Starting off a few weeks after the events of Second Sister, things are not good in the Weir community. No one knows what happened to the covenant and it looks like a wizard war may be brewing. Meanwhile, Jason Haley is stuck in Trinity with nothing to do. He's not a powerful enough wizard to lead (like Seph), and he doesn't have the strength of a warrior (like Jack and Ellen), so he's feeling left out and is just itching to do something for the cause. He ends up sneaking off to Raven's Ghyll where he finds a hoard of treasure, which he is able to steal and bring back to the sanctuary in hopes that something will help make the difference for the "good" guys. One of the things that Jason steals is the dragonheart, a powerful yet mysterious stone that might just be what the "good" guys were looking for. As the battle comes to a head, will Jason, Seph, Jack and crew learn how to control the dragonheart? Do a ragtag bunch of teenagers actually have a chance between hundreds of powerful wizards?

Not my best summary ever. Sorry. I had a really hard time coming up with a description of this book.

I've come to the conclusion that I don't like books that focus on too many characters. Books don't necessarily need to be in first person, but they can't jump from perspective to perspective. It drives me crazy! I think that was my biggest problem with this book. First we follow Jason, then Maddie, then Jason, then throw in some Jack, Jessamine Longbranch, Bryce Roper, Warren Barber, show more Leesha, etc and it was too much for me. I had a hard time remembering what was happening to who when we last left them, and I just didn't enjoy it as much as the first two which focused primarily on one character.

There were other problems with this book as well. It felt like the entire book was a building to the climax, but then the climax wasn't that exciting. We built, and built, and built, and then it all kind of resolved itself. I will admit that the way the wizards were taken care of surprised me, and I actually really liked it, but it was over in just more than a page. It just didn't live up to the epic battle scene I felt we had been groomed for.

Also, where the heck were Linda and Hastings? What were they thinking? I don't understand how the two of them, who are supposed to be so bright, etc had NO idea of what was happening in Trinity and left it all up to a bunch of teenagers. It didn't fit their characters at all, especially Linda's - she seemed to always be involved with everything the first two books.

There were aspects of this book that I liked as well. I loved learning a bit more about Maddie, and Nick's backstory was really interesting. It would be fun to have a prequel written from his perspective because there is so much more to him than initially meets the eye. And the ending with the Dragonheart was interesting and not what I had been expecting - I like when that happens.

On the whole, it was an ok story. It seemed to drag quite a bit (due to all the building), but it does more or less wrap up the story that began with The Warrior Heir which I appreciated show less

The city of Zamerkand is in the hands of the usurper Humbold, and the witchboy who is successor to the wizard's throne has been forced into hiding. Soldier, now commander of the mercenary army known as the Red Pavilions, meets with his captains outside the walls of the great city to plan their next move. But Soldier has troubles of his own. The memory of his past life, which has been lost to him since his arrival in this strange land, is about to return. For when his sword is reunited with its scabbard, the song it sings will tell him of a feud driven by murder, betrayal and bloodshed - a feud that continues for as long as his enemy stalks him. But just as Soldier has not known his true identity, so his enemy has remained hidden. Now they must meet, to end at last this conflict that has crossed from one world to another, and threatens to destroy both.

In this book Soldier is the only mortal that has been allowed in a wizard's funeral. When Soldier goes to the funerals he finds all sorts of faery folk and demons. At this time while a Queen Vanda is sick with the madness her chancellor takes control and makes himself king. While doing this he sends Princess Layana to her prison in a desert where they forget their names. Soldier finds this prison but is too late and Princess Layana has already been bought as a slave. Soldier finally haves her and takes her home. At this they hear of Humbold's upsurping. When Soldier questioned them they through Queen Vanda's severed head over the wall.

I was skeptical when I opened this book for some reason. I think it was because I've read past reviews on other websites and none look that good. Nevertheless I decided to give it a try (since I picked the book up at a used bookstore). I don't regret giving it a chance although I wouldn't reread this book either. Once is enough for me. There's too many near death situations and last minute rescues that it gives the book a feeling that it should be a low budget made for TV (or direct to DVD) film. It has its light moments where you chuckle to yourself but the bad crap the main character goes through makes you think it's going to be one of those tragic hero characters that make you want to roll your eyes and go for another novel. If it's not one thing, it's another for Soldier (what kind of a stupid name is that?) Also, I don't know what the author was on when she was inventing some of these names....and I know authors like to get creative and think of unique strange names for their fantasy plot. But... names like HoulluoH (spelling like it is in the novel) and Wwssxxyynn (could be because she's not human) ??????? did the author just pound her hands on a keyboard and out came a name? that's something that irked me.

The best review / description of this manga is actually contained in the introduction by Adam Arnold in Volume 1, so I suppose I should just copy that.
But that would be boring so I'll summarise, paraphrase, and suchlike instead.
Take the basic premise behind "Weird Science" combine it with a "Hackers" like impression of the internet, throw in seriously out of date computer technology as well as moderately sexist and outmoded views of what typifies the perfect woman; take all this and imagine it as the ancestor of Akamatsu's later work "Love Hina" and you basically get the idea.
If you haven't read "Love Hina" read that instead of this. It's better. It's art is better, it's writing is better, it's characters are more engaging, so on and so forth. It is the more mature (well not so much mature, let us say better developed) work of the older man that as a younger man wrote "A.I. Love You". So of course it's better! The guy had years to refine his drawing techniques and writing style between the first chapters of this and that masterpiece of horny loser geekdom known as "Love Hina".
You've probably figured this out, but I really love "Love Hina". I've been reading more of Ken Akamatsu's work lately simply because I couldn't get enough of it. I started with "Negima" which did not disappoint me. It does after all come post Hina. But unfortunately it has been so successful that there are about twenty volumes and counting and no end in sight so I've decided not to get too into it show more till Akamatsu has come up with some sort of conclusion to the story.
Then I read "Mao-Chan". Somewhat disappointed there I have to say. I gave it two stars but I wasn't really feeling even that much. At most 1 star, and that's being generous. I only gave it two because of all the joy that Akamatsu has brought me with other works. Okay so that doesn't smack of critical integrity but who cares. Who's paying attention to what rating I gave Mao-Chan? Who's even reading this review?
Let's face it, I'm essentially shouting into the void here!
Kind of cathartic really.
But to get back to the point, I do genuinely feel the three stars I gave volume 1 of A.I. Love You, and I genuinely suspect that by the time I get to the later volumes I may be rating them with four. I heartily encourage anyone who has enjoyed Love Hina as much as I to read A.I. Love You as an act of love, to see where it all began. show less

Many years have passed since the last aAge WAr. It has been a time of great change. But not all changes are for the best, and Asher's world is in peril once more. The weather magic that keeps Lur safe is falling. Among the sorceres, only Asher has the skill to med the antique weather map that governs the seasons. Yet, when Asher risks his life to meedle with these dangerous magics, the crisis is merely delayed, not averted. Asher's son Rafel inherited his father's talents, but he has been forbidden to use them. With Lur facing devastation, however, he may be its only hope.

This book is great. Miller took quite alot of this book to set the mood though. I like how Rafel goes over the mountains and all, but when he finds his friend it's just very sad. Rafel is a great character in this book because his actions are his own and he isn't in some kind of destiny. I rather do like this book but Miller still took to long to set the mood. I love Rafel's friend Goose because he breaks alot of the rules with Rafel. Goose is a good friend which made me love the book. So overall this book derseves a 3.

In this 2nd book of Protecter of the Small series, Kel is off probation. While being off probation Lord Wyldon still pushes her harder than another other boy. Her secret helper gives her a new sword, balm, dagger, and even some saddlebag and saddle. As she keeps progressing in tilting Lord Wyldon makes it harder and harder for her with new objects. Kel's small flock of sparrows double in size and intellegince. Then one day training she finds a new dog. When traveled to the south Kel and her hunting group stumbles across a bandit camp. How will she deal with it?

My own opinion is that's it a great book. I like how Kel helps the younger pages with Joren and his cronies. What I don't like about this though is that Lord Wyldon still pushes Kel harder than the boys. Lord Wyldon is quite mean in my opinion still pushing Kel to make her fear of heights go completely away. I love how Pierce leaves you hanging at the end of this book. Overall I believe this book is great. If you like reading from a gierl's point of veiw read it but remember you must like medieval times. Overall I rate this a 5/5.

A wolf pup is left to die by his pack because his malformed foot is considered bad luck. A grizzly bear, Thunderheart, whose cubs have been killed, rescues Faolan and nurtures him until her accidental death. As the young wolf continues on alone, he discovers "the Cave Before Time" with wall paintings portraying the history of the wolves and realizes that he must return to his own kind and learn their ways. This anthropomorphic fantasy has a number of the traditional characters found in these tales, such as the young outcast Faolan; the wise and solitary Gwynneth, the owl; and the powerfully maternal Thunderheart. The relationship between the wolf and the bear is particularly touching as they develop a strong and loving bond. After her death, the story meanders a bit as Faolan deciphers the message in the cave.

This is a great book. I like how Faolon is raised by Thunderheart. I love how he progresses. He learns three lanugages and different techniques to catch food. I don't like how Thunderheart is killed. I like how Faolon meet Gwynneth and she made a metal object of the spiral on his foot. I don't like how the wolves hunt him down because they thought he had rabies. Overall this book is worth reading. It's a 5/5.

Following in the steps of Alana 'the Lioness' is Keladry (Kel) of Mindelan, a 10-year-old is dead-set on becoming a knight like her hero. Unlike Alana though, Kel doesn't have magic to help her. Instead she has greater bulk and height, as well as training from an island where the marshal arts are taugh -- think Tai Chi, Judo, Kendo.
The setting is the court of King Jonathan of Tortall. The landscape has changed from that of the Lioness Quartet because of the Immortal Wars wherein magical creatures have been let loose on the world.
The other thing that is different is that much of the forward progress that Alana made has vanished. The new knight trainer, Lord Wyldon, strongly believes women and girls have no place as knights. He's so stubborn that he insists he will quit unless the King a) makes Kel's first year probationary, and b) makes Alana swear that she will not communicate with the girl during that time. And as you can well imagine, such an attitude rubs off on the boys, who are just as mean to Kel as they were to Alana in her own time as a page.

This book is great. However it gets boring near the end because they do the samething over and over again. But I like it myself because King Johnathon is giving Kel a chance. I like this because girls can be just as strong as men. What I don't like in this book though is that Alana and Daine aren't in the book as much. Overall it's a great 5/5.

Finnikin is on the cusp of his manhood while being apprentice to Sir Topher. For the past 10 years Finninkin and Sir Topher have been traveling the lands that surrond their cursed kingdom. Before a massacre of the roayal family, Finninik, Lucian, and Balhatazr make a pledge on "Three Wonders Rock". People are trapped in their cursed kingdom while Finninik and Sir Topher are traveling the kingdoms surronding theirs learning the languages and trying to help exiles.

My own opinion of this is great. Melina Marchetta has proven that she is a great writer. This book blew my mind away, their are some parts that are for mature readers only but it's still good. A part I don't like about this book is that Finninik's father Captain of the Guard is in a mine prison in Sarlen. But they plow on through the book and it's a best seller honestly. Overall its a 5/5.

A story about a boy and his dragon battling out against the oppresive empire of a tyrant who also happens to have a dragon. This book was more of a filler than anything else. Since it sort of clear questions and gave us day to day accounts of what was happening. Could have been shorter. Paolini decided to use this book to answer questions. Eragon makes a new blade called Brisingr (why the book was named that).

Personally I don't mind the details just as long as they are not rehashed. The book is great all around in my personal opinion. Hopefully he gets the last book out soon. Besides that my own opinion and the community's opinion is that they hope the movies start popping up soon to. Besides in my opinion though as long they get out I don't care. Paolini really needs to get his last book out before the publisher and the community lose interest in waiting for the last instalment in my personal opinion.

I have a like hate relationship with this book. It's not quite what I expected and not at all up to par with Harry Potter (as many reviewers compared). I'm not a HP fanatic but it wasn't as fairytale as I expected. It's a little dark and not as fantasy. But at the same time I'm compelled to read the whole trilogy. It took awhile to appreciate the various characters. So don't judge it for the first few chapters.

My own opinion of this book is that it's not the best but it's not the worst either. My own favorite point of few is from Dustfinger (fire eater) becuase his thinking is very hard to understand and I liked the challenge. I didn't like how it was very slow paced. It took me about 5 chapters into the book to grasp the concept in the book. Read it or don't? I don't know if you like fairytales read it but if you don't well don't then. My rate of this book is a 3.

On the eve of the 500th anniversary of the founding of the kingdom of Branion. The four DeKatherine cousins, under the guidance of Celestus, head of the family, organize a heretical conspiracy that threatens to bring down the kingdom's leading noble family and perhaps overthrow the ruling house, too. Each cousin wrestles with internal conflicts as well as with the others and with the legality and risks of the plot. Reluctant heroes or villains in fantasy now seem to be coming in entire families--a far cry from the genre's early days, when solitary wanderers were the norm. But Patton handles the varied elements necessary to an inevitably more complicated plot very skillfully. The fourth book in a series, The Golden Sword stands well on its own, thanks in part to a chapter-by-chapter cast list that especially helps newcomers. Overall the book is a 5/5.'

My opinion of this book is great. I read this book of a series without reading the first three books. In this book what's so great about it is that you can read this book without reading the rest and still know whats happening. The only part I dislike is that they show the book from two points of veiw when truly only one point of veiw is necascary. What intrested me the most of this book is that it just wasn't some lame fanasty you see every day. But instead the author used four aspects fire, wind, sea, and oaks. This book is great for young alduts.

All first time wizards must go through an initation in magic called a Ordeal. The more powerful the novice. the longer and harder the ordeal. Most only last a few days. So why has Darryl been on Ordeal for three months? Or has he? Darryl hasn't acutally gone anywhere. It's his body is still there it's his mind. Can Kit and Daine save him?

I love this book. Very action packed. I think it's cool how Darryl makes his own world. He makes It stuck there, It's amazing how progresses Daine and Kit have become. Daine and Kit show you some amazzing invisilbility spells and power spells. Overall it's a 5/5.

In this book Nita is the main character. She is bullied by a girl nam,ed Joanne. One time when she is being chased by Joanne she runs into the library. She is skimming through the books and finds "So You Want to Be a Wizard". She finds another person in the ordeal named Kit. Together they stop It. They bring up the scarest of spells.

My own though of this book is that's it's great. It's at a slow pace in the begining but picks up pace. I love that Nita speciliazes in Life. Where Kit speciliazes in electronics. My favorite part of this book is the end when they fight It. This part is great to me because I love how they make the trees fight again and statues fight. It comes after them but Nitaz changes the spell. This sends IT away and gives him a choice which I Love!!!

The city of London is in the middle of one of its most destructive wars in histroy. And yet no one really knows it. The battle between spits and taints rages. Geroge and his friend Edie are caught in the middle of it. Having barely survived her encounter with the Walker. Edie is on a mission. The only thing that matters is revenge. Time has frozen can they survive?

My opinion of this book is that it's great. It's great in this book how Spout starts helping and Edie gets a raven. I love how Edie is out to find her mom and get revenge. The Gunner almost dies and George stands on his plinth. I love it! George might die that I don't like. George saves alot of people and it's just great. Overall the book is a 5/5.

In this book George has the maker's sign. He accepts three challenges from the Last Knight. As he accepts these challenges three veins start to crawl up his arm to his heart. Spout a gargoyle helps George numerous of times. Eddie goes back in time with the Gunner. They find out whose her and mom annd how she got her heart stone. War is calling and George and Edie are facing life or death. Can they keep themselves alive?

My own opinion of this book is great. George has a rough time but so does Edie. I like how they learn to cope with it. What i really love about this book is that Edie is resurrected. After that i got lost. Edie saves a raven. Overall the book is a 5/5.

In "Stoneheart" a boy named George is on a field trip and is outside. He gets teally mad and hits a carving of a dragon sticking out. By doing that he goes into a different London. He meets a bronze statue called the Gunner. Gunner explains that he's in a un-London of spits and taints. George and the Gunner have to run for their lifes and while doing this Edie sees them and follows them. Their in a bad business and their fighting for their life.
My own opinion of this book is that it's quite good. You read this from many veiws. I love the way author puts in a girl named Edie. I love how they explain a lot of things in the begining. THen i love how they go into action. Overall the book is a 5/5.

A year has passed since Stacey Brown saved her best friend from a horrible death. Now she's having nightmares again, haunted by ghosts of the brutally murdered... and by a crazed stalker. As she desperatley casts healing spells, a new student named Jacob enters her world. Beautiful and mysteroius, he reveals that he is also having dreams. To stop a killer, they must join together.

My own Opinion of this book is that it's pretty good. It has it's drama points and scarey moments and action. I don't like how it's set at a slow pace but near the end everything starts to come along. I believe the author of this book makes some pretty good books.

Will, Horace, and Halt are sent to Hibernia to foil the plan of the Outsiders before they take over that country and turn their sights on Araluen. We learn some surprising background on Halt and get a chance to see Will and Horace as they get more used to being adults. In the book Will because a spy and eavesdrop and finds plans and such on the group called The Outsiders. He becomes a jongular and sang songs as a cover up and finds out quite alot of informantion. Their relationship with Halt evoked laughter on more than one occasion. The book is also filled with adventure and daring deeds. It was a great 8th episode in the Ranger's Apprentice series.

Over all this book is great.The book has alot of spoilers near the end and some intense battles. If your ready for a cult against another cult watchout for this book. There are a dew moments where you will just be thinking "what?" Halt makes Horace become a legend called the Sunrise Warrior. He runs into battle on his battle horse kills a few people then chases after the commander of the bandits. I love how Halt finally tells Horace how they were going to get into the castle he says "The kings is my brother" Halt said flatly. I just love it overall a 5/5.

In this book Erak Oberjarl of Skandia wants to have one more raid. He comes to a merching town, it's completley deserted and then they are captured and let go except Erak. Svengal one of his friends comes to Aruelen and tries to get help for the ransom. Princess Cassandra, Halt, Gilen, Horace, and Will go to the town of the capters.Will is separated from the group and loses his horse Tug. Later he leaves the group to find him. But he is stranded in the desert and is close to death. Will's lolaty and strength are tested to its fullness in this book.

I believe this book is pretty good. But the bad thing about it is that it should have been before book 5. But overall this book is great. You meet a different type of people which weild curved swords called scimitars Will is stranded out in the desert. A tribes headman finds him in the desert close to death, with his horse dead just a few meters away from him. Will is faced with the facts that his compains have been captured by bandits. They find them holed up in a village ready to exucute his compains. In a last attempt to save them he climbs a tower and unleashes a fury of arrows on them. I love this part of the book becasue it just gets your blood running.

In this book Will a new Ranger is at Macindaw fief in the forest near it with a healer suppose to be evil wizard. His best friend and specail friend Alyss is a prisoner in the castle. The new castle lord is commiting treason with the Scotti, one of the most dangerous country to Arluran. Will has to get control of the castle before the Scotti get there. His best friend Horace also comes along and Will finds some Skandians that he has helped and recruits them to take the castle. Once inside Horace is faced with the challenge of holding off the castle's defenders. Will goes after his friend Alyss and finds her hyponotized, when the hold is broken she throws acid in the tratior's face.

My own opinion of this book is that it's great but at a slow pace. I love how the evil wizard is truely a kind gentle healer. In the area he calls home he takes care of deformed or other types of challenged people. Will finds Horace in an inn and gets him to come back into the forest with them which is so cool. Horace is one of my favorite characters because he's just not strong but he is lightning fast. But the Skandians are are as strong as bears. I have to give props for this book because it's one of his best books.

In this book 2nd one of the series of Septimus Heap. Septimus's stone hatches to actually become a baby dragon. He finds that His oldest brother Seap has the flight charm but he has a flight charm that lets him levitate. Septimus has a few battles on and off with Seap because he kidnaps Jenna! As the battles go on Beetle his best friend takes Septimus to listen to Seap and the Cheif Hermatic Scribe talk about the flight charm. He still the book back and finally gets the flight charm. The two charms he have fuse together as one, and he has the true flight charm!!!!

My opinion of this book is great. The add alot of information that isn't needed but it's a good book. I like how the author jumps around in the book from character to character. I even love how they include the message rat Stanley. This book is quite good compared to some of her other books it's at a slow pace and she doesn't lose you but she has to much info. All around the book is great. She could have improvised with some of the longer words.

In this book Jack is a wizard boy without his stone so his Aunt Linda calls a heart doctor that is part of the White Roses which is a bad group. She implants a warrior stone in him. As he gets older he has to take a exilir called Weirsbane. This prevents him from getting strong as a warrior should be. One day he forgets to take his medicine, so at school he feels great. But at soccer tryouts he shoots the ball into the goal and he releases warrior power into a school bully. He has many finds and finds out he is in love with another warrior but doesn't know it.

My opinion of this book is great. It hooks you right away and then it builds up with events and his own girlfriend is a warrior! He comes to a Game and he finds out that she is. It's super crazy you could never put the boook down. If you were ever to book down to do anythiong elses you would be like oh my goodness I want to read more of that book. But the only set back to this book is that you get lost at a few points and you just have to try and figure it out. I myself had a few problems trying to figure out what they meant. But overall 5/5.

In this book Alanna nad her brother Thomas switch places in life. Alanna always wanted to be a lady knight and THomas wanted to be a great sorcerer. So they asked their village woman if it was okay and it was. Alanna gets to the captail of their kingdom and becomes a page. On her first day there she has already made an enemy, and had her first fight. She finally gets her classes after awhile and has made friends with Raoul and the prince. She can't seem to stay out of trouble and is never able to finish her work.

My opinion of this book is that it's great. It's written in a very easy going pace but still with its major fights and surprises. Alanna is a great role model for all ages besides her temper trantums. The Rouge King is one of her friends gets her a bay horse. She makes many friends overtime and with that she finds an amazing sword. She doesn't know it but her sword is a sword of the Old Ones, but she comes into battle with children of gods. My favorite part in this though is in the battle Prince Jonathon finds out she a girl.

The book Magyk is about a boy called Septimus Heap/Boy 412. When born a midwife claimed him dead but wasn't. So we start off with the life of his dead that fins the princess of the Castle. He brings the girl Jenna to live with them and we see most of this book from her point of veiw. About halfway through the book then we see through Septimus's eyes. The evil wizard/necromancer thought that his aprprentice was Septimus Heap but wasn't. He tries to have Jenna killed so he can come back to the Castle and become the EOW or Extraordinary Wizard.

My opinion of this book is that it's fantastic. Not only does it hook you but he keeps you guessing. The book is fatansy and its a world where there is no need for warriors when they have wizards. I think it's great how they say the wizards eye change from their natural color to green. I think its great except that there are so many family members of the Heap family. A set back to thios book is that they jump around to all of the family members. Jenna though is the main character in this first book of the series.