January reads

 Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull. Book #5 in the Fablehaven series.

Listened to on the Audible App

Released in 2013

Narrated by E. B. Stevens

Junior Fantasy, magic, series, magical creatures, dragons, action

Recommend: yes

The last book in the Fablehaven series ended nicely and was packed with adventure. All in all a fun listen to a familiar series for me. 

Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull. Book #1 in the Dragonwatch series.

Listened to on the Audible App

Released in 2017

Narrated by Kirby Heybourne

Junior Fantasy, magic, series, dragons, action

Recommend: yes

This series starts up where Fablehaven left off. There are still lots more adventures for Kendra and Seth and their friends and family. There are 5 books in this series and it contains much more intense adventure scenes than the first series of books. I really enjoyed listening to Kirby Heybourne narrate, he does a fine job. 

Hunger by Donna Jo Napoli

Checked out at local library

Published in 2018

Junior historical fiction, Ireland, potato famine

Recommend: yes

It's been a long while since I've read one of Napoli's book, but I've always enjoyed them. She has a wonderful story telling flow to her books that makes it  a joy to read. 

This centers on the potato famine in Ireland in 1846-1847. The events surrounding the story are true, but the families in the story are fictional. This story paints a good picture of the hardships and sadness that came with this plague of hunger and famine at the same time showing the grit and determination of the people who lived through it. 

Wrath of the Dragon King by Brandon Mull. Book #2 in the Dragonwatch series.

Personal copy

Published in 2018

Junior Fantasy, magic, series, dragons, action

Recommend: yes

I have enjoyed reading this a second time and abandoned the audio versions since I own copies of the entire series. It's gratifying to see Seth mature and grow and learn even when he takes a circuitous  path to do so. 

Master of the Phantom Isle by Brandon Mull. Book #3 in the Dragonwatch series.

Personal copy

Published in 2019

Junior Fantasy, magic, series, dragons, action

Recommend: yes

One of the main themes of this series and especially this book is being true to who you are and that no one can really make you bad or good, that is your own choice. Watching Kendra and Seth make hard and brave choices illustrates this theme extraordinarily well.