Summary: A normal farm boy was hunting in the forest and when he saw a huge flash of blue light. An invesitagtion led to a big sapphire stone which he brought home. But it wasn't a big sapphire gem at all. It was actually a dragon egg. When it hatched for him, Eragon became the last of the Dragon Riders. Many thought the Dragon Riders had been killed off and thought the eggs were gone and that the Age of the Dragons would never rise again. But word of a new Dragon Rider spread fast and soon the existence of Eragon and his dragon, Sapphira, had reached Galbatorix and the Elves, Varden, and the Dwarves. Now Eragon is in a race to stay alive and keep his dragon safe. He has only two choices to succeed and one is unacceptable. He won't serve Galbatorix so he must find the Varden.
Why I started this book:
I started Eragon because it was lying around. I bought it a few years back and hadn't gotten around to it before now. Plus, I had seen the movie and like it. So I thought why not?
Likes:
What I liked about this book was that it had a lot of action. Once you settled in to read, the world sucked you in from one thrilling chase to the next harrowing adventure. It was really hard to put the book down when you got to a really good part.
I really liked Sapphira a lot because she had a lot of wisdom when she spoke to him even though she was younger than him in physical years she was still wiser and older in her mind.
Dislikes:
I didn’t like that the author had a ton of made up words in the story even though it had a dictionary in the back of the book saying what they meant. It was very tedious looking back to see what they meant all the time.
I didn’t like the fact that Brom died. I thought he was a very good character and served as a really good mentor.
Differences between the book and the movie:
In the movie we don't know why Sapphira got her name. Eragon bestows it on her after he went to talk to Brom and got the history of the name from him.
In the movie it doesn’t tell how Eragon came to Palancar Valley. But when his mother was pregnant with him she was very poor and went to her brother Garrow (Eragon’s Uncle) asking if he would help her until the baby was born and then take care of it after it was born. Once she gave birth to Eragon a while later she left him with Garrow and never returned.
Title: The Dark Side of Nowhere Author: Neal Shusterman Format: Paperback Page Count: 192 Grade Reading Level: Grades 6-9
Summary: Jason has always lived in the same town his whole life and thinks it's so boring. But when Jason's friend, Ethan dies from a burst appendicitis everything changes. Not only is everyone sad that he's gone but something really weird happens. Grant, the janitor tells Jason that Ethan isn't dead. Is he right? How is that possible? Then Jason is given a robotic-like glove by Grant and finds out that his whole life has been a lie. Everybody he knows, including himself, are aliens!
Why I Started the Book:
I started this book because it was a book we were reading in class before school got out for the year. We didn't get to finish it so I decided to cheek it out of the library.
Likes:
The writing in this book was phenomenal! I was at the end of my seat after every chapter. I could understand how the characters felt and their whole experience. It was like I was there in the same situation.
I liked how his parents never lied. He told Jason the truth about them through a bedtime story, he just didn't know it was true.
The cover of this book is way awesome and fits the suspenseful haunting quality of the story.
The book's main point is what it means to be human.
Last minute thoughts: I wouldn't suggest anyone under sixth grade read this book. It's very dark and I don't know if they would understand everything or just be completely creeped out.
Neal Shusterman is my favorite author at the moment! I look forward to reading more of his books!
Title: Malice Author: Chris Wooding Illustrator: Dan Chernett Format: Hardback Pages: 379 Grade Reading Level: 7th-9th Grade
Summary: In Britain all the children know the rumors of a comic book called Malice. They also know that if a ritual is done and a chant said six times they could be taken into the world of that comic. Some do so on a dare. Others because they’re missing adventure. Others to prove it doesn’t exist. More still because they believed Malice was better than their normal lives. It doesn’t matter why you do it – you’re Tall Jake’s as soon as you invite him into your life. It’s only a matter of time before he comes to collect. There’s no going back and certain doom awaits you on the other side.
Why I started this book:
My librarian recommended it to me because I liked fantasy book series. This is the first book and the story is continued in Havoc.
Likes:
Malice is divided into several zones and this book takes you through two. The Clock Tower and the Oubliette. In the Clock Tower they face the Clockmaker and his metal inventions. In the Oubliette they face a hungry impenetrable darkness and blind ravenous gnawls.
Seth – he’s pretty foolhardy and he thrives on Malice which makes him feel a little guilty.
Justin – he’s the knowledgeable guide to the world, having actually read the comics before doing the ritual. He’s also a good friend despite what his life has taught him about how friends never stick around when trouble’s afoot.
Kady – she’s not a bad character either, I just don’t like the fact that she practices hypnosis. Of the three she’s the most practical and comes as prepared as one can be for a place like Malice.
Dislikes:
The use of hypnosis throughout the novel. People simply couldn’t have (partial) amnesia? It’s all false testimony on the senses doing more harm than good.
I had trouble with about half of the illustrations which were too stylized. I couldn’t make head or tails out of what I was seeing some of the time so I ended up just reading the bubbles. I figure somebody with more background in comics will manage with no problem. It just wasn’t the case with me.
The real victims are all the parents who have no idea what’s going on and only know that their children go mysteriously missing and if they’re lucky come back… but the kids never come back the way they were before the left and nobody knows why, not even the kids.
Last Minute Thoughts: The beginning is pretty scary (horror like scary), but once the kids make it to Malice is more like a thrilling adventure. I also sincerely hope that despite how it appears Justin is still alive. I can’t wait for the next book about the kid rebels known as Havoc.
Title: Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow Author: Jessica Day George Format: Hardback Page Count: 328 Grade Reading Level: 7th-10th Grade
Summary: Pika, the unnamed girl, is the youngest child in a large family. She lives in a place that has seen too much winter and not enough summer. On the day she releases a White Deer and is granted a boon, Pika’s life changes forever. She can talk to animals, she understands them and they her. News of her ability has traveled far so far it captures the attention of a giant polar bear who commands her to come away with him.
Why I started this book:
I chose this book because the novel promised to be a written version of the Norwegian Beauty and Beast fable White Bear, King Valemon legend. I also love and own The Polar Bear King movie. And also, because I really liked the Dragon Adventure trilogy by the author.
Likes:
That Pika didn’t have children and lose them the way the original tale goes.
When Prince Asher says (paraphrase), “How could I not love you after sleeping beside you, sharing your meals, and listening to you talk about your family for a year?”
The trolls fascination with tools. That was a good explanation and required no magic outside of their own to explain in the story.
Rollo, Pika’s wolf. I liked him as a character and guard dog.
Dislikes:
That Prince Asher was silent and dead asleep every night and that most of their conversations were limited when he was a polar bear even though Pika had the ability to hear and understand animals. Hans Peter’s sleep talking should have gone to Prince Asher. Overall too much tell and not enough show in the story for the romance to be convincing.
That Pika didn’t connect the human man and the polar bear despite constantly reading the troll language in the main hallway.
The multiple Polar Bear princes and silly females who always stupidly spy on the Isbjorn at night. It makes sense as the Troll Princess has lived for over 3000 years, but I felt it too much especially with Pika’s brother having been one.
Title: Dragon Spear Author: Jessica Day George Format: Hardback Page Count: 246 Grade Reading Level: 5th-9th Grade
Summary: Love is in the air. Creel is designing her wedding dress and planning her marriage to Prince Luka. During their engagement, Shadras and some dragons swoop in to take Luka, Creel, and her brother to the new kingdom of the dragons. All seems to be going well until a very pregnant Velika gets kidnapped by a team of dragons and humans.
Why I started this book:
Dragon Spear is the sequel to Dragon Flight and is the third book of the Dragon Adventure trilogy.
Likes:
Just when you think Jessica George Day couldn’t expand more on dragon lore she does. What I think is neat is how well this idea fits into the first two books because she hadn’t planned on doing anything after Dragon Slippers.
The Temple of the First Queen – very cool place. I would love to see it translated into a movie set.
Creel’s kind and generous heart. She does something at the end of the book that would just kill me to do and I applaud her for it.
Fainting Goats! Jessica had this on her website:
Dislikes:
It’s over. Sniff.
Last Minute Thoughts: If you liked Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, you will love this trilogy.
. They also know that if a ritual is done and a chant said six times they could be taken into the world of that comic. Some do so on a dare. Others because they’re missing adventure. Others to prove it doesn’t exist. More still because they believed Malice was better than their normal lives. It doesn’t matter why you do it – you’re Tall Jake’s as soon as you invite him into your life. It’s only a matter of time before he comes to collect. There’s no going back and certain doom awaits you on the other side.
.
movie. And also, because I really liked the Dragon Adventure trilogy by the author.
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