Shelf Life

I haven’t read the first book in the series (yet ) but this volume stands very well on it’s own.

As a war between Araluen and the forces of the evil Morgarath draws ever nearer, Will, apprenticed to legendary Ranger Halt, is sent on a diplomatic mission with warrior apprentice Horace and Ranger Gilan to seek military support from a neighboring kingdom. Their simple, peaceful mission soon becomes a desperate journey to prevent Morgarath from springing a devestating trap on the Araluen army. Will, Horace, and a mysterious young woman in disguise are on their own in hostile territory, facing an army of vicious Wargals and a band of Skandian mercanaries.

Will is a likeable character and the action scenes are gripping. The books ends with a setup for volume 3 in the series, The Icebound Land and the recently released book 4, The Battle for Skandia. It is fun read for fans of epic series like “Lord of the Rings,” “Guardians of Ga’Hoole,” and “Shannara.”

Mr. Doyle

WOW! I haven’t liked a book this much since Looking for Alaska and Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood. Asher’s book is a must-read. Clay Jenkins receives a box of cassette tapes in the mail shortly after the suicide of the girl he was falling in love with. On the tapes he hears the girl, Hannah, explain how 13 people led her to commit suicide. Clay spends the entire night wandering the city listening to the tapes and wondering what he did to contribute to the tradgedy.

Clay is such a sypathetic character and Hannah’s story is heartbreaking and utterly realistic (like Miles and Alaska in Looking for Alaska. This is one of those rare books that will appeal equally to boys and girls, teens and adults. Don’t miss it!

Mr. Doyle