fantasy

August Reading

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What is a children’s book that reminded you of Beatrix Potter? What’s your favorite graphic novel? Tell me in the comments!
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Graphic Novel Review: In Real Life

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In Real Life
In Real Life by Cory Doctorow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Anda loves Coarsegold Online, the massively-multiplayer role-playing game where she spends most of her free time. It’s a place where she can be a leader, a fighter, a hero. It’s a place where she can meet people from all over the world, and make friends.

But things become a lot more complicated when Anda befriends a gold farmer–a poor Chinese kid whose avatar in the game illegally collects valuable objects and then sells them to players from developed countries with money to burn. This behavior is strictly against the rules in Coarsegold, but Anda soon comes to realize that questions of right and wrong are a lot less straightforward when a real person’s real livelihood is at stake.”  – GoodReads

 

I love this story! The artwork is so gorgeous, and I love how the colors subtly change between the real and virtual worlds. The story is really compelling and interesting, and I like that in the beginning Anda is a newb in the game, so that we get to discover the virtual reality along with her and learn about the Coarsegold world. Continue reading →

Graphic Novel Reviews: 2048 and Echoes of Eden

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2048
2048 by Marvin Olasky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this futuristic graphic novel about half-human genetically-engineered “bumans”. The story centers around one Christian senator who is struggling to find the truth about bumans, whether they have souls or are just animals, and whether they have the ability to function in society. Then he has to make decisions about how his stand for freedom and mercy will affect his political career.

I loved that it’s not just a story about politics, but there is a personal side as Continue reading →

Book Trilogy Review: Giants in the Land

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The Way of Things
The Way of Things by Clark Rich Burbidge
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I liked this book pretty well! In this story, the friendly giants who have always helped the townspeople suddenly disappear, and only one man has the courage to journey into the wilds to locate the giants and find out why they left. The main character, Thomas, grabbed my attention right away, and I liked seeing him deal with each crisis as it comes up in the story, gathering courage and wisdom as he journeys along. He’s a good character!

The writing is blatantly preachy, but still inspiring. I liked how the spiritual message is gradually unfolded, but I wish Continue reading →

Book Review: The Wide Road

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The Wide Road by Kim Balogh
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I was disappointed in this book. I was excited to read a Pilgrim’s Progress type of story told from the sinner’s POV, but there are so many problems with the writing that the story doesn’t come through. It desperately needs an editor. I only read the first 20 pages, and I just couldn’t continue.

The writing is extremely verbose and redundant. There are multiple problems with sentence structure, punctuation, and even word usage. For example, the word “self-perseverance” is used, when I’m pretty sure the author meant “self-preservation”. The word “nowhere” is written as two separate words “no where”. There’s a sentence that talks about the “faucets” on jewels instead of the “facets”, and another says how beautiful the “pedals” on flowers are. I even saw the words “their selves” instead of “themselves.”

I like the idea of retelling Pilgrim’s Progress from another viewpoint, but this book needs some help before it is reader-ready.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. The opinions here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.

View all my reviews

Book Review: The White Knight, the Lost Kingdom & the Sea Princess

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The White Knight, the Lost Kingdom & the Sea Princess by Judy Carlson

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

“Prince Lael must prove his strength and loyalty when challenged by an insidious enemy.  Clara and Ian, two kids from Minnesota, will join the adventure to free a captive Sea Princess, battle evil, and overcome lurking temptations. They will meet the legendary White Knight and along the way gain wisdom, love, and friendships.” – GoodReads

I had high expectations from this book since I love fantasy, I was told that it is similar to Narnia, and I had met and liked the author. Plus the cover design is absolutely gorgeous! So when I very quickly began to be disappointed, I tried to lower my expectations and continue on. I tried to reason away the many flaws in the writing. I tried to overlook the lack of structure in the story. I tried and failed. I wanted so badly to like this book! (sigh.) Alas, it was not to be.

I read through page 57, because I always give every book at least 50 pages to prove their worth, but then I just had to stop. I can’t finish this. It grates on my nerves so badly! Continue reading →

Graphic Novel Review: 2048 by Marvin Olasky

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2048
2048 by Marvin Olasky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this futuristic graphic novel about half-human genetically-engineered “bumans”. The story centers around one Christian senator who is struggling to find the truth about bumans, whether they have souls or are just animals, and whether they have the ability to function in society. Then he has to make decisions about how his stand for freedom and mercy will affect his political career. Continue reading →

Book Review: Storm Siren & Siren’s Fury

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Storm Siren
Storm Siren by Mary Weber

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

“In a world at war, a slave girl’s lethal curse could become one kingdom’s weapon of salvation. If the curse—and the girl—can be controlled. As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-year-old Nym isn’t merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and always killed at birth — meaning, she shouldn’t even exist.” -GoodReads

I couldn’t connect with the main character, Nymia, because she is so damaged and broken and full of guilt that she can’t connect with the people around her. She’s so closed off. I mean, she’s a good character and wonderfully written, but I didn’t “get” her. She does have some good character development though, and she learns to befriend and trust those around her. Plus she has awesome stormy powers, and I liked seeing her journey of discovery with her Elemental abilities! Continue reading →

Book Review: Alexander the Good Dragon

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Alexander the Good Dragon Alexander the Good Dragon by Fred Wolf My rating: 1 of 5 stars

“ALEXANDER THE GOOD DRAGON … a stirring tale of long ago battles between good and evil, men and dragons… Sean is tormented by guilt when his father is kidnapped by a malevolent dragon. Unable to simply sit still and wait for the king and his men to come to the rescue, Sean sets out on a long and perilous journey through the Cumbrian Mountains to seek the help of Alexander, a great and benevolent dragon who has proven to be a defender of men. But lately, Alexander is nowhere to be found. Can Sean find the reclusive Alexander?” -GoodReads Description

This book was only okay. I do love stories about dragons though! This book has the basics for a good dragon story, but just needs some better structure. The characters are one-dimensional and the story needs some further development. There’s almost no sub-plot at all, and it ends pretty quickly instead of having a third act climax and then denouement. The main character has almost no Continue reading →