100 Cupboards: Book 1 by N.D. Wilson
The cover of this book caught my eye. It has a bunch of small drawers with one that is slightly open with a pair of yellow eyes peering out of it. The book’s description on the back peeked my interest. As a fan of fantasy adventures and reading about things that go bump in the night, I decided to read it. I am very glad that I did but I am waiting for the library to have the second book available to check out. ( I am on the waiting list with what seems to be many, if not all, of the youngsters needing to read this summer!)
My dad actually read the book before I got the chance to read it and enjoyed it. He didn’t talk much about it but read it in a day while he was visiting. My Dad is the person to taught me that I do not have to finish reading every book that I start.
The main character, twelve-year-old Henry York, discovers the cupboards plastered over in the attic that is now his bedroom. By unplastering the cupboards, he discovers that they lead to other worlds. There is enough creepiness to keep the kids reading the story but not enough to keep them awake at night. That is unless they are trying to find hidden cupboards in their own houses!
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The Alchemyst by Michael Scott
What caught my eye on this book was the sub-title: The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel. As a fan of the Harry Potter books by JK Rawlings, I was curious. Nicholas Flamel is a character in The Sorcerer’s Stone. I found out the he is actually more then that but is a historical figure that lived in Paris (c. 1330-1414 AD). He has also appeared in more books including The Da Vinci Code.
After having my interest peaked by the sub-title, I set down to read the book. I was totally caught up by the wonderfully crafted tale of two teenagers who where living in Southern California. They are twin brother and sister who have befriended Nicholas Flamel and his wife, Perenelle. The Flamel’s are who get Sophie and Josh Newman involved in the age-old battle between the forces of good and evil.
This book is extremely enjoyable to read and full of twists and turns that keep you turning the pages. What I enjoyed more is the author’s use of historical and mythological characters to populate the novel. I found myself spending some time re-familiarizing myself with old friends from my studies in college. Even though I have a base knowledge of the characters, people with out that knowledge will find this book enjoyable.
The story starts with Sophie and Josh witnessing Nicholas and Perenelle using magic to fight off their enemy Dr. John Dee. Everything that the teenagers think they know about the world is challenged from there. Perenelle is captured and Nicholas and the twins go on a magical trip through California and the world trying to rescue her and safe the world from destruction by the Dark Forces. Okay, the plot line seems hokey but I ensure you that it is not. I finished the book in a day and went out at bought the second in the series. I loaned my copy of The Alchemyst to a friend, how is enjoying it. I am waiting for the release of the third book in paper book but may head for the library to check a copy out.
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Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
Yes, this is another vampire story, but it takes place in the elite social circle of New York City not in the wild setting of Forks, Washington. The main characters are all of the upper crust of society, with the riches and gossip that goes along with it. The vampires are immortal and be killed by fire or having all of their blood sucked out. Some one is killing the young vampires. Okay, the vampires choose to life in cycles. They are “born” to new parents and grow up until they choose to die only to restart the cycle in a few years. All of the vampires, in modern day New York, where vampires who arrived in America on the Mayflower and other ships. A “Silver Blood” destroyed the settlement of Roanoke Virginia. The “Silver Bloods” are vampires who choose not the follow the codes that where created so that the vampires could prove that they where good. It seems that the Vampires are really the fallen angels that where cast out of heaven with Lucifer. So, Blue Bloods is nothing like Twilight. Nevertheless, it is worth reading and very enjoyable.
I like the fact that Cruz uses incidents in history to explain some of the happenings in modern day society. The author also uses the biblical story of Lucifer and the angles to help build the suspense in the book. I would encourage people to read this book. It would appeal to young women more so then the guys. After finishing the first book of the series, I went out and got the next two books, Masquerade and Revelations. The next book is being released in October of this year. I will be reading it.
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