Time to brush up on your Egyptian gods as you follow the Kanes on their latest adventures. Sure, all teenagers have issues with siblings, parents, grandparents and extended family but when you go to visit your grandparents and they have been taken over by the goddess of vultures and a cohort you know it is not going to be a good birthday.
Fast paced, just enough teenage angst to offer some quality sarcasm and an enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next installment in the Kane Chronicles.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Tom Sawyer is a classic for a reason, people are the same now as they were when the book was written. One of the better examples of this is the scene during Sunday School when Judge Thatcher arrives. Peacocks do not preen nearly as much. Of course Tom is able to preen and receive his Bible and then fail in an epic manner upon being introduced to the esteemed Judge Thatcher.
What was most interesting is even though I am extrememly familiar with the book having read it for the first time in second grade and at least twice a year every year through sixth grade it was new in many ways. The perspective and live experience of the reader has as much to do with the enjoyment of a book as the skill of the writer. Earlier reading had Aunt Polly as a foolish old woman. From the adult perspective the only question is why she had not pinched his head off long ago.
The inclusion of rules of behavior and superstisions adds richness to the story at many levels. This has not changed in the lives of boys either, just the superstisions and rules have.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a book well worth reading or rereading as the case may be.
What was most interesting is even though I am extrememly familiar with the book having read it for the first time in second grade and at least twice a year every year through sixth grade it was new in many ways. The perspective and live experience of the reader has as much to do with the enjoyment of a book as the skill of the writer. Earlier reading had Aunt Polly as a foolish old woman. From the adult perspective the only question is why she had not pinched his head off long ago.
The inclusion of rules of behavior and superstisions adds richness to the story at many levels. This has not changed in the lives of boys either, just the superstisions and rules have.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a book well worth reading or rereading as the case may be.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Will, Jem and Tessa are locked in a fight against the shadows of Mortiman and his army of spies and mechanical devices. Tessa still has no idea of what exactly she is and how she has the powers that she posses, although they are handy on occasion.
Will is still trying to find the demon that cursed him with the assistance of Magnus Bane. Jem struggles with the addiction that is killing him but without rhe drug he will only die quickly and painfully. Tessa runs into her brother Nate again and must decide how to deal with him.
Filled with action and intrigue Clockwork Prince leaves you slathering for more and on reading the final page you close the book with a thud and proclaim that the next installment must come quickly.
An enjoyable read, fast paced and just enough romance to keep things interesting, even for non-fans of romance.
Will is still trying to find the demon that cursed him with the assistance of Magnus Bane. Jem struggles with the addiction that is killing him but without rhe drug he will only die quickly and painfully. Tessa runs into her brother Nate again and must decide how to deal with him.
Filled with action and intrigue Clockwork Prince leaves you slathering for more and on reading the final page you close the book with a thud and proclaim that the next installment must come quickly.
An enjoyable read, fast paced and just enough romance to keep things interesting, even for non-fans of romance.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson knows he is Percy Jackson but not much else. He is being chased by two gorgons that he keeps killing and they keep coming back to life after just a few hours. He has not idea of where he is but keeps feeling a calling to go in a particular direction. He also only has a faint idea of anything about his past.
Arriving at Camp Jupiter while under attack and carrying an old lady that looks like a left over from the hippie movement would seem to be about as strange as things could get but that is only the start of an exciting adventure.
The title gives the largest clue of the setting for this tale of The Heroes of Olympus, Neptune is Poseidon's Roman aspect and most of the rules of camp are different from Camp Half-blood. Neptune is not an honored god of the Romans which causes Percy a bit of dispair to start his day.
Joined by Hazel who has a twisted path as a daughter of Pluto and Frank who feels to big for his body and has no idea of what his strength might be even though he has the conformation of a warrior, Percy goes to Alaska, the land beyond the gods.
The very best chapter concerns the Amazon stronghold. More can not be said just enjoy reading it and smiling in several different places.
Very enjoyable book which made will make you review once again your knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Arriving at Camp Jupiter while under attack and carrying an old lady that looks like a left over from the hippie movement would seem to be about as strange as things could get but that is only the start of an exciting adventure.
The title gives the largest clue of the setting for this tale of The Heroes of Olympus, Neptune is Poseidon's Roman aspect and most of the rules of camp are different from Camp Half-blood. Neptune is not an honored god of the Romans which causes Percy a bit of dispair to start his day.
Joined by Hazel who has a twisted path as a daughter of Pluto and Frank who feels to big for his body and has no idea of what his strength might be even though he has the conformation of a warrior, Percy goes to Alaska, the land beyond the gods.
The very best chapter concerns the Amazon stronghold. More can not be said just enjoy reading it and smiling in several different places.
Very enjoyable book which made will make you review once again your knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Crystal Singer by Anne McCaffrey
Killasandra Ree has dedicated the last ten years of her life to music only to be told at her final audition that she will never be a star and will be regulated to singing in a supportive role. Rather than sing in an auxilarary spot she packs her bags and leaves her student life behind.
She finds herself at the spaceport and hears the whine of the crystal drive on a drone. This is noted by a visiting Crystal Singer who sweeps her up into a whirlwind of travel and luxury. When he falls ill she escorts him back to Ballybran from whence he came against the advice of the director of the music school who is livid when he learns of her plans.
Despite multiple warnings Killa signs on with Ballybran and changes her life forever. If she becomes a Crystal Singer she will live an extended life with plenty of credit to travel the universe. If she fails at singing she will still live a very long life but will not be able to leave the planet.
The first in a triology McCaffrey as always does an excellent job of melding science fiction with fantasy. Even after a fourth reading the writing is fresh and enjoyable.
She finds herself at the spaceport and hears the whine of the crystal drive on a drone. This is noted by a visiting Crystal Singer who sweeps her up into a whirlwind of travel and luxury. When he falls ill she escorts him back to Ballybran from whence he came against the advice of the director of the music school who is livid when he learns of her plans.
Despite multiple warnings Killa signs on with Ballybran and changes her life forever. If she becomes a Crystal Singer she will live an extended life with plenty of credit to travel the universe. If she fails at singing she will still live a very long life but will not be able to leave the planet.
The first in a triology McCaffrey as always does an excellent job of melding science fiction with fantasy. Even after a fourth reading the writing is fresh and enjoyable.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Untamed ~ P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
In this installment in the saga that features Zoey Redbird and The House of Night there is the required teen drama, adults out to stab people in the back, the understanding stranger and visions of doom and destruction. In other words, a typical young adult novel.
I will admit I had to put the book down for long periods of time because Zoey was acting like a skank ho and that is something that bothers my reading sensibilities. She does admit later that she was wrong for the way she acted and hated lying to her friends about most everything she did and said. Zoey's ending behavior is much better than her beginning.
The finale is not really a finale, more of a go out and buy the next book to see what happens next. Just a bit to commercial for my taste.
This is a take it or leave it series for myself. I might read more of them but will not go out of my way to do so.
I will admit I had to put the book down for long periods of time because Zoey was acting like a skank ho and that is something that bothers my reading sensibilities. She does admit later that she was wrong for the way she acted and hated lying to her friends about most everything she did and said. Zoey's ending behavior is much better than her beginning.
The finale is not really a finale, more of a go out and buy the next book to see what happens next. Just a bit to commercial for my taste.
This is a take it or leave it series for myself. I might read more of them but will not go out of my way to do so.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Dragontime by Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey
Anne McCaffrey returns to the world of Pern to write with her son Todd. Her influence is felt in the middle of the book but the beginning and the end are all Todd's, that is not a compliment by the way.
The story line moves to much depending on timing and timing causes paradox so can only be done on a very limited basis. At one point things are flowing well and then another disaster strikes for no apparent reason as far as plot goes. The major flaw in my honest opinion is that the "rules" of Pern are broken on a regular basis.
If you could just read the middle half of the book and leave off the first three and last two chapters you will be pleased, otherwise it might be worth passing on.
The story line moves to much depending on timing and timing causes paradox so can only be done on a very limited basis. At one point things are flowing well and then another disaster strikes for no apparent reason as far as plot goes. The major flaw in my honest opinion is that the "rules" of Pern are broken on a regular basis.
If you could just read the middle half of the book and leave off the first three and last two chapters you will be pleased, otherwise it might be worth passing on.
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