Curse of the Boggin - audiobook

Review:

 

This is book one in The Library series, about a magical library that helps spirits whose stories have been disrupted by supernatural events.  After Marcus finds the key that opens the door to the library, he is confronted by a creepy old lady who demands that he "Surrender the key." Along with his friends, Lu and Theo, Marcus must fight an ancient enemy and protect the library.

 

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job. The forward gave interesting information about the author and the other books in this series, complete with creepy laugh. The only slightly annoying part was when the narrator read for the librarian who has a Scottish accent. It was a bit distracting.

 

While this book was much shorter than what I'm used to, the length is perfect for young readers. I was a bit disappointed when it ended so soon. Middle grade readers will want more of this scary, thrilling adventure. Some may find they want to leave the lights on after reading, but the story is worth it.

 

This book has also been released as Surrender the Key. There is one more book in the series so far (Black Moon Rising), and book 3, The Oracle of Doom, will be released in October of this year. After reading this book, I am interested in checking out other series by this author including The Pendragon series, and The Morpheus Road series.

 

Has anyone out there read either of those or something else by MacHale?

 

Recommended to: Readers in grades 5-8 who are looking for a scary adventure series.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1762096/curse-of-the-boggin-audiobook

I Know What You Did Last Summer - audiobook

Review:

 

I wasn't a fan of this book at all. I didn't expect much to start with, I was just curious because I've seen the movie. Anyway, the voices the narrator did for certain characters were annoying. The characters themselves were flat and shallow and I didn't like any of them or care if (when) they died. There was very little to the plot and it ended too suddenly.

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1761738/i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-audiobook

A Crack in the Sea by H. M. Bouwman

Review:

 

This book is a bit complicated. The story is told through the tales of three sets of siblings: Venus & Swimmer escape from a slave ship in 1781 and end up in the Second World, Kinchen & Pip live in the Second World, and Thanh & Sang are trying to escape Vietnam with a few relatives, in the First World in 1976. 

 

When Pip is taken by the Raft King, Kinchen must find and protect her younger brother. At one point, other characters tell the story of Venus and Swimmer and their journey. Then we learn about Pip's experiences on Raftworld. Other characters are sprinkled throughout and we eventually meet Thanh & Sang and follow their adventure.

 

This book combines fables and magic with historical fiction. The Vietnamese family is trying to escape what is left of their country after the war in Vietnam. The original colonists of the Second World are escapees from slave ships who used magic to find a portal through from the First World. Inhabitants of the Second World include a large group of people who live on a group of connected rafts, islanders, sea monsters, people who can talk to sea creatures, and others who can walk through water.

 

I found this book overly long and it had difficulties keeping my attention. The child characters are too similar and I found myself forgetting who was who. The story will appeal to some kids, but I don't think it will be overwhelmingly popular.

 

Recommended to:  Middle School students who enjoy complex tales with multiple characters and a bit of magic.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1761048/a-crack-in-the-sea-by-h-m-bouwman

I devised a way for these monsters to suffer. Not just during the execution... but afterward. Long, long afterward.

Can you think of a more fitting punishment for a serial murderer than to be awake and aware in a coffin while his body slowly rots?

-Chapter 49

 

Dr. Volker created a way to punish serial killers, but it didn't turn out exactly as he thought it would.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1761030/post

He could feel everything. Every. Single. Thing.

He existed within.

Disconnected from control but still connected to every single nerve and sensory organ.

God, he begged, let me die.

But his own voice whispered to him, I'm already dead...

 

Chapter 16 --

We realize the true horror of being a "zombie" in this world. Your consciousness still exists and you experience everything your body does, with no control to stop or change what happens.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1761028/post