Sometime I look forward to reading a book I know nothing about, and such was the case with The Marbury Lens, by Andrew Smith. I knew it was some sort ...moreSometime I look forward to reading a book I know nothing about, and such was the case with The Marbury Lens, by Andrew Smith. I knew it was some sort of sci-fi/fantasy novel and that it had gotten great reviews. Armed with no further knowledge, I downloaded it to my iPhone and headed out for a walk. It was an uncomfortable walk, to say the least, as Jack, the teenage protagonist, was abducted, drugged, and very nearly (I mean VERY nearly) raped by a man who had clearly done these things before.
For the next couple of days, I opted to listen to the birds on my walks, feeling no great desire to return to the story. Eventually, I went back to it. I figured this phase of the story would end soon and I would get to the sci-fi part, but even when I finally did, the book just proved too intense for me. Jack's mental anguish over what happened is grueling enough, but when he get's his first look into "Marbury," the world he is able to see through a special pair of glasses, the level of gore was just too much. After about nineteen chapters, I decided to call it quits.
Andrew Smith is clearly a skillful writer, and the narrator was good too. This just wasn't the book for me. Recommend this one only to older teens with strong stomachs.(less)
There's been a lot of buzz about Ship Breaker, and now I understand why. Like the recent smash hit Hunger Games series, Ship Breaker immediately launc...moreThere's been a lot of buzz about Ship Breaker, and now I understand why. Like the recent smash hit Hunger Games series, Ship Breaker immediately launches the reader into a not-so-futuristic world where ordinary teens fight for their lives on a daily basis in unspeakable conditions of poverty and danger. In this story, we meet Nailer, a boy who spends his days crawling around inside the rusted out hulls of tankers that have washed up on the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico in a time when rising sea levels have radically changed the landscape. With only a little phosphorous smeared on his forehead to light his way, Nailer crawls through duct work scavenging anything that might be worth a little something to the salvage company he works for. Life for Nailer and the other ship breakers is grim. His bosses are harsh, he sees little money for his dangerous work, and his alcoholic, drug-dependent father is unpredictable and cruelly violent even with his own son.
When Nailer and his friend Pima find a "swank" clipper ship washed up on a nearby beach after a hurricane, they believe they've finally found their lucky strike and that they may be able to escape the life of a ship breaker. They board the ship, hoping to strip it of as many precious metals and other treasure before the others discover it, but what they find on board has the potential to be more valuable and more dangerous than any treasure.
I listened to this as an audio book and I'd highly recommend it. The narrator, Joshua Swanson, is one of the best I've encountered at voicing a wide variety of characters from the lilting Caribbean voices of Pima and her mother to the growling tones of the genetically engineered half-men. I will certainly seek out his books in the future.
One of my only disappointments with this book will sound silly to some. When I finished Ship Breaker, I was happy with the way it ended and thought, "Finally. A YA author who doesn't have to turn every idea into a series." I am not a fan of sequels because they are usually letdowns, and I rarely read beyond the first book. I guess I should be happy that Bacigalupi wrapped up the story in a way that allows me to walk away satisfied (are you listening, Suzanne Collins?), but I was disappointed when I learned there will be a sequel. I'm sure most readers will be happy to be able to hear more about Nailer's adventures, but you won't find me tagging along on his next adventure. I'd rather savor this great story and move on to something else.(less)
I loved the historical aspects of this book and it was a very compelling read. It would have earned five stars from me, were it not for the current-da...moreI loved the historical aspects of this book and it was a very compelling read. It would have earned five stars from me, were it not for the current-day storyline which just turned way too melodramatic toward the end. (less)
I listened to this book, and the narrator was FANTASTIC! One of the best I've heard. There are laugh-out-loud moments, moments where I thought I would...moreI listened to this book, and the narrator was FANTASTIC! One of the best I've heard. There are laugh-out-loud moments, moments where I thought I would throw up because of the gory violence, and moments where I wanted to learn more about Abe's life and whether or not the things I was reading were true or fabricated.
Basic premise: vampires are real and they've come to 1800's America because they can buy and devour slaves without attracting too much attention. Abraham's mother was killed by vampires when he was young and he has spent the better part of his life focused on revenge and the annihilation of vampires. Rock on, Abe.(less)
This tiny, charming story of a young man falling in love with a woman, with poetry, and with life, has made me want to know more about Pablo Neruda an...moreThis tiny, charming story of a young man falling in love with a woman, with poetry, and with life, has made me want to know more about Pablo Neruda and his work.(less)
Ummm, excuse me Mr Green, but didn't you already write this book? I believe it's called Looking for Alaska and it's exactly the same characters, 90% t...moreUmmm, excuse me Mr Green, but didn't you already write this book? I believe it's called Looking for Alaska and it's exactly the same characters, 90% the same plot, and better. I would probably have liked this book if I hadn't already read Alaska, but instead I spent the whole time feeling annoyed that I was reading the same book again with the names changed.
The one part of this book that stood out from the rest was the road trip. When the focus finally shifted away from Alaska (oops, I mean Margo) and the other characters were allowed to come to the forefront, they really came to life as far more realistic characters than I've seen before in either of the John Green books I've read. I'd like to see more of this kind of writing from him. (less)
I've avoided this book for years because I don't like depressing books, but a student of mine (who had our copy checked out from September to March be...moreI've avoided this book for years because I don't like depressing books, but a student of mine (who had our copy checked out from September to March before we finally hunted her down) just lit up when she talked about it and told me that the reason she had it for so long was because she read it over and over again. While it is sad, it is far from depressing. The characters and their problems are so real, but so is the joy they get out of the everyday things in life and the little familiarities they share among them in their friendship. This joyful spirit (truly, the spirit of Alaska herself that spills over into those around her) is what I will remember about this book long after the sadness fades away. And, after all, I believe that's the whole point of the book, isn't it?(less)
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