Title: The Dragon Heir
Author: Cinda Chima
What it's about: So the conflict between the magical guilds is ramping up. The rebels are facing a tough fight, and not all of their possible allies are interested in taking part. Madison Moss, for example, just wants to go to art school and forget about wizards. Easier said than done, though, since Seph McCauley, the guy she's crushin' on, is a very powerful wizard and stuck in the middle of things. Despite all the pressure, though, Maddie does her best to stay uninvolved. Meanwhile, Jason Haley wishes he could get deeper into the fight. After a successful raid of magical artifacts, he's stuck in the town of Trinity, the not-so-hidden rebel base, guarding the find and wanting some way to become more powerful so he can help the cause. Personal agendas are rife amongst good guys and bad, and as the final battle approaches, Jason, Maddie, and their friends have to make tough choices and sacrifices.
What I thought: Very nice sequel, which takes stuff mentioned in previous books and builds on them to a successful conclusion. A lot of good character development, and the story gets pretty dark in tone. I thought the ending was a little rushed, the "where are they now?" bits, I mean, but overall, it was an engrossing read.
Overall: It... was an engrossing read.
And with this book, I read eight novels in January, plus half of The Goose Girl. I had listened to the first half on audiobook, and I decided I'd just read what I had left. Well, in February, I shall read no less than, and hopefully more than, eight books! Well, I also read some plays this month, too. A lot of plays and drama. 'Cause I'm in three different theatre classes this semester. Maybe I'll review some of them.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Graceling
Title: Graceling
Author: Kristen Cashore
What it's about: Katsa is a girl graced with incredible combat and killing skills. Her uncle, the king, uses her abilities for his dirty work. Then Katsa and her allies uncover a conspiracy in another kingdom that could lead to trouble for all seven kingdoms, and she and a Graced prince named Po head out to shed some light on the matter.
What I thought: The concept of the Graces was very interesting. People with various exceptional skills, sometimes reviled, sometimes revered. Katsa's personality was interesting to watch develop, and there was some very nice worldbuilding.
Overall: While I can't say this'll be a favorite of mine, it was above-average, to be sure.
So that's three reviews for January. I've also reread the two Kiki Strike books, but they've already been reviewed. We're up to five books this month now. I'm probably gonna reread The Warrior Heir and The Wizard Heir so that I can read The Dragon Heir, which I bought last weekend. I'll see you then!
Author: Kristen Cashore
What it's about: Katsa is a girl graced with incredible combat and killing skills. Her uncle, the king, uses her abilities for his dirty work. Then Katsa and her allies uncover a conspiracy in another kingdom that could lead to trouble for all seven kingdoms, and she and a Graced prince named Po head out to shed some light on the matter.
What I thought: The concept of the Graces was very interesting. People with various exceptional skills, sometimes reviled, sometimes revered. Katsa's personality was interesting to watch develop, and there was some very nice worldbuilding.
Overall: While I can't say this'll be a favorite of mine, it was above-average, to be sure.
So that's three reviews for January. I've also reread the two Kiki Strike books, but they've already been reviewed. We're up to five books this month now. I'm probably gonna reread The Warrior Heir and The Wizard Heir so that I can read The Dragon Heir, which I bought last weekend. I'll see you then!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Dreamquake
Title: Dreamquake
Author: Elizabeth Knox
What it's about: This is the sequel to Dreamhunter; Laura has now found out more about the Place and put her father's plan into action. Meanwhile, the rest of her family is looking into the sinister plot taking place in the highest levels of the government. The mystery is well on its way to being unraveled.
What I thought: Pretty good conclusion to the series. There's a mystery that gets wrapped up, some romance, more development of Rose as a character, and some very satisfying explanations for everything.
Overall: If you liked Dreamhunter, you'll like this book.
Author: Elizabeth Knox
What it's about: This is the sequel to Dreamhunter; Laura has now found out more about the Place and put her father's plan into action. Meanwhile, the rest of her family is looking into the sinister plot taking place in the highest levels of the government. The mystery is well on its way to being unraveled.
What I thought: Pretty good conclusion to the series. There's a mystery that gets wrapped up, some romance, more development of Rose as a character, and some very satisfying explanations for everything.
Overall: If you liked Dreamhunter, you'll like this book.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Dreamhunter
Title: Dreamhunter
Author: Elizabeth Knox
What it's about: In a world similar to ours during the early 1900s, there is a place - called "the Place" - where certain people - dreamhunters - can go, fall asleep, and catch dreams. The next time a dreamhunter with a dream sleeps, those in the surrounding area will also have the dream, and these special dreams are extraordinarily pleasant. So anyway, there's Laura Hame and Rose Tiebold, two cousins who've just turned fifteen, and they're about to take the test to see if they can become dreamhunters. Little do they know that there is something more sinister than they realized going on in the world of dreamhunters, nor do they realize the parts that they will play in the coming days.
What I thought: The story is very imaginative, and the groundwork for the satisfying finish in the second book of the series is laid very painstakingly in this first book. The characters are interesting and very realistic, and the book has just the right amount of humor to keep it from being too heavy.
Overall: This is a very imaginative fantasy story.
Oh, so I realized why I failed at updating this sucker so much over the break. Over the summer I had my goal of 100 books, right? Well, I'm a lazy sod, and without a goal, I can't motivate myself as well. So, the goal is now fifteen books a month during the school year, or perhaps ten. I'll see which of the two I can make in January, and that'll be the standard for the rest of the months. We've got Dreamquake and Graceling coming up for reviews soon, too. I'll also post short reviews of all the books in my review backlog.
Author: Elizabeth Knox
What it's about: In a world similar to ours during the early 1900s, there is a place - called "the Place" - where certain people - dreamhunters - can go, fall asleep, and catch dreams. The next time a dreamhunter with a dream sleeps, those in the surrounding area will also have the dream, and these special dreams are extraordinarily pleasant. So anyway, there's Laura Hame and Rose Tiebold, two cousins who've just turned fifteen, and they're about to take the test to see if they can become dreamhunters. Little do they know that there is something more sinister than they realized going on in the world of dreamhunters, nor do they realize the parts that they will play in the coming days.
What I thought: The story is very imaginative, and the groundwork for the satisfying finish in the second book of the series is laid very painstakingly in this first book. The characters are interesting and very realistic, and the book has just the right amount of humor to keep it from being too heavy.
Overall: This is a very imaginative fantasy story.
Oh, so I realized why I failed at updating this sucker so much over the break. Over the summer I had my goal of 100 books, right? Well, I'm a lazy sod, and without a goal, I can't motivate myself as well. So, the goal is now fifteen books a month during the school year, or perhaps ten. I'll see which of the two I can make in January, and that'll be the standard for the rest of the months. We've got Dreamquake and Graceling coming up for reviews soon, too. I'll also post short reviews of all the books in my review backlog.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Problem Sleuth - MS Paint Adventures
Not quite a webcomic, not quite a game, it's Problem Sleuth, an MS Paint Adventure! Modeled after text-adventure games, this bit of interactive storytelling focuses on Problem Sleuth, a detective fellow who is trapped in his office. Following reader-submitted prompts, the story goes from Problem Sleuth's attempts to leave his office to a much trippier quest to save the universe (both sides) from an evil mob boss. This story has successfully captured the sort of logical chaos that I only wish I had been able to get down in my novel this past November. Jeez. If you're looking for a hilarious way to pass the time, you can't overlook Problem Sleuth.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A Metropolitan Murder
Title: A Metropolitan Murder
Author: Lee Jackson
What it's about: It's around 1850 in London. The underground system is still under construction. On one of the train cars, a young woman is found dead, and the man who found her is thought to be the murderer. However, he flees the scene. Meanwhile, Inspector Decimus Webb is on the case, and his inquiries bring him in contact with Clara White, a young woman who is now employed as a maid to a wealthy family but who has a darker past. What role does she play in the murder, and can the case be solved before any more lives are lost?
What I thought: A vivid, well-crafted story that's almost more an exploration of life in the Victorian era than a mystery. The story is gritty but not without touches of humor here and there. The narrative style is an unusual but interesting one.
Overall: Definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of historical mysteries.
Author: Lee Jackson
What it's about: It's around 1850 in London. The underground system is still under construction. On one of the train cars, a young woman is found dead, and the man who found her is thought to be the murderer. However, he flees the scene. Meanwhile, Inspector Decimus Webb is on the case, and his inquiries bring him in contact with Clara White, a young woman who is now employed as a maid to a wealthy family but who has a darker past. What role does she play in the murder, and can the case be solved before any more lives are lost?
What I thought: A vivid, well-crafted story that's almost more an exploration of life in the Victorian era than a mystery. The story is gritty but not without touches of humor here and there. The narrative style is an unusual but interesting one.
Overall: Definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of historical mysteries.
The DaVinci Code
A few notes before we start. Sorry for the dreadful lack of updates. Over a month, oy. Well, I was reading during that time, just not posting here. November was pretty busy, what with National Novel Writing Month, finals, flying home from Rome, not having internet access on my laptop, and, well, just plain laziness. I kept a list of all the books I read in the interim, though, so there will be updates for all of the books I read that I haven't already written reviews for. Keep an eye on the blog; there will be a more regular posting schedule soon!
Title: The DaVinci Code
Author: Dan Brown
What it's about: So Robert Langdon is this Harvard symbologist who's in Paris. And this guy who works at the Louvre and who is the guardian of an ancient secret that goes against Church dogma is murdered. And this Catholic group called Opus Dei is behind it. And Robert and Sophie, the Louvre guy's granddaughter, have to uncover the location of this secret before they're killed.
What I thought: Very much a thriller novel. I read it fairly quickly, which was good - this is a book where, if you put it down and actually stop to think about it, you'll not be able to take it seriously. Relies a lot on suspension of disbelief and Rule of Cool stuff. Entertaining diversion, but not much to it. And since I'm a Catholic, I am pretty much obliged to comment on the religious aspect of the book. Basically, if you know anything about church and art history, you'll be able to tell that this book isn't entirely accurate. My art history professor actually gave a little discourse about just why the book makes no sense from a religious and art historical point of view, and I wish I could share it with you folks, but oh well.
Overall: Not bad for an afternoon's entertainment.
Title: The DaVinci Code
Author: Dan Brown
What it's about: So Robert Langdon is this Harvard symbologist who's in Paris. And this guy who works at the Louvre and who is the guardian of an ancient secret that goes against Church dogma is murdered. And this Catholic group called Opus Dei is behind it. And Robert and Sophie, the Louvre guy's granddaughter, have to uncover the location of this secret before they're killed.
What I thought: Very much a thriller novel. I read it fairly quickly, which was good - this is a book where, if you put it down and actually stop to think about it, you'll not be able to take it seriously. Relies a lot on suspension of disbelief and Rule of Cool stuff. Entertaining diversion, but not much to it. And since I'm a Catholic, I am pretty much obliged to comment on the religious aspect of the book. Basically, if you know anything about church and art history, you'll be able to tell that this book isn't entirely accurate. My art history professor actually gave a little discourse about just why the book makes no sense from a religious and art historical point of view, and I wish I could share it with you folks, but oh well.
Overall: Not bad for an afternoon's entertainment.
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