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Posts Tagged ‘gentle reads’

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A Librarian Reads the Warlock

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

The Warlock by Michael Scott

This is the fifth and next to last book in the series so I won’t touch upon the plot so as not to give away spoilers. If you are reading this post you are probably fans of the The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. The Warlock continues the adventures of Sophie and Josh and makes up for the disappointment that was the previous book, The Necromancer.

The characters discover lots of secrets and there is plenty of plot twists. But what I enjoyed most is the fact that most of the characters, and especially Sophie and Josh, actually grow as people. In the last book the characters were static and moved around only to set up the next book in the series. So it is a happy surprise and this fifth book exceeds expectations. The Warlock also has made me excited for the conclusion in the Enchantress, out sometime next year.

The Warlock is recommended for fans of adventure and fantasy and appropriate for all ages.

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A Librarian Reads Human.4

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

Human.4 by Mike A. Lancaster

Today is the day of the big talent show in the village of Millgrove. Kyle always is a little hesitant about the talent show because he once, years ago, he did a stand-up routine that bombed. This year his friend Danny is going to try hypnotizing volunteers from the audience.

Kyle doesn’t know why he volunteers but  he soon finds himself on stage with a girl named Lilly, and two adults. Danny starts to hypnotize them and slowly the world fades away.

When they awake everyone except the four of them are frozen in place. Everything electronic has stopped working properly. Computers can be turned on but they only display a strange language no one can discern.

Kyle, Lilly, and the adults are worried they have gone crazy, or are still hypnotized. But then everyone in Millgrove wakes up. Now no one talks to the four of them; like they don’t exist. Things start to get worse when they see the people of town start growing tendrils from their hands.

Somethings has fundamentally changed everyone in the world except Kyle, Lilly and the two adult volunteers. Can they discover what has happened? Is it able to be reversed? And what do you do when it seems like you have be erased from everyone’s mind?

Human.4 is a quick, engaging, and spooky sci-fi tale, and is recommended if you want to get a peek at what is in store for the future of humanity. It is appropriate for all ages.

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A Librarian Reads Akata Witch

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Sunny is a Nigerian American. She had lived in the United States until she was 9 when her parents quickly moved back to Nigeria. Now she is 13 and is growing up. She goes to school but is often picked on because of her skin color.

See, Sunny is an albino. She has pink eyes, and pale white skin even though she is from African descent. The kids in her class tease her and call her ‘akata witch’; a very offensive term that is used for African-Americans.

One day after a fight she befriends Orlu, a boy who stood up for her and tried to protect her. Orlu soon introduces Sunny to ChiChi, another girl in their neighborhood. Chichi doesn’t attend school and lives in a small unkempt house. Orlu and Chichi share a very special secret; they can practice juju, a kind of magic. They think Sunny can too.

Soon Sunny is initiated into the hidden world of magic. She begins to attend magic school and learns about her spirit face, juju knives, and masquerades that can summon dark spirits.  The three of them are soon joined by another boy named Sasha who is also from America. What the four of them do not know is that the magic elders plan for them to defeat an evil sorcerer who is murdering children in order to summon an evil spirit.

Can Sunny learn enough magic in time to help her friends? And if she does will she be brave enough? Sunny will have to truly know herself to do her best, but how do you do that when you are just a thirteen year old girl in a new magical and menacing new world?

Akata Witch is a beautiful book about magic, mysticism and discovering your family roots. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about other cultures or who loves magic and fantasy. It is appropriate for ages 12 and up.

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A Librarian Reads Airman

Friday, April 8th, 2011

Airman by Eoin Colfer

It is the late 1800’s and Conor Broekhart dreams of flying. Fortunately he lives under King Nicholas of the Slatee Islands. Nicholas is fascinated by flying and new technology. He hopes that his nation can show the world how new sciences and the discovery of flight will make life better for all mankind. After Conor saves his friend and secret crush Isabella, who is also the King’s daughter, from a fire he is invited to study with King’s airman and friend, Victor Vigny. Victor becomes a teacher and mentor to young Conor; who learns not only science and aeronautics, but pugilism and sword fighting.

Years go by and Conor and Victor believe they have made a breakthrough in lighter than air craft. But before they get to test out their design, the King is assassinated and Victor is murdered. The dastardly perpetrator is Marshall Bonvilian, the King’s own protector and head of the military. Bonvilian frames Victor Vigny as the assassin. Yet Conor witnessed the whole event.

So, Bonvilian quickly kidnaps Conor and hides him in the underground prison on Little Saltee. There he lives his life as a miner of diamonds to support Bonvilian’s new regime. Even though he suffers years of imprisonment he never forgets what Victor has taught him and plans his escape. He must wait until Isabella turns 18 and ascends to the throne. During the celebration he plots to fly away on a hot air balloon used in the celebration for the new Queen. Once he is safe he plans to create a glider that will allow him to sneak back to the prison to gather diamonds he has hidden.

But if he escapes what does he do then? He would have money and freedom. But, he knows that Isabella is in danger because Bonvilian seeks the throne for himself. Then there is Conor’s family. How have the fared since his disappearance? But all Conor wants to do is move to America and discover the secret to manned flight. Will Conor turn his back on the girl he loves and his family? Or will he don his glider and become a hero?

Airman is an excellent steampunk adventure story. It is appropriate for all ages and highly recommended.

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A Librarian Reads The Mermaid’s Mirror

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

The Mermaid’s Mirror by L.K. Madigan

Lena just turned sixteen, has a boyfriend, and is in love with the ocean; everything a Pacific Coast girl could want. But something is changing within her. Lena finds herself sleepwalking to the beach in the middle of the night. When she looks at waves she gets lost in their hypnotic rhythm. She may even be hearing voices whispering her name.

Lena thinks she is going crazy. She even stats looking for more ways to spend time in the ocean, such as learning to surf. Her father has always forbidden her to surf because of an old accident he had years ago. He is so scared of the ocean he won’t even go near the beach. By defying her father’s wishes Lena  will not only learn to surf but discover a secret about her biological mother who died when Lena was still young.

Once the secret is out Lena must choose who she is and where she belongs, because under the tide there is a song that calls to her. If she is brave enough, Lena will discover what she would sacrifice for those she loves. But will she be able to live her life afterwards?

The Mermaid’s Mirror is a wonderful story about family and growing up. It is highly recommended and appropriate for all ages.

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