oneangrylibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a fun series! The book caught me off guard in so many places. With a book centered around young characters, it is easy to feel that the journey will be a lighthearted romp or low risk. However, this book it packed with emotional depth and unbelievable consequences. The story of Archie is brutal and no one makes it out unscathed. With a wonderful blend of alternate history and steampunk, this will be a series I will cherish for some time to come. It is a must own for any junior high/elementary collection.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
5.0
In this really fun sequel to [b:The League of Seven|18490612|The League of Seven (The League of Seven, #1)|Alan Gratz|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1385187677s/18490612.jpg|26162515], the author expands on the alternate history of the "United Nations of America" as the nonstop adventure continues for our new hero Archie and his friends Hachi and Fergus. They're chasing the "Foxgirl," a Native American trickster who has stolen the Dragon Lantern that Archie desperately wants so that he can learn more about his personal origins. But things get complicated, there are betrayals and heartstopping action, giant walking robots and adorably hilarious dogs, flying people and zombi people, more evil Mangleborn to stop--you name it, it's in here! But throughout the whole book is a lot of heart and humor, as Archie deals with his superhuman abilities and tries to come to terms with his origins. I love these books, great recommendation for middle grade and middle school boys and anyone who likes action and alternate history. (What a clever premise, that the Europeans didn't conquer the Native Americans but instead joined with them in real partnership--it's so cool to see all the different tribal areas in this book's version of the USA that coexist with the Yanquis.)
dllh's review against another edition
3.0
Read this to my family. It's the second in a series whose first book I read to my daughter when it came out about a year ago. We enjoyed it (both books really did the trick for my kids). We'll eagerly await the concluding book of the trilogy about a year hence.
scostner's review
4.0
In the proud tradition of "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," (although without the racier bits), comes The League of Seven. There have been various leagues throughout history, as far back as Atlantis. Archie, Hachi, and Fergus are believed to be the first three members of a new league. With guidance from the Septemberist Society, a group dedicated to remembering the leagues and watching for signs that they are needed again, these young people are attempting to find and bring back an artifact known as the Dragon Lantern. The leader of the society believes that the lantern is extremely powerful and also will provide answers to some of the mysteries puzzling the league and society members. Each of the kids has some sort of incredible power that helps them in their endeavors. Archie is nearly indestructible and very strong (picture the Fantastic Four's Thing, but in human form). Hachi is a Seminole girl with incredible athletic powers. Fergus MacFerguson, complete with kilt, is a brilliant inventor and maker of gadgets - I picture a very young, steampunk version of Star Trek's Scottie.
Their world is an alternative version of the 1870s, with the Transcontinental railroad not yet completed, and many steam-driven machines like robotic butlers and even giant steam men armed with heavy artillery and carrying troops inside. Famous people from our world are present in their alternate personas. George Custer commands one of the steam men. Edison is around. So is Robert E. Lee. You get the idea. In their world, terribly dangerous creatures known as the Mangleborn must be defeated and imprisoned to prevent them from enslaving all of humanity. The league's members come from all over the world with their skills to track down and capture Manglespawn.
For fans of steampunk, ensemble hero stories, and fantasy/action adventures, the League of Seven is a wonderful recipe for fun. Recommended for readers of The Glass Sentence or The Rithmatist.
I read a preview excerpt (8 chapters), provided by the publisher through NetGalley. And now I have to go back and read the first book in the series so that I will be ready when this second installment comes out in June.
UPDATE: The publisher was kind enough to send me an advance copy so I could read it in entirety. I most definitely need to read the whole series. The characters continue to grow and develop, the plot has more twists and revelations, threads from the past twist through the events tangling things in unexpected ways. And the humorous moments, like discovering that Jesse James is a TikTok (mechanical man) or that Andrew Jackson is now a zombie defending the Queen of Louisiana, balance out the danger and betrayals.
If you haven't read The League of Seven yet, pick it up now. You'll want to be ready when The Dragon Lantern goes on sale.
Their world is an alternative version of the 1870s, with the Transcontinental railroad not yet completed, and many steam-driven machines like robotic butlers and even giant steam men armed with heavy artillery and carrying troops inside. Famous people from our world are present in their alternate personas. George Custer commands one of the steam men. Edison is around. So is Robert E. Lee. You get the idea. In their world, terribly dangerous creatures known as the Mangleborn must be defeated and imprisoned to prevent them from enslaving all of humanity. The league's members come from all over the world with their skills to track down and capture Manglespawn.
For fans of steampunk, ensemble hero stories, and fantasy/action adventures, the League of Seven is a wonderful recipe for fun. Recommended for readers of The Glass Sentence or The Rithmatist.
I read a preview excerpt (8 chapters), provided by the publisher through NetGalley. And now I have to go back and read the first book in the series so that I will be ready when this second installment comes out in June.
UPDATE: The publisher was kind enough to send me an advance copy so I could read it in entirety. I most definitely need to read the whole series. The characters continue to grow and develop, the plot has more twists and revelations, threads from the past twist through the events tangling things in unexpected ways. And the humorous moments, like discovering that Jesse James is a TikTok (mechanical man) or that Andrew Jackson is now a zombie defending the Queen of Louisiana, balance out the danger and betrayals.
If you haven't read The League of Seven yet, pick it up now. You'll want to be ready when The Dragon Lantern goes on sale.
booksandbosox's review against another edition
4.0
http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2015/08/capsule-reviews-middle-grade-reviews.html
rembrandt1881's review
5.0
Listen here, Alan Gratz has created one of the best new series in ages. The main characters are done so well and the story moves along and is paced just right. When you think that things can't get any worse or can't change, you're surprised with something new.The surprises aren't just to lengthen the story either as everything that happens is for a logical reason. It's actually really hard for me to say how great this book is without feeling like I'm giving away parts to the story.
I will say some of the things that are described to be parallel to how we know some of the important cities are bit laughable, knowing this is a YA novel makes this alright as it's used to be able to both teach lessons and make sure the reader is familiar with the locales. Archie's flaw can also be a bit annoying but at the same time it is still good reading the whole way through.
I will say some of the things that are described to be parallel to how we know some of the important cities are bit laughable, knowing this is a YA novel makes this alright as it's used to be able to both teach lessons and make sure the reader is familiar with the locales. Archie's flaw can also be a bit annoying but at the same time it is still good reading the whole way through.
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