Surely,
after saving the universe once, Zachary Night deserves a break. Sadly, the
answer seems to be absolutely not. Even with the outer galaxies safe, Zachary
and his friends still have to contend with the secret message from Professor
Olari and it seems someone else wants this information too. So, when the clues
line up, and a conspiracy begins to appear, things get ominous. Soon, Zachary
and his friends are dodging assassins and avoiding giant viruses. Not to
mention, they still haven't decoded the message! Is a Starbounder's job ever
done?
If
you think you'll enjoy a book about a boy and his friends saving the universe,
this book is for you. For those readers who remember Starbounders fondly,
prepare for more of the same, with a little more intensity. This sequel contained
all the elements of the previous book, although the comic relief was lessened
in exchange for more intrigue. A wonderful story, I thought this book linked
perfectly with its predecessor. Epstein's writing style makes this book perfect
for readers of many ages and I thought that the plot was well thought out and
easily followed without being predictable. Personally, I missed some of the
humor of the first book, but I still enjoyed this one all the same. I gave this
book five stars for a great plot and wonderful writing style.Literary Twitter
Monday, April 7, 2014
Wildwood: Imperium
A Perfect Finale
Wildwood
is on the verge of collapse. The magical borders of the wood are in danger,
threatening to break and let loose the magic trapped within. Meanwhile,
outside, a group of orphans and saboteurs gather to take down an industrial
titan. Two worlds are about to collide and only one girl can stop the destruction
of both worlds. Prue must gather the remaining bandits, former Wildwood
Irregulars and friends to combat a growing evil or all will be lost. It’s a big
job for a little girl, and she just might be too late.
My
first impression of this book was that it had some unbalanced literary
elements. There was not enough comic relief to counteract many of the action
scenes. It seemed to me that every second I kept reading, the world became in
greater danger of destruction and some new calamity befell Prue and her friends
at each turn. It could have used some comic relief to release the buildup of
tension in the story. However, the writing content was laudable and my
compliments go to the author for maintaining the writing style created in first
book in the third book, unlike many other series I have read. The core plot was
acceptable and it concluded the series well. The plot was a fitting finale, as
it connects the events of the first book in a very final manner that doesn't
leave room for more development. Overall, I gave this book four and a half
stars for an admirable writing style, despite a lack of comic relief.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Secret Agent Gadget Battle
Could Have Been Better
When a urgent message from
their mother arrives, warning siblings Nick and Tesla of a
dangerous spy nearby, their already-chaotic world is thrown into even
more disrepair. Being that their eccentric Uncle Newt couldn't catch a elephant
if it walked in front of him, they will have to fend for themselves. So, when mysterious strangers start showing
up, the siblings' detective skills will be put to the test. In a world where
nothing is what it seems to be, no one is who they say they are, and cameras
are hidden everywhere. Can even the most brilliant sleuth succeed?
This book is excellent reading for younger children.
I would estimate the age range for this book at
6 - 10 years old. If the book's vocabulary and complexity were to be
developed more, and the plot extended, the age range could be increased. I
applaud the use of hands-on projects in the book, but I thought they could have
been removed from between chapters and
put in an index instead. Every project is related to the plot of the chapter
that preceded it, and while this is good for readers who intend to follow along
with the book and do each chapter's project after reading the chapter, I
thought it disrupted the story's flow. I
gave the book three stars for having great potential for further development, a
good basic plot, and for attempting to educate readers through a entertaining
story.
Constable and Toop
A Supernatural Thriller
While a
ghost, a boy, and a murderer may seem like completely unrelated things, in the
hands of a talented author, anything can be made to seem related. By that
definition, Gareth P. Jones is most certainly a talented author. He succeeds not
only in making the above three things connect, but he also succeeds in running
three parallel plots, each with its own main character: Sam, Tanner, and
Lapsewood. The book plots the adventures of these three simultaneously while
carefully leading the characters towards a junction at the end of the book.
Transitions from subplot to subplot are seamless, while remaining obvious, so
as not to confuse readers. The combination of action and intrigue keep readers motivated.
Despite the excellent storyline, because some of the murder scenes can be a bit
graphic, I would not suggest this book for readers under 12 years old. I gave
it five stars for good plot and laudable writing.
The Jupiter Pirates: Hunt for the Hydra
A Novel Idea
Piloting starships is most definitely not a normal
occupation for 12-year-old boys. However, for Tycho Hashoone, flying spaceships
and privateering are all in a day's work. He and the entire Hashoone family are
privateers who spend their lives commandeering Earth's cargo ships and
ransoming cargo and crew, an illegal operation on Earth. That is why they
joined the Jovian Union. The Jovian Union is an anti-Earth nation that is spread
across Mars and the far reaches of the galaxy. However, when a mysterious
diplomat appears on a dingy cargo ship, some eyebrows are raised. While this may
not seem like much, the fact that the diplomat in question looks more like a
thuggish pirate than an urbane peacemaker adds to the mystery. Soon, the
Hashoone family is deeply entangled in a conspiracy that will plunge them into
danger and refresh some old rivalries. Will they make it out in one piece?
This
book interested me from the start. I appreciated the mix of piratical and
sci-fi elements. Although I have read other sci-fi pirate stories, I enjoyed
the variety of character personalities in the story. I appreciated the mix of
action and humor providing just the right tone to keep me reading. I liked the
heavy intrigue that this story employed. The mysterious twists in the story
kept the plot satisfyingly unpredictable. I would recommend this to anyone that
likes action, adventure, and laser guns.
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