From the very beginning, I was captivated by this book. C.S. Lewis's stepson wrote that after you read this, you should read it again. I think that's From the very beginning, I was captivated by this book. C.S. Lewis's stepson wrote that after you read this, you should read it again. I think that's true. I know there were parts where I read so quickly that I surely missed some of the magic in Patricia Callahan Henry's words. It's a beautiful book, but I'm guessing that if you haven't read Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe, you won't enjoy this as much. So much of the plot depends on the questions George asks Megs to find out, and they all deal with Lewis's novel. I really felt as if I was right there with the characters. Henry alternates between a first person narrator (Megs) and third person. Usually that bothers me, but it didn't here. Both types of narration work as we get to follow Megs on her quest to give her dying little brother what he's asked of her. The ending was very satisfying. I wasn't sure how she was going to handle it, and she chose the perfect way to tell the end of the story....more
I picked this book because of the fantasy/apocolypse topic. I was not aware it was a Christian allegory. If that appeals to you, you might enjoy this I picked this book because of the fantasy/apocolypse topic. I was not aware it was a Christian allegory. If that appeals to you, you might enjoy this YA novel. Personally, I thought the allegory was heavy-handed. and I felt as if I'd been beaten over the head with the point. It's the first in a series. It is a quick read....more
The book looks at the Trojan War through the eyes of the women, human and gods. If you are a fan of mythology and the adventures of Odysseus, you'd enThe book looks at the Trojan War through the eyes of the women, human and gods. If you are a fan of mythology and the adventures of Odysseus, you'd enjoy this. ...more
Great middle grade/young adult fantasy about a young boy who can't come to terms with his father's death. He stops speaking entirely and endures constGreat middle grade/young adult fantasy about a young boy who can't come to terms with his father's death. He stops speaking entirely and endures constant bullying at school. Through his friendship with a strange girl and a mysterious footprint, he enters the world of a legend and finds himself....more
Excellent mystical novel about a young Spanish shepherd boy who, acting on a dream, sets off to the Pyramids to find his treasure. Along the way, he mExcellent mystical novel about a young Spanish shepherd boy who, acting on a dream, sets off to the Pyramids to find his treasure. Along the way, he meets a seer, a king, and an alchemist, each of whom tell him things and ask questions which help the boy along his spiritual growth and physical journey. I can't tell more of the plot without spoilers, but the book is a quick and enjoyable read. I'll probably read it again to glean a little more wisdom from the characters....more
This is Book 3 of the series. While it could be read alone, I think starting with Book One would be best because it establishes some of the charactersThis is Book 3 of the series. While it could be read alone, I think starting with Book One would be best because it establishes some of the characters and places we meet in Book Three. This is billed as a cozy paranormal mystery, and I guess that fits. It's funny in places. There are many paranormal experiences and the good guys win. (That's not a spoiler in a cozy mystery!) I enjoyed listening to these while driving. ...more
This is Book 2 of a series. I liked it better than the first book, probably because I've accepted the bizarre world in which Eli Carter lives and sortThis is Book 2 of a series. I liked it better than the first book, probably because I've accepted the bizarre world in which Eli Carter lives and sort of functions. These are billed as cozy paranormals. The pacing of the novel was good. Eli's self-deprecating attitude was humorous instead of annoying, as it seemed in the first book. ...more
This novel is funny, light reading. It's not literary fiction, by any means, but it's entertaining. Eli, the main character, is sort of a mystery. DoeThis novel is funny, light reading. It's not literary fiction, by any means, but it's entertaining. Eli, the main character, is sort of a mystery. Does he really have a chip implanted in his head that prevents him from lying? He gets mixed up with the folks from Ghost Hackers, and his life changes dramatically....more
The beginning of the novel didn't grab me. I was in head shaking mode for many pages. Characters in a book talking to the reader? Well, yeah, they do,The beginning of the novel didn't grab me. I was in head shaking mode for many pages. Characters in a book talking to the reader? Well, yeah, they do, but not like this. Gradually, just like Edgar, I got sucked into the fairy tale.
This is not a typical Jodi Picoult book, but she and her daughter inserted a lot of wisdom in the plot and between the chapters. Now that I've finished reading, I'm going to go back and reread the parts between the chapters.
Teenage Delilah feels like an outcast at school and finds comfort in rereading a fairy tale book she's had forever. Oliver, the prince in the story, falls in love with her and is able to talk with her. They figure out how to get Oliver into the real world by trading places with Edgar, the author's son, who is also unhappy with his life. It sounds stupid, but after the first 40 pages, it was a compelling read and brought up a lot of "thoughty" questions....more
Somehow, although I had this book on the shelf in my classroom, I had never read it. I wish I had read it before reading all the Harry Potters. I coulSomehow, although I had this book on the shelf in my classroom, I had never read it. I wish I had read it before reading all the Harry Potters. I couldn't help make unfair comparisons between the two. It was good--typical Bellairs--but not Harry Potter good. Funny, scary, and of course magical. ...more
Okay, Michael Scott, you suckered me in for the last time. I read the Alchemyst and was really disappointed at the ending--because there wasn't one. YOkay, Michael Scott, you suckered me in for the last time. I read the Alchemyst and was really disappointed at the ending--because there wasn't one. You had to read the Magician to find out what happened to Sophie and Josh and the world at large in the fight among the evil necromancers and the good magicians and alchemists.
So I read The Magician, and darn if he hasn't done the same thing. But he p'ed me off for the last time I'm not reading the next book and the next and the next. I understand the concept of a series. You want to hook the reader so they go on to read subsequent books. But most authors also understand that you have to offer a little closure to the reader at the end of each book (Think Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings.
So I liked the fantasy, but I'm aggravated by Scott's neverending story....more
Michael Scott's YA fantasy was engaging. We have 15 yr-old twins (of prophesy, of course), who blunder (or are fated) into a huge battle among the darMichael Scott's YA fantasy was engaging. We have 15 yr-old twins (of prophesy, of course), who blunder (or are fated) into a huge battle among the dark elders and the good guys. Fans of Harry Potter will enjoy reading about Nicholas Flamel and the Codex, which contains the recipe for the Philosopher's Stone. The twins escape the first magical battle and then are whisked into Hecate's magical kingdom in a shadowrealm outside San Francisco. Mythical and legendary beings abound as the twins are shuttled from place to place to protect them.
I enjoyed the book, but I was not happy to discover that the end wasn't the end. You have to read the second book. So I am, but it made me mad....more
The book had a clever premise, but it didn't really deliver. I finished it, but meh.The book had a clever premise, but it didn't really deliver. I finished it, but meh....more
Victor Frankenstein is a promising young scholar who somehow figures out how to build a creature and imbue him with life. He is then horrified by the Victor Frankenstein is a promising young scholar who somehow figures out how to build a creature and imbue him with life. He is then horrified by the creature's appearance and abandons him (it?), but the creature will have none of that. Not understanding why humans react with horror when they see him, the creature kills several people who scream and make him feel bad. Wait--is this a bullying book? The creature determines that he needs a companion and threatens Frankenstein into agreeing to build one. Victor agrees and spends several years trying to do that, then he reconsiders, realizing the creature promised to leave humans alone if he had a companion, but the companion has made no such promise. This is a great story, which brings up many social issues, but the writing has not survived the ages. Shellley's language is so flowery and overblown that at times I wanted to scream. Frankenstein is Indiana's One State One Story book this year or I'd never have reread it (I hated it when I read it years ago). I can now appreciate the various stories within stories that Shelley employed but I sure wish I could edit this. I love other books written in this era, but I can't say that about this book. A retelling of the plot is far better than enduring the original. The old movie does NOT follow the book closely and is improved by that....more
I enjoyed this cozy mystery . The main characters are members of the Chubby Chicks club, a group of friends that get together frequently fEntertaining
I enjoyed this cozy mystery . The main characters are members of the Chubby Chicks club, a group of friends that get together frequently for meals and conversation. Then one of the members is killed a.d the amateur detectives go to work....more
Loading...
