The Runaway King by Jennifer Nielson

This is the second book in the Ascendance Trilogy.

Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?

This was a good follow-up to the first book. At times it was a little slow, not a lot of action, but I still enjoyed it. Jaron was a character that I did not like in the first book and that I have come to like in this one. There are a lot of similar books that I enjoyed much more, such as one of my all-time favorites- The Ranger's Apprentice, but there are other books that are far worse. Worth reading.

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Rising sixth grader Miss Moses LoBeau lives in the small town of Tupelo Landing, NC, where everyone's business is fair game and no secret is sacred. She washed ashore in a hurricane eleven years ago, and she's been making waves ever since. Although Mo hopes someday to find her "upstream mother," she's found a home with the Colonel--a café owner with a forgotten past of his own--and Miss Lana, the fabulous café hostess. She will protect those she loves with every bit of her strong will and tough attitude. So when a lawman comes to town asking about a murder, Mo and her best friend, Dale Earnhardt Johnson III, set out to uncover the truth in hopes of saving the only family Mo has ever known.

 

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the unusual characters and the small town atmosphere. Mo had spunk and strength and I always like to see that in my female characters! Interesting twist with the murder mystery, but the best part for me were all the complicated, but loving relationships.

More New Books

Annie Rossi never, ever thought her father would let her have a dog. But now that he’s finally given in, she’s found the perfect ear for the stories of her day. She just writes them in a notebook hidden under the bed and reads them to Leo in her soft night voice, like the one her mother used when reading to Annie at bedtime before she died. And Annie sure has a million stories to tell! There’s mean Edward, who brags about his "noble goldfish" and gets her in trouble for accidentally lobbing a volleyball into his nose. There’s her best friend, Jean-Marie, who ups and moves to New Jersey (and wants to borrow Leo for company!). There’s the poem Annie writes about her mom, which Miss Meadows asks her to read for the class. And there’s her professor dad, who is finally coming out of his shell, even though he is an elderly forty-year-old with a serious personality.

I really enjoyed this book. The letters that Annie writes to her dog are funny, poignant and seem to have the true voice of a 4th grade girl. Her perspective of her friends, teachers and father seem to be accurate for someone that age. This is definitely a girl's book. I would suggest it to any girl in 3rd grade or up or to a parent whose spouse has passed away and would like a book for their daughter.

With the first ice—a skim on a sheep pail so thin it breaks when touched—one family’s winter begins in earnest. Next comes ice like panes of glass. And eventually, skating ice! Take a literary skate over field ice and streambed, through sleeping orchards and beyond. The first ice, the second ice, the third ice . . . perfect ice . . . the last ice . . .

This was a very interesting and unique read. I really enjoyed the nostalgic feel to it. I could picture the setting and was envious of such a seemingly idyllic childhood! This is a very short read, but worth it. I am just not sure it will hit the spot with children. I think adults will enjoy it and it will take them back to a simpler time.

Jo Schmo comes from a long line of crime fighters, but she’s just a normal fourth grade girl into boys and skateboards—until her uncle’s cape arrives on her San Francisco doorstep. Time to join the family business! Gramps shows Jo the tricks of the trade, and her dog, Raymond, becomes her slobbery sidekick. Just in time, too. Can Jo stop Dr. Dastardly and his deadly gang of dead dinos?

Loved this book! Hilarious! Perfect for girls who want a series of their own that has the same quirky sense of humor as the ton of boy books out there! I was laughing aloud. Silly, nonsensical, perfect fun read!

Grave Mercy: His Fair Assassin Book 1 by Robin LaFevers -YA

I loved this book! What a fantastic read! I read it straight through one night and I was terribly tired the next day for work! It had everything I love- action and adventure, battle with horses, swords, arrows and a little bit of intrigue and suspense. Yes, there is a little bit of romance too.


Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make.

Can't wait for the next one!

Crown of Embers by Rae Carson- YA

This is the second book in the Girl of Fire and Thorns series. I really enjoyed it. I think I liked it better than the first one. Here's a summary:Elisa is a hero. She led her people to victory over a terrifying, sorcerous army.

Her place as the country's ruler should be secure. But it isn't.
Her enemies come at her like ghosts in a dream, from both foreign realms and within her own court. And her destiny as the chosen one has not yet been fulfilled.
To conquer the power she bears once and for all, Elisa must follow the trail of long-forgotten--and forbidden--clues from the deep, undiscovered catacombs of her own city to the treacherous seas. With her goes a one-eyed spy, a traitor, and the man who--despite everything--she is falling in love with.

So, in the first book, at sixteen, she was married off to a stranger from a strange land to fulfill her duty. She was full of doubt about her looks, her life, her husband, her duty, etc. But because of a special power she possesses, she was able to save her newly adopted county. This book picks up where the other one ended. Now, she is queen at seventeen and needs to rule this new country still under threat.

 

There's a lot of intrigue and action and just the right amount of romance. Great read!

Shadow and Bone (Book 1 Grisha Trilogy) by Leigh Bardugo

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact by A.J. Hartley

Eleven-year-old Darwen Arkwright discovers another world through the old mirror hanging in his closet--a world that holds as many dangers as it does wonders.

This was a good fantasy adventure book that I would put in the hands of boys. Darwen is living in Atlanta with his aunt. He was raised in England. He feels out of place and different- not only the way he talks, but he is also biracial. His aunt sends him to this private military school and it just keeps getting worse for him.

He meets a strange shop owner who gives him a mirror and after sunset, he is able to go through the mirror into another world.

I enjoyed the book and wanted to find out what was happening and why. Some parts were distracting-like how his "differences" actually solicited very nasty behavior from both other students and teachers at this school.  I just wanted to find out about the other world and why it was there.

I believe there will be a sequel and although I liked this book, I think I will pass on the sequel.

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

Twelve-year-old Marlee doesn't have many friends until she meets Liz, the new girl at school. Liz is bold and brave, and always knows the right thing to say, especially to Sally, the resident mean girl. Liz even helps Marlee overcome her greatest fear - speaking, which Marlee never does outside her family.

But then Liz is gone, replaced by the rumor that she was a Negro girl passing as white. But Marlee decides that doesn't matter. Liz is her best friend. And to stay friends, Marlee and Liz are willing to take on integration and the dangers their friendship could bring to both their families.

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I really enjoyed this book. I loved the kindness of Marlee and the moxie in Liz. The friendship they form is beautiful in a world that surrounds them with ugliness. Stories about this part of our country's history always makes me wonder- what would I have done? Definitely will be on all the possible Newbery lists!

Dragon Castle by Joseph Bruchac

Young Prince Rashko is frustrated with his family - no one does any thinking but him! The kingdom and castle seem to be in the hands of fools. So when Rashko's parents mysteriously disappear and the evil Baron Temny parks his army outside the castle walls, it is up to the young prince to save the day. But there is more to this castle and its history than meets the eye, and Rashko will have to embrace his ancestry, harness a dragon, and use his sword-fighting skills to stop the baron and save the kingdom. Along the way, he realizes that his family is not quite as stupid as he always thought.



I liked this one. I usually like swords, castles, dragons and such. It was an entertaining fantasy. Alternating stories told in alternating chapters bothers me a lot. The flow of the story is interrupted for me. I feel like just when I am getting into it, the book changes to the other storyline, but this one flowed a lot better because the two stories were so intertwined. The ending was wrapped up to quickly, but overall this was a good read.


New Puzzle Books

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin.
Winston Breen says “the only thing better than discovering a puzzle is stumping someone else with it.” But when his sister uncovers mysterious strips of wood with words and letters on them, even Winston himself is stumped. Soon the whole family—and some friends—are caught up in the mystery and off on a scavenger hunt that just may lead to a ring worth thousands of dollars! Chock-full of puzzles to solve—some tied to the mystery and some not—this treasure hunt will keep readers’ brains teased right up to the exciting ending!

There are puzzles throughout the book and you can connect online and print out all the puzzles to work through on your own!

The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

This first book in a planned trilogy is action-oriented fantasy, but don’t expect magical creatures. Instead, it revolves around political intrigue. Sage is a street-savvy orphan, and along with two other boys he is recruited by Conner, a nobleman who wants to remake them in the image of their country’s lost prince, a victim of pirates and presumed dead. The task is urgent, as the rest of the royal family has been murdered and civil war seems imminent. As the boys, chosen for their passing resemblance to Prince Jaron, compete to assume a new identity and the throne, Sage discovers some unpleasant truths about their host, beyond his treasonous plans to pass one of them off as royalty. Sage is a likable hero full of smart-alecky snarkiness.

Well, it was the smart-alecky snarkiness that was beginning to bother me because it was relentless. But, then there was a big twist and turn and the story got really interesting for me! I then  raced through the last quarter of the book. It definitely was a surprise to me and ended well.

I liked the story. I like stories set in the times of 'kingdoms' with swords and duty and honor, etc. I have enjoyed similar stories like Avi's Crispin: The Cross of Lead, John Flanagan's The Ranger's Apprentice, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Mistwood by Leah Cypress, etc. So, when I started reading this I began to like it, but Sage's constant snarkiness began to take its toll. It seemed to be over-the-top, but then there was a surprise and it all made more sense.

This is the first book in the trilogy and I do believe I will take the time to see what happens next!

Crow by Barbara Wright

The summer of 1898 is filled with ups and downs for 11-year-old Moses. He's growing apart from his best friend, his superstitious Boo-Nanny butts heads constantly with his pragmatic, educated father, and his mother is reeling from the discovery of a family secret. Yet there are good times, too. He's teaching his grandmother how to read. For the first time she's sharing stories about her life as a slave. And his father and his friends are finally getting the respect and positions of power they've earned in the Wilmington, North Carolina, community. But not everyone is happy with the political changes at play and some will do anything, including a violent plot against the government, to maintain the status quo.

This is great historical fiction book filled with wonderful characters as it sheds light on a little known piece of our country's history. I loved Boo Nanny and would have loved to have known her in real life. Strong, simple people who have weathered the trials and tribulations of this world, yet retain their humanity and their hearts, are always very compelling to me. Moses couldn't have had a better grandma. I loved Moses and his momma and dad. Decent, hard-working people who taught their son to do the right thing always, even in the face of danger. My only disappointment was the ending. I don't believe the dad would have made that choice- his family was more important. And the very end was a little cliched. I understand the need for the hope of the future when in the midst of unfathomable evil, but sometimes it only is what it is.

Fake Mustache by Tom Angleberger

Regular kid Lenny Flem Jr. is the only one standing between his evil-genius best friend—Casper, a master of disguise and hypnosis—and world domination. It all begins when Casper spends money from his granny on a spectacularly convincing fake mustache, the Heidelberg Handlebar #7. With it he’s able rob banks, amass a vast fortune, and run for president. Is Lenny the only one who can see through his disguise? And will he be able to stop Casper from taking over the world?

This will be yet another certifiable hit with the 9-12 year old set for Angleberger. This is completely absurd and silly story and they will love it!.


Wilma Tenderfoot: The Case of the Frozen Hearts

Wilma Tenderfoot, a tiny, brash, and determined ten-year-old orphan, dreams of becoming a world famous detective so she can find out who her parents are. Wilma discovers that her new next-door neighbor is the renowned detective Theodore P. Goodman, and he has a new case. Wilma is set on becoming Mr. Goodman's apprentice, so with the help of her beagle, Pickle, she makes deductions, follows leads, and scouts out suspects. She's sure she'll win the famous detective over and crack the case, as soon as Pickle stops eating the clues.

This is a great mystery for 3rd grade and up! It's a rollicking, goofy whodunit!

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

This is the second installment in the trilogy and I will simply say that I thought it was better than the first! Will be reading the 3rd one, for sure!

Legend by Marie Lu - YA Book

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

I enjoyed this book. I liked both characters. The chapters alternate between each character's perspective. There was a lot of action, some surprises and sides to root for which I always like.

There were two minor things that bothered me. One, the characters are both 15, but it would have made more sense to me or more believable somewhat if they would have been 17-19. They were both so extremely competent, mature, intelligent and worldly that it was difficult to believe they were 15. The other minor element was that what happened to the US how it became to be like it is in the story was confusing and never explained thoroughly. Neither of these complaints really took away from the story, it would have just improved upon the book.

I will plan on reading the next installment!

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing--and their lives--forever.

This is another teen dystopian novel. I thought it was a quick read, definitely not as violent as some of the other ones I have read recently. I would say 8th grade and up would be ok with this one. I would recommend it, but it doesn't make the top of my list.



Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. It rang so true and it was touching. Hazel is a fifth-grade girl who lives next door to her best friend, Jack. They "get" each other. When everything in their lives is falling apart- Hazel's parents have gotten divorced and her father doesn't have much time for her and Jack's mother is suffering from depression, etc.- they have each other and their imaginations. Jack likes to draw and they both use their imagination to create other worlds. Hazel struggles at her new school. She doesn't fit in. But she has Jack.

Well, one day, Jack gets a piece of bewitched glass in his eye and everything changes. It changes the relationship between Hazel and Jack, it changes the book from a contemporary realistic fiction book to a fantastical fairy tale book...I didn't like the second part of the book as much and was sad to not be able to see the story that began be fleshed out.

But I did like that the story was about friendship, loyalty, perseverance and overcoming fears.

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

As I posted earlier, even though this blog is mainly for patrons with 1st-8th graders, I do read a lot of YA books. I have decided to post them here in case someone old enough is reading the posts and for a record of the books I have read for me. Sometimes I forget what books I have read or what they were about!

This book is definitely a older YA book! The supervolcano beneath Yellowstone Park has erupted and without electricity, food, water, etc...the very worst of human nature manifests itself in this gripping, violent, dystopian YA novel.

I enjoy dystopian novels a lot. A lot of them are very violent and you see a very realistic glimpse of what human beings are capable of when they are starving and there is no order or civilization to speak of really. A lot of them aren't as disturbing for me because they still seem like fiction. But this one was so more realistic because it is set in contemporary time and seems believable! Another interesting thing about this dystopian novel is that it is written from the male point of view. Like Ship Breaker and Chaos Walking...this would be a great read for older boys- I would say definitely high school!

Icefall by Matthew Kirby

Trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen sea, Solveig, along with her brother the crown prince, their older sister, and an army of restless warriors, anxiously awaits news of her father's victory at battle. But as winter stretches on, and the unending ice refuses to break, terrible acts of treachery soon make it clear that a traitor lurks in their midst. A malevolent air begins to seep through the fortress walls, and a smothering claustrophobia slowly turns these prisoners of winter against one another.

Matthew Kirby wrote his debut novel last year, The Clockwork Three, which I enjoyed. It was historical fiction with fantasy mixed in.

Icefall, his second novel, has similar elements of historical fiction and a bit of fantasy, but it was even better! Again, there is a strong young female at the center of the story. One that is loyal, compassionate and strong, but flawed and trying to find herself. I have read a lot of books recently with similar characters. I enjoy them because you can relate to them. They aren't perfect, but they have good hearts and are trying to do the right thing. There's lots of action and suspense and I was racing to the end to find out what happened! Great read!