Dragon Keeper – Book 1: Dragon Keeper – By Carole Wilkinson

Hey Jared

I picked this up a couple months ago because I was in the mood for something a bit lighter and liked the idea of a dragon story based in Chinese mythology. And this book didn’t disappoint.

dragonkeeperTitle: Dragon Keeper
Series: Dragon Keeper; Book 1
Author: Carole Wilkinson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Ancient China, Dragons, Magic (sorta)
Synopsis: In the time of the Han Dynasty in ancient China, the last remaining dragon is in danger of being killed by the cruel Emperor. A nameless orphan with no past and an uncertain future becomes his unlikely ally. The young orphan soon discovers that it is her destiny to protect the aging dragon and his mysterious purple stone. Chased by an evil dragon hunter and a powerful sorcerer, their adventure is not easy. Each must learn to help and understand the other if they are to survive. To succeed in her task, the young orphan must reach deep within herself to find courage she never knew existed. No longer can she be the timid, shy orphan she once was. She is now the one, true Dragon Keeper.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book for youth, 8-12yrs.

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Dragon Keeper – Book 1: Dragon Keeper – By Carole Wilkinson

Adventurers Wanted – Book 3: Albrek’s Tomb – M. L. Forman

Hey Jared,

As I mentioned previously, I skipped this book during my recent reread of the series because the library didn’t have it in any format. However, since I finally convinced Lisa to try the series she immediately purchased the entire series as eBooks so she wouldn’t need to stop or even slow down. (It only took her a week, btw.) So now the book is at my very fingertips. *insert evil cackle*

albrek'stombTitle: Albrek’s Tomb
Series: Adventurers Wanted; Book 3
Author: M. L. Forman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU/AU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Two thousand years ago, the dwarf Albrek went looking for new mines in the land of Thraxon in the hopes of becoming rich — and vanished. Now the dwarves must find Albrek’s magical Ring of Searching before their mines run dry, a possibility which threatens the livelihood of the entire dwarf realm. Alexander Taylor joins a familiar company of adventurers on a quest to discover what happened to Albrek, find his mythical tomb, and locate the lost talisman. But finding the ring may be the least of the adventurers’ problems once they cross paths with an ancient, wandering paladin, Bane, who warns of a great evil working in all of the known lands. Following in Albrek’s footsteps, Alex and his friends travel to the haunted Isle of Bones, where a mysterious creature lurks in a deserted village, to the cursed city of Neplee, where the dwarfs are hunted by the undead hellerash, and through the shadow of an empty oracle’s tower, where a whispered legend is about to come true.
Recommendation: I recommend this series. Great for younger and older readers alike.

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Adventurers Wanted – Book 3: Albrek’s Tomb – M. L. Forman

Temeraire – Book 2: Throne of Jade – By Naomi Novik

Hey Jared,

I am once again completely astonished and enamored with this compelling series. Historical fantasy is not my fancy, but I’ll be making an exception from now on. I need more of these dragons in my life and have already got the next book from the library.

throne of jadeTitle: Throne of Jade
Series: Temeraire; Book 2
Author: Naomi Novik
Genre: Alternate History/Fantasy
Audience:Young Adult/Adult
ROTS Setting: Alternate History: Early 1800s, Dragons, Naval Ships
Synopsis: When Britain intercepted a French ship and its precious cargo–an unhatched dragon’s egg–Capt. Will Laurence of HMS Reliant unexpectedly became master and commander of the noble dragon he named Temeraire. As new recruits in Britain’s Aerial Corps, man and dragon soon proved their mettle in daring combat against Bonaparte’s invading forces. Now China has discovered that its rare gift, intended for Napoleon, has fallen into British hands–and an angry Chinese delegation vows to reclaim the remarkable beast. But Laurence refuses to cooperate. Facing the gallows for his defiance, Laurence has no choice but to accompany Temeraire back to the Far East–a long voyage fraught with peril, intrigue, and the untold terrors of the deep. Yet once the pair reaches the court of the Chinese emperor, even more shocking discoveries and darker dangers await.
Recommendation: I surprisingly/not surprisingly have fallen in love with this series. Highly recommend it.

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Temeraire – Book 2: Throne of Jade – By Naomi Novik

Stormlight Archive – Book 3: Oathbringer – By Brandon Sanderson

Hi Jared,

….

Did you hear that?……That was the sound of my mind imploding.

oathbringerTitle: Oathbringer
Series: The Stormlight Archive; Book 3
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience:  Adult
ROTS Setting: Cosmere, Magic, Big Swords, Epic Battles
Synopsis: Dalinar Kholin’s Alethi armies won a fleeting victory at a terrible cost: The enemy Parshendi summoned the violent Everstorm, which now sweeps the world with destruction, and in its passing awakens the once peaceful and subservient parshmen to the horror of their millennia-long enslavement by humans. While on a desperate flight to warn his family of the threat, Kaladin Stormblessed must come to grips with the fact that the newly kindled anger of the parshmen may be wholly justified. Nestled in the mountains high above the storms, in the tower city of Urithiru, Shallan Davar investigates the wonders of the ancient stronghold of the Knights Radiant and unearths dark secrets lurking in its depths. And Dalinar realizes that his holy mission to unite his homeland of Alethkar was too narrow in scope. Unless all the nations of Roshar can put aside Dalinar’s blood-soaked past and stand together–and unless Dalinar himself can confront that past–even the restoration of the Knights Radiant will not prevent the end of civilization.
Recommendation: This book (& everything Sanderson) is highly recommended!

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Stormlight Archive – Book 3: Oathbringer – By Brandon Sanderson

Adventurers Wanted – Book 5: The Axe of Sundering – By M. L. Forman

Hey Jared,

It’s good to see you finally writing, both reviews and some of your own projects.

This review has been really difficult to write. I was generally OK with the book, but steadily became more dissatisfied as time went by. Thus the super late timing of this post. Sorry, not sorry.

axeofsunderingTitle: The Axe of Sundering
Series: Adventurers Wanted; Book 5
Author: M. L. Forman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU/AU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Whalen Vankin is the world’s greatest wizard, and he has only ever personally trained two other wizards. One is Alexander Taylor, a young man who has earned a reputation as a brave adventurer, a warrior, and man of honor. The other is Jabez, Vankin’s nephew and a man whose choices have led him down a different, darker path. Dark magic has covered Westland, and evil is stirring. Whalen and Alex must journey together into the heart of danger, confronting a sea serpent, battling their way through a goblin army, and facing down more than one dragon. Alex must find the legendary Axe of Sundering the one weapon that offers a chance to defeat Jabez and protect the land from the dark wizard’s plans. But finding it will be an adventure of its own as the only pathway to the Axe leads through the underground tunnels and secret passages of Castle Conmar. But Jabez has one final weapon at his disposal: the powerful Orion Stone, which could spell the end to Whalen and Alex both.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series (just not the ending). Great for younger and older readers alike.

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Adventurers Wanted – Book 5: The Axe of Sundering – By M. L. Forman

Adventurers Wanted – Book 4: Sands of Nezza – By M. L. Forman

Hiya Jared,

Due to the unfortunate deficiency of the local library system (and me being too cheap) I’ve been forced to skip the 3rd book of this series, Tomb of Albrek, in my reread of the series. The only reason I chose to do this is because I had actually already read it before, and relatively recently. (Within the last 2 and a half years.)

On the bright side, you can expect my review of book 5, Axe of Sundering, this Friday.

sandsofnezza.jpgTitle: Sands of Nezza
Series: Adventurers Wanted; Book 4
Author: M. L. Forman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU/AU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: A call for help draws wizard Alexander Taylor into an adventure that he knows nothing about. To save a friend, Alex must travel to the land of Nezza, a land where war is part of daily life, where adventurers are imprisoned, and where all magic is believed to be black. Chance brings Alex into contact with young Rallian, a prince who might just be the true king of Nezza, and Alex s desire to do good sets loose a spell that could drive the land into all-out war. Alex must find a way for Rallian to be crowned king while also bringing peace to the land, but his magic and wizardry alone cannot make peace happen. His task is made more difficult when he learns that a group called the Brotherhood is actively working to keep the people of Nezza divided. Join Alex and some familiar friends in their search to unite the land of Nezza in this new adventure that will test their courage to the very core.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series. Great for younger and older readers alike.

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Adventurers Wanted – Book 4: Sands of Nezza – By M. L. Forman

The Dagger and the Coin – Book 3: The Tyrant’s Law – Daniel Abraham

Hey Jared,

Ok, I don’t really know what to do for this review. Either my experience was reflective of the material or…….I’m just completely unfocused.

thetyrantslawTitle: The Tyrant’s Law
Series: The Dagger and the Coin; Book 3
Author: Daniel Abraham
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons (Extinct?), Magic
Synopsis: The tyrant Geder Palliako had led his nation to war, but every victory has called forth another conflict. Now the greater war spreads out before him, and he is bent on bringing peace. No matter how many people he has to kill to do it. Cithrin bel Sarcour, rogue banker of the Medean Bank, has returned to the fold. Her apprenticeship has placed her in the path of war, but the greater dangers are the ones in her past and in her soul. Widowed and disgraced at the heart of the Empire, Clara Kalliam has become a loyal traitor, defending her nation against itself. And in the shadows of the world, Captain Marcus Wester tracks an ancient secret that will change the war in ways not even he can forsee.
Recommendation: Adult, but mid to late teen could probably read it too. Series is highly recommended!

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The Dagger and the Coin – Book 3: The Tyrant’s Law – Daniel Abraham

THE RITHMATIST – BOOK 1: THE RITHMATIST SERIES – BY BRANDON SANDERSON

Hello all!

First things first- we all made it to 2018! I feel like I probably haven’t posted since I lost a kidney… but during recovery and since then, I have read many books, maybe even while I should have been studying. What can I say? Books are my brain food.

therithmatistTitle: The Rithmatist
Series: The Rithmatist Series
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy
Audience: YA
ROTS Setting: Alternate Reality, Magic, Clockwork
Synopsis: More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings—merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing—kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery—one that will change Rithmatics—and their world—forever.

Recommendation: I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Teens or older.

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THE RITHMATIST – BOOK 1: THE RITHMATIST SERIES – BY BRANDON SANDERSON

Adventurers Wanted – Book 2: The Horn of Moran – By M. L. Forman

Hey Jared,

Wow, I can’t believe we talked for 6 hours a couple of days ago. I think we need to talk more often.

hornofmoranTitle: The Horn of Moran
Series: Adventurers Wanted; Book 2
Author: M. L. Forman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU/AU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old wizard-in-training Alex Taylor and his band of fellow adventurers battle a goblin army, navigate an enchanted forest, and try to solve the sphinx’s riddle in their quest to find the lost Horn of Moran and return it to Norsland before the nation erupts in war.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series. Great for younger and older readers alike.

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Adventurers Wanted – Book 2: The Horn of Moran – By M. L. Forman