Review: James Potter and the Curse of the Gate Keeper

James Potter and the Curse of the Gate Keeper by G. Norman Lippert

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



After finishing book 1, I was excited to start this one as the First Years would include Albus, Rose and Scorpius. I expected certain actions on Albus' part and will admit that I had a good guess about Scorpius's personality as well. I will admit that I was wrong - and I'm glad about it because the story is so much more interesting with the twists!

It's interesting because I have always been a bit of a Harry Potter geek and had unknowingly placed Harry on a bit of a hero platform. Seeing a new Potter generation have a chance to follow in their father's footsteps without making the same mistakes has been fabulous. And seeing Harry as an adult...and more shockingly as a Ministry employee...gives me a chance to take him off that pedestal and appreciate him for what life must have been like. (okay, okay...what life would have been like if any of this was real. I can't help it. I'm a geek and Harry is truly alive in my head.) Self-deprecating family man Harry Potter is both a surprise and something I felt I should have recognized.

I'm starting book 3 now and I can hardly wait. I wish that there was enough (as in ANY) financial incentive to keep the author writing. As he said in the closing comments, I just want to see how everything ends.



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Review: Smart School Time Recipes

Smart School Time Recipes by Alisa Marie Fleming

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I added this book to my iPod because I needed some packed lunch inspiration. It was exactly what I needed! The kids will appreciate the delicious lunches and I'll enjoy knowing that they are eating something healthy. And did I mention it was FREE??

The recipes are allergy-friendly and include milk, wheat, egg and nut-free foods. I plan to keep this on my iPod for many months :)



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Review: The Search

The Search by Nora Roberts

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Thirty excellent chapters ruined by one incredibly stupid one. This was a four star book until chapter 30. Fiona is cool. Simon is interesting. The dog training was fascinating (and, yes, I borrowed some of her tips for my dog.) I wasn't a fan of the interactions between Fiona and Simon and managed to ignore most of the 'bartering' they arranged but I was willing to overlook it because the story was good.

*Spoiler-ish snark ahead. No specifics but could give away the ending*

But did I mention chapter 30? You know, the one where Fiona does the classic B horror movie concept of doing something unbelievably stupid just to give the screenwriter a way to let the crazed killer could catch up to her? It's the equivalent of that. If you ask yourself what a search and rescue trainer should NEVER do when hunted by a killer, you'll know how the story ends.



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Review: James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing

James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing by G. Norman Lippert

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The first few chapters were a bit overwhelming in their changes and I wasn't sure that I would finish reading it. In fact, I didn't even tell my daughter (who is a huge Harry Potter fan) about the book because I didn't want to re-read it if it was terrible!

Once I accepted that houses were friendly and welcomed others into their common rooms, that Slytherins weren't vicious, powerful and evil, that kids weren't placed in dorms by years, that Americans were around and completely changing the curriculum, well...after all of that, I was okay.

All in all, it was a good book. I loved that Snape and my other favorite characters were still around. Even Voldemort is mentioned regularly! And SPEW! The best part of the book was that James was finally overcoming that "Potters need to work alone and be the hero" mentality that was so strong in his father. Now, if we could get rid of Ralph's over-sized, lime green wand, perhaps the book would feel more magical :)

This book is fan fiction...but it's very well thought out and the writer carried Rowling's habits into this story, giving it a very familiar feel. I'll definitely read the next book!



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