Alba Arango's Blog, page 6
October 5, 2018
Great characters! My review of The Legend of Greg by Chris Rylander
Greg Belmont is a normal 13-year-old kid, and he’s okay with that. His BFF Edwin is the most popular kid in school (and the richest), and the two share an appreciation for something that most middle schoolers don’t get―chess. Then one day, everything changes. After his dad is kidnapped, Greg is led underground where he learns he is not quite as ordinary as he thought. He’s a dwarf. Oh, and there’s an entire world of dwarves living under Chicago. Oh, and now that dwarven magic is returning, a war is brewing between them and their long-time enemies, the elves. And it’s up to Greg to stop it.
What I liked: the two main characters are fabulous, and their friendship evolves throughout the story. There’s also quite a bit of action and humor which keep the story moving at a good pace.
What I did not like: I did not get a good sense of what this underground world of dwarves was like. World-building is so important in fantasy and I just couldn’t visualize the new world Greg was thrown into.
Still, the plot was solid and interesting and the
characters were fun.
4 out of 5 stars
What I liked: the two main characters are fabulous, and their friendship evolves throughout the story. There’s also quite a bit of action and humor which keep the story moving at a good pace.
What I did not like: I did not get a good sense of what this underground world of dwarves was like. World-building is so important in fantasy and I just couldn’t visualize the new world Greg was thrown into.
Still, the plot was solid and interesting and the
characters were fun.
4 out of 5 stars
September 4, 2018
Manga! My review of Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation by Yoshiyuki Nishi
Muhyo and Roji are a team that investigate supernatural beings. Each chapter of the graphic novel brings the duo a different ghost to investigate, and then “help” to cross over to the other side (either up OR down). Muhyo is the “expert” in the laws of magic (he does have a book) and Roji is more of the people person. Together, they help people deal with ghost problems.
What I liked: two great characters! The two main characters are so complex and different, and evolve as the book goes on. Each chapter is a different story and the ghosts are as diverse as the problems they create. I also really loved reading the book backwards (for us), it made the experience all the more fun!
What I did not like: things moved almost too quickly. Because each chapter is a different story, the story arc is very short and sometimes I found it a little too abrupt. But, it is understandable as the story has to fit into a small number of pages.
All in all, a fun (albeit different) read.
4.5 out of 5 stars
What I liked: two great characters! The two main characters are so complex and different, and evolve as the book goes on. Each chapter is a different story and the ghosts are as diverse as the problems they create. I also really loved reading the book backwards (for us), it made the experience all the more fun!
What I did not like: things moved almost too quickly. Because each chapter is a different story, the story arc is very short and sometimes I found it a little too abrupt. But, it is understandable as the story has to fit into a small number of pages.
All in all, a fun (albeit different) read.
4.5 out of 5 stars
August 3, 2018
Fun, cute read! My August Review of Nicola Berry, Book 1 by Liane Moriarty
Nicola Berry is just an average kid until the day a man from another planet comes to Earth to seek out the “Earthling Ambassador” who will travel back to his planet and hopefully convince Princess Petronella not to turn Earth into a garbage dump. When Nicola is chosen, she is excited and nervous about her mission. But, when it becomes apparent that the princess has no intention of deviating from her plan, Nicola decides to put together her own crew of earthlings to save the Earth before it becomes a giant pile of garbage!
What I liked: great characters! Each of the characters is unique and believable, from main character Nicola to her arch-nemesis Greta to her new alien friend Shimlara. Even the princess has her own quirkiness. The writing style is fun and easy to read, and keeps you wanting to know what is going to happen next!
What I did not like: The Prologue. I usually don’t mind prologues, but I felt this one was unnecessary and a huge distraction. The story should begin with Nicola as it does in chapter 1. Other than that, the story was a quick, delightful read.
5 out of 5 stars
What I liked: great characters! Each of the characters is unique and believable, from main character Nicola to her arch-nemesis Greta to her new alien friend Shimlara. Even the princess has her own quirkiness. The writing style is fun and easy to read, and keeps you wanting to know what is going to happen next!
What I did not like: The Prologue. I usually don’t mind prologues, but I felt this one was unnecessary and a huge distraction. The story should begin with Nicola as it does in chapter 1. Other than that, the story was a quick, delightful read.
5 out of 5 stars
July 5, 2018
A Fun Romp Through Mythology and History: My Book Review of The Trials of Apollo, Book 1 by Rick Riordan
After making his father Zeus super mad, Apollo gets punished by being sent down to Earth as a human teenage boy. And not a tough, hot teenage boy, but an average, run-of-the-mill teenage boy with―horror of horrors!―acne. Now the arrogant former god must figure out how to win back his father’s favor while fending off the numerous enemies he made as a god, enemies that are all too happy to see the god in his puny human form. Realizing, much to his disdain, that he needs help, Apollo sets off for the one place he knows he has friends and family―Camp Half Blood.
What I liked: Apollo is definitely my favorite of Riordan’s gods. His vanity and egotism, even now as a puny human, is hilarious and caused me to laugh out loud multiple times. I loved the return of some of the previous characters (like Percy Jackson) from other series, as well as the new characters introduced in this one.
What I didn’t like: not much. It was a bit long, but I never felt like I wanted the book to end.
A fun romp through mythology and history.
5 out of 5 stars
For more book reviews, visit my website: AlbaArango.com
What I liked: Apollo is definitely my favorite of Riordan’s gods. His vanity and egotism, even now as a puny human, is hilarious and caused me to laugh out loud multiple times. I loved the return of some of the previous characters (like Percy Jackson) from other series, as well as the new characters introduced in this one.
What I didn’t like: not much. It was a bit long, but I never felt like I wanted the book to end.
A fun romp through mythology and history.
5 out of 5 stars
For more book reviews, visit my website: AlbaArango.com
June 3, 2018
Fun mystery! My June Review of SCAT by Carl Hiaasen
When the scariest teacher at the Truman School goes missing after the field trip to Black Vine Swamp gets cut short due to a forest fire, Nick and Marta get the feeling that something is terribly wrong. But when the class delinquent “Smoke” is blamed for the fire, the two kids suspect he has something to do with the teacher’s mysterious disappearance as well. Complicating their investigation is the unexpected return of Nick’s father from Iraq with a life-altering injury—a severed right arm. As Nick tries to deal with the situation at home, he also must deal with the uneasy feeling that Smoke isn’t responsible and that something else, something much darker, is going on.
What I liked: Great characters, great plot, great tension. I really got pulled into the story, and the more I read, the more I wanted to know what was going to happen. Lots of interesting characters, each with their own quirks, and because the author puts you in each of their POVs, you get to know the characters pretty well.
What I did not like: It was just too long. Some of the scenes felt completely unnecessary, and I was like…why was this scene even in here? There were a lot of character POV shifts which at first felt confusing, but after a while, you pick up on the rhythm.
Overall, an interesting read with an interesting mystery.
4.5 out of 5 stars
What I liked: Great characters, great plot, great tension. I really got pulled into the story, and the more I read, the more I wanted to know what was going to happen. Lots of interesting characters, each with their own quirks, and because the author puts you in each of their POVs, you get to know the characters pretty well.
What I did not like: It was just too long. Some of the scenes felt completely unnecessary, and I was like…why was this scene even in here? There were a lot of character POV shifts which at first felt confusing, but after a while, you pick up on the rhythm.
Overall, an interesting read with an interesting mystery.
4.5 out of 5 stars
May 4, 2018
Original and Inventive. May review: The Island of Dr. Libris
When Billy arrives at the cabin his mom rented from the mysterious Dr. Libris for the summer, he’s disappointed. No TV, no video games, no technology of any kind except for the creepy video cameras in every room. Then, he discovers the library, and more importantly, Dr. Libris private bookcase. As Billy begins reading the books, he starts hearing strange noises from the island in the middle of the lake. Upon investigating the island, he discovers that all the characters from the various books he’s read have come to life and are interacting with each other and with him on the island! Hercules, Robin Hood, Tom Sawyer, and even Pollyanna all come together for a wild adventure.
What I liked: So creative! I love the various characters interacting with each other. Some of the scenes are hilarious. This is such an inventive way to intersect multiple popular fiction characters. Billy is also very relatable, unsure of himself and unsure of his parents upcoming divorce.
What I didn’t like: The ending is very rushed, like the author had to hurry up and finish the story. Also, Dr. Libris makes a brief appearance at the end, and is such a terrible person that I wish he had been left out. The ending is okay, just a little disappointing.
Still, a rather enjoyable read.
4 out of 5 stars
What I liked: So creative! I love the various characters interacting with each other. Some of the scenes are hilarious. This is such an inventive way to intersect multiple popular fiction characters. Billy is also very relatable, unsure of himself and unsure of his parents upcoming divorce.
What I didn’t like: The ending is very rushed, like the author had to hurry up and finish the story. Also, Dr. Libris makes a brief appearance at the end, and is such a terrible person that I wish he had been left out. The ending is okay, just a little disappointing.
Still, a rather enjoyable read.
4 out of 5 stars
April 4, 2018
Zombies AND monsters? Book Review for The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade
Jack Sullivan and his three best friends may be the last kids left on Earth. But, there are the zombies. Oh, and the monsters. When Jack realizes that the zombies are disappearing, he decides to get to the bottom of it. He and his friends embark on a quest and discover a plethora of strange things on the way, including a giant wormungulous, that has apparently decided to live at the nearby mall, a popular pizza parlor that has now become the new hotspot hangout for monsters, and a new rumor, one that just happens to mention that the destroyer of worlds would like to come to Earth. It’s up to Jack and his friends to figure out the mystery of the disappearing zombies and save the earth from being destroyed.
What I liked: pretty much everything. The illustrations are actually part of the story. For example, you’re reading a passage and the picture is there in place of a paragraph, so you have to read the illustration to understand what happens next. The main character is great, flaws and all. And, of course, the story has zombies AND monsters, so how could it not be amazing?
What I did not like: some of the other characters were just a tad bit flat, especially June. But, since the story is told in first person through Jack’s voice, it’s fine.
A fast and enjoyable read.
5 out of 5 stars
What I liked: pretty much everything. The illustrations are actually part of the story. For example, you’re reading a passage and the picture is there in place of a paragraph, so you have to read the illustration to understand what happens next. The main character is great, flaws and all. And, of course, the story has zombies AND monsters, so how could it not be amazing?
What I did not like: some of the other characters were just a tad bit flat, especially June. But, since the story is told in first person through Jack’s voice, it’s fine.
A fast and enjoyable read.
5 out of 5 stars
March 5, 2018
A delightful read. March review: A Spy in the House by Y. S. Lee
If you are a parent/adult who loves regency/historical era books, this YA is for you. Mary Quinn is a poor child miscreant, rescued from the gallows and taken to an upscale academy for girls, where she will learn to become a lady. At seventeen, Mary learns the school is only a cover for an organization known as the Agency. She is recruited by the Agency to become a spy and her first assignment, a lady’s companion at a wealthy merchant’s home, becomes far more dangerous than anyone expected, full of dark secrets, international intrigue, and even murder. There is, of course, a rather handsome rascal to reckon with as well. In the craziness of her assignment, Mary also learns a dark secret from her own past—one, that if exposed, could jeopardize her position in the Agency.
What I liked: The setting is amazing. Lee does a tremendous job of putting us in 19th century smelly London. The characters are all believable and wonderfully flawed. The story flows smoothly and keeps you turning page after page.
What I did not like: Not much. Perhaps my one critique would be that there was not enough information about the Agency. But, as this is only the first book, I expect the rest in the series give more insight.
A delightful read.
5 out of 5 stars
What I liked: The setting is amazing. Lee does a tremendous job of putting us in 19th century smelly London. The characters are all believable and wonderfully flawed. The story flows smoothly and keeps you turning page after page.
What I did not like: Not much. Perhaps my one critique would be that there was not enough information about the Agency. But, as this is only the first book, I expect the rest in the series give more insight.
A delightful read.
5 out of 5 stars
February 6, 2018
February Review: The Giver by Lois Lowry
The world Jonas lives in is perfect. There is no snow, sleet, hurricanes, or tornadoes. There is no hatred, no bigotry, no jealousy. Spouses are assigned by compatibility, and the Committee of Elders observes every child throughout their childhood and assigns them their career at age 12. There are no choices to make, no mistakes to be made. There is only…sameness. And, there is no love. But, no one notices. Only one person holds the memories, all memories—war, famine, love, joy. He is the Giver.
At the Ceremony, Jonas learns of his destiny. He is chosen to be the new Receiver, the one who will receive, and be responsible for, all the memories. But, as Jonas begins to experience humanities past, he begins to question if sameness is truly perfect, and whether there could be a way to change it.
What I liked: The world Lowry creates is brilliant. Every aspect of life is covered by this “Sameness” community, and the reader can easily see how humanity would’ve chosen this life. Such a great moral of celebrating diversity, and how a world of people who are all the same is far from idyllic. The two main characters are so well-developed, and the others are so simple (perfect for a world of sameness).
What I didn’t like: The ending. The reader has no idea what happens to the community. Jonas will be okay, we think (not positive). But, the very last line was so terrible, it left a frustrated feeling in my heart. I put the book down, disappointed. Which is a shame, because I really loved the book up to that point. If she had just left out that last line, I would’ve been happy. (ps…the movie addresses this issue and is the only part of the movie that I actually liked)
Still, I won’t crush the book because of one lousy line.
4.5 out of 5 stars
At the Ceremony, Jonas learns of his destiny. He is chosen to be the new Receiver, the one who will receive, and be responsible for, all the memories. But, as Jonas begins to experience humanities past, he begins to question if sameness is truly perfect, and whether there could be a way to change it.
What I liked: The world Lowry creates is brilliant. Every aspect of life is covered by this “Sameness” community, and the reader can easily see how humanity would’ve chosen this life. Such a great moral of celebrating diversity, and how a world of people who are all the same is far from idyllic. The two main characters are so well-developed, and the others are so simple (perfect for a world of sameness).
What I didn’t like: The ending. The reader has no idea what happens to the community. Jonas will be okay, we think (not positive). But, the very last line was so terrible, it left a frustrated feeling in my heart. I put the book down, disappointed. Which is a shame, because I really loved the book up to that point. If she had just left out that last line, I would’ve been happy. (ps…the movie addresses this issue and is the only part of the movie that I actually liked)
Still, I won’t crush the book because of one lousy line.
4.5 out of 5 stars
January 17, 2018
Mid-January Ho-Hums
It’s mid-January, and the momentum of the New Year is starting to wear down. I finally finished putting away all my Christmas stuff on Monday (only on Tuesday to find I had missed ONE thing, why does that happen every year??), and now I find myself in a bit of a slump. I WANT to get up and start all those projects I said I would do in 2018, but my body says, “nah, you’ve got plenty of time.”
Fortunately, for me, I know how to get out of this. Whenever I feel blah, or unmotivated, I stop everything and do some research on books. Sometimes, I hit the New York Times best seller lists, and sometimes I just go to Amazon and tinker around. If you are anything like me, when you find a book that really interests you, you’ve got to have it. Like, now. So, I drive to my favorite Indie bookstore (which for me is The Writer’s Block in downtown, Las Vegas), pick up the book, and speed home to start diving in.
It’s amazing how a new book can pump me full of energy. Once I have my new book, I also have a new wave of enthusiasm, which gives me the momentum I need to start one of those projects.
So, there it is. My secret to getting out of the mid-January ho-hums. Get excited about a new book and buy it.
Fortunately, for me, I know how to get out of this. Whenever I feel blah, or unmotivated, I stop everything and do some research on books. Sometimes, I hit the New York Times best seller lists, and sometimes I just go to Amazon and tinker around. If you are anything like me, when you find a book that really interests you, you’ve got to have it. Like, now. So, I drive to my favorite Indie bookstore (which for me is The Writer’s Block in downtown, Las Vegas), pick up the book, and speed home to start diving in.
It’s amazing how a new book can pump me full of energy. Once I have my new book, I also have a new wave of enthusiasm, which gives me the momentum I need to start one of those projects.
So, there it is. My secret to getting out of the mid-January ho-hums. Get excited about a new book and buy it.
