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Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) rated The Sleeper in Books

Feb 1, 2018  
The Sleeper
The Sleeper
Steve Brezenoff | 2012 | Children, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Interesting elements for a kids book
The Sleeper is a 96-page science fiction mystery early chapter book. It comes with a few accompanying discussion questions at the back, as well as with some writing prompts and a basic glossary. These writing prompts encourage the reader to continue to interact with the story on their own terms. It plunges the reader right into a world that is theoretically just a few days away from getting destroyed by aliens. But the viewpoint the story is being told from is different than you might expect.

The illustrations in The Sleeper are black and white and surprisingly creepy. The illustrator, Tom Percival, does a solid job doing things like showing how even a smile can be rather disturbing. Nothing is graphic or outright scary at all, and yet readers can definitely experience an unease just looking at the pictures.

The Sleeper introduces the concept of a sleeper agent to young readers. I thought this was interesting and wasn't expecting it even though the title should have been a dead giveaway. In my defense, the cover for The Sleeper and the two line synopsis don't exactly tell you what to expect other than aliens!

While there are several good points to The Sleeper, I can't say I particularly liked it. It felt too brief and even though the discussion questions invite the reader to continue the story, it ends on a massive cliffhanger regarding one of the kids' fate. This may be deliberate, and for younger readers, it may actually work out well. It enables the child to feel a sense of accomplishment that they finished a book, and yet provides the impetus for them to pick up the next one. (Still made me twitch as it reeks too much of the chop-job that some authors like to do to a plot to sell more books.)

Overall, The Sleeper was an okay read. If it gets even a handful of kids interested enough to pick up another book, then it is has done its job. And, as always, it's nice to see a beginning chapter book that focuses on science fiction!
  
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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Stone Cold (Camel Club, #3) in Books

Jan 15, 2018  
Stone Cold (Camel Club, #3)
Stone Cold (Camel Club, #3)
David Baldacci | 2007 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is my favorite in the Camel Club series by far! The story was filled with so many twists & turns that is was quite the breathless ride. I couldn't put it down for the last half & felt like I held my breath the entire time I was reading!
It tells the story of Soviet & American spies during the Cold War. Without giving too much away there is a great deal of murder & treason involved...along with a great con. I am in love with the character of Annabelle Conroy & so glad that Baldacci decided to bring her along for the ride in this installment too. Looking forward to the next chapter in the Camel Club saga!!!!
  
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Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated A Clue in the Stew (Soup Lover's Mystery, #5) in Books

Feb 21, 2018  
AC
A Clue in the Stew (Soup Lover's Mystery, #5)
Connie Archer | 2016
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What a great cozy – even thought this book (#5) was the first I had read in this series, by chapter three the main characters all felt like old friends. The story is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing right up to the end, and the author’s smooth writing style kept the story flowing. If you’ve read any of the Soup Lover’s Mysteries, you should love this one. If not, now’s as good a time as any to start – you don’t need to have read the previous books to enjoy this story, and I did enjoy it!

NOTE: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
  
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David McK (3562 KP) rated Life of Pi in Books

Jan 28, 2019  
Life of Pi
Life of Pi
Yann Martel | 2001 | Fiction & Poetry
2
7.2 (21 Ratings)
Book Rating
I actually downloaded this as part of Apples iTunes 12 days the year before last (2010), but only got round to reading it recently when I saw the trailer for the movie, and realized it was still outstanding. I'm going to sum up my impression in 5 words: "I wish I hadn't bothered".

The reason for that is not so much in the style of writing (first person, flows well enough) but simply that nothing seems to happen for the entire book - it never gripped me; never made me want to read just another chapter to see what would happen next. In short, I found it to be lacking any kind of grip at all.