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Fantasies to Tide You Over
By Holly E. Newton
The days are getting closer to the release of the new Harry Potter book, and many of us can hardly wait. However, here are a few fantasy books to tide you over until you can get your hands on the latest J. K. Rowling novel. The first two books are perfect for ages 11 through adult.
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I'm always hesitant to read a second book in a series (except the Potter series) if the first book was exceptional, because it's so difficult to rise to the same level. But Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star, by Brandon Mull, continued the thrilling adventure of the highly recommended (and reviewed by me) first book, Fablehaven. |
The story picks up where the first ended as the two siblings complete their school year. Kendra has acquired some magical abilities from her experience with fairies in the original book and can see the evil monster that has just entered her 8 th grade class. She's aghast that no one else seems sickened by his sight. In fact, the popular girls sitting close by seem to swoon at his appearance.
How could this be? He is truly disgusting. Then she realizes that because of her discernment, she is the only one in class who sees him as he truly is. The rest of the class sees him as a handsome, athletic student who has just moved to town. Kendra is worried about why he is here now and why he seems to chide and taunt her.
She and her younger brother are about to go on another gripping and spine-tingling adventure that will have you turning the pages as fast as you can to read what befalls these two. Furthermore, you don't need to read the first book to understand and enjoy this second in a planned series. But I warn you that after you read this book, you'll be compelled to read Fablehaven because Mr. Mull knows how to weave all of the interesting and exciting components into a story! There is nothing better than to find an author who has filled the story with excitement, humor, rich characters, language that wraps around your mind and a book that you won't want to stop reading! And what better time to discover this book than during summertime?
The King of Attolia, by Megan Whalen Turner, happens to be the third book in a series. I haven't read the first two (The Thief and The Queen of Attolia) but I'm betting that after you read this third book, you will want to read the first two as I am. The Thief won the Newbery Honor award back in 1997 and the second book wasn't published until 2000. It took six years for this third book to come out, but once you begin reading any of these outstanding fantasy books, you'll understand why. The author has created an imaginative country with bordering countries that are on the brink of war. I was curious about reading this newest edition because there was so much praise and interest in it. I was worried, however, that I wouldn't understand what was taking place since I hadn't read the other two books. But with the exception of the names of the countries, the reader needn't worry.
Turner will take you immediately to Attolia and make you feel comfortable in this new home as you read about the newly crowned king. The story is written from the vantage of a young and inexperienced guard, Costis. He views his new king as self-centered and unconcerned about his new crown or wife. But he soon learns that this new king is highly complex and to be respected and very valuable to a country who is about to go to war. The author has an extraordinary ability to weave a story and build characters so rich you'll not want to put the book down! These are the stories I like best: the ones you don't want to stop reading! And, fortunately, there are still 2 other books you can pick up.
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Here's another book in a series.
Ravenspell: The Wizard of Ooze, by
David Farland, is book two in the series. I'm always worried
about reading books that are in a series because I don't want
to read all of the previous books to understand what's going
on in the newest edition. However, this highly imaginative and
interesting story doesn't need the first book, Of
Mice and Magic, to understand what's going
on. However, as with the “Attolia” books, you will want to read
the first book as well because this story is so exciting and
well written. |
Young Ben Ravenspell is now a mouse because Amber, a magical mouse, changed him in the first book. Now Ben is trying to help save the mice from the many dangers that befall them. They face an evil wormlord, Sebaceous Ooze, who is about to conquer and devour all rodents who lie in his path. There are wonderful illustrations, by Howard Lyon, throughout the story, making this the perfect fantasy for ages 8 through 12.
The last two books are great for newer readers, ages 7 to 10. Toys Go Out, by Emily Jenkins, and wonderfully illustrated with pictures throughout by Paul O. Zelinsky, is an easy read adventure with a larger font and double spaced text. This is a story about three small toy animals who are not sure who they are and what they look like. But this chapter book will more than likely become a favorite!
And the last book, Dragonsdale, by Salamanda Drake, is all about dragons. Cara is helping her father groom and care for the many dragons that are owned by the people in the area. But her father won't let her ride any of them because she lost her mother to a terrible dragon riding accident. But Cara's life is about to change when she works with a wild dragon. There are pictures throughout, by Gilly Marklew, making this a perfect chapter book!
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| About
the Author: |
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Holly Evans Newton has taught kindergarten through
7th grades for 25 years. She received her B.S. from Utah State University
in Logan, Utah, and her M.A. from Lindenwood University in St. Charles,
Missouri. She has three sons who have served full time missions,
two younger daughters, plus four adorable grandchildren. She has
been married to Dale Karl Newton for 34 years. She is currently
serving as ward organist and Relief Society pianist in Phoenix,
Arizona.
Holly is the recent recipient of the
prestigious Literacy Award presented to her by the International
Reading Association. She writes a weekly children's book review
for the largest distributed newspaper throughout mid-Missouri. She
was seen for eight years on the NBC affiliate in Missouri and now
is on the NBC affiliate in Phoenix for her weekly children’s
book reviews. She presents book presentations to schools where her
knowledge, experience and enthusiasm are valued by educators, students
and parents. What sets her apart from other reviewers is her goal
to find the best books for kids by reading books cover to cover
and making sure there is no inappropriate language or sexual content.
You can find her past book reviews on her website: www.newtonsbook.com
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