Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Inheritance
By: Christopher Paolini
Released: November 8, 2011
Published by Random House
Hardcover/860

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.

When I learned about the release of Inheritance about a month after its release and I became immediately exited. The moment I got my copy I read the synopsis to recap what I had forgotten from the past titles. The synopsis is superbly written and very effectively informs you of what you might have forgotten in the past titles.


Reading the first several chapters had me realize that once again Christopher Paolini had improved his use of language for his newest book. The characters you recognize are still within the book and the interactions between them are always very well put together and the interactions all have a very lifelike feeling. Many of the things you’ve wanted to learn about the characters are revealed in ways that seemed very logical and well timed. However, many pieces of information on some characters are kept secret, as Paolini wants to continue to write in his world created by the Inheritance series, which means that sometime in the future we may see Alagaesia again.


The book's beginning is fantastic, as it begins in the middle of a large battle for an important Imperial city, Eragon and Saphira are leading the charge of the Varden troops through the city. The combat flows extremely well during this scene and manages to explain the story in a way that doesn't confuse the reader in the middle of the combat, which is fantastic. This scene, however, only sets the low point for combat in the book. Every battle grows more intense and interesting throughout the entire story, which sets up for some amazing suspense moments.


Now, while Inheritance contains more combat than the previous entry’s, it doesn't put all of its focus into it. There are still plenty of intense moments where characters do things other than fighting. One such example is the protection of minds, where entire scenes will focus on will power and focus. Another example would be the politics within the Varden, which become quite interesting throughout the story.


Wrapping up this review I find difficult. I would love to go on and on about the parts in the book that truly made me feel emotionally touched or amazed, but in the effort of not spoiling the book for anyone, I will stop. On a final note I just want to say that Inheritance is a fantastic book, and if you are interested in fantasy or dragons you should most definitively pick it up. To me, it has almost been as addicting as Harry Potter.

~Jack

The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Released on 3/1/11
Published by SourceBooks Fire
Paperback/358 pages

Since when do the dead send emails?
Kate Lowry's best friend Grace died a year ago. So when she gets an email from her, Kate's more than a little confused.
To: Kate Lowry@pemberlybrown.edu
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)
Kate,
I'm here... sort of.
Find Cameron. He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell. They'll hurt you.
Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace's death was more than just a tragic accident. She teams up with a couple of knights-in-(not-so)-shining armor- the dangerously hot bad boy, Liam, and her love-struck neighbor, Seth. But at their elite private school, there are secrets so big people will do anything to protect them- even if it means getting rid of anyone trying to solve a murder...

I am an extremely picky reader, especially when it comes to female main characters. There is just so much that can go wrong. Thank god this book was just so right.

The book begins with action when the main character, Kate Lowry, gets a shocking email from her best friend that died in a mysterious fire their freshman year. Like any sane person, she doesn't know how to deal with this. She had just gotten over Grace's death; why has she comes back into her life now? Still, Kate gets it into her head that it is now her job to figure out what exactly happened the night Grace died.

Like any good crime solver, she needs her side-kicks. Cue Seth, her paranoid neighbor that just happens to be in love with her, and Liam, a bad boy with something to hide. With their help, and the help of Grace's beyond the grave emails, she follows the trail of clues all the way to the twisted end.

Beside being a great, fast read, I found the characters to be skillfully written. Kate's reactions were fitting and realistic, especially where the guys in her life are concerned. Maybe this is just one of my peeves, but I can't stand it when the girls in YA novels are blinded by their attraction to a guy so they can't even see what's right in front of them. With Kate, that isn't an issue. Again, thank god.

For fans of YA mystery, awesome. Here's another book to add to your probably impressive collection. But if you aren't, give it a try anyway. You'll be deducing with Kate all the way until the final GASP.

~Leah

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Release Date: October 12, 2010
Published By: Henry Holt and Company
Hardback/342 Pages

Meet Sam, just your average guy rocking that fast-food career.
Enter Douglas, a powerful and violent necromancer. Douglas immediately recognizes Sam as a fellow necromancer - which is news to Sam - and he's none too happy to have a competitor in the crowded paranormal scene in Seattle.
Now Sam has an undead friend on his hands and a hot werewolf girl for company. With just one week to find a way out of Douglas's clutches, can Sam figure out how to use his mysteriously latent powers?

If you're not someone who enjoys massive amounts of awesomeness, buckets of sarcasm and comedy, and truck loads of just pure entertainment, this book probably isn't for you. Oh, who am I kidding? This is probably something you'll want to read even if you ARE one of those freaks who doesn't like (insert aforementioned list of book characteristics). This book was only in my possession for about two days, and I already have it ranked in my list of top ten favorites.

"Hold Me Closer, Necromancer" by Lish McBride is a Young Adult/Paranormal novel starring the lovingly witty Samhain Corvus LaCroix, or, as you'll probably refer to him as throughout the book, Sam. Sam is your typical college drop out, flipping burgers and goofing off at some run down fast-food joint. He has two good friends, Ramon and Brooke, who work with him there (along with some unlike-able add on character, Kevin, but I like to pretend he doesn't exist). That is, of course, until he gets attacked by some creeper named Douglas who promptly informs him that he is a necromancer (please feel free to use google now and look up what that is if you don't know...). Without spoiling anything, the rest of the book is more or less about his discovery and coping with the fact that he is what he is. It's enjoyable.

I REALLY liked this book. I was walled up in my room just pouring over this novel. Seriously. I'm not kidding. I starved in there. No food for two days? I walked out of my room/fortress with a growling stomach that could rival a hibernating grizzly bear. But anyway, it was really good. It had some action, some sarcastic humor, an interesting, not so overly complicated plot, and relatable, likeable characters. What really got me hooked on it though, was its lack of overbearing and cliche romance. If any of you are as tired of this stupid 'Average girl/boy meets hot/sexy/dangerous/creepy/obsessive/possible murderer boy/girl and falls in love' crap, then you'll like this. The romance is there, sure, but it's subtle and not detracting from the plot. So I like it. And, I'm sure you viewers will too!

Lastly, I would like to stress that if you do not buy/check-out this book, you will be glitter-bombed. Hard. So please, go read it. I know you'll like it if you're a reader. And if you're just someone looking for an action or sports book to read for English class so your teacher thinks you're doing something... read it anyways.

~Tyler

Stepping up to the plate

Well, this is a first for me. Looks like I shall have to break the ice on this blog post. Think of me as a guide to the overall blog and a contributor of Sci-Fi and Fantasy goodness. Interested in giving this blog a chance? I wouldn't blame you, we have some interesting things lined up and it'd be a shame if you missed out on these opportunities. Who am I, you ask? Call me...  Dovahkiin!!(Dove-a-keen)(Yes, that just happened.) Anyways I'll probably trade pen names every now and then but for now this seems to be a good start. Looks like I have started to ramble on without realizing it! It happens I suppose, so for everyone reading this I ask you, are you ready to follow this blog and its denizens on a journey through literay adventures and discoveries? All that and more awaits for you if you are willing to take the leap.
 -Dovahkiin