YA

Book Review: Assassin’s Apprentice

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Assassin's Apprentice
Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father’s gruff stableman. He is treated as an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz’s blood runs the magic Skill—and the darker knowledge of a child raised with the stable hounds and rejected by his family.

As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz is growing to manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom. -GoodReads

I love epic fantasy, and this book is the epitome of all that is good in fantasy! It has everything a good book should have – diverse characters, unique magic system, action, suspenseful plot, danger, intrigue, and of course, wonderful character development.

I was enchanted with the entire story, and immediately fell in love with Fitz! His unique perspective on the world of the Six Duchies and the royal court was exciting to read about. Continue reading →

Book Review: The Alchemyst

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The Alchemyst
The Alchemyst by Michael Scott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life. The records show that he died in 1418. But his tomb is empty.

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It’s the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That’s exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won’t know what’s happening until it’s too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.

Sometimes legends are true. – Good Reads

I liked this book pretty well. I loved the fantasy aspect, with lots of magic and ancient myths! The story is good, and the plot moves quickly. I liked the characters, but although they are all interesting and diverse, I didn’t really connect with any of them. Continue reading →

Book Review: The Joys of Love

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The Joys of Love
The Joys of Love by Madeleine L’Engle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

During the summer of 1946, twenty-year-old Elizabeth is doing what she has dreamed of since she was a little girl: working in the theatre company on the sea where she is an apprentice actress. She’s never felt so alive. And soon she finds another passion: Kurt Canitz, the dashing young director of the company. Then Elizabeth’s perfect summer is profoundly shaken when Kurt turns out not to be the kind of man she thought he was.

Moving and romantic, this coming-of-age story was written during the 1940s. As revealed in an introduction by the author’s granddaughter Léna Roy, the protagonist Elizabeth is close to an autobiographical portrait of L’Engle herself as a young woman—“vibrant, vulnerable, and yearning for love and all that life has to offer.”  -GoodReads

 

I enjoyed reading this book! L’Engle has such a unique writing style; she can take a side-character with a toothache, and make their toothache be a philosophical commentary on the fantasy vs. reality of emotional entanglements, weaving it so perfectly into the storyline that you barely realize she’s doing it. As always, brilliant writing! Continue reading →

Book Review: Bible Promises for Teens

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Bible Promises for Teens
Bible Promises for Teens by Barbara Farmer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love how this devotional book is divided by topic, so that whatever difficulty you may be having in life, you can turn to that topic and receive encouragement. The Scripture verses are a mixture of NIV, the Message, and NKJV.
Each topic has five or six passages of Scripture that pertain to the subject. I found this book wonderfully inspiring! It would make a lovely gift for any teen.
The graphics and layout are so beautiful!

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.

View all my reviews

Book Series Review: Conspiracy 365

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Conspiracy 365 by Gabrielle Lord: http://c0397.myubam.com/p/1006/conspiracy-365-january-book-1
Julia at Books Under the Bed: https://www.youtube.com/user/je1suis1julz

JanuaryFebruaryMarchApril

Scroll down to see in-depth reviews of all four books!

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January
January by Gabrielle Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On New Year’s Eve, Cal is chased down the street by a staggering, sick man with a deadly warning They killed your father. They’ll kill you. You must survive the next 365 days. Hurled into a life on the run the 15-year-old fugitive is isolated and alone. Hunted by the law and ruthless criminals, Cal must somehow uncover the truth about his father’s mysterious death and a history-changing secret. Who can he turn to, who can he trust, when the whole world seems to want him dead? The clock is ticking. Any second could be his last. -GoodReads

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book, since it is not really the genre I normally read. What drew me into the action and adventure was the puzzle aspect of the story… the mysterious drawings, the enigma of the Ormond Singularity, the bad guys hiding in the shadows. The suspense is high, we don’t know who to trust, and we have to question everything as the plot unfolds! I couldn’t stop reading! Continue reading →

Book Review: Sidekicked

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Sidekicked
Sidekicked by John David Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adored this book from start to finish! It surprised me, made me laugh, tugged at my heartstrings, and made me think about the meaning of good and evil. Brilliant writing, a delightful story, and a compelling and likable main character! I love it!

The story is told from Drew’s perspective, who is a teen sidekick-in-training with a super that has abandoned the superhero community. As Drew tries to convince his super to come back and fight against evil, the other sidekicks are having difficulties as well, especially once an old archenemy returns and begins kidnapping supers. The best thing about it is that Drew’s superpower is his supersenses; super-hearing, super-smell, and super-sight.

I loved Drew’s character, because I always love the underdog. I immediately Continue reading →

Graphic Novel Review: Friends With Boys

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Friends With Boys
Friends With Boys by Faith Erin Hicks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“After years of homeschooling, Maggie is starting high school. It’s pretty terrifying.
Maggie’s big brothers are there to watch her back, but ever since Mom left it just hasn’t been the same.
Besides her brothers, Maggie’s never had any real friends before. Lucy and Alistair don’t have lots of friends either. But they eat lunch with her at school and bring her along on their small-town adventures.
Missing mothers…distant brothers…high school…new friends… It’s a lot to deal with. But there’s just one more thing.
MAGGIE IS HAUNTED.” – GoodReads

I enjoyed this graphic novel so much! The artwork is beautiful, and I love the use of shadow and light to bring emphasis or attention to a particular character or one side of the page or panel. Just brilliant! The art really tells a big part of the story. Continue reading →

Book Review: ArchEnemy

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ArchEnemyArchEnemy by Frank Beddor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“The Heart Crystal’s power has been depleted, and Imagination along with it. The people of Wonderland have all lost their creative drive, and most alarmingly, even Queen Alyss is without her powers. But at least the vicious Redd Heart seems to be similarly disabled. Amazingly, she is attempting to team up with her enemy, Alyss, in order to reclaim Wonderland from King Arch. Alyss might have no choice but to accept Redd’s overtures, especially when she begins to receive alarming advice from the caterpillar oracles. . . .”  -GoodReads

(This review is Spoiler Free!)

I thought this was the perfect ending for the Looking Glass Wars trilogy! A big climactic battle at the end and then everything resolved. The world of Wonderland is so imaginative and magical, and I loved how it connects with Earth. Wonderland is very different from the Lewis Carroll books, and has such a cool twist on the White Rabbit, the Queen of Hearts, the whole cast of Wonderland characters, and even Alyss herself! Continue reading →

August Reading

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What is a children’s book that reminded you of Beatrix Potter? What’s your favorite graphic novel? Tell me in the comments!
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