Entries Tagged 'Suspense or Thriller' ↓
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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April 22nd, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, A-C, Guest Review, Mystery, Religion, Suspense or Thriller
by Silence, guest reviewer
Title: Angel's and Demons
Author: Dan Brown
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 572
Grade Reading Level: Ages 15+
Summary: Robert Langdon is contacted by scientific research facility CERN to discern the meaning behind the mysterious murder of one of their scientists. Upon seeing the victim, Langdon realizes he's been branded with the ambigrammic (reads the same normally and from another view point) word Illuminati. This starts an intriguing adventure that unravels the deepest secrets of both the Catholic Church and the Illuminati.
Why I started reading this book:
Interestingly enough, despite what Hollywood would have you believe Angels & Demons
came out prior to The DaVinci Code
. However I read The DaVinci Code
first, liked it, and was obligated to steal Angels and Demons from my sister afterward. I don't think she's read it, I should probably return it to her...
Likes:
- Again Dan Brown has me questioning some of my base beliefs allowing me to explore a world of open minded thought and mystery. However it's a book of fiction and proclaims itself as such so don't get confused.
- I felt very involved in the mystery, Brown has a way of making you feel almost as if you were solving the puzzles along with him despite not having his wide array of knowledge.
- Carlo Ventresca as well as a few other people found within the church that had mindsets that I found wonderful to learn about. It took a risk and explored something that hit close to home for me.
Dislikes:
- Carlo Ventresca, Dan Brown simply obliterated any attachment I had to him in a way that I honestly felt was painfully random and uncharacteristic.
- There were times that I felt Brown was almost throwing information at me to show me how intelligent he was. There's at least one time in memory that he stated something interesting only to have it become irrelevant in the same paragraph.
- The Hassassin. As I stated this book arrived before The DaVince Code, however since I read it after the whole idea of a hit man who wasn't the mastermind felt rehashed.
- The fact that the whole idea of an Illuminati resurrection is based off of the idea that the ambigram brands have proven impossible to reproduce. It's hard to suspend belief when the book itself displays the words.
Buy: Angels & Demons
Rating: 4 Treasure Chests
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April 16th, 2010 — 2.5-3 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Book Review, D-F, Fantasy, Suspense or Thriller, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira
Title: Silvertongue
Author: Charlie Fletcher
Format: Hardback
Page Count: 464
Grade Reading Level: Grades 5-8
Summary: Silvertongue takes place immediately after Ironhand. George still has one more battle to fight to win his freedom from the Stone. Edie believes her mom might be alive after all. A devil from the black void of the obsidian mirrors follows them back to London, stopping time and awakening the London Stone. The Walker is gone temporarily, locked in the mirrors, but now the children have something worse to face. With two powers of darkness working together war between the Spits and Taints is unavoidable.
Why I started reading this book:
It’s book number three of three in the this unLondon based trilogy.
Likes:
- I liked finding out that the Raven isn't really supposed to be bad, but has been a servant of the Walker for a long time, bound to him by magic. Edie frees the Raven and he repays the debt by taking her through the memories of what has happened to show her more about her mom.
- Clocker was one of my favorite Weirded Ones from Stoneheart, I was glad to see his return.
- Shackleton and the Red Queen are excellent additions to the cast of Spits.
- George's battle with the Dark Knight and Night Mare is excellent and well done.
Dislikes:
- Edie Laemmel's still a bit of a nuisance as far a character goes. She's too stubborn by half and basically refuses to be a part of the group despite wanting to be there. She's my least favorite character in the trilogy.
Buy: Silvertongue (Stoneheart Trilogy, Book Three)
Rating: 3 Treasure Chests
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April 14th, 2010 — 2.5-3 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Book Review, D-F, Fantasy, Suspense or Thriller, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira
Title: Ironhand
Author: Charlie Fletcher
Format: Hardback
Page Count: 386
Grade Reading Level: Grades 5-8
Summary: Ironhand takes place immediately after Stoneheart. George and Edie have approximately 9 hours to save Gunner from the Walker's clutches or he will cease to exist/live to see another day. As they struggle to complete this task, George is forced to go the Hard Way. The Walker is determined to capture and exploit the Glint and the Maker for his own gain and ultimate freedom from the Stone. He will do whatever it takes by fair means or foul.
Why I started reading this book:
It’s book number two of three in the this unLondon based trilogy.
Likes:
- The Walker's lair beneath the city of London and how Gunner manages to outwit the man and rescue himself.
- George is very clever and figures out how to save Gunner from instant and permenant termination. I liked the use of the Unknown Soldier.
- I like Spout and how George changes his Taint status into that of a Spit. Can I have a gargoyle as a pet too? I'd call her Raindrop.
Dislikes:
- Edie's kidnapping by the Walker, especially knowing how the Walker has hunted down and killed hundreds of Glints (girls and women who can read the stone) in order to steal their Heartstones. I don't like the idea of young girls being abducted and brutally murdered. We're not given a lot of specifics, but based on what Glints are capable of seeing by touching bare stone, I imagine poor Edie saw some pretty gruesome things. It seems a little too dark for the younger readers on the recommended reading levels.
- The Glint with the sewn-shut eyes. Creepy! I did not need that mental image. Shudder.
Buy: Ironhand (Stoneheart Trilogy, Book Two)
Rating: 3 Treasure Chests
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April 12th, 2010 — 2.5-3 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Book Review, D-F, Fantasy, Suspense or Thriller, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira
Title: Stoneheart
Author: Charlie Fletcher
Format: Hardback
Page Count: 450
Grade Reading Level: Grades 5-8
Summary: 12 year old George Chapman is on a field trip with his class to the Natural History Museum in London. When he's removed from the rest of the class for something he didn't do, George escapes the museum and vents his anger on an innocent dragon statue and winds up breaking it. Unknowingly falling into a layer of unLondon, George looks up to see if anyone has noticed and finds a pterodactyl carving peeling off the side of the building. Rescued by Gunner, George learns that he set into motion things that have been precariously balanced for a long time and now he has 24 hours to make things right or become enslaved to the Stone of London and maybe even start a war.
Why I started reading this book:
I saw this trilogy first in the bookstore. Then I saw the trailer for Sorcerer’s Apprentice and the first thing I thought was that it was going to be this book series. It’s not, but the gargoyles in the trailer reminded me of the back blurb to the book. I immediately hightailed it to the library and put them on hold.
Likes:
- Gunner a is World War 1 statue who acts as protector, guide, and friend to George and Edie as they explore the many layers of unLondon.
- I liked the world-building that Charlie Fletcher did throughout the novel. There are the good statues known as Spits that are imbued with a sort of soul by their Makers. And then there are the evil Taints which are soulless carvings that are half or all beast in appearance.
- It's very cool to learn that all the statues that Fletcher mentioned can actually be found in and around London. That would make for a very interesting tour!
- Some statues (cough Dictionary cough) use very big words which might be difficult for younger readers, but Fletcher does a good job defining them in character conversation or contextually in the sentence.
Dislikes:
- I didn't like Edie as a character. She was too closed off, hardheaded, and stubborn to be very likeable.
- The Stone didn't really seem as sinister as it was made to sound. The Walker seems like the bigger enemy even though he's enslaved to the Stone and acts on its orders (some of the time).
- The Black Friar and Little Tragedy are very ambiguous. I don't know if I really like them or not because of this. I'm worried the Black Friar will do something to hurt the kids.
- The writing is a little stiff, generally speaking.
Buy: Stoneheart (The Stoneheart Trilogy, Book One)
Rating: 3 Treasure Chests
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