The Highwayman is the first book in the Saga of the First King. It sets up the story of the title character Bransen, the son of a monk and a martial artist. Bran, monk of Blessed Abelle, is sent on a mission where he falls in love with and marries Sen Wi, a martial artist. Their marriage, however, is not sanctioned by the Church, and both of them end up being tragic heroes, dying not long after the birth of their son, Bransen. Bransen, having injuries sustained while in the womb, has difficulties with the local populace as well as with the monks who are forced against their will to raise and protect him. Bransen, however, has some of the knowledge of his mother’s martial arts skills, and, as things progress, becomes a formidable fighter.

Personally, I found very little originality in this story. If I had to compare it to anything, I would describe it as a cross between Robin Hood and Spiderman. I’m not sure if he really meant it to be a retelling of the Robin Hood story, but that is what he created. And I’m not sure that he did anything to improve upon the original.

Even worse, with the exception of a brief bit of excitement in the prologue, the majority of the novel seemed to just be setting up the rest of the series. The title character doesn’t even really join the story until around chapter 14, halfway through the novel. I appreciate the fact that Salvatore wants to set things up in a way that provides a believable back story and doesn’t seem too rushed, but I think half a novel is asking a bit much of any reader. I found the plodding pace akin to that of Eragon and Eldest, but without the mystery and plot twists that make it worth struggling through the more tedious parts.

All in all, I’d have to say that you can skip the Highwayman. If you really want to see R.A. Salvatore at his best, I’d recommend reading any of his Forgotten Realms series’ instead, especially those which include Drizzt Do’Urden.

Perseus “Percy” Jackson has always known that he was different from other kids. Struggling through another school, he suddenly becomes aware of cosmic forces that are taking sides to help or to harm him. Percy learns not only that the Greek gods and their creations are real, but also that he is actually the son of one of the Gods — Poseidon. As a demigod, Percy is forced into a life of mystical powers and dangerous quests, and his first quest is nothing more than saving the world from the destruction of feuding gods. The good forces manage to get him to the only safe place on Earth, a summer camp named Camp Half-blood. There he meets other children of Greek gods — those that haven’t already been killed by the evil forces at play in the world. After a brief time, however, he discovers that he is the only one capable of accomplishing a very dangerous quest to save the Earth.

The book itself started off very well. It sucked me into the story, and I thought I was well on my way to a great Fantasy novel. Unfortunately, things started to take a turn from what I was expecting and hoping.

From the previews of the movie, I had to admit that I was expecting something a little more thrilling and serious than the novel I ended up reading. Many of the gods could only be described as silly. The quest itself and they ways that Percy and his friends managed to overcome obstacles were equally childish. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed with the book, especially considering the fact that the premise of the book and its exciting beginning seemed so promising.

I can’t really say that I’d recommend this book for anyone other than its target demographic — young teenagers and pre-teens. Whereas some novels written for young adults are equally good for adults and teenagers, this one is really only a worthwhile read for youth between the ages of ten and fifteen.

It does make me curious about the movie. Did they take some liberties with the movie to make it more serious and exciting, or did they stay true to the book and make it into a movie that will cause parents to quickly lose interest?

A Princess of Landover, the sixth book in the Magic Kingdom of Landover series, follows the story of Mistaya Holiday, daughter of Ben Holiday, King of Landover. She has essentially been kicked out of a private school back on Earth and has no real interest to try and make amends and return to finish her education outside of Landover. When she returns to Landover, her father and mother are disappointed and look to find something in Landover that she might accomplish to prepare her for life and her future responsibilities as a ruler of Landover.

I have to say that I had really enjoyed the Magic Kingdom of Landover series up until this book. In case you haven’t read the previous novels, Ben Holiday was able to purchase his Kingship back on Earth for One Million Dollars cash. Unfortunately previous purchasers of the throne had left Landover and its throne in terrible shape. Ben was forced to truly earn his kingship physically as well as politically and psychologically.

I can’t say that I really disliked this book in any way. Mistaya Holiday was an interesting and likable character, and Terry Brooks is normally a very good and engaging writer. Unfortunately for readers of this book, it is painfully obvious that Terry Brooks is very out of practice in writing for this series. (I think it had been fourteen years since his last Magic Kingdom of Landover novel.) Indeed, I’m not exactly sure that he really thought this book out well enough to come up with an intriguing plot line and an exciting conflict. Perhaps he was rushed — he is trying to put out a new book every summer. Perhaps he had to come up with a plot that was small enough that there was a good reason not to have the King of Landover becoming personally involved, but large enough that it actually was worth telling.

Whatever the excuse, this book is really just a bunch of fluff. It really isn’t worth your time, even if you are a fan of the other books in the Magic Kingdom of Landover series or a fan of other Terry Brooks’ works.

This review, however, specifically covers the book itself.

I have to admit that I was intrigued to read a Pulitzer Prize winning, post apocalyptic novel. There can’t be too many of those around, can there? After I got used to the fact that Cormac McCarthy doesn’t bother with much punctuation (most likely symbolic of the stark landscape that the man and his son find themselves in), I was really sucked into the story. I could very easily imagine what everything looked like and what life must have been like for them.

With that said, though, I was actually surprised that it had won the Pulitzer. I have read better books that have not won the Pulitzer — books with a better plot, better character development, and better imagery. I’m honestly not even certain that there was a protagonist who comes to any sort of realization and changes. Or that there really was any sort of real climax, for that matter.

The ending of the book didn’t surprise me much either. In fact, I’d be surprised if anyone after the first few pages wouldn’t have guessed what happens to the man in the end.

Still, the book is very well written with its Hemingway-esque starkness that quickly pulls you into the man’s life and struggles.

I would highly recommend reading it once. Despite the fact that it is only a little longer than a short story, I don’t think I’d ever read it a second time, however.

I don’t really have any interest in seeing the movie, either, though I don’t doubt that it will make a very compelling and exciting one.

This novel was fantastic, especially considering the fact that this was the first book published by Brandon Mull. The storyline was interesting and unique, the characters were well-developed, and the plot was complex and difficult to guess. Far from being some formulaic fantasy novel with all of the same twists and turns as every other cookie-cutter fantasy novel, Brandon Mull’s storyline was fresh and exciting.

To tell you the truth, some of the plot twists and turns made me wonder what weird ideas are currently percolating around in the author’s mind. At certain points in the story, I had to wonder what kind of strange childhood he must have had.

I highly recommend this book for any age of reader, especially those with an interest in fantasy. It’s wonderful.