It was cute and all, but like, am I the only one who finds it a little counterproductive and ironic that a story with an environmental message about tIt was cute and all, but like, am I the only one who finds it a little counterproductive and ironic that a story with an environmental message about trees... is printed in a book that needlessly uses more pages than it should? Seriously, at least let it be recycled paper......more
Cute read! I was delighted to find Susan Cooper's name on this book at my school's library because I've been wanting to read The Dark is Rising SequenCute read! I was delighted to find Susan Cooper's name on this book at my school's library because I've been wanting to read The Dark is Rising Sequence for a long time, but unfortunately can't find a physical copy anywhere. So I was happy to at least have this chance to sample her writing. And I really enjoyed it! Apart from the characters that are supposed to be Canadian sounding a bit too British sometimes, the prose was lovely and the characters, while aside from the boggart didn't stand out too much, were likable. There were also some surprisingly mature ideas in here for a middle grade book - I particularly liked the bit about the mother not trusting her son's older school drop-out friend. I did feel like there could have been a bit more about the kids interacting with the boggart, as it felt a little sudden that they came to care about him (especially considering all the trouble he caused), and all the 90's computer tech being explained to the reader was a little weird (though ironically helpful now that it's been long enough that a modern kid actually wouldn't know what a floppy disc is), but the story was simple, fast, and fun, and that's pretty much what I was looking for. I am a bit curious about what the rest of the books in this series might be like now....more
Well that was... a book. In that it is printed and it describes events happening, but when all's said and done it wasn't really about anything. The chWell that was... a book. In that it is printed and it describes events happening, but when all's said and done it wasn't really about anything. The characters weren't likable or complex, the writing was juvenile (though I was surprised by the amount of swearing and some of the content, i.e. gun violence, domestic abuse, smoking, drugs, etc.), and the pacing was weird, very slow in some parts and then too fast in others. This is like one of those movies that's just about getting your adrenaline up by putting the main character in a dangerous situation (like that Johnny Depp movie "Nick of Time"), except it's not good at even that because it's hard to be invested in the danger when, again, the characters aren't likable. Even the intrigue of what's really going on ends up being pretty lame and disappointing. The one positive I can give this book is that it's short and easy to read, so it provided a nice way to spend the long break at work....more
I really tried to read more non-fiction books, but none of the ones I've started have been able to grab me. I was instantly hooked on this one though;I really tried to read more non-fiction books, but none of the ones I've started have been able to grab me. I was instantly hooked on this one though; Roald Dahl's writing style is just so pleasant, he can make anything sound fascinating. And he did lead a pretty interesting life in his time in the RAF! It was surreal to think that all the things he described actually happened to him. This would make a wonderful movie if done right, although you just know if they did it now they would try to force in as many references to his children's books as possible....more
It's really 3.5/5 stars. I was immediately hooked on the main premise for this book (especially since I couldn't make myself read The Invisible Life oIt's really 3.5/5 stars. I was immediately hooked on the main premise for this book (especially since I couldn't make myself read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue), but it didn't entirely play out in a way that I personally would've liked. The author makes a point of stating a few times throughout the novel that there wasn't going to be a "Hollywood moment" of a character's memories rushing back to them, that everyone Tommy ever met would forget him forever, and that's already sad enough. But then to also make it so that he never actually breaks the curse for good, that he has to just live with it his entire life? (This isn't a spoiler, the narrative makes it clear enough fairly early on that the MC will never be free of his predicament). That just feels a little too cruel and sad.
And don't get me wrong, having a book be sad isn't a bad thing, but I just felt like this lacked some kind of emotional peak, a cathartic moment where the main character could really let out all that sadness and frustration. I don't know, it's like, there wasn't sufficient compensation for the amount of suffering the main character goes through, at least not for me. I was definitely invested (though I don't care a lick about business and so honestly didn't think much of that side-plot, which practically becomes the main plot at some point), but I don't feel amply rewarded for my investment. With that said, it was still an enjoyable, fast and easy read. I appreciate that it skips over explicit content, aside from swearing here and there, and the characters were all likable enough. I would definitely read something else by this author. It would be nice if he could add in just a little Hollywood flair next time....more
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be “cozy�. It’s a book that perfectly captures the raw simplicity and occasional harshness of natIf I had to describe this book in one word, it would be “cozy�. It’s a book that perfectly captures the raw simplicity and occasional harshness of nature. That, while telling a surprisingly believable and touching story about a robot that befriends forest creatures. I’m usually very skeptical of stories about robot characters, as they never fully succeed in making me forget that they’re just machines, which makes it hard for me to care about them. Roz was a great character because she was convincing as a machine - lost in the wilderness with no humans to give her a purpose, she reverts to her basic “instincts� of just surviving and adapting. It makes a nice change from a robot who inexplicably develops emotions and becomes more human. The story doesn’t ever forget she’s a robot, but it still manages to make any scene between her and the animals very sweet. I was honestly so happy to find out this book had a sequel even before I'd finished reading it....more
Yeah. You know. It's relatable (most of the time), it made me feel depressed, it made me cry, it made me feel hopeful. But it really could've been comYeah. You know. It's relatable (most of the time), it made me feel depressed, it made me cry, it made me feel hopeful. But it really could've been compressed into a much shorter novella - I found myself getting kind of impatient even before the halfway mark because the plot was getting repetitive and you can already see where it's going, the message is clear. Also the writing was kind of awkward at times, I dunno....more
This is one of those "It was good... but it could've been great" books. When my sister first finished it a couple years ago she told me she felt like This is one of those "It was good... but it could've been great" books. When my sister first finished it a couple years ago she told me she felt like this should've been the first of a series or at least a duology, and I think I agree - there were lots of references and allusions to a much bigger and engaging story going on that could've lead smoothly into a sequel, with a war brewing in another land and characters with chess-based powers (how cool it would've been to see more of that!) sent on a secret mission for their queen... but instead, for the majority of this book, we get balls and tea parties and other high society functions, full of very awkward and frustrating situations involving very awkward and frustrating characters. Mixed in there is an insta-love romance that you know isn't going to last, given this book's nature as a backstory, and a sorta mystery that's fairly obvious if you know your nursery rhymes (or at least one particular nursery rhyme - one that doesn't have anything to do with Alice in Wonderland and yet was given a lot of plot significance).
And I liked all that well enough... but it didn't stay consistent. There's a part somewhere in the last hundred pages or so where the story started going off in directions I couldn't understand. It's like it suddenly remembered that it needed to do certain things, the expected things, (view spoiler)[(kill off Jest, make Cath go mad and become the Queen of Hearts) (hide spoiler)] before the end, and it left me feeling like the whole thing was cut short. It's like getting one of the bad or neutral endings of a game with multiple story paths because you made the wrong decision at a certain checkpoint (view spoiler)[(Going back to save Mary Ann fulfills the prophecy, turning your back on her would've led to the next adventure taking place in Chess (hide spoiler)]). And I'm not saying there's anything wrong with an ending like that, it's actually pretty cool... but it wasn't as shocking or cathartic as I would've liked. I mean, this is the Queen of Hearts. She's crazy and dangerous! Everyone is afraid of her, everyone wants to please her. I would've loved to see just how far she had to have been pushed to make her reach that point. But it wasn't entirely convincing, (view spoiler)[probably in part due to Jest's death ending up being pretty lame - I almost hadn't realized it'd happened when I read it (hide spoiler)], and given that it was clear how things were going to end since the beginning of the book I kinda needed it to have a bit more oomph to really be affected. It was still an enjoyable read overall, just... it could've been better....more
Absolutely precious, this is just what I needed; something sweet, wholesome, fun, and light to relax with. I simply adored the four sisters practicallAbsolutely precious, this is just what I needed; something sweet, wholesome, fun, and light to relax with. I simply adored the four sisters practically from their first appearance - each of them is unique and likable in their own way. I love that they feel like real sisters who are close in age. I also love how magical the book feels in its setting, even though there are no fantasy elements in here; the author did such a great job of capturing that summery feel of childhood, where magic can be found in a big new house with a room of your own, or a pair of rabbits, or a secret passageway, or a garden pond with frogs, or the smile of a friendly neighbor. The only reason I didn't give this five stars was because I never got that certain special moment that touched me personally or blew me away that I like to see in my five star books. But it was still a very enjoyable read, I've got zero complaints. This totally feels like a book that would be oodles of fun to read aloud to someone younger. And it would be absolutely perfect as a Studio Ghibli movie!...more
Very lovely! Just the kind of funny, touching, and light-hearted read I expected and wanted. Ove is such a great character and reminds me a lot of my Very lovely! Just the kind of funny, touching, and light-hearted read I expected and wanted. Ove is such a great character and reminds me a lot of my dad, and even a bit of myself, though there were times I found it a bit extreme in how out of touch with the modern world he is. Regardless, I love the message the book conveyed about how there's always more to people than any of us will ever know, and therefore we can't judge someone based solely on what we see of them; Ove may be curmudgeonly, argumentative, and very set in his ways, but he has his reasons for why he's like that, and he is a good person at heart, he just has a different world-view from others. I really appreciate seeing a character in their late 50's as a protagonist, who isn't just some "boomer" complaining about how bad the new generation is and how everything was better back in his day. That is, he certainly seems like that kind of guy, but he's also much more than that, and I found myself admiring and even agreeing with him on some things.
I will say though that I felt like this book was a bit too idealistic sometimes - much as Ove is likable as a book character whom you can read all the thoughts and backstory of, I feel like people in real life would have been a lot less patient with him. Sure his neighbors had the right kind of personalities to be able to put up with him long enough to get to know and like him (and seriously Parvaneh was the best!), but by the end of the book it felt a bit much that almost all the people he interacted with throughout the book ended up liking him. Ove is NOT nice to people, I just can't think that there would be this many people willing to be spoken to in the way he does just because he's competent and helps them out with things (a lot of times against his own will). There's also an anti-LGBT character in here who threw out his son after finding out he was gay SOMEHOW being completely okay with it by the end of the book, and we don't even see how that happened. It made the book feel just a bit too fantastical and less realistic, which is only an issue for me because Ove was such a fantastically realistic character. It kind of felt to me like the book was saying "you don't need to change your ways, you just haven't met the right people, but once you do everything will fall in place and everyone will love you".
But in the end, it is still a book, so it's alright if it's a little saccharine. Not that there aren't some heavy things that happen in the book (almost all of the chapters about Ove's life made me sad for him and outraged at all the unfairness he faced(view spoiler)[, not to mention all the times he tried to kill himself (hide spoiler)]), and the ending, while it could've gone a very sad and dark route (that I'm glad it didn't take), was still bittersweet rather than being fully rainbows and sunshine. Only other pet peeve I have is that the words "as if" were used waaaaayy too many times. Not sure if that's a problem with the translation or if it's a writing quirk of the author's, but it was done often enough that it was too noticeable....more
You know how there are some movies or games that are more about spectacle than actual story? This is the book equivalent of that, and I mean that in aYou know how there are some movies or games that are more about spectacle than actual story? This is the book equivalent of that, and I mean that in a good way. True to its title, the real star of The Night Circus is the circus itself. That's not to say there wasn't any story to speak of, but it's a very simple story at its core - two young magician apprentices are pit against each other in a game of one-upmanship in spectacular feats, without knowing the others' identity, the circus residents unwittingly caught in the middle of this challenge. While distinct enough to keep track of, none of the characters are particularly deep or layered, and I never found myself that attached to any of them. But again I don't think that's the point.
Your enjoyment will pretty much hinge on whether you like circuses; of reading descriptions of the different tents and acts, the performers, the costumes, props, sets, living statues and pathways, the sounds and smells, the people who come to visit, the schedule of events, even the intricacies of the giant clock standing in the center. This is very much a book where the setting and atmosphere are the main draw, so if that's not really your thing then this book won't do it for you. Me, I love a good aesthetic experience (and I personally love gothic circuses) when it's done well, and I've never seen a book do it as well as I have here - it really felt like I was at this circus, and I enjoyed being there, and wished I could visit it in real-life....more
Found this book while searching for books that were similar to Darren Shan's Cirque du Freak series.
This is the first time in what feels like forever Found this book while searching for books that were similar to Darren Shan's Cirque du Freak series.
This is the first time in what feels like forever that I've finished the first book of a series feeling like I would 100% buy book 2. Too bad this was a print-by-order book (which I didn't even know was a thing??) and I'm pretty sure they don't do that in my country.
Regardless, this still works well as a stand-alone book, and I could easily imagine it as a horror movie. The plot is straightforward and simple but the writing keeps things interesting so that I was never bored, even when not a lot was happening. The characters were very charming, though I feel like more time could've been spent with them to make them just that much more endearing, because as is, they did feel like characters in a horror movie, in that I didn't really feel bad when bad stuff happened to some of them. The protagonist Oz in particular I think could've been a bit stronger, especially considering he was a bully to a boy with Down Syndrome - I don't think we really got to see enough of that side of him, to the point that if I hadn't been told constantly that he used to make 'the retarded boy''s life miserable I wouldn't have believed he'd be capable of such a thing, because throughout the book he's shown to be a pretty decent hero character, smart and compassionate and quick to help his friends. How cool would it have been to follow a bully character in a post-apocalyptic world suddenly be thrust with the responsibility of looking after a baby, and a bunch of other people as well, and actually see him grow into a decent human being? I think if we'd even just gotten at least one or two scenes showing some of the things Oz did to Stevie it would have enriched his character a bit, but he never goes into any real detail about it (possibly because of how ashamed he was of his actions).
But that's really the only complaint I have, that the characters weren't strong enough, not that they weren't enjoyable to follow. With the way this book ended I'd definitely be interested in seeing where the story goes from here, as this really does feel like a precursor to much bigger things to come. But until I actually get the chance to lay my hands on book 2, like I said this does work on its own. Short, simple, but fun and effective, this was just the kind of book I've been wanting for awhile....more
I’m actually kinda surprised with how much I really enjoyed this book. It’s not that I was going into it thinking it was going to be bad � far from itI’m actually kinda surprised with how much I really enjoyed this book. It’s not that I was going into it thinking it was going to be bad � far from it, as I wouldn’t have picked it up to read if I did; its back summary was one of the only ones to pique my interest out of the books I found in the 11th grade reading corner I was hunting through � but I mostly just thought I’d use it to pass the time with, thinking it’d be something more along the lines of Nanny McPhee, which I remember being decent at best and boring at worst. Once I read through the first couple chapters and the situation surrounding the Incorrigibles became clearer � namely their inhumane, borderline abusive treatment as exotic pets by the Ashtons and, indeed, nearly everyone except for Miss Lumley - then I considered the very real possibility of my hating this book, or at least feeling distinctly uncomfortable or disgusted by it.
But, for whatever reason, it still worked for me. I think with the way the story was written � its setting, the almost caricature-like characters � it became much easier to swallow the exaggeratedly cruel attitude towards the children. I’d liken it a bit to the film Edward Scissorhands, where the way the townspeople looked and acted felt like just the right amount of cartoonishly removed from reality that you could forgive and/or believe the particular things they said or did that were a bit mean-spirited. For The Incorrigible Children, I took a liking to the idea of imagining it as a Laika stop-motion film in my head, in the same vein as The Boxtrolls.
The story is a classic trope I’m familiar with, and I’ll admit still pretty fond of; a young and capable nanny/governess is tasked with looking after some particularly troublesome children, gradually rearing them into better, happier people, and eventually winning their hearts. In a different twist though, the young woman in question this time is not a super-nanny; she doesn’t have supernatural powers, she’s not aloof and mysterious, she’s not even an overqualified master at her job. She’s a fifteen-year-old girl who sort of gets thrown into the deep end of the pool without a life preserver and finds herself constantly struggling to keep her chin above water. And I adored her. Penelope Lumley was a protagonist I really came to admire; I liked her bright outlook on bad situations, I liked her stick-to-itiveness, I liked her tactfulness and perceptiveness, I liked her humble personality but firm resolution, and honestly, I wished I could be like her. I related to her a lot on a professional level as well, a little too much sometimes; having worked as a learning support teacher in primary school for a year, teaching especially hyperactive children and slow-learners, I really felt her panic and distress whenever she was thanklessly urged further in her struggles to educate her charges by her employers � whenever she was asked for something that seemed impossible, such as having the Incorrigibles learn French and Latin in under a week, when they had only barely learned to speak at all in English, it gave me flashbacks of the times where my supervisor would ask me when one of my students would be ready to join the class and take formal exams, when said student didn’t even know his alphabet and couldn’t be made to focus longer than five minutes on a simple task.
I also very much enjoyed the writing itself; although a middle grade book targeted towards 9 years and up, the author treated her reader like an adult, or more accurately a person of intelligence, never once dumbing things down even while she was explaining something � sort of like Miss Lumley does with the Incorrigibles themselves, such as when she was explaining irony. The vocabulary used is neither too excessively difficult or too simple. And, though I said the characters were caricature-like, there was real, good insight given into how and why they were the way they were, granting them greater depth than you would initially believe them to have. The best example would be Lady Constance; though she seems shallowly preoccupied with appearances and caring more about the Incorrigibles being sufficiently presentable to high society than about their well-being, you can kind of understand why after seeing the way she interacts with people around her, such as her husband and Miss Lumley.
I’d say the weakest part of the book, oddly, would be the titular Incorrigible Children, although I say so with the least possible criticism � even being the least interesting and entertaining, they still were very interesting and entertaining characters, adorable and charming in their animalistic behavior and eager readiness to please. They don’t even intentionally mean to be troublesome, they just don’t understand � just like most real children. As they are now though, they don’t really get to develop much in the way of character or having distinct personalities, yet � but it does make me curious to know how they change and grow in later books. Which brings me to my next and final point, the ending. I shelved this book under “dissatisfying endings� because, in the last fifth or so the story took a sudden mystery turn, opening up questions that went completely unanswered and unaddressed. It confused me a little, and I felt it was too open-ended to leave for future books. Otherwise the book would’ve been perfectly fine on its own. Not saying of course that it doesn’t deserve to have sequels, just that I prefer the first book of a series to be more self-contained its sequels. Other than that, this was honestly a pleasure to read....more
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