Book Review and Giveaway-Antiquitas Lost

Antiquitas Lost

Book 1-The Last of the Shamalans

By Robert Louis Smith

Illustrations By Geof Isherwood

From the Back Cover:

This epic fantasy tells the story of a 15 year old boy named Elliott, a bullied kid with deformities on his hands and feet who is uprooted from his home after his mom falls gravely ill. When they move to New Orleans so his grandfather can help care for her, Elliott learns that the old man's eighteenth century mansion hides an ancient secret. From a dungeon-like basement far beneath the estate, Elliott strays through an ancient doorway into Pangrelor, a tumultuous parallel world full of bizarre creatures and warring races. Unable to return home, he discovers wondrous abilities he never dreamed he possessed, and an abiding connection to the primitive, alien world that will change him forever.

But he must proceed carefully. For he soon learns that his actions in the ancient world will impact the upcoming battle for Harwelden, Pangrelor's mightiest civilization, and will resonate all the way back to New Orleans, perhaps deciding whether his mother lives or dies.

My Thoughts:

I'm not usually a reader of the fantasy genre-only because I lack the imagination it requires to get through a story.

When I was approached to review this book the big seller for me was the illustrations-I liked the fact that this fantasy novel had pictures. When I got it in the mail I was a little surprised by the length of 600 plus pages. But the story included 70 plus pages of black and white art work by the famous comic book illustratorr Geof Isherwood who has worked with Marvel Comics for years.

The story of Elliot grabbed me right away. He is a kid that is struggling with a move to a different city, a mom is is very sick and bully issues. I was on his side immediately as he tried to sort out his sadness and the situation he was in.

After exploring his grandfather's basement Elliott discovers a doorway to a different world called Pangrelor. A world that was very easy for me to picture thanks to the awesome illustrations.  Pangrelor included creatures called greyfarers, serpans gimlets, susquatanians and darfoyles. I easily tell that some characters were inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and well as C.S. Lewis. 

But the story is not carried by Elliott alone. It also tells of a princess desperate to hold together a corrupt and crumbling kingdom, a susquatanian looking for redemption, and a serpan hell bent on revenge.

And then there's Elliott who brings them all together in a battle of the ages as he discovers that he has the powers to make or break a kingdom and possibly a world.

If I had to choose a favorite character from Antiquitas Lost I would have to say Elliott-and here's why. I loved Elliott through out the story simply because he didn't become a hero over night. He came into Pangrelor with fear and doubt. He struggles with the fact that he is a shamalan and what his role is suppose to be in this new, strange world. In a battle faced with roaring, fire breathing monsters and serpans welding deadly weapons-Elliott runs. I loved that about him!! 

Elliott does grow and mature through out the story but it's not at a break neck speed. As the story came to an end I found that I didn't want to say goodbye to Elliott or this amazing new world called Pangrelor. I really enjoyed Antiquitas Lost and look forward to more written by Robert Louis Smith.

This book was sent to me by FSB Associates for an honest review.

This book is now going to be used as a giveaway prize and sent to one lucky Mug of Moxie follower.

***To enter this GIVEAWAY-

Please leave your follower name and contact information.

This contest is international.

You must be 13 years old to enter.

Winner will be drawn by random.org

Contest runs from today Feb.2 thru Feb. 20

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INCARCERON-A Book Review

INCARCERON

By Catherine Fisher

442 pages

2007

From Inside Cover:
Incarceron is a prison unlike any other: It's inmates live not only in cells, but also in metal forests, dilapidated cities,and unbound wilderness. The prison has been sealed for centuries, and only one man, legend says, has ever escaped.
Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, can't remember his childhood and believes he came from Outside Incarceron. He's going to escape, even though most inmates don't believe that Outside even exists. And then Finn finds a crystal key and through it, a girl named Claudia.
Claudia claims to live Outside-her father is the Warden of Incarceron and she's doomed to an arranged marriage. If she helps Finn escape, she will need his help in return.
But they don't realize there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost far more than they know.
Because Incarceron is alive.
My thoughts:
I admit it. I picked this book up totally based on the reviews of other book bloggers. They raved-so I had to check it out. If I had read the inside cover first I probably would have not given it a chance. The plot just sounds too weird for me- I struggle with Fantasy.
The "IT" Factor-The Characters
The characters captured my attention right away. Finn and Claudia both have strong personalities so different yet the same-desperate to escape their situations. He in on the Inside and she is on the Outside. Escape is their highest priority. His from the prison-hers from a loveless marriage.
Finn's relationship with his oath brother, Keiro is complex and at times confusing. As is Claudia's relationship to her father. Does he love Claudia or is she just a bargaining chip? Wow!
The "ICK" Factor-The Prison
Incarceron is alive. A society decides to lock away the bad guys. They lock em up and throw away the key. People forget about Incarceron. Centuries pass and life goes on. Eventually the prison come to life-becomes a living, breathing thing. WTF? I just couldn't get into it.
Would I recommend to other readers?
Yes!
Undoubtedly other readers have the imagination for the parts I struggled with and would very much enjoy the entire story.
The sequel to Incarceron is called Sapphique and I will definitely read it. Incarceron leaves the reader on a cliff hanger and I really want to know what happens to the characters that I've grown to know and love.

A MAGICAL TALE

WHY I LET MY HAIR GROW OUT
By Maryrose Wood
218 Pages
2007


Goodreads Summary:
Being sent to your room is one thing. But being sent to another country? Morgan's boyfriend dumped her on the last day of school-it seemed the only thing to do was to hack off her hair and dye the stubble orange. Unfortunately, Morgan's parents freaked and decided a change of scenery would do her good. So they're sending her off on a bike tour of Ireland. But Morgan gets more than she bargained for on the Emerald Isle-including a strange journey into some crazy, once upon a time corner of the past. There, she meets fairies, weefolk, and a hunky warrior-dude named Fergus, and figures out that she's got some growing to do-and she doesn't just mean her hair.
My Thoughts:
The first thing that caught my eye was the cover, it's so cute and cool! It made me want to pick up the book immediately and find out what the story was about. I was not disappointed. It was a super fun story to get lost in.
Morgan is a girl on the edge-or so her parents think. Her boyfriend has just dumped her and she is depressed as hell. After chopping off all her hair and dying what left of it orange they decide to take matter into their own hands and send her off to Ireland for a cross country biking trek. Morgan is pissed off and not about to enjoy herself in any way.
Well, that's until she meets Colin-the cute Irishman in charge of transporation for her bike tour. Suddenly the situation is looking up. Then things get really crazy when Morgan crashes her bike, hits her head and is immediately transported to ancient Ireland where horses talk and fairies run amok casting spells. Morgan travels between both worlds throughout the story trying to hook up with Colin-in the present, while trying to figure out how to save a village from an evil spell that's been cast over it.
This story is fun, sassy, and filled with humor. I loved Morgan who is a witty, sarcastic teen just trying to figure out who she is. I was so excited to see that Morgan's story continues with a second book called How I Found The Perfect Dress. I can't wait to see where her next adventure takes her.
I borrowed this book from my public library through our Inter Loan Library System.
I recommend this book for readers 14 and older for language and content.