The Spider Jockey Academy (Unofficial Minecraft Adventures)
Title/Author: The Spider Jockey Academy Series / Christopher Craft
Genre: Minecraft Fan Fiction
Publisher: Still Looking
Date of publish: January 2016
Recommended Ages: Middle Grades
My Review:
The Spider Jockey Academy Series follows Boris. A human teen who has had a dream that leads him into the Minecraft world to find his way the the Spider Jockey Academy. Humans in general are not trusted by the mobs of Minecraft and though he makes some friends, most of the other students and some of his teachers are openly hostile to him being there.
Book 1- Covers his entry into the academy and his introduction to the faculty and student body. He immediately gets off on the wrong foot with history Professor Nitroe, who is intent on blaming Boris for every wrong a human has committed since the beginning of time. Also he has some runs-ins with upper-classmen Saul Sage, the zombie pigman who is the academy’s best jockey. Boris tries to keep his down and get through his classes best he can.
Book Links: Amazon The Spider Jockey Academy: The Journey (Volume 1)
Book 2- Covers year one midterms to the end of the school year. Boris[ is still dealing with hostile elements in the school and trying to navigate his way through tests that are pass or die in some cases.
Book Links: Amazon / Goodreads / Riffle
Book 3- Boris has made it to his sophomore year and though he no longer has to deal with open hostility, he knows he isn’t trusted by most everyone. Also his best friend is acting bizarrely and he is sure that he is somehow the reason.
Book Links: Amazon / Goodreads / Riffle
The entire series so far has been a fun adventure that fits nicely in the Minecraft genre. Though it is unofficial fan fiction, most players will enjoy seeing the mobs as something more than game play and will enjoy learning a bit the history and heroes of this story. The illustrations are pure minecraft and there are plenty of spell and weapon lore to satisfy any young minecraft fan. As a mom who spends hours a week with MC going on somewhere around me, I can say that it has made it a bit more enjoyable for me as well. I think the rest of the series, when it comes out will be just a fun. What I like about these books, and many of the other books by this author, is the built in impetuous for kids to read. We have all seen our crafting kids with their noses buried in the latest you tube tutorials, saves and play-alongs. While I will admit to the possible educational value in some of those, it is very nice to see the screen off and a nose buried in a book instead. Win-Win for kids and their parents/educators.
Goodreads Summary:
Only the strong survive. Do you have what it takes to make it through the Academy?
Deep within the mountains, legends tell of a mystical place where young men and women are trained in the mystical art of spider riding.
At the Academy, these brave few are pushed to their physical and mental limits in their pursuit of becoming a spider jockey.
It is here that the brave are set apart from the weak, and only the strong survive.Join Boris, our fearless hero, who defies all odds when he is accepted to the Academy as the first, and only, human student to ever attend. In his quest to become a legendary spider jockey, Boris must rely on his wits, strength, and his indomitable spirit to succeed, as he dodges every obstacle that comes his way.
Between difficult professors, bullies, and unimaginable odds, Boris must fight for every inch it takes to achieve his dream and reach his full potential. Will he have the stamina to do it? Can he really rise to the occasion and become an apt and able spider rider?
Book Links: Amazon / Goodreads / Riffle
About The Author:
Website / Facebook / Twitter
Christopher Craft loves gaming! He has played a ton of games. He loves letting his imagination run wild when he is building in Minecraft or defending against attacks in Clash of Clans.
He holds nothing back when gaming, just like in his adventures! So come along and immerse yourself in epic quests that will take you into realms only ever imagined.
All these amazing stories came to life through Christopher’s dreams. From Minecraft to Clash… from Angry Birds to League… there are no limits to his dreams or his imagination!
The Obsidian Knights Adventure Series takes you on a fantastical journey filled with Intergalactic Dragons… Knights from an Ancient Order… Worlds formed before the foundations of time… The universe you know is not all that there is, as you will soon discover!
Minecraft Fan Fiction Parodies are one of his favorites! He has always wondered what they might try and tell us if they could. So come along and venture into galaxies and alternate game realities.
Fit for all ages.
