Hey world! Happy Wednesday! I'm pretty sure I have three books to review today, won't that be fun? I don't know how long it's going to take, or even if I'll get to them all...I'm not very busy today, so I probably will, but I suppose there's always the chance that I won't. I guess we'll just have to see. I'm going to the library tomorrow, and I received one suggestion via email, but suggestions here in the comments are better, so leave those now, and then come back to read the rest of this post.
So, about a week ago (yes, I know, I should have reviewed this last week, but I didn't want to) I finished this book called Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld. I've only reviewed a slim few of his books on this blog, but that's because I read a lot of them before I had this blog! He is one of my favorite authors. I almost squealed when I saw this book in the new section of the library! Anyways. It's a pretty big book, with almost 600 pages, or maybe it's a little bit over. I can't remember now. But all of those pages can be purchased at Amazon, the link to which I have decided not to give you. If there is an outcry of unhappiness, I'll bring it back. But I think it really is time to discontinue that.
Summaryish: Darcy is a young debut author navigating the world of YA publishing for the first time, the pitfalls and setbacks of rewrites and book tours. Lizzy, on the other hand, is a character in Darcy's book who had a brush with death that threw her into the afterworld to become a spirit guide for lost souls. Or something like that, anyway. Basically, Darcy writes words, and Lizzie lives them, just like the tag line says.
Review: I had extremely high expectations for this book due to the Scott Westerfeldness of it all, and disappointment was only found in one little part. And by one little part, I mean Darcy's "love life." Other than that, every part of the book was satisfying in just the ways I expected it to be - it explored interesting and thought-provoking themes, it was just the right balance of big and little problems that the characters had to make it through, and the action and suspenseful scenes were absolutely perfect, not overdone one bit. It didn't consume my every waking moment like some books do, but I looked forward to picking it up and finding out what happens next every time I sat down to read!
About the Cover:
When you read the book...the cover is mentioned. I just love that! It's like cover-inception!
Catch you on the flipside. And by flipside I don't mean between the living and afterworlds.
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Anonymous Book Reviewer.
Hey world! Happy New Year's Eve! Tomorrow will be 2015! Feels like just a year ago we were celebrating the start of 2014. Time sure does fly. Especially if you throw a clock out the window. Of course, when the clock lands and bursts into a million pieces, time would stop, and then where would we be? Locked in an endless loop that lasts and repeats far too quickly for us to perceive. I've been reading too much science fiction, I think. Let's ignore these obvious signs of addiction and continue.
So, probably about a week or so ago I read this book called The Selected by Patrick Cave. His website is down for maintenance right now, just like that one a few weeks ago, but I'm sure it will be back soon. In the meantime, we still have this Amazon link. Shall I discontinue these Amazon link, do you think? I doubt you use them. There are libraries for book buying, but it does give you access to a summary more professional than mine, and fun things like that. I'll think about it. Anyways, this book is one of what I think is a duology, but you can read them in any order you choose as both say "Both the sequel and prequel to (insert other title here)." No audible, by the way.
Summaryish: In the future, a boy named Dominic is trying to survive on his own in a place once filled with people after various natural disasters caused by environmental difficulties drive everyone else away. But he isn't alone for long, and the people who show up and take over seem to be up to no good. Meanwhile, in the distant future - that's right, a future after the future in which Dom is living - Adeline, a clone, tries to uncover a truth hinted at in one of her forebears' diary, and learns she might be a fulfillment to an ancient prophecy.
Review: This book was fabulous! I will admit that some parts were more riveting than others, but the whole thing was excellent in the way all the clues don't fit quite together until the very end, which I've always loved in a book, and I'm sure you do to. There wasn't much happening that required predictions, and I was a little disappointed about the passivity of the story-telling, but it was still a great book! Kind of relaxing in the way it was written. Something you could read over and over and love every time!
About the title:
There are two! I believe it was originally published in England under the name "Blown Away." Just thought you should know that, and I had nothing to say to the characters anyway.
By the way, I hope you had a nice Christmas. Or winter holiday if you don't celebrate Christmas.
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Anonymous Book Reviewer.
Hey world! Back for the second post on my Wednesday blog! I forgot to mention something last post. My new index tab! Underneath the website title, you'll see a black band that says "Home" and "Index Anyone?" The latter will take you to a magical list in which every book I have ever read is organized alphabetically by author's last name, like at a library, with the links to each post. I did this because I've been told it's hard to find my reviews because I don't often include the title in my post title. Enjoy!
So, last night at 11:33 I finished this book called The Wish List by Eoin Colfer. If you'll remember, there was an Eoin Colfer boycott a while ago, but that's quite some time in the past now and everything is forgiven. Anyways. This book is not a series, if it were I think we'd know by now since this book was published a whopping 14 years ago! The "VHS" thing mentioned so many times in the book made be giggle at it's outdatedness, but at least it has an Amazon link. How old is Amazon, anyway? I can't think of a time without it. It's a fabulous audible, though a little muffled. I love the accent. The narrator is British, and he's mimicking Irish people for speaking parts!
Summaryish: Meg Finn is dead. But, with a perfectly balanced soul, her only chance at getting into heaven is traveling back to Earth and helping someone she has wronged. Before she died, she did something quite terrible to one Lowrie McCall. And it just so happens that this old man has some regrets he'd like to set right. They set off on a trip all around Ireland trying to fulfill the four wishes on his list, but things get complicated when an old enemy shows up and attempt to thwart her.
Review: This book was quite an enjoyable read! It's pretty short, only 252 pages, but what few pages it has are awesome! This book is something you can read if you're in the mood for a laugh - every Eoin Colfer novel is funny. But this book is also something you can read if you're in the mood for a little soul searching. It begs questions of regrets you have, and what you would fix if you could, and maybe inspire you to fix a few of them. Despite a few things being simply wrong, this book was still a great read that I recommend for anyone whose book haul is a little unbalanced.
Words to the Character:
Meg: He totally deserved it.
Franco: You totally had that coming.
Okay, happy reading! See you next week!
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Anonymous Book Reviewer.
Hey world! Tada! It's Wednesday, and here I am on my Wednesday blog! I have two books to review today, so stay tuned! It's almost Christmas time, and next Wednesday is Christmas Eve, so I'll be able to wish you happy holidays then. I don't know what my gift is going to be to you, fellow readers, but I'll think about it. What's you gift going to be to me? Hopefully it's a comment. I really love those.
So, a few days ago I finished this book called Incarceron by someone who's name I can't remember. Catherine Fisher! Thank you, Google. Pretty snazzy website. Google and Ms. Fisher's. This is the first book in a series. I think it's actually just a duology, since I can't find any information about a book three. Ms. Fisher has a great many books. I'm quite amazed. The audible is nice. I'm surprised it's read by a female, though. It's nicely paced. There are some who read way too slow. Amazon link!
Summaryish: In a future world that has been divided into two places - inside Incarceron, a prison where centuries ago all criminals were sent and locked away, and outside where a law has been passed that all the people must live in a certain period of history out of necessity. Finn, inside Incarceron, is looking for Escape, which is impossible in the vast world of the prison. Claudia, outside, is trying to escape something herself - an arranged marriage. It seems the only way to do it is to free Finn, who has an interesting past that he can't remember. But Incarceron won't give him up. Did I mention Incarceron is alive?
Review: I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well-written and seemed to have everything a good story needs, and I did pay attention...but I didn't really enjoy it as much as I had hoped. I was reading it more to finish it than because I wanted to. I was promised many twists and turns, and a twist ending I wouldn't see coming, but I predicted almost every single event before it happened. I think I was also upset because the plot had no pitfalls. There was danger, of course, but nothing that really worked against the characters. I like to be pushed forward, and then brought back, like a wave in an ocean, but there just weren't any obstacles, and a clear path is easy to predict. I was never surprised, and in my book that's worthy of a demerit.
About the Cover:
At least the cover was awesome. As you can see above, it's covered in gears and interesting keys and things, and a lovely color scheme. The cover was what first drew me towards this book. In fact, I didn't even read the jacket flap. I pulled the book off the shelf, said to myself "I want it," and put it in my bag. Very steampunk, which fits the themes. Well done!
Post one, done!
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Anonymous Book Reviewer.
