|
October 15
|
|
Rebecca
gave
 
to:
The Seeing Stone (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 2)
by Holly Black
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in October, 2008
Rebecca said:
"<i>The Seeing Stone<i/> is a fast-moving and enjoyable continuation of the series. These books must be a treat for children making the transition from easy readers to intermediate age books. They are given a vivid, exciting world with r...more
<i>The Seeing Stone<i/> is a fast-moving and enjoyable continuation of the series. These books must be a treat for children making the transition from easy readers to intermediate age books. They are given a vivid, exciting world with relatable characters. The three siblings interact in a natural way that ends of familial sense of warmth to the stories.
For adults, you've got a lunch break read that is entertaining and to the point. I suspect this book stirs up a nostalgic longing for our childhood days of wonder and adventure. ...less
"
|
|
Rebecca
gave
to:
The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 1)
by Holly Black
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in October, 2008
Rebecca said:
"While reading, I wasn't sure to make of this story. It was short and quick moving, but not a whole lot was happening. Or at least, nothing on the grand scale I was expecting from seeing the movie preview. When I finished reading, (and it's a quick...more
While reading, I wasn't sure to make of this story. It was short and quick moving, but not a whole lot was happening. Or at least, nothing on the grand scale I was expecting from seeing the movie preview. When I finished reading, (and it's a quick read), I got it. The short, to the point writing did, in fact, lead up to a well thought out and executed tale that introduces the reader to the series. The authors spend just the right amount of time setting up the scene for future books while entertaining us with a story that showcases the personalities and sense of family of the three Grace kids (an older sister and twin brothers that are the protagonists of these tales).
I'm starting to notice that a great number of these fantasy books written for children are sticking to the same few fantastical creatures and milking them for all they are worth. The world of fantasy is supposed to free writers and embolden them to push their imagination to the brinks are sticking in rather safe and formulaic territory. With each book I read, I'm finding it harder to be entertained by the magic on the pages. The editor in me is raising her red pen and getting itchy to use it....less
"
|
|
October 07
|
|
Rebecca
gave
to:
Fablehaven (Book 1)
by Brandon Mull
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in October, 2008
Rebecca said:
"The premise for this (relatively) new series of books is a strong one; two children stay with their grandparents who, as it turns out, are the caretakers of a preserve for mythical creatures. The potential for this is mouth watering, but the results...more
The premise for this (relatively) new series of books is a strong one; two children stay with their grandparents who, as it turns out, are the caretakers of a preserve for mythical creatures. The potential for this is mouth watering, but the results left me disappointed. The characters are flat and cliched with the exception of Lena. The children are unremarkable.
I have to wonder if this writer got a book contract on the idea rather than the finished book. There is still a lot potential for this series. Two more books are already published, and I will check them out. There were just enough examples of fresh imagination for me to give Mull another chance.
Fablehaven did leave me with a greater appreciation for J.K. Rowling's talent in fully fleshing out the characters and world of the Harry Potter books. While I do think that series went drastically downhill after the third book, the first book really is magical. There is no question that Mull was inspired by Rowling's imagination and world of mythical beasts, but it may have serve him well to study how she brings the beasts and magic alive. It's not enough to just have the idea, it's what you do with it. Elementary? Yes. Executed in ,i>Fablehaven</i>? No....less
"
|
|
September 25
|
|
Rebecca
gave
to:
Oryx and Crake (Mass Market Paperback)
by Margaret Atwood
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in September, 2008
Rebecca said:
"Atwood's imagination is as vast as is it is disturbing in this dystopian tale. The result is an unsettling story that "follows logic to its end course".
The writing is excellent. The narrator, Snowman, has a clipped and nihilistic vo...more
Atwood's imagination is as vast as is it is disturbing in this dystopian tale. The result is an unsettling story that "follows logic to its end course".
The writing is excellent. The narrator, Snowman, has a clipped and nihilistic voice that still clings to dark humor as a last grip on reality. Cling he does, as anyone finding themselves in a world where the familiar has been so utterly obliterated would have to.
The novel leaps between past and present to create a pace that is always exciting and a little off kilter. The latter is a perfect embodiment of world within which Snowman is telling his stories. Well, off kilter is actually a bit of an understatement.
If you haven't read this, prepare to have your senses dazzled and racked with imagery I'm honestly glad to say that, in many cases, I never would have dreamed up myself.
This is not a read for those with queasy stomachs. And in the current social, environmental and political climates, the writing is all the more powerful and portentous.
...less
"
|
|
September 08
|
|
Rebecca
is currently reading:
Blindness (Paperback)
by Jose Saramago
bookshelves:
currently-reading
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
|
|
August 18
|
|
Rebecca
is currently reading:
Korea (Culture Shock!)
by Sonja Vegdahl Hur
bookshelves:
currently-reading
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
|
|
Rebecca
gave
to:
Breaking Dawn (Twilight Series, Book 4)
by Stephenie Meyer
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in August, 2008
|
|
Rebecca
gave
to:
Eclipse (Twilight Series, Book 3)
by Stephenie Meyer
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in August, 2008
|
|
Rebecca
gave
to:
New Moon (Twilight Series, Book 2)
by Stephenie Meyer
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in August, 2008
|
|
Rebecca
gave
to:
Twilight (Twilight Series, Book 1)
by Stephenie Meyer
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in August, 2008
|
