Fantasy

Temeraire – Book 4: Empire of Ivory – Naomi Novik

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Hey Jared,

Once again, I press on……..and it is glorious.

empire-of-ivoryTitle: Empire of Ivory
Series: Temeraire; Book 4
Author: Naomi Novik
Genre: Alternate History/Fantasy
Audience:Young Adult/Adult
ROTS Setting: Alternate History: Early 1800s, Dragons, Naval Ships
Synopsis: Tragedy has struck His Majesty’s Aerial Corps, whose magnificent fleet of fighting dragons and their human captains valiantly defend England’s shores against the encroaching armies of Napoleon Bonaparte. An epidemic of unknown origin and no known cure is decimating the noble dragons’ ranks–forcing the hopelessly stricken into quarantine. Now only Temeraire and a pack of newly recruited dragons remain uninfected–and stand as the only means of an airborne defense against France’s ever bolder sorties. Bonaparte’s dragons are already harrowing Britain’s ships at sea. Only one recourse remains: Temeraire and his captain, Will Laurence, must take wing to Africa, whose shores may hold the cure to the mysterious and deadly contagion. On this mission there is no time to waste, and no telling what lies in store beyond the horizon or for those left behind to wait, hope, and hold the line.
Recommendation: I surprisingly/not surprisingly have fallen in love with this series. Highly recommend it.

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Temeraire – Book 4: Empire of Ivory – Naomi Novik

DNF – Convergence by Stan Lee, Stuart Moore, & Andy Tong

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , , 3 Comments

zodiaclegacy

I just couldn’t get into it. The characters were a touch “blah” and the premise is a bit vague. Lastly, the general plot is a bit tenuous. I didn’t get far, admittedly, so I can’t be super specific. There was no one thing wrong and my minor points of dissatisfaction could easily be resolved. It’s just not for me, right now.

That said, the artwork was really good (why I picked this image instead of the actual cover) and it’s got Stan Lee’s fingerprints all over it.

I might try this again in the future.

Robert

DNF – Convergence by Stan Lee, Stuart Moore, & Andy Tong

Dragonlance Second Generation – Book 1: The Second Generation – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

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Hey Jared,

I am so behind on getting some reviews out. There’s no real excuse for it. In general I’ve just been oddly stressed and life here in Washington state has just been very, very different than Phoenix. I’ve found myself either fixating on something or needing to push relentlessly to get something finished. But enough about me!

secondgenerationTitle: The Second Generation
Series: Dragonlance Second Generation; Book 1
Author: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Years have passed since the end of the War of the Lance. The people of Ansalon have rebuilt their lives, their houses, their families. The Companions of the Lance, too, have returned to their homes, raising children and putting the days of their heroic deeds behind them. But peace on Krynn comes at a price. The forces of darkness are ever vigilant, searching for ways to erode the balance of power and take control. When subtle changes begin to permeate the fragile peace, new lives are drawn into the web of fate woven around all the races. The time has come to pass the sword — or the staff — to the children of the Lance. They are the Second Generation. 
Recommendation: Adult, maybe late teens. Any admirer of high fantasy should be familiar with this series.

Continue reading “Dragonlance Second Generation – Book 1: The Second Generation – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman” →

Dragonlance Second Generation – Book 1: The Second Generation – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

The Inheritance Cycle – Book 4: Inheritance – By Christopher Paolini

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Hey Jared,

Even having endured three previous books, and basically zero expectations, I’m still surprisingly disappointed.

inheritance

Title: Inheritance
Series: The Inheritance Cycle; Book 4
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval/Renaissance, Dragons, Magic, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Not so very long ago, Eragon — Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider — was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders. Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chance. The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost
Recommendation: I recommend this series (not really) for pre- and early teens.

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The Inheritance Cycle – Book 4: Inheritance – By Christopher Paolini

The Inheritance Cycle – Book 3: Brisingr – By Christopher Paolini

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 4 Comments

Hey Jared,

I finished this book last week but never got around to writing it until last night. So it’s not a very good review but then again it’s not a very good book.

brisingrTitle: Brisingr
Series: The Inheritance Cycle; Book 3
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval/Renaissance, Dragons, Magic, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Oaths sworn… loyalties tested… forces collide. It’s been only months since Eragon first uttered “brisingr”, an ancient language term for fire. Since then, he’s not only learned to create magic with words — he’s been challenged to his very core. Following the colossal battle against the Empires warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still, there is more adventure at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep. First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin, Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength — as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices — choices that will take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice. Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king
Recommendation: I recommend this series for pre- and early teens.

Continue reading “The Inheritance Cycle – Book 3: Brisingr – By Christopher Paolini” →

The Inheritance Cycle – Book 3: Brisingr – By Christopher Paolini

Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 5: The Last Olympian – By Rick Riordan

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It’s not my favorite book in the series, I think there’s just a bit too much going on, but it was an amazing end to the series!

thelastolympianTitle: The Last Olympian
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians; Book 5
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Mythology/Supernatural
Synopsis: All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows. While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time. 
Recommendation: Highly recommended!

Continue reading “Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 5: The Last Olympian – By Rick Riordan” →

Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 5: The Last Olympian – By Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 4: The Battle of the Labyrinth – By Rick Riordan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 5 Comments

Heeeey booooss,

Oh blessed world of ones and zeros! We have climbed the mountains and traversed the deserts and have at last washed upon your bountiful shores……Ok, this is starting to get weird. On with the review.

thebattleofthelabyrinthTitle: The Battle of the Labyrinth
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians; Book 4
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Mythology/Supernatural
Synopsis: Percy Jackson isn’t expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears at his potential new school, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to worse. In this fourth installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos’s army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop the invasion, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth – a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn.
Recommendation: Highly recommended!

Continue reading “Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 4: The Battle of the Labyrinth – By Rick Riordan” →

Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 4: The Battle of the Labyrinth – By Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 3: The Titan’s Curse – By Rick Riordan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

I’ll see you later today, but I will say trying to format one of these blog posts on the WP mobile app is a pain. I’ve resorted to a mobile hotspot with my laptop tethered in order to get review out today.

thetitanscurseTitle: The Titan’s Curse
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians; Book 3
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Mythology/Supernatural
Synopsis: It’s not everyday you find yourself in combat with a half-lion, half-human. But when you’re the son of a Greek god, it happens. And now my friend Annabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains and only five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster. Oh, and guess what? The Oracle has predicted that not all of us will survive…
Recommendation: Highly recommended!

Continue reading “Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 3: The Titan’s Curse – By Rick Riordan” →

Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 3: The Titan’s Curse – By Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 2: The Sea of Monsters – By Rick Riordan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 3 Comments

Hey Jared,

When this goes live I will likely be climbing into the driver’s seat of a moving truck on the last leg of the move, somewhere in Oregon.

theseaofmonsters.jpgTitle: The Sea of Monsters
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians; Book 2
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Mythology/Supernatural
Synopsis: The heroic son of Poseidon makes an action-packed comeback in the second must-read installment of Rick Riordan’s amazing young readers series. Starring Percy Jackson, a “half blood” whose mother is human and whose father is the God of the Sea, Riordan’s series combines cliffhanger adventure and Greek mythology lessons that results in true page-turners that get better with each installment.
In this episode, The Sea of Monsters, Percy sets out to retrieve the Golden Fleece before his summer camp is destroyed, surpassing the first book’s drama and setting the stage for more thrills to come.
Recommendation: Highly recommended!

Continue reading “Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 2: The Sea of Monsters – By Rick Riordan” →

Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Book 2: The Sea of Monsters – By Rick Riordan

The Inheritance Cycle – Book 2: Eldest – By Christopher Paolini

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 3 Comments

Hi Jared,

The books in this series are longer than I remember. Regardless, today is the day of the big move. At this moment we are already up and frantically trying to finish packing. We pick up the truck this afternoon and hope to have everything in before it gets too dark. Early tomorrow morning we set out.

eldestTitle: Eldest
Series: The Inheritance Cycle; Book 2
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval/Renaissance, Dragons, Magic, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns… Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust. Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle–one that might put Eragon in even graver danger. Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .
Recommendation: I recommend this series for pre- and early teens.

Continue reading “The Inheritance Cycle – Book 2: Eldest – By Christopher Paolini” →

The Inheritance Cycle – Book 2: Eldest – By Christopher Paolini