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The King family continues to discover new and dangerous secrets about their house. The boys, Xander and David, continue to search for their mother but find someone else instead. The strange man, Taksidian, continues to try and get the Kings out of the house in any way he can.
The third book in the Dreamhouse Kings series continues to offer great action. The characters are still a bit stagnant and none of them seem to be anywhere closer to their goals. While there is little resolution, there is still a lot of forwrd momentum that is driving the story forward.
3/5
The third book in the Dreamhouse Kings series continues to offer great action. The characters are still a bit stagnant and none of them seem to be anywhere closer to their goals. While there is little resolution, there is still a lot of forwrd momentum that is driving the story forward.
3/5
The battle for the Seven Kingdoms continues as up to five different people have declared themselves "king". The exiled Targaryan princess gathers her strength and a plan to return and reclaim her throne. Beyond the Wall in the north, strange things have are rising and the wildlings are on the march.
Once again the reader is drawn into a complex plot that it hard to walk away from. It continually amazes me how much detail Martin has put into the series and his skill at pulling all the different people and storylines together in a way that seems so effortless. The characters are constantly being forced to change and adapt as the war quickly covers the entire kingdom. The only ones that manage to stay out of it is the Night's Watch in the far north on the Wall. And they have their own problems to deal with as strange creatures have risen beyond the wall and it is rumored that the wildlings have gathered and are on the march.
A fantastic second book in the series that takes off running from the first pages. I can't wait until it's time to start the third.
5/5
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Once again the reader is drawn into a complex plot that it hard to walk away from. It continually amazes me how much detail Martin has put into the series and his skill at pulling all the different people and storylines together in a way that seems so effortless. The characters are constantly being forced to change and adapt as the war quickly covers the entire kingdom. The only ones that manage to stay out of it is the Night's Watch in the far north on the Wall. And they have their own problems to deal with as strange creatures have risen beyond the wall and it is rumored that the wildlings have gathered and are on the march.
A fantastic second book in the series that takes off running from the first pages. I can't wait until it's time to start the third.
5/5
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The Five Hundred Kingdoms continually live the fairy tales. It is part of the magic that holds the realms together. Elena was destined to follow in the footsteps of Cinderella, but her prince was just a baby so the fairy tale went wrong. The magic of the realm built up around her until her kingdom's godmother takes her in as an apprentice. Her life is filled with directing the magic to make her realms a better place and keepp the evil ones away. Throughout it all she makes brave and very inventive solutions to keep the tales alive but under control. At least until she breaks with tradition and takes an unruly prince under her wing. She is determined to make him a better person, but the fairy tales have another idea altogether.
I loved Elena. She was just the right mix of bold and confident with an underlying insecurity and doubt that she is good enough to perform her new role as godmother. She rises to the challenge and succeeds in ways she never quite thought possible. She is surrounded by a host of mythical creatures, each with its own unique personality and part to the story. The romance was definately there, but in a way that made it part of the story instead of the point of the story. I'm going to have to keep my eyes out for the others in the series.
4/5
I loved Elena. She was just the right mix of bold and confident with an underlying insecurity and doubt that she is good enough to perform her new role as godmother. She rises to the challenge and succeeds in ways she never quite thought possible. She is surrounded by a host of mythical creatures, each with its own unique personality and part to the story. The romance was definately there, but in a way that made it part of the story instead of the point of the story. I'm going to have to keep my eyes out for the others in the series.
4/5
In the second book of the Kushiel's Legacy series, Phedre and her Cassiline, Joscelin, journey to La Serenissima in search of Melisande. But, as always, there is more to the game than anyone suspects at first. Phedre must learn to navigate her way through a whole new politcal climate and use all her wits to try and decipher the clues she has which lead her on a not so merry journey across the seas, where she encounters pirates, gods, and ancient rituals. She is forced to look at herself in a new light time and time again, and make sacrifices she never thought she would have needed.
I was happy to see so many of my favorite characters back for a second book. The change of scenery and introduction of the La Serenissiman characters was the perfect addition to her already fantastic mix. The people and the setting meshed in a way that improved the flow of the story. Throwing in the action, which never seems to stop for Phedre, you have the perfect combination for an amazing book.
5/5
I was happy to see so many of my favorite characters back for a second book. The change of scenery and introduction of the La Serenissiman characters was the perfect addition to her already fantastic mix. The people and the setting meshed in a way that improved the flow of the story. Throwing in the action, which never seems to stop for Phedre, you have the perfect combination for an amazing book.
5/5
50. Adam Runaway by Peter Prince
Genre: Historical Fiction
Adam Hanaway, also known as Runaway since he tends to run away from confrontations, is trying to return his family's fortune. His father lost it all and then killed himself. Adam left London to go to Portugal and work for his uncle's import company. He is hoping to prove himself so he can eventually move up the chain of comman and help his mother and sister financially. While there he finds himself accused of fraud, falls in love, and is eventually involved in a dangerous scheme with the possiblity of making him a fortune.
The story itself was quite good, but it was a bit drawn out. While I enjoy reading a character's internal dialoge, there was a bit too much of it for my taste. It seemed a bit repetitive. He continually talked about how he was tired of be cowardly but never really tries to be any different. I did enjoy his relationship and interaction with his neightbors very much. They were the highlight of the book for me.
2/5
Genre: Historical Fiction
Adam Hanaway, also known as Runaway since he tends to run away from confrontations, is trying to return his family's fortune. His father lost it all and then killed himself. Adam left London to go to Portugal and work for his uncle's import company. He is hoping to prove himself so he can eventually move up the chain of comman and help his mother and sister financially. While there he finds himself accused of fraud, falls in love, and is eventually involved in a dangerous scheme with the possiblity of making him a fortune.
The story itself was quite good, but it was a bit drawn out. While I enjoy reading a character's internal dialoge, there was a bit too much of it for my taste. It seemed a bit repetitive. He continually talked about how he was tired of be cowardly but never really tries to be any different. I did enjoy his relationship and interaction with his neightbors very much. They were the highlight of the book for me.
2/5
Trinity is special. She dreams true things, things that are or will be happening...and most of the time they are not good. Trinity comes to live with her aunt in New Orleans after the death of her grandmother. After a foolish prank is pulled on her by Jessica, the mean but popular girl at school, Jessica turns up missing. Trinity has "seen" what is going on, but most won't believe her and the ones that do think Trinity had something to do with it. Trinity has to find a way to save Jessica before it's too late, but there is a deeper plot at work against her that she doesn't see.
Trinity is a great character. Haunted by her past and her present she is looking for answers to so many questions. The urgent one is how she can help Jessica without making it seem even more like she was involved in the disappearance. She is also trying to learn more about her family and the mysterious "gift" she has of seeing things.
Trinity is helped by by her new friend, Chase. Chase used to be Jessica's boyfriend and is also being investigated as a potential part of her disappearance. He has connections and tries to help Trinity find answers to her many questions.
A great story that draws deep on the history of New Orleans, from its historical cemetaries to the wreckage left by Hurricane Katrina. We follow Trinity as she learns about the city of her past and what to expect from her future.
4/5
Trinity is a great character. Haunted by her past and her present she is looking for answers to so many questions. The urgent one is how she can help Jessica without making it seem even more like she was involved in the disappearance. She is also trying to learn more about her family and the mysterious "gift" she has of seeing things.
Trinity is helped by by her new friend, Chase. Chase used to be Jessica's boyfriend and is also being investigated as a potential part of her disappearance. He has connections and tries to help Trinity find answers to her many questions.
A great story that draws deep on the history of New Orleans, from its historical cemetaries to the wreckage left by Hurricane Katrina. We follow Trinity as she learns about the city of her past and what to expect from her future.
4/5
A collection of 5 short stories about the wizarding world of Harry Potter. These are written in ways that are similar to "muggle" fairy tales such as Red Riding Hood or Cinderella. Each tells the story implying a very valuable moral lesson throughout. All were cute stories, but I think I enjoyed the commentaries by Dumbledore the best.
3/5
3/5
Tasslehoff Burrfoot is a kender, a race known for their light-fighers, fearlessness, and love of a good story. Tasslehoff has been summoned back home to marry, but he's really not too interested in settling down just yet. The mayor sends a bounty hunter off after him and on their way back, they encounter quite an adventure. They travel across the world of Krynn to encountering freak storms on the sea, mad wizards that want to pickle him for their museum, treasure hunters, and a sinister force out to stop them.
Tasslehoff has always been one of my favorite characters in the DragonLance world and he doesn't disappoint in this story. It is a fun romp through the world from a kender's perspective. While reading previous books in the series may help understand some of the finer points of the story, it is not necessary in order to enjoy the story.
4/5
Tasslehoff has always been one of my favorite characters in the DragonLance world and he doesn't disappoint in this story. It is a fun romp through the world from a kender's perspective. While reading previous books in the series may help understand some of the finer points of the story, it is not necessary in order to enjoy the story.
4/5
The world has almost come to an end. Vast areas have been rendered desolate by bombs and disasters. What remains is ruled by evil overlords that force the people to undergo cruel experiments in the endless effort to rule over all. But hope is not lost. Far beneath the polar ice caps a second ark lies, housing people and animals untouched by the blight that has swept across the surface. The time has come for the Birthrighters, as they call themselves, to venture out into the world. Setting up outposts where they can, they fight against the overlords and rescue what they can of the remaining animals and plants that have retained their original form.
I was a little leary when I realized this was a Christian book, many of them get too preachy for my taste. However, Outriders' mix was just right. There was plenty of lessons to learn as the people fought against the overlord Alrod and his mutants, most of which were created against their will from the peasants under his rule. The Outriders must learn to fight when it is needed while learning to accept that it is not always the only way. The overlord isn't their only concern. As the first group to leave the arc enters their 20's, they begin to fight temptation and jealousy. There is much to overcome if the Birthrighters want to succeed in their mission of returning the earth to its original glory.
3.5/5
I was a little leary when I realized this was a Christian book, many of them get too preachy for my taste. However, Outriders' mix was just right. There was plenty of lessons to learn as the people fought against the overlord Alrod and his mutants, most of which were created against their will from the peasants under his rule. The Outriders must learn to fight when it is needed while learning to accept that it is not always the only way. The overlord isn't their only concern. As the first group to leave the arc enters their 20's, they begin to fight temptation and jealousy. There is much to overcome if the Birthrighters want to succeed in their mission of returning the earth to its original glory.
3.5/5
The world is experiencing strangely strong natural disasters. Many believe it is a direct result of humankind's footprint on the environment. But many more believe that they are just freak anomalies that will go away if we just wait them out. A group of environmentalists and energy scientists are set to meet in Stockholm to brainstorm ways to reduce the impact we have on the environment. However, there is a group of powerful individuals that will do just about anything to make sure their ideas never see the light of day.
Nicole Hunter is the host of the meeting in Stockholm. She is determined to find a way to reduce our use of fossil fuels for energy. When there is an attack and someone from the meeting is killed Oliver Odin shows up to investigate. His investigation leads him on quite a chase across Europe and Asia, uncovering a huge plot that could potentially kill millions.
The writing style of this book threw me off at first. It is not written in a typical novel fashion. It struck me as much more like the human interest pieces you often read in the local papers. A lot of facts, and a little personality. Whether or not the author intended it to read this way, it worked once you got used to it. I found myself eagerly anticipating the next "edition/chapter" and wondering where the story would turn next.
4/5
Nicole Hunter is the host of the meeting in Stockholm. She is determined to find a way to reduce our use of fossil fuels for energy. When there is an attack and someone from the meeting is killed Oliver Odin shows up to investigate. His investigation leads him on quite a chase across Europe and Asia, uncovering a huge plot that could potentially kill millions.
The writing style of this book threw me off at first. It is not written in a typical novel fashion. It struck me as much more like the human interest pieces you often read in the local papers. A lot of facts, and a little personality. Whether or not the author intended it to read this way, it worked once you got used to it. I found myself eagerly anticipating the next "edition/chapter" and wondering where the story would turn next.
4/5