Category Archives: Book Reviews

Lord Brocktree by Brian Jacques

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Lord Brocktree, by Brian Jacques, is part of his popular Redwall series. This was the thirteenth book published in the series and it would be the first book chronologically. It is a prequel to Redwall, a fantasy novel based in a world of human-like woodland creatures. The story revolves around Lord Brocktree, the son of Stonepaw, the great Badger Lord. Brocktree is on a quest to find Salamandastron, the mighty mountain of the Badger Lords, where his father Stonepaw lives. Along the way, he befriends many creatures, including a young haremaid called Dotti, and a clever otter known as Ruff. These friends will prove to be vital to Lord Brocktree’s success.

Unbeknownst to Brocktree, Stonepaw is under siege by the army of Ungatt Trunn, a villainous wildcat who serves as the main antagonist of the story. Age has been catching up quickly to Stonepaw and his hare companions, so they are not able to defend themselves as well as they could in the past. Because of his ailments, Stonepaw is increasingly worried about the safety of Salamandastron. Brocktree and his friends must help Stonepaw to reclaim the mountain, so that they can restore peace to the land.

I enjoyed this book very much. The setting is vast and the storyline is highly engaging. Like other Redwall books, the characters are interesting and memorable. However, this book has some downsides compared to other books in the series. There are a few sections that seem too slow-paced, and some of the characters seem to have been a little less developed than they could have been. Still, the story is quite exciting and action-packed for the most part. This was the first book in the Redwall series that I read, so I have a certain feeling of nostalgia for it. Now that I have read other books in the series, I have a bit less regard for this one, but I still think that it is very good. I would recommend it to almost anyone, but I think some of the other books in the Redwall series are even better.

Lord Brocktree by Brian Jacques is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

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Murder at the Vicarage is Agatha Christie’s first mystery novel featuring the character of Miss Marple. The story is narrated by a local reverend named Leonard Clement in the seemingly quiet village of St. Mary Mead, England. This novel involves the mysterious death of Colonel Protheroe. The Colonel was generally hated by the local residents, so it was not surprising when it was discovered that he had been shot to death. However, the murderer’s identity remained a mystery. The police are baffled by the case until an elderly resident of the village decides to assist them. This unlikely detective is an elderly spinster named Jane Marple.

Miss Marple makes for an interesting character. She seems more like an observant neighborhood gossip than an actual detective. While Agatha Christie’s novels featuring Hercule Poirot may be more well-known, her Miss Marple books are almost as good, in my opinion. Miss Marple’s personality certainly differs from Poirot’s in many ways.  Hercule Poirot has a ridiculous moustache and is amusingly pompous. He is a professional detective who has achieved widespread fame for his work. Miss Marple is just an amateur detective. She is more elderly than Poirot and seems more like a nosy neighbor who happens to solve mysteries. However, she is just about as shrewd and intelligent as Poirot.

This book was certainly baffling and had me guessing at every turn. Various suspects confessed to the murder at different points in the novel, making it very difficult to guess the murderer. I enjoyed the relatively quaint setting of the story. Everything takes place in a small village, so the characters are well developed by the end of the story. Miss Marple turns out to be a very charming character, and she is surprisingly astute and perceptive. I would highly recommend this novel, as well as the other books by Agatha Christie featuring Miss Marple.

Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie is available to download for free from Libby.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

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This isn’t the typical genre I read but I was essentially forced to for my English class. Surprisingly, I enjoyed reading this book because of the witty humor Adams uses throughout the book.

Following main character Arthur Dent and his sci-fi journey with best pal Ford Prefect and the countless adventures they go on and experience throughout the book. I would say the plot of the book was all over the place, like even after finishing the book I wouldn’t be able to tell you the main message that was conveyed. Adams jumps around A LOT throughout the book which makes it confusing but also ominous for readers to figure out what is going to happen next.

Like I mentioned earlier, Sci-Fi isn’t my preferred choice of genre but knowing I was able to effortlessly get through this book says something. If you want to try getting into Sci-Fi or something similar I highly recommend reading this book. The chapters are all typically pretty short so it’s an easier read. I hope to those that do end up reading this book that you enjoy this whimsical journey throughout the “Universe.”

-Madison C.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Artemis by Andy Weir

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Six years after the rousing success of his debut novel, The Martian, Andy Weir returns with another exciting take on space life, but this time the civilization is a little closer to home.

Artemis is the first lunar city, yet it’s far from perfect, as the novel’s protagonist Jasmine “Jazz” Bashara discovered. Born and raised on the lunar surface, she has built up a “monopoly” over illegal trade and smuggling into and out of Artemis. Unfortunately for her, this causes significant problems when she accepts a job from a wealthy businessman client, only for that client to end up dead, kicking off an action-packed and suspenseful series of events.

Just like The Martian, Andy Weir’s writing immerses you in the scenes he’s created. It is clear that rather than using “fake” science or technobabble, Weir has put quite a lot of thought into the logistics of running a lunar city, to the extent that the vast majority of the plot seems to progress logically, a rarity in science fiction.

The emphasis on scientific reasonableness most definitely does not bog down the plot. The timeline of events moves lightning-quick, helped along by Jazz’s stubborn and clever nature. Intricate and complex, the plot will quickly suck you in, keeping you guessing until the very end.

So, for fans of The Martian (or any science fiction book, really), I would recommend Artemis as your next read. After all, in another year or so, we might actually have our own settlement on the lunar surface, and it doesn’t hurt to be prepared!

– Mahak M.

Artemis by Andy Weir is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

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The year is 1926. In the city of Shanghai, two gangs have been rivals for generations. Leading the Scarlet Gang is the Cai family and leading the White Flowers is the Montagov family. Juliette Cai returns from living in America for four years as a flapper back to Shanghai to assume her role as heir when tensions are rising between the gangs. She is determined to kill all White Flowers for the sake of the blood feud but long ago, she didn’t think like this. Before she was in America, she was in love with the heir of the White Flowers: Roma Montagov. But because of how the blood feud worked, betrayal forced the two lowers apart and made them enemies once again.

News of a madness has spread across all of Shanghai after several members of both the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers were found dead at a port, having their throats clawed out. People begin to fear its contagious manner and where it comes from: a monster lurking in the shadows. Together, Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov must set aside their hatred and work together to find the source of the madness and eradicate it before both of their gangs fall entirely victim to it. But will they be successful? Or will the entire city of Shanghai fall prey to a madness they cannot control?

This Romeo and Juliet retelling had me hooked from the beginning. I personally love books if they have a good writing style and because of the way Chloe Gong created this story, I fell in love with this book. The amount of creativity woven through her words, the memorable main characters, and the amazing plot were all reasons why I loved this book. The ending, especially, was what made the book worth it. I highly recommend it!

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: Chronicle of a Death Foretold

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Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez is a dramatic novella from the life experience of Márquez. Márquez Is a Columbian novelist and journalist who uses his journalist writing skills to tell the story as if you were there. As he brings you into this story where you question fate versus free will.

This book was fairly short and could easily be finished in a day or two. This book take place in Columbia and follows the true story of an honor killing. Márquez‘s writing skills shine in this book as he transports you to Columbia through his imagery and tells the story as if he was a police officer reporting the crime and going through every detail. The best part about the book was the culture that it represents. We see traditions and laws distinct to this culture. This book is a true tragedy as we see the main character’s fate decided for him, but unlike a tragedy it is comical through the use of irony.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has some free time on their hands. This is one of the first books that I truly enjoyed reading in a while. The story of this book was very good and straightforward, but there is also a lot of symbolism and other literary elements that elevate this book to a new level. If tragedies usually aren’t your type of thing, I still highly recommend it as incorporates humor.

Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

The Dark Ascension Series: The Wicked Ones by Robin Benway

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“The sky was glorious that morning, so blue and sharp that it looked like it could shatter, raining shards down on all of them, but instead it stayed in place while the rest of their world fell apart.”

We all know the story of Cinderella, enslaved by her evil stepmother and ugly stepsisters when her beloved father passes. She wishes upon a star, and, poof! Her dreams become true and she can finally escape from her horrible stepsisters to a land of charming royalty.

But before the two sisters became wicked, what changed them? They had a father who left them one day, a callous mother with a terrible temper, and a feeble stepsister unable to protect herself from their mother’s wrath. Scrutinized and criticized by even their own mother and villagers, the two sisters were misunderstood and abandoned.

Drizella, the older of the sisters, is a sensible young woman who is almost entirely sure that life is meant to be difficult and struggled through. It’s not like life is perfectly mapped out and lined up like the constellations that secretly fascinate her. Besides, a woman’s expected duties are pointless without learning anything new.

Anastasia is a dreamer who sees the world not for the cruelty and struggles it forces her to endure, but as a vast place to explore and even find romance in. Unfortunately, her sympathetic nature is muted by despair.

Though they are determined not to let evil lead them down a forlorn, empty path, can they remain hopeful forever?

I found this novel pleasant and a change of pace from the fantasy-fairytale books I usually read. I do remember reading another book—Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly—that was a more challenging read with a complicated storyline but had a similar idea to The Wicked Ones.

The stepsisters’ lives weren’t handed to them tied with a bow, it was paved through resentment and struggle. The reader can sympathize with the stepsisters and see their perspective and growth as characters.

Originally, I thought this book was simple and predictable, but it is really just a good novel to sit back and read. The fairytale sweeps you away and you can learn about the stepsisters’ detestable characters.

Through this novel of suffering and strife, the reader learns how the past of the stepsisters’ fostered the black-hearts that they have today.

The Wicked Ones by Robin Benway is available to download for free from Libby.

William Shakespeare’s Othello Review

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William Shakespeare, a prominent playwright and poet, creates a story revolving around Othello, a Moorish military commander from Venice, and Iago, a soldier craving the rank of lieutenant. Othello has a lot of trust in Iago, but at the beginning of the play, he gives Cassio the rank of lieutenant over the qualified Iago. Thus, Iago feels wronged and plots for Othello’s downfall. Using his manipulative skills and careful planning, Iago takes advantage of certain characters’ personal flaws.

Othello, the respected and triumphant outsider, is insecure and struggles to communicate with his partner, Desdemona. Furthermore, Cassio, the man promoted over Iago, has some drinking problems. When plotting his revenge, Iago prioritizes Othello’s relationship by convincing him that Cassio and Desdemona are in a secret relationship. Throughout the play, Iago uses props and tricks to stimulate Othello’s destructive behavior.

In terms of writing style, Shakespeare implements techniques such as blank verse and prose. Blank verse is a form of poetry that doesn’t contain rhymes. Prose is implemented into poetry as a natural and flowing form of dialogue. There are many other literary devices throughout the play such as symbolism, dramatic irony, metaphors, and more.

Although Othello may be a little hard to read at times, I highly recommend the play. If you are reading it in a group, it may be fun to assign roles to one another. Shakespeare is widely recognized and respected for his literary works, but Othello is one of his most engaging and entertaining plays. Almost every character is fully fleshed out and play a significant role in the story. There are strong themes and character developments that progress smoothly throughout the play.

-Kern Mittal

Othello by William Shakespeare is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Liar’s Crown Book Review

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This novel was a quick read for me and is what I think a little confusing of a fantasy plot.

It is about two magical princess twins: Meren and Tabra. Tabra lives a royal life in the palace, enjoying all royal amenities, while Meren lives with her grandma hidden in one of the slums.

Meren is supposed to protect Tabra at all costs from King Eidolon, the evil king who has been alive for centuries. He is made out of shadow and sheds a new body every few hundred years to ensure that he lives and reigns forever.

When suddenly their grandma dies, Meren is taken by a shadow wraith (Reven), a mysterious man who is made out of shadows and has many dark secrets. They go through a long journey to get to his home which is apparently full of people he has saved and Meren realizes that he needs her help to save his people.

Of course, Meren falls in love with him along the way and figures out that he is not that bad after all. But, they hear news from her sister Tabra who has fallen into the trap of King Eidolon and Meren is intent on taking her place (since they are twins) and it is her duty to protect her. Oh yeah, forgot to tell you all, Reven thinks Meren is still Tabra.

Anyway, the plot just continues to get more confusing until Meren confronts Eidolon and she casts as Tabra to save her sister.

So, the book pretty much just ends with her marrying the King Eidolon and Reven trying to save her from his wrath (yes, there is a book 2).

Honestly, rating wise I would give this book a 5 out of 10. The plot was a little confusing and it just wasn’t as intricate as I wanted it to be. If you are looking for quick fantasy to pick up, it’ll give you a quick fun read.

The Odyssey by Homer (Using translation by Robert Fitzgerald)

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I’m sure many people know of this book. Whether you have heard of it or have even read it yourself, I’m sure that a good majority of people know of The Odyssey by Homer. It is completely fine if you don’t but do be warned, this can be a very difficult read without proper background knowledge. I had to read this in school and I couldn’t be more thankful that my teacher had given us extra pages to brief us. These papers were from Edith Hamilton’s Guide to Mythology and taken from the chapters about the Trojan War. These two chapters were relatively short but hold a lot of important information regarding the Trojan War and prior events to The Odyssey. If you can find these anywhere, they would be great to read before reading The Odyssey. You can most likely find this as a PDF online and I’m serious when I say this was one of the crucial things when it came to my understanding of this book. 

The Odyssey is one of Homer’s epics, completely centered around Greek mythology. Specifically, the Greek hero, Odysseus and his journey after the Trojan War and how he gets home. He journeys through different lands, meeting many other popular characters in Greek mythology such as Calypso, Circe, and many more. The Odyssey also includes Odysseus’ son, Telemachos, who goes on his own journey in hopes of finding his father to save their island, Ithaka. The short version of the story is that while Odysseus is out fighting in war and disappears for 10 years, his home is overtaken by suitors trying to take his wife Penelope’s hand in marriage. Telemachos cannot let this happen, so with Athena’s help, he journeys out to find news about his father. While this happens, Odysseus, who has been stuck on Calypso’s island for many years, has escaped her grasp and tries to make his way home, explaining how he had ended up on Calypso’s island and what had happened to him after the war. However, he is not done with fighting yet as when he comes back home, he must fight for it back.

I remember I tried to read this book over the summer before school started. I couldn’t understand it at all and I got frustrated and gave up on it. But when my teacher explained it all, I ended up enjoying the book a lot. There are plenty of Greek values and conventions in the book which help the story make a lot more sense if you know about them. 

Despite having given up on it before school had even started, once everything made sense, I actually enjoyed this book. A lot of people I know don’t like it or dislike it. They are in the middle of the two which is fine. I liked the unique way of storytelling. It was funny to read about the absurd things that happened like how over 100 men came to pursue Penelope’s hand in marriage. Other times, the book would have five chapters that would just be Odysseus explaining what had happened. While it may sound boring, it was really interesting to read about the places he went to and what he had done to get him to where he was now. I also enjoyed picking apart the characters and analyzing them. Many of the characters are heroic and different in their own way. 

The Odyssey is not an easy book to read due to its way it words certain phrases, the different types of spelling, and is especially hard to read without any prior knowledge. If you don’t know much about Greek mythology but are interested in reading this, I would highly suggest researching and trying to find Edith Hamilton’s Guide to Mythology which is available online. While it may take a while to get used to reading this book, The Odyssey was still enjoyable to me, even though I had to re-read a few pages every now and then. I would definitely recommend this to a Greek mythology lover and even would recommend it to those who have little to no knowledge in that area – with some hesitation.

-Nicole R.

The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fitzgerald, is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.