Beyonders: A World Without Heroes

From Brandon Mull, author of the best-selling Fablehaven series comes Beyonders: A World Without Heroes. Jason Walker has often wished his life could be less predictable—until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank into a strange, imperiled world. Lyrian holds dangers and challenges unlike anyplace Jason has ever known. The people all live in fear of their malicious wizard emperor, Maldor. The brave resistors who once opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without Heroes.

I really liked this book; for a number of reasons. One of the biggest [reasons why] is the way Brandon Mull does lots of twists and turns in the plot. Just when you think you have the story all figured out; everything changes. Some people say they don't like that kind of book, with lots of cliff hangers and unpredictable endings. I disagree; I don't like to much unpredictable events because then you come to expect the unexpected. Brandon Mull's writing style has gotten a whole lot better since the Fablehaven books. In this one he really paints the picture and helps you get the a image of the story. This book does suffer a bit from a lack of editing, I thought he could of cut thirty pages or maybe more. But all in all a great adventure with fun twists, good word choice and colorful characters.

5/5

In my Mailbox (2)

Okay so I'm back from D.C.! This week I don't have too many books to report but here are the ones I do with a summary. Here it goes [from bottom of the stack to the top]:

Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright: Because the movie version of this comes to my home town soon [I know right, a movie that came out Mach 18, doesn't come to my town till now; I guess that shows you what a "rinky-dink" town I live in] I had to read the book since I really want to see th movie. Here's a summary:

The blacksmith would marry her. The woodcutter would run away with her. The werewolf would turn her into one of its own.

Valerie's sister was beautiful, kind, and sweet. Now she is dead. Henry, the handsome son of the blacksmith, tries to console Valerie, but her wild heart beats fast for another: the outcast woodcutter, Peter, who offers Valerie another life far from home.

After her sister's violent death, Valerie's world begins to spiral out of control. For generations, the Wolf has been kept at bay with a monthly sacrifice. But now no one is safe. When an expert Wolf hunter arrives, the villagers learn that the creature lives among them - it could be anyone in town.

It soon becomes clear that Valerie is the only one who can hear the voice of the creature. The Wolf says she must surrender herself before the blood moon wanes...or everyone she loves will die.

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull: I can't seem to get enough of Brandon Mull, author of Fabelhaven so I had to get this. Hope it's as good as the Fablehaven books were. Here's a summary:

What if there were a place where you could get magical candy? Moon rocks that made you feel weightless. Jawbreakers that made you unbreakable. Or candy that gave animals temporary human intelligence and communication skills. (Imagine what your pet would say!) Four young friends, Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon, are befriended by Belinda White, the owner of a new candy shop on Main Street. However, the gray-haired, grandmotherly Mrs. White is not an ordinary candy maker. Her confections have magical side effects. Purposefully, she invites the kids on a special mission to retrieve a hidden talisman under Mt. Diablo Elementary School. However, Mrs. White is not the only magician in town in search of the ancient artifact rumored to be a fountain of youth. She is aware that Mr. Stott, the not-so-ordinary ice cream truck driver, has a few tricks of his own.

The Magician's Nephew by Kate DiCamillo: I always love anything Kate DiCamillo writes [my personal favorite is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane] so I finally bought this. Hope it's as good as everyone says it is! Here's a summary:

When an elephant busts through the roof of the opera house, crushing the legs of Madam LaVaughn in a magic trick gone awry, the whole town is abuzz, especially young Peter. He was just told by a fortuneteller that an elephant would lead him to his sister. Years earlier it was his mother's dying wish that he protect her but his guardian, the military man Vilna Lutz, insists that she didn't survive. Now he must find a way to free the elephant, which requires the help of the incarcerated magician, poor Madam LaVaughn, and a kindly neighbor policeman.

Anyway there's what I've gotten in the last week or so. I hope they're good!

Thanks for Reading,

Benji

PT 2 DC!!!!!!

Hi all, As you might know from previous posts I will be in Washington D.C. from tomorrow [Sunday] till Friday. So you can't come to me for what to read for a while. But I do have a ton of book review blogs linked to here so CHECK THEM OUT!!!!

Talk to you soon[ish],

Benji

Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison

In the fifth and final book in the epic Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. After centuries of plotting, the Sphinx—leader of the Society of the Evening Star—is after the final artifacts needed to open the great demon prison, Zzyxx. If the legendary prison is opened, a tide of evil is certain to usurp control of the world.In an effort to intercept the final artifacts, Kendra, Seth and the Knights of the Dawn race to strange and exotic preserves across the globe. The stakes have never been higher. The risks have never been more deadly.In this explosive series finale, allegiances will be confirmed and secrets revealed as the forces of light and darkness collide in a desperate, climactic battle to control the keys to the demon prison.

This book was much longer then the other Fablehaven books and I had to fight a little in some parts not to loose interest but on a whole I found it very fun and exiting. Like I said in my review of the fourth book- it has gotten a whole lot more intense. The stakes are once again higher. It also is very unique because this is a mission that they probably won't succeed and if they don't succeed, they die. Which really shows who people really are when they are confronting a very dangerous situation. Brandon Mull [once] again has excellent word choice; the words are almost as good as the plot. All in all a winner of gigantic portions.

5/5

P.S. I leave early Sunday morning to go to Washington D.C. with my class so I won't be posting for a while.

In my Mailbox (1)

Okay so in my first ever "in my mailbox" I got seven books. Here is every thing I got with a summary from bottom of the stack to top:

Zombies vs Unicorns [Edited] by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier : I've been hearing tons of good things about book and am really exited. I think it's going to be epic! Here's a summary:

It's a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths--for good and evil--of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies. Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull: So this book I have been waiting FOREVER for it to come out and on Tuesday it finally did! I had pre-ordered it from Amazon and usually their pre-orders are delivered the day it comes out, but it that wasn't the case with this one. Here is the summary for it:

Jason Walker has often wished his life could be less predictable—until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank into a strange, imperiled world. Lyrian holds dangers and challenges unlike anyplace Jason has ever known. The people all live in fear of their malicious wizard emperor, Maldor. The brave resistors who once opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

Lucky Cap by Patrick Jennings: So this book hasn't came out yet, but since I'm good friends with the author [Patrick Jennings] so he gave me a copy to read and review [oh and p.s. it's signed!]. The book comes out April 26! Here is the summary:

The summer before Enzo enters the 6th grade, his dad takes a job with a company cooler than Nike, Timberland, and Marc Ecko. Even better, he gets to spend the summer traveling with his father and the CEO/designer/head of the company, a cross between Steve Jobs and Lance Armstrong. Working out all Summer, meeting new people, and growing up makes him come back a different kid - more confident and self-assured. But when all the other kids, especially the girls, start paying attention and treating him differently, he ascribes it all to his cool prototype lucky cap. Flirted with, more popular, invited onto the sports teams - it's all thanks to his Lucky Cap. And when it disappears, Enzo stops at nothing to get it back, so he won't lose his new-found status, only to sabotage himself.

Dear America: A Light in the Storm by Karen Hesse: So I am not the biggest fan of Dear America but it looked good so I'll give it a chance. Here is the Summary:

In 1861, Amelia Martin's father is stripped of his post as a ship's captain when he is caught harboring the leader of a slave rebellion. Now he is an assistant lighthouse keeper on Fenwick Island, off the coast of Delaware -- a state wedged between the North and the South, just as Amelia is wedged between her warring parents. Amelia's mother blames her abolitionist husband for their living conditions, which she claims are taking a toll on her health. Amelia observes her mother's hate and her father's admiration for Abraham Lincoln.

But slavery is the deeper issue separating the two sides. As the Civil War rages on, Amelia slowly learns that she cannot stop the fighting, but by keeping watch in the lighthouse each day, lighting the lamps, cleaning the glass, and rescuing victims of Atlantic storms, she can still make a difference.

The 39 Clues: Storm Warning by Linda Sue Park: Okay so this one I just had to bye because the 11th [this is the 9th] comes out in April so I wanted to be caught up by the time that one came out. Here is a summary:

Throughout the hunt for the 39 Clues, Amy and Dan have encountered some of the darkest aspects of history . . . and had to deal with the role their family played. But are they ready for the truth? In this thrilling ninth installment, Amy and Dan hit the high seas as they follow the trail of some infamous ancestors to track down a long lost treasure. However, the real prize isn’t hidden in a chest. It's the discovery of the Madrigals' most dangerous secret and, even more shockingly, the true identity of the mysterious man in black.

The 39 Clues: The Black Book of Buried Secrets [Introduction by Rick Riordan]: Okay so this is the companion book to the 39 Clues, so when I saw it in the Scholastic Book Orders, I decided to buy it. Here is the summary:

For the past five hundred years, the Cahills have silently dominated the world. Their desperate hunt for the 39 Clues lies behind some of history’s biggest enigmas – the curse of the Hope diamond, the race to summit Mt. Everest, the wild life and death of Harry Houdini. And now – finally – the secrets are out. With an introduction by Rick Riordan, The 39 Clues: The Black Book of Buried Secrets reveals the shocking truth about history’s most notorious family.

In full, lush color, The 39 Clues: The Black Book of Buried Secrets lays bare each hidden fact, concealed strategy, top agent, lost founder, secret base and hushed-up scandal of the Clue hunt. This complete guide to the Cahills contains information on all five branches, including the notoriously elusive Madrigals. The must-know information includes:
- Full files on the enigmatic Man in Black.
- The true purpose of the Madrigal branch.
- The complete story of the fire that split the original Cahill family.
- The truth about the night Hope and Arthur Cahill died.
- Open access to the secrets of the Lucian, Ekaterina, Tomas and Janus branches.

It’s never too late to join the hunt – especially with The 39 Clues: The Black Book of Buried Secrets to provide complete access to the Cahill’s most deeply-buried secrets.

Benjamin Franklinstien Lives! by Matthew McElligott and Lary Tuxbury: Okay this book doesn't look like anything special but I was wrong with Zombiekins, so I hope I'm wrong again. But anyway our founding fathers and Frankenstein- two of my favorite things. Here's a summary:

Victor Godwin’s orderly life is upended when he discovers that Benjamin Franklin never actually died– he was put into suspended animation and hidden away for more than 200 years in Victor’s basement! After an accident reawakens Ben, Victor must not only help him adjust to the modern world but also help him overcome a slight flaw–when Ben runs low on energy, he turns into a rampaging monster desperately hungry for electricity! All this while trying to take first place in the school science fair. With one of history’s preeminent scientists helping out, what could go wrong?

Thanks for Reading,

Benji

Help the People of Japan

Okay so this doesn't really have any thing to do with books. The earthquake in Japan has been one of the worst of ALL TIME and I'm here to say how bad I feel for the people of Japan and all of the people whose lives were ruined or over due to this disaster. I wanted to help so I decided to make this post with a link to donate now! All of the money goes directly to help the people effected by the 'quake.

To donate visit:http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_BigRedButton and select: Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami

Fablehaven: Secrets to the Dragon Sanctuary

So I was home sick [AGAIN!!!!] yesterday so I decided to pick up the fourth book in the epic Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. The Sphinx has already discovered two of the artifacts needed to open the Demon Prison, on the trail of the fourth Kendra, Seth, and The Knights of the Dawn travel to the dangerous and mysterious Wyrmroost, a dragon sanctuary. Will the two siblings succeed or have they finally gotten in too deep?

This book was truly epic, Brandon Mull is such a good writer, in this book every goes up a level; it's more intense, they're is a lot more on the line and that brings a lot more suspense and fun to the novel. The characters have all matured and gotten smarter, except for maybe Seth, which is the fatal flaw in this book, he could still be adventurous without being so stupid and always running towards danger; but I guess if he didn't the plot wouldn't move along and it would get boring. Brandon Mull really has evolved since the first novel. The world choice has gotten a whole lot better and more descriptive.

Brandon Mull is a wizard with words, Fablehaven is the next big series. Don't hold your breath for the next Harry Potter novel [P.S. it won't happen], just pick up the Fablehaven!

5/5

Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague

I was home sick [again] today, so I decided to dive into the third installment of the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. In Grip of the Shadow Plague, odd things are happening at Fablehaven. Seth discovers that there is a epidemic that turns creatures of light into creatures of darkness. The Sphinx has always given out good advice- but is he a traitor? Meanwhile Kendra with "The Knights of the Dawn" travel to a distant preserve to find a secret object that is very powerful. But as the epidemic worsens, this question is asked: Has Fablehaven seen it's last light?

Like the first two books in the Fablehaven series this book is very intriguing with lots plot twists that you never see coming. I found it very interesting to see what the other magical preserves are like because it lets you explore the magical world of Fablehaven. Brandon Mull has definitely gotten better at writing then he was in the beginning of the series. The characters keep getting more and more developed as they face more dangerous issues, and in this one their once time friends are now there enemies and it's very how they react in fighting against those which they one were friends.

Combining perfect word choice, humor, and chapter after chapter of exiting events; Brandon Mull is the next big author for kid's fantasy, J.K. Rowling better watch her back.

5/5

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star

Okay so today I was home sick so I decided to tackle the 2nd novel in the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull.

in "Rise of Evening Star" after some trouble in their own hometown, Kendra and her younger brother find themselves racing back to Fablehaven, a magical refuge for mythical creatures where their grandparents are the caretakers. But when the two arrive they find that something evil is afoot most likely caused by "The Society of The Evening Star" a group of people in the magical community who will stop at nothing to see the downfall of Fablehaven and all other magical preserves like it.

After reading the first one I was completely hooked. Brandon Mull really makes you want to root for the characters and care about their well being as every good book does. Unlike the first one, I think Mull develops the characters more and gives you more of an insight on their daily life, he especially does this with Kendra, who like I said in my review of the first book used to be really boring. Now she isn't so much. She worked harder to become more popular unlike that girl that "always sits alone at lunch" in the first book; Even though she is still a "goody two shoes" personality. I think he really explains more about Fablehaven and the world of mythical beasts which really fascinates as a reader. One thing I would like to ask of Brandon Mull is to write a prequel about how Fablehaven was founded. I think that would be really interesting and just plain "cool". Brandon Mull crafts the rare sequel that's better then the first. This book will sending you running as fast as your little [or big] legs will carry you to read the next one.

5/5

WAITING 2 READ- March 2011

Okay so this month I can't wait to read "The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Ocean of Blood" by the MASTER of horror Darren Shan, one of my favorite authors. Ever since the first book in this series came out last October I have been waiting for SO LONG to read this book. And hopefully it won't disappoint. Anyway here is a summary:

The epic tale of the vampire Larten Crepsley continues. The question is -- how far can Larten go! alone? Free from their mentor Seba Nile, Larten Crepsley and Wester Flack join the Cubs -- wild young vampires with little respect for human life, and a taste for mindless enjoyment. For the Cubs, everything is easy. But nothing has ever been easy for Larten, and soon fate throws his life into another spin. With dark paths to travel, Larten finds himself far from the Vampire Mountain and its rules. A long way from home, sick and alone, he must decide what kind of vampire he will be. Whether he will stand firm, be true to his master and his principles -- or whether he will lose himself in blood!

Okay, so how awesome is that? Can't wait it comes out April 28.

Also coming out in April [that I am hyped up]:

The 39 Clues Book 11: Vesper Rising by Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis and Jude Watson: The final book in the 39 Clues series, can't wait. How can you go wrong with all these GREAT authors? Comes out April 5

Lucky Cap by Patrick Jennings: I will be doing a pre-review of this book because I'm friends with Patrick J.

The 39 Clues: The Emperor's Code

In the 8th book in the 39 Clues series, Gordon Korman retakes the helm [his first in the series was "One False Note"]. Amy and Dan are heading to China, on the trail of a clue. But when the two get separated each of them must chose to either- find each other, or hunt for the next clue. But when Dan gets taken captive by one of the biggest players in the race it looks grim for the two to find each other in a country of a billion people.

It has a good plot, correction it has a great plot. I think in this one it really lets you get inside the heads of the other Cahills not just Amy and Dan, and lets you see what they're thinking because sometimes it's not like the other clue hunters are these inhumane, power crazed lunatics. I really enjoyed Korman's writing style and I think he brought back something, I don't really know what, but something that was missing in some of the early novels [in the series]. Even though some people think that this is just a scam for kids to buy the cards, I still think the books are really pretty good. Korman crafts a fun adventure story that will get you hooked.

4/5

Nightjohn

In Gary Paulsen's short chapter book following Sarnie, a slave on a Southern Plantation who from the help of the mysterious "Nightjohn" learns to write a few letters, she starts to use them and since she was a slave she wasn't supposed to that gets Nightjohn in a lot of trouble. She thinks this her last time using letters. But Nightjohn helps her and changes her life and the lives of other slaves forever through the power of letters.

This book was more serious then I expected it to be, really it was quit violent and scary. I think this book really captures that time period and how it was like to be a slave. They write lots of books about adult slaves, but this book is one of the few about a child slave. I think the word choice was really good, though I thought it should have been longer because it's hard to really "get to know" the characters in a 90 page book. I also wanted to know more about the slave's daily life because it didn't explain their daily life too much. It's always easier to find good qualities in books then the bad but I think it way a pretty good book for 90 pages. A great book on the time period.

P.S.: If you want more info on her life read:

Sarnie: A Life Remembered, the sequel.

3/5

The 39 Clues: The Viper's Nest

In the 7th installment of the 39 Clues, this one is the second in the series written by Peter Lerangis [his first was "The Sword Thief"]; Amy and Dan have a lead with a new clue involving Shaka which takes them to South Africa. The two find a lead about Winston Churchill that will maybe give them a major league in the competition and the truth on their branch of Cahills.
This book was a fun adventure novel that really doesn't do anything but give you a good time, no thinking required. Though when you think about it [but you don't have to] it is pretty mind boggling. One of the flaws is that the two don't really share their feelings they just all like "I hate it, I hate it, I hate it", which gets REALLY BORING. But it is still a fun, enjoyable, and [on the most part] awesome. I really am fascinate with the [idea] of each book being written by a different author [although some authors have wrote two in the series], but the authors need to know that though they can each add their own writing style, they can't change the plot too much. All in all a fun read.

3.5/5