Whenever I’m in a particular bad mood, a lot of the comforts I turn to ends up being encompassed by childhood nostalgia. That means Scooby Doo binge watches, re-reading old favourites and jumping into old games like Neopets. Because I know I’m not the only one to do this… I decided to create a Neopets book tag to get the nostalgia running alongside our love of books.
For me personally, I loved all the different types of places that were included in Neopets. I could go from my favourite place, Faerieland, because I’m basic af but then go to the haunted woods and have a spooky adventure. So I catered this book tag to have questions which related to each of the places on Neopia’s map.
Neopia Central
The Neopia Central question is what is your favourite book that includes a bustling city full of different things for the reader to uncover?
When I think of Neopia central I think of a huge town or city full of things to do. From the marketplace where you could buy pretty much anything to the money tree and wishing well where you could hope for something you’d love. So I wanted to choose a book that emulated this feeling.
For me, two different books came to mind where there’s a lot of focus on the place we’re in. The first is Feathertide which I actually read recently – and this book takes our main character to this city where people go to find their dreams. The city itself is not too different to the average place, but the things that happen there always have a magical edge and there’s always something to do. I think this gives off a neopia central vibe as there was always a childhood sense of magic when you logged in and could go exploring.
The second book isn’t a favourite of mine at all, however the city was a huge factor into our main characters storyline. That is City of Circles which is set in this city which is split into circular layers which move independently from one another. There’s a scene which, if I’m remembering correctly, is near the beginning where we enter a street festival. The kind of bustling city is really shown in these parts, and it almost immediately was brought to mind with this question.
Faerieland
The Faerieland question is what is a book that takes you into the home of faeries in some way?
Faerieland was my favourite place to visit as a child, because I’ve always been into fantasy. Growing up a lot of my books were also based on fey and faeries and so exploring the faerie quests, finding magical objects, and healing my neopets at the springs are all clear memories for me.
My book tastes in fey defintely border more toward Jhudora than any other kind of Neopet faerie. My main book for this question has to be Tithe by Holly Black. This is on the first books I remember reading which talked about the Seelie and Unseelie courts, and I don’t think I’ve stopped searching for these books sinces. I loved that it was much darker than the I guess disney style fairies I was used to.
Another series would be the Iron Fey series. Again, this used the Unseelie and Seelie court vibes and I devoured these books when I got my hands on them. What I loved about the Iron Fey series is that it developed the Faerie world to include more modern aspects which related to the real world.
The Haunted Woods
The Haunted Woods and the Brain Tree wants to ask you what book has managed to scare you?
It’s forever halloween in the Haunted Woods and whether you were visiting the Deserted Fairgroun or Edna’s Tower it was always spooky. Because of this, I thought it only fitting that this prompt would be to find some scary books (right in time for October and Halloween right?).
Honestly I’m a bit of a baby when it comes to anything horror, I now live alone so scaring myself is never the best idea. However, when I was a bit younger I remember I completely freaked myself out after reading Coraline. I’d already watched the film so I wanted to read the book, and I swear the book is 10x scarier.
Brightvale
As readers we know all about reading for knowledge, and when in Brightvale King Hagen asks you who is your favourite character who was a student, scholar or reader?
I never knew what I was doing when it came to give King Hagen some words of wisdom, but I remember I made my Neopet a big reader! Brightvale had a great bookstore and I always liked spending too much money at the Wheel of Knowledge… so finding characters just like my learning obsessed Lupe seemed necessary.
My choose for is two books again. The first is Arram Draper in Tempests and Slaughter as he is a student learning throughout the entire book. He’s a brilliant student, where teachers are giving him additional classes and I just enjoyed the magical feel of his school. He’s also a character who wants to learn, and isn’t being forced into a training montage which I think made the book more enjoyable.
The second book is again a character who wants to put the effort into learning, and this is The Epic Crush of Genie Lo and the second book too, The Iron Will of Genie Lo. Both of the books focus on Genie who wants to learn all about her new found powers, but also wants to excel in school. The juggling of being a student for both really affects her, and makes a great read.
Meridell
Meridell is medieval in style, so King Skarl wants to know what is your favourite medieval style fantasy world?
On the other side of the river is Meridell, which is the abode of King Skarl. Whether it’s archery in Ultimate Bullseye, rolling cheese down a hill, or kissing the Mortog… it basically gets you ready to read all those medieval fantasy’s you’ve been putting off.
The first place that I could think of was Westeros from the A Song of Ice and Fire Series. Westeros and particulary it’s court system is very medieval Europe feeling, and Martin himself has said he uses a lot of historical influence in his writing. I binge read the entire series (of the books released…) in one summer a few years ago and really loved jumping into a large fantasy series.
Krawk Island
Training with pirates is one way to level up, so the question is what is a book that includes pirates?
Krawk island and it’s inhabitants are always ready for some swashbuckling so finding some extra pirates to join in is necessary. Which book lets you explore some amazing beaches, secret caves and pirate ships?
The latest book I’ve read and loved that includes pirates has to be Viper. The pirates aren’t traditional pirates, in that they are technically controlled… but they’re still pirates. Marianne is a brillinat character throughout, and I really need to pick up the next book in the series!
Altador
Altador loves it’s heroes and legends, but who’s your favourite hero character?
Altador is perfect for a book tag in that it’s a place that we’ve seen over and over in books. Rich in heroics and history, Altador has it’s very own Hall of Heroes. So nows the time to choose which of your favourite characters to join them.
After thinking all about the traditional heroes you think of (and also a brief lapse where I could only think of superheroes…) I decided that my favourite character that’s truly a “hero” is Yumeko in the Shadow of the Fox series. She’s almost selfless in her actions and she ends up saving the entire world, so she really does fit the hero trope.
Shenkuu
You enter the Lunar Temple of Shenkuu and the wise Gnorbu asks what is an asian inspired book that you’ve read recently?
Shenkuu is in a floating city above the clouds that is only reachable by flying ships. It’s inspired by both Chinese and Japanese culture, and there’s so much to explore. Which books would you love to read whilst looking out over the misty mountains below?
8 questions in and only now was I thinking of duplcating my answer… Shadow of the Fox is defintely Japanese inspired, however I think I’m going to go with The Wolf of Oren Yaro which is south-east asian inspired. I adored this book for it’s main character (also named The Bitch Queen) and the journey she takes, but the world building which was based on the Phillipines was beautiful.
Kiko Lake
After a long day of boating on Kiko Lake, what is a book that was set mainly on water?
I feel like Kiko Lake was one of the first places I went to in Neopets and it’s home to many Kiko’s. To get around, you’ll need a boat… so I thought the best question for this prompt would be about being on the water.
I don’t know why but as soon as I thought of books set mainly on water I thought “vikings” and this led me to Beyond a Darkened Shore. I can’t recall how much time we actually spent on a boat, but I think it was quite a lot. Plus, our main characters turn up on a boat in Through the White Wood too. I loved all the Norse and Celtic lore that’s included in this book, and it feels so well researched.
Kreludor
We’re heading into outer space! What is a book where you’re based on a spaceship?
Kreludor is one of Neopia’s moons and the only place mentioned not actually on Neopia. Space equals space ships though, and of course we’d need a spaceship to visit Booktastic Books. Oh and don’t forget to poke a meteor with a stick.
The latest sci-fi book I’ve read is Seven Devils and our main characters are usually on a a space ship. There’s some on planet scenes, but most of the character development is on the ship. I loved the found family feel to the relationships between the characters and there were some twists that I was totally shocked by.
Terror Mountain
There’s so many books where you’re travelling, but what books have you read that include you trekking up a mountain?
It’s always Christmas at the North Pole and… Terror Mountain. I used to get so excited to sneak into the Snowagers cave. How long do you think it would take you to reach the Peak of Terror Mountain? I think you’d need a lot of books to get you through the days.
My favourite book of all time, The Hobbit, perfectly fits this question as the dwarves and Bilbo trek to and up The Lonely Mountain. Out of all the fantasy worlds, I would say The Lonely Mountain and Mount Doom are probably the two that come to mind first. The Hobbit is also one of my nostalgia reads that helps when I need some comfort, as I read it as a child.
A more modern book I’ve read though is The White Road, which is a grippng psychological thriller about climbing Mt Everest. It’s a little bit spooky, but then it’s often described as part of the process of climbing and it just caught my attention so much.
The Lost Desert
As you gaze across the sand dunes to the oasis, step up to Coltzan’s shrine and ask what is a book that is set in the desert?
Who didn’t go through a stage in childhood where you were obsessed with Egyptian mythology? I was obsessed with finding out more about The Lost Desert too, and I loved all the different games that came along with it. So I wanted to know if there’s more books I should be reading that takes place in the desert, with bonus points for books that have a rich culture and background.
I instantly thought of We Hunt the Flame for this question. Once Zafira accepts the quest to go to this dark cursed island, she’s surrounded by hot desert. The book as a whole is very Arabian inspired, and I adored the characters, world building and plotline.
Tyrannia
We’re heading back to the stone age with Tyrannia, what is a book you’ve read that is set during the Stone Age?
Tyrannia is an ancient civilisation in the world of Neopia, and modern language isn’t the most evolved… but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep reading! Grab a slice of the giant omellate, grab a ticket for a concert and grab a book that’s set in or around the stone age!
This question was originally going to be about dinosaurs… but I realised I couldn’t think of any books that included them. So instead the question is about books set in the stone age and I choose the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness seris which I read when I was younger. I knew this what I wanted to choose, but had to do some google searching to remember the books – but I do remember that I enjoyed them enough to read all 6 books in quick succession.
Mystery Island
We all love a good mystery on Mystery Island… so what is a book with a gripping mystery?
Mystery Island is a tropical tiki-themed island that maybe isn’t as mystery-filled as you first expect. However, just as you usually do judge a book by it’s cover, we’re judging this question on the islands name. So let’s talk which mysteries you’d love to solve whilst sitting back with a coconut on the beach.
I feel like I haven’t read a mystery book in so long, but I remember how interested I was in finding out the answer to The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. It’s set up a bit like a game of Cluedo as you need to find who, when and where so it’s a bit traditional. But, it was a little bit fantasy which always helps, but it had a great plotline plus I was shocked at the twist.
Maraqua
Sometimes life is better down where it’s wetter under the sea 🎶 When in Maraqua what book would you choose that includes an underwater city?
You’ll need some magic (or some oxygen tanks) to help get yourself down to the ocean floor to visit Maraqua! Trying your hand at some underwater fishing and sea shell collecting doesn’t seem all that bad. But what other underwater cities have you falled in love with?
To Kill a Kingdom has to be my choice for this question. It’s a super dark retelling of The Little Mermaid that has sirens, and mermaids and mermen. Throughout the book we venture both above and below the waterline, and visit many kingdoms along the way.
Lutari Island
Last but not least we have the hidden Lutari Island. Can you think of a book that includes a secret or lost city?
One of the most enigmatic places on Neopia is Lutari island… filled with, you guessed it, Lutari. The island moves itself across neopia, in a random formation so that it’s never in the same place twice. Which makes it even less visible for explorers! Which other lost cities and islands have you explored?
I have a couple of books for this one, as one of my answers is a duplicate. Feathertide has a mysterious floating and moving city which we never get to visit (and so it makes you want to know even more!). Then there’s The Toll which also has a secret city and I enjoyed the entire Arc of a Scythe series.
Tags
I think anyone and everyone who enjoyed Neopets should try this tag, and also go have a nostalgic look around the Neopets site! Check out all the questions in one place below.
Questions For The Neopets Book Tag:
Neopia Central – What is your favourite book that includes a bustling city full of different things for the reader to uncover?
Faerieland – What is a book that takes you into the home of faeries in some way?
Haunted Woods – What book has managed to scare you?
Brightvale – Who is your favourite character who was a student, scholar or reader?
Meridell – what is your favourite medieval style fantasy world?
Krawk Island – what is a book that includes pirates?
Altador – who’s your favourite hero character?
Shenkuu – what is an asian inspired book that you’ve read recently?
Kiko Lake – what is a book that was set mainly on water?
Kreludor – What is a book where you’re based on a spaceship?
Terror Mountain – what books have you read that include you trekking up a mountain?
The Lost Desert – what is a book that is set in the desert?
Tyrannia – what is a book you’ve read that is set during the Stone Age?
Mystery Island – what is a book with a gripping mystery?
Maraqua – what book would you choose that includes an underwater city?
Luari Island – what book includes a secret or lost city?
