What's Christian Reading? Magyk

Ha! Here's a book that I actually read before Christian! I really enjoyed Magyk, by Angie Sage. Let's see what Christian thought about the book.

         

 Magyk

    Summary

 In Magyk, by Angie Sage the Supreme Custodian guard has taken over the castle and banned the use of magyk. He has killed the Queen and the Extraordinary Wizard at the palace. The baby princess has however evaded death after the Extraordinary Apprentice Marcia Overstrand killed the assassin that was sent by the Supreme Custodian. the princess is given to a local family of wizards called the Heaps.  

Ten years later the Heaps celebrate Jenna’s (the princces’) 10th birthday. Marcia (now the Extraordinary Wizard) comes rushing in and tells Sarah and Silas Heap that Jenna is in trouble. The Supreme Custodian and the Althier, the deceased Extraordinary Wizard--and Marcia’s mentor--have tracked down the princess. Jenna is whisked away to the wizard tower before she opens her present.

Silas and one of Jenna’s brothers come barging into the Extraordinary Wizard's room and give Jenna her present. The Young Army boy that Marcia found earlier stirs. Marcia gives him new clothes and the Supreme Custodian starts to bang on the door. Then they all take a plunge down the garbage chute to escape

    What I  liked

        I liked everything!

     What I didn’t like

        I liked it all.

     Rating      

 Five Out Of five Shiny Deoxys

Between the Lines: Captain Nemo

Today, we're leaving The Deliverers Publishing Headquarters to take to the seas. We're going under the sea--20,000 leagues under the sea--to talk to the mysterious Captain Nemo. We were lucky enough to be invited aboard his wonderful submarine, Nautilus, to spend a little time getting to know him better.

Greg:  Thanks for inviting us to spend a little time with you, Captain. I know that you don't like to talk much about yourself, but I was wondering what you did before taking to the seas.

Nemo:  I was once known as Prince Dakkar, the son of a Hindu Raja of the Indian Kingdom of Bundelkund. In my youth, I watched as the imperial forces of the British Empire conquered my beloved land. In the fighting, I lost both my kingdom and my family.

I decided to devote my life to scientific endeavors in order to put an end to imperialism and lead the world into a new era of peace. To that end, I and those loyal to me worked to devise a fantastic machine, capable of diving to great depths.

Greg:  Let me guess, we're in it, right?

Nemo:  Correct. This wondrous vessel, called Nautilus, is my masterpiece. It is a world unto itself, free of the greed and evil that thrives upon the land. With it I could liberate treasure from sunken ships. With that treasure, I have been able to create a Utopian society where man is free to evolve into a higher order without the mundane thirst for power that drives the surface dwellers. True freedom only exists beneath the sea, for it is the only place beyond the greedy grasp of mankind.

Greg:  Very impressive and admirable ideals, Captain. But isn't it true that you indulge in some of those very things yourself? For instance, haven't you been known to attack ships?

Nemo:  You are correct, up to a point. It is true that I, we--my crew and I--have attacked ships. However, I never attack unless attacked. The vessels that I have sunk were ships of war, those whose express purpose is to wreak havoc upon the weak and oppressed.

No sir, I do not indulge in violence, as you say. Rather, I protect the seas and all creatures in them from the marauding forces of man. Besides, the laws and conventions of the surface dwellers do not apply to those of us who live beneath the waves in tranquility and peace.

Greg:  Okay, okay, no need to get so uptight. I get it. Since we're down here under the waves as your guests we'll just go with it--when in Rome, and all that. It must be an exciting life, living beneath the sea. Can you tell us a little about your adventures?

Nemo:  Ah, yes, my adventures. Where to begin? There was our journey to the ice fields of Antarctica, in which we journeyed underneath the ice. The Nautilus was trapped there for a time, but I and my crew worked 'round the clock to free her. After that, I was able to claim Antarctica for my own.

We have been lucky enough to view most all of the marvels that the sea has to offer. But perhaps the most magnificent was the lost City of Atlantis. Magnificent and wonderful are its buildings and streets, but cold and lifeless. Wonders there are, but also memories of pain and suffering that the sea will never be able to expunge.

Then, there was the time we were under attack from a school of squid. It was difficult to fend them off, and I lost a member of my crew in the process--very disturbing. My crew are my family now. Losing one of them is heart wrenching, I must say. I have lost so many that have been close to me...

Greg:  It must get pretty lonely traveling through the sea, although I have to say the Nautilus is lovely.

Nemo:  She is magnificent, is she not? I have tried my best to make my crew as comfortable as possible, although I myself do not indulge in such things. This sitting room for instance, is finely appointed with works of fine art and sculpture. There are also pearls, coral and other rare and beautiful treasures of the sea that I have harvested.

My one indulgence is my organ, which I love to play. I must say that, with all modesty, I am quite skilled. It's notes are the only thing that can sooth my tortured soul.

Greg:  Well, Captain, I must say that this conversation has been very enlightening. Thank you so much for your hospitality. Uh, do you think you could drop us off now?

Nemo:  I'm afraid that I can't do that. You see, there's always the chance that you will alert the authorities to our whereabouts. You will be spending the rest of your life with us. Gotcha! just kidding! I really had you going, didn't I? I could see you getting worried. No really, we'll drop you off. Is Mystic Seaport okay?

A Writer's Week #84: Fun, Fun!

What a fun week! A lot of great things happened, not least of which was that the Kindle version of The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jewel was free from Labor Day until today (hint--click on the link, you can still get it free tonight!). The book has done very well. At one point it had hit #1 in children's sword & sorcery and #5 in children's action & adventure. It's been a great opportunity to make the book more visible, and I want to thank all of you for helping me spread the word.

On Labor Day, I had the pleasure of being interviewed on the great blog, My Book and My Coffee. Ara was a very kind hostess. Now, here's a great way to get yourself a chance to win The Deliverers 2: Order of the Crystal Lion. When you check out the interview, continue down to the bottom of the post. There you will find a giveaway to win one of two ebook copies. Good luck!

So, this week has really been extraordinary. I even managed to do a fair bit of writing. I wrote about 1,500 words this week. That means that The Deliverers 3: The Golden Dragon of Ang is up to over 59,000 words in 60 chapters over 258 pages. We're getting close to the end of the first draft. This week's writing had some nice moments after some difficulties the previous week. My hope is that next week I'll be able to report that the first draft has been completed. I'll let you know how I made out then!

What's Abigail Reading? The Kicks: Saving the Team

My daughter Abigail has been devouring a book this week, so I suggested that she share it with you. She proceeded to write the longest description of any book she's shared on this blog. I guess that means she liked it! Here is her take on The Kicks: Saving the Team, by Alex Morgan.

Here's what Abby says the book is about.

This story is about a girl named Devin who is in seventh grade and moved to California from Connecticut. Devin loves to play soccer and some of the best players have played in California and she is afraid that all the players will beat her. But luckily Devin finds two friends named Jessi and Emma and from their soccer story they say the team stinks. That day Jessi, Emma, and Devin tried out for soccer. Devin had worried that Emma and Jessi were right about the team. 

During the tryouts she met a new person named Freida. Freida said she’d rather do acting than soccer but her mom said she had to do soccer to get exercise. Freida pointed out to Devin another girl named Zoe. She had red curly hair and stage fright. After the tryouts they had lunch. Devin sat with Zoe, Emma, and Jessi.  During lunch Freida told to the group that they posted the soccer list. Jessi and Emma hoped that they would all be together and they were. 

Everyone who tried out was on the team because Coach Flores wanted to give everyone a chance. After their first couple of games they lost but they were not going to give up. Then a couple weeks later they had a game with Pinewood. The Pinewood team was fast and blitzed through the Kentville Kangaroo’s defense. The Pinewood Panthers scored a lot of goals. Pinewood won 6-0. When they got back to the school the coach said, ”there is no practice today you can do what you want.” 

Devin went to Coach’s office and talked to her and said, ”Our team wants more help.” Devin talked to Coach for a little more time and then coach said that the Kentville Kangaroos used to be the world champions for two years. Their teams Coach used to be on that team. Coach said, ”When I was a little girl I wanted to have fun but it didn’t happen and so I got unhappy. That is why I became a coach. I wanted other people to have fun."

After the talk Devin left. The next day coach came out and said that they were going to have another game with Pinewood. Then weeks later they had their game with Pinewood. Their team forgot how fast Pinewood was and soon the score was 2-0. They were losing but soon they were tied 2-2. You'll have to read the rest to find out what happened!

What did Abigail like best about the book?

The part I liked most is that the team never gave up, because you should never give up on yourself.

Was there anything that she did not like?

The part I did not like was when the team lost, because that would make me disappointed and sad.

So, how did Abigail rate The Kicks: Saving the Team, by Alex Morgan?

She gave it five out of five smiley faces.

Between the Lines: Robin Hood

This week's interview is with that famous outlaw, Robin Hood. It's hard to get Robin away from his merry men, and even harder to pry him away from Maid Marian, but we managed it. We'll see if we can shed some light on this legendary figure.

Greg:  Welcome, Robin, it's great to have you here.

Robin:  Thank you, good sir. It is an honor to speak with such an august personage as yourself.

Greg:  You flatter me, sir. I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit about your youth.

Robin:  I was born  so long ago that I can scarce remember it. I was born in the early 12h century...hold. No, it may have been later, perhaps the 13h century. Ah well, 'tis no matter, all water under the bridge. In any event, I was born and grew up strong and true in England's green and pleasant hills. It was there I learned the archer's art, and sword craft.

I practiced uncounted hours, until as an archer I was without peer throughout the length and breadth of England. As a swordsman, I was scarcely far behind. In fact I daresay that among all the swordsmen of the realm, there were only two or three that could best me.

Greg:  How did you become an outlaw?

Robin:  Ah, now there we come to the crux of the matter, one that shaped my destiny, if you will. There are scores of theories circulating throughout the shire, nay, throughout the country, but I shall shed the light of truth on the matter.

I was a stout yeoman, not noble born, but I considered myself as good as any man alive. When good King Richard left England for the Crusades, his brother Prince John robbed the poor in taxes to pay for his gluttonous ways...hold again. Perhaps it was good King Edward that I served. Ah well, as before it is of little moment. The point is that I robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Yes, that is what history shall remember.

Greg;  Right, right, why should details get in the way? It was all a long, long time ago. Which begs the next question. Are you a historical figure, or a fictional character?

Robin: Well asked, my good fellow! What is history? What is fiction? Answer those two questions, my lad, and you'll find that the answer to the question of my origin lies somewhere in between. I am neither wholly real, nor wholly fictitious.

While I have come to symbolize all that is good and noble in human nature, I as a person of mere flesh and blood could not hope to live up to the expectations that history has placed upon me. Therefore, is it not reasonable to assume that a certain amount of fictional embellishment may have occurred over the course of centuries?

However, at the core, I am the man of which the legends sing. Many of the deeds which are credited to me, I actually did perform.

Greg:  Tell me about your merry men. Who was your favorite?

Robin:  Another excellent question, my lord. My merry men are a joy to me. A stouter band of ruffians and yeomen I could never hope to find! Over the course of the centuries, history and legend have given them their personalities, making them, too, larger than life. Who could forget heroes with names like Will Scarlet, Little John, Much the Miller's Son, and of course Friar Tuck.

The good friar is the one I'd want most with me in the heat of battle. No hardier warrior have I known. And none so quick to celebrate a victory with a joint of mutton and a jug of ale. There is also the added benefit that, when stuck in a tight spot, he could administer Last Rites and send you clean of conscience to your Maker if need be.

Greg:  I think people would like to know what happened to you after you were pardoned?

Robin:  Ah well, I do believe the phrase is "lived happily ever after". The good king, Richard...or Edward depending on which version of my life you prefer, granted me lands and the hand of the lovely Maid Marian. I, brash boy that I am, took all of the fair damsel and lived to a ripe old age.

Although I left the world's stage at that point, legend was not through with me. My deeds grew and grew until even I could scarce recognize my little life from the thing of sheer magnificence that it now is. It truly is an amazing thing.

Greg:  Yes, well thank you so much for taking some time out from your legendary schedule.

Robin:  It was a time which I shall always hold dear. You are without equal as an inquisitor, and I doff my cap to you, sir! Ta, ta for now!