Legends of the Brethren Court: The Caribbean by Rob Kidd
Sometimes what I really need is a safe pick for a book, a comfort read, something that I can be almost certain I will enjoy. Since Pirates of the Caribbean is one of my favorite movies, this one sparked my interest when it happened to cross my path. As it turns out, it was a good pick. I won’t say that this is one of the best books that I’ve read, but it has a lot of the same charm of the movies, and the character of Captain Jack Sparrow feels very familiar. This book follows the start of one of his earlier adventures, before the timeline of the movies. Part of the appeal is the combination of recognizable characters who make appearances, as well as unique characters who are also well-designed and a great part of the story. As a whole, actually, the characters are a huge strength. And the fun part is that those characters are engaged in a classic swashbuckling adventure across the seas. Some of the dialogue is stilted and some challenges are surmounted very easily, but overall, this was still a fun read. There’s something to be said for some good old pirate antics to get you out of a reading slump… at least for me!
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
This book plunges the reader straight into a complicated and immersive world of ancient mythology, high-stakes schemes, and complex politics. It also introduces the clever, cunning, charismatic, and utterly enchanting Eugenides, the queen’s thief. Fair warning, though, reading this book will very likely invest you in the remaining five books of the series because you’ll want to know every bit of Eugenides’ incredible adventures. It all begins when his boasting in his thieving talent lands him in prison, where he is unable to refuse the offer by the king’s magus to help steal a legendary artifact. However, nothing is quite as it seems with Eugenides, and he has plans of his own. This book, along with the rest of the series, is absolutely brilliant. I was hooked by the genius of Eugenides and the depth and detail of every character encountered in the story. But what kept me turning the pages was the unpredictability of the story. This series is one of my favorites because I was, and still am, so in awe of the plot twists. It’s a perfect choice for anyone looking to plunge headfirst into a story full of intrigue, mystery, and unexpected twists, all carried by amazing characters.