This second installment of the series did a fine job tying into the first book without too much repetition (these aren't stand al0ne, really. I'd readThis second installment of the series did a fine job tying into the first book without too much repetition (these aren't stand al0ne, really. I'd read them in order to get the most out of the series), and moving into the continuation of the story. It was and remained fun. :) Good for 12 and up....more
This is young-adults' series, but it is also quite a lovely read for us who aren't quite so young ... Good portraying of the characters, plausible stoThis is young-adults' series, but it is also quite a lovely read for us who aren't quite so young ... Good portraying of the characters, plausible story-line that still contained enough eyebrow raising and pleasant surprises. This is a fun romp of both magic, coming-of-age, friendship, history, and mystery. I recommend it to kids 12 and up....more
This third installment in the series continues the adventures of the characters and the unfolding of the plot. Some aspects became a tad tedious towarThis third installment in the series continues the adventures of the characters and the unfolding of the plot. Some aspects became a tad tedious toward the end of the book and for the first time the plotting felt a bit forced. There is keeping plot twists hidden and then there's going on and on with sort-of-clues and over-emoting of how 'difficult' the clues are to put together. I know that there are more books in the series, and I hope the fourth book redeems itself because it began to feel as if this is becoming 'lets see how many more books we can stretch this into' rather than the plotting itself. Don't get me wrong, it is a good book. Well written. Interesting material. Just seems to lose momentum instead of gaining momentum, which perhaps is always a risk with prolonged series. I cannot imagine what there'd be left for a forth installment, let alone a fifth. Sometimes less is more, and I hope to be made wrong when I read the next book in the series....more
This is the second installment of a series and I was looking forward to the continued adventures of the characters and the additional unfolding of theThis is the second installment of a series and I was looking forward to the continued adventures of the characters and the additional unfolding of the plot. I was not disappointed. This is a world created into literary delight. For those who are interested--it is fairly 'clean' as far as sexual material, which I was glad to see, for it is not needed. The author struck the right balance between not coming across as censoring while also not being too explicit.
BTW, these are not stand-alone books, so one should really read the first one first, and then continue in order....more
I came across this almost accidentally (as if there is ever a real accident in which books call one's name!) at the NYPL and picked it up. I loved it I came across this almost accidentally (as if there is ever a real accident in which books call one's name!) at the NYPL and picked it up. I loved it and ended up ordering not only this book but the other two in the series (the fourth is coming out in PPBK in a couple of weeks, I believe).
Excellent setting and well crafted characters that have depth and complexity. I've enjoyed 'getting to know' them and the sprinkling of both actual history and 'possible' history.
This is very well done. My nephew (age 17) is reading this now, and my mother (in her 80s) is waiting to start the first book as soon as my nephew is done ......more
As someone who works with youngsters and who has written for that population, I often read literature that is marketed for teens or young adults. SomeAs someone who works with youngsters and who has written for that population, I often read literature that is marketed for teens or young adults. Some are hits. Some are misses. This one is a winner! I was very pleasantly pleased with this debut novel. The writing, the imagery, the characters, the setting, the lore -- all exquisitely done. The author owes me some hours of sleep, as I read deep into the night again and again, literally not wanting to put it down. Well done!...more
I picked up this book at the airport, hoping it will keep my interest on an extra long flight. I didn't get to read it during the flight, but it certaI picked up this book at the airport, hoping it will keep my interest on an extra long flight. I didn't get to read it during the flight, but it certainly did keep my interest (and ate into my slumber hours as I refused to put it down) afterwards. Fabulous writing! This fantastic fantasy mixes folklore, magic and history. The characters were complex, just like good ones should be. Very well done! I highly recommend it to readers of fantasy, history, alternative history, drama, literary novels, and so on ... Excellent!...more
Of the three books in the series, this dragged a bit for me. Don't get me wrong--it is still a good story and the main characters continue to develop,Of the three books in the series, this dragged a bit for me. Don't get me wrong--it is still a good story and the main characters continue to develop, as do the twist and turns and some of the newer characyers. However, in this volume more than in the other two, the photos felt like they drove the story, forced it, even. I would recommend the series as a whole, though my favorite was and remains the first book in the series....more
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