The Happy Librarian
Adventure:
Adventure fiction is a genre of fiction that usually presents a danger, or gives the reader a sense of excitement.
Rangers Apprentice Series
by John Flannigan
Summary:
They have always scared him in the past — the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied....
Review:
Will is a fantastic hero of a series filled with action, adventure, mystery, and even a little magic. A coming of age story, The Ranger's Apprentice showcases many different preteens and teens and their goals. Though each character has different motivations, they all work together when their lives and their kingdom needs them.
Fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson will love this coming-of-age adventure series.
Key Elements: Rangers, Secret Service, Castles, Midevil themes, Found Families, Friendship, Magical/Mythical Creatures
Genres: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fantasy, Adventure,
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series
By: Michael Scott
Summary:
Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on 28 September 1330. Nearly seven hundred years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life. The records show that he died in 1418. But his tomb is empty and Nicholas Flamel lives. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. And that's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it. Sometimes legends are true. And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.
Review:
Fans of Harry Potter may have heard of Nicholas Flamel, but the legend was real. Nicholas Flamel lived in fourteenth-century Paris and was an acclaimed alchemist. Readers will learn a great deal about history, legend, and the myth of immortality. This series tells the story of twins Sophie and Josh, whose sibling connection allows a unique communication and level of trust and friendship that's almost tangible. Readers will spend hours lost in a world where myth and legend may be real, magic isn't what it seems, and those who die, don't always stay dead. Filled with famous historical figures, this series is compatible with the children's chapter books Magic Tree House, with a mystery and magical vibe that suits readers who like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Miss Peregrine.
Key Elements: Found Family, Twin Telepathy, History, Legend and Lore, Magic, Mythology, Friendship Supernatural, Prophecies
Genres: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fantasy, Supernatural, Mythology, Adventure
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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
by Ransom Riggs
Summary:
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow-impossible though it seems-they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.
Review: Jacob's character takes a while to understand. He seems inconsiderate of his grandfather, and even cold at points, but readers will learn more about Jacob and why he is protective of his emotions. The children and their unique peculiarities are quite a fascination, but not explored and explained further until later books in the series. Readers will enjoy the fast-paced plot and the twists and turns that make the story unpredictable. Jacob and Emma become the forefront of the story, taking a little away from the grandfather and the mystery man, but more importantly, their relationship feels odd given their backstories and age differences. Nevertheless, it adds a little bit of romance to the story. There were a few darker elements not typically present in middle grade and traditional young adult literature, but they add a level of suspense and intrigue.
Key Elements: Family Dynamics, Immigrants, Europe, Great Britain, World War 2, Time Portals, Shapeshifting, Friendship, Father/Son Dynamics, Young Love
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Paranormal, Mild Horror, Adventure