Rant or Rave
Hey everyone! Welcome to the "My Views" page. I made this because I was always taught to keep reviews professional and rated G, BUT let's face it, it is not possible to dish out everything I think about a book in less than 700 words and sometimes, rated G isn't for the best. Therefore, this is my non-professional, confessionals section! If you have comments/suggestions or anything please use the form at the bottom of the page! The comments box only sends the comments to me. But I will post them on the site as soon as I receive them! Hope to hear from you!
Index
Same thing as in the "Reviews" section: This is to make your lives easier! Feel free to hit control+f to search the page!
1) Gossamer by Lois Lowry
2) Ironside by Holly Black
3) Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
P.S. Pictures are linked to the author's website!
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
Official Book Stats
Copy Reviewed: Hard Cover First Edition
Title: Gossamer
Author: Lois Lowry
Publication: Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Company
Pages: 140
Target Age Group: 9-12 years
Genre: Fiction
Summary: While learning to bestow dreams, a young dream giver tries to save an eight-year-old boy from the effects of both his abusive past and the nightmares inflicted on him by the frightening Sinisteeds.
My Unofficial Ramble
"In a world where a young girl's touch can heal a soul, "Gossamer" will anchor its elaborately woven tale within your heart and your mind. Remembered only as a glint of a dream, always just a heartbeat away."
I LOVE this book. LOVE LOVE LOVE! Okay, basically, I love Lois Lowry and the stuff she writes can be both amazingly down to earth yet deep at the same time. Her stories are always multi-leveled and she overtones the story perfectly. She delves into subjects that younger audiences need to be aware of, in a way that allows the reader to receive the message in his/her own way. Lowry never makes up your mind for you in her novels. She opens a subject, thoroughly explores it, then allows you to create your own conclusion. These are the types of novels that youths need to be exposed to more often.
So, here are my stats on this book:
Age: 9-16 - to be perfectly honest, this is a story that older teens can enjoy too. It is lacking in the action and romance department, but nevertheless, it gives you a good chunk of info to take in and consider.
Recommended to: Kids/Teens who are looking for a good fictional novel. Again, this is not an action story, this story shows how simple everyday actions and thoughts can save those around us, and it is a real eye opener. If you're looking for something action-packed and exciting, this is probably not the book for you.
Rating: 5-Stars - All the way! I love this book, I love Lois Lowry's writing style, and (although some of you may disagree) I think Gossamer deserves full points!
Ironside by Holly Black
Official Book Stats
Copy Reviewed: Advance Reading Copy (ARC)
Title: Ironside
Author: Holly Black
Publication: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 336
Target Age Group: 14 and Up
Genre: Fiction
Notes: The sequel to Tithe. Companion to Valiant.
My Unofficial Ramble
"The perfect mix of haunting horror and enthralling passion, Ironside had me captivated from the very start. Black’s carefully crafted world mingled reality with fantasy, creating the magnificent backdrop to an epic battle of wits and will that kept me hooked until the resolution. This novel managed to portray the lives of down-to-earth and real characters in a world that is quite the opposite, and had me literally bound to it’s oh-so-human conflicts and struggles between fantastical magical powers."
The amazing thing about this novel is that it brings out the best in both worlds, fantasy and reality. Holly Black has managed to fuse the two in such a way that it is at once believable and yet the fantasy lingers and allows extraordinary things to occur. I love the plot and the story, but the writing itself is lacking slightly. It is detailed and done properly, but there are times when scenes are rushed or explanations are too hurried and it takes some time for the reader to figure out what is going on. Next to that, the book is a very good book and a great read. You don't have to read Tithe first, although it does provide some insight into the novel if you have. The same goes for Valiant.
Regarding the plot itself, I think that Ironside was much more organized than Tithe. Tithe didn't really have a distinct climax, whereas this novel does. The story is intricate and detailed and the human aspects are done in an amazing fashion allowing the reader to be drawn in and understand as well as feel. That is what makes this book such a pleasure to read.
Ready for stats? Here we go:
Ages: 14 and Up - The publishers got this right. The content is perfect for this age group, and you need to be at around this maturity level to understand some of what is going on. Advanced younger readers may enjoy it, but it's more suited to 14 and over readers.
Recommended to: Girls who like action and romance. There is romance because that's what drives every single on of Kaye's actions. If you don't like romance, you won't like this book. The action is good and face-paced and the plot is detailed. This isn't really sword-on-sword action, but action in terms of a battle, whether in wits or physically.
Rating: 4 1/2-Stars - Why? Because the novel was good, the plot was good, the characters were good. BUT the rushing took away from the effect. Although the speed of explanations helped the reader realize the time restraints involved, it took away from the general understanding because of the intricacy of the plot, characters, and events.
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
Official Book Stats
Copy Reviewed: Hardcover
Title: Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
Author: James Patterson
Publication: Little, Brown and Company
Pages: 422
Target Age Group: 10-12
Genre: Fiction
Notes: First installment of the Maximum Ride Series.
Summary: After the mutant Erasers abduct the youngest member of their group, the "bird kids", who are the result of genetic experimentation, take off in pursuit and find themselves struggling to understand their own origins and purpose.
My Unofficial Ramble
"An amazing read for anyone of any age, Maximum Ride – The Angel Experiment, really makes pages fly! An astonishing tale about the power of love, strength, and hope and how family stands above all, Patterson allows readers to fall into his world and keeps you there ‘til the last minute. Prepare for the true definition of thriller; the incredible, indescribable, Maximum Ride."
This is an amazing book. If you've got spare time, pick it up. I loved it because the connections between the characters are so intricate and deep and the storyline leads up to something so intensely real. It's packed with action, it's a fast paced book but it's also detailed and vivid and most importantly; it makes sense. It makes sense in terms of the story itself, and it makes sense in the real world. The issue explored is done so in a way that is inspirational and down-to-earth. Although the events that occur to Max and her flock are not likely to happen, the underlying message is very real and very deep. It's also fun just to read and take in everything that Max and her flock experience. Overall, it's a wonderfully satisfying book.
Unfortunately, some of you may die if you have to wait before starting the second one, so I would suggest that you get the entire series before starting (like I did). If anyone's read a series like Twilight, you'll understand what I mean.
So, stats time:
Ages: 10 and Up - This is meant to be a children/teen novel, and they recommended it for ages 10-12 but I figure that older teens will enjoy it all the same. The novel has different meaning to different age groups and it appealed to me and Alice meaning that it at least encompasses the 13-16 age group. Also this can be a girls and guys novel. Simon and Braden loved it (and so did Emma-Lee but she's the same age as me) so boys, don't hesitate just because it's about a girl.
Recommended to: Anyone who loves action. The book is all about action and family, and the action is amazing.
Rating: 5-Stars - What can I say? The book's amazing, James Patterson is amazing, Max and her flock are amazing!
Note: The character Max and the School are both based on things in Patterson's adult fiction, "When the Wind Blows". I'm just finishing that up now, so maybe we'll have a new review up soon!