Independent Reading Novel variety

Recently, I finished a book called Scorpion Mountain , this is a continuation of a series by John Flanagan. These books consistently relate to historical nations, and continues to add a plot behind each book.
When I started this book, I was immediately struck by the connection between the first series, and recurring characters are now playing in to the plot.
One of the consistently magnificent parts of the book is Hal's genius. He demonstrates knowledge years ahead of his time. His consistent "genius" creates "advanced" technology and is capable of changing many things. Other times, they "turn out terribly wrong" although readers still expect great things out of him.
This book isn't a very interesting book, but is a normal book to continue the series. It didn't feature many plot changing ideas or interesting parts.

First Blog Post of the Semester

Recently over winter break I started to read The Count of Monte Cristo. Since the beginning of the book, I have noticed many interesting things.
First of all, what strikes me immediately is the character change from Dante's experience in prison. He changes from his happy carefree nature with great joys in his life to a character who experienced so much pain in life that he wants to take revenge on others and cannot find happiness.
Another part the author made as a central part of the plot is the human society's awards and punishment. The ones who had not committed crimes such as Monsieur Morrel and to a lesser extent Caderousse  are the ones who live in poverty. Those who had committed treacherous crimes however escaped to achieve wealth. Edmond Dantes alias the Count of Monte Cristo comes in order to punish and have retribution.
Alexander Dumas writes, "'Father!' cried the girl out of breath and overcome with joy. 'You are saved! You are saved!' She threw herself into his arms, at the same times holding out to him a red silk purse... Morrel started at sight of the purse, for he had a faint recollection that it had once belonged to him. He took it in his hand. At one end it held the receipted bill for 287500 francs, at the other diamond as big as a nut..." (Dumas 153)
This is another example of Dantes carrying out Justice for the fair. The purse is what Morrel had put money in to give to Dante's father to help him survive. This represents the simple form of repayment in the form of a good deed in return while Dantes also has bad deeds in retribution.