and most of all, the friendships forged in this fantastical world, Lyrian has become home to them in a way they never could have imagined.And so, armed now with the prophecy of a dying oracle, they have gone on their separate quests—each surrounded by brave and powerful allies—knowing that the chance for success is slim. But Jason and Rachel are ready at last to become the heroes Lyrian needs, no matter the cost. Quoted from Goodreads

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I totally thought I posted about this weeks ago, but I guess I didn't.  I think it got stuck in draft form and never actually published to my blog, so I'm sorry this is so late.  Anyway, here we have another great conclusion to a really fun series, and I'm sort of sad to see it go.  Of course, I'm hoping there's a spin-off, but, who knows?  It could happen.  It's set up that way, but at the same time, it works if there isn't.

The problem with final books is I have a hard time reviewing the whole book as opposed to the final three or four chapters.  Somehow, they sort of blend into the previous books, and I'm left thinking what I loved (and hated) about the book's actual ending.  In my head that's not so bad. I mean, often I'm immensely satisfied by what happened to all the characters.  Sometimes, of course, I'm furious and, occasionally, confused. If I'm just thinking about things, though, it's not a bad way to remember a book. When I write a review, however . . . lets just say it makes it really hard not to sprinkle spoilers all over everything.  But don't worry, I won't.

Honestly, I think this book lives up to it's predecessors.  It's full of action, quests, battles, political intrigue  and Rachel really comes into her own.  But what about Jason, you ask? Jason plays a key role in everything, don't get me wrong, and some of the best chapters are from his point of view, but Rachel's the one who really grows in this book.  She gets a little bogged down in the middle, and for a while I couldn't wait for her chapters to be over so I could get back to what Jason was doing, but in the end, it's her chapters that show the most growth and I couldn't wait to read.

One thing must be said for Brandon Mull, he isn't afraid to kill off his characters.  I learned this in Fablehaven, but I still didn't expect quite the number of main characters that would sacrifice themselves. I'm a sucker for sacrifice, and there are several moments I loved for that very reason.  On the other hand, there is one character whose death really bothered me.  I won't say whose; I let you figure out that for yourself, but much like Finnick in Mockingjay, one particular death still irritates me because it didn't need to happen.  Yes, you can make the counter argument that senseless death is part of war and not all heroes survive.  I get that.  But sometimes living is more of a statement than dying.

Still, this book wrapped up all the loose ends from the previous books really well. We have two great quests from Rachel and Jason's POV, both of which had their more shining moments.  I should probably mention, Nedwin's chapters are among my favorite. They were totally unexpected (though I should have seen at least one aspect coming if I had remembered one small detail sooner), delightful, shocking, and a little sad all at the same time.

Anyway, be prepared to loose several characters that you love. Be prepared to face crazy tasks and cool, new villains (or new aspects of old ones).  Be prepared for twists and turns in the plot I never saw coming.  Be prepared to stay up late because you have to find out what happens next.  And be prepared for a bittersweet ending that is half perfect and half not, one that makes you beg for a spin-off series just so you can find out what happens to your favorite characters next.

This is an exciting 4 stars for me.  I loved all the adventure, the twists, the villains, the heroes, the sacrifice  and the crazy settings/species. If you're looking for an exciting read, check this out, especially because the series is over.  Now you won't have to wait, unlike the rest of us poor suckers, to find out how the series ends.

Flashback Friday: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain. So it surprised just about everybody when they decided to take part in the town's Christmas pageant. The Herdmans had never heard of the Christmas story, but the way they interpreted it, you'd think the story of Jesus came right out of the F.B.I. files. (They called the Wise Men a bunch of dirty spies.) It was a Christmas pageant to remember . . .    

Called one of America's favorite Christmas stories, and now a classic television movie, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" has been a favorite of young readers the world over since 1972. Funny, memorable, and outrageous, it is the story of a family of incorrigible children who discover the Christmas story for the first time and help everyone else rediscover its true meaning.     Quoted from Goodreads

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I've been looking back at Holiday books I loved as a kid, and the one that stands out is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  Yes, it's a kid's book, or maybe middle grade, but still, it's hilarious.  It starts out as funny, but by the end it turns into one of the most touching Christmas stories.

The book doesn' take very long to read, maybe an hour at most, depending on your speed. I think my mom first read this to me as a little kid, and it's just continued on from there.

I love the way this book characterizes different people.  We have the "bad" Herdmans, who ultimately end up teaching everyone a little bit about Christmas.  In contrast, we have the "good" church people, who try their hardest, but seem to be going through the motions more than actually thinking about they story they are trying to portray.  I especially enjoyed the contrast between Imogene and Alice.  Both wanted to play Mary, and while Alice may have looked the part, it ends up being Imogene who brings the story to life.

This book is a fantastic 4.5 stars for me.  While 40 years is not quite A Christmas Carol, it's still a pretty impressive record.  And the time period doesn't really matter. The story itself is timeless.  Honestly, I probably read this story every other year to get me into the Holiday spirit, and each year it gets better and better.

Flashback Friday: The Bronze Bow

He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.–from the Song of David (2 Samuel 22:35) 

The Bronze Bow, written by Elizabeth George Speare (author of The Witch of Blackbird Pond) won the Newbery Medal in 1962. This gripping, action-packed novel tells the story of eighteen-year-old Daniel bar Jamin—a fierce, hotheaded young man bent on revenging his father’s death by forcing the Romans from his land of Israel. Daniel’s palpable hatred for Romans wanes only when he starts to hear the gentle lessons of the traveling carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth. 

A fast-paced, suspenseful, vividly wrought tale of friendship, loyalty, the idea of home, community . . . and ultimately, as Jesus says to Daniel on page 224: “Can’t you see, Daniel, it is hate that is the enemy? Not men. Hate does not die with killing. It only springs up a hundredfold. The only thing stronger than hate is love.” A powerful, relevant read in turbulent times. Quoted from Goodreads

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This is an absolutely beautiful book. I first read it when I was probably about twelve, right after The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and loved it.  Then it sort of fell to the back of my mind for years and years until my mom chose it for her book club and invited me to come along--two hours before it started.  Frantically I read it again.  At first I was just going to skim it to refresh myself on characters, story, etc.  But once I started reading, I couldn't just skim.  I'd forgotten how much I loved the characters and the message of this story.  

Honestly, this book has everything you might be looking for in a story.   Adventure, rebellion, hatred, revenge, forbidden love, dynamic characters, and personal growth.  The story is told from Daniel's point of view, a Jew during the time of Christ, who absolutely despises the Romans.  At times, you can almost taste his hatred, it's so palpable, but he's so much more than just hate and revenge.  He cares for his sister and friends, and when he meets Jesus, you can feel the conflict tearing at him as he tries to reconcile what he wants with what his heart is telling him.

I love Elizabeth George Speare.  I've read at least four of her books that I remember, and each one is beautifully written.  I think the Witch of Blackbird Pond is the most famous because it doesn't deal with religion like The Bronze Bow, or at least not so blatantly.  But I don't think that's all this book is.  Yes there is a message of peace, faith, and forgiveness that is applicable today, but it's also a fantastic coming of age story and look into the time period.  

This book is absolutely 5 stars for me. It's simple enough for a child to understand, but it has a timeless, ageless quality about it, and I found myself loving it years after I read it the first time.  It has a little bit of everything in it that makes a good novel.  It has a great message without feeling preachy, and a wonderful adventure that keeps you turning pages until the very end.

Book Review: The Paladin Prophecy

Will West is careful to live life under the radar. At his parents' insistence, he's made sure to get mediocre grades and to stay in the middle of the pack on his cross-country team. Then Will slips up, accidentally scoring off the charts on a nationwide exam.

Now Will is being courted by an exclusive prep school . . . and is being followed by men driving black sedans. When Will suddenly loses his parents, he must flee to the school. There he begins to explore all that he's capable of--physical and mental feats that should be impossible--and learns that his abilities are connected to a struggle between titanic forces that has lasted for millennia.

Co-creator of the groundbreaking television series Twin Peaks, Mark Frost brings his unique vision to this sophisticated adventure, which combines mystery, heart-pounding action, and the supernatural. Quoted from Goodreads

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So you've all read Mark of Athena (and you have all read it, right?).  Now the ending is making you a little crazy, and you don't know how to wait an entire year for the sequel or quite what you'll do until then.  No worries, for I have the answer to at least one of these problems: The Paladin Prophecy.  Adventure?  Check. New mythology? Check.  Smart, brave hero? Check. Plucky side-kicks? Check. Mystery? Check.

First off, there's Will, and I love him.  Here's the thing, just by naming a character that, you have my attention.  What can I say, I love the name.  Beyond that, though, Will is smart, cocky, and confident--maybe a little bit like Tony Stark without the money or Sherlock Holms only he's better with girls.  I love main characters like this, characters who take charge of their situation, aren't perfect, but aren't so flawed you want to smack them upside the head.

Then there's the mystery.  Why did Will's parents tell him to remain middle-of-the-road when he's clearly better than that?  Who are the black caps? What's up with his mother? What is the Paladin Prophecy?  Where are his powers coming from? Who can Will trust?  Who's the random stranger that keeps saving his life?  The questions go on and on, and as soon as you figure out one, another one takes it's place, forcing you to keep reading.

Another refreshing aspect is Will's friendship with his parents. They're such good friends, in fact, whenever he encounters a new situation, his Dad's rules or sayings pop into his head.  I like those sayings.  Honestly, they're kind of a cool plot device, and I wouldn't mind owning a list and stealing a couple for myself.

I don't want to give too much away, but this is a great book.  If you're looking for another fun adventure with a hodgepodge of different tropes (angels, knights, super-powers, special school, demons, secret societies, ultra advanced technology, other dimensions, good vs. evil, monsters, kidnapping, body-snatching, mind control, etc.) this is the book for you.  I give it a mysterious four stars. It's a smart book that kept me reading until the end.  Alas the next book doesn't come out for a good while.

Okay, so I realize that I've probably over sold the book, and I don't want you not to love it because you expect too much, so I'm warning you, it's not perfect.  I found Will's relationship with Nando  and the things that man was willing to do kind of pushing it. Also, Will is remarkably good at being noticed when he's spent his whole life trying to blend in.  He made the switch kind of fast for me.  Despite these minor problems, this book is a fantastic ride you should absolutely board.

Now, in honor of Theater Thursday, which again, I didn't really do, here is the book trailer.  It's one of the best ones I've seen recently and would be kind of awesome if it were turned into a movie.  If you like Percy Jackson or Artemis Fowl,  I defy you to watch this trailer and not immediately rush out to read this book.

Book Review: The Mark of Athena

Annabeth is terrified. Just when she’s about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo’s fantastical creation doesn’t appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that’s only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close— the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?

Annabeth’s biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he’s now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.

Narrated by four different demigods, The Mark of Athena is an unforgettable journey across land and sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the Argo II, if you dare . . .    Quoted from Goodreads

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First, I won't lie.  Have you seen the cover?  The cover alone is amazing. You could rate the book off of that and get it pretty much right. I know it's shallow and you're not supposed to judge, but I totally do.

What can I say, Rick Riordan does it again. He is the master of never a dull moment books. Honestly, I liked him in the first Percy Jackson series, but not half as much as I enjoy this second one.  I really think he's become a much better writer, and I like that the characters are a little bit older.  A sixteen-year-old kicking butt with a sword is much more believable than a twelve-year old, and there's a lot of action in this book.

Like I said, Riordan has mastered keeping the plot moving, and he doesn't let up.  There is a sweet little moment or someone pauses to catch their breath, and boom! Something is happening.  Again.

You know what you're getting when you open the book, but it still manages to sweep you away and keep you turning pages, well past when you told yourself you were going to stop. I really liked the obstacles in this book.  Some monsters aren't as much fun as others, but these were excellent.  And, we get to meet Hercules!  I won't tell you more, but I've been waiting for him to appear.  I love seeing how Riordan interprets the characters from myth. Some are funny, others sad, and none come out quite like you might expect.

Plus, we finally get Annabeth's point of view!  I didn't miss it in the first series because those were Percy's books, but once The Lost Hero started handing out varying points of view, I wanted to be in Annabeth's head. In The Son of Neptune, we know how much Percy misses Annabeth, so it is great to get their reunion from her point of view, and it is perfect.  Love, love, love it--not exactly what I was expecting, but adorable.

Now, lest after two books of alternating POVs you think it's all Annabeth, it's not.  We still get to see Percy, Leo, and Piper, which was nice.  Leo was great because of the whole Sammy mystery and the Argo II (yes, I'm assuming you've read The Son of Neptune, so now you're warned). Piper was good because I felt like she still had to kind of grow up a bit in this book, plus she is more feelings where Leo is machines so they contrast. The there is Percy, and . . . Percy is Percy.  He may be sharing the spotlight, but come on.  We all know he's really the main attraction.

The ending! Aaahhggg, the ending!  So the endings in The Lost Hero and The Son of Neptune made me excited for the next book, but the main adventure was semi wrapped-up at that point.  This one left me going, wait, you can't do that. Aaaaahhhggg, I can't believe you . . . (I'll stop before I give anything away).  I need the fourth book. Now. Next year can not come soon enough.

This book is 4.5 lovely stars.  I really like what Riordan's done with the plot and the multiple threats and turning good guys into bad guys (sort of).  I love watching the characters grow as they face different challenges.  This book is everything I hoped The Mark of Athena would be.

Flashback Friday: Beware the Fish

Okay, don't judge me.  I love this book.  I realize it's older than I am and not in a classic, will live forever sort of way.  Not that it's not hilarious, because it is, and not that everyone shouldn't read this growing up, because they should.  No, it's rather dated, and not in the the let's explore how social structure of the fifties (or late seventies/early eighties) sort of way.  Still, this book made me randomly burst out laughing while I was growing up, and it's one of the ones I absolutely had to own (though it took about 5 used bookstores for me to find it).  And again, Google images, Goodreads, and Amazon have all let me down.  Not once did I ever find the cover I grew up loving, the one with the crazy lady in a bathrobe and curlers sporting a shotgun and a flashlight trained at poor Boots and Bruno. Ah the tragedy.  So, here's the sad, generic "updated" version of the cover and a quick summary.

"Macdonald Hall has never been like this!" shouts Bruno.  "The food is garbage . . . our rooms are freezing . . . and there's cost-cutting all over the place.  What's going on?"

What is going on?  Is Macdonald Hall going broke?  Not if Boots and Bruno can help it!  Fortified with Care packages from the girls at Miss Scrimmage's school, the boys devise some fantastic, fundraising schemes--involving not only The Fish (Headmaster Sturgeon), but also the police, who track the mysterious Fish image, appearing on local TV screens, direct to Macdonald Hall!


Quoted from the back of my copy of the book (by Scholastic Book Services), the one that sadly  I can find no images for.

In a nutshell, this book is about two best friends, Boots and Bruno, and their crazy, school-wide schemes to save Macdonald Hall, their Canadian boarding school. I realize there are a few too many exclamation points in the summary, but it's a kids book first published in 1980, so I'll cut them some slack.  Still, this book is so funny.  I re-read it a couple of years ago, and it still made me chuckle.  Kids today may have a hard time imagining a world with no cell phones or video games--oh wait, Harry Potter lived in a boarding school where there were also no cell phones or video games, or even TV, so I don't actually think that will be a problem.

This book is full of fun, colorful characters and crazy situations.  It's also a book about friendship and loyalty.  How many kids have been this supportive and in love with a school since (or before) Hogwarts?  How many kids worry about the headmaster loosing his job?  No matter what kinds of craziness the main characters get into, and they get into a lot--from UFOs to visiting girls and building pyramids . . . out of soda cans--they are always looking out for each other and their school.

I give this book a laugh-out-loud  4 stars.  It's funny, has great characters, and hilarious mishaps.  Yes, it is more suited to twelve-year-olds, but anyone can enjoy this book, and if you can find it, I absolutely recommend it.

Amanda Monday: The Westing Game

Hello, one and all!  My name is Amanda, and I have the honor and pleasure of doing a guest post on Rachel's Reads.  I am kind of intimidated to be here, but excited.  I hope you like the book I've chosen for today, which is:

When an eccentric millionaire dies mysteriously, sixteen very unlikely people are gathered together for the reading of the will...and what a will it is! - Quoted from Goodreads

I know that Halloween is almost two whole months away, but when the leaves begin to change and the air begins to cool,  I am drawn to the classic "whodunit" mysteries, and this book, I believe, is the quintessential mystery novel.  

Since Goodreads is a little sparse in their description, let me elaborate a bit on the summary.  An eccentric millionaire, Sam Westing, dies unexpectedly in his mansion.  Nearby, a new apartment complex, Sunset Towers, has just filled all it's vacancies.  Coincidentally, (or is it?) nearly all the tenants of the apartment complex, from the bellboy to the restaurant owner, are named as heirs to the Westing fortune. The only catch?  In order to inherit Sam Westing's millions, they have to discover who MURDERED him.

Sounds like a classic mystery-type novel.  Some of you might even call the plot cliche.  But there is nothing cliche about this masterfully written book.  The author does a wonderful job of weaving clues and red herrings throughout the entire novel, making the story tightly woven.  This, in the end, gives you great satisfaction when you finally figure out "whodunit".  I love when an author has the ability to leave clues along the way so subtly that you never pick up on them, and when the big reveal is announced, you think, "how could I have missed those?!"  But you did, even though they are obvious in retrospect.  I am not a person who is taken by surprise.  I hardly ever fail to see plot twists in books and in movies.  But here I most certainly did.  And so, I bet, will you.

The characters are also deliciously unique and imperfect.  Most of them have some rather annoying qualities, but somehow they are made endearing in the telling of this story, and in the end, you are cheering all of them on, even the most grumpy, or short-tempered, or vain, or . . . well, you get the idea.  I think it takes real skill to make such people protagonists, yet I found myself enjoying each and every one of their quirks.  

Lastly, I love this book because it is perfect for nearly all ages. I first read this book when I was in 4th or 5th grade.  I loved it then, I loved it when I re-read it again in Junior high, and loved it even more when I read it in high school and in college.  It is a timeless book for two reasons:  one, because you can read it time and time again, and two, because it appeals to readers of all ages.  That is why I am giving it a 5-star rating.  I probably have maybe ten books in the entire world I would give that rating to, and this book is one of them.  So if you are in the mood for a little thrill and mystery, check it out and enjoy.  And if you do, perchance, guess who killed Sam Westing, I will personally give you $1,000,000;).  (Ha, ha, you never will!)
   

Adventurers Wanted: Slathbog's Gold

Do you have the courage, the wits, and the skill to claim a dragon's hoard? If so, apply within ...

The sign is small, tucked into the corner of Mr. Clutter's bookshop window: "Adventurers Wanted. Apply Within." No one but fifteen-year-old Alex Taylor even seems to notice it is there. And for Alex, who has wished for a change in his life, it is an irresistible invitation.

Upon entering Mr. Clutter's shop, Alex is swept away on an incredible adventure to a faraway land filled with heroic warriors, mysterious elves, and hard-working dwarves.

Alex becomes the eighth man in a band of adventurers seeking the lair of Slathbog the Red - and evil dragon with a legendary treasure. Along the way, Alex and his new friends must battle dangerous trolls and bandits, face undead wraiths, and seek the wisdom of the Oracle in her White Tower.

Alex's adventure takes him to distant and exotic lands where he learns about courage, integrity, honor, and, most importantly, friendship.

Slathbog's Gold is the first book in an exciting new YA epic fantasy series and heralds the arrival of a major new talent in the genre.

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In my last post I mentioned a bunch of book bargains that I was interested in.  Some of them I've read and some I hadn't, so I decided to check a few of them out.  Ever since reading Rachel Hartman's Seraphina, I've been on a bit of a dragon kick.  I like middle grade books (like Artemis Fowl, obviously, Fablehaven, and The Last Apprentice series), and despite the YA designation in the description, this is absolutely middle grade. So the obvious conclusion was to read Adventurers Wanted: Slathbog's Gold.

Let's just say it wasn't quite the experience I was hoping for.

On the positive side, this is the adventure everyone dreams of stumbling across.  On the negative side, this is the adventure everyone dreams of stumbling across. And therein we find my problem with the book.

Alex, while walking around and moping, sees a magical sign promising escape from his hum-drum life.  He is immediately recruited to be part of a company of Adventurers with a capital A, and to defeat an evil dragon. Already seeing parallels to The Hobbit?  Yes, and they keep coming throughout the entire book, except instead of a middle-aged hobbit, the main character is a fifteen-year-old boy who is destined to become a great warrior and a wizard, which is almost unheard of. The Oracle sees this, and grants him special audience, favoring him over all the others in his company. He randomly is chosen by an ancient magical sword that makes him an unparalleled fighter.  He is named both a friend of the dwarves and elves.  He defeats wraiths and trolls all by himself, develops a special bond with his horse, all the while collecting piles and piles (literally) of gold, diamonds, rubies, and other treasure. Oh, and he picks up a mysterious magic ring . . .

Maybe it isn't fair to compare this book to The Hobbit.  I mean, how often does a J.R.R. Tolkien come around?  But M.L. Forman has to know he was begging for it when he created a quest to slay a dragon set in a magical realm with elves and dwarves.

Don't get me wrong, this is a fun adventure, and just the sort of adventure you might want to read to a six or seven year old. But everything is too easy.  There is no accountability for what the characters do. Too sore from riding horses?  Here's a magical potion that will cure that right up.  About to die?  Oh, the elf queen will save you and then call herself your best friend.  Don't know how to fight?  Don't worry, your sword will do all the work for you.

Everyone lives.  Everyone is your friend.  No one tries you rob you, though you're carrying a mountain of gold in your magical bag (and I did really like the magical bag thing.  See, it is a fun world M.L. Forman created, just lacking in consequences and something resembling reality).

This is the story you dream of as a child: power, riches, respect, and glory, all without paying any sort of price or sacrifice.

After much debate, I would give this book 3 stars, because I do like it for young children.  But for anyone out of elementary school, I would skip it and go straight to Tolkien's The Hobbit. It is, I'm afraid, superior in every way.