Ready Player One – By Ernest Cline

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Yo Jared,

I finished this bad boy late last night……or really early this morning. Anyway, holidays are in full swing so reading has been low on the priorities, but you know all about that.

021915_ReadyPlayerOne_CoverTitle: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Near Future, Virtual Reality
Synopsis: Set in a dystopian version of our own future where climate change and the energy crisis collided. The only escape from bleak reality is the OASIS virtual reality gaming system. When the eccentric and mildly insane inventor of the gaming rig dies suddenly, he setting in motion the largest egg hunt in human history where the winner will inherit everything he owns in both realities. The catch? No one can get past the first clue. That is until Parzival/Wade changes everything. Slog through 80’s refences, pop culture, video games, and movies in this ultimate Easter Egg hunt.
Recommendation: The target audience is definitely teenagers of the 80’s (who are now old people), but nerds and geeks of all ages will probably get something out of it. Some of the subject matter might not be appropriate for younger kids but perfect for teenagers.

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Ready Player One – By Ernest Cline

News – The Expanse; Pilot Episode

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

This isn’t going to be a book review. Sorry. But it’s at least related.

I stumbled across the pilot episode of The Expanse that airs this coming Monday, Dec 14th and finally got around to watching it. As Syfy channel shows go, this is one of the better ones. It’s still too early to tell, but I’m actually looking forward see how they portray the books and where they add or step away from them. As you know I’ve read most of the books released and am currently reading the 5th and most recent one. (Check out my review of the first book.)

(UPDATE: Pilot episode was set to “private” as of Dec 20, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvZeQD1Vf2s however you can view it along with episodes 2, 3 and 4 over at Syfy.com.)

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News – The Expanse; Pilot Episode

Breaking Sky – By Cori McCarthy

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Jared,

Finished this book early this morning. Finally. I have so much to do with the holidays coming up and this book was difficult to get through. Anyway, check it out.

Breaking SkyTitle: Breaking Sky
Author: Cori McCarthy
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Near Future
Synopsis: Set in a dystopian-esc America which has been backing into a lonely corner by Chinese drones, Chase “Nyx” Harcourt must battle daddy issues, cat fights, a psychotic psychologist turned school counselor, not being told about extremely classified information she doesn’t need to know, and not having her newest boy toy have a break down because she just wants him for his body……and she hasn’t even left the ground yet in one of only two super jets.
Recommendation: Even factoring in how I hate teen/high school drama, I still don’t recommend this book. Mild spoilers ahead.

– – Spoilers – –

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Breaking Sky – By Cori McCarthy

The Testing Trilogy – Book 1: The Testing – By Joelle Charbonneau

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Jared,

I read this trilogy over Thanksgiving and it is really good. Lisa was the one who found it. She read the first book in two days and then found the second and third book and read those in like one day. I had to take a look after that and I then consumed it disturbingly fast.

The TestingTitle: The Testing
Series: The Testing Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Futuristic, Apocalyptic
Synopsis: Cia has been looking forward to attending University all her life, but first she’ll have to pass the Testing. However, as she prepares to finally make her dream a reality she’s told that her dream might actually be a nightmare. Too late to change course, her only option is to survive the Testing.
Recommendation: Infinitely better than the Maze Runner Trilogy, a better premise than the Divergent Trilogy and better over all than the Hunger Games Trilogy. If you liked any of those you’ll likely LOVE this book/trilogy.

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The Testing Trilogy – Book 1: The Testing – By Joelle Charbonneau

Echo Series – Volume 1: Approaching Shatter – By Kent Wayne

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Jared,

This one is going to be a little different. It’s an eBook by an aspiring writer. You might have noticed we’ve picked up a couple of followers and he’s one of them. The book was promising so I thought I’d take a chance. Here is the breakdown…..

Approaching Shatter– eBook ONLY –
Title: Approaching Shatter
Series: Echo; Volume 1
Author: Kent Wayne (Pen Name)
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: EU, Advanced Future, Mech
Synopsis: Atriya is an elite soldier that has continually pushed both his body and mind to the limit in hopes of attaining new heights and abilities. That is until his life slowly comes apart at the seams. Now he’s on the precipice with the only path leading straight down when all he wants is to keep climbing higher.
Recommendation: Definitely a late teen/adult book. There is tremendous potential here and I’m really looking forward to seeing where it goes.

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Echo Series – Volume 1: Approaching Shatter – By Kent Wayne

The Flaxfield Quartet – Book 1: Dragonborn – By Toby Forward

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

There’s probably no point in waiting to publish this, so here it is. This is the first book that is not highly recommended from me and for the blog. It’s a sad milestone but it was bound to happen. I kind of want you to read it so I won’t be alone in my misery but it would be best if you avoided it.

DragonbornTitle: Dragonborn
Series: The Flaxfield Quartet; Book 1
Author: Toby Forward
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Sam was on his way to becoming a wizard. However when his master dies, questions begin to arise about the young apprentice. Fearing those questions the boy runs away……Everything else follows for no other purpose than to connect abstract plot points.
Recommendation: Mild death and torture references so probably 10-12 year old reading level, but requires a post-secondary reading comprehension to vaguely understand anything beyond the pure text. I’m somewhere between “meh” and “this was a terrible book.”

Please note that spoilers will be used heavily in this review because I really feel I need to explain why this book isn’t very good.

– – Spoilers – –

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The Flaxfield Quartet – Book 1: Dragonborn – By Toby Forward

Reply: Alcatraz Series – Book 1: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

Alcatraz Versus the Evil LibrariansOur first reply posts. You working on Rangers Apprentice, me working on Alcatraz.  It will never be the same again……..But we were lame before and now we’re awesome.

Ok, reading Alcatraz might have changed me as a writer……or broke me. I am broken.

I agree with your recommendation of 5th grade/10 years old range. I would have liked to have found this in 2nd or 3rd grade personally because I jumped straight to Dragonlance for lack of good books in between.

On a serious note, there will be many spoilers beyond this point. For readers with a weak literary constitution, please do not read any further.

You have been warned.

– – Spoilers – –

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Reply: Alcatraz Series – Book 1: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – By Brandon Sanderson

A Song of Ice and Fire Series – A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – By George R. R. Martin

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Jared,

I loved reading your review of Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians. I even placed a hold on it at the library…….I realize now that could have been a bad idea, but I won’t know until I read the book. Either way, I should get it sometime next week and I can add it to my huge “to read” pile (current count is 12).

My newest literary conquest is a prequel in the Game of Thrones universe, but let me give you the break down first.

A Knight of the Seven KingdomsTitle: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire
Author: George R. R. Martin
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons, No Higher Magic
Synopsis: This prequel takes place 100 years before the events in Game of Thrones and is a compilation of 3 novellas. Join Dunk and Egg, a hedge knight and his squire, as they travel the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Part 1 introduces the characters and sets a bleak stage. Part 2 will test both knight and squire in very different ways. Part 3 will climatically bring the the duo into the that eternal quest for the Iron Throne.
Recommendation:  An interesting perspective to the series. Although this book was much tamer than those in the main series, I still feel compelled to only recommend this book to adult readers. Cause, you’ll fall in love with it and want to read the others too.

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A Song of Ice and Fire Series – A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – By George R. R. Martin

Alcatraz Series – Book 1: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – By Brandon Sanderson

Jared, , Leave a comment

Hello Robert,

I have to say the whole Alcatraz Series very very interesting read. But for right now I’m just going to talk about book 1 Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians. And yes I know the cover of the book makes it look old and lame.

Alcatraz Versus the Evil LibrariansTitle: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians
Series: Alcatraz Series
Author: Brandon Sanderson (well known for his work on Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time Series)
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU (Expanded Universe), Modern, No Higher Magic
Synopsis: Alcatraz Smedry is very good at breaking things, you might even say it’s his Talent. As an orphan in the foster system he has been pushed from home to home because through no fault of his own, he breaks things. Everything changes when his real father sends him a birthday present, his grandfather shows up and tells him he is an Oculator (a person with special powers) and that Librarians are actually an organization of evil overlords bent on ruling the world.
Recommendation: I would recommend any 5th grader or a 10 year old to read this, depending on their reading level. I does have some killing and death in it, there is conflict and violence. But nothing to worry much about.

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Alcatraz Series – Book 1: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – By Brandon Sanderson

The Expanse Series – Book 1: Leviathan Wakes – By James S. A. Corey

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

If you recall from my last review I mentioned “half a million word monsters.” I’d now like to introduce you to one. Honestly, I don’t know how many words it’s got but it’s a BIG book with relatively small print. But, on to the break down.

Leviathan WakesTitle: Leviathan Wakes
Series: The Expanse; Book 1
Author: James S. A. Corey (Pen Name)
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU (Current Universe), Futuristic, No FTL Tech
Synopsis: James “Jim” Holden is just an officer on an ice hauler until he ends up in the center of the greatest period of change in human history. On Ceres Station Josephus Miller is a corporate police officer tasked with keeping the peace as the solar system slowly unravels. Both their journeys will collide while driving humanity to the brink of all out war.
Recommendation: I strongly recommend this book to mature audiences only. (Late teens or adult.) This is due to the quantity and detail of the violence.

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The Expanse Series – Book 1: Leviathan Wakes – By James S. A. Corey