Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos [Review]

3.5 out of 5 Robots!

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
Genre: Middle Grade
Release: September 13, 2011
Hardcover: 341 Pages
Publisher: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon

Book Summary:

Dead End in Norvelt is the winner of the 2012 Newbery Medal for the year's best contribution to children's literature and the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction!
 
Melding the entirely true and the wildly fictional, Dead End in Norvelt is a novel about an incredible two months for a kid named Jack Gantos, whose plans for vacation excitement are shot down when he is "grounded for life" by his feuding parents, and whose nose spews bad blood at every little shock he gets. 

But plenty of excitement (and shocks) are coming Jack's way once his mom loans him out to help a feisty old neighbor with a most unusual chore—typewriting obituaries filled with stories about the people who founded his Utopian town. As one obituary leads to another, Jack is launched on a strange adventure involving molten wax, Eleanor Roosevelt, twisted promises, a homemade airplane, Girl Scout cookies, a man on a trike, a dancing plague, voices from the past, Hells Angels . . . and possibly murder. 

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

I am conflicted on this book.  There were parts I enjoyed and then parts that really put me off.  On one hand, I like quirky character stories and this book is filled with them.  Newbery LOVES a good small town setting with filled with quirky citizens.  My favorite character was Mrs. Volker.  She was kind of a hoot.  Their friendship was very amusing and the best part of the book.

But, there was also a lot of humor that was a little too...macabre for me.  At least, in a Middle Grade setting.  Jack is a boy with a lot of imagination...sometimes gory, sometimes crass.  Hearing about his bloody nose every few pages got old quickly. Also, there are long passages about dead bodies and untimely demises.  My least favorite section involves a story about Jack going hunting with his dad and trying to scare away the deer by farting.  It is a long, graphic story that actually involves the word "anus".  I'm no prude, but I do not want to read about other people's anuses and fart jokes/stories are my least favorite.  

There is also liberal use of the word "Jap".  I know this story is set in 1962 (although written in 2011), but it was very uncomfortable for me to read.  It is finally addressed at the very end, but not resolved.  

So while I enjoyed the overall story, there were some parts that turned me off.  However, 10-12 year old boys may feel differently than me.  I hear they are big fans of fart jokes.  

M.C. Higgins the Great by Virginia Hamilton

3 out of 5 Robots!

M.C. Higgins, the Great by Virginia Hamilton
Genre: Middle Grade
Release: August 1, 1974
Hardcover: 278 Pages
Publisher: Originally Published by MacMillan
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon

Book Summary:

M.C.'s family is rooted to the slopes of Sarah's Mountain. His great-grandmother escaped to the mountain as a runaway slave and made it her home. It bears her name, and her descendants have lived there ever since. 
When M.C. looks out from atop the gleaming forty-foot pole that his father planted in the mountain for him -- a gift for swimming the Ohio River -- he sees only the rolling hills and shady valleys that stretch out for miles in front of him. 
And M.C. knows why his father never wants his family to leave. 
But when M.C. looks behind, he sees only the massive remains of strip mining -- a gigantic heap of dirt and debris perched threateningly on a cliff above his home. 
And M.C. knows they cannot stay. 
So when two strangers arrive in the hills, one bringing the promise of fame in the world beyond the mountains and the other the revelation that choice and action both lie within his grasp, M.C.'s life is changed -- forever. 
In 1974, Virginia Hamilton dazzled the world with her powerful account of a young man's coming of age trapped between heritage of his mountain home and his desires for the future. Twenty-five years later, M.C. Higgins, the Great remains the only novel ever to win the Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, and the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award. 
It is truly an American classic.

(Courtesy of the Publisher - From the Simon and Schuster for Young Reader's 1999 edition)

Shannon's Thoughts:

I have to say, I am glad I never had to read this book as a kid.  I'm pretty sure I would have been bored out of my mind.  I don't necessarily need a book to be flashy, or have a ton of action.  But, for me, it needs to be somewhat relatable and I think this is where this book fails a bit for me.  

I did enjoy the descriptions of Sarah's Mountain and the hill people.  The sense of place was the strongest part of the book.  I could really feel how much the family homestead meant to M.C. and his family.  It wasn't just a home.  It was their heritage, their legacy.  M.C. is as much as part of the mountain as it is a part of him.  

 But, M.C. feels the family needs to leave their homestead and pins his hopes and dreams on "the dude" who is coming to record his mother's voice.  He believes the dude will make his mother famous and take them away.  M.C.'s naivety almost hurts (especially from an adult standpoint).  I mostly kept thinking "oh, child..." because you know exactly how it is going to turn out.  

M.C. is also good friends with Ben, a boy from another hill people family.  Ben's family lives in a vegetarian commune and they all have red hair and six fingers.  Ben's family is treated with suspicion for their "witchy" ways and M.C. has to keep his friendship a secret.  There is a good "coming of age" lesson here on accepting differences that happens at the end of the book.

But there is also a lot that I found uninteresting and even troubling, at times.  First, not much happens.  There is a lot of little threads all over the place that could be interesting, but are never fully fleshed out.  The two most troubling parts involve M.C.'s father and Lurhetta.  M.C. and his father have a contentious relationship.  When they rough house, it becomes almost violent.  It is uncomfortable to read.  But I was most concerned about M.C. and Lurhetta's interactions.  Lurhetta is a slightly older girl who is backpacking on Sarah's Mountain.  M.C. basically stalks her and tries to kiss her while she is sleeping.  They tussle and he cuts her with his knife because he is afraid she will hit him with her flashlight.  Well, M.C., you did assault her.  It was quite perturbing because it was never really resolved.  They become friends of sort, but M.C. is never taken to task for his actions.  

Overall, not my favorite Newbery Award book.  Luckily, it was short.  Ha, ha!

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhai Lai

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Genre: Middle Grade
Release: February 22, 2011
Hardcover: 272 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon

Book Summary:

Inside Out and Back Again is a New York Times bestseller, a Newbery Honor Book, and a winner of the National Book Award! Inspired by the author's childhood experience of fleeing Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon and immigrating to Alabama, this coming-of-age debut novel told in verse has been celebrated for its touching child's-eye view of family and immigration.

For all the ten years of her life, Hà has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, and the warmth of her friends close by. But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. Hà and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope. In America, Hà discovers the foreign world of Alabama: the coldness of its strangers, the dullness of its food . . . and the strength of her very own family.

This moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing received four starred reviews, including one from Kirkus which proclaimed it "enlightening, poignant, and unexpectedly funny." An author's note explains how and why Thanhha Lai translated her personal experiences into Hà's story.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

Beautifully written in verse, Inside Out and Back Again is the story of Ha, a ten year old Vietnamese girl who flees from Saigon in 1975 when North Vietnam takes control of South Vietnam.  She finds herself a stranger in Alabama, navigating English, American food, and a new school.  

It always amazes how can be expressed in verse form.  It just shows that sometimes it doesn't take a lot of words to express ideas or emotion.  At times my heart broke for her.  Ha loved Saigon and didn't want to leave.  America was confusing and at times, cruel to her.  But she is also resilient and finds a way to carve out a new life "different, but still good".  I found a beautiful testament to immigrants and refugees.

I also enjoyed the narrator, Doan Ly. She does a great job of capturing Ha's voice and making the verse seem natural.  She does do a weird emphasis on the Vietnamese words, which slightly irritated me, but over all I thought she was a great narrator.  

Overall, I thought this was a beautiful and poignant book.  I highly recommend it.

The Templeton Twins Make a Scene [Review]

4 out of 5 Robots!

The Templeton Twins Make a Scene by Ellis Weiner, Illustrated by Jeremy Holmes
Genre: Middle Grade
Release: October 15, 2013
Hardcover: 261 Pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Shannon

Book Summary:

With its kid-perfect humor and dynamic illustrations, Book 1 of the hilarious Templeton Twins series left young readers clamoring for more. This time, Abigail and John Templeton find themselves at TAPAS (the Thespian Academy of the Performing Arts and Sciences) where their father, the illustrious Professor Templeton, has been hired to invent a groundbreaking theatrical device. Once again, there is drama (of course!), silliness, and suspense, as the twins (and their ridiculous dog) must thwart the dastardly Dean brothers in order to save the invention as well as their father (and the dog). Oh yes, there is sure to be another recipe. This time for guacamole. Or is it coleslaw?

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

This follow up to The Templeton Twins Have An Idea is almost as cute as the first.  I can't say I enjoyed it quite as much, but it is still very much in the same vein as the first.  I just felt this one took a little longer to settle into the story and just wasn't quite as entertaining as the first.  But, that's only by a small margin.  

Overall, though, I think this is a very fun series.  I liked the illustrations.  They are quirky and unique.  I think they stand out and are memorable.  I also like the narrator.  The narrator reminds me a little of Lemony Snicket, but way more snarky.  I think your enjoyment of this series depends entirely on whether you jibe with the narration or not.  I personally love the snarkiness, especially the hilarious little "quizzes" at the end of the chapters.  

If you want a fun middle grade series to check out, I recommend taking a peek at this one!


Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Templeton Twins Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner [Review]

 4 out of 5 Robots!

The Templeton Twins Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner
Series: Templeton Twins #1
Genre: Middle Grade
Release: August 15, 2012
Hardcover: 232 Pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Shannon

Book Summary:

Suppose there were 12-year-old twins, a boy and girl named John and Abigail Templeton. Let's say John was pragmatic and played the drums, and Abigail was theoretical and solved cryptic crosswords. Now suppose their father was a brilliant, if sometimes confused, inventor. And suppose that another set of twins-adults-named Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean, kidnapped the Templeton twins and their ridiculous dog in order to get their father to turn over one of his genius (sort of) inventions. Yes, I said kidnapped. Wouldn't it be fun to read about that? Oh please. It would so. Luckily for you, this is just the first in a series perfect for boys and girls who are smart, clever, and funny (just like the twins), and enjoy reading adventurous stories (who doesn't? )

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

I think your enjoyment of this book will hinge on whether you enjoy the narration style.  This book employs a snarky, sarcastic third person narration style that seems to be very popular with middle grade books.  If you like it, then this book is amusing.  If you don't, then...this probably isn't the book for you.  I actually found the narrator very amusing, so this book worked for me.

Here is what I liked:
**I found the narrator to be fairly hilarious.  I liked the snark and sarcasm a lot.  I kind of dig that style of narration where it feels like the narrator is actually talking to you instead of just telling you the story.

**I liked the funny little questions at the end of each chapter.  They were witty and sometimes made me laugh out loud.

**I loved the illustrations.  The had a nice clean feel, but also whimsical.  THey were more like diagrams than pictures.  (I'm terrible at describing art.) 


Here is what I didn't like:
**The actually plot wasn't very exciting.  If it wasn't for the narrator and illustrations, this book would have been pretty boring.


Overall:

I thought this was a fun start to an interesting series.  I think kids would like the narration style if they like sly humor.  

Other Books in the Series:
1. The Templeton Twins Have an Idea
2. The Templeton Twins Make a Scene

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger [Review]

3.5 out of 5 Robots!

  

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
Series: Finishing School #1
Genre: YA (MG?) Historical Fiction/Steampunk
Release: February 5, 2013
Hardcover: 307 Pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

On paper this book looks like it would be a lot of fun.  Who wouldn't like the idea of a spy academy disguising as finishing school with a dash of paranormal and a dollop of steampunk on top?  But, unfortunately, this book didn't really do much for me.  I really felt like it was trying too hard.  It was just too...cutesy for me.  And I think that distracted me away from the actual story.  I also thought it was a bit uneven.  Everything is shrouded in secrets: the school, the teachers, the "prototype", the other girls.  So much time is spent on how the school floats in the air, but very little time on who the teachers are and why they are there.  Why does this school exist?  Where did these teachers come from?  Why are they teaching girls to spy?  Who are the spying for?  None of that is explained.  I know it is part of a series, so I don't expect all the answers upfront but I feel like the basic premise should at least be laid out.  I also felt that very little time was devoted to the teaching.  Sophronia does not seem to spend much time in classes.  This was a little disappointing to me because I really wanted to learn how the girls were being taught.  I did like the characters.  They were fun and interesting.  But I would say this book is more middle grade than YA due to the age and maturity of the main character.  I think all the elements were there to make it a fun story, but ultimately it was missing forward motion and a cohesive plot. 

Other books in this series in the order that they should be read:
1. Etiquette and Espionage
2. Curtsies and Conspiracies
3. Waistcoats and Weaponry (expected publication 2014)

School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani [Review]

3.5 out of 5 Robots!

  

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Series: The School for Good and Evil #1
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Release: May 14, 2013
Hardcover: 488 Pages
Publisher: Harper Collins
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

“The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.”

This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.

But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed—Sophie’s dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are…?

The School for Good & Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

I'm a bit torn on this book.  On one hand, I found it highly inventive.  I loved the setting, especially once the girls get to the school.  I loved learning about the teachers, the classes, the other students and the school itself.  Like the Harry Potter books, a large chunk of the fun is in discovering the ins and outs of Hogwarts The School for Good and Evil.  While I'm always hesitant to call a book the "The Next...", I felt this book was very much in the same vein as Harry Potter. 

But ultimately, there was also something a bit lacking for me.  A minor problem I had was the length.  I'm not opposed to lengthy tomes, but sometimes this one just FELT long.  Sometimes I was wondering when we were going to get to the point.  I also found it a little hard to follow.  I don't know if it was the writing style or if it was the fact that the characters were constantly changing their spots, so to speak.  The only one who consistently seem to feel the same about any given situation was Agatha.  The worst offender was Tedros, the "love interest", who was constantly in love/hate/out of love/out of hate with several characters.  And it wasn't just because he was a wishy-washy guy.  Either way, I just found it hard to keep up.  There is also the mystery of the School Master tacked on but by the time the big reveal comes along I wasn't even sure how to take it.

Again, I think the biggest strength in this book is the inventive, fantastical elements.  I liked what Chainani was trying to accomplish by showing us that Good and Evil are not always easily recognized by outward appearances.  I just wish the author had been able to accomplish that in a more succinct way.  It is definitely worth a read in my opinion, but I don't think I will be back for further installments.

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz [Review]

  4 out of 5 Robots!

   

A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

Series: A Tale Dark and Grimm#1

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Release: October 28, 2010

Hardcover: 252 Pages

Publisher: Button Juvenile

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches.
Fairy tales have never been more irreverent or subversive as Hansel and Gretel learn to take charge of their destinies and become the clever architects of their own happily ever after.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

 
Shannon's Thoughts:

A Tale Dark & Grimm is a really fun Middle Grade book based on Grimm fairytales.  At the center of the book is Hansel and Gretel who become the main characters in other tales.  Gidwitz stays true to the original tales - gruesome endings and all.  He only adjusts the tales to fit in Hansel and Gretel and adds a narrator who adds funny little asides about the impending gruesome-ness.  I really liked how Gidwitz interweaves the fairytales together into one cohesive story arc.  It was a neat trick.  I appreciated that Gidwitz didn't try to sanitize the stories either.  I think older kids will appreciate that fact.  And I really liked the little trick at the very end that brings everything full circle.

I listened to this book on audio CD and was very impressed with Johnny Heller's narration.  He has a friendly and unique voice.  He has a great delivery, especially when speaking as the narrator.  I would really recommend listening to the audio version of this book!

Books in the series in the order they should be read:
1. A Tale Dark & Grimm
2. In A Glass Grimmly
3. The Grimm Conclusion (expected publication October 2013)

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier [Review]

4 out of 5 Robots!

   

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
by Jonathan Auxier

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Release: August 1, 2011

Hardcover: 381 Pages

Publisher: Amulet Books

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

“Now, for those of you who know anything about blind children, you are aware that they make the very best thieves. As you can well imagine, blind children have incredible senses of smell, and they can tell what lies behind a locked door—be it fine cloth, gold, or peanut brittle—at fifty paces. Moreover, their fingers are so small and nimble that they can slip right through keyholes, and their ears so keen that they can hear the faint clicks and clacks of every moving part inside even the most complicated lock. Of course, the age of great thievery has long since passed; today there are few child-thieves left, blind or otherwise.

At one time, however, the world was simply thick with them. This is the story of the greatest thief who ever lived. His name, as you’ve probably guessed, is Peter Nimble.”. (Courtesy of the Publisher)

 
Shannon's Thoughts:

I wasn't 100% sure what to expect when I picked this book up.  Actually, what I guess I expected a Dickensian type situation with a blind boy thief.  Maybe some magic realism thrown in there.  But that's only a portion of what this book is.  Most of it actually takes place in a fantasy land with a whole lot of magic thrown in.  And it is actually more of a hero's quest type tale.  Parts of it are pretty grim and dark.  (Peter, for example, had his eyes pecked out by a raven when he was an infant.)  Other parts were very imaginative and exciting.  Peter is at once helped and hindered by his blindness.  He can sense things that others can't (such as smell), but learns to rely on others to be his eyes.  There is also a mad king and lost children and seemingly evil ravens.  I've noticed a trend recently in children's literature of employing an omniscient narration style that speaks directly to the reader, Lemony Snicket-like.  This either works or it doesn't for you.  I find that this style works for Peter Nimble personally.  My only complaint is that it feels very long and can drag a bit.  But overall, I think fans of Lemony Snicket and the like will enjoy this book.

Island of Silence by Lisa McMann [Review]

4 out of 5 Robots!

   

Island of Silence by Lisa McMann

Series: The Unwanteds #2

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Release: September 4, 2012

Hardcover: 416 Pages

Publisher: Aladdin

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Second book in the phenomenal middle grade dystopian fantasy series, Unwanteds by New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann.

The battle is over. The magical barrier between the dreary land of Quill and the fantastical world of Artimé is gone. Now residents of both places are free to mingle, but tensions are high. The artistic warriors of Artimé struggle to forgive those in Quill who condemned them to death, while the Quillens attempt to recover from the shock of Artime’s existence, the loss of their leader, and the total collapse of their safe, orderly world.

14-year-old Alex Stowe has recovered from his physical wounds since his death-defying role in Artime’s victory, but his confidence is shattered. He battles self-doubt after Artimé’s beloved mage, Mr. Today, makes a stunning request, which is further complicated by the mysterious arrival of two silent, orange-eyed teenagers.

Meanwhile in Quill, Aaron is devastated by his fall from grace and seething with anger toward his twin brother Alex. Spurred by rage, Aaron recruits a team of Restorers and devises a masterful plan of revenge that will return him to power…if no one gets in his way.

Bestselling author Lisa McMann delivers another trademark page-turner in this second book of The Unwanteds series, as Alex and Aaron's parallel stories ultimately come together for a shocking climax that will leave readers desperate for more. (Courtesy of the Publisher)

 
Shannon's Thoughts:

Island of Silence is the sequel to the Middle Grade fantasy novel, The Unwanteds.  It picks up shortly after the events of first novel.  (Quick recap of the first novel: In militaristic Quill, children are placed into one of three categories: Wanteds who run everything, Necessaries who do the grunt work for the Wanteds, and Unwanteds who are sent to their death.  Only it turns out that the Unwanteds are actually secretly sent to Artime, a magical place ran by Mr. Today.  The citizens of Quill have no idea that Artime and magic exist.  The first novel centers on twins Aaron, a Wanted and Alex, an Unwanted.  Artime is discovered and a huge battle ensues).  

But now the battle is over, Artime is exposed and the gate is open.  Quill is recovering from the loss of High Priestess Justine and the knowledge of what really happens to the Unwanteds.  The world order has been shaken up.  Aaron has lost his privileged place in Quill society and grows angrier and angrier.  Alex is approached by Mr. Today to become his successor.  Meanwhile, Necessaries flood into Artime to escape their indentured lifestyles, leaving the Wanteds in Quill to fend for themselves. Aaron begins to hatch a revenge plot that spawns several horrible events.   In additional, two mute children show up in Artime wearing strange thorn collars and Alex’s friends go missing.

The first half of Island of Silence is a bit slow.  Alex struggles with his confidence and deals with jealousy from his friend, Lani.  Nothing much happens as they try to help the Necessaries adapt and continue their magical studies.  But after the two kids wash up shore, the book starts to pick up speed and by the ending, things are kicked into high gear.  I am, once again, impressed with Lisa McMann’s decisions to “go there”.  She doesn’t hold back a lot and there are some truly disturbing scenes (such as the Island of Silence - shudder).  As an adult reading a middle grade book - I loved the darker elements.  There are some catastrophic events and the ending leaves a lot of questions.  So be prepared.  Overall, I think this is a good series and perfect for younger Harry Potter fans.  It definitely has a bit of a Harry Potter feel to it. 

Books in the series in the order they should be read:
1. The Unwanteds
2. Island of Silence
3. Island of Fire (expected publication September 2013)

Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen [Review]

5 out of 5 Robots!

 

The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Series: The Ascendance Trilogy

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Release:  March 1, 2013

Hardcover: 352 Pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:
A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen's blockbuster THE FALSE PRINCE!

Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?

The stunning second installment of The Ascendance Trilogy takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King. (Courtesy of the Publisher)

 
Shannon's Thoughts:

I cannot tell you how much I adored The False Prince, so I was super excited to get my hands on the sequel.  Jaron is now King, but has a tenuous hold on his throne.  After an assassination attempt, it becomes obvious to Jaron that he needs to run away.  But Jaron, being Jaron, has some tricks up his sleeves and goes off to take matters into his own hands.  He finds himself being put in increasingly deadly situations and begins to worry that perhaps he has gotten himself so far in that now he won’t be able to get out.

I thought this was a very strong follow up to The False Prince.  This time we are in on most of Jaron’s secrets, which is different than the first go around.  I liked it because it really shows how clever Jaron really is.  You also get to know the real Jaron (those who have read the first book will know what I mean) and begin to understand his doubt, his pain, and his loneliness.  I also liked that he has quite a bit of growth and really begins to open his eyes to the friends and allies he has.  

Overall, a fantastic series.  I highly recommend it!
 
Books in the series in the order they should be read:
1. The False Prince
2. The Runaway King