The Royal Ranger

The Royal Ranger (Ranger's Apprentice #12)

by John Flanagan  

4 stars

 

464 pages 

Published Nov. 5, 2013 by Philomel

 

I enjoyed this last book (we hope) in this long series of Ranger's Apprentice books. I can't believe there are 12 of them! I appreciated the plot and the fact that finally!!! there is a girl Ranger's apprentice! It took the author long enough to figure out that girls would make fabulous Rangers, too. Maybe he'll do a spin-off series focused on this. We'll see.

Expect the same great action, adventure and bad-guy slaying you read in the other 11 books. Flanagan has proven that he knows how to write adventure stories for all age sets.

Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1)

by Leigh Bardugo

4 stars

358 pages
Published June 5, 2012 by Henry Holt and Co.

Happy, happy day! This fantasy is right up my alley. Part coming-of-age story, part love story and part magical power story.

This is a story about a girl who discovers her inborn powers and her struggle to learn to use them - and not be used by others. She also loses her innocence and naivete by trusting the wrong people.

I was intrigued by the premise and held captive by the plot. I read this book quickly - much to the dismay and neglect of my family.

Pick this up. It's fantastic. No swearing and no sex. Yay!

A World Without Heroes

A World Without Heroes (Beyonders #1)

by Brandon Mull

4 stars

 

457 pages

Published Mar. 15, 2011 by Aladdin (first published Mar. 1, 2011)

 

For a juvenile fiction book, this one is fantastic. My 10-year-old was recommended this book by her friend, and she LOVED it! It's got action, adventure, a quest, puzzles, some gross stuff - all things that my kid loves. I also enjoyed it.

She's now well into the second one.

Let me just tell you, it warms my heart to see my kid reading a nice, fat book.