Showalter manages to pack a lot of plot into Intertwined, without sacrificing characterization. Let's call this Heart & Soul (that Robert Downey J...moreShowalter manages to pack a lot of plot into Intertwined, without sacrificing characterization. Let's call this Heart & Soul (that Robert Downey Jr. film) meets Nightworld. Great fun, but I think I'll just check the sequel out from the library. I don't see myself reading this one repeatedly.(less)
Lightning is one of my favorite books, and here's why: Koontz succeeds where hundreds of romance authors have failed. He has crafted a story filled wi...moreLightning is one of my favorite books, and here's why: Koontz succeeds where hundreds of romance authors have failed. He has crafted a story filled with drama and action and characters that you can't help feeling for -- and he does it while answering the question: how far would you go to influence the life of someone you love for the better?(less)
Stardust is a lyrical adventure reminiscent of The Princess Bride, and Gaiman's prose is as rich and satisfying as ever.
I enjoyed the novel version,...moreStardust is a lyrical adventure reminiscent of The Princess Bride, and Gaiman's prose is as rich and satisfying as ever.
I enjoyed the novel version, however, I highly recommend that if you read Stardust, you read the graphic novel version with Charles Vess' stunning paintings. It's not so much a graphic novel as an illustrated story, so don't expect thought bubbles and panels. The illustrations and words play off each other, making Stardustan experience not to be forgotten. (less)
Scott Westerfeld's Uglies is a cool and original piece of disutopian fiction for young adults that may also appeal to their parents. Though the langua...moreScott Westerfeld's Uglies is a cool and original piece of disutopian fiction for young adults that may also appeal to their parents. Though the language is simplistic, the story is fast-paced and fun. A neat premise about society's obsession with looks and the places is can take us.
However, the thing that kept me from really liking, if not loving, this one was that I felt Westerfeld didn't go far enough or write at the level he should have been writing. He was so careful to make sure his book reached a broad audience that he watered down the message, the characters, and the story. I would love for him to re-write this as an adult novel, or at least think a bit more of his YA readers' intelligence and abilities to handle a complex, well-told story with thought-provoking and disturbing ideas.(less)
It's never a good sign when you pick up a book and immediately have a sharp sense of deja vu. It's even worse when that feeling persists throughout th...moreIt's never a good sign when you pick up a book and immediately have a sharp sense of deja vu. It's even worse when that feeling persists throughout the entire novel. This entire series could have been told in one tightly written, intriguing book rather than wandering and repeating the way it does.(less)
Okay, I feel bad -- I got bored with the characters and put it down. And I just can't bring myself to pick it back up. I'll try to revisit this one at...moreOkay, I feel bad -- I got bored with the characters and put it down. And I just can't bring myself to pick it back up. I'll try to revisit this one at a later date.(less)
A "realistic" book (with just a wee bit of dimension hopping, Norse gods, and Mad Cow disease) Libba Bray's newest tale is a madcap adventure that, at...moreA "realistic" book (with just a wee bit of dimension hopping, Norse gods, and Mad Cow disease) Libba Bray's newest tale is a madcap adventure that, at times, makes you sad, but always makes you glad to be alive.
I have to admit that Going Bovine surprised me--it's quite the departure from the Gemma Doyle Trilogy! But with Going Bovine Bray seems to have found her voice: hysterically funny, intelligent, daring, and delightfully unapologetic. Any author who can work "epic fail" and a Disney ride so lame that it's cool into her book is definitely in touch with her inner teen. I hope Bray continues to write stories this well-developed and satisfying.
That said, Going Bovine is not for everyone. It takes a certain appreciation for the mad non-sequiter to be able to love the twists and turns in this story. If you enjoy David Foster Wallace's work, you might really like this one.
M.T. Anderson, one of this year's Printz honorees for the second Octavian Nothing book, fascinated and delighted me with his speech at ALA this year....moreM.T. Anderson, one of this year's Printz honorees for the second Octavian Nothing book, fascinated and delighted me with his speech at ALA this year. With his dry wit and intelligent prose, I was very much looking forward to reading some of his earlier work. The dry wit and intelligent prose were abundant, but what surprised me was the way Anderson built up the suspense in this novel -- only to lead to a horrifyingly unsatisfying conclusion! (That still gives me chills if I think about it long enough.)
What a wonderful metaphor for the teenage experience!
And yet, I didn't "really like" it, or "love it."(less)
Westerfeld's take on vampirism is one of the more unique and interesting ones, and I find Peeps extremely refreshing. Don't get me wrong: I {heart} va...moreWesterfeld's take on vampirism is one of the more unique and interesting ones, and I find Peeps extremely refreshing. Don't get me wrong: I {heart} vampire romance. But Westerfeld is on top of his game when he doesn't try to water down his horror (the problem I had with the Pretties series). A fast-paced read that makes your skin crawl, though, if you're truly looking to be scared, reach for Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth.(less)
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