A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin

This is my first novel by Usula Le Guin. I have used her Steering the Craft writing exercises before and have a lot of respect for her, but had just never gotten around to reading any of her novels. She does not disappoint.

I found her writing style devoid of superfluous world building, which I greatly enjoyed. She gives you what you need and leaves other things unexplained. I like this kind of world building because it’s true to real life. No one person knows every detail of their world. The world is built as you go, not presented as a whole, which is also true to life.

I enjoyed the journey of Ged and learning the importance of one’s self. I did see the end coming, simply because I am very familiar with this type of story (even the idea of true names being the basis of magic). I don’t know if Le Guin was the first with this idea and others have used it, or if she got it somewhere else. But I am familiar with many of the magical concepts presented in this story, so could guess what was about to happen.

I definitely like all the open mysteries that Ged comes across, they make me interested in reading more. But at the same time, some of them seemed very contrived to just suck you in for a future novel. I like it better when the mysteries have a a natural flow. For example, the two castaways on the island felt very natural to the story. But Terrenon felt very forced.

All in all, an enjoyable read. I plan to read more.

Escape to Witch Mountain by Alexander Key

I read this book on a whim, mostly surprised to learn that there was a book before either of the movies were made. I, like most children of the 80s, saw Disney’s 1975 Escape to Witch Mountain multiple times when I was growing up. A childhood favorite. I saw the 2009 Race to Witch Mountain with my own children. When I learned that there was a book, I had to read it. Just to see which movie was more true to the book, and to see how the original story was told.

Not surprisingly, I really enjoyed the book. I read it in an afternoon when not feeling well, so didn’t have anything to really interrupt me. The story is closer to the 1975 movie, but there are huge changes (nothing surprising about that considering Hollywood’s record in movie adaptations). Most notably, Tony and Tia are in the foster care system in the book, Tia can’t speak (kind of), and Jason O’Day is a pastor the children are already familiar with.

The book is a fast-paced read, which is great for younger readers that aren’t interested in loads of detailed imagery. I think my kids will really enjoy having this read aloud to them during family reading time. I’m glad I bought it, instead of just borrowing it from the library. There is some environmentalism in it, but it’s not heavy handed and doesn’t detract from the story. I whole-heartedly recommend this to parents looking for a fun science fiction story for their children. It’s very clean, no profanity, very little violence, lots of cute animals. Kids will enjoy it, as will most adults.

The Miracle Girls by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt

So, I read this based on a friend's review.  And all I can really say about it was that it was okay.  Not bad.  Not great.

The story is a sweet idea and it might have resonated with me more if I was a teenager.  It was refreshing to read something wholesome, not filled with violence, profanity, and/or sex.  I would have no issue with letting my daughters read this if they were so inclined.

I really liked two of the Miracle Girls – Zoe and Christine.  Their characters worked for me because they were similar to girls that I knew in high school, but didn’t feel like stereotypes.  They had personalities that felt believable.  But Ana and Riley felt like forced caricatures of typical types found in high school.  This made me really not care about what was going on in their stories.  And several of the situations presented to further to plot just felt trite and cliché.

Though I wasn’t super impressed with character development, I really enjoyed the writing style.  The way things were described wasn’t over the top in detail, but I knew exactly what was happening.  Specifically the scenes of Maria and Ana in the kitchen, when she was getting food out of the fridge.  Or whenever they were drinking diet coke.  I enjoyed the way these descriptions were written because they felt natural and real.

So, to sum up.  I enjoyed the ideas and writing style, but felt the character development was lacking. 

Legacy of the Drow

Legacy of the Drow: Collector's Edition by R.A. Salvatore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So, I enjoyed these books. Not the most intellectual, but for a fantasy lover that is looking for a fun but easy read, these are good. The fourth book ends without wrapping up all the loose ends, to entice you to his next series I'm sure, but wraps up enough to not leave the reader unsatisfied.

The characters of these books are basically well developed D&D characters, which is what the Forgotten Realm books are all based on. They have the traits that are expected and, yet, Salvatore finds interesting ways to tweak the basic D&D molds just a little, to make the characters different and interesting. But because they are based on a specific mold, the characters tend to not have too much depth (thus adding to the book’s fun read, but not too thought provoking status).

I would say that Salvatore has two main strengths in the books I have read so far. His playing of the characters off of one another is wonderful, often making me laugh out loud while reading. The camaraderie of the companions seems real and sincere, not forced. His other strength is in his detail of battle scenes, especially fights involving the main character, Drizzt. You feel like you’re in the action, without him adding so many details that they weigh down and slow the action.

The Icewind Dale Trilogy

The Icewind Dale Trilogy Collector's Edition (A Forgotten Realms(r) Omnibus) by R.A. Salvatore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This trilogy introduces the five main characters that the reader will follow throughout most of RA Salvatore’s works. Drizzt Do’Urden – the mostly shunned drow elf ranger that lives on the surface and tries to live down the well deserved evil reputation of his race. His companion, Gwenhyvar, a magnificent giant panther magically brought to him in times of need. The surly, old dwarf Bruenor Battlehammer that loves his friends dearly. Cattie-Brie Battlehammer, the beautiful dwarf raised human girl that is the adopted daughter of Bruenor. Wulfgar, the mammothly huge barbarian that is taken under Bruenor’s wings and trained by Drizzt. And finally, the lovable rascal halfling, Regis Rumblebelly. The characters are well developed and fun enough with fast paced plot lines to keep the reader engaged but at the same time easy enough to understand that the reader knows they can put the book down for a few days and come back later without losing important details.

Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison

Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven) by Brandon Mull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Picked up from the library yesterday and started today (4/14).

This was the fifth and final book of the Fablehaven series. A great read even though it's a fairly easy and quick read. Brandon Mull brings a new world within our own to life vividly without any of the trash that is common to fantasy and sci fi nowadays. I would have absolutely no problem with my ten year old daughter reading these. His descriptions are interesting and easy to picture in the mind's eye. My favorite thing besides the family friendly aspect of these is the imagination behind them. The whole idea of preserves for fairy creatures is fantastic, and something I've never heard anything like before.

The reason this recieved four stars instead of five is because the end seemed rushed. I could tell Mull was trying to tie up all his loose ends, give all his characters a happy ending and do it in one final book without making the book too long. I think it would have served the series more justice to have included more details and made this last book into two.

I look forward to reading future novels by Mr. Mull and hope he continues in the vein of totally new and family friendly.

Magyk

Magyk (Septimus Heap, Book 1) by Angie Sage
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Somebody checked this out for me of the library - I think my husband - when I at the bedside of my daughter in the hospital. I told him I wanted an easy but fun read. This fit the bill perfectly. The story is original, but uses enough basic fantasy lore that you don't feel like you're having to absorb a whole new world. Sage also has a fun sense of humor, which is probably what makes these books the most enjoyable. Another thing I really enjoy is how clean the books are (so far), and the characters are very family oriented.

Kindle Edition: Septimus Heap, Book One: Magyk

Flyte

Flyte (Septimus Heap, Book 2) by Angie Sage
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Just got this from the library the other day, wanting to continue the series that I started so long ago. This book had more humor than the first and a more captivating story, but still maintained it's easy pace and clean story. So far, this is a series I would have no problem letting my 8 or 11 year old daughters read.

Kindle Edition: Septimus Heap, Book Two: Flyte (Septimus Heap, Book 2)

The Looking Glass Wars

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Read this trilogy recently. Usually, I hate it when authors take established stories and 'try to make them their own'. I hate it when directors of movies do it, too. My POV is that they should either honor the original work or come up with their own idea. This book is one of the few that I think the reimagining did nothing to detract from the original and was a fun read. Beddor did an excellent job of reminding us of Carroll's original work while he took us off on a whole new tangent, telling us the 'real' story of Alyss.

Not something I would allow my kids to read before they are 12, due to subject matter (sororicide, hate, malice, unforgiving, etc.).

Kindle Edition: The Looking Glass Wars

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) by Rick Riordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I saw the movie first. And the concept made me interested enough to read the book. I had the incentive to read the book now, rather than later, because my daughters are interested in reading it. What a pleasure it was to read, too. Yes, many parts were predictable (maybe due to my seeing the movie first), but it was a romping good adventure anyways. There are enough mature themes for me to say my children must be at least 11 before they can read this series

Themes that I feel are too mature for readers younger:
1. There is some environmentalist stuff thrown in, little enough to make it easy to ignore, but enough to make it something you should discuss with your kids.
2. Lack of adult supervision.
3. Life & death situations.
4. The harshness of the relationships with the parents (this and number 5 are the main reasons I am making my kids reach a certain age).
5. There is a murder done at the end of the book by one of the major characters on a not nice, but innocent person. This probably bothered me the most, but as it not big on details and just glazes over the event, I decided to let the kids read as it is a very Ancient Greek way of doing things and in line with the tone of the book.

Kindle Edition: The Lightning Thief, film edition

Seeing Redd

Seeing Redd: The Looking Glass Wars, Book Two by Frank Beddor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was a fun read, like the first in the trilogy. But this book is the main reason I would not let my kids read it until they are at least 12. Beddor seems intent on proving Redd's deserving her title of Imperial Viciousness in this book, with death, malice and viciousness every few pages (none uber graphic, but for a supposed YA, it's fairly intense). The romance between Dodge and Alyss in this book also seems to falter in the telling, not progressing smoothly, fairly hit and miss. And another romance comes out of nowhere to fill in some plot holes. But there is interesting plot development and character development going on that keeps this novel from falling on it's face. It would have been a strong 4-star if not for the violence and bleh feeling of the Alyss-Dodge romance.

Kindle Edition: Seeing Redd: The Looking Glass Wars, Book Two

ArchEnemy

ArchEnemy: The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

To be honest, I only finished this book to wrap up the series. I loved the first book, liked the second book, but the final is meh. It feels very rushed, like the author was out of ideas and just wanted to wrap it up. It also read much like a screenplan (not too surprising) considering the author's history in the movie industry. The book strayed too much from Alyss and Redd, the characters that made the first book pop. We spend a lot more time with Molly Homburg and Arch in this one - who, frankly, I'm not much interested in. The book leaves Alyss and Dodge hanging for so long, that by the end I don't really care if they end up together or not. I will say, I was always interested in how things were going to end up for Hatter Madigan. His character remains true and interesting through all three books, so I may read his spinoff series.

Kindle Edition: ArchEnemy: The Looking Glass Wars, Book Three (Looking Glass Wars Trilogy)

Physik

Physik (Septimus Heap, Book Three) by Angie Sage
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

These books are fun to read. They're quick paced with quite a bit of humor. My main complaint, and the reason they have not warranted more than three-stars as of yet, is that I really only just 'like them'. They lack the depth of the books that I really like or love. The characters are fairly flat and there are often holes left in the story (despite end of novel wrap ups for each character). But the authors humor is good enough to still make the books a fun, quick read. So if you're looking for something to whip through, without getting too attached to the characters, these are great.

Kindle Edition: Septimus Heap, Book Three: Physik

Queste

Septimus Heap, Book Four: Queste by Angie Sage
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The first half of this book is very slow. But it has a fast paced ending (couldn't put it down for the last 100 pages or so). The greatest thing about this series is that it's a wonderful read for younger kids (2nd grade and up). It's an action packed fantasy that kids will love without causing nightmares or having questionable morality that would make parents cringe. The books are straight forward good vs. evil. The main problem is the lack of depth for many characters, which can be overlooked when considering that these are more meant for children than adults.

Kindle Edition: Septimus Heap, Book Four: Queste

Leven Thumps: The Gateway to Foo

The Gateway (Leven Thumps) by Obert Skye
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book had a lot of promise, with a great idea. But it was quite a dissappointment. I swear, the only reason I finished was because I was stuck in a hospital at the time. The characters are very flat and not very likable to me (except for Clover). The book is basically very boring. Nothing else to redeem it. Not horrible and readable if you have nothing else, but there are much better things out there.

Kindle Edition: Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo

Leven Thumps: The Whispered Secret

The Whispered Secret (Leven Thumps) by Obert Skye
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Read is not exactly true. Partially read is more accurate. I couldn't finish it. After not liking the first book very much, but hearing so many people that liked them, I decided to give the series another try. I couldn't make it past chapter three. It's just way to plodding and nothing about the characters makes me care about them one way or another. So I guess this is one series I will never finish.

Kindle Edition: Leven Thumps and the Whispered Secret

A Touch of Magic

A Touch of Magic by Gregory L. Mahan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another book I got for free as a Kindle download and surprisingly quite good. All you really need to know about the storyline is this: At the age of fourteen, Randall Miller receives the shock of his life when he discovers that he has the talent--for magic! Unfortunately for him, on Tallia, magic is illegal and the penalty is death.

As for why I liked it, but what prevented it from getting 5 stars. This is a well written book that flows nicely. I read it in two evenings. I really like the character development of Randall - he feels very real. And he is just like a teenager. When he does something wrong, he goes into the depths of despair (with quite a bit of humor). When he does something right, he tends to go overboard and cause chaos. As the story progresses, he does a lot of growing and maturing. Yet it never feels forced, it all flows very naturally as a consequence of his experiences. I also enjoyed the author's humor. Not to over powering, but enough to make the book very enjoyable and cause me to chuckle out loud several times. I also enjoyed how Mahan (the author) made an old subject (boy discovering he has magic powers) into his own and created a believble world with it.

One thing I didn't enjoy overly was the gore. Thankfully, nothing too graphic. But definitely geared more towards boys than girls. And Randall's ability to walk away from some of these encounters so nonchalantly stretches belief for me.

I also didn't like the lack of depth to other characters. I'd like to know more about what Berry is. I'd like to know more about Randall's mother and Erliand. I'm hoping that some of this depth will be explored in future books.

Kindle Edition: A Touch of Magic

The Dragon Box

The Dragon Box by Katie W. Stewart
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Okay, so this book is about a game that the main character, James, goes inside of. But is it just a game?

Was this book bad? Not really. But was it any good? Not really. The writing was childish, the storyline too obvious, the humor tried to hard, and the characters were flat. I could maybe see a young boy enjoying this as a quick read, but that's about it. I will say that it was a very clean story, nothing I'd be worried about my kids reading.