The 39 Clues: Beyond the Grave, by Jude Watson
Reviewed by Jack W.
In the fourth book of the 39 clues series, Amy and Dan have been betrayed by their uncle once again, and all of their relatives seem intent on putting them out of the race to find the 39 clues, permanently. After a close call with a rather insane Russian spy, they manage to escape but have no idea where to go next. Using their uncle's card, they book a place at his hotel, and end up being captured by his uncle, the infamous Bae Oh, who wants to know where his nephew is. Also, they discover several nasty things about their family while they are there. Whey they escape, they follow a lead that their grandmother planted before she died, and begin to figure out where the next clue is. But can they trust anyone, even their grandmother?
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
Showing posts with label Fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fantasy. Show all posts
August 11, 2009
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J.K. Rowling
Reviewed by Jack W.
In the fifth book of the Harry Potter series, all is not well at Hogwarts. A power-hungry, paranoid minister of magic has placed Delores Umbridge in the school to be a spy for him. Harry is ridiculed in the newspapers as an attention seeking liar. All of this is happening because the wizard government refuses to believe that Voldemort, the greatest dark wizard ever known, has returned from the dead. And that's just what Voldemort wants. While he sows discord and the ministry refuses to believe he has retuned, he is searching for a weapon, something that he didn't have last time, that will allow him to return to full power. Meanwhile, things go from bad to worse at the school, as the minister gives Umbridge more and more power, which you can bet she abuses. Teachers are fired, Hagrid is attacked, Dumbledore is on the run and Sirius Black, Harry's godfather, is in the clutches of Lord Voldemort. Harry, unsure about what to do but worried for his godfather, decides to travel to the ministry of magic and save him. But is that what Voldemort wanted him to do all along?
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
Reviewed by Jack W.
In the fifth book of the Harry Potter series, all is not well at Hogwarts. A power-hungry, paranoid minister of magic has placed Delores Umbridge in the school to be a spy for him. Harry is ridiculed in the newspapers as an attention seeking liar. All of this is happening because the wizard government refuses to believe that Voldemort, the greatest dark wizard ever known, has returned from the dead. And that's just what Voldemort wants. While he sows discord and the ministry refuses to believe he has retuned, he is searching for a weapon, something that he didn't have last time, that will allow him to return to full power. Meanwhile, things go from bad to worse at the school, as the minister gives Umbridge more and more power, which you can bet she abuses. Teachers are fired, Hagrid is attacked, Dumbledore is on the run and Sirius Black, Harry's godfather, is in the clutches of Lord Voldemort. Harry, unsure about what to do but worried for his godfather, decides to travel to the ministry of magic and save him. But is that what Voldemort wanted him to do all along?
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
July 20, 2009
Airborn, by Kenneth Oppel
Reviewed by Jack W.
When Matt Cruse rescues an old man in a hot air balloon while on the airship Aurora, the man, who is dying, speaks of wonderful creatures in the air. It isn't unil two years later that Matt meets his granddaughter, Kate de Vries and wonders if his words were more than just the lunatic ravings of a sick man. Kate says she believes her grandfather actually saw something, and she intends to see it to. While the island her grandfather spoke about is not on any map, she is convinced it's there. What with storms and a meeting with the infamous pirate Szpirglas, she ends up gettering her wish as the Aurora crash lands on the very island her grandfather flew over. There they do find the mysterious creatures her grandfather described, but they also find danger. Can they escape with their lives to tell the rest of the world about their discoveries?
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
Reviewed by Jack W.
When Matt Cruse rescues an old man in a hot air balloon while on the airship Aurora, the man, who is dying, speaks of wonderful creatures in the air. It isn't unil two years later that Matt meets his granddaughter, Kate de Vries and wonders if his words were more than just the lunatic ravings of a sick man. Kate says she believes her grandfather actually saw something, and she intends to see it to. While the island her grandfather spoke about is not on any map, she is convinced it's there. What with storms and a meeting with the infamous pirate Szpirglas, she ends up gettering her wish as the Aurora crash lands on the very island her grandfather flew over. There they do find the mysterious creatures her grandfather described, but they also find danger. Can they escape with their lives to tell the rest of the world about their discoveries?
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling
Reviewed by Jack W.
When the sixth book of the Harry Potter series ended, Harry had lost Dumbledore, his last and greatest protector and teacher, and has begun on the search for Voldemort's horcruxes, the pieces of the Dark Lord's soul that keep him alive. The journey will be long and dangerous, but he knows he will have the support of his friends Ron and Hermione. However, nothing could have prepared him for the shocking facts that are coming out about Dumbledore, and he wonders whether the man really was his friend. The search must go on, but as he and his friends search for the horcruxes and how to destroy them, he wonders about what he has learned. As the last book in the tale of Harry Potter reaches its conclusion, the truth will be revealed about Dumbledore, Snape, Voldemort and many of the other characters in the world of Harry Potter.
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
Reviewed by Jack W.
When the sixth book of the Harry Potter series ended, Harry had lost Dumbledore, his last and greatest protector and teacher, and has begun on the search for Voldemort's horcruxes, the pieces of the Dark Lord's soul that keep him alive. The journey will be long and dangerous, but he knows he will have the support of his friends Ron and Hermione. However, nothing could have prepared him for the shocking facts that are coming out about Dumbledore, and he wonders whether the man really was his friend. The search must go on, but as he and his friends search for the horcruxes and how to destroy them, he wonders about what he has learned. As the last book in the tale of Harry Potter reaches its conclusion, the truth will be revealed about Dumbledore, Snape, Voldemort and many of the other characters in the world of Harry Potter.
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
July 13, 2009
Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel, by Eoin Colfer
Reviewed by Betelgeuse
I thought this book was great. I think this was made for kids who don't want to read the first Artemis Fowl book, because of its size. The graphic novel is much shorter but has the same story line, so it is like a dip into the actual novel. I honestly, did not like the illustrations. They were beautifully made, but the characters (except Artemis and his mother) looked nothing like I expected. For example, Butler's body and neck were blown way out of proportion, while his head made his whole entire structure look like a pebble on a boulder. Besides that, this is one perfect book. If you would like to see my summary, go to the previous review of mine. Note from moderator: Betelgeuse's previous review of Artemis Fowl was posted on July 7th. Scroll down to read his review.
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
Reviewed by Betelgeuse
I thought this book was great. I think this was made for kids who don't want to read the first Artemis Fowl book, because of its size. The graphic novel is much shorter but has the same story line, so it is like a dip into the actual novel. I honestly, did not like the illustrations. They were beautifully made, but the characters (except Artemis and his mother) looked nothing like I expected. For example, Butler's body and neck were blown way out of proportion, while his head made his whole entire structure look like a pebble on a boulder. Besides that, this is one perfect book. If you would like to see my summary, go to the previous review of mine. Note from moderator: Betelgeuse's previous review of Artemis Fowl was posted on July 7th. Scroll down to read his review.
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
Dragon Forge, by James Wyatt
Reviewed by Jack W
In the second book of the Draconic Prophecies Trilogy, Gaven travels to the land of the dragons, where he seeks to find out more about the mysterious prophecy, which he is a large part of. There he is once again captured, this time by an ancient dracolich named Malakith. Malakith has signed an alliance with Gaven's old enemies, who seek to create a hideous and blasphemous device, The Dragon Forge. Tapping into the power of a chained demon, Malakith and his compatriots seek nothing less than to rip Gaven's dragonmark off his body, denying him the power of the Storm Dragon and using it for their own ends. Meanwhile, other plots are brewing, and a barbarian chieftain named Kathric Mel inspires his hordes into an all-out assault on the civilized land, believing himself to be the Blasphemer that the prophecy spoke of. Can Gaven escape these nefarious plots?
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
Reviewed by Jack W
In the second book of the Draconic Prophecies Trilogy, Gaven travels to the land of the dragons, where he seeks to find out more about the mysterious prophecy, which he is a large part of. There he is once again captured, this time by an ancient dracolich named Malakith. Malakith has signed an alliance with Gaven's old enemies, who seek to create a hideous and blasphemous device, The Dragon Forge. Tapping into the power of a chained demon, Malakith and his compatriots seek nothing less than to rip Gaven's dragonmark off his body, denying him the power of the Storm Dragon and using it for their own ends. Meanwhile, other plots are brewing, and a barbarian chieftain named Kathric Mel inspires his hordes into an all-out assault on the civilized land, believing himself to be the Blasphemer that the prophecy spoke of. Can Gaven escape these nefarious plots?
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
Storm Dragon, by James Wyatt
Reviewed by Jack W
In this action packed fantasy adventure, Gaven has been imprisoned in Dreadhold for the last 26 years, too useful to kill but too dangerous to leave alone. Somewhere in his journeys in the dark caves beneath the ground, he saw or found something that broke his mind, or at least, that is what his captors think. He is obsessed with the Draconic prophecies, that concern a figure known as the Storm Dragon and a coming time of darkness. When Gaven is rescued from Dreadhold by the companions of the general in the cell across from him and a bronze dragon named Vaskar, he realizes he is being used by Vaskar so that the dragon can become the Storm Dragon and ascend to godhood. But Gaven has plans of his own, and knows he has a pivotal place in the prophecy, one that he doesn't want. As he struggles against the prophecy, he comes closer and closer to achieving it. As the Soul Reaver breaks out of its prison, he struggles with a question: Is he the Storm Dragon?
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
Reviewed by Jack W
In this action packed fantasy adventure, Gaven has been imprisoned in Dreadhold for the last 26 years, too useful to kill but too dangerous to leave alone. Somewhere in his journeys in the dark caves beneath the ground, he saw or found something that broke his mind, or at least, that is what his captors think. He is obsessed with the Draconic prophecies, that concern a figure known as the Storm Dragon and a coming time of darkness. When Gaven is rescued from Dreadhold by the companions of the general in the cell across from him and a bronze dragon named Vaskar, he realizes he is being used by Vaskar so that the dragon can become the Storm Dragon and ascend to godhood. But Gaven has plans of his own, and knows he has a pivotal place in the prophecy, one that he doesn't want. As he struggles against the prophecy, he comes closer and closer to achieving it. As the Soul Reaver breaks out of its prison, he struggles with a question: Is he the Storm Dragon?
Click here to find this book in the library catalog.
July 8, 2009
Starclimber, by Kenneth Oppel
Reviewed by Jack W.
In this alternate reality space adventure, the world is in the early 1900s and airships, not airplanes, are widely used forms of locomotion. The french are building an enormous tower that they believe will stretch in space and allow an easy docking point for spaceships, but the Babelites, an obscure sect that believes man should not travel into space, are working to stop anyone who wants to reach the heavens. When the main character, Matt Cruse, is asked to join one such expedition to the heavens, he agrees and goes through rigorous training exercises that prepare him for his journey into space. But life on board the Starclimber, as the ship is known, may be far from easy. Kate de Vries, a biologist, who he was going to ask to marry him, has just got engaged to a man Matt considers a creep, and Kate is having a hard time with another naturalist, who refuses to believe that there can be life in the upper atmosphere despite the evidence. And what of the strange moving lights that have been seen in the night sky recently? Could it be asteroids of meteorites? Or is it something far more sinister?
Click here to check the library catalog for this book.
Reviewed by Jack W.
In this alternate reality space adventure, the world is in the early 1900s and airships, not airplanes, are widely used forms of locomotion. The french are building an enormous tower that they believe will stretch in space and allow an easy docking point for spaceships, but the Babelites, an obscure sect that believes man should not travel into space, are working to stop anyone who wants to reach the heavens. When the main character, Matt Cruse, is asked to join one such expedition to the heavens, he agrees and goes through rigorous training exercises that prepare him for his journey into space. But life on board the Starclimber, as the ship is known, may be far from easy. Kate de Vries, a biologist, who he was going to ask to marry him, has just got engaged to a man Matt considers a creep, and Kate is having a hard time with another naturalist, who refuses to believe that there can be life in the upper atmosphere despite the evidence. And what of the strange moving lights that have been seen in the night sky recently? Could it be asteroids of meteorites? Or is it something far more sinister?
Click here to check the library catalog for this book.
July 7, 2009
Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer
Reviewed by Betelgeuse
For the eighth time, Artemis Fowl , has left me absolutely speechless. Eoin Colfer has woven yet another, beautiful story, filled to the brim with trolls, fairies, a young mastermind, a loyal bodyguard, an insane mother, and more. This book will have you reading it over and over and over again.
When his father goes missing after the ship he is on blows up, Artemis Fowl, a twelve-year old genius will try to find him, no matter what. But his main goal right now is to restore the family fortune, and he will do anything to do that. Even if it means lying to his mother, Evangeline Fowl, who has recently gone crazy. And then, with the help of his only and loyal bodyguard, Butler , they discover a world right beneath their feet. They find out that these civilized people, with goblins, trolls, fairies, sprites, dwarfs, and other mystical creatures, have a hostage fund. Filled to the brim with pure, solid gold. Do anything it takes, Artemis and Butler kidnap a fairy, who is a member of LEP, or Lower Elements Police. Her name is Holly Short, and they hold her hostage to get some gold. After realization, the Commander of the LEP, Julius Root, goes out to save his only female comrade, aided by a carrot-munching paranoid centaur, Foaly, who invents like crazy, and a dwarf named Mulch, who eats dirt and has a wonderful talent of shooting waste out of his rear end. You'll have to read the hilarious twists and turns, and find out what happens when Butler meets a troll. Actually, if you have a weak stomach, don't read that part! No, I'm joking! This book is awesome! You rock, Eoin!!
Click here to check the library catalog for this book.
Reviewed by Betelgeuse
For the eighth time, Artemis Fowl , has left me absolutely speechless. Eoin Colfer has woven yet another, beautiful story, filled to the brim with trolls, fairies, a young mastermind, a loyal bodyguard, an insane mother, and more. This book will have you reading it over and over and over again.
When his father goes missing after the ship he is on blows up, Artemis Fowl, a twelve-year old genius will try to find him, no matter what. But his main goal right now is to restore the family fortune, and he will do anything to do that. Even if it means lying to his mother, Evangeline Fowl, who has recently gone crazy. And then, with the help of his only and loyal bodyguard, Butler , they discover a world right beneath their feet. They find out that these civilized people, with goblins, trolls, fairies, sprites, dwarfs, and other mystical creatures, have a hostage fund. Filled to the brim with pure, solid gold. Do anything it takes, Artemis and Butler kidnap a fairy, who is a member of LEP, or Lower Elements Police. Her name is Holly Short, and they hold her hostage to get some gold. After realization, the Commander of the LEP, Julius Root, goes out to save his only female comrade, aided by a carrot-munching paranoid centaur, Foaly, who invents like crazy, and a dwarf named Mulch, who eats dirt and has a wonderful talent of shooting waste out of his rear end. You'll have to read the hilarious twists and turns, and find out what happens when Butler meets a troll. Actually, if you have a weak stomach, don't read that part! No, I'm joking! This book is awesome! You rock, Eoin!!
Click here to check the library catalog for this book.
July 6, 2009
The Eye of the Forest, by P B Kerr
Reviewed by Jack W.
When a famous museum loses most of its collection of rare Incan artifacts, along with the mummified body of a dead Aztec king, the police are stumped as to how it occurred, and also to how the dinosaur statue in front of the museum got turned around 180 degrees on its base. But John and Philippa know exactly how it happened. When the two young djinn were visiting the area, John accidentally let the ghost of an ancient Aztec king break free of his bindings, and now they must follow him deep into the Amazon jungle, where a group of foolhardy explorers are preparing to perform a ritual that will most likely destroy the world. Can John and his sister stop them and the ancient, mad ghost?
Click here to check the library catalog for this book.
Reviewed by Jack W.
When a famous museum loses most of its collection of rare Incan artifacts, along with the mummified body of a dead Aztec king, the police are stumped as to how it occurred, and also to how the dinosaur statue in front of the museum got turned around 180 degrees on its base. But John and Philippa know exactly how it happened. When the two young djinn were visiting the area, John accidentally let the ghost of an ancient Aztec king break free of his bindings, and now they must follow him deep into the Amazon jungle, where a group of foolhardy explorers are preparing to perform a ritual that will most likely destroy the world. Can John and his sister stop them and the ancient, mad ghost?
Click here to check the library catalog for this book.
Good Neighbors: The Floods, Book #1, by Colin Thompson
Reviewed by Jack W.
The Floods are not your normal neighbors. For one thing, they are all wizards, apart from the family dog, who was originally one of the children, they live in a house filled with monsters and go to a special school some several continents away, which they go to and from every day, which would be big problem for anyone who wasn't a wizard! However, despite their strangeness, they are perfectly nice people and would be happy to lend you a hand in anything you needed help with. Their neighbors, however, would not. The Dents are neighbors from hell, and have resisted any attempts made by the rest of the neighborhood to make friends or even peace. They shout at each other and break other people's things, and soon the Floods feel their patience coming to an end. It is time to deal with the Dents once and for all.
Click here to check the library catalog for this book.
Reviewed by Jack W.
The Floods are not your normal neighbors. For one thing, they are all wizards, apart from the family dog, who was originally one of the children, they live in a house filled with monsters and go to a special school some several continents away, which they go to and from every day, which would be big problem for anyone who wasn't a wizard! However, despite their strangeness, they are perfectly nice people and would be happy to lend you a hand in anything you needed help with. Their neighbors, however, would not. The Dents are neighbors from hell, and have resisted any attempts made by the rest of the neighborhood to make friends or even peace. They shout at each other and break other people's things, and soon the Floods feel their patience coming to an end. It is time to deal with the Dents once and for all.
Click here to check the library catalog for this book.
The Sorceress by Michael Scott
Reviewed by Jack W.
In this, the third book of the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Michael Scott shows once again the skill at plot-writing and character depth that made the other books in the series intriguing. In the Sorceress, we once again follow the adventures of Sophie and Josh Newman, who were snatched from their happy, human life as a result of the actions of Dr John Dee, Nicholas Flamel's shadowy nemesis. In this book, they discover danger and deceit at the heart of London, battle the power of the evil Dark Elders and the Wild Hunt, and find the mythical Gilgamesh the King living on the streets in London. They also discover deceit at the heart of the man who they are working with, Nicholas Flamel, who will use any method to achieve his goals and doesn't like it when people stand up to him. It will be interesting to see where this series goes, as the first three books were excellent!
Click here to check the library catalog for this book.
Reviewed by Jack W.
In this, the third book of the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Michael Scott shows once again the skill at plot-writing and character depth that made the other books in the series intriguing. In the Sorceress, we once again follow the adventures of Sophie and Josh Newman, who were snatched from their happy, human life as a result of the actions of Dr John Dee, Nicholas Flamel's shadowy nemesis. In this book, they discover danger and deceit at the heart of London, battle the power of the evil Dark Elders and the Wild Hunt, and find the mythical Gilgamesh the King living on the streets in London. They also discover deceit at the heart of the man who they are working with, Nicholas Flamel, who will use any method to achieve his goals and doesn't like it when people stand up to him. It will be interesting to see where this series goes, as the first three books were excellent!
Click here to check the library catalog for this book.
June 9, 2009
Eragon, by Christopher Paolini
Reviewed by Jared B., age 15
Fantasy
5 stars
The author was very descriptive on the emotions as well as scenery. The characters had a very good background. It was also very accurate. Fighting skills, armor, and weapons were very similar to real objects. The author was not only highly imaginitave, he did his homework too.
Reviewed by Jared B., age 15
Fantasy
5 stars
The author was very descriptive on the emotions as well as scenery. The characters had a very good background. It was also very accurate. Fighting skills, armor, and weapons were very similar to real objects. The author was not only highly imaginitave, he did his homework too.
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