magic – Page 3 – BookBunnies

Caramel reviews Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer

Caramel has already reviewed the first four Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer. Today he is talking to Sprinkles about the fifth book, Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony, first published in 2006.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, this is book five. What happens to the world’s most famous evil boy genius in this one?

Caramel: He is not evil, remember? He has his memory back.

S: Oh, yes, you told us that last week, when we were talking about Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception. Okay, so he is no longer evil. But he is still a boy genius and he is still friends with fairies, right?

C: Yep. But in this book there are also demons.

S: Oooh, interesting! Demons like in “an evil spirit” according to my computer dictionary, or “a malevolent supernatural entity” according to Wikipedia?

C: Kind of. They are kind of a fairy again, I think. They are not really evil. They just really hate humans.

S: Oh I see. You know I tried to read the summary of the book in the Wikipedia article for it. And I was quite confused. The plot sounds quite complicated.

C: The plot is kind of complicated, yes, but when you read the book, you can follow it.

S: Okay. So tell me a bit about what is going on.

C: So there is a lost colony of demons, lost in time. Their island has been moved out of time and regular space by magic, but the spell that they used is failing, so eventually all the demons will have to pop up in our universe right now, in the twenty-first century. Unless Artemis Fowl and his friends can save the day and repair the spell.

S: That sounds a lot clearer than the Wikipedia summary I think. Maybe the summary there was a lot more detailed and I kind of got lost in all the names and all the events. But this was helpful. Thank you.

C: You’re welcome.

Caramel is reading Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer. — Caramel is reading *Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony* by Eoin Colfer.

S: But wait! So the lost colony in the title is an island colony of demons, right?

C: Yes. And in their island, because of the spell, there is no time.

S: That is really weird to try and think about. How can there be no time?

C: Well, they are sort of independent of the time going on in the rest of the universe. You know, other time travel stories also do this kind of thing sometimes. There is that one Doctor Who story, for example, where he travels to this Cathedral of Contemplation which is also out of time. It is an audio story called “Out Of Time“.

S: That does sound interesting. Maybe we can listen to it after this post. And you have a point; time travel is almost always very confusing but also very exciting to think about.

C: Yes.

S: So if you were to describe this book in three to five words, what would you say?

C: So you want me to give you a book blurb?

S: Yes, but please let us not do the “blurb blurb” thing again.

C: Blurb blurb. It is fun though, but okay.

S: Thank you.

C: Here goes: terrifyingly fun adventure within and out of time.

S: I like that!

C: That would make a great blurb, you mean?

S: Yes, I suppose so. Let us wrap up this post before things get too out of hand. So what would you tell our readers as we do so?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews! And blurb!

Caramel loved reading Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer and is ready for book six. — Caramel loved reading *Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony* by Eoin Colfer and is ready for book six.

Caramel reviews Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer

Caramel has already read the first three Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer. (You can read Caramel’s reviews of Artemis Fowl, Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident, and Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code before moving on.) Today he is talking about the fourth book in the series: Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception, first published in 2005. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, we are back again with Artemis Fowl, the evil boy genius. What is he up to in this book?

Caramel: He was not evil really anymore in the second and the third book.

S: Okay. How come?

C: Because he decided to be a better person. But in this book, he is back to his evil ways, because his mind has been erased so he does not remember becoming a good person.

S: That is weird. Kind of convoluted, isn’t it?

C: Yes.

S: So does he recover his memory in the end?

C: Yes.

S: Tell me more.

C: The Opal Koboi from the previous book is back and she is still evil.

S: So is she a fairy?

C: She is a pixie, so yes, more or less.

S: And is the opal deception in the book title about her?

C: Yes. She is not really deceiving anyone, but much worse than that, she is trying to make the humans find the fairies so that they will start a war. She wants the humans to win.

S: Wait, she wants her own people to get destroyed?

C: Yup. She is evil, I said so already.

Caramel is reading Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer. — Caramel is reading *Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception* by Eoin Colfer.

S: Okay, so this is once again a relatively long book but you seemed to have no trouble reading it fast.

C: Yes, it is over 343 pages, and yes, I did read it fast. Because it is amazing.

S: You mean it is exciting?

C: Yup. And it is extremely funny! Artemis Fowl can be really goofy.

S: So when he recovers his memories, does he decide to try to be a good person again?

C: Yes. I mean, he is trying to help the fairies and stop a war between them and the humans so yes, he is on the good side.

S: So if you were to describe this book in three to five words, how would you describe it?

C: Let me think. Fun adventures of not-so-evil boy genius. Does that work?

S: I think it is a bit longer than three to five words but still works. So are you ready to read the fifth book in the series?

C: Yes, so can we wrap up this review?

S: Sure, let us do that. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer and is ready to dive right into book five. Stay tuned! — Caramel loved reading *Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception* by Eoin Colfer and is ready to dive right into book five. Stay tuned!

Caramel reviews Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia

Caramel has already reviewed the first two books of Kwame Mbalia’s Tristan Strong series: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky and Tristan Strong Destroys the World. (In case you are curious, he also reviewed the graphic novel adaptation of the first book.) Today he talks to Sprinkles about the third and last book in this trilogy: Tristan Strong Keeps Punching, published first in 2021.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, this is the third book about Tristan Strong.

Caramel: Well, actually it is the fourth one I read. I did read the graphic novel version of the first book, too, remember?

S: True. Anyways, this is the last book in the trilogy, right?

C: Yes.

S: So tell us a bit about it then.

C: It starts off with him burning. Spontaneously combusting!

S: Wait, those are big words! And who is burning? Tristan?

C: Yep.

S: Wait, how? Why?

C: Magic? I think it is magic.

S: Hmm, so you are not quite sure.

C: Okay, now that I think a bit more about it, I am pretty sure it is magic.

S: Okay…

C: Well, so I am exaggerating a bit. But anyways there is some flames coming from his knuckles.

S: Alright. So is the whole story about his inflamed knuckles?

C: No. It is again about him versus some baddies from the other world. There is a particular villain, named King Cotton, and we met him in the first book already.

S: You did not mention him back then.

C: Well, I probably should have. Anyways the guy is just evil, and he is the main villain in this book. Where is New Orleans?

S: It is in Louisiana. Why do you ask?

C: Because in this book, Tristan is not in Alabama but visiting New Orleans with his family.

S: New Orleans has a very unique history. So what happens in New Orleans?

C: Tristan figures out that King Cotton is back in the real world and causing mischief. And both Tristan and his friends are in danger.

S: I see. That means more excitement and adventure, I suppose.

C: Yes.

Caramel is reading Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia. — Caramel is reading *Tristan Strong Keeps Punching* by Kwame Mbalia.

S: Okay, so I think you read this book rather fast too.

C: I am a fast reader Sprinkles.

S: That is true. But this is again a big book. How many pages is it?

C: Let me see. 406 pages.

S: That is not bad! And I think you finished in a day or two at most.

C: I think it was one day.

S: School had not started yet then.

C: Yes. That is true.

S: Anyways, that is pretty impressive Caramel.

C: Well it is a good book, and it is very easy to read. You want to read it to know what’s going to happen next. And it is fast paced, and just fun to read.

S: I think that it is a good book for you then!

C: Yes, for me and for any other bunnies who like books about adventures in mythological lands!

S: That sounds almost like a book blurb, Caramel!

C: What’s a book blurb?

S: You know those sentences they have at the back cover of a book advertising it?

C: I see. Blurb is a funny word! Blurb! Blurb!

S: You are right, it is a funny word. Especially if you keep saying it like that.

C: Blurb.

S: Okay, I think you said it enough times.

C: Okay I will stop. Right after this: Blurb blurb blurb! Blurb.

S: Okay. Maybe this means we have come to the end of this review.

C: Maybe. And … blurb!

S: Alright. So let us wrap things up then. If you were to describe this whole series to someone, how would you do it?

C: Blurb!

S: Seriously!

C: Okay, seriously, here goes: magical adventures in and out of this world.

S: I like that!

C: Really? Do you think it would make a good-

S: Don’t say it!

C: -blurb?

S: Okay, I think I deserved that. Okay, let us wrap it up then. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews! And that would make a good blurb!

Caramel enjoyed reading Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia and recommends the trilogy to other young bunnies who love to read mythological adventures. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Tristan Strong Keeps Punching* by Kwame Mbalia and recommends the trilogy to other young bunnies who love to read mythological adventures.

Caramel reviews Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia

Earlier this year Caramel reviewed the graphic novel version of Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia. A few weeks later he sat down and read the original book and reviewed it for the book bunnies blog. Today he is talking about the second book in the series, Tristan Strong Destroys the World, first published in 2020. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking followup questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, I remember you read and really enjoyed Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. This is a sequel of sorts, right? Can you tell us the main story?

Caramel: I can, yes; the question is: will I?

S: Okay, I can see you are going to be a bit cheeky today.

C: Yes.

S: Alright, cheeky is fine but we do have a review to post. So please tell me a bit about the book.

C: Okay. This book is about Tristan Strong, who was the main character in the first book. He is still in Alabama, living with his grandparents. In the first book he punched a hole in the sky and traveled into a world of magic and myth called Alke. In this book his grandma gets kidnapped in the real world. So Tristan goes to this other world to get help.

S: Is the kidnapping related to Tristan’s actions in this other world?

C: Yes. A bad creature from that other world is the one who kidnaps the grandma. So Tristan Strong asks for help from Gum Baby.

S: I remember you said Gum Baby was really annoying.

C: She is a little, yeah, but she is now a good friend to Tristan. So there is that.

S: I see. So do we meet any new mythological characters?

C: Yes, one particular one, but I can’t tell you.

S: Why? Because he is the villain?

C: I can neither confirm nor deny. I retain the right to remain silent.

S: Hmm, that sounds suspicious, but I will not push you further in this direction.

C: Don’t.

Caramel is reading Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia. — Caramel is reading *Tristan Strong Destroys the World* by Kwame Mbalia.

S: Okay, then. What else will you tell us about the book?

C: It is again a very long book. It has 390 pages!

S: That is a long book, especially for a little bunny like you!

C: But it is very exciting so I read it very fast.

S: Oh that sounds good!

C: Yes. I think the book is very good. I especially like Tristan Strong. He is funny. And he likes his grandma a lot. I like my grandmas a lot too. I have two!

S: Yes, you are lucky that way! So do we get to meet the grandma before or after she is kidnapped?

C: Both. But I won’t say too much more so I do not spoil things.

S: Well, I imagine Tristan Strong and Gum Baby will save the grandma, but maybe it is okay if you do not say it explicitly.

C: Thank you.

S: Alright. What else do you want to tell us?

C: I really liked the book. But it ends with a cliffhanger again! So now I have to read the third book.

S: I see. But is the main story of the book tied up well enough at least?

C: Yes.

S: So if you were to describe the book in three to five words, what would you say?

C: Fun, fast-paced read about an adventure full of myth and legend.

S: Hmm, I think that is quite a few words more than I asked for, but that is alright. So let us wrap up this review. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia and is curious about what Tristan will do next. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Tristan Strong Destroys the World* by Kwame Mbalia and is curious about what Tristan will do next.