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Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated Salt to the Sea in Books
Jun 4, 2018
So, I’ve just finished reading all three novels nominated for the YA category of the California Young Reader Medal. The first two I read kind of left me feeling “meh,” so I was all set to be unimpressed with this one as well. I’m so delighted to tell you that I was wrong.
The story is told from the perspectives of four different characters, and I loved how Sepetys begins the narrative by telling of the same opening event from each character’s view point. After that, things unfold a little slowly, but it is completely worth it as you approach the climax…by that time, I was completely invested in each of the characters and was absolutely riveted to what was happening to them.
I’m also terribly impressed that Sepetys tackles telling a story from the “wrong” side (Germans during WWII), painting the characters not as the accepted “evil” caricatures but as real human beings caught up in a horrific war. In doing so, she sheds light on a human tragedy that so few of us know anything about (myself included) because it happened to the Germans as they were losing the war.
I will warn potential readers that the end of this novel does get rather graphic and emotionally wrenching, as you would expect in a novel about war and death. Although writing for a young adult audience, Sepetys does not gloss over the terror, panic, and trauma of the events.
The story is told from the perspectives of four different characters, and I loved how Sepetys begins the narrative by telling of the same opening event from each character’s view point. After that, things unfold a little slowly, but it is completely worth it as you approach the climax…by that time, I was completely invested in each of the characters and was absolutely riveted to what was happening to them.
I’m also terribly impressed that Sepetys tackles telling a story from the “wrong” side (Germans during WWII), painting the characters not as the accepted “evil” caricatures but as real human beings caught up in a horrific war. In doing so, she sheds light on a human tragedy that so few of us know anything about (myself included) because it happened to the Germans as they were losing the war.
I will warn potential readers that the end of this novel does get rather graphic and emotionally wrenching, as you would expect in a novel about war and death. Although writing for a young adult audience, Sepetys does not gloss over the terror, panic, and trauma of the events.
Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated The Things a Brother Knows in Books
Jun 5, 2018
I really wanted to love this book. The topic of returning veterans from Afghanistan deserves a place in young adult literature. Unfortunately, The Things a Brother Knows has some significant weaknesses that overshadowed what should have been the meat of the story.
Reinhardt seems to feel the need to cater to adolescent hormones by throwing in a few unnecessarily suggestive scenes that really lend nothing to the plot. Is she afraid that teenagers won’t read her work otherwise? (In defense of suggestive scenes, I don’t typically have anything against them when they are integral to the story line. One look at my past reading lists should hint at that.)
In this case, the romantic relationships that develop in the story not only come off as improbably and entirely sudden, but personally, I feel they detract from the main plot line of a young man trying to reconnect with and understand his brother who has recently returned home from the war.
I will say, however, that I really do like how Reinhardt has dealt not only with the effects of war on returning soldiers, but also with the family dynamic. Not having any personal experience with this, all I can say is that from an outsider’s standpoint, the portrayals feel authentic. I also really appreciate how she manages to skirt the political issues of the war in favor of focusing on the human aspect.
Reinhardt seems to feel the need to cater to adolescent hormones by throwing in a few unnecessarily suggestive scenes that really lend nothing to the plot. Is she afraid that teenagers won’t read her work otherwise? (In defense of suggestive scenes, I don’t typically have anything against them when they are integral to the story line. One look at my past reading lists should hint at that.)
In this case, the romantic relationships that develop in the story not only come off as improbably and entirely sudden, but personally, I feel they detract from the main plot line of a young man trying to reconnect with and understand his brother who has recently returned home from the war.
I will say, however, that I really do like how Reinhardt has dealt not only with the effects of war on returning soldiers, but also with the family dynamic. Not having any personal experience with this, all I can say is that from an outsider’s standpoint, the portrayals feel authentic. I also really appreciate how she manages to skirt the political issues of the war in favor of focusing on the human aspect.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Colt Express in Tabletop Games
May 31, 2018
The planning and execution don't always line up. (3 more)
Options are good without being overly abundant
can always waste a turn to get more options
Getting shot only means to have a chance at less options
can be slightly frustrating when plans go awry. (1 more)
sometimes hard to move the pieces on the cardboard train.
Really a fun light-hearted game of train robbing
the consequences are light in this game of take that and a race to steal the most valuables from the train. There isn't even the conscience of worry about who you are robbing, they've take that out of the equation. they are just tokens laying on the ground, and you have to go and pick them up. But people can punch and shoot you or send the Marshall after you which will foil your plans and move you against your will. Also each character has a special power, so each game is slightly different when you play the different robbers. Also the changing of the order and the different round options with tunnels and other consequences make it more interesting. Great with kids due to the theme. just enough light strategy though to engage their brains. And it's even good with adults having adult beverages. Overall I'm glad I have it in my collection and it's one of the few 6 player games that works for everyone. (There is also a great app for it as well if you want to try before you buy.)
Leah (: (569 KP) rated Stalk me (Keatyn Chronicles book 1) in Books
Jul 8, 2018
Could not stop reading and have even read a second time.
The first book in the Keatyn Chronicles is excellent.
To be honest it took me a little while to get into the book as at the beginning Keatyn came across as shallow and superficial, flitting from one guy to the next and only caring about being popular. However Jillian Dodd made sure to balance this with other scenes so that we were able to get to know Keatyn and realise she is just like and teen girl, trying to fit and and find her identity. And I was hooked!!
Although predominantly a romance Stalk Me also has action and suspense. As Keatyn is stalked by someone and we wait to find out who and what they will do next.
The characters are all very relatable as each person has their own clear personality and flaws. This makes it easy to get to know them, however you will go from loving to hating a character in a few pages as they do something stupid.
The book is written as a diary. This works really well as it gives an unfiltered view into Keatyn’s thoughts and life. I became very invested in the story and could not stop reading.
I would absolutely recommend this book if you enjoy teen/ young adult books. It is one of the very few books/ series that I have ever re read.
To be honest it took me a little while to get into the book as at the beginning Keatyn came across as shallow and superficial, flitting from one guy to the next and only caring about being popular. However Jillian Dodd made sure to balance this with other scenes so that we were able to get to know Keatyn and realise she is just like and teen girl, trying to fit and and find her identity. And I was hooked!!
Although predominantly a romance Stalk Me also has action and suspense. As Keatyn is stalked by someone and we wait to find out who and what they will do next.
The characters are all very relatable as each person has their own clear personality and flaws. This makes it easy to get to know them, however you will go from loving to hating a character in a few pages as they do something stupid.
The book is written as a diary. This works really well as it gives an unfiltered view into Keatyn’s thoughts and life. I became very invested in the story and could not stop reading.
I would absolutely recommend this book if you enjoy teen/ young adult books. It is one of the very few books/ series that I have ever re read.
David McK (3576 KP) rated The Maze Runner in Books
Jan 28, 2019
I decided to read this after watching the film of the same name based on it, in both cases more out of a sense of curiosity than out of any real desire to watch/read it.
In both cases, if I was asked for one word to sum it up, that word would probably be 'M'eh'.
Bleak in nature, this (IMO) is definitely one of - if not the - weakest of the Young Adult genre books I have read recently, that seem to have experienced a surge in popularity of late. In a break from what seems to be the norm, however, the main protagonists in this are predominantly male.
For anyone who doesn't know: the central character (Thomas) wakes up in a lift, with no memory of his previous life, to find himself deposited in what seems to be a glade surrounded by a massive maze which reconfigures itself every night, and in which monsters roam. He finds himself driven to become a Runner - i.e. a maze explorer - just as events start to unfold that will mark the end of their way of life (or the experiment in which the kids are all unwilling participants).
Reading that back, it's almost as if this is experiments done on mice told from the mice's point of view!
I've read it, but currently have no real desire to read any of the others in the series.
In both cases, if I was asked for one word to sum it up, that word would probably be 'M'eh'.
Bleak in nature, this (IMO) is definitely one of - if not the - weakest of the Young Adult genre books I have read recently, that seem to have experienced a surge in popularity of late. In a break from what seems to be the norm, however, the main protagonists in this are predominantly male.
For anyone who doesn't know: the central character (Thomas) wakes up in a lift, with no memory of his previous life, to find himself deposited in what seems to be a glade surrounded by a massive maze which reconfigures itself every night, and in which monsters roam. He finds himself driven to become a Runner - i.e. a maze explorer - just as events start to unfold that will mark the end of their way of life (or the experiment in which the kids are all unwilling participants).
Reading that back, it's almost as if this is experiments done on mice told from the mice's point of view!
I've read it, but currently have no real desire to read any of the others in the series.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Gatekeeper (Afterlife #0.5) in Books
Nov 13, 2019
If you've read the author's rather excellent young adult Afterlife series about angels battling demons for control of mortal souls you will know The Gatekeeper as the cackling, taunting old man. If you have not read the series this novella may be a good introduction.
Aker might seem like a normal boy but there is something different about him. He is a little more cruel, a little more keen to cause trouble and misery than his peers. His downward path soon brings him to the attention of the demon world, a world he adapts to with ease. But demons survive either on their strength or their wits. Aker may not be strong but he is very cunning and very eager to prove himself.
One of the major achievements of this story is that the main protagonist is (hopefully) in no way relateable to the reader; he is sly, selfish and cruel, caring nothing at all for anybody but himself. Yet the writing means that although we might not agree with any of his choices, it is clear why he makes them. So although the reader has no sympathy for Aker, there is some understanding of him.
The story moves quickly as Aker progresses through the demon world and there is little to time to catch one's breath between scenes. This makes it an easy read, and one that manages to provide a lot of background on the wider series without ever deviating from telling the central story.
Aker might seem like a normal boy but there is something different about him. He is a little more cruel, a little more keen to cause trouble and misery than his peers. His downward path soon brings him to the attention of the demon world, a world he adapts to with ease. But demons survive either on their strength or their wits. Aker may not be strong but he is very cunning and very eager to prove himself.
One of the major achievements of this story is that the main protagonist is (hopefully) in no way relateable to the reader; he is sly, selfish and cruel, caring nothing at all for anybody but himself. Yet the writing means that although we might not agree with any of his choices, it is clear why he makes them. So although the reader has no sympathy for Aker, there is some understanding of him.
The story moves quickly as Aker progresses through the demon world and there is little to time to catch one's breath between scenes. This makes it an easy read, and one that manages to provide a lot of background on the wider series without ever deviating from telling the central story.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Grace Year in Books
Jan 22, 2020
has been described as The Handmaid's Tale plus Lord of the Flies with The Hunger Games thrown in
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett has been described as The Handmaid's Tale plus Lord of the Flies with The Hunger Games thrown in. Every book, movie, song, etc can make us think of other work. It does not mean it is not a good story. Actually, those are pretty good books to be compared to.
In The Grace Year, girls are banished for their sixteenth year. No one talks about what they call the grace year. All Tierney James knows is not everyone returns. Those who do are changed. Some are mentally changed. Others are physically damaged with missing limbs, scars, etc.
I enjoyed the storyline but it was a very slow burn. It took a while for me to get into the story. Once I did, I was hooked. It just took too long to capture my attention.
I read her earlier book, The Last Harvest, and found it was also a slow burn but worth reading. Knowing I will enjoy her books overall means I will keep reading until they grab me. With both books, once they did, I could not stop reading.
The Grace Year was a 2019 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/21/20.
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett has been described as The Handmaid's Tale plus Lord of the Flies with The Hunger Games thrown in. Every book, movie, song, etc can make us think of other work. It does not mean it is not a good story. Actually, those are pretty good books to be compared to.
In The Grace Year, girls are banished for their sixteenth year. No one talks about what they call the grace year. All Tierney James knows is not everyone returns. Those who do are changed. Some are mentally changed. Others are physically damaged with missing limbs, scars, etc.
I enjoyed the storyline but it was a very slow burn. It took a while for me to get into the story. Once I did, I was hooked. It just took too long to capture my attention.
I read her earlier book, The Last Harvest, and found it was also a slow burn but worth reading. Knowing I will enjoy her books overall means I will keep reading until they grab me. With both books, once they did, I could not stop reading.
The Grace Year was a 2019 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/21/20.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Thief of Hearts (Hearts, #5) in Books
Jan 9, 2020
This has been borrowed from the Kindle Unlimited library.
I read the previous books in this series a while ago now and gave all of them 4.5 stars but one, which is a rare thing for me to do.
This is Stu's story, Lee's brother from the previous book. He's just been released from prison and has enrolled in an adult class where Andrea is teaching at the local college. There's an instant attraction between them but Andrea fights it as Stu is her student. Stu flirts with her continuously and before long feelings begin to emerge. It turns out all is not as it seems.
I won't go into too much detail as it will ruin the story but I did enjoy this. I grew to really like Stu but he did deceive Andrea a bit. He made up for it big time and, through Andreas teaching and her just being a really supportive, caring person, he started to believe in himself and that he could do better than being a thief.
That epilogue had me smiling like a lunatic. Alfie is a bit of a genius!
This hasn't been my favourite of the series but I have enjoyed seeing more of the Cross clan, and I'm looking forward to reading Trevor's story next. I have One Epic Night as a freebie from the author which is a prequel to the sixth book in this series and I will be reading it next.
I read the previous books in this series a while ago now and gave all of them 4.5 stars but one, which is a rare thing for me to do.
This is Stu's story, Lee's brother from the previous book. He's just been released from prison and has enrolled in an adult class where Andrea is teaching at the local college. There's an instant attraction between them but Andrea fights it as Stu is her student. Stu flirts with her continuously and before long feelings begin to emerge. It turns out all is not as it seems.
I won't go into too much detail as it will ruin the story but I did enjoy this. I grew to really like Stu but he did deceive Andrea a bit. He made up for it big time and, through Andreas teaching and her just being a really supportive, caring person, he started to believe in himself and that he could do better than being a thief.
That epilogue had me smiling like a lunatic. Alfie is a bit of a genius!
This hasn't been my favourite of the series but I have enjoyed seeing more of the Cross clan, and I'm looking forward to reading Trevor's story next. I have One Epic Night as a freebie from the author which is a prequel to the sixth book in this series and I will be reading it next.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Black House in Books
Jan 4, 2020
Another of King's epic stories
Stephen King is my favourite author, so I'm always going to enjoy his stories although it varies as to how much. I have a particular fondness for his short stories or epic doorstop sized novels, and I'm pleased that Black House falls into the latter.
The Talisman is a great story, and this is a very welcome sequel with Jack now as a rather endearing and heroic adult, scarred by his past. This is a story that starts off as a standard crime story and as it goes on turns into a fantastical horror, filled with King's usual mix of well written secondary characters and a nice amount of gore. What I also loved about this is how it links into other King stories - not just The Talisman, but others that I won't spoil but are very much beloved.
That's not to say this book is perfect. It is VERY long and I feel like there are parts of this that get too rambling and long winded, and there are some parts that could quite easily have been cut out without impacting on the main plot. There are also a few characters in this with odd speech impediments or accents, and trying to read their manner of speech gets very irritating after a while.
But apart from this, this is a hugely enjoyable King epic novel. Although only one to read if you've read The Talisman - this is not a standalone sequel.
The Talisman is a great story, and this is a very welcome sequel with Jack now as a rather endearing and heroic adult, scarred by his past. This is a story that starts off as a standard crime story and as it goes on turns into a fantastical horror, filled with King's usual mix of well written secondary characters and a nice amount of gore. What I also loved about this is how it links into other King stories - not just The Talisman, but others that I won't spoil but are very much beloved.
That's not to say this book is perfect. It is VERY long and I feel like there are parts of this that get too rambling and long winded, and there are some parts that could quite easily have been cut out without impacting on the main plot. There are also a few characters in this with odd speech impediments or accents, and trying to read their manner of speech gets very irritating after a while.
But apart from this, this is a hugely enjoyable King epic novel. Although only one to read if you've read The Talisman - this is not a standalone sequel.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Sideways Stories from Wayside School (Wayside School #1) in Books
Mar 23, 2020
When I heard that another book in the Wayside School series was coming out, I had to reread the book that started it all. These books were my childhood! I found out that I still love this series even as an adult.
Each chapter tells a tale about each individual student, and there are three chapter dedicated to each teacher of the class on the thirtieth story of the school. Some of the time, the stories of each child/teacher don't make much sense, but that's the beauty of this book. It leaves you to ponder on what that chapter was about and come to your own conclusions. There are a couple of chapters that teach some good lessons too.
One thing I also loved were the illustrations of each character before their chapter started. They are drawn very well. It was a nice touch, and it made it easier to picture that person in the story. I think it's a great idea for kids who feel like they are too old for picture books, yet they still like some illustrations in their book.
This is such an easy and fun novel to read. It's not very long which is perfect for the intended age group. I believe kids ages 8 - 13 will definitely love these stories the most although it's a fun book for any age.
I would definitely recommend Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar!
Each chapter tells a tale about each individual student, and there are three chapter dedicated to each teacher of the class on the thirtieth story of the school. Some of the time, the stories of each child/teacher don't make much sense, but that's the beauty of this book. It leaves you to ponder on what that chapter was about and come to your own conclusions. There are a couple of chapters that teach some good lessons too.
One thing I also loved were the illustrations of each character before their chapter started. They are drawn very well. It was a nice touch, and it made it easier to picture that person in the story. I think it's a great idea for kids who feel like they are too old for picture books, yet they still like some illustrations in their book.
This is such an easy and fun novel to read. It's not very long which is perfect for the intended age group. I believe kids ages 8 - 13 will definitely love these stories the most although it's a fun book for any age.
I would definitely recommend Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar!