*****
JK Rowling
Ever wonder what might happen if you break a silly rule? You just might find yourself facing dangerous, possibly deathly tasks and losing your best friend! Of course, this time, Harry didn't actually break the rule. Someone did that for him. But who? And why? And how is he going to fawn over Cho, keep up with his studies, avoid Rita Skeeter, and learn to dance while preparing for the tasks?
Is it wrong that I find the premise of this book slightly hilarious? I mean, they say this tournament is dangerous. People have died! But then everything seems perfectly safe to me*. Either way, it's an enjoyable read. Even though there are sad parts, it's still mostly a light book. Nothing compared with the darkness that is to come in the next 3!
*except, of course, for that one little flaw. But that wasn't exactly planned.
Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
*****
JK Rowling
Prepare for a turn for the worse.
Voldemort is back. No one believes it. In fact, while Harry has been trapped in Little Winging with his horrible aunt and uncle, the wizarding world has been doing their best to discredit him...and Dumbledore.
When Harry is finally whisked back into "his world," he finds a gloomy group known as The Order of the Phoenix fighting a losing battle against propaganda, disappearances, and dark recruitments. Even at school, Harry faces a lot of opposition.
Which is a shame, because Harry could really use the help of his friends. Plagued by bad dreams, a distant mentor, classes (or should I say torture sessions) with Snape and, worst of all, another new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, this one worse than any so far, Harry feels all alone. He takes some comfort in his after-school-activities, such as the secret DA club he and his friends have formed, but when it all comes down to it, Harry will need to be the one who once again stands up to the Dark Lord.
This book made me so angry! Don't get me wrong, I loved every second of it, but Umbridge...OOOOH that woman! There was some incredible action, especially near the end, and I cried several times (like when Molly encountered the bogart!). But in the end, I was mostly numb with disbelief. How could anything end so bitter-sweet? (Although, if you think this was bitter-sweet, wait 'til you read the last one!)
If you like this, look for:
Harry Potter Series
Septimus Heap Series
Twilight Series
Charlie Bone Series
Percy Jackson Series
JK Rowling
Prepare for a turn for the worse.
Voldemort is back. No one believes it. In fact, while Harry has been trapped in Little Winging with his horrible aunt and uncle, the wizarding world has been doing their best to discredit him...and Dumbledore.
When Harry is finally whisked back into "his world," he finds a gloomy group known as The Order of the Phoenix fighting a losing battle against propaganda, disappearances, and dark recruitments. Even at school, Harry faces a lot of opposition.
Which is a shame, because Harry could really use the help of his friends. Plagued by bad dreams, a distant mentor, classes (or should I say torture sessions) with Snape and, worst of all, another new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, this one worse than any so far, Harry feels all alone. He takes some comfort in his after-school-activities, such as the secret DA club he and his friends have formed, but when it all comes down to it, Harry will need to be the one who once again stands up to the Dark Lord.
This book made me so angry! Don't get me wrong, I loved every second of it, but Umbridge...OOOOH that woman! There was some incredible action, especially near the end, and I cried several times (like when Molly encountered the bogart!). But in the end, I was mostly numb with disbelief. How could anything end so bitter-sweet? (Although, if you think this was bitter-sweet, wait 'til you read the last one!)
If you like this, look for:
Harry Potter Series
Septimus Heap Series
Twilight Series
Charlie Bone Series
Percy Jackson Series
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
*****
JK Rowling
Finally, Harry is expecting a quiet year at Hogwarts. Yeah, right. Before he even gets close to going to school, things start to go wrong. Harry loses his temper and does (*gasp*) magic in front of muggles. Sure that he is about to be expelled or possibly even arrested, Harry decides he has nothing to lose and runs away from home. Thankfully the Knight Bus is there to rescue him and take him safely to Diagon Alley where he learns that he is in no trouble at all.
From there, the strangeness persists. Harry is followed everywhere by a mysterious black dog (the Grim?), hunted by a crazy serial killer, attacked by dementors, tutored by a man who grew up with his father, tortured by Snape (okay, that's pretty normal) and engrossed in the mystery of Peter Petigrew and his parents' deaths.
Is it disingenuous to give all of Rowling's books 5 stars? Oh well. I am in love with this series. This is the last light and happy book (if you can call it that) before the series starts to get pretty dark and depressing (but still irresistibly good!) There are parts of this book that will make you scream with the unfairness of it all and there are parts that may have you literally cheering for the trio.
If you like this, look for:
Harry Potter Series
Septimus Heap Series
Twilight Series
Charlie Bone Series
Percy Jackson Series
JK Rowling
Finally, Harry is expecting a quiet year at Hogwarts. Yeah, right. Before he even gets close to going to school, things start to go wrong. Harry loses his temper and does (*gasp*) magic in front of muggles. Sure that he is about to be expelled or possibly even arrested, Harry decides he has nothing to lose and runs away from home. Thankfully the Knight Bus is there to rescue him and take him safely to Diagon Alley where he learns that he is in no trouble at all.
From there, the strangeness persists. Harry is followed everywhere by a mysterious black dog (the Grim?), hunted by a crazy serial killer, attacked by dementors, tutored by a man who grew up with his father, tortured by Snape (okay, that's pretty normal) and engrossed in the mystery of Peter Petigrew and his parents' deaths.
Is it disingenuous to give all of Rowling's books 5 stars? Oh well. I am in love with this series. This is the last light and happy book (if you can call it that) before the series starts to get pretty dark and depressing (but still irresistibly good!) There are parts of this book that will make you scream with the unfairness of it all and there are parts that may have you literally cheering for the trio.
If you like this, look for:
Harry Potter Series
Septimus Heap Series
Twilight Series
Charlie Bone Series
Percy Jackson Series
Septimus Heap: Flyte
****
Angie Sage
Now that the long lost brother (and 7th son of a 7th son) has been idenitified and put in his proper place as ExtraOrdinary Wizard Aprentice, things should be going well. After all, DomDaniel was defeated and the Dragon Boat is safe with its Keeper.
But what about the jealous oldest brother, Simon? What sort of trouble is he causing by stealing Princess Jenna away on his horse? And why does Aunt Zelda insist that DomDaniel isn't dead but has just Disappeared? And furthermore, how long is it going to take to rid ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia of her Shadow? (And what's up with all these RaNdOm CaPiTaLiZaTiOnS??)
If you liked the first book, you should definitely grab this one. It starts off with action (the first was a little slow) and doesn't stop until the last page (literally). The characters are all still here, this time with some very interesting twists. I think this one may even be better than its prequel, which is something I rarely say about a series!
If you like this, look for:
Harry Potter Series
Septimus Heap Series
Charlie Bone Series
Angie Sage
Now that the long lost brother (and 7th son of a 7th son) has been idenitified and put in his proper place as ExtraOrdinary Wizard Aprentice, things should be going well. After all, DomDaniel was defeated and the Dragon Boat is safe with its Keeper.
But what about the jealous oldest brother, Simon? What sort of trouble is he causing by stealing Princess Jenna away on his horse? And why does Aunt Zelda insist that DomDaniel isn't dead but has just Disappeared? And furthermore, how long is it going to take to rid ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia of her Shadow? (And what's up with all these RaNdOm CaPiTaLiZaTiOnS??)
If you liked the first book, you should definitely grab this one. It starts off with action (the first was a little slow) and doesn't stop until the last page (literally). The characters are all still here, this time with some very interesting twists. I think this one may even be better than its prequel, which is something I rarely say about a series!
If you like this, look for:
Harry Potter Series
Septimus Heap Series
Charlie Bone Series
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
*****
JK Rowling
Harry Potter's second year at Hogwarts starts much like the first; he's happy to be home, but it's not without problems. Harry starts the year in trouble this time when he and Ron arrive in a flying car. It's not long before the trio (Harry, Hermione and Ron) begin to suspect that Draco, the epitome of a Slytherin, is up to no good. When students start to drop like flies and Harry begings hearing voices, they know they have to do something. Since no one will listen to them, the trio decide to take matters into their own hands.
I probably don't even have to tell you that I love the Harry Potter series. Yes, the books are very long, but they go by so quickly you won't even realize that you've read hundreds of pages before you're suddenly at the end. If you like fantasy, or books about students, or a little romance, or adventure, or mystery... these books are for you. Even if you don't, it would be worth a try!
JK Rowling
Harry Potter's second year at Hogwarts starts much like the first; he's happy to be home, but it's not without problems. Harry starts the year in trouble this time when he and Ron arrive in a flying car. It's not long before the trio (Harry, Hermione and Ron) begin to suspect that Draco, the epitome of a Slytherin, is up to no good. When students start to drop like flies and Harry begings hearing voices, they know they have to do something. Since no one will listen to them, the trio decide to take matters into their own hands.
I probably don't even have to tell you that I love the Harry Potter series. Yes, the books are very long, but they go by so quickly you won't even realize that you've read hundreds of pages before you're suddenly at the end. If you like fantasy, or books about students, or a little romance, or adventure, or mystery... these books are for you. Even if you don't, it would be worth a try!
9th Grade Slays
****
Heather Brewer
Vlad's problems didn't end when he "killed" D'Ablo at the end of his 8th grade year. In fact, they may be worse now than they ever have been before. Still considered an abomination by the vampire community, he is now also being hunted by a vampire slayer. Uncle Otis steps in and takes Vlad for training in Siberia. But even that may not be without danger. And what's all this about the prophecy? What does it have to do with Vlad?
This is a very good follow up to the first book in the Vladimir Tod series. Like the first, it was impossible to put this book down once I started it. The action began on page one and didn't let me go 'til the end. Vlad is a great character that you want to root for. The book is an excellent balance of teenage drama and fantasy action.
If you like this book, look for:
8th Grade Bites
Percy Jackson Series
Twilight Series
The Host
Harry Potter Series
Septimus Heap Series
Heather Brewer
Vlad's problems didn't end when he "killed" D'Ablo at the end of his 8th grade year. In fact, they may be worse now than they ever have been before. Still considered an abomination by the vampire community, he is now also being hunted by a vampire slayer. Uncle Otis steps in and takes Vlad for training in Siberia. But even that may not be without danger. And what's all this about the prophecy? What does it have to do with Vlad?
This is a very good follow up to the first book in the Vladimir Tod series. Like the first, it was impossible to put this book down once I started it. The action began on page one and didn't let me go 'til the end. Vlad is a great character that you want to root for. The book is an excellent balance of teenage drama and fantasy action.
If you like this book, look for:
8th Grade Bites
Percy Jackson Series
Twilight Series
The Host
Harry Potter Series
Septimus Heap Series
Holes
****
Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats has really, really bad luck. So bad, in fact, that it lands him in a "summer camp" for screwup kids. But this isn't like any summer camp that Stanley's ever heard about. The warden works the kids tirelessly digging holes in the desert. When they mess up, the punsihments are severe. But when Stanley realizes that they're not just digging to build character, but to find something, he begins searching for the truth. And it nearly kills him.
This is a pretty good book. It's a quick read and a real page turner. The twists are a little far-fetched for a book that claims to be realistic fiction, but it's definitely worth picking up.
If you like this book, look for:
Shakespeare's Secret
Chasing Vermeer
Touching Spirit Bear
Hamlet
Harry Potter Series
Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats has really, really bad luck. So bad, in fact, that it lands him in a "summer camp" for screwup kids. But this isn't like any summer camp that Stanley's ever heard about. The warden works the kids tirelessly digging holes in the desert. When they mess up, the punsihments are severe. But when Stanley realizes that they're not just digging to build character, but to find something, he begins searching for the truth. And it nearly kills him.
This is a pretty good book. It's a quick read and a real page turner. The twists are a little far-fetched for a book that claims to be realistic fiction, but it's definitely worth picking up.
If you like this book, look for:
Shakespeare's Secret
Chasing Vermeer
Touching Spirit Bear
Hamlet
Harry Potter Series
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