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Review Date: 11/29/2005
From the back of the book:
"There on the wall beyond the door was a shadow--misshapen, hulking, hunchbacked, with long apelike arms. The head was huge, the hair wild, the face hooknosed and chinless. It moved; yet no solid object existed to cast such a shadow! Frozen with terror, Ponson watched the hideous form move along the wall toward the bed. Then it vanished, the bed-springs creaked, and a depression appeared on the mattress. Someone he could not see was lying on his bed!"
More than 25 stories of ancient castles, decrepit inns, old and new townhouses, and cozy cottages in the country that all have one thing in common: Through them stalk a spectral array of spirits of the dead--people and animals doomed by fate to haunt the places they knew in life.
"There on the wall beyond the door was a shadow--misshapen, hulking, hunchbacked, with long apelike arms. The head was huge, the hair wild, the face hooknosed and chinless. It moved; yet no solid object existed to cast such a shadow! Frozen with terror, Ponson watched the hideous form move along the wall toward the bed. Then it vanished, the bed-springs creaked, and a depression appeared on the mattress. Someone he could not see was lying on his bed!"
More than 25 stories of ancient castles, decrepit inns, old and new townhouses, and cozy cottages in the country that all have one thing in common: Through them stalk a spectral array of spirits of the dead--people and animals doomed by fate to haunt the places they knew in life.
Review Date: 8/14/2007
This was an interesting look at a post-apocolyptic world. It's actually quite a significant parallel to the world and government today. Very thought-provoking.
Review Date: 4/21/2008
Helpful Score: 2
Junk: Record of the Last Hero is awful. I've only read the first volume, but I can just tell. I must insist no one else read it, even though I know this is a completely unobscure series that millions are just clamoring to get their hands on.
The main character is utterly unlikable. Not because he's the bad guy, I have no problem with that as shown by my massive love for the series Death Note - Light is basically an egomaniacal genius with a god-complex, but he's still likable on some level, or at least interesting. But Hiro, the antagonist here, is just a boring, selfish moron. He has no real reason to use the power he's granted by this special suit he receives in the mail. He claims to be a god, but doesn't do anything but beat people up and destroy things, whilst being really emo.
Did I mention he's a moron? He goes to an autograph signing of his favorite singer, gets to meet her and all, but doesn't actually get her signature because their session is interrupted in the middle by her security due to some ruckus happening outside the building. The ever brilliant Hiro thinks to himself 'Oh snap! I shall get my autograph no matter what,' puts his suit on, and heads out with the intention of making his idol feel safe enough to continue with her special appearance. Naturally, the only real solution is to knock signs off the top of buildings into the intersection where the crazy man is, because obviously a knife-wielding drug addict threatening to kill himself is way more dangerous than a dude in a costume causing mass destruction to the area.
His only friend is his cousin, who basically looks like him with long hair, which makes the fact that he pretty much tries to rape her even more disturbing. Oh, and she's stupid, too. Something happens that makes it so her parents invite him to stay at their house for a while, all after the near-molestation, and she basically says to him 'I know you tried to force yourself on me, but I'm totally cool with that, because you're in a bad situation now. And it's okay that you'll now be living in my house, it won't be awkward or scary for me at all.'
The dialogue is repetitive, with a cop that has to get in something along the lines of "I WILL ARREST YOU!" every time he appears. Perhaps it's the translation, but at times the characters' thoughts and speeches make very little sense. Hiro's aunt makes him breakfast, and when he finishes, he says "Thanks for the food," and his aunt's thought bubble says "Well, he's blunt." What?
This manga is just a really hot mess, and is best avoided. Unless you do it for the lulz.
The main character is utterly unlikable. Not because he's the bad guy, I have no problem with that as shown by my massive love for the series Death Note - Light is basically an egomaniacal genius with a god-complex, but he's still likable on some level, or at least interesting. But Hiro, the antagonist here, is just a boring, selfish moron. He has no real reason to use the power he's granted by this special suit he receives in the mail. He claims to be a god, but doesn't do anything but beat people up and destroy things, whilst being really emo.
Did I mention he's a moron? He goes to an autograph signing of his favorite singer, gets to meet her and all, but doesn't actually get her signature because their session is interrupted in the middle by her security due to some ruckus happening outside the building. The ever brilliant Hiro thinks to himself 'Oh snap! I shall get my autograph no matter what,' puts his suit on, and heads out with the intention of making his idol feel safe enough to continue with her special appearance. Naturally, the only real solution is to knock signs off the top of buildings into the intersection where the crazy man is, because obviously a knife-wielding drug addict threatening to kill himself is way more dangerous than a dude in a costume causing mass destruction to the area.
His only friend is his cousin, who basically looks like him with long hair, which makes the fact that he pretty much tries to rape her even more disturbing. Oh, and she's stupid, too. Something happens that makes it so her parents invite him to stay at their house for a while, all after the near-molestation, and she basically says to him 'I know you tried to force yourself on me, but I'm totally cool with that, because you're in a bad situation now. And it's okay that you'll now be living in my house, it won't be awkward or scary for me at all.'
The dialogue is repetitive, with a cop that has to get in something along the lines of "I WILL ARREST YOU!" every time he appears. Perhaps it's the translation, but at times the characters' thoughts and speeches make very little sense. Hiro's aunt makes him breakfast, and when he finishes, he says "Thanks for the food," and his aunt's thought bubble says "Well, he's blunt." What?
This manga is just a really hot mess, and is best avoided. Unless you do it for the lulz.
Review Date: 8/14/2007
Lovely book of fairy tale-esque short stories - I really liked it. My favorites were probably "Touk's House" and the title story.
Life, the Universe and Everything (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Bk 3)
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
235
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
235
Review Date: 5/14/2006
Brilliant and hilarious is all that needs to be said about this book.
Review Date: 8/14/2007
Night of the Soul Stealer was really exciting to read, I could hardly put it down. The tone was a bit dark - appropriate considering what Tom has to face - and there were several surprises throughout that I didn't see coming. Tom is a very realistic protagonist, because he's not perfect - there are times when he's afraid and makes mistakes, but he still manages to pull through and be strong. It was great to learn more about Mr. Gregory's past, as well as his connection with the book's antagonist, Morgan. Overall, it was perhaps my favorite book in The Last Apprentice series.
Review Date: 9/5/2006
This is the first graphic novel I've ever read, and it was awesome! I love the artwork, and the story was fantastically dark and gloomy. It was definitely more gory and gothic than what I usually read, but I still really enjoyed it and hope to get the second volume.
Review Date: 8/19/2007
Helpful Score: 1
This is supposedly viewed as a 'classic' among children's fantasy books, but it has to be one of the most confusing books I've ever read. I don't understand what happened, and the dialogue seemed so random and as if there were sentences not being spoken. No descriptions or character development. It's supposed to be based on the tale of Blodeuwedd from the Mabinogion, but I didn't get the connection. The whole thing just left me perplexed, which is unfortunate because the description made it sound like something I'd really enjoy.
Review Date: 9/28/2007
Helpful Score: 2
I found this to be a very well done and thought-provoking sequel to The City of Ember. The author does a really good job of bringing to light both sides of a conflict in a way that makes you understand the actions and sympathize with both parties - a tale that's very appropriate at this moment in time. Totally recommended.
Review Date: 8/14/2007
This is an excellent retelling of "Tam Lin," I couldn't put it down. The story is fascinating, and I really connected with the characters.
Review Date: 5/22/2006
This was really good - it's a shame it's out-of-print, because it's one of those lesser-known fantasy gems. The author has quite a rich voice, and the way she demonstrates the evolution and turmoil occuring within one of the main characters is very thought-provoking and realistic. Excellent book, overall.
Review Date: 8/14/2007
Quick, nice book, if a little predictable. The action was basically non-stop, so there weren't any lagging points. I found the main character really unlikable, though - she truly was "a stick-in-the-mud," as one of the sidekicks accurately put it. Other than that, fun, light stuff.
Review Date: 10/3/2007
Helpful Score: 1
I was surprised by how suspenseful this was - it was full of creepiness, like leave the lights on, look over your shoulder eerie. I thought the story was pretty good, and the code the protagonist, Jessica, had to decipher was a nice touch, but the climax felt a little too easy, and the last couple chapters following it seemed unnecessary. The epilogue felt a bit tacked on, like the author had some new idea and just had to add it in whether it made sense or not. The same riddles and clues were repeated in nearly every chapter, and that got quite tedious. It's written in a pseudo-diary style, but I think it would have worked better if that had been dropped, because it didn't seem diary-like at all, really - it tried to be, but it came off inconsistent, and when you really think about it, the way the entries are formatted didn't make much sense if you take into consideration that she would be writing them at the most inopportune moments - she finds out she must desperately search for someone with no time to lose, but wait, let's write an entry about it first; she meets the Big Baddie, does something wrong, but still has time to write an entry before possible Impending Doom five seconds later. Overall, I know I'm pointing out all the flaws I found there to be, but I actually did really enjoy it and found it hard to put down - the suspense really is good, and it seemed well-thought out for the most part, it's just not perfect, especially if you look closely.
Review Date: 9/28/2007
Helpful Score: 1
This was an enjoyable read, though I think it focused more on introducing the children and their crafts than actually having a plot or conflict, which made reading a bit tedious. While I can appreciate the attention the author pays to describing the craft work, it almost felt like too much detail, especially since I had trouble visualizing what was actually occurring in regards to the weaving and smith work. Though I had trouble getting into this book, I did continue on to the second book in the series, which I enjoyed much more.
Review Date: 8/18/2007
Can a 16-year-old girl bring about the end of the world? According to Grendel Prophecy 5111, that is precisely what will happen should the Linevan queen give birth to a daughter. Of the twin boy and girl Queen Elmyr has, though, there is no record of the female, as she was sent off to be killed by order of the Kingdom - and so as the years went on, the child fated to harbor in the apocolypse became the legend of the Scrapped Princess - but the girl was still alive. The infant had been secretly smuggled out of Linevan to the neighboring city of Manurhin, to be taken in by the Casull family. Fifteen years later, Pacifica has no knowledge of her origin before being adopted, but when her adoptive father, Yuma, is killed, she and her siblings learn everything from letters he left for them. Shannon - skilled in swordsmanship - and Raquel - gifted with a strong capacity for magic - must now protect their younger sister; Pacifica's identity and existance has been discovered, and there are assassins that will stop at nothing to bring about her death. The three must go on the run to escape those out to kill her, all the while struggling to come to terms with the life-changing revelations and responsibilities left to them by their parents - what if the prophecy is true?
Ichiro Sakaki's SCRAPPED PRINCESS: A TALE OF DESTINY is the first of thirteen volumes in what looks to be a promising series. The themes of courage, sacrifice, and the true meaning of family enhance the action of the story, while humor works to lighten the mood. The three protagonists are highly likable, and the villains are very unique and fascinating. For a translation, the writing leaves little to be desired, and the few illustrations are a treat for readers. Overall, this little book is a pleasant surprise, and one that you'll be hard-pressed to put down.
Ichiro Sakaki's SCRAPPED PRINCESS: A TALE OF DESTINY is the first of thirteen volumes in what looks to be a promising series. The themes of courage, sacrifice, and the true meaning of family enhance the action of the story, while humor works to lighten the mood. The three protagonists are highly likable, and the villains are very unique and fascinating. For a translation, the writing leaves little to be desired, and the few illustrations are a treat for readers. Overall, this little book is a pleasant surprise, and one that you'll be hard-pressed to put down.
Review Date: 9/27/2007
Helpful Score: 2
This was a really fun read, and I loved the concept. I was fascinated by the way that all the fairy tales become interconnected and the idea that people are assigned roles in certain stories. Seeing as how this is Mr. Beck's first novel, I hope it's not his last - this book was perfectly set up for a sequel, and I, for one, will be looking forward to it.
Review Date: 8/29/2006
In The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls, Elise Primavera cleverly tells the tale of what happens to the ruby slippers many years after Dorothy Gale's adventures in the land of Oz. Ivy and her mother move to the town of Sherbet after inheriting her Aunt Viola's dilapidated home on Gumm Street. After being plagued with rotten luck for seven years, Ivy hopes to start a new chapter in her life, but gets much more than she bargained for when she learns she is a descendant of the Gale family and that it's up to her to keep the ruby slippers, entrusted to her by the mysterious Mr Staccato, safe. When a woman named Cha Cha Staccato storms into town with the intention of posessing the magical slippers, Ivy enlists the help of Franny, Pru, and Cat - three girls from Gumm Street who do not like each other at all - in preventing the shoes from falling into the wrong hands. But when their plan of tricking Cha Cha backfires, they are whisked away to a strange land called Spoz and are forced to journey through truly odd, subterranean worlds in order to reach their home again - all with superficial witches, giant living potatoes, zombies, and a beastly Jinx on their tail. A highly entertaining story that will keep you hooked from beginning to end and illustrations that are sure to amuse, readers will eagerly anticipate the next installment of the Gumm Street girls' adventures.
Review Date: 2/11/2006
I enjoyed this book very much, with its intriguing characters and bits of mystery and romance and humor, but I prefered the author's other work ("Perilous Gard") more.
Review Date: 8/14/2007
Fun epic YA fantasy. Very action-packed - for the supposed first book in a series, it leaves little else to happen in future installments - the exception being travelling through a swamp with weird glowing lights, but that will probably end up in the next book. Sort of cliche, but still interesting.
Review Date: 8/14/2007
Nice, fluffy read. It seems the author did a lot of research for the book, and even includes a little history lesson, along with resources for more information, at the end of the book.
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