The Royal Institute Of Magic – Book 1: Elizabeth’s Legacy – By Victor Kloss

Hey guys!

As you know, I love to read youth/YA books, in search of another great series, and I’m certain I just found another winner. 🙂

rimTitle: Elizabeth’s Legacy
Series: The Royal Institute of Magic; Book 1
Author: Victor Kloss
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/YA/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Like most normal people, Ben hadn’t the faintest idea there was an Institute of Magic…

Two years ago, Ben Greenwood’s parents walked out the door and never returned. The police have all but given up finding them when Ben stumbles upon a peculiar letter addressed to his dad. “You are the most wanted man in the Unseen Kingdoms. Unless you come to us, we cannot help. For your child’s sake, tell us what you know.”

The letter is from an organization called the Royal Institute of Magic and is dated a day before his parents disappeared. Like most people, fourteen-year-old Ben hasn’t the faintest idea what the Royal Institute of Magic is, but he has his first clue: the logo on the letter.

Armed with nothing but his wits and the help of his good friend Charlie, Ben sets out to find the Institute and, through them, his parents. To succeed, he will have to navigate a land filled with fantastic creatures and Spellshooters, where magic can be bought and sold, to unravel an ancient family secret that could hold the key to defeating an evil the Institute has been fighting for the last five hundred years.

Recommendation: Late youth, teens, and anybody that loves discovering a new world of magic.

Continue reading “The Royal Institute Of Magic – Book 1: Elizabeth’s Legacy – By Victor Kloss”

The Royal Institute Of Magic – Book 1: Elizabeth’s Legacy – By Victor Kloss

News: eBook Series to Celebrate Hogwarts

Hogwarts
Image from the Pottermore announcement.

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.

Continue reading “News: eBook Series to Celebrate Hogwarts”

News: eBook Series to Celebrate Hogwarts

Elantris – Novella: The Emperor’s Soul – By Brandon Sanderson

Hey Jared,

I’ve been eyeing this book ever since finishing Elantris. Finding it in the digital library systems was impossible so I’d either have to pay out or suffer…..I’ll suffer no more! This is a great novella and well worth it.

theemperorssoulTitle: The Emperor’s Soul
Series: Elantris; Novella
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Magic, Higher Magic, Medieval
Synopsis: Shai is a criminal of the Rose Empire. She’s a Forger with all the amazing and nefarious skills that come along with that. When attempting to steal imperial relics right out of the palace itself, she’s caught and imprisoned. Faced with an immediate or postponed  death, she elects for the latter, but must now create the greatest forgery in history. A copy of the emperor’s soul.

Continue reading “Elantris – Novella: The Emperor’s Soul – By Brandon Sanderson”

Elantris – Novella: The Emperor’s Soul – By Brandon Sanderson

Spinward Fringe Series – Broadcast 0: Origins – By Randolph Lalonde

Hey Jared,

My reading has suffered. If it’s not the ankle biter begging to go to the park (and playing Pokemon Go along the way) then it’s Rimworld or some other game dropping a big update. Thus I’m a day late and feel only a little guilty.

spinwardfringeoriginsTitle: Origins
Series: Spinward Fringe; Broadcast 0
Author: Randolph Lalonde
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant Future, Super High Tech
Synopsis: Jonas and his friends become the unlikely crew of a ghost ship sent out to gather/steal new tech in hopes of saving their home. But the galaxy is even darker and more brutal than they could ever assume. Can he keep them alive or are they destined to become corporate bio assets.

Continue reading “Spinward Fringe Series – Broadcast 0: Origins – By Randolph Lalonde”

Spinward Fringe Series – Broadcast 0: Origins – By Randolph Lalonde

DNF – Becoming Human by Eliza Green

becominghuman

I’ve been chipping away at this book for 3 weeks. I’ll admit being on the road for a week didn’t help one bit. We’re now in Spokane, WA and should be for another couple of weeks before we’re on the road again.

There isn’t anything glaringly wrong with this book. Just reading the first few paragraphs and I could tell it’s head and shoulders above either of the eBooks I’ve attempted recently. I’m considering this a FAIL (failure to complete) because I’m only half way and it’s really not catching my interest, but there isn’t any specific reason or problem. It’s just not doing it for me right now.

My impressions are that the author isn’t very experienced, but everyone has to start out somewhere. This inexperience creates a few rough spots but nothing glaring or inexcusable. The characters are well thought out and have real personalities and stories but I think they haven’t been allowed to come through enough. The plot line, as of half way, was a little meandering and certain parts were a little weak but both could be addressed in the latter half of the book.

I seriously might attempt this book again. For now, however, I’m setting it aside.

Robert

DNF – Becoming Human by Eliza Green

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

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.

Continue reading “Echo Series – Volume 1: Approaching Shatter – By Kent Wayne”

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