Paragraph Review: Tunnel of Bones (Victoria Schwab)

Title: Tunnel of Bones

Series: Cassidy Blake, Book 2

Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Scholastic
US Release Date: September 3, 2019
Genre: Middle Grade Paranormal Thriller
Content Rating: Teen (scary and near-death situations, briefly disturbing ghosts)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | BookDepo | Azon
Summary:

Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake . . . even more than usual.

She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass's parents are filming their TV show about the world's most haunted cities. Sure, it's fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there's true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.

When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter -- and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger.

And if Cass fails, the force she's unleashed could haunt the city forever.

*          *          *

Series: This is the second book in the Cassidy Blake series. As of October 2020 there are two released books, with a third to release March 2021. You can read my review of Book 1, City of Ghosts, here.

Young ghost-hunter Cassidy Blake returns for another chilling adventure in Tunnel of Bones, the second installment in the Middle Grade paranormal thriller series. This time she, her ghostly best friend, her paranormal investigator parents, and their cat visit Paris, France, a city of light and life aboveground but tunneled with darkness and bones beneath. While taking us on a brief but engaging tour of the city's more ghostly locales, Cassidy accidentally attracts the attention of a young poltergeist and is forced to quickly seek out his long-lost story to send him on and save Paris from his menace and mayhem. Along the way she makes curious new acquaintances, finally learns about Jacob's deadly (and mysteriously intriguing) past, and catches a glimpse of the creepy future that no doubt awaits her in the next book. As with City of Ghosts it was overall a quick and engrossing read with a spooky setting and entertaining story that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I'm so eager for Book 3, Bridge of Souls, that I may just resign myself to reading the hardcover (a great compliment indeed).  

Scribble Rating: 

4.5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

The Archived by Victoria Schwab
Shutter by Courtney Alameda
The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot

Review: The False Prince (Jennifer A. Nielsen)

Title: The False Prince
Series: The Ascendance Series, Book 1
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Publisher: Scholastic
US Release Date: April 1, 2012
Genre: Older Middle Grade Fantasy
Content Rating: Teen (brutal violence, minor torture, murder)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | BookDepo | Azon
Summary:

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point—he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together. 

*          *          *

Series: This is the first book in The Ascendance Series, formerly The Ascendance Trilogy. The series originally had three books, all released and available, but a fourth book is now scheduled to release October 2020.

The False Prince is the intriguing and carefully-worded account of an unreliable narrator's quick ascent from orphan to king by way of a lot of bravado and half-truths. If you know this going in it makes for a thrilling read, and if you don't then it makes for a thrilling second read because by the end you'll want to go back and read it again to catch all the subtle clues. 

For the most part the plot is a political intrigue, a genre I typically pass on but here was simple, confined, and engrossing enough to sufficiently invest me. The story is not just sneaking and scheming, though - with its many beatings, minor torture, murder, and threats of much more, it's not for the faint of heart and I was surprised by the Middle Grade label for all the brutal violence. Main character Sage also acts and reads much older and wiser than his young age as he comes to terms with the state of the world and his place in it, although he's still completely relatable for teens as he brazenly fights against the controlling nobleman while quietly working in the shadows to save the lives of his new friends and the nation from sinister plans. 

To say much more would spoil the read, so if you'd enjoy a quick fantasy of political intrigue with a delightfully unreliable narrator, lots of snarky wit, and bursts of violence, then I highly recommend you give The False Prince a try. As this book is only the beginning of Sage's story I have since binged the rest of the trilogy, and you can look for my review of Books 2 & 3, The Runaway King and The Shadow Throne, soon.

Scribble Rating: 

4.5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

The Fog Diver by Joel Ross
Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
The Girl of Fire & Thorns by Rae Carson
Trial By Fire by Josephine Angelini
A Shadow Bright & Burning by Jessica Cluess

Paragraph Review: City of Ghosts (Victoria Schwab)

Title: City of Ghosts
Series: Cassidy Blake, Book 1
Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Scholastic
US Release Date: August 28, 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Paranormal Thriller
Content Rating: Middle Grade (frightening images and situations involving ghosts)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | BookDepo | Azon
Summary:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Schwab comes a sweeping, spooky, evocative adventure, perfect for fans of Stranger Things.

Ever since Cass almost drowned (okay, she did drown, but she doesn't like to think about it), she can pull back the Veil that separates the living from the dead . . . and enter the world of spirits. Her best friend is even a ghost.

So things are already pretty strange. But they're about to get much stranger.

When Cass's parents start hosting a TV show about the world's most haunted places, the family heads off to Edinburgh, Scotland. Here, graveyards, castles, and secret passageways teem with restless phantoms. And when Cass meets a girl who shares her "gift," she realizes how much she still has to learn about the Veil -- and herself.

And she'll have to learn fast. The city of ghosts is more dangerous than she ever imagined.

*          *          *

Series: This is the first book in the Cassidy Blake series. Two books are presently available, with a third currently scheduled to release March 2021.

City of Ghosts is a spirited middle-grade paranormal thriller with a brisk pace, atmospheric setting, and compelling story. The writing style is brief but engaging with light banter and simple description, the haunted Edinburgh toured succinctly with interesting historical tidbits. The ghostly aspects were pretty canon but for a few unique exceptions, and although there were many frightening moments the horror was quick and light-handed. Cassidy was a good balance of childish bravery and naivete, her actions both bold and foolish and therefore realistic for her age without crossing the line into frustrating stupidity. Sidekick Jacob was a favorite with his playfulness and voice of reason, and the mystery of his power and death are the driving force behind my eagerness to soon continue the series with the next book, Tunnel of Bones. If you enjoy fast-paced ghost-hunting stories set in historical locations then I highly recommend City of Ghosts for a thrilling and chilling read.

For Fans Of: ghost stories

Scribble Rating: 

4.5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

The Archived by Victoria Schwab
Shutter by Courtney Alameda
The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot

DNF Review: Museum of Thieves (Lian Tanner)

Title: Museum of Thieves
Series: The Keepers, Book 1
Author: Lian Tanner
Publisher: Delacorte Press
US Release Date: September 28, 2010
Genre: Middle Grade Dystopian Fantasy
Content Rating: Older Middle Grade (to Page 107: child abuse and murder, bombing, violence)
Format Read: ARC
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | BookDepo | Azon
Summary:

Welcome to the tyrannical city of Jewel, where impatience is a sin and boldness is a crime.

Goldie Roth has lived in Jewel all her life. Like every child in the city, she wears a silver guardchain and is forced to obey the dreaded Blessed Guardians. She has never done anything by herself and won’t be allowed out on the streets unchained until Separation Day.

When Separation Day is canceled, Goldie, who has always been both impatient and bold, runs away, risking not only her own life but also the lives of those she has left behind. In the chaos that follows, she is lured to the mysterious Museum of Dunt, where she meets the boy Toadspit and discovers terrible secrets. Only the cunning mind of a thief can understand the museum’s strange, shifting rooms. Fortunately, Goldie has a talent for thieving.

Which is just as well, because the leader of the Blessed Guardians has his own plans for the museum—plans that threaten the lives of everyone Goldie loves. And it will take a daring thief to stop him. . .

Museum of Thieves is a thrilling tale of destiny and danger, and of a courageous girl who has never been allowed to grow up—until now.

*          *          *

**I did not finish this book.** 
I stopped at Page 107.

Series: This is the first book in The Keepers Trilogy. All books in the series are released and available.

With its imaginative cover and living museum premise, I've been looking forward to reading this story for a while now. But when I finally did, right from the start I found myself struggling to generate the interest to continue, and to my disappointment I ultimately could not bring myself to finish.

Museum of Thieves was nothing like I anticipated. It's set in some kind of alternate reality dystopian world with too many similarities to our own to be fully fantastical but too fantastical to be truly our own, making it extremely confusing and hard to accept. The structure of Jewel's civilization was especially odd - somewhat understandable given the historical circumstances, I guess, but just too weird to intrigue me personally.

And then there were the characters. Although main character Goldie showed great spirit and daring before and during her escape, afterwards she immediately became weak and hesitant and childish. She would exhibit some spunk occasionally, but generally she was timid and uncertain yet stubborn - reasonable given her upbringing, but not an engaging protagonist for me. If she had leaned more towards one side or the other (strength or timidity) I could've rallied behind her, but as she was I just couldn't like her. As for the other characters, Sinew was interesting and personable and I adored the dog Broo, but the other two adults were rather forgettable and Toadspit was horrid to Goldie and therefore horrid in general. The rest of the cast consisted of interchangeable childhood friends and parents, and villainous Guardians who not even fear should've allowed to be installed as adolescent caretakers. The antagonist wasn't so bad - adequately evil - although he was a little too mustache-twirling to feel truly diabolical.

Despite all this, I kept reading for the living museum, with its anticipated dusty treasures and hidden rooms and thrilling secrets. But when we finally reached it, I was seriously underwhelmed. Devastated, really, by how dull it all was. Perhaps I've read too many better sentient magical buildings, because I found no magic in this one. I felt no danger from it, even as the characters were in danger. I didn't get lost in it, even as the characters got lost. All I found was broken junk and uninteresting strangeness and a measure of frustration, just like the Guardians who searched it.

Still, I tried to give the museum proper time to grow on me. I let Goldie hide there, sleep there, walk its staircase and journey into its darker reaches. She was almost be killed by its perils, began to learn its mysteries, and even tasted its magic - but still I didn't feel engaged. Finally I could push myself to read no more, and at Page 107 of 312, I allowed myself to stop with disappointment but relief.

If you enjoyed books such as The Hotel Between by Sean Easley, Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George, Angel and Bavar by Amy Wilson, or Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, then you may want to consider Museum of Thieves for its similar living building and fantastical adventures. But I would highly recommend those books before I would recommend this one.

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

The Hotel Between by Sean Easley
Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce

Review: The Hotel Between (Sean Easley)

Title: The Hotel Between
Series: The Hotel Between, Book 1
Author: Sean Easley
Publisher: Simon & Schuster BYR
Release Date: September 4, 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary Fantasy
Content Rating: Middle Grade (violence and scary situations)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase:
Azon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound
Summary:

A magical hotel, a mysterious tree, and a cryptic story about their missing father leads twins Cam and Cass on a worldly adventure in this enchanting debut novel that’s perfect for fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and Wildwood.

Twins Cam and Cass have never known their parents. They’ve been told their mother died, and Cass is certain their father abandoned them. Cam isn’t so sure. He wants to prove her wrong; he must.

Cam’s wish is soon granted in the form of a glistening, golden sign with elaborate flourishes that reads: The Hotel Between. With doors that open to countries all over the world, magical trollies, charmed corridors that can be altered on a whim, stone elephants that come to life, sweets made from rocks; everything is possible in the Hotel. Cam has a hunch his father is somehow connected to this magical place, and may even be lost within its hidden halls.

Every journey has its risks, and The Hotel Between is full of dangerous secrets. If Cam’s not careful, his stay may be over before his vacation has even started.

*          *          *

Series: This is the first book in The Hotel Between series. As of December 2019 there are two books in the series.

I haven't been much for Juvenile/Middle Grade as of late, but when I discovered this book while browsing at my local independent bookstore I was so intrigued by the colorful cover and magical summary that I impulse-purchased it for an immediate read. And I wasn't disappointed.

Determined that finding their missing father will somehow fix his struggling family, Cam stumbles across and infiltrates the mysterious and magical Hotel Between to locate its misplaced heart. Along the way he obtains interesting friends and sinister enemies, journeys to exotic places, and makes many, many mistakes, but he ultimately takes charge of the consequences and does what is right. Packed with enchanting action and relatable characters, it was an engaging adventure that both children and adults will enjoy.

Cam was perilously pigheaded and always afraid (he referred to his "Worst Ways To Die" list constantly), but he deeply cared about protecting his family, especially his sister Cass, and improving their situation. Although his actions were rarely prudent, in the end he mustered the courage to face his fears and root out the dark secrets of his past to help others. The rest of the cast was, thanks to Easley's distinctive descriptions, a unique and diverse bunch of children and adults in all manner of roles, and their presence added a deeper level of intrigue and color to the story. Nico was an especially complicated but playful character that you couldn't help but love while still being frustrated with him, and I look forward to seeing what he gets up to in the next book even more than Cam. The Hotel itself was highly imaginative and I loved exploring its many nooks, crannies, and doors. It felt like we really only scratched its surface in this story though, so I'm excited to delve even further into its secrets and wonders in the sequel.

Conclusion: A magical read with a fantastical setting, engaging action, and relatable characters. Highly recommend for reading aloud to younger people - adults will enjoy it just as much as children do. Will definitely be picking up the sequel, The Key of Lost Things.

Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

The Fog Diver by Joel Ross
Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson
School for Sidekicks by Kelly McCullough

Review: The Dark Talent [Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #5] (Brandon Sanderson)

Title: The Dark Talent
Series: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, Book 5
Author: Brandon Sanderson (site)
Publisher: Starscape (Tor)
Release Date: September 6, 2016
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary Fantasy Adventure
Told: First Person (Alcatraz), Past Tense
Content Rating: Teen (violence/fighting/war, death, wooly sea sloths)
Format Read: ARC (publisher)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

Alcatraz Smedry has successfully defeated the army of Evil Librarians and saved the kingdom of Mokia. Too bad he managed to break the Smedry Talents in the process. Even worse, his father is trying to enact a scheme that could ruin the world, and his friend, Bastille, is in a coma. To revive her, Alcatraz must infiltrate the Highbrary–known as The Library of Congress to Hushlanders–the seat of Evil Librarian power. Without his Talent to draw upon, can Alcatraz figure out a way to save Bastille and defeat the Evil Librarians once and for all?

*          *          *

Review copy provided by publisher for an honest review. Thank you, Tor!!

*Warning: possible spoilers below!*

Series: This is Book 5 in the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series. For reviews of the previous books, see Book 1: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, Book 3: The Knights of Crystallia, and Book 4: The Shattered Lens. (Book 2: The Scrivener's Bones, pending.)

In a Sentence: A return to everything I loved about the first two brilliant and hilarious books but with a little more weight, thrilling twists, and a shock of an ending.

Determined to save the world from his possibly well-meaning but probably misguided father and retrieve the antidote that will revive his friend, Alcatraz teams up with his evil Librarian mother and several Smedrys to infiltrate the Highbrary (aka the Library of Congress). But after accidentally declaring war on the Librarians to the entire world, the infiltration becomes more of a very loud, very public break-in that turns DC into a war zone. With the aid of some unexpected family Alcatraz is able to make his way into the Highbrary, but once inside he must face a bloody dinosaur, several methods on his "ways to die that don't sound very fun" list, his parents' true motivations, his mysteriously absent Talent, and a very dark, very ancient evil bent on destroying everything he holds dear.

While Alcatraz is one of my all-time favorite series, after a somewhat disappointing fourth book my expectations for this fifth were a little low. So it was with great happiness that The Dark Talent vaulted my expectations to deliver as entertaining and thrilling a read as the brilliant and hilarious first two books that started it all!

As expected with this amazing series, the writing was sharp with wit and action and really bad puns, the story full of exciting twists and turns and cake I did not see coming. Although the weights of responsibility, familial unrest, and war that have built up over the series did dampen the zany humor just a bit, the Smedry eccentricities along with Alcatraz's penchant for off-topic tangents and new discovery of informative footnotes rather perfectly balanced the darker elements. By this book Aclatraz has fully embraced being a Smedry, which made for highly amusing moments and dialogue, as well as accepted what it means to be a leader and all the responsibility and guilt that comes with it, especially in times of war, which made for a bit more adulting than one might expect in a children's book but generated some good takeaway lessons. Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read, and up until the last chapter the only thing keeping The Dark Talent from 5 Scribbles was the almost complete lack of my favorite character, Bastille, although I didn't feel her absence quite as keenly as expected except in the occasional need for a cutting remark.

And then: the last page.

After pondering it a while afterwards, the end really rather fit what came before and was properly foreshadowed through the entire series. At the time it hit though, it was probably the most complete shock of an ending I'd ever read, and had me rereading and flipping through the final pages of the ARC with wide eyes while I made many of the noises in Chapter Alice. I'd been under the impression this was the final book in the series, and for the series to end like that... While fitting, I was not happy. As in giving this book 2 Scribbles instead of 5 unhappy.

Luckily, I'd received an early finished hardcover just a few days before (thank you again, Tor!!). Still making Chapter Alice noises I scrambled for it and flipped to the end, praying that the ARC ending was some kind of misprint. It wasn't. But while the end remained the same, I discovered just how "unfinished" an Advance Reader Copy can be right before the hardcover flyleaf, a discovery that bumped this book back up to 4.5 Scribbles and now has me awaiting 2017 (cake I hope it's only 2017) with even more anticipation than I built up for this long-awaited fifth book.

Rutabaga.

Conclusion: A highly engaging and entertaining fifth installment in the Alcatraz saga with a shocking end but thrilling possibilities. Although the fourth book was somewhat disappointing this fifth returned to the brilliant and witty roots of the first two books, and I highly recommend the entire series for anyone who enjoys fast-paced, action-packed, fourth-wall-breaking adventures!

For Fans Of: Harry Potter

Scribble Rating: 

4.5 of 5 Scribbles

Review: The Shattered Lens [Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #4] (Brandon Sanderson)

Title: The Shattered Lens
Series: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, Book 4
Author: Brandon Sanderson (site)
Publisher: Starscape (Tor)
Release Date: July 19, 2016
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary Fantasy Adventure
Told: First Person (Alcatraz), Past Tense
Content Rating: Teen (fighting/violence/minor war, streaking)
Format Read: Hardcover (publisher)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

Can Alcatraz save a city under siege?

If the island of Mokia falls, so could the rest of the Free Kingdoms--and then the entire world would fall under the sway of the Evil Librarians. Can Alcatraz save the day once more?

Armed only with a few pairs of glasses, a small supply of exploding teddy bears, and his incredible Talent for breaking things, Alcatraz is determined to try. All he has to do is defeat an army of giant Librarian robots, a force of regular-sized but extremely evil Librarians, and worst of all: his own mother!

*          *          *

Review copy provided by publisher for an honest review. Thank you, Tor!

Series: This is Book 4 in the Alcatraz Series. For reviews of the previous books, see Book 1: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, and Book 3: The Knights of Crystallia. (Book 2: The Scrivener's Bones, pending.)

In a Sentence: An off-the-wall yet introspective sequel about responsibility and exploding teddy bears.

Determined to save Mokia from falling into Librarian hands, Alcatraz eludes Knight protection and heads for the island, hoping the protection will follow and aid in the fight. But after convincing the capital city of Tuki Tuki not to surrender, Alcatraz suddenly finds himself in charge and out of his depth as their failing defenses and dwindling numbers struggle to hold out for the coming cavalry. When Alcatraz's mother suddenly appears and reveals that all he's previously learned and assumed about the world may not all be as it seems, he must face some unsettling truths about his family and his Talent as it begins to take on a life of its own.

This was by far the most oddball installment in the series yet, raising the bar quite a few notches with its erratic chapter numbers and introductions, random tangents, and almost complete elimination of the fourth wall as characters constantly commented on being in a book and did things like quoting Hamlet for an entire chapter with almost complete indifference. Unlike previous books though, the off-the-wall antics here felt somewhat exaggerated, more of a gimmick to balance out all the serious elements of the story, and while I could understand and even embrace the serious elements given the series progression from comical ignorance to sober responsibility for both the plot and Alcatraz's character arc, this book sadly lacked the playfulness of the previous books for me.

Also sadly disappointing was the story. The first two-thirds lacked the brilliant spark of the previous books, and while the last third was quite thrilling with lots of excitement and a few interesting twists, as a whole the story was rather unremarkable. Likewise, compared to previous series settings I found Tuki Tuki a bit bland as Mokians are a less-is-more kind of people, although they did have some intriguing eccentricities and made a nice contrast to their the-more-the-better Librarian adversaries.

As expected with this series the writing was smooth and engaging, and although the wit did take a bit of a hit from all the seriousness, even at partial strength the wit was still strong and there was some unique and amusing action to compliment it. Bastille continued to be the capable warrior female that I've loved throughout the series, and even as the "romance" between her and Alcatraz finally began to be realized she remained true to her character about it (as did Alcatraz by being completely clueless about his and her feelings). Only one new Smedry was introduced this book but she was a delightful one, and her Talent, as with all Smedry Talents, really added something special to the story.

Conclusion: While sadly my least favorite of the series so far, The Shattered Lens was still a somewhat fun and adventurous read with eccentric characters and a few laugh out loud moments. If you enjoyed the previous books, this is definitely a must-read.

For Fans Of: Harry Potter

Scribble Rating: 

3.5 of 5 Scribbles

Review: The Fog Diver (Joel Ross)

Title: The Fog Diver
Series: The Fog Diver, Book 1
Author: Joel Ross (site)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: May 26, 2015
Genre: Middle Grade Dystopian Action-Adventure
Told: First Person (Chess), Past Tense
Content Rating: Middle Grade (some violence and scary situations)
Format Read: ARC (EpicLibrarian)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | BookDepo
Summary:

A deadly white mist has cloaked the earth for hundreds of years. Humanity clings to the highest mountain peaks, where the wealthy Five Families rule over the teeming lower slopes and rambling junkyards. As the ruthless Lord Kodoc patrols the skies to enforce order, thirteen-year-old Chess and his crew scavenge in the Fog-shrouded ruins for anything they can sell to survive.

Hazel is the captain of their salvage raft: bold and daring. Swedish is the pilot: suspicious and strong. Bea is the mechanic: cheerful and brilliant. And Chess is the tetherboy: quiet and quick…and tougher than he looks. But Chess has a secret, one he’s kept hidden his whole life. One that Lord Kodoc is desperate to exploit for his own evil plans. And even as Chess unearths the crew’s biggest treasure ever, they are running out of time...

*          *          *

In a Sentence: An imaginative and inventive middle grade dystopian adventure with thrilling action and an engaging cast of characters.

When a desperate young salvage crew from the slums stumble upon a pricey jewel while out scavenging the deadly fog that chased humankind to the mountaintops, they hatch a plan to sell it topside in the hopes of paying their way to Port Oro, a paradise where the woman who saved them can be cured of her debilitating sickness. But after a run-in with mutineers causes them to lose their ship, they find themselves on the run from not only the slumlords they owe but Lord Kodoc, the Rooftop ruler who has discovered crewmate Chess's secret and will stop at nothing to use the boy to gain control over the fog and rule them all.

While I found the beginning a little slow at times, the second half of the book was back-to-back thrills as the crew escaped from multiple pursuers by land and air in exciting feats of skill and cunning. The straightforward writing style made for a quick and effortless read with vivid description, smooth action, and easy, amusing dialogue, and the comical old-world references - a mishmash of scrapbook snippets and phonetic names - wove witty and imaginative tales such as the violent game of Golfball ("So each team had a hole? It sounds too easy to guard. You just put your foot over the hole." "Until the other team starts beating you with their clubs.") and the old saga of "Skywalker Trek" ("...about a space war between the Klingons and the Jedi, set in a future when people lived on distant planets, and fought Tribbles, Ewoks, and Borgs.") that made me literally laugh out loud. The setting was a little hard to accept as a whole, but the environmental concept and societal structure were disconcertingly plausible, and the way scavenged supplies were repurposed was clever (paper money as expensive toilet paper, laptops as bricks in building walls, etc.).

It was the crew that really made this book though, a team of quirky and relatable kids carefully and lovingly assembled by strong, good-hearted Mrs. E to tackle their dangerous but inevitable adventure with spunk and determination. Point-of-view character Chess could be a bit too cowardly for me at times, but when it counted he didn't hesitate to defend and support his family, and although he constantly wanted to he never backed down from what had to be done. Commanding but girlish Hazel was an intuitive captain with a quick mind and sharp eye, forced to be the adult of the group but wearing it well, and I think many a young girl couldn't go too wrong aspiring to be her. Sporty, paranoid Swedish played a good devil's advocate even as his mad skillz at the helm flew them out of several spots of trouble, and newbie brutish Loretta provided some good comic relief during otherwise dire situations. Of all though, Bea was my uncontested favorite, the incarnation of a young Kaylee from Firefly who talks to and maintains machines like a seasoned pro, and added some innocence to the unfortunately rather adult situation the kids found themselves entangled in. But it was all of them together as a well-oiled, bantering crew that really made the book an exciting and engaging read, and at the end I was very happy to know that their adventure continued into another book.

Conclusion: With its unique premise, inventive setting, quirky characters, thrilling action, and playful wit, I found this adventurous Middle Grade dystopian and first installment in the Fog Diver duology a fun and engaging read. Definitely recommend for middle-graders and/or anyone who enjoys a good Firefly-esque adventure.

Sequel: The second book in the Fog Diver duology, The Lost Compass, released May 24, 2016. You can read my 3.5 Scribble review here.

Scribble Rating: 

3.5 of 5 Scribbles

Review: The Lost Compass (Joel Ross)

Title: The Lost Compass
Series: The Fog Diver, Book 2
Author: Joel Ross (site)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Genre: Middle Grade Dystopian Action-Adventure
Told: mostly First Person (Chess), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Middle Grade (some violence and scary situations)
Format Read: ARC (author/publisher)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

In the high-stakes sequel to The Fog Diver, thirteen-year-old Chess and his crew must stop the deadly and mysterious Fog from enveloping the city of Port Oro and destroying their world.

Chess and his crew—Hazel, Swedish, and Bea—may have escaped the slums, but they cannot escape the Fog that threatens to swallow the entire mountaintop city of Port Oro.

Only one thing can stop the fog: an ancient machine known as the Compass. Only one person can find it: Chess. With the help of his crew, Chess faces dangerous encounters, brutal battles, and deadly driftsharks to unearth the hidden instrument. It’s a race against time to save this high-altitude sanctuary.

With adventure at every turn, peril behind every corner, and a few determined slum kids who are up to the task, Joel Ross presents a fantastic world in this fast-paced follow-up to The Fog Diver.

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Review copy provided for an honest review. Thank you, Joel & HarperCollins!

Series: This is the second and final book in the Fog Diver duology. You can read my review of the first book, The Fog Diver, here.

In a Sentence: Another adventurous read with a fun cast, thrilling climax, and strong series end.

Chess and crew have finally made it to Port Oro, and although they are wary at first it is everything they dreamed of and more. But with Lord Kodoc still determined to get his hands on Chess and the legendary Compass that controls the deadly Fog, the safety of Port Oro can only be maintained if Chess helps the Subassembly find the Compass first. When Chess acquires the legendary map to the rumored location of the Compass things seem to be looking up, but after Lord Kodoc obtains the map as well the crew must race him to the Compass or lose everyone they hold dear.

The first third of the book was a bit subdued with lots of exploration and little action, but it was the calm before a storm of tense action and surprising twists I did not see coming. The climax was a thrilling ride of frying pan to fire to the whole world burning that had me on the edge of my seat, and the end left me wanting more even as the duology wrapped up well.

The crew continued to be the fun and eclectic group I'd come to love in the first book, and although their conversations were so quick at times I had difficulty keeping everyone straight there was never a dull moment or lack of wit with them. Chess's insecurity and slight cowardice also carried over, but with a new situation and responsibilities he discovered some real strength and power in himself when it counted. Tech-whisperer Bea remains my favorite, although brutish and mouthy Loretta is tied with Captain Hazel for second favorite, and conspiracy theorist Swedish grew on me even more.

Conclusion: While it began a little quiet, the action and twists and climax were intense, and the strong end was satisfying even as it left me wishing for at least one more book. Definitely recommend this duology for readers who enjoy thrilling adventure and great casts of witty young characters.

Scribble Rating: 

3.5 of 5 Scribbles

Review: The Knights of Crystallia [Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #3] (Brandon Sanderson)

Title: The Knights of Crystallia
Series: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, Book 3
Author: Brandon Sanderson (site)
Publisher: Starscape (Tor)
Release Date: April 19, 2016
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary Fantasy Adventure
Told: First Person (Alcatraz), Past Tense
Content Rating: Young Teen (fighting and violence)
Format Read: Hardcover (publisher)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

The Knights of Crystallia is the third action-packed fantasy adventure in the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series for young readers by the #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson. These fast-paced and funny novels are now available in deluxe hardcover editions illustrated by Hayley Lazo.

In this third Alcatraz adventure, Alcatraz Smedry has made it to the Free Kingdoms at last. Unfortunately, so have the evil Librarians--including his mother! Now Alcatraz has to find a traitor among the Knights of Crystallia, make up with his estranged father, and save one of the last bastions of the Free Kingdoms from the Evil Librarians.

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Review copy provided by publisher for an honest review. Thank you, Tor!

Series: This is the third book in the five-book Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series. For my review of the first book see Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians (second book review to come).

In a Sentence: Although not quite as exciting as the first two books, this proved another fun and witty installment in the Alcatraz series!

After many adventurous detours, Alcatraz has finally made it to his birthplace in the Free Kingdoms. But with its castles and costumes and controversies little is familiar, and nothing is quite as he'd anticipated. For one thing, his family is sort of a big deal. For another, he is an even bigger deal. But while he initially enjoys the fame and perks, Alcatraz quickly learns that being a big deal also comes with a lot of expectations and responsibilities, like foiling assassinations, saving kingdoms, and attending Council meetings. To accomplish all this he is forced to befriend a recovering Librarian, ride a hog, read mysterious books, and break many, many things, and in doing so stumbles upon several shocking revelations about his family and his powers.

This book wasn't quite as good as the first two for me - the wit just wasn't as striking, the setting as impressive, and there was little excitement until well into the second half of the book. That said though, the wit still had its moments as Alcatraz used his signature chapterly tangents to talk about chapter breaks, after-school specials, and fish sticks, all of which and more had me snickering at length on numerous occasions. And birthplace Nalhalla had its highlights, from some unusual modes of transportation (spoiler: dragons!!), to its Royal Archives (not a library), to the Honorable Guild of Evil Warlords. Also, while I felt I was predicting some nigglenutted behavior in the plot as the story escalated, I was eventually proven infinitely wrong (which I really should have expected, this being an Alcatraz book) before a thrilling climax and an intriguing epilogue left me eager for the next installment. Some new and quirky characters were added to the mix as previous ones were shuffled a bit and, while I wasn't as impressed with Alcatraz's character development in this book, I adored Bastille's growth and strength, even in her suffering. She's been one of the toughest female characters I've ever read, and I look forward to her continued perseverance in the face of limitations, adversity, and Smedrys.

Conclusion: While not quite as quotable or adventurous as previous installments, The Knights of Crystallia was still a fun read with good humor, great characters, and a strong ending - I definitely recommend it if you enjoyed the first two books. Can't wait for Book 4, The Shattered Lens, releasing July 19, 2016!

For Fans Of: Harry Potter

Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles