When I got to the last chapters of The Golden Compass, I started walking to the bookstore to buy the 2nd book. I read as I walked to the store so that...moreWhen I got to the last chapters of The Golden Compass, I started walking to the bookstore to buy the 2nd book. I read as I walked to the store so that there wouldn't be more than 5 minutes between finishing the first and starting the second. (less)
I was really drawn to this book by the concept. It sounded so original. A boy living in a post-apocalyptic world who is allergic to the daylight and i...moreI was really drawn to this book by the concept. It sounded so original. A boy living in a post-apocalyptic world who is allergic to the daylight and in search of The Owl Keeper. A combination dystopia - fantasy, two of my favourite genres.
I was a bit disappointed, though. I couldn't get emotionally invested in the main characters, who were underdeveloped. Max was an extremely passive protagonist. Instead of deducing and investigating and discovering and being ingenious, he coincidentally overhears information, people and animals rescue him, and he is conveniently in the right place at the right time. It also takes too long for him to put two-and-two together when information is practically bonked over his head.
There are also complete leaps in logic and sense. For instance (possible SPOILER), it makes no sense that when Max and Rose run away that the only ones sent after them are two elderly people: Ms. Crumlin and Dr. Tredegar. Where were the Dark Brigade? Mrs. Crumlin wasn't a police officer or an official of any sort. And while they're fighting the pilot of their aircraft is just hanging out waiting for them? The whole bridge scene is filled with illogical moments like this.
Additionally, the plot seems to be driven by a prophecy, rather than the characters' actions.
I think the story is imaginative and has a lot of potential to develop more in sequels, but I would only recommend it for 6th grade or younger. I don't think the characters or concepts would be engaging enough for teens. (less)
I picked up this book b/c I write MG fiction in this genre. There aren't as many YA books that feature faeries so I was looking forward to it. I was s...moreI picked up this book b/c I write MG fiction in this genre. There aren't as many YA books that feature faeries so I was looking forward to it. I was sorely disappointed.
Perhaps I've gotten spoiled by Suzanne Collins and Robin Hobbs. They have a way of building a story's tension through to the climax. I simply found this story dull.
The dialogue was unoriginal and I found myself annoyed with the main character, who has this completely irrational reaction to the guy she is "in love" with when she thinks he has tricked/betrayed her. While in faerie-land she either avoids him or screams at him. She refuses to listen to a word he says. She forgets about her true love the next moment and carries on, even though she feels for him more than she's felt for anyone in her life.
I know the author needed to keep them apart, but it got old and it made Anita/Tania unsympathetic.
When she arrives in faerie, she thinks it's a dream. This goes on and on for some time and so does her tour of the kingdom, where the most important thing seems to be to find the right dresses for the ball that night.
For being a fantasy there was not much imagination to the story. Nothing stood out as unique/original. Very few "fantastic" events and even the faeries lose their wings as teens. Too bad, if the protagonist had wings, the story might have flown better. Or if the writing were beautiful and poetic. But the language was average and the climax was predictable and felt a bit tacked on. (less)
Okay, giving my own book 5 stars seems kind of self-indulgent. But I truly do love this book, and I didn't for a long time. This was a challenging boo...moreOkay, giving my own book 5 stars seems kind of self-indulgent. But I truly do love this book, and I didn't for a long time. This was a challenging book to write.
In combination with the great story editing, cover art, and new map art I think it deserves five stars.
Loading...
