Anyone Heard of These?

[WizardofOwls]

Hi!

Here are links to info about a couple of new series for YAs that look really interesting.

Dragons In Our Midst:
(This one seems to have a Christian slant to it, like the Chronicles of Narnia)
http://www.dragonsinourmidst.com/Books.html

The Guardians of Ga'Hoole:
http://www.kathrynlasky.com/BooksPages/Fiction_Guardians.html

I have not read either series yet, but I am getting books 1 and 2 of the Dragons In Our Midst series and all 8 of the Ga'Hoole books for Christmas. After I read them, I'll let you guys know what I think!

 

[kyektulu]

Great finds I wouldnt mind a read of them.
I will wait 'till my partner gets home them try to find them on amazon and drop a few hints...

 

[Rosemary]

Yes, they do look good, particularly the Dragons.

Might get those to put on the shelf for my Granddaughter, after I have read them of course!!!

 

[Mark Robson]

Sounds like one Dwndrgn will be checking out!

 

[Alia]

Katherine Lasky is very familiar to me. I've seen her books at Barnes and Noble, but because I have so much to read, I haven't picked them up yet.

 

[Jaxom_Ruatha]

Here's another good author that may or may not be well known (I am thinking he isn't, but that's just because he is new to me) Here are the blogs for his Runelords on going series: http://www.runelords.com/fan_site/books/reviews/sumofallmen.html
(Click on the titles at the margin to the right) He has a rather well developed fantasy world. They are also in the middle of production of making the Runelords books into films so I suggest you get a head start so when the movies come out you're not like 'what the heck is this all abot.'
Here are some reviews for his work, if you care to take the time: http://www.runelords.com/book_site/pages/critical.html

He is also coming out with a (?)stand-alone(?) novel called Of Mice and Magic which looks like it is aimed at a younger audience but will be a worthwhile read nonetheless. I couldn't find the blog on the internet so I'll copy it from this catalogue thing I have at hand:
'More than anything, Benjamin Ravenspell wants a pet. But when he buys a mouse named Amber, he gets more than he bargained for. No sooner does Ben take her home than Amber turns him into a mouse too. Soon Ben and Amber find themselves pitted in an epic battle against a magical enemy who is as crazed as he is evil- and the fate of the world rests on them learning to work together.'

 

[rune]

I wouldnt call the RuneLords a YA series. Ive read the first few books and dont recon much on their quality, but they are definately not for YA's.

 

[Jaxom_Ruatha]

Oops, sorry. Thanks for telling me, I hadn't actually had the chance to read them yet, just thought they looked good.

 

[WizardofOwls]

Another series of books for YAs that looks really good is the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. These books are about intelligent cats. There are 6 books in the first series and there is a new series with 3 books. Definitely look interesting! I got books 1-4 and 6 of the first series for Christmas, so after I read them, I will let you know how they are!

 

[GrownUp]

Are they anything like 'Tailchaser's Song' by Tad Williams?

 

[WizardofOwls]

Well, I have to answer I don't know on two counts- I have not yet read the Warriors books, and I have not read Tailchaser's Song, so I can't answer your question. Sorry!

 

[GrownUp]

Tailchaser's Song is good, I don't like cats in person but I really enjoyed Tailchaser's journey. There may mention of it on the Tad Williams forum, but possibly the book is a little dark and violent for some younger readers.
So I'll be looking out for the Warriors series in the library!

I'll put a sort of ad in now. Well, more of a recommendation.

There is YA book I wrote a couple of years ago I've posted on the web,
http://www.geocities.com/sapphirehunting.

No cats or dragons in this one. Just a young man saving the world.

Free to read in full on the web, I've also linked to it in the Critiques Section.

 

[Alia]

Another series of books for YAs that looks really good is the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. These books are about intelligent cats. There are 6 books in the first series and there is a new series with 3 books. Definitely look interesting! I got books 1-4 and 6 of the first series for Christmas, so after I read them, I will let you know how they are!

I have seen these books. I'm going to start a thread about them, WizardofOwls. Thank you for bringing them up.

 

[hermi-nomi]

I love Tailchasers Song! I wouldn't have thought it was YA though. I've seen The Black Magician trilogy advertised as YA but I wouldn't have though so. How do they decide? I haven't heard of the first books mentioned, so I couldn't say. Can't wait to read them then.

 

[Alia]

How do they decide?

There's usually a list of different factors that publishers go by when determining if a book falls under Children, Y A and adult. Usually one can determine this by the age of the main character. Some books are clearly NOT Y A books. Lately, I've seen publishers listed the age ranges books are best for. This is a very nice feature, makes life a whole lot easier.

I've seen The Black Magician trilogy advertised as YA but I wouldn't have though so.

I'll see what I can find on the subject.

 

[GrownUp]

I would put Sapphire Hunting at around 14 years.

But it is difficult, isn't it? Ages are so different for different children.

 

[WizardofOwls]

Hello everybody!

Just wanted to give you a little update on some books. In particular,

The Dragons In Our Midst series by Bryan Davis
The Guardians of Ga'Hoole series by Kathryn Lasky
The Warriors series by Erin Hunter

I now have all of the books in these three series. I have read the first book in Kathryn Lasky's series, entitled The Capture. It was a pretty good read, although I'm not terribly fond of Ms. Lasky's poetry. She uses verse throughout her books, and in my opinion those moments are the weakest in the book. However, kids might enjoy the verse.

I am now halfway through the first book in Mr. Davis' series, entitled Raising Dragons, and I must say that I am HIGHLY impressed! The book is excellent. As I said before, it is Christian fantasy, but I truly think it is good enough that those who are not Christians could still enjoy it!

I have not yet read any of Ms. Hunter's books. I had considered reading book 1 in her Warriors series next, but now I'm torn - whether to read that or go on to Book 2 in the Dragons In Our Midst series! I'll let you know what I decide.

I hope this helps!