Penny Preston and the Silver Scepter (Misaligned #2) by Armen Pogharian

Penny Preston and the Silver Scepter (Misaligned #2) Reviews

• 
  Kim

  Penny is back with her friends. This time they are trying to find out who is going around Piper Falls pulling pranks. Are these pranks tied to the man in red who is seeking a warm place to stay or are they tied to the discovery of a Seneca scepter?
  
  The characters are entertaining and interesting. Penny is a smart and brave young lady, her best friend Duncan is loyal and trustworthy. The great of the group is made up of Penny’s cat, , Simon and Mentors Master Poe and Mr. Myrdin.These three characters are well-developed and otherworldly. One of my favorite characters that only makes small appearances is Duncan’s Grandmother. She is your sweet grandmother type but holds a lot of answers from the past.
  The story is fast-paced, captivating, and heartwarming. This is a wonderful written YA fantasy book that can be enjoyed by all ages.
  
  I listened to the audio version of the book. The narrator Michelle Babb is a wonderful storyteller. She does a wonderful job voicing the characters. I'm never confused by which character is speaking. I sometimes forget that there are not actually multiple people doing the voices. I can just get lost in the story as she bring it to life.
  
  All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
• 
  Angie

  Penny is still dealing with the fall-out of the events of three months before, when she encounters a mysterious red time strand while closing a time fold. Suddenly, Piper Falls is plagued by a man in red asking for hospitality, some rather nasty pranks, and a huge amount of extra-dimensional energy in the area. And what exactly does a Red Leprechaun, or Coch Coblyn have to do with all this?
  
  As Penny sees it:
  
  “Underestimated the danger… how is that possible? I mean, seriously, what could be worse than having a homicidal, violence-loving, all-powerful, over-sized Celtic garden gnome with 2,000 years of resentment toward the human race running loose in the world?”
  
  As with the first book, “Misaligned”, I thoroughly enjoyed “The Silver Scepter”. The main characters, Penny, Duncan, Mr. Myrdin, Master Poe and the cat, Simon, had already grown on me while I read the first book so I was thrilled to join them in another adventure. Being a cat lover, I simply adore Simon, who regularly reminds Penny that: "I am Cait Sith", whenever Penny doubts his prowess or is astonished by his powers.
  
  As this story switches from a very ancient lost world and ancient North America to seventeenth century England and modern America it becomes a fascinating puzzle that has to make a complete picture at the end of the book. Woven into all this is some very interesting Celtic mythology, an ancient magical artifact and a little history of the Seneca people.
  
  Fortunately it is easy to dislike the truly bad guy in the story as he is a snobbish, selfish idiot who has a severe problem with science and progress. On the other hand there are a couple of paranormal geeks to liven up the situation.
  
  If this is not enough to convince you to read this marvelous tale of adventure, think whether you would like to discover an alternate theory about how the great fire of London might have started.
  
  An extremely interesting, suspenseful and heart-warming read, I highly recommend “The Silver Scepter” to readers of all ages. This fascinating combination of legend, mythology, history and the paranormal deserves every one of the five stars I happily give it. (Ellen Fritz)
  
• 
  Bryan Prosek

  “The Raven’s Talisman” and “The Silver Scepter” are the first and second books in the Misaligned series by Armen Pogharian. The series begins in the first book when eighth grader Penny Preston discovers that she is misaligned during a food fight in the school cafeteria. She exists in more than three dimensions. Misalignment gives her special abilities, but unless she immediately begins training, she risks losing her sanity. She agrees to secretly train with her counselor and his friend Master Poe, an exile from the seventh dimension trapped in a raven’s body. In training, she learns that she is the key to preventing higher-dimensional beings from entering our universe, which could doom us.
  
  The second book picks up where the first leaves off. While closing a time fold spawned by the events of the first book, Penny encounters a knot in time. The only way she can break it is by releasing a never before seen red time strand. This leads to the discovery of a prehistoric artifact and a series of baffling events and two beings from other dimensions arriving in Penny’s world causing havoc. Penny and her friends must once again race to unravel the secrets of the artifact and prevent either of the new arrivals from using it to return to power.
  
  Both of these books are extremely well written. They are well-plotted and paced very nicely. The author provides a nice mixture of action and interesting plot developing dialogue, which includes bits of Arthurian legend, Celtic mythology, and archeology. The dialogue is detailed enough to paint a perfect picture and draw the reader in, but not too detailed so as to slow down the pace. The author also incorporates an excellent mix of extra-dimensional characters, some of which take on a form familiar to our world, including a talking raven and an awesome cat (I want a Cait Sith cat). The author has an excellent imagination and is able to bring that imagination to life in this fantasy tale.
  
  While each of these two books can be a stand alone read, once you read one, you won’t want to stop until you read the other. I can’t wait to read the third book in the series, Penny Preston and the King’s Blade. While you get the hint that the protagonist, an incredibly intelligent and likeable teenage girl, and her best friend, a teenage boy, want to be more than friends, these two books go no further than best friends. The series includes some descriptions of fighting against mythical creatures, but there is no foul language, no drug use, and no sexual scenes. If either book was a movie, it would receive a PG rating. While targeted at Middle Grade and Young adult, I recommend these books to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy adventure.
  
• 
  Sherry

  This is the second volume in a great middle grade fantasy series that works as a solid option if you’re looking to find more alternatives to the Harry Potter series if you’re done with JKR.
  
  Our heroine Penny and her friend Duncan are back once again, aided by Master Poe and Mr. Myrdin. As she continues to practice and hone her abilities, the relationship progression between Penny and Duncan feels natural and un-rushed. Duncan’s grandmother Mrs. Cadogan remains maybe my favorite character, popping in with subtle commentary and crucial information. As if dealing with interdimensional beings and a time-travelling villain wasn’t enough trouble, they now have to be even more careful with the wonderful addition of a paranormal investigator, Kolchak, who happens to be friends with the local Sheriff’s Deputy.
  
  I think it’s really interesting to see how Pogharian continues to weave different mythologies together, this time adding more Welsh in addition to both ancient Egyptian (a personal favorite of mine if you couldn’t tell yet) and Iroquois/Seneca. It’s definitely inspired me to look into them more. I’m really interested to see what new mythologies will be entwined together in the next book!
  
  I listened to the audiobook again---still narrated by Michelle Babb, who did an excellent job once more bringing even more great characters to life! I can’t wait for the third book to be released soon!
  
  Star Rating : 8/10
  Would I recommend? Yes.
  Similar Titles? The Crowns of Croswold, Harry Potter, The Paper Magician, All Souls Series (but for a younger crowd)
  
• 
  Julie Howard

  I enjoyed this book but I think you need to have read or listened to the first book for this book to make sense. The story jumps around from character to character and even in time and can get a bit confusing to start with but it soon all comes together nicely. I like the characters and that combined with the unusual story lines makes this book so enjoyable. There is a little bit of everything in this book, a good mystery - who was behind all the pranks, adventure -escaping a burning city, syfi - A talking bird from another dimension and a talking cat as a guardian, magic and curses - Red Leprechaun or even a Coch Coblyn trapped in an artefact. You even get a school lesson on ancient Egypt. I can't wait for next book.
  With strange pranks happening all over Piper Falls Penny fears that when she closed the last rift in time she missed something. So she and Duncan start chasing up sighting of the little red man but they aren't the only ones. A paranormal detective is in town with all his high Tec gagets. Can Penny keep her time bending powers under wraps? And stop the little red man from hurting anybody? Time has proved that every time he is seen then something bad is going to happen. Can time travel be the explanation behind why there has been so many sightings of him? And if so what has brought him to Piper falls? There is also the time rifts with the strange coloured threads that seem to be tangled together could they lead to a clue as to what is going to happen?
  I liked the narrator. She is perfect for the role of Penny and and her friends and brings just the right amount of drama and suspense to the story to keep you hooked.
  I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
  
• 
  Brenda Perlin

  "Misaligned: The Silver Scepter" by Armen Pogharian is the second book in the series and the second book that I have read by this talented author. These books are imaginative with clever story-lines that are intelligent and filled with adventure and intrigue. Perfect for the young fantasy reader. Or anyone who is looking for an unusual escape. The writing is uniquely poignant and the characters are addicting. How could I not fall for Penny and Duncan? I love that this series has a strong female lead. That is one of the things that really attracted me to this series. Girl power all the way and at the same time guys are empowered too.
  
  I was touched by the first book in the series, Misaligned: The Celtic Connection and this story, The Silver Scepter does not disappoint.
  
  There are so many things going on in this story but it never gets too confusing or too complicated. This is a great escape from what I usually read and I devoured it in record time. So imaginative, suspenseful and entertaining. The scenes came to life as I turned the pages with such good visuals that are crystal clear and the writing is immaculate. Brilliant if you ask me. This clever story is smart and at the same time authentic. I have yet to read a series so unique. I enjoyed the entire journey from beginning to end. Loving catching back up with Penny and Duncan. Felt like my long lost friends. Such great energy and with heart.
• 
  Joey Paul

  Having devoured the first book in a few days I was desperate to read the sequel and managed it in just two days of solid reading at bedtime. Once again, all is not right in Piper Falls and it seems that there is more to the history of the known world than we thought. Penny and Duncan are both working hard to make sure that Penny's status as misaligned is not known to any other than the core group. When an artefact that is carbon tested to be over 6K years old, it seems that there is more at work than first thought. Once again Pogharian has overdone themselves with this book. It's fast paced and I drank it up as if it were my life blood. A cast of new characters fill in the gaps between the lessons from Penny's trainer and Master Poe, and Penny herself finds that she is learning more and more about what being misaligned actually means and what she can do with it. I loved the first book and I adored the sequel. My hope is to move onto the third (and last book so far) today and finish it asap. My only problem is that that will mean I have to wait for Armen to write more and I have never been that patient when it comes to a series of books that are as gripping as these. Recommended to all those who love mystery without crime and dead bodies, and love the paranormal as well as learning something new about Welsh and Celtic folklore. An excellent read from start to finish and I highly recommend this series to readers young and old!
• 
  fred jones

  Loved this book, I fitting follow up to the first book this time featuring An Atlantean artefact, a red leprechaun and an ancient high priest. Great story spanning thousands of years with a series of strong well described characters. Penny who is growing into her abilities, I loved Simon and Mr Poe and even liked the leprechaun despite his mischief. The narration is strong as I have come to expect from this narrator, still can't quite manage a Welsh accent but this is only niggles because I am Welsh myself otherwise Michelle is one of the best. I liked that the story moves from the past to the present and then back to the past again telling the history of the artefact. Great action packed ending. I really look forward to the next book. Highly recommended for all ages who enjoy a family adventure story with great ideas, higher dimensions and legends. I received a complimentary copy from the narrator and am leaving a honest voluntary review
• 
  Elena Alvarez Dosil

  Review originally published at:
  https://lomeraniel.com/book-review-pe...
  
  Penny is still dealing with the aftermath of the previous book, when closing a time fold she discovers a mysterious red time strand that will give everyone some headaches. If the previous book revisited the Celtic lore, in this one we’ll get a presentation about Ancient Egypt, and we’ll travel to a long-lost world from six centuries ago in a riveting tale of wonder and never-ending adventures.
  
  The same characters from the previous book appear in this installment, but the story is centered this time around other people and events. I found the background information interesting and the parallel stories entertaining and engaging. There are several POV changes throughout the book that makes it rich and engrossing.
  
  The two main characters, Penny and Duncan, are 11-year-olds, so this book is mainly aimed at middle graders. It doesn’t mean that it can’t be read by older fantasy fans, as the story involves much more than kids’ problems, but it’s something to keep in mind.
  
  Michelle Babb’s narration is exquisite, as always. She has become one of my favorite female narrators. She is expressive, she gets the nuances of the story and transmits them successfully to the listener. Babb delivers great characters’ interpretations and she voices each of them in a unique way. I could listen to any book narrated by her for hours and not get tired of it.
  
  I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
• 
  Lis Carey

  Penny Preston, her friend Duncan, her multidimensional cat, or "Cait Sith," Simon, and their mentors, Mr. Myrdin and Master Poe, are facing a dangerous new challenge.
  
  Something went wrong with Penny's closure of a new time fold, and something may have slipped through. Meanwhile, a friend of Myrdin's on an archaeology dig has found an ancient artifact, a silver scepter.
  
  Suddenly, people are seeing a strange little man dressed in red, who asks for favors. After he doesn't get them, strange pranks are played--including the local cat lady's cats being hung up in trees, but very carefully, in rope nets that restrain them without harming them.
  
  When the archaeologists, hoping for more funding, arrange a meeting with local figures including a sachem of a local Native American tribe, something less harmless happens. During that meeting, one of the participants finds himself unable to move. Penny, in a class where she and Duncan are supposed to do a presentation on Hatshepsut, is seen by others to faint, while she finds herself floating over the meeting in the town library, about the scepter. In the course of this, the scepter disappears from the hands of the sachem.
  
  Penny, Duncan, Master Poe, and Mr. Myrdin discover that what's going on is a potential threat to the survival of the planet.
  
  It's fun, exciting, and leavened with interesting bits of 17th century and early Native American mythology, and what might possibly be the fall of Atlantis. And despite having unusual powers, Penny and Duncan remain real kids, smart kids, brave kids, but subject to the same impulses and mistakes in judgment based in their limited experience.
  
  A very enjoyable, satisfying story. Recommended.
  
  I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
• 
  Seth

  I received this book for free and leave this review of my own accord.
  
  This would be a solid 4-star middle-grade or YA fantasy book if not for the author grinding the plot of the book to a halt in order to give a full account of the school history project of two kids who arent even the main characters and during whose presentation nothing of consequence occurs. I was expecting something relevant to come up later regarding the information presented, but if there was a callback to that foreshadowing then it was only in an offhand comment which didnt seem to help anything.
  
  Characters also nod a lot. That's fine. Many authors tend to use small things like that a bunch, but the narrator stretches that short 'o' sound out longer than it should be (and thats with me listening at 1.3x speed), so that was a bit distracting.
  
  Overall, I enjoyed this and would be willing to read the next entry. Im especially interested to see what happens with Duncan's grandma.
  
  Read this book if you like irl history being woven into your fantasy books.
  Read this book if you like Middle-grade/ YA fantasy.
• 
  Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs'

  I am not the target audience for this book I have decided after listening to it, so I thought I would listen to it with my teenage daughter and listen to it through her ears. She got a lot of enjoyment both from the story and narration and got engaged (hard enough for teenagers). I enjoyed listening to Michelle's narration and in the end it got me invested in the story so I couldnt wait for our listening session to see what happened next.
  
  I was given a free copy by the narrator but the review is entirely my own.
• 
  April

  Penny Preston and the Silver Scepter
  Misaligned, Book II
  By: Armen Pogharian
  
  Penny and Duncan are on a continuing adventure. Time folds, vicious
  
  practical jokes, and a stranger that raises even more questions. Sort of
  
  sy/fi, sort of time travel, and mystery to keep the listener intrigued.
  
  
  The narration was well done as always, by Michelle Babb. The characters
  
  were well portrayed.
  
  
  I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have
  
  voluntarily left this review.
  
• 
  Janice Clark

  Penny and her allies, having become more powerful and knowledgeable, continue to keep earth safe by dealing with invaders from other dimensions. If this were fantasy rather than science fiction, it would be all about magic and invading demons. It's exciting and entertaining, but I wish the author weren't so prone to interrupting the action with complex scientific (or pseudo-scientific) explanations.
• 
  Deedra

  This book was good,but more complicated than the first one.I found that there was just too much to keep track of.Very good YA series.There were Celtic and ghost elements .Michelle Babb did a fine job narrating.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
• 
  Anne Rightler

  Having read the first book in Armen Pogharian's series, Misaligned, I knew I would enjoy book II, Penny Preston and the SIlver Scepter. Even though this is not my usual genre of book to read or listen to I enjoyed this contemporary fantasy for teens. The book is entertaining and delightful with characters who are believable (those of human form anyway!) and interesting. Penny, her friend Duncan and Mr. Myrdin are puzzled by the pranks happening in their town. A Celtic spirit has arrived and is wreaking havoc. Why is he here, and what does he have to do with the ancient scepter? The story moves quickly and the author keeps interest high with suspense, mystery, and some edge-of-the-seat action. The narrator, Michelle Babb, does a nice job of giving characters their unique voice, making for an enjoyable listening experience. I enjoyed the book and look forward to listening to any other books that may come in this series. I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.