The Word and the Void, by Terry Brooks

The Word and the Void is a trilogy consisting of the books Running with the Demon, a Knight of the Word and Angel Fire East.

John Ross has been recruited by the Word to help prevent events that can alter the balance of good and evil.  Every night John Ross dreams of the dark place the world will become if he doesn't do something to prevent it.  In running with Demons, his mission is to keep Nest Freemark, a young girl with magical abilities, from becoming a agent of the Void.  Nest has always known about her magical abilities, but she underestimates the amount of power she has and is totally ignorant of her demon heritage.

In the next book it is actually Nest Freemark that helps John Ross from being deceived into becoming an agent of the Void.  A bad experience has caused him to abandon his work for the word, but Nest manages to lead him back to his work as an agent for good.

Finally in the last book Nest and John work together to help a powerful piece of magic to reach it's potential in becoming a powerful force for good.

I enjoyed each of these books individually and as a series.  I thought they had an interesting take on magic in our modern world.  It also has some insightful ideas on how ignorant people are lead to do such dark things.  The series was pretty dark and I don't know that I'd recommend it as a good read if you are feeling down, but when a sunny day comes along it has a great story and take on the battle of good and evil.

I can honestly say that I read these books solely for the purpose of seeing how Terry links this series with the Shannarah series.  Look for a review soon on that new series including Armageddon's Children and The Elves of Cintra.

The Hunter's Blade Trilogy, by R.A. Salvatore

The Hunter's blade Trilogy is actually books 17 18 and 19 in Salvatore's series about Drizzit the Dark Elf that turned away from his dark civilization to live a moral existence.

I'd have to say that this is the most disappointing series for me so far. Practically the whole trilogy was about the war with the Orcs in the Spine of the World. For me, the best part of the Drizzt books are the individual journeys and adventures. This series is all about war, so there really is no adventuring. I found it very annoying that Drizzit assumes his friends are dead without really even trying to find out for sure. While he has good reason to suspect they may have NOT survived, he also completely ignores the evidence that they may HAVE survived.

Despite the fact that I was disappointed with this series, I felt it was worth reading. I am really hoping that it is the set up for great things in the next series. There have been definite hints about great things to come for the dwarfs that will make the great city of Mithril hall pale in comparison. I look forward to that time, but in the mean time I read this to keep up with the story and be ready for the next series. Keeping up has definitely been worth it so far.

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo, by Obert Skye

Leven Thumps thinks he is just an underprivileged orphan with no future and no hope. What he doesn't realize is that the magical world of Foo has been waiting for him since before his birth. Leven Thumps was born as the only person with the power to save both the real world and Foo. Leven slowly discovers his magical abilities and the friends that have been waiting to help him until the time he was ready.

I heard someone call this book the Harry Potter for a new generation, but I am not sure I believed it till I read it. While it is not similar in story to Harry Potter, it does have amazing creativity, excitement and adventure. I love that it is unique from many of the stories out there but not at all boring. I don't know that I have read many other books that start so strongly right from the beginning. I like that you don't know what is going on any better then Leven does at the beginning. The reader gets to learn right along with Leven and his friend Winter, what his destiny and powers really are.

I think this is an excellent choice for all ages. The story is simple enough for kids to enjoy, yet in no way boring for someone that needs more complexity in the story. In fact, I'd have to say that Obert Skye left me hungering for more. Thank goodness I waited till there were 3 books out before I discovered it...

The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief and other books from the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series, brings Greek mythology into the modern world.

Young Percy Jackson has always led a troubled life. With his dyslexia and ADHD he has always managed to get himself into trouble. Finally one day a Fury attempts to assassinate him, and that is when he learns he is a demi god, the son of the Greek god Poseidon. His life from this point forward will never be the same. He goes to a special summer camp run by Dionysus for demi gods where he learns to fight with swords, battle monsters, and read Greek. His adventures then really begin. He fights monsters, travels to Hades, earns favor with some gods, and the anger of others.

I found this book surprisingly thought provoking at times. When Percy and his friend Annabeth (daughter of Athena) were in Hades, they noticed how few people had made it into the "Heaven" portion of Hades and commented on how few people really did good things in their lives. I enjoyed these moments in the book.

As for the story, a lot of it was just rewrites of mythology into modern times. It was actually a fun way to review mythology. I did find the explanation of how mortals have missed the existence of mount Olympus hovering over the empire state building a little weak, but despite that I enjoyed the book.

I think more important then me enjoying the book was the fact that my 9 year old loved it and quickly ready the 3 books that are out in print. She can't wait for the next one to come out.

Summers at Castle Auburn, by Sharon Shinn

As an illegitimate daughter of a noble, Coriel (Corie) grows up spending just her summers at the Castle Auburn and the rest of the year living as a peasant. This book covers only her summers over the course of her coming of age. She starts out very young and naive. She is infatuated with an arrogant and narcissistic young prince and totally oblivious to the slavery of the Aloria that is happening right under her nose. Corie shares friendships with her half sister Elisandra and the prince's cousin Kent during her summers. Eventually Corie loses her naivety and gains great moral purpose. By the last summer, she makes a decision that will forever exclude her from her posh summer existence. Corie goes back to her peasant life and finds she no longer fits in there either. At this point the happy, but not unexpected ending happens and she lives happily ever after.

One of the things I really liked about this book was that it was told not only using Corie's viewpoint, but in a way that showed her naivety and maturity as the book progressed. For example, in the beginning of the novel, Corie talks about the Aloria as if they are exotic animals, but by the end she recognizes them as an evolved form of humans with thoughts and feelings.

I will admit that while sometimes Corie's ignorance drove me a little crazy, it was nice that she did finally grow up into a moral and respectable young lady. I will admit though that I was unhappy with how the story resolved for Elisandra. (Can't say more about that without spoilers...)

All in all, I'd recommend this novel along with every other Sharon Shinn novel I've read as being worth the read.