Young Adult

Brotherband Chronicles – Book 1: The Outcasts – By John Flanagan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 1 Comment

Jared,

Finally got around to starting this series and I’m surprisingly disappointed. You’re going to need to read this too and tell me if I’m wrong or crazy……or both.

theoutcasts.jpgTitle: The Outcasts
Series: Brotherband Chronicles; Book 1
Author: John Flanagan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Young Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, No Higher Magic
Synopsis: Hal is undertaking brotherband training. He’s always had a knack for inventing things but being half Araluen he’s always been a bit of a loner. If his brotherband can win he might finally be accepted.
Recommendation: Don’t know if I’ll read the next one.

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Brotherband Chronicles – Book 1: The Outcasts – By John Flanagan

The Witchlands – Book 1: Truthwitch – By Susan Dennard

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 2 Comments

Jared,

I’ve decided to post this review in place of announcing the release of it’s sequel, Windwitch, next week. This is mostly due to my conflicting feelings about the book. Not the greatest of starts to the New Year.

truthwitchTitle: Truthwitch
Series: The Witchlands; Book 1
Author: Susan Dennard
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: YA
ROTS Setting: UU, Higher Magic (sort of)
Synopsis: Safi and Iseult are Threadsisters and as close as any family could be. When they attempt to rob the wrong mark it is but the first act in a harrowing adventure that will take them further than they ever thought possible
Recommendation: I’m on the fence with this one. It’s not completely horrible, but it’s not very good either.

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The Witchlands – Book 1: Truthwitch – By Susan Dennard

DNF – Magonia

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 2 Comments

magonia

This is a DNF (Did Not Finish) from a couple of months ago. I didn’t post about it sooner because if I had more I would just post them all at the same time. Anyway, it’s past time. There is really one big enormous reason I could not finish this book.

I have no desire to see into the vapid mind of a high school girl…..ever. With disturbing realism and accuracy, the author captured everything I detest from high school, teenagers, teenage girls, and Teen/YA literature. I would need substantial monetary compensation to endure that book.

Let me be clear. It did not feel poorly written……little though I actually read. But it is contrary to my personal reading preferences so DNF.

Robert

DNF – Magonia

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

Lisa, , , , Leave a comment

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.

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

Temeraire Series – Book 1: His Majesty’s Dragon – By Naomi Novik

Jared, , , , Leave a comment

Hello Robert,

Oddly this is a book I have read somewhat recently, just 2 years ago. Most of the books I reread have the better part of a decade between reads. I have told you about this series before and it is amazing, but you never read it. So now I’ll detail why this is such a fun series, to make you jealous that I read it first.

{4731D36F-EF04-4ADD-A3C9-0CC14D81D0A9}Img100Title: His Majesty’s Dragon
Series: Temeraire Series; Book 1
Author: Naomi Novik
Genre: Alternate History/Fantasy
Audience:Young Adult/Adult
ROTS Setting: Alternate History early 1800s
Synopsis: Captain Lawrence captures a French vessel and finds a dragon egg on board, and it’s ready to hatch. Three weeks away from land Captain Lawrence is left with no choice but to try and harness the hatchling to tame it. But when the young dragonet chooses his master the captain’s life is changed forever.
Recommendation: I honestly love this series. I would recommend this for teens or adults. A beautiful mix of nautical, historical, and dragons. For me this got me very interested in the time period. Also from a genealogical stand point learning who our ancestors were and where they lived during the late 18th early 19th century.

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Temeraire Series – Book 1: His Majesty’s Dragon – By Naomi Novik

REPLY EDITION – HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Jared, , , , , , , , 2 Comments

harry_potter_and_the_cursed_child_special_rehearsal_edition_book_cover2PLEASE ENJOY THIS SPECIAL “REPLY EDITION” OF HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD -SPOILERS ARE INCLUDED. IF YOU CONTINUE WITHOUT APPLYING THE PROPER HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD UPGRADE YOU MAY EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS.

-MUGGLE BRAIN a total lack of understanding mix with sporadic anger frustration and sadness.

-HOUSE ELF TREMMORRS the need to immediately stop reading and begin to clean the house trying to forget what you have just read.

-VAMPIRE CHILLS sudden lack of interest in your magical research and the need to fangirl over sparkly vampires.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

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REPLY EDITION – HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Zeroes Series – Book 1: Zeroes – By Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan & Deborah Biancotti

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

Yes, that is three authors. It makes the title of this review really long but I didn’t want to diminish their work by leaving any off or just doing their last names. And yes, this is another book about kids with superhuman abilities or powers. I’m starting to get a little tired of the genre and almost didn’t finish this one.

zeroesTitle: Zeroes
Series: Zeroes Series; Book 1
Author(s): Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Teen/YA
ROTS Setting: AU, Superpowers
Synopsis: Six Californian teens have superpowers and for a time they were friends. But when personalities collide they went their separate ways until the actions of one threatens to reveal them and their powers to the world. Can they unite in time to keep their secrets hidden while avoiding police and drug lords alike?
Recommendation: Not a terribly original take on superpowered teens, but it was still worth reading.

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Zeroes Series – Book 1: Zeroes – By Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan & Deborah Biancotti

Pottermore Presents – By J.K. Rowling

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Hogwarts Heroes.jpgI’m a little disappointed in these Pottermore Presents books. They say they’re “short stories” and I don’t feel that they are. Are Wikipedia articles short stories? No. No they aren’t. I wasn’t looking for some grand literary master piece, I was looking for short stories, a bed time story, facts with personality, something more than a text book.

I had been planning on reviewing each of the books over the next few days. Upon reading them there isn’t much to review. They aren’t stories so there is no storyline, characters, or writing style/techniques to comment on. So you get one for all three and I’ll do a real review with an actual story for Friday.

The books mostly rehash information you can find on Pottermore, but there are supposedly a couple of extra bits that are brand new.

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Pottermore Presents – By J.K. Rowling