Tag: middle grade fantasy

Book Review: The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1) by Rick Riordan

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Young adult fantasy
Length: 553 pages
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: October 12th, 2010
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

JASON HAS A PROBLEM. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper, and his best friend is a guy named Leo. They’re all students at the Wilderness School, a boarding school for “bad kids,” as Leo puts it. What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly? Jason doesn’t know anything—except that everything seems very wrong.

PIPER HAS A SECRET. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare about his being in trouble. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits during the school trip, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out, whether she wants to or not.

LEO HAS A WAY WITH TOOLS. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about, and some camper who’s gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god. Does this have anything to do with Jason’s amnesia, or the fact that Leo keeps seeing ghosts?

Join new and old friends from Camp Half-Blood in this thrilling first book in The Heroes of Olympus series. Best-selling author Rick Riordan has pumped up the action, humor, suspense, and mystery in an epic adventure that will leave readers panting for the next installment.

NOT A BAD START.

Though, my biggest complaint was the length. I found it to drag occasionally and even on audio (listening very fast) some parts could’ve been cut.

I did like our new characters!! I miss Percabeth something fierce so I can’t wait to see them again. In the meantime it was fun to meet Jason, Piper and Leo. They definitely went on a wild adventure. I always feel like I get this amazing mythology lesson when I read these books. I loooove running into all of the gods and goddesses.

The writing is a nice break from super heavy fantasies of older genres (since this leads towards middle-grade). For me, that’s a big bonus. It’s really nice to read something lighter that still covers a lot of great topics for a younger audience. I love that books like this can span across ages for enjoying.

I’m really excited for all of the Roman aspects and hope those continue to play out later in the series. I’m grateful that while it does have the same characters from the previous series it seems to be making a space for itself. I’m excited to continue reading!

Overall audience notes:

  • MG/YA Urban Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: magical weaponry, physical altercations, teenagers often being put in harm’s way; nothing overly bloody/gory
  • Trigger/Content Warning: one of the main characters suffers from amnesia, loss of parents, kidnapping

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Book Review: Everblaze (Keeper of the Lost Cities #3) by Shannon Messenger

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 624 pages
Author: Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: November 4th, 2014
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sophie uncovers shocking secrets—and faces treacherous new enemies—in this electrifying third book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series.

Sophie Foster is ready to fight back.

Her talents are getting stronger, and with the elusive Black Swan group ignoring her calls for help, she’s determined to find her kidnappers—before they come after her again.

But a daring mistake leaves her world teetering on the edge of war, and causes many to fear that she has finally gone too far. And the deeper Sophie searches, the farther the conspiracy stretches, proving that her most dangerous enemy might be closer than she realizes.

In this nail-biting third book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must fight the flames of rebellion, before they destroy everyone and everything she loves.

FAVORITE [YET].

I know long series may take a book or two before I really feel invested and this is where I’ve hit that point for Keeper of the Lost Cities.

Sophie may be the main character but I am obsessed with Keefe. I love him and he is the perfect addition to this series. But wow did he really go through some tough things in this book. Now I just want to hug him. I like that not only do I get Sophie’s story, I get to see deeper into the other characters as well.

This was a much more action packed and heart breaking book. Yet, with the air of being a middle grade read, it didn’t seem as heavy as other fantasies. I really appreciate this distinction because sometimes I just want something on the lighter side and middle grade books tend to provide that for me.

I can’t wait to see where things go next and love how everything is unfolding. I always feel like enough information has been released that I’m satisfied with the book. Yet, enough is held back that I want more and have grabby hands trying to order the next one ASAP. If you’re curious about this series, I definitely say give it a chance. I’m glad my friends convinced me to read it!

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle grade fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: people falling from cliffs, physical, fire, murder, magical

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Book Review: Exile (Keeper of the Lost Cities #2) by Shannon Messenger

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Middle grade fantasy
Length: 576 pages
Author: Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: October 1st, 2013
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sophie Foster thought she was safe. Settled into her home at Havenfield, surrounded by friends, and using her unique telepathic abilities to train Silveny–the first female alicorn ever seen in the Lost Cities–her life finally seems to be coming together.

But Sophie’s kidnappers are still out there. And when Sophie discovers new messages and clues from the mysterious Black Swan group, she’s forced to take a terrifying risk—one that puts everyone in incredible danger.

As long buried secrets rise to the surface, it’s once again up to Sophie to uncover hidden memories—before someone close to her is lost forever.

In this second book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must journey to the darkest corners of her luminous world in a sequel that will leave you breathless for more.

GOOD CONTINUATION.

I’m really enjoying this series! I feel like getting two books in, I’m starting to settle into the characters and story and am feeling my investment increase.

I know this book is about Sophie and I’m loving her as a main character, but y’all, KEEFE. I am head over heels for Keefe. I beg this series to let him continue to be present because it will easily become a favorite.

This had some second book syndrome vibes. I thought it was a bit slower with the plot and where things were going. There wasn’t as much of a focus on the wider story, but more on Sophie and solving some things in her life. I’m glad we got some more info on her background. Though I’m more curious where the Black Swan and the rest of that group is up to.

Without a doubt, I’m going to be continuing this series and seeing what happens next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle grade fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Violence: magical, physical

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Book Review: Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crown (Nevermoor #2) by Jessica Townsend

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Middle Grade Fantasy
Length: 544 pages
Author: Jessica Townsend
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: October 30th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Wunder is gathering in Nevermoor …

Morrigan Crow may have defeated her deadly curse, passed the dangerous trials and joined the mystical Wundrous Society, but her journey into Nevermoor and all its secrets has only just begun. And she is fast learning that not all magic is used for good.

Morrigan Crow has escaped her deadly fate and found a new home in the fantastical city of Nevermoor. She has also discovered that she has a strange and magical ability. But will her unique talent be a blessing or another curse?

Now that Morrigan and her best friend Hawthorne are proud scholars in the elite Wundrous Society, she is sure that she’s found a place to belong at last, but life is far from perfect. Can Morrigan prove that she deserves to be in the Society – or will an unexpected new enemy ruin her new life?

Return to the magical world of Nevermoor! Morrigan Crow’s perilous adventures continue in the most anticipated sequel of the year, a treat for all fans of magic and Wunder.

GREAT READ.

What a fun fantasy series! I really enjoyed this installment.

I love the found family Morrigan has found and how she’s learning to escape people’s expectations. She’s striving to find who she is and what her magic can do in the world around her. Morrigan is such a wonderful character and this is such a fantastic series two books in.

The world building is unique and I love the idea of knacks and all the different versions people have. I’m curious how Wunder functions in the magic system and how that’ll continue to progress! The plot keeps the action rolling and all of the side characters are filled with personality.

This is a charming series fit for the middle-grade category, but definitely appeals to a broad audience. I can’t wait to continue reading these books.

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle grade fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Violence: kidnapping, physical (nothing gory/intensely violent)

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