Book Review on H.I.V.E. Higher Institute of Villainous Education

Salutations and greetings, followers all, and welcome to another book review. I have lately read a greatly diserving piece of literature, H.I.V.E. Or; Higher Institute of Villainous Education.

         I’d like to start out by introducing the characters. There are four of them, though the main, main character is Otto Malpense, orphaned techno genius among other talents. As you may have deduced from earlier reviews, I am a personality that enjoys well-chosen character titles, and Otto Malpense is by my reckoning, among the best.

         Well, I’d best lay out the story before starting the real review. Otto, and the three other main characters, Wing Fanchu, Shelby Trinity, and Laura Brand, are all abducted, to only later realize their parents had approved of their less than subtle capture, and are transported to an underground academy, whose sole aim is to train and hone the skills of futures super villains.

         I enjoyed how it started out, with the headmaster introducing himself, and after they left confiding to himself that Wing Fanchu seemed strangely familiar to him, a good mysterious start. And then there is also when he tells a confidant of his to trail Otto through his lessons, and keep an eye on him.

         Through the story friendships develop between the four characters in subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle ways.

         I especially like the parts of the book which involve classes. The mere idea of teachers actually teaching villainy, an excellent idea. I enjoyed the way Dr. Nero explained villainy, a strange but understandable concept. And also I liked that the Stealth and Evasion teacher is in fact a white cat, with a voice transmitter on her collar.

         I also applauded the way the author weaved slight feuds into the story between the characters, just to keep the readers on their toes. And I liked when he put the two dumb bell bullies in, Block and Tackle (appropriate names), who, for a short span of the book, chased Wing and Otto around the school. I liked how the bullying ended, very much so indeed.

         I’d love to go on, but I must stop for two reasons. One, I don’t want to spoil the book completely for you, and two, my mom is about to serve dinner and the aroma of frying fish in invading my nostrils as we speak. Duty calls!

         Please indulge yourself in H.I.V.E., and enjoy it as much as I did, though it would be very difficult to not do so.

        

         Farewell until our next encounter.

Post written by Z III.

Review on The Rogue Crew by Brian Jacques

I write this review for all the people out there who revere the Redwall saga. I can say only good things about the last book in Brian Jacques’s series, and can express only mourning for his passing several months ago. And, saying this, let us begin this review.
Fortunately for anyone who hasn’t read The Rogue Crew, Brian Jacques has managed to make a series that can be picked up at any book in the middle with minimum stats of “Who the heck is this guy?” and “What does he mean ‘Martin’?” 
Well. First off, the characters. My personal favorite, though there are many other ones to enjoy reading about, are Rake Nightfur, the ebony highland hare, with his twin claymores and swash buckling Scottish accent. 
This story though, introduces something new in the Redwall books. It seems that Mr. Jacques has put more detail into his writing, for example he actually gives names to several of the mystery concoctions that the sea rats drink, though that we could have done with out if you know what I mean. 
Also, he puts in many more elements then usual, many more songs in the margins, and several more evil characters than it seems possible to have n it. And the magic of it all is how he fits it all together into one glorious appendage of reading material.
As you can see, I could go on all day with Mr. Jacques’s stupefying and marvelous finally to his series. But I’ll just put a few other reviewing materials in. 
Another thing that baffles me is how easily it seems to Mr. Jacques to create names for his characters. I mean, Empraqueen Dukwina, Rake Nightfur, Uggo Wiltud, I ask you, that’s not just skill, it supernatural! 
As I’ve said before the story is spectacularly well put together, with smidgens of info on the sides that just make it better. 
It mat seem apparent that I’m babbling, but I just want to give you the right idea of mr. Jacques’s books, not like a few reviewers that I could mention that give unfair and unsightly materials on his amazing books. 
Well, I think I’d better put a sock in it before I give away the entire book to you! Hope you enjoy the book, and all the others in the Redwall series. 
Until the next post. 

Review by Biggofan O. Jakes 

Review on Erak's Ransom

I have found it worthwhile to shy away from the usual routine of Iron Wyvern temporarily and concoct a review on the greatly edifying book Erak’s Ransom in the final spells of the Ranger’s Apprentice Chronicles.

Let us begin:

Firstly I must express my admiration of how John Flanagan has put together this story of mind and heart wrenching twists along with his ample explanations of the terrible experiences the Rangers and co. go through; including the terrible sandstorms, the heat of the desert and suffocating sun and the fearful displays of the battles tucked in the pages, a task of which my inexperienced writing mind is still tangled and boggled by, in short; Mr. Flanagan is a master of the literary art.

My next praise goes to how he laces into his books many different flavors like a cook preparing his prize stew, allow me to elaborate.

Somehow he manages to plant suspicion in his readers for the most mundane characters, then blast out with an incredible explanation to all of his mind numbing puzzles.

I have always been troubled over my rationed creativity in naming my characters, but I am still in awe of how Mr. Flanagan names his countries after actual modern countries only by their sparsely known olden day titles, like Gallica i.e France and Araluen i.e England Etc..

Also he seems to have an unending supply of fitting names for every character that pops into his mind, like Saoud the Silk Merchant, Selethen the Wakir, Svengal of Skandia, Halt the Ranger, Gilan the swords master and so on and so forth…

I retain my admiration especially for how he fit into his already bursting storyline the Tuilaghi Raiders; the Blue Veiled Devils, the Forgotten of God, simply masterful! And to use the repeated word once more, MASTERFUL!

As you might expect I advise any serious or other readers to read this book, along with the rest of Flanagan’s ample book list, I know he is also coming out with a new series called Brotherband, I've read the ones the library's got! And perhaps they will mkae another review possible!

Farewell Bloggers, and please strive to collect a copy of…pause for effect…cue suspenseful music… Erak’s Ransom!!

J.T.Z Baner

Blogger's note: I may have delved to far into the series, for Erak's Ransom happens to be the 7th book in the 10 book series, but don't let my slip up stop you. Read them ALL! Commence mad donkey laugh!

Book Review: "The Other Book" by Philip Womack

I borrowed a book from the library recently, only because of its title. It was The Other Book, by Philip Womack. I was judging the book by its cover, something that I shamelessly do all the time. I didn't know if it would be any good or not yet, but it intrigued me, so I tried it.
The book was very good, to be honest, and the writing style truly magnificent. The descriptive quality that the author had put into every sentence made me awestruck. I couldn't put it down. In every chapter it seemed that there was some tight situation that the main character had to wriggle out of, in nearly every chapter a dark plot twist. The Other Book was a good read, I think. The style in which it was written makes it worthwhile. The storyline was interesting, but it was, in the end, the luscious and vivid style that made the book a good read.

100 Cupboards Book Review

I think its time to change the Iron Wyvern slightly by packing in the occasional book review on recently read and enjoyed books that we have read. The first of many will be 100 Cupboards, a book that I enjoyed profusely and see fit to publish a review on its pros and cons.

The overall set up of the book is great, Henry’s parent’s kidnapping, his finding of the mysterious cupboards, and my personal favorite, the Raggant that started it all introduced at the end and revealing all of the questions that popped up throughout the book.

It was a pretty good book on most accounts, but it didn’t explain few things, like his parents for instance; Why would he completely forget about his parents especially in the numerous crisis’s that sprang up in the book, N.D. Wilson kind of messed up there, at least in my view he did, which only goes to show that all authors make several mistakes in their career, even my all time favorite and idolized author Brian Jacques made a few slip ups in the start of the Redwall series (For instance, he mentions humans vaguely in his first book, along with getting the scale wrong on a few occasions like the horse drawn cart bigger than the trees).

Anyway, on to the characters of the 100 Cupboards:

The main character Henry is well put together with his occasional doubts and fears about his new hometown, baseball and such, the kind of thoughts that would certainly invade a modern minor’s mind (forgive the continued M words), so, Henry is well put together, so are the three Willis girls, one Tomboy, one by-the-book and so forth. (don’t want to reveal to much about the story).

I think my favorite character beside the Raggant of course is Zeke Johnson, mostly because I think he’s what Americans should be like, polite, protective, friendly and etc.. And he plays baseball, which is a sport I enjoy but don’t play often.

I think that is all for now, and I think that’s a passible review on 100 Cupboards.

Hope you enjoy it,

J.T.Z Baner