Book Reviews Part 1 : Middle School/Tween

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As usual these are the reviews from the blog I run with a co-worker. Links to the original reviews are with each book.


Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones

When his grandfather passes away, university professor Andrew Brandon Hope inherits his house and the surrounding lands in a little English village. But old Jocelyn Brandon was more than a landowner. Along with the property, Andrew becomes steward of his grandfather’s “field-of-care”, an area surrounding the house and a large portion of the village. Anyone and anything living in this area are generally healthier and more skilled.

The problem is; Jocelyn died before he was properly able to hand control and the agreement for the “field-of-care” off to Andrew. But no one can quite accurately describe to Andrew just what his duties are now as the wizard of Melstone House.

When newly orphaned Aiden Cain shows up on his doorstep looking for Andrew’s grandfather things are about to take a left turn into really strange. It seems that there are a number of strange magical creatures trying to capture Aiden, but no one is quite sure why. So it’s up to Andrew and his odd collection of friends and employees to untangle Aiden’s past and protect him from the supernatural forces at work.

Enchanted Glass is definitely classic Jones; filled to the brim with her usual unlikely and quirky heroes, out of control magic, and her sharp sense for satire and humor; fans of her other works will gladly pick this one up. While perhaps not her best piece ever, there is still a lot about Enchanted Glass that will appeal to readers.

Original Review

 

The Kings of Clonmel by John Flanagan

Returning back to where he left off with at the end of The Siege at Macindaw, Flanagan give us another solid and exciting Ranger’s Apprentice story. Attending his first Ranger’s Gathering as a full Ranger, Will is excited to finally be able to help with the assessments other apprentices. But things are about to change in a dramatic way when Crowly, the head of the Corps, has a unique plan for Will. He plans for a small, but skilled task force, one that can be called in special emergencies or problems that may crop up outside of Araluen’s borders.

Eager for the chance, Will accepts, and the task force is given its first assignment. Will, Halt and Horace are sent to neighboring Clonmel to investigate the resurgence of a religious cult thought destroyed years ago. It seems the cult has gained a foothold in the fractious Hibernian kingdoms, and Clonmel is the latest target. Concerned that the collapse of Clonmel will give the cult room to make a move on Araluen. So it’s up to the trio to head the cult off and help Clonmel’s ineffectual King push the cult out. But Halt may be forced to divulge his most closely guarded secret if this mission is going to be a success.

Original Review
 

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

If you were to meet Carter and Sadie Kane on the street, you would never be able to tell that the two are siblings. The two have also grown up apart since their mother’s death six years ago. Carter spends his days globe hopping with his Egyptologist father Dr. Julius Kane, while their late mother’s parents in London were awarded full custody of Sadie.

When Carter and his father arrive in London for their Christmas visit with Sadie, Dr. Kane drags the two reluctant kids to the British museum for a quick stop. But that quick stop turns into something truly dangerous. Dr. Kane; while looking for a way to fix things for his broken family; smashes the Rosetta Stone, freeing the ancient Egyptian gods sealed inside.

Set, the god of storms and chaos, now freed from the stone along with four other gods, seals Dr. Kane in a sarcophagus and begins his path to unleashing chaos around the world. With their father gone, it’s up to Sadie and Carter to uncover long held family secrets and stop the god Set while staying one step ahead of the House of Life, an ancient Egyptian order of sorcerers, that want nothing more than to see the Kane family obliterated forever.

Told by the siblings in alternating chapters, The Red Pyramid is another definite winner for Riordan. Using Egyptian mythology instead of Greek, this promises to be an interesting new series. Or at the very least something fun to keep you busy the Heroes of Olympus series hits shelves.

Original Review



The Story of Cirrus Flux by Matthew Skelton

The year is 1783 and the place is London. 12-year-old orphan Cirrus Flux is a resident of one of the many foundling hospitals, waiting and hoping that he’ll be selected for an apprentice ship. But at 12 he’s one of the oldest children there, and that means his prospects are pretty slim.

Little does Cirrus know that someone has been looking for him specifically. When his father was forced to leave him with the foundling hospital shortly after his birth, they believe he left behind a very important keepsake or token. With the help of another foundling, a young girl by the name of Pandora, Cirrus will have to stay one step ahead of the mysterious Guild. But who is the odd man in the equally odd hot air balloon, and just why does he keep following Cirrus?

Skelton’s fast-paced story, while good, suffers a bit from that speed. While Cirrus and Pandora are well fleshed out and likeable characters, the many side characters that truly propel the story and the plot forward seem far more unclear. Personally I felt that the story would have been better served by less focus on the minutiae of newly industrialized London with more time devoted to the overall plot. Still, in terms of pure action this book should still be appealing to boys looking for a quick read.

Original Review