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August 26, 2014
Bacon is yummy....but alas....it's too fattening. And the "Kevin's Book Bacon" format STILL left me writing reviews that were too long. So now I'll try an entirely new method:
Just writing what I think!
I've said this before - my reviews are really just for me to track what I've read and help me recall what I thought about it. Hopefully my kids wil enjoy this reference when they get older. I won't write about a book if I don't like it so you can always know that I liked or loved the books I review. If I write A LOT about it, assume I dug it....A LOT. If you see a book that intrigues you but my review is insufficient, contact me and I'd love to discuss it further.
Also, I'll generally spend very little time summarizing the books but I'll post their Amazon link so you can read all the plot synopsis and other reader comments you want. My focus will be on what I thought of the book and who might like it.
The Iron Trial
Fire wants to burn.
Water wants to flow.
Air wants to rise.
Earth wants to bind.
Chaos wants to devour.
(The slick, cool tagline from this book and also the description of the elemental magic system described within.)
I stayed interested enough in this one to read it rather quickly, which is usually a compliment for a book. There is a really excellent twist at the end that certainly left me curious as to how the series will progress and made me ponder all the things that could happen to Callum Hunt, the main character. Expect plenty of similarities to the Harry Potter books, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Kids who LOVED those H.P. books will most likely enjoy The Iron Trial because it will feel familiar and has the same enchantment of a boy going off to magic school where magnificent adventure awaits. Call seems to act like a true 12 yr old; a bit troublesome, rebellious and sarcastic but overall a pretty decent kid. Though he does change for the better throughout the story as he learns how to enjoy having really good, true friends.
Overall, I'd say this one is best for boys, ages 8-12, who are really into magic, fantasy and imagination. The Iron Trial is book one of a planned five book series. As I mentioned earlier, I AM intrigued by the story's big twist but I don't see myself paying big bucks to read all the rest of them when they release. I'll probably try to catch them on Kindle deals. And, full disclosure, I received the first one free of charge as an "Advance Reader Copy". (Not that I'm anyone special, I just signed up on-line to receive a free one because I get marketing emails from the publisher, Scholastic Press.)
Happy Reading!
Find the book on Amazon here (See - it doesn't even come out until September! I'm so cool...)
Just writing what I think!
I've said this before - my reviews are really just for me to track what I've read and help me recall what I thought about it. Hopefully my kids wil enjoy this reference when they get older. I won't write about a book if I don't like it so you can always know that I liked or loved the books I review. If I write A LOT about it, assume I dug it....A LOT. If you see a book that intrigues you but my review is insufficient, contact me and I'd love to discuss it further.
Also, I'll generally spend very little time summarizing the books but I'll post their Amazon link so you can read all the plot synopsis and other reader comments you want. My focus will be on what I thought of the book and who might like it.
The Iron Trial
Fire wants to burn.
Water wants to flow.
Air wants to rise.
Earth wants to bind.
Chaos wants to devour.
(The slick, cool tagline from this book and also the description of the elemental magic system described within.)
I stayed interested enough in this one to read it rather quickly, which is usually a compliment for a book. There is a really excellent twist at the end that certainly left me curious as to how the series will progress and made me ponder all the things that could happen to Callum Hunt, the main character. Expect plenty of similarities to the Harry Potter books, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Kids who LOVED those H.P. books will most likely enjoy The Iron Trial because it will feel familiar and has the same enchantment of a boy going off to magic school where magnificent adventure awaits. Call seems to act like a true 12 yr old; a bit troublesome, rebellious and sarcastic but overall a pretty decent kid. Though he does change for the better throughout the story as he learns how to enjoy having really good, true friends.
Overall, I'd say this one is best for boys, ages 8-12, who are really into magic, fantasy and imagination. The Iron Trial is book one of a planned five book series. As I mentioned earlier, I AM intrigued by the story's big twist but I don't see myself paying big bucks to read all the rest of them when they release. I'll probably try to catch them on Kindle deals. And, full disclosure, I received the first one free of charge as an "Advance Reader Copy". (Not that I'm anyone special, I just signed up on-line to receive a free one because I get marketing emails from the publisher, Scholastic Press.)
Happy Reading!
Find the book on Amazon here (See - it doesn't even come out until September! I'm so cool...)