Two-Sided Tuesday is a day where I take a more popular read that people are familiar with and offer another book that’s similar and (in some cases) better, in my own opinion.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore was put in my hands by my teenage sister last summer.  I’ll admit, it took me about 50 pages or so to really start getting into the book due to the fantasy and the magic system created, but… that’s typical for me.  It’s always a bit difficult for me to get used to a fantasy world and I didn’t think much of it once I really started absorbing the story.  I know on Two-Sided Tuesdays I talk sometimes about how the first book disappointed me, but I’m not going to do that about Graceling, because it didn’t.  However – if you are a fan of this type of setting and are looking for another great series to read, let me talk to you a bit about this one.

In The Ranger’s Apprentice, John Flanagan creates a fantasy world without a distinct set of magic.  There’s still that medieval world setting, the sword fights, the battles – but a much longer arc in the storyline.  He just has released his eighth book in the series and I was there to pick it up, ready to tackle both the 7th and the 8th on my vacation this summer.  These are fantastic books, great for teenage boys who don’t want to read about Katsa in Graceling, full of adventure, a touch of romance and all around fun.

My review of Graceling

My review of The Ranger’s Apprentice