Book Review: Beyonders 3: Chasing the Prophesy

Beyonders 3: Chasing the Prophesy, Brandon Mull, Aladdin, New York, 2013.
This is the exciting climax to this three book series.  Mull knows how to tell a story.  In this book everything seems hopeless; not only hopeless but at times you wonder how the tasks assigned can do any good.  And why each person was assigned to which task.  Jason has a specific task, to find some information that will turn the tide which is kept by a long dead wizard.  Rachel has the task of going with Galloran the King to attack the Emperor Maldor and his kingdom.  This is an impossible task, and making a bold move just gives Maldor the advantages as he moves men to crush those who oppose him.  As for Justin and his group, the emperor sends a changeling, Te Wanderer, to deal with them.  Being almost invincible, he can also change into trusted characters to win his way.  I found this book exciting.  It easily carried the story.  

Book Review: The Candy Shop War

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull, Shadow Mountain Publishing, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2007.

This book is a bit different than the other Brandon Mull books.  Children are not sucked into an alternate universe, but this story takes place in a community on earth.  In this case, the community is visited by Candy makers, whose candy is magical in nature.  Our four primary characters, Nate, new to town, Pigeon, Summer and Trevor have a club for finding treasures.  They are sucked into helping the candy maker, Belinda White, for free candy.  I did not think this book was going anyplace good, because the kids were doing some pretty shady stuff.  This included breaking into a museum and also digging up a coffin at the cemetery.  The book was better after they came to their senses.   The book includes many questions at the end to help the young reader get to the moral of the book.  This book covers issues of addiction, parenting, bullying and misusing powers. 

Book Review: Beyonders: Seed of Rebellion

Book Review: Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull, Aladdin, New York, 2012.

In the first book, we learned that the “word” to overcome the emperor is actually a ruse, and is the word destroy a different wizard.  So now the efforts of our heroes turns to receiving a prophesy to explore their chances for success if they attack the emperor out right.  They are slim indeed, but the ability to recruit people to stand with him, depends on the word of a famous prophetess who lives in the North.  So they travel: Galloran the King, his best men Nedwin, who is use to torture and pain, but finally got away from the dungeons of Maldor, the emperor.  Rachel, who is becoming adept at Edomic, or the magical arts, and Jason who has returned with the help of the band member, Tark.  Ferrin the displacer (all displacers are under control of the emperor) who has gained enough trust to be part of the company by giving a piece of his neck to Galloran with a jugular vein.  Aram is giant by night and dwarf by day is recruited by Jason as a friend of Tark’s to be part of the quest.  Corinne is the daughter of Galloran, who has lived a sheltered life inside a tree.  There are also several from the Amar Kabal including Jasher and his wife, Farfalee and her brother, Drake.  This group of heroes have a long ways to travel and many hazards to confront to make it to receive the prophesy.  And when they receive the prophecy, it costs the life of the prophetess, and now they must put their faith in these words given, as there are specific assignments for them all, and each must play a role in the success of their attack on Emperor Maldor.

Following this group is very entertaining and exciting.  The obstacles and solutions are all unique.  Rachel uses that famous word to destroy a misshapen wizard who is guarding a large cache of orantium, an explosive substance.  Are group of heroes have some things going for them, and perhaps the prophesy will give them some chance. 

Book Review: Five Kingdoms (2) Rogue Knight

Brandon Mull has created a fascinated universe, outside the realm of other universes, an in between spot where people go after they die, but it has been shaped for population.  And this kingdom is divided into five kingdoms, each with its own properties.  As such what is magical in one kingdom, is not magical in another.  In this book Cole, our abducted young man from Earth, finds himself in the Kingdom of Ellower.  Here things have run amok, as there are a couple of demons tearing up the country.  There is the Rogue Knight, but an even greater threat is the creature a shape changer has made using a young boy's power.  She has to be confronted, and they recruit an assortment of people to do this, including an earth friend of Cole's.
I really like these books and the characters, and the worlds.

Book Review: Five Kingdoms: Sky Raiders

Five Kingdoms: Sky Raiders  by Brandon Mull, Alladin, New York, 2014.
This is the first in a five part series.  Many of Cole's school friends are kidnapped.  Cole doesn't really understand what is happening, but he follows them, in an effort to rescue them, and becomes a prisoner, kidnapped like the rest.  They are in a new kingdom, where slavery is condoned.  Before he knows what is happening, he ends up at a place on the edge, where life expectancy is not very long, working as a sky raider, salvaging things from cloud castles in the sky.  This is dangerous work; but his life only gets more dangerous when he runs away with Mira, a princess in disguise, who is wanted by the king.
Mull pulls it off again.  There are likable characters in this world, and the imaginative components are incredible.  We have magical ropes and flying swords, and building things with your mind.  Great stuff.

Book Review: Fablehaven (5): Keys to the Demon Prison

Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison, by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Shadow Mountain, Salt Lake City, UT, 2010.
This is the fifth and climatic installment of this fascinating fantasy series.  It is interesting things always seem to be able to get worse.  And in this book, both of the siblings, Kendra and Seth end up prisoners of the evil Sphinx.  However there are things even more evil than the misguided Sphinx, who himself repents in the end.  Seth himself is fooled by the demon Graulas, who had earlier befriended him.  He tricks Seth into restoring him, but that doesn't go too well.  So we are faced with a last desperate battle against the demons as the arise from their captivity ready to take over the world.  There are many unexpected twists in this show, and it keeps you jumping until the end.  The only sad part is having to say goodbye to the characters.  However I understand there is a sequel five book set coming out.  So the fun continues.

Book Review: Fablehaven (4): Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

Fablehaven: Secrets 0f the Dragon Sanctuary, by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Aladdin Paperback, New York, 2009.
The adventure continues.  In this book, the team decides to go after one of the keys to one of the magical items which is needed to open the demon prison.  They go after it in the hopes of keeping it away from the Sphinx, who seems to be able to work the Oculus, where he can see where anything in the world.  The key is in a very dangerous realm of the dragons.  They hope to re-hide it where he can't get to it.  However, in this they are mistaken due to a major betrayal in the end.  I must admit, I never saw it coming.  In this book it is always hard to tell who is on the bad side and who is on the good.

Book Review: Fablehaven (3): Grip of the Shadow Plague

Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague, by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Aladdin Paperbacks, New York, 2008.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series of fantasy books, in which a world of magical creatures exists with reserves in remote areas.  In this case, we get a double bonus, as two stories are told at the same time.  One is the visit to the Table Mesa Reserve, and the other is at home in the Fablehaven Reserve.  Both reserves are under attack by forces of the Morning Star.  Both stories lead to the deaths of heroic characters.  The story around Fablehaven is the most dire.  Some type of shadow plague has been unleashed, and slowly the humans are turned to shadows, and the creatures are turned to dark.  Only giving up light can these forces be combatted.  Also a visitor from the past is able to help them in their struggles.
I am really enjoying the characters/  The interaction between the siblings, Seth and Kendra, is really enjoyable, and you also get the hint of the love behind the relationship even thought they bump heads.  The overprotection of the grandparents gets annoying, although is understandable.  This is a great series to red if you are looking for some fun.  This book answers the questions about the Sphinx' true nature, is he bad or good.

Book Review: Fablehaven (2): Rise of the Evening Star

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Alladin Paperbacks, New York, (2007)
This is the second in this series.  This book starts with the end of school, and Seth and Kendra are almost done with classes.  With just a week to go, a new student appears.  All the students see a handsome boy.  Kendra, because of her experience with the fairies, sees him as an ugly beast.  She tries to protect her friends from him, but this only leads to trouble.  Someone shows up to help, proclaiming to be a monster exterminator type person.  However the process of this gets Seth bit by a monster, who now is intent on devouring the rest of him.  They figure the man has been lying to them, and they are rescued by Vanessa and taken to their grandparents home.  The also meet Tanu and Coulter who are helping their grandparents defend Fablehaven while finding an old powerful relic.  The secrecy of Fablehaven has been compromised, so they want to rescue the artifact and place it elsewhere.
However their is a spy amongst them.  They know because people have been added to the guest list.  Otherwise the magical boundaries would keep them safe.
This book is very tense. It involves good and bad teaming up to accomplish a goal.  However at the same time, it obscures who is good and who is bad and what roles they play in the scheme of things.  Seth is rescues by being placed in a protective egg.  the monster does eat him, but he eventually comes out the other end, and the monster goes dormant again.  In this book, Seth's courage plays a very important part.  As again do Kendra's skills.  However it is Warren and Vanessa who must defeat the protecting beast to rescue the artifact.

Book Review: Fablehaven

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Deseret Book Alladin Paperbacks (original Deseret Book) New York, 2006.
This is a fantastic read in the young adult mythical fiction variety.  We are introduced to a new world, and in particular the faerie resort at Fablehaven, where Grandma and Grandpa preside over a refuge.  Grandmother is missing, and Kendra and Seth come to stay for a couple weeks while their parents are on a cruise.  They find lots of rules, with little explanation.  Seth ventures beyond his boundaries time and again, and comes close to falling into deep trouble many times.  His disobedience finally gets them all the adults captured.  He does manage to save the chicken.  When Seth gets captured as well, things look really desperate for Kendra, who must save everyone, from a witch, imps and other strange creatures.
This story is very clever and original and a fun read.

Book Review; The Immortal Nicholas: A Novel

The Immortal Nicholas, by Glenn Beck, Threshold Editions, New York, 2015.
Glenn Beck has written a fascinating story.  Agios had been embittered after the deaths of his wife and stillborn son.  But when his other young son passes away he is even more bitter.  He attempts to loss himself in drink, and is found by one of the wisemen, Caspar.  He by trade in an frankincense harvester, and has enough on her person, that Caspar is interested in hiring them to help them find more.  By circumstance, Agios is at the birth of Jesus, he hears the shepherd's story, and is hired, along with a new friend, who he adopts as his son, the deformed Krampus, who had been in a Roman galley ship.  They receive the assignment to follow Jesus, Joseph and Mary and keep them safe from a distance.  they accept, but in handling the job Agios causes the death of one of Herod's men searching for Jesus.  He buts the man in front of the sword of a younger guard, who kills him trying to kill Agios.
The return with Joseph and Jesus after Herod's death, but then lose track of Jesus.  However Agios encounters him at the well, in which Jesus promises living water.  He believes him in a way, and Agios drinks water from the well.  Krampus is in love with Jesus, and he and Agios begin following him again.  Agios hopes Jesus will heal Krampus as he has a heart condition.  Agios is there the night Jesus is crucified, he doesn't understand,  He is even more bitter, as he had sworn to protect Jesus; and failed.  Krampus passes away, and Agios decides to go with him, committing suicide.  However Agios drank the living water, and he has become immortal.  Now he needs to figure out what to do with his immortality.  He does not become Saint Nicholas for hundreds of years, after taking the name of a priest who brings Agios to the resurrected Christ, and also leads him to service to others.
I love the stories of Christmas, and this book retells this story in a very intriguing way.  It is very well done.  My only complaint are the few typos I cam across.

Book Review: A War of Gifts: An Ender Story Orson Scott Card

This is a very interesting story involving some of the other students at Battle School, but also Ender.  Zeck is a child, who has exceptional learning ability, but is a pacifist.  This is based on his father, who is a preacher, and has taught that war is of the devil.  However his father also abused him, leaving scars on his back.  Zeck goes to school, but never hits anyone with his weapon in the games.  Any display of religion is forbidden at Battle School, and those who have religious believes are exempted from the need to pray or other religious displays.  Zeck is against anything pagan, and when he observes other students giving Sinterklaas gifts, he reports them.  The students are disciplined and instigate a minor rebellion, giving gifts in stockings representing Santa Claus gifts.  Zeck’s father taught that Santa was another word for Satan.  He complains, but is unable to get anyone to pay attention to his complaints.  So he goes to the Islamic students, and suggests if Santa gifts are OK, daily prayers should also be OK.  This gets the students (and staff who join in) in trouble, and a feeling that things are unfair.  Ender points out that this may lead to future conflicts in the future back on Earth.  As Zeck initiated this problem, he is blamed and ostracized.  He begins to feel worse and worse.  Dink, who was the one who started the gift giving rebellion, feels bad for Zeck, and tries to intervene, but Colonel Graff knows that Ender will deal with the situation. 

The climax of Ender getting to the bottom of Zeck’s problems, and getting back to a place where they can exist together.  Dink also plays a part, and things get back to “normal” Battle School.

This book was enjoyable.  It showed people in a different light, as well as battle School, and dealt with different cultural and religious views in a very enjoyable manner.  It is good to have a book with religion as a central part of the plot, and what to do when you have people form varied backgrounds working together.

Book Review: ***Brother Brigham's Gold

This book is an enjoyable read, and I must admit it kept me interested enough that I was through is in only three days.  It was written by Blaine and Brenton Yorganson.  I found the book amongst Sheri's collection of books.  I am sure it is not available in any library close to Manteca.  It was published in 1984.  It is the third book in the Soderberg Saga.

The adventure and excitement is there, and keeps you guessing as to what is going to happen next.  And the theme is one I had heard about many times before, the lost gold mines in the Uintah Mountains known either as the Rhoades Mine, or the Brigham Mine or the lost Spanish mines.  Many are the legends with regards to this mine, and Thomas Rhoades (who had found plenty of gold in California before turning his back on California and settling with the Saints in Utah) who had special permission to extract gold by the Indians provided he not let anyone know where the mine was located.  Later this privilege was extended to his son, Caleb Rhoades.  For a sample of the legends you can check this website http://www.angelfire.com/trek/forthetruth/uintatreasure.html

The story of the lost gold mines has intrigued me, not that I would want to go looking for gold in those mountains.  But I have been through them several times, and have seen evidence of old mines.  It is a fascinating story that just doesn't go away.

As for the book, it combines the persecution of polygamous families at this time, with the legend of the mines.  It has a young man who found some gold while herding sheep at its center.  The gold is used to bail his father, in jail as a result of being a polygamous.  However word of the find attracts a group of outlaws who are intent on forcing the young man to lead them to the gold.  The book also adds a love story, and somehow the girl gets to the mine as well (that is the part of the story that went a bit too far for me.)