Continue reading “Available Sep.20.2016 – Death’s End by Cixin Liu”
Available Sep.20.2016 – Death’s End by Cixin Liu
Adult
Pottermore Presents – By J.K. Rowling
I’m a little disappointed in these Pottermore Presents books. They say they’re “short stories” and I don’t feel that they are. Are Wikipedia articles short stories? No. No they aren’t. I wasn’t looking for some grand literary master piece, I was looking for short stories, a bed time story, facts with personality, something more than a text book.
I had been planning on reviewing each of the books over the next few days. Upon reading them there isn’t much to review. They aren’t stories so there is no storyline, characters, or writing style/techniques to comment on. So you get one for all three and I’ll do a real review with an actual story for Friday.
The books mostly rehash information you can find on Pottermore, but there are supposedly a couple of extra bits that are brand new.
Available Sep.6.2016 – Pottermore Presents by J. K. Rowling
Continue reading “Available Sep.6.2016 – Pottermore Presents by J. K. Rowling”
Mistborn Series – Mistborn: Secret History – By Brandon Sanderson
Jared,
Oh boy do I want to read more Mistborn now! It’s actually kind of painful. This little novella filled in so many holes and answered so many questions……but now I feel so ignorant of the larger universe. I guess I’ll just have to read more Sanderson novels. Woe is me.
Title:Mistborn: Secret History
Series: Mistborn; Mistborn Trilogy Companion
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU/Cosmere, Unique Magic
Synopsis: Taking place during the events of the original trilogy, it follows Kelsier after his death. Dead, but not gone. And certainly not helpless.
Recommendation: Definitely read the original trilogy before even attempting this. The author even recommends reading the next three too. A wonderful addition to the series!
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Available Sep.1.2016 – Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson
Continue reading “Available Sep.1.2016 – Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson”
The Icewind Dale Trilogy – Book 1: The Crystal Shard – By R. A. Salvatore
Hey Jared,
Starting a new series that spans a lot of books is hard…..Where do you start? Do you read them chronologically or by publication date or in some other order that the author suggests or in the order that the publisher suggests? The many stories written by Mr. Salvatore is one such example. I have chosen to read these in order of publication, which is also the order suggested by the author. This is in direct contradiction to chronology and publisher suggested order. You can find the order I will use on my extensive book list here.
Title: The Crystal Shard
Series: Forgotten Realms; The Icewind Dale Trilogy; Book 1
Alternately: The Legend of Drizzt; Book 4
Author: R. A. Salvatore
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Higher Magic, Medieval, Dragons
Synopsis: Icewind Dale is a desolate, and nearly forgotten, part of the world. Home to those who have reason to hide and those whom others would prefer to stay hidden. A crystal shard from another realm, a drow in self exile, a halfling of questionable character, and a dwarf long to return to his fallen homeland will converge on the brutal windswept tundra of Icewind Dale.
Recommendation: I liked it. It was a good read. There was something lacking when compared to Dragonlance, but it was still very enjoyable.
Continue reading “The Icewind Dale Trilogy – Book 1: The Crystal Shard – By R. A. Salvatore”
News: eBook Series to Celebrate Hogwarts
Pottermore announced Aug.17.2016, that a series of 3 new eBook shorts will be published Sept.6.2016 that will focus on various aspects of Hogwarts.
Pottermore Presents is a series of bite-sized eBooks that dig deep into the Harry Potter stories, with titbits taken from Pottermore’s archives and original writing from J.K. Rowling. The series offers Harry Potter fans added insights into the stories, settings and characters and were all lovingly curated by Pottermore.
Harry Potter Series – Book 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – J. K. Rowling
Hey Jared,
Figured I might as well finish this one since I had already started it. You can expect a much more ambitious book for next week…if I finish it in time.
Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Series: Harry Potter Series; Book 2
Author: J. K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Magic, Higher Magic, Modern/Present Day, Dragons
Synopsis: Harry Potter has finished his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Although he’s eager to begin his second year, strange forces begin working against him. When student and ghosts alike come under attack Harry ends up in the middle of events decades in the making.
Recommendation: Read it. Read it again….and again and again. While this book is appropriate for younger readers, later books in the series may not be.
– – Spoilers – –
SPOILER EDITION – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
– – Spoiler Warning – –
This review contains spoilers.
Do not continue without having read the source material first.
Some assembly required. Batteries not included.
By reading this review the reader releases Reading Over The Shoulder from all responsibility and liability for any and all spoilage experienced due to this article.
Viewer discretion is advised.
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Harry Potter Series – Book/Script 8: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I&II – By J. K. Rowling
Here it is. The one we’ve been waiting for ever since the second and permanent death of the Dark Lord. The thing she said she’d never do (sort of still hasn’t) but we all knew she would eventually. I give you Harry Potter #8!
Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Series: Harry Potter Series; Book/Script 8
Author: J. K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Magic, Higher Magic, Modern/Present Day, Dragons
Synopsis: It starts at Kings Cross Station 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts. Harry is sending off his second child, Albus Severus Potter, off to Hogwarts for the first time. Aaannnddd…..that’s all you get from me here……Mwhahahahah!
Recommendation: I suggest that you read any one of the earlier books before reading this script. It’s very good, but a drastically different experience from what most Potterheads are used to.
Reading Over The Shoulder 