Original Tag: https://thelittlebookowl.wordpress.com/2016/06/13/pellinor-book-tag-original/
The Questions:
1) The Gift – pick a book that kept on giving (a book that stayed with you after finishing)
2) The Riddle – pick a book that kept you guessing until the very end. Continue reading
fiction
Book Review: Thursdays with the Crown
Thursdays with the Crown by Jessica Day George
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
In this third book of the series, Celie and her siblings and friends are whisked away to the mysterious land where the Castle came from. Evil wizards, poisoned lakes, and griffins abound, and Celie has to figure out what the truth is about the Castle’s history to find a way to get back home, save the griffins, and heal the Castle.
I didn’t like this book quite as much as the others, since there was a lot of confusion about who was lying and who was telling half-truths about the past. It made for a confusing plot, and I couldn’t tell who was Arkish and who was Hathelocke, who had control of the Castle first or who first trained griffins.
Also instead of sneaking through secret passageways in the Castle for some whimsical fun, the characters are mostly trekking through forest, starving, and hiding inside a massive crypt/tomb. This book is a little darker than the others. Continue reading
Ilvermorny House Recs
Ilvermorny is the American version of Hogwarts, and here are my book recommendations for each of the Ilvermorny Houses!
What house are you in? Thunderbird, Horned Serpent, Pukwudgie, or Wampus? Continue reading
Book Review: The Tightrope Walker
The Tightrope Walker by Dorothy Gilman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
When quiet Amelia finds an old note from a woman about to be murdered, Amelia finds herself compelled to follow the mystery and find out what happened to the woman. Along the way, she is launched into life, meeting new people, falling in love, and gaining confidence in her own abilities. As she uncovers the murderous secrets of the past, Amelia’s own past rises up to haunt her, and she has to choose to cover up her own neurosis, or free herself to live life to the full.
The mystery plot is really good! I was kept guessing and in suspense to the very end, and I was amazed how every little puzzle piece, that made no sense in the beginning, fell right into place at the end. I loved it! Continue reading
Book Review: The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear
The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Whimsical, wild, and hilarious! Imaginative, original, and wacky! I’m trying to find some good adjectives to describe this book, but none of them do it justice. I have never read anything quite like this! There are just so many things that are thrown together in this story… it defies categorization.
Bluebear recounts his first 13 lives, which range from adventures with the tiny Mini-Pirates to the Babbling Billows (waves who talk), and onward to a pterodactyl, a deceitful Troglotroll, desert nomads, and a professor with seven brains. You never know what insane character or monster is going to pop into the story next! There are a lot of supporting characters, and they are all wacky and weird with their own detailed history and their own quirks and habits. Continue reading
Grandma’s House Recent Reads
Review: Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice
Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice by Stacy King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a fun little adaptation of P&P into manga form, but it’s a little too cutesy and “teen drama” for me. There are roses and hearts everywhere, and the character’s facial expressions and actions are too overly dramatic.
I mean, if someone is going to collapse into a chair from illness, is it really necessary for them to pitch headlong to the floor in a flurry of curly hair and roses, and with their cloak fluttering behind them? haha! They couldn’t just sit down in a chair and faint like a normal person? Continue reading
Book Review: Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Book Review: The Girl Who Ruled Fairyland – For a Little While
The Girl Who Ruled Fairyland – For a Little While by Catherynne M. Valente
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this little short story, and was delighted to see the beginnings of Mallow’s adventures. It’s strange how I got used to thinking of her as the bad guy, but she really is such an interesting and complex character, that she doesn’t fit into the “bad guy” box. She’s so much more.
As always, I adore Valente’s whimsical and brilliant writing style. There are lots of delightful plot twists and surprises in this story, but it’s too short to really have much development.
A wonderful addition to the Fairyland series!
Book Review: The Son of Tarzan
The Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This story follows Jack, the son of Tarzan, who is dissatisfied with his life in England’s public schools, and longs to be living in the jungle. When circumstances push him to Africa, young Jack rises to the adventure and goes racing around the jungle as his father did before him. But will Jack ever find his parents again or even bother to return to civilization?
This book is exciting and fun to read! The action is non-stop and there’s always some wild battle going on, or devious kidnappers threatening to hold everyone for ransom, or a group of evil cutthroats murdering and plundering, and of course there’s always the threat of lions and panthers and savage tribes. It’s never dull, that’s for certain! Continue reading
Luminous Libro 