Fiction

Background

A Horse and His Boy was written after several of the Narnia books were released and chronologically occurs after The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. It is largely the tail of Shasta, a boy who is raised as a slave and ends up on an adventure.

My Thoughts

I quite enjoyed this book though it wasn’t the epic which was The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I also hadn’t read it before or at least I didn’t remember it… It was like reading a new book either way and I really enjoyed it.

It is a quick read and it took a while to get moving. However, it had a lot of C.S. Lewis hallmarks; the horse was arrogant and humbled toward the end, the boy thought he was nothing but turned out to be the lost prince and later the king and so on… It had plenty of the archetypal stories we love to hear.

Recommendations

Great book. I would recommend it to anyone and my boys are reading it now.

Background

Heinlein’s iconic book Starship Troopers is about a semi-dystopian future where aliens are not only real but we fight wars against them as well.

My Thoughts

Starship Troopers was something I saw in the movies a long time ago. I remember a few scenes from it but not much else. In my day job with the United States Marines, it gets referenced from time to time and is on the Commandant’s reading list. So… I thought I should read the book. The book is always better right?

In this case, yes. The book was pretty fantastic. I can understand why the Commandant would want Marines to read this as it has some pretty solid lessons as to why we fight, honor, and even where the swagger came from. If you want to get inside Marine’s mind. This is a good place to start.

Recommendations

I wouldn’t say this book is for kids based on the level of violence however I believe it is a solid read for pretty much everyone.

Background

Wade is just a poor boy, he needs no sympathy… In the future, the earth is broken. Ravaged by climate change and by a shortage of natural resources, it is a bleak time to live. However, you can virtually live inside a video game known as “The Oasis”.

The man who created The Oasis died a very rich man and will give his vast fortune to the first player who finds his Easter Egg.

My Comments

I haven’t been able to put this one down. I love all the 80’s comments and references. It’s like being brought back to my childhood. I’m excited for the movie and I’m glad I read the book first. I could do without the profanity and if you stop and think about the dystopian world in which they lived, it is pretty terrifying… Still, fun story.

My Recommendations

I’d wait till I was 14 or so to read it due to some of the scenes being a little off color and the general bad language. However, I have a hard time thinking most people (who didn’t grow up playing video games and role playing games in the 80s) won’t get most of the references. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Background

In Warriors #6: The Darkest Hour, Firestar is the leader of ThunderClan. Tigerstar has further schemes to take over the forest and it is up to Firestar to lead the clans back to their former glory.

My Comments

I enjoyed the ending of the series. I felt I had accomplished something… I took my time reading it and really did enjoy this last book. There were some heavy handed moments, some serious foreshadowing, and one very anticlimactic part but on the whole it was really enjoyable.

Recommendation

A must read if you started the series.

Background

In A Dangerous Path, Thunderclan Deputy Fireheart has a lot to deal with. The clan leader Bluestar thinks everyone is a traitor and their warrior ancestors have abandoned them. Tigerstar is the leader of Shadow Clan. And there is a pack of dogs loose. What will it all mean?

My Comments

Again a fun book and closer to the end of the series. In this book, we learn more of Starclan and see the end of Bluestar. As Fireheart had been named deputy, it was up to him to figure out what to do. Tigerstar was minding his Ps and Qs but it wasn’t a surprise when we found out he was behind the current tragedy to befall the ThunderClan. All and all, I enjoyed the book. I found the love interest to be about the level of a preteen which is the level of the target audience. Good book…

Recommendations

You have to read them all!

Background

Book 4 of the Warriors series is Rising Storm. Our good friend Fireheart was able to see Tigerclaw banished but is he really rid of him? What of his wee kittens? Will they grow to be like their father? (Well, we don’t find out in this book…) Bluestar, the leader of the Thunderclan, starts losing her marbles just after Fireheart is made deputy. Now it all falls to him… Sort of…

My Comments

A fun read but a little heavy handed on the Tigerclaw eyes and such.

My Recommendation

Good book and an easy read. However, be sure to start with Book 1.

Background

Book 3 of the Warrior series is Forest of Secrets. Fireheart finds out what really happened to Redtail and the intrigue deepens with Tigerclaw, Graystripe, and the rest.

My Comments

This one went faster for me for some reason. Perhaps it was because I had some time over the weekend to get through it. Either way, it went down well.The kitties are always fun. I’ve enjoyed reading the book and it has been a light-hearted diversion. The real reason I started this series was to keep up with my son who has already finished it and moved on to the next.

My Recommendation

A good read. Good for the kids but start at the first book.

Background

Book 2 of the Warrior series is Fire and Ice. Fireheart continues making his way through the Thunder Clan while watching his back from Tigerclaw and trying to teach his nephew Cloudkit.

My Comments

I’m reading this series at the same time as my 11 year old son. I have to say, he’s left me in the dust. (Of course, I read other things too but still. I love the boy loves to read!)

The book is a good read. Most of it is pretty simple and the story moves along well. I enjoyed it though it is amusing to think these are fluffy little puddy tats…

Recommendation

It’s a good read and a solid 2nd book in a series.

Background

The Mocking Jay is the last of Hunger Games Trilogy and it brings final resolution to the tension between “the Capital” and “the Districts”. Katniss and the team are propelled forward from district 13 to start an uprising climaxing in the final assault on President Snow’s mansion.

My Comments

There is something about the way Suzanne Collins writes which makes me plow on through the story even though I should be sleeping. I enjoyed the read. However, like many guilty pleasures, I have no idea why.

I can’t stand Katniss in this installation of the series. She is such a sanctimonious idiot. Her special combination of outrage coupled with her stupidity and add a dash of not-allowing-others-to-take-responsibility-for-anything, is hard to imagine. It’s hard to buy a spoiled 17 year old with PTSD getting her way over battle hardened soldiers…

It felt a lot like what I used to call Disney ethics. The idea that almost any retaliation is fine, even death, if someone is mean to an animal or gets in your way.

In this book, people are dying right left and center. The whole of Katniss’s community had been completely wiped out but that is glossed over. However, if Primm dies… Whoa, now that’s over the edge.

Recommendation

I still liked it. I will likely read it again… And then again. The first book was so good but it’s hard to leave it there. Ms. Collins, my hat is off to you.