Another fascinating visit with the Wayward Children and into several alternate worlds. Not one of my favorites but still an excellent read, devoured iAnother fascinating visit with the Wayward Children and into several alternate worlds. Not one of my favorites but still an excellent read, devoured in two sittings. Many longstanding characters are in here, and we learn more about Kade (hurrah!) and his world as well as some secondary characters--and they learn more about Antsy.
Evocative poems on subjects ranging from playing music to Native heritage. Many windows into Harjo's life and spirit. Evocative poems on subjects ranging from playing music to Native heritage. Many windows into Harjo's life and spirit. ...more
This story has Smith's wonderful mix of humor, adventure, and cool art. The art is quite different from Bone in style but similar in spirit. CharacterThis story has Smith's wonderful mix of humor, adventure, and cool art. The art is quite different from Bone in style but similar in spirit. Characters are drawn with great humor and expressiveness. I enjoyed the storyline of various hominids, myth, hunting, and more. My one complaint is that all but two of the clearly gendered characters are male, and the two girls are not very active. Couldn't the shaman have been female? Front & back matter includes anthropological & archaeological information, "in-process" sketches, and other goodies.
Great for about 3rd grade through elderly adult. (hardcore fundamentalists might want to pass--pity, they would learn something as well as enjoy a great graphic novel)...more
My favorite of the Wayfarers series so far! I love all the characters--the book has multiple narrators of various ages and social & career situations.My favorite of the Wayfarers series so far! I love all the characters--the book has multiple narrators of various ages and social & career situations. Chambers does wonderfully with balancing who is narrating and when, and how the characters' lives touch on each other's. There's an archivist, a young drifter, a teen, a busy mom/device repairperson, and a caretaker-the culture's equivalent of a mortician but more of a grief counselor & composter (two tasks which are interwoven more than one might think). This is not entirely a character-driven novel though--we learn so much about the Exodans and their culture, and how both communities and individuals deal with two separate tragedies.
One of the marvelous things about Chambers' worldbuilding is that nothing is dystopian or utopian--the various ways humans and other sapients live are all good, but all have their drawbacks. Also, her characters lead such different lives from us but the humans still have the basics of humans of any time: the chaos of parenting young ones, frustrations of adolescence, and joys & challenges of being elderly.
A beautiful story of a beautiful, scrappy, frustrating, and compassionate way of life....more
A well written story that offers some insight into Lyra's relationship with Pantalaimon after their separation and the end of The Amber Spyglass, but A well written story that offers some insight into Lyra's relationship with Pantalaimon after their separation and the end of The Amber Spyglass, but fairly slight. I enjoyed revisiting the world and Dr. Lanselius though....more
An engrossing, well written book about a shy Paris graduate student in World War II who discovers an unexpected use for her artistic talents when JewsAn engrossing, well written book about a shy Paris graduate student in World War II who discovers an unexpected use for her artistic talents when Jews are rounded up by Nazis and she and her mother flee to safety. Unexpected kindnesses and betrayals, budding romances, and resistance activities make for an exciting story. Violence and sexuality are at a minimum (only one very tasteful fade-to-black sex scene) though brief mentions of both plus the realities of fear and hunger mean the horrors of the war are still conveyed. Some story elements and descriptions read a little too self-conscious or unlikely but otherwise this is a fine novel. (Note: I read the e-advance copy so some of these minor flaws might be cleared up by publication.)
For World War II historical fiction and romance fans, mid-teens through seniors. ...more
A beautiful story of interstellar exploration, humanity, and four individual humans who are passionate about their work and its meaningfulness. For alA beautiful story of interstellar exploration, humanity, and four individual humans who are passionate about their work and its meaningfulness. For all science fiction fans who love both hard and soft SF. For mid-teens through adults who like science fiction or aren't sure but want a short, adventurous first try at contemporary SF. ...more
Another fascinating adventure for Toby Daye in this urban fantasy. Plenty of familiar characters (Tybalt, Lily, and many others); this time with the tAnother fascinating adventure for Toby Daye in this urban fantasy. Plenty of familiar characters (Tybalt, Lily, and many others); this time with the terrifying Blind Michael capturing fae and human children on his Hunt. Once again, Toby is in way over her head but struggles along, with help from the Ludaig and others. Drags just a tiny bit in places, but otherwise superb and suspenseful storytelling....more
A fascinating seat beside one of the more experienced, high-end long-haul drivers and movers in the US. Finn's writing is entertaining, compelling, anA fascinating seat beside one of the more experienced, high-end long-haul drivers and movers in the US. Finn's writing is entertaining, compelling, and detailed without being overwhelming. He's honest and respectful--except when it's patently not deserved--of people of all walks of life and portrays life on the road and moving other people's furniture and belongings in a way you don't want to miss. ...more
I don't give four stars easily (and reserve five stars for my absolute favorites, maybe a dozen in all). Absolutely phenomenal writing-- an intense paI don't give four stars easily (and reserve five stars for my absolute favorites, maybe a dozen in all). Absolutely phenomenal writing-- an intense page-turner with brilliantly written characters. Trigger Warning: there's tastefully written but frequent descriptions of torture. I'm a little triggered myself by that but once I got into reading the story I didn't want to stop.
Highly recommended for any teen or adult interested in World War II stories, spy stories, adventure, young women's stories or any combination of the above.
Incredible sweep of a fascinating woman's life. Especially appealing to yoga fans and 20th century history fans. Appropriate level of skepticism aboutIncredible sweep of a fascinating woman's life. Especially appealing to yoga fans and 20th century history fans. Appropriate level of skepticism about miracles and people's motives without being disrespectful. ...more
Intriguing, original premise that the ghost of Jacob Grimm is haunting an US Northwestern early-teen boy. There's fantasy, suspense, horror, romance, Intriguing, original premise that the ghost of Jacob Grimm is haunting an US Northwestern early-teen boy. There's fantasy, suspense, horror, romance, bullying, parental issues--something of everything. Jeremy is the main character, adding to the boy-appeal of suspense and realism with bits of fantasy here and there. Oh, and good food too.
Highly recommended for preteen and teenagers who like both adventure and a bit of fantasy and are average or higher on liking weird or intelligent stories. Also great for "above grade level" readers as there's only vague references to making out, no real profanity, and descriptions of violence are brief....more