Youth

First Born – By Brandon Sanderson

Jared, , 1 Comment

Hello Robert,

I just got my first library card in about 7 years. Aside from college IDs which give access to school libraries. The Edmonton Public Library system is quite impressive to he honest. They have 3D printer maker spaces, sound studios, and tons of events and classes all for free. Honestly going to the library is way cooler than it used to be. Aside from the evil librarians though.

Title: Firstborn17699268
Series: Stand alone
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Sci-fi
Audience: Young Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, FTL(Faster Than Light), Advanced Tech
Synopsis: This morality tale follows a younger brother Dennison Crestmar, who lives his life as all younger brothers due. In the unbearable shadow of his older brother the Silvermane the war hero Varion Crestmar.
Recommendation:
This actually isn’t a book it is more of a short story I read it in like an hour and a half. There isn’t too explicit of content. You only get a description of like two deaths. Any 4th grader should be able to this with reasonable ease.

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First Born – By Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz Series – Book 2: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

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.

alcatraz2Title: 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 – –

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Alcatraz Series – Book 2: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones – By Brandon Sanderson

Seventh Tower Series – Book 1: The Fall – By Garth Nix

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 1 Comment

Hello Jared,

You may remember this series as the one in which the library claimed we never returned it…..but we did. We know we did.

the-fall.jpgTitle: The Fall
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 1
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: Tal has lived all his life in the Castle. When his father goes missing it’s up to him to take care of his ailing mother and younger brother and sister. In a world blanketed in darkness, he never realized there was a world beyond the walls of his home.
Recommendation: A great chapter book for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

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Seventh Tower Series – Book 1: The Fall – By Garth Nix

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

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

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