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“I think it relates to her need to be independent because after marriage the man is supposed to protect and support the wife and her children while Katsa is perfectly fine doing that herself. I also think she didn’t want that expectation to hurt Po when Po would let Katsa do what she pleased if they married. People might think it was weird. I think how Randa treated her took part in her not wanting to be taken care of by a man and not raising children in a world with people like Randa.” -riwkms

Very valid point! I can see in a world where marriage does mean male dominance that she would be hesitant, even if Po didn’t expect anything of her, other people might! Well worded. Randa did treat her horribly. She was treated a lot like a trophy when he wasn’t sending her on missions, and maybe she relates that to marriage as well. Very good point! :)

-Barret & Amanda

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Title: Beyonders: A World Without Heroes (Book #1)

Author: Brandon Mull

Publisher: Aladdin, Simon & Schuster Publishing

Genre: Fantasy/YA

Release Date of Book #2: Beyonders: The Seed of Rebellion -March 2012

Spoiler Free Summary:

Jason Walked has often wished his life could be a bit les predictable -until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason transporting from the hippo tank into a strange imperiled world.

Lyrian is full of dangers and challenges unlike any place Jason has ever known. The people live in fear of their malicious wizard emperor, Maldor. The brave resistors who once opposed Maldor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.

In this search for a way home, Jason meet sRachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the Word of Power that can destroy the emperor, and learn that their best hope of finding a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

Tag Line/Selection:

“By reading these words,

You have nominated yourself

To recover the Key Word.

Move swiftly.

The knowledge you now possess

Marks you for prompt execution.

The first syllable is ‘A.’”

Review: 

I’m used to reading a lot of fantasy novels, but I believe this tops them all as the most inventive. Mull creates a very interesting world full of suspicion and intrigue along with interesting and unique characters. The creatures that he wrote of went from huge dining-table-sized crabs to displacers, who can cut a limb off while still having full function of said limb. 

Out of the whole story, I found the unique creatures the most interesting. They were very inventive and gave the story an odd suspicious aura that I found intriguing and luring. However, I also found that the book, while it abounded in characters -both human and fantasy -he did not develop those characters as much as they could have been. Due, to Jason’s quest to find the six syllables of the Word, it’s natural that he would discover friends along the way; however, I feel as though each secondary character should find more of a purpose throughout the rest of the novel. 

That being said, I give this book a break on that end because it is only the first book in a whole series. So Mull has plenty of time to bring back the characters he began developing in this novel. I will say that I look forward to seeing more of Ferrin -he was my favorite character out of all of them. I think that’s partially because I felt that he was a little more dynamic, and I also hope to see more of Ned. He was only in a single chapter, but he made that chapter seem more thrilling for some reason! 

Either way, you really can’t go wrong with this book. It has lovable character albeit a little less dynamic than I would have hoped, and the plot! Oh, the plot is wonderful! I love the quest that the main characters, Jason and Rachel, embark on. It creates a constant thrill for the reader and there is hardly any downtime. 

There is also a part in the novel that defines heroism. This truly stuck with me. I believe that children/teenagers have to realize what true heroism is and this is a great book to teach them.

After reading this book, I am also interested in reading his Fablehaven series. So if this sounds like something you would like to read but don’t want to wait for the rest of the series to come out, try Fablehaven.

For parents that watch what their kids read: There is absolutely nothing that would be offensive. There wasn’t any language or anything remotely sexual in the novel, so it’s perfect for all ages.

Recommendation:

I would recommend the book to middle schoolers and maybe freshman in high school. 5th-9th grade would probably be the peak years to read this novel. 

Educational Purposes: 

I wouldn’t use this book inside the classroom, because I could probably find one that would fit better; however, I would not hesitate to recommend it to a student or keep it on my bookshelf in my classroom.

Review by: Amanda

*Look for video sometime tonight or tomorrow