Choke

Pillage #2

by Obert Skye

Pillage was the first of three books in the fantasy adventure that Obert Skye calls a Pillogy. Choke, the second, continues the eccentric adventures of Beck Phillips, who seems to have a knack for causing mischief in the secluded village of Kingsplot. In book one, Beck used his unique gift to unexpectedly hatch several dragon eggs. Thankfully, the dragons were destroyed . . . or were they? In Choke, a stranger has discovered that Beck Phillips is the key to finding and hatching a lost dragon s egg a task that will bring the riches and fortune that Beck s family was destined to have. Beck learns that outward appearances can be deceiving and that grown-ups really do have valuable lessons to offer. Readers will laugh out loud at Beck s antics and sit on the edge of their seats while Beck and his friends confront Liz, the largest, most ferocious dragon Beck has ever seen!

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, Middle Grade, Magic

352 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2010

About the author

Obert Skye read his first book at age two. He wrote his first story at age four. And he was nearly trampled by a herd of water buffalo at age six. For a short time, he lived on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, where he spent time as a candy-taster. Several years ago, Obert Skye says, he discovered the existence of Foo. Publishing his story as a fictional series was not Obert’s first choice. Nevertheless he is content that the “history” is being told.

Hobbies and other interests: Collecting old maps, water polo, roller coasters.

Reviews

[Lela · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are witty and adventurous, and I like them. They probably make me smile or chuckle or want to read a passage aloud to an innocent bystander at least once a chapter.

I am a bit put out by the plot elements that never go anywhere though. I was so sure Van had bugged that koala stuffed animal or something, but even though he and it were mentioned repeatedly, nothing came of that. There are others, but that’s the least spoilery feeling (though I guess it’s not spoiling it really to say what didn’t happen? But still.)

I will definitely read the third book and probably all the Leven Thumps too because I enjoy the author. His levity is fun and the stories have some twists and turns I enjoy. I just feel like it all could be richer and fuller if more of the details were going somewhere and not just for levity and fun.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great sequel to Pillage! I love the way this author writes! This is really the way teenagers think and act. Some book are so unrealistic when it comes to teens and the way the act and talk, this author nails it. I love the adventure you get to go on reading these books you just never know what this boy is going to do.

[Cody Westberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment in the "Pillage" series, Obert Skye, well known for his "Leven Thumps" series, does it again with the second book in which Beck Phillips must overcome his troublemaking nature and save the town of Kingsplot. In this novel, Beck returns to the pile of rocks he threw the final dragon egg into, and retrieves it. He then raises it to its potential, and one dragon rises from it, which he quickly becomes enamored with. It becomes the focus of his life, and he must fight his feelings for it if he wishes to save himself from certain doom. Only this time, there's only one way to kill the dragon, and that is to choke it to death.

Never failing to amaze with this series, "Choke" lives up to its predecessor in every sense of the word. Engaging characters and plots, good attention to detail, unique and interesting antagonists, the book just has it all. The book even includes a mild romance between Beck and his female friend Jennifer, to the extent that she becomes jealous when Beck starts spending all his time with the dragon. She also finds herself concerned for Beck's safety, as the other dragons caused massive havoc when they were born. Over all the book is fantastic, more than a match for its prequel, and one that I would recommend to any person given the chance. 10/10.

[Serpex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I had quite a bit of high praise for the first book, and I sadly have to say the second brought the bar down for me. Granted, it wasn’t bad. Beck makes for a great character that I both love and want to smack all the same. He’s frustrating to love and yet worth loving if that makes sense. It wasn’t as enticing to me as the first book, but the ending was very unexpected. Although, I’m kind of deterred from reading the final book in the trilogy because of it. I don’t know if I’ll finish up this one.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids still loved the second book in this series, but it was a lot slower a read and there wasn't quite the drive to keep reading. (The first book they cried if we couldn't read any given night and begged me to read more than one chapter. This second book they still enjoyed, but with less intensity).

The story was quite different from the first, but the character was still true to himself. There were still secrets and dragons and surprises. A cute, fun, read-aloud book.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Leven Thumps by this author, and I am still not impressed. First if the protagonist is a 16 year old, why does he act like he is 12? And while original and creative, it is simply not written well or very well thought out. He never explains WHY for some things, and others just hit you out of left field. I am already on the 3rd of the series and I just don't think I will ever read something of his again.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

soooo much better than Pillage. If you read pillage and thought it was boring so you don't have any desire to read Choke, I am telling you to forget that and just go ahead and read Choke. It is a lot more exiting all the way through than Pillage! I recommend it

[Aaron Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't care what anybody says...I really, really enjoyed this book. It was a good ride.

[Kristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

That was lame...

[Hazee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plot, excellent twist and turns.

[Jacqueline · Rating 1 out of 5]

not so great a little dull if you ask me. i would not recommend this book to anyone!

[Josh Strongo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing I liked about choke was the way the story played out i liked that throughout the book there would be different moments of intensity I felt as if the book could flip a one-eighty at any moment. Although as the story at the end did feel a tad rushed it was played off well with a sudden turn of events to Becks Dragon a beautiful queen Dragon that rules over any other dragons. The next thing I liked about this book is the feeling of never quite knowing everything until the end. This series also to be a reoccurring theme to the ending where it's really good and leaves without giving you a cliffhanger or anything it just ends with all is right then the book ends and the next book begins a short time later in the time of the book.
Throughout this book Beck a mischievous shaggy brown haired sixteen-year-old finds himself in the hospital in the beginning now don't expect me to tell you why if you really want to know you can go read this series. Anyway beck moved to Kingsplot at the death of his adoptive mother to live with his dad. Of course he makes some friends when he moves to his new home. As well as a girlfriend Named Kate a red haired girl who was the first person to meet Beck on his train ride to kingplot who stays with him as she says “why do I like you?” to Beck all throughout the book maybe it's his charming good looks or maybe it's just the feel of adventure.
Aldo there's Wyatt a girl chasing guy who was actually Becks first enemy as to when Wyatt was just the average bully with his goons. He now chills with Beck and Kate usually talking his head off about how he gets all the girls (He really doesn't).

[A. L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was bit repetitive in places with some dumb character choices, but overall a reasonably compelling story that I'm glad I read.

Three things I liked: 1. Beck is a frustrating character, and yet a believable one with all his faults and frustrations at both the people in his life and himself. He is self-aware enough to know when he's messing up yet not mature enough to get a good handle on controlling himself. 2. The Pillage curse and their relationship with the dragons is pretty unique, and I can't think of any other stories that are quite similar to these in that regard. 3. I never once stopped wanting to know how the story wrapped up and where it was going.

Three things I did not like: 1. What is it with 2000's-2010's junior fiction and really unpleasant adult figures? Beck at least has a couple of adults that aren't constantly acting like idiots or out to get him, but most of the authority figures in his life are really not cool, and some are just cruel for no reason. 2. Some of the plot threads don't really go anywhere. Maybe they were supposed to be red herrings or something, but mostly they felt dangling and forgotten. 3. No details to avoid spoilers, but I can't say I really enjoyed the twist villan. It was a good twist, but a sad one.

I would say that this book would be best enjoyed by 12-15-year-olds, particularly boys, but really anyone who loves a good dragon story, and it is a decent warning against greed and the lust for power.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fine book. He did get me to start hating the main character, which I'm not sure if he wanted me to or not. The main character, Beck, doesn't seem to learn anything. Beck also does this thing that I never did, but maybe some other teenagers did, where he blames and ignores and doesn't listen to any adults. Purely because they are adults.

Listen, if there was a reason I would be fine with it. But saying, Yeah, I don't think I'll listen to this person because they're an adult, is just stupid reasoning and is used by lazy people. Be they writers of people or people themselves. I mean, he's 2 years away from being a so-called adult himself. Get out of this mindset for people in High School, please, authors.

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It grabbed your attention from the beginning to the end and I felt it was more fast paced then the first book which I liked. I do think Skye could of went more into depth of some things but still it was a very well written book. I am definitely going to be ordering the third book to finish off the series.
Some parts of the book were also hilarious and I couldn't stop laughing! Other parts were like "omg!!!". But definitely a great read!

[Rebecca H · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got bored so I picked this one up hoping it was maybe better than the first one. It was not. Beck the main character does not learn from his mistakes and cares about no one but himself. everything was so cliche and most of the book was just talking about the actions. All the characters were really not developed at all, and the relationships were awful. The only thing that saved this book was that it had so much potential. If only the author had done something about it.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great because they spent time describing the dragon, the train, and all the other small details. They really put an image into my head. It was sad when they had to kill Izzy but it was necessary and they had to choke her, which mind you was not easy, when she was born but they didn't. This book is a great adventure book.

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beck may be older, but he's no wiser than he was in Pillage. Secret passages and cryptic clues. Family destinies and cranky foliage. Rainy days and buried tracks. Planting dragons and reaping what you sow.

Still groaning over Beck's life choices, but rooting for him nonetheless.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020 Book Nerd Your Way Challenge... Book #49.
Finished with the EBN Challenge.

Young Beck is at it again. How much trouble can he get into this time. Caves and rain and a queen to contend with, what will our little hero do now? I like this book and the twist at the end was not really something I saw coming.

[B. Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was more of a 3.5 for me because of how neatly the ending was summed up, but since I like the author, I'm going with a 4. Beck is a humorous character. I enjoyed this sequel, though it took a big long to get to the exciting stuff. Going on to the third book.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beck Phillips is a snarky teen who can't seem to ignore trouble. From plants having it out for him to a couple of strange men creeping around, Beck finds himself doing what he swore he would never do.

[Bridger Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Choke, much the same as pillage was very okay. Most the book is used to build up to a very anticlimactic climax. Beck spends far to much time complaining about adults and doing dumb and dumber things to make his situation worse.

[Destiny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it a bit better than Pillage, but again, it was just ok. There is a little more intrigue in this one, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it suspenseful.

[Brandi Maser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange and boring end

Its like the author gave up at the end just to finish the story. If there is another book after this one i wont be reading it.

[Paige Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great sequel! Thrilling and as fun as the first with twists you never saw coming!!

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a good second installment of this book.. a great book for young readers who like reality mixed with fantasy.

[Thomas Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The name cracks me up in context to the story.

[Sami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again it’s a good story line

But the writing could of been better, and it didn’t have any surprise to it.
Just lazy.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
It starts out good, then drags in the middle and is basically a bratty kid running around whining, and then ends strong-ish.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fun series. i liked the sarcasm/wit of the main character. made me laugh sometimes.