Tag: fantasy

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Legends of the Guardian King series: Karen Hancock

I read these books off of a recommendation and the fact that their Kindle price was pretty cheap (hey, I’m on a budget!)

I feel kind of mixed about these books, even though I really liked them. They are overtly in the Christian genre, which to be honest, I don’t normally like. However, I got into these books. They have a way more “fantasy” feel than normal Christian books do, although their “analogies” were pretty obvious. Like Tersius is Jesus, just say it already! 🙂

If you like the fantasy genre with magic and warlocks and such, but are looking for a bit tamer version, then I would definitely recommend these to you.

I liked them and you get the feel good feeling of good triumphing over evil. But it’s not all roses as the protagonist goes through the fire similar to Job!  But I think it just makes you love him even more.

When you read the summary you’ll probably be like me and like “ehhh”, but give it a shot! Plus if you have a Kindle, book 1 is free, can’t beat that!

Anyways, totally recommend with 4 stars.

Summary of book 1:
Hancock’s intriguing Arena [BKL Ap 15 02] drew a great deal of praise for the originality and starkness of its alternative universe. In The Light of Eidon, she begins a fantasy series called Legends of the Guardian King that is more clearly a Christian allegory but is so crisscrossed with subplots and deceit that exactly where the light of Eidon shines may baffle the reader. It certainly baffles young Abramm Kalladorne, Hancock’s hero. He is the little-valued fifth son of the king of Kiriath, a vivid kingdom that seems a bit like medieval England, with a bit of ancient Rome. Abramm is drawn to the religious life, but after eight years as a novitiate, he discovers that his spiritual leader is a fraud and that the true path to Eidon’s light lies elsewhere. But upon leaving the monastery, he finds himself in the middle of court intrigues, and his brothers sell him into slavery in a faraway, barbarous land. For a while, Hancock’s novel seems like a gladitorial epic, but then Eidon, or Jesus, makes his truths known. A great battle ensues, but victory is not complete and many questions remain. Readers will certainly return for the second installment.

Paperback: 432 pages Publisher: Bethany House (July 1, 2003) Language: English ISBN-10: 0764227947

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Girl in the Steel Corset: Kady Cross

This was the first time I’ve ever read “Steampunk” genre book. Well, I guess Clockwork Prince is sort of a Steampunk book, but this was a lot more true to the genre.

I liked it. Sort of a alternate history, League of Extroidinary Gentlemen type feel to it. I think she’s making this into a series and I’ll for sure read the rest of them.

I recommend and give 4 stars.

Summary:
In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the “thing” inside her.
When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch….
Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she’s special, says she’s one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.
Griffin’s investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help—and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.
But The Machinist wants to tear Griff’s little company of strays apart, and it isn’t long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she’s on—even if it seems no one believes her. 

Reading level: Young Adult Hardcover: 480 pages Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (May 24, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 0373210337

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Jaguar Stones, Book One, Middleworld: Jon and Pamela Voelkel

I read this book because I’m a big fan of the Percy Jackson series. Like totally love the series even though they are written for Middle Grade.

What did I think about this one? Way too elementary for an adult, but a great read for actual elementary school age kids. I’m definitely keeping this book for something Lyric can read when she gets older, but I won’t be finishing the series. It was good, don’t get me wrong, just too “young” for me.

recommend (for kids) and 4 stars (for kids)

Summary: Fourteen-year-old Max Murphy is looking forward to a family vacation. But his parents, both archaeologists and Maya experts, announce a change in plan. They must leave immediately for a dig in the tiny Central American country of San Xavier. Max will go to summer camp. Max is furious. When he’s mysteriously summoned to San Xavier, he thinks they’ve had a change of heart.  Upon his arrival, Max’s wild adventure in the tropical rainforests of San Xavier begins. During his journey, he will unlock ancient secrets and meet strangers who are connected to him in ways he could never have imagined. For fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to this pampered teenager. Can Max rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save the world from the Lords of Death, who now control the power of the Jaguar Stones in their villainous hands? The scene is set for a roller-coaster ride of suspense and terror, as the good guys and the bad guys face off against a background of haunted temples, zombie armies, and even human sacrifice! 

Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: EgmontUSA; Revised edition (April 27, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 1606840711

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Firelight: Sophie Jordan

I’ve had this book on my Kindle Reading List for quite some time. The bloggysphere loves this author and this book and so I’ve wanted to read it, but just was waiting to feel “in the mood” to read about dragon people.

How did I feel about it? I liked it!

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Summary: Jacinda is extraordinary–even for a draki (descendants of dragons who can shift into human form): she is a fire-breather. Unique and invaluable to her “pride,” the 16-year-old is kept on a short leash, and it has already been ordained that she will mate with the alpha male, Cassian. Jacinda’s determination to do things her own way finds her nearly captured by dragon hunters, but a surprisingly kind young hunter named Will allows her to escape. Rather than suffer the pride’s punishment for her daughter’s risky behavior, Jacinda’s mother decides the family should flee to live among regular humans. Masquerading as a typical high school student would bury Jacinda’s draki nature until it died out. When Will turns out to be a classmate, Jacinda finds that her inexplicable attraction to him keeps her feel of fire and flight alive. Being near a hunter is the most dangerous choice Jacinda can make, yet her desire for him–and need to preserve her inner dragon–cannot be ignored. This distinctive twist on the popular supernatural romance theme will appeal to fans of the genre, even if a lack of resolution at this story’s culmination may frustrate some readers. “Twilight” fans ready to move beyond vampires will jump right in.

Reading level: Young Adult Paperback:
352 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (September 6, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061935093

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The Lost Hero: Rick Riordan

Okay, this book was awesome! I read the entire Percy Jackson series and although, yes, it was quite juvenile, I totally got into it (it gets less juvenile as the books progress in classic HP style). I’ve always had a soft spot for Greek Mythology and I just really enjoyed the series and the characters and was sad when after 5 books, the series concluded…

OR SO WE THOUGHT 🙂

Riordan seriously brought it in this book and also brought it as far as page count goes. This book isn’t one of the tiny ones he’s written earlier, it has some girth to it and I really appreciated that.

If you enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, you’re going to love this beginning to a new series. I just wish I would have found out about this book after the 2nd one was already out because I wish I could have started on it immediately!

5 stars and totally recommend!

Amazon Summary:
Readers longing for a return to Camp Half-Blood will get their wish in the first novel of the Heroes of Olympus series, which follows Riordan’s popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and includes some of the same characters in minor roles. The new cast features Jason, Piper, and Leo, teen demigods who are just coming to understand and use their unique abilities as they learn how much depends upon their wits, courage, and fast-developing friendship. Setting up the books to come, the backstory of a master plan to unseat the gods is complex but is doled out in manageable bits with a general air of foreboding. Meanwhile, the action scenes come frequently as the three heroic teens fight monstrous enemies in North American locales, including the Grand Canyon, Quebec City, Detroit, Chicago, Omaha, Pikes Peak, and Sonoma Valley. Flashes of humor lighten the mood at times, but a tone of urgency and imminent danger seems as integral to this series as the last. With appealing new characters within a familiar framework, this spin-off will satisfy the demand for more.

  • Hardcover: 576 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; 1st edition (October 12, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9781423113393