Category Archives: Fantasy

Review – The Alchemyst

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Author:  Michael Scott

Genre:  Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  9

  • Action:  8
  • Suspense:  7
  • Boredom:  2
  • Romance:  3
  • Magic:  10
  • Thrills:  6

Recommended Age Range:  11+

  • Violence/Fear:  4
  • Mature Content:  2
  • Language:  2
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  2
  • Advertising:  3
  • Positive Messages:  7
  • Role Models:  7

Overview

15-year-old twins Sophie and Josh Newman are working across the street from each other in San Fransisco when their lives are turned upside-down by the arrival of a Dr. John Dee, who attacks the owner of the bookshop in which Josh works, Nick Fleming, who is revealed to be an Alchemist, a kind of magician.  John steals a magical book known as the Codex, which holds the instructions to making the Elixir of Life, but Josh is able to rip out two pages crucial to the dark purposes for which Dr. Dee intends to use the book.  When Dr. Dee kidnaps Nick’s wife Perry, Nick is forced to reveal that he is actually the famous alchemist of the 1300s Nicholas Flamel, and enlists their help to save his wife, whose real name is Perenelle.  This series is a must-read for fans of fantasy.  The books in the series include:  The Alchemyst, The Magician, The Sorceress, The Necromancer, The Warlock, and The Enchantress.

Review – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

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Author:  J. K. Rowling

Genre:  Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  10

  • Action:  8
  • Suspense:  9
  • Boredom:  2
  • Romance:  8
  • Magic:  10
  • Thrills:  8

Recommended Age Range:  10+

  • Violence/Fear:  7
  • Mature Content:  2
  • Language:  2
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  2
  • Advertising:  1
  • Positive Messages:  9
  • Role Models:  9

Overview

This book is sure to become a classic.  The series follows the adventures of Harry Potter, a boy who is raised by a cruel aunt and uncle until he discovers he has magical powers, and that his parents were murdered by an evil wizard named Voldemort.  He then is taken to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he meets new friends Ron and Hermione.  The books in the series are:  The Sorcerer’s Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Goblet of Fire, The Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince, and The  Deathly Hallows.  As is said on few occasions in BookBrook, the movies are also excellent.

Review – The Lord of the Rings (Trilogy)

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Author:  J. R. R. Tolkein

Genre:  Classic, Adventure, and Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  8

  • Action:  10
  • Suspense:  8
  • Boredom:  6
  • Romance:  6
  • Magic:  10
  • Thrills:  8

Recommended Age Range:  12+

  • Violence/Fear:  5
  • Mature Content:  2
  • Language:  3
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  4
  • Advertising:  1
  • Positive Messages:  9
  • Role Models:  8

Overview

This book is the classic fantasy story of all time.  For those who do not know,  The story follows the adventure of the hobbit Frodo who is given a mysterious and powerful Ring, which he goes on a perilous journey to destroy it.  A strong suggestion would be to read the book, The Hobbit, which is a precursor to this trilogy.  The trilogy can be dull in certain sections, (and there is a great deal of poetry and song which can be skipped over, if one wishes, without risking missing important information) but muscle through and it is a truly rewarding read, if only so you can brag about it.  The books in the trilogy are: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, all of which can be recognized by the The in the beginning of their titles.  As is rarely said in BookBrook reviews, the movie version is also excellent.

Review – The Candy Shop War

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Author:  Brandon Mull

Genre:  Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  9

  • Action:  8
  • Suspense:  9
  • Boredom:  1
  • Romance:  1
  • Magic:  10
  • Thrills:  9

Recommended Age Range:  8+

  • Violence/Fear:  3
  • Mature Content:  1
  • Language:  1
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  2
  • Advertising:  2
  • Positive Messages:  7
  • Role Models:  8

Overview

This book follows the adventure of 5th grade kids Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Paul, also known as Pigeon.  Their quiet town quickly becomes fraught with peril as magicians toting magical candy move in.  This book is an outstanding  story, written by Brandon Mull.  There is also a new sequel: The Candy Shop War: Arcade Catastrophe.

Review – Eragon

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Author:  Christopher Paolini

Genre:  Adventure and Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  10

  • Action:  10
  • Suspense:  8
  • Boredom:  2
  • Romance:  5
  • Magic:  9
  • Thrills:  9

Recommended Age Range:  12+

  • Violence/Fear:  4
  • Mature Content:  1
  • Language:  1
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  2
  • Advertising:  1
  • Positive Messages:  6
  • Role Models:  7

Overview

Eragon is a boy from a poor town who is startled by the sudden arrival of a mysterious blue stone.  When it hatches into a dragon he names Saphira, he is in for a wild ride, as his sleepy town has a rude awakening to the cruelties of the world around them.  They must now escape thier town to protect those they love.