Zak Corbin: Master of Machines
By Tony Russo
286 pages – ages 12+
Published by CreateSpace on August 23, 2012
Zakary Corbin loved robots, but most teenage boys do. Zak however, is the nephew of the world-famous robot-inventor, Dr. Elias Corbin, who is in jail for a reason his parents won’t tell him. Zak finds out that his uncle was put in jail because he was a traitor and used his robots to destroy a factory. Zak knows that his uncle couldn’t be a traitor and wouldn’t build evil robots and he decides to find out the truth. Zak finds the plans to build one of his uncles robots called a “Guardian.” Zak and his friends decide to build the Guardian and prove that his uncles robots are not evil, but things do not go as planned…
First I have to say – WHAT A COOL COVER! The cover art is awesome. There was a lot good action, excitement and cool robot stuff. Mr. Russo also put in a lot of humor mixed in, which I always like in a story. The story itself was good and fun to read, but it wasn’t as involved as I would have liked. I had a bit of trouble picturing the settings in my head and I wanted a bit more to the plot. The characters of Zak and his friends were good characters that were fun to read about. One thing I didn’t like was that there was cursing throughout the book (by some of the adult characters). The book was written for kids older than me and cursing sometimes adds to a character’s personality. It was more than I like (I don’t want any), but may not be a problem for other kids. I was surprised to find out that the book takes place in the 20th century. It made a cool dystopian setting.
Three out of five bookworms for Zak Corbin: Master of Machines.
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Categories: Age 12+
Thank you for this concise review. I was considering this book for my son but was not aware of the swearing. Now, I know to wait a few years.
I am glad this review was helpful Ms. Hertz! Please come again!
20th Century??!! Mom is suddenly feeling old and decrepit. I agree with you – cursing is naughty.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I suddenly realized what is happening in your commenting photo/avatar – Your Mom is holding you while you type and she is smiling at the camera, right? You are looking downwords… 😉 Cursing is naughtier than the bad guys in the Redwall books (which are really good books!)!
It is a cool cover. I’d like to see a bigger picture of it. A good review Erik. I am not fond of swear words either, but they area part of life. A book for kids older than you should have more of everything you said it was lacking.
Thanks Ms. Morris! Sadly, cursing is a part of life. 🙁
Thanks for the review Erik. Covering important things, readers should know about. Well done. I agree with you, the cover is indeed AWESOME! Thanks again, I love your blog.
Paul R. Hewlett
I am glad you like my review Mr. Hewlett! 😀
I love that your reviews are so honest, Erik.
Thank you Ms. Larson!
sounds like a book for boys. I agree, no need for cursing!
You are so right Dr. Clune! Cursing is useless!
Agree about the cursing. I see way too much of it, and I really don’t want my kids to pick up the habit. Agree about the cover, though, too. Pretty cool!
Hey, I see you’re still reading Musketeers. How’s it going? I got a chapter into it this summer then put it down in favor of a book I was more eager to read. I never picked it back up again. 🙁 The old classic I’m currently reading is Les Mis–so I can finish before the movie comes out on Christmas. My roommate had the soundtrack from the Broadway production (so I can sing along :)) but I don’t really know the story.
Cursing is horrible. >:-}( <-angry mustache guy)
I don't read Musketeers that much, but am slowly going along. I am on Chapter 41 out of ??? chapters.
Chapter 41–good for you!!
😀
I’m so glad that your reviews tell not only what you like, but what you had trouble with in a book. It makes it so much easier to get a full understanding of a book. Thanks, Erik!
Thank you Ms. Stilborn! I always try to be honest! 🙂
While I think some cursing can be appropriate for older teens, I see no need to put it in middle grade books. Thanks for your honest review and I too love the cover!
I am glad you like my review Miss Marple! I agree that it can be somewhat appropriate to have cursing in YA books and older, but not in any thing younger.
Definitely a boy book. The cover is very catchy! Love your honesty!
Thanks Ms. Tilton! I think older boys will really like this book!
The cover reminds me of the Iron Giant movie! Just noticed it’s snowing on WP – cool!
YAY! It’s snowing where I am – on the computer! 😉 I don’t remember if I saw the Iron Giant movie. Can you tell me about it?
It’s a favorite animated film, about a boy who befriends an alien robot with a good ‘heart’: you can see the movie poster and click on the ‘watch trailer’ link here – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129167/
I LOVED the Iron Giant! It is a great movie! 🙂
If I could high five you through the blog, I would!
😀
Thanks for an honest review, Erik. I have to admit, a robot book is not one I’d likely head for first one the shelf. I barely survived the Transformer movie 🙂
Thanks Ms. Hill. I haven’t been allowed to watch the transformers movies yet, but I do like robots! 😉
This cover is awesome! This sounds like an overall good book with an interesting plot. I enjoyed your honest review. It was great to hear what you liked and didn’t like! Thanks for sharing.
Oh- and love the snow!
I love how you temper the things that you don’t like with the things that you do like. Very thoughtful and kind, Erik. I agree with you, though, about the cursing, particularly in MG novels. 🙂
Thank you Ms. Bascal! Cursing is a bad thing, and I don’t know why people do it. 🙁