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

Title:  The Guardians Book 2:  E. Aster Bunymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth’s Core

Author:  William Joyce
Location:  J Joyce
Level:  7-10 year olds

I’m just as enthralled with the second book of The Guardians series as I was with the first.  These are fantastic tales; great for reading aloud.  They are full of magic and imagination.

WARNING- This review will mention characters and possibly events from Book 1 Nicholas Saint North and the Battle of the Nightmare King.

E. Aster Bunnymund begins right where book 1 ended.  Katherine, North and Ombric are still with the Luna Llamas learning what they can from them and the Yeti.  Nightlight patrols each evening making sure Santoff Clausen is safe.  Just as they think they have learned something to help their quest Katherine discovers Nightlight is missing.  It can only mean one thing; Pitch, the nightmare king, has returned.  Join our heroes as they make unusual journeys to discover what happened to Nightlight, where Pitch might be, and what unusual creature might help them.  Do you believe?  Who can stop Pitch this time?

Bottom Line:  Before older reader’s turn up their noses at childhood myths I ask, Did your parents tell you the” Easter Bunny” was a pooka with an army of sword wielding mechanized eggs?  Find out for yourself.  I enjoyed the story, figuring out what happend to Ombric's books, and learning more about the myths.  I'll definitely look for the next book.

Note:  This series is being made into an animated movie, Rise of the Guardians, to be released in November 2012.  Book 3 will be published fall 2012.

Nicholas St. North and the battle of the nightmare king

Title: Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King Book 1 of The Guardians series
Author: William Joyce
Location: J Joyce W.
Level: 7-10 years old

This is the first book in The Guardian series and quite a good start. Nicholas St. North captured me and even after reading the last page I was still in its grasp. It is a well written, imaginative, adventure that is almost a prequel to Santa Claus. This is not a Christmas story and there is no mention of the jolly fellow. Instead it is a story of Omberic, the wizard who protects the town of Santa Claussen, and the man in the moon finding someone who can help them defeat Pitch, the nightmare king And no this book is not likely to give you nightmares. I haven’t read a book like this since The Tale of Desperaux. If your child isn’t reading at the level of this book read it to him/her. You will be creating a childhood memory.
Bottom Line: I loved it! Imaginative and adventurous. Slightly scary in a what’s going to happen way. Nicholas St. North is not jolly or caring at all, but with the help of Omberic and a little girl he begins to transform into a different person. Who knew Santa had such a colorful past!