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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
http://theprettygoodgatsby.wordpress.com/2013/06/07/the-heros-guide-to-storming-the-castle-by-christopher-healy/
Last year, The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom took the Middle Grade world by storm (read my 5-star review here!). The sequel, The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle was one of my most highly-anticipated 2013 releases and - spoiler! - Christopher Healy didn't let me down!
With one adventure under their belt, the four Princes Charming - Liam, Gustav, Duncan, and Frederic - are back home and starting to feel a little restless. Prince Liam is dreading his upcoming wedding day; despite being all muscle, Gustav is once again the runt of his family; Frederic is suspicious of his wife's friendship with Liam; Duncan is happy as can be and it's driving the dwarves insane.
After Liam is kidnapped (by none other than his fiancee!), a messenger is sent to round up the remaining princes: it's time for the League of Princes to join forces once more. This time they're aided by Ella and Lila, Liam's younger sister. Unfortunately, their rescue attempt doesn't quite go according to plan and suddenly they've got an even bigger mission: retrieve an ancient heirloom that gives its wielder immense power. While the sword once belonged to Liam's family, the pre-teen Bandit King Deeb Rauber now has it and he's not giving it up that easily.
Unlike other sequels, going into this one I had no worries whatsoever. I couldn't wait to jump back into this world and Storming the Castle is everything a sequel should be! All of my favorite characters are back, as well as a few new ones, and the humor is seriously top-notch. This is the perfect book to read aloud to a classroom - especially with the AMAZING ILLUSTRATIONS!
Although this is a truly funny book, it does have a more serious side. Liam's going through a pretty huge identity crisis after discovering a secret. He doesn't feel as though he's a real hero and that he's been living a lie. I loved reading his worries and fears - though there were moments when I wanted to shake him silly.
For a league of Princes, it's the ladies that steal this show. Ella, Lila, and Briar Rose are fantastic. Ella and Lila are totally kickass and Briar Rose is the embodiment of a spoiled brat. I also loved seeing more of the bounty hunter, Ruffian the Blue (or Mr. the Blue, as Snow White calls him). Seeing Papa Scoots Jr. and Mr. Troll once more made my heart happy. ♥
Okay, confession time: I hate writing reviews for books I love. It's SO. HARD. trying to convey my feelings (all the feelings) in any sort of coherent manner. The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle is every bit as fantastic as the first book - if not better! It boasts a pretty decent page count - just shy of 500 pages! - but reading was a breeze. Whether you're just starting the series or are eager to revisit this world, definitely check this one out. I see HUGE things happening in the third - including new romances??? - and I can't wait!
Mere words cannot defeat a true hero. Unless they happen to be the words to some sort of Instant Death spell. Magic is scary.
Last year, The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom took the Middle Grade world by storm (read my 5-star review here!). The sequel, The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle was one of my most highly-anticipated 2013 releases and - spoiler! - Christopher Healy didn't let me down!
With one adventure under their belt, the four Princes Charming - Liam, Gustav, Duncan, and Frederic - are back home and starting to feel a little restless. Prince Liam is dreading his upcoming wedding day; despite being all muscle, Gustav is once again the runt of his family; Frederic is suspicious of his wife's friendship with Liam; Duncan is happy as can be and it's driving the dwarves insane.
After Liam is kidnapped (by none other than his fiancee!), a messenger is sent to round up the remaining princes: it's time for the League of Princes to join forces once more. This time they're aided by Ella and Lila, Liam's younger sister. Unfortunately, their rescue attempt doesn't quite go according to plan and suddenly they've got an even bigger mission: retrieve an ancient heirloom that gives its wielder immense power. While the sword once belonged to Liam's family, the pre-teen Bandit King Deeb Rauber now has it and he's not giving it up that easily.
"I admire your ability to insult your friends while you defend them. It's a rare talent."
Unlike other sequels, going into this one I had no worries whatsoever. I couldn't wait to jump back into this world and Storming the Castle is everything a sequel should be! All of my favorite characters are back, as well as a few new ones, and the humor is seriously top-notch. This is the perfect book to read aloud to a classroom - especially with the AMAZING ILLUSTRATIONS!
Although this is a truly funny book, it does have a more serious side. Liam's going through a pretty huge identity crisis after discovering a secret. He doesn't feel as though he's a real hero and that he's been living a lie. I loved reading his worries and fears - though there were moments when I wanted to shake him silly.
"Who brings a giant on a stealth mission?"
For a league of Princes, it's the ladies that steal this show. Ella, Lila, and Briar Rose are fantastic. Ella and Lila are totally kickass and Briar Rose is the embodiment of a spoiled brat. I also loved seeing more of the bounty hunter, Ruffian the Blue (or Mr. the Blue, as Snow White calls him). Seeing Papa Scoots Jr. and Mr. Troll once more made my heart happy. ♥
Okay, confession time: I hate writing reviews for books I love. It's SO. HARD. trying to convey my feelings (all the feelings) in any sort of coherent manner. The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle is every bit as fantastic as the first book - if not better! It boasts a pretty decent page count - just shy of 500 pages! - but reading was a breeze. Whether you're just starting the series or are eager to revisit this world, definitely check this one out. I see HUGE things happening in the third - including new romances??? - and I can't wait!
This was a fun follow up to the first book. I'm looking forward to the next one. None of the characters have been 100% what they seem to be, so I'm looking forward to the next installment of this unconventional re-tell of the old fairy tales.
Woah. I'm just sitting here, stunned, because of the ending. It's a cliffhanger!!!!!! I NEED to know what happens next!!!!!! This book, much like the first one, is really funny and action packed. I love Duncan. I also liked Vero and Smimf from this book. I hope Smimf is in the next one. So, here's a summary of what I thought: it was good, very funny. Just not the best, something prevented it from gaining that last star. Still, this book is great and I'm anxiously waiting my next trip to the library to get book 3
3.5 stars.
A great sequel to [b:The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom|12969560|The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom (The League of Princes, #1)|Christopher Healy|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334867348s/12969560.jpg|18127772]. Just as funny and charming as the first one, with more character development and a good pace. There was a little too much relationship angst for my taste. Light but just a wee bit annoying. Really looking forward to a third book, which I'm assuming and hoping we get.
A great sequel to [b:The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom|12969560|The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom (The League of Princes, #1)|Christopher Healy|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334867348s/12969560.jpg|18127772]. Just as funny and charming as the first one, with more character development and a good pace. There was a little too much relationship angst for my taste. Light but just a wee bit annoying. Really looking forward to a third book, which I'm assuming and hoping we get.
Just as good as the first one! A ridiculously fun book-- but the stakes are higher. I'm excited to finish off the third in the series.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
This series is a true gem, and so is Bronson Pinchot’s narration in the audiobook production. I can just relax and have fun with a book and revel in the humor, which is here in spades, both dry and zany. The complex ranges of character personalities work so well together, and I was pleased everybody developed a little in this installment. Frederic became more courageous (and wise! I loved his speech to Liam in the dungeon. And how he stood up to his dad at the end). Liam became more humble. Briar Rose became more human.
Okay, Duncan and Gustav didn’t change much. Duncan was still his lovable puppy-dog self who can be counted on in a pinch, and Gustav was still the grudging hero. But I still loved both of them as much as I did in book one.
The tone gets just a wee bit darker in this one, with scarier villains and maybe even a bit more violence, but it still cruised along with what I would describe as lighthearted whimsy. It’s the perfect buoyancy for anyone who needs a break from getting bogged down in the news of the day, which, as we know, never seems to be good. Can’t wait to listen to book three!
Okay, Duncan and Gustav didn’t change much. Duncan was still his lovable puppy-dog self who can be counted on in a pinch, and Gustav was still the grudging hero. But I still loved both of them as much as I did in book one.
The tone gets just a wee bit darker in this one, with scarier villains and maybe even a bit more violence, but it still cruised along with what I would describe as lighthearted whimsy. It’s the perfect buoyancy for anyone who needs a break from getting bogged down in the news of the day, which, as we know, never seems to be good. Can’t wait to listen to book three!
We liked the unexpectedly complex characters, especially Briar was a pleasant surprise. The mixture between very PG-friendly lack of graphic detail and the violence getting stronger was a bit strange, because it is not likely that everybody survived the violence they encountered, but we aren't shown any of the dead bodies and there are no described corpses or dead bodies, so there's that. The various love stories bumble along, but they stay interesting.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This is such a cute series. It's got the action, adventure, and kind of a love story. I'm surprised by how fast I flew through this. I can't wait for the next book.