Category: Book Review

Posted on

Heroes of Olympus, Son of Neptune: Rick Riordan

This is seriously one of the best YA fantasty series out there right now, so why don’t more people talk about them? I totally get that the first part of the Percy Jackson series is pretty “middle grade” fiction, so it’s kind of hard for an adult to get hooked, but I pushed through because I enjoyed the cadence of the story. As the series progresses, much like a lot of series, as the characters age, so does the level of the book. That said, this is the 2nd part to the Percy Jackson series and the 2nd in this series Heroes of Olympus (the first was Lost Hero. You’re going to need to read the Percy Jackson series (think Harry Potter meets Greek Mythology), but if you do and you like that series, then this series is WAY better! Same characters and then some. Same crazy gods, but then with a Roman twist. Loved the series and loved this second book!

5 stars and totally recommend.

Summary:

 In The Lost Hero, three demigods named Jason, Piper, and Leo made their first visit to Camp Half-Blood, where they inherited a blood-chilling quest:
Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.
Who are the other four mentioned in the prophesy? The answer may lie in another camp thousands of miles away, where a new camper has shown up and appears to be the son of Neptune, god of the sea.
With an ever-expanding cast of brave-hearted heroes and formidable foes, this second book in The Heroes of Olympus series offers all of the action, pathos, and humor that Rick Riordan fans crave.
 
  • Hardcover: 544 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; First Edition edition (October 4, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1423140591

 

Posted on

The Death Cure: James Dashner

The much anticipated finale of the the Maze Runner trilogy.

I liked it and really did enjoy it, but I felt I still spent most of the book going, “Huh?” It was just confusing, but it was a great story and I’m satisfied with the ending. I’m a little torn, what did you think?

4 stars and recommend

Summary: Thomas knows that Wicked can’t be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they’ve collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It’s up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.
What Wicked doesn’t know is that something’s happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can’t believe a word of what Wicked says.
The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; Exclusive Edition edition (October 11, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385738773
Posted on

Inheritance: Christopher Paolini

I’m not sure I could be more sad right now.

The Inheritance Cycle is over. It’s over!

I feel like I was married to this book. Okay, that’s a bit strange, but I read the first book a few months after I got married and slowly but surely a book has come out throughout the big events of my life. It’s almost like I have measured the length of my adulthood with this series and now it’s done. So does that mean I’m going to die soon? KIDDING!

But I must say, I love how it ended.

I loved it.

I loved how it didn’t end like 4 pages after the final battle too.

This is a fabulous book and I really hope it goes down into the halls of literature with the likes of all the other great epic tales because I truly think it’s epic.

I mean, it has it’s own map, world, languages, battle struggle between good and evil, young boy, mentor, journey, group of friends, betrayal, love, final battle that changes the face of a world; how much more epic can it get?

Again, SO sad this series has come to an end, but I loved the way it did. Oh and it was 880 pages long. How awesome is that?

five stars and YES read it!

Summary:
Not so very long ago, Eragon—Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider—was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders. Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.  The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?
This is the much-anticipated, astonishing conclusion to the worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.

  • Hardcover: 880 pages
  • Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; First Edition/First Printing edition (November 8, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0375856110
Posted on

Mile 81: Stephen King

So this is one of Stephen King’s short stories. Just around 80 pages long, so it’s a short read.

It’s classic King, it really is. Lots of language, gore and characterization all set in New England.

It’s a super short read, but I would recommend it, although it’s gorey. But when you read King, you know what you’re getting into.

4 stars and recommend.

Posted on

The Help: Kathrynn Stockett

So I’m like the zillionth person to recommend this book, but it’s true what they say. It’s a great book. It will make you cringe and shudder when you realize what black people went through just 50 years ago. It’s crazy and insane to think this was “normal”. So incredibly sad. But I think it’s a must read for people and it’s a great story. It flips between 4 people’s points of view and I must say, it’s fantastic. You need to read it! I haven’t seen the movie yet as it hasn’t come out here in Belgium yet, but I’m planning on it.

Anyways 5 stars and recommend it!

Summary:
In writing about such a troubled time in American history, Southern-born Stockett takes a big risk, one that paid off enormously. Critics praised Stockett’s skillful depiction of the ironies and hypocrisies that defined an era, without resorting to depressing or controversial clichés. Rather, Stockett focuses on the fascinating and complex relationships between vastly different members of a household. Additionally, reviewers loved (and loathed) Stockett’s three-dimensional characters—and cheered and hissed their favorites to the end. Several critics questioned Stockett’s decision to use a heavy dialect solely for the black characters. Overall, however, The Help is a compassionate, original story, as well as an excellent choice for book groups. 

Paperback: 544 pages Publisher: Berkley Trade; Mti Rei edition (June 28, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 0425245136