Book Review: Death Weavers weaves an intricate tale of excitement and hope

Good day everyone. Today I am here with a review for the most recent book by one of my favorite authors. The book is Five Kingdoms: Death Weavers. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story: 
Cole Randolph and his friends are continuing their mission to find Mira's lost sisters and restore their powers while trying to find the kids who were sold as slaves and get them back to Earth. This time, their adventures take them to the haunting land of Necronum, where echoes of people who have died can still interact with the mortal world. Here they hope to find Mira's youngest sister, Destiny, who had the power to know of things that were going to happen. While there, they lose their way of finding out which sister is in trouble and where to look for them, and they run into trouble with high consequences. In an effort to save his friends, Cole must use the weaving powers of Necronum to travel to the mysterious Echolands, where he will face foes with the power of shapecraft and make new friends with echoes of deceased heroes. In the process, a dangerous entity known as Nazeem is threatening to escape the Echolands and return to the mortal realm of the Outskirts. Will Cole be able to fulfill his mission and save the Outskirts? Or will he and his friends be doomed? 
I am a big fan of Brandon Mull, and whatever he writes ends up being good. This book is no exception as it takes the story of the Five Kingdoms series to the next level. Mull has shown expertise in world building and here we get a new take on the concept of the afterlife that hasn't been done before. Instead of the gloom and doom prospect, readers are treated to an afterlife that offers more hope and goodness. We also get to see familiar faces from previous series return, but I won't say who because of potential spoilers. Not only are we treated to a fantastic new take on the afterlife, but we also get to learn more about the mysterious creatures known as the torivors. Given how they seem to keep popping up I am beginning to wonder if we're going to see more of them, not just in the Five Kingdoms, but in future works of Brandon Mull. 
The story itself is also a fun and wild roller coaster ride, full of twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Mull has also incorporated some ideas that can help with philosophical thinking, and even given us a look into the origins of the Outskirts themselves. But what I found really impressive what how he has worked with the system of shaping, essentially the force of magic in this world. Brandon Mull has a very clear idea on how it works, and the way he explains it in the novel makes it work really well. It's used in ways that tests his characters, and helps them grow into great heroes worthy of this genre. If you have not journeyed into the Five Kingdoms yet, don't hesitate. This is an adventure you do not want to miss. 
Caution:
People interact with ghosts, some of whom capture and threaten characters. A horse kills some soldiers. A battle against a demonic creature occurs. Lots of peril. 
Lessons:
Death is not the end. We should be careful of who we deal with, whether on the internet or off, because they may not be as sincere as they claim to be. A strong will and determination can throw off the powers of evil. Even if we cannot see the end or purpose of certain events, we can trust that things will work out for the better in the end. When we help others instead of ourselves, we can achieve great things.

Book Review: Five Kingdoms: Crystal Keepers is an amazing blend of fantasy and science fiction

Hi everyone. My prioritizing is still not good. For now I wanted to get this book review up for you. It's for Brandon Mull's new book: Five Kingdoms: Crystal Keepers.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
Cole and his friends are still on the run in the Outskirts. This time, they are traveling to the kingdom of Zeropolis, the most advanced kingdom in this world. This kingdom matches the idea of most futuristic cities, and the magic system of shaping in this kingdom is called tinkering. This skill allows them to use crystals to accomplish their means. However this high-tech place is not a walk in the park. The Grand Shaper in this kingdom is seeking absolute control, and he is on the verge of crushing all resistance. To find Mira's sister Constance Cole will have to travel beyond Zeropolis, make unlikely alliances, and face the wrath of dangerous technology. All the while, the mystery of shapecrafting begins to be unraveled. But will they be able to face all the dangers and save the Outskirts? Or will Cole and his friends be unable to return home ever?
I really enjoyed the way Brandon Mull used magic to power high levels of technology in this book. It really breaks several cliches in the realm of fantasy. He also continues to pull unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Some events happened in this book that I was not expecting until the last book, but I won't say what. His world building skills are really going in new directions in this series. Mull has created fun new games played only in Zeropolis, and unlike most kingdoms there is a way to find out what's going on in our world in Zeropolis. If you want a change from wizards, trolls, and knights, pick up this book.
Caution:
Children are in peril. Men try to capture the characters several times. A person is mentioned as having lost their leg a while ago. Someone is abducted. Some of the action scenes may prove too intense for younger readers. The appearance of a demonic creature might scare some people. A robotic dragon rampages across the city.
Lessons:
When we act out of selfishness we hurt others as well as ourselves. Technology can be used for good purposes as well as bad. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, the past will repeat itself.

Book Review: Rogue Knight makes you expect the unexpected

Hi everyone. Time for another review.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
Cole, Mira, Twitch, and Jace travel to the kingdom of Elloweer to find Mira's sister Honor, whose star has appeared in the knight sky. Along the way they encounter enforcers of the High King, determined to capture and bring them before the evil monarch. Just before they arrive in Elloweer they hear of a mysterious monster that's causing problems in the kingdom, and the mysterious Rogue Knight has been unseating knights from power, much to the government's disdain. As they travel through Elloweer the friends will meet old and new friends, encounter powerful enemies, and learn secrets that will leave none of them unscathed.
When I was reading Sky Raiders the kingdom of Sambria really took imagination to the extreme. In Elloweer, enchantments and illusion reign supreme. Nothing is what it seems and surprises lurk around every corner. Just when you think you've got something figured out an unexpected twist occurs. The Five Kingdoms series is definitely not your average fantasy series, and a ride you do not want to miss. If you enjoyed the Beyonders series then you'll want to read this book because it shows although on different worlds the two series are part of the same universe.
Caution:
Characters are in peril. A kid gets abducted. Animals appear to devour a man, but turns up fine. Knights fight and kill people. In a dreamscape characters get chased by monsters. A witch-like beast takes possession of people.
Lessons:
Don't rush to judgement. Things are not always as they appear. Be cautious with what information you share with others, because you never know who you're talking to. Nobility and honor comes in all shapes and sizes. Always remember who you are. Never give up on those you love or yourself. We all have hidden talents and gifts that can benefit everyone.

Book review: Spirit Animals: Tales of the Great Beasts builds the world and history of Erdas

Well Halloween has come and gone and I wasn't able to do any related blog posts. For that I am sorry. I meant to get this up yesterday but got distracted playing Skyrim. Anyway, here's my review of the latest book in the Spirit Animals series:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
Tales of the Great Beasts gives us stories revolving around the Great Beasts that if you've been reading the series are referred to as the Four Fallen: Jhi the Panda, Briggan the Wolf, Essix the Falcon, and Uraza the Leopard. The book spans the first war against the Devourer/the Reptile King and the forces of the Conquerors, from how it started all the way to the end. We see ordinary kids rise up to the challenge of helping their families, friends, and their homes against the darkness and how the Great Beasts got involved in the war. Everyone has their own problems, human and Great Beast alike, but both work to overcome their challenges to save Erdas at great sacrifice.
I like how the series encourages friendship and teamwork, and the layout of this book was clever. Five authors, including the author who started the series, each contribute a story involving one of the Great Beasts and each have found a way to make the stories unique while fitting together perfectly. The views switch from first person to third person depending on which story you're reading, but that helps to build the story by giving opinions and showing how this war affects everyone.
Caution:
Animals and people fight and do get hurt. A snake possesses people. A woman adjusts her teeth to match those of her Spirit Animal, which may be disturbing to some. A leopard threatens to eat people, and injures some. Wolves attack people, though nothing graphic is described. A snake and a gorilla get really violent. A boy is sick and sometimes coughs up blood.
Lessons:
We can overcome our differences and learn to work together. There is no greater act of love than to give your life for another. We must not let personal ambition lead us down the wrong path. Parents might want to use the Bile as a comparison to the dangers of taking drugs when reading with their children.

Spirit Animals event and Review of Hunted

Hi everyone. I would've done this post yesterday. However I had homework I needed to do. Anyway, this Tuesday I went with my brothers Jonathan and Michael to see the book party for the Spirit Animals series from Scholastic. I was walking up to go in and I realized the person standing right next to me was none other than Brandon Mull himself. That was a surprise. That was the first time I ever entered the room the same time as an author. The other authors of the Spirit Animals series were also there: Maggie Stiefvater, Garth Nix, and Sean Williams. They talked about their lives and their works, and we saw some funny pictures and videos (Maggie's video of her goats was especially funny). I learned that Garth Nix plays the tie-in computer game. They even did a little presentation for some kids chosen from the audience by allowing them to use their imagination to bond with Spirit Animals. Perhaps I need to explain the series a little bit before continuing.
Spirit Animals is a fantasy series that takes place in the world of Erdas, which is like another version of Earth. There are four main continents as well as a mysterious fifth continent. In Erdas there aren't any magical creatures that we would think of. Translation: No dragons, no unicorns, no elves, no dwarves, etc. However there is still plenty of mystical stuff. When a child reaches a certain age in Erdas they are allowed to drink a special nectar that will allow them to summon a Spirit Animal. Not everyone can do it though. As to what a Spirit Animal is, they're animals that bond with humans and allow their human partners to gain special abilities like healing, incredible eyesight, agility, etc. According to legend a long time ago an evil known as the Devourer sought to conquer the entire world, but was stopped by the Great Beasts. The Great Beasts are the most powerful of all the Spirit Animals and guard special talismans. However the victory against the Devourer was costly, for four of the Great Beasts, known as the Four Fallen, paid with their lives to stop him. However in the series the four main characters, separated by great distances, have summoned all four of the Fallen. Now they must learn to work together and travel the world to find the other Great Beasts and collect their talismans before the enemy can.
I've been enjoying the series and I enjoyed meeting all four authors. Brandon Mull has said that he thinks his Spirit Animal would probably be a dolphin. Now on to the review:

In Hunted we get a little more of a story to show the bond between the humans and their Spirit Animals. Conor and his friends are still working on developing their bond with their Spirit Animals when they learn of the location of the next Great Beast. However when returning home to Eura Conor finds things have changed greatly. The Conquerors, who work for the Devourer, have developed a means of forcing a bond to be made and many in Conor's village have turned as a result. Not only must they get to the Talisman first, but they have to prove that they're the heroes and not the Conquerers. This book was one that made me want to keep reading instead of doing things I needed to do. I kept thinking to myself that what the Conquerers did wasn't creating a bond, it was enslaving animals. Essentially their method of bonding requires no teamwork and no trust. The human has all control while the animal does simply what it's told. It's little more than an organic robot in my opinion. A great story about trust and friendship.
Caution:
Kids are in peril and threatened. Some mild blood.
Lessons:
When we act out of pride, we often do terrible things that hurt others and ourselves. True friendship and teamwork comes from trust. We can be so much more than what we think. Losing a loved one is extremely painful. When we stop and think about our options we can see other choices around us.
Rating: Five out of Five Stars

Review of Five Kingdoms: Sky Raiders

Once again author Brandon Mull has created another epic fantasy story. This new book pushes the limits of fantasy like never before. Brandon has shown no fear in creating a story that will shape itself in your mind.
The story begins with a group of friends having fun on Halloween when they decide to check out a spooky old house. However things go wrong when they are captured and taken to another world called the Outskirts. There they are made into slaves to be sold. One of them, Cole, ends up with the Sky Raiders, a group of people who take treasure from floating castles before they vanish forever. The basic fundamental rule is simple: Don't die. 
Eventually Cole helps a fellow slave escape from enemies who are pursuing her. They, along with some new friends, venture to reclaim her lost powers and find a way to stop the ruthless king of the Five Kingdoms and free Cole's friends. 
I have to say Sky Raiders will definitely raid your imagination. There's no telling what you're going to find in the Five Kingdoms. Strange things seem to exist around every corner. If you want a change of pace from your average fantasy this is it.

Five Kingdoms Launch Party Report now on Legendarium

Hi Everyone,
Sorry for now posting for a while. I have some awesome news: I am now a reporter for Legendarium! Legendarium is a website that gives you news regarding fantasy and science fiction media. My first report was on the launch party for Brandon Mull's new book series, Five Kingdoms. You can read about it here:
http://legendarium.mymiddleearth.com/2014/03/13/five-kingdoms-launch-party-report/

Review of Beyonders: A World Without Heroes

You remember a couple of posts back I mentioned a new book by Brandon Mull, author of the Fablehaven series. Well, I've finally read that book, and here's the review I have for Beyonders: A World Without Heroes.
This is the first in a new series that follows the adventures of Jason, a boy from our world who finds himself in a place called Lyrian after he falls through the hippo tank. Lyrian is not a happy place because the evil emperor Maldor (who happens to be a wizard) has crushed all resistance and has defeated all the heroes. He didn't kill them, but he left them broken and humiliated. Jason instantly attracts the attention of Maldor when he learns a great secret: A word exists that if spoken in the presence of Maldor will end him.
There's just one problem: The word is broken up into several syllables, and they are scattered across the land. Jason decides to go and search for the word with Rachel, another Beyonder, which are people from our world who end up in Lyrian. Together they encounter lots of friends, many dangerous enemies, and creatures unlike anything you've seen before.
I've enjoyed reading the Fablehaven series, and when I read this book I enjoyed it just as much as Brandon's previous series. Brandon Mull is clearly a master of fantasy, and everything he writes turns out to be an enjoyable read. Whether or not you've read Fablehaven, this is one book you don't want to miss out on.

Beyonders Signing

Okay, quick blog update. Yesterday I got my copy of Brandon Mull's new book, Beyonders: A World Without Heroes. This is the first of a new series, where a boy named Jason finds himself in another world, and becomes the target of the evil wizard Maldor. Jason has to uncover an ancient secret if he wants to get home and save this hero-less world. I haven't read much of it yet, but I have enjoyed what I have so far.
I was also excited to learn that Brandon Mull would be at the public library signing his new book. I told a friend of mine, who brought some friends of his own, and we all went over to the library. We got there just as Brandon Mull's presentation began. He told us about his inspirations for writing, a little bit about his successful Fablehaven series, and a little about Beyonders. I liked it when he showed some of his international covers. He didn't know what was on the cover of the German translation, but to me it looked like a stone troll.
He also talked about how some experiences he had as a kid led to his writing. Brandon Mull used to be a part of a group that would go exploring around town (like into old, forbidden places). When a candy shop opened, Brandon used to daydream about the candy being magic. That's how the idea for his book, The Candy Shop War, came to be. Another experience he had as a kid was when he decided to stop believing in his imaginary friend. That choice led to the thought "what would happen if your imaginary friend became your imaginary enemy?" That led him to write his first picture book, Pingo.
There was a brief Q&A session. I asked him if there was anything he really wanted to put into his books, like a character or scene, but had to take it out in the end. He said that made him think of some things from Beyonders that we didn't know about yet. I asked him if there was anything from Fablehaven that fell under this situation, and he said that he wanted to include leprechauns and unicorns early in the series, but was unable to.
The time soon came for book signing, but there was a little event where two lucky winners would get a copy of A World Without Heroes. What was cool about this was that one of the members of our group was a winner! That was really cool. While we waited to get our books signed, I bought a Beyonders t-shirt. That's the first t-shirt I got about a book.
Eventually we were able to get our books signed by Brandon Mull. He recognized me from last October, when he was at the library for the Teen Book fest. I told him about some things that I did to spread word about his book, and he liked it. I even got a picture with him.
I hope I'll get to meet Brandon Mull again someday.