Brief Book Reviews

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson (Audiobook)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:31:00 +0000

The Girl who Kicked teh Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

Read by Simon Vance

Genre:

Mystery

Plot:

Government corruption and its strange connection to Lisbeth begins to unravel and Mikael searches for the truth.

My Thoughts:

Compared to the previous two novels, I would categorize this one as almost boring. The story isn't driven by action and certain sections are very slow. The reasons behind the events of the previous books are explored, making this book very interesting, but I wouldn't consider it a page turner by any means. I do hope that the fabled fourth book is one day published, because I don't want the series to end on such a low point. If that sounds harsh, I will qualify that this book is still very good, just not as good as those that came before it. B

Links:

http://www.stieglarsson.com/

From the Publisher:

Lisbeth Salander—the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels—lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she will plot revenge—against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life... read more.

The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson (Audiobook)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:18:00 +0000

The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

Read by Simon Vance

Genre:

Mystery

Plot:

Lisbeth is being hunted by the police, while Mikael alone believes in her innocence.

My Thoughts:

I only gave the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo a B, but I'm beginning to think I was too harsh. Listening to the sequel, I remember how engrossed in the novel I was, and that holds true for The Girl Who Played With Fire. Lisbeth and Mikael are dynamic and complex characters. The story is intricate and pretty fascinating. The first novel seemed to establish a formula for the series; our heroes are tapped to unravel a mystery. The second novel immediately breaks free from this, bringing Lisbeth to the heart of the drama. For this reason, I actually think that the first book was stronger, however I was thoroughly addicted to this book. I now think perhaps that Dragon Tattoo deserves an A, therefore this one gets a solid A-.

Links:

http://www.stieglarsson.com/

From the Publisher:

Mikael Blomkvist, crusading publisher of the magazine Millennium, has decided to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation. On the eve of its publication, the two reporters responsible for the article are murdered, and the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to his friend, the troubled genius hacker Lisbeth Salander. Blomkvist, convinced of Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation. Meanwhile, Salander herself is drawn into a murderous game of cat and mouse, which forces her to face her dark past.... read more.

This week's free audiobooks on Sync

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:44:00 +0000

Two more audiobooks are available today to download free on Sync.

audiobooksync.com

Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton and Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

A girl's struggle amid the African AIDS pandemic.
"As soon as I get back from the shabeen, I go next door to see Mrs. Tafa. I have to ask to use her phone to let our relatives know about Sara. I'm nervous. Mrs. Tafa would like to run the world. Since she can't run the world she's decided to run our neighborhood."
So speaks sixteen-year-old Chanda, an astonishingly perceptive girl living in the small city of Bonang, a fictional city in Southern Africa.
While Mrs. Tafa's hijinks are often amusing, the fact is that Chanda's world is profoundly difficult. When her youngest sister dies, the first hint of HIV/AIDS emerges.

'How could I be expected to know? I was a child when I left this house four months ago. Why didn’t you tell me there was danger? Why didn’t you warn me?’
When Tess Durbeyfield is driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D’Urbervilles and seek a portion of their family fortune, meeting her ‘cousin’ Alec proves to be her downfall. A very different man, Angel Clare, seems to offer her love and salvation, but Tess must choose whether to reveal her past or remain silent in the hope of a peaceful future. With its sensitive depiction of the wronged Tess and powerful criticism of social convention, Tess of the D’Urbervilles is one of the most moving and poetic of Hardy’s novels.

Images and Summaries via Goodreads and Penguin Classics

Evelyn Evelyn by Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:05:00 +0000

Evelyn Evelyn by Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley

Illustrated by Cynthia von Buhler

Genre:

Fiction - Picture Book

Plot:

The mostly tragic upbringing of conjoined twins Evelyn Evelyn.

My Thoughts:

Evelyn Evelyn is a lovely haunting tale of sad happenstance. Cynthia von Buhler's illustrations heighten the storytelling to a visceral experience. I was especially struck by the sideshow chapter which was almost distressingly bittersweet. The book is a companion to the Evelyn Evelyn album, which you can preview and purchase here: http://evelynevelyn.bandcamp.com/ A

Links:

http://www.amandapalmer.net/

http://www.jasonwebley.com/
http://www.cynthiavonbuhler.com/

@amandapalmer

@jasonwebley
@CynthVonBuhler

From the Publisher:

Enthusiasts of genuine tragedy and celebrity intrigue, gird your mental loins for an authentic tale of unbelievable hardship and epic catastrophe! This wholly true and accurate account details the extraordinary lives of Evelyn and Evelyn, a darling but unfortunate pair of conjoined twins who brave extreme circumstances of calamity and adversity...read more

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (Audiobook)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:00:00 +0000

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Genre:

Fantasy

Plot:

Scholar and reluctant Witch Diana Bishop stumbles upon an age old secret while doing research in an Oxford library.

My Thoughts:

A Discovery of Witches is a well planned and intricate fantasy novel for adults. The plot was interesting enough to keep me listening, but the romance was stale and the story was descriptive to a fault. Perhaps a person who is very very interested in minute details about historical events, and the flavors or aroma of this or that glass of wine, would enjoy the illustrative nature of the novel, but when I reached the abrupt, unsatisfactory, ending, I can't help but feel the author was being indulgent. Jennifer Ikeda is an excellent narrator which did help the experience. C-

Links:

http://deborahharkness.com/

From Goodreads:

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell...read more.

This Week's Free Audiobooks

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:26:00 +0000

Two more audiobooks are available today to download free on Sync.

audiobooksync.com

Beowulf and Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney

Before King Arthur there was Beowulf, a young lord of great renown. When Beowulf hears that the monster Grendel is terrorizing a neighbor state, he and his men travel there to rid the land of this terrible monster. Beowulf battles Grendel; Grendel's mother, who is even more terrible than her son; and a dragon.

Revenge of the Witch (The Last Apprentice / Wardstone Chronicles #1) by Joseph Delaney

Young Tom, the seventh son of a seventh son, starts work as an apprentice for the village spook, whose job is to protect ordinary folk from "ghouls, boggarts, and all manner of wicked beasties."

Images and Summaries via Goodreads

This week's free audiobooks on Sync

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:59:00 +0000

Two more audiobooks are available today to download free on Sync.

audiobooksync.com

A Passage to India by E.M. Forster and Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah

A picture of the clash between ruler and ruled and of the prejudices and misunderstandings that foredoomed Britain's "jewel of the crown", this novel of society in India ranks high among the great literature of the 20th century.

Thirteen-year-old Hayaat is on a mission. She believes a handful of soil from her grandmother's ancestral home in Jerusalem will save her beloved Sitti Zeynab's life. The only problem is the impenetrable wall that divides the West Bank, as well as the checkpoints, the curfews, and Hayaat's best friend Samy, who is always a troublemaker. But luck is on their side. Hayaat and Samy have a curfew-free day to travel to Jerusalem. However, while their journey is only a few kilometres long, it may take a lifetime to complete.

Summaries from Goodreads

More Free Audiobooks on Sync

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:57:00 +0000

Two more audiobooks are available today to download free on Sync.

audiobooksync.com

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow and The Trial by Franz Kafka. Here are the summaries from Goodreads:

Marcus, a.k.a “w1n5t0n,” is only seventeen years old, but he figures he already knows how the system works–and how to work the system. Smart, fast, and wise to the ways of the networked world, he has no trouble outwitting his high school’s intrusive but clumsy surveillance systems.
But his whole world changes when he and his friends find themselves caught in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco. In the wrong place at the wrong time, Marcus and his crew are apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security and whisked away to a secret prison where they’re mercilessly interrogated for days.
When the DHS finally releases them, Marcus discovers that his city has become a police state where every citizen is treated like a potential terrorist. He knows that no one will believe his story, which leaves him only one option: to take down the DHS himself.

The Trial (German: Der Prozess) is a novel by Franz Kafka about a character named Josef K., who awakens one morning and, for reasons never revealed, is arrested and prosecuted for an unspecified crime.

According to Kafka's friend Max Brod, the author never finished the novel and wrote in his will that it was to be destroyed. After his death, Brod went against Kafka's wishes and edited The Trial into what he felt was a coherent novel and had it published in 1925.

A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:40:00 +0000

A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine

Genre:

Middle Reader Fantasy

Plot:

Elodie travels to the city of Two Castles to make her way as an actress. Things don't exactly go her way, and she ends up working for a dragon and helping to solve a mystery involving an ogre.

My Thoughts:

Gail Carson Levine has a gift for drawing the reader in to a fantasy with a combination of subtly detailed settings and relatable, yet complex, characters. A Tale of Two Castles is no exception, and most fans of hers won't be disappointed. Elodie has a perfect combination of strength, vulnerability, and curiosity for a character of her age, and I particularly liked the mysterious dragon. The story was less engaging than her previous books, and I sometimes found it difficult to pick up again, but in the end it was a solid story. C+

If You Liked A Tale of Two Castles:

Links:

Newly arrived in the town of Two Castles, Elodie unexpectedly becomes the assistant to a brilliant dragon named Meenore, and together they solve mysteries. Their most important case concerns the town’s shape-shifting ogre, Count Jonty Um: Someone is plotting against him. Elodie must disguise herself to discover the source of the threat amid a cast of characters that includes a greedy king, a giddy princess, and a handsome cat trainer...read more.

Free YA Audiobook Downloads

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:14:00 +0000

Starting today and running for the next eight weeks, Sync is offering two free YA audiobooks for download a week. This week the titles are Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater and Romeo and Juliet. You will need to download the OverDrive Media Console in order to get the books, then you can transfer them to your portable listening devise or listen to them on your computer.

You may remember that Shiver was my favorite book of 2010, so I'm excited to get the audio version. The selection of titles this year is great and I'm looking forward to listening to them.

Click here to visit Sync for your free books:

http://www.audiobooksync.com/

Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card (Audiobook)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:25:00 +0000

Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card

Read by Scott Brick and a full cast.

Genre:

Science Fiction

Plot:

This is the story of Bean, Ender's classmate at battle school. See the world of Ender's Game from Bean's perspective.

My Thoughts:

Ender's Shadow is a companion to Ender's Game. Both books are excellent examples of what good science fiction should be. They are so masterfully written that I am tempted to run out and buy everything Orson Scott Card has ever published. His style reminds me of Asimov in that he uses simple language to convey a layered and complex story. The full cast narration complements the structure of these stories perfectly. Although Ender's Shadow isn't a sequel exactly, I don't recommend reading it first because of the spoilers. Some key events should be experienced from Ender's point of view. That doesn't, however, make it less of a book. It is simply fantastic. A

Links:

www.hatrack.com

From the Publisher:

The human race is at War with the “Buggers”, an insect-like alien race. As Earth prepares to defend itself from total destruction at the hands of an inscrutable enemy, all focus is on the development of military geniuses who can fight such a war, and win. The long distances of interstellar space have given hope to the defenders of Earth—they have time to train these future commanders up from childhood, forging them into an irresistible force in the high orbital facility called the Battle School. Andrew “Ender” Wiggin was not the only child in the Battle School; he was just the best of the best...read more.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (audiobook)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:21:00 +0000

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Read by Simon Vance

Genre:

Mystery

Plot:

Follow a year in the life of financial reporter Mikael Blomkvist as he embarks on mysterious research project with the assistance of the subversive young Lisbeth Salander.

My Thoughts:

Although The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo isn't my favored genre, whenever a book engenders such a level of excitement (or hype?) I become curious enough to read it. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is intricate and unpredictable. The book was originally published in Sweden, which occasionally caused me some confusion. How much is a Swedish Krona really worth? But, overall this didn't hinder my listening experience. Simon Vance is a master narrator which heightened my enjoyment the story. All that being said, I wasn't wholly impressed with this book. Don't get me wrong, it is a good book, but is it international acclaim and two-time movie adaptation good? I'm not so sure. Perhaps it is because I don't usually read mysteries, or perhaps it is that other mystery novels aren't as well written, but I was surprised that it wasn't better after all the glowing reviews I read in the past. I will definitely finish the series and I am looking forward to seeing both the Swedish and Hollywood movies. B

Links:

http://www.stieglarsson.com/

From the Publisher:

Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption... read more.

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (audiobook)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:02:00 +0000

Good Omens

by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

read by Martin Jarvis

Genre:

Fantasy Humor

Plot:

The end of the world approaches...

My Thoughts:

Being a fan of both authors, I'm happy to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I must admit it is my least favorite from either of them. It is fun and funny, and Martin Jarvis' narration is brilliant, but I found it slow at times, which is why listening to the audio version was a better experience than reading it for me. B

Links:

www.neilgaiman.com

@neilhimself

www.terrypratchett.com

@terryandrob

From the Publisher:

The world will end on Saturday. Next Saturday. Just before dinner, according to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies written in 1655. The armies of Good and Evil are amassing and everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except that a somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture. And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist...read more

Waiting On Wednesday (4)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:36:00 +0000

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I can't wait for...

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Oooh... Doesn't it sound so good? I love Laini Taylor's books. Her stories are an amazing combination of sweet and dark fantasy.

Links:

@LainiTaylor

Laini Taylor's Blog

So... I know I haven't posted many actual reviews lately. I am busy reading and listening to audiobooks. Unfortunately sometimes life gets in the way. New reviews coming soon!

Waiting On Wednesday (3)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:08:00 +0000

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I can't wait for...

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince is the second book in Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series. I'm a fan of her Mortal Instruments books, but I will admit that the Victorian Steampunk setting of this series makes it much more enjoyable for me.

You can read my "A" review of Clockwork Angel HERE.

Movie Adaptation: Never Let Me Go

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:06:00 +0000

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Starring Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley

The novel Never Let Me go is a gorgeously written must-read. It flawlessly crosses genres making this book hard to categorize, but compelling to experience. Its beauty lies in its mystery, which makes recommending the movie difficult for me. If you have already read the book, I think you will enjoy how the movie was executed. If you plan on reading it in the future, don't watch the movie. I think the spoilers will hamper your enjoyment of the book. I was actually pleasantly surprised with the movie because of the awful reviews I had read about it. It was cast perfectly and it managed to capture the tone and feel of the original narrative in a way most movies can't. Obviously, the novel is superior in its intricacies, but watching the film was an enjoyable experience.

Book A+

Movie B+

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I can't wait for...

The Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan

Genre:

Young Adult Fantasy

The only description of this book I could find was at Amazon.com: "The Demon's Surrender is the thrilling and suspenseful conclusion to the Demon's Lexicon trilogy." I guess that's all I really need to know about it. The first two were so good, that the third doesn't need an enticing summary.

You can read my reviews here: The Demon's Lexicon; The Demon's Covenant.

In My Mailbox

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:07:00 +0000

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren

From the Library:

The Scorch Trials Audiobook

by James Dashner Read By Mark Deakins

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to...read more.

My Thoughts:

I have been looking forward to reading the Scorch Trials since I finished the last page of the Maze Runner, and I am particularly excited to listen to this audio rendition.

eGalley:

Wherever You Go by Heather Davis

Seventeen-year-old Holly Mullen has felt lost and lonely ever since her boyfriend, Rob, died in a tragic accident. The fact that she has to spend most of her free time caring for her little sister and Alzheimer’s-stricken grandfather doesn’t help. But Holly has no idea that as she goes about her days, Rob’s ghost is watching over her. He isn’t happy when he sees his best friend, Jason, reach out to help Holly with her grandfather—but as a ghost, he can do nothing to stop it. Is his best friend really falling for his girlfriend? read more.

My Thoughts:

A love triangle with a paranormal twist. I can't wait to start it.

Waiting on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:55:00 +0000

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I can't wait for...

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Genre:

Young Adult

From MaggieStiefvater.com

The conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy. In Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. In Linger, they fought to be together. Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in...learn more.

Read my reviews of Shiver and Linger. I love this series so much, I almost don't want it to end.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman (Audiobook)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:25:00 +0000

Stardust

Written and read by Neil Gaiman

Genre:

Fantasy

Plot:

Young Tristran Thorn from a town called Wall embarks on a journey to win his true love.

My Thoughts:

It is difficult to put into words the reasons I enjoyed this book so much. Perhaps it's Neil Gaiman's amazing narrative, or perhaps it's the traditional faerie tale feel that modern stories often lack. Perhaps it is simply that Mr. Gaiman just knows how to write Fantasy. Whatever the reason, Stardust is an enchanting adventure to experience, especially when narrated by the author himself. A

Links

www.neilgaiman.com

@neilhimself

From NeilGaiman.com

In the tranquil fields and meadows of long-ago England, there is a small hamlet that has stood on a jut of granite for 600 years. Just to the east stands a high stone wall, for which the village is named. Here, in the hamlet of Wall, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the hauntingly beautiful Victoria Forester. And here, one crisp October eve, Tristran makes his love a promise...read more.

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury (Audiobook)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:26:00 +0000

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Genre:

Science Fiction

Plot:

A series of stories revolving around human exploration of Mars.

My Thoughts:

The Martian Chronicles is true science fiction at its best. I read this book when I was in high school and all I could remember about it was its brilliance. Revisiting the book in audio form was a treat, and I can happily report that I still think it's brilliant. Unfortunately, I returned it to the library without noting the narrator's name (and there are several audio versions). Having been written in the 1940s and 1950s, you would expect the stories to seem dated, and indeed a fear of the atom-bomb plays a large role in the book. However, I found the stories to have a quaint quality to them, which made them timeless rather than campy. A+

Links:

http://raybradbury.com/

From the Publisher:

Man, was a a distant shore, and the men spread upon it in wave... Each wave different, and each wave stronger...read more

The Shadow in the North by Philip Pullman (audiobook)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:44:00 +0000

The Shadow in the North: A Sally Lockhart Mystery

By Philip Pullman

Read by Anton Lesser

Genre:

Young Adult Mystery

Plot:

Six years after the first Sally Lockhart mystery, Sally and her friends investigate a mysterious businessman and his connection to they strange world of spiritualists and magicians.

My Thoughts:

The Shadow in the North is an enjoyable follow-up to The Ruby in the Smoke. The mystery has the same depth and intricacies as the first story, and we delve deeper into character's personalities. Again, I found the story confusing in spots, but it works itself out in the end. The Victorian setting and Sherlock Holmes-ish quality of the book rendered it a bit slow at times, but overall it was engaging. B

Links:

www.philip-pullman.com

From the Publisher

The year is 1878, and the spirited Sally Lockhart, once again defying Victorian sensibilities, has gone into business for herself. When one of her clients loses a large sum of money in the unexpected collapse of a British shipping firm, Sally sets out to investigate. But as she delves deeper into the identity of the wealthy and elusive industrialist who owns the doomed company, she uncovers a plot so diabolical that it could eventually subvert the entire civilized world–and if Sally’s enemies have their way, she won’t live long enough to see it happen...read more.

Movie Adaptation: The Ruby in the Smoke

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:39:00 +0000

The Ruby in the Smoke movie is a Masterpiece Theater productions and it stars Billie Piper as Sally. Being a huge Doctor Who fan, it was nice to see Billie Piper and Matt Smith in different roles. The movie is true to the plot of the book, which is always nice, but the characters were flat, making the movie a bit boring. Billie Piper's Sally is weepy and unsure, unlike the novel's stoic and resilient Sally. C

You can read my review of The Ruby in the Smoke novel HERE.

The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:27:00 +0000

The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi

Genre:

Middle Reader Fantasy

Plot:

Eva Nine has spent her whole life in an underground Sanctuary raised by her robot Muthr. When her home is attacked she must put all her training to use out in the world, but she soon discovered that things aren't what she expected.

My Thoughts:

The Search for WondLa is a magical and engaging story. Like the Spiderwick Chronicles, which the author illustrated and co-wrote with Holly Black, this book is beautiful both visually and in its imagination. Reminiscent of Alice's adventures, the book keeps you enthralled as Eva encounters new and strange things on every page. A

Links:

www.diterlizzi.com

Facebook

From the Publisher:

When a marauder destroys the underground sanctuary that Eva Nine was raised in by the robot Muthr, the twelve-year-year-old girl is forced to flee above ground. Eva Nine is searching for anyone else like her, for she knows that other humans exist, because of an item she treasures—a scrap of cardboard on which is depicted a young girl, an adult, and a robot, with the strange word, "WondLa."... read more.

The Ring Of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud (audiobook)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:01:00 +0000

The Ring Of Solomon by Jonathan Stround

Read by Simon Jones

Genre:

Middle Reader Fantasy

Plot:

Bartimaeus is back in a new (old) adventure!

My Thoughts:

I adore the original Bartimeaus Trilogy and was very excited to see a new book in the series. This is a prequel so besides Bartimaeus himself, the settings and characters are all new. Simon Jones is back as the narrator, and he is one of the best. Overall this story was fun and gave me a much needed dose of Bartimaeus' wit. I will admit that the original series is a bit better, because of it's more intricate plot, and because it is longer, but I truly enjoyed this book and I hope we get more stories featuring our favorite Djinni. A

Links:

T heRingOfSolomon.com

BartimaeusBooks.com

JonathanStroud.com

From TheRingOfSolomon.com:

Throughout the original trilogy, Bartimaeus continually boasted about his many exploits across recorded history, not least his service at Solomon’s court. I thought it was high time we uncovered the truth about this sorry episode, which takes place in Jerusalem in 950BC...read more