Best Teen & Young Adult Fantasy eBooks
Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley. Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. After 11 years of disregard and neglect at the hands of his aunt, uncle and their swinish son Dudley, Harry suddenly receives a visit from a giant named Hagrid, who informs Harry that his mother and father were a witch and a wizard, and that he is to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry himself.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"SPECIAL NOTE: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases (with the exception of changing all "Philosopher's Stone" mentions to "Sorcerer's Stone"). Good or bad is naturally for each reader to decide--just know, if you plan to read the books while listening to Jim Dale's audiobooks, you'll notice a few superficial differences. The quality of this new illustrated edition is phenomenal. All chapter intros are illustrated."
"IMPORTANT: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases. This difference isn't as prominent or noticeable as it was with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, but still something to keep in mind. Also, to answer a question that has come up quite a bit, this is the FULL BOOK and not an abridged or shortened version. Underneath the book jacket, the novel is bound in a sturdy orange hardback with green lettering on the spine."
"I was ravenous to get my hands on my copy as soon as it was delivered this morning, but was quickly disappointed. But when I took a close look at my dust jacket, I was extremely upset to find that the gold foil lettering for "Harry Potter" had been rubbed away and destroyed completely in some places leaving ugly, black matte in its place-- pock marking the otherwise handsome gold lettering. Needless to say I'm in awe how Bloomsbury has managed to put together such an incredible project, with JK Rowling's remarkable literature and Jim Kay's otherworldly illustrations-- and allowed it to be put together in a low quality binding! Not all alone in a box... Update (October 9th): I have finally received my new book and it was in much, much better condition. The cover and spine were tight, intact and falling apart from the binding like my original copy."
Harry Potter's summer has included the worst birthday ever, doomy warnings from a house-elf called Dobby, and rescue from the Dursleys by his friend Ron Weasley in a magical flying car! As if it's not bad enough that after a long summer with the horrid Dursleys he is thwarted in his attempts to hop the train to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin his second year. This deliciously suspenseful novel is every bit as gripping, imaginative, and creepy as the first; familiar student concerns--fierce rivalry, blush-inducing crushes, pedantic professors--seamlessly intertwine with the bizarre, horrific, fantastical, or just plain funny. Reluctantly spending the summer with the Dursleys, his mean relatives who fear and detest magic, Harry is soon whisked away by his friends Ron, Fred, and George Weasley, who appear at his window in a flying Ford Anglia to take him away to enjoy the rest of the holidays with their very wizardly family. The novel is marked throughout by the same sly and sophisticated humor found in the first book, along with inventive, new, matter-of-fact uses of magic that will once again have readers longing to emulate Harry and his wizard friends.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"SPECIAL NOTE: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases (with the exception of changing all "Philosopher's Stone" mentions to "Sorcerer's Stone"). Good or bad is naturally for each reader to decide--just know, if you plan to read the books while listening to Jim Dale's audiobooks, you'll notice a few superficial differences. The quality of this new illustrated edition is phenomenal. All chapter intros are illustrated."
"IMPORTANT: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases. This difference isn't as prominent or noticeable as it was with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, but still something to keep in mind. Also, to answer a question that has come up quite a bit, this is the FULL BOOK and not an abridged or shortened version. Underneath the book jacket, the novel is bound in a sturdy orange hardback with green lettering on the spine."
"I was ravenous to get my hands on my copy as soon as it was delivered this morning, but was quickly disappointed. But when I took a close look at my dust jacket, I was extremely upset to find that the gold foil lettering for "Harry Potter" had been rubbed away and destroyed completely in some places leaving ugly, black matte in its place-- pock marking the otherwise handsome gold lettering. Needless to say I'm in awe how Bloomsbury has managed to put together such an incredible project, with JK Rowling's remarkable literature and Jim Kay's otherworldly illustrations-- and allowed it to be put together in a low quality binding! Not all alone in a box... Update (October 9th): I have finally received my new book and it was in much, much better condition. The cover and spine were tight, intact and falling apart from the binding like my original copy."
When the Knight Bus crashes through the darkness and screeches to a halt in front of him, it's the start of another far from ordinary year at Hogwarts for Harry Potter. The third book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series catapults into action when the young wizard "accidentally" causes the Dursleys' dreadful visitor Aunt Marge to inflate like a monstrous balloon and drift up to the ceiling. Fearing punishment from Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon (and from officials at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who strictly forbid students to cast spells in the nonmagic world of Muggles), Harry lunges out into the darkness with his heavy trunk and his owl Hedwig. Rowling proves that she has plenty of tricks left up her sleeve in this third Harry Potter adventure, set once again at the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Right before the start of term, a supremely dangerous criminal breaks out of a supposedly impregnable wizards' prison; it will come as no surprise to Potter fans that the villain, a henchman of Harry's old enemy Lord Voldemort, appears to have targeted Harry.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"SPECIAL NOTE: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases (with the exception of changing all "Philosopher's Stone" mentions to "Sorcerer's Stone"). Good or bad is naturally for each reader to decide--just know, if you plan to read the books while listening to Jim Dale's audiobooks, you'll notice a few superficial differences. The quality of this new illustrated edition is phenomenal. All chapter intros are illustrated."
"IMPORTANT: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases. This difference isn't as prominent or noticeable as it was with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, but still something to keep in mind. Also, to answer a question that has come up quite a bit, this is the FULL BOOK and not an abridged or shortened version. Underneath the book jacket, the novel is bound in a sturdy orange hardback with green lettering on the spine."
"I was ravenous to get my hands on my copy as soon as it was delivered this morning, but was quickly disappointed. But when I took a close look at my dust jacket, I was extremely upset to find that the gold foil lettering for "Harry Potter" had been rubbed away and destroyed completely in some places leaving ugly, black matte in its place-- pock marking the otherwise handsome gold lettering. Needless to say I'm in awe how Bloomsbury has managed to put together such an incredible project, with JK Rowling's remarkable literature and Jim Kay's otherworldly illustrations-- and allowed it to be put together in a low quality binding! Not all alone in a box... Update (October 9th): I have finally received my new book and it was in much, much better condition. The cover and spine were tight, intact and falling apart from the binding like my original copy."
Best Teen & Young Adult Coming of Age Fantasy eBooks
Harry must allow Professor Snape to teach him how to protect himself from Voldemort's savage assaults on his mind. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is currently the featured read in Pottermore’s Wizarding World Book Club. As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. Somehow, over the summer, gossip (usually traced back to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet ) has turned Harry's tragic and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the Triwizard Tournament into an excuse to ridicule and discount the teen. With an overwhelming course load as the fifth years prepare for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels examinations (O.W.Ls), devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team lineup, vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors, and increasing pain in his lightning-shaped scar, Harry's resilience is sorely tested. The head of the Ministry of Magic is determined to discredit Dumbledore and undermine his leadership of Hogwarts, and he appoints nasty, pink-cardigan-clad Professor Umbridge as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and High Inquisitor of the school, bringing misery upon staff and students alike. There are a lot of secret doings, a little romance, and very little Quidditch or Hagrid (more reasons for Harry's gloom), but the power of this book comes from the young magician's struggles with his emotions and identity.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"SPECIAL NOTE: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases (with the exception of changing all "Philosopher's Stone" mentions to "Sorcerer's Stone"). Good or bad is naturally for each reader to decide--just know, if you plan to read the books while listening to Jim Dale's audiobooks, you'll notice a few superficial differences. The quality of this new illustrated edition is phenomenal. All chapter intros are illustrated."
"IMPORTANT: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases. This difference isn't as prominent or noticeable as it was with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, but still something to keep in mind. Also, to answer a question that has come up quite a bit, this is the FULL BOOK and not an abridged or shortened version. Underneath the book jacket, the novel is bound in a sturdy orange hardback with green lettering on the spine."
"I was ravenous to get my hands on my copy as soon as it was delivered this morning, but was quickly disappointed. But when I took a close look at my dust jacket, I was extremely upset to find that the gold foil lettering for "Harry Potter" had been rubbed away and destroyed completely in some places leaving ugly, black matte in its place-- pock marking the otherwise handsome gold lettering. Needless to say I'm in awe how Bloomsbury has managed to put together such an incredible project, with JK Rowling's remarkable literature and Jim Kay's otherworldly illustrations-- and allowed it to be put together in a low quality binding! Not all alone in a box... Update (October 9th): I have finally received my new book and it was in much, much better condition. The cover and spine were tight, intact and falling apart from the binding like my original copy."
Best Teen & Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy eBooks
Discover the bestselling paranormal romance series that's captivating readers with an exciting new twist on an old favorite. Blending the supernatural with teen angst, she crafted a riveting, read it in one sitting, book." "Inception is an addictive must-read for all vampire, shifter, angel/demon, witch, and supernatural romance lovers." I watched one murder my father eight months ago, and even though they tried to convince me it didn’t happen—that I’d lost touch with reality due to the trauma, I know what I saw was real. But everyone around me is keeping their own secrets, whispering lies into my ears like promises, and one of them is about to turn my entire world upside down. A coming of age YA paranormal romance full of atmosphere, supernatural adventure, and jaw-dropping twists that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Perfect for fans of Twilight, Vampire Diaries and Fallen Angel Romances. Vampires, demons a touch of time travel and so many variables I nearly twisted myself into a corkscrew." - Fleetwoodboy, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ "And that, my friends, is how you know you've read an excellent book. "I'm waiting with baited breath wondering what will happen next" -Amanda Arnold ★★★★★.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was a little thrown off at first by the descriptive verbiage- it seemed a little grandiose to me at the beginning- but soon, the feel of it swept me away into this world of magical and mythical beings mixed with high school drama. The story is well developed and well-written with very few typos (not enough to even blink an eye at, which is rare in self published books). I am usually very, very good at predicting plot twists, but that....that left me screaming expletives that made me glad my kids weren't home."
"I guess my only critique would be that the female lead felt a little stereotypical to me."
"After reading the first book I had to read the second and now that I've finished the third I'm just patiently waiting for the fourth."
"I read ALOT n no book as ever captured me like this story has.."
"Honestly couldn’t put it down."
"I was really surprised at the end of this book, I never would have seen that coming however, it is good now I can't wait to see what the author has in store for the second book."
"I loved this book so much it's hurts!!"
"4th book isn't coming out till February and my god I'm heated but take your time Bianca we all wanna know what happens to Jemma!"
Best Teen & Young Adult Epic Fantasy eBooks
In Emily R. King’s thrilling fantasy debut, an orphan girl blossoms into a warrior, summoning courage and confidence in her fearless quest to upend tradition, overthrow an empire, and reclaim her life as her own. “King’s debut is built on a solid premise that draws on Sumerian mythology for inspiration…The tale maintains a consistent thread as King embarks on a deep examination of sisterhood, first between Kali and her best friend Jaya, and later when she must fight the rajah’s other wives to keep her place within the palace.” — Publishers Weekly. “Richly imagined and gracefully written, The Hundredth Queen is a vibrant tale of forbidden love and personal sacrifice.” —Becky Wallace, author of The Keepers’ Chronicles. She’s a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and an active participant in her local writers’ community.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"What makes little sense is that Deven understands the world as it is, yet immediately breaks convention and is willing to risk his life by granting favors to Kalinda. Once in the palace, Kalinda faces the expected danger from her Sisterhood rival Natesa as well as Lakia, first among the Rajah’s wives. Ms. King’s elegant style deftly describes the action, weaving pictures that effortlessly wrap the reader in the story. IN CASE YOU WANTED TO KNOW – Ms. King steers away from using any sort of foul language, and you could read this story to a child without worry. However, this is a three-and-a-half star book at best, and though the talented description of the action is strong, the lack of developed characters prevent the total ranking from reaching four."
"If this were a film, and it likely will be one day, it would be rated G, except for violence [Revised at suggestion of commenter 'Amazon Customer.']. Let me hasten to add, however, that I enjoy many of the programs on Hallmark, especially the When Calls the Heart. The Hundredth Queen, however, is just a tad too extreme in that focus, for my reading pleasure. What also is revealed in those first few pages is that the heroine in this story told in first-person has certain vulnerabilities and has not mastered skills thought to be common for her age and time. This is told in a skillful matter and can easily be overlooked and forgotten by the reader. It might have required another hundred pages to more fully develop the characters, but I would also like to have heard some down-to-earth squabbles and complaints from Kalinda. It should reach number one status quite early on Amazon and stay in the Top 10 for quite some time. To give a feel for the editing, and the style and flow of this work, I am posting a brief excerpt below. Healer Baka finishes with my friend, and her calm eyes meet mine. I try to ignore the healer’s adept hands roaming around my body, but it is impossible not to be anxious about potentially being shown to the rajah. Natesa lobs a withering glance over her shoulder at me from where she stands in the front line. A thimble’s worth of shame spills over me, but with one sideways glance at Jaya’s cheek, fury burns my guilt to smoke. They are replicas of the goddess Ki, petite and round, soft yet firm, fit yet feminine. Priestess Mita, who watched the inspection from the rear of the chamber, confers with Healer Baka. Stories depict Enki as a daughter who walks in perfect obedience to her parents, Anu and Ki. Bottom Line: As I stated at the outset, this was a story that leaves the reader feeling good."
Best Teen & Young Adult Fairy Tales & Folklore eBooks
Clara’s favorite story tells of three orphaned infants—Clara, who was brought to Auntie by a stork; Maren, who arrived in a seashell; and their best friend, O’Neill, who was found beneath an apple tree. One day, Clara discovers iridescent scales just beneath her sister’s skin: Maren is becoming a mermaid and must be taken to the sea or she will die. Set in 1870 on and around Llanfair Mountain, Pennsylvania, this delightful fantasy novel introduces the reader to Clara and Maren, sisters adopted around the same time by a woman (“Auntie”) known throughout the village for her cures. The story follows their adventure to the sea and the unexpected perils they face on the journey as their caravan burns down and they are “rescued” and then held captive by a group of traveling performers. When Clara notices that Maren is developing scales and needs to spend more and more time in water, she realizes that her friend is turning into a mermaid and that no potion or magic will halt the change. VERDICT Noble's treatment of the mermaid theme is fresh and original, and even her minor characters are beautifully depicted.—Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I gave this book a 4 because it was predictable but it was also a fun read!"
"Sisters Clara and Maren grow up happily with their Auntie on a small cottage high on a mountain. They help Auntie with her healing potions and she tells them fantastical stories, including their favorite of how Clara was brought to Auntie by a stork and Maren arrived on a stormy night in a giant seashell, while their best friend O'Neill was found beneath an apple tree. Along the way they encounter evil and battle personal doubts, love, jealousies, and selfish love, as neither O'Neill nor Clara want to let Maren go to the sea. In reality Clara and Maren are adopted sisters, but in their hearts and minds they are sisters born."
"Along the way, there are trials that must be faced before the sisters realize that no matter how much they don't want to part, there is no denying the difference of their natures."
"It is a perfect fairy tale, filled with the right amount of old time romance, adventure, mermaids and carnivals!"
"After all the turmoil of reality in todays world, I needed this bit of fantastical adventure to soothe my soul and mind.. A great story about a sibling bond where family means more than blood relatives."
"I read this book straight through in one sitting."
"I love this story!"
"It felt like the ending was rushed and the characters didn't really follow the arch they had been built on...it didn't really make sense to me."
Best Teen & Young Adult Historical Fantasy eBooks
When Aly is captured by pirates and sold as a slave to an exiled royal family in the faraway Copper Isles, she strikes a bargain with the trickster god. It’s a time of murderous plotting at court, and Aly will need to rely on her training and the insights of a strange young man named Nawat to survive in a world where trust can cost you your life. Cracking open one of her marvelous novels always feels like coming home.”. — SARAH J. MAAS , #1 New York Times bestselling author. “Tamora Pierce didn’t just blaze a trail. To the great joy of her many fans, Tamora Pierce with this book begins a new saga of Tortall to add to The Song of the Lioness Quartet, the Immortals Quartet, and The Protector of the Small tetralogy. Alianne, or Aly, daughter of the warrior queen Alanna the Lioness, has all these skills, but also a delicious sense of humor, which serves her well when she is chosen by the trickster god Kyprioth to serve as his secret agent and a slave for a year in the embattled Copper Isles. She meets Kyprioth, the Trickster, and strikes a bargain: if Aly keeps the Duke and his family safe for the summer, Kyprioth will return her to her family and persuade her parents to let her be a spy.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Through some magical intervention Aly is enslaved and sent to the Tortall version of a Caribbean Island where she has to serve the needs of a God, save some young women, and try not to lose her minds at the Crows."
"The writing was well paced, and though k had not read the other titles stationed in the same universe, I was able to stay informed just the same without feeling like I was being fed context."
"Her family contains members of the ruling caste, but the two oldest daughters are also direct descendants of the previous Raka royal family."
"Ali ramps up the siege against the regents and finds allies in the strangest places."
"I've read many of The Tamora Pierce books and can say from the bottom of my heart that Trickster's Queen has gone far above my expectations in this brilliant series.The writing and the pinstroke ideas are absolutely fabulous!I stopped my whole week just because I couldn't put the book down.It rivaled Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness series down to the scenery.The writing spills with specific details keeping the reader informed and not guessing.The whole time you think what's going to happen then the writer comes back and surprises you with a twist.In Trickster's Queen you follow Aly(Alianne)of Pirate's Swoop,Daughter of Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau,Alanna is also the king's champion and the first Lady Knight or Tortal,through the final days of the Raka Rebellion,making it all possible with a little nudge from a Trickster God.The secretive,witty, and just plain brilliant mind of Aly keeps you wanting to see what she does next,Though the writer keeps you anticipating by long pauses.She ends up with a few 3-deminsional friends like Nawat(A crow who took on the form of a human)and Dove(A young girl who's brains can make a grown person's feel inferior).I just couldn't think of a different rating then 5 stars.This book and it's Duo series is a must read(Book 1:Trickster's Choice)."
"Wonderful characters,great story line."
"A lot of the paperbacks I get from Amazon end up being just a little bent or worn at the corners."
"When I got to the first Trickster book, however, this was not the case. I found Aly very unrelateable as a character, and she never seems to be phased about anything that happens to her. I found the other female characters of Pierce's books more relatable than Aly."
Best Teen & Young Adult Myth & Legend eBooks
This box set includes all five books in the USA Today recommended Elementals series and is over 1,400 pages of magic, adventure, mythology, and romance. Nicole Cassidy is a witch descended from the Greek gods... but she doesn't know it until she moves to a new town and discovers a dangerous world of magic and monsters that she never knew existed. When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole and four others -- including mysterious bad-boy Blake -- are gifted with elemental powers. After an ancient monster escapes, it's up to Nicole and the others to follow a cryptic prophecy in time to save the town... and possibly the world. Now, for a limited time, save 50% compared to buying the individual books by reading the entire Elementals series in this special bundle deal! -Kaye, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★. "Michelle Madow has taken us on an enthralling adventure, revisiting the old myths in a modern context. Percy Jackson fans will love this series." "I didn't think anything could compare with the Percy Jackson series, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Elementals is on the same level!" "The Elementals series gripped me from start to finish! The way she incorporates mythology into the everyday life of a group of teenagers takes me back to falling in love with the Percy Jackson series. "I loved every one of the Elementals books and recommend them to anyone who enjoys YA fantasy!"
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"On the night the Olympian Comet crosses the sky for the first time in 3000 years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle and two other witches happen to get mysterious powers that might be the key to close the portal prison that has opened and where the Titans lay for centuries. After Nicole and Blake were attacked by an ancient monster that escaped it's prison, it turns out that it's up to the five witches to follow the clues of mysterious prophecy so they can save ther world of falling into the Titan's claws. Nicole is a very awesome main characther and the way she devepos through this first volume of the story is very unique, you get to see her while she discovers little bits and pieces about her true identity and about her personality."
"Hard to put down, I did figure out the climax."
"This series is a page turner and if I didn't have to prepare our house for Hurricane Irma then I would of been done reading this a lot sooner!!! I was also hoping that they might have found a way to bring Chris back since his soul was in the Underworld, because of all the sacrifices they made to save the world, if there was a way to restore him, so that Kate could live happily ever after, maybe he could come back as a god, since Kate is a goddess. 🆘🚨 SPOILER ALERTS 🚨SPOILER ALERTS 🚨SPOILER ALERTS 🚨 SPOILER ALERTS 🚨 SPOILER ALERTS 🚨 🆘. I definitely recommend this series because the books are amazing, full of excitement, tears, definitely a page turner, you will not be disappointed 😔☺️😊 so grab your books today!!!"
"I highly recommend this book if you're interested in magick, Greek dieties, and we'll written characters."
Best Teen & Young Adult Paranormal & Urban Fantasy eBooks
Yet the spells Ceony learns under the strange yet kind Thane turn out to be more marvelous than she could have ever imagined—animating paper creatures, bringing stories to life via ghostly images, even reading fortunes. From the imaginative mind of debut author Charlie N. Holmberg, The Paper Magician is an extraordinary adventure both dark and whimsical that will delight readers of all ages . So if you're looking for a story with some unique magic, romantic gestures, and the inherent darkness that accompanies power all steeped in a yet to be fully explored magical world, then this could be your next read.” —Amanda Lowery, Thinking Out Loud. "Stephen King once said, 'Love is a uniquely portable magic,' and if so, The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg must be a kind of love...If you can take yourself out of the real world for a little while and imagine yourself as one learning how to be a magician, this novel will easily become one of your favorites. The Paper Magician is her debut novel and the first in a whimsical series exploring a world of magicians who animate manmade materials.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I appreciate that I not only felt real empathy with Ceony's disappointment in her apprenticeship assignment, but also gained an appreciation alongside her around how useful Folding could be. The tension and turmoil caused by Lira and her genuinely horrific acts are another source of appreciation for me."
"The paper magician is a fantastic tale about a world in which magicians do not simply do parlor tricks and optical illusions but actually bond with man made materials that they can manipulate to move, fly or even feel cold to the touch. Ceony (the main character) graduated at magician school top of her class in nearly half the time as some apprentice magicians. She had hoped this would ensure her 19 year old self to apprentice for a smelter (metal magician) which she had dreamed of her entire life."
"It was a fun read and the form of magic was interesting to think about."
"I wouldn't say it was a waste of time to read, but it's not going to be in my top ten favorite book list."
"I had just finished a book and was looking for my next read when I stumbled across The Paper Magician."
Best Teen & Young Adult Sword & Sorcery Fantasy eBooks
King Severn Argentine’s fearsome reputation precedes him: usurper of the throne, killer of rightful heirs, ruthless punisher of traitors. Richard III is near-obligatory context for reading about King Severn Argentine; readers less fond of the Bard can refer to Kylo Ren instead. This is the first title in Wheeler’s projected Kingfountain series, about Owen Kiskaddon, initially the eight-year-old son of a traitorous duke being held hostage at the royal court of Ceredigion.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm a fan of Jeff Wheeler and have enjoyed his 3 trilogies in the Muirwood and Mirrowen worlds, and came into this book expecting The Queen's Poisoner to be much of the same, but it was surprisingly different and unique. Although Wheeler's writing style is clear throughout, unlike his other books, this story follows a child, 8-year old Owen, as the main character. As Owen begins to feel the magic of the Fountain, we get a lot of foreshadow, hints, and small demonstrations of what the magic entails, but the magic is not what drives the plot in The Queen's Poisoner-- it's the characters. Lastly, as with all of Wheeler's books, I enjoyed the clean aspect to his writing."
"I purchased this book as my Amazon Kindle First book for March; if there is a Fantasy book listed at all, chances are that's the book I'm going to go for. I felt torn between liking and hating some, which felt like a natural response to the characters Wheeler was developing (I did worry about this from the very beginning of the book, as Wheeler started us out with a list of characters that felt like it was intended to tell us who we were supposed to like and who we weren't; thankfully, the characters were much more developed as the story moved on). The supporting characters are equally well developed and each come with their own surprising traits; Wheeler did a fantastic job of presenting one side of the characters to you early on in the book, but letting you look deeper into who they were and what they were doing where other eyes couldn't see them as you moved further into the book. By the time I reached the end of the book, I knew that this was going to be a series that I would be eagerly waiting for the next book to come out for. While the story wrapped up this part of Owen's life well (you are told in a blurb after the end that the next book will occur 7 years from the end of book one, so it makes sense for the first book to not end in a cliffhanger), there are enough unanswered questions and possibilities yet to be answered or seen."
"If that wasn't bad enough, they are forced to give Owen to the king as his next hostage. While in the castle, he learns many dark secrets. He also learned that he had many in the castle who would do anything to protect him and keep him alive no matter what. I know I harp on a lot of narrators, but the ones who catch my attention really deserve it. If I'm being honest, I think she's the reason I mainly decided to stick with this book when I found it a bit dull."
"This series is my new addiction."
Best Teen & Young Adult Wizards & Witches Fantasy eBooks
Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley. Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. After 11 years of disregard and neglect at the hands of his aunt, uncle and their swinish son Dudley, Harry suddenly receives a visit from a giant named Hagrid, who informs Harry that his mother and father were a witch and a wizard, and that he is to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry himself.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"SPECIAL NOTE: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases (with the exception of changing all "Philosopher's Stone" mentions to "Sorcerer's Stone"). Good or bad is naturally for each reader to decide--just know, if you plan to read the books while listening to Jim Dale's audiobooks, you'll notice a few superficial differences. The quality of this new illustrated edition is phenomenal. All chapter intros are illustrated."
"IMPORTANT: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases. This difference isn't as prominent or noticeable as it was with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, but still something to keep in mind. Also, to answer a question that has come up quite a bit, this is the FULL BOOK and not an abridged or shortened version. Underneath the book jacket, the novel is bound in a sturdy orange hardback with green lettering on the spine."
"I was ravenous to get my hands on my copy as soon as it was delivered this morning, but was quickly disappointed. But when I took a close look at my dust jacket, I was extremely upset to find that the gold foil lettering for "Harry Potter" had been rubbed away and destroyed completely in some places leaving ugly, black matte in its place-- pock marking the otherwise handsome gold lettering. Needless to say I'm in awe how Bloomsbury has managed to put together such an incredible project, with JK Rowling's remarkable literature and Jim Kay's otherworldly illustrations-- and allowed it to be put together in a low quality binding! Not all alone in a box... Update (October 9th): I have finally received my new book and it was in much, much better condition. The cover and spine were tight, intact and falling apart from the binding like my original copy."