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dandelionsteph's review
adventurous
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
With its multiple locations - including up in space - this book could have used a map.
The antagonist is let off surprisingly easy.
The antagonist is let off surprisingly easy.
jaydionne's review
3.0
3.5⭐️ Not as captivating and exciting as the first but a fun little read nonetheless.
beyondevak's review
5.0
Quick Summary: Another hit!
My Review: The Royal Trials by Kwame Mbalia and Joel Makonnen is book two in the Last Gate of the Emperor series. In this installment, Yared is on another adventure. He learns more about himself, his family, his people, and the world he is trying to save.
My Final Say: Twists, turns, and tons of action - that is what is in store for readers who venture into The Royal Trials. The story puts the audience front and center in the middle of the action. It is so well done.
Other: Why isn't this a movie?! It ought to get a nod from Netflix, to be sure.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: YA/A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy
Suggestions: YA Book Club, Featured Lit in the classroom setting, Reading Bowl recommendation
* I have both read and listened to the books in this series. Either way it was consumed, it proved to be crazy good.
#Seriesfollower
#Libraryread
My Review: The Royal Trials by Kwame Mbalia and Joel Makonnen is book two in the Last Gate of the Emperor series. In this installment, Yared is on another adventure. He learns more about himself, his family, his people, and the world he is trying to save.
My Final Say: Twists, turns, and tons of action - that is what is in store for readers who venture into The Royal Trials. The story puts the audience front and center in the middle of the action. It is so well done.
Other: Why isn't this a movie?! It ought to get a nod from Netflix, to be sure.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: YA/A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy
Suggestions: YA Book Club, Featured Lit in the classroom setting, Reading Bowl recommendation
* I have both read and listened to the books in this series. Either way it was consumed, it proved to be crazy good.
#Seriesfollower
#Libraryread
saramzeller's review
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
If your kids love fast paced adventure, fun characters, gaming themed books! This series is a fun choice! The audio was great!
cynbro's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
librarydragonfly's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
criticalmiss's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Fun second book in the series, end on a cliffhanger to the next book of course.
The WALYA bot in this book gives me serious Martha Wells murderbot vibes.
These books are a great step for middle grade readers to step into sci fi, as there aren’t a ton of options in that level.
Will definitely read the next book when it comes out.
The WALYA bot in this book gives me serious Martha Wells murderbot vibes.
These books are a great step for middle grade readers to step into sci fi, as there aren’t a ton of options in that level.
Will definitely read the next book when it comes out.
phyrre's review
5.0
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Overall
I feel like it’s pretty obvious by now that I will read anything and everything that Kwame Mbalia writes, ever since reading and loving the Tristan Strong series. So when I realized that he had a middle grade science fiction series, I was all over it! Plus, do you see how cool those covers look?! They promise all sorts of action and adventure . . . and let me tell you, these books deliver!
Last Gate of the Emperor series is a hilarious, rip-roaring science fiction adventure with a super relatable narrator, a cranky robotic guardian, and some fast-paced, video game-inspired action.
As far as I’m concerned, this series is a must-read for anyone who enjoys humor and science fiction. It has everything one might want in both: tongue-in-cheek humor and sarcasm, fast-paced action, a relatable protagonist, a super fun squad, and futuristic games! Science fiction is hit or miss for me, but I decided to just trust Mbalia’s writing and went with it, and I’m so glad I did! I’ll definitely be adding Prince Joel Makonnen to my “must-read” author list, as well, after this one.
My Thoughts
- If you thought there wasn’t enough action in Last Gate of the Emperor, hold on to your seats, because The Royal Trials dials it up to an eleven. I sat down to read this book in the evening, and I stayed up until it was done. Even though it was ridiculously late and the rational center of my brain was screaming that I needed sleep. But sleep is for the weak! Neither Sammie nor Yared TheGr8 are weak! Once I started this book, I just absolutely couldn’t stop, okay? I had to finish it.
If you thought the stakes were high in the first book, you ain’t seen nothing yet! Because now Yared is loose in the universe, which is objectionably bigger than just Addis Prime. So the stakes are much higher. Readers who enjoyed the gaming aspects of the first book won’t be disappointed with the gaming scenes in the second book, even though they take a backseat to the bigger plot. There’s still plenty of action and adventure to carry the story, even without the focus being on a game.
- Even though The Royal Trials isn’t any less funny than the first book, it does touch on some pretty heavy topics, as Yared learns exactly what it means to be a prince. Hint: it isn’t all good times and video games, surprisingly. Who knew? Yared is forced to do things he doesn’t particularly want to do, like give speeches and think through the consequences of his actions. They’re not at all easy things. Yared is having a hard time reconciling the idea of being Prince Yared rather than just Yared TheGr8, even though they’re not mutually exclusive.
The Royal Trials sees the heartwarming discussions of family and belonging in the first book and says, “Hold my tej.” The small squad Yared made in the first book is quickly growing . . . sometimes in ways Yared isn’t entirely comfortable with or prepared for. He isn’t the center of his friends’ attention anymore, as they go on to discover their own interests. And Yared doesn’t know yet who (or what) he wants to be enough to pursue interests of his own. There’s only so much change a kid from Addis Prime can handle in a year, right?!
- The old squad from book one is back and better than ever . . . with a few new exciting additions, of course. Yared is getting to know his family and also meeting family members he didn’t know he had. It’s a bit of an awkward time for him. But every squad needs more members, right? So it’s natural that Yared’s squad gain a member or two.
I can’t talk about any of the new members, of course, due to spoilers, except to say to expect the unexpected! Also, another AI. Because you can never have too many AIs on your team. If readers loved the old squad, though, not to fear because they’re back together. Albeit maybe a little reluctantly. Still, you know The Ibis and Besa could never let Yared go off into adventure on his own, as much as they grumble about it. Someone has to protect the kid from himself!
Overall
I feel like it’s pretty obvious by now that I will read anything and everything that Kwame Mbalia writes, ever since reading and loving the Tristan Strong series. So when I realized that he had a middle grade science fiction series, I was all over it! Plus, do you see how cool those covers look?! They promise all sorts of action and adventure . . . and let me tell you, these books deliver!
Last Gate of the Emperor series is a hilarious, rip-roaring science fiction adventure with a super relatable narrator, a cranky robotic guardian, and some fast-paced, video game-inspired action.
As far as I’m concerned, this series is a must-read for anyone who enjoys humor and science fiction. It has everything one might want in both: tongue-in-cheek humor and sarcasm, fast-paced action, a relatable protagonist, a super fun squad, and futuristic games! Science fiction is hit or miss for me, but I decided to just trust Mbalia’s writing and went with it, and I’m so glad I did! I’ll definitely be adding Prince Joel Makonnen to my “must-read” author list, as well, after this one.
My Thoughts
- If you thought there wasn’t enough action in Last Gate of the Emperor, hold on to your seats, because The Royal Trials dials it up to an eleven. I sat down to read this book in the evening, and I stayed up until it was done. Even though it was ridiculously late and the rational center of my brain was screaming that I needed sleep. But sleep is for the weak! Neither Sammie nor Yared TheGr8 are weak! Once I started this book, I just absolutely couldn’t stop, okay? I had to finish it.
If you thought the stakes were high in the first book, you ain’t seen nothing yet! Because now Yared is loose in the universe, which is objectionably bigger than just Addis Prime. So the stakes are much higher. Readers who enjoyed the gaming aspects of the first book won’t be disappointed with the gaming scenes in the second book, even though they take a backseat to the bigger plot. There’s still plenty of action and adventure to carry the story, even without the focus being on a game.
- Even though The Royal Trials isn’t any less funny than the first book, it does touch on some pretty heavy topics, as Yared learns exactly what it means to be a prince. Hint: it isn’t all good times and video games, surprisingly. Who knew? Yared is forced to do things he doesn’t particularly want to do, like give speeches and think through the consequences of his actions. They’re not at all easy things. Yared is having a hard time reconciling the idea of being Prince Yared rather than just Yared TheGr8, even though they’re not mutually exclusive.
The Royal Trials sees the heartwarming discussions of family and belonging in the first book and says, “Hold my tej.” The small squad Yared made in the first book is quickly growing . . . sometimes in ways Yared isn’t entirely comfortable with or prepared for. He isn’t the center of his friends’ attention anymore, as they go on to discover their own interests. And Yared doesn’t know yet who (or what) he wants to be enough to pursue interests of his own. There’s only so much change a kid from Addis Prime can handle in a year, right?!
- The old squad from book one is back and better than ever . . . with a few new exciting additions, of course. Yared is getting to know his family and also meeting family members he didn’t know he had. It’s a bit of an awkward time for him. But every squad needs more members, right? So it’s natural that Yared’s squad gain a member or two.
I can’t talk about any of the new members, of course, due to spoilers, except to say to expect the unexpected! Also, another AI. Because you can never have too many AIs on your team. If readers loved the old squad, though, not to fear because they’re back together. Albeit maybe a little reluctantly. Still, you know The Ibis and Besa could never let Yared go off into adventure on his own, as much as they grumble about it. Someone has to protect the kid from himself!
briarrose1021's review against another edition
5.0
In this sequel to Last Gate of the Emperor, which picks up not long after the previous book's ending, we find Yared struggling to adjust to his new life as a prince. Instead of being known as Yared the Gr8, he is now Lij Yared the First, Prince of Axum. Where before it was just Uncle Moti and Besa protecting him, Yared now has to contend with bodyguards, advisors, and parents.
Not only that, but Yared learns that he is to give the opening speech of the Royal Trials, a huge gaming tournament that he also hopes to compete in. Of course, while doing all of this, Yared also has to find time to save the world from the attacking pirates. Has Yared gotten in over his head or will he find a way to pull all of that off?
Just as in the first book, we get this story from Yared's point of view, including all the snark I loved from the first book. From his crazy commentary of the goings-on to his one-sided conversation with Besa - and anyone who's ever been selected as a cat's human will get a kick out of them - I was again entertained from the very first page. At this point, I should just realize that if Kwame Mbalia has written a book, I am going to read said book. It's inevitable.
In addition to Yared, there is a whole host of other great characters throughout, some new and some returning from the first book, all of which add to the story. One really touching scene is when Yared is talking with his father, the Emperor, about what he should call him. He points out that it's easy for him because there is only one word - son - for him to call Yared. But there are so many different options for Yared to use, he doesn't know which one is best. In typical Yared style, there is levity and snark in the question, but it ends up working really well and highlighting the strange situation he's trying to navigate.
The world-building in book 1 was fantastic, but it begins to pale compared to this book. Book 1 was set almost entirely on Earth, even if it was a futuristic Earth with lots of tech that we don't have at the moment. But this book allows us to explore that larger galaxy, with other planets, space stations, and various ships showing up.
As with the first book, I listened to the audiobook version of this book, which was also narrated by Prince Araya Mengesha. As with the first book, he did a fantastic job with this book. His performance of Yared's personality was spot on and absolutely raised to book to another level. I will absolutely be listening to him narrate book 3 when it comes out, because there's no way that Mbalia and Makonnen could leave the story where it ended in this book. I mean, they could, but it would be mean. LOL.
Not only that, but Yared learns that he is to give the opening speech of the Royal Trials, a huge gaming tournament that he also hopes to compete in. Of course, while doing all of this, Yared also has to find time to save the world from the attacking pirates. Has Yared gotten in over his head or will he find a way to pull all of that off?
Just as in the first book, we get this story from Yared's point of view, including all the snark I loved from the first book. From his crazy commentary of the goings-on to his one-sided conversation with Besa - and anyone who's ever been selected as a cat's human will get a kick out of them - I was again entertained from the very first page. At this point, I should just realize that if Kwame Mbalia has written a book, I am going to read said book. It's inevitable.
In addition to Yared, there is a whole host of other great characters throughout, some new and some returning from the first book, all of which add to the story. One really touching scene is when Yared is talking with his father, the Emperor, about what he should call him. He points out that it's easy for him because there is only one word - son - for him to call Yared. But there are so many different options for Yared to use, he doesn't know which one is best. In typical Yared style, there is levity and snark in the question, but it ends up working really well and highlighting the strange situation he's trying to navigate.
The world-building in book 1 was fantastic, but it begins to pale compared to this book. Book 1 was set almost entirely on Earth, even if it was a futuristic Earth with lots of tech that we don't have at the moment. But this book allows us to explore that larger galaxy, with other planets, space stations, and various ships showing up.
As with the first book, I listened to the audiobook version of this book, which was also narrated by Prince Araya Mengesha. As with the first book, he did a fantastic job with this book. His performance of Yared's personality was spot on and absolutely raised to book to another level. I will absolutely be listening to him narrate book 3 when it comes out, because there's no way that Mbalia and Makonnen could leave the story where it ended in this book. I mean, they could, but it would be mean. LOL.
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