Categotry Archives: Fantasy
The Devil’s Engine: Hellraisers
The Devil's Engine, Book 1
Macmillan Children's Publishing Group
December 1, 2015
Hardcover
352
When a sixteen-year-old troublemaker named Marlow Green is trapped in a surreal firefight against nightmarish creatures in the middle of his New York City neighborhood, he unwittingly finds himself amid a squad of secret soldiers dedicated to battling the legions of the devil himself. Powering this army of young misfits is an ancient machine from the darkest parts of history. Known as the devil's engine, it can make any wish come true-as long as you are willing to put your life on the line. Promised powers beyond belief, and facing monstrous apparitions straight out of the netherworld, Marlow must decide if he's going to submit to a demonic deal with the infernal machine that will enable him to join the crusade-if it doesn't kill him first.
From the author of the Escape from Furnace series, here is the opening salvo in an explosive new horror trilogy about an ordinary American kid caught up in an invisible war against the very worst enemy imaginable.
Review:
I really wanted to like “The Devil’s Engine: Hellraisers”. The plot summary sounded promising. It also sounded very unique. Unfortunately, the promise of a good book fell flat.
That isn’t to say that parts of the book were not enjoyable. The first quarter or so was non-stop action. I wanted to know more about the characters. Of course, this created an even worse disappointment when the rest of the book moved at a snail’s pace. Seriously, it could have been trimmed seventy-five pages and nobody would have missed them.
There was a mystery as to what was driving the entire plot, and had the book dropped more clues it would have left me dying to keep turning the pages. As it was, by the time I got near the end I didn’t care what was going on and as far as I was concerned almost all of the characters could be eaten by demons. I wouldn’t have cared. I wouldn’t have even sent virtual flowers to their funeral.
“The Devil’s Engine: Hellraisers” may be a good choice for those who don’t mind an original plot that drags out. It wasn’t for me, though. The audience is definitely more mature young adults, so please be careful if you are choosing a book for a gift.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Underage Drinking, Violence, Gore, Terrifying Imagery
Tell the Story to Its End
St. Martin's Griffin
October 20, 2015
Hardcover
208
"Tell the story to its end," says Eren with a grin.
His yellow eyes are glowing like embers in the night.
"When I reach the end," I say, "what happens? You'll have the whole story."
"Hmm," he says, looking at me and licking his lips with a dry, grey tongue. "What happens then? Why don't we find out?"
People are keeping secrets from Oli. His mum has brought him to stay with his aunt and uncle in the countryside, but nobody will tell him why his dad isn't there, too. Why hasn't he come with them? Has something happened? Why won't anyone talk about it? Oli has a hundred questions, and only an old, empty house in the middle of an ancient forest for answers. But then he finds a secret of his own: there is a creature that lives in the attic...
Eren is not human.
Eren is hungry for stories.
Eren has been waiting for him.
With Eren to listen, Oli starts to make sense of what's happening. But Eren is powerful, and though he's willing to help Oli, he's not willing to do it for free; he wants something in return. Oli must make a choice: he can learn the truth -- but to do so he must abandon himself to Eren's world, forever.
From striking new voice Simon P. Clark comes Tell the Story to Its End; richly atmospheric, moving, unsettling, and told in gorgeous prose, it is a modern classic in the making.
Review:
“Tell the Story to Its End” is a short fantasy book with the horror elements of a Grimm’s Fairy Tale thrown in. It is definitely something that leaves you with chills, and the tone is perfect for the weeks leading up to Halloween, as Eren is a truly terrifying character.
There are wonderful quotes about the process of storytelling sprinkled in among the story, and the main story itself is composed of the telling of several smaller stories. I will say that it can be frustrating if you try to look into it all too deeply, as it can get jumbled and lead to quite a bit of a headache. This one is better if you just go along with it and enjoy the words. An added bonus is some beautiful artwork the pops up throughout the book.
I recommend “Tell the Story to Its End” for any middle reader or up who enjoys being a bit spooked. It is also a good read-aloud for those with younger children who can still sleep if they hear a good ghost story.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Violence, Scary Imagery
Illuminae
The Illuminae Files, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Alfred a Knopf Incorporated
October 20, 2015
608
"The planet Kerenza is attacked, and Kady and Ezra find themselves on a space fleet fleeing the enemy, while their ship's artificial intelligence system and a deadly plague may be the end of them all"--
Review:
“Illuminae” is a book like none other I have ever read. It felt like I was watching a documentary while playing a video game, with the occasional break to notice I was actually reading a book.
I don’t even know how to write about it without spoiling it, because even the format in which the story is told seems like it would be better as a surprise. There is romance, a lot of humor, some crazy space stuff, a conspiracy, viruses, etc. If you can think of it, it is probably in the book.
The beginning is a little slow, but once you get used to the unusual format the pace begins to pick up. By the end it feels like you just started reading. I really do wish I could say more, but I hate spoiling something so darn fun. And trust me, if nothing else, this book is fun.
I highly recommend “Illuminae” for upper middle readers and up, especially those with a love of video games (hint: Portal) and science fiction. The quick-read format makes it an excellent choice for reluctant readers.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Sexual Situations, Violence, Creepy Stuff
Miss Mabel’s School for Girls
Miss Mabel's School for Girls
The Network, Book 1
Antebellum Publishing
March 17, 2014
Paperback
314
Never underestimate the power of a determined witch.
Letum Wood is a forest of fog and deadfall, home to the quietly famous Miss Mabel’s School for Girls, a place where young witches learn the art of magic.
Sixteen-year-old Bianca Monroe has inherited a deadly curse. Determined to break free before it kills her, she enrolls in the respected school to confront the cunning witch who cast the curse: Miss Mabel.
Bianca finds herself faced with dark magic she didn’t expect, with lessons more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. Will Bianca have the courage to save herself from the curse, or will Miss Mabel’s sinister plan be too powerful?
Miss Mabel’s School for Girls is the first novel in The Network Series, an exciting new fantasy collection. A gripping tale about the struggle to survive, it will take you to a new place and time, one you’ll never want to leave.
Review:
“Miss Mabel’s School for Girls” is one of those books that makes me wish for a half-star rating system. It is better than a three, but not good enough for a four, and it is frustrating not to be able to show that properly. At any rate, it is definitely a good book, but not a great one.
I really love the world of witchcraft called The Network that the author built. It’s filled with everything a good fantasy or fairy-tale should have: mystery, wonder, good, and evil. How things came to be the way they are is explained thoroughly and naturally, with the history of The Network and all other details being revealed as part of the plot, as opposed to being all dropped on the reader at once.
Bianca is a wonderful and strong female protagonist, and aside from her beloved Papa, there are no males involved in her life. In other words: if you’re looking for a romance, go elsewhere. This one is about girl-power, and it lives up to the potential to stand on that without a love interest. Very well done!
My problem with the book, and the reason that it is not four stars, is that it dragged quite a bit. The plot was slowed down by some unnecessary wandering and really yanked me out of what was an otherwise good story. With some more editing, it really could be great. It seems like a minor complaint compared to all of the wonderful qualities, but it really was that much of a block to the enjoyment of it all.
Overall, if you like magical worlds and witches, please give “Miss Mabel’s School for Girls” a read. Aside from violence, there is nothing to be of concern to parents of younger middle-aged readers. If they can handle Harry Potter, they can handle this. I do plan on reading the next in the hopes of a more consistent plot pace.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Violence
The Witch Hunter
Juvenile Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
2015-06-02
368
The magic and suspense of Graceling meet the political intrigue and unrest of Game of Thrones in this riveting fantasy debut. Your greatest enemy isn't what you fight, but what you fear. Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. But when she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake. Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that's been laid upon him. But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth's witch hunting past--if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she's thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate. Virginia Boecker weaves a riveting tale of magic, betrayal, and sacrifice in this unforgettable fantasy debut.
Review:
I became so absorbed in “The Witch Hunter” that my cat began taking it as a sign that I was going to forget to feed or pet him and began knocking books off of shelves every time I picked up my iPad to read it. It’s an excellent start to a new young adult fantasy series, and I don’t know how I’m going to wait for the next.
I loved the mix of fantasy and history, and the world-building is fantastic. In fact, it reminded me of my favorite roleplaying video game ever, “Darklands.” Granted, if you are a young whippersnapper unfamiliar with games using DOS, you’ve probably never heard of it, but trust me when I say it is an excellent game and any book that is reminiscent of it is a winner. Superstitions, alchemy, spells, witches, wizards, strange creatures, ghosts, corrupt government, and plagues abound. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
The characters are multi-faceted, with flaws that will drive you crazy one minute and endearing traits that have you loving them the next. Elizabeth had me screaming in frustration and wanting to strangle her, but I understand the reasons why she acted the way she did. The author does a wonderful job of revealing personalities at a pace that fits the story. The plot also includes a mystery which gives you plenty of hints to solve it, so the resolution does not come out of nowhere, but is vague enough to leave you guessing until the end. I love it when I’m stumped but can look back and see the clues were there all along.
I recommend “The Witch Hunter” to anyone ages 13 and up who enjoy fantasy novels with a historical twist. It’s gruesome at points, with references to sex and rape, but the latter two things are not graphic. In fact, parents who read it with their younger children may find it a good starting point for a discussion on what constitutes consent. The only thing that made me give four stars instead of five is that a few tropes that are employed a little too often were used, but that in no way ruins what is an otherwise excellent book. Highly recommended.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Sexual Content, Violence, Some Gore, Rape References
The Wolf Who Ate the Sky
Juvenile Fiction
Heyday Books
2015-03
32
A very hungry wolf eats the sky, plunging the whole world into darkness, but a brave boy and a menagerie of animals are determined to bring back the light. Includes author's note on how the story was developed with her three-year-old daughter, Anna, then illustrated by Anna's grandfather.
Review:
Three generations of a family created “The Wolf Who Ate the Sky”, and what a wonderful creation it is! The story is engaging and the illustrations are absolutely amazing. Little ones will be asking to read it again and again, and those of all ages will enjoy the beauty. Highly recommended!
This review is based upon a copy won through the Goodreads First Reads program.
Content Warning:
None
The Wicked Will Rise
The Wicked Will Rise
Dorothy Must Die, Book 2
HarperCollins
May 31, 2015
Hardcover
304
In this sequel to the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die, who is good—and who is actually Wicked?
My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.
After a tornado swept through my trailer park, I ended up in Oz.
But it wasn't like the Oz I knew from books and movies. Dorothy had returned, but she was now a ruthless dictator. Glinda could no longer be called the Good Witch. And the Wicked Witches who were left? They'd joined forces as the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, and they wanted to recruit me.
My mission?
Kill Dorothy.
Except my job as assassin didn't work out as planned. Dorothy is still alive. The Order has vanished. And the home I couldn't wait to leave behind might be in danger.
Somehow, across a twisted and divided land, I have to find the Order, protect the true ruler of Oz, take Dorothy and her henchmen down—and try to figure out what I'm really doing here.
Review:
I don’t even know where to begin with “The Wicked Will Rise”, but to give you fair warning, this review will include a lot of gushing.
Picking up immediately where “Dorothy Must Die” left off, “The Wicked Will Rise” begins with action and only allows you to catch your breath a couple of times in the entire book. Building on the Oz created by Frank L. Baum, Danielle Paige writes with an obvious love for the source material that shows through in everything addressed in both books of the series. It manages to be both totally different and familiar at once. It’s almost as though she has summoned some old magic in the process.
There are some new characters appearing in Oz in “The Wicked Will Rise”, along with the return of Amy Gumm. She’s as tough and hilarious as in the first, and the new ones can be described as wonderful in all ways. They’re true to the world of fairy tales and could easily become confused with the characters from the original Oz books.
I recommend it to everyone who loves Oz and it old enough to handle some scary things, which if we’re being honest, is exactly what real fairy tales contained in the first place. It’s a lot of fun, a quick read, and will leave you wanting the next one immediately. No sophomore slump for Danielle Paige in “The Wicked Will Rise”!
Content Warning:
Language, Mild Sexual Content, Violence, Animal Death
Denton Little’s Death Date
Denton Little's Deathdate
Knopf Books for Young Readers
April 14, 2015
Hardcover
352
Denton Little’s Deathdate takes place in a world exactly like our own except that everyone knows the day on which they will die. For Denton, that’s in just two days—the day of his senior prom.
Despite his early deathdate, Denton has always wanted to live a normal life, but his final days are filled with dramatic firsts. First hangover. First sex. First love triangle—as the first sex seems to have happened not with his adoring girlfriend, but with his best friend’s hostile sister. (Though he’s not totally sure—see, first hangover.) His anxiety builds when he discovers a strange purple rash making its way up his body. Is this what will kill him? And then a strange man shows up at his funeral, claiming to have known Denton’s long-deceased mother, and warning him to beware of suspicious government characters. . . . Suddenly Denton’s life is filled with mysterious questions and precious little time to find the answers.
Debut author Lance Rubin takes us on a fast, furious, and outrageously funny ride through the last hours of a teenager’s life as he searches for love, meaning, answers, and (just maybe) a way to live on.
Review:
Seeing as I just finished reading “Denton Little’s Deathdate”, I can only hope that I stop laughing long enough to write a coherent review.
The plot is one of the most unusual I have read in a young adult novel, especially one meant to be funny while dealing with a guaranteed date of death. It throws in a lot of curveballs as well, and it keeps you on your toes. There isn’t really an easy way to describe it, or fit it into one genre, and it’s very possible that it managed to create its own category.
All of the characters are well-developed and act realistically. Well, as realistically as the circumstances allow. Denton is especially endearing, and the dialogue had me sounding like I was recording a sitcom laugh track. I’m pretty sure even the dogs think I’ve lost what little was left of my mind.
I highly recommend it for around eight grade and up, but only if you’ve willing to risk spontaneous urinary incontinence.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Excessive Hilarity, Language, Sexual Situations, Violence
In a Pocket of Time
In a Pocket of Time
Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Paperback
84
Every time Caleb hears a saying, it happens to him. Pockets with watches appear on his shirt when his mum mentions “pockets of time”. He soon finds himself in Brumantia, where you can be thrown in prison for a crime like “being in someone else's shoes” or end up in hospital with your “fingers crossed” or “sides split”. And just think what “you're all over the place” can do to you!
Caleb and his fellow stranded-Londoner friends search for their way home, but it’s not just the idioms that throw challenges at them. Who or what is behind the big secret that is bringing people to Brumantia. And why?
Review:
“In a Pocket of Time” is a wonderful fantasy adventure for children and middle readers that is based around commonly heard idioms. It has a fast pace that is guaranteed to keep kids engaged, as well as likable characters that are surprisingly well-developed for such a short book. The world is fun and full of mystery, adding to the fun.
I recommend this book for all children, as it is exceptionally good at explaining the meanings of idioms in a simple to understand way. “In a Pocket of Time” would be especially helpful for those of all ages with Asperger’s or autism, as it can be difficult to process the meaning of certain sayings, and the book offers a frustration-free path to easier processing of idioms. All-around a fun book and great educational tool perfect for classrooms and school libraries.
This review is based upon a copy obtained through the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
None
Nightbird
Juvenile Fiction
Wendy Lamb Books
2015
208
Twig, aged twelve, is practically ignored by classmates and other residents of Sidwell, Massachusetts, but gets along fine with just her mother and brother, whose presence must be kept secret, until descendants of the witch who cursed her family move in next door and want to be her friends.
Review:
Alice Hoffman has created a wonderful new fairy tale in “Nightbird” that is a delightful read for both the young and the young-at-heart. For those to young to read on their own, it will make a great bedtime story to be read aloud over the course of a few nights.
All of the characters, especially Twig and James, are unique and relatable, even though they are abnormal to the eyes of those around them. The world is filled with both the familiar and fantastical, sucking the reader in. All of the classic parts of fairy tales are present: mystery, the unknown creatures of the dark, friendship, bravery, and a little romance. I found myself smiling and feeling nostalgic for the books of my childhood the entire time I was reading it, and I sincerely hope the author creates more stories for children.
I recommend “Nightbird” for anyone and everyone. Such fun!
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
If you have a child who is afraid of classic fairy tales, this may be one to avoid.
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