MG Review: Mark of the Thief by Jennifer Nielsen

Published by: Scholastic Press on  February 24th 2015
Genres: Middle Grade  Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Pages: 352

Format: Hardcover

Source:  Purchased 

After being sold into servitude by their mother, Nic and his sister Livia are forced to work in the mines near Rome.   Since Nic is small and adept within the mine, he is chosen to retrieve a lost treasure  belonging to Julius Caesar that is believed to be deep at the bottom of a cavern.  Once inside the mine, Nic locates the treasure, but also stumbles upon the griffin who is guarding it.  The two battle over a bulla (object from Caesar containing magic) and Nic ends up receiving a scratch on his back from the griffin.  As the mine begins to collapse around them, somehow Nic is able to convince the griffin that they must escape.  Yet, Nic doesn't want freedom if it means that he must leave his sister behind, so is quickly captured and returned to the mine.  Nic's troubles do not end there, he is then sold to Felix and sent to Rome to control the griffin, who is set to  participate in the hunts within the Colosseum.   Along the way, Nic meets many officials within the Roman empire, but who to trust becomes very challenging and when he makes a terrible mistake in the Colosseum hinting at his ability to use magic, he now has the General of Rome trying to get the bulla for himself.   

I was first introduced to Nielsen's books beginning with the False Prince.  My child and I really enjoyed reading the series together, so Mark of the Thief seemed like it would be a great book to follow it up.  At the same time, they were also learning about Rome at school, so it was great to have a book that matched up with the curriculum as well as being entertaining.  Some of the specific details my child enjoyed, were the class system and government within the Roman empire, the idea that Caesar had believed he was descended from the Gods, the aqueducts, and  of course the gladiators and battles in the Colosseum. the Mark of the Thief also had lots of action, adventure, twists and turns and  political intrigue that left Nic with no one he could trust despite everyone wanting to "help" him.  There were also a lot of people harboring secrets and ulterior motives.  Nic certainly reminds me of Jaron from the False Prince with his playful bantering, teasing of Aurelia and insults that he hurls at everyone else.  Plus, I always adore characters that stand up for their siblings and don't want to "blur the shades of right and wrong."  If you enjoy reading books set within the Roman times and have read any other of Nielsen books from  The Ascendance trilogy before this will fit in perfectly.   

My kiddo's final thoughts:  "Nielsen does characters pain so well to where you feel it." 

THE PIRATE CODE Release Day Blitz +Giveaway

I am super excited to be participating in the Release Week Blitz for THE PIRATE CODE by Heidi Schulz which releases today, September 15th!  Plus there is also a giveaway for copies of both HOOK’S REVENGE books! US only. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

About The Book:

Title: THE PIRATE CODE: HOOK'S REVENGE Book 2

Author: Heidi Schulz

Pub. Date: September 15, 2015

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Pages: 352

Format: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads

Fresh off a fearsome encounter with the Neverland crocodile, Jocelyn Hook decides the most practical plan is to hunt down her father's famous fortune. After all, she'll need the gold to fund her adventuring in the future. (And luckily, Hook left her the map.)

But the map proves to be a bit harder to crack than Jocelyn had hoped, and she's convinced that the horrible Peter Pan might be the only one with the answers. Of course, he doesn't really feel like helping her, so Jocelyn takes the only reasonable course of action left to her: she kidnaps his mother. Evie, though, is absolutely thrilled to be taken prisoner, so Jocelyn's daring ploy doesn't have quite the effect she'd planned for.

Along with the problem of her all-too-willing captive, Jocelyn must also contend with Captain Krueger, whose general policy is that no deed is too dastardly when it comes to stealing Hook's treasure. And with the ever-shifting Whens of the Neverland working against her as well, Jocelyn, Evie, Roger, and the rest of the Hook's Revenge crew have their work cut out for them.

In this rambunctious showdown between characters new and old, Jocelyn puts her own brand of pirating to the test in a quest to save her future and those she loves.

About Heidi:

Heidi Schulz is a writer, reader, and giraffe suspicioner. She lives in Salem, Oregon with her husband, co-captaining a crew made of their teen daughter, a terrible little dog, and five irascible chickens. Her debut novel for middle grade readers, HOOK’S REVENGE, published by Disney•Hyperion, was a Bank Street Best book, among the New York Public Library’s Top 100 Titles for Children in 2014, and an OCTE Oregon Spirit Honor Book. A sequel, HOOK’S REVENGE: THE PIRATE CODE, will follow in September 2015. Bloomsbury Kids will publish her picture book debut, GIRAFFES RUIN EVERYTHING, in Spring 2016.

Connect with the author:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS | PINTEREST | TUMBLR | INSTAGRAM

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive both HOOKS’S REVENGE Books. US Only.

Ends on September 25th at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top Ten Tuesday: First Ten Books I Added to My Favorites List

Top Ten Tuesday is a Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish  This week's Top Ten topic is a freebie, so I decided to go with the first ten books I added to my favorites list (on Goodreads).  



1. How To Train Your Dragon  by Cressida Cowell.  
I had such fun reading about Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and Hiccup with my kiddo.  One of our all time favorite series of books/movies.

2.  My Life as a Book by Janet Tashijan 
Loved the comic strip drawings of vocabulary words in the margins by Janet Tashijan's son Jake.  All around fun book.

3.  The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson 
 I have a fondness for animal stories and I enjoyed how the familiars were the ones who were going out on an quest.  

4.  The Shadows (The Books of Elsewhere #1) by Jacqueline West 
 I actually first heard this one in audio format and had to go back and purchase it just to see all the illustrations and go through it one more time slowly.  

5.  Splurch Academy for Disruptive Boys: The Rat Brain Fiasco by Julie Berry and her sister Sally Gardner.   Both humorous and wonderful black and white illustrations made this one a hit for me and my kiddo.  

6.  Athena the Brain (Goddess Girls, #1)  by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams 
 Greek Mythology with younger age flavor added in.  

7.  Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver
This book stuck with me a long time after reading it, one of my favorite ghost stories.  

8.  Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi   
After reading his book The Spider and the Fly, I located this one.  I adore this for its illustrations and the feel of Wind in the Willows.  

9.  Guyku by Bob Raczka and illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds 
One of my favorite picture books.  I loved Peter Reynolds illustrations in The Dot and Ish and think Guyku was a wonderful mix of art and poetry. 

10.  Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
One of the first books that was making the rounds of book blogs that I was following.   Love the characters and covers of all of these books.  

I like the mixture of books, some fantasy, early readers, poetry, some with wonderful illustrations and spooky ones.  I was surprised that Harry Potter wasn't on my favorites list and then I remembered that I read it and rated it, but never really reviewed the series.  It will always be at the top of my list anyways!  

So what books would make it on your list of first books that became your favorites?  

MG Fantasy/Adventure: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Published by: Greenwillow Books on December 27th 2005 (first published 1996)
Genres: Middle Grade Fantasy/Adventure

Pages: 280

Format: Paperback

Source:  Purchased 


"I can steal anything."  After Gen's bragging lands him in the king's prison, the chances of escape look slim.  Then the king's scholar, the magus, needs the thief's skill for a seemingly impossible task-to steal a hidden treasure from another land.  To the magus, Gen is just a tool.  But Gen is a trickster and a survivor with a plan of his own." (From the back cover of the paperback).


The Thief came highly recommended by Brandy at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.  Truthfully it is my first time reading a book by Megan Whalen Turner, although I've heard that her books are favorites of quite a few bloggers.  I very much liked our narrator Gen, he is smart, resourceful and very sneaky. Not only does he convince the king's magus to take him to search for the treasure, he is also able to back up his being boastful by being a very adept thief.   I especially like the details of how Gen uses his lock-picking tools to open doors and his adventures of trying to steal food for him and his traveling companions.   At the same time, I enjoyed the political intrigue going on between the three neighboring countries of Attolia, Sounis and Eddis. Gen is more knowledgeable about the situation than he wants to let on, which leads to a nice twist at the end.  I very much enjoyed Megan Whalen Turner's writing style and am vested now to pickup Queen of Attolia and continue with Gen's story.  

MG Review: Of Enemies and Endings by Shelby Bach

Published by: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers on June 30th 2015
Genres: Middle Grade Fairy Tale Retelling/ Fantasy

Pages: 304

Format: Hardcover

Source:  Purchased and ARC from Author in exchange for an honest review

How will this tale end?

The whole fairy-tale world is on high alert. The Snow Queen and her minions are targeting Characters, and Ever After School is the only safe refuge left. Rory knows a final confrontation is inevitable, and she worries about the safety of her family and friends–particularly Chase, who has been acting very strange lately.

Will Rory be able to count on Chase when she needs him most? Is she strong enough to put an end to the Snow Queen’s terrible reign once and for all? Only one this is certain: it’s time for Rory to find out if her tale ends in happily ever after.

I just finished listing all the series that I have yet to finish for my Top Ten Tuesday list, but now I get to list one that I have finished.  Of Enemies and Endings by Shelby Bach.  There are those series that I hold off on finishing until I'm ready for reading them, well cause I'm expecting an emotional roller-coaster, or  maybe I'm just saving it for a special treat for myself cause you know it is the last book.  There is something so final when you read the last book.   I mean yeah it has to end sometime, but it's also the kind you want to read with no interruptions, sipping some coffee and then delving into the final book of a series that ya just loved.  This was that book for me over the weekend.  

I'm gonna try to put down my thoughts, stay spoiler free and hopefully sound coherent at the same time.  First off I love that cover, it is by far my favorite of the entire series.  The expressions on the Snow Queen and Rory's face, Rory looks so determined while the Snow Queen looks so, well icy.  And the snowflakes, love how they sparkle.  It makes me cold just looking at it, but it is even more gorgeous and detailed in person.   And that title (chosen by Rachel, one of her readers), sets you up for what kind of story it's going to be.  The story has been building up to this point ever since Rory found out that the "fate of magic would fall into her hands."  And Bach really doesn't disappoint.  

The main characters are Rory, Lena and Chase, throughout the series they have been three of the best friends and one of the things that I have loved most about the series.  Each of them has grown and honed their skills as characters of their tale.  Together they have endured quite a bit.  However,  Of Enemies and Endings really tests their friendship, changing them even more and led to some of the biggest roller-coasters of emotions for me.  There were moments when I was questioning peoples motives and thought process, I mean come on Chase you promised Rory that you'd always come if she was in trouble.  But, I still had faith that there could really be only one outcome to the story, but  was still surprised by the path that got us there.  There was even one particular death that took me completely by surprise and was particularly difficult for me, good thing I also keep tissues near by whilst reading.  Of Enemies and Endings defiantly had some very sad moments, but an ending that really left me satisfied.  It's not all sad moments though, I don't want you thinking that this is going to end in a dark/sad way.   There were also some very funny moments that made me laugh right along with Rory (end of chapter eight), which was just perfect by the way. That's the thing about Bach's series, she knows just what her characters need and how things should happen and that particular scene was just perfect.  Well and all her characters, even down to Rory's parents and Amy are so well written. Who knew Amy had such non-magical skills when fighting off witches?  Well and the ending, that was a wonderful ending.   Oh and one can't forget the budding feelings that were developing in Of Sorcery and Snow, yeah there are plenty of those too.   Such sweet moments.  Overall, I'm sad the series is over, hopeful that Bach will find inspiration for another series of books, and thankful that I can always pick this book up and read all of them again!  

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten series that I haven't finished

Top Ten Tuesday is a Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic was Ten Series that I haven't finished yet.  Some of these series aren't finished, but I would still like to get back to them someday.  

1.  Rodrick Rules #2 from Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

I enjoyed the first one tremendously, but why did I not continue?  My kiddo dropped off at book six.  We did so enjoy reading this though.   

2.  The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Sad to say, but I haven't read all of this series yet, despite having the whole set,  I really have no excuse.  

3.  The Heroes Guide to Being an Outlaw #3 from The League of Princes by Christopher Healy 

It's the last one, one to go and then I've read the whole series.  Why did I miss this one?  I loved the others so.  Have to check the library and put it on hold.  

4.  The Last Ever After #3 from The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

I'm so close to finishing this series too.  

5.  Rose and the Lost Princess #2 by Holly Webb

I've also missed out on books 3 and 4.  

6.  The Grimm Conclusion #3 from A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

agghh, another book that I am one away from completing the series.  

7.  Gustav Gloom and the Four Terrors Book 3 and Book 4 Gustav Gloom and the Cryptic Carousel by Adam-Troy Castro

Here's a link to my review for the first book in the series, in case you want to check it out.  I have plans to read these two for Halloween.  Such a great MG creepy book.   

8. How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel Book #10 from the How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell 

9.  The House of Hades Book #4 The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan  

Well and book 5 and the rest of the Kane Chronicles.  But I really want to read his Norse series first.  

10.  From Little House on the Prairie series I have yet to read

Little Town on the Prairie and The First Four Years or maybe I did, but I just don't recall them and they really don't sound familiar to me at all.  

Boy, it just makes me feel sad seeing all those series up there unfinished.  I need to stop wanting to read all the books.  There must be a book expression for your eyes are bigger than your stomach that fits this situation.  What's on your list of unfinished series?  Feel free to share a link to your Top Ten Tuesday.  

MG Review: The Pirate Code (Hooks Revenge #2) by Heidi Schulz

Published by: Disney Hyperion on September 15th 2015
Genres: Middle Grade Adventure Fantasy

Pages: 352

Format: eARC

Source:  Publisher via NetGalley

"Fresh off a fearsome encounter with the Neverland crocodile, Jocelyn Hook decides the most practical plan is to hunt down her father's famous fortune. After all, she'll need the gold to fund her adventuring in the future. (And luckily, Hook left her the map.)

But the map proves to be a bit harder to crack than Jocelyn had hoped, and she's convinced that the horrible Peter Pan might be the only one with the answers. Of course, he doesn't really feel like helping her, so Jocelyn takes the only reasonable course of action left to her: she kidnaps his mother. Evie, though, is absolutely thrilled to be taken prisoner, so Jocelyn's daring ploy doesn't have quite the effect she'd planned for.

Along with the problem of her all-too-willing captive, Jocelyn must also contend with Captain Krueger, whose general policy is that no deed is too dastardly when it comes to stealing Hook's treasure. And with the ever-shifting Whens of the Neverland working against her as well, Jocelyn, Evie, Roger, and the rest of the Hook's Revenge crew have their work cut out for them. 

In this rambunctious showdown between characters new and old, Jocelyn puts her own brand of pirating to the test in a quest to save her future and those she loves."

 I really adore re-tellings of classic stories and thought Hook's Revenge was utterly delightful.  Jocelyn was both willful, tomboyish, stubborn, but also enduring and adorable.  She had some self doubts, mostly because she really wanted to live up to the Hook name, but also had such an adventuress spirit.  One that  took her and Roger on an adventure that led her to vanquish the crocodile, recover her father's hook and a key to a locked box that would lead to her father's treasure trove.  So, when I heard there was a sequel coming out,  I was eager to read it.   The Pirate Code begins shortly after the events of the first book.  Jocelyn has her map to the treasure, but unfortunately it is written in a code which she lacks the key for.  Therefore, Jocelyn and her band of pirates are left going on a treasure hunt to find the key, but she isn't the only who wants the treasure.  A pirate with razor sharp teeth is hot on their trail.  

 

The Pirate Code was a great follow up to the first novel, it had the most wonderful "piratical atmosphere,"  yeah I like that word.  Schulz does pirates well, I loved everything from the descriptions of ghostly wrecked ships, pirate battles aboard deck, quest for treasure to the "gulls shrill screams with the scent of brine, unwashed men, blood, and rotgut grog in the air."  Schulz seemed to take the second book into uncharted waters, while staying true to the magic of Netherland and its beloved characters.  She plays a lovely homage to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan with the inclusion of mermaids, fairies, and characters like Peter Pan, Tiger Lily, the Lost Boys and lots and lots of adventure. Oh and how Jocelyn grows and comes into herself as Captain of her crew.  She develops her own sense of what the Pirate's Code means to her and the beautiful friendship that she shares with Roger is so sweet.   I even loved the addition of the new characters, which added layers to the plot and placed Jocelyn in "quite a pickle."  But, it is the sarcastic narrator that ultimately made this book for me, he made me smile and chuckle on so many different occasions with his wise cracks and snide comments to the reader. 

"Morals can be such burdensome things.  That is precisely why I am happy to remain unafflicted by them."

 He makes for a fun reading experience and I just loved em'   I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the delightful illustrations by John Hendrix, with my favorite being a particular scene involving porridge. Plus it was fun to use the key at the end of the book to try and figure out the  secret message on the cover and the one found inside the book.  Overall, I highly recommend this for fans of pirate books and anyone who enjoys a wonderful re-telling of a favorite classic.   Although the story had a complete ending, meaning no cliffhanger and things were wrapped up, I still can't help feeling like I would love to see more books in the series.  I've read that Schulz may even have some ideas on the subject, so I hope this will happen someday.

Favorite quote: "The thing about friends is, you never know when you might need them. It's always best to keep them imprisoned nearby.”

I received an eARC for free from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

As a side note:  There is a giveaway going on until the 8th at Goodreads.