Youth

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

Keeper of the Lost Cities – Book 1: Keeper of the Lost Cities – By Shannon Messenger

Lisa, , , 1 Comment

Hey guys!

Robert’s been asking for a little bit (read: bugging- for 6 months) for me to write a post ever since I broke down and subscribed to Kindle Unlimited during my first looong break after 2 years of pharmacy school. I devour books like they’re warm cinnamon rolls, but without the mess. I might have to go back and do some of the books I read over the summer, but first on the review list is this awesome book. You’ll quickly realize I love youth books. During my first 1 week break of school, I was browsing the library shelves and stumbled across Keepers of the Lost Cities and read it in pretty much a day. I re-read it within the past weeks because book 5 is now out!! I’m on the waiting list for it, and while I want to read it now, I kinda want to read books 2-4 over again. We’ll see how this plays out.

keeperofthelostcitiesTitle: Keeper of the Lost Cities
Series: Keeper of the Lost Cities; Book 1
Author: Shannon Messenger
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern,  Higher Magic, Elves
Synopsis: In this riveting debut, a telepathic girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world—before the wrong person finds the answer first.

Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret—at least, that’s what she thinks…

But the day Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she’s not alone. He’s a Telepath too, and it turns out the reason she has never felt at home is that, well…she isn’t. Fitz opens Sophie’s eyes to a shocking truth, and she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known.

But Sophie still has secrets, and they’re buried deep in her memory for good reason: The answers are dangerous and in high-demand. What is her true identity, and why was she hidden among humans? The truth could mean life or death—and time is running out.
Recommendation:  Totally read this!

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Keeper of the Lost Cities – Book 1: Keeper of the Lost Cities – By Shannon Messenger

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

Reply: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – Book 5: The Dark Talent – By Brandon Sanderson

Jared, , 5 Comments

Robert,

Funny thing your review came out today and today is when the library gave me the digital edition. So I powered through and here is the reply.

darktalent-replyTitle: The Dark Talent
Series: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians; Book 5
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, No Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: The “Final” book in the Alcatraz series. It has been a long time coming but we have it at last.
Recommendation: I recommend ages 8-12 as per the teacher aid information in the back of the book. This is a very short book I only read it across like 4 hours, disappointingly short.

SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

Seriously read Robert’s Review first as this is a response to his review.

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Reply: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – Book 5: The Dark Talent – By Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – Book 5: The Dark Talent – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Jared,

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

darktalentTitle: The Dark Talent
Series: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians; Book 5
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, No Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Alcatraz is pure evil. Brandon Sanderson is the spawn of the Devil, may he suffer eternally from an infinite number of paper cuts.
Recommendation: Early teens or moderately skilled readers. I highly recommend this series…….if only so you understand my exquisite pain.

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Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – Book 5: The Dark Talent – By Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – Book 4: The Shattered Lens – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Jared,

I’ve got another one down. Don’t know how much of an accomplishment it is but I did it. Really these books are an easy read and fairly entertaining too. Now I just need to wait for the next one to finish being processed.

ShatteredLens.jpgTitle: The Shattered Lens
Series: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians; Book 4
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, No Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Alcatraz stopped the assassination of the Council of Kings, but lost an ancient book to his mother. Now the capital of Mokia is about to fall but the Knights of Crystallia nor the Council of Kings are willing to intercede. In a stoopid and equally brave attempt force their hand, Alcatraz travels to Mokia.
Recommendation: Early teens or moderately skilled readers. And do what the book says…..it’s better that way.

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Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – Book 4: The Shattered Lens – By Brandon Sanderson

Harry Potter Series – Book 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – By J. K. Rowling

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , Leave a comment

Jared,

I had intended to do a review of The Hammer of Thor this week. Even pre-ordering it! Of course there was a shipping delay and I didn’t get it until yesterday. I’ll publish the review as soon as I’ve finished it. As for today, I give you Prisoner of Azkaban instead. I hadn’t planned to do this one so soon. However, we were able to get a copy of the audio books (Jim Dale, FTW!) and I loaded it onto Lisa’s phone. Of course, she turned it on while we were driving back from vacation and once we started I had to finish it. You’ll probably noticed we’ve been home for weeks. Well there has been so much happening this past month it had to be pushed back until this unexpected opening.

HP3Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Series: Harry Potter Series; Book 3
Author: J. K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Magic, Higher Magic, Modern/Present Day, Dragons
Synopsis: Harry has survived his first two years at Hogwarts. As the beginning of this third year rapidly approaches he accidentally blows up a relative. Now on the run he discovers Voldemort might be after him again. But this time he’ll use escaped mass-murder Sirius Black.
Recommendation: This is my favorite book in the series. It should be noted that it’s takes the first step away from the Youth audience toward Teen.

– – Spoilers – –

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Harry Potter Series – Book 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – By J. K. Rowling

The Trials of Apollo – Book 1: The Hidden Oracle – By Rick Riordan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

Since I’m waiting for The Hammer of Thor to come out in mere days, I figured I could finally get around to reading the first book in this new series. I was honestly a little hesitant because it broke with convention and had a non-demigod as the main character. Could the perspective of a divine being be both relatable and compelling? Yes. Yes, it can.

thehiddenoracleTitle: The Hidden Oracle
Series: The Trials of Apollo; Book 1
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Mythology/Supernatural
Synopsis: Apollo messed up…..big time. As punishment, he was stripped from his all his goddy powers. What’s more, nefarious forces are at work. Can he survive his acne or will a monster put him out of his misery.
Recommendation: Another great addition to the Riordan multiverse. I would suggest reading Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus first as this series directly builds off them.

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The Trials of Apollo – Book 1: The Hidden Oracle – By Rick Riordan

Five Kingdoms Series – Book 4: Death Weavers – By Brandon Mull

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , Leave a comment

Jared,

This review has been pushed back so many times. There’s just so much that takes priority. Plus, this has been out for months already and the next one isn’t expected until the Fall of 2017. Regardless, I wanted to get it written while it was still fresh in my mind. Sadly I’m still having trouble writing this. How much do I reveal? What is or isn’t considered a spoiler when the first book being reviewed is the 4th in the series? The moral dilemma only a book lover can experience.

death-weavers.jpgTitle: Death Weavers
Series: Five Kingdoms; Book 4
Author: Brandon Mull
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Cole is still on the run. His search for Destiny, Mira’s sister, has taken him and his friends to Necronum, one of the five kingdoms in The Outskirts. But Necronum is home to the Weavers, they interact with the dead. Will he survive or will his journey take him to the afterlife?
Recommendation: Go read the other 3 first. They are an easy read, perfect for an intermediate reader/pre-teen/early teen.

– – Mild Spoilers – –

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Five Kingdoms Series – Book 4: Death Weavers – By Brandon Mull