Tag: middle grade fantasy

Book Review: The Tarnished (The Blameless #2) by E.S. Christison

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 372 pages
Author: E.S. Christison
Publisher: Wildling Press
Release Date: November 22nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Princess Briana has escaped imprisonment and is on the run. Her beloved Predonia is in upheaval as the villainous Vaylec tightens his grip on the Blameless, tearing the kingdom apart in search of the girl who’s evaded him. To regain her people’s freedom, Brie must turn her back on her friends and her new home as she and her uncles race to uncover the secrets of Vaylec’s mysterious and growing power. There is no safety nor rest for the usurped heir to the throne, and Brie must dig deep inside herself for strength to take action as her world crumbles around her.

Thank you to the author for the gifted copy!

SOLID SEQUEL.

This was another enjoyable read for The Blameless series. And one of my favorite aspects is that it really is great for the middle grade/young YA audience. There’s some heavy themes but nothing overly gory/detailed and I really love the FMC.

Briana is committed to helping her kingdom and doing the hard things to get there. I love seeing her work and train to be the best person she can be. There’s mistakes made along the way and I love how sincere apologies are given and you can see the heart of those surrounding Bri.

I love all of the side characters and the big found family. Getting the point of view from the antagonist really amps things up too. Plenty of action, intrigue, what will happen next and some good fun moments to give the cast a breather. It’s a good series and I look forward to reading the next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle grade fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, small scale battle scenes, weapons and physical violence

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Book Review: Flashback (Keeper of the Lost Cities #7) by Shannon Messenger

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: MG/YA Fantasy
Length: 850 pages
Author: Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: November 6th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this unforgettable seventh book, Sophie must let the past and present blur together, because the deadliest secrets are always the ones that get erased.

Sophie Foster doesn’t know what—or whom—to believe. And in a game with this many players, the worst mistake can be focusing on the wrong threat.

But when the Neverseen prove that Sophie’s far more vulnerable than she ever imagined, she realizes it’s time to change the rules. Her powerful abilities can only protect her so far. To face down ruthless enemies, she must learn to fight.

Unfortunately, battle training can’t help a beloved friend who’s facing a whole different danger—where the only solution involves one of the biggest risks Sophie and her friends have ever taken. And the distraction might be exactly what the villains have been waiting for.

STILL LOVING THIS SERIES.

This is easily my favorite middle grade series. I’m seven books in and I have enjoyed everyone of them so much.

Though, Flashback did get off to a slow start. There was a lot of time spent on recover and healing from the end of the last book. And that’s fine! But 200 pages worth was a long time to get things going.

I have also found myself on the wrong side of the love triangle at present. I WILL continue to hold out hope right now that things will change! I do admit that there were some cute scenes with both of our main heroes though.

Sophie is still a wonderful main character. There’s some growing pains, but I feel that’s very expected reading a MG, young YA book. Messenger has written all of these characters in such a way that you feel their youth and the push and pulls of life that only get stronger as you grow up, WITHOUT making me feel like I want to roll my eyes and be annoyed at everything occurring. It’s amazing and continues to bring me back to this series.

I don’t want to say much more for fear of accidentally spoiling since this is a far into the series. I recommend giving these a try sometime!!

Overall audience notes:

  • MG/YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: cheek kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, battle scenes, physical altercations, loss of life, kidnapping

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Book Review: Nightfall (Keeper of the Lost Cities #6) by Shannon Messenger

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 801 pages
Author: Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: November 7th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sophie and her friends face battles unlike anything they’ve seen before in this thrilling sixth book of the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series.

Sophie Foster is struggling. Grieving. Scrambling. But she knows one thing: she will not be defeated.

The Neverseen have had their victories—but the battle is far from over. It’s time to change tactics. Make sacrifices. Reexamine everything. Maybe even time for Sophie to trust her enemies.

All paths lead to Nightfall—an ominous door to an even more ominous place—and Sophie and her friends strike a dangerous bargain to get there. But nothing can prepare them for what they discover. The problems they’re facing stretch deep into their history. And with time running out, and mistakes catching up with them, Sophie and her allies must join forces in ways they never have before.

In this spectacular sixth book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must uncover the truth about the Lost Cities’ insidious past, before it repeats itself and changes reality.

STILL LOVING.

Another great installment for this series. This is one of the very few middle grade fantasy books that have continually kept my attention.

I adored Sophie. It never ceases to amaze me how incredible Messenger is at writing a character that fits the age group, AND doesn’t feel overly dramatic or eye roll worthy. Sophie is someone I love cheering on and her found family group of friends are incredible.

The romance actually had a few moments throughout in this one. What I appreciated most was the conversations that happened surrounding first kisses. It eliminated the space for miscommunication and Sophie and (won’t say because spoilers) were able to talk and figure out what was best for their relationship moving forward.

This plot is continually weaving into tight knots that I don’t know how escape will come. The action keeps me on my toes and I find so many of these antagonists interesting. I like the flair and dynamics of it all.

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle grade fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kiss
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and magical altercations, near death experiences, kidnapping and mentions of medical experimentation

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Book Review: Lodestar (Keeper of the Lost Cities #5) by Shannon Messenger

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 688 pages
Author: Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: November 1st, 2016
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Dark schemes unfold–and Sophie’s loyalty is pushed to the limit–in this thrilling fifth book in the best-selling KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES SERIES.

Sophie Foster is back in the Lost Cities–but the Lost Cities have changed. The threat of war hangs heavy over her glittering world, and the Neverseen are wreaking havoc.

The lines between friend and enemy have blurred, and Sophie is unsure whom to trust. But when she’s warned that the people she loves most will be the next victims, she knows she has to act.

A mysterious symbol could be the key–if only she knew how to translate it. Every new clue seems to lead deeper into her world’s underbelly and the Black Swan aren’t the only ones who have plans. The Neverseen have their own Initiative, and if Sophie doesn’t stop it, they might finally have the ultimate means to control her.

NEW FAV.

This is definitely a new favorite of this series. I don’t know why I haven’t swung back around to moving through these books but with a new one out soon I want to get caught up!

I LOVE that these are written so well for this age group, and yet appeal to older audiences too. You feel the struggles of 14/15 year-old’s who have way too much on their plates, but also the love and support from parents and caregivers around them. I love the fierce friendships and loyalty to themselves. These kind of attributes are what I look for in middle grade, young YA fantasy and this series continually delivers.

The plot exploration grew and rarely felt stagnant. I liked the mix of action alongside smoother moments. Anytime KEEFE was on page I was paying attention. He’s one of my favorites. I liked seeing new sides to Sofie and the way this story is continually thickening. It’s a truly great fantasy series that makes it easy to fly through these massive books.

Overall audience notes:

  • MG Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of past kidnappings, near death experiences, not overly bloody or gory but physical and magical violence is present, loss of a loved one

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