Showing posts with label Adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adventure. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday: All Clear












“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

By: Connie Willis
Publication Date: October 19, 2010


Note: This is second and final book of this duet. The first book was "Blackout." And I am 1st on the library's lending list to read "All Clear" - YEAH!

Description from Amazon.com:
In Blackout, award-winning author Connie Willis returned to the time-traveling future of 2060—the setting for several of her most celebrated works—and sent three Oxford historians to World War II England: Michael Davies, intent on observing heroism during the Miracle of Dunkirk; Merope Ward, studying children evacuated from London; and Polly Churchill, posing as a shopgirl in the middle of the Blitz. But when the three become unexpectedly trapped in 1940, they struggle not only to find their way home but to survive as Hitler’s bombers attempt to pummel London into submission.

Now the situation has grown even more dire. Small discrepancies in the historical record seem to indicate that one or all of them have somehow affected the past, changing the outcome of the war. The belief that the past can be observed but never altered has always been a core belief of time-travel theory—but suddenly it seems that the theory is horribly, tragically wrong.

Meanwhile, in 2060 Oxford, the historians’ supervisor, Mr. Dunworthy, and seventeen-year-old Colin Templer, who nurses a powerful crush on Polly, are engaged in a frantic and seemingly impossible struggle of their own—to find three missing needles in the haystack of history.

Told with compassion, humor, and an artistry both uplifting and devastating,
All Clear is more than just the triumphant culmination of the adventure that began with Blackout. It’s Connie Willis’s most humane, heartfelt novel yet—a clear-eyed celebration of faith, love, and the quiet, ordinary acts of heroism and sacrifice too often overlooked by history.


Saturday, September 25, 2010

The Sword

About two months ago I was reading a flier from my local Christian book store that had a blurb about "The Sword" in it.

"This novel poses the question, if a society had no knowledge of Christianity, and then a Bible were discovered, what would happen?"

The whole premise of this book really got me thinking...what would it be like to live in a culture where no one has read the Bible? Obviously there are "unreached" people groups in the world that have not read the Bible as it has not been taught or translated into their native tongue. But what if no one has knowledge of the powerful teachings and wisdom found within?

Book Description: From Crossway Books
Four hundred years after a deadly virus and nuclear war destroyed the modern world, a new and noble civilization emerges. In this kingdom, called Chiveis, snowcapped mountains provide protection, and fields and livestock provide food. The people live medieval-style lives, with almost no knowledge of the "ancient" world. Safe in their natural stronghold, the Chiveisi have everything they need, even their own religion. Christianity has been forgotten—until a young army scout comes across a strange book.

When I started reading "The Sword" by Bryan Litfin, I didn't realize that this would be a trilogy. (Alas...I guess I have two more books I'll be reading! I always do this to myself - case in point...Hunger Games, Blackout...)

Overall I found the novel to be an enjoyable read. The characters are fantastic and the kingdom and land described create for an epic setting. I found myself trying to determine where in the world the story is unfolding as there are small clues left throughout the book. The villain of the book is larger than life - she is truly one scary woman! I kept envisioning a Angelia Jolie-type actress every time I read a scene with the High Priestess of Astrebril in it.

The story has adventure, revenge, romance, grief, hope, evil, friendship, etc. Nearly everything you'd expect in an epic-like book. My only criticism is that it probably could have been about fifty pages shorter. There were a few scenes that slowed things down a bit, but nothing that would prevent me from recommending the book or reading the next installments.

One of the huge takeaways I have from reading "The Sword" is an admiration for the sheer amount of faith the two main characters - Ana and Teo - have to not back down and deny their faith in "Deu" (God as we know him in Judeo-Christian circles.) I found it inspiring that a future people could feel so drawn to an unknown God simply by the words found in Holy scripture. Really convicting for me to keep up with my daily reading in scripture.

To recap:

Worth reading: Yes

Worth buying my own copy: No (love your local library)

Recommend to friends: Yes, those who like fantasy/history

Stars: 4 out of 5

"The Sword" Web site:

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Mockingjay

All year I have been patiently waiting for the third and final installment of The Hunger Games trilogy. I'm not a big book buyer so I had been waiting patiently for the Mockingjay to become available at my local library. I was 71 out of 125 last week when I last checked. Then a colleague came to my rescue and let me borrow her copy.

Book Description:
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.

I read the story in five days. It started off really well, but then just dragged on and was so depressing to read at times. I know the depressing nature was Collin's intent as she was trying to get across the point that war is pointless - no one wins. But, it was so violent that it just got me down. AND...she didn't end up with the guy I wanted her to! {No spoilers, but I've talked to some people and you are either Team Peeta or Team Gale. Some people loved the ending so don't take my review as gospel that it's not a good ending. It's just not the one I would have liked!}

I have to say though that Collins paints a vivid and believable future reality. She is an incredibly creative writer who doesn't write the expected and for that she should be applauded. I was just rooting for the other guy, but it's alright that I don't always get my way. It will be interesting to see how this story is portrayed when they turn this into a movie.

To recap:

Worth reading? Yes...I mean who wouldn't want to know how this whole story ends

Worth buying my own copy? No

Recommend to friends? Only ones with a strong stomach and not overly sensitive

Stars: 3 out of 5

Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Dust of 100 Dogs

Back Cover Description:

In the late seventeenth century, famed teenage pirate Emer Morrisey was on the cusp of escaping the pirate life with her one true love and unfathomable riches when she was slain and cursed with "the dust of one hundred dogs," dooming her to one hundred lives as a dog before returning to a human body-with her memories intact. Now she's a contemporary American teenager and all she needs is a shovel and a ride to Jamaica.

I wrapped up reading The Dust of 100 Dogs tonight. For as much as I live under a rock, I had read a lot of buzz about this book and was interested in finding out what made it so special. While it didn't blow me away, I did find it an enjoyable read and certainly applaud A.S. King with having a vivid imagination to pair up stories of 17th Century Ireland, piracy and modern teenage life into one story.

I really liked the character of Emer. I thought King did a nice job of developing her and maturing her through the book. Even though she was a feared pirate, she retained some of her Irish girlhood sweetness. I would have liked to have seen more character development of Seanie and their relationship.

The relationship of David and Emer would have been interesting to develop more. There was sort of a "Edward/Jacob" thing going on her (although likely very unintentional I'm sure.) I really wanted to see David fight more for Emer instead of just walking away like he did.

One point I have to say though. The character of Fred Livingstone was revolting. I know...he's suppose to be, but I think, considering this was labeled as YA, he was written a bit too crude and creepy for my taste. We could have used our imaginations more instead of reading about all the perverted things he did in the confines of his beach home.

The ending was really sweet...loved how King tied up the story and kept the magical tale of Emer and Seanie alive.

To Recap:

Worth Reading - Yes

Worth Buying My Own Copy - No

Recommend to Friends - Maybe...only the ones that would appreciate the creativity of it

Stars: 4 out of 5