Review: Hooked
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 29, 2014
Mat is a seventeen year old who has royal blood, but he is not high enough in the succession line to have responsibilities. So he decides to make a trip to find himself. One night he finds a set of magic bracers in his room and this starts a set of events that change his life forever. He goes on a quest, and people join him, and other people try to kill him, and he keeps growing battle by battle.I like Mat, he is a cool kid. Great in battle, yet down to earth and sensitive enough to care. I like Persephone, the druid, she is also a cool kid. I like Michael, he is not stiff when he could be. The story draws the characters with just a few lines, but it is enough for me to see them--not all, but most, and there is growth and change in them, both individually and as a group. So I would say the character creation is pretty good. The plot is interesting, with travels and ancient artifacts, and prophesies, and very bad bad guys.Cons... well, the book has a slow start. I had to push through and almost gave up at the beginning. Those who like all show and no tell are going to have to make it to chapter 6 before it gets more visual. The other thing I didn't love is the cliff-hanger, but that is also a personal preference.So why the 4 stars? Good questions. This is YA, and lately I get bored to death with YA. Yet, this one hooked me. There is something likable about the characters and the place that makes me want to be with them, and witness their adventures.