Book Review: Annals of Alasia gives an idea on how to know your characters

Hi everyone. It's time for another book review. Today's lucky winner is none other than Annals of Alasia.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
This book follows the author Annie Douglass Lima as she conducts interviews with each of her characters from the three books of the Alasia series. While there's not actual storyline the events flow really well and the characters act as if it's really happening. Lima also acts realistically as she interviews the inhabitants of Alasia and Malorn, both good and bad. This is definitely one to have if you've enjoyed her other books. However her method of interviewing her characters could be useful for other authors to get to know their characters.
Caution:
Nothing to worry about here. People do recount deeds of treason.
Lessons:
Everyone has a story to tell.

Book review: A Clash of Kings intensifies the series

Well it's time to do another review. This week I've finally finished reading the second book of A Song of Ice and Fire, A Clash of Kings.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Story:
Westeros is being plunged into a civil war. Not only are the Lannister forces fighting against the armies of the North, but the people of King's Landing are starving and people across the Riverlands are being attacked. To make matters worse their are some men who are not interested in taking any side but their own. Stannous and Renly Baratheon, brothers of the late King Robert Baratheon, have declared themselves king and are waging war against each other. Whoever wins will go on to attack King's Landing. King Robb Stark of the North sends Theon Greyjoy back to the Iron Islands to enlist the help of his father, but only unleashes another power hungry man upon Westeros. Sansa, Arya, and Tyrion are caught up in the various aspects of the war while Jon and Daenerys are experiencing forces at work elsewhere in the world. Loyalties will be tested, friends and foes will rise, and no one will escape the clash of kings unscathed.
George R. R. Martin captures complex politics at work in the world of Westeros. It's hard for any writer to capture the workings of a world in the way Martin has. You can feel the pain and sorrow of many who want to help people, but can't for one reason or another. The human element is also strong here. Most authors tend to have different sides put aside petty differences to work together, but that does not work here. Many people are too set in their pride to listen to reason and as a result many suffer. I also love the amount of world building Martin has done in creating the city of Quarth and the history and lore in the wilds north of the Wall.
However this book does take an incredibly darker turn. He shows that there are darker powers at work in the world, some of them working behind the self-proclaimed kings in their struggle for the Iron Throne. Men and women alike also discuss things that are incredible inappropriate, mainly body parts that shouldn't be discussed except with their spouses. Still if you enjoyed the first book go ahead and pick it up. Just remember: read at your own risk.
Caution:
The F word appears at least twenty times. Several scenes are sexually explicit and graphic. A man is poisoned. Battles break out and there is blood and gore. A woman goes to see some warlocks and passes through a house of horrors, where corpses try to eat her. Some swearing.
Lessons:
When an unrighteous king comes to power it's the people who end up suffering. A tyrant will enforce his rule upon the people and force them to accept their way. Sometimes what we want isn't what is best for us. We all have gifts that we can use to help others. If we do not control our ambition, we can become something terrible.

Book Review: The Great Battle lives up to its name

Hi everyone. Well, I know that you know what time it is now. It's time for me to review a new book. The lucky winner today is book one of the Guardians of Allon series, The Great Battle.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
Allon is a country unlike any you've seen before. The people are capable of getting direct help from Jor'el, the god of the world. To help maintain peace Jor'el has created a race of super people known as the Guardians. Each guardian has their own special skills and use them to help mortals. However nowadays there are some guardians that are causing trouble, like a mysterious rogue who beats people. An investigation begins to uncover a dangerous plan that could change the course of Allon's history forever.
I was incredibly impressed with this story. Shawn Lamb has created an amazing world that definitely stands out on its own. It has a presence of the Divine like in Narnia, but the action of Middle-Earth. Most fantasy stories start out with the world in an age of darkness and tyranny, but the author here has come up with a well-written story that shows the world in a golden age before the fall from grace. There are mystical creatures, but they are not what you expect. One example of something fantasy fans are familiar with would be the kelpie, but it is more of a monster than the water horse we know. Shawn Lamb has also created some dangerous new monsters that most heroes would rather not face in battle. Different perspectives and characters help set things up for the future of Allon and help to move the story along. This is a must-have for anyone who loves fantasy or the Chronicles of Narnia.
Caution:
Some battles can be terrifying and intense. Characters are chased by monsters and injured. People are tortured by the villains. Cases of blood from battles. Many characters die. A man passes through fire to test his virtue.
Lessons:
Sometimes people are allowed to do bad things so the judgement will be just. Even when it seems like evil has won, God will prevail in the end. Sometimes doing the right thing means going against those around you.

Book Review: Immortal Guardians really catches you off guard

Hallo. It's time for another book review. Today I finished ready the first book of Fall of the Beasts, the next Spirit Animals series, Immortal Guardians.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Plot:
It's been several months since the events of The Evertree, and Erdas is rebuilding from the war with the Conquerors. However people have been calling the Great Beasts as Spirit Animals, much like Conor, Abeke, Rollan, and Meilin have called Briggan, Uraza, Jhi, and Essix. When you think everything will be fine and dandy, trouble rears its ugly head again. Zerif is back, and he has gained a power that allows him to rip the Great Beasts away from the people they've bonded with. What's more, the new Evertree is sick, and mysterious parasites are appearing that are causing trouble. Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan must return to the role of saving Erdas as they split up to investigate the source of what is poisoning the Evertree and find the remaining Great Beasts and their partners before Zerif can claim them for himself. The stakes are higher than before, for if they fail Erdas as we know it will fall.
I was surprised to find out that Spirit Animals would continue because I thought once the Conquerors were stopped that would be the end of the story. I was delighted to be proven wrong. I was surprised with how quickly things were escalating in this book, and more than once was given my share of surprises and shocks. I truly felt concerned for the safety of the characters, and the tragic turn of events was saddening. Eliot Schrefer knows his craft as he creates a delightful story that takes elements of interior-world novels and Norse mythology, and combines them in an incredible adventure that raises the level of entertainment and excitement from the last novels. If you haven't read these books yet I would highly recommend you do, especially if you love exploring the realms of fantasy.
Caution:
A parasite takes possession of people and turns them into ghouls. A man stealing animals from their partners might be too intense for some readers. Characters are in peril, and there is some action against the ghouls. Animals fight each other and are injured. Blood is mentioned.
Lessons:
A common cause can unite old enemies. We must try to remember the past, and if we don't learn from it we could hurt our future. Be proud of who you are. Selfishness and greed can ruin goodness. There is more to our world than what we know, and we should be willing to seek it out.

Book Review: Added Upon is an inspirational and heartwarming story

Hi everyone. I know it's been a while, but I am signed up for a class this fall that requires me to do a lot of reading. I got done with one of the books, and I loved it so much I'm going to review it here and now. That book is Added Upon.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Plot:

Added Upon is a story that takes place during the three phases of a person's life: Pre-existence, mortality, and life after death. Homan and Delsa are caught up in the events that led to the casting out of Lucifer and his followers from Heaven, and are later given the opportunity to come to Earth. Having forgotten all they must follow the events of their lives that will help them return to the presence of their Heavenly Father. 

Although the characters of this book are fiction Nephi Anderson does an incredible job at writing out things that have happened, and showing an interpretation of what the world could be like in the future. When I was reading this the story filled my heart with hope and refueled the fire in me to do my family history and genealogy. I loved how Anderson suggested that even though things will be different in the future with the Savior ruling in Zion people will still be able to create in the arts, including writing. Even if you don't agree with some of the beliefs of the author you will love the story for its imagery and the feeling of hope.

Caution:

The word hell is used once, but only in its proper form. Some people are said to have been drinking, but are not seen.

Lessons:

What is sealed on Earth will be sealed in Heaven. Death will not be the end of us. With faith in Jesus Christ anything is possible.

Book Review: Galthain's Bones is a fun journey of growth

Hi everyone. I finally got done with a book I said I'd read. Now it's time to give a review. This takes us beyond the land of Astarkand in the story Galthain's Bones.

Rating: Five out of Five stars
Story:
Long before he came to Astarkand Bjorn was living with his family in Hevla. However one day the Seeress comes and tells him that he must retrieve the bones of his ancestor Eiathan from the city of Deathwater, located in the desert, and bring them to Hevla so they can be properly buried. With a company of six men Bjorn will travel through a scorching and unforgiving desert, where danger follows them and water is hard to come by. What's more, how will they get the remains of Eiathan out of the desert, and is someone in the company hiding a secret? 
There is a bonus story included as well. This story accounts the life of Bjorn Horsa at home in Hevla. We get to see another side to Bjorn as he lives with his family, close and extended. The bonus story serves for good humor and helps to show the culture of the Horsa people. While living in Hevla Bjorn gets into all kind of mischief while he seeks to have fun with his brothers and cousins. But will there be a price to pay for his humor?
I'm glad that we got to see a little more of the world apart from Astarkand. This book helps to build the world Krystine Kercher has created in Legends of Astarkand, and takes us beyond the borders of the kingdom we have become acquainted with. Like how the Horsa are Christian, the people of the desert appear to be Muslim as they worship Allah. However the danger comes from the bandits and the mysterious Emir. The journey sometimes feels long, but it is a world. Of course traveling across it would be a long process. Magic doesn't really appear until halfway through the story, but it serves as a tool that helps the characters. Overall this is a fun fantasy story that should be read. 
Caution:
A character mentions the word rape, but it isn't seen. Bandits chase men across the desert. Some fighting, but not gory. 
Lessons:
We should remember our ancestors and do what we can to honor them. The Lord will provide a way for us to obey his will. It is good to befriend those who are not of our faith. Good people are found everywhere.

Book Review: A Game of Thrones puts the Epic in Epic Fantasy

Hi everyone. I’ve been reading a book that has been entertaining, but long. Now it is finished. That book is the story A Game of Thrones

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Story:

Enter the world of Westeros, a land with a heavy medieval culture and seven kingdoms are ruled by a monarch who sits on the Iron Throne. After years of not seeing each other Lord Eddard “Ned” Stark is visited by his old friend Robert Baratheon, the King of Westeros, and is made the new Hand of the King. Reluctantly Ned follows Robert to King’s Landing with his daughters Arya and Sansa. On the way Ned starts to uncover facts that led to the death of the past Hand, Jon Arryn. As he searches for answers he uncovers a secret that could plunge all Westeros into chaos and war.

Online friends have told me that George R. R. Martin is the new king of fantasy, and it’s easy to see why with A Game of Thrones. Significantly more toned down than the HBO series the book focuses more on the politics of the world than on magic and monsters. Martin is an imaginative writer who brings you into the wondrous, and oft times, violent world of Westeros. Westeros is not a place where gallant princes and fair maidens dance with each other at the ball until midnight, or legions of orcs are trying to wipe out the kingdoms of men. The real threat comes from within, from the people themselves. The characters are well rounded, there is some serious development for many characters and you don’t have to worry about the pages being filled with clichés. In other words, no elves, no centaurs, no guiding wizard companion and counsellor. Magic is in Westeros, but it's very subtle to the point where if you blink you'll miss it. Martin steps away from many of the stereotypes of fantasy and makes Westeros seem like a place that could exist in reality. A gritty yet engrossing tale of the food and fashion of the dark ages. Also has magic and dragons and sex (sadly) and stuff. If you want a serious upgrade in fantasy worldbuilding you should pick up this book. The multiple characters the story follows helps to show the epicness of this world and once you start reading you won’t want to put this book down.
Martin does an incredible job of developing his characters. Cersei is so evil she makes the Evil Queen seem as gentle as a lamb. Sansa starts out as a silly love-struck girl lost in ideas of what stories paint the world to be, but as the book progresses she gets a serious wake up call that the world is often cold and cruel, and doing the right thing can get you killed. The Dothraki people that Daenerys Targaryan ends up with are seen as animals by many people, but as she spends time with them she sees a human side to them. Martin has said that when it comes to doing his female characters he thinks of them as people, and his writing proves it. The characters feel fleshed out and real with shortcomings and faults that many people have. More impressive is the immense political system Martin has created for Westeros. Most people in fantasy just have the king do everything when it comes to politics. In Westeros the king has a council that helps him govern and rule the land. Each man has a certain job  that they do when it comes to ruling the land. One's in charge of the treasury, the other rumors that abound in the land, etc. This suggests the king doesn't hold absolute power in this world. It makes a nice and well needed change from the stereotypes that have engulfed modern fantasy.  

Caution:

People swear, a couple of times f-bomb someone. Jaime and Cersei Lannister have incestuous sex with each other. Daenerys Targaryan's wedding night has too much detail. Characters are raped. Tyrion mentions sleeping with whores, and one instance has too much detail. Privates are mentioned. Sometimes it takes paragraphs, but other times you have to skip pages to avoid it. Not a book for younger readers. Battles break out and people die, sometimes in a gory way, more so than in The Lord of the Rings or The Inheritance Cycle. If this book were adapted into a movie the content could go beyond a PG-13 rating into NC 17. 

Lessons:

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Sometimes doing the right thing means going against the popular opinion. Family can be a source of strength and comfort. Our choices define who we are.