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I'm usually not a reader of middle-grade fantasy, yet The Dark Hills Divide is a novel I've enjoyed throughout my childhood. The book begins with twelve-year old Alexa Daley and her father. Readers will notice the strong bond between the two as the story progresses. To me, this is an important aspect of the book. Alexa proves herself a caring daughter, but also and independent adventurer. She deeply loves her father, yet she is not afraid to stray away from him at times to satisfy her curiosity and inquisitiveness. It is these characteristics that propel young Alexa to solving the great mysteries surrounding her home.

The spirit of adventure is obviously the prevailing theme of this fantasy. The demolition of the immense walls surrounding Alexa's home signifies breaking away from safety and taking risks. Alexa herself takes many risks to save her home and in the process discovers a magical secret that will indefinitely change her life. I found her character bold, daring, loving, and a loyal friend. Her actions attest to her loyalty. Everything she does is for the benefit of somebody she loves or to help someone in need. The author did a fine job in constructing a suitable persona for her character.

The Land of Elyon is a very mysterious setting for the events happening in the story. The map provided in the front allows readers to foreshadow where Alexa's destiny will take her next. It alludes to coming adventures.

This is a fast-paced novel that I would deem most suitable for a middle-grade audience. Although the writing suggests such, an adult could still enjoy the shroud of intrigue and resourceful characters that fill its pages. Indeed, The Dark Hills Divide is a great introduction to a surely captivating series that anyone should like.

Beyond the Valley of Thorns, Patrick Carman's sequel to The Dark Hills Divide, is a fast-paced, enjoyable, and much darker read than its predecessor. The Land of Elyon is a very mysterious place, and readers of the first novel are only too aware of this. Many of these mysteries are revealed in Beyond the Valley of Thorns, yet even more remain unsolved. Readers learn about the history, tragedies, and the balance of good and evil of this troubled land. As much as I am fond of the first book of the series, the second installment is obviously a richer fantasy.

While delving through this intriguing novel, I sensed a Lord of the Rings-ish essence in the plot. Indeed, the Dark Tower of Victor Graindall was reminiscent of the two towers in the second of Tolkien's novels, save the second tower. Abaddon, the source of all evil in The Land of Elyon, could be compared to Sauron. Grindall could be seen as the counterpart of the wizard Saruman.

Indeed, this a fine fantasy. The only criticism I have is the lack of character in Alexa. The Dark Hills Divide portrayed her as a free-spirited, independent, and adventurous girl, but all of these qualities fell flat during the majority of the second novel. Even though this may be true for one character in the book, Patrick Carman successfully incorporates an array of new characters into the plot. Odessa, the quiet and thoughtful wolf, and Arman, the proud yet gentle giant, are only a couple of examples.

Beyond the Valley of Thorns has a very dark nature. The presence of evil is much more evident than the previous book. What really struck me was the sad state of the people living in Castalia. These suppressed and downtrodden citizens harbor a valiant and persistent nature that I really admire. They are governed by a tyrant and policed by foul ogres. The ogres, in my opinion, are the worst of the Castalians problems. These giant, ruthless brutes have been infected by Abaddon's evil and are literally rotting from the inside.

For readers of The Dark Hills Divide, Patrick Carman's second installment of the series will come as no disappointment. Though dark in nature, this is a very pleasant read that captures the spirit of adventure and the essence of faith its many allegories. Though the lack of character in Alexa is evident, this is an excellent read for fans of the series and fantasy alike.

For one of the few times in my life I am actually nearly at a loss for words. Expressing the boundless veneration I have for Fire World and its author seems daunting and nearly impossible. This was one of those rare times where I actually chewed a book before swallowing it, instead of devouring it outright. I cannot pretend to do justice to this book through a review, but as I am a writer, I am compelled to make the attempt.

Fire World is the sixth and most recent installment of the Last Dragon Chronicles, ingeniously written by Chris D'Lacey. Throughout the previous books of the series, the storyline has evolved greatly, but generally retained the same overall character or essence. Amazingly, Fire World takes a drastic turn away from what readers would consider familiar about the story. Firstly, just understanding the fact that the events in the sixth installment are taking place in an alternate reality tells readers not to expect the ordinary.

Co:pernica is an alternate universe version of Earth, where all the familiar characters of the series appear – but not quite as they’ve been before. As the book starts out, readers of the previous novels may be confused. They may even say, "What the heck is going on?" I certainly had a similar reaction upon opening the book. There are several peculiarities throughout the novel that may also strike readers as odd or intriguing, including the return of Gwillana (known as Aunt Gwyneth on Co:pernica). The death of Gwillana in Dark Fire was one of the highlights of the series and to see her return, to me was an intense moment. Totally awesome, to say in modern teen words.

I have deduced that Fire World is by far the epitome of the series' greatness, even if it borders on confusing at times. For that reason only, I cannot give the series a perfect 100/100 rating. Certain readers may find the novel a bit too "out there" and too dissimilar from the remainder of the series. I, myself found it superbly fantastic and worthy of being remembered and revered throughout the ages. Chris D'Lacey is truly a genius, hands down, and an excellent writer. I hope many young readers discover this series, as it can truly change someone's perspective on fantasy.

The stunning ingenuity of Chris D'Lacy expresses itself once again in the second installment of the Last Dragon Chronicles. In this continuation of the plot, David finally discovers the secrets of the Pennykettle Dragons, along with the uncovering of a link between polar bears and and dragons of ancient times. Icefire is indeed a step up on the maturity level compared to The Fire Within, yet the childish innocence of the first book manages to carry over as well.

One aspect of the book that really impacted me was the description of "auma" or someones inner fire. Auma can be compared to the breath of God, or universal consciousness. It is the animating force of the Pennykettle Dragons, and it is a major part of the plot. I'm guessing (but not entirely for sure) that "auma" is the author's personalization of the Hindu and Buddhist "Aum" or "Om." It is often referred to as the sound of the Earth… Creation... The heart of existence. This idea is very inspiring. ;-)

All in all, Icefire is definitely a good read. If you enjoyed The Fire Within, you will be satisfied by it's sequel. I will give some warning though, this book seems to open the door to the more cosmic aspects of the series, which may be confusing to some. I am looking forward to reviewing the later books in the series, including the recently released Fire World. Until then, read on! ;-)

Fire Star is the third installment of the Last Dragon Chronicles, and the plot is finally beginning to heat up. Much of the setting takes place in the arctic, where serious events are beginning to escalate. Now three books into the story, I am devouring Chris D'Lacey's writing with a passion. I am now very familiar with his writing style; the way he incorporates vast, complicated, and fascinating ideas into a a simple script that anyone could read with ease. I am in awe. ;-)

In this fascinating book, Chris describes a race of beings that reside on a different vibrational frequency than humans. They exist in the realm of Dark Matter, where thoughts are substance. They are called Fain. The Fain have mastered inter-dimensional travel and often visit us humans, influencing our thoughts and overall aiding us in achieving spiritual enlightenment. This is a thought-provoking idea. . .

The concept of a fire star (a portal from the world of fain & dragons to Earth) is extremely exciting. It carries the same vibes as a mass revolution, shift of global consciousness, or any other momentous event. Throughout the novel, any reader will realize that tensions are beginning to increase. You can tell something high-scale is coming. When the climax finally comes to pass, readers will not be disappointed.

The Fire Within is one of those books that might not seem very special, or as if it would be a worthwhile read, yet is actually a story that will touch the hearts of all who decide to open its cover. In my opinion, the writing style of this first installment is most suitable for someone of a younger age than my own, yet the themes expressed have the ability to capture anyone's interest. This easy read is a favorite of mine and will always remain so.

Throughout the entirety of the novel, a prevalent theme becomes evident; We all have a fire within us, and it is called creativity. This message is expressed in every essence of The Fire Within. The protagonist, David Rain, finds his fire within while discovering inspiration. David manages this only with the help of his special dragon, Gadzooks who often writes ideas down on the notepad he was kilned with. David receives inspiring ideas from Gadzooks only in his imagination. Or does he?

Again, this seemingly trivial read is actually a book I wish all of humanity had the chance of reading. The thought-provoking themes the author provides will undoubtedly effect the current generation of readers. I am quite fond of The Fire Within and the rest of the Last Dragon Chronicles as well, which I hope to be reviewing in the near future. Truly, Chris D'Lacey has constructed a beautiful, touching, and adventurous novel that will kindle the fire within each and every one of his fans, including me. ;-)

D.J. MacHale has been one of my favorite authors ever since I feasted upon the Pendragon Series. His writing style is immensely captivating, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. This was the first horror I have read in a long time, and I must say MacHale seems to have a knack for the genre. I was surprisingly and utterly enthralled.

D.J. MacHale definitely incorporates his ingenuity in all literature he has a hand in. His most recent project, The Morpheus Road Trilogy, is... unique to say the least. It was unlike anything I usually read, a true psychological horror with paranormal aspects. I have no regrets upon reading it though, I actually enjoyed it quite well. The characters were solid, the plot was intricate, and originality was rampant.

For YA readers, The Light is assuredly a novel worth checking out. I found myself shocked, chilled, and in some cases disturbed while reading. If you are looking for a thrill ride that will surprise you multiple times, than the first installment of Morpheus Road will undoubtedly satisfy you. A hunger for horror and paranormal goodness will quickly be satisfied upon opening the cover. I am looking forward to read and review the next in the series, The Black. The prospect of continuing to indulge upon the story of Marshall Seaver is exciting.

Wow... I am at a loss for words, which rarely happens. I must express my deep gratification toward Mr. Paolini for reviving an emotion inside of me that I have not felt since many books ago... As my first ever perfectly rated book (100/100 points) I deem it appropriate to say this read was totally awesome!!! Although this is unusually immature for me, it is undoubtedly my true reaction. Brisingr brought out the best of enjoyment inside of me. A literal tingling pervaded my entire body as I read, especially toward the end of this phenomenal book.

Once again, Christopher Paolini proves his indubitable talent for comprising a brilliant plot. I could compare his skill and craft to chocolate making, the perfect combination of essential ingredients that leads to an amazing finished product. Paolini is a true master when it comes to implementing characters into a plot, finding the environment that suits them the best. When it comes to the setting of the story itself, his ingenuity is unmatched. An entire world, the plot of Brisingr is built upon, a world of ceaselessly discovered detail. Simply spectacular.

For those who eagerly await the next installment of The Inheritance Cycle, Inheritance, I feel your apprehension. How could anything rival the splendor of Brisingr? I have no doubt Christopher Paolini's fourth and final book of the series will be the best by far. He has done it before with the earlier installments, and he can do it again. Join me in waiting as the closure of the Inheritance Cycle draws ever nearer. Join me, as the story of Eragon and Saphira finally ends.

Michael Scott's knack for bringing readers plenty of action and adventure has not dimmed in the slightest. The third installment of this exciting series is an enjoyable read for those who prefer fast-paced plots. Books such as these will leave an imprint on the reader, making their thirst for more of the series nearly insatiable. For the lovers of mythology and magic, I highly recommend it.

The characters were, once again, solid and fascinating to read about. The continuation of the previously introduced character's adventures was satisfying, although Michael' influx of new personae is what I enjoy most about the series. His creativity is undiminished.

Overall, The Sorceress is a great installment to the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. It could be recommended to almost anybody who enjoys a deceptively juvenile and in-depth plot. Readers who have been fans of the series since the beginning will love to indulge upon this book and satisfy the always hungry literary monster which resides in us all.

The Inheritance Cycle is a series I am an undoubted fan of. Christopher Paolini's debut, Eragon, was one of the best fantasies I've ever read, and it completely enthralled me. Only the lasting charm of a very good book can lead me to praising it so highly. Eldest was loaned to me by a dear friend, as was Eragon, and I can not effectively express the gratitude I have for him. If you are reading this Eddy, I thank you enormously.

When beginning Eldest, my heart immediately recognized the unique writing style of Christopher Paolini and practically melted. This is an adequate expression of how much I adore this series. Paolini has effectively mastered the molding of an in-depth plot, powerful characters, and inspired writing into a beautiful novel. He is one of the great inkweavers of the modern literary world.

The second installment of the Inheritance Cycle was a beautiful continuation of the series. Paolini worked his magic yet again in providing us readers with another succulent plot and a fresh batch of characters. Readers will traverse a written path, enamored by the extraordinary adventures of Eragon the dragon rider, and his companion Saphira. Eldest is truly an epic read for lovers of the fantasy genre.

So, if you ever have the chance to read Eragon, don't hesitate to snatch the book and begin right away. When it comes to a great novel such as this, stealing and resorting to hedonistic greed is perfectly acceptable. Just joking! Only steal from your not-so close friends. ;-)

The first installment left me pretty eager for the second. I enjoyed the fast-paced plot and action packed adventures. When I finally got my hands on The Magician, I thought, "how could a book get any more exciting?" The second book of Michael Scott's fantastic fantasy is just as adrenaline pumping and fast-paced as the first, possibly even more so. It is a great read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys magic, conflict, and unimaginable adventures.



The characters were fairly solid, like the previous book, but with an extra infusion of genius on Micheal Scott's behalf, when he created Niccolo Machiavelli. A truly cunning character, Machiavelli takes the spotlight of the book in my opinion. His many aspects are masterfully welded together into one of the most fascinating personalities I have ever encountered before in a book. Truly, a job well-done. ;-)



Overall, I could recommend this book to just about anybody. The younger crowd would be greatly appealed to the fast-paced, action-packed plot, while the older readers would be enamored my the many mythological references Scott includes. A very well rounded read in my opinion.

Epic is a word I use for only a few select fantasies, of which Eragon is included. For several years, I overlooked this spectacular book, every once in a while eyeballing it but never opening its cover. But by the Gods I am glad to have finally tasted Christopher Paolini's magic.


I started Eragon with reverence, due mainly in part to the respect my good friend Eddie expressed toward this book. He offered to let me borrow it, surprised I hadn't already read it. I was too, after I began the first chapter. Eragon is a spectacular fantasy, worth of much commemoration. The sheer complexity of the world Christopher Paolini has built is reminiscent of J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.


The characters he has constructed are tightly entwined with the plot he has woven out of ink. A beautiful world of magical creatures and sorcery awaits the reader who plans to devour this fantastic adventure. Eragon is a truly marvelous read that enthralled my imagination and immersed my consciousness. I highly recommend this novel to any lover of the genre and epic adventures. You will soon come to know the true meaning of veneration. ;-)