The Power of Six

Pittacus Lore

Lorien Legacies #2

Summary:

I’ve seen him on the news.

John Smith, out there, one the run. To the world, he’s a mystery. But to me...he’s one of us.

Nine of us came here to Earth. There are six of us left.

Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I’ve been waiting for.

And what about Number Five and Six?

They

Caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio-and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of Six still alive.

And I am ready to fight.

Plot:

This was a pretty good story, there was a little suspense and it stayed interesting. Even though the romance was still a little forced and cheesy there were some moments in this installment that I actually liked. The action scenes were pretty good, and I really liked the way we got to see more of the Mogadorians. The dialogue was not very well handled in my opinion, it didn’t sound natural and the punctuation was a little confusing at times.

Characters:

The problem with this book is that I don’t particularly like the main character. I do like Numbers Seven and Six as well as Sam, I think they’re great characters with a lot more depth to them than Four/John. There were many moments in this book where you felt for the characters, but it’s not an extreme emotional connection, just a detatched kind of response.

Who should read this:

10+, mainly for language and violence. If you enjoyed the first book you should like this one, as I think it is better. If you want an easy to read YA story about aliens with a little romance mixed in you might like this one.

My rating:

I didn’t get bored with this book, but I didn’t fall in love with it so. 3/5

Quote:

“Where are you originally from?”

“The planet Lorien, three hundred million miles away.”

“Must have been a long trip, John Smith.”

“Took almost a year. Next time I’m bringing a book.”

Read my review for the first book 'I Am Number Four' here!

A Game of Thrones

George R.R. Martin

A Song of Ice and Fire #1

Summary:

Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.

As Warden of the north, Lord Eddard Stark counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honor weighs him down at court where a true man does what he will, not what he must … and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty.

The old gods have no power in the south, Stark’s family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, the vengeance-mad heir of the deposed Dragon King has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities. He claims the Iron Throne.

Plot:

This book is a perfect example of everything a truly great fantasy novel should be. It has an intricate, detailed and intriguing storyline full of suspense and battles and magic, and it draws you in completely. I really liked the author’s writing style, it was detailed and descriptive, yet never boring or overly detailed and almost poetic in a way.There was a bit much happening, and at times I wasn’t sure what exactly was going on, but it wasn’t hard to read and I caught up pretty easily. The world-building is incredible, you feel as if you are really there and you can see everything the writer describes.

Characters:

There are a lot of characters in this novel, yet all of them are unique, and I never got confused with who was who. That is truly a great feat for any writer to accomplish in a novel of this complexity. There were no perfect characters, and most of them aren’t always likable, there are even some you don’t know if you want to root for or not and then of course the ones you really despise. I liked that there were people of all kinds included in the story, and I’m pretty sure every reader will find one to relate to.

Who should read this:

16+, and even then I definitely advise extreme caution as there are a lot of pretty graphic violence and sexual scenes as well as language. If you are a fan of fantasy I definitely suggest this. Also the style and content reminded me of the ‘Earth’s Children’ series by Jean M. Auel. So if you enjoyed that, but want something a little more exciting and magical, you might like this. This is not a read-in-one-sitting book as there is just too much happening, so keep in mind that it might take up quite a bit of your time.

My rating:

I really enjoyed reading this book, just because it is truly great. I’m not a fan of graphic scenes at all, but except for that I truly loved this book so...4.5/5.

Quote:

‘When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.’

Clockwork Princess

Cassandra Clare

The Infernal Devices #3

Summary:

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices Trilogy.

Tessa Gray should be happy – aren’t all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to the Magister, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. The Magister needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa’s heart, will do anything to save her.

Plot:

I had very high expectations of this last installment of a truly great trilogy, and I was not disappointed. The story is fascinating, full of suspense and danger and had satisfying answers to all the question I’d collected as I read the previous books. It is also heartbreaking, and beautiful and I was so glad to see that the author didn’t lose those funny, light-hearted moments that just make this series perfect.

Characters:

I’d already fallen in love with the characters in the previous novels, I didn’t think I could love them more, but I do. I liked that Jem wasn’t shown as being as perfect in this novel as he was in the previous ones, while still remaining the character I came to know. Also, Will Herondale...no need to say more...All the characters developed and changed, but remained true to themselves, which is not an easy thing for a writer to accomplish.

Who should read this:

13+, there’s a lot of violence, a little language and some sexual content. Once again, if the demons/angels theme or the idea of magic is objectionable to you, don’t read this series. If you liked the first and second books (or even just the first one) don’t stop now, this is a perfect conclusion. A must for any fans of fantasy/supernatural YA books.

My rating:

This trilogy started of amazing and just kept getting better. I loved every second of reading it, and I’m only sad that it’s now over. It had me crying and smiling and laughing all at the same time, and was just an all around great read. 5/5

Quote:

“Life is a book and there are a thousand pages I have not yet read.”

Read my review for 'Clockwork Angel' and 'Clockwork Prince'!

The Flask

Nicky Singer

Summary:

I put my hand into the dark, secret space that lies behind the drawer.

And find the flask.

Twelve-year-old Jess is anxiously awaiting the birth of her twin brothers, when she finds a mysterious glass flask hidden in a desk.

The flask is beautiful to Jess, and she’s sure she can see something beneath the surface of the glass-something extraordinary, something magical...

So when the twins are born critically ill, Jess becomes convinced that the mysterious force inside the flask could keep them alive.

Plot:

This was a strangely beautiful book. The way it was written is beautiful, but doesn’t always make sense. There isn’t that much of a story, really, but it stays interesting, which is not an easy thing for an author to accomplish. I found it a little weird, to be honest, but there was a beatiful, poetic feel about it that I really liked.

Characters:

Since the story is told from the perspective of the main character there isn’t really that much I can say about the others. The main character’s way of thinking is fascinating, to say the least, and she’s perceptive and imaginative in a way that seems almost too much to believe. In fact, I don’t think I really believe that a twelve-year old can think like this, and yet the author manages to make it work. You really start rooting and feeling for the character and I really liked her.

Who should read this:

13+, there is very little language, no sexual content and no violence, but the themes and subtleties of this book will, in my opinion, be lost on younger readers. I also don’t think this will be everyone’s cup of tea. There is some strange spiritual and religious happenings that don’t really make sense, so be warned. If you’re looking for something completely different from your normal, straight-forward story this might be the one for you.

My rating:

There was something quite enchanting about this book, and yet I can’t decide if I liked it or not. I love the way the main character seemed to see deeper than most people, and yet remained childish and naive. 4/5.

Quote:

All sorts of things I thought of as separate before the twins were born turn out to be joined.

Soul Harvest

Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

Left Behind #4

Summary:

Rayford Steele and Buck Williams have survived the wrath of the Lamb, a global earthquake in the twenty-first month of the Tribulation. As the world hurtles toward the Trumpet Judgments and the great soul harvest prophesied in Scripture, Rayford and Buck begin searching for their loved ones from different corners of the world.

Plot:

This installment, while better than the first ones weren’t as good as the previous one. It started of a little all over the place, and although that might have served a purpose the story only began moving forward after about 150 pages. After that it was pretty good, with more intrigue and suspense than I’ve come to expect from this series, as well as some funny moments which is always a good thing in a book with such a tragic theme.

Characters:

The characters do show some development in this installment and one or two of them even surprised me. I still don’t feel a personal connection to any of them, but I do like them and root for them while I’m reading. I still think the villian is a brilliant and extremely frightening character, but it didn’t come through as obviously in this book as it did in the previous ones.

Who should read this:

13+, there’s a lot of violence and the descriptions are pretty graphic. There are some references to sexual content, but it’s very mild and there is no language. If you liked all the previous books then you should like this one, but if you didn’t then don’t expect this one to be different.

My rating:

I enjoyed this installment, but it didn’t suck me in like the previous one, which I really liked. 3/5

Quote:

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep [this temporal life] to gain what he cannot lose [eternal life with Christ].”

The Thief Lord

Cornelia Funke

Summary:

Welcome to the magical underworld of Venice, Italy. Here, hidden canals and crumbling rooftops shelter runaways and children with incredible secrets...

After escaping from their cruel aunt and uncle, orphans Prosper and Bo meet a mysterious boy who calls himself the “Thief Lord”. Clever and charming, the Thief Lord leads a band of street children who enjoy making mischief. But the Thief Lord also has a dark secret. And suddenly Prosper and Bo find themselves on a fantastical journey to a forgotten place. What they discover there will change the course of their destiny...forever.

Plot:

I really liked this story. It’s very reminiscent of Peter Pan in that the theme is growing up, but it’s slightly toned down on the whole magic thing. I loved the setting, and I don’t think the story would’ve worked anywhere else than Venice. I thought the plot was original, and I liked that even though it isn’t set in a much earlier time period than the present it still has an old-fashioned feel to it. The bit of magic mixed into the story just added that little spark.

Characters:

The characters in this book are very likable, at least the ones that are supposed to be. They’re different and quirky, yet relatable and I really liked them. My favourite character is probably Prosper, because he’s just such a nice kid, but I really liked Bo as well. ‘The Thief Lord’ is very charismatic, and yet he’s still just a kid which makes him very interesting. The other runaways are all unique. I also liked the adults in this book, especially Victor and his tortoises.

Who should read this:

I don’t think this book needs an age rating. It might be a bit hard for some really young kids to understand, because of the Italian phrases etc, but there are no objectionable content as far as I could see. If you liked Peter Pan and other books like it I definitely suggest this for you, no matter your age!

My rating:

I really liked this book, it was easy to read with an original storyline and unique characters and a touch of magic. 4/5.

Quote:

“He wants to be grown-up. How different dreams can be! Nature will soon grant your wish.”

Clockwork Prince

Cassandra Clare

The Infernal Devices #2

Summary:

Love and lies can corrupt even the purest heart...

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, while her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will – the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers to who she is and what she was born to do? As their search for the truth leads the three friends into peril, Tessa’s heart is increasingly torn, especially when one of their own betrays them...

Plot:

I really enjoyed this part of the story. Questions I was left with after reading the first novel were answered and new ones were asked, and now I can’t wait to read the last part of this trilogy. The supposed surprise twist weren't as surprising as I would've liked and I did miss all those funny moments that I loved in the first book: there weren’t as many of them in this installment. There was still enough emotional moments that had me really feeling for the characters to draw me into the story and keep me interested.

Characters:

I fell even more in love with the characters in this book. I don’t think Tessa is the most remarkable character, but I also think that a relatable and relatively normal main character has it’s own merit. It makes it easier for the reader to put themselves in their shoes. The two main male characters, Jem and Will, are both incredible, although I do like Will better, simply because he’s not as perfect and seems more realistic than Jem. I loved the minor characters and their roles and I really felt like all of them developed, even if it wasn’t in a good way.

Who should read this:

13+, There is some violence, language and mild sexual content. Once again I feel like I should mention that if you have a problem with the whole ‘Angels vs. Demons’ thing, or with magic in general this might not be the one for you. I definitely recommend this trilogy to anyone who likes supernatural YA fiction. Although if you didn’t like the first one I don’t recommend continuing since I didn’t like this one as much, although I still loved it.

My rating:                 

Like I said, I didn’t love this installment quite as much as the first one, but I still loved it, and I can’t really find anything wrong with it. So I’m still giving it a 5/5.

Quote:

“Reparations,” said Jem very suddenly, setting down the pen he was holding.

Will looked at him in puzzlement. “Is this a game? We just blurt out whatever word comes next to mind? In that case mine is ‘genuphobia’. It means an unreasonable fear of knees.”

“What’s the word for a perfectly reasonable fear of annoying idiots?” inquired Jessamine.”

Read my review for 'Clockwork Angel'!

Tiger's Quest

Colleen Houck

The Tiger Saga #2

Summary:

Back in Oregon,Kelsey tries to pick up the pieces of her life and push aside her feelings for Ren. But danger lurks around the corner, forcing her to return to India where she embarks on a second quest. This time with Ren’s dark, bad-boy brother Kishan, who has also fallen prey to the Tiger’s Curse.

Plot:

I have to admit I was very disappointed by the first half of this book. The similarities with Twilight, the constant moping and the fact that nothing much really happened bothered me. However it did get better towards the second half and I ended up really liking the rest of it. I still really liked the setting in India and all the different cultures shown in the novel. However, I felt like the story was trying too hard at times, and the author still couldn’t get those moments that were meant to be epic right.

Characters:

I really liked Kelsey in the first book, but she annoyed me at times in this one. I don’t dislike her, but there were times when her constant moping and depression was a bit irritating. I get it, she’s sad, but there weren’t any of those light, funny moments that I loved in the first books. I really did like Kishan however, I’ve always found dark, damaged characters fascinating, and, although he isn’t exactly the most interesting one I’ve ever read about, I still really like him. I was slightly disappointed with Ren in the end though, but that might have been the author’s intention and it served a purpose.

Who should read this:

10+, there were some frightening parts, but the violence is not too extreme, however it is an action story, so if you can’t handle a bit of fighting etc then don’t read this. There weren’t any language and the sexual content is pretty mild. The Indian culture and religion may bother some people, but I felt that a book that combines Buhddism with stories about fairies shouldn’t be a problem for most people...If, however this offends you don’t read this book. It still think fans of Twilight should enjoy this series, but if you didn’t love the first book I don’t suggest reading this one.

My rating:

Like I said, the first part of this book really didn’t do it for me, and I wasn’t nearly as in love with this installment as the first one. 3/5

Quote:

“You know you are in love when you see the world in her eyes, and her eyes everywhere in the world.”