Air Keep

Goodreads Synopsis:    It’s been six months since Marcus and Kyja obtained the help of the land and water elementals, but before they can secure the help from the mysterious air elementals, the two friends must first be reunited. A task easier said than done.

Master Therapass is worried that trying to pull Marcus to Farworld would put him in danger of the shadow realm, but if Marcus stays on Earth, he’ll be sent back to the Philo T. Justice School for Boys instead of being able to stay on the protected grounds of the monastery. 

While attempting to return to Farworld, Marcus finds himself in the Abyss of Time, facing four doors: the Is, the Was, the Will Be, and the Never Was. What he learns in that dangerous place has the potential to change his life—and Kyja’s. But does he have the courage to tell her what he learned?

And in Farworld, a drought, floods, and blizzards have seized the land, hinting that perhaps there is a traitor in the elementals’ midst. The Dark Circle is growing in power, and as Marcus and Kyja desperately search for the air elementals, they must first answer the question “Is there anyone we can trust?”

My Thoughts:

-    I finally read this!! Hooray! It has been sitting in my own-but-haven't-read pile on my nightstand for a long time! 

-    The story was a bit slow for a lot of parts, and I thought this was going to be my least favorite book of the series for sure, but the ending all came together, and I really enjoyed the book as a whole.

-    Marcus was a little annoying at times. I'm still waiting for him to grow and develop into the big hero that Farworld needs.

-    I like Mr. Z a lot. He is a very fun character. 

-    The ending was very captivating. I didn't want to quit reading. That hasn't happened to me for a while, so I'm excited that I found a book that kept me riveted. 

-    I wish the elementals played larger role in the story. I think that will happen in the next book. At least I'm hoping to see all the elementals get together and do something amazing.

Previous Farworld Books

(click on the covers to see my thoughts)

 

Land Keep

Goodreads Description:    “Thrilling reads.” — Holly Newton, Meridian Magazine

Four mythical Elementals — Water, Land, Air, and Fire — have the power to save two worlds, Earth and Farworld, from a common enemy: the Dark Circle. In book one, Water Keep, a portal has been opened between the two worlds, allowing Marcus, from Earth, and Kyja, from Farworld, to combine their unique gifts and begin their epic quest to find the Elementals.

In book two, Land Keep, Marcus and Kyja travel with Cascade, a Water Elemental, toward Land Keep, the home of the powerful and wise Land Elementals. However, their journey may end before it even begins. Land Keep is empty, deserted for at least a thousand years, and the rumor is that the creatures who once controlled all land magic are extinct. Marcus and Kyja's only hope seems to lie in finding the Augur Well, a legendary Oracle protected by subtle traps and mind-bending trials. To succeed in their quest, Marcus and Kyja must also avoid the Keepers of the Balance, an order dedicated to redistributing magic to the rich and powerful. And they must travel far underground, where Cascade is unable to follow and where they will be unable to leap to the safety of Earth.

As the Dark Circle closes around them, Marcus and Kyja are faced with the temptation of what they desire most. Sacrifices must be made, and not everyone will survive unscathed.

My Thoughts:

-    This adventure was even more thrilling than the first book! I really enjoyed this!

-    I love the cover! I was a bit confused by it for a while, but after about half way through the book I was like "OH! That's who they are!"

-    Mr. Z reminds me of an Ed Wynn character. I kept hearing his lispy voice.

-    Some parts of the story were like reading a video game! My hands were itching for a controller! I was like "I could do that!" I think Farworld should be made into an RPG!

-    I felt a lot more emotion in this book than the first one! I was excited, sad, apprehensive, angry, and more! I loved it! 

-    The fight at the end is so epic! I also loved the banter that was going on, so hilarious! The fighting was awesome as well.

-    I love the land elementals! They are so cool! I also love how they thrive on knowledge and learning. 

-    I LOVED the strengths and weaknesses ideas. Strengths can become weaknesses, and weaknesses can be strengths! I love that! I also love the theme of pairs! It takes 2 to get through things. Combining strengths and weaknesses with others can achieve so much! It reminds me of a marriage. I hope to accomplish this kind of thing with my husband.

-    The end has a bit of a twist, and I can't wait to get my hands on Air Keep!!

Previous Farworld Book

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

J. Scott Savage Event

 On Thursday I had the pleasure of attending an author event at the Provo Library.

 J. Scott Savage was the main attraction.

The 3rd book in his Farworld series was just released, and he talked a bit about his books and how they came to be.

 He took some time to talk about the cover art (which I love). They were originally going to connect into this cool symbol, but they went with something else.

 This young lad single handedly saved the Farworld series! He convinced his father to continue to publish the series.

Are you ready for this!?!?!?

CHECK OUT WHAT I WON!!

A canvas print of Brandon Dorman's art for Air Keep!! AAAHH!! I'm so stoked! Scott signed it for me, and Brandon is going to sign it! I'm so happy!

My luck wins out again!! I'm so glad I was born in the year of the rabbit!
It was like getting a real life epic drop!!! SO HAPPY!!

p.s. for you Courtney Lowe fans! Gene said her book is sold to Feiwel and Friends!!!! 
She better have her launch party in Provo!

Water Keep

From Goodreads:    Other people may see thirteen-year-old Marcus Kanenas as an outcast and a nobody, but he sees himself as a survivor and a dreamer. In fact, his favorite dream is of a world far away, a world where magic is as common as air, where animals tell jokes, and where trees beg people to pick their fruit. He even has a name for this place-Farworld.

When Marcus magically travels to Farworld, he meets Kyja, a girl without magic in a world where spells, charms, and potions are everywhere, and Master Therapass, a master wizard who has kept a secret hidden for thirteen years, a secret that could change the fate of two worlds.

But the Dark Circle has learned of Master Therapass's secret and their evil influence and power are growing. Farworld's only hope is for Marcus and Kyja to find the mythical Elements-water, land, air, and fire-and convince them to open a drift between the worlds.

As Kyja and Marcus travel to Water Keep, they must face the worst the evil Dark Circle can throw at them-Summoners, who can command the living and the dead; Unmakers, invisible creatures that can destroy both body and soul; and dark mages known as Thrathkin S'Bae.
Along the way, Marcus and Kyja will discover the truth about their own heritage, strength of their friendship, and the depths of their unique powers.

My Thoughts:

-    This was a fun adventure!

-    I want to live in a world of talking animals, especially ones that tell jokes.

-    I really enjoyed this.  The characters were fun and very believable.  I think Marcus was such a realistic teenage boy.  His doubts and uncertainties were something every kid could relate to.

-    Kyja was a lot of fun.  I loved her confidence and determination. She was such a great asset to the story.  She also brought Riph Raph into the picture, and he was a lot of fun.  I loved the parts where she was so fascinated by every day things.  

-    There definitely needs to be more books to the story, so I'm glad there is more.  I'm excited to read the others.  The ending isn't killer, but the story isn't over.

-    I wish there had been more with the water people.  The cover is a little deceiving. We only get to meet the water elementals towards the very end.  Water is my favorite element, so I really wanted more!

-    I love that this is set in a fantasy world, but it is also set in the modern day world.  They way that this is handled is so creative and fun!

-    I loved the whole misfit theme in the book.  The 2 main characters don't really belong in their worlds, but they are trying their best.  I really think everyone can relate to that on some level. I really love how the characters grow and discover their strengths.

-    The covers on these books are awesome!


My Re-Read Thoughts:

-    I listened to the audiobook this time, and I definitely prefer reading the book myself.

-    The narrator wasn't very good. His voice for all the females is horrible. There was no expression, no emotion, or anything. The guys were fine, but he needs to work on his girl voices.

-    I forgot how fun this book is. Despite the narrator, I really enjoyed the characters and the story. 

Case File 13: Zombie Kid

Back of the Book:    Nick, Carter, and Angelo are obsessed with all things monster.  Every year at Halloween, they get to show off their knowledge with elaborate homemade costumes.  Only this year, a surprise trip to the house of an aunt who may have been a voodoo queen throws a major wrench in the boys' plans.  Nick discovers a cursed amulet that turns him into a real monster - a zombie - and to him and his friends, that is...awesome! At first.

    But when the whole zombie thing gets a little out of hand (literally), the boys must go on a chilling adventure to reverse the curse.  One that involves a talking cat, a skeleton who likes candy corn, and even the dreaded Zombie King himself.

    Case File 13 is a satisfying new series that blends irreverent humor, light chills, a mysterious narrator, and the kind of authentic characters that will leave young readers convinced this story is about their own best friends.

My Thoughts:

-    This was a really fun and humorous book!  I thoroughly enjoyed it!

-    Why are the hands only on the Ms and Ws in the chapter descriptions?  I know this is really random, but I just happened to notice, and I was curious.

-    I liked the chapter titles.  They were funny.  In response to a couple of them:  After reading Chapter 8, I'm still a dog person.  I read Chapter 9 right before bed (around 10:30 PM), and I was ok.

-    Old man Dashner huh?  Is that a coincidence or a bit a of a cameo?  No wonder James Dashner said this was "the perfect book."

-    It might just be me, but the 3 boys reminded me an awful lot of the 3 chipmunks.  There was a tall smart one with glasses, and the other one was constantly eating.  Plus, they have 3 girls that are their rivals.  I just kept picturing the trio like Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, and there are some strange similarities.  It is a good thing I'm a chipmunk fan, cause this just added to the enjoyment.  

-    I love how the Nick picture at the beginning of each chapter changes.  

-    Angelo's "trick" was disgusting yet funny.  I would be in shock if I someone do that!

-    I thought the story really flowed, and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.  The ending is especially clever and fun.  

-    The 3 boys were so funny.  I loved their characters.  They were such typical boys, and it cracked me up!  

-    I hope Savage writes more with these characters.  I'd love to read more about them and crazy situations.  I'd also like to see more rivalry stuff between the guys and the girls.