Review

Fablehaven – Book 3: Grip of the Shadow Plague – By Brandon Mull

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Jared,

I’m continuing my read through of Fablehaven. Every book I’m falling deeper and deeper in love with this series. Which means I’m getting more and more hyped for Dragonwatch, the sequel series out Mar.14.2017.

gripoftheshadowplagueTitle: Grip of the Shadow Plague
Series: Fablehaven; Book 3
Author: Brandon Mull
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Fairies, Demons
Synopsis: Kendra and Seth have been unable to return home after their flight to Fablehaven earlier in the summer. The Society of the Evening Star is eager to get their hands on them, so the safest place is to remain on the deadly magical preserve. But when Kendra leaves to help on a vital mission things are anything but safe in Fablehaven. Creatures of light are falling to darkness at an alarming rate, with no clues to why.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series. Early teens and up can easily handle this book. I advise moderate caution with younger readers as there are some darker themes.

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Fablehaven – Book 3: Grip of the Shadow Plague – By Brandon Mull

The Vagrant Trilogy – Book 1: The Vagrant – By Peter Newman

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 3 Comments

Jared,

I was really excited for this book…..at the beginning. Now? Not so much. The author has some skill and for the right reader this is probably amazing. I am not the right reader.

THEVAGRANT.jpgTitle: The Vagrant
Series: The Vagrant Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Peter Newman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Demons/Monsters, Advanced Tech
Synopsis: The Vagrant is his name. He has no other. Years have passed since humanity’s destruction emerged from the Breach. Friendless and alone he walks across a desolate, war-torn landscape. As each day passes the world tumbles further into depravity, bent and twisted by the new order, corrupted by the Usurper, the enemy, and his infernal horde. His purpose is to reach the Shining City, last bastion of the human race, and deliver the only weapon that may make a difference in the ongoing war. What little hope remains is dying. Abandoned by its leader, The Seven, and its heroes, The Seraph Knights, the last defences of a once great civilisation are crumbling into dust. But the Shining City is far away and the world is a very dangerous place.
Recommendation: Definitely for Adults. This may not be for everyone. Recommended but not highly.

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The Vagrant Trilogy – Book 1: The Vagrant – By Peter Newman

Mistborn – Short Story: The Eleventh Metal – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 1 Comment

Jared,

Next month is going to be crazy. 7 new releases, and most of those are from some pretty big authors. So many books to read so little time……thus the Thursday post.

Have you seen/played this before? You’ve got nerdy friends. One of them is bound to have this sitting in a closet somewhere.

eleventhmetal
Mistborn Adventure Game Cover Art

Title: The Eleventh Metal
Series: Mistborn, Cosmere
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic (of sorts)
Synopsis: This story was written specifically for the Mistborn Adventure Game, a tabletop RPG. Please keep in mind that the story was intended to help a GM bring his players up to speed on the world if they haven’t read the books. There are a few goodies for those who want to know more about Kelsier, but this story is not meant to stand wholly on its own.
Recommendation: Adult or late teen. Servers as a good intro to the Mistborn setting and then followed up with the main books.

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Mistborn – Short Story: The Eleventh Metal – By Brandon Sanderson

Dragonriders of Pern – Book 2: Dragonquest – Anne McCaffrey

Jared, , , 1 Comment

Robert,

So I listened to this one as an audiobook rather than reading it and wow it’s only like a 3-hour book. I’ve seen movies shorter than this book.

Title: Dragonquestdragonquest
Series: Dragonriders of Pern: Vol. 2
Author: Anne McCaffrey
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons
Synopsis: 7 years have passed since Lessa went between times to bring to the future the old timer dragonriders. While they have been saved from the impending doom of the threads, all is not in harmony on Pern. Conflicts arise within the dragonriders and from the lord holders.
Recommendation: I really liked this. Still recommended for teens and adults if they can understand the sexual content and ideas.

 

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Dragonriders of Pern – Book 2: Dragonquest – Anne McCaffrey

Fablehaven – Book 2: Rise of the Evening Star – By Brandon Mull

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Jared,

Have you read this series? If not, you’re missing out. This is my second time and it’s been many years. I had initially liked them, but didn’t really love them. However, I am not completely convinced that these are wondrous.

riseoftheeveningstarTitle: Rise of the Evening Star
Series: Fablehaven; Book 2
Author: Brandon Mull
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Fairies, Demons
Synopsis: Kendra and Seth returned from their summer at Fablehaven changed in more ways than one. When Kendra sees things she shouldn’t at school things rapidly spin out of control. When Fablehaven, filled with creature who could kill you at any turn, becomes the safest place for them things are only just getting started.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series. Early teens and up can easily handle this book. I advise moderate caution with younger readers as there are some darker themes.

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Fablehaven – Book 2: Rise of the Evening Star – By Brandon Mull

Snapshot – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 4 Comments

Jared,

Sorry this is a day later than I said. Things have been crazy this past week and weekend. But neither illness, sleep deprivation, Pokemon Go, or freakishly long books could keep me from reading Sanderson for too long.

snapshot

Title: Snapshot
Series: Reckoners Universe
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: EU, Superpowers (sort of)
Synopsis: Davis’s job as a cop on Snapshot Duty is straight forward. Sometimes he is tasked with finding where a criminal dumped a weapon. Sometimes he is tasked with documenting domestic disputes. Simple. Mundane. One day, in between two snapshot assignments, Davis decides to investigate the memory of a call that was mysteriously never logged at the precinct, and he makes a horrifying discovery.
Recommendation: Adult or late teen. Definately recommend it, especially if you like crime/mystery or are just a Sandeboxer like me. (Ya, I totally think Sanderson fans should be called Sandeboxers. And yes, I’m that level of nerd.)

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Snapshot – By Brandon Sanderson

Dragonlance Chronicles – Vol. 2: Dragons of Winter Night – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , 5 Comments

Jared,

My hesitation in starting this ambitious plan to read all of the core Dragonlance novels is nearly gone with this book. I feel the familiar fire that I had closely associated with this series and I can’t wait to read the next book.

dragonsofwinternightTitle: Dragons of Winter Night
Series: Dragonlance Chronicles; Vol. 2
Author: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: The companions have been separated and the war against the dragon armies is becoming ever more desperate. But hope still blossoms.
Recommendation: Adult, maybe late teens. Any admirer of high fantasy should be familiar with this series.

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Dragonlance Chronicles – Vol. 2: Dragons of Winter Night – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

RED RISING – BOOK 2: Golden Son – BY PIERCE BROWN

Jared, , , , 4 Comments

Hey Robert,

This. book. sucks.

Title: Golden Songolden_son_2015
Series: Red Rising Trilogy; Book 2
Author: Pierce Brown
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-fi
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: Alternate Future,
Synopsis: Darrow after winning the Institute is now one of the Peerless Scarred in service to Archgovener Augustus. But all is not easy for him at the Acadamy.
Recommendation: For adults only. Do not read this book, it is evil.

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RED RISING – BOOK 2: Golden Son – BY PIERCE BROWN

Fablehaven – Book 1: Fablehaven – By Brandon Mull

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 3 Comments

Hey Jared,

I’ve decided to reread the entire Fablehaven series in preparation for the sequel series, Dragonwatch, starting on Mar.14.2017. So for the next 4 weeks it will be the rest of the series, and then I hope to have Dragonwatch read and reviewed for Mar.17.2017. I’ve pre-ordered it and so long as there isn’t shipping issues again it should all work out.

fablehavenTitle: Fablehaven
Series: Fablehaven; Book 1
Author: Brandon Mull
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Fairies, Demons
Synopsis: Kendra and her brother, Seth, are on there way to visit their grandparents for a couple weeks. What they don’t realize is that they will be staying at Fablehaven, a sanctuary and preserve for magical creatures of all types. If they aren’t causing mischief themselves then outside entities are causing it for them. Fablehaven is a place of magic and wonder…..but also one fraught with danger.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series. Early teens and up can easily handle this book. I advise moderate caution with younger readers as there are some darker themes.

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Fablehaven – Book 1: Fablehaven – By Brandon Mull

Tales of the King’s Blades – Book 1: The Gilded Chain – By Dave Duncan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 9 Comments

Jared,

I have tried to read this series off and on for over a decade. Before this, I had read 2 but not this one. I was far too young to be reading this kind of book, but I tried anyway. With Mr. Duncan having a new book coming out (not in this series) I thought I’d test the waters again and am very glad I did.

gilded-chainTitle: The Gilded Chain
Series: Tales of the King’s Blades; Book 1
Author: Dave Duncan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: AU, Medieval, No Higher Magic (sort of)
Synopsis: The grim school of Ironhall takes in unwanted, rebellious boys and five years later sends forth the finest swordsmen in the world, the King of Chivial‘s Blades. Bound to absolute loyalty by a magical sword-stroke through their hearts, they stand ready to defend the King or whomever else he designates against all perils, whether human or sorcerous. Each book in this trilogy stands alone, but together they make a larger story. The Gilded Chain tells of the greatest swordsman Ironhall has produced in its long history, Sir Durendal. When King Ambrose needs a Blade to accompany his agent on a dangerous mission to the far ends of the Earth, he naturally chooses young Durendal. Alas, even the plans of kings can go sadly awry . .
Recommendation: This book is intended for Adults. I highly recommend it.

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Tales of the King’s Blades – Book 1: The Gilded Chain – By Dave Duncan