My name is Zed, and I always wanted to join the Mages Guild. I was briefly destined to be trained as a sorcerer, until the Adventurers Guild claimed me. They're a mysterious guild, led by the fearsome Alabasel Frond, and they're tasked with defending Freestone from the Dangers outside the city's walls. Holding off the monsters and beasts is dangerous and risky, but it's become more challenging as the wards slowly weaken. A Naga pierced a hole in them, nearly killed Brock, and crippled my dwarf-friend Jett. Somehow, I unleashed a spell on it, but I unknowingly drew upon dark magic. Being half elf, many people are already leery of me. Am I destined to destroy Freestone, or can I find some way to master my powers and save the city?
The most enjoyable aspect of this book was the interaction of the characters. Zed's heritage created complications for him, but it was also a source of his abilities. He ended up striking a deal with someone that will surely come back to haunt him. Brock was his closest friend and jumped to his defense when needed. However, he also had a secret regarding the Adventurers Guild that created issues as the story moved along. I was surprised that Jett was a best friend but didn't have a big role in the plot. I assume/hope he'll me more involved in any sequels. Liza was probably the most interesting character. She came from noble birth and volunteered to join the adventurers; that was unheard of. She was competitive and had already mastered many warrior skills. Brock especially had problems accepting her, and of course the author threw them all together to form a team. The main conflict in the plot revolved around the Dangers and the weakening wards designed to protect the city. Who and what caused the hole in the wards? Could it be stopped? The Dangers themselves came in varying shapes, sizes, and abilities, but the humanoid beasts signaled a significant change in the problem. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot, as I've already started the sequel, Twilight of the Elves.
Prince Gwydion has been tricked and severely wounded, and Dyrnwyn, the most powerful sword in Prydain, has been lost. Arawn has sent his devastating Cauldron-born across the kingdom to crumble the king's reign. However, Prince Gwydion believes there's an opportunity for us to attack Annuvin with Arawn's armies spread across the realm. The prince has trusted me, Taran, to assemble an army of Free Commots, and we are tasked with delaying the Cauldron-born's return to Annuvin. Their absence from home weakens them, and we have little hope of victory if this juggernaut regains its strength. King Smoit's castle has been overrun, and close friends have died. Our chances for success are waning, but we must never give up hope.
This book brings the Prydain series to a satisfying conclusion, as all surviving characters live happily ever after. I was disappointed in the book's climax, as it was too short and anti-climactic. The recovery of Dyrnwyn was crucial, and problems were quickly resolved once it was found. I wanted to experience a more suspenseful showdown, since the whole series led up to that moment. However, that bummer won't keep me from strongly recommending this book and series for your reading pleasure. The characters formed a tight bond, and they were all virtuous. Taran's righteousness, compassion, and purity of heart made him a natural leader, even though he continued to call himself the Assistant Pig-Keeper. The Commots would not have followed anyone else, and Gurgi loyally remained by his side. His destiny was foreseeable, and there were few surprises in the book's resolution. Arawn's powers created a formidable conflict, but his defeat was inevitable; good guys usually win. This 1969 Newbery-winning book has withstood the test of time, and you should add it to your must-read list. Start with The Book of Three to fully enjoy the entire series.
My name is Xander, and I must rescue my father and save the world. I discovered the children's story about Momotaro and the giant peach is true, and I'm next in line to protect the world from demons. I have no special training, but my grandfather's ghost tells me to read the comic book and says I already have the abilities I need. How are my brain and art supposed to stop the evil creatures? Physical activities aren't my thing, I only ran one lap during our middle school fundraiser, so I'm glad my best friend volunteered to come on the quest. The book says I'll have two more companions; my dog is one, and a monkey girl is the other. Even with their help, where am I supposed to go? What will I do when I get there?
I randomly found this book at my local library. I remember reading the folktale in my school textbook back when I was teaching, so it was fun to get reacquainted. You don't need to have read it, since it's retold within the story. Past Momotaro's had unique talents, and Xander's abilities were unknown. It was fun trying to predict them, since I was sure there was something making him special. He had supposedly drawn the comic book about Momotaro but didn't remember doing it. His grandfather's spirit appeared at times to lend vague advice that Xander didn't usually find helpful. Rest assured, Xander's power is eventually discovered in time to save the day. The monkey girl was an intriguing addition to the cast. While she was often helpful, her past and motivations were mysteries. She was very uncomfortable accepting any positive comments from Xander which piqued my curiosity. The first pages of the book were interesting, but I must admit it seemed to take too long getting to the meat of the plot. Once there, it shared a magical adventure through a real/fantasy world. Overall, I enjoyed the book and recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Seth, and I can't remember anything about my past. Others have called me by that name, but I don't know who I am. Luckily, a unicorn named Ronodin has taken care of me and is warning me about our enemies. I'm not sure why he brought me to the Under Realm, since I'm now indentured to the Underking. I can't leave this place without his permission. I'm now second-guessing the release of all the undead from the Blackwell. I don't want to hurt anyone innocent. The Sphinx said the wizard we saw was evil, but the man seemed to know me. I didn't sense any wickedness from him. Then there's the girl who said she's my sister. Why won't Ronodin let me speak to anyone who once knew me? What is he afraid I'll find out? Apparently I'm a shadow charmer, and I hope I can figure out a way to leave the Under Realm without causing harm to anyone.
I read Dragonwatch #2 a year and a half ago, so I forgot much of the events and characters. That's the frustrating thing about waiting for sequels to be published. Lucky for you, you can read the series from the beginning. The plot is split in two, as Seth deals with the Under Realm, and his sister Kendra addresses a war with the dragons while at the same time trying to locate her brother. Wyrmroost is the last sanctuary for magical creatures, and it's fallen. Kendra and her allies must find a new safe haven, but the locations are scarce. Seth's amnesia adds a special twist to the events, since readers are mostly aware of the motives behind the creatures he meets. If you can't tell from the summary above, Seth's being used by evil characters. It's interesting to see how the "good guys" react when the meet him. They all know he's being manipulated, and they understand why Seth won't trust what they say. However, they speak the truth anyhow and allow Seth's skeptical mind to walk away, hoping he'll eventually realize which characters are his true friends. But what if he doesn't? Overall, this book is very similar to Mull's other series, and it's a lot of fun. Creativity and adventure abound! I highly recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Opal, and I felt bad about Logan wrecking Nico's quadcopter. I understand why Nico is mad at me too, but I want to help the group understand what's happening out on the island. There's a pool of dark water under an old boathouse, and the green blob in a jar makes me uneasy. The whole place made everyone a little nervous, especially when the Darkdeep grabbed Emma and pulled her into the swirling water. She popped up outside of the boathouse along with a hologram-like figment of her imagination, a giant purple grizzly bear. She wasn't concerned about jumping back into the pool though, since the new figments quickly disappeared. However, the Godzilla figment lasted a lot longer, seemed a more solid, and left a huge footprint in the sand. What have we done?
I read the sequel to this book first, but I wanted to know how it all began. The figments began from the imaginations of whoever happened to touch the pool water. As in many other juvenile novels, the characters decided to experiment with the Darkdeep even though they didn't understand what they were doing. Opal and Nico were leerier than the others, but they went along with the group's impulses. The characters never discovered any details about the Darkdeep, but the sequel will answer all of the questions. The fun aspect of the book was the imaginary creatures conjured by the kids' thoughts. Some of them were plain silly, but others were silly and dangerous. In addition, there were stories of the Beast lurking in Still Cove, so the possibility of it popping up was always in the back of my mind. Logan was an antagonist in the plot, but his role became dynamic as the events unfolded. Having read the sequel first, I kept wondering about what his character was doing. Overall, this series has been fun to read with its unpredictable characters and plot. I recommend you read The Beast next to fully immerse yourself in the adventure.
My name is Kick, and science is not something other kids in Bohring like. It's hard being the new kid wearing overalls, but I took a hint from Grandma Missouri. I got the kids to believe I'm a psychic, just like Grandma. I think it's silly people believe a crazy curse has returned that says kids will become monsters every hundred years. However, I can't explain the strange odor I smelled in the forest, the glowing shapes I saw, or the growling I heard. Plus, there's the disappearance of the two boys I saw running from the green lights. The sheriff is leading searches for them, and the mayor says he'll take care of everything. I know living in the Hollows surrounded by swamps adds to the mystery, but I still believe there must be some logical explanation. I'm a scientist, and I'll treat this like an experiment to find the answers.
I randomly chose this book from my library's new-book shelf. It's one of those books that keeps you wondering if the events are due to natural causes or magic. That's the question Kick researches throughout the plot. She doesn't believe in magic and curses, so she tries to disprove them using the scientific method. She develops hypotheses and figures out ways to test them. Lovers of scientific knowledge will be able to identify with her. Ironically, Kick pretends to have psychic visions when it suits her purposes. How else are you supposed to announce your findings without incriminating yourself. Kick's grandmother believes her own fake psychic readings serve a purpose for the community, and her steady business confirms that. The alligator living under the house adds an amusing twist, while three dress-alike girls are minor antagonists. The absence of Kick's parents creates a conflict for her character. This book tells a cute story of a young girl feeling out of place in the bayou. It reads like a mystery, as Kick tries to figure out the truth behind the town curse. Overall, I enjoyed the book and think it will appeal to the right audience. I'm not certain, but it might become a series.
