Archon

Psi Chronicles #2

by Lana Krumwiede

“A solid story and character development that can be enjoyed by fans of dystopia whether or not they’ve read the first installment.” — Kirkus Reviews

Having used his unique connection with the Heart of the Earth to terminate the use of psi, or telekinesis, in the secluded city of Deliverance, twelve-year-old Taemon bears the burden of responsibility for the fate of its people. With society in disarray, his family missing, and tensions looming with the mysterious Republik, Taemon confronts the startling discovery that he alone can still use psi—and that it comes with a price.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopia, Fiction, Childrens

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

In third grade, Lana wrote in her autobiography that she wanted to be a mother, a writer, and the church organist. Two out of three ain't bad! Her work has appeared in Highlights, High Five, Spider, Babybug, The Friend, and Chicken Soup for the Child's Soul. Freakling is her first novel.

Lana has tried psi many times, particularly when it comes to household chores, but she could never make it work. She does have a few mildly supernatural abilities, which include untying knots, peeling oranges, and winning at board games. Her perfect day would include reading, writing, swimming, cooking, telling jokes, spending time with family, and pie.

And maybe a board game or two.

Reviews

[Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

First of all, it had the same enjoyable aspects as it predecessor. I still loved "psi" itself, and the interesting setting.

But I rated this one less that the first book because it felt just a little different. I can't really put my finger on it...

Taemon felt a little more confident in this book, which could be very intricate character development, or it could be a lack of character consistancy. I'm deciding that it it the character developing more.

Amma seemed a little less confident and less adventurous that before. It's as if Taemon and Amma had switched roles.

Gevri was a nice, new touch to the series, and I felt that he really had his own personality. His jaguar (or whatever type of cat it was), Jix, was also a refreshing character. I thought it was so creative and intriguing that animals could use psi as humans do.

In the first book, I felt that the author really gave a natural setting. This one is the same quality, but this time has a brand new place– the Republik. I felt that was captured well.

Overall, it was another great book. But I'm not giving it five stars, not even four, because there's something dwindling that I just can't explain. I feel that the Psi World needs a little more boundaries. New forms of psi are being introduced here, and there, making it more complex. I think the author might be using that as an advantage. Like when something bad is happened she could just go, "But psi can also do this!" and problem solved. I was captivated by all of the different forms of psi, but when is enough enough? I think she should designate all the forms, make it set it stone.

Alternate rating: C+

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Taemon and friends go to the repulikic to go save his dad, Taemon finds out what the repulik is really doing which is training psionic warriors for war. Can he be able to save his dad and escape? Read on and find out for yourself.

This was a great second installment of the Psi chronicles series and I can't wait to see what happens next in this Fantasy dystopian series. If you like these types of books then be sure to check them out at your local library and wherever books are sold.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

FINISHED!!!



So, as I've mentioned before, I got this book through Goodreads giveaways. Thanks Candlewick.

Archon was surprisingly engaging, considering it was for 10 year olds. It's not YA, but more for the middle school audience. I finished it really quickly (around 2 hours), and I was mesmerized by the world Krumwiede presented. I'm considering reading the next and first one.

I loved how Taemon and Amma were headstrong and moralistic. They had a strong sense of right and wrong and relied on each other. The had an enormous task set out in front of them, and they didn't waver in reaching their goal.

I felt that the plot made perfect sense. There was one twist with Taemon's father, but I felt that everything else flowed in the natural order of things. It might have been predictable, but anything else would feel odd.

It's 4 stars because it was good, but not "OMG IT WAS AWESOME READ IT READ IT READ IT." It didn't blow me away. And I'm not going to re-read it over and over.

I enjoyed this book even though I hadn't read the first. The concepts weren't difficult to understand, and I think any sci-fi reader would like this book.

[Marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archon by Lana Krumwiede was amazingly well done. I could not put the book down - I could not wait to read the next sentence to find out what will happen.

The story of Taeman continues as he embarks on new journeys and make new discoveries. Along the way, he will find new friends and foes alike. He will discover what responsibility truly means and how important family is.

I loved this book and I highly recommend it to all age levels.

Enjoy and Happy Reading!

[Miguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good I when I would read this at home I read like 30 pages. This book is very engaging. It was so cool the world Krumwiede presented to me. I liked that the author created an amazing new world. Taemon has successfully gotten rid of psi in Deliverance and the community has fallen into chaos as people try to figure out how to live without psi and do things manually. Taemon learns that when he asked the Heart of the Earth to get rid of psi it left everyone except him. So not only did he destroy everything he kept power for himself. Taemon also discovers that his father has been taken over the mountain into the Republik. This book was awesome I loved that I couldn't stop reading it unless I had to do something. I give this a really good rating. I want to read the first or the third now

[Sydney]

Where do you find this book? I want to read it so badly

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when good sci-fi takes an unexpected turn . . . and remains good sci-fi. I cannot wait to find out what's in store for the True Son in book three!

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Book 1 and then this one aloud to our 13-year-old son. This one wasn't quit as captivating as the first, and the ending built u pool but then slumped down. We really are ready to read book three, which we anticipate will be better, and a grand finale, but we have to wait now because all the libraries are closed because of the Coronavirus concerns. I particularly liked the journey over the mountain and the thing that inspires them to continue. I also liked the training Taemon did w the youth. I also really liked the chapter headings from the Warrior's Serenity!

[Alexander Valenzuela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book because it has everything that I like. Like wars. And powers like telekinesis And the characters name is Taemon and also there is kidnapping in this book like how they kidnapped the uncle. And Archon has a good author named Lana Krumwiede.

[Karlie]

Man this one drug for me and I almost gave up on it. I don’t think I have any desire to read the third and final one especially my daughter who had me read these feels the third is even more dragging, good first of the series but not as much with the rest

[Maya Zonneveld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how this author created an amazing new universe to complement this sequel.

[Brayden Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok book

[S.A.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book I thought was better but still a good read.

[Bon Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun. I enjoyed reading this book and how he made friends with genji and the cliffhanger.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good sequel to the first! I enjoyed the surprises and unique solutions to problems. The ending was a bit abrupt but that just means I'll have to read the next one :)

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Highly serviceable middle grades fantasy/dystopia that focuses on war with some theatrical effects and decent plot twists thrown in.*

I've been breezing through the Psi Chronicles series to get to True Son, which I have yet to read and review (!) (This weekend, I promise!)

Anyway, this series allows me to reflect a little bit on what it means to write a review and to review a book, because I'm torn here between my role as an adult reader and my role as a teacher of reading to seventh graders.

In my role as an adult reader, I'd probably give this book 3/5 stars for several reasons:

- While I find that the concept of psi (psychokinetic abilities) really neat and its existence is woven well into the story, I also am finding that the psi is baked into pre-ordained plot points instead of a thoroughly understood concept. For example, the magic and mysteries of psi are only revealed when it is convenient for advancing the plot forward, and large problems are resolved with simple "fixes."

- Characters aren't particularly well-developed and if anything are inconsistent; our main character shows dazzling displays of ingenuity next to lapses in general forethought and planning

- I didn't find myself challenged or provoked, nor did I particularly enjoy the deus ex machina qualities of the Heart of the Earth that talks directly to Taemon


But as a teacher of reading, my rating goes way up.

- I think readers will latch onto a born hero who makes decisions he regrets and outright mistakes. We appreciate that he isn't perfect.

- The plot moves swiftly and economically. There are some subtleties that students will probably miss or find confusing (there's a side-side plot about a war with another nation, for example) but for students looking for an adventure/rescue story they'll enjoy their reading journey.

- I love books that are middle grades without *feeling* middle gradesy. 13 year old boys (and girls) aren't necessarily experienced enough readers to attempt half the books they think they can read, but they also don't like the idea that they are being sold the "light" version of a book they might want to read. The Psi Chronicles is ideal for that upper middle grades market that isn't ready for a true YA but thinks that they are.


I look forward to booktalking this series in my classroom!

So my 4 star review reflects my dual role as an reader and as a teacher of seventh graders.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in the Psi Chronicles trilogy begins with Taemon and Amma going to the Republik to look for his da. They befriend a young Republikite named Gevri who helps them get into the military outpost on the other side of the mountain. There, Taemon trains a group of seven very young Archons, psi or dominion-wielding warriors. At the same time, Taemon is looking for his father in the dungeons. The archons help him and they escape, but the Republik army pursues them across the mountains and Gevri feels betrayed.

I loved the chapter headings in this book. This is quite a spiritual trilogy, with lots of Buddhist practices. My favorites were these:

"Even the fiercest warrior will be tortured with moments of regret and sorrow. Let them wash over you like cleansing waters. Do not absorb them." (p. 1)

"Old friends are best. But remember that old friends are made from new friends." (p. 151)

"Until you have learned an idea seven different ways, you have not understood it." (p. 186)

"When a friend is in trouble, all appointments are canceled." (p. 224)

"Books have more value and more power than you can possibly know. They're certainly worth my life--and likely all of ours." (p. 240)

"An old saying came to his mind: Just because you smell better than a skunk doesn't mean you smell good. The scarf took away a little of his fear, but that didn't mean his wasn't afraid. He was terrified." (p. 282)

"To be indecisive is to divide your energy and weaken your desire." (p. 299)

"An end is only a beginning in disguise." (p. 311)

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as part of the Goodreads Giveaways. So the copy I read was an ARC, which means some parts may be different from the retail copy.

I will try to be as spoiler free as possible. I also apologize if my writing is not great.As this is a YA novel I did not expect it to be at an adult level, and this book works very well for that level.

This book was a really great read, in fact I finished too quickly. It had me on the edge just waiting to see what would happen next, and upset when it was over because I wanted more.

I absolutely love these characters, Taemon and Amma play well off each other. You feel for them, and genuinely want them to succeed. Each bump in the road no matter how insignificant, worries you.

The fact that these characters have not yet developed romantic atttractions (or has not been mentioned), is another plus for this novel. I have no issues with that type of scenario, but it needs to follow a logical path. If the characters eventually became romantically involved, it would feel natural.

The plot does have a few issues here and there. Part of how it ends is a bit predictable, and seemed out of character for the person. Even though it is a new character, it just didn't seem right. Which is why it didn't receive higher marks from me.

Over all if you have read the first book and enjoyed it, you will likely feel the same about this one.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Archon is the continuation of the Psi Chronicles that started in Freakling. Taemon has successfully gotten rid of psi in Deliverance and the community has fallen into chaos as people try to figure out how to live without psi and do things manually. Taemon learns that when he asked the Heart of the Earth to get rid of psi it left everyone except him. So not only did he destroy everything he kept power for himself. Taemon also discovers that his father has been taken over the mountain into the Republik. Taemon and Amma venture over the mountain and discover the Republik is building up an army of psi warriors to invade Deliverance. Taemon's action hasten the invasion and he has to bring all the communities of Deliverance together to fight back the Republik.

For some reason this book took me forever to read. I got about half way through it and then put it away for several months. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't nearly as excited about it as I was the first book. I still like this world where people have mental abilities and thought it was interesting to see them figuring out how to live without them. I didn't think it was ever fully explained how psi existed in the Republik when it was only supposed to be a part of Deliverance, but that is a minor issue which may be resolved in the next book.

[Brandi Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely are second books of a series this great!

Amma and Taemon are constantly traveling to help their communities now that Taemon has asked the Heart of the Earth to remove all Psi power from the people. The people in the city Deliverance have never used their hands before so the people of the farm community are trying to help them adjust. This is when Taemon hears that his dad is on the other side of the mountain which is the military community, the Republik. He and Amma cross over to the Republik only to meet the son of the general who did experiments on his own son and is doing experiments on his people. Taemon pretends to be sent by the Elder to train new students in Psi, but everything back fires on him. Will he ever find his da and make things right?

[Owen Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, I don't recommend anyone reading this book. In fact, I do not know why I finished this book at the first place. Whoever enjoyed the first book of this trilogy, this book is not the same. The story is boring and very long for no reason, some characters are unnecessary, and most importantly, it wasn't fun. No events in this book got me excited or want me to flip to the next page. Also, there wasn't any story structure, and if it did, it was hard for me to catch it because it wasn't described well.
It was unexplainable why the characters are doing such a thing or what were their motivation. The only good part was that they explored into the new region of the world. So in conclusion, I gave this book 2 star because it wasn't worth reading.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. True to her style of Freakling, the author kept me invested in the characters and caught up in the story. I found myself "cheering" for characters at times, and feeling terrified for them at others. Although this is supposed to be a "tween" or teen book, I found it fun and enjoying. I have to say I didn't like the ending of the book, however. It wasn't that the writer did a poor job with the ending; it just appears that the next book will be going in a direction that doesn't make me as excited to read the next one. I'm sure I will read the third book (there will DEFINITELY be another), but I'm already a little worried that it will disappoint me.

[Infinite Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked this up I was full of excitement. What happened to Taemon and Amma and the rest of their land as psi disappeared? My expectations for this book were great, it turned out to be phenomenal.
The plot twists scattered throughout the perfectly written pages caused me to become absorbed into the emotional, action packed sequel to the first book in the series, Freakling.
This is one of the best books I've read in a while and is perfect for kids (and adults) of all ages. Great job Lana!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first book in this series and gave it 3.75 stars, so I was looking forward to the second one. However, I have to say I was disappointed. I felt kind of rushed through the story, and it seemed to me that the author was doing all the "telling," rather than letting the characters do that through dialogue.

I'm giving this 3 stars because I just can't bear to give it less when the first volume was so promising. But my disappointment made this feel like something in the 2.5-2.75 star range.

[Marilyn Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a sequel to "Freakling" Taemon's guilt for causing Psi or telekinetice abilities to disappear is especially bad when he discovers he still has his abilities. When he disovers his frail mother in a care facility, Taemon learns his father was kidnapped by the Republik. Joining him on the rescue journey is Amma from a nearby psi-less society. This is a strong dystopian story with strong characters. Some of the situations are resolved a bit convenienthly. The book features strong worldbuilding and an interesting narrative.

[Karen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of THE PSI CHRONICLES by Lana Krumwiede finds Deliverance in the midst of crisis. The city dwellers are unwilling to adapt to life without psi. Society is in disarray. Taemon is intent on finding his mother and father and searches the city asylums desperately looking for them. When Taemon's psi returns he determines to travel over the mountains to the Republik hoping to rescue his father. His actions bring his world to the brink of catastrophe.

[Amanda Northrup · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great continuation of the first book in the trilogy, providing a nice bridge for a final showdown in book 3. I.didn't enjoy the world quite as much, but that's probably because the world and characters were in turmoil. Still, it would have been nice if a bit more of the Republik and wider world had been fleshed out besides the Outpost. Still not totally sure I understand the big war at play in the background. Overall, a captivating read. Looking forward to book 3.

[Jb Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series, and though it was a little intense sometimes, i love how it ended.
(got too nervous and took a break) XD
I thought the direction everything went was a very natural progression of things, after what happened in the first book and i can't wait to read the last in the series. I hope Lana Krumwiede will keep the stories coming.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will not be putting any spoilers in this review. I was lucky enough to win an advanced copy of this book. While the book is short, or at least seemed to be, a lot happens and even if you haven't read the first book, you get a general idea of what happened in the previous book. I would definitely recommend this book. Especially for middle school aged childen.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

You must read the first book to understand this book. That being said following Taemon and Amma over the mountain and to the Republik was a good read. I was quite frustrated with Taemon as I felt like he was just being stupid much of the time. Gevri is a great addition to the series and I can't wait to see what happens next.