Thursday, October 30, 2008

Silent Echoes


Author: Carla Jablonski
My Description: Silent Echoes has a very interesting premise, in my opinion. Two girls being able to speak with each other over a hundred years... The other good thing is that it was actually played out very well, and I rather enjoyed it.
However, there were some things in the book that made me a little... uncomfortable. Some definite "adult content" made this book a bit hard for me to swallow.
As for how they could communicate, I didn't really get the reason, and what happens to Lindsay in the end could have been more satisfying, but I suppose it was well enough.
All in all, an enjoyable book, but definitely for older readers.
Back-of-the-Book Description: Silent Echoes jumps back and forth between 19th-century New York City and the present. In 1882, Lucy, 16, has been forced (I don't know why this review says that... she wasn't really forced to, though she probably wouldn't have if her father hadn't been there) by her father to act as a medium in sham séances for the wealthy. Much to her surprise, at her first session she hears the voice of Lindsay, whom she assumes is a spirit. In the present day, Lindsay feels trapped by her alcoholic mother and abusive stepfather. She hides in her closet to avoid their fighting and is surprised when Lucy answers her cries for help. Lindsay gradually discovers that they hear one another only when they are in the same place in their respective times. Eventually the girls unravel the reasons they are able to converse across time, and each one helps the other out of a no-win situation.
Starting Date: (coming soon)
Ending Date: (coming soon)
Reading Time: (coming soon)
Pages: 288
Recommendations: For older teens to adults who enjoy history and a bit of romance.
Writing Rating: 7
Story Rating: 8
Overall Rating: 7

Book #42 of '08

Monday, October 13, 2008

Brisingr

(see this post on my regular blog if you wish... it's about this book as well)



Author: Christopher Paolini
My Description: Oh, my, gosh. It's not everyday you come by a book like this. It's not every year you come by a book like this. This an amazing adventure... a wonderful ride... a fantastic story....

Now for my description:

The first ten or so pages were okay, then it was fabulous. Then, it went down hill when Eragon started eating meat again.
In the last book, Eragon learns to go inside the minds of other creatures, and he feels how animals feel, and then, when he starts to eat animals, he just can't do it after sharing their experience of existence and knowing how they live... It was just a complete change of morals for him to start eating it regularly, and I had really liked the whole vegetarian thing. After that, however, the book really takes off and gets great. I love how it switched from Roran, to Eragon, to Nasuada... I really haven't read a book like this in a long, long time. I just loved it. There was a little too much time spent on forging Eragon's new sword, but besides that and my other few problems, Brisingr was amazing... Wow. Wow, wow, wow.
There was one plot twist (that I actually predicted!) that was just wonderful. I thought it was a great addition and though I want to go on and on about it, I don't want to spoil it for you... So I'll just let you read the book. The amazing, wonderful book.

Here's a 'prophecy' I made up about some things that happen in the book... I thought you might like to hear it:
A Shade slain,
A city taken,
A new King named,
And truths shaken...


Mr. Paolini, please hurry up and finish the next book!!!

Back-of-the-Book Description: Following the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.
First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved, Katrina, from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too.
The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength—as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices—choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny.

Can this once-simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king? (OF COURSE! Eragon is awesome. Yes, this is Galaxy speaking...)

Starting Date: (Coming soon)
Ending Date: October 11th
Reading Time: (Coming soon)
Pages: 784
Recommendations: To those who like fantasies or adventures 11 & up, and those who like the Inheritance series (Eragon, Eldest, and now Brisingr).
Writing Rating: 8 1/2
Story Rating: 9
Overall Rating: 9


Book #41 of '08

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Beware, Princess Elizabeth

Author: Carolyn Meyer
My Description: A lot less depressing than Mary, Bloody Mary (both books are in the Young Royals series), but just as interesting, fast paced and enjoyable. I rather liked the heroine of this book... she is tough, witty and charming (though she does have a bit of a temper!), and it wasn't hard to like Elizabeth or sympathize with her situation. I don't agree with her image of marriage (she swore she would never marry) but I might have the same convictions if my father had my mother executed Still, the book was well written and I rather liked it. It was especially nice that the story was written in first person, so I could really feel her anger, sorrow and joy throughout the whole book. It was a little weird, however, to go from Mary being the heroine (from Mary, Bloody Mary), to Mary being the villain, as she was in this book.
I was a little disappointed in the ending, as near the end of Mary's rein as queen the entire kingdom was in turmoil and poverty, I was hoping to read about how Elizabeth would fix things up... still, if didn't end there, there wouldn't have been a place for that beautiful last paragraph, and that magnificent ending line:

Today I am Elizabeth, Queen of England.

Back-of-the-Book Description: As the title suggests, this gripping historical drama tells of the danger Elizabeth Tudor faced on her way to the throne of England. The novel is not meant to portray Elizabeth's whole life; rather, set within a story frame of her coronation, the narrative relays the hardships, ill treatment, and tragedies that occurred between the death of King Henry VIII and the death of Elizabeth's half sister, Queen Mary. Because the story is told in first person, readers have a sense of being with Elizabeth and feeling the uncertainty, apprehension, and determination she feels. The author does not pull any punches when it comes to telling about Elizabeth's feelings for Tom Seymour, her religious convictions, or the bloodshed caused at the behest of Queen Mary. The political intrigue and changing alliances could be confusing, but a family tree at the front of the book helps readers keep most of the relatives straight. If only there were a chart of court advisors, foreign dignitaries, and servants! Reading Jane Yolen's The Queen's Own Fool (Philomel, 2000), about Elizabeth's cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, would be an interesting comparison/contrast study with this novel because both women faced similar types of opposition. Elizabeth was a unique person in her own time, and her intelligence, drive, and independence will appeal to today's readers.
Starting Date: Unknown
Ending Date: Unknown
Reading Time: I don't really know... I interrupted the reading of this book to read one of the Percy Jackson books (the previous review)
Pages: 211
Recommendations: To those who would enjoy learning about England in it's earlier years, and also simply to those who wouldn't mind a good drama.
Writing Rating: 7
Story Rating: 7
Overall Rating: 7

Book #40 of '08