A fun series that is definitely on the younger YA to upper MG area. Read my full review below...
(Ian Quicksilver #2)
by Alyson Peterson
by Alyson Peterson
YA Urban Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 320 Pages
September 1st 2016 by Sweetwater Books
Summary
“‘And the Challenge?’ I said.
‘The Challenge will destroy you only you if you lose. Win, and I will walk away from the galaxy forever and leave your family in peace. It’s your choice. Sacrifice yourself for the ones you love, or live and watch them be sacrificed. What will it be?’”
Ian Quicksilver, heir to the Bankhirian throne, has two weeks to get Princess Arianna to fall for him in order to break the curse the magician Silivus has cast over Ian and Ari’s worlds. In the meantime, he still has to go to school, where he is all but invisible, and practice fighting tactics with his guardian, Corbin.
But something is wrong with Ari, and the closer she gets to Ian, the sicker she becomes. After a disastrous dinner that seals Ian as the worst date in the universe, Silivus hits him with a proposal: a winner-take-all challenge that would overrule his quest for Ari’s heart and free them from the curse for good—that is, if Ian can win.
When tragedy strikes Ian’s family and Ari’s illness worsens, Ian must find a way to rise to the challenge, stop a rampaging dragon, and save the day before time runs out for both of them.
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My Review
THE CURSED DAGGER picks up right from where the first book left off, with Ian and Ari trying to figure out how to break the curse placed over their planets. Full of danger, magic, and romance. Sure to entertain middle grade to younger YA readers.
What made this story so entertaining and fun was the Ian's point of view. His voice comes across perfectly for him being who he is and a guy trying to figure out how to basically woo a girl who is supposed to be your betrothed, but doesn't know she is. There was plenty of sarcasm, but also moments when Ian just admits that he's clueless, particularly with girls. There were moments when I rolled my eyes and others where I cracked up.
The plot was steady and full of adventure and danger. I could have done with less pages as parts of the story, particularly with the dragon, dragged on. And yes, there is a dragon. There were also a few things that didn't quite work for me. Otherwise, this was a fun read and definitely one I can share with my kids as well as nieces and nephews. I also need to mention that I really loved the magical aspect of the story and how Ian's and Ari's bond works.
In the end, was it what I wished for? It was a good follow-up to the first book with a few hiccups. I definitely think it's perfect for readers in the 8-14 range.
Content: Some violence, some of it a little gory, but clean.
Source: Received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not affect my review in any way.
What made this story so entertaining and fun was the Ian's point of view. His voice comes across perfectly for him being who he is and a guy trying to figure out how to basically woo a girl who is supposed to be your betrothed, but doesn't know she is. There was plenty of sarcasm, but also moments when Ian just admits that he's clueless, particularly with girls. There were moments when I rolled my eyes and others where I cracked up.
The plot was steady and full of adventure and danger. I could have done with less pages as parts of the story, particularly with the dragon, dragged on. And yes, there is a dragon. There were also a few things that didn't quite work for me. Otherwise, this was a fun read and definitely one I can share with my kids as well as nieces and nephews. I also need to mention that I really loved the magical aspect of the story and how Ian's and Ari's bond works.
In the end, was it what I wished for? It was a good follow-up to the first book with a few hiccups. I definitely think it's perfect for readers in the 8-14 range.
Content: Some violence, some of it a little gory, but clean.
Source: Received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not affect my review in any way.
Other Books in the Series
Read my review here.
About the Author
Alyson Peterson lives in a mountainside gully—of all places—in northern Utah with her neurotic, shed-tastic dog, two ninja kids, and superhero husband. She spends her time painting, breaking bones at her Martial Arts class (mostly her own) and reading as many books as she can get her hands on. Alyson is the author of “Ian Quicksilver: The Warrior’s Return.”
What do you think? Is this something you would read or something someone you know would read?
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