Fantasy

Mistborn Trilogy – Book 1: The Final Empire – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey,

So you are probably saying, “About time, Robert! What took you so long?!?” Well, to be honest, Jared…..The beginning of the book was a little….boring. Too much flash. Too much doom and gloom……not enough meat in the first few chapters. I tried 3 different times to get through those first dry pages over the years. At last I have finally succeeded. Bout time!

Mistborn-cover.jpgTitle: The Final Empire
Series: Mistborn Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Unique Magic
Synopsis: The Final Empire controls the known world and rules with a tyrannical iron fist. A group of professional thieves turn revolutionaries have the best chance in the last thousand years to fracture the Empires hold. Their job is near-impossible. How do you bring down a government that has stood for a thousand year? More importantly, how do you kill a god?
Recommendation: Mature content with a similar reading level. Late teens would be my suggestion, definitely no earlier. It took me until really the end to decide that I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to read the next one. Correction ….. I already have. Booya!

– – Mild Spoilers – –

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Mistborn Trilogy – Book 1: The Final Empire – By Brandon Sanderson

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard – Book 1: The Sword of Summer – By Rick Riordan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Jared,

I agree wholeheartedly; Star Wars Battlefront is in desperate need of a campaign or some other similar mode. Split-screen was what really elevated Battlefront I and II from just good game to truly great games.

Now back to the books. This is the first of many Rick Riordan books I’ll be reviewing. Please note that this is one of his newest books and newest series…..for the next couple of months. He puts out new books every 4-6 months lately. It’s pretty impressive actually.

15724396Title: The Sword of Summer
Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard; Book 1
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Mythology/Supernatural
Synopsis: Magnus Chase has lived on the streets for the last two years after his mother was violent murdered. Now, on his 16th birthday, his uncles and cousin are desperately looking for him under the very real guise of imminent danger. In classic Riordan fashion, Magnus is thrust into a world of Norse gods and mythology. Will he stop Ragnarok or hasten it’s coming?
Recommendation: A very easy read that is perfect for newer readers. Found this in the “Youth” section, with mild gore and moderate violence. I pretty much love everything I’ve gotten on my hands that’s by Rick Riordan!

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Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard – Book 1: The Sword of Summer – By Rick Riordan

Hunter Series – Book 1: Hunter – By Mercedes Lackey

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

 

Jared,

Got another book done. I ended up reading a lot less over the holidays than I was hoping or planning, but you know all about that. So my large stack of books sat gathering dust and is now running out of renewals. I’m now trying desperately to get through them all before then. With this one now complete, I’ve got 4 more with only 1 renew left. And to illustrate how much of a book-whore I am; I picked up another 5 more yesterday. AND I’m now convinced I’m going to be getting a card for the neighboring library system……thankfully that can wait for a bit while I get through these……unless I add more.

hunterTitle: Hunter
Series: Hunter Series; Book 1
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Near Future, Post-Apocalyptic, Higher Magic, Supernatural
Synopsis: Joy has lived a terrifying, yet stable, life. In the aftermath of the Diseray, when the magical and fantastical collided with our current reality, everyone’s life is terrifying. When her uncle gives her an ultimatum she can’t avoid, she’s thrust into world of twisted politics and shady deals. Now she must face the monsters at the door along with the ones poised to stab her, and her uncle, in the back.
Recommendation: Mid-Late Teens. The reading is easy and the plot isn’t too complicated with only minor gore, but a fair amount of violence.

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Hunter Series – Book 1: Hunter – By Mercedes Lackey

The Book of Phoenix – By Nnedi Okorafor

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

Great to see you finally getting words on a page. Your reply on the Ranger’s Apprentice really points out that it needs a review of the entire series as a whole. We’ll need to figure out a good way to do that….I might have some ideas but I’ll need to get them sorted.

Anyway, I read this little book in a day. It was a good read and a pleasure to dig into.

The-Book-of-PhoenixTitle: The Book of Phoenix
Series: N/A (Prequel to “Who Fears Death”)
Author: Nnedi Okorafor
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU/EU, Near Future, Apocalyptic
Synopsis: Phoenix is only 2 years old, but in the body of a 40 year old woman. If only that was the strangest thing about her or her fellow “projects.” When events begin to spin rapidly out of control, Phoenix must choose to remain as she is or spread her wings and fly. Her decision will either let the world march to inevitable destruction or set it on fire.
Recommendation: Late teens to adult. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

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The Book of Phoenix – By Nnedi Okorafor

Reply: Ranger’s Apprentice Series – Book 1: Ruins of Gorlan – By John Flanagan

Jared, , , , 1 Comment

91yg6kZecWL9Hi Robert,

Ok Game of Thrones isn’t really my thing, I don’t usually enjoy that much graphic content. At least from what I’ve seen of the TV series. But A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms seems to be the kinda thing I might like. Even if I don’t read the books, you can still review the A Song of Fire and Ice Series.

Based on your review I went ahead and read the Ruins of Gorlan of the Ranger’s Apprentice Series. I started reading about 2 weeks ago and now I’m done book 12 if that gives you any hints of how I have liked it. But now onto the actual reply.

Please note I have added a SPOILERS disclaimer, in order to provide a more in depth look at the book. If you have not read this book I would recommend you do so before continuing on.

—-SPOILERS—-

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Reply: Ranger’s Apprentice Series – Book 1: Ruins of Gorlan – By John Flanagan

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

Ranger’s Apprentice Series – Book 1: The Ruins of Gorlan – By John Flanagan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Jared,

I’ve been reading this awesome series and thought you might like it. It’s got a lot of aspects we both enjoy, like a sneaky bow toting guy…..and his apprentice. It’s the Rangers Apprentice Series by John Flanagan and the first book is The Ruins of Gorlan.

So here is the breakdown.

The Ruins of GorlanTitle: The Ruins of Gorlan
Series: Ranger’s Apprentice; Book 1
Author: John Flanagan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Young Adult
ROTS Setting: UU (Unique Universe), Medieval, No Higher Magic
Synopsis: Follow the orphan boy, Will, as he begins his apprenticeship. While Will had always longed to follow in his fathers footsteps and enter Battle School to become a knight, his skills and personality caught the attention of the mysterious Ranger Halt. Will has a lot to learn if he expects to survive the rigors of Ranger life.
Recommendation: I highly recommend this book. Anyone could read it, but there is a fair amount of violence that younger audiences might not be allowed to read.

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Ranger’s Apprentice Series – Book 1: The Ruins of Gorlan – By John Flanagan