The Road to Nyn – Brian Michaud

Young Adult, Fantasy

I received a copy for this blog tour in exchange for my honest review

Summary

     In a land where magic is outlawed, a young boy is living a double life. Although Kay is training to be a knight, he has been secretly studying the forbidden ways of magic with Alamin, a powerful but eccentric wizard.
     After passing of the Trial of the Rings and being raised to squirehood, Kay has decided to tell Alamin that he is going to leave his magical studies behind. And why not? Kay hasn’t ever cast a spell without something going seriously wrong–like the random appearance of frogs or hungry wolves–besides, Kay could be banished from the kingdom just for associating with Alamin.
     Kay’s plans are quickly obliterated when a horde of goblins attacks his village and captures his family and friends. Now, with his home lying in ruins, everything has changed. Along with Alamin and Felix, a self-serving kleptomaniac sprite, Kay embarks on an adventure that takes him across the Kingdom of Gaspar and into the dark and treacherous caves of the Goblin Realm. What Kay doesn’t realize is that his journey is leading him on a collision course with the Lord of Nyn – a being so powerful that none dare face him...not even Alamin himself!

 My Thoughts

Knights, magic, and a quest to save his family. What more could a reader want? Add goblins that kidnap a village and the plot thickens. Kay has worked hard on his path to become a knight. He has a secret.  He has been learning magic.  Magic has been outlawed.  Just hanging around with the wizard who is training him could be enough to ruin his chances of knighthood.  Kay weighs the possibility of this loss against the possibility of being aided by the wizard in saving his family and the other villagers.  This was one of those stories that grabs you and carries you along on a journey that you absolutely don't want to end. I always look at books like this to see if I think my students will read it.  I can't wait to get a hard copy to put on my shelves for next year.  I was given an electronic copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.  I definitely loved this book and look forward to reading more  by him.

Author Bio

Brian G. Michaud lives in a small town in Massachusetts with his wife, Kim. When he is not reading or writing books, he can be found teaching music at a local elementary school or rocking out on guitar with the band, Too Loud.

Where you can find him:

Website  

Facebook  
Road to Nyn Facebook  
Goodreads    
Road to Nyn Goodreads   


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Student Saturday: Figure in the Frost - Lana Perez

Student Reviewer: Hailey M.

The book, Figure in the Frost, takes place in the city of Curston. Curston is located in the middle of an imaginary forest. Moyra and her friends Kellach and Driskoll live in Curston and like most of its inhabitants are used to Curston's warm, mostly sunny weather. One day, Curston starts snowing, which hasn't happened in at least 200 years. Rumors are going around Curston that the fearsome winter wolves are circling the city walls. Even worse, the traders have not arrived with the much-needed winter supplies they were supposed to bring, and the local wizard, Zendric is missing! A mysterious trader named Fridjof shows up at Curston's gates with luxurious winter supplies and only wants one thing in return, a diamond in the possession of Moyra. Moyra thinks he is somehow connected to Zendric's disappearance, and is reluctant to give up the diamond. Moyra and her friends must discover the truth, find Zendric, and save Curston.

I feel bad for all of the residents of Curston. They probably don't have any winter supplies, as they haven't needed them, and now there are blizzards. Most of Curston's residents are poor, and do not even have fireplaces or warm blankets. They are probably freezing, and no one can help them.
Zendric probably could have stopped the blizzards with magic, but he is missing. The traders could have brought warm blankets, matches, and firewood, but they are not in Curston. On top of it all, they come close to getting the things they need from Fridjof, and then find out they can't have them unless Moyra is willing to sacrifice her precious diamond. That would just be plain awful!

I connect with this book in many ways. Most of the citizens of Curston (except for the really old ones) have only seen snow a few ties, if ever. I have only seen snow twice in my life. I love to play in the snow when it is available, like Moyra, who loves snow forts and snowball fights. I would recommend this nook to anyone who enjoys reading about make-believe stories filled with adventure. This book was not hard to read, and I enjoyed it very much. I think it is appropriate for children ages ten and up. Figure in the Frost was a really good book!

Winner of an ebook version of A Bridge Unbroken

The winner of an ebook copy of a Bridge Unbroken by Cathy Bryant is Nancy Brining.  Congratulations.  The author will be in touch with you soon.