Today I would like to discuss some things self-published authors should NOT do. Unfortunately, this book will be my shining example. I happened to stumble upon this novel on a blog I admire. It was a guest post by the author promoting her work. I’ve always had a morbid fascination for the Titanic disaster, especially […]
Gathering Blue (The Giver Trilogy, book two), by Louis Lowry, 2000, Book Review
Ms. Lowry wrote The Giver in 1993 (Newbery winner), Gathering Blue in 2000, and finally Messenger in 2004. It is a series of loosely related dystopian novels. A very depressing series, if truth be told, but engaging and well written. Though I’ve read the first one several times (long before my blog), I’ve never reviewed it–yet. Last year […]
Throne of Fire (Kane Chronicles, book two), by Rick Riordan, 2011, Book Review
Like most of his books, Mr. Riordan’s second installment in his Kane Chronicles has positive and negative elements. I won’t object to my kids (12+) reading them, but I don’t push them, either. The books are exciting, imaginative and funny, a combination that has made them wildly popular with middle school kids. But they also […]
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J. K. Rowling, 2005
I stalled out on my Harry Potter reviews over the winter when my own novel was taking priority. This week it was so fun to set other stuff aside and read just for the sake of reading. And no place is more fun to escape to than Hogwarts. A LOT is going on in this […]
Eligere (Seranfyll, book two), by Christina Daley, 2012, Book Review – Bargain eBooks
Christina Daley’s second book in her Seranfyll series is well worth reading. I think I liked book one just a touch better, with its unexpected magic and the delightfully eccentric character of Domrey (read my review of Seranfyll), but this is a solid second installment. Domrey and his adoptive sisters and brother, Rain, Snow and […]
Orphan of Destiny (The Youngest Templar), by Michael P. Spradlin, 2010, Book Review
Of the three books in The Youngest Templar series, Orphan of Destiny was my favorite. At long last, Tristin reaches England. Pursued by Sir Hugh, he hides out for a time—in Sherwood Forest! Robard takes on his full role as Robin Hood (Robard Hode), the Thane of Sherwood, complete with a cast of thinly-veiled characters that […]
The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles, book one), by Rick Riordan, 2010, Book Review
Rick Riordan is a master of modern tween story-telling. He keeps the action fast-pitch, his characters feel distinct and real, and he writes kid-funny. No wonder his name is repeatedly at the top of the best-sellers list. The Red Pyramid is a 516 page battle of good vs. evil. Sadie and Carter are two siblings that […]
Trail of Fate (the Youngest Templar, book two), by Michael P. Spradlin, 2009, Book Review
This is the second book in The Youngest Templar series. If you are unfamiliar with the first one, read my review. Wow! Michael P. Spradlin knows how to write a cliffhanger! I need to write this quickly and start the next book. It’s sitting here beside me. Tristin, Maryam and Robard survive book one’s shipwreck, […]
The Black Cauldron (Chronicles of Prydain, 2) by Lloyd Alexander, 1965
The wonderful group of companions that overcame danger and evil in book one of the Chronicles of Prydain return for a second bold adventure in The Black Cauldron. This time, Taran is called away by Prince Gwydion on a quest to seize the cauldron that belongs to the evil Lord Arawn. Within this vessel the […]
Journey to the Center of the Earth, by Jules Verne, 1864, Book Review
I finally finished this one! I started last fall, then a thousand projects seemed to take precedence. Five months later, I started over and read with a vengeance, finishing easily in just two days. It’s a fun story, full of typical Verne science and adventure. No wonder it’s a classic. Henry Lawson lives and studies […]