The Isle Of The Lost

Book Review

Title: The Isle of the Lost

Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Date Published: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Rating:  ★★.5
Page Count: 310
Meet the Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Buy Me: Amazon, B&N, Book Depository



Synopsis:

Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon and made to live in virtual imprisonment on the Isle of the Lost. The island is surrounded by a magical force field that keeps the villains and their descendants safely locked up and away from the mainland. Life on the island is dark and dreary. It is a dirty, decrepit place that's been left to rot and forgotten by the world.

But hidden in the mysterious Forbidden Fortress is a dragon's eye: the key to true darkness and the villains' only hope of escape. Only the cleverest, evilest, nastiest little villain can find it...who will it be?

Maleficent, Mistress of the Dark: As the self-proclaimed ruler of the isle, Maleficent has no tolerance for anything less than pure evil. She has little time for her subjects, who have still not mastered life without magic. Her only concern is getting off the Isle of the Lost.

Mal: At sixteen, Maleficent's daughter is the most talented student at Dragon Hall, best known for her evil schemes. And when she hears about the dragon's eye, Mal thinks this could be her chance to prove herself as the cruelest of them all.

Evie: Having been castle-schooled for years, Evil Queen's daughter, Evie, doesn't know the ins and outs of Dragon Hall. But she's a quick study, especially after she falls for one too many of Mal's little tricks.

Jay: As the son of Jafar, Jay is a boy of many talents: stealing and lying to name a few. Jay and Mal have been frenemies forever and he's not about to miss out on the hunt for the dragon's eye.

Carlos: Cruella de Vil's son may not be bravest, but he's certainly clever. Carlos's inventions may be the missing piece in locating the dragon's eye and ending the banishment for good.

Mal soon learns from her mother that the dragon's eye is cursed and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She'll just need a little help from her "friends." In their quest for the dragon's eye, these kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain't so bad.


My Thoughts:

When I got this book I was super hyped knowing that this book was about the Disney villains kids I knew it had to be good; unfortunately this book did not live up to my expectations and was a disappointment. 

This book is about all the Disney villains being banished to an Island by Beast where there is no magic and they get by, living off the heroes leftovers. It is here where we get introduced to the villains kids Mal Maleficent daughter, Evie the Evil Queens daughter, Jay Jafar's son and Carlos Cruella De Vil's son also with get a glimpse of  Bells and Beasts son Ben; which was one of my favorite characters and he didn't even really have many parts in the book. The book seemed to be everywhere, I was reading one character's perspective and all  sudden it was cut short and replaced by another characters which was a little confusing at times. I felt this book had a ton of potential and it just wasn't met.

 The children go to a villain school in the island where they are thought by previous villains, like Rapunzel's captor and Cinderella’s step mom. Who are teaching them how to be villains for what purpose I do not know since they're stuck in an island without magic "forever" plus shouldn't they have the perfect teachers at home since they are the biggest and baddest villains kids. I also felt that the characters were not that well developed, overall it just wasn't my favorite and I had to push myself to finish it.  I do know this is a prequel to a movie coming out on Disney which I do intend on watching. 

-SandraTheBookWorm 

The Wishing Stone and Other Myths Learned on Gull Cliff Island

BOOK REVIEW

Title: The Wishing Stone and Other Myths Learned on Gull Cliff Island

Author: J.M. Lavalle

Date Published: July 3, 2014

Publisher: Morning Rain Publishing

Page Count: 112

Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Link: The Wishing Stone and Other Myths Learned on Gull Cliff Island

Synopsis:

Please, she thought to the stone, let there be a best friend for me in that boat. Let it be so and I'll set you free, and toss you back with the tides where you belong.

If Dot wishes hard enough on her special stone, maybe the world will slow down and be a little less topsy-turvy. When Dot tossed her wish into the sea, hoping for a friend her age, the stone brought her Sarah. And when the girls worried for the health of Sara’s mother, it made her healthy, and brought Sara her precious Pearl. 

It’s 1961, and Dot is teetering between childhood and adolescence. At the same time, her rustic world is catching up with the modern towns in the rest of Canada and Dot isn't sure how she feels about that. Dot enjoys having both a winter and summer home, and knowing every face in three villages. If more changes come, will that mean more people and more noise will come with them? 

The Wishing Stone & Other Myths, Lessons Learned on Gullcliff Island will take both children and adults back in time through eleven-year-old Dot, a traditional girl coping with her father’s dream of becoming a boat-builder and the realization that Mum and Dad are people with thoughts, emotions, and secrets apart from the family. Alongside her adventurous best friend, Sara, Dot must make ready for the future, whether it be on Gullcliff, in Aylmer Sound, or someplace out of her father’s dream. 

Like Little House on the Prairie, or Anne of Green Gables, The Wishing Stone & Other Myths will take readers to a time and place where big dreams didn’t mean finding fame, but listening to the heart

My Thoughts:

This book was send to me by the author for review, but that in no way affect my review on this book. This is my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book it was a quick and adorable read. The author takes you back to the 1960's, where our main character Dot is in the middle of childhood and adolescence in her rustic world that is catching up with the modern towns. 

This book really makes you think what is that you want to do with your life and if you want to follow your dreams. I really loved the message our main character is trying to send, which is to follow your dreams, to always be yourself  and to not hide the real you from others. I also really enjoyed the relationship Dot and her cousin Sara shared it took me back to my childhood and the way Lavalle described the mother and father relationship was just adorable.

I really do recommend people to read this lovely book it's a quick read with only 112 pages and the message it sends to readers of all ages is really great.

-SandraTheBookWorm

The Land of Dragor(the Gift of Charms)

TITLE: The Land of Dragor (The Gift of Charms)
AUTHOR: Julia Suzuki
PAGE COUNT: 288
PUBLISH DATE: September 4, 2014
RATING: ★★★★★


WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT:

Julia Suzuki's Award Winning 'Land of Dragor' series will entrance readers of any age. The Gift of Charms, the first volume of Julia Suzuki's series is an epic fantasy story set to enchant and entertain...

In a secret land, far away from the habitation of man, dwell the world's remaining dragons -- hoping the dragsaur beasts have vanished forever. Here they try to live their daily lives, but all is not well and their talents are fading. 

Things change, however, when, from a strange egg, Yoshiko is born - a dragon with a unique destiny. 

Great adventure lies ahead as many challenges must be overcome, leading to a dangerous mission to the human world in attempt to return to the clans their missing magic!

Can Yoshiko make it in time?



MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

In this novel by Julia Suzuki, we are transported to the magical world of Dragor where seven different clans of Dragons live hidden from the humans that use to enslave them. This novel is centered around a young dragon named Yoshiko, who is just starting school and gets bullied for being different by another young dragon Igorr, whose clan thinks it's superior to Yoshiko's.

At the beginning Yoshiko lets the bully get to him, but when he has finally had enough and takes off to get away from everything. He unconsciously ends up in the forbidden mountain where he meets Guya and elder dragon everything changes from that point. He no longer lets Igorr's taunts get to him instead Yoshika starts training with one of the best Dragon Guard for a great adventure that he has no idea lays ahead of him.

I really enjoyed this novel. It's beautifully written, Julia she describes the world so perfectly and vividly, and the dragons I couldn't get enough of them I loved how all seven clans had their own backstory, color, and they were just perfect. This book also sends a strong wonderful message to children about bullying and that being different is not a bad thing and that you don't always have to follow the crowd. This book is definitely a must read for all ages. I can't wait for the next book, Julia left me wanting more of this beautiful magical world full of amazing dragons.

The Fires of Calderon ( The Balance Keppers Book#1)

TITLE: THE FIRES OF CALDERON
AUTHOR: LINDSAY CUMMINGS
PAGE COUNT: 352
RELEASE DATE: 9/23/2014


Today is the book birthday for The Fire of Calderon the first book in The Balance Keepers series by Lindsay Cummings. I'm so excited to get my hands on this book! I will but the synopsis below and  don't forget to go get your copy! 

The first book in an epic middle grade fantasy adventure series that takes place in an underground society at the center of the earth. Packed with action, humor, magic, and mystery.

After following a mysterious map into the woods and then under the woods, eleven-year-old Albert Flynn learns he’s a Balance Keeper—someone with special magical skills for fixing problems in three underground Realms at the Core of the earth. His new job is important; if the realms fall out of balance, the world above could be in great danger.

Albert and his Balance Keeper teammates Birdie and Leroy arrive in the Core not a moment too soon. There’s an Imbalance in the Calderon Realm and it’s threatening to bury Albert’s hometown of New York City in a mountain of ash.

The three must train hard completing mental and physical challenges, but above all, they must harness the power of their Tiles—unique superpowers given to each Balance Keeper. So far, Albert’s mastered the art of not mastering his Tile....

With the situation in Calderon growing worse every day, can Albert, Leroy, and Birdie restore balance before New York is destroyed forever? Will Albert master his Tile before it’s too late?

Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, The Unwanteds, and the classic Journey to the Center of the Earth