ChapterHouse

Book Alert: The Dark Prophecy, By Rick Riordan!

2016-12-26T20:56:00.002-08:00

Once we get the full cover this article will be updated

Info:

Release Date: May 2 2017
Series: 5 books

Blurb:

"Zeus has punished his son Apollo—god of the sun, music, archery, poetry, and more—by casting him down to earth in the form of a gawky, acne-covered sixteen-year-old mortal named Lester. The only way Apollo can reclaim his rightful place on Mount Olympus is by restoring several Oracles that have gone dark. What is affecting the Oracles, and how can Apollo do anything about them without his powers? After experiencing a series of dangerous—and frankly, humiliating—trials at Camp Half-Blood, Apollo must now leave the relative safety of the demigod training ground and embark on a hair-raising journey across North America. Fortunately, what he lacks in godly graces he's gaining in new friendships—with heroes who will be very familiar to fans of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus series. Come along for what promises to be a harrowing, hilarious, and haiku-filled ride. . . . "-Goodreads

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Read the first Chapter HERE

My Thoughts: The Speed of Darkness, by Catherine Fisher

2016-04-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: Hachette Children's (May 3 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1444926322

ISBN-13: 978-1444926323

Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 2.5 x 19.7 cm

"A great storm brews out at sea and batters the Devon coast, flooding vast swathes of land. At Wintercombe Abbey the preceding weeks have been spent in a ferment of experimentation, as Jake Wilde's father, David and Maskelyne work furiously on Operation Leah. They have been practising changing tiny events in the past, in preparation for the rescue of Venn's wife Leah from death, the culmination of their work with the Obsidian Mirror. But in the aftermath of the storm, the Abbey is a drowned house. Where is the Mirror? What has happened to the two halves of the Janus coin? Whose is the mysterious boat wrecked up on the nearby beach? And what plans of mischief and mayhem lay in store for Halloween - the day chosen for Leah's return? Riddles and mysteries unfold in the spellbinding conclusion to The Obsidian Mirror quartet." - Goodreads

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The Speed of Darkness marks the end of series that expertly blended Sci-Fi, with historical fiction, and folkloric fantasy, in such a way that fans of either come away with the story they want. But as with the conclusion to any story involving time travel, the real question is how well did the author handle inherent time paradoxes?

The answer is, indirectly as possible. Its obvious after finishing the the Chronopitka Quartet that time travel runs more on an "emotional" logic, than actual scientific logic/rules. A fact that may send some sci-fi purists into rage-induced fits of book shredding. Though for me at least, the delightfully vivid writing of Catherine Fisher distracted me from a considerable amount of the plot's shortcomings.

"It is not wise for a mortal man to gaze too long into the darkness. He comes to see strange shapes and cold imaginings. He comes to doubt all that he once held true."- SOD

Quibbles aside, The Speed of Darkness was a entrancing read, with many detours (Or "Scenic routes" I Should say) that were at times equally or more interesting than "Operation Leah". Through these deviations the reader gets to witness the End times with the likes of Jake Wilde and the Venn's, which are some of the books most visually intense moments.

We also receive a back story for Janus, finally, and I can say its every bit as shocking as I hoped it to be. The reveal really ties into the general theme of the Obsidian mirror, which of course, I now can't say without spoiling the surprise!

It's sad to say goodbye to such an engrossing series, but its much easier when you feel all the loose time threads have been tied up - When you feel satisfied that whatever tale you've purchased has been given a proper sendoff. And for that peace if mind, I have to thank the author.

My Rating: 4.1/5

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My Thoughts: The Tattooed Heart, by Michael Grant

2016-02-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

Series: Messenger of Fear (Book 2)
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (September 22, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062207431
ISBN-13: 978-0062207432

"The games continue in New York Times bestselling author Michael Grant's sequel to Messenger of Fear—a haunting tale for fans of Stephen King that combines fantasy with real-world horror stories.

Mara has learned to punish the wicked as the Messenger's apprentice. Those who act out of selfishness and greed, and others who become violent because of prejudice and hate, pay the ultimate price. But Mara is constantly reminded that Messengers are serving their own kind of punishment—for every person who is offered justice, they wear a tattoo that symbolizes the heart of the crime. As Mara delves deeper into her harsh reality she will discover that in spite of all the terror she and Messenger inflict, caring in this world is the hardest part of all." - Amazon

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My Thoughts:
Alright. I've gone through many iterations of this review, but the bottom line is that although The Tattooed Heart, is considerably better than Messenger of Fear, it still falls into some of the same trappings. Namely, utilising too many hard-to-describe and subsequently, hard to visualize feats of magic, and a few stilted metaphors. Like this one for example:

"I have caused the world to rewind, to advance at half the speed to accelerate as though reality itself was just Netflix on my laptop."

On the other hand, it did improve on some of the things I didn't like about the first entry, and by that I mean expanding the mythology and the story behind why the Messengers exist. Michael Grant has worked up a beautiful origin-story prose in the form of a Tome Mara reads that's sure to be a treat to readers, as well as a semi-fleshed out appearance by the goddess of balance herself - Isthil. No doubt, these scenes were among many intriguing "I-cant-stop-now-one-more-page" moments contained in this novel.

Additionally, The Tattooed Heart brought an exciting and revamped "theme" with it - the spread and ripple effects of hatred. Mr.Grant's take on this subject matter through both Messenger and Mara is topical, honest and to some individuals, probably controversial. Which is too say, I loved it. Moreover, I also relished the way ~~Mara~~ "Min-Messenger" became a little more self aware, noticing similar traits between herself and those she was punishing, and in a sense, still holding herself accountable for her part in Samantha Early's suicide. Hatred can be caused by many things, and it was nice to see a character that on some level recognized her own, comparable sins.

"She reminded me of an earlier guilt, of Samantha early, the talented young writer that I -yes, I-had cruelly driven to suicide. Maybe I saw too much of myself in Nicolet"

Now according to Goodreads, a third Messenger of Fear Book is planned. Is it needed? No, I think one can quit the series right here and be nearly fulfilled with its conclusion. But having the way The Tattooed Heart ended, I'm sticking around for the ride.

My Rating: 3.9/5
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Take a peek at the trailer for book 1!

My Thoughts: Six of Crows, By Leigh Bardugo

2016-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Age Range: 12 - 18 years
Lexile Measure: HL790L (What's this?)
Series: Six of Crows
Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (September 29, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1627792120
ISBN-13: 978-1627792127

"Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone..

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they

don't kill each other first"

- Goodreads

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My Thoughts:
In a sea of post-apocalyptic bloodfests and other end-of-the world scenarios, Six of Crows is a refreshingly low-stakes novel, that reads more like a character drama as opposed to a big summer blockbuster. Of course the inherent risk in this, and the reason why there are so few novels like Bardugo's is that the characters have to be amazing. Which is thankfully the case here.

“He needed to tell her...what? That she was lovely and brave and better than anything he deserved. That he was twisted, crooked, wrong, but not so broken that he couldn't pull himself together into some semblance of a man for her.

Our big escapade, courtesy of a wealthy merchant is headed by five acquaintances and "employee's of Kaz Brekker's street gang- the Dregs. Each of who have each been selected for their specific and prodigious abilities, making them indispensable to each other. That however doesn't stop this group of 17 year old's from occasionally rubbing shoulders, or even breaking into a few heated arguments. I can say with confidence that the banter, and perhaps even more so the emotional dialogue between these outlaws carried the book, and even "lubricated" the moments without much action. Which somewhat ties into my criticism about...

Six of Crows being too long. Huh!? I get the idea, I know - its a wonderfully "slow burn" story. But as I turned the last few pages, and carefully closed the decorative hardback - two thoughts rose to the surface. 1: The entire first chapter and almost all of the Ketterdam city setup could've been shortened, and 2: This whole fiasco doesn't need to be a series. It could have been a perfectly good standalone adventure had the last few chapters been done a bit differently.

Hell, the way Volume 1 ends, you'd practically HAVE to buy the next installment; which would be fine if it were a post-apocalyptic end-of-the-world saga like Star Wars and had a bunch of perceivable material to go on, but judging by book one, I'm starting to doubt it.

"Kaz flexed his fingers in his gloves. How did you survive the Barrel? When they took everything from you, you found a way to make something from nothing"

The quality that redeems Six of Crow's in my mind, and reedeems some of the points raised above is its very "qoutesy". And by that entirely made up term, I mean to say its chock full of vibrant and thought-catching quotes, Seriously, the ones I've used in this review are just a few of many that significantly help emphasize the brutality of Ketterdam's "Barrel" as well as the people who come out of it. I can't say you'll emphasize with the savagery of Kaz, but after taking a peek into his backstory, you'll certainly feel for him.

My Rating: 4/5
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Welcome To ChapterHouse - Formerly The Book Gazer

2015-12-19T23:27:00.003-08:00

Hello everyone!

I'm excited to tell you all that I have recently changed my blog name from The Book Gazer, to "ChapterHouse-Reads" or ChapterHouse for short. The name change was inspired by a recent daydream session, in which this new title popped to the forefront of my consciousness - and I thought that this would be a more "fitting" name for my review ambitions. I'm aware this might be a little odd for people - I usually don't like change either, But I can assure people that I this is the same old blog you're used to - and that little will change. Except of course, me posting more often, which I plan to do with school clearing up.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding.
- Eddie

DNF: Ink and Bone, By Rachel Caine

2015-11-22T23:00:00.001-08:00

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: NAL (June 7 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451473132
ISBN-13: 978-0451473134
Product Dimensions: 14 x 2.4 x 21 cm
Shipping Weight: 345 g
"Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…"- Amazon

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DNF?:
Yeah, it's true. I'm a black sheep - I didn't like Ink and Bone..

It's weird, really because you would assume that it being all about books, and their value to the world that me as a book lover would cherish this novel for all its worth. But ironically, I think that's the exact thing that made me not enjoy it. You see, Ink and Bone was (and this is the only way I can explain it) too meta for me. One can only liken the experience of reading this novel to watching a documentary about people from another country who love watching documentaries.

Only compounding to the problem was the melodramatic style Rachel Caine described the destruction of books. Now I'm aware that A: the protagonist is a rabid fan of literature, and subsequently this is the way he would realistically react, however at a certain point, his frankly theatrical way of viewing literature got tiresome, and over the top.

Look, this isn't a story for me, but I do think most of my complaints are person specific...If you're the type of person, who adores this type of self-ware story, I would absolutely argue in favor of you giving it a read.

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A Speculative Look at the Publishing Trends of the Future

2015-10-18T15:34:00.001-07:00

For years now, the book industry has been bound by a set of unspoken guidelines about how you publish and publicize, novel. A formula of sorts, that until recently, hasn't been challenged or subverted. With the recent release of "Life and Death", Stephanie Meyers gender-swapped re-imagining of her own book, I thought it would be a good time to explore alternatives to the standard. Starting with...

1) Book Reboots
While this may sound terrible to book lovers who are supremely fed-up with unoriginal movie-reboots, hear me out! This represents an opportunity, to "update" a story, lets say The Martian, with new (scientific) knowledge that might be available in the future. I mean lets say that in 50 years time, we discover some groundbreaking new ideas on space-travel, like the wormholes In Interstellar? Wouldn't we want to insert that information into new copies of an old bestseller for current audiences?

2) Multiple Renditions of the same Story
This is something that is sort of being done with properties such as Sherlock Holmes, But I personally think it could be expanded to include more mainstream literature - like Divergent or Harry Potter. Am I really the only one who would like to see what Suzanne Collins would've done with something like The Fifth Wave? Perhaps it might've been terrible, but if a select few authors are willing to open up their work, so that other writers are able to use their characters, like one would Cinderella - I think the results would be wildly entertaining.

3) The same story from your favorite character's POV
This one only really applies to novels written in first person, but I thought the concept of experiencing a tale like The Hunger games, from the perspective of President Snow was interesting. It would allow you to explore much more darker territory, and perhaps shade in some background information from the original trilogy. Like what sparked the revolution that led to the first Hunger Games, and what exactly the reaction to it was.

4) Different Versions/Cuts of a novel for separate Age Groups
Game of Thrones looks like great book, but unfortunately, seems to be too gritty/scandalous for my tastes, which leads me to the solution. Having different versions of a novel or series for separate age groups. So for example you could have an Adult Hobbit Trilogy, full of explicit content and graphic violence. Or you could have something like A Darker Shade of Magic, as a children's middle grade novel. The story and "soul" of the book would still be the same for the most part, authors would just edit out, be more subtle or elaborate on some of the mature themes in their work.

-The Question-

Did I miss anything? What trends do you think the future holds for novel publishing?

Book News: Rick Riordan's Trials of Apollo

2015-10-14T10:12:00.001-07:00

Info:

Release Date: May 3, 2016
Series: 5 Books

Blurb:

"The series will be about how Apollo has been turned into a human because Zeus is angry with him. He becomes a 16-year-old mortal boy with absolutely no powers. He’ll wind up in New York City, landing in a dumpster, no less.

He’s got lots of enemies and only a few friends — friends who spend their time at Camp Half-Blood. He’ll need their help to survive the mortal world and, hopefully, regain his godly powers.

And while it’s certainly extremely exciting to know we’ll be going back to the Greek gods, it’s even more exciting that we’ll be meeting Percy and the whole gang again. In fact, we will find out what happens after The Blood of Olympus, seeing everyone at one point or another." -Hypable

My Opinion:

An entire Greek mythology series from a gods point of view? YES. I'm super interested in this series not because of Rick Riordan's amazing writing, or incredibly likable characters, but because this might be the an interesting peek into the thought processes of the seemingly apathetic lords of Percy Jackson's world.

Then there's the fact that we're getting to see the old gang again, no doubt helping save Apollo from all his spiteful (and now comparatively more powerful) enemies.

Source:

My Thoughts: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs

2015-09-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Quirk Books; Reprint edition (June 4 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1594746036
ISBN-13: 978-1594746031
Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 2 x 20.8 cm

"A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.

A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography,Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows."-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:
Miss Peregrines School for Peculiar Children is quite fittingly, a peculiar mix of genre's and age designations that for the most part - go together. Though at times it seems like the finer horror elements are muddled in the action-packed storyline, Almost as if with slightly better pacing, there would have been more room to expand on some of the subtleties... Indulge me for a moment.

Our main character, Jacob - plays the part of a admittedly bland teenager, who's normal life working at a family run convenience empire, is uprooted when his grandfather gets killed by bloodthirsty monsters - Or so he thinks.. You see, the thing is that no-one else can see these flesh-eating animals, except Jacob.. In fact, almost everyone around him is convinced he's crazy - Had a psychotic meltdown and invented the whole monster bit, from old stories his grandad told him... This story arc, (Sadly hogging a 1/3'rd of the novel), pairs nicely with the next 2/3'rds, which regrettably didn't leave enough time dwell on things like the strange, seductive pull the "Loop" seems to have on newcomers, or the dehumanisation of the townspeople (in the eyes of the kids); after being stuck on permanent repeat.. Y'know, the creepy psychological stuff I've come to expect from "spine-tingling fantasy".

"one day my mother sat me down and explained that I couldn't become an explorer because everything in the world had already been discovered. I'd been born in the wrong century, and I felt cheated"

Where Miss Peregrines Home separates itself, is in its ability to nail down the teenage voice, in an authentic way. I cant count how many times I read my own thoughts, or the thoughts of people I know, while Jacob went about his day-to-day life. This, is naturally why its so odd that most* of the characters (peculiar children), sort of became caricatures of their own powers. This ploy for worked some of the protagonists (Enoch, Emma), but I believe not the best choice for others.

"Stars, too, were time travelers. How many of those ancient points of light were the last echoes of suns now dead? How many had been born but their light not yet come this far? If all the suns but ours collapsed tonight, how many lifetimes would it take us to realize we were alone? "

I realize at this point that my review sounds a bit negative, and it may look to some of you that its literally the word book in the world- I guarantee you its not! Miss.P's home for Peculiar Children definitely had its good moments, but its just something best read at the library.

My Rating: 3/5

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My Thoughts: A Darker Shade of Magic, by V.E Schwab

2015-07-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Tor Books (February 24, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765376458
ISBN-13: 978-0765376459
Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.3 x 8.5 inches
Age Range: 17+

"Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—trickier than they hoped" -Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

A Darker Shade of Magic despite its intriguing blurb initially confused me, as there was no clear age designation, and I didn’t want to spend $20 on a novel that was too violent/mature/incesty for me – and thus I staved off buying a book I so desperately wanted to read. A book I ended up enjoying.

It’s hard to “pin down” what made the premise “click” for me, but I’d wager V.E Schwab’s vibrant ideas for Red, White and Grey London played a big role in it. When we first pick up, Kell is in an analogue for our London (read: grey), but throughout his little mission we have time to properly visit each and every one. What’s more impressive is that each dimension, each alternate city maintains a distinct feel to it that persists regardless of whatever's happening plot-wise.

Not that there is much going on concerning plot. When it comes to structure, I've found A Darker Shade of Magic to be comfortably casual, relying on its captivating setting(s), action, and a (usually) easy to read nature, as opposed to actual "content". This works really well with Travel/Adventure stories, and even more so in this paticular case. Fans of the fantasy genre can expect to be taken on a tumultuous race against time, whilst their "hero" tries to return a corrupted artifact back to whence it came.

“The queen considered him, her pale lips curling at the edges. “The bodies in my floor all trusted someone. Now I walk on them to tea."

There’s also the tiny detail of Kell being part of an exclusive strain of magicians called Antari, who as aforementioned– can cross between universes, and command blood. (In Schwab’s world, that means you can ~~control~~ coerce magic itself). His abilities are defined to a reasonable extent – they have restrictions and are bound by a good set of rules, but (thank God) they weren’t over-explained. I think I can speak on good authority that going into the gritty details of any kind of mysticism, robs it of its intended splendor.

"Blood was magic made manifest. There it thrived. And there it poisoned. Kell had seen what happened when power warred with the body, watched it darken in the veins of corrupted men, turning their blood from crimson to black"

Literally the only thing holding A Darker Shade from being phenomenal is its repeated use of the word and, more than once in a sentence. It turned often descriptive lines, into a mess like this;

“Vendors in colored tents sold wares by the light of river and lantern and moon, some food and other trinkets, the magic and mundane alike, to locals and to pilgrims.”

Naturally I picked the worst offender to exemplify my point, however potential purchasers should know that sentences like this appear often in the novel, and frequently disrupt natural flow. These problems don’t detract to much from the book’s figurative imagery as you meander through its plot, but I felt it was worth a mention.

My Rating 4.4/5

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Book Alert: A Gathering of Shadows, By V.E Schwab

2015-06-30T00:59:00.002-07:00

Info:

Hardcover: 512 pages

Publisher: Tor Books (Feb. 23 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0765376474

ISBN-13: 978-0765376473

Shipping Weight: 454 g

Blurb:
"Four months have passed since the shadow stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Rhy was wounded and the Dane twins fell, and the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift, and into Black London.

In many ways, things have almost returned to normal, though Rhy is more sober, and Kell is now plagued by his guilt. Restless, and having given up smuggling, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks like she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games—an extravagant international competition of magic, meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries—a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.

But while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life, and those who were thought to be forever gone have returned. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night reappears in the morning, and so it seems Black London has risen again—meaning that another London must fall"- Goodreads

Opinion:

Although I haven’t completed the first novel in the Darker Shades, series, I’ve read enough to know I’m definitely buying the sequel. A Darker Shade of Magic, (despite some flaws), has proven to be a wellspring of ulterior ideas, as well as a talent at figuring out how to execute them properly. I can truly say I expect nothing but the same vivacity from A Gathering of Shadows.

My Thoughts: Quake, by Patrick Carman [Minor Spoilers]

2015-06-14T21:38:00.000-07:00

Series: Pulse (Book 3)
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (February 24, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062085905
ISBN-13: 978-0062085900
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.2 inches

"In the year 2051, Faith can move mountains…

Faith Daniels and Dylan Gilmore are in love, and they have a special ability called a pulse: they can move things with their minds. They're caught in the middle of a deadly war with two other pulses: Clara and Wade Quinn, who have joined forces with Hotspur Chance, the most wanted man in the world.

At the start of Quake, Faith and Dylan are holed up in a spectacular abandoned mountain lodge (once used in the film The Shining 71 years before), and their Intel friend Hawk leaves them in the middle of the night, in spite of a newly blossoming love with a girl named Jade. Hawk’s plan is to penetrate the Western State and make contact with a sleeper cell working on the inside that will give them valuable information about Hotspur’s violent plan.

But while Hawk is searching for answers on the inside, Faith and Dylan are still fighting on the outside. In a series of hair-raising battles, the second pulses duel it out, only to raise the body count on both sides. During the battles, Faith and Dylan discover an even great strength: the power of their combined love. Together, Faith and Dylan might just be able to save the world with a quake that is big enough to change the course of history." - Goodreads

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My Thoughts
I wasn't sure if I was going to finish this series, after Tremor left a little to be desired, but boy - am I glad I did. Quake has turned out to be one of the angriest, emotional, and battle-packed conclusions to a trilogy I've ever read, plus It corrected almost everything I didn't like from the second entry.

The most noticeable improvement, would be the plot, which this time, is more tightly wound around discovering and stopping Hotspur Chance's master plan. What the specifics of that plan are - the we don't immediately know. But with allot books recently, its more about the journey, than the actual end destination.

"Hotspur chance is a single pulse. this makes him vulnerable, which is why they hide him. He's the smartest man on earth, the designer of the states, and also ruthless"

Spearheading that excursion for answers is Team Pulse. Consisting of Dylan Gilmore, Faith Daniels, Hawk, Clooger, Carl, and a young girl named Jade. All of who, Carman infused with such heart and sincerity. You could say they helped "ground" the fantastical concept of people hurling mountain peaks with their mind. Without them, I doubt readers would be able to buy into the crazy world of "The States", or in Dylan/Faith's case, emotionally invest in their relationship.

"Dylan kissed her, longer this time. When faith pulled away, and saw the longing in Dylan's eyes, she thought of how much she wanted to stay safe in the house, just the two of them. But she knew their escape from reality was over. They both did"

Patrick also manages to surprise audiences, with the protagonists he's willing to endanger, and the consequences he's willing to permit, which culminates in Quake (as I've hinted above) being considerably more violent than either Pulse or Tremor. Certain Characters think/explore some unusually dark thoughts, and brush up against some complex, morally grey situations. I personally, enjoyed this change, as it was done honestly, but some people may feel different.

"Rage is rocket fuel Dylan. Those two subhumans fling towards us? They killed my parents. They killed your mom... They're not just criminals.. They're mass murderers."

My only nitpick, would be to have more scenes exploring Hawk's bid inside "the State". As Giving faces and names to the assumed victims of Hotspur Chance's plan would further raise emotional tension (not that it was needed), as well as provide a friendly reminder to readers about the unique culture within.

My Rating: 4/5

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Watch the trailer for Pulse.

DNF: Half Wild, by Sally Green

2015-06-03T10:55:00.001-07:00

Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
Series: The Half Bad Trilogy (Book 2)
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers (March 24, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0670017132
ISBN-13: 978-0670017133

"You will have a powerful Gift, but it’s how you use it that will show you to be good or bad."

In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, seventeen-year-old Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most powerful and violent witch. Nathan is hunted from all sides: nowhere is safe and no one can be trusted. Now, Nathan has come into his own unique magical Gift, and he's on the run--but the Hunters are close behind, and they will stop at nothing until they have captured Nathan and destroyed his father.

The Half Bad trilogy has been translated into 47 languages. TIME Magazine calls it "highly entertaining and dangerously addictive." Kate Atkinson says it's "brilliant and utterly compelling." London's Daily Telegraph has named author Sally Green "the new J.K. Rowling." Discover the story that readers all over the world are raving about." - Amazon

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My Thoughts:
I've mulled over my disappointment of the Half Bad Trilogy over and over, never quite finding the words to encapsulate my gripes. Is it the lack of magic? probably. Is it the lack of Spectacle? Not exactly. Much like one of those pre-packaged, microwave ready "health conscious" meals, Half Wild sounds great in theory - but when you actually get around to consuming it, you find out just how desaturated, crumbly, and ODD it is. Allow me to explain.

There isn't really much of a plot, other than a few vague tent-poles that consist of "save the girl", "control the beast" and "evade hunters". As a result, the reader is left not knowing their immediate location in the overall scheme of things.

“I always thought a person’s Gift reflected something about that person and all I can think is that my Gift reflects my desires, and my desires are to be totally wild, totally free.”

The Magic in Half Wild is also pretty dull. If you expected captivating spells, ancient incantations, or exotic relics - in fact no- if you expected anything vibrant or exciting you'll be disappointed.

Just to be clear - there's nothing wrong with a Fantasy novel being "gritty"- I'm all for making the genre more dynamic, but in this case it felt monochrome. Like somebody tried to "Nolanize" Harry Potter.

“The point of being good is doing it when it’s tough, not when it’s easy.”

Rather Strangely, there were some great things to come out of Half Wild, more specifically Van. The weird, vampiric potion maker who assists Nathan in his quest for Analise. Her motives are almost always cloudy, and she's an intriguing figure "plot-wise". If there was one reason to finish this novel, it would be her.

My Rating: 2.6/5

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My Thoughts: The Door In The Moon, by Catherine Fisher [Minor Spoilers]

2015-05-05T20:49:00.001-07:00

Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
Series: Obsidian Mirror
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Dial Books (March 24, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0803739710
ISBN-13: 978-0803739710
Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches

"This New York Times bestselling author once again shows us that she is a master of world-building and surprising plot-twists. The vast, intricate world, fascinating revelations, and unexpected turns in the final book of the Obsidian Mirror trilogy will appeal to readers of Cassandra Claire, and will satisfy existing fans fully." -Penguin

My Thoughts:

In all my years of reviewing, I've never come across a series like the Chronoptika quartet. It skilfully Blends magic with undertones of sci-fi, in a disorienting thrilling exploit through time. The door in the moon, Catherine Fishers third entry, is no exception to the status quo and in my opinion, is worthy of its predecessors praise.

"'Venn Can roar and flummox all he likes, but when summer smiles, believe me, everyone obeys.'"

Our story breaks out when Moll, a former street urchin and abandoned friend of Jake, kidnaps him from the past to enlist his help in a baffling scheme. Which would all be fine and dandy if in weren't ... well, During the revolution of France. An uprising that needs little introduction.

To complicate things further, Sarah (a resistance leader, from a dictator-ruled future) has tagged along too. But hey, it couldn't be "the Chronoptika" without a web of plotlines!

"Where ever the mirror has been, men have used it for their own needs. Janus is just the last of many.They are all responsible. They have all desires its power"

I'm surprised by how much bleed-over there is from Slanted Worlds. The Half Zeus coin that can destroy the Obsidian Mirror is still in play, and has a significant role in TDINM. Also, Moll (as hinted above) Returns! We get to see what she's been doing these past years, while Jake has been engrossed with saving his dad.

"The shee host passed. it rippled like a gale driving a scatter of leaves, so light, delicate. Or like a flock of, the wind of its wings raising dust and flickering in the moonlight."

The Door In The Moon doesn't resolve most of the lingering lore or selling points of the series, but it does offer an entertaining adventure. Don't let the "time travel" theme or the cover dissuade you - this is a unique tale. One that excellently sets up for the final, mirror related story - The Speed of Darkness.

My Rating: 4.7/5

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My Thoughts: Firefight, by Brandon Sanderson

2015-04-15T23:26:00.000-07:00

Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
Lexile Measure: 0770 (What's this?)
Series: The Reckoners
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press; 1st edition (January 6, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385743580
ISBN-13: 978-0385743587

"They told David it was impossible--that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet, Steelheart--invincible, immortal, unconquerable--is dead. And he died by David's hand.

Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life more simple. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And there's no one in Newcago who can give him the answers he needs.

Babylon Restored, the old borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David's willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic--Firefight. And he's willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers."-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:
Brandon Sanderson is an author of world acclaim. He was multiple books on the New York Times Bestsellers list, has multiple awards, and is generally known for his amazing fantasy/sci-fi extravaganzas in the adult demographic. Basically, everybody loves his work. Everyone except me - who's to say - whelmed.

I'm not blown away, but by no means disappointed. It's no secret that the best bits of Firefight, are with David, Our protagonist, who's struggling to find meaning in his life, after he accomplished the impossible. Killing the high-epic Steelheart.

"The sudden and abrupt removal of my all-consuming goal … well, it was like I was a donut, and somebody had sucked all the jelly out of me. But I could stuff new jelly in there. It would just get my hands a little sticky in the process."

The 19 year old "Steeylsyaler" isn't given much time to wallow in self pity, seeing that he is quickly whisked to an enigmatic new city. Babilar - Newcago's watery, laid back little cousin, complete with underwater Reckoner bases, and glow in the dark fruit! As you can imagine, it was a mental carnival to visualise. But thanks to Sanderson's restrained descriptions, much of that was left for us to do.

“Enforcement had done its best to kill me on several occasions. You didn’t just get over something like that. In fact, they had killed Megan. She’d recovered. Mostly.”

My last point is a little nitpicky, but I think honesty is important here. I didn't like most of the Epic's weaknesses in Firefight. Their revelations felt stifled, as the clues were so minute - so vague, that the reader could not remotely presume a character's Achilles Heel. Thus dampening the overall shock, I can only assume was supposed to upend me...

My Rating: 3.9/5
(Good)

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New series by Derek Landy: Demon Road!

2015-03-15T23:30:00.005-07:00

Blurb:

Not much is known about this book, other than that its about a 16 year old girl being chased across America by demons.

Info:

Release Date: August 27 2015
It will be a trilogy
91,000-100,000 words long
It will be YA

Opinion:

With so little information available on this series, its very hard to come to some sort of judgement.. But from what we do know I am a bit worried with the potential similarity between this and Skulduggery pleasant. Despite the absence of demons in SP, it is a magical/supernatural universe - where there were many demonic likenesses - which (for me) is raising unease over thematic overlap

My Thoughts: The Lost, By James Patterson

2015-03-07T23:02:00.003-08:00

Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
Series: Witch & Wizard (Book 5)
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (December 15, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316207705
ISBN-13: 978-0316207706

"Whit and Wisty Allgood have fought and defeated their world's most pernicious threats: the evil dictator, The One Who Is The One, as well as his wicked father and son. But just as the heroic witch and wizard start to settle into their new roles in governance, a deadly crime wave grips their city, with all signs pointing to a magical mastermind every bit as powerful and heartless as The One.

Now the siblings find themselves persecuted as the city turns against all magic users, and questioning everything, including each other--and, for the first time, their abilities. Can they confront the citizens' growing hostility and their own doubts in time to face the new enemy barreling toward their gates? " -Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

When I heard James Patterson (or whoever ghostwrites his books) was releasing another Witch & Wizard novel, I was cautiously optimistic. Surely there had to be some morsels of "meat" left on franchise? Surely James wouldn't repeat the same novel twice, after the fiasco that was Maximum Ride...

I was wrong. So Very, very wrong.

The Lost, though embellished by being in the W&W world, is a unorthodox re-hash of the previous books, that in spite of a structurally sound narrative, fails to be something new.

"'You know the phrase - power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,' Terrence Shouts. 'Its time for us to be all equal, and to build our community on traditional human strengths"'

Things like the excision (Forceful removal of Powers, a la X-Men: Last Stand), and the weird anti-magic sentiment gripping "the city", serve only as a backdrop for Darrius. An enigmatic new villain trying to destroy Whit's sister.

"Sybil simply crumbles. her beautiful face dissolves, her skin turns Gray and shrivels into cinders. In a matter of seconds, there's nothing left of her but a small, silvery pile of ash."

Perhaps the only engaging aspect of The Lost, lies in its graphic writing style, which (thankfully) treats it's audience with respect & Maturity. There's no doubt James Patterson has one of the best descriptive talent out there - its just its sometimes used on lackluster endeavours.

If You're a HUGE fan of the series, you may want to own a copy of this book; but otherwise, it'd check out your local library.

My Rating: 2.9/5

My Thoughts: Her Vision Quest, by Tim Hayley

2015-02-03T18:14:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 72 pages
Publisher: FriesenPress (Oct. 22 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 146025080X
ISBN-13: 978-1460250808
Product Dimensions: 14 x 0.4 x 21.6 cm
Shipping Weight: 95 g
"This is a story of adventure, friendship, and self-discovery firmly rooted in the culture, dramatic landscape, and magic of northern Vancouver Island. When a hike in the woods goes horribly wrong, young Shirley is forced to think on her feet and grow up quickly. While saving her father from a terrible fall, she notices an unusual cave in the distance. She soon finds that she is unable to shake the vision of it in her mind and embarks on a long journey of discovery. Aided by a mystical friend, she stumbles on more than she bargained for in the darkness of the strange cavern"

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My Thoughts:

Her Vision Quest is a quaint little, children's novella seeped in native American culture. Featuring an independent female protagonist, Tim Haley write best when his characters are alone to their thoughts, or more frequently, observations.

"The Deer's ears shifted forward and is nose began to twitch. His Spikes were that of a yearling coming into velvet. He seemed healthy with a pelt that was well cared for."

Though the author tends summarise certain events early on, as you hit the second third of the novel, the pace slows to a more palatable stride.

"'Nuu-chah-nulth" was the name of a group of relates peoples that lived in the general region of west Vancouver island. They were know to have lived there for at least a thousand years."

This novel is part of a series, so I trust Shirley's story will continue on. If you have a child who likes nature/and or exploring, I would recommend this book to you..!

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My Thoughts: Messenger of Fear, by Micheal Grant

2015-01-01T01:44:00.001-08:00

Hardcover: 272 pages

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (September 23, 2014)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0062207407

ISBN-13: 978-0062207401

"I remembered my name – Mara. But, standing in that ghostly place, faced with the solemn young man in the black coat with silver skulls for buttons, I could recall nothing else about myself.

And then the games began.

The Messenger sees the darkness in young hearts, and the damage it inflicts upon the world. If they go unpunished, he offers the wicked a game. Win, and they can go free. Lose, and they will live out their greatest fear.

But what does any of this have to do with Mara? She is about to find out . . "-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:
I'm a big fan of Micheal Grant, I've loved almost all of his previous books. However as I review my notes, I've recognised that his latest venture is a pretty conflicted read.

On one side it has a cool plot. The whole "Agents of Balance " dishing out gruesome justice was truly enjoyable, offering heaps of moral dilemmas and vague introspection. This, combined with solid characters, led me to believe this book would be another great achievement In Micheal Grant's resume.

"I heard them. Kayla's thoughts. As clearly as if she was speaking. In fact, when I looked, I saw her lips moving. She was speaking but not to the others around her. It was more as if I'd given her a truth serum that caused her to explain herself honestly."

On the other side there were a few fundamental issues. Number one, pertaining to Messenger of Fear's General writing style. It had a perchant for repeating the same term within a sentence, and was strangely clunky. Rare pet-peeve or not, I`m certainly not the only one who`s bothered.

Number two involves the absence of answers - more broadly- the shortage of plot-relevant information contained in this 272 page novel. I`m unsure if Micheal Grant will expand this story into a series, but as it stands - Messenger of Fear doesn't have enough "Meat" to be considered a good book in its own right.

My Rating: 3/5

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My Thoughts: The Red Winter, by Henry H. Neff [Moderate Spoiler]

2014-12-21T19:43:00.002-08:00

File Size: 8543 KB

Print Length: 480 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (November 25, 2014)
Sold by: Random House LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00JCS7B5S

"An inventive and action-packed mix of fantasy, science fiction, and mythology, all in a realistic contemporary setting.

Rowan has won a battle, but not the war. With proper allies, Rowan’s armies could storm the demon stronghold, capture its ruler, and end the reign of demonkind. But while nations clash, a greater struggle lies elsewhere. In his desperate pursuit of Astaroth, Elias Bram scours the world for clues to the fiend’s true origins, identity, and purpose. His horrifying discoveries hint that not only is humanity at risk, but the earth itself. Its fate may depend upon three children. With their unmatchable skills, it’s up to Max McDaniels, David Menlo, and little Mina to tip the balance!
In the Tapestry’s final volume, Henry H. Neff concludes an unforgettable series in which magic can live, gods can die, and the highest stakes require the greatest sacrifice"- Goodreads

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My Thoughts:
One of the things I always love in a book are rich characters, and if nothing else, The Red Winter was founded on people. Max, David, and Prusias - to name my favourites, were thrust front-and-center, while others (Ahem) - not so much.

I didn't like the way Astaroth was treated in the third arc. We've spent the last 4 volumes building intrigue around his motivations, and true nature - only to find him a glorified herald for an ambiguous evil. Though this change in direction was handled amazingly, I'm still a bit curious about his psyche. How does an "other' think?

"Max regarded them without emotion, energy shimmering about his form like the sun's corona. His gaze was so remote it might have been starlight from another universe"

Undaunted by previous faults, The Red Winter sustained a vast - at times unwieldy narrative, tactfully tying multiple plot threads into what can be only described - (no pun intended) - as a tapestry. Bear in mind this is no small feat, I reckon Henry's knack for co-opting various mythologies was tested during his Manuscripts creation.

Then again, I wouldn't expect any less from Mr.Neff, a man who without a doubt, is an elite storyteller. The fact that I can still enjoy his books as much as I did four years ago, is a testament how how well they hold up.

My Rating: 5/5

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Book Alert: Quake, by Patrick Carman

2014-11-25T22:58:00.002-08:00

Info:

Series: Pulse
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (February 24, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062085905
ISBN-13: 978-0062085900

The Blurb:

"In the year 2051, Faith can move mountains…

My Thoughts: The Blood of Olympus, By Rick Riordan [MODERATE SPOILERS]

2014-11-16T01:13:00.002-08:00

File Size: 5655 KB

Print Length: 502 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1423146735
Publisher: Disney Hyperion (October 7, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00FRVH3V6

"Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them, and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it might be able to stop a war between the two camps. The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless.

How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over."-Amazon

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My Thoughts:

I seem to be in the minority regarding The Blood of Olympus. Though it holds a 4.5 rating on goodreads (consistent with other books in the series), I didn't feel it fully merited the hype previous novels built up on it . Details like Percy Jackson's fatal flaw, the fate of a certain god, as well as [the power of Gaea] are barely touched upon.

"Fear can’t be reasoned with. Neither can hate. They’re like love. They’re almost identical emotions. That’s why Ares and Aphrodite like each other. Their twin sons – Fear and Panic – were spawned from both war and love."

What it does do well, is expand its main characters. Fans can expect character development on most of the 7, - and furthermore - some defining moments for Nico and Reyna! The multitude of rich characters has always been "HOO's" greatest asset, and they are put to good use in the finale.

“What if we promoted, like, Adidas shoes?’ Percy wondered. ‘Would that make Nike mad enough to show up?" Leo smiled nervously. Maybe he and Percy did share something else – a stupid sense of humour. "

Something else that struck me, was the different tone Riordan hit with this book - technically and conflict-wise. The biggest example being ,The Blood of Olympus's battle arc, which was more of an abridged war, than that of, per se - The Last Olympian. A stylistic change in how to approach a conclusion is nothing new, after all, its been done before. But combined with Less "On POV" deaths? It sends a dubious message of being "alright" - which given what they've been through - they shouldn't be.

My Rating: 3.9/5

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My Thoughts: The Infinite Sea, By Rick Yancey

2014-10-28T20:28:00.001-07:00

Series: The 5th Wave (Book 2)
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (September 16, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399162429
ISBN-13: 978-0399162428

"How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.

Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.

Cassie and her friends haven’t seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate."- Amazon

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My Thoughts:
The Fifth Wave was a book that's almost impossible to top. Filled to the brim with hard hitting drama, and ambitious spirit, it tackled the extinction of the human race head on - as opposed to slinking around it like many "Dystopian?"" prefer to do.

Unfortunately, this is where the comparisons to The Infinite Sea end. Whereas Fifth Wave rampaged through storylines with ill-contained vigour, its successor stalled at times, often brooding over the naivete of Humanity, and the hopelessness of Cassie`s reality. (Which wouldn't be a problem if it weren't half of the first novel, and a considerable chunk of the second)

"No hope without faith, no faith without hope, no love without trust, no trust without love. Remove one and the entire human house cards collapses"

In the character department Rick Yancey has switched it up a bit, with more focus on the Team effort instead of just "Ceavan". This is a welcome change in my mind, as it led to some well-deserved back story on Zombie, and Ringer, while setting up the groundwork for future additions. The only issue is, I'm not entirely sure that enough. Plot-wise the Infinite Sea didn't do much; I was actually surprised to see how little I'd come since browsing the blurb.

“It isn’t that the lies are too beautiful to resist. It’s that the truth is too hideous to face.

My Opinion? Unless you loved the first book, you won't like the sequel - Its not exactly worth 20 bucks.

My Rating: 3.9/5
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Rick Riordan's new Norse series! [Updated]

2014-09-24T18:43:00.001-07:00

Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series, has announced a new trilogy of books based on Norse mythology. This new series, entitled "Mangus Chase and The Gods of Asgard", is set to be released October 2015, a year after the conclusion of his last series, the Heroes of Olympus.

Now those familiar with these novels may know that the titular character's last name- Chase, also happens to be the last name of Athena's daughter. According to the writer's blog, this is not, a coincidence, implying that the two characters (Annabeth + Chase) are somehow connected.

You can see the original announcement HERE.

*UPDATE*
It appears we have the official synopsis/title!

"Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he's tracked down by an uncle he's never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. His uncle tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . ."- Goodreads

-You can also read an excerpt of chapter two by Clicking Here!-

My Thoughts: The Dying of The Light, by Derek Landy [SPOILERS]

2014-09-18T23:57:00.003-07:00

File Size: 2885 KB
Print Length: 608 pages
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks (August 28, 2014)
Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
Language: English
ASIN: B00JD3X07K
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray:

Not Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled

"The FINAL shocking, heart-wrenching book in the jaw-droppingly stupendous Skulduggery Pleasant series.

Valkerie. Darquesse. Stephanie. The world ain’t big enough for the three of them. The end will come…

The War of the Sanctuaries has been won, but it was not without its casualties. Following the loss of Valkyrie Cain, Skulduggery Pleasant must use any and all means to track down and stop Darquesse before she turns the world into a charred, lifeless cinder.

And so he draws together a team of soldiers, monster hunters, killers, criminals… and Valkyrie’s own murderous reflection.

The war may be over, but the final battle is about to begin. And not everyone gets out of here alive…"- Amazon

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My Thoughts:

I'm unsure of how to review a novel like The Dying of The Light. At the center of things, it was impressive, but ultimately ailed of various semi-intregal flaws. So since I cant coherently gather my opinions on what I just read, I've made a bullet-list to do it for me.

The Lack and Anxiety of the plot

In the first third of the book, there was a clear objective. Bait Darquesse, Trap her, then dispose off her conscious. Sounds good right? Well that plan is thrown out the window, in favour of another, which in turn is thrown out, until all that remains is a mad scramble (and I mean SCRAMBLE) to stop the god-killer herself... I don't know why the plot seemed nervous about conclusion, but it's squirminess, seemed unnecessary, as you could've made a pretty good novel off the first premise alone.

Otherworldly Questions:

When Valkyrie was being examined by Dr.Nye, "it" explicitly stated that she was Devoid of magic. Devoid of magic as in, every living thing has magic, and she has NONE. This raises the question, of how she could go through her surge (Puberty for Sorcerers), if she HAS NO SORCERY.

"And"

This is a point best demonstrated....

"Darquesse burst through the window and her hand closed round Stephanie's throat. Stephanie was lifted off her feet and she felt the fingers tighten and there was nothing she could do and she was going to die"

Other than these three things,The Dying of the Light is Skulduggery Pleasant as usual. You can expect the standard fight choreography, and biting wit that allured you in Dark Days. With such brilliant writing, I'm exceedingly dismal that this series is ending - but I feel Derek Was able to wrap it up nicely. The few plot threads that we left hanging were done so in a way that didn't hinder the finality of the story.

In other words, farewell !

My Rating: 3.5/5

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