Book Review: Zodiac

 

Summary: At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain…. 
 Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.
 When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.
 Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.
 But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

Thoughts: I don't normally read Young Adult books if I can help it because they tend to sacrifice character and plot for romance but I decided to give this one a try because I've always liked the idea of using the zodiacs in a fictional story. Reading this book reminded me why I don't like YA.
 The characters, particularly the main character Rhoma, start out strong, determined, but believably scared. I liked everyone for the first third of the book. And then the love triangle asserted itself and drama took over and I couldn't really enjoy any character after that. And Rhoma became nothing more than a confused and besotted girl who was playing with two different guys with the excuse that she couldn't make up her mind so development was dropped there. 
 The writing was actually fairly good and kept me reading through even most of the painful romantic scenes (most not all, see Content below).
 If I was ever going to read another in this series it would purely be for the amazing world building I glimpsed in this story. The set-up of each zodiac from government to trade was perfect and every new piece I learned just made me want to know more! I was dazzled with this starry world of ships and planets. 

Content: Some common language such as D***, H*** and Sh**. War and mob violence. Magic-like supernatural abilities. A couple of kisses. SPOILER Rhoma has intimate relations with one of the characters on her seventeenth birthday. I skipped the scene so I can't say for sure how explicit it got but it left no doubt about what was happening END SPOILER.
 All in all I wouldn't really recommend this book to anyone but I would place it at a mature high-school level or above for those still interested.

Book Review: The Nine Pound Hammer

 

Summary: What if John Henry had a son? 
  Twelve-year-old Ray is haunted by the strangest memories of his father, whom Ray swears could speak to animals. Now an orphan, Ray jumps from a train going through the American South and falls in with a medicine show train and its stable of sideshow performers. The performers turn out to be heroes, defenders of the wild, including the son of John Henry. They are hiding the last of the mythical Swamp Sirens from an ancient evil known as the Gog. Why the Gog wants the Siren, they can’t be sure, but they know it has something to do with rebuilding a monstrous machine that John Henry gave his life destroying years before, a machine that will allow the Gog to control the will of men and spread darkness throughout the world.

 Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book! The whole premise of America's tall-tale heroes coupled with something reminiscent of King Arthur and his knights was enough to get my attention but this surpassed all expectations!
 The plot is unique and eye-catching but ensures to still appeal to audiences with familiar humor and the expected sort of action for the time period such as train chases and gun fights. 
 The cast are true gems and I quickly came to love all of them! They are easy to empathize with and believe in and you can't help cheering for them all.

Content: Magic, fantasy violence, a little blood, some mildly frightening scenes.
 All in all, I would say this is appropriate for almost every age!

Book Review: The Name of this Book is Secret

 Summary: Warning: this description has not been authorized by Pseudonymous Bosch.
As much as he'd love to sing the praises of his book (he is very vain), he wouldn't want you to hear about his brave 11-year old heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest. Or about how a mysterious box of vials, the Symphony of Smells, sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under strange (and stinky) circumstances. And he certainly wouldn't want you to know about the hair-raising adventures that follow and the nefarious villains they face. You see, not only is the name of this book secret, the story inside is, too. For it concerns a secret. A Big Secret.

 Thoughts: This was a really cute story  reminiscent of A Series of Unfortunate Events. The cast was interesting and the plot always kept me guessing to the very end. It was full of quirky humor and underplayed terror that really made the story for me. It was a little slow on occasion and I wasn't completely impressed with all the characters, it does have some intriguing potential that makes me curious to see where it goes.

 Content: The climax of the story and big are a little disturbing if you really think about them but are underplayed to the point of not being scary. Mildly scary or violent situations. 
 All in all a fairly clean book for just about any age.

Book Review: Dreadnought

 

Summary: A renegade faction of the world’s most powerful villains is intent on destroying G.L.O.V.E. (Global League Of Villainous Enterprises) and showing the world the true face of evil. The Disciples begin by hijacking Diabolus Darkdoom’s Airborne command post, then they kidnap his son and his son’s best friend. Unfortunately for them, Nigel Darkdoom (and Franz) also happen to be Otto’s friends. Heading out to America, Otto, Wing et al embark on a perilous and highly unauthorized rescue operation. Cut off from the support of H.I.V.E. and on the run from American security forces the hunt for their friends leads to one of the US military’s most secret facilities. It becomes clear that the Disciples are not all they appear and in a desperate race against time Otto must work out who his real friends are and prevent the Disciples from completing their true objective. Only Otto can save the world from domination by a sinister new world order but it might be that the price he has to pay is just too high. When it comes to the crunch will he be prepared to sacrifice himself?

Thoughts: A great continuation of a fascinating series! Dreadnought combines a lot more out-of-school action than previous books with some interesting plot twists.
 The returning cast was great and, though I don't have much to say about the rather clique villains,  one of the new cast did catch my attention. I'm not going to say who but, though they didn't have much of a presence here I see a lot of potential for this character!
The writing is the same as the previous books and while it sometimes lacks emotional depth, it never fails to make me laugh!

Content: Lots of violence and some bloody but never graphic or gory. Words suck as H*** and D*** are used infrequently but usually from one of the kids. 
 All in all, a relatively clean read for mature middle schoolers and a fun one for older readers!

Book Review: Serefina and the Black Cloak

 Summary: “Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul.” 
 Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of the Biltmore estate. There’s plenty to explore in her grand home, although she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate’s maintenance man, have secretly lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember.
 But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is: a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore’s corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of the Biltmore’s owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak’s true identity . . . before all of the children vanish one by one.
 Serafina’s hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear. There she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic, one that is bound to her own identity. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must seek the answers that will unlock the puzzle of her past.

Thoughts: This was a cute, if mildly terrifying, story set in a real-world backdrop. The Biltmore estate is an actual place in Asheville NC. If you've ever been or plan to go, I suggest you pick up this book. It'll will add a whole new layer to the story. On the other hand I wasn't overtly impressed. The story had a fun cast and interesting plot but most of the twists and secrets were predictable and I kept being surprised when something was revealed and no one else already knew it. Great for it's targeted age group, especially if they like ghost stories, but otherwise a pretty average read. It went from normal to scary and back again very quickly which just wasn't something I like in a book.
 On the other hand the writing was really good and the descriptions are great! It's like a fantasy tour of the estate but with several extremely curious tour guides.

Content: Like I said, the book got dark and scary on occasion and a little gory (skin peeling off, bloodied pieces of clothes, attacks from animals). There was a ghost like villain and a possessed item and children supernaturally disappearing. Also some folklore type magic. 
 All in all it's really a mostly clean book but not suitable for children who are easily scared.

Book: Review: The League of Seven

 Summary: Young Archie Dent knows there really are monster in the world. His parents are members of the Septemberist Society, whose job it is to protect humanity from hideous giants called the Mangleborn. Trapped in underground prisons for a thousand years, the giant monsters have been all but forgotten -- but now they are rising again as the steam-driven America of 1875 rediscovers electricity, the lifeblood of the Mangleborn.
 When his parents and the rest of The Septemberists are brainwashed by one of the evil creatures, Archie must assemble a team of seven young heroes to save the world.

Thoughts: I absolutely loved this book! From the very beginning the cast sparked with life! They weren't amazing or incredible, they didn't leap off the page or suck you in; they beckoned with hidden potential and a swirl of mystery and by the time you get any answers you're hooked!
 Aside from the fantastic cast, the plot kept twisting and turning and keeping you guessing and rarely slowed down for more than a breath before rolling full speed ahead again! The steampunk versus electricity is an interesting aspect that keeps you guessing and adds to the extensive world building. 
 The writing was really good. Most of the story is told through the eyes of the three children, the oldest of which is fourteen and the mos prominent is eleven. While the voice isn't inspiring or awing, they feel real and you understand when they're scared, hurt, or excited. You really learn to feel for the characters.

Content: A bit of fantasy violence, some mention of blood. Some magical properties such as the Mangleborn and they're abilities that resemble those of a Greek myth. The monsters could be frightening to sensitive or really young children.
 All in all, a pretty clean book for most middle grade readers and older.

Book Review: Silas Marner

Summary: Embittered by a false accusation, disappointed in friendship and love, the weaver Silas Marner retreats into a long twilight life alone with his loom. . . and his gold. Silas hoards a treasure that kills his spirit until fate steals it from him and replaces it with a golden-haired foundling child. Where she came from, who her parents were, and who really stole the gold are the secrets that permeate this moving tale of guilt and innocence. A moral allegory of the redemptive power of love, it is also a finely drawn picture of early nineteenth-century England "in the days when spinning wheels hummed busily in the farmhouses," and of a simple way of life that was soon to disappear.

Thoughts: This was a sweet and endearing tale of love and family. The cast was complex for such a small book and I was surprised by the twists of plot and story that wove deep into each person's life. There are stories within stories here. The book drags a bit in the beginning but is enjoyable once it gets going, creating a sweet and simple atmosphere of a time gone by. 

 Content: A use of D*** or H*** on occasion. A man secretly marries a woman and has a child with her but proceeds to court another woman during this time. 
 All in all, clean for most ages and a good, heartwarming, classic! 

Book Review: Talking To Dragons

 

Summary: Always be polite to dragons! 
 That's what Daystar's mother taught him...and it's a very wise lesson--one that might just help him after his mom hands him a magic sword and kicks him out of the house. Especially because his house sits on the edge of the Enchanted Forest and his mother is Queen Cimorene.
 But the tricky part is figuring out what he's supposed to do with the magic sword. Where is he supposed to go? And why does everyone he meets seem to know who he is? 
 It's going to take a particularly hotheaded fire-witch, a very verbose lizard, and a badly behaved baby dragon to help him figure it all out. 
 And those good manners certainly won't hurt!

Thoughts: It's taken me forever but I have finally finished this series and what a cute ending this was!  
 Revisiting characters and meeting new ones is always fun but I really enjoy seeing old characters through the new one's eyes, it's almost like getting another opinion. This was well done here, especially because I actually really liked the new cast, they stood up to the old one well and didn't disappoint.
 The whole story was sweet and set just like an old fairy-tale with a bit of more modern humor, making it light yet classical.  

Content: Magic and a little fairy-tale violence with battles and dragons. Otherwise a clean read for all ages!

Book Review: Wanted

 Summary: TO THEM, HE WAS AN EXPERIMENT, TO HER, HE WAS FAMILY 
  The first time I saw him, I had no idea he was created in a lab.
 I'd been living on the streets for around eight months before I lost count. It wasn't easy, but it was still preferable to what I had to deal with at home. In all that time, unable to trust anyone, I had been alone (I knew from experience that people always failed you). Then one day, while out searching for food, I stumbled upon this mangy dog being attacked.
 It wasn't a big deal to help him, but then he ended up saving my life which is when I realized there was something special about him: Muttface wasn't a normal dog - he was crazy intelligent. I'm talking Mensa levels. And he wasn’t an accident either, having recently escaped from a mysterious lab.
 We were just getting to know each other when things took a bloody turn.
 The vet, Sully, a troubled guy who had recently lost his wife to cancer, did what he could and I guess that would've been the end of our story if we hadn't been attacked by a gang of mercenaries who destroyed Sully's clinic and seemed intent on doing the same to us.
 So now here we were, the three of us. On the run across the country against a powerful enemy. Who were they and what did they want with us?
  Through the danger, terror, and pain, one thing was becoming clear to me: I had finally found the family I had always wanted and I would do anything to keep them safe...
 Even if it meant risking my own life.
    WHO THIS BOOK WILL APPEAL TO 
 Did you love how awesome Katniss was? How, despite being so scared, she risked her life to save her loved ones?
 Did you root for Eleven, who was tortured then hunted for her special abilities?
 How about Ellie and Joel or Logan and Laura - did you love their relationship?
 Do you like characters who feel so real, that they leap off the page?
 What about gripping page-turners filled with action and thrills?
 If you love all this and more, and you're looking for an original story, one that will make you both laugh and cry, then you should try Wanted.
**Free to read if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription**
**This book is a clean read.**

Thoughts: That summary was completely Amazon's (or the blurb writer's) words, not mine. While I do believe that a younger audience will enjoy this book more than a mature one there are a few things to be cautious about. I'll list them in the contents below. For now, thoughts on the story...
 The plot is exactly what the summary claims it is, a lone teenage girl, a scientifically-made genius dog, and a vet are on the run from and evil corporation. The story gets kudos for trying to make the villain original, he has a backstory and is as real as anyone else, but the whole thing comes off a little cheesy and clique. Not really a bad thing if you're in the mood for a fluffy, feel-good story.
 The characters are good though, again, feel-good cheesy and a little predicable. But everything's well done, none of it is bad or even annoying, it could almost be a Hallmark movie if not for the needles and guns.
 All in all, a cute and light read, suitable for most ages.

Content: A few D***s and H***s were used and there were gun fights that were intense but non-descriptive in cases of gore and blood. Mild descriptions of surgery that could unsettle anyone who dislikes blood. Otherwise a clean read for most ages but I can't say all due to the language. 

Book Review: Dying of The Light

 Summary: The FINAL shocking, heart-wrenching book in the jaw-droppingly stupendous Skulduggery Pleasant series 
 Valkyrie. Darquesse. Stephanie. The world ain’t big enough for the three of them. The end will come… 
 The War of the Sanctuaries has been won, but it was not without its casualties. Following the loss of Valkyrie Cain, Skulduggery Pleasant must use any and all means to track down and stop Darquesse before she turns the world into a charred, lifeless cinder.
 And so he draws together a team of soldiers, monster hunters, killers, criminals… and Valkyrie’s own murderous reflection.
 The war may be over, but the final battle is about to begin. And not everyone gets out of here alive…

Thoughts: Now, I know the summary claims that this is the final book and that was the original intention but Landy has just released another this past year of 2017 and it looks like more are on the way so, fans, don't panic!
 Anyways this really was an amazing, heart-wrenching, gut-twisting, book. Once it started rolling it didn't stop till the end and kept you guessing the whole time. And the end just left me breathless. The entire thing was an emotional marathon.
 The characters, new, returning, old, familiar, loved, hated; everyone gets things wrapped up but not everything's tied up the way I'd have liked. Even so, it makes a great almost-ending to one of my favorite series!

Content: Language is the number one problem with these books B****, H***, D***, and there might have been a use or two of F***. Then there's the violence; brutal, bloody and unfettered, people are literal beaten to death. There are at least two scenes where women were known to be naked and in front of people, neither situation was sexual or detailed but they clearly didn't have anything on and it was uncomfortable to say the least. 
  All in all, this is not a kids book, don't let the listing fool you. This is a series for mature readers meaning young adults or older. For those good at skimming through scenes and with strong stomachs, but this is also one of the funniest and most amazing series' I've ever read with an amazing dynamic and relationship. Worth the read for those who ca handle the content.

Book Review: Ereth's Birthday

 Summary: Erethizon Dorsatum—better known as Ereth, the self-centered, foul-tempered old porcupine—is having a birthday. And he fully expects his best friend Poppy, a deer mouse, to help him celebrate in a grand manner. But Poppy has gone off somewhere with her husband, Rye, and it appears she has forgotten all about it. "Belching Beavers," says Ereth, "I am not angry!" (Though, perhaps he is—and more than just a little.)
      Ereth knows his special occasion deserves a special treat—even if he has to get it for himself. And what treat could be more special than tasty salt? But the nearest salt is located deep in the forest, in a cabin occupied by fur hunters, who have set out traps to capture the Dimwood Forest animals. In one of the traps, Ereth finds Leaper the Fox—who, with her dying breath, begs the prickly porcupine to take care of her three boisterous young kits, Tumble, Nimble, and Flip. "Jellied walrus warts!" Ereth exclaims, but reluctantly agrees.
    Certainly this day is not going as he planned—and it's only just the beginning! Not only does Ereth suddenly have a rambunctious new family to take care of, but he's being stalked by Marty the Fisher, the one creature in Dimwood Forest who can do him harm. And Bounder, the father of the three little foxes, remembers all too well the nose full of quills he got a while back from the grumpy old animal who now fancies himself the leader of the den. He too sets out to show Ereth who's boss. Throw in an unexpected snowstorm, and all in all, it adds up to one birthday Ereth the porcupine is never going to forget, not even if he lives to be a hundred and twenty-two!


Summary: Though this is the third book in a series it stands on it's own just fine and I was able to fully enjoy the story without ever having picked up one of the other books.  
 The story of a grumpy old man, or hedgehog, having to raise three wild children creates a heart warming setting already. Add in a dash of adventure, cunning, bravery and tragedy and you have a book that will leave you wanting more! The cast was great! Each character uniquely crafted whether villain or hero or even a minor character, each one was well developed for their role and made an enjoayble read. 
 The writing carries you through and transitions well. You're really able to feel and love each character despite the shortness of the book. I managed to read the whole thing in a day and it left me wanting more!

Content: The only language here is all made up (see Summary for an example). There's a bit of woodland violence from animals hunting other animals to hunters and traps. 
  All in all its a clean read reminiscent of Redwall or Watership Down but children of all ages can enjoy this read!

Book Review: A Mortal Song

 

Summary: Heir to Mt. Fuji's spirit kingdom, Sora yearns to finally take on the sacred kami duties. But just as she confronts her parents to make a plea, a ghostly army invades the mountain. Barely escaping with her life, Sora follows her mother's last instructions to a heart-wrenching discovery: she is a human changeling, raised as a decoy while her parents' true daughter remained safe but unaware in modern-day Tokyo. Her powers were only borrowed, never her own. Now, with the world's natural cycles falling into chaos and the ghosts plotting an even more deadly assault, it falls on her to train the unprepared kami princess.
 As Sora struggles with her emerging human weaknesses and the draw of an unanticipated ally with secrets of his own, she vows to keep fighting for her loved ones and the world they once protected. But for one mortal girl to make a difference in this desperate war between the spirits, she may have to give up the only home she's ever known.

 Review: I really loved this book! The writing weaves us through a world of magic and tragedy as seen through the eyes of a seventeen year old girl. The pain she felt and the real struggles Sora goes through when finally experiencing her human nature were believable and drew me in easily. The cast was really well written and enjoyable, even when a love triangle started. 
The ending great too, open to a myriad of possibilities but finishing up with closure and tying off all loose ends. A standalone novel unrelated to a series, it was a wonderful finish to an enchanting book!

Content:There might have been a few uses of D*** or H***, I can't remember for sure so it might be entirely clean but this is the worst it would get. There's a few kissing scenes. A fair amount of violence and, though items are said to be drenched in blood, the story never gets very gory. Creatures such as ogres, ghosts and the Japanese creatures kami and kitsune are all used along with forms of magic.
All in all it was a pretty clean read though I'd suggest it for at least preteen or above due to the ghosts and romance.

Book Review: The Lightning Thief

I'm back! Finally found the formula to make time, one of the key ingredients being apple cider, and am sprinkling you all with the concoction! I've been reading tons so I have tons of blogging to catch up on but I promise not to spam you all this time! So, here goes...

Summary: Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse—Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena—Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

Review: While, personally, it doesn't quite stand up there with Harry Potter, Percy Jackson was an interesting take on mixing mythology with the modern age. I really loved the way the author intertwined actual Greek stories in the book while still keeping things mostly kid friendly. 
 The cast is lots of fun, a bunch of aspiring heroes out to save the world from some of the oldest story villains ever. One thing I really appreciated in this book was that Percy Jackson has many mild disorders: adhd, dyslexia, I think a few more are mentioned as well. My younger brother who struggles with dyslexia loves having a hero who is strong but struggles with something as basic as reading, just like him. So that aspect of the character was a huge plus for me. The friendships and relations throughout the story develop nicely if a little generically but all in all create a wonderful opening to a promising series. 

Content: Some violence from vicious fictional creatures to an actual fight with a bit of blood. The whole premise is children born from unmarried couples though this isn't talked about openly and doesn't present itself as an obvious issue. Mentions are made of married goddesses dating other gods, again this is delved into too deeply and derives from the original mythology so it's not a blatant issue but still a common one.  
 All in all it's written to be appropriate for most ages and is a great way to learn some of these ancient stories! 

Updates: I'm Busy

Hey everyone! I know it's been a little quiet around here after my last spamming spree but life has been getting the better of me! I (Ants) am trying to get myself ready to head to college in the spring while Epic is finishing up her own studies.





But I wanted to drop in and let you all know that we are alive and if you're following me on Goodreads you'll see that I'm still reading in my in-between moments. I will at some point hopefully soon be posting actual reviews for all those books on the blog but that's going to require me to sit still for a bit...





 Thanks for reading and happy fall weather to everyone who's getting it! It's finally starting to set in where I am and I'm loving it! Have a cup of apple cider and keep an eye out for those book reviews!

Book Review: The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha

Summary: In the busy village square, Lukas is drawn to a magician called Battisto the Magnificent, who promiese adventure to anyone who will pay for it. Anxious for excitement, Lukas spends a silver coin and volunteers to take part in Battisto's magic. He is plunged into a tub of water and finds himself washed ashore in a new land of palaces and hidden treasure.
  To his astonishment, Lukas is hailed King of Abadan by those who find him. But his life in the palace is endangered by rivals who threaten to overthrow him. Running for his life, Lukas takes off with the court astrologer, a hot-tempered slave girl, and a poet. Not in his wildest dreams could Lukas have imagined this strange turn of events. And the adventure is just beginning...

Thoughts: I've always loved Alexander's tales. They carry a fairy-tale like charm but allow you to connect with and love the characters too. This book was no different. 
 The cast was wonderful. Full of character and growth they pulled you in and wouldn't let go till the end!
 The story itself was fun. It was rifled with politics, attempted assassinations, war and peace, always keeps you guessing what's at the bottom of it all.
  The writing was great, carrying that fable feeling throughout the story so you can almost believe you're lost in a dream until the final chapter.

 Content: A few instances of D***, some war violence and a brief mention of some slave girls being immodestly dressed. Really though, it's mostly clean and a fun read for almost any age.
 

Book Review: Carlota

 
Summary: Raised to take the place of her dead brother, Carlota de Zubaran can do anything that Carlos could have done. She races her stallion through the California lowlands, dives into shark-infested waters searching for gold, and fights in the battles that rage between the Mexicans and the Americans. At sixteen, she is fearless--and that pleases her father very much.Yet while Carlota throughly enjoys her freedom, she wants to be more than her father's "son." She wants to be herself, brave and courageous but free to show feelings of tenderness and compassion as well. Her father thinks such feelings are shameful, so Carlota must defy him. That will be the most difficult battle of all.

Thoughts: This was a good historical read. Sweet and simple it gave a short but detailed picture of life on a California ranch before American conquest.There wasn't much to the plot itself but it was an interesting peek into this time in history.
 The cast was interesting but under developed due to the short size of the book. 
 The writing was good and managed to convey the culture fairly well.

Content: A bit of mild war violence and some swearing in Spanish. Otherwise an overall clean book for just about any age.

Book Review: A Plague of Bogles

 Summary: Jem Barbary spent most of his early life picking pockets for a wily old crook named Sarah Pickles—until she betrayed him. Now Jem wants revenge, but first he needs a new job. Luckily Alfred the bogler, the man who kills the child-eating monsters that hide in the shadows of Victorian London, needs a new apprentice. As more and more orphans disappear under mysterious circumstances, Alfred, Jem, and Birdie find themselves waging an underground war in a city where science clashes with superstition and monsters lurk in every alley.

Thoughts: Sequel to How to Catch a Bogle, this was a really good continuation of the series!
 There are three children in this series, Birdie, Jem and Ned; the first book is told from Birdie's perspective. This book is told mostly from Jem's. This took a little adjusting from me going from a little girl's perspective to a young boys threw a different light on the events and shifted the perspective of the plot a bit, this story isn't just about hunting down bogles. Despite that, or maybe because of it, this was a book unique from the first, while a continuation it held it's own story and kept my interest just as much as the first!
 The cast was all fun and interesting and full of life. Even the characters you didn't like were life like enough to always keep you guessing. 
 The writing is really good, I'm still very impressed with the way accents are carried through the page. Catherine Jinks does a fantastic job of capturing a London from times past and filling it with dark and mysterious secrets.

Content: A D*** or two, mostly from adults. A few scary scenes with the bogles and a bit of violence. There's also the topic that bogles eat young children and this is a little disturbing but rarely is the point pushed. It's just an obvious fact. 
 All in all, a good read for most ages as long as they aren't too easily scared!

Book Review: The King's Fifth

Summary: In this deeply affecting novel Scott O’Dell envelops the reader in the heroic world of the conquistadors—a world that is at once somber and many-colored. Though they may have been ruthless, these steel-helmeted young men of Spain lived their lives on the very edge of eternity with style and uncommon courage.

Thoughts: Scott O'Dell is a good writer, he really works you into a historical time period with masterful ease. His writing is easy to follow and his books are usually short enough to be quick reads.
 Unfortunately, like with most of his books, it's usually difficult for me to connect in any way with his withdrawn characters. I actually enjoyed most of the cast in this book and, even though they didn't make a lasting impression, liked the story nonetheless.
 The plot was unique and gripping, all about the Spanish adventurers, gold, Indians, and danger. A really good read for the historical setting alone.

Content: Violence, the Spanish are depicted as treating the Indians brutally in this book there are many bloody fights though nothing is explained graphically. A few instances of D*** but most of the cursing is in Spanish. 
All in all a nice and quick historical read for most ages.

Book Review: How To Catch A Bogle

Summary: If ever a chill entered her soul, or the hope suddenly drained from her heart, she knew a bogle was to blame. Birdie McAdam, a ten-year-old orphan, is tougher than she looks. She's proud of her job as apprentice to Alfred the Bogler, a man who catches monsters for a living. Birdie lures the bogles out of their lairs with her sweet songs, and Alfred kills them before they kill her. On the mean streets of Victorian England, hunting bogles is actually less dangerous work than mudlarking for scraps along the vile river Thames. (See glossary!) Or so it seems—until the orphans of London start to disappear . . .

Thoughts: This was such a cute story! A little spooky sometimes but really adorable! 
 The cast was creative and fun and the setting was so real. A life-like London only infested with mysterious, dark creatures. 
 The plot was really good, it moves at a good paces, each chapter starting as it's own little story and full of excitement and development but as you reach the end things start to come together in a complex twist you probably weren't expecting!
 The writing is fun and Jinks does a fabulous job of conveying accents and noise. And even though things can get spooky they're never overwhelmingly scary. 
 There's also a really neat book trailer here if you're interested.

Content: Like I said, things can get a bit scary sometimes. There are monsters that eat children and while this is never actually shown it is made quite clear. A mention of D*** once or twice. Otherwise a fairly clean read for just about any age!

Book Review: The Road To Damietta

 Summary: A beautiful retelling of a high-spirited young man's transformation into Saint Francis of Assisi, told through the eyes of the girl who loved him with all her heart . . .

Thoughts: While not a big fan of Scott O'Dell I always seem to grab his books whenever I see them, I don't know why but he's one of the very few historical authors whose works I read consistently. while I enjoyed the historical setting and the interesting ways of life presented with the different cultures scattered through the book. 
 The cast was hard to relate to. The main character was especially difficult to understand, she was entirely caught up with herself and her own daydreams and was unable to look past these for anyone else's sake. 
 The writing voice is O'Dell greatest strength. He really manages to carry you through and keep you reading even when you don't connect at all with he story; it's a little mesmerizing. 

Content: There's violence from a war and, while not graphic, is given in enough detail to be seen as gruesome. The main leads both strip in public in one seen, they are not together but she follows his example which was meaningless because he was making a point alone. Same girl belly dances at another point. There's a short time when the main girl is on a ship full of harlots but she's in hiding most of the time and the talk she hears never describes anything. There's a story told of a naked woman waiting for a man in bed (he doesn't join her) and then same man stripping and laying on fire to make a point. 
 All in all this might be an interesting read if you're looking into the life of Saint Francis of Assisi or looking to expand your Scott O'Dell collection.

Booke Review: The Orphan Fleet

 Summary: "The Orphan Fleet" is terrific adventure fantasy -- a non-stop tale of action and strange magic on a wind-swept mountain top where abandoned children have forged a free community, servicing far-traveling airships on sturdy wooden platforms. Here masked heroes with names like Golden Sam and The Sparrow are the ultimate celebrities -- and the mysterious Count leaves shivers of terror wherever he treads. When that community is threatened by an admiral who demands the return of his prized daughter, it triggers a terrible war fought in the air, on the ground, and in the old abandoned scaffolding circling the mountain ... a war where Golden Sam may prove himself a true hero after all, and the Count has a terrible role to play." 

Thoughts: This was a really interesting little book. I really liked the characters and their relationships and the world had a neat setting to it. The plot held my attention and the writing style was engaging. 
 My only problem with it all was the way everything was written, each scene ran into the next and while things were described nothing was ever really explained. I had so many questions that weren't answered and there so many things that I didn't understand. Some of it was clear by the time I finished and I'm hoping more will be explained in the sequels. 

Content: C***, D***, and a few other words of this level are sprinkled throughout but sparingly. There's some bloody violence and a creepy monster. There is a girl who was married and she believes her husband is dead at one point and kisses someone else though it's later shown that the husband wasn't actually dead yet, due to the circumstances there are mixed views on this. 
 All in all probably not for young children though some middle-graders might enjoy it and older readers who enjoy adventure, airships, and mysterious cultures.

Book Review: The Boy Who Knew Everything

 Summary: There is a prophecy.
   It speaks of a girl who can fly and a boy who knows everything. The prophecy says that they have the power to bring about great change...
  The boy is Conrad Harrington III. The girl is Piper McCloud. They need their talents now, more than ever, if they are to save the world—and themselves.

Thoughts: This was the sequel to The Girl Who Could Fly and is rapidly becoming one of my most favorite series. The first book was great, the second was amazing. The first book moved me while the moment I finished the second I turned it over and started reading from the beginning again! 
 The story, the plot, it was so incredibly complex I had no idea what was going on right up until the end!  Every new twist, turn or detail threw me and I was riveted to this book for two whole days, unable to put it down!
 The writing is so good! It carries a classic feel that reminds me of Little House on the Prairie or even The Mysterious Benedict Society. It's cozy and comfy but positively chilling when things get dangerous. 
 The characters wrung my heart out like a rag and then gave it back. The relationships and developments in here are beyond believable. And yet, they are completely believable and that's what gets me the most, the very real emotions each person shares with another...needless to say I was moved deeply by the end.

Content: D*** was used max twice. Otherwise the biggest problem was violence. I thought the first book was bad but here we encounter lava, lightening storms and a torrent of other painful punishments all used on children. Two people are shot and there's a scene where an adult almost throws a non-flying child off a roof. None of the violence or wounds are ever graphic or described in much detail.
 This book could get a little tense but never scary and the smooth writing get the violence from getting horrific, mostly it just makes you cry. All in all a mostly clean read for any age and highly recommended in you like special children and really deep, moving, exciting stories!

Book Review: Superpowered

 Summary: 3 Unique Storylines. Over 50 Possible Endings. Just one question... Will YOU Be a Hero or a Villain? 
  You know the superhero fantasy. What would life be like if you had superhuman abilities? But really, given the choice, would you save the world or conquer it? In SUPERPOWERED, the choice is yours.
  After a bizarre experiment leaves you with one of three superpowers (play the book multiple times to explore all three!), you must ally with or confront the other two test subjects while the fate of Mercury City--nay, the world!--hangs in the balance.
  Live your own interactive comic book adventure and Get SUPERPOWERED!

Thoughts: I've had this book sitting on my Kindle Library for months, unable to bring myself to give it back, because it was just so much fun! 
 Now, a quick disclaimer, while I finished several different routes in this 'pick you own adventure' book I didn't read all the chapters or visit very route so their maybe content I am unaware of but I encountered enough to be able to give you at least an idea of what could possibly be there.
  The writing was fun and engaging but a little cheesy at times. It's easy to forgive though due to the difficult nature of the book itself. After all, it's not easy writing for a stranger's perspective. 
  The plot was so good. Become your own hero, team up with others (or don't) and save the world. It was so much fun and I played/read over and over to try and see the many variations and endings. 
 The side cast was really good. While this villains came off as typical and cheesy, the other two superpowered heroes are interesting and given a good helping of character and development. Especially (I personally think) in the scissors arc (you'll understand if you read it) which was my favorite.  

Content: Some cussing, usually H***, D***, and C*** but F*** is used once or twice depending on what chapters you come to. There's a mention of a pimp and whore but they're just arguing in the street. There are fights, murders, and brutal death but, while blood is mentioned, it usually didn't get too gory or graphic (though it could, I just never found anything to be). There's a scene at the bar where the MC is trying to impress a girl at one point but I don't think it ever lead to any content. I've only played through the hero routes, I never attempted one as a villain (not my thing) so I can't vouch for the content but there is always the possibility of large amounts of cussing, possible gore and/or mentions of sex. Some of the chapter titles had indicated that things could get bad though the stories I read never went overboard.
  All in all probably best for older teens and young adults but I really fun and entertaining read that's part book and part game and actually lets you make the decisions! Guaranteed to keep even non-superhero fans enthralled for hours!

Book Review: Christian Dating Simplified

 Summary: No, God won’t spell out the name of your future spouse in your Lucky Charms
   And just because the bible verse number this morning matches her birthday does not mean she’s the one.
   As ridiculous as those examples may be, the unfortunate reality is that too often our understanding of dating is shaped more by speculation, than by divine revelation. More by our thoughts, than by God’s Word.
   So, what does God’s Word say about “Christian dating”?
   Absolutely nothing.
  There is no passage in Scripture that addresses dating directly. And that’s because God is far concerned about who you are, than who you date.
   However, due to books, blogs, and podcasts that offer opinions drawn from opinion rather from the bible, the result is that we’ve overcomplicated Christian dating.
   This book is a must-read for anyone who is tired of Christian clichés. Dismantling the myths and moving past superficial 'rules' and 'guidelines' for dating, this book aims to capture the essence of the biblical message for dating.
   Starting from the big-picture of God’s redemptive vision for all of life, and ending with the only four practical questions that you need to ask when considering a relationship, this book is for you if you've ever asked....
                  What does the Bible have to say about soul mates?
                  Will God tell me which person to date and marry? And if so, how will I know?
                   Is looking for a Proverbs 31 woman or a Boaz good advice?
                  How does dating fit in with God’s redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation?

Thoughts: This was a nice little book that made some good points and took me less than a full day to read. The writing was fun and engaging and the message, to always look to and trust in God for answers was a good one. I disagreed with some of the points made and others I had heard before since I was raised in a biblical-marriage mindset. 

 Making God first was always the golden rule in here and it was a good foot to get off on. After that everything is subject to the readers own perspective and what they would like to take away. 

Content: Literally none. A very clean read and a suggested one if you find yourself lacking material on a Sunday, just remember to take all advice with a grain of Holy Salt (compare teachings to those in the Bible)! ;-)

Book Review: The Silkworm

 Summary: When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, Mrs. Quine just thinks her husband has gone off by himself for a few days—as he has done before—and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.
   But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realizes. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were to be published, it would ruin lives—meaning that there are a lot of people who might want him silenced.
   When Quine is found brutally murdered under bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any Strike has encountered before...

 Thoughts: I don't usually review books I haven't finished but you're all going to get two of those before the week is out.
 Despite not finishing it I got far enough to say that the characters were interesting and the plot had me intrigued. The slow build-up of the mystery was masterful and fascinating. The author, Robert Galbraith, is actually J. K. Rowling's pseudonym. So you know the writing was good. 
The problem was that it was also so dirty. It felt as though Rowling, in effort to ensure she was writing adult books, overcompensated and made then unfriendly to all ages. Rampant references to sex, every curse word out there, and plenty mentions or insertions of bathroom use that were, frankly, unnecessary. 
 Again, the leading cast and surrounding characters coupled with the mystery were great and I was sad to put this one down but I couldn't justify all the excess in problematic content.  

Content: Please realize that this content review is incomplete due to the fact that I didn't finish the book. Several mentions of considering sex or F***ing a woman. That word, F***, plus just about every other curse word in existence is used frequently but F was the favorite.  Mentions of violence and some dirty imagery. 
 All in all, though I was sorry to have to put it down, this is not a clean read and certainly not worth the trouble.  

Book Review: How to Train Your Dragon Special Edition

 Summary: Don't miss this deluxe edition of How to Train Your Dragon, featuring two brand new stories plus a full color poster!
In Book One, travel back to the days when Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III was just a boy, the quiet and thoughtful son of the Chief of the Hairy Hooligans. Can Hiccup capture a dragon and train it without being torn limb from limb? Will he become a truly extraordinary hero?
The action continues in two brand new short stories! The Day of the Dreader is the tale of a truly dreadful Seadragon who challenges the Hairy Hooligans to a standoff! In How to Train Your Viking, we get a dragon's eye view when Toothless the Dragon narrates an epic tale!

Thoughts: I read this book aloud to one of my younger brothers and we both got a kick out of it! AS long time fans of the movie, my brother being a particularly large admirer, I couldn't resist this wonderful copy when I found it on clearance at our nearest bookstore. Since neither of us wanted to wait for the other to finish we decided I should read it to the both of us. 
 While vastly different from the movie we came to really love the cast in the book. Hiccup and Toothless's relationship was....a difficult one but by the end you couldn't help but adore them equally. Each and every character felt new and was therefore reopened for the possible chance of like and dislike (though most of them still fell into the same categories). But the development that happened by the end had me and my brother talking about it for a long time afterwards.
 The plot was great, complete with a humorously awful beginning and teary-eyed (from still laughing) ending. And the writing carried everything through very well, Cowell inserting some of her own common sense throughout the story. This was really hilariously wonderful during the last short story, Day of the Dreader.

Content: A few crude jokes, several mentions of poo. The dragon take (dragonese) is a garbled jumble of gibberish and some actual words smashed together and one of the words is 'C***' used when mentioning poo. I substituted this word when reading out-loud and it's hardly noticeable being buried in the rest of the jumble but it's still there. Otherwise there's giant dragons threatening death and a man who ends up wearing a dress after losing his clothes. 
 All in all, fairly clean. While I think my brother loved it more than I ever could (really appeals to boys) I enjoyed every bit of it and will be trying to get my hands on the sequels! A great read for just about any age, whether you're a fan of the movie or not!

Book Review: The Blackthorn Key

 Summary: “Tell no one what I’ve given you.”
   Until he got that cryptic warning, Christopher Rowe was happy, learning how to solve complex codes and puzzles and creating powerful medicines, potions, and weapons as an apprentice to Master Benedict Blackthorn—with maybe an explosion or two along the way.
    But when a mysterious cult begins to prey on London’s apothecaries, the trail of murders grows closer and closer to Blackthorn’s shop. With time running out, Christopher must use every skill he’s learned to discover the key to a terrible secret with the power to tear the world apart.

Thoughts: This was a really fun piece of historical fiction. While the historical part is mostly the setting and time period (not necessarily the events) it was a great look into old England and specifically at the work of the apothecary. The writing was really good; told from the view of a thirteen year old boy, Christopher, we quickly get swept up into his adventure of mystery and intrigue. 
 The plot was really good, a little slow paced in the beginning but kept interesting with some humorous mishaps, btw don't ever shoot a cannon inside. As the story moves on it takes a definitely darker turn. Murder, cults, and many chases and near death escapes keep us riveted until the very end!
 The characters all started out well and developed even better. I particularly loved the friendship between Christopher and his partner-in-crime Tom. Never a dull moment when those two were involved!

Content: Like I mentioned above, this book quickly turns dark with some really bloody and gory murders and deaths. Aside from this there's a lot of fighting and explosion and resulting wounds aren't pretty. The descriptions aren't overly graphic but they get the point across that the deaths were messy. There's at least one potion in here that is fictional and can be seen along the lines of magic. 
 Aside from violence this is a fairly clean book so if you're not too easily grossed out I would definitely recommend this book to middle graders and above looking for a really great adventure!

Graphic Novel Review: Wires and Nerve

 Summary: When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the series.

Thoughts: As a fan of the Lunar Chronicles and anything with pictures I was so excited the see this graphic novel's release! 
 First up the art is really nice, it's not fantastic but it endearing and seems to capture the feel of the characters rather than bothering with making them great.



 The cast is mostly returning characters and it's neat to actually get to see them this time, complete with facial expression and cool moves. I have to say that the new villain is definitely doing his job, very villainy and kinda creepy. 
 The story is so cool! Finally some focus on Iko and a chance for the sweet little android to shine!


And the writing does a great job of keeping the same feel as the book characters without sacrificing the fun of it all being a graphic novel. I mean, it's gotta be difficult to go from writing every movement and thought to simply writing the dialogue and using pictures to show the rest.


Content: A bit of violence, mentions of death, some blood. D*** and H*** may have been used a few times. There are a few panels showing kissing. 
 Really, it's a pretty clean graphic novel which was a super great bonus to the awesome story! highly suggested for all fans of the Lunar Chronicles!

Book Review: The Invisible Library

Summary: Irene must be at the top of her game or she'll be off the case - permanently... 
   Irene is a professional spy for the mysterious Library, which harvests fiction from different realities. And along with her enigmatic assistant Kai, she's posted to an alternative London. Their mission - to retrieve a dangerous book. But when they arrive, it's already been stolen. London's underground factions seem prepared to fight to the very death to find her book.
  Adding to the jeopardy, this world is chaos-infested - the laws of nature bent to allow supernatural creatures and unpredictable magic. Irene's new assistant is also hiding secrets of his own.
  Soon, she's up to her eyebrows in a heady mix of danger, clues and secret societies. Yet failure is not an option - the nature of reality itself is at stake.

Thoughts: Spies, books, a library between worlds, steampunk, mystery, dragons, fey.... before I even picked it up I knew there was a lot to look forward to in this book and boy! It didn't let me down! I actually read the entire thing in two days. It has some of the best pacing I've ever seen. Down moments to regroup/heal/catch-your-breath quickly flow into chases through the street, brutal attacks, and magical battles without ever jumping, moving to fast, or throwing the reader into confusion. 
 The world here is built well with so many intricate details it pulses with a life of it's own that adds to plot that is thick with intrigue and hidden by the smogs of an alternate London. 
 The characters were interesting and quirky in their own ways. Irene was my favorite; outwardly cool, collected, and experienced, inwardly screaming and crying and wanting someone else to do something. She was a great mix of competent and floundering. Kai was a pretty different character too, keeping up a definite air of mystery even after many of his secrets are revealed. There are plenty of others, villains that are actually frightening, grand detectives and shifty coworkers; each one is a fantastic example of really great characterization!

Content: D*** and H*** were the worst the language ever got. There is magic and some fantasy violence. There's also some rather creepy deaths, nothing is shown per-say (pieces discovered after the fact) but they're still creepy. There were some mentions of gay or lesbian couples but in past tense. A man tries to coax a woman into 'sleeping' with him and they proceed to argue about who would be better in bed, the language for this scene was kept surprisingly clean for the topic and passed quickly but was still inappropriate (the woman declines and nothing happens). 
 All in all not clean enough to merit a young audience but a really good read for young adults and older readers looking for an out-of-this world adventure that is unique and exciting!

Book Review: The Portable Poe

 Summary: This text includes all of Poe's best-known tales and poems, with representative articles, criticism, letters and opinions.

Thoughts: To be fair, I didn't read the entire book. I was really only interested in the mysteries but I found this giant collection for under four dollars at a used bookstore and couldn't resist, I fully intend to finish it at some point but not right now so this review is strictly for the four mysteries found somewhere near the middle. I've been on a mystery, detective kick for awhile now which of course means I have to go back to the man they call the 'Father of Detective Fiction'. It's said that Poe was the first to write it so I'm finally making my way round to him.  
 Edgar Allen Poe is known for his dark poetry and letters mostly but also for the four short mysteries included in this story. They carried with them all the dark and eerie feel of the detective fiction we know today and had some really complex plots (which is necessary of course in a mystery). 
 His first three stories feature the detective C. Auguste Dupin solving three separate cases. Dupin is a great detective and his deduction and reasoning were dizzying but followed a logical pathway to a most interesting conclusion each time. 
 The final story was about a mysterious gold bug and a man seemingly driven mad and was actually my favorite of the four. It took me awhile to figure out what was going on and I was extremely impressed with how the creepy and almost supernatural story ended in a surprising way. But that's how a mystery is supposed to be right?

Content: The first two detective stories feature blood, brutal murders, and a possible rape (the second case is drawn from an actual murder and was a little unclear on that subject). Sometimes Poe gets a little too carried away and gives us more details about the bodies than we need. D*** is used once or twice and H*** about the same. The last story was pretty creepy starting off and featured some long dead bodies at one point. 
 So while a good read for a mature mystery fan, this would not be appropriate for children, not to mention that old writing style would make it hard for most people to keep up with the story (I got lost several times). Still, a great beginning to world of detective fiction and a must read for mystery fans.

Book Review: The Vengekeep Prophecies

Summary: “You can’t convict what you can’t confirm.” That’s the motto of 12-year-old Jaxter Grimjinx and his infamous family of thieves. And while Jaxter may not have his father’s burglary prowess, his mother’s forgery skills, or his little sister’s mastery of sleight-of-hand, his book-fed knowledge of non-magical solutions to magical problems makes him invaluable to the family’s heists.
  But the Grimjinxes may have pulled one con too many in their hometown, Vengekeep. After swapping the prophetic tapestry used to guide Vengekeep’s actions for a fake concocted by Jaxter’s mother, the Grimjinxes are stunned when the false prophecies begin coming true, bringing destruction in their wake.
  Suddenly, Vengekeep is besieged by “natural” disasters and rampaging monsters, courtesy of the secretly enchanted counterfeit tapestry. With his family forced to stay and combat the impending doom, Jaxter must leave his hometown in search of a way to keep the increasingly dangerous prophecies from wiping Vengekeep off the map.

Thoughts: This story made me so happy! I loved the way Farrey managed to incorporate an entire family into a fantasy adventure!  Normally parents ho show up in fantasy tend to be bad parents whether they're just painful oblivious to the antics of they're children or useless in times of trouble, they've become big disappointments with me. And if they're actually doing a good job at parenting it usually leaves the children feeling bland and useless as they aren't allowed to do much while under the protecting and watchful eye of the parents. 
 While the Grimjinx family may not be the best of people they are a fabulous family. The parents especially shone in light of being kind, caring, and protective but without smothering the character of Jaxter. They were all a fabulously enjoyable bunch! All of the cast was for that matter.
  The plot was interesting and kept me laughing or guessing the whole time. Never a dull moment.
 The writing was great.. Everything is told from Jaxter's point of view and he keeps us involved with an optimistic yet sarcastic way of explaining everything that comes they're way.

Content: Magic. Some fantasy violence and blood but no deaths.  A few mildly frightening scenes (Lava men rising from rifts in the street, skeleton-birds attacking the town, etc). 
 All in all a clean story and a load of fun for nearly any age!