Review

Dragonlance Legends – Vol.3: Test of the Twins – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

This has been pushed back way too many times but no longer! This is a part of my renewed effort to get back in the habit. This was a great book to start with.

testofthetwinsTitle: Test of the Twins
Series: Dragonlance Legends; Vol. 3
Author: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Defying the fate that claimed his evil predecessor, Raistlin opens the Portal to the Abyss and passes through. With Crysania at his side, he engages the Queen of Darkness in a battle for the ultimate prize-a seat among the gods. At the same time, Caramon and Tasslehoff are transported to the future. There they come to understand the consequences of Raistlin’s quest-and Caramon at last realizes the painful sacrifice he must make to prevent his brother’s success. Old friends and strange allies come together to aid him, but Caramon must take the last, greatest step alone. The step into the Abyss.
Recommendation: Adult, maybe late teens. Any admirer of high fantasy should be familiar with this series.

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Dragonlance Legends – Vol.3: Test of the Twins – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Animorphs – Book 3: The Encounter – By K. A. Applegate

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Hello Jared,

The series continues….

theencounterTitle: The Encounter
Series: Animorphs; Book 3
Author: K. A. Applegate
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern, Aliens
Synopsis: When Tobias, Jake, Rachel, Marco, and Cassie were given the ability to morph, they were also given one very important warning: Never stay in a morph for more than two hours. It seemed a small price to pay, since the kids know that humans everywhere are being forced to let slimy, spineless creatures creep into their brains. And the only way the kids can fight back is not to be human. But Tobias stayed in his morph too long. And now he’s a hawk — with a boy’s mind — forever. Tobias knows they can’t give up. That they all made a promise. So now it’s four kids and a hawk against a force that’s determined to destroy them. Or die trying…
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series.

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Animorphs – Book 3: The Encounter – By K. A. Applegate

The Six – Book 2: The Siege – By Mark Alpert

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 3 Comments

Jared,

I read the first book in this series right before we started the blog and it was really good. Definitely a 4/5 star. With the 3rd book coming out in a couple of weeks I figured it was time to dive back into the series.

thesiegeTitle: The Siege
Series: The Six; Book 2
Author: Mark Alpert
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Young Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Near-Future, AI,
Synopsis: Adam gave up everything for a new chance at life. Now with a cutting-edge digital mind, he is smarter, faster, better than a normal teen. Except Adam is anything but invincible. He’s indebted to the government program that gave him this ability-and freedom comes at a price. Adam and his teammates, the six Pioneers, swore to defend humanity against Sigma, the most ruthless artificial intelligence program ever designed. The Pioneers are all that stand between the AI and world domination. But Sigma has an advantage. It has learned about human weakness, and its new weapon? Betrayal. In this war between good and evil, the battle lines have been drawn…but someone is about to switch sides.
Recommendation: This series is recommended.

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The Six – Book 2: The Siege – By Mark Alpert

Trials of Apollo – Book 2: The Dark Prophecy – By Rick Riordan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 1 Comment

Hey Jared,

You’ve been really busy with life lately. Hopefully you’ve been reading/listening to some good books. Me? I read this with trepidation…….with good reason.

thedarkprophecyTitle: The Dark Prophecy
Series: The Trials of Apollo; Book 2
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Mythology/Supernatural
Synopsis: Zeus has punished his son Apollo–god of the sun, music, archery, poetry, and more–by casting him down to earth in the form of a gawky, acne-covered sixteen-year-old mortal named Lester. The only way Apollo can reclaim his rightful place on Mount Olympus is by restoring several Oracles that have gone dark. What is affecting the Oracles, and how can Apollo/Lester do anything about them without his powers? After experiencing a series of dangerous–and frankly, humiliating–trials at Camp Half-Blood, Lester must now leave the relative safety of the demigod training ground and embark on a hair-raising journey across North America. Fortunately, what he lacks in godly graces he’s gaining in new friendships–with heroes who will be very familiar to fans of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus series. Come along for what promises to be a harrowing, hilarious, and haiku-filled ride. . . .
Recommendation: Still recommended, but only barely.

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Trials of Apollo – Book 2: The Dark Prophecy – By Rick Riordan

The Last Good Man – By Linda Nagata

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , 2 Comments

Hey Jared,

As you’ll recall I emailed and asked for a review copy of this, so I’m both excited and nervous about this review. Even more so since the book is pretty much amazing.

thelastgoodmanTitle: The Last Good Man
Author: Linda Nagata
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Scifi
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern/Near-Future,
Synopsis: Army veteran True Brighton left the service when the development of robotic helicopters made her training as a pilot obsolete. Now she works at Requisite Operations, a private military company established by friend and former Special Ops soldier Lincoln Han. ReqOp has embraced the new technologies. Robotics, big data, and artificial intelligence are all tools used to augment the skills of veteran warfighters-for-hire. But the tragedy of war is still measured in human casualties, and when True makes a chance discovery during a rescue mission, old wounds are ripped open. She’s left questioning what she knows of the past, and resolves to pursue the truth, whatever the cost.
Recommendation: Highly recommended! For mature readers. Moderate violence.

A copy of this book was provided by the author for the purpose of obtaining a review.

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The Last Good Man – By Linda Nagata

Reply: Wax and Wayne Series – Book 3: The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , 2 Comments

Hey Jared,

It’s been a while since I’ve done a proper Reply post. I suppose I’ll should get used to it especial when it comes to Sanderson. (I know you’ve been working on Way of Kings, the tome that it is.)

bandsofmourningTitle: The Bands of Mourning
Series: Wax and Wayne Series; Book 3
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience:  Adult
ROTS Setting: Cosmere, Magic, Industrial Tech
Synopsis: The Bands of Mourning are the mythical metal minds owned by the Lord Ruler, said to grant anyone who wears them the powers that the Lord Ruler had at his command. Hardly anyone thinks they really exist. A kandra researcher has returned to Elendel with images that seem to depict the Bands, as well as writings in a language that no one can read. Waxillium Ladrian is recruited to travel south to the city of New Seran to investigate. Along the way he discovers hints that point to the true goals of his uncle Edwarn and the shadowy organization known as The Set.
Recommendation: This book (& series) is highly recommended!

– – Major Spoilers – –

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Reply: Wax and Wayne Series – Book 3: The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson

The Space Between the Stars – By Anne Corlett

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 5 Comments

Jared,

Another one of the books I’ve won from Goodreads, I was shocked when it showed up on the doorstep. Since it’s also an ARC and still not released in NA I just had to read it quick and get this review out there.

spacebetweenthestarsTitle: The Space Between the Stars
Author: Anne Corlett
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: YA
ROTS Setting: Futuristic, FTL, Colonization
Synopsis: All Jamie Allenby ever wanted was space. Even though she wasn’t forced to emigrate from Earth, she willingly left the overpopulated, claustrophobic planet. And when a long relationship devolved into silence and suffocating sadness, she found work on a frontier world on the edges of civilization. Then the virus hit… Now Jamie finds herself dreadfully alone, with all that’s left of the dead. Until a garbled message from Earth gives her hope that someone from her past might still be alive. Soon Jamie finds other survivors, and their ragtag group will travel through the vast reaches of space, drawn to the promise of a new beginning on Earth. But their dream will pit them against those desperately clinging to the old ways. And Jamie’s own journey home will help her close the distance between who she has become and who she is meant to be…
Recommendation: This book is recommended for late teens and adults. Subject and writing suitable for younger teens, but they’d probably find it boring.

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The Space Between the Stars – By Anne Corlett

Dragonlance Legends – Vol 2: War of the Twins – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , Leave a comment

Jared,

This was not as good as the first one. It took me far too long to get through it as a result.

T21805_620_00War2.qxdTitle: War of the Twins
Series: Dragonlance Legends; Vol. 2
Author: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: One hundred years have passed since the fiery Cataclysm that changed the face of Krynn forever. For one hundred years, the people of Krynn have struggled to survive. But for some, those one hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye. Catapulted forward in time by Raistlin’s powerful magic, Caramon and Crysania find themselves aiding the mage’s unholy quest to master the Queen of Darkness. To his dismay, Raistlin discovers along the way that the annals of time are not so easily bent to his will. Neither are the longings of his heart.
Recommendation: Adult, maybe late teens. Any admirer of high fantasy should be familiar with this series.

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Dragonlance Legends – Vol 2: War of the Twins – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Reply: THE OBSIDIAN TRILOGY – BOOK 1: THE OUTSTRETCHED SHADOW – BY MERCEDES LACKEY & JAMES MALLORY

Jared, , , , Leave a comment

Hey Robert,

So honestly I was kinda pissed off that you read this series before me. Both times! When we read them as teens and now again for this. But at least you did all the explaining in your review.

So yeah…. spoilers… Duh.

For non spoilery recommendation please read Robert’s Review Here.

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Reply: THE OBSIDIAN TRILOGY – BOOK 1: THE OUTSTRETCHED SHADOW – BY MERCEDES LACKEY & JAMES MALLORY

Seventh Tower – Book 4: Above the Veil – By Garth Nix

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Jared,

It was disturbingly difficult getting a hold of this book. The only one in the series not in the library system! Never-the-less, I have prevailed.

47625Title: Above the Veil
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 4
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: The Underfolk are restless. For a long time, they have kept quiet, occupying the lower levels of the Castle. But now they are going to be heard… Tal and Milla are no longer alone in their quest for the truth about their world. They have been joined by Crow, a rebel Underfolk, and his band of conspirators. They know many secrets about the Castle–and are on the verge of uncovering the greatest secret of all. The darkness is growing deeper. The shadows are growing stronger. And Tal and Milla are in greater danger than ever before.
Recommendation: A great short novel for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

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Seventh Tower – Book 4: Above the Veil – By Garth Nix