Tag Archives: fantasy

Book Review: The Lost Hero, by Rick Riordan

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lost_hero_coverIn The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan, a teenage boy named Jason ventures through the USA accompanied by Piper and Leo, his two closest friends. While trying to save the goddess Hera, these children are chased and attacked by a number of monsters and demons who were sent by the earth goddess Gaea. Jason is also on a quest to find his true identity, to find out why he was sent to America, and where he was before. Jason has no recollection of his life before being dumped on a school bus in the middle of a field trip to the Grand Canyon.

In this thrilling tale, secrets will be spilled, narrow escapes will be made, and identities will be told. I give this book a 9.5 out of ten because of its amazing descriptive detail and many “on-the-edge-of-your-seat” moments.

Rick Riordan has written two sequels to this book: The Son of Neptune and The Mark of Athena. The next book in the series, House of Hades, comes out in October. I am currently reading the Son of Neptune which is also a great book that I recommend and I plan to read The Mark of Athena once I am done with this book. Rick Riordan is a great author and I have enjoyed many of his other series, like The Kane Chronicles and The Olympians.

-Kyle H., 7th grade

Book Review: The Lost Sun, by Tessa Gratton

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 Are you interested in the upcoming Thor movie, or any other movies associated with the other Asgardians, such as Odin or Loki? If so, then The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton is the perfect book for you.This book is the first book of The United States of Asgard series, where the Norse gods rule alongside humans in America. For example, Odin is the vice president–always. However, when the most popular god of them all, Baldur, disappears, Soren, a warrior with an uncontrollable power of strength, and Astrid, a celebrity prophet, go on an expedition to find him. Even so, Soren learns that saving this god could change his destiny, but could also make him lose the things that he loves the most.

In my opinion, I thought that this book was a very great book, with a high rating of 9/10 points. In it, Gratton shows off her excellence by:

  • Retelling the myths for people who don’t know Norse mythology,
  • Doing some clever renamings of American places and times,
  • Describing very good details for each setting,
  • And writing some very surprising twists for the readers, including a very unexpected but satisfying ending.
I would recommend this book to fans of Norse mythology or of any Rick Riordan book, such as Percy Jackson or the Kane chronicles.However, readers should note that since Soren is the narrator of the story, he talks about some things that might be a bit upsetting for others, such as having a power that seems very great, but is actually the world’s worse curse. In the beginning of the book, he says that he and his mother had “both dreaded the day Dad’s curse would flicker to life” (Gratton 1) inside of himself. However, readers should learn now, if they haven’t learned already, that anything you have is a gift, rather than a curse.

Finally, Gratton creates some unforgettable characters whose stories share some key vaules and morals that are important in everyone’s lives.

-Megan V., 8th grade

Book Review: Just Ella, By Margaret Peterson Haddix

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just_ella_coverIn the book, Just Ella, Ella (also called “Cinder”) finds her own way to the ball (there was no fairy godmother, despite the rumors) and wins the heart of the prince. But now she is finding that life at the palace as Prince Charming’s betrothed is not as great as she thought it was going to be.

If you’ve heard a fairytale like this: A Glass Slipper, Prince Charming, Happily Ever After… we welcome you to reality: Royal Genealogy Lessons, Needlepoint, acting like “a Proper Lady,” and, worst of all, a Prince who is not the least bit interesting, and certainly not charming.

Well, as soon-to-be Princess Ella deals with her newfound status, she comes to realize she is not princess material. But breaking off a royal engagement is not easy, especially when you’re crushing on another boy in the palace. For Ella to escape, it will take intelligence, determination, and spunk, and no ladylike behavior allowed. Does she escape without getting caught?

When I read the book, the writer, Margaret Peterson Haddix, made you keep reading because it got very interesting! I would let the age 10 and older read it because it would be hard with the words that are hard to pronounce and complicated ones, too. The companion book to Just Ella by the same author is Palace of Mirrors. 

-Kate B., 7th grade

Book Review: The Fire Within, by Chris D’Lacey

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fire_within_coverThe Fire Within is a book that entrances you and makes you marvel at even the smallest of details. It is most suitable for younger teens. Nevertheless, if you like dragons, you will probably enjoy this book. With countless twists and turns, it’ll always have you wondering what’s around the corner.

A young man that is going into college, David Rain, has no place to stay while he is in college, so he applies to be a tenant. Luckily, the Pennykettle family, who make clay dragons for a living, accepts his offer. When David first arrives, Elizabeth, the mother of the Pennykettle child, Lucy, makes a special dragon for David. They name this dragon Gadzooks. Shortly after Gadzooks is made, David sees an image of Gadzooks in his mind. Gadzooks, who holds a pad of paper and a pencil, writes something on his pad of paper and shows it to David. What is so special about this dragon, Gadzooks? What did Gadzooks write on his pad? And most importantly, what happens next?

In this exciting novel by Chris D’Lacey, you’ll nver want to miss a word of the story. With added elements of suspense and unpredictability, it’s a book that you would never want to pass up an offer on.

-Linna C., 7th grade

Book Review: Hokey Pokey, by Jerry Spinelli

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hokey_pokey_coverA land where grownups do not exist, kids run free, riding on bikes and tricycles of all different shapes and sizes, while visiting the Hippodrome and Snuggles… where the Hokey Pokey man comes every day to serve cube shaped snow cones in every flavor from chocolate to jalapeño.

Welcome to Hokey Pokey, by Jerry Spinelli, a recently written book for teens about a fantasy land where boys rule day and night, and girls are not liked.

In the land of Hokey Pokey, Jack, an older boy is the leader of everyone, and spends his time cruising Gorilla Hill on his bike and always fooling around with his two amigos, Dusty and LaJo. Jack, the main character, has his prize bike stolen from by a popular girl, and he tries to get it back with the help of his two amigos.  But Jack also has another problem on his hands.  He is getting too old for Hokey Pokey, and his tattoo that all children in Hokey Pokey are issued as soon as they arrive is disappearing fast. Jack loves Hokey Pokey, but knows that it is getting ready for him to leave Hokey Pokey, where ever that may take him.

This book is a magical and humorous read, and even though girls are not accepted in the book, I feel this is for all genders, yet it is mostly geared towards boys. Hokey Pokey has nonstop action, and is always on the go, always amusing and entertaining.

Another thing I liked about the book is that every chapter switches perspectives, whether it is Jack’s, Dusty’s, LaJo’s, or Jubilee’s (the girls who stole Jack’s bike).  Hokey Pokey is a heartfelt story with a surprise ending that will definitely satisfy the reader.

Overall, I would say that Hokey Pokey was one of the better books that I have ever read, and I would recommend it to any teen who likes to read.

-Will R., 9th grade

Book Review: Embers and Echoes, by Karsten Knight

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embers_echoes_coverHave you ever pretended you could summon fireballs on your fingertips at will? Embers and Echoes, by Karsten Knight, is the perfect adventure novel for you.

Ashline Wilde, the reincarnation of a Polynesian volcano goddess, has been tracking her six-year-old sister to Miami, Florida. A group of gods have kidnapped Ash’s sister, Rose, for her ability to create explosions so powerful that they rip through the fabric of space and time. These rifts can become gates between any parts of the world, and even to other worlds beyond. Each of the four gods controls a power relevant to one of the four seasons, hence the self-proclaimed name: The Four Seasons. The Four Seasons reveal themselves to the world as heroes, gods from legend come to save humanity from harbingers of doom. In reality, their plan is to sacrifice Ash’s newfound friends Aurora and Wes, god of the night. So, with her assortment of gods, Ash seeks to stop the Four Season’s megalomaniac scheme.

Karsten Knight’s fast paced story never lets up, transitioning rapidly from one exciting battle to the next. The storyline provides a variety of different moods, along with comedy Easter eggs scattered throughout the book. Combined with an interesting plot, all of this makes for a very entertaining read. However, I did notice that none of the characters were described in great depth. As quickly as they were introduced, they either died or simply left, so that the reader didn’t get to know the well enough to really mourn or to rejoice when they passed on. While the fast-paced plot was exciting, the reader doesn’t really get a chance to mull over what just happened before something else happens. Also, this book has some profanity and adult themes.

Overall, Embers and Echoes is a fun read for anybody who enjoys fantasy books, especially concerning ancient gods. Be sure to read the first book in the series, Wildefire. I am eagerly awaiting the next book, Afterglow.   

-Phillip X., 8th grade

Book Review: Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld

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leviathan_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

I wasn’t alive during World War One but Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan (the first book in his trilogy) made me feel as if I was. Titled after the British whale airships, most of the story takes place on one of these Leviathans. The novel was fast paced and action packed, so it seemed like I was living each moment along with the characters. Scott Westerfeld is clearly an expert at building suspense, as seen in the first three pages of the book: “The war was coming after all. Everyone said so” (3). As I read on, I felt like a part of the story when an Austrian-Hungarian prince named Alek fled from his home. He fled from all his riches and tutors because the Germans killed his parents to start war. “Maybe this was how you stayed sane in wartime: a handful of noble deeds amid the chaos” (360). Alek was accompanied by Count Volger, his fencing tutor, Otto Klop, the engineer and a few other servants. Together they formed a devoted group as they tried to flee to Switzerland. About the same time in England, a brave girl named Deryn tries to join the Air Force posing as a boy. Deryn always wanted to be in the Air Force because her dad took her flying in hot air balloons. Deryn refers to the air forces ships as “beasties” because of the living creature mixed in with the air ship. Deryn doesn’t like guys too much because she thinks they are total unaware of what is going on around them, “Most man’s awareness doesn’t extend past their dinner plates” (279).

Having these two main characters made the book interesting to read because of the different perspectives that it was written in. Since the two characters were different genders, the war could be understood from two points of view. This also makes it appeal to a wider audience of both girls and boys. Further, the two perspectives were not just different but they were actually in opposition due to their countries fighting against each other in the war. Ironically, the two separate story lines merge into one by the end of the novel as the two characters find each other. Throughout the story, Scott Westerfeld taught a valuable lesson of humanity in the way these characters came together and helped each other rather than fight one another. These lessons hit home with a reader because they cause faith in humankind to be restored even despite a violent war.

Scott Westerfeld’s writing is amazing at catching readers attention and keeping them interested because he keeps switching perspectives between Alek and Deryn and keeps you wondering how or when they will meet up. Scott Westerfeld is a very established author, having written 18 different books. His writing style is educational, in the sense that he included historical accuracy in his description of scenes. I think this is a very good book and I would recommend it to all young readers who have an interest in war history novels.

-Dylan C., 7th grade

Authors We Love: Cinda Williams Chima

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Cinda Williams Chima has written three amazing books that I have read and reread more times than I can count. These books are The Warrior Heir, The Wizard Heir, and The Dragon Heir.

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Her first book, The Warrior Heir, tells about a teenage boy who learns about an underground society of magical guilds. There are wizards, warriors, soothsayers, sorcerers, and enchanters. This boy is a warrior who is put on a journey to the Game where warriors fight to the death for wizard’s enjoyment. The boy wants to put an end to it.

In her next book, The Wizard Heir, the story is of another boy, however this boy is a wizard. This story tells how he finds out he is very powerful, but is cursed with misfortune in his early life: he burns a barn down and his friends are killed by a psycho principal.

In the third book, The Dragon Heir, a boy named Jason finds magical objects in a cave in England, and brings them back to the sanctuary of Trinity, Ohio. Meanwhile, Madison Moss has some house problems and tries to solve the mystery on who is behind trying to get their house. Also, the guilds are trying to protect the sanctuary against a whole army of bad wizards.

Her books are very entertaining and I really wish that she would write more! Click in the box below if you want to post a comment about these books, similar books, or other books by Cinda Williams Chima.

-Kyle H., 7th grade

Manga Review: Elemental Gelade, vol. 4, by Mayumi Azuma

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elemental_gelade4Check here, here, and here for reviews of previous volumes in this series.

I have a love/hate relationship with this issue.

It’s not bad. In fact, it’s great. It has some strong character development and it shows a lot of new characters. The reason why I don’t like it is because they go through the trials and fails of Cou to get him to be stronger. Frankly, that in itself is fine. It plays well… it’s very enjoyable; but for some reason, I have a very horrible feeling about the first 100 or so pages as Cou trains. That’s not the main focus.

You learn a lot about Edel Raids in this issue, and it’s a lot of interesting mythos. It’s interesting to learn about the universe and how these people/weapons work because it does show that they are people through this knowledge. The thing about it is that this is no longer about practice, and Cou goes back to the arena and fights for money. Of course, being that this is the hero’s story, he wipes the floor with them; in some cases it’s total domination– until he fights the champ, Rasati. At this point, I would add an epic soundtrack and just watch how epic this fight is.

This is a really good book in this series, no matter how I feel about it. I really liked the second half over the first half, due just to the fact that I prefer the combat. This is the first issue that Rowen and Keuea wear normal clothing. Personally I like the change; it adds more of a humanizing effect. And somehow Keuea is wearing more clothes now then in the first two issues; I never noticed this until now.

I give this volume a 9/10. I loved this one a lot, and it has a cliffhanger, setting up for what could be an epic battle for this. I’m really excited for it and if you liked this one, you should be too!

-Cameron S., 12th grade

Book Review: The Vicious Deep, by Zoraida Cordova

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vicious_deep_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

Have you ever imagined what it feels like to drown? The cold water rushing into your lungs. Being dragged under. Having waves crash over you, tossing you in what we water-people call “the washing machine.”

Scary thought, right? That’s why we have lifeguards. Tristan Hart knows this more than anyone else in his lifeguard troop. The Vicious Deep is a hair-raising, spine-chilling, heart-warming novel about a young man named Tristan Hart and the incredible transformation he undertakes to become one with the ocean… and its residents. Zoraida Cordova has outdone herself in this epic composition of friendship, danger, suspense and fantasy. “This is, by far, one of my best works,” says Cordova. “When I imagined the storyline for this novel, I wanted something…different. I wanted to take something normal, and twist it until it becomes something people would be interested in.” And that is exactly what she did.

The Vicious Deep is a novel that has to do mostly with friendship, fantasy, and above all, the OCEAN. In my opinion, the author was extremely good about keeping the fantasy part fairly realistic. Instead of making it a princess-style fairytale, she turned the story into something a person my age, or older, would want to read. Also, the author did an amazing job with the descriptions of Coney Island and the ocean. They made me actually feel like I was walking down the Island Boardwalk on a summer day, or swimming in the blue-green water. Also, in my opinion, the author did an excellent job of bringing themes into the story. She didn’t talk about the theme for too long, only mentioned it once or twice to get the readers thinking about it. Overall, I believe that Cordova did an excellent job with this book.

The characters in this book are, by far, some of the best characters in any novel I have ever read. The way Cordova describes them: “She has long, curly, shocking red hair that reached down to her waist, and the same eyes I do: Electric green. Her pursed pink lips and furrowed brows mean only one thing: I’m in trouble” (238). But the best part of the book, in my opinion, is when she describes Coney Island and the Boardwalk: “The blue-emerald water, the soft yellow sand, the old wooden boardwalk with its rickety old rides… this is Coney Island. This is home” (13). Overall, the author uses descriptive language that stands out in a time when authors just skip the descriptions and move on to dull plot and storyline.

In conclusion, The Vicious Deep is an amazing book that I would recommend to anyone over the age of 11. It has excellent themes and morals, and comically describes the incredible transformation that happens to the unsuspecting lifeguard Tristan Hart.

-Katie T., 7th grade