Author: Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – Book 4: The Shattered Lens – By Brandon Sanderson

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Jared,

I’ve got another one down. Don’t know how much of an accomplishment it is but I did it. Really these books are an easy read and fairly entertaining too. Now I just need to wait for the next one to finish being processed.

ShatteredLens.jpgTitle: The Shattered Lens
Series: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians; Book 4
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, No Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Alcatraz stopped the assassination of the Council of Kings, but lost an ancient book to his mother. Now the capital of Mokia is about to fall but the Knights of Crystallia nor the Council of Kings are willing to intercede. In a stoopid and equally brave attempt force their hand, Alcatraz travels to Mokia.
Recommendation: Early teens or moderately skilled readers. And do what the book says…..it’s better that way.

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Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – Book 4: The Shattered Lens – By Brandon Sanderson

Age of Darkness – Book 1: Battlemage – By Stephen Aryan

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Jared,

I’m looking forward to your take on the books you’ve been reading. I know at least one of them I’ve already read and it will be interesting to see where our views differ. (Cryptic, but I can’t give too much away now can I?)

battlemage.jpgTitle: Battlemage
Series: Age of Darkness; Book 1
Author: Stephen Aryan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Military, High Magic
Synopsis: Balfruss is a battlemage, sworn to fight and die for a country that fears and despises his kind. Vargus is a common soldier — while mages shoot lightning from the walls of the city, he’s down in the front lines getting blood on his blade. Talandra is a princess and spymaster, but the war may force her to risk everything and make the greatest sacrifice of all.
Recommendation: For adult readers and I’m open to reading the next book.

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Age of Darkness – Book 1: Battlemage – By Stephen Aryan

I Hate Staggered Releases

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So you’re waiting for a book to come out and you’ve been waiting months. You’re so eager you check the release date online only to figure out……it’s been out for a month already! Quickly you seek out your book vendor of choice and find your quarry waiting for you. Your mouse hovers over the button that will bring the magic words to you when you notice something…….it’s the audio book version. Dismayed at nearly being forced to listen to those golden words when your eyes hunger for so much more. In your righteous fury you unintentionally smash the mouse button disturbingly hard sending plushies, children and small animals fleeing in terror. Your eyes rest upon the eBook version still two months distant. A dread begins to sink deep into your soul.

It couldn’t be. They wouldn’t do that to us. Us! We who have supported and sustained the brilliant bringers of godly literary sustenance.

At last your eyes rest on the fateful words. Hardcover release in 4 months. A guttural cry rises up from some nearby monster, when you realize it’s coming from your own lips. You are empty inside. Devoid of all thought and emotion. An eternity passes, drifting in the void when at last a red tide of razor sharp focus and indignation rushes into the void. Then and there you vow never to bask in the charlatans grace or drink the quack’s snake oil.

At least until the end of the series.

I Hate Staggered Releases

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard – Book 2: The Hammer of Thor – By Rick Riordan

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Jared,

I pre-ordered it from Amazon because they ship it a couple of days in advance so it would arrive on the day of release. From the tracking the first one never made it out of Texas. The morning of the release, Oct.4.2016, a noticed time stamped 6 hours in the future said it was “delayed.” That night it then said to expect it by the 7th, but if it hadn’t shown up by the 8th to check back for other options. Morning of the 6th the second one was shipped from the nearby Amazon facility and was promptly delivered by late that afternoon.

I chose Amazon to avoid hassle. No need to leave the house to find a copy at a local bookstore, or some box store. I’m always depressed after going to either. The first because of the books I couldn’t buy or the money I shouldn’t have spent and the second because of all the people. Too many people. It should have just painlessly arrived at my door without a second thought. I was so wrong.

hammerofthorTitle: The Hammer of Thor
Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard; Book 2
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Mythology/Supernatural
Synopsis: The hammer of Thor is missing…..again. If it’s not found soon it may mean a giant invasion of Midgard, aka Earth. But other forces are at work and if left unchecked they may bring about the end of the universe. No pressure.
Recommendation: Teen. The book is mediocre at best, which makes it the worst in the Riordan-verse to date.

– Spoilers –

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Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard – Book 2: The Hammer of Thor – By Rick Riordan

Harry Potter Series – Book 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – By J. K. Rowling

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Jared,

I had intended to do a review of The Hammer of Thor this week. Even pre-ordering it! Of course there was a shipping delay and I didn’t get it until yesterday. I’ll publish the review as soon as I’ve finished it. As for today, I give you Prisoner of Azkaban instead. I hadn’t planned to do this one so soon. However, we were able to get a copy of the audio books (Jim Dale, FTW!) and I loaded it onto Lisa’s phone. Of course, she turned it on while we were driving back from vacation and once we started I had to finish it. You’ll probably noticed we’ve been home for weeks. Well there has been so much happening this past month it had to be pushed back until this unexpected opening.

HP3Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Series: Harry Potter Series; Book 3
Author: J. K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Magic, Higher Magic, Modern/Present Day, Dragons
Synopsis: Harry has survived his first two years at Hogwarts. As the beginning of this third year rapidly approaches he accidentally blows up a relative. Now on the run he discovers Voldemort might be after him again. But this time he’ll use escaped mass-murder Sirius Black.
Recommendation: This is my favorite book in the series. It should be noted that it’s takes the first step away from the Youth audience toward Teen.

– – Spoilers – –

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Harry Potter Series – Book 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – By J. K. Rowling

The Trials of Apollo – Book 1: The Hidden Oracle – By Rick Riordan

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Hey Jared,

Since I’m waiting for The Hammer of Thor to come out in mere days, I figured I could finally get around to reading the first book in this new series. I was honestly a little hesitant because it broke with convention and had a non-demigod as the main character. Could the perspective of a divine being be both relatable and compelling? Yes. Yes, it can.

thehiddenoracleTitle: The Hidden Oracle
Series: The Trials of Apollo; Book 1
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Mythology/Supernatural
Synopsis: Apollo messed up…..big time. As punishment, he was stripped from his all his goddy powers. What’s more, nefarious forces are at work. Can he survive his acne or will a monster put him out of his misery.
Recommendation: Another great addition to the Riordan multiverse. I would suggest reading Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus first as this series directly builds off them.

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The Trials of Apollo – Book 1: The Hidden Oracle – By Rick Riordan