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Hazel (1853 KP) rated Polaris Awakening (Polaris Anthology, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
<i>This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Polaris Awakening</i> is a young adult science fiction anthology containing several short stories about the human race thousand of years from now where everyone lives aboard giant space stations. <i>Polaris</i> is a collaborative project between numerous authors that are rising up in the young adult world: Kelli Sheridan, E. Latimer, Erica Crouch, Janna Jennings, Hannah Davies, Terra Harmony and Meghan Jashinky. Although each story is different, they all revolve around <i>Polaris</i> – the largest human built space station in the universe.
Despite the different authors’ input, it could be easily believed that only one person wrote the anthology, as their writing styles are so similar. Whilst being labeled as science fiction, there are a lot of themes throughout the book such as a dystopian setting, social and political injustice, romance and violence. There are many strong male and female characters, which make these stories suitable to readers of both genders. The main characters are roughly the same age as the target audience thus generating appropriate language and scenarios for young adults to read and become interested in.
Naturally, some of the stories are better than others. Some are so full of action and suspense, making the reader want to stay with those characters forever, whereas others feel rather short and incomplete. What happens to those certain individuals once they are off the page?
Whilst reading this book I kept thinking about a novel that was recently published: <i>Way Down Dark</i> by J. P. Smythe. The plots of these short stories were very similar to the general story line portrayed within that book. The setting was almost the same as the spacecraft written about by Smythe. If you enjoy this anthology, I am sure you would also love <i>Way Down Dark</i>, and vice versa.
Polaris Awakening</i> is a young adult science fiction anthology containing several short stories about the human race thousand of years from now where everyone lives aboard giant space stations. <i>Polaris</i> is a collaborative project between numerous authors that are rising up in the young adult world: Kelli Sheridan, E. Latimer, Erica Crouch, Janna Jennings, Hannah Davies, Terra Harmony and Meghan Jashinky. Although each story is different, they all revolve around <i>Polaris</i> – the largest human built space station in the universe.
Despite the different authors’ input, it could be easily believed that only one person wrote the anthology, as their writing styles are so similar. Whilst being labeled as science fiction, there are a lot of themes throughout the book such as a dystopian setting, social and political injustice, romance and violence. There are many strong male and female characters, which make these stories suitable to readers of both genders. The main characters are roughly the same age as the target audience thus generating appropriate language and scenarios for young adults to read and become interested in.
Naturally, some of the stories are better than others. Some are so full of action and suspense, making the reader want to stay with those characters forever, whereas others feel rather short and incomplete. What happens to those certain individuals once they are off the page?
Whilst reading this book I kept thinking about a novel that was recently published: <i>Way Down Dark</i> by J. P. Smythe. The plots of these short stories were very similar to the general story line portrayed within that book. The setting was almost the same as the spacecraft written about by Smythe. If you enjoy this anthology, I am sure you would also love <i>Way Down Dark</i>, and vice versa.
ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Survival Game in Books
Sep 10, 2018
Global warming from a child's perspective.
I know it's necessary to have differentiation between the age groups for the protection of those who are youngest, but in this case, knowing that this is a child's/ young person's book, may put adults off reading this - and that would be a shame. All of the themes in this novel are very current. Set against the backdrop of a global climate disaster, we see how the displaced are treated: in a word, badly. We see the devastation that global warming wreaks, and the terrifying journey that a 14 year old girl, Mhairi Anne Bain (Mab, for short, which is interesting, as she is a symbol of freedom in Shakespeare and Mab Darogan in Welsh folklore was someone who was prophesied to come and save the Welsh from the English by forcing them out, as the Scots have forced the English out in this story, I suppose. Don't ask me how I remember this kind of information) makes on her own from the Sudan to the Isle of Arran. On her journey, she meets a young boy who doesn't speak, and she finds herself feeling responsible for him. I think he gives her some hope and a reason to keep going, to be honest. She decides to take him home with her, but of course, it isn't that easy.
Everything in this novel is plausible - the way in which Scotland and other countries decide how to control population, global warming and its consequences, and the resultant mass movement of people affected by drought and flooding.
I really enjoyed this: Mhairi has a very mature voice, as would any child who had seen and experienced what she had, and she is believable. We don't see all of the horrors she experiences, but they are alluded to, which is probably a very good idea when children are going to be the target audience. To be honest, there are a lot of adults that really don't want or need the gory details.
This is a timely novel, and one that is important to read. I could see that there would be a lot of discussion arising from this book in a classroom.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and to give an honest review.
Everything in this novel is plausible - the way in which Scotland and other countries decide how to control population, global warming and its consequences, and the resultant mass movement of people affected by drought and flooding.
I really enjoyed this: Mhairi has a very mature voice, as would any child who had seen and experienced what she had, and she is believable. We don't see all of the horrors she experiences, but they are alluded to, which is probably a very good idea when children are going to be the target audience. To be honest, there are a lot of adults that really don't want or need the gory details.
This is a timely novel, and one that is important to read. I could see that there would be a lot of discussion arising from this book in a classroom.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and to give an honest review.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Fortunately, the Milk ... in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I used this book as a read aloud to my inclusion class of fourth graders. It was selected as one of the Sunshine State Young Readers books this year & I thought it would be a great way to hopefully inspire them to check out some of the other books on the list. They absolutely adored this book. I don't think there was a single page that went by where they weren't laughing or guessing what would happen next or bursting at the seams to tell me how they pictured this scene or that character. To me, any book that can bring together a group of kids that fall all across the reading level spectrum is worth at least a 5 star review!!!
I won't lie...I really enjoyed this book too. There are so many awesome "younger aged" books out there that way too many adults pass up thinking they are too sophisticated to read them. News flash people, if you enjoy a book who cares if it's a 4th grade reading level or aimed at a doctoral student!? Reading is supposed to be fun. Thank you Neil Gaiman for showing my reluctant readers just that!!!!
I won't lie...I really enjoyed this book too. There are so many awesome "younger aged" books out there that way too many adults pass up thinking they are too sophisticated to read them. News flash people, if you enjoy a book who cares if it's a 4th grade reading level or aimed at a doctoral student!? Reading is supposed to be fun. Thank you Neil Gaiman for showing my reluctant readers just that!!!!
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Better Together in Books
May 15, 2018
Better Together by BL Maxwell
Better Together tells the story of two young boys, both only seventeen years old, who have to deal with situations that would stress out adults. Caden is thrown out of home when his parents discover he is gay, and Rio has to become the father of the family when his parents are deported, due to a small mistake. These two struggle when separate, but once they are together, things get better.
This is a sweet story, full of hope and love, showing that maturity isn't necessarily linked with age. In fact, it seemed strange to hear their ages being referenced, as they seemed so much older in themselves. By pulling together, taking one step at a time, and asking for help when needed, Caden and Rio appear to be able to do anything.
With a high feel-good factor, I can definitely recommend this story for when life seems insurmountable!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is a sweet story, full of hope and love, showing that maturity isn't necessarily linked with age. In fact, it seemed strange to hear their ages being referenced, as they seemed so much older in themselves. By pulling together, taking one step at a time, and asking for help when needed, Caden and Rio appear to be able to do anything.
With a high feel-good factor, I can definitely recommend this story for when life seems insurmountable!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dakota Morrill (17 KP) rated the Nintendo Switch version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in Video Games
Mar 4, 2018
Beautiful world, nice story, but some flaws
In the beautiful land of Hyrule you'll experience a wonderful modern story of the famous knight Link and his adventures to aid Princess Zelda. In a beautiful world full of interesting creatures and sometimes unique ways to kill them using your environment or smacking them with their own hand, you will also find yourself drowning after 30 seconds of swimming in a river or trying to rock climb as you'd expect a famous knight to be capable of. You will also find yourself in epic battles with giant mechanical beasts then inside of them doing insanely difficult puzzles that will make you give up and just google the solutions only to realize you still have no idea how to get through them.
This game is the high praise game of the year for all the Nintendo die hards and young adults who grew up with the Zelda series, but in reality is an average game that feels like it took way too much spotlight away from better games such as Horizon: Zero Dawn, or Super Mario Odyssey.
This game is the high praise game of the year for all the Nintendo die hards and young adults who grew up with the Zelda series, but in reality is an average game that feels like it took way too much spotlight away from better games such as Horizon: Zero Dawn, or Super Mario Odyssey.
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Truth in Lies (The Generators #2) in Books
Nov 13, 2018
Truth in Lies (The Generators #2) by Jennifer DiGiovanni
Truth in Lies is the second book in The Generators series, and we reunite with Cara and Alex. Cara is still keeping her powers a secret from her family. Alex is keeping secrets from Cara and Nate. Nate is keeping secrets from Alex. It's a whole big secret-fest! The pressure is ramping up for them though, and the chances of them being 'normal' young adults seems to get further away.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, although I did get frustrated with Cara at times. However, I had to remind myself she is only eighteen, and would I have done any different at that age? This is a high action book, with plenty of angst throughout. The story is fast-paced so make sure you keep up. I will admit to loving where this is going, and I can't wait to see where Jennifer DiGiovanni takes it next. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, although I did get frustrated with Cara at times. However, I had to remind myself she is only eighteen, and would I have done any different at that age? This is a high action book, with plenty of angst throughout. The story is fast-paced so make sure you keep up. I will admit to loving where this is going, and I can't wait to see where Jennifer DiGiovanni takes it next. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
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