Aaron has been having a nightmare of a civilization destroyed, but it is not until he turns 18 that he sees what destroys it: angels. Over the next few days, he begins to discover he has new gifts, some of them beyond the ability of any normal human being. At first he thinks he's going crazy, but then he meets two men who show him a different possibility. At first he refuses to believe, but eventually he must come to terms with what he is: Nephilim--both angel and human. If he doesn't, all that he loves could be destroyed as the Powers seek him out to kill him.
Impression: This book was on the other end of the book vs. TV/movie spectrum as Stardust--it made a better TV series than book. Oh, the basic story line was okay, but the writing itself was overly simplistic, even for young adult fiction, and generally poor. The TV miniseries even managed to give the characters more depth. As usually happens when a book is translated to movie, the miniseries made some minor changes in the story as well, and, in this case, those changes worked.
Really, y.a. writing doesn't have to be like this. Even older children's books don't have to be so poorly put together. Look at Harry Potter or A Wrinkle In Time. Okay, some would say that the former is poorly written, but I thoroughly enjoyed the HP books. I kept reading them--the author wrote them in a way that I wanted to keep reading them. And the movies have worked for me so far as well. Books and the movies made from them can work well together, this just isn't the case for The Fallen.
Because of my disappointment in the first book in this series, I won't be picking up the rest. The story is unfinished, and I don't care. The other books could get better, but I'm not interested in spending my money on them and finding out they don't. I want to own the miniseries, but couldn't care less about the books.
Since the plot of this particular book has been beaten to death, I'm not going to post a synopsis. I'll address a few things that have been said about the book, and give pretty much a general review. No guarantees there's no spoilers. With the emotions the ending of the HP series is bringing up, though, I'm glad I decided to close my comments too.
So, Deathly Hallows. I enjoyed it, and most of it made sense to me. There's been a lot going on about the deaths in this book--who died as well as how many died, the "naked scenes", and the epilogue.
Most of the deaths and how they were written in worked for me. For at least one character, death was inevitable. If it hadn't happened, I would have been disappointed because it would have revealed either a reluctance on the part of the author to do what she had been setting up for the character throughout the books. Or it would have revealed lack of a backbone as she succumbed to fan desires. However, some fans have romanticized his death to some degree, saying it showed courage, and I don't agree with that either. He saved no one. He did give Harry a gift, but I don't think it was courage that was a part of it, and I don't think it necessarily "redeemed" him the way so many think. He was always a complex character and his end only revealed that to a deeper degree.
As for the number of deaths and how they were portrayed, it was a war people. And Harry wasn't there for most of it. So, yea, a lot of "off stage" death made sense. As for who died, that characters we had come to know and love wouldn't make it through to the end made sense. See the first sentence of this paragraph. War doesn't favor only the people we don't know. Yes, I was upset at a few, and cried for one, but I also understood Rowling had to make choices that probably she didn't even like. She did what needed to be done to make the book work.
I don't understand the hub-bub about the "naked scenes". It's not like Rowling got pornographic or anything. Nothing was mentioned that I wouldn't let my children read. The big deal about it all makes no sense to me.
As for the epilogue, I think people have forgotten that these are books for older children or those on the younger end of the young adult group. You generally don't kill off heroes and keep them dead for these readers, and you almost always need some kind of "happily ever after" (or at least a happy for now) kind of ending. These are guidelines pretty much set for the genre, so I always expected Rowling to find a way to follow them even as the books got darker. This may be changing a little now days, with our kids growing up at younger ages, but it's not the norm to have books for this age range to end with the hero dead or not happy at least for the time being. I wasn't particularly fond of her last line either, but I understand WHY she did it (beyond the reasons she's mentioned in interviews) so I won't complain about it.
There have been some complaints about plot holes. I didn't see them. There have been lots of complaints about who ended up with who, which I find to be silly. This was Rowling's book to write, not anyone else's, and I think reading any book with expectations of your desires to be fulfilled will always lead to disappointment. I read without any expectations, and I think she did a great job of tying things up. She followed a single plot through the whole series while giving each book it's own story as well. I enjoyed the story, though there were places where the writing itself needed a little work. But that's been true of all her books, and she still has managed to draw me into the world of Harry every time.
Morenia has fallen, its king has been driven to a distant land, and its people subjected to a religious regime. With the king are his trusted friends and advisors, the men and women who have supported Hal since the day he took the throne, including Rani Glasswright. The small company hides in neighboring Sarmonia, seeking allies in their struggle to return the rightful king to Morenia, but discover the Sarmonian king tied by politics and the mysterious Fellowship of Jair -- the same group that orchestrated Hal's fall from power, the death of a valued advisor's child, Rani's failure to pass her glasswright master test, and now seeks to destroy them all.
Rani continues to try to help her king, despite more losses and a tangle of misunderstanding. But Rani's efforts to help her king end when she is kidnapped by the Fellowship and returned to Morenia to stand trial for her betrayal of the order. Hal manages to get support from Sarmonia after showing their king how the Fellowship has infiltrated Sarmonia's government, and returns to Morenia to regain his throne while fighting his own mental demons. Using a clever engineer and a plan that will leave him with little but his own life should it fail, Hal challenges the well defended capital city with a force too small to have much chance of success. Little does he or anyone else know that Rani is already in the city and that she will be the one to turn the tide.
Impression: I enjoyed this one, probably more than the last two. There was more complexity as more players became involved and the politics became a bit more intricate. Character's were tested, not only in new ways, but with old challenges that had new twists. The ending was unexpected, but you could see how the author got to it not only in the current book, but through the series. The ending was satisfying, with all the loose ends tied up.
I find it interesting that the series was fairly complete without this last novel, while Master still adds to the series and finalizes what few threads were left in the last book. At the same time, this book could easily be read on its own, without the previous books in the series, and be almost as much enjoyed since events are clearly explained without being dumped into the novel. I think the earlier books were good starters for Klasky, but these last 2 in the series have shown her growth as an author. I recommend The Glasswrights' Master to any reader of fantasy, even if they haven't read the earlier books in the series.
When the Glasswrights were finally freed from the dungeons Morenia, they fled, some scattering but most finding their way to Brianta to rebuild their guild. Now they've called Rani Trader to take the test that will prove she's worthy of the title Journeyman that she's taken for herself, and perhaps become a Master at last. Eager to take her place in the guild, and to bring it back to Morenia is she can, Rani eagerly accompanies Princess Berylina on her pilgrimage to Brianta.
But there is more than a Glasswright's Test planned for Rani. The mysterious Fellowship, to whom Rani has pledged herself, still craves to control the Morenian throne, and their test will be one more trying to Rani than that of the Glasswrights. Rani finds herself in a tangle of promises and sworn loyalties that conflict, risking her relationship, the lives of her friends, and her standing in the Guild itself.
Impression: For the last couple of books, Klasky has been creating conflicting loyalties for Rani, and in The Glasswright's Test they finally come together. The book is a very natural sequel to the previous books, and a an easy, enjoyable read. It's always nice to see an author take the next logical step with her characters and take into account the issues they've managed to surround themselves with in previous novels. I also enjoyed seeing a very different culture, one that honors the same Gods as Morenia but in a "more pious" way. The way Klasky had religion permeate the Brianta culture was fascinating. There were some minor issues I had, but they weren't anything that got in the way of enjoying the book, and they may even add something to the next book in the series.
I recommend The Glasswright's Test to anyone who has read the previous books. The series has proved to be an entertaining read for me, and I'm sure younger readers who are into fantasy will enjoy it even more.
Corleu, a young Wayfolk man, is trapped into a search for the heart of the Cygnet by one of the legendary powers of his world in order to free his love from being eternally trapped. He finds help from the sorceress Nyx, daughter of the ruling family of Ro House, though he is not allowed to tell her what he seeks, and the two of them release the powers of legend. But another daughter of Ro House is destined to protect the Cygnet, even from her own. Each riddle surrounding the Cygnet is answered with yet another riddle that only another legend can answer until Corleu, followed by a power hungry sorceress, and legendary powers that have come to life, finally reaches the hiding place of the Cygnet itself where discovers his past and frees his future.
Impression: While not one of my favorite McKillip reads, I found The Sorceress and the Cygnet enjoyable -- not fantastic enjoyable, but okay enjoyable. The title and the book don't actually quite fit together, though Nyx is a big part of the story, she is not the important part of the story. However, I also understand why it the title is what it is, I just feel it misleads the prospective reader. In any case, the story itself in interesting, though the style lacks the lyrical quality I have appreciated in a number of her past books. I'm honestly not sure why I didn’t feel more drawn into the book than I was -- it's not a bad read, just an okay one. The world is intriguing and the writing solid. The weak link, I think, was the characters. Corleu does have a compelling reason for his actions which are the foundation for the plot, but I didn't feel there was as much depth to these characters as there could have been. The one exception was Meguet. It really seemed as if the story should be about her, but not in the round about way it happened. The ties of discovery that seemed to link Corleu and Meguet were not as strongly written as they could have been.
So, an okay read, but not a particularly impressive one. It falls short of McKillip's usual care in her writing. I can see it being more interesting to pre-y.a. readers, actually. When I finish the next book, I may just pass it along to my 12 year old and see if she likes it. ;)
Miyax has fled her Eskimo village into the wilderness in an attempt to find her way to San Francisco. When she gets lost, she learns the ways of the wolf through a small pack, and finds some sense of acceptance from them. They, and the memories of her life before her father's death, help her survive as she crosses the Alaskan wilds. But when she reaches civilization and her pack leader is shot for sport, not even the discovery that her father is alive is enough to keep her there.
Impression: When I read the author's brief bio on the back cover of this book, it was no surprise to discover that she's a researcher and observer of nature. The "story" read more as an attempt to wrap fiction around a report on living in the Alaskan wilds. The book honestly raised on my literary analysis hackles, annoyed me as a reader, and frustrated me as a writer.
The short, choppy sentences have little to do with the main character's age or point of view, and made reading very difficult. There's a "let's learn about this" feel to the writing, and constant, out of character exposition on Alaska and living in the wilderness that make it very dull reading. Unnecessary and intermittent verb shifts were jarring as well. And the naturalistic message at the end - that civilization is corrupting and living close to nature no matter the cost (or age) is preferred - was heavy-handed, annoying, and insulting. This could have been a wonderful story. The author's choices in the telling, however, have made it into one I can't recommend to anyone.
Karana, a young native girl, lived in the valley of Ghalas-at on the Island of the Blue Dolphins until misfortune struck her people. First come the Aleuts and their treacherous, Russian leader who refuses to honor his bargain and ends up killing most of the men in the village. Then comes a ship with white sails, sent by the village chief to collect the rest of the Ghalas-at people and take them to a new home. When Karana's brother disobeys and misses the ship so that he can collect his spear, Karana flings herself into the ocean and swims to the island so she can keep her brother safe until the ship returns for them. The next day he is killed by a pack of wild dogs and Karana is left to wait alone. She waits, season after season, and learns to survive. She builds shelter, makes and learns how to use weapons that were forbidden to the women of her people, gathers food, and protects herself from the pack, growing into a strong young woman through it all.
Impression: I think I read this story as a child as well - the story seemed familiar enough. Whatever my reaction then, I enjoyed it as an adult. One of the things I liked in particular was the voice of the narrator. The story is told from Karana's point of view and it comes off very believably. O'Dell writes in the voice of a young, native girl, strengthening the point of view and drawing the reader further into the story itself. The tale is simple, a fictional biography of a woman who really lived at one time, but its simplicity works because it draws the reader further into Karana's head, and thus further into the story. The point of view, voice, and simple style all become interwoven and strengthen each other, which is what they should do. Thus, Island of the Blue Dolphins becomes a well-crafted, enjoyable read for all ages.
Four youngsters - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - are sent into the English countryside during the war to protect them from air raids. In this rambling house, they find an empty room with a wardrobe that leads to the magical land of Narnia. A Witch rules this land and keeps it locked in a winter where neither Christmas nor spring ever come. Betrayed by Edmund and aided by the wondrous lion, Aslan, they contend for the freedom and peace of this beautiful and magical place.
Impression: I remember reading and adoring this book as a child. As an adult, especially one who's gone through literary analyses classes (much to my own detriment, I admit), the experience was much different. This is not to say it wasn't good, but I wasn't as enthralled as I was as a child. Children love the storyteller style Lion is written in, but adults would rather get lost in the story and not be intruded upon by authorial insertions and asides.
Lion will remain one of those timeless, classic stories for children (words I have never expected to use for any book - literary analyses classes tend to make you dislike the words 'timeless, classic'). The story is good versus evil but with children and animals as the heroes, which would highly appeal to the young. It's told in a straightforward, simple manner that's easily understood by children and without the complexity of plot and character usually appreciated by adults. All in all, a wonderful story for children, one to be read by or to them complete with a variation of voices to bring it alive.
Esperanza lives on Mango Street. Before that it was Loomis on the third floor; before that it was Keeler; and before that it was Paulina. By the time she and her family moved to Mango Street, she was one of six. And this is about her time on Mango Street, growing up in a changing Hispanic neighborhood with all the hardness, mystery, and beauty that entails, and how it encourages her to become something different, something more, than what was expected of her.
Impression: I wasn't expecting two things about this novel: for it to be such a short, easy read; and to actually like it. In fact, I stayed up way past what I was supposed to (being sick and all at the time) to finish it. Despite the simple writing style - which is very evocative of a child's writing (and that's no small accomplishment for an adult author) - the novel draws you in and makes you want to read on. It's much like reading a young girl's diary, and Esperanza's life both touches and inspires you. And I've always loved books about women who rise above their circumstances, becoming more than what they were "meant" to be, and who are strong enough to return one day and share that determination and strength with others. This is another book I highly recommend.
Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and friend Calvin O'Keefe are sent on the quest to find and free Meg and Wallace's father, a man who fights an evil power that shadows the cosmos and is taking a planet at a time. Taken to the planet Camazotz - where conformity is enforced and uniqueness and freedom of choice are quashed - through the use of the time and space spanning act of tessering by the odd trio of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Which & Mrs. Who, the children must face this great evil bestowed with the wisdom of the gifts they already posses to save not only Meg's father, but themselves.
Impression: I read this as a kid and really enjoyed it, so when it came time to start reading y.a. lit for my Praxis exam, Wrinkle seemed a good place to start. While I found the story had a bit of a slow start and that I didn't enjoy it as much as I had as a kid, it was still a nice read. While not the most entertaining read for an adult, children will find the story easy to read. The story isn't too complicated, the characters are easy to grasp and to identify with, and yet the setting is full and the characters are 3-dimensional and not overly simplified. It's easy to see why this book is still a favorite for younger readers. I passed my copy on to my youngest daughter.
Unless otherwise noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by me.
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I will no longer be linking to Amazon and no longer recommending Amazon as a place to purchase books I review. Amazon has repeatedly used bully tactics to reinforce its policies, even if those tactics cause harm to authors or limit customer choices. Amazon usually apologizes for the events after the fact, but that they continue to use the same methods makes those apologies hollow. I will not purchase from or encourage others to purchase from a business that chooses to take from the pockets of authors (who as a whole earn a lot less than general public realizes) and decide what the public should and should not read.
