The Sandman and the War of Dreams

Okay guys, I have made a huge and somewhat devastating discovery. I was horribly misled. All this time I’ve been thinking I just needed to read four books to discover how the evil Pitch is defeated and how The Guardians books compare to the movie.

Alas! ‘Tis not so!

As I was getting closer and closer to the final pages of the book, I was starting to get worried. There were so few pages left and there was no clear, full resolution in sight. What was happening! And then, to top it all off, I get some cryptic message at the end of the book placed there specifically to tease me, telling me all about the magnificent climax that is clearly out of my reach—AND THEY DON’T EVEN TELL ME THE NAME OF THE CLIMATIC BOOK! I mean really. The audacity!!!!

Most likely, the final book was not completed and therefore didn’t have a name. After some expert Google searching, I’ve discovered that the final book is called Jack Frost: The End Becomes the Beginning. The saddest part of this whole ordeal is that the final book doesn’t come out until October 2018!

*exaggerated sigh*

So, I guess that means a whole year of waiting before I can finish my final remarks on this book series.

*even bigger exaggerated sigh*

Well, this isn’t the first time this sort of thing has happened or the first time I’ve been forced to wait for a long time to find out the next portion of a story (Here’s looking at you BBC and the creators of Kingdom Hearts III. Why do you make me wait so long? I’ll get over it. And yes I realize those aren’t books, but they’re just different storytelling techniques. It counts!).

No more use in whining. Let’s get on with talking about the fourth (but certainly not last) book of The Guardians

The Sandman and the War of Dreams

Sequel to: Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King, E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth’s Core, and Toothiana: Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies

Rating: 3.5/5

Author: William Joyce

Pages: 222

Genre: Children’s Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis:

 

When we last saw the guardians, things weren’t quite so hunky dory. Another faceoff against Pitch proved less than satisfactory as Pitch along with their beloved Katherine were mysteriously swept away by none other than Mother Nature!

Now the guardians are in a race to find Katherine before Pitch or Mother Nature does something dreadful and they lose her forever! At the same time, they have no idea where to look or what to expect. It will take another guardian to help them understand more of Pitch’s past and to help them rescue Katherine. Enter Sanderson Mansnoozie, or as you and I know him, the sandman!

But will his added power be enough to defeat Pitch once and for all, or will they once again be thwarted?

My Reaction:

Besides my reaction of utter betrayal as so obviously stated above, William Joyce continues to craft a brilliant, original, adventurous tale. In his defense, I'm pretty sure he never said anywhere that book four was the last book. Just from what I’d seen and heard, I was under the impression that it was the last book. So really the only person I have to blame is myself. Moving on.

I really enjoy that we keep getting more and more little insights to Pitch’s character. I am really curious to see how his part of the story will eventually wrap up. At the end of the last book, Katherine showed a bit of mercy towards this dark character as she saw him not just how he was at the moment, but also as the good man he had once been. This maybe was a bad move as she ended up in a not very nice predicament. However, I’m wondering if this will be one of those cases where a little bit of mercy or helping someone see the better version of themselves will be enough to make the bad guy see the error of his ways. There could still be a shred of good in him…possibly…even though he was consumed by darkness and nightmares and such…

Or, you know, he could always have a Darth Vader moment of clarity where he tosses The Emperor into a giant pit and redeems himself with his few remaining breaths (all metaphorically of course since this isn’t in fact Star Wars).

Or maybe he just stays evil and is simply defeated after one epic, final battle.

I’ll let you know in October 2018.

The other character who is possibly my favorite and who I really want to see how his character continues to develop is Nightlight. Because of things that happen in the story that I will not reveal, we’re pretty much told that Nightlight cannot remain the same.

Overall, this book remains true to the themes of the series. It keeps up the same pace and action, and North is finally starting to seem more like Santa Claus. I’m satisfied.

P.S. I’m super stoked that come the next book we finally get to meet Jack Frost. He was my favorite in the movie, and I’ve been hoping this whole time that he would show up!

Reader Guidance:

The biggest thing of concern in this book is a moment when we learn more about Pitch back in the days before he became the Nightmare King, and in his anger and sorrow he beheads a group of dream pirates one by one with his sword. This is described in simple terms that aren’t super graphic—“...he drew his sword and cut the captain’s head from its body.”

Similar Books:

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Orbert Skye

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Next Book:

After my last post about fairy tales (specifically Beauty and the Beast), I received a surprise package on my doorstep. I was confused at first because I hadn't ordered anything. Suddenly I knew it could only have come from one source--my mom. Being the sweet and supportive mother that she is, she send me a copy of Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly, which is basically a story within the Beauty and the Beast story. It's a fairly new book, having been published in January of this year. So, this next book reading is dedicated to my lovely mother. Join me on this exciting adventure!

Toothiana Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies

I wasn’t sure I was going to get any reading done again this week. Unfortunately, my dog passed away on Monday. It was a devastating blow for me. She was a part of my family for many years, and it’s very hard to say goodbye to something that has meant so much to you for so long. As a few days passed, I began to reflect on reading and how I wanted to still update the blog and I started thinking of sad dog stories. Really only two came to mind—Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows—and while I wouldn’t mind writing a post at some point about the latter despite its heart wrenching ending, I decided now was not the time. So I raise a figurative toast to my beloved mini pin, Molly. She proved to be a good reading companion on more than one occasion. She was a good snuggler and would never say no to a comfy blanket.

So I read all of Toothiana Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies start to finish in a few hours yesterday. In case anyone else in the house was wondering where I disappeared to, I was hiding in my book cave, enjoying a good story.

Now, on to business!

Sequel to: Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King and E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth’s Core

Rating: 4/5

Author: William Joyce

Pages: 226

Genre: Children’s Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis:

At the ending of the last book, Pitch, the Nightmare King, was once again defeated, and there’s been no sign of him since. Is it possible he’s been defeated forever? HA! Fat chance!

He’s up to a new scheme, one that will make him more powerful than ever before! Even with the appearance of the great Toothiana (known to you and me as the tooth fairy) the guardians’ combined forces may not enough to defeat Pitch!

You’re in for a treat as we’re introduced to new threats, new characters, and new adventures!

My Reaction:

I enjoyed this book from the get go. I don’t know if it’s because I’d been away from the series for a couple of weeks, and it’s always nice to delve back into a good world with enjoyable characters, but I jumped right in and was almost immediately struck by the cleverness and humor of the writing, which is a great contrast to the adventure and danger.

Again, this book builds off of some of the same themes as the previous two books—the power of belief in particular. We see a deeper look into the character of Nightlight, an impish sort of boy who has been hugely influential in defeats of Pitch and the past and has been a very dear friend for Katherine. He becomes a little more introspective and begins to grow from a sort of Peter Pan like character to entering the first stages of growing up. He realizes at one point that “sorrow and fear that are triumphed over make a powerful weapon.” That realization really struck me—when we overcome trials, we are made stronger.

Toothiana is another great addition to the world of The Guardians. She has a tragic back story that kind of solidifies Nightlight’s realization. She makes it past that sorrow and dedicates her life to good and to bringing happiness to the lives of children.

I kind of hesitated between giving this book a 3.5 like the past books or a 4 and I finally opted for 4 out of 5. Unlike the other two books, this story leaves you with a cliffhanger that will force you to pick up the last book of the series!

Reader Guidance:

Nothing to worry about as far as I’m concerned.

Similar Books:

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Orbert Skye

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Next Book:

We've made it to the last book of the series! Join me in the epic finale in The Sandman and the War of Dreams!

Okay, guys. Here's an edit for you. The fourth book ISN'T the last book. I was horribly mistaken. Read all about it in my post about The Sandman and the War of Dreams.

My Favorite Fairy Tale

The grey stuff really is delicious!

Last week I didn’t get any reading done, but I have a very good excuse! I was having adventures at

Disneyland, one of my favorite places ever! What made it even better was that I got to spend the time with some of the most important people in my life. It was a wonderful trip!

I still didn’t do any reading this week because one of my very good friends came for a visit.

But all that Disneyland reflection (plus the fact that I had a Once Upon a Time marathon the other day) got me thinking about fairy tales and their variations.

I usually hate favorite questions (you know, what’s your favorite fill-in-the-blank). I just like so many things. How can I just pick one of anything?! Impossible I tell you! However, if asked what my favorite fairy tale is, I’d probably have to say Beauty and the Beast. It probably helps that Disney’s version is a brown haired book worm (sound like a certain blog writer perhaps?).

I’ve read or seen some different versions of this story, and with the release of Disney’s live action version earlier this year, I’ve been exposed to some other’s thoughts, feelings, and jokes about the story. Here are my general feelings about it:

Besides the brown haired book worm thing, I just love the overall message of it. And it’s not just the “true beauty is found within” thing, although that is a very good point. You can’t judge a book by its cover, as they say. I love the transforming power of love. You may think I’m some sap who just loves the romance, but that’s not it. I think this is a point that doesn’t only reply to romantic love—the kind strong enough to break the spell on a man turned beast! If I reflect on my own life, I can think about times when I have been moved to act in a certain way because of my love for a certain person or thing—my parents, good friends, my husband, my dog, pretty much any flavor of Haagen Dazs ice cream. (That last one is a real motivator. Ha!) So if love can influence my actions, that means it can influence and shape me as a person as a whole.

In some versions of Beauty and the Beast, the beast isn’t so beastly by the time he’s met by our protagonist aside from the literal beast appearance. I really like how in Disney’s representation (as well as others) he is beastly not only in appearance but in personality. It’s when he begins to care about someone else that he begins to change on the inside—he desires to change himself because of the impact of another person, because of love. He becomes a better version of himself.

If we’re to take away a moral from the story—which is kind of the point of things like fables and fairy tales, isn’t it?—besides the “true beauty lies within/don’t judge a book by its cover” one, I would say that a little bit of love can go a long way. I’ve heard stories of how lives or circumstances or differing relationships with whomever have been changed for the better when even just a little bit of love was extended. And it doesn’t just go one way. It wasn’t just the beast’s life that was changed forever, but Belle’s was also.

So, don’t be quick to judge and show a little love. A good reminder, I think.

Okay, now for the book recommendation!

I should probably say first that both the animated and live action versions that Disney has put on the screen are a couple of my favorite renditions of this story (not to mention the stage play which is a lot of fun to see if you ever get the chance). The song Evermore is enough for me to fall instantly in love with Disney’s latest version. Seriously. That was some pure magic right there.

However, as far as books go, the versions I like best out of all the ones I’ve read thus far are both written by Robin McKinley. They are called Beauty and Rose Daughter. Pick them up when you get a chance!

Does anyone else out there have other Beauty and the Beast variations they absolutely love? What is your favorite fairy tale?

E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core

Sequel to: Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

Rating: 3.5/5

Author: William Joyce

Pages: 251

Genre: Children’s Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis:

The last time we saw our heroes (or should I say guardians?), Pitch and his monstrous band of fearlings were successfully defeated and everything seemed on the mend. But the guardians’ success was only temporary. Pitch won’t be defeated so easily. Now he’s back with an even more dastardly plan, he’s stronger than ever!

With a seemingly unbeatable foe, the guardians have no other option than to seek help from E. Aster Bunnymund, the last of an ancient race of large rabbits who also happens to be a master in martial arts and chocolate making. With their combined efforts be enough to defeat Pitch once again? Or is it possible that they have met their match?

My Reaction:

This book is very much like the previous book in style and theme. So if you enjoyed the first book, you’ll definitely enjoy the sequel. Again, we have a story packed full of adventure and fantasy. The fight against Pitch becomes more complicated as he throws new threats into the mix.

Our main characters of the book are still very much Ombric, Katherine, and North with Bunnymund taking a larger role about halfway through the book. Bunnymund fits well into the mixture of already established characters. Perhaps what I liked about him most is that I heard Hugh Jackman’s voice in my head every time I read his dialogue. Ha!

This story is still heavy on the friendship theme and actually emphasizes it more so as we are presented with the idea that friendship grants its own sort of power—it connects and strengthens us.

It’s still not really anything like the movie, which is fine by me. It’s really a completely different story and world.

I feel like I could say pretty much the same things about this book that I said about the first one. I enjoy the adventure, and I liked that there was even more of a sense of danger—more complex problems to solve because there are more elements to the danger. I also really enjoyed that we get a little bit more background information about Pitch and why he became what he became. It almost makes him more understandable and in this case it almost makes you a little more sympathetic towards him, which you may think is a bad thing, considering he’s the bad guy. You’ll just have to read it to understand what I mean.

Overall, I gave it the same score as the first, and I’m ready to head onto book three! I’m looking forward to see how Bunnymund continues to add to our group of heroes!

Reader Guidance:

There is one moment during a confrontation that a character is stabbed clean through with a sword. It’s basically described as the character feeling pain, looking down and seeing the handle of the sword, and then realizing the rest of the blade went all the way through his back.

Similar Books:

Here are some other fantastical adventure series you may enjoy!

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Orbert Skye

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Next Book:

Join me in reading the next and third book of the series: Toothiana Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies!