[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Forbidden Library

Django Wexler graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with degrees in creative writing and computer science, and worked for the university in artificial intelligence research. Eventually he migrated to Microsoft in Seattle, where he now lives with two cats and a teetering mountain of books. When not writing, he wrangles computers, paints tiny soldiers, and plays games of all sorts.

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The Forbidden Library

THE FORBIDDEN LIBRARY #1

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Alice always thought fairy tales had happy endings. That--along with everything else--changed the day she met her first fairy...

When Alice's father goes down in a shipwreck, she is sent to live with her uncle Geryon--an uncle she's never heard of and knows nothing about. He lives in an enormous manor with a massive library that is off-limits to Alice. But then she meets a talking cat. And even for a rule-follower, when a talking cat sneaks you into a forbidden library and introduces you to an arrogant boy who dares you to open a book, it's hard to resist. Especially if you're a reader to begin with. Soon Alice finds herself INSIDE the book, and the only way out is to defeat the creature imprisoned within.

It seems her uncle is more than he says he is. But then so is Alice.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Scholastic Siren - Sara:

If I were ten, this would have been a 5 skull book for sure! Buy this for all your middle-grade readers. It has a few scary scenes, but I would even read this to littles. It is the first book in a series.

It is a fun story about a girl named Alice who finds out magic is real. "Alice always thought fairy tales had happy endings. That--along with everything else--changed the day she met her first fairy." The fairy in question is threatening her father, who disappears shortly after. Alice must go live with her Uncle, who she's never met. She has the run of the house but is told to stay out of the library. Sure, that's going to happen....

The Forbidden Library

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Guns of the Empire

Django Wexler graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with degrees in creative writing and computer science, and worked for the university in artificial intelligence research. Eventually he migrated to Microsoft in Seattle, where he now lives with two cats and a teetering mountain of books. When not writing, he wrangles computers, paints tiny soldiers, and plays games of all sorts.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / GoodReads

The Guns of the Empire

THE SHADOW CAMPAIGNS #4

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As the “audacious and subversive”* Shadow Campaigns novels continue, the weather is growing warmer, but the frosty threat of Vordan’s enemies is only growing worse...

As the roar of the guns subsides and the smoke of battle clears, the country of Vordan is offered a fragile peace…

After their shattering defeats at the hands of brilliant General Janus bet Vhalnich, the opposing powers have called all sides to the negotiating table in hopes of securing an end to the war. Queen Raesinia of Vordan is anxious to see the return of peace, but Janus insists that any peace with the implacable Sworn Church of Elysium is doomed to fail. For their Priests of the Black, there can be no truce with heretics and demons they seek to destroy, and the war is to the death.

Soldiers Marcus d’Ivoire and Winter Ihernglass find themselves caught between their general and their queen. Now, each must decide which leader truly commands their loyalty—and what price they might pay for final victory.

And in the depths of Elysium, a malign force is rising—and defeating it might mean making sacrifices beyond anything they have ever imagined.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Scholastic Siren - Sara:

*Copy received by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I'm not giving any extra plot overview here, because I don't want to spoil Price of Valor (review can be found HERE).

This book was truly fabulous; the only reason I'm not giving it 5 skulls is it did drag in a few places. Everything is finally coming together, including why Janus really wanted The Thousand Names! The battles are epic, the magic is really interesting, and we get to know our favorite characters even better. Some of the minor characters from previous books have much bigger roles, and this book is chock-full of strong women! I just loved it. My only regret in reading so fast is having you wait a year for the conclusion of the series.

The Guns of the Empire

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Price of Valor

Django Wexler graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with degrees in creative writing and computer science, and worked for the university in artificial intelligence research. Eventually he migrated to Microsoft in Seattle, where he now lives with two cats and a teetering mountain of books. When not writing, he wrangles computers, paints tiny soldiers, and plays games of all sorts.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / GoodReads

Price of Valor

THE SHADOW CAMPAIGNS #3

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In the latest Shadow Campaigns novel, Django Wexler continues his "epic fantasy of military might and magical conflict"* following The Shadow Throne and The Thousand Names, as the realm of Vordan faces imminent threats from without and within.

In the wake of the King’s death, war has come to Vordan.

The Deputies-General has precarious control of the city, but it is led by a zealot who sees traitors in every shadow. Executions have become a grim public spectacle. The new queen, Raesinia Orboan, finds herself nearly powerless as the government tightens its grip and assassins threaten her life. But she did not help free the country from one sort of tyranny to see it fall into another. Placing her trust with the steadfast soldier Marcus D’Ivoire, she sets out to turn the tide of history.

As the hidden hand of the Sworn Church brings all the powers of the continent to war against Vordan, the enigmatic and brilliant general Janus bet Vhalnich offers a path to victory. Winter Ihernglass, newly promoted to command a regiment, has reunited with her lover and her friends, only to face the prospect of leading them into bloody battle.

And the enemy is not just armed with muskets and cannon. Dark priests of an ancient order, wielding forbidden magic, have infiltrated Vordan to stop Janus by whatever means necessary...

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Scholastic Siren - Sara:

*Copy received by the publisher for an honest review

Raesinia Orboan is queen in name, but not so much in power. The deputies-general are running the country, and the country is at war. Raesinia decides to go back to her persona of Raes, a commoner, to help the war effort. Raes and Marcus stay in the city. Winter is off on campaign, the armies are under command of Janus bet Vhalnich, but the deputies-general think they are pulling the strings.

This is a nice steady middle book. There is quite a bit of action and intrigue! The war is interesting because we aren't in the head of the main commander, just Winter and Marcus. I think this read much smoother with only three POV characters and some church interludes. I have to be honest, I did skim through some of the battle scenes, just not my thing. Since the book is about war, I expected that and was not upset by the violence.

Price of Valor