Mini Reviews are short reviews (more like opinions!) of books I have read and wanted to share with you. I will describe in a few frequently-fragmented sentences my thoughts on the books. I may not ever post a full length reviews of these books. So in the mean time, Enjoy!
Genre: Young Adult - FantasyPublication Date: May 3rd 2007Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
“Incarceron -- a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born ...”
Scoot’s Thoughts: This story was a good read with a really twisty plot. I enjoyed it and was busy trying to solve the mystery of Incarceron (where was it???) the whole time. The story had a few unexpected twists and I really liked the character Finn. I didn’t like Claudia very much; she came off as really uncaring - but I think her actions were mostly related to her upbringing. The story is a good read that leaves you curious (but not dying) for the next book.
Notable Quotable:
“If it means my death, I don't care, because even death will be a sort of freedom.”Grade:
- Catherine Fisher, Incarceron
Check it out on Goodreads, B&N or Amazon!
Witchlanders by Lena Coakley
Genre: Young Adult - FantasyPublication Date: August 30th 2011Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
“High in their mountain covens, red witches pray to the Goddess, protecting the Witchlands by throwing the bones and foretelling the future.
It’s all a fake.
At least, that’s what Ryder thinks. He doubts the witches really deserve their tithes—one quarter of all the crops his village can produce. And even if they can predict the future, what danger is there to foretell, now that his people’s old enemy, the Baen, has been defeated?
But when a terrifying new magic threatens both his village and the coven, Ryder must confront the beautiful and silent witch who holds all the secrets. Everything he’s ever believed about witches, the Baen, magic and about himself will change, when he discovers that the prophecies he’s always scorned—
Are about him.”
Scoot’s Thoughts: This is a unique high fantasy tale in a world where war has separated Witchlanders (dark skin, light hair and eyes) and the Baen (light skin, dark hair and eyes). The story really revolves around Ryder, a young Witchland farmer trying to support his family after his dad’s early death and Falpian, a Baen mourning the loss of his twin and his lack of magical ability. The two boys are destined to meet and work magic together, which basically = a bromance. This was a good read with adventure, mysteries, and magic with an ending that leaves things open for more. However, as it stands now I don’t see anything about a sequel being written.
Notable Quotable:
“An assassin's first murder is himself. He kills the man he was.”Grade:
- Lena Coakley, Witchlanders
Check it out on Goodreads, B&N or Amazon!
1 comment:
I liked Witchlanders too-it was neat to see a book with two male leads and the world building was cool.
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