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Rafe Jadison (9 KP) rated Water Weaver (Wraidd Elfennol #2) in Books

Nov 27, 2017

Water Weaver (Wraidd Elfennol #2)

Morgan Sheppard | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

10.0

(4 Ratings)

Book Rating

Phenomenal

Somewhere between Oz and Narnia, and not that far from the little alley that takes you to Hogwart’s, is a beautiful island called Wraidd Elfennol. The way that Rick Riordan brings to life the traditions of the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Norse, Morgan Sheppard pulls her readers into the not so forgotten world of the Welsh, where magic is a way of life, and nature is something strong and powerful that must be kept in order. With strong characters and magnificent details, Sheppard takes her readers on an odyssey that leaves them laughing, gasping, and begging for more. A story that appeals to old and young alike, Water Weaver is as educational as it is page turning as it follows young and gifted Marella on her journey to discover who she is and what she is made of when she and the other Chosen of Wraidd Elfennol must travel to mystical lands in a desperate attempt to save their tranquil world from all the harm that can come from a world out of balance. Sheppard does her own weaving as she blends humor, fact, and poignant life lessons into a piece that reads like an articulate friend telling you a fascinating story in front of a cozy fire. She had hooked me with Marella, the first book in this series, but now I am an addict. Water Weaver is an extraordinary read that leaves you craving exotic foods, a warm cup of tea, and her next book.

Kudos

Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Quip Factory: Millions of Quips, Rips, Dingers, Zingers and Barbs, and How You Can Create Many More in Books

Apr 27, 2018

Rating: 3.5

Quip Factory was very interesting and inspirational. I had many images in my head while reading through the lists and varieties of quips.

If you have no idea what a quip is, it's basically an entertaining funny thing to say that illustrates your point without saying it upfront. Example: "A woman needs a man like a kangaroo needs a pogo stick."

Quip Factory is divided up into two sections: Chapters where quip formulas and lists of words and examples are presented, and appendixes with just lists of words for you to make your own.

Quip Factory sounded intriguing and educational, and there was definitely many inspirational sections, but most of the time I felt almost like I was being talked down to, or like it was harder to understand than it really is. Atwood breaks down popular quips into "formulas" that really don't need to be broken down (example: X needs Y like a needs B). He could have said all the same things he said in about half as much space, and he gave so many examples that the examples felt like the appendix. I expected more than a bunch of unnecessary formulas and lists of words, but it was definitely useful.

All in all, Quip Factory was interesting and I will probably use it in my books and to experiment with language (and honestly, come up with some creative insults and comparisons), though I don't feel like it quite reached it's potential.

Recommendation: Anyone who likes quips, puns, or playing with language.