Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague (#3)
by Brandon Mull

Middle Grade Fantasy
480 pages, hardcover
Target Reader: Ages 9-12

Shadow Mountain
978-1590388983
Release Date: April 21, 2008




From the publisher:

Strange things are afoot at Fablehaven. Someone or something has released a plague that transforms beings of light into creatures of darkness. Seth discovers the problem in its infancy, but as the infectious disease spreads, it becomes clear that the preserve cannot hold out for long.

In dire need of help, the Sorensons question where to turn. The Sphinx has always given sound advice—but is he a traitor? Inside the Quiet Box, Vanessa might have information that could lead to a cure—but can she be trusted?

Meanwhile, Kendra and members of the Knights of the Dawn must journey to a distant preserve and retrieve another hidden artifact. Will the Society of the Evening Star recover it first? Will the plague eclipse all light at Fablehaven? Find out in Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague.

Series books: Fablehaven (book 1), Rise of the Evening Star (book 2)

This is book #3 in the Fablehaven series. I really like this series and suggest it for middle grade readers and people who love simple fantasy.

I felt this book could have been edited just a bit tighter, losing maybe 50 pages. There were a few places where it went on longer than needed. Also, I have an issue with this cover. The first two books had their villains on the cover. The centaurs in this book are not villians. Their one of the good guys, even if they are kind of snooty about it. The illustration that should be on the cover is the one of Ephira (pg 459). I think it would have looked really cool. But boys won't read books with girls on the cover, so I'm sure that's why they went with the centaur. But still. Ticks me off a bit.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. We get to see Kendra again for awhile. We discover a few more secrets about Fablehaven's past and Kendra's powers. Seth acts a bit more responsibly. The satyrs are still incredibly funny (they're my favorite characters). I'm looking forward to book #4.


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Age Appropriate: Older teens and some adults may like this series.

Writing Mechanics: Needed a tighter edit.


© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Red Dragon Codex by R.D. Henham (Rebecca Shelley)

Red Dragon Codex
by R.D. Henham

Middle Grade Fantasy
256 pages, hardcover
Target Reader: Ages 9-12

Mirrorstone
978-0786949250
Release Date: January 8, 2008



From the publisher:

Dear Reader,

In my cozy library alcove, I never realized the peril that could befall a traveler in the mountains -- or even a quiet villager, minding her own business. Then I read Sindri Suncatcher's A Practical Guide to Dragons and I just had to find out more about dragonkind.

In my research, I discovered this true tale of an evil red dragon who plots revenge, kidnaps a seer, and sets a young boy named Mudd on a rescue mission. I hope you find as much thrilling enjoyment from it as I did.

Your humble servant,
R.D. Henham
Scribe in the Great Library of Palanthas

The Dragon Codices chronicle adventures with each of ten dragons of Krynn. From the fiery, evil red dragon to the playful copper, each dragon's tale is unique. Sindri Suncatcher, narrator of A Practical Guide to Dragons, shared these tales from his travels with library scribe R.D. Henham.

Mudd lives a peaceful life in his small town, tinkering with the mill and any mechanical devices that he can find. But his peaceful life soon changes when, out of nowhere, a red dragon attacks, burning the town and kidnapping Shemnara, the village seer. Only one clue is left behind--a cryptic note telling Mudd, "Seek the silver dragon."

This series of Dragonlance books for middle grade readers was inspired by A Practical Guide to Dragons by Lisa Trumbauer. The codices are written by fictional character, R.D. Henham, "a scribe in the great library of Palanthas. In the course of transcribing stories of legendary dragons, the author felt a gap existed in the story of the every dragon: ordinary dragons who end up doing extraordinary things. With the help of fellow scribes, R.D. had filled that gap with the Dragon Codices." There will be a total of ten books, one for each color of dragon. Cute idea and I think it will be well received by its intended age group.

The entire series is written under the pen name, R.D. Henham, but the authors vary from book to book. This particular dragon codex was written by Rebecca Shelley, who I met at a writers conference in March. She is very nice.

Mudd and his sister, Hiera, race to find a key to open a door that will lead them to the silver dragon, who will hopefully help them rescue their friend and teacher who was kidnapped by the evil red dragon. They are aided on their journey by a young dwarf named Drakecutter (who seeks to save his father's life by retrieving a magical ax stolen by the red dragon), Iroden (a possibly enchanted elf who seeks to be returned to his natural state), and Kirak (who may or may not be human).

I liked the basic plot and storyline of this book. I thought it had a lot of potential but I felt the characterization was a little weak. There needed to be more foreshadowing of the characters' attributes—for example, partway thought the book, Mudd decides he needs to break into a library. We suddenly discover he's got a passion for picking locks and carries lock pick tools with him everywhere. This should have come out much earlier in the story.

Also, the author (or perhaps the editor/publisher) is part of an evil group of people determined to delete all the irregular verbs from the English language. (This is a pet peeve of mine and I can rant about it for several minutes at a time without taking a breath.) When I read that the dragon dived (DOVE), and leaped (LEAPT) and pleaded (PLED), it's worse than fingernails on a chalboard.

I rate this book a 3.75 out of 5. Perfect for 4th though 6th graders, but older teens and adults will find it a little lacking in depth.

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Age Appropriate: Middle graders will love it.

Writing Mechanics: Needed a tighter edit.


© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Professor Windsnicker's Book of Proper Etiquette for Well-Mannered Sycophants by Clover Ernest/Obert Skye

Professor Windsnicker's Book of Proper Etiquette for Well-Mannered Sycophants
by Clover Ernest/Obert Skye

Middle Grade Fantasy
167 pages, hardcover
Target Reader: Ages 9-12

Shadow Mountain
978-1590387160
Release Date: April 2007



From the publisher:

FOR FANS OF LEVEN THUMPS

I have met very few people I didn’t like. There was that one fellow with the long, sharp knife, and that tall woman with the beyond-bad attitude, and of course all those who fight against Foo, but for the most part I find people agreeable.

That is not the case with Terry Graphs. He is despicable, mean, cruel, and – on the occasions when I have had the misfortune of being near him – smelly. So it was with some concern and yet great excitement that I contacted him after seeing what he had posted for sale on eBay. His ad read:

Old dumb book – wife thinks it’s worth something. Written by Foo, or a professor, or a sycophant, whoever that is. Found on the Oklahoma prairie not far from where our house was demolished. I personally discovered it while picking up the pieces of the singlewide I still owe on. You tell me what you’ll pay for it and we might have a deal.

I flew to Oklahoma and happily bought the book from him for thirty dollars and the silver watch I was wearing. Terry had no idea what he had found or what he was selling. He also had very pungent breath.

I have studied the book for many months now. The best I can figure is that sometime during Clover’s stay in Reality it fell from his void, or perhaps he was looking at it on the prairie and foolishly left it behind. Either way, we are lucky. There are many things about Foo and the sycophants that can be gleaned from it. Read it carefully. It is a tremendous glimpse into the mind and life of Leven’s faithful friend Clover.

Fate was kind to drop it in my lap. Of course, luckily for all of us, fate seems to favor Foo.

This is a support book for the Leven Thumps series of books by Obert Skye. It is the "training manual" for sycophants, like Leven's friend, Clover, and Winter's friend, Lilly. It won't make a lot of sense unless you've read the series.

Written in the style of a textbook, Professor Windsnicker lectures the sycophants-in-training on how to properly do their jobs. Chapters include "Grooming and Robe Maintenance," "Dealing with Name Changes," and "Appropriate Places to Sit" (as in, sitting on your 'burn'—the person you are helping.) At the end of each chapter, we have Clover's notes on the Professor's topics—we learn things about him that aren't in the regular books, such as his developing feelings for Lilly, Winter's helper.

The humor in this book comes from the exposed ignorance of Professor Winsnicker. For example, a sycophant (as Windsnicker refers to his pupils) is "a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite" (see Dictionary.com) which is exactly what Windsnicker is revealed as, while Clover and Lilly and others of their ilk are actually altruistic helpers for those trying to save Foo. I loved Clover's doodles which are scattered across nearly every page.

I rate this book a 3.5 out of 5. If you are a Foo fan and own every book in hardcover, then this is a must for your collection. You will love this little book as well. If you're a casual reader of Foo, check it out from the library. It's good for an afternoon of chuckles.


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© 2010 It's a Book Affair

13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner

The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters (book 1)
by James Dashner

Middle Grade Fantasy
432 pages; hardcover
Target Reader: ages 9-12

Shadow Mountain
978-1590388310
Release Date: March 3, 2008



From the publisher:

What if every time you made a choice that had a significant consequence, a new, alternate reality was created — the life that would've been had you made the other choice? What if those new realities were in danger? What if it fell to you to save all the realities?

Atticus Higginbottom, a.k.a. Tick, is an average thirteen-year-old boy until the day a strange letter arrives in his mailbox. Postmarked from Alaska and cryptically signed with the initials "M.G.," the letter informs Tick that dangerous--perhaps even deadly — events have been set in motion that could result in the destruction of reality itself. M.G. promises to send Tick twelve riddles that will reveal on a certain day, at a certain time, at a certain place, something extraordinary will happen. Will Tick have the courage to follow the twelve clues M.G. sends to him? Will he be able to solve the riddles in time? Will Tick discover the life he was meant to live?

The first volume of an outstanding new children's fantasy series, The Journal of Curious Letters is filled with adventure, humor, riddles, and, oh, yes — danger. . . As M.G. warns Tick, Very frightening things are coming your way. Will you join Tick and his friends on an amazing journey through the Realities? What will your choice be?

[This is a good review. I promise.]

Before I talk about The Journal of Curious Letters, I have to say something about the only other James Dashner book I've ever read. Dashner has a series of four books, the Jimmy Fincher saga, that begins with A Door in the Woods. I bought this book because one of my children (then in 5th grade) really liked it.

I so hoped that I would like A Door in the Woods because I've met James Dashner a couple of times and he's a very funny and likeable guy. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. While the basic plot was good, there were a few places where it got cloudy and confusing. I didn't much care for his writing style—written in first person, Jimmy Fincher would refer to himself as "scrawny," etc.—things kids would not really say. I felt Dashner was trying to force it, and sounded a little too much like an adult trying to talk like a kid. There were also some typos and grammar mistakes, more than I think a published book should have. While I'm sure 5th grade boys will love this book (and the entire series, for that matter), it didn't cross over into a story that older teens and adults would like. (IMHO)

So when The Journal of Curious Letters came out and it starting getting a buzz about it, I was a little reluctant to plunk down the bucks to get it. First, it's hardcover, therefore a little more expensive. Second, I love fantasy and nothing ticks me off more than a poorly done fantasy story. Third, I really like James Dashner as a person and I really wanted to like his book, but I was afraid it was going to be too much like the Jimmy Fincher series for me. My plan was to check it out from the library, but it was on terminal hold. So. When I found it on sale ($2 off is still a sale), I gritted my teeth, bought the book and hoped for the best.

Boy, howdy! Was that the best $15 and change I've ever spent! I LOVED THIS BOOK! (Yes, I'm yelling it—ergo the capital letters—in a very high pitched squeal—ergo the colored text.) In fact, this is my favorite book so far this year.

I read some reviews of this book that say, "there are chunks of text that are overwritten" and "moves a little sluggishly." I disagree. There were slower parts, but that gives you time to catch your breath.

The characters were fun and funny. I really liked Tick's personality. I like that he lives at home with both his parents, in a loving family.

The plot is solid; it surprised me with unexpected twists and turns. Some of the "clues" were really tough to figure out. (Okay. I confess. Some I couldn't figure out on my own but I'm not a genius like Tick.) I liked that the magic was somewhat tied into science.

And the book gave us a satisfying ending while still leaving us leaning (if not hanging) over that proverbial cliff while we for the next book.

I absolutely LOVED this book and give it a whole-hearted 5 out of 5!



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Age Appropriate: Written for Middle Grade, older teens and adults will like it as well.

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P.S. If James Dashner reads this review, I hope my raving endorsement of The Journal of Curious Letters makes up for my negative comments about A Door in the Woods. So why did I start this review with those negative comments? Because other fantasy fanatics I know didn't care too much for A Door in the Woods either. We've talked about it. I want THEM to know that The Journal of Curious Letters is VERY GOOD. That it's worth the money to go BUY IT.

P.P.S. No, this is NOT a paid endorsement.

© 2010 It's a Book Affair