"Through Her Eyes," Jennifer Archer, is a surprisingly good romantic ghost story.
Tansy Piper wishes that she could live anywhere, be anyone else. Her life, the pathetic thing that it is, is in shambles after her move from California, the deception of her ex-best friend, her grandfather's dementia, her mother's determination to hide from the past, and the grapevine of her new small Texas town. Tansy gets her wish after she begins to see strange, black and white photos through the lens of her camera. She finds that she can travel through these pictures and back into the past, becoming "Bell" Martin, the sweet girl who was in love with Henry, whom Tansy knows will commit suicide before he's done with Bell, and best friends with Tansy's grandfather. As Bell's world becomes more vibrant, and Tansy's fades to gray, Tansy must choose which she wants to inhabit -- and she'll decided with the help of the town dreamboat, the local Shakespearean nerd, and the most popular cheerleader on the squad.
This was a really good book. I even shed a few tears at the end. See? So, it's a sappy horror novel. You really don't get too many of those. Or, at least, I don't.
The plot of the story is very interesting. In most books, people are like "Oh, I'm being possessed by a ghost!" But here, it's very subtle, which is a nice touch. Tansy denies it to the end, as well. Which, fits in perfectly with Tansy's character (our next topic, but let me ramble on here for a little while). The reason for the haunting is quite stereotypical, but, really, can anyone think of a better reason?
There are pretty much two main characters here: Tansy and Henry. Tansy is a shy girl who wants to hide and nurse her wounds, at least in the beginning of the book. She doesn't want to go out and make friends, she doesn't want to be there, but she winds up meeting people due to circumstance and a bit of guilt. Henry is the same way, nearly the exact same character, save that he's a male. He doesn't like people, he doesn't want to talk to anyone, but he met Bell because they're neighbors, and he talks to Danny because he feels that he's responsible for them. To me, this is interesting because in another "romantic horror" novel that I love, the main character and the ghost have conflicting personalities and goals. Tansy and Henry have the same personalities, and pretty much the same goals.
You could also see it in a way that would put Henry as Tansy's darker side. Because sometimes he turns violent and abusive to those around him, while she wants to but never gives into it. It could be considered as half a moral to us, and half a warning to Tansy not to become what Henry became. There is also a strong sense of irony throughout the book, because even though Henry only wants to help himself, not caring whether he hurts Tansy in the process he winds up helping her. Oh, sorry, *SPOILER.*
Bethyl Ann, the cheerleader girl, and the dreamboat guy (I've forgotten their names) are complex characters as well. Actual, every character is. Time was evidently put into each character to make them unique and well-rounded. Nearly every one is dynamic as well, which is interesting. Not a lot of them change dramatically, but they change within their personalities, which makes more sense and a better story than if they'd changed dramatically. Actually, none one, not even Tansy, changes in too dramatically. It's more about her finding who she really is.
I already warned you that this was a bit of a sappy book.
Another strong point of this book was the poetry. Tansy finds a book of poems that were written by Henry, and, well, you know, sort of obsesses of them. I would obsess of them too, if I'd found that book, because the poems were good. Two parts creepy, two parts depressing, and all parts truth. In my opinion, at least. I'm a person that is full of angst as well.
At first, though, I thought that Henry fell off his roof. He didn't, just so you know. And why would it be snowing in Texas? Was it one of those crazy whether years? Maybe I don't know my geography well enough to answer that question. Also, no one really explains what was going on in Henry's mind, which would've been nice to know. There is hardly any transition between Tansy's world being colorful, and then it being gray. The best friend from California is dropped with only a few glances back. Some things could've been explained more, and others could've been smoother.
It's a good ghost story, though, and a nice fall back when I'm in need of a campfire tale. Even though I can't remember all of the character's names, Tansy's story will continue to haunt me even as my world fades to gray.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
I am Number Four
"I am Number Four," by Pittacus Lore.
Three are dead. He is Number Four.
Assuming the pseudonym John Smith, "Number Four" sets to settling in in his latest town, Paradise, Ohio. Falling for the ex-cheerleader ex-girlfriend of the town's basketball star doesn't do much to his policy of staying invisible, and staying invisible is everything for the alien who's trying to stay under the radar of the murderous Mogadarians who killed his people and stripped his planet of resources. If John can keep his newly developing powers a secret from the bloodthirsty killers, than their might be a chance that Lorien can be saved. Mistakes come at every turn, though, and John's powers fly out of control. It might be merely a matter of time before the Mogadarians find him, and mark their death total up to four . . .
I am not impressed with this story. It's a typical Hollywood-blockbuster movie, but slowed down a bit, and shoved into a book. Here look at this version of the summary:
There is a mysterious alien male who may or may not have amazing powers that have the potential to save our world from terrifying alien invaders! He also wants to restore his home planet back to it's former glory because it was ravaged by the same species of intergalactic menaces. But, before his powers develop, he must blend in with the high school population to hide from the evil aliens. While he is hiding in a small town, he meets the girl of his dreams and gets into a fight with her possessive ex-boyfriend. When his powers finally show themselves, will our hero be able to escape the detection of the bad guys? . . . No, probably not.
Well, where have we heard that before? Oh, right in the trailer of the next alien-invasion movie. Which, makes sense, because this book is also a movie. But even the book is complete with pretty blonds, unlikely allies, and an aging mentor. I'm sorry, I'm just not happy over here. I guess I just thought it was going to be some fantastic book, some earth-shattering new sci-fi book. Instead, it's horribly cliched.
It has all of the good elements of a fiction book: A gigantic problem that's about to become a whole lot bigger if it doesn't get fixed soon, a hero that's (presumably) going to fix it, and a secret that the hero has to keep hidden from the rest of the world. Yeah, sure. We see that in nearly every contemporary young adult book. It's a reliable formula, as well as a comforting one.
And there's a unique twist to the problem: The victims can only be killed in numerical order. But that premise leaves several unanswered questions; who decided the numerical order? What exactly is a Lorien charm? Who casted the thing, if you said that all of your Elders had fled the planet? There is a lot of mystery in this book, questions that are left unanswered to create hype, but those questions aren't there to create hype, in my opinion, and just leave holes in the reason of the plot.
And, dude, does the girl have to be blond? Does the ex-boyfriend have to be a jock? I thought that we were past this. Oh, sure, it's standard in plenty of realistic fiction/romance books, but this is . . . I don't know. I enjoy stories. Isn't that evident on what I choose to write my blog? This is a pretty good story. It has an intriguing back-story, and a wonderful premise to it. But, I don't know, and I know I've said that before, but . . . I would've done something different, if I had been writing it.
Maybe part of the problem was that I couldn't find anyone in this book to relate to. John was a bit bull-headed, Sarah was a bit of a ditz, Sam was too nerdy and unsocial . . . I probably could've connected with Henri, if given half the chance, but I wasn't. He's always the enemy in John's eyes, the over-protective parent, etc. But he's the only one with any sense!
Also, I just couldn't buy into Mogadaria and Loria, or whatever the planets were called. Those places, no matter how many times they described them or went over their history, there was never any chance that they might've, could've, possibly, maybe been real, that feeling you get when you read a really good book, and you know that that place could really be out there, no matter how implausible.
So, Mr. Four, I wish you luck in saving your planet. But with all your sterotypes, I doubt that you'll be able to save your literary audience from despair.
For more information (not much more, but . . .) the website is http://iamnumberfour.com/
Three are dead. He is Number Four.
Assuming the pseudonym John Smith, "Number Four" sets to settling in in his latest town, Paradise, Ohio. Falling for the ex-cheerleader ex-girlfriend of the town's basketball star doesn't do much to his policy of staying invisible, and staying invisible is everything for the alien who's trying to stay under the radar of the murderous Mogadarians who killed his people and stripped his planet of resources. If John can keep his newly developing powers a secret from the bloodthirsty killers, than their might be a chance that Lorien can be saved. Mistakes come at every turn, though, and John's powers fly out of control. It might be merely a matter of time before the Mogadarians find him, and mark their death total up to four . . .
I am not impressed with this story. It's a typical Hollywood-blockbuster movie, but slowed down a bit, and shoved into a book. Here look at this version of the summary:
There is a mysterious alien male who may or may not have amazing powers that have the potential to save our world from terrifying alien invaders! He also wants to restore his home planet back to it's former glory because it was ravaged by the same species of intergalactic menaces. But, before his powers develop, he must blend in with the high school population to hide from the evil aliens. While he is hiding in a small town, he meets the girl of his dreams and gets into a fight with her possessive ex-boyfriend. When his powers finally show themselves, will our hero be able to escape the detection of the bad guys? . . . No, probably not.
Well, where have we heard that before? Oh, right in the trailer of the next alien-invasion movie. Which, makes sense, because this book is also a movie. But even the book is complete with pretty blonds, unlikely allies, and an aging mentor. I'm sorry, I'm just not happy over here. I guess I just thought it was going to be some fantastic book, some earth-shattering new sci-fi book. Instead, it's horribly cliched.
It has all of the good elements of a fiction book: A gigantic problem that's about to become a whole lot bigger if it doesn't get fixed soon, a hero that's (presumably) going to fix it, and a secret that the hero has to keep hidden from the rest of the world. Yeah, sure. We see that in nearly every contemporary young adult book. It's a reliable formula, as well as a comforting one.
And there's a unique twist to the problem: The victims can only be killed in numerical order. But that premise leaves several unanswered questions; who decided the numerical order? What exactly is a Lorien charm? Who casted the thing, if you said that all of your Elders had fled the planet? There is a lot of mystery in this book, questions that are left unanswered to create hype, but those questions aren't there to create hype, in my opinion, and just leave holes in the reason of the plot.
And, dude, does the girl have to be blond? Does the ex-boyfriend have to be a jock? I thought that we were past this. Oh, sure, it's standard in plenty of realistic fiction/romance books, but this is . . . I don't know. I enjoy stories. Isn't that evident on what I choose to write my blog? This is a pretty good story. It has an intriguing back-story, and a wonderful premise to it. But, I don't know, and I know I've said that before, but . . . I would've done something different, if I had been writing it.
Maybe part of the problem was that I couldn't find anyone in this book to relate to. John was a bit bull-headed, Sarah was a bit of a ditz, Sam was too nerdy and unsocial . . . I probably could've connected with Henri, if given half the chance, but I wasn't. He's always the enemy in John's eyes, the over-protective parent, etc. But he's the only one with any sense!
Also, I just couldn't buy into Mogadaria and Loria, or whatever the planets were called. Those places, no matter how many times they described them or went over their history, there was never any chance that they might've, could've, possibly, maybe been real, that feeling you get when you read a really good book, and you know that that place could really be out there, no matter how implausible.
So, Mr. Four, I wish you luck in saving your planet. But with all your sterotypes, I doubt that you'll be able to save your literary audience from despair.
For more information (not much more, but . . .) the website is http://iamnumberfour.com/
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The "Virals" Series
The "Virals" series is written by Kathy Reich, the author of the adult novels "Temperance Brennan."
Virals
Tory Brennan's mother has just died, so she's sent to live with her previously unknown father in Charleston. There she befriends three boys, rescues a dog, and digs up a fifty-year-old mystery. But everything has its consequences, and the four kids begin to suspect that the dog carries a strain of parvovirus that might be contagious to humans. And their's no doubt that someone doesn't want them figuring why human bones are buried out on a monkey preserve. It's a race against time on both fronts: to figure out the secrets of the virus before it kills them, and to figure out the secret of Katherine Heaton before the murder kills them.
Seizure
Charleston University is threatening to shut down LIRI, the Loggerhead Island Research Institution, putting all of the scientists who work there out of a job. Tory can't bear the thought of leaving her pack, so when she finds clues that Anne Bonny's pirate treasure might be hidden somewhere in Charleston, she can't resist. But just how far will she be willing to go to get the money to keep her new family together? Treasure hunting is dangerous business, and the gunmen aren't making it any easier.
I haven't been posting in a while, because there have been no books good enough to post on. Thankfully, this science-fiction duo solved my problem.
The best comparison is that the these books are like "Max Ride," times fifty, and good. Yes, the "Virals," as the call themselves, Tory and the three boys, become canine-mutants as the result of the virus. But that's not the only reason the books are similar: They have the same fast-paced tempo and snarky voice. These books, the "Virals," though, don't move too fast to keep up with--it's not like rapid fire, every chapter only taking up two pages. It's not headache-inducing like that. A chapter takes up maybe twenty pages, and five-to-ten things happen in that chapter. It's fast enough to catch your interest and keep it.
The books are also wildly intriguing. I'm not a fan of the traditional mystery genre (Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, etc.), but this isn't a traditional mystery books in the same sense that makes Nancy Drew so dull. There's a pattern with the Nancy Drew books, we all agree, no? And that can make them enjoyable. It can also make them incredibly dull. There are no patterns in these books. Well, save the fact that there are always gunmen after the four kids. There are also several plot lines that intertwine over the course of the books, and that keeps you engaged. And the mysteries aren't your stereotypical mysteries either.
The characters are vibrant, too. You really can't take anyone for granted, because they may have a treacherous back story that we haven't heard of yet. Some characters do have the misfortune of being exactly who they say to be, but you can't get everything you ask for. Tory, our main character, is exactly who she says she is. This is a good thing, because it's first person narration, and it'd be rather strange if a first person narrator kept secrets from you. The three boys she hangs out with, Shelton, Hi, and Ben, are pretty much who they say they are, but they all have quirks that keep you laughing and coming back (especially Hi's sense of wicked sarcasm.)
I also liked how things like life at high school and Tory's looming debut (as a lady, not as an author or actor) is intertwined with things like murder and life-threatening sickness. It makes the whole story so much more believable, like it could've actually happened. Because the basic things still count, I guess, while you're running around in the middle of the night, breaking and entering historic buildings and private property.
There are some things that annoy me: We don't know of Tory's love of dogs until, like, fifteen pages before she decides to kidnap (dognap?) Cooper, the wolfdog. Little stuff like that. And why did they have to break into the library? Why not just go during the daytime? Yeah, so. Maybe I was reading too quickly, but there are little details like that escape my notice and slightly annoy me. I don't know. Maybe I'm just too picky.
Tory Brennan and her pack astounded, surprised, and amused me. Leaping from the pages of their story into their lives, they took me on a whirlwind tour of Charleston and the mystery/sci-fi genre. They've broken open my heart -- I can only hope that my front door is not their next target.
If you wanted to see the "official" bios of these books, www.kathyreichs.com There are a bunch of her other books on there too, so you have to click "books" to find anything about the "Virals."
Virals
Tory Brennan's mother has just died, so she's sent to live with her previously unknown father in Charleston. There she befriends three boys, rescues a dog, and digs up a fifty-year-old mystery. But everything has its consequences, and the four kids begin to suspect that the dog carries a strain of parvovirus that might be contagious to humans. And their's no doubt that someone doesn't want them figuring why human bones are buried out on a monkey preserve. It's a race against time on both fronts: to figure out the secrets of the virus before it kills them, and to figure out the secret of Katherine Heaton before the murder kills them.
Seizure
Charleston University is threatening to shut down LIRI, the Loggerhead Island Research Institution, putting all of the scientists who work there out of a job. Tory can't bear the thought of leaving her pack, so when she finds clues that Anne Bonny's pirate treasure might be hidden somewhere in Charleston, she can't resist. But just how far will she be willing to go to get the money to keep her new family together? Treasure hunting is dangerous business, and the gunmen aren't making it any easier.
I haven't been posting in a while, because there have been no books good enough to post on. Thankfully, this science-fiction duo solved my problem.
The best comparison is that the these books are like "Max Ride," times fifty, and good. Yes, the "Virals," as the call themselves, Tory and the three boys, become canine-mutants as the result of the virus. But that's not the only reason the books are similar: They have the same fast-paced tempo and snarky voice. These books, the "Virals," though, don't move too fast to keep up with--it's not like rapid fire, every chapter only taking up two pages. It's not headache-inducing like that. A chapter takes up maybe twenty pages, and five-to-ten things happen in that chapter. It's fast enough to catch your interest and keep it.
The books are also wildly intriguing. I'm not a fan of the traditional mystery genre (Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, etc.), but this isn't a traditional mystery books in the same sense that makes Nancy Drew so dull. There's a pattern with the Nancy Drew books, we all agree, no? And that can make them enjoyable. It can also make them incredibly dull. There are no patterns in these books. Well, save the fact that there are always gunmen after the four kids. There are also several plot lines that intertwine over the course of the books, and that keeps you engaged. And the mysteries aren't your stereotypical mysteries either.
The characters are vibrant, too. You really can't take anyone for granted, because they may have a treacherous back story that we haven't heard of yet. Some characters do have the misfortune of being exactly who they say to be, but you can't get everything you ask for. Tory, our main character, is exactly who she says she is. This is a good thing, because it's first person narration, and it'd be rather strange if a first person narrator kept secrets from you. The three boys she hangs out with, Shelton, Hi, and Ben, are pretty much who they say they are, but they all have quirks that keep you laughing and coming back (especially Hi's sense of wicked sarcasm.)
I also liked how things like life at high school and Tory's looming debut (as a lady, not as an author or actor) is intertwined with things like murder and life-threatening sickness. It makes the whole story so much more believable, like it could've actually happened. Because the basic things still count, I guess, while you're running around in the middle of the night, breaking and entering historic buildings and private property.
There are some things that annoy me: We don't know of Tory's love of dogs until, like, fifteen pages before she decides to kidnap (dognap?) Cooper, the wolfdog. Little stuff like that. And why did they have to break into the library? Why not just go during the daytime? Yeah, so. Maybe I was reading too quickly, but there are little details like that escape my notice and slightly annoy me. I don't know. Maybe I'm just too picky.
Tory Brennan and her pack astounded, surprised, and amused me. Leaping from the pages of their story into their lives, they took me on a whirlwind tour of Charleston and the mystery/sci-fi genre. They've broken open my heart -- I can only hope that my front door is not their next target.
If you wanted to see the "official" bios of these books, www.kathyreichs.com There are a bunch of her other books on there too, so you have to click "books" to find anything about the "Virals."
Friday, August 10, 2012
Dreamdark: Blackbringer
"Dreamdark: Blackbringer," Laini Taylor, is a tale of whimsy . . . and the end of the world.
Magpie Windwitch, granddaughter of the West Wind and a fairy, travels the world, hunting down demons that humans have released from their bottles. With her seven crows and their traveling caravan, their travels take them far and wide. But when the mannies release the worst demon of all, the Blackbringer, the stuff of legends and nightmares, Magpie, affectionately 'Pie, must return to a home she hasn't been to in 80 years: The forest of Dreamdark. As the destruction of her people becomes immanent, she appeals to the oldest and strongest power for help. If she can wake him from his sleep and gain his trust, those she loves might be saved. Secrets are unraveled and truths are revealed, though, and 'Pie learns that the Djinns aren't the only ones who could save the forest.
What book today isn't about the end of the world? At least this one approaches it creatively, I suppose. It doesn't come out right and say, "we have to save the world!" because that would be lame. And this book wasn't lame, thank the powers that be. I enjoyed it a lot, actually.
The characters were real, and that was a big part of it. A lot of books don't have well-formed characters. Well, books that I've been reading of late. Magpie, though, is three-dimensional, and I knew what she was going to do next. Rephrasing that: I never knew what she was going to do next, but the things she didn't made sense and fit in with her character. The "co-stars," Talon, Poppy, Lady Vesper, Orchardspike, etc, are real as well, and no back story seems to be a stretch. Everything, every character, fits, as perfect as a puzzle piece.
There was a sense of unpredictability and haphazardness about the book that was also nice. Everything fit together, but it didn't come together neatly. It sort of fell together, seemingly at random. Things that didn't seem important were important. There were twists and turns that weren't expected, but that had been there all along. There were items that seemed to have no importance, but changed the course of the plot. There were actions that were taken at page thirty and had great significances at page 200. It was a chaotic mess, but it was also a woven pattern.
And, you can probably see that I enjoy the illustrations from the picture above. There are a few good-full sized pictures of the three main characters, and they are very well done. I took this picture from the website listed down below, and there are several pictures from the book on that site. I didn't like the internal picture of Magpie, of course (I'm so picky), but I did enjoy the cover. The picture above is of Poppy, who is a 'flower fairy,' I suppose.
Of course, there were a couple things that could be spotted from a mile off. The slandered happy ending; the fact that the main character is going to be wonderfully and uncommonly gifted. One can see these cliches from a mile off. The things that aren't cliched pretty much balance those out, in my opinion.
Also, this isn't a soppy Disney fairy tale love story. I'm not saying those are bad or anything (I'm just implying it). The characters are still teenagers, maybe, in "fairy-years," relatively young teenagers. So, yeah. I like things like that. I'm not saying that it doesn't hold elements of sterotypical fairies (see above picture), but there are also non-sterotypical-fairy things. Like, demons. And swords.
I also like how the fairy tales seem to swirl around the characters: The saga of the hero Bellatrix, the story of Magpie's parents, the myths of the Djinns, the legends of the dragons. These add flavor to the world of Dreamdark, for what is a culture but their stories and beliefs? Even Magpie's parents realize this, as shown by their journeys to fairy villages to collect the old stories. Every little detail in this book comes alive, and either brings a new perspective or adds to a perspective that's already there.
There's another book in the series, a sequel. I think it's called "Silksinger." For sure, I'm going to look into it. Actually, Laini Taylor's written some other stuff that I like, and I didn't make the connect between her and the other stuff she's written before I looked at her site. I enjoyed "The Daughter of Smoke and Bone," but I haven't read the sequel to that one yet. So, that's two books I need to look out for.
You can find all the information here at www.lainitaylor.com It's a "google blogspot," or whatever they're calling this, if you care to know.
Magpie Windwitch, granddaughter of the West Wind and a fairy, travels the world, hunting down demons that humans have released from their bottles. With her seven crows and their traveling caravan, their travels take them far and wide. But when the mannies release the worst demon of all, the Blackbringer, the stuff of legends and nightmares, Magpie, affectionately 'Pie, must return to a home she hasn't been to in 80 years: The forest of Dreamdark. As the destruction of her people becomes immanent, she appeals to the oldest and strongest power for help. If she can wake him from his sleep and gain his trust, those she loves might be saved. Secrets are unraveled and truths are revealed, though, and 'Pie learns that the Djinns aren't the only ones who could save the forest.
What book today isn't about the end of the world? At least this one approaches it creatively, I suppose. It doesn't come out right and say, "we have to save the world!" because that would be lame. And this book wasn't lame, thank the powers that be. I enjoyed it a lot, actually.
There was a sense of unpredictability and haphazardness about the book that was also nice. Everything fit together, but it didn't come together neatly. It sort of fell together, seemingly at random. Things that didn't seem important were important. There were twists and turns that weren't expected, but that had been there all along. There were items that seemed to have no importance, but changed the course of the plot. There were actions that were taken at page thirty and had great significances at page 200. It was a chaotic mess, but it was also a woven pattern.
And, you can probably see that I enjoy the illustrations from the picture above. There are a few good-full sized pictures of the three main characters, and they are very well done. I took this picture from the website listed down below, and there are several pictures from the book on that site. I didn't like the internal picture of Magpie, of course (I'm so picky), but I did enjoy the cover. The picture above is of Poppy, who is a 'flower fairy,' I suppose.
Of course, there were a couple things that could be spotted from a mile off. The slandered happy ending; the fact that the main character is going to be wonderfully and uncommonly gifted. One can see these cliches from a mile off. The things that aren't cliched pretty much balance those out, in my opinion.
Also, this isn't a soppy Disney fairy tale love story. I'm not saying those are bad or anything (I'm just implying it). The characters are still teenagers, maybe, in "fairy-years," relatively young teenagers. So, yeah. I like things like that. I'm not saying that it doesn't hold elements of sterotypical fairies (see above picture), but there are also non-sterotypical-fairy things. Like, demons. And swords.
I also like how the fairy tales seem to swirl around the characters: The saga of the hero Bellatrix, the story of Magpie's parents, the myths of the Djinns, the legends of the dragons. These add flavor to the world of Dreamdark, for what is a culture but their stories and beliefs? Even Magpie's parents realize this, as shown by their journeys to fairy villages to collect the old stories. Every little detail in this book comes alive, and either brings a new perspective or adds to a perspective that's already there.
There's another book in the series, a sequel. I think it's called "Silksinger." For sure, I'm going to look into it. Actually, Laini Taylor's written some other stuff that I like, and I didn't make the connect between her and the other stuff she's written before I looked at her site. I enjoyed "The Daughter of Smoke and Bone," but I haven't read the sequel to that one yet. So, that's two books I need to look out for.
You can find all the information here at www.lainitaylor.com It's a "google blogspot," or whatever they're calling this, if you care to know.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Nevermore
"Nevermore" is the eighth and final book in James Patterson's best selling series, "Maximum Ride." It's all come down to this, hasn't it? A final battle between good and evil. A final chance for Maximum Ride to save the world. A final decision that could raise or raze civilization. But what is there to fight? With the whitecoats secretly perfecting their 99% plan in some hidden laboratory, though, the Flock busy trying to be "normal" mutants, and Fang's gang trying to do something, anything, to make the difference, the battlefield seems nearly empty.
But Jeb and "Dr. God" have other plans. And bringing back the dead is only one of their strategies. As everything goes haywire, the Voice issuing warnings and assignments, multiple betrayals, the start of the end of the world, Max has just two questions. What's the catch? And can Fang and Dylan ever stop tearing her heart apart, even as the foundation of all that's known crumbles at their feet?
This book wasn't as bad as "The Final Warning," another book in the series. Actually, it was the best one in a while. Which may not be saying much. I stopped liking them around "Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports," but I was hooked: I wanted to know what happened to Max and the rest of the Flock. I mean, come on. Who wouldn't? But I'm sort of glad that it's over, so I can quite with my crazy obsession.
Of course, James Patterson milked the Fang/Dylan dynamic for all it was worth. Hey, I'm not blaming him. It was the only thing that was keeping me on for quite a bit of "Fang." But it was really just . . . dramatic. More end-of-the-world, less candle-lit dinners. Please?
I'm not happy with the ending. Am I ever? But, really. It could've used more action and movement and, I don't know, but it was missing something. Oh, here it is: Tension. And, well, I've heard the saying "surprising, yet inevitable," relating to books, or really all literature. So . . . It was surprising, yes, but not inevitable. It came completely and totally out of the blue. As most of the things come in this series.
I liked the characters in this book. I mean, they were no different from the characters in the rest of the books, but there was something about them here that made them seem more likable. Max isn't as cranky, and she seems like she's a nicer person to be around. Less self-absorbed. You know, things like that. It wasn't a dramatic change, or anything, it was just in the way that they were written.
The whole problem is, I think, is that "The Angel Experiment" was an amazing book. It was fast paced, it was catchy, and it was new. But as the series went on, the story either went too slow or too fast, stopped being catchy and started being annoying, and got old. James Patterson never manages to capture the energy as he did in that first book. You keep expecting an "Angel Experiment," but you don't really get it. Even "Nevermore" only captures a little bit of that energy.
The series started cornering itself during "Final Warning," when James Patterson made the end of the world be about global warming. Yes, that is a big problem in today's society. But one bird kid cannot change the problem. One bird kid cannot save the world from global warming, no matter how determined she is. He could've done so much more with the series, James Patterson could've, but he hemmed himself in. And even within the parameters he set himself, he could've made "Nevermore" so much better.
The series, in order, are "The Angel Experiment," "School's Out--Forever," "Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports," "The Final Warning," "Max," "Fang," "Angel," and last, but certainly not least, "Nevermore."
It was quite a ride, Max. It might not have been the maximum ride, but you can't argue with a good story, so I took what you gave me. And I might just remember you and you're struggle after you've flown off into the sunset.
And, as if you need it again (it seems like I've written this out a dozen times on this site, though it's only been three), the URL. www.max-dan-wiz.com You can read the first 16 chapters free.
But Jeb and "Dr. God" have other plans. And bringing back the dead is only one of their strategies. As everything goes haywire, the Voice issuing warnings and assignments, multiple betrayals, the start of the end of the world, Max has just two questions. What's the catch? And can Fang and Dylan ever stop tearing her heart apart, even as the foundation of all that's known crumbles at their feet?
This book wasn't as bad as "The Final Warning," another book in the series. Actually, it was the best one in a while. Which may not be saying much. I stopped liking them around "Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports," but I was hooked: I wanted to know what happened to Max and the rest of the Flock. I mean, come on. Who wouldn't? But I'm sort of glad that it's over, so I can quite with my crazy obsession.
Of course, James Patterson milked the Fang/Dylan dynamic for all it was worth. Hey, I'm not blaming him. It was the only thing that was keeping me on for quite a bit of "Fang." But it was really just . . . dramatic. More end-of-the-world, less candle-lit dinners. Please?
I'm not happy with the ending. Am I ever? But, really. It could've used more action and movement and, I don't know, but it was missing something. Oh, here it is: Tension. And, well, I've heard the saying "surprising, yet inevitable," relating to books, or really all literature. So . . . It was surprising, yes, but not inevitable. It came completely and totally out of the blue. As most of the things come in this series.
I liked the characters in this book. I mean, they were no different from the characters in the rest of the books, but there was something about them here that made them seem more likable. Max isn't as cranky, and she seems like she's a nicer person to be around. Less self-absorbed. You know, things like that. It wasn't a dramatic change, or anything, it was just in the way that they were written.
The whole problem is, I think, is that "The Angel Experiment" was an amazing book. It was fast paced, it was catchy, and it was new. But as the series went on, the story either went too slow or too fast, stopped being catchy and started being annoying, and got old. James Patterson never manages to capture the energy as he did in that first book. You keep expecting an "Angel Experiment," but you don't really get it. Even "Nevermore" only captures a little bit of that energy.
The series started cornering itself during "Final Warning," when James Patterson made the end of the world be about global warming. Yes, that is a big problem in today's society. But one bird kid cannot change the problem. One bird kid cannot save the world from global warming, no matter how determined she is. He could've done so much more with the series, James Patterson could've, but he hemmed himself in. And even within the parameters he set himself, he could've made "Nevermore" so much better.
The series, in order, are "The Angel Experiment," "School's Out--Forever," "Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports," "The Final Warning," "Max," "Fang," "Angel," and last, but certainly not least, "Nevermore."
It was quite a ride, Max. It might not have been the maximum ride, but you can't argue with a good story, so I took what you gave me. And I might just remember you and you're struggle after you've flown off into the sunset.
And, as if you need it again (it seems like I've written this out a dozen times on this site, though it's only been three), the URL. www.max-dan-wiz.com You can read the first 16 chapters free.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Book News (THIS IS NOT A BOOK TITLE)
There is a new Artemis Fowl book out! Augh! And I have not read it yet! This is a disaster! It's called "The Last Gaurdian," and in it, Opal Koboi is back. Yey! It's the final book in this now eight-book series. You can go to http://www.artemisfowl.com/ to check that out. It sounds pretty good.
James Patterson's "Nevermore," the ninth and final book in the "Maximum Ride" series is out. I'm really annoyed because they had a contest in the eight book, "Angel," and the winner of that was supposed to be announced in "Nevermore," but it isn't. Just a heads up on that.
The book is 12 dollars on Barnes and Noble.com, but 18 dollars at the store. It's probably cheaper at Target, but I couldn't find it there. Um . . . so, www.max-dan-wiz.com for that. You can read the first sixteen chapters there. (And let me tell you--the six extra dollars I spent this afternoon have been worth it so far.)
While we're on the topic of new books, here's one that's coming out, Rick Riordan's next installment of his "Hero's of Olympus" series, "The Mark of Athena" is coming out in October.
http://disney.go.com/official-sites/heroes-of-olympus/index is the place to go for more information on that. There is also an preview chapter to read on that . . . That does not make me want to read the book anymore than I already do, but I guess I'll read the book anyways. I'm not finding Rick Riordan's stuff as good as it used to be. But, whatever. I'm hooked on Percy Jackson, sadly, and no matter how bad the writing is I'll keep reading the books. I only wish the writing was better.
Uh, yeah. I guess I'll update this as more things come out, then.
James Patterson's "Nevermore," the ninth and final book in the "Maximum Ride" series is out. I'm really annoyed because they had a contest in the eight book, "Angel," and the winner of that was supposed to be announced in "Nevermore," but it isn't. Just a heads up on that.
The book is 12 dollars on Barnes and Noble.com, but 18 dollars at the store. It's probably cheaper at Target, but I couldn't find it there. Um . . . so, www.max-dan-wiz.com for that. You can read the first sixteen chapters there. (And let me tell you--the six extra dollars I spent this afternoon have been worth it so far.)
While we're on the topic of new books, here's one that's coming out, Rick Riordan's next installment of his "Hero's of Olympus" series, "The Mark of Athena" is coming out in October.
http://disney.go.com/official-sites/heroes-of-olympus/index is the place to go for more information on that. There is also an preview chapter to read on that . . . That does not make me want to read the book anymore than I already do, but I guess I'll read the book anyways. I'm not finding Rick Riordan's stuff as good as it used to be. But, whatever. I'm hooked on Percy Jackson, sadly, and no matter how bad the writing is I'll keep reading the books. I only wish the writing was better.
Uh, yeah. I guess I'll update this as more things come out, then.
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