Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King gets 4 Stars {fantasy, middle grade fiction, series}

I have a few main goals on my blog.  First, I aim to be honest.  Second, I aim for quality. Third, I aim to have fun and try and make it fun and doable whether it's baking or reading.  

Today, I am being completely honest with you.  I've never wrote this on the blog, but a handful of friends who know me know, that I wasn't the biggest fan of Fablehaven.   Maybe you're shocked.  Maybe your disappointed.  Maybe you never thought about it.  However, if you check the reviews on Amazon or Goodreads you will see I am in the minority.  Either way, if you look at the top of this book, Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King, you will see it is a Fablehaven Adventure book, and many of the characters in Fablehaven make an appearance. 

I've read both Dragonwatch books, and I will say I enjoyed them. {Gasps from the crowd.} Hence, the reason for the review today.  I have enjoyed Dragonwatch more than Fablehaven. 😮    

I, honestly, enjoyed Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King by Brandon Mull.  This book honestly earned 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed it. I really did.  I thought the storyline was unexpected.  I thought Kendra and Seth's character development was good.  I enjoyed aspects like the Barrel that transports you to the other location/barrel b/c it reminded me of the Vanishing Cabinet in Harry Potter.  

The pace of the story is a little slow in the beginning.  It takes awhile to get moving; however, once you hit Stormguard Castle the pace definitely quickens.  I also felt the secondary characters were not developed fully even though they were introduced.  Sure, we may get more development of their cousins, Knox and Tess, as the series progresses (b/c this series is definitely set up to continue), but I felt their development was more than lacking.  In my opinion if you are going to introduce them and have them involved enough to have their own chapter(s) you need to develop them a bit more.  

Basically, Wrath of the Dragon King is a great book, but it is necessary to read the first Dragonwatch book.  Boys, and girls that enjoy fantasy, in 5th grade or up will enjoy this series. 

Happy Fablehaven Juvenile/Middle Grade Fiction Fantasy Reading! Feel free to email me or DM me on Instagram/Facebook if you have any other questions. 

Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King by Brandon Mull
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 11+, 5th grade and up
# of Pages:  406
Clean Read: Yes.
Worth a Check Out: Yes.  If you love fantasy books, Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, or Fablehaven, and you have read the first Dragonwatch.
Buy It or Not: Yes.  Especially, if you bought the Fablehaven books. 
Read Aloud: Yes, this could be a read aloud with a parent, but  it's rare for a teacher to read aloud a series.   
Lesson Ideas: Courage. Siblings. Dragons. Fantasy. Fablehaven. Cousins. Discover or Be Told. Good vs. Bad.  

Are you a Fablehaven or Dragonwatch fan?  I'd love to know what you think of the series. 


A few quotes from Dragonwatch: Wrath of the Dragon King that I had to share with you: 

"I'd rather not hold hands the whole night," Seth said. (pg 31)

"You don't become a champion by relaxing." (pg 139)

"Tough week," Seth said. "Lots of running for my life." (pg 229)


Thank you for Smith Publicity for the book to review.  All thoughts and comments are my own. 

The Hearts We Sold gets 4 Stars {ya lit, romance, fantasy, thriller}

I got The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd in my August 2017 Owlcrate box.  I enjoyed the boxes, but have since stopped my subscription.  Though, I still get to enjoy all the books I got in the boxes.

The Hearts We Sold is relatable with the problems Dee has with her parents and family, and the anxiety she feels.  It's exciting and a thriller b/c of the monsters, that I could've never imagined, and the action that goes along with those monsters. "If magic was real, then so were monsters" (pg 189).  The book is sad (seriously heart breaking) but happy too.  

This easy to read book has a unique and interesting story line, with a Rumpelstiltskin aspect, and is something you should definitely check out.  

My nerdy librarian heart did a little cheer when Dee skipped school, and of all the places she could go she wanted to go the library.  My heart was happy when Dee truly grew as a character and really came into her own as a strong and confident young woman.  It's a great coming of age story with a twist and a storyline you'd never expect.   

My heart broke b/c of gallantry.  My heart broke when Dee's parents were abusive and not supportive.  I was so sad Dee had to deal with such adult issues, but I loved her drive to succeed and make a better life for herself in spite of her parents.        

The Hearts We Sold is creative and fun and worth the 4 out of 5 stars it earned in my book review.  My only qualm with this novel is some parts, including the beginning, don't grab the reader and take it for a ride that so easily could've happen with this thriller like storyline.   Some readers may struggle getting into the story; it may not be the best book for reluctant readers. 

Have you read this newer young adult novel?  What did you think?  

Happy Young Adult/Teen Romance, Fantasy, Thriller reading!


The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd - Jones
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 14 - 18 year olds, 9th grade and up.
Clean Read: No, there is sex, underage drinking, language, homosexuality
Worth a Check Out: Yes
Buy It or Not: Not for a personal library, but great for a high school or public collection.
Read Aloud: No. 
Lesson Ideas: Abuse, Alcoholism, Anxiety, Boarding School, What's it worth. 

The Beauty of Darkness gets 3.5 Stars {ya lit, fantasy, series: remnant chronicles #3}

With  Kiss of Deception and Heart of Betrayal read I, of course, had to finish off the Remnant Chronicles by reading The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson. 

This third book in the series gets 3.5 out of 5 stars.  It's a good story, though it does drag a bit more than the others.  The writing of the many action parts of the story felt choppy.  Overall, the writing was good, but it wasn't Pearson's best writing for the series.  Books one and two were far more engrossing with their writing even with the incredibly predictable and sort of annoying love triangle.  

In regards to characters, I felt Lia was a different person in this last book; she was too hardcore and cruel so the change/development wasn't for the better. I was frustrated that in 3 books Lia and Rafe still couldn't communicate and express their true feelings and thoughts.  I thought Kaden made a quick jump to team Lia and it would've been nice to see more struggle.  All in all, the characters were weaker and less developed in this last book.  
There are things I liked about the book.  I liked that it was a clean read.  I  liked that the main character is a strong girl.  I liked her brother's unwavering trust in Lia.  I liked the happy ending the minor characters received, but I was frustrated by the abruptness of the ending for Lia and Rafe.  

I really did like The Beauty of Darkness, but I don't think I would've been disappointed had I not read it.  I may have enjoyed the series more if hadn't b/c the ending left me with a bitter taste in my mouth for the series.  

Did you read the series?  What were your feelings of the last book? What would you rate the entire series?  I  think I'd give the series 4 stars, but that third book may have to lower that score. 

If you do pick up this book, and the Remnant of Chronicles series, Happy Fun Young Adult Fantasy reading!


The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Best For: 14 and up, 8th grade and up.
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: No, unless you really need complete series in your life and you bought Kiss of Deception and Heart of Betrayal
Read Aloud: No.
Book Club Discussion Topics: Lia ran from her fate of an arranged marriage, but did she stay true to herself when it came to her fate with the Book of Venda? Did you like or dislike Kaden's ending?  Lia and Rafe, good or bad ending?  

The Heart of Betrayal gets 4 Stars {ya lit, fantasy, series: remnant chronicles #2}

The Kiss of Deception, Book 1 in the Remnant Chronicles didn't leave me, as the reader, hanging for the next book, but it did grab my attention and make me want to read the next book.  I quickly requested it from the library.  Personally, I feel it is a sign of a good book when it makes me want to read the next one in the series, or it makes you sad the book is over.  I personally think a good author doesn't need a major cliff hanger to bring readers back.  Cliff hangers are cheap to me.  

The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson is Book 2 in the Remnant Chronicles series.  Overall, this book and the series is fun, and it causes the reader to not want to put their book down.  

This clean read would be best for 8th grade and up.  

4 out of 5 stars is what The Heart of Betrayal earned.  It's a fun book where Lia still grew as a character with her gifts and her confidence.  I loved that Lia did some of the really hard things, and that she was able to treat the people with love.   There were parts of the story that I truly did not see coming, especially when it came to her dealings with the Komizar. (Wow!) The writing and the story line were good, and in my opinion it was a solid 2nd book for the trilogy.  

However, not everything was fantastic for me.  There were parts of the story that were a little convenient.  The Komizar not know Rafe was the Prince was a bit too convenient for me.  Lia, able to sneak around the castle, learn the language so perfectly and become the leader and person the people of Venda adored and needed also seemed a little too perfect.  The pace of the story dragged on a bit in Venda too. To be honest, it wasn't painfully slow, but it was a touch slow in parts.    

As I mentioned above, a major cliff hanger at the end of the book seems like a cop out for the author.  Sure, it's easier and can get your readers back, but it seems sloppy to me b/c you don't tie things up.  The Heart of Betrayal has a major cliff hanger, and I was frustrated by that.  Obviously, my review for Book 3: The Beauty of Darkness will come this week.  

All in all, The Heart of Betrayal is a great book, and a good 2nd book in the series.       


Happy Fun Young Adult Fantasy reading!

The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 14 and up, 8th grade and up.
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: Yes, if you bought Kiss of Deception
Read Aloud: No.
Book Club Discussion Topics: Did you think the storyline was well crafted, or were there too many convenient aspects to the story?  What is the benefit for a society ran like Venda?  Do you think there are no rules when it comes to survival?  Did you like book 1 or book 2 better, and why? 

What did you think of The Heart of Betrayal? 

Kiss of Deception gets 4 Stars {ya lit, fantasy, series: remnant chronicles #1}

On Instagram there is a pretty cool #bookstagram community.  It was in that community that I was introduced to The Remnant Chronicles.  This YA (young adult) fantasy series is fun and enjoyable.  I flew through all three books. 

Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.  I'm not a high fantasy (like Book of Three) fan.  Kiss of Deception had the perfect amount of magic with just a touch, fun story, likeable characters, relatable, and even a bit inspiring.   This clean read, with just a touch of violence, was well done.  I loved seeing Lia grow as a character in who she is and what she's capable of; the character development was well done.  I also feel Pearson did a great job helping you truly feel for the characters and their struggles.  I was happy and excited for Lia, but sad at times too.  Overall, the writing and story well done.  

This book had a few areas of disappointment.  There were parts of the story that were completely predictable.  When her brother showed up I knew exactly the issues that would come from that.  However, there were a couple parts of the book that surprised me as well.

My only other qualm with Kiss of Deception is the fact that some of the action and intense parts of the story seemed rushed.  Action is tough to write, but it's frustrating for a reader to have to go back and read a section over b/c the author rushed through.  

Kiss of Deception was a great first book to a fun series, and I always love a good strong female character.  I find reading about women doing cool things is inspiring to the teenagers as well as adults.  

Besides Harry Potter, do you have a favorite series? 


Happy Fun Young Adult Fantasy reading!

Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 14 and up, 8th grade and up.
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: Yes, if you are a fantasy fan
Read Aloud: No.
Book Club Discussion Topics: Arranged marriages, good or bad? As a princess is your obligation to your heart or your kingdom?  Was the story too predictable, or did you just enjoy the ride?  


As always, I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on this read. What did you think? 

Banned Books That are Completely Ridiculous {banned book week}

Banned Book Week is almost over.  It's a week to remember that freedom of speech is important.  It's a time to make people aware that banning books is limiting freedom of speech.  It's a time to remind everyone that you can censor books for yourself and your children, but let others have that same choice to censor as well. 

If you missed these other Banned Book Trouble Maker lists, then check them out.  

• Banned Books that cause trouble with the religious crowds. 
• Banned Books that are too depressing, political, or just too much of one thing or another. 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

I'm reading this book to my kids right now; clearly I'm a book reading rebel trying to raise book reading rebels.  

Dahl is a serious trouble maker; he's got two books on this list.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was banned b/c it teaches a poor philosophy of life. 

What am I teaching my kids?!  

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Silverstein is another multiple book trouble maker on this list.  This book, which makes most people emotional, was banned b/c it depicts an unhealthy one-sided relationship, criminalizes the forest industry, and it is a sexist book.\

Ridiculous.   

A serious trouble maker with multiple offenses. Yet, I loved using The Giving Tree in the library for a read aloud and personification lesson.

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

This book was banned b/c Harriet spies.  Sure I know you may be thinking, that is ridiculous, the title of the book tells us she is a spy.  I'd say, yes you are correct; it is ridiculous.  

Those wishing to ban this book were also dissatisfied b/c Harriet lies, curses, and sets a bad example for kids.

Ridiculous.  

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Another Dahl trouble maker here.  James and the Giant Peach was banned b/c the spider in the story licks his lips and that could be taken sexually.  I definitely don't think a sexual when a spider licks his or her lips.  Ridiculous. 

Little Red Riding Hood by Brothers Grimm

The Little Red-Cap version of this fairy tale was banned with Little Red was carrying wine in her basket.  Apparently a wolf eating grandma isn't a big deal; the wine is the troublemaker. 

Ridiculous. 

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

The Lorax is a great Earth Day book, but being appropriate for Earth Day can apparently lead you to be banned.  This book was banned b/c it was severe on the logging industry.

That is the whole point of the book. 

Ridiculous. 

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

This Caldecott Award book was banned was banned b/c the police officers in the books are pigs.  Granted, the entire town is various farm animals.  His next door neighbor is a pig.  

Ridiculous. 

I understand how some are offended by the whole pig police officer thing, but is there a farm animal people wouldn't be offended with.  A donkey? No. A cow? I don't think so.  

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson

This book, based on a true story about two male penguins caring for a baby penguin in the NY Central Park Zoo was banned b/c it was misleading. This true story is misleading. How? 

Ridiculous. 

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Another Silverstein troublemaker here.  This book, full of fun and silly poems, is one of the most loved poetry books of all time.  

This book was specifically banned b/c it encourages cannibalism and breaking dishes.  Apparently, the banners didn't think cannibalism was enough of a reason, so breaking dishes was their next best reason.    

Ridiculous. 

Anyone know of any cases of breaking dishes and cannibalism after reading this book. 

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Parents of young children, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK TO YOUR KIDS.  It was banned b/c it glorifies Max's tantrums.  

Ridiculous. 

Where's Waldo? by Martin Handford

Search and Find books are so fun, and Waldo books are known for the craziness on every page to make finding Waldo difficult.  I wasn't very good at these books, but they were fun.  Fun isn't enough though. 

Where's Waldo was banned b/c on one small area of one of these pages there was a side shot of a woman's breast when she was laying on the beach.  Just a little side in the craziness of it all caused so much trouble. 

Ridiculous.  

Don't worry,  Handford made a little adjustment to that page so you don't have to worry about it anymore.  

Are you a banned book reader? 

Happy Banned Book Week and Banned Book Reading! 

Banned Books and Trouble with the Religious Crowd {banned book week}

Books get banned for all sorts of reasons.  Today and the rest of this week I will be sharing book lists full of great books that have been banned or attempted to have been banned for ridiculous reasons.  

Today, our group of trouble maker books may look like classics, and you may have already read most of them, but they just can't get along with the religious groups.

How many of these 9 religious trouble makers have you read? 
  

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Was banned b/c animals talk in the story and that places animals on the same level as humans.  This is insulting to God according to some. 

The Holy Bible

The bible was banned b/c of it's religious content.  Now, I've only read 3/4 of the Bible, but  I'm pretty sure the whole idea of the book is religious content. 

One summer in undergrad I worked at Barnes and Noble, it was a great gig.  That summer I learned the Bible is the most shoplifted book.  You know, the book that says, "Thou shall not steal." is stolen the most.  Funny or sad? However, maybe the justify the stealing. 

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

This Newbery Honor book is fantastic.  It introduces kids to new vocabulary, makes some people cry, and is a beautiful story of friendship.  However, in the U.K. this book was banned b/c it might offend people.  Seriously, they thought Wilbur, the pig, could possibly offend Muslims.  Thank goodness the Muslim Counsel of Britain asked the book to be put back on the shelves. 

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

This book is the first book in His Dark Materials series.  It was banned for religious content, but many people consider this book to be the anti-Narnia book, or at least the stark opposite to the Narnia series.  Some say that Pullman wrote it in contrast to Narnia b/c he felt Narnia was too obviously religious.  However, I consider it a good series for different reasons from Lewis's Narnia series.

  

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J.K. Rowling

When I was in college I bought this book for my little sister as a present; my mom was hesitant to let her read it b/c she had heard it was about witches and wizards.  I informed my mom it was a fantastic book more about friendship, courage, hard work, and bravery.  She let my sister read it, and even my mom read it later. 

Harry Potter was banned and attempted to be banned b/c religious groups felt it was about sorcery and witchcraft.  I personally feel books are often asked to be banned even though the group or individual has never read the book.  I struggle to understand how a group can insist on censoring a book from everyone even though they don't truly know the book. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

There is some intense parts in this book; there is a lot of action and a lot of violence in this book.  If this book were to be banned one would've logically thought it'd be for the violence.  However, the logic behind banning books from everyone has never made sense to me.  

The Hunger Games was actually banned b/c of its religious viewpoint.  Religious viewpoint is definitely what we all think of when we read this book. ;)

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

This book was banned for religious content.  Shocking I'm sure.  I personally think, which is why it's one of the books on this list, it's a great book and a good series. 

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

This adorable sweet book was banned int he U.K. b/c there are talking animals and that is offensive to God b/c it places animals on the same level as humans.  Um, that's a bit of stretch especially since the book is about stuffed animals.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The banning of this book is a bit silly to me.  It was thought that this book had no value to children and was theologically impossible b/c it had good witches.  First, since when is a book of no value to children.  The reading, or listening to a book alone has huge benefit on brain development and language development.  Now to the other reason, the theologically impossible statement just makes me laugh.  Seriously?!?  I can't make this stuff up. It's just funny to me. 

Please say you at least chuckled reading a few of these reasons.  If you don't laugh at the ridiculousness of it all it might make you cry.  It's always better to laugh; I sure did.  

I have also read all 9 (well most of the Bible) of these trouble makers; you? 

Happy Banned Book reading!  Definitely check some of them out, if you haven't read them.