Otaka's Scoop is Back On

Greetings, faithful readers and those who are visiting this site for the first time. I am sorry for the great interval of time that has passed since my last entry. Otaka's Scoop may have a change of names coming up soon. If you cannot find this blog, type: "Otaka Zetranik" into Google and click on the link that mentions "Kuiper: The Outermost Three". Please comment on any blog entry as to what you want my restored blog to be about. I may continue to blog about books, but I also want to focus on other things. Other than giving me topic suggestions, I would also like it if you could help me force Wikipedia into publishing the article on my blog that I have tried to publish so many times. Your efforts will be greatly appreciated.

Trojan Book King, thank you for your comment on "Kuiper". "Kuiper" was merely a brainstorming work that has now turned into my new book whose title I have not decided on yet. Thank you all for your support, and to those new to my blog, I hope you come back soon.Oh, and by the way, the cities listed at the top are where my blog is broadcast, all over the solar system, as you can tell. Asante!

Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception By Eoin Colfer

In this fourth installment in the "Artemis Fowl" series, Artemis once again, and I cannot tell you how, enters the world of the People, and teams up with Holly Short of the Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance unit once again. In this book, the infamous Opal Koboi, an extremely intelligent Pixie, escapes from jail using two Bwa' Kell gobling, Mervil and Descant, otherwise known as Merv and Scant. Opal is believed by her captors to be in a coma after her capture, and in the prologue, Foaly, the LEP's technology expert, says that someone would have to be totally obsessed to have the readings of a person in a coma without really being in one. From the first chapter named "Totally Obsessed", you can clearly tell that Opal Koboi is clearly not in a coma, but in a special type of self-induced meditative coma she learned from Gola Schweem. Holly Short, in a way and for a purpose, both of which I cannot tell you, reveals herself to Artemis once more, and takes him underground to Haven City. Again, the powers of Holly, Artemis, Butler, and the LEP are stretched to the absolute limits, as the evil Opal Koboi puts a state of fear upon the People. We are reintroduced to many characters and groups, and many unexpected events happen. I won't go into too much detail, but I will tell you that Holly and Artemis are both pushed into many fatal situations, the outcomes of which I cannot say.

For the fourth time, Eoin Colfer strengthens Artemisfowlism in this great book. We are taken even deeper into the characters' minds, and we learn more about exactly who they are. The action is incredible, the characters are very well planned out, and with every word comes a new secret, often revealed. As you can tell, I have becomed obsessed with this incredible series, having made a religion based upon the series, and having blogged on four of the five books, and by reading "The Opal Deception", you will also become an Artemis Fowl obsessed freak like me for no cost at all (just pay shipping and handling). My overall scoop: a very obvious 10 out of 10 on the must-read scale.

The Da Vinci Code By Dan Brown, Part One

This, as you probably have noticed, is the first time I have split a book blog into two topics. I was about to continue the Artemis Fowl trend, though decided to start blogging on this book, as I am about halfway to the end. In this book, a symbologist named Robert Langdon goes to the Louvre (Pronounced Loove) where the curator of the French art museum, Jauques Sauniere was murdered by a man named Silas, an Opus Dei extremist. While at the Louvre, Langdon meets Bezu Fache, a policeman in France that believes Robert to be the assassin of Sauniere. All around the body of the curator, codes and markings are written using blood and a blacklight pen, some of which Langdon decodes. Robert also meets Sophie Neveu, a cryptographer for the Judicial Police, who tells Langdon that Fache will stop at nothing to imprison Robert Langdon, and that the only way to keep Langdon out of jail is to escape the Louvre and get to the American embassy. I can not tell you too much more, nor could I have written the part above in any more detail, as that would ruin the surprise of the book, and would therefore ruin the entire first half of the book, and possibly the entire thing.

If you have seen the movie and loved it, as I did, then you will enjoy the book ten times more than the movie. If you have not seen the movie, then you will love it ten times better than the ones who have, as you will not know what to expect. Dan Brown's suspenceful and intricate writing will most certainly make you think and put you on the edge of your seat, or at least that is the case so far. All of the characters are not fully introduced at the place that they enter, which makes you want to read more into a character's story. Pretty much all of the history and description of the artwork is accurate, and you will definately learn many interesting facts from at leat the first half of the book. My overall scoop: so far, a very strong 10 out of 10 on the must-read scale.

Happy Reading!

Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code By Eoin Colfer

Yes, another Artemis Fowl. Interesting fact: a friend of mine (Yes, you) asked me in class after I had quoted the series several times if I was going to make a religion out of the books. Well, yes, Artemisfowlism is now on the rise, and soon, you may find people referring to Holly Short as "Saint". Anyhow, in this third installment of the Artemis Fowl series, Eoin Colfer once again gives us his all, giving us more detail on the life of this teenage Irish genius. The book begins with Artemis and his bodyguard Butler in a London restaurant waiting for the Chicago bussinessman, Jon Spiro. Artemis created a "C-Cube" out of modified Fairy technology that renders all other technologies obsolete, and intends on selling said device to Spiro with a huge price tag attatched. When Jon Spiro and his New Zealander bodyguard, Arno Blunt enter the restauraunt, all peace is lost. All of the people in the restaurant, apparently working for Spiro, begin attacking Artemis and Butler. Jon Spiro gets away with the C-Cube, though Artemis does take down all of the attackers with a Fairy bomb. I will let you figure out what happens after this, though I must tell you that a character dies, a character comes back to life (The same person???), Holly Short once again assists Artemis in his mischeif, and an event at the very end of the book changes Artemis and Butler until the beginning of the fourth.

Again, kudos to Mr. Colfer for once again producing another wonderful book that people, no matter what age, will hang on to. Eoin (Pronounced "Owen") shows us once again that a book doesn't need to have a title like Harry Potter or A Series of Unfortunate Events to be a great one. If you have thoroughly enjoyed the previous two, the next two, or if you just want to compare this book to others you like to see if you want to get caught up in a new series, then by all means, go to your local library, book store, or Internet and read this book today. My overall scoop: I will try not to sound like a broken record, so let me just say that if the scores for the previous books in this series are history, then history does indeed repeat itself.

Happy Reading!

Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident By Eoin Colfer

If you have stayed with my blog since the beginning, or if you have just started reading it from my last entry, then you will recall reading about the first book in the Artemis Fowl series, Artemis Fowl. This book that I shall blog about now is the sequel to this book, Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident, which is as great, if not better than the first. This book begins in Murmansk in northern Russia, where members of the Russian Mafia discuss their prisoner, Artemis Fowl I, and talk about how his son, Artemis Fowl II will try to rescue him. Artemis ends up having to go from St. Bartleby's school in Ireland to retrieve his father near the Bay of Kola. Meanwhile, Holly Short and Chix Verbil hunt down and defeat a Goblin using stolen Human technology (batteries) to power his weapon. Many events happen, and then Holly is allowed to assist Artemis on his mission to save his father, and off to Russia it is. Though the Russian Mafia is not the only group of antagonists in this book. The primary Fairy antagonist group is the Goblin Bwa' Kell that is attempting to overthrow the LEP with their soft-nose lasers powered by batteries (Holly suspected that Artemis was behind that in the beginning). The brain behind the entire operation turns out to be Foaly's arch rival, Opal Koboi, who is possibly one of the smartest beings under or above Earth's surface.



This book has the same charm that its predecessor had, making it another one of my favorite books. The Arctic Incident showcases Eoin Colfer's writing at its best, having a different meaning for all. Almost every living being, Fairy or Human can find something that they can either relate to or something that they really like in the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading, learning interesting facts, Fantasy, Science- Fiction, and anyone who wants to get caught up in another series. My overall scoop: another 10 out of 10 on the must read scale.

Happy Reading

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Harry Potter better watch his back, because Artemis may soon be the victor. This first book in the charming book series details the first great illegal venture of his criminal life. And no, he is not an adult, but a mere twelve year old boy with an incredible intelligence quotient. Artemis Fowl II, an Irish boy whose father was taken by the Russian Mafia and began a vast criminal empire, is now continuing the empire his father began. The action begins when Captain Holly Short of the Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance unit (LEPrecon), the first female officer, comes up to the Irish surface from the underground Fairy capital of Haven City to restore her magic. Artemis, having captured the Fairy Bible in Ho Chi Mihn City, finds Holly Short and captures her. Through a series of complicated and interesting events, we meet Butler, Artemis' bodyguard, Juliet, Butler's sister, Julius Root, Angeline Fowl, Foaly, Trouble and Grub Kelp, and many other interesting and unique characters.

This book is the first in the Artemis Fowl series, followed by Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident. What I love about this book is that it is a mix of Harry Potter, Ocean's Eleven, and Lord of the Rings. It has suspence, humor, wit, romance, different races, and action. This book is for anyone who enjoys science-fiction and fantasy, and will hook readers from the first page. I was driven by my curiosity and interest to continue reading the series, and now that I have finished all of the books, I am anticipating the release of Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox next year. My overall scoop: A 10 out of 10 on the must read scale (Isn't that the case with all of my topics?)

Kuiper: The Outermost Three by Myself

The news. It all begins by something as simple as a new decree from the scholars of Earth. The news that Pluto is no longer a planet sends the human worshiping planet of Pluto into despair. Pluto is then forced to become part of the Kuiper Empire located in, where else; the Kuiper Belt. The only people who oppose the planned attack on Earth are a Plutonian boy named Otaka Zetranik, the teenage queen of Xebonia, Katarinthia, her guard Tresepok, the half human Wan- Hoo III, the oracle Solcrona, the underground living Romula, and Vixillia, an oracle who will remind you of a self- centered Luna Lovegood. These comrades encounter many dangers such as Alphenor, Katarinthia's former fiance, Unisio Xebonion, Kuiper's new emperor, the Erithopilans, which is the race that Romula comes from, Rivoran Kenthorm, Hesiamorca, and the strange art of magic ( I tried to be as little like Harry Potter as I could).

I am writing this book so that it will appeal to any type of reader. It is filled with action, adventure, suspense, treachery.and even romance. Whenever I am forced to explain the format of the books in the series, I always have a tough time. So let me explain this as clearly as I can. There are thirteen chapters in each book, three books in each big book, or part, and there are nine little books in all. While writing, I consider the names that I am choosing to include. Though it may not seem like it, all of the names reflect the person's personality or characteristics, which could greatly aid the reader's guess as to the conclusion of the series. My overall scoop: that is for me to know, and for you to hopefully find out.

Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp

From Puddlemere United to the Chudley Cannons, this wizarding library essential tells it all. If you have not learned enough on how to play the simple game of Quidditch, then this book is certainly for you, the Viktor Krum of tomorrow. Kennilworthy Whisp explains in detail the art of playing this popular wizarding sport, from its first game in Queerditch Marsh, to mishaps of more modern Quidditch matches. Not only does it talk of Quidditch, though it also talks of other broom games, such as Stichstock, Aingingein, Creaothceann, and Swivenhodge. It also talks of the Golden Snidget, an extremely endangered bird replaced by the Golden Snitch for humane reasons.

If you are wondering if this book is truly worth your time, then look at the Praise that it recieved from Rita Skeeter. She said:

"I've read worse."

She would never say anything that polite about a book if it isn't good. This book explains Quidditch much more in depth than the Muggle J.K. Rowling ever did, knowledge of Quidditch coming only from a leaked Quibbler article that Jo found. My overall scoop: If you are like me, and you like books that explain sports that involve brooms, then a ten out of ten. Though if you are too caught up in your Muggle heritage to care, then a negative one hundred thirty seven and a half out of ten. If that is the case, then please stop disgracing my work, and start reading about ponies, soccer, and other Muggle things of the sort.

The End By Lemony Snicket

Lemony, Lemony, Lemony. For years now, Lemony Snicket has become one of the more famous (or as he may put it: infamous) writers of today. It was with a heavy, yet somewhat light heart that I finished a series that I quite despise, yet love at the same time. The thirteenth book in the Series of Unfortunate Events, the Baudelaire children; Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, along with Count Olaf are stuck at sea in a boat that the Count has named Count Olaf. The only things that they have are each other and a deadly fungus named Medusoid Mycellium in a figurehead. The children and Count are about to give up hope when they land on a supposedly deserted island. They soon find that they are not the only people there. They find the people on the island who follow a little too close behind their facilitator called Ishmael. Ishmael rules over not just the people of the island, though also their minds by saying " I won't force you, though I would really like it if..." By doing this, the islanders are not able to act upon their own free wills. Through a series of complicated and unfortunate events, the orphans find that their parents once lived on the island, that Ishmael is slightly evil, and that the horseradish in a hybrid apple tree will counteract the Medusoid Mycellium. In the end, the deadly fungus is released into the lungs of the islanders, the islanders sail away, with Ishmael full of apples, the Baudelaires save themselves with the apples, Count Olaf dies, Kit Snicket ( a relative of Lemony's) gives birth, and the orphans continue to live on the island with the new Beatrice Baudelaire II.

If you enjoy misery, pain, misery, laughter, misery, dry humor, and misery, then this is certainly the book for you. Lemony Snicket's clever use of humor, and social satire will certainly blow you away. The sarcasm and dry, sometimes metaphorical humor show off his insane ability to write novels, no matter how miserable and unfortunate they are. My overall scoop: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K Rowling

This is possibly the most written about book blog topic ever, though I have found it in my heart to go with the crowd on this one.

In the end of the epic tale of Harry Potter, this teenage hero must, in quoting Dumbledore, choose between what is right, and what is easy. This year, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are not attending Hogwarts, but are completing the monumental task of destroying the Dark Lord Voldemort's horcruxes, and defeating him once and for all. Years before Voldemort was unsuccessful in killing Harry, he preserved his soul in seven horcruxes in order to gain almost immortality. Dumbledore knew this, and right before he was killed by Severus Snape, he told Harry that he was to hunt down and destroy these.

Though Voldemort was reading his children's stories, and while reading Tales of the Beetle and the Bard, he came across the tale of the Deathly Hallows. He then realized that in order to truly defeat death, he had to obtain these three hallows. Through a series of complicated events, Harry, Ron, and Hermione destroy five of the horcruxes, learn about the Deathly Hallows from Luna Lovegood's father, Xenophilius, travel to Hogwarts, fight against the Dark Lord, and, well I wouldn't want to spoil it.

Even if you don't like the idea of Harry Potter, I would still highly recommend reading this book just to see the style in which Jo Rowling writes. Throughout this book you see things hidden that you may skip over. Such as Xenophilius, which relates to xenophilia, which means brotherly love to people you do not know. Also Voldemort whose name (and Jo did not know this when writing the books) is French for flight of death. There are many other relations to Old English, poetry, Greek and Roman mythology, and high thrills in this book. My overall scoop: This is a ten out of ten on the must read scale.