Posted by Jordan
Categories: Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Award Winner, Cats, Dogs, Dragons, Horses, Long Read, Robin McKinley
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Aerin is the king’s daughter, but the common people didn’t like her mother, so they don’t like her. Not only that, but Aerin’s Royal Gift hasn’t shown up, and all royal people have them. Therefore, she’s shunned by both the peasants and the royalty. Aerin drowns her sorrows in her father’s horse and ancient books. Dragons are a problem in Damar, and with nobody who wants to fight them, they’re getting worse. Then, Aerin discovers a recipe for an ointment that protects the wearer from fire — dragon fire. Armed with this information and some sword lessons, Aerin sets out to fight the dragons.
This is a rather interesting book. Let’s just say that I’ve given you enough to make you want to read it, but The Hero and the Crown goes on, even after you think it’s over. On the surface, this seems like a rather boring plot line, and I’ll admit that it dragged a bit in the beginning. There are also a few areas that are downright weird, and a few that are a little gory (though nothing like Stephen Lawhead’s books). However, that doesn’t stop The Hero and the Crown from being a highly entertaining story with an intricate plot that will keep you turning the pages.
Posted by Becca
Categories: Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Cats, Emily of New Moon, Funny, L. M. Montgomery, Long Read
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Emily Starr’s father has just died and Emily has to get adopted by one of her many Murray relations. The Murrays are very prideful and consider it their duty to adopt Emily. Emily is taken to New Moon with her Aunt Laura, Aunt Elizabeth and Cousin Jimmy. Aunt Laura and Cousin Jimmy learn to love Emily, but Aunt Elizabeth is very stern and, as Emily thinks, unfair. Life is hard for Emily until Aunt Laura gives her some old “letter-bills” to write on. Then she can write away her free time. Emily also makes the acquaintance of Ilse, the doctor’s daughter, Perry, the New Moon hired boy and Teddy Kent.
Okay…This book is rather hard to sum up because there is so much to it. Emily’s logic can be rather funny sometimes as can her adventures. I like the descriptions of how Emily feels when she writes because I feel the same way when I write. Emily of New Moon is worth reading even if it is a long story.
Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Incredibook!, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Brian Jacques, Castaways of the Flying Dutchman, Dogs, Long Read, Sad, Seafaring, Snakes
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Ben and his black Labrador, Ned, becalmed in the Mediterranean Sea, are captured by Arabian slavers. Ned is thrown overboard and left to drown, but he tries to follow his master. Ben and three other young people are sold to Al Misurata, the most feared pirate on the Barbary Coast. Ben creates a strange fascination for Al Misurata, but when Ben speaks out against the pirate’s approval of slavery, he finds himself in very deep trouble. Meanwhile, the almost-drowned Ned is rescued by Herr Otto Kassel, the strongman in the traveling Rizzoli troupe. Fortunately, Al Misurata’s men capture the troupe, reuniting Ben and Ned. Al Misurata keeps up a pretense of just wanting to help the Rizzoli troupe, but Ned uncovers a plot to sell the troupe as slaves. Ben and his faithful hound determine to help the Rizzolis at whatever cost.
Hold onto your hats, friends, this is quite a tale. Like all Brian Jacques’ books, it is packed full of humor, memorable characters and rip-roaring, swashbuckling, edge-of-your-chair adventure. The review only tells about half of the story. So many things happen during Ben’s efforts to save the troupe! Pirates, smugglers, spies, raiders, a shark… This is a great addition to Castaways of the Flying Dutchman and The Angel’s Command.
Posted by Jordan
Categories: Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Cats, Christopher Paolini, Dragons, Inheritance Trilogy, Long Read, Scary, Seafaring
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Spoiler alert! In order to review this book, I have to give away the ending of Eragon, the previous book in the series. If you haven’t read Eragon, I recommend that you move on to the next review.
Three days after the Varden’s battle with the Urgals, a small fight leaves the Varden leaderless. Ajihad’s daughter is chosen as the new leader, and Eragon leaves to continue his training with the Elves as a Dragon Rider. However, killing the Shade Durza has left Eragon with a wound that leaves him crippled, and he despairs of ever being strong enough to fight the evil king Galbatorix.
Meanwhile, Eragon’s cousin Roran is in a desperate battle against the Ra’zac for his village of Carvahall. Together with his friends, he must convince the village to do whatever it takes to stop the evil of Galbatorix.
First of all, let me say that I enjoyed reading Eldest. That being said, I must say that for being almost 200 pages longer than the previous volume, Eldest certainly takes a long time to tell a simple story. Eragon’s training reminded me of Luke’s in Star Wars Episode V, but it had some good parts. I found myself wishing that Roran get out of the story so I could get back to Eragon’s more exciting life, but he ended up having a reason to exist at the end, so I can forgive him. Also, I have to say that I didn’t agree with a lot of the different religions, although Paolini says they are mythology. On the plus side, the second book in the Inheritance trilogy has more action than the first one. All in all, this one is worth reading, it’s just a little slow.
Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Christopher Paolini, Dragons, Inheritance Cycle, Long Read
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One day while hunting in the Spine, Eragon discovers a strange, blue stone. He takes it back with him to his Uncle Garrow’s farm, thinking it might be worth something. Little does he know that the seemingly innocent stone is one of the three lost dragon eggs in Alagaesia. When Saphira hatches, Eragon tries to keep her hidden. Then some mysterious, sinister strangers arrive asking questions. Garrow is seriously injured and Eragon finds himself to be a Dragon Rider. Determined to avenge his uncle’s near death, Eragon decides to track down the strangers and deal retribution. Accompanied by Brom, an old storyteller, who seems to know a lot about dragons, Eragon sets out on a quest that may claim his very life.
Hold on to your hats, folks. This may be a long review. Let’s see… Where to start. Eragon is a very entertaining book. The first time I read it, I had trouble putting it down. However, I recommend caution while reading this book. There are several things in it that I don’t agree with. Eragon’s willingness to steal some leather in the beginning, for example. Also, (and I’m not the only one to say this) the plot seems to be sort of a rehash of Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, while the writing style itself could be stronger. On a good note, Saphira has a real personality and there’s plenty of adventure.
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