Fantastic Friday: Albrek's Tomb by M.L. Forman
ALBREK'S TOMB (Adventurers Wanted, book 3)written by M.L. Forman
Shadow Mountain, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-60908-892-7
491 p.
Grades 5-8
Reviewed from personal copy.
BLURB: Two thousand years ago, the dwarf Albrek went looking for new mines in the land of Thraxon in the hopes of becoming rich-and vanished. Now the dwarves must find Albrek's magical Ring of Searching before their mines run dry, a possibility which threatens the livelihood of the entire dwarf realm.This is one of my favorite series. For me this is a series that I could read over and over again and still not have enough. I love the way Forman sets things up plotwise. His characters feel real, almost like real friends. I like how the characters learn and grow and develop throughout the story. It would be nice if there was more information about some of the secondary characters, but overall Forman does a nice job with his characters. The plots follow a quest format, but the things that Alex and his friends encounter are presented in such a novel way that the book feels fresh and new. The fact that Alex keeps facing more and more difficult challenges mirrors an adolescent's growth to adulthood. My favorite parts of the book were when Alex, a wizard, changed himself into a creature that could fly. I read these parts wishing I too could turn myself into an eagle (or other flying creature) and experience the freedom and beauty of flight. Some of my other favorite parts revolve around a plot twist that I didn't see coming and which I won't mention specifically here, I don't want to spoil the book for you, just know that it is an awesome plot twist. I was sad to see this book end. I wanted it to go on forever. It was like saying goodbye to dear friends. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait another year or more to read more about Alex and his friends. Luckily I have other great books to read in the meantime. I highly recommend this book to fans of high fantasy, especially quest related stories.
Alexander Taylor joins a familiar company of adventurers on a quest to discover what happened to Albrek, find his mythical tomb, and locate the lost talisman.
But finding the ring may be the least of the adventurers' problems once they cross paths with an ancient, wandering paladin, Bane, who warns of a great evil working in all of the known lands. Following in Albrek's footsteps, Alex and his friends travel to the haunted Isle of Bones, where a mysterious creature lurks in a deserted village, to the cursed city of Neplee, where the dwarfs are hunted by the undead hellerash, and through the shadow of an empty oracle's tower, where a whispered legend is about to come true.
I am impressed with your blog and your book reviews. I would love for you to do a review of my new book, Promises. It's a middle grade historical fiction novel, with a touch of mystery, adventure, and romance (as much as you can have for a 12 to 15 year old). It comes out March 24th.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome to check it out on my website, www.carolyntwedefrank.com to see if it is something you might be interested in reading and reviewing. If you are, I'd love to hear back from you. If you are too busy, or this is not a book you'd rather review, I certainly understand and I appreciate you letting me take your time with this letter.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Twede Frank
carolynfrank@rocketmail.com
This series, my dear friends, holds a special place in my heart. It possesses an irresistible charm that compels me to revisit its pages time and again, yet never satiating my appetite for more. Forman, the author, has an uncanny knack for constructing an exquisite plot that captivates the mind. His characters, so lifelike and genuine, feel akin to dear companions. The growth and development they undergo throughout the narrative is a delight to behold. While I yearned for further insight into some of the secondary characters, Forman's overall treatment of his creations is commendable. The quest-driven nature of the plots may be familiar, yet the inventive manner in which Alex and his cohorts face their challenges breathes new life into the tale. As Alex, a skilled wizard, transforms himself into a creature of flight, I couldn't help but immerse myself in those passages, yearning to experience the freedom and splendor of soaring like an eagle or any such airborne marvel. Ah, but I mustn't divulge the specifics of a certain unexpected twist! Fear not, for it is a wondrous turn of events that adds a touch of brilliance to the story. Alas, bidding farewell to this book was a bittersweet affair, leaving me longing for its continuation. Ah, but patience shall be my virtue, as I must wait a year or more for further exploits of Alex and his loyal companions. In the interim, I find solace in the realm of other literary treasures. If high fantasy and quest-driven narratives hold your fancy, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you, my esteemed fellows.
ReplyDeleteThis series is an absolute favorite of mine! I could read it endlessly and never tire. The author, Forman, masterfully crafts the plot and creates characters that feel incredibly real, like cherished friends. Watching these characters learn, grow, and evolve throughout the story is truly captivating. While I would have loved more insight into the secondary characters, Forman still does an excellent job with all of them. The quest-style plots are presented in a refreshing and unique way, keeping the book exciting and unpredictable. As Alex faces increasingly difficult challenges, it beautifully mirrors the journey from adolescence to adulthood. One of my favorite moments was when Alex, a wizard, transformed into a magnificent flying creature. I found myself yearning to experience the freedom and beauty of flight, just like him. The story also surprises with an amazing plot twist that I won't spoil here, but trust me, it's fantastic. Saying goodbye to this book felt like bidding farewell to dear friends, and I eagerly await the next installment, even if it means waiting for a year or more. In the meantime, I have other fantastic books to dive into. If you're a fan of high fantasy, especially quests, I highly recommend this series!
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