Contents:
Spenser and Dalton investigate passionately, and the reader is given every piece of information as soon as they get it. Old newspaper articles, secret books, word of mouth, and even information received from renowned scholars are all part of the narrative, and each one is delivered in dialogue or a different font, resulting in a novel that reads like a collection of clues.
Also, regardless of the number of facts that are revealed, the mystery at the center of the Delphic remains until the very end, even if it quickly becomes clear that some of the rumors about it are nowhere near the mark:. Lots of stories, but no one has been able to penetrate that damn fortress up on Linden Street to really know. No member has ever gone on record to talk about it and probably never will. At least not in my lifetime. Before long, there are bad things happening and threats being delivered by menacing men who have no business being on campus.
All of this happens while Spenser goes through the consideration process at the Delphic, falls in love, plays basketball, and deals with his tough financial situation. By the time we had reached the Mass Pike and were seeing signs for Boston, I had an immense headache. The temptation was unbearable.
The Ancient Nine goes deep into the hidden world of secret societies at one of the top universities in the world. The representation of the men who make up these societies, as well as that of the folks who usually attend Harvard, is exactly what readers expect: Furthermore, Smith touches on the issues of race and the misogynist nature of these all-male clubs a few times in the story. While the narrative never becomes preachy, there is enough of that conversation going on to make readers stop and think about the fact that some of the outdated practices at old institutions have refused to adapt to the modern world.
There is one main shortcoming in The Ancient Nine.
Smith has a tendency to go into tangential subjects and stay there for too long. For example, there are detailed passages about basketball drills.
Also, almost every character that makes an appearance is described in detail, mostly about his or her attire. What could have easily been fixed by the editor in the editing process starts to become a bit tedious around the middle of the book. The blue door to the clubhouse opened, and out walked a kid straight from the pages of an L. He wore a madras blazer and a navy blue Delphic bow tie covered with gold torches. His vintage wool gabardine pants were cuffed half an inch too short with pleats deep enough to hide a roll of quarters.
Harvard is shown in this novel as a dark place. Characterization Aldwyn is a telekinetic cat from Maidenmere that was sent to a city when he was a kitten so that he wouldn't be killed. Skylar is a magic bird that can conjure images but goes beyond what she's supposed to be able to do and practices necromancy.
She is also part of a group that is trying to learn how to resurrect the dead. Gilbert is a funny cowardly funny frog that has puddle viewings. Recommendation I would recommend this book to middle school boys and some high school boys. I would recommend this to middle school boys because it's not hard to comprehend or read. I would recommend this to some high school boys because some of them are not as good at comprehending and understanding books at the high school level. Sep 02, Brenda rated it really liked it. Two years ago I read The Familiars.
I was attracted to it because that year I had a reader of only cat books. I did and it was great fun. The main characters are a stray cat, a red-eyed tree frog and a blue jay. My to-be-read piles are all over and rather large… finally it was time to read about the Familiars again.
Secret Of The Fortress. A Dalton Family Mystery By Gregory A. Reich A secret so carefully concealed that not a living soul had spoken of it for centuries. Subtitle A Dalton Family Mystery. Short Title SECRET OF THE FORTRESS. A chill seeped down David's spine, as he and his brother Joe tried to escape from the.
I am so glad I did. First, because I was reminded of just how fun the characters and the story line is. One of my favorite scenes is as the quest begins and we find out that Gilbert has blundered a spell yet again and now has three extra toes that cause him to hop with a limp and a wobble. Second, because the third is coming out September 4 and I definitely want to spend more time with Aldwyn, Gilbert and Skylar.
Vastia has been placed in peril.
On the edge of a new era, the kingdom is threatened by take over if the prophecy of a new three who will save and guide the kingdom into the future is not fulfilled before evil Paksahara eliminates all remaining vestiges of magic and has her way. In a race against time the keepers, both past and present, of Vastia must decipher the riddles laid out before them. Who are the three? Is it the three children, Jack, Marianne and Dalton? They are learning the ancient ways as quickly as they can, but will it be in time? Or is the prophesied three their Familiars?
Could it be a combination? In Vastia humans and animals team up, complimenting each other and completing the circle of magical power. Will they discover all they need to know quickly enough? Time is of the essence. Paksahara is experienced, evil and strong. Will the uprising begin? How will it end? Skylar, la ghiandaia blu, ha perso un po' dei suoi modi da saputella rispetto al primo libro e Aldwyn, il gatto, si scopre coraggioso e pieno di risorse.
Vengono svelati molti misteri riguardo il passato dei protagonisti, cosa che era mancata nel primo libro. Capitano moltissime cose, apparentemente sconnesse tra di loro, ma alla fine tutto acquista un significato e nulla rimane inspiegato. I personaggi umani sono descritti solo per sommi capi, non hanno nessuna importanza ai fini della storia e ne vengono allontanati quasi a forza: Non mi ha mai annoiata. In questo secondo libro i famigli partono alla ricerca della corona del Leopardo delle Nevi unica reliquia in grado di evocare la fortezza itinerante tra le "zampe" del nemico e salvare Vastia dopo che i maghi sono stati privati della loro magia da quest'ultima.
Fine davvero nefasta e aspettata direi e il ritorno del vecchio miglior nemico di Aldwin adesso alleato sicuramente ne promette delle belle tra nuove ricerche e appassionanti scoperte. Fortuna che ho comprato l'edizione 4 in 1 e non devo aspettare di leggerlo. Dec 27, Lisa Ard rated it really liked it. Once again the familiars are back! Aldwyn, Skylar and Gilbert, the animal familiars to three young wizards are out to save the world as they know it from the evil hare Paksahara, formerly familiar to Queen Loranella herself.
Where book one explained wizards and familiars and the coming together of these three very different familiars, book two shows how the three familiars have bonded and become family. At the end of Book One Paksahara reveals herself and then escapes, opening the way to the sequ Once again the familiars are back! At the end of Book One Paksahara reveals herself and then escapes, opening the way to the sequel.
Sure enough, she's back and powerful. Paksahara has removed all magic from humans, leaving magic only for the animals. This sets up the premise that Aldwyn, Skylar and Gilbert alone can pursue a solution. As the prophesized three, they will battle strange creatures, explore new lands and face magical interventions along the way.
This story is action-packed. The animals overcome one situation to suddenly face another. Perhaps it's a bit too frequent, but the imagination of the authors is impressive. The authors have also done a nice job describing the three familiars, giving them each depth. Interwoven in the quest is Aldwyn's desire to learn more of the father and mother he never knew.
While much is revealed in book two about Aldwyn's story, more remains. The climax and ending are terrific. Look forward to the next book! Sep 17, Brenda rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Middle graders who love animal stories and magic. Recommended to Brenda by: Goodreads First Read Giveaway. Many thanks to the publisher and Goodreads for this advanced reading copy of The Familiars: Secrets of the Crown.
After having just completed an exciting quest to save their loyals from the evil queen of Vastia our second book takes up with the familiars and their loyals learning how to hone their magical abilities. Suddenly, the city is brought in peril due to the effects of a disenchantment spell and the roles of human and animal companions become reversed. Once again the familiars are called Many thanks to the publisher and Goodreads for this advanced reading copy of The Familiars: Once again the familiars are called upon for an adventurous trek through the land of Vastia and into the Beyond.
More secrets are revealed in this book, but mysteries also exist that hopefully will be answered in the third book of the series. I found this book to be a funny exciting story. The plot was quick moving and I enjoyed it thoroughly. There are very nice black and white illustrations throughout which highlight the action very nicely. New foes are introduced and the characters as well as world the authors have developed keep me wanting to learn more. Plus, I'm hoping Marriane, Dalton and Jack get to team up with their familiars in the next book.
I highly recommend this book for middle graders who love animal stories and magic. Jun 28, Liza Wiemer added it.
Kid travels through the world in search of the legendary Frozen Flame. Turn off email alerts. Defeat him and get it. On the other hand if you don't include Razzly in your party the baby Hydra won't even exist, the dwarves will eventually die, Rosetta might die or not depends on the time you take to meet her and if Rosetta dies you'll get Razzly's Lv. Turn off email alerts. Info A mysterious creature, result of various experiments, with the ability to evolve with experience in battle.
The familiars are back! Epstein and Jacobson have created a perfect series for middle grade readers with some of the best talking animals out in the world of imagination today. With situations connected to family, friendship, and loyalty, middle graders will definitely be able to relate. Filled with magic, adventure, and plenty of good versus evil, this novel will keep kids engaged. The three chosen ones - Aldwyn a telekinetic cat , Skylar a brilliant, magical blue jay and Gilbert a funny tr The familiars are back!
The three chosen ones - Aldwyn a telekinetic cat , Skylar a brilliant, magical blue jay and Gilbert a funny tree frog whose spells go wrong are the perfect team of familiars to save Vastia from the evil hare, Paksahara. Join them on their trek. Secrets of the Crown will bring these "Chosen Ones" closer, but there's more to come with Circle of Heroes , which just came out on September 4th. I am definitely looking forward to reading it!
A must read for MGers. This series should be included in every library too! Jun 18, Serena.. Non pensavo che questo secondo volume potesse piacermi quanto il primo.. Continua ad essere centrale l'amicizia tra i famigli e i maghi a casa.. Mi piace questo cambio di prospettiva! O E poi Gilbert.. Sep 21, Karolinde Kari rated it really liked it Shelves: Secrets of the Crown is the second book in the Familiars series, the story of Aldwyn, Skylar, and Gilbert's quest to save their world and maybe find themselves.
Paksahara casts a spell that takes away all human magic and the chosen three embark on a quest to stop her from unleashing her army of the dead. Along the way, we learn more about each character and what drives them. The best part of the book is when Gilbert finds his courage at long last. Even more than the first book, it is easy to see Secrets of the Crown is the second book in the Familiars series, the story of Aldwyn, Skylar, and Gilbert's quest to save their world and maybe find themselves. Even more than the first book, it is easy to see influences from other fantasy books.
Fortunately, the similarities are not over powering and feel more like homage than copying. I can't wait for the next book and hope to see Aldwyn's character grow beyond his uncertainty and fear. In this fun- filled, packed, book we revisit the life of magic thru animals and their relationships with humans. There is lots of warmth in this book and great, thrilling adventure, too.
The entire book is appropriate for middle school students, although, I think 8th graders might seem it a bit elementary. The ending is easily predicted. The main characters are well developed and easy to identify with as they embark on a quest to find the source of human magic and return it to their village.
We In this fun- filled, packed, book we revisit the life of magic thru animals and their relationships with humans. We also discover the reason for Alswyn's actions and past as his life it closely linked to the Beyond. I suggest that readers enjoy the first book of the Familiars before becoming engrossed in this, the second book in the series by writer and dreamer Adam Jay Epstien. Jun 02, Kelsey Ketch rated it liked it Shelves: Secrets of the Crown didn't have the same magical draw as the first Familars. While a lot happens in the Secrets of the Crown , I felt the first book had more humor, more intrigue, and more surprises.
However, I did enjoy the basic storyline as well as the clues and journey to the Crown. Sep 06, Candy rated it it was amazing. I love this book sometimes fantasy can be complicated and boring but this was an light easy read. I even convinced my 10 year old son to give it a try and so far he likes it and he very picky about what he reads.
Thank you goodreads for the giveaway. Oct 01, Emma Hathaway rated it it was amazing.
Author, Adam Jay Epstein. I loved this book so much, best one so far, and Im just on the second book so far! Some reasons why I loved this book a bunch. My favorite character in this book is Aldwyn. He is a black and white cat, and as you read the book you learn he wa The book I have currently finished is named, Secrets of the Crown The Familiars, 2. He is a black and white cat, and as you read the book you learn he was a maiden mare cat.