Forging the Sword/ Hilari Bell
Simon and Schuster, 2006, 494 pages
Fantasy

Forging the Sword is one of the best books I’ve read this year. It will start slow but will increase as fast as a roller coaster and leave you wanting to read more. This takes place in New York, where a young boy, Gregor, and his young sister work in partnership with some overgrown creatures who live right beneath their feet. Gregor has to save the creatures from a horrible plague which has been around for years. The plague has already taken thousands of lives and has infected his poor, kind, and loving mother.

Hilari Bell makes you want to keep reading more to find out what’s going to happen. She is really good at foreshadowing what’s going to happen later on in the story. You will have to read it all to understand it because if you skip a page you will get confused. Every little detail leads up to the spectacular ending that will determine if Gregor can find a cure in time before the disease spreads and kills everybody.

Forging the Sword is exciting and packed with action and thrills. Gregor overcomes obstacles in order to save the creatures and his mother whom he loves so much. Readers of all ages should read this spectacular book.