Continue reading “Available Jun.14.2016 – The Ghostfaces by John Flanagan”
Available Jun.14.2016 – The Ghostfaces by John Flanagan
Fantasy
Dragon Jousters – Book 3: Sanctuary – By Mercedes Lackey
Jared,
Missed last week. I had even finished reading this book with plenty of time to write this review. I had some trouble getting my thoughts together so put it off. Of course, Lisa woke up Thursday morning and said, we’re going to the inlaws a day early.
Title: Sanctuary
Series: Dragon Jousters; Book 3
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Bronze Age, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Kiron and his Wing of hand raised dragons and riders have fled the corrupt power hungry Magi in Alta. Safely in Sanctuary, a city long lost to the desert and now newly uncovered by the gods, they begin increasing their numbers. Both refugees and dragons alike.
Recommendation: Teen. Consistent reading level as the previous books. Also much better written than “Alta”.
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The Tennis Shoes Adventure Series – Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites- By Chris Heimerdinger
Hello Robert,
I know what you are thinking. Where have I been? Why did I even agree to write a blog and then not post anything? And honestly you can’t even blame me for any of this. You know I am a slow reader, you know I have a more-than-full-time job. The only reason I had time to read this is because Julia read it to me while driving -for work! Oh hello everyone else. ……
So this is a book Robert and I read during our teenage years. I am claiming rereading it first. Since he is stealing all of our other childhood favourites.
Title: Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites
Series: The Tennis Shoes Adventure Series
Author: Chris Heimerdinger
Genre: LDS Fiction
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting:
Synopsis: Jim Hawkins, his sister Jenny, and their friend Garth Pimplton go on an adventure to a place they have ready about their whole lives, the Book of Mormon. They get to meet some of the hero they had ready about like Capitan Moroni, and Helaman. I would recommend this book to youth ages 9-11.
If you don’t know much about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint or Mormons I would recommend learning more before reading this book or sharing it with your friends. You can read this simply as a work of fiction, but its helpful to know how the author intended it.
The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring – By J. R. R. Tolkien
Hello Robert,
Yes I have FINALLY completed this review. Its only been sitting for months. I had mentioned to you that while driving I was listening to LotR: The Fellowship of the Ring. I must confess that even though I have been reading fantasy novels for 15 years I have never before finished reading this classic. Though it might be as difficult as crossing all of Middle Earth and climbing Mt. Doom I will have victory over this series, or at least the first boo
k.
Title: The Fellowship of the Ring
Series: The Lord of the Rings; Book 1
Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Enter the world of Middle Earth a land of men, elves, dwarves, orcs, magic creatures and hobbits. In which a young man inherits a magic ring from his uncle which changes his entire life. He must leave hearth and home, is chased by monsters, possessed by evil and challenges the loyalty’s of his friends and companions.
Recommendation: Mixed, if you want to read the most complex and wonderful world ever to be built in a fictional setting this book is for you. If you want a deep, fun, exiting plot? Find something else. Looking for a easy read? Look elsewhere. Want hours of reading and a headache? So yeah mixed. Do not attempt without at least a adult reading level. Although there really isn’t any inappropriate content you could read it to a 10 year old and not have to skip over anything. You might have to wake them up repeatedly though.
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Alcatraz Series – Book 2: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones – By Brandon Sanderson
So why did I pick this book? Well Deathweavers arrived without me knowing so I never picked it up and it was then promptly returned. So I need to put a hold on it again. I blame the librarians. Of the books left on my shelf…..this one didn’t have any more renews left….and it’s an easy read.
Title: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones
Series: Alcatraz Series
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, No Higher Magic
Synopsis: Alcatraz Smedry is back in the second volume of his autobiography. Lies, death, cliffhangers and overzealous undead librarians of questionable morals. Pretty standard stuff really.
Recommendation: Early teens or moderately skilled readers.
– – Spoilers – –
Available May.3.2016 – The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
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Seraphim Series – Book 1: Skyborn – By David Dalglish
Jared,
Mixed feelings on this one. Really I don’t know if I should read the next one in the series. Either it will redeem the series or I will nitpick it apart. What should I do?
Title: Skyborn
Series: Seraphim; Book 1
Author: David Dalglish
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU/UU/EU, Medieval/Future, Magic
Synopsis: “Six islands float high above the Endless Ocean, where humanity’s final remnants are locked in brutal civil war. Their parents slain in battle, twins Kael and Brenna Skyborn are training to be Seraphim, elite soldiers of aerial combat who wield elements of ice, fire, stone and lightning. When the invasion comes, they will take to the skies, and claim their vengeance.”
Recommendation: Mid to late teens. I was actually surprised it wasn’t in the Teen or YA section. I’m placing this In Dispute because I want to like it, but it wasn’t that good.
– – Mild Spoilers – –
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Elantris – By Brandon Sanderson
Hey Jared
This is another book from Brandon Sanderson, but it’s his first widely published novel. I really liked seeing where he started from and the story is pretty good too.
Title: Elantris
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Elantris, City of Gods, the White. Elantris, City of the Cursed, the Damned, the Forsaken. In the aftermath of the Reod and the subsiqent collapse of Elantris, the nation of Arelon is a broken husk of it’s former glory. The power vacuum draws in old enemies and allies alike. But Elantris isn’t dead. Yet.
Recommendation: Adult or late teen. This is Sanderson’s first published novel, so it lacks some of the finesse of his later works, but it is still well done.
The Obsidian Trilogy – Book 3: When Darkness Falls – By Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory
Jared,
The final book in the trilogy. It was great to read these again. Now I get to start of the sequel trilogy. I only vaguely remember bits and pieces so this will be great!
Title: When Darkness Falls
Series: The Obsidian Trilogy; Book 3
Author: Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: At last the Allies of Light know what the Endarkened are planning to do. Now the problem is finding a way to stop them without being pulled apart from every direction. As everyone else begins to slide into despair, Kellen Knight Mage finally has a clear enemy he can fight. But will it be enough?
Recommendation: Adult or late teens. Mild sexual content and innuendos. Moderate violence and high gore, but well balanced and done with purpose. I highly recommend this book!
The Reckoners – Book 3: Calamity – By Brandon Sanderson
Jared! You’re alive!
I was starting to get worried again. If you hadn’t surfaced by this Friday I was going to start messaging your wife to figure out what’s been going on. Pretty sure I could convince her to strap you to your computer and withhold food. I look forward to your review of the Tennis Shoes series. It’s been a long time since I read those.
Title: Calamity
Series: The Reckoners; Book 3
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Near Future, Super Powers
Synopsis: David barely escaped New York and Prof has given into his darkness. And the remaining Reckoners think that Prof has gone to Atlanta….in Kansas. The connection between Epics, their weaknesses, and their fears will play a crucial role in the coming fight. Will they save Prof from himself even if it means killing him? Or will they die trying. Let’s not forget Calamity, the source of all Epics and their powers.
Recommendation: Teen. It’s epic….what more is there to say?
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Reading Over The Shoulder 