Scan barcode
sunlit_music's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Book 3 of the Pendragon series! Note: the protagonist's surname Pendragon isn't connected to King Arthur in this book, it's just an ordinary surname. :)
If you haven't read the Pendragon series before, they're basically books where teen protagonist Bobby Pendragon finds out he's been charged with protecting Earth and helping others protect their worlds from antagonists from tipping worlds into chaos and destruction. Filled with adventure, action, strong friendships, great humour, banter, fun, these books are a delight. While they're aimed at middle grade and older teens, adult readers can enjoy them too.
Book 3 synopsis: Bobby and his friend Vo Spader travel to Earth in 1930s (known as First Earth), to find their nemesis Saint Dane before he can cause Earth to plunge into chaos and war.
This book has:
- succinct prose,
- likable, fun characters who work so well as a team,
- excellent world building. Yes!! Especially for Third Earth (Earth set in the future) - with the underground cities and advanced technology and libraries for finding information. It is just so fun and interesting to read about!
- well researched and believable writing about the 1930s. It captures the action, suspense, violence, and vividness of that era.
- one of the most inventive twists and ideas on time travel and changing history I've ever seen in fiction (I won't give it away, though).
- a clever ending where Bobby's friends escape trouble through quick witted thinking! I won't spoil it, but I never would have guessed that they could keep info on Bobby's travels safe that way.
- The ending is also deeply moving because one of Bobby's former antagonists meets him again to make amends. I never predicted it would happen, but once I read the book again, it made perfect sense. No further spoilers, but this is one of the best scenes in this book and in YA fiction that I've read.
Character arcs: all characters and their arcs are well written. I love that Bobby's friend Mark has to learn to trust Bobby's other friend Courtney to get out their mess, and that Vo Spader has to work through his anger and grief to be able to fight against Saint Dane.
Also: Nancy Jinx Olsen is also one of my favourite characters of all time!! She's spunky, fun, modest and down to earth. Plus she's passionate about flying airplanes and helps out Bobby with saving people, despite being grounded by the Coast Guard.
If you haven't read the Pendragon series before, they're basically books where teen protagonist Bobby Pendragon finds out he's been charged with protecting Earth and helping others protect their worlds from antagonists from tipping worlds into chaos and destruction. Filled with adventure, action, strong friendships, great humour, banter, fun, these books are a delight. While they're aimed at middle grade and older teens, adult readers can enjoy them too.
Book 3 synopsis: Bobby and his friend Vo Spader travel to Earth in 1930s (known as First Earth), to find their nemesis Saint Dane before he can cause Earth to plunge into chaos and war.
This book has:
- succinct prose,
- likable, fun characters who work so well as a team,
- excellent world building. Yes!! Especially for Third Earth (Earth set in the future) - with the underground cities and advanced technology and libraries for finding information. It is just so fun and interesting to read about!
- well researched and believable writing about the 1930s. It captures the action, suspense, violence, and vividness of that era.
- one of the most inventive twists and ideas on time travel and changing history I've ever seen in fiction (I won't give it away, though).
- a clever ending where Bobby's friends escape trouble through quick witted thinking! I won't spoil it, but I never would have guessed that they could keep info on Bobby's travels safe that way.
- The ending is also deeply moving because one of Bobby's former antagonists meets him again to make amends. I never predicted it would happen, but once I read the book again, it made perfect sense. No further spoilers, but this is one of the best scenes in this book and in YA fiction that I've read.
Character arcs: all characters and their arcs are well written. I love that Bobby's friend Mark has to learn to trust Bobby's other friend Courtney to get out their mess, and that Vo Spader has to work through his anger and grief to be able to fight against Saint Dane.
Also: Nancy Jinx Olsen is also one of my favourite characters of all time!! She's spunky, fun, modest and down to earth. Plus she's passionate about flying airplanes and helps out Bobby with saving people, despite being grounded by the Coast Guard.
Content Warnings
Minor: War, Death, Murder, and Sexism
More...