Brett's Book Reviews

Harry Potter... What I HAD to say about it.

2011-04-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

Let me say, I wasn't always the biggest fan of Harry Potter. I thought it was a stupid fad that would blow over. But, after spawning 8 movies, including the upcoming Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and 7 books, I decided that I had to try them.

And I was pleasantly surprised. I read the first four books in a matter of weeks, and became an instant Harry Potter nerd.

For the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone, the plot is simple, and the writing plain, but I have to say that you have to cut JK Rowling some slack: she was a hobo. What did you expect from her as a first novel? Shakespeare? Anyways, I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

The next book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, improved greatly. It was much more exciting than the first, and better written. I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Then, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of the Azkaban took a turn for the creepy. I feel this was much needed if the series was supposed to go far. I was less "I'm a wizard" but more "I'm a demon who creates fear when I'm near." I give it a 5 out of 5, and thanks for adding some scare Rowling.

Sadly, I haven't gotten to reading past the fourth book. And, I do have to say that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was my favorite. It had a much more complex story line and was written incredibly. I rate the fifth a 5 out of 5 stars. I cannot wait for the time when I can read the fifth book!

Angel by: James Patterson

2011-04-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

I recently read the newest addition of the Maximum Ride series, and, let me say, this is returning to the greatness of the original three books. The story follows the flock after Fang has left and created his own flock. Meanwhile, the world is being threatened by a cult group that wants to "destroy all humans". Amongst the madness, Max has to decide how she feels about the new-comer Dylan. This sci-fi is incredible I feel that Patterson is going to make this series very exciting for us. I rate it with a 5 out of 5 stars.

Alice in Wonderland by: Lewis Carroll

2010-07-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

This classic inspired countless movies and miniseries, and even more books! I decided to read the original book so I could see where this franchise began. This is great book, especially if you like to compare the books and movies. This fantasy is really unique and has a simple storyline that draws you in. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Q and A by: Vikas Swarup

2010-07-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

After seeing the movie, Slumdog Millionaire, I decided to read the book that inspired it. Q and A is definitely adult fiction, and has a great plot and is unique. But, I have to say I enjoyed the movie better. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Fang by: James Patterson

2010-05-18T16:45:00.000-07:00

In the latest Maximum Ride novel, the striking, growingly frightening character Angel is back! And she has announced that Fang is going to die first... The flock are sent into a panic, and the world is turned upside.

I absolutely loved this new book, and even cried at the end. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

City of Glass by: Cassandra Clare

2010-05-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

Not living up to my high standards of the first two, the third Mortal Instruments begins at the beginning of a war. The plot is slower, but the twists are still there. Although it is a slow read, it deserves a 4 out of 5 stars.

Misery by: Stephen King

2010-05-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

Very creepy, yet very good! From the very beginning, when author Paul Sheldon is injured in a car wreck and finds out he is being help captive by the insane, scary Annie Wilkes, to the end where it ends with a theme from the beginning.
A great read that deserves a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

City of Ashes by: Cassandra Clare

2010-05-13T19:57:00.000-07:00

In this amazing second book in the Mortal Instruments series, this book is, if not equal to, better than the first book. Once again, this is one of my favorite books of all time. It has a great thrill-ride of plot, and is very captivating. It deserves a 5 out of 5 stars.

City of Bones by: Cassandra Clare

2010-05-13T19:12:00.000-07:00

This is book 1 in the Mortal Instruments series, and I absolutely loved this book! A great plot with twists and turns, that follow an extraordinary journey through a hidden world of angels and demons. With very real characters, like the warlock Magnus Bane, I fell in love with this book. I suggest that anybody (no matter what their preferable genre) reads this book.

Definitely 5 out of 5!

Demonata 3: Slawter by: Darren Shan

2010-04-16T22:10:00.000-07:00

These tales of demons are amazing! Once again, I blurred through this novel, returning the character of Grubbs from Lord Loss. I couldn't wait to find out what the truth behind the set was.... to understand, you'll just have to read it!

I give this book, once again, a 4.5 out of 5 stars!!!

Demonata 2: Demon Thief by: Darren Shan

2010-04-16T22:07:00.000-07:00

Wait ago using the element of surprise to hook your readers, Mr. Shan! From the beginning, I couldn't this sequel down, mainly because of the perspective change that makes me believe that this series is going to hold a lot more pleasant surprises!

I give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars again!

Demonata 1: Lord Loss by: Darren Shan

2010-04-16T22:04:00.001-07:00

Ahh, the horror-fans all love the author Darren Shan, writer of the Cirque Du Freak books. I picked up the first book in the Demonata series and cruised on through it! It's a fast and fun reads that captures your attention from beginning to end!

I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

The Secret Garden by: Frances Hodgson Burnett

2010-04-03T18:49:00.000-07:00

This supposed "classic" baffled me! The characters, in my opinion, were not believable. They acted opposite of what you'd suspect by their descriptions. Also, the story line was pretty drab. Okay, you found a garden: Big whoop. But, what truly disappointed me the most was how dull the story in general was. It never seemed to get exciting.

So, my rating for the drabbest read of the century is a 1 and a half out of 5 stars.

Book to Movie #2: Shutter Island

2010-04-03T18:45:00.001-07:00

I saw Shutter Island, and, although they did a good job with the usual hazy changes between books to movie, I was disappointed! One of my favorite parts in the book was all of the riddles that the marshals had to solve. To my disappointment, they left out a few and shortened the major riddle. I wished that the riddles were included.

Book to Movie #1: The Lightning Thief

2010-02-17T16:44:00.000-08:00

This is a new thing that I'm doing. After seeing a movie and reading the book it's based off of, I'll review both.

Recently, I saw the Lightning Thief. The book, as you probably know, is one of my all time favorites. The story is fun, interesting and unique. But, the movie is nothing like the book. The movie isn't bad though. It's just not like the book. So if you like a good movie, see it. But, if you want it to be like the book, don't. You will be sourly disappointed.

Shutter Island by: Dennis LeHane

2010-02-17T16:41:00.000-08:00

This book is an extraordinary thrill ride that I absolutely loved. Just a heads up, this book is an adult book! There is some adult content! If you don't believe me, there is a movie being made of it coming out soon and it IS rated R!

Shutter Island is creepy and amazing and I would definitely say that it's one of my favorites. 5 out of 5 stars all the way!

I, Robot by: Isaac Asimov

2010-02-01T18:34:00.000-08:00

This is the first of the robot series and is an anthology of stories talking of robots and trouble that may come with them. These stories are very science fictiony and some stories are better than others. But, otherwise, this book is a fun, and unique read.

I would rate this piece of science fiction 3 and 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Graceling by: Kristen Cashore

2010-02-01T18:29:00.000-08:00

This incredible story of Katsa is actually the first of Cashore's books. It tells of a medieval place where some people are Graced, or have an ability. Katsa is the niece of one of seven kings that rule the seven kingdoms. She is Graced with killing and is used as a tool to her uncle. Until Prince Po comes along and changes anything.

This story of what happens in the seven kingdoms is amazing and I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A fun and spectacular read, this book is followed by a companion, Fire, with one crossover character. Read them both!

Death Note, Volume 1, Boredom

2010-01-01T01:41:00.000-08:00

This is (in my opinion) a book.
This story is about a boy named Light who one day finds something called a Death Note on the ground. It turns out that it was dropped by a Shinigami (a Japanese death god) named Ryuk. The Death Note has the ability to control death and Light sets out on a so-called righteous mission to rid the world of evil. I would rate this 4.5 stars out of 5!!!
By the way, it is a graphic novel.

Ender's Game by: Orson Scott Card

2009-12-19T09:30:00.000-08:00

This older sci-fi story swept me off my feet. It tells the story of young Andrew (nicknamed Ender) Wiggin. He is taken off to battle school where he is trained to become a soldier so he can fight against buggers, aliens who keep attacking Earth. The story is incredible as it tells of Ender's struggles and how the commanders of battle school use psychotic mind tricks to make Ender a perfect soldier. I would rate this as 5 out of 5 stars.

Gifts by: Ursula K. Le Guin

2009-12-17T14:52:00.000-08:00

This story, although you would most likely find this book in the fantasy section of your public library, is written like a realistic fiction. The story follows the characters Gry and Orrec who both find different ways of coping with their gifts, or a abnormal superpower. Gry, with the power of calling animals, doesn't want to use the gift to call animals to their deaths while hunting and Orrec fears his power of "unmaking" and where's a blindfold voluntarily. This story of fear and struggle is an excellent fantasy/sci-fi novel that I would rate 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Midnighters: Blue Noon by: Scott Westerfeld

2009-11-20T21:05:00.000-08:00

The third and final book in the Midnighters series. This book concludes the series nicely by having a frantic and magical battle. Blue time is falling apart at the seems and the midnighters must join together to save the world from disaster. An amazing read.
I would rate this 5 out of 5 stars for its interesting twists and the way it completes the series in a full circle.

Midnighters: Touching Darkness by: Scott Westerfeld

2009-11-20T20:59:00.000-08:00

An amazing science fiction story that follows the lives of the five midnighters explained in the first book. The hunt for Jessica Day is back on after they defeated the darklings in the previous book. This time, a strange mystery has taken place when Jonathan and Jessica learn that she has a human stalker. The race is on in a fast-paced, interesting plot.
I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars, definitely a book for a sci-fi lover.

Tuesdays with Morrie by: Mitch Albom

2009-11-20T20:51:00.000-08:00

One late night, I stumbled across this late night read. I was tired but was instantly awakened when I read this book. This follows the story of Mitch Albom and his old college professor who is dying from ALS. In this touching story, you learn about Morrie, a optimistic old man who faces death with a smile, and Mitch, a tnce great man whose life has fallen off track. In his final weeks Mitch joins Morrie in one final class, a class talking about the meaning of life, held between only Morrie and Mitch.
A great read! I would definitely rate this 5 out of 5 stars!!! A book for all readers, no matter the genre. A story that will touch your heart deeply in many ways...
(HINT: I cried!!!!)

Feathers by: Jacqueline Woodson

2009-11-20T20:43:00.000-08:00

I read this book for my school's book club since we were reading books that won the Newberry Medal. I thought that is was pretty good with some confusing concepts. This is probably because most of the book is about religon but I don't know much about religon. It centers around a girl who is black and goes to an all black school in the 1970s. One day, a white boy is new in class. He claims that he is Jesus. The story revolves around the girl and how her thoughts and beliefs change when "Jesus" arrives.

I do not really care for this book but I would vote it for 3 out of 5 stars. People who like stories about religon and life would enjoy this book.