The Rithmatist, by Brandon Sanderson

The Rithmatists: A somewhat secretive group that protects the United Isles from wild chalklings, and Joel is enthralled by them. They have the power to use chalk to defend themselves and the Isles from the dangers on Nebrask. Joel goes to one of the eight schools where they are trained, but is not technically allowed to learn Rithmatics. When a new professor comes to teach Rithmatic defenses, Rithmatist students start disappearing. Could it be the work of the new professor, or something more sinister?

The Rithmatist is a steampunk book with good character arcs. As you go through the book, you learn more and more about each of the character’s personality and past. It’s not the best of writing, but it has a great concept. The ending was brilliant, the characters were brilliant, and all round a good book, but not one of my favorites.

Harry Potter series, by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter is “The Boy who survived.” He has lived under the stairs at the Dursely’s for the past ten years. His life has been surrounded by strange happenings: His hair grows back the night after a bad haircut, glass disappears at the zoo, random people come and shake his hand to name only a few. He finally knows why when a giant named Hagrid comes and tells him that he’s a wizard. But not just any normal wizard, no, but supposedly a great wizard, even at the age of eleven. For it was he who had finally stopped Lord Voldemort in his reign over wizardom, as most people thought, forever. But it was not forever. While Harry is studying at the school for wizards called Hogwarts, strange things keep happening, even for wizards. Harry must struggle for survival at what is probably one of the safest places for him on the face of the Earth with his friends Ron Weasely and Hermione Granger as they discover that You-Know-Who is not really dead.

Before I read the Harry Potter series, I listened to what a lot of people said about. It was split fairly evenly between people who loved it, thought it was alright, or hated it. I, for one, loved it. It is by far one of my favorites with the first books used mainly to introduce the characters to you, while the rest are mainly running, fighting, puzzle solving, and all around having a good time. I would suggest this series to anyone, but wouldn’t guarantee that they would love it.

Fields of the Fatherless, by Elaine Marie Cooper

It’s 1775 and the colonies are almost up in arms. In the little town of Menotomy, Betsy Russell struggles to keep her faith. She can’t decide whether to hate the British redcoats or love them as the Bible says to do. She is torn when her father is brutally killed by the British during the retreat from Concord, and when she is asked to care for a wounded British regular in his final days. Can she do what is right and still find happiness in these dire hours?

Elaine Marie Cooper has written a fantastic book in Fields of the Fatherless. She writes in the old English style and does a fabulous job. Based on a true story, it’s a great evening read.

Jack Staples series, by Mark Batterson and Joel Clark

Jack Staples is an ordinary boy with an unordinary life. He is the fulfillment of a prophecy that was spoken thousands of years ago—he has been born without scales on his eyes. Unlike the rest of creation, he has seen the world as it really is for all of his life. When strange creatures led by an evil being called the Assassin attack his home town, Jack and a strange girl named Alexia, who has also not been born with scales, must run for their lives with Jack’s ancient school teacher and several other Awoken, people whose scales have fallen off. One of the two children are destined to betray the Awoken, and one is destined to bring down the Assassin in a struggle that will literally tear the world apart.

Mark Batterson and Joel Clark have spun a wonderful tale in the Jack Staples series. With tons of adventure, fabulous writing, and characters that each have their own individual struggles, the Jack Staples series is definitely a series that I would put on my favorites shelf.

Safe Lands series, by Jill Williamson

Mason and his little village of Glenrock have been taken captive by enforcers from the last major city on Earth, the Safe Lands. They have to figure out a way to escape their confinement of the Safe Lands. Mason must find a cure for the thin plague, Levi must find a way to free their village, Omar must find meaning for his life, and Shaylinn must struggle through her pregnancy. All while trying to resist the temptations of the Safe Lands.

The Safe Lands series is the newest full series from Jill Williamson. My favorite author, she has made another fabulous series in the Safe Lands. A young adult series, it does have some sexual references. A book that has lots of new ideas, a series that I would definitely recommend to almost anyone.

Kingdom Keepers series, by Ridley Pearson

 

Kingdom Keepers, by Ridley Peason

Kingdom Keepers, by Ridley Peason

Finn Whitman is a normal, everyday middle schooler going into highschool; that is, until he auditions for Disney World’s new DHI, Disney Host Interactive, guiding system. Four others are chosen with him as the models, people he has never met, nor thinks he will ever see them again, until one night, he wakes up on a bench inside Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. A man who is there, Wayne Kresky, explains to Finn that when Walt Disney created the characters in the Disney movies, he made them real, and the evil ones were trying to take over the Disney Parks. The DHI’s were created as an excuse to bring the kids to the parks, each chosen for their own abilities, where they must prevent the evil Disney characters from taking over the parks. They would become, the Kingdom Keepers.
An excellent series, the Kingdom Keepers is one of the best and well thought out series that I have ever read. For each of the seven books, there is a subplot, but one main plot throughout the entire series. Each book leaves you itching for the next for the next one throughout the series.

Horatio Hornblower series, by C. S. Forester

Hornblower is a young man during Napoleon’s takeover of France. His story begins when he is a midshipman on board the HMS Justinian. He slowly moves up the ranks of the English Navy as he battles Napoleon and his allies on the sea in one of the greatest wars of all time. He goes on many adventures: from the stormy waters of the Mediterranean, to the scorching sun of the East Pacific.

The Horatio Hornblower series is one of my personal favorites. It shows what it was really like during the reign of Napoleon. If you are studying this time period, these are great books to pick up, even though they are fiction. I would suggest it for teens throughout adulthood because it has some graphic death scenes and historically accurate hardships of the English Navy.

The Water Fight Professional, by Angela Ruth Strong

Joey is a regular 8th grader during school year. But during the summer, he’s a professional water fighter. When he makes a bet with his best friend, he realizes that he must make more money, or have to kiss his next door neighbor.

The Water Fight Professional is a story with humor and fun. It teaches kids the value of keeping a budget, and how maybe your parents are not so bad. I absolutely loved reading this book and is one of my favorite children’s books.

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Water Fight by Angela Ruth Strong

Oath of the Brotherhood, Book 1 in The Song of Seare series, by C. E. Laureano

imageConor Mac Nir is the son of the king of the Tigh clan. Despite living in a clan in which almost all men are expected to be warriors, his skills lie more in the directions of music. When he is sent to Lisdara as a hostage to secure the treaty between Tigh and Faolán, Conor hears that his father has been killed and his uncle, Fergus, and a Red Druid, Diarmuid, have taken over the throne. Their intentions are immediately recognized when they invade Sliebhan: Fergus, or the druid, wants to become High King of Seare. Conor decides he must train with Fíréin Brotherhood, where he spends the next three years of his life. When he leaves, he must risk his life for the sake of the Kingdom.

A very interesting story that satisfies your sense of adventure, Oath of the Brotherhood shows that you have to have faith in God throughout your own life adventures, whether big or small. It is a well written book and is rated young adult due to some gruesome adjectives during some of the fight scenes. It is definitely a book that I could read over, and over.

Ranger’s Apprentice Series

Will has been chosen to be the apprentice of the mysterious Ranger Halt. Throughout his apprenticeship as a ranger, he must face dangers that we can only imagine, travel to lands across the sea, and save the Kingdom of Araluen from imminent disaster with his friend, Horace, and master, Halt. When he is made a full fledged ranger, he must face  new dangers such as… a sorcerer?

A series that has sold millions of copies worldwide, Ranger’s Apprentice is a great series for anyone looking for a sense of adventure. A well written book with great character development, not only through the first book, but also through the entire series. Probably a book for all ages of teens, possibly a little younger for some families, because of some mild swearing in some of the books.