Alcatraz Series – Book 2: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones – By Brandon Sanderson

So why did I pick this book? Well Deathweavers arrived without me knowing so I never picked it up and it was then promptly returned. So I need to put a hold on it again. I blame the librarians. Of the books left on my shelf…..this one didn’t have any more renews left….and it’s an easy read.

alcatraz2Title: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones
Series: Alcatraz Series
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, No Higher Magic
Synopsis: Alcatraz Smedry is back in the second volume of his autobiography. Lies, death, cliffhangers and overzealous undead librarians of questionable morals. Pretty standard stuff really.
Recommendation: Early teens or moderately skilled readers.

– – Spoilers – –

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Alcatraz Series – Book 2: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones – By Brandon Sanderson

The Candy Book Tag – Robert

candy
We were nominate by Izzy over at Thinking and Inking, you should go check her out because she makes us look like uncultured swine in comparison.
Guidelines:
  • When you are tagged, please thank the blogger who tagged you!
  • No one is obligated to participate, even if they are tagged.
  • If you decide to participate, answer the questions and then tag 5 other bloggers.
  • Please notify the people you’ve selected when they are tagged!

Apples
Ah. It was deep, meaningful, probably won a lot of awards but, um, it really isn’t your thing.

Poetry. Biographies. Historical fiction. Like I said, uncultured swine. Poetry is both too deep and just not substantial enough for me. Biographies are about interesting dead people or coma inducing living people. And historical fiction feels like running in slow motion. There are exceptions but they are few and far between.

Black Jellybeans
Why do these exist?

Books based on movies. “If you liked this awesome movie, why not try this book based on the movie.” I get the book-to-movie trend but movie-to-book is the most annoying thing ever devised.

Chocolate Kisses
Aww… This novel had the best romance!

I tend to look down on the overly romantic books. To me romance should be used to enhance the main story….not be the main story. So if it manages to do that I’m usually happy……I honestly can’t think of any stand outs in the positive. Sorry.

Gummy Spiders
Eek! You had to check under your bed every night for a week after reading this scary one.

I read fiction for a reason. The whole point is that it’s not real. That being said the apocalyptic and the post-apocalyptic genres often send me into a worst case scenario preparedness cycle. A good example is Red Thunder in the aftermath of a massive tsunami that hits Florida.

Jumbo Lollipop
This took you ages to get through, but hey! You finished it!

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson, took me years to get past the first couple of chapters. The Twilight Saga, (both proud and ashamed of this one) took me months because I could only stomach a couple of pages at a time…….The things we do for love.

Cotton Candy
Admit it, you loved this when you were younger (you probably still do). Think children’s or MG fiction.

Dragonlance, Animorphs, Hatchet, Tennis Shoes Adventures, The BFG……You can probably see a pattern here. These are all books I have or would like to read and review. There is something about reading this classics from my childhood that fascinates me. I get to compare younger me and the adult me. Of course the search for new (to me) books is a constant and relentless pursuit but rediscovering the oldies is so relaxing and just a pure joy.

My nominees:

  • N/A

I don’t have anyone to nominate at the moment. Not really a blog collector so I’ll try to add some as I go.

The Candy Book Tag – Robert

The Orion Plan – By Mark Alpert

I’m late. A whole month late and I am sorry. I’d gotten a few weeks ahead so I took a bit of a break and just like always I’ve had trouble getting back in the groove. But no more! I’m back with this recently (three months ago) released book.

orionplanTitle: The Orion Plan
Author: Mark Alpert
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern, Aliens
Synopsis:  An alien probe crash lands in New York City. A scientist, a gangster, a drunk, and a terminally ill woman all play critical roles in humanities first encounter with entities beyond our solar system.
Recommendation: Teen-Adult. There were some mature themes but nothing too extreme.

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The Orion Plan – By Mark Alpert

Seraphim Series – Book 1: Skyborn – By David Dalglish

Jared,

Mixed feelings on this one. Really I don’t know if I should read the next one in the series. Either it will redeem the series or I will nitpick it apart. What should I do?

Skyborn.jpgTitle: Skyborn
Series: Seraphim; Book 1
Author: David Dalglish
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU/UU/EU, Medieval/Future, Magic
Synopsis: “Six islands float high above the Endless Ocean, where humanity’s final remnants are locked in brutal civil war. Their parents slain in battle, twins Kael and Brenna Skyborn are training to be Seraphim, elite soldiers of aerial combat who wield elements of ice, fire, stone and lightning. When the invasion comes, they will take to the skies, and claim their vengeance.
Recommendation: Mid to late teens. I was actually surprised it wasn’t in the Teen or YA section. I’m placing this In Dispute because I want to like it, but it wasn’t that good.

 – – Mild Spoilers – –

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Seraphim Series – Book 1: Skyborn – By David Dalglish

Elantris – By Brandon Sanderson

Hey Jared

This is another book from Brandon Sanderson, but it’s his first widely published novel. I really liked seeing where he started from and the story is pretty good too.

Elantris_cover

Title: Elantris
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Elantris, City of Gods, the White. Elantris, City of the Cursed, the Damned, the Forsaken. In the aftermath of the Reod and the subsiqent collapse of Elantris, the nation of Arelon is a broken husk of it’s former glory. The power vacuum draws in old enemies and allies alike. But Elantris isn’t dead. Yet.
Recommendation: Adult or late teen. This is Sanderson’s first published novel, so it lacks some of the finesse of his later works, but it is still well done.

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Elantris – By Brandon Sanderson

The Obsidian Trilogy – Book 3: When Darkness Falls – By Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory

Jared,

The final book in the trilogy. It was great to read these again. Now I get to start of the sequel trilogy. I only vaguely remember bits and pieces so this will be great!

WhenDarknessFallsTitle: When Darkness Falls
Series: The Obsidian Trilogy; Book 3
Author: Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: At last the Allies of Light know what the Endarkened are planning to do. Now the problem is finding a way to stop them without being pulled apart from every direction. As everyone else begins to slide into despair, Kellen Knight Mage finally has a clear enemy he can fight. But will it be enough?
Recommendation: Adult or late teens. Mild sexual content and innuendos. Moderate violence and high gore, but well balanced and done with purpose. I highly recommend this book!

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The Obsidian Trilogy – Book 3: When Darkness Falls – By Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory

The Reckoners – Book 3: Calamity – By Brandon Sanderson

Jared! You’re alive!

I was starting to get worried again. If you hadn’t surfaced by this Friday I was going to start messaging your wife to figure out what’s been going on. Pretty sure I could convince her to strap you to your computer and withhold food. I look forward to your review of the Tennis Shoes series. It’s been a long time since I read those.

calamityTitle: Calamity
Series: The Reckoners; Book 3
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Near Future, Super Powers
Synopsis: David barely escaped New York and Prof has given into his darkness. And the remaining Reckoners think that Prof has gone to Atlanta….in Kansas. The connection between Epics, their weaknesses, and their fears will play a crucial role in the coming fight. Will they save Prof from himself even if it means killing him? Or will they die trying. Let’s not forget Calamity, the source of all Epics and their powers.
Recommendation: Teen. It’s epic….what more is there to say?

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The Reckoners – Book 3: Calamity – By Brandon Sanderson