The Fallen Hero

The Fallen Hero by Katie Zhao
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm going to put a disclaimer at the beginning of this review. This is the second book in the series, and the series is clearly not over, but I can find nothing online about how more books are in the works, so the wait could be a while.

For me personally, this was a step down from the first book. I couldn't get behind the characters as much, especially the new ones. Ashley and Jordan just act so young. I get that this is a middle grade book, but it was a sudden flip from the way most of the characters acted in the first book. They are in a life or death situation, you would think that would affect them somehow.

I will say, I am glad that some things were explained early on in this book. I was left wondering at the end of the first one, and I'm not that patient of a person, so I'm glad the wait was short. Even if it took a while to come to a solution, I'm just happy there was an explanation so quickly.

This book really felt like a filler, so I'm hoping a third book comes out some time in the near future. The premise was interesting and it kept me reading, it just doesn't seem as finished as the first one, which in a way I understand since it is a series, but it makes it hard to review.

Age appropriate: Yes

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The Dragon Warrior

The Dragon Warrior by Katie Zhao
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, I have been moving away from middle grade books, which I used to love, but I am so glad I read this. Honestly, age up the characters a little, and it is so close to being a YA read, at least the YA I grew up with.

The Dragon Warrior is about Faryn Liu a mixed race Chinese girl growing up in San Francisco's China Town as part of the Jade Society. The Jade Society for centuries has protected the world from demons, but slowly lost sight of their role. During the latest Chinese New Year not only do the demons come back, but the long awaited Heaven Breaker is revealed. Faryn along with her little brother, and old best friend are sent on a quest by the gods to reach their fabled island, completing side quests along the way.

For the most part, I really enjoyed the characters. I found Faryn to be a really good main character that was able to carry the story. It is clear why the gods chose her, she is still a child, so she is not always making the best choices, but she tries to see the best in a person, and wants to do the right thing.

Moli was great. She did not want to be there, but she ended up showing time and time again that she was more than anyone ever thought she was. I really think that her character had the greatest growth, and I really loved her more than even Faryn.

Faryn's little brother Alex was the worst character for me. I understand that he is the little brother, but he was too much. He was always trying so hard to be more and deciding that he didn't need to listen to his sister even when she knew what was actually going on. I really hope his character has some redeeming qualities in the second book.

There are so many Chinese gods in the book that it's hard to keep straight, but that's okay, there is a glossary in the back in case you get lost, or just want to know more about them. Strangely, I didn't get names as mixed up as I normally do.

I am going to read the next book right away because this was a wonderful read. I was not prepared for the ending, although honestly, I should have been, I don't know why I was so thrown.

Age appropriate: Yes
Content Warning: Death, One split second of a gender fluid character, if that's a problem for you, here is your warning

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Archibald Lox and the Legion of the Lost

Archibald Lox and the Legion of the Lost by Darren Shan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Boy, that series went out with a freaking bang. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. By the end, I was reading each book in a day because so much was going on, and each one was ending with a cliff hanger. I honestly wasn't sure it could all be wrapped up in one book, and the more that happened at the beginning, the more I was convince the author had backed himself into a corner.

I appreciate that everything wasn't just tied up in a nice little bow. Things were kind of messy.

It really does help to read all the books one right after the other. There were bits and pieces that I had forgotten about from previous books that played a part in this final installment. I like that everything came together in the end. Those little facts were not just throw away bits of information.

I really want to read the series over again knowing everything I know now to see if I notice any details that I missed the first time around. I know there were somethings that Archie even points out that looking back on I know I completely missed. This may be a middle-grade series, but I don't care, I found it highly enjoyable, and kind of hope that there is a spin off series if the character is that was hinted at actually comes to pass. I can't say anything more than that, because that would ruin the entire series. Of course, I would only want that series, if Archie and his friends were involved. It would seem weird without them.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Content warnings: Language, violence
Age appropriate: Yes

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Archibald Lox and the Pick of Loxes

Archibald Lox and the Pick of Loxes by Darren Shan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book kept throwing me for a loop. I would think things were hopeless, and then a lifeline would appear, only to be ripped away. Wash and repeat. If you want an author that's the master of the plot twist, Darren Shan is your guy.

The book starts right were the last book left off, which was at a cliff hanger, and ends at a cliff hanger, so I would recommend getting all of the books before reading.

Stefan is brought up a lot in this book, and everyone starts to wonder exactly what is going on with Archie, and why are their so many similarities between him and the missing royal. This plays an important role in the story, and the mystery keeps the reader guessing all the way through to the ninth book.

There are times when I wanted to scream out because of a character's actions. I mean, what the heck were they thinking? I'm not going to say anything, but seriously!

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for a review.

Age appropriate: Yes
Content warning: Language, Violence

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Archibald Lox and the Sinkhole to Hell

Archibald Lox and the Sinkhole to Hell by Darren Shan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The beginning of this book was kind of sad. I was a big fan of *spoiler*. But, I appreciate the respect most of the Merge showed. I guess really, the Merge showed respect, it was some of the Sub-Merged that didn't.

A lot of questions are starting to form about who Archie really is, and what his connection is to Stefan. Is he a reincarnation? Is he a descendant? What is going on. Especially now that it seems that Archie can do things that the Born cannot, facts that seemed set in stone no longer seem so sure.

I've thought a lot about extreme sports off of a inverted pyramid since this book, and I'm still thinking I would not do any of them. Not for me. No way, no how. Although, it does seem safer than the situation Archie finds himself in by the end of the book. Poor Archie, never knowing who to trust.

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for a review.

Age appropriate: Yes
Content warning: Language, Violence

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Archibald Lox and the Rubicon Dictate

Archibald Lox and the Rubicon Dictate by Darren Shan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Seriously, the Merged and Sub-Merged just go at each other like there is no tomorrow. I will admit, I'm writing this after reading the whole series, and one of my favorite royals is Sub-Merged.

In a way, I can't blame the Sub-Merged for what they do, it's the exact thing the Merged had been planning on doing. While the Merged want royals to form their own views and choose for themselves if they will be Merged or Sub-Merged, the Sub-Merged want to sway royals in their favor, and view the Merged as doing the same thing.

I like the way Archie and his group handled the whole situation and talked to the Sub-Merged prince. His reaction kind of broke my heart, because of how shocked he was. I would write more on the whole situation, but that would just be a whole bunch of spoilers, and I don't want to do that.

I received a copy of this book from the author for a honest review.

Age appropriate: Yes
Content warning: Language

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Archibald Lox and the Slides of Bon Repell

Archibald Lox and the Slides of Bon Repell by Darren Shan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a classic example of keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Poor Archie doesn't know who is enemies are half the time, so it's hard for him to really be able to know who to watch out for.

I really wish I could watch a grop tournament. I kept imagining it in my head, but I real life would be so much better. I love how this is such a big event and someone Archie and Inez manage to not only show up, but get right in the thick of things. There is a reason for them to be there, but it still cracks me up. Those two are trouble magnets. You would think someone would have figured out that something is bound to happen if you plan something and include Archie and Inez. But no, they keep doing it.

I think the most important part of this book is what happens outside of the tournament, when Archie is left to fend for himself. He has no one to help him, and discovers just how strong he is and shows those that continually try to stop him that they will have to work harder to put him down.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Age appropriate: Yes
Content Warning: Language

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The Merchant of Death

The Merchant of Death by D.J. MacHale
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Pendragon series. I am working on reading it again since I didn't finish it the first time.

While I do appreciate the premise of the story, there is a lot of complicated plot points that are put in place to make everything work. So many worlds are included in the series that there is constantly issues with misunderstandings and the main character Bobby Pendragon not knowing what is going on. It's not like the longer things go on the more he understands. Things constantly seem to be in flux, which makes it difficult.

It makes sense that the bad guy does not play by the rules, but when Bobby is only explained things according to the rules, he is at a disadvantage when trying to actually do what he came to the land to do, which is save it. That's a lot of pressure to put on a teenager. Honestly, I think the book ended the way it did just so that there series could go on.

Author: D.J. MacHale
Parent content warning: Death
Age appropriate: Yes

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Death Bringer

Death Bringer by Derek Landy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A little note at the beginning of this review. I feel that Melancholia St. Clair has one of the most interesting character arcs I've ever read. That arc goes past this book, so I wouldn't necessarily call it a spoiler. She is a semi-side character (I guess that's what you would call her), but she is not flat, which is what tends to happen in other books. I appreciate that characters in this series are given a chance to grow for the most part. Definitely in this book, it's not just the main characters that have change in their lives.

I am convinced, the Necromancers are basically high school mean girls that are in a giant popularity contest with the each other and everyone else. They don't care about what is actually going on in the world, just who is going to be the Death Bringer, and there are two different options, Melancholia and Valkyrie. Each side is doing what they can to convince everyone to join them and be on the "cool" side. It's all very dramatic in a weird emo way.

Valkyrie's internal dialogue is disturbing and yet at the same time hilarious. I have a feeling that I really shouldn't laugh at those little conversations, but gosh dang it, I just can't help it. It's always satisfying every time someone learns who Darquesse is, or even Lord Vile. It doesn't matter what side the characters are on, no one expects the truth, and everyone is thrown when they learn the true identities.

One downside for me was the romance. I'm not a romance person anyway, and Valkyrie's issues are just too much for me. Personally, if I'm going to see one of her boyfriends (I guess Caelan would be called that) interact with someone, I want Fletcher and Valkyrie's dad. On second thought, let's just get a full book of the dad. I would not be mad.

Author: Derek Landy
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's

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The Red Scrolls of Magic

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I think I know where this book fits in with the rest of the Shadowhunter books, but there are so many of them, that I could be totally off.

I feel like this book was chaotic. There was so much going on and so many random characters introduced for little to no reason. I have to say, I think I have a problem. I'm not really a huge fan of the Shadowhunter universe, but I keep reading the books, so take that for what you will.

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK

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Lost in Babylon

Lost in Babylon by Peter Lerangis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have to say, for the second book in the series, this was kind of a mind trip. As soon as parallel worlds are introduced, things go crazy, no matter what the book is. I did appreciate the premise of this one and the fact that it provided a way for the characters to actually go back to Babylon. I would say that is a spoiler, but it's in the title, so I think I'm okay.

There is so much that happens in Babylon that I want to touch on, but I can't figure out how to do so without actually giving the story away. Let's say, Marco makes a decision that affects everyone and everything, Cass's abilities are lifesaving, and the kids hold the future of a whole civilization in their hands, so you know, no pressure.

Author: Peter Lerangis
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent content warning: None
Age appropriate: Yes

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Maximum Security

Maximum Security by Robert Muchamore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This series has me hooked. Also, this was a crazy first mission for Lauren to do. I have to admit it, she showed those boys how to actually handle a serious mission with a lot at stake.

As the title says, for this mission, James ends up in a Maximum Security Juvenile Detention facility in Arizona. His goal, break out with one specific inmate. You know, just your normal every day easy task. Of course, there are problems around every corner, and plans go sideways. It's not like you can expect a prison break to go to plan. If they did, everyone would be breaking out.

I have to admit, I do question the lady that just helped three kids escape. I know in a way they didn't give her a choice, but also, she had a choice. It's just a little odd. She could have been the adult, but I guess, then the mission would have failed, and so far, every mission has been a success, so we can't have that.

Author: Robert Muchamore

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Hello, Universe

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a really cute book that I feel teaches important lessons, especially in today's world. The kids in this book are not your average kids. One is deaf, one is anxious, and one has family issues, but they are still just kids trying to figure out how to navigate the world. I feel that even as adults, it is important to see people outside of what is considered the "norm" portrayed in literature.

Seeing Valencia navigate the world and try to communicate with others shows us that the little things we do, like looking at someone when we talk to them, might not seem like a big thing to us, but could be the difference between someone being included or completely left out. Virgil shows us what it is like to truly be caring, even when you are scared of what might happen. Not only is he caring to others, but he is caring to the animals he comes across. I think the most important lesson we as adults can learn is from Chet. His view of what is going on around him is really not the best. He looks down on pretty much everyone and feels like he is better than them. As the story progresses and you get an inside look at what is going on in his personal life, it seems like everything changes.

This book really shows that the circumstances we are placed in growing up, the people that raise us and shape us, really affect how we look at the world. It can be so easy to just see what is right in front of us and judge based on first impressions, but being able to know a persons background and what they have gone through can change everything.

Author: Erin Entrada Kelly
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: March 14th 2017

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Thud

Thud! by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading this book kind of reminded me of the saying "those who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it." That's what seems to be going on with an impending war. The question is, can Sam Vimes stop it when he has to get home every night to read "Where's My Cow?" to his son? This book, while light-hearted, points to issues of race when arguments between the dwarfs and the trolls escalates to the point of history almost repeating itself. Through all of the issues Sam faces in this book, he still feels that it is important to read his son his favorite book at night, and this ends up playing a role in the choices he makes along the way.

All in all, this is another good Discworld book. I have not read them in order, so I'm sure there are things that I've missed due to not having the whole backstory.

Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: HarperTorch
Publication Date: 2006

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