Entries Tagged 'Coming of Age' ↓
March 11th, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Audio Book Review, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Guest Review, P-R, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer
Title: The Last Olympian
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
Format: Audio Book
# CDs + Minutes: 9 CDs (11 hours, 01 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: 6 – 8 Grade.
Summary: The final showdown has begun and it’s time for Percy Jackson to hear the prophecy in full. The Titans are warring on several fronts and the forces of the Olympian gods are split. Mortals know something is up and are suitably terrified. There is a spy in the midst of the Half-Blood camp and the Ares cabin refuses to join the plans Percy and the rest of the camp are organizing. Which so much fraction and friction, is there even hope that the good guys can win especially when it all hangs in the balance of one 16 year old’s hands?
Why I Started This Book:
It’s the last in the series and I wanted to know the ending of course!
Likes:
- Riordan cuts to the chase and starts with action immediately. No running around pointlessly in the forests (Deathly Hallows) for Percy and his friends.
- Morpheus’ role in the war. He puts the mortals to sleep in New York to protect them or at the very least if so charitable a notion is impossible to believe, keep them out of the way.
- Hestia, the ‘last Olympian’ on Mt. Olympus because at home is where the last hope is kept.
- Again Hades is the first to do the right thing and join the campers in the guarding of the Empire State building, followed very closely by Poseidon providing the much needed relief against Typhon the Titan.
- The final battle on in the throne room against Kronos/Luke and the trio: Percy, Annabeth, and Grover. Very, very good!
Dislikes:
- The constant back to back skirmishes, fighting, and battles. It will certainly be an action packed with no time for breathing sequence in the movie companion that is for sure. At times it was a little overmuch, but I think that might be because I listened to it versus reading it. It seemed to drag on, especially when everyone and I do mean everyone not aligned with the Titans is involved.
- Luke’s mom and the back flashes. Creepy and weird.
- Rachel becoming the next Oracle of Delphi.
Last Minute Thoughts: Percy’s huge decision is one of two things, either: A) He trusts Luke to do the right thing. Very meh. B) His wish of the gods. There is some potential in the second. What do you think?
Buy: The Last Olympian (Audio Book)
, The Last Olympian (Hardback)
, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1 - 5)
Book Rating: 4 Treasure Chests.
Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.
Originally posted 2009-11-10 03:16:50.
February 28th, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, A-C, Audio Book Review, Book Review, Coming of Age, Dystopia or Utopia Societies, Guest Review, Science Fiction, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer
Title: Ender’s Game
Author: Orson Scott Card
Narrators: Stefan Rudnicki, Harlan Ellison
Format: Unabridged Audio Book
# CDs + Minutes: 9 CDs (11 hours, 11 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: 9th Grade
Summary: In a near-future society, the human race is in a war against the buggers, a hostile alien race, who nearly won twice in two wide scale confrontations against humankind. Fearing a third invasion, a system was put in place to discover and train child prodigies in the art of war. This system found Ender Wiggin, and set a course for him unlike any other kid that has gone before. Is Ender the general humankind desperately needs?
Meanwhile a second (side) plot revolves around Earth, Ender's siblings, and it's three separate governing bodies. The Hegemon, Strategos, and Polemarch, all struggle for supreme control and threaten humankind on the home front. Peter and Valentine are determined to make the world over in their image and work to achieve this through the "Nets" to influence how the masses think. Are two kids capable of achieving that sort of influence?
Why I Started This Book:
I can name approximately half a dozen boys over the last several years telling me I had to read this book. It was essential, a must read! I caved. Got it in audio format, because I’m grooving it right now and settled in for the long haul. I now have to apologize to the first five guys who said to read it and I ignored. Great book!
Likes:
- Orson’s style of writing. It’s obviously a style meant to be read aloud; in fact audio format is the best version to meet this book and is something the author mentioned at the end of CD #9.
- Orson’s writing is very evocative. You see pictures and feel emotions and think thoughts as if you were a part of the book itself.
- Battle School is fantastic. I loved it when Ender finally goes up in rank and starts commanding. The mock battles are some of my absolute favorite moments.
- The surprising twist at Command School. It was an ending I did not expect it. I liked it even more when Orson took the story further and explained the aftermath. That too did not go how I pictured it might. Frankly, I was expecting that Ender was going to have to watch out for Peter.
Dislikes:
- Very little. I was going to say the graphic nature of some of the fights or the violence but as Orson pointed out in his ramble at the end of the CD #9 the language is in fact very plain. All graphic nature is rendered through the reader.
Last Minute Thoughts: It’s definitely a book for boys as it deals on many fronts issues boys face more often than girls such as bullying and warfare. Ender also goes through a crisis of identity of self. He does not want to be a killer (or hurt others) but is forced to become one. I think the following quote explains this very well:
Unlike his brother, Ender does not take pride in destroying others and commits this action because he is often pushed into situations which demand physical defense. This portrayal and situation in the novel justifies Ender's actions. (Nick M. on Amazon.com)
I am glad I came to this book now instead of earlier in my life. I don’t think I would have appreciated it then. I do now. It’s terrific! I’m giving the audio book to my dad and telling him to listen to it. He’s on CD #2 and loves it so far.
Buy: Ender's Game (Unabridged Audio Book)
, Ender's Game (Paperback)
, The Ender Quartet Box Set (Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind)
Find books by Orson Scott Card on ebay.
Book Rating: 5 Treasure Chests.
Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.
Originally posted 2009-10-30 03:09:28.
February 16th, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, A-C, Audio Book Review, Book Review, Coming of Age, School Situations, YA Genre
by Captain Yarr
Title: All American Girl
Author: Meg Cabot
Narrator: Ariadne Meyers
Format: Unabridged Compact Discs
CDs + Minutes: 6 CDs (7 hours and 10 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: Ages 12+
Summary: Sam is a not so ordinary girl who wears all black and has a talent for drawing. She is in love with her sisters’ boyfriend Jack, who is an artist also. Her parents sign her up for art classes that she doesn’t want to take, and one class she decides to skip. While she’s waiting for class to be over she sees the president of the United States and an assassin trying to kill him. One quick thoughtless decision and she’s a hero for saving the president. At a celebratory dinner at the White House she reconnects with the presidents’ son, David from her art class. Does stay true to Jack or will her heart fall for a new love?
Why I Started This Book:
One day I went to the library and I guess it caught my eye from a lineup of audio books. I’m a big fan of audio books as you know.
Likes:
- I liked David. He was both mysterious and sweet with a wide teasing streak.
- I enjoyed the chapter where Sam and her family were at the White House for dinner. Sam’s a picky eater and ended up putting about half of her dinner into her napkin to avoid eating it.
Dislikes:
- While I was listening to this book Meg Cabot would write “I mean” this and “I mean” that. When read aloud it was way too much. Eventually I got sick of hearing the words and would groan every time I heard them.
- I didn’t like how Sam dyed all of her clothes black. If I had to do that I’d die of hideous fashion shame.
Last minute thoughts: I didn’t really understand why this book was called “All American Girl,” after all how many American girls save the president and find love with his son?
Buy: All American Girl (Audio Cassette)
, All-American Girl (paperback)
Book Rating: I give this book 3.5 Treasure Chests.
Originally posted 2009-10-15 03:47:40.
February 5th, 2010 — 2.5-3 Treasure Chests, 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Audio Book Review, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Guest Review, P-R, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer.
Title: The Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
# CDs / Minutes: 8 CDs (10 hours, 12 minutes)
Format: Unabridged Audio CDs
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Audio Preview: Download Clip (Right click, save as.)
Summary: Percy Jackson is your average kid, except as he’s about to find out, he’s the son of a Greek god. This would explain his dyslexia and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). It’s a sign of his heritage. All offspring of the gods are marked by it, their natural language being ancient Greek. If finding out he’s a demigod isn’t strange enough, Percy discovers he’s been setup to take the blame of stealing Zeus’ master lightning bolt. The only way to prove his innocence is to go on a quest and retrieve it. The odds don’t look so good for Percy.
Why I Started This Book:
I’ve been seeing the title of this book in many places and decided what better way to be introduced to it officially than by audio cd? I knew nothing going into the book.
Likes:
- Percy is average. His learning disabilities apply to the English language but come in handy in other ways.
- If you want a way to learn about Greek mythology that’s fun and easy to understand, Percy Jackson and his quest to discover the lightning thief, is a good way to go. No need to remember the “uses.”
- The Greek gods will exist as long as Western culture exists. They are not meant to be metaphysical God. They are simply humanlike immortals.
- Jesse Bernstein, the reader, sounds exactly like how I imagine a 12 year old boy like to sound. He has excellent kid voices.
Dislikes:
- I’m coming from finishing Artemis Fowl, boy genius, and I can’t help but cringe at some of the inane questions/comments/concerns Percy brings up.
- I am definitely too old to enjoy this book fully. This series is designed to teach children about the Greek mythology which I already know quite a bit about having learned about them in high school. It really struck a nerve when Percy had a semester if not a year in real school studying the myths and he didn't recognize Medusa when he stumbled upon her statue warehouse! Grr…
- I was able to figure out the Oracle’s prophecy within a chapter of having heard it. I had two ideas and the first was right.
- The only voice Jesse Bernstein narrated that gave me any pause was his voice for Zeus. It was very weird. I was not a fan.
Buy: The Lightning Thief (audio book)
, The Lightning Thief (paperback)
, Lightning Thief (Deluxe Edition)
, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
Book Rating: 2.5 Treasure Chests for anyone over the age of fourteen. 4 Treasure Chests for those under fourteen.
Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.
Originally posted 2009-09-29 03:10:51.
December 28th, 2009 — 1-2 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Book Review, Coming of Age, Fantasy, P-R, YA Genre
by Captain Lyaf Yarr
Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: J.K. Rowling
Format: Hard Cover
# of pages: 784
Grade Reading Level: 4-8
Summary: Dumbledore is dead. The ministry is clueless, and Voldemort is at large. With only the faintest idea on where to search for Voldemort's horcruxes, Harry and his friends begin a perilous journey of discovery intrigue and power. Love, Harry's strongest defense, and the power that Lord Voldemort knows not, is no match for the danger awaiting around every tree (yes tree) in breathless anticipation. As the final battle draws nearer, despair sweeps over Harry. Who will win in the last stand good vs. evil?
Why I Started the Book:
I'm finally finished rereading the Harry Potter series! Now I'm ready for the double movies.
Likes:
- Very little. I liked the Hallows.
- I liked the uber wand switcheroo at the end of the novel.
- I liked Harry's self-sacrifice and how Hagrid carries him out of the forest. It was so sad.
Dislikes:
- This book was so terrible. I did not imagine my dislike the first time I read this book. It read like Rowling stopped caring. In my mind the series is done at book six.
- If you liked the epilogue of this book than I must be missing something but I think that the way that J.K. Rowling ended the book was the absolute “WORST” way to end the book. For those who haven't read the book or are reading it I won't spoil it for you but considering all the other great things that J.K. Rowling has done with this series I have to wonder is this really the best she can come up with? Seriously? I will never think about J.K. Rowling the same way ever again.
- If I had to pick between Fred or George Weasley surviving. I'd pick Fred. I wish Fred hadn't died. They're such a pair.
Last Minute Thoughts: As I mentioned in Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix movie review their making Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows into two movies and I also stated the if they're going to make any movie into two parts it should be book five. It's longer and they're probably adding a lot more to the story (hurrah!).
Buy: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Paperback)
, Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)
, Harry Potter 1- 7 Audio Book Collection
Book Rating: I give this book 2 treasure chests!
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