Digital Fortress: Dan Brown

Dan Brown is quickly becoming predictable. After reading my last post you might think me a little fickle. Yes, you can count on action, adventure, and twists. Unfortunately, you can also count on language and, if you've read enough of his books, you can begin to accurately predict who the bad guy is. However, it was a fairly entertaining story about how the Internet might be turned against the US government and the dangers that exist in placing too many eggs in same (internet) basket. Good for adults, but beware of some foul language.

Would I Read It Again?: Probably Not

Grade: C- (B+ Without the Foul Language)
Content: Language, Adult Situations, Violence
Jeff's Recommended Age: 21+

Deception Point: Dan Brown

Dan Brown has flummoxed me again.  It doesn't matter how 'off' or backwards I think, I can never guess who the bad guy is.  As with his more popular novels (Angels and Demons, The Davinci Code, and The Lost Symbol), Brown leaves you on pins and needles until the final revelation.  This particular story deals with the politics of Washington and the relationship between the varying governmental agencies.  I can't say much more without spoiling the plot, but there is plenty of mystery, suspense, and action in this intriguing political thriller.  There is, however, some offensive language that prevents me from recommending it.

Would I Read It Again?: Probably Not

Grade: C (A- Without the Foul Language)
Content: Language, Adult Situations
Jeff's Recommended Age: 18+

Enchantment: Orson Scott Card

I am a huge fan of Card's Ender Saga and thought I'd give this one a chance.  This book is Card's rendition of Sleeping Beauty which is intended, I believe, for adults.  His tale merges the magic filled fairy-tale land with modern day and provides the reader with a fun, magical, and adventure filled story that entertains from cover to cover.  The aspect of the book that I appreciated the most, having experienced another culture, was that this book was filled with many humorous and awkward moments that occur when a person enters a new culture.  This combined with an entertaining plot make for a great read.

Would I Read It Again?: Possibly

Grade:  B+
Content:  Fantasy Violence, Adult Situations
Jeff's Recommended Age:  18+

The Fourth Realm Trilogy: John Twelve Hawks

I chose to read this trilogy purely based on the synopsis on the back cover.  I was very disappointed.  I was looking for an adventurous story chronicling the struggle between good and evil and was treated to a political statement.  This series was written by a man who uses the pseudonym John Twelve Hawks.  It is all about how the people of the world are giving in to fear and terror and are unknowingly giving up their personal freedoms and how so described 'prophets' known as the Travelers try to combat this movement by inspiring free thought and new ideas.  The author does have many great insights and I do believe that this is a real issue.  However, I feel he was far too extreme (he himself lives off the grid).  The story is mildly interesting but there is far too much violence and gore and I guess I'm just not into books that have such an obvious political agenda, regardless if I agree with it or not.

Would I Read It Again?:  Negative (That Means No)

Grade: C-
Content: Violence and Gore
Jeff's Recommended Age: 21+
Series Order:
     The Traveler
     The Dark River
     The Golden City

Interworld: Neil Gaiman & Michael Reaves

Neil Gaiman (Author of Stardust) co-authored this book and this was truly the only real reason that I read it.  However, I'm glad I did.  The authors write of Joey Harker, a young boy who discovers that he can 'walk' from one alternate reality to another.  He discovers that there are many versions of himself from these parrallel realities and that they are fighting to keep the balance between the magic worlds and the technological worlds.  There are those who wish to conquer the alternate worlds and subject them to their magical rule, while others are trying to conquer them in the name of technology.  The 'alterverse' is most benefitted when the two are balanced, thus Joey joins the alternate versions of himself in the battle to maintain this balance.  My only complaint is that the book leaves the reader hanging with no promise of a sequel.  Otherwise, it was a fun read.  My wife says that I'm too easy to please; she's probably right. I like most books that I read as long as they aren't offensive. Interworld is a book that is good for all ages. It can be fun and appealing in different ways to each age group.

Would I Read It Again?: Only if they write a sequel.

Grade: B+
Content: Scary Sequences (For Younger Readers)
Jeff's Recommended Age: 10+
Sequels:
     None Yet

Call It Courage: Armstrong Sperry

This book is one of my childhood favorites.  It is a Newberry Medal Award winner and a fantastic book for younger children.  It shares the experiences of the island boy Mafatu.  He is the only boy on the island that is afraid of the sea.  His mother having drowned, Mafatu fears the sea and is relegated to the same tasks as the women of the island, mending fishing nets and such.  This shames his father who also happens to be the leader of his people.  Mafatu is ashamed and decides to prove his worth and conquer his fear.  He leaves the island in a canoe accompanied by his dog, Uri, and another friend Kivi, an albatross.  Mafatu learns and grows quickly as he battles hunger, thirst, sharks, octopi, and cannibals.  A classic story of adventure and survival, Call It Courage will leave the reader very satisfied.

Would I Read It Again?: Yes

Grade: A
Content: Scary Sequences (For Younger Readers)
Jeff's Recommended Age: 9+
Sequels:
     None

Eldest: Christopher Paolini

For those readers who liked Eragon, they will have no problem enjoying this intriguing sequel.  Paolini continues the story of Eragon and his dragon Saphira, as well as the story of Eragon's cousin Roran and the people of his home village of Carvahall.  There is much that I could tell of the story if it wouldn't give away the plot of the whole inheritance cycle.  Let's just say that Paolini's writing gets better with each book and that the plot in this book is every bit as good as in Eragon.  Make sure that you have Brisingr (the third book) on hand after having read this one, because you won't be satisfied at the end.  Although, without even a title being announced for the fourth and final book, Brisingr will only prolong the excruciating and inevitable wait to know how it all ends.  Overall, Eldest is a very entertaining and engaging read.

Would I Read It Again?: Definitely

Grade: A
Content: Fantasy Violence and Some Mild Gore
Jeff's Recommended Age: 15+
Series Order:
     Eragon
     Eldest
     Brisingr
     Untitled (Coming Soon)

The Dark Is Rising: Susan Cooper

This series is a bit different from most.  It is a bit like the Chronicles of Narnia in that the main characters shift from book to book.  In book one of this series, we followed the first adventure of Simon, Jane, and Barny.  In the second book, however, we are treated to the story of Will Stanton.  This is the book upon which was based the movie The Seeker.  Will Stanton is indeed the seeker of the six signs of The Light.  Will learns that he is a member of an ancient race called the 'Old Ones'.  Those of this race are the advocates of the world and have always sought to further the agenda of The Light.  On his eleventh birthday, Will is thrust into the struggle between The Light and The Dark.  As the last of the Old Ones, it is Will's responsibility to seek and collect the six signs of The Light.  Obviously, The Dark does not want Will to find any of the signs as they realize that The Light would gain a tremendous advantage if they were to be found by the Seeker.  Very clean book and an enjoyable read.  Much more detailed, and much better, than the movie.  A good book for younger readers who like adventure stories.

Would I Read It Again?: Likely

Grade: B+
Content: Some Scary Sequences for Younger Readers
Jeff's Recommended Age: 12+
Series Order:
     Over Sea, Under Stone
     The Dark is Rising
     Greenwitch
     The Grey King
     Silver on the Tree

Skybreaker: Kenneth Oppel

Matt and Kate are back to their usual adventures in this sequel to Airborn.  During a near death experience, Matt sighted, and is therefore one of the few people who know the coordinates of, the lost airship Hyperion.  Rumored to be carrying the treasure of an eccentric scientist, the rush to claim the salvage begins.  Joined by others, Matt and Kate decide to go after Her themselves in a new class of airship capable of extreme altitudes.  Of course there are other groups eager to catch the Hyperion and the race becomes very dangerous.  This is a fairly intense book.  It is a great adventure and has some violence and mildly scary sequences for younger readers.  There are plenty of twists, and nothing works out the way one would assume.  A very fun read.

Would I Read It Again?: Definitely

Grade: A
Content: Some Violence
Jeff's Recommended Age: 12+
Series Order:
     Airborn
     Skybreaker
     Starclimber