This is the book that made me stop hating on fantasy books. I still remember my school librarian who gave this to me and made me want to be a libraria...moreThis is the book that made me stop hating on fantasy books. I still remember my school librarian who gave this to me and made me want to be a librarian!(less)
I am a hard sell when it comes to books with Librarian characters. I feel like they're sucking up to me and I don't want to be sucked up to. But this...moreI am a hard sell when it comes to books with Librarian characters. I feel like they're sucking up to me and I don't want to be sucked up to. But this book? So good! I'm recommending it to everyone and ready for the sequel!(less)
Wonderful and delightful. I really enjoyed this book and am still thinking about it days later. It's kind of nice to read a Inuit story in the middle...moreWonderful and delightful. I really enjoyed this book and am still thinking about it days later. It's kind of nice to read a Inuit story in the middle of summer! Part Beauty and the Beast, part Snow White and Rose Red, and part something else. I liked it a whole lot!(less)
I loved this book so much! To the point where I think I'm going to read the sequels! They're a tiny bit slow to start, but then they pick up and I was...moreI loved this book so much! To the point where I think I'm going to read the sequels! They're a tiny bit slow to start, but then they pick up and I was pretty hooked! Why isn't everyone reading these?
Nicely done, Dave Barry. Nicely done.
Sidenote: There is ONE TINY SWEAR WORD in the first 15 pages of the book but that is the only swear word in the entire book. (less)
Dear Jessica Day George, Nice job writing books. I always know you'll deliver and I appreciate that you're someone I can count on! Please write another...moreDear Jessica Day George, Nice job writing books. I always know you'll deliver and I appreciate that you're someone I can count on! Please write another book so I can give even more people your books. Thanks! Christiana(less)
Another win for Jessica Day George. Do keep in mind this is sequelish to Princess of the Midnight Ball though, so read that one first so no surprises...moreAnother win for Jessica Day George. Do keep in mind this is sequelish to Princess of the Midnight Ball though, so read that one first so no surprises are ruined!(less)
I made it halfway through and I've got the gist of the story. It's definitely got some magic and sorcery jazz going on. I know who would like it, but...moreI made it halfway through and I've got the gist of the story. It's definitely got some magic and sorcery jazz going on. I know who would like it, but I don't think it has as wide of a reading audience (in terms of readability for a vast audience) as a Harry Potter or Charlie Bone type book. I'll remember it and keep it in the back of my mind though.(less)
I keep getting asked for stuff like Harry Potter and The Lightning Thief, and I think this could be a decent answer to those as a read-alike. It takes...moreI keep getting asked for stuff like Harry Potter and The Lightning Thief, and I think this could be a decent answer to those as a read-alike. It takes place in our current world, but there are other worldly things happening around us that we don't notice.
This book made me wish I was a fairy and I don't even like fairies! (less)
Great for a 3rd grader reading above-level or any 4th grade girl. Who doesn't like a good fairy tale princess story? Lois, I knew you had another one...moreGreat for a 3rd grader reading above-level or any 4th grade girl. Who doesn't like a good fairy tale princess story? Lois, I knew you had another one in you!(less)
This book is kind of weird! But weird in a completely enjoyable way! For instance, if feral children referred to me as Lumawoo, I think I would kind o...moreThis book is kind of weird! But weird in a completely enjoyable way! For instance, if feral children referred to me as Lumawoo, I think I would kind of enjoy it. See what I mean? Weird in a completely enjoyable way!(less)
I started to give this book three stars, but then I realized I have just been spoiled by Marchetta's storytelling and language and that I was mad this...moreI started to give this book three stars, but then I realized I have just been spoiled by Marchetta's storytelling and language and that I was mad this one ended on such a cliffhanger. Overall, solid second in a trilogy but I still hate cliffhangers and trilogies in case you were curious.(less)
I am not crazy about fantasy by any stretch of the imagination but I liked! I would even give this to the right Harry Potter reader as a read-a-like....moreI am not crazy about fantasy by any stretch of the imagination but I liked! I would even give this to the right Harry Potter reader as a read-a-like. I do think there's an awful lot going on to listen to this. I liked that the audio had a full cast for all the characters, but I had to rewind it a few times because I wouldn't completely understand what was going on from just hearing it while I was driving.
I have a slight gripe that I feel like this book was set up very much as a trilogy instead of three books that could stand alone. The ending left this very much wide open. Too wide open for my taste, but that's just me and my hate of trilogies. I'm not even that gripey about the whole villainizing the Church thing because I think the philosophical world works best on a checks and balances system, I'm just choosing to believe that's what Pullman was saying instead of "the Church is evil", although maybe in later books it evolves into more of the latter sort of noise.
Favorite character: Yorick the polar bear, no contest.(less)
Favorite stories: "Giovanni's Farewell" (Gray) "Things about Love" (Pearce) "At the Late Night, Double Feature,...moreOne of the better anthologies I've read.
Favorite stories: "Giovanni's Farewell" (Gray) "Things about Love" (Pearce) "At the Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show" (Verday) "Gargouille" (Pearson) "The Third Kind" (Barnes) (this one should be made into a novel IMHO)(less)
I read this in two days flat, so obvs Wicked Lovely held my attention. I was also unprepared for how much I was going to care about the characters. I...moreI read this in two days flat, so obvs Wicked Lovely held my attention. I was also unprepared for how much I was going to care about the characters. I do have a fear of commitment with books (more specifically serialized books), so I don't know if I can continue, but that is mostly because I liked the ending of this first book so much I have a hard time picturing it could get much better. Unrelated, my favorite scene was when Seth made Aislinn eat (since she hadn't eaten all day) even though there was dramz to take care of. That is kind of funny and cute at the same time.(less)
This felt very timeless and was a really fun read. I love the beginning of each chapter being illustrated-it felt kind of old timey and cute. I kept s...moreThis felt very timeless and was a really fun read. I love the beginning of each chapter being illustrated-it felt kind of old timey and cute. I kept showing the beginning of chapters off to whoever would pay attention to me.
I don't know how appropriate it is for the under 13 crowd. I almost think teens or adults would like this better than kids. I mean, could they read it? Yes. Will they like it? I don't know.(less)
Haters to the left, I really liked this one (sidenote: I really like how "haters to the left" there looks almost like a interjection like "man alive!"...moreHaters to the left, I really liked this one (sidenote: I really like how "haters to the left" there looks almost like a interjection like "man alive!" or "good golly!" but that's neither here nor there). The writing has a dream-like quality to it and it was a pleasure (a pleasure, I tell you!) to listen to this on CD in the car. Jim Dale reading it is awesome (I know, I know, tell you something you don't know) and I think the audio is definitely the way to go on this one. I think I would have wanted it to move faster if I had been reading it instead of listening, but as it was, I loved "reading" it slowly. I got a little sad when I finished it just as I pulled into the parking lot this morning (a sign, I tell you!) because I'll miss my time I spent with it. This is probably partially due to such a great last sentence: “You think, as you walk away from Le Cirque des Reves and into the creeping dawn, that you felt more awake within the confines of the circus. You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream.” (less)
This book is about a teen girl who finds out she's a Human Stork (like, to deliver babies and stuff)!
...I'll let that sentence resonate with you for a...moreThis book is about a teen girl who finds out she's a Human Stork (like, to deliver babies and stuff)!
...I'll let that sentence resonate with you for a bit.
The thing is, a plot like that could really go either way, and I think it was good in the hands of Delsol. I read another reviewer's remark that Stork didn't need a subplot of good and evil within it. That could have been taken out or put in the sequel. The idea of Kat struggling with her new-found powers while trying to be the new girl and acting natch when she's not with the other Storks would have been a compelling enough plot. As it is, this was a compelling read. I loved the Icelandic/Nordic folk tales and mythology within this and liked how it was woven into the story.
My main problem with this was some word choices and phrases Delsol attributes to Katla. I am too lazy to look them up right now, but they would momentarily jar me out of the narrative. It in no way ruined the book, but I think that's where the book came up just a bit short to me.
And I know you're all dying to know: yes, I am almost definitely going to read the sequel.(less)
Lost my whole review. Ug. Here was the highlights:
The good: -really good fantasy world building. I would go as far as to say flawless. -truly original r...moreLost my whole review. Ug. Here was the highlights:
The good: -really good fantasy world building. I would go as far as to say flawless. -truly original retelling. I almost think it's unfair to call this a Cinderella retelling because this story is more its own than any other retelling I've read before. (For those of you book talking: what if Cinderella had secret powers and a revenge list and lived within an Asian society?) -I really enjoyed Suzume, Aimie, and Otienno. They read as characters with depth and made for a really interesting, great story. -Suzume goes through so much through the first half of the book that I was ready for her to kick some ass later on. And kick some ass she did. -The audiobook reader was really good!
The less good: -the first half of this was a little draggy for me. Things are just SO BAD for Suzume for so long that I was kind of going into a depression. It made me think that Oprah would love it (since I associate her with kind of loving suffering a little). I get it, but it was hard to read about, almost to the point of abandoning. I'm glad I didn't, but still. Would a teen reader be willing to keep at it like that? I don't know.(less)
Fans of Divergent (training montage, girl who must prove herself, Roth blurbs this as "like nothing I've read before") and Grave Mercy (assassin-ish g...moreFans of Divergent (training montage, girl who must prove herself, Roth blurbs this as "like nothing I've read before") and Grave Mercy (assassin-ish girl with special powers) should pick this one up. I really dug the characters. The ending was a little too "and now pick up the sequel" for me, but I get it. It is a trilogy. I still hate trilogies thought. That being said, I'll probs pick up the sequel to this one.(less)
What a cliffhanger! While reading this, it reminded me of "Revenge" mixed with the movie Heathers. This one did not disappoint (although I am kind of...moreWhat a cliffhanger! While reading this, it reminded me of "Revenge" mixed with the movie Heathers. This one did not disappoint (although I am kind of mad how abruptly this ends. It almost doesn't stand alone for me).(less)
A couple notes: *way too cliffhangery. Stiefvater, why are you not even tying up your ends? I know you can do it because I saw you do it in Shiver, des...moreA couple notes: *way too cliffhangery. Stiefvater, why are you not even tying up your ends? I know you can do it because I saw you do it in Shiver, despite it being a series *this does deal with psychics and a bit of occult, so you know, KEEP THAT IN MIND when you rec this one. I liked how it was dealt with, but it's something to know.(less)
Dark, but it's Melissa Marr, so that shouldn't be that shocking. I like this for an older teen/new adult. Really interesting premise and different fro...moreDark, but it's Melissa Marr, so that shouldn't be that shocking. I like this for an older teen/new adult. Really interesting premise and different from anything I've read before. However, there is some issues involved in this that may raise questions with a younger reader, so I would recommend this one to 16+.
The audio of this was pretty good. Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (or James Marsters, if you want his real name) narrates this. his voice made things very atmospheric and definitely gave Kaleb and Zevi different accents that I imagined them with. It was good for me though, especially when learning name pronunciation!(less)
I don't know, man. This was a little Star Wars Episode II for me. I feel like all that happened was Carson tried to convince us that we don't miss Hum...moreI don't know, man. This was a little Star Wars Episode II for me. I feel like all that happened was Carson tried to convince us that we don't miss Humberto. Not really. She did a pretty successful job of it, but I don't know. It just doesn't feel right to me. It's all court intrigue.
This might just be too real for me-there is always a character I am made to love that is killed. I feel like I knew who the plotters against the throne were the whole time (and maybe she did too, but I don't get why she didn't DO anything!). I'll probably read the third one just for closure, but I am less excited about this series than I was before.(less)
Christiana
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