Entries Tagged 'Horror' ↓
June 21st, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Book Review, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Horror, Suspense or Thriller, U-W, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira
Title: Malice
Author: Chris Wooding
Illustrator: Dan Chernett
Format: Hardback
Pages: 379
Grade Reading Level: 7th-9th Grade
Summary: In Britain all the children know the rumors of a comic book called
Malice
. They also know that if a ritual is done and a chant said six times they could be taken into the world of that comic. Some do so on a dare. Others because they’re missing adventure. Others to prove it doesn’t exist. More still because they believed Malice was better than their normal lives. It doesn’t matter why you do it – you’re Tall Jake’s as soon as you invite him into your life. It’s only a matter of time before he comes to collect. There’s no going back and certain doom awaits you on the other side.
Why I started this book:
My librarian recommended it to me because I liked fantasy book series. This is the first book and the story is continued in Havoc
.
Likes:
- Malice is divided into several zones and this book takes you through two. The Clock Tower and the Oubliette. In the Clock Tower they face the Clockmaker and his metal inventions. In the Oubliette they face a hungry impenetrable darkness and blind ravenous gnawls.
- Seth – he’s pretty foolhardy and he thrives on Malice which makes him feel a little guilty.
- Justin – he’s the knowledgeable guide to the world, having actually read the comics before doing the ritual. He’s also a good friend despite what his life has taught him about how friends never stick around when trouble’s afoot.
- Kady – she’s not a bad character either, I just don’t like the fact that she practices hypnosis. Of the three she’s the most practical and comes as prepared as one can be for a place like Malice.
Dislikes:
- The use of hypnosis throughout the novel. People simply couldn’t have (partial) amnesia? It’s all false testimony on the senses doing more harm than good.
- I had trouble with about half of the illustrations which were too stylized. I couldn’t make head or tails out of what I was seeing some of the time so I ended up just reading the bubbles. I figure somebody with more background in comics will manage with no problem. It just wasn’t the case with me.
- The real victims are all the parents who have no idea what’s going on and only know that their children go mysteriously missing and if they’re lucky come back… but the kids never come back the way they were before the left and nobody knows why, not even the kids.
Last Minute Thoughts: The beginning is pretty scary (horror like scary), but once the kids make it to Malice is more like a thrilling adventure. I also sincerely hope that despite how it appears Justin is still alive. I can’t wait for the next book about the kid rebels known as Havoc.
Buy: Malice
Rating: 3.5 Treasure Chests
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May 30th, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, Book Review, Family Life, Friends, Horror, Paranormal, S-T, YA Genre
by Captain Lyaf Yarr
Title: Dread Locks
Author: Neal Shusterman
Format: Paperback
# of pages: 176
Grade Reading Level:
Summary: Parker Baer is spoiled. He has everything he's ever wanted and then some. But the only problem is that he thinks his life is dull and boring. He rethinks this observation after a girl named Tara moves in the house across from them alone. If that wasn't suspicious enough, she has hair that is almost lifelike, as if she has snakes for hair. She always wears sunglasses and claims she has a bad eye condition. Her house is full of beautiful “sculpted” statues… with fingerprints? She stares people down as if they're prey and she changes people with her eyes. All Tara wants is a friend and that friend is going to be Parker, whether he likes it or not. Once Tara (Medusa) takes Parker under her wing and changes him into her kind he becomes immortal. But he realizes that he doesn't want this! Can he escape and change what Tara has done? Will Tara get her friend? Will the people she's changed be turned back to normal?
Why I Started the Book:
I started this book because it was assigned as a school reading book.
Likes:
- I enjoyed the reading this book. I was kept on the edge of my chair in suspense. I'm defiantly going to be reading the sequel and other books by Neal Shusterman!
- On the back of this book it said it was a mix between the three little bears and Medusa. And I love how these different stories joined together.
- This book was both predictable and unpredictable. It was predictable because I knew it was Medusa and she was going to do bad and turn everyone into statues but besides that I had no idea what else would happen. Since we were reading together as a class we weren't allowed to read ahead. It was terrible! The waiting was killing me!
Dislikes:
- I wish the ending was different and that Parker's choice had been something else. I can't say what without giving the ending away.
Buy: Dread Locks #1 (Dark Fusion)
Book Rating: I give this Book 4.5 Stars!
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