A fantasy sequel with well-developed characters that doesn’t disappoint.
In the second installment of this Japanese mythology–inspired fantasy series, Iren Saitosan, a member of a warrior race known as the Maantecs, sets out to regain his magic-using ability, uncovering many secrets about his past along the way.
At the close of the previous installment in The Dragoon Saga (The Wings of Dragons, 2013), Iren channeled the spirit of the Holy Dragon inside his katana to stop the Fire Dragon from burning the world of Raa to the ground. The downside of this epic victory is that Iren can no longer use magic. Feeling frustrated and useless, he sets out to find his family’s old farmhouse, in hopes that his parents, whom he never knew, left clues as to how he can regain his power. Along the way, he rescues his old friend, the loyal soldier Balear, from execution; then, a beautiful, mysterious Maantec woman named Hana rescues them from danger, and she promises to help Iren find what he’s seeking. Hana possesses abilities that make her a valuable ally—but she may have her own agenda. Rondel, the fiercest old crone in Raa, teams up with the forest princess Minawë to track Iren through an array of vibrant, violent landscapes, but even with their own magical powers, they might not be strong enough to stop him from fulfilling his destiny. Author VanBrakle packs his story with blood-splattered battles, otherworldly creatures, and back-stabbing plots—all the hallmarks of a great saga. As in the first book, the strong female characters are the standouts: Minawë’s evolution from a grieving princess to a bow-wielding warrior is a far more compelling personal journey than Iren’s; Hana manages to be neither a hero nor a villain and neither a victim nor a victor but something else far more unique; and Rondel harbors complex, hidden motivations at every single step. The three of them will make readers forget who the main hero of the story is actually supposed to be.
A fantasy sequel with well-developed characters that doesn’t disappoint.Pub Date: Oct. 16, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-9891957-2-0
Page Count: 284
Publisher: Arboreal Press
Review Posted Online: Nov. 24, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
Roman charms with an imaginative, whimsical picture book that will entertain even the oldest pirates.
Debut author Roman pens a picture book about an imaginative boy who transforms his bed and stuffed animals into props for a marvelous pirate adventure.
Roman draws the reader in from the first page with illustrations that are cheerful and clever. The story showcases a young pirate and his menagerie: cousin Hallie, a first mate who sports a purple bandanna and ruffled pirate shirt; Linus, the loudmouthed but scaredy-cat lion with a braided goatee; Fribbet, the floppy frog with an audacious red pirate hat; and Mongo, the mast-climbing monkey who charms with an eye patch and endearingly oversized lips. Roman deftly creates an appealing visual experience with engaging, bright illustrations that will appeal to young readers. The characters are rich with animated expressions and personalities that showcase the creative and warmhearted ways the characters have fun. Well-drafted secondary characters also include the “mermaid” who appears with a plate of golden doubloons (in the form of cookies) and orders the pirate not to get crumbs on the bed when eating them. The text has a lovely intonation when read aloud, and the simple, understandable story also carries a more complex, clever subtext that will allow for educational discussions. The captain’s constant good-natured lament that “being a captain is hard work”—as he watches his crew do all the actual labor—is hilarious and a pleasant opportunity to teach children about the nuances of words and their layers of meaning. The author’s adept use of genuine pirate terms—“swab the decks,” “pump the bilges” and “me hearties”—adds flavor and authenticity to the story, too. The captain and his crew sit down with a dictionary to figure out what “shiver me timbers” means, and then they take great delight upon using the phrase correctly; children will, too.
Roman charms with an imaginative, whimsical picture book that will entertain even the oldest pirates.Pub Date: April 12, 2012
ISBN: 978-0615534657
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Michael/Okon
Review Posted Online: June 19, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2012
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
PERSPECTIVES
An entertainingly silly sequel that improves upon its predecessor.
Loogie, a prankster genie, returns in this amusing second installment in Castle’s children’s book series.
Charlie, a modern grade schooler, and Loogie, a medieval prince cursed to be a magical genie until he does enough good deeds, have both come to terms with Loogie living in Charlie’s nose. But when Charlie gets a bad cold, a sneeze causes Charlie’s best friends, Katie and Tom, to find out his secret. Although this initially means great fun—Loogie turns Charlie into a dragon for Katie to ride—things start going wrong when Loogie catches Charlie’s cold. The sniffles go straight to Loogie’s ears, and he starts mishearing things: “blizzard” instead of “wizard” and, later, “magical creatures” instead of “magical ingredients.” The resulting creature invasion can’t be banished until Loogie gets well—unless the three kids call upon evil genie Tildor, who claims Tom as his new master. Tildor always has a trick up his sleeve, but his part in the story is left unresolved—presumably until the next installment. Castle’s second book is tighter than the first, as Charlie’s friends help keep his secret. Herholz and Castle’s illustrations are again engaging, reminiscent of Quentin Blake’s pictures for Roald Dahl’s classics. The gross-out humor remains constant, and readers who are entertained when snot flies will enjoy the difficulties caused by the cold: “Charlie held up his hands to block [Loogie’s] sneezes. Too late—he was already covered with spittle. ‘Gross! You sneezed all over me!’ ” The author continues to use an accessible vocabulary with a lightweight, fast-moving plot sure to engage reluctant readers, particularly boys who have outgrown Captain Underpants.
An entertainingly silly sequel that improves upon its predecessor.Pub Date: March 19, 2013
ISBN: 978-1480219700
Page Count: 104
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2013
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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