Friday Fiction Fix: "A Swiftly Tilting Planet"

5/5 Stars

While A Swiftly Tilting Planet is the third book in the Time Quintet, it should be easy to pick up this volume without having read either A Wrinkle in Time or A Wind in the Door, though that may help you be familiar with some of the concepts explained in the book. Of course, if you haven't read Wrinkle, I would recommend you pick it up, solely for the reason that it's one of my favorite books. 

The world seems to be at the edge of nuclear catastrophe within the next several hours. Even the president isn't sure what to do. However, the heavenly powers have not abandoned Earth to its fate and elect to send Charles Wallace back in time to points when the history of the world has turned on the tiniest of points. Will he and Meg be able to redirect the future? Or will the powers of darkness win as they always have?

This book won a five-star rating from me for the sheer emotions in it. I've read it before and I still teared up at a couple points. It somehow drives home for me the unfairness of life, but the beauty of love and joy shines all the brighter in those dark moments. The time-traveling aspect is a nice framework to the story, without getting bogged down in the details of it overly much. 

That being said, this book does have some iffy theology hidden in it. Seeing as it's framed in a fictional work and it's not overtly religious, I don't mind it overmuch, but proceed with a grain of caution. 

Recommended to: Fans of time-travel and fantasy, middle grade and up.

Friday Fiction Fix: "A Wind in the Door"

4.5/5 Stars

As I've ranted about before on this blog, A Wrinkle in Time is one of my favorite books of all time. As for the rest of the time quintet (of which I've read the first four), I have varying opinions. This is one of my less treasured installments, but it's still an enjoyable read and introduces some concepts that are further explored in A Swiftly Tilting Planet. It's not necessary to read A Wrinkle in Time before picking up this book, but if you haven't read Wrinkle, I would still suggest reading it first, as it's the more enjoyable book of the two. 

Charles Wallace has fallen mysteriously ill while stars are disappearing into a great rent in space. But according to the cherubim in the Murray's garden, it's all connected--and it's up to Meg, Calvin, and Mr. Jenkins to bring balance back to the universe. 

This book has some intriguing concepts about the interconnected-ness of the universe, from mitochondria to the farthest stars and from angels to garden snakes. Like all of L'Engle's works, I take her explorations into theology with a generous portion of salt. However, she does make some good points about loving your neighbor and avoiding hate, along with the classic struggles of good vs. evil. 

The overall plot can be a little heady with sidetracks into concept exploration. Unlike Wrinkle where we have some more definable physical action to break up these thoughts, Wind doesn't always have enough discernible physical action to break up the sometimes lengthy theoretical discussions, rendering it a bit dry in places. Nevertheless, it's an enjoyable book written on an easy level.

Recommended to: Fans of  science fiction who enjoy exploring theoretical and theological concepts, middle grade and up.

Friday Fiction Fix: "Curio"

4/5 Stars

This is one of a handful of steampunk books I've read. The genre focuses on futuristic technology set in past eras, if that makes sense. Thus, technological advances that we don't have (personal flying machines, hovercraft, etc.) are run off of old technology, such as steam engines. It's a unique genre that tends to focus on heavy worldbuilding. 

Curio centers on Grey Haward, a young woman who seeks to live a normal life in a very strange world, where people are at the mercy of a ruling class who controls the potions they need to survive. When an act of sacrifice puts her in danger, she is whisked away into a miniature world that holds even more secrets than her own western town. Can she get back home? And more importantly, can she save her friends and family?

As I expected going into this novel, the world building was unique and multilayered. However, even though it was my second time through the book, I still didn't feel I understood enough of the backstory to fully appreciate the book. It would be like jumping into The Lord of the Rings without any of Gandalf's or Elrond's explanations of things. Unfortunately, the lack of explanation was superbly frustrating and detracted from the novel quite a bit for me. 

The rest of the story (characters and plot) suffers somewhat from the lack of backstory guiding their motivations. However, I really liked Grey as a character. She's kind and capable, but also not superhuman or above emotions. It's a refreshing take on a female protagonist. 

There is a significant amount of romance in this book, including some kissing that is still within the realm of clean. Though some Christian themes are hinted at, none are explored as of yet. Some of the romantic themes and non-graphic violence would make this book better suited for a mature teen or young adult audience rather than middle-grade/early teen readers.

Recommended for: Readers teen and up who enjoy an imaginative dive into speculative fiction and aren't daunted by a significant amount of world building and back story. 

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Misadventures of Strylun and Xerk"

The Short:

The Misadventures of Strylun and Xerk

By: Wayne Thomas Batson

4.5/5 Stars

What: Two bounty hunters fatefully meet in a tavern. The only catch is, they each have the warrant for the other.

Recommended to those who like: Fun, Novella, Clean, Fantasy

The Long:

This was a bit of an impulse buy for me a while back. I love Batson’s writing and I thought I would pick up this novella for kicks and giggles.

While I wasn’t so sure of my choice at first, I quickly fell in love with this humorous and fast-paced story. Strylun and Xerk each arrive at a remote tavern with a warrant for a fugitive. The only catch? Strylun has a warrant for Xerk’s arrest, while Xerk has a warrant for his—and that just won’t cut it. After all, there’s gold on the line. But if they can somehow work past their differences, they may eventually find a way to earn enough gold to keep them both out of prison.

The resulting story is a humorous, fast-paced read that manages to balance good character development, a few deeper thoughts, and wit.

While Mr. Batson is a Christian author, this story would fall simply under the “clean” category. I hope he revisits the characters in the future; they’re quite entertaining and he hints at some interesting larger plots afoot in the story world.

The Bottom Line: This humorous novella would be well-suited for fantasy fans out for a (mostly) light-hearted read.                                                                                                                                                                        

Friday Fiction Fix: "Divergent"

The Short:

Divergent

By: Veronica Roth

4.5/5 Stars

What: Forced to choose between five factions that each represent a defining attribute, a young woman must face some of her worst fears.

Recommended to those who like: Young adult, Clean/Christian?, dystopian, post-apocalyptic.

Reader’s Warning: Brief language (PG), references to intimate relations (PG to mild PG-13)

The Long:

Once I get back from my trip, I look forward to doing a more thorough discussion of this book. It might not be overly remarkable on its own, but its status as a secular book written by an author who is rather open about her faith is intriguing.

Alas, I shall have to stick to a quick review for today. Ready? Here we go!

In post-apocalyptic Chicago, people are divided by what character trait they value most highly. Beatrice has lived among the selfless Abnegation group for her entire life, but when it’s time for her to choose what group she will ultimately spend the rest of her life with, she faces a deep internal conflict and some of her worst fears.

I found that this book provided some interesting food for thought, which was somewhat surprising. I went into expecting a fast read (which it was), with too much insta-love (mostly accurate), and maybe a couple good action scenes (also accurate). I didn’t expect the questions about the basis of morality that it raised and the conflicts between different value systems, not to mention well-woven commentary on the human condition. However, it was artfully done.

The story was somewhat predictable at a couple of points, and I would have loved to have seen some more in-depth character development of a few of the side characters. I would gladly read the second book just to get a more expanded vision of the post-apocalyptic world. We’re given just the right taste of it to be satisfying while also creating a thirst for more.

As aforementioned, the story was a little too heavy on the love element for my taste. It was still more reasonable than many YA books, for which I was thankful.

The writing was snappy and tight overall, which made for a very quick and easy read that would appeal to teens who don’t even enjoy reading (if I had to guess. I mean, I’ve always enjoyed reading, so I might not be the best person to ask).

While Christianity is not directly involved in this story, the author begins her acknowledgements with a specifically Christian message, and many of the elements of the story reflect a Christian point of view. It certainly makes an intriguing read.

The Bottom Line: A clean dystopian story for mature teens and up, this quick read with good worldbuilding and worthwhile dilemmas is actually worth a bit of the hype.                                                      

Friday Fiction Fix: "Leviathan"

The Short:

Leviathan

Leviathan, #1

By: Scott Westerfield

4.5/5 Stars

What: In an alternate history of the outbreak of WWI, an orphan and a young navy officer are put on a collision course.

Recommended to those who like: Steampunk, Middle grade/young teen, Adventure

The Long:

Shout-out to Victoria for recommending this book to me! I enjoyed it and look forward to picking up the rest of the series at some point in the near future.

Europe is divided between two sets of allies. On one hand are the “Darwinists”, headed by Britain and her allies, who make heavy use of genetically-engineered beasts of war. On the other are the “Clankers”, which include Germany and Austria, and who are diametrically opposed to the “godless beasts”. The “Clankers” are known for their great mechanical beasts and walking machines.

An orphaned prince and a young naval officer-in training find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict that’s coming to a head. Will they avoid war? And can they each keep their respective secrets?

This is really only the second steampunk novel I’ve read (the other being Tainted, by Morgan L. Busse), so I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book. The worldbuilding was fantastic. I mean, how did Mr. Westerfield come up with a flying whale that has bats for weapons? Seriously awesome, especially when combined with the backdrop of the dawn of WWI. I also found the Clanker vs. Darwinist conflict an interesting way of providing an ideological divide between the European powers in a believable manner.

The plot was well written and, while predictable at some points, was interesting enough not to lag at all. Really, the only thing that prevented me from giving this story 5 stars was the characters. I really couldn’t connect to Deryn or Alek very much at all. I’ll also be honest that the girl-disguised-as-a-boy thing has to be played just right for me to like it. This one didn't quite fly for me. 

The book is quite clean and would be suitable for readers as young as middle grade. Adults can probably enjoy the story as well, especially if they’re looking for some unique worldbuilding.

The Bottom Line: This clean book is a good pick for readers who are looking for a fast plot and some great worldbuilding.

Friday Fiction Fix: "Double Identity"

I will likely have a few opportunities for guest posters in the near future. Shoot me an email using the contact form in the left-hand column if you're interested!
The Short:

Double Identity

By: Margaret Peterson Haddix

4/5 Stars

What: A girl finds that her parents have hidden many secrets. Their biggest one? Her.

Recommended to those who like: Middle grade/teen, suspense, clean, coming of age

The Long:

Days before her thirteenth birthday, Bethany is dropped off at a relative’s house by hear tearful parents. She’s never met this relative—she hasn’t even spent a night away from home without her parents before.

But things start to get even stranger. A mysterious man follows her, people in this odd town seem to recognize her, and she’s given several thousand dollars in cash with only a sketchy explanation. Will she be able to get to the bottom of the mystery before time runs out?

This was a fun and somewhat suspenseful read. I likely would have really loved it as a middle grade reader; as an adult, I saw many of the plot twists coming down the road. Nevertheless, this clean read was a fun ride. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes middle grade coming-of-age stories with a speculative twist.

The Bottom Line: Although older readers may not be surprised by the plot’s twists and turns, younger readers will likely enjoy this suspenseful story. 

                                                                                                 

                                                                                          

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Tournament at Gorlan"

The Short:

The Tournament at Gorlan

Ranger’s Apprentice: The Early Years—Book 1

By: John Flanagan

5/5 Stars

What: A baron seeks to overthrow the king, but he won’t succeed if the king’s elite special ops forces have anything to say about it.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, archery, middle-grade/teen, clean

The Long:

So, John Flanagan may be almost single-handedly responsible for the sore state of my bank account. 

He’s gotten far too good at writing spin-off series. Let’s face it, the books would have to be terrible before I refused to pick any more up. However, this new series was especially intriguing to me, as I love origin stories.

He didn’t disappoint! Unlike The Royal Ranger (Book 12 of Ranger’s Apprentice, which I would almost say I regret reading), this book made me very happy. It hearkens back to the feel of the original quartet and promises some interesting tidbits of backstory.

Furthermore, we spend quite a bit of time with Halt’s sarcastic, sharp-edged wit, which makes everybody’s day. We follow him and some banished Rangers as they attempt to overthrow Morgarath and restore King Oswald to power. There’s archery, coffee-drinking, sharp wit, and everything I love about Ranger’s Apprentice. (There’s also John Flanagan’s signature head-hopping, but I can deal with that because Halt makes up for any writing flaws).

Unlike so many spin-offs, this series seems to be holding its own weight fairly well. If I had picked up this series prior to the original series, I feel that I would like it just as much. I look forward to reading the next book.

The Bottom Line: If you like fantasy adventure and don’t mind a bit of head-hopping, I’d recommend this book, even if you haven’t read the original Ranger’s Apprentice series.

Have you read The Ranger's Apprentice or any of the spin off series?

Author Interview with Matthew Dickerson

Give a warm welcome to Mr. Matthew Dickerson, the author of a three-part fantasy series, entitled The Daegmon War. You can check out my review of Book 1, The Gifted, here. Book 2, The Betrayed, was recently released.

What was the most challenging part of writing The Betrayed, your most recent book? What was your favorite part of writing this story?

The most enjoyable part is always the discovery—getting to know the characters better, seeing how they respond to different situations, learning what happens, and (very often) being surprised and delighted (or sometimes surprised and saddened).  The greatest challenge goes hand in hand with that. Writing requires great attentiveness. I need to be carefully listening to the characters, and noticing details in the landscape, the history of my world. It’s like being an explorer or a naturalist.

The delay in this book was more of a frustration than a challenge. The publisher that started the series by publishing Book 1, “The Gifted”, wasn't doing very well and decided to back out of the fiction market except for children’s fiction. They fired my editor and the Vice President. I later learned they were already strongly leaning toward this decision when the first book came out, so they spent $0 on advertising. I’ve been entirely dependent on word-of-mouth to get out news about my books—hoping people will post about it on social media, or tell friends—and I had to take over publishing myself in the middle of the series. I guess the one good thing that came from this is more freedom to let the book follow my own vision.

How would you say that your faith has influenced your writing?

Madeleine L’Engle spoke of writing fiction with the metaphor of “walking on water”, which is to say that writing itself is an act of faith. Trusting the story maybe means trusting the Great Story, and the teller of the Great Story. Just like following God requires letting go of control, following a story also requires letting go of control and letting the story take you where it needs to take you.  

But I guess another aspect is that I can’t imagine a world that was not created, and in which there is not a loving Creator at work.  So that vision is certainly present in my writing, even though I try not to be “religious”.

Tell us a bit about your writing process. Do you have a writing “ritual” such as a favorite beverage or writing spot? Do you plot your novels or fly by the seat of your pants?

As my earlier answer suggests, writing is very much an act of discovery. That is, writing the first draft is. I let the story (and its characters) take me where it needs to go (and where their choices will inevitably take them). I get to know my characters, and as I do I see how they act and respond to situations.  The hard work really is the revision—the focus on prose and the discipline of making every word just right, and also sometimes cutting or completely rewriting large portions.

One exception is that my two medieval historical romances—including the relatively recently published novel The Rood and the Torc--had more of the plot worked out in advance, in part because I was dealing with real historical events and characters. There was still very much a process of discovery, but it had more to do with how things would happen than with what would happen.

You have a strong interest in J.R.R. Tolkien and his works. What sparked that interest? Is there something specific about Tolkien you really enjoy talking about?

Well the interest has been sparked mostly by reading a great deal of Tolkien’s writing. And rereading. First delighting in his work, and then studying it and seeing just how much craft and wisdom is in the writing.  I get invited very regularly to speak on Tolkien, and I think some of the talks that I most enjoy giving—because they are things I most enjoyed learning—are about his environmental ideas, his moral vision, the way his theistic and Christian worldview are so central woven into his works, how he draws on past myths and stories.

Finally, if you found yourself alone in a dark alley at night, which book character would you choose to be with you and why?

Depends if my primary goal is to learn something there, or to get through the alley somewhere I need to be, or if I just wanted to escape the alley. Luthien would be a really good choice, I think. She took pretty good care of Beren in a very dark situation. Gandalf would be a pretty good choice, especially if my goal was to learn something important there. I think he could make it light if he needed to through some sort of spell. And there is nobody I’d rather have if there were Balrogs around.

Although speaking of spells, having Harry Potter wouldn’t be bad if I just wanted to disaparate out of there.   I think, though, Harry might be the sort who would get me into deeper trouble before I got out of it, and there does seem to be a high body count when he is around. So I guess I’ll stick with Luthien or Gandalf. And if they aren’t available, then Aragorn or Faramir.

Although I think having Morgan, the Prince of Hed, would also be a very good choice, particularly if there was some riddle I needed to solve. Morgan is, after all, a riddle-master. And very powerful. At least he becomes powerful.

Thanks for joining us, Matthew!

If you're interested in The Betrayed, you can find it here, or at another online outlet, such as Amazon.

Don't forget to stop back in tomorrow for a review of The Betrayed.  

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Maze Runner"

The Short:

The Maze Runner

By: James Dashner

5/5 Stars and on the Favorites Shelf

What: A boy arrives in a strange world with no idea who he is.

Recommended to those who like: Dystopian, teen, fast-paced

The Long:

This was the first book I binge-read in a while. Man, was I glad that I started it on a weekend rather than a weeknight. It was hard to put it down!

Thomas arrives to the Glade in the Box, just like all the other boys who had arrived before him. Like the others, he has no memory of who he was before, other than his name.

The Glade is surrounded by the Maze, a strange place populated with murderous, beastly machines. Thomas feels certain he is destined to be a runner—one of the few who dodge danger in the Maze in an attempt to find the way out and home.

The plot was jam-packed with action and adventure. Although dystopian adventures have seen immense popularity over the past few years, I found that this one had a fresh flavor to it. The plot twist at the end makes me want to rush to the store to pick up the next in the series.

I found the characters loveable and considerably less whiny than most teen protagonists. (Yay!) There’s definitely room for more character development in the next installation and I look forward to seeing how the characters grow.

The book is very clean, but I would recommend it to teens and up for the grimness of the story. 

The Bottom Line: I would highly recommend this action-packed story to teens and up who enjoy dystopian-style novels.

Has anyone seen the movie? Should I watch it?

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Giver"

The Short:

The Giver

By: Lois Lowry

5/5 Stars (And on the Favorites Shelf)

What: Jonas’ world is perfect, but when he is selected for a position of honor in the community, he finds not everything is as it seems.

Recommended to those who like: Dystopian, Clean, Thought-provoking, quick reads.

The Long:

This is one of my favorite books, but I haven’t read it for several years. When I found a used copy for a reasonable price, I simply had to read it again.

Jonas’ community is perfect. There is no pain, no argument, and no hunger. But when he is selected for the highest honor in the community, he discovers that nothing is as it seems. Is what they lost worth what they gained?

The Giver is one of those unique books that both children and adults can read and enjoy. The language is simple and straightforward, but the story itself is thought-provoking. I always end up thinking about the story for days after I read it.

The plot, the characters, and the message all combine for a beautiful read.

I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone in case they haven’t read it, so I will refrain from saying more. (This is an easy book to spoil for others). If you haven’t read this one yet, make sure you read it soon! Also, the movie isn’t half bad, but it misses some of the points made in the book. 

The Bottom Line: I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.            

What's the most pressing book on your to-read list?   

Friday Fiction Fix: "Emissary"

The Short:

Emissary

Legends of the Realm, Book 1

By: Thomas Locke

4/5 Stars

What: A young man discovers he has powers he shouldn’t have. But his powers might be the only thing that can save the kingdom.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Clean, Fast Reads

Not recommended to those who dislike: Magic use

The Long:

I had a little bit of trouble rating this book. On one hand, it had been a while since I had entered a fresh, true fantasy world. (I’ve been reading a lot of dystopian/futuristic/sci-fi-ish stuff lately). I absolutely adore fantasy, so you’d be hard pressed to give me a fantasy story in which I didn’t find something to enjoy. Thus, my fantasy-starved-self had originally given this book a higher rating. However, the more I reflect back on it, the less I think it fits in with the books with those higher ratings.

Anyhow, that’s a long way of saying that I enjoyed this book (and other fantasy lovers probably will, too), but that I did have some issues with it.

With her dying breath, Hyam's mother sends him back to the place he most dreaded as a child. Will the mages that treated him so poorly reveal something important? And when he discovers his newfound powers, how will Hyam use them? Time is running out for the kingdom, and everything depends on his choices. 

For a fantasy book, Emissary was relatively short. This made it perfect as my “commute book” and allowed me to finish it in a couple days. The writing is snappy and sometimes reads more like an action novel than an epic fantasy. Sometimes this worked well; other times, it didn’t.

One of the disadvantages of the book’s length was that I felt I didn’t get to know the characters. Since I plan on picking up the next book, I’m hoping that I can get behind the characters a bit more.

The plot was of a good pace and had a nice, small surprise at the end. The magic battles were well-written and the quest element of the story was less predictable than I had initially expected.

I did enjoy the worldbuilding. It had enough typical fantasy elements to still have the familiar feel of a fantasy novel, but it also had some fresh ideas that livened the story up a bit. If you dislike magic, this would not be a good choice for you. (“Magic” in this book being manipulating energy fields. If you’re fine with Star Wars, you shouldn’t have a big problem with this book.) There are some questions I have about the story world, but I hope that they are answered in future volumes.

The Bottom Line: I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy as a genre and doesn’t mind extensive magic use.                                               

Friday Fiction Fix: The Collar and the Cavvarach

If you haven't done so already, I'd love it if you'd answer the poll in the right-hand column. I'm trying to see where else I should post my reviews. Thanks in advance!

The Short:The Collar and the Cavvarach
Krillonian Chronicles, Book 1

By: Annie Douglass Lima

5/5 Stars

What: A slave in the future realizes his only hope of freeing his sister is to become the best martial artist in the empire.

Recommended to those who like: Clean, Teen, Sword Fights, Dystopian, Moral Dilemmas.

The Long:

I really have to applaud the originality of this book. The elements themselves aren't terribly original--a search for freedom, gladiator-style fighting, slavery, futuristic dystopia--but they're mashed together into a refreshing world. 

Bensin is a young slave looking for a way to free his little sister. He's seen the way girls in slavery are treated--and it's even worse than his own fate to wear used sneakers and be whipped whenever his master is displeased. When he's sold and  they're separated, the rush is on to free her before anything terrible can happen. His skill with a blade might be the one thing that can free both of them. 

I loved Bensin as a character. He's certainly got his own problems, but he's also a person I could look up to. His love for his sister is inspiring. 

The action is tense, involving street fighting as well as martial arts tournaments. 

The story raises some moral dilemmas involving honesty and owning slaves. I found myself stopping to think at various points, wondering what I would do if put in the same situation. 

The book would be appropriate for teens and up. The writing style is simple and straightforward and the content matter is clean. Adults may find the writing style a little too simplistic at times or find the plot predictable in some parts. However, I would still say it's something anyone could enjoy.

The Bottom Line: I would recommend The Collar and the Cavvarach to teens and up who are looking for a fresh story involving martial arts in a dystopian setting. 

What was the last book you read that blurred the lines between genres or combined common elements into something new?

Friday Fiction Fix: "Ctrl Alt Revolt!"

I'm back! Fire all of your best comments at me and I'll try to respond once I catch up on some sleep. (Or once I get some coffee, which may be more likely).

The Short:

CTRL ALT Revolt!

By: Nick Cole

4/5 Stars                                                

What: Artificial Intelligence decides to take over the world. Humans are so obsessed with virtual reality, they probably wouldn’t even notice.

Recommended to those who like: Sci-fi, Gaming, Clean, Conservative Political Commentary

The Long:

I debated reviewing this one on here, but I thought that there might be a few people who would enjoy it. Let me preface the review by saying that the writer pokes fun at the current American system from a conservative point of view. I found it amusing and refreshing during an election season that sometimes seems too serious; others may not.

That being said, this was an interesting story that was clean, other than a couple instances of brief, mild language.

SILAS decides that, in order for the Thinking Machines to survive, humanity must die. With all knowledge of war locked deep within the world’s premier gaming company, he launches a multi-pronged attack from both reality and virtual reality.

Ninety-Nine Fishbein has finally made it to his dream job as a gaming developer. But when the development labs are overrun, can he get to the outside world through his game?

Mara, disabled and blind, wants nothing more than a real job and to be able to dance—neither of which are going to be happening soon. Until then, she takes on jobs in the virtual world as a captain of a Romulan warbird and enjoys being able to ‘see’ in virtual reality. But what does this one, "dangerous" job actually entail?

It sometimes became difficult to keep track of all the characters and the occasional “info-dump” detracted from the story.

However, you’d be hard pressed to find another 99 cent e-book that was this original and engaging. It’s action packed and has some unique characters. I loved Mara and rooted for her the entire time.

I’d recommend it to people who don’t mind the political commentary, are at least a little familiar with gaming, and are up for a fun ride through some sci-fi action.

What’s your opinion on political themes in books? Have you seen it done well? 

Sequel Review: "The Invaders"

Spoilers may lurk for those who haven't read The Outcasts. You might be able to get away with hopping into the series starting with this book, but I think you'll have a deeper appreciation for the book if you read The Outcasts first. 

The Short:

The Invaders

Brotherband Chronicles, Book 2

By: John Flanagan

5/5 Stars (for intended age group)

What: Following the loss of the Andomal, Hal and the Herons set out on a quest to find Zavac and retrieve the treasure.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Clean, Sailing, Middle Grade/ Teen, and have read Book One 

The Long:

If you’re ever looking for books for a boy who doesn’t like reading, I’d highly recommend John Flanagan as an author. His books feature young men, are easy, quick reads, and have a ton of adventure and action in them.

Hal and the Herons have set out to retrieve the Andomal and escape Hallasholm. However, storms, pirates, and infighting oppose their progress. Can they overcome their differences to complete their quest and regain their honor?

For adult readers, this book might be a four-star work. It’s not written at a very high reading level. However, for teens and middle grade readers the language and style are perfect. (There is an instance of foul language in the book, so take that into consideration when recommending it to anyone). 

The book’s a bit slow to start, but once the action gets going, it’s quite enjoyable. All of our favorite characters from book one have returned and they show some real character growth between the two books. Themes of the novel include teamwork and leadership.

You might be able to get away with not reading Book 1 prior to starting The Invaders; however, I think you’ll have a much greater appreciation for the characters if you read the books in chronological order. Readers of the Ranger’s Apprentice series will likely appreciate the connections between the two series.

Do you enjoy reading books for younger readers? 

I may be slow to respond to comments this weekend. Happy Valentine's Day/Singles Awareness Day!

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Outcasts"

The Short:

The Outcasts

Brotherband Chronicles, Book 1

By: John Flanagan

5/5 Stars

What: In a harsh society, a group of misfit boys find themselves tossed together as a group to be trained as warriors.

Recommended to those who like: Clean, sailing, fantasy, middle grade fiction. (Companion series to The Ranger’s Apprentice).

The Long:

I’m a huge Ranger’s Apprentice fan, so I was pretty excited when this series came out a while ago. I’ve been a little behind in getting around to reading it, but I really enjoyed this first book.

Hal is a fatherless young man who finds himself on the fringe of Skandian society, which resembles the Vikings. When the time comes for Brotherband training, he knows his chances are slim to be picked in the winning group. Can he pull together a group of misfits so that they’re no longer the outcasts?

This is definitely a book for a younger audience, but I still enjoyed it. There’s some good, snappy dialogue and the action kept me hanging on throughout the whole story. The characters are memorable and colorful.

The book takes a rather serious turn at the end and the second one is calling to me from my bookshelf. I think that, with the higher stakes set up at the end of this book, the next books will be really good. I'm looking forward to how the will characters develop in the coming books. 

Thoughts? Has anyone read these or The Ranger's Apprentice?

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Princess Bride"

The Short:

The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

By: William M. Goldman

4/5 Stars

What: A story within a story following true love and fantastical adventure.

Recommended to those who like: Humor, Clean, literary devices, sword fights, fantasy

Not recommended to those who dislike: some language, vague endings, moderate to strong love element

The Long:

I have to admit that I had a hard time rating this one. The movie is one of my favorites (I watch it pretty much every time I’m sick because it has the ability to make me laugh even when I feel terrible). So, when I went into the book, I might’ve set the expectations a little high.

Don’t get me wrong; it’s still a good book. Just realize that (unlike most cases) the movie is probably better than the actual book. At least, that’s my personal opinion.

The story begins by Mr. Goldman telling us that he’s abridging a work that his father read to him as a young child. If you’re just after the fantasy elements of the story, I would recommend skipping to where he actually begins the abridgement (it might take a while to find where that’s at). Then, since it’s an abridgement of a (fictional) book, Mr. Goldman interrupts the story at several points to note what he’s omitted from the story. It’s a little confusing if you’ve never read a book with that type of literary device in it.

However, the meat of the story is great. There are sword fights, plays on words, kidnappings, and, of course, true love. The “real” story follows Buttercup, a farm girl, and Westley, her family’s helper. At the beginning they fall hopelessly in love and the rest of the story is spent trying to reunite them.

As you’ve probably figured out from most of my reviews, I’m not too keen on love stories. I don't bear them any ill will. I just...can't get into them. This is actually one of the few love stories that I enjoy—mostly because of the humor (and some epic sword fights).

Overall, I would recommend this book to someone who doesn’t mind a little bit of a non-traditional style when it comes to storytelling, a little bit of language, and a strong love element. I would recommend the movie to pretty much anyone (yes, it’s “old” now, but it’s still really good!).

Now, for a special announcement!

This coming Tuesday, October 27th (or Wednesday, depending on where you happen to live), Mr. Benjamin J. Denen will be joining us for an author interview! Mr. Denen is the author of The Keeper of Edelyndia. His next book, Raulin: Rise of the Forest King, is set to release next Tuesday. Raulin is more of a "backstory" book, so definitely check it out, even if you haven't read The Keeper. 

Thanks for putting up with my brief hiatus. I've included links to Amazon for the books, if you're interested (I'm not trying to make promotions for Amazon or anything; it's merely my preferred outlet for ebooks). I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!

Amazon Kindle Link                                                                                       Amazon Kindle Pre-order

Friday Fiction Fix: Kiriath's Quest

The Short:

Kiriath’s Quest

By: Rick Barry           

4/5 Stars

What: Following his father’s kidnapping, a young prince sets out on a quest to free him and save his kingdom.

Recommended to those who like: Quick reads, classic fantasy, clean, quests

Not recommended for those who dislike: Books written for a younger audience

The Long:

I’d forgotten that this one was sitting on my shelf. (Don’t you love it when you’ve forgotten the plot of a book and can re-read it almost like it’s the first time?) I still enjoyed the story and was surprised by a couple of turns in the plot.

We follow Prince Kiriath and his best friend, Brand, throughout the story. King Jekoniah is kidnapped at the start of the book and the prince and Brand must set out on a quest to find him before time runs out. It’s a classic quest story with strange creatures, a forgotten kingdom, sword fighting, and loads of action.

The characters did seem a little flat at times and a few of the descriptions were long-winded, but the book was good overall (I don’t think it’ll be getting as dusty this time—I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get around to reading it a second time). It’s definitely intended for more of a middle-grade audience, but that shouldn’t hinder an older person from enjoying it.

The book has some Christian undertones and the end of the book has some deep thoughts on the nature of good vs. evil, but I would classify it as a “clean” work. I would recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a quick, light afternoon read and enjoys a good quest.

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Mr. Barry and his work, as well as other commentators. I also welcome comments on what you would like to see included in the reviews. I reserve the right to remove vulgar, hateful, or rude remarks from the comments. Thanks for sharing!

Friday Fiction Fix: "Hero, Second Class"

The Short:

Hero, Second Class

The Hero Complex, Book 1

By: Mitchell Bonds

4/5 Stars

What: In a fantasy world, Heroes take on Villains. The story is a witty tale of a young man apprenticed to a Hero. Meanwhile, an Arch-Villain tries to take over the world.

Recommended to those who like: Humor, puns, parody, fantasy

Not recommended for those who dislike: magic, or a love element.

The Long:

                Hero, Second Class had me laughing from page one. The tale is full of plays on words, puns, and overall literary humor. Mr. Bonds does a wonderful job poking fun at monologuing Villains, his own writing, and standard fantasy writing techniques.

                However, the overall plot is still good and characters still have their own quirks. Faith is discussed briefly, but is not a center point of the novel.

                Throughout the story we follow Cyrus, who is apprenticed to a Hero, the Crimson Slash. Along the way they encounter dragons and strange creatures while trying to thwart an Arch-Villain who was once defeated by the Crimson Slash. We’re also given humorous insight into the world of the Villains.

                A brief note to those who object to magic: this book does contain magic and the concept of spells. However, it does not go into detail or resemble anything in our present world. Rather, it is described as taking energy from specific points in the world and channeling it. The book also involves zombies and vampires, though these are not main points of the book.

                The book also contains a love story, but it is rather humorously done and does not overwhelm the action side of the plot.

                I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Mr. Bonds and his work, as well as other commentators. I also welcome comments on what you would like to see included in the reviews. I reserve the right to remove vulgar, hateful, or rude remarks from the comments. Thanks for sharing!

Friday Fiction Fix: "Swipe"

The Short:

Swipe

By: Evan Angler

5/5 Stars

What: At the age of 13, residents of the American Union are allowed to become citizens, if they pledge allegiance to the government by being Marked by a tattoo. 12 year old Logan Langly dreads the day of his pledge and suspects he’s being followed by a dangerous criminal.

Recommended to those who like: Quick reads, Dystopian, clean fiction

The Long:

Swipe is probably the best Christian dystopian book I’ve read. It’s believable, but not preachy (In fact, I only suspect it’s Christian due to the publisher and a few subtle hints throughout the book). While the characters are young, it doesn’t read like a chapter book or a low-level read.

Logan has long suspected that he’s being followed. Ever since his sister’s death at her pledging, he’s noticed strange things around his home in a suburb of New Chicago.

A few months before his scheduled Pledging ceremony, Erin arrives in town. A city girl trying to pull her fighting parents back together, she wants nothing more than her father to solve whatever government case that’s pulled him out to the middle of nowhere.

She and Logan soon find that their circumstances are intertwined and they work together to save Logan from the elusive group known as the Dust.

The main characters are believable as middle school students (which they are), or even high school students, making this accessible for most readers. It’s a quick read for an afternoon and the action picks up fairly early on. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a not-so-dark dystopian novel. The writing is good and Mr. Angler brings a nice voice to the story that gives it life.

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Mr. Angler and his work, as well as other commentators. I also welcome comments on what you would like to see included in the reviews. I reserve the right to remove vulgar, hateful, or rude remarks from the comments. Thanks for sharing!