Swashbuckling action

What is a swashbuckling adventure starts in the most unlikely of places...a pet shop.  There, a very small mouse named Hopper, his sister, and their frail little brother break out to avoid becoming food for a snake.  This is where things get really exciting in Mouseheart by Lisa Fiedler.

Hopper is washed into the subway system below where he is rescued and bright to Atlantia.  Atlantia is a seemingly peaceful rat city, that even enjoys the protection of cats!  He finds that all in the "perfect" rat city is not as it seems.  There are rebels trying to overthrow the ruler, cats with a nefarious deal that keeps the peace, and a prophecy the Hopper just might be the mouse to fulfill.  He must find his place in this battle.

This story is great fun!  Battles, intrigue, evil kings, courageous fighters...and unexpected twists.  Read this if you enjoyed The Tale of Despereaux.

Starter horror story

The cover of Doll Bones, and the author, Holly Black, had me anticipating a truly creepy story.  It didn't quite deliver.  While it had some creepy moments, it is really more of a coming-of-age story.

Poppy, Zack, and Alice have played wild, made-up adventures using action figures.  They love the world they have created, in which the Queen rules.  The Queen is an antique bone-china doll that is kept locked in a cabinet.  They are almost getting too old, however, to be playing with "dolls."  Zack's dad forces him to quit in the worst way.  Zack, unable to admit what happened, lies about his reasons, and quits the game.  Suddenly, Poppy declairs she has been having dreams about the doll and a girl from whose bones it is made.  The three decide to make a journey to put those bones to rest.  While on the trip, things get creepy as Zack has dreams of the dead girl as well.  Could the doll be haunted?  Will they put the spirit to rest?

I may have like this book more if I hadn't been expecting a scary story.  It really is more about these three friends navigating the changing world of middle-school friendship, with a touch of creepiness.

Action and adventure

The Hypnotists by Gordon Korman reminds me a little bit of the Percy Jackson series.  While there are no mythological creatures, there is a school for gifted children, and a hero that doesn't understand his legacy or his power.

Jax Opus is a typical twelve-year-old, or so he thinks.  There are his eyes; they sometimes change colors.  And, sometimes, people seem to do exactly what he says.  But, his gift isn't discovered until he attends a hypnotist's show.....and hypnotizes the star.  Suddenly he is brought to a prestigious institute, run by the respected Dr Mako.  There he learns that he has an extraordinary gift, and that he is the descendent from two very powerful hypnotic families.  As he develops his considerable talent, he discovers a rival group of hypnotists, and begins to suspect there is plot to use his gifts for evil intent.  Who can he trust?  Will he twart the plot?  Can he escape?

This was a quick, exciting read that will appeal to those that love a good battle between good guys and bad guys.  Especially when the good guys might not be perfect themselves.

Scary, full of action

I started reading Lockwood & Co., The Screaming Staircase by Jonathon Stroud after reading a rather disappointing story targeting the same age group, 3rd through 8th grade that was supposed to be "creepy," but fell short. I was expecting this one to be an adventure.  Well, it is not only an adventure, but also quite scary.  So much so, I might not recommend it for young people under fifth grade, unless they are very brave.  It certainly made up for the disappointing prior read.

The story takes place in London, but a London quite different than today.  While the time is undetermined, it is after The Blitz, allows for cars, cabs, and telephones, but seems somehow old-fashioned.  This London has been besieged with "The Problem" for some years now.  The Problem being rampant ghosts.  So many that there is a government agency tasked with dispatching all of them as well as independent agencies.  The best agents for detecting ghosts, it turns out, are children.  As people age, their ability to sense spectors decreases, however, it doesn't decrease their ability to be killed if they are ghost-touched.  The ghosts of England aren't just scary....they are deadly.  

Enter the agency of Lockwood & Co, the only independent agency with no adult overseeing them.  Anthony Lockwood and Lucy Carlyle, go blind into a haunting, much to the anger of their research specialist, George Cubbins, and end up burning down a house.  The ghost of a murdered actress turns out to be much angrier than they anticipated. To save their agency, they agree to spend the night in a house so haunted, the last 3 agents that tried all died. In facing the terrors of this house, they uncover the mystery behind The Source.  The only way to stop a haunting is to destroy The Source.  Can they make it through the night alive?

There are truly frightening images of ghosts, hangings, blood-filled rooms and slaughtered monks.  This book is not for the faint of heart.  However, it is a page-turner....I read it in one day!  And, as the first of a series, there will be more.

Quick, fun for younger readers

I read Attack of the Shark-Headed Zombie by Bill Doyle and it was quick fun meant for younger readers, especially boys.  It is the adventures of Keats and Henry as they try to earn money from the mysterious Mr Cigam to replace the bikes they ruined.  They realize something is not as it seems when one item on their to-do list is to "battle the shark-headed zombie."  The I pictures really add to the action..what could be worse than a shark? One that can hop on land on it's back fin.  Can the boys not only defeat the monster, but also escape the magical house? Will they earn enough to get tier bikes back?  It's worth the read to find out.

My new favorite

I have found my new go-to recommendation in The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen.  It works for two reasons, first, it is a great read, but, more importantly, it seems an undiscovered read. It is categorizes as fantasy, but, that is more the midevil setting than the presence of magic or elves or any other element of high fantasy.  

The story begins in an orphanage where perpetual trouble-maker Sage is unwillingly tapped to leave with a gentleman with a mysterious plan.  Sage's only focus is planning his escape, and considering his lock-picking and general skills as a thief, he believes it won't be long until he is free.  But, like much of this story, nothing ever quite turns out as one would expect.  The seriousness of his predicament is shot home, literally, when another boy, also and orphan, is given his "freedom" in a brutal manner.  Sage realizes this isn't just an adventure, but a deadly plot.

No matter how much he tries to reject the premise of his captor's plans, Sage keeps getting sucked deeper into political maneuverings.  His very life depends on "winning" a competition in which he doesn't want to participate.  High treason, sword fights, mistreated servants, and unlikely alliances work together to a surprising conclusion.

One of my favorite features of this book lies in the fact that it surprised me.....more than once.  I read a lot of fantasy, so it is rare that a fantasy book completely surprises me, let alone more than once.  I can't wait to read the rest to discover the final conclusion.

Arrrgh........watch out for the Jolly Robin (yes, I do mean Robin)

I had gotten the book The High Skies Adventures of Blue Jay the Pirate by Scott Nash on a whim....I was a bit skeptical about a pirate story to begin with, let alone one in which the pirates are birds.  I must say, however, it was captivating, funny, and full of all the swashbuckling a pirate book requires.

Captain Blue Jay of the dread pirate ship Grosbeak is "generally the most bloodthirsty and fearsome pirate to sail the high skies."  Because of this reputation, most ships surrender their booty without even a fight.   This suits Jay just fine, as he is really quite caring and concerned about his crew.  His one obsession, besides treasure, is his collection of unusual eggs.  A battle with raccoons leads to a rare egg, like none Jay has ever seen.  Imagine his surprise when one of the crew, Junco, is inspired to SIT on the egg.  Her vigil is ultimately supported by the crew, and out hatches.....a goose.  Geese are considered "sky gods" and Jay can just imagine the value one would be on the crew.  The Captain and the crew begin to raise the homeless gosling, teaching him to be a pirate.  As the ship crashes and is stolen from them by the evil crow, Teach and his mob of thugs, Jay must inspire the lost goose, a mole, and the peasant sparrows to plan a daring rescue and escape.

There is so much that is appealing a out this story:  amazing illustrations, non-stereotypical roles, great plays on words.   Great fun for all to read! 

Not my cup of tea......

I read the first book in the Accidental Adventure series, by C. Alexander London, called We Are Not Eaten by Yaks.  For reasons I can't fully explain, it was so-so for me.  Blah.  Which is odd because it is full of adventure, whether the main characters want it or not!

Twins Celia and Oliver are the children of famous adventurers and even live in the Explorers Club with their father.  Their mother has gone missing and while they miss her, they really HATE going on adventures...they are hot, buggy and uncomfortable.  They would much rather watch TV all day.  Unfortunately, a bet forces them to search for their mother and on the way encounter Poison Witches, jump from a plane in a life-raft, and even meet a Tibetan god.  They had better win and get cable out of this!

 

I think kids will love this.  I found it a bit melodramatic for my taste.  For some reason it reminded me of A Series of Unfortunate Events, which wasn't my favorite, either.