The Tower of Parlen Min (Blog Tour)

TOWER OF PARLEN MIN ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY BLOG TOUR

I received a email from the author of this book, Matt Xell requesting me to review (and do other fun stuff) for the Tower of Parlen Min blog tour. I'm always hesitant when I'm approached by the author of a self-published book because often they're lacking the professional writing style, but I gave this one a try...

Summary: Ves Asirin wins a trip to the Tower of Parlen Min. There, with 19 other children, he competes in the Sword Challenge; a series of puzzles and tasks, for $12 million. As fantastic and glorious as the tower seems to be, Ves finds that it keeps a dark and secret history that he has been connected to for over 150 years, a secret that will define his destiny ... if he can escape 'The shadow'.

So I began the book very skeptical, not sure if I was even going to survive the first volume (there are three). But the only thing that made this book seemed self-published was the typos, take those away and you'd think this was published by a major publishing house.

I love the world Xell created in this book, as my friend, author Patrick Jennings, says, "It's difficult to create your own world, it's like being god." But Matt Xell pulls it off wonderfully and creates a unique environment that drives the story.

The one thing I did not like at all about this book was Ves. For a main character he was pretty lame. At first you start out feeling sorry for him because he has memory loss, which must suck majorly but all sorrow you feel after about 10 pages is replaced by a strong desire to strangle him and that feeling will stay with you to the last 20 pages of the third volume. If you're an author you strive for the readers to want to do that to your villians, your heroes not so much. Ves is snotty, rude, arrogant and over-confident. About halfway through the first volume he almost beats a girl up and risks his and her life in the process trying to get revenge for her having stolen something that was his, when she in fact didn't even steal it and was trying to return it to Ves. Ves definitely does take a lot away from this book and I would have enjoyed it a lot more (not to say I didn't enjoy it) if Ves was a bit nicer and more interesting.

Matt Xell is a natural story-teller, and I found it very hard to believe this was his first novel. He adds a lot of suspense.

I love Xell's portrayal of the supernatural in this book, because he makes it seem well, natural. Xell doesn't have Ves gape at the all unnatural goings-on but for the most part Ves embraces them.

A main part of this book are the wolves. Who throughout the story change a lot in terms of if you think of them in terms of good or evil. There have been so many myths about wolves, humans that turn into wolves, wolves that turn into humans, wolves who huff and puff and blow your house down, you get the idea, right? Lots and lots of wolves. But no one, ever as far as I know has came up with talking wolves that have superhero-type powers, crash festivals for the sake of others, and give you pretty epic piggy back rides.

Matt Xell also has a really cool idea of witches and warlocks. My favorite character is the book, Tammi (who Matt Xell will be writing a guest post on her for my blog) who is a Wicca, the race of people who have witch like powers.

Another defining element of the book is how their is a blend of history and technology in one object. Xell had a really neat idea where statues would be able to talk, move, and think like the person they're based on. It adds a whole lot of suspense, I mean if a statue was giving me a history lesson as it debated if it should kill me or not I'd be pretty freaked out too.

I really hope that Xell can find a publishing house because with the help of some great agents, editors, etc he could really shine and become a major author the stature of Rick Riordan or Brandon Mull.

This book is a fast paced, fun thrill ride that is perfect for fans of super intense action packed novels (a.k.a. me) defiantly worth the $2.99 on your ebook.

And now- to make author Matt Xell's day, he has told me to tell you what a jerk he was because he thinks he's too cool. Happy now, Matt?

5/5

Book Battle Update: This is my tenth book read in the book. Smooth sailing from here (Maddz has read 5).

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

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.

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- FEBRUARY 2011

Okay so this month I am waiting for "Beyonders: A world Without Heroes" by Brandon Mull, author of "Fablehaven", here is a summary:
Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable--until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he's ever seen. In the past, the people of Lyrian welcmoed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The brave resistors who 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.

The book is scheduled for release March 15, just in time for my trip to Washington D.C. so I definitely will be bringing this one on the trip. I really can't wait. Mull is a great writer.

Here is what Rick Riordan said about the book:

"Brandon Mull is a wizard with words. With Beyonders, he has conjured one of the most original fantasies I've read in years--an irresistible mix of adventure, humor, and magic."

-- Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

Fablehaven

After a recommendation from a friend and reading "The Candy Shop War" I finally decided to tackle "Fablehaven", Brandon Mull's debut. The novel tells the story of Seth and his older sister Kendra who are dumped at their grandfather's estate while there parents are taking a two week cruise. Little do the two know that the estate is really Fablehaven, a refuge for magical creatures. But when Seth and Kendra make a deadly mistake the two's grandfather is taken hostage by some of the darker beings at Fablehaven. The two must find their father, save Fablehaven from a evil organization, and possibly save the world.
I waited a long time before picking up this book, mainly because I thought I wouldn't like it, man was I wrong. The story was very intriguing, I thought it was going to be the basic fantasy that seems to be all we read these days, instead I found a wondeful novel that made me use my imagination a lot. I think Brandon Mull is the next Rick Riordan. I really liked the world Mull created, that everything is enchanting but there is a definite dark side that is very scary and dangerous. There are a few flaws like the depth of Kendra, everyone else seems to be pretty developed but she just walks around saying "You shouldn't brake the rules!" but other then that a great novel that will make readers run out and buy the sequel[s].

4.5/5