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The Merchant of Death (Pendragon #1) by D.J. MacHale
I find it only fitting that my return to book reviewing begins with the series that started it all. About ten years ago, in the midst of my early teendom, I stumbled upon this little gem of a novel by D.J. MacHale. The Merchant of Death became the catalyst for my interest in YA fiction and kindled…
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Rivers of Fire (Atherton #2) by Patrick Carman
Rivers of Fire is the second installment of the Atherton Trilogy, and a truly gripping continuation of the events witnessed in the first book. Patrick Carman is an excellent storyteller, and his prowess has never fallen short—least of all now. If you are new to the series, or new to any of Carman’s work for…
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The House of Power (Atherton #1) by Patrick Carman
The House of Power is the first installment of the Atherton trilogy; written and imagineered by Patrick Carman. This first installment details the many dangerous and revolutionary events on the mysterious land of Atherton. The plot itself is fairly simple and decent, being a fantasy written with an adolescent audience in mind. A likable protagonist…
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The Diamond of Darkhold (Ember #4) by Jeanne DuPrau
RatingCharacters: 18/20Plot: 19/20Originality: 19/20Writing: 19/19Reccomendation: 20/20Overall: 95/100 or ASource: Borrowed from Grandma Summary: It’s been several months since Lina and Doon escaped the dying city of Ember and, along with the rest of their people, joined the town of Sparks. Lina knows they are lucky to be there, but life aboveground is hard. Instead of…
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The Prophet of Yonwood (Ember #3) by Jeanne DuPrau
Rating:Characters: 19/20Plot: 20/20Originality: 19/20Writing: 18/20Reccomendation: 20/20Overall: 96/100 or ASource: Borrowed from Grandma Summary: War looms on the horizon as eleven-year-old Nickie and her aunt travel to the small town of Yonwood, North Carolina. There, one of the town’s respected citizens has had a terrible vision of fire and destruction. As the people of Yonwood scramble…
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The People of Sparks (Ember #2) by Jeanne DuPrau
Rating:Characters: 18/20Plot: 20/20Originality: 19/20Writing: 18/20Recommendation: 20/20Overall: 95/100 or ASource: Borrowed from Grandma Summary: When Lina and Doon lead their people up from the underground city of Ember, they discover a surface world of color and life. The people of a small village called Sparks agree to help the Emberites, but the villagers have never had…
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The City of Ember (Ember #1) by Jeanne DuPrau
Rating:Characters: 18/20Plot: 20/20Originality: 19/20Writing: 18/20Recommendation: 20/20Overall: 95/100 or ASource: Borrowed from Mom Summary: Lina Mayfleet desperately wants to be a messenger. Instead, she draws the dreaded job of Pipeworks laborer, which means she’ll be working in damp tunnels deep underground.Doon Harrow draws messenger–and asks Lina to trade! Doon wants to be underground. That’s where the…
