The Empty Grave

Summary: Five months after the events in THE CREEPING SHADOW, we join Lockwood, Lucy, George, Holly, and their associate Quill Kipps on a perilous night mission: they have broken into the booby-trapped Fittes Mausoleum, where the body of the legendary psychic heroine Marissa Fittes lies. Or does it? This is just one of the many questions to be answered in Book 5 of the Lockwood & Co. series. Will Lockwood ever reveal more about his family's past to Lucy? Will their trip to the Other Side leave Lucy and Lockwood forever changed? Will Penelope Fittes succeed in shutting down their agency forever? The young agents must survive attacks from foes both spectral and human before they can take on their greatest enemy in a climactic and chaotic battle. And to prevail they will have to rely on help from some surprising--and shadowy--allies.

Read about the previous books:

Book 1 The Screaming Staircase

Book 2 The Whispering Skull

Book 3 The Hollow Boy

Book 4 The Creeping Shadow

Thoughts: This is the fifth and final book of, as of yet, the only series of ghost books I've not just enjoyed but actually loved. I've ranted about the characters, writing, and world-building in past reviews so check those out for sure. As for this book, all I have to say is that it is a good ending to a spellbinding series that has kept me going for over a year. While the conclusion isn't exactly all I hoped it would be, it fits the series perfectly and cements these books onto my favorites shelf. Absolutely necessary to all readers of the series and a must for lovers of ghost stories and great characters, definitely check these out!

Content: Like the rest of the series, these books are dark and downright scary. They won't bother a seasoned veteran of the horror genre (like Epic) but should be read carefully by younger or more sensitive readers (like Ants). Mild language and a few rude remarks from the Skull in the Jar added to the list and we recommend this series for teens and adults. 

Deadweather and Sunrise

Summary: It’s tough to be thirteen, especially when somebody’s trying to kill you.

Not that Egg’s life was ever easy, growing up on sweaty, pirate-infested Deadweather Island with no company except an incompetent tutor and a pair of unusually violent siblings who hate his guts.

But when Egg’s father hustles their family off on a mysterious errand to fabulously wealthy Sunrise Island, then disappears with the siblings in a freak accident, Egg finds himself a long-term guest at the mansion of the glamorous Pembroke family and their beautiful, sharp-tongued daughter Millicent. Finally, life seems perfect.

Until someone tries to throw him off a cliff.

Suddenly, Egg’s running for his life in a bewildering world of cutthroat pirates, villainous businessmen, and strange Native legends. The only people who can help him sort out the mystery of why he’s been marked for death are Millicent and a one-handed, possibly deranged cabin boy.

Come along for the ride. You’ll be glad you did.

Thoughts: This was a sweet and interesting coming of age story set in the past with a backdrop of high-seas adventure. The story keeps a good pace and the characters are well done. It feels a bit like Treasure Island for a new generation. Really enjoyable and good for almost all ages.

Content: A bit of mild language and violence. Otherwise, good for any age.

The Reluctant Assassin

Summary: ​The reluctant assassin is Riley, a Victorian boy who is suddenly plucked from his own time and whisked into the twenty-first century, accused of murder and on the run.
Riley has been pulled into the FBI's covert W.A.R.P. operation (Witness Anonymous Relocation Program). He and young FBI Agent Chevie Savano are forced to flee terrifying assassin-for-hire Albert Garrick, who pursues Riley through time and will not stop until he has hunted him down. Barely staying one step ahead, Riley and Chevie must stay alive and stop Garrick returning to his own time with knowledge and power that could change the world forever.

Thoughts: Author of the acclaimed and much-loved series, Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer has tried his hand at many different types of books. While always quick with wit and an interesting tale, this definitely isn't quite on par with his more famous series. 

Now that that's out of the way, this was a really good story in its own right. I will admit to having picked it up because of the author and how much I missed Artemis, but once I got over how completely unrelated this book was from that work, I really enjoyed it. The historical and modern settings were great, the characters were well written and fun to follow, and, by the end, I was truly invested in the story for its own sake. So, while I won't recommend it to anyone seeking the flavor of Artemis, I will recommend it to anyone looking for a good story on spies, friendship, time-traveling, action, and comedy!

Content: A bit of mild language and violence. Otherwise, clean for kids of most ages.

Lyonesse Series

Summary: Lyonesse is the land of legends and magic. It's the forgotten land where King Arthur once resided with Merlin and his Knights of the Round Table. But thousands of years after the great king walked this country, it has become a place of shadows, where men hunt and capture the monsters that lurk below in the dark depths of the sea. Lyonesse is slowly sinking, and it is up to one boy, Idris, to save his people and his land. Can he stand up to the forces of evil that aim to stop him? 

Thoughts: This miniseries, composed solely of these two books, has become one of my favorites. Fantastical writing on par with Lloyd Alexander or even Tolkien creates a world from the legends of Camelot and Atlantis. Deeply moving, well written with good characters and better world-building, I was riveted from beginning to end despite a rather long wait in between as I struggled to find the second book. 

The first book, The Well Between Worlds opens well and the second, Darksoltice, closes unforgettably. These are not standalone books and I highly suggest reading them back to back to fully appreciate the flow of the story. They do tend to lean on the darker side of things with an almost dystopian feel mingled with the fantasy here. Even so, these are truly great books! 

Content: The creatures from the wells come in many forms, some of them resembling women and it is stated, though never shown, that men will sleep with them. Lewd comments are occasionally made to or about female characters, Mild language. The biggest issue would be how dark the stories are, often becoming creepy or violent. Recommended for teens and adults. 

The Mysterious Howling

Summary: Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels.

Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies.

But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?

Thoughts: I loved this book! Mowgli and siblings meet Mary Poppins in this story about a young governess who has got much more than she bargained for! Through trial and error, she sets about teaching her young wards but she also has to protect them from sinister forces lurking all-around ten. This book offers both a compelling mystery as well as a heartwarming tale, ensuring that you remain riveted till the last page and yet, carrying the story gently and in a way that is easily read by all ages. Despite being such a small book, it carries quite a bit of story in it and comes recommended for any age.

Content: Due to the mystery side of the plot, several scenes may be creepy for younger audiences. Otherwise, a clean read. 

Crown of Three

Summary: Toronia, a kingdom composed of three realms, is wracked with civil war. King Brutan rules with an iron fist. Cruelty and suffering abound. The kingdom’s only hope comes in the form of Brutan’s illegitimate triplets, prophesied to kill the king and rule together in peace. But the road to the throne is long and bloody. Separated at birth and scattered throughout the realms, the triplets face a desperate fight to secure their destiny. Will they survive long enough to rule?

Thoughts: The book opens with a classical fantasy plot full of stars, prophecies, and conspiracies. After that, we start to develop more into the cast but with a heavy plot constantly lurking in the background.

This whole book is filled with potential. While a good read in itself, it feels more like a prologue to the rest of the series that promises much more in the high fantasy genre. 

What really appealed to me about this book was that the story focused on triplets, a bit of an uncommon plot line outside of mysteries trying to pull a fast one. As such, I was curious to see how the author would pull this off. He does so with skill, developing each of the children into their own unique person and it's easy to enjoy them each as individuals while still being able to see their similarities. 

All in all, a great read that promises good things for the rest of the trilogy! 

Content: Some violence but otherwise a clean read for all ages.

Hello...

And yes, I'm well aware that we have not been nearly as active as we hoped to be. But, Ants here to assure you that we're going to try posting a little more committedly for this summer at least. I'm on a break from school right now so I have a little more of my mind put together because, as any college student can attest, trying to think of anything other than due dates and ramen is a feat of superhuman strength during the school year.

So, here's the promise/update, hope to see you all in the future, look forward to some pretty neat books!

Ants