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booagnes's review against another edition
5.0
*this review, along with a guest post from the author, was originally published on my blog, She Dreams in Fiction.
Magic and wonder abound in this wonderful addition to John Claude Bemis's Out of Abaton series! Lord of Monsters picks up shortly after the events in the first book, The Wooden Boy. Pinocchio is a real boy now and has been living in Abaton as one of its prester's (rulers) for a few months. His fellow prester and friend, Lazuli (daughter of Prester John, the previous ruler of Abaton), is glad to be home, though she misses her father. Abaton has been a peaceful place for centuries, but with threats from every side, Prester Pinocchio and Prester Lazuli have their work cut out for them.
I absolutely LOVED this book! I had anticipated enjoying it because I was a fan of the first book, but I had no idea I was going to fall head-over-heels for it. Pinocchio, as ever, is steadfast and true. He is desperately worried his new subjects will find out he was once an automa and refuse to accept him as a prester of Abaton. I really felt for Pinocchio. After all, he went through quite a lot to get where he is, but he knows the prejudices against alchemists and their creations, which includes automa. He is also worried that he's not fit to rule because he has no experience in such matters. One of my favorite things about this series is that it really drives home the importance of being yourself and not judging others. Pinocchio doesn't judge someone because they are this way or that, he takes them for who they are. He celebrates it. I think this is a very important lesson that can be taken from Pinocchio and those he cares for. After all, others took a chance on Pinocchio, looking pass the fact that he was an automa. They saw him for the kind, honorable person he is. Again, what a wonderful message!
I was so pleased to be able to see more of the fierce princess Lazuli. We get to see her on her home turf this time! She has been raised as a princess of the Moonlit Court, so she knows how to be proper and present herself according to the expectations of the nobles and her subjects. But Lazuli also finds it difficult to feel comfortable as one of the new rulers. She wants adventure and exploration, not the stuffy responsibilities of the throne. Then chaos erupts when monsters start escaping from their eternal prison and attacking Abaton and its citizens. I had no worries that Pinocchio and Lazuli would rise to the challenge to save their people from destruction, but would it prove too much for them?
Familiar favorites are present in this addition to the series, such as Pinocchio's alchemist father, Geppetto, Maestro the cricket, Mezmer and Sop, the fierce fighters, and even cranky Cinnabar. I loved being able to see them all again! I was even more elated to meet some new, amazing characters as well! Let me tell you, there are some great new additions. For example, we have a slow-moving reptile-ish chimera that has surprising speed when necessary, a spunky little mushroom-esque creature that made me laugh at every turn, three unicorn-like sisters full of gumption, and so many more! Not only were the "good" guys amazing, but even the "villains" were captivating and dynamic. John Claude Bemis is so masterful at creating unique and real characters, and that's even before you take into account they are not all of them human. In fact, in this story, the only human is Geppetto. Think of how amazing a feat it is to create an entire continent of unusual and dynamic creatures so masterfully. Well done, sir!
Though we were in a slightly more familiar kind of environment in The Wooden Boy, the world of Abaton is anything but ordinary. It is books like Lord of Monsters, with its vivid imagery and stunning landscapes, that those with visual minds and overactive imaginations find themselves completely immersed. I want to go to Abaton. I want to see the chimera and elemental folks. I want to venture to the deepest caverns and the tallest cities shrouded in mist. I want to climb aboard a floating battleship and explore this wondrous land! Not only is John Claude Bemis amazing at creating great characters, but his also masterful and building a world you want to dive right into.
Lord of Monsters is full of wonderful characters, beautifully vivid landscapes, exciting adventures, and an immeasurable amount of heart. If you want to get lost in a book, I highly suggest you read Lord of Monsters today!
Magic and wonder abound in this wonderful addition to John Claude Bemis's Out of Abaton series! Lord of Monsters picks up shortly after the events in the first book, The Wooden Boy. Pinocchio is a real boy now and has been living in Abaton as one of its prester's (rulers) for a few months. His fellow prester and friend, Lazuli (daughter of Prester John, the previous ruler of Abaton), is glad to be home, though she misses her father. Abaton has been a peaceful place for centuries, but with threats from every side, Prester Pinocchio and Prester Lazuli have their work cut out for them.
I absolutely LOVED this book! I had anticipated enjoying it because I was a fan of the first book, but I had no idea I was going to fall head-over-heels for it. Pinocchio, as ever, is steadfast and true. He is desperately worried his new subjects will find out he was once an automa and refuse to accept him as a prester of Abaton. I really felt for Pinocchio. After all, he went through quite a lot to get where he is, but he knows the prejudices against alchemists and their creations, which includes automa. He is also worried that he's not fit to rule because he has no experience in such matters. One of my favorite things about this series is that it really drives home the importance of being yourself and not judging others. Pinocchio doesn't judge someone because they are this way or that, he takes them for who they are. He celebrates it. I think this is a very important lesson that can be taken from Pinocchio and those he cares for. After all, others took a chance on Pinocchio, looking pass the fact that he was an automa. They saw him for the kind, honorable person he is. Again, what a wonderful message!
I was so pleased to be able to see more of the fierce princess Lazuli. We get to see her on her home turf this time! She has been raised as a princess of the Moonlit Court, so she knows how to be proper and present herself according to the expectations of the nobles and her subjects. But Lazuli also finds it difficult to feel comfortable as one of the new rulers. She wants adventure and exploration, not the stuffy responsibilities of the throne. Then chaos erupts when monsters start escaping from their eternal prison and attacking Abaton and its citizens. I had no worries that Pinocchio and Lazuli would rise to the challenge to save their people from destruction, but would it prove too much for them?
Familiar favorites are present in this addition to the series, such as Pinocchio's alchemist father, Geppetto, Maestro the cricket, Mezmer and Sop, the fierce fighters, and even cranky Cinnabar. I loved being able to see them all again! I was even more elated to meet some new, amazing characters as well! Let me tell you, there are some great new additions. For example, we have a slow-moving reptile-ish chimera that has surprising speed when necessary, a spunky little mushroom-esque creature that made me laugh at every turn, three unicorn-like sisters full of gumption, and so many more! Not only were the "good" guys amazing, but even the "villains" were captivating and dynamic. John Claude Bemis is so masterful at creating unique and real characters, and that's even before you take into account they are not all of them human. In fact, in this story, the only human is Geppetto. Think of how amazing a feat it is to create an entire continent of unusual and dynamic creatures so masterfully. Well done, sir!
Though we were in a slightly more familiar kind of environment in The Wooden Boy, the world of Abaton is anything but ordinary. It is books like Lord of Monsters, with its vivid imagery and stunning landscapes, that those with visual minds and overactive imaginations find themselves completely immersed. I want to go to Abaton. I want to see the chimera and elemental folks. I want to venture to the deepest caverns and the tallest cities shrouded in mist. I want to climb aboard a floating battleship and explore this wondrous land! Not only is John Claude Bemis amazing at creating great characters, but his also masterful and building a world you want to dive right into.
Lord of Monsters is full of wonderful characters, beautifully vivid landscapes, exciting adventures, and an immeasurable amount of heart. If you want to get lost in a book, I highly suggest you read Lord of Monsters today!
tortacular's review against another edition
2.0
Same issues as book 1. Like the world, no investment in the leads.
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