Welcome to my stop on the Trickster's Totem by H.B. Bolton Tour hosted by CBB Book Promotions. I would really like to thank H.B. Bolton who wrote Relics Of Mysticus and Candace from CBB Book Promotions for working it out for Zane, my 10-year old, to review the first two in this series for this blog tour. I would also like to thank Zane for doing what, in my opinion, is an excellent job reviewing them! He wrote them by himself. He's done an interview with me before, but these are his first reviews.
Book 1 of Relics of Mysticus |
Goodreads Summary
Evan and Claire Jones are typical teenagers, forced to go with their parents to yet another boring museum ... that is, until something extraordinary happens to make their day a little more than interesting. After following a strange little creature into a closed exhibit, Evan and his older sister, Claire, discover the Serpent’s Ring, one of the magical relics formed from the shattered Mysticus Orb. Purely by accident, they have awakened its powers and opened a portal to Sagaas, land of ancient gods.
Before the siblings can comprehend what has happened, the Serpent’s Ring is wrenched from Evan’s hand by an enormous fish and flown back to Aegir, the Norse god of the sea. Evan and Claire, accompanied by a band of unlikely heroes, must retrieve the Serpent’s Ring before Aegir uses its immense powers to flood all the lands on Earth.
For Middle Grade readers and higher
Fans of: Percy Jackson Series
Evan and Claire Jones are typical teenagers, forced to go with their parents to yet another boring museum ... that is, until something extraordinary happens to make their day a little more than interesting. After following a strange little creature into a closed exhibit, Evan and his older sister, Claire, discover the Serpent’s Ring, one of the magical relics formed from the shattered Mysticus Orb. Purely by accident, they have awakened its powers and opened a portal to Sagaas, land of ancient gods.
Before the siblings can comprehend what has happened, the Serpent’s Ring is wrenched from Evan’s hand by an enormous fish and flown back to Aegir, the Norse god of the sea. Evan and Claire, accompanied by a band of unlikely heroes, must retrieve the Serpent’s Ring before Aegir uses its immense powers to flood all the lands on Earth.
For Middle Grade readers and higher
Fans of: Percy Jackson Series
"I assure you, it is safe."
I received this book from the author for an honest review.The Good
I really like the magic aspect of this book. Not only are they in a magical realm with magical creatures, but the ring gives them magical powers. I also really like the characters in the book. There were two over-excitable imps named Barfel and Dunkle. There is an immortal dragon slayer named Sigurd, and there is a gorgeous mermaid named Lazonia.
The Bad
I thought and thought for about half and hour before deciding that there was nothing bad to mention in The Serpent's Ring.The Romance
Evan and Lazonia have great chemistry and by the end of the book they are an official couple. Claire and Sigurd didn't have as much chemistry as the others, but you could tell that they were truly in love.Conclusion
I REALLY enjoyed this book. I am definitely adding this to my list of favorites.Book 2 of Relics of Mysticus |
Goodreads Summary
Life has returned to normal for fourteen-year-old Evan and his older sister, Claire. That is until Dunkle, a clever but stinky little imp, pays an unexpected visit to their school. He has come to take the siblings back to Sagaas, the mythical realm of the gods. Once again, a Relic from the ancient Mysticus Orb has fallen into the wrong hands. Only Evan and Claire, with their unique mystical abilities, can help find it.
Through the power of the Trickster’s Totem, a coyote trickster has escaped. His laughter echoes throughout the realm, as he spreads mischief and mayhem. He burns an entire crop of popcorn, carves his grinning image into sacred artifacts, and things really get interesting when he shape-shifts into Evan’s friends.
Claire and Evan must capture the Trickster, retrieve the Totem, and be careful not to become sidetracked by robotic Steampunk animals, “sweet” pixie-like Pains, and a problematic mermaid … all while dodging Mothman-like aces. Most surprising, Evan discovers the true reason dragons exist in the Native American Spirit World.
For Middle Grade readers and higher
Fans of: Percy Jackson Series
Life has returned to normal for fourteen-year-old Evan and his older sister, Claire. That is until Dunkle, a clever but stinky little imp, pays an unexpected visit to their school. He has come to take the siblings back to Sagaas, the mythical realm of the gods. Once again, a Relic from the ancient Mysticus Orb has fallen into the wrong hands. Only Evan and Claire, with their unique mystical abilities, can help find it.
Through the power of the Trickster’s Totem, a coyote trickster has escaped. His laughter echoes throughout the realm, as he spreads mischief and mayhem. He burns an entire crop of popcorn, carves his grinning image into sacred artifacts, and things really get interesting when he shape-shifts into Evan’s friends.
Claire and Evan must capture the Trickster, retrieve the Totem, and be careful not to become sidetracked by robotic Steampunk animals, “sweet” pixie-like Pains, and a problematic mermaid … all while dodging Mothman-like aces. Most surprising, Evan discovers the true reason dragons exist in the Native American Spirit World.
For Middle Grade readers and higher
Fans of: Percy Jackson Series
"Do you have something more important you should be doing?"
The Good
I said that I liked the characters in the other book and this time I enjoyed the fact that Bolton brought some new interesting characters into the mix. There was a snarky mermaid named Amadahy. There was an immortal Native American named Chayton. There was even an extremely awesome dragon named Khel. I especially enjoyed the uniqueness of the bad guy specifically in the end.
The Bad
I didn't like that there wasn't really any of Sigurd or Lazonia because I really enjoyed both of them in the The Serpent's Ring. I also didn't like that Claire flirted with Chayton even though she was still dating Sigurd.The Romance
Other than some flirting by Claire with Chayton, there isn't any to mention with this one.Conclusion
Another amazing book. This was an awesome story with an unique bad guy and some interesting newbies.About H.B. Bolton:
Books by H.B. Bolton:
The Serpent's Ring (Relics of Mysticus, Book One)
Breaking Down (a short story)
Hungry (a short story)
Coming May 1, 2013
The Trickster's Totem (Relics of Mysticus, Book Two)
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Pinterest / Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Awesome reviews, Zane! You really know how to take a story apart and put it back together as a reader (and reviewer). Jeez you have imps, immortal dragon slayers, mermaids, dragons, and teenagers. I love the idea of a unique bad guy. Jaclyn, what a treat for your followers!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Zane, for putting so much thought and effort into writing the reviews for my stories. I really enjoyed reading what you had to say. And don't worry about Lazonia. She's coming back in another one of the books :)
ReplyDeleteWOW, Jaclyn! I'm in awe, your son is a great reviewer already! I love that he picked up on the differences between the two books, and also that he really has his favorite characters from the first book.
ReplyDeleteI'm hosting a giveaway as well on my blog : BEA Giveaway.
Thanks for the reviews Zane! I would never have guessed it was your first time reviewing, you did great! And yes, I missed Lazonia too so I'll be happy when she comes back in the future.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting a tour stop Jaclyn!
Aw, great first review Zane!
ReplyDeleteYeah, not my thing but I am happy both books were good. :) Zane did a great job reviewing.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see Zane reviewing!! :D Great job buddy. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMr. Zane - you write fabulous and very professional reviews, young man! :) Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on these books! I think these are books my son might enjoy as well.
ReplyDeleteI just told him your son would probably like this so I hoped you stopped by. So glad you did! Thank you very much for the kind words :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Melissa. He really appreciates your comments as do I!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate you checking out his reviews even though these aren't your type of books. Thank you so much for stopping by and the kind words :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Brandi!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice, Candace. Thank you :D He wanted to say thank you for the comments and that he's so thrilled you liked them since he's completely new at this. He is excited to hear that Lazonia will be returning.
ReplyDeleteThank you for having us be a part of your tour!
Thank you so much for the kind words. I am so glad you enjoyed his reviews like I did. I think he did a great job as well. He wanted me to tell you thank you so much for the comments and that he's glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate you stopping by!
Zane wanted me to tell you "thank you for letting him read and review your books. As you can tell I REALLY enjoyed them!!! :D"
ReplyDeleteI want to say thank you as well. He did enjoy the stories and spoke to me often while reading about how great the characters are. I know he's thrilled to hear Lazonia will be making a return!
Zane wanted me to tell you thank you so much for the comments. He's completely new at reviewing and is glad to hear you enjoyed it :D I really appreciate the nice words. Thank you so much for stopping by!
ReplyDelete