I don’t think I have ever read any steampunk before. However, I do think the Dark Materials series may fall into that genre and I did read that (even I don’t think I have ever read any steampunk before. However, I do think the Dark Materials series may fall into that genre and I did read that (even though I didn’t care for it), so maybe I have. I decided to try Mortal Engines because I saw the preview for the recently released movie and I thought it looked interesting. I am not sure how the movie fared, but the book was quite an adventure!
Set in a steampunk future world, the majority of the cities on Earth have become giant moving behemoths that wander the land swallowing up smaller towns and scavenging wreckage. The focus is on the roaming town of London and its attempt to seek dominance in a world of rival cities, pirate suburbs, airships, and anti-tractionists - who believe the towns should stay in one place.
I thought the story was great and very creative. There was lots of action and character development and the author did not pull any punches when it came to the mortality of the people and the cities. I found myself deeply invested throughout and enjoyed every minute of it. I am glad to see that this is just the first of a series as I am excited to explore this world some more.
I don’t think fans of Sci-fi/dystopian/steampunk can go wrong here. It is geared toward YA and, unlike some others that seem to be mislabeled as YA, this one definitely has a YA feel. So, if you are not a YA fan, I am not sure if the steampunk/sci-fi will be enough to interest you, but I think it is very worth a try.
The Unseen World is probably the best book I have read so far this year. And, I am easily able to add it to my favorites shelf. It is overall a very cThe Unseen World is probably the best book I have read so far this year. And, I am easily able to add it to my favorites shelf. It is overall a very complete reading experience.
When you start this book, I guarantee you will have no idea what it will become. As it progresses, a wide variety of complex mysteries, interesting relationships, and heart-wrenching storylines combine to keep the reader engaged. This book has no filler and no downtime.
This is one of those books that when it is done I realize I have a longing to really meet these characters and talk to them. For me, I enjoy many books without feeling this so, when it does happen, it is the sign of some great characters and great writing.
Categorically, I could see this fitting into the following categories and might be enjoyed by fans of any of these:
- Young Adult - Mystery - Cryptography - Computer-based Sci-Fi - Disease-based heart string pullers - Family Epic - 20th Century Historical Fiction - And a couple of others that would be a bit spoiler-ish to mention
Again, it has a lot! Very worth checking out!...more
1. This book tries to YA too hard 2. This book tries to Sci-fi too hard 3. This book tries to world build too hard
I do give it 3 stars becaThree things:
1. This book tries to YA too hard 2. This book tries to Sci-fi too hard 3. This book tries to world build too hard
I do give it 3 stars because overall I found it enjoyable, but the the things above distracted me so much. (Note: Lowered to two stars on 10/17/2017 because I thought I already gave it two and I keep thinking back to how much I didn't care for it . . . so, I had to drop it!)
YA - There is a general YA formula, but if you mix it in well with a creative story, it doesn't matter if it has the same themes and general plot lines. This book wore YA on its sleeve - young love between enemies, siblings trying to save each other, every main character except the protagonists parents is between the age of 14 and 19. I could go on.
Sci-fi - I am still not sure why interplanetary travel was important in this story, but it happened. Mysterious powers that just so happen to be the most advantageous to the person who has them or convenient to the storyline. It really felt like Roth just wanted this book to be in space and threw out some special high tech weirdness to make it feel like other Sci-fi YA offerings (I was frequently reminded of Red Rising - which I did not care for very much)
World building - Oh man, names, locations, traditions, races - one big confusing mashup! This distracted me the most. So many weird names and odd relationships I had a hard time keeping track of what was going on. The locations and travel were not very clear (see Sci-fi above). I couldn't tell if they were on one planet, several planets, what the ultimate political structure was, etc. Maybe all this is clear for some, but I was lost a lot of the time.
Despite all of this, though, I did enjoy the story and was not disappointed in the plot and cliffhangers for a sequel. I just hope Roth doesn't try so hard to do what is expected....more
Welcome to Wonderland! Come through the looking glass and join the fun.
This tale of court intrigue serves as a backstory for some characters we know aWelcome to Wonderland! Come through the looking glass and join the fun.
This tale of court intrigue serves as a backstory for some characters we know and love, and other characters we have not seen before (unless they exist in Carroll's original writings, I have only ever seen Alice in Wonderland movies). I enjoyed the story and once again am impressed by Meyer's reimagination of existing tales.
I only went 3 stars on this because it was a bit slow and repetitive at times. I think that feel was compounded by my constant inability to stop comparing it to the Lunar Chronicles (which really is nothing like it, but you know comparison is going to happen). Maybe as a stand alone I would have gone up to 3.5 or 4 stars.
Also, I listened to this and Rebecca Soler is again the narrator - she also read the Lunar Chronicles. I enjoy her as a narrator....more
Entertaining little story. I know I am not the intended audience at this point in my life, but it takes me back to when I was a kid and read Charlie aEntertaining little story. I know I am not the intended audience at this point in my life, but it takes me back to when I was a kid and read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, and Danny Champion of the World. I used to really enjoy Dahl's books and it has been a long time since I have read one.
This one was less story and more silly wordplay and fantasy. Towards the end it gets into a storyline, but at least the first half is mainly just a conversation between the BFG and Sophie. It is fun, but gets a bit repetitive.
Also, I noticed that there was quite a lot of violence and racial stereotyping that would probably be controversial in a children's book by today's standards. This is just an observation, not me being the book police!
All that aside - it was silly, it was fun, it was a romp through the imagination. I definitely enjoyed this little fantastical getaway, even if it isn't my favorite Dahl book....more
Not sure exactly what I was expecting with the first book of this series, but whatever it was I think I got it. I was not blown away, per se. Also, I Not sure exactly what I was expecting with the first book of this series, but whatever it was I think I got it. I was not blown away, per se. Also, I don't find myself fanboy-ing or anything. But, it was enjoyable.
The hype train on it frequently plows through my Goodreads feed, so I had to give it a shot.
A few bullet points on this book:
- I liked it. - It was a bit hard to fully grasp what was happening. - I got used to the plot as it went along, but it was still pretty out there when I got to the end. - I expect that now that I am used to this world, the rest of the series will click easier. - I plan to read the whole series. - My final rating is 3.5 (Goodreads - gimmie that half star rating, please!)
I can definitely see why this book is a hit. I really enjoyed the characters. Part of me thinks I was slow getting into it because it is urban fantasy, and that is my normal response to urban fantasy....more
This was a nice little book with a sweet story. A great book for a simple escape. While the scenarios in it are highly improbable, if you can suspend This was a nice little book with a sweet story. A great book for a simple escape. While the scenarios in it are highly improbable, if you can suspend your disbelief for a few hours, it is quite charming.
Lots of chapters. Lots of SHORT chapters. I LOVE SHORT CHAPTERS! I needed a book with short chapters since I am currently reading (or have recently read) some books with loooooooog chapters.
I enjoyed this as much as Everything Everything. Looks like I can continue to count on Yoon for a simple getaway....more
Not what I was expecting at all - and not really in a good way.
Now I preface this by saying, to my knowledge, I have never been and have no plans to bNot what I was expecting at all - and not really in a good way.
Now I preface this by saying, to my knowledge, I have never been and have no plans to be a teenage girl. Some of your opinions on my review might be tainted by the fact that I am a middle age man. Well, that's just fine because I am not sure any of what I am about to say is actually applicable. A lot of it will be me being incredulous of the teenage behavior in this book. But, if this is truly how things are, I think I am glad to not be a teenage girl!
I was expecting a coming-of-age, be who you are, it's okay if you are not perfect story. Instead I got a somewhat bitchy and cynical leading lady who was not very endearing and who I wasn't ever really rooting for. She is kinda crummy to her friends and continually blames it on being the unattractive one - even though there really never any descriptions of her as being unattractive unless it is her talking about herself. Even the guy that dubs her the Duff kind of seems to be joking. You might think I am saying she has no self esteem, but it is not really that. It is like she wants to be ugly, uncool, and grumpy.
Another criticism is the book is that it is extremely repetitive. She spends most of the time talking about what she isn't going to tell her friends while avoiding them. Some of the things she is hidding really didn't seem to be things best friends could keep from each other while risking breaking up the friendship (view spoiler)[i.e. completely avoiding your friends because you are afraid they will find out your dad is drinking again. I understand that may be hard info to share, but she really did almost let it completely destroy her friendship while at the same time sleeping with a hot guy she doesn't want to tell them about either - and then blames it on him. SMH (hide spoiler)]
Despite my complaints, and concerns that my own daughter's teenage years in a few years, I am giving this 3 stars because I was entertained and the book did have me engaged by having me driven to curse at Bianca every few pages, so that must count for something!...more
I think that my opinion of this book does not match the general opinion.
I was pretty bored throughout and my mind kept wandering. I kept waiting for aI think that my opinion of this book does not match the general opinion.
I was pretty bored throughout and my mind kept wandering. I kept waiting for a big payoff, plot twist, that would bring my attention crashing back. I thought there might be some grand resolution beyond the symbolism and poetry of the writing, and there really didn't seem to be. Maybe I missed it while my mind was wandering.
Two other things - I have been encountering these a lot lately:
- WWII is now definitely entrenched as a YA genre. Over the past year I have accidentally stumbled onto books that are being read by a wide audience, I know nothing about them, and when I start reading them they start with a teenage girl dealing with the perils of WWII. I have also read several knowing this was the case going in. This is not a bad thing, just an observation that there are a lot out there now! - Why are there so many books lately with confusing story line time jumps!? I never really felt like they added a whole lot to this particular book. Maybe a couple of "Oh, that's how we got here" moments, but that was it.
I have seen a lot of 5 star review for this book, so maybe I am in the minority. I would not be the one to recommend this one, but you probably shouldn't listen to me as you might miss out on a 5 star book for you!
Side note: I listened to this book and I thought the narrator was great, but, as mentioned above, it did not keep my attention and that has not happened to me in a very long time with audio. (and I just listened to The Goldfinch!)...more
It is a coming of age story dealing with broken homes and medicated minds. Of running away only to findWhat a weird yet kind of wonderful little book.
It is a coming of age story dealing with broken homes and medicated minds. Of running away only to find out you are running home. Of facing a society with many dangerous perils, but where a few genuine diamonds in the rough more than make up for it.
Sometimes it felt like the book was trying to be too whatever it was trying to be, but I think the characters you meet and the experiences they have more than make up for it.
If you love YA. If you love road trips. Give this one a go.
Side note - I loved the chapter about the Cincinnati skyline. I grew up near there and it was a perfect description!...more
About what you would expect from a cheesy, feel-good YA novel. I probably would have rated it higher if I was a teen (some YA translates well to adultAbout what you would expect from a cheesy, feel-good YA novel. I probably would have rated it higher if I was a teen (some YA translates well to adults, not really so much here). But, it wasn't bad and I can definitely see myself recommending it to my kids when they are teenagers....more
This was a great follow up to the Lunar Chronicles series. I don't think you would truly appreciate it if you have not read the series first. All but This was a great follow up to the Lunar Chronicles series. I don't think you would truly appreciate it if you have not read the series first. All but one of the stories is an extension of the original story; filling in gaps, origin stories, etc.
Notes:
The Princess and the Guard - A very powerful and shocking origin story of Winter and Jacin. Some of the stuff that happened to them . . . shocking! Lunar power gets used for some pretty despicable stuff.
The Little Android - Not a part of the series, but there is a special cameo!
Something Old, Something New - Enjoyable epilogue to the Lunar Chronicles that kind of reads like fan fiction.
It was great to see some old friends again. If you enjoyed the series, you must check this one out!...more
Cress is Rapunzel . . . Scarlet is Red Riding Hood . . . Cinder is Cinderella . . . Wolf is the not so Big Bad Wolf . . . Thorne is the charming scounCress is Rapunzel . . . Scarlet is Red Riding Hood . . . Cinder is Cinderella . . . Wolf is the not so Big Bad Wolf . . . Thorne is the charming scoundrel pilot (still picture Han Solo) . . . Iko is the quirky droid
A cross between fairy tales and Star Wars - really, Star Wars fans might hate me for blasphemy, but I really do keep thinking about it!
I like this series - it is very entertaining! I care about the characters and what happens to them. I enjoy the relationships. It might be kinda cheesy from time to time, but I love me some brie! :)
Note on Thorne and Cress . . . (view spoiler)[ per Wikipedia from the Rapunzel story regarding the prince who loves her: "he leaps from the tower in despair and is blinded by the thorns below" (hide spoiler)] it all makes so much sense now!
This one is tough to rate. I liked the writing, but that is about it. The tone is so cynical and melodramatic it is almost painful to read. I can see This one is tough to rate. I liked the writing, but that is about it. The tone is so cynical and melodramatic it is almost painful to read. I can see this one between 2 and 3 stars, but part of me thinks that is too low, and part of me thinks it is too high.
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Now, I am almost 40 and this book is about high school, so right away you might say, "Matthew, you can't relate!" But, I can, because I was there once: depressed over the smallest things, picked on, stressed out, writing dramatic poetry, struggling to fit in, crying for days when I messed up a relationship. I could go on and on; I was there, I experienced it, I survived!
If this book was about drugs, abuse, eating disorders, bullying (there is some bullying - but it doesn't really happen to the main characters, they just respond to it), etc. I could see the dark mood of the main characters making sense. But, they are pretty normal, leading pretty normal lives, until they read some book and start to become all introspective and moody about their lives and their place in the universe.
So, when things got "rough" for the characters in this book, I had a hard time believing the "why". If I was an actual high school kid dealing with actual high school right now and I read this, I would probably throw the book across the room.
Oh, and they never go to class in these books - how does anyone ever graduate?
With many nods to the great Arthur C. Clarke, especially the theoretically well meaning AIDAN, this was a very, [image]
This book was pretty darn good!
With many nods to the great Arthur C. Clarke, especially the theoretically well meaning AIDAN, this was a very, very pleasant surprise. I think Clarke would have enjoyed this book a great deal.
I ended up listening to this book after debating whether or not I should read it instead. I looked through it at the book store and it is a very visually appealing collection of documents, dossiers, and diagrams. However, I saw that the audiobook won awards so I figured I would give it a go. I was not disappointed! It was a fantastic radio drama with multiple actors and sound effects. I found myself holding my breath while I was driving (which is not the best place to be when holding your breath!)
Creative, suspenseful, and terrifying - this mix of sci-fi and horror is guaranteed to appeal to a large audience and I think you should give it a try! I can't wait to check out the sequel!
Side note for those who might be concerned that this book is marketed as YA: It only kinda felt YA as two of the main characters are young and in love. Other than that, space horror fest all the way!...more
This was a cute little story with some neat fantasy sequences. Nothing too exciting and it didn't blow me away, but I did enjoy escaping to the circusThis was a cute little story with some neat fantasy sequences. Nothing too exciting and it didn't blow me away, but I did enjoy escaping to the circus for awhile....more
Uh, oh - unpopular opinion time! This book was just okay. Here were a few of my concerns:
- Didn't really believe the relationships - Didn't really undeUh, oh - unpopular opinion time! This book was just okay. Here were a few of my concerns:
- Didn't really believe the relationships - Didn't really understand the point of the caper. I knew why they were doing it, but the importance of it was not developed enough to get me excited. - Plot jumping for convenience sake. I have been encountering this a lot lately - switching directions on a dime to move the plot in a certain way that doesn't really make sense. - The ending was just okay - while there was a "cliffhanger" I am not super excited for the next book.
There were some good action scenes and some interesting plot points - enough to keep my attention to the end. But, that is about it....more
Going into this, I was a little concerned as I have seen feedback on it from both sides of the fence: love it a lot or hate it a lot. That’s one of thGoing into this, I was a little concerned as I have seen feedback on it from both sides of the fence: love it a lot or hate it a lot. That’s one of the reasons I try to avoid seeing too much about a book before I read it. But this book and the series have been very popular over the past year so it is hard to avoid.
I am happy to say that I ended up on the “enjoyed it” side of things. At first I wasn’t sure if I would be. For the first part of the book I was a little confused at the plot development and I thought it was perhaps the author’s inability to convey the story in a coherent manner. But, even at that point I was drawn in by certain elements. Eventually I realized that the plot development was intentional and my fears were extinguished (with apologies to the author for ever doubting you)!
I found the story and the setting to be very unique for the YA genre. Many settings and storylines have been overdone, but the Persian setting and the stakes for the main characters were very refreshing. That being said, there were many parts of it that fans of YA will find familiar as well.
I am looking forward to the second book (view spoiler)[ (especially since the book ended with a major cliffhanger and hardly anything resolved) (hide spoiler)]. I am hoping I am not disappointed as reviews I have seen for the second entry in the series have been even more divisive than they were for this one. ...more
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