Elizabeth Hunt's Blog, page 2

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

The first classic by the nineteenth century writer shows its youth in the writing style, which is not as concise and well put together as Austen’s later novels. However, as always, she does a marvelous job painting a picture of her character’s lives; their social obligations, their personalities, how they live in accordance to their stance in society, etc. I can honestly say that I was unable to tell where the storyline was going until very very late in the novel. Some people may think this is because she didn’t write it well, but I disagree. Austen does such a fabulous job setting the characters up to be happy, whilst keeping essential details that mar that happiness to such an extent that you can never imagine those details evaporating and happiness being achieved (though of course they do). It is probably the only romance novel I’ve read in my entire life where I have not been able to tell you from the first chapter how the couples would turn out. However looking back, I am surprised I didn’t see it coming. It was quite a relief actually to be surprised at the outcome of a romance novel for once. If classics, romance, or even realism is your thing I strongly suggest reading this book. You will not regret it. 

4.5 stars

Lily Quench by Natalie Jane Prior

This is perhaps one of the most obscure book series I have ever read. The only place I have ever come across them is in used book stores, even Amazon only sells already bought copies! This surprises me immensely because of how wonderful this series is. Written for older elementary school kids, the series has always captured my attention. I first came across them when I was in the appropriate age group and adored them, though I only had numbers 4-7. Recently I came across number 2 and 3 and so decided to re-read the series. (Only to discover I had misplaced 5…). Re-reading the series I was stunned to realize that these books still perfectly captured my attention though I am quickly entering my late teens. Though they may be children’s books they are written with more brilliance then half the adult books I read and I thoroughly believe that if these books were merged into one they could be an immensely popular teen book. Natalie Jane Prior does a wonderful job of creating dimensional characters and a unique mythology for the land in which Lily Quench lives, seeking to save her country countless times with the aid of her dragon friend. If you are to ever come across any of these books, do not hesitate to pick it up. You will sympathize for the fatherless count, struggling to regain his father’s empire because that’s what his father wanted to do when he died, though his father happened to be a man akin to Hitler. You will be horrified at the magicians who are consumed by greed and seek ends to horrifying to contemplate for long. Most of all you will be caught up in the mystery of the eye stones as it unravels before you over the last five books. And you will rejoice as in the final books a true resolution is reached. I cannot recommend these books highly enough. Overall, read them. Now. 

5 Stars

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

In light of the recent movie adaption of this book I have heard many decry Beautiful Creatures “the new Twilight” because it is concerned with two teenagers, one of whom is not mortal, who fall in love. I find that the comparison ends there. Garcia and Stohl have created a uniquely magical setting in Gatlin, South Carolina. Part of the incredible draw of this book is the complete southern nature of the town, the characters, the history. Many books concerned with the south today take place during the civil war or the civil rights movement, are told from the point of view of a slave or a servant, and focus on all the bad the south has done. Beautiful Creatures is a fantastical novel taking place in present day that, while acknowledging that the civil war is the reason for every difficulty being faced, largely ignores the war. The authors assume that the readers know plenty about the Civil War and so mention it as briefly as possible given the plot. Such an approach is oddly refreshing and alone is enough to make me love the book. However I must admit to enjoying the movie adaption more (even though the last twenty or so minutes were completely wrong) because it alleviated the one drawback to the novel: too much time is spent with Lena moping. For such an amazing character she spends a lot of time feeling sorry for herself. After a while, it gets boring. However the final showdown (which was not correctly portrayed in the movie) completely makes up for the dry-middle section as Lena finally take control of her life and reminds the audience why they picked up the book in the first place. Overall I feel the book is worth reading (and the movie worth seeing) especially if you live in the South. 

4.5 Stars

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Overall I was torn by this book. The biggest downside, I believe, is that the vampires are entirely too much like those created by Stephanie Meyer. This is fine of course, especially if you are a huge fan of Twilight, but I was disappointed that while both her witches and daemons were completely unique, her vampires were not. Beyond that however, the plot is captivating, the research amazing, and the characters memorable. Reading this book, I truly felt like I was living the life of Diana, the main character. This could be both thrilling and frustrating as this book is as much a mystery novel as it is a romance novel. I am quickly discovering that I have little patience for mysteries, I find it all together irksome not to know what’s going on, a feeling that is actually mirrored in Diana. My favorite bit about his book is the amount that Genetics plays a part. The biology aspects of this book that explain Diana’s powers and the reason she is so important fascinate me and it is my desire to someday know enough about the subject to use research in a very similar way, as a help to the plot to both teach the reader about the subject and try to capture their attention in new and special ways. In conclusion I would recommend this book highly, it is well written and the plot is both unique and entrancing, but I would warn the reader that it is indeed a romance novel, and a highly political and equality focused novel. I would not advise for readers under the age of 13 unless they are not bothered by dark themes like torture, discrimination, death (and hit-men), etc. I have yet to read the sequels, but I shall put them on my extensive list of books to read and look forward to seeing Diana learning about her powers and the work of the Conventicle. 

4 stars 

The Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter

No Spoilers :) 

Among the many books I received for Christmas were the two latest Gallagher Girl books, Only the Good Spy Young, and Out of Sight, Out of Time both of which had me captivated to the fullest. Don’t let the first book fool you, these are adventures through and through, adventures where you are not always sure which characters are going to make it out alive. With every book there are new characters, new twists, and everything, I mean everything is important. Even the first book, that doesn’t seem like it fits at all with the others with is immensely important in the scheme of things. If not for the information it conveys about the personalities of the characters then for the all important single line that goes unnoticed by most but becomes a driving factor for the plot in later books (a fact not discovered until the fifth book, Out of Sight, Out of Time). Ally Carter deserves her spot as a New York Times bestseller. I read both books in two days, once each day, and was both fully captivated and fully immersed within the world of spies and espionage for a couple days after that. Carter’s main characters are all female with the exception of the rogue Co-ops teacher, Joe Solomon and the mysterious boy, Zach both of whose trust-worthiness is in doubt at least once throughout the series. I think this speaks wonderfully for girl-empowerment, a theme that seems to be more important then ever in todays culture. I am eternally grateful for my best friend for giving me the first book for my birthday all those years ago and I cannot wait for the sixth book to discover how the newest intel is utilized in taking down the main enemy (who shall not be named because it is a secret worth discovering on your own) and whether or not they will save the target in question (which, is also a secret if you have not read the books). 

4.5 stars 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

One of my favorite book series by one of my favorite authors, the five books in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series are well worth the read. Riordan’s wit and and sense of humor are apparent even from the chapter titles. Just reading the table of contents makes one want to read them with vigor to find out why Percy “accidentally vaporize[s] [his] pre-algebra teacher” or why he’s hailing “the taxi of eternal torment”. As we follow the path of the boy who is arguably the most powerful demigod in existence the reader is drawn into his tale, the drama and intensity almost a backseat as one waits to discover what hilarious battle taunt Percy Jackson uses next. No fan of the series can forget when Percy angers the mother of all monsters by comparing her to an anteater or when he sagely advises the reader to take the subway to work because flying pigs are too dangerous. That’s not to say that drama and intensity are not apparent. No book with spies, back-stabbing allies, romantic tension, parent-child relation troubles, nation-wide manhunts and a new monster practically every chapter can be without drama. Riordan’s talent however, lies in balancing the two. Humor and drama are found in near equal bouts as the most realistically aged characters I have read about yet fight for the world until the very end. The best part about the series? Riordan is creating another one with many of the same characters so the adventure doesn’t end here. Needless to say I have re-read these books with fervor. The first one is taped together (which is why hard-back is better for books you love). The last thing I will say about this series is that it is not just for pre-teens. These books can be enjoyed by anyone who has a thirst for fantastical adventure or greek mythology. 

5 stars