Kaleb Nation
Autor von Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse
Über den Autor
Bildnachweis: http://media.photobucket.com/image/kaleb%20nation/TSTPost/Other/Kaleb1.jpg
Reihen
Werke von Kaleb Nation
Harvest (Harken, #2) 2 Exemplare
Getagged
Wissenswertes
- Rechtmäßiger Name
- Nation, Kaleb
- Andere Namen
- The Twilight Guy
- Geburtstag
- 1988-09-16
- Geschlecht
- male
- Nationalität
- USA
- Geburtsort
- Orange, Texas, USA
- Wohnorte
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Berufe
- broadcaster
vlogger
young adult writer - Kurzbiographie
- As a child, Kaleb Nation had to be forced by his mother to write one page a week in creative writing. But, by the time he finished his first story, no one could make him stop. At age twelve, Kaleb promptly telephoned the senior editor of a major publisher to pitch the book…and got to talk with security instead.
But as with most writers, not even that could stifle his dream. On the third night of the third month in 2003, age 14, Kaleb had a sudden idea that began the story of Bran Hambric, a novel which would take most of his teenage years to write.
In early 2007, Kaleb finished the first book in his series (Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse) and signed with Richard Curtis Associates, a leading New York literary agency.
Aside from writing, Kaleb hosted his first radio show in Texas at age 13, later launching his own program in 2006 called The Top 5.
In mid-2008, Kaleb launched a second blog at TwilightGuy.com, giving chapter-by-chapter insight, from a guy and writer’s perspective, on reading the Twilight Saga, a series of popular novels. The website went on to receive over 4 million hits, and was featured in BusinessWeek and Entertainment Weekly magazines. Kaleb also began posting regular videos on his Youtube channel, with a combined total of over 5 million plays.
In his free time, Kaleb enjoys creating music and blogging at kalebnation.com. A homeschool graduate and a former black belt in taekwondo, he currently attends college in Texas and turned 20 in 2008.
Mitglieder
Rezensionen
I don't always like comparing one book to another, but in this case it works. If you've enjoyed the Harry Potter books, and you're looking for another series that has magic, mystery and suspense, you need to try this book.
The plot starts out with a bang with Sewey (the man forced to adopt Bran after finding him in a bank vault) and Bran on the roof of the house trying to catch a thief. Instead they are attacked by some sort of creature that seems to want Bran. That starts Bran down the path to learning who is and who is mother was. The reader is brought along as he realizes what he thought is definitely not the truth and people are not who he thought they were. Bran learns that, in a city where it's out-lawed, he can do magic. I like how the magic was revealed - coming out when he needed it the most. Thankfully there were people to help him. But they didn't always give him all the answers or answers he wanted to hear. I did find some of this confusing because of the lack of details at this point. I think it was to make you relate to Bran - to feel what he did, but as a reader I needed a bit more .Plus there were a ton of details about the whole magically world, and I found myself lost now and again.
After the scene on the roof, the action builds nicely until a battle between Bran's past is fought. It is clear that this battle will solidly place Bran on one side or the other. It will help him learn the truth about him mother - the real truth and accept it. Nation did a nice job putting answers Bran needed within this final battle, it wasn't just a fight but one you needed to pay attention to if you wanted more of the story. That held my interest quite well! After this battle the book wraps up, but definitely sets up for further books in the series.
The book was enjoyable. I really liked Bran - a young man that could've been completely bitter about where his life was. Instead, as unexplained things start to happen to him, he jumps in and tries to come to terms with it. Not to say he's all fine and dandy with it. There is a scene where Bran runs away in the rain, that I found very understandable and real. This whole scene made me really feel for Bran and want to help him find answers and happiness. That is what will bring me back for future stories.
I do want to comment on a few other things in the story. The town Bran lives in has out-lawed all magic and gnomes - both accepted in the rest of the world. This was an interesting part of the plot because it made Bran's discovery even harder for him to accept - how could he have magic in a town that has laws against it?? The whole story line with the gnomes was interesting, but at times I wasn't sure why it was there. Maybe as the story progresses I'll learn. This was the same for the story-line of Rosie. As part of the family, she was more maid than anything, but she was Bran's only true friend in the house. I'm still not completely sure why it was included, but maybe it too will play a bigger role later on.
Final thought: Fun read and one to give to Harry Potter lovers that are looking for something new to read
Best stick-with-you image: When Sewey meets the gnome - you just need to read the book to know why!
Best for ages: 9ish-14 This one is more tween than teen… (mehr)
The plot starts out with a bang with Sewey (the man forced to adopt Bran after finding him in a bank vault) and Bran on the roof of the house trying to catch a thief. Instead they are attacked by some sort of creature that seems to want Bran. That starts Bran down the path to learning who is and who is mother was. The reader is brought along as he realizes what he thought is definitely not the truth and people are not who he thought they were. Bran learns that, in a city where it's out-lawed, he can do magic. I like how the magic was revealed - coming out when he needed it the most. Thankfully there were people to help him. But they didn't always give him all the answers or answers he wanted to hear. I did find some of this confusing because of the lack of details at this point. I think it was to make you relate to Bran - to feel what he did, but as a reader I needed a bit more .Plus there were a ton of details about the whole magically world, and I found myself lost now and again.
After the scene on the roof, the action builds nicely until a battle between Bran's past is fought. It is clear that this battle will solidly place Bran on one side or the other. It will help him learn the truth about him mother - the real truth and accept it. Nation did a nice job putting answers Bran needed within this final battle, it wasn't just a fight but one you needed to pay attention to if you wanted more of the story. That held my interest quite well! After this battle the book wraps up, but definitely sets up for further books in the series.
The book was enjoyable. I really liked Bran - a young man that could've been completely bitter about where his life was. Instead, as unexplained things start to happen to him, he jumps in and tries to come to terms with it. Not to say he's all fine and dandy with it. There is a scene where Bran runs away in the rain, that I found very understandable and real. This whole scene made me really feel for Bran and want to help him find answers and happiness. That is what will bring me back for future stories.
I do want to comment on a few other things in the story. The town Bran lives in has out-lawed all magic and gnomes - both accepted in the rest of the world. This was an interesting part of the plot because it made Bran's discovery even harder for him to accept - how could he have magic in a town that has laws against it?? The whole story line with the gnomes was interesting, but at times I wasn't sure why it was there. Maybe as the story progresses I'll learn. This was the same for the story-line of Rosie. As part of the family, she was more maid than anything, but she was Bran's only true friend in the house. I'm still not completely sure why it was included, but maybe it too will play a bigger role later on.
Final thought: Fun read and one to give to Harry Potter lovers that are looking for something new to read
Best stick-with-you image: When Sewey meets the gnome - you just need to read the book to know why!
Best for ages: 9ish-14 This one is more tween than teen… (mehr)
promised lots of action and suspense but poorly written
I think this is an addable book for our library collection. Although it is not as good as Harry Potter or Charlie Bone, I think the series will improve with time (or it could go the way of Eragon, I suppose.) I think he could use a better editor because quite often the first quotation mark to signify a character speaking is nonexistent. I think the better editor could have also addressed some of the other problems expressed in the SLJ and Kirkus reviews.
Dir gefällt vielleicht auch
Nahestehende Autoren
Statistikseite
- Werke
- 4
- Mitglieder
- 367
- Beliebtheit
- #65,579
- Bewertung
- 3.5
- Rezensionen
- 13
- ISBNs
- 21
OhmygoshohmygoshOHMYGOSH!
For those of you who have still not read this, and/or are a bit hesitant about reading it, READ it. Now. *commanding voice* You will not regret it.
Kaleb, let me just say, you are a genius. Your writing is spectacular, and the plot was, to say the least, heart-stopping and packed with action. This book had an air of suspense and mystery that really kept my interest intact as I was reading Harken. And when an author manages to make me shed a tear or two from the immense connection I feel towards the characters of said book, that is a huge factor, in my opinion, as to whether I liked, loved, or disliked a book. Which is why I say this with utmost certainty, I love this book.
Now, there are only a handful of YA action books out there that can be classified as "good" action books. Harken is one of those select few. Well, that and Alex Rider, but that's a whole different topic. The plot was so original, so unique, since this topic isn't a very common one, although I wish it was.
Here is my brilliantly constructed equation for what I believes makes an undeniably amazing action book:
Conspiracy theories Heart-stopping action scenes Supernatural beings Supernatural abilities= PURE AMAZING-NESS
The pacing in this novel was impeccably crafted. The beginning sucks you into the world of Michael Asher. Then, BOOM. Nonstop action thrown at you for the rest of the book. I love, love, loved how all the pieces fit together in a satisfying way by the end of the book.
What really stood out for me in this book is Michael Asher's character. He felt so real. I could feel his emotions, understand his actions and why he chose to do them. Although I didn't always agree with his choices -which is not necessarily a bad thing- I still understood his rationale, why he did so-and-so. That is what made him such a great character -the author made it easy for us, as readers, to connect with him.
Also, the protectiveness he displayed toward his family was a very admirable trait. It felt very genuine. I knew he loved his family, since the author did a good job of showing this. This trait made me respect Michael, and really made him that much easier to relate to. I loved his younger sister, Alli. She was so young, yet so intelligent.
Usually, in the Young Adult genre, the main character has these faithful companions. These particular companions do not have any notable qualities that set them apart from the main character. I guess the right way to say this is that they don't have individuality. The supporting characters in Harken -Callista and Thad- do not suffer from this quality that makes the characters themselves seem insignificant and flat in comparison to the protagonist. They don't follow and agree with every single thing their leader says or does like two loyal puppies. Of course, they support him, but they do not unquestionably follow him.
The author provides us with background information on Thad and Callista, and this really makes these characters easier to understand, and sets them apart.
Lately, I have come across countless villains that are pathetically lame. There was not anything that made them seem evil to me. For the villains in Harken, that was not the case. They had qualities that were terrifying, and they were twisted, evil people with malicious intents. I also understood their motives. Not that they were good motives, but they explained a load about the plot-line. We were told the reasons why they were doing something, and that they didn't do things just for the heck of it.
I cannot fathom how I am supposed to wait for the next book. I truly feel this uncontrollable need to know what occurs next. I'm hoping that I don't die of excitement when I get my hands on that book.
I am totally ready for the sequel and more of this mind-blowing, supernatural story.