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The Noricin Chronicles #2
The Gottlehrling Goblet
After nearly being killed by the disembodied Scorpion at the end of the previous school year, Dan Regal has more than earned a quiet summer alone at Snisnar - his solitude interrupted only for private lessons each morning with Mr. Loeren on the bank of the school pond.
But his reprieve is not destined to last, and in September the other students return to Snisnar to commence their studies. Almost as soon as the rest of the school has returned, strange things begin to happen (strange even for Snisnar), and before long, it becomes quite clear that the Scorpion did indeed survive his encounter with Dan last spring, and has set himself to killing Dan once and for all.
As if having the Scorpion after him were not enough, there is also a new teacher at the school who makes Ms. Virgus look like a cute, cuddly long-eared jerboa - and this teacher seems to have it in for Dan and his friends.
There are also whispers going around the school of a long-lost heirloom of Steven Noricin's, a goblet that, according to legend, has the power to grant immortality to its drinker, and it seems as if the Scorpion is now seeking out this relic so that it may aid him in his return to power. Will Dan be able to find the Gottlehrling Goblet before the Scorpion gets his hands on it?
But his reprieve is not destined to last, and in September the other students return to Snisnar to commence their studies. Almost as soon as the rest of the school has returned, strange things begin to happen (strange even for Snisnar), and before long, it becomes quite clear that the Scorpion did indeed survive his encounter with Dan last spring, and has set himself to killing Dan once and for all.
As if having the Scorpion after him were not enough, there is also a new teacher at the school who makes Ms. Virgus look like a cute, cuddly long-eared jerboa - and this teacher seems to have it in for Dan and his friends.
There are also whispers going around the school of a long-lost heirloom of Steven Noricin's, a goblet that, according to legend, has the power to grant immortality to its drinker, and it seems as if the Scorpion is now seeking out this relic so that it may aid him in his return to power. Will Dan be able to find the Gottlehrling Goblet before the Scorpion gets his hands on it?
205 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2011
1 person is currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Mark Sheldon
28 books131 followersMark Sheldon is the author of "The Noricin Chronicles" and "Sarah Killian: Serial Killer (For Hire!)." He has also published "Mores of the Maelstrom," a collection of short stories. Mr. Sheldon lives in Southern California with his wife, Betsy.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 3, 2014
In my review of the first book in this series, The Lost Boy, I commented on how heavily influenced this book was by Harry Potter. So, imagine my almost disbelief when almost on the first page, a quote from The Half-Blood Prince was included. Like, what are you actually doing. I'm sure enough people must have pointed out the similarities, then that's included? So I think this put me in a bad mood right from the off.
Having said this, it has veered away from HP and the similarities, whilst still there, were not quite so glaringly obvious, and the more adult nature of this series comes out more. Unfortunately, there is still little to no development to the characters as the book whizzes by, and I think it could have done with being slowed down and actually letting you get to know the characters at some point.
There were a few consistencies in the plot and the Noricin mental abilities stuff, and just things that happened that didn't make sense. Unless they're set up for future events. But that's still a little annoying for the now. Things like, new teachers telling three random pupils that they've never met before something that should be kept secret from everyone. Why are you even telling them in the first place? You don't know them, so why on earth entrust them with this.
On top of this there were myriad little things that niggled at me, and I found myself annoyed by one thing or another what seemed like every few pages. These ranged from weird references to etymologists and the word 'fow', (f***-ow), which was only a symptom of a larger problem in that Mark Sheldon suddenly seems to have decided that this book needs to be funny. For me, this only came across as "funny", as he tried way to hard without actually really succeeding. One weird moment that stood out for me was when "the epiphany hit him like a telephone pole hitting a drunk driver for being an idiot. Fortunately, Dan was not an idiot, and the epiphany was not hitting him for being one, but for actually being somewhat intelligent." What the actual... I have no idea what's going on here, or how this ever survived to publication.
He has also developed a great liking for exclamation marks!!! He really likes them!! I think the most I counted in one place was seven!!!!! Wow!!!!
This is still an easy book to read, and there are things left unanswered which I'm assuming will come up in future books so Mark Sheldon obviously has a plan about where things are going. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be continuing on this series to see just where those places are.
Having said this, it has veered away from HP and the similarities, whilst still there, were not quite so glaringly obvious, and the more adult nature of this series comes out more. Unfortunately, there is still little to no development to the characters as the book whizzes by, and I think it could have done with being slowed down and actually letting you get to know the characters at some point.
There were a few consistencies in the plot and the Noricin mental abilities stuff, and just things that happened that didn't make sense. Unless they're set up for future events. But that's still a little annoying for the now. Things like, new teachers telling three random pupils that they've never met before something that should be kept secret from everyone. Why are you even telling them in the first place? You don't know them, so why on earth entrust them with this.
On top of this there were myriad little things that niggled at me, and I found myself annoyed by one thing or another what seemed like every few pages. These ranged from weird references to etymologists and the word 'fow', (f***-ow), which was only a symptom of a larger problem in that Mark Sheldon suddenly seems to have decided that this book needs to be funny. For me, this only came across as "funny", as he tried way to hard without actually really succeeding. One weird moment that stood out for me was when "the epiphany hit him like a telephone pole hitting a drunk driver for being an idiot. Fortunately, Dan was not an idiot, and the epiphany was not hitting him for being one, but for actually being somewhat intelligent." What the actual... I have no idea what's going on here, or how this ever survived to publication.
He has also developed a great liking for exclamation marks!!! He really likes them!! I think the most I counted in one place was seven!!!!! Wow!!!!
This is still an easy book to read, and there are things left unanswered which I'm assuming will come up in future books so Mark Sheldon obviously has a plan about where things are going. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be continuing on this series to see just where those places are.
May 16, 2011
A GoodReads win for First reads won by my daughter okay so far I have read that we are attending some sort of Magic school all I can picture is something along the Hogworts type of school.
I have gathered that the kids are second year students { this is the second book of the chronicles so it is fact}
there seems to be three main friends that the story is about
Now that I have gotten A ways in to the book I will let you know More about our main friends Dan is the main one and his two friends are Mike who likes to do research and is strong in Mental Communications,
and Shelly how likes to come up with new words and is strong in Matter Control. while Dan is strong in Defense.
The school is called Snisnar while the Principal is called Mr. Loeren who has taken the job that not only means protecting the school from the Scorpion but to protect some thing that if found can change the balance of the world as they know it.
Dan has been targeted by Scorpion to dye because of his strength in the art of defense and knows to much, and through the winter break has with out knowing it found the item.
Scorpion has tried to kill Dan by many different ways including possessing at least to teachers. One of which has gone mad. But while trying to Kill Dan Scorpion finds that there are a few teachers on Dan's side and must be eliminated.
There are some other students that should be mentioned within the school there is Marcus and his group of friends then there is this freshman with red hair and light green eyes { Dan thinks she is the Most Beautiful person he has ever seen} her name is Amy there is one issue though that would be her brother Josh Reyshell who dislikes Dan from the first year I will let you find out more
Okay let me say this Dan, Shelly, and Mike make it through another year. Mike and Shelly are heading home. While Dan is staying there at the school for the summer with Marcus and Mr. Loeren you will have to read the book to find out why.
I have gathered that the kids are second year students { this is the second book of the chronicles so it is fact}
there seems to be three main friends that the story is about
Now that I have gotten A ways in to the book I will let you know More about our main friends Dan is the main one and his two friends are Mike who likes to do research and is strong in Mental Communications,
and Shelly how likes to come up with new words and is strong in Matter Control. while Dan is strong in Defense.
The school is called Snisnar while the Principal is called Mr. Loeren who has taken the job that not only means protecting the school from the Scorpion but to protect some thing that if found can change the balance of the world as they know it.
Dan has been targeted by Scorpion to dye because of his strength in the art of defense and knows to much, and through the winter break has with out knowing it found the item.
Scorpion has tried to kill Dan by many different ways including possessing at least to teachers. One of which has gone mad. But while trying to Kill Dan Scorpion finds that there are a few teachers on Dan's side and must be eliminated.
There are some other students that should be mentioned within the school there is Marcus and his group of friends then there is this freshman with red hair and light green eyes { Dan thinks she is the Most Beautiful person he has ever seen} her name is Amy there is one issue though that would be her brother Josh Reyshell who dislikes Dan from the first year I will let you find out more
Okay let me say this Dan, Shelly, and Mike make it through another year. Mike and Shelly are heading home. While Dan is staying there at the school for the summer with Marcus and Mr. Loeren you will have to read the book to find out why.
March 15, 2011
A first reads win. To understand my views on this book and the following review, I'd suggest you read my review of the first book to understand where I am coming from. Seriously... I'll wait...
Ready to proceed? Okay then.
For those of you who cheated and didn't read my first review, my chief concern with the first book was that it bore a striking resemblance to the Harry Potter books. This continues to be the case but Mr. Sheldon appears to be finding more of his own voice in this story. There are still a lot of parallels and fans of the Potter books may feel the itch to go look up certain phrases. Dan, our hero, gets to spend time in a hidden room at the school, falls for a red headed freshman girl and is persecuted by the new (and evil) teacher. There is a mysterious heirloom hidden at school, he has to figure out how to breathe underwater for a competition and other parallels abound.
However, we also get to see a teacher go crazy and be hauled off by secret police. Another teacher is murdered and we learn that random acts ofmagic psychic powers seem to happen around the library.
Mark has tried to make it clear that these books are not intended for children, even as close as they seem to the Potter books and I believe that some of the darker material in this book may be there to differentiate the book from it's cousins.
I stand with my review from the first in saying that It is a fine story and very familiar. I think as it diverges more and more from Harry's world that it could be better but I personally feel it still is too similar to rate well.
Ready to proceed? Okay then.
For those of you who cheated and didn't read my first review, my chief concern with the first book was that it bore a striking resemblance to the Harry Potter books. This continues to be the case but Mr. Sheldon appears to be finding more of his own voice in this story. There are still a lot of parallels and fans of the Potter books may feel the itch to go look up certain phrases. Dan, our hero, gets to spend time in a hidden room at the school, falls for a red headed freshman girl and is persecuted by the new (and evil) teacher. There is a mysterious heirloom hidden at school, he has to figure out how to breathe underwater for a competition and other parallels abound.
However, we also get to see a teacher go crazy and be hauled off by secret police. Another teacher is murdered and we learn that random acts of
Mark has tried to make it clear that these books are not intended for children, even as close as they seem to the Potter books and I believe that some of the darker material in this book may be there to differentiate the book from it's cousins.
I stand with my review from the first in saying that It is a fine story and very familiar. I think as it diverges more and more from Harry's world that it could be better but I personally feel it still is too similar to rate well.
August 6, 2011
After reading the first book 'The lost boy' I could not help but pick this book up within minutes of finishing the first and reading it to the end without putting it down! A thrilling sequel to the first I can see this book being on my 'well read' shelf and reading again and again for many years to come.
Continuing young Dan's adventure and learning more about the Norcinites this book introduces a flicker of romance which touches the heart and begs the question will Dan get the girl??? (picking up book 3 as we speak!)
So easy to read, you immediately get drawn in to Dan Regal's journey, a must read for all you harry potter, septimus heap etc.. fans this book has a similarity but fresh feel about it as if Hogwarts is just up the road from SNISAR!
For those about to read book two I highly recommend reading book one first to get the fully satisfying read you deserve!
Continuing young Dan's adventure and learning more about the Norcinites this book introduces a flicker of romance which touches the heart and begs the question will Dan get the girl??? (picking up book 3 as we speak!)
So easy to read, you immediately get drawn in to Dan Regal's journey, a must read for all you harry potter, septimus heap etc.. fans this book has a similarity but fresh feel about it as if Hogwarts is just up the road from SNISAR!
For those about to read book two I highly recommend reading book one first to get the fully satisfying read you deserve!
March 21, 2011
The Gottlehrling Goblet continues Dan Regal’s second year of mystical adventures at the Steven Noricin School for the New Race. Their nemesis, The Scorpion, keeps Dan and his friends on guard against vengeful attacks as he continues to gain power. Through Mark Sheldon’s adapt storytelling, this fast-paced book delights and intrigues with a glimpse into coming of age possibilities and the dangerous catastrophes which are sure to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and anticipate reading about the students on their quest to understanding more about their individual powers in The Noricin Chronicles, Part 3: The Room of Death.
March 9, 2011
"The Gottlehrling Goblet" is now available! To find out where you can buy your copy, visit http://noricin.webs.com/wheretobuy-tg..., or check out the discussion titled "Where to Buy" at the bottom of this page.
If you'd like to find out where you can buy "The Lost Boy" - the first installment of "The Noricin Chronicles" - so that you won't be lost when reading "The Gottlehrling Goblet," you can visit http://noricin.webs.com/wheretobuy-tl....
"The Room of Death" - Book 3 of "The Noricin Chronicles" - will be released on May 7th, 2011!
If you'd like to find out where you can buy "The Lost Boy" - the first installment of "The Noricin Chronicles" - so that you won't be lost when reading "The Gottlehrling Goblet," you can visit http://noricin.webs.com/wheretobuy-tl....
"The Room of Death" - Book 3 of "The Noricin Chronicles" - will be released on May 7th, 2011!
Want to read
March 8, 2011I just won this book on Goodreads! I can't wait to read it! Thank you.
March 19, 2011
Another First Reads prize. Some spoilers below.
The second installment in the Noricin Chronicles. I think the story may have been a bit more enjoyable because of the lack of Mrs. Cradin (how is she qualified to be a teacher?) and Ms. Virgus (with her burnt taco fumes).
The series gets a bit darker here. I thought Dan's reaction to Podmore's death was extremely played down. As a 13 year old, finding a teacher you're close to dead with his brains leaking onto the floor, I would have completely freaked out and probably puked a few times, while Dan merely "felt his panic rising."
It was an interesting idea for the author to reveal the Scorpion amd the Zodiac Killer are one and the same. Although, I didn't appreciate being told that the most famous serial killers were all being controlled by the Scorpion and his followers. (Not sure why, it just kind of irked me.)
I cringed at the etymologist footnotes and thought the book could have done without them.
Also it was a bit a letdown how they solved this riddle for the exam and were preparing how to survive underwater and then the scene never occurred because Dan was unconscious.
On the plus side, it was a nice quick read and I thought the cover art was very cool on this installment.
The second installment in the Noricin Chronicles. I think the story may have been a bit more enjoyable because of the lack of Mrs. Cradin (how is she qualified to be a teacher?) and Ms. Virgus (with her burnt taco fumes).
The series gets a bit darker here. I thought Dan's reaction to Podmore's death was extremely played down. As a 13 year old, finding a teacher you're close to dead with his brains leaking onto the floor, I would have completely freaked out and probably puked a few times, while Dan merely "felt his panic rising."
It was an interesting idea for the author to reveal the Scorpion amd the Zodiac Killer are one and the same. Although, I didn't appreciate being told that the most famous serial killers were all being controlled by the Scorpion and his followers. (Not sure why, it just kind of irked me.)
I cringed at the etymologist footnotes and thought the book could have done without them.
Also it was a bit a letdown how they solved this riddle for the exam and were preparing how to survive underwater and then the scene never occurred because Dan was unconscious.
On the plus side, it was a nice quick read and I thought the cover art was very cool on this installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2015
Well worth 99cents
This book is well worth 99 cents. Be warned these books are only about an hour read for me. It keeps drawing me in though. I will be reading the next one.
This book is well worth 99 cents. Be warned these books are only about an hour read for me. It keeps drawing me in though. I will be reading the next one.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews