The Rithmatist -- A Review

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson:

More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity's only defense against the wild chalklings---merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the wild chalklings now threaten all the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students learn the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then studens start disappearing---kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody frind themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery, one that will change Rithmatics--and their world--forever. 

*5/5 Stars*

I wasn't going to give this book 5 stars originally..But dat ending!! I am not the kind of person who tries to figure out the ending, so I'm surprised. But I was totally shocked by the one that was actually written.

At first, I thought the story was kind of slow. There was a lot of explaining this new form of magic called Chalklings and there was a lot of Geometry going on. How to draw circles, different points of circles and how a crooked line could mess everything up. I didn't know that this book took place in the early 1900's. If you didn't read the map at the beginning of the book, you wouldn't really know that. There was one part where Joel and Melody were talking about women's rights and worrying about carriages and such...I was so confused...At one point I was curious about how the world was set up, so I looked at the map and saw the date...That would have been good to know earlier...unless I missed it...which I might have. XP Also, I had a small problem with the main characters. The characters acted a lot younger than 16. Melody was whiny and Joel...there was something about him that I thought seemed odd. Like he was way too immature to be 16. I thought he was 12 multiple times...

Despite my confusion with the ages of the characters, I did enjoy them. They weren't my favorite main characters ever, but I felt like they did grow a bit, and I have a feeling they will continue to grow. I LOVED the world. I loved that it was based in the US, but the US was broken down into islands and everything had an alternate history. I mean, chopsticks being essential to Italian food? How cool is that? ...Well it's pretty cool to me...XP Also, I enjoyed the nods to steampunk culture. And once I got used to the magic, thought even with the pictures I had a hard time picturing what was happening, and I thought it was a bit awkward at times, I loved it. It is very different from anything else I have ever read and I really appreciate the creativity! Especially the fact that it is an artistic type of magic. That is neat. ^^ I thought the twists were cool too. Rithmatics is more complicated than even the main characters think it is. And the whole problem with Nebrask, so interesting!! >w< I can't wait to find out what happens in the next books!!

Well, that's enough for now!~ I really love Brandon Sanderson...He is officially one of my new favorite authors. I don't think I could not like anything he writes!~ He is just that good. ^^

Until next time my sweet little peaches! Tootles!~ 

A Spell for Chameleon--A Review

Xanth was the enchanted land where magic ruled--where every citizen had a special spell only he could cast. It was a land of centaurs and dragons and basilisks.

For Bink of North Village, however, Xanth was no fairy tale. He alone had no magic. And unless he got some--and got some fast!-- he would be exiled. Forever!

But the Good Magician Humfrey was convinced that Bink did indeed have magic. In fact, both Beauregard teh genie adn the magic wall chart insisted that Bink had magic. Magic as powerful as any possessed by the King or by Good Magician Humfrey--or even by the Evil Magician Trent. 

Be taht as it may, no one could fathom the nature of Bink's very special magic. Bink was in despair. This was even worse than having no magic at all...and he would still be exiled!

*4/5 Stars*

My ex boyfriend had been telling me about this series for a year and he finally lent me his copy! But he was on my case the whole time I had it, so I read it to shut his face up. XD I'm glad I did though!

At first, I had a bit of trouble getting into this book. The writing style was not really something I had expected, there was a lot of describing of things and I felt like things just kind of happened. There also wasn't much of a conflict. Bink is looking for his magic, saw a magician, some stuff happens, and everything just seemed to fall into place.

This book is heavy on magical theory, so if you don't like philosophy, you probably won't like this book. I, on the other hand, being fascinated by magic, really appreciate it. I also enjoyed the characters. They aren't necessarily deep, but they are interesting. My favorite character is probably Chameleon. She has very interesting magic and is a pretty complex character. The ending of this book was super sweet as well! I wasn't expecting that at all!! I literally went, "Awwwwwww!!!" That in itself was worth it. ^^ 

This is a 40 (possibly 40+) series of companion novels, so it is a bit of a commitment, but I think I will try and see if I can read them all!~ My friend says the second one is his favorite, so I'm looking forward to starting that one, possibly next month!! Until next time!! BYIE!!!

April Book Haul Pt 2

I ended up getting a few more books before the month of April was over, and I'm super excited about these purchases, so I thought I'd share them with you!! So, here they are!!!

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake: So this was the first book I put in my cart in my first ever Book Outlet order! I have been looking for this book for a very long time, and when I saw it for a couple of dollars (not in the scratch and dent section), I decided I would make an order..but I wanted to get more than one book, just to make it worth the $3.99 shipping. So I got....

Cinder by Marissa Meyer: I got this book!! I have been wanting this book for a very long time. A VERY long time. It was super cheap, in hard cover, and wasn't in the scratch and dent section...so I grabbed it!! I am so happy to have this book in my possession!! >w<

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas: If you have read any of my other posts, you would know that I was trying to get enough points on my Opinion Outpost account so that I could get this book for free. Well, I missed the pre-order date, but that's ok, because the book ended up being $2 cheaper that it originally was, so I had an extra $2 that I put towards the pre-order of Heir of Fire....September....GET HERE FASTER!!!!! \>___</


Well that's all I bought for this month. ^^ I don't really plan on buying much in May because I will be saving my money for Disney World!! >w< I probably won't buy any souvenirs, but maybe I'll find a nice bookstore. XD I'll be posting my May TBR next!~ Until then!! Byie!!!

Book Outlet: http://bookoutlet.com/

April Wrap-up 2014

This was also a pretty slow reading month for me, but it was MUCH better than the last couple of months!! *sigh of relief* So let me get into this short wrap up!~

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull: I gave this book 4.25 stars...yeah, that's a bit random...but whatevs. I found this book hard to get into, but once it started to get going, I did really enjoy myself. I had a lot of problems with it though. I'll link my review of it below if you are curious to see all of my thoughts. ^^v

 

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson: I gave this book 5 stars. I would give it more because Brandon Sanderson...but 5 shall suffice for now. ^^v I have not gotten a chance to review this book yet, but when I do, I'll link it down below so you can see my thoughts. I have a lot of them. XD 

Well, that is it. XD I told you it was going to be short! Haha! But I enjoyed both of these books a lot, so that is a vast improvement from my other reading months. I am currently 11/25 books into my reading challenge and I'm feeling good. ^^ Go me! Haha! So that's all, so until next time! Peace out! 

Beyonder's review: http://supermomobookcorner.blogspot.com/2014/04/beyonders-world-without-heores-review.html

April Book Haul!~

 So, I was kind of bad this month...I bought some books...Sorry not sorry. XD

 Seraphina by Rachel Hartman: I had been wanting this book for quite some time now...I have been on a huge dragon kick as of late, so when I found this book at Half Price Books, I went, "MINE!!"

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson: I wasn't planning on getting this book....but I ended up at Books A Million and I was looking for discounted books, found a Sanderson book, and then was like...I need more Sanderson!!!! So I found him in the fantasy section and THIS! IT'S HUGE!!!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brandon Sanderson is a god.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi: I FINALLY FRIGGEN FOUND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been looking EVERYWHERE for this book and I couldn't find it in any book store...I had an aversion to buying it online for some reason, but I friggen found it!!! EEEEEEEEEE!!! This cover....So pretty.....

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson: This...I found this book...in the bargain section of Books A Million and I made this face. OoO!! $4.97....Yes please!!! I am currently reading this book and am 94 pages in....So much love!! There is a lot of math and geometry in it, but the concept is so weird and different, that I'm in love with it. Like I said before. Brandon Sanderson is a god. <3

Prodigy by Marie Lu: Finally I was able to find this book (that seems to be the theme of this haul)!! Every new book I found looked about the same or worse than this one...so I wasn't going to pay full price for it...I think this was $7.99 at Half Price Books? Well anyways, I have been thinking about this series for a while now, so I'm happy to have this book!~

Red Rising by Pierce Brown: I have no idea what this book is about...I won it in a Goodreads giveaway. I know it is dystopian....but that's all. XD

Black Sun Rising by C.S. Friedman: Another book I have no idea what it's about...it's fantasy?! I got it at Goodwill and I liked the cover.

  

Eon by Alison Goodman: As I mentioned before, I have been obsessed with dragons as of late. I have been wanting to read this series since Little Book Owl read it. Dragons...<3

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes: I FINALLY found this book!!! I am so happy!!! I have been wanting to read this book for a looooooong time!!! But I finally found it!!~ <3 <3 I'm so excited!!~ Half Price Books...You did me well this trip!~

Champion by Marie Lu: I found this at Half Price Books too!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so happy!~ <3

The Giver by Lois Lowry: I FINALLY FOUND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I read it in the 8th grade and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since then!! I'm so happy to have found this book...Like...over the friggen moon.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman: I have also been looking for this book for for-fricken-ever. I got this one at Goodwill and I am quite content with this. ^^

A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin:  I finally have the last book (that is out) in the Song of Ice and Fire series!~ I am very excited because dragons. XD I still have yet to catch up to this point in the series, but I have it now, and it's pretty~ This trip to Half Price Books was one of the best!~ <3 


Well that was my haul!~ I do plan on getting a few more books this month, so I'll post those later!~ Until next time my sweet little turtledoves!~ Byie!!!

Beyonders: A World Without Heores--The Review

Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable--until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason transporting from the hippo tank into a strange, imperiled world.

Lyrian is full of dangers and challenges unlike any place Jason has ever known.  The people live in fear of their malicious wizard emperor, Maldor. The brave resistors who once opposed Maldor have been bought off or broken, leaving a a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.

In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor, and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

**4.25 Stars**

So, I had heard about this book...or maybe it was just the author...from a booktuber, Connor O'Brien. I have been watching his channel for a bit, and as he enjoys fantasy, I try to pay attention to the books he reads. I saw this book discounted at Books A Million and recognized the author's name and nabbed it. This is a middle grade fantasy novel that starts out in our world and then takes an unexpected turn. 

I thought the start of this book was super boring...it was sooooooooooooooo slow! The author described EVERYTHING!! I was like "...dude...it's Colorado...I think we can figure out what it looks like..." Then I felt like things just kind of happened. I mean...yeah...it's middle grade...but seriously...it needed something more. Once Jason gets to the beyond and meets Rachel, the book picks up and gets interesting. They meet oddball characters, learn about this strange new world, and try to evade all the creatures and things trying to kill them.

This book is VERY linear. They did this, then they did this, then they went there and talked to this person. No real twists. The end is a bit twisty, which I actually really appreciated. Also, I felt that things just kind of seemed to work in their favor. I also felt that Rachel's character wasn't very important to this story. I mean, she did a few things Jason couldn't, but because she was a female in a world that didn't really value females, (it was kind of middle age-y-ish??) she really didn't do anything (though I feel her character might become more important in the second book). Character wise, they weren't very deep.

Although I didn't rave about this book, I actually did enjoy this book. The way the book ended made me really curious as to what is going to happen in the second book and even the third. Brandon Mull is a very good author and I loved the language he used. He integrated some more difficult vocabulary into the book that would make the reader think a bit (not so much if you are older..maybe?). I think he made a very interesting world and some very interesting creatures and characters. 

If you are into middle grade fantasy, I would give this book a shot!~ Also this is book 6/10 for my 2014 bookish resolution!~ I might be changing my resolution up a bit just because of how things are going, but we'll see!

Until next time my sweet little duckies!~

Byie!!

Connor's channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/NodinBookinIt

Late March/Early April Book/Bookish Haul 2014

Now that I'm working at Goodwill, I get to check out the book selection more often. I will get done with my shift or go on lunch and just look around and see if there is anything I am interested in. I have to not do that. XP Here's what I ended up with!~

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer: This book has been haunting me for years, but I never knew what it was...I just thought it was dumb...But then I found out that it was a fantasy book, so I thought I'd start hunting this series down...It took me FOREVER for me to find this book. -____-' And then I was like, "I really want the hard covers..." but I figured that I should just nab it before it took me another half a year to find another copy. XP

 I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore: I have wanted to start this series for quite some time, but I could never find a copy of any of the books in the series...Then I heard that the series wasn't so good, so I didn't want to pay full price for it. So I didn't! Yay! It's a bit banged up, but it's the cover I wanted and that makes me happy~

 King of Foxes by Raymond E. Feist: This is mostly a cover buy...It had a fox on it...and in the title....^^'' I did do some research on it before I bought it. XP It is a fantasy novel, the second book in the Conclave of Shadow's series, and the series had really good ratings on Goodreads. So I bought it! XD

Well, that's everything! It was a small haul, but I think it was a good one!~ Until next time my little shortbread cookies!~ Peace!