Neil Flambe

I am only half way through "Neil Flambé and the Crusader's Curse" by Kevin Sylvester, the third book about the world-class chef and amateur detective whose nose never lets him down (  except for this time)  and once again I am thoroughly entertained by the humor filled plot.

The Crimson Crown

I, and a few faithful followers, have been waiting for this conclusion to this exceptional series,The Seven Realms, for a very long time.

And. It. Was. Great.

In the first book, The Demon King, written in 2009, you were drawn into a world where wizards using magical amulets pitted themselves against members of the mountain living Clan and lorded over the flatlanders living in the crowded city of Fellsmarch.

You were drawn into the world of Han, a thief and streetlord of the city, Micah Bayer, a young and conniving wizard and Princess Raisa, the young, smart and headstrong heir to the Gray Wolf Throne.

You followed them through the two wonderful and satisfying sequels; "The Exiled Queen" and "The Gray Wolf Throne".

And now you are drawn into their world for the final chapter where the Princess is now the Queen, the streetlord is now a wizard himself, and the Bayers are still working for their own gain. And where against all odds and wishes, Han and Raisa have fallen in love. A love that is young, impressionable, fraught with insecurities but strong and true.

However when their country is invaded, the politics, the treachery, the hostility among the three facets of Raisa's life keep you riveted. Who should she trust? Who are her enemies? What happened a thousand years ago? How will they survive?

Her determination to bring these factions together for the survival of her country, her determination not to surrender, Raisa proves herself worthy of being Queen.

There are so many twists and unexpected turns right up to then end.

Brotherband Chronicles 3

Once again John Flanagan has delivered a book that has it all; characters you like and can relate to, a warm and satisfying relationship between young and old, a quest full of action that keeps you reading into the late hours of the night, a dastardly villain and, of course, a hint of romance. And did I mention humor?

"The Hunters" is the third and final book in this companion series to "The Ranger's Apprentice" series which I, and so many students,  have loved. 

Hal and his Brotherband of misfits are still on the trail of the pirate Zavac who has stolen a priceless artifact from their home while they were charged with its safety. Determined to retrieve it after being humiliated they are always one step behind.  With Ingevar gravelly ill and needing rest they let their nemesis escape down the Dan River heading towards a pirate refuge. They follow at last but each town they encounter put up road blocks that are challenging and need wit and just plain courage to overcome.

Hal is determined to get back the Andomel at any cost. It is his confidence in himself and his crew that are put to the test but you care about each of these characters and are on the edge of your seat till the end.

A very good and exciting read.

Back

I know it has been a long time since I have written on this blog but I have not stopped reading - over 70 books in the past year;  many so-so, some good, a few very good.  But I have just read a couple that have resonated or stayed with me and want to share.

"Skinny"  by Donna D Cooner  is a heartfelt look into the life of an obese teen. Ever weighs 305 pounds.
 But what drew me to this book is not only the story of Ever's daily trials and tribulations as she maneuvers through her life but also the addition to the story of her inner voice that Ever calls Skinny who is constantly calling her names: names like freak, elephant, hopeless and pitiful. This inner voice plays to Ever's insecurities and delights in whispering in her ear all those thoughts that others are supposedly thinking about her. So focused on these thoughts that Ever does not see that she in fact has put up so many walls around herself that keeps almost everyone out. She is the mean girl and hurts others before they can hurt her.

But Ever does have one true friend, another outsider like herself.  His encouragement and the thought of trying out for the school musical propel her into the decision of having gastric bypass surgery.

 As the weight begins to come off Ever's demons are still weighing her down. She may look like a different person but Ever is now charged with really getting to know herself, fat or not. 

Alvin is My New Favourite Name!

I have a new favourite boy in my life and his name is Alvin, Alvin Ho.

Think - Scaredy Squirrel as a Asian Grade 2 boy living in Concorde, Massachusettes.

A True Princess

Do all young girls love reading stories about princesses or even dream of being a princess themselves?  I know I did and my love of princesses even followed me into my teens when I would devour books about young Princess Elizabeth before she became Queen of England.

If you do love princess stories I think you will like "A True Princess" by Diane Zahler who has previously written another, "The Thirteenth Princess" based on the fairytale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses".  This  one is also based on a familiar fairy tale but I dont think I will reveal which one. It would only spoil your guessing. 

This story begins, not in a palace, but in a poor cottage in the woods, where Lilia is an adopted daughter in this family after having been found floating in a basket in the river when she was a very small child. She is the adored "sister" of Kai and Katrina but their new step-mother has always treated Lilia with disdain and dislike. After hearing plans to have herself sold off Lilia decides to leave and head north up the river to see if she can find her own true roots.  But before she goes more than a few miles her beloved brother and sister catch up and insist on accompanying her. All goes well until they come to the menacing and enchanted Bitra Forest. "Stay on the path" they are warned....or they will be lost forever.  You know what is going to happen... Kai races after their dog into the forest and the girls chase after him and find themselves.....lost.

There is a price to pay to find their way to safety and Lilia and Katrina are allowed to head to the northern castle to discover a treasure fit for an elf-king or his greedy daughter. Only they discover much, much more.

While this story is somewhat predictable, Lilia is a likable character...loyal to her friends and courageous to boot.  There are enough twists and turns to keep you engaged and of course they all "live happily ever after".  A dream come true.

It has been a very long time since I have posted comments about the books I have read. During the past 8 months I have read many many titles, some good, many so-so.  I am always searching for the best.

This book, "The False Prince" by Jennifer A. Nielsen, was one of the good ones....so good I read it twice. The first time for the story...the second to see how the author did such a brilliant job of saying things that had such deeper meanings that you don't really get until the end.

Imagine you are an orphan living from day to day in an orphanage where there is never enough food and you are constantly getting into trouble. Imagine a nobleman abducting you away from this life with the devious plan of having you or two other chosen orphans, impersonate long a long lost prince in order to gain control of the country that is in danger of civil war.

This is what happens to Sage who has no intention of going along with this plan but the only other option is now death. Unwillingly he participates, but always with a smart comment that makes you laugh and shake your head at his audacity and with a more devious plan of his own.

This is an extraordinary adventure that has layers of treachery and deceit. When the truth finally unfolds you will be captivated 

Sage is  clever, witty and more wise than you can imagine. Yet he has great depth and it is this and his compassion for his fellow orphans that endears him to the reader.

Read it. Perfect for grades 4-7.