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Return to Exile Book Review and Giveaway
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Welcome to the Return to Exile Blog Tour!
Keep reading for my review of the first book in the Hunters Chronicles series, plus a giveaway of a signed copy of the book and bookmark. Also check out the book trailor below and the calender to check out the other blog tour websites for other reviews, interviews, and giveaways.
REVIEW:
Sky doesn't belong anywhere, not at home and not at school, and he has no idea why. Long nights wandering spent looking for something he cannot name have left his parents sensitive to the slightest abnormal behavior. Sky can't explain his behavior except for the 'little monster' he has in his head and the marks on his hands. But when his family returns to Exile without his Uncle Phineas and the black mark on his hand bleeds black blood, Sky knows something is very wrong, and he starts to realize that what he always assumed were made-up stories about monsters may very well be real. With the reluctant help of some teenage monster hunters, Sky sets out to find his Uncle Phineas and the answers he has been searching for his whole life, which may in the end, cost him his life.
Boy, once this story started moving, it moving rapidly. There is plenty of excitement and the underlying mystery of Sky's identity and what happened to him that makes so many people want him dead pervades the book from page one. The only real problem I had was with some of the explanations of how the world worked, I found them somewhat confusing. But this did not detract from the exciting events or the development of the characters. Sky is a really sympathetic character as he struggles to control his 'little monster' and then his struggles once he discovers some answers. This aspect of the story I found unique in that it adds some uncertainty about Sky and his past and his future. This will clearly be explored throughout the series.
I have to say that I'm not really a monster person. And this book has many monsters in it, despite that fact I found the book compelling and the different monsters intriguing. I also appreciated the fact that the monsters were not all evil as they are often portrayed. Some of these monsters, as Sky learns, aren't all bad, and even play an important role in Sky's search. I recommend the book for those who appreciate longer more detailed fantasies with great characters and an intricate plot that twists and turns. The numerous traps and puzzles make for a nice touch. I definitely will be reading the sequel.
Note: The sequel The Legend Thief comes out in December.
I have always had the strangest fascination with centaurs. I think it is because of the Xanth novels by Piers Anthony that I read when I was a kid. :-)
STARRING JULES (AS HERSELF) by Beth Ain, illustrated by Anne Keenan Higgins Scholastic Press, 2013 ISBN: 978-0-545-44352-4 Grades 2-5 Middle Grade Contemporary Reviewed from purchased copy. ABOUT THE BOOK Lights! Camera! Action! A hilarious chapter book debut from a fabulous new talent! Things to Know About Me by Jules Bloom 1. I am a scrambled-eggs-and-chocolate-milk type person. 2. I have an audition for a TV commercial (which would be great if I were a tall-icy-drink type person.) 3. I am in between best friends right now. 4. I am worried that the audition will be a disaster. (See #1 and #3!) Jules doesn't want to ruin THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME, and she's willing to turn to anyone for help--even her know-it-all ex-best friend! If only that lovely new girl in class would turn out to be the new best friend of her dreams, maybe, just maybe, Jules will be ready for her close-up.... REVIEW I'm always on the lookout for fun early chapter books that I c
STANLEY'S TOY BOX by William Bee Peachtree Publishing, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-68263-284-0 Source: publisher for review Ages 0-3 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK (From Amazon) Everyone’s favorite hard-working hamster Stanley teams up with friends to introduce young readers to basic toys and their uses. Join Stanley at the park where he and his friends explore and play with all the toys in his toy box. They bounce balls, sail toy boats, and fly kites. What else is in Stanley’s toy box? An early introduction to the toy vocabulary and object identification, this board book will appeal to Stanley’s youngest fans. REVIEW Stanley and his friend Little Woo go to the park where they meet up with Betty! Together the friends play with the toys that Stanley brought in his toy box. A jump rope, bouncing balls, beach buckets, and bowling pins all get played with by the group of friends. A mishap with the toy boats and wind-up submarine causes some consternation for
BABY LOVES THE FIVE SENSE : HEARING! by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Irene Chan Charlesbridge, 2019 ISBN: 978-1-62354-102-6 Source: publisher for review Ages 0-3 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Explores the science behind the sense of hearing, and technical advances that can help people with impaired hearing. REVIEW This educational board book presents the basic sound concepts of vibration, amplitude, and frequency. An explanation and diagram of the ear are also included. Using music as the introduction, young children are presented with information about sound. Information about hearing aides and those who can't hear at all are included. I haven't used this book with children so I can't say how effective it is, but the book is well put together and the diagrams and colorful illustrations are appealing and useful. A great book for those who want to help their children understand the sense of hearing. BABY LOVES THE FIVE SENSES : SIGHT!
I love brownies (who doesn't want someone to clean their house?)
ReplyDeleteI like witches and wizards. Love Harry Potter! Thanks for the chance to win this book!
ReplyDeleteI love elfs, don't know why, just do. Thanks for the review and chance to win the book.
ReplyDeleteI have always had the strangest fascination with centaurs. I think it is because of the Xanth novels by Piers Anthony that I read when I was a kid. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, my favorite fantasy creatures are dragons, but only bad dragons. I don't care for talking, good-natured dragons. http://1000wrongs.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThis is hard to choose but I'm gonna go with Elfs from like Lord Of the Rings not keebler fudge!
ReplyDeleteIf a witch counts, that is my favorite. :)
ReplyDeleteI always liked the story of the YETI. :) It would've been nice to exist.
ReplyDeletexoxo