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Showing posts with label 5 stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 5 stars. Show all posts
Monday, November 10, 2014
by Maggie Stiefvater
Published by Scholastic Press
Release Date: Oct 21, 2014
Disclaimer: Received for review consideration from the publisher via NetGalley.
There is danger in dreaming. But
there is even more danger in waking up.
Blue Sargent has found things. For the
first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can
belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems
have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.
The trick with found
things though, is how easily they can be lost.
Friends can betray.
Mothers can
disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.
(I try to be vague, but as this is the third book in a series, mild spoilers may be present. My reviews of the first two novels in the Raven Cycle are here)
Review: There’s a certain mild
worry mixed with excitement I experience when reading a new installment in a
beloved series. The need to know what happens next is mixed with the feeling
that the novel can’t possibly live up to expectations. Thankfully Blue Lily, Lily Blue was such a good read
my fears were put to rest as I was happily transported once again to Henrietta with Blue and the Aglionby boys as they continue their search for
Glendower.
This
book returns to closely following Adam, Gansey, and Blue while Ronan is very
much involved in the plot the reader is not privy to his thoughts). Then there’s Noah, still ghosting around and
acting as a barometer for trouble. Blue, whom I’d missed hearing from in The Dream Thieves, is central to the
plot this time around. Dealing with personal loss, she begins to question what
she really wants from life, both in her relationships and her future, and
whether achieving those things will be possible. Adam, perhaps the character
who has evolved the most from his beginnings was in The Raven Boys, must deal with the consequences of his magical
bargain in addition to facing his abusive father once again. Ronan, despite being more in the background, has clearly been affected by the events in The Dream Thieves. As for Gansey, his
weaknesses are made more apparent, as are his motivations for starting the
search for Glendower. These characters grow from book to book and their
relationships with each other are fascinating and complex. It’s rare that such
a large cast of characters is as well rounded and portrayed so skillfully.
Another great thing? While this is one part
of an overarching mytharc, Blue Lily, Lily Blue tells a complete story. Goals
are achieved and closure is given, with enough threads dangling to make me
eager for the sequel but not cause the frustration that comes when a novel ends
in the middle of the action (all too common with series these days). Another positive? The setting: Henrietta is so grounded and so real feeling yet the magical
elements in the story feel organic, not jarring. It’s a refreshing blend of
realism and fantasy.
Finally,
what elevates this book from an entertaining fantasy story to a five star book
for me is how it does not shy away from issues of class. Gansey, generally a
good guy, is highly privileged and this can cause him to be condescending,
hurtful, or oblivious. Ronan is similarly privileged and this allows him to act
out with minimal consequences, while Adam must work several jobs while keeping
his grades up in order to ensure his future. Then there’s Blue, whose choices
are limited due to her family’s monetary situation. I find Blue’s frustration
over her college plans and her uncertainty over her relationship with Gansey just
as compelling as any magical cave jaunts or dream creatures. I must also
mention the villains, a comically over privileged super couple who obsess over
gourmet cheese and yoga classes while causally ordering someone’s murder.
All in all, this is a wonderful entry in this series and I can hardly wait for the next one.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
by McCormick Templeman
Death hasn't visited Rowan Rose since it took her mother when
Rowan was only a little girl. But that changes one bleak morning, when five
horses and their riders thunder into her village and through the forest,
disappearing into the hills. Days later, the riders' bodies are found, and
though no one can say for certain what happened in their final hours, their
remains prove that whatever it was must have been brutal.
Review: A confession: some scenes in this book gave me the creeps. Seriously, the up late reading-what was that noise-suspicious look all around the room creeps. That’s how engrossing I found the writing to be. The Glass Casket is a great example of how frequently used story elements (fairytales, etc.) can be used as a starting point for a story that’s unique. Though certain details of the novel seem designed to evoke the Snow White that received the Disney treatment, the plot is loosely based on the less well known Grimm tale Snow White and Rose Red.
One of the
novel’s greatest strengths is the world building. We are introduced the small
mountain community of Nag’s End, set in a fantastical reality with technology
equivalent to 14th century Europe and a history of dark magic largely
lost to time and engulfed in superstition.
Citizens of Nag’s End have their own traditions, religions, and a patriarchal
style of government. They largely ignore their rulers located in a city several
miles away, until the bizarre incident of the deaths of the riders of the city.
This sets off a series of grisly and tragic events.
The four
teenagers that are at the center of this story are Rowan, a girl with a gift
for translating historical documents, her best friend Tom, Tom’s brother Jude,
and the new-in-town Fiona Eira. Their
messy and complicated relationships serve as an emotional counterpoint to the
horror slowing building in the village. These characters are individuals and
very well drawn. Another point in the novel’s favor is that while it portrays
an archaic society in which men hold power, it also shows the very harmful
effects this structure has on the women living under it. Rowan, one of the
smartest characters in the story, figures out what is really going on but finds
herself disregarded and entrapped. The consequences are dire.
Throughout
the first half of the book I found that I was kept guessing, not knowing in
which direction the narrative was going to turn. This is a feeling I find
increasingly rare the more books I read, so I appreciated it. The story ends on
a satisfying note, but if McCormick Templeman sets any future books in this
world, I’d be happy to read them.
5 Stars
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.
But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.
And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.
In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?
Review: I Hunt Killers is a well-characterized and suspenseful YA thriller. The hero, Jasper Dent, is dynamic and compelling as he strives not only to discover the identity of the latest killer in Lobo's Nod but to hold on to his humanity despite the shadow of his father's influence. Jasper's struggle is psychologically interesting, as he feels both nature and nurture work against him: his upbringing and his complicity in his father's crimes as well as the mental illness that runs through the Dent family.
Luckily Jasper has a cast of well-developed characters to back him up and keep him from falling back on his father's sociopathic tendencies. Notables include Connie, Jasper's girlfriend, who's African American, enjoys acting, does not indulge Jasper's crap or self-loathing, and is awesome. There's also his Howie, a hemophiliac who's always ready with a joke and will back Jasper up as long as he agrees to receiving a tattoo of Howie's choice. Rounding out the cast is Sheriff G. William Tanner, the man responsible for arresting Jasper's father, Billy Dent. And of course there's Billy Dent himself, a genius serial killer whose facade is a good ol' country guy but who can get inside a person's head faster than you can say "Hannibal Lecter".
The suspense builds as the body count rises and the characters are placed in danger, it's a fast read. One thing I liked was that the book sold me on the premise, a teenager hunting serial killers could stretch how far a reader is willing to suspend disbelief, but given the background provided for Jasper the story works. All in all a great YA thriller. Recommended for those who enjoy YA novels and thrillers along the lines of the TV show Criminal Minds.
Five out of five crime scenes.
N.B. The novel might not be for everyone due to gore and violence, including sexual violence. This does not take place on page but is referred to. There is also violence towards animals, specifically a dog.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
The Ocean At the End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
Sussex, England. A middle-aged man returns to his childhood home to attend a funeral. Although the house he lived in is long gone, he is drawn to the farm at the end of the road, where, when he was seven, he encountered a most remarkable girl, Lettie Hempstock, and her mother and grandmother. He hasn't thought of Lettie in decades, and yet as he sits by the pond (a pond that she'd claimed was an ocean) behind the ramshackle old farmhouse, the unremembered past comes flooding back. And it is a past too strange, too frightening, too dangerous to have happened to anyone, let alone a small boy.
Forty years earlier, a man committed suicide in a stolen car at this farm at the end of the road. Like a fuse on a firework, his death lit a touchpaper and resonated in unimaginable ways. The darkness was unleashed, something scary and thoroughly incomprehensible to a little boy. And Lettie—magical, comforting, wise beyond her years- promised to protect him, no matter what.
Forty years earlier, a man committed suicide in a stolen car at this farm at the end of the road. Like a fuse on a firework, his death lit a touchpaper and resonated in unimaginable ways. The darkness was unleashed, something scary and thoroughly incomprehensible to a little boy. And Lettie—magical, comforting, wise beyond her years- promised to protect him, no matter what.
Review: The Ocean At The End Of the Lane is a beautiful coming-of-age tale that perfectly captures the dark side of childhood while also providing some truly original imagery. The narrator's experiences, while fantastical, also display the real emotions children may commonly experience: loneliness, fear, and a sense of helplessness; of not being in control of their fate. The dangers the protagonist faces also work on multiple levels. There is the monster from another world and there is the abuse at the hands of a family member. There is the threat of being placed in a dark attic (a childish fear) and there is the threat of death. The perspective of an adult looking back to his childhood emphasizes this dichotomy.
The friendship between this little boy and the kind but otherworldly Lettie Hempstock is at the heart of this novel. If I have any criticism to offer it is my wish that more time was spent developing this relationship, but as it stands I found the boy's first friendship touching. The Hempstock women are fascinating, as are the hints of the world they came from. The novel is brief and not much backstory is given on the denizens of the Hempstock farm and the various monsters but I am of the opinion that sometimes less is more. Too much explanation can bog a narrative down, sometimes things are best left to the reader's imagination. In this story especially, the mysteries add to the tone and themes. Children are often kept in the dark about many things, so is the teller of the story.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book, it has an interesting and original mythology, lovely writing, layered villains, and captures real emotions.
5 out of 5 kittens from the kitten patch.
The friendship between this little boy and the kind but otherworldly Lettie Hempstock is at the heart of this novel. If I have any criticism to offer it is my wish that more time was spent developing this relationship, but as it stands I found the boy's first friendship touching. The Hempstock women are fascinating, as are the hints of the world they came from. The novel is brief and not much backstory is given on the denizens of the Hempstock farm and the various monsters but I am of the opinion that sometimes less is more. Too much explanation can bog a narrative down, sometimes things are best left to the reader's imagination. In this story especially, the mysteries add to the tone and themes. Children are often kept in the dark about many things, so is the teller of the story.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book, it has an interesting and original mythology, lovely writing, layered villains, and captures real emotions.
5 out of 5 kittens from the kitten patch.
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Showing posts with label 5 stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 5 stars. Show all posts
Monday, November 10, 2014
Review: Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3)
by Maggie Stiefvater
Published by Scholastic Press
Release Date: Oct 21, 2014
Disclaimer: Received for review consideration from the publisher via NetGalley.
There is danger in dreaming. But
there is even more danger in waking up.
Blue Sargent has found things. For the
first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can
belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems
have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.
The trick with found
things though, is how easily they can be lost.
Friends can betray.
Mothers can
disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.
(I try to be vague, but as this is the third book in a series, mild spoilers may be present. My reviews of the first two novels in the Raven Cycle are here)
Review: There’s a certain mild
worry mixed with excitement I experience when reading a new installment in a
beloved series. The need to know what happens next is mixed with the feeling
that the novel can’t possibly live up to expectations. Thankfully Blue Lily, Lily Blue was such a good read
my fears were put to rest as I was happily transported once again to Henrietta with Blue and the Aglionby boys as they continue their search for
Glendower.
This
book returns to closely following Adam, Gansey, and Blue while Ronan is very
much involved in the plot the reader is not privy to his thoughts). Then there’s Noah, still ghosting around and
acting as a barometer for trouble. Blue, whom I’d missed hearing from in The Dream Thieves, is central to the
plot this time around. Dealing with personal loss, she begins to question what
she really wants from life, both in her relationships and her future, and
whether achieving those things will be possible. Adam, perhaps the character
who has evolved the most from his beginnings was in The Raven Boys, must deal with the consequences of his magical
bargain in addition to facing his abusive father once again. Ronan, despite being more in the background, has clearly been affected by the events in The Dream Thieves. As for Gansey, his
weaknesses are made more apparent, as are his motivations for starting the
search for Glendower. These characters grow from book to book and their
relationships with each other are fascinating and complex. It’s rare that such
a large cast of characters is as well rounded and portrayed so skillfully.
Another great thing? While this is one part
of an overarching mytharc, Blue Lily, Lily Blue tells a complete story. Goals
are achieved and closure is given, with enough threads dangling to make me
eager for the sequel but not cause the frustration that comes when a novel ends
in the middle of the action (all too common with series these days). Another positive? The setting: Henrietta is so grounded and so real feeling yet the magical
elements in the story feel organic, not jarring. It’s a refreshing blend of
realism and fantasy.
Finally,
what elevates this book from an entertaining fantasy story to a five star book
for me is how it does not shy away from issues of class. Gansey, generally a
good guy, is highly privileged and this can cause him to be condescending,
hurtful, or oblivious. Ronan is similarly privileged and this allows him to act
out with minimal consequences, while Adam must work several jobs while keeping
his grades up in order to ensure his future. Then there’s Blue, whose choices
are limited due to her family’s monetary situation. I find Blue’s frustration
over her college plans and her uncertainty over her relationship with Gansey just
as compelling as any magical cave jaunts or dream creatures. I must also
mention the villains, a comically over privileged super couple who obsess over
gourmet cheese and yoga classes while causally ordering someone’s murder.
All in all, this is a wonderful entry in this series and I can hardly wait for the next one.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Review: The Glass Casket by McCormick Templeman
by McCormick Templeman
Death hasn't visited Rowan Rose since it took her mother when
Rowan was only a little girl. But that changes one bleak morning, when five
horses and their riders thunder into her village and through the forest,
disappearing into the hills. Days later, the riders' bodies are found, and
though no one can say for certain what happened in their final hours, their
remains prove that whatever it was must have been brutal.
Review: A confession: some scenes in this book gave me the creeps. Seriously, the up late reading-what was that noise-suspicious look all around the room creeps. That’s how engrossing I found the writing to be. The Glass Casket is a great example of how frequently used story elements (fairytales, etc.) can be used as a starting point for a story that’s unique. Though certain details of the novel seem designed to evoke the Snow White that received the Disney treatment, the plot is loosely based on the less well known Grimm tale Snow White and Rose Red.
One of the
novel’s greatest strengths is the world building. We are introduced the small
mountain community of Nag’s End, set in a fantastical reality with technology
equivalent to 14th century Europe and a history of dark magic largely
lost to time and engulfed in superstition.
Citizens of Nag’s End have their own traditions, religions, and a patriarchal
style of government. They largely ignore their rulers located in a city several
miles away, until the bizarre incident of the deaths of the riders of the city.
This sets off a series of grisly and tragic events.
The four
teenagers that are at the center of this story are Rowan, a girl with a gift
for translating historical documents, her best friend Tom, Tom’s brother Jude,
and the new-in-town Fiona Eira. Their
messy and complicated relationships serve as an emotional counterpoint to the
horror slowing building in the village. These characters are individuals and
very well drawn. Another point in the novel’s favor is that while it portrays
an archaic society in which men hold power, it also shows the very harmful
effects this structure has on the women living under it. Rowan, one of the
smartest characters in the story, figures out what is really going on but finds
herself disregarded and entrapped. The consequences are dire.
Throughout
the first half of the book I found that I was kept guessing, not knowing in
which direction the narrative was going to turn. This is a feeling I find
increasingly rare the more books I read, so I appreciated it. The story ends on
a satisfying note, but if McCormick Templeman sets any future books in this
world, I’d be happy to read them.
5 Stars
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Review: I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.
But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.
And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.
In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?
Review: I Hunt Killers is a well-characterized and suspenseful YA thriller. The hero, Jasper Dent, is dynamic and compelling as he strives not only to discover the identity of the latest killer in Lobo's Nod but to hold on to his humanity despite the shadow of his father's influence. Jasper's struggle is psychologically interesting, as he feels both nature and nurture work against him: his upbringing and his complicity in his father's crimes as well as the mental illness that runs through the Dent family.
Luckily Jasper has a cast of well-developed characters to back him up and keep him from falling back on his father's sociopathic tendencies. Notables include Connie, Jasper's girlfriend, who's African American, enjoys acting, does not indulge Jasper's crap or self-loathing, and is awesome. There's also his Howie, a hemophiliac who's always ready with a joke and will back Jasper up as long as he agrees to receiving a tattoo of Howie's choice. Rounding out the cast is Sheriff G. William Tanner, the man responsible for arresting Jasper's father, Billy Dent. And of course there's Billy Dent himself, a genius serial killer whose facade is a good ol' country guy but who can get inside a person's head faster than you can say "Hannibal Lecter".
The suspense builds as the body count rises and the characters are placed in danger, it's a fast read. One thing I liked was that the book sold me on the premise, a teenager hunting serial killers could stretch how far a reader is willing to suspend disbelief, but given the background provided for Jasper the story works. All in all a great YA thriller. Recommended for those who enjoy YA novels and thrillers along the lines of the TV show Criminal Minds.
Five out of five crime scenes.
N.B. The novel might not be for everyone due to gore and violence, including sexual violence. This does not take place on page but is referred to. There is also violence towards animals, specifically a dog.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The Ocean At the End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
Sussex, England. A middle-aged man returns to his childhood home to attend a funeral. Although the house he lived in is long gone, he is drawn to the farm at the end of the road, where, when he was seven, he encountered a most remarkable girl, Lettie Hempstock, and her mother and grandmother. He hasn't thought of Lettie in decades, and yet as he sits by the pond (a pond that she'd claimed was an ocean) behind the ramshackle old farmhouse, the unremembered past comes flooding back. And it is a past too strange, too frightening, too dangerous to have happened to anyone, let alone a small boy.
Forty years earlier, a man committed suicide in a stolen car at this farm at the end of the road. Like a fuse on a firework, his death lit a touchpaper and resonated in unimaginable ways. The darkness was unleashed, something scary and thoroughly incomprehensible to a little boy. And Lettie—magical, comforting, wise beyond her years- promised to protect him, no matter what.
Forty years earlier, a man committed suicide in a stolen car at this farm at the end of the road. Like a fuse on a firework, his death lit a touchpaper and resonated in unimaginable ways. The darkness was unleashed, something scary and thoroughly incomprehensible to a little boy. And Lettie—magical, comforting, wise beyond her years- promised to protect him, no matter what.
Review: The Ocean At The End Of the Lane is a beautiful coming-of-age tale that perfectly captures the dark side of childhood while also providing some truly original imagery. The narrator's experiences, while fantastical, also display the real emotions children may commonly experience: loneliness, fear, and a sense of helplessness; of not being in control of their fate. The dangers the protagonist faces also work on multiple levels. There is the monster from another world and there is the abuse at the hands of a family member. There is the threat of being placed in a dark attic (a childish fear) and there is the threat of death. The perspective of an adult looking back to his childhood emphasizes this dichotomy.
The friendship between this little boy and the kind but otherworldly Lettie Hempstock is at the heart of this novel. If I have any criticism to offer it is my wish that more time was spent developing this relationship, but as it stands I found the boy's first friendship touching. The Hempstock women are fascinating, as are the hints of the world they came from. The novel is brief and not much backstory is given on the denizens of the Hempstock farm and the various monsters but I am of the opinion that sometimes less is more. Too much explanation can bog a narrative down, sometimes things are best left to the reader's imagination. In this story especially, the mysteries add to the tone and themes. Children are often kept in the dark about many things, so is the teller of the story.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book, it has an interesting and original mythology, lovely writing, layered villains, and captures real emotions.
5 out of 5 kittens from the kitten patch.
The friendship between this little boy and the kind but otherworldly Lettie Hempstock is at the heart of this novel. If I have any criticism to offer it is my wish that more time was spent developing this relationship, but as it stands I found the boy's first friendship touching. The Hempstock women are fascinating, as are the hints of the world they came from. The novel is brief and not much backstory is given on the denizens of the Hempstock farm and the various monsters but I am of the opinion that sometimes less is more. Too much explanation can bog a narrative down, sometimes things are best left to the reader's imagination. In this story especially, the mysteries add to the tone and themes. Children are often kept in the dark about many things, so is the teller of the story.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book, it has an interesting and original mythology, lovely writing, layered villains, and captures real emotions.
5 out of 5 kittens from the kitten patch.
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