Holes by Louis Sachar

Stanley Yelnats is a young kid that is accused of a crime that he didn't commit and is sentenced to serve time at a camp for troubled boys. When he gets there, he is forced to dig giant holes in the ground in order to "build character." What Stanley soon finds out is that Camp Green Lake is tied to a great destiny that goes all the way back to his great great grandfather.

The plot of this book is brilliant. The story unwinds at a great pace, you bounce back and forth between modern times and things that are related which occurred in the past, then by the end, everything is all tied together perfectly. I didn't feel much connection with any of the character, though, and I was more than halfway through before I figured out who they all were, as I saw very little that separated them from one another.

And I also have to say that I cannot stand the cover. If I had not heard such good things about the book, there is no way that I would have invested my time into it. As a collector, I find the cover to be as important as the story inside, and this is one of the worst I've ever seen.

Reading Level: B

Story: 5

A nearly perfect story. While not overwhelming, it has many plots that were well thought out and tie together neatly.

Characters: 3

I was halfway through the book before I really began to distinguish characters from one another.

Style: 4

Nicely written.

Cover: 1

Did I mention I hate this cover?

Presentation: 2

Not much more than words on a page.

Epicness: 3

No hopes for a sequel, and although I really enjoyed the story, I'm not left with the desire to learn any more about the characters.

Final Score: 3

How to Train Your Dragon (How to Train Your Dragon #1) by Cressida Cowell

Hiccup is a young viking warrior who is trying to pass his initiation test to become a member of the Hairy Hooligans tribe. His task is to capture and train a dragon. As the son of the chief, he is expected to be a great hero, but in reality, he is bumbling nerd.

As a viking myself, I am quite shocked at some of the names of these characters and tribes. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III? Snotlout? Gobber the Belch? Dogsbreath the Duhbrain? The Hairy Hooligans? The Meathead Tribe? I must say Miss Cowell is quite insulting with her representation of my ancestry.

However, once I got past the terrible names, I did quite enjoy the story. A bumbling hero, trying to prove his worth to his heavy-headed father, all the while trying to train the greatest critters on earth; dragons! However, the book was filled with some terrible, terrible illustrations that I'm rather shocked got past the editorial stage. The drawings of the dragons were quite alright, but whenever people were presented they were quite... Crude. There appeared to be very little time or talent applied to drawings, just crude scribbles that I thought brought nothing to the story. With some focused and intentional artwork added to the book, I think Miss Cowell could have produced a fine piece of work.

Reading Level: B

Story: 4

I would have liked more story, but what was there was enjoyable.

Characters: 3

While I liked the characters themselves, I could not get past the terrible names.

Style: 4

Well-written and fast paced.

Cover: 3

The older editions look quite fine, but mine (and all the ones I could find) has a stupid movie advertisement on it that deflates its collectible value.

Presentation: 2

I enjoyed some of the stuff, like the dragon facts, but most of the artwork was unnecessary, unpolished scribbles.

Epicness: 3

That world that is created is quite enjoyable, but there is little sense of epicness. The scope of the dragons and the potential of what might be in the series is what earns it the points that it received.

Final Score: 3.17

This Week on the Vikingship!

This week I will be reviewing How to Train Your Dragon (How to Train Your Dragon #1) by Cressida Cowell, Holes by Louis Sachar, and Inkheart (Inkworld #1) by Cornelia Funke.

As far as Korel goes, I have 22,532 words written. I am currently working on breaking up the chapters, and deciding what goes where. I have gotten over the hardest bump (I find the 10,000-20,000 words the hardest to get through) and it should be pretty clear sailing for here on out!

--Heimdall Thunderhammer

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl Collection #1) by Roald Dahl

Charlie Bucket is a poor kid who lives in a tiny, rundown house with his parents and all four grandparents. They struggle to eat and the only time he ever gets a chance to have something as meager as a candy bar is once a year on his birthday. When the local candy maker Willy Wonka opens his factory up to five lucky winners, fortune finally falls to Charlie when he finds one of the rare golden tickets.

This book is a great, easy read and is well-paced for a reluctant reader. I had the hardcover edition and it was very well made with great pictures that add a lot to the story.

Reading Level: B

Story: 5

The story is a well-known classic, filmed twice as a movie, and there is good reason. The set up is great, flows excellent, and keeps one interested throughout.

Characters: 5

The characters are all fantastic. There is a rich variety of the kids who each are extreme representations of youth, such as Veruca Salt, a symbol of greed, to Augustus Gloop, a symbol of gluttony. Charlie is a poor kid that you can't help connecting emotionally with, and Willy Wonka is an insane and lovable character himself.

Style: 5

Roald Dahl's style is great flowing and well-paced.

Cover: 4

The cover is very fitting for the book.

Presentation: 5

The illustrations are great and help represent the story.

Epicness: 3

I don't see any of Roald Dahl's books being truly epic, but they are quite enjoyable yarns which earn them a few points.

Final Score: 4.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1) by Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley is a 6th grader that is trying to make his mark in school. But everything he does seems to turn out terrible for him, whether he's attempting to become class treasurer, get a job writing the school newspaper cartoon, or the simple act of trick-or-treating.

I absolutely love this book. It is well put together, funny, and brilliantly simple. I think my only complaint is that I read it too fast and want more (well, I know there's sequels, but I know I'll burn through them just as fast).

A lot of the humor comes from Greg's own naivety towards himself and his place in the world. For example, he sees his best friend Rowley as a loser that would be nowhere without him, all the while Rowley achieves his greatest success in spite of Greg. I highly recommend this book to a new or reluctant reader.

Reading Level:

Story: 5

Fantastic story that kept me laughing the whole way through.

Characters: 5

The characters are brilliant and well-crafted.

Style: 5

I typically hate first person, but it is done so well in this story. You need a really unique and interesting character like Greg Heffley to really pull it off.

Cover: 4

The cover is nothing special but it works for the story.

Presentation: 5

The artwork brings the story to life and adds to the humor.

Epicness: 3

I'm sure Greg will grow up to live a mighty epic life!

Final Score: 4.5

Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) by Christopher Paolini

Eragon was just a lowly farm boy, living with his uncle and cousin, when he discovered an extraordinary rock while out on a hunting trip. The rock eventually hatched to reveal a small dragon which grew into a great beast. When two strangers appears at his farm, Eragon is forced to flee, along with an old storyteller named Brom who introduces Eragon to the fascinating world of the legendary Dragon Riders. Eragon learns magic and bonds with his dragon as he seeks out to avenge his uncles death and unravels a plot that puts the entire land in jeopardy.

I really enjoyed this book. Paolini spends plenty of time with each scene, painting a rich world in which the characters live. It's great to see the evolution of Eragon's magic (although he seems to learn a bit too fast to be believable) and to see his relationship with his dragon, Saphira, develop. The book ended with a great cliff-hanger, which left me excited to read the next.

With such a book, I think it would make a fantastic movie. If only somebody in Hollywood would make one...

Reading Level: A

Story: 5

A great plot that kept me hooked and wanting to continue.

Characters: 4

The characters were all life-like.

Style: 5

The writing of the book fits the story perfectly.

Cover: 4

A nice painted portrait of a dragon!

Presentation: 4

With a nice hardcover edition readily available, this makes a great piece for any bookshelf.

Epicness: 4

Definite potential for a truly epic series.

Final Score: 4.33

This Week on the Vikingship!

This week I will be reviewing Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) by Christopher Paolini, Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1) by Jeff Kinney, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket #1) by Roald Dahl.

As far Korel goes, I have written 18,701 words! The story is coming along great now. I'm working on how to free Bailey from those nasty weasels... It's a challenge. Durbin, Clove, and the crew are up for it though!

The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain #1) by Lloyd Alexander

Taran is a lowly assistant pig-keeper who dreams of adventure. When the terrible Horned King travels through his part of the land, his one and only charge, the pig Hen Wen, runs away. Taran journeys after the poor critter, meeting several new friends along the way, as he tries his best to protect the land of Prydain.

This is one of the earliest books that I recall ever reading. The stories sit far back on the edge of my memories like a faint dream. Rereading this book was a real pleasure. However, a lot of the magic of my youth was unfortunately not rekindled as I had always hoped it would be. The writing was a bit clunky, and the characters a bit tougher to cling to than I remember them being.

With that said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the rest of the series. I know I had not finished it when I was younger.

Reading Level: A

Story: 4

It is a great story of good vs. evil, although everything seems to fall too perfectly into place for the heroes, too coincidentally. I would like to have seen more intentional effort of the characters to drive the story.

Characters: 4

They're fun characters, although it takes a bit to get used to their language and interactions with each other.

Style: 4

The writing is clunky, but the style fits the fantasy genre that it represents.

Cover: 3

The newer books have a decent cover, but looking back at the older covers makes me cringe.

Presentation: 3

Nothing special. The series really needs a grand hardcover version, maybe with all five books in one!

Epicness: 4

It's a great fantasy adventure.

Final Score: 3.67

The Broken Ear (Tintin #6) by Herge

When a South American fetish goes missing, Tintin the investigator goes on the case to find where it vanished to. He tracks down the possible thief to ship bound for South America, but when he gets off the ship, he becomes framed for being a terrorist. Through a bumbling moment of chance, he winds up becoming the assistant for the revolutionary General Alcazar. He eventually regains his quest and ventures down the river to find out the truth behind the fetish.

This is a very fun read that is filled with adventure and humor. The artwork is simple yet really brings the scenes to life. Tintin himself is a fantastic character who uses a mix of intelligence and luck to move the plot along. I remember reading these books when I was very young and loved them. I often tried to imitate Herge's art style and feel a lot of his work has influenced my own.

Reading Level: B

Story: 4

A very fast and intriguing plot.

Characters: 4

Tintin is a fantastic, intelligent character. His dog Snowy is cute and brings a lot humor to the story. It is a bit shocking at first how the secondary characters are portrayed, but you have to remember it was written in a different era, and pretty much everyone who isn't Tintin is a bumbling idiot.

Style: 5

I really enjoy the way the story is told, it's a unique adventure for sure.

Cover: 4

Fits the rest of the book.

Presentation: 5

The artwork is great and makes the story come alive.

Epicness: 2

While it's a fun adventure, I wouldn't consider the story epic.

Final Score: 4.00

The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket

Terrible things are constantly happening to the Baudelaire children. First their parents die and their house burns down, then they're sent to live with a terrible relative whom they'd never met. Then they are forced to do chores and serve their terrible relative, Count Olaf, while concocts an intricate plot to steal the fortune that their parents left for them.

This was a fantastic book that is a bit dark, but very well presented. Lemony Snicket has a great voice through the whole book that really makes the story come alive. The characters are very distinct and fun. It's a quick read and is great for a beginner reader who is picky and/or lacks the patience to read most books.

Reading Level: B

Story: 4

The plot was enjoyable and well-rounded.

Characters: 4

The characters are all original and memorable.

Style: 5

The narration is brilliant and creates an unique style.

Cover: 4

Very fitting for the story.

Presentation: 4

Some nice pictures within the book to make the story alive. The hardcover is nice and creates a good look the bookshelf.

Epicness: 3

A very quick read, it lacks the depth to make it truly epic.

Final Score: 4

This Week on the Vikingship!

This week I will be reviewing The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket, The Broken Ear (Tintin #6) by Herge, The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain #1) by Lloyd Alexander.

I have 15,845 words written for Korel. I have a long ways to go to have done by June, hehe, but I'll make it happen somehow!

--Heimdall Thunderhammer

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter was like any other ordinary boy who lived in a closet underneath the stairs... That is, until he received a letter inviting him to study at Hogwarts, a school for wizards and witches. When he arrives, he quickly learns that his life is entangled in a star-crossed web with the notorious evil wizard, Lord Voldemort.

This is the book that redefined middle-grade fantasy and, along with Redwall, is one of the greatest influences on my own personal writing. I cannot suggest this book enough. The characters are brilliantly crafted, the story is perfect and absorbing, and the writing moves the reader along at a great pace while still crafting a deep and life-like world.

Reading Level: B

Story: 5

Perfectly crafted, after reading the first page you will be hooked.

Characters: 5

Some of the most memorable characters in all of fiction. Each character has their own personalities and feel as alive as possible.

Style: 5

The writing fits the story perfect.

Cover: 4

The original covers are okay. The re-release from last year look fantastic though.

Presentation: 4

The books are well-presented, but I must say that I am overwhelmingly excited for the upcoming illustrated editions! I love illustrated books! And this book, of all possible books, deserves a fantastic illustrated version!

Epicness: 5

With one of the greatest villains of all time, and a legendary plot that is perfectly interwoven, Harry Potter is a truly epic book.

Final Score: 4.67

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson is a regular 12 year old boy, or so he thought... After he's attacked several times by mythological creatures that couldn't possibly be real, Percy discovers a camp filled with the half-blood children of the Greek gods, and he happens to be one of them! After discovering who is father is, he's given a quest to find Zeus's thunderbolt, which he believes has been taken by Zeus's brother Hades. Venturing along with him on his journey is his old friend, Grover, who he just discovered is a satyr, and his new friend Annabeth, daughter of Athena.

As most of you probably know, I am a huge fantasy and mythology fan, so I've really been looking forward to reading this book. When I started to read it and realized that it was in first-person, I was a bit disappointed. Percy's own narration really added nothing to the story and I really would have rather have read the story in a third-person perspective, adding more detail and setting to really flesh out the story. It is fast paced, but I think that if the story was slowed down a bit more and could have become a classic.

Once I got over the perspective, I was able to enjoy the book. The characters were all dynamic and fleshed out and there was plenty of action to keep one reading. The writing was simple enough for basic readers without being condescending to the audience. I will definitely continue reading the series, and the rest of Riordan's books.

Reading Level: B

Story: 5

I enjoyed the story a lot. As a huge fan of mythology I liked seeing all the characters and the references that are thrown in.

Characters: 4

The characters were all well developed and had life to them.

Style: 3

As I mentioned above, I did not feel it was the best use of first-person perspective. I would have rather enjoyed reading the story from a third-person perspective.

Cover: 4

Decent cover, gives a good feel for the story inside.

Presentation: 3

There wasn't much more than words on a page presented as simply as possible.

Epicness: 4

The series has potential, only by reading the rest will its true epicness be decided.

Final Score: 3.83

Redwall (Redwall, Book 1) by Brian Jacques

Matthias is a young mouse living in Redwall Abbey, a sanctuary for the forest creatures all over Mossflower Woods. When the evil rat, Cluny the Scourge, threatens the poor critters inside, young Matthias channels the bravery of the legendary mouse Martin the Warrior to face Cluny and his horde of rats.

This is one of my favorite books of all time, one which I cannot recommend enough. It is easily the biggest influence on my own writing. The book is rich with detail and world building, great characters, and an intricate plot (plus Jacques' detail of food will make you hungry!).

The only complaint that I have against the book is the lack of a high quality collector's edition and the book presentation. The layout is rather rough, although each chapter is highlighted with a tiny illustration. I want much more from this series, it deserves it! Ooh, imagine the Redwall series in hardcover, leather bound editions filled with color illustrations... I can only dream...

Reading Level: A

Story: 5

Amazing story, perfectly woven. It's filled with mystery, adventure, and humor.

Characters: 5

The characters are fantastic and unforgettable. From the brave mouse Matthias, to the horrid rat Cluny, to the fun and lovable rabbit Basil Stag Hare, to the crazed bird Warbeak Sparra.

Style: 5

The writing is gorgeous and flows great. It has an old-style feel to it, which fits the story perfectly.

Cover: 4

All the various editions have great covers.

Presentation: 3

As I mentioned above, I would love to see a fantastic collector's edition of the series, with a great layout and illustrations.

Epicness: 5

Spanning many generations with a rich, interwoven plot, Redwall is one of the most epic stories ever written.

Final Score: 4.5

This Week on the Dragonship!

Welcome to the new book review blog by author/illustrator Heimdall Thunderhammer! This is also my personal blog where I will update you with what is going on in the world of Magefable.

My goal for this blog is to read and review all the top books for middle-grade readers and rank them by category. I hope to develop a comprehensive list to help you find great books for youngsters to read (or those young at heart!) So let's get started!

Since I'm ranking the books by genre, I'm going to start with some books that are already best-sellers in each category. So this week I will be reading and reviewing Redwall by Brian Jacques, The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling. My posting schedule will be weekly updates on Mondays and book reviews on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday!

Thank you for taking the time to follow my blog!

--Heimdall Thunderhammer