Tag: knights

REVIEW: Murray and Bun! Murray the Knight by Adam Stower

REVIEW: Murray and Bun! Murray the Knight by Adam Stower

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Murray the cat lives with a rubbish wizard named Fumblethumb. Fumblethumb is so bad of a wizard, he turned Murray’s favorite treat – a sticky bun with a cherry on top – into a rabbit. He also made the cat flap into a magic portal. Sometimes it leads Murray to the back garden. And sometimes it leads the poor quiet-loving kitty to adventure.

This time, Murray finds himself with a shouty knight and an uhappy princess. The knight challenges Murray to a joust – winner marries the princess. Princess Rubytoes wants NO part of the shouty knight. She’s already in love with someone else. She needs Murray to win the joust and save her from Sir Nasty.

Review

Oh my goodness, this was ADORABLE! The story was a hoot. The illustrations are so cute. And Bun is a hoot and a half. If you are familiar with Stower’s other work like Silly Doggy and Naughty Kitty, you won’t be surprised to find out how beautiful and funny this book is. I wish I could have gotten an early look at book 1 in the series, Murray the Viking. This is a series I will be watching! This was a delight from start to finish, and I can’t wait to see it in person and check out more of Murray and Bun’s adventures!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would read again.

REVIEW: Battle of the Bodkins by Lincoln Peirce

REVIEW: Battle of the Bodkins by Lincoln Peirce

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Long ago, in the land of Byjovia, a selfish prince was ready to become king. His fairy “dogmother” siphoned off his more problematic personality traits and put them in a jar. But when the jar broke, an evil copy of the prince emerged – a “bodkin.”

While that bodkin was exiled, Max and her friends have discovered a bodkin in present day Byjovia. It seems as though there are even more bodkins now, and they are preparing for an invasion. It will be Max’s job – along with the Midknights – to invade the bodkins’ home and stop them.

Review

I got such a huge kick out of Max’s first adventure, I knew I had to read book two. This is fun and suspenseful. The Midknights really have their hands full with the evil bodkins.

As with the first book, the pacing of the story is great – peril on top of peril, but nothing so far fetched that it pulls you out of the story. There’s a larger cast here – the Midknights plus the key adults in the kingdom as well as a few new friends. I call this a graphic novel, but it really is more of a highly illustrated story – prose along side line drawings. It’s a terrific format for the story.

I think kids will love Max’s new adventure. There are some nice tidbits in the book about Max’s origins – and an interesting twist to launch the kids into their next adventure. Fans should not miss this one. I am looking forward to reading book 3.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Max and the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce

REVIEW: Max and the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

While Uncle Budrick enjoys being a traveling troubadour, Max would rather be a knight. When Max and Budrick visit Byjovia – Uncle Budrick’s home – they discover that the kind king is presumed dead and his evil brother has taken over. But thanks to some new friends, Max – and the Midknights – might be able to save the day.

Review

This was PURE FUN! I loved the whole story. The characters are delightful. The humor is pitch perfect – funny without beating you over the head with gags. The pacing of the story was excellent – every so often there was a new challenge and a new opportunity or friend.

If there’s a “message” to the story it’s that gender or family history shouldn’t force you into any role. Even though Max is a girl, she should get to train as a knight if that’s what she wants. And if her friend wants to be a writer instead of working with horses like his dad, so be it. But really, the message is secondary to the fun story full of magic and creatures and challenges and chances to be heroic.

I can’t say enough about how much I loved this book. Book 2, Battle of the Bodkins, is out now. Why not pick up both and check them out?!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥=Outstanding! Amazing! Special!