The Prince of Mist

The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers(May 4, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0316044776

Amazon.com Review

It's war time, and the Carver family decides to leave the capital where they live and move to a small coastal village where they've recently bought a home. But from the minute they cross the threshold, strange things begin to happen. In that mysterious house still lurks the spirit of Jacob, the previous owners' son, who died by drowning.

With the help of their new friend Roland, Max and Alicia Carver begin to explore the strange circumstances of that death and discover the existence of a mysterious being called the Prince of Mist--a diabolical character who has returned from the shadows to collect on a debt from the past. Soon the three friends find themselves caught up in an adventure of sunken ships and an enchanted stone garden--an adventure that will change their lives forever.

This is the 3rd book by Carlos Ruiz Zafon that I have read, but the first young adult book by him I've read.

Zafron's other books are Shadow of the Wind and The Angels Game, both adult mysteries and excellent, excellent books.

I have to admit when I first purchased this book I wasn't aware it was a young adult book, nor did I know this was a much earlier book of his that has just been re-released.

One thing I did find out by reading this smaller book was that I could see how he progressed into the other books he has written.  He is truly and excellent story teller/ author.

In this book the young protagonist is named Max.  Max and his sisters move when their dad decides to move out of the city because the war was too close.  They move to a beach house, and from that time on nothing will ever be the same for Max or his sister Alicia. There's just something about the house they moved into that makes Max decide to try to know more about it.

The book is an enjoyable mystery read.  I think it is quite original in it's story and although it could have been read in one loooong sitting it took me a few days .

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I will read more of Mr Zafon's books as they are released.

The Magic Thief: Found

The Magic Thief: Found by Sarah Prineas

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (May 25, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0061375934

Product Description

Never turn your back on a dragon!

Sneaking out of prison isn't easy, unless you are a thief, or a wizard. Luckily, Conn is both! Trouble is, once he's out, where does he go? His home is a pile of rubble since he blew it up doing magic. His master, the wizard Nevery, is not happy with him. Worst of all, Conn's been exiled, and staying in the city will mean his death.

But Wellmet is in danger from an evil predator coming to destroy the city, and Conn must set off on a quest to fight it. Suddenly, a huge shadow looms over him and he is swept away by something more awesome than his wildest imaginings. Is Conn brave enough to answer magic's call, or is he really just a thief at heart?

Sarah Prineas's incredible world explodes with adventure—a place where cities run on living magic and heroes come from the most surprising places.

(Artwork at the beginning of each chapter by: Antonio Javier Caparo.)

This is the 3rd book in the series The Magic Thief.  The first two are:      The Magic Thief and The Magic Thief Lost.  It's a small book by standards, being only 7.5 X 6 and, as seen in the photo's, double spaced.  So lets just say: it's a fast read!

I enjoyed this book.  The other two also. It's very likeable story taking a common thief-street urchin and turning him into a magician.  It's not as easy as you'd think, at least not according to Nevery who is the wizard teaching him!

In this, the third book Conn is trying to do two things: find his locus stone in order to be a true magician, and at the same time save the place he lived from *bad magic* that was about to overtake the town.

I have to admit I thought it a great touch that a dragon managed to get into this book!  (we all know my affection for dragons ..especially friendly ones!)  This was a fast read, which is something I haven't been able to say in a long time, and I'm sure it had to do with the low word count on each page, but still...it was a no brainer to enjoy.  It would be a good beach book or travel book for sure.

I think the series ended with this book, although I feel a door was left open for another so I guess I get to wait and see....

This book is yet another *extra* book read for Once Upon a Time!

 

The Necromancer

The Necromancer (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)

by Michael Scott

Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (May 25, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0385735316

 

(photo of MY books)

Product Description

The fourth book in the New York Times bestselling series The Secrets of the Nicholas Flamel--The Necromancer
San Francisco:
After fleeing to Ojai, then Paris, and escaping to London, Josh and Sophie Newman are finally home. And after everything they've seen and learned in the past week, they're both more confused than ever about their future. Neither of them has mastered the magics they'll need to protect themselves from the Dark Elders, they've lost Scatty, and they're still being pursued by Dr. John Dee. Most disturbing of all, however, is that now they must ask themselves, can they trust Nicholas Flamel? Can they trust anyone?
Alcatraz:
Dr. Dee underestimated Perenelle Flamel's power. Alcatraz could not hold her, Nereus was no match for her, and she was able to align herself with the most unlikely of allies. But she wasn't the only one being held on the island. Behind the prison's bars and protective sigils were a menagerie of monsters-an army for Dee to use in the final battle. And now Machiavelli has come to Alcatraz to loose those monsters on San Francisco.
Perenelle might be powerful, but each day she weakens, and even with Nicholas back at her side, a battle of this size could be too much for her. Nicholas and Perenelle must fight to protect the city, but the effort will probably kill them both.
London:
Having been unable to regain the two final pages of the Codex, Dee has failed his Elder and is now an outlaw-and the new prey of all the creatures formerly sent to hunt down Flamel.
But Dee has a plan. With the Codex and the creatures on Alcatraz, he can control the world. All he needs is the help of the Archons. But for his plan to work, he must raise the Mother of the Gods from the dead. For that, he'll have to train a necromancer. And the twins of legend will make the perfect pupils. . . .

I never really write a proper "review".. it would take someone better than I to do book reviews justice.... But I do like to post about them, especially (ESPECAILLY) when I really enjoy the book!

I will admit that I picked up Michael Scott's first book (The Alchemyst) only because Nicholas Flamel's name was in the title and I remembered it from Harry Potter.  But once I opened this  book I got sucked right into it!

I took to his characters of Josh and Sophie right away..and his mixture of fictional characters, mythical characters, and real characters (Nicholas Flamel.. Dr John Dee) meshed wonderfully!  Michael, most assuredly, did his homework!

Add to this that he spreads his story over different states and even different countries and has the ability to make you feel as if you are there with them.. well..what can I say but he's an excellent author.

This latest book moves at the speed of light!  Geez!!  There's not a slow up anywhere to be found!  I stated some time ago that each book just keeps getting better and this one is no exception!  I don't even want to think about waiting another year for the next book!  AARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!...... I may have to go to Ireland and smack Michael Scott upside his head for leaving me hanging like this!!!!

But truth be known I have totally enjoyed every single book of this series he has written, and as much as I can't wait for the next one to come out, I will dread when it is over. 

The books are written for Young Adults, and I am as far from a YA as one gets, and yet this series of books is one of the better YA series I've read. They are Keepers for sure!

Thanks Michael!  You did great!.. (again!..)  now, just how long do I have to wait for the next installment????

My old reviews of the other books:

The Sorceress

The Magician

The Alchemyst