Review

Underland Chronicles – Gregor The Overlander – By Suzanne Collins

Julia, , 2 Comments

 

Hey Jared, Robert, and Readers!

The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins have been part of my life since I was in 5th grade. After lunch we always had 20 minutes of quiet reading time, and then our teacher would read to us for another 20 or so. This is what she used to read, doing dramatic voices for all the characters and everything!

Title: Gregor The Overlandergregor
Series: Underland Chronicles, Vol. 1
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Audience: Upper Elementary school
ROTS Setting: Expanded Universe, Prophetic magic, Underground Dystopian,
Synopsis: Embark on an epic adventure with Gregor and Boots  in the unknown vastness of the Underland, a place of uneasy coexistance between people and enormous sentient iterations of classic New York pests. Follow a centuries-old prophecy to find “..the one lost up ahead…”, braving turbulent waters, new nemeses, and stinky toddler diapers.
Recommendation: Love it! Recommended for 11-14 year old kids, specifically boys, as it is from a male perspective. Jared seemed to enjoy it ok, and yes, Robert, you should read it too!

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Underland Chronicles – Gregor The Overlander – By Suzanne Collins

Elantris – Short Story: The Hope of Elantris – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 2 Comments

Jared,

I’m reading this out of Arcanum Unbound, the Cosmere collection of shorts, but this is actually available on Mr. Sanderson’s website for free. But you really shouldn’t read it until you’ve read Elantris first. Normally I don’t read, let alone review, short stories. In this case it’s Sanderson and Cosmere to boot.

thehopeofelantrisTitle: The Hope of Elantris
Series: Elantris/Cosmere; Short Story
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic
Synopsis: New Elantris, the faded imitation of a once great city. But for once the inhabitants don’t care. They have a purpose. When outside forces have designs of their own for this forgotten place, they’ll do what they can to keep hold of their humanity.
Recommendation: Adult or late teen. The events take place during the final events of Elantris, so there are some major spoilers.

Continue reading “Elantris – Short Story: The Hope of Elantris – By Brandon Sanderson” →

Elantris – Short Story: The Hope of Elantris – By Brandon Sanderson

Dragon Jousters – Book 4: Aerie – By Mercedes Lackey

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 1 Comment

Jared,

We’ve finished the first month of 2017 and I think we are off to a great start! Lets just hope we can keep it up, unlike this sad book. Comparing this book to the first, what happened?!

aerie.jpegTitle: Aerie
Series: Dragon Jousters; Book 4
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Bronze Age, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Kiron is now de facto leader of the Jousters for lack of a better alternative. But what role will they purpose do they fill now that there is peace? *sharp left turn* Oh look, an invasion.
Recommendation: Teen. Consistent reading level as the previous books. This book in NOT recommended. Just pretend the third is the last and they live happily ever after.

– – Spoilers – –

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Dragon Jousters – Book 4: Aerie – By Mercedes Lackey

Assassin’s Apprentice – Farseer Trilogy – By Robin Hobb

Jared, , , 8 Comments

Hey Robert,

You know me I love audio books. I read/listened to this over a week long sales trip.

Title: Assasin’s Apprenticethe-assassins-apprentice
Series: Farseer Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Robin Hobb
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU,
Synopsis: This is the story of a young bastard of the heir prince. The story of his life at Buck Keep from about 6 years old to 16, his teachers and tutors.
Recommendation: Teen would probably like this. But there really isn’t any harsh content. Although B**** is used quite a bit but in its meaning of female dog. As usual, I really enjoy this book. I really enjoy almost all books and stories. I think I really just like the act of reading and listening to stories. But this is considered to be a great series and almost even a classic. Continue reading “Assassin’s Apprentice – Farseer Trilogy – By Robin Hobb” →

Assassin’s Apprentice – Farseer Trilogy – By Robin Hobb

Brian’s Saga – Book 4: Brian’s Return – By Gary Paulsen

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Jared,

I can’t help myself. There’s something about these books that draw me in. I really need to get around to finding more survival books because I’m running out.

briansreturn.pngTitle: Brian’s Return
Series: Brian’s Saga; Book 4
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Fiction, Survival
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Canada
Synopsis: Brian is having trouble integrating into “normal” life after his ordeals in the Canadian wilderness. His thoughts are continually pulled to the events he’s experienced and a sense of something miss. Something he left behind out there.
Recommendation: Perfect for Teens. Highly recommend this book, but note that this book assumes that the events of all 3 previous books took place.

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Brian’s Saga – Book 4: Brian’s Return – By Gary Paulsen

Blood on the Stars – Book 1: Duel in the Dark – By Jay Allan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 3 Comments

How’s it going, Jared?

I’m glad I could find this on Amazon Unlimited. He’s a fringe author with an impressive number of titles under his belt. I say “fringe” because he’s mostly indie published but with a few conventionally published too. Clearly he enjoys his work and wants it in the hands of readers, which is a plus in my book. Also it looks like most of his other books are on AU too so I’m looking forward to reading more of his work.

More importantly the sequel for this book, Call to Arms, is out today!

duelinthedarkTitle: Duel in the Dark
Series: Blood on the Stars; Book 1
Author: Jay Allan
Genre: Science Fiction, Military
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant Future, FTL Gates (Limited)
Synopsis: The Confederation has fought three wars against the forces of the totalitarian Union. Three generations of its warriors have gone off to war, held the line against the larger, more powerful enemy. Now the fourth conflict is imminent, and the Confederation’s navy is on alert, positioned behind the frontier, waiting for the attack it knows is coming. […]
Recommendation: Late Teen to Adult. This book is a riveting military sci-fi with with good characters and plot. Definitely recommended.

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Blood on the Stars – Book 1: Duel in the Dark – By Jay Allan

Hunter Series – Book 2: Elite – By Mercedes Lackey

Jared, , 2 Comments

Hi Robert,
After we both read book 1 of the Hunter Series I hope my review of book 2 helps us decide if the series is worth it.

Title: Elite28450969
Series: Hunter #2
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Dystopian
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: Alternate Future
Synopsis: Elite Hunter Joy is quite happy hunting and working with other Elite. Sadly it doesn’t last for long. On a secret assignment from her uncle, she uncovers a conspiracy. The who seemed to be so much more of a threat in APEX than on the mountain of her home increase in activity and the safety of the people can no longer be guaranteed.
Recommendation: There are a lot more fight scenes and big ones. So I like it better than the first book. It is definitely a teen dystopian book.

MARKED SPOILERS WILL FOLLOW

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Hunter Series – Book 2: Elite – By Mercedes Lackey

Seventh Tower Series – Book 2: Castle – By Garth Nix

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 2 Comments

Jared,

Every time I read this series I think back to the first time we read it. How we totally returned the books and they disappeared but the library said we hadn’t returned them. As time has gone on I’m fairly certain that someone stole them or the librarians purposefully hid them so we’d have to pay to replace them. That library was seriously shady.

castle.pngTitle: Castle
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 2
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: Tal survived his fall off the Red Tower. He even managed to survive his time on the Ice with the Icecarls. Now he just needs to find a way back into the castle. The stakes? His brother is missing, just like his father, his sister is being cared for by malevolent cousins and his mother is on the verge of death. No pressure.
Recommendation: A great chapter book for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

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Seventh Tower Series – Book 2: Castle – By Garth Nix

Dragonlance Chronicles – Vol. 1: Dragons of Autumn Twilight – by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , 4 Comments

Jared,

I’m glad you’ve read Hunter (Review/Reply) now, though. It’s a bit of a disappointment. You should definitely read the next one though. We need to know if it gets better or not…..plus, better you than me.

On a more immediate topic, first one down, too many to go. I knew this was going to be a long-term project reading Dragonlance, and I know that these books are hefty. Somehow I still wasn’t entirely prepared for the reality of it. This book was long, but still so good.

dragonlancedragonsofautumntwilight.pngTitle: Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Series: Dragonlance Chronicles; Vol. 1
Author: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: The companions return after five years apart. They’d separated to find an evil they’d felt growing in the world. Unbeknownst to them evil had crept into the home they’d left behind and it doesn’t take long before they become embroiled in an adventure with implications reaching the width and breadth on the universe.
Recommendation: Adult, maybe late teens. Any admirer of high fantasy should be familiar with this series.

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Dragonlance Chronicles – Vol. 1: Dragons of Autumn Twilight – by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Reply: HUNTER SERIES – BOOK 1: HUNTER – BY MERCEDES LACKEY

Jared, , , , , 9 Comments

Hey Robert,

So I got this as an audiobook from the library and listened on the Overdrive app. 8.5 hours later I know how you feel about this book.

Beware spoilers ahead!

Title: Hunterhunter-lackey3
Series: Hunter #1
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Dystopian
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: Alternate Future
Synopsis: Girl has magic powers and loyal demon followers, easily defeating enemies and challenges while tired and having feelings.
Recommendation: Honestly I am not THAT disappointed.It feels very much like the Divergent Series. It is a Dystopian (the only other one that I’ve read) Continue reading “Reply: HUNTER SERIES – BOOK 1: HUNTER – BY MERCEDES LACKEY” →

Reply: HUNTER SERIES – BOOK 1: HUNTER – BY MERCEDES LACKEY