Thief's Magic by Trudi Canavan

Thief's Magic by Trudi Canavan

Posted by Yuma County Library

Reviewed by: Andrew Zollman

What I Read:  Thief’s Magic by Trudi Canavan

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What it’s About: The book follows two individuals: Tyen, a student of aarchaeology and Rielle, the daughter of a dyer. The story takes place in a world where magic coexists with technology and religious beliefs. In Tyen’s story, he is from a world where the industrial revolution is powered by magic. While out in the field with other students, he unearths a sentient book called Vella. Once a young sorcerer-bookbinder, Vella was transformed into a useful tool by one of the greatest sorcerers of history. Since then she has been collecting information, including a vital clue to the disaster Tyen's world faces. Elsewhere, in a land ruled by the priests, Rielle has been taught that to use magic is to steal from the Angels. Yet she knows she has a talent for it, and that there is a corrupter in the city willing to teach her how to use it, should she dare to risk the Angels' wrath. But not everything is as Tyen and Rielle have been raised to believe. Not the nature of magic, or the laws of their lands. Not even the people they thought they could trust.

What I Thought: The concept and character development was great for each character, the setting, and the conflict surrounding each story. However, I found that having alternating stories moving through the chapters put me off a little bit. It wasn’t until about halfway through the book that I found that the story followed a timeline progression between both characters to a common event. It was good, it was detailed, and most of all I am looking forward to the next book, Angel of Storms.

Read-a-likes: Stormdancer – Jay Kristoff

Or look this book up on NoveList!

Closer to Home by Mercedes Lackey

Closer to Home by Mercedes Lackey

Posted by Yuma County Library

Reviewed by: Andrew Zollman

What I Read: Closer to Home by Mercedes Lackey

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What it’s About: Mags, a former enslaved orphan who lived a harsh life in mines as a child, has now gotten into his Whites as a Herald; trained under the King's Own Herald as a spy for the kingdom. This is the sequel to Mercedes Lackey’s Collegium Chronicles. Newly established as a Herald at Heralds' Collegium, Mags has found a supportive family, including his Companion Dallen. Although normally a Herald in his first year of Whites would be sent off on circuit, Mags is needed close to home for his abilities as a spy and his powerful Mindspeech gift. There is a secret, treacherous plot within the royal court to destroy the Heralds. The situation becomes dire after the life of Mags' mentor, King's Own Nikolas, is imperiled. Nikolas daughter Amily is chosen as the new King's Own, a complicated and dangerous job that is made more so by this perilous time. Can Mags and Amily save the court, the Heralds, and the Collegium itself?

What I Thought: The book feels like a big picture story but focuses on the characters, their experiences, and how they apply their own skills and talents battle against the plot against the Heralds. The author’s use of Mags and friends as central characters helps to spin and unwind plenty of intrigue as the story progresses. If you are a reader of high fantasy but don’t like all of the gratuitous violence and mature themes, this book will help lead you on with well-developed characters, compelling reason and insight to story and a fun tale to follow. This book is recommended for readers Young Adult to Adult just starting out in fantasy but unsure if it’s right for them. Be aware, Mercedes Lackey does cover controversial topics in her books; however, they are always done in a tasteful manner within the story.

Read-a-likes: Codex Alera Series – Jim Butcher

Or look this book up on NoveList!

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Posted by Yuma County Library

Reviewed by: Becky Brendel

What I Read: The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: Locke Lamora is the head of a group of thieves called the Gentlemen Bastards, who steal from the rich despite a secret agreement between the government and the city of Camorr's underworld. When he starts being used as the pawn in other people's political games, he has to play the biggest cons of his life in order to stay alive - and maybe save the whole city in the process.

The Stradford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents Macbeth by Ian Lendler and Zack Giallongo

The Stradford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents Macbeth by Ian Lendler and Zack Giallongo

Posted by Bryan Summers

Reviewed by: Bryan Summers

What I Read: The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents Macbeth  by Ian Lendler and Zack Giallongo

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: After the Stratford Zoo closes, the animals perform Macbeth.  Macbeth is a lion.  Lady Macbeth is cheetah.  King Duncan is an owl.  The audience is comprised of lemurs, crocodiles, an elephant that stands up and blocks everyone’s view at the worst time.   This is a graphic novel for all ages.

What I Thought: If you love Shakespeare, you will love this.  If you don’t love Shakespeare I’m still pretty sure you’ll love this.  It is funny and clever. It doesn’t scrimp on the horror (and boy, does Shakespeare’s Macbeth have a lot of horror) but it makes it strange and family appropriate.   Macbeth, being a lion, eats all of his foes and uses ketchup.  So Lady Macbeth can’t get the ketchup stains from her hands. 

Last night my children read it and re-read it. This morning before school they asked me to read it to them again.   I might purchase it for my family’s library.

Readalikes: Bone by Jeff Smith, Tommysaurus Rex by Doug Tennapel

Or look this book up on NoveList!