Title: Fablehaven:

Author: Brandon Mull

Illustrator: Brandon Dorman

Genre: Children's Fantasy

Age: 9-12

Pages: 351 (paperback)

Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks

        Kendra and Seth are both being left behind at their grandparent’s house, thinking it would be the most boring summer of their lives. They are soon proven to be wrong. As it turns out, their grandparents are the caretakers of a magical haven, where creatures of magic can live in peace and harmony. As beautiful as it sounds, many dark creatures also dwell in the Haven waiting for a chance to pounce and set chaos! As Seth and Kendra learn more about the magical world that has been hidden from them for so long, their grandfather is taken away and the children must learn to fend off on their own as well as find a way to rescue Grandpa Sorensen from danger!

  
         Fablehaven has many creatures of interest and are very delightful to learn about. The different abilities and nature of each creature had me thinking, "Whoa this book is really great!" Yet the novel had many points that just disappointed me. The plot at times can be interesting enough but for most of the time I just wanted to put the book down and do something else. It wasn't the kind of book that I always wanted to read, just one more chapter! I also didn't like the way the author delivered his "action scenes." I mean if a terrible creature is going to destroy the haven, I'd like to feel a little bit concerned or excited but I just didn't really care. The characters weren’t exactly dull. Seth was arrogant, stupid, and did not learn from any mistakes he made. All in all a very frustrating character. Kendra was a bit of the opposite but I hated her as much. She was snobby and a little miss know it all, she was also very scared of every little thing. In general I just hated the characters. I'm not sure if that was a bad thing but I guess I at least felt something towards them. On the bright side, I liked the originality of it all. The creatures were great and the way the Haven was being kept together was fascinating. I wouldn't exactly recommend this, but if you're into a children's fantasy you could always give it a go!

Available on Amazon

Rating: 2/5



Teaser Tuesdays (Apr.24)


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Ok this is my very first Teaser for Teaser Tuesday's Meme. I hope you enjoy it and will take some time off  of your day to go check out the book. Without further ado, this is my teaser!

"Granpa placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know you meant no harm. Around here, what you don't know can hurt you. And others...(p. 142)

This book can be found here: Fablehaven

The Secret Portal

Title: The Secret Portal

Author: Reno Charlton

Illustrator: Sarah Langstone

Genre: Children's Fantasy

Age: 8-12
Pages: 177 (papaerback)

Publisher: Bewrite Books

 
        Have you ever wondered if other dimensions existed, where magical creatures such as vampires, angels, and trolls would roam their own world similar to ours? Jack and his three friends discover the truth about the universe, well at least part of it. Jack, the protagonist, arrives at Earls on a Saturday afternoon and discovers that his friend Simon, and himself would share a room much smaller than the rest of the first years. That may be so, but to Jack's surprise a secret portal opens up in the corner of their room one night and that's where their adventure begins!

        The novel The Secret Portal was quite enjoyable to read. It would flow from one adventure to the next bringing original conflicts to the table. I enjoyed their time at Earls and how the author explained the typical on goings of a regular school environment, such as the bullying and the schoolwork they had to do. I could relate easily since I am a student myself. Some parts struck me as quite hilarious and I couldn't stop thinking about how funny yet dim-witted their conflicts turned out to be. The description is flawless and everything fits perfectly in your mind. It's almost as if you can see the book play out in your mind like a movie. Sadly the characters are somewhat dull apart from Simon, who whines a lot and Clarissa who always seems to have high spirits. I just couldn't bond as well with the characters as I usually do. The conclusion was a bit slow paced and I hated the fact that our main characters were somewhat powerless against magical creatures. I'd say this is a must get if you or your child likes fantasy. It’s a great book for adults or teens too. If you’ve read fantasy novels when you were young, then let me tell you, you’ll fall in love with this one! You can't go wrong with this book; at least I loved it from the start until the end!

This Book is available on Amazon or the Author's Site: www.renocharlton.com

Rating: 3/5

If you liked this book then you'll like this one ----> Click Here

The Last Apprentice: Night of The Soulstealer: Book Three

Title: The Last Apprentice Night of The Soulstealer

Author: Joseph Delaney

Illustrator: Patrick Arrasmith

Genre: Children Literature

Age: 10-14

Pages:  528 (paperback)

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

        Tom Ward, the local spook's apprentice, must journey to the spooks second house in Anglezarke as the winter approaches. A strange cloaked figure appeared for the spook prior to their departure, saying that the spook had something that belonged to him. This encounter changed the spooks behavior and so they journeyed to Anglezarke. It's a bleak and depressing area, and the house isn't exactly welcoming either. The spook decides this is a great time to separate Alice, as he dislikes witches and spooks being together. It just doesn't fit. He sends Alice to a farmer’s house, where we later learn that it's also where Morgan lives a few nights a week. As the days go by, Tom accomplishes his usual routine with household chores and spooks training. Although the spook has added a special demand. Tom must give Meg, the Lamia witch, a dose of potion everyday so she does not remember the past. This twist creates doubts and intrigues Tom to search the full story on Meg and her relationship with his master, but the dark is rising and Morgan is desperately searching for the grimoire in the spooks possession. Tom and his master must act swiftly before Morgan summons Golgoth, one of the old gods, and takes over the county!

        The third book of the series was by far the most interesting and plot twisting! You find out another side of the spook, other than his old, grumpy, business like attitude. I did enjoy the increase of reference to the "old gods" they're very interesting and they add a thrill to the usual spooks business. Book 3 seemed to me as very emotional in many chapters and we did see the relationships between numerous characters. I hate to think it, but for me, the spook seems to be getting old and I doubt he's going to last very long through the series. I just hope he can complete Tom's training before the dark consumes the world. Anyways, Book 3, for me, was the best so far and I'd recommend it for anyone who's into adventure/fantasy or has read the first 2 books and doubt the third. It's a great purchase if you ask me, and I liked every chapter of it! I will be awaiting book four with anticipation and hope it gives me as much pleasure as this one!

Available on Amazon




      

Rating: 3.5/5

The Last Apprentice Curse of the Bane

Title: The last Apprentice Curse of the Bane

Author: Joseph Delaney

Illustrator: Patrick Arrasmith

Genre: Children Literature

Age: 10-14

Pages: 455 (paperback)

Publisher: Greenwillow Books 

        The life of a spook is dangerous, thrilling, and enriching, although there's always a price to pay in order to get rid of the dark. Tom Ward, a boy of 13 years old was placed into this exciting life, a few months ago in book 1. His father had given him apprenticeship to John Gregory, the County Spook. With their tools of the trade and knowledge they get rid of any dark creatures that could be potential enemies to their beloved County. In Joseph Delaney's second book of the series, Tom is rushed into battle from the start. He is sent to take care of a Ripper, which is a powerful boggart. We later find out that the priest who had intended to take care of the ripper in the first place was the spook's brother. The story soon unravels to an unknown territory, Priestown. All the while, Tom learns about the different creatures of the dark and quickly discovers a very powerful one. The spook instructs his apprentice about the Bane. Its domain is in the catacombs, underneath Priestown and he can now reach people's minds and make them do what he likes. The spook and his apprentice are hard-pressed by the new arrival of the Quisitor. Now they have two enemies too deal with and not much time!

        I enjoyed book two of The Last Apprentice, as much as the first. the story was fast paste and each chapter brought different ideas or different conflicts. I enjoyed seeing Tom grow as a person and apprentice, whether it was when he learned about enemies of the light or when he had to make harsh decisions. The author did a splendid job introducing the new characters. He left nothing out and did it efficiently without rambling on uselessly. Interestingly we see the spook at his weakest and it makes me think if Tom will have to take over soon. The bane was a clever addition to the series, and it showed us how strong the characters really are. The conclusion was terrific; I loved the note from his mam and the plot twist. This book was Delaneys best so far! I'm excited to read the third and hope it's as great as this one.

Available on Amazon


                                                                         Rating: 3/5
                               

                              

This is the second book of the series. If you havn't seen the first Click Here
If you liked this book then I think you'll like this one ----> Click Here

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch: Book One

Title: The Last Apprentice Revenge of the Witch

Author: Joseph Delaney

Illustrator: Patrick Arrasmith

Genre: Children Literature

Age: 10-14

Pages:  343 (paperback)

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

        The story takes place in the County, where Tom Ward, a boy of 13 years old becomes apprentice to a spook. Many qualities makes Tom perfect for the job, one of which he is a seventh son of a seventh son, giving him some powers against the dark. John Gregory, Tom's master, brings him along a fruitful adventure where he must make hard decisions to save the ones he loves against dark creatures. With the help of his master and Alice, a young witch, he may be able to defeat the enemies that pursue him but will he be able to do so before someone gets hurt?

        Book one of The Last Apprentice has brought me a few hours of pleasure, the story is thrilling with many twists where Tom must compromise with the dark to defeat the dark. The characters are very well developed and you can create special bonds with these characters very easily. The flow of the story is great but a bit long. There are certain points where you think that this part would be a great way to end the novel, yet it keeps going on and on which could have been avoidable yet it is somewhat necessary. The plot and conflicts were very interesting, although the author could have spent a bit more effort into description. When I read a fantasy I want to know what it looks like whether it's a tropical jungle or deserted land.

Available on Amazon



                                                                           Rating: 3/5

If you liked this book then I think you'll like this one ---> Click Here