Dragon Jousters Series – Book 1: Joust – By Mercedes Lackey

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Jared,

This book should be familiar to you since I know you have at least one book in the series on your shelf. It’s been many years since I read Joust, so I was eager to open the pages again and rediscover it.

joustTitle: Joust
Series: Dragon Jousters; Book 1
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Bronze Age, Dragons, No Higher Magic
Synopsis: Vetch leads a pitiful, miserable life. That is because Vetch is a serf. Bound to work the land of his forefathers for the rest of his life he is less than a slave. However the chance encounter with a Jouster and his dragon will alter the paths of nations.
Recommendation: I read this when I was in my late teens but I met a 10 year old at the library pulling it off the shelf to read again. That might be a bit young however I would recommend it for teens and up.

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Dragon Jousters Series – Book 1: Joust – By Mercedes Lackey

Armada – By Ernest Cline

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

You’ve been pretty quiet lately. If I didn’t see you drooling over $4000 toys on Facebook I might be concerned for you. Anyway, here is the breakdown…..

Armada-Cover.jpgTitle: Armada
Author: Ernest Cline
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Near Future, Aliens
Synopsis: In the near future, Zack Lightman discovers himself on the front line of an alien invasion. But not to worry, the government has known for a long time and they have been preparing humanity for this event for decades…..and gamers are going to save the world.
Recommendation: I echo the Teen recommended audience and reading level. It has more modern references so the younger ages shouldn’t feel as lost as they might have in Ready Player One. It was a decent read that I found it enjoyable.

 

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Armada – By Ernest Cline

Blog News: Amazon Affiliate Program [CANCELLED]

The BrothersLeave a comment

Hello my fellow book geeks,

We are a couple of months and over a dozen reviews in and this might seem like nothing compared to the big boys, but it is the result of dozens of hours of writing and I dare say hundreds of hours of reading. We ain’t be experts or highly edjimicated folks but we love what we do. And for that reason we will be introducing Amazon Affiliate links.

I think you can all agree that buying our own domain name and getting some legitimate hosting would be a worthwhile endeavor for the future. Additionally, it would allow us some extra funds to purchase eBooks from the many aspiring authors out there that our-broke-ramen-eating-student-selves would normally be unable to afford.

Let me reassure you, we have no intention of plastering the blog with ads. It’s one of the big reasons for getting our own place. You can expect an Amazon text link at the bottom of book reviews and replies for books and series we recommend. We’re going to take it slow and see where it goes from here.

All we are asking is that if you shop on Amazon and like our blog that you follow one of the affiliate links and make your purchase as normal. To be clear, you don’t even have to purchase the book we link to. Any Amazon purchases you make by following one of our links will help support the blog. It probably won’t be much, if anything at all, but every little bit helps. And, hey, if you are already buying something why not spread the love around a bit?

If you have any questions please check our Legal page or let us know below…..or use Google.

The Bros

Blog News: Amazon Affiliate Program [CANCELLED]

Mistborn Trilogy – Book 1: The Final Empire – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey,

So you are probably saying, “About time, Robert! What took you so long?!?” Well, to be honest, Jared…..The beginning of the book was a little….boring. Too much flash. Too much doom and gloom……not enough meat in the first few chapters. I tried 3 different times to get through those first dry pages over the years. At last I have finally succeeded. Bout time!

Mistborn-cover.jpgTitle: The Final Empire
Series: Mistborn Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Unique Magic
Synopsis: The Final Empire controls the known world and rules with a tyrannical iron fist. A group of professional thieves turn revolutionaries have the best chance in the last thousand years to fracture the Empires hold. Their job is near-impossible. How do you bring down a government that has stood for a thousand year? More importantly, how do you kill a god?
Recommendation: Mature content with a similar reading level. Late teens would be my suggestion, definitely no earlier. It took me until really the end to decide that I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to read the next one. Correction ….. I already have. Booya!

– – Mild Spoilers – –

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Mistborn Trilogy – Book 1: The Final Empire – By Brandon Sanderson

The Martian – By Andy Weir

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 2 Comments

Sup Jared?

……Sorry about that. I’m starting to get bored of starting every review the same and Mark might have been a touch of a bad influence on my professionalism.

18007564.jpgTitle: The Martian
Author: Andy Weir
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern, Hard Scifi
Synopsis: Mark Watney is stranded on Mars. His fellow crew members, thinking him dead, left him behind. He was very much not dead. Follow his struggles and triumphs in this realistic, hard science, look at surviving a failed mission to Mars.
Recommendation: Mild language, but over all a pretty easy read. A 12 year old could probably get by without too much difficulty. An understanding of the more complex technical aspects may require an older reader. WARNING: Book contains several old people references. Notably music of the 70’s and movies of the 70’s and 80’s. Continue reading “The Martian – By Andy Weir” →

The Martian – By Andy Weir

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard – Book 1: The Sword of Summer – By Rick Riordan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Jared,

I agree wholeheartedly; Star Wars Battlefront is in desperate need of a campaign or some other similar mode. Split-screen was what really elevated Battlefront I and II from just good game to truly great games.

Now back to the books. This is the first of many Rick Riordan books I’ll be reviewing. Please note that this is one of his newest books and newest series…..for the next couple of months. He puts out new books every 4-6 months lately. It’s pretty impressive actually.

15724396Title: The Sword of Summer
Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard; Book 1
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Mythology/Supernatural
Synopsis: Magnus Chase has lived on the streets for the last two years after his mother was violent murdered. Now, on his 16th birthday, his uncles and cousin are desperately looking for him under the very real guise of imminent danger. In classic Riordan fashion, Magnus is thrust into a world of Norse gods and mythology. Will he stop Ragnarok or hasten it’s coming?
Recommendation: A very easy read that is perfect for newer readers. Found this in the “Youth” section, with mild gore and moderate violence. I pretty much love everything I’ve gotten on my hands that’s by Rick Riordan!

Continue reading “Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard – Book 1: The Sword of Summer – By Rick Riordan” →

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard – Book 1: The Sword of Summer – By Rick Riordan

Game Review: Star Wars Battlefront 2015 , PS4 Edition.

Jared, , Leave a comment

Hello,

I know this isn’t a book and doesn’t necessarily relate very well to books but over Christmas I played with Robert the new Battlefront game. Back on the PlayStation 2 we owned and played for hours both the Star Wars Battlefront, and Battlefront 2. We especially enjoyed the campaign and galactic conquest modes. I’ve played with various 2848833-2848826-star+wars+battlefront+key+artpeople on dozens of co-op split screen games, mostly in campaign modes.

So when we started on the new Battlefront we where surprised that there was NO campaign, NO galactic conquest, and a very limited split screen mode. Robert and I had played every level of co-op in about an hour and a half. The game is beautiful with rich environments, easy and intuitive controls. The vehicles are impressive and fun. I especially like the speeders how I really felt like I was on the edge of control. All focused on the original star wars trilogy. Everything about the game feels good and authentic.

Just without a Story or Campaign mode, the new Battlefront doesn’t try and tell a story. So it feels like only half a game. A setting to a beautiful book, just without a plot of characters.

Honestly this means that I will not be playing the new Star Wars Battlefront 2015 game. I’ll be spending my $60 on Star Wars Battlefront 2 2005 for the PS2. It’s so sad that a 10 year old game does better.

 

See ya,

Jared

Links

 

Game Review: Star Wars Battlefront 2015 , PS4 Edition.

Hunter Series – Book 1: Hunter – By Mercedes Lackey

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

 

Jared,

Got another book done. I ended up reading a lot less over the holidays than I was hoping or planning, but you know all about that. So my large stack of books sat gathering dust and is now running out of renewals. I’m now trying desperately to get through them all before then. With this one now complete, I’ve got 4 more with only 1 renew left. And to illustrate how much of a book-whore I am; I picked up another 5 more yesterday. AND I’m now convinced I’m going to be getting a card for the neighboring library system……thankfully that can wait for a bit while I get through these……unless I add more.

hunterTitle: Hunter
Series: Hunter Series; Book 1
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Near Future, Post-Apocalyptic, Higher Magic, Supernatural
Synopsis: Joy has lived a terrifying, yet stable, life. In the aftermath of the Diseray, when the magical and fantastical collided with our current reality, everyone’s life is terrifying. When her uncle gives her an ultimatum she can’t avoid, she’s thrust into world of twisted politics and shady deals. Now she must face the monsters at the door along with the ones poised to stab her, and her uncle, in the back.
Recommendation: Mid-Late Teens. The reading is easy and the plot isn’t too complicated with only minor gore, but a fair amount of violence.

Continue reading “Hunter Series – Book 1: Hunter – By Mercedes Lackey” →

Hunter Series – Book 1: Hunter – By Mercedes Lackey

The Book of Phoenix – By Nnedi Okorafor

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

Great to see you finally getting words on a page. Your reply on the Ranger’s Apprentice really points out that it needs a review of the entire series as a whole. We’ll need to figure out a good way to do that….I might have some ideas but I’ll need to get them sorted.

Anyway, I read this little book in a day. It was a good read and a pleasure to dig into.

The-Book-of-PhoenixTitle: The Book of Phoenix
Series: N/A (Prequel to “Who Fears Death”)
Author: Nnedi Okorafor
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU/EU, Near Future, Apocalyptic
Synopsis: Phoenix is only 2 years old, but in the body of a 40 year old woman. If only that was the strangest thing about her or her fellow “projects.” When events begin to spin rapidly out of control, Phoenix must choose to remain as she is or spread her wings and fly. Her decision will either let the world march to inevitable destruction or set it on fire.
Recommendation: Late teens to adult. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

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The Book of Phoenix – By Nnedi Okorafor

Reply: Ranger’s Apprentice Series – Book 1: Ruins of Gorlan – By John Flanagan

Jared, , , , 1 Comment

91yg6kZecWL9Hi Robert,

Ok Game of Thrones isn’t really my thing, I don’t usually enjoy that much graphic content. At least from what I’ve seen of the TV series. But A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms seems to be the kinda thing I might like. Even if I don’t read the books, you can still review the A Song of Fire and Ice Series.

Based on your review I went ahead and read the Ruins of Gorlan of the Ranger’s Apprentice Series. I started reading about 2 weeks ago and now I’m done book 12 if that gives you any hints of how I have liked it. But now onto the actual reply.

Please note I have added a SPOILERS disclaimer, in order to provide a more in depth look at the book. If you have not read this book I would recommend you do so before continuing on.

—-SPOILERS—-

Continue reading “Reply: Ranger’s Apprentice Series – Book 1: Ruins of Gorlan – By John Flanagan” →

Reply: Ranger’s Apprentice Series – Book 1: Ruins of Gorlan – By John Flanagan