SPOILERS……Duh!
10%. I only got through ten percent (that includes all the other stuff that comes in the front, too) of the book before I couldn’t take it anymore……I should have read the reviews before attempting.
Review
Complete Series Review: The Ranger’s Apprentice Series – By John Flanagan
Hello Robert,
This post goes along with Episode 1 of the ROTS Podcast. I am just going to be going over some of the same ideas and opinions we talked about.
Before we start talking about the actual books and series let me just say that John Flanagan (on the left) is a great guy but he has a similar name to Joe Flanigan (on the right) the actor who plays John Sheppard in Stargate Atlantis. Robert, please note the resemblance.
Below is the beautiful list Robert made/found of which countries correspond to their various real world counterparts. Our biggest argument is simply that they are all too similar and all seem to live in isolation. Araluen which pretended to be England seems to simply be lacking any kind of marine war power or trade power. That is until the main characters arrive. In many cased the culture and identity of the nations seems to have also been over simplified.
- Araluen=England
- Celtica=Wales
- Picta=Scotland
- Hibernia=Ireland
- Skandia=Scandinavian Countries
- Gallica=France
- Teutland=Prussia/Germanic/Germany
- Arrida=Egypt or other countries near the Arabian Peninsula
- Toscana=Merged Roman/Italian
- Iberion=Spain/Portugal
- Eastern Steppes/Temujai=Mongolian Empire
- Nihon-Ja=Japan
Magic…. I have only have only big complaint about the magic in John Flanagan’s universe. Where is the rest of it? Honestly the magic was so underdeveloped that it might as well as have been nonexistent. The idea of telepathy and mind control is introduced and used (along with the Kalkara and Wargals)in the first 2 or 3 books and then? Poof. Never hear of it again. Unless you count the Rangers. Who are basically magic with all their abilities of “unseen movement” and archery. Some of the other things COULD be counted as magic but that is mostly because they are unexplained or inexpiable. Please see the ranger ponies and their breeding program for details. Also the saxe knife is too fictitious to not be magical. Not that they aren’t real, historical weapons just they don’t behave like reality.
Let me just wrap up with the characters like a ranger against many foes. Rapid fire!
- Will. Because of the jumps in timeline his development doesn’t flow well.
- Alyss. The OTHER girl who ends up getting the guy.
- Halt. A man larger than his myth until Pauline then degenerated into feelings, nothing but feelings.
- Horace, so under utilized its not even funny.
- Cassandra (Evanlyn). Why did she have a crush on Will and then keep crushing on him and there be no real love triangle.
- Gilan, the coolest character you never get to see the full potential of.
I hope you enjoyed this brief overview of a few of the things I felt robbed by in the Rangers Apprentice. Sadly as I am writing this you will never know what Robert has to say about it. He does say a few words in the podcast but what ever.
Jared
>> Check out the Podcast <<
Links
Dragon Jousters – Book 3: Sanctuary – By Mercedes Lackey
Jared,
Missed last week. I had even finished reading this book with plenty of time to write this review. I had some trouble getting my thoughts together so put it off. Of course, Lisa woke up Thursday morning and said, we’re going to the inlaws a day early.
Title: Sanctuary
Series: Dragon Jousters; Book 3
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Bronze Age, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Kiron and his Wing of hand raised dragons and riders have fled the corrupt power hungry Magi in Alta. Safely in Sanctuary, a city long lost to the desert and now newly uncovered by the gods, they begin increasing their numbers. Both refugees and dragons alike.
Recommendation: Teen. Consistent reading level as the previous books. Also much better written than “Alta”.
Continue reading “Dragon Jousters – Book 3: Sanctuary – By Mercedes Lackey”
The Tennis Shoes Adventure Series – Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites- By Chris Heimerdinger
Hello Robert,
I know what you are thinking. Where have I been? Why did I even agree to write a blog and then not post anything? And honestly you can’t even blame me for any of this. You know I am a slow reader, you know I have a more-than-full-time job. The only reason I had time to read this is because Julia read it to me while driving -for work! Oh hello everyone else. ……
So this is a book Robert and I read during our teenage years. I am claiming rereading it first. Since he is stealing all of our other childhood favourites.
Title: Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites
Series: The Tennis Shoes Adventure Series
Author: Chris Heimerdinger
Genre: LDS Fiction
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting:
Synopsis: Jim Hawkins, his sister Jenny, and their friend Garth Pimplton go on an adventure to a place they have ready about their whole lives, the Book of Mormon. They get to meet some of the hero they had ready about like Capitan Moroni, and Helaman. I would recommend this book to youth ages 9-11.
If you don’t know much about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint or Mormons I would recommend learning more before reading this book or sharing it with your friends. You can read this simply as a work of fiction, but its helpful to know how the author intended it.
TV Series Review: The Expanse – Season 1
I’ve been meaning to write a bit about this first season of The Expanse since I finished it. Having read the books, I’m actually very impressed with the quality of the show. For me, Syfy is more synonymous with low budget cheesy TV movies than epic scifi. So the fact that the acting is pretty good, the visuals are top notch, and the writing is sticking close to the source material while still adapting for the difference between books and TV, it comes as a bit of surprise. Pleasant surprise but it’s still a bit of a shock.
As I mentioned already I think the storyline has been pretty good. I love that they introduced Avasarala from the beginning. It’s earlier than the books but she’d been able to build her character, and Holden’s, while providing a good overview of the massive changes that Holden heralds. I can’t remember specifics but there are other minor changes that either take advantage of future knowledge or they are taking advantage of the switch to television.
Holden is more annoying because of his apparent younger age. Comes across whiny. He’s had decent acting and writing. Naomi, has been a strong character, but I’m waiting for her to be developed a bit more before passing judgement. Alex seems a little weak, but that sort of fits the books and the actor hasn’t settled into the role yet. Amos……he irks me and I don’t know why. It could be a minor slip in the acting and scripting, but he just seems off from the books. Not tough enough and too baby face? There’s just something off.
I love the ships and stations. Seriously the visuals beat out some triple A games and big budget movies. The designs are both futuristic and yet very practical. The form/function combo creates an amazing atmosphere.
Really, I can’t wait for the second season which should air in “early 2017”. Almost as much as I can’t wait for the next book coming this fall. If you’ve read the books but haven’t taken a look at the show, I urge that you do. Then come back and let me know what you think.
Robert
Links
The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring – By J. R. R. Tolkien
Hello Robert,
Yes I have FINALLY completed this review. Its only been sitting for months. I had mentioned to you that while driving I was listening to LotR: The Fellowship of the Ring. I must confess that even though I have been reading fantasy novels for 15 years I have never before finished reading this classic. Though it might be as difficult as crossing all of Middle Earth and climbing Mt. Doom I will have victory over this series, or at least the first boo
k.
Title: The Fellowship of the Ring
Series: The Lord of the Rings; Book 1
Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Enter the world of Middle Earth a land of men, elves, dwarves, orcs, magic creatures and hobbits. In which a young man inherits a magic ring from his uncle which changes his entire life. He must leave hearth and home, is chased by monsters, possessed by evil and challenges the loyalty’s of his friends and companions.
Recommendation: Mixed, if you want to read the most complex and wonderful world ever to be built in a fictional setting this book is for you. If you want a deep, fun, exiting plot? Find something else. Looking for a easy read? Look elsewhere. Want hours of reading and a headache? So yeah mixed. Do not attempt without at least a adult reading level. Although there really isn’t any inappropriate content you could read it to a 10 year old and not have to skip over anything. You might have to wake them up repeatedly though.
Continue reading “The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring – By J. R. R. Tolkien”
Imperial Radch Trilogy – Book 1: Ancillary Justice – By Ann Leckie
Hey Jared,
I didn’t know if I’d finish this in time, but I made it. I might have had to give up playing Black Desert Online. MMO’s come and go but books are forever……That could make a good hashtag…..If I used hashtags. #ButBooksAreForever
Title: Ancillary Justice
Series: Imperial Radch Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Ann Leckie
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant Future, AI, FTL
Synopsis: Breq isn’t human. Breq is an ancillary, a biological appendage of a ship AI. When her ship and other-selves are lost in an act of treachery and supreme betrayal she sets out to avenge her loss. Along the way she blurs the lines of what it means to be human as she navigates a distant future with strange cultures and traditions.
Recommendation: Could have been in the YA section. Unusual concepts of “self” and gender pronoun usage. This style might be too much for some people, but I quite enjoyed it.
Continue reading “Imperial Radch Trilogy – Book 1: Ancillary Justice – By Ann Leckie”
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.
Title: 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 – –
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.
Title: 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.
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?
Title: 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 – –
Continue reading “Seraphim Series – Book 1: Skyborn – By David Dalglish”
Reading Over The Shoulder 