Tag Archives: Fantasy

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (review by Elisabeth S. ’16)

The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastards, #1)The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Lies of Locke Lamora involves author Scott Lynch taking the classic fantasy tropes of rugged thief and medieval Venice and going for a joyride. The protagonist and antihero, Locke Lamora, delights in totally robbing members of the Venice-like Camorr’s noble class, assisted by his companions and best friends. He participates as part of the city’s mafia, yet he doesn’t steal to get rich — he steals because it’s “heaps of […] fun!” One day, he gets in way, way over his head. The voices Scott Lynch has crafted for each of his characters are so unique that they linger on and make dialogue tags almost unnecessary. The book was snarky, smart, and written with a skilled hand, yet remained surprisingly poignant and touching at key points. This book is highly recommended to fans of fantasy, or anyone who is looking for a fun read. (If you are not comfortable with strong language, this book is not for you.) – Elisabeth S. ‘16

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The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan (review by Lavinia D. ’17)

The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice, #1)The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Will is about to make the biggest choice of his life: what Craft he will choose as his profession for the rest of his life. He has always wanted to go to Battleschool and be a mighty soldier, riding a sleek horse and wielding a jeweled sword. However, when Choosing Day comes, he is rejected because he is too small. A man named Halt informs him that he as other skills; skills that would be useful for a Ranger, the kingdom’s legendary archers that are rumored to be black magicians. Finally, Will agrees to begin training as a Ranger, but the kingdom of Araluen is in grave danger, threatening his life. The epic start to The Ranger’s Apprentice series, I recommend The Ruins of Gorlan to anyone who enjoys action and adventure filled with humor along the way. What I particularly appreciate about the book is that Flanagan takes great care in developing the character’s personalities while illustrating the tale along the way. – Lavinia D. ‘17

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The Magicians by Lev Grossman (review by Monica K. ’14)

The Magicians (The Magicians, #1)The Magicians by Lev Grossman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Lev Grossman’s The Magicians is almost impossible to enjoy. The darker, more mature cross between The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter, The Magicians follows the school years of Quentin Coldwater, a miserable, isolated genius who is admitted into a secret university of magic. It unflinchingly (and increasingly depressingly) depicts his constant quest for happiness as he navigates his way through classic adult rites of passage. Despite its admirably ambitious thematic goals, the book fails to maintain a strong, engaging plot and ultimately loses the reader. – Monica K. ‘14

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A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin (review by Akshay B. ’16)

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Game of Thrones is the first book in George R. R. Martin’s series A Song of Ice and Fire, set in the land of Westeros in times of magic, dragons, and knights. The story has several lead characters, each with their own story, yet everything they do is connected. The major characters fight for their lives, either against enemies who would slay every living creature, or against enemies who compete for the Iron Throne. Martin’s brilliant writing allows the readers to feel the emotions of the characters and care for them. As the queen of Westeros says “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.” If you watch or plan to watch the mini-series, you’ll want to read A Game of Thrones first. – Akshay B. ‘16

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City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (review by Lavinia D. ’17)

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Brooklyn teenager Clary Fray goes with her best friend Simon Lewis to a nightclub, the last thing she expects is to witness a murder – and to be the only one who sees it. Seeking answers, she meets Jace Wayland at the club, but suddenly, she is thrown into an unknown world fraught with danger, followed up with the news that her mother, Jocelyn, has been kidnapped by a man named Valentine in his search to find an object known as the Mortal Cup. Along with Jace and his adoptive siblings, Alec and Isabelle Lightwood, Clary starts to search for her mother and uncovers the truth about herself: she, along with Jace, Alec, and Isabelle, are part of a race called Shadowhunters – half-angel and half-human. In order to save her mother from Valentine’s evil clutches and retrieve the Mortal Cup, Clary must master her powers before it is too late. City of Bones was extremely riveting and had comedy thrown in at the perfect time. However, an overwhelming number of characters introduced in a short amount of time, made following along a bit difficult in the beginning. – Lavinia D. ‘17

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Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett (review by Andrew T. ’17)

Thief of Time (Discworld, #26)Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thief of Time‘s pantheon of characters, including Death, his granddaughter Susan, famed warrior monk and janitor Lu-Tze,and his disciple Lobsang Ludd, have a problem, namely, the apocalypse next Wednesday. Armed with an orange cream chocolate in each hand, the heroes must fight the Auditors, a race bent on the destruction of humanity. This hilarious, wacky fantasy novel strays from the well-beaten path of dwarves, elves, and humans, in favor of creatures such as history monks, yetis, and Igors. It reminds the reader at every step that nothing is what it seems in a way that is entertaining rather than cliché. Fans of the ongoing Discworld series will see some old faces, yet those unfamiliar with the books will not feel lost. Anyone wanting a good time and a good laugh should definitely read Terry Pratchett’s Thief of Time. – Andrew T. ‘17

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Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (review by Andrew R. ’17)

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, WitchGood Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch features a book-dealing angel named Aziraphale; his danger-loving demon acquaintance Crowley; and the eleven-year-old Adam Young, a resident of the town of Lower Tadfield who already commands his own gang. None of the three is what they seem. Aziraphale, the supposed epitome of good, has spent so much time with the human race that he may not actually be perfect, while Crowley, a servant of Satan, has embarrassingly picked up some positive qualities. Meanwhile, Adam, due to a mix-up at his birth, is the Antichrist, fated to bring about the ultimate destruction of the world. While Good Omens does contain commentary on the nature of good and evil, it does not read like a story with a moral, as each page is filled with humor and action. Occasional digressions from the main plotline, which often follow the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and a seventeenth-century witch, add a complex and thought-provoking element to the book. Any reader willing to tolerate some good-natured jokes concerning the Biblewill thoroughly enjoy this light novel with serious, philosophic themes. – Andrew R. ’17

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Graceling by Kristin Cashore (review by Anushka D. ’15)

Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)Graceling by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Because Katsa was revealed to be Graced with excellent combat skills at a young age, she has grown up as King Randa’s pet assassin. Katsa detests the fear and destruction that follows her everywhere she goes but feels helpless; she cannot aid the kingdom or change her image. However, when handsome King Po shows up at the castle and becomes her first true friend, Katsa finally has a chance to prove herself as a human, not a savage. Cashore creates a beautiful fantasyland full of dragons, kingdoms, and kings while keeping credible characters. Katsa is strong-willed, powerful, and beautiful but rivets readers with her vulnerablility and compassion . The plot hooks readers and continues to be strong to the end, and the romance is entertaining. – Anushka D. ’15

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Chasing the Prophecy by Brandon Mull (review by Kai A. ’17)

Chasing the Prophecy (Beyonders, #3)Chasing the Prophecy by Brandon Mull
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When transported magically from Earth to Lyrian, Jason and Rachel simply wanted to return home. They have been flung into a dire and seemingly hopeless conflict against the evil tyrant and wizard Maldor. The improbability of victory is repeatedly expressed, so much so that it gets tiring. Still, when the action gets going, the book becomes fast-paced and adventurous. Mull not only does well in depicting the battles, but he also describes Jason and Rachel’s coming of age as well as the sense of unification and sacrifice. Mull plants the beginnings of a new plot at the end of the last book of the trilogy, rendering the conclusion to the main plot unsatisfying. In summary, this novel is decent but probably not Mull’s best, a slightly disappointing end to a good series. – Kai A. ‘17

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The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde (review by Kai A. ’17)

The Last Dragonslayer (The Last Dragonslayer, #1)The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Indentured orphan Jennifer Strange is a witty teenager working as secretary for Kazam Mystical Arts Management, which offers its magical services in a world where magic, once powerful, has recently started to wane. Suddenly, she becomes the last dragonslayer and must save the world’s magic. Author Jasper Fforde specializes in building believable worlds and creating realistic but fantastic characters while maintaining a light and comical tone. His unpredictable and intricate plot has some inconsistencies and gaps of logic noticeable to the meticulous reader. In addition to an exciting ride, the plot becomes a vehicle of commentary on the corruption and greed of mankind. Overall, this is a enjoyable read and the first in the Chronicles of Kazam series that promises much more. – Kai A. ‘17

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