Book Review: Chasing the Prophecy by Brandon Mull

Chasing the Prophecy by Brandon Mull
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication date: March 2013
Pages: 512
Source: Library
For: Fun
Series: Beyonders, Book 3

Summary from goodreads: *Spoilers are inevitable for the first two books*

Jason and Rachel were not born in Lyrian. They did not grow up in Lyrian. But after all of the battles and losses, the triumphs and adventures, and most of all, the friendships forged in this fantastical world, Lyrian has become home to them in a way they never could have imagined.

And so, armed now with the prophecy of a dying oracle, they have gone on their separate quests—each surrounded by brave and powerful allies—knowing that the chance for success is slim. But Jason and Rachel are ready at last to become the heroes Lyrian needs, no matter the cost.

Things I Liked:
Brandon Mull has some seriously interesting things going on in his imagination.  This series pulls out all the stops and throws it all out there.  I did like how all the characters had to work together and do everything they could and more to even have a hope of succeeding.  It was well-plotted and allowed us to see what each person's contribution should be.  I especially liked how it focused a lot on how Rachel and others had serious doubts about the success of their mission and how this was dealt with.  Each person was unique in their responses to the pressure and stress.  Some really interesting fantasy stuff too.  The ending was pretty good as well, if a little bittersweet.

Things I Didn't Like:
I had a hard time feeling motivated to read this one.  It felt really long and got bogged down a lot by repetitive character feelings and actions.  I struggled to keep going, even with the snippets of action and adventure.  There was just too much stuff that distracted from the story, I think.  Still, a satisfying conclusion and a series for fans of complicated and a little bit crazy fantasies.

Read-alikes:
Reminds me of Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Also like the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
some fighting

Overall rating: ***

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's (Aladdin)
Publication date: March 2012
Pages: 512
Source: Library
For: Fun
Series: Beyonders, Book 2

Jason is desperate to find a way back to Lyrian, since he left Rachel behind and he needs to share an important secret.  But his parents are so overjoyed at his return he finds it hard to escape.  When he does eventually return, things are not as he left them, with tensions running high and both Jason and Rachel in great danger.  Will Jason, Rachel, and their friends be able to rouse a rebellion to fight against Maldor or will they all lose their lives?

Things I Liked:
I do not know what is going on inside Brandon Mull's head, but he has more imagination than any writer I've read, hands down.  The weird and crazy and magical beings that inhabit these books are just unbelievable in number and variety.  The story also manages to keep me interested and wondering what will happen next to our displaced hero and heroine.  It's an imaginative series filled with the strange and unusual.  There's never a dull moment, that's for sure.

Things I Didn't Like:
I think I was put off a little by the non-stop descriptions.  It seemed that everything and everyone had at least two descriptive adjectives.  It got to be a bit much, bogging down the story and action.  Also, Mull uses a lot more obscure or difficult words, making it less accessible than his Fablehaven series, but perhaps will help kids learn more vocabulary.  Still, for those not afraid of some bigger words, the story is satisfying and worth the effort.

Read-alikes:
Start with Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull
Reminds me of Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none 

mrg-factor: none 

v-factor: -> 
some sword fighting, not graphic though

Overall rating: ****

How does this one compare to Fablehaven for you?

 

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull and GIVEAWAY!

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication date: March 2011
ISBN: 9781416997924
Source: ARC provided by publicist

 

When Jason falls through the hippo exhibit at the zoo into an unknown world, he little realizes what adventure awaits him.  Trying to find a way home, he is unintentionally embroiled in a plot to overthrow the evil Maldor who rules the land.  He and Rachel, a girl who also accidentally came there from his world, set out on an impossible task to find a way to defeat Maldor.  Can they survive this treacherous world and become heroes in a place that seems to have none?

Things I Liked:
Mull has a really creative mind.  I can't believe some of the stuff he came up with in this book!  Displacers and giant crabs and memory-displacing mushrooms are just a taste of the weird and wide variety of things he's created.  Jason was so much fun to follow on this adventure - he's pretty much got a smart response for every crazy thing that happens.  Even when things seem impossibly horrible, he doesn't despair.  He felt like a real person, one that I'd want to hang out with.  The story at first seems like its coming to an inevitable conclusion, but somehow manages to pull that rug out from under your feet.  A complex, entertaining, and seriously wacky new series.  Here are some favorite parts:

"Do you think any of this is happening?" she asked.
"It's happening," Jason replied.
Rachel remained quiet for a moment. "Of course you think it's happening," she finally said.  "You're just a character in my dream."
"You wish."
"I didn't mean my love interest" she replied defensively.  "You'd have better hair.  You're the characer I dreamed up because the rest of the dream is making me homesick."
"Maybe you're the character I dreamed up to scare myself awake."
"That's not very nice!"
"You made fun of my hair.  I like it this way. Short and simple."
"I don't mind short. Mine is short."
"Then what's wrong with mine?" Jason challenged.
"Maybe we should talk about something else."
"Like the guy on a horse coming to kill us?"
"It needs more style," she muttered.
"The horse?"
"Your hair."
"I forgot to bring my gel when I got eaten by a hippo." p 105-106 of ARC

"This is much harder than it looks," Ferrin said while reattaching his head to his neck.  "Catching your own head, I mean."
"I bet," Jason said. p 190 of ARC

Lumba berries do not truly nourish. In fact they rob your body of nutrients.  When consumed in significant quantities, they destroy your appetite for any other food.  Soon only lumba berries will satisfy, and you blissfully devour them until you starve to death. p 364 of ARC

Things I Didn't Like:
Sometimes it felt like it was meandering a little bit.  The book was quite long and there were a lot of adventures along the way, but sometimes it just didn't seem to be going anywhere.  It's definitely more complex in language and plot than Fablehaven, but will still appeal to younger readers who can handle the more difficult language.

Read-alikes:
Definitely felt like the Fablehaven books (Jason and Seth would totally get along)
Also reminded me of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
that I recall

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
some fighting, action, and maybe scary stuff

Overall rating: ****

If you're in Utah, don't forget Brandon Mull's launch party tonight at Cottonwood High School!  For more info, check out the Facebook page.

The generous folks of Simon & Schuster/Aladdin publishing are offering five copies of A World Without Heroes to my lovely readers! You can enter below by filling out the form. Contest ends Friday, March 25. US addresses only.

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage