Review - Chasing the Prophecy (Beyonders #3) by Brandon Mull

Title: Chasing the Prophecy

Author: Brandon Mull

Series: 3rd (A World Without Heroes, Seeds of Rebellion) 

Pages: 512

Published: March 12th 2013 by Aladdin

ISBN: 9781416997962
Source: Library

 

Description: Jason and Rachel were not born in Lyrian. They did not grow up in Lyrian. But after all of the battles and losses, the triumphs and adventures, and most of all, the friendships forged in this fantastical world, Lyrian has become home to them in a way they never could have imagined. And so, armed now with the prophecy of a dying oracle, they have gone on their separate quests—each surrounded by brave and powerful allies—knowing that the chance for success is slim. But Jason and Rachel are ready at last to become the heroes Lyrian needs, no matter the cost.

I Give This ...

I'm a huge Brandon Mull fan.  I've loved this series so far. I kind of put off reading this final book because I wasn't ready for the series to end.  And it's always hard to pick up the final book for various reasons.  Will I like it?  Will it end the way I thin it should?  Can all the characters have the ending they deserve?

I was only slightly disappointed in the fact that at over 500 pages, this book can be a little slow in places.  There are instances were I felt the story lagged and something had to happen in order for the story to go anywhere.  It's was like a slow march to certain death and destruction.  However, the story was saved by the actions of the characters.

 

I'm always short of words when it comes to the characters in this series.  Mull ranks right up there with Rowling when it comes to defining characteristics that make for literary characters one can admire and look up to.   Jason may not always have the brains, but he makes up for it in shear determination and bravery. Yet, I never felt he acted rashly.  He make sound decisions about his actions and showed unwavering trust in his companions.  While Jason may be the backbone, Rachel is the brains.  She was chosen for her mission for a reason.  She has the ability to see the whole picture when she only has a piece.  And her knowledge and mastery of the magic of Lyrian is impressive.

I think my favorite character has ended up being Ferrin.  Who knew a displacer that could always be counted on to put their needs above anyone else would be the one to save the day.  I was never sure how he would influence the story (good or bad) and I'm sure he knew either.  I was pleased to see that he was able to rise above his own doubts and be the hero of the story.

I will be no doubt closely watching what Brandon Mull produces next.  And hoping that one day he gets the recognition I think he deserves. 

 

 

 

Review - Seeds of Rebellion (Beyonders #2) by Brandon Mull

Title: Seeds of Rebelllion

Author: Brandon Mull

Series: 2nd (A World Without Heroes)

Pages: 512

Published:  March 13th 2012 by Aladdin

ISBN: 9781416997948

Source: Library

Description: After the cliffhanger ending of A World Without Heroes, Jason is back in the world he’s always known—yet for all his efforts to get home, he finds himself itching to return to Lyrian. Jason knows that the shocking truth he learned from Maldor is precious information that all of his friends in Lyrian, including Rachel, need if they have any hope of surviving and defeating the evil emperor.  Meanwhile, Rachel and the others have discovered new enemies—as well as new abilities that could turn the tide of the entire quest. And as soon as Jason succeeds in crossing over to Lyrian, he’s in more danger than ever. Once the group reunites, they strive to convince their most-needed ally to join the war and form a rebellion strong enough to triumph over Maldor. At the center of it all, Jason and Rachel realize what roles they’re meant to play—and the answers are as surprising as they are gripping.

I Give This ...

I'm a huge Brandon Mull fan.  If you haven't read any of his books, you really need to do so soon!   However, I was a tad disappointed in this book.  It just didn't really live up to the first book in the series and feel short of my love for his other series.

All our characters are back, and for that I soldiered on through this book.  Jason ends up back in Lyrian.  It doesn't take him long to find Rachel.  And the little band of rebels marches forward with a plan.   There are bits of the story that I really enjoyed.  Rachel has a far higher purpose that I could have ever imagined.  Tie that in with her affinity for magic and I eagerly await where this story might take her.  We learn some extremely interesting facts about Galloran.  After everything we've learned, he's the one I would want on my side to take down Maldor.  There are some secondary characters that are interesting including a Maldor traitor that I really have no idea if I trust or not.  Interestingly enough, he's not sure he can be trusted either.   I'm not sure how that works.

I wanted to like it so much that I never gave up on the story.  And it seriously dragged.  Remember how there were quite a few complaints about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows feeling like a never ending camping trip?  That's kind of how this one felt as well.  There are numerous location changes with endless time in between.  A lot of time is spent discussing what they should do next, who the traitor might be, and how to stay ahead of Maldor's spies.  There are definitely interesting things that happen when they get there, and those moments are worth the journey.   I just sometimes wished it wasn't so wordy.  I think the story could have been told is quite a few less pages.

Despite all that, I can guarantee that I will still read the last book in this series.  I know how fantastic Mull is at world building, and I want to see how this epic land handles a rebellion.  

Review: A World Without Heroes (Beyonders #1) by Brandon Mull

Title: A World Without Heroe's

Author: Brandon Mull

Series: 1st in Triology

Pages: 464

Published: Available now from Alladin

ISBN: 9781416997924

Source: Galley Grab

 

Description: Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable--until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he's ever seen. In the past, the people of Lyrian welcomed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The brave resistors who opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.  In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor, and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

I Give This ...

 

At first glance, I passed on this novel.  I was guilty of judging a book by it's cover.  But then I noticed it was by Brandon Mull who is also the author of The Fablehaven series, which is a favorite of mine.  Then it became a must read.

It's a little slow to start, but Mull has to create the background.  Which I know from his previous books, he's marvelous at.   I really enjoyed this world that he has created.  I felt the tension between the people.  Everyone is afraid to draw the emperor's wrath, and those who have his favor bask in the glory.  Everyone who would challenge him is dead.  Or if they've presented a serious threat, they've been given life long immunity at the ultimate palace that they can never leave.   Hidden along the way are those who secretly oppose the emperor.  They are just waiting for the right hero to come along with the courage to follow through and bring him down.

Enter in Jason and Rachel.  Jason was brought into this world by musicians trying to summon a hero. While he doesn't believe he is this person, he will do anything to find away back home.  Even if it means taking up this impossible quest.  Rachel's true roll I think is yet to be fully revealed.  She provides some key support, and some of the adventures could not have been completed without her. 

It's an epic middle grade fantasy with everything you could hope for in the genre.  There's a giant killer crab, frog's with teeth, mushrooms that make you forget, and berries that give you extra energy.  Along they way Jason and Rachel must outwit a chancellor, run on water, escape the palace that no
 one is allowed to leave, and gain an audience with the emperor.  It's really a fantastic novel from beginning to end.  It's not as great as the later books in the Fablehaven series.  But as the first in a new series, it has the makings to be great!

Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven, #5) by Brandon Mull

Title: Keys To The Demon Prison

Author: Brandon Mull

Series: Final Book in the Fablehaven series

Published: March 2010

Publisher: Shadow Moutain

Pages: 593

ISBN: 9781606412381

Source: Library Book

Description: Since ancient times, the great demon prison Zzyzx has protected the world from the most dangerous servants of darkness, including Gorgrog, the Demon King. After centuries of plotting, the Sphinx is on the verge of recovering the five artifacts necessary to open the legendary prison. Facing the potential of a world-ending calamity, all friends of light must unite in a final effort to thwart the Sphinx s designs and find a safe home for the five artifacts. To this end, Kendra, Seth, and the Knights of the Dawn will venture far beyond the walls of Fablehaven to strange and exotic magical preserves across the globe, where the end of every quest becomes the beginning of another. In this explosive series finale, allegiances will be confirmed and secrets revealed as the forces of light and darkness collide in a desperate struggle to control the keys to the demon prison.

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

At the end of book 4, I had my serious doubts at how the author was going to wrap up such a series in only one more book.  He proved me wrong, but I worry it was at the expensive of the story a little.  Don't get me wrong, it's still wonderful.  There's just so much that happens in such a short amount of time.  And for some reason all of it happens with such ease.  The previous 4 book felt like there was more of a battle to get what they were after.  Seth alone has 6 different adventures (and not all of them include Kendra).  I did love watching him mature in this book.  He learned that not all wrong decisions are done for the wrong reasons.  I think he learned what true courage was.  I also love the involvement of the Satyrs.  They were fantastic, providing just enough comic relief throughout the story!  Kendra seems to have fulfilled the big sister role.  She doesn't seem to play much of a part in the bigger picture until the very end when she single-handedly swoops in and saves the day (without even really meaning too).  I really liked how the author threw in a love interest.  It was so appropriate and very tastefully done.  Overall, I thought it was a fantastic ending to the series.  I just think the author could have easily gotten one more book out of the series by drawing out some of the tasks a little.  I will be looking forward to see what Brandon Mull comes up with next!

Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Fablehaven, #4) by Brandon Mull

Title: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
Author: Brandon Mull
Published: March 2009
Pages: 535
ISBN: 9781606410424
Source: Library book

Description: Brace yourself for a shocking secret. Two hidden artifacts have been found. Three more remain unrecovered. More preserves face destruction as the Society of the Evening Star relentlessly pursues new talismans. Reading in Patton's Journal of Secrets, Kendra learns the location of the key to a vault housing one of the artifacts. In order to retrieve it, the Knights of the Dawn must enter a death trap a dragon sanctuary called Wyrmroost. The mission cannot proceed without stealing a sacred object zealously guarded by the centaurs. Anybody seen Seth? The race is on to acquire all five of the artifact keys to the great demon prison. Will the Knights of the Dawn conquer Wyrmroost? Who can stop the Sphinx? Can Vanessa be trusted to help? What artifact will be found next? Find out in Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary.

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

I gave it 4 stars but I'm tempted to give it more... it's only real draw back is that it's long.  Which doesn't have to be a bad thing, it just doesn't have the race until the end, need to read it feel.  But, besides that, I love this series.  What I do find odd is that I love the mythical creatures in this series more than I love the characters.  The characters are well executed though, and have plenty of appeal.  But, for some reason, I just love the fantasy.  The author has created this tightly woven world of mythical races.  Everything has an explanation that fits in with each race.  And, while those little details may seem like they dont' matter, it's what makes the story real.  The author has created a completely functioning different world within our own.  And, just when it seems like we've reached an ending point of new characters, the author adds a new one.  It's never overwhelming though.  I always want more.   I have really enjoyed watching Seth and Kendra evolve with the powers they have been granted by very different races withing their grandparents preserve.  And it will be interesting to see how they work together to use them.   I can't wait to read the next (and what I think will be the last) in this series!

Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven, #3) by Brandon Mull

Title: Grip of the Shadow Plague
Author: Brandon Mull
Published: April 2008
Pages: 487
ISBN: 9781590388983
Source: Library

Description: Kendra and Seth along with Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson discover that someone or something has released a plague that is turning the light creatures of Fablehaven into creatures of darkness. And for the first time, Kendra and Warren must visit another magical preserve called Lost Mesa in Arizona and try to recovery another hidden artifact. Can the plague be stopped? Can the artifact be found? And most importantly, is the Sphinx a traitor?

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

While reading this, it does not feel like a 500 page books.  I breezed right though this anxious to get to the bottom of what was going on.  I've loved the characters since book 1, but in this book, I was surprised to see how much they grew.  Seth may have finally learned a few lessons and proved he belongs to the Fablehaven world.  Kendra continues to surprise me.  She takes everything into stride so well.  I wonder if there will be a time that she might falter a bit though.  It might make her seem more human.  I love how we get a better glimpse of the characters the inhabit this "preserve."  It makes me think we might never even tip the iceberg on all the creatures the exist in this world.  I like that!  I can not wait to get to the next one!

Teaser Tuesday!

 Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read


• Open to a random page


• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page


• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)


• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:
"Even among caretakers and Knights of the Dawn, dragons remain the stuff of legend.  I've never seen a live one.  Almost none of us have.  But Chuck Rose lived among them for months at a time, studying their habits.  He even photographed one."
"How'd he die?"
Warren sighed.  "A dragon ate him"

~Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

Ok, I know that was more than two sentences.  But, I just had to include the entire dialogue.  I just thought it was great!

*Don't forget to enter my giveaway for Truly, Madly by Heather Webber!

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven, #2) by Brandon Mull

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

Description: At the end of the school year, Kendra and her brother, Seth, find themselves racing back to Fablehaven, a refuge for mythical and magical creatures. Grandpa Sorenson, the caretaker, invites three specialists- a potion master, a magical relics collector, and a mystical creature trapper- to help protect the property from the Society of the Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to infiltrate the preserve and steal a hidden artifact of great power. Time is running out. The Evening Star is storming the gates. If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the downfall of other preserves and possibly the world. Will Kendra learn to use her fairy gifts in time? Will Seth stay out of trouble? Can they overcome paralyzing fear?

I was a little worried I wasn't going to enjoy this as much as the first (my curse of not liking book 2 in a series).   It starts out slow, but then I just wanted to the kids to get back to Fablehaven!  Then things really start to pick up and your immersed in the magical world again.  I was hoping for more creatures, explanations, and just more on the preserve itself with the first book.  I got it this time around.   I loved the story line with the demon and Seth.  The entire chapters with them retrieving the artifact from the inverted tower were great!  I kept picturing the scenes and how they would look in movie form.  While I still think it's not as great as Harry Potter, I think the series is a great filler for those looking for something magical now that the Harry Potter series is finished!

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!

Description: For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite...

Kendra and her brother Seth have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws give relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, an arcane evil is unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears most.

While it's not Harry Potter or Twilight, I have to say I may have found a new series to enjoy that isn't finished yet!!   I really enjoyed this book, devouring it in a little over a day.  The characters are fun and interesting.  I do wish more of the story was devoted to the creatures that inhabit Fablehaven because I'm sure the author barely even touched this subject.  I can't wait to get the next one and learn more about Fablehaven, the creatures who inhabit it, and those who take care of it!