Angel Mage

On By Ryan D YarberIn Book Reviews, Reviewed by RyanLeave a comment

Angel Mage

“More than a century has passed since Liliath crept into the empty sarcophagus of Saint Marguerite, fleeing the Fall of Ystara. But she emerges from her magical sleep still beautiful, looking no more than nineteen, and once again renews her single-minded quest to be united with her lover, Palleniel, the archangel of Ystara.

It’s a seemingly impossible quest, but Liliath is one of the greatest practitioners of angelic magic to have ever lived, summoning angels and forcing them to do her bidding. Four young people hold her interest: Simeon, a studious doctor-in-training; Henri, a dedicated fortune hunter; Agnez, a glory-seeking musketeer; and Dorotea, icon-maker and scholar of angelic magic.

The four feel a strange kinship from the moment they meet but do not suspect their importance. And none of them know just how Liliath plans to use them, as mere pawns in her plan, no matter the cost to everyone else . . .”

Angel Mage is a standalone novel and is a great introduction to the work of Garth Nix. This book is a neatly wrapped, satisfying adventure. However, the world Nix created is rich and could potentially spawn future stories if he chooses to write more. There are no clear lines between heroes and villains or good and bad in this story and I enjoyed being able to decide for myself how to connect everything together. I also enjoyed trying to figure out the motivations and intentions of each character as the story progressed.

If you are already a fan of Garth Nix, like fantasy, or enjoy sword fights and monsters, you will like Angel Mage. The recommended age range is 14 and up, but I think this story would be okay for younger, ambitious readers. This book is expected to release on October 1st, 2019. Pick up a copy or check your local library.

 

Dune

On By Ryan D YarberIn Book Reviews, Reviewed by RyanLeave a comment

Dune

“Set on the desert planet Arrakis, it is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who will become the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib. Paul’s noble family is named stewards of Arrakis, whose sands are the only source of a powerful drug called “the spice.” After his family is brought down in a traitorous plot, Paul must go undercover to seek revenge, and to bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.”

Dune by Frank Herbert is considered one of the best science fiction novels of all time and for good reason. The book originally came out in 1965, shared the Hugo Award in 1966 for Best Novel, won the inaugural Nebula Award for the same category, was turned into a movie released in 1984, adapted into a miniseries released in 2000, and was in the recent Great American Read coming in at #35 of the 100 best-loved novels. A star-studded cast has been gathered to once again bring this intricate story to life on the big screen with an expected release in December 2020.

Though there are 20 Dune novels, six written by Frank Herbert and 14 by his son, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson, this first volume can be read as a stand alone story. I knew nothing of this book when I first jumped in aside from the fact it is held in high regard within the genre and among many writers. I was surprised at how much I liked this book and how it drew me in until all I could think of was turning the next page. Perhaps you may find a similar experience.

Interested in this book? Look for it at your local library. If you’re affiliated with Lindenwood, you can request this book from MOBIUS.

Locke & Key

On By mphiferdavisIn Book Reviews, Reviewed by MeganLeave a comment

“Locke & Key tells of Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion, with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them. Home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all…”

Two of my favorite genres in one series, horror and graphic novel. Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, is the author of the Locke & Key series that takes you on a journey with Bode, Kinsey, and Tyler as they move in with their mother to Keyhouse and begin discovering its secrets. Throughout the series, 6 keys are found that give “powers” to the holder of the key. For example, the head key (pictured in the second image above) can “unlock” a person’s head. Memories can be taken away, emotions can be pulled out, and items can be added.

The other keys in Keyhouse are just as exciting to learn about, as well as the story that unfolds throughout the 6 issues. I flew through this series and think about picking it up again. If you are interested in horror, give this series a try!

Interested in this book? If you are a student, staff, or faculty at Lindenwood University, you can order the first of the series through MOBIUS.

Robin

On By Ryan D YarberIn Book Reviews, Reviewed by RyanLeave a comment

Robin

Robin by Dave Itzkoff is a thoroughly researched biography of Robin Williams. Nearly every account mentioned within these pages is told through first-hand experience by the people who were in Robin’s life at the time. It opens with the recounting of Robin’s childhood and education before quickly diving into his start in comedy. From there, it tells an unbiased account of Robin’s life all the way up to, and shortly after, his death in August of 2014. For anyone who may only be interested in this book as a means to find an answer, you need only read the final few chapters. Though I hope you care enough to read all of it to fully understand him as a man. After all, there is a difference between knowing and understanding.

This book is for anyone who wants a peek behind the exuberant force that was Robin Williams. I think you’ll be surprised what you find. It has been five years since we lost this incredible human being, but he has left a part of himself behind so we can always let him make us laugh, or cry, simply by pressing play.

Interested in this book? Look for it at your local library. If you’re affiliated with Lindenwood, you can request this book from MOBIUS.

Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance

On By lureadersIn Book Reviews, Reviewed by MeganLeave a comment

“Orphaned, raised by wolves, and the proud owner of a horned pig named Merlin, Weylyn Grey knew he wasn’t like other people. But when he single-handedly stopped that tornado on a stormy Christmas day in Oklahoma, he realized just how different he actually was.

Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance tells the story of Weylyn Grey’s life from the perspectives of the people who knew him, loved him, and even a few who thought he was just plain weird. Although he doesn’t stay in any of their lives for long, he leaves each of them with a story to tell. Stories about a boy who lives with wolves, great storms that evaporate into thin air, fireflies that make phosphorescent honey, and a house filled with spider webs and the strange man who inhabits it.”

This book was everything I wanted it to be and more! The different stories in Weylyn’s life and following with him and Mary as they grow older make this an exciting, fast read. This novel is beautifully written by Ruth Emmie Lang, and I cannot wait to see what else she puts out!

Interested in this book? Look for it at your local library. If you’re affiliated with Lindenwood, you can request this book from MOBIUS.

-Reviewed by Megan Phifer-Davis, Outreach and E-Learning Librarian