Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer, Rick Riordan

Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer is the first book I've read by Rick Riordan, although I must admit to watching the 2 movies based on the Percy Jackson books. 

Magnus Chase has been living on the streets of Boston for the last 2 years since his mother was killed. On this his 16th birthday he learns who his father is, dies and becomes an accidental hero who only succeeds with the help of his friends! Magnus has special abilities and that means people want to use him to get what they want. However, Magnus has a steady heart and is not easily swayed. So into the fray he and his friends leap - their adventuring leads them to battle with giants and dwarves, wolves and valkalyries.

I really enjoyed this and think that Magnus is a likeable hero, I'm looking forward to the next book.

This is a chunky book with 595 pages for Magnus and then the bonus of a short Percy Jackson story.

Rating is 8/10

By Mrs Silver-Hessey

The Unwanteds series - No: 5 -The Island of Shipwrecks, Lisa McMann

I have read all five of the books in this series and am looking forward to the next, (maybe the last?). The story is based around the people of the Island of Quill, where when you turn 12 you are assessed and it is decided whether you are a Wanted, a Necessary or you are an Unwanted. The Wanted go for further schooling at the Quill University, Necessaries train for those necessary jobs that need to be done and the Unwanteds are killed or are they? To be designated as Unwanted you have shown emotions and been seen to be creative. Not desirable characteristics on Quill. Book One tells of what happens to Alex and his twin brother Aaron, when it is found out what really happens to the Unwanteds. The other books continue to follow them as they grow up and learn about the other islands around them. There is magic and magical creatures, friends are made and lost, relationships develop, adventures occur.

Rating

9/10

Mrs Silver-Hessey

The Executioner's Daughter, Jane Hardstaff

This book is historical fiction with fantasy intertwined as superstition. The time and place is Tudor England, with Anne Boleyn making an appearance. Moss is the 12 year old daughter of the executioner in the Tower of London, she has the job of catching the heads in a basket, a job she detests. Moss wants out of the job and the Tower, but her father tells her she cannot leave. Then she learns that her father has lied to her. Her search for the truth and freedom begins when she finds a tunnel that leads to the banks of the river Thames. As she travels along the Thames she meets some very interesting characters and finds out about what is important about her past and makes decisions about her future. This is a great finding oneself/coming of age story with a great look into what it was like for people in the time of the tudors.
Rating 6.5/10

Mrs Silver-Hessey

Red Rocks, Rachel King

This book was recommended by Miss Boyle. It is Red Rocks by Rachel King and is a finalist in this years NZ Post Children's Book Awards, voting closes today. It is set in Wellington, and is based on the Legends of the Selkie, seals that shed their skins and transform into people to come onto land. One of the Selkie's skin was found by a boy and taken away without him realising what it was. The story tells of his friendship with Jessie and Ted, the difficulties that having the Selkie skin cause for him and his father and how he deals with the consequences. 
A really good read 4/5.

Mrs Silver-Hessey

Big Nate, Lincoln Pierce

Big Nate - The boy with the biggest head in the world which was recommended by Callum, very funny, kind of wished you could just grab him to stop him from doing the things that you knew would turn out bad for him. Although American translates OK to the Kiwi school environment. A good laugh 5/10.

Mrs Silver-Hessey

Sorrowline, Neil Bushnell

I have just finished reading 'Sorrowline' by a mystery/thriller about a boy Jack Morrow who can travel through time by traveling along the sorrowlines created when someone dies. He uses gravestones to go back to the day they died. The first one he uses is his mothers and he meets his Grandfather -Davey. Jack's ability leads others to want to stop him or to use him. I give it a 3.5/5. (I'm looking forward to the sequel 'Timesmith'.)

Mrs Silver-Hessey